The Bugle Newspaper 19 October 2024

Minnamurra

COMMUNITY PAPER Distributed In The Kiama LGA

Gerringong Gerroa

Cameron McDonald named Mayor of Kiama

Neve Surridge

Kiama Council members have elected Councillor Cameron McDonald as the new Mayor following a unanimous vote among councillors, with only one written nomination put forward.

McDonald succeeds outgoing Mayor Councillor Neil Reilly, who recently retired after 16 years of service on Council.

Cr McDonald will be serving his first term as a Councillor and Mayor, and will be focusing on restabilising finances, open and transparent communication and strengthening local employment and businesses.

“The future beckons,” Cr McDonald said in his first address as mayor-elect. “We have difficult moments and questions ahead that cannot go unanswered. It’s time for us to come together.” “I found solace in the fact that we all share a commonality, a great love for the place in which we live.”

His election comes at a time when the council faces a range of challenges, including increased demand for housing, returning Council to an operational surplus and responding to the NSW Government Performance Improvement Order.

“We don’t take this faith in us for granted. There will be choices made in this term of Council that will shape the future of our community for many years to come. We’re up for that task,”

Mayor McDonald says.

As the former President of the Kiama District and Business Chamber, Cr McDonald is expected to bring his experience in operating a successful business to the table. The council also elected Cr Melissa Matters as the Deputy Mayor. Both Cr Matters and Cr McDonald will serve in their positions for two years.

“It’s time for a change, I think the community are looking forward to a change in the Council,” Cr Matters said.

After nearly two decades serving on Council, outgoing Mayor

Neil Reilly shared a nugget of wisdom for his successor, telling him to stay off social media.

“Pay little or no attention to social media. I’ve found over the years that three or four people will seem like a giant crowd on social media.” “You have to be very disciplined about making decisions. Those decisions have to be made, and sometimes they have to be made with not all the information that is possible to have, but they still have to be made. Beyond that, good luck,” Reilly added.

Cr Imogen Draisma was also nominated for Deputy Mayor, with Crs Matt Brown and Stuart Larkins voting in her favour. All councillors were officially sworn in on Monday, 14 October, with Council CEO Jane Stroud offering her congratulations. “I offer my sincere congratulations to all the elected Councillors and thank everyone who ran in the local elections. I look forward to working alongside you all throughout the next term of Council.”.

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Local speed changes prompt conversation around wildlife road safety

Neve Surridge

Motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian safety were key priorities with the recent speed reductions along Jamberoo Road and Riverside Drive, effective late September. They are crucial considerations, however, wildlife safety hasn’t been a part of the speed zoning discussion for a long time, says Dr. Colin Salter from the Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service, or WIRES.

Dr. Salter believes the research into reduced speed limits and human safety, which translates to wildlife safety, has been done, it’s about getting the government on board.

“The work has been done to inform the public and build up the social licence to make it an acceptable decision from government.”

Riverside Drive in Minnamurra has adopted a 60 km/h limit, lowered from 80 km/h between Fig Hill Lane and Federal Street, a decision made by Transport for NSW.

Kiama Council rate peg set for 2025-26 financial year

Neve Surridge

Councils across the state have received their rate pegs for the upcoming 2025/26 financial year. Kiama Municipal Coun-

Last week, a WIRES volunteer responded to an incident on Riverside Drive, where a mother duck was hit by a car, her ducklings unharmed.

On social media, residents commented on the incident, calling for others to exercise caution when driving, especially with spring bringing increased animal activity.

Research collated by the Department of Planning, Industry & Environment shows the likelihood of a vehicle colliding with an animal increased with vehicle speeds over 60 km/h due to slower driver reaction time. The report noted that even small reductions in vehicle speeds can reduce the incidence of wildlife vehicle strikes.

In September, Minister for Roads, John Graham, raised the issue in Parliament, asking for wildlife to be factored into speed zoning decisions in the state. A decision that has yet to come into effect.

“There is an implicit recognition that the community cares about wildlife and wildlife needs to be considered in

cil has seen a decrease from the 2023/24 financial year— with a decrease from 4.5 to 3.7 per cent.

The rate peg is the maximum percentage amount in which a council is allowed to increase its general income for the year. There is a separate rate peg for each of NSW’s 128 councils.

The main purpose of a rate peg is to protect ratepayers from excessive increases in their rates bills. IPART Chair Carmel Donnelly said the rate pegs limit the amount by which councils can increase their

speed determinations,” Dr. Salter said.

Speed reductions along Jamberoo Road and Riverside Drive whilst welcomed by the animal rescue and rehabilitation group as it will inadvertently benefit wildlife, still “had a focus on pedestrians and cyclists.”

Dusk and dawn are peak times for macropods like kangaroos and wallabies, with one in every 41 crashes resulting in injury or death involving a vehicle hitting an animal.

Concerns about wildlife safety along Jamberoo Mountain Road have been raised before. The road was closed for over a year due to storm damage and animals ‘moved in’ due to the lack of traffic. Locals took it upon themselves to paint their own signs, urging drivers to slow down once the road reopened.

State MP Gareth Ward initiated a petition to reverse the changes based on constituent feedback. Ward argues that lowering the speed limit won’t deter reckless drivers, advocating instead for road main-

rates income and allow them to meet changes in the cost of providing services.

“The Tribunal understands that the community has been facing significant cost of living pressures and we have taken this into account in our decision making.”

Rates constitute on average one third of a council’s total income. Councils receive income from different sources, this can include grants, user fees and charges. Rate pegs only apply to ‘general income’ which is re-

tenance and increased police presence to enhance safety.

He says his involvement in highway upgrades, including Albion Park to Berry and Gerringong included plans to reduce impacts on native wildlife.

“As a result of my advocacy, these projects included everything from shelter boxes to animal crossings, not to mention a very significant investment in rebuilding native habitat.”

Key concerns from residents who oppose the speed reduction include travel times, congestion and concerns that the new limits will increase locals being fined.

Ward has stated the speed limit will not reduce wildlife and road accidents.

“Any loss of native wildlife is tragic; however lowering the speed limit from 80 to 60 will not change any impact on native animal welfare as a result of road trauma.”

You can share your concerns about speed limits by using the Transport for NSW Have Your Say feedback form.

ceived mostly from rates. Each council’s rate peg is open to councils to decide not to implement the increase or delay it. “Ultimately, elected councillors decide whether to increase rates and by how much,” Ms Donnelly said. A task for our newly appointed council.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW (IPART) is the independent authority and pricing tribunal of the NSW government responsible for regulating markets and government services.

Major developers abandon plans for Illawarra offshore wind zone

Neve Surridge

The o shore wind farm planned for the Illawarra takes a turn as major developers Equinor and Oceanex choose not to bid for a licence in the $10 billion project. Norwegian oil and gas giant, Equinor, has announced its decision to abandon plans for the 2.9 gigawatt project off the coast of the Illawarra.

“Equinor decided not to submit a feasibility licence application for the Illawarra offshore wind zone,” a spokesperson for the company confirmed.

The decision comes as part of an ongoing review of the company’s early-stage investments.

“We carefully evaluated risk factors currently affecting the global industry and conducted project-specific and site-specific assessments.”

Equinor and Oceanex have secured a provisional feasibility licence for the Hunter offshore wind zone, which extends from Norah Head to Port Stephens. They will now focus their efforts on this region, with the project expected to generate enough energy to power 1.2 million homes.

Amanda de Lore, Vice President of anti-offshore wind farm group Responsible Future, welcomed the developers’ exit from the Illawarra project.

“We would welcome the opportunity to discuss viable alternatives for the Illawarra with the Minister [Bowen] and re-engage with the community so we can start to heal” says de Lore.

In a press conference, Energy Minister Chris Bowen has quashed any suspicions that the government should readdress the size of the zone to at-

tract larger developers. “The suggestion that there are no applications for the Illawarra zone is utterly wrong,” Bowen says, “There are six zones around Australia, not every proponent has to apply for every zone.”

Former Liberal MP for Bega, Andrew Constance, commented on the decision, stating it reflects poorly on the

current government. “The decision of Equinor and Oceanex to walk away is embarrassing for the Albanese Government, who have achieved nothing other than dividing our community again.”

Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips has hit back at Constance’s claims and has stated the project remains on track.

“I really wish Andrew Constance and Responsible Future Illawarra would stop with the misinformation and negativity.” With feasibility licence applications now closed, construction in the offshore wind area can only proceed once developers receive environmental and management plan approvals, in line with relevant legislation.

Hall & Prior granted another extension for Blue Haven Bonaira acquisition

Neve Surridge

In September, familyowned aged care provider

Hall & Prior were granted a one-month extension for the settlement of the $95 million Blue Haven Bonaira aged care facility, which, after significant adjustments, saw the sale price plummet to an expected $26 million.

In a joint statement, Council and Hall & Prior attributed the setback to continued “due diligence” and anticipated closures over the end-of-year holiday period. The new settlement date is expected to be in February next year.

Graeme Prior, CEO of Hall & Prior, explained the delay, saying it was to ensure all preparations are complete before finalising the agreement.

“We are dedicated to ensuring everything is in place, and our teams are working hard on-site to meet these objectives.”

The decision to sell was driven by the substantial debt accumulated by the Council from the construction and expansion of Blue Haven Bonaira, which has resulted in a loss of $3.5 million each year for the Council since the facility began operating.

Funds made from the sale will go towards settling Council’s debt. Blue Haven Community Transport will be divested by Transport NSW. Coast and Country Community Services have been named the preferred provider to take over the program.

Coast and Country operate in Shoalhaven, Bega Valley, Young and Weddin Shires.

“This will ensure our community continues to receive reliable and high-quality transport services, supporting both residents and staff across the region,” Joe Gaudiosi, Chief Operating Officer for Kiama Council said.

I’m proud to be your local voice in parliament and to continue delivering cost-of-living relief, tax cuts and vital projects like Kiama headspace and the new Gerringong Surf Club.

I’m here to help you with issues like Medicare, Centrelink, aged care and pensions, the NDIS, Veterans’ Affairs and community grants. I can send you my Seniors and Pensioners Kit, and arrange special birthday and anniversary messages.

I’m on your side.

4423 1782

Fiona.Phillips.MP@aph.gov.au

3/59 Junction St, Nowra NSW 2541

FionaPhillips.com.au

Whether you’re buying, selling or downsizing, Carter Ferguson senior solicitor Steve Warwick brings a more human, caring and contemporary approach to your property law needs.

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office in Kiama.

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Source: Blue Haven Illawarra

Gerringong locals push for affordable housing at Havilah Place

Neve Surridge

Gerringong local Annette Pust has experienced the housing crisis rst hand as a renter in one of the most expensive LGAs in the country. After seeing close friends leave the township in search of more affordable housing in the Illawarra, Annette felt there weren’t enough options available.

She began a petition calling on Kiama Municipal Council to utilise the vacant aged care facility in Havilah Place by turning it into housing stock. She believes the site will help ongoing rental stress, provide emergency accommodation and aid the housing crisis in the second most expensive town in the country.

Council have stated that the Blue Haven aged care facility in Havilah Place is in an “advanced state of dilapidation and cannot be repurposed.”

A German native and Gerringong local for fifteen years, Annette said she is perplexed by the situation at hand, and feels a part of the solution is right in front of the Council.

“It’s been empty for five years… I don’t know how you can have a site sitting empty and have the building rot away in essence, I can’t explain it.”

The former residential aged care facility on Havilah Place has been deemed as unsafe and unhealthy to enter.

Council voted in favour of receiving a report on the options for a public-private partnership and mixed-use development on the site, ensuring at least 25 per cent is allocated to social and affordable housing — a motion put forward by Councillors Imogen Draisma and Stuart Larkins last term.

Council are in the process of exploring options to subdivide and divest the facility as a requirement outlined in the NSW Government Performance Improvement Order. A business case will be presented to councillors for consideration and a site masterplan will be drafted. Birgetta Smith, a Gerringong local and supporter of the petition, is facing the housing crisis with the added stress

of a recent divorce.

“We have to sell the house and probably move out of the area.” “My kids have grown up in Gerringong, they would love to stay, but there’s not a chance. There’s no affordable rentals around, it’s not affordable to buy something.”

Gerringong has 74 houses available on the market as of September this year — with a median price of $1,400,000 as of July this year.

“Any petition regarding future uses for the Havilah Place site would be subject to our Petitions Policy and would need to accord with already resolved decisions and the substantial staff work already undertaken on implementing these decisions, alongside the State required work articulated in the PIO”, a spokesperson for Council said. The petition will be located at Gerringong Pharmacy.

Official opening of headspace in Kiama

Young people in Kiama and surrounding areas will now have access to in-person free mental health care and support with the opening of a headspace clinic

The facility opened its doors in August with a launch celebration taking place in

Coronation Park on Tuesday 15 October. Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride and Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips joined headspace staff and youth groups and community members to celebrate the launch of headspace Kiama. headspace Kiama is one

of 89 regional clinics across the country. Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said a youth mental health support service was crucial for the town.

▶Online or phone support is available at www.headspace.org.au or by phoning 1800 650 890.

Annette Pust and Birgitta Smith.

Neve Surridge

Big decisions with a new and unified Council

Change was in the air on the night of October 15 as Councillor Cameron McDonald was elected Mayor, unopposed. Much of the previous scuttlebutt about multiple Councillors putting their hand up for the prized position had dissipated by the time his lone nomination came in – no doubt some deals were done to secure smooth passage and a functioning Council (at least for now!).

A little different for the Deputy Mayor with newcomer Councillor Melissa Matters pipping the incumbent Councillor Imogen Draisma for the position.

The ‘Community minded, business focused’ ticket of McDonald, Matters and Councillor Erica Warren continues to go from strength to strength, signifying that the change the community has been after for a number of years, is finally here.

Mayor McDonald was clearly nervous as he took up the mantle and his accept-

ance speech which spoke tackling ‘the challenges of today and tomorrow’ to make choices ‘that will shape the future of our community for many years to come’.

The Bugle’s View is that the community should welcome this nervous energy, excitement, and levelheadedness. McDonald’s lack of a sense of entitlement was only matched by his rationality when he says the new Councillors do not take the community’s faith in them, for granted. For too long we have been beset by representatives who had no problem with introspection and self-entitlement, when they should have been focusing on what’s best for their community.

McDonald also spoke about Councillors assisting each other, a sentiment echoed by Deputy Matters who said she was ‘looking forward to cooperating and unity within Council’ as they ‘have a lot of big decisions to make’.

