The Bugle June 29 2019

The Bugle 29 June 2019

A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW

Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa and now at www.thebugleonline.com

Council to fight for logo on Lighthouse Despite advice, Kiama Council is to continue its campaign to retain the ANZAC Centenary logo on the Lighthouse indefinitely. The final decision on the matter will be up to Crown Lands.

With eight councillors present at the June Council meeting, it took the casting vote of Mayor Mark Honey to retain Council’s decision at its previous meeting.

Councillors had been recommended to rescind the original motion, given Crown Land’s advised reluctance to approve Council’s

request on the basis of heritage concerns, including from the National Trust and Lighthouses of Australia (reported in our last issue).

The Mayor and Councillors Way, Steel and Reilly staunchly defended keeping the logo, despite an original commitment that it would only remain for the period of the Centenary.

“It has become a real symbol for Kiama people,” said Councillor Mark Way. “I hope we will carry the day for the RSL and that it will remain there for all those people who have served and all those people who appreciate it.

“If they want to take us on, then let’s fix bayonets and take them on.”

Putting it in a more measured way, Mayor Honey said, “I don’t see this as a battle we shouldn’t fight.”

Councillor Sloan saw it differently, “We entered into an agreement in good faith after a lot of discussion and I think we should stick to it.”

Ian Clifford, President of Lighthouses of Australia and a Kiama local, agrees.

“We are disappointed Kiama Council and KiamaJamberoo RSL Sub-branch has reneged on the agreement that the logo would be Congratulations to Gerroa’s Sally Fitzgibbon, whose removed at the end of the victory in the Rio Open has given her the top ranking in four year commemorative women’s surfing. A true local legend!

Our Sally’s Number 1

Inside this issue Kiama Power’s Clubhouse approval p3

MLC calls for Boral to abandon sandmining proposal p 3

period,” he says.

“Four years ago we had it in writing that the logo would remain for two years which was then, without the agreed review by Council, extended to four to cover the commemorative period.

“It has always been a concern that despite an undertaking by the Council and the RSL to remove their logo at the end of this commemorative period that attempts would be made to leave their logo or a replacement logo in place permanently.

“During the past four years that the ANZAC logo has been on the Lighthouse many other charities have been prevented from using the tower to highlight their worthy causes.

“Blowhole Point and the

Lighthouse precinct is not a war memorial and despite assertions otherwise there is no link between the lighthouse and the ANZAC legacy.”

Gary McKay of the KiamaJamberoo RSL Sub-branch says, “We would like to see the logo retained for many reasons. It is unique as the only lighthouse with the logo.

“The lighthouse has a relevance to the people from Kiama who went to the Great War and it symbolises the spirit of Kiama, and the Australian people and their commitment to the memory of ANZACs.” The General Manager advised that Council will be in violation of its licence agreement with Crown Lands if it does not take the logo down by 30 June.

Kiama’s Police Officer in Charge p4

Dairying returns to Buena Vista Farm p 7

Public apology by Matt Brown p 8

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What’s on?

Every Wednesday

Friday 5 July

12-14 July

Kiama Farmers’ Market Surf Beach 2-5pm

Pics & Flicks: Shoplifters Gerringong Town Hall, 8pm $10 on the night or take advantage of a package deal

Skatefest Kiama (see p 9)

On weekends Live music at The Sebel, Kiama Leagues Club, Gerringong and Kiama Bowlos, Jamberoo Pub and other venues

Throughout July Worklife/Playlife Exhibition by Becky Guggisberg at Worklife, Collins St, from 4 July

Sunday 30 June

Saturday 6 July The Big Swing (see right) Remembering Charmian Clift Kiama Library, 2.30pm. $10. Bookings essential.

Sunday 7 July Music in the Park (see p 8)

Jamberoo Village Market Reid Park, 9-2pm Wednesday 10 July Stars of the Future concert Gerringong Music Spirituality in the Pub: Club, Town Hall, 2pm.

