The Bugle 26 July

Costly Bluehaven Mayor could be directly elected

Kiama Council is unable to accurately determine how much it cost to construct Blue Haven Bonaira, and may have used restricted funds to complete it.

The revelations are contained in an executive summary of a report from auditors Forsyths, which offers a glimpse into the “significant deficiencies in council’s management” of Blue Haven Bonaira which has the primary reason for council’s current financial predicament.

The full report was given to KMC in April, but the executive summary has just been released, with some aspects remaining confidential such as payouts to executives in 2018 and 2021 which contributed to Council’s current financial position.

The report reveals that in 2016, KMC underestimated the cost of the project by approximately $30 million, expecting the total cost would be around $74 million. The actual cost is estimated at $105.4 million, however, Forsyths states that it did not have enough information to determine the final price tag.

“Council did not have data to support total project cost within one source of truth as data was split over multiple work orders. As a result, we were required to utilise underlying accounting data to estimate total final project cost,” the Forsyths report states.

KMC took responsibility for project management for Blue Haven Bonaira in February 2020 after it was opened to the public. However the quality of project management was “signifi-

cantly reduced” once KMC took over, as there were still defects yet to be rectified and project variations to be finalised. At this stage, total project spend was approximately $98 million.

The Forsyths report also reveals that $3.4 million of developer contribution funds that were allocated for upgrades to Council Chambers was spent on Blue Haven Bonaira’s construction.

“From our understanding of EPA [Environmental Planning and Assessment] regulation, the use of these funds for Blue Haven is not allowed and therefore these funds need to be returned to the developer contribution external restriction,” the report states.

Speaking to The Bugle, Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly made it clear that he didn’t want to pass judgement on anyone involved. “I’ve got no idea what the motivations were of the staff, but I believe that they thought they were acting in the best interest of the community at the time...I’m not going to make any judgments. The whole reason we are here is to look at the council’s financial improvement, and that’s that.”

Mayor Reilly also pointed out that only the NSW State

Government and its agencies can investigate the council. KMC has already sought out options for self-investigation, however these may have been in part superseded when the State Government imposed a Performance Improvement Order in November 2022 to improve Council’s financial position.

“It is possible to conduct a separate independent investigation but this may divert focus and resources from attending to immediacy of PIO obligations,” the Forsyth report states.

KMC CEO Jane Stroud has also referred the matter to ICAC (Independent Commissions Against Corruption) twice in 2022, and she continues to work closely with the Office of Local Government, TCorp and the Audit Office of NSW to address ongoing issues.

The Forsyths report also notes the recommendations KMC has already taken since it received the initial report. Of the 38 recommendations made by Forsyths, 21 have already been actioned, while 11 of the remaining 17 recommendations are in progress.

by Brendon Foye

Kiama residents will decide whether they want to directly elect their mayor in a referendum at the next government election in 2024.

Councillor Stuart Larkins moved a successful motion that could change how Kiama’s elections are conducted. At the moment, councillors select a mayor among themselves every two years.

If the referendum passes, Kiama residents and ratepayers will directly elect a mayor themselves at every local election.

The referendum question will be put to voters at the next local government election scheduled for 14 September 2024, but won’t come into effect until the 2028 election if it passes.

“In the Illawarra and the South Coast, Kiama Council residents will be the only Local Government Area not able to directly elect their mayor in 2024,” said Councillor Larkins at the council meeting on 18 July when the motion passed.

“Wollongong, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and now Bega will

be able to directly elect the mayor.”

“Our council has been undertaking a number of important reforms, particularly at an organisational level. I believe it’s important that we have transparent and accountable political leadership from the mayor and councillors at election time and beyond.”

All KMC councillors voted in favour of the motion with the exception of Councillor Mark Croxford and Councillor Matt Brown.

Speaking against the motion, Councilor Croxford said that direct elections could lead to more bipartisan politics in local government, leading to a polarised political landscape.

“Candidates for directly elected mayor may align themselves with political parties, specific interest groups which can introduce party politics and divisive agendas into local government. Polarisation may hinder effective decision making and compromise the council,” Councillor Croxford said.

Speaking to The Bugle,

Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly said he hadn’t made up his mind on whether he supported direct mayoral elections, but did support putting the decision in the hands of voters.

“I think the best thing we can do is allow democracy to take its task and why not? I’m not worried or intimidated by it, I think it’s a good thing. The CEO told me the other day that when you do things a particular way for a long time, it’s always good to have a look at it and make sure, maybe there’s a better way,” said Mayor Reilly.

by Brendon Foye

KIAMA FARMERS’ MARKET

Every Wednesday Surf Beach or Kiama Uniting Church, 2-5pm

SENTRAL’S OPEN MIC

Every Thursday

SENTRAL Youth Cottages, 5-7pm

ROBYN SHARP OPEN GALLERY

First weekend of every month

Cedar Ridge Studio, Foxground, by appointment

THE BERRY BOWLING CLUB MARKETS

Second Saturday of the month, 9-2pm

GERRINGONG ROTARY MARKETS

Third Saturday each month

Town Hall, 8.30-1.30pm

KIAMA SEASIDE MARKETS

Third Sunday each month

Black Beach, 9-3pm

JAMBROO VILLAGE MARKETS

Last Sunday each month

Reid Park, Jamberoo, 9-2pm

NAIDOC Awards Ceremony

Saturday 29 July, 5 pm

Kiama Pavillion

The Music Makers Performance

Saturday 5 August

Kiama Pavilion, 6-10pm

Vietnam Veterans Vigil

Thursday 3 August

Wollongong Memorial Garden, 10am

Kiama Woodcraft Exhibition and Sale

Thursday 3 August – Wednesday 9 August 10 am –3 pm

Old Fire Station, Kiama

Jeans for Genes Trivia Night

Friday 4 August

Gerroa Boat Fishermans Club, 7pm

Shine Women free 8 week course

from Friday 4 August

St Pauls Minnamurra Hall, 10-12pm

Gerringong Women’s Hockey Club 75th Luncheon

Saturday 5 August

Club Jamberoo

Friends of Kiama Library

Talk with music writer Jeff Apter

Saturday 5 August, 2 pm

Gerringgong Pics & Flicks 0 The Quiet Girl

Friday, 4 August

Gerringong Town Hall, 7:30 pm

Eat with Homestead of Hope

Each Tuesday

Kiama Scout Hall, 11 am

Meet the Author: Bruce Elder

Wednesday 9 August

The Uniting Church, 7 pm

Art by Kiama Art Society Exhibition 10 August – 16 August 10 am – 3 pm

STICKS AND STONES EXHIBITION

27 July-2 August

Old Fire Station Kiama, 10-3pm

JAMBEROO VILLAGE MARKETS

Sunday 30 July

Reid Park, 9-2pm

VIETNAM VETERANS VIGIL

Thursday 3 August

Wollongong Memorial Garden, 10am

KIAMA WOODCRAFT EXHIBITION AND SALE 3-9 August

Old Fire Station, Kiama, Thurs 1-4pm Fri-Wed 9-4pm

JEANS FOR GENES TRIVIA NIGHT

Friday 4 August

Gerroa Boat Fishermans Club, 7pm

Email Steven@thebuglenewspaper.com.au with your events

Blood on the wattle

Please join Kiama Region Yes 23 for a conversation with noted author, commentator and Kiama resident Bruce Elder, about his classic book, Blood on the Wattle.

Date: Wednesday 9th August

Time: 7pmPlace: The Uniting Church 11

Bong Bong St, Kiama.  Bruce Elder has published over fifty books and was a fulltime journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald where he specialised in popular culture and travel.

Join the Jeans for Genes fundraising campaign on August 4th at the Gerroa Boat Fishermans Club. Wear your jeans and purchase a badge to support the Children's Medical Research Institute. Every contribution helps fight cancer, epilepsy, blindness, liver disease, and more. The CMRI has even developed a drug to treat epilepsy that shows the potential to cure kidney disease. Visit the CMRI Gerringong merchandise sale at IGA Gerringong on 28-9 July and 3-4 August. Don't miss out on the

Australia will commemorate 60 years since the arrival of the Australian Army Training Team (AATTV) in South Vietnam and 50 years since the complete withdrawal of combat troops in 1972. A Commemorative Service is planned for 18 August at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra, televised nationally by the ABC. Vietnam Vet-

chance to make a difference and have fun with the Kiama Quilters' Guild denim quilt raffle during the Trivia night.

Veterans celebrations

erans and their next of kin can participate in a Remembrance Vigil on 3 August at every grave or Commemorative plaque site across the nation and overseas. The Illawarra Vietnam Veterans Association and Dapto/ Port Kembla RSL SubBranch will hold the vigil at the four grave sites in the Wollongong Memorial Gardens.

Jeans for Genes Gerringong Hockey Enthusiasts

Hockey enthusiasts of all ages in Gerringong can now experience a blast from the past with the latest exhibit showcased at the Gerringong Heritage Museum. The exhibit features an array of photographs and audio-visual presentations covering the period from 1947 to the 1960s. This will undoubtedly

stir up fond memories for hockey players from that era. Additionally, the exhibit offers a unique opportunity for younger generations to witness the fashion trends of the time. The official opening of the exhibit will take place at 11 am at the Gerringong Museum, where light refreshments will be served.

Blood on the Wattle was published in 1988 to considerable acclaim and is now in it’s third edition.  Bruce has said his book was an attempt to draw together in one volume information about the massacres of Aboriginal people and to create

a broad-based level of awareness of their scale so that it can become part of the Australian consciousness.  They should be as much part of Australian history as the First Fleet, the explorers, the gold rushes and the bushrangers. Many people have requested more details about the upcoming referendum for constitutional recognition and a Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait people.   Blood on the Wattle  provides a context  for that generous request.  Blood on the Wattle was listed as one of the ten most influential Australian works of non-fiction in the twentieth century in an extensive poll conducted by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

by Mark Whalan

News 0412415101 news@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Advertising:

0428662499 advertising@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

human.