Out with the pettiness, dys-

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Note these are readers opinions and do not represent the Bugle View

I refer to your article about the young people from Gerringong urging Kiama Council to consider redevelopment of the former nursing home located in Havilah Place. Whilst I have sympathy for their housing problems, I don’t believe that the site they have identified is an appropriate solution. As I have pointed out on previous occasions in writing to your paper about this site, the land on which those buildings are located was donated by a local developer, Tony Freeman, in the 1970s to the Kiama Aged Care Council. I have unfortunately no detail as to how and why ownership reverted to Council (if indeed it has); but I am aware that some services currently in existence in that building, are shared with the residential retirement village known as Blue Haven Terralong. Given that your paper has also identified the dearth of residential aged accommodation in this community, and given the circumstances of the initial gift of this land and the purposes for which it was donated, a reasonable person could only conclude that any future development of the site would be a logical extension of the existing retirement village - in other words Blue Haven Stage 6. If you look at the history of the development of Blue Haven, as documented by Nick Hartgerink in 2019 for Kiama Council, you would note that when the most recent Stage of Blue Haven was developed, Council received a windfall that enabled the construction of the Pavilion, on the showground headland. A properly functioning Council should be able to identify this business o pportunity, and any subsequent profit could then be used to create ‘social housing’ elsewhere within the municipality.

A. Holder Kiama

function and legal claims at ten paces, in with collaboration, togetherness and a shared responsibility! We at The Bugle are just about ready to sit down, rejoice and sing Kumbaya!

Of course, it’s early days for this brave new world – it is clear that there will be big decisions that will impact the community whether that be growth, rate rises or a change to services. But the Bugle’s View is that we are glad that our Council is being up front with us from the outset, and not seeking to blame the decisions of the previous Council, as has so often been the case.

So, congratulations to Mayor McDonald, Deputy Mayor Matters, and the other seven Councillors.

The Bugle looks forward to seeing your positive impacts on our community, ensuring that big decisions have the entire community in mind, and working with you and the rest of Council staff to deliver the news – whether good or bad.

Kiama Rotary Club - Support for youth

Kiama Rotary Club has congratulated Mark Burns and his team for another successful running of the “Building Young Men Program” (see report in last edition of The Bugle) President of the Club, Phil Whyte says that, as a major financial sponsor of the program we are delighted to be able to support a program which clearly benefits the devel opment of our young men.

He went on to say that this is only one of a number of ways that Kiama Rotary Club is sup porting our young people. In the next few months we will be pro viding financial support to en able 4 of our brightest scientif ically minded young people to attend the National Youth Sci ence Forum (NYSF).

Picnic for Nature: Join Landcare Illawarra at Bombo Headland

Lleyton Hughes

Landcare Illawarra will host the 2024 Picnic for Nature at Bombo Headland on October 19, aiming to educate the community about their vital restoration efforts in this local hotspot.

The day will include a beautiful picnic lunch, an optional swim or snorkel at Boneyard and a guided walk from Bombo Headland Landcare group member, and horticulturist, Carl Glaister with founding member Bob King.

“We’ll share the history of our sites, showcase various paintings created by high school students over the years, and discuss the 38 years of work we’ve dedicated to restoring Bombo Headland,” says Glaister.

Participants in the walk will also be invited to take part in the famous Aussie Bird Count. Glaister highlights the resurgence of birdlife and other wildlife at the headland since restoration began.

“It’s incredible how many birds have started to use and live on the headland since we started restoring. On top of this, just yesterday we saw a long neck turtle on site which is amazing. There are also

swamp wallabies and sea eagles and ospreys that regularly hunt and perch in the trees on site, not to mention all the reptiles,” says Glaister.

“We want people to enjoy the sight and to see how you can transform a barren quarried headland into something that is really rich in life again.”

Glaister emphasises the importance of community engagement with the land’s history. “It is first of all First Nations land. Europeans came along and really degraded the headland to extract the basalt and blue metal,” says Glaister.

“To realise the history of that is important - how we’ve changed and degraded the landscape and how in more recent times we’ve really been trying to restore it. And if you

don’t know the history of a place, then you won’t know how important it is to get involved in doing things like land and bush care.”

The event is open to all, you can register on the Landcare Illawarra website, with the walk starting at 12pm from Boneyard Beach and lasting until 4pm.

“It’s one of the most beautiful places we have in Kiama. It’s a public space where you’ve got the most beautiful ocean bay and forest coming right to the edge of the water. There’s really no other headland like it. So, it’s just going to be a lovely day,” says Glaister. If you can’t make it, but want to get involved, reach out to Kiama Council or Landcare Illawarra.

This program has helped many young people in the past to see the full extent of career op portunities opento them in the field of science when they have completed their secondary edu cation. We will also be facilitating the attendance of a young woman to a Rotary leadership program in the New Year; providing volunteer support in the upcoming HSC examinations and we continue to support the Imagination Library which provides the opportunity for young children to discover the joys and benefits of reading from a young age.

Helping with the development of young people is only one of the ways that Rotary makes a difference. If you would like to know more about Rotary get in touch through our website.

SPECIALISING IN COACH TRAVEL SPECIALISING IN COACH TRAVEL EXTENDED TOURS, DAY TRIPS & THEATRE SHOWS

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Canberra Outlet Shopping Day

Monday 18 November 2024 - $100

Includes: Get ready for Christmas with shopping at Canberra’s Factory Outlet Centre. Explore a multitude of stores including clothing, underwear, shoes, bags, homewares, Manchester and even chocolate! Our day also includes light morning tea stop and return coach transport. Shop, Shop, Shop til you Drop!

Bilpin Christmas Fruit Day

Tuesday 10 December 2024 - $130

Includes: Light morning tea en-route, visit and fruit picking at the wonderful Bilpin Fruit Bowl (fruit picked at your expense), lunch at Bilpin Fruit Bowl, chance to purchase other fresh products at the fruit bowl and return coach transport. A great day to get your Christmas fruit – straight off the farm!

Australia Day Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise

Sunday 26 January 2025 - $285

Includes: Light morning tea, 3 hour lunch cruise with Captain Cook Cruises upon the Sydney Crystal Catamaran (includes private charter for our group, Welcome Drink and Buffet Lunch), Australia Day Events on the Harbour and return coach transport. Further drinks available on board to purchase at own expense. Please Note: Minimum numbers required for trip to proceed. May Gibbs’ Nutcote

Wednesday 12 February 2025 - $120

Includes: Light morning tea en-route, visit to May Gibbs’ Nutcote the harbourside home & studio of May Gibbs which includes entry, guided tour and lunch in the Bib & Bub Tearoom, and return coach transport. What a lovely day to spend a Summer Day! Get in quick, limited spots!

Please note: Walking involved. Full flight of stairs and sloping paths.

Source: Landcare Illawarra

Building a Successful Business Part 4: People

Donna Portland

Building a successful business is a challenging endeavour, and The Bugle, in conjunction with the Kiama &

ness Chamber, has created a six-part series focusing on key factors that drive success. After exploring Strategic Focus, Finances, and Operations, this segment delves into the ‘people’ aspects that underpin a thriving business.

Building a Strong Team: A business’s success hinges on the calibre and strength of its workforce, particularly in the early stages. It’s essential to find employees who are genuinely invested in the business’s growth, rather than those simply seeking a pay cheque.

For example, working at a startup requires a unique mindset, where individuals not only contribute but also witness the company’s development firsthand. Even if your business is established, look for candidates who embrace this opportunity.

Beyond qualifications and experience, passion is key. Consider how invested candidates are in their field - did they research your business before the interview? Do they speak with enthusiasm about their prior experiences?

To streamline recruitment and filter high-quality candidates, create job application forms with customised questions instead of accepting generic cover letters. This approach helps identify serious applicants while reducing the influx of irrelevant resumes. Tailor questions to the role - if you’re hiring a sales manager,

ask them to describe a successful initiative they’ve led; for a marketer, request a 300-word description of their most successful campaign.

Fostering a mentally healthy workplace: As an employer, it’s your responsibility to create a mentally healthy workplace where employees feel safe and free from harassment.

Ensure you’re aware of the tools and resources available to support mental health, including free training and coaching through the NSW government’s website. Completing a Workplace Wellbeing Assessment can provide valuable in-

sights into how your business can improve mental health outcomes.

Prioritising the most important people: your customers: Customer satisfaction is the ultimate measure of business success. The ability to delight your customers - so much so that they choose you over competitors, return for repeat purchases, and recommend you to others - is crucial for growth and profitability.

Small businesses are well-positioned to offer personalised service. Simple gestures like handwritten ‘thank you’ notes, including small gifts with purchases, or offering freebies in exchange for reviews can make a lasting impression.

Delivering outstanding customer service: Excellent customer service is personalised, timely, and friendly. Equip your team with templates and scripts for handling common queries to ensure professional, efficient responses. It’s also vital to ensure that the tone you use in communications aligns with your brand voice - whether casual and conversational

or more formal. To enhance the customer experience, offer multiple channels for communication, such as social media, messaging apps, email, or phone. In many industries, especially retail, businesses compete not just on products but on the overall customer experience. Make it easy for customers to connect with a real person, and ensure your business remains approachable and transparent. If delays occur, such as with custom orders, keep customers informed at every step. Managing expectations is key - your small business may not offer 24/7 support or rapid turnarounds, but by delivering consistently high-quality products and providing personalized service, you can foster strong customer relationships.

When complaints arise, practice active listening, understand the root of the issue, and offer meaningful resolutions. Great customer service can significantly increase the lifetime value of your customers, with research revealing that 86% of consumers stating that a positive experience can turn them from one-time buyers into loyal patrons. Here is a link to a website that provides key statistics and ideas about customer service. While scalability may be limited, small businesses have the advantage of offering a personal touch and prioritising customer care. By consistently meeting or exceeding customer expectations, you can set your business apart in a competitive landscape.

Farmers and the flood: Dairy farmers not waiting for divine intervention

Lynne Strong

Farmers are known for their resilience—after all, they battle unpredictable weather, fluctuating markets, and the occasional invasion of fall armyworm. But sometimes, they earn a reputation for expecting someone else to swoop in and fix their problems, like our good friend Farmer Joe.

You’ve probably heard the story: the flood comes, Joe climbs onto his roof, waiting for God to save him, all the while turning down a truck, a boat, and a helicopter. When he gets to heaven, Joe’s a bit miffed with the Almighty.

“Lord,” he asks, “Why didn’t you save me?” And God, perhaps with more patience than Joe deserved, replies, “I sent you a truck, a boat, and a helicopter—what more did you want?” It’s a classic tale and a warning against waiting for miracles while solutions float right by.

Fortunately, the NSW dairy industry isn’t waiting for divine intervention. Faced with significant workforce shortages, dairy farmers across the region have chosen to take positive action rather than hope for a miracle.

In recent years, attracting skilled workers to regional farms has been about as challenging as milking a bull. Farmers have struggled to find the right people, and the looming crisis has threatened the future of the industry.

But rather than sitting on the metaphorical roof, waiting for someone to come along and fix it, the NSW dairy farmers, in partnership with DairyNSW, have been proactive in solving their workforce woes.

Enter the Workforce Attraction and Retention Specialists—the heroes of this story. Among them is DairyNSW’s Tania Ketteringham, a local whizz who has been instrumental in delivering strategies to attract young workers to our regional dairy industry.

With a background in employment services, Tania specialises in matching job seekers with sustainable employment opportunities. Through innovative programs like Dairy Ready—a pre-employment course that trains individuals in essential dairy skills—her efforts have led to over 85% of participants being placed into jobs, with all of them still employed three months later.

DairyNSW has also introduced virtual training for workers in remote areas, helping to increase the number of traineeships and bring much-needed talent to the industry.

This approach is tailored to meet the specific needs of the NSW dairy industry. Tania and the workforce specialist team collaborate with regional extension officers who specialise in areas such as finance and animal health, ensuring that farmers receive the support they need to create a positive working environment.

The workforce specialist team has also been instrumental in delivering leadership and people management courses for farmers, ensuring that dairy farms are attractive places to work for both new entrants and experienced workers.

Their efforts have paid off. By promoting opportunities in the dairy sector, offering training, and connecting potential employees with farms in need, Tania and her team have filled crucial job vacancies while sparking renewed

interest in agricultural careers. One of the key successes has been the establishment of the Young Dairy Network, where young workers can connect with like-minded individuals, attend educational and social events, and develop supportive networks.

Our region has become a shining example of what can happen when you engage the right experts. Local farms, once struggling to find workers, are now attracting fresh talent. Young people are staying on, building skills, and contributing to the community, making the dairy industry

more sustainable and resilient for the future.

Unlike Farmer Joe, the NSW dairy industry isn’t waiting for someone else to solve its problems. They’ve hopped into the metaphorical boat, taken the helicopter ride, and made sure they’re doing everything in their power to secure the future of dairy farming.

It turns out, when you take action and work with experts like Tania Ketteringham, the results can be downright miraculous. See the previous article in The Bugle to hear from young people now working in our local dairy industry.

Grand plans for historic Kiama pub

Neve Surridge

Veteran hotelier and restaurateur Steve Savic and Illawarra based business partners have acquired The Grand Hotel in Kiama and hope to transform it into a premier destination venue on the South Coast.

The group hopes to transform the iconic Kiama pub into a must-visit hotspot, leaning on the town’s recent accolade as the state’s top Large tourist town.

“We want to restore it back to what it should be, which is a stunning heritage building.

There are a lot of traditional operators down the South Coast, we want to establish The Grand as a destination in its own right,” Savic said.

Locals have welcomed the transformation, with the facade recently refreshed in a coastal blue hue, praise on social media. Savic says the team plans to embrace the coastal atmosphere with park bench

seating and updated branding already in place to reflect Kiama’s laid-back charm. The new partners all have ties in the Illawarra, including Stan Crinis, owner of the popular Diggies cafes in Kiama and Wollongong.

Savic is no stranger to successful hospitality ventures. He owns the Mittagong Pub and led the transformation of Robertson Public House & Kitchen, which has become a sought-after dining venue in the Southern Highlands.

Robertson Public House received the Australian Hotel Association’s Best Restaurant Award last year and is in the running for the same accolade this year.

“We’re proud of that, we think we can build on the success of Robertson and deliver a product down here as well,” Savic says.

The Grand Hotel’s new menu will debut in the coming weeks, helmed by a chef with experience in several Chef-Hatted restaurants.

