Meet the legend powering Shellharbour’s favourite festival Fun,
Lesley Roulston is a passionate writer who enjoys hearing the inspiring stories of the people of the Illawarra. Originally from Newcastle, Shellharbour has become her permanent home. She can be found walking her King Charles Spaniel most evenings around the Shellharbour Marina. Her interests include reading and listening to podcasts on health and ageing well.
Tamara Hynd is the curator of Shellharbour City Museum which moved to a new contemporary facility at the Shellharbour Civic Centre in 2018. She loves history, heritage buildings and places, and is on the board of Museums and Galleries NSW.
Tyneesha Williams is a journalism student at University of Wollongong. Born and raised in Central West NSW, Tyneesha fell in love with the Illawarra’s stunning scenery and local community. She runs her own business, Neesh Photography, and in her spare time enjoys taking pictures, attending gigs and going to the beach.
Julie McDonald is a member of the Illawarra Ramblers and the Southern Illawarra Older Women’s Network. She and her partner were early tree changers, fleeing from Sydney for the verdant land and rolling hills of Jamberoo in 1994. She enjoys camping, bushwalking, kayaking and swimming. Prior to retirement Julie was a senior academic and researcher in primary health care at the University of New South Wales.
Andy Lawrence is a doula servicing the Illawarra and globally online. Having trained as a research scientist with a PhD in entomology, the birth of her two daughters catalysed a career shift toward supporting women and their families. She runs women’s circles locally and believes that supported mothers equals secure families and healthier communities.
Amanda De George is a naturalist, writer and photographer. Her passion lies in discovering interesting critters in urban environments and bringing them to the followers of her Facebook and Instagram page Backyard Zoology. Oh, and adventures and naps and wine; she’s passionate about those things too!
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Book via theillawarraflame.com.au or call Lesley on 0411 025 008
NEXT DEADLINE 15 Nov for the Summer edition
EDITORS Genevieve Swart, Marcus Craft CONTACT hello@theillawarraflame.com.au.
Features Coordinator Shellharbour: Lesley Roulston, 0411 025 008, shellharbour@ theillawarraflame.com.au
Write to PO Box 248, Helensburgh, 2508. TheIllawarraFlame
DEADLINE 15 Nov. Contributions welcome. COVER Rebecca Dunning. Photo: Anthony Warry THE ILLAWARRA FLAME is published by The Word Bureau trust, ABN 31 692 723 477
DISCLAIMER: All content and images remain the property of The Illawarra Flame unless otherwise supplied. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission. Views expressed do not reflect those of the publishers.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The publishers acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their cultural and spiritual connection to this land. Their stories are written in the land and hold great significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, from the mountains to the sea.
THE ILLAWARRA
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For love of Landcare
By Tyneesha Williams
Tullimbah Landcare welcomed the next generation of volunteers – including 11 Albion Park Cub Scouts and three Scout leaders – at a belated National Tree Day celebration.
Organiser Ruth Jenkins said 23 people attended the event, which was held at Elizabeth Brownlee Reserve on August 23 after bad weather postponed planting on Tree Day in July. “With short notice, this is pretty good we think,” Ruth said.
Scout leader Sarah Gell said: “There’s a big difference between sitting in school and doing a poster and actually getting out there and being involved. This is a way to get the kids engaged and teach them about Landcare.”
The Scouts helped Tullimbah Landcare treasurer Lance Jenkins build tree guards for the new plants.
“You can do your planting and come back to find it nibbled off,” Lance said. “These guards are essential because of the fauna that comes through here. I’m making these ones because nothing’s going to get through them, even deer.”
Ruth and Lance have lived in the area for more than 40 years and began Landcare work in 1999.
“We started a Landcare group to protect our creek from being piped by the council,” Lance said. “We wanted to make it more precious for future generations.”
A Shellharbour City Council representative led Scouts through the planting process and then they were treated to morning tea and a sausage sizzle.
“These kids growing up now are going to be the next generation that are going to fight for Landcare or join a Landcare group for generations to come,” Ruth said. “They might grow up and think, oh
yeah, I remember that time that we planted those trees. They might come back every five years. They might just remember the lolly bag.”
Lance pointed out trees planted at the site by the group when they first formed.
“Some of our first plantings are those big trees sitting down there,” Lance said. “Hopefully, if we maintain the site, it’ll overcome the weeds and we can get it back to what it was 40 or 50 years ago,
“We’ve been here 43 years. So we’ve seen quite a bit of difference over that time.”
Join Tullimbah Landcare’s working bees at Elizabeth Brownlee Reserve on the fourth Saturday of every month at 9am. More info on the group’s Facebook page.
Photos: Tyneesha Williams
Calling Captains and Stokers
By Lesley Roulston
Since 2008, Exsight Tandems Illawarra has been helping those with vision impairment or other disabilities go cycling thanks to a small fleet of tandem bikes and a roster of volunteers.
Twice a week, you might see the group having fun in the fresh air around the Illawarra, and always enjoying a coffee at a local cafe. Typical routes start at Figtree or at the homes of the participants. They may ride as far north as Bulli or as far south as Shellharbour. Sometimes they ride around Lake Illawarra or across Sea Cliff Bridge.
Founder Geoff Stratton says, “It just depends on where people who want to ride are located and where they would like to go.”
Geoff, who is totally blind, caught the riding bug when he was in England visiting a friend and had the chance to ride a tandem there. When his friend came to Australia, they had bikes but needed riders, so he put out a call on local media. The response was overwhelmingly positive and Exsight Tandems is now a registered charity.
The tandems are for anyone who wants to enjoy the thrill of riding a bike but can’t do so on their own, Geoff says. “We have people who are not vision-impaired but have Parkinson’s disease or autism etc – the group is open to anyone who wants to come out with us.”
The front rider who steers and navigates is known as the Captain and the rider on the back who turns the pedals and holds on is the Stoker. They are always looking for Captains and Stokers. People can come as often or as seldom as they like. There are two E-Tandem bikes available. No fitness is required as riders can always start off slowly and build up.
Some people are nervous at first, Geoff says, but once they have been on a ride they love it!
Visit www.exsight.org.au, call Geoff Stratton 0416 612 675 or follow on Facebook
Garden grows friendships too
By Lesley Roulston
Shell Cove Community Garden is one of about 700 community gardens boosting health and wellbeing around the country. The president of Shell Cove Community Garden, Trevor Gollan, says gardening is a chance to get out into the fresh air and has introduced him to a local social community he really enjoys.
The gardeners also enjoy regular activities such as dinners, fundraising and trivia nights. Trevor runs a bush-walk once a week, usually around the neighbourhood. People don’t have to know anything about gardening to come along, he says.
