The Bugle Newspaper 23 September 2023

Kiama Council re-elects Mayor Neil Reilly and Deputy Mayor Imogen Draisma

Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly and Deputy Mayor Imogen Draisma will remain in their roles until the next local government election after being re-elected during a Council meeting on 19 September.

Mayor Reilly ran unopposed and was re-elected as Mayor without the need for a vote. Speaking after his re-election, Mayor Reilly thanked his fellow councillors and staff for their support. “We’ve come on a particularly difficult journey as a council and as a community. We’ve had to make some pretty difficult decisions, but nothing

that comes easy is really and truly worthwhile,” Mayor Reilly said.

“What we’ve done in this council with our staff and with our councillors and the diligence they’ve shown and the dedication they’ve shown has got us to a point where we can see that there is going to be an end to the financial crisis that we found ourselves in. I’m very pleased to be able to say that I will be here to see that through.”

Deputy Mayor Draisma fended off a challenge from Councillor Jodi Keast, who was nominated for the role. Deputy Mayor

Draisma was re-elected, however, with five votes to four.

Deputy Mayor Draisma echoed Mayor Reilly’s sentiments, thanking her colleagues and council staff for their support.

“It has been a very challenging time, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my role as Deputy Mayor, working collaboratively with councillors and learning the ins and outs of local government in a very interesting time to work in that space,” Deputy Mayor Draisma said.

“I’ve enjoyed engaging with the commu-

nity in more ways than anyone could have considered in the past 18-plus months, and I’m very appreciative to continue in this role until we gather into an election period next year.”

Mayor Reilly and Deputy Mayor Draisma will remain in their roles until the NSW local election on 14 September 2024. Kiama residents will also be asked whether they would like to directly elect a Mayor, which would be implemented at the 2028 election if successful.

by Brendon Foye

E SCOOTERS IN KIAMA

By encouraging e-scooter to our LGA, we provide additional visitors and tourist to spend their dollars in our town, thus supporting our community. Not to mention we reduce carbon footprint and give convenience to those of us we just want to get tot her gym or the shop for milk etc.

Neville thought:"You only have to visit Brisbane and see the dangers of scooter riders with cars and pedestrians and the mass of damaged and abandoned scooters littering the streets. They pose no benefit to a small geographical location as Kiama."

kMC raises building limits

Kiama Council has taken the next step that could change Kiama’s appearance, lodging two separate town planning proposals: the Kiama Town Centre Planning Proposal and the Kiama Heritage Review Planning Proposal.

for a third of the area (17m) and the rest will remain at four storeys.

The Kiama Town Centre Planning Proposal will also increase the maximum floor space ratio for all three of these zones.

Wollongong is the first location in the Illawarra to trial e-scooters beginning Friday 29 September.

Neuron Mobility will deploy 300 of its orange e-scooters across the city as part of the trial which is expected to last for 12 months.

Riders can unlock an e-scooter through Neuron’s mobile app but must be at least 16 years old to ride. There’s also a raft of safety features and restrictions for riders: a helmet must be always worn (each e-scooter has one), and they can only be ridden on bicycle lanes, shared paths and roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h, or 10km/h on shared paths. They are not permitted on footpaths at all.

E-scooters are also equipped with geofencing technology, meaning their speed will be limited in certain areas or will lose power completely if taken out of the trial zone.

The trial zone includes sections of the Wollongong CBD, foreshore pathways as far north as Sandon Point, the University of Wollongong, TAFE West Wollongong, and the Innovation Campus, along with North Wollongong, Keiraville and Woonona. Privately owned e-scooters still cannot be used in these areas, however.

E-scooters have the po-

tential not only to reduce traffic congestion in city centres, but also bring down carbon emissions by reducing the number of combustion engines on the road.

Neuron Mobility says each of its e-scooters contributes $70,000 per year to the local economy, with riders spending $65 at local businesses per trip on average.

E-scooters haven’t gone without their detractors though. Privately-owned e-scooters are illegal in NSW due to safety risks on shared footpaths, and the potential for redundant and damaged vehicles to be abandoned en masse in public areas.

We want to hear what the Kiama community thinks about rolling out a similar trial in our LGA, so we started by asking our local representatives on council.

Councillor Matt Brown made his thoughts very clear: “Absolutely no e-scooters in or around Kiama. I would encourage people to walk or use their bike or e-bike or a normal scooter.”

“In relation to hiring, we have bikes for hire at Kiama Cycle. There is no appetite from Destination Kiama for the town to be littered with e-scooters and their inexperienced riders.”

Councillor Karen Renkema-Lang said she likes the idea of e-scooters: “They can be a lot of fun, and we

do need to be looking for activities that young people and families enjoy.

However, she still has some reservations based on trials in other locations and wants to hear what locals think first.

“For example, waterways have been littered with discarded hire e-bikes and e-scooters in Canberra and Melbourne.

In addition, a recent clinical study on e-scooters in Canberra found that ‘there were 623 hospital presentations from the mobility devices over 15 months, in which some 17 per cent of riders required surgical procedures.”

“Kiama's topology and the cost of upgrades necessary to the pathways and other infrastructure are barriers that would also need to be addressed.”

Councillor Mark Croxford had the opportunity to use an e-scooter in the Melbourne CBD and found them quite convenient, but still agreed with Councillor Matt Brown that other modes of transport should be prioritised.

“However, like Councillor Renkema-Lang, I'm interested in what our community thinks about this, as their input is crucial should Councillors be called upon to make an informed decision on this type of matter.

“As for safety concerns, I believe that personal responsibility should be a key term in any agreement between the user and the e-scooter provider. This would ensure that individuals are aware of the risks involved.

“In short, I'm open to the idea but think that community feedback is essential.”

The Bugle asked the community via our digital app platform and received many responses.

Metter believed the e scooter will benefit our community, in particular to reduce congestion on the Main Street and also relief of too little parking space.

And another: "We have just returned from a 3-month road trip including Darwin where they have e-scooters. In a tourist town these are really negative. They are left anywhere including across busy walkways, making the town untidy and looking not cared for. However, the biggest concern is safety. About 50 per cent of riders wear a helmet, they ride fast anywhere. At least 6 times we had to get off the footpaths to avoid collisions. Who would enforce good behaviour… our non-existent rangers at ratepayers expense?"

You are welcome to comment by email or on the app what you think. Are e-scooters a good idea for the Kiama LGA? Or will they cause more headaches than they’re worth? Let us know!

Blow your bugle

The Bugle has provided you with insightful local news and stories for the past seven years. As a small team, we strive to cover as many local stories as possible, but we can't be everywhere at once.

That's why we're excited to launch 'Blow Your Own Bugle'.

We want to hear from you! Is there someone in your community who has embarked on an important journey? Are you planning an upcoming event that you'd like to share? Has someone you know received a special award or recognition? Or do you have concerns about an issue affecting your town that you'd like to bring to our attention?

Your contributions will help us continue to provide you with quality local news and stories that matter.

We're eager to hear from you, so please send us an email at hello@thebuglenewspaper.com.au.

The Kiama Town Centre Planning Proposal was approved by Kiama Council back in September 2022 following extensive consultation with the community and has been substantially revised from its initial form.

The first provision is to increase the maximum permissible building height at specific sites in Terralong and Akuna Street.

Select areas on the southern side of Terralong Street between Thomson Street and Collins Street (the block across from the Kiama Leagues Club) will increase the maximum building height from three storeys (11m) to four storeys (14m).

Kiama Council noted in its business papers at the time that the rising topography behind this area means that the additional build height won’t cause anyone to lose their view.

The Centrepoint Shopping Mall will also increase its maximum building height to four storeys, but only on the corner of the site while the rest of the site remains at three storeys.

The Akuna Street car park, which Kiama Council is in the process of selling, will be allowed to go even higher. Approximately 20 percent of the build area will have a maximum build height of six storeys (21m), five storeys

Next is the Kiama Heritage Review Planning Proposal, which will establish two separate Heritage Conservation Areas in Kiama. The first is ‘Smiths Farm’ between Shoalhaven Street and Collins/Belvedere Streets from Akuna Street through to Seaview Street.

The second area will be the Kiama Town Centre Heritage Conservation Area which takes in sections of Manning, Terralong and Collins Streets.

Kiama Council will also add a handful of properties as heritage items, including the Blowhole Tennis Courts and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

Heritage Conservation Areas take into account multiple properties within an area that contribute to its significance, whether historical or otherwise. It doesn’t necessarily mean every property in the area has significant heritage value, but adds additional steps that any future developers need to take into consideration when building in the area.

The full list of proposed heritage properties is on the NSW Planning PortalWhile both plans have already been exhibited, you can still make submissions via the Planning Portal. by Brendon Foye

Minnamurra river under new threat from hospital build The Bugle's ViewBudget

that the sediment basins could be overwhelmed, causing generalised sediment and possible pollutant release into the fragile Minnamurra ecology during a flood. Increased rainfall, and increased high levels of flooding, are predicted to increase significantly even over the next five years, the period in which the Shellharbour hospital is being built.

Paul Keating famously characterised his 1988-89 Federal Budget as “bringing home the bacon”.

That Budget - which followed years of tough reforms and belt-tightening – spent big on welfare, education, housing and health.

In other words, it delivered in spades for Labor’s true believers.

achieve a surplus and pay off debt. Surprisingly, the Government is predicting a modest surplus of $844 million next financial year, though a lot of things will have to go right in order for that to happen.

to see some more money go to families to help with soaring power bills via increases to the Family Energy Rebate and the Seniors Energy Rebate.

‘Friends of the Minnamurra River’ (FOMR Inc.) has written to both the Shellharbour CEO Mike Archer and the Kiama Council CEO Jane Stroud and to both Mayors, Chris Homer and Neil Reilly, to express its concerns about controlled release of drainage water into the Minnamurra River from the building site for the new Shellharbour hospital at Dunmore.

These concerns have been supported by a new group of Shellharbour citizens, Jacqueline Forst, Greg Forst and Hazel Campbell. They have written to Shellharbour Council stating that no Environmental Impact Statement nor Climate Resilience Report has been submitted for the move of Shellharbour Hospital to the Dunmore site.

Some of the Shellharbour group have also questioned whether Dunmore is the wrong site for a new hospital and should be stopped completely. Jacqueline Forst stated that she heard one of the three wings, the pediatric wing, has been abandoned, which raises questions whether the whole project should is viable by the NSW Government as services decrease while cost and environmental concerns rise

The current plan will see many hundreds of tonnes of loose soil stored within 100 metres of the legally protected Minnamurra River, home to a number of threatened and endangered species.

The Shellharbour group in their letter stated, ‘The developer must notify the Commonwealth Government if the development is within 10km of a registered rainforest. There is no evidence of this notification in the documents submitted to the Council.”

In all the reports, the site description fails to mention the coastal wetlands and Minnamurra River, less than 800 metres downhill from the excavation site and 100 metres from the storage site.

FOMR Inc. strongly recommends that a margin of safety greater than the old “industry standard” should be added to contingency

plans to provide for the far more frequent and more intense rainfall events locally, with climate change predicted to intensify in the next two Summers as we enter an El Niño weather pattern. Its concerns are particularly focused on the claim that Kiama Council has not been informed of this controlled release, and that the building site has guaranteed no run-off water will enter the Boral sand mining pit next door.

FOMR Inc. is especially focused on the threat of

The Shellharbour Council hospital earthworks modifications assessment report also states that “The proposed civil plans provide details confirming that prior to discharge of site stormwater, groundwater and seepage water into Council’s stormwater system, contractors must undertake water quality tests in conjunction with a suitably qualified environment consultant.

A Shellharbour Council Environmental Impact Statement warned as early as 1988 that “Previous

In his first Budget as New South Wales Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey has done his best, but there’s just as many cuts as there are big-ticket spending items.

In this sense, Mookhey isn’t bringing home the bacon – he’s bringing home a couple of avocados.

The big-ticket items have been well publicised: pay rises for teachers and health workers, a new $3.6 billion Essential Services Fund to bolster public sector pay, $1.4 billion for new schools in the regions and $2.2 billion housing and infrastructure plan.

The spending cuts, too, have been prominently covered: pay freezes for bureaucratic fat cats, the drastic scaling back of the Active and Creative Kids vouchers, and the junking of the Powerhouse Museum redevelopment in Sydney.

Of course, The Bugle is most interested in what this Budget delivers for our readers and our region.

That’s why it’s good to see multiple investments in NSW regional infrastructure and services, like $438 million to hire 500 extra paramedics and $700 million to upgrade and maintain roads.

However, closer to home, the situation is a little more disappointing.

Thankfully the Government has re-committed to significant pre-existing infrastructure projects like the Shoalhaven and Shellharbour Hospitals and several significant road upgrades like the Mount Ousley and Jervis Bay Road intersections on the Princes Highway.

On the latter, it looks as if there’s less to cheer about. There’s $224 million for a new Essential Housing Package which, true to its name, will help support social housing and homelessness.

The South Coast will also share in $60 million to trial 100 “build-to-rent” dwellings, developed by the Government’s development company – Landcom.

As welcome as all this is, it’s The Bugle’s view that there’s still not enough being done to bring the Great Australian Dream back into reach for young people in our area.

climate change on increased flooding and that Shellharbour Council has not completed a Climate Resilience report but has relied on ‘outdated’ NSW standards.

The solutions FOMR is seeking are regular and publicised water quality tests of the drainage water, especially before and after any controlled water release into Minnamurra River, as specified in the Shellharbour Council assessment report. The Shellharbour Planning Assessment report states, “This water will be held in sediment basins and discharged in accordance with industry standards to existing culverts within the railway corridor on the eastern side of the highway and piped down into the Minnamurra River system.”

The proposed plan is to have “two sediment basins designed to hold rainfall for the 85th percentile fiveyear rain event, with the basins themselves designed to withstand a 10-year rain event”. This is compliant with the requirements of the industry standard guidelines for NSW.

FOMR supported concerns raised by Jacqueline Forst

studies indicate that these (Minnamurra River) wetlands are showing signs of environmental stress generally thought to be a result of urban and agricultural run-off and the effect of the garbage tips, sand mining activity and a night soil depot in the vicinity of Rocklow Creek.”

The hospital is being developed by the NSW Government Health Infrastructure Department, however its website for the hospital has not been updated for 10 months.

There has been previous criticism in Illawarra media of the hospital for not having a helipad or maternity ward, and timely emergency access to the hospital from Kiama is restricted as the old Dunmore Road railway crossing that still isn’t available to general traffic (only quarry traffic), adding up to a extra 20 minutes via the roundabout at Shellharbour Road. There have been plans to open the much quicker Dunmore Road route possibly only for emergencies.

by Mark Whalan

With the Budget in the red and net debt rocketing towards $180 billion in 2026, it’s easy to see why the Treasurer is moving to rein in spending.

Indeed, a poll published this week in the Sydney Morning Herald found 49 per cent of voters support reducing spending to

But as for new projects, it is slim pickings. The Government has directed Transport for NSW to “commence planning” on a number of projects – a process which will take years. It’s possible that the community won’t see projects like the Dapto M1 entry and exit ramps and the East Nowra Sub Arterial in this decade.

The Bugle is also interested in what this Budget does to address two issues which we’ve given countless column inches to in recent months: the cost of living and the housing crisis.

On the former, it’s good

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The Bugle is watching the Greater Cities Commission and Kiama Council with keen interest and in particular how their forthcoming housing targets are going to address housing and rental stress in the region.

As Business Illawarra states, the lack of affordable housing in the region is now quickly turning a social crisis into an economic crisis.

Following the success of our call out to readers on plans for a new offshore wind farm, The Bugle is doing the same in response to this Budget.

What did the Government get right? What did they get wrong? Have they done enough for our area?

Let us know your views, and we’ll keep the conversation going.

Local vandals prey on referendum signage in homes

On the morning of 17 September, several residents in Kiama and Gerringong awoke to find their ‘YES’ signs had been removed from their stakes and taken away. The signs are in support of the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which will go to a referendum vote on 14 October.

Kiama resident Barabara contacted The Bugle to express her dismay.

Local Kiama resident, Barbara, has contacted The Bugle to express her dismay, saying seven other residents she knows of had their signs removed. “I am very concerned about what is happening in our local area in regard to the theft and vandalism of Yes corflutes (signs) that people have erected on their private property. These Yes supporters are ordinary Australians who are passionate about this referendum and what it will mean for the history of our nation.”

Barbara maintains, “I am not saying that No voters as a whole are not equally concerned, but these types of attacks on the private property of

the young and the old are not on. It is not fair and threatens the democratic principles most of us are so proud of; it is the equivalent of the bully in the playground preying upon other children.”

“Although we have had random acts of vandalism before in regard to Yes signs, what happened on Sunday has taken it to another level,” Barbara asserts, adding “Since then I have heard of more random acts of vandalism, the bravado of offenders stimulated perhaps by the sight of signs down.”

These incidents were reported to the local police on Monday, who are investigating, including accessing available CCTV. Barbara says “We have

Kiama Council scraps precinct committees

Kiama Council has resolved to do away with its four precinct committees as formal council committees in favour of its new committee structure.

