The Bugle 25 February 2023

Crucial meeting to set Council’s future

After a year of numerous confidential briefings and meetings, Kiama councillors are to hold an Extraordinary Meeting on Tuesday 28 February which will lay bare the detail behind the crucial financial decisions they are being asked to make, including the sale of the whole of Blue Haven.

“Next Tuesday we are going to put to councillors an opportunity to change the situation for the better,” says Mayor Neil Reilly.

“We have been caught in the gloom of financial uncertainty for 12 months, and now with the support of staff, consultants and councillors, we believe that we have a sustainable way forward.

“We have reached a point where we know what has gone wrong and we know what is going to fix it – that is going to be systemic change in the way we approach our assets, our businesses, our

debt and our community.”

While at the time of writing the business papers have yet to be published, an Open Letter to the Community from Council (see page 6) says the public meeting will cover topics previously confidential:

• the Blue Haven business case

• the liquidity management plan

• the cashflow plan

• repayment of TCorp debt

• the distribution of the proceeds of Akuna St

• the property divestment plan

• the service review scope for commercial services.

“I want people to read the facts for themselves,” says CEO Jane Stroud.

To that end, Mayor Reilly says the business papers have been written in a way that people without a finance background can understand.

“I can’t emphasise enough the importance of the chang-

es we are going to make, not only in our strategy in our operations, but in our thinking.

“We are going to be redefining how Council approaches the future.”

Asked what would happen if the course recommended wasn’t supported, he says, “The situation will be dire.”

He is encouraged that councillors are looking at solutions rather than the problems.

“They are mature enough as decision makers to make the right choices to change the direction of Council from a council that is in debt and under performance orders to one that is sustainable and has a bright future, free of a structural deficit.”

People wishing to attend the meeting are being asked to register, so that the venue can be moved to The Pavilion if necessary, given the limited capacity in the Council Chamber.

Councillor Matt Brown, with the support of Councillors Mark Croxford and Warren Steel, has lodged a rescission motion over the decision by the other councillors at the February Council Meeting to reject the Golden Valley Road DA.

The DA, for a 51 lot estate on the eastern boundary of Jamberoo, was recommended for acceptance by staff after a two year process.

“People in Kiama and Jamberoo expect the rule of law to be applied – that is if you comply with the law then you need to be respected by its decision makers,” says Councillor Brown.

“Council has spent over $200,000 in resources on this development and independent professional officers have recommended approval. Councillors need to respect the process and the law, and the work of our staff.

“I expect this would be lost in the Land & Environment Court. Why should Kiama ratepayers have to pay for

poor decision making by councillors?”

In proposing the motion now being contested, Councillor Karen Renkema-Lang said the DA must be rejected because it was inconsistent with a number of aspects of the Kiama Development Control Plan and concerns over the way Aboriginal heritage was being managed.

“I do not oppose development in this area, but this proposal in its current form is what I’m most concerned about,” she said.

Her motion echoed concerns outlined in Public Access by the Secretary of the Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers & Residents Association, Ros Neilson, who cited many reasons, including it being out of character with the rest of the village, access and traffic concerns and visual impact.

In response to the decision,

Lawson Fredericks, of the developer Fountaindale Group, said, “It’s very disappointing that Kiama councillors did not support their own staff’s recommendation for approval of the Golden Valley subdivision.

“We have been through two years of negotiation with Council officers and various State Government departments and it’s clear that our proposal is compliant with all relevant policies so this is obviously a political decision.

“We will be considering our position over the next few days and taking expert legal advice regarding our options.”

WHAT’S ON

Kiama Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday

Surf Beach or Kiama Uniting Church, 3-6pm

SENTRAL’S Open Mic

Every Thursday for local youth

SENTRAL Cottages, 5-7pm

Alexander Art Exhibition

until 1 March

Old Fire Station, 10-3pm

East Coast Low Exhibition

Fridays until 24 March

Seven Marks Gallery, 10-5pm

Youth Matter KHS Exhib

25 Feb - 4 March

see page 4

Kiama Sevens

Saturday 25 February kiamasevens.com

Jamberoo Village Market

Sunday 26 February

Reid Park, 9-2pm

j’roo CWA Nature TalkNesting Birds: their haunts and habits

Tuesday 28 February

Jamberoo Youth Hall, 7pm

Recycled Art, Pots and Paintings Exhibition

3 – 8 March

Old Fire Station, 10-3pm

Gerringong Pics & Flicks: Both Sides of the Blade

Friday 3 March

Town Hall, 7.30pm

Kiama Beach Tag

Saturday 4 March

Kendalls Beach

Clean Up Australia Day

Sunday 5 March

Kiama Jazz & Blues

10-12 March see right

Kiama Woodcraft Expo

11 – 12 March

Masonic Hall, 9-4pm

G’gong Rotary Markets

Saturday 18 March in and around the Town Hall, 8.30-1.30pm

Kiama Seaside Market

Sunday 19 March

Black Beach, 9-3pm

Kiama Makers & Growers Market

Saturday 25 March Black Beach, 10-3pm

Family Bistro Scan for menu

Open 7 days

Big weekend of music

The streets of Kiama will soon be bustling with live music with the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival returning 10-12 March.

This year will see some firsts for the annual affair, including the opening event at Gerringong Town Hall set to include a screening of award winning documentary Keep On Keepin’ On, followed by a Q&A talk with the director Alan Hicks, a Grammy award winning filmmaker.

After the movie, guests will be treated with a line-up of jazz performers who will give an epic Clark Terry tribute.

“It’s a bit of a red carpet event where you can dust off your fancy clothes and come along,” says festival organiser, Becky Guggisberg.

Another first for the festival, and an event Becky highly recommends, is the Sunday Street Party where the Justice Precinct will erupt into an arts precinct, with the Harbour end of Terralong St decorated with seating and food trucks.

The main stage will be at Black Beach for festival goers to enjoy live music and eat, drink and dance.

All weekend, Kiama will

be alive with an array of live music happening across the festival hubs and other venues.

“A lot of the shops on Terralong Street are joining forces, and we will activate that street along Jazz Alley again,” says Becky.

Her top picks of hubs are Burnetts on Barney (above); the Manning St Top Shops – which will have a concert space set up in the back, perfect for any time of the day; and Filmore’s where the highly acclaimed artist Barney McAll will perform with his trio on Saturday.

“He is also doing a solo piano performance at Ss Peter & Pauls Catholic Church on Sunday. We are really privileged to have him,” Becky says.

