Bike mayor Ed Birt and architect
Ben Wollen to lead festival tour Cycle into
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Meet Our Contributors
Ben Wollen is the director of Wollen Architecture, an architecture studio with a focus on sustainable design.
“Only build what you need to” is one of his driving mantras. When he’s not working, Ben’s enjoying the natural wonders of the Illawarra escarpment with his wife and kids.
Caroline Baum is a journalist, author and the ambassador for the Older Womens’ Network (OWN) in NSW. She lives in the Northern Illawarra and is the artistic director of Coledale’s annual True Story Festival.
Edward Birt is a committed and enthusiastic cyclist. As the Bicycle Mayor of Wollongong and the President of the Illawarra Bicycle Users Group, Ed volunteers his time to improve cycling conditions for everyone.
Dr Hayley Glasson works at Bulli Medical Practice. She has a special interest in women’s health and also loves paediatrics and has a Diploma of Childhood Health.
• Tendinitis and nerve entrapments
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THE ILLAWARRA
NEXT DEADLINE 12 Septfor Oct edition
EDITORS Genevieve Swart, Marcus Craft
CONTACT hello@theillawarraflame.com.au; 0432 612 168; PO Box 248, Helensburgh, 2508. TheIllawarraFlame
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DEADLINE 12 Sept. Contributions welcome.
COVER IFAD tour guides Ed Birt, Ben Wollen and daughter Florence. Photo: Anthony Warry
THE ILLAWARRA FLAME is published by a family business, The Word Bureau, ABN 31 692 723 477
DISCLAIMER: All content and images remain the property of The Illawarra Flame unless otherwise supplied. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission. Views expressed do not reflect those of the publishers.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The publishers acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their cultural and spiritual connection to this land. Their stories are written in the land and hold great significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, from the mountains to the sea.
KANE DOWNIE
Tanks for the support!
By Tyneesha Williams
Artist Sarah Rowan with local supporters, including project advocate Cheryl Bazzano and (below) Lord Mayor Tania Brown.
Photos: Tyneesha Williams
Helensburgh artist Sarah Rowan has unveiled a set of new murals on water tanks at Rex Jackson Oval, honouring the town’s sporting teams and inspiring community spirit through art and sport.
“Like any good Australian small town, Helensburgh is really into their sport,” Rowan says.
“I was working on the tanks one day, and the rugby team won their game on the oval next to me. It was awesome and terrifying. I was surrounded by the sounds of screaming while I was painting. It was so great to see the support of the community.”
The mural features the athletes and logos of beloved sports teams such as the Helensburgh Tigers and the Thistles soccer club. Across the numerous tanks, townsfolk can enjoy representations of runners, swimmers, netballers, cricketers, little athletics, mountain biking and skate park regulars.
Rowan painted the much-loved mural of Olympic BMX gold medallist Saya Sakakibara at the corner of Walker and Short streets. “One of my favorite things about being an artist now, is that ever since the Saya mural, I’ve got this connection to community that I’ve never had before,” Rowan says. “I’ve been here [in Helensburgh] for 20 years, and Helensburgh has become such a family to me. I’m really grateful to Helensburgh and their support.’’
When Rowan graduated from Converse University in the US in 2003, she was unsure how to make a living as an artist. She pitched the idea of live speed-painting to a venue owner.
“I went to a venue, and I said ‘Hey, can I paint live when a band is playing?’, and they’re like ‘We’ve never heard of that.’ I said, ‘I haven’t either.’ The next thing I know, I’m on stage with 4000 people coming to hear a band play. And I was scared, but there was this buzz.” she says.
Rowan has spoken at almost 600 events and has channeled her creative philosophy into her new book, The Creativity Cycle
“I wanted something in people’s hands to be able to propel them further,’’ she says.
With dozens of notable achievements, including winning 2025’s Lord Mayor Award, Rowan says she is most proud of her journey to love herself.
“When I can love myself, I can love others. If I can connect to myself, I can connect to others. Rent and food costs will keep going up… You can choose to let it stress you out, or you can choose to just love yourself and enjoy the journey because that is the destination.”
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The Grassening: a living installation
By Kathryn Morgan, in collaboration with Nicole Smede
Once cleared now returning the grassy woodland gathers in quiet uprise a pulse within soil beneath concrete breath returns
An immersive multi-artform installation on Dharawal Wodi Wodi Country is bringing attention to a critically endangered community – the Illawarra Lowland Grassy Woodland.
This September, the gallery at The Servo in Port Kembla will become a living grassland, a place where plants hum, leaves cast shadows like moving water, and stories take root in the air. The Grassening, a multi-artform installation for the Illawarra Nature Festival, invites you to listen, watch and feel as an ecosystem comes alive around you.
A collaboration by multiple artists, each bringing their own distinct process, the work layers living sound, image and drawing into a plantscape. Warrimay multidisciplinary artist Nicole Smede captures the electrical signals of native trees, shrubs and grasses to create a live shifting soundscape. Through the foliage, video and photography by Alex Pike flicker and flow across walls. Penny Sadubin’s sweeping charcoal wall drawings ground the space in deep, textural lines.
Together, these elements form a thickened, thrumming evocation of the grassland – a biome profoundly altered by over two centuries of human impact. Entering, you’ll be surrounded by the silhouettes, voices, and stories of plants – teeming, magnified, and alive around you.
“The Grassening invites audiences into the living, breathing presence of an Illawarra grassy woodland, through sound, large-scale wall
drawings, and multimedia, all woven to create an immersive experience,” Nicole says.
“At its heart is an intimate collaboration with the plants themselves – listening to their quiet electrical signals and turning them into immersive soundscapes using a device that reads the tiny electrical fluctuations in a leaf and/or stem. These signals shift with the plant’s experience – light, temperature, water, and its relationships with the world around it.”
Nicole transforms these signals into musical notes, creating the unique “song” of each plant: “A eucalypt in dappled sun will sound different to one after rain. A tuft of native grass will sing in its own unique way when a bird lands nearby.”
Recent research shows plants have more than 15 senses, constantly reading and responding to their surroundings. In The Grassening, those responses become music that changes in real time.
Nicole weaves these plant-voices with field recordings from Country – bird calls, wind, insect hums, and resonant human vocals – to create a sound tapestry in dialogue with place. Inside the gallery, live plant transmissions join the mix, tuned to 432Hz, the natural frequency of the Earth. The plants respond to each other, and to people moving among them, shifting their rhythms and tones as the space changes. “It’s about relationship – a living conversation between plant, human, and Country, where every step, breath, and moment you spend here becomes part of the score.”
Enjoy the Illawarra Nature Festival
It’s at The Servo in Port Kembla on Friday, Sept 12 and Saturday 13th with activities, film, art and music as part of National Biodiversity Month celebrations. Scan the QR to read more
L to R: Sketch showing sound work process; Emma Rooksby and Nicole Smede, artists working on The Grassening; the Illawarra Lowland Grassy Woodland. Photos supplied
“David
- Jenny. S, Austinmer Seller
Dr Rip’s Science of the Surf
Rockfalls and Cliff Collapse with Prof Rob Brander
In early August, a large section of cliff along Sydney’s Bronte Beach collapsed and fell onto the beach, taking a section of a public staircase with it. The rockfall occurred dangerously close to the busy Eastern Suburbs coastal walk and has raised all sorts of safety concerns for that part of the coast where rock overhangs are common.
Despite occurring in the middle of the day, luckily no one was hurt because it was a rainy winter day. If it had been a hot summer day, it would have been a much different story. I’m sure it’s got many coastal councils wondering how to manage this sort of risk moving forward. It may also have you thinking if it’s worth sitting underneath an overhang on the beach to shelter from the sun!
How much of a risk are rockfalls along our coast? Well, the Sea Cliff Bridge is there for a reason and there’s plenty of boulders lying at the base of our coastal cliffs and on our rock platforms that are all a result of past rockfalls.
Our coast (and Sydney’s) is dominated by sandstone rock formed millions of years ago from the sediments of ancient river deposits which we can see today in our coastal cliffs, headlands and the Escarpment, all of which are eroding naturally.
Some sandstone layers are stronger than others, creating overhangs that will eventually break off. Rockfalls can also occur as large slabs, or wedges, of cliffs because when sandstone gives way, it tends to fracture completely as a clean break, or blocks, which is why so many of the rocks you see lying at the base of cliffs have large flat, clean surfaces. It also explains why most of our cliffs are pretty much vertical.
Some reports said the Bronte rockfall was caused
Bird Watch
By Ewan Auld
by wave attack. This is not true. The key factors are time and rain. The vast majority of rockfalls and landslides occur during periods of extended and heavy rain, which makes everything heavier, placing more stress on the rock. At some point the internal rock strength will reach a threshold and give way.
The Sea Cliff Bridge is there because the frequency of both minor and major rockfalls was too much for the old road that hugged the cliff. But unlike Bronte, most of our beaches are backed by sand dunes rather than sandstone cliffs.
The northern end of Stanwell Park, Scarborough Beach and Coalcliff are some exceptions as well as the headlands at the end of our beaches.
How safe is your favourite overhang? It could be there for another hundred or thousand years, or it could break off during the next big rainfall. It’s worth thinking about when it comes to seeking shelter – or buying a cliff-top house for that matter!
Have a question?