The change means that the four precinct groups, Central Precinct, South Precinct, Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association, and the Minnamurra Progress Association can continue to operate, but will not operate under Council’s precinct guidelines.

free venue for meetings, and personal accident insurance.

almost four weeks to go before the referendum and many people are only now tuning in. Ignorance of the large fines and possible prison sentences involved in regard to the theft and vandalism of these signs must not be left unchallenged. This is necessary so that we discourage individuals who would thoughtlessly jump on this nasty bandwagon.”

This also means that Council will no longer include the minutes of precinct committees in its Council Business Papers, and Council will no longer maintain these guidelines.

Kiama Council will continue providing financial support to the committees for the next 12 months, which includes $500 per year for administration and publicity, $99 per year for a Microsoft Office subscription, and a second laptop or notebook for minute taking and correspondence, a

Council has also established two new committees: the Sustainable Communities Committee, and the Infrastructure and Liveability Committee, and appointed four members of the community to each new committee. Kiama Council will review this structure in 12 months, as well as whether to continue financially supporting the precinct committees.

Speaking to The Bugle, Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly said the previous precinct guidelines no longer fit into the new committee structure. One of the primary reasons for this is that their membership bases are fluid.

He said that some precinct meetings are sparsely attended, but when there is a major issue, attendance can dramatically increase, making it difficult to gauge the actual sentiment of the community.

“If you got a unanimous vote to say we don’t want surf schools from eight people on one night, and you held the same poll with 120 people on a different night who were for surf schools, it’s just not equitable.”

Mayor Reilly added that being a member of a formal council committee

limits member’s abilities to become activists as they are bound to adhere to Council’s code of conduct.

“Nothing will change in terms of [their] operation, but [they] will be in control of it, not us. If you want to speak against Council, you may, but if you speak against Council as a Committee of Council, you can’t do it. You can criticise the process but you can’t criticise Council.”

The full lineup of Kiama Council committees is listed below, along with the Councillors that were appointed to represent them on 19 September.

• Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (legislated) - Jodi Keast

• Traffic Committee (legislated) - Stuart Larkins & Mark Croxford

• Performance Review Committee - Neil Reilly, Imogen Draisma, Stuart Larkins & Mark Croxford

• Finance Advisory Committee - Neil Reilly & Karen Renkema-Lang

• Tourism and Economic Advisory Committee (Destination Kiama) - Matt Brown & Warren Steel

• Sustainable Communities Advisory Committee

• Infrastructure and Liveability Advisory Committee

• Blue Haven Advisory Committee

Taster Festival folk by the sea

news in brief gerringong lions triumph

Bees buzzing, feet tapping, hands slip-slop-slapping – Kiama sprang into sizzling spring life on Saturday when Burnetts on Barney hosted the Kiama Folk By The Sea Taster concert.

The quarry garden centre crew set up shady marquees over an extended stage to protect the showcase talent from the unseasonably hot sun. Up to 200 dedicated music fans drifted through Burnetts during the fourhour concert, many prepared with hats, sunscreen and folding chairs.

A tartan-clad Kiama Pipe Band heralded the morning with the wail of bagpipes, prompting one couple to dance Scottish reels in the succulents garden. “You just can't fake the emotion that makes people want to dance in our quarry,” said Elizabeth Burnett on the centre’s social media. “This couple have clearly worked out that on a day like this, in a place like this, in a moment like this... life is good.”

Local recording sensations The Water Runners performed their new single, Murrumbidgee, in “light” duo mode. In a gesture of true community spirit, Water Runners John Littrich and Neil McCann stumped up for an unplanned encore in the afternoon, when promised act Frankie & Albert had car trouble.

The Kiama Sea Shanty group drew the largest crowd, with vocal supporters joining in the jolly choruses. It was only the group’s second concert performance, buoyed by its debut success at the recent

Bioluminescence Lights in Kiama Harbour

With the ocean temperature warming up, bioluminescent algae blooms have been spotted in Kiama Harbour. Local expert David Finlay confirmed the red algae was bioluminescent on the Kiama Community Page on Facebook. It can create quite a light show during nighttime. Algae blooms have also been reported in Lake Illawarra, Wollongong Harbour and a number of other sites

Kiama Neighbourhood Watch Set to Reopen

Kiama Community Radio

Third Birthday Bash.

The day wrapped with Cha Cha del Mar, including “Shy Boy” Steve Vassallo, valiantly urging the audience to salsa and samba as the

Skuthorpe has been added to our Voices of Indigenous Folk concert on Saturday evening. Glenn has performed at some of Australia’s biggest festivals (such as Byron Bay Bluesfest,

Gerringong Lions are the Group 7 Premiers after winning 12 to 10 against the Shellharbour Sharks where the heat was a factor.

Hamish Holland scored the first try for Gerringong and prop Alexander Weir scored the match winning try in the last 3 minutes. No points were scored in the first half by either side and both halves had drink breaks midway to help the players struggling in the heat.

admin, is encouraging Kiama residents to join the group. This is in response to local concerns about increased reports about multiple persons targeting multiple cars in attempted and actual car thefts. Police have urged the public to make official reports and not just to social media. It is expected a public meeting to reform Kiama Neighbourhood Watch will be announced soon.

Aussie community spirit revives man in Gerroa

A local man was transported to Shellharbour Hospital after suddenly collapsing while out walking on Crooked River Road near the Gerroa Fishers Club on Monday 11 September, 2023 at about 10.45 am.

all – I am looking forward to the stairs being open and providing better access to this magnificent part of our foreshore.”

The staircase, which will link the Kiama walking track from Minnamurra into the Bombo headland, was originally slated to open to the public in 2022, and then early 2023, but ongoing battles with compliance and other issues like floods and COVID delayed its completion. Kiama Council received $500,000 plus concrete and steel from the State Government in 2018 to fund the project.

Kiama Woolworths reopens on schedule despite ongoing construction

temperature nudged 30°C.

Jane Littrich, representing Kiama Folk By The Sea, extended her appreciation to Burnetts for hosting Saturday’s small sampler of the huge September 22-24 event. She explained the festival’s talent selection process was rigorous, with 37 acts chosen from a pool of 80 applicants.

Jane also announced a special $95 weekend pass will be available, so folk fans can wander between the five venues at the Kiama Showground Pavilion and surrounds.

Late news is that acclaimed Indigenous singer-songwriter Glenn

neighbourhood watch returns

The Kiama Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page has reopened. Anne Millard, the admin, is encouraging Kiama residents to join the group. This is in response to local concerns about increased reports about multiple persons targeting multiple cars in attempted and actual car thefts. Police have urged the public to make official reports and not just to social media. It is expected a public meeting to reform Kiama Neighbourhood Watch will be announced soon.

Woodford, Port Fairy Folk etc) as well as touring extensively overseas particularly to Canada where

An exhausted but proud Gerringong Lions first grade coach Scott Stewart, told The Bugle “Good effort by the club, we used a lot of players during the season. The heat was tough for both sides and it was hard fought and close. “It's a credit to them."

Hold up at Kiama Ampol Petrol Station

Four people robbed the Kiama Ampol Petrol Station at the south exit of town on Friday 8 September at around 11pm. Police tape surrounded the station’s counter whilst police continued their investigations into the holdup.

Locals quickly stopped and applied CPR and after five minutes he was revived. Volunteers quickly grabbed the defibrillation units from the nearby Fishos club and the Gerroa Caravan Park. However, they weren’t needed as the CPR being applied was successful, and the man’s heartbeat and breathing returned. Locals had him talking and in the recovery position when the ambulance arrived.

The Bugle would like to commend the Aussie community spirit of the nearly 20 in number of volunteers who stopped and helped.

Bombo Quarry staircase didn’t pass compliance

Kiama Woolworths has successfully reopened its doors as planned despite the store still resembling a construction site. The Bugle team visited the store to assess the changes and were pleased with the interior upgrades. While minor layout adjustments have been implemented, the overall shopping experience has received positive feedback. Friendly and accommodating staff welcomed shoppers back into the refreshed store.

he has played at their big folk festivals in Calgary and Edmonton. He played at the Illawarra Folk Festival in Bulli last January and everyone loved him.

By Karen Lateo

yes walks planned around LGA

Walks for Yes 23 are planned throughout the community over the next few weeks. Jump on the website for details.

Facebook users also reported that a service station in Gerringong was targeted on the same night by four people, but reports say the station was closed, sparking speculation that it is the same group that targeted both locations. Reports from the public say cigarettes were the target. NSW Police Media have only issued a statement saying they are ‘aware’ of the incident.

Fire at Foxground

Gerringong RFS attended a structure fire at Foxground on Sunday afternoon 10 September 2023. When they arrived, they found a farmhouse engulfed by flames, and units from multiple agencies including five different RFS brigades fought the fire.

Shoalhaven Heads Rural Fire Service used a portable pump from a nearby swimming pool to supply water to the units. The blaze was extinguished and while the farmhouse remains standing, it was completely gutted internally.

Kiama Neighbourhood Watch Set to Reopen

The Kiama Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page has reopened. Anne Millard, the

The yet-to-be-opened Bombo Quarry staircase has remained closed to the public because it did not pass compliance inspections.

Kiama Council revealed in an update that the contractors who built the staircase did not pass Development Consent compliance inspections and therefore did not achieve an Occupation Certificate, which is required before any new building or construction can be used by the public.

Until it receives such approval, the contractor cannot hand ownership of the staircase back over to Council to officially open and manage it.

The Kiama Council update said that staff and contractors are currently working with a structural design consultant to investigate the compliance issues. Council also noted that the stairs are structurally sound but may require adjustments to some aspects like the stair treads to comply with safety standards.

“We once again apologise for the protracted delay to the opening of the Bombo Stairs,” said Kiama Council Director of Infrastructure & Liveability Michael Malone.

“We are working hard to ensure the stairs can be opened and enjoyed by

In an effort to entice customers, Woolworths shared a special offer on the Kiama Community Facebook page: receive a $15 discount (barcode) when you spend over $100 in a single visit, valid from Wednesday, September 13th, to Tuesday, October 2nd.

"I'm relieved to see the supermarket reopen," exclaimed one elderly resident.

"Having to travel to Shellharbour was inconvenient for many of the people I know, so this is a much-welcomed return."

central Perk owner revives dragons legendSteve morris

Cameron Thomas, the owner of Central Perk cafe in Terralong Street, was instrumental in saving League legend Steve Morris when he suffered a stroke in his cafe on 13 September.

66-year-old Steve and his son Scott are regulars at the cafe, and Cameron was able to quickly assess Steve’s condition and call for an ambulance. Steve was transported to Wollongong Hospital where his clot was successfully removed and he was discharged on Monday 18 September.

Steve is the father of NRL players Josh and Brett Morris. Steve played 247 first grade games, 187 at St George and 60 for the Eastern Suburbs Roosters.

cedar on collins kiama

the epitome of retirement living available now

The Bugle was invited to inspect the village at 33 Collins Street, Kiama, and we discovered that the retirement village industry is a niche market, and Cedar on Collins may well be its pinnacle.

Retirement sales specialist, John Burgess, gave us ‘a cooks tour’. His message is that the core mission is to foster "Community Vitality," to nurture the positive mental health of residents, and create a haven for forging social connections.

Cedar on Collins, a project spearheaded by the not-for-profit organisation "Fresh Hope Communities," is nestled behind an unassuming facade, but it reveals its true size once you step inside. This expansive retirement village boasts 56 apartments and an array of top-notch amenities.

The architecture and landscaping of Cedar on Collins is very attractive. The property boasts indoor communal meeting rooms and outdoor courtyards, and on the rooftop, well-appointed community gardens with barbeque area, and panoramic water views.

Convenience is at the heart of Cedar on Collins. The retirement village is surrounded by essential services, including a chemist, doctors' practice, leagues club, and a supermarket right at the

Kiama Council selects buyer for second Akuna St carpark

back gate.

Most new residents are aged 70 and above, with an average age of 80. However, Cedar on Collins welcomes anyone of retirement age to become a part of the vibrant com -

lation. It offers a generous cooling-off period, extending up to three months after moving in. Monthly levies are tailored to apartment size and cover various essential services.

Services Galore: Cedar on Collins leaves no stone unturned when it comes to services. It offers a

testament to its commitment to resident happiness and satisfaction.

Practical Details:

● Units at Cedar on Collins must be owner-occupied or occupied by family members.

● Residents are responsible for furnishing their own apartments, though attractive fur -

Kiama Council has endorsed the sale of the southern carpark on Akuna Street to Eazy Cleaning PTY Limited (Twinstars HGB).

The price tag will remain confidential until the sale concludes 35 days after exchanging contracts.

Not much is known about Eazy Cleaning PTY Limited at this stage.

now is a mystery, given the number of businesses with similar names. The final sale is still subject to approval from the Council.

The parcel of land is 2400 sqm in size and will be allowed to build up to 4 storeys on the northeast side of the property (next to the road).

munity it seeks to create.

Cedar on Collins has hosted Open Days, extending invitations to those in their database and beyond. Mr Burgess said, “We understand the importance of allowing prospective residents to experience the community firsthand, allowing them to touch, see and feel.”

Cedar on Collins has covered five vital aspects of concern for prospective residents: location, legal/financial transparency, services, "age in place" support, and social connections.

Location Appeal: Kiama's allure as a coastal destination draws interest not only from the local area but also from the Southern Highlands and the southern suburbs of Sydney. Kiama is popular, and many people fancy a ‘sea change’.

Transparent Legal and Financial Framework: The retirement village provides clear and comprehensive explanations of the paperwork involved, including the benefit of not having to pay stamp duty. Giving peace of mind for prospective residents, the contracts provide protections under retirement village legis -

concierge at the front desk, security, a wellequipped library, communal kitchen facilities, temperature-controlled wine storage room, parking, unit maintenance, gardening, and rubbish removal.

Age in Place Support: Residents at Cedar on Collins have peace of mind in the knowledge that the village can arrange for cleaners, carers, and nurses to cater to their individual needs.

Fostering Social Connections: The retirement village provides ample spaces for socialising and activities, including guest entertainment areas, meeting rooms, a craft room, Men's shed, gym facilities, community rooftop gardens, and even welcomes pets.

The marketing approach taken by Cedar on Collins has attracted ten deposits from residents in Jamberoo, Jaspers Brush, and Kiama, emphasising their preference for WOMBAT marketing: Word Of Mouth, Buy And Tell,

niture packages are available through Coco Republic.

● Standard panic buttons provide residents with a sense of security.

● Utility bills are the responsibility of the resident, as per usual.

● Maintenance and repairs for unit components like ovens or air conditioning are covered at no cost to the resident.

● Each unit includes one parking space, with additional spaces available. Cedar on Collins is also installing electric vehicle charging stations for eco-conscious residents.

To explore this remarkable village please enquire directly with Cedar on Collins.

by Donna Portland

The company was registered as a business with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in 2017 and its registered office is located in Woolloomoloo. Whether the company is actually trading right

Kiama Council used the same tender process it used to sell the other Akuna Street carpark to Level 33 Property Group for $28 million in 2022. by Brendon Foye

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of Kiama Meals on Wheels will be held at the office of Kiama Meals on Wheels on Monday 16th October 2023. The meeting will commence at 11am, Members and guests are welcome to attend.

are pleased to announce that Dr John Salmon and his wife Rebecca are joining our team.

Have your say in balancing Kiama's growth and legacy

"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function."

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

In the heart of Kiama, we face that beautiful challenge described by Fitzgerald. As a community, we wish to move forward with developing our towns to meet the needs of a growing twenty-first century community. At the same time, we hold closely to the

rich history and the stories embedded in our streets, buildings, and landmarks.

It's a dance between progress and preservation, and with your help, I believe that both can exist harmoniously…and we can still function!

To this end, we have lodged two carefully crafted planning proposals with the NSW Government. These plans reflect our dual objectives of growth and heritage conservation.

The Kiama Town Centre Planning Proposal focuses on invigorating our commercial and civic areas. Some key highlights include:

• Raising the maximum permissible building height at pivotal locations on Terralong and Akuna Streets

• Increasing the floor space ratios at designated sites, allowing for more expansive and adaptive use

• Designating areas where active street frontages are essential, ensuring lively and dynamic streetscapes

Meanwhile, The Kiama Heritage Review Planning Proposal is a testament to our commitment to preserving the essence of Kiama's history:

• The Smiths Farm Heritage Conservation Area aims to preserve the historical and architectural value between Shoalhaven Street

and Collins/Belvedere Streets from Akuna Street through to Seaview Street

• The Kiama Town Centre Heritage Conservation Area encompasses significant sections of Manning, Terralong and Collins Streets.

• Specific landmarks like the Blowhole Tennis Courts and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church will gain recognition as heritage items, protecting them for future generations.

I want to highlight that these proposals are not drawn up in isolation. Through extensive community consultation, your voices, insights, and concerns have helped shape them. Earlier this year, we showcased draft proposals for public viewing and feedback. Your participation was instrumental in refining these plans to their current form.

