Walker in Fremantle area 1900Hi Vicki and Sandra Thanks for the suggestions, I have my dad's birth and rest certificates, I also have my uncles birth and...
I'd be inclined towards Wai Wai being a property or house name, rather than the more obvious Woy Woy.
settlers were drawn by the possibilities of exploiting the local supplies of cedar, forest oak, blue gum and other hardwoods. Boatbuilding also began at this time and continued until World War I. The first to receive a land grant in the area was boat builder James Webb who occupied 120 ha on the eastern side of Brisbane Water from 1823. Samuel Coulter also built a house there and established a farm. It was then a large sandy area covered with scrub. Webb purchased another 150 acres in 1834. It was this second portion which contained the land upon which the central shopping area of Woy Woy was later built.
... A post office, known as "Woy Woy" was established on September 8, 1884, and this marked the beginning of township organisation.
It is quite possible that an early spelling of the Aboriginal name may have been Wai Wai but at least by the late 1800's, and certainly in 1922-1939, the spelling was Woy Woy. Just looking at some possible options, there is a Wai Wai at Nambucca Heads (wonder where this name came from?), wai wai apparently means "go-ing away" in Chinese (a name for a holiday home perhaps?) and wai means "water" in Maori.
The Department of Lands, which has a collection of historical Parish Maps on line, doesn't seem to have digitised the appropriate bit of Brisbane Waters. However, you might contact them and ask if there is mention of Wai Wai on the early maps.
You might also contact Gosford Library and check with them.
If you find out any further information, please post it. I'm intrigued.
Barbara
