The Bugle August 26 2015

Page 1

The Bugle 29 August 2015

A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW

Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa and now at www.thebugleonline.com

ONE Dam holds firm til the end YEAR While Kiama held national interest with the story of the imminent collapse of Jerrara Dam, the call to evacuate properties downstream was more of a precaution while the situation was assessed. There is nothing like a The situation looked more fortnightly deadline to dire due to the wall having make a year fly. already been excavated as We’ve been thrilled part of its long awaited decommissioning. by the support we’ve “The decommissioning received from the comproject is two-thirds of the munity since our first way through,” explains edition. It confirms our Kiama Council General belief that people do Manager Michael Forsyth. want to have a vibrant “A section of the wall had local newspaper, run by been taken out, the channels locals for locals. The temporary spillway widened and the spillway What you see reflected lowered.” Mr Forsyth. back at you in these To do this work, the dam The evacuation notice pages is a community had been drained somewhat applied to ten properties, so that the water level was with two owners on higher that cares deeply about some metres below the new ground choosing to stay. the welfare of others spillway. Even with that low The students at Minnamurra (witnessed by the large starting level, the dam filled Public School were also sent number of fundraising quickly from its small but home due to its location near events we’ve encouraged steep catchment area. the river mouth. you to attend), a pride in “The project design for Given the tragedies caused each other’s achievethe decommissioning elsewhere by the speed of ments, a preparedness worked well, with all of the dam collapses, such precauto get in and make things factors working as expected tions were justified. happen, and a burgeonin such a scenario,” says The decommissioning of ing arts and local food community. This year has been stage one in The Bugle’s As The Bugle goes to press, results are coming in from development, and the various sources attending the South Coast Tourism coming year will see us Awards in Ulladulla. As far as we can tell, our region has done very well expand to include more with Jamberoo Pub winning the Winery/Pub award, news, features and colSouth Coast Holidays winning gold in its Holiday Rental umns. Services category, The Pavilion Kiama being judged the You can help this hapbest Meetings, Functions & Business Tourism venue, pen by telling businesses Gerringong’s Mecure winning the best Executive Accomhow much you enjoy modation, and El Corazon Restaurant being named the reading The Bugle, so best Tourism Restaurant. they can join our growing Our apologies if we have missed anyone in the exciterank of advertisers. ment. We understand a number of other operators and Once more, thanks! organisations, including Foodscape Tours and Kiama Show, won silver in their categories.

and counting

Inside this issue Kiama Art Society’s 37th Exhibition p 3

Date set for Orry-Kelly movie p 3

Jerrara Creek lapped the gardens of Terragong House

the dam is expected to be completed in four to six weeks’ time, at a total cost of $700,000. Until the arrival of this

East Coast low, August was shaping up as a dry one. In the first 24 days, we had 3.8mm of rain. In the next two, 248.4mm (9¾ inches).

Enrol in the Regal Regiment p 5

Local tourism operators impress judges

Jamie, Erica and Ross Warren with Jamberoo Pub’s award for the best Pub/Winery on the South Coast

Victory Dance photos p6


What’s on? Every Wednesday Kiama Farmers’ Market Kiama Harbour 2-5pm

On weekends Live music at The Sebel, Kiama Leagues Club, The Mecure, Jamberoo Pub and other venues.

26-31 August Shellharbour Woodcarvers Exhibition Old Fire Station 9.30-4.30pm

29 August - 8 Sept Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition Kiama Leagues Club (p 3)

30 Sept Jamberoo Village Market Reid Park, 9-2pm

Ilir Merxhushi and Friends Gerringong Music Club Concert, 2pm Gerringong Town Hall, $20 - Free for members, free for children and students

3 Sept The Compassionate Friends Support for parents and grandparents who have lost a child. 7-8.30 pm, in the room next to Sts Peter and Paul Church, Manning St, Kiama. Enquiries to Denise 0408 360 034

4 Sept Pics and Flicks - x + y Gerringong Town Hall

Father’s Day Special Folk by the Sea Sunday Brunch Hear Fresh off the Boat play Irish music from around the world while enjoying our food, coffee and view. You might even get him to dance. BOOK OR BRING A CHAIR

