The Bugle Newspaper September 9 2023

headspace for kiama youth

Wollongong.

“I’ve seen what a difference headspace can make to the lives of local young people, delivering the centre I promised in the Batemans Bay area in 2020 and seeing the amazing work of headspace Nowra over many years,” she said.

“I am proud to now be delivering this critically important mental health service for young people in Kiama.”

been felt acutely in the Kiama region and I am going to do everything I can to ensure our youth get the support they deserve,” Mrs Phillips said.

Kiama is a step closer to getting its own dedicated headspace to provide youth with mental health and early prevention services in the Kiama LGA.

The Federal Labor Gov-

ernment has made good on its pre-election promise to create a headspace centre in Kiama, with Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips today announcing that the lease has been signed for a

headspace centre at 11/65 Manning Street.

The new headspace is expected to open in early 2024, with site plans for works to be finalised in the coming months.

Fiona Phillips said that young people in Kiama have had a tough few years, and they need adequate support services closer to home. Currently, the closest headspaces are located in Nowra and

Vision for Kiama

Sports Complex Laid Out

Members of the Kiama community and representatives from its various sports clubs gathered at The Pavillion on 6 September to discuss their visions and requests for the soon-to-be upgraded Kiama Sports Complex, AKA Quarry Sportsfield.

Kiama Council held a community feedback session in conjunction with Sala4D, the landscape architecture firm contracted to develop a masterplan for the site, to gain a better understanding of exactly what sports clubs use the facilities for and

what they would like to see. It’s important to note that the Kiama Leisure Centre is not included.

Before participants could list their dream projects, the first thing that needs to be addressed is the current state of the sports fields.

She added that natural disasters like bushfires, floods and the pandemic have impacted young people disproportionately compared to older people.

“In addition to this our youth face pressure from things like HSC and finding employment for the first time. These pressures have

Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride added: “The mental health of young people has been declining over recent years. Intervention as early as possible can make all the difference for young people who are struggling.

“Making sure support is available close to home is essential. I look forward to seeing this headspace service up and running next year.”

by Brendon Foye

One of the most important upgrades that the represented club requested is better viewing areas for audiences. At the moment, there is a single concrete grandstand relegated to one side of the quarry, giving only a minimal view of what is actually

Pictured in front of the newly leased space in Manning Street - Grand announcement in Manning Street - Adam Phillips, CEO, Grand Pacific Health; Charo Serventy, Manager, Headspace Shellharbour and Kiama; Prudence Buist, CEO, Coordinare; Fiona Phillips MP, Member for Gilmore; Cr Imogen Draisma, Deputy Mayor, Kiama Municipal Council; Cr Stuart Larkins, Kiama Municipal Council.

The debate around wind farms has been stoked once again by the Federal Government’s announced plan to establish an offshore wind zone off the coast of the Illawarra.

The Bugle asked what Kiama thinks now that a wind farm off the Kiama coast could become a reality. As expected, we received strong responses from readers from both camps.

We’ve selected one ‘For’ and one ‘Against’ wind farms. You can read the full list of responses on The Bugle App.

Most of the negative

responses stem from visual amenity, and it’s worth noting the proposed section of the offshore wind zone would be 30 kilometres from the coast, an additional 20 kilometres from the rest of the Illawarra’s coastline.

FOR: Howard H Jones, former Kiama Councillor

"As someone who has fought to protect the environment of Kiama over the past 30 years, I would like to calm the debate on offshore wind farms. I understand the turbines will be floating, so damage to the sea bed will be minimal. As they will be located at least 10 kms

THE MANY ARGUMENTS FOR JERRARA DAM’S REBIRTH

Environmental stakeholders and community groups from the Kiama LGA and surrounding areas gathered at Jerrara Dam on 18 August to workshop how to work with the local government not just to preserve the area, but enhance it.

Spearheaded by the Friends of Jerrara Reserve (the dam hasn’t been used for water supply in decades), the workshop was attended by a number of groups including LandCare Illawarra, WIRES, Illawarra Birders, Illawarra Bird Observers Club, Riding for the Disabled, and the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service, along with professional environmental consultants and individuals who had historical associations with the

was written in 1996, consider future uses for the site, and to consider the rehabilitation of the site to conserve and regeneration indigenous vegetation and associated habitats.

Attendees were quick to offer up the many ways they already use Jerrara, from animal conservation to simple picnics with family and a refuge to get away from the noise of the world.

A representative from Jamberoo Rural Fire Service said the organisation frequently uses Jerrara Dam for training for disaster response, and has assigned the land to set up a mobile hospital should the need ever arise. Jerrara Dam is also an important source of water for

offshore we need modeling to help us understand what the visual impacts might be before we get too excited about how they may look.

As a coastal communi-

birds that have been spotted at the dam, as it’s a critically important layover for migratory birds. The dam has provided a source of native food for birds in WIRES’ care, and has become a favourite release site for birds that have recovered for this reason. Council has also given permission for a wombat rehabilitation compound, and has helped with establishing a wombat enclosure to treat mange.

The dam is also home to native bees and flying foxes - both important pollinators responsible for maintaining floral life in Jamberoo and the surrounding area.

There are also two threatened species that have been discovered onsite, according to LandCare Illawarra: Illawarra Zieria (Zieria granulata) and Illawarra Socket Wood (Daphnandra johnsonii).

Another stakeholder with a unique connection to Jerrara Dam is Riding for the Disabled, a volunteer organisation that provides equine activities for those with disabilities. Riding for the Disabled uses the land

ty, we are vulnerable to climate-related sea level rise and increasingly severe and frequent weather events. So we can play a role in the amelioration of this human generated threat and, provided the visual impacts are within reason, get behind this proposal and be part of the climate change solution."

AGAINST: Mark Way, President Kiama GFC & former Kiama Councillor "Wind farms off Kiama or anywhere in our ocean are a 'no go'! They would of course look terrible and generally speaking be an 'eye sore' and cause major

Dam was a refuge for people to stretch their legs and get some fresh air among nature when they were confined to their homes. It’s also become a place for pet owners to walk their dogs and gives them a change of scenery compared to neighbourhood streets.

Participants made a handful of suggestions for infrastructure improvements they’d like to see. Suggestions included more signage and information showing people which areas they can and can’t access, along with boardwalks to take people to the edge of the wetlands. Another suggestion is an outdoor shelter facility for educational groups or other regeneration purposes.

Given Jerrara Dam is a popular spot for picnics, attendees suggested leaving the gate at the front of the dam open during the day. The gate has been closed since vandals began using the picnic area for burnouts, so this would need to be addressed first, possibly with a security camera or some other deterrent.

By the end of the work-

problems for vessels and marine life. Last time this came up those at the discussion I went to at Pavilion saw overwhelming “thumbs down” for the project. Whales were of major concern to those at the presentation. Unbelievably, the following media article said there was support, a total misrepresentation of facts. No doubt being a Labor Party initiative there will be support from a minority politically aligned. Solar power is the way to go, leave our ocean alone."

Thank you for all the responses. The Bugle will

continue to follow this story and will update our readers when any progress is made.

The Bugle will also be publishing your opinions regularly in different formats, so stay tuned!

Discussing the voice Q & A

During his recent visit to Adelaide, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that a referendum will be held on 14 October for Australians to decide if they want to establish a First Nations' Voice, called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, in the Australian Constitution.

According to a May report by Roy Morgan Research, 14 per cent of people in New South Wales were undecided, with higher numbers in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia.

On 14 September, there will be a Voice Referendum Discussion event in Fairy Meadow featuring Indigenous Lawyer and Uluru Dialogue member Eddie Synot (pictured below). He will present and discuss the importance of establishing this Voice and address any objections raised.

The event will include a Q&A and will be moderated by Dr Diann Rodgers-Healey, who is passionate about empowering youth, women,

and men from all backgrounds in the Illawarra to lead with confidence and achieve impact.

The Fraternity Club on Bourke Street in Fairy Meadow will host the event, which will involve the Youth Council of the Illawarra Centre for Enablement. It is important to note that this message is not generated by an AI-powered assistant. by Steven White You can register here at www.illawarracfe.com.

WHEN: Thursday, 14 September

WHERE: The Fraternity Club, Fairy Meadow in the upstairs auditorium.

COST:

$15 plus a small booking fee – General Registration

$8 plus a small booking fee – Youth & Concession Registration (for youth 1825 years of age. Concession is for anyone needing a discount).

reserve and its management.

The purpose of the workshop was to discuss how the land is currently being used, and what potential uses it has when Kiama Council updates the 27-year-old management plan for the site.

Kiama Council voted on 15 August 2023 to form the Jerrara Dam Working Group, with the goal of reviewing and updating the most recent plan of management that

fire fighters should there be an emergency in Jamberoo or the surrounding area. This became especially important during the bushfires a few years ago, as animals used Jerrara Dam as a refuge to escape the destruction with access to fresh water.

Speaking of wildlife, the diversity of flora and fauna living at Jerrara Dam cannot be understated. There is an estimated 179 species of

next to the dam to graze its horses, and if it wasn’t for this, the organisation would have to hand feed the horses over the summer, costing more time and money than Riding for the Disabled can afford.

It’s also hard to downplay the importance of Jerrara Dam on the mental health of nearby residents. Many attendees said that particularly during COVID, Jerrara

shop, it was clear that Kiama LGA residents have a deep passion for Jerrara Dam and its conservation and revitalisation. Going forward, the Friends of Jerrara Reserve will use the results of the workshop to form a plan of action, and will continue working with Kiama Council to seek funding for the bevvy of projects that were suggested.

by Brendon Foye

Check out other local views on the app - free to download.

going on. Whether it’s a grandstand or simply better shaded areas, everyone was in agreement that the current viewing areas aren’t anywhere close to being up to snuff.

Prior to the meeting, representatives from netball, Little Athletics, cricket and soccer all agreed that they’d like to work together to build a shared clubhouse between them. The proposed clubhouse would be situated in the middle of the complex with viewing areas on both sides, giving audiences a place to watch activity on every field.

The proposed clubhouse would also have shared storage between the different clubs, preventing them from needing to lug their gear between their cars every time they use the facilities.

Representatives from the Kiama Junior Football Club said they already had plans drawn up for the clubhouse, which would also include upgraded amenities for men and women.

The other main issue is the current state of the grass fields and netball courts. According to participants, the grass fields are easily prone to flooding and the drains that are currently installed

don’t work because they sit higher than the rest of the field. Netball players are often unable to use some of the courts because it’s too difficult to remove the mud that builds up whenever it rains.

Whatever upgrades are actually approved, developers will always face the challenges associated with developing around a former quarry site, given that underneath the turf is a layer of bedrock so it is extremely difficult to construct proper drainage.

One popular solution for the drainage issue is to replace the grass turf with synthetic tracks for athletics and synthetic fields for soccer and netball. A synthetic turf would cost significantly more than a regular grass pitch and still needs to be maintained, but these maintenance costs could be significantly less than the cost to maintain the often-flooded grass fields.

Parking

One of the major challenges for the facility that impacts the entire Kiama LGA is parking and traffic. The facility only has minimal parking, which is further constrained when a large event is held there or

Some of the greatest moments in Australian sporting history belong to women.

Dawn Fraser winning her third successive gold in the 100-metres freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.

Evonne Goolagong-Cawley clinching her second Wimbledon title in 1980, almost a decade after winning for the first time.

place playoff loss to Sweden.

The Bugle is in awe of what the Matildas achieved on the field. Like millions of Australians, we were wowed by Kyra Cooney-Cross’ raw pace, Mackenzie Arnold’s rock-solid defence, and Sam Kerr’s missile-like strikes.

multiple sports codes train at the same time.

There’s also just one exit and entrance to the facility which leads into a roundabout, causing traffic to build up for around 20 minutes when a large number of cars try to enter or exit. Parking will continue to remain a headache, as the restricted space means the options to expand parking are minimal.

What was once a favourite for Kiama’s young population, the Kiama skatepark has been somewhat of a thorn in the side of the rest of the clubs that use the quarry. Those in attendance agreed that the Kiama skatepark, whilst a good idea, was constructed poorly from the beginning, and a more inclusive park in a different location would be more appropriate.

Most agreed the skatepark should be relocated, and one popular suggestion was to replace it with practice wickets for the cricket club. The club needs at least five practice wickets but only has three at the moment. If the skatepark was replaced with cricket nets, it would mean cricket players would be much closer to parking and wouldn’t need to lug all their gear to the corner of the quarry.

Sala4D will take suggestions and feedback from participants and use them to develop a masterplan for the site, though all residents are encouraged to continue submitting their ideas on Kiama Council’s website.

