The Bugle 16 October 2021 by The Bugle Newspaper

Remembering our stone walls

Kieran is Athlete of the Year

New life for Greyleigh

Vale Gordon Streek p5

Keeping alert to DAs p8

p11

16 OCT 2021

Latest record: $7m sale in Gerroa Another staggering property record was set last week in Gerroa as a three bedroom home, which previously sold for $1.1million in July 2010, went off-market to Sydney buyers for $7.1 million. “I originally listed the property for sale in March last year, just as the COVID pandemic was escalating, with an asking price of $2.9 million,” says sales agent Ryan Stalgis from First National Coast & Country. “However the vendors then decided not to sell so that they could continue living there through the pandemic. “Last week I secured a buyer at $7.1 million. “The vendors are obviously thrilled with the result, and the purchasers, who had been looking for a very particular position in Gerroa, are excited to have secured a property in this coveted location.” The sale of 138 Headland Drive is a new record for Gerroa. It is almost $2 million above the previous record set in June this year ($5.26 million for 160 Headland Drive). The north-easterly waterfront reserve position of the home at 138 was its greatest asset. Another property, just doors along from this one at 148 Headland Drive, sold in September for $4.545m – it

was a one bedroom weatherboard home built in 1950. “This is the strongest I have ever seen the property market, and Gerroa in particular,” says Mr Stalgis. Although the recent lockdowns have reduced the amount of physical inspections being conducted, he says there is still a very high level of demand from buyers. “One property I sold this month had over 1,300 enquiries. We’ve been conducting video inspections for buyers who can’t travel, and I’ve had several sales recently where the purchaser bought the property sight unseen.”

by Perrie Croshaw

The north-east view from 138 Headland Drive, Gerroa

Why Hindmarsh Pk is getting the $3m The news of the $3 million redevelopment of Hindmarsh Park left many wondering why it was decided to spend all that money there. The money is coming from the State Government’s NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program. The Program was set up as a carrot for local councils to improve DA processing times, and Kiama Council has met the first milestone for the funding. “The funding conditions

for the program were strictly limited to major upgrades to major recreational or open space areas,” says Council’s Director Engineering & Works, Mike Dowd. “We looked at options of spreading the project funding amongst a couple of areas, including Gerringong. “But in our conversations with the State Government, they said they wanted one site to do major work and major refurbishment on.

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“As there were Council resolutions about putting the rocket ship back or doing something more with the space, it was a logical thing to say let’s focus on Hindmarsh Park and do something great.” Council still tried to spread the funding out in its application, to include works in the Harbour precinct leading up to Blowhole Point, but the approval narrowed it to in and around Hindmarsh Park.

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While the project is still at the concept stage, Mr Dowd says the vision is for it to include greater accessibility for people with disabilities, engagement with the youth as part of the design process, and improved pedestrian crossings facilities across Shoalhaven Street to create seamless connectivity down to the harbour. “That’s where we want a landscape architect and the community to build off the

big broad concepts to tell us the detail of what we want,” he says. Tenders from landscape architects are currently being assessed, and Mr Dowd hopes the recommendation to award the tender will be put to the October Meeting of Council. “We won’t know what the community engagement process looks like in detail until then because each of

continued on p10

ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS • LOG BOOK SERVICING • BRAKE & CLUTCH SPECIALIST • AUTO ELECTRICAL REPAIRS SMASH REPAIRS • INSURANCE CLAIMS & PRIVATE WORK • WINDSCREENS • TOWING TYRES • BALANCE AND ROTATION • FULL RANGE AVAILABLE REGISTRATIONS • PINK SLIPS – CAR, VAN, BIKE, TRAILERS

What’s On is compiled by Jack Wallner. If you have any events coming up, please contact him on jack@thebuglenewspaper.com.au or 0491 686 975. Items are published at the Editor’s discretion.

WHAT’S ON Kiama Farmers’ Market Every Wednesday Surf Beach, 3-6pm

Solo Art Exhibition by Salwa Woodroffe 16-31 October Terra Art Gallery, 10-4pm

Blooms, Brushstrokes and Beaches 25 Oct-7 Nov see right

Kiama Seaside Market 7 November Black Beach, 9-3pm

Kiama Makers & Growers Market Sunday 14 November Black Beach, 10-3pm

Gerringong Rotary Market Saturday 20 November Around the Town Hall, 8.30-1.30pm

Resident artists on show To celebrate reopening their doors, three of Fern Street Gallery’s resident artists – Kerry Bruce, Andrew McPhail and Jon Harris – are joining forces for an exhibition of their signature styles. Blooms, Brushstrokes and Beaches will fill the Gallery with Kerry’s vibrant, energetic floral masterpieces, Jon’s soothing abstract seascapes and Andrew’s delightfully charming South Coast landscapes (pictured work). The exhibition will be on from Monday 25 October to Sunday 7 November at Fern Street Gallery, Gerringong.

Hear about Costa’s World

Jamberoo Village Markets Kiama Library’s events Back in December

The Aussie Backyard Bird Count is back as part of National Bird Week, 18-24 October. The annual bird count helps BirdLife Australia develop an understanding of where birds like to live. All you need is 20 minutes and your favourite outdoor space to get involved. Record the birds you know and look up those you don’t on the website or app. For more info, visit: www.aussiebirdcount.org.au

2 | 16 October 2021

continue to be online for the time being, including a live zoom event where local book lovers and gardeners will get the chance to hear and ask questions of Australian gardening guru Costa Georgiadis. Costa will be in conversation with Robyn Syphers, talking about his new book, Costa’s World. It celebrates the life-changing joy of chooks, kids in the garden, big ideas for small spaces, Costa’s favourite plants, growing the right plants for certain conditions and more.

