THE ILLAWARRA
Spring 2026
Southern edition no. 10
Magic of parkrun Why hundreds of people meet at Reddall Reserve
Free to 7000 letterboxes & local biz / www.theillawarraflame.com.au
Meet Our Contributors Tamara Hynd is the curator of
Shellharbour City Museum which moved to a new contemporary facility at the Shellharbour Civic Centre in 2018. She loves history, heritage buildings and places, and is on the board of Museums and Galleries NSW. Lesley Roulston is a writer who enjoys hearing the inspiring stories of the people of the Illawarra. She can be found walking her King Charles Spaniel most evenings around the Shellharbour Marina. Her interests include reading and listening to podcasts on health and ageing well. Tyneesha Williams is a UOW journalism graduate. Born and raised in Central West NSW, Tyneesha fell in love with the Illawarra’s stunning scenery and local community. She runs her own business, Neesh Photography, and in her spare time enjoys taking pictures, attending gigs and going to the beach. 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.
T H E I L L AWA R R A
Next deadline is 11 Nov for Summer
EDITORS Genevieve Swart, Marcus Craft CONTACT Features Coordinator: Lesley Roulston, 0411 025 008, shellharbour@ theillawarraflame.com.au TheIllawarraFlame NEXT EDITION Summer 2026 DEADLINE 11 Nov. Contributions welcome. COVER Brendan Scollary and his daughter, Em. Photo: parkrun THE ILLAWARRA FLAME is published by a local business The Word Bureau, ABN 31 692 723 477
RFS Get Ready Weekend: 19-20 Sept Fire stations are set to open up. Make a Bush Fire Survival Plan or volunteer. There are roles for everyone, from firefighting to comms. Contact Captain Ben Gibson, of Sutherland Communications Brigade, on 0477 362 224 or membership@ sutherlandcommsrfb.org.au 2
contents
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Awards for tree beauty By Lesley Roulston
Trees are tops – that’s the verdict in the Shellharbour City Council’s Wild About Shellharbour photography competition. Southern Sky, Ancient Tree by Simon Theuma won the 2026 challenge, which was themed “tree tales”, with a shot of gum trees beneath The Milky Way in John Shepherd Reserve at Albion Park. “I wanted to show that wild places still survive within our suburbs, remnants of an older landscape holding their ground beside our everyday lives,” Simon said. “There’s something deeply Australian about gum trees under stars – pale trunks, silence, space and the enduring memory of bushland.” Doug Hewitt, a school teacher from Tullimbar, took out the people’s choice award and was runner-up in the over-18 category with his entry Boonerah Point Sunset. Doug said he often goes to Boonerah Point in the evenings as the sunset over Lake Illawarra is spectacular. The competition posed a new challenge that he enjoyed. “It pushed me to go beyond the lake and the sunset,” he said. “I had to feature the beautiful trees which normally I might include but not focus on.
Southern Sky, Ancient Tree and Boonerah Point Sunset.
“I had to look at the how the light formed on them – I was looking at something totally familiar to me but in a different way.” Christine Jauncey’s Sturdy Yet Soft was highly commended. Leyla A’s Twisty Roots won the Under-18s category, with Ella O’s The Hungry Caterpillar the runner-up and Onur A’s The Jungle Tree highly commended and the people’s choice winner.
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Call the Pup-arazzi
Enter to be in with a chance to win a $50 voucher! Send pet pics for Summer’s edition to hello@theillawarraflame.com.au
Duke from Shell Cove
Snoopie from Kiama
Likes: The beach, swimming, walks, lamb chops, travelling in the caravan, his teddy! Dislikes: Having his nails cut, being left alone, kangaroos.
Likes: Food, cuddles, burrowing under the blankets. Dislikes: Baths, being left alone, and cold water.
Scout and Penny, visiting from Oatdale
Winnie “Lady Gwendoline Von Wiggle Bottom” from Mt Warrigal
Likes: A swim in ocean (hence visiting Shell Cove), cuddles on bed in the morning, going and getting sticks! Dislikes: Not much at all. 4
clubs & community
Likes: Treats, her ball, going for walks at Bass Point Reserve. Dislikes: Baths, and the chooks.
Alfred, visiting from Gerringong
Likes: The beach and food. Dislikes: Not much; he’s pretty chill.
Miya from Albion Park
Likes: She likes playing at the beach and snuggles. Dislikes: She’s very fussy with food.