Once finalised, Kiama Council will vote whether to approve the masterplan and put it on exhibition for the public to review. Once approved, Kiama Council and any other stakeholders can use the masterplan to form the basis for their applications to receive State and Federal funding to actually deliver these projects. According to Sala4D, clubs could start applying for grants by midnext year in the best case scenario where there are no holdups to the masterplan's approval.

by Brendon Foye

Cathy Freeman powering along the home straight on her way to Olympic glory at Stadium Australia in 2000. These were all extraordinary moments, and they are all extraordinary athletes.

“Dawnie”, Evonne, and Cathy didn’t just inspire a nation, they inspired the next generation of female runners, tennis players and swimmers.

And so it will be with our Matildas, whose brilliant World Cup run came to an end with an agonising third

The game against France –which went down to the wire on penalties – was a particular highlight.

The Bugle is also in awe of what the Matildas achieved off the field. The response from the Australian public, including our Kiama community, has been quite something. Stadiums have sold out, pubs have been packed, and live sites have been well attended by Tilly fans young and old.

It's been written and said ad nauseam, but there’s no doubt the Matildas’ success will be a gamechanger for women and girls’ sport

across the country.

That’s why it was encouraging to see the Federal Government announce a $200 million investment in women’s sporting facilities and equipment at the grassroots level.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “we want women and girls everywhere in Australia to have the facilities and the support to choose a sport they love”. He's right.

The Bugle hopes some of that investment ends up in Kiama because we have no doubt that somewhere in the crowd at the Hindmarsh Park live site – amid the green and gold flags and picnic blankets – was a future Matilda. Contact us to tell us your favourite Matildas moment, and what women’s sporting initiatives the Government should be looking at in Kiama.

SARAH HUMPHREYS SCROGGIN SOUTHERN CROSS BUSH BAND STONYBROKE THE CON ARTISTS THE FALLEN ROBINS THE WATER RUNNERS TODD COOK TRIBAL JEWELS DANCE CO WE MAVERICKS WIL LINDER

Sue and Shahreen from Sala4D

Kiama Vision - Continued from P1

RED CROSS & ANGLICAN CHURCH COMBINE TO SAVE LIVES

great chance to ask questions and take a break.

With international travel on the agenda for many people, you must check before you book to donate; there may be limitations, especially in countries in Central and South America and Mexico.

The idea of having a needle can make even the toughest squirm, but Monique says it is worth it.

Dear Bugle Readers,

The Australian Red Cross is arriving in town on Tuesday, 12 September, to encourage people to donate blood.

A single blood donation can save up to three lives, with most donations going towards cancer and blood diseases, followed by needs for anaemia, heart, and organ issues.

Monique Field is familiar with Kiama due to frequent business visits, enjoying local cafes and restaurants, and donating blood when the blood bank van is present.

“Giving blood is one of the

most selfless things you can do. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing your small input could make a massive difference between the life and death of someone else.

“Less than 38 per cent of the population is eligible to give blood or platelets (tiny fragments of cells made in bone marrow), so if you’re one of them, consider yourself among the chosen few,”

Donating blood takes around 10 minutes. Afterwards, relax with a complimentary drink and snack while talking to staff. It's a

“You may feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted into your arm, but the process is relatively painless. And when you consider the benefits it provides, the minor discomfort is well worth it.”

The Kiama Mobile Blood Donor Centre will be at the Anglican Church

Tuesday 12 September – 12.30 pm to 7.15 pm

Wednesday 13 September –12.30 pm to 7.15 pm

Thursday 14 September –12.30 pm to 7.15 pm

Friday 15 September – 9.30 am to 4.00 pm by Steven White

I recently attended a morning tea to celebrate the wonderful work of Meals on Wheels.

A huge shout out to all the people that support this great local service and a special mention to Ann Dawes who was there when Kiama Meals on Wheels kicked off 53 years ago.

Parliament will be sitting next week, and the first State Budget of the Minns Labor Government will be delivered the week after.

As always, I will be using the Parliamentary sittings to take up important issues on behalf of our local community.

FIGHTING AGAINST MORE REGIONAL CUTS

Unfortunately, the Premier Chris Minns has once again been caught again

out cutting even more funding to regional NSW. We know about cuts to the Regional Seniors Travel Card, the Active Kids Rebate, the Creative Kids Rebate, the First Lap Voucher, and the Regional Student Travel Card. Now – they’ve cutting regional tourism grants programs that help generate jobs and investment in our community.

The Regional Event Fund identifies and supports events in regional NSW which act as a cornerstone for flagship tourism events by attracting overnight visitation and delivering longterm benefits for regional areas like Kiama.

The NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund is designed to help stakeholders create, attract and support exciting business events for regional NSW and to support new business event initiatives. The Fund aims to enrich these business events with opportunities offered by iconic towns and regions like ours.

Despite the desperate pleas of local small busi-

ness tourism operators who have raised their genuine concerns directly with me as their local MP, the NSW Minns Labor Government have ignored these concerns and cut both of these important funding programs which is a very disappointing outcome for local tourism businesses.

I will be raising these matters in Parliament next week.

NSW SMALL BUSINESS MONTH

NSW Small Business Month is next month. This month was created for small businesses across New South Wales to attend events aligned to their individual business interests.

Coordinated by the NSW Small Business Commission, NSW Small Business Month brings together small businesses with local business chambers, industry associations, other not-for-profits, large businesses, and all levels of government.

It’s an important reminder to shop local and support local jobs, local families, and local businesses.

Have a great week!

Gareth.

FORMER MAYOR STILL WANTS BEST FOR LGA

“Not everyone wants, needs, or can afford a large freestanding home. Half the homes in NSW now have only one or two occupants, and Gerringong, like almost every regional town in NSW, has a shortfall of smaller homes to meet the needs of its changing population.

“Enabling a mix of villas, townhouses and terraces to be built over time would begin to address this problem. Ideally, they would be located within walking distance of the town centre.”

BRIEFS

Anthony Albanese sets Voice referendum date

The Bugle spoke to Neville Fredericks, who served for seven years as Mayor of Kiama from 1974-77 and from 1987-91.

He was also the Director of The Housing Trust from 2007-12. He is widely credited for bringing Council back from the brink of insolvency and contributing to staving off amalgamation with Shoalhaven Council back in the day.

Mr Fredericks has 14 years of experience as a Councillor and received the prestigious Emeritus Mayor Award in 2002. He has made significant contributions to local government, and his impact reaches beyond local politics.

These days Mr Fredericks is a property developer focusing on sustainable futures for towns. He is committed to understanding how the layout of our community impacts the health of its residents.

Two townships in the Kiama Municipality could be described as “walkable, mixed-use, relatively dense, diverse, sustainable towns,” Mr Fredericks told us. “This model of traditional urbanism has a very low carbon footprint per capita.”

Former minnamurra deputy principal charged

Former Minnamurra Public School assistant principal Neil Morrison has been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a victim under the authority of the offender while working at the school more than a decade ago.

He was granted bail in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday 30 August, 2023.

This can reduce per capita greenhouse gas emissions by four tons a year, compared to living in an automobile-dependent suburb. The environmental advantages go well beyond greenhouse gases to address other pollutants, noise, water, land use, and more.

He points out that Gerringong has a population of 4100, and if including Werri Beach and Gerroa the 2001 Census says 5000 people.

“This is an optimum-sized community for a wide range of local commercial services,” he says.

However, from a sustainability perspective, its disadvantage is that Werri Beach and Gerroa are far enough away from the centre of Gerringong that many residents of those areas are car dependent for every need.

“Gerringong is close to the model size but lacks adequate housing diversity - especially near the town centre,” Mr Fredericks says.

Census 2021 shows that 78.8 per cent of Gerringong’s dwellings are freestanding homes. This is high compared to the NSW percentage of free-standing dwellings, which is 65.6 per cent.

CREATIVE 'RETURN AND EARN' SCHEMER CAUGHT

Fredericks also cites Jamberoo, with a 2021 population of 1910, “This is well below the critical population of 3000 people needed for the support of a range of viable local retail and other services.”

“The existing IGA manages to remain viable due to the skill of the operator,” citing Mike Cullen- Urban Economist. Over recent decades Jamberoo has lost its fuel station, bank, and general store/rural supplies. It does not have a pharmacy or many other retail and commercial services.”

Census 2021 shows that the percentage of free-standing dwellings was 95.5 per cent. Again, Fredericks points out that “The town has a critical undersupply of smaller, more diverse housing options.”

“This causes young people who grew up in the area to be unable to find smaller and more affordable homes. The same for service workers, singles, and renters,” he explains.

In summary, Jamberoo needs another 1000 people - around 450 dwellings - mostly smaller and more affordable for the town to be sustainable.

by Donna Portland

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has revealed that 14 October 2023 will be the date that Australians will vote on whether to establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Voters will be asked whether they support the Voice, which would serve as an independent advisory board to the government on issues affecting Indigenous Australians.

The board would be able to make recommendations to the Government, but not actually pass or vote on legislation. It will not deliver services directly either.

As the Voice would require amendments to Australia’s constitution, voters must pass a majority vote in a referendum for it to become law. The last time Australia voted in a referendum was in 1999 to decide whether to establish Australia as a republic, which only received 45 per cent support.

illawarra business awards

The winners of the 2023 IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards will be announced at a gala at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday 13 October at 6:30pm. Three local businesses have a chance on the night.

A huge congratulations to everyone who entered, and for those who have made it to the finals! This includes the following members of the Kiama District Business Chambers, who are finalists on the night: Outstanding Employee: Natalie Allan - MMJ Real Estate Excellence in Small Business: Burnetts on Barney Excellence in Large Business: RMB Lawyers and Jamberoo Action Park

The Bugle wishes these businesses the best of luck to win their category and we look forward to a positive result on the night.

TWO MARINE RESCUE OFF WINDANG AND PORT KEMBLA

Marine Rescue Port Kembla rescued three people 15 kilometres off Windang on Saturday 26 August 2023 with Port Kembla 31 rescue craft deployed.

Also seeking bail on Wednesday 30 August was Kiama man Jake Gregory Smith who created a scheme by dunking printed barcodes pretending to be recyclable containers. The court was impressed with his ingenuity and thought it would make a good movie. His account showed he had returned a total of 103,299 containers to at least 4 different sites. He was charged with 19 counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception and received bail on strict conditions and will return to court in September.

GREENS SENATOR VISITS KIAMA

NSW Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi visited Kiama briefly on 29 August 2023.

Marine Rescue NSW

Inspector Stuart Massey said “All persons were returned safely to the Port Kembla boat ramp along with their vessel.”

At the same time volunteers on board Shellharbour 30 responded to a vessel needing assistance near Bass Islet off Port Kembla. The Shellharbour 30 crew rescued the two people on board and their vessel, returning them safely to Shellharbour Marina.

Stuart said “We encourage all boaters to Log On and Log Off with Marine Rescue NSW either via VHF radio channel 16 or the free Marine Rescue app.”

MEDAL MYSTERY

NSW Police are seeking further leads on a set of Polish War Medals found on a train and handed in a year ago at Kiama station.

One is a very rare 19391945 Polish Air Force (Lotniczy za Wojne) medal.

Only 26 people in NSW have the same 4 medals and have been accounted for.

It is possible the medals were dropped by someone visiting Kiama from outside of NSW.

Any information please contact NSW Police.

She was updated by residents on local issues, especially related to concerns related to local sea rise from climate change, threats to the Minnamurra River, the local Vote YES campaign for the referendum and signed some copies of her book, ‘Too Migrant, Too Muslim ‘ for some locals.

The Senator has visited Kiama frequently and has a strong interest in issues around animal cruelty, especially greyhounds.

FINE AFTER NEAR FATAL ACCIDENT ON KIAMA BUILDING SITE

Universal Property and Supports crane company has been fined $150,000 after an accident with a crane dropped timber on a worker during construction of the Kiama Nova hotel in 2019. The injured worker was not wearing a hard hat and the crane operator was not aware he was in the area and both workers had not been shown the safe work method statement for the crane’s operation.

NEIL REILLY TALKS DIRECTLY TO RESIDENTS

appears as a set of signs and symptoms together with a history.

A clinical diagnosis is made, identifying a disease. A therapeutic approach is chosen and this is the doctor’s guiding policy. Then there is a specific prescription for treatment and a set of coherent actions to be taken. Diagnosis, guiding policy and a plan of action. That’s strategy!

New Kiama council committees get to work

Community representatives, councillors and council staff met for the first time on 30 August 2023 with the new Kiama Council committee members.

Mayor Neil Reilly welcomed the eight community representatives who will work on the Sustainable Communities Advisory Committee as well as the Infrastructure and Liveability Advisory Committee.

currently coaching the under 13s, a volunteer for local organisation Habitus, which runs youth programs and camps, and is the founder of Rockstar Dads that hosts small speaking events for dads in our community.

With the change of season, comes a change of perspective.

