The Bugle 25 March 2023

Council to fight to sell Spring Creek

After unsuccessful appeals to the State Government and election candidates to have the caveat removed on its properties at Spring Creek, Council is to attempt having it lifted by legal means.

The covenant has the effect of limiting the ability to build housing on the land until quarry activities cease, despite other blocks closer to the quarry having houses.

“[Due to improvements in blasting technology], lots closer to the quarry than Council’s investment land holdings have been allowed

to proceed, while the Council owned lots have endured 30 years' worth of restrictive caveats which have prevented development from occurring,” says Mayor Neil Reilly’s Mayor Minute on the issue.

“Repeated request for the removal of the caveats have been denied by the State Government.”

Legal advice will be taken on whether they can be removed by a formal withdrawal, the caveat lapsing or a court order.

At this stage, Mayor Reilly favors an application to the

Focusing on further action

With the deadline for Performance Improvement Orders set by the Minister for Local Government looming at the end of June, Kiama Council has issued its draft Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) 2.

"Our State of the Organisation led to the SIP 1. Now we have the Performance Improvement Orders that are guiding SIP 2," says Mayor Neil Reilly.

"It is really important that the OLG (Office of Local Government) regard us as

the manager of this. The SIP is something we have developed ourselves, as the mechanism for how we will overcome our difficulties."

The draft (available in the March Council Business Papers) will be the subject of a councillor workshop before the strategic approach is finalised at the April Meeting.

The Mayor is keen to point out that it will be a living document, monitored and adjusted regularly.

continued on page 12

Supreme Court to order a withdrawal of the caveat.

“I consider this option as best as the need to remove the caveat is urgent and the caveator bears the burden to establish a caveatable interest and reasonable cause (i.e. an interest in the land).

“Given Council is subject to a State Government issued Performance Improvement Order, relating directly to its financial position, all steps available should be explored with a degree of urgency and assertiveness.”

Council owns both five fully serviced housing blocks on Glenbrook Drive (2772m2), and a 22.7 acre (9.2ha) holding of residential zone land opposite and to the north of them.

Some master planning was done on the site in 2018, but it has not been formally subdivided. It is believed it would yield upwards of 90 blocks, possibly as many as 120.

With current land values, this would raise considerable money for Council and increase housing availability in the area.

"We are looking for solutions to our financial situation and it is right there," says CEO Jane Stroud.

"It would absolutely change the game and the other decisions that have to be made."

Golden Valley Rd to be tested in court

Despite the threat of being held personally responsible for legal expenses that are likely to arise, five Kiama councillors who originally rejected the Golden Valley Road DA have stood by that decision by voting against a rescission motion.

Mayor Neil Reilly was the only councillor to change his vote to support the rescission, warning of the consequences of rejecting the DA for the sub-division.

“We are very clear about what is going to happen,” he said, referring to Neville Fredericks of the Fountaindale group saying at Public Access that a rejection would be taken to the Land & Environment Court.

“Saying we don’t like it isn’t going to hold much weight. I don’t think we have a leg to stand on.”

This is because, after a two year gestation, the DA was recommended for approval by planning staff.

Councillors Rice, Keast, Renkema-Lang, Larkins and

Draisma held their line that it was against the DCP in a number of areas, and their concerns about the urban design, aboriginal heritage protection and bushfire risk.

In proposing the rescission, Councillor Matt Brown said he was concerned those rejecting the DA were relying on incorrect facts, and that while there were a number of things he didn’t like about the design there was no doubt it was compliant.

“I haven't read a more comprehensive report during my time on Council,” he said.

Councillor Croxford said Council shouldn’t be responsible for any costs involved with defending the rejection, and that he would apply for the councillors supporting the decision to be subject to a surcharge that can be applied by the Government when a decision leads to a loss.

“Why should Council have to pay?” he said.

Members of the Jamberoo community that we spoke to were surprised by the

outcome.

A statement from Fountaindale reads, "We are disappointed that a majority of councillors did not support our application last night.

"We have resolved to take this matter to the Land and Environment Court and have been advised that with the benefit of a recommendation for approval from Council staff there is a good chance of success through that avenue.

"It’s a shame that both Fountaindale and Council will now need to spend a significant amount of money to fund a court process to re-assess a proposal that has already been determined as compliant with all requirements.

"This will inevitably delay the development by at least 6 months which I’m sure will be a disappointment to the many people who have expressed interest in purchasing a block of land."

At the same meeting, a 37 lot subdivision in Henry Parkes Drive was approved.

WHAT’S ON

Kiama Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday Surf Beach or Kiama Uniting Church, 3-6pm

SENTRAL’S Open Mic

Every Thursday for local youth

SENTRAL Cottages, 5-7pm

Jamberoo Village Market

Sunday 26 March Reid Park, 9-2pm

Centre Create Connect Exhibition

until 29 March

Old Fire Station, 10-3pm

ADFAS Lecture: Whistler vs Ruskin

Thursday 30 March Berry Uniting Church, 7.30pm

SurfLife Music Festival

31 March-2 April gerringongfestival.com.au

News team: Cathy Law, Editor 0412 415 101 news@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Perrie Croshaw 0411 700 253 perrie@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Cassandra Zaucer 0491 686 975 cassandra@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Advertising: Steve Law 0428 662 499 advertising@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Sun Up Surf & Skate Festival + Her Waves Teams Classic

Sunday 2 April see right

From Tree to Sea Exhibition

31 March - 5 April

Old Fire Station, 10-3pm

Archives on Tour –The Carrington Albums

Monday 3 April

Kiama Library, 11-12.30pm

Kerry Suttonburg Open Studio

8 – 10 April

79 Renfrew Rd, Werri, 9-5pm Easter Weekend 7-10 April see page 13

Gerringong Pics & Flicks: The Velvet Queen

Friday 14 April

Gerringong Town Hall, 7pm G’gong Rotary Markets

Saturday 15 April in and around the Town Hall, 8.30-1.30pm Kiama Seaside Market

Sunday 16 April

Black Beach, 10-3pm

What’s On is compiled by Cassandra Zaucer.

or contact us at PO Box 304, Gerringong 2534

Kiama Downs gets its turn

Kiama Downs is being treated to its own surf themed soiree for the end of summer.

It’s a joint effort between Kiama Council, Surfing NSW (which will run their all women Her Wave surfing challenge) and Concrete Skate Supply who are providing a pop-up skatepark.

Mix in several workshops – including yoga, hand drumming, surf breath work, ocean photography, learn to skate and tie dye – with food trucks, live music, a face painter and surf simulator, and you get an epic Sun Up Surf & Skate Festival.

“It’s the first time this event is happening, and the first time Kiama Downs has been supported in the way of a festival, so we’re really

There’s

If you have any events coming up, please contact her at cassandra@ thebuglenewspaper.com.au or 0491 686 975.

Items are published at the Editor’s discretion.

excited to bring some of the fun out there,” says Council's Tourism and Events Manager, Sally Bursell.

“It is all free of charge, which is such a great opportunity for the community!”

The Her Wave Teams Classic is a two day event especially for females, and Surfing NSW are expecting 350 surfers from across NSW to join in on the fun teams format challenge.

Female surfers of any age and ability can still put together a team of eight and register for the event.

It is all happening on Jones Beach, around Kiama Downs Surf Life Saving Club and on the Jones Beach carpark, which will house the skate park and be closed to cars.

On the same weekend as the SurfLife Music Festival in Gerringong, Ms Bursell says they have worked closely with the organisers to “fill in each other’s blanks and not clash”.

With a series of street soirees moving through the area – the Gerringong Street Parade last year, the Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival on Terralong St and now Kiama Downs – Ms Bursell says they are heading to Jamberoo next in September, in an event that will highlight local produce.

