Scrutiny on Council accounts p3
Local action on Afghanistan p3
COVID Shots for Safe Shops p7
Events to look forward to
Local author tops US Amazon p11
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4 SEPT 2021
Gold for Amanda
Three time Paralympian when she trains here, I’ve cyclist Amanda Reid only been known to have a ‘ridlives in Gerringong for er ahead’ or ‘rider behind’ part of the year, but we are sign on my windscreen as claiming her as a local. I follow her to make sure She is bringing home everything’s okay during the Gold Medal and a her ride.” world record after an outWhen Amanda isn’t standing ride in the C1-3 training with coach Tom 500m Time Trial Cycling Dawson, she spends Paralympics event. some of her time snowThe 24 year old clocked boarding and living in the in 38.487 seconds to win. Snowies. Amanda not only broke “She trains for cycling her own world record with Tom, who mentors which was previously her as well, and they like 38.918 but she was also to go on the outdoor track the only rider in the whole at Unanderra and do the event to finish under 39 rides around Wollonseconds. gong,” says Katherine. Amanda’s mother Kath“But she also finds by erine was thrilled. going down to the snow “It’s absolutely fantastic, she gets the opportunity words simply can’t sum it to do altitude training and up,” she says. the snowboarding keeps “It was even more her fit and makes her special with the world remuscles work.” cord – it was like a double There is no stopping win for her. now for Amanda who has “I admit as a parent it her sights set on another did seem very different to Gold medalist, Amanda Reid Credit: Mathilde Dusol supplied by Paralympics Australia gold medal at the Paris see Amanda’s face on the TV. “Amanda cycled on the gold medal. 2024 Paralympics. “That’s when it hit home track and the road when She divides her time living “Amanda is still only 24 so how much Amanda has she was little but because in and training between Gerrin- I think she still has capacity matured and how sport has competition cycling you can’t gong, Sydney and the Snowy to compete in another two enabled her to travel the compete internationally until Mountains. Games,” says Katherine. world, as well as helping with you’re eighteen, she couldn’t When in Gerringong she “She has said she’d love to her personal development.” get classified as a young lives with her grandparents, be able to do five Games if Amanda, who has cerebral cyclist so she decided to Christine and Tom Gallagher. her body holds up. palsy and an intellectual imfocus on her swimming,” says “I was beside myself when “As she’s getting older, she’s pairment, is now a five time Katherine. she won,” says Christine. understanding more about para-cycling world champi“It was only when she “The number of things that how her body works with her on as well as a three time came across her old cycling Amanda has been through in disabilities.” Paralympian. jersey from about age seven her life is absolutely amazing Her proud mum says it After competing in the that she thought to give and she has always come out is still only just sinking in London 2012 Paralympic cycling a go again.” on the other side. that Amanda is the reigning Games in the S14 100 metre Amanda is a Guringai and “Her timetable changes so Paralympic champion and breaststroke, she transition- Wemba Wemba woman, and much but she’s got a home world record holder. ed to cycling ahead of the has made Paralympics hishere with us when she stays by Jack Wallner Rio 2016 Games, where she tory as the first Indigenous throughout the year. won a Silver Medal. Australian to win a cycling “I’ve got a bright red car so
Draft Harbour Action Plan: shaped by people power
In what Councillor Mark Way sees as a victory for people power, the new Draft Kiama Harbour Revitalisation Action Plan keeps the boat ramp in its current position and retains the public car park by the Rock Pool. “We have achieved our two major objectives,” he says. “There is no other viable location for the boat ramp. It is a win for sanity, brought about by people power. “They started off on the wrong foot by not talking to the right people in the first consultation.” Two hundred and thirteen individual submissions were received on the draft Revitalisation Framework, and
the result it that a number of long term options (such as the building of breakwalls) are not included in the Draft Action Plan, out for comment until 10 September. “The overwhelming sentiment from the feedback received highlighted the importance of the Harbour to local residents, nearby communities and tourists,” said NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings on the release of Draft. “A number of key issues were raised, including the importance of the Men’s Baths [Rock Pool], the need to maintain the existing character and charm of Kiama continued on p4