The Bugle 24 September 2022

Council fights fires on a multiple fronts

A marathon two session meeting of Kiama Council has heard just how close it is to government intervention.

Mayor Neil Reilly revealed that the Office of Local Gov ernment had contacted the CEO and made clear it was at top of mind for them to install a Financial Advisor.

This is usually a precursor to the Office issuing perfor mance improvement orders, the first step towards admin istration.Inapassionate speech,

he appealed to councillors to make urgent decisions to show that they were listening to words of the Minister of Local Government in her letters to them.

He quoted advice from Council’s Audit Risk & Improvement Committee (ARIC), “We believe this to be your first and final warning. You have one opportunity to satisfy the minister that council can manage its af fairs. This is the most serious warning a council can re

ceive, and your response will be critical. We believe that if the minister feels compels to act, it will be in all likelihood setting aside council and installing an administrator.”

And Council’s Finance Advisory Committee, “The correspondence from the Minister for Local Govern ment needs to be treated as very serious and our final warning. Kiama Municipal Council needs to go back to its core business running the LGA and this necessitates

Passing of the Queen and proclaimation of the King

The death of Queen Eliza beth II after a seventy year reign has been marked locally with lowered flags, condolence books from our local members and a min ute’s silence at the Septem ber Council Meeting.

While the Queen never vis ited Kiama, she will always be remembered by those who lived only under her as Queen.Nowthat the official period of mourning is over, the flags again fly at full mast and Australia has a new king, Charles III.

selling Blue Haven.”

However, when the Meeting agreed to moving the discus sion of Blue Haven out of confidential into the public meeting, the Mayor’s motion to call for expressions of interest to explore the sale of either all or parts of its Blue Haven operations was lost 5:4 (Reilly, Croxford, Brown and Steel for).

Instead, Deputy Mayor Imogen Draisma’s motion was passed on the same divi sion, but that has now been rescinded (see below).

In brief, it:

• noted the need to improve cashflow, and restore cash reserves to the order of $30-40 million by exploring all toneycare(thetheopportunities,divestmentincludingsaleofHavilahPlaceoldBlueHavenagedhome)andtheBarStreetQuarry(leasedBurnettsonBarney)

• raised the spectre of ser vice reductions and cost efficiencies, paid parking for visitors and a special rate variation

• looked to continue the work on the sell/keep/ lease options for Blue Haven

• looked to investigate op tions to use sale revenue to generate income

• saw the need to engage in community consultation and reassure residents of

Blue Haven that the quali ty of care and standard of service will be maintained

• foreshadowed further expenditure cuts at the Quarterly Budget Review.

The decision to put Council’s other land holding on Akuna Steet out to public tender as a priority is not unexpected, particularly now that the Town Centre DCP (see page 2) gives guidance on what can be built on the virgin site.

However the rescission mo tion (which means the matter will be debated again at the October Meeting) was lodged by the Mayor and Councillors Croxford and Steel because of concerns about the impact on Burnetts on Barney.

The decision to put that site out for public tender shocked Elizabeth Burnett, whose family have leased the property for ten years and developed into a thriving landscaping and gardening hub.They had recently made a formal approach to Council as tenants to negotiate the purchase of the site to secure the future of their business.

“That councillors decided to seek to sell the Burnetts on Barney site without even the courtesy of giving us notice is a sign that some councillors aren’t committed to keeping local businesses like ours, employing 25 people

toself-reportsCouncilICAC

conductthatconductsibilityinvestigationareasobtainedandoutfurtherweredidtionbe“whilefidentialthefirmyearthatforensicconduct”ofwillMeetingmadeareprecautionaryofruptionCommissionerIndependentAgainstCoronpossiblemattersmaladministration,asameasure.Detailsoftheself-reportingfew,withtheresolutionattheSeptemberonlysayingthatitbe“detailingconcernsthepossibilityofcorruptarisingfromtheauditassessmentwasreportedinAprilthe(conductedbyspecialistForsythsandknownasForsythsReport).TheMinutesoftheconmeetingsaythatnoconclusionscoulddrawnfromtheinvestigathatfraudorcorruptioninfacttakeplace,mattersidentifiedthatrequiredinvestigationtorulethepossibilityoffraudcorruption”.TheyalsosaylegaladvicebyCouncil“identifythatrequirefurtherbeforetheposthatfraudorcorruptcanberuledout”.Theynotethelegaladvice“Noproofofcorruptisrequired,andin

The much loved Wattle painting by William Dargie

Kiama Council is to selfreport to the

WHAT’S ON

Kiama Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday

Surf Beach or

Kiama Uniting Church, 2-5pm

SENTRAL’S Open Mic

Every Thursday for local youth SENTRAL Cottages, 5-7pm

Kiama Woodcraft Expo Until 28 Sept

Old Fire Station

Kerry Bruce Exhibition Until 2 Oct

Fern Street Gallery, G’gong Folk by the Sea 23-24 Sept The Pavilion

FIND A SPRING BARGAIN

(AlmostBOUTIQUEnew,antiqueandcollectable items)

WHITE ELEPHANT CORNER: Choose from a 3-tier cat scratcher, garden edger, Ryobi leaf blower, huge tarpaulin, OzTrail pop-up gazebos, pasta or coffee machines, lamps, quilts, cushions, light fittings or a lovely Xmas tree with fairy lights and Xmas decorations.

FASHION: For nights find a Lisa Ho red silk evening gown, a Zimmerman grey silk cocktail dress, or an Yves St. Laurent ivory dressing gown. And for days, Versace beige slacks or an Armani white linen sundress or men’s quality shirts (Cardin/St. Laurent). There are lots of lovely blouses, dresses, shoes and bags (Mimco, Guess), and a Gloria Vanderbilt vintage umbrella with opaline swan head handle.

BOOKS: include Robotham’s “The Secrets She Keeps”, Jimmy Barnes’ “Working Class Man”, DH Lawrence clas sics, Maggie Beer’s “Recipes for Life” or Aust. War Muse um’s “As You Were” war books 1944-50. Also, May Gibbs, Blyton and CS Lewis children’s classics and JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books (including the Half Blood Prince (mis print edition)). VINTAGE COMICS: Phantom Nos. 705-737 or rare Woody Woodpecker No. 191. OLDER CLASSICS: M.Best Anderson translation of “The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri”, “The Wonder Book of Soldiers (1st edn.?) and rare British war newspaper articles. MUSIC: (VHS) ACDC “No Bull” (live at Plaza de Tores, Madrid 1996), Beatles 2-disc “Live at the BBC” or Pink Floyd’s anniversa ry edition of “Dark Side of the Moon”.