The event is supported by NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program.

Her Wave: 1–2 April, 7-3pm Soiree: Sunday 2 April, 8-2pm.

Location: ThePavilionKiama

Date/Time: Tuesday4April,10:30am-11:45am&7:00pm-8:15pm

Jamberoo Mt Rd still 3-6 months off

After a long time in limbo while an engineering solution was found, funding obtained and tenders then let, repairs to Jamberoo Mountain Road are now motoring along.

Despite this, the latest estimate from Council is that completion is still 3 to 6 months away.

So far, the 78 piles needed to stabilise the downside of the road have been manufactured, drilled and filled, with 32 of them further secured with a capping beam in one section.

Earthworks to stabilise the uphill side of the road have begun, and after that the final section to be repaired will be able to be accessed by the workers.

The road has been closed between The Abbey and

Misty’s Lane since July last year, impacting residents and causing hardship to businesses relying on its use.

Work has also started constructing the cage and gabion baskets needed to stabilise Foxground Road, although this is impossible to continue in any rain event due to an

Unions publish case for keeping Blue Haven

A report on whether Council should divest itself of its aged care operations, commissioned by the United Services Union (USU), has looked at the impact of the decision on Blue Haven residents, employees and Kiama ratepayers and community members.

Workers putting the capping beam on a section of the pylons

active rivulet.

Wallaby Hill Road repairs will commence shortly, and repairs to Gipps Drive and Cliff Road will follow when Foxground Road is completed as the work is similar in nature.

Compiled by Associate Professor Martin O’Brien, Director of the Centre for Human and Social Capital Research and Director of the MBA Program at the University of Wollongong, the report relies heavily on findings from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety rather than Blue Haven’s particular financial situation.

“In our view, it just appears there isn’t a will by this Council to do the work that needs to be done in terms

Council wants answers from Sydney Water

Mayor Neil Reilly is to contact Sydney Water to call for them to come down and provide a briefing about the local situation.

"There are multiple problems with Sydney Water's service to our LGA – the lack of sewage capacity at Jamberoo, the constant breeches of their system that effect our health, tourism and amenity, and our ability for further growth," he says.

"On a Sunday I’ve been called out to the lower end of Shoalhaven St and seen toilet paper floating in the street. In the 21st century that is unacceptable.

"I swim daily in the rock-

pools and there are somedays when I can’t because of the sewerage outfalls.

"They haven't given any answers to our questions. It just isn't good enough."

Asked if he knew anything more about Sydney Water's initiative to upgrade Bombo treatment plant to reduce odours, the Mayor said the first he'd heard of it was reading about it in The Bugle

A motion at the March Meeting by Councillor Matt Brown endorsed the frustrated initiative, with all councillors concerned about the impact of the aging system on livability, health and the economy.

"Water and sewage are fundamental to the growth of any community," says Mayor Reilly.

"This community is flying blind and it is not fair.

"It makes the job of Council almost impossible because we do not have certainty around our own growth pattern and we are beholden to infrastructure planners in Sydney.

"We won’t know if we can properly service population targets set by the Greater Cities Commission, because we have not been given the infrastructure or asset plans for our own community.

"We are required to have

them for every asset class we manage, and Sydney Water needs to step up to the mark and furbish Council with that information."

While many other councils look after their own sewage and water, the Kiama LGA finds itself on the very southern end of Sydney Water's responsibilities.

"From an environmental perspective, it is not sustainable to be having continual crisis management of overflow. For a place like this, renowned for its natural beauty and coastline, it is a disgrace," says Mayor Reilly.

"The community and Council deserve better."

of keeping Blue Haven, and this report emphasises the reasons why it should,” says CSU organiser, Rudi Oppitz.

“No business case has been put forward on the basis that if we were to keep it, these are the things that we would need to do to keep it operating successfully.

“If there was a business case that put forward that side, then the community and the residents and the union would have something to look at so they could say, right now we get it. Now we see that this is impossible or that there are challenges, but they aren’t insurmountable.”

In his view, the analysis released at the March Extraordinary Meeting on the Keep, Partnership or Sell options isn’t enough as only a synopsis of the report was made public.

“Should we as advocates for our members and aged care sit back and accept what is laid out in front of us if it isn’t complete? Council hasn’t demonstrated any transparency from the day they came up with the idea.

“The need for commercial-in-confidence [keeping information confidential for commercial reasons] goes out the window when looking at the magnitude of the decision.” Mr Oppitz is disappointed Council hasn’t been using the State Election to lobby for extra funding, such as that promised to another electorate for its aged care operations.

For residents, the commissioned report concludes that “divesting Blue Haven from being a government-run facility to for-profit or not-for-profit is likely to result in a wide range of poor outcomes continued p4

Process of reclassifying Bonaira starts

Having received a Gateway Determination that it can proceed with the process of reclassifying the land at Blue Haven Bonaira to Operational Land, Kiama Council has put the proposal out on public exhibition for 28 days, given public criticism of the minimum 20 days originally set.

While the reclassification from Community to Operational land has become a priority now that Council has decided to sell Blue Haven Bonaira, CEO Jane Stroud says it is something that should have been done a long time ago.

“It is really clear that in three months of constructing that facility it should have been converted as part of the DA process,” says CEO Jane Stroud, who suspects that other Council holdings used for operational purposes may also have fallen through the cracks.

“It is a shame it didn’t happen back then, but we do have to go through the process.”

A letter from the Department of Planning & Environment accompanying the Gateway Determination says, ‘the proposed reclassification corrects a historical land status anomaly to more accurately reflect the existing operational use of the site as a seniors housing facility.’

There will be a public hearing at least three weeks after submissions closing on 11 April.

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Election

Day snag guide

The much loved election day tradition of grabbing a democracy sausage on your way out of the polling booth will continue this year for the State election on 25 March.

The BBQs and election day cake stalls are great ways to support local organisations.

Jamberoo Public School’s

P&C will be hosting a sausage sizzle stand on election day with all proceeds to be spent on the school.

Kiama-Jamberoo Uniting Church will also be rolling out the snags, as well as cakes, to raise money for the Church.

Kiama High students, Hallie Richmond and Sophie Yates, will be hosting a sausage sizzle BBQ with drinks at the school polling booth (see right).

Science students off to London

For the second year in a row, students from Kiama High have been accepted into the prestigious London Youth Science Forum (LYSF).

The two week Forum in July will see the year 12 students – Hallie Richmond and Sophie Yates – join 500 others from around the world in attending lectures by high-profile scientists, including Nobel prize winners, and exploring some of the finest research labs in the UK.

“The enormous benefits they will get from the facilities they see and the people they will get to meet worldwide makes it an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed,” says Kiama High science teacher Ruth Power.

After attending the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) in January with three other Kiama High students, Hallie and Sophie are ready

BAG A BARGAIN AT BIG EASTER SALE BOUTIQUE

MINI MARKET

EASTER WEEKEND 7TH-10TH APRIL

BOOKS: Old books, popular novels and classics (Winton, Hesse, Lawrence); autobiographies (Elton John, Steve Jobs); non fiction: poetry, art, war, cookery, vintage comics; children’s classics (Tolkien, Blyton, Gibbs or Rawling’s Harry Potter and Dahl books. VINYL/CD’s: INXS, Elvis/Diamond, Floyd. VIDEOS: Mission Impossible.

FASHION: Preloved designer and top store brands: gorgeous frocks incl. lovely wedding gown (s12), tops/blouses, shirts and jumpers (Parakien, Zampatti, Cardin, Studebaker); faux furs, tailored & leather jackets (Klein, Stitches, Roxy); range of ladies shoes, bags & scarves (Mimco/Oroton/Chanel).