Council Voice

Kiama Council has voted to support the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum coming up later this year.

The Federal Government passed legislation in June 2023 to hold a referendum later this year that asks Australians if we should establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament to serve as an independent advisory board to the government. If successful, The Voice will be able to make recommendations to the Federal Government but not actually dictate or pass legislation. It also will not directly deliver any services. Implementing The Voice would require amendments to Australia’s constitution, which requires a majority vote in a referendum to be made.

Councillor Stuart Larkins put forward a motion on 18 July that calls for Kiama Council to officially lend support to The Voice, as well as make information available from the Federal Government about the referen-

dum available on its own website and social media channels.

The motion also means that Council will waive hall costs and fees for information sessions for any interested community groups and individuals related to the referendum.

I voicing her support for the motion, Deputy Mayor Imogen Draisma said it was incredibly important that Council provides space for the community to have important discussions about The Voice.

“This is the first referendum of my lifetime and I think we should give all members of the community the opportunity not only to discuss, but to disseminate information on the referendum. This will play a huge role in the lead up to the referendum.”

Councillor Mark Croxford was the only councillor that voted against the motion. Councillor Croxford had previously forwarded an amendment that would change the wording of the motion so that council maintained

a neutral stance on The Voice while respecting the democratic process.

He also wanted to make it clear that all interested parties, despite their political leanings, would be given the same space to discuss their viewpoint. However, Mayor Neil Reilly said the amendment was considered to be directly against the original motion, and would therefore be unlawful.

Speaking to The Bugle, Mayor Reilly said there was a good reason why Kiama Council decided to lend its support to a Federal Government issue.

Illegal Signage?

Kiama residents that display “Yes” signs in support of establishing an Indigenous Voice to Parliament could be breaking the law, Kiama Councillor Mark Croxford has warned.

“It comes down to a simple word, and that’s democracy. We have nine councillors and the majority of those councillors feel this is an important thing,” said Mayor Reilly.

“You could say it’s a Commonwealth Government initiative, well the Commonwealth government supports the local government by giving us federal assistance grants, they support the state government by giving them GST and the state government supports us by allowing us to be an extended arm of them.”

By Brendon Foye

Yes 23 hits the streets

Supporters of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament will hit the streets to raise awareness around the upcoming referendum.

The National Day of Mobilisation takes place across the country on 1 August, and will see supporters walk through

public spaces to engage with the public about what exactly is included in The Voice and what isn’t.

Kiama’s proceedings will begin at 10AM at Hindmarsh Park, and will spread out across the town and eventually to the many cafes for cof-

Croxford Censured

Kiama Councillor Mark Croxford has been censured for “engaging in intimidation” during a Council meeting.

The decision was made during a confidential session after an ordinary council meeting.

The Bugle understands that Councillor Croxford is seeking legal advice on the matter.

The Bugle understands that the issue arose during a debate over the rejection of the Golden Valley Way DA in Jamberoo at a Council meeting held on 21 March. Kiama Council CEO Jane Stroud noted that the behaviour was not conducive with Councillors’ code of conduct.

“Council resolved the

following: That Council, pursuant to section 440G of the Local Government Act, formally censures Councillor Croxford for statements made at the meeting held on 21 March 2023, which the investigation report substantiated conduct that amounts to engaging in intimidation, noting that such behaviour does not comply with the code of conduct for councillors,” said CEO Jane Stroud following the meeting.

440G of the Local Government Act allows council to resolve at a meeting to formally censure a councillor for misconduct.

by Brendon Foye

fee chats with residents.

Karen Forsyth from the Kiama Region for yes23 campaign told The Bugle that the local group was politically neutral, and includes participants from all sides of the political divide.

“We think this shouldn’t divide Australians, it

should unite them,” Karen said. “We’re unashamedly in the Yes camp, but we are also trying to run a really positive campaign where we don’t engage in negativity towards people with different views. We just want to make sure people engage with the referen-

Councillor Croxford points out that displaying signs relating to an election before the official referendum date could violate provisions in the NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).

However, The Australian Electoral Commission told The Bugle there were no laws restricting people from displaying campaigning activities before a referendum date has been set.

“...there is no law that says campaigning activities have to occur only during the referendum period. The Referendum Act actually doesn’t limit the amount, the format or the timing of referendum communication,” according to an AEC spokesperson.

Clause 2.107 outlines requirements for election signs, including strict limits for timeframes of when

dum and work out what is and is not involved in the Voice.”

The Federal Government voted in favour of holding a referendum to establish the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, though no official date has been set.

The Voice would serve

they can be displayed. According to the provisions, election signs can only be displayed five weeks preceding election day, the day of the election itself, and one week immediately following election day.

Legislation to allow the referendum to take place passed in June 2023, though the Federal Government is yet to specify which date the vote will take place. As such, displaying signs whether for or against The Voice could be illegal, and those that do could face penalties.

“As there is no fixed date for a federal referendum, the current appearance of YES campaign signs throughout the State of New South Wales constitutes an illegal act that requires immediate removal to comply with legislation and avoid potential fines,” said Councillor Croxford.

“I call on all law-abiding citizens to report the illegal display of YES campaign signs to Council so they can be promptly removed and uphold the law.”

by Brendon Foye

as an advisory board on issues affecting Indigenous Australians. The Voice would not be allowed to pass or vote on legislation, nor would it be responsible for delivering the services it advocates for.

by Brendon Foye

SENIOR PERKS

For Seniors: (over 60’s)

It is possible to access your superannuation after you turn 60, so if it is needed you should speak to your accountant or financial adviser about the best way to utilise the funds at your disposal.

Apply for a Seniors Card: this is the best way to access discounts from participating businesses for a range of goods and services, as well as transport concessions. It’s free to eligible persons. The criteria may change slightly from state to state, however in NSW you must be a permanent resident of the state, aged 60 or over, and working no more than 20 hours a week. At the moment

there are more than 1.4 million members of the NSW Seniors Card scheme, and over 3,500 businesses participating.

* NOTE: The NSW regional seniors travel card (prepaid $250) stopped accepting new applications on 7 July.

Premier Chris Minns said that he can’t guarantee it will return.

Locally, Kiama Council offers:

• Reduced rates for concession card holders (including seniors card holders) at the Leisure Centre

• Libraries provide a range of services for all ages. Some that are popular with senior citizens include the Home Library book delivery and pick-up service. There are also Makers and Creators workshops, the Friends of Kiama Library book talks, free film screenings and book club kits. Many Kiama cafes and eateries also offer reduced-priced seniors

meals, and some hairdressers have senior discounts, however it’s best to confirm with individual businesses first.

For Aged Pensioners: The aged pension is available for those over 66 years who meet income and assets test. To find out about your eligibility you can visit the Department of Human Services website.

Pensioner Concession Card: You are eligible for at any age if you receive payments including:

• Age Pension,

• Bereavement Allowance,

• Carer Payment, or

• a Disability Support Pension.

Further details on the concessions, including bulk billing for doctor appointments and higher Medicare benefits, can be found on the Department of Human Services website.

Animal Welfare League have discount vouchers for Centrelink Concession Card holders.

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: This card provides discounts on Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines, as well as benefits like bulk billed doctor appointments and cheaper out-of-hospital medical expenses. To qualify for a Commonwealth Senior Health Card you must be of Age Pension age

and meet the income test and residence requirements.

With the difference in state concessions and varying eligibility criteria, it’s best to use this information as a starting point so you know how you can benefit.

Kiama Council also offers rebates on Pensioner rates. Aged care

facility Blue Haven has a range of seniors-focused services, such as community transport (available as part of people’s Home Care Packages).

Hopefully this list of discounts and rebate options helps our Senior readership.

by Donna Portland

South

At Carter Ferguson Solicitors, we’re passionate about providing a more human, caring and contemporary approach to the Law.

even more care for our clients.

Hindmarsh Park cottage up for demolition

Kiama Council has taken the first physical steps in preparing Hindmarsh Park for a $4 million upgrade, by removing the old cottage at the Shoalhaven Street end of the park.

The cottage was formerly the residence of the local NSW Ambulance Service. Council considered its renovation and reuse as part of the Hindmarsh Park upgrade, but the poor condition of the building, including the presence of asbestos and the absence of Heritage listing, means it must be demolished and all material removed.

Once the cottage is removed, the area will be temporarily turfed and

will become part of Hindmarsh Park in readiness for the planned relocation of the bus shelter and installation of new bike parking facilities to service Hindmarsh Park and the broader Kiama Town

THE BUGLE VIEW

It seems the hits just keep on coming in this cost-of-living crisis.

Last month, there was bad news on power bills.

The Australian Energy Regulator confirmed South Coast residents are set to pay 25 per cent more for electricity. That means local households are on the hook for another $594 a year, just to keep the lights on.

Last week, there was more bad news on mortgages.

cleaning products are down almost 16 per cent, and carpet cleaning products are down almost 11 per cent.

Put together, these numbers show people are really feeling the pinch.

You don’t need to be a PHD economist to see it’s getting harder and harder to come up with the cash to heat and eat, and keep a roof over your head.

Growing up in Armidale, she attended Armidale High School and the University of New England.

Ms Bullock’s reign as RBA will be closely monitored and it is heartening to know that the head honcho is cognisant of the needs of workers and families outside the big cities.

Centre.

The existing bus shelter will remain until the main construction works are underway.

Work started on 17 July and is expected to take around four weeks to complete.

The area will be fully fenced off during this time. Precautions have been taken to ensure safety and minimise the impact of the demolition to the community.