I suppose I have suffered the hard knocks of life, like we all have. I’ve pulled through OK, with a few scars to show, but given as good as I got. But I never thought about my own mortality at all really, until I was diagnosed with cancer.

Again.

For the third time.

Before my recent diagnosis, I had the constant illusion of boundless time. It was easy to assume there'd always be another moment to rectify mistakes, make amends, or maybe even become a responsible adult!

Now as it turns out, I am not going to die. As part of a world-wide trial for cancerimmunotherapy, myself and many others in my situation may live longer, happier lives where the power of the body's own immune system has been used to control and maybe eliminate cancer.

While the contemplation of my mortality has had a profound effect on me, the luck of survival has shifted my perceptions, values, and priorities. I consider myself more than lucky.

I feel changed.

Fittingly, all this is taking place at this time of spring, the season of renewal. It’s time to look at the extraordinary paradox of my being and my mortality as a pair of lenses that, when focused together, the blurry aspects of life come into sharp focus.

Here’s some early observations both from my own life and in relation to being Mayor of Kiama.

1. We can learn strategy from doctors.

For a doctor, the challenge

At Council, we’ve been working hard to put new strategies, policies and plans in place. Now we need to follow them through.

2. Ask better questions get better answers

I plan to use my newfound awareness of life's brevity to serve as a motivation to ask better, more direct questions. This will lead to better outcomes. Both in the chamber and elsewhere, I expect.

3. Collaborative committees

We have planted the seeds for two new Council committees. These bodies will look at and help guide us on the matters that really matter. If we nurture these, they will thrive and produce thoughtful, useful and practical advice to beautify our decision making.

4. Motivated staff

We’ve restructured our organisation and made several new appointments, particularly of late to round out our management team. New staff bring fresh energy that will help us all grow.

We will see the already established attributes such as personal development, productivity and leadership, bloom into career excellence.

5. Be kind to yourself. This kind of revelation won’t cover up past mistakes, but reveals the answer isn't to be more perfect, it's to be more understanding – first of yourself, then of others.

Metaphorically, with my illness and potential for overcoming it, the recognition of the passing of winter is often matched with a powerful joy in life and love of Spring.

The work done by Council’s committees is mostly unseen, but a fundamental part of Council says Mayor Neil Reilly. “Our committees tackle all sorts of issues using their combined experience and expertise in an amazing range of areas, drawing upon additional advice where necessary.”

These two new committees will underpin Council’s work over the next decade as outlined in the Kiama Community Strategic Plan 2022 – 2032.”

Introducing the four community representatives on the Sustainable Communities Advisory Committee:

Liam Pettigrew is a data scientist and environmental engineer specialising in water and wastewater. He holds a PhD and a Master's in Life Science Engineering from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany, and a Bachelor’s in environmental engineering from the University of Wollongong. He has hands-on experience in Aboriginal community and urban development projects in the Northern Territory and NSW. As part of a young family who love living in Kiama, he wants to be more involved in the decisions being made in the area and ensure that new initiatives have their demographic in mind.

Alan Smith is a Jamberoo farmer with a passion for sustainability and community. He relocated his family from Sydney to Jamberoo to lead a sustainable life in 2011 and has since been busy engaging with his community. He has spent his corporate life consulting to large corporates, managing their major IT infrastructure programs before running his own renewable energy and sustainability business. Socially, Alan enjoys playing and refereeing local soccer and is currently President of the Jamberoo Football Club.

Michael Bowden has lived in Kiama for over 13 years and is actively engaged in our community. He was secretary of the founding committee of The Man Walk established here in Kiama and Dads Group Leader that helped establish The Fathering Project at Kiama Public School. He is also involved in Kiama Junior Football Club,

Narreda Grimley is a senior executive with over 30 years in corporate leadership and experience in insurance and claims litigation management. She is a local resident with a strong interest in supporting local regional businesses, promoting Kiama tourism and enjoying the magnificent South Coast beaches. Narreda is keen to provide her experience in assisting with the decisions being made in the local Kiama area to ensure the very best for all Kiama residents.

These community representatives join Cllr. Imogen Draisma and Mayor Neil Reilly on the Sustainable Communities Advisory Committee, along with Director Planning, Environment and Communities Jessica Rippon.

Introducing the four community representatives on the Infrastructure and Liveability Advisory Committee:

Jennifer Wulff arrived in Kiama in 2005 and currently three generations of her family live in town which raised her awareness of aged care, housing, youth employment, education and infrastructure matters. Her professional experience includes a decade as an IT programmer/system analyst followed by years in the higher education sector. This included the University of Wollongong where she focused on organisational strategy, planning and performance monitoring as Chief Operating Officer for the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials. Jennifer is currently Director of Bombo Research & Consulting.

Roy Rogers is a 40-year resident of Kiama who is excited to contribute his skills and knowledge to help shape and enhance the infrastructure and liveability of our region. As CEO he has positioned the Flagstaff Group as the region’s leading social enterprise providing skills and secure employment for people with disabilities. An engineer by trade, Roy has extensive construction, design and management experience and continues to practice as a Civil-Structural Engineer.

Dr Fiona Mackie has spent 23 years as a kidney specialist at Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, with extensive developing policy and participating in and chairing committees. As such she has considerable understanding of health and its infrastructure requirements and what

makes a healthy liveable thriving community. Fiona is a passionate advocate for the needs of women and children as an essential aspect of liveability and connectedness. She is the Director for Advocacy and on the Board of Zonta, Berry.

Dr Tony Gilmour is an affordable housing researcher, historian and advocate. Originally working in banking, in 2009 his PhD from University of Sydney reviewed ways to build the community housing sector in Australia, the UK and the US. He established a specialist social housing consulting firm in 2012, was President of the Australasian Housing Institute and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Tony’s books include Sustaining heritage, giving the past a future (2007), A history of Compass Housing (2015), Shelter NSW, community activism and transforming NSW's housing system (2018), and An Aboriginal voice in housing (2023, forthcoming). She also has a strong background in education as the conjoint Associate Professor at the University of NSW and has been involved in teaching programs nationally and internationally.

These community representatives join Cllr. Mark Croxford and Cllr. Stuart Larkins on the Infrastructure and Liveability Advisory Committee, along with Director Infrastructure and Liveability Michael Malone.

The two new committees round out Council’s new committee structure: • Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (legislated) • Traffic Committee (legislated) • Performance Review Committee • Finance Advisory Committee • Tourism and Economic Advisory Committee (Destination Kiama) • Sustainable Communities Advisory Committee • Infrastructure and Liveability Advisory Committee • Blue Haven Advisory Committee This committee structure will be reviewed after 12 months to allow for any necessary changes to be made.

by Donna Portland

Roy Rogers

Jennifer Wulff

Tony Gilmour Liam Pettigrew

Dr Fiona Mackie

Alan Smith

Kiamasala

Gainsborough Solar battery on way

Endeavour Energy wants to install a community solar battery in Gainsborough, but it is still awaiting formal approval before officially announcing.

Kiama is set to host an Indian-themed festival called 'Kiamasala' that aims to bring the spirit of India to the South Coast on 5 November. That means this ‘mela’ (fair) will feature vibrant colours, flavours and sounds of India, a country well-known for its joyous street festivals that unify communities in celebration.

The theme of coming together is deeply ingrained in Indian culture. Attendees can expect a family-friendly day that includes music, classic dancing, Bollywood, street food, yoga, market stalls, henna artists and more Indian-themed attractions.

Bringing visitors from southern Sydney to join the festivities is the famous classic Kiama Picnic (steam)

Train.

“This is set to be a funfilled, free event for the whole community together with friends and family, share a picnic and celebrate the rich contribution of our growing Indian migrant community in the region,” said Festival Director Tom Oxley.

The Kiamasala organising committee comprises key local Indian business and community leaders to ensure a truly authentic cultural experience for festival attendees.

Cameron McDonald, President of the Kiama Business Chamber and Kiamasala Co-Director, said that the inaugural event had already drawn support from a range of local businesses and funding from Kiama Council.

“The Indian community in our region brings a diverse range of professional skills and business acumen to the local economy across industries such as healthcare, hospitality and professional services.

“We are looking forward to hosting a number of fringe events in conjunction with the festival to facilitate greater collaboration and forge stronger business connections with Indian-led businesses in the local area,” Mr McDonald said.

Kiamasala aims to promote the Illawarra region as an attractive destination for skilled migration and establish new businesses, with plans to partner the festival with a sister city in India.

by Donna Portland

A community battery is a locally shared battery within a community that enables storage of excess rooftop solar-generated electricity, which can be used later to provide a steady supply of electricity when there is high demand. Batteries such as this will enable the community to use the stored electricity instead of importing it from the grid, which will also reduce costs.

The agreement with Endeavour was actually a staff-led initiative as part of Kiama Council’s Net Zero strategy and “Emissions Reduction Plan”: Strategies and plans Kiama Council (nsw.gov.au)

A similar community battery was installed by Endeavour Energy in Bungarribee, Blacktown. Local residents were invited to participate in the community battery trial, which began in July 2023.

Endeavour Energy Chief Executive Officer Guy Chalkley said that community batteries are one of the ways Endeavour Energy is investing to help shape green energy hubs.

“The installation of community batteries supports our target of becoming climate positive by 2040 and is part of our transition to a modern, clean energy grid that meets the changing needs of our customers with customers able to generate, store and share their energy.

“The Bungarribee Com-

munity Battery is a first for Western Sydney but the first of many more to come. It is an exciting innovation that will see our customers both be a part of, and benefit from the energy transition, whether they have rooftop solar or not, and whether they own their home or are renting,” said Mr Chalkley. Watch this space. The Bugle will give you updated information about the proposed local battery as soon as more information comes to hand.

by Donna Portland

Romans Kiama Show

Kiama Vet Honoured

Classic car fans, start revving your engines because Roman’s Kiama Show and Shine Hot Rods and Customs is coming to Kiama . Now in its tenth year, the car show will be held at Black Beach Reserve on 10 September.

The event is free to the public, and $10 if you want to display your own car. Chris, the event’s organiser, said he expects around 300 cars on the day.

The show will also have food stalls and music on the day, as well as a special presentation at 1pm.

Chris gave The Bugle a sneak peak of what to expect on the day, bringing two classic cars for us to see. It didn’t take long for onlookers to start gather ing around the vehicles to take their own pics of their mobile works of art.

Pictured: 1934 Chevy Roadster

Independent Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has honoured veterans of the Vietnam War, paying tribute to one veteran in particular, Rick Bensley from Kiama. Rick was called up for national service on 30 June 1965 during the first intake and joined C Company of the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. He rose to the rank of Corporal, Section Commander, and was in charge of nine front-line soldiers.

During the NSW Legislative Assembly on 2 August 2023,

Rick and his contributions during the conflict.

In 2022, Rick was recognised for his role in the aftermath of the Battle of Long Tan and was awarded by the Vietnamese Community in Australia with the Republic of Vietnam’s Gallantry Cross Medal, given by South Vietnam to their troops to recognise valour and gallantry while serving in combat.

Rick’s Gallantry Cross was originally awarded to a Vietnamese soldier, who requested that when he died,

service, Rick was the manager of NAB from 1983 to 1990 before retiring.

Rick told The Bugle that he was incredibly humbled and thankful to Gareth Ward for honouring him during Parliamentary proceedings, which is now permanently recorded in Hansard.

“I was intensely proud to receive such an honour and recognition for my service in

THE SURGE BY ENSEMBLE OFFSPRING

Sunday 15 October | 3pm

The Surge is a multi-layered feast of music, reigniting ‘90s classics alongside new commissions that reflect on the cultural, environmental and political situations Australia finds itself in today. Enjoy an afternoon concert at Bundanon, with views overlooking the Shoalhaven River.

Tickets from $35. Add a picnic for two $40

FIND OUT MORE & BOOK: bundanon.com.au/whats-on/ensemble-offspring

“It is wonderful to know that members of Parliament still remember and appreciate and recognise the involvement of the Australian Army during the Vietnam War.

“I take this recognition not only for me, but also for all my fellow mates who I

Ensemble Offspring. Photo: Keith Saunders

SCAN TO BOOK

Chat with our state parliament representative

This week, The Bugle sat down with Independent Member for Kiama Gareth Ward to discuss what he sees as the biggest issues for the electorate. While the Kiama electorate covers three distinct councils with their own priorities and challenges, Gareth said there is one issue that’s the same everywhere he goes: the cost of living crisis.

It should be no surprise that Gareth wants the Labor Government to do a lot more to assist those in need, and that it's actually going backwards.

“There’s no doubt that people are becoming more and more frustrated, particularly with some of the decisions of this government because in opposition, the then Opposition Leader, now Premier, said he would support a lot of the cost of living measures that he’s now sought to cut.”

One of those cuts is the Senior Regional Travel Card. The card offered seniors $250 each year to spend on transport, but the Labor Government announced in August 2023 that it would no longer issue any new cards.