The group gathers twice weekly – Wednesday mornings from 9-11am and Saturday afternoons from 2-4pm – but people can come as often or as seldom as they like. Garden beds are raised for easy access. Working bees involves weeding, harvesting,
planting and general garden maintenance. Often there’s a cuppa afterwards on Wednesdays and drinks and nibbles on the Saturday.
They grow herbs, salad greens and a few fruit trees. The garden is organic, with no chemicals used on the plants, and a local Waterfront business, Bliss Ice Cream and Gelato, gives the group their used coffee grounds to help with composting.
Membership is $5 a year. Members include retirees but the group welcomes younger people. Their motto is “Take a little not a lot” and Trevor says it would be great if people visited, pulled out a few weeds and got to know the members.
There is a donation box for members of the public who’d like to enjoy the spoils of the garden. Look out for the plant sales held twice a year.
The garden is at the corner of Civic Avenue and Cove Boulevard, Shell Cove. Contact president Trevor Gollan on 0408 230 593 or shellcovegarden@gmail.com
Artists of the Illawarra
Lesley Roulston meets Janetha Poisson-Lyon of Shellharbour City Arts Society
When Zimbabwe-born artist Janetha Poisson-Lyon moved to Australia, she discovered the fascinating allure of the native birds, and they became the key focus of her artwork. Her audience appreciates beautiful birds too, with demand for her paintings spread right across the country.
“Recently I sold a huge painting of Brolgas dancing with their feathers out to a buyer in the Northern Territory,” Janethasays. “There are plenty of Brolgas up there, so it resonated, while my Black Cockatoo paintings have been very successful here in the Illawarra, particularly at Thirroul and in Scarborough.”
Janetha has seen increased demand for her paintings of Australia’s native birds and flora to be exhibited not just in the Illawarra in spaces like The Imaginarium in Shellharbour, but also in the Blue Mountains at The Gang Gang Gallery, in Portland, Lithgow and in Sydney too – most recently at The Ellipsis Gallery in Woolloomooloo.
Janetha works in oils and says her paintings
always start with the eye of the bird “because if you don’t get the eye right, the rest doesn’t flow. You look at the eye and you’re looking right at the bird – you’re feeling it. The connection is all in the eye.”
Janetha says she doesn’t like her work to look over-controlled so she deliberately doesn’t always paint feathers as precisely as she could.
The process of producing a painting is organic but first Janetha draws her subject, sometimes using a collage of photos she has taken – the background might come from one photo and the grass or ground might come from another.
Recently Janetha created artwork for a cookbook about the South Coast due out later this year. The book is the second in Lynda Sloan’s ‘Port to Plate’ series of cookbooks and will feature local seafood producers, recipes and insights from community members.
Instagram @Janetha_poisson_lyon, 0455 175 033 or Tokkie.lion@gmail.com
New digs for the Fly’s fairies
Thanks to the Southern Illawarra Men’s Shed
Fairies in the Enchanted Forest at The Illawarra Fly have new homes, thanks to the hard-working members of the Southern Illawarra Men’s Shed at Oak Flats. “It was a great bonding experience for the men, with many of us involved,” says member Gary Feeney. The fairies can now enjoy new houses and a windmill, while the enchanted forest has a brand new timber sign also crafted by the members of the shed.
Unexpected spring garden visitors
By Amanda De George
Spring has sprung and you’re probably getting your plants in, ready to attract native bees, bugs and butterflies. By encouraging these invertebrates you’re encouraging other native animals, those a little higher up the food chain, to also visit.
Tawny Frogmouths
Is it a bird? Is it a stick? While you might not have tawnies roosting in your yard (or you might, look closely!) it’s possible that while you’re sleeping they are dropping by. Active at night, Tawnies love to feast on cockroaches, moths, crickets and even frogs, small birds and reptiles.
Eastern blue-tongue lizard
Gardens with rocks and logs are the perfect location for a blue-tongue lizard to call home. This gives them lots of shelter overnight and a place to stay safe from predators but also a great spot for sun basking. And with shelter and native plants come snails, beetles and insects, which the blue tongues love to feast on. They also love to eat native flowers and berries but don’t worry, they’ve earned their keep getting rid of your other garden pests.
Bandicoots
If you’ve heard what sounds like a dog toy being squeaked at night and found small, conical holes in your garden the next day, you’ve been visited by bandicoots! They eat everything from earthworms and beetle larvae to roots.
And who loves to hunt for bandicoots? Owls and quolls and up the food chain we go!
Build it and they will come. Native gardens attract more than just native bees and butterflies. Pictured are two Tawnies in Amanda’s garden
New lease of life at the beach
By Cathy Law
The dreams of beach-going Shellharbour locals have finally come true, with the newly leased Surf Club function centre opening a kiosk as well as becoming a venue for events.
“It is a great building in an amazing location, and there are so many possibilities,” said the club’s new sub-tenant, Cameron Thomas, who has owned Central Perk in Kiama’s main street since 2021.
Having not sub-let the facility for the past seven years (it was last operated by Portofinos), Shellharbour Surf Club made opening the kiosk a condition of the new lease given the demand from members and the public.
While this extra business might have daunted others, it plays to Cam’s strengths.
“I’ve been in the industry for 30 years, including owning and operating cafes for the last 25 years and having a wedding reception in western Sydney for 10 years,” he said.
“That combination of experience in running both types of businesses makes it a natural fit and I’m really excited by the opportunities of the blank canvas.
“The future is only limited by our imagination.”
Despite living in Shell Cove for four years, Cam was not aware of the space until he saw its lease advertised. “I couldn’t believe it when I came to have a look,” he said.
Trading as The Sands Kiosk and The Sands Receptions, Cam sees synergies between the two operations particularly in terms of staffing and utilising the kitchen’s capacity.
“We’ll have a full-time position for a chef here because not only will they be catering for the kiosk and function centre, but for the cafe in Kiama.”
Cam plans to open the central kitchen and kiosk daily, serving the expected fare of burgers, fish and chips and breakfast favourites.
Enquiries are already coming in for the function centre, which the club has been hiring out on an ad hoc basis over recent years. With room for 100 guests, the room is in the process of being refurbished and new furniture has already arrived.
“Where else can you have your wedding ceremony on the lawn, walk down and have photos on the beach, and know your guests are being catered for with cocktails and canapes all in the one location?” Cam said.
“There is no other events-specific venue in Shellharbour, so it will also be ideal for birthdays and other family gatherings.”
Rather than pitching for the high-end market, The Sands Receptions will be embracing its location and place in the community.
“Beach life happening all around will be part of the vibe,” Cam said.
Pricing packages are being finalised, with the first events likely to be Christmas corporate functions and weddings in the new year. Before then, there are plans to introduce monthly High Teas by the Sea, following their success in Kiama.