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Spring
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of the best Warilla cafes By Lesley Roulston
Take the time to explore Warilla’s town centre and you’ll find top-notch eateries that are creating a serious foodie vibe.
Hot Halloumi Toast
Brad and Renee of The Happy Fox. Photo: Leanne Doyle.
The Happy Fox. 17 George St
If the striking, larger-than-life fox mural on the walls doesn’t draw you in, the fabulous cafe buzz will. TICK! Note the welcoming ambience, friendly service and food that knocks you off your feet with flavour. SOLD! The Happy Fox ticks all the boxes. Owners Brad and Renee have nailed the art of great food and hospitality – Brad is a qualified chef with an Italian dining background and Renee is a creative (qualified hairdresser) who is well schooled in the art of customer service. Must try on the menu: Hot Halloumi Toast, a mouthwatering combination of sweet, sticky and spicy. Think squeaky warm cheese on crunchy sourdough toast with runny poached eggs and topped with a kick of spicy crunch. Need we say more? The Boys on Veronica. 34 Veronica St
A first for Warilla – a cafe that is 100% gluten free! Since it landed last year, The Boys on Veronica has quickly become an institution for foodies – even dedicated gluten lovers. Owners Cory and Caleb say their Basque Cheesecake is a staple that is snapped up as soon as it hits the shelf – RUN NOW! Their coffee is fully organic, and they have a wide range of artisan breads and desserts all made in-house (pre-orders are available). There’s gourmet toasties and burgers and fries too. The product range is always expanding with take-home meals now ready to go for when the demands of cooking are too overwhelming. Brewed Warilla. 3/10 George St
Brewed Warilla’s owner Callum and his mum Sharee. Photo supplied
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local business
If cold foams and cold brews are your go-to then this stand-out cafe with its welcoming pink walls should be on the top of your list. These are DIFFERENT! Both are made in house. Owner Callum and his mum Sharee say the cold brews take 18 hours. This is serious, brew lovers! Not surprisingly the cold foams are extremely popular, with flavours like Kinder Bueno and Salted Caramel. YUM! Pick up a crumble cookie (also made in-house) to go; try the Biscoff and Nutella flavours, grab a freshly-made wrap or a bagel and you’re walking out the door set for the day. HAPPY!
The new taphouse features a mural by Olivia Cooke
Cheers to craft beer in Barrack Heights By Lesley Roulston
Build confidence with the
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0401 103 535
Art and ale mix at Stoic Brewing’s new Shellharbour taphouse, with those who appreciate small-batch, hand-crafted beers, created in microbreweries, set to enjoy themselves. Stoic Brewing, which has a flagship Gerringong taphouse, has now opened a second site, this one in Sunset Avenue, Barrack Heights. Co-owners of Stoic Brewing, Andrew Prosser and his father Steve, have 12 taps of craft beer on offer, as well as takeaway packs and food-truck fare, all from Thursday to Sunday. They have plans to create a distillery on-site. “It’s a work in progress,” Andrew says. “At the moment we are offering a number of awardwinning beers including a pilsner and an XPA that were both awarded gold at the 2025 Australian International Beer Awards, and a pale ale that received bronze.” Andrew says Stoic Brewing Shellharbour patrons have not only shown interest in the beers but also in an eye-catching artwork on the wall – depicting a quirky dog and a skeletal character – by staff member Olivia Cooke (Instagram @artbylivc). Stoic Brewing is at 4/7 Sunset Ave, Barrack Heights. It’s open Thursday 5-8pm, Friday 5-8pm, Saturday 12-8pm and Sunday 12-6pm
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From convict to gentleman By Tamara Hynd, curator of Shellharbour City Museum
When William Baxter was 17, he broke into a house in Suffolk, England, and stole 11 gold sovereigns. He was caught, sentenced to 14 years, and sent to the notorious convict hulk HMS Leviathan where he spent the next seven months before his transportation to Australia in 1828, aboard the convict ship Phoenix. Fellow convict, James Couch, who would also end up in Shellharbour, was aboard the same ship. William was five feet, seven inches (about 170cm) tall. He had brown hair, grey eyes and a ruddy complexion. At the time, those who were given the toughest sentences were often given the toughest assignments. William was sent to the Government Road Gang #21 to undertake hard labour. His trade in England was a lath renderer, or plasterer. As part of the road gang, William probably cleared dense bush and scrub, sawed timber and helped build infrastructure for the colony. He spent about nine years here, before receiving his Ticket of Leave in February 1837. A Ticket of Leave was like an early form of parole. Those who showed good behaviour were allowed to leave government service, work for their own money and own property, but they still had to follow strict rules: William had to stay in the Police District of Illawarra, check in with the magistrate and carry his ticket with him at all times. William lived at James Robb’s Riversdale Estate at Jamberoo where he worked, clearing, sawing and fencing. In 1840, he married Mary Martin, granddaughter of another local convict, David Nowland. Soon after, they moved to Shellharbour. Here, William turned to seafaring, all selftaught. He worked on a ketch called Bee, trading between Kiama and Sydney. In 1845, he was master of the ketch Alexander, and established himself as a respected mariner along the South Coast.