“The government is just

lying, saying ‘Oh we’ve paused it’. Well you paused it without giving a start date on when it will be recommenced again. I know a lot of people that [the card] really helped them with their costs throughout the year. The reality is a lot of people have to drive, so a lot of people used it for petrol, and others used it to top up their carer’s cars, so that’s hitting hard.”

Gareth says his petition to save the Regional Senior Travel Card has received more than 7000 signatures so far.

“They’re not just cutting cost of living programs, they’re cutting cost of living programs they've committed to keeping. If you make a promise, you’ve got to keep it. Particularly for the most vulnerable, I think the attitude of the Labor Party is that all these people that are experiencing difficulties, a lot of them will vote for us anyway. I don't think they should so arrogantly assume that. I think people want honesty and transparency, and if you go to an election and say you’re going to do something, you should do it.”

The cost of living crisis

obviously impacts more than regional travel though. The ever-increasing price of housing is a serious concern for Gareth, especially when it comes to the current generation of first-home buyers.

There are a lot of young people that would like to live here but can’t,” Gareth says. “I think as a community, we need to have a conversation around where development can occur, how we want it to occur and how we can get the balance right between protecting what’s unique, but also ensuring that people can afford to live in our community.

“Housing supply doesn’t just benefit homeownership, it also addresses renters and ensuring that people can afford to rent in communities on lower incomes is very important, particularly if you want nurses, teachers and police living in the areas they serve.

This will be crucial in the next few years in our electorate, according to Gareth, as the hospitals in Nowra and Shellharbour are set to expand. Gareth says the Shoalhaven Hospital has a

critical services plan that includes an additional 800 staff.

“Where are they going to live? The government hasn’t talked about that at all. It’s not just these new shiny hospitals that ministers get to snap a ribbon with a set of novelty scissors for a Facebook photo, you actually have people who work there.”

Gareth says he’s already floated the idea of turning the old Shellharbour Hospital into key worker housing once it’s decommissioned.

Gareth says there’s also been a few wins when it comes to easing the cost of living, including working with Ryan Park, the Labor Minister for Health, Regional Health, and the Illawarra and South Coast, to provide free parking at Shoalhaven Hospital.

Gareth says he’s actually had very few challenges working with the rest of the Ministers in the NSW Government from both Labor and the Coalition, despite the obvious challenges with Premier Chris Minns. The Premier decided to take any questions Gareth makes on the floor of parliament

on notice, rather than answer them directly.

“The reality is that the same process that elected me elected him. It’s appalling in a democracy where people have made a choice and he believes he’s higher and mightier than the rest of us, which is obviously not true,” says Gareth.

ple is that they just don’t see politicians delivering what they say they will. They put out leaflets and flyers and they don’t deliver,” says Gareth.

“I think the people of our electorate made a very deliberate decision to elect me because what they’re looking for is someone who can have a

“He does answer my questions, he answers them on notice. I suspect he does that more for any other reason that he actually has a challenge in answering some of these questions.”

Looking ahead, Gareth says he will continue in his role of holding the Government accountable from his position as an Independent Member.

“The one thing I hear more and more from peo -

say in the legislative process that can get policy outcomes on a range of issues, but is also experienced enough to be able to make sure we keep on delivering the things that matter. Often a lot of the things that matter to people are things like smaller grants, and for years I’ve helped people with those smaller grants and I’ll continue to do that.”

by Brendon Foye

Kiama students show mental metal

Kiama to star in SBS Documentary

Kiama was the star of the silver screen as the fourth episode of SBS’s Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro aired on 31 August featuring our home town.

during her interview. However, it was vitally important to ensure these stories are still shared, no matter how uncomfortable discussing them may be.

Students from St Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School have won their category at the prestigious Tournaments of Minds, winning the NSW South Coast Regional winners in the Primary STEM category.

Three groups of students from Ss Peter and Paul’s took part in the tournament held at Wollongong University on 20 August, which saw primary and secondary students compete to solve authentic, open-ended challenges that foster creativity, divergent thinking and teamwork.

Ss Peter and Paul’s STEM team, dubbed ‘The Black Cockatoos’ won first place in its category by constructing a bird from recycled parts that could fly unaided. The bird was able to perform two different manoeuvres in the air completely unassisted.

The team had another spontaneous challenge set by judges on the day. The team had just ten minutes to present a story and script for their creation.

The team consisted of Jacob and Hayden from Year Six, Nicolas from Year Four, Eden and Evelyn from Year Three, and Noah and Hugo from Year Two.

Head of Diverse Learning Needs Mrs Bec Burbs congratulated the teams on a fantastic job on their final presentations.

“It was our first time entering the competition since the early 90’s, so we weren’t sure what to expect. Our goal was to do our best and learn from others. To see The Black Cockatoos win was amazing. I’m so proud of all the students that took part in the Tournament for challenging themselves with something new.”

Jacob from Year Six said he’d never seen anything like the tasks at Tournament of Minds. “Working as a team was really good. It opened up a lot of new experiences. We learnt about people’s talents, and we got to be friends with, and work with, people from different years. I was very shocked when we won. Our team worked really well together and I was so proud of us all. It was a great opportunity and I am so glad I got to be a part of it.”

The Black Cockatoos will move on to the NSW Final of Tournament of Minds held on 10 September at the University of NSW.

by Brendon Foye

Comedian and actress Julia Zemiro travels to Australia’s best day walks, including walks around Kiama’s unique landscape of rivers, lagoons, volcanic rocks and of course, the famous Kiama Blowhole.

The fourth episode featured an interview with Aunty Gwenda Jarrett, local Aboriginal elder, the native title lead for the south coast of New South Wales and one of the traditional owners of the land.

Speaking to The Bugle, Aunty Gwenda said she mainly spoke about her childhood experiences growing up around Minnamurra and her memories of fishing with her family at the river. The area has particular significance for the local Indigenous people, considering the Minnamurra River massacre that took place there in 1818, where an unknown number of Wodiwodi people were killed.

Aunty Gwenda said she only briefly touched on the Minnamurra Massacre

“You might have heard of the saying ‘sharing and caring,’ well that’s what we’re

ated who don’t know about Australia’s bloody history.

“When I do a community speech, I like to tell people, especially non-Aboriginal people, about growing up. When we were in school, we were taught differently, and it’s been proven now that we

even know they could be walking on a grave.”

Speaking on the documentary's host Julia Zemiro, Aunty Gwenda had nothing but kind words for the host.

doing with storytelling. We’re sharing it with the rest of Australia, because with all these contentious issues around the country like The Voice, this is a way people can look at it with a nicer, softer approach,” she said.

“When non-Indigenous people interview us, and we highlight that massacres took place, it’s a form of a reality check. A lot of non-Indigenous people don’t know anything about a massacre.”

It’s no secret that Australia’s education around our Indigenous heritage has been lacklustre in the past, which is why Aunty Gwenda likes to share stories from her own upbringing to put things into perspective for the uniniti-

were given false information about our history. Massacres weren’t even talked about, and it’s still taboo.”

While the Minnamurra Massacre took place more than 200 years ago, the importance of sharing the story of what happened has never been more relevant. Grassroots organisers are fighting against Boral’s planned expansion of a sand mine, and Aunty Gwenda disputed the project due to concerns about the missing bodies that were never found on the site.

“There was a lot of ignorance, and there still is a lot of ignorance,” she said. “It can be quite intimidating for some people to even talk about because they don’t

“She is a very passionate, grassroots person. Her energy level is so warm; me and her just connected. What she’s doing is these videos that might just be a walk for her, but especially in our area where we haven’t got a large population of Indigenous people, people are craving to learn something and see something, so it’s great that I have that local knowledge so we can get us on the map.”

The episode also features interviews with Associate Professor of Volcanology Heather Handley, who speaks about the largely ignored history of Australia’s volcanoes, and local surfboard designer Chris Homer, who discussed Kiama’s surf culture.

Episode four of Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro is available on SBS On Demand.

by Brendon Foye

Feathered and furry friends united

Having regularly had coffee on Kiama's main street with my gorgeous King Charles Cavalier - I have actually tested this research out and I have to agree!

Researchers have uncovered intriguing insights into the behaviour of birds around dogs in different leash conditions.

The findings provide valuable implications for local dog owners and bird populations right here in our own backyard in Kiama.

The Melbourne research centered around observing the reactions of magpie-larks when encountering both leashed and unleashed dogs. What makes this study particularly interesting is that both sets of dogs were well-behaved and accompanied by their owners.

The results revealed a compelling pattern: birds exhibited distinct behaviours depending on whether the dogs were on or off-lead.

The study found that magpie-larks walked away from leashed dogs but chose to take flight when encountering unleashed ones.

This distinction in response indicates that birds possess an innate ability to discern the presence of a leash and its significance.

The researchers suggest

that this innate recognition of leashed dogs could be attributed to the predictability and controlled behaviour associated with being on a leash.

Importantly, this research carries profound implications for the protection of bird populations, especially during crucial periods such as breeding, nesting,

life stages.

By adhering to leash laws, dog owners can contribute to the well-being of local bird species, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between man's best friend and the diverse avian inhabitants of Kiama's natural surroundings.

With Australia boasting one of the highest rates

life.

The leash regulations in Australia are among the strictest globally, reflecting the nation's commitment to environmental conservation. Nonetheless, the issue of compliance remains a challenge, as highlighted by Dr. Roan Plotz, one of the researchers involved in the study. Dr. Plotz emphasises the importance of raising awareness about the impact of unleashed dogs on bird populations, urging dog owners to better understand the potential dangers their pets may pose.

As Kiama boasts its own unique blend of natural beauty and diverse birdlife, these findings offer a unique opportunity for local residents to play an active role in safeguarding our feathered friends.

By adhering to leash laws and ensuring our dogs are under control, we can pave the way for a more peaceful coexistence between the avian world and our canine companions.

A Skye Terrier named Mac is becoming well-known in the Kiama area. He walks regularly with his owners, Joan and Ross Hughes, and with his -co-parents, neighbours Karen and Paul. He creates such interest amongst passers by just as his namesake Mick Jagger would if he was walking around Kiama.

Named after the Scottish Isle of Skye, Skye Terriers are an endangered breed in the UK. Queen Victoria owned some and Mary Queen of Scots was purported to have had one under her skirt when she went to the gallows.

Skyes were bred for vermin control and although Mac has short legs, he is a fast runner which is useful for chasing vermin off the property. He loves vigorous play time with other dogs who run. Sadly, he rarely catches them.

Mac’s owners bought him from a breeder in NSW and he has been a real magnet of interest wherever he goes. Joan said, “People

ask about him all the time, what kind of breed he is, and where we got him from. He is a great conversation starter, for sure. Many people don’t know us, but they know our dog.”

People are often confused when they see Mac out with Karen and Paul remarking, “Oh there is another dog in Kiama just like this one”. One day, a visitor to Kiama came up to Ross and said, ‘I’ve seen this dog in Rose Bay!’ Ross explained that it’s because they live parttime in Rose Bay.

Mac’s human companions - all 4 of them - are regular walkers with the Heart Foundation daily walkers. Keen observers might have noticed him in the photo accompanying the recent Bugle article about the walking group.

Watch out for Mac around Kiama and be sure to say ‘Hello’. He’s a friendly chap, just like his owners.

by Donna Portland

or migration. The intense fear behaviours exhibited by birds in the presence of unleashed dogs can pose a threat to their survival, hindering these important

of dog ownership globally and approximately six million pet dogs nationwide, responsible dog ownership becomes essential for the preservation of local wild-

This research is a reminder that even seemingly small actions can have a significant impact on preserving the delicate balance of our local LGA ecosystem.

by Veronica Grace

Guardians of the deep

research delves into the intricate interplay between physical and social factors that contribute to beach hazards, all aimed at reducing incidents of drowning and injuries along our coasts.

recognizing the telltale signs of rips.

Kiama's pristine shores and idyllic scenery hides an ongoing debate that echoes across New South Wales. The issue at hand - whether to remove shark nets from our beaches - strikes at the heart of ocean conservation and the delicate balance between human safety and the thriving marine ecosystem. Amid this discourse, the insights of experts have surfaced, advocating for a shift towards ocean protection that safeguards both beachgoers and the magnificent creatures that inhabit our waters.

The current dialogue surrounding shark nets and their efficacy in safeguarding swimmers reveals a

complex and nuanced challenge. In an effort to shed light on this issue, Professor Rob Brander and Dr. Amy Peden from the UNSW Beach Safety Research Group stand ready to share their invaluable expertise. With extensive experience in coastal processes and injury prevention, these experts emphasise that the true risks associated with ocean swimming extend beyond the shadows cast by sharks.

