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Name bridge after place, says historian

Local historian and Woy Woy resident Ms Joan Fenton has suggested the name Woy Woy Peninsula Bridge, instead of Staples Bridge or Spike Milligan Bridge, for the new cyclepath bridge on Brisbane Water Dr.

Ms Fenton said she objected to the naming of the bridge after "any individual person".

"The name 'chosen' by council, without any consultation with the Woy Woy community, is a proposal to name a bicycle and pedestrian bridge after a well-known land developer and real estate agent of the town, and who was a person who used his influence to form a movement that led to the formation of a separate Shire for Woy Woy in the 1920s," Ms Fenton said.

"Having achieved that aim, CJ Staples was the Shire's first President.

"There is no doubt that CJ Staples was influential in developing the town and district.

"It was his business to do so.

"The particular Staples individual that it is proposed naming the bridge after, CJ Staples, was the son of CR Staples, and the (landmark) real estate shop on the corner of Blackwall Rd and Railway St was the building housing the real estate business of the father, CR Staples & Co.

"CR Staples also operated as a real estate agent in Victoria towards the end of the 19th century, and was responsible for developing the area around Laverton.

"CR Staples came to Woy Woy after serving a gaol sentence for fraud in Victoria following the spectacular bank collapses in the 1890s, leading to a devastating depression and resulting in many people losing their life savings.

"Staples Snr left Victoria when he was released from gaol, and found another district to develop - Woy Woy."

Ms Fenton said that in her historical research of the district, she had not found any reference to either Staples men being known for "their prowess at cycling".

"Most modern societies outside the Central Coast bubble have moved on from the misogynistic tendencies of the past in naming public edifices and constructions after Great Men of Mark," Ms Fenton said.

"Sydney Harbour Bridge spans Sydney Harbour. Gladesville Bridge leads to Gladesville. "You get to Brooklyn by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.

"The Golden Gate Bridge joins the two shores of the Golden Gate Strait in San Francisco Harbour.

"The Woy Woy Peninsula Bridge should welcome bicycle riders and visitors to the Woy Woy Peninsula.

"If, after considering the above, council still decides it prefers to plant a person's name upon this bridge, then I suggest it be named after a community leader of the past, one whose community work entailed no thought of personal profit, and who at least rode a bicycle.

"If this is council's decision, then let us call the bridge the Keith Whitfield Bridge."

Press release, 27 Apr 2007 Joan Fenton