(L-R) Local Farmer Matt Parker with Trainee Imogen Coe and Workforce Specialist Tania Ketteringham. (PHOTO: Lynne Strong)

Steve Savic wants to put The Grand on the map

Spotlight on Brian Warren: A veteran voice in community radio

Brian Warren’s media journey spans decades, crossing continents and industries, making him a respected gure in both commercial and community broadcasting. “Radio has always been close to my heart,” Brian shares. “It’s a personal and immediate way to connect with people, something other media can’t replicate.”

Starting in radio and TV in Orange, Brian moved to Channel TEN in Sydney in 1967, an era he describes as an “adventure.” “Television back then was a dynamic environment. Every day brought something new, and working with the team at TEN helped shape my professional outlook.”

In the early ‘70s, Brian relocated to London, working for Rediffusion before embarking on a life-changing overland journey through Europe

and Asia. This experience deeply influenced his worldview. “Travel opened my eyes to different cultures, and that perspective has informed my work ever since,” he says.

Returning to Channel TEN, Brian rose to producer on Good Morning Australia, a career highlight. “Producing that show was an incredible experience. There was an energy and creativity that made every day special,” he recalls.

Afterwards, Brian held various high-profile roles, including Director of Operations at SBS-TV, and co-founded a broadcast service company that worked with clients like Sky Racing and IBM. One of his most memorable moments was broadcasting live with the Dalai Lama from India. “That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he reflects.

In 1997, Brian joined Foxtel, working part-time until his retirement in 2010. But his passion for radio never waned.

“Community radio brings me back to my roots. It’s about giving a voice to the voiceless and sharing stories that matter.”

Brian’s involvement with community radio began with 2VTR-FM in Windsor, encouraged by his son. He later volunteered at 2SSR in Sutherland, where he served on the board and helped the station grow. After moving to Gerroa in 2009, he joined 2UUU-FM in Nowra, stepping into technical roles and eventually becoming chair, playing a significant part in building the Milton studio. Now, Brian is a key voice at Kiama Community Radio. “KCR is a passion project,” he says. “It’s about keeping people informed, entertained, and creating a sense of community.”

Tune in to Brian every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, as he brings his wealth of experience and unique insights to the airwaves, continuing his lifelong dedication to community radio.

Opera in the Valley returns in 2024

The annual Opera in the Valley will take place on Saturday, 2nd November at Jamberoo School of Arts. The CWA ladies will once again provide a delightful spread of canapés and cakes. Tickets are available at Elders Real Estate in Jamberoo.

This year’s performance, led by maestro Glenn Amer, features soprano Catherine Bouchier, mezzo-soprano Michaela Leisk, tenor Matthew Reardon and baritone Gennardi Dubinski.

Bouchier, a Sydney Conservatorium graduate, has performed internationally, including roles in Carmen and La Bohème. Leisk, who performed last year, holds a Bachelor of Music from the Royal College of Music and has an impressive opera and musical theatre career. Reardon, a WAAPA graduate, has sung in Madame Butterfly and Carmen, while Dubinski, originally from Russia, has been a solo-

1

1 Catherine Bouchier, soprano.

2 Gennardi Dubinski, baritone.

3 Matthew Reardon, tenor.

4 Michaela Leisk, mezzo soprano.

ist with Opera Queensland and Opera Australia. Don’t miss this captivating event! exceptional musicians they are. And the patter! And the jokes! Wonderful. George in fact told us the story of how

3 4 2

he got his surname. I sat riveted; I’ve always wondered. He told us. The audience broke down with laughter. It shall remain secret to all of us who attended.

Being a lifetime jazz fan, and an admirer of both these consummate performers, I was not disappointed. Simon Tedeschi, George Washingmachine and Classical Kiama — thank you for a glorious 90 minutes of entertainment.

Kiama Community Radio

Donna Portland

South Coast is the perfect place to see all things that light up in the night

Danielle Woolage

David Finlay is a self-confessed creature of the night. While most people are tucked up on the lounge in front of the television, the Kiama scientist and photographer watches one of the greatest shows on Earth. Mother Nature lighting up.

From glow worms in Helensburgh’s old railway tunnel to bioluminescence in Kiama Harbour, fireflies at Macquarie Pass or ghost mushrooms in suburban front yards, David captures it all on camera while the rest of us “nest”.

“Once the sun goes down, people have dinner and sit and watch TV,” says David. “Humans have this tendency to nest at night. But from a really young age I was out in the backyard lying on a blanket looking at stars. That interest in science and astronomy just worked its way into my adult life.”

Born in Orange, and an industrial chemist by trade, David first saw bioluminescence — living organisms that emit light — flashing in the waves

at North Beach when he moved to Wollongong from the bush. It sparked a life-long fascination with all things that glow in the dark.

Colloquially known as seasparkles, bioluminescence presents as pink algae during the day. But at night, when the algae-filled water is agitated, it lights up like a Christmas tree and the waves appear to sparkle. Protected bays and harbours are the best places for sea sparkles and Jervis Bay is the second most prevalent place in Australia to see it (after Tasmania’s Derwent River). Recently Kiama Harbour hosted a bioluminescence bloom and David was there with his camera to capture it, but to also offer advice to those witnessing the rare phenomenon.

“If bio is in the water we ask people not to throw rocks in to agitate it and make it sparkle,” he says. “When people throw rocks, they’re actually disturbing the marine environment and potentially ruining habitats on the ocean floor. The best thing to do is actually walk through or put your hands through it.”

Sea sparkles are just one of the four types of bioluminescence that live on the South Coast. The others include fireflies, glow worms (native only to Australia and New Zealand) and ghost mushrooms.

“This region has the perfect ecosystem for bioluminescence,” says David. “From where I live in Kiama I’m only a short drive away from all four forms. I can see sea sparkles in Kiama Harbour, a glow worm colony in Helensburgh, fireflies at Macquarie Pass and ghost fungi in Kiama front yards. We have amazing access to these things right here, but it can be quite difficult sometimes for people to find them, to know what they’re looking at.”

David has been chasing things that light up in the night for so many years that he has all the tips and tricks needed to spot them, and he’s more than happy to share his knowledge.

Last year he offered firefly tours at the base of Macquarie Pass and was blown away by the community’s response, with thousands of people expressing an interest. David’s idea for a “free walk and talk

to educate people about fireflies and the environment” became a fully-fledged business venture requiring a National Parks eco pass and public liability insurance. He also had to limit group numbers to protect the environment and sessions booked out almost as quickly as a Taylor Swift concert. David quickly realised that “people want to experience these things for themselves, there is an interest out there”.

“The more people that you can teach how to enjoy being in nature, while also preserving it, the better we all are,” says David who widely shares information and images of spectacular events like watching fireflies, glow worms, bioluminesce and ghost fungi on his Instagram page. Next year, if conditions are favourable, David is looking to offer Ghostbusting tours where people can sign up to join him on a guided ghost fungi tour.

In the meantime you can follow David’s Instagram page @ davefinlaydigital and stay updated with Bioluminescence Australia to see all the best that Mother Nature has to offer.

Fireflies at Cascade Falls, Macquarie Pass. (Credit: David Finlay)

‘The

Smith Street Band’ is coming to Kiama!

Veronica Bardsley

The Smith Street Band will be coming to The Pavilion on Friday 1st November as a part of their Odds & Ends Tour. We were lucky enough to get Wil Wagner, lead singer, to answer some of our questions about their 15 years together as a band. Wil wrote the bands two most recent albums “Don’t Waste Your Anger” and “Life After Football” each written with a dichotomy of a more ‘sad orchestral’ vibe for one and a faster pop vibe for the other. Their influences have changed over the years from folk to punk to hiphop and the vast influences show in each album. “We all have very varied music tastes and I can hear our influences change when I listen back to older stuff.”

Their seventh album doesn't yet have a release date but Wil is working hard writing two albums worth of ‘fun and fresh’ hits, only to pick his top 12 at the end. Maybe we will hear the ‘vault tracks’ lat-

er down the line! Even with their music evolving over the years, Wil reports a pretty consistent fan base “The people that connect with our music seem to really connect with it!.” They've seen tattoos of their lyrics, been involved in proposals and vows and even had a proposal at one of their recent shows in Brisbane, Wil calling the experience ‘surreal’.

Work life balance can be difficult for anyone, especially a touring musician. Wil welcomed his first daughter a year ago and says she's made a huge change in the dynamic around touring and home life. “I’d always been someone that loved being away and never really got homesick but that’s absolutely changed now! The hardest thing has been finding the time and necessary head space to write - I feel like I’m in Dad Mode all the time and it’s hard to switch from that to angsty song writer mode!”

The band also supports each other to ensure they are all well taken care of when on the road. “We’ve been to-

gether so long and are such old friends at this point we all understand what each other needs to stay sane on the road!”

On keeping his mental health a priority, Wil says “For me it’s getting enough sleep and not partying every night, if I can do that and get a good balance of time spent with the touring party and time spent by myself, I’m normally pretty ok! Also getting older helps. I have put so much time and work into being able to balance my music life and my mental health and I really feel like I’m in a good place at the moment.”

Although predicting the future of the music world is anyone's guess, Wil hopes the band will continue to make music 10 years from now adding, “most of us have kids now and I really love how involved they already are, I hope in 10 years they are running round backstage and causing a ruckus!”

In the odds and ends tour they will be coming to smaller towns and cities that are outside of the usual tour cir-

Carol Goddard

Frank Sultana’s new album ‘Have Band Will Travel’ live at Fillmore’s

Frank Sultana has released his latest album, Have Band, Will Travel, and gave listeners at Finding Fillmores a set full of new songs and oldies we know and love.

Frank’s talent is electric, he swaps guitars, changes moods and keeps his patter just right to create a soulful blend.

If you were lucky enough to be at Kiama’s best known secret, Finding Fillmore’s on Friday 11 October, you’ll know from the first riff to the very last, Sultana captivates the room.

In the band, Dan Sullivan is a master on the harp and vocals, Mick Malouf makes

Neve Surridge

magic with his bass and percussionist Adrian Herbert is almost supernatural!

Frank Sultana and his Blues Band are truly world class, coming back down under after recently winning the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

The launch of Have Band, Will Travel was adored by attendees. For great blues music, seek out Frank and his band’s next gig. We are so blessed to have him and the band play for us here in Kiama.

You can catch Frank Sultana at the Kazador, Friday 22 November, performing Revolution, a Night of Protest Songs.

Kate Fisher’s new book Milkshakes for Marleigh is a letter of gratitude to blood donors

Kate Fisher's new book “Milkshakes for Marleigh” could be the next “Boy Swallows Universe”, according to acclaimed author and podcaster, Hedley Thomas.

cuit. This was important for the band to reach these places that often get missed out on for live music, also adding “The crowds are also great when you get out of the major cities, enthusiastic and loud!”

Over their 15 years together, lead singer Wil Wagner found difficulty choosing a highlight but said ‘It’s very special, we’re so lucky to have been able to do this for so long. We’ve been able to see so much of the world and play at some pretty incredible venues and festivals!.... It’s been a hell of a ride so far!”

As for their future legacy, he hopes for people to know their music as “honest, passionate and loud. And best heard live.”

You can find out for yourself by getting your tickets at Moshtix for $55 general admission to see this Melbourn rock outfit, The Smith Street Band right on our doorstep.

Check out the Smith Street Band on social media and your favourite music streaming platforms.

“Milkshakes for Marleigh” shares the stories of blood donation recipients to thank current donors and inspire readers to begin donating blood.

Marleigh Fisher, the eightyear-old daughter of the author, lives in Queensland with an incurable, life-threatening condition, Autoimmune Encephalitis. Regular plasma infusions are life-saving for Marleigh, and at her sickest, she required infusions every 10 days to keep her alive.

The book recounts tales of survival from those who have received blood transfusions, informed by interviews over three seasons of Fisher’s podcast of the same name.

Hedley Thomas spoke with Kate at the Brisbane Writers Festival and praised the book for its captivating storytelling.

“The last time I read a book like this was Trent Dalton’s, Boy Swallows Universe and I can see Milkshakes for Marleigh having the same level of success.”

Kate hopes the book will bring attention to the persistent shortages of blood products available across Australia.

“I had no idea that there were such frequent, critical

blood shortages until I had a child who is reliant on blood products to survive. A blood shortage could mean the end of my child’s life and I don’t want other families living with that fear.”

In May, Australia’s national blood collector and distributor, Lifeblood, released an immediate call for blood donors as the organisation revealed their blood reserves were at a critical level and at risk of dropping to the lowest level this year.

Lifeblood’s Cath Stone said only three per cent of Australians donate blood regularly, but many more are eligible.

“There are about 10 million more people who could donate today, but don’t,” she said.

Kate hopes readers who have donated blood to think about how their contribution could have saved one of the lives featured in the book— Olympic swimmer Michael Klim, actor and cancer activist Samuel Johnson, or Greater Western Sydney Giants player Phil Davis.

And for those who haven’t donated before, she hopes the book will inspire Australians to roll up their sleeves and consider the life-saving stories they could help create.

“If you’ve been waiting for the right time to become a donor or have been thinking about coming back to donate, this is the time to act,” Stone said.

Lead singer, Wil Wagner, reflects on their 15 year journey

The Man in the Vest: Lee Mallon’s 10kg Challenge for Mental Health Awareness

Lleyton Hughes

While walking around Kiama in October, you may spot a man in what looks like an army vest. That man is local resident Lee Mallon, who is wearing a 10kg vest for 10 hours a day throughout the month to raise awareness for mental health.

When I learned about Lee’s challenge, I reached out to him for a chat. He invited me to join him, so I donned a vest and walked alongside him.

Lee is participating in the Top Blokes Foundation initiative, which involves carrying the 10kg vest for a total of 50 km during October.

The aim is to shed light on the mental health challenges young males face. However, Lee decided to take it a step further; instead of just walking 50 km, he committed to wearing the vest for ten hours a day every day.

“I decided to take that challenge to the next level and raise awareness for youth mental health as much as I could. The only way I could

think of doing that was wearing the vest 10 hours a day for the entire month of October. It popped into my head a week beforehand and I thought, I’m going to do this,” Lee explains.

As I strapped on one of the 10 kg packs, I immediately felt heavier and slower. While 10 kgs might not sound like much, in a vest that digs into your shoulders, it becomes significantly more burdensome.

“I struggle sometimes. It’s hard work to just sit; it’s easier when you’re moving. But when you’re sitting, you can’t help but think about it,” says Lee.

Driving poses another challenge for Lee. He can’t drive while wearing the vest, which complicates his job that sometimes requires long hours on the road.

To compensate for missed time, he commits to doing 2 km on his elliptical machine for every hour he loses.

Lee’s motivation stems from his young son Riley’s personal struggles with mental health. He recalls a poignant evening when Riley confided that the weight of his issues never seemed to lift.

