Meet Our Contributors
Janice Creenaune is a retired English teacher. A wife and mother of three, she sees the life of a retiree as an evolution, something to be cherished, enjoyed. Janice is a volunteer for PKD Australia and her interests include travel, letterpress printing and film study.
Jeremy Lasek began his career in the Illawarra with the Lake Times, ABC Radio and WIN-TV. He was executive director of ACT Government Communications, Events, Arts, Heritage and Protocol for many years. Before returning to Wollongong, Jeremy was CEO of the National Australia Day Council and head of communications for the Australian Federal Police.
Tyneesha Williams is a UOW journalism graduate who runs her own business, Neesh Photography. Born in Central West NSW, Tyneesha fell in love with the Illawarra’s scenery and community. In her spare time, she enjoys taking pictures, going to gigs and the beach.
Dr Rebecca Goodman is a GP at Bulli Medical Practice with a special interest in Women’s and Children’s Health. She also has a Bachelor of Pharmacy and a Master of Public Health. In her free time, when not chasing after her own children, Rebecca likes to travel, read and spend time with family and friends
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!
Denise Aubourg is a Coledale resident and retired IT Project Manager. Denise volunteers with Electrify 2515 and the new Electrify Illawarra. She is inspired by Dr Saul Griffith’s win-win guide to cutting emissions and cost-of-living. She is a bicycle leader with Illawarra Ramblers and a keen golfer, bridge player, gardener and campervanner.
Ben Wollen is the director of Wollen Architecture, a studio with a focus on sustainable design. “Only build what you need to” is one of his mantras. Ben enjoys exploring the wonders of the Illawarra escarpment with his wife and kids.
New Podiatrist in Helensburgh
Khaled Assaad (Podiatrist) is the founder of Platinum Health Podiatry, the newest local service with extensive knowledge and skills in all aspects of podiatry. Khaled covers all general treatments but has a strong focus in biomechanics, covering dry needling, foot mobilisations, custom orthotics, shockwave therapy and more. He has a strong focus on:
• All routine nail & skin care (Home Visits)
• Pediatrics (in toe/out toe walking)
• Sever’s and other growth plate conditions
• Adolescents & geriatrics
• Sporting related injuries
• Knee pain (arthritic related or ligamentous)
• Tendinitis
• Nerve Entrapments
• Foot orthotics
Khaled will be in Helensburgh on Mondays, Tuesdays and at Kirrawee on Fridays.
platinumhealthpodiatry.com.au 02 4294 9990 | 0481 796 781 (if urgent/after hours) 2/20-24 Walker Street, Helensburgh NSW 2508 NEXT
PARTNER CONTENT
EDITORS Genevieve Swart, Marcus Craft CONTACT hello@theillawarraflame.com.au; 0432 612 168; PO Box 248, Helensburgh, 2508. TheIllawarraFlame
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COVER The 2025 City of Wollongong Awards. Photos: Tyneesha Williams
THE ILLAWARRA FLAME is published by a family business, The Word Bureau, 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
KANE DOWNIE
Big switch to Electrify Illawarra
By Denise Aubourg, the Coledale retiree coordinating a new regional movement
I grew up in small gold- and diamond-mining towns in South Africa. My father sometimes took us on weekend hikes, while my mother enjoyed a rare moment of peace. As one of five children from a mixed English-Afrikaans family, these simple adventures ignited a lifelong love of the outdoors. After a year of teaching high school science, I switched to computer programming and project management. My career choices were always driven by curiosity – taking on roles that excited me. In 1990, I emigrated to Australia, and now, after more than three decades here, I proudly call this beautiful country home.
My Lightning Bolt Moment
For most of my life, I believed that meaningful climate action was the government's responsibility – supporting renewable energy to replace aging coal-fired power plants. I thought our household changes were tiny drops in the ocean. That belief shattered in 2022 when I attended the Electrify 2515 forum and heard Dr Saul Griffith speak. Saul revealed that households alone contribute up to 40% of Australia’s domestic emissions, and when you add small businesses, that percentage climbs to 60%. The solution? Replace the everyday machines in our homes – cars, hot-water systems, heating, and cooking appliances – with efficient electric versions as they reach the end of their lifespan, and install rooftop solar and batteries. I was stunned. The science was solid and the logic simple. Plus, the savings were compelling: up to $3000 to $5000 a year for the average household. As a recent retiree, that kind of cost reduction was impossible to ignore. I knew I had to get involved.
From Pilot Program to Regional Push
Electrify Illawarra grew from the success of the Electrify 2515 group supporting the Electrify 2515 Community Pilot. The pilot is offering an incentive to 500 homes in the 2515 postcode to participate in a research trial on switching from gas to electric appliances. It will help inform what’s needed to help households across Australia go all-electric.
While the terms of the pilot were being negotiated, we partnered with two local solar installers to offer a discount on rooftop solar across the Illawarra. About a third of the installations were for residents outside of the 2515 postcode. We also ran two EV Open Days and shared information on hot-water systems.
The interest was overwhelming.
People liked getting practical advice from neighbours who were making the switch. So, in March 2024, we decided to launch Electrify Illawarra to support our broader community.
Walking the Talk: Changes to our home
Before joining Electrify Illawarra, we had already installed solar vacuum tubes to pre-heat hot water, a 6.6kW rooftop solar system, and reverse-cycle air conditioning. Installing rooftop solar had already dropped our electricity bill by $1600 a year, which covered the cost of the system in a few years.
When the cheaper Chinese EVs arrived in 2023, we replaced our runaround car with the cheapest new electric vehicle available at that time. We’re now saving about $2200 a year in fuel costs! We’ve lowered our annual costs by $3800 and there are more changes we can make when the price is right (e.g. heat pump hot water, household battery, vehicle-to-grid).
Our Vision for all of the Illawarra
The Illawarra is home to 130,000 households and 22,000 businesses. Our dream is to see local Electrify groups in every community.
We can share information and support events like EV & Home Energy Open Days. And look out for house tours on Sustainable House Day on May 4 (sustainablehouseday.com/2025-featuredhomes). We do need more people to join the Electrify Illawarra movement. You can help by:
• Joining a working group – events, media or advocacy;
• Sponsoring or donating – help cover essential costs like insurance and event materials;
• Hosting a community event.
Contact electrify.illawarra@gmail.com
Electrify Illawarra event coordinator Denise Aubourg
Unlock Your Property's Potential
Does selling your property feel daunting? What do you need to do to achieve top dollar? With over 25 years' experience and an intimate understanding of the local market, Julie is here to guide you every step of the way.
List & sell your property with Julie before 30/06/2025 &, as a thank you, go into the draw to win a $2,000 travel voucher. Ts & Cs apply.
Property Management
Sign a Management Agreement with Olivia Calver, our Property Manager by 30/06/2025 &, as a thank you, go into the draw to win an $800 travel voucher. Ts & Cs apply.
Julie York
0405 128 070
Strength in the Sisterhood
By Jeremy Lasek
On the cusp of International Women’s Day 2025, Wollongong’s top citizens for the past three years have come together for a special lunch where they talked about the sisterhood, and the challenges facing women, the nation, and the world.
In February, history was made when for the third time in a row a woman was named Wollongong’s Citizen of the Year. When Wollongong’s first woman Lord Mayor, Tania Brown, named Malika Reese, an advocate for victim-survivors of violence as our top citizen for 2025, she joined Aboriginal elder Dr Aunty Barbara Nicholson (2024) and the long-term executive director of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, Sally Stevenson AM (2023), on the city’s honour roll.
Aunty Barb hosted the lunch, and the significance of the occasion wasn’t lost on her, or the others. Those who know Barb’s delicious sense of humour and wicked intelligence will appreciate that she proclaimed her vegetarian feast a lunch fit for ‘three queens’.
In this Illawarra Flame special to mark International Women’s Day, the trio share how coming together impacted and inspired them.
First course – Dr Aunty Barbara Nicholson
Three women of note forging connections in a framework of discreet experiences and in the safety of Sisterhood. We unify over lunch on Wadi Wadi land, looking south over the once-upon-a-time sand hills now forest, then onto Long Point. Lovely vistas lull our senses to a mental stupor till we abandon all thought of story-making and instead we engage in sharing long-held secrets of similar experiences.
We each instinctively know and understand all that was said and all that was left unsaid. We know
because we are women of the Sisterhood, that body of women who will no longer be told to put the aprons back on, will no longer be quiet. We will call out those shames that keep making regular appearances on society’s landscape. This is why we are here, together, on this day. These are the values that unite us, that bond us in Sisterhood.
What a privilege it is to welcome Sally and Malika into my space and to absorb their warmth and wisdom, sharing knowledge, understanding and insights. This gathering deserves to be marked with a celebratory feast, so I made one. Replete with great food and even greater discourse, we ended our gathering with love and solidarity.
Second course – Malika Reese
It was an honour to be included at Aunty Barbara’s table. I felt humbled, still processing being the recipient of the Wollongong Council’s 2025 Citizen Of the Year award. These two previous winners: fierce, formidable, straight-talking visionaries, have worked tirelessly for their communities for decades. I hope to do the same.
We talked of Sisterhood and of how we can help lift up the young women coming behind us. To help all women understand that their worth is not in their appearance, their partners or possessions, but in themselves, their innate power and their voice.
We are living in crazy, unprecedented times. The Sisterhood is uniting to help bring balance to a world that desperately needs healing. In such chaotic times, it is also vital that we come together in joy and laughter.
It was a delight to sit at the table and connect. We talked about everything from child abuse and incarceration to family, creativity and our hopes for the future. And there is hope. Young women are stepping into their power and men of all ages are
speaking out as our allies for positive change. We three are an example of how Sisterhood gathers together those from different experiences and backgrounds, to dedicate themselves to the common good of all.
Third course – Sally Stevenson AM
As we sat at Aunty Barb Nicholson’s table for lunch,
filled with a sumptuous vegetarian feast she had prepared for us, looking out over the once denuded but now lush sandhills of Coomaditchie, where Aunty Barb was born, I felt at peace.
The good luck and fortune that brought me to this place, at this time, to be with two extraordinary women, Aunty Barb and Malika, reminded me that amongst the chaos, and horror of the world the Sisterhood is strong. And it always will be.
We’ve come from such different backgrounds – Malika sharing the beautiful photo of her, as a young girl with her mum, Bobby Sykes and Mum Shirl. Aunty Barb offering us stories behind the paintings on the wall, her first pair of patent leather shoes and a signed book from her work with inmates in Junee prison, and me from middle-class white Australia.
There we were laughing, listening, eating, learning. I had to pinch myself. To be with such magnificent women, two matriarchs of the Illawarra, social justice warriors (yes, Aunty Barb had a keffiyeh draped across on of her lounge chairs), women who have experienced adversity, pain, and sorrow but who exude strength, joy and light. And fierceness.
