The Bugle 19 December 2015
A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW
Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa and now at www.thebugleonline.com
Private abattoir proposal seeks adjudication Gerhard Baden’s dream of having the whole processing of his wagyu beef meat done on his Rose Valley farm has moved forward, with Council agreeing to send his planning proposal for a boutique abattoir to the Department of Planning for a Gateway determination. If approved, the Gateway process could allow the abattoir as an additional permitted use, as such an activity is not normally allowed by the Kiama LEP. Gerhard is keen to have his animals killed on site rather than subject them to the stress of having to transport them much further afield and has worked with Council for the two years since his initial DA was rejected
put them under un-needed stress by having to put them on a truck for the first time in their lives and take them to a foreign environment. We want to be able to walk them from the paddock to the knocking box to keep their anxiety and blood pressure down.” In response to neighbours’ Gerhard Baden’s is also proposing a restaurant for his property, concerns about the smell and although he says that would be some time away the potential for the operato get to this point. He also believes that tion to get bigger, Gerhard “Our animals are three processing them on site is says the plant is being built years old when they are a much more humane solu- to accommodate a maximum processed, making them tion, and one used by other of 120 animals a year but much heavier and longer Australian wagyu producers. they won’t reach even that than the normal beast that “We pamper our animals to throughput for another four goes to the commercial abat- give them a stress-free pas- to five years. At the moment toirs,” he says. “The three ture-fed life,” he says, point- Schottlanders Wagyu are closest to us don’t want to ing out the electric brushing processing 38 beasts a year, take wagyu anymore as their poles and the music played which they sell to local resproduction lines can’t cope.” in the fields. “But then we taurants and at the Kiama
Farmers’ Market. “We have a premium product, and have purposely designed the system for our needs alone,” he says. “There will be none of the smells that people associate with old abattoirs as all of the processes will happen in an enclosed space. There will be no waste and no noise.” Councillor Mark Honey supported the proposal going to Gateway as he feels initiatives like these need to be supported if the area is going to retain its farming land. Councillor Andrew Sloan voiced particular concerns about the management of the resulting effluent, given the potential for runoff to Werri Lagoon.
Inside this issue Kiama event in Mardi Gras program p 3
Duck Derby on its way p4
Nobles to go back to drawing board p 5
Class of 2015 has reason to smile Principal John Salmon is very pleased with Kiama High’s 2015 HSC results. “We had 13 per cent of our 161 students obtain one or more Band 6 results, and 53 per cent obtain results of Band 5 or above,” he said. The year has been a consistently good performer, helped in part by some special intervention in their early years to help their learning focus. Five of the students who were very happy with their results are shown with their Year Adviser Peter Quine and the Principal. From the left, Lloyd Ryder achieved two Band 6 results, and hopes to study science and agriculture at the University of Sydney; Matthew Price has four Band 5s and will be studying engineering and science at Wollongong; Eluned Price scored three Band 6 and will be studying health and medical science at Wollongong; Kelsey Wishart, with five Band 5s, wants to study primary teaching; and Audrey Pring with a Band 6 and five Band 5s is set to study law and international relations at Wollongong.
From the Editor Well that is another year done and dusted. A lot has happened; most of it positive, some of it sad and some just a portent of things to come. It has shown us our community does need a truly local paper. Thanks for all your support and encouragement, and see you again in midJanuary. Stay safe and be nice to each other. Best wishes from The Bugle
What’s on? Every Wednesday
26 December
Kiama Farmers’ Market Kiama Harbour 3-6pm
Kiama Makers & Growers Market Black Beach, 9-2pm
On weekends Live music at The Sebel, Kiama Leagues Club, The Mecure, Jamberoo Pub and other venues.