Email rbrander@unsw.edu.au
Bassian Thrush (Zoothera lunulata)
The bird of the month for September is the Bassian Thrush, a songbird species occurring in south-eastern Australia. In the Illawarra, they are commonly seen in rainforest areas along the lower escarpment. With their mottled plumage, they blend in perfectly to the forest floor and like to forage amongst the leaf litter for invertebrates. Curiously, their melodic call is very similar to that of the European Common Blackbird, an introduced species that also occurs locally and belongs to the same family; Turdidae. A great place to see Bassian Thrushes in the open is Stafford farm track in Mount Kembla, as they will forage for worms along the wide path, which is where I was able to photograph this bird.
Layers of sandstone at Coalcliff. Photo: Rob Brander
Thirroul Village Committee pays tribute to the passing of a legend
By Annette Jones
On 1st August Thirroul lost a great communityminded person. The long-time TVC member and former Secretary of the TVC, Murray Jones, died unexpectedly. His passing will be keenly felt, not only by his family but by the wider community.
Murray was the sixth generation of his family to live in Thirroul. Growing up in the area, Murray lived and breathed all things Thirroul and could be relied upon to provide a rich history of the village.
One such memory Murray had was of underground springs which were, and still remain, dotted around Thirroul. He recalled that at his childhood home on the corner of Fords Road and Phillip Street, a permanent spring slowly bubbled away in the midst of the foundations at a rate that remained constant during the heaviest rain or longest droughts. In the late 1950s, whilst attending Thirroul Primary School, he remembered that sections of the playground were edged with leaning and broken retaining walls that were affected by land slippage. On his walk to and from primary school, he passed empty twisted homes adjacent to the school, close to the corner of Phillip Street and Seafoam Avenue. These homes were so severely impacted by land slips due to the constant water flow that they had to be demolished. This section of Seafoam Avenue became a walking track.
With the development of south-western Sydney around Appin and Wilton, Murray identified that the beaches of Wollongong would attract an ever-growing number of visitors. He was concerned about the impact this would have on traffic flows down Bulli Pass and wrote of his concerns to the State Government and Council. Unfortunately, some of his concerns have been
realised with increasing accidents on Bulli Pass, at times, resulting in fatalities.
Murray pushed strongly for an alternative route to and from Thirroul, and in July 2023 took the newly elected Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart, on a tour of Thirroul pointing out potential access routes and missed opportunities. Murray was always willing to share his vast amount of information and knowledge with others. The TVC will endeavour to continue his action in this space.
Murray served as the Secretary of the TVC for nearly 20 years, dedicating himself tirelessly to numerous projects aimed at improving Thirroul.
His unparalleled knowledge and expertise on all things Thirroul were invaluable. Even after stepping down as secretary, Murray continued to be an active and engaged member of the TVC. In fact, just before his untimely death he joined councillors, Council staff, and current TVC Secretary, Annette Jones, on-site at WF Jackson Park to discuss the proposed skate park, of which he was a keen advocate. He shared his thoughts about the preferred location in his usual calm and thoughtful manner.
Murray was a true gentleman, and his absence will be deeply felt not only by his family, but by the TVC and the entire community. He always listened to people and worked tirelessly to make Thirroul a better place. For this we are all the better.
A true champion of Thirroul
The Illawarra Flame would like to pay tribute to Murray Jones as an outstanding citizen journalist and supporter of local news. His articles were always on point and will be much missed.
Murray Jones, pictured with the TVC committee in 2023, will be remembered as ‘a great communityminded person’
Should we have a City fish?
By Duncan Leadbitter
The state of New South Wales has a number of emblems including a flower (waratah), a gemstone (black opal), a bird (kookaburra), a marsupial (the platypus) and two fish, one of which is a 370-million-year-old fossil and the other is the Blue Groper. The latter is an extremely abundant fish found on rocky reefs, the former may have lived long before even Australia existed. At the national level, there are some well-known emblems, such as the wattle and the opal. Even some cities have adopted emblems, such as Sydney, which has an official flower, the lantern banksia (Banksia ericifolia). Brisbane has the koala as a city animal and the golden wattle as its flower.
So, should Wollongong have an emblem from its natural environment? And, if so, why not a fish?
Wollongong is a coastal city with strong connections to its marine environment and an animal from the sea would seem to be appropriate. I’d like to suggest the Eastern Blue Devil fish as our emblem. It’s one of the coolest-looking fish
around, is endemic (only found) on the east coast of Australia and is certainly found in the waters off Wollongong. It grows to about 40cm in length and lives in small caves and crevices on rocky reefs down to a depth of about 50m or so. This species is fully protected.
So, why would the Eastern Blue Devil be a good emblem for Wollongong? It’s spectacular looking, just like our scenery; it’s rare, just like our coast; and it’s easy to overlook but, once seen, it’s hard to forget and you want to see more!
Shining a blue light on plastic
By Jadzia Wolff and Helen Lewis of Circular Plastics Illawarra
A plastic clean-up organised by Wollongong Council at Stuart Park in August showed how much plastic litter – particularly microplastics and fibre – is in the environment but invisible to humans. We used blue-light torches to illuminate and identify fluorescent plastics – materials that attract wildlife like fish and birds even in daylight.
About 25 people attended the clean-up, including children who enjoyed finding glowing, colourful bits of plastic as well as some fungi. It was like a treasure hunt in the dark. There were Uni students, people from
Bushcare, keen families and a Channel 9 News crew. We viewed bird nests in daylight and saw a mixture of natural fibres carefully and beautifully woven together. After dark, however, our blue-light torches exposed the nests’ plastic contents. We learned that when birds use plastic, it increases the temperature of the nest, making it a breeding site for lice and other nasties, often killing the chicks.
The group then searched Stuart Park for plastic litter using our special torches. It was quite clean overall as the Council regularly cleans the area. Mostly we found small fibres that had a bright glow. We noticed some natural bacteria and fungi also glowed, showing why birds get confused.
A key take-away: Littering is not just about what we can see with our eyes. Microplastics stand out very clearly to birds. This prompted us to think about not just using plastics responsibly but minimising our use altogether.
Soft plastics recycling update
While we wait to find out when the next councilrun drop-offs for soft plastics will be held, we have good news. The national recycling scheme for soft plastics recycling is closer after receiving interim authorisation in August from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
A bird’s nest, with and without blue-light exposure. Photos: Jadzia Wolff
Time to
knit
Janice Creenaune meets Carol Douglas, a Thirroul resident for 54 years, who has embraced her passion for knitting with the First Wednesday Knitting Club and while travelling in Australia
Carol Douglas has always been busy, it is simply the way she lives her life.
“I can’t just sit down and watch TV, I have to be knitting something. I really do find it nourishing for the body and the soul,” she says.
“My teacher at school first taught me embroidery, crochet and knitting and my aunt continued to give me inspiration. I have just always loved the joy of knitting.
“I begin with a ball of yarn and create usable products. Many of these projects are for other people, but I also create for my own use.”
Carol says these skills are being lost.
“As child I would be an active sportsperson, and still am, but I would also knit and crochet in my bedroom. Children probably don’t get this opportunity any more. There is so much to watch, to read, to play on digital devices and I guess some warm clothes are fairly cheap to buy.”
The art of knitting and crochet, however, allows creativity and an antidote to the fast pace of the modern world.
“It is slow and deliberate and can offer therapeutic benefits,” Carol says. “I notice it every time I pick up my needles, but I also feel it in The First Wednesday Knitting Club in Thirroul Library.
“We meet once a month and have been doing so now for 12 years. Some leave, some join, most remain and anyone is always welcome with any craft they want to pursue. Talking and communicating, sharing ideas and skills, it just works well for all of us.”
Carol still travels, often going on caravanning trips, but she is able to continue her projects during those journeys. When she is in town, she rejoins the First Wednesday group.
“It’s the ability to be able to work on my own projects while travelling around as well as enjoying the camaraderie of the group. After 12 years we know each other well and everyone is very supportive of our lives as well as the crafts.”
Carol uses 100% pure wool as the standard yarn in her projects. One of her favourite projects was a vest for her husband, Jim.
“It was our anniversary and I noticed a friend in a lovely vest and decided a vest would work for Jim and be a lovely hand-made present. It took about a year but it was a labour of love.”
She also knits for friends and relatives, sometimes in Angora wool.
“When I’m knitting I do think of the person as I am knitting. I visualise the feelings of the person and the excitement from my grandchildren when I give them a personalised hand-made gift. I too feel the joy from their reactions.”
Carol also knits for herself.
“I really need a cause for my efforts, but I generally like to be busy. The bulk of my knitting I am so familiar with that I don’t really have to concentrate.
“Of course, if the pattern is terribly complicated, well, then I need to focus and concentrate on the task,” Carol says.
Knitting and crocheting are experiencing a global surge in popularity, including among men and teenage boys – some even have YouTube channels to exhibit their skills and projects. Others, including women, travel on cruise ships specifically designed for those who like to knit and crochet. Commuters have been seen knitting and crocheting together on Manhattan trains.
Carol says the art of knitting and crochet is something we can all learn and enjoy. Many of us could encourage and teach others – grandchildren, for example, love what grandparents do and that may be a starting point.
“But we can’t let these skills disappear.”
Finding the time, inclination and willingness to keep going over a lifetime is, however, a whole other matter. For Carol Douglas this is not a problem. Her joy in knitting is obvious and fitting everything in seems easy.
Janice Creenaune volunteers for PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com for details
Beetling About
With Australian Museum entomologist Dr Chris Reid
The Australian Bombardier Beetle is a rarely seen largish black and yellow ground beetle. It occurs on floodplains and riverbanks in most of northern Australia and is relatively common in eastern NSW. Until today I’ve only seen these beetles alive in flood refuse and that’s only because the flood was over the bridge to the house I was staying in with a beetlologist colleague – so there was nothing better to do but poke through the flood debris, while being especially wary of snakes. We were looking for something else and didn’t collect them.
