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Collapse Issue 460 - 17 Dec 2018Issue 460 - 17 Dec 2018
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Woy Woy designated as town centre like Gosford
New planning controls to increase residential density
Firefighters rescue trapped ducks
Sporties 'determined to reinvent itself' over summer
No Woy Woy masterplan before 2020, councillors told
Greenfield Rd funding is 'testament to united community'
Consultation about skate park upgrade
Chamber calls for comment on new planning controls
Campaign attracts 48 submissions against proposal
Dave Abrahams to run for Robertson
Holstein warns small business may lose in regional plan
Accidents continue at railway crossing, says Tesch
Peninsula heritage grants total $30,000
Community group receives grant for urban shade
Community association calls for tree plan submissions
Remind politicians: Walking track needs repair
Mixed use development proposed for Hardys Bay
Churches to hold Festival of Nine Lessons
Students gather at youth leadership forum
Couple celebrates 60 years of marriage
Class lists delayed due to fluctuating student numbers
Community carols to be held at Hardys Bay
Ferry service to Gosford carols
Tree sales to support grandparents program
Umina is PCYC club of the year
Men's shed receives grant for dust extraction
Bungaree weekend was 'joyous'
Events calendar for Ettalong is drafted
Construction certificate issued for Bourke Rd units
Certificate issued for five-unit development
Mixed-use development to proceed in Killcare
Killcare fence decision deferred
Marine life increases in Hardys Bay, say residents
Briefing about ocean oil and gas search
Woy Woy dog receives Christmas treat
Report of theft in the Bays
Rotary club sponsors soy milk machines
Year of slow progress for community association
CWA branch sends Christmas package to the Pillaga
Driftwood Christmas tree erected
Cinema under the stars
Free passes to leisure centre
Umina CWA supports Coast Shelter
Pearl farm offers tour of its facility
New ownership for veterinary practice
Council says drought continues despite rain
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
Council claims are bureaucratic waffle and pettifogging
Have five connected council meeting venues
Insulting energy suppliers do not deserve success
Housing strategy claim is patently absurd
Media initiative is desperately needed
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Woy Woy is good hospice location, says campaigner
Bowlers raise $16,000 for hospital equipment
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Ettalong resident wins inaugural poetry competition
Choir rounds out the year
British publisher launches debut novel
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Most Peninsula school canteens assessed as healthy
Schools celebrate teacher accreditation
School will revert to long lunch and short recess
Gold cup in Colour Run
Bands play at college concert
Special education classes give musical performances
End-of-year drama
Goalball success
Grandparents day
Students decorate homework centre
Students enter science competition
Inter-school music workshop at Umina
Students win silver medals
School performances finish
New student leaders at Umina
New exhibition opens in Ettalong
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Stridsman is runner-up on Sportsperson of the Year
Touch football teams crowned NSW champions
Upgrade for Austin Butler Oval
Best batting performance by Spirit this year
Soccer club announces coaching appointments
Administrator wins $26,000 for club
Medals won at junior carnival
Free putt putt golf sessions
Woy Woy swim club competes
Waterview bowling carnival
Bowling club of the year

Couple celebrates 60 years of marriage

A Umina couple who lived on opposite sides of the world when they met have celebrated 60 years of marriage.

The Reverend Peter Swain and his wife Joan met in London in 1952.

Mr Swain said he had been working in insurance when he felt called by God to join the Ministry.

Leaving Australia by ship for England with his motorbike, he had five pounds to his name.

"I found myself selling ice cream at Wimbledon," said Mr Swain.

"In a London church opposite Westminster Abbey, I also found Joan, a pretty Dorset girl who moved to London to work.

"She later stole my heart," he said.

Mr Swain returned to Australia in 1954 for religious studies, undertaking an arts degree at Queens College, Melbourne, studying Hebrew.

He and Joan remained in contact by mail, exchanging weekly letters.

Peter proposed by letter in 1956.

He followed the letter with an engagement ring.

"There I was on the top of a London double decker bus putting the ring on my finger, without the man I was to marry even in the country," Ms Swain said.

"In fact, because of the type of package Peter sent, I had to spend my precious pennies releasing the package from London's Customs department," she said.

Because Mr Swain was yet to complete his ministry studies, he was unable to marry.

Nonetheless, Ms Swain caught the ship to Adelaide to start a life on the same soil.

They married in 1958 and welcomed their first child Sue after 10 months of marriage, with daughter Katie and son Brin to soon follow.

For the next eight years, Mr Swain was chaplain for Wesley College in Melbourne, before he moved to Sydney's Newington College where he spent 27 years.

He wrote three books for the school on its history and completed a Masters of Arts and Education, followed by a doctorate that included time spent in California.

Mr Swain went on to receive an OAM in 2005 for his service to the Uniting Church and his work in Australia, particularly as national president of the Australian Association for Religious Education, coupled with his work for 20 years as an Army Reserve chaplain during the Vietnam War.

Having holidayed in Umina over the years, when Peter retired in 1996, they moved to the Peninsula.

They now live at Peninsula Village in Umina.

"They socialise with all their Village friends," said Peninsula Village chief Mr Shane Neaves.

"Peter remains active in the church community, running the services at Peninsula Village for Anzac Day and Christmas.

"He runs a study group every week at the local church, as well as prayer meetings," Mr Neaves said.





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