4-6 Sept

15 Sept

Folk by the Sea Earlybird tickets, available from the website until August 29, can save you $15 on the price of the two day pass ($65 at the door). www.folkbythesea.com.au (see below)

Campfire Sessions Aussie Bush Songs Joyce Wheatley Community Centre, 7-10pm, $5

Bach in the Dark returns Brilliant cellist, Rachel Scott, brings her Bach in the Dark series back to Kiama, this time with two of the finest classical guitarists in the country Raffaele and Janet Agostino. The exciting program includes works by Bach, Boccherrini, De Falla and Ennio Morricone. The series’ home is in the Crypt of Sydney’s St James’ Church, where the audience and performers sit in the dark with nothing to distract them from the music. When these two guitarists joined Rachel there in 2013, the concerts sold out months before.

5 Sept Friends of Kiama Library event: Clive Small (see right)

5-6 Sept Kiama Arts Trail Various locations around the district. See www.kiamaartstrail.com

6 Sept Father’s Day Everywhere 9 Sept Spirituality in the Pub (See right)

10 Sept Kiama Bush Dance Joyce Wheatley Community Centre, 7.30-10pm

12 Sept Bach in the Dark Rachel Scott and Raff & Janet Agostino Concert, Christ Church Hall, 7.30pm (see right)

Details: Sat 12 Sept, 7.30pm, Christ Church. Ticket $25 from the Visitors Centre

13 Sept

Real life detective stories Since his retirement, Clive Small has been writing about his experiences as a senior police officer and Executive Director of Operations for the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption. He is certainly not short for material, as his career spanned the Woodward Royal Commission into Drug Trafficking, which examined the NSW drug trade and murder of Donald Mackay; Strike Force Omega which reinvestigated the 1984 shooting of detective Michael Drury; the Belanglo Forest backpacker murder investigation which led to the conviction of Ivan Milat; and, as head of the Greater Hume Police Region, leading operations to dismantle the Vietnamese street gangs that had made Cabramatta NSW's heroin capital. Details: 5 Sept, from 2.30pm in the Auditorium under Kiama Library, Railway Parade. $5 for Friends of Kiama Library members and $8 for visitors, including afternoon tea.

Food for thought The next speaker at Spirituality in the Pub will be Dr Elizabeth Farrelly, well-known Sydney columnist and commentator on architectural and public issues. She will address the topic: Beauty, Sacredness and Change. Details: Mon 9 Sept, Jamberoo Pub, 7.30pm

Aussie poetry greats at Folk by the Sea

Romans Hot Rod Show & Shine Black Beach Music in the Park Hindmarsh Park, 1-3pm

Let us know if there’s an event you’re organising. Just email the details to emailthebugle@ gmail.com or phone 0412 415 101 Listings are free, and at the editor’s discretion

13-20 Sept

4 Tingira Cres, Kiama t 4232 4990

World Kneeboard Titles Surf, Bombo, Werri and Jones beaches, dependent on conditions Due to popular demand, the organisers of Folk by the Sea have moved the show Dead Men Talking to the main auditorium of The Pavilion Kiama on the Saturday (3-4.30pm) so as not to disappoint any festival goers. In this critically acclaimed 90 minute stage musical, Henry Lawson (Max Cullen) and Banjo Paterson (Warren Fahey) catch-up at the Leviticus Bar & Grill, Heaven's Gate, and yarn about old times. If you get in quick (by 29 August) you can get an early bird two day pass to the festival for $50. After that the price is $65 for the two days or $60 for a Saturday pass. Make the most of your ticket by catching the likes of Christine Anu and Brendan Gallagher, and as much other folk, world, roots, celtic, bluegrass and gypsy music as you can take. Take advantage of this great opportunity.

To market, to market.. to buy seeds and plants.. We are excited to announce Burnetts On Barney, your local Landscape and Garden Centre, is now bringing healthy veggie seedlings, heirloom seeds, organic gardening additives and loads of flowering colour to the weekly Wednesday Kiama Farmers’ Market.