“He told us about how things never left him, that they were always there,” says Lee. “I thought that using weighted vests would be a good way to raise awareness for these issues. I can take the vest off, but people like Riley can’t.”

Lee announced his challenge through a heartfelt video on his Facebook page, detailing the difficulties his family has faced.

The video has been shared nearly 30 times and has helped him raise over $3,000 for the Top Blokes Foundation.

On his walks, Lee has shared his video link with 50 strangers, hoping to inspire others to open up about their own struggles.

“I hope people find the courage to talk to someone if they’re feeling down. There’s so much pressure on kids these days, especially with social media, making them feel they have to be someone they’re not,” Lee says.

He also encourages parents to engage with their children by asking, “Is everything okay? You can talk to me.” Building that trust takes time, and it’s

essential for kids to feel safe doing so.

Lee believes teenagers are at a critical juncture in their lives, where early intervention can make a significant difference. He supports the Top Blokes Foundation for their work in schools, targeting young people at this pivotal stage.

“I believe that if you don’t get help early on, it’s much harder later down the track. This program is aimed at kids still in school,” Lee emphasises.

During our walk together, Riley, Lee, and I managed to cover 2km, and I was relieved to finally take off the vest.

Riley shares his thoughts on his father’s initiative: “I think it is really good at representing the strenuous day-to-day weight that mental health issues can give you, and initiatives like this are doing great things.”

▶Lee wants to thank everyone for their support. You can watch his Facebooks video and donate to his challenge at lifttheload. org.au/lee-mallon

Aunty Cheryl Davison Aunty Julie Freeman Jonathan Jones Mickey of Ulladulla

bagan bariwariganyan: echoes of country is a body of works by renowned Gweagal/Wandiwandian storyteller & artist Aunty Julie Freeman, leading Walbunja/Ngarigo artist Aunty Cheryl Davison, & Wiradyuri/Kamilaroi artist Jonathan Jones.

The season upholds & maintains Aboriginal values & kinships, featuring an immersive gunyah (home) installation including drawings by the significant Yuin artist Mickey of Ulladulla, a solo exhibition of paintings by Aunty Julie sharing grandmother stories of local plants, animals and weather patterns, & a new installation by Aunty Cheryl, representing the importance of Burrawang seeds, a key traditional food source. Connected through new soundscapes, the exhibition sings the stories of this place, celebrating local traditions & the ongoing collaboration of these artists & cultural leaders.

170 Riversdale Road, Illaroo NSW 20 minutes west of Nowra.

Riley and Lee Mallon (R) in their vests for the Top Blokes Foundation.

(Source: SEVENMARKS)

Liquid Geometry: An exhibition by Scott Chaseling

The SEVENMARKS art exhibition, Liquid Geometry, featuring artist Scott Chaseling, will open on October 26 and run until November 23.

This exhibition showcases Chaseling’s dual talents as a glassmaker and painter, aiming to narrate moments from his life. “My work is a record of my daily rituals— everything that influences me, from my family to the community, the country, and the world,” says Chaseling.

He draws inspiration from German philosopher Eckhart Tolle, whose emphasis on seizing the moment aligns closely with his artistic goals.

“It’s about taking a moment and then reflecting on my feelings or thoughts on that moment before starting to draw. Those drawings are captured on paper and can transform into something entirely different,” he explains.

Once he sketches a moment, Chaseling interprets how that drawing can be embodied in glass artwork.

“With the small vessels I create, I know the process well, so I can start combining parts and begin collaging pieces together as I think about them. For the larger

works, I spend months drawing and making cardboard maquettes before I start building them,” he says.

The final pieces resemble melting pots adorned with intricate paintings, embodying the evolving nature of the moments they represent. This fluidity inspired the exhibition’s title, Liquid Geometry.

“Historically, many believed glass was a moving material. While we now know it takes millennia for glass to actually change shape, in the grand scheme, a couple of millennia isn’t such a long time,” Chaseling reflects.

“I think of liquid geometry as a metaphor for the structures around us—our beliefs and perceptions. Even as we build strong foundations, they change, crumble, and are rebuilt, much like memories and stories that shift based on our perspectives.”

Chaseling expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to exhibit at SEVENMARKS gallery. “The SEVENMARKS gallery is a sensational space, and I feel fortunate to showcase my work in such a prestigious venue.

It’s unique to have a high-quality gallery in a regional area rather than a major city,” he says.

Carrying the Weight: A Review of He Ain’t Heavy

Lleyton Hughes

The title of the song He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother by The Hollies is supposedly taken from an anecdote about a young girl.

The story goes that she is carrying a big baby boy in her arms when someone, seeing her struggle, asks her if she needs any help to which she replies, “No, he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.”

Perth director David Vincent Smith’s new film — He Ain’t Heavy — and this anecdote resonates deeply with the themes of the film, which follows Jade, a young woman who kidnaps her drug-addicted brother, Max, and locks him their grandmother’s house for seven days in a desperate attempt to force him into rehabilitation.

The idea for the film came to Vincent Smith in a moment of desperation when he literally thought about kidnapping his own brother.

“I was really desperate to resolve this problem within my own family. I got to the point where I literally came up with the idea of kidnapping my own brother. Most of the conversations, the language, the intensity, even the ending of the film are all real moments from my life,” says Vincent Smith.

While the kidnapping itself is fictional, Vincent Smith strives to capture the intense emotions of trying to help a loved one struggling with addiction. The film began as a short titled I’m Not Hurting You, and after its success, he adapted it into a feature, enriching the narrative with additional characters and deep-

er exploration of existing ones.

“In early drafts I wouldn’t let the characters say certain things and that was because I wasn’t ready to say those things,” he explains. “So part of the writing process when I was writing the feature film was also part of confronting my own chains and feelings.”

Vincent Smith says he was inspired to make the story into a film after seeing some of the personal responses the short film evoked. At the Austin Film Festival, a transformative moment occurred when a 14-year-old girl approached him, sharing her struggles with her mother’s alcoholism.

“She grabbed me by the arm and said, ‘My mom’s an alcoholic. I’ve never told anyone before. Can you help me? What do I do?’”

In He Ain’t Heavy, Jade takes her brother’s treatment into her own hands, reflecting Vincent Smith’s scepticism toward existing rehabilitation processes.

“Unfortunately, we’re not getting to the core of healing. That’s why people keep getting reincarcerated—we’re not un-

derstanding why they’re angry and treating that,” he says. He believes the prison system should function more like a radical hospital, focusing on underlying issues rather than punishment.

The film’s dark and raw portrayal creates an emotional viewing experience. Vincent Smith doesn’t use comic relief or stylized cinematography to soften its nightmarish themes.

Instead, audiences, like the main characters, feel the isolation and desperation confined within the house’s walls.

This rawness demands equally vulnerable performances from the cast. Leila George (Animal Kingdom) and Sam Corlett (Vikings: Valhalla) deliver powerful portrayals of Jade and Max, respectively. The film truly relies on their two performances, and they are sure to inspire some watery eyes. Vincent Smith emphasises the importance of creating a safe environment on set to facilitate these authentic performances.

“We shared a lot of stories, and we formed a really important bond, so that we could always feel incredibly comfortable and honest and vulnerable with each other. And it’s not only just casting the cast, you’ve got to cast the crew to create an environment where actors feel safe and comfortable,” says Vincent Smith. He Ain’t Heavy releases in select cinemas on October 17. Dark, intense and emotionally gripping, the film explores the limits of care, the best ways to support someone battling addiction, and the significance of family.

A night of jazz with Simon Tedeschi & George Washingmachine

and gorgeous timber work, the space provided a welcoming

The long weekend brought sunshine, visitors, and the latest Classical Kiama Con cert to our beautiful town, but this time it was differ ent. It was the first concert totally devoted to jazz.

Church with its great acoustics, in addition to the beauty of the space with leadlight windows

fabulous tunes made famous by the likes of George Gersh us. The audience broke down with laughter. It shall remain

Being a lifetime jazz fan, andsummate performers, I was

chine and Classical Kiama — thank you for a glorious 90

Carol Goddard

Lleyton Hughes

Scott Chaseling’s ‘Wall of Water’.

David Vincent Smith. (Source: Bonsai Films)

Source: Daniel Rohn

Source: Daniel Rohn

The last CMRI Quilt & Craft Show marks the end of an era

Lorraine Peade

This year, we celebrate 32 years of fundraising at our biggest CMRI event—the Annual Quilt and Craft Show—held at Gerringong Town Hall on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November, from 10am to 4pm, and Sunday 10th November, from 10am to 2pm. Admission is $5, with morning and afternoon tea and lunch available. The event features a quilt raffle and a wide range of stalls offering quilting supplies, crafts, clothing, children’s wear, jewellery, homemade cakes, sweets, slices, and more. Great Christmas gift ideas await!

This year’s Quilt & Craft Show will be the last, marking the end of an era. Since its inception in 1991, under the guidance of CMRI Life Member, the late Dorothy Hanbridge, the show has been a successful fundraising and community event.

Thanks to the continued support of locals and visitors, the profits from this event have been significant. Along with funds raised through catering, the Jeans for Genes campaign, and special events such as movie screenings, High Tea, and Melbourne Cup luncheons, the CMRI Gerringong Committee has contributed an impressive $2.3 million since 1959—a fantastic achievement!

The success of the Quilt Show and all our fundraising efforts is built on the hard work of dedicated members who cook, serve, sell raffle tickets, and organise events. The most popular stall has always been the Craft Stall, featuring exquisite handmade children’s wear, toys, satin-embroidered coat hangers, quilts, carry bags, toiletries bags, hand towels, Christmas runners, and decorations, as well as baby clothes. These items have been sought-after Christmas gifts, treasured for their quality fabrics, workmanship, and creativity.

The Monday Ladies Group has met every year since 1991

in homes across Gerringong and Willowvale. Now, with some members in their 80s and 90s, the time has come to put away the sewing machines and enjoy a well-earned rest.

Looking back on years of remarkable work are Dawn Miller, Marg Weir, Edith Burgess, Mena Sharpe, Joyce Sharpe, Gwen Wishart, Suzanne St. Claire, Sue Dmetreson, and Barbara Donald. Their contribution to fundraising, attention to detail, and flair for design and colour is beyond compare. Their deep friendship, sense of fun, and commitment to medical research have made a lasting impact.

Special tribute is also due to Life Member Rhonda Bailey, who has been a key organiser of the Quilt Show and Jeans for Genes for over 34 years. Don’t miss this final CMRI Quilt & Craft Show! Along with the stunning display of quilts and wall hangings, there will be handmade felt, wool, teddy bears, fabrics, threads, buttons, cutting boards, sewing machines, and patchwork books available for purchase.

The quilt raffle will be drawn on Sunday 10th November, with the prize being a beautiful wall hanging crafted by award-winning quilter Merelyn Pearce. The design, based on Margaret Preston’s woodcut Cinerarias, measures 127 x 127 cm and features a hand-appliqued centrepiece bordered by Australian flora, including waratahs, wattle, bottlebrush, grevillea, and Geraldton wax. This stunning prize has been generously donated by Merelyn Pearce.

Raffle tickets will be available at IGA Gerringong on Thursday 24th, Friday 25th October, and Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd November, as well as at the Quilt & Craft Show.

▶REMINDER: The CMRI Melbourne Cup Luncheon will be held on 5th November at the Gerroa Boat Fisherman’s Club. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at [https://www.trybooking. com/CUTDP](https://www. trybooking.com/CUTDP).

(L-R) Edith Burgess and Dawn Miller.

season

Neve Surridge

Bush re season has begun. If you want to conduct a burn o , you will have to apply for a re permit.

Permits are free and ensure household burn offs remain safe and controlled.

Rural Fire Service Inspector David Bartlett says the new processes are easy to follow, it’s about knowing what has changed.

“Anyone on a rural property who wants to do some pile burning or light a fire, they’re going to need a fire permit from the rural fire service,”

A fire permit application can be submitted online through the Rural Fire Service website.

“We’ll have a volunteer come out and do an assessment to ensure the fire you’re looking at is going to be safe,” David says.

You can also obtain a permit from local rural fire service stations or from the Illawarra Fire Control Centre on Airport Road in Albion Park.

The permits go through digitally, and once that has been obtained, households will need to reach out to Kiama Municipal Council for further approval.

Council has a no burn poli-

cy, which means they will consider burn-off applications for properties over one acre that ‘carry out rural activities’.

If both applications are approved, you must notify your local fire authority and neighbours of your intention to burn at least 24 hours in advance.

David says the best way to prepare your property for a bushfire is getting a plan in order that will suit you best.

“The best thing they can do is ensure they’ve got a bushfire survival plan in plan, whether they’re looking to stay and defend their property or leave.”

Keeping up to date with road closures and active bushfires is crucial to leaving safely.

David suggests monitoring fire activity, planning out the trip to make sure you’re not driving into bushland and doing all of this without delay.

“If they’re leaving, they’ve got to leave early.”

If the plan is to stay put, the bushfire survival plan will help ensure your home is well prepared. The Bush Fire Danger Period runs from 1 October until 31 March.

▶For more information on the Bush Fire Danger Period and requirements around safe burning, visit www.rfs. nsw.gov.au.

CMRI’s fashion parade fundraising

Staff Writer

On September 28 mother daughter duo Marilyn and Sarah Atkins from Bombo Clothing Co. in Kiama hosted a fashion parade for 150 attendees in support of the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) Gerringong.

Guests were greeted with a glass of bubbles and a cupcake baked by CMRI members and expertly decorated by Holly Fogarty, setting the tone for a day filled with style and generosity.

The parade showcased an impressive collection of casual, formal, and swimwear, offering a little something for every taste. Attendees were treated to a runway of stunning designs, with models strutting in the latest trends, all while raising awareness for a crucial cause.

The spirit of giving was in full force, as attendees eagerly purchased raffle tickets, with all proceeds going directly to

CMRI's vital research into genetic diseases, birth defects, cancer, and other conditions that negatively impact the health of children.

Women of all ages came together to support the cause, creating a palpable sense of community and goodwill. The atmosphere was buzzing with joy, fashion, and philanthropy—a perfect example of how fundraising can be both impactful and fun. As one attendee said, "It's a win-win when you can enjoy yourself while supporting life-changing medical research."

For those who missed the event, the next opportunity to contribute to CMRI’s important work will be the CMRI Melbourne Cup Luncheon at Gerroa Boat Fisherman's Club. Tickets for the event are on sale now for $60. Don’t miss out—grab your tickets at TryBooking.