PORCELAIN: Blue and white ware: Trosser (Germany delft style wall mounted coffee grinder, delft style opaline canisters (Holland) or small Delft vase. Coffee/Teasets: Sevres black and gold coffee set (Gibson & Son) and Shore & Coggin 1930s Bell China teaset. Have Tiffany, Ridgway and Havilland CSP sets, Fowlerware bowls and B.Potter Beswick figurines. METALS: Cloisonne vases, Tiffany nap kin rings, Kande sifter, pressed brass coal box etc. GLASS/ CRYSTAL: Wine and sherry glasses, a carnival glass bowl with emu motif or a multi coloured glass cockerell. CRAFTS: A large crocheted bedspread, embroidered cloth and doilies, kumihimo bobbins and books or dyer’s scales. Also a range of lovely Dolls and collectable Bears

Makers & Growers Market

Saturday 24 Sept

Black Beach, 10-3pm

Jamberoo Village Market Sunday 25 Sept Reid Park, 9-2pm

Gerroa AssociationCommunityMarkets

Saturday 1 September

25 Burke Parade, 8.30-noon

Gerringong Pics & Flicks: The Duke Friday 7 October

Gerringong Town Hall, 8pm

Author Talk: Meredith Jaffé Saturday 8 October Kiama Library, 2-4pm

Help achieve a dream

What’s On is compiled by Cassandra Zaucer.

If you have any events coming up, please contact her at thebuglenewspaper.com.aucassandra@or0491686975.

An inaugural fundraising dinner is being held for the William Campbell College to help with the building of the campus at Nowra Hill and sponsorship of a child’s eduction.Alongheld dream of its founder, Minnamurra’s Bill Campbell, construction of the College began in August 2022 and doors will open to the first primary students in earlyThe2023.William Campbell Col lege will be a purpose built, special assistance school to support students whose specific needs are not being met by mainstream educa tion. It will offer a holistic education system to support local students with social, emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties.

“I schooltooftermbeenhimself.childhoodtraumaticwhosaysfuture,”agrowthsuccesstosignificanteducationbelievestronglythatisachild’sandintopositiveBill,hada“Ithasalong-dreammineopenatosupport

the unique and individual needs of chil dren who would otherwise be left behind in mainstream schooling environments.”

This event will feature performances by local school students, silent auctions and will be hosted by i98FM radio’s Marty Haynes.

Friday 7 October, The Pavilion Kiama, 6pm for 6.30pm Tickets $120 each or $1000 for table of 10 for threewithcoursesdrinks.

Book tickets or make a donation at williamcampbellcollege.www.nsw.edu.au

moreThere’son

For a comprehensive guide to What’s On in our region, check out The Bugle App to find out about live music andDownloadevents. The Bugle App for free using this QR code.

andPeopleboats

Gerringong Library and Museum is holding another ‘Night at the Museum’ to launch the exhibition, Remarkable: Stories of Aus tralians and their boats With Australia populated by maritime-related stories, the panel exhibition features material from the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Gerringong Histori calTheSociety.exhibition explores the connection between people and boats, and includes local stories of Boat Harbour, Werri Lagoon, Crooked River and more.

Opening night Thursday 29 September from 5.30pm at the Gerringong Library & Museum in Blackwood St. The exhibition will be on display until 6 November.

Bill Campbell with College staff at the ground breaking ceremony

Kiama Town Centre DCP approved

The September Meeting of Council endorsed the Kiama Town Centre DCP, setting the height limits and design specifications for the area to give guidance to future development.Theoriginal draft was revised substantially after public consultation, with the proposed height limit for most of the area lowered to the status quo of 11 metres (3 storeys) rather than the 4 storeys originally recom mended.Although Councillors Rice and Renkema-Lang spoke about their preference for lower heights in areas where the limit had been increased, the only change that was made to the recommendation was to reinforce the need to issue 10.7 certificates.

These will clearly state to purchasers in the area that the night time economy is beingTheyencouraged.havebeenused suc cessfully by other councils to reduce complaints about noise and operating hours, and had been strongly lobbied for by the arts and business community.

“The last thing we need is

new residents com ing in and saying we don’t want noise or activity after dark in the town centre,” said Coun cillor Matt Brown when proposing the

allowsendorsedforchangeimpactconcernstheareaKiamafullytriedRenkema-LangCouncilloramendment.unsuccesstohavetheSurfClubremovedfromDCP,duetoabouttheofclimatepredictedthearea.TheDCPnowfor3storeys

The endorsed storeys (circled numbers) for the Akuna St precinct

to be considered for the site.

The endorsement includes a site specific DCP for Council’s Akuna St property, which is currently awaiting exchange with Level 33 Prop ertyTheGroup.sitewill incorporate a town square, with a 6 storey height limit on about 20 per cent of the available built area, a 5 storey height limit on about a third of the area, and the rest limited to 4 sto reys. Like other buildings on

Terralong St, the old Mitre 10 site will stay at 3 storeys, with a set back for the top level.Council’s other block on Akuna St (currently an unformed carpark) now has a mix of 4 and 3 storey limits.

The September Meeting also agreed that this block should be put on the market as a matter of urgency, to help Council’s cashflow situa tion (see page 1).

More information, including a 3D view, www.kiama.nsw.gov.auat

Speculation over phone survey

Speculation is rife about who is behind the market research of local residents that has been conducted recently.Intriguingly, the phone calls, from a call centre op erated by Tasmanian-based market research company EMRS, ask for views about the performance of Kiama Council, five of its council lors (Rice, Brown, Rielly, Croxford and Draisma) and its CEO, and the State

Member Gareth Ward, and attitude towards the South Kiama development and further greenfield housing development in the area.

It then asks whether the inclusion of elements such as an agricultural college or affordable housing would make the respondent feel more favourable to further greenfields development.

Is it to do with the loom ing state election or some one looking to do further

Exceptional at Law. Human at heart.

Every family is different as is every legal situation. Whether you are going through separation or a divorce, it can be quite complex and stressful, so it is important that you’re comfortable with your solicitor.

