The Bugle 9 September 2017
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
Kiama to be Hull FC’s home away from home Hull FC is to use Kiama as its training base when it comes to Australia to play the Wigan Warriors in the first English Super League match to be played outside of Europe. Hull is one of the oldest clubs in rugby league. Founded over 150 years ago, and one of the original Northern clubs to split from rugby union, it is well known for its dedicated fans, and black and white kit. Hull FC was named 2016 Super League Club of the Year for its great success on the field as well as off it, winning the 2015 and 2016 Challengers Cups. Former Wigan and England fullback, and now Wigan Executive
Director, Kris Radlinski was in Kiama for the announcement that the Sebel Harbourside has been chosen to host the 50 strong Hull contingent. His side is basing themselves at the Novotel in Wollongong and, as Wigan was the instigator of the initiative, he wanted to give his personal seal of approval to the arrangements made for Hull. “We’ve taken a risk coming out here, but I’m confident it is going to be a great success,” he says. “The facilities are tremendous and the fans are going to love it out here.” Because where these team go, their loyal fans will follow. Continued on page 5
industry participants being involved as members. “Tourism is the main driver of the local economy. We all need to be part of a team working together,” he says. He is hopeful membership will rise to double that of the old Kiama Tourism. “I encourage all businesses and organisations to become members, because all will benefit from a strong tourism industry. Be part of the change that is happening.” Given the time that it has taken to implement the changeover, including appointing Karen Ronning as the Tourism & Events Man-
Results of the Kiama Art Society Exhibition p3 Jamberoo DCP update p3 Five reasons to get along to Folk By The Sea p5 Foster Care Week p6 Spring clean events p8
Gerringong’s rugby league legend Mick Cronin with Wigan’s Kris Radlinski and Sebel Harbourside General Manager Craig Hardy
Introducing Destination Kiama Recent changes to the way tourism is promoted and managed in the Kiama area have resulted in a new name: Destination Kiama. “This more clearly aligns us with the efforts of Destination NSW and will help provide a seamless transition in our marketing,” says the Chair of Kiama Council’s Tourism Advisory Committee, Councillor Matt Brown. While responsibility for tourism promotion now lies with Council, rather than the industry run Kiama Tourism, Cllr Brown says the success of the new structure will rely heavily on
Inside this issue
ager, Destination Kiama is offering its first year memberships at pro rated rates. Membership ranges from $90 to $360, with a variety of benefits attached to each level of membership. As yet, a decision has not been made on the best organisational structure for staffing Destination Kiama on an on-going basis. Former Kiama Tourism staff are continuing in their roles at the Visitors Centre. “We have been focused on developing a strategy for going forward, which will be unveiled to members at our next Tourism After Hours
event in early October,” says Cllr Brown. Members will have three weeks to digest the document’s contents before being given the opportunity to give feedback at discussion sessions to be held on 26 October. “We want to incorporate their feedback before the strategy is presented to Council’s November meeting for endorsement. “It is important for members to be fully engaged with what we are trying to achieve, and how we are going to go about it.” Cllr Brown says that now all of Council’s events budget has
been rolled into the tourism budget, Destination Kiama now has a combined overall budget of $900,000. “By putting all of the resources together, we now have a good budget to move forward,” he says. An endorsed Tourism strategy will enable Council’s forward budget to take new initiatives into account. Having always advocated the importance of events in bringing visitors to our area, Cllr Brown says he is keen to help existing ones, like the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival and the Kiama Sevens, move to the next level.
We’re 3! As The Bugle enters its fourth year, we’d like to thank our advertisers for their support and our readers for their loyalty and encouragement. We continue to believe our community needs a strong local paper to help it thrive. Thanks for being part of it. Cathy & Steve
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