Details: 4-6 Sept, Kiama. Tickets online from www.folkbythesea.com.au or from Kiama Cove Motel

At the Kiama Farmers’ Market every 2nd Weds from 5 August

Opera returning to the Valley

80 Barney St Kiama t 4233 1322

Jamberoo CWA Branch has let us know their annual Opera in the Valley will be on Saturday 17 October. Last year’s performance by some of opera’s rising stars was, according to some in the audience, ‘the best show they had seen’. Add to that wine and cheese being served during the interval, and a famous CWA supper to follow the performance, and it will be sure to be a great night out. More details closer to the date or call Mia on 4236 1913.

Open 7.30-4.30 Mon-Fri 7-4 Saturdays 2

The Bugle Editorial: Cathy Law t 0412 415 101 Sales: Steve Law t 0428 662 499

Or email us at emailthebugle@ gmail.com Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, but we are only human.

4 Tingira Cres, Kiama 2533


Kiama Art Show attracts almost 500 entries Cementing its reputation of being the largest art exhibition on the South Coast, the Kiama Art Society’s 37th Annual Exhibition has attracted over 460 entries from both local and further afield artists. “The Show is very highly regarded,” says President Judy White. “We get works of a very high standard from well known artists.” The paintings compete in a number of categories, from landscapes to abstracts, in a variety of mediums, with two categories to encourage young artists. “There is something for everyone,” she says. The works are judged

on the Thursday, with the winners announced at the official opening on Friday night. All of the works are for sale.

Liveability a deciding factor At their August meeting, Kiama councillors took a united stand against what they see as inappropriate medium density development. They rejected a DA for a complex of three 3 bedroom and one 4 bedroom apartments at 139 Manning St, because of the lack of amenity and privacy in the design. In particular, the three metre proximity to the boundary was of concern as it would open up the potential for an unacceptable six metre distance between it and any new adjacent development. “We need to draw a line in the sand,” said Mayor Brian

Petschler at the meeting. Councillor Mark Honey said, “I fear in five or ten years time we will be remembered as the council that built shoeboxes up and down Manning Street and destroyed the aesthetics of the area.” “We aren’t anti-development,” said the Mayor after the meeting, “But there is growing unease over the design and liveability of developments proposed for these long and narrow blocks.” It was felt that a much better outcome could be achieved either by block consolidation or by a design that had units facing a central courtyard.

Sylvia Hawthorne (centre) who has been hanging entries for 30 years, gives some tips to Helen Pain and Judith Crowley (right)

Details: Opening night reception, Fri 28 August $15 6pm. On show Sat 29 Aug to 6 Sept, 10-6pm (noon on last day). $2 entry. Upstairs at Kiama Leagues Club.

Orry-Kelly comes home

Southern Phone digs deep again Community groups have until 11 September to apply for funding through the Southern Phone Community Grants Scheme. Recipients of last year’s The scheme offers organiinaugural grants were: sations that operate in the ♦ Kiama-Jamberoo RSL 41 councils that collectively Sub-branch - renovation own Southern Phone the of RSL hall chance to share in $1 million ♦ Kiama Community in funding ($25,000 per Garden - for garden council). The groups nomiequipment nate themselves online, then ♦ Kiama Downs Men’s each council assesses the Probus Club Inc. - for grants and makes a recomdata projector mendation for funding. ♦ Kiama Uniting Church Last year Kiama recomMen’s Shed, roof awning mended ten applicants to installation receive grants in the range ♦ Lions Club of Kiama of $950 to $7000 (see box). for new food van equipThe aim of the scheme is ment to provide funding for pro♦ Sing Australia Kiama jects which provide a direct local community perbenefit to the community but formances would not usually be funded ♦ Jamberoo Valley Rateby council in its normal payers & Residents course of business. rotunda in Reid Park Funding will generally ♦ Foxground Landcare only be extended to legally land regeneration constituted, not-for-profit, ♦ Girl Guides Rose Valley non-political and non-advoCamp Committee - new cacy community groups or bedding for cottage organisations. Eligible bodies with projects in mind can find out more and make their application at www.southernphone.com.au/grants

No Saddleback Smash this year The long awaited local screening of the Orry-Kelly documentary, Women He’s Undressed, has been scheduled for Saturday 3rd October as a joint presentation by Pics and Flicks and the Kiama & District Historical Society. The screening of the film about the life and achievements of Kiama’s three time Oscar winner will be at Gerringong Town Hall. We predict these tickets will go like hot cakes once they go on sale at the Visitors Centre for $15.

