The Bugle
24 August 2019
A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa and now at www.thebugleonline.com
Kiama moves closer to being plastic bag free An initiative from last year’s Youth Engagement Meeting (YEM) at Kiama High, requesting consideration for making Kiama a plastic bag free town, has got real traction. The YEM is a properly constituted meeting of Kiama Council held at the High School each year, involving councillors, senior staff and the Student Representative Council (SRC). Council reports back to students on the matters raised and other actions agreed to from last year. “This is a great initiative that has been going many years now, and one which all councillors and staff always look forward to,”says Mayor Mark Honey. “Standing up and addressing or questioning a gathering of your elders is easier when it’s in a familiar environment such as your classroom, backed up by your fellow students. “Certainly, in my time as Mayor, I’ve been impressed by the confidence of the students and the clarity and thoughtfulness of their contributions.” This year’s meeting, held on 14 August, heard of the Kiama & District Business Chamber’s support for Kiama becoming plastic bag free. “The Board agree and support this initiative and will be encouraging local businesses to consider going ‘plastic bag free’ and use biodegradable utensils,” said a letter from the Chamber
Inside this issue Exhibition within an exhibition at the Kiama Art show p 3
A chance to talk astronomy p 5
World’s best bodyboarders to descend on Kiama p9 Some of the SRC students at the meeting: Jayden Wilshire, Bethany Chapman, Lucy Burton, Sam Scobie and Dominic Borserio
that was read at the Meeting. “We have also requested all of the market stall holders from the Kiama Seaside Markets do not use plastic bags at our markets and use environmentally friendly alternatives instead.” While Council does not have the legislative power to ban plastic bags, it has worked towards the goal by supporting Kiama Boomerang Bags and the establishment of Reduce Reuse Recycle Kiama. In addition, a report from Council outlined its various initiatives to reduce the amount of plastic and other sorts of waste. • Some of the include investigating the feasibility of providing an organics collection service to
Fight against NDIS age discrimination Like most people, Chris and Bobbie English were unaware NDIS funding cuts out at 65 until their circumstances changed and they tried to access it. They have started a campaign to alert people to this anomaly and attempt to have it fixed. “It is age discrimination in the worst possible way,” says Bobbie. A freak accident on his 69th birthday left Chris a quadriplegic. “His C4 spinal injury means he can breathe, but that is about it,” says his wife Bobbie. “He needs help with everything else.” After nine months in Prince of Wales Hospital and more time in Port Kembla
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Pecora Dairy wins national produce award p 13
Bobbie and Chis English
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