“We’ve got some next level artists that I expect will just blow people’s minds.

“The beauty of this festival is that it appeals to all ages and our town becomes lively and inclusive.

“We forget the ho hum of the day-to-day and embrace the beauty, cohesion, creativity and freedom of our village.”

See our pullout program, or visit kiamajazzandbluesfestival. com.au for more detail

Secondhand S’day returns

Kiama’s giant community car boot sale, last held in 2019, is back.

“We average around 130 cars with up to 3,000 people per event, and I think we will reach capacity this year with already over 70 cars registered,” says Waste Management Officer Josephine St John.

Residents can sell, trade, swap or giveaway their preloved items on the day with everyone welcome to come by to search for a bargain.

“It is something that people, not only in our community but also outside the community, look forward to,” says Ms St John. Anything people can’t get rid of on the day can be taken to the Household Bulky Waste Drop-off event the following weekend, where it may go Up4Grabs.

Saturday 4 March, Black Beach, 8-12pm. Entry via gold coin donation to Kiama Netball. Register on Council’s website before 4pm, 2 March.

There’s more on

News team: Cathy Law, Editor 0412 415 101 news@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Perrie Croshaw 0411 700 253 perrie@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Cassandra Zaucer 0491 686 975 cassandra@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Advertising: Steve Law 0428 662 499 advertising@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

or contact us at PO Box 304, Gerringong 2534

Council’s new organisational restructure

In beginning an executive search to fill three new directorships, Kiama Council has made public significant changes to its organisational structure.

“This is about right sizing the organisation and getting ready to divest aged care,” says CEO Jane Stroud.

“Right sizing means delivering an organisation that is the right shape and size for our community and focuses on the work that we need to do.

“We need to set ourselves up through the divestment process for the bigger question of what is Kiama Council if it is not Blue Haven? Who are we? What’s important to our customers? And how do we organise ourselves to give the best value to our ratepayers and community?”

Applications close 5 March for the new directorships (being recruited through McArthurs) – which need to be advertised given the significant changes to the existing roles:

• Director Infrastructure and Liveability

• Director Planning, Environment and Communities

• Chief Operating Officer (created last year, currently filled by an interim appointment).

Ms Stroud says the new roles are great jobs, “It is a fantastic time to come and join our organisation. We know what our issues are and we know what we need to do to fix them.”

Beneath the directorships are consolidated management roles which give a greater breadth of responsibility, which Ms Stroud

Action on J’roo Preschool

believes will lead to greater depth of knowledge.

For example, the Manager Library Services is to become Manager Library & Cultural Hubs, taking the cultural support role out of Community Services.

Another broadened role is that of Manager Planning and Economic Development. Although it will sit under the Director Planning, Environment and Communities, this role will pull together a team responsible for strategic planning, economic development and DAs.

“At the minute these are three separate roles,” says Ms Stroud.

“If you create a team out of that, you get a more seamless experience for the customer so that if you are a customer building a home or a business, you have the same person providing you customer service from the minute you walk in the door until you walk out.”

There will be 38 role changes in the first wave of the restructure, with a second wave over the next 4-5 months bringing in changes at the team level.

Three important new fulltime roles have been built into the new structure – a sports and recreation officer (previously an interim role), an arts and culture officer (previously two days) and a project management manager (fulfilling a need highlighted in the Performance Improvement Order).

The senior roles and other positions are currently being advertised on the jobs page of www.kiama.nsw.gov.au

While not getting an immediate commitment to stopping water from coming into the building that Jamberoo Preschool rents from Council, Jamberoo Preschool’s Director, Belinda Hibbert, is glad the issue is being taken seriously.

“I am happy they are going to do something, but I’m disappointed they didn’t take my point about stopping the water coming in,” she says.

In mid-February, the Preschool – in a building attached to the Jamberoo School of Arts – was flooded for the sixth time, with other close calls, since she has been there.

In response to this flood, the February Meeting of Council resolved to immediately investigate and establish an early warning system to provide notice to the Preschool of impending flooding, provided it can get the funding from the State Government.

“Human safety is the most

important issue during any disaster, so it is in everyone’s best interests to install an early warning system because the sooner we can notify and keep those kids safe the better,” says Council CEO Jane Stroud.

“It will also give Belinda and her team time to move things into the hall so that the cleanup is less and they don’t lose as much.”

While Ms Hibbert can see the merit in a sensor for times when flooding happens during operational hours, it won’t stop the costs being borne by the Preschool as the last three flood events have come at night.

“It still means the staff will have to come in and clean up and possibly throw toys and resources away,” she says.

“It is emotionally and physically draining.

“With our insurance excess at $30,000, we just can’t afford to claim.

“I need the water to stop coming into the building.”

Providing a flood proof barrier at the rear of the Preschool was one of the recommendations of Council’s Flood Study, but Council does not have the money to implement this.

“We are in a difficult financial situation where we cannot, by ourselves, guarantee a short or long term solution,” says Mayor Neil Reilly.

“What we can do is reach out to State Government elected officials to help us in this terrible situation.” All parties agree that the Preschool should be moved. The resolution seeks the support of Government and Shadow ministers to make this happen. The relocation, possibly to within Jamberoo PS, already has backing from local member Gareth Ward.

Labor’s campaign for Kiama

Labor candidate Katelin McInerney has formally launched her campaign for the seat of Kiama in the 25 March State Election.

Out seeking votes since her candidacy was announced last August, she says people have been telling her their major concerns are about lack of state funding for roads, schools, housing, public transport and health.

“This State Government and our current Member have had 12 long years in power and during that time we have seen a road delivered that was started under Labor initiative,” Ms McInerney says.

“We have a bypass to take

Sydneysiders to their holiday houses in record time.

“But what have they delivered to communities either side of that road? People are telling me not a lot.

“We’ve seen a crisis in our health system and a crisis in our education system with schools going unbuilt in new growth areas.”

As an example, she cites schools at the northern end of the Kiama electorate – Mt Terry running at 135 per cent capacity and Tullimbar run-

ning at 164 per cent capacity – and that no new schools have been built for the 2500 new homes that have been built at Calderwood.

“Nothing has been done in Calderwood to provide the infrastucture that is required,”

she says.

Ms McInerney is excited by Labor’s commitments to increase resourcing to the education and health systems, including higher pay and converting 10,000 existing

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Katelin with partner Brian and party faithful at the launch

Belinda Hibbert says a security camera showed water from this drain gushing up as high as the fence

Extra $1m for Hindmarsh Park upgrade

Council has received another $1 million in funding from the State Government for its Hindmarsh Park redevelopment, this time for renovating and upgrading the Orry Kelly stage. All it needs now is to find someone to do the work.