PORCELAIN: Blue & white ware: Delft coffee jar, Delft style coffee grinder & Voltenswaard canisters; Doulton Bunnykins, Beswick pieces; Sevres black/gold coffee set; art deco teaset; Noritake, Susie Cooper CSPs; antique Satsuma tablelamp with pr. brass sockets/wood base. METALS: Cloisonne dragon motif vases; pressed brass firewood box; silverware. GLASS/CRYSTAL: wine/sherry sets; vases; carnival glass bowl etc.

WHITE ELEPHANT CORNER: Kitchenalia, manchester (doilies, embr. Cloths), weaving items, vintage brolly, dolls/bears, cat scratcher, garden tools, golf clubs, cricket set, gazebo.

AT MASONIC HALL, KIAMA

Enter Collins St Friday 11.00am to 4.30pm (next to Park) Sat/Sun: 9.30am – 4.30pm Monday: 9.30am – 2.00pm

to see science on an international scale.

“In attending NYSF, we saw a very small pocket of what Australia has to offer in science,” Sophie says.

“Going to London, visiting Oxford and Cambridge universities and hearing different speakers and their journeys will really help me to understand how I can enter into the science field

in the most impactful way possible,” Sophie says.

Hallie was inspired by last year's students who attended the LIYSF.

“They told me how much it has helped them and how much they enjoyed it. They said it is similar to the NYSF but even better,” Hallie says.

“I think the LIYSF will help me because I went into the National Forum to find

what university course and subjects I wanted to do next year, but it opened my horizons and left me even more confused. So, I want to use this experience to see what I am most interested in.”

Hallie is currently considering biomedicine and molecular biology, while Sophie wants to tackle a double degree of law and science with biology as a major.

The pair are now turning to the community to help them get to London.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and we know the Kiama and broader community are so helpful and supportive of educational opportunities. We have a gofundme page if there is anyone willing to help us get on our way,” Sophie says.

Labor's road and surf club promise

NSW Labor have vowed to provide over $660,000 to Kiama Council for emergency road repairs and invest $30,000 to upgrade Kiama Downs Surf Life Saving Club if elected in the State election on 25 March.

The Labor promise to road repairs will see Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven City Councils benefit from $6.3 million – in addition to the State Government’s pothole funding – dedicated to fixing roads compromised by floods and bushfires.

Shellharbour Council will receive $1,076,220, Kiama Council $663,050 and Shoalhaven City Council $4,567,133.

Case to keep Blue Haven

from page 3 for residents”, based on sector wide studies on quality and costs rising under new ownership.

It notes that transferring employees from Local Government to Federal awards may result in lower wages. Stressing the long tradition of community support and goodwill for Blue Haven, the report says, “The financial losses associated with aged care facilities at Bonaira are currently typical for the sector”.

It questions whether now is the right time for sell given the downturn in the real estate market, and that it is probably public comments from council may have “hindered the process” by talking

In response to the eight page report, Mayor Neil Reilly says, “Blue Haven Bonaira is operating at a significant loss and has been for the past three years, as our financial report show. The USU report does not address how the Council or Blue Haven could continue to operate if this were to continue.

"Our solution, to divest of Blue Haven Bonaira (subject to the reclassification of the land), means the facility and its services remain in Kiama, its staff continue to be employed and Kiama Council will be well on the way to restoring its financial sustainability and ensuring an equitable distribution of Council funds and services to all in our community.”

You can donate at gofundme. com (search by name) or take the more traditional route of buying a sausage sizzle at on Election Day (see left) by Cassandra

Zaucer

al Commission established a new Aged Care Act and regulatory regime.

“Today, all operators must meet the exact same standards of care, whether they are councils, profit or not for-profit.

“Clearly, any operator who takes ownership of Blue Haven will be one whose standard of care is rigorously monitored by the Commonwealth to be as good, if not better than, what Council can provide.”

The Mayor also notes that a 15 per cent wage increase for aged care workers under the Federal Award in June will effectively ‘close the gap’ between the local/state government award rates of pay and aged care worker pay rates under the Federal Award.

Shadow Minister for Roads, John Graham MLC, says, “Labor is committed to supporting Councils to fix the local roads that people use every day to get to work, get the kids to school or get to medical appointments.”

Kiama’s Labor candidate, Katelin McInerney, says the Kiama Downs SLSC funding will upgrade their amenities and radio room.

“Growing up by the beach in Kiama Downs I was always grateful for the work our local surf life savers did over summer to look after us.

“This funding will mean that our amazing local Surf Life Saving volunteers are supported into the future and have the facilities they need to keep protecting locals and visitors on our beaches."

Her commitment comes with Labor announcing that if they win government they would increase funding to Surf Life Saving NSW by $23 million over the next four years.

The yearly increase would deliver extra equipment and communication upgrades, and include emergency response beacons.

Public notice

Kiama Council needs to reclassify the public land of the Blue Haven Bonaira site from community land to operational land, to ensure it is being operated in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 Council has lodged a Planning Proposal to list Lot 2 DP 1215276, 14A Bonaira Street, Kiama under Part 1 of Schedule 4 of the Kiama Local Environmental Plan 2011 (LEP) as ‘land classified or reclassified as operational land – no interests changed’.

The Planning Proposal is currently on public exhibition and submissions can be made until Tuesday 11 April 2023.

A formal public hearing will also be held about the Planning Proposal, with an independent facilitator. Submissions made during the exhibition process and at the public hearing will be compiled into a report. This report will be provided to Council for final decision, as the Local Plan Making Authority.

Further information: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Council/Your-say

Address all correspondence to: Chief Executive Officer 11 Manning Street (PO Box 75), Kiama 2533

Phone: 4232 0444

Website: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au

Candidates urged to support extending the Coast Walk

Frustrated by the lack of progress in extending the Kiama Coast Walk further south from Gerringong to Gerroa (known Stage 2), retired senior engineering staff of Kiama Council are calling on candidates in the State Election to show their support.

The former senior staff – Bryan Whittaker, Ken Adcock, Peter Stuckey, Rod King and David Leigh – all worked on various aspects in establishing Stage I (from Loves Bay to Gerringong), which involved negotiating access through private land.

“Stage 2 involves the same issues, but now has the benefit of funding from the NSW Government’s Coastal Land Protection Scheme, established to increase public ownership of important coastal land,” says Peter Stuckey, who was Council’s Manager of Parks & Environment.

“In September 2020

Council passed a resolution to submit an application to the Scheme and very little has been done since and I’m worried the funding will dry up.”

Because the walk is of state significance, the former staff are asking the candidates

in the State Elections to show their full support for the completion of the track from Gerringong to Gerroa and, if elected:

• urge Council to submit a grant application for funding under the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme

• work with Council and landowners to acquire the lands under the Scheme.

Former Director Engineering & Works, Bryan Whittaker, says, “As ex-engineers with a wealth of experience in engineering management we have actual experience and knowledge gained in working on Stage I. That project has been a huge success.

“Therefore we are urging Council to take a proactive approach to establish Stage 2. Given our experience we understand the difficulties that must be overcome, but we urge Council to provide resources to this fantastic project so that proper results

SALESOFFICEOPEN

Trucks banned from shortcut

After a series of safety complaints were sent through to Kiama Council, new ‘No Trucks’ signs are to be installed at the entrance of Hothersal Street and Colley Drive to prevent them using the shortcut.

The new signage will join the existing sign that sits further up on Hothersal St, after they have already turned onto the street, which alerts drivers there is a 5 tonne weight limit.

A mechanic from Harts Garage says most trucks will continue up the street despite this, but occasionally there are drivers who need help reversing out or turning around.

which has also been hit in the past,” he says.