The ‘Dairymaid’ c.1870s and William Baxter. Photos: Discover Shellharbour
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clubs & community
During the 1840s, William helped Caroline Chisholm, who brought some of the first European families to settle at Shellharbour on clearing leases. He transported wattle bark to Sydney for sale on their behalf, providing at least a meagre wage for them to survive on. For the next 30 years, William plied the trade between Sydney, Bellambi, Wollongong. Shellharbour, Kiama, and Gerringong. He loaded goods from the shore before a jetty was built at Shellharbour in 1859, and commanded several vessels including Amphitrite, William and Ann, Dairymaid and Peterborough Lass. Eventually, Baxter’s line was absorbed into the Shellharbour Steam Navigation Company. William and Mary had a family of six: William, James, Sarah, Teresa, Mary and David. The family lived in a hut near the harbour in what is today, Little Park. Their daughter Mary died in 1858 when she was just five days old. In 1876, William lost his wife to typhoid fever at the age of 53. Around the same time, he began losing his sight to cataracts. The community raised £25 at a testimonial held in his honour. He later became completely blind. For decades, William connected isolated communities, delivered their produce, and carried news and passengers. His obituary in the Illawarra Mercury on 21 August 1888 said: “By the death of this gentleman, a conspicuous land mark of the district has been removed. He was associated with the progress of Shellharbour almost from its germ, and may be said to have established the navigation between that shipping port and Sydney.” Not bad for a convict. Baxter Lane in Shellharbour, is named in his honour. Visit Shellharbour City Museum’s website at discovershellharbour.recollect.net.au
Creative ways to make a living By Lesley Roulston
Emma Veiga-Malta knows full well the struggles artists face trying to cross the line from creativity to business. Born in Malawi, Africa, and raised in the English countryside, Emma spent years immersed in the European art scene. She was an artist for more than 12 years, exhibiting in London and Geneva until coming to Australia 16 years ago. It is the same issue worldwide, she says: “Creatives have the discipline to put in the work but don’t know how to make money from what they have created.” Now Shellharbour City Art Society’s vicepresident, Emma combined her illustration skills with those gained over the years as a fabric designer to pivot in 2015, transitioning from artist to designer of brands and custom video-backdrops. “I started designing artistic backdrops and media walls for expos and events, to replace the typical wall featuring a sea of logos,” she said. During the pandemic, Emma found herself in a new area, creating artistic backdrops for video meetings for clients after something more stylish than their kitchen or bedroom. Emma specialises in strategic brand design incorporating full brand identities, logos, corporate
Adults $7
Children Free
Illawarra Grevillea Park Spring Open Days 2026
Saturday 6th & 13th Sept; 10am to 4pm Sunday 7th & 14th Sept; 10am to 4pm The garden is bursting with colour after strong summer, autumn and winter rainfall. Large-flowered tropical grevilleas are at their peak, with blooms in cream, gold, red, pink, apricot, lemon and orange. Visitors can also see rare grevilleas from across Australia and hundreds of other native plants. The Park features display gardens, picnic areas, a rainforest walk, dam, sensory trail and vine forest walk with a giant blackbutt tree. A wide range of native plants and books will be available for sale, including tubestock and grafted plants. Volunteers will also be available to offer advice. Dogs on leads are welcome.
analysis and brand strategy, her hand-illustrated client deliverables setting her apart. “Art has been the thread that has run through all of my businesses,” she said. Her success inspired Emma to mentor others and she launched the successful Creative Business Summit, held at the Kiama Pavilion in July. Emma credits Shellharbour City Arts Society for helping her to reignite her passion for fine art practice. Visit shellharbourcityarts.com.au
Music & Tea at Wollongong Art Gallery
ENTRY FREE! Donation appreciated.