Based in Kiama, Ashleigh Serafini is a south coast local and is one of our exceptional family lawyers. She’s passionate about putting people first and making sure her clients understand each step of the process. If you need comprehensive legal advice and representation, Ashleigh will be at your side.

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jewelsKiama-madeofftoMilan

Magdelena Pillai still can’t believe her work has been selected to be exhibited at the prestigious Milano Jewel ry Week in October.

This was the same reaction the Kiama-based jeweler had last year when she was approached by the organ isers of the event and asked to lodge a submission.

Her work was judged by a panel and selected then, but COVID prevented the event being held in 2021.

“The day my jewels arrived last year they had to post pone,” says Magdelena.

“I got automatic accep tance into this year’s show and have had a year to work on pieces especially for it.

“Last year it was all so last minute I had to use what I had left over.”

The four day show attracts jewels from around the world, all one of a kind pieces.

“There will be over 400 jewelers each showing two to six pieces of their work, which will be displayed in galleries, museums and oth er wonderful venues through out the city,” says Magdele na, whose family came to Australia as refugees from the Czech Republic when she was a child.

cuff (below) – to showcase her style which uses recycled silver, brass and copper recy cled in Australia and natural stones and textures.

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development? Everyone we asked seemed as intrigued as the other, before pointing us off in another possible direction.“I’mbemused by the pur pose of the survey, but am particularly concerned that our staff are being mentioned in the questions,” says Mayor Neil Reilly.

“It is a grossly inappropri ate invasion of their privacy to the point that it negates its validity as an ethical survey.”

She has sent two large pieces – her Singing With the Trees necklace and Fern

“The exhibition I am part of is a fusion of artists, painters and writers inspired by the theme of Elemental. My work will be the earth element,” says“ThisMagdelena.isperfect because my work features a lot of patterns found in nature and really raw textures you find in rocks. I often beat my silver into rocks to get texture.

“While it would be won derful to sell my work, I am so

to get her name out there, with the organisers of the event producing catalogues that are sent to galleries around the world who deal with collectors wanting oneoff“Ipieces.know I am going to be blown away. And inspired.

And intimidated. It is going to be Magdelenaamazing.”was drawn to jewellery making as a young teenager when she found the jewellery at a local market would “take me travelling to a different world”.

While she has had no formal training, Magdalena has studied under a number of mentors and taught herself by trying new things.

Having lived in Kiama for 16 years, she is constantly inspired by the beauty and patterns of nature here.

Her work is available for viewing and sale at www. vsporaart.com and stocked at Deer Willow in Manning St and Moss Nest in Berry.

Detox & Cleanse

WILD ABOUT HEALTH

‘Spring

Spinal injury inspires big marathon effort

In a bid to raise awareness and funding for spinal cord injury, walking paraplegic Mitch Swan is taking on the world’s hardest half mara thon.Inwhat

But

Why

A detox

Cleansing the body overall while the

started as a personal challenge, Mitch, along with four friends, are trekking the 21.1km walk to contribute to the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation which aims to find a cure for paralysis.ThePoint to Pinnacle is dubbed as one of the hardest marathons due to the 1270 metres of ascending, gradi ents above ten per cent and extreme changes in climate and weather conditions from Hobart to Mount Wellington.

It is set to see 3,000 start ers in the race to the Pinna cle this year on 20 November.

Hayden Bombaci, Mitch’s friend of 30 years, says there is no better way for him and his friends to get around Mitch than walk alongside him.

“I would never put my hand up to do this, let alone do it with the difficulties he has faced,” Hayden says.

“Mitch is a humble pie, and his focus is set on the foundation. This marathon with his challenges speaks for itself and I think he will do it without even knowing he is inspiring others.”

A motocross accident saw the eighteen year old Kiama local break his back in 2008 where he was initially a full paraplegic but later gained back 20 to 30 per cent function.“Hewent through these

challenges at such a pivotal age when he was a young, fit male who enjoyed oz-tag, cross country, motocross, and surfing. That is where I am drawing my inspiration from,” Hayden says.

“I’m very fortunate I am in a position where I’m able to compete,” Mitch says, “some people have a much more challenging situation, and they are the real inspira tions.”When they reach Mount Wellington, Mitch says there will be a mix of emotions.

“It will be a huge achieve ment for myself, and I will be grateful I could do it. It will be the biggest personal thing I have done for a good while,” MitchWithsays.themarathon in sight, Mitch and his friends have become well acquainted with Saddleback Mountain as they prepare for the elevation of the course. The pair say there will definitely be tears on the day.

“I go to the gym every

morning and we have been doing weekly walks, as well as a walk up Saddleback every weekend. But as we lead into it, we are going to have to start ramping it up,” MitchCurrentlysays. Mitch and Hayden are focusing on setting up sponsorships with businesses who have helped Mitch through his journey, but there is no doubt about the real motive for participat ing in the event.

“It is more about spinal cord injury awareness and getting the word out about the foundation and what they are doing, while also doing my bit for the spinal cord injury community as I get a lot of inspiration from them,” he says.

by Cassandra Zaucer

Support the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation through Mitch’s team at @Marathonformovementmitch-swan.raisely.comwww.Followoninstagram

First Berry Writers Festival

Berry has more than one dozen book clubs. So where better to talk about writing, thought the inaugural Berry Writers’ Festival founder and artistic director, Suzanne Burdon.Shewas genuinely sur prised to find Berry had never held a Writers’ Festival before.“Berry has all the right ingredients – a lovely warm community and such rich streams of local talent. It’s amazing.“Iwasat a South Coast Writers function a few weeks ago and talking to an author who has just bought in Gerringong, so new writers are moving here all the time,” saysThereSuzanne.issomuch local tal ent that the Festival created a free session on the Satur day called Lola – Love Our Local Authors – which gives festival goers the opportunity to meet some of these local authorsSuzanne,face-to-face.wholives in Gerroa, who is a sociologist, researcher and author of a collection of poetry as well as the non-fiction work, Almost Invincible: A Biography of Mary Shelley, Author of Frankenstein, says that this writers’ festival is very much a village effort.

