The Bugle 30 January 2016
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
Concert for Kiama: come and be counted Community concert to show depth of support for keeping Kiama independent As the process of deciding whether Kiama Council will be able to stay independent grinds on, the Keep Kiama Council Local Committee has organised a protest rally at a time to suit the whole community. Some of the area’s leading performers including bands John Littrich and the Water Runner, No Such Thing and The Kiama Pipe Band, singers Penny Hartgerink and Sean Emmett, and comedian Dave Evans have volunteered their services
for the Concert for Kiama. The concert format will alternate live performances with information about the consequences for the residents of Kiama, Kiama Downs, Gerringong, Jamberoo and Minnamurra if the NSW Government proceeds with its proposal to force Kiama Municipal Council to merge with the City of Shoalhaven. “We have already had one community meeting attended by well over 1000 concerned residents,” says
Committee spokesman Nick Hartgerink said. “But we wanted to do something different at a more familyfriendly hour, when families with young children could come out and join in. “We encourage everyone to come along, have a picnic in the park, be entertained and also be informed about just what we stand to lose as a community if this forced merger goes ahead. “Kiama Council has been a great supporter of cultural events over many years
Bollywood comes to Kiama Bemused residents of Kiama have been caught up in the phenomena that is Bollywood, as a Mumbai-based crew came to the area to film The Return of Sardaar Ji, the sequel to a hit movie. Locations have included the Honey Farm, Ocean Groove in Terralong St, Jamberoo Pub and Terragong House. Locals have been engaged as extras, sometimes when just passing by. The Bugle’s photographer, David Finlay, went to take pictures at Terragong and ended up as an extra - playing a press photographer! Our former Crossword compiler, Margot Law, spent two days on set as a farmer attending a lavish party to show off the Rococo Walker poses for a selfie with a delicious crops grown with the help of a Continued p 4 Bollywood cast member
Inside this issue Shoalhaven Council opposes merger p 3 Johnny Warren Cup p3 Kiama welcomes its new citizens p 5 Congratulations to the Kiama Showgirl p6 Survey results show strong opposition to merger p3 Join Gerringong’s Green Day Out p8
Chris, baby Ellis and Julia O’Hara will be attending the concert. “We have dealt with Council on issues that were important to us and they listened,” says Julia. “Our voices just wouldn’t be heard in a much bigger council area. I’ve lived here all my life and want to make sure we don’t lose the level of services that we are used to getting, and the opportunity to have a say.”
and we risk losing that in a forced merger. We thought a concert in Hindmarsh Park would be a way of demonstrating the great things we have in this community and what is at risk. “We have local artists who have performed at Kiama’s iconic annual music festivals that Council supports, the Kiama Jazz Festival and Folk By The Sea, as well as circus entertainer Dave Evans who, with his wife Tamara, puts on the annual KISS Arts Festival.” John Littrich and the Water Runners will be performing a special song they have written to highlight community concerns
about the NSW Government proposal. Speakers will address different aspects of the forced merger, providing information on how people can make submissions to the Government expressing their opposition to its plans. “We’ll be inviting Premier Mike Baird and Member for Kiama Gareth Ward, and hope they will come and hear the voice of the community,” says Nick. “It’s going to be a lot of fun, but with a serious edge.” Details: Sunday 31 January, Hindmarsh Park, 4-7pm
Latest detail on Council’s ‘fitness’ Council’s February meeting has been brought forward to Tuesday 2 February, so resolutions can be made before the Public Hearings on the proposed merger with Shoalhaven Council. The business papers for the meeting are now available at kiama.nsw.gov.au They include a copy of the consultant’s report on Council’s Fit for the Future status. The Council meeting can be watched live on its website, from 5pm.