19 December Gerringong Christmas Street Parade & Market
20 December Combined Gerringong Carols 2015 Town Hall 7.30-9pm
20 December Kiama Seaside Markets Black Beach, 9-3pm Festival of Carols (see below)
Let us know if there’s an event you’re organising. Just email the details to emailthebugle@gmail.com or phone 0412 415 101 Listings are free, and at the editor’s discretion & Retro Fair Kiama Leisure Centre, 9.30-5pm
Fireworks Spectacular Kiama Harbour Kiama Harbour followed by a concert in Hindmarsh Park (see right)
2 January
9 Jan
Inaugural Duck Derby (see page 4)
Kiama Show Ball
3 January
Kiama Seaside Markets Black Beach, 9-3pm
Annual Captain Christie Ocean Swim Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club
5-13 January
KISS Arts Festival Circus Workshops Hindmarsh Park 22-28 December Kiama Woodcraft Group for info 0422 914 713 16-17 January Exhibition Kiama Rotary Antiques Old Fire Station Kiama
For 25 years, funds raised at Kiama Rotary’s Annual Antiques and Retro Fair have been going to support local and international Rotary charities. As the largest fair of its type on the South Coast, there will be 24 stalls of local, Sydney, country and interstate dealers offering a wide selection of furniture, jewellery, silver, china, porcelain, textiles, books, toys, Asian antiques and many other Details: 16 and 17 Jan, Kiama Leisure Centre, 9.30-5pm collectables for sale. on the Sat and 10-3pm on the Sun. $10/$7 concession. It is always a great place to Contact John on 0419 002 655 if you have items to sell. spend any Christmas money you’ve been given. Just like Antiques Roadshow, you can have your own antiques and precious goods (except for jewellery) valued on Saturday and Sunday for $5 per item or have the Club sell your items on commission. “Don’t miss this great opportunity to spoil yourself or to buy something for that special someone – or perhaps even find out that some of your own bric-a-brac is worth a fortune!” says Rotary’s John Worstencroft.
16 January Shimano Children's Charity Fishing Competition Kiama Harbour Gerringong Village Market In and around the Town Hall
31 December
Kiama’s own Antiques Roadshow
10 Jan
NYE to go off
14 Jan Kiama Bush Dance Community Centre, Hindmarsh Park, from 7pm $5
17 Jan Kiama Seaside Markets Black Beach, 9-3pm
19 Jan Lego Lake Kiama Library, 6-7.30pm Come along and see what you can build
22-23 Jan Kiama Show
Carol concert evening A ‘festival of Carols’ will be performed by a community choir under the baton of Wendy Leatheam at the Uniting Church Fellowship Centre in Manning St. Kiama on Sunday 20th December, commencing at 7.30 pm. If you enjoy listening to Carols old and new, with some audience participation, then join in on that evening. There is no admission charge and a light supper will be provided.
The Bugle Editorial: Cathy Law t 0412 415 101 Sales: Steve Law t 0428 662 499 Ian MacDonald t 0422 736 582
Or email us at emailthebugle@ gmail.com Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, but we are only human.
4 Tingira Cres, Kiama 2533
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Kiama’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks enjoys the distinction of being the biggest pyrotechnic display between Sydney and Melbourne on the night, but after they have finished people usually pack up and go home. This year, however, the Kiama Business Chamber has launched an initiative to keep the party going by organising an after concert in Hindmarsh Park. Details: Festivities will kick off on the Harbour foreshore at 4pm, with food stalls and amusement rides. The fireworks are at 9pm, with the concert from 9.30 til 11pm.
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Kiama will be Fit for the Future Mayor Brian Petschler is quietly confident that Kiama Council will be able to show the State Government that it is ‘Fit for the Future’ when it makes its next submission. By implementing the recommendations made by the consultant who has investigated the situation, it is believed it is possible to meet five of the Fit for the Future benchmarks by the required 2019/20, including the critical benchmark of the operating performance ratio. The recommendations include a less conservative stance on depreciation, restructuring asset expenditure, increasing income (particularly through commercial activities) and expenditure savings.
No success with Federal capital funding The latest round of Federal funding under the National Stronger Regions Fund had no good news for the Kiama area. Council had sought $2 million to help with the new Aged Care development and $1.5 million for the long awaited improvements to the Gerringong School of Arts to incorporate a library.
Ingham goes to L&E Court As expected, billionaire Robbie Ingham is appealing to the Land & Environment Court for approval for his mega-mansion on the first headland south of Gerringong township. The DA proposes a two storey, 10 bedroom principal dwelling with an overall floor area, including pool house, garages and verandahs, of 3,927m2 (an acre in old speak), There is also a manager’s quarters, a tennis court and pavilion, two swimming pools, a barn and stables compound, a farm shed, two dams and access roads. Only the manager’s quarters are in the prescribed building envelope, with most of the development on the wrong side of the foreshore building line. The initial telephone hearing on the matter will be in mid-January.