Liz Parnell, of Parnell and Brien Solicitors, is President

of the Festival and Dr Christa Wood, a board member of Kiama Wollongong,UniversityFellowCollegeCommunityShoalhavenandandoftheof is the Vice Presi dent.Many moretivaldays,andtedhavethemembersotherofcommunitycommitmuchtimeideas.OverthreetheFeswillhostthan40writers from many openingFlannery,ingtheningincludeProgramgenres.presentersWalkleyAward-winwriterJaneCaroAM;internationallybest-sellauthorandscientistTimwhowilldelivertheaddress;

Saturday Paper journalist Rick Mor ton; Peter Hartcher, political and international editor of the Sydney Morning Her ald and The Age and noted novelists Craig Silvey, Fiona Kelly McGregor, Tabitha Carvan, Nigel Featherstone, Anita Heiss, Paul Daley and Allison Tait (A.L. Tait).

Broughton Vale author Professor Danielle Celer

majer’s most recent book Summertime: Reflection on a Vanishing Future was written in the aftermath of the 2020 bushfires.Hersession, Animal Rights and Wrongs (about all legal aspects of dealing with animal rights), has been ded icated to Anthony Bennett, Berry’s late veterinarian.

While there is so much to choose from, Suzanne’s suggestion is not to miss the ‘Hub’ at the back of the School of Arts in Princess Street.“This area will be filled with food vans, coffee vans and tables and chairs and it’s a space where people can get

together with each other and with their favourite authors.

“From research and my own experience, part of the attraction of a writers’ festi val is the engagement and interaction with and between the audience,” she says.

“So, it’s not just about being spoken to by these incredible speakers but also engaging with them after wards.”

21-23 October, Berry School of Arts, Scots Church Hall and the Uniting Church Hall. Full program and tickets priced from $25 to $140 at berrywritersfestival.com.auwww.

by Perrie Croshaw

First National C&C wins major award

First National Coast & Coun try has won major industry recognition – the Award for Excellence for a Residential Sales Team – at the Real Es tate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW) Awards.

“For a medium sized agency from a regional area to win something like this is astounding,” says Terry Dig ger, who co-owns the agency with Jason Stalgis, and was there on the night to accept the“Itaward.isphenomenal, as we were competing against all the big Sydney agents and others from across the state.

“For an agency down here to win it says a lot about what we’ve been able to build.

“I think they could see our professionalism and high standard of marketing, which flowed through to the pretty amazing results we achieved.”AsREINSW President Peter Matthews said after the presentation, “With so many deserving nominees,

choosing the top professional and agency for each category, was extremely tough.

“Those who received a winner’s trophy should be incredibly proud of their achievement.”MrDiggerbelieves that the award will further increase profile of our region, which has already been riding a wave of popularity.

“The South Coast is being called the new Byron Bay,” he“Itsays.iscertainly continuing to attract a lot of interest from sea changers and tree changers.”FirstNational has been serving Gerringong for over thirty years. The business un derwent a major expansion five years ago, opening an office in Kiama and becom ing First National Coast & Country.Sincethen it has also opened another office in Shoalhaven Heads, and now has a team of 10 sales people.

Top row from left: Jane Caro, Tim Flannery, Anita Heiss and Hugh Mackay

Bottom row from left: Michael Pascoe, Helena Fox, Craig Silvey, and Allison Tait

The Real Estate Institute NSW has recognised outstanding industry achievement, crowning the winners of its ���� REINSW Awards for the

REINSW acknowledged and celebrated �� years of the REINSW Awards for Excellence and the fact that it continues to be the most prestigious and respected industry awards event in New South Wales, recognising the best of the best within the real estate industry. The Awards for Excellence celebrates those who’ve really gone that extra mile despite such trying times. is a great honour for our team, however we wouldn’t achieve this success without our valued clients and we cannot thank you enough for your continued

Kiama Labor marks 70 years

Kiama Labor is celebrating 70 years since its reforma tion in 1952 with a dinner dance at the Leagues Club on 30 AfterSeptember.theoriginal branch lapsed in the 1940s, the Kiama ALP branch was re-formed in the aftermath of World War II, at a time when Australian society was undergoing enormous chang es, largely driven by postwar immigration and industrial expansion.The35people at the first meeting were largely blue collar workers and all men.

The first President was Jack Gale, a Bombo quarryman who later worked at the Port KemblaBranchsteelworks.President and endorsed Labor candidate for next year’s NSW election campaign, Katelin McIn erney, said she is proud of Labor’s achievements in the region over the past 70 years.

“From those humble begin

Inaugural Kiama Labor Pres ident Jack Gale, with H Fawle MLA and Russell Smith, Secre tary, at the Kiama Show in 1954

nings in Kiama has sprung a lasting legacy of service for this wonderful community of ours at all levels of govern ment,” she says.

“Today we have two young and passionate Labor mem bers on Kiama Council and the return of Fiona Phillips to Federal Parliament for a second term in the seat of Gilmore.“Nowwe are working hard to take Kiama from a tired and scandal ridden conser vative state government next March.”Thebranch was formed when politics across Austra lia was dominated by men.

Currently Kiama branch is led by women as its Pres ident, Vice President and Secretary, with the Federal Member and one of its coun cillors also women.

Jamberoo Mt Rd update

A design has been decided upon for the repair of Jamberoo Mountain Road and is awaiting final approval before ten ders are called for the work.

Council has obtained State funding for the significant project, which cut the east/west connection in July when a portion of the road was undermined. Safety concerns have prevented even one way traffic on the road.

Work is hoped to be completed by Christmas.

Kiama Council is again to lobby for the road to be classi fied a State road, rather than left a Council responsibility.

STAN CRAPP FUNERALS

Stan

PhotographyNEGPhoto:

Small gym, big heart

Jamberoo’s Swan Athletics not only topped the fundrais ing in Australia for Gotcha4Life in their 24 hour row earlier this month but their efforts are now bringing the Foundation’s mental health program to Jamberoo.

With a total of $300,000 raised from all the clubs across Australia that took part in the row, Alan Swan’s small gym was the biggest fundraisers, bringing in just shy of Alan$18,000.saysinwhat was a huge fundraising effort, all members of the gym and people within the community who were asked to chip in had no hesitation in support ing the row.

“All of that money goes straight into Gotcha4Life, which deals with mental fit ness and has a target of zero suicide rates. They have a variety of mental fitness pro grams and workshops that they run in the community and as a result of this area

supporting so well, they are coming here,” Alan says.