Kiama Bookshop is prepared for great demand for the book

Wednesday 27 October, 6.30-7.30pm. To register, visit www.library. kiama.gov.au/Events

The Bugle

Ward wishes new State leadership well Currently an Independent MP sitting under a cloud on the crossbench, the Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, was not able to participate in the election of Dominic Perrottet as the new Premier of NSW, despite being elected as a Liberal member. “I have known Dominic Perrottet for 20 years and I wish him every success as our State’s 46th Premier,” says Mr Ward. Mr Ward notes Mr Perrottet brings enormous experience as a lawyer, Finance Minister and Treasurer to the office of Premier. “Whilst Dom has values that drive him, he is a pragmatist who will want to build on the legacy of those who have come before him,” says Mr Ward. “This is a critical time for our community and our

State. Our new Premier will be judged on his actions and the outcomes his government delivers.” Mr Ward also welcomes the election of Paul Toole as Leader of the Nationals and Deputy Premier. “As Minister for Regional Roads, Paul and I have worked closely on a number of important local projects including the Albion Park Rail Bypass, the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade, the new Shoalhaven River Crossing and the Jervis Bay Road interchange,” he says. “Both Dom and Paul were previously the Deputy Leaders of their Party. Whilst both faced party room ballots, their seamless transition from deputy to leader is welcomed at a time of relative uncertainly and instability. Dom and Paul must steady

the ship – and quickly.” Mr Ward says as a local MP his focus is on working with government at all levels to get things done for our community. “I will have no hesitation in making the views of our community very clear to the new Premier and Deputy Premier; my attitude to this Premier will be no different to all the others – our community comes first and I intend to hold this government to account on behalf of our community. “When it comes to ensuring that Government listens to our community, I’ll allow my record to speak for itself and our community can judge accordingly.” Mr Ward remains deeply saddened by the departure of his friend and former Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Before the end of the year, a vote will take place in the NSW Parliament on a Bill proposed by the Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, to introduce Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) as an option for terminally ill people. The Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, is conducting a survey about this Bill to hear the views of his constituents. “I take consultation with my electorate very seriously,” says Mr Ward. “For many, this is a very emotional issue. “There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ view and I want to hear from our community about their views on this important topic.” In brief, under the pro-

posed Bill, a person would be eligible for VAD if they have been diagnosed with a disease, illness or medical condition that is neurodegenerative and causing intolerable pain, and will likely cause death within 12 months. They must also be 18 years of age, have decision making capacity, and be acting voluntarily without pressure or duress. To access VAD, the patient must make first request to a medical practitioner who assesses them. If the practitioner believes they are eligible, then a ‘first request’ form is lodged with the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board. Assessment reports are then to be done by the practitioner

and a consulting practitioner before the written declaration is made and the third and final request is given to the Board for approval. There are also various safeguards in the Bill which include the person being told throughout the process that they can decide at any time not to continue with VAD, at least two medical practitioners being involved in the assessment of eligibility and the NSW Supreme Court having ability to receive applications to review a decision and deem a person ineligible.

Testing opinion on Voluntary Assisted Dying

The survey is available at his office at 102 Terralong St, or online at www.garethwardmp. com.au by Jack Wallner

Call to care for our history John Greer, Councillor Neil Reilly and Emeritus Mayor Sandra McCarthy are appalled that one of Kiama’s historic sites has been allowed to deteriorate. On the corner of Old Saddleback Mountain Road and Long Brush Road, a layby contains a plaque to honour the construction of the area’s nearly 400 heritage-listed dry stone walls and another to commemorate Kiama’s celebration of the Centenary of Federation in September 2001. The walls along these roads were repaired or reconstructed by volunteers as part of these celebrations. A picnic table with benches and a cover has been removed from the area and there are no plans to replace it. “I used to stop here for lunch each day in between milking in Jamberoo,” says John. “Then one day I came and the table had been removed. “I contacted Kiama Council but they didn’t seem aware of the historical significance of the place or the existence of the plaques.” John brought it up at a Central Precinct meeting and Cllr Reilly suggested to him that a heritage grant might restore the area as it is definitely of cultural and historic significance to the area. “It really saddened me to see how this area has been let go,” says Sandra. “Residents pay rates to council to maintain public infrastructure such as this. “It is the core business of council to protect these public spaces and their maintenance should be in the operational budget. “Not only should this be a

Sandra McCarthy, Neil Reilly and John Greer with the plaques

space for the public to enjoy a vista which epitomises Kiama, but people like Thomas Newing, who built more than 95 per cent of these dry stone walls, should be given the honour and respect that they deserve.” Cllr Reilly says that the plaques should be repaired and the picnic table replaced. “I’m shocked that this core infrastructure was allowed to disappear without any community consultation or knowledge, and no Council awareness.” Councillor Matt Brown, who is head of Destination

Kiama’s Tourism Advisory Board, says that he would definitely support the replacement of the picnic table with a roof as “Tourism promotes this area as a must see for visitors interested in our beautiful countryside with an interest in our cedar, farming and dry stone wall history.” Thomas Newing and his son Thomas Newing Jr are credited with building most of Kiama’s walls over 60 years, labouring eight hours a day, six days a week. He arrived from Kent in 1857.

by Perrie Croshaw

Kieran IAS Athlete of the Year Local skateboarder Kieran Woolley won his fourth Illawarra Academy of Sport’s (IAS) BluescopeWIN Lonestar Athlete of the Year Award. Kieran previously won the IAS award in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and has made history for the Academy by becoming the first athlete to compete at an Olympic Games whilst still on scholarship. Still in the US, he has also recently been featured in a double page ad in skateboarding’s longest running and best selling magazine, Thrasher, as a new team rider for skate brand, Monarch Project. by Jack Wallner

Property Law with a human touch. Whether you’re buying, selling or downsizing, Carter Ferguson senior solicitor Steve Warwick brings a more human, caring and contemporary approach to your property law needs. A proud Kiama local with deep experience in residential, rural, commercial and retirement villages, Steve provides the expert support, advice and representation you need to navigate the sale process from start to finish, ensuring you enjoy the best possible outcome. Steve specialises in property legal services, so for expert advice on all things property, get in touch or visit our Collins Street office in Kiama.

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16 October 2021 | 3

vices

Bypass open

Dignam

John James of Kiama

Passed away peacefully at Boronia Gerringong in the presence of his loving wife Margaret on Sunday, 3rd October 2021. Adored father and father-in-law of Jan, Matt and Ingrid, Mick and Liz, Catherine (dec), Joe and Meegan, Jill and Allan, Kate and James. Cheeky pop of Shaun, Tahni, Myah, Danielle, Zoe, Darcy, Ali, Maggie, Cami, Angus, Oscar, Isabelle, and Brigitte.

Aged 88 Years A life well loved and appreciated Forever in our hearts A private family burial has been held.

Most Kiama LGA residents will have to wait until restrictions ease further before they can try out the convenience of the Albion Park Bypass. The northbound lanes were opened in August, and the southbound lanes opened on 9 October. The $630m Bypass cuts out six sets of traffic lights in Albion Park Rail.