THUR 8 OCT 11 AM
a
PERCUSSION odyssey
EMERGING ARTIST CONCERT SERIES Grace Lee marimba
MichaeldeMacedonia Huy piano & Songs from our Homeland
composition
Eva Bogoevska & Violetta Shopova violin Gracie Francis piano
Grevillea Park Road, Bulli w w w.illawarrgrevilleapark.com.au
Spring
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Cover
Photos: Tyneesha Williams
feature
MAGIC
of parkrun By Tyneesha Williams
Brendan Scollary joined his first parkrun more than 12 years ago when the free, weekly volunteerrun community event was still new to Australia. Today, there are more than 540 registered parkruns here but, at the time, there were less than 80, and Brendan couldn’t see the benefit of driving more than 40km to the nearest parkrun in Sandon Point. “I had given up competitive running by then, and I couldn’t see sense in driving that distance to take part in a 5km community run,” he says. “But a good friend of mine persisted and finally convinced me to give parkrun a go. “I was sceptical, but parkrun was unlike any running event I’d ever been to.” 10 sport & leisure
Brendan, a Shell Cove resident, was taken by the simple magic of parkrun: the quality of volunteers who ran the event and the freedom to run or walk with prams and pets without pressure to perform. “There were no paper entry forms to fill out. There was no cost – it was entirely free. You only had to register online, once – where you were given your own parkrun ID number for life,” he says. “Everyone was smiling. Everyone was happy. People were high-fiving one another! Most people then gathered at the local cafe for coffee and refreshments and a post-event chat.” Brendan helped set up Shellharbour parkrun in 2014, at the beautiful and pristine Killalea Regional
Park. It grew from 53 participants to more than 400 parkrunners and more than 500 events, with Brendan as event director for many years. He sacrificed his runs to become a regular volunteer alongside his daughter, Em, who was born with Williams syndrome, a rare genetic condition with traits including intellectual disability, such as developmental delay. “Coming to parkrun each week gave Em the opportunity to socialise in a safe, caring environment with people who grew to know her and enjoy seeing her each week,” Brendan says.
WHAT’S SO GOOD ABOUT PARKRUN?
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Why we need parkrun
Despite Australia’s strong sporting culture, more than half the population do not meet weekly guidelines for physical activity, according to several reports including one undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. UOW researcher Professor Anthony Okely, who led the development of the Australian 24-hour Movement Guidelines, notes that sedentary lifestyles are increasing with the rise of screenbased work and leisure, contributing to high rates of chronic disease and loneliness. Glen Turner, a parkrun official, believes parkrun is a vital community health intervention, which has changed his life and the lives of many others. “One day in 2010, I went along with no expectations, and I met more people that morning than I’d met in the six years I had been living in London... I was hooked straight away,’’ Glen says. ‘’I think about the size of my world when I started parkrun compared to now, and it’s very different... I’ve got lots and lots of friends and colleagues all around the world.” Doctors are taking note. A 2019 parkrun Australia survey of nearly 3000 health professionals found that 69% of GPs in Australia regularly prescribe parkrun to their patients. Specifically, 91% recommended it to improve fitness, 78% for mental wellbeing and 56% to help patients make friends. A decade on from starting Shellharbour parkrun, Brendan and his family have set up a new event at Reddall Reserve. “With Council’s full support,” Brendan says, “we were able to find a suitable and flat 5km course utilising the fully sealed cycleway between Reddall Reserve and the Oak Flats PCYC.” Everyone is welcome. “Whether you’re running, walking or volunteering, the connections you form here help build confidence, boost wellbeing and create a welcoming space for everyone.” Reddall Reserve parkrun is at 8am on Saturdays. Brendan Scollary and his daughter Em are pictured on our Spring cover. All parkruns are free, sign up at www.parkrun.com.au
“It’s nice to do something on your Saturday morning. It’s type-two fun – it might not be so fun while you’re doing it, but you feel awesome after.” – Josh (1, at centre) “I had a heart attack about four years ago … my son was doing it and he suggested we did a couple parkruns together. He's dropped out now, but I've kept going. I've done 36 or 37 parkruns.” – Greg (2) “I came along to make friends and now I've met Carrie! I moved up to Shell Cove from Canberra 18 months ago and didn't know anybody here. People at work suggested this would be a great place to make friends, and I had never run before that.” – Giselle (3) “Oh, my gosh, she’s killing it! I've met a number of friends here. Reddall Reserve parkrun really is the best one.” – Carrie (3) “Just getting out of the house and doing exercise and having people to talk to when you do it. Showing Ava how to have a healthy lifestyle.” – Christina (4) “My husband passed away about four years ago, so parkrun has been a great thing for me. I didn't know how to book a hotel or book a plane before, but now I've had breakfast with lots of random strangers who've become my friends, and people who I might never meet again, but I've had lovely chats, too.” – Heather (5) “This was a lovely course, really pretty. I often travel to do a parkrun. Every group is a little bit different. This one's lovely, lots of fun. It's a really nice atmosphere.” – Sue (6)
