COMMUNITY KCR RADIO

Rekema Lang in a leadership steering role in the early days, and Mayor Neil Reilly who wrote, voiced and produced an original old time radio drama called ‘Annie of the Airways’ which is thoroughly recommended for all Kiama locals. It can be found in the podcasts lists at www.kcr.org.au local businesses allowed to stay open and Elizabeth recalls people loved coming to visit the quarry for community, connection and a sense of normality at a difficult time. The concept of ‘Community in The Quarry’ was born in those strange times.

Once a month Burnetts hosts “Crop & Swap”, and sometimes large groups utilise this unique space to gather for community events, including a variety of garden clubs. Burnetts also host Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival each year and local musicians play every Saturday morning. Interactive workshops are held onsite, particularly in school holidays for children to learn about plant care and even bee keeping! There are currently four ‘flow hives’ onsite and Rachael from “Bee Inspired” in Kiama guides the workshops.

Burnetts on Barney employs around 30 people, which makes them one of the largest local employers.

Elizabeth says, “I’m very conscious of our responsibility as an employer to recognise the role our team plays in local society and we need to operate a business which reflects the values of that team - we support community groups and initiatives wherever possible celebrate the ‘reuse, recycle, repurpose’ idea, composting on-site food scraps from the cafe as well as shredded pallets.”

The business supports Kiama Business Chamber’s initiative: “Think, Shop and

Buy Local” which aims to support and grow a vibrant, sustainable local business economy. “Small towns rely on circular economies and to survive and thrive businesses need to lead the shop local concept by cross promoting and supporting each other,” Elizabeth remarks.

“In business, as in life, we thrive best when we support and lift each other up rather than existing in isolation”.

by Donna Portland