Buzzing with ideas, Cam sees the upside of the proximity to the Shell Cove Marina precinct.
“The marina is going to be 30 per cent larger than Darling Harbour, and they are putting in a Four Seasons Hotel there. Having a world-class marina and accommodation just five minutes down the road must be a good thing for businesses in the area,” he said.
Cameron Thomas opened the Sands Kiosk in August. Photos: Cathy Law
Green and gold for Ruby
By Belinda Dawson, Relieving Principal at Shellharbour Public School
What a fantastic start to Term 3! We proudly turned the school Green and Gold to support former student Ruby Pass, who achieved an impressive 13th place in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics AllAround Individual Final at the Paris Olympics.
The School Colour Fun Run was a vibrant success, with white clothes transformed into colourful displays of excitement for everyone.
On 6 August, Kinder to Year 2 students celebrated Grandparents Day with a heartwarming program, including songs, a reading of “How to
Babysit a Grandpa,” and special awards for grandparents. The day was filled with joy as families explored classrooms and savoured a cuppa and scones. The P & C’s Winter Pie Drive was a hit, and our District Athletics saw 46 students compete, with 24 advancing to the Regional Carnival in Canberra on 6 September. Education Week and the Book Fair also saw a great turnout, with many families visiting. It’s been a wonderful start to the term, showcasing our strong community spirit and vibrant school life!
Hand in talon
By Andy Lawrence
When I was pregnant with my first daughter, my husband and I nested. We renovated the house and created and painted the nursery. However, before all that, one of my first nesting urges was the procurement of four hens for our backyard.
Named Judi Dench, Hattie McDaniels, Ginger Rogers and Betty White, the jazzy hens became wonderful pets and a nostalgic reminder of my own childhood growing up on 10 acres with a menagerie of animals. As a result of that childhood, I am an egg snob. Once you’ve had homegrown, it’s hard to go back to store-bought. So the chookies earned their keep, laying eggs for us in exchange for kitchen scraps and free-range of the yard.
Soon, baby girl number one arrived and from the moment she could move, she wanted to wrestle the chickens. By the time she could walk, she was helping me feed them every day.
Even now, there is something deeply calming about feeding the chooks and collecting the eggs. Beyond that, it is deeply important to me that my children have a relationship with their food and the plants and animals that produce it. The simple act of collecting the eggs creates a somatic memory of where that food comes from. Our modern lives are pathologically disconnected from our food sources, courtesy of fast food, supermarket chains and the allure of convenience. That convenience is fast becoming a necessity in order to maintain the ever-increasing busyness of our lifestyle.
Keeping chickens won’t solve that. But, it does go some way in reminding us what it means to procure our food. To slow down long enough to watch the whole process and eat with the joy of
knowing exactly where that egg came from. And besides that, chickens are hilarious and their antics will bring you and your children happiness.
Well, some of their antics. Left unprotected, your chickens will decimate your garden. Additionally, where there are chickens, there cometh rats. You can get feeders and coops that are rat-proof, but regardless the rats will still come.
Two years ago, I impulse bought an incubator and was gifted some fertilised eggs. Excitedly, I embarked on an experiment with my kids, waiting three weeks for the eggies to hatch. Now, whenever my youngest sees an egg she coos and says ‘ooo bubby chicky in there’. It’s heartbreakingly sweet. Funnily enough, it doesn’t seem to bother her when we crack those eggs, or they’re served to her soft boiled with toast soldiers.
Two chicks hatched after the three-week incubation period and the joy they bought my girls was palpable. My eldest girl named one Bobbi Toffee and the other Jacqueline Blackeline.
Unfortunately, Bobbi Toffee turned out to be a rooster. And despite his loving upbringing, he became a VERY aggressive rooster. Roosters are also not permitted in suburbia. So, Bobbi Toffee had a lovely 18 months of life with us before he attacked the baby and signed his own vacating notice. Not before he had the chance to sire a clutch of new chickies for the girls to cuddle!
Few things have brought as much richness to our lifestyle as the humble chooks in our backyard. And, of course, they are the invaluable source of our Sunday morning poached eggs on toast.
The infamous Bobbi Toffee (above) and huggable Hattie McDaniels. Photos: Andy Lawrence
We invite you to apply for Year 11, 2025.
Why Boarding? Why Frensham?
• In the 2023 HSC, Frensham was the top performing school outside the Sydney area.
• Our Class of 2023 ranked 46th in NSW with a median ATAR of 89.9.
• A broad range of subjects with personalised learning and small class sizes.
• A caring and supportive boarding community with a 24/7 program including supervised study time in the evenings.
• State-of-the-Art facilities, a stunning campus in a rural location and only 70kms from the Illawarra.
What’s On
Share community events for free at www.theillawarraflame.com.au
Get Ready Weekend
21-22 Sept Visit your local Rural Fire Service station and get set for summer. www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
What’s On @ Shellharbour Libraries
Book for all programs and events at libraries. shellharbour.nsw.gov.au or call 4221 6222. Oak Flats Library
Wed 25 Sept at 10:30am. Green Thumb: Preparing your Springtime Garden. How to get soil ready, pick best plants, with Shellharbour City Nursery Team. Warilla Library
Thursdays Free, 10am, SkillsScape Workshops. Expert advice. 5 September - What does a good Resume look like? 12 September - Resume writing workshop 19 September - How to write a cover letter 26 September - Answering application questions. 3 October - Interview preparation. Shellharbour City Library
Thurs 5 Sept @ 5.45pm Inviting men to hear from local organisations, authors and speakers.
Hobby Highlight: Barron Hanson of Be Here Nowra, discussing the power and benefits of meditation.
Sat 21 Sept 10:30am, $25. The Whimsical World of Beatrix Potter. Join literary expert Dr Lauren Weber for tea, treats and talks. Hear about her passions for conservation, sheep and fungi.
Tues 19 Nov 6:30pm, $5. Meet bestselling author Peter FitzSimons for an evening of conversation on his latest work, The Legend of Albert Jacka. What’s On @ Kiama Libraries
Tue 22 Oct Andrew Skeoch: Deep Listening to Nature talk, 5pm, Kiama Library.
2 Nov Bravest Scout at Gallipoli: Ryan Butta author talk, Kiama Library Auditorium, 2pm, $10. 7 Nov Gerringong Library Sesquicentennial Celebration: Caroline Baum talk, 5.30pm, $10. Tuesdays in Nov NaNoWriMo writing workshops, Kiama and Gerringong libraries, various prices.
Fridays 9.30-11.30am. Free for 0-5 yr olds on grassy area near Waterfront Tavern, Shell Cove
Seniors by the Sea - Marina Stroll
Wed 25 Sept 10-11.30am, gentle stroll and morning tea. The Waterfront Tavern Shell Cove. Free tickets via Eventbrite.