Together, we can support the dedicated scientists at Westmead and help make a difference in the lives of children everywhere.

Jamberoo Rural Fire Service

(L-R) CMRI members Geraldine Spence and Carol Rogers serving cupcakes to guests.

(L-R) Zali Davis and Cara Whyte enjoying the fashions.

Happy winner and also one of the models Belinda Laird of Kiama.

CircusFiremen

Atrulyhilariousandskilledcomedy circusduothatperformeverythingfrom acrobaticsandjugglingtoprecarious& spectacularbalancingonwalking ladders,fire&comedy,thisisashow nottobemissed!

TheDoogans

Quirkyutterlystupidbutnevertheless

‘TheDoogans’areamarvelloustribute totheclassicvaudevilliangreatsofthe 20thCentury.Theshowhasadynamic pacemixedwithimprovisedchitchat, Rock’n’Rolldancingandphenomenal circusskills.

HannahCryle

Theshowwithabigpersonality,Hannah andherfriendCorneliusthemassive GermanWheel.Ashowofcircles,you’ll seeHannahcontortingherselfthrough rings,spinningandrollingthroughthe wheelandengagingaudienceswithher personalityandlight-heartedbanter.

Dandyman

Australia’sPrinceofCircus&Comedy ‘Dandyman’willthrillyouwithakooky, eclecticanduniqueshowfeaturing;jaw droppingcircus,absurdacrobatics, side-splittingcomedyandmischievous highjinks.

Rubberbandman

ShayHoray,knownasRubber BandBoy,isaperformer famousforhisGuinnessWorld Recordofplacing78rubber bandsonhisfaceinone minute!

CoreyPicket

Coreypresents:“Circusand OtherTimeWasters”:A Collectionofutterly unnecessaryfeatsthatwill exciteanddelight.Coreyhas devotedcopiousamountsof timethroughouthislife, masteringtricksandskillsthat areguaranteedtoenthraland entertain.

ChaChadelmar

SouthcoastmusicaltrioCha ChadelMartakeyouona musicaljourney.Fromtherich melodiesandlivelyrhythmsof Afro-Colombiancumbiasto thesmoothsoundsofBossa NovaandSalsaclassics.Their songswillmakeyouwantto danceandmoveabout.

MrGorski

MrGorskiisalargerthanlife characterpresentingatightly packed,fastpacedroutine withseeminglyimpossible tricks.Filledwith Cartoonesquefunand inventivejugglingthatwill havethewholeaudienceon theedgeoftheirseats.

Rheinberger& Wilson

NickRheinberger,localABC presenterandsingersongwriterextraordinaire, teamsupwithcomedy songstressTiaJuanaWilson,to sharethemusic,challenges andstoriesoflong-lasting relationshipsinamodernage.

Shemaylookdemure,butthis Englishrosereallypacksa punchwithherhuskyvocals, causticwit,andhilariously reworkedcoversofsongsyou’ll recognisefromyouracneriddenteenageyears. JoinEmmaforFun“emmacentric”renditionsofyour favouritetunes!

TheKikiandPascalshowisthe funniestlovestoryofalltime. Thejourneyofthisunlikely coupleiswrappedarounda showfullofbeautifullydiverse skills,singing,juggling, contortion,interactive comedy,acrobaticsanda surprisemagicalending.

AlicethroughtheLooking Glassreflectsonherselfand seesherdarkerside.Poetic, funnyandalittlenaughty,as girlscanbe.Alicestalkin unisonandperformasmirror opposites.

TheUnityProject

TheUnityProjectisreturningtoKISSin2024underthefabulous guidanceoflocalartistsPennySudabinandTimRushbySmith. NotonlydoesUnitycreateastunningwoollencanopy,itallows thecommunitytoexploredifficult,controversialorsensitive conversationsinacalmandcreativeway.

Standupforkids

Hasyourlittlemunchkineverwantedachancetogeton stage?OurStandUpForKidsshowhappensSaturday afternoonandisachanceforthekidstotakethestageand telltheirbestorworstjokeandandbeinwiththechanceto winsomecoldhardcashprizes.

PinwheelWindmillfarm

AsacomplimenttotheUnityprojectconversation,wewillcreate apinwheelwindmillfarmonthehillsideofblackbeachreserve. Participantswillbeabletomakeanddecorateawindmilltoblow inthebreeze.

Orshithecartoonist

OrshiTheCartoonArtisthasbeendrawingpeoplefromall walksoflifeforover10years.Shewillentertainyouwithsuper quickandfuncartoonsandinonlyafewminutes,withher experteyeshewillcaptureyourcharacteronpaper.

Circusdropzone

TheCircusDropZoneisexactlythat.Anareadedicatedtoyou droppingbythroughoutthedayto"haveago"atTrapezeon ouraerialrigorstayonthegroundwithjuggling,unicycle, devilsticks,diabloandmore.

Fabulousforallagesanddefinitelyaspaceforfamiliesto playtogether!

LanternMaking

WeareveryexcitedtotogivetheKISSArtsFestanotherlantern makingworkshopwithandtheopportunitytobepartofthe magicallanternparadeonSaturdayevening.Thisyearweare changinguptheparade,attheconclusionwewillcreatea beautifullanterncanopyandhaveashortdiscounderthelightof yourcreations.

Dropbythelanterntenttobookintoaworkshop.

Nonsensetrivia&MusicalBingo

NonsenseTrivia-Likeanytrivia,therearequestions-butwith nonsensetriviathereisnotalotofsense. Themoresillyandridiculousyouranswerthemoreyouwillbe rewarded.Itiscreativeandpermissionisgivenforthecrazy andwildtoreign.

MusicalBingo-Whodoesn’tlovesingingalongatthetopof theirvoicestotheirfavouritetune?Especiallyifthere’sa chancethatyoumaywinaprize.MusicalBingoisaboutas muchfunasyoucanhavewithoutgoingtoamusicalor playingBingo!

KISSAFTER DARK

LanternParade

BepartoftheFestivalFinale.Meet atThe AIR KISS tentat 7pmwithyourlanternandparadewith us through the KISSFestivalvillagetotheLantern canopy and disco with usunderthelightofyourowndesigns.

Anddon'tforgettomakeyourlantern as well,stop by the LanterbTentonSaturdaybetween 12.30and 6.30pm

FireShow

Danger,beauty,tranquilityandexcitementall come together as wewrapupthemainstageentertainmenton Saturday night. Thefabulousfeatsoffiremanipulation lightup the evening as Andrewthrows,rolls,spinsandblowsmesmerizing patterns withthisgorgeousancientlight.

Letthenightwashoveryouasyougaze outover the ocean and horizonofthestunningBlackBeachharbour and gettaken awaybythebeautyanddangerof thistalented fire whisperer.

FireSculpture

LittleBigStage-BIGBIg CircusExtravaganza!

Itisourpleasuretohosttheoutstandingtalentsofemergingcircusartistsfromacrossthe stateaswepresentWarehouseCircusfromCanberra,Wollongong’sCircusMonoxideand TreeTopCircusfromHelensburghplayingtogethertocreateTheLittleBIGstageBIGBIG CircusExtravaganza.

Somethingsyoucan'tdountilthesun goes down... andthatincludesFIRE!OnSaturday evening as the FireShowcomestoanendfollowAndrewonto Kiama'siconicBlackBeachsandas him and Lantern legendPhilLightupthenightwithKISS's mostfamousquietmoment-TheFire Sculpture.Sit andenjoythemomentandwatchthe magic offire and theimageitcreates.

LanternDisco

WhiletheLanternparadegiveseveryone else a chance to marvelatyourgorgeouscreations, when do you the artist gettoexperiencethebeautyofyourart?

Attheconclusionoftheparade,we will create a lantern canopytoshowcaseunderwhicha speedy 10 min disco willtakeplacewhereyoucanshake it off under the glow ofyourhardwork.Beautifulandfun.Afabulous conclusiontotheKISSlanternmaking journey.

Thebestnightoutyoucan haveinKiama(withyour trouserson!)

Aseasidecelebrationofthespectacular,thesillyandthesublime!Aside-splitting,hand-clapping,wave-splashing,toe-tappingperformancefeast–where thefringesofKiama’sBlackBeacharetransformedforonewondrousweekendintoavibrantvillagefilledwithart,heartandthechancetotakepart. Sayhellotoajam-packedplaygroundofinternationalacts,localtalent,uniqueexperiencesandpureentertainment.Lanterns,lamppostsandlaughter. Circustroupesandhula-hoops.Music,mirth,mischiefandmayhem. KISSgoodbyetoboring–andbepartofthefun!

whoisthefestivalfor?

Thefestivalisafamilyfriendlyeventwithsomenaughtyadultsonlybits tuckedinandaroundthecorners.Thefestivalisfocusedonbringing multiplegenerationstogethertolaugh,play,takepartandbeamazed. Howmuchdoesitcost&whereisit?

KISSisa FREEevent,someoftheartistswillbepassingthehat,sogive generouslywhereyoucan.ThefestivaltakesplaceonBlackBeachKiama.

Whencanibepartofthefun?

Thefestivalproperis Saturday26thofOctober from12-9pmand Sunday27thofOctober from10-4pm.

YoucansponsorKISSTOO!

After Kiama was classed as a major city, KISS lost funding for 2024. We started a Go Fund Me campaign for lovers of KISS to help keep the event alive this year. If you want to support us to say thank you for 13 years of free family fun, scan the QR code and give us a cash KISS. Thank you! Note: if you are a business and you would like to support KISS, please contact us at Contact@Kissartsfest.com.au to discuss.

Gerringong Public School student wins Dragons competition

The St. George Illawarra Dragons have crowned Gerringong student Camilla Addison for their ‘The Best You Can Be School Learning Icon Design Competition’. Camilla’s artwork included an illustration of Buriburi, a spiritually significant figure in the Dreamtime that takes the form of a humpback whale.

The competition began as a way for schools and students to discuss the importance and relevance of Aboriginal history on the lands of which their schools sit and from where they learn each day. The competition task is to design a ‘learning icon’ which reflects on the ancient history of First Nations people. Gerringong Public School recently opened the Buriburi playgroup, a dedicated space for Koori children in the community.

from the Apple and Android

Chasing the Northern Lights: Why the Next Few Years Are Perfect for Your Aurora Adventure

Every 11 years, the sun goes through a cycle of activity, which greatly influences the visibility and intensity of auroras. We are currently in Solar Cycle 25, and it is predicted to peak between now and 2025. This peak period, known as the solar maximum, brings with it heightened chances of witnessing stunning auroras like the Aurora Borealis.

During these peaks, the sun experiences increased solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which cause the particles to interact more dramatically with Earth’s magnetic field, producing more vibrant and frequent auroras.

The good news for aurora enthusiasts is that this solar maximum is predicted to be a “moderate” one, meaning it will last longer than shorter, more intense cycles. Experts anticipate that prime aurora-watching conditions will extend for sev-

eral years beyond the peak— likely into 2028. So, even if you miss the peak of the solar maximum, the next few years are still a perfect window to plan an aurora sighting trip.

The next two northern winter seasons (2024-2025 and 2025-2026) will be ideal for the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights, as the long nights and high solar activity coincide. Top viewing locations include regions in the Arctic Circle like Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and

parts of Canada and Alaska.

Therefore, this is an optimal time to plan your aurora-chasing trip, as the next few years are set to deliver some of the best displays in decades. If you’re keen to catch nature’s most captivating light show, now is the time to start preparing your journey to the northern skies.

The team at Travel Focus Group are experts in planning journeys to help maximise your chances of witnessing this extraordinary natural phenomenon.

Neve Surridge

Camilla's winning artwork.

Supplied: St. George and Illawarra Dragons

Floral Arrangements, Quilts, and Outings: A Memorable Month for Gerroa Combined Probus

Guest speaker Leanne Stewart from Rose Valley Farm was warmly thanked by member Diane, who presented her with a beautiful bunch of handpicked roses from her garden. Leanne shared her expertise in creating floral arrangements, showcasing the stunning native flowers she grows on the farm. She generously donated one of her arrangements as a lucky door prize, which was won by Roger.

Club member Marilyn kindly brought along her handmade quilts and runners to the meeting. She spoke about the countless hours and love poured into each patch, and proudly mentioned displaying one of her patchwork pieces at Darling Harbour, where it won a prize.

Jan and Dennis enjoyed a morning matinee at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, featuring the Royal Navy Band playing music from stage and screen. This was followed by lunch at the North Nowra Tavern.

Other outings enjoyed by our club this month included a day trip to Bundeena, attending the Nowra Players' production of *Steel Magnolias*, and participating in Probus club liaison activities such as bowls and croquet.

If you'd like to join us for a meeting and take part in the fun, fellowship, outings, and lunch, held on the third Wednesday of each month, please contact us: Email: gcprobus16@gmail.com

Secretary: Jackie Woollcott 0401 194 408

Jackie down the Hole

Those who lived in Fox ground at the time will remember the tide of progress which brought us a pair of pit toilets at the old road side school in the late twenties.

Indeed, not even the pend ing Great Depression could hold back this wave of expend iture by the Education Depart ment, for in the same year the one-roomed, one-teach er school was painted, and an extra water tank installed, and two, one-hole toilets erected.

Now the Foxground Pri mary school toilets were, to the little Valley community, a milestone which turned into a millstone as successive new seasons’ hats disappeared down the holes, and culprits were made to stand out behind the weather-shed on Friday afternoons when the rest of the school had story-reading. Your scribe lost one, as did Esther Cullen and a number of other pupils. Esthers was first chucked up in a gum-tree, but it blew down in the wind, only to descend to its inevitable lonely grave at playtime.

The fascination of a huge pit being dug was an absorbing event for the Foxground kids, as ’Kempy’(the teach-

1 Jan and Dennis enjoyed our Morning Matinee at the Shoalhaven entertainment centre The Royal Navy Band Featuring Music from Stage and Screen. 2 Guest speaker Leanne Stewart (R) from Rose Valley Farm was thanked by member Diane. 3 Marilyn a member of our club was kind enough to bring along her hand made Quilts and runners to the meeting.

1

2

3

Toilets at school 100

years ago

er) appointed prefects in the playground each lunch hour to keep the little ones away. What the prefects got up to while Kempy was down at his home having lunch was another matter, for a Kangaroo Court procedure of the otherwise lawless groups elevated some of them to magisterial might, trying those accused of minor offences, and handing out instant sentences. And so it came to pass that young Jacky, a habitual offender whose daily appear ances for judgement taxed

the imagination of even the Foxground school prefects, was given the ultimate sentenceand why hadn’t they thought of it before? … Jacky was to be lowered down the hole!

