The Bugle 29 January 2022

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OAM for Amanda Reid

Rally against South Kiama p3

Congratulations Class of 2021 p3

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New Head of State model

Local family in The Voice p12

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29 JAN 2022

Citizens of the Year Maria Baden would like to think that her being named as Kiama’s Citizen of the Year will encourage others to empathise with the everyday challenges faced by refugees and migrants who come to Australia. She has been recognised in this year’s Kiama Council Australia Day Awards for both her humanitarian efforts and progressive approaches to animal husbandry and land management on her family’s Wagyu farm. Long associated with Kiama Welcomes Refugees, she notably worked with Rosemary Kariuki (Australia’s 2021 Local Hero) to welcome vulnerable migrant women and their families to in Gerringong for a weekend. The pair’s initiative of friendship reached many through the documentary film, Rosemary’s Way. They are currently working on a follow-up, this time bringing men down so they can meet local men and see first hand how they interact with their families at home. “As the child of Polish/German immigrants, I know how important it is for people to show the hand of friendship. “We’ve got different ways of doing things, but how will people find out if they don’t get to know us?” The Senior Citizen of the Year award has gone to Gerringong’s Helen McDermott, for her many years of community work, especially with the Gerringong & District Historical Society. She says she is the sort of person who can’t stop herself from helping others, as it was

the way she was brought up. Helen joined the Society 14 years ago as a newcomer to the area, and has been President for nine years. “I was just so grateful to live here that I wanted to know what happened before I got here. “People are very used to being involved to help make the community work.” Fifteen year old Lara Farrell, who is going into Year 11 at Kiama High, has received the Young Citizen Award for her energetic leadership across a range of youthrelated issues, including being the youth member on the Makuta advisory board. “I’ve taken every opportunity offered through school, and one thing has just led to another,” she says. Her advice to other young people is to get involved. “Choose what your passion is and volunteer in that area – you’ll love helping.” WIRES Illawarra has been awarded Community Group of the Year for their work rescuing and sheltering native wildlife, especially following the bushfires of 2019/20 (see story on page 5) Kiama Council announced the recipients of its Australia Day awards early, as it had to cancel the normal Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony on 26 January for COVID-19 safety reasons. The Citizenship Ceremony will now be conducted online, and the recipients of the awards will receive them at a later date.

Helen McDermott, Lara Farrell and Maria Baden

Kiama LGA tops NSW land value increases

The latest land values for all properties in NSW show the Kiama LGA experiencing the strongest average increase in the State, with an extraordinary 53.5% increase in the unimproved value in the year to 1 July 2021. The next highest increase came in the Byron Shire (51.9%). Overall, the South Coast saw residential land values increase by 30.3%, compared to the statewide rise of 24%, Full details of the winners’ with all other LGAs experiachievements are available on encing strong growth: ShoalCouncil’s website. haven (49.2%), Eurobodalla

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(30.4%), Bega Valley (29.3%), Wollongong (24.5%), Wingecarribee (21.7%), Shellharbour (20.2%) and Wollondilly (18.2%). The Kiama and Shoalhaven LGAs led the increase in rural land values in the region, both with a rise of 47.9%, substantially above the South Coast average of 35.2%. The NSW Valuer General, Dr David Parker, says property sales are the most important factor valuers consider when determining land values. “Land value is the value of

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the land only and does not include the value of a home or other structures. “Private contract valuers with expertise in their local areas have prepared the 1 July 2021 land values on behalf of the Valuer General, to determine new land values across the region. “The valuers consider a range of factors in determining land value, including the features of the land and its legally permitted use. “Valuer General NSW has quality assured the land values for fairness and con-

sistency.” Revenue NSW will use the 1 July 2021 land values to calculate land tax for the year, and councils use it in their rates calculation. “The latest land values for all properties in NSW are available on our website along with information on trends, medians and typical land values for each local government area,” says Dr Parker. Go to www.valuergeneral. nsw.gov.au and search for ‘land values online’

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