The Bugle 12 September 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
Kiama SES win national title It’s official. Our SES rescue unit has been recognized as the best in the country following its win at the 2015 national titles. The competition was held at a number of locations across the Canberra, including an island in Lake Burley Griffin and the ACT Emergency Service Agency Training Centre. The team competed in seven challenging stormrelated scenarios, including people trapped inside a collapsed building, a search for missing persons, a casualty with a leg impalement and a seven storey tower with numerous casualties requiring rescue. The Kiama unit last entered the competition in 2011, when they came second at the national level. This year, the team won four out of the seven challenges, giving them overall first place, and Team Leader Warren Turner received the
Best Team Leader award and team medic Anna Habeck received Best First Aid award. The other members of the team were Chris Warren, Simon Ross, Rob McDonald and Dan Vrckoski. “I'm very proud of our team,” says Local Controller Warren Turner. “It’s a fantastic effort for a town like Kiama to represent NSW at the national level. “While we are very proud to become national champions, the hard work and training have improved the capabilities and experience of our rescue operators so we can better help the Kiama community.” The Kiama Unit is fortunate to have enough trained rescue operators to continue to have a rescue service on standby while the team and supporters were competing. Mayor Brian Petschler, who witnessed the professionalism of the team when
Inside this issue Kiama Art Society’s 37th Exhibition p 6
World’s top kneeboarders come to town p 3
visiting the unit during the recent flooding rain, isn’t surprised by the win given the highly trained and efficient way they went about their work. “Their dedication and commitment is of enormous benefit to our community.”
Help decide where our sculpture goes p3
Lions looking for extra helpers to support Relay for Lifers
Relay for Life’s Mila Irving and Sue Wiecek with Lions Wendi Scifleet and Phyl Willetts
The postponement of this year’s Relay for Life to 24-25 October, made because of atrocious weather earlier in the year, has caused a clash of commitments for other service clubs which usually help, leaving Kiama Lions Club looking for more hands. The service clubs traditionally run a joint canteen for the event, as a fundraiser for the Cancer Council but also as a way of keeping up the strength and morale of the relayers. “We really need a few more people to join our roster to help serve the food in the canteen and the caravan,” says Lion Wendi Scifleet. “No experience necessary, just commonsense and a willingness to work.” She believes it will be a great opportunity for people to see what Lions is all about, meet some new people and have some fun. To help, contact Phyl for more details on 0428 241 435.
Folk Festival success p5
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