The money is in addition to the $3 million already awarded, from the State’s Public Spaces Legacy program, for the rest of the park upgrade which involves a unique playground, amenities, outdoor furniture and other landscaping.

On announcing the new

funding, which comes from the NSW Government Stronger Country Communities Program, Gareth Ward MP said, “Hindmarsh Park is an iconic park in the heart

of Kiama which is enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. These funds will ensure a jewel in the Kiama village crown shines even brighter.

“Protecting and enhancing public open space is a priority for me and I enjoy working with the Mayor of Kiama Neil Reilly and Kiama Municipal Council to ensure that we get things done for our local community.”

Mayor Reilly thanked him and the Government, saying, “With supply and labour costs skyrocketing, this additional $1 million funding means we can do even

more to turn Hindmarsh into a ‘destination leisure space’ in the heart of Kiama, giving our town centre a much-needed facelift.”

News of the additional funding comes at the same time Council has put out the tender for the work for the third time, given no bids were received in the earlier two rounds.

After feedback, this time the large project has been broken down into smaller units of work to make it more attractive.

Council’s Director of Engineering, Mike Dowd, says,

Labor launches campaign for Kiama

from page 3 temporary teacher roles to permanent.

“I’ve met a teacher who has been on a six month contract for seven years. They can’t get a mortgage as there is no certainty,” she says.

“Under this Government’s watch we have slid from third best in the world in literacy to 23rd best, with similar slides in maths and science.”

Amongst other things, she also contends that train services to Kiama have also been neglected.

“Under the guise of COVID our services were cut by stealth,” she says.

“I went and stood in front

of a timetable from 1889 and you look at how long it took you to get to Sydney then by steam train. There are times when you’ve got buses and whatever and it takes you a damn sight longer to get to Kiama than it used to on a steam train.

“You should be able to get from Kiama to Sydney by train in two hours. There is nothing stopping this line functioning better other than the fact this Government hasn’t put a brass rarzoo into duplicating the line where they know it is needed.”

With the housing crisis another major issue, Ms McInerney says that while

SALESOFFICEOPEN

the State Government has no plan to make housing more affordable, the Labor policy will see the South Coast benefit first.

“Our build-to-rent scheme will be run out in a $30 million pilot program here, using surplus government land, to attract key workers up and down the South Coast. It is an investment that Labor is keen to make, and once successful we will roll it out elsewhere.”

In response to the latest round of funding from various State programs that the Member for Kiama and independent candidate, Gareth Ward, is saying he

has ‘secured’, Ms McInerney says, “It can be difficult to see through the spin that the current Member and the State Government are putting up for normal community grant processes. It takes away from the work community groups do themselves to attract that kind of money.

“A local member has very little to do with the decision making because they are independent processes, often run at arms length by government. When they aren’t, they effectively amount to pork barrelling.”

While unable to provide a firm commitment, Ms McInerney is supportive of

“Council staff, in conjunction with our landscape designer Civille, have worked hard to simplify the design, quantify materials and to break up the tender into works packages so that firms can bid for some or all of the job, as best suited to their capabilities.”

In encouraging businesses to get involved, Mayor Reilly says, “It would be a huge win for any contractor to take on this project. It’s a beautiful park located front-row-centre in one of NSW’s most popular tourist towns.”

Contractors can view the tender on Council’s website.

the caveat being lifted on the sale of Council’s Spring Creek land and is expecting Jamberoo Mountain Road to be taken over as a regionally significant road. She says that Labor has committed to reviewing the capacity of the Bombo treatment plant as soon as it gets into power.

Ms McInerney will be standing against Gareth Ward (as an independent) and Tonia Gray for The Greens. It has been reported in other media that writer Gail Morgan will be the Liberal candidate, but this has not been officially announced.

Youth stories

Beyond Empathy, a cultural arts for community development organisation, is inviting the community to come along to their film night where they will show snippets of two of their films, ahead of their series of workshops for youth.

Protection tells the story of children from public housing estates in the Illawarra while Rites of Passage, which has been screened at international film festivals, follows six disadvantaged and marginalised teenagers who respond to the challenges surrounding them.

There will be a Q&A with the cast and crew afterwards.

The night will also launch a series of workshops for youth, aged 12-24 years old, that involves working with creators of award-winning films and podcasts to create their own work.

“Whether it be podcasts or film, it’s something that young people can come together and create collaboratively,” says Beyond Empathy’s Shaniece Igano.

“We are very excited to have everyone come and get to know us and see what we do.”

Community Film Night, 3 March, Joyce Wheatley Community Hall, 7-9pm

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Open letter from Kiama Council

Dear community members of the Kiama Municipality,

During the past 12 months we’ve been openly sharing information about significant financial issues facing Kiama Council.

This situation, which involves our aged care business, Blue Haven, has been confirmed by the NSW Auditor General and the issuing of a Performance Improvement Order by the NSW Minister for Local Government.

Council is holding an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday 28 February to consider a number of critical matters to help re-establish the path to financial sustainability and meet the requirements of the Performance Improvement Order. The extraordinary meeting agenda includes:

• Blue Haven business case

• Liquidity management plan

• Cash flow plan

• TCorp repayment of debt

• Distribution of proceeds of the Akuna Street sale

• Property divestment plan

• Service review scope for commercial services

Once again, Council will consider stepping away fully from our aged care business.

Council has already formally resolved to divest itself of Blue Haven Bonaira and associated assets. An independent business case has now recommended that Council also considers the divestment of the Blue Haven Terralong site and its assets.

The business case, which was developed after a thorough review of Blue Haven, makes it clear that this is what it will take to restore not only our financial sustainability but to allow Council to refocus on the core business of local government.

Council wants to assure you that, no matter what is decided, Blue Haven will continue as an aged care provider and will remain a loved and valued asset in the community. No one will lose their home, or their place or care in our

Livestream

Kiama Council cordially invites all community members to attend the extraordinary meeting of Council on Tuesday 28 February. You can attend either in person (registration is essential, see far right) or watch via our livestream at www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/livestream

residential aged care facility. These will simply be operated under new ownership.

We know many in our community feel a strong emotional connection to Blue Haven and the business case recommendation to divest it may be hard to hear.

It is important to understand the facts. This is why we’ve shared so much information about the operation of Council as a business, the impact the construction of Blue Haven Bonaira and the ongoing costs of running a complex aged care business has had on our financial position.

