Film proceeds donated to Mary Mac's

Proceeds from a film about the Woy Woy Peninsula have been donated to Mary Mac's Place in Woy Woy.

Local film producer and Coast FM announcer Ms Vivien Sale has donated the proceeds from the sale of her recent film, Peninsular Paradise, to CatholicCare's Mary Mac's Place.

Ms Sale was inspired by the 1936 film, Woy Woy: The Venice of Australia, a black and white film capturing the delights of the area over 80 years ago.

Last April, she couldn't get the eight-minute film out of her mind and dreamt of picking it up and telling the story of the ensuing 80 years.

With the help of her friend, local film maker Mr Noel Sandler, the dream gained momentum.

Within six months the story was told, the film was made and the 45-minute documentary, Peninsular Paradise, was opening to a two-week season at Cinema Paradiso in Ettalong.

"It was bizarre" Ms Sale said.

"What started as a dream quickly became a reality.

"The film was so popular and the DVD sales went through the roof.

"I am so happy to donate the proceeds to CatholicCare's Mary Mac's Place."

Mrs Sale was the recipient of an Australia Day Award from Central Coast Council in January, for her significant contribution to cultural development in the community.

"I was both surprised and deeply honoured to receive the award," she said.

"I truly love the Central Coast and the community here.

"I love the work that I do with Coast FM and am so very happy to be able to help our community institutions in any way I can."

Mary Mac's Place serves over 80 hot meals a day, Monday to Friday, to the hungry, homeless and struggling in local community.

"We are so grateful for the donation from Mrs Sale," said Ms Sarah Williams, acting coordinator of the service.

"We rely heavily on the generosity of the local community to help us continue to provide hot meals, showers, laundry facilities as well as many other resources such as counselling and legal aid to those in need.

"One of the best things about Mary Mac's Place is the very warm welcome everyone receives and the love and respect shown to all.

"The money donated goes a long way to helping achieve this."

Media release, 1 Mar 2017

Sarah Williams, Mary Mac's Place