Geraldine Doogue Tickets $25 non-members. Jamberoo Pub, 7.30pm

Friday 12 July

Music coming to Jamberoo

Conversation with Xanthe Mallett & Jan Fran Kiama Pavilion www. instituteofinterestingideas. com.au (use discount code BugleKiama)

13 July Lorraine Ettinghausen history talk (see p 6)

Saturday 20 July Jamberoo Music Festival (see right) Gerringong Village Markets In and around the Town Hall 8.30-1.30pm

Sunday 21 July Kiama Seaside Markets Black Beach, 9-3pm Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Jamberoo Music Festival, this year’s event has added another venue and gathered together an impressive group of performers.

Ticketed festival goers can curate their own musical experience by choosing between over 30 acts playing at four intimate venues - Club Jamberoo, the School of Arts, the Sound Space at the Uniting Church and the Scout Hall.

A market and performances will also be held in Reid Park and throughout the village centre.

Details: Saturday 20 July.

Info and tickets at jamberoomusicfestival.com

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www.silicakiama.com.au Follow us on:

The Bugle Editor: Cathy Law t 0412 415 101 Advertising Manager: Steve Law t 0428 662 499

Or email us at emailthebugle@gmail.com or post to PO Box 304, Gerringong 2534 Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, but we are only human.

Page 2  The Bugle 29 June 2019

Big Swing returns to a bigger venue Last year’s inaugural Big Swing at the Gerringong Town Hall was such a success it has moved to the Pavilion Kiama this year.

The event is organised

by Katandra Women’s A Capella Choir as a fundraiser for CMRI Gerringong. It again features the 16 piece Village Big Band from Sydney, which proved so popular last year.

“It is very exciting to have them join us, as it is not often that a big band

visits our region,” says Katandra’s Kim King.

“They’re fabulous and will have you up and dancing.”

A supper will be provided by the ladies of CMRI Gerringong to keep your strength up. BYO drinks and glasses.

Raffle tickets will be on sale and there’s prizes for the best dressed swing dancers.

Details: Saturday 6 July, the Pavilion Kiama, 7-11pm. $35 tickets available now at trybooking.com/bclyx

Bowlo and Leagues merger off Kiama Power’s clubhouse The Directors of Kiama Bowling Club, who have been working towards ensuring its survival through a merger, have resigned.

The one remaining Board member, Bronwyn Campbell, has been joined by interim directors, also opposed

to the merger strategy, until the Club AGM in September.

Ms Campbell declined to comment on the matter at this stage.

The merger process was well progressed, to the stage of having a memorandum of understanding with Kiama

Leagues Club prepared for consideration by members.

Steve Willis, President of Kiama Leagues Club, says, “It is our understanding the members at the Bowling Club still feel they are in a position to trade out of difficult times and we wish them well.”

vision moves a step closer

Field calls on Boral to find better site Independent NSW Upper House Member, Justin Fields, is calling on Boral to abandon its proposal to open two new sandmining pits on the western side of the Highway, north of the Minnamurra River.

“I am prepared to work with Boral to find a way for it to continue its sandmining on the South Coast, in a less environmentally sensitive area,” he says.

“As a sign of good faith, they should abandon this project so we can move forward.

“While I recognise the need for more sandmining reserves to be identified, I am concerned that this proposal is moving the operation into ecologically sensitive areas, and it can’t be allowed to happen.”

While Boral says the larger, southern pit is no closer than 370 metres from the River, Mr Field believes the real measurement should be taken from the edge of the tidal saltmarsh, which is 150 metres from the pit.

Continued on page 6

Justin Fields (left) discussing the development plans with Warren Holder of the Gerroa Environmental Protection Society, Rusty Moran of the Surfrider Foundation and Richard Maitland of Friends of Minnamurra River (at rear)

Gerringong looks to clear final bank hurdle With all other obstacles now overcome, the only thing needed for the go ahead to be given for the setting up of a sub-branch of the Oak Flats Bendigo Bank Branch is a commitment of $5 million of new business on the books. “$1.8 million of that has already been committed by people changing their home and business loans, credit cards and the like,” says the Community Banking Advisory Group’s Leanne Mitchell.

“Once we hit the target, the sub-branch should be open in the Town Hall in about three months.

