Raising money for the pool

I was recently given a huge bundle of old Woy Woy Heralds by an elderly citizen.

Yellowed and fragile, the pages certainly made interesting reading.

Would you believe that back in the 50s, the paper published the names of all admissions and discharges from the local hospitals, including Orange Grove and Ocean Beach private hospitals?

Furthermore, the paper contained a social column under the heading What Suzie Saw, followed later by Tell It to Joan where, in breathtaking prose, we were informed where so-and-so went on holidays and who was visiting from out of town.

It was such delightful gossip and kept all of us informed about what everyone else was doing.

Tom Arkins was editor at the time and the actual printing was carried out by the old family firm of Ironmongers at Gosford.

Peter Hay looked after all the sport news and Simon Townsend (of Wonder World) started his career with the paper as junior reporter.

Reading through these old papers revealed a rather different world where simple pleasures and community activities were very much part of our daily lives.

Making comparisons is really a pointless exercise, but what became abundantly clear from perusing these old papers was the extraordinary part played by the various service clubs in the social and economic fabric of the community.

Great emphasis was placed on the diversity of trades and professions included in the membership of these clubs so, in essence, they represented a microcosm of our community.

One particular project adopted by all the clubs was to raise money for the proposed War Memorial Pool.

Always ready to accept a challenge, Woy Woy Apex purchased land in the Garden of Adin Estate and then proceeded with the erection of a dwelling using mainly volunteer labour, with all profits from the sale going towards the Pool fund.

One of the most ambitious and imaginative events was the Back to Woy Woy celebrations which took place during October 1965.

All the service clubs were involved, with the help and support of many other organisations including Woy Woy Theatrical Society, Ocean Beach Surf Club and numerous sporting bodies.

It was reported that more than 8000 people watched a colourful procession from Woy Woy to Ettalong - extraordinary considering the population at that time.

Woy Woy Theatrical Society, blessed with a lot of great talent, put on a brilliantly conceived revue called Why Woy Woy, written specially for the occasion by that wonderfully talented lady Joy Hollier who was well known nationally as an ABC playwright.

With her flaming red hair and her ample figure, she used to ride her tricycle to Umina to do her shopping, always accompanied by her two cocker spaniels carried in a basket behind her.

She was certainly a much loved and respected lady in Umina.

The festivities commenced with the Festival of the Waters organised by Apex and culminated with the crowning of the Festival Queen at a Ball held at the Pacific Cabaret, watched by an estimated crowd of 1000 people.

There were four entrants vying for the title.

Dianne Duggan was sponsored by Apex, Lorraine Marsh by the Olympic Pool Committee, Helen Renwick by Rotary and Suzette Waugh by the Lions Club.

With the enthusiastic support of their committees, the girls raised in excess of $9000 towards the pool which, considering this was 1965, was a huge amount.

No doubt you will want to know who won.

Well, it was Suzette who managed to raise one third of the total amount.

Other activities included a full surf carnival organised by Ocean Beach Surf Club, with the highlight being a marathon boat race around Lion Island, won by Port Kembla Surf Club with Avoca Beach Surf Club claiming second place.

Following the procession, a carnival was held at Ettalong which included a maypole and other attractions which kept the crowd entertained throughout the afternoon.

In addition, a gala Soccer Day was conducted at Umina, together with a Games Night at the South Woy Woy Progress Hall.

One of the most watched events was a marathon swim from Gosford to Woy Woy, won by Noel Duff in the amazing time of one hour and 28 minutes.

Jim O'Donnell, the popular licensee of the Woy Woy Hotel, put in a token appearance by diving in with the rest of the competitors only to clamber aboard one of the marshalling boats and dive back in 100 metres from the finishing line in order to claim the second spot, with much cheering and applause from the good natured crowd who appreciated the joke.

Seeing so many hard working people were involved, it would be unfair to single out individuals.

However, I should mention the late Tom Waugh who made a huge contribution both as compere and organiser.

Then there were people like the late Phil Tonkin, the president of the Pool Committee, and Bruce Judd and Barry Langford who, supported by their clubs, made such a fantastic and unselfish contribution which, in due course, resulted in the construction of the pool.

As a community effort, the Back to Woy Woy celebration was an outstanding success, the likes of which we may not see again.

Fred Landman, Daley's Point