Prof. Brander, a distinguished beach safety researcher with over three decades of experience, unearths the pivotal role played by natural elements like rips and treacherous water conditions. His

Dr. Peden, an advocate for global drowning prevention, is committed to raising awareness about the comprehensive impact of drowning. In her own words, "While keeping swimmers safe from sharks is undoubtedly important, every year, significantly more people die or are rescued from drowning along the coast than are attacked or killed by sharks." Her extensive research reveals that enhancing public education and prevention efforts is a pivotal strategy for curbing ocean-related risks.

It's a startling revelation - one that invites us to broaden our understanding of ocean safety. While shark encounters naturally capture our attention, the grim reality is that rips and treacherous currents pose a far greater threat. Prof. Brander and Dr. Peden advocate for a paradigm shift, one that emphasises primary prevention strategies, such as swimming within the designated safe zones and

In a move that resonates deeply with our coastal community, Kiama introduced smart drum lines in 2017 as a response to these challenges. However, the wider debate surrounding shark nets persists across the coastline of New South Wales. It's a debate driven by compassion, science, and a desire to protect the intricate balance of marine life.

Shark nets and drum lines, often deemed as protective measures, have sparked a vigorous conversation about their efficacy and ethical implications. Rather than forming a barrier for beach-goers, these devices have been shown to fall short of their intended purpose, with their limited coverage barely extending half the depth of the water they are set in. Their impact on marine life, especially threatened and endangered species, presents a poignant concern. The ripple effect of these measures extends to non-targeted marine animals, including dolphins, turtles, and whales, inadvertently placing them in harm's way.

Sharks, often misunderstood, play a vital role in the ocean's delicate tap-

estry. They act as apex predators, maintaining a harmonious equilibrium within marine ecosystems. By curbing populations of weaker prey species, sharks foster healthier gene pools and contribute to the ocean's cleanliness.

The path to ocean protection is multifaceted.

As coastal residents, we cherish the ocean's bounty for recreation, sustenance, and livelihoods. Sharks, those majestic guardians of the deep, play an indispensable role in maintaining the marine ecosystem's vitality. It's a symphony of life that

extends beyond the picturesque waves crashing on our shores.

As the debate rages on, let's remember that preservation transcends human safety alone—it encompasses the intricate web of life that flourishes beneath the ocean's surface. With experts like Brander and Peden guiding our understanding, let us forge a path that respects both human lives and the magnificent creatures that call our oceans home.

by Veronica Grace

Dolphin

Heart for walking

For so many (good) reasons you can join local walkers in the Kiama community five days a week for a 45 –60-minute walk. The pace is medium, and you can bring your dog if you like.

John Lennon, originally from Ireland, has lived all over the world, but settled in Kiama many years ago. He was one of the original walkers when the group started 22 years ago. He said, “There are 77 walkers registered but we usually have about 20 regular members turning up each day. More are always welcome.”

There are all ages in the group, mostly from 40-years plus, but John says all ages are welcome. The oldest

member is Fred Coulson, who just celebrated his 96th birthday, and still joins the group for walks. Fred may not go for the whole walk, but he enjoys meeting up with his walking friends.

The group meets each weekday at 8am at Black Beach, opposite the Post Office. The aim is to keep healthy and get some good exercise, whilst enjoying the company of your fellow walkers. So it’s a great opportunity to make friends and enjoy the fresh air at the same time.

To encourage group members to walk regularly, Heart Foundation Walking has a Walker Recognition Scheme. At certain walking

Octogenarians playing at Kiama Tennis Club

active clubs on the NSW South Coast. It is a non-profit community organisation that offers its members and visitors excellent facilities, coaching and events all year round.

milestones, they will reward you with certificates, incentives and discounts on Heart Foundation merchandise. Walk data is recorded by your volunteer Walk Organiser and is based on the number of walks you complete with your official Heart Foundation Walking group.

John has received recognition from the Heart Foundation for achieving 3000 walks. No wonder he’s so spritely at the age of 86. Could it be because he hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol in his entire adult life?

Anyone interested in joining can email Ann at annboul@bigpond. net.au or register on the Heart Foundation’s website to become part of the group, but it's just as easy to turn up in the morning and Ann will take your name and details.

by Donna Portland

Every Monday at the Kiama Tennis Club, four women players over the age of 80 enjoy playing social tennis.

Gerda Keast is 81 years old and enjoys playing with her friends every week. She originally had tennis lessons way back in primary school and has been a member of the tennis club in Kiama for many years now. “It’s wonderful to get together for social tennis each week. There are different levels of mobility, and we still enjoy laughing and having lots of fun rallies,” she says.

Gerda is joined by Margaret Bywaters (86 years) who hopes to continue playing until she’s 90. There is also Gwen Ilic who is 81 years

Kiama Community Radio turns 3

and very much enjoys playing tennis.

There is also Brenda Davis who is 80 and is still playing Division One competition tennis.

The Kiama Tennis Club is located in Stead Reserve at the end of Noorinan Street. It is one of the largest and most

Stead Reserve was named after caretaker Norma Stead OAM. Norma was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her dedication to the tennis community. She was a club champion, winning lots of NSW tennis awards, and was involved in training junior tennis at the old Kiama Tennis Club courts in Hindmarsh Park.

Norma is now 98 years old and gave up playing tennis at the age of 84 and is still involved with the Club organising the ladies competitions.

by Donna Portland

Kiama Community Radio celebrated its third birthday with a grand party at the Kiama Leagues Club on Friday 25 August 2023 and it was a raging success.

More than 200 people turned up, (more than the tickets sold) with people paying at the door to get in because the entertainment alone was good enough to

bring people through the door. Included in the lineup were Cha Cha Del Mar, Little Light Duo, The Splayds, Mark Holder-Keeping on saxophone, and the final act was

the incomparable, glorious blues goddess that is Pearl Noire, who brought all the glamour of 1940s blues and jazz to Kiama in the 2020s. One of the highlights was

The Sea Shanty Choir with a very special KCR Sea Shanty, and there was even an old fashioned conga line on the dance floor!

The radio station KCR started after the Kiama Independent ceased publishing and COVID forced everyone in Kiama indoors. During that time, locals needed a way to seek out company during isolation and access information from the outside world.

The original core group was Karen Lang (now Kiama Councillor), Madeleine Scafe and Graeme Gherashe who put an ad in The Bugle in 2020 seeking people to come forward with their experiences and get involved in radio.

Thus the snowball started that became the community radio avalanche, with the very first podcast by Gabi Cabral interviewing yours truly about Kiama local history.

Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips and NSW Member for Kiama Gareth Ward also attended, as did Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly. In fact, Mayor Reilly was part of the many podcasts produced by KCR, and his original old time radio show ‘Annie of the Airlines’ is well worth a listen.

Further plans for KCR are to build a recording studio next to the current broadcasting studio inside the Kiama Chamber of Commerce building on Terralong street. Even an FM license and a local broadcast mast are part of the planning. Much thanks must be made to Bernie Hems and her hardworking crew for doing such a great job for putting together such a well polished and successful event.

by Mark Whalan

Pillow Talk - Prepare for disaster and lots of feathers?

children a year.

Penny Harrison, Australian Red Cross Chief of Staff, said the partnership would strengthen community resilience and that empowering children to feel safe and prepared for emergencies is a vital piece of the puzzle for building a more disaster ready Australia.

Tanny Mangos, Australia

Post Executive General Manager of Community, Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement, said that Australia Post’s unique presence in regional and remote Australian communities meant it was important to contribute to and support disaster resilience.

‘Pillowcase workshops’ are an initiative by the Australian Red Cross that aims to support eight to ten-yearold kids living in regions at high risk of natural disasters to understand the importance of being prepared.

Ahead of a hot, dry summer, parts of our local area are at high risk, including

the Kiama Municipality, Shellharbour, Wollongong and the Shoalhaven, amongst many others further afield.

Australia Post has raised over $1.8 million since 2019 to help the Red Cross support 470,000 people across 133 emergency events.

Red Cross and Australia

Post want to help even before people need the help.

The workshops teach kids practical skills like what to pack for an emergency and how to prepare their minds for the thoughts and feelings that may arise before, during and after an emergency.

They aim to help families

understand the importance of being prepared before, during and after an emergency and teaching children practical skills like packing an emergency kit.

Australia Post will co-create these educational resources, including the emergency kit pillowcases, delivered to over 6,000

“As disasters increase across Australia, so does the impact on our communities and wellbeing. The impacts of these events on people can be significant and long-lasting, especially in children. They extend beyond the physical to their psychological and social wellbeing.

“Australian Red Cross works to reduce the impacts of disasters on people. Evidence and research continue to show that preparing both psychologically and practically for an emergency improves people’s ability to cope with their impacts.”

“Working in every community across Australia, our team members are often at the frontline of disaster. We see firsthand how a disaster can affect a community, and we want to do what we can to provide support.

“Ahead of what is already being predicted as a hot, dry summer, our work with the Australian Red Cross on Pillowcase is especially critical. The workshops and resources will arm children in high-risk areas with practical skills in the event of extreme weather like bushfires."

by Donna Portland

Community drop-in sessions with Australian Government representatives on offshore wind

A proposed area in the Pacific Ocean off the Illawarra region of NSW from Wombarra to Kiama, is under consideration for zoning for future offshore wind development.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is inviting the community to drop-in sessions from Monday 18 to Thursday 21 September. The sessions are in a range of locations to help answer questions in relation to the public submissions period that closes Monday 16 October 2023

The Australian Government wants to manage this potential new industry and the offshore environment in a balanced, responsible way.

Find out more about the drop-in sessions and how to make a submission by scanning the QR code or go to https://consult.

dcceew.gov.au/oei-illawarra

dcceew gov.au

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Grant Wilson is not finished

YET”, a reference to how his faith allowed Grant to push through physical and mental barriers on his road to recovery.

“My faith and trust in God and his goodness has been foundational to my life and who I am,” Grant says in the documentary. “So as I lay in that hospital bed one night, with all the doubts running through my mind, I really felt God speak to me in a still small voice and tell me that ‘Grant, I’m not finished with you yet.”

You can watch the full documentary on the ‘Focus on Ability Film Festival’ YouTube channel.

Leukaemia Day - think of our community affected

World Leukaemia Day was Monday, 4 September and the Leukaemia Foundation is still urging all Australians impacted by the disease to reach out for support. The introduction of Australia’s first and only dedicated blood cancer support line ensures that every person facing blood cancer can access specialised support and services in one simple step.

Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti says, “The Leukaemia Foundation’s experienced blood cancer support professionals are only a phone call away."

hours of diagnosis,” Mr Tanti said.

“The Leukaemia Foundation can offer these Australians access to life-changing, wraparound health services and support from the moment they are diagnosed, during treatment, and throughout their entire journey to remission and beyond,” Mr Tanti adds.

Every single person impacted by leukaemia, or any type of blood cancer including myeloma and lymphoma, is urged not to delay, but pick up the phone and call the Leukaemia Foundation.

30. Since then, Sandra has developed resilience and believes “the mind is one of the biggest factors in creating and healing disease”. Trauma can be a trigger for symptoms i.e., relationship breakdown, death, accidents, Covid-19 and business losses et al.

A documentary on the story of Grant Wilson’s road to recovery following a life-changing injury has been named as a finalist in the Nova Employment Focus on Ability Short Film Awards.

On 16 August 2021, Grant was riding his bike on a local mountain bike track, when he slipped and fell off a ramp, breaking his neck and instantly paralysing him from the shoulders down. He suffered a C4 spinal cord injury and wasn’t expected

to ever walk again, or even be able to push his own wheelchair.

Grant was determined to overcome his injury, and immediately got to work on his recovery. Today, Grant pushes himself in a manual wheelchair and can walk comfortably with crutches. He can even walk about 15 metres unassisted, and still enjoys swimming with his family.

The documentary is called “I’M NOT FINISHED

Now in its 15th year, the Focus on Ability Film Festival is designed to encourage filmmakers to share stories from those with disabilities. The festival is run by an Australian organisation, and will feature 309 finalists from more than 17 countries.

The winner receives a $5000 cash prize from Australia Post, which if he wins Grant says will help fund his continued recovery. A festival screening will be held at the Liverpool Catholic Club in Sydney from 10:30am to 1pm.

by Brendon Foye

The Foundation has been named Australia's most reputable cancer charity

Whether you’re living with blood cancer, undergoing treatment, in remission, a

In her battle with the disease, which included both drugs and natural therapies, the impact on Sandra’s time has been huge. However, the time, money, and effort invested is just part of a life journey and she has developed a passion for superfoods and grief therapy.

Sandra became a ‘raw food’ chef/Instructor through the ‘Living Light Culinary Institute’ in California, USA.

Sandra said, “Friends of mine that are also blood cancer sufferers have tried many different therapies that are available overseas and spent a lot of money and time challenging their diagnoses.”

and third most reputable charity overall and stands with Australia to help cure and conquer blood cancer –with care.