“It’s taken longer than expected, but we are nearly there.”

The Group has organised an information night so businesses and members of the public can talk to them and senior representatives of the Bank and Council.

Details: Weds 17 July, Park Ridge Retreat, 5.30-7.30pm.

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With Council’s approval of its DA at the June Council Meeting, Kiama Power AFL Club is now ‘shovel ready’ to seek funding for a new clubhouse at its Bonaira Oval home ground.

Its current clubhouse will be replaced with a two storey building located on the footprint of its current site.

“We have 100 female players, and no change amenities for them,” says the President of the Junior Club, Dirk Ovenden.

“We also have no undercover viewing area or disabled facilities, and not enough storage for our equipment.

“Our new clubhouse is needed to look after the needs of our 360 playing members and our supporters.”

The Power, winners of last year’s Division 1 premiership, is one of the largest clubs in the Illawarra League, with 14 Junior teams and three Senior

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Above: Dirk Overden with some of the Club’s Juniors Below: Artist’s impression of the new clubhouse

teams. It was a finalist in this year’s NSW Community Club of the Year.

The redevelopment plan also includes formalising the sealed car park area to increase parking from 25 to 40 spaces, with an additional 7-8 overflow spaces.

Girrawheen Avenue resident Neil Dell is frustrated that nearby residents’ concerns about traffic, parking, loss of views and its ultimate use as a social venue were dismissed so lightly.

“I think that Council has lost its ability to listen to residents.

“Five houses put in submissions about views being

blocked, and they didn’t even come out for a site visit.

“They dismissed it out of hand, along with our other concerns. It’s not right.”

The approval does not allow the use of the premises for events or functions by third parties, and the Club would have to apply for a separate approval to allow this to happen.

Similarly, additional approval will be needed for a liquor licence.

Hours of operation have also been imposed - to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays; to 7pm Sunday to Thursdays and on public holidays; and to 10pm on game days.

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Acting Inspector Lee Ingmire is out to dispel the perception that Kiama Police Station is generally closed and that there isn’t an active police presence in Kiama.

“The Station is open seven days a week, usually from 8am - 5pm, and there is still an active police presence after those hours allowing us to respond at any time of the day or night,” she says.

She points to the swift arrest of the people involved in the recent carjacking at Gerringong as a way that resources can be pulled together from across units when needed.

“In that instance, we were able to coordinate officers and vehicles from Lake Illawarra and the South Coast

Police district, Highway Patrol, Pol Air and the Dog Unit to achieve a successful outcome.

“After the vehicle being located in Berry on the morning after the incident, and another vehicle being stolen, the couple were eventually apprehended at Albion Park.”

Acting Inspector Ingmire has been the Officer in Charge of Kiama for the last 12 months, but until now has kept a relatively low profile.

“I want people to know they can contact me if they have any ongoing issues that need to focused on.

“I’m here to provide consistency and forge relationships with the community.”

Her role is the result of the Officer-in-Charge model being introduced for NSW regional areas last year. It provides an identifiable police officer in the community as a point of contact for solving

Officer in Charge Kiama, Acting Inspector Lee Ingmire

local issues or problems.

While Acting Inspector Ingmire is physically based in Oak Flats, she has responsibility for the policing that occurs in the Kiama LGA. In this role, she’s a member of Kiama Council’s new Community Safety Committee, attends the Liquor Accord and is available to speak at community meetings.

“The thing that people keep telling me is that they want to see a visible police presence on the streets, and

that is something I hope to improve in the months to come.”

She believes that even simple measures like getting the police cars to park out on Terralong St, rather than around the back of the Police Station, can play a role in lifting perceptions of the level of police presence.

“Apart from the duty officer, task vehicles and police are deployed throughout the Lake Illawarra Police District as and where they are needed.”

While this necessarily means that the same officers are not here on a regular basis, unlike the old days when a team was assigned to a Station, Acting Inspector Ingmire says it leads to much more responsive policing.

“Our resources can be distributed across the day where they are needed, so we can respond to crime wherever it occurs in a reasonable time.”