The traffic has increased with the road changes caused by the Woolworths redevelopment.

are achieved within proper timeframes.

“If necessary we would be available on a voluntary basis to assist in practical ways to make this happen.”

An update in the February 2023 Business Paper of a resolution of Council in April 2022 noted that staff resourcing had been allocated to the project, landowners identified in the endorsed route have been contacted

and contact has been made on initiation of the grant application.

“We need to get some momentum going with this project, so we have access to the funds to do it,” says Mr Stuckey.

“We’ve waited too long already. It is up to Council to make it happen.

All the details don't have to be finalised before the application goes in.”

As heavy vehicle drivers turn from Gipps St, they are faced with the steep incline of Hothersal St before facing the narrow bends of Colley Drive.

A resident of Colley Drive told The Bugle he and other elderly residents are concerned about the regular use of semi-trailers, trucks and tour buses navigating the bends.

“There have been a number of times when semi-trailers get stuck on the bend and the right hand turn further along where there is a power pole,

Councillor and member of the Local Traffic Committee, Stuart Larkins, says the new signage is about “reinforcing the fact that heavy vehicles shouldn’t be driving on that particular road and it will take some time for the signage to improve the awareness of that road because the 5 tonne weight limit has been there for a long time.”

Although signs may help, the Harts Garage mechanic believes it is the drivers’ GPS that is the problem.

“They are just following their maps when all of a sudden they are faced with this steep hill.

“They need to use the truck’s GPS that avoids roads they shouldn’t drive on.”

by Cassandra Zaucer

Peter Stuckey (seated) with former Councillor Howard Jones, urging action in 2020, at what will be the southern end of Stage 2

747 earns a special place

Prolific aviation writer Jim Eames claims he’s written his last book – and it looks like he might have saved his best for last.

The Mighty 747: Australia’s Queen of the Skies captures an era of travel that will be nostalgic for many.

Jim, a former newspaper journalist, Department of Civil Aviation and Qantas public relations executive who now lives in Gerringong, has captured the history of this iconic commercial aircraft and what makes this book so special is his insider's knowledge.

“The main thing the 747 did was open the world to a lot more Australians,” he says. At a seating capacity of 300 plus, the plane was big enough to provide affordable fares – $420 advanced purchase fare to London or $700 return.

“People who had come out from Europe as migrants could go back home and visit the rels, because it was so bloody big, we needed to fill the seats!”

In August 1989, in his role at Qantas, Jim took a small press group to Seattle to collect the brand-new Boeing 747-438 VH OJA City of Canberra and fly it to London. A different crew then flew it non-stop London to Sydney

to set a world air record.

In 2014, the City of Canberra was simply the next of the 747s to reach the end of its useful life, to be replaced by Airbus versions, Jim writes.

On the point of decommissioning the aircraft, Qantas CEO Gareth Evans said, “When the document arrived, I actually sat there with it in front of me, my pen poised over it and I just couldn’t bring myself to sign it. After all this was an aircraft which had created a distance record on its delivery flight and was part of Australian’s aviation history.”

In 2015, Qantas donated the plane to HARS at Shellharbour Airport and now there are only two such aircraft left in

the world, with the other in the Qantas collection in Longreach, Queensland.

“This 747 summed up the devotion Qantas people had for this particular airplane and creating a world record

was something again. In those days, it was typical of Qantas because they would always think outside the square.

"It wasn’t just a case of delivering this plane to Australia – we already had 20 or 30 747s here – but Qantas said, no let’s make this special by flying non-stop and creating a world record.”

Just like Kingsford Smith.

Jim says, “We are Australians. This pioneering aviation bit is hereditary.”

On 22 July 2020 the Boeing VH-OEJ Wunala was the last 747 to fly over eastern Australia, just weeks short of celebrating 50 years since the first Qantas 747 touched down at Kingsford Smith Airport, Mascot.

by Perrie Croshaw

Local pleads guilty to firearm and intimidation charges

Former Kiama Councillor Brendon Comber, known locally for his work at various music events through R&R Production Services, has pleaded guilty in Wollongong Local Court today to multiple firearms and intimidation charges.

The charges arose in February last year when the owner of a truck Mr Comber was buying via hire purchase repossessed the truck from his home without his consent, after Mr Comber failed to pay the final $2,000 and stopped communications.

The truck held hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of music and sound equipment used in his work.

Upon discovering the truck was missing, Mr Comber grabbed his .22 calibre rifle (loaded with a magazine and empty of ammunition), put it loosely into the trunk of his car and went to find them, with his wife and two children – a two year old and one year old – as passengers.

The owner of the truck’s son was driving the truck, followed closely by the owner

in a van, when Mr Comber blocked the vehicles at an intersection in Gwynneville.

Mr Comber removed his rifle from the car and placed it on the passenger seat of the truck when it was agreed they would move to a safer location to discuss the matter more.

In transit, the victim called the police who arrived shortly after and seized the firearm. Originally, Mr Comber was charged with using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, but it was withdrawn, with the offender pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

Mr Comber pleaded guilty to using an unauthorised firearm, not keeping a firearm safely and two counts of intimidation.

Mr Comber claimed that unrelated family stress contributed to the incident and the rifle was always in a bag. He will be sentenced on 28 April 2023 after a sentencing assessment report is completed.

by Cassandra Zaucer

SPECIALISING IN COACH TRAVEL

DAY TRIPS

Mogo Wildlife Park

Tuesday 28 March 2023 $130

Includes light morning tea en-route, entry and lunch at Mogo Wildlife Park and return coach transport. Please note: Walking involved.

Guided Heritage Tour of Milton

Friday 26 May 2023 $95

Includes light morning tea en-route, on board guided tour of Milton Township with ‘Charlotte Secombe’ and return coach transport.

Lunch at own expense while you browse Milton.

Wicked, the musical

Wednesday 27 September 2023 – $135

1pm matinee show – Stalls tickets

Includes ticket to Wicked the musical at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre and return coach transport.

EXTENDED TOUR

Mayfield Garden, Oberon & The Best of Bathurst

Sunday 16 to Thurs 20 April 2023

$1825 per person twin share.

Add $315 for singles

Includes 4 nights’ accommodation at Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst, breakfasts, dinners, light morning teas, all lunches, entry to all attractions and coach pickup/drop off from your home in the Illawarra.

Tour highlights: Mayfield Garden at Oberon, Abercrombie House, National Motor Racing Museum, Chifley Home, Hill End History Day and a lap around the famous Mt Panorama Racetrack!

FREECALL 1800 611

City of Canberra comes to HARS

support

because we need a fresh start to make sure our nurses, our teachers and our community aren't left behind.

We have relocated!

A run for birds

NRMA office to close

The closure of the Kiama NRMA office at the end of the month will mean locals wishing to renew their insurance policies will need to travel to Shellharbour or use NRMA’s online services.

Along with Kiama, the Wollongong office is closing at the same time, leaving only Nowra, Shellharbour and Woonona branches as the only offices in the region.

Dr

Dr Jonathan Bala

Dr Jacqueline Wong

Dr Abdel Mohamed

Dr Farjana Ahmed

Kiama’s Alexander Bezzina, 26, is attempting to run the entire length of New Zealand to raise money for its birds.

NZ has the 5th highest proportion of globally threatened bird species in the world, with 29 per cent threatened with extinction.

Alex says he’s “Just a Hobbit running across Middle Earth to save Aotearoa’s birds" – just a hobbit, not only because he’s a massive Lord of the Rings fan running across ‘Middle Earth’, but because a friend once told him he looked all hairy like one.