The species in our area is formally named Pheropsophus verticalis. Today I came across about 10 of them, so I thought I’d test their bombardierness.
seriously incapacitated predator. We tried and failed to photograph the puff of gas. Each beetle produced about four puffs, but the cloud vapourised almost instantly and was delivered while on the move – and the beetles moved rapidly.
If you do find any bombardier beetles, I recommend not handling them.
Some good photos of Pheropsophus verticalis here: www.inaturalist.org/taxa/545811Pheropsophus-verticalis
The bombardier was a soldier who put the ammunition in a piece of artillery. The ammunition was then blasted out, to bombard the enemy. When disturbed, bombardier beetles blast out a hot gas, which badly affects the lungs of vertebrate predators. There is an audible puff and small cloud of whitish vapour from the back end of one of these beetles.
I have to say I didn’t do any homework on this, but I should have. I didn’t let my head get near but I did poke one with my finger – the gas was instant and hot and I’ve now got a strange brown stain on my fingertip.
The chemical mix is a hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide and it rapidly produces heat, to almost 100°C, and the gas benzoquinone. Benzoquinone stains skin brown and may cause necrosis of the skin. I’m hoping I’m OK!
The result for the beetle is usually a dead or
Local lookalikes
Two bambardier beetles after being poked with a piece of bark and Chris’s fingertip stained with benzoquinone
By Kieran Tapsell of Banksia Bushcare
Weed pictured on the left: Trad Tradescantia fluminensis is a fleshy creeper from South America has succulent dark green leaves with purplish stems. It is difficult to eradicate because it breaks off easily from the roots and then regrows. Even one small stem left on the ground will regrow. If you have deer around, there is no need to remove it as they like eating it. They have to eat something. Better to use ferals to fight ferals.
Native on the right: Commelina Commelina cyanea is a sprawling native groundcover that can appear weedy because of abundance. The leaves are sparsely spaced along the stem with wavy leaf margins. The leaf arises from an enclosed sheath. It has blue flowers from spring to summer.
School shines at choral festival
By teacher Nina Sampson
On August 5th, Wollongong Town Hall hosted the 2025 Wollongong Schools’ Choral Festival, featuring Helensburgh Public School and other local institutions. Guided by Mrs Nicole Hennessy and Ms Nicole Peace, the school’s Year 3-6 choir showcased their musical talents at the event. Helensburgh students were part of the massed choir, singing nine songs, and also performed two pieces, Motown Melody and Blame it on the Boogie. Their dedication and practice shone through in these two lively, fun, and engaging songs, earning positive feedback from parents and peers. The school’s participation highlighted the staff’s and students’ commitment, with many proud parents attending and enjoying the performances. Helensburgh Public School looks forward to taking part in next year’s Choral Festival!
Public Education Week celebration
By Scarborough principal Emma Hutchinson
On 6 August, Scarborough Public School proudly celebrated Public Education Week with this year’s theme, Ignite Your Potential. The day focused on inspiring students to explore how their strengths, skills, and values can shape their futures. We believe the little ripples that start in primary school grow into waves that shape who we become.
The celebration included our Living Ripples program, inspiring community guest speakers, and a colourful array of dream job dress-ups – from surf lifesavers and police officers to astronauts and musicians. Special thanks go to the Scarborough Wombarra Surf Club, the local fire service, and UOW Ambassadors for sharing their knowledge, skills and inspiration with our students. A highlight
Christmas in July
By Freya Bond, age 8, of Helensburgh Girl Guides
At Girl Guides we have been doing Christmas in July. We are making fairies, decorations and gnomes. We have been very creative. We made Christmas fairies out of clothes pegs and fabric and we used hot glue to decorate our own outfits. We’ve been having loads of fun! We also made little gnomes out of pine cones and wooden beads and painted their tiny faces and added decorations to make them cute.
We will be selling the fairies, gnomes and elf sleeping bags at our Christmas tree sale in December.
Our Helensburgh unit meets every Thursday at 5pm, where the evenings are packed with fun activities, games, and learning experiences. Ready to make a difference?
Visit www.joinguides.com.au
was the NSW Mounted Police Unit, whose horses were a huge hit and even made their way down to the Sea Cliff Bridge.
Students spent the day asking questions, exploring possibilities, and seeing first-hand how their passions could become careers.
Women’s Health at Every Age
By Dr Hayley Glasson of Bulli Medical Practice
Women’s health evolves through distinct life stages. From adolescence to the golden years, understanding what to expect when can help you make informed decisions. Building a trusting relationship with your GP can provide valuable support throughout this journey!
Teen years: Building strong foundations. The teenage years are transformative, with physical and emotional changes. This is an ideal time to establish healthy habits around nutrition, physical activity, sleep and mental health. These years also involve important conversations about body changes, menstruation and sexual health. The HPV vaccine, administered through schools, provides excellent protection against cervical cancer and has reduced cases across Australia.
20s and 30s: Reproductive health focus. These decades often involve significant life decisions around relationships, career, and family planning. Whether navigating contraception, fertility, or pregnancy, regular health check-ups ensure you have the information and support you
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Open Monday to Friday: 8am - 6pm Saturday: 8am - 12 noon
Full range of general practice services including women’s and men’s health, child and adolescent health, older adult health and nursing home visits, and specialised clinics including:
y Travel medicine - accredited Yellow Fever vaccination centre
y Skin cancer checks
need. Cervical screening tests begin at age 25 and can now be self-collected, offering convenience and privacy. Breast awareness becomes increasingly important in these years.
40s and 50s: Hormonal transitions.
Perimenopause and menopause often bring physical symptoms like hot flushes alongside sleep and mood changes. Medicare now supports menopause-related consultations, allowing for comprehensive assessments. Treatment options, including hormone therapy, require 1:1 discussion to determine what’s best. Women in their late 40s are eligible for an assessment covering screening for osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention. 60s and beyond: Healthy ageing. These years focus on maintaining quality of life, independence, and vitality. Regular health screenings, appropriate vaccinations, good nutrition, and weight-bearing exercise all contribute to healthy ageing and wellbeing. Book an appointment at Bulli Medical Practice to talk more.
Book online* via the website: www.bullimedicalpractice.com.au or scan QR code:
*Please call 4284 4622 for an appointment if you have any respiratory symptoms 74 Park Road, Bulli 4284 4622
What’s On
North Illawarra Probus Club meeting
9 Sept The club meets at Woonona Bulli RSL at 10.30am and welcomes the company of likeminded retirees, to connect socially, to listen to interesting guest speakers and to enjoy organised activities. Contact Shelley Tough on 0418 218 959.
Free Family History Fair
12 Sept Illawarra Family History Group hosts the 40th State Family History Conference at Fairy Meadow’s Fraternity Club from Sept 12-14. On Friday 12th there is a free fair, open 10am to 4pm, with stalls by family history groups from all over NSW, transcription agents, Trove, publishers & genealogy software. www.familyhistoryconference 2025.org.au or contact Judy Bull 0407 672 417. Kiama’s Folk by the Sea 12-14 Sept Hear Darren Coggan’s new songs about the Illawarra, including one called 2508. Illawarra Nature Festival at The Servo 12-13 Sept Celebrate our unique plants and animals. Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 1-6pm at Port Kembla’s Servo. Free, program via Humanitix
White Rabbit Red Rabbit
18-28 Sept Everyone including the onstage talent is in for a surprise when White Rabbit Red Rabbit touches down at Wollongong Workshop. Yes, there is a script, but the individual actor gets to see it
only when they turn up to play it on the night. There is no director, no rehearsal and no set. The show has been performed more than 3000 times – each differently – since 2011, and eight actors will give eight shows at Gwynneville. Tickets: wollongongworkshoptheatre.com.au
Pride and Prejudice
19-28 Sept Shellharbour will come alive with Regency-era romance and all its wonderfully suppressed emotions. Tickets: roo-theatre.com.au
Illawarra Titans Kids in Care Cup
20-21 Sept 60+ Aboriginal teams from around NSW in annual fundraiser at Ziems Park, Corrimal
Free ‘Name That Song’ concert for seniors 25 Sept The Shire New Horizons Concert Band (a group of retired musicians) are back to put a smile on your dial, 10-11:30am at Engadine Community Centre Auditorium. All welcome! Register via Eventbrite or contact Carol 0n 0421 329 002.
Thirroul Library Events
Tues 2, 9, 16 & 23 Sept Get Ready! A school transition program for kids starting kindergarten and parents, 10-11am, over four Tuesdays. Free. 19 Sept Free author talk 6.30-7.30pm. Musician Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup on his book, No Secrets. 26 Sept 5-6.30pm, free family bingo night, bookings essential.
Trio presents Clifton exhibition
With art by Christine Hill, Tess McMaugh and Leonora Heaven
Clifton School of Arts will be brimming with lovely artworks by three local artists this month, as Christine Hill, Tess McMaugh and Leonora Heaven display a wide-ranging collection of recent works.
The exhibition will be open every day from Friday 19 September to Tuesday 23rd, and there will be demonstrations most days. The three artists all refer to the local environment in their work: Christine will paint the north view from CSA’s top room, while Tess and Leonora will demonstrate aspects of their various processes.
Come along to meet the artists and hear the stories about each artwork.
Christine’s paintings and plein air sketches are inspired by our coastal scenery and lifestyle while
her illustrations for Tony McGirr’s books about the Little Border Collie illustrate not only each story, but memories of her own collie-dogs.
Leonora’s textured pottery varies from large hand-built urns to matcha cups. She often uses local clays and rocks for her ceramics, rescuing builders’ discarded earth to make slips and glazes .