With the NSW Government's recent review and validation, both these proposals are now available on the planning portal for deeper insight and further commentary.

Planning

Your involvement is crucial. We are at a juncture where decisions we make today will influence Kiama's setting for years to come. While striving for a balanced approach between growth

and conservation, it's the collective vision of our community that will guide us.

Housing supply and affordability are currently painpoints across not only our region, but Australia-wide.

To ensure we can continue to provide the basic human right of housing in our area, we need to think carefully and creatively about what can change. It’s more than just building heights, it’s considering how and where we live, what block sizes are ideal, whether we need more multiple dwellings or ways to promote intergenerational ones.

These are important discussions so that we can continue to provide homes for our key workers, such as education professionals, tradies, health workers and indeed the next generation of our kids and grandkids in Kiama Municipality. I believe we can embrace the challenge of holding two ideas – growth and heritage – and make decisions that ensure our towns continue to function and flourish.

In finishing this week, I’d like to thank my fellow Councillors for re-electing me as Mayor for another term, and congratulate Cr Imogen Draisma on being re-elected as Deputy Mayor.

THIS CERTIFICATE IS PROUDLY PRESENTED TO:

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THE BUGLE NEWSPAPER

The Minns Labor Government has handed down its first budget since taking power, focusing its attention on easing the cost of living and bolstering health services.

These cost of living measures obviously impact the entire state, not just the Kiama LGA, so The Bugle has carved out some specific measures and how they will impact the region.

• Energy bill relief - the Labor Government is introducing a $100 million funding package that will assist an estimated 11,700 households in Kiama with their bills. The Low Income Household Rebate and Medical Energy Rebate will be raised from $285 to $350; the full rate Family Energy Rebate will increase from

chance of starting for years. We need commitments on start dates, not chickenfeed planning money,” Ward said.

“Many of these projects have been in the pipeline for years, and we should be building, not planning.”

He took particular umbridge with the removal of the Regional Seniors Travel Card, which Ward has previously supported, as well as scaling back the Active Kids Rebate, the Creative Kids Rebate and the First Lap Voucher.

“This budget is great for Sydney, but it’s terrible for our community – it’s terrible for regional NSW. It’s full of ‘planning money’ but has little ‘doing’ money. This budget proves that Labor MPs were more interested in winning the election than delivering for our commu-

Emergency Road Repair Fund to Kiama and Shoalhaven LGA Health:

• $721.9 million for the new Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services and car park

• $438 million for Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment

• $21.9 million for Wollongong Hospital upgrades

• $7.5 million for Milton Ulladulla Hospital upgrades

Transport - none for Kiama

$4.9 million to deliver new and upgraded quality homes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through Aboriginal Housing Office

Regional NSW $1 million for upgrading

LIME PLUME IN ROSE VALLEY

A serious pollution incident occurred in Rose Valley, near Gerringong on Tuesday 12 September 2023 around 4pm after a farmer began spreading agricultural lime on his fields.

The lime became a large airborne plume which “caked surrounding dwellings like snow” according to neighbouring Rose Valley property owner, Ken Sandy.

Lime in itself is not considered a dangerous substance, however, it is known to cause breathing difficulties and eye irritation.

had already attended on Thursday.

Ken said when the Kiama Council Ranger attended, he was ‘horrified’ and that when the ranger spoke to the concerned farmer, he said he had finished spreading lime on the fields.

However Ken expressed great concern that the field next to his house might be next to get lime spreading, leading to further plumes and further affecting the health of his family.

but that Kiama Council is the appropriate authority in this instance.

“We reminded the alleged person responsible of their obligations to protect the environment and prevent or minimise dust from the premises,” the EPA said in a statement.

$180 to $250; and the Seniors Energy Rebate will increase from $200 to $250

• Funding for 61.4 fulltime nursing jobs in local hospitals

• Parents of three-yearolds in long daycare preschool will receive $500 per child per year in fee relief

• 202 teachers and support staff have been made permanent staff since April

The Minns Government also pledged $5.3 million through the Regional Emergency Road Repair Fund to fix local roads in the Kiama and Shoalhaven LGA, but didn’t specify which roads will be upgraded under the scheme.

There were also a few items specifically for Kiama. The NSW Government confirmed it will provide $1 million to fund the second stage of upgrades to Hindmarsh Park to upgrade the Orry Kelly stage, as well as $250,000 for the upcoming Changing Tides in December 2023.

NSW Member for Kiama Gareth Ward was quick to decry the budget, calling into question whether promised funding will lead to completed projects.

“Whilst the government has allocated planning money to promised infrastructure projects, the funding is so infinitesimal that none of these projects will have a

nity.”

Hindmarsh Park Redevelopment Stage 2

$250,000 for the Changing Tides festival

$49,903 for the Illawarra Young Women’s Program

The first budget since the Minns Labor Government came into power Focus is on health and education sectors, easing the cost of living pressures and building essential services made cost of living the centrepiece of the budget

• Energy bill relief - an estimated 11,700 eligible households in the electorate will receive help with their energy bills as part of a $100 million funding package of five energy rebates, lifting the Low Income Household Rebate and Medical Energy Rebate from $285 to $350, and the full rate Family Energy Rebate from $180 to $250. The Seniors Energy Rebate will increase from $200 to $250

• Will fund 61.4 full time nursing jobs in local hospitals

• Parents of three-yearolds in long daycare preschool programs will receive $500 per child, per year, in fee relief, costing $64 million over two years

• 202 teachers and support staff made permanent in local schools since April

• We will deliver $5.3 million through the Regional

Hindmarsh Park Redevelopment Stage 2

$250,000 for the Changing Tides festival

$49,903 for the Illawarra Young Women’s Program

NSW Member for Kiama Gareth Ward was quick to decry the budget, calling into question whether promised funding will lead to completed projects.

“Whilst the government has allocated planning money to promised infrastructure projects, the funding is so infinitesimal that none of these projects will have a chance of starting for years. We need commitments on start dates, not chickenfeed planning money,” Ward said. “Many of these projects have been in the pipeline for years, and we should be building, not planning.”

He took particular umbridge with the removal of the Regional Seniors Travel Card, which Ward has previously supported, as well as scaling back the Active Kids Rebate, the Creative Kids Rebate and the First Lap Voucher.

“This budget is great for Sydney, but it’s terrible for our community – it’s terrible for regional NSW. It’s full of ‘planning money’ but has little ‘doing’ money. This budget proves that Labor MPs were more interested in winning the election than delivering for our community.”

by Brendon Foye

Ken Sandy said: “A number of my neighbours reported their homes were completely covered in the white powder. My wife Debra has had some breath difficulties and headaches from the dust. Its clearly hundreds of tonnes of lime that has blown away”

Ken contacted the EPA who told him that despite the scale of the pollution incident, issues with lime are a matter for Kiama Council, and a ranger

Gerhard Baden, the farmer who spread the lime, told The Bugle: “It’s just the one neighbour complaining who I have been in a legal dispute for 10 years, who is forcing me off my land, that some lime got on his car. I lime the soil every seven years and I do it when there is no wind, but you can't control the wind. Big deal.”

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority told The Bugle it has followed up with both the complainant and the other person allegedly involved,

“In this instance Kiama Municipal Council is the appropriate authority and has advised the EPA they are investigating. We work with councils to respond to reports of alleged air pollution. We want everyone who handles materials, such as lime, to do so in a way that does not cause air pollution.”

A spokesperson for Kiama Council told The Bugle that Council’s Environment Team are investigating the matter and have been in contact with the owner of the address, but couldn’t provide any further details.

By Mark Whalan and Brendon Foye

Winching along Wodi Wodi track

A two-day helicopter operation to winch essential materials to continue work on the Illawarra sections of the Great Southern Walk track has commenced.

Ryan Park, Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast, said that weather permitting, the helicopter will lift approximately 110 loads of sandstone, steps and rocks to the tracks so work can continue on NSW’s next Great Walk.

“The work will be happening on the popular Wodi Wodi and Forest Path walking tracks within the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area,” Mr Park said, adding that “Large sandstone steps, rocks and crush will be flown to various points along the track routes as part of this major upgrade program.”

Maryanne Stuart, Member for Heathcote, urged locals to take care while the winching operation was underway.

“For public safety, track closures will be in place along sections of the Wodi Wodi and Forest Path Walk tracks during the operation,” she said.

The public is asked to follow all signage and directions and to stay clear of the operation area for their safety and the safety of the contractors undertaking the work.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) often relies on helicopters to transport construction materials to walking tracks as the location and rugged terrain make vehicle access impossible.

Track upgrades are expected to take eight months and are earmarked to form a part of NSW’s next Great Walk, the Great Southern Walk, linking Sydney to the Illawarra Escarpment.

by Donna Portland

Daniel Mookhey pictured

A word from Gareth

The NSW budget was a mixed bag for our community. Clearly, walking the corridors of Parliament and continuing to apply the pressure to the government has seen rewards for our community, but there are also some very poor decisions that are cause for great concern.

The budget confirms that the Regional Seniors Travel Card will be cut. Keep in mind, the then opposition leader, now Premier said prior to the election that he would ‘roll over’ cost of living measures like the Regional Seniors Travel Card.

Then in government, Labor said they would ‘pause’ the card. In fact, we had the Members for Shellharbour and South Coast lob into Hindmarsh Park to tell the world that I was misleading people when this clearly

wasn’t the case.

I will continue to fight the government on this issue. We have had more than 7,000 people sign our community petition opposing the cuts. If you oppose these cuts, feel free to sign the petition which can be found in my office in Terralong Street.

These cuts come on top of Labor’s already announced plans to scale back the Active Kids Rebate, the Creative Kids Rebate and the First Lap Voucher, essentially halving the rebates.

The NSW Government will also increase coal royalties by 30% in this budget. I have used Parliament to move to establish an inquiry into this tax hike because, like all taxes of this nature, this will simply be passed onto consumers.

70% of the State’s energy is still generated by coal and a tax increase of 30% will have a significant impact on household energy bills.

My other concern about this budget is that there is lots of ‘planning’ money but not any ‘doing’ money. In fact, none of Labor’s major local election promises will see construction start in this term.

The NSW Budget reveals that planning on all of NSW Labor’s key election commitments will see planning continue across the forward estimates without a single dollar allocated to any real delivery.

However, I am pleased that Labor has kept funding I secured from the previous government to upgrade Shoalhaven Hospital and construct a new hospital at Shellharbour.

Both of these projects commenced before the election and the challenge will be finding the professional staff to meet demand.

I have only just received the budget papers and will continue to work through them and pursue every opportunity available for our community.

Have a great week!

Gareth

Score at core gerringong

An exciting new store opened in Gerringong this month, which is the long held dream of business partners, long term surf shop enthusiast Mick Morgan and artist and designer Grant Findlay.

Both were co-owners of On Print Gerringong, the T-shirt printing business next to Gerringong Petroleum in Fern Street, which has now closed. They have transferred to the more ambitious Core Store a few steps up in the main shopping block of Gerringong at Shop 1/131 Fern Street opposite Old School Park. The Core Store officially opened to the public on 2 September.

Mick has operated a number of surf shops over the years including The Core in Nowra about 25 years ago which was unfortunately

lost to fire. Mick was in the shop at the time and lost his entire collection of surfboards in the blaze, so it is a dream come true to rebirth the old store name in a new site in Gerringong on a grand and ambitious scale.

The Core Store is designed to cater to the young and active who want that comfortable loose clothing feel, which celebrates their relaxed outdoor lifestyle. Core is very unusual as it is selling its own brands, all designed by Grant, in the store, which are also printed on site (Tom is their apprentice who does most of the T-shirt print out the back). The Core team are Tom, Peta (who helps manage the store), Grant and Mick, who are all from Shoalhaven Heads and embedded in local surf culture.

The business On Print

T-Shirt company is still on site and part of The Core Store, so you can still order and print T-shirts of your choice and design on site.

Grant is a well known local artist and sculptor who has the Unreal Rocks Statue Gallery in Shoalhaven Heads with easily his most prominently visible work the White Dragon (Head along Seven Mile Beach by Gerroa Road, and then turn right towards Berry on Coolangatta Road, and it is on your left near Meadow Ridge Wines) near Seven Mile Beach. The Dragon, described as of ‘natural’ colour is four and half metres tall and weighs six tonnes.

Grant also made the Green Frog Statue in the Shoalhaven Heads Botanical Gardens and the three soldiers in the Mateships statue in Shoalhaven Heads Memorial Park.

The Brands are ‘Hidden Fury’ for ladies and men, ‘Generation Earth’ for ladies and men, ‘Gener8’ which is activewear, and a fun label for active kids and teens called ‘Gerri Groms’.

Accessories are 20 percent of the store, such as local Gerringong-made jewellery by LB Art and Design, and well-known lines like Kavala swimwear, Winki Suits swimwear, LiiVe sunnies and Olvaki shoes.

by Mark Whalan

Electrifying ev success

The Pavilion at Kiama was abuzz with curious visitors, keen to see the array of electric vehicles on display on Saturday 9 September. EV owners generously shared their time and knowledge with eager onlookers who had burning questions about owning an EV.

The event was organised by The Energy Experts, under the leadership of Carolyn Lee. Two informative seminars shed light on the possibilities of harnessing solar panel energy not just for your home but also to power your car. In an era of skyrocketing petrol prices, the prospect of tapping into a free, renewable energy source is undeniably appealing.

Mayor Neil Reilly made a notable appearance with his new EV, underscoring the growing interest in electric vehicles. The event also showcased electric bikes, adding to the day's electric excitement.

With more than a dozen EVs on display, one of the highlights was the opportunity to chat with owners who shared their candid experiences. Some of the most

common questions included concerns about charging options during travel, the range of a full battery, and the learning curve for understanding the vehicle's advanced computer system.

The government has just announced that it’s ending the EV buying incentive ($3000 rebate plus refund of stamp duty) in favour of putting money into bolstering the EV charging network instead.

Stopping the buying incentive is predictable, especially now that prices have become more competitive. Potential EV buyers may wish to explore Chinese-manufactured EVs, which are available at a significant discount compared to premium brands.

by Donna Portland

Our amazing backdrop for a display of this kind!

HOUSEHOLD BULKY WASTE DROP OFF EVENT

Above: Councillor Stuart Larkins and Mayor Neill Reilly with the Mayor's EV

Above right: Locals Jason and Lisa, visiting from Gerringong, showcasing EV vehicle

Hay fever and Itchy Eyes

Spring is lovely, but it is also the allergy season. If your eyes have become itchy recently, it could be hay fever affecting your eyes, which is called allergic conjunctivitis.

Your first step is a trip to your optometrist, who can discuss the following treatment options with you:

• cold packs

• lubricating drops

• antihistamine drops

• anti-inflammatory eye drops

• oral antihistamines - your pharmacist can help with a recommendation.

If your child has this problem, it is important they don’t rub their eyes. We have some great ways to reduce the effects of pollen and avoid hay fever. Read more in the blog section of our website - www.eyeq.com.au

Jean Anderson

Floating sea farms for a brighter future by 2050

Innovative solutions are crucial in a world where the demand for freshwater and food is rapidly increasing due to a projected population of 10 billion by 2050.

Researchers from the University of South Australia have introduced an unprecedented concept – floating sea farms that harness the power of the sun and sea to produce freshwater and crops.

To ensure freshwater and food supplies in the decades ahead as the world's population grows and available agricultural land shrinks, a unique project creates vertical sea farms floating on the ocean that can produce fresh water for drinking and agriculture.

Crop Growth and Sustainability: In a field test, the researchers grew three common vegetable crops –broccoli, lettuce, and pak choi – on seawater surfaces without maintenance or additional clean water irrigation.

crops.” Prof. Xu says.

Scalability and Future

is expected to decline by around 19 percent.

EyeQ Optometrists

124 Terralong St, Kiama 4232 2610

Convenient online bookings eyeq.com.au

How it works: The vertical floating sea farm developed by Professor Haolan Xu and Dr Gary Owens from UniSA’s Future Industries Institute comprises two chambers: an upper layer similar to a glasshouse and a lower water harvest chamber. This could help address looming global shortages of fresh water and food in the decades ahead, with the world’s population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050.

“The system works much like a wicking bed that household gardeners might be familiar with,” Dr Owen says. “However, in this case, clean water is supplied by an array of solar evaporators that soak up the seawater, trap the salts in the evaporator body, and, under the sun’s rays, release clean water vapour into the air, which is then condensed on water belts and transferred to the upper plant growth chamber,” he adds.

I

The Voice will:

The system, which is powered only by solar light, has several advantages over other solar sea farm designs currently being trialled, according to Prof. Xu. “Other designs have installed evaporators inside the growth chamber, which takes up valuable space that could otherwise be used for plant growth. Also, these systems are prone to overheating and crop death.”

Floating farms, where traditional photovoltaic panels harvest electricity to power conventional desalination units, have also been proposed, but these are energy-intensive and costly to maintain.