Kiama’s own gay icon Blowhole Point ready for summer hordes The Federal Government’s inspires art prize $400,000 contribution to the Kiama Blowhole Harbourside Works project has been marked by the unveiling of a plaque to officially open the new playground on Blowhole Point and the refurbished amenities block by the rockpool. The total $2.43 million project is 65 per cent complete, with the rest of the work due to be done by September. Already visitors to the area are also benefiting from the extended wharf structure, the one way traffic configuration and link road from the harbour to Blowhole Point Rd, the Harbourside walk and the refurbishment of the car parking area. In the new year, focus will shift to the remaining items: • the replacement of the crib rock retaining wall • the tennis court bank stabilisation • the relocation of the lighthouse carpark with 98 new spaces being created • landscaping of the lighthouse area • installation of new picnic shelters, barbecues,
Kiama’s feted Hollywood costume designer Orry-Kelly would be proud that his home town is to host the new Mardi Gras Regional Art Prize, established in association with the 2016 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The $3000 visual arts prize and exhibition, an initiative of the locally based Canvas Events, is open to established and emerging artists throughout Australia. It aims to celebrate diversity, acceptance, equality and love in all its forms, and provide a platform for the growing LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or intersex) community on the South Coast to participate in the annual Mardi Gras on their home turf. The Art Prize, and a recovery party, is part of the official Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras program. The exhibition will be on show in Kiama at the Old Fire Station and other smaller venues in and around Kiama in mid-March. Artists are being asked to draw inThe promotional art draws on a narrative spiration from a quote “You should theme used in the only be ashamed of bein’ ashamed” film on Orry-Kelly taken from Orry-Kelly’s memoir released earlier Women I’ve Undressed. The powerful this year mantra was expressed to him by an infamous madame Ms Rosie Boot, who he decribes as Sydney’s “best-dressed laced-mutton” lady of the night. It is an insightful idiom that clearly resonated with Kelly throughout his extraordinary life and career. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of Australia’s biggest tourist drawcards, with the parade and dance party attracting many international and domestic tourists. It is New South Wales’ second-largest annual event in terms of economic impact, generating an annual income of about $30 million for the state. Details: To get involved, submit an entry or find more information visit the Art Prize’s Facebook page - Mardi Gras Regional Art Prize - or contact Bruce Ferguson at Canvas Events on 0418 307 808 or Bruce@canvasevents.com.au Entries close midnight on 14 February.
Kiama Downs Surgery Dr George Goor is very pleased to announce Dr Eliza Butt has joined the Kiama Downs Surgery. We feel Eliza's traditional family values and modern medical approach is the perfect fit for our small and caring team. Surgery hours Mornings
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs: 8.30-12.30pm Fri: 8.20-noon
Afternoons Mon, Tues, Weds: 1.30-5.30pm Thurs: 1.30-6.30pm Fri: 12.30-3.30pm
31 Johnson St, Kiama Downs 3
energy efficient public The Federal Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis, unveils the plaque, lighting and new recy- with the help of some enthusiastic cling bin enclosures. playground testers. The NSW Government has committed $274,000 to the project, with Kiama Council funding the remaining $1.9 million. Blowhole Point attracts more than 600,000 visitors each year.
One for the fisherpeople
The Bugle is a great way for you to reach the entire Kiama district
Bait and tackle vending machines are soon to be installed near the Scout Hall at Kiama Harbour, at the Werri Beach Holiday Park and near the Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park kiosk. Council is to offer the opportunity to operate the one at Kiama Harbour to Kiama Scouts to help them with their fundraising.
Contact Ian on 0422 736 582 or Steve on 0428 662 499
Sculpture finds a home
After careful consideration and consultation, it has been decided to locate Council’s Flugelman sculpture at Storm Bay, but closer to the water’s edge than shown in the original positioning above. It is expected to be officially unveiled in late February/ early March.
Use for those traffic lights Who will bring Aldi to town? yet The RMS has advised Council that due to safety considerations it now has a policy to detour traffic off main roads when maintenance is needed. This means that Riverside Drive will again take the highway traffic on these occasions. The detours are expected to come into operation on a 3-4 monthly basis, starting in mid March. Council has raised a number of concerns about this proposal with the RMS, given the changes that have happened to the road since it was decommissioned as the Highway.
Following the confirmation of Aldi as an anchor tenant, expressions of interest are now being sought from developers for the Akuna carpark and old Independent site on Shoalhaven St. A concept plan developed by Council for the site envisages a supermarket and around ten speciality shops, with two or three levels of residential apartments above.