Solo Seniors Meet Up (55+)
Thursday 12 September 6-9pm @The Waterfront Tavern & 19 September 12.30-3.30pm @ Georgia Rose. Book free tickets via Eventbrite.com.au
Work from Home Walking Group Wednesdays 12.30pm (45 mins). A regular social walking group. Meet at the Shell Cove Marina at the top of the stairs near the kids’ water-play area.
Georgia Rose Boutique Markets
Last Sunday of the month From 10am at The Waterfront Shell Cove.
Shellharbour Men’s Shed Tues, Wed & Thurs Work on projects in a well-equipped workshop. 32A Addison St, Shellharbour Village, 02 42978 005, shell_ mensshed@yahoo.com.au
Compassionate Friends NSW gathering Sat 28 Sept For bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, and their families, at Illawarra Yacht Club, Warrawong, 10:30am-4.30pm. Presentation by Grief Australia. $30, includes lunch, refreshments, bookings essential, www.thecompassionatefriends nsw.org.au/events/wollongong-gathering. Info: admin@tcfnsw.org.au or 02 9290 2355.
Shell Cove Combined Probus Club 3rd Monday Club for active retirees meets 10am at Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club, www.probus southpacific.org, probusshellcove@gmail.com
True Story Festival of Creative Non-Fiction 15-17 Nov Workshops & author talks at Coledale Community Hall, southcoastwriters.org
Folk By The Sea
20-22 Sept Folk music festival in Kiama
Goats trot into school farm
By Lesley Roulston
Five fluffy Angora goats have joined the farm at Oak Flats High School. The farm already has cattle, sheep, an Alpaca, Boer goats and chickens, as well as European and native bees.
The technologies head teacher, Steven Ayrton, says the farm is part of the Technology and Applied Studies department, with students able to take subjects such as Agricultural Technology (Years 7-10) and in senior school the VET (Vocational Education and Training) subjects focusing on Primary Industries and Blended Agriculture.
The school’s farm dates back to the 1970s when there were a lot of dairy farms in the Oak Flats area. On leaving school, many young people worked on the farms and the school’s agricultural courses were excellent training. In the 1990s, when the dairy industry became deregulated, many of the farms closed but the school kept its five acres.
The Angora goats were chosen because of their potential value: fleece prices can reach up to $50 per kilo and the goats can be shorn twice a year.
Primary industries teacher Kylie Stubbles says she grew up on an Angora goat stud and knew they had a great temperament. “The students can feel
confident handling animals that size and there are also competitions the kids can enter that feature the goats,” Kylie says.
Recently the students learned how to ‘crutch’ an Angora goat – a process that involves trimming the fur around a goat’s teats so baby goats are able to properly feed.
Teenagers learn many skills, from how to incubate eggs and how to build fences, all of which are in demand in jobs in the agricultural industry.
“Our students do have an advantage,” Kylie says, “as other schools without farms might be learning how to sprout in their agricultural subjects, whereas our students are raising animals.”
The farm also has a bee garden, a cooking garden for Home Economics students and a section for fruit, herbs and vegetables. Last year the students’ pumpkins won second prize in the produce category at the Royal Easter Show.
Immerse yourself in an evening where the richness of the human voices of the con voci Vocal Ensemble and Wollcon Chamber Choir take center stage with with your local chamber orchestra, Steel City Strings.
Bowral Memorial Hall, Sun 15 September 2.30pm St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong, Sat 21 September 7.30pm
Nowra School of Arts, Sun 22 September 2.30pm
For bookings scan the QR code or go to: steelcitystrings.com.au/events-calendar/
Tickets $15 – $55 Group of 5 or more $35 per person
Take the Journey with Kiama Community College
By Gia Frino
Kiama Community College is thrilled to be celebrating Adult Learners Week, a time to recognise the incredible achievements of adult learners and highlight the transformative power of education. This year’s theme, Take The Journey, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of lifelong learning and the diverse paths individuals take to reach their goals.
Kiama Community College has a long and proud history of supporting adult learners in the Kiama and Shoalhaven regions. With a wide range of courses and programs, the College caters to individuals from all walks of life, offering opportunities for skill development, career advancement, and personal enrichment.
“Adult Learners Week is a fantastic opportunity
to shine a spotlight on the incredible journeys of our students,” said Linda Livingstone, CEO at Kiama Community College. “Whether it’s returning to study after a long break, acquiring new skills for employment, or pursuing personal enrichment, our learners inspire us with their dedication and resilience.”
Inspired by the outdoors
KCC VET Student of the Year Finalist Russell, a horticulturalist by trade, loved the outdoors but found himself working in a warehouse and knew that he needed a change as he headed into retirement. Being an adult learner, Russell was concerned about being the eldest in the course, however, this didn’t last long as he found that he
enjoyed mentoring his younger classmates, as well as learning so much from them in return. Russell is now working within the Outdoor Recreation Industry, sharing his passion for the outdoors and exploring with school-aged kids and their teachers!
Russell’s Advice: “Life is too short to do something you don’t love. I say it is better to change your life around and have a go, extend your career or enjoy a new one, just don’t sit on the lounge. “
Rewards of a caring career
A previous VET Student of the Year winner, Anne, is a proud Kamilaroi woman, who grew up on the South Coast and Illawarra. Anne completed Certificate III in Individual Support in Aged Care. Anne’s learning journey started several years ago when she set the goal to complete this qualification and go on to work as a Nurse.
Throughout her time with the College, Anne has proven to herself, her trainer, and her peers that she has the academic and personal skills to succeed in this industry. She showed consistency with her assessment work and attendance and demonstrated a passion for elders and their care during clinical work.
Anne’s achievements and passion have been a
source of inspiration to many already, encouraging them to be brave and do what they need to do to follow their dreams.
Share your education journey
Kiama Community College is asking for feedback from past and current students on their education journeys and how the college can improve to best support the community.
Scan the QR code to provide feedback or feel free to email communications@kcc.nsw.edu.au with any insights about how we can improve the student journey.
Education is a lifelong journey, and it’s never too late to learn something new. Kiama Community College is committed to providing accessible and affordable education to our community. We encourage everyone to explore the possibilities that learning offers and to make the most of Adult Learners Week to discover new passions and opportunities.
Let’s celebrate the power of learning together! For more information about Kiama Community College, please visit our website at www.kcc.nsw,edu.au or contact us at 02 4232 1050.
Scan to see Term 4 Brochure
Join Older Women’s Network
By SIOWN’s Julie McDonald
The South Illawarra Older Women’s Network (SIOWN) promotes the rights, dignity and wellbeing of older women. Established in early 2024, this exciting initiative for the Kiama, Shellharbour and Berry districts brings older women together to share experiences, forge new friendships, support each other and the wider community, and learn from guest speakers.