Tess’s works range from paintings and stainedglass to timber carvings, where she too is able to utilise found and recycled wood and sandstone.
All have exhibited in the lovely School of Arts space before – it is the perfect community exhibition space with its clear light and high ceilings, the wide ocean and escarpment views, and its history. And now, the new level path to the rear deck and entrance makes access easy for everyone.
Exhibition at Clifton School of Arts, from Friday, Sept 19 to Tuesday 23rd, 10am-4pm daily
RBA CUTS RATES –WHAT IT MEANS FOR OUR MARKET
The Reserve Bank has reduced the cash rate by 0.25% to 3.60%, following signs that inflation is easing and the economy is stabilising. Lower interest rates mean cheaper borrowing costs, potentially increasing buyer activity in the 2508 and 2515 postcodes. For sellers, this could translate into more competition and stronger offers, particularly for well-presented homes.
Buyers may find renewed confidence to enter the market, especially those who were recently priced out by higher rates. While the overall economic outlook remains uncertain, the combination of lower rates and our region’s lifestyle appeal is likely to keep local real estate in demand.
lan Pepper 0403 570 041
Joshua Pepper 0437 790 052
ian.pepper@agencyhq.net.au joshua.pepper@agencyhq.net.au
9/17 Cemetery Road, Helensburgh
Probus Club News
By Judy Duckett of the Combined Probus Club of Helensburgh & District
Looking to connect with others in retirement? Our welcoming not-for-profit group meets monthly at Helensburgh Tradies for conversation, laughter, and friendship.
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, September 11, 10am for 10.30am start, when our guest speaker will be David Butcher, a vet who will speak about the Western Plains Zoo.
During July and August members of our club have enjoyed monthly meetings with interesting guest speakers; regular friendly bowls and golf tournaments; Emerging Artist Concerts at Wollongong Art Gallery; a Metro train trip, Barangaroo walk and Pyrmont hotel lunch; Christmas in July lunch with music and fun at Como hotel; and a trip to Davistown RSL for lunch, by train, ferry and coach.
Activities for the remainder of 2025 include:
• Coach trip to Jindabyne
• Fairground Follies and lunch at Bowral, by coach
• Guided tour of ANSTO complex
• December Christmas functions
Enquiries Val on 0419 129 984 or email helensburghprobus@y7mail.com.
Art from the Arid Zone
By Thirroul artist and art teacher Ashley Frost
The Fowlers Gap Tour 2025 exhibition features the work of 15 artists from around Australia who were a part of an art expedition in July to Fowlers Gap in Western NSW. Of the 15 participants, 11 were students and four were staff: myself; my son Matt Frost, who helped with the food and is a tattoo artist at Solid Forge in Minto; Tanya Stubbles, the well-known artist from Coledale; and Etienne Deleflie from Corrimal, a media and design artist and former lecturer at UOW.
This is the third art tour I have organised to Fowlers Gap, which is known for its long history of supporting artists and art-related research. It’s not just a research station, it’s a place where art, ecology and arid zone sustainability intersect, fostering creativity. It is also stunningly beautiful and has a unique colour palette. Fowlers Gap is the only research station in the arid zone of NSW.
Located 112 kilometres north of Broken Hill, the 39,000-hectare property was established in 1966 and has been used by researchers from UNSW and other institutions in Australia and overseas.
I operate my art tour business together with my art practice from my studio in Thirroul where I create paintings, drawings and monotypes. I also teach art to adults and teens from Levers in Wollongong and Waverley Art School in Sydney. I have been teaching almost as long as I have been a painter, since the mid-1990s, beginning my art education career by teaching art theory classes at UOW from 2004.
I started organising the art tours a few years back when I realised I have three clear passions in life:
1. Creating art, mainly in drawing and painting;
2. Teaching art to adults and teens;
3. Travelling.
I enjoy experiencing other cultures and seeing the world and I am sure growing up with my mother working as a travel agent and my father a textile agent influenced this. I usually organise three to four art tours each year. July’s tour to Fowlers Gap included painting, drawing, printmaking and ceramics workshops, and artists were given their own studio space to work from. Many of the workshops were held outdoors.
In November 2024 I took a group to Nepal for an eight-day Art & Cultural exchange. Our group met Nepali artists, experienced historical sites, toured museums and participated in plein air painting and drawing workshops. This October, I am taking a group to New York City and Long Island for an eight-day tour where we will visit Jackson Pollock’s and Lee Krasner’s studio, see some of the great museums of New York City, take part in monotype workshops with fellow American artists and enjoy painting outdoors in the rich Autumn light.
Next year I have three tours planned: Fowlers Gap in July, Fiji Lithography and printmaking in August and Nepal again in November 2026.
September’s exhibition at Clifton School of Arts will feature stunning works by a diverse group of artists. It’s an opportunity for the artists to take part in the professional development of their practice and the group also plans to raise funds for charity, with a percentage of each sale going to Foundation Broken Hill.
The show runs from opening night, 6pm Friday, September 12, until Sunday, 14th at 6pm.
Visit www.ashleyfrost.com.au
Right: Dan Kezelman making a monotype at Fowlers Gap in July. Below: Ash Frost doing a painting demo (photo: Wendy McGrath) and his Fowlers Gap Road monotype in oil
FOWLERS GAP TOUR 2025 EXHIBITION OPENING 6PM FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
CATHY ALLEN
MICHELLE BALL
ETIENNE DELEFLIE
ASH FROST
MATT FROST
KATH GADD
MIMI GRACE
DAN KEZELMAN
WENDY MCGRATHLAKELAND
JULIE READ MATRA ROBERTSON DOM PATRUNO TANYA STUBBLES ANNA THAIRS ROSLYN YEUNG
A GROUP EXHIBITION OF ARTISTS FROM THE FOWLERS GAP TOUR JULY 2025 WITH ASHLEY FROST
CLIFTON SCHOOL OF ARTS 12 SEPT - 14 SEPT 2025 OPEN FRI-SUN 11AM-6PM LAWRENCE HARGRAVE DRIVE CATALOGUE ASHLEYFROST.COM.AU
Anna Thairs plein air painting, Fowlers Gap flood plane July 2025
Real-world research in action
By Elsa Evers of Electrify 2515
The Electrify 2515 Community Pilot has successfully completed its initial phase, marking a major achievement for the community. Sixty households have taken part and upgraded their homes to smart, efficient electric appliances.
The initial phase saw 60 diverse households – renters and owners, low to high income, houses, duplexes, and apartments – upgrade to smart, efficient electric appliances.
Some were starting their electrification journey, others added smart energy devices to already all-electric homes.
The research focuses on households, installers, and the local grid.
While probably not surprising to most of us, early feedback confirms:
• Doing it as a community is more effective –seeing neighbours go electric inspires others.
• Householders value local, independent advice and trusted installer recommendations.
• Despite long-term savings, upfront costs give pause for thought when making the transition.
• Induction cooktop upgrades can be straightforward or complex, depending on existing wiring and benchtops.
• Applications from renters and apartment owners are relatively low and we need more!
The full findings are published in a report available on the Electrify 2515 website.
What to expect in the Main Rollout
Feedback from the first 60 participants has given us insights to improve the rest of the pilot. We are also sharing key outcomes with industry and political leaders to help make electrification smoother and easier for everyone across the country.
For those that have already applied - thank you for your patience! If you’ve been thinking about electrifying your home, now is the time to apply. We hope to send out offers for the Main Rollout very soon. Stay tuned.
For more information, visit electrify2515.org
Water Stories for History Week
By Catherine Ryan, senior library services officer in Local Studies
Water Stories is the theme for 2025’s History Week (6-14 September) and Wollongong Library is hosting a Boating in the Illawarra photographic exhibition to celebrate.
Wollongong, as a city by the sea, has an abundance of stories surrounding how water influences our everyday lives. Water is integral to Wollongong’s life, economy, and leisure.
Our exhibition focuses on boats and boating to exemplify how we as a community have embraced our natural environment, its lake, rivers, and harbours, for both pleasure and industry.
See it in the Lab, level 1 at Wollongong Library, September 2 – December 2 and online at illawarrastories.com.au/boating-in-the-illawarra/ Photos are also available as online jigsaw puzzles at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/library/exploreour-past/puzzles
Boating on Mullet Creek; inset: 1980s promotional poster designed by Wollongong Council, Photos from the Collections of Wollongong City Libraries
Pilot participants BJ, Jill and Altai outside their home
Coal – From Now to Where?
By retired miner Darryl Best
The majority of coal produced in Australia is for the export market. This demand has been gradually decreasing, with sales to our five major markets – Japan, China, India, South Korea and Taiwan – all declining by between 11% and 24% since 2023. This is also a continuing trend, despite the surge in 2022 due to the energy crisis.
There is a lot of talk about climate change, mostly about changes to our weather, fires, floods, warming waters. But climate change is changing the world in ways other than just the weather.
All over the world, philosophical changes by countries to move toward renewables mean that the power they generate and the steel they produce or import will be done using sources other than coal. This means they will stop buying our coal to fire their power stations and steel works. Some countries already tax fossil-fuel-produced goods. When other countries stop buying our coal it will create massive unemployment when the mines close. We will not be immune in the Illawarra.
The amount of coal needed for the Port Kembla steelworks can be supplied by just one of the local mines – and not even operating at full capacity.
The positive aspect is that it isn’t going to happen in the next few years. It may slowly decline for 10 or maybe 15 years. That is why it is vital to establish renewable industries as soon as possible, especially in areas where fossil fuel industries will close.