Council is still finalising the contracts for the upgrade of Hindmarsh Park and will update the community when there is further information.

by Donna Portland

Commonwealth Bank boss Matt Comyn told a parliamentary hearing in Canberra that only 60 per cent of the impacts of recent rate hikes since last May have flowed on through the economy. In other words, there’s plenty of sting in the rate rise tail.

This week, there was more bad news – this time on the cost of essentials.

Data from Coles – obtained by The Australian newspaper – shows shoppers are going without the things they need in a bid to save cash.

Sales of hand sanitiser and soap is down almost 30 per cent, handwash is down 7 per cent, “environmentally friendly”

Speaking of PHD economists, it’s been hard to miss the news this week about the departure of Reserve Bank Governor, Philip Lowe.

It’s fair to say Dr Lowe has divided opinion.

There’s no doubt his ill-fated prediction that interest rates were going nowhere until 2024 will go down as one of the all-time clangers. There’s also no doubt the fact he was the public face of twelve successive rate rises didn’t do him any favours.

While Dr Lowe’s successor, Michelle Bullock, is primarily making headlines as the first woman appointed to lead the Bank, The Bugle is more interested in her regional roots.

We all know that Kiama is a great place to live, work and raise a family. But in order to continue our prosperous trajectory, we also need to grow. Our infrastructure is under constant strain but our population is growing at a remarkable rate.

We need to build more houses, better roads and more investment.

The Bugle hopes that the right balance between addressing the economic uncertainty of the present day does not compromise investment and economic prosperity in the near future.

The fourth pillar of Kiama Council’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is: “We are part of a connected and liveable community”.

Being part of a connected and liveable community means that the council aims to foster a sense of belonging and cohesion among you good folk, while ensuring that the community remains vibrant, sustainable, and enjoyable. One way we work to achieve this is through our council committees, which we have recently restructured.

I congratulate the successful applicants to council’s two newest committees: We have appointed the following four community members to the Sustainable Communities Committee: Michael Bowden, Liam Pettigrew, Narreda Grimley and Alan Smith. They will join Councillor Imogen Draisma and myself as the councillor representatives on this committee

The following four applicants were appointed to the Infrastructure and Liveability Committee: Roy Rogers, Tony Gilmour, Jennifer Wulff (nee Heath) and Dr Fiona Mackie.

They will join Councillor Mark Croxford and Councillor Stuart Larkins on the committee.

We are so grateful to the many community members who applied for the roles and I encourage their participation throughout the committee term as invited experts where appropriate.

Overall, community participation on a council committee can lead to more inclusive, effective, and people-centric decision-making processes, ultimately benefiting the community’s wellbeing and development.

This new structure will be well tested over the next 12 months. We don’t expect that it will be perfect, nothing really is, but we can learn from any mistakes along the way and make sure we don’t repeat them. I believe that if we have a positive mindset, we’re likely to see any littlehiccups as an opportunity to improve and add greater value to this innovative method of committees.

Beyond the next 12 months, I’ve been thinking about how we deliver on the goals outlined in the fourth pillar of our CSP, which is a long-term plan that outlines the vision, strategy, and priorities of your council in serving its community. That’s you!

I’ll break down the key elements of this strategic pillar:

A connected community: This focuses on building strong social connections among community members. It involves initiatives to promote community engagement, inclusivity, and participation in local events, projects, and decision-making processes. The goal is to create a sense of

belonging and unity among us all.

A liveable community: This aspect emphasises creating an environment where people can lead fulfilling and comfortable lives. It includes various elements such as access to essential services, well-designed public spaces, recreational facilities, and infrastructure that supports a high quality of life. A liveable community is also one that is sustainable in the long term.

This involves efforts to protect and preserve the natural environment, promote eco-friendly practices, and ensure responsible urban planning and development that balances the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future.

Your council also focuses on fostering economic growth and social development within the community. I believe this includes support for local businesses, creating job opportunities, and addressing social issues to ensure a thriving and prosperous community.

Our goal may be a lofty one, but with your support we can continue creating a cohesive, inclusive, and sustainable community where all members of our LGA enjoy a high quality of life, social interaction, and access to services and amenities.

Don’t forget that I run an open door policy... Email or call ahead to book an appointment or just drop in. I’m always up for a chat if I’m around.

Mayor Neil Reilly

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPT. SEEKS TENDERS

The Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) is seeking Aboriginal service providers that can offer place-based cultural immersion training for employees as part of the department’s Aboriginal Cultural Capability Framework.

Expressions of interest have been extended to 7 August 2023.

This is a good opportunity for Aboriginal service providers in a range of areas where DPE has staff, including the Illawarra, Riverina Murray, Far West, Hunter and Central Coast, Central West, Far North Coast, Mid North Coast, New England, the Orana, Southern Highlands, and Sydney. Potential Aboriginal service providers will be shortlisted and invited to tender for the delivery of services based on their local

capabilities, enabling them to deliver the very best services in partnership with Aboriginal communities.

“Aboriginal people and cultures are so diverse that a ‘one size fits all’ approach to cultural learning won’t work,” Ms McCarthy said. “Employees need

Through the expression of interest process, DPE aims to establish a panel of preferred Aboriginal suppliers across NSW who can provide cultural immersion experiences and share the richness and diversity of Aboriginal culture and history on Country.

With about 10,000 employees in the Department of Planning and Environment around NSW, the establishment of the panel represents real and tangible economic development opportunities for Aboriginal people, communities, and business.

cultural knowledge. DPE Director of Aboriginal People and Cultural Affairs, Amanda McCarthy, said the framework will provide employees with comprehensive learning to improve Aboriginal cultural awareness and

to immerse themselves in their local communities or on Country with Traditional Custodians, knowledge holders and language speakers and understand their intrinsic connections with Country and the broader community.”

DPE works across a wide area of government services including Planning, Water, Aboriginal Housing, Social Housing and Property, Crown Lands, Office of Local Government and Environment, Energy, Heritage and Science. Further information on the expression of interest can be found here: www.tenders. nsw.gov.au/

by Donna Portland

For the Love of Gymnastics held its second fund-raising stall outside Kiama Downs Foodworks to fund their team trip to the Aloha Fest competition in Hawaii in January 2024

The stall sold Bella’s homemade lemonade along with sausage sandwiches, chocolates and knitwear.

The team all attend Carmel & Co Gymnastics for training. If you want to support them. go to their Facebook page Fortheloveofgymnastics to follow further fund-raising efforts.

Bella and Taylah said their favourite events were vault and beam,

which were often the most difficult and the most rewarding to learn tricks on.

The 48th Aloha Gymnastics festival is held from 12 - 14 January 2024 in Kailua Hawaii for Gymasts Level 6-10.

Carmel and Co gymnastics is based in Shellharbour and was founded in 1990 by Carmel Murphy who was a level 10 gymnast before retiring.

Students of the school regularly represent NSW at various national and international individual and squad events.

by Mark Whalan

GYMNASTICS TRIP SUPPORT REQUEST SURFER SAVANT

Local bodyboarder

Juan Castilla has qualified to compete in the national surfing titles in Port Macquarie (4 –21 August). Juan, from Spring Creek Kiama, is one of a team of four who will represent the NSW in the dropknee bodyboarding titles. Surfing Australia CEO, Chris Mater said: “We look forward to seeing some of Austra-

lia’s best surfers return to Port Macquarie to battle it out in the hope of being crowned a national champion. This event is one of the biggest and most prestigious on the Surfing Australia calendar with the Australian Shortboard Titles the highest-rated event (Tier 8) on the National Open Rankings valued at 10,000 points for first

place across Open Men and Open Women. So, there’s a lot on the line and no doubt competition will be fierce.”

Juan has been bodyboarding all his life and built his life around it. He says that surfing makes him feel like a teenager, and he loves that he gets to engage with so many different people.

He is not your aver-

age surfer. Juan arrived in Australia from Chile some 15 years ago on a university scholarship as he is a scientist who works on solving water problems! Juan completed his Master’s Degree and then went on to get his PhD and remains working in academia.

Dr Castilla says “Surfing helps me perform in science! Academia is very demanding, and with surfing I can switch off the academic brain, chill out and just focus on the waves. I find that the sport creates new energy and my creative juices flow.”

His message to children, and in fact to anyone, is that you don’t have to choose between a career and sport – you can do both!

What is truly inspiring is that Juan is currently 43 years of age, and his future goal is to “have a crack at the Bodyboarding World Tour” when he’s 45. T This event is held in the Maldives, Portugal, Hawaii and Chile.

by Donna Portland

Photo by Brian Scott of Dr Juan Castilla dropknee bodyboarding

SALMONSERVEDWITH CREAMYSPINACHSAUCE

“BYTHESEA”RESTAURANTHOSTS‘REGIONALDINNERS’ONTHE THIRDTHURSDAYOFEVERYMONTH.THERECENTNORTH&SOUTH REGIONTHEMEGOTEVERYONE’SATTENTION. THENEXTREGIONALDINNERWILLFEATURETHERAJASTHANREGION. HEREISAPOPULARINDIANFUSIONRECIPEFROMCHEFDEEPANSHU VIJ,ANDIT’SALSOHISSIGNATUREDISH!

DIRECTIONS FOR THE SALMON:

Patsalmondry,thensprinklewithsaltandpepper. Heatoilinalargenonstickskilletovermedium-highheat.

Addsalmon,presentationsidedown,andcookfor3minutes untilgoldenbrown.

INGREDIENTS:

Turnsalmonandcooktheothersideforanother2minutes, untiltheinternaltemperatureregisters49°C/120°F(for medium-rare,recommended)oruntilcookedtoyourtaste

Removesalmonontotheplate,andcoverlooselywithfoilto keepwarm.