Local Supplier Workshop for LGP420 Minor and Major Civil Works, including Construction Materials Tuesday 26 October 2021 9.00-10.30am

Local Government Procurement together with Kiama Municipal Council will be conducting a workshop for local suppliers within the Kiama LGA who are interested in participating in the LGP420 Minor and Major Civil Works Contract panel refresh. The objective of the workshop is to assist local suppliers to understand the categories, the tendering process and requirement, and the benefits of being an approved supplier on this LGP420 supply contract.

For further information and to register for this free workshop contact: https://www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/supplierworkshop by 21 October 2021.

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Plans lodged for a creative arts space

Internationally acclaimed artists, Cobi Cockburn and Charles ‘Chick’ Butcher, are hoping to give back to their community by establishing an arts space in their backyard, so they can exhibit their own work locally and foster other creative artists. The whole of their land in Marks St, formally the Mitchells Removals site, is zoned light industrial although existing rights allow them to live there. Cobi works with glass and Chick paints and sculpts, mostly with steel, in their backyard studio, with their work sold through Sydney and American galleries. They have lodged a Temporary Use DA that envisages using their existing studio for workshops, exhibitions and other art events, under the name Seven Marks. “All of the things we will be doing in the grounds will be supportive of the arts,” says Cobi. “We want to bring back home some of the energy we experience overseas when we exhibit. “It will be a really sophis-

ticated, culturally-aware, Australian experience.” Their DA says that the proposal will include space for curated events, including exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, performances and music. They are particularly keen to provide opportunities to connect with local Indigenous culture. Cobi is aware there might be some hesitancy from neighbours before they understand the concept fully. COVID restrictions have prevented them from having people over to the space to explain their ideas. “We believe we are bridging that gap [between light industrial and residential zones] really well by being a creative industry. We have put years into regenerating and cleaning up the block and creating a nurturing buffer,” she says. “We have given the idea a lot of consideration, as we live here too, including putting numerous measures in place to make sure the concept works for our neighbours.” While the DA applies to

have up to 150 people at events, Cobi says this will only be occasionally. “It is just to give us the option to hold a bigger event where we open up to the community. “Most of the 30 events we are applying to be able to have will be smaller affairs.” Projected collaborations could include local high schools, plus international, emerging, established and Indigenous artists. “I don’t feel the price of commercial real estate in Kiama makes exhibiting the arts sustainable or even viable,” says Cobi. “We thought we would eliminate these immediate pressures and try something in our own back yard. “For example, a commercial gallery isn’t going to be able to facilitate a quality art event such as ArtExpress or the like for the local high schools, but we could.” The DA’s exhibition period has ended. Council did a letterbox drop notifying locals in Marks and Reid Streets and Henley Avenue of the development.

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The Bugle

An historic Jerrara property is emerging from an almost $5 million transformation, after being bought in 2019, to become one of the premier holiday destinations in the region. Illawarra Shorthorn farmer George Grey and his wife Susan (nee Lee) may recognise the exterior of their 200 acre 1850’s Long Brush Road property, clad in the corrugated iron Australian vernacular, but they would surely be blown away by the present day interiors. Greyleigh is now a six star

accommodation enterprise, features a three bedroom Homestead to sleep 10, plus a three bedroom Guesthouse to sleep six, all painted in the original terracotta. Property and accommodation managers Erica Warren and Michelle Higgins feel as if they are walking on a cloud as they glide about the buildings. “Weeks before we were appointed to this position, Erica and I met for dinner to talk about how we might work together to do something amazing. Then Greyleigh arrived!” says Michelle. Walking into the accommodation, with interiors designed by Dominique Brammah and Shannon Shlomm from We Are Duet, is like walking into the pages of the sumptuous English Country Life magazine, but with a much more relaxed Australian feel – “a delightful blend of grand and quaint, eclectic and

thebuglenewspaper.com.au

whimsical,” says the website. No expense has been spared. On the one hand an electric car charger is being installed on site, and there’s a modern full length pool, a spa/meditation room for facials, massage and hair and makeup, and on the other a delightful Victorian-style gazebo, a rediscovered metal rose arch, the original silos in which George stored his maize, and historic dry stone walls. Modern is juxtaposed with antique furnishings, and everywhere you turn there are delights like collectible wall sconces, Italian majolica pottery dishes on the kitchen walls, French chandeliers and comfortable window seats in reading nooks. The Homestead has an upstairs, very private, master bedroom with clawed bath on a marble plinth at one end, looking out over rolling green hills dotted with cabbage palms to the Pacific Ocean. The king sized modern four poster bed sits behind the bathtub and further back is a shower bathroom which opens onto a Juliet balcony. In the landscaped gardens, ancient fig trees spread their arms across walkways to secret gardens, the orchard, the chicken caravan and other

Photos: The Mann Project

New life for Greyleigh

buildings on the property. “We have a market garden with seasonal vegetables that chefs working on site can use. Our orchard is filled with citrus, avocado, mango, plums, mulberry, pomegranate, fig and Macadamia trees. “We have already made Greyleigh marmalade, jams and marinated figs,” says Erica. “The honey from our hives is being extracted next week.” The property managers are keen to recreate the history of the property, blending old with new. “Along with the accom-

modation we plan to have Greyleigh Gems, named after George’s cows which were called the Gems of Greyleigh. “Our Gems are things like sourdough making workshops, art experiences and other add on extras,” says Erica. The artworks that fill the walls are curated by the owners of the Art Bar in Kiama, who run a local artist in residence program. “All works are for sale,” says Erica. “We’ve already sold one piece to our project manager.” The property is world class – everything is quality and

the designs and build are beautifully executed. “We think big, and we know that this accommodation has been so well executed that it will easily attract a local and global audience,” says Michelle. “The gardens are filled with birds, we see kangaroos on the paddocks and we have a resident bowerbird.” The next stage will be to apply to host events, such as weddings.