As someone who lived in Kiama early in her police career, she has an insider’s knowledge and affection for the area.

“The Kiama area is a great place to live, and we’re here to make it even better,” she says.

She is looking forward to improving community engagement in a variety of ways, including having a regular stall at the Kiama Seaside Market.

She says that reporting all crimes to the Police is crucial for resources to be deployed effectively Details: To report a crime taking place, call 000 To report a crime that has happened, call 131 444 To prevent a crime, call Crimestoppers 1800 333 000 To contact Kiama Police Station, call 4232 1444 Acting Inspector Ingmire invites people with ongoing issues to contact her directly on 4232 5321.

Page 4  The Bugle 29 June 2019

Page 5  The Bugle 29 June 2019

History talk: Lorraine to share her family’s story

Lorraine Ettingshausen is well known in her own right within the community, having spent 20 of her 45 years as a registered nurse at Kiama Hospital.

She was recognised as

Kiama Australia Day Cititions they made to the Kiama zen of the Year in 2004. community following their However, she has done immigration from Germany. much work on her husDetails: Saturday 13 July, band’s family, and her talk Kiama Family History will focus on the substantial Centre, 2.30pm building and other contribu-

Minimum lot sizes for dual occupancies The implementation of the State Government’s Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code in Kiama LGA was deferred for a year to allow Council to mitigate against some of its consequences.

The legislation allows what is known as the Missing Middle - dual occupancy development and certain types of medium density development - to be approved as complying developments.

Designed with larger cities in mind, the Code allows for dual occupancies to be built on 400m2 lots as a complying development if a Local Environment Plan (LEP) does not prescribe a minimum lot size.

Complying developments do not need to be approved

by Council if they meet certain standards, overriding LEP controls such as height and floor space ratios.

The only notification required is to Council and

Sandmining

from page 3

“This saltmarsh is ecologically sensitive habitat that needs to be protected to ensure the health of the River.”

Although Boral’s formal Response to Submissions has been lodged, at time of writing it has not yet become available on the Department of Planning’s Major Projects Portal website.

“This offers our position on all matters raised through the public exhibition period,” says a Boral spokesperson.

Mr Field is encouraging as many people to join in a community protest he is organising with the Friends of the Minnamurra River, Gerroa Environmental Pro-

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adjoining neighbours, a week before construction commences.

“Introducing minimum lot sizes was the only avenue to limit the application of the complying development rules,” says Council’s Director Environment Services, Linda Davis.

The June Council Meeting endorsed a Planning Proposal to change the LEP to make multi-dwelling housing (terraces) permissible with consent in the R2 zone, and to introduce the following minimum lot sizes per dwelling for dual occupancy and terrace housing of:  300m2 in Gerringong, Kiama and Gerroa R2 zones  400m2 for Jamberoo.

For the R3 zone throughout, it introduces a minimum lot size and/or dwelling density for dual occupancies, manor houses and terraces of 200m2 per dwelling.

The new legislation comes into effect on 1 July.

tection Society (GEPS) and the Surfrider Foundation to show their concern for the River.

“We will be assembling on the hill overlooking the River to hear about the issues, and then will be creating a message with our bodies to show our opposition to the sand mine proposal,” says Warren Holder of GEPS. This will be followed by a paddle out onto the River organised by the Surfrider Foundation to highlight the drilling issue on the Great Australian Bight.

Details: Sunday 7 July, James Oats Reserve, Minnamurra, 11am

Buena Vista Farm returns to its dairying foundation The future of the remaining 18 acre pocket of Buena Vista Farm, on the coast just south of Gerringong, is assured, with official confirmation of their continued right to farm on E2 land coming through from Kiama Council.

Established as a dairy farm by the Weir family in 1859, Fiona Weir, her husband Adam Walmsley and their three children made a break from the city in 2012 to continue the farming tradition when her parents sold off the rest of the farm.

“Over that time, we have

Goats have replaced cows at Buena Vista

looked at many different ways of making a living on a small holding,” says Fiona.

“We started with biscuits, and then bone broth and fermented products, but discovered people were prepared to pay more for a service than a product, so we began offering cooking classes as well as selling the produce from our market garden.”