“If I were to get half of what we had raised, I would have been thrilled, so I am abso lutely over the moon. And to see that come back and be spent in our community is evenWithbetter.”over50 rowers participating, the gym kept their machines going nonstop with people doing one or multiple 30 or 60 minute shifts that didn’t stop until a total of 603 kilometres were rowed.Alan says despite all the sweat shed, mental fitness was always their priority.

“This community has had some tough times, particular ly young people taking that terrible option of suicide, so it was something meaningful that we felt we could come together and do to show sup port and solidarity,” he says.

“There was also a nice tie in with mental fitness during the row. Originally, I thought we

would just have one rowing machine going, but Gotcha4Life suggested having two, with the analogy being when you’re doing it tough rowing in the middle of the night, you’ve got a buddy there to talk“Itto.is all about being there for people and trying to encourage them to speak. When people are doing it tough and are in a bit of a dark space, talk to your bud dy or someone you trust.”

Alan says everyone had a great time despite their tired legs and sore bodies.

“It was a blast. We made a real event out of it with people camping, a big fire, and a BBQ. But this event only happened because of the support we received from localParfaitbusinesses.”Patisserie, Chapel Hill Medical Massage, Jam beroo Valley Meats, Elevate Aerial Images, NEG Photog raphy and the Man Walk Jam beroo were the businesses that helped make it a special occasion.Withtalks already happen ing about what they can do bigger and better next year, Alan is warning people to “look out for us in twelve month’s time”.

You can still donate to the cause at 24hourrow.com.au/donate

by Cassandra Zaucer

Howard West turns

Harold West is the latest local to turn 100, after his wife Eunice reached that milestone in July [Eunice turns 100].

As a member of the Kiama and Jamberoo RSL

a75NationalpreciationawasmemberstodayebratedandsinceSub-Branch1946,HaroldEunicehavecelhismilestonewithfellowwherehepresentedwithCertificateofApfromtheRSLforhisyearsofservice.RSLmemberandfriendofHarold’sfor

over

twelve years, Gary McKay (right), says he and Eunice would put in huge efforts leading up to Anzac Day every year up until just six years“Haroldago. reflects service and loyalty. He is a fantas tic man who is one of the selfless types of people who always thinks of others be fore himself,” Gary says.

Born and raised in Sydney, Harold has always been an active member of the com munity, from partaking in boy scouts to joining the army and then the RSL. He was recognised for his commu nity service in 2007 with an Order of Australia.

Harold was an Army engi neer in WW2 where he says

he built bridges and houses.

“If I had to be in the war, I couldn’t have been any where better and I was very thankful for that. I learnt a lot of things in engineering and made many friends in pretty desperate circumstances,” Harold says.

It was when he got back from the War after nearly five years, he met Eunice and resumed his career as a CPA.

“Eunice and I got on quite well and just clicked. We got married in 1949, built a house in Sydney, and had three daughters. Now we have seven grandchildren and three great grandchil dren. My family life has worked out pretty well,” Harold says.

At 100 years old, Harold

says his hobbies now include playing on the computer at his Kiama Downs home, but as a young man, he was a keen bushwalker where he would wander all over the Blue

“AfterMountains.theWar, the RSL itself became a bit of a hobby. We used to have regular meetings and a glass of beer. It was just a group of friends, and this social activity occu pied my time when I wasn’t working.”Haroldsays he has always lived an honest life, and his tip if you want to be old, don’t keep secrets!

He may be one of the last people to have received a letter from the Queen with her congratulations.

by Cassandra Zaucer

Council self-reports to ICAC

from page 1

general, ICAC encourages principal officers to err on the side of caution and report a matter. There are no risks to Council should you choose toThisreport.”resolution follows one made during in the public part of the September Meeting, which called for the additional work necessary to release an executive summa ry of the Forsyths Report be made a priority if money can be identified in the Quarterly Budget Review, due to be considered at the October Meeting. The executive summary of the confidential report will need to be pre pared by Forsysths, at a cost ofThe$28,000.resolution, proposed

by Deputy Mayor Imogen Draisma and approved 7:2 (Croxford and Rice against), also asked for a report to be prepared “on the mech anisms available to Council for an independent investi gation of the performance of Kiama Municipal Council between 2016 and 2022”.

“The purpose of Forsyth’s forensic audit was to investi gate the financial reporting of Council from when we were found ‘Fit For the Future’ to early 2022,” says Councillor Draisma.“Asaresult, a forensic audit into our organisation would provide a limited assessment of underlying human factors and decision making that has contributed our financial situation.

“My notice of motion asks for a report into the capacity to investigate the performance of staff and councillors during that term of Council. This is so we can be better informed and take active steps to ensure that the culture in the previous term Kiama Council is put to an“Ultimately,end. further inves tigation is needed to better inform Council and commu nity.”This is the third time Cllr Draisma has called for the executive summary to be released.“Theproblem is we keep talking about it and basing decisions on it, and the pub lic still doesn’t know what is in it,” she says.

Council fights on multiple fronts

from page 1 and contributing to the local economy, open,” says Ms Burnett.“Council has breached its own policies by making that confidential proposal public.

“It also shows they don’t understand the seriousness of their situation if they think that a decision on the run to sell this small site will go any where near solving Council’s financial crisis.”

She feels there is some hope now the matter is to be discussed again, and is encouraging people to

contact council lors to show their concern about the nightdiscussedwaswasfirstpointeddecision.“Iamdisapthattheweheardthisonthetablewhenitwaslastinopencouncil meet

ing,” says Ms Burnett.

It was resolved later in the meeting, when two year cash flow projections required by the Government were looked at, to “accept the Cash Flow Option requiring the short-

term restoration of cash reserves and the balance sheet in the order of $30 to $40 million by exploring all possible asset divestment op portunities and capital works reductions over the next two years”.

Elizabeth Burnett (r) with staff when they won best garden centre in NSW last year

CWA 100th celebrated

The 16 branches of the Wollondilly CWA Group, which includes two in Kiama and one in Jamberoo, have gathered together for the first time since the onset of COVID to celebrate the Cen tenary of their influential and much respected institution.

Appropriately enough, given the CWA is still famous for its fundraising scones there, the Country Women’s Association was formed at the Sydney Easter Show in 1922.

As now, the early move ment was led by a group of women from the country and the city who worked together to campaign to improve the

Opera in the Valley returns

The Jamberoo Branch of the CWA is busy preparing for its long established Opera in the Valley.