Mr Tanti reveals that more than 5200 Australians are diagnosed with leukaemia

carer, or grieving the loss of a loved one, the Leukaemia Foundation is available to guide you through the emotional, physical, and psychosocial challenges of blood cancer in a safe and supportive way.

To see one through the vagaries of the disease, she recommends maintaining a toxin free life and the benefit of “a strong support network - friends and counselling.”

Blood cancer has not stopped Sandra living a full life, from sales to own-

Dynamic duo start Dental specialist studio in kiama

built a life and a practice that centered around their shared values and beliefs of integrity, compassion, and excellence. Their son Alex grew up in this unique and inspiring environment and clearly has followed in their footsteps!

The union of Prof Alex Quaranta and Dr Lizzy Hui in both business and life has resulted in the creation of something truly special. Together, they have established Smile Specialists Suite, with locations in Newcastle and Sydney, and now their expansion to Kiama with Kiama Dental Specialists.

How are contact lenses made?

Great question! There are 2 main different manufacturing processes used:

Injection molding

Dr Lizzy Hui and husband

Professor Alex Quaranta have bought the clinic at Shop 5, Centrepoint Arcade, Kiama. They are passionate about ensuring all members of the public have access to high-quality specialist dental care with minimal wait times.

“We see so many patients having to travel long distances to see specialists,” Dr Lizzy said. So when an opportunity arose to acquire a general dentist practice in Kiama, they initially saw an opportunity to provide exceptional general dental services and bring specialist care to the area.

Soon after purchasing though, they realised there were already several exceptional dentists in the area, so they will dedicate this practice to being a specialist practice only, hence the renaming to Kiama Dental Specialists.

Dr Lizzy’s credentials certainly support this. She attained her Doctor of Clini-

cal Dentistry in Periodontics from Griffith University in 2019, after a 13-year career practicing as a dentist and specialist across both regional and metropolitan in NSW, QLD and WA. She is currently the Head of Department of Periodontics, Prosthodontics and Endodontics at the Sydney Local Health District, serving the public sector for NSW Health.

Husband Alex has been in specialist practice for almost 20 years since his training at the University of Rome, La Sapienza, Italy in 2005. He is a Clinical Professor at the School of Dentistry, University of Sydney. He also serves as the Managing and Scientific Director of the Smile Specialist Suite and Kiama Dental Specialists, a network of specialist dental practices located in Newcastle, Neutral Bay and Kiama, NSW.

Previously, Prof. Alex led the Discipline of Periodontics and Implantology at

the University of Western Australia, where he initiated and led their Oral Implantology and Periodontics Research Program. He also managed the Specialist Clinical Service in Periodontics and Implantology at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia from 2016 to 2018. Before that, he was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

The Quaranta family has a long legacy in dentistry that spans generations. The patriarch of the family, Professor Manlio Quaranta, is a trailblazer in the field and is a world-renowned Prosthodontist, Orthodontist and academic in Italy. He was one of the pioneers of oral implantology in Europe and taught thousands of students at the University of Rome. Professor Manlio's wife, Dr Linda Dionisi, is also an Orthodontist Specialist and shared his passion for helping people through dentistry. Together, they

Kiama Dental Specialists

Periodontics & Dental Implants

Kiama is indeed fortunate to have access to the level of knowledge that Prof Alex and Dr Lizzy bring to Kiama. They are dedicated and passionate leaders in their field.

Dr Lizzy says, “We are looking forward to helping the local community in Kiama and the goal is to also encourage our associate specialists to exit Sydney at times and support areas that are in high demand of help.”

Treatments include periodontics (gum health and care), gum disease management, dental implant therapy, peri-implant diseases management, dental plastic surgery, bone grafting and gum grafting.

As a specialist consulting practice KDS will be open every Friday for initial consultations and treatment. Their team, available Monday to Friday, are already taking enquiries and making bookings.

by Donna Portland

The soft contact lens material is heated to a molten state, injected into a mold. The lenses are quickly cooled and removed, the edges are polished, and the lens is hydrated. This method is fast and less expensive. It is often used for disposable contact lenses.

Lathe cutting

“Buttons” of dry soft contact lens material are mounted on spinning shafts and shaped with precision cutting tools. The shaped lens is then removed and then hydrated to soften it. Often used for customised contact lenses. Rigid gas permeable (RGP), also known as hard contact lenses are lathe cut. The only difference is that they do not need to be hydrated afterwards. Hybrid contact lenses have a RGP centre surrounded by a soft skirt which helps the lens fit nicely on the eye. The centre is lathe cut, and then the soft skirt is attached. With so many advances in technology you might be surprised with the amazing comfort some brands offer. If you would like to discover whether you are a suitable candidate for contact lenses please contact us for an appointment or visit eyeq.com.au to book online.

Jean Anderson

EyeQ Optometrists

124 Terralong St, Kiama 4232 2610

Convenient online bookings eyeq.com.au

E n t r i e s w i l l b e j u d g e d o n o r i g i n a l i t y h o w w e l l t h e e n t r y i n t e r p r e t s t h e t h e m e a r t i s t i c a n d v i s u a l a p p e a l a n d i m a g e q u a l i t y e g s u i t a b l e s h a r p n e s s c l a r i t y c o n t r a s t e x p o s u r e , r e s o l u t i o n J u d g i n g w i l p h o t o g r a p h b e a “ P e o p l r e a d e r s h i p

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T h e B u g l e A p p

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

D A Y T R I P S

Tulip Top Gardens

Monday 18 September 2023 - $125

Light morning tea, entry to the magnificent Tulip Top Gardens (just north of Canberra), lunch onsite at the gardens and return coach transport

Please note: Walking involved

Beauty and The Beast, the musical

Wednesday 15 November 2023 - 1pm matinee $140

Includes: Ticket to Beauty and The Beast, showing at the Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, and return coach transport

Wollondilly Heritage Centre & Picnic Day at Warragamba Dam

Friday 24 November 2023 - $100

Includes: Tour and morning tea at Wollondilly Heritage Centre, Warragamba Dam Visitor Centre, BBQ/Picnic lunch in the grounds of Warragamba Dam and return coach transport

Pick up locations from Gerringong through to Wollongong

Grafton Jacaranda Festival

Tuesday 31 October to Monday 6 November 2023

$2745 per person twin share Add $380 for singles

Tour Highlights: Open Gardens of the Grafton Jacaranda Festival, Festival parade day for Grand Float Procession, Slim Dusty Museum, Schaeffer House, guided tour of Grafton, Lanbruk’s Gunya, Yamba, The Clog Barn and Mortel’s Sheepskin Factory

Price includes: 6 nights’ accommodation at Port Macquarie (1), Coffs Harbour (4) and Maitland (1), breakfasts, dinners, light morning teas, 5 lunches, entry to all attractions and coach pickup and drop off from your home in the Illawarra area

St John Ambulance

Providing a much needed service in our community

and WIN Stadium. We also have the option to join in on Sydney based events like New Years Eve activities, City to Surf, the Royal Easter Show, the MS Sydney to Gong Bike Ride and various events at Qudos Bank Arena, plus many more,” Melissa says.

10 decades

character references and can then move forward from there.

Charmian Clift is a well-known writer from Kiama and would have turned 100 years old on 30 August, 2023.

St John Ambulance NSW is a registered charity aiming to make first aid a part of everyone’s life.

The Kiama Combined Division covers local Kiama events such as the seasonal netball competition, the New Years Eve festivities, community events such as car shows and street fairs, Kiama Show, Albion Park Show and Berry Show, plus local music events.

It’s net also casts wider than Kiama and has it covering events in the Berry

St John Ambulance first came to Australia in 1883, and there are about 70 Divisions operating in NSW. Kiama Combined Division has been in operation since December 1980, and is fairly young compared to some other divisions.

Once a week on a Wednesday night the Kiama Division trains at the Kiama SES Hall from 7-9pm, except during school holidays. There are about 15 members spanning a wide age range, including cadets (those under 18 years old).

Melissa reveals, “You don’t need a first aid certificate to

Like most charities, St. John Ambulance always needs more volunteers to be able to continue to offer its services. Some events can’t go ahead without St John Ambulance coverage, as their insurance requires that they have first aid in attendance. Melissa says, “There is definitely more demand for our services than we are able to provide, and we do need to knock back events where we just don’t have the volunteers available.”

“If you are interested in first aid or want to do something different to your day job, want to help your local community, make new friends (within a great team), joining St John Ambulance might be a good fit. Most events are on weekends, so you would need to be available some weekends to put your skills to use. New members are always accompanied by a more senior member who provides guidance.”

Sue Eggins, President of the Kiama and District Historical Society, nominated Charmian Clift for a prestigious Blue Plaque from Heritage NSW commemorating people who have shaped the history of NSW. Only 43 have been issued so far.

Charmian Clift based the landscape of her first solo novel ‘Walk in Paradise Gardens’ on the ‘cup’ of the coast between North Bombo headland and Pheasant Point at the south end of Bombo Beach.

Married to Australian writer George Johnston, Charmian is especially remembered for her

more than 500 essays or columns published in the Sydney Morning Herald, which many regard as some of the earliest published calls for feminism in Australia.

Sue wrote in her application: “Charmian Clift is considered by many writers and readers to be our forgotten national literary treasure.”

Charmian at eight wrote and illustrated a collection of her poems which is mentioned in the Kiama Independent as gifted to a number of family and friends but no copy of the poems has been preserved, except for one poem found on the Kingsford Smith Plaque at Gerroa called “Kiama’s Blowhole.” This Plaque is an

entire newspaper page from 11 January, 1933, celebrating his flight from Seven Mile Beach to New Zealand and the poem was discovered at the bottom of the page.

If successful, the plaque would be installed on the outside wall of Kiama Library. One local on social media even called for Kiama Library to be renamed the Charmian Clift Library. Kiama already has Charmian Clift Place and Charmian Clift Reserve, near to her childhood home in Hothersal street.

by Mark Whalan

area such as the Berry Celtic Festival, and things like ‘Bundanoon is Brigadoon’ in the Southern Highlands and events located in the Shellharbour LGA like triathlons and the Southern Youth and Families Awards Night, to name a few.

Melissa Williamson is the Officer in Charge of Kiama Combined Division and has volunteered with St John for about 28 years. She says, “You never know when you may need to use the skills to help friends, family and others in need.”

Recently the Kiama Combined Division received a $1786 grant from the government which it is using for a radio base station that will help boost their radio signals when they cover events that span a wide distance such as the Red Cross Fun Run.

“We occasionally work with Wollongong Combined Division supporting them with events at the WEC

join, as obtaining one can be arranged for you once you sign up. First aid training is free of charge to members.”

You also don’t need to be a healthcare professional (doctor, nurse or paramedic) to put your skills to use, although Melissa says, “We always welcome health care professionals too, as their knowledge is great to assist in training our members if the healthcare professional has an interest in teaching others.”

It’s also good to have health care professionals at the higher injury risk events, and the option is always open for them to attend bigger Sydney based events like music festivals, the Royal Easter Show and the City to Surf to name a few. Upon application new members need to go through a few checks including a criminal record check and a Working With Children’s check, as well as provide a couple of

“Honing your skills will bring you confidence in using them. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve needed my skills outside St John events in my everyday life,” adding, “We would love to be able to continue the support of our local community and its surrounds with events and sports activities, but in order to do this we do need volunteers,” Melissa says.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please register online.

More information about the types of activities undertaken by St John Ambulance can be found on their state website: www.stjohnnsw. com.au.

by Donna Portland

Photos: Members on duty at the local ANZAC Day Parade & Taysha Kirby & Ashanti Afriyie at local netball

Local Legend of rugby league

started in April 1994 when a five-year-old first ran onto a footy field at Kiama High School when playing for St Peter and Paul School Kiama. Three years later, on 16 April 1997 he ran onto Kevin Walsh Oval as a Jamberoo Superoo for the very first time when playing for the Under 9’s.

In his career, Jono has not missed a competition game through injury despite being small in stature and carrying many injuries into games. Surely Jono must be one of the toughest ever to play the game!

On 19 August 2023 after nine years on the job Jono led the Jamberoo Superoos out for the 150th time as Captain-Coach and the last time in a regular season game.

Jono Dallas has a passion for rugby league. Now after 460 games as a Jamberoo Superoo in Seniors and Juniors he is retiring at the age of 35 years from the role of captain and coach of the Jamberoo First Grade side.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play for a long time with a lot of my best mates, which has ultimately always been

my motivation. I was always committed to winning a FirstGrade premiership here, as I understood how long it had been, and what the Club had gone through, so I am very happy I was able to do that,” Jono said.