The popular classes, which encourage people to cook from scratch, have become a must do for locals and visitors.

“It genuinely means a lot to us to help people start their journey to an unprocessed diet,” says Fiona.

But it is their latest venture, making cheese from the milk of their goat herd, that she feels has cemented the future direction of the Farm.

“We plan to be milking goats and making cheese when we are 80,” she says with a smile.

“I have always loved goats, and I finally got to

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Fiona with the new goat milk pasteuriser

have them when my friend Winnie, an 80 year old retired dairy farmer, showed up here four years ago with three rescued dairy goats.”

They now have a herd of 25, set to grow in the coming breeding season, and are making marinated Persian Fetta and fresh Chevre to sell at the Kiama and Berry Farmers’ Markets and to some local restaurants.

“It is a lovely scale appropriate return to dairy after all these years,” she says.

“We can’t do anything on a big scale here. Everything we do has to be very small, but you can run enough goats to make enough cheese to make the investment worthwhile.”

Fiona believes food is so undervalued in Australia, which makes it hard for traditional farmers, especially on small farms, to stay on the land.

She’s glad they have found a way to keep viable as a food producer.

“We love being part of the Farmers’ Market each week directly and participate in our local food economy.”

Buena Vista is now the third cheese producer in the Kiama LGA, after the award winning efforts of Pecora Dairy and The Pines.

Farmers’ Market to stay at Surf Beach After years of calling Coronation Park its temporary home, the Kiama Farmers’ Market has gained DA approval to stay there.

Parking concerns near the doctors and chemist will be addressed with another four parking spots being unofficially reserved for patients by A-frame signs.

“This honour system has worked well since the first two spots were marked,” says Councillor Neil Reilly.

The DA brings to an end the Market’s long running slip’n’slides and firepits.

Page 7  The Bugle 29 June 2019

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Mayoral Column Mayor Mark Honey communicates directly with residents and ratepayers going to cost much more than Council could afford to pay.

So not only have we saved ratepayers a significant amount of money by taking on the work ourselves, we have a construction team that is enjoying the challenge of testing their abilities into the bargain.

Having now approved the Last week I dropped in on the construction crew install- capital works program for 2019/20, I imagine there will ing the new pedestrian bridge at Hyams Creek in be plenty more to keep them Jamberoo. happy in the near future.

There’s the usual raft of The team are doing a great job on what has been a very footpath and cycleway jobs challenging project in terms for them to do across the of design and installation.

Municipality.

We’ll also be upgrading Chatting to the crew, it the amenities at Emery was great to hear them talk enthusiastically about being Reserve, Saddleback Mounable to use their skills and tain, South Werri and Lloyd experience on ‘big-ticket’ Rees Reserve.

The Jamberoo Youth Hall, projects.

It’s certainly a major, if Gerroa and North Kiama unintended, benefit of havneighbourhood centres are ing decided to take on this set for refurbishment, and project ourselves, rather than the Gerringong Town Hall outsource the job. will get its long-awaited You may recall we made air-conditioning.

The always-popular rollthis decision after it became obvious outsourcing was out of new playground equip-

ment will also continue, with Attunga, Birralee, Bland Street, Burra Street, Carinya Way, Hoolong and Waabie reserves on the list.

Other renewal projects in the schedule are the Coach House Art Gallery, Gerringong Town Hall and the Jamberoo School of Arts.

Car parking is always close to the top of the list of resident concerns, and Council has slated the car parks at the south end of Kendalls Beach, Figtree Lane and Shoalhaven St for work.

The pedestrian refuge at the intersection of Shoalhaven and Bong Streets is also due to be installed during this time.

Jamberoo will be getting “a new town entry and exit signs and the Visitor Information Centre will receive a facelift.

The capital works program also includes the very big ticket items such as the completion of Blue Haven Bonaira and upgrading the living units at Blue Haven Terralong.

There is also the work at Surf Beach Holiday Park, the first stage of the major upgrades to Werri Beach Holiday Park, and improvements at Seven Mile Beach.