“In our design, the vertical distribution of evaporator and growth chambers decreases the device’s overall footprint, maximising the area for food production. It is fully automated, low cost, and extremely easy to operate, using only solar energy and seawater to produce clean water and grow

Prospects: Their design is only proof-of-concept at this stage, but the next step is to scale it up, using a small array of individual devices to increase plant production. Meeting larger food supply needs will mean increasing the size and number of devices.

“It is not inconceivable that sometime in the future, you might see huge farm biodomes floating on the ocean or multiple smaller devices deployed over a large sea area,” says Owens.

Water Purity and Global Impact: The existing prototype is likely to be modified to produce a greater biomass output, including using low-cost substrate materials such as waste rice straw fibre, to make the device even cheaper to run.

The researchers have shown that the recycled water produced this way is pure enough to drink and has less salinity than the World Health Guidelines for drinking water.

The United Nations estimates that by 2050, approximately 2.4 billion people will likely experience water shortages. In the same period, the global water supply for agricultural irrigation

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Dr Owens says, “Freshwater accounts for just 2.5 percent of the world’s water and most of this is not accessible because it’s trapped in glaciers, ice caps or is deep underground,” adding, “It’s not that freshwater is dwindling either, but the small amount that exists is in ever increasing demand due to population growth and climate change.”

The fact that 97.5 percent of the world’s water is in our oceans – and freely available – is an obvious solution to harness the sea and sun to address growing global water, food, and agricultural land shortages. Adopting this technology could improve the health and welfare of billions of people globally.

Floating sea farms represent a beacon of hope in a world facing imminent challenges in freshwater and food supply. As we look ahead to 2050, the integration of this technology could not only alleviate global shortages but also improve the well-being of billions of people worldwide.

The design experiment is published in the Chemical Engineering Journal. by Donna Portland

The Voice will give independent advice to Parliament and Government on the issues affecting Indigenous communities, which will lead to better outcomes.

support the Voice to Parliament. Together, we can make history and help deliver a fairer future for all.

Spring has sprung watch out for magpies

They may have been voted Australia's favourite bird song but they are on the swoop! Keep an eye out for Peewees as well!

A Kiama Woolworths worker received a compensation payout in 2018 for an eye injury after being attacked by a peewee nesting near the entrance to Kiama Village. In response, Kiama Village deployed two rubber owls on its roof to discourage the courageous mother bird, but an additional 10 people were attacked and eventually Kiama Council was forced to cull the birds on 20 June 2023.

One recommendation for

protecting yourself is to carry an umbrella and use it as a shield. You are not allowed to hurt the bird, as they are protected by both the Nature Conservation Act and the Animal Welfare act, and we all know that

magpies never forget a face.

Magpie breeding season runs from August to October, but swooping can occur right into Summer. You could try to make friends with your local magpies!

Some safety recommendations include a style choice of wearing your sunglasses backwards on your head.

If you hear of any magpie hotspots where birds are regularly attacking pedestrians and cyclists, let Kiama Council know, and also let The Bugle know and we will get the warning out promptly.

by Mark Whalan

Minnamurra mansion saga

Jamberoo feral deer problem

The Bugle recently heard from a number of concerned citizens of the Kiama LGA about the feral deer problem in the Illawarra. We spoke to Local Land Services (LLS) to better understand the issue.

One of the main issues with tackling the feral deer issue is that there’s no definitive way to accurately measure deer population numbers at the moment.

“Deer move freely across the landscape and that landscape is difficult to cover, making it hard to give an accurate estimate,” an LLS spokesperson told The Bugle. There have been more sightings lately during the rut (mating) period, which is very common this time of year.

grazing on them and ringbark young trees. They have had a major impact on the variety and abundance of plant species.

They also foul waterholes due to wallowing behaviour of some species, and cause soil erosion due to impacts of hard hooves in sensitive areas. There is also the potential to transmit diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, spread weeds and increase the risk of accidents and transport disruption due to collisions with vehicles and trains.

Herbivory and environmental degradation caused by feral deer has been listed as a key threatening process in New South Wales by the NSW Scientific Committee.

How do we control the problem?

Managing the feral deer problem is important not only for the protection of our native species and environment but for agricultural and urban areas close to parks.

The Illawarra Feral Deer Management Program is a coordinated effort between a variety of stakeholders.

Local Land Services collaborates with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), local government, private landowners, Department of Roads & Transport and private businesses across the region to deliver culling operations across Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama Local Government Areas.

our Species (SOS) program which is one of the biggest conservation commitments focussed on securing the future of Australia’s unique plants and animals.

Throughout NSW, deer control is undertaken using shooting programs. All shooting programs have been developed and delivered with public safety and animal welfare as a primary interest.

Professional shooting contractors are safety conscientious and highly efficient operators who are very experienced in managing programs in a safe, humane and efficient manner. In addition to culling animals, the deer control program is subject to disease and health surveillance, as the feral deer population has the potential to spread diseases and parasites to our farmed livestock.

The Illawarra Feral Deer Management Program has managed to cull 782 deer in the last financial year. It is a high-risk activity and funding dictates the extent to which the culling can be pursued. Interestingly the culled deer have been offered as food to various zoos for their carnivorous animals to eat.

The 100-acre property at 71 Fig Hill Lane Dunmore, colloquially known as ‘Minnamurra Mansion,’ remains unsold despite being on the market since April, even after a $1 million price reduction.

It has once again been withdrawn from the market. The listing agents have yet to comment on this development.

Stone Real Estate Agency listed the property for sale with a price guide of $5$5.25 million, a drop of $1 million from the previous year. The approved DA for an Eco Resort still stands.

The sellers touted it as a boon for the area if someone with grit and tenacity decided to buy it and get on with restoring it and creating something special since it would be a pity to see it fall into further rack and ruin.

The property was described as a “Rare opportunity for an Eco Resort or incredible home on just under 100 acres”.

Minnamurra Mansion is a property with a chequered and colourful history.

Formerly known as the Dunmore Equestrian Centre, the site has never been

occupied in its entire history and, when completely abandoned, looked like a movie set for something like The Walking Dead or a skate or music video.

Perched atop the hill beside Dunmore House, Minnamurra Mansion boasts panoramic views that encompass Jamberoo's rolling hills, Saddleback Mountain, the Illawarra escarpment, Mystics Beach, Kiama Golf Course, and the charming township of Kiama. This sprawling five-square-kilometre estate boasts over three kilometres of Minnamurra River frontage.

In 2009, construction of the mansion, overseen by owner-builder John Kosseris, ground to a halt when his Wollongong-based businesses faced receivership.

Controversy ignited when unauthorised clearing reached the riverside, encroaching on environmentally sensitive wetlands. This led to a number of Council actions to attempt to restore the riverside area. These were never resolved when the construction was abandoned. The fact the property is on the boundary between Kiama and Shellharbour Councils

caused some issues.

The abandoned mansion was used as an illegal skating site and was heavily graffitied for some years while abandoned.

In 2015, the mansion was sold for just under $1.5 million.

Subsequently, Shellharbour Council subsequently greenlit a development plan in 2021, envisioning its transformation into an eco-tourism resort. It was originally built with six bedrooms and nine bathrooms; the DA allowed for 33 guest rooms. Owning partners, horse breeder Tony Petersen and entrepreneur David Moodie, had various visions for the site, including as an equestrian centre.

The abandoned mansion was last put up for sale in September 2022 and offered for $6 million but was taken off the market in late February this year. A lot of current effort has gone into cleaning up the graffiti and making it as sale-ready as possible.

by Mark Whalan and Donna Portland

“We receive a number of complaints about the impact of deer, particularly damage to people’s gardens and around their homes. This is mainly in the Illawarra region though there are many around the Wollongong area. Deer also cause safety hazards on the roads and the rail network where they get struck by cars and trains” he adds.

Deer are not native to Australia. Feral deer are an introduced species that threaten biodiversity and cause significant damage to the environment. They were introduced to New South Wales as domestic livestock with European settlement.

Jamberoo residents are concerned that feral deer can pose a threat to the Budderoo National Park, and agriculture in the Jamberoo area by competing with livestock for grazing resources, dispersing weeds, damaging crops and fences, and potentially spreading disease. In parkland close to urban areas, wild deer can pose a risk to drivers and can damage private gardens and public amenities.

Five species of deer have established feral populations in New South Wales: fallow deer, red deer, sambar deer, chital deer, and rusa deer. A sixth species, the hog deer, has been recorded in New South Wales but established populations are unknown.

Historically deer have caused a range of major negative impacts in parks and reserves. The main issue is that they destroy native plants by trampling and

As deer are widespread, management focuses on reducing impacts in priority areas. Management of deer for the protection of threatened species is prioritised through regional pest management strategies which focus on the highest priorities and Saving

Local Land Services is part of the Department of Regional NSW, and its main charter pledges to support land managers and natural resources management, herd health and to manage and reduce any biosecurity threats, i.e. pest animals.

Should you have any concerns you can get in touch with Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.

L o c a l B u s i n e s s A w a r d W I N N E R S !

We are so thrilled to announce we have WON the 2023 Illawarra & South Coast Local Business Awards in the Real Estate Agency category!

The Local Business Awards aim to pay tribute to and reward the local community's best businesses. It also aims to develop and strengthen the bonds between businesses and the community thereby improving the standards of local businesses A sincere thank you to everyone for your ongoing support and appreciation of our team at First National Coast and Country, as this wouldn't be possible without you all! And a huge congratulations to our team for this amazing achievement, we very proud to have been nominated and won this amazing award!

Exploring alternatives to interest rates for economic cooling

ment would argue that, in this case it is also assisting to reduce aggregate demand* through fiscal policy (at least for the financial year past) by having a relatively large budget surplus (that is, taxes are bigger than spending, which reduces aggregate demand),” says Prof. Borland.

Many are questioning the fairness of using rising interest rates as the primary tool to cool down the economy, especially when it seems to primarily affect mortgage holders, leaving cash-rich baby boomers untouched. In this article, we delve into the alternative strategies for economic cooling, particularly the idea of using the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a more inclusive approach.

The Role of Monetary and Fiscal Policies: Traditionally, macroeconomic policy has relied on monetary policy, such as adjusting interest rates, to manage regular economic fluctuations. Fiscal policy, on the other hand, is reserved for addressing major crises like the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) or the onset of a pandemic like COVID-19.

Professor Jeff Borland, a Truby Williams Professor of Economics at the University of Melbourne, sheds light on this division. According to Prof. Borland, fiscal policy revolves around balancing government spending with tax revenue, with a focus on

Aggregate demand is a measurement of the total amount of demand for all finished goods and services produced in an economy, and is commonly expressed as the total amount of money exchanged for those goods and services.

The RBA's role and government's objective: The Reserve Bank of Australia, as an institution, is legislatively bound to utilise interest rates for stabilising the economy. However, the government contends that it's also employing fiscal policy to reduce aggregate demand through significant budget surpluses.

Challenges in using the GST: Why isn't the GST used as an alternative to reduce spending? Prof. Borland highlights a few critical factors. Firstly, tax changes, especially increases, often trigger opposition campaigns and political controversy. Secondly, the practicality of frequently adjusting the GST rate raises administrative concerns. There is also a political issue relating to tax changes. Unfortunately increasing taxes has become an issue where you can count on the opposition party to mount a knee-jerk

households bear a proportionally greater burden because they spend a larger share of their income on goods and services. Prof. Borland acknowledges this issue and suggests that the government could consider short-term taxes on high-income earners to achieve a more equitable distribution of the burden.

To illustrate the regressive impact of the GST, consider two households: one with a weekly income of $500 (low income) and another with $2000 (high income). When a 10 percent GST increase affects all their expenses, the low-income household is hit harder, as $40 represents 8 percent of their income, compared to only 5 percent for the high-income household.

To counter the regressive impact of the GST, measures like increasing income support payments and lowering income tax rates for low-income individuals were implemented when the GST was introduced.

Equity considerations in interest rate policies: Prof. Borland raises a crucial point that increasing interest rates can have adverse equity effects, particularly impacting those with variable-rate mortgages. As inflation begins to slow, it becomes imperative to strike a balance between economic stability and equity.

While interest rates remain the primary tool for controlling inflation, exploring alternatives like GST adjustments should

has operated since the early 1990s. As an organisation, the RBA's legislation and letter of instruction from the government basically requires it to use interest rates to stabilise the Australian economy.

“I think that the government would argue that, in this case it is also assisting to reduce aggregate demand* through fiscal policy (at least for the financial year past) by having a relatively large budget surplus (that is, taxes are bigger than spending, which reduces aggregate demand),” he adds.

Secondly, there is also a political issue relating to tax changes. Unfortunately increasing taxes has be-

not wanting to be adjusting GST up and down all the time, which is an important consideration since it would require a great deal of administration.

Prof. Borland also offers, “An issue about using the GST to reduce aggregate demand is that it is a regressive tax; that is, in relative terms it has a bigger negative impact on low-income than high-income households, which is because low-income households spend a larger proportion of their incomes on goods and services.”

“So, as well as not wanting to be adjusting it up and down all the time, its regressive impact is another reason why the government wouldn’t use the GST to try to reduce aggregate demand. At the same time, the general idea of using taxes as a mechanism to reduce aggregate demand is certainly sensible. For example, if there is seen to be a need to reduce aggregate demand, the government could consider a short-term extra tax on high income earners, and it could then be argued that (together with the interest rate increases) the burden of reducing the rate of price inflation was being more evenly shared.”

The bigger negative impact of the GST increase is in relative terms, as a proportion of household's income. As an example, a low-income household that earns $500 a week and a high-income household that earns $2000 a week. It's known that the low-income household will spend a bigger proportion of its income than the high-income household. In this example, the low-income household spends 80 percent of its income ($400) and the high-income household 50 percent of its income ($1000).

Suppose there is a GST rise that increases the cost

of the goods and services to which it applies (by 10 percent) and suppose that GST applies to everything that both households buy. The cost of buying the same set of goods and services will rise by $40 for the low-income household and by $100 for the high-income household. (That is 10 percent of the original amounts of spending of $400 and $1000 respectively.)

The important thing is that $40 is eight percent of the income of a low-income household, but $100 is only five percent of the income of a high-income household. Consider also that the absolute amount of tax paid by high-income households is greater; but in relative terms they are less affected because it's a smaller share of the income they have available. Also, it's in relative terms that economists usually think of, in terms of how the well-being of households is affected.

Due to the regressive impact of the GST, when it was originally introduced there was a lot of attention to increasing income support payments and lowering income tax rates for low incomes - to offset that regressive impact.

Prof. Borland agrees that increasing interest rates is having negative effects on equity and suggests that needs to be more taken into account when considering what the overall policy response to reduce price inflation should be.

“The good news is that inflation does seem to be slowing, and the faster that happens the quicker the rate increases can be reversed, which will remove the adverse equity effects, and also minimise the extent to which the rate of unemployment rises,” says Prof. Borland.

by Donna Portland

Too much sport is barely enough

The next time you head to one our local fields to get your sporting fix, you can thank not only our hard-working outdoor staff but also the Kiama District Sports Association (KDSA) for making sure everything is in readiness, win, lose or draw.

We talked to KDSA President Craig Scott about what’s involved in ‘keeping the ball in play’. Tell us about the KDSA, your membership and responsibilities?

The KDSA is a volunteer organisation established in July 1979. We currently have 30 affiliated sporting clubs and associations.

Our main job is providing an official voice for our sporting community to Kiama Council to ensure the current and future needs of those who play and administer local sports are met.

We also administer grants for our clubs and associations to maintain facilities and replace equipment, as well as training grants to help local athletes representing NSW or Australia.

The KDSA is unique. I’m not aware of an equivalent in any other council area.

What’s involved with coordinating the activities at our sports fields?

We’re the point of contact for any sports organisation, local or not, wanting to book a sports field.

This can be quite challenging at times as we have many facilities shared by different sports. Another challenge is managing season overlaps between summer and winter sports.

We have a great working relationship with Council staff who do a great job making sure all our venues are able to be used when required.

What are our most popular sports – both winter and summer?

In terms of numbers, it would probably be football and netball in winter, Oztag and cricket in summer.

What are the most unusual/least known ones?

The most unusual would be the Croquet Club situated in the picturesque Jamberoo sports precinct. Some people may be surprised to learn that softball operates at Chapman Oval and Little Athletics at the Kiama Sports Complex.

It sounds like a big job. What motivates you and your colleagues to do all this?

That’s a good question. Some have doubted our collective sanity taking on this task voluntarily.

To be honest we are fortunate to have some wonderful administrators among our members and they are a pleasure to deal with.

The local sporting community is quite tight knit. I consider it a privilege to be involved with them.

Festival season kicks off

Kiama’s ‘festival season’ kicks off this weekend with Folk by the Sea (22 to 24 September), followed by KISS Arts (21 to 22 October).

There’s a heap of new events as well, including the Jamberoo JAM Street, Kiamasala, Clearly Music and Arts, Changing Tides and Dave Ferrit Festivals.

The season wraps up with the always popular Red Hot Summer Tour in January.