We urge you to read the reports (in the meeting agenda, link below) along with the information and the previous reports we’ve put out over the past 12 months via our website. Truly consider what is best for Kiama Council now and for many years to come.

We also invite you all to attend the extraordinary council meeting on 28 February – either in person (registration is essential - please see link below) or via our livestream. Our livestream recording will also be available via our website after the meeting.

The extraordinary meeting is when and where your elected representatives will decide how we move forward.

Whatever is decided, this process has enabled us to examine Council’s operations and start to think about who we are, without running a large and complex aged care business. We’ll be consulting with the community extensively over the next 12-24 months on this.

We will want to hear from you in the near future about what you want Kiama Municipal Council to be. Which community services, projects, events, infrastructure and facilities matter the most to you, what service levels we need and how we focus our resources where they’re most needed.

We look forward to you sharing this journey with us.

From the team at Kiama Municipal Council

Agenda & minutes

This is an important moment for Kiama Council and the best way to discover what is happening is to read, see and hear it for yourself. Please read the reports in our business papers at www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/council/ council-meetings/agendas-minutes

Register to attend

If you are planning to attend the meeting in person, registration is vital as seating is limited. Please register your attendance via the link below if you’re planning to come in person on Tuesday 28 February from 1pm (public access) or 2.30pm (extraordinary meeting).

www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/councilmeeting

SurfLife: celebrating surf culture

Gerringong’s SurfLife Music Festival is gearing up to be an exciting three days, with the $57,000 in support from NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund. After missing out on the grant last year, Festival Director Adam Loxley says it is all about injecting funds into SurfLife to help it grow and realise its potential.

Music is only part of the festival with an array of events happening on Werri Beach, including a surf expo, a classic surf car and van show, a surfboard swap meet, sandcastle competition and more.

“These events have all happened before in an experimental stage, but the grant has allowed us to really put a lot more effort into growing all of them,” says Adam.

The extra funding is evident on the music front, with music legend Tex Perkins performing with Matt Walker (above) on the Friday night, supported by our very own Frank Sultana.

“Part of the grant was to help us get bigger artists to the event, so when we were reaching out to a variety of artists and Tex’s name was thrown into the ring, we got quite excited,” says Adam.

“We’ve also got Pacific Avenue playing on Saturday night and we are organising a lot of free live music around Gerringong.”

The festival will also coincide with the Surfing NSW’s Her Wave surf competition happening on Jones Beach.

It’s open to female surfers of all ages and abilities with individual and team divisions running across the weekend.

Alongside the competition on Sunday, spectators can enjoy the pop up skate park, workshops and food organised by Destination Kiama.

A shuttle bus will take people from the event at 2pm back to the festival in Gerringong.

With ticket sales on the rise, Adam feels there is a lot of enthusiasm for the event this year.

“After two years of COVID, there was a lot of uncertainty. I feel like that has gone and people are much more willing to commit to events now.

“Last year, a lot of events were experiencing the same thing where nobody was buying tickets until the very last minute, and it made everybody quite anxious. This year

it is all looking really good,” says Adam, who believes their decision to move the event to earlier in the year to catch the end of summer has helped.

31 March – 2 April Go to gerringongfestival.com. au for tickets and info. by Cassandra Zaucer

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There'snotenoughteachers,nursesor paramedicsdespitethegovernment’s ownreportswarningofcriticalstaff shortagesforyears?”

Local cheesemaker wins at Sydney Royal

Mike and Cressida Cains’ Pecora Dairy has again won accolades at the Royal Sydney Show’s food awards for their sheeps cheese, taking out the Champion Cheese of Show (for its Yarrawa cheese); the Simon Johnson Perpetual Trophy for Champion Sheep, Goat or Buffalo Cheese; and the RAS Perpetual Cheese Board Trophy.

“The RASNSW has been supporting Australian farmers for over 200 years,” says Mike.

“Cressida and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of that history, especially with Yarrawa, Australia’s first raw milk cheese.

“Very satisfying for our years of hard work to be recognised by Australia’s best judges.”

The past year has been a tough one for Pecora, with their farm at Knights Hill, on the north western edge of the Kiama LGA near Robertson, receiving over four metres of rain and Jamberoo Mountain Road cutting off their access to Kiama.

“We’ve had reduced production because for most of the year the sheep have been cold and wet, using their energy to keep themselves warm,” says Mike.

“Our cheese production

has been 50-60 per cent of our normal yield, but the quality is still there.”

With milk production tailing off at this time of the year, the rams are in service at the moment.

“In five months we should have plenty of lambs and milk,” says Mike.

Their business has been affected badly in two ways by the closure of Jamberoo Mountain Road since the middle of last year.

“It has made it difficult for us to sell our cheese at Kiama Farmers’ Market, especially given Macquarie Pass isn’t a reliable option, and our custom at our cheese shop and wine bar in Robertson has also suffered, as it hasn’t been easy for people to get here,” he says.

Always an optimist, Mike says, “It’s been a year of a slower pace, but that is OK. The major thing is our quality has not suffered.”

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Grants open

The Federal Stronger Communities Program Round 8 will give each electorate $150,000 to fund projects of up to $20,000 each.

It aims to ‘improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities’.

Yarning circles, surf club upgrades, equipment for emergency services, community gardens and art installations have been funded in the past.

“I know how important it is to have high quality local facilities and I want to make sure that our community can take full advantage of this excellent funding opportunity,” says Fiona Phillips MP.

Expressions of Interest close Friday 10 March. More information on fionaphillips. com.au/grants/grants/

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ARTIST TIME VENUE

Cormac Grant 17:00 - 19:00 Stoic

Francisco Sonur 17:00 - 19:00

SevenMarks

CJ stranger 18:00 - 20:00 WildGinger

Cone of Confusion (ticketed) 18:30 - 20:00 Fillmore’s

Owen Campbell 18:30

KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON

The viewing of this extraordinary film will be followed by a Q & A with Grammy Award-Winning director Alan Hicks, a performance of the music of Clark Terry by a live all star band, including Alan Hicks (drums), Nick Garbett (trumpet), James Greening (trombone) Matt Smith (guitar), Barney McAll (keys) and Johnathan Zwartz (bass). The evening takes place at Geringong Hall from 7pm on Friday, with delicious refreshments available.

WELCOME TO COUNTRY

Gumaraa - Sunday, Welcome to country, Smoking ceremony & traditional dance

BUSKERS

Be sure to catch some super cool talent along Terralong street. Guitar cases are ready for your coins.