July Music in the Park Here is the Kiama Jazz & Blues Club’s guide to the musicians they’ve chosen for Music in the Park on 7 July:  Giles Robinson - a local singer, song writer guitarist we have all loved watching grow  Jocean - father/son duo whose thought provoking lyrics carry rhythm and a strong message  The Jewel Tones Trio this superb iconic blues trio with a touch of jazz will be one of the highlights of this year’s Park Series. Featuring Bruce Bongers on harmonica, saxophone and vocals; John Tweed on keyboard; and Dave Shaw on guitar.

Blue Haven

Cllr Brown offers formal apology fundraisers The following is the text of a formal apology tendered to the community by Councillor Matt Brown at the June Council meeting:

Mr Mayor, You may recall the incident in Townsville late last year and the apology I gave the community through the media at the time.

Along with my apology, I recognised I had a problem and I committed to seeking help. I did seek help and that

help is ongoing today. I am in a healthier and better space in giving this apology tonight.

Mr Mayor, I would like to thank you for your compassionate response at the time which was for my immediate welfare. I was, and am, humbled by your concern and your thoughtful and

courageous leadership at what would have been a very difficult time for you, indeed anyone in your shoes.

Tonight, I apologise again but more formally. My apology is just as sincere as it was seven months ago.

I know how much I let myself down and I am sorry Continued on page 12

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Not content with raising over $2900 to continue to provide entertainment and other niceties for the residents of the Blue Haven Hostel and Nursing Home, its Friends are busy planning the next event.

A Fashion Parade which will be held on Saturday, 27 July 27on Level 6, at Stage 5 Blue Haven.

All welcome.

Skaters rule Precincts making a contribution Donny Fraser, the organiser of the inaugural Skatefest Kiama, says the event has enormous potential for attracting the skating community from near and far.

“These events thrive in regional areas, and they aren’t as common in NSW as they are other states.

“A larger one we organise in Mackay in Central Queensland, is estimated to have given a $2.5 million boost to the economy.

“Given the proximity to Sydney, the great facilities Kiama’s natural attractions and its timing in the school holidays, Skatefest Kiama is creating enormous interest, even in its first year.

“I think it could be massive in a short time.”

The three day event, held at the skate park near the Leisure Centre, will feature street-style contests, with the top skater from each division (12 and under, 13 and over and Men and Womens Open) qualifying for the state competition.

In addition to the competition, the Australian Skateboarding Federation sanctioned event will feature

Local Keiran Wooley showing his style at the launch

coaching programs and demonstrations, with programs particularly aimed at women skaters.

The best time to check out this rising sport, that is going to be in the Olympics in 2020, is to go along to the Skate Park on Friday or Saturday afternoons to catch the action.

The competition is on the Saturday, with up to 50 contestants expected across the divisions.

The event will also have stalls demonstrating and selling the latest skating equipment and merchandise.

Details: 12-14 July, Kiama Skate Park, by Leisure Centre, 9-5pm. More at australianskateboarding. com

The new President of the Kiama Central Precinct, Karen Lang, says she has got involved with the residents’ group to make a contribution to the community.

“I’ve been here for twelve years, and this is my home now,” she says. “The Precincts are a great way to work for better outcomes for all of us.

“I’m semi-retired now, and wanted a way of utilising my experience to give back to the community.”

Ms Lang’s professional expertise is in working for the Federal Government as an assurer for large programs, reporting on how they are tracking in terms of outcomes and benefits to make sure they are giving value for money.

Apart from joining the Precinct, Karen also volunteered to be a member of Council’s Planning Committee.

The Central Precinct was resurrected two years ago, to give residents of the main area of the LGA a forum for discussing issues affecting

them. Four precincts were established by the Council in the 1990s, but only one, the South Precinct, had stood the test of time.

Encouraged by the Central Precinct’s success, a North Precinct to cover Gainsborough and Kiama Downs was established last year.

Jamberoo and Minnamurra residents have active resident associations rather than operating under the precinct model.

Ms Lang sees the Precincts as a way of providing a public forum where anyone can come and raise matters of concern, and an important avenue for two way communication with Council.