Details: kiama.com.au/kiama-festival-season

We often host large sporting events and highprofile sports teams. Can you give us some recent examples?

The iconic Kiama Sevens, which has been running for more than 50 years, is probably the largest recent event.

Kiama Junior Football also hosted a really popular Sydney FC Female Football Tournament prior to the recent Women’s World Cup.

There have also been several large surfing events on our beautiful beaches.

When it comes to high-profile sport teams we regularly host NRL clubs, including the defending premiers, the Penrith Panthers. Why do you think these organisations/teams want to visit Kiama?

Our proximity to Sydney provides easy access.

The relaxed atmosphere and beautiful scenery also provide a strong incentive.

When you combine that with our coastal sports fields and local facilities, we’re hard to beat.

In your view, why is sport important for our community?

Sport fosters social connections and community cohesion. Sport brings people together It creates opportunities for interaction, friendship, and a sense of belonging.

It plays a crucial role in promoting physical health, fostering social connections, teaching valuable life skills, encouraging personal development, and contributing to economic growth.

By bringing people together, sport enriches their lives and strengthens the bonds of our whole community.

Kiama District Sports Association: kdsa.org.au

You can easily find all our local sports fields and current playing condition on our website: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/sportsfields

Lifeguards back on patrol

Our Council lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers begin their patrol season on Saturday 23 September, marking the start of the spring school break.

Surf Beach will be patrolled seven days a week with Jones and Werri Beaches patrolled on weekends. Remember, no flags means no swimming.

Details: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/beaches

KDSA President Craig Scott says managing local sport is a dawn to dusk job

Jameroo Rural Fire Brigade trivia night

The Jamberoo Rural Fire Brigade held its first trivia night to raise funds for specialised equipment at Club Jamberoo on 9 September.

Tickets for the night were a hot button item, with all 100 tickets selling out in 10 days to 10 tables of trivia enthusiasts.

The night was hosted by the quizmaster and Deputy Captain John Temlett, who swapped out his orange firefighting gear for a retro velvet purple suit, assisted by firefighter Jen Maclean.

The night included six rounds of questions interspersed with games like “First in Best Dressed,” where participants dressed up like firefighters.

The charity auction was hosted by Brigade Vice President and veteran firefighter David Butcher, who sold a wide selection of items like artworks and a rare opportunity for a family portrait by wellknown photographer and firefighter Linda Faiers.

Showing true dedication to firefighting, Brigade Captain

Hannah McInerny left the event to respond to a grass fire and returned in full firefighting garb later that night.

Jamberoo Rural Fire Brigade wants to show its appreciation for the support it received from local businesses and individuals who donated items to auction and prize packages for the highest-scoring teams.

by Brendon Foye

Hannah McInerney, Jordan Casson-Jones, Marc McLaren Pictures supplied by Linda Faiers

Liz Thomas is walking for a cure this October. It’s called the One Walk Step Challenge and aims to raise funds for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

“My whole life changed 35 years ago, this month,” says Liz. She was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes at 17 years of age, and this happened six weeks before sitting her HSC exams. So, after approximately 35,000 needle injections, 32,000 finger pricks and 180 extra decisions each and every day, Liz says, “I am acknowledging this 35-year

Liz walks for cure

milestone by joining the Juvenile Diabetes Research FoundationOne Walk Step Challenge. I will be taking 8,000 steps a day during October.”

Eight Australians are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes every day. JDRF has over 50 research projects active across Australia, with Professors Jenny Couper, Simon Barry and Toby Coates heading up the research team. JDRF also hosts Research Symposiums where researchers can share information and celebrate breakthroughs.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that can develop at any age. There is nothing anyone can do to prevent T1D, and right now there is no known cure. When someone develops type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells instead of defending against foreign invaders. In this case, the immune system attacks the beta cells in the pancreas, which produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that converts glucose from food

into energy for the body. Without enough insulin, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a dangerous condition.

Liz doesn't know any other Type 1's around her age in the Kiama Community and thinks that it would be great to meet others who understand. She is asking for local support for her walk, “so together we can assist life-changing research that aims to improve lives and find a cure.”

Anyone can join Liz on any day, and there is no cost or registration. Liz says, “The fundraising support is amazing, but it is also about awareness.”

Join ‘Team Thomas 35’ [https://walk.jdrf.org.au/ fundraisers/teamthomas35] to raise awareness and funds for further research! In Kiama she will be walking from the Rockpool at 6.30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays (starting from 5 October) and from the Kiama Downs Surf Club on Saturday mornings (from 7 October) at 9am (with coffee afterwards).

by Donna Portland

a mural that speaks for our Oceans

In a vibrant collision of art and advocacy, the Australian National Maritime Museum has unveiled a stunning mural that beckons us to the forefront of ocean protection.

Painted by local artist InkHunter, the mural named "Shallow Iridescence" doesn't just grace the museum's entrance; it serves as an unmissable call to arms, urging us to prioritise the health of our oceans for the sake of our planet and future generations.

The mural stands as a visual embodiment of the museum's commitment to ocean health and sustainability. Beyond its aesthetic allure, it seeks to cultivate a sense of shared responsibility, nudging us to consider the reverberations of our actions on the environment.

As a proud signatory to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the museum understands the power of art in conveying a poignant message of ocean science to our community.

"Shallow Iridescence" is ingeniously designed to be perceived from various van-

tage points, each revealing distinct elements of its intricate composition. From the bustling Pyrmont Bridge, the mural's entirety comes into view, an awe-inspiring sight that unifies the message it carries.

InkHunter, the artist behind this masterpiece, Patrick Hunter, artfully conveys the notion that countless imperceptible components harmonise to shape the bigger picture of oceanic health. It's a reminder that every small endeavour, each act of conservation, accumulates to influence the grander narrative of our oceans' preservation.

Hunter emphasises, "The natural world is not a place we just visit. It is our home, it is where we came from, and we should be proud of how we leave it." His intention goes beyond surface impressions; he aims to captivate onlookers' curiosity, urging them to explore the mural's depths and, in doing so, sparking contemplation on the issues it represents.

The collaborative essence of this mural comes alive through the collective contributions of various individ-

uals, including Museum First Nations curator Tyson Frigo. The images, symbols, and themes that intersect within the mural form a poignant call to communities, imploring us to prioritise ocean health, address overfishing, and uphold environmental sustainability. This compelling message transcends local resonance, extending its reach to a broader national and international concern.

A central image within the mural - a blue-ringed octopus - unveils its message with urgency. Ensnared in nets, the octopus serves as an emblematic warning, shedding light on the perils of shark nets and overfishing. The inspiration behind this portrayal stems from the legacy of Valerie Taylor, a renowned advocate for ocean conservation.

But this mural is more than just an artistic endeavour; it's a clarion call for action. InkHunter asserts, "I want people of all ages to think about the ocean that surrounds us and be more aware of taking care of it."

Patrick Hunter is not just an artist; he is a guardian of the environment. Rooted

in Sydney, his connection to ocean conservation is deeply personal. With a lifetime spent in the water as a surf lifesaver, sustainable fisherman, freediver, and SCUBA diver, he embodies his beliefs. The evolution of his art has mirrored his growing concern for the environment, and through his

works, he seeks to inspire the community to embrace sustainable choices.

"Shallow Iridescence" doesn't merely decorate a wall - it communicates a profound message. It's a vivid reminder that our oceans are more than just bodies of water; they're intricate ecosystems deserving of our

protection. As we stroll by this remarkable mural in Kiama, may it ignite a spark within us to stand as guardians of the sea, to uphold the pledge of ocean health, and to leave an enduring legacy for the generations to come.

by Veronica Grace

nsw gov au

102 Terralong Street, Kiama NSW 2533 www garethwardmp com au

garethjward facebook com/gareth j ward

Samuel Hall: the colourful world of a local mural maestro

learned to stop being precious and drop his attachment to ‘the rules’ in order to grow as an artist.

When choosing what he wants to paint, Sam is drawn to vibrant colours, figures/people, flowers and nature and he is always thinking about what he wants to do next. When Sam runs with his creative designs, he can produce works that he describes as “a gift to the public.”

work pressure can build and he acknowledges the need to avoid burnout. This means slowing things down and Sam says, “I am always grateful to reset and realign with my values.”

Prominent local mural artist Sam Hall was born and raised in Kiama and is known for his vibrant creations. Perhaps you have noticed the pink horses on Swamp Road, or the bluebird drinking the woman’s coffee at King’s Café in Jamberoo, or Sam’s collaboration with indigenous artist "Saltwater Dreamtime" at the Kiama Visitors Centre at the Blowhole, amongst many other locales.

His father, David Hall, was a well-known sport editor of the Kiama Independent for over 35 years, and his mother ran a small photography business. Both enjoyed a connection to the local community, a passion that Sam shares.

Sam has explored different levels of art all his life.

After leaving school, Sam created designs for himself, but it ramped up at age 24 when he formally studied graphic design. Since then, Sam has explored new types of art. It became an obsession. He says, “You have to be obsessed to survive as an artist.”

Sam was captivated when he discovered street art and graffiti. He said, “Street art is incredible – amazing! Without graffiti there would be no street art. Its foundation is people expressing themselves”.

Sam has never done graffiti himself but loves the typography. What drew him to his appreciation of street art is the fickle nature of it.

Growing up as a perfectionist, he realised that mindset hindered his progress, so he

Clearly people respond to his passion, and Sam reveals that he loves it when people come up to him on the street and thank him for his work.

Of course, many of Sam’s paintings are commissions, where a client has stipulated what they want him to portray. Council, schools, or cafes may want flora and fauna, or a commercial theme for example. However, he is increasingly pursuing projects that allow him creative freedom.

Sam is an intensely positive person and says that creating art is a very personal experience and he loves doing it for how it makes him feel. He loves to travel around and the freedom from the nine-to-five that offers, but sometimes

Vibrant kiama resident

greg martin vale

Part of Greg's artistic genius lies in his ability to perceive the extraordinary within the ordinary, transforming everyday scenes in Kiama into mesmerising works of art.

Greg's discerning eye discovers the magic in the mundane, whether it's the breathtaking train journey as one reaches Kiama, the scenic Bombo Bend on arrival, or the mesmerising harbour vistas glimpsed through the majestic Norfolk pines and historic buildings.

“Driving around Kiama in the early morning, the changing light paints a different kind of beauty," Greg says with a smile.

To avoid creative burnout, Sam makes a conscious effort to focus on his practice and what he wants to produce. Sam is committed to finding a balance between commissioned work and personal creative time, “giving myself good free time and rest time and personal work and commission time.” If not, then it’s too easy to get swept up in the mundanities of life. That’s never a good thing for a creative who wants to fuel his internal fire.

Sam’s favourite artwork is the one he did recently in Indonesia. He was invited

to join international artists in Java to collaborate on a project. His subject was a local woman and he had only two days to complete the painting in stiflingly hot weather. Sam said, “The whole experience really helped to raise my confidence. It was the best time.”

Sam has plenty of work opportunities at present and will be gainfully employed

until the end of the year. He said, “There are some cool things in the pipeline right now and some will be really big!” Watch this space.

Sam wants to create a community studio in the future and build a creative team. He also plans to travel overseas next year and see where the world takes him.

by Donna Portland

Kiama's old fire station is set to come alive with an exquisite display of locally-themed artwork by the colourful Greg Martin Vale from 5 – 11 October.

This captivating exhibition showcases the diverse range of Greg's artistic prowess, from enigmatic abstracts to awe-inspiring landscapes rendered in ultra-realism.

Greg's muse is Kiama itself, where he draws inspiration from the unique interplay of light on the town's landscapes during the early hours near dawn and the en-

chanting moments of dusk. When asked about his inspiration, Greg explains, "I'm inspired to interpret the fleeting moments of light that often go unnoticed by many, except those who rise early."

His acclaimed Barber Shop ' painting is an example of his mastery of light and shadow, which garnered a major art prize: Most outstanding entry in the category of "celebration of a moment in the locality" at Kiama Art Society art Comp 2022.

While Greg recently returned from an inspiring European sojourn, particularly enchanted by Venice's architectural wonders, he emphasises, "I don't need to search for inspiration elsewhere. Kiama is a wellspring of inspiration itself - one of the most remarkable places I've ever encountered.”

During his European adventure, Greg indulged in his passion for architecture, photographing the serene moments of Venice at dawn when the city slumbers. He also cherished a visit to Henley on the Thames, which he describes as

"charming, akin to Bowral but by a river.”

Greg's career spans continents, including stints with 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers in the UK, where he honed his skills in movie poster design and print advertising.

In 2012, Greg and his partner Nicki decided to embark on a ‘sea change’ and made Kiama their home. Shortly thereafter, Greg created an award-winning "Best in Aus-

tralia" Balinese-style garden in Kiama, an achievement that ignited his passion for painting. Since then, his paint brushes have been in constant motion, weaving magic onto the canvas.

Greg's remarkable talent has been recognised with numerous art awards, including first prize in the Kiama Art Society competition in 2013 and second in 2022. He has also consistently claimed top honours at the

Berry and Kiama Shows from 2014 to 2023. He recently reached the semi-finals at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition in London.

The venue for Greg's solo exhibitions has always been Kiama's old fire station gallery, a venue he cherishes for its unique ambience and the opportunity it provides to connect with the community members who deeply resonate with his art.

by Donna Portland

Australia 2023 body surfing classic

a Welcome to Country and a greeting from Kiama’s mayor, Councillor Neil Reilly. Although the swell wasn’t perhaps as large as the organisers were hoping for, this didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the participants who couldn’t wait to get into the water. The competition was made up of individual heats, “longest ride” tag team events and “tricks” tag team events. The day was capped off with the traditional “Fin Sprint”, which is a relay race across the beach with all competitors having to wear their flippers.

This event this year was won by the “Cobras” team, a group of very capable watermen from the northern beaches of Sydney. 2nd spot went to the “Bate Bay Body Bashers” of Cronulla, and 3rd went to the “Wommin Wompers”, who hail from the Tweed Coast.

It was notable that the first all-female team in the history of the competition, “The Ladies”, from Newcastle, came a very close 4th.

The Australian Bodysurfing Classic 2023 was held on Saturday at Kiama Surf Beach. The contest, run and promoted by WAW Handplanes, is NSW’s largest surfing event which had over 140 competitors from 14 teams coming from all over Australia to participate in

the big day. The aim of the event is to promote bodysurfing, the most accessible and inclusive of sports for anyone who can swim. It is a teams-focused competition that is held annually, attracting male and female body surfers, many world-

class, across a wide age range, with teams coming from as far as Western Australia and Hawaii. Kiama is the first regional venue for the competition, with previous competitions being held at Cronulla, Narrabeen and Maroubra.

The day began early with

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Community drop-in sessions with Australian Government representatives on offshore wind

A proposed area in the Pacific Ocean off the Illawarra region of NSW from Wombarra to Kiama, is under consideration for zoning for future offshore wind development.

The Australian Government wants to manage this potential new industry and the offshore environment in a balanced, responsible way.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is inviting the community to drop-in sessions from Monday 18 to Thursday 21 September. The sessions are in a range of locations to help answer questions in relation to the public submissions period that closes Monday 16 October 2023 dcceew gov.au

Find out more about the drop-in sessions and how to make a submission by scanning the QR code or go to https://consult. dcceew.gov.au/oei-illawarra

Special mention must go to Kiama SLSC, who provided services all through the day and hosted the after party in their excellent club house. They also had a team in the event, coming in at 8th spot, which is very credible for their first time in the competition.

by David Molloy

Above: Mayor Neil Reilly welcomes and opens event

Below: Tag team in action

cruising through life

to the studios in Miami before getting onboard to rehearse for the shows, "Royal Caribbean have stunning studios based in Miami that house all the rehearsals for every ship under their fleet, depending on what shows you're learning and how many you will be there for. It's a different amount of time anywhere between five weeks and three months," Cassidy says.

positions. There may be extra training if it's a first contract or redoing any expired training for the rehires.

"Once the install process is complete, we all say goodbye to the install team and the previous cast and then our cast is on their own to finish the contract. We get our schedule for the cruise on the first day of each cruise and then continue along like that until the end," she says.

do basic safety training, known as STCW, which is refreshed every five years. They must also pass a full medical check every two years. There is also a lot of specialised training on emergency duties and learning how to use all the different types of safety features on each ship.

people I get to meet and hang out with from all around the world are always so much fun! Crew members always know how to put on an all-crew party and have the best time!"

Cassidy Lee Richardson grew up in Kiama and dreamed of being a dancer on cruise ships since the age of 11. At 20, she auditioned for dance roles to gain

experience. After attending multiple cruise ship auditions, she finally received the contract she wanted at age 21. As a dancer, she flies

When the dancers have finished learning their shows, they travel to the ship's home port to start the install (handover) process onboard, which includes understanding the technical aspects of the shows and blocking onstage, which means going through all their standing and performing

Birthday celebrations Jones beach boardriders

Kiama Downs’s Jones Beach Boardriders held their 40th anniversary party at the Kiama Downs SLSC club right on the sand at Jones/Boyd Beach.