TERRALONG STREET PARTY

HOME COOKING: A TONY ALLEN TRIBUTE

Home Cooking is a celebration of Tony Oladipo Allen. The night will feature an eight-piece band, boasting some of Australia’s most established, creative and hard grooving musicians.

BARNEY MCALL NON-COMPLIANCE TRIO

On Saturday Grammy nominated, ARIA-winning artist, Barney McAll, is one of Australia’s most innovative musicians and composers. For his Non Compliance Trio, he unites two talented rising stars Jacques Emery (Bass) Alex Inman-Hislop (Drums) to explore a mix of brand-new original music and obscure old-world gems.

MAIN STAGE

From 11 am - 5 pm Sunday - sit back and enjoy the spoils of the 36th KJBF in its all new location. Terralong Street has been claimed for the Street party, activated with food trucks & Henry Clive Caravan Bar will keep us refreshed. Kids, dogs, friends, family and what a view!

FESTIVAL FINALE

This ticketed event on 33 Bong Bong Street will feature Francisco Sonur, Cone of Confusion, Firetail and Oyobi. Come on by and make some noise to wrap up the amazing weekend: 3 - 9pm!

TICKETED SHOWS

These shows are the bomb! Book in early, refreshments available at all ticketed venues. Head to our website for more information: www.kiamajazzandbluesfestival.com.au

Come and join the celebrated pianist & composer Barney McAll for his mesmerising concert “Hymns, Elegies & Reflections: A Piano Hour” a spiritual & soulful musical jounrey. Over his 20 years of touring internationally, alongside a prolonged stint working in the notoriously competitive jazz scene of New York, McAll has established a unique solo piano style. He is a celebrated Australian artist, one of our best, being Grammy nominated & ARIA award winning; having contributed to over 100 albums, creating 22 solo works; & working in collaboration with some of music’s finest including Dewey Redman, Gary Bartz, SIA, Maceo Parker, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Fred Wesley.

In addition to his Sunday solo performance, McAll will be joined by Jacques Emery (Bass) Alex Inman-Hislop (Drums) for their Non Compliance Trio performance on Saturday. Here he unites two talented rising stars to explore a mix of brand-new original music and obscure old-world gems.

“an apex of all-out funk, brought the house down”

–The Australian

Head to Gerringong Town Hall on Friday night to take a seat and enjoy a viewing of Alan Hicks’s extraordinary film Keep On Keepin’ On. The documentary follows jazz legend Clark Terry over four years, capturing his mentorship of 23-yearold blind piano prodigy Justin Kauflin who prepares to compete in an elite international competition.

Hicks is a Grammy AwardWinning filmmaker based in Sydney and Los Angeles. After working as a musician in and around New York earlier in life, Hicks transitioned to filmmaking, directing his first feature documentary

Keep On Keepin’ On. The film proved highly successful, winning both the Audience Award and Best New Director honours at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. It later garnered awards from the IDFA, AFI, Cinema Eye, Seattle Film Festival, Palm Springs, Hamptons Summer Docs and was additionally shortlisted for the Academy Awards Best Documentary Feature in 2015.

Tasman row for a cause

Digging deep for Turkiye

A week long fundraiser, initiated by Gülçin Töpel of Saltwater Cafe, has raised over $15,000 to help those affected by the devastating earthquakes.

With the help of friends in the Turkish community and other local businesses, she launched an appeal to encouraging people to come and eat Turkish food, with all of the proceeds going to Turkiye’s most trusted independent aid agency, Ahbap.

Gülçin and her family moved to Kiama in 2020, after arriving in Australia in 2010, and since then she’s done everything to become involved in the local community.

affected as some of the other ten cities, it is heart breaking to see the damage.

feeling and I have to do what I can to help them, as every little bit can help.

cept it before, but now I have set up a fundraising appeal through mycause.com.au that all the money has gone through.”

Well known in Sydney for her previous roles in running restaurants and hospitality businesses, Gülçin’s friends came down to help get the fundraiser off to a great start. All of the money from the food sales went to the appeal, with Gülçin’s family covering the costs.

Despite swells, seasickness and blistered hands, eight South Coast women – including three from Kiama Surf Club – have rowed across Bass Strait in a surf boat to set an epic all-time record. Their efforts are being celebrated at an event in Berry to contribute to the reason they did it – to raise funds for Red Nose Australia (an organisation which funds research into and offers support to people affected by the death of a baby or child through miscarriage or SIDS).

After meeting up with each other nine months ago on Zoom to plan their strategy for undertaking the trip, over seven days the women rowed a gruelling 320km across Bass Strait, from Port Welshpool in Victoria to Little Musselroe Bay in north-east Tasmania.

Half suffered sea sickness, but continued to row like champions. Over the week they slept on the sands at a couple of islands in the Strait. In making their crossing, the women set a world record for the longest one day surfboat row – 89km in 12 hours.

“All the girls are surf life saver rowers,” says Elle Pannowitz, who at 50, was the oldest of the MusselRowers crew. She lives in Berry, but is a member of the Kiama SLSC, along with Katherine McKeever and Anna McGlynn.

“It takes a certain mindset to be able to finish that crossing. But we were determined girls, wanting to make a difference and doing it for a good cause. I had such a ball.”

Anna says she felt great after the row, “apart from blistered hands and an infected toe. It was such an amazing trip in terms of the sights, rowing, and lovely people to share the experience with.

“Red Nose/SIDS is such a great cause, it made the trip even more special.”

Elle is a nurse and midwife who now trains doctors in robotic surgery.

“As a midwife, I remember looking after the mum of twins and at three months they lost one of their children. It was so devastating.

I couldn’t see any better cause than raising money for this kind of support and research,” she says.

“The common denominator was Rob Pollock [OAM, Eurobodalla Councillor] from Moruya who I had raced against and trained with 20 years ago, and Beck Hamilton [Women’s Surf Rowers most decorated and longest-running female sweep] from Kiama Surf Lifesaving, who I also raced against and rowed with about 20 years ago.

“Rob said he was looking for some ‘tough old birds’ to do the crossing. And I thought, I fit that description! He already had five girls [Taryn Carver, Ashley Bujeya, Topaz Eaton, Michelle Cottington and Shannon Small] from his area who he knew were capable.”

She credits Beck Hamilton with the resurgence of boat rowing at Kiama, “She grew up a Jamberoo local and is now back at Kiama Surf Club, building the boating fraternity back up from scratch, making it a force to be reckoned with.”