It was immediately questioned as to whether he would fit through the fixed seats, and would it be more punitive lowering him into the girl’s pit (as the boys had only just begun operating) and was more or less clear and brand new? Devious young minds posed the question, a couple ran up with a

ruler and measured the hole and then across Jacky’s shoulders -Jacky standing calmly, not believing his fate. Yes- he would fit alright… and Jacky froze on the spot!

Toileting may not be the most pleasant of topics from yesteryear.Today most people have the luxury of ush toilets.

en big start

The big boys grabbed him and took him into the tin enclosure while some of the bigger girls and a few boys started to have slight misgivings. What if he drowned in it?

What if the rope broke? Suppose they couldn’t get him up again before Kempy got back? No, they’d lower him till his feet touched IT, and then pull him up!

The frightening sentence was carried out with sadistic shrieks from the executioners, but happily for this story, and young Jacky, the rope held; he was hauled to safety, and it was quite safe to assume that if ever Old Kempy heard of it, it would not be Jacky who told him!

I met him about thirty years later, and in brief reminiscences Jacky, by then a Stock and Station agent in the western district of New South Wales, told me he had only recently outgrown the fear of looking down a post-hole!

However, before this modernisation, pit toilets were the only type you had. At a homestead you would have a ‘dunny’ in the outhouse down the back. It would be a hole in the ground covered by a pan.

At night you had to be careful when walking out there with a lantern. Very unpleasant during a storm or in the middle of winter. Blowflies would be a curse in summer!

I’m reminded of the old song, ’There was a redback on the toilet seat when I was there last night’.. Toilet paper might consist of cut up newspapers. If you're lucky!

For me personally the only experience I had of pit toilets was when setting up camp in the bush.

As a scout you had one as an essential item of a well set up camp. We had strict rules as to how far from the camp or a river it had to be.

Which brings me to the toi-

lets at school. Never the most pleasant place even today. However, the toilet blocks that students now use are a luxury compared to those of 100 years ago. Flush toilets were a dream of the future. No, there was great rejoicing if a pit toilet appeared in the playground 100 years ago.

Here is a tale from Clive Emery of such an event at Foxground Public School and a subsequent incident. Anybody who says life at school was their best ever time has a very selective memory. Although Foxground was a ‘bush’ school, I imagine it was not any better in the inner city.

Now you also need to recognise that in one teacher schools there was often not a teacher on duty in the playground during breaks.

The teacher usually lived in a house next door to the school and would go there to have lunch. Life for students in an unsupervised playground may not have always been pleasant. In the tale below the names have been changed to protect the innocent -and the guilty!

Lesley Berry

Mark Emery

Clive Emery

Revitalise your smile: Expert gum care with Dr. Lizzy Hui

Receding gums can present more than just cosmetic concerns—they can also lead to serious oral health challenges. Fortunately, residents of Kiama and the Illawarra region now have access to one of Australia’s top specialists in treating gum recession.

Dr. Lizzy Hui, a Specialist Periodontist at Kiama Dental Specialists, combines expertise with compassionate care.

Holding a Master in Pain Management, Dr. Lizzy focuses on providing patients with advanced solutions, including gum grafting, to restore both the health and appearance of their gums.

Gum recession can occur for a variety of reasons, including periodontal disease, aggressive brushing, teeth grinding, hormonal changes, misaligned teeth, or even genetics.

If left untreated, it can lead to tooth sensitivity, an increased risk of decay, and, in severe cases, tooth loss.

Gum grafting o ers an e ective solution by covering the exposed areas of the tooth with new tissue, promoting healthier gums and protecting teeth from further damage.

Dr. Lizzy’s extensive training includes the use of a highly advanced

technique called tunnelling, for which she received specialist training in Italy.

This technique allows the graft to be carefully positioned beneath the gum tissue, resulting in a seamless blend with the natural gum line.

The precision of the tunnelling method ensures a more refined, aesthetically pleasing outcome, making it an ideal solution for patients who want their smile to look as natural as possible while improving gum health.

“Gum grafting is not just about addressing oral health concerns—it also helps patients feel more confident in their

smile,” says Dr. Lizzy. “Our goal is to ensure long-term function and aesthetics through innovative and minimally invasive methods.”

At Kiama Dental Specialists, patient care is personalised, with a focus on comfort and precision.

Dr. Lizzy and her team use the latest techniques to make the process smooth and e ective, giving patients a renewed sense of confidence in their gum health.

If you’re experiencing gum recession or concerned about your gum health, consulting with Dr. Lizzy could be the first step toward achieving a healthier, happier smile.

Wecleansoyoudon’thaveto. Wearepassionateaboutwhatwedo, andensurethateventhesmallestofdetailsislookedafter.

Festival Weekend...

Berry Writers Festival (25-27 Oct)

KISS Arts Festival (25-27 Oct)

KISS Kabaret (25-26 Oct)

Jamberoo Car Show & Family Day (27 Oct)

Community Events

for Nature 2024 - 19 Oct, 12pm, Bombo Headland

- 19 Oct, 2pm, Kingdom Hall, Brown

Skeoch: Deep Listening to Nature - 22 Oct, 5pm, Kiama

Kiss at Sunset Lantern Parade

Be part of the Festival Finale.

of the MV Signa talk - 23 Oct, 10am, Kiama Bowling Club

U3A Talks Term 4 - 2pm, North Kiama Neighbourhood Centre

21 Oct: Andrew Skeoch - Deep Listening to Nature 28 Oct: Nicole Hughes - Carer Gateway Benjamin Stevenson Xmas Celebration - 23 Oct, 5pm, Kiama Library

Berry Writers Festival - 25-27 Oct, 9am, Berry

KISS Arts Festival - 25-27 Oct, 12pm, Kiama

KISS Kabaret - 25-26 Oct, The Kazador

Malcolm Bedford - Bombo Quarry Walk - 26 Oct, 2pm, Bombo Beach

25 Years of Landcare Illawarra - 26 Oct, 4pm, Curry’s Mountain Estate

Jamberoo Car Show & Family Day - 27 Oct, 9am, Jamberoo

Men’s Catch Up - 30 Oct, 6pm, Cin Cin Wine Bar The Kazador Kiama Season - 31 Oct - 24 Nov, full program online

Zonta Remembrance Ceremony - 25 Nov, 6.30pm, Coronation Park

Meet at The AIR KISS tent at 6.30pm with your lantern and parade through the KISS Festival village to the Lantern canopy and disco under the light of your own designs. Don't forget to make your lantern as well, stop by the AIR Kiss Tent on Saturday 26 October between 12.30 and 6.30pm or on Sunday between 116pm.

Do you have an upcoming event you’d like to advertise?

Send the details to brooke@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

The Bugle (kiama)

1 A popular Australian band is 5 Seconds of which season?

2 In what part of your body is your ‘funny bone’?

3 Which is the only planet not named after a god?

4 What is the main ingredient in chocolate?

5 Which type of dog runs the fastest?

FUN FACTS

1 The highest mountain discovered, Olympus Mons, is on Mars

2 A light year is the distance covered by light in a year

3 No matter where we are, we always see the same side of the moon

4 Our closest galaxy is the Andromeda galaxy

5 Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are terrestrial planets while Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are gas planets

Junior crossword

Solve all the clues and an eight-letter word will be spelled out.

6 What is the name of the fth book in the Harry Potter book series?

KIDS’ QUIZ

7 In cricket, a duck equals how many runs?

8 Which character does Zendaya (pictured) play in the Spider-Man lms?

9 What is the longest wall on Earth?

10 Which is heavier, silver or gold?

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Can you nd ve di erences between these two images?

WORD FIND

Can you nd all of the words listed below? The leftover letters will spell out a secret message.

1 Water barriers around castles

2 Rudolph’s owner

3 Mickey Mouse’s friend

4 Mushrooms and toadstools 5 Sleeps outdoors in a tent 6 Jewish religious leader 7 Someone who performs in plays 8 Lady

Secret message: Nations of the Earth

Type of boat used in rowing competition (5)

Amounts (10)

Flower tea (9)

6

8 LETTERS ALLERGIC AROMATIC VENERATE VETERANS

7

GIRDERS INGRAIN PATTERN VERSING

PUZZLES AND PAGINATION

tions. The saddles were the biggest obstacle in making this business successful. The original design, unchanged since the days of Genghis Khan, were made of wood with a small amount of padding and large metal ornamental medallions that chafed the rider. The sort of thing one would expect in the Spanish Inquisition. After the first days riding my legs were black and blue. Any delusions I had of being a tough outback woman vanished.

Pink Paddling

Veronica Bardsley

TColeridge’s poem was ringing in my ears as we approached the ancient city of Xanadu, which now lies in ruins apart from its walls. It was deserted in 1430. Our destination lay two days away, north of the Gobi Desert.

The herding nomads were struggling to survive on the steppes because of climate change and the encroaching sands. We had volunteered to help a family set up a pony trek operation so tourists from the west could explore the world of the nomads. This would help subsidise the family.

2008 was way before the concept of glamping arrived so we were starting from scratch, using two Gers (portable, round tents covered and insulated with skins or felt) and our destination was a very small Russian built shelter that housed Grandparents, parents and four young children that were being home schooled.

What struck us first was the scarcity of water that was fetched daily from a well by the children. On the journey from Ulaan Batar we noticed that vodka was way more plentiful than water. Drinking water only came in a bottle. In one stopover I resorted to cleaning my teeth in vodka!

We were each given a small (500ml) tin of water to wash in per day. Standing in a plastic laundry tub we poured the water over our heads and washed our clothes in the dirty water left in the tub. For a ‘clean freak’ like me it was a shock to the system. There was not a skerrick of comfort anywhere…hard beds, hard stools,

So much travel today is focused on food…but not here! That is unless you like boiled meat (no seasoning or salt and pepper). Vegetables sometimes made an appearance as a green pea or fragment of carrot. The highlight of our trip was when this family decided to hold a special dinner in our honour and celebrated by killing one of their goats (a very precious commodity).

Neighbours were invited to join in and while the men did the slaughtering and skinning the women prepared the meal. There was not one skerrick of that animal that wasn’t used. The best cuts were roasted for the celebration and served with their best vodka and beer. The meat was eaten from one big central platter using only a knife. I must admit it was beautifully succulent.

The group sang songs of past glories and mournful songs of loss. The vodka was drunk from a common bowl handed around to all. We were all made feel at one. The Mongolians are a gentle Buddhist people, nothing like their ancestors who marauded through Asia and Europe.

I was surprised to find that Genghis Kahn is still spoken of very often and his face and name appears on the labels of almost everything from soap, vodka, fuel, food stuff, cars and general business products. It is as if he only passed away last week.

After two weeks we had to move on, however we kept in contact with Mendee even up until now. His pony treks were so successful that two of his three kids have graduated from universities in America and his family now do their own traveling overseas. When we got home we

owards the end of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 300 breast cancer survivors and supporters from around Australia and New Zealand will descend on Hobart for this year’s Pink Paddle Power Regatta. This dragon boating event is organised by Dragons Abreast Australia and the local team, Dragons Abreast Hobart.

Dragon boating may be a surprising fighter against Breast Cancer, but evidence supports its healing benefits. It used to be widely believed that women treated for breast cancer should avoid rigorous upper body exercise for fear of developing lymphoedema, a debilitating and chronic side effect of treatment. Dr Don McKenzie, a professor in the Department of Sports Medicine (Canada), challenged this theory in 1996.

Dr McKenzie started with 24 female breast cancer volunteers ranging in age from 32 to 64. Dragon boating was chosen due to its strenuous and repetitive movements on the upper body. For three months, he taught and trained them in dragon boating, and at the end, none had lymphoedema.

The women involved reported feeling fitter, healthier, and happier, finding a sense of regaining control over their lives. They realised the impact this could have for many survivors and kept paddling, naming their team ‘Abreast in a Boat’ and inviting others to join.

Dragons Abreast Australia (DAA) was born in 1998. Through the hard work and drive of Michelle Hanton (OAM), a breast cancer survivor herself, ‘Pink Paddling’ be-

The Kiama Community Garden experience

The Kiama Community Garden was born 14 years ago through a community coming together to plan and manage a neighbourhood garden.

gan, and the organisation now has more than 1,100 members from around the country in 29 DAA group clubs and celebrated 25 years of advocacy in 2023. Annie Boulton, a member of DA Illawarra, was diagnosed with breast cancer just after she celebrated her 50th birthday. Like many diagnosed, she felt the heavy weight of such a life-changing diagnosis. After numerous rounds of chemotherapy and surgery, she retired early and moved to Kiama for a change of scenery.

Annie found support and friendship through the Illa-

In October 2010, the first plantings were made, and the original plan was laid out for the garden which continues today. The garden offers communal space where people can grow their own fruits, vege-

warra Breast Cancer Support Group, which led her to meet three of the founding members of Dragons Abreast Illawarra—Helen Bent, Catherine Holland, and Lesley Gal.

Initially hesitant to join the dragon boating team, Annie said, “I told them that I was Irish, and we are not known to like swimming/water sports. I preferred land-based exercise.” The women persisted, and eventually, in October 2013, Annie relented, taking her first paddles on the water. “Since then, I haven’t looked back, and I cherish my time at the club

tables and herbs. The garden aims to promote Sustainable living by encouraging organic and sustainable gardening practices. It also provides a space for social interaction. The garden has successfully built a strong sense of community by bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds. The educational programmes offer workshops and lectures on gardening skills, sustainability and healthy living.

The community garden does not have individually managed beds, instead, the gar-

and wherever it takes me.”

In addition to being a paddler, Annie has become a sweep (steering the boat), a coach, and has paddled competitively and socially all over the world. “I have paddled 200m races to marathons. 26 miles up the Thames River, 55 km on the Ord River, 44 km on the Derwent, and 33 km on the Venice canals and around the Venetian islands.”

Annie is thrilled to be the sole representative for the DA Illawarra in the upcoming ‘Pink Paddle Power Regatta’ in Hobart this year from October 25-27, run by Dragons Abreast Australia, connecting pink paddlers from all around Australia and New Zealand.

Reflecting on her fight against Breast Cancer, Annie now focuses on enjoying what she has rather than what she doesn’t have, appreciating the family and friends that show love and support, not looking too far ahead while planning opportunities to paddle PINK around the country and the world, and continuing to help other breast cancer survivors through her work with Dragons Abreast Australia.

