Woy Woy Venice of Australia

[@nevilleshedden]

Although we now live in Redcliffe, Queensland, this film brought back fond memories of our holidays in Gosford, Woy Woy, in particular. Thank you.

[@tonycpaul]

Claude Flemming was my great Uncle. Never saw nor knew of this film. Thank you!

[@suzannebaldwin3562]

I was brought up here.. truly beautiful...

[@fordlandau]

Fabulous! Great shots of original Hawkesbury Bridge and immaculate C32 class locomotive pulling the train.

[@bigglesflysagain1749]

OOOHHHH MMMYYYYYY...................what a find for me !!!Grandpa had a cottage (named SANDILANDS) at Patonga and we used train up from Sydney to Woy Woy...smoke billowing into the carriage during the numerous tunnels on the way...what fun we kids thought !Then onto a bus to rumble over and down to Patonga...7.08 here on the film...BTW, a great shot of looking down on Patonga...gives the "feel" for it .....The Bay and The Creek.....Winter time was "hit and miss" to if we made it to Patonga because in those days the road was NOT paved and often the red, gummy mud would have us turn around before we motored down the hill to Patonga!Ahhhh...the peace of it all , in those days. So quite and calming to the mind and heart !One of my cousins used help at the wee bakery there (Patonga) by sprinkling poppy seeds on the unbaked bread before it went in the oven, done at night time.I used row Patonga Creek in my grand fathers clinker board small boat. Also snorkeled , along with the outgoing tide, in the shallows of that creek. Cool stuff !GREAT MEMORIES.....and a few 'sniffles' watching this !! ....but I had "a beaut of a good run", so I will 'depart' with a smile on my face, when the time comes ! :):):)

[@kerrykelaher2607]

I love the 1920 s ( i live in a country style cottage love the old film classics)

[@merrillie]

Loved it thank you. We moved to Woy Woy nearly 6 years ago. Had my very first visit to Woy Woy 40 years ago as a 10 year old.

[@johnpurcellpurcell5207]

My family has lived there for ages. Great place for all things good in life

[@thomaselliott573]

A great piece of history. Thank you

[@grahamshirley7725]

It is indeed a period gem of a film. According to articles accessed via Trove Digitised Newspapers, it was commissioned by Woy Woy Council in Dec 1935 and completed by Mar 1936. It is not known when its public premiere took place, but it was screened privately at Newcastle's Civic Theatre in May 1936. Director-narrator Claude Flemming appears periodically throughout the film - initially arriving at railway station, after which he plays lawn bowls and takes a boat trip. Flemming also directed Peter Finch's first but now-lost film, 'The Magic Shoes', at Pagewood Studios, Sydney, in the mid-1930s.

[@GMTabone]

My first visit to Woy Woy was 1965...I live at Shoalhaven Heads very similar...love it.

[@pegwestcott453]

I used to go to Patonga as a child for holidays back in the late 50's and now have been living in Woy Woy for the past 10 years. Wouldn't go back to Sydney for quids.

[@dallymessengerIII]

My father, Dally Messenger II, lived here most of his life. He died here. My late teenage years were spent here. I still lived here when I had my 21st birthday. I saw it change from village to town - sad. Dad was President of the Woy Woy Bowling Club and on Sunday nights I would help him count the money from the old style hand activated poker machines. They paid 90 cents in the dollar. A group of teenagers from Woy Woy were a contingent of the Gosford Catholic Youth Organisation - under the leadership of that great mover and shaker, Lawrie O'Malley.

[@alexandrawright1450]

WOW! doesn't look too much like that now.

[@sarahroosink3133]

Does the sandstone house still exist?

[@gregoryolsen4509]

WOY NOT? © G. J. Olsen Esq 2016 On the Central Coast of New South Wales There lies a little town That has had some bad press now and then Spike Milligan, his Mum lived there, Said some things that weren’t correct Although funny, they were a burden to bear Those that named that place Had a soft spot in their heart They liked it so much they named it twice But over time it’s become a joke To some ignorant folk Who don’t understand the joys of life I’ve come to love this little place Now that I’ve lived thereabouts For just over the past two years My spouse and I have relocated From the noisy big smoke And will never to return, no fear We’ve found our peace Among the trees full of birdsong The slower paced life appeals The sunsets are amazing, Sometimes the weather can be outrageous Storm damage is common these days For on the peninsular There’s a place for those not too insular There’s plenty up here to do So if you’re in the market For a different take on life Woy not Woy Woy for you?