The Berry Red Nose fundraiser (details below) is being held to celebrate this amazing feat of ‘girlpower for a good cause’.

“Elle is a stalwart of Berry,” says Kate Dezarnaulds, WorkLife Founder and President of the Berry Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.

“She’s always happy to help people having a tough time. She is an incredible role model and one of the most courageous and modest women I know. I am petrified of the open sea – to think that they spent 7 days out there in a surf boat blows my mind.”

Donations can still be made at: fundraising.rednose.org.au/ musselrowers

Event on Thursday 2 March, SocialLife, Albert St, Berry, 6-7.30pm. $50 covers a (mock or) cocktail and platters ($40 goes to SIDS). Dress in red.

by Perrie Croshaw

“My home town of Adana is so much bigger but it is like Kiama – everyone knows and helps each other,” she says.

“While it is not as badly

“My family is OK, they have just lost houses, but I feel so much for people who have lost loved ones.

“I know what they are

“People know and trust me, and had been coming in offering money as they want to help.

“I wasn’t been able to ac-

Central Perk, which has a Turkish chef, also got into the spirit offering Turkish breakfast platters on the weekend, and Dentalcalm offered a day’s proceeds to the cause. The latest figures for the two earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria are 47,000 people dead, thousands of others missing and millions homeless.

Knitters mark 21 years

Meet the candidates

With the State Election looming on 25 March, there are three more opportunities for you to hear from the candidates in a public setting.

Music venue Fillmore’s is hosting a community forum with a focus on supporting the evening economy by helping to implement legislation that supports arts and culture. There will also be a presentation by a representative from the Live Music Office.

Off to Ireland

Five local men will be heading halfway around the world later this year to represent Australia in the 2023 International Tag Federation World Cup.

The Kiama and Gerringong locals – Jarvis Austin, Kynan Ward, Cooper Lee, Cooper Roberts and Keiron Duncan – will join 2,000 players across 20 nations in Limerick, Ireland, in early August.

The Kiama branch of the Knitters Guild NSW is 21 years young.

Many of the founding members were among those who gathered last weekend at the Uniting Church to celebrate the anniversary of the organisation started on February 18, 2002.

The occasion brought a strong call for younger members to come along and learn the age-old arts of knitting, crochet, dying and spinning wool, scrumbling (freeform knitting or crochet), frame weaving, Tunisian crochet and more.

Iman Azis, the branch’s secretary, joined the group 18 months ago and says that as a new member she feels really privileged to be part of such a group of really strong women who have great skills that they are able and willing

to share with everyone.

“There were 21 inaugural members,” says Iman.

“Sadly, some have passed on but eight are still current members today, which is a wonderful achievement.”

One inaugural member, Pat Wilson, won Best in Show at the Kiama Show for a tablecloth she made while in hospital, as well as taking away three more 1st prizes and three 2nd prizes,

Sue Daley, the inaugural Convenor of the group in 2002, says that post COVID – “which made a mess of everything” – the group needs to refocus.

“We need to find out what really interests us, get reorganised, modernize and motivated. It’s alright sitting around knitting, but we need to learn something new, even though we are old,” she says.

The group already has a tradition of organising top class speakers, workshops and excursions to learn new skills, as well as being committed to charitable work for the Homeless Hub, Wrapt in Love and Project Kindness.

“Wrapt is getting a big consignment together for Turkiye and Syria. How are those people living through the winter without a home?” asks Boni Maywald from Wrapt.

You can visit the group up to three times to see if it’s the right fit before joining the Knitters’ Guild NSW and then the local branch.

Kiama Knitters meet the 3rd Saturday of every month at the Kiama Uniting Church, Manning St, 1-4pm.

by Perrie Croshaw

Thursday 2 March, 7pm at Fillmore’s (behind the Patisserie on Manning St), Minnamurra Progress Association is also continuing its tradition of hosting a Meet the Candidates event, dedicating its March meeting to the event. Each candidate will speak, and then questions submitted by the public will be pulled out of the hat

Tuesday 7 March, Minnamurra Progress Hall, 7.15pm With Central Precinct not holding an event, the Kiama Uniting Church has stepped up. Questions should be emailed to kiamaunitingchurch@ outlook.com beforehand.

Saturday 4 March, Kiama Uniting Church Hall, Manning St, 4pm

SECOND HAND SATURDAY

They were selected to wear the green and gold of the Tagaroos after competing in the Australian Championships Grand Final last November for the Illawarra Steelers.

There is a great deal of excitement for this year’s event as it will be the first time since 2018 players will compete at an international level after COVID cancelled the last four World Cups.

“I was meant to compete in the 2020 Trans Tasman Tournament in New Zealand, and then in Ireland last year which was rescheduled to this year,” says Cooper Roberts, who will be competing in the Mens 21’s division with Cooper Lee, Jarvis and Kynan.

“It has been a long wait, but I am very excited. It’s going to be a good trip.”

For Keiron, who runs the Kiama Beach Tag competition which is being held on 4 March, this will be his third World Cup.

“I haven’t played in Ireland so it’s going to be a great experience. I can’t wait,” he says. He will be competing in the Mens 40’s division. They will fly out late July for the four day event before returning with a hopeful win.

by Cassandra Zaucer

Cooper Roberts, Keiron Duncan, Cooper Lee and Kynan Ward

KATELIN MCINERNEY /A FRESH START FOR KIAMA

I was so lucky to grow up here in Kiama I always knew this is where I wanted my partner and I to raise our family.

When someone represents you, I think it’s important you know who they are and what matters to them.

That’s why I would like to share some photos from my family album with you

Growing up locally

Growing up in Kiama and attending Minnamurra Public and Kiama High, I had teachers who supported me and taught me the value of hard work.

Our teachers are amazing – but after 12 years under the Liberals we are facing a severe teacher shortage.

Our kids deserve better

That’s why I’m proud of our Fresh Start Plan to rebuild our education system, by making 10,000 existing temporary teachers permanent and creating a $400 million Education Future Fund to ensure all public schools receive the funding they need to deliver improved student outcomes.

Repairing our healthcare system is personal for me

Last year, my dad had a serious health scare and spent almost 2 months in hospital

I saw firsthand the impact 12 years of neglect under the NSW Liberals has had on our health system – hospital staff are under enormous pressure and patients are waiting longer to get the healthcare they need.

A Chris Minns Labor Government will invest in our health workers, fund 1,200 extra nurses and introduce enforceable minimum staffing levels for local hospitals, because we don’t just need new hospitals – we need more trained staff to run them.