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Disappointingly for its organisers, the Saddleback Smash has been cancelled for the second year in a row. Billed as Australia’s toughest fun run, the Smash has the potential to be a must do for the fitness community, while raising funds for Rotary. But these thing take time to build momentum. Last year’s run was called off at the last minute due to lack of professional timing equipment, while this year the event has been unable to secure a major sponsor.


Drug factory surprise in local neighbourhood Glasgow from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command said it was a significant haul of drugs to be removed from our local streets. “It is important for members of our community to report any illegal drug use or supply, or suspicious activities occurring by calling your local police station or Crime Stoppers,” said Acting Inspector Glasgow. According to the police, the signs that indicate a house may be being used for drug manufacturing include: ♦ Strange odours emanating from the property ♦ Diverted electricity

♦ Chemical containers and

waste ♦ Blacked out windows ♦ Hoses and pipes in

strange places ♦ Blinds down, with

extremely bright indoor lighting radiating through gaps ♦ Vehicles arriving at odd hours. Anyone with information about suspicious properties should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www1.police.nsw.gov.au. Information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Rain doesn’t stop Farmers’ Market

Congratulations to Minnamurra’s Ryan North has won recently won the Junior section of the ANZANG Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year with this photo taken at Fitzroy Falls. Seventeen year old Ryan only took up photography as a hobby two years ago, and the prize is a ringing endorsement of his talent. If you’d like to see more of his work, Ryan has a website of his favourite photos from around our local area - www.ryannorthphoto.com

Kiama Farmers’ Market’s wet weather venue – The Pavilion Kiama – came into its own this week with the intermittent downpours. The farmers, who had crops to sell whatever the weather, enjoyed the luxury of dry feet for the afternoon. Win, win situation for all.

Stroke: recognize the signs and minimize your risk The National Stroke Foundation is encouraging everyone to “Be aware, live healthy and get checked this September.” As part of this campaign, Kiama Library is hosting a free information session for National Stroke Week. The talk will inform community members of the signs of a stroke and how to minimise their own risk. As the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Erin Lalor has put it, “no postcode is untouched by this disease; it is impacting our families and communities. However, many of the more than 50,000 strokes that will occur this year can be prevented.’’ The short session will include a Q & A and be followed by a free healthy morning tea.

Huge Clearance Auction Sunday 6th September at Berry School of Arts,, 19 Alexandra St, Berry Sale to commence at 11am www.tuckerboxauctions.com for listing Viewing Saturday 5th Sept from 2pm & Sunday 6th Sept from 9am Antique, modern & vintage jewellery; Museum quality collectables; Antique & estate colonial furnishings; Quality bone China Huge savings: up to 80% off retail prices Jewellery clearance to include diamond tennis bracelets, diamond engagement and dress rings, rubies, tanzanite pieces, opals, pearls, fine emeralds, sapphires and amethysts with much more (over 150 lots to be auctioned) — many with valuations All pieces at highly affordable prices — up to 80% off retail Beautiful collection of estate furnishings, including quality cedar pieces High quality antique collectables and rare fine bone China

www.tuckerboxauctions.com.au

Details: Weds 23 Sept, Kiama Library, 10.30-11.30am. Call the Library on 4233 1133 to book.

Ph: 0450 637 470

Kiama knitters show their stuff The 2015 Wrap with Love Knit In at Kiama Library was a great success, with the quiet of the Library interrupted by the click of needles. The volunteers knitted 291 squares and completed ten wraps. The Library wants to thank the Knitters Guild NSW Inc (Kiama) and all who came along.