Get ready for the Duck Derby The Gerringong Men’s Shed, with the support of Gerringong Lions Club, has devised a novel way to raise funds to help install and fit out the shed Fulton Hogan has donated. They are holding their inaugural Duck Derby, where everyone is invited to participate by adopting a little rubber duck and cheering it as it makes its way to the finish line. A cash prize will be awarded to the winning duck and consolation prizes to the runners up. They promise it will be a fun day for all the family, with a sausage sizzle to keep hunger at bay. Details: Saturday 2 January, Crooked River Footbridge, Gerroa. From 10.30am, with proceedings starting around 11am, tide permitting. Ducks are available for adoption before the event or on the day. Business packages are available. Contact Ken Harris 0416 149 800 or Graham St Clair 0438 118 309
Join us for Cathy and Steve’s series of
Farewell Summer Dinners based entirely on local produce Week 1: Thurs 31 Dec & Sat 2 Jan Week 2: Fri 8 & 9 Jan Week 3: Fri 15 & Sat 16 Jan
6-9pm Bookings advisable
4 Tingira Cres, Kiama t 4232 4990 4
Looking for a good book? The Christmas break is a great time to sit in the shade with a good book. But which one? We came across an eclectic list of recommendations by people who have given TED talks, and hope you will agree they sound intriguing. For more, check out ideas.ted.com A Tale for the Time Being
The Vegetarian: A Novel by Han Kang “It tells the story of a woman who suddenly stops eating meat, a shock decision that fractures her family relationships, allowing glimpses of the traumas, assumptions and impossible dreams that lie beneath. Picked by Benedetta Berti Fugitive Pieces: A Novel The writing is stunning: by Anne Michaels poetic, alluring, troubling “Anne Michaels’s poetic and strange. And the drama collage about love and loss keeps you turning the and escaping the wounds of pages to the end. It is Europe to construct a fresh simply fabulous.” future in the New World Picked by Ann Morgan remains one of the novels Remainder I’m always thrilled to recommend to friends - in part by Tom McCarthy “I love this book because because I’m fairly sure they’re about to recommend it’s about a man who has a traumatic head injury and it to me. ” decides to spend all his setPicked by Pico Iyer All the Light We Cannot See tlement money re-enacting by Anthony Doerr memories he’s never had. “This is one of those books If you like books about where you feel like you obsessive people, repetition have fallen deeply into and old ladies cooking someone else’s dream. It’s an epic World War II story, copious amounts of liver, but the tenderness on every this book is for you.” Picked by Gabriel Barciapage is haunting.” Picked by Rachel Botsman Colombo by Ruth Ozeki “This is a wonderfully written novel about empathy, nature, mortality, zen and quantum mechanics. A good reminder of how we are all connected and all trying to find our place ‘for the time being.’”
Make 2016 a good one for Megan You’re invited to use this New Year’s Eve to raise more funds to help a Kiama Downs woman seek treatment for her Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Russia. MS is a chronic, degenerative disease that attacks the central nervous system and is typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 40 years old. Megan Rundback is 43 years old, a wife, mother, sister and friend, with three daughters under 18. Medications available in Australia, which she has been taking since she was diagnosed at 19, no longer work for her and the progression of her MS has doubled in the last 12 months. She is booked in for life changing treatment in Russia to have a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), which aims to stop the progress of the disease. The process, which is only in trial stage in Australia, involves removing and storing stem cells from the patient before an extensive round of chemotherapy. The stem cells are then transplanted back into the body to ‘re-boot the immune
system’. This treatment has an 80% success rate of stopping MS in its tracks and halting further progression. The Hope. Love. Live. Fundraising Committee is supporting Megan’s cause and organising a number of community events to cover the treatment cost of US$45,000, plus airfares. She has an appointment for the treatment in June 2016. For further information see www.hopelovelive.com.au The New Year’s Eve event will include a BBQ, gourmet salads and ice cream. You can watch the Kiama fireworks from the balcony and there will be activities for kids and adults. Please bring some extra gold coins to join in. Drinks will be available for purchase at the bar. The fundraisers have also organised a trip on the Kiama Picnic Train (sold out) and are selling tickets in a raffle for a Thermomix. Details: Thurs 31 Dec, from 5:30pm, at Kiama Downs Surf Lifesaving Club. Dinner from 6:30pm. Tickets $20; 2-12 yrs $10; 2 adults, 2 kids - $50.