Coming from a family that was very involved with rugby league Jono naturally gravitated towards it. His career

Asked for his advice for those wanting to follow in his footsteps, Jono said, “Young people playing sport will generally aspire to making a go of it at a higher level than what we play; but for those who that isn’t realistic for, it’s important to understand that playing local sport with your mates, especially for a club that

means something to you, can be extremely fulfilling in its own right.”

Jono said that he was lucky to have a body that managed to hold up well in footy, but said, “I was always one to work pretty hard on my skills more than my physique.”

Jono said it’s unfortunate that local footy has for the most part lost a lot of what makes it unique and special.

“The majority of league players around here are motivated by match payments or asking clubs to sort out their employment for them. For me, I had the opportunity to play at clubs that were probably stronger, and had more assets than Jamberoo, but being able to look back as someone that was loyal and worked hard to achieve what we achieved, instead of chasing success, is something I can feel good about.”

The thing he reflects on the most is how this club has impacted his mates. A couple of his closest friends would never have met if it wasn’t for his urging to get them to the town!

“Some mates met their girlfriends and wives, and

rocking rugby dad

tee member for many years and well known for being up for any job, whether for canteen or ground manager, to BBQ or first aid.

Sherrie said “My husband Lachlan has been coaching many teams for years and he deserves the recognition of the nomination .”

Many Community Sports Dads do not get the recognition they deserve for the contributions they make.

my wife has met her closest friends - all because of the Club,” he says. It’s all those things that he will look back on and feel content - to have built something that made these things possible for others.

And his best moments?

Jono reveals that winning the premiership in 2017 was “hands down” his best experience, adding, “It was 43 years since the Club had done this, so to be the one that was able to lead the team as Captain-Coach was surreal”.

representative teams with some opposition players and representing NSW Country and Malta were also some cool experiences that I don’t take for granted.”

Now that he’s retiring Jono says that he’ll enjoy his weekends with his family and friends, adding “Captain-coaching takes a lot of time and mental energy. Probably even more so for me being at my junior club where there is an extra level of expectation. As much as I love rugby league and Jamberoo, it’s pretty much

A local community coach and dad was nominated for the tenth annual Phillips Community Sports Dad of the Year for Father’s Day which was Sunday 3 September.

Kiama dad Lachlan Payne was wonderfully surprised by his wife Sherrie Payne on the footy field at Kiama Showground during training and The Bugle was there when Sherrie told him he had been nominated for Community Sports Dad of the Year on Friday 18 August 2023.

The winner of the 2023 Phillips Community Sports Dad was announced on 2 September 2023 as Greg

McKervey from Cobar who is a father of four. Greg is President of the Cobar Junior Soccer Club, and a big supporter of the Cobar Athletics and Triathlon Squad and Cobar Junior Basketball.

Greg McKervey said “If you find something you love doing, then volunteering is not work. “

Greg has donated all of his prize money to support the junior clubs he is involved with.

Every athlete has a story about who has supported them over the years. In many cases this has been a parent, coach or community volunteer who has committed to championing

community sports from the sidelines or behind the scenes. Lachlan clearly has been that person for very many players over a long time period.

Lachlan is the coach of three rugby league girls teams for the Kiama Knights, the U16s, the U14s, and U12s. He has three daughters who play for the teams, Charlotte Payne (U16), Eadie Payne (U14), and Jimmi Payne (U12).

The Kiama Knights Under 16 Tackle team beat Corrimal Cougars 18-14 in the grand final on 1 September.

Lachlan is the current club vice president of the Kiama Knights and been a commit-

Damien Cook, Rabbitohs and NSW Origin star won the 2022 Celebrity Sports Dad of the Year award. He knows first-hand the support he received from his own dad growing up and aspires to do the same with his kids, Willow and Jagger.

“Speaking from experience with my own dad when I was younger, community dads are so important with the roles they cover - from being a coach, setting up fields, refereeing and driving us to and from training and on-game days.

“My dad did this all while working full time and then worked overtime just to earn the extra time off to be able to get me to and from my commitments and be there to support me. I’ll always be grateful for that.”

by Mark Whalan

For the nine years he has coached the team Jamberoo Club has managed to be in the top three in seven of those seasons, so to have some prolonged success has been a great achievement.

Jono says, “On a personal level, playing in some

ruled my life for a long time, so I am very much looking forward to having a bit more freedom throughout the year. I’ll always be a big supporter of the Club.”

by Donna Portland

Kiama Power

Five Junior Kiama Power players selected for Sydney Swans Super 24 team

Kiama Power AFL Club has had a number of players selected to be part of the Sydney Swans Academy, and another five have been selected in the Super 24 team for their age division.

Kiama Power Junior AFL is a well-established club that provides AFL opportunities for children aged four through to 17 years. Competitions are available for U11, U13, U15 and U17 for both boys and girls. Development of skills occurs in the U9 and Auskick programs.

Selection into the Super 24 team was based on skill level, game-based decision-making, athleticism and physicality, attendance, behaviour and training standards, and competitiveness.

The following Kiama Power players were selected and will travel to Coffs Harbour in October to take on the

GWS Giants academy teams: Roxy Wood U13 girls, Chloe Richards U14 girls, Oasis Huender U14 girls, Charlie Edwards U14 boys, and Alex Norris U15 boys. Congrats to all.

Bec Wood is the Vice President for the Junior Club and works in conjunction with committee members, other local clubs and AFL South Coast to ensure the kids are well supported and advocated for both on and off the field. She says, “I am extremely proud of the dedication that each of these players have displayed to their chosen sport and wish them all the best in the Super 24.”

Registrations open in November, with the season running from March until August.

Kiama Jr AFL From left to right Roxy Wood, Alex Norris, Oasis Huender, Chloe Richards

Werri surfers compete in Manly

Three teams from Werri Beach Boardriders have entered in the Manly SURFTAG Competition that kicks off on the weekend of 9-10 September.

SURFTAG is a tag team surfing series that will crown Australia’s No.1 Boardriding Club. Starting with the Men’s Division in 2001 and adding Women in 2008, the 2022 SURFTAG SERIES saw Grommets (Under 14’s), Juniors (Under 18’s) and Masters (Over 40’s) Divisions added to the Series with the overall SURFTAG SERIES champions being determined by ratings points from each Division.

Described as a surfing relay, the SURFTAG Format creates pressure surfing with wave selection and time management paramount, resulting in clutch finishes with surfers sprinting up the beach to beat the countdown clock. SURFTAG is all about teamwork and representing your local community.

Ben McCarthy, Justin McMahon, Tony Seddon WBBC also has an Open Women’s team consisting of a mix of younger and older women. Lucy Darragh and Holly Wishart, two Kiama High School students, are certainly two young ladies to watch as they are consistently making finals appearances in State and National level competitions for their age groups and are exceptional surfers.

Team members in the Womens are: Holly Wishart,

basics of competitive surfing in a family friendly, supportive and fun way. The senior half of the club caters to local teen and adult surfers who are looking to get together for a fun day on the beach, challenging themselves as competitive surfers.

Jess McGarn is part of the Open Women’s team and a Life Member. She is also the secretary and treasurer of WBBC and runs the microgroms division. She says, “We regularly compete in team events up and down the

an individual sport.

“What I love most is challenging myself to improve my surfing in a fun, supportive and casual way. I love the way that Werri Beach Boardriders build strong friend, family and community connections for our Werri surfing families,” says Jess.

“I’ve been a member myself since I was very young. My parents used to help run the microgroms division, which I now run, and my children are now part of it all too,” Jess adds.

A 75-year-old grandfather from Kiama, Ian Carstairs, is worried about “the insidious influence of fossil fuel lobbyists that threatens my grandchildren’s future.” He has written this poem – from the heart - in the hope of asserting some influence of his own to counteract the fossil fuel lobby.

The Tipping Point

Our planet’s not just hot

it’s boiling

At the poles the ice is melting

The ocean temperature is rising

Record sea levels take a belting.

Ocean water turns more acid

Plankton dies – our oxygen source

The AMOC current becomes more flaccid

Earth’s climate’s on emergency course.

Experts say we’re at tipping point

Fires, floors and famine all over the place

So the question is: ‘How to save the joint?’

And the answer’s right here in our face.

Leave coal, gas and oil in the ground

No more new coal mines or expansion of old.

Rapid transition to solar and wind

Electric cars, trucks and buses are gold.

Asparagopsis in cattle feed

Reduces methane in burps of livestock

Green compost bins for every household

Cut the food waste, recycle the plastic.

If we start right now perhaps we’ll see Our grandchildren have the chance to thrive.

If we’re too slow to change then inevitably

We’re cutting their chances to survive.

The Bugle joins Ian in his resolve to speed up the transition to adopting a greener lifestyle.

For the first time Werri Beach Boardriders Club (WBBC) has an Over 40s Men’s team which has become an incredibly strong team of experienced surfers. Ben McCarthy, son of one of the Club’s founding members is part of this team, as is Allan Farrel, a long-term life member of the Club, and local surfboard shaper Tully Robinson from Wave Creations.

Team members in the Open Mens are: Matt Gale, Zac Scott, Evan McGarn, Dean Bowen, Hayden Ward

And in the Over 40 Men: Tully Robinson, Alan Farrell,

Lucy Darragh, Tiana Darragh, Jess McGarn, Andrea Bowen.

The Club was founded in 1981 and runs monthly surfing events for its 200-plus members. Their ‘microgroms’ division (for 4 to 13-year-olds) is held at Gerroa and caters for young grommets under 12 who are ready to start learning the

east coast. The events bring together boardriders clubs from around Australia to battle it out in a tag team format to crown the winning club.”

Surfers must run, paddle out, ride their scoring wave and run in to tag the next surfer. It is a fast paced, high-energy style of surfing that brings surfers together as a team in what is usually

Anyone interested in learning more about WBBC can find them on Instagram (#werribeachboardriders) where you will also find some amazing photos of club members in action and their beautiful surroundings.

by Donna Portland

Aussie festival favourites coming to Kiama Festival of choirs

Coming Up

Kiama Saturday Run

Kiama Lighthouse

Saturday 9 September, 9:30am

Electric Vehicle Open Day

The Pavillion

Saturday 9 September, 1pm

Brushes at the Brewery

Stoic Brewing Gerringong

Saturday 9 September, 5:30pm

Hot Rod Show

Black Beach Park

Sunday 10 September, 8am

Blood Donation

Anglican Church, Kiama

Tuesday 12 September, 12:30pm

Referendum Discussion

The Fraternity Club, Fairy Meadow

Thursday 14 September, 7pm

Theatre: The End of Winter

Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre

Friday 15 September, 1pm and 8pm

Taster Concert for Folk by the Sea Burnetts on Barney

Saturday 16 September, 10am

Talk: Misfortune or Fraud

Kiama Library

Saturday 16 September, 2pm

Gerringong Music Club: Zefiro

Gerringong Town Hall

Sunday 17 September, 2pm

Indian Street Food

By the sea Cafe

Thursday 21 September, 6pm

Regular Events

Kiama Farmers’ Markets

Uniting Church or Kiama Surf Beach, 3-6pm

SENTRAL’S Open Mic

Every Thursday

SENTRAL Youth Services, 5-7pm Robyn Sharp Open Gallery

First weekend of every month

Cedar Ridge Studio, Foxground, by appointment

The Berry Markets

First Sunday each month

Berry Show Society, 8.30-2pm

The Berry Bowling Club Markets

Second Saturday of the month, 9-2pm

Gerringong Rotary Markets

Third Saturday each month

Around the Town Hall, 8:30-1:30pm

Kiama Seaside Markets

Third Sunday each month

Black Beach, 9-3pm

Jamberoo Village Markets

Last Sunday each month

Reid Park, Jamberoo, 9-2pm

Have an event?

Let us know. Bugle/KCR steven@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Kiama is fast-becoming the premier destination for music festivals, with another two-day festival coming in December.

Changing Tides will take place on 16 & 17 December at Kiama Showgrounds featuring a lineup of Australia’s festival favourites.

Saturday will host headliner Spacey Jane along with Dune Rates, G Flip, Peking Duk, The Jungle Giants, Sycco, Kita Alexander, Dulcie and The Moving Stills.

Sunday will see perfor-

mances by Pnau, The Temper Trap, Ziggy Alberts, Leisure, Jack Botts, Merci, Mercy, Jacotene, Felipe Baldomir, and Royal Blood from the UK will make an appearance.

Pre-sale tickets will go on sale this Wednesday 30 August at 8am for those that register at Changing Tides’ website. General public tickets will go on sale at 10am.

Tickets are only available to those aged 18-plus.

Changing Tides adds to a growing list of new festivals coming to Kiama this Summer, which also includes the Clearly Festival and Red Hot Summer Tour.

by Brendon Foye

End of winter

A beautiful new production that asks, will climate change erase winter leaving it to exist only in fairy tales, paintings, and historical accounts?

