Sam Bunyan
President
Victor Tysoe
Vice President
I moved from Sydney to the Central Coast in 1983 and have been living the good life here ever since.
I have lived at numerous suburbs on the Coast since 1983 and moved to Phegans Bay in December 2020 to enjoy the natural outlook and use of the waterways. My wife and I are now near 3 out of our 5 children’s families. Lucky them!
I love The Bays area as it has a quiet holiday type appeal; a friendly community feel; and is remote and largely unspoilt by over development of the landscape.
I enjoy estuary fishing and have since made many friends with other locals who also live and enjoy this wonderful locality. I am proud of our area and its community and enjoy helping and working with other local minded neighbours in maintaining the Phegans Bay foreshore. This foreshore is used by many people of The Bays for exercise or walking their dogs, our friends and family.
Summertime is my favourite time of year to live here where the warmer days entice you out of your home to enjoy the wonders of the waterways and local bushland areas.
My hobbies are fishing, gardening and fixing things.
Rachel Gamble
Secretary
I moved to the Bays from Pearl Beach with my two daughters seven years ago. I’m a kiwi and have been in the coast for 17 years. I love the bush aspect, sensational views, and being visited by all the bird life we have, and strangely all my homes have been a similar type setting. I am really grateful for the gorgeous sense of community we have and have made life long friends in the Bays.
I’ve travelled pretty extensively my whole life, in my twenties I drove across Africa – from London to South Africa and worked and travelled in Africa for a further few. When I returned to NZ I toured bands. The started a corporate career in banking and program management.I love sailing and pottery and collecting records!
Shmonie Darmo
Treasurer
I grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney in Fairfield and my family moved to Camden when I was 18. After living in London for 4 years and travelling extensively, I returned home in my late twenties and spent the next 15 years living in the vibrant inner west, which I loved. I moved from Marrickville to Woy Woy Bay in 2019 and was so fortunate to find my little patch of paradise just before the pandemic hit. The stars definitely aligned for me.
I absolutely love the sense of community in The Bays. I have the most wonderful neighbours and I’ve made some great friends. I also love being surrounded my nature, great walking tracks and gorgeous views. It really is paradise. I especially love spring time, when the weather warms up, the days start getting longer and the flowers start to bloom.
Vivian Cumbo
General Member
It was love at first sight when I saw The Bays while house hunting in 2016. Being in the bush with views of the water suited my marine biologist self perfectly. I moved to Phegans Bay in mid-2016 with no idea about the amazing community I was moving into. I have felt so welcomed and supported by a plethora of people within the community; it has been truly amazing. I joined The Bays Committee so I could give back to the community that has provided so much to me, and to continue fostering the community spirit.
Keith Weir
General Member
I arrived in Australia in 2007 and discovered the beautiful Bays just a few months later. We moved into The Bays early in 2008. As I lived most of my life in and around South London, I can really appreciate what a special place The Bays is.
Soon after arriving in Australia I became a volunteer with the National Parks, a role I am still in. As an ‘outdoors’ person, volunteering with the National Parks allows me meet interesting people from all over the world while sharing with them Australia’s wildlife, flora and fauna alongside the vast landscapes and stunning walks.
Then I come home to The Bays, with its great community and where we have made so many friends. I never imagined I would be so fortunate as to live in such a special place.
John Scott
General Member
I recently moved to Woy Woy Bay from the northwest suburbs of Sydney around May 2021. I love the quieter lifestyle, traffic and sense of community; and of-course, I love the beautiful bays with their glorious sunrises, sunny days and colourful sunsets. I decided to join the Bays Committee as I found the community to be alive, friendly and thriving after my first attendance at a monthly breakfast. I am retired but have work and life skills which allow me to contribute positively to the great works done by the committee. The 2024 Art show was especially satisfying to be part of, it was wonderful to see so many baysiders and out of area visitors enjoying the opening night and weekend gallery showing. I really believe that a sense of community and personal interaction is somewhat missing in our busy “on-line” lives and my reason for joining the committee aims to bring back some balance for baysiders.
Zoe Anderson
General Member
Our family moved to the Bays in 2017 from Sydney and we haven’t looked back! We are a busy family of 4, with my husband & I both commuting to Sydney for work in the Television Industry. We love raising our 2 girls in the Bays, we are blessed to be surrounded by lovely neighbours and a great community vibe! I’ve been on the committee in some form since we moved, and I’m proud of the events & gatherings we put on to bring our bays residents together.
Marie Davies
General Member
I moved into Phegans Bay in July 2017 and currently work as a TV producer for the ABC. I love nature and have been overwhelmed with the community spirit of the Bays.
I also adore reading, scuba diving, travel, photography and I’m currently writing a young adult novel.
Michelle Hopwood
General Member
We moved to the Bays from Sydney in 2021, and count ourselves lucky to live here in this little pocket of paradise. After being in the same place for around 30 years, we were a little apprehensive about moving into a new area. But we didn’t have to think twice, as have felt part of the community since the moment we arrived.
I’m now retired from the mayhem and stress of a 40 year career in corporate life based in the city, and now have more time to do the things I enjoy and also to volunteer.
As a Committee Member I hope to contribute in making the Bays continue to be a great place to live for the whole community.
Carolina Schulling
General Member
We moved to Woy Woy Bay from Umina Beach in January 2020. I love living here as we have easy access to the bush and bay. Planning on getting a kayak soon ! Oh and did I mention the views? I commute to North Sydney for my Marketing role but get to work from home quite often. Allows for lovely lunchtime strolls and coffee with a view.
For a copy of the Bay’s Community Group Constitution click here >>