DIRECTIONSFORTHECREAMYSALMONCURRY

SUPER TRICKS FOR U

Don’t get caught by sneaky supermarket tricks.

With Kiama Woolworths closing and the cost of living continuing to skyrocket, Kiama residents are more susceptible than ever to sneaky supermarket tricks.

The University of New South Wales has conducted research into supermarket consumer ploys aimed at making consumers spend more.

Right now we are experiencing one of the worst cost of living crises recorded according to recent data from the Australia Bureau of Statistics. With high inflation rates and stagnant wages, there is no doubt that working Australians are “very price conscious”, says Professor Nitika Garg, School of Marketing at UNSW Business School.

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Yet, we’ve all experienced walking into the supermarket to buy milk, and coming out with a trolley full of stuff you didn’t even know you needed. Welcome to supermarket consumer behaviour, where supermarkets implement strategies to get consumers to unknowingly buy more items.

According to Professor Garg, there are some key tactics to watch out for when supermarket shopping. She says that these tricks are all based on consumer psychology, designed to trigger reminder or impulse purchases for the consumer.

1. Locked-in deals: These are commonly identified by bright red labels on items and typically present a capped price until a specified date. Consumers may be misled into believing that purchasing the item before the deadline offers greater cost-effectiveness due to the deal. However, the price of the locked-in deals is often the same as the original price of the item.

2. Store layout: Supermarkets design the layout of the store to purposely put staple foods such as milk and bread far away from each other – and usually at the back of the store. This tactic is designed to make a consumer walk through the store and spend more time.

3. Bigger-sized carts: Studies in the USA have shown that some trolley sizes

in supermarkets have doubled in size since first being introduced. This has resulted in consumers typically buying 40 per cent more food items. The idea behind this is that consumers are tricked into thinking their shopping trolley appears to be missing food items.

4. Music: Have you ever wondered why supermarkets typically play more relaxed, slow-paced music instead of fast and upbeat tunes? It’s not a coincidence. Supermarkets strategically choose calming music to create a relaxed atmosphere and encourage customers to stay longer, enhancing their shopping experience and getting them to buy more.

5. Store deals: the ‘buy two, get one free’ deals and similar schemes may initially appear as an excellent opportunity and a cost-effective method of saving money if it’s an item you buy regularly. However, if it’s an item that has a short expiry date, is it realistic that a consumer will consume all three items before the expiry date? Furthermore, certain supermarkets show, for example, ‘buy

two for $10.00’, making it appear as a deal and misleading the consumer by implying that you are saving on cost. However, upon closer inspection, you might find that the price of one item is just its regular price, that is, half of the price of two.

Professor Garg explains that the obvious answer to why supermarkets use these tactics is that “their purpose is to sell more, that’s their job, they are storing lots of goods. They want you to buy more than what you have on your list.”

by Donna Portland

Wildlife concerns

away.”

Motorists may not know when they hit an animal whether it has been killed or wounded. The message Olivia would like to get across is that people should call Wildlife Rescue Organisation (WIRES) so that a representative can check over the creature, and if necessary, put it out of its misery.

CHARACTERS AT KIAMA LIBRARY

are active,” she says. The locals know where the ‘hotspots’ are and have said that they are willing to work with Council to ensure that the animals are kept safe.

The Jamberoo Mountain Road has been closed for a year due to extensive storm damage, and over that time the local wildlife has had free reign. Kangaroos, wallabies and wombats are prolific in the area, and it’s not uncommon to see lyrebirds, echidnas and even koalas.

Local resident Olivia Mitchell has told the Bugle of her concern that there will be many wild animals run over due to the traffic returning to the road. “Even

before the road closure my husband and I would often discover wounded animals lying on the road, some were still alive and others not, so we would remove them,” she said. “It is important for people to be aware that the most likely times for animals to be out is dawn and dusk.” She also warns that headlights will stun an animal and it will freeze, as it is blinded by lights. The best advice is to “slow down and honk the horn to scare the animal

Locals feel very strongly about this matter and one local resident Gill O’Toole has made signs to alert people to watch out and what to do if they do hit an animal.

Rebecca Daley, who works for WIRES, said that the area is teaming with kangaroos, wallabies and wombats, some of whom have ‘moved in’ since there has been no traffic for such a long time. “They can’t be relocated, so we need to get the word out for motorists to be aware and watch out at the peak times when the animals

Kiama Council has issued a statement this morning about the 40km/h zone and advising “Motorists should also be vigilant for local wildlife that will be unaccustomed to vehicles given the 12-month road closure.”

Council is working with local conservation groups on restoration works, and these works will take some weeks. This will include re-establishing relevant signage.

Council is also repeating these key messages through their social media etc.

Wildlife Rescue Line: 13 000 WIRES or 1300 094 737

by Donna Portland

Local Kiama resident Jenny England has created the most adorable storybook characters currently on display at the Kiama Library. She enjoys sharing her creativity with others.

It all started as a project initiated by Jenny’s friend Marianne Alcock, in Queensland, who Jenny says “comes up with crazy ideas every year to test our creativity and keep us busy in retirement!”

A group of ladies, some from Queensland and Victoria, knit the characters and display them in libraries for others to enjoy. They also show them through Facebook pages – ‘Just Cosies’ - as some are tea cosies - and Jenny’s personal FB page is ‘Loopi Handknits’.

Jenny’s characters are definitely not tea cosies, as you will see. “They are all original, no patterns, just my imagination and skill with needles and yarn,” she says. Jenny said that her granddaughter Elly is also an inspiration, and many have been created for her, such as Eleven and the Demogorgon from Stranger Things which are not in the library display.

“Many of the characters bring back memories from my childhood, such as Pippi Longstocking, Alice and gang and Dorothy (from The Wizard of Oz) and some from my time raising my children, such as Matilda and Thing 1 (from Dr Seuss),” Jenny says. Get in quick to see the display at the library, as they’ll only be there for the next two weeks.

by Donna Portland photos Steven White

Celebrating a Kiama Legend

with the Tuesday tennis group with a dinner of chicken and chips followed by cakes.

Local Kiama Tennis Legend Norma Stead celebrated her 98th birthday on Tuesday 26 July in fine style with the extended Stead family. Her birthday was held

Norma is a living legend in tennis locally and was an active player for many years, winning many tennis trophies. Her first trophy was the B Grade Ladies Single Champion in 1953 and she is still active with a tennis racquet today!

She is currently the live-in caretaker at the Kiama Tennis Club in Stead Reserve which was

named in her honour. The Kiama Tennis Club has seven courts at Noorinan St with club house and facilities for members.

Norma was the long term caretaker of the Tennis courts in Hindmarsh Park established in 1953 and lived in the caretaker cottage. When the new courts were built in Noorinan street, Norma moved into the specially built caretakers cottage there.

Norma was born Nor-

ma Willis in Ashbury in Sydney before moving to Berry. She met her future husband Charles Stead when he played first grade rugby league for Kiama at an away game at Berry.

Norma got her life membership of the Kiama Tennis Club in 1968 – 55 years ago. The Bugle, like the rest of the Kiama Community wishes Norma a very happy 98th birthday!

by Mark Whalan

Youth Parliament

Her justice committee debated a bill on protesting rights where she hopes the ideas of young people can make a change and change the ministers’ attitudes.

“It was an amazing experience, especially to meet like-minded people from across the State who I would have never met and formed connections with.”

Gerringong 5 x 5

the mental health effects and the digitalisation –he says it isn’t the core of the program.

“It’s the parliamentary education and getting kids into this amazing environment with this brilliant mood where there are interjections left right and centre, and fascinating debates.

On Sunday 30 July the town of Gerringong will begin its quest to involve as many locals as possible in the popular 5 x 5 walking program.

blue space.

Three keen high school students in the region have faced a mock sitting in NSW Parliament House this month as the Youth Parliament program came to an end.

Daniel, Finlay and Alyssa joined like-minded people from across the State in the ten week program which gives young people the opportunity to engage with civic leadership, policy development and democratic parliamentary debate.

The program has seen former Youth Parliamentarians go on to become Members of Parliament.

Finlay, who says the program was an amazing experience, is encouraging others to join next round.

“I love my community and love the area of Kiama so us smaller town communities need to get out there, use our voice and show what we’re passionate about because this is the place to do it,” says Finlay, who is just 16 years old.

“It’s a fun program

and, at the end of the day, it’s not real parliament so the stakes aren’t high, and you can get to learn how the system works. It’s really great.”

His committee – transport and infrastructure – looked at accessibility for disabled access into transport and in infrastructure as well as mandatory inclusion zoning for social housing in new developments.

“It is based on personal interest, and it is through that parliamentary and debate process that we have been able to refine our ideas, our bills and truly express the values of young people,” he says.

Alyssa, who is also 16 years old, speaks very highly of the program and says it was the perfect ‘taste tester’ for what life as a parliamentarian is like.

“I have always been a huge youth advocate and because I loved this program so much, I definitely see myself running for a spot in parliament one day,” she says.

17 year old Daniel also commented, “Kiama is a lovely area and an amazing community but in many ways it’s more insular than I realised, so bringing us out of our comfort zones and meeting all these truly different people was amazing.”

While he looked forward to debating his bill – which looked at the effects of COVID on education, particularly

“It nurtures our ability to think for ourselves and hone our citizenships,” Daniel says.

With politics a passion of his, he is interested in the debate and parliamentary process.

“I have this love for democracy where I feel that as long as we are talking about issues and discussing issues, that we can move forward as a society.”

by Cassandra Zaucer

Healthy Cities Illawarra has partnered with local fitness legend Korin Koutsomihalis from SOL FIT CO to bring this weekly opportunity for the community to walk on country by Werri Beach together to enhance their health, exercise and mindfulness through movement.