They have been unable to stage their major fundraiser for the last two years, and are really keen to make this the best yet.

It will again be under the direction of maestro Glenn Amer, and details of the four singers will be the next edition.

5 November, Jamberoo School of Arts, 8pm Tickets $60 available from 3 November at Elders Jamberoo. t 4236 0891

lives of women and chil dren, especially those who live in the country. The organisation quickly spread through the state and to other states.

The Kiama Branch of the CWA was established in Sep tember 1938, when Kiama, Gerringong and Jamberoo had their own town councils.

The Jamberoo Branch followed in 1953. Both are still going strong, with Kiama establishing an Evening Branch in 2017 to attract a younger membership.ThefirstKiama President was the Kiama Lady Mayor ess, Mrs C.S. Boyd, and the CWA took over management of the Kiama Baby Health Centre, little knowing of the baby boom just a few years ahead.TheBranch met, and the Centre was located, at the Kiama Council chambers from 1938 to 1950.

Both relocated when the CWA purchased historic Dalmeny House in Shoalhav en Street as seaside holiday units for country people.

Later the CWA sold the then crumbling (now re stored) heritage listed build ing and retained the current CWA Kiama Hall site behind theAthouse.thecelebration, mem

bers dressed to reflect the ten decades of service, historic photos and memora bilia were displayed, and the catering featured food from 1922 still popular today.

Continuing a tradition of practical help, members donated beanies and scarfs which were distributed to the Mission to Seafarers at Port Kembla and refuge shel ters in LGAs covered by the Wollondilly Group.

The CWA Kiama Evening Branch is soon to donate copies of a book marking the Centenary, The Women who Changed Country Australia, Celebrating 100 years of the Country Women’s Associa tion of New South Wales, to the Kiama and Gerringong Libraries.

the Kiama Downs meetings are like sitting around a din ner table with a big family.

“At our monthly meetings we do things like publish what we have in the way of funds, talk about welfare of our members and organise things like coffee mornings and lunches,” he says.

“And a great deal of discus sion goes on.

“Every month we also get a member and guest speaker to talk about a topic.”

While there are a number of Probus Clubs in the area, each have their own particu larSomecharacter.offer a range of activities including trips and outings for members to enjoy, depending on their interests, lifestyle and location.

Most are open to all, but there are two Men’s Clubs and one Ladies’ Clubs in

Kiama, including one with the Men’s Choir.

The Jamberoo Probus Club is the most recently formed, established by Rotary in 2018, and it already has 100 members and a healthy waitingHowardlist.says many other clubs are looking for new members, including the Kia ma Downs Club.

“Our average age is up there but we also have members in their fifties and sixties,” he says.

“It is sometimes difficult to get people to join because there is no core activity like sport but once they do, they stick around as they realise they’ve got all these extra friends.”

To find a club that you’re interested in joining, www.probussouthpacific.orgvisit:

It was our 10th wedding an niversary,…. we both planned a getaway weekend in the stun ning seaside town of Kiama. We wanted to add more meaning to the occasion, so we teamed up the weekend with a Saturday Conference by ‘Better Marriages Australia’.

Was it an act of courage, cu riosity or an avantgarde move? It didn’t matter! We registered anyway and it was too late to change our mind.

We were anxious in the morn ing heading to the venue. As we arrived, we were given a very warm reception, a cappuccino and a folder with amazing resources and handouts.

I squeezed Tim’s arm,… it was a good start.

The Auditorium was softly decorated with the prettiest display of colours everywhere, which set the scene for what was coming next. The first talk gave us very

interesting evidence-based research about how to build the ‘sound relationship house’ by nurturing the building blocks of our marriage. These includ ed building love maps, turning towards our partner (not away or against), how to build a bank of trust and trying to keep the relationship in a positive perspective.Thesecond talk was by Heather and John McAlpine the Chair Couple of Better Marriages, and it was about aiming to be differentiated in our relationship by learning to master our separateness and togetherness with spontaneity andTheyease.talked about moving from our comfort zone into our courage zone in the pursuit of strengthening our marriage. It was very entertaining and soInpractical.theafternoon we went to a workshop about connecting in

conflict.Thepresenters emphasised the importance of protecting a rich emotional bank account and being aware of each other’s bids for emotional connection. We learned that conflict is an invitation to know more about my partner and also to discover their emotional allergies and triggers.Weboth loved a demon stration of turning knee to knee and truly listening, and watched a real life argument being revisited with transparen cy by the leaders who modelled how they navigated the conflict toThesafety.magic finale was a can dlelight dinner with sumptuous meal, a glass of red, being serenaded with Elvis live music and a brilliant vocalist. Thank you to Better Marriages Australia. It was a day and a night from Heaven.Felicity

Kiama CWA members Maureen Baker, Cheryl Pearce and Mahin Hashemi with the donated beanies

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Window cleaning

The lockdowns of the Covid 19 pandemic clearly demon strated the value of essential workers here in Kiama.

I have found that with the staffing issues of Blue Haven, essential workers no longer seem to be able to afford to live in our community, it’s a real problem for us all.

This is a problem we can fix, but only if we make the rightExistingchoices.state regulations enable the least sustainable form of development: green fieldTheseexpansion.proposed and approved rural subdivisions are car-dependent for almost every need, with little or no

walk-to retail and services.

The answer, to my mind, is clear: greater urban density. This means having a home that is affordable, appro priate to needs, and within reach of transport, employ ment and essential services.

I like urban consolidation – it creates vibrant town cen tres while limiting greenfield development. I also believe that if people accept greater density in our town centres, their children will be more able to buy a home, and se niors will be able to downsize in the town where they live.

Building height is not a measure of density. The perception that high-rise equals high density is often confounded by reality.

Best practice, including in fill, good use of public space, and good design, create liveable higher density.