In hot, bushfire-prone Australia our winters are becoming warmer and shorter. The End of Winter is about loss and resilience. It’s about the places one can search for cold weather - places that can be reached via public transport and the imagination.

Multi-award-winning writer Noëlle Janaczewska’s new work for the stage speaks to our current climate crisis. Written in the wake of the devastating 2019 bushfires, it asks: What’s happening to winter?

The themes and ideas contained within The End of Winter lean into the most significant issue of our time – the changing climate and the loss of seasons.

Friday 15 September Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre

Gerringong Music club

The Gerringong Music Club invites the community to enjoy an afternoon of music with Zefiro on Sunday 17 September at 2pm in Gerringong Town Hall.

Zefiro explores the flute, violin and piano repertoire in a captivating and energetic program that delights with Gallic charm.

Flautist Suzanne Cowan, violinist Cecilia Bersée and pianist David Vance will perform music by Gaubert, Ibert, Rabaut and Martinu, along with a new work specially written for the trio by Wollongong Conservatorium’s resident composer, John Spence.

Suzanne Cowan currently teaches at The Wollongong Flute Studio, Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, and many other schools with music programs.

Most recently, Suzanne played Principal Flute with the Wollongong Symphony Orchestra.

Cecilia Bersée is a freelance violinist, teacher and an AMEB examiner. She

There’s nothing quite like the sound of hundreds of people coming together to sing.

Choirs have been part of human existence since people could bake bread and create the wheel.

The Rotary Club of Kiama is gearing up to host the Festival of Choirs, which is shaping up to be an exciting event culminating in various choirs from around the region battling it out from around our area.

It’s sure to be a tense time as the event has been on hold since the COVID-19 pandemic, and this has given all the choirs plenty of time to hone their skills and warm up their tonsils.

performance venues for the Probus Choir, are still closed so we do not get as many opportunities to sing as we would like.

“I think all the choirs are keen to get on the boards again,” says Geoff Cole, the Lead Organiser for Festival of Choirs.

“It's a good Community Event that gives many people a lot of pleasure, both Choir members and audience, and it also raises money to support Rotary Charities, both in Australia and Internationally.

with some songs that they will be performing at Floriade.

“It is so wonderful to be sharing music again at The Festival. It is such a marvellous opportunity for the audience to see the choices available locally to sing.

“My aim is to encourage everyone to find their voice and sing without judgement.”

Eleven choirs will be performing with a vast range of music that will cater to everyone’s taste.

has played with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and predominantly for Opera Australia Orchestra, where she played for more than 20 years.

David Vance is an outstanding pianist, music critic, and retired academic from the University of Wollongong. He continues to maintain a busy schedule as an accompanist and chamber musician.

Doors open at Gerringong Town Hall at 1:30 pm with tickets on sale at the concert at $30 for visitors (cash at the door). Members, students and children are free.

“I think all the choirs are still restricted in where they can perform.

For example, many nursing homes, which were important

One of the choirs to feature is Sing Australia Kiama, which came together in 2010, despite the overall network starting 30 years ago.

Maree Shepherd is the leader and musical director and says the choir looks forward to performing at this year's festival

The event will be held at the Kiama Showground Pavillion on 15 October with tickets $30 for adults, $25 for concession, $10 for children and $50 for a family of four, and tickets will be available at the door. All proceeds will go to supporting various Rotary and local charities.

by Steven White

Blowbugleyour

The Bugle has provided you with insightful local news and stories for the past seven years. As a small team, we strive to cover as many local stories as possible, but we can't be everywhere at once.

That's why we're excited to launch 'Blow Your Own Bugle'.

We want to hear from you! Is there someone in your community who has embarked on an important journey? Are you planning an upcoming event that you'd like to share? Has someone you know received a special

award or recognition? Or do you have concerns about an issue affecting your town that you'd like to bring to our attention?

Your contributions will help us continue to provide you with quality local news and stories that matter. ...and don't forget to download the app to get further articles and news in between editions.

We're eager to hear from you, so please send us an email at hello@thebuglenewspaper. com.au.

Kiama Mens' Choir 2019

Down

Triumph (7) 2

3

Earth-shaking (7)

4

Twisted out of shape (9)

6

Revitalising Relationships

same applies to same-gender relationships or friends living together.

Whilst it looks like an even distribution in getting things done, it often isn’t. The problem is that neither person has sat down with the other and worked out who does what and when. If they had, so many of the bigger issues may not appear.

There is a way to solve the chore issue.

and as a couple (or family) everybody commits to doing their chore/s by the time decided on the chore list on the fridge If your children are old enough, get them to contribute to this exercise too. In some cases, parents like to reward their children with small amounts when they do what they say they will do, so an ice-cream on a Friday or an hour extra on an i-pad is suitable.

"The game's !" (Shakespeareand Conan Doyle) (5)

Chatterbox (7) 7

8

Beach habitués (7)

Former national cricket captain (3,8)

Horizontal bearing (7)

type of paint for artists (7)

The Chore Dilemma

- So often, it’s the little things……. Often when I am working with couples, they come to see me frustrated with each other, or agitated about things that need to be done around the house and they argue over who does what?

Sound crazy? Well, that may be the case, but a key issue that couples bring into the room where I coach them is chores.

The trouble is that most couples fall into the gender typical roles in which they perhaps grew up. She’s in the kitchen cooking and cleaning and sorting out the kids and he’s outside doing the lawn, the hedges and everything in between. The

Both partners in a relationship need to be responsible for helping around the house and positively contributing to the family and this can include children if they are old enough.

• Take a A4 piece of paper and draw three vertical columns down the page.

• Column 1 – Chores

• Column 2 – Who

For older children or adolescents, this can be a small cash incentive or more time to drive the family car or money to go to the movies. Some families don’t like this reward system and feel that all people living in the house should contribute – living in a lovely home and sharing in a family life is reward enough. Families are different but do whatever suits. Remember the golden rule Integrity! Doing what you -

It only does not work, if you Give it a go. You might be really surprised at how well

hello@thebuglenewspaper.

The Quarry Cafe Celebrates community recipes

LAST ISSUE'S CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Daal Tadka (by JJs Restaurant)

I n g r e d i e n t s D i r e c t i o n s

1 cup of daal

3 cups water

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon ghee or vegetable oil

¼ teaspoon cumin seeds

pinch of hing (asafoetida)

½ teaspoon salt

1 spoon fresh garlic

1 spoon ginger paste

Half finely chopped Spanish

onion

¼ spoon turmeric powder ½ sp

chilli powder ½ sp cumin powder 1 sp coriander powder

2 sp freshly chopped tomatoes chopped coriander (to taste)

a few drops of lemon juice

The cooking process is divided into two steps: Take one cup of daal and wash it three - four times then put it in a pot with three cups of water Add ½ a teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon turmeric to it Once boiled it will change colour from orange to yellow

To prepare Tadka: Add one teaspoon ghee or vegetable oil and heat it up Add ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds and pinch of hing Then add one spoon of fresh garlic and ginger paste and cook lightly Add half finely chopped Spanish onion and cook it till light brown Now add spices: ¼ sp turmeric powder ½ sp chilli powder ½ sp cumin powder 1 sp coriander powder cook it lightly then add 2 spoons of freshly chopped tomatoes

Once tomatoes are cooked properly in Tadka then add 2 cups of boiled daal Cook it for 3 -4 minutes and add chopped coriander and squeeze a few drops of lemon juice It can be eaten with roti or rice I personally prefer to eat daal with roti instead of Naan says Pritpal

P r i t p a l S a i n i , p r o p r i e t o r o f J J s I n d i a n R e s t a u r a n t g i v e s u s o n e o f h i s f a v o u r i t e r e c i p e s

D a a l T a d k a i s a h e a l t h y , f l a v o u r f u l I n d i a n l e n t i l d i s h D a a l m e a n s l e n t i l a n d t a d k a m e a n s t e m p e r i n g “ W e e a t a v a r i e t y o f d a a l a l m o s t e v e r y d a y T h e r e a r e m a n y d i f f e r e n t c o m b i n a t i o n s o f d a a l u s e d t o c o o k t a d k a B u t m y f a v o u r i t e i s M a s s o r D a a l , w h i c h i s r e d s p l i t l e n t i l s e a s i l y a v a i l a b l e i n s u p e r m a r k e t s , ” s a y s P r i t p a l

Caryn Walsh is a Kiama Counsellor & Psychotherapist, Life and Executive Coach and welcomes your Relationship questions in this column.

Helen Rippon, a passionate and dedicated swimming instructor, at Kiama Leisure centre, shared her profound love for her chosen profession with The Bugle. She has spent 34 years teaching generations of local residents to swim and over those years, has even started teaching the children of kids who she taught decades ago. 27 of those years have been at The Kiama Leisure Centre. With an infectious enthusiasm, she expressed her unwavering belief that she had been blessed with the most extraordinary occupation in the world.

Helen told The Bugle “I have the best job in the world teaching two-year-olds basic swimming skills such as kicking and floating. It's such a joyful experience.”

The centre aims to provide a happy and safe environment for children to learn water confidence. They offer swim school classes for children aged 6 months and up with Austswim, Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) and Swim Australia accredited instructors.

The toddlers learn basic survival skills of kicking and keeping their heads above water, and Helen has possibly saved a number of young lives over the years with swimming being such an essential skill in our coastal area. Certainly the two-year-olds The Bugle was introduced to this week mostly enjoyed their time in the water. Accompanied by parents and grandparents, it is a great weekly activity that provides not only water safety lessons, but social bonding in the group.

Beyond the technical aspects of swimming, Helen recognises the immense value of her role in fostering a love for the water. She understands that by creating a positive and nurturing environment, she is not only teaching these little ones how to swim but

POSTCARD HOME

also instilling in them a lifelong passion for the water. Through her guidance, they would come to view the pool as a place of joy, adventure, and endless possibilities. Beyond the obvious benefits of water safety lessons, this weekly activity offers so much more. It serves as a platform for social interaction, allowing parents and children to come together and forge deeper connections. It is a scene that showcases the power of community and the importance of fostering relationships.

Danielle Ward, who is the Administration Team Leader at the Kiama Leisure Centre, said of Helen:“She has been with us for many years and taught many generations of local families. Both the Leisure Centre and the community love Helen and appreciate the passion she brings to her swim school role. We love having Helen as part of our team here at the KLC.”

The KLC swim school classes help children to progress their swimming skills and learn water confidence.

They can then progress to mini squad training eventually which aims to improve stamina and develop a variety of stroke techniques.

Helen taught over 300 students just last term! Certainly an icon at the pool. As Helen concluded her conversation with The Bugle, it was evident that she had found her true calling in life. Her dedication to teaching these young ones the basic skills of swimming was not merely a job but a vocation that brought her immeasurable happiness. With each passing day, Helen continues to shape the lives of these young learners, leaving an indelible mark on their journey of growth and discovery.

by Belle and Mark

Our long awaited trip to Uluru became a reality as we landed at Ayers Rock Airport for a four day visit.

After a short coach transfer, we arrived at Desert Sands Resort and their logo of 'Touch the Silence' seemed promising!

Our accommodation was very peaceful as all the Bungalows are situated in attractive gardens with the green lawns a perfect contrast to the red desert soils.

At 5am the next morning we boarded a bus for the Olgas canyon walk, Kata Tjuta, stopping off on the way to view the sunrise over Uluru, a magnificent sight!

The Olgas were spectacular and the gorge a comfortable walk although care was needed on the stoney track especially when gazing up at the red rocky cliffs lit up by the early morning sun.

Our evening entertainment was a tour of the famous

Field of Light, where we enjoyed twilight cocktails atop a sand dune while watching the thousands of tiny solar lights start glowing as darkness fell. We wandered spellbound through this huge landscape on highlighted paths as the banks of lights changed colour, it was pure magic in the still desert night!

The next day the free hop-on bus took us out to Uluru where we hopped-off at Outback Cycles to hire bikes for the 14 kilometre ride around the base of this gigantic rock.

We have ridden bikes in many countries but this unique trail was the experience of a lifetime and gave us a very strong awareness of Uluru's spiritual significance to Indigenous people.

It's a comfortable two hour ride suitable for all ages and many family groups with young children were really

enjoying the perfect 24 degree weather, as we were!

Back at Ayers Rock Village we participated in workshops of Aboriginal crafts such as dot painting, basket weaving and didgeridoo skills as well as an informative bush tucker walk.

The Art Gallery of Central Australia which showcases an extensive range of high quality artworks, clothing and gifts is also a great place to visit.

We really enjoyed tasty meals at the Training Cafe where young indigenous people learn valuable hospitality and cooking skills to equip them for jobs in the Tourism Industry.

Our trip was finished much too soon but this wonderful Red Center really is the beating heart of Australia, we can strongly recommend an Autumn visit to Uluru!

By Bob and Christine Sloan