HART’S GARAGE

Est. 1948

The discovery of a drug manufacturing operation in quiet suburban Taylor St is a stark reminder that Kiama is not immune to the drug problem facing Australia. The house was searched following the arrest of a 55 year old man at Unanderra, allegedly with 1kg of amphetamine and 140g of cocaine in his car. On searching his home in a unit in Taylor St, police seized 1kg of amphetamine, 136g of cocaine, 119g of MDMA tablets, 62g of MDMA powder and a Ruger semi-automatic rifle. Acting Inspector Matthew

For all mechanical repairs All new car servicing Wheel alignments Ultrasonic fuel injection services Fault finding services Brake & steering specialists

60 Gipps St, Kiama t 4232 2250

South Coast Tax & Accounting The tax agent who comes to you Our mobile service allows tax returns to be prepared in the comfort of your home or office by a qualified accountant and registered tax agent with more than twenty years’ tax experience. After hours appointments available weekday evenings and on weekends, at your home or our office. Serving the whole Kiama region from Gerringong.

Contact Ray Gentle 0418 219 487 4234 3635 raygentletax@bigpond.com 4


Regal Regiment runs again There is still time for you to join the Regal Regiment’s team for the Sydney Running Festival on 20 September. Amy Regal is the driving force behind the team, determined to help raise money to fund research into Motor Neurone Disease. Her brother, Adam Regal, is the latest in her family to be diagnosed with MND and he has become the public face of the battle for a cure. You can do your bit by registering for a marathon, a half marathon, a bridge run or a family fun run. Fifty people have taken up the challenge so far, but there’s always room for more. Last year the Regiment’s run raised around $5000 for Professor Rowe's research team at Macquarie University working to find a cure for MND. This year’s sponsors of the team are Kiama Blooms the Chemist, Redi-lite Solar, Premier Catering Supplies, Blanchard Haulage and the major sponsor Harrison and Higgins of Wagga Wagga. If you aren’t quite up to participating in a running festival, your donation would be very much appreciated. Details: To register for the run, go to www.sydneyrunningfestival.com.au and join the The Regal Regiment team. To donate, go to https://give.everydayhero.com/au/regalregiment

Fat Albert In-Home Computer Tutor In your home, on your computer

$65 first hour, $55/hr thereafter No solution, no charge.

With 15 years’ IT teaching experience, Jim Carney (aka Fat Albert) can help you learn to get the most out of your electronic devices • Internet • Microsoft Office (Apple a specialty). • iTunes Available for sessions 8am-8pm. • Photo management t 0434 611 674 • Cloud computing jim@fatalberts.com.au • Apps Like fatalbert on Facebook at • Google Docs • Travel needs FatalbertinHomeComputerTutor

How long since you’ve had your dentures professionally cleaned? Poorly maintained dentures can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. This, in turn, can cause problems with gums resulting in sore spots and ulcers. Book in for your yearly check-up now

If you’re more into rock than running, the local Rock for Regal night has spawned a Melbourne fundraiser, in the iconic AC/DC Lane, organised by Adam’s mate Den Murray. Spread the word it’s on 24 Oct, at the Cherry Bar, AD/DC Lane. Six bands for $13, with all the money raised going to MND research.

Clutterbusters If you are planning a spring clean-up at your place, the Friends of Blue Haven may have the solution as to how to get rid of all that clutter. They’re looking for goods for their monster Fete to be held on Saturday 10th October, and are prepared to pick up your unwanted books, knick-knacks, paintings, pictures, toys, plants, furniture or bric-a-brac. Details: Call Col on 0402 800 679 to arrange pick up. Sorry, no mattresses.