Here is what one woman said about her reasons for joining SIOWN: “I’m interested to learn new things, and engage with speakers on interesting topics, and to catch up and meet new women over afternoon tea. I’m interested in healthy ageing, wellness, various other talks and activities.”
So far, our members have enjoyed presentations from several inspiring women. Topics have included homelessness and local initiatives such as Kiama’s Homestead of Hope; staying safe online; and exercise and wellbeing.
For the September and October meetings, we will be learning more about dementia: a carer-led peer-support model, offered by Illawarra Women’s Health Centre; and the latest dementia prevention and research evidence, by the University of Wollongong. November’s topic, a bit lighter to round out the year, is the Birds of the Illawarra, by Illawarra Birders.
The SIOWN theatre group will bring their Adelaide Fringe winner cabaret, Not Dead Yet, to Kiama in November. Funny and poignant, this death-defying show features performers aged 60 to 90. It will be open to the community.
Welcome to VIEW
By Lesley Roulston
Shellharbour VIEW Club encourages residents to join the women’s network for friendship, fun trips and fundraising. (VIEW stands for the Voice, Interests and Education of Women.)
Since it was formed in 1972, Shellharbour VIEW club has been raising much-needed funds for the Smith Family’s Learning for Life programs and it currently sponsors 10 Learning for Life students.
The money helps with textbooks, uniforms, backpacks and funds for excursions. Shellharbour VIEW Club members are proud to also be sponsoring a student in her first year at the University of Wollongong.
The Learning for Life program provides access to after-school learning support at public schools
SIOWN meetings are held on the third Friday of each month at Saints Peter and Paul Church Kiama, from 2-4pm.
The annual membership fee is $35, and attendees either contribute a small plate of refreshments or $5 for afternoon tea. Members are covered by insurance for activities and automatically receive the OWN NSW fortnightly e-newsletter dOWNtime, as well as access a variety of online classes via Zoom, including Feldenkrais, Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, and Ukulele. Visitors are most welcome to come and see if SIOWN is for them.
SIOWN committee members (from left to right), Wendy Saunders, Julie McDonald, Anne Chan
including Barrack Heights and Mount Warrigal. Volunteers help supervise homework and listen to children read.
Women of all ages who are seeking friendship, fun and to enjoy being part of a worthwhile fundraising charity are invited to join Shellharbour VIEW Club. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 11.30am at The Warilla Bowling Club. Please note: bookings are essential for lunch.
Meetings usually include a guest speaker; past events have included local children’s author Karen Hendriks (author of Our Shellharbour) as well as members of the Fire Brigade, Australian Unity and Surf Life Saving Australia. The club hosts social outings every month.
Contact Janice Holzhauser, president of Shellharbour VIEW Club, on 0481 481 379 or email roberthol22@bigpond.com
Grevillea Park Spring Open
Saturday Sept 7th and 14th, 10am-4pm; Sunday Sept 8th and 15th, 10am-4pm
See the Grevillea Park at its best. Wonderful display of Australian native plants showcased in expansive display gardens. Enjoy the rainforest and sensory trail and the newly renovated vine forest walk featuring the giant blackbutt. Huge range of natives for sale including difficult to obtain plants plus hundreds of books. Want advice? – bring your questions and we will do our best to help!
Henrietta Bush and The Ocean Beach Hotel
By Tamara Hynd, curator of Shellharbour City Museum
The Ocean Beach Hotel is a landmark in Shellharbour. Beer has been served there for 95 years, and there aren’t many people alive today who remember a time before the hotel’s existence.
The hotel’s construction in 1929 must have made quite a change to the sleepy seaside village that had been scattered with timber and stone cottages since the 1840s. Who would have thought to build such a grand two-storey hotel in a small town like Shellharbour in those days?
The site on which the hotel was later built was, from the earliest days of European settlement here in the 1830s-1840s, home of the local harbour master. Presumably built by the first Harbour Master William Wilson, the slab cottage faced the harbour, providing a full view of all goings-on. Captain Bursill and his family later lived here, operating a two-storey guesthouse, ‘Seaside’ , on the same block. Lamps were kept lit on the breakwater at night, to guide ships entering the harbour. With the coming of the railway in 1895, shipping operations slowed and major businesses in the municipality moved to Albion Park.
Shellharbour was always a popular tourist spot, even since the late 1800s when travellers and holiday-makers camped on the foreshore, fished, swam and enjoyed the natural beauty of the coastal
town. Rock baths were constructed in 1895, with strict regulations allowing women to bathe for two hours in the morning and afternoon, and men before 7am and after 5pm. The hours in between were regulated by a system of flags showing which sex could bathe at the time.
Some 20 years later a visionary, Henrietta Bush, cashed in on this tourist trade.
She was born Henrietta Lewis in Kendal, England in 1878. In 1885, when she was seven years old, she arrived in Sydney aboard the Bombay with her parents, Henry and Marianne, and her two brothers, William and Archer. Henry was a builder and joiner, responsible for building the Kensington Racecourse. He was foreman of works during the construction of the Bank of Australia in Sydney. The Lewis family lived at Walcha and Murwillumbah.
Henrietta studied nursing and travelled to Fiji in that capacity when she was about 18. She married Captain Edward Puttman around the same time. He captained the Minnie Hare around the Fijian Islands and was well known and respected throughout all the ports. In 1898, just three weeks after their daughter Alice was born, Edward suffered a heart attack and died.
Henrietta and Alice returned to Australia where
Left: Henrietta Lewis c.1896; Above: The Ocean Beach Hotel c.1930; Shellharbour Harbour c.1950. Photos: Shellharbour City Museum
she continued nursing and midwifery. In 1906, Henrietta married Sydney hotelier Walter Bush. Five years later they had a son, Harry. The Bush family operated hotels in Sydney before moving to Kiama where they managed and lived at the famous and recently restored Grand Hotel in Manning Street. In 1916, when their son Harry was just five years old, Walter had a stroke and died. So here was Henrietta once more, alone, in a relatively strange place, and with a young child. She continued to operate The Grand. Her parents moved to Kiama and no doubt assisted.
In 1929, The Kiama Reporter wrote that Mrs Bush had purchased the Seaside Flats at Shellharbour and intended building a first-class hotel on the site. Who better to ask to perform that task than her skilled builder and joiner brother?
Henry Lewis Jnr obliged, and in 1929-1930 the hotel was constructed at a cost of 8500 pounds. It had 26 bedrooms, attractive gardens and grounds and was described in The Kiama Independent as “an ornament to Shellharbour and the South Coast”.