This ‘losthobbit1’ [his Instagram name] aims to raise $30,000 for the NZ wildlife charity Forest and Bird.

In eight weeks of running since February 1, Alex has raised nearly $15,000.

At last count, on Day 46, he was close to Auckland having covered 2,175km with just 825km to go. The going is wet and muddy and mentally tough.

Mum, Sue Bezzina, says the family are utterly in awe of his determination to run the 3,000km Te Araroa Trail and his commitment to raise awareness of the plight of NZ birds.

His dad Andrew is his support team, packing him lunch, stocking his snacks, washing his clothes and being there at the end of the day with some pasta (the Samwise to Alex’s Frodo).

“When I’m really struggling, he’ll usually walk a km or two with me. He’s incredible and I’m so lucky to have him with me.”

Alex, now living in Brisbane, is an environmental scientist who did his Masters research on a sub-species of the Kiwi. He chose to support Forest and Bird because it is NZ’s leading independent conservation organisation, partnered with Birdlife International.

www.thelosthobbit.run

by Perrie Croshaw

MUSIC FESTIVAl MUSIC FESTIVAl

Gerringong Gerringong

March 31 March 31 - April 2 - April 2

"Over the past few years, we've seen a significant decline in people visiting our NRMA Insurance branches as customers increasingly prefer to contact us online or over the phone," an NRMA Insurance spokesperson said.

"Unfortunately, we've had to make the difficult decision to close certain branches but NRMA Insurance will continue to have more than 60 branches across the state."

Jamberoo resident Bryan Fuller says every time he has called or visited the Kiama branch, it’s been busy.

“Every time I go into the store it’s normally a 10 minute wait in line and if you ring up, they are often too busy to take your call there and then because they are busy with other customers,” Bryan says.

“It doesn’t make sense when they say it’s not busy because they are.”

Bryan, who often visits the branch to pay his accounts or get advice on insurance, has

trouble using NRMA’s online services.

“They [Kiama branch staff] are always helpful. They sympathise with you and if you have a problem, they will do their best to fix it and normally they do,” he says.

“That’s the difference between talking to someone and trying to do it online. And when you fail there, it normally takes you three hours on the phone.”

The nearest branch for locals will be located inside the Shellharbour Stockland Mall.

“It sounds as though it’s not far away but it is quite a long way away and it’s in the big complex which means the parking is not as convenient as Kiama,” Bryan says. “People I have spoken to have said if they shut it, they will drop their membership and shift their insurance. I will certainly be tempted myself and I’ve been a member of the NRMA more than 50 years.”

According to the NRMA Insurance spokesperson, NRMA will issue a letter to customers who have visited the branch in the last 12 months to notify them where their nearest branch is and how to use their online services.

NRMA roadside services are not impacted by the changes.

by Cassandra Zaucer

info @ www.surflifemusicfestival.com.au info @ www.surflifemusicfestival.com.au

PACIFIC AVENUE : TEX PERKINS & MATT walker : Brett connellan

PACIFIC AVENUE : TEX PERKINS & MATT walker : Brett connellan

Live Music at Live Music at Gerringong Town Hall Gerringong Town Hall

friday from 4pm ($55) friday from 4pm ($55)

Tex Perkins & Matt Walker Tex Perkins & Matt Walker

El Grande, salt & steele, El Grande, salt steele, Frank Sultana Frank Sultana

The Sunbears, denim on her The denim on her

Saturday From 3pm ($55) Saturday From 3pm ($55)

Pacific Avenue Pacific Avenue

Talks, music and markets Talks, music and markets

ssaturday aturday Sth Werri Reserve Sth Werri Reserve from 9am free from 9am free 11am brett connellan, shark attack 11am brett connellan, shark attack survivor. Nothing is more powerful survivor Nothing is more powerful than a second chance at life than a second chance at life.

Classic Surf Car Show Classic Surf Car Show

ssaturday aturday Sth Werri Reserve Sth Werri Reserve 9-2pm free 9-2pm free

Street busking Street busking

ssaturday aturday Fern St, Gerringong Fern St, Gerringong 9-12pm free 9-12pm free

Val Ceruli, Ren Steele, Tayah Larsen, Val Ceruli, Ren Steele, Tayah Larsen, Calcite, Jack Rose Calcite, Jack Rose

yoga for surfers yoga for surfers

saturday Sth Werri Reserve saturday Sth Werri Reserve 8am free 8am

sandcastle comp sandcastle comp

ssaturday aturday Sth Werri beach Sth Werri beach

10am free 10am free for the young and young at heart! for the young and young at heart! Bring your bucket and spade! Bring your bucket and spade! Hosted by Dave Evans Prizes for Hosted by Dave Evans. Prizes for the best sandcastles! best sandcastles!

live music at the bowlo live music at the bowlo saturday from 12pm saturday from 12pm

Mac Tango, calcite, Noon Shift, Polly

Dos Enos, Bronte Alva, Dead Witch, Dos Enos, Bronte Alva, Dead Witch, Mac Tango, calcite, Noon Shift, Polly

Bring your Surf car or van along Bring your Surf car or van along to SurfLife and enjoy live music to SurfLife and enjoy live music

join a free yoga session with Kurt join a free yoga session with Kurt Ogilvie who specialises in mobility Ogilvie who specialises in mobility and surf yoga and surf yoga

ffree ree

Tommy Gun, The Appointments

Hazelton, Coast Phonik and Azza-D

Hazelton, Coast Phonik and Azza-D

smoking ceremony smoking ceremony

saturday Sth Werri Reserve saturday Sth Werri Reserve 9 30am 9.30am

SurfBoard Swap Meet SurfBoard Swap Meet

ssaturday aturday Sth Werri Reserve Sth Werri Reserve 9-2pm FREE 9-2pm FREE

Bring your old boards to sell, Bring your old boards to sell, swap or buy swap or buy

her wave surf Comp her wave surf Comp

saturday & sunday saturday & sunday

Jones Beach, kiama Jones Beach, kiama

8am - 3pm free 8am - 3pm free

a surf event is for women of a surf event is women of all ages and abilities all ages and abilities

Tommy Gun, The Appointments Double Barrel, Jack Rose Double Barrel, Jack Rose

sunday from sunday from 11pm pm

ffree ree

Electric Ginger, Electric Ginger, SCR DJ SCR DJ Negative Space, Traffic Control Negative Space, Traffic Control

We’re supporting Gareth Ward because...

“From the Albion Park Rail bypass, to the Berry bypass. From the Gerringong upgrade to the new Shoalhaven River Bridge, Gareth has turned words into action and he gets things done.”

“Gareth has supported our local small businesses in the Kiama CBD during COVID lockdowns. He understands the importance of local family run businesses.”

Clayton Comber

Small Business Owner

“Gareth is an excellent local MP, he listens to locals, works hard and gets things done for our Kiama community.”

John Pearce Local Kiama Resident

“Gareth has secured funding for many projects in Jamberoo from the sporting fields precinct to Jamberoo RFS and the rotunda in Reid Park – he has been a strong advocate for Jamberoo.”

Resident

“Gareth is a fighter for Kiama. He is very caring, listens to and responds to the needs of seniors.”

“Gareth worked hard with me to secure funding to deliver the Whale Watching Platform and the Minnamurra Bike Skills Track which have been real game changers for local youth and families.”

Mark Way

Local Kiama Downs Resident, Former Kiama Councillor

Authorised by Gareth Ward, PO Box 2055, Bomaderry NSW 2541

Bobbie East Local Kiama Resident

Kiama

Vivienne Marris Local Kiama

Marlene Miller Local Kiama Resident

Bundanon celebrates its 30th anniversary and new season with

a weekend of celebration

Established in 1993, Bundanon was gifted to the Australian people by Arthur and Yvonne Boyd, representing one of the most significant acts of philanthropy in the history of the arts in Australia.

