Kiama Seaside Probus marks 15 yrs Harbourside works completed

The seawall and waterside walk on the Blowhole Point side of Kiama Harbour have been completed.

Kiama Seaside Probus turned 15 in April and celebrated by holding a special ‘birthday’ meeting at the Kiama Leagues Club.

“We really wanted to honour the people who started this wonderful club from scratch 15 years ago,” says President, Maree Shepherd.

“It was great to have Val Blakey, the first female President in 2010, and Joy Fardy, President in 2018, in attendance as well as 12 Foundation members and 10 Club Presidents.”

Kiama Seaside Probus, a combined club for both men and women who are retired or semi-retired, was formed in 2008.

The Club’s objective is to provide members with the opportunity to have fun, keep their minds active, expand their interests and create new friends through social

Foundation Members - Terry Beavan, Margaret Porter, Gail Beavan, Betsy Coroneos, Ken Watson, Laurelle Watson, John Porter, Normal Davey, Val Blakey, Carmel Carson, David Carson, Ann Downing and Harry Downing interaction and activities.

At the birthday celebrations, the Club also showed it has its eyes on the future by launching their first website.

“Our Webmaster, Peter Eales, has designed and constructed a really professional site which will provide information about our Club to the wider community and provide a single point of information to Club members. It will also store Club documents and photos,” Maree says.

For further information about joining the Club visit www. kiamaseasideprobus.org.au.

Expo for new volunteers

To mark National Volunteer Week, Kiama Council is holding a Volunteer Expo at the Kiama Farmer’s Market to help local community groups and charities bolster their ranks.

“While our community has a proud history of volunteerism, volunteer organisations are facing challenges attracting people to their ranks,” says Deputy Mayor Imogen Draisma.

Local community groups and charities can register for the expo on Council’s website before 8 May.

You can also nominate a local volunteer for the 2023 Volunteer of the Year Awards before 16 June via volunteering.com.au

The $3 million Crown Lands project was originally due to be finished in September 2022, but was delayed because additional work was needed to secure the seawall to the bedrock on the harbour floor.

The project involved construction of a new seawall, an adjacent accessible footpath and ramp, new street furniture and a seating area, stainless steel handrails and balustrades, and landscaping.

The nearby boat ramp and trailer parking have been retained. The concrete wall includes an embedded pattern of a whale, based on artwork commissioned with Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Unfortunately, over half of this artwork is not visible in the final product, as the rock wall is much higher than envisaged.

Sally Bursell, Tourism and Events Manager at Kiama Council says the seawall upgrade is a welcome step in improving the amenity of the harbour area, and says, “As part of the Kiama Coast

Walk, the new works provide a safer and more picturesque link between Black Beach, Kiama Harbour and Blowhole Point and allows for an increase of the amenity for attendees of our major events, such as New Year’s Eve and KISS Arts Festival with a great elevated view.”

Greg Sullivan, Crown Lands Executive Director of Land and Asset Management, says the upgraded harbourfront will provide stronger protection against storms to safeguard Black Beach Reserve and Kiama Harbour Park.

Gareth Ward, Member for Kiama, says that while there were some delays, he did promise that revised works would be finished in the first part of 2023.

“Whilst these funds were allocated by the former government, I’ll be lobbying the new Minister to continue to invest in projects that improve accessibility and the liveability of our community,” he says.

Steve Kamper, Minister for Lands and Property, says the upgrade will benefit boaters, fishers and walkers alike.

“Kiama Harbour is at the heart of the community,” he says. “The accessible coastal path allows people to walk, ride a bike or push a pram and will support Kiama’s appeal as a great place to live and holiday.”

While the work was instigated as a solution to a longstanding issue with a collapsed retaining wall, it is the first step in a plan by Crown Lands to activate the harbour area.

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Public hearing

People who are interested in maintaining the existing character of the area in which they live or concerned about the loss of local heritage will be interested in the Heritage 101 seminar in Wollongong hosted by the National Trust’s Illawarra Shoalhaven Branch.

Learn how to write a ‘cracking’ letter of objection to unsympathetic developments or find out what modifications you can make to your heritage listed property.

Heritage consultant Andrew Conacher and co-host

Fiona Reynolds will walk you through heritage case studies, the NSW Heritage Act and proposed changes, The Burra Charter, Environmental planning and assessment, how councils assess DAs and how you can object to DAs.

Bring a USB to download copies of the material.

Saturday 13 May Old Court House, Wollongong, 9-3pm $15 per person. Morning and afternoon tea provided, BYO lunch. Book at eventbrite.com.au