Phillips’ pitch for second term p3
$3.4m sewage upgrade
Preview of Jazz & Blues Festival p3
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Financial matchmaking
Greyleigh lodges DA p12
50 years of the Kiama Sevens Back in 1973, when they were involved in the first Kiama Sevens, little did these men know they were launching something that would last 50 years and still be going strong. No photos seem to exist, the detail is sketchy and some of those who played a big part in the early days have passed away. Kiama Rugby Club was in its heyday at the time, with three Wallabies – Geoff Shaw (the Australian team’s captain), Gary Grey and Brian Weir – and many other representative players. Ray Cleary was the coach. “It was just a bit of preseason fun,” says retired dairy farmer Gary. Sandy Rendel, long time secretary of Kiama Rugby and administrator of the Sevens for many years, says it was a trip to Eastwood for their new Sevens tournament that inspired the local event. “We didn’t win, but it was a lot of fun and we thought it would be good to have one down here.” Sevens tournaments were already popular in the UK, and the Brits in the team and the touring Wallabies who had seen it were keen to get the format up and running. After trialling the format at an end of season match in 1972, the first official Kiama Sevens was held on the last
brothers, Gary Pearce, Tom Price, Barry Stumbles, Willy O and Michael Cheika. “It is a sport and social concept that has stood the test of time,” says Terry Wetherall, who also played in the first match. “Although for forwards like me it was a bit fast!” No story on the Kiama Sevens is complete without a mention of the social side of things. “Right from the start a lot of locals turned up and there was a real picnic atmosphere,” says long time club member, Al Marsden, who played in the second Sevens and still volunteers on the day. “I only have vague memories because it was the 70s, and a lot of beer was drunk. Involved at the start: Sandy Rendel, Brian Weir, Gary Grey and John Cronin Saturday of February as a Gerringong team having a Luckily another team pulled “Beer was 20c for a cup pre-season warm-up event, few drinks they might have out, and they were able to from the keg, and the honour with 16 teams from 12 clubs won,” says Gary. introduce David Campesie to system didn’t work too well. competing. In the second year, the big the rugby world and the rest “They used to close off Controversially for the teams came along and eyes is history [he still holds the Bong Bong St from Manning rugby union governing still light up when those title of the Wallaby who has to the trainline, as so many officials in Wollongong, who involved talk about Kiama scored the most tries]. people would be at The found out afterwards, Gerrin- beating Randwick. Other rugby legends who Grand afterwards.” gong Hotel entered a team, “Right from the start it was used the Sevens to help Streakers make a regular made up of Gerringong rugby a big hit,” says Sandy. launch their careers were appearance to this day. league players – led by John “From the very early days, Simon Poidivon from Goul“It has been a magnificant and Mick Cronin. we would invite Australian burn and George Gregan, addition to the town, not But for Kiama winning, that selectors along so for country then with the Tuggeranong just as a sporting event but might have been the first and teams in particular it was a Vikings. as a tourist drawcard,” says last Sevens as rugby officials great way to introduce new With no Super Rugby back another Wallaby who played were very protective of their talent.” then, the teams used it as a in the first match, Brian Weir, amateur status. He remembers when warm-up for the season. who was General Manager “The final was pretty inQueanbeyan left their entry The list of greats who of Shellharbour Council for tense, with both the Cronins, too late and had to go on played in the Sevens includes 25 years. and if not for some of the standby for the competition. Ricky Stewart, all the Ella continued on p14
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STOP PRESS:
Council releases warts & all report See page 3
Focus on local aged care
Local residential aged care facilities, Blue Haven Bonaira and Uniting Mayflower Gerringong, have managed to contain the spread of COVID-19 and maintain their standard of care during this stressful period for the sector. Uniting Mayflower Residential Aged Care Home has told The Bugle that while a total of 15 residents (out of 120) and 10 employees (including agency staff) have tested positive since 28 December, there are currently no active cases. “During outbreaks, to the extent possible, residents are cohorted to households or separated across different parts of the home,” said a spokesperson. The Blue Haven Bonaira Aged Care Facility reports that two residents (out of 122) and 18 staff tested positive since the precautionary lockdown was imposed on 2 January.
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