They are the Sisterhood at its very best, as it should be. And there I was in their orbit. How honoured was I, to be there, lifted up by them? These are the moments we remember.
13-year-old entrepreneur scores with soccer socks
By Tyneesha Williams
Alby Churven is a 13-year-old go-getter. Not only does this high-school student have a part-time job delivering Illawarra Flame magazines, he is also the founder of small business Alpha Gripz, which sells sports socks and supports the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI).
Alby is in year 8 at Edmund Rice College and plays soccer for Ts11 Wollongong Academy. Alongside his team, he will be participating in the Independent Football Australia (IFA) National Cup 2025. He started playing soccer at age six with Coledale Waves Football Club and last year played for South Coast Flame FC.
“I love soccer and the ocean and business,” Alby says. “I didn’t really like soccer when I first started, but I started to fall back into liking it when I was about 10.”
Alby fell in love with soccer during Covid-19
lockdowns. His mum, Anna, says that he could often be spotted at St James Park, Coledale, training by himself, rain, hail or shine.
“He started to catch the eye of some different coaches who were just like ‘Who is this kid that’s just so obsessed and always out there in the rain, training?’” Anna says.
Last year, Alby launched Alpha Gripz, selling grip socks that can be worn in many sports.
“All the A-league players wear grip socks underneath their club socks,” Alby says.
“Grip socks are supposed to reduce friction in your boot, so you don’t slip around in them. They prevent blisters – I used to get a lot of blisters with normal socks. They help absorb sweat and overall make your performance better.”
Alby designed his socks with these issues in mind, then sent off the designs to be manufactured.
“There are different material sections all along the sock to make sure that they’re tighter to your foot. Nice and compressed around your arch and they give you a bit of room to breathe around the top of your toes, but aren’t too baggy.
“It was pretty challenging to come up with design ideas. The logo took ages. The website also took a lot of time, and making lots of content.”
Alby’s socks cost from $25 a pair and his school, community and players at all levels have supported his enterprise. Alex Bonetig, defender for Western Sydney Wanderers, has been spotted wearing Alpha Gripz on the field. Players from APIA Leichhardt FC, South Coast Flame FC and Wollongong Wolves FC also support Alby’s brand and this year he is proud to be supplying local club Coledale Waves with socks.
To give back, Alby has donated Alpha Gripz to MCCI’s Youth Multicultural Football team. “There are refugee kids, women and men from like six years old to any age, and they get together at the Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow and play soccer all together,” he says. “I went there one time to play with the other kids and give them some socks.”
Anna adds: “They had something like 28 different nationalities on the field that day. There’s so many languages getting around out on the pitch, but everyone knows how to play soccer and it’s very competitive and very fun.”
Alby says the key to supporting young people in businesses is to take their ideas seriously. “Believe it – don’t think it’s just a silly idea and brush it off.”
Go to alphagripz.com.au or @alphagripz
Alby and his grip socks
Time to
Garden
Janice Creenaune meets Bri Smith, a Thirroul resident who, in retirement, volunteers at Green Connect, a social enterprise supporting young people and refugees at an 11-acre urban farm in Warrawong
At 63, Bri Smith, has found her own avenue to assist our community in the Green Connect movement, which has embraced the needs of the young people and refugees in the Illawarra.
“I was looking for new ventures when I retired and Green Connect was a worthy group evolving from SCARF (Strategic Community Assistance to Refugee Families).”
SCARF helped people build a sense of belonging, experience social and economic inclusion and access tools for independence. The Green Connect farm offers a welcoming, inclusive site with volunteers from all walks of life. The refugees bring their own cultural knowledge and develop new skills in their new adopted country.
“We all learn together, give our skills, learn new skills and enjoy each other’s company by establishing social links,” Bri says.
The aim of the organisation is to make a better, fairer world and provide transitioning and employment opportunities for refugees and youth.
“The development of a farm based on permaculture principles and a zero-waste service are particularly impressive. We are changing all the time and volunteers are always welcome.”
Bri’s passion for Green Connect is immediate and infectious.
“I often help with small tasks such as gardening on Tuesdays, with the majority of volunteers working Wednesday to Thursdays.
“Activities include vegetable bed preparation, planting, weeding and trimming of plants, but there are roles for volunteers, including photography for social media, light duties in the flower garden and helping with tours/activities. There are even university volunteers, who have an interest in herbal medicines.
“Everyone has skills and working with others in such an expansive project is such a delight. Most of the volunteers enjoy gardening and being in the outdoors.
“Most people leave with a smile on their face and a greater understanding of each other.”
Bri says there is real development over time.
“We have seen a great growth in pomegranate production and olive trees. Various gardens have
been established with banana trees, feijoa plants, tangelos, plums and peaches.
“The friendship garden is another area in development where the community is welcome to plant various cultural plants from their homelands.”
Green Connect also fosters development of other not-forprofit groups, such as The Flagstaff Group, by providing activities and opportunities for involvement as well as some school refusers and preschool group participation.
“Quite apart from participating in farming practices, there are mud-puddles, sand-pits and crawling through water tanks. It is like an adventure playground for the children, which offers more than mere play.
“Children participate and experience the joy of plants, and can even feed pigs, visit chickens and learn about bees and honey.”
This all sounds like great fun, but Green Connect has an important purpose. It connects people, fostering important interactions and sells farm goods online to contribute to running costs.
Vegetable boxes, along with fresh eggs, flowers, fruit and honey are sold online weekly, plus limited quantities of meat (a few times a year).
“It is particularly refreshing to see the refugees from Myanmar working with the flowers and producing beautiful bouquets. The bees, too, offer wonderful learning opportunities for children as well as producing tasty honey for sale,” Bri says.
She finds great satisfaction in volunteering.
“It gets me out of my 2515 bubble. We expand each other’s world just by being with each other.
“I have learned a great deal about gardens and even recently learned how to sharpen secateurs, a very handy skill. I also really enjoy making jams and pickles that I willingly give away to the hard-working volunteers.”
Bri says most of the work is not demanding and she enjoys using her skills for a remarkable cause.
“Most people leave with a smile on their face and a greater understanding of each other.”
Janice Creenaune is a volunteer for Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com
Five Austinmer Scouts put their skills to the test at the 26th Australian Scout Jamboree
Scouts join Jamboree
By Greg Pearce of 1st Austinmer Scouts
Five Scouts and one Leader from 1st Austinmer joined more than 10,000 other Scouts and Leaders from all over Australia in spending 12 days in January at the 26th Australian Scout Jamboree in Maryborough, Queensland.
The Scouts and their camping skills were put to the test: they endured rain, heat, humidity and mud, all in the name of fun.
Activities included a visit to Australia Zoo, a day in Hervey Bay participating in various water activities, and an Amazing Race around historic Maryborough Township. The Scouts also participated in countless activities on the campsite, including a commando course, abseiling, rock climbing, zip lining, mountain bike riding, esky racing (yes, you read that correctly), building electronics, several rock concerts, and many, many more. Sometimes they even had time to sleep and shower.
The Scouts had to do all of their own cooking, cleaning and washing during the camp, a steep learning curve for some!
The 18-hour coach ride home was a lot more quiet than the trip there! Some of the 1st Austinmer Scouts that attended will be lucky enough to also attend the next Australian Scout Jamboree in three years’ time.
Austinmer Scouts meets on Monday evenings at 7pm at our scout hall on Moore Street, Austinmer. Contact Steve Turner on 0409 695 575.
NF1 Report
By Neighbourhood Forum 1 convenor Warwick Erwin
New Community Centre and Library
NF1’s preliminary design for the new Helensburgh Community Centre and Library has had community feedback with the chief question being: Where is the parking for the town centre? Residents also suggested windows looking out to the bush and a full commercial kitchen. One asked why just the two blocks and not across all four blocks, with parking for the centre and town in front, with access via the roundabout.
After a meeting request, NF1 will ask Council for a copy of the scope of work for the centre and a schedule for tender, design, DA and completion.
Announced on 20 February: “A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will help complete the Southern Suburbs Community Centre & Library in Warrawong, with a $10 million commitment to the project made today.”
Our community has been without a centre for over 10 years and has a demountable building for a library that’s not far off its 60th birthday. Where is our “overdue but well-deserved investment”?
Budget Items for 25/26
A preliminary list of items was provided to Cr Richard Martin, who attended the NF1 meeting. Projects on the list include:
• Parkes St and Lilyvale St Roundabout;
• Footpaths and curb & guttering on all streets in Helensburgh;
• Road Closed/No Through Road electronic remote activated signs for Otford Road at Werrong Rd and Otford railway bridge;
• Reconstruction of Lady Carington Drive beside river that has been collapsing;
• Increase parking at Helensburgh Station;
• Otford Road Park new play equipment;
• Helensburgh Cemetery – no more delays;
• Playground Fencing at Charles Harper Park.
Completion of projects is a big question as schedules given are not met. Incomplete projects include: Helensburgh Swimming Pool shell replacement; Roundabout at Parkes St and Lilyvale St; Safe walkway to Stanwell Tops; Enforcement of Court orders – 750 Princes Highway; Otford Hall Replacement.
Email Ward 1 Councillors with your items for next year’s budget; addresses on Council’s website.
Volunteers run Neighbourhood Forums and NF1 still needs a co-convenor. Next meeting: 7pm, March 12 at Helensburgh Community Rooms (Old Community Centre)
Honoured to be Stanwell Park Agent of the Year
By Ian Pepper of Ray White Helensburgh
We are incredibly proud and humbled to be recognised as Agent of the Year 2025 for Stanwell Park. This award reflects not only the highest number of sales in the area this year but also the trust and confidence our clients place in us as the most honest and reliable agents in the community.
At Peppers Real Estate, we take immense pride in delivering expert guidance and outstanding results. As an independent business within Ray White Helensburgh, our commitment is to provide personalised service and deep local market knowledge.
Ian Pepper | 0403 570 041
Josh Pepper | 0437 790 052 ianpepperraywhite
Kids get creative this Easter!
Pick up a colouring sheet from RAY WHITE HELENSBURGH office or download one online. Let your imagination shine for your chance to win an Easter hamper.
A bandicoot in the hand
Backyard Zoology with Amanda De George
There’s no way around it, when we live with nature, we affect nature and it affects us. It’s in the front of my mind when trimming back plants around our yard. Tiny crab spiders launch themselves on silken ropes, and plant hoppers leap skyward just as I’m about to put the cuttings in the green bin. Oops, close call for them and I carefully pop them back in the garden. And I’m guilty of leaving sheets of cobwebs adorning our eaves and windows, worried for the spiders who call it home and the wattlebirds that swoop in, who call the spiders ‘dinner’.
But the concept of human impact was really brought home this week, as we started to replace our old, wooden paling fence. As the fence has started to rot and lean, I’ve let the vines and ferns take over. They snake up the wood, holding it together; the tangle of greenery has given shelter to countless animals. And the fishbone ferns multiplying at its base have provided home to bandicoots.