Planning for the future

I loved growing up in Kiama – being a part of our close-knit community made me who I am today

But I’m worried that the Government has lost touch with locals and our kids won’t have the same opportunities as I did.

Our region is growing, but after 12 years in office this government has no plan for our future. That’s why I will always work with our community to make sure we get what we need and deserve.

At Minnamurra Public School

Me with my Dad

Minnamurra River with Monty in 1996

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If you have ever thought about attending a council meeting, next Tuesday’s extraordinary meeting is the one to see.

At this meeting, the future of our aged care facility and the financial future of the council will be discussed.

Next week on 28 February 2023, councillors will use our influence and voices for change.

Our job is to create a change so that we can leave things better than we’ve found them.

This meeting is important, and I invite the community to witness how this change takes place, either in person (registration is essential, see link below) or via our livestream on the council website.

You’ll discover how we got here and how we’ll have to change to get back on top.

The solutions of the past have really become the problems of the present.

Change is hard to talk about because people may feel personally attacked.

When we talk about the things we want to do better, we talk about the strategies that are no longer OK.

These are strategies council has been actively engaging in, for decades, all with good intentions. With real change, it’s hard not to feel like the proverbial bad guy, when we’ve been existing within, supporting and, in past times, benefiting from the status quo.

Looking at our current situation, I have sometimes felt the need to express my horror. I generally don’t.

Why? Because I know in the past those who developed and worked with those strategic matters were acting on the advice and wisdom available to them, doing their best.

In the past, there were different systems of knowledge and understanding that informed how council operated in decades gone by. People had been doing their jobs, with the best of intentions, inside the policies, processes, knowledge and norms their environment required.

Things change, though. We now know better, and then we do better. We shift the dial as we learn.

It’s no longer OK to have all our financial eggs in the same accounting basket – it may have been convenient,

Young artists exhibition

but not OK and we understand that now.

It’s no longer OK for the council to be tied to an increasingly complex business that makes us vulnerable – not because it always was, but because now, that business is understood and managed differently.

I’ve been deepening my understanding of all aspects of aged care. This is something I’m really passionate about, but I often struggle to have conversations with others without becoming frustrated, feeling hopeless, or provoking defensiveness. It adds up to the need for change. Systemic change.

Everyone in the council is a leader – whether it’s mowing our lawns, employing our people or deciding and determining policy. That means every one of us is responsible for seeking ways to know better and do better. We are responsible for creating systems and environments that enable change in others. It’s easy to get caught up in pointing fingers, but that’s slow, ineffective and unfair.

It’s time to step up and move forward.

Hope to see you next week.

Register to attend Kiama Council’s extraordinary meeting on Tuesday 28 February in person via www.kiama. nsw.gov.au/council-meeting

Kiama High students will be showing off their talents at Gerringong Library and Museum.

The Youth Matter exhibition will display 25 art works, which may just give us some insight into what we will be seeing in galleries in coming years.

There will be a wide range of artworks including paintings, drawings and sculpture and ceramic work.

“Most of what the students are exhibiting have been worked on for 10 weeks at a time,” says Megan Langlands, head teacher of languages and creative and performing arts.

“They are very excited for the exhibition but I think they are even more excited for the launch.”

The launch will feature live music and food with guest speaker India Mark, a Gerringong born artist.

To close the exhibition on 4 March, there will be a Wild Watercolours Workshop led by artist Karlie Donaldson.

Organised by SENTRAL Youth Services, participants will learn to sketch and watercolour paint Australian flora and fauna.

Book to attend the launch on 24 February at library. kiama.nsw.gov.au

Garden for Lions 75th

The Lions Club of Gerringong has belatedly opened a Commemorative Garden for the service club’s 75th anniversary in Australia, which incorporates a local Dog Memorial.

The small, but impressive, native garden in the leash-free dog walking area boasts two comfortable wooden seats made by the Gerringong Men’s Shed, a collection of dogs’ water bowls and arguably one of the finest views on the South Coast of NSW.

“We have Peter Jeffrey [of Gerringong Lions] to thank for this,” says Carmel Sparks from Gerringong Dogs Group.

“He drove the whole thing. We’ve always wanted a memorial but, as an informal group, couldn’t get it through Council. Peter, who knew about plans for the Lions Commemorative Garden, put two and two together to make it also a memorial for our dogs.”

In 2020, Peter contacted Fiona Phillips, Gilmore Federal MP, to ask for $4,000 from a Stronger Communities Grant, then asked the Men’s Shed, of which he is also a member, to make the seats.

Ex-landscaper and Lions member Ross Wraight suggested the selection of native plants and other Lions club members lent a hand to design and build the garden.

COVID and wet weather delayed the opening last year, and when the cost of the proj-

ect rose the local dog groups raised funds for the shortfall.

“The Gerringong Lions Club has such a strong connectedness with the community, dogs clubs and walkers’ clubs that I’m happy to support this project and provide the grant,” said Fiona Phillips MP when she unveiled the plaque, to ‘celebrate 75 years of Lionism in Australia, 2022’ with the President of Gerringong Lions, Mark Westhoff.

The ongoing maintenance for the garden will be by the Gerringong Lions Club, which also maintains the whale watching platform on the same headland as well as mowing that headland and the area around the BBQ facilities at Boat Harbour.

by Perrie Croshaw

Rockpool drowning

Police have identified the man died who after being swept from the water near the Rockpool at Blowhole Point as a 67 year old man from Crookwell. Eyewitnesses said he was washed out of the pool in extremely rough conditions. Despite CPR being commenced before ambulance paramedics arrived, he could not be revived. The police have commenced inquiries into the incident and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Peter with Fiona Phillips MP

At the Motor Fest

The return of the Gerringong Motor Fest was welcomed by 320 owners entering their cars and thousands of people coming through the gates to dream or go down memory lane. Well done Gerringong Lions!

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DAY TRIPS

Mogo Wildlife Park

Tuesday 28 March 2023 $130

Includes light morning tea en-route, entry to Mogo Wildlife Park, lunch at Tomakin Sports Club and return coach transport. Please note: Walking involved.

Guided Heritage Tour of Milton

Friday 26 May 2023 $95

Includes light morning tea en-route, on board guided tour of Milton Township with ‘Charlotte Secombe’ and return coach transport.

Lunch at own expense while you browse Milton.

Wicked, the musical

Wednesday 27 September 2023 – $135

1pm matinee show – Stalls tickets

Includes ticket to Wicked the musical at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre and return coach transport.

