On Sunday, Wangi Wangi turned on a feast of fun, entertainment and commemoration to celebrate 100 years since the first blocks of land were sold at the second subdivision of Wangi Point – the subdivision that led to the formation of the town as we know it today.

Spokesperson for the Wangi Wangi Centenary Festival organising committee, Jim Wilson, said it was a very successful day.

“The committee were delighted with the response from the community. All venues were patronised very well,” Mr Wilson said.

Highlights included a talk about Wangi by journalist and author Scott Bevan, an exhibition of classic cars, a ‘Then and Now’  photo exhibition, tours of Dobell House, children’s games and entertainment at the school, and live entertainment.

Events were held at several venues around the town, including the RSL, workers, and sailing clubs, the school, library, Dobell House, and the oval.

“The library had standing room only for Scott Bevan’s talk,” Mr Wilson said.

“We had over 60 classic cars attend,  the ‘Then and Now’  photo exhibition by the Wangi District Workers Club Camera Club was particularly well received and will subsequently go on show at Wangi Library for a time and possibly then into the Toronto Library and eventually be archived for future reference.

“The Wangi Public School market day added some great entertainment for the kids. And the RSL foreshore was busy all day with market stalls and entertainment.”

On the Saturday night before the festival, The Deck Cafe hosted a concert by Scott Bevan and the Thomsons which was a sell-out, Mr Wilson said.

A brochure printed to commemorate the centenary explains what Wangi Wangi means to those who lived in the town.

“Wangi has meant many things to many people over the years: a place of plenty for the original owners; a haven for cattle of ‘unspecified’ ownership; a refuge for many Hunter Valley miners during the strikes and lockouts of the 20s and 30s; the site of anti-aircraft protection for the Rathmines Catalina base; and the source of a significant portion of the power that drove New South Wales for many years. But perhaps, above all, a place of great beauty and solitude and a place to escape the pressures of the working week.”