Buy tickets online at www.trybooking.com/JWIE or Kiama Downs Pharmacy. If you wish to make a donation to Megan’s cause (not a registered charity),
her bank details are Commonwealth Bank Account: Megan Rundback BSB: 062 198 Acc. No: 1079 7572
Nobles asked to go back to drawing board Despite having made concessions to their original plans, and having the DA recommended for approval by Council’s planners, the December Council meeting decided to defer a decision on the Noble Brothers proposal for 98 Fern St. In answer to questions from The Bugle, the Noble Brothers responded, “In terms of abiding by due course process, Noble Bros have liaised with council officers and heritage architects, and pursuant to guidelines determining the appropriateness of the application council officers found that the proposed development was considered to be reasonable and conditional approval recommended. “All eighteen matters of objections raised, were addressed and answered to council’s satisfaction, again council officers found that the proposed development was considered to be reasonable and conditional approval recommended.” At the Public Access meeting, the South Precinct made much of a concept plan it had uncovered through freedom of information which they thinks shows how the land was expected to be developed at the time the lease was entered into. According to the Noble Brothers, “The concept designs uncovered by opponents to the development were merely an idea when all the land lot 52 and lot 53 were still owned by Noble Bros. “It was superseded by subsequent considerations and had no bearing on the lease
agreement made over 20 years ago or the current DA under review.” Councillor Neil Reilly was one who was vocal in his opposition to the use of the leased land in the way proposed, “Approving this would go against view sharing principles.” Others said the DA didn’t respect the community needs or precinct objectives. “The DA they lodged and subsequently amended obviously didn't please the Council or the community because it doesn't really address the intent of the lease,” says Mayor Brian Petschler. “We want to work with them to see if we can make the flow from their property to the reserve to the west as seamless as possible.” He recalls it was always meant for there to be a flow from the leased land to the reserve. The Nobles have already reduced the height of the proposed glass balustrade from full height to one metre, and provided stairs leading from the terraced area to Fern St. This would give access to the area out of hours. The peppercorn 100 year lease for the 82 sq metre lot between their land and the reserve, now considered by many to be part of the reserve, was granted as part of complex negotiations which saw the Nobles help Council implement a community developed plan for the village (called a Charette).
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Showgirl title to be announced at Show Ball So far, two contenders have entered the Kiama Showgirl competition for 2016, but there is still time for them to be joined by other local women. Kiama 21 year old local and Wollongong University student Lucy Marsden (right in picture) and 18 year old apprentice chef Courtney Sopher, of Flinders, are the first two would-be Showgirls. Courtney works at Kiama’s Milk and Honey Café and Lucy is studying a media and communications degree and a diploma of languages at the University of Wollongong. Showgirl co-ordinator Fiona Wilkinson is encouraging anyone else who is
considering entering the competition, to do so. “The Showgirl competition is a lot of fun, a great way to meet people in our wonderful community and an opportunity to participate in activities that contribute to your goals,” she says. The winner of the Kiama Showgirl Competition proceeds to a Zone Final to compete against showgirl entrants from neighbouring show societies, with two from each zone chosen to compete for the state title at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Details: For more info, see www.kiamashow.com.au or call Fiona on 0411 255 134
Trade directory Electricians Murray Connerty: Air conditioning and refrigeration specialist. t 0408 420 655
Appliance repairs CVC Appliances: Repairs to washing machines, stoves, dishwashers, dryers etc. t 0401 294 810
Carpenters Straight & Level: Home renovation specialists. Licensed builder. Contact Geoff on 0407 958 087
Horticultural services Burnett Trees: Kiama Municipality’s own tree care service - skilled, insured professionals for all tree care, pruning, removal, stump grinding and mulching. t 4233 1311
Builders Burrell Builders: Cracked brickwork, underpinning, insurance/structural repairs. All building work. Ln3281c t 0419 378 000
Awards a fitting tribute Kate Sutton and Peter Salvatori are this year’s recipients of the Robert East Community Service Award. The $500 Awards are for council staff who have contributed in a significant way to the betterment of the community in a voluntary capacity. Kate is being recognised for her work with Kiama Surf Life Saving Club and Peter for his involvement in a program to Kate and Peter with Mrs East provide housing for families in Cambodia. The Megan Dalley Trainee of the Year Award for 2015 has gone to Sash Apostoloski, a former cadet engineer. Megan was a customer service trainee at Council when she was tragically killed in a car accident on her way home to Gerringong. The Award is presented each year to Council’s best performing trainee/ Peter with Drs Robyn and Andrew Dalley, their apprentice/cadet, and comes with a daughter Ros and grandchildren $1000 prize.