JBB was founded in 1983 by former Kiama Councillor Mark Way and has bloomed with over 180 members, many in the junior or grommet age group united by their love of surfing.

Catering was by Cantik Place cafe at Kiama Downs. The night was enlivened with a number of prizes donated by Zink Surf, Jamberoo Lodge, The Sebel Kiama, Kiama Toy world, Kiama Downs IGA, The Changing Tides Festival and Perfect Wave Travel.

Mark Way said “I was President of the Wollongong Boardriders Club in the early-to-mid 1970s.

In 1979 when I moved to Jones Beach, juniors like Brendan Russell, Todd Jordan, and Dylan Longbottom wanted to further

their experience in a competitive environment.

I formed JBB to meet that demand.” Mark in particular paid tribute to his late wife, Virginia Way.

JBB excelled in competition from the start attracting the best local surfers such as Michael Lowe and Chris Homer (now Mayor of Shellharbour). 40 years later JBB is still competing at a national level and is one of the most successful and competitive clubs in Australia

Current JJB President Joel Trist said “Achieving 2nd Place in the Surfing of Origin event in April was a recent highlight.”

He said “ We were also thrilled to host a Her Wave Teams Classic event in April, 2023. We have 65 women and girls in our club.”

“We are a family club with lots of groms developing a love of surfing.

Half our 180 members are under 18.”

Many JBB groms and

even some masters are competitive at a national level.. Brett Conellan who made the documentary ‘Attacking Life’ is a member of JBB.

Joel said “We’re also excited about the future of JBB groms Dayan Conti, Jacob Wilton, Erin Willets, Alice Hodgson, and Lani Cairncross. And we have some high performing masters in Matt Thompson and Bruce Flint.”

The Club had a clever way to fundraise on the night where one could Buy a Balloon for $40, pop it, and then the number hidden inside revealed your prize!

The theme based on the photos uploaded at the Jones Beach Boardrider FB site was clearly and understandably Beachwear. Check the fun pics (and maybe spot someone you know) at Jones Beach Boardriders | Facebook

by Mark Whalan

Cassidy started dancing when she was eight years old, at her local dance studio (Dance Sensations), just doing after-school classes, until she moved to Melbourne at the age of 19 and studied at Transit Dance. Cassidy then studied fulltime for her Diploma in Dance in 2017 and 2018. This gave her the knowledge and the tools needed for her future career on cruise ships.

To be able to work onboard an ocean-going ship, all crew have to

Cassidy loves this career. "I get to perform every week, doing some incredible shows while also travelling and visiting some beautiful places around the world," she says.

"My favourite moments in this job are definitely the rewarding feelings when finishing a show and seeing a standing ovation. Nothing beats that feeling!" she enthuses.

The Bugle asked Cassidy about the stories that she has collected on her journeys.

"There are definitely some great stories – but probably not fit for a newspaper, though! LOL.

"But all in all, the

Regarding the downside, she said, "That is definitely being away from home for as long as I am, usually 10-11 months at a time each contract.

“It's hard sometimes to not be home for family events, holidays like Christmas/Easter, and birthdays."

If you are keen on pursuing this type of career, Cassidy's advice is to "Keep on pushing, try not to get disheartened by others who may be progressing quicker in their careers. You never know what a future employer is looking for! Be consistent and continue to show up and keep working towards your goals. Manifest!"

by Donna Portland

Locals scoop awards

Zoe’s School of Dance Success

Miss Zoe’s School of Dance is the winner of the Local Business Awards 2023 Most Outstanding Dance Studio in the Illawarra and South Coast.

Based in Kiama, Coledale and Wollongong, this is the third time Miss Zoe’s has

Saltwater wins

‘Most Outstanding Restaurant’ title

Saltwater has emerged as the winner of the ‘Most Outstanding Restaurant’ award at the Illawarra & South Coast Local Business Awards 2023, held on 13 September.

Gülçin Töpel, the driving force behind Saltwater, also earned recognition as a finalist in the 'Business Person of the Year' Category.

Upon receiving the award, Gülçin expressed deep gratitude. She said: "First and foremost, I extend my gratitude to my exceptional

team, my loving family, and the remarkable Kiama community. I want to express my sincere thanks to those who have tirelessly worked day in and day out, transforming Saltwater into one of the most renowned restaurants in the Illawarra & South Coast."

Gülçin reminisced about the journey that led to this proud moment. Taking over Saltwater in May 2021, she faced the immediate challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic, which dramatically altered the small business landscape. "It was a tough time for us, as it was for everyone," Gülçin disclosed. "However, I was fortunate to

be surrounded by my invaluable staff and the supportive Kiama community."

Saltwater boasts a dedicated team of 24 employees, primarily locals. Gülçin praised them by saying, "They are truly exceptional. Their dedication extends far beyond these walls, with many of them pursuing education and their future dreams. Being part of this team is immensely gratifying. We are thrilled to bring this prestigious award to Kiama!"

The Bugle extends a heartfelt congratulations to Gülçin and her Saltwater team.

by Donna Portland

won this prestigious award, previously winning in 2018 and 2019 and now 2023.

The Kiama studio was founded in 2018 and runs dance classes in The Scout Hall and Kiama High School. Classes cater for everyone from 12 months old to adults. Check out www.misszoesschoolofdance.com.au for dance session times and types of movement classes on offer.

Zoe McCarthy told The

Soul Fit co cleans up at local business awards

A big shout out to Korin Koutsomihalis and her team at Soul Fit Co Gerringong. In the Local Business Awards Illawarra and South Coast last week Soul Fit Co was named winner for Outstanding Fitness Service.

Korin also went to Melbourne for the National AUSactive Awards and was personally awarded NSW Personal Trainer of the Year, as well as National Personal Trainer of the Year!

She also received a Roll of Honour Award for her work in advocacy for older Australians’ health and fitness through a proposed university study that will involve local seniors across our region.

Korin says, “These awards are a huge representation of the teamwork between myself and the team at Soul Fit Co.”

Also this year in the NAIDOC awards Korin was recognised for her passion and commitment towards supporting elderly people in the local community. Korin is a proud descendant of the Wiradjuri people of Central New South Wales, currently living on Dharawal Country in Gerringong. She has volunteered her time advocating for changes to NDIS packages, to ensure elderly people have increased access to health, fitness and wellbeing programs.

The Bugle commends Korin’s efforts, and those of her team at Soul Fit Co.

by Donna Portland

The Bugle congratulates all the entrants and place getters - an awesome achievement for all involved

Bugle: “We are thrilled to win the Most Outstanding Dance Studio for the third time this year against a field of 10 strong finalists.

We are proud to offer the communities we service a fun, non-competitive and non-selective environment for everyone to come and learn the joy of dance. Each week we see hundreds of students come through our door and the smiles and the friendships made are the most rewarding thing to see as a dance teacher and local business owner.

The community at Miss Zoe’s is beautiful and we are honoured to have been recognised for this in the Illawarra & South Coast Local Business Awards.”

by Mark Whalan

Sails Bistro Open 7 days

Lunch 11.30am 3pm Dinner from 5pm

Two Children’s Play Areas

Left: Zoe McCarthy Owner/ Director and Lily-Rose Miles, Head Teacher Kiama Studio.

Daisy's Single

Kiama’s love affair with music is well-documented, but we mostly hear from local rock and folk artists. One Gerringong artist is breaking that mould, and is ready to take on the pop world with her brand new single.

Daisy Pring is a former Kiama High School student who has been singing and performing her entire life. At just 20 years old, Daisy is gearing up to release her second single, Falling Together, on 10 October.

Daisy often hears comparisons between her music and modern pop icon Dua Lipa, but says her music influences range from contemporary pop stars like Ariana Grande, The Weeknd and Raye, to trailblazers like Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.

Influence from The Weeknd is more obvious on her second single, including thick, low-fidelity synthesisers underlaid with a slick guitar riff. While her first single, Retrograde, has a bouncer, almost disco sound, Falling Together, is a power anthem written about darker themes: the cycle of a toxic relationship. Lyrics like “I can tell it's been messing you up, falling out and in, in out of love” and “don't

Experience the magic of Opera in the Valley!

let the toxins in your veins” hammer this point home.

“It’s about toxic relationships from the perspective of someone telling their friend all of the time they’re wasting on something that’s not going anywhere,” Daisy told The Bugle “...and how you get stuck in a back and forth cycle over something that’s not going to last.”

Daisy wrote the song at home on her midi piano before taking it to Australian-Japanese music producer Taka Perry who is known for working with the likes of Ruel and Denzel Curry.

“Taka started to thicken up the song from the original piano chords up, adding a sick guitar riff in the post chorus which is one of my favourite parts of the track. We then worked on the verses and the chorus keeping the theme of poison and toxins as a metaphor for the toxic relationship the song speaks about.”

The single launches on all good music streaming platforms on 10 October, and Daisy is hosting a gig on 12 October at El Horses in Nowra to celebrate, with Kiama’s Denim On Her supporting.

Daisy will also perform at the Crooked River Wines’ Dave Ferrit Festival on 2-3 December, headlined by DMA’s and Icehouse.

by Mark Whalan

The Jamberoo Country Women's Association (CWA) is thrilled to announce the return of 'Opera in the Valley,' a mesmerising evening of opera and community spirit. Mark your calendars for Saturday 4 November, as the enchantment unfolds at the historic Jamberoo School of Arts, commencing at 8:00 PM.

In December 1997, the idea for 'Opera in the Valley' was born, thanks to the visionary late

member, Val Cummings of the Jamberoo CWA. This magical concept quickly turned into a reality within just six intense weeks of planning. Wine, supper, staging, sound systems, lighting, and even a grand piano on loan from the Kiama Jazz Club were meticulously arranged. The piano was guarded round the clock by dedicated members who even slept in the hall to ensure its safety. The overwhelming support from the community during this period was simply astounding. The inaugural Opera was a resounding success, and 'Opera in the Valley' has been an annual tradition and the CWA's primary fundraising event ever since.

In April 1999, a dedicated group of Jamberoo CWA mem -

bers formed the "Friends of the Hall" committee to raise funds for their very own grand piano. Numerous fundraising activities were organised, and by June 2000, they had raised $12,000 for the deposit. In June 2002, the final payment was made, and the grand piano became a cherished asset. This piano graces 'Opera in the Valley' each year and serves the local community during other events.

Over the years, 'Opera in the Valley' has featured remarkable artists, including the unforgettable Jose Carbo, who graced the stage at the very first Opera. Maestro Glenn Amer has been a pillar of support, consistently bringing top-tier singers to the event year after year. This year's Opera promises to delight the audience just as it has always done.

Stay tuned for more updates on this year's lineup, including the Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, and, of course, the exceptional Glenn Amer.

Since its inception, 'Opera in the Valley' has continued to captivate audiences, growing in popularity year by year. Set within the charming confines of the School of Arts, this magical event offers an intimate experience for just 200 fortunate attendees.

Secure Your Seats: Tickets for this exceptional evening will be available for purchase from 3 October. Don't miss out! Each ticket is priced at $60, which includes wine and cheese during the intermission and a hearty CWA supper afterward. It's an opportunity to mingle and engage with the artists, making it a truly unique experience.

Secure your place at 'Opera in the Valley' by visiting Elders Real Estate Jamberoo.

Enjoy an enchanting night of opera, community, and support. 'Opera in the Valley' is where the magic of music meets the heart of caring.

by Donna Portland

Photo credit Mark Whalan

W H E N W E L I S T E N W E M A K E B E T T E R D

E C I S I O N S

When governments listen to people, they achieve better outcomes and use funding more effectively

The Voice: A straightforward idea to drive practical results

Recognising 65,000 years of indigenous culture in Australia’s 22 year old constitution

Listening and learning through the Voice - a diverse group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who can provide advice to Parliament on matters that affect them

Protecting the Voice in the Constitution so that it can’t be dismantled at the whim of changing governments

Agreeing that the current approach isn’t working: we need to change the status quo

This idea has been decades in the making The Indigenous community proposed it and over 80% of Indigenous people support it.

Outcomes are better when Indigenous peoples are consulted about their communities' health education employment and housing policies

Protecting the Voice through the Constitution gives it the time and security it needs to start driving better outcomes without risk of it being removed by politicians

The Voice provides advice on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples It’s up to the Government to decide how / if they use that advice

Learn more, share, and take action at Yes23.com.au

AD authorised by Karen Forsyth, Kiama Region for yes23.

P e o p l e ’ s C h o i c e p r i z e :

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

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Tongan Schoolboy Rugby Team pitstop in Kiama

Kiama turned on the charm mid September, welcoming the Tongan Schoolboy Rugby Union squad as they visited Australia for a four-match tour of NSW and ACT.

The Minnamurra Lions put on a sumptuous sausage sizzle at Storm Bay, to provide the team with an opportunity to view the blowhole precinct, and allow the boys to rest and take in our stunning coastline before they embarked on their journey south.

Ekuasi Manu, Manager of the Tongan National Rugby Team U18, was delighted to arrive after a tiring journey from Sydney. He praised the

Cultural engagement to enhance student learning

dents the opportunity to engage with each other, connect with their culture, and be mentored by senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait students who have taken on the opportunity to become leaders in their community.

Karan Taylor, CEDoW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Professional Officer, said, “Engaging in learning and culture together has a profound impact on a student’s learning and wellbeing outcome.”

scenery on the way down. “The weather has been kind to us. The boys are not used to cold weather, but we’ve been blessed so far.”

Mr Manu said he hoped for a full day of training to get the boys mentally focused before their game against the local

team NAC Barbarians at the Shoalhaven Rugby Club the next night.

Other matches the boys were facing were Marist College in Canberra andKnox college in Sydney later this month.

The Tongan schoolboys are travelling with 30 players and seven offi -

cials.

Who knows who we will see back here in the major leagues in the years to come! Tonga is a very proud nation and the players feel honoured to be included in the national teams.

by Steven White

Gerringong lions rising star to play in papua New Guinea

More than 200 junior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 7-9 from Catholic secondary schools across will join together with Elders and Community leaders to celebrate an explosion of culture at the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW)

‘Bangawarra’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander junior students engagement day.

The ‘Bangawarra’ program aims to support, engage and immerse secondary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in all areas of their learning and cultural journey, as well as to ensure students are happy, thriving and reaching their goals. It was held at The Pavilion, Kiama on 31 August,

following on from the senior students cultural and career day held in March 2023.

The Bangawarra program aims to be a key stakeholder in ‘Closing the Gap’ between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal education outcomes and school completion rates by providing culturally enriched immersions and capacity building opportunities for students while at school and after completion.

Elders and Community members joined students in the formalities, including a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, followed by yarning circles where students shared their educational and cultural journeys.

The idea is to give stu-

“As a Catholic organisation, we acknowledge the importance of celebrating culture for all students, and in particular for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Culture plays a significant part in developing a student’s identity, and being proud of who they are helps create a stronger sense of belonging,” said Mrs Taylor.

Guests attending include Aboriginal Elders from across the Illawarra, Macarthur and Shoalhaven areas, Sister Kerry MacdermottAboriginal Catholic Ministry, and key CEDoW personnel.

by Donna Portland

Photos Josephine Cooks

Gerringong Lions has presented rising star player 17-year-old Hayden Buchanan with a $500 cheque to help pay for his trip to Papua New Guinea as part of the Australian Schoolboys Rugby League team.

Gerringong Lions Secretary Jody Egan agreed that the Lions have an enviable reputation as one of the best clubs for junior players to have great fun and little stress playing league.

“The Gerringong Lions has one of the highest junior retention rates in

NSW, if not the highest. Especially that difficult age bracket between 14 to 16 years old.”

Hayden is seen as another talented player following in the footsteps of Lions greats like Mick Cronin and Ashton Sims.

Last year, Hayden joined the Illawarra Steelers junior representative squad, scoring nine tries in eight Harold Matthews Cup squad games.

A Kiama High student, Hayden also played in 2023 for the NSW CHS (Combined High School Sports team). Australian

Schoolboys

described

as a role model for the sport's values and noted his standard of fair play.

Hayden, who plays first grade for Gerringong Lions, agreed he had a lot of fun playing, and the club gave a lot of support.

“Love playing for the Lions,” he said.

by Mark Whalan

coach Nathan Ford

Hayden

left to right Jody Egan, Paul Cronin, Hayden Buchanan and other members of the Gerringong Lions

The Men's Table Kiama

month and getting stuff off their chest. The Men’s Table conducts an annual survey of these men at Tables and reports a contribution to the improvement in its members' mental, emotional, and social well-being.

The Men’s Table is a nationally registered not for profit with a simple, local approach to community building. The concept was born in 2011 when co-founder Ben Hughes was struggling with stress at work and a messy divorce and needed somewhere to talk about what he was experiencing and feeling. He and a group of friends got together for dinner with the intention of talking about what’s really going on for them and sharing the highs and lows of their lives. They’ve been meeting once a month ever since.