“The Mayor and Council-

Page 9  The Bugle 29 June 2019

lors Reilly, Sloan and Rice regularly come along, and I think they benefit from hearing what the broader community has to say,” says Ms Lang.

“It gives them access to a wider cross section of opinions on a regular basis, which is more efficient for them than meeting with people individually.

It also provides a forum for Council staff to meet with the community to discuss topics of interest.

Since the Central Precinct was re-established, it has played a significant role in opposing what residents saw as over development of key sites in the CBD. “The inaugural President Peter O’Neill deserves recognition for the detailed submissions he made on behalf of the Precinct about developments such as Akuna St/Mitre 10,” says Ms Lang.

“Our concerns have resulted in significant changes being made to a number of proposals to reduce their negative impacts.”

All of the resident groups have also joined together under the umbrella of the

Combined Community Action Group, to approach Council collectively when their concerns are similar.

By working together they have championed improvements being made to the planning section of Council’s website to make information more accessible, and made input into the operational plan.

“I’m really keen for more people to get involved with their local precinct, and encourage everyone to get along to their monthly meetings to keep abreast of local issues. I’m also going to look at ways that people who can’t get to meetings can be involved.

“We have a Kiama Matters facebook group and also an email list people can join now to keep in the loop.”

Ms Lang is taking over the position when the role of Precincts is undergoing a review by Council’s General Manager, Kerry McMurray.

Details: The Central Precinct meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month, 7pm at the Joyce Wheatley Centre.

All welcome.

Out & about At the inaugural Kiama Clothes Swap Sustainability has never been so much fun!

Thanks to Rebecca Rosconi Photography

Left: Jasmin and Gayle Bothwell Right: Meg Pomfret and Clare Marshall Below: Cherie Bousfield Below middle: Council’s Josephine St John Below far right: Theresa Hollingworth and Carolyn Ellem

Immediate right: Tori Reynolds, Tricia Ashelford and Regina Aubermann Middle right: Hana Singleton, Gail Phillips and Hope Moore Far right: Christie Bender, Victoria Stewart, Deyelle Freaney and Tennille Shelley

Page 10  The Bugle 29 June 2019

We’d love to share pics of your social event contact emailthebugle@gmail.com

The Bugle Crossword

wine type 45. Recently deceased PM 46. Current moderator of Q&A (4,5) 47. Description of a messy teenager's room DOWN 1. Last name of re-elected Qld One Nation senator 2. Room for the special use of young children

Last issue’s solution

ACROSS 1. American for cattle station 8. Bee nectar 9. Skin sores or bumps after exposure to very cold weather 11. Artist's painting stand 13. Light bulb or light …..

15. Federal govt. spy agency (1,1,1,1) 16. Old sheep meat 17. Breathing hole(s) in the middle of your face 18. Nervous or timid in the company of others 21. New No. 1 in women's tennis 23. Citrus fruit good for vitamin C and scurvy 24. Young frog 26. Naughty copy of original work 29. Aust. Cockatoo 31. Outside rim of a circle 35. Major component of Margarita cocktail 36. Gotham City (3,4) 38. Number of stumps on a cricket pitch 39. 3rd person singular, present tense of Be 41. Alcohol component in a Daiquri 42. Peninsula in NT where bauxite is mined 43. Darker and heavier red

Free Consultation Full & Partial Dentures Relines & Repairs Sports Mouthguards Area Health Service Vouchers Veterans Affairs

Personal service No jobs sent overseas Greg Shanahan Dental Prosthetist 4232 2999 kiamadentureclinic.com.au 124A Manning St, Kiama (opp Stan Crapp)

3. Capital city where 2000 people went for a swim on the solstice 4. Wall that stops water flowing onto low lying land 5. Line joining two opposite corners of a square 6. Act of arriving at a party unannounced (4,5) 7. Joint on your fingers 9. Recently retired host of Insiders 10. Flower 12. Young sheep meat 14. Which vegetable is a Pontiac?