The beautiful new building put Shellharbour on the tourist map. The hotel could accommodate 60 guests. Rooms were artistic and modern, with marbled bathrooms, hot and cold water and the latest of shower fittings. The best bedrooms opened onto balconies that looked out over the majestic ancient fig trees, and the ocean. Furniture and staircases were crafted from maple. The dining room and its stained-glass windows opened onto a tiled verandah complete with afternoon tea tables decorated in gold and black. The height of sophistication! Quite a change from the accommodations and drinking establishments the locals had been used to for the previous 100 years, and no doubt intended to attract more than the usual hoi polloi.
Henrietta successfully managed the hotel with her daughter Alice, Alice’s husband Clinton Cullen, her son Harry, and his wife Hazel. It somehow survived the Depression years of the 1930s, and the family continued to operate the business for the next 20 years.
This remarkable forward-thinking woman saw the tourist potential of her hotel and the little village of Shellharbour from those very early days in the 1920s. She not only built a hotel, she built a landmark that brought people together for a meal, a drink and good conversation, and one that has continued to do so for more than 90 years. Cheers, Henrietta.
To find about more about the history of Shellharbour City, visit Shellharbour City Museum’s online platform, discovershellharbour.recollect.net.au
Camera Club celebrates 60th
By Lesley Roulston
The Kiama Shellharbour Camera Club turns 60 years old this year.
Club president Linda Fury says that milestone has been reached simply because of the members’ passion for photography.
The group is very casual and easy-going with meetings held via Zoom on Wednesdays twice a month. The first meeting is typically a presentation by a guest photographer or speaker; recently local wildlife photographer John Wiseman spoke to the group about his work. The second meeting is usually an evaluation night during which members can enter their photos to judges who critique and provide feedback on their work.
There’s a social activity each month too, Linda says.
“On the first Sunday of the month, we usually go for breakfast somewhere and organise a photography shoot. Recently we have been down to Kiama Harbour, up to Robertson and later in the year we are going to Cockatoo Island in Sydney.”
There are workshops, exhibitions and competitions as well.
Joining a camera club is a great way for amateur photographers to develop their shooting and photo-editing skills, Linda says. She is a very experienced photographer who enters national and international competitions and enjoys teaching and helping people to learn about photography.
The club is always accepting new members and there is no commitment to attend every week.
Contact presidentkscc@gmail.com, 0419 289 110, follow on Facebook or visit www. kiamashellharbour.myphotoclub.com.au
Linda Fury’s photograph ‘Bombo Fury’
By Lesley Roulston
and SUPSun, fun
Rebecca Dunning at Reddall Reserve, Lake Illawarra. Photos: Anthony Warry
When she’s not running her business (Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour), or starring as a TV extra, or in the boxing ring raising money for Convoy, local legend Rebecca Dunning is organising the Shellharbour SUP Festival.
The three-day festival, from November 1 to 3 this year, attracts the best of SUP talent and showcases our beautiful region, including the new promenade area at Reddall Reserve.
The festival is a big win for Shellharbour, as it promotes local businesses, brings in tourism dollars and is an all-round fun day for anyone of any age or ability.
“I started the festival originally for the SUP community – to bring paddleboarders together and enjoy some outdoor fun,” says Rebecca, founder and owner of Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour. “Now it’s for everyone, SUP riders and the general public.
“It’s exciting to get to enjoy the new promenade area and drive tourism to Shellharbour doing something that I love.”
This is the fourth year the festival has been held, and there’s lots of activities planned in the water and on land for competitors and non-competitors.
For serious SUP athletes, there are Men’s and Women’s SUP Surfing races across a range of categories, with the 9km race being held on Sunday, November 3 on Lake Illawarra.
“This is the big race that attracts competitors from interstate,” Rebecca says.
“It is a real test of stamina and fitness and offers enticing prize money at the end for the winner. People seem to really love the fun atmosphere the festival generates. Mates can get together whether competing or having fun in the novelty races.
“The competition is great for the more serious SUP rider but the novelty races and the atmosphere on land creates fun for everyone.”
The BOP Tech race (BOP stands for Battle of the Paddle) will be staged again this year. This is an international, more technical style of SUP racing in which competitors start on the beach, launch themselves into the waves and paddle around an ‘M’ shaped course.
There’s mayhem and chaos as they manoeuvre as fast as they can around buoys in the breaking waves. It’s an event favoured by many elite SUP competitors and is very popular around the globe. It’s much harder than it looks!
Rebecca says she’s always been very sporty, but discovered a love for the ocean at 13 and started bodyboarding. By the time she was 20, she was very successful at the sport, winning a couple of national titles and earning a place at the World Surfing Games in California (she was flagbearer).
“I love sport and have tried lots of different watercrafts over the years and SUP surfing is my latest love, which I have been enjoying for around 10 years,” she says.
“I started the business when an opportunity presented itself to start SUP in Shellharbour. My husband Justin runs the business with me – we met on the water as surfers and are still surfing together outside of the business, which I think is incredible.
“One of my proudest moments running the business has been the realisation that SUP really is for everyone – even for those with a disability.
“I received a fair bit of media coverage when I took a client out SUPing who had cerebral palsy. She actually came to an indoor pool SUP yoga
session and told me she had her own SUP board but no one to take her out.
“I took her out and figured out a way for her to eventually SUP by herself.
“Since then, I have had numerous clients that require that bit of extra help – wheelchair-bound participants, for example. When presented with this type of challenge, 100 ideas go through my head, I might throw out 99 of them but that one idea that sticks to make it possible is gold.”
Last year more than 70 competitors took part in SUP surfing events and over 50 in the novelty events.
At this year’s festival, Sunday, November 3 will be the ideal day for flatwater racers and SUP surfers to enjoy a day of fun and competition.
Sunday’s events will be for everyone, whether you’re an experienced paddle boarder or a weekend warrior. There’ll be Dragon Boat racing (four people on a board, paddle out and back), a 2km novelty paddle where competitors often dress up in
costumes (previous races have included Buzz Lightyear and The Joker) and SUP yoga.
There will also be live music by Roxzon, a classic Aussie cover band playing hits from the ’80s and ’90s and plenty of Billy Idol.
Food trucks will be serving delicious bites – a $30 ticket will get you $20 in food and $10 in drinks. Numerous market stalls will be at the festival, selling surf-related fashion, Bali-style clothing, crystals and more. An over-18s area will feature local business Bass Point Brewing with a range of locally brewed beers and ciders.
The festival presentation will also be held on Sunday during the day, rather than Saturday night as in previous years. There will be cash prizes for the winners and giveaways.
Visit www.supshellharbour.com/supfestival, email supshellharbour@bigpond.com or contact Rebecca Dunning on 0427 667 938
Enjoy adventure film night
Hosted by local adventure woman
Rebecca Dunning, of Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour, the Women’s Adventure Film Tour 2024 will take place at the Gala Cinema Warrawong on Thursday, 26 September.