Bandicoots are often mistaken for rats and that’s just what happened as the tradies, knee deep in vegetation, shrieked as what they thought was a rat hopped out of the bracken they were removing.
Long-nosed bandicoots are nocturnal and spend the day curled up in logs or in shallow holes in the ground, lined with grasses and other foliage. You might have spotted finger-deep holes in your garden where the bandis stick their long snouts, sniffing out, well, pretty much everything. They happily feast on insects, lawn grubs, fruits, roots, underground bulbs, cockroaches, mice and even dog food left outside. The one that was hoisted aloft
Bird Watch
By Ewan Auld
by the tradies was only young and I scooped it up and gave it the once over. Bandicoots are on their own from around 60 days old and this one was definitely independent. It was no use releasing her straight away with the work ongoing so I grabbed a box, lined it with leaf litter and ferns, made some ventilation holes and left her in the shade on our porch. As night fell, I put the box on its side next to a similarly undergrowth-dense spot in my yard. I watched as she turned her snout up at the new spot and went in search of her ferny home… which was no longer there. But, while a lot of the greenery had to go to remove the fence, we left a fair chunk of fishbone fern in place to give the bandis (and their friends) somewhere to shelter until we can establish a new habitat alongside the new fence.
After all, our home is their home and we’re keen for them to stay.
Azure Kingfisher (Alcedo azurea)
March’s bird of the month is the Azure Kingfisher. These small colourful characters are one of a few species from the kingfisher family that we get in the Illawarra, along with the Sacred Kingfisher and the Laughing Kookaburra. Of the three species, the Azure Kingfisher is the least common in our local area, although its overall range spans many of the easterly and northerly regions in Australia. Spotting one can be a challenge as they’re small and often motionless and blend into their surroundings surprisingly well. However, they rarely stray far from water sources, favouring creek lines, rivers and ponds, especially those with more vegetation cover. I came across this bird along the lower vegetated section of Stanwell Creek in Stanwell Park, where they tend to show up occasionally. The key to spotting them is to sit near the riverbanks and wait to see the blue and orange flash as they dive down to the water to feed from their hidden perches.
New Vintage & Art Bazaar at Coledale
By Elizabeth Heffernan of the South Coast Writers Centre
The inaugural South Coast Writers Centre Vintage & Art Bazaar will be held in May at Coledale Community Hall. The Bazaar will bring together stallholders sharing a range of art, handmade goods, rare vintage and unique retro products.
The Bazaar will be held over two days: the Twilight Market on Saturday, 24 May, 3-8pm, and the Sunday Market on 25 May, 9am-2pm.
We welcome artists from across a broad range of hand-made and artisan ceramics, jewellery, fashion, textiles, candles, homewares, paintings, photography, stationery, food and more. We also welcome vintage and retro sellers. There is space for one food-seller to offer drinks and cakes.
Stallholders must be available on both market days and have their own public liability insurance.
As part of the Bazaar, the SCWC is running a hardcover book drive! Until the end of April, we are accepting donations of hardcover books in good condition, preferably more than 20 years old, to sell at the SCWC market stall. All donations will help support our community writing programs.
‘We
Are Kin’ at library
By Local Studies librarian Jo Oliver
Wollongong City Libraries are partnering with local photographer Ruth Barbato to host the exhibition We are Kin. Through photos and the spoken word, the exhibition explores the power of connection – how kinship can grow from starting conversations with strangers.
Post ‘lockdown’, Ruth noticed an increased sense of disconnection in society. So she went out to capture portraits, listen to stories and, most importantly, connect. She found people were keen to talk. Her exhibition presents life-size portraits and audio conversations with some of the people she met. Ruth suggests if we start to connect more deeply with each other, it may help to create a sense of kinship. The exhibition will be in The Lab on level 1 of Wollongong Library from March 3 to June 2, and also online.
Visit illawarrastories.com.au/exhibitions/ we-are-kin
You can drop off books to the SCWC office behind Coledale Hall 9am-4pm, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays. Or leave books (labelled) in the foyer of Coledale Hall. Please email info@ southcoastwriters.org so we know it’s there! Small packages can also be left in our mailbox.
Apply for a stall at southcoastwriters.org
Web skills needed
By Fran Peppernell of Helensburgh Lions
We’re excited to dive into our 2025 activities, with the Annual Country Fair, Anzac Service at Stanwell Tops, Easter Events, Monthly Coles BBQs, and many more on the line-up.
We’re also seeking assistance with our webpage. If you’re a community-minded individual with skills in HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, and can spare a bit of time for updates and admin tasks, we’d greatly appreciate your help. Please email at info. helensburghlions@gmail.com.
Sunday, March 2 is Lions Awareness Day and our Helensburgh Lions will be at Bunnings Bellambi, cooking up a feast. With over 25,000 members, Lions Australia is the country’s largest service organisation. We hope you’ll join us, chat with a Lion, and learn why they choose to dedicate their time and effort to helping others.
On March 22, Helensburgh Lions are supporting a fundraising night for a local resident with MND. “Warwick’s Boot Scootin Fundraising Bonanza” at Tradies Helensburgh promises to be a fantastic night with a country theme, so be sure to get your tickets!
Painting and Rides. Try your luck on the Chocolate Wheel (generously stocked with prizes from business near and far), Putt for Dough, Candy Tree and our Major Raffle, with over $2000 worth of prizes up for grabs, including a Garmin Forerunner 55 watch, Bissell Spot Cleaner, Easter Show tickets and more.
Grab a bargain in the Secondhand Book, Puzzle and Games stall or buy new plants for your garden from the Plant stall. Those with a sweet tooth will love our famous Sweet Treats Stall and for the kids – gelato, snow cones and fairy floss galore!
School invites community to fete
The annual family fun day is back on Saturday, March 15, writes Jenny Amadio
The Holy Cross School Fete is fast approaching and our school is looking forward to welcoming our wonderful community for a day of fun on Saturday, 15th March from 10am until 2pm.
Your much-loved attractions will be there including Side Show Alley, Chocolate Toss, Face
Take a time-out and fill your tummies with yummy food down at the BBQ and chill-out to the DJs tunes while wandering the Market Stalls.
This day is a chance for our school and the wider community to celebrate the start of the school year. Funds raised go towards supporting students’ educational requirements, as well as continuing with our school’s sustainability upgrades.
We thank everyone who has helped, donated prizes or offered sponsorship – we wouldn’t be able to do it without you. Special mention to our major sponsors: Peabody, Symbio, Julie York (Raine & Horne Helensburgh) and Ron and Chris Kissell (Ray White Helensburgh).
Keep an eye out on our Facebook page (HCH Fete) for updates and make sure you save the date as we look forward to seeing you all there!
We're now taking enrolment applications for the 2026 school year.
At Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, your child will belong to an inclusive, connected Catholic community, where wellbeing and learning are prioritised and interconnected.
For further information visit our website www.hchdow.catholic.edu.au, visit our social pages, or give our School Office a call on (02) 4294 1588.
To enrol visit www.hchdow. catholic.edu.au/enrol/
We look forward to meeting you!
L to R: James Reyne at Towradgi Beach Hotel; people still collect the playlists; local band False London. Photos: Tony Ryan
Reckless in Towradgi
After travelling to the four-day Mundi-Mundi Bush Bash music festival outside of Broken Hill last year, my taste for live music has been somewhat reinvigorated. I do not have too much affinity with a tribute band (unless they are a favourite) but do enjoy a good cover band, especially later in the night when I am well hydrated.
My son and his mates like to pay big dollars to go and see a DJ who seems to play the one song the whole night and that song does not have one lyric.
The daughter is happy to pony up huge coin to see mega international acts at stadiums (where I find the sound not to be that great) and spend half the time looking at the video screens.
When I was in my early 20s – 25kg lighter and rocking a mullet – the live band scene in Melbourne pubs was so strong. We all had a mate (or a mate of a mate) in a band, belting out songs on a weeknight in dodgy venues waiting to be discovered. Unfortunately, the only one that made it big was the trombone player in Hunters & Collectors, who was a mate’s old music teacher.
I remember seeing the likes Paul Kelly, The Models, Kids in the Kitchen, Big Pig and, dare I say it, Uncanny X-Men in pubs where your shoe stuck to the floor and smoke filled the rooms so you could see as far in front of you as at Maddens Plains on a foggy night. Then going to slightly bigger venues to see Painters & Dockers (loved being in the middle of the mosh-pit), Hunters & Collectors and Crowded House – there would not be a fortnight without going to a live gig.
The lovely bride recounts stories of seeing Cold Chisel, Moving Pictures, Aussie Crawl and Dragon at the old Thirroul Leagues Club.
The days of looking up the album chart and
seeing what is ‘hot’ and going to a record store and checking out hundreds of vinyls are so long gone. Even conversations over a beer or dinner now are consumed by what show we are streaming rather than what band or solo artist we’ve seen or heard is going to be the next big thing.
We recently went to see James Reyne (ex-Aussie Crawl) at the TBH and he put on a great show. Even my mate Big Mike (not the one from the Blindside) really got into it. Reyne – looking fit as a 27-year-old and not the 67 that he is – managed to entertain the capacity crowd with his brilliant guitar playing, strong unique vocals (I understood most of the words he sung) and a string of hits going back to the early 80s.
On Australia Day weekend, I really enjoyed seeing young local band False London, with a gig full of their own original songs. An entertaining frontman singing songs about their own life, love and hopes. It must be so hard for a great local band like this, trying to get gigs around Wollongong and Sydney. The effort to get a live following rather than social media followers would be an enormous challenge. Even radio airplay would be hard. Firstly, radio stations do not promote local bands and really, these days (to borrow a line from the 80s band the Sports), ‘Who listens to the radio?’
But I am as much to blame as anyone as my daily commute to Sydney is filled with sporting or crime podcasts or the 1500 songs on my playlist (apart from the five I downloaded after the False London gig). There are not too many songs from the past 15 years.
Maybe I should buy a pipe, slippers and a Jason recliner and then reminisce about music and how it is not as good now as it was in ‘my day’.
Tony Ryan revives his love of local live music
New beginnings and fond farewells
By Nina Sampson of Helensburgh Public School
We are delighted to announce that Helensburgh Public School has recently welcomed 70 enthusiastic Kindergarten students who have joined three new classes. It’s been heartwarming to see our newest members of the school community settling in so smoothly. Many proud siblings have been checking in during lunch and recess to find their younger brothers and sisters happy and engaged. Our Kindy students have been exploring the school grounds, forming new friendships, and eagerly enjoying their learning.
In addition to our youngest learners, we are thrilled with our dedicated 2025 Student Leadership Team. They have had a great start, displaying enthusiasm and commitment. We are sure they will lead by example and make a significant positive impact throughout the year.