According to figures from Savills, London’s most desir able and expensive borough is also one of its densest,

with 135 dwellings per ha, the majority set in low and mid-rise.Thepolitics of land-use planning – what gets built and where – favour those who oppose Communitychange.interest in urban planning is extremely strong in the Kiama LGA. Social media espouse that people see any change in reg ulations as a ‘watering down’ ofPoliticalstandards.websites espouse sound, membersfriendlypublic-transportdevelopment,yetofthosesitesopposeeverydevelopmentthatwilldeliverjustthat.ThisissadasourLGAisamongtheleastaffordableintheworld,andthereisanacuteshortageoflow-costrentalhousing.IacknowledgethatCouncilandcouncillorshaveanimportant,althoughlimited,roletoplay.Weareactivelyworkingtoadvocateforandfacilitatesustainablehousing

No car shows for this year

Organisers of the Jamberoo Car Show & Family Day have reluctantly cancelled the event for this year, due to the after effects of this year’s rainfall on Kevin Walsh Oval.

“The water table is so high, it only takes a light shower to make it unusable,” says Steve McBride.“Aftertalking it over with Council, it seems that this is the only sensible thing to do even though we were keen to get back as this will be our third year without a Show.”

Launched in 2016, the Jamberoo event quickly grew to being the LGA’s biggest car show, thanks largely to there being no entry fee for the cars on display.

“We grew from 100 cars in our first year to 500 cars four years later,” says Steve.

“We let them pay by do nation, and what we lost in gate fees we have made up in sponsorship by being able to attract that many cars.”

Their last Show, in 2019, raised $22,000 for the Jamberoo Red Cross and Jamberoo Rural Fire Service.

“We’ll be back bigger and better next year,” says Steve.

“All the work that has gone

into organising this one can be dusted off for 2023.”

The news will be a blow for car aficionados, as it follows the cancellation of last weekend’s return of the Romans Show & Shine at the Harbour and a decision by the Rotary Clubs of Kiama and Gerringong not to hold their Car & Bike Spectacular this year.

options for our community that are affordable, appropri ate and available.

The hard political reality is that people do not want rural expansion or urban consol idation. I am scared that this attitude will eventually lead to our exclusion in the debate. Decisions will be made for us.

Which side of the argu ment you are on will depend greatly on your stake in the housing market – or lack of it. One person’s housing af fordability crisis is another’s eagerly defended retirement nest

Thereegg.are many reasons why density is seen as a good thing, but in short it is re garded as more sustainable, in the full sense of the word — environmentally, socially andPopulationeconomically.growth, and many of the supply and demand factors that impact housing availability and affordability, are outside of your council’s control.

Focussing on urban and suburban centres and limiting greenfield develop ment does not offer a neat set of solutions that we can just pick up and run with. But higher urban density offers significant insights and options that should be considered.Ifwecanmake a signifi cant contribution towards ensuring that all our LGA have places to call home that meet our needs and supports our quality of life, both now and into the future.

We need enough density to allow for car-free living in a town that is resilient and walkable, while keeping us close enough to the ground to maintain our relationship with the earth and with one another.

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Find out more about birds

A pandemic-led boom in birdwatching isn’t just a lockdown fad, according to recent data.

So this year’s return of the Bird Haven Festival is targeted not only at those that have been fascinated by birds for decades but also at these many recent birding converts.DrHolly Parsons from Birdlife Australia kicks off Bird Haven activities at the beginning of Bird Week with a talk aimed at ‘aspiring’ bird watchers.Hollyhas run the Birds in Backyards program and the annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count since 1999. She did her PhD on Superb Fairywrens and has done studies on powerful owls.

“I’m passionate about en vironmental education,” says Holly, who sees the study of birds as a way of commu nicating the importance of biodiversity to the broader community.“Lastyear’s Aussie Back yard bird count recorded more than 5m birds through out Australia,” she says.

“We broke the record on the first day of the count for the most people out watching birds on one day – around 26,500.“Wewere coming out of the pandemic isolation, reconnecting with birds and feeling a lot better for it.”

Holly’s talk in Ulladulla will help birdwatchers of all skill levels and ages to identify the birds they see.

“Citizen scientists really drives much of our bird study work,” she says.

“We would be lost without these people. They are not necessarily ‘birders’ but are people who have a passion for nature in general and care about their local com munity.”Thesecond Festival event, a guided bird walk in Huskis son on Wednesday, is already fully booked but you can still register for the waitlist.

A full conference day in Shoalhaven Heads at the end of the Festival has a spectac ular line-up of speakers:

• ANU’s Dr David Linden mayer (most recently seen on the ABC TV program Australia’s Favourite Tree

• Alison Russell-French, on the Australiasian Flyway Partnerships

• Dr Alex Maisey on the im pact of fires on the Superb Lyrebird

• Dr Catherine Price from Sydney University’s School of Life and Envi ronmental Sciences

• Dr David Bain on the Eastern Bristlebird

• Members of the Aborigi nal Advisory Group for the Healthy Country Plan for Glossy Black Cockatoos.

Bird Haven Festival 2022: October 15, 19 and 22. Tickets from birdhavenfestival.com.auwww.

Birds For Beginners: Sat Oct 15, 2pm-4pm, Ulladulla Civic Centre. Free for registered participants.

Birds for Beginners Improve your Identification Skills: Wed Oct 19, 3-6pm, Huskisson’s Jervis Bay Maritime Museum. Free, register for wait list Conference: Sat Oct 22, 11am-5pm, Shoalhaven Heads Bowling Club. Tickets: $70 and $50 (students). Lunch, morning and afternoon tea included.

by Perrie Croshaw

G’gong gets own Passport

What is glaucoma?

Most people I speak with have heard of glaucoma, but not many know what it is. Glaucoma is a group of progressive diseases affecting the optic nerve, which is the cable linking the eye to the brain. It is one of the leading causes of blindness, affecting about 300, 000 people in Australia.

There are many different types of glaucoma, but the most common type is called primary open angle glaucoma. In this case, the vision is damaged so gradually that it is hard to detect without special testing. For this reason, glaucoma is sometimes called the sneak thief of sight.

The Gerringong Passport for Kids is now available for families to enjoy finding out more about the area they call home, or are just visiting.

Inspired by the Kiama Passport for Kids, produced by Melissa Mylchreest of Rewilding Life, Gerringong & District Historical Society Secretary Joy Fullagar and member Bernadette Murphy have given Gerringong its own adventure with her help.