See more at www.greyleigh.com.au by Perrie Croshaw

16 October 2021 | 5

Family OOSH wins national award again

Open 7 days Lunch 11.30am Dinner 5.30pm

A local woman, who has adapted the well established family day care model to provide before and after school care, has won the Family Day Care Australia Regional Educator of the Year Award for the second year in a row. Sabrina Kelly’s Family OOSH (Kiama Family Before and After School Care) was selected out of more than 5,000 nominations. “To be recognised for achieving that again feels great and I am so lucky that I am one of the few people that is able to make a living out of doing what they genuinely love,” she says. Sabrina, who has a teaching background in primary school, early childhood and special education, received the award for providing an inclusive and innovative before and after school care and vacation care program that caters for children of all abilities. “My goal is to have a service that all children can access regardless of their ability and I have a number of children with significant additional needs such as complex medical issues and severe disabilities,” she says. “I realised I needed an extra pair of hands to take on

these children safely so I started a couple of fundraisers. “The community jumped on and I raised enough money so that when I have these children with significantly high support needs, I can have a support worker alongside me. “Through these fundraisers, we have raised enough money and it’s actually the first time that local children with high support needs have attended a mainstream service.” Sabrina established Family OOSH to meet her own childcare needs, and now has around 70 children attending. “When we moved to Kiama, I couldn’t get childcare anywhere so I had the idea of using the family day care model to create a before and after school care,” says Sabrina. “I thought ‘this would be good for 6 months until I can find childcare’ but now I have been doing it for two and a half years and it has just

exploded. “I think word spread that I love working with children who have different abilities and needs, so I’ve always had at least two fifths of enrolments being children with a diagnosed disability. It was only from there that I extended it to the more severe end of the spectrum. “It has been amazing so far working with so many different children who all have very different abilities, skills and personalities. “They really all have so much to contribute and there is never a dull moment.” Sabrina is now one of five in the running for the Australian Educator of the Year Award, to be announced in December.

by Jack Wallner

Our team will always listen to the community and improve council by: Ensuring accessibility and transparency Protecting environment and heritage Investing and promoting the arts Opposing overdevelopment Supporting better access to mental health programs and services

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The Bugle

Kiama welcomes new citizens This year has been challenging in so many ways, but difficult times can also bring out qualities of excellence, innovation and teamwork. This has certainly been the case at Kiama Council, where our dedicated team came up with an innovative solution for our citizenship ceremonies this year. Normally Council holds ceremonies in person three times a year on Australia Day, in May, then in September on Citizenship Day – and most years we get 10-15 people per ceremony becoming Australian. However, by mid 2021, we had 33 candidates and, rather than making them wait until lockdown was over, we decided to go ahead with a series of innovative virtual citizenship ceremonies. Frontline health workers and Kiama residents Abbie and James Rowe – a nurse and emergency doctor – and their two primary-school aged children Evie and Alex, are four of the 33 people who became Australian citizens in Kiama LGA last week.

While citizenship can be a long and drawn-out process at times, Abbie compliments Kiama Council for making the final step happen now rather than delaying it further due to COVID: “the process has been perfect”.

Waste matters Kiama’s waste trucks have had a facelift. It’s been a few years since we updated the signage on our trucks and now, with assistance from NSW EPA’s Better Waste Recycling Fund, our waste vehicles have a fresh new look. The new designs promote responsible waste management and feature iconic imagery of recognisable locations within our municipality taken by local photographers Peter Izzard and Phil Winterton. Keep an eye out for them and reduce, reuse, recycle!

It’s been a difficult time to be an essential health worker, but Abbie says she and her family (pictured below) feel lucky and super pleased to have reached this point. “The kids are very excited, although they already saw themselves as Australian. We’re all just very happy to have the deal sealed.” Abbie’s mother has also decided to make Kiama her home and will move here from New Zealand when she’s able to; she has already lined up an independent living unit at Blue Haven Bonaira. “As soon as the borders open, mum will be on a plane. It will be amazing,” Abbie says. Kiama Council congratulates all 33 of our new Australian citizens.

Abbie and James moved to Australia with their kids from New Zealand in 2015. After first landing on the Sunshine Coast, they moved to Kiama when James got a job at a local hospital and quickly decided they wanted to stay. Abbie works at a medical practice in the area.

Slow Food supported At its September meeting, Council voted to donate $550 to Slow Food Saddleback (SFS) to support their event at The Pavilion on 12 December. The money will allow a screening of the film “Rosemary’s Way”, which promotes Slow Food values and features local families and Australian of the Year – Local Hero Rosemary Kariuki, who works with migrant women and who it is hoped will attend the event. SFS will also serve a slow food meal to attendees. Slow Food Saddleback was established in the Kiama LGA in 2006 and promotes the use of local, seasonal and sustainable produce by practicing Slow Food’s good, clean and fair principles.

“We just love Kiama and feel so fortunate to be living here,” says Abbie.

Freedom day: Council facilities reopen We’re so looking forward to welcoming our community and visitors back into our Council facilities. On 11 October, Kiama Library, Kiama Leisure Centre gym and fitness, our Holiday Parks, The Pavilion and Blue Haven reopened to fully vaccinated visitors from Kiama and Regional NSW. From 18 October, you can visit Kiama Leisure Centre pool and our Admin Building. SENTRAL’s drop-ins kick off from Thursday 21 October. Once NSW hits 80% vaccinated, our Visitor Information Centre at Blowhole Point will open. We can’t wait to see you!

Contact us 11 Manning Street, Kiama NSW 2533 PO Box 75, Kiama NSW 2533 (02) 4232 0444 Email council@kiama.nsw.gov.au Website www.kiama.nsw.gov.au

thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Council meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month

Go paperless Subscribe to Kimunico e-news http://eepurl.com/dE9K-j Receive your rates notice by email Go to www.kiama.nsw.gov.au and click ‘Make a Payment’ to register

16 October 2021 | 7

Staged reopening Kiama Council has reopened some of its facilities with limited services, including the Leisure Centre and the Library, with other facilities being opened in stages over the next few weeks. “Everyone at Council is excited about being able to open our doors again and welcome our community back to our facilities,” says CEO Jane Stroud. “There’s a fair bit of work involved, so we’re going to reopen in stages, and we ask the community to please be patient as we get things ready and work through our health and safety plans.”