Over the last 30 years Bundanon has honoured the Boyd commitment to engage the public in a deeper understanding of the work of living artists through its extensive artist residencies, education programs and contemporary art exhibitions. In bringing the Merric Boyd collection into conversation with the practice of three contemporary Australian artists, fantastic forms and its opening weekend festivities are a fitting celebration for Bundanon’s 30th birthday.

Saturday 1 April:

New exhibition opens

Opening weekend celebrations for fantastic forms begin with a day of free festivities and live performances, including free entry to the new Art Museum.

Commencing at noon with a ‘Welcome to Country’ by Uncle Gerry Moore and opening speech by Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips MP. From 1pm, hear Collections Manager Jennifer Thompson

talk on Merric Boyd’s ceramics and colourful drawings or take part in all-ages sculpture workshop Impossible Things

The afternoon will round off with a series of live performances led by renowned international solo pianist and chamber musician Bernadette Harvey, followed by cellist and rising star Richard Narroway and one of Australia's foremost improvising musicians, drummer Chloe Kim.

About fantastic forms

The exhibition features over 200 works by Merric Boyd from the Bundanon Collection in dialogue with new large-scale sculptures by Nabilah Nordin, a series of ceramic figures by Stephen Benwell and stop-motion videos by emerging Bundjalung artist Rubyrose Bancroft.

Beginning with Merric Boyd’s idiosyncratic approach to artmaking, fantastic forms expands on his well-known ceramic work into his energetic and playful drawing practice, all of which was underpinned by the spiritual philosophy of love and connection that ran through his life and work.

Sunday 2 April:

Celebrating 30 years

Bundanon’s 30 year anniversary will be marked by a special 90 minute anniversary afternoon concert starring acclaimed performers Bernadette Harvey (piano) and Diana Doherty (oboe).

Bernadette Harvey was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2000 for her contribution to Australian Music.

Harvey has won many accolades since her first medal in a Sydney Eisteddfod at the age of two and a half, including the ABC ‘Young Performer of the Year’ in 1987.

Joining Harvey is Sydney Symphony Orchestra principal oboist Diana Doherty. Amongst several achievements, Doherty was awarded first prize at the Prague Spring international competition in 1991.

Also on Sunday Curator

Sophie O’Brien will lead roaming artist talks with fantastic forms artists Nabilah Nordin and Stephen Benwell from 11am-12pm.

Melbourne-based artist Stephen Benwell is amongst Australia’s most distinguished ceramicists, known for his contemporary perspective on traditions of beauty and art-historical influences.

Benwell’s work has been included in Melbourne Now at the National Gallery of Victoria and a major retrospective survey of his work was held at Heide Museum of Modern Art.

Nordin’s installations embrace wonky craftwork, playfully celebrating the visceral and anthropomorphic qualities of materials.

Nordin’s upcoming solo exhibitions include Corinthian Clump, 'The National' at the Art Gallery of NSW and Melbourne Now 2023.

Concert: Boyd Education Centre, overlooking the Shoalhaven River from 2pm sharp. Tickets start from $20.00 for concession. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Talks: 11am-12pm. General Admission for this event is $18 with museum entry included.

fantastic forms

1 APRIL - 18 JUNE

Merric Boyd

Nabilah Nordin

Stephen Benwell

Rubyrose Bancroft

Pre-order a picnic from Ramox café at bundanon.com.au

Food and coffee trucks also on site

Merric Boyd, Blue landscape, 1950, watercolour & pencil on paper. Bundanon Collection.

Anniversary Concert: Bernadette Harvey (left) & Diana Doherty

Photos: Courtesy of the artists

Photo: Rachael Tagg

OUR PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

Only Dominic Perrottet and Melanie Gibbons have a long-term plan to keep NSW moving forward.

Our Plan means:

Growing our economy – and we’ll do it without taxing you more.

Reducing the pressure on household budgets.

Investing in our frontline services for the long-term.

Empowering local communities.

Dominic Perrottet Premier of New South Wales

Appliance Repairs

CVC Appliances: Repairs to washing machines, stoves, dishwashers, dryers etc. Phone: 0401 294 810

Bricklaying

Over 40 yrs experience. Small jobs, brick fences, letter boxes & brick repairs. Fully licenced. R77154

Terry 0400 359 790

Concreting

Lay 1 4 U Concreting Services: Slabs, house and sheds, footing, paths and drives, colour stencil, stamp exposed. 40 yr exp. t Ron 0414 724 221. Fully insured.

No job too small! LN139098C

Clean-up Services

Rubbish/Junk removed - Tip runs. We recycle your tip waste. High Pressure cleaning. Call Ian: 0497 042 441

Draftsman/Building Designs

Development Applications. Complying Developments

New houses. Duplexes. Alterations & Additions. Decks. 25+ years experience. Michael Laidler 0410 126 354

Electrical Services

Paul Risby: Residential - Commercial - Industrial 24 Hour Call Out Service. Call 0497 001 175 LN: 109635C

Garden Services

About Lawns & Gardens: for services including Mowing, Garden Clean-Ups, Regular Maintenance, Weed Control, Pruning, Hedging, Planting, Mulching, Fertilising & Rubbish Removal. Matthew 0479 101 474

Local Pure Organic Compost delivered and spread.

Weekend/evenings $150/m3 $250/2m3 0448 335 586

Handymen

Kiama Property Maintenance & Carpentry: Decks, Pergolas, Windows, Painting, Plaster repairs. All your maintenance needs & carpentry.

John O’Donnell LIC#R77219 t 0401 301 620

Handyman South Coast: Trade qualified for painting, carpentry, plastering, pressure cleaning, all repairs & renovations. 'Fast, fixed, fabulous!'

Danny Fagan: 0407 118 311

Painting

Beasant Painting & Decorating: Interior & Exterior, New Builds, Repaints, Timber & Deck Maintenance

Lic 183642 Steve: 0424325580 Melissa: 0414534990

Col Whitehurst Painting: Qualified, Reliable, Honest, Insured. Interior. Exterior. Heritage. Free quotes. 0400 135 128

Plumbing

RBP: Plumbing, drainage and gas fitting. Blocked drains a specialty! Call Ross 0435 125 750 Lic:262955c

Stonemasonry

BR Stonemasonry & Heritage Services: All aspects of stonemasonry, contact Brad Rimmer at T: 0401 337 629 Lic: 292667C

Window cleaning

Flash Window Cleaning: Window cleaning internal/ external; full gutter service; building washes; pressure cleaning; venetian blinds; and solar panel cleaning. For a free quote, call Jamie 0448 714 374

ask them:

Ask your candidate, if elected, what are their plans for Jamberoo Mountain Road?

It’s the NSW State election this weekend and although our local council elections are a year or so behind us, I doubt there is a single councillor who won’t remember how it feels.

We recall the anxiousness, the sheer mental effort and the excitement that our state candidates are experiencing right now.

After Saturday, we’ll know who we’ll be working with for the next four years. In the leadup, if you’re looking to quiz your potential State representatives on how they’ll represent local issues, here’s what I’d suggest you

It was a state road, but the government abdicated ownership, now we must beg, cap in hand to receive funding for repairs. We need the state’s help, if not to take it back, to provide enough money to go beyond repairing this vital arterial road. We need to rebuild it better, so it will stay solid through the next downpour and the next decade.

Ask the party reps if their candidate will step up on water and sewerage. Our state-managed water and sewerage utilities, stormwater and water management systems have been allowed to deteriorate to a Dickensian state.