Illawarra Dragons Abreast currently has 35 members and trains at 8:15 am on Saturdays and Sundays, and at 5:00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays alongside the Illawarra Dragon Boating Club at The Rowing Club in Warrawong. A ‘Pink Paddle’ is held on the first Saturday of every month, with the next one taking place on Saturday, 2nd November. If you’re interested in joining, you can contact Annie on 0434 563 095. ▶DAA is a not-for-profit. If you would like to donate or join a team, you can visit Dragons Abreast Australia.

den is looked after as a whole, meaning everyone pitches in to care for the plantings. Turn up on Saturday and Wednesday mornings and Monday afternoons and you will find yourself doing a variety of tasks; watering, planting, weeding, mulching, pruning and of course the ubiquitous weeding. All members share the work and share the fruits of their labour.

▶The Kiama Community Garden is located in Havilah Place, opposite the Kiama Leisure Centre.

Trish Griffin

Melbourne PPP paddle on the YARRA 2022. (Source: Annie Bouton)

In Xanadu did Kubla Khan…

Trish Griffin

Jamberoo Car Show: Drive into the past for a good cause

Lleyton Hughes

The annual Jamberoo Car Show is set to take place on October 27, featuring a BBQ, a petting zoo, live music, a sculptor, ight simulators, trucks, stationary engines, a tea room—and most importantly, lots and lots of cars.

David Wiggins, one of the event’s founders and a member of the Jamberoo Valley Classic Vehicles Club, expects more than 500 unique cars to be on display.

“Last year, we had over 580 cars. This year, we’ll showcase original vintage and veteran vehicles. The Australian Motorlife Museum will bring 20 vintage cars dating back to the 1920s, alongside modified cars and hot rods. A hot rod club is set to contribute 25 vehicles, and we’ll also have a group of GT Falcons joining us,” says Wiggins.

Wiggins’s passion for cars was ignited by his father, and he treasures the stories and memories tied to old vehicles. He believes events like the Jamberoo Car Show offer a unique opportunity for people to share their automotive tales.

“There’s always someone who comes along and looks at your old car and wants to tell you a story about their first date or their first driving experience or something like that. And I think it is something we’ve lost with the modern cars - they’re just a mode of transport now and they don’t hold the same fascination and memories like they used to,” says Wiggins.

As the owner of a mechanic shop specialising in vehicle restoration and preservation, Wiggins collaborated with local enthusiasts to launch the car show and the club.

“One day, a lady from the red cross asked me if I’d be able to organise a couple of cars to put in the park one day for a function. After we did that I got talking to Bruce Grant from the fire brigade and Jackie and Jason Hall and we thought up the idea to have a car show with a BBQ - and it grew from

there,” says Wiggins. Wiggins stated that he thought it was very important to support the Jamberoo Rural Fire Brigade as they are such an important part of the community, especially for Jamberoo.

“We’ve managed to find a way to support the local fire brigade and they are essential,

especially in our isolated area. And I’ve found a way to use my passion to give them a bit of funding and make a difference for them,” says Wiggins.

On top of that, this year the Youth Hall Committee will be setting up a tea room for people that want a break from the sun and other activities. There

are also plenty of fun activities for kids as well. Tickets for the event are only $5 each, and $10 for a whole family.

Wiggins stresses that the success of the show relies on a dedicated team. “We have a committee of six hardworking individuals organising everything. I couldn’t do this

Kwithout their support and the help of the car club and the fire brigade,” he adds. The Jamberoo Car Show promises to be filled to the brim with stunning classic cars, nostalgic memories, activities, food, and art—all while supporting a great cause. Don’t miss it!

Kiki and Pascal Unmasked: The Kazador Experience Returns to Kiama

iama locals know Kiki and Pascal as a cheeky and hilarious duo, but who are the people behind the characters? Meet Tamara Campbell and Dave Evans, the creative force behind “The Kazador Experience,” returning to Kiama from October 31 to November 24.

With a range of performances from kids’ shows to magic, burlesque, and comedy, they’re bringing the arts directly to the community.

Starting their careers in Europe’s bustling festival circuit, Tamara and Dave faced a much quieter scene when they moved to Australia.

“When we came here, there’s a lot less work… so we decided fairly quickly that we should create our own company,” Dave explained. Rather than wait for opportunities, the duo embraced the freedom of producing their own shows and festivals, allowing them to create without compromising artistically.

Tamara reflects on their passion for bringing the arts to smaller towns like Kiama.

“That’s what the Kazador is… bringing high-quality arts and culture to a small place, so people don’t have to travel.” She dismisses the notion that the arts are elitist, believing instead that art can unite communities in the same way sport does.

One of their key community initiatives is the “Friday Wine Downs”—free performances outside the Kazador Tent.

These gatherings have grown into lively community events, where locals can relax, social-

ise, and enjoy live entertainment in an informal setting.

“It wasn’t like a concert where people had to sit and listen… It was just the community hanging out in a lovely location,” Dave said. This year,

they’ll continue with both Friday and Sunday Wine Downs as part of the Kazador Experience. Their mobile Kazador tent is a space where local talent can perform without the need to travel to the city. “We don’t have a theatre here in Kiama, or many dedicated music venues,” said Dave. The Kazador Experience provides a platform for local artists while offering audiences an exciting cultural experience right at their doorstep.

Tamara and Dave have built their careers on self-creation, noting that in Europe, performers are celebrated regardless of their fame. “In Germany, they celebrate the ‘kleine Künstler’—the little artist— just as much as anyone on TV,”

Tamara said, contrasting that with the fame-driven culture in Australia. She hopes their work will encourage more people to embrace the arts. This season, Kiki will undergo her final evolution in a show called The De-masking of Kiki, where Tamara will transition from her beloved character into herself, sharing her personal story on stage. To support local arts and experience the magic of The Kazador Experience, buy your tickets now. Tamara reminds us, “It’s a great thing. If it’s not supported, it won’t keep happening.” ▶For a full lineup and tickets, visit The Kazador Experience. - for the full version of article see the Bugle app online.

Veronica Bardsley

2023 Jamberoo Car Show.

(Source: David Wiggins)

Source: Brian Scott

Kiama Triathlon: A river of success

Lleyton Hughes

The rst Kiama Triathlon, hosted by Elite Energy on October 13, was a huge success, drawing hundreds of competitors and visitors to the area.

The event saw 458 athletes tackle the standard and sprint events, bringing a crowd of visitors to the area to watch the competition, providing a significant boost to local businesses and amenities.

“There would have been around 800 out of towners if you include partners. So, the event finished around 10 and I’m betting there’s a good chance people were looking for coffee, breakfast or lunch afterward,” says Kiama Triathlon Club Vice President Geoff Besnard.

23 members of the Kiama Triathlon Club (KTC) competed and many of those earned themselves a place on the podium. Other than competing, members of KTC and the local Kiama Run Club volunteered to ensure the event ran smoothly.

Besnard says the feedback has all been positive, both locals and competitors praising the event. The biggest hit of the day? The swim leg in the pristine Minnamurra River.

“I’m yet to hear any negative feedback,” says Besnard. “Bike course worked very

well. Due to the restricted traffic - no one complained about issues with cars. That river is the best place to swim, everybody raved about it. It’s crystal clear and the tide was helping everyone - so everyone was quite pleased.”

Besnard says that he is hopeful the overwhelmingly positive feedback signals that the event could become an annual fixture for Kiama.

“I suspect it will be back. I think it was enough of a success and the locals seemed to embrace it. People I’ve been talking to have said that everywhere they went there were people hanging over fences watching,” says Besnard.

“There is nothing to suggest, as long as Council are on board, that it wouldn’t become an annual event going forward.”

The Kiama Triathlon Club expressed their gratitude via Facebook, stating, “A big thanks to both KTC and Kiama Run Club members who volunteered to ensure the event ran seamlessly.”

They also acknowledged the support from local residents in Minnamurra and Kiama Downs, many of whom set up outside their homes to cheer on the athletes.

Special recognition was given to a group of innovative young boys who organised a home bake sale, with hopes that they made some worthwhile pocket money!

16-Year-Old Kyah Shipley to represent NSW Country in Surf Life Saving

Lleyton Hughes

You may recognise her from behind the counter at Foodworks Kiama Downs on a Sunday afternoon, but 16-year-old Kyah Shipley is also a budding Surf Life Saving champion.

From January 4 - 6, Kyah will be heading to New Zealand for the 2025 Surf Life Saving Trans-Tasman Tri Series.

Kyah is one of two girls from the South Coast region who have been chosen to be a part of the NSW Country team. Shipley currently competes for the Warilla Barrack Point Surf Club, but she began her career at Kiama Downs Surf Club.

“We moved to Kiama Downs from Penrith and she started when she was five at Kiama Downs Surf Club. She’s been doing it for 12 years,” says

Kyah’s mother, Casey Shipley.

As the years went by, Kyah realised she had the skills and talent to take her further in the sport of surf life saving, and because there was more competition available at the Warilla Barrack Point Surf Club, they made the decision to switch.

“We loved Kiama Downs; it was a beautiful start for her, but a lot of the girls in her age group dropped out as she got older. She wanted to be more competitive, and that’s what Warilla offered her,” says Casey.

“I came here really just because it has a more competitive community, and it pushed me to where I am today,” says Kyah.

Casey explains that an average week of training for Kyah includes two hours each morning — apart from Sundays and Fridays when she’s at Foodworks — either swimming or the gym, followed by

afternoon sessions focused on surf skills and an iron session on Saturdays.

“The amount of training she does is crazy,” says Casey. “She’s just very disciplined and passionate about it, and we’re all really proud of her. She deserves all the achievements she is getting.”

Her long time surf coach Kirk Allen adds, “She is going well at training, she is obviously happy with her selection and we are really looking forward to seeing how she goes this season.”

Some of her achievements include winning gold at the 2024 Australian Championships.

Casey believes Kyah dedicates so much time to the sport simply because she loves it.

“She loves being in the water. She loves the waves and she loves the people—her coaches, the other girls. She’s always

smiling and just having the best time,” says Casey.

Kyah herself says she is extremely excited for the opportunity to go to New Zealand and represent NSW Country.

“You don’t really get these opportunities, and because I’ve been chosen, it puts it into perspective that I have a chance in this sport, and I’m really excited and keen,” says Kyah. “I hope to inspire other young girls to take up the sport too.”

Kyah’s journey is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and with the right support, she hopes to make a significant mark in the world of surf life-saving.

For those interested in helping Kyah reach her goals, consider visiting her GoFundMe page or reaching out for sponsorship opportunities at kyahshipley@gmail.com.

Gerroa’s Surfing Champion Sally Fitzgibbons Wins EDP Ericeira Pro in Portugal

(Source: WSL)

Lleyton Hughes

Gerroa’s Sally Fitzgibbons won the EDP Ericeira Pro in Portugal on October 6 against 13-year-old Tya Zebrowski from France.

The 33-year-old Gerroa surfer won the final against Zebrowski with a combined score of 13.60 against Zebrowski’s 10.80.

“I knew she had a good

score, but it kind of came as a surprise that I got the win. I’m so happy. This new generation coming through is fierce in freesurfs, and it gives you more drive to beat them when you get them in a heat,” Fitzgibbons said.

In 2023, Fitzgibbons dropped out of the World Surf League (WSL) top ten, was cut from the Championship Tour (CT), and was forced to compete in the Challenger Series.

With this recent victory, she

now tops the Challenger Series leaderboard and qualifies for her 14th CT season.

Fitzgibbons shared her excitement with WSL about her return to the tour.

“It’s mixed emotions; this year is so long. But when you put it into perspective, these women are incredibly talented, and it’s so hard to win a heat.”

“It’s such an honour to be in this position, competing at such a high level as we move into 2024. I have so many

goals—I want to improve my performances at the tour locations, which feature some of the best waves in the world. That really excites me,” Fitzgibbons said.

She also gave a special mention to the support from her hometown in Gerroa.

“The support from everyone back home means so much to me. I aim to show up and give my best, and if that means I head back on tour, then everyone has contributed to that.”

Sally Fitzgibbons after her win in Portugal.

Lleyton Hughes

Ted Beedles was 45 years old when he began umpiring netball down at Gainsborough. The year was 1999, but the origin story of Ted’s umpiring career began a year earlier when he was watching his two daughters play on a Saturday.

“The lady who was the coach of the team that my older daughter was in said to me, ‘Umpire!’ And I replied, ‘Yeah, okay I’ll have a go.’”

Ted had tried his hand at umpiring and refereeing cricket and touch football—sports he had played before, which meant he was somewhat familiar with the rules. He states he was always a better umpire/ referee than player.

But he learned the rules of netball and passed the exam, beginning to umpire every week in 1999 with an instructor behind him, correcting him whenever he made a mistake.

“I had Terry Moran running behind me blowing her whistle and telling me I had missed some sort of error, contact, obstruction or whatever it was I missed. I slowly started to pick things up and gained a bit more confidence. I would start hearing good things from Terry rather than the criticisms,” says Ted.

One month and two days before he turned 50, Ted was

awarded his C Badge in netball umpiring, which allowed him to umpire more games, teach younger umpires, and demonstrate his experience to coaches and spectators.

Ted then became even more involved with netball through the administrative side. He started as registrar and then became umpires convenor for Gainsborough. After this, he served as umpires convenor for Kiama Netball Association for nine years.

“Umpires convenor entails things like organising the umpire’s exam—a paper exam twice a year—which involves coordinating people to come in and take the test. You’d also organise umpires to go to different carnivals throughout the year— all the state titles,” says Ted.

But Ted’s passion is for umpiring; he simply can’t get enough of it. He finds it hard to describe the feeling he experiences when running back and forth on the court, but he knows he loves it.

“I don’t know how to put it into words, I just love being involved. I’m playing netball each week, but I’m playing the umpire position—not wing defence, or wing attack or centre—I’m umpire. But I’m playing,” says Ted.

The difficult side of umpiring is that umpires are only human and can only call what they see, which means they may make mistakes. He cites a moment from his training as a great example of this.

Blowing the Whistle: The Inspiring Journey of 71-Year-Old Netball Umpire Ted Beedles

Source: Brian Scott

“One of the senior umpires came down with a video of her umpiring a game. The video was taken from the opposite side of

the court from where she was. In the video, there was an incident where she called a contact,” says Ted. “From the video, we knew

she was wrong. But she said, ‘The view on my side looked like it was the other way,’ and she only knew she was wrong from watching the video. So, where you are makes a difference to how you see what happened.”

So, umpires do unfortunately receive unfair criticism from players and spectators. Although Ted says he is old enough to not let it affect him, he believes it can discourage bright and talented umpires from continuing.