Info at www.kiama.nsw.gov.au

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Vale Gordon Streek The news of the passing of Jamberoo’s Gordon Streek is seeing him remembered for his contribution to the community on many fronts, including the Roo Theatre, the Rose Society and the Labor Party. “We are all devastated at his loss,” says Jean Ogilvy, a friend who worked with him at Roo Theatre as an administrator and costume designer for his many productions. “He was a friend and mentor to so many throughout the Illawarra and beyond.” All remember him as a kind, generous and inspirational man, very willing to share his experiences as an actor, playwright, director and teacher. “Gordon was the guest speaker at our most recent artists’ gathering, and his generosity of spirit shone through as he shared his wealth of knowledge and experience,” says Council’s Cultural Officer, Louise Croker. “He was a very special man. I feel so honoured to have known and worked with him.” Gordon served for many years on the Kiama Cultural Board, making an enormous contribution. He is best known for founding the Roo Theatre

as a local theatre company in 1987. It soon outgrew its humble beginnings in the local Anglican Church Hall, and Gordon helped guide its development into a leading regional community theatre. “Roo Theatre was his life’s work and his impact on thousands of actors over many decades will live on through all of us for many to come,” says a tribute by Roo Theatre. Many of the students and performers who have studied and performed under his guidance continued in the

arts and completed courses at recognized colleges such as NIDA, Nepean, Wollongong Creative Arts, Western Australia Performing Arts, and The Australian Ballet, including show business entrepreneur Michael Cassel. “Joel Elferink is currently in a musical on the West End stage and Brendan McDonald is lecturing in film making at the Film & Television School in Sydney,” says friend James Phillpott, a high school teacher and actor. “Gordon was my first act-

ing teacher and my mentor. He gave me such a great variety of characters to play and had faith in my ability.” After meeting on a pedestrian crossing in London in 1966, Gordon married Colin Hollis, his partner of over 50 years, a couple of years ago. Both he and Colin were awarded Life Membership of the NSW Labor Party at last Saturday’s NSW State Labor Conference. “He was a true thespian, a true gentle man and a true believer,” said the Secretary of the Kiama Branch of the Labor Party when breaking the news to members. “He will be greatly missed by his Labor colleagues and friends.” Gordon and Colin also shared a love of roses, participating enthusiastically together in the work of the Rose Society at a local, regional and state level. “Gordon inspired so many people,” says Colin. “He had such a zest for humanity and for life.” Go to The Bugle App to read a tribute written by Gordon’s friend, Jane Sherlock. Click on the Community button, and then Family Notices

On Your Side. I am your representative in the Australian Parliament. I can help with issues like Medicare, Centrelink, aged care and pensions, the NDIS, Veterans’ Affairs and community grants. I can also arrange special birthday and anniversary messages, and information for pensioners and seniors. You can contact me on 4423 1782.

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Using the life in old computers Kiama resident and member of Kiama Welcomes Refugees group, Edwin Humphries, has started refurbishing people’s old computers so refugees living in the area can have means of staying connected and being online. “We are working with SCARF which is an organisation in Wollongong who supports refugees out in the community who are establishing themselves,” says Edwin. “During the lockdown, there were issues with home schooling and communication with family being very, very limited so it seemed appropriate for us to start doing this.” Edwin runs Netsense Computers, a local business that has been operating in Kiama since 2010, so he has much experience in fixing and refurbishing computers. “I have the technical skills to do it here so people can volunteer to drop off a computer or if I get a computer that the customer doesn’t want to pay to fix then I’ll take it,” says Edwin. “For me, my labour is obviously free so in my spare

time I am happy to fix up these computers and if I can recover parts from other computers to do the repairs then it really doesn’t cost me a lot of money to do it.” Donated computers must be no older than five years so they can be refurbished with a current operating system and Edwin is also asking for any peripherals such as monitors, keyboards, mice and speakers. “A laptop in good condition and five years old will probably still have a life and most desktops computers of five years old will still have a life,” says Edwin. “I make sure that the computer has a reasonable expectation of life left for it, refurbish it and then upgrade it to the latest version of the operating system. “I’ll put a security package on there and I’ll put a free Microsoft Office suite on there as well so they can use it.” So far there has been a positive response from the community and Edwin hopes there will be more computers up for donation in the coming weeks.

O’Keefe

Elaine Dorothy (Dot) of Jamberoo

Passed away peacefully on Sunday, 3rd October 2021. Dearly loved mother and mother-in-law of Mark and Vicki, Paul and Renee, Gary and Ella, and Carole. Cherished Grandma Dot of Casey, Emily, James, Rachel, and Sean and a loved great grandma. Dot will be sadly missed by her loving family and many dear friends.

Aged 87 Years Always loved and sadly missed A private family service has been held. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Working Hard and Getting Results for Kiama, Kiama Downs, Gainsborough, Minnamurra, Bombo, Jamberoo, Gerringong and Gerroa

Gareth

WARD MP

“There has been a very positive response so far and people have made the time in their day to drop a computer off,” he says. “I’ve got a couple of computers in the process of being done now, and I’m expecting a few more to be delivered over the next week or so. “When they are done a

local emergency services worker who travels up to Wollongong everyday to work then picks up the computers and drops them off to SCARF.”

If you have a computer or equipment to donate, contact Edwin: 0419 233 051 by Jack Wallner

Member for Kiama

02 4232 1082

02 4232 3577

Kiama@parliament.nsw.gov.au garethwardmp.com.au Authorised by Gareth Ward MP, 102 Terralong Street, Kiama NSW 2533. Produced using parliamentary entitlements.

Be a good egg & keep wearing your face mask * EVERY Wednesday @ Surf Beach. 3-6pm.

*Mandatory condition of entry for continuing COVID safety in our community.

thebuglenewspaper.com.au

16 October 2021 | 9

Vote 1

Team

Reilly

Opportunity for local business Local businesses engaging in a broad range of civil works activities are being encouraged to participate in a free online workshop to help them become approved suppliers to councils. Ahead of conducting a supplier panel refresh for Minor and Major Civil Works including Construction Materials (LGP420), Local Government NSW’s Procurement arm (LGP) is running local supplier workshops to attract tenderers from all over NSW, so that councils will have easy access to suppliers in their area. “Council can use the LGP420 panel without the need to conduct its own tender process, improving efficiencies for both council staff and local suppliers,”

says Kiama Council CEO Jane Stroud. “If you have a local business from any of the below categories I’d encourage you to attend the workshop, to understand the categories, the tendering process and requirements and the benefits of being an approved LGP420 supplier.” The relevant categories are: Bitumen, Emulsion & Asphalt Materials & Services, Bridge Construction, Building Construction & Services, Bulk Construction and Landscape Materials, Drainage Construction, Landscaping, Marine, Coastal and Riverine Construction, Recycled Discarded Construction Materials, Road Construction, Site Preparation and Construc-