Renewable industries take years to establish. Whether it is an offshore wind farm, a solar farm or hydrogen, they all take time. This period of grace should be used constructively to create jobs for people like mine workers to transition into.
I worked in an industry where job losses and mine closures are common. I know what effect this has on the workers, families and communities. It is devastating. I have experienced this personally. It is not an easy thing to cope with. In the past, there were other mines opening. That is not the case now. Look at what happened at Russell Vale, where the mine closed causing a mass lay-off of workers.
We should not pretend that this won’t happen and continue to argue against renewable industries.
To do this and wait until the mines close before acting, is to sell out all the people who have worked in an industry that helped to make Australia and its communities prosperous. That is just wrong!
Do you have a bushfire plan?
By RFS volunteer Iris Huizinga
Helensburgh Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade will host a Get Ready Weekend event on Saturday, September 20. Learn how to create a Bush Fire Survival Plan – plus, receive FREE gardening gloves and access essential resources.
Get Ready shines a light on the need to prepare for summer. Last month three out of five 2508 locals we asked hadn’t yet made a fire plan for 2025.
Cady and Corben (pictured) have lived in Helensburgh for two years and were considering a
plan after their neighbour mentioned past fires: “I have heard that once we had a fire come through here and I wasn’t aware of that,” Cady said.
Eibhlin Charmer didn’t have a plan, but knew she’d leave early. “If there was a potential fire then I think it would just be, ‘get out’,” she said.
Long-time local Julie York had a fire plan last year. “It is a good time to actually revisit it,” she said.
Harry Herbert’s family have made their fire plan, with crates set to transport pets. “When would we go?” Harry said. “As soon as we get told we got to go. Or if there’s a fire around, then we’ll bail.”
Alison Loudon was visiting her partner in Helensburgh on Christmas Day in 2001, when a big bushfire prompted mass evacuations. For her, having a fire plan is a case of “lesson learned” as Alison remembers the rush to drive out of town, when the road north was blocked and police were directing people south to Wollongong Entertainment Centre. “It was all quite chaotic.”
Visit myfireplan.com.au and/or attend your local RFS Get Ready Day. Helensburgh’s event is on September 20, 10am-2pm, 185a Parkes St.
NIRAG/NF3 Report
By NIRAG secretary Ross Dearden
The Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG) was formed in 1984 to support preservation of open space and the retention and enhancement of our Natural Environment, European and Indigenous Heritage. Since 2020, in the role of Wollongong Council’s Neighbourhood Forum 3 (Woonona, Bulli, Thirroul and Austinmer), residents have been welcome to attend quarterly meetings to discuss local community issues and concerns. Our August 13 meeting was attended by Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart, Jo Page (Director Infrastructure and Works), Cr Dan Hayes and Cr Jess Whittaker. It opened with a valediction to one of our members, Murray Jones, and a motion of condolence to his wife Deb and family was passed.
1. Proposal at 6-10 Southview St, Bulli
This was the first item discussed. Representatives from the neighbourhood group plainly outlined their concerns for the Homes NSW proposal to combine three existing blocks and build 16 units, three storeys high, even though this is a R2 zoned area with a two-storey limit. Maryanne Stuart was disappointed that residents had gone ahead with distribution of a pamphlet and media without giving her the opportunity to assist. She expressed her sincere desire to start with a “blank page” and a willingness to understand their concerns with a further meeting (arranged for Friday 15th). A pause in the process is requested, with genuine consultation to achieve a constructive solution to ensure that the development complies with the intent of new State Government policies. This site is outside the 800m distance from essential services as required by the Mid-Rise Housing Policy. A large block of units will be incompatible and out of character with the R2 zoning. The redevelopment should set a positive example that helps resolve the housing crisis but with meaningful community consultation to make it compatible with the area. The community group contact for emails is PlanitrightNSW@gmail.com
2. Amy Street. Thirroul: DA 2025/374
A DA for a three-storey dwelling on a small part of Lot 303 zoned R2 was on exhibition until 17th June, but the majority of this lot forms a large Green Corridor of C2, Environmental Conservation area (approx 7ha) between Hewitts Creek and Woodlands Creek, Bulli. NIRAG understands that residents lodged objections to the proposal based on the bulk, height, overshadowing, permissible Floor Space Ratio (FSR), loss of public
accesses to the beach, and management of the C2, Environmental Conservation part of the land. Council has advised that additional information has been requested from the applicant to assess the DA. It will then be determined by the Wollongong Local Planning Committee, at 5pm on August 26. NIRAG believes that the C2 area between Hewitts Creek and Woodlands Creek needs to be identified in the Wollongong Community Strategic Plan and brought into public ownership. We strongly believe this land needs to be recognised by Council as a vital GREEN CORRIDOR (similar to the Keira and Kembla Green Corridors) as recommended by the COI in 2003 so it becomes public land. To date Council is against identifying the land in the strategic plan as a green corridor although it acknowledged community support for public ownership. A draft “Pitch” document has been prepared to be part of a lobbying campaign. Support for a petition has been requested (25/7/25) from Maryanne Stuart MP and there was a possibility of support by rezoning part of the land as C4 (Environmental Living) to move forward.
3. Roadworks at Station St and Park Rd, Bulli These were planned to start on August 18 but, as requested by NIRAG, extension of clearways will be delayed until changes to parking, right-turn bans and traffic light reconstruction is complete. A permanent 30km/h speed limit will be introduced on Park Road, Station, Railway and Bank streets and Veigals Lane. During work, single lane closures and a reduced speed of 40km/h will be in place on the Highway.
Next meeting: 7pm Wed, 12 Nov at Bulli Community Centre, nirag@bigpond.com
Maryanne Stuart MP (in red) met with residents concerned about Southview St on Friday after the NIRAG meeting. Photo thanks to Mike Meurer
Sat 20 Sept 11am - 7pm
But Seriously…
True Story festival returns on November 15 and 16, writes Caroline Baum
If you are wondering how we curate True Story, the truth is that the mix is determined partly by which books are born into the world but also by us trying, over many coffees, to gauge which issues are dominating conversations in the community and beyond. There is no formula or recipe, just our curiosity and a bit of luck.
This year, it feels as if the world has gone topsy-turvy and is in the middle of a series of convulsions and changes that are disruptive, uncomfortable, and often divisive. So we’re providing informed and considered interpretations and opinions, as well as respite from conflict.
To kick off with a hit of optimism, look no further than our keynote address. We are proud to have established a tradition of having awardwinners in this slot, and this year is no exception: Stella Prize-winning historian Clare Wright shares what it took to achieve an unlikely democratic landmark through a series of bark paintings, inviting us to imagine what else might be possible.
Anthony Sharwood revisits the heroism of Polish freedom fighter Tadeusz Kosciuszko to find
out why his name is on our tallest peak; Vicki Hastrich tells the forgotten story of how the world’s richest author, American Zane Grey, came to Bermagui in pursuit of deep-sea glory. Putting them together in conversation is a festival first and bound to result in surprising connections.
Take a walk with historian Sita Sargeant through Wollongong to celebrate the lives of women whose names we should know; for a darker perspective on the city, Erik Eklund examines the very shadowy life of our most controversial former Wollongong mayor, Frank Arkell.
We also explore how conspiracies build momentum with two of our brightest investigative journalists and check in with new experiences and perspectives on mental health in ways that may surprise you.
That’s just for starters… there’s so much more for you to discover, over two days of the best non-fiction from around Australia.
Full program will be released on September 23 at www.southcoastwriters.org
What’s on at the Writers Centre
By SCWC’s Elizabeth Heffernan
Don’t miss out on all the workshops, events and competitions coming up at the South Coast Writers Centre.
Submissions close for our 34 to 37 Degrees South digital poetry anthology on 5 September. SCWC members are invited to submit poetry on this year’s theme of ‘words / no words’. Entries are also open for the SCWC & River of Art Ekphrastic Poetry & Flash Fiction Prize, closing 10 October. River of Art is a vibrant arts festival in Eurobodalla from 26 September to 6 October. Ekphrastic writing responds to or is inspired by art. Coming up later in the month is our inaugural
Writers’ Book Club. Join local best-selling author of Girl Falling and Dirt Town, Hayley Scrivenor, as she leads the first discussion, on Donna Tartt’s classic novel The Secret History Friday 19 September, 7pm, at Red Point Arts in Port Kembla. Plus, bookings are open for our October school holiday program. Create your own journal using a paper bag and lots of papers, stickers and other ephemera, with author Pat Simmons. For ages 7 to 10, Tuesday 7 or Wednesday 8 October in Coledale Hall, 10-11am.
Visit southcoastwriters.org
Spring author events
With the team at Collins Booksellers Thirroul Happy Father’s Day on Sunday, 7 September! We have gifts for every dad and budget, so bring the kids in. On 17th September, we’re thrilled to have an author talk with awardwinning environmentalist Natalie Kyriacou OAM. With courage and curiosity, Natalie’s new book, Nature’s Last Dance: Tales of Wonder in an Age of Extinction, takes readers into the heart of the struggle to chart a new course for nature. This will be a fascinating evening: 6:30 for 7pm at Ryan’s Thirroul. Two days later we’ll be at Thirroul Library at 6:30pm, bookselling at an event with ARIA Hall of Fame member Buzz Bidstrup and ABC’s pop culture journalist Mawunyo Gbogbo. Buzz was an original member of The Angels, a powerhouse drummer, and No Secrets recounts an incredible lifetime of music and mayhem. Bookings with Humanitix.
collins BOOKSELLERS thirroul
Shop 5/264 Lawrence Hargrave Drive www.collinsbooksthirroul.com.au
@collinsbooksellersthirroul
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Contact our office today Office: 32 Walker Street, Helensburgh Phone: 02 4294 9980
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It’s a ‘cruel’ summer pool closure
By Genevieve Swart
In Wollongong City Council’s northernmost town, a small community ringed by bushland is facing a long, hot summer without its favourite free public asset.