Pickup locations from Gerringong through to Wollongong

EXTENDED TOUR

Mayfield Garden, Oberon & The Best of Bathurst

Sunday 16 to Thurs 20 April 2023

$1825 per person twin share.

Add $315 for singles

Includes 4 nights’ accommodation at Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst, breakfasts, dinners, light morning teas, all lunches, entry to all attractions and coach pickup/drop off from your home in the Illawarra.

Tour highlights: Mayfield Garden at Oberon, Abercrombie House, National Motor Racing Museum, Chifley Home, Hill End History Day and a lap around the famous Mt Panorama Racetrack!

Graham and Danny Robertson with their son Forbes

Huxley and Steve Austin

Above: Peter, Tim and Pearl Gundlach

Right: Trevor Brookes and Tony Clapham

Louise and Lewis Sanders with Melva and Trevor Boiton, all of the Jamberoo Car Club

THE BUGLE CROSSWORD

38. Shins to feet connectors

39. Shakespeare: Much --about nothing

40. Holders of The Ashes

42. Big fish in a small ----

43. Common facial skin condition in young adults

44. Greek or Roman building used for poetry readings or musical performances

45. That which Charles will undergo on 6 May

46. Instrument which shows magnetic north and bearings

DOWN

1. The first and only time in Australian history that military force has been used to overthrow a government. (3,9)

2. Style of bandstand building in park behind Surf beach

3. Correct spelling of last name of author who wrote My Brother Jack

4. Hormone secreted by the adrenal glands

5. At the time of compilation the number of declared Liberal candidates for Kiama

ACROSS

1. Back part of something

5. Suit style worn by Latinos in 1930s & 40s

8. Which NSW island has exterminated 200,000 rats (4,4)

9. The state of being subject to death

11. Frost formed on cold objects by the rapid freezing of water vapour in clouds or fog

12. Sixteen of these make up a pound (lb)

13. Male friend/mate

15. Central Intelligence Agency

14. The Aust. State where the Legislative Council be 200 years old in 2024

16. Who won the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019 (5,5)

17. Pastry filled with cream. Chocolate icing

18. Stone walls do not a -----make, nor iron bars a cage

20. Possessive form of the pronoun it

21. Pasta meat-based sauce

23. Dr Samuel Johnson was considered to be the father of this lexicon

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.

25. Checkered or tartan twilled cloth typically made from wool

27. In how many days did Phineas Fogg attempt to circumnavigate the world

31. Governor of Reserve Bank

34. First name of American heavyweight boxer Johnson who beat Tommy Burns in 1908 in Sydney for the World Championship

36. Partner of Punch

37. Species of small, furry, mammaloid, bipeds in the Star Wars universe

6. Type of dictionary of words with similar meanings

7. What are children’s TV stars Bill & Ben (6,3)

10. Circular spinning toy that goes up and down a string

13. First name of PM Johnson

15. “Theres going to be an ocean of -------- lotion”

19. Cloudless clear fine fair

22. How many additional ministries did Morrison have 24. In which colour is the NSW Legislative Council furnished 25. Round coloured circle in a regular pattern on fabric (5, 3)

26. Johnson was appointed to

this role on Kennedy’s death

28. Who has just won the Border Gavaskar trophy

29. How many thousand leagues under the sea did Capt Nemo and Nautilus sail

30. Bandage brand name of Johnson & Johnson

32. Online encyclopedia

33. Something that is given to a charity, especially cash

35. Aust cockatoo and with

the prefix Big, a description of a fool

36. Aust Super car driver who won Bathurst three times in a red Ford, first name Dick

41. Bodily liquid waste

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

For all mechanical repairs

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Jean Anderson

Help others surf

Samarkand is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. The city prospered from its location on the old Silk Road trade route between China and the Mediterranean.

Founded circa 700 BC by the Persians, Samarkand was one of the main centres of Persian civilization from its early days. Alexander the Great conquered Samarkand in 329BC and the city was attacked by the Mongols under Genghis Khan in 1220.

One hundred years after the death of Genghis Khan another great conqueror, Amir Timur (1336-1405), was born in a village 90kms from Samarkand. He went on to create what became known as the Timurid Empire.

Towards the end of his reign, Timur had an army of over 100,000 men on horseback and conquered territory everywhere from India in the east to Iran and Iraq in the west.

Timur decided Samarkand would be his capital. He built a new city and populated it with artisans from all of the places he had conquered.

Timur gained a reputation as a patron of the arts.

The Registan was the heart

of the ancient city of Samarkand and of the Timurid Empire. The name means ‘sandy place’ in Persian.

The Registan was a public square, where people gathered to hear ‘royal’ proclamations, heralded by blasts on enormous copper pipes. It was also a place for public executions.

The square is framed on three sides by magnificent madrasas (educational insti-

tutions) of distinctive Islamic architecture. The Registan was described as ‘the noblest public square in the world’ by Lord Curzon who was Vice-Roy of India from 1899 to 1905.

The scale of the construction is quite incredible.

In 2001, the city of Samarkand was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Since the collapse of the

Soviet Union, which many Uzbeks have mixed feelings about, Timur is now regarded as a national hero in Uzbekistan.

The exhilarating activity of surfing is one that many people with disabilities tend to miss out on, and the Disabled Surfers Association is committed to changing this.

“Our motto is ‘smiles on dials’ and that’s what we try and do every time people go for a surf,” says the President of the South Coast Branch, Ian Picton.

“The smiles on the volunteers’ faces are fantastic but the smiles on the participants, knowing they’ve done something they don’t get to do very often, is very special.”

The event normally held at Gerroa is this year being held in Port Kembla due to the halted construction at Emery Park.

Ian is asking young people to come lend a hand at the event, which allows people with disabilities to surf in a safe environment, to help them battle bigger issues.

“Kids in primary or high school should come down and get amongst an array of people with disabilities. It’s not daunting because there are other people there all having fun in a great environment,” he says.

“The earlier we can get kids in society used to being in and around people

with disabilities the better because it makes it so much easier for them to break down existing barriers.

“They don’t have to be surfers or even get in the water. Anyone with time and a good heart can come down and volunteer.

“We will have equipment, including professional wheelchairs, specially set up to use in the water for people with disabilities. It allows people to get in the ocean and have a surf with dignity.”

Volunteers can simply turn up on the day and will be treated to a free sausage sizzle.

Sunday 26 Feb and 19 March, southern side of Port Kembla Pool, 9am More information on disabledsurfers.org

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Ross Harrison

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