TO THE EDITOR

Launching a better council! Learn more at www.neilreilly.com.au or use the Q.R. code above Authorised by N.Reilly 4 McFaul Place Kiama

The last Bugle highlighted significant planning reform. A ratepayer since 1979, I have witnessed our LGA evolve and mature. With appropriate LEPs, but suboptimal implementation, KMC is continuously challenged by undemocratic planning dictats from Sydney and rapacious development applications: some massive, others singular, many grasping. Foxground as an example? Unwarranted subdivisions. Commercial destruction

of aboriginal and colonial heritage. Environment plundered. Planning hypocrisy, sloth and Councillor obduracy. Democracy requires Councils respond to local determinants and expressed opinions. Kiama stands or falls on our heritage, rainforest, escarpment, pastures, hills, beaches. Lose them, lose all. Time to support genuine, consultative change? Name and address supplied

tion, Swimming Pool and Reservoir Construction, and Water, Wastewater Treatment & Distribution. In the coming months, Council will be renewing its own Trade Services panel – carpenters, electrician, plumbers, painters, etc. “Gaining pre-approval and being put on a panel is beneficial to both local businesses and to Council,” says Ms Stroud.

The free workshop will be held 26 October. Preregister by 21 October 2021 at www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/ supplierworkshop

NSW Services App upgrades New functionality is being added to the NSW Services App to make it easier to show your proof of vaccination when entering a premises. While not released at time of writing, it is promising to provide a seamless process, whereby at checking in your vaccination status comes up automatically on the screen. This will make it much easier for staff and patrons. An earlier update to the App now lets people easily see if they have been at exposure sites during the times of interest.

The South Coast keeps on getting greener. Celina Gregory Licensed Real Estate Agent Servicing Berry, Gerroa, Gerringong, Kiama and Jamberoo

0417 662 441 celina.gregory@belleproperty.com

10 | 16 October 2021

The Bugle

Keeping alert to DAs Many readers telling us they miss Council’s Development Applications being advertised in the paper, as they don’t feel they know what is going on. In response to this, Roger Lyle and Perrie Croshaw have put together a guide to navigate the online planning maze. All require online access, but there are some shortcuts that will help. Increasingly, residents want to be alerted to and track the progress of local DAs, including ones which are not necessarily close to where they live. Council does notify immediate neighbours of a development, but if you don’t live next door, you may never know what is planned for your street until it is built. Regulations were changed in 2021 so that the public are officially notified about developments through the NSW Planning Portal, where all DAs now have to be lodged electronically, or the Kiama Council website. Neither website has an alert function for interested citizens, so the onus is on the public to be vigilant. Finding out about new DAs The easiest way to stay on top of things is to sign up for PlanningAlerts, a reliable, free service. The site, which searches planning authority websites, is run by the charity OpenAustraliaFoundation. The foundation says that its aim is to “enable shared

scrutiny of what is being built (and knocked down) in people’s communities.” Enter an address and your email and you will receive alerts of any DAs within a 2km radius of the address you entered. You can create multiple alerts simply by specifying different addresses, and click through to the main repository of information, Council’s DA Tracker.

www.planningalerts.org.au/ alerts/signup

The DA Tracker on Council’s website allows you to view DA details, activity applications and complying DAs which have been lodged with or received by Council since January 1, 2015. However it only includes detailed information on DAs currently on exhibition. You can locate the DA Tracker through the Menu at the top left of the home page, click on Plan and Build, then Development Applications, then Track a Development Application.

An example of a Planning Alert email.

Terms and Conditions, then you are taken to a page which contains a map with red icons showing applications which have been lodged over the previous two weeks. On the left of the page, you can search for a specific DA using the street address, lot number, application year or application number. You can download the submitted DA documentation as a series of PDFs. If you are at all interested Or go directly to in tracking this development https:/da.kiama.nsw.gov.au/ over time, you may want You will need to agree to to save those documents

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in a folder on your device as Council takes down this information after the Public Exhibition stage of the DA assessment process. The NSW Planning Portal is useful if you want to look up zoning maps, Development Control Plans (DCPs) and Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) for any address in NSW.

www.planning.nsw.gov.au/ About-Us/NSW-Planning-Portal

What to look for in a DA Once you have found a DA you’d like to know more about, usually the most important documents are: • Site map: see where the development is located • The Statement of Environmental Effects: this is the report by the DA applicant that details and explains the likely impacts of the proposed development both during and after the development, and the proposed measures that will mitigate these impacts. The report also sets out the proposed development’s compliance with the range of development controls that pertain to the site and importantly highlights any variation to these controls that the applicant is seeking. • Look at the plans: floor plans, elevations, shadow plans and others to get an idea of what the structure will finally look like and the impact it may have on neighbouring properties. How to make a comment/ submission for or against a DA All comments must be emailed or posted to Council within the public exhibition period – usually 14 days – which is indicated on the Kiama Council DA Tracker.

www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/ Plan-and-build/DevelopmentApplications/Make-asubmission

Council is required to take these comments into account when assessing the DA. All submissions to Council can be made public.

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I’m pleased to herald the launch of our new monthly “Your Council, Your Community” page in The Bugle this week. Turn to page 7 to read up on some of the great things we’re doing and the initiatives we support. The page is a mix of Council-related stories, brief reminders for things such as enrolling to vote, Council meeting outcomes, updates on our various projects and new services, programs and

other activities. There’s also useful information about Council meeting dates, where to have your say and find our information online. For those using The Bugle App, there’s also a Council button that links to our website. The main story is on something I was personally involved with: citizenship ceremonies. Last week, in three ceremonies, 33 of our residents became Australian citizens. Due to Covid restrictions we had to conduct these ceremonies online for the first – and hopefully last – time. It is an honour and a privilege to be in a position to conduct these ceremonies, and my thanks go to the amazing efforts of

Hindmarsh Park from page 1 Study, and if it proves to be a

the consultants have come up with a different approach,” he says. “We are talking about probably a six to nine month process of talking to people, and coming up with concepts and ideas before we finalise what we are actually going to do there.” The money has to be spent by 2023. A major redevelopment of Hindmarsh Park was not envisaged in the Town Centre

major attraction it may bring forward some of the impacts of the Traffic & Parking Study. “From a planning perspective, a playground or those sorts of things don’t require a number of car parking spaces like a development does,” says Mr Dowd. “Putting a rocket ship or splash pad or whatever it is in this park is going to enhance the visitation that is already happening.”