As we embrace new beginnings, we also take a moment to bid a fond farewell to Mr Hendry, our beloved General Assistant. After 28 years of tireless dedication, Mr Hendry has retired, leaving behind a legacy of care and excellence in keeping our school well maintained and welcoming. His contributions have been invaluable, and he will be
greatly missed by staff, students, and families.
To our new and existing families, we extend a heartfelt welcome. We are so excited to have you as part of our school community and look forward to a wonderful year ahead filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences.
Thirroul – Outside Thirroul Library, 10am Corrimal – Luke’s Place Playground, 12 noon
Thur 13th March
Helensburgh – Proud Park, 10am Coledale – Coledale Beach SLSC, 12 noon
If you can’t make it along but want to get in touch email cr.jwhittaker@wollongong.nsw.gov.au or call me on 0491 316 123
Ambos embrace comfort teddies
By Marion Cook
The Keiraville Branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) are always busy cooking and sewing and raising funds for the needy and creating things to help others less fortunate.
One way that our branch likes to help is the creation of our comfort teddies.
Each one is knitted or crocheted with varying colours, sewn together and stuffed at our teddy days and a unique face sewn on. Our wonderful communities often donate eight-ply yarn that helps with making our bears.
These beautiful comfort teddies are then donated to our local ambulance stations for paramedics to give to children who are taken to hospital by ambulance. Some teddies have been sent to nursing homes and the Indigenous ward of Westmead Hospital.
The teddies not only provide comfort – they can be a good distraction during a child’s journey.
One ambo recently commented that when they give a child a bear, they first ask them to give it a name. This gives the child something else to think about.
CWA Keiraville has other projects too and we are happy to welcome new ladies to our group.
Contact keiravillecwa@gmail.com
CWA enjoys pottery class
By Jan Johnston of Stanwell Park CWA
In February, one of our members hosted a wonderful day teaching us the art of pottery. After moulding the clay, we came up with a complete array of pottery ideas – all shapes, decorations and colours. While a lot of practice would be needed to create some beautiful pieces that we saw displayed, we were very proud of our efforts. We all commented that a surprising added benefit was how the process was so therapeutic. Probably due to a very patient teacher, who then undertook the final step of applying the glaze and firing.
Also of interest is a giving opportunity we found while researching significant Australian women. Our members learnt about Tanya Egerton, 2024 Rural Woman of the Year, who has spearheaded the Remote Opshop Project. This aims to ensure high-quality, affordable essential goods are redirected from landfills and distributed to remote communities.
What better way for us to help than to redirect our unwanted goods to a destination whose success relies on these donations?
Simply go to remoteopshopproject.org, select a remote community Op Shop to find a postal address and a list of suggested items to send, then buy a prepaid 5kg Australia Post bag, which costs about $24. This donation provides saleable goods for the Op Shop and all profits are redirected to communities. Easy to do and very worthwhile.
CWA meets at 15 The Drive, Stanwell Park at 10am on the first Tuesday of the month. Everyone is welcome
Menopause matters
By Dr Rebecca Goodman of Bulli Medical Practice
Are you in your 40s or 50s and noticing changes? Perhaps your periods are irregular, you’re feeling irritable, or experiencing sudden hot flushes at inconvenient moments. Maybe you’re waking at 3am, unable to get back to sleep... If this sounds familiar, you might be entering perimenopause or menopause.
Perimenopause typically begins between ages 45 and 55. Menopause is officially reached when you haven’t had a period for 12 months or more. While every person’s journey is unique, symptoms can significantly impact quality of life – especially when juggling work and family.
Common symptoms include:
• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Mood changes, including anxiety and depression
• Memory issues and headaches
• Vaginal dryness and reduced libido
• Sleep disturbances
• Weight gain and fatigue
PARTNER CONTENT
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Saturday: 8am - 12 noon
Full range of general practice services including women’s and men’s health, child and adolescent health, older adult health and nursing home visits, and specialised clinics including:
y Travel medicine - accredited Yellow Fever vaccination centre
y Skin cancer checks
The good news is that effective management options are available. These include:
• Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT, formerly known as HRT)
• Lifestyle changes like regular exercise and healthy eating
• Stress management through relaxation techniques
• Psychological support when needed
MHT is safe for most people and comes in various forms, including patches, tablets, and gels. Many find it life-changing, helping them feel like themselves again. Your doctor can discuss the benefits and risks for you.
The choices you make during menopause can influence your health well into your 60s, 70s, and beyond. At Bulli Medical Practice, we’re launching a dedicated menopause clinic offering individualised, evidence-based treatment.
Talk to our team about managing your symptoms and maintaining your long-term health through this natural life transition.
Book online* via the website: www.bullimedicalpractice.com.au or scan QR code:
*Please call 4284 4622 for an appointment if you have any respiratory symptoms 74 Park Road, Bulli 4284 4622
Over 1000 aged care beds needed
By Nicky Sloan, CEO of Community Industry Group
Community Industry Group (CI Group) have been aware for more than five years that hospital beds ‘blocked’ by older patients approved for aged care was an issue, but we were all shocked when two years ago heard that Illawarra/Shoalhaven had the worst bed block in the country.
On a typical day up to 150 public hospital beds in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District are occupied by patients who no longer need hospital care, but are unable to return home. This is variously called Bed Block or Delayed Discharge and it’s a social justice issue, where older people can’t get the full-time appropriate care they need.
Hospitals are amazing places when you are unwell, and the staff are exceptional. But they are not places to live your life. While most people stay in hospital for an average of four days, the average stay for an older person in this situation is 66 days – and, for many, it’s much, much longer. Most of these people will eventually be discharged to a residential aged care home, but the region has a chronic shortage of these vital aged care places.
So, we started to look into it, and found that, despite the growing demand, the number of aged care beds across the region has not increased in close to a decade. The Illawarra Shoalhaven region has a current aged care deficit of 1025 beds. While some new places have opened, an equivalent number have closed for a range of reasons, including:
• ageing buildings which don’t meet new accreditation standards;
• closure of multi-bed rooms to meet new quality standards and customer demands;
• repurposing of inappropriate stock for
Candidates for Cunningham
By Genevieve Swart
community needs;
• As well as governance, financing, staffing and planning obstacles.
Exacerbating the issue is the fact that we are also desperately short of Home Care Packages to support older people to live well in their own homes. Current estimates are that we are short 1024 home care packages across the region. It is no wonder that older people are ending up in hospital.
Now we can’t place the blame at the feet of aged care providers. Aged care is now a free market system, and here it is a market that has failed to meet the needs of local people. The very fact that demand well exceeds supply, but still providers are not able to develop aged care in our region, tells us that.
CI Group is leading projects to address bed block and support older people who are unable to leave hospital, and their families, including the fabulous STARS volunteer transition support services.
To volunteer or listen to Nicky’s podcast, visit communityindustrygroup.org.au
running for a second term; paramedic and Wollongong Ward 1 councillor Jess Whittaker is standing for the Greens and Amanda Ivaneza, HR manager at US coal miner Peabody, is the Liberal candidate.
Named for an 18th century botanist (Allan Cunningham), the Commonwealth electoral division stretches from Helensburgh to Windang, covering most of Wollongong. It’s home to Bluescope steelworks – which employs about 3000 people and supports about 10,000 local jobs – and has been a safe Labor seat for decades, other than a two-year stint by the Greens’ Michael Organ, elected after a 2002 by-election. Scan the QR code to read our Candidate Q&As online
Three women are lining up to contest the seat of Cunningham in the 2025 Federal Election. Incumbent Labor MP Alison Byrnes is
Ladies & Gentrification
By architect Ben Wollen
The dictionary defines gentrification as “the process whereby the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses, often displacing current inhabitants in the process”. It was first coined by sociologist Ruth Glass, describing the process occurring in London during the ’60s. Obviously one of the main factors that comes with gentrification is the rising cost of property, especially over a short period of time. Another good indicator is the number of fancy cafes serving chai lattes and artisanal sourdough bread.
Two local suburbs come to my mind when someone mentions gentrification – Thirroul and Port Kembla – and both, I’d suggest, are in different stages of gentrification. Where Thirroul is more advanced, Port Kembla is in its early stages. Both are great places and while you’d have to go a way back in time to describe Thirroul as ‘working class’, there’s still a working class vibe in Port Kembla.
If we look at the last 10 years as a snapshot. In 2016 the median house price in Port Kembla was a little over $500k and today it’s a little over $900k –176% increase. The 2016 median house price in Thirroul was $1m and today it’s hovering around $1.8m – a 180% increase. Even-Steven on the increase. Median household incomes in Thirroul are roughly double that of Port Kembla – that was the case 10 years ago as it is today.
I haven’t counted the cafes flogging artisanal bread in both suburbs but I reckon we know the answer! So, apart from the fact that if anyone out there with capacity to buy property should consider Port Kembla, what does this mean?
Well, we all know that gentrification isn’t normally seen as a good thing unless, of
course, you’re one of the gentrified. The architectural commentator, Elizabeth Farrelly (one of my hero authors) has charted the evolution of gentrification of some of Sydney’s inner-city suburbs like Surry Hills and Redfern. She says that first come the artists looking for cheap rent. They bring vibrancy and an element of cool with their artistic events, enterprises and endeavours. These are followed by the allied arts, such as graphic designers, filmmakers and, yes, architects. You see the trend here – as the wages increase so too does the cost of the area, pricing the original inhabitants progressively out of town until you get something like Paddington. You know it’s all over when Justin Hemmes opens up a restaurant in the area!
In an article on The Fifth Estate, Chris Curtis goes one step further than gentrification, labelling it blandification – ouch!
Now, when it gets to the point of blandification, this can be bad for all and sundry, including property developers keen to ride the wave of the initial gentrification. As the original working class/ artist mix moves on due to being priced out, so too does the distinct character that attracted people there in the first place.
Catch 22, you say? Well, it doesn’t have to be this way. This is where a good mix of housing, including the affordable variety, comes in. New areas undergoing gentrification need to have incentives placed on developments to include decent proportions of affordable housing. Far from being a cost to the developer, affordable housing ensures the area keeps its vibrancy and diversity, making the initial investment and the area retain its value. But when I say decent, I mean one-third, not the paltry 6.5% the Corrimal Cokeworks development is proposing. When the government sets unachievable housing targets they’re simply trying to win the next election. To make a dent in our housing crisis, there needs to be hard policy to push affordable housing, even if that means giving extra height to developers.
It may be too late for Thirroul, but efforts must be put in place in Port Kembla, sooner rather than later, so it keeps its special sauce and all of its inhabitants can enjoy chai lattes and sourdough.
Left: Wentworth Street, retail heart of Port Kembla. Photo: Marcus Craft. Right: Thirroul circa 1920s. Photo: Wollongong City Libraries
Darkes Shed set up
By Bob Pymm
Helensburgh Men’s Shed now has a new home.
