Economic crisis in Woy Woy

Back in the 50s and the following years, we witnessed something similar to the current economic crisis in Woy Woy with a number of seemingly thriving factories and businesses quietly closing their doors and sacking mostly highly trained and valued employees.

It may surprise readers that some of these factories collectively employed hundreds of skilled workers, yet upon the closure of these factories, very few people were even aware of the situation other than those directly affected.

Some of these businesses suffered financial distress, others shifted their manufacturing to third world countries for cheaper labour and, of course, there were those like the ubiquitous corner shop which simply could not compete against larger corporations with their financial clout.

The fashion industry and rag trade featured prominently on the Peninsula with Osti being one of the major employers in Woy Woy.

The factory was located in Edward St and was managed by Fred Moss who also played a commendable part in the local Lions Club.

One year he donated all the fabric to dress up the club's float for the Back to Woy Woy celebrations.

Another clothing manufacturer was Superfit which operated in the building now occupied by the motel in The Boulevarde.

Jim French owned the business and employed at one time no less than 90 staff.

King Gee and Yakka overalls were all produced on the premises, as well as men's clothing under the Delta label.

All the men's trousers were sent across the road to the Central Coast Dry Cleaners, owned by Tom Waugh, for pressing before being despatched to the city for distribution.

Some of the other businesses which come to mind are Woy Woy Fibrous Works owned by the Jesperson family; Planet Gloves near the corner of Rawson and Ocean Beach Rds, which manufactured industrial gloves; and Vicky Blouses at Umina which made women's garments under the ownership of Neville and Vicky Stokes.

Two others that penetrated the fog of my distant memory were the milk depot operated by the Campbell family in Flathead Rd and Buckworth's engineering workshop located in the building now occupied by St Vinnies in Brickwharf Rd.

Sadly, one of the last businesses to close was the abattoirs, operated by F. C. Nichols Pty Limited at South Woy Woy.

At peak times, more than 80 people were employed by the company, including slaughtermen, boners, drivers and staff for the various retail outlets.

In one week alone in 1978, 987 cattle were slaughtered on the premises and later turned into chops, steak and minced meat.

The Nichols family acquired the abattoirs from Jack Roberts in 1955.

The abattoir developed from a dairy farm first established by John Bull back in 1919 and whose name has been perpetuated by the naming of Bull's Hill.

No story of past businesses would be complete without mentioning HC Margin, the ice cream, soft drinks and cordial manufacturer, which operated from premises opposite Woy Woy Public School in Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy.

It would be easy to write a book about a family comprising three generations which first started production back in 1926.

Fred Landman, Daley's Point