council staff who worked so hard to make these ceremonies possible. It’s likely to be my last such event. Council elections will be held in December, so a new Mayor will oversee the next ceremony on Australia Day in 2022. The new Mayor will also be presenting our Australia Day Awards. If you’d like to nominate someone for these awards, there’s still time, until 12 November. We’re seeking nominations for your Australia Day Citizen, Young Citizen, Senior Citizen and Community Group of the Year: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/ australiaday While thanking Council staff, I’d like to mention the teams at our Leisure Centre and Library. They moved heaven and earth to have their doors open last Monday, with little advance warning from our new Premier. Next cab off the rank will be our Administration Building this Monday (18 October). Like our Leisure Centre and Library, the services available will be limited to start with as we bring all our operations back up to speed. You can check the status of various Council facilities online at: www.kiama.nsw. gov.au/covid19

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Keeping alert to DAs from p11 If there are more than five comments against the proposal or the development has a value of greater than $6 million, it will have to go to full Council Meeting for approval or rejection, and cannot be decided by staff delegation. Councillors can also request that a development be brought in front of the Council for decision. Other DAs are approved or rejected under staff delegation. For those DAs that do go before Council, the public (or their representative) have a final chance to make a submission at Public Access, which is held at the Council Chambers at 5pm on the Monday before the Council meeting. The public are given a five minute period to address the Councillors and make a submission either for or against the proposed development. However, only one person from the public can speak on either side of the argument at the meeting. Once the assessment process is finished an Assessment Report is written and the Notice of Determination, which sets out the terms and condition of the approval or why it wasn’t approved, is prepared. You can request this document from Council, as it doesn’t include this final Assessment Report and Notice of Determination on the DA Tracker. In our opinion, Kiama Council should consider a more transparent DA tracking system, for example such as that used by Mosman Council. It publishes each document relevant to any DA, including the final Assessment Report and the Notice of Determination, and leaves all documents pertaining to each DA on its DA tracking system for future public reference. Use your Precinct If you are at all concerned about a DA, bring it to the attention of your local Precinct group. If it concerns you, it will probably also concern others in the community. Its members may also have more expertise in planning matters that you could benefit from. A word about complying developments It is possible to obtain combined planning and construction approval for straightforward developments as a complying development. These developments are determined through a fasttrack assessment against pre-determined development standards by either Council or an accredited certifier. Complying developments are listed on DA Tracker after they are approved, so there is no opportunity for public comment. However, neighbours will be advised before the development activity commences.

The Bugle

The latest NSW reopening plan has doubled the number of guests permitted to attend a wedding. “Brides will no doubt be over the moon that the cap for weddings has been doubled from 50 to 100 guests,” says Sally Bursell, Acting Tourism and Events Manager at Destination Kiama. “We all know just how quickly the invitation list can go from small and intimate, to making calls on those last few seats. “Weddings are big business The Art Bar Kiama is one of ment of the new design, by for our area and brides and only 103 regional businessgrooms choose to get marTingira Crescent neighbour es to have benefitted from Papesch Architecture, which ried here for good reason. a grant from Destination “You can have your ceremofeatures a beautiful new NSW’s Refresh and Renew bar, and full wall and ceiling ny overlooking the sparkling Fund. ocean without a soul in sight, acoustic panelling. With restrictions lifting, have photos taken among A musician who regularly the Art Bar Kiama is excited plays at the Art Bar, Doug rolling green hills and bring about showing off its new Faulkner, says that the bi-fold your friends and families look. to celebrate in a high-class door and internal acoustic “We’ve completely refurvenue with a beautiful backpanels will make it a much bished over Winter with bidrop, backed by experienced better experience for everyfold doors to open the entire one. teams ready to customise the gallery, restaurant and bar to “When you played there be- special day, making it unique the street and to the ocean fore, you had a wall between and extra special. views,” says Bruce Ferguson, you and the people outside, “I think local businesses who owns the Art Bar with are feeling this excitement and acoustically it is much husband Jamie Cole. with an equal measure of better with the new panels. The bi-fold doors were paid trepidation as we take these “It is a much better layout for, in part, by the $10,000 first steps in opening up overall.” grant from Destination NSW. and ensuring safety of our “We are very excited to be “The grant was for tourism reopening this October with community.” businesses that wanted to Vanessa Bragg from Weda brand, new look! We’ve got update their product to better lots of fun events and gigs ding and Event Creators is meet consumer expectaplanned, so book ahead and just excited about opening tions,” Bruce says. come and enjoy the sunshine up and the certainty that The doors are but one elethe wedding industry has with us,” says Bruce.

Photo: David Campbell

New look Here come the brides for Art Bar

received. “It’s fantastic to see weddings coming back. It’s been months since we were on site at our last wedding and we are itching to get back to doing what we love. “Most of our couples have an 80-100 guest count so it was a huge compromise for them to cancel or postpone when they couldn’t invite all their guests. “The larger capacity is a really important step in the right direction for our industry and getting back to a new normal.” Since the announcement, Vanessa’s phone has been running hot, with a Kiama nuptial the flavour of the

month. “We have definitely felt a change over the last week in the wedding world with happy couples back in planning mode,” she says. “It’s gone from nobody wanting to book or think too much about their wedding as there was so much uncertainty around what things would look like – would there be dancing, what sort of capacity and guest count would be allowed. “But couples seem more confident to plan now there is a roadmap out there.” Tourism is the biggest contributor to the local economy, says Sally, and provides us the quickest way to boost our

local businesses. The weddings industry plays a significant role in that economy. “Wedding parties are often blown away by the availability of quality catering, creative florists, hair and make-up experts, award winning photographers, musicians and celebrants, and that’s our advantage, we just have it all,” she says. “I get the distinct feeling that people – families, friends and couples are all itching to get out – and as people are dusting off their suitcases, they are planning their first cautious steps to their first post-C19 getaway.” by Perrie Croshaw

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THE BUGLE CROSSWORD 1

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40. Kiama Harbour basin opened in 1878 named after NSW Premier 43. NSW Premier (1921-25) born in Kiama and member for Kiama 45. Roman clothing 46. Which village in the Municipality has had an Aust. built corvette named after it? 47. NSW Premier known for the phrase “Balmain boys don’t cry” 48. Spanish bull fighter 49. Which animal’s breakfast means a complete mess