5 x 5 stands for 5km per week for 5 weeks. The 5 x 5 walking program is inclusive to Australians of all ages (toddlers to supercentenarians), backgrounds and abilities including local businesses and community groups like Gerringong Bowling Club and Gerringong Rotary.

“I think people appreciate a little bit more support and camaraderie through the cooler months of Winter to keep active, so we hope that we can provide a fun and engaging event to do this,” said local 5 x 5 facilitator and SOL FIT CO leader, Coach Korin.

Kelly Andrews, CEO of Healthy Cities Illawarra, said that walking of any kind is a great physical activity that people can do at their own pace. However, walking outdoors in nature is even better, with evidence of mental health benefits such as improved mood and stress levels simply by being in green space, or in the case of our coastal communities,

Together with Healthy Cities Illawarra and local Gerringong Fitness community SOUL FIT CO, there is a team of motivated volunteers who are ready to walk every Sunday morning at 8am in the beautiful ocean breeze and sun by Werri Beach.

All are welcome to join the movement starting this Sunday 30 July meeting together outside Gerringong Bowling Club at 8am.

Enjoy moving your body outdoors with a beautiful community for better health outcomes!

When: Sun 30 July, then every Sunday in August

Where: Meet outside of Gerringong Bowling Club

Time: 7.45am. Please Bring appropriate clothing and water bottle.

by Donna Portland

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National RU OK? Day

This is our national day of action when Australians are reminded that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK? I'm here to hear.” This is a conversation that could change a life.

R U OK? has conducted research that underscores the impact that a genuine conversation can have on someone who is struggling with life.

The research found more than four in five people who engaged in a meaningful conversation felt better about managing their situation having talked it through and felt supported, heard, and safe during the conversation.

However, the research also found that when asked if they were OK, two in five people (38%) who said they were OK actually were not OK. These respondents told us that important factors to encourage an honest conversation are:

• TRUST: They need to know the person they speak to is someone they trust, and this is usually someone they are close to.

• AUTHENTICY: They want to know the person asking them genuinely wants to hear their answer.

• ENVIRONMENT: People prefer to have these conversations in a private space with enough time to share what they want to say.

Even though it’s two months out from the R U OK? Day the R U

PUBLIC NOTICE

Please see advertisement adjacent for details. Registrations must be received by close of business on 10 August 2023.

OK? organisation calls on Australians to let the people they care about know that they are ‘here to hear’, every day of the year.

Katherine Newton, R U OK? CEO says “You need to ask this question because you mean it. If you really care and want to hear an honest answer, be genuine when you ask, make space to listen and let the person know you’re sticking around for whatever comes next.”

“Asking, ‘are you OK?’ in a genuine manner is so important to the outcome,” said Mr Gagliardi who when struggling with the physical impact of an ongoing chronic back injury didn’t realise the mental toll it was having on him until a friend spotted the signs that he might need support.

“I didn't really know that I was going to answer ‘no’ (I wasn’t OK) at that point in time, but he sensed I was struggling, that something wasn't quite right and asked me if I was OK,” said Mr

Gagliardi. “Due to our relationship, there was a high level of trust and respect.”

“It is about just being there, being able to listen, you're not trying to fix the problem, that's not the role,” he said. “It was that non-judgmental, really active listening, just letting me vent, letting me let go of everything that I was thinking and worried about.”

Mr Gagliardi’s experience reinforces the need to show genuine interest and concern when you ask someone, ‘are you OK?’ to encourage a meaningful conversation.

“Positive experiences

revolve around feeling heard, validated, and receiving empathy,” said Ms Newton.

“By making the time and space for an R U OK? conversation and listening with an open mind, we can help the people in our world feel supported and, if needed, encourage them to access professional support long before they are in crisis.”

Let the people in your world know you’re here, to really hear, because a conversation could change a life!

by Donna Portland

Unlocking Bombo Quarry: Aboriginal Archaeological Baseline Assessment Invitation to Register an Interest

Artefact Heritage on behalf of Transport Asset Holding Entity of New South Wales (TAHE) and Boral (the landowners) is undertaking an Aboriginal Archaeological Baseline Assessment of the Bombo Quarry Precinct. The applicants are exploring opportunities to rehabilitate the Bombo Quarry Precinct to inform future uses. The Precinct, located within the Kiama Local Government Area, comprises approximately 105 hectares of land located approximately two kilometres north of the Kiama township. The TAHE site remains an active ballast quarry which services Sydney Trains.

We are inviting registrations of interest in the project from Aboriginal groups and individuals who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the significance of Aboriginal objects and/or places in the locality of the Precinct. The results of consultation may be utilised for the preparation of an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report (ACHAR) to support a future rehabilitation Development Application and Planning Proposal.

Please note that the consultation guidelines require us to provide details of the Registered Aboriginal Parties to Heritage NSW (formerly Office of Environment and Heritage) and the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council. In your response could you please advise if you would not like your details to be provided.

Please register your interest in the project by end of day on 10/08/2023, by contacting:

Jonathan Bennett

Artefact Heritage Services

Suite 56, Jones Bay Wharf, 26-32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009 or email consultation@artefact.net.au

The contact details for the landowners are:

Adnan Voloder Transport Asset Holding Entity

Level 15, 130 Pitt St, Sydney engagement@tahensw.com.au

Cameron McArthur Boral Resources (NSW) Level 3, Triniti 2, 39 Delhi Road, North Ryde NSW 2113 feedback@boral.com.au

Unlocking Bombo Quarry Aboriginal Archaeological Baseline Assessment Invitation to Register and Interest

Cows on the loose

Animals on the roads aren’t anything new for the Kiama LGA, but with Jamberoo Mountain Road reopening and wildlife returning to the area, should Kiama improve its response to loose animals on local roads?

Reports on social media about cows loose on main roads around the Kiama LGA have increased in recent weeks.

There was a near-fatal car crash on Sunday 2 July when Jamberoo local Kate Harris hit a cow on Jamberoo Road after returning from Albion Park at about 7PM.

She describes how the Angus Yearling was up against her windscreen for more than 30 metres, and felt if she had swerved or panicked, her car would have rolled down an embankment. The car was a write-off and it’s unknown wheth-

old son in the back. She said the accident could have easily become a triple fatality and she feels compelled to raise awareness for greater safeguards to prevent future accidents.

“One local woman turned up quickly and

Bombo Headland well worth the walk

Speculation continues to surround the new Bombo Headland walking track staircase which is yet to be officially opened.

Kiama Council announced delays in opening the stairs to the public and to any official opening without any explanation or new opening date. The stairs will link the Kiama walking track from Minamurra into the Bombo Headland where walkers can rejoin the main walking track at the northern end of Bombo beach.

the dykes in the quarry. This period is named the Kiaman Reversed Polarity SuperChron. The World Geological Heritage Site proclamation is why no development can occur at Bombo Headland. The rocks reversed their magnetic polarity as they cooled, an extremely rare geological event. A Permanent Conservation Order was placed over the site in 1983.

er the cow died.

Kate says farmers and locals immediately came to help her, her husband in the front passenger seat with their 17-year-

deployed some warning lights, so further traffic was aware of the danger and would then take care to reduce their speed.”

Kate has joined the call for greater public awareness around Kiama of animals out on local roads, which includes feral deer, cows and wildlife like kangaroos and wombats.

She agrees with the idea that it should be a legal requirement that flashing “Slow down animals loose” warning lights are immediately deployed when cows are loose with red warning lights saying something like “COW LOOSE SLOW DOWN.”

Similar traffic lights encouraging drivers to slow down and take greater care with animals on the roads could be deployed on high-risk roads such as Jamberoo Pass or quickly deployed when there are reports of feral deer on the highway.

Kiama Council has launched an awareness campaign with an animation warning drivers to be careful of wildlife while travelling through the newly opened Jam-

beroo Pass.

The post states that over the past 10 years, there have been a total of 1384 crashes involving animals that have resulted in injury or death. It is unclear if this statistic is for NSW or the whole of Australia. The NSW Department of Transport says on its website that 1 in every 41 crashes resulting in injury or death on country roads involve a vehicle hitting an animal.

Kiama drivers have also sighted red deer even as far south as Minnamurra on the highway.

NSW Police Media told The Bugle that cows on the road are a local council matter including any safety messaging.

Kiama Council told The Bugle it was unaware of any records of cows loose around Jamberoo and were unaware of an incident where vehicles had struck cows.

by Mark Whalan

The $500,000 project received funding in 2018 through the Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund.

Councillor Warren Steel told The Bugle that the staircase has been of

The walking track was opened in 1989 by then Sports and Recreation Minister Robert Smith in acknowledgement of the important local heritage value of the blue metal quarry that occupied the site for many decades. It’s not just popular for the metals, though. The waves striking the tall

personal interest to him for the past decade.

He is still keen for the side track to be called “Thunder Track” as a translation of the local Indigenous Bombo. The name change was accepted by Council in 2014 but rejected by the NSW Government’s Geographical Names Board in 2015. Another suggested Indigenous name is Muru Bombo, which is Bombo Track in the local language. The current name is the Bombo Headland Eco Walk. One feature of the walking track is it allows access to the World Geological Heritage site at Bombo Headland.

The World Geological Heritage Site was proclaimed in 1999 as an acknowledgment that the discovery that the Earth’s Magnetic Poles actually reversed was captured in the cooling lava of one of

basalt columns of the Headland can reach great heights and are very popular with photographers worldwide.

Bombo Headland was a major basalt quarry for many years with the crushed metal taken by train for construction material. The entire Headland was hollowed out when it was an active quarry site and employed hundreds of workers. The quarry was also a location site for the movie Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers in 1994 and was featured as the backdrop for the iconic opening and closing scenes of the beloved ABC TV comedy series Aunty Jack which was produced in 1972. Many other music clips, TV ads, and TV series such as Neighbours have used the quarry backdrop as a filming location.