Over the last few months, we have moved all our stuff from our old premises in Parkes Street to what can only be described as a ‘green fields’ site at the end of Darkes Forest Road. While this has its drawbacks – we have set up a fair bit of infrastructure – it also has its advantages in that we can organise everything to suit ourselves, unrestricted by the limitations of existing buildings. The result is a work-in-progress but we can now start thinking of things other than moving heavy equipment and installing pallet flooring!
Establishing the shed in this location has called for lateral thinking. We have made great use of recycled materials and would like to thank the members and friends of the Shed who have offered up timber, plywood sheeting, old pallets, Colorbond panels, and more.
This new home is a temporary arrangement (it may be quite a while before discussions with the various parties – Council, state planning, etc –result in identification of a permanent site for us). We therefore didn’t want to put too much capital into this site when we will be moving again in the (if we are lucky) not-so-distant future.
The move has been full-on but we are now back to our usual routines – we are still a social group, happy to enjoy a chat and a cuppa. Please, take the trip down Darkes Forest Road on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday – to the end – you can’t miss us – and check out the new Shed. We are a mixed bunch of blokes (and on Wednesdays women too) from a whole range of backgrounds – don’t worry that you won’t fit in!
Coming up: a Shed Open Day to celebrate our new place in the sun.
Visit helensburghmensshed.org.au
Couple electrify old cottage
By Electrify 2515’s Elsa Evers
What’s your house like and how long have you lived there?
Tosca: We’ve only just moved into our new Thirroul house – we’re still pinching ourselves, we love it. The house is bright and airy, with tree ferns and pink gum blossoms in the garden. The original house was built in 1909, but has been added to over the years. We’re so happy to be back in the heart of our community: I was born in Wollongong Hospital, grew up in Austinmer, and went to Bulli High School.
Can you describe your family?
Billy: We are a family of three. Tosca’s currently
Battery fire warnings
By Genevieve Swart
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) last month issued a plea to the public to wake up to the risks of lithium-ion battery products, such as e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards.
FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said: “We had at least 318 lithium-ion battery fires in NSW last year, that’s well up on the 272 of 2023 and 165 of 2022.”
He said people are taking “dangerous risks”, overcharging their batteries, leaving them on charge when they sleep, and mix and matching power cords. “It’s a recipe for disaster … “Don’t charge lithium-ion-powered devices near
freelancing, working to reform whistleblower protections. I’m retraining to become a high school teacher. I recently did my prac at Bulli High School … Chip is almost two. His passion currently resides somewhere between Japanese diesel electric trains and Mary Poppins.
Why did you apply to be in the Pilot?
Tosca: Australia moving toward renewable energy is inevitable, and so electrification is the necessary step any time we need to update an appliance. When we needed a new stove in our last house, we opted for induction. Billy is a big foodie and was sceptical about induction’s ability to beat gas for cooking. He was happily wrong.
We’re also motivated by health because our toddler had some respiratory issues recently and we know how gas appliances can increase the chances of asthma in kids.
What are you upgrading?
Billy: We’re hoping to replace our gas hot-water system, gas stove, and gas heating. We’re hoping to add aircon, induction stove, electric heat pump hot water, solar panels, and possibly a battery.
What’s your big indulgence, energy-wise?
Tosca: Air-con – we love it. We like to have control over Chip’s room temperature at night throughout the year and love having a cosy house in the winter. It’s one of the reasons why we’re so keen for solar panels and a battery, so we can keep being indulgent and not break the bank or world.
For more info, visit electrify2515.org
exit points. In at least three of the recent fires, residents were trapped by the flames and were forced to flee through windows.”
FRNSW also warned against throwing lithiumion batteries in the rubbish, as they can start fires in garbage trucks or tips when compacted.
Captain Roslyn Thomas, Station Commander of 325 Station Helensburgh, said the crew had not yet responded to any lithium-ion battery fires in the area, but the increase in incidents was “alarming”.
“We hope by educating the local community we can avoid attending such incidents,” she said.
The Helensburgh crew provide free Home Fire SafetyVisits for local residents. To book one, simply fill out the form at fire.nsw.gov.au/visits, Facebook message or phone the station on 4224 2035 and leave a message with your contact details.
Tosca and Billy are one of the first 60 participants in the Electrify 2515 Community Pilot.
Charging Away Simplified
Part 12 in Peter Aubourg’s Diary of an EV Driver
It turns out that it is quite a social affair at the charging stations, with people sharing their experiences, and generally helping each other. On the subject of planning the trip, another app was recommended; ABRP (A Better Route Planner).
I downloaded the free app to find it was very good. You tell it what car you are driving and the state of charge when you depart, then where you want to go. You say how often you want to stop (on a sliding scale) and what percentage of charge you are willing to go down to. The app then plans the route like Google maps, except it shows where the charging stations are that you should use. It also shows how many charge points the charging stations have, and how many are available.
At one point I saw a fellow EV owner plug in, and without using his phone, start the charger. How did you do that? “Magic,” he smirked. Turns out you can get a plastic card from the charging company to make things easier. This is an RFID card (Radio Frequency Identification card) similar to the Opal card. I wanted this magic!
I ordered a card from my Evie app, it arrived in the mail and I linked it to my account using the same app. Then I went to the Evie charging station in Wollongong Central. I parked next to the charger, plugged in the car then tapped the card on the charger and – voilà! – it started. So much easier than messing about with the phone app.
Turns out seven companies let you use RFID cards: BP Pulse, Chargefox (NRMA), Evie, EVX, Exploren, Everty and Wevolt. The card for the Evie charger is a general purpose card, and you can link it to other charging apps on your phone (if they are one of the seven). I now have all my RFID-compatible accounts on the Evie card. So now when I am charging away from home, it is mostly tap-and-go, just like the Opal card!
The team at Transitus Legal is dedicated to helping you navigate your legal journey.
We offer assistance in the following areas:
Conveyancing Wills
Family Law
Estates & Probate
Small Business Law
Contact our office today Office: 32 Walker Street, Helensburgh Phone: 02 4294 9980
Email: hello@transituslegal.com.au www.transituslegal.com.au
By Genevieve Swart
Community
An advocate for victim-survivors of violence, 2025 Citizen of the Year Malika Elizabeth Reese will use her award to spread a message of kindness.
“I’ll be able to use it as a platform to speak out about how important community is and how we are all connected to each other,” Malika said after the City of Wollongong Awards at City Beach Function Centre on February 6.
“We need to be kind to ourselves and to each other. I think we are lacking a lot of self-kindness in this world at the moment.”
Born in Los Angeles, Malika has worked with the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre and Women Illawarra, and is known for sharing her own trauma to help others. Malika took part in the first Australian Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Conference in Wollongong and, when she went on stage to receive her award, pinned to her shirt was a badge for the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse.
“Speaking out against child abuse and domestic violence is really important to me,” Malika said, “helping to empower people to set down the shame and set yourself up, because I think shame is incredibly crippling and intergenerational trauma
is rife through our society. It’s so important that we are kind to ourselves and heal.”
Malika is also a singer, teacher, writer, musician, storyteller, public speaker, funeral celebrant and the leader of Tender Funerals’ Community Choir.
“I just really like being of service,” she said. “I want to use my words and my voice to make a positive difference in people’s lives.”
Malika is developing ‘A Gentle Talk About Death for Little Ones’ as part of the MerrigongX artists program and looking forward to touring with ensemble show Church of the Clitori. Her next local performance will be in She’ll Be Right, an International Women’s Day Celebration at Port Kembla’s Servo on March 7.
Instead of a speech, Malika surprised the awards audience with a song from her stand-up routine. It was a comic song about bodies and attitudes that reinforced the need for self-love.
“People are kinder to strangers than they are to themselves,” Malika said. “So I say treat yourself with the kindness you might give a stranger.”
‘Icing on the cake’ of a lifetime’s work
The chair of the Multicultural Communities
CHAMPIONS
Council of Illawarra (MCCI) since 2001, Ken Habak OAM said being named Wollongong’s Senior Citizen of the Year was “the icing on the cake”.
“After 54 years of working, volunteering here and there and everywhere, from the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils to churches to communities to police advisory committees, to ministerial, state and federal committees, I think that was an honour,” he said.
Ken was a school teacher in Lebanon and migrated to Australia in 1970, working at BlueScope Steel until retirement in 2009. During his time as MCCI chair, the organisation has expanded to Canberra and the Shoalhaven, bringing together more than 80 ethnic and culturally diverse communities. He’s won multiple awards over the years.
“My first achievement was a Volunteer of the Year award in New South Wales in 2008. Then in 2010, I was honoured with an OAM, and in 2017 I was honoured with the [NSW Premier’s] Human Rights Medal and tonight, this is the icing on the cake.”
Ken has been with MCCI for 24 years and is
L to R: Malika Reese, Ken and Salma Habak, Kellie Papaconstantinos and Shaz Harrison, Sarah Rowan. Photos: Tyneesha Williams
planning to retire at the AGM in November. But before then he’ll be celebrating the multicultural council’s 50th anniversary and the launch of a book about its history by CEO Chris Lacey during Harmony Week in March.
Young Citizen of the Year
Mental health first aid instructor Jack Brown, who founded suicide prevention charity Talk2mebro after losing his cousin to suicide in 2018, was named 2025’s Young Citizen of the Year.
Jack was unable to attend the presentation, but sent a letter in which he thanked his family for being “so supportive during my dark times and times of struggle”.
“Thanks to everyone in the Talk2mebro organisation,” Jack wrote. “This is our award as a team.”
Wollongong’s ‘secret sauce’ Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said the quality of 2025’s nominations was both “outstanding and inspirational”.
“The success and vibrancy of Wollongong is built by those who dedicate their skills and time in
support of others,” she said. “They create opportunities for our city to grow. They enable our community to engage and experience different ideas and ways of looking at the world.
“Just this morning I was at an event in Sydney, where we launched the latest city investment prospectus … but what’s not written in the fine print is the secret sauce that makes our community so special. And it’s found in the 85 nominees and organisations who work behind the scenes supporting our community.”
‘Huge’ demand for Need a Feed
The Community Group of the Year award attracted the most nominations of all 11 categories and this year the honour went to local charity Need a Feed, which helps those facing hardship by providing shared meals and connections.
Need a Feed founder Shaz Harrison said the first thing she was going to do was share the award with her volunteers. “Without them, we can’t do what we do,” Shaz said.
“We’re going to put this [certificate] up at Community Connection Lunch, take it into the Breakfast Buddies, and show everyone there and all the volunteers.”
Shaz said while she was thrilled, one of the nicest accolades came earlier in the day at Need a Feed’s weekly Thursday meal at Northern Illawarra Uniting Church. “One of our lunch guests today said, ‘You are already the community group of the year.’ I thought, that’s gold.”