SHOP ONLINE for convenient access to regional and local food Greenbox is a non-profit, regional food co-op based in Gerringong, run by a team of passionate volunteers Our product range includes local & regional organic and chemical-free fresh produce; organic and Australian sourced dry goods; meat and dairy products; and artisan products from local producers.

www.greenbox.org.au

Greg Shanahan Dental Prosthetist

4232 2999 124A Manning St, Kiama (opposite Stan Crapp)

Order online every week from 10am Fri to 7pm Mon for collection or delivery

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Out & about At the Kiama Jazz & Blues Club’s

Victory Dance The Royal Australian Navy Big Band and the Forties inspired costumes made the Victory Dance a night to remember. People were on the dance floor from the start of the night, with the Footloose Rockers giving a great demonstration of the steps of the day. The event was a fundraiser for the 2016 Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival, as well a raising $1000 for Defence Care Support. The success of the night was the result of months of effort by Club members and the generosity of sponsors. Images by Phil Winterton Photography

Joan and Chris Johnston

Katie Norman, Meryll Faulkner, Louise Luke, Meagan Smilie, Clare Stevens and Laurie Glanfied

Mat Sigmund and Deb Langton

Share your occasions Let us know if you’d like to share your pictures in our social pages. Whether you are celebrating one of life’s milestones (we love weddings, babies and special birthdays), or your group has held a function, we’d love to feature you. Just email the details to emailthebugle@gmail.com or phone 0412 415 101. Let us know ahead of time so we can reserve a space.

Avron and Rob Inwood

Kai Japanese Restaurant The only Japanese restaurant on the upper South Coast

Treat Dad to our famous Lunch Banquet this Father’s Day Seven dishes plus dessert for $35 (min 4 people) Entrees

Edamame soy beans Pork gyoza Chicken yakitori skewers Salmon carpaccio salad Mains

Kai special sushi rolls Assorted mixed tempura Chicken teriyaki Rice and Miso soup

Heather Williams and Ross Eggleton

Winter hours Tues & Weds Dinner from 5.30pm

Thurs to Sun

Green tea ice cream

Lunch 11.30-2.30pm Dinner from 5.30pm

Bookings essential

t 4233 2886

Dessert

www.kaionmanning.com.au www.facebook.com/KaiJapaneseRestaurant Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available

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Buy direct from farmers & makers

The Bugle Crossword Across 1. Small painful skin bubbles filled with fluid (8) 6. 1980s video game puzzle with blocks (6) 9. A poem meant to be sung (3) 10. Shiny and glossy (8) 12. Measured (6) 13. Swimming style (10) 14. Discover the solution to a puzzle (6) 15. Vision organ (3) 16. Paints or dyes (7) 18. Raggamuffin (6) 21. Fill with water (5) 22. Glucose (5) 23. Charged particle (3) 24. Yes in Italian (2) 25. Capital of Ukraine (4) 26. Enjoyment or vigour in doing something (5) 28. Exceptionally good; relating to stars (7) 31. Recruitment (10) 34. Venue where public events are held (5) 35. Making an effort to hear something (9) 37. Ear nose and throat specialist (1.1.1.) 39. Slanted text (6) 40. Entice to do something (5) 41 across, 41 down. Type of dancer (2,2) 42. Completed process of sugar converting to alcohol: “The beer has _____” (9) 43. A secret vote (6)

situation (6,6) 11. Pulls out of the ground (7) 17. Fits of violent anger (5) 19. Repeat (5) 20. Traditionalist (12) Down 21. Dentures (5,5) 1. Hotel luggage carrier (7) 26. Belonging to a herd (9) 2. Invertebrate with 6 legs (6) 27. Excessively preoccupied 3. Magnitudes that must be (8) exceeded for certain reac29. Disappointing bath temtions to occur (10) perature (4,4) 4. Plead for help (1.1.1.) 30. New born (8) 5. Units of measurement for 32. Air mattress (4) angles (7) 33. Darken (4) 6. The sound of lightning (7) 36. Beckett play: “Waiting 7. A nuclear decaying elefor _____” (5) ment (11) 38. “__ be or not __ be” (2) 8. Hopeful side of a bad 41. See 41 across

Every Wednesday Winter trading hours

2 - 5pm Kiama Harbour www.facebook.com/kiamafarmersmarket

Get noticed in Last issue’s solution

The Bugle People love the Bugle! Local stories and local readers means a great opportunity for local businesses

Prices start from $79

Margot Law is our regular crossword compiler.