LAST ISSUE'S SOLUTION B

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1. Study of numbers. Branch 34 of mathematics. 2. Italian sports car, usually 35 36 red 37 38 39 4. 1854 Ballarat goldfields rebellion 40 41 42 5. Spain in Spanish 43 44 6. NSW Premier who recently resigned 45 46 47 8. Short form of Kangaroo 10. First NSW female 48 49 Premier. “I’m nobody’s puppet, I’m nobody’s girl.” ACROSS 16. German province. Home of expressway at Circular Quay 12. Pharmacist 3. Month in which Bathurst BMW auto. is named 14. Small bouquet of 1000 car race will be held in 18. Prepare material for 26. NSW Premier dismissed by flowers sometimes worn as 2021 publication Governor Game decoration 7. Which brews did Premier 20. NSW Premier who said 29. 10-20 feet tall Himalayan 16. Governors of NSW and Andrews suggest we don’t get “Run over the bastards” in Abominable Snowman WA on, in pandemic time reference to anti-Vietnam war 30. Aust shark. Non-(wo) 17. The possible second 9. Great Barrier ---demonstrators maneater. addition to a dry martini 11. 19th century Premier of 21. NSW Premier who resigned 34. Third rock from the sun 19. Which mixer does one NSW who held the seat of over donated bottle of 36. NSW govt minister who will have with gin Kiama Grange resign to contest Gilmore 22. In 1932, who cut the 12. Popular mixer teamed with 23. Percentile double jabbed 37. Beach current Sydney Harbour Bridge Bundy rum when Sydneysiders get to 38. Other country contesting opening ribbon first (2,5) 13. Wood eating insect leave the big smoke cricket’s Border-Gavaskar 24. Toy with string axle and 15. New leader of NSW Nats 25. NSW Premier after whom Trophy two discs

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27. Current NSW Premier 28. Cow’s stomach; served with white sauce 31. Public announcement of an impending marriage 32. NSW Premier who championed the establishment of ICAC only to fall victim to it 35. Australia’s opponent in The Ashes 36. Longest serving NSW Premier in a single term 39. Which animal should one not cast one’s pearls in front of? 41. NSW Premier whose high point was banning greyhound racing 42. An act of weeping as in the phrase “----- before bedtime” 43. Front of the human head 44. At all times; always.

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Crossword compiled by Steve Law. Correspondence welcome to crossword@ thebuglenewspaper.com.au

A reminder to local clubs and associations that not only can you get a free listing on The Bugle App, but you can use it to publicise your group’s news and events (within reason). Download the App and have a look at what other groups are doing already.

Do you want a career in Aged Care? Qualified residential and in-home support carers are needed now and into the future to provide the support and quality of care required for our ageing population. This course is the perfect entry point into this rewarding career. You will gain the skills required to operate effectively as a care worker, assistant in nursing in a residential aged care facility or as a community care worker. We offer unique training opportunities both in the classroom and in your 120 hour work placement. We are proud to partner with Blue Haven Illawarra for your work placement. Graduates experience high employment rates as aged care workers are in demand.

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*This training is subsidised by the NSW Government. Please call to determine your eligibility. ^This is a Nationally recognised Qualification.

thebuglenewspaper.com.au

16 October 2021 | 15

POSTCARD HOME Many readers will have enjoyed trips to China. My first trip there was in 1975, as a member of a NSW Geography teachers study tour, then again in 1993 with my wife Heather. The changes that had occurred were quite remarkable, and undoubtedly linked to the form of government. While Beijing, the Great Wall, Shanghai and other locations are regarded as important to visit many tourists have not included a boat trip on the Yangtze River, including the spectacular gorges between Chongqing and Wuhan. It was in Wuhan in October 1993 that we boarded the MS Longzhang for our five day cruise. The remarkable Three Gorges dam had only just commenced construction. Every visit to China should include this incredible cruise. A problem. In 2021 we are in the midst of a devastating pandemic that has adversely affected all of our lives, one which almost certainly originated in Wuhan. No Australians are travelling to China. From early 2020 trips already planned have been cancelled, often at substantial financial loss and great disappointment. Our one night stay in Wuhan did include some unfortunate incidents but little did we know then that

16 | 16 October 2021

Sheree Payne wins NRL Community Award

Sheree with her daughters and other Junior Knights

Wuhan would become the Chinese city with the huge stigma of being at the centre of an international disaster decades later. Understandably I have taken a great interest in the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, and my hitherto generally supportive attitude towards the Chinese government and its achievements, having observed some at first hand, has completely changed with its obvious cover-ups and non-cooperation with bodies such as the WHO.

A truly remarkable account of the Chinese origins of the pandemic was released internationally on 29 September. The book by Australian award-winning journalist, Sharri Markson, What Really Happened In Wuhan is an incredible insight into the origins of the pandemic. A real thriller, sadly fact and not fiction – I could not put it down! Available at Kiama Library, or at any good bookshop, I could not recommend a book more highly. When the COVID-19 nightmare eventually recedes and

Sheree Payne, long time sports co-ordinator at Kiama Public School, has been named as the Teacher of the Year in the NRL Community Awards. For many years, she has integrated various opportunities offered by rugby league, through both the NRL and the St George Illawarra we can all resume travel to China and other internation- Dragons, into the School’s sports program. al destinations you should “The opportunities are not put a cruise on the Yangtze only with the actual sport, on your bucket list. but also things like the DragIn the meantime China ons’ Best You Can Be jourremains well and truly nals, which teaches kids all off-limits. about healthy eating, mental Gordon Bell, well being, staying physically Kiama active,” she says. “That connects to everyone, no matter what sport they are into.” If you’d like to share your NRL development officers travel story, send your visit the school to educate postcard to: news@ students and teach them how thebuglenewspaper.com.au to play, and arrange gala days.

“They set up a really inclusive environment so you don’t have to be involved outside the school to still participate,” says Sheree. High School students are utilised by Sheree as referees and coaches for the primary school children and NRL Development Officers are invited to run sporting clinics, while NRL staff are invited to be part of student leadership days. Growing up with all boys in her family, Sheree says it was inevitable that she would love rugby league, although in her youth there were no opportunities for women. “My dad played for the Kiama Knights and all my brothers did as well. “Now my three girls do.” She says that as a former student, she enjoys being able to put back into the school.

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