Davistown Progress Association

History

      There was a Progress Association in the lower Central Coast region in the late 1800s, but unfortunately it folded due to inter-suburban dissension. However, in 1906, a group of locals formed the Brisbane Water Progress Association, extending across Woy Woy, Terrigal, Wamberal, Ourimbah, and Mangrove – and, of course, including the 3 Villages (Davistown, Saratoga and Yattalunga, although Yattalunga was just bushland then). The auctioning of the Yow Yow Estate, consisting of 300 allotments in Davistown/Saratoga, in 1908 significantly increased the population in Davistown, and hence Davistown-based membership of the BWPA.

      By the 1920s, the local area had grown enough to create its own Progress Association, separate from the BWPA. The DPA began its life as the Davistown and Yow Yow Progress Association, and held its first Annual Meeting on 6th June 1926. The following report was published in the Gosford Times and Wyong District Advocate, p.16,  on 17th June 1926:

      In the 1920s, the Association hosted film nights, dances and a Masquerade Ball at the hall, and sports events on the waterfront. In 1922, the DPA conceived the plan to build a proper pool – the Davistown Baths, now known as the tidal pool – raised funds to begin the work, and lobbied Council for funding and maintenance support. They also lobbied successfully for Council to address foreshore erosion. In fact, the local focus on water-based activities elicited this comment from the Shire Chairman [=Mayor], Mr D. Lintern: "Davistown people are interested more in wharves and sports grounds than roads and other public works." (Gosford Times, 2/11/1922, p.6)

      By the late 1930s and into the '40s, the DPA was lobbying for repairs to the local jetties and the Davistown Baths; holding social dances in the hall and novelty race carnivals on the waterfront reserve; and making regular donations to the Red Cross, to support their war efforts. They also asked Council to erect street signs in Davistown, but Council was of the opinion that there weren't enough residents to justify the expense. Also in the late 1940s, the DPA was regularly outspoken to Council about the unsatisfactory sanitary service in the area, and the desperate measures to which residents were resorting. (Gosford Times 19/7/1949, 30/6/1950)

     The Secretary of the Association during this period was Mr F. Furniss, and we still have Furnisses among our members today.

     In January 1949, the report of the Annual Meeting says the DPA was keen to purchase or build a hall for their activities, and by April of that year, circumstances were working in their favour. Mr P.B. McCauley, who then owned the current hall, was faced with compulsory acquisition of the hall by the Council, and sought to avoid the loss by offering to sell the hall to the DPA. It appears that Mr McCauley did, indeed, sell the hall to the DPA at that point, since later news reports refer to it as "Davistown Progress Association's hall".

    1952 was a year marked by a sense of freedom and progress. War rationing had ended in 1950, although some industries were still recovering. The ascension of Queen Elizabeth II, on 6th February 1952, brought with it the potential for strong economic and community growth. The DPA had, perhaps, its most active years ever in 1952 and 1953. They began by pleading with Gosford Council to include gravelling Davistown Rd in their annual budget, and also sought Council subsidies for a doctor in the area, who would serve Broadwater, Saratoga, Veteran Hall, Empire Bay, Bensville and Kincumber. Council deemed the latter request impractical, but sealed part of Davistown Rd.

    Also in 1952, the DPA supported the Davistown P. & C. Association in their efforts to secure another classroom and teacher for Brisbania Public School; appointed a local ranger, sought Council endorsement of his position, and paid his honorarium; lobbied for repairs to Lilli Pilli St, so that the bus service could be extended; raised £50 (approx. $2200 in 2025) in support of a local cancer sufferer; lobbied for public toilets in the waterfront reserve; met with Council staff to discuss the allocation of funds for the area; lobbied for repairs to Grevillea Ave "because the ambulance couldn't get through it"; arranged for three Councillors to attend a DPA meeting to answer concerns about the state of the roads; held a successful market day; and, most importantly, spoke out vehemently against the Council Engineer's recommendation to close the Association's hall.

    Indeed, the news reports hint at some significant internal dissension in the DPA over the proposed closure, since in a Council meeting Councillor Tennant denied the recommendation had been challenged at the previous DPA meeting ("Not on your life!"), but this was unanimously contradicted by the other committee members at the following DPA meeting, at which they also expressed disapproval that Councillor Tennant had seconded the motion to approve the recommendation. Councillor Tennant, it should be noted, was also the then-President of the DPA!

    Without additional research, we don't know why the Council recommended the hall be closed, but given its age and construction, and the fact that the recommendation came from the Council's engineer, it seems possible that it was due to safety concerns. If so, the DPA must subsequently have undertaken some significant remedial work, in order for the building to remain in existence.

    In 1953, however, the DPA continued with undiminished enthusiasm. They raised £200 (approx $8,700 in 2025) toward the cost of the installation of a children's playground in Davistown Park, which was matched by Gosford Council. Swings, slippery-dip, seesaw, merry-go-round and a shelter shed were erected by DPA volunteers the next year. The DPA had a float in the Coronation parade in Gosford, granted permission for the Baptist Church to run a Sunday School in the hall; and warmly supported the suggested construction of a Methodist Church building in Lilli Pilli St.

    In March 1954, the DPA held a public meeting to decide how to respond to the Council's publication of its works programme. Gosford Times (5/3/1954, p.1) reported that "residents claim that over recent years very little road construction or maintenance work has been carried out in the area, despite the collection of large amounts in rates. This year no provision at all has been made for road works in Davistown." Seventy years later, residents are still saying much the same thing! The meeting was attended by about 100 people, but only one of the three Councillors representing the local Riding was there; neither the Shire President (ie. Mayor) or the Shire Engineer were able to attend. Despite their absence, discussion continued until very late in the evening, and it was clear the locals were heavily invested in making their case to Council. As a result, the DPA scheduled a second meeting for two weeks later, which the Shire President, Engineer, and other Councillors agreed to attend. Tantalisingly, though, this is where the National Library's newspaper digitisation ceases, so the end of that story is yet to be uncovered.

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    In the 21st Century, the DPA continues to lobby vigorously for improvements to the local area and its amenities, and preservation of its environment. Davistown's position at the further end of the 3 Villages peninsula – a treasured factor in the suburb's quietness and safety – tends to leave it lowly prioritised in Council's policies and expenditure, but the DPA is an active voice that refuses to be ignored. Water-based activities also remain a focus, with the annual Putt-Putt Regatta being a key event supported by the DPA. The hall's 100th anniversary in 2022 was celebrated with waterfront sports and races, and planning is already underway for the 100th anniversary of the Association in June 2026.

    We have a proud history of serving the local community, and we aim to continue that into the future. Do join us in working together for the benefit of Davistown and its people.

Progress of the Progress Hall, through the 1900s