By Mark Whalan

The Bombo Stairs recently with no signage of any kind and forced entry through the wire mesh at the bottom stairs

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A huge congratulations to local Kiama resident Jess Arroyo, owner of ‘Weigh Less with Jess’ who has been named as a finalist in the national AusMumpreneur Awards in the “Best Global Brand” and “Best Wellness Products” categories.

The AusMumpreneur Awards presented by The Women’s Business School, recognises and celebrates Australian mums in business who achieve outstanding success in areas such as business excellence, product development, customer service and digital innovation.

The awards are designed to recognise the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and

family.

A mother of two young children believes that anyone can achieve anything if it’s their passion. She founded ‘Weigh Less with Jess’, an internationally recognised weight loss company that has helped over 150,000 people worldwide achieve their goals by losing up to 1kg daily through her clean eating lifestyle.

With over 1.7 million followers on social media, Jess Arroyo is one of the top 100 social media influencers, according to theOz. com.au.

Ms Arroyo is the author of two cookbooks, a feature in a co-written “Change Makers” inspiring women’s book, a product-creator and winner of multiple business awards nationally

There are many benefits to balancing business and motherhood Ms Arroyo reflects, “Small things become big when done with love. Teaching my kids doesn't feel like work when you do something you.”

It can be challenging to be a successful businesswoman whilst raising a family, and Ms Arroyo gives this advice to others thinking about starting their own enterprise. “Don’t worry about other businesses who do the same gig as you. How many weight loss companies are there? It’s your magic that will bring your customers to you. Your vibe will attract your tribe.”

More information can be found at www.ausmumpreneur.com.

The winners of the AusMumpreneur Awards will be announced at the AusMumpreneur Awards Gala Dinner in August.

by Donna Portland

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Haworth Legacy - From fixing guitars to smashing sales

Since the late 1990s, musicians from around the country have made the trek down the coast to visit Haworth Guitars. The music retailer’s humble beginnings started when former high school teacher turned master luthier Phil Haworth opened a shop in Kiama.

The business has since grown to two locations in Wollongong and Shellharbour, and is renowned as one of the top music retailers in the world.

Whether it’s from the two stores or their popular car stickers, everyone in the Kiama LGA knows Haworths Guitars.

What you might not be familiar with however is the latest business venture with the Haworth names attached to it, Resolve Business Coaching.

Resolve Business

Coaching was founded in 2019 by Glenn Haworth, now owner of Haworth Guitars and Haworths Music School, as well as being Phil’s son.

Glenn spoke to The Bugle about how he went from working for his dad’s business through high school to acquiring Haworths Guitars and taking it to new heights.

“I was always involved in the business from the

start. Dad was always keen for me to learn the ropes and help out,” Glenn said.

“Even when I was in high school, I was working in the Kiama Downs shop on weekends.

When I went to university, I studied marketing and economics, and kept working at Kiama Downs.

I knew my dad was keen to step back after I finished uni, but I was really focused on my band The Conspiracy Plan, we were touring around and I was loving it. I wasn’t excited at that age to take on a business.”

It wasn’t until a few years later when Glenn was around 25-years-old that the idea of growing a business started to get him excited.

“I became a real student of business and marketing, and that’s when I really saw the potential of not just running a business, but growing a business.”

Glenn found a way to buy Haworth Guitars from his parents and sent about taking the family business to the next level. During that time, Haworths relocated its original store from Kiama Downs to Shellharbour.

“I was really eager to take it on and start ap-

plying everything I learnt about business. That’s when I first started getting business coaching myself.”

One of the first things he wanted to do was open a second Haworth Guitars store, which he did with the Wollongong store in 2013. Glenn admits opening the Wollongong stores was very much outside his comfort zone, but taking on those challenges is what gets him most excited about business.

The next expansion was the Haworth Music School. Glenn started tutoring students in the afternoons and nights, which was so successful that the company expanded into the building next door. The music school has since grown to having around 350 students across its Shellharbour and Wollongong stores.

After expanding the business to new heights, Glenn was able to step back from teaching and explore his passion for helping other businesses.

“I was very keen to explore business coaching because I’d had my own coaches over the years and I’ve learned so much from them. They helped me take my own business to the next level, and I was really eager to try that

Real sound. Really comfortable.

myself.”

Glenn put his musings on business growth into a book called Retail Domination, which helped him develop a seven-step framework that formed the basis of Resolve Business Coaching.

What started as a side hustle four years ago has now taken up the majority of Glenn’s time as he steps back from managing Haworth Guitars full-time. Glenn also has a young family which he dedicates as much time to as possible.

“It’s a way to simplify things for me in terms of my time and being able to be a good and present dad, the coaching allows me to do that. I’ll work from the home office one day a week which grants me the flexibility to have a young family.”

Resolves Business Coaching works one-onone with clients or within a group setting, depending on the client’s requirements. “I’ve got about 25

one-on-one clients, and we run two group Mastermind sessions a week where I have some of my clients join in to help other clients with training.”

In addition to personalised training, Glenn recently started running a ‘Business Bootcamp’ with his clients, which brings them together for a day to work on their businesses with like-minded entrepreneurs on everything from marketing and sales to finer skills like staff management and time management. The Business Bootcamp focuses on four key areas: increasing sales leads, converting leads into sales, the average transaction price, and customer frequency.

Glenn says one of the most useful aspects of Resolve Business Coaching is the accountability factor. “A big part of [coaching] is the client actually implementing actions, and that’s where having a coach really helps, not just with strategy and guidance, but with holding you accountable.”

Resolve Business Coaching’s next bootcamp takes place on 18 August at The Hill in Gerringong. There are around eight spots left, so any interested party can sign up via Eventbrite and use the code ‘Kiama’ to receive a $50 discount on their ticket.

by Brendon Foye

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INSPIRED UNEMPLOYED TV

Kiama comedy troupe

The Inspired Unemployeds have landed their first television show on Channel 10 and Paramount+ starting 9 August.

The new eight-part show is called ‘The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical Jokers). Jack Steele and Matt Ford, who started the Inspired Unemployed, are partnering with Warner Bros to bring the new show to the silver screen (and streaming services).

“We are so stoked to be working with Paramount ANZ on this TV show, from the first video we

ever made our goal was to always have a TV show and for it to actually be happening is a dream come true,” said Jack and Matt in a joint statement.

“We’ve always believed that laughter is the best medicine, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to spread joy and positivity to even more people through this platform.”

The format of the show hasn’t been made clear yet, but based on promotional advertisements, seems to be based on public reaction akin to

the popular US series, Impractical Jokers.

The Inspired Unemployed’s comedic style is reminiscent of an updated Paul Hogan with much of the Aussie Larrikinism and self-parody of ‘blokie’ tradies coping with difficult and uncomfortable social dilemmas. Their skits are often high-energy and absurd but with solid and clever writing and endless enthusiasm.

Since its inception, the Inspired Unemployed have amassed 3.8 million followers on their social media channels. Jack and

Matt are also known for their successful investment in the no calorie beer ‘Better Beer’ sold widely in the Kiama area.

Joining Jack and Matt are their mates Liam and Dom. Dom is also the drummer for Pacific Avenue, the high energy retro rock band from Gerringong. Pacific Avenue recently toured England, and released a debut album Flowers in May 2023, which topped the ARIA charts on debut.

by Mark Whalan

KIAMA REPRESENTATION IN VENICE

Former resident and Kiama High School student Dr Trent Jansen has recently unveiled an exhibit at the prestigious Venice Design Biennal - an artwork based on the shape of tiles on the houses of Vienna.

The artwork is called ‘The Magistrate Al Sal Nero Cabinet’ and was partly a collaboration with the artisans at the Vetralia Collectible studio in Venice.

Trent incorporated sale into the sculp-

ture as it plays a very important role in the history of Venice. Trent told The Bugle “the cupboard was inspired by the history of Venice which was founded on salt, but because of climate change the salt is getting into the roof tiles and destroying them.”

Trent recently completed his PHD through the University of New South Wales, where he is currently employed as a researcher and teacher. He also runs

the Trent Jansen Design Studio in Thirrorul. His area of expertise is in design anthropology and cultural Indigenous and non-Indigenous collaboration.

Trent is on Kiama High School’s Wall of Fame. Proud mum Diane Jansen told The Bugle about how Trent first became interested in woodwork at high school.

She remembers walking the streets of Kiama selling raffle tickets to help support his trip to

intern with Dutch designer Marcel Wanders in Amsterdam in 2004. “Trent used to ride his bike with Robbie Maddison, doing all the big jumps as a teenager. He got interested in making his own bike out of wood.”

During his studies, Trent discovered a passion for furniture. Last year, he was appointed to the prestigious 2022 Venice Design Biennale Residency.

by Mark Whalan

In loving memory of

William Johnstone (Bill) Brown

of Jamberoo - formally of Scotland

Passed away peacefully on Friday, 21 st July 2023. Beloved husband of Narelle. Dearly loved father and father-in-law of Stephen (dec) and Kim, Janelle and John, Nicole (dec), Sarah and Hamish. Cherished Grandfather of Isaac, Isabella, Ethan, Francesca, Eva, Archie, and Oscar. Bill will be sadly missed by his loving family and many dear friends.

Aged 86 years

Forever in our Hearts

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Bills funeral service. For those unable to attend, Bill's family invite you to view his service online via the link found on funeralanouncement.com.au

Monday 31st July 2023 at 10 am

In loving memory of

June Elizabeth Hall

of Kiama Downs, aged 88 years

Passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on Thursday, 20 July 2023.

Beloved wife of the late Bob. Dearly loved mother and mother-in-law of Greg and Deb, Jason and Jackie. Adored Grandma of Laura, and Sarah. Loved sister of Bruce and Margaret and their children Sally and Daniel.