Poor health, overflows, a big pong and toilet paper bubbling up in the main street after every storm is unacceptable.

Easter services

Thursday 6 April

6.30pm – Kiama Uniting Church

7pm – Ss Peter & Paul, Kiama

Good Friday 7 April

8am – Kiama Anglican Church

8.30am – St Paul’s, M'murra

9am – Kiama Baptist Church

9.30am – Kiama Uniting Church

10am – Ss Peter & Paul, Kiama; Kiama Anglican Church; St Mary Star of the Sea, G'gong; St Matthew’s, Jamberoo

3pm – Ss Peter & Paul, Kiama

In terms of local planning, we must work with a set of local planning regulations that were made in Macquarie Street back in 1993. During the past 40 years, the legislation has had so many tweaks and stitched-up sections it looks Frankenstein.

Ask your candidate: will they be providing additional resources to work with councils to make a new fit-for-purpose system that is sympathetic to our needs and not just the needs of developers? And while they’re at it, what will they do to improve the NSW Planning Portal to enable it to deliver efficiencies and reduce costs for councils?

We live in a lovely spot, and thankfully many of us have secure housing, but we’re in the midst of a state-wide housing crisis. Housing is a basic human need and key to a healthy, prosperous and equitable society.

and local businesses, particularly in regional areas such as ours?

Will they invest in training and professional development beyond the metro areas? And what initiatives will they instigate to assist local farmers, businesses and the visitor economy?

We also need investment in better waste, recycling, green power and circular economy solutions.

You can be assured that, whoever is elected, your Mayor and the Council will work with them closely, collaboratively and tirelessly to achieve great outcomes for our area. Best of luck to all who are running.

Focusing on further action

from page 1

Easter Saturday 8 April

7.30pm – Ss Peter & Paul, Kiama

Easter Sunday 9 April

6am – Combined Churches

Dawn Service at Blowhole Point

7.30am – Ss Peter & Paul, Kiama

8am – Kiama Anglican Church

8.30am – St Paul’s, M'murra

9am – Kiama Baptist Church

9.30am – Kiama Uniting Church; Ss Peter & Paul, Kiama; St Matthew’s, Jamberoo; St Mary Star of the Sea, G'gong

10am – Kiama Anglican Church

6pm – Kiama Anglican Church

Ask how your candidate plans to work with Kiama Council on design, masterplanning and the acquisition of appropriate sites while retaining our valued green spaces.

Also, what can they do to ensure our children and key workers are not priced out of local markets?

Tell your candidate that your council and communities across our LGA are suffering from the impacts of skills and labour shortages, which slow economic recovery and hamper productivity. Will they invest in initiatives to attract and retain skilled labour to local government

Council's CEO, Jane Stroud, says SIP 2 is "heavily finance and asset focused, and continues on the journey we started."

The Business Papers also reveal the lifeline that the sale of Akuna Street has provided to Council.

As late as December last year, when the sale had still not been settled, the NSW Audit Office asked Council to consider a Letter support to assist its going concern status.

The only other time this has happened, with Central Coast Council, Treasury was asked to guarantee a financial bailout.

"Prior to the Akuna settlement, the books were critical," says Ms Stroud.

The Audit Office has since informed Council that a qualification pertaining to going concern will not be required.

"The improvement of Council financially and administratively, plus the improvements that are planned, have given the Audit Office a good reason not to question our status as a going concern," says Ms Stroud.

Qualifications regarding records and internal systems will remain on the accounts.

In other welcome news, the long overdue audited accounts for 2020/1 look set to be finalised and presented to the April Meeting of Council.

That will give a starting balance for the accounts for the 2021/2 year, which unusually are to be audited by the Audit Office itself.

Approval for events at Greyleigh

Greyleigh, a luxury accommodation venue on Long Brush Road at Jerrara, has received approval to target the destination wedding market.

“We are targeting the top end of the market, there isn’t anything comparable down here,” says the new General Manager, Hamish McCallum, who has 25 years’ experience in the weddings, events and hospitality industry.

“This is going to be great for local employment and a boost for local businesses,” says Erica Warren, Greyleigh’s Accommodation and Venue Manager.

“We estimate it will generate $3.9 million in additional spending for other businesses in the region – including

accommodation providers, florists, hairdressers, caterers and the like.”

She says this is on top of a typical wedding of 120 people directly employing a minimum 50 people on site.

Since the renovation of the historic homestead, the venue has aspired to host weddings and other events but it has taken time to get the approval, given concerns about noise and traffic.

Greyleigh has now received approval for the temporary use of the farm to hold 52 events for up to 250 people a year, in marquees with all facilities in temporary structures.

The permission isn’t restricted to weddings, and may include corporate or

Rosemary's joy of life

Rosemary Kariuki, OAM –the Australian Local Hero of 2021 – will be at the Kiama Farmers' Market next week selling and signing her recently published memoir, A Joyful Life

Rosemary’s story is remarkable. As a young girl in 1999, she fled sexual abuse, rape, family abuse and tribal violence in Kenya and arrived in Australia with no friends to a strange culture.

Within two decades, she received her national honours for her work helping migrants facing isolation, domestic violence, language barriers and financial distress.

Rosemary says, “I wrote this book to bring empowerment, solace, wisdom, hope, and information to refugees, asylum seekers and minorities all around the world, especially women, to show that even through your darkest and gloomy times, you can persevere and regain your internal strength many have within them.”

Easter fun

Following their successful Christmas Carnival, the Kiama Anglican Churches are hosting an Easter Fun Day for families with young children.

As well as an Easter egg hunt, there will be a donut van, arts and craft activities, a movie zone and kids’ fun zone.

Friend Maria Baden, a Gerringong farmer and Kiama’s Citizen of the Year in 2022, featured in the film about her work, Rosemary’s Way, which was partly about a trip to Gerringong and Kiama.

“I think the title of her memoir sums her up. No matter how bleak the situation is, Rosemary raises you up, she never loses that sense of the joy of life.”

Catch Rosemary near the Schottlander stall on Wednesday March 29, Kiama Farmers' Market, 3-6pm by Perrie Croshaw

community events or art exhibitions or workshops, and is valid for five years.

The approval does not cover the use of existing sheds or the barn, of which their website describes as, “Originally a dairy shed established in the 1800's, since re-purposed into a decadent indoor

wedding reception venue.”

“We are confident we have the operational plans in place to make things run smoothly,” says Hamish. “We have established good relationships with our neighbours and wish to maintain them.”

In addition to parking being

provided on site, traffic control and a bus service will be available for larger events.

The property doesn’t qualify for the new agri-tourism program, which makes it easier for activities like these to be established, as it does not have the right farm classification.

“We encourage parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to come and engage with the kids. That was the best part of the Christmas Carnival," says Marc McLaren, a member of the church community and one of the organisers of the event.

Last year’s event brought in over 200 people but Marc is expecting pull in a much bigger crowd this time around.

Kiama Anglican Churches, Sunday 2 April, 1-4pm. Free.

At the Jazz & Blues Festival

A scorcher of a weekend didn't stop music lovers enjoying an amazing array of concerts. “The whole town came alive, and it is such a good feeling to see people of all ages and stages benefiting from the arts and music and enjoying our beautiful township,” says organiser Becky Guggisberg. Save the date for next year: 8-10 March 2024!