Amid the cost of living crisis, Shaz has seen “huge” demand for Need a Feed’s services.
“We have a big fundraiser coming up in September. It’s called the Need a Feed Swim Challenge. We are fundraising for a mobile food truck so we can reach more areas of the Illawarra. So people who can’t come to us, we can go and meet them where they are physically and mentally.”
Muralist who captured the zeitgeist
The Lord Mayor’s Award for excellence went to Sarah Rowan, the speed painter who created a public mural of Olympic gold medallist Saya Sakakibara and her brother Kai in Helensburgh during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tania Brown said: “I felt that Sarah really captured, with that mural, the excitement that all of us felt for our local athletes and to see all of Helensburgh come out and celebrate Saya Sakakibara – it just captured the zeitgeist, so well done Sarah.”
“I am beyond honoured,” said Sarah, who is thrilled with the additional commissions that have followed her mural of the BMX champs.
“It’s really put me on the map.”
The Helensburgh artist has another five murals in the works, including a public memorial for an Albion Park teenager that she’s creating in collaboration with his friends.
Light in dark times
The volunteer-run Clifton School of Arts (CSA) won the 2025 Arts and Cultural Achievement Award.
CSA president David Roach – who was the driving force behind last summer’s hugely successful Ian Gentle retrospective – said that the award would not only lift the group’s spirits but boost their publicity. The Northern Illawarra cultural hub is fundraising for a much-needed extension to its heritage building, built in 1911.
“It really helps to have this sort of official recognition,” David said.
“Just to be in this room, with these people is an incredible honour.
“One of the things that I think about is that, with all the stuff that’s going on in the world today, there’s so much darkness around – and if you are looking for light, it’s here. It’s here with these people.
“It’s in your local community.”
Congratulations
2025’s City of Wollongong Award Winners
Citizen of the Year
Malika Elizabeth Reese
Young Citizen of the Year
Jack Brown
Senior Citizen of the Year
Ken Habak OAM
Community Group of the Year
Need a Feed
Arts and Cultural Achievement Award
Clifton School of Arts
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Kristy Thomas
Environmental Achievement Award
Karlie Zec
Innovation Achievement Award
Robofit
Rising Star Award
Jurni Young
Sports Achievement Award
Rod Broad
Wollongong to the World Hysata
Lord Mayor’s Award
Sarah Rowan
The CSA’s Kieran Jones and David Roach with Lord Mayor Tania Brown. Photo: WCC/ Chris Frape
What’s On
More events at theillawarraflame.com.au
Have Your Say
A Development Application for a $16m multidwelling housing project between the main road and the railway at 354-364 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Clifton is on exhibition until March 12. Search for DA-2025/47 at wollongong.nsw.gov.au Council invites feedback on its projects and plans via our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au.
Seniors carpet bowls
Friday mornings Join the friendly group that plays at Thirroul Community Centre. No experience needed. Cost: $3, morning tea included. New players can turn up any Friday between 9:30 and 11:30am. Ring Robin on 0409 310 115.
Nan Tien IWD Charity Meditation Fundraiser Sat, 8 March Meditation, Tai Chi and fundraising for Women Illawarra. Includes screening of local short film Frances. Info: www.nantien.org.au/en
Potiphar’sWife book launch
14 March From 6pm, at Gleebooks in Glebe. Launch of the second edition of the book by Kieran Tapsell, with journalist David Marr officiating. RSVPs essential, gleebooks.com.au
Ruby Fields at Wombarra Bowlo
15 March Singer-songwriter Ruby Fields – who used to work at the bar at the Bowlo – is back, touring to promote her new single, 92 Purebred.
Warwick’s Boot Scootin Fundraising Bonanza Sat, 22 March Fundraiser at Tradies Helensburgh to support Warwick Jefferys, diagnosed earlier this year with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Tickets $55. Contact: Amanda Singleton on 0411 258 975.
Common Ground with Steel City Strings Sat, 15 March Concert inspired by folk music at Wollongong Art Gallery, steelcitystrings.com.au
Annual debate: U3A v Bulli High School Wed, 2 April 9.30am, Excelsior Hall at Thirroul Community Centre. The topic is: “That single-sex schools should be banned,” with the students choosing to speak to the negative. All welcome. More info: Barbara Cranfield on 0413 047 687.
Helensburgh and Thirroul Libraries
3-16 March NSW Seniors Festival events range from free Botanic Garden buggy tours to the Lord Mayor’s Afternoon Tea Dance. Thirroul Library will have knitting, cards, games and a Story Time for grandparents and grandkids. Helensburgh Library will host a special Story Time and a classic movie screening. wollongong.nsw.gov.au/library Thu 13 March 9:30-10:30am. Enjoy Stories in the Park at Bulli Beach Reserve Playground. Free, no bookings required, just turn up!
Thu 20 March Thirroul Library goes rock n’ roll with local author Jeff Apter discussing his book, Carl Perkins: The King of Rockabilly (5:30-6:30pm). Fri 21 March Try Rockabilly Dancing (ages 18+, 6-7:30pm). Events are free, bookings required via www.eventbrite.com.au
Tue 25 March Transition to High School talk (5-6pm) at Thirroul. Book via Eventbrite.
Toastmasters contest
By Toastmasters Area 03 Director Matthew Derbridge
Toastmasters is a safe, welcoming place to develop communication and leadership skills. It is a not-for-profit organisation that provides opportunities for our members to grow and learn new skills. Every year Toastmasters has contests that bring members from other clubs together to showcase their public speaking skill. Every March, the Southern Division Areas of Toastmasters (an area from Nowra to Cronulla) come together to watch the best of the best speakers compete. On March 22, the Southern Division Contest will be held at Woonona-Bulli RSL.
The contest is hosted by Northern Illawarra, serving members from Menai to as far as Wollongong. Northern Illawarra Toastmasters meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday night of the month at Woonona–Bulli RSL. This is a chance for members to take notes, observe and support their club representatives. Winners of the four contests will represent the Southern Division in the District 70 Contest held during the Annual Conference in May. Visitors are welcome to come along. To find out more about a club near you, go to www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club
Behind the Curtain with So Popera
By Brian Kelly
When it comes to large and tricky revolving pieces on a stage, the folk behind Illawarra company So Popera understand what goes around comes around. So Popera director Amy Copeland says the outfit’s next show, Come From Away, is the sixth it has staged since 2008 that features a big thing that turns – with all the technical challenges that entails.
“Our motto has always been ‘It isn’t hard to try’ – we are fortunate that people on our productions are all talented in electronics, engineering etc, so we all put our heads together,’’ says Amy of the process that has produced a three-storey castle for Beauty and the Beast and a free-wheeling bus for Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Led by Amy and her brother, Peter, So Popera was founded and is managed by University of Wollongong graduates professionally trained in showbiz. It provides an arena to develop artistic and technical talent and has staged four musical shows along with cabaret and curated offerings.
So Popera director Amy Copeland and a scene from a past triumph, Priscilla Photos: So Popera
Tapping local talent
Come From Away is inspired by the true story of how a tiny Canadian community catered for stranded air travellers in the days after the September 2001 terrorism attacks on the US. It has, as they say, all the “feels’’ expected of a saga that tells of a mass act of kindness after one of cruelty.
So Popera’s cast of 12 will be busy – playing 38 roles as well as being their own stage crew, carefully navigating and placing props and costumes in specific places to allow the magic to continue.
There are no lead roles, but there are stars, including Australian Idol winner Damien Leith and NZ opera professional April Neho amid faces well known to Illawarra audiences. Every performer plays a resident and a “plane person’’, illustrating, as Amy points out, how at any time, anyone could be in need of help and the one giving the help.
‘’The thing I love most about this show is that it looks effortless, but the blocking and technical aspects are so incredibly complex – that challenge excited me from the offset,’’ she said.
Come From Away shows at IPAC, April 11-19.
At Phoenix Theatre Phoenix Theatre gets busy in March, with two projects bound for its Coniston stage. Noah Cegielski and Zachary Hanlon appear in Next to Normal (March 7-15), a musical exploring how a family copes with a member who has battled bipolar disorder for 16 years. Ashworks (Lost Souls) runs from March 27-29 as four half-hour shows written by budding artists with a focus on soul-searching experiences.
4 and Saturday, May 5, both at 7.30pm. Tickets available from mid-March at www.spat.org.au.
By Lauren Mitsak of Stanwell Park Arts Theatre
Tap Cats of the Sunshine Coast is now in rehearsal! SPAT is proud and delighted to be premiering this play written by Stanwell Park author Christine Sykes, who adapted the play from her novel of the same name. It’s the first SPAT production that showcases tap dancing and gives some of our best local tap dancers their “moment in the sun”.
Performance dates are: Saturday, April 26 at 7.30pm, a twilight performance on Sunday April 27 at 4pm, and evening performances on Friday, May
SPAT Singers’ dinner shows will be on Saturday, June 21 and Saturday, June 28. We are also holding a soiree on Sunday, June 29. It will start in the afternoon and at interval light refreshments will be provided instead of a 3-course meal. If you would like to be part of this fun-filled event, now is the time to join SPAT Singers. Our talented director, Lindy Sharp, will be unveiling her repertoire over the next few months. Come along to the Stanwell Park CWA Hall Friday evenings at 7:30pm.
SPAT will also put on a show in late August/early September. Stay tuned!
NIRAG/NF3 Report
By secretary Ross Dearden
The Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG) was formed in August 1984 as a reaction to proposals to construct 40m high Coal Bins at Sandon Point, Bulli. We support preservation of open space and the retention and enhancement of our Natural Environment, European and Indigenous Heritage.
Since 2020 in the role of Neighbourhood Forum 3 (Woonona, Bulli, Thirroul and Austinmer) residents of this area have been welcome to attend NIRAG quarterly meetings to discuss and contribute to local community issues and concerns.
This month there is only a brief update.
We had our usual quarterly meeting on 12th February. The minutes are available at www.theillawarraflame.com.au, search for “nirag”.
Celebrating the Life of Margaret Dearden
1955-2025
The February meeting began with the following motion: “That the meeting acknowledges the passing of the Secretary’s beloved wife Margaret, and that the committee and members of NIRAG pass on their sincere sympathy.
“Moved: Neil. Seconded: Susannah. Passed unanimously.”
Margaret passed away on 6th February after a long struggle with metastatic Neuro Endocrine Tumour (NET). She was well known in the community and well over 250 friends and family attended an “absolutely beautiful” celebration of Margaret’s Life on Wednesday 19th at Sandon Point SLSC.