The book is filled with lots of colouring and other activities on such things as local sporting heroes, fossils at Blackhead Reserve, ship wrecks and whale spotting, and of course Kingsford Smith taking off from Seven Mile

“It’sBeach.about encouraging children to be out and about and learning about this area. It is an interactive little thing where children go to several different areas in and around Gerringong, read the infor mation on it, and then do activities around it,” says Joy. Available initially at Gerringong Museum, when attended by members, for $15 by Cassandra Zaucer

Glaucoma can be treated, but usually to only slow or stop progression, not to repair damage. For this reason, early detection of glaucoma is vitally important. We treat glaucoma by lowering the pressure of the eye.

I screen every patient I see for glaucoma, checking the optic nerve, eye pressure and asking about family history. Then if required, extra testing of peripheral vision and CT scanning of the optic nerves are performed.

Jean Anderson EyeQ Optometrists 124 Terralong St, Kiama 4232 Convenient2610 online bookings eyeq.com.au

It was great to see friends come back together with so many laughts, hugs and trips down memory lane. Special thanks to the Committee from all who attend ed for putting it all together. We hear Pam, Sharyn, Gail, Lou, Kris, Di and Ker rie worked as a great team in 2022 to keep the Comp afloat.They’ll be back stronger than ever in 2023!

Katelin and Clare McInerney

Di Nette and Janet Bruce

Trish Reed and Melissa Hodgson

Jaye and Bev Burgess

Wendy Cram-Watson, Sharlene Conroy and Lee Browning

ACROSS

1. Dessert sauce made with milk and eggs

8. Colours of Sydney Swans Arthur’s house Associate of Dad on “On our Selection” French petit dejeuner of Western Aust first name

18. Who owns all the swans in the UK by birthright

20. Spoil a photograph by unexpectedly appearing in the camera view (5,4)

21. Designer, builder of Rocket mobile steam engine at the dawn of the industrial age Kiama AFL team name Welsh singer who sang Delilah (3,5)

30. Slang for prison sentence or oatmeal boiled in water served for breakfast. Colour of swans everywhere else but Aust Snoze in the middle of your face

36. What has happened to your Goose if you are certain to fail or loose Best stuff to make with egg whites apart from Pav 40. Local independent grocery store

42. Australian Labor Party 2nd word in 29 Down (7,5) Small scale dairy farmer (3,5)

2.DOWNPerson who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency. Patsy, fall guy.

3. Pair of people

4. Narrow length of material worn under the collar and knotted in front (4,3)

5. Which local high school has just won the open Rugby League NSW Combined High Schools Competition, The University Shield

6. Longest river in PNG

7. Separate or cause to separate into curds or lumps. Not good in the production of a custard.

9. Last name of the Archbishop of Canterbury

11. King Arthur’s cool sword

12. Bird that pirates love to have on their shoulder

16. North Qld RL (Not AFL!) team based in Townsville playing the Eels in Townsville on Friday 23/09

18. Three dimensional object: L = B = H

19. Vegetable served with take away fish 22. Female goat 24. 22/23rd September: Day = 26.NightAFL team downed 94 to 95 in prelim final at SCG 27. Distinguishing feature of King Arthur’s table

28. Mechanical device for shooting arrows (5,3)

29. (and 43. Across) Angry Temper temperature (7,5) 33. Upon which animal’s back did the Aust economy ride in the 1950s

35. Male goat 37. Baby goat 39. Greatest of all time 41. Adjective - gone by

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

During a recent holiday to the UK in July this year, I was thrilled to complete an exhilarating 85 mile/135km hike following Hadrian’s Wall across northern England.

This extraordinary wall, that included forts one mile apart along its length, was built by Roman soldiers under the command of Em peror Hadrian almost 2,000 years ago in AD 122.

Stretching across Northern England from Solway on Bowness in the West to New castle upon Tyne in the East, Hadrian’s primary objective was to build an impenetrable wall to interrupt and prevent the threat of The Barbarians attacking from the north.

I set out on this exciting eight day non-guided, cross country hike from Newcastle in the East of England.

Whilst you are able to start the hike from either side, the recommended hike route is actually from West to East.

This enables the benefit of downwind hiking instead facing the prevailing westerly wind that can be hazardous if starting from the East.

Thankfully, on this occa sion the prevailing wind was not intense nor problematic.

During the walk I was privileged to pass through some the most spectacular and breathtaking countryside in the UK.

In particular, the track

along the more challeng ing and rewarding middle section of the hike from the village of Humshaugh to Gilsland, was by far the most scenic and picturesque section.Thephoto shows Syc amore Gap, which was featured in a scene from the Robin Hood Price of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner. English summers are generally mild and unpredict able, particularly in this part of the Fortunately,England.during the hike

the weather was unseason ally fine.

In fact the weather each day was perfect, with the average temperature around 22 degrees. Not even a drop of rain Goodeither.planning, quality hiking gear, a 20 to 30 litre daypack, snacks and moderate fitness is all that is required to complete the hike.My travel operator in the UK included luggage trans portation each day between quality B&B accommoda

tion in some of the prettiest villages in England during theHappyhike. hiking!

Kiama High claims first University Shield

For the first time in the school’s history, the Kiama High School Open Rugby League side has won the NSW State Combined High Schools competition, the University Shield, defeat ing Bass Hill HS 22-10 in a ferocious, highly skilled encounter.TheKiama community should be extremely proud of the boys efforts, whose win came against a much bigger side.Kiama HS went into the half time break 6-4 down with the first 20 mins of the 2nd half is where Kiama HS set up the win.

Five eighth Cooper Harri son, put in a neat little grub ber which he regathered and scored under the posts. Front rower Jack Quine then made a big charge close to the try line, and managed a good off load to half back Wes Pring, who then took off, beat three defenders and put the ball down next the posts.

The last try was an excel lent individual effort by lock Hayden Buchanan.

The last 10 minutes was an intense period as Bass Hill HS scored one try and worked hard for PlayerBrookfieldAnderson.JettPhoenixGuevara,goldennatelymatch,multipleShield.championsunluckyPlayerDylanofwhoBuchananCongratulationsmore.toHaydenandWesPringwerenamedjointMantheMatchandtoCaptainEganwhowasnamedoftheTournament.TheUnder14’swereverynottoalsobenamedintheBuckleyWiththeleadchangingtimesduringtheKiamaHSunfortuwentdown24-20inpointextratime.BestplayersfwereSamuelMasonAndrews,Johns,ReedPalmer,BrookfieldandKyeCongratulationtoJettwhowasnamedoftheTournament.

by Peter Quinne, PDHPE Head

Mark McCarthy, Kiama