Beloved sister-in law of Bob’s siblings and extended family. June was thankful for her neighbours’ ongoing friendship and support. June will be sadly missed.

A private cremation service has been held by the family.

STAN CRAPP FUNERALS

Trent Jansen of Kiama with his cupboard exhibit in Venice

CREATES SUCCESSFUL POTTER MAGIC IN EVENT

Steampunk Vagabonds were the stars of the very successful Diagon Alley night held at Gerringong Library on Friday 14 July.

Hundreds of locals in various levels of costume were treated to a wonderful mix of entertainment and stage dressing couture designed to whisk visitors to a magical world of books.

For Harry Potter fans, Diagon Alley is the magical shopping area for wizards hidden in London and it was recreated by Kiama

Library staff

There was a fortune teller, a magician with a rope trick, and strolling players in the highly original and professional dance troupe the Steampunk Vagabonds.

There was a treasure hunt seeking clues to the mysteries of a shredded book and Potter universe Lego figures scattered throughout the library.

The many stalls did brisk business, both in the carpark and inside with collectibles and themes set

Kiama’s architectural origins

in the Potter world. This included crystals, food and Potter-themed items and transfer tattoos.

This reporter bought a home made Monster Chomping Book cover for Post it notes

It was the strolling players, the well known Steampunk Vagabonds, who stole the show with their lead performer and choreographer Kylie Astarte.

by Mark Whalan

Kiama has always had a distinct architectural style, most notably around the old Kiama Council Chambers and down to the Kiama Post Office.

was opened and dedicated on 24 August 1921. At the time, the names of the 50 local men who served in the war were unveiled, as well as a separate plaque for the 14 men who lost their lives overseas.

Part of the reason for Kiama’s heritage style are designs by Varney Parkes, who as the NSW State Architect, designed the Gerringong Soliders Memorial Hall. He was noted for his strong Federation Romanesque Revival style, especially when you look at the several banks he designed in Sydney. Nowhere is that theme more apparent than in Gerringong. The Gerringong Hall was erected in 1921 as a memorial to commemorate local soldiers who served in World War I, but additional plaques have been added for subsequent wars.

Varney designed the hall for free, and was thanked for his service when the hall

There’s also a special plaque for the airmen lost during aircraft training at Foxground on 18 November 1942. This was a WWII bomber that crashed with all five crew lost near Hoddles Track at Foxground. A plaque was also erected at the crash site in 1999, where remains of the plane can still be seen.

Varney had a strong association with Kiama as his father Henry Parkes, regarded as the Father of Federation, was the Member for Kiama in the NSW Parliament.

Varney’s most famous design also has a strong Kiama association - the famous Marble Bar in Sydney, for George Adams. It is regarded as the most opulent style in Sydney and was moved underground, but is still accessible via the Hilton Hotel.

George Adams was always an entrepreneur on

the move and owned the licence for the Steam Packet Hotel in 1875 in Kiama. This hotel later became the Brighton Hotel which was later demolished and replaced by the Illawarra Retirement Trust. The new building preserved the silhouette of the old Brighton Hotel.

George Adams started the famous Tattersalls Lottery in Australia, which made him so wealthy that he was able to replace the ‘Tin Bar’ in the O’Briens Hotel in Sydney with the famous Marble Bar.

by Mark Whalan

Kyle Astarte of the Steampunk Vagabonds as part of an elaborate tea dance.

TRAVEL FOCUS POSTCARD HOME - GUERNSEY

Gorilla Encounters: Rwanda vs. Uganda

While both Rwanda and Uganda offer unforgettable gorilla experiences, there are some notable differences between the two that can influence your choice of

is relatively lower, attracting budget-conscious travellers.

In Rwanda, gorilla trekking groups are usually smaller, with a maximum of 8 visitors per gorilla family. This can provide a more intimate and personalized experience with the gorillas. The trekking terrain in Volcanoes National Park is often considered less challenging compared to some sectors of Bwindi, as the latter’s terrain can be steeper and more rugged.

destination:

In Rwanda, gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park, which is in the northwestern part of the country. The park is relatively close to the capital city, Kigali, making it more accessible for travellers with limited time; drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park takes about 2 to 3 hours.

In Uganda, gorilla trekking is conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and occasionally in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi is located in southwestern Uganda and is more remote, requiring a longer drive from the major city of Kampala or Entebbe. The journey to Bwindi can take around 8-10 hours depending on the location of the trekking sector.

Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are generally more expensive compared to those in Uganda. Rwanda has set a higher permit fee as part of its conservation efforts and to promote sustainable tourism; the cost of permits in Uganda

In Uganda, the group sizes for gorilla trekking can be slightly larger. The group size is carefully managed to ensure a safe and intimate encounter with these majestic creatures, allowing travellers to witness the wonders of the wild while minimising the impact on the gorillas and their habitat.

Both Rwanda and Uganda have gorilla families that are accustomed to human presence, ensuring a safe and enriching experience for visitors. The number of habituated gorilla families differ between the two countries, each family has a unique composition and social dynamic, adding to the diversity of both experiences.

Rwanda and Uganda provide remarkable gorilla experiences, each with unique features. Rwanda is favoured for its proximity and smaller trekking groups, while Uganda offers a more budget-friendly option with longer journeys. The decision depends on personal preferences, travel constraints, and desired trekking experiences. There is so much more that these destinations have to offer.

For more information, speak to your travel professional.

After returning to Guernsey in late May, I took a day trip to tiny Herm island, via a 30 minute ferry ride (in itself

very scenic). Herm is a hidden gem, loved by the local Guernsey folk and visitors alike, many of whom come back yearly.

TravellersStories

From the sunny tropics to the icy deserts, Bugle readers have stories to tell. If you want to share your postcard from your recent adventures, contact the Bugle today!

hello@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Walking along the coast one comes to various beaches including the wonderful Shell Beach, with its stunning white sand with tiny shells.

A good seasonal cafe has now started at Shell Beach and Belvoir Beach. There are scenic views towards Sark (another of the Channel Islands) and on a clear day you can see the French coast too.

The cliffs are covered with beautiful wildflowers in the spring – in pink, white and blue. If you’re lucky you can see puffins, most common in April and May, coming to nest in the rocky cliffs.

Walking back across the common, one comes to the harbour where there are cottages for rent and the 5-star White House hotel.

The alternative inland route from Shell Beach passes by tiny St Tugual’s chapel, with its lovely stained-glass windows, and from the garden there are great views back toward Guernsey.

After a visit to Herm Island, you’ll come back to Guernsey refreshed, with a good suntan and a fond wish to return soon.

FROM MARGARET MITCHELL, GERRINGONG

Ou le Pétanque?

Anyone for Pétanque? Mais oui!

I was invited to play in a pétanque tournament in Kangaroo Valley, in honour of Bastille Day. 28 teams of 6 - 8 people entered The Friendly Inn’s annual Bastille Day International Teams Pétanque Championship.

This massive event took place in the pub’s enormous beer garden, complete with live music, and with pastries and baguettes offered to participants. The day was well attended, by young and old.

I’d seen many games of boules when I lived in France in the 90s, but today I discovered “pétanque” and “boules” are two different names for the same game.

In French, the word “boule” means “ball” and people often refer to the game simply as boules. Outside of France the game is usually referred to as “pétanque”. It’s a tossing game where you throw the boule to try to get as close as possible to the target ball in a 4-metre-wide, 15-metre-long pitch.

Points are scored for each

LOCALS ATTENDING OZTAG WORLD CUP IN IRELAND IN AUGUST

The 2023 International Tag Federation World Cup takes place at the University of Limerick, from Wednesday 2nd to Saturday 5th August 2023.

ball closer to the target than the opposing team’s ball.

The Kangaroo Valley Pétanque Club committee organised a spectacular day of French themed fun, friendship, bonhomie and of course pétanque.

Teams were encouraged to dress up in a French theme, and many went to quite some effort to stand out! There were French aristocrats with white long-haired wigs, Marie Antoinettes, Arab Sheikhs, English gangsters, army combat teams, Tour de France cyclists, plus striped tops and berets galore!

Despite the many beers we consumed and after completing six round-robin games, we made it to the semi-finals against the “Whales of Wollongong”who won by a narrow margin and went on to the final against the KV Green team.

Oh well, there’s always next year? How about it – shall we form a pétanque team from Kiama to take part in 2024?

by Donna Portland

5 facts about tears

1. Tears have layers, the inner layer has some appointment online.

Jean Anderson

EyeQ Optometrists

124 Terralong St, Kiama 4232 2610

Convenient online bookings eyeq.com.au

Local resident Keiron Duncan will be representing

In 2019, the International Tag Federation (ITF) awarded the (then) 2021 ITF Tag World Cup to Ireland. After two COVID-related postponements, everyone is very excited to now be able to welcome players to Ireland. All previous Tag World Cups have taken place in the Southern Hemisphere, so this represents a big change. The ITF currently intends to run the following divisions at the 2023 Tag World Cup in Limerick:

• Men's 21s (21 or younger)

• Men's Open

• Men's Seniors (30 or older)

• Men's 40s

• Men's 50s

• Men's 60s

• Mixed 21s (21 or younger)

• Mixed Open

• Mixed Senior (Men 33 or older, women 30 or older)

other countries. “This is outstanding representation from the Kiama, Gerringong, and Shoalhaven communities,” he says. “There may be others, I have done my best to include all of the Kiama based Australian players in the list below.”

• Men's 21s Australia: Cooper Lee, Cooper Roberts, Liam Vane-Tempest, Jarvis Austin.