Helensburgh Memorial Pool is shut for repairs until January 2026, and a long-serving local GP wants to know why council didn’t do the work over winter, when the pool is routinely closed.
“Choosing to close it over the peak time for use is cruel and to the detriment of the local community”, said Dr Trevor Kemper, owner of Equilibrium Healthcare in Helensburgh.
Winter would have been the ideal time for repairs, he said. “Managing infrastructure well is an important aspect of government. I’d suggest better planning and more fine-tuned management would result in a happier and healthier community, and a pool that is open throughout its planned season, and ideally an extended season.”
Trevor said the healthcare professionals at his Helensburgh practice often recommend waterbased exercise for patients. “As a routine swimmer myself, I regularly see my patients using the pool for their health, helping maintain fitness, reduce falls risks and improve mental health all while reducing overall health burden.
“The fact that there is no other similar facility within 20km of Helensburgh means that many of these people cannot go anywhere else.”
Families worried about fitness and safety Helensburgh mum-of-three Melissa McCallum, the P&F president of Holy Cross Primary School, is particularly concerned about water safety and
children learning to swim, but also fears local swim school Crawchy’s will lose clients as parents go elsewhere during the public pool’s closure. “We need to support local businesses,” she said.
Melissa’s children swim at Crawchy’s but they can’t do squad training there, she explained. “Crawchy’s indoor pool is only 11m long. Children in the summer need a larger pool to improve fitness and train. I, along with many other families, are now having to look at travelling elsewhere to ensure our children do the only sport that will save their life, and be best for their fitness this summer.”
Ocean baths can’t replace pool
Families are disappointed the pool won’t be reopening as usual for the Spring school holidays, and lap swimmers feel let down too.
Catherine Ryan, a regular user of Helensburgh Pool, said she is now considering driving half an hour to train at Sutherland Leisure Centre.
“While I use the ocean pools throughout winter, during the summer months, they can be more difficult to access,” Catherine said.
Parking and crowded ocean pools are two peak-season problems.
“Over summer, the Helensburgh pool provides designated lanes for swimmers,” Catherine said.
The pool’s benefits go far beyond fitness –friendships are important too. “Helensburgh Pool is used by a wide range of people – lap swimmers, families, mother’s groups, teenagers, water walkers, people in recovery from surgeries and so on. As a regular user, you get to see the same people on a regular basis and social connections form.”
Regular swimmers Catherine Ryan and Dr Trevor Kemper. Photo supplied
From new pool to ‘refurbishment’
Helensburgh Pool opened in 1969 and its ageing pool shell now needs a major upgrade. Repairs have been in the pipeline for almost three years and the pressure is now on for Council to complete upgrades by the end of the year to meet state funding requirements.
The project began in November 2022, when Council received $3.2 million from the state government’s Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund for Helensburgh facilities, including the pool and sports-field lighting. The criteria included that projects must be completed by 31 December 2025.
In May 2023, council consulted residents over plans for a new 25m pool. However, in July 2025 it changed tack and announced a “refurbishment” instead. Last month Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown told The Illawarra Flame this was because “detailed investigation” had shown that repairs – including structural remediation and resealing construction joints – could extend the pool’s life by 30 years. Amenities will also be revamped and a new accessible toilet built.
Cr Brown said that, as well as time for design, compliance and the tender process, there had been a delay due to finding the right location for Helensburgh’s new library and community centre, with the pool site among those considered.
“So that all took a lot of time through community consultation to get the library site locked in, and that’s probably impacted what’s happened at the pool,” Cr Brown said. “These are works that we have to get done, and the sooner we get it done, the better for everyone.” Further delays could cause costs to blow out, she said.
At press time in August, site fences were up and repairs about to begin, with council predicting completion “before the January summer peak”.
‘A lot of frustration’
Feelings over the pool’s closure were running hot and high at Neighbourhood Forum 1’s August 13 meeting, where the mood was one of “frustration and anger”, NF1 convenor Warwick Erwin said.
In all his years as a community activist, Warwick has not seen anything like this response since the decades-old row over the 7d lands pitted environmentalists against would-be developers.
At NF1 there were calls for a public ‘town hall’ meeting and, in the wider community, Warwick has heard threats to tear down jobsite fencing or lock pool gates to keep council out.
“Council has stuffed up,” he said, adding the consensus at the NF1 meeting was that two years had been wasted due to council staff trying to locate the new library and community centre at the pool, against the community’s wishes.
“They were trying to save money by doing things together, doing it on the cheap. The community has never said it wanted it [the new library] at the pool.
“It’s Council staff that drove that – Council staff have got more power than what they should have.
“They weren’t listening to the community.
“There is a lot of frustration.”
NF1 is calling for a works schedule and a grant audit, but is resigned to the repairs and will inquire about a shuttle bus to Corrimal Pool.
Illawarra Grevillea Park Spring Open Days 2025
Saturday September 6th and 13th; Sunday September 7th & 14th; Open 10am to 4pm
Come and see the most colourful display of Grevilleas in Australia.
Expansive native display gardens; rainforest, sensory trail and vine forest walk; picnic areas. Huge range of natives books and plants for sale including tubestock and special grafted plants.
Lord Mayor Tania Brown speaking to Neighbourhood Forum 1 convenor Warwick
Erwin, who said the city’s leader has acknowledged community concerns over Helensburgh Pool. Photo: Tyneesha Williams
By Ben Wollen
feature Cover Two wheels ARE BETTER THAN FOUR
Last year I invited one of my old Uni mates to come join my archibike tour that runs as part of the Illawarra Festival of Architecture & Design (IFAD for short). He jumped on an early train and met me and bike mayor of Wollongong, Edward Birt, in Stanny for what was a stunning October Spring day. One of 12 only participants, he was completely stoked to see some of the incredibly diverse architecture that skirts the escarpment. At the end of the day we went back to my place for lunch and en route we travelled up Asquith Street, Austinmer.
On our climb up and as we were passing the waterfall towards the top, he couldn’t help but to exclaim “Oh, stop, I can’t believe this place!” You see, while he’s not immune to beautiful landscapes (he’s done the lap around Oz), he couldn’t believe that just cruising up through what, for all intents and purposes, is a suburb, that you’d be in the canopy of a rainforest and pass by a waterfall.
Of course I looked at him strangely and replied “Yeah – it’s nice isn’t it”. After he left and I reflected
on his comment, I thought that I was totally taking where I live for granted. After all, it’s not uncommon for me to ride to work and on the way have to dodge lyrebirds crossing the road. There’s not many commuters out there who can claim that!
Furthermore, I get to enjoy it all on two wheels breathing the fresh forest air, nodding to the walkers out for their morning constitutional and feeling the wind beneath my wheels. There’s no better way to experience our terrestrial world than the freedom two wheels offers.
This leads me back to the Archibike tour that I host every year in October as part of IFAD. It took me many hours of exploring, research, trial tours and a painstaking culling process to select the houses on the tour. We only get to see them from the outside, but I have collected as much information on each of them as I can and have a folder with plans, pictures and stories that I relay at each of our stops. As it stands, the tour encompasses 10 houses spanning from Stanwell
An Austinmer home on Ben’s Archibike tour. Photos: Anthony Warry
What’s On at the Illawarra Festival of Architecture & Design
Saturday, Oct 18: A cycling tour, led by Ben Wollen and Ed Birt (pictured above), plus house & studio tours and a classical music evening at Wollongong Art Gallery.
Sunday, Oct 19: Panel discussions at UOW’s Innovation Campus from 12–5pm, with kids entertained by fun archiactivities while you relax with food, drinks, and great conversation.
Scan the QR for a full program
Park in the north, down to Austinmer where we finish. Along the way we get a bit of history, a chat about the various approaches to Architectural design, we see two round houses (one that used to rotate), a house by Australia’s only recipient of the International Pritzker prize for Architecture and enjoy arguably one of the best bike rides available in New South Wales.
At the end of each tour, I feel so energised and enthused to find out that it’s not just me that loves architecture!
At the time of this printing, we will be only one month away from IFAD 2025. This year we are delving into the world of landscape, food fairness and how it all relates to our local architecture –be that at an urban scale or even a balcony. At the curatorial helm, we have Landscape Architect Stuart Scobie and Interior Designer Margie Rahmann, both directors of local architecture firm Edmiston Jones. Holding the torch for all things food fairness is Dr Lina Engelen, chair of Healthy Cities Australia.
They’ve put together a stellar line-up of discussions to be held on Sunday, October 19 at the remarkable Sustainable Buildings Research Centre at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus. It’s one of the only full Living Building Challenge certified projects in Australia and they’ve kindly offered to take tours of this building and both of their solar decathlon winning houses – the Illawarra Flame Tree and Desert Rose house. Our ever-popular open house tours will also be on Saturday, October 18, for your chance to see some of the best residential designs the Illawarra has to offer.
This will be followed by our charity classical music concert in the evening at the Wollongong Art Gallery. This year all the profits to this event will be supporting the newly constructed Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre (designed by curator Margie Rahmann). This will be where we announce the winners to the Illawarra Architecture awards for new best home and new best alterations and additions.
Apologies – I didn’t mean to gloat in this article! But, I think we’re all probably pretty guilty of taking for granted the incredible place in which we live. These days it only takes watching the evening news to trigger feelings of gratitude. It’s time to celebrate all that is local, pitch in to a local charity and learn all things living landscapes.