The surf club was filled to overflowing with what was described as the largest gathering ever held there. She will be sadly missed. [Photos and recording: YouTube/@deards52]
Among other items discussed:
1. Changes to traffic movement in Bulli Township: concern for clearways on Saturday.
2. Wollongong Development Control Plan submission: Limiting new build gas connections.
3. Old Bulli Hospital Community Group Update on parking: 58 spaces to be provided.
4. Green corridor – Lot 303 (7ha), at Amy St, Thirroul: land needed to link to Sandon Point.
A meeting has been arranged with Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart to explore what assistance is available and what needs to be done to support the strong community support to have this land in public ownership. To date Council has not seen merit in obtaining this huge area, 70,000m² of land, even though green corridors are generally supported as the land is not identified on any strategic plans for Council to acquire.
NIRAG believes that volunteers would be able to reduce ongoing maintenance and management costs, and that this land should be reassessed and included in the council’s strategic plan, with assistance from State Government or other funding sources.
Clean Up Australia Day
Members agreed that NIRAG should be involved in this again and members will participate on Monday
Thirroul Village Committee update
By TVC secretary Annette Jones
Introduction of Paid Parking at Thirroul Plaza
The owners of Thirroul Plaza have decided to introduce paid parking at the Plaza carpark. The TVC was advised by a Plaza representative that there are a number of reasons for this:
• To allow tenants and patrons who shop and deliver to Thirroul Plaza equitable access via a managed carpark
• The Thirroul Plaza Car Park is a private carpark intended for the primary use of the tenants and their customers
• Anita’s Theatre and Beaches Hotel patrons, in particular, use this carpark at various times causing congestion to the intended users of the carpark of Thirroul Plaza
• People parking all day to use the train service are inconveniencing the intended users from parking and using the Thirroul Plaza businesses.
The changes caused a lot of confusion and discussion on Facebook and required clarification by a representative of the Plaza owners. They advised that the paid managed carpark will provide 1.5 hours free parking to anyone who wishes to use it. This duration was carefully considered for the intended users of Thirroul Plaza and surrounding businesses. The first 1.5 hours are free with a daily maximum thereafter of $10. The day starts at 00:00am and ends 23:59pm (24 hours) which means the $10 is valid till 23:59. After 00:00 a new day begins with 1.5 hours free and $10 thereafter. Customers can also subscribe to Secure Parking on a month-to-month basis at $80 unreserved. It is anticipated that the potholes in the carpark will be fixed to avoid damage to cars and customers using the carpark. The consultant for the owners of Thirroul Plaza agreed to attend the TVC meeting on 23rd February to answer questions from residents about the introduction of paid parking and provide an update on Thirroul Plaza.
3rd March at 9.30am to clean up at McCauley Beach/Sandon Point. Volunteers will be meeting at Hewitts Ck at the Cycleway bridge (at end of Hamilton St, Thirroul).
BushCare
For 40 years NIRAG has been actively working to improve our local environment and volunteers at Hewitts Ck / McCauleys Beach area. Our work area has now expanded to include an area at Flanagan’s Creek, Thirroul. Each Monday morning the NIRAG Hewitts Ck Bushcare Group, led by Ian
TfNSW improvements to Bulli town centre As a result of community feedback Transport for NSW (TfNSW) advised it is making a number of changes for Bulli town centre, which TfNSW states will make journeys safer and more reliable for pedestrians, cyclists and road users.
Changes include improved parking layout on Park Road, Railway Street and Station Street, which will provide additional spaces for residents and visitors; improved walking and cycling facilities; improved traffic flow and easing congestion through:
• the implementation of a dedicated right-turn arrow at the Park Road intersection
• modification of access to Station Street to make it left-in and left-out only
• the extension of clearway hours in the morning and afternoon, and on Saturdays.
The new clearway hours will be Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 9.30am and 3pm to 6pm in both directions and Saturday southbound only from 11am to 1pm.
The existing clearway hours are southbound 6.30am to 9.30am, and northbound 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Concerns have already been raised about the impact such changes will have on the businesses in Bulli.
More information is available on the TfNSW website at www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/ current-projects/bulli-town-centre-improvements.
If anyone has concerns or wishes to find out more about these changes you can contact the TfNSW project team on:
Email: southprojects@transport.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1800 555 638
Next TVC meeting: Sunday, 25 May, 4pm at TRIPS Hall, in Railway Parade, Thirroul
McKinlay, meets either at the Hewitts Creek cycleway bridge or at Flanagan’s Ck site to control noxious weeds and revegetate with endemic species. New volunteers welcome.
The next NIRAG quarterly meeting will be on Wednesday, 14 May, 7pm upstairs at the Bulli Community Centre.
All are welcome to share and contribute. Contact Ross Dearden by email: nirag@ bigpond.com
Beetling About
With Helensburgh entomologist Dr Chris Reid
I’ve just finished reading Charles Darwin’s Voyage of the Beagle (1839) and The Origin of species by means of natural selection (1859). Darwin was a man with an interest in explaining the world around him, collecting and studying anything and everything. Fascinating. I wish the books had been recommended when I was at school, but in the 1960s/70s Darwin was old hat and nobody suggested it.
However, when you read the books, and I hope you do, you realise that they are like texts for practical biology experiments.
For example, he visited many islands and found that snails occurred and many other things that could not fly. So, at home, Darwin put freshwater snails in an aquarium and dragged a duck’s foot through the water, then examined it. He eventually found some baby snails attached themselves. He took living terrestrial snails and put them in sea water. Some sank and died almost immediately, but some had made an operculum (a seal to their entrance) and these floated and remained alive in sea water for up to 20 days. Darwin did the same for seeds of many different plants with similar results.
Furthermore, and this is a little harder for school or home experiments, he looked at the poo of birds
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that feed on freshwater fish, to see whether seeds or eggs passed through from the fish gut to the bird poo and remained viable. On the islands he found loss of wings was common amongst the insects and speculated it was because their loss prevented insects being blown away. I saw the results of this on a recent trip to Lord Howe – the strandline of a leeward beach had numerous dead specimens of a recently arrived pest species of bug. The flightless Cormodes darwini, a beetle I’ve been studying out there, was named because the descriptor was so impressed by the prediction in the Origin that such a beetle could occur. Darwin also suggested that those species which retained their wings should have relatively larger and stronger wings to maintain their flight on windy islands. I haven’t thought about this and am wondering if it’s true for Lord Howe. Time to get the ruler out.
Brilliant, islands sorted.
The baseline of Darwin’s theory is variation and survival of varieties. At home he studied varieties of all kinds of domestic animals and plants, doing simple experiments on cross fertilising plants in his garden and looking at competition between weeds.
Of course he famously missed out on understanding inheritance through genes in chromosomes, as discovered by the monk Gregor Mendel while Darwin was writing the Origin. But he was close.
I’ve mentioned just a few of the experiments mentioned in the Origin that could be replicated fairly easily. There’s a website run by Cambridge University for people interested in redoing his experiments here:
Go to www.darwinproject.ac.uk/learningresources
Cormodes darwini: Two of perhaps just 200 left in the wild. Photo: Craig Stehn.
New research shows potential for ‘nature positive’ design
By Genevieve Swart
It’s early days but new research – ironically coming out of the oil and gas sector – has given scientists hope that offshore wind structures could boost biodiversity by becoming artificial reefs, home to sponges, crustaceans, molluscs and fish.
“There’s some great work happening in the science space that doesn’t get a lot of attention but that’s really interesting,” says Associate Professor Michelle Voyer, a principal research fellow with the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security at the University of Wollongong.
Thanks to a new national research and training initiative, the Australian Centre for Offshore Wind Energy (ACOWE), university experts from around the country have been able to start coming together to have conversations about both the challenges and opportunities that offshore wind might bring.
This has given Michelle, and other UOW researchers, a chance to learn from colleagues, including those actively exploring the impacts of oil and gas infrastructure.
What she’s learned is “quite incredible”.
“There’s lots of overlap between the oil and gas industry,” Michelle said, “particularly in light of decommissioning platforms and what happens when you start to think about removing those structures, which have essentially become artificial reefs.
“Some of our ACOWE colleagues shared footage of some of the ecosystems that have developed around these offshore oil and gas platforms. It was incredible – there were lobsters crawling all over it, there was sponges, it was amazing.”
Decommissioning fossil fuel projects is now inspiring ideas for how offshore wind developers can not only ‘do no harm’ but actually ‘do good’.
“There scientists and engineers both here in Australia and overseas working on ‘nature positive’ design approaches, which are exploring how infrastructure associated with offshore renewables can be designed from the beginning with particular outcomes in mind,” Michelle says.
“What this means is design could change to maximise yield of a particular species of fish that might be commercially or recreationally important, or to promote general biodiversity.
“It’s a really interesting discussion because it’s acknowledging, yes, things are going to change when we put these big pieces of infrastructure in the water, but how do we make sure that change can be managed in a way that it provides benefits?”
Artificial reefs are created when creatures like
shellfish, which grow from larvae and are distributed by ocean currents, latch onto structures.
“So they become fish aggregation devices … and you start to get a whole ecosystem effect,” Michelle says. “Nature positive design recognises that nature will respond to changes in the environment and attempts to manage that in beneficial ways.
“This is why [wind farm] co-location with mussel and seaweed farms, for example, is something that’s getting a lot of interest in Europe.”
Challenges ahead
Uncertainty abounds at home and abroad.
Last month, with a federal election looming, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the ‘steel city’ of Wollongong twice, committing $500 million to supporting the use of Australian steel and aluminium in clean energy projects, like building wind towers. However, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has promised to rescind the Illawarra’s 1022 sq km offshore wind zone if elected.
Meanwhile, UOW – where Michelle is a leader in the Blue Energy Futures Lab – is cutting costs in a massive restructure that could see the university lose 90 full-time academic staff.
“We’ll roll with the punches,” Michelle said. “The energy transition question will not go away, no matter what happens at the election, and no matter what happens at the university.
“I think there’s incredible opportunity in amongst all the challenges and that’s not at all diminishing the scale of the challenges.
“But there’s definitely hope in there too.”
The video Michelle refers to is not yet publicly available – this deepwater image is from ‘Marine Communities of Cooper Energy Offshore Facilities’ by Deakin University and the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
Guides call for grown-ups
By David Skelton
Fun, friendship, and adventure await! Looking for a rewarding way to give back to your community? Helensburgh Girl Guides is seeking adult members to join us.
Experience the joy of volunteering in a supportive environment, where you’ll connect with like-minded people, learn new skills, and make a difference in the lives of local girls. Whether you’re helping behind the scenes with events, fundraising, social media, or assisting at our weekly meetings, we have flexible options to fit your lifestyle.
Develop your leadership skills with training and support in areas like management and outdoor adventures such as camping and archery.
Our Helensburgh unit meets every Thursday at 5pm, where the evenings are packed with fun activities, games, and learning experiences.
Ready to make a difference? Visit www. joinguides.com.au or call 1300 447 548.
Join Helensburgh Girl Guides and be part of something amazing!