“It’s very frustrating for me because we have a lot of good competent umpires, and especially the young ones; once they have a bad experience with a team, we lose them,” says Ted.

He believes a good umpire is consistent with their calls. He recalls a game where he was forced to umpire a grand final between Gainsborough and another club, despite the potential for a conflict of interest.

“We usually try to avoid that, but that day we didn’t have enough adequate umpires available, so I had to. The other coach said after the game that she didn’t always agree with my decisions, but she felt that I was consistent. I think that is the best feedback an umpire can get,” says Ted.

The best games to umpire are the ones that flow continuously. This is when Ted feels most in tune with the game— when both umpires and players work together to create a seam-

less and beautiful flow. Ted has many highlights in his long umpiring career, including grand finals and state championship games. However, he remembers one particular game he umpired with his daughter as one of his best experiences.

“The day before my 64th birthday, I umpired a game between Central and Beachettes. The umpire on the other side of the court was my daughter Annette. At a normal game here in Kiama, if the two teams between them score 80 goals—that’s a reasonable game. We umpired that game and at the end of it, it was a draw 64-64, which was funny because I turned 64 the next day,” says Ted.

“And that was a fantastic game because it flowed, and I was confident enough to call the advantages and let the game keep going, instead of stopping for penalties. If I can see a game that flows, and I’m helping that, then that really pleases me.”

In addition to his enjoyment of the game, Ted emphasises that the friendships he has formed with both young and old—whether they are players, umpires, coaches, or administrators—have been invaluable.

In 2024, Ted unfortunately broke his rib and was unable to umpire for part of the year. However, he maintains that he will be back and ready to go for the next season, hoping to inspire more men to get involved in the great sport of netball!

New monthly social tennis event at Kiama Tennis Club

Kiama Tennis Club will introduce a new monthly social tennis event on the rst Friday of each month from 6 to 9 pm during November.

The club aims to attract new members, keep tennis exciting, and provide an opportunity for players to improve their skills.

“It’s open to members and visitors who want to come down and play. People can bring their own drinks, and we’ll provide snacks for the evening. We’ve arranged for several of our division one and two players to join, so attendees can enhance their skills,” says Kiama Tennis Club President David Lehman.

Members will pay a $2 ball fee, while visitors will be charged $10. Lehman hopes that events like this will energise the sport of tennis in the local area, especially in light of the growing popularity of similar sports like pickleball.

The first Friday night social event will take place on November 1.

In addition to the new social event, the Kiama Tennis Club will also host the 2024 Kiama Seniors Tournament from November 8 to 10.

This tournament is for players over the age of 30, and November 1 is also the closing date to enter.

▶Interested participants can email david.lehman@ kiamatennis.org.au to apply.

Sails Bistro Open 7 days Lunch 11.30am 3pm Dinner from 5pm Two Children’s Play Areas

Kiama’s Ali Day Secures Tenth Coolangatta Gold Ironman Title

Lleyton Hughes

On October 13, Kiama’s Ali Day won his tenth Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold Ironman, maintaining his unbeaten record at the event.

The gruelling 41.8km event includes a 23 km ski, a 1 km run, 3.5 km swim, 6.1 km board and an 8.2 km run and Day has raced the event ten times for ten wins.

The 34-year-old father of two won the race with a time of 3:59:31 and declared that it will be his last ever race of the event. In a media release from Surf Life Saving Australia, Day stated, “It takes a village to get me here, and as much as I’d love to come back next year, it’s someone else’s turn to win. I hope there’s a kid out there now watching me who can say they’ll do the race next year. But that definitely won’t be me—10 and done.”

While Day expressed pride

PEARL NOIRE IN LOUNGE 12 4PM

in his victory, he emphasised his commitment to the sport: “Winning is one thing, but showing up year after year, regardless of the conditions or competition, is what I’m most proud of. I’ve challenged myself mentally every time, and that means so much.”

Reflecting on his journey, Day recalled, “I came here in 2007 for the old course with my brother for a team event and thought, ‘How does one person do the full race?’ I struggled to complete 23 km as a 16-year-old,

jumping off my ski three times because my butt fell asleep. I returned in U19s and failed miserably, telling myself I’d never do it again. And here I am now.” Day is originally from Kiama, and began at Warilla Barrack Point Surf Life Saving Club at the age of 9. On top of his 10 Coolangatta Gold titles, Day is also a five time Iron series champion. The Bugle congratulates Day on adding another spectacular achievement to his ever growing list.

MONDAY

BINGO Kiama Kash Prizes

TUESDAY

CASH TRIVIA Free to play

WEDNESDAY

MEMBERS CASH 3-Draws(

THURSDAY

BINGO Kiama Kash Prizes

POKER $1000 Game 6pm Entry $25

FRIDAY

POKER $1000 Game 7pm Entry $25

VOUCHER RAFFLE

CEDAR CUTTERS BAR LIVE MUSIC

SATURDAY

LIVE MUSIC

SUNDAY

MEAT & MORE RAFFLE

LIVE MUSIC

Kiama’s Ali Day with the winner of the Female Event Jemma Smith. (Source: Surf Life Saving Australia)

Lleyton Hughes

(Source: Kiama Tennis Club Facebook)

SPORTS SHOTS

by Brian Scott

SPORTS SHOTS

by Brian Scott

UNDER 14 MIXED TRY BABIES vs ACTIVE TIGERS

UNDER 14 MIXED OZTAG PINK PANTHERS vs COASTAL WARRIORS

UNDER 12 MIXED UNTAGGABLES vs FLAM-INGOES

The Daisy Spring Festival - 2024!

Veronica Bardsley

Daisy has a fresh new coat in celebration of The Daisy Spring Festival! The festival which took place from October 4th till the 9th showcased our wonderful local artists and everyone was invited to take part in the creativity.

Michelle Springett, from Expressive art experience, thought up the moo-velous idea for the Spring school holidays. 50 pieces of art were displayed by 40 different artists from all ages, all with a cow theme in honour of Daisy.

In addition to the artwork displayed, the festival offered ‘drop in art days’ where people of all ages were able to let their creative juices flow with painting and drawing.

Michelle Springett said “We also offered drop in art days where young and old came and painted. Comments from people coming into the Old Fire Station were amazing, they loved the theme of cows, and many stayed for a long time to cast their vote (for people's choice award) and some painted cows too. All ages loved

stopping for a while, painting, participating in voting and doing something in their day that was quite unexpected.”

1,148 votes were casted for The People's Choice Award, and there was a clear winner. Congratulations to Isla Downes, 15 years old, for her colourful artwork ‘Boris’, receiving 16% of the overall votes.

There were age categories for kids, teens and adults and awards for outstanding work were given in each category. In the 8-12 years category, Chloe Duren was awarded. 13-18 years, Isla Downes and 18+years was awarded to Karen Crea. Congratulations to all. Make sure to stop by The Old Fire House and see Daisy's new look, painted by one of our talented local artists, Tiffany Springett, Michelle's Daughter!

Michelle would love to host this event again next spring holidays, "With lots of visitors in town, it was a lovely event to host in the school holidays and I look forward to finding sponsorship so we can do it again next Spring", Michelle said.

One thing for sure, all our local talent will have you saying Holy Cow!

Winner Teens division Isla Downs (R) with Michelle Springett who presented the awards.

Pearl from Pines Dairy

Two generations painting together.

Winner Adult division Karen Crea (L).

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10.20 Kitchen Cabinet. 10.50 News. 11.05 The Business. 11.25 Four Corners. 12.10 Q+A. 1.10 Media Watch. 1.30 Grand Designs. 2.15 Love Your Garden. 3.05 Rage. 3.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. 1.50 Brush With Fame. 2.20 Space 22. 3.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. 3.25 Love Your Garden. 4.15 Grand Designs. 5.00 Antiques Roadshow. 6.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. 6.30 Hard Quiz. 7.00 News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Hard Quiz. 8.30 Question Everything. 9.05 Fisk. 9.30 Planet America. 10.05 Spicks And Specks. 10.35 News. 10.50 The Business. 11.10 In Limbo. 12.05 Grand Designs. 12.55 Killing Eve. 1.40 Love Your Garden. 2.25 Rage. 3.30 Catalyst. 4.30 Gardening Australia. 5.30 7.30.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.20 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Animals. 10.10 Home Is Where The Art Is. 11.05 Icons. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Have I Got News For You U.S. 3.00 The Weekly Football Wrap. 3.40 The Cook Up. 4.10 Luke Nguyen’s India. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. 6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 News. 7.30 Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey. 8.30 Stopping The Steal. 10.05 SBS News. 10.35 Babylon Berlin. 11.25 Babylon Berlin. 12.25 Don’t Leave Me. 1.20 Don’t Leave Me. 2.30 Australia Uncovered: Our African Roots. 3.30 Late Programs.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.15 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Animals. 10.10 Home Is Where The Art Is. 11.00 Icons. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces. 2.50 Scotland: Escape To The Wilderness. 3.40 The Cook Up. 4.10 Luke Nguyen’s India. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. 6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 News. 7.35 Portillo’s Andalucia. 8.25 History’s Greatest Mysteries. 9.20 The Old Man. 10.30 SBS News. 11.00 Carmen Curlers. 12.05 Carmen Curlers. 1.15 Romulus. 2.15 Romulus. 3.15 Paddington Station 24/7. 4.05 Peer To Peer. 4.35 Late Programs.

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs: India. 9.30 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs: India. 10.00 Home Is Where The Art Is. 10.55 Vienna: Empire, Dynasty And Dream. 12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces. 2.50 Scotland: Escape To The Wilderness. 3.40 The Cook Up. 4.10 Luke Nguyen’s India. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. 6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 News. 7.30 Going Places. 8.30 National Parks From Above. 9.25 Paris Has Fallen. 10.20 SBS News. 10.50 Fallen. 11.40 Fallen. 12.35 Germinal. 1.35 Late Programs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 11.30 News. 12.00 To Be Advised. 1.40 Border Security: Int. (PG) 2.10 Catch Phrase. (PG) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 News. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 7News Local. 6.30 7News @ 6:30. 7.00 Home And Away. 7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PG) 9.05 Alert: Missing Persons Unit. 10.05 Behind Behani. 11.05 The Latest: Seven News. 11.35 Chicago Fire. (MA15+) 12.35 Your Money & Your Life. (PG) 1.05 Travel Oz. (PG) 2.00 Shopping. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 11.30 News. 12.00 To Be Advised. 1.35 Border Security: Int. 2.05 Catch Phrase. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 News. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 7News Local. 6.30 7News @ 6:30. 7.00 Home And Away. 7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PG) 8.30 Lawrence Mooney: Embracing Your Limitations. 10.00 Australia: Now And Then. (M) 11.00 The Latest: Seven News. 11.30 Chicago Fire. (M) 12.30 Stan Lee’s Lucky Man. 1.30 Harry’s Practice. 2.00 Shopping. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 11.30 News. 12.00 MOVIE: Deadly Rideshare. (2020) 2.00 Your Money & Your Life. 2.30 Border Security: International. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 News. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 7News Local. 6.30 News. 7.00 Home And Away. 7.30 Highway Patrol. 8.30 Australia’s Most Dangerous Prisoners. 9.30 Ron Iddles: The Good Cop. (M) 10.35 The Latest: Seven News. 11.05 What The Killer Did Next. (M) 12.05 Magnum P.I. 2.00 Shopping. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise 5am News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Block. 1.00 To Be Advised. 2.00 Pointless. 3.00 Tipping Point. 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. 5.30 News. 6.00 9News.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Block. 1.00 To Be Advised. 2.00 Pointless. 3.00 Tipping Point. 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. 5.30 News. 6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current A air. 7.30 The Block. (PG) 8.40 Listing Melbourne. (M) 9.55 Britain’s

50 Years On: Kiama High Alumni Reunite

Anne O’Sullivan

Half a century may have flown by, but last Saturday, October 12th, 60 former Kiama High School students reunited in what, for some, was once their old primary school classroom at The Sebel. It felt as though we were transported back 50 years! While our appearances may have changed slightly (!), our friendships hadn’t. We picked up right where we left off all those years ago. The old ex classroom was filled with lively chatter and laughter as we reminisced and caught up on each other’s lives. Just like in the old days, we danced as we had in the school gym, even forming the ritual conga line when “Running Bear” played. Who said we were old?

postcard home

Lynne Strong

Could iconic roundabout statues reflect our town’s character? A thought from Andorra

In Andorra, roundabouts are adorned with striking sculptures that not only catch the eye but also celebrate the local culture. These artistic installations bring a sense of identity and pride to their towns and serve as landmarks for visitors. It got me thinking: could we do something similar in Kiama? At our main roundabout on Terralong street we do have our memorial arch to the side which is iconic and widely celebrated as a Kiama landmark and the fabulous seasonal garden plantings. While it’s not something I have seen in Australia, placing iconic statues on our roundabouts could be a wonderful way to showcase our unique heritage. Imagine a sculpture

of a cow, paying homage to our rich dairy history. It would reflect the importance of agriculture to our community and stand as a proud symbol of our past and present.

These installations could also offer a great point of interest for tourists, giving them an extra reason to stop and explore. Much like in Andorra, where the sculptures depict aspects of local life – from sport to wildlife – we could celebrate our own story through art.

Roundabout sculptures could be designed in collaboration with local artists, ensuring the pieces are not only beautiful but also meaningful to the community. From historical figures to natural elements, these statues would enhance the visual appeal of our town

while fostering a deeper sense of connection to our roots.

The initiative could become a tourist attraction in itself, making our town more memorable to visitors and creating a talking point that could draw people from everywhere to experience what we have to offer.

There’s also an environmental benefit. Instead of the usual advertising boards, roundabouts would become a space for creativity and reflection, showcasing art that both locals and tourists can appreciate.

While the idea of roundabout statues may be new to Australia, it’s worth considering. It could celebrate our heritage, and create a welcoming landmark for all who pass through. What are your thoughts? Could we follow Andorra’s example and embrace the potential for art to reflect who we are?

Aimee's work is exceptional!

From the first open home right through to the minute I got the keys to the house Aimee was with me every step of the way. Nothing was too big or too small with any request or enquiries. Aimee was always going above and beyond to help in anyway. I trusted Aimee so much in the buying process, I recommended her to friends that were looking to sell. She impressed them so much with her professionalism and manner that they secured her to sell their property.

M Pickard - Purchaser

(L-R) Dianne Parkes, Shona Kirchen, Victoria Roberts and Maxine Morphett.

(L-R) Don Beverly, Russell Oakes, Rodney Weekes and Mick Cook

Cedar on Collins charity event May 2024