The night will feature amazing short films starring women and their incredible accomplishments. Also on hand will be health and adventure related businesses showcasing products and services. There will be a prize giveaway at intermission.
Women’s Adventure Film Tour, Gala Cinema Warrawong, 7-9pm. Tickets at www.galacinema.com/movie/waft24
Old boards recycled as art
By Tyneesha Williams
Kiama-based business Creative Kooks has repurposed 173 broken and discarded surfboards, with help from the Illawarra community.
Owner Mathew King is aiming to save 300 surfboards from landfill.
“I started Creative Kooks because I wanted to give back to the sport that I love – knowing that once a surfboard is broken, there’s not much you can do with it,” Mathew says.
The idea behind Creative Kooks came to Mathew after a rainy day at home with his daughter.
“I was a stay-at-home dad at the time and I had this old surfboard. My daughter was two at the time and I was just looking for something to do.
“So we pulled out pens, and we both sat there and drew on it. I’m not an artist and she was a two-yearold toddler that was just going nuts on it – but it was enough to entertain us for an hour or so,
“I thought it was really cool, and I just decided, why not bring it to the community as well?”
Creative Kooks runs ‘Riding the Wave of Sustainability’ workshops that engage participants through fun and creativity. Mathew incorporates basic yoga and mindfulness exercises, as well as balance board work to simulate the surfing experience before participants paint and draw on donated surfboards.
Mathew describes his work with early education centres, such as Big Fat Smile, as his “bread and butter”.
“It is always fun because [the children] are always stoked with what they’ve created. We really try to teach the kids that even though it’s broken, there is still a purpose for it.”
Mathew donates the repurposed surfboards to the daycares and preschools, to be displayed as
artwork for parents to see. Creative Kooks also hosts workshops for older participants at music festivals, fundraisers and other local events.
“They have the chance just to be a bit playful and creative. I think that we all as adults, kind of lose that spark,” Mathew says.
“Sometimes they haven’t drawn for a long time, so when they get the opportunity to draw on something, especially a surfboard, they drop their guard because it’s broken they don’t feel intimidated,
“If I gave them a blank piece of paper and told them to draw something, they’d probably be a bit standoffish.”
Participants can win painted surfboards from these events via a QR code. Mathew says this system ensures the boards do not go to waste.
“With a QR code, I know that someone actively wants to win it,” he says.
“It’s not just a random draw where someone might win the surfboard and just throw it out later. People have to actively scan it and write their details in. So that’s enough for me to know that they actually want it.”
Initiatives such as Creative Kooks reflect an overall shift toward sustainable practices in the local area, and Mathew says every broken board counts.
“I definitely don’t ever call myself an eco-warrior or anything like that. I’m definitely not perfect,” Mathew says. “I’m just trying to give back to the sport that I love and I think if everyone did their small part, we’d all make huge change.
“I’m giving people an option to be able to get rid of their old boards and I’ve been pretty lucky, the community’s been so generous.”
Visit creativekooks.com
Mathew
Rooftop solar is the people’s revolution
By Genevieve Swart
Australians love rooftop solar. “We invented the technology, we’re the biggest users of the technology,” said Ty Christopher, Director of the Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong. “Australia is leading the world with the uptake of solar on homes and businesses.
“There’s lots of bad dad jokes in this, but it’s a shifting of the power balance – consumers are taking control of their own energy supply.”
We spoke to two locals who’ve done just that.
Ahead of the curve
Driven by a desire to reduce her carbon footprint, Donna bought a hybrid car and spent $20,000 on a 6.5kW rooftop solar system when her home was built six years ago. “I just decided that I would try and do what I could for the environment,” she said.
A retired grandmother at home during the day to enjoy the full benefits of solar, Donna said: “The solar panels do work really well – when it’s sunny.
“If we’ve had a sunny day, I’ve probably exported 10 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to the grid. My battery’s full, and then my battery will usually last until the next morning. But if it’s cloudy, then that doesn’t happen. I import from the grid all day.”
Donna has had problems with batteries: she is onto her third after two failed. She would prefer a future powered by the sun rather than wind, so has joined a variety of groups on social media. “I think that they need to look at other options,” she said.
New to solar and loving it
Supporters of the Electrify 2515 movement, Rachel and her family are pleased with their solar system, installed in January. Rachel said: “We were motivated by a trifecta of benefits – to protect the environment, support the local economy, and reduce our household budget.”
Rachel chose a 6.6kw system for their threebedroom house. After five months, they are already seeing the environmental and economic benefits.
“Solar power reduces our carbon footprint and reduces our bills at the same time,” she said. Her family’s first quarterly electricity bill after installation was less per day than the daily supply charge. While they don’t have a battery, they time many of their appliances, such as their heat pump, to run off solar during the day. “Every little bit counts to manage cost of living pressures,” she said.
Your Solar FAQs answered
“Should I put solar on my roof?” is the question that Ty Christopher, an electrical engineer with four decades of industry experience, is most often
story
asked. His answer is “yes” – if you’re at home to use that power during the day or can set timers to run appliances like dishwashers while the sun’s out.
His second FAQ is “Should I get a battery?”
For households, Ty’s tip is to consider a thermal battery, i.e. your hot-water system, rather than a costly chemical, lithium-ion battery.
“With the government rebates being very attractive at the moment, look at getting a highly efficient heat-pump electric hot-water system, and run it during the day when the sun’s shining and store the solar in the form of hot water,” he said.
“That, at the moment, is a far more ecologically and economically good thing.”
In the future, we’ll need a mix of household and community batteries but the big advantage of a community battery is it’s fair for all, including renters. “It democratises access to locally generated clean energy,” Ty said.
More than a third of Australian homes and businesses have rooftop solar and Ty described its widespread uptake as “the biggest revolution that’s ever occurred in the energy industry in Australia”.
Yet, big companies have been slow to change, and he said it’s time to restructure the bodies that govern our electricity market. This could include stacking their boards with people from the likes of the Salvation Army. “That would be, I think, the best thing to bring down electricity prices.”
Final FAQ: Why can’t our cities run on sun? “The physics prevent you from doing it,” Ty said.
The sun doesn’t shine enough, the grid is not designed to ship massive amounts of energy upstream and the wires connecting homes to the grid are too thin. Rooftop solar cannot power big industry – and 80% of the carbon footprint of the Illawarra is BlueScope Steel. “Home solar is great … but it will not deliver the big grid solutions.”
Rachel (left); UOW’s Ty Christopher. Scan the QR to read the full
Oak Flats Tennis Club serves fun for all
By Lesley Roulston
If you’re feeling inspired to take up a sport after the thrill of the Olympics, think about trying tennis. In her youth, Shellharbour’s two-time Olympian and world-ranked professional tennis player Ellen Perez hit the courts at Oak Flats Tennis Club, so we spoke to secretary Viraj Keer to discover what the club has to offer.