Under new management Sherree and the team would like to welcome all existing clients and new clients to our newly renovated premises on Railway Parade. We cater for three people at a time to allow for personal one on one attention. Groups, weddings and special event parties are well catered for, and our couples room is very Zen and relaxing. We still have your last minute gift vouchers (or e-vouchers) available for Christmas. Call us today to arrange one.
Iluka Reserve: process just beginning The two week design consultation period for Iluka Reserve, advertised by Council’s consultants Siteplus, is the first stage in a series of community consultations over the site’s future. While Council has flagged a portion of it for possible sell off, it is envisaged that the remainder low lying area would be improved to attract more recreational usage. The Gateway process necessary to allow the reclassification of the land will require extensive public consultation.
Open 7 days 10 am til 5pm Friday to Tuesday Wednesday 1pm til 5pm and Thursday by appointment. Appointments also available earlier and later during summer period.
Call 42 332 397 or 0403 707 265 2/5 Railway Pde, Kiama Just off Terralong St in the Kiama CBD, 5 mins walk from The Sebel
www.jindaleespakiama.com.au info@jindaleespa.com.au and find us on Facebook As previously reported in The Bugle, Council is considering selling up to nine residential lots on the northern, higher third of Iluka Reserve.
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New home on way for Gerringong Hardware Following a 2.35 metre concession being made on the height of the front of the proposed building, it seems likely that a new custom-built premises for Gerringong Hardware and industrial units will be built in Nelson St. Further consultations will happen with neighbours over the new height, but it is expected that the concession will have less of an impact on views. The proposal is for the construction of a hardware store with associated landscaping and building material supplies and five additional industrial units. 7
Postcard home Our favourite aspect of Asian countries is the people and Myanmar was about to outshine all other countries we had visited. An absolute highlight of our visit to Myanmar was our three day trek to Inle Lake. Kalaw, the starting city, is 60 kilometres west of Inle Lake. It’s situated up in the mountains, so the climate is colder than most places in Myanmar and the area is largely rural. We met our guide, Mola, at our hotel in the hills and our winding trek through the highlands began. On the way we were greeted by countless numbers of villagers tending to their land and walking along the trekking path to various markets. We passed fields of every vegetable and herb imaginable. On one morning we heard the sound of approaching buffalo on the track. As the line of buffalo drew
near, Mola motioned for us to move as far to the side of the track as we could. The young boy guiding the buffalo looked shyly at us and continued on. He looked to be only about 10 but I'm sure he was much older. At each village we were greeted by several smiling children who presented us with freshly picked flowers not
If you’d like to share your travel experiences, send your postcard home to emailthebugle@gmail.com
expecting anything in return. For some of these children we had brought coloured pencils. The excitement and surprise from each child was overwhelming. Our little gifts saw their faces light up with delight. On our first night we enjoyed a village homestay. Mola asked if we would like to share a drink after dinner. We sat with Mola, and the
elderly owner of our hut, Kyaw, sharing stories of Australia and Myanmar. Kyaw was at least 80 and his English was surprisingly accurate. He took great delight in pronouncing and spelling words, wanting to know more about each word. The whole night was one of laughter, a genuine exchange of cultures and Mandalay rum. Anne Millard
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Surprise concert for Graham Deans Not many teachers can retire on the high note just achieved by Graham Deans. He began teaching at Kiama High School in 1987, and plans to retire with the end of the 2015 school year. Two of the School’s young teachers, who were influenced by Graham when they were students there, organised a surprise farewell and afternoon Graham puts his golden baton through its paces tea to thank their colleague and mentor. Cam Rossiter and Brody Toombs managed to create a surprise concert and party attended by parents, ex-students and current band members, all without anyone spilling the beans! Graham has worked tirelessly to support music at Kiama High, running stage and concert bands and organising numerous band tours in Australia and NZ. He was Former students and presented with a very fine gold now teachers at the baton and a large banner, signed school Cam Rossiter and by his many supporters. Brody Toombs “He is an exceptional teacher,” said Cam. “He will be very much missed by everyone at the school. The band provided us with life long friends.” Brody added, “We even managed to design a tshirt with Deansy's face on it.”