Famous people have visited Woy Woy

Apart from politicians, famous people have visited Woy Woy.

Spike Milligan, comedian and writer, Harry Secombe, singer and comedian, and in the past, Sarah Bernhardt, a world famous actress.

Sarah was born in Paris and won fame on the stage after success in two plays - one in 1869 and one in 1872.

Sarah stayed at Woy Woy at Fred Couche's boarding house, where in that neighbourhood she went duck shooting.

A timber bridge was built for her over a small water course and it was dubbed the Sarah Bernhardt Bridge.

She also stayed with a Military man on Rodd Island on the Parramatta River.

Spike Milligan's mother lived at Orange Grove and she was a regular visitor to the Woy Woy Post Office.

Just opposite the Woy Woy Post Office, Spike and Bobby Limb, TV host and band leader, staged a comedy skit at the old Woy Woy Council Chambers building.

Bobby was sitting on a camera stand and he nearly fell off laughing so much at Spike's antics.

Spike spoke at a Save Riley's Island Meeting at Ettalong and gave the island committee every support.

As a Gosford councillor, I went with Spike to the start of a Newport Sailing Club Yacht race.

They gave Spike an old blunderbuss and, like a Goons script, the gun would not fire, I think they had to use a whistle or siren.

Harry Secombe bobbed up one day, coming by rail.

I met him at the station and then rang the Milligans, who picked him up by taxi.

Mrs Milligan said Spike and Harry laughed the afternoon away.

As they should, when you remember The Goon Show, probably the best radio comedy ever, Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers.

Email, 25 Sep 2017

Keith Whitfield, Woy Woy