MONDAY

BINGO 10.30am Kiama Kash Prizes

TUESDAY CASH TRIVIA 6.30pm Free to play HAPPY HOUR 5 - 6pm

WEDNESDAY

MEMBERS CASH 3-Draws 5.30 - 6.30pm (Only members signed into the club after 2pm enter draw) HAPPY HOUR 5 - 6pm

THURSDAY

BINGO 10.30am Kiama Kash Prizes

POKER $1000 Game 6pm Entry $25

FRIDAY

POKER $1000 Game 7pm Entry $25

VOUCHER RAFFLE 5.30pm

SATURDAY

MUSIC 8.30pm

SUNDAY

MEAT & MORE RAFFLE 5.30pm

MUSIC 4.30pm

STAN CRAPP FUNERALS

Neil and Wendy Reilly (left and centre), with Nina Brathetland, Brett Allatt and Gitte Backhausen

Jacky Sloan, Stefan and Ingrid Buchner and Anna Timbs

Deb McPherson, Jane Sherlock and Jenny Green

Peter and Heather O'Neil

New residents Vashti Taverner and Paul Warren

Kel Grey and Ian Harvey-George

THE BUGLE CROSSWORD

43. The oldest Queen consort at the start of hubby’s reign

44. Actor’s speech heard by the audience but supposedly not by other characters

DOWN

1. A small arthropod animal that has six legs and generally one or two pairs of wings

2. Habitually or typically occurring or done; customary

3. Bank hole in the wall (1,1,1)

4. Device that transfers heat from a colder area to a hotter area by using mechanical energy, as in a refrigerator (4,4)

5. Line that joins the opposite corners of a square

6. On approx The Bugle print date 22/03/23: Day = Night

7. Right angle triangle maths: The square of the --------- is the sum of the squares of the other two sides

ACROSS

3. Mass of snow, ice and rocks falling rapidly down a hillside

5. Male formal evening clothing (6,4)

8. First NZer to climb Mt Everest

11. Mum’s name in the television Heeler family with daughters Bluey & Bingo

12. Athletics event that features the Flosbery Flop (4,4)

13. If someone is not in then they are ---

14. Name of rockpool at end of Old School Flat at Kiama Harbour

16. Colour of middle traffic light

19. In a race if you came eighth of eight contestants where did you come

20. Scuba diver

23. Adjective that when combined with Gun means the strongest kind of circumstantial evidence

25. One who shoots arrows

27. Some people would go to the ------- of an envelope

On Your Side.

I am your representative in the Australian Parliament. I can help with issues like Medicare, Centrelink, aged care and pensions, the NDIS, Veterans’ Affairs and community grants. I can also arrange special birthday and anniversary messages, and information for pensioners and seniors. You can contact me on 4423 1782.

29. Railway station as close to the beach as it gets

32. City holding the 2024 Olympics

33. One who looks after a flock of sheep (not the dog)

34. Brown undersea vegetation

38. Violent disturbance of the peace by a crowd

39. Roy Rogers’ horse, and what you pull on a gun

41. Handgun

42. Which English prince is now known as Duke of Edinburgh

9. Volume of live Rock n Roll music

10. Person who cultivates grapes for a living

15. First Nepalese to climb Mt Everest

17. Egyptian/Greek goddess. Mother of all gods.

18. An ammunition storage and feeding device for a repeating firearm

21. Liberals candidate for the seat of Kiama

22. Smooth-bore gun for firing small shot at short range

24. Northernmost coastal

river in the Municipality

26. One who rides race

horses

28. French for black

30. Oldest monarch at the start of his/her reign

31. Southernmost coastal creek in the Municipality

35. School student

36. Slang for mescaline

37. Largest continent

40. Supernatural being

Is

Both! Being outdoors is important for normal vision development, particularly for children and adolescents, where outdoor time has been shown to reduce likelihood of myopia. Importantly, this does not mean being in the sun, just being outside is protective against myopia.

But, we all know the effect of ultraviolet light (UV) on our skin, and it can have ageing effects on our eyes too. Excessive UV light can cause eye surface problems like eyelid skin cancers, as well as growths on the surface of the eye called pinguecula and pterygia.

Deeper in the eye, cloudiness of the lens called cataract is probably infl uenced by UV light exposure. UV is a major contributor to macular degeneration, and is second only to smoking as a causative factor.

The good news is that all these problems can be prevented by wearing appropriate eyewear. Wrap sunglasses are important to protect the eye’s surface. For people with macular degenaration I recommend sunglasses are worn even when the sun is low in the sky, as more UV light makes it through to the back of the eye than when the sun is overhead.

Crossword compiled by Steve Law. Correspondence welcome to crossword@ thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Off to conquer the world

Going to Vietnam with a great bunch of friends was reason enough to smile –having the opportunity to experience the food culture and the taste sensations took that smile to a whole new level.

Our two weeks included Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay.

Out of a long list, the food adventure highlight had to be our evening XO Foodie Tour in Ho Chi Minh City.

An all-female motorbike food tour that has been giving thousands of women the opportunity to work in tourism since 2010.

These ladies were amazing. They could zig zag through any snarl of traffic, point out the sights and keep up a running commentary whilst having an excited tourist on the back of their motorbike.

It was five hours of discovering hidden alleyways and popular street stalls, food markets in China Town and where the locals eat.

Having an authentic Pho (Fuh) soup was my breakfast of choice, enjoyed every morning of our stay.

The tastes varied so much for location to location. Each morning the Pho soup was fragrant and oh-so tasty.

My favourite was in Hoi An, prepared by lovely locals that were part of the staff at the villa where we stayed.

Although it was hard to

beat the backdrop for the Pho soup breakfast on our cruise on Ha Long Bay.

Hoi An was also the location of Morning Glory, an iconic restaurant in the ancient town area. The menu featured wonderous dishes such braised duck leg in coconut juice; clam curry; cinnamon beef brisket stew; pork belly with five spice and caramel sauce… all so good and so different.

The Red Bridge Cooking School evening cooking class was another highlight there. All eight of us chopped, chatted, prepared

and cooked before sitting down to enjoy grilled ocean fish in banana leaves; spring rolls Hoi An style and Hoi An beef salad.

So delicious and dishes we will make at home for sure.

Moving onto Hanoi the food highlight had to be the Bun Cha lunch we had in a very unassuming street (a dish of grilled pork and noodles and the most delicious dipping sauce).

After lining up in an alleyway we were finally seated in a tiny room that was packed to capacity with locals.

Your knees were literally

up around your ears – it was that packed! The food was being cooked in the alleyway by a bunch of beautiful ladies and the aromas were out of this world. For lunch and a few beers for $8 each! We're already talking about our next visit to Vietnam. For amazing food, friendly lovely people and value for money, it’s a must do travel location.

Tricia Ashelford, Kiama

Kiama’s 25 year old Jarad Boniface, the current Australian A Grade Motorcycle Trial 2 Champion, is packing his bags and flying to Spain to conquer the sport internationally.

Trial is a sport of concentration, balance and skill where competitors ride a motorbike over an obstacle course of boulders, logs, streams and more.

“It’s quite a unique sport and not like any other form of motorcycling that is determined by speed or racing,” Jarad says.

Abroad, Jarad will be riding in various prestigious events such as the Scottish Six Days Trial in May and the Scott Trial in October, which is regarded as the most famous one day trial in the world.

He will also be an assistant for a rider in this year’s World Trials Championships, before being a competitor

himself in 2024.

“Competing in the World Championships is my next goal and as soon as that’s finished I am hoping to come back home and win the Australian Trial 1 Championship, the premier class championship in Australia,” he says. Jarad was born into the sport and has been riding for almost as long as he has been walking.

“I am the third generation in my family to compete in Trials,” he says.

“I am using my life savings to back myself and support my dream. I would love some support from the community if people are willing to help. I would also love to run some sponsor logos on my gear and bike.”

Email jarodboniface@ gmail.com to become a sponsor or donate to his gofundme page https://rb.gy/i3ygdr

by Cassandra Zaucer

Three generations: Les, Gary and Jarad Boniface