Find out how to reach this market effectively by sending a message to emailthebugle@gmail.com or calling Steve on 0428 662 499

CRAIG HIGBID 0404 471 469

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DAVID HALL 0431 270 673


Make your garden more productive

Postcard home

Interested in growing your own food? Kiama-based Milkwood Permaculture has organised to hold the introductory session of its two day Biointensive Growing course at Gerringong Pubic School and to make it even better, it’s free! The session will be conducted by Jodi Roebuck, a New Zealander who specialises in growing the most organic food possible in the least amount of space. The biointensive method he uses is designed to provide food security for those who practice it, while

In a former life as a travel writer and editor for Fairfax, I’d often be asked where I would go if I weren’t ‘working’. Well, Queensland’s largest island national park, Hinchinbrook, is at the top of the list. I’ve just returned from a seven-day kayaking trip, paddling 100 kilometres up the island’s east coast across to Dunk Island and Mission Beach. I’d hiked the island’s Thorsborne Trail twice in the ’90s and stayed at the once-flash, now-derelict resort on the island’s northern tip (devastated by Cyclone Yasi in 2011), so I knew what to expect: sleeping on a different soft white sand beach every night, the tent flap left open to view the rising moon each evening and the rising sun each morning; hand-feeding jungle carp in the pristine swimming hole at the base of a waterfall; hiking through rainforest to the top of one of the smaller granite monoliths in the shadow of the

continually building and developing the soil and conserving natural resources. The result produces safe food year after year from the same small space. As part of the evening, Gerringong P&C will be offering hot soup and crusty

bread, for $5, with profits going towards the school’s bush tucker garden. The two day course is on at Buena Vista Farm. Details: 18 Sept, 6-8.30pm, Gerringong Public School. RSVP www.milkwood.net

Relay for Life: who will you relay for?

mighty 1142-metre Mt Bowen. But unlike those previous trips, this was a ‘soft’ option - a small group tour for six people led by Coral Sea Kayaking. So apart from unloading the kayaks each day and setting up camp, there was nothing to do but swim, snorkel, relax and wait for a nightly miracle as our wonderful guides conjured up a delicious three-course dinner (apart from the one reef-fish we caught, all food was carried with us in the kayaks). It was a pleasant surprise not to be the oldest ‘adventurer’ on one of these tours - with the youngest guide at 41 and the oldest couple in their very active 70s, we were all more or less the same vintage, and certainly the same mindset. Laughs and swapped stories over cheap cask red, feet kicking the sand of an island paradise? Priceless. Ross Muller, Gerroa

There’s still time to put together a team to participate in the Kiama Relay for Life, which raises money for the Cancer Council. A Team Info Night is being held soon to encourage more teams to register. As well as the $20 registration fee, teams undertake their own fundraising activities. Minnamurra Mates are one of the many teams who are returning to take part in this important community event, with team members coming back for their fifth year to walk as a way of acknowledging family and friends who have suffered from cancer. It’s a tradition for them to display the names of the people they are relaying for on a large bed sheet. Team member Maryanne Morrison says, “With so many of my dear family and friends passing and some still fighting the fight with this dreadful disease. It is my way of supporting, remembering and hoping for a cure.” Their Relay, however, is far from a solemn affair, with Minnamurra Mates using golf as their recurring theme. Once they

If you’d like to share something interesting from your travels, just get in touch: emailthebugle@gmail.com

even took turns hitting a plastic golf ball around for the whole 24 hours… The Kiama Relay for Life is on 24-25 October, on the fields near the Kiama Leisure Centre. Details: Team Info Night Thurs 3 Sept, 7pm at the Kiama Pavilion. Registrations can also be made at relayforlife.org.au by searching for Kiama.

Let the experience and local knowledge of Leanne Mitchell and her team at

help your business thrive small business advice business plans taxation solutions cashflows superannuation self-managed superfunds t 4234 0902 f 4234 0932 info@numberscount.com.au www.numberscount.com.au 8


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