With a vision of Healthy Men, Healthy Masculinities, Healthy Communities, the aim is to help

men build meaningful male friendships and connections by creating safe places to share, overcoming the stigma that “men don’t talk”.

A nationally representative survey of Australian men conducted by Healthy Male found that 43 percent of Australian men feel lonely and that it is the middle-aged group - ages 35-49 - that are the loneliest. Many negative physical and mental impacts include heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety and suicide.

There are now over 150 Tables across the country, with more than 1600 men meeting for dinner each

Their latest evaluation report – The Men’s Table Ripple Effect – spoke to significant women in the lives of men who sit at Tables – partners, wives, sisters, daughters and friends. Some of the key impacts include 43 percent of women surveyed saying the man in their life is more emotionally available and 10 percent experiencing less anger and/or violence as a result of a significant man in their life sitting at a Table. In addition, 87 percent of the men themselves report a sense of community belonging after sitting at a Table for a year or more.

It’s healthy to show emotion and share feelings, yet for many men in their relationships with other blokes, the talk is mostly about ‘footy and stuff’. It is important for men to connect with others and feel comfort -

able talking about their emotions. The traditional masculine norms of being a "stoic man" have had negative effects on men's physical and emotional health. By breaking these norms, men can have a positive impact on their families and serve as positive role models for younger generations of men. How can you join a Men’s Table group?

The first step in joining a Table is to attend an Entree event. This will give you a good feel for how the Table works, you’ll meet other interested men and see if it’s a fit for you. There is no obligation to join after attending an Entree. There are no ongoing fees to join a Table, and men simply pay for their own meal and drink each month

Kiama currently has two Men’s Tables, but one does not have the full complement of 12 people, so can take new members. If this sounds like something of interest, get in touch via their website: www.themenstable. org or call 1800 636 782

by Donna Portland

dino bros

The Dino Bros, like the Uninspired Employed, are the next big internet sensation to come out of Kiama!

Well not quite yet as the Dino Bros are just starting out and visited the streets of Kiama on Friday afternoon 8 September 2023.

They visited the Kiama Farmers Market at Coronation Park on Wednesday.

The Inspired Unemployed

are still going strong with the show Impractical Jokers on Channel 10 and Paramount plus.

However, the Dino Bros are making their own skits for their channel and are visiting the streets of Kiama to interact with locals and tourists, dance, growl, and a bit of falling down, Dino style, especially in high winds.

Their names are Israel, Noah and Lucas and probably are brothers. Their Dino names are yet to be revealed. Keep an eye out for them on the streets of Kiama, especially at festival time! Check out their channels dinobros_official on Instagram and Youtube.

by Mark Whalan

Kiama Elders Remembered

The Bugle would like to acknowledge the recent passing of some of our Kiama elders.

WINSOME BARKER

Winsome Barker, well known citizen of Kiama passed away on Tuesday 5 September 2023.

After an evenful life Winsome moved to Kiama in 1990.

Winsome was well known in many roles but instrumental in Peace Park (noted for the wonderful Rose Garden) in Manning Street and the Kiama Pelican statue down at the Harbour. Many locals have fond memories of Winsome’s many colourful hats. The Kiama Garden Club presented Winsome with her life membership in 2014.

The gazebo at the Kiama Peace Park which Winsome was instrumental in creating is named the Winsome Barker gazebo in her honour. The park was paid for by the innovative Buy a Brick scheme where bricks with names are still able to be added to the walking paths, and now has become a memorial itself. It was not well known but Winsome worked for many years as a volunteer guide at Taronga Zoo, despite the long distance required to

travel to and from Kiama.

Winsome was a long-term member of the Kiama and District Historical Society.

Winsome, as part of the Tidy Town committee, arranged for the bronze mix statue of the Kiama Pelican which still has pride of place near the boat ramp at Kiama Harbour. The statue by artist Tim Johnman was erected in 2002 as a warning to fishers and locals about the dangers of plastic bags to local wildlife after Winsome heard the story of a real pelican

26/9/1924 - 5/9/2023

It is with great sadness that we advise the passing of Mrs Winsome Ruth Barker, peacefully on Tuesday 5th of September, at David Berry Hospital, Berry NSW, aged 98 years

Youngest daughter of William H Anderson (dec) & Lucy F Anderson (nee Harvison)(dec)

Loving wife of Alfred (Alfie) John Barker (dec)

Mrs Barker will be remembered for her love of Australia, its fauna and flora and supporting the broader Kiama Community

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Mrs Barker’s remarkable life, at a memorial service at the Kiama Presbyterian Church (corner Terralong and Shoalhaven Streets), on Thursday 21st September 2023, commencing at 11 30am, refreshments to follow

tried out on Bandstand with Brian Henderson.”

David Oke told The Bugle Dick had compiled a large document about Kiama with lots of photos that hopefully will be publicly available one day. As one contributor to the Kiama Remembers FB page said in tribute. “The photos that Dick put up on the page brought up so many great memories of Kiama’s past. He will definitely be missed.”

at Kiama that died eating plastic bags and mistaking them for jellyfish.

The highlight was in 2014, when Winsome Barker was presented with the Kiama Electorate Community Recognition Award by NSW Governor David Hurley.

Thanks to Barry Wilson for supplying much of the above material. Barry Wilson, Winsome’s long term neighbour remembers Winsome “as a distinguished lady who maintained an aura and thoroughly enjoyed talking to people and doing as much as possible for our community .”

Her legacy will be enjoyed by the community and visitors for many decades to come. Windsor was just shy of 99 when she passed.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Winsome’s life at the Kiama Presbyterian Church on Thursday 21 September, 2023 from 11.30 am.

DICK OKE

Dick Oke who passed away on 30 August 2023 in Astonville is fondly remembered by many Kiama locals, and former residents who have moved away, for his extensive knowledge and photographic contributions on the local Facebook group, Kiama Remembers, a history of Kiama.

His mother Esme Campbell’s family were from Kiama and Dick visited Kiama many times when young. Dick was in many ways the heart of the Kiama Historical Pages on Facebook, and his many posts were a joy to very many.

Dick went to Macquarie Boys High and worked at Grace Bros in Sydney. He loved golf.

NSW Governor David Hurley, Gareth Ward State MP, Ann Sudmalis former Federal MP and Mayor Brian Petschler at the presentation to Mrs Winsome Barker

David Oke said “Dad loved his Datsun 260z which he bought new and owned all his life. He was a great fan of Star

Trek and the Goons. He was heavily into music and was in a band which

Both Winsome and Dick forged connec tions and memories which have helped make the community in Kiama all that much stronger, and they will be remembered.

The Bugle shares with many locals the feeling at the moment that we are witnessing the passing of a generation as we in Kiama lose the wisdom of the elders who guided our great local community spirit for so long.

by Mark Whalan

Mrs Winsome Ruth Barker

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Collecting is a worldwide hobby but for us, we collect visits to amazing places. The first country we visited with our children all those years ago was Noumea. Since then, we have visited 40 more countries. Our most recent trip was to Vietnam. When we are asked what we enjoyed most about this holiday, the answer came easily: the people. Their generosity of spirit, kindness and gentle good ways made our holiday. The food and landscape are rich and diverse. When we visit another country, it is so important for us to feel like we're “overseas” and not just see the same thing as we

can see at home.

Starting in the north of Vietnam in the capital Hanoi, we made our way out of the city and headed to the coast to Ha Long Bay and the UNESCO-listed paradise that is Ninh Binh.

Heading south and rounding off the trip, we visited Hoi An for the Full

Travellers Stories

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

hello@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Moon Festival, which involves going down the river on beautiful old boats surrounded by brightly coloured lanterns. Although we have many more countries that we want to add to our list, we will return to Vietnam many more times.

by Michael & Julie Foye

A Journey Like No Other

Experience Antarctica, with Travel Focus Group

Picture this: You've just wrapped up an extraordinary day on the icy expanse of Antarctica. As you glide through the frigid waters in a speedboat, colossal icebergs loom around you, their breathtaking beauty leaving you utterly spellbound. Whales, their immense tails breaking through the surface, seem almost within arm's reach, their majestic dives into the depths accompanied by the soothing sound of water cascading. And then, on the shore, penguins provide a delightful comedy act, tumbling in

the snow, collecting rocks for their nests, and waddling to their families. It's a world beyond imagination, one that words can hardly do justice to.

Returning to the warmth of your ship, you join your fellow travelers, all brimming with life and buzzing with excitement. A hearty meal and celebratory champagne await, followed by a well-deserved rest in preparation for another exhilarating day ahead.

But here's the best part – you don't have

to imagine this surreal experience; you can live it. Embark on a journey unlike any other and discover the wonders of Antarctica, the seventh continent. This remote and pristine destination is a realm of exclusivity, not easily reached.

You have the opportunity to be part of the esteemed Travel Focus Group advisors on an 11day "Best of Antarctica Expedition" commencing on 9 December, 2023.

Your journey begins in Ushuaia, the southern -

most tip of South America, and takes you through the legendary Drake Passage to the breathtaking South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of other expeditions that suit your preferences.

Prepare to be mesmerised by the diverse wildlife, including playful penguins, graceful seals, and majestic whales, which call this region home. Beyond the enchanting fauna, you'll be captivated by the

awe-inspiring landscapes, glaciers, and the captivating natural history of this region. Dive into the geology, climate, and unique flora and fauna of Antarctica, forging unforgettable memories every step of the way.

Your base for this extraordinary adventure is the Ocean Endeavour. Equipped with an ice-strengthened hull and state-of-the-art navigation equipment, it's the perfect vessel for Polar Region expeditions. The ship offers a range of

cabin options, including dedicated single cabins for solo travelers, comfortable suites, and triple cabins with two bathrooms. Whether you seek companionship with fellow travelers or solitude to soak in the Antarctic wonders, the Ocean Endeavour has you covered.

A local resident contacted The Bugle about a story she heard that animal carcasses were dumped routinely off the Blowhole Point near the Showground. The Bugle can confirm that there are several references to this in the archives of the Kiama Independent about the practice, especially complaints based on the smell and that the car -

casses attracted sharks. The dumping continued for many decades.

This led to a number of knock-on effects, including the building of local rock pools as safe swimming areas, as swimming at beaches was generally considered very unsafe due to the large number of sharks.

As recorded at the Pilot’s Cottage Museum

and in the archives of the Kiama Independent, the animal carcasses, usually dead farm animals such as cows or horses, used to attract sharks, and particularly a very large tiger shark that got the moniker ‘Big Ben’ and regularly fed at the Blowhole.

The research indicates that ‘Big Ben’ was a common nickname given to anything of unusual size, as several local sharks and a world record black marlin seemed to have had the nickname.

His visits were so frequent that as the Harbour was being built and divers, in heavy helmets and rubber suits, were deployed, they decided to regularly feed it. The Kiama Independent recorded the story that the shark would come around and harass the divers working on the Kiama Harbour basin construction. It was also well-known to follow the steamship ‘Illawong’ from Kiama Harbour to Sydney and back again. Kiama Harbour was finished in 1876.

In 1938 a world record black marlin called Big Ben, was caught off Kiama and put on display at the Brighton Hotel. It was 1226 pounds and 14 foot 9 inches long, and Zane Grey, the famous adventure writer (normally associated with Bermagui as he published ‘An American Angler in Australia’ set in Bermagui in 1936) said it was the biggest he had ever seen. The biggest before this was 900 lbs!

Zane’s secretary Gus Bagnall then caught a world record tiger shark, also nicknamed ‘Big Ben’ (it seems ‘Big Ben’ was used for both the marlin and the shark for some reason), and both were put on display in the gentleman’s bar of the Kiama New Brighton Hotel owned by Rupert Beale. Big Ben the tiger shark of Kiama was 1382 lbs and thirteen feet and nine inches long and seven foot nine inches in girth.

Rupert Beale later exhibited them both around the shows as part of an election campaign.

The book Kiama Game Fishing History (by Mark Way) states that in 1940 Rupert Beale got a trailer with the tiger shark, ‘Big Ben’ and the Marlin (and a schnapper) and exhibited around the local shows, and also the Brisbane Show and the Royal Easter Show. The trailer as described had sides that folded down to exhibit the glass tanks full of formaldehyde, wheel caps designed to

look like shark’s teeth and a big shark head made of fiberglass on the front of the trailer. By all reports it was a big hit, until sadly a few months later it caught fire and was destroyed somewhere at a showground.

Rupert Beale was successfully elected as an Independent Member for Kiama in 1941 in a surprise result.

Sadly, Rupert died a few months later, and his son Jack Beale was elected in his place, the youngest member at the time at only 25 and member for Kiama both as an independent and as a Liberal in the Askin Government until his retirement in 1973. Jack was a huge advocate of privatised power using dams until his death in 2006.

Jack had many businesses including Springs Ltd that made springs and Rain Spray Sprinklers Ltd that made rain spray sprinklers. It is remarkable to think that his father’s successful political campaign exhibiting Big

Ben the shark led to his son's long and successful career.

A fascinating anecdote is recorded in the Kiama Reporter here from Mrs Portia Robinson (nee Chin), 85 in 1938. She remembers bathing as a girl in Storm Bay, until half past four when the children were ordered out so the men from the nearby Kiama Harbour works could bathe. She recalled a remarkable story of a murdered man whose body was projected out of the Kiama Blowhole.

Mrs Robinson said the Blowhole used “to send the water up to a much greater height than now, the aperture being smaller.”

She also referred to the story of Big Ben the shark being caught off the Blowhole with a pig carcass as bait, after hunting the local coast for years.

Sharks at Kiama Blowhole

by Mark Whalan Kiama Remembers

turning your skateboard into A work of art

Skateboarding has been a popular activity since the early 20th century. People use skateboards to move around their towns and cities. Many regional towns, like Kiama, have dedicated skateparks where riders can practice their skills and show off their tricks to friends.

Skateboards can be purchased from retail stores or customized to fit the rider's personality and preferences.

On Wednesday, 27th

September, the NSW Office of Regional Youth is organizing a workshop where participants can design and create their own skateboard deck. The workshop will provide participants with a blank skateboard, surfpaint pens, tracing paper, and other tools needed to create their masterpiece. Participants will be able to take their completed deck home for free.

Wednesday, 27 September

Kiama Pavilion 10 am

lego spot the difference

If you have children, you may have experienced that moment in the evening when you walk through your house and suddenly step on a small plastic item, causing you so much pain that you cry out in agony. This common culprit? Lego.

The Gerringong Library has taken a different approach with their Lego sets. Instead of leaving the pieces lying around, they have come up with a clever activity that invites members of

the public to spot the differences in a picture. This not only encourages people to build scenes, but also challenges them to move items around ever so slightly to see if others can identify the changes.

The Bugle would love to see your creations!

Gerringong Town Library

Tuesday, 26 September 1–2pm or 3-4pm.

Intuitively we recognise the joy of socialising - we know how much better we feel sharing stories and laughter with friends, which brings happiness and has far-reaching positive effects on our well-being. Researchers have delved into these benefits, revealing seven significant advantages that socialising offers, particularly for older adults.

Local psychologist Caryn Walsh comments, “All of us need friends - throughout our lives - wherever we are - whoever we are. Some friends come and go, whilst others are in this time called life with us for the long haul. Either way, friends matter - greatly.”

According to Michigan State University research, family and friend relationships are linked to better health and happiness at all ages. Results indicated that as people get older, friendships become a stronger predictor of health and happiness.

Caryn reveals, “I see this when I am helping or interacting with the community at all levels and ages. Surrounded by people who make our life enjoyable and families and friends on whom we can rely, I watch locals out and about spending time together and enjoying the sunshine.”

1. Cognitive Health: Experts have established a compelling link between socialisation and cognitive health in seniors. It keeps the mind sharp and reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Coming Up

Indian Street Food

By The Sea Cafe

Thursday 21 September, 6pm

Opening of Blowhole Courts

Blowhole Tennis Courts

Friday 22 September, 9.30am

The NSW Government is calling for nominations for the NSW Woman of the Year, seeking individuals who are innovative, inspirational, and dedicated to challenging inequality.

These individuals are the movers and shakers in their communities who often go unrecognised for their contributions. By nominating them, you can help bring their achievements to the forefront and give them the recog -

nition they deserve. There are several categories available, including Young Woman of the Year, Aboriginal Woman of the Year, and Community Hero.

Nominations close 11:59pm, Tuesday 24 October 2023 (this has been extended from the previous close date of 11:59pm, Sunday 8 October 2023).

Nominate at tinyurl. com/TheBugleWomenOfTheYear2024

for those who have lost a spouse. Social connections provide a lifeline, offering support during life's ups and downs.

Caryn adds, “When we know we can meet people we trust at the local café, or we will spend time with a friend we have had for many years, our sense of positive anticipation is heightened – as is our pleasure when we are with people who form part of our ‘tribe.’ ”

5. Enhanced self-esteem: The more we engage in social activities, the more we feel like contributing to our community. Positive interactions with others boost self-confidence and overall satisfaction.

6. Accountability: Socialisation also plays a role in keeping us on the right track with socially acceptable behaviour. It serves as a reminder to maintain selfcare and avoid slipping into undesirable habits.