19. Round three dimensional figure 20. Big lump of sandstone in central Aust.

22. Small powerful boat that assists in berthing bigger ones 25. Sport played by 21 Across in 2015/16 26. Value of new Aust. bank note that has three spelling mistakes 27. Recently re-elected Independent senator for Tasmania 28. Weighing machine 30. Bird in Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner

32. Line from the centre to the edge of a circle 33. Chemist shop 34. Middle aged sheep meat 36. Followed by day 37. First name of 21st century two times Labor PM 40. Singular of die 44. Clothing sliding fastener Crossword by Steve Law

Don’t miss out on local news on your travels Visit www. thebugleonline.com to read our latest issue and our major stories online.

Or get each issue emailed to you by dropping a line to emailthebugle@ gmail.com Page 11  The Bugle 29 June 2019

Cllr Brown’s apology

Postcard home On our recent trip to Puglia in the heel of Italy, our base for nearly two weeks was Brindisi, an important port city for trade between Italy, Greece and the Middle East.

Our accommodation was owned by the delightful Mary (Maria) who insisted on stocking the kitchen with enough breakfast supplies for our whole stay plus a fresh homemade ‘torta’ (fruit tart) nearly every day.

Her culinary skills and generosity were simply amazing and more than compensated for the unexpectedly chilly May weather.

The apartment was located a five minute trip by ferry (traghetto) from the centre of town – the accompanying photo shows this picturesque boat which traversed the port non stop all day and night, irrespective of whether there were two or twenty passengers. Tariff per crossing is the princely sum of one Euro.

Brindisi itself is an interesting combination of old and new, with a number of Roman remains including city walls, a castle and columns, as well as several

beautiful churches dating from different historical periods, but we used it more as a base from which to explore other parts of Puglia.

From here we ventured out to other towns including Alborobello, Otranto, Lecce (the baroque Florence of the South), Polignano al Mare, Monopoli, Grottalgie (centre of Puglese ceramics) and Bari.

We travelled primarily by

rental car, but there are also good rail links between Brindisi and other main towns both in Puglia and further afield, including Rome, Milan and Turin.

One of the more attractive aspects of Brindisi for us was its relative lack of tourists (perhaps mainly due to our being there outside the peak summer season).

The abiding image we have of Puglia, however,

apart from the endless olive groves, is this little ferry that carried us faithfully to and fro across the port to the centre, plus Maria’s daily torta.

Candy Andersen Kiama Downs If you’d like to share your travel story, send your postcard home (even when you are back) to emailthebugle@gmail.com

Page 12  The Bugle 29 June 2019

for not meeting the expectations of so many.

I love this community and have worked the best years of my life devoted to it.

As the local member I, and others, worked for the North Kiama Bypass and the Gerringong Highway Upgrade; the Kiama High School Upgrade; the electrification of the rail; and having Gerringong/Gerroa/ Jamberoo sewered.

As a councillor I worked alongside others to see the formation of Destination Kiama and the assembling of a great team there, the invigoration of events in our community and that extra Red Bin garbage collection at Christmas. Such a funny thing to remembered for, Matt the extra Red Bin Rubbish Man. I am sorry if my actions have diminished the sense of accomplishment of those who have assisted me in bringing about such positive changes to our community.

These outcomes would not have occurred without your efforts and your sense of pride in them is well deserved.

Thank you so much to those many many people who sent cards, emails and

from p3

texts of good well wishes.

Thank you also to all those people who have stopped me in the street with a kind word. I was in a bad way.

I needed that support to get better and I am getting better… one day at a time.

This has been a challenging journey for me in regards to Mental Health. For all those who reached out and shared their story, or that of a loved one, thank you.

I have learnt a lot.

I have learnt so much more about the strength of family, friends and community; about leadership, vulnerability; clarity and forgiveness.

I have learnt more about shame, gratitude and unconditional love. There is still so much to learn.

As a community, we still need to do more to address the disease of addiction and other Mental Health illnesses in a more compassionate way.

I would like to be a part of that.

There is much work still to do. I am looking forward to working with the community, my council colleagues and staff to make our community stronger, happier and a wonderful place to live.