Success at the Aussie Titles

What exactly does someone have to do to get on Kiama’s Sport Hall of Fame?

At the recently held Australian Surf Life Saving Championships in Perth, Kiama Surf Life Saving Club alumni Ali Day (right) won the Open Ironman Race for the third year in a row.

Ali has now become the sixth person in history to win three Australian Ironman Titles in a row, joining the legendary figures of Barry Rogers, Trevor Hendy, Grant Kenny, Ky Hurst and Shannon Eckstein.

In addition, Ali won two silver medals in the Board Relay Team and the Swim Team at the Aussies.

Last August, the extraordinary athlete won the Coolangatta Gold ironman competition for the 8th time.

“He is still considering whether to go for a 9th,” says his proud dad, Ross Day.

Earlier in the Junior round of the Championships, Gerringong SLSC’s ‘local legend’, 14 year old Miller Siasat (bottom right), backed up winning gold for the 70 metre beach sprint and 15 metre beach flag events at the Country and State Surf Life Saving championships this year by winning the double again.

Miller has placed first in both events at the Country

Championships since first competing in the under 8s – and at the State championships since he first won the under 10s.

“I was stoked to win two gold medals in such a big competition. Sport has been pretty incredible in my lifestyle and has taken my family and me to such amazing places. I love the support I received from my club and all my family and friends,” says Miller, currently on holidays in Bali.

His Dad, Fred, says Miller is a ‘humble fella’ who is grateful to everyone who has helped him in his journey.

“To hear your son’s name on the national stage, knowing he has put everything into it is something special,” Fred says.

Miller’s Club of five years is ecstatic for his success and thanks his family for their massive effort in travelling to Perth to take part in the event.

“For a small Club like Gerringong, it’s a huge achievement to have a competitor at The Aussies and take out double gold. We’re all immensely proud for Miller,” president of the Gerringong Surf Club

Gary George says.

“He is a real role model for the young nippers. They all look up to him and he provides that inspiration for them to do better.”

Miller is a sports fanatic who has also seen success in the rugby union arena, representing the Illawarra at the State Championships and subsequently being selected in the NSW Country Squad last year.

He was also selected to play in the age group above him in the Rugby 7s Illawarriors team.

Having dominated on the sand, he is turning his focus to rugby. Perhaps a future Wallaby in the making?

Miller was not the only success for Gerringong Surf Club from The Aussies, with the Werri Men boat crew coming home with a silver.

“The team have continued the amazing run of performances for Gerringong with a second against a very experienced field in the 260 Masters division,” Gary says.

“The silver medal adds to their third at NSW State, in what has been a memorable year for the Werri Men.

“A fantastic effort from the lads, and another amazing achievement in their hall of fame careers.”

with Cassandra Zaucer

Learn about Parkinson’s

The Kiama Parkinson’s Support Group will celebrate April being World Parkinson’s Month with an information stall at Kiama Farmers Market.

Parkinson’s is a progressive, degenerative condition of the central nervous system.

Neurological diseases are the world’s greatest contributor to disability – and Parkinson’s is the most prevalent neurological condition. Parkinson’s is more prevalent than breast, prostate, and bowel cancer combined.

Yet it receives far less Government funding than these other diseases.

With more than 50 symptoms, Parkinson’s is complex, misunderstood, and in some cases misdiagnosed.

It has no cure.

There are currently more than 200,000 people living with the disease in Australia and by 2040, that number of people living is expected to double.

The Group will also be presenting the 2023 Local Parkinson’s Hero Award to recognise a long-term supporter of the local Parkinson’s community.

Wednesday, 26 April, Kiama Farmers’ Market,2.30-5pm. There will also be a family picnic at Kiama Blowhole Park on Saturday 29 April from 11am.

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As we welcome the change of season into Autumn, the evenings get shorter and there’s a new crispness in the air.

The weather remains warm, there’s been some spectacular downpours, the grass is still growing like anything, and I’ve been thinking about climate change.

We are all affected by the impacts of climate change, particularly in coastal communities – from rising sea levels to warming ocean temperatures, acidification of our oceans and extreme weather events – and it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenge before us. The threat of despair, and even depression, looms large.

In fact, the challenges are so great, that we cannot afford to succumb to negative emotions. Really, the only way to face these issues is to find hope in the face of adversity and look for opportunities to thrive in a changing climate.

While climate change is a global issue, it is very much felt here in our own LGA, on a local level. Local government – your council – is therefore at the frontline of adaptation.

That is why I am heartened by the Australian Coastal Councils Association’s (ACCA) unwavering optimism and dedication to the preservation of our coastal environments.

I (as a former board member) and Councillor Renkema-Lang (as a current board member) attended last week’s National Forum on Coastal Hazards, where a wide spread of Australia’s coastal local government bodies were represented.

The three-day forum was held at the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle, and we attended alongside academics, council planning staff and industry representatives.

One of the biggest challenges facing us is, how can we ensure there’s a consistent national approach and one that ensures smaller coastal councils like ours are properly equipped to respond.

We’re pleased the Federal Government responded to the ACCA’s call for the establishment of a Disaster Ready fund with $200m invested initially, which is a good start.

But with nearly 36,000km of coastline and 231 local government areas to cover, we desperately need the states and territories to contribute as well.

The forum heard about programs to protect, adapt and rehabilitate coastlines, including sand re-nourishment and the construction of artificial reefs for nature-based coastal resilience.

Delegates also had the opportunity to see first-hand projects being undertaken in Western Australia to protect and repair beaches and coastline.

We are advocating for a national commitment to finding innovative solutions encompassing broad adaptation responses to climate change and increased risk of inundation and erosion in the coastal zone.

I left the conference feeling confident that we, as a nation, can find ways to overcome, mitigate and even solve some of the challenges we face on our coastline.

I’m pleased to see our Council is moving forward with Stage 3 of our Coastal Management Plan, which we’ll be asking for your views on soon.

I returned to Kiama to find confirmation that Gareth Ward has been re-elected as our State representative to the NSW Parliament. Congratulations Gareth, and to all that ran such a close race.

Kiama Council looks forward to continuing our productive working relationship with our local and Illawarra-district members of Parliament, and to engaging with the new Labor Government in Macquarie Street.

As I have outlined above, there is certainly plenty of work to do!

Kiama Men’s Probus has a lot to offer

Kiama Men’s Probus President Hilton Bloomfield has passed the baton onto Gordon Bell, who foresees an exciting year ahead.

“Kiama’s first Probus club is well positioned to fulfil its objectives of fun and friendship in retirement,” says the new President.

“We have an excellent longstanding choir which practices weekly and performs regularly.

“Our members, retired men over 60 , don’t have to have Australia’s greatest voice to join the choir. It is a lot of fun, and we expect to be able to perform more regularly this year.”

Choir participation isn’t compulsory if you are a member.

Along with weekly coffee meetings, Kiama Men’s Probus have monthly meetings, usually with an interesting guest speaker and minimal formalities.

“This means that most of our members have very regular contact and we also enjoy many other activities throughout the year,” says Gordon.

“Whether you’re new to Kiama or a long term resident seeking to expand your interests in retirement, we’d love to hear from you.”

For more details see The Bugle App > Community > Social Groups or phone the new Secretary, Garry Funnell, on 0410 572 844.