“We have used the grants received from the NSW Government, Shellharbour City Council and Bendigo Bank to improve our facilities in order to provide a modern playing space for the whole community and to keep our talented players playing local,” says Viraj.
There are now six courts under the Oak Flats Tennis Club umbrella – four synthetic grass courts at Kingston St, Oak Flats and two hard courts at Graham Park, Warilla.
An online booking system for both court locations makes playing socially or practising very easy. Fees are some of the lowest in the Illawarra and are further reduced for members, with daytime tennis court hire as little as $2 per hour.
For beginners, or those looking for some one-on-one expertise, there are two tennis coaching options for both kids and adults – ‘Brett and Michelle Edwards Tennis Coaching’ and ‘Jones & Co Tennis Coaching.’
‘Hot Shots’ for kids starts at age 3 and includes colour-coded stages for each progression level.
Social tennis groups are run throughout the day and some nights during the week. These do not require a booking, or regular commitment.
“Just turn up on the day,” says Viraj, “and have
some fun. The Ladies Social Groups are really gaining momentum as a great way to meet new people and have some fun in the fresh air.
“It doesn’t matter if you have never played before, if you can hold a racquet, you can play tennis.”
For the more serious player looking for a step up from social tennis, Oak Flats Tennis Club competes in the Kiama/Shellharbour District Tennis Association competitions.
The courts are popular with families and groups looking for something different to a park gathering. Hiring out a few courts for a children’s birthday party is economical and a great way for them to have fun playing tennis in the fresh air.
To book a court, go to play.tennis.com.au/ oakflatstennisclub
Contact president Nathan Short (0410 225 921), secretary Viraj Keer (0414 488 370)
Soccer sisters in World Cup together
By Lesley Roulston
in Colombia from August 31 to September 22.
Football Australia said the girls will become the first sisters to compete in a FIFA World Cup Tournament.
Indiana has also been nominated for The Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) Young Women’s Footballer of the Year 2024, a prestigious award that Mary Fowler from the Matildas Olympic squad has won before.
Jynaya and Indiana started playing soccer for Shellharbour Football Club as youngsters, and both were soon scouted to trial for the Football NSW Institute (“the official elite development program for girls U13-U17”, according to Football NSW) in Glenwood, Sydney.
Congratulations to Shell Cove’s star soccer sisters Jynaya and Indiana Dos Santos on their selection for the Young Matildas squad to contest the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, being staged
Shellharbour Bulls seize chance to learn and compete
By Lesley Roulston
Learning to play basketball in Shellharbour has become easier with the formation of the Shellharbour City Basketball Association.
Members of the Shellharbour Bulls, the first basketball club in Shellharbour to be officially affiliated with Basketball NSW, may now participate in the wide range of competition and coaching opportunities offered by the sport’s state governing body.
Association chairman Adam Woodward worked for two years to form the club after realising Shellharbour kids, playing in a weekly grassroots competition at Shellharbour City Stadium, had to trial for limited representative team positions in Wollongong, Shoalhaven or Moss Vale.
It was a long process to have the club officially registered with Basketball NSW so, in the meantime, Adam joined forces with Kiama Basketball to compete in other competitions, such as the Barrengarry Conference, an independent competition providing a pathway for regional players to enter the representative arena.
“We demonstrated we have the talent, we now have a coaching program set up for players, we have teaching programs for coaches and the numbers to run a domestic competition, as well as a referee pathway and Walk Tall initiative,” Adam says.
“Our referee program is designed to educate the
learning green shirt referees to build their knowledge around the rules of basketball. They are then promoted to a striped shirt and prepared for competition and representative basketball.
“The Walk Tall initiative provides financial assistance for children and families who otherwise could not afford to play. Monies cover domestic competition fees, uniforms, camps, representative fees and equipment.”
Several sponsors – including Harrigan Ford, Remac Fire Safety and PRP Advisers – support the club, and the association now has coaching and development sessions for all age groups. It has also started a Rookie League across different age groups on Friday nights, with games at Shellharbour City Stadium and Kiama Leisure Centre.
The association’s next goal is to establish a weekly Shellharbour Bulls domestic competition for all players, Adam says, but finding a venue is a challenge as Shellharbour Council has ruled out Croome Rd Stadium.
The lack of indoor basketball venues in the Illawarra is a real problem, Adam says, but he is determined to get the domestic competition up and running.
TIMES AND HEIGHTS OF HIGH AND LOW WATERS LAT 340 29’ LONG 1500 55’
MOON PHASE SYMBOLS New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter
28 SA 0539
Big Dreams at Little As
By Lesley Roulston
The Albion Park Little Athletics Club has been in the spotlight recently as it is where 2024 Olympic Games silver medallist Jessica Hull honed her running skills during her junior years.
Treasurer Katie Dent says the publicity is welcome as it reiterates the value of regional clubs and the level of talent they can produce. The club has a number of other Olympians too, including Jye Edwards and Ryan Gregson – both middledistance runners – and Australian hockey player Casey Eastham.
Next year the club celebrates its 40th anniversary, which is an incredible achievement. Its longevity can be attributed to many things, but its focus on kids having fun and doing their best is a big attraction.
“We encourage kids and all our athletes to focus on doing their best, achieving a personal best, rather than on breaking records,” Katie says.
“We celebrate fourth place here just as much as first. It’s all about participation.”
Albion Park Little Athletics Club meets between September and March on Friday nights, with competition starting at 5.30pm. Participants range from three to 17 years old, with a follow-on competition for the U20 age group. Tiny Tots have a one-hour session.
Events include track races, sprints and middle
distance, walking, long jump, high jump, shotput, javelin and more. There’s a three-week program so kids will participate in certain events according to the scheduled week. For athletes wanting to take things further, there are carnivals and interstate meets too.
The club prides itself on being all-inclusive and its leaders are highly focused on building upon the multi-class experience for athletes, Katie says.
“We have a number of parents and carers who, through the NDIS system, are able to bring their kids down for some athletic and social fun each week.”
A number of the club’s athletes have been performing exceptionally well.
Chelsea Nicol was one of 78 athletes nationally to be selected to attend the 2024 Coles Little Athletics National Camp in late August (as this issue went to press), an amazing achievement.
Xavier Wilson is a multi-class athlete who regularly competes at a high level in cross-country running and athletics, and Brooklyn McWilliams has impressed by breaking track records (including Jessica Hull’s) over recent seasons. Brooklyn will be an U12 athlete this season.
For more information, follow the club on Facebook or visit albion-park.lansw.org
Albion Park athletes competing at the APLAC Gala Day in October 2023. Photo: Katie Dent