If you’re an architecture and design enthusiast or you just love getting around on two wheels, block out the weekend of 18/19 October and come along for the ride! Better still, head over to our website and buy yourself a ticket before they’re all gone.
Visit www.ifad.net.au for tickets
L to R: Ed, Ben and Florence stop to feed rainbow lorikeets
‘Wear a helmet,’ says ambos boss
By Jeremy Lasek
The senior ambulance official for the region has revealed “alarming statistics” that show the very real human impact of the growing e-bike and e-scooter craze in the Illawarra.
“Between June 2024 and July 2025, we’ve recorded 200 serious accidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters,” said NSW Ambulance Illawarra Zone Manager Paul Edwards. “I’m seriously alarmed by those numbers; they’re about four times worse than I’d expected.”
While NSW Ambulance has treated over 200 people in the Illawarra Shoalhaven zone for e-bike or e-scooter related injuries in the past 12 months, not all were hospitalised. Paul said thankfully, to date, no fatalities have been recorded in this region.
The ambulance service’s official 12-month statistics mean, for an average week in the Illawarra, ambulances are treating four people a week after an e-bike or e-scooter crash.
“These are the most serious ones,” Paul said. “We’re regularly treating and transporting patients suffering a loss of consciousness, suspected spinal injuries and broken arms and legs after coming off these bikes and scooters.”
Paul said several patients with spinal injuries have been airlifted to Sydney for specialist treatment. “It’s when people are not wearing a helmet that we see the worst injuries,” he said. “If you’re going to ride an e-scooter or e-bike, wear a helmet. People riding these bikes and scooters have been knocked badly unconscious and once you have a serious head injury it takes a long time to come out of it. Fifty per cent of serious injuries can be prevented just by wearing a helmet.”
IBUG opposes e-bike train ban
By Illawarra Bicycle Users Group president Ed Birt
A proposed temporary ban on e-bikes and e-scooters on NSW trains due to fire risks is drawing strong opposition from the Illawarra Bicycle Users Group (IBUG), who argue that such a move would unfairly penalise responsible users and harm sustainable transport efforts.
While acknowledging safety concerns around lithium battery fires, IBUG committee member Tim Hay says the risk does not justify a blanket ban. “These incidents remain relatively rare. The vast majority of e-bike and e-scooter users have never experienced such issues. A more balanced, evidence-based response is needed.”
IBUG argues that many commuters –particularly those in outer suburbs and regional areas – rely on the combination of micro-mobility and public transport for daily travel, work, and study. Older e-bike riders and delivery riders and gig economy workers who rely on combining rides with jumping on and off trains to get from A to B will also be disproportionately affected, according to the group.
Instead of banning e-bikes and scooters, IBUG is calling for targeted safety measures. These include
banning charging on trains, improving evacuation protocols, providing clear passenger guidance, enforcing stricter battery safety standards, and investing in secure bike storage at stations.
Rhonda Hunt, IBUG vice-president, emphasises the need to support sustainable mobility.
“IBUG acknowledges that there are risks but that a ban is not the way to go. We need to be encouraging active and public transport, not creating more obstacles to leaving the car at home.”
The group warns that a full ban could particularly impact lower socio-economic communities and regional residents, while also damaging productivity and small business efficiency.
IBUG is urging the NSW Government to adopt a more proportionate response – one that enhances public safety without compromising the community’s access to sustainable transport options.
Ed Birt is Wollongong’s Bicycle Mayor, our local representative who is part of the global Bicycle Mayor Network run by BYCS, an Amsterdam-based NGO.
At left: Participants at the inaugural meeting of IBUG’s Bicycle Buddies program in July. Below: Rhonda Hunt, vice president of IBUG; and Marie and Kaitlyn, the first pair of buddies connected by the IBUG’s new Bike Buddies program
Bike Buddies bond in new program
By Emma Rooksby
A new mentoring program in Wollongong aims to increase the confidence and skills of women and non-binary people to ride their bikes for active transport and leisure.
Bicycle Buddies, an initiative of the Illawarra Bicycle Users Group (IBUG), rolled out in July with a well-attended inaugural meeting. The program works by pairing up mentors and mentees who ride together, building the mentees’ bike-riding skills and confidence. Within its first month, it has attracted 16 participants, and organisers are now looking for more.
Rhonda Hunt, the vice-president of IBUG, is leading the new program after seeing some stark gender discrepancies in the cycling community.
“I noticed a few years back, and the research bears this out, that only one in three bike riders are women. Women are often more risk-averse, and may need more encouragement to ride.”
And she also saw a way to tackle the problem.
“I had an experience where I was able to help out a couple of women and successfully get them riding, and realised that I could expand this concept through IBUG.”
The program is tailored to the needs of participants. As Rhonda describes it: “Bicycle Buddies is an enthusiastic, friendly, suburb-based network, which pairs people up for flexible and negotiated rides on quiet local routes.”
So far, the bicycle buddy pairs are fitting this mould. The very first pair, mentor Marie Ledwos of East Corrimal and mentee Kaitlyn Sturges of North Wollongong, are work colleagues who buddied up to help Kaitlyn make the most of a gifted bike.
Kaitlyn said, “I was given my mum’s bike six months ago. I rode it once, and then it ended up in the garage just gathering cobwebs. But when I met Marie, and mentioned the bike, things just went from there. Now I’m riding to and from work!”
Marie was excited too, having joined the Bicycle Buddies program only two days before finding out Kaitlyn needed a mentor.
“I was at the first Bicycle Buddies meeting, when we went round the table to see who knew potential mentees. And I said: ‘I don’t know anyone I could mentor!’ Then within two days I met Kaitlyn, who was new at my workplace, and we immediately became buddies.”
Asked about what she’d learned from Marie so far, Kaitlyn said, “Marie has been really practical, giving me tips on how to set my bike up, how often to change gears, that sort of thing, and it took away a lot of the anxieties I’d had.
“Marie’s also given me some good tips to ride on the road, and not just limit myself to the bike paths. Women are socialised not to take up space, and Marie’s given me the skills and the permission to take up that space on the road when I need it.”
Marie said Kaitlyn’s skills and confidence had improved “out of sight” since the pair had started riding together.
“I think what many people like Kaitlyn need is not so much the technical advice on riding, but more the moral support. We started on bike paths and then progressed to some quiet backstreets to get her riding on the road. She’s developed an understanding that it’s OK to own the road and not to be intimidated by other road users.”
Asked about next steps for Bicycle Buddies, Rhonda said all local women and non-binary people are welcome to join, as a mentor or a mentee, and can contact her for more information.
IBUG also campaigns for lower speed limits on local roads, more pedestrian and cycle crossings, and a more connected and convenient cycling network.
Visit ibug.org.au/women-cycling
Audition for SPAT panto
By Lauren Mitsak of Stanwell Park Arts Theatre
SPAT’s production of Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf opens on August 30, with more shows on September 6. The orchestra, shadow puppets, actors and narrator are wowing young and old alike. The Sherlock Holmes radio play The Case of the Haunted Chateau (evenings only) is also a crowd pleaser. It’s been a sell-out show; to be on a waitlist, email us at spartstheatre@gmail.com
Audition for Christmas panto
This year’s Christmas panto, Twelve Hours to Christmas, is co-written by Christine Higgins and Rachael Kiddier and directed by father/daughter duo Tom and Katie Peach. They have declared the script a winner and envision a fantastic production. Audition dates are Sunday, September 7 at 2pm and Tuesday evening September 9 at 7pm at the Stanwell Park CWA hall. Rehearsals will be on
Sundays at 2pm and Thursday evenings (adults only). We are also looking for a producer and stage manager. Experience is not required as Sian Morgan has created a template of what’s required. We guarantee that you’ll have loads of fun.
Playmates (Improvisational Theatre)
This competition will pit the talents of the SPAT team against those of other theatre groups at the CWA hall on Saturday evening, October 25. If you can think on your feet and enjoy spontaneous interactions, this is for you. Check our website for the date to meet and form a team and rehearsal dates. Visit www.spat.org.au
SPAT Singers
The Spat Singers meet every Friday evening at 7:30pm at the Stanwell Park CWA hall. Lindy Sharp, our versatile and highly skilled director, is introducing new and eclectic pieces to add to our repertoire each week. Join us.
NF 1 Report
By Neighbourhood Forum 1 convenor Warwick Erwin
Neighbourhood Forum 1 (NF1) meetings are held in the Helensburgh Community Rooms in front of the old Community Centre on the second Wednesday of the month, from Feb to Nov. Next meeting: 10 Sept 2025. All welcome.
Helensburgh Pool Closed until January 2026
Under the NSW Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund 2022-23, Council received a grant for $3,241,666 to upgrade of Helensburgh Pool and lighting on the adjoining turf field. Term: Projects to start by July 2023, finish by 31 December 2025. Council claim that pool works will start in late August and be done by January 2026. NF1 members wanted works postponed until next winter but stopping the “upgrade” work now could mean losing funding from the State Government. This is contrary to council’s “we’ll get an extension” feedback to NF1. How will Council compensate 2508 residents due to Council’s stuff-up? Free entry to Corrimal Pool? That is the closest WCC pool. Free hourly shuttle bus to/from Corrimal?
New Library and Community Centre
The update from Council’s Manager Libraries + Community Facilities on Helensburgh centre plans included information on the brief that the architect
will work with to develop the concept design.
• Community Hall scoped as 220m², it will be expandable into the library space for larger events.
• The library area will be approximately 310m² vs 175m² of the existing library.