7. A sense of purpose: For everyone in society, having somewhere to go and something to do provides a sense of purpose. A robust social life infuses daily routines with excitement and anticipation.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2021, 26,000 people were living in our beautiful community, with a median age of 52 years. Of that, slightly more than half are female and slightly less male.

Folk by the Sea Festival

Various venues around Kiama

Friday, 22 September

Exhibition: Collage in Relief

Gerringong Library Museum

Friday, 22 September, 4pm

Music: Penny Hartgerink Kiama Golf Club

Saturday, 23 September, 7:30pm

Sphero Amazing Race

Kiama Library

Tuesday, 26 September, 11:30am and 4pm

Lego Spot the Difference Gerringong Library

Tuesday, 26 September, 1pm

Ben’s Book Club

Kiama Library

Tuesday, 26 September, 7:30pm

Botanical Suncatcher Craft Kiama Library

Wednesday, 27 September, 10:30am

Music: Thin White Ukes

El Horses, Nowra

Thursday, 28 September, 4.30pm

Gerroa Fishos Charity Night

Gerroa Boat Fisherman’s Club

Saturday, 30 September, 6pm

Exhibition: Dawn to Dusk

Seven Marks Gallery

Monday, 2 October – Sunday, 8 October

Gerringong Pics and Flicks

Gerringong Town Hall

Friday, 6 October, 7:30pm Birdcage Ball

The Pavillion

Friday, 6 October, 6pm

Regular Events

Kiama Farmers’ Markets

Every Wednesday

Uniting Church or Kiama Surf Beach, 3-6pm

2. Psychological well-being: Among the leading triggers of depression among seniors are isolation and loneliness. Many aging adults grapple with feelings of despair and worthlessness. Socialising acts as a powerful antidote to these emotional challenges, fostering feelings of love and value.

3. Improved mental health: Engaging in social activities reaffirms our sense of worth and contributes to improved mental health. It offers opportunities for a positive outlook and a healthy mental state.

4. Sense of belonging: The need for a sense of belonging remains essential throughout our lives. This becomes particularly crucial in later life, especially

Walking around Kiama is where we see people enjoying the hospitality and weather that our beautiful rural town has to offer, with many of our residents enjoying a meal, walking or spending time with each other exploring the local environment.

Caryn says, “Watching this, I see how important friendship is to everybody and realise that having friendship across all stages of our life is not a nice to have, but a critical aspect of our ability to enjoy our connections and relationships with others, at whatever age.”

There you have it: building strong connections with others enriches our lives and instils them with meaning and fulfillment. The closeness cultivated by spending quality time with loved ones underscores the immense value of socialising in making life truly worthwhile.

by Donna Portland

SENTRAL’S Open Mic

Every Thursday

SENTRAL Youth Services, 5-7pm

Robyn Sharp Open Gallery

First weekend of every month

Cedar Ridge Studio, Foxground, by appointment

The Berry Markets

First Sunday each month

Berry Show Society, 8.30-2pm

The Berry Bowling Club Markets

Second Saturday of the month, 9-2pm

Gerringong Rotary Markets

Third Saturday each month

Around the Town Hall, 8:30-1:30pm

Kiama Seaside Markets

Third Sunday each month

Black Beach, 9-3pm

Jamberoo Village Markets

Last Sunday each month

Reid Park, Jamberoo, 9-2pm

Have an event?

Let us know. Bugle/KCR

steven@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

searching for the next woman of the year for nsw

the vital benefits of having a social life for adults

Revitalising Relationships

What happens when your partner cheats?

Dear Editor

I became aware of my girlfriend’s cheating just recently. She swears that it was a one-off mistake in a moment of weakness and won’t happen again. She says that she really values our relationship and wants it to work.

I really want to believe her, but I feel like I can’t trust her anymore. How do we get through this?

Thank you for your letter reader.

In my years as a therapist and advice columnist, I've seen countless people through the sometimes devastating aftermath of infidelity and the pain and confusion it brings.

No two relationships are alike, and the days and weeks after a betrayal often bring extremely strong emotions that vary by the minute.

Sometimes you feel that you are ‘all over the place’ and that you’re going crazy. But you’re not. You’re going through pain and grief and it takes time to recover.

There are so many questions in your mind.

How many times have they cheated?

Is it only once?

Do I want to stay in this relationship or not?

Will I ever be able to trust again- and would I want to?

How on earth did we get here?

What made them take our relationship to such a bad place?

Surely, it’s more their fault than mine!

These questions will take time to resolve and as you do, more emotions may arise – sadness, despair, guilt, hope, numbness, optimism and so forth.

Why people cheat

You’ll ask yourself a million times why your partner cheated, but there is seldom a simple answer as so many variations could be at play here. Some examples are:

• Is the cheating a symptom of other problems in your relationship?

• Is there something in your partner’s past?

• Is communication poor in your relationship that makes them look for sanity elsewhere?

• Is sex or intimacy a problem?

• Do we have the same values or not?

What the studies say

Whilst your decision should never be guided by research, studies tell us

that while the numbers vary depending on the scope and type of survey, it appears that close to half, (or 45 per cent of individuals in monogamous relationships) admit to having an affair.

Close to 25 per cent of marriages stay together after an instance of cheating, and more men than women stay married when they are the cheating partner (61 per cent vs 44 per cent).*

Death knell or magical marriage? How to recover when someone cheats

I have worked with particularly difficult situations like this and similarly helped couples separate and work out ways forward, particularly if children are involved.

For many couples, an affair (one-off or regular/ongoing) destroys the relationship for good, leading them to divorce, heartache and much difficulty for their kids as well.

Getting it right saves the migraines of divorce because of a cheating partner.

Avoiding affairs is vital to the health of any intimate relationship and to the longterm health and stability of family life.

However, cheating does not always mean the end of a relationship, but it does mean that if a couple wants to stay together, they must both realise that they have a long road ahead (needing lots of commitment) to carve a new relationship moving forward that can be better than it ever was.

If both partners want the relationship to work and are super-committed to turning it around into something magical, they have to follow me as I wave my wand and take them through a process that will demand remorse from the cheating partner, forgiveness, relentless commitment and a healthy dose of effort day in, day out, until you both learn how to have a better relationship.

Moving forward

• Commit to staying together and being brutally honest about your part in the breakdown of the relationship

• Commit to no exit strategy

• Find a good life coach or therapist to help you work through these issues

• With help, work out exactly how the relationship ended up here. Both partners must own their part and what they could have done to improve the relationship before they cheated

• Scrutinise all categories of things that distanced the relationship – the arrival of children, money, in-laws, stress, money pressures and the like

• I go through each category step by step with the couple, helping them design strategies and

Caryn Walsh is a Kiama Counsellor & Psychotherapist, Life and Executive Coach and welcomes your Relationship

learning key communication skills to resolve these issues that have built up over time

• Organise date nights and special time together, having learned with your coach how to ‘be’ in your new relationship

• Do a range of exercises and skills training around couple communication and values such as good communication, respect, loyalty and honesty as example

• Little by little the coach will help you build and live in a very different relationship

• The success of this will be up to you and your partner

When a partner cheats, no matter when and for how long, it hurts - like hell. It makes us feel awful and unworthy and devastated by the betrayal.

Cheating will always dam age a relationship.

So, reader, if you choose to stay with your partner, then you can now do so with additional knowledge and an understanding of what to do and how to get help. If you choose not to stay, get a professional to help you sep arate as well as possible.

Best, Caryn

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

Rethinking sexual assault in Australia

Note: This article deals with sexual assault and may trigger some readers. Sexual assault, rape, and sexual violence are haunting words that often lurk in the dark, rarely discussed openly. Yet, they cast a long and harrowing shadow over the lives of thousands of Australian women. Conservative estimates suggest that one in five Australian women will experience sexual violence during their lifetime. For these women, these words aren't whispered; they're screamed, etching scars on the collective consciousness of Australia's female population.

In a nation that prides itself on justice and equality, this staggering loss of justice for survivors of sexual violence is a glaring contradiction. Only 1.5 percent of sexual assault cases in Australia result in a conviction. This grim statistic leaves an overwhelming majority of survivors who navigate the complex justice system and often are retraumatised by it, only to witness their perpetrators walk free. The reasons behind this alarming trend are numerous. Many survivors, discouraged by the low conviction rates and the daunting prospect of enduring a trial, choose not to report their assault. The victim-blaming culture in Australia further compounds this issue.

come forward, perpetuating a culture of silence and shame.

But amidst this bleak landscape, there are glimmers of hope. Recent initiatives, such as the Victorian Government's move to prioritise affirmative consent, mark a critical shift in addressing sexual violence. This legal change redefines consent as explicit, voluntary, and an ongoing process, shifting the responsibility from survivors to perpetrators. It highlights the need for individuals to actively seek and receive consent throughout a sexual encounter.

World Sexual Health Day, celebrated annually, is a global initiative endorsed by the World Health Organization. It's dedicated to promoting sexual health and wellbeing as a fundamental human right. This day focuses on the significance of consent, respect, and autonomy in all sexual interactions, aiming to educate people about these essential aspects. By fostering awareness and open dialogues, it works to combat stigma, promote positive sexual experiences, and enhance the understanding of con-

sent and sexual autonomy worldwide.

The importance of an acknowledging consent model cannot be overstated. It forces a shift away from victim-blaming and towards holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

It dismantles the tactics of coercion and manipulation often employed by perpetrators, ensuring that sexual encounters are based on clear, mutual consent.

Education about consent, both inside and outside the bedroom, is crucial. It is essential to address these issues not just in intimate relationships but also in schools, courtrooms, and policy-making offices. Conversations about consent must permeate our society to create a safer environment for all.

Australia's women do deserve better. It's time for a cultural transformation that places consent, justice, and support at the forefront. It's time to end the staggering loss experienced by Australian women and provide survivors with the justice, compassion, and respect they rightfully deserve.

by Veronica Grace

An open letter to the Australian Government

Dear Prime Minister,

For millions of regional Australians, local newspapers are the news source they trust the most to keep their community informed, connected and strong.

With misleading, fake and biased information flooding social media feeds, it has never been more important for Australians, especially those living beyond the major cities, to have access to independent local voices and accurate and reliable journalism.

The newspapers of the ACM network and the member newspapers of Country Press Australia provide this vital service to thousands of communities around the country. Some of our 300+ mastheads have been doing it for more than 180 years.

But a recent dramatic decline in federal government advertising in regional newspapers is threatening the future of the public interest journalism that is essential for informed citizens, consumers and communities.

In the 2022-2023 financial year, Australian Government advertising across the regional newspaper sector plunged by more than 70%.

We tell the stories that matter to the 9 million people who live in regional Australia. And yet the local newspapers serving 36% of the population get next to 0% of the government’s advertising spend.

Regional Australia deserves better from the Australian Government. Regional Australians deserve to see a fair share of their hard-earned tax dollars flowing back to their communities and the local newspapers they trust to keep them informed and connected.

Instead of bringing essential messages about government initiatives and services to highly engaged local newspaper audiences, Australian Government advertising campaigns favour foreign-owned, algorithm-driven digital giants that don’t employ regional journalists and instead devalue real news in their newsfeeds.

Grants that provided temporary relief in the face of last year’s steep rise in the cost of newsprint were gratefully received, but this year’s federal budget outlay of $900,000 on yet more academic research to tell us what we already know won’t prevent more newspapers joining the 200+ titles that have closed across Australia over the past three years.

ACM and Country Press Australia call on the Australian Government to take meaningful action now to support regional newspapers, the jobs and public interest journalism they provide and the communities they serve.

As no fewer than three parliamentary inquiries led by MPs from across the major parties have previously recommended, the government should immediately:

1. Guarantee a fair share of its existing advertising budget is devoted to regional newspapers. Adopting the Victorian government’s simple policy of mandating that a full page of government advertising appear in every regional and community newspaper every week will provide publishers with certainty and sustainability.

2.Extend funding for cadet journalist training programs to grow the talent pool of regional reporters.

3. Commit to exploring a public interest journalism tax rebate, as previously recommended by the ACCC, and other tax incentives for regional publishers to hire more journalists and launch new publications.

Every week millions of regional Australians support trusted local newspapers and the accurate and reliable journalism they deliver. On behalf of our readers, we urge the Australian Government to do the same.

Yours sincerely,

SCHREYER President Country Press Australia

ANDREW

Mark Your Calendar: 6 October - Birdcage Ball, a Night of Fun and Fundraising!

Join the William Campbell College (WCC) for an unforgettable evening at The Pavilion Kiama to celebrate the Birdcage Ball on 6 October. Get ready for a sumptuous 3-course meal, cocktails, dancing, live music, and auctions!

The event's purpose is to support Children's Education at William Campbell College located at Nowra Hill. Guest attendance directly contributes to sponsoring children's education, resources, excursions, and the expansion of the College.

The journey began in 1998, when William (Bill) Campbell decided after being a child in care himself, he wanted to open a foundation that supported children and young people in his local community.

William Campbell Foundation (WCF) is now one of the largest non-profit organizations supporting the South Coast of New South Wales, having operated for 21 years.

Bill’s Foundation is a helping hand for children and young people in our community and is a notfor-profit organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable, neglected and homeless children and young people. They offer Foster Care, Family Support, Youth Support, Mentoring, and Chaplaincy.

One of the visions when building the William Campbell Foundation was to see a purpose-built school developed and constructed. The school provides a holistic ap -

ball

proach towards the needs of children and young people, including education, health, welfare, social, cultural, emotional and spiritual. The model of the school has far-reaching effects both for the child's personal growth and for the community, which will reap the benefits of each child eventually becoming a dignified and mature adult who can bring to society the benefits of their educational and personal achievements.

The College caters to students who may have suffered significant trauma or experienced time in out-of-home care. They may be disengaged from school or struggling in mainstream education due to a range of social, emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties.

The uniqueness of the school allows teachers and staff to work cohesively with permanency support staff from the William Campbell Foundation. This allows a greater understanding of the children's individual needs.

“We are thankful for the support from our community, especially the businesses who have donated various items to our silent and live auctions that will go directly to sponsoring children's education to attend William Campbell College, resources, excursions, and to further build stage two and three of the College,” the WCC has said.

Tickets for this annual event are available now. Secure your spot for a fantastic night by purchasing your tickets via the link on the WCC Facebook page or via the website.

PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

YOU ASKED, WE DELIVERED - TV GUIDE AND PUZZLES! ENJOY THE WEEK AHEAD

No. 194

27 Tactical board game (5)

28 From Israel (arch.) (9)

29 Core (7)

30 Power source (7)

DOWN

1 Adherent of Islam (6)

2 Sacred beetle (6)

3 Elemental (8)

4 Country in Southeast Asia (4)

5 Large warship (10)

6 Brand; disgrace (6)

7 Water course (8)

8 A break in a journey (8)

13 Related to money and trade (10)

16 Middling (8)

17 Royal family member (8)

18 Hungary’s capital (8)

Scuttling sea animal

WORDFIT

14 Stroke lightly (6) 15 Blackguard (4)

1 Melodious (7)

5 Except; otherwise  (7)

9 Taker of blame (9)

10 US state (5)

11 Slanted font (6)

12 Pink bird (8)

9-LETTER

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

E E

F E V T C

F I

Each number corresponds to a letter of the alphabet. Two have been filled in for you, can you work out the rest?

QUICK QUIZ

1. What is the highest point in South Australia?

2. What is the art or science of being a teacher?

3. Who was the Marquess of Pembroke?

4. What is the currency of Azerbaijan?

5. In which country is Hamelin, as referred to in The Pied Piper of Hamelin?

6. The Fresnel lens was originally developed for use in what?

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

Can you find all the words listed? The leftover letters will spell out a secret message.

7. Which fictional character has been portrayed by Mickey Rooney, Eddie Hodges, Ron Howard, Elijah Wood (pictured) and Brad Renfro?

8. Known as ‘The Fat Years’, when in the 19th century was Broome’s pearl industry booming?

9. Who wrote the technothriller novel The Andromeda Strain?

10. In which year was the National Museum of Australia opened?

OUT N ABOUT HOT RODS

Colour, cars and camaradarie were all contributors at the huge display of hot rods at Black Beach this month!

Romans car clubs jaunt down the coast enabled visitors and locals to examine the magnicficent cars whilst enjoing sunshine, coffee and the ever popular sausage

sizzle courtesy of Kiama Lions Club. The car club enjoyed a country observation drive the previous day as they gathered at Blowhole point before driving down to Berry for coffee. A leisurely drive back to Gerroa to revel in the stunning views from Gerroa fishermans club.

Romans club has been operating for over 60 years with founding member Lyn Arrowsmith still an active member.

Organisers Chris and Neil were very pleased with the turnout of vehicles and visitors and it will definitely be an item on the calendar again next year.

Pictured right: Gerringong locals Murray and Robyn - Murray is kept busy doing hot rod registrations each year!

Pictured below: Leah from Wollongong adding a touch of old worlde glamour