Swimming
SERVICING CUSTOM APPAREL PARTS & ACCESSORIES
Juniors enjoy home breaks
By Ian Pepper of the Scarborough Boardriders
Grateful to be able to kick off our junior divisions on February 2nd in quality 2ft peaks at our home break Scarborough Beach.
It was great to see all the kids stepping up after the break with some going up divisions within the club.
Also well done to all the parents swimming out with their kids and helping them onto waves in the parent assist divisions, it is hard work and all of us older parents know what you are going through.
But the rewards are there when your kids get stoked on surfing and have a great time. They were on fire and can’t wait to see their progress this year!
The following weekend we had a record enrolment for our seniors-only day at Stanwell Park north end. Things started off slowly, with a hard call for the committee early morning, but finished off great with the swell pushing in all afternoon.
Excellent surfing by our Vice President Fin McLaren getting the victory in A Grade, with a family affair Nick McLaren taking out the 55’s.
Shyla Short got the win in our Open Women’s and Ashton Mekisic dominated his way to victory in a very competitive U18’s field. Over 35’s went to Jeremy Povey and Over 45’s went to Andrew Christensen. Mitch Burroughs muscled his way to win the Open B Grade.
Swimming
All division winners received a dinner voucher courtesy of our sponsor Headlands Austinmer Beach.
Dates for your diary in 2025
• Treachery pointscore 15th March 2025 (seniors only this year)
• NSW Illawarra Junior Surfing Titles 16th March
• Australian Boardriders Battle National Final –Burleigh Heads, QLD 8-9 March 2025.
Swimming
Rory Warren in Junior Girls Parent Assist Final. Photo: Nick McLaren
Ocean Queen Surf Classic returns
The all-women event is back on March 29, writes Anna Martin
The Ocean Queen Classic, the Illawarra region’s premier all-women invitational surf event, is returning to Woonona Beach on March 29.
Building on the success of the 2024 event, this epic competition, hosted by Woonona Boardriders, will showcase the area’s top surfing talent in both junior and open women’s divisions.
In its second year, the OQC will feature a stacked line-up of the region’s hottest women surfers, many of whom are already competing internationally. With substantial prize money on offer, the competition is sure to be fierce.
Event organiser and contest director Kirby Mowbray said there had been significant interest from women surfers keen to compete due to the incredible vibe experienced last year, despite challenging weather conditions. The prize money has also been a major drawcard.
“Just about everyone we invited has come back,” she said. “Last year’s winners Charli Hurst and Lucy Darragh have been overseas to surf in World Qualifying Series events and across the country to compete, and Oceanna Rogers got some great results at a top WQS event in Nias. So we’re happy to see that our prize money has been really helpful.”
Co-contest director Yvonne Turner said there had been an explosion of young surfing talent in the area since last year’s event.
“That’s why we put the event on in the first place,” she said. “It’s so satisfying to see our efforts
paying off. We’ve opened up some wildcard spaces this year, and we’ve had applications from so many talented juniors who’ve just suddenly arrived on the competitive scene.”
The event’s inception can be traced back to a casual chat between Ryan Pascoe of Woonona Boardriders Club and the founders of Reub Goldberg Brewing Machine (RGBM), Anna and Billie. This sparked a partnership aimed at addressing underinvestment in women’s sports, particularly surfing. RGBM has since provided generous sponsorship to the club and, in particular, its women and girls, encouraging participation, progression, and a lot of good times.
At the 2025 Ocean Queen Classic, presented by Foye Legal, spectators can expect to see progressive surfing and expression sessions by some of the greats, including former world No.2 Serena Brooke, who will run a Rising Queens coaching session.
Former World Surf League commentator Shannon Hughes will commentate this event and there will be a DJ, stalls, and food trucks. RGBM will cater the afterparty and presentation.
“We’re really excited,” Yvonne said.
“What started as a small idea has become a seedling for inspiration – who knows, a little girl might come along and love what she sees and feel like she’s part of something, and that could change her life forever.”
2024 event photos by Georgia Matts
Coalcliff hosts two events in honour of Dave Winner
By Rob Deacon, Club Captain of Coalcliff SLSC
On Sunday, March 9, Coalcliff SLSC will be staging two marquee events: the Dave Winner Beach to Bombie Swim and the Dave Winner Lifeguard Challenge.
Both events are proudly sponsored by Equilibrium Healthcare and Ohana Ocean Athletics.
At 11.15am, The Dave Winner Lifeguard Challenge will take place. In this event lifeguard teams from Sydney Northern Beaches, Waverley, Randwick, Sutherland Shire, Wollongong, and Shellharbour Councils will compete over a two-kilometre ocean swim to claim the prize of champion lifeguard team.
Professional ocean lifeguards are the elite of surf lifesavers, and the event will showcase some of Australia’s finest ocean athletes as they fight it out to win bragging rights for the next 12 months. The reigning champions are Sutherland Shire Council Lifeguards, who were led to victory last year by Dave Winner’s son, Steve.
At 12pm, the Dave Winner Beach to Bombie Swim will take place.
The Dave Winner Beach to Bombie Swim is a popular public swim over a course of 1.5 to 2km that has been running for 15 years. The race invites both competitive and recreational ocean swimmers to enjoy this unique swim in one of Australia’s most beautiful locations.
Spectators won’t miss any of the action during both events with great viewing from the hill and grass area in front of the Coalcliff SLSC clubhouse.
The community is invited to come down and join the festivities as both events celebrate Dave
Winner and the family and friends who have supported his remarkable recovery.
Both events also provide Coalcliff SLSC with the opportunity to promote the Dave Winner Foundation and Dave’s quest to see one million Australians receive free training in CPR.
In 2021, Dave Winner survived a near drowning and spinal injury while surfing at Coalcliff beach that has left him a partial quadriplegic. Knocked unconscious and submerged underwater for more than three minutes, Dave’s life hung in the balance. Thanks to the swift actions of bystanders and their proficiency in CPR, Dave was rescued and airlifted to safety.
One of the people who applied CPR to Dave had, in fact, been trained by Dave in CPR himself. As Dave had always said to his CPR classes during his many years as Coalcliff SLSC Chief Instructor: “One day the life that you save may be mine!”
And that is exactly what happened.
Dave has been inspired by his own experiences to establish the Dave Winner Foundation to help save lives.
If you wish to swim in the Dave Winner Beach to Bombie Swim you can register and buy your entry ticket at the following link: www. southcoasttickets.com.au/events/the-dave-winnerbeach-to-bombie-swim/
For more information about the Dave Winner Foundation visit davewinner Foundation.org
Competitors and friends are invited to join Dave for lunch at Coledale RSL after the event, with one of Dave’s best mates, Pete Jordan, belting out some of Dave’s favourite tunes.
Dave Winner
Photos: Damian Lloyd
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6 TH 0152 1.65 0841 0.49 1433 1.17 2009 0.63
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© Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2024, Bureau of Meteorology. Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide. Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect. The Bureau of Meteorology gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency, completeness, quality or reliability of the information or that the information will be fit for any particular purpose or will not infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights. The Bureau’s liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense resulting from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded. Scan the QR to download a fresh Tide Chart each month
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6 SU 0249 1.59 1007 0.49 1621 1.16 2129 0.78
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8 TU 0502 1.56 1150 0.47 1801 1.31 2338 0.66
12 WE 0141 0.55 0803 1.68 1443 0.35 2043 1.35 13 TH 0224 0.50 0843 1.68 1514 0.35 2115 1.41 14 FR 0303 0.47 0917 1.65
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TIMES AND HEIGHTS OF HIGH AND LOW WATERS LAT 340 29’ LONG 1500 55’
Sunday Social Golf Club report
By Robert ‘Indy’ Jones
The opening event for HSSGC was held on February 2nd, Stableford with the distraction of loud unfamiliar shirts worn to take your eye off the ball.
We welcomed Michael Deura, Kyle Brown, Blake Ibbett, Josh Gersback (yet another one) and Tyler Boyce to the ever-growing player list.
42 points won the day, delivered by Josh Smith, closely followed by Ben Clarke ahead of Chris Pike separated on a count-back on 41 points.
On-course we witnessed Blake Ibbett, Ben Clarke, Craig Nicoll, Frank Zuccala, Scotty G., Tyler Boyce, Jack Latham and Peter Gardner were winners of gloves and balls.
BBQ snags and drinks were well received at the 19th hole thanks to the starters in Group 1, as well as podium prizes by our sponsors Christian’s Premium Meats and the Helensburgh Golf Range.
Next events at Boomerang: March 2nd, Tee Time: 8.30am, April 6th Tee Time: 8.30am and May 4th Tee Time: 8.30am.
Contact Tony, 0418 863 100, for all your membership information and remember to register your attendance and cart requirements on the Tuesday ahead of the date of our next event.
Indy signing off:
Remember… Talking to a golf ball won’t do you any good. Unless you do it while your playing partner is teeing off.
Tradies Social Golf
By Barry Thompson
Our 2025 season finally got underway with 18 keen members champing at the bit to hit the course. Nature had not been kind however, and an earlier downpour had ensured a wet track providing many a challenge.
We played the Stableford format and Hayden Overton playing off 21 blitzed the competition with 44 points. Handicapper Merciless Mick was seen last night polishing his microscope. Dave Tipping (38) and Craig Murphy (37) rounded out the voucher prizes and will be visiting Helensburgh Butchery and Gallardo’s Pizzeria. These were impressive scores given the conditions.
Treasurer Rod went into complete melt-down when two Eagle Nest went off. Gavin Sinclair took out the 3rd and Dave Astill the 7th. Congratulations gentlemen.
Not saying that he needs it, but it was good to see Geoff Hammonds win the Helensburgh Driving Range voucher.
We welcomed Kyle Tipping to the fold and his performance suggests he won’t be a stranger to the winner’s circle. Also great to see Tung Ngyen return to the paddock.
We beseech the starters not to pair Lucky Ivan and Presso Terry again. I am told their banter could be heard half-way around the course. They were worse than Laurel and Hardy.
Our next Boomerang outing will be on Saturday March 15th, and we Tee Off at 7am.
Hope to see you there!
What Mattias’ clients have to say...
“We believe Mattias will always try his best to get the best outcome for you. He always kept us informed and showed genuine interest and understanding on how we wished to sell our property.”
Cheryl & Terry
“Mattias was highly recommended to us, and once we met and discussed our sale strategies, we appreciated his experience and professionalism.”
Jennifer & Peter
“Mattias is a very personable agent. He took the time to answer our questions and engage with us a family. A thorough knowledge of the property and suburb. A very friendly person who was responsive to our queries throughout the purchase process. I couldn’t recommend him enough.”
Joshua
“Approachable, dependable and professional. After 3 months with another local agent and no results we secured Mattias and sold within 3 weeks. Amazing results.”
Amy