A detailed scope and design brief has been sent to Public Works and a tender has been undertaken for a Principal Design Consultant (PDC) and sub-consultant team. Concept designs will be presented to the community once they are developed, likely in early 2026.
NF1 objects to Council using “commercial in confidence” as a reason to avoid sharing the detailed scope that staff – not the community –have defined for the new centre. We don’t want a centre that is smaller than the previous one. NF1 members are asking if Council staff have too much delegated authority, and are calling on councillors to listen to community and question staff more.
Get updates, report problems
To get neighbourhood updates, go to our. wollongong.nsw.gov.au and sign in. Click ‘My Account’ and select topics or places of interest, and save. To report issues – eg, pot holes, blocked drains or drainage problems – the easiest way is via the Snap Send Solve app.
Hot contest for first place at Coalcliff
By Ian Pepper & Nick McLaren
Great day of surfing on Sunday, 10 August to finish off the July Pointscore for our senior divisions. The conditions at Coalcliff ran hot and cold throughout the day, as did the weather with rain, sunshine and everything in between.
Despite numbers being down a bit, A-Grade was hotly contested with some solid waves going down on the shifting right-hander running into a sand dump on the far inside.
Angus Cochrane took home the cash, surfing consistently all day and getting the nod in a see-sawing final with Fin McLaren 2nd and Josh “Call me a Coalcliff local” Pepper 3rd. In the heats Chris Robbo was on fire but simply couldn’t find the right waves in the final.
The Open Women’s saw Talina Wilson line up the sets with some smooth carves giving her the edge over Macey Jolley in 2nd and Rosie Van 3rd.
A few other notable mentions go to all the finalists in the Over 35s with less than a point between 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th – too close to call. Also a really tight final in the Open Bs with Jobi Hanley taking the win over Mitch Burroughs. And one for the old blokes: David Kemp won the O55s, but in his heat scored an 8.43 which had half the carpark on their feet cheering … apparently, he got 2 points for the claim! Next comp is in the pool at URBNSURF Sydney on 31 August – don’t forget to bring your booties.
Finally, thanks to our team that represented the club at the annual Kirra Teams Challenge on the
Australia Wide Hot Water
10%
Gold Coast, 1-3 August 2025. An incredible Day 2 for us at the event with Mannix Squiers closing the airspace around Coolangatta airport with a couple of super-high full rotation aerial manoeuvres where he scored a perfect 10 off all judges, then backed it up with a 9-point ride.
Overall, we finished equal 15th out of 32 clubs from all over Australia.
Photo courtesy of Kirra Boardriders Club
Rego open for cricket season
By Tyneesha Williams
Cricket’s summer season is about to heat up with registrations now open at all clubs in the Illawarra.
Senior players, from 1st to 4th grade, will return to the field early in October, with junior players starting from October 11. The upcoming season is set to be an exciting competition.
After two years without a top-tier team, Helensburgh Cricket Club will return to first grade competition this season. The Tigers will be looking to make their mark against rivals like Northern Districts, Corrimal, and University of Wollongong.
Northern Districts received the 2024 Cricket NSW Community Club of the Year award and will be a team to watch this season.
With newly appointed head coach Anthony McQuire, West Illawarra Cricket Club expects to see growing success.
Other clubs in the competition include the Illawarra Passionate Cricket Club (IPCC), Dapto, Keira, Port Kembla, Balgownie, and Wollongong.
Visit cricketillawarra.org.au and read more next month in ‘Cricket season for kids’
Join Helensburgh Touch Football
By Andy McGregor
Get ready to dust off those boots and start stretching! Helensburgh Touch Football, the No.1 summer sport in the area, will kick off its two summer competitions in early October.
Helensburgh Touch Football has been operating in the Burgh for over 50 years, and has been supported by a group of dedicated volunteers since the comp kicked off in the early 1970s. The goal of the competition has always been to provide a social Touch Football experience, with all the benefits returned to the players.
The Wednesday evening Men’s Competition will begin on October 8. The Monday evening Mixed
competition starts on October 13. Teams will consist of nine players, playing on large-sized fields with women permitted to kick a drop goal.
The competition concludes on Grand Final day, on the last Saturday in February 2026. On this exciting day, all six divisions will compete in thrilling Grand Final matches. A result is guaranteed, as the drop-off rule will come into effect in the event of a draw.
The day doesn’t end there. Following the Grand Finals, we will hold several unique novelty game events, featuring various skill challenges that are sure to provide plenty of laughs.
If you are new to the area or looking to keep fit, Helensburgh Touch welcomes you. We are seeking new players, especially women for the Monday evening mixed comp. Any inquiries, call or text Andy, 0411 352 830.
Last Season Premiers
Mixed B Division Booms 9 Zingers 5. Mixed A Division Era 5 Dudes with Boobs 0 Men’s A Grade T Balls 1 Era 0. Men’s B Grade Goat Bashers 3 Scarborough 0 Men’s C Grade Magpies 2 Struggle Town 1 Men’s D Grade Ratbags 2 Pub 0.
Two talented locals have been selected for the Brisbane Premier League U18 T20 in September. Ollie Smith (left) from Northern Districts Cricket Club will play for the Western Chargers and Wollongong District Cricket Club’s Riley Broadhead (right) will play for the Darling Dingoes
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Port Kembla Tidal Chart
PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES
September 2025
1 MO SEPTEMBER Time
2 TU
3
4 TH 0549 1.13 1107 0.62 1745 1.61
5 FR 0037 0.38
6
7
8
9
17
18
19
13
3
LAT 34° 29ʼ S LONG 150° 55ʼ E Times and Heights of High and Low Waters
TIMES AND HEIGHTS OF HIGH AND LOW WATERS LAT 340 29’ LONG 1500 55’ TIME
15
4
5
2
6
7
3
4 SA 0557
19 FR 0038
20
21
18
19
8
5
29
23
© Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2024, Bureau of Meteorology. Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide. Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect. The Bureau of Meteorology gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency, completeness, quality or reliability of the information or that the information will be fit for any particular purpose or will not infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights. The Bureau’s liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense resulting from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded. Scan the QR to download a fresh Tide Chart each month
9
6
10
24 WE 0312 0.39 0930 1.54 1543 0.42 2143 1.39
7 TU 0244 0.18 0855 1.66 1503 0.22 2112 1.67
25 TH 0338 0.44 1001 1.55 1623 0.45 2219 1.30
8 WE 0322 0.19 0937 1.76 1556 0.18 2201 1.59
26 FR 0406 0.50 1035 1.54 1706 0.49 2300 1.21
PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES
27 SA 0436 0.57 1113 1.51 1754
MOON PHASE SYMBOLS New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter
9 TH 0402 0.25 1022 1.82 1650 0.17 2254 1.47 10 FR
Sunday Social Golf Club report
By Robert ‘Indy’ Jones
Once again the weather curse thwarted HSSGC and we were forced to move Round 1 of the HSSGC Championship to August 24th. [Editor’s note: the Flame was due to be printed at that time, so read our October issue for Indy’s report on Round 1.] Round 2 will follow on September 14, Tee Time 9am. Round 3 will be on October 5 with a sleep-in start at 9am. Just think how much effort we have saved the handicapper in his absence with no handicap changes for the championship extending into October.
Your ever-present servant president and handicapper remains on holiday so, contact Robert, 0412 394 299, for all your membership information and remember to register your attendance and cart requirements on the Tuesday ahead of the date of our next event.
Indy signing off: There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.
Tradies Social Golf
By Barry Thompson
A cart ban resulted in a small field contesting the event on a wet course. Rod Vaughn returned from his travels to claim the gold with 67, followed by Dave Tipping (69) and Hayden Overton (70) in third. They’ll be off to Helensburgh Butchery and Gallardo’s Pizzeria to claim their prizes.
Hayden Overton defeated Iain Birss 4 and 3 in Matchplay. The semi-final will be played between Kynan and Rod during the September tournament with the winner playing Hayden in the October final. Lucky Roger Hendry won the Helensburgh Driving Range Bucket of Balls voucher again and Terry joined the 4-putt club to take the Bradman’s award.
Good to have my undercover informant back from gallivanting around the globe. He advised me of our Presso’s battle with one of the bunkers. In deference to Terry’s dodgy hip I will not elaborate, suffice to say that a levy may be imposed on members to replace the sand scattered in the fight.
Would someone please tempt Ken out of his shop and back to the fold as club coach? On his last outing he carded six birdies and a 66 off the stick – don’t forget to ask him about it when you pick up your papers.
Spring at last! Our next outing is on Saturday, September 20 at Boomerang. We Tee-Off at 7am and will play the Stableford format. Please arrive early to assist our starters.
Book a stall at Country Fair
By Fran Peppernell, publicity officer for Helensburgh Lions Club
It was great to see support for the 2025 Lions Brick Fair at Tradies on August 10. Overall feedback was that young and old enjoyed the exhibition and budding masters enjoyed the brick pits with amazing creations and hundreds of colouring-in competition entries, with winners presented at Ray White Helensburgh. Once again, we thank our sponsors Peabody, Tradies, Ron and Chris Kissell of Ray White, & Gonglug.
Save the date: Saturday, October 25 for the Helensburgh Fair. Spaces for stalls are limited, so if you need a stall, go to our website at www.helensburghlions.org.au/fair.html to submit your application. We have booked carnival rides, a petting zoo and a full entertainment card and many more activities and we are really excited for this year’s event.
During September we will be having our usual BBQ outside Coles at Helensburgh and if you would like to know more about Lions and the activities we do, come along, buy a sausage sizzle and have a chat with us.
We are always looking for new ideas and members who would like to join us and give back to our fabulous community.
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