• Men's Opens Australia: Kynan Ward

• Men's 40 Australia: - Keiron Duncan

• Men's 60: Ross Thomas, Bruce Kedja, John Constable

• Referee: Wayne Lees

• Men's 21s Australian Coach - Mark Gladman

Australia in the Mens 40s team which he is very excited about. “This will be my third Oztag World Cup! I can't wait to get over to Ireland and kick off the tournament along with my teammates who are from - Central Coast, Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Canberra and Qld,” Keiron says. “These teams were selected from the previous Nationals Championships which were held in Coffs Harbour last November.”

Tag rugby is a non-contact version of rugby, in which each player wears a special belt that has two tags attached to it. Instead of being tackled, a player carrying the ball can be 'tagged' by having a tag removed from their belt by a member of the opposing team.

• Women's 21s (21 or younger)

• Women's Open

• Women's Seniors (30 or older)

• Women's 40s

It’s a jampacked schedule with training on Monday 31st in Ireland, followed by the opening ceremony on Tuesday. Then from Wednesday to Friday it is Round games, culminating in the Finals on Saturday.

Keiron informs, “The team schedule will include a total of nine games for Mens 40s if we make the Grand Final.” Our local community of Kiama/Gerringong and Shoalhaven has 14 representatives that Keiron knows of, who are either playing, coaching or refereeing in Ireland for Australia and

This is an impressive representation from our area with a large contribution from Ross Thomas who runs the Kiama Oztag Association

which all of these people are involved in. Credit to Ross! Keiron adds, “I also run the Shoalhaven Oztag Association and Kiama Beach Tag Tournament with another colleague, so it just goes to show there are pathways for our players, coaches, referees to participate at the highest level.”

The Bugle also heard that a young Jamberoo lass, Emily Milne, will be representing the Irish exiles team because of her Irish heritage. Rules state that you are eligible to represent a country in which you, a parent or a grandparent was born, or in which you had at least three years of continuous residency prior to the 2023 ITF Tag World Cup.

The Bugle wishes all participants the best of luck at the Tag World Cup and looks forward to celebrating their victories!

KIAMA HIGH SURF COMPETITION SUCCESS

KIAMA BIKE LEGEND STILL SETTING RECORDS

Kiama motorbike legend Robbie Maddison, is currently performing with the Freestyle Kings as they tour Australia and appeared in Perth on Saturday 8 July and July at RAC Arena.

They will be touring New Zealand in November appearing 18 November at Eden Park in Auckland and 25 November at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

The Freestyle Kings have appeared at the Kiama Show as recently as 2020.

Robbie holds many height and distance world records for bike jumps, and last year scored another world record with a motorbike converted for surfing, one of his own inventions.

numerous injuries and told media recently “I have been dead five times” and his injuries are used for case studies for the Hand and Wrist Institute.

him to tour with the Crusty Demons.

Holly Wishart and Lucy Darragh have taken out the NSW Ocean & Earth High School Senior Girls State Surfing 2023 title.

The comp was held at Corrimal beach on 20 July with 45 teams for 25 schools competing.

Both Holly and Lucy are Kiama High School students, members of the Junior High Performance team, and both are members of the Werri Boardriders’.

Holly is sponsored by Mambo and Lucy by Ripcurl with a lot of support from Daz Longbottom from Zink surf shop in Kiama.

Kiama High ended with a score of 12.75 with Narrabeen on 8.80 and Cronulla High on 3.95 which means Kiama in first scored 3 times as many points as the school that came in third.

Lucy’s dad Larn Darragh told The Bugle

’The sea is a family passion they all share, nippers, swimmers, boardriders’ everything’ Larn said he liked that surfing is a non-contact non-violent sport where focus and calmness can decide an event, the life skill of looking at a big wave approaching and being calm in tackling the problem of a big wave is a skill for life.

Holly is in Year 12 at Kiama High and Lucy is in Year 8. They have competed in both micro grommet and grommet competitions for many years. Micro grommet is from 5 - 11 years. Congratulations to all team members Evie, Coco, Dayan, Evann, and Holly and Lucy in the senior girls team.

by Mark Whalan

The team perform death defying stunts on motorbikes in arenas involving a lot of air, twists, flips, and turns, with some big impacts on landing.

Robbie’s 12-year-old son Kruz has now joined the act.

On 29 March 2023, Robbie set a new world record for longest ramp to ramp motorbike jump in Calder Park in Melbourne with a jump of 107 metres. This broke his own world record by nine metres , which he set on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas in 2007.

Robbie has suffered

His injury list includes a broken neck, broken collarbone, twice broken leg, fractured vertebrae, brain hemorrhage and a ruptured scrotum.

Robbie lived in Kiama Downs as a teenager and attended Kiama High School.

His early career was competing on motocross bikes at the X Games in Melbourne where he won gold for performing 13 consecutive back flips in 2004, which led

Robbie has also done bike stunt work for film, notably the amazing motor bike sequence over the roofs of Istanbul for the James Bond movie Skyfall.

He also has performed stunts with bikes modified for snow and sea travel.

In 2021 he rode a water bike from Asia to Europe crossing the Bosphorus Strait starting in Istanbul. The ride took only 60 seconds, and the return trip 90 seconds, as part of an ad for Samsung in Europe.

by Mark Whalan

needstobeshared?

Robbie with son Kruz

ACROSS

9 Fully owned (4-3)

10 Musical entertainment (7)

11 Carried on (9)

12 Elevate (5)

13 Hero type (4,5)

15 Storage centre (5)

16 Controversial WA settlement between Lancelin and Cervantes (5,6)

20 Person used as one’s excuse (5)

22 Institution for abandoned children (9)

24 Prague resident (5)

25 Asian ---, a shorebird seen in summer in the North (9)

26 Energetic (7)

27 Bigger than the rest (7)

DOWN

1 Discriminating diner (7)

2 --- Murphy, radical judge (6)

3 Swore (8)

4 Nuclear point of detonation (6,4)

5 Cricket World Cupper --- Hogg (4)

6 Beat the goalie (6)

7 Bare (8)

8 Canadian oil province (7)

14 Olympic gold-winning Hockeyroo forward (4,6)

16 Undermine (8)

17 Interconnecting devices (8)

18 Series of waterfalls (7)

19 Rues (7)

21 Residence-based (2-4)

23 Former tennis Grand Slammer --- John Cooper (6)

25 Evade (4)

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REVITALISING RELATIONSHIPS

NOT A CROSSWORD

Caryn is a Kiama Counsellor & Psychotherapist, Life and Executive Coach and welcomes your Relationship questions in this column.

interest rate hikes… the list gets longer.

• Putting your relationship first

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• Talk to your partner and express how you feel, calmly and kindly

Caryn Walsh

I’ve been in a longterm relationship for over 15 years and sometimes I feel bored and that we’ve drifted apart. I’m not sure if my wife feels the same or not… I’m a little afraid to ask. How can we turn it around?

Bugle Reader

• Tell them you still love them, and you would just like to get back to making each other matter most.

• Discuss what you used to do when you first got together – what made things fun, what made you laugh and what you both enjoyed?

• Begin to realise the most important aspect you have between you is not the children, or the in-laws, or making money.

• It’s each other, because if you don’t take your relationship seriously and make it a top priority, you won’t have one.

Get in quickly to grab a space to put your business in front of our local audience. Ask about our special print and digital package - Quarter page with in list advertising on app

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Contact Birgitta today annamartasmith@gmail.com

LAST ISSUE'S CROSSWORD SOLUTION

This is a good question because any relationship which lasts that length of time may from time to time find itself in waters that have become ‘too comfortable’.

Whilst this can be a good thing (we know each other really well) it can move into the more ‘it’s boring’ category, which can be a natural progression of a relationship. Look back at your early days together

• If you think back to the early days/months/years of your relationship, you’ll probably remember how much ‘fun’ it was. The two of you did great things together – camped, trailed, travelled, laughed…. Even partied.

• And all of this was important to build ‘credit’ in the relationship and it gives us a great peek into whether a relationship can move into the next phases – often called the honeymoon and then nesting phase.

• Then when mortgages, children and the stress that comes with both arrives (along with a myriad of other day-to-day stresses and challenges), many couples scramble to find careers (yes, being a homemaker is a career), meet regular commitments and provide for the family.

• All admirable, except while you used to make each other the top priority, now you may not be the first. Or second. Or even third priority. Aging parents, sick children,

• Start planning things to do together, without the children or your parents.

• Go back over old photographs (as an idea) and talk about the fun you had – then build those fun things back into your relationship.

• Examples might include a date night every two weeks, having a picnic on the beach in warmer months, visiting art galleries, and so forth.

The golden role is that BOTH of you are responsible for making your relationship fun and enjoyable, not just one partner. With this in mind, ask yourself this question – in everything I do with my partner, am I part of the problem or part of the solution?

Because if you are not taking responsibility for doing the things that make your relationship work, then you are part of the problem contributing to it not prospering.

If you have a question, please send it to Caryn at hello@ thebuglenewspaper. com.au

All information is confidential and whilst we may publish your queries, all names will be changed to protect your privacy.

On Friday 21 July, the Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School and the Kiama community gathered together for the 2023 Athletics Carnival.

The carnival was enjoyed by all, not spoiled by a passing shower, and made a huge success by the generous volunteering by our parents, as well as the very capable students from Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Edmund Rice College, St Mary’s Star of the Sea College and Kiama High School.

We also thank Lake Illawarra Athletics, who assisted the school through the

provision and coordination of efficient timing gates for track events.

Students were all smiles, and competed with the right balance of competitiveness, respect and positivity in ensuring that everyone regardless of their ability, had a wonderful experience and achieved their personal best. Selected Ss Peter and Paul students will now represent the school at the South Coast Diocesan Carnival to be held at Beaton Park, Wollongong on 8 August, 2023.

by Lindsay Burns Assistant Principal

KIAMA ELECTRIC VEHICLE