Spring 11
Photos: The Oaks Collective
Oaks Collective boosts ideas, skills and belonging By Lesley Roulston
If you haven’t already, pop into The Oaks Collective on Central Avenue. This NDIS retail space, run in conjunction with Individual Me, a disability support agency, is a pre-loved clothing store where people learn valuable life skills as they work in the store. Individual Me Marketing manager Raechel McPhan says The Oaks Collective is a participantled space in which participants wash the clothes, sort them, communicate with the public and handle sales transactions under the guidance of support worker Angela Miller. The Oaks Collective was the brainchild of Nathan Aherns who founded Individual Me after years of working in the disability support sector. He saw a gap for initiatives offering flexible working hours and the chance to learn life skills. “It is not about creating a separate space away from the community for people with a disability,” Raechel said. “We want it to be a place where the community and our participants naturally come together. “We have also seen how valuable those everyday interactions can be. Something as simple as greeting a customer, helping somebody find an item, preparing for an event or having a conversation with somebody new can build confidence and a sense of belonging.” The public have been supportive, donating clothing and attending events in store. Once a month on a Wednesday night, the store is open for shopping from 5-7pm with participants offering nibblies to customers. Everyone is excited to be 12 clubs & community
part of the Eats and Beats Oak Flats twilight festival on Saturday, 19 September, Raechel says. “It’s important for The Oaks Collective and the people involved with it to be visible and active within the broader local community, rather than existing separately from it.” One highlight since the store opened has been the introduction of Bree’s Space. Bree has her own table where she sells knick-knacks, cups and pens. This is teaching Bree about money, retail and marketing, including via social media. “Bree’s space is a lovely example of what we want The Oaks Collective to be about,” Raechel says. “It gives her an opportunity to have something that is her own within the broader shop, to take pride in it and to be part of the day-to-day life of The Oaks Collective.” “It is these individual opportunities that make the space special … “Success will not look the same for everybody. For one person it might be becoming confident enough to interact with a customer. For another it might be taking responsibility for a particular job, developing friendships, trying something new or simply feeling comfortable enough to become part of the space.” Raechel says collective demonstrates people with a disability are more than recipients of support, they are valued members of their community. The Oaks Collective is at 46 Central Ave, Oak Flats. It is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am-2pm
Student dreams up novelty bins By Tyneesha Williams
When 19-year-old Shell Cove resident Summer Brooks got the chance to help tackle environmental challenges at Lake Illawarra, she turned her passion for marine life into a fun plan to tackle litter. “I grew up down here – this is actually the spot where I learned to snorkel when I was maybe two or three,” Summer says. “But come down in the middle of January and you can’t walk because everyone coming down with their families, and the unfortunate thing is that a lot of the tourists here don’t grow up near the ocean. “They don’t understand what there is to protect … so there’s no care factor. They don’t dispose of their rubbish; it just gets left on the ground.” Summer’s life-long passion led her to become a volunteer in surf lifesaving and with marine mammal rescue organisation ORRCA. Now studying marine science at the University of Wollongong, Summer is channelling her love for local waters into environmental solutions through the inaugural Marine Estate Champions Program. Summer put together a proposal for novelty bins designed to capture attention and encourage proper waste disposal.
“My idea was novelty bins for Windang,” she says. “Bins in the shapes of local wildlife – for instance, seals, sharks, whales – something like that. Something to get people engaged, especially kids, and to really get them interested in proper waste disposal.” The 2026 Marine Estate Champions pilot wrapped up in May with a graduation ceremony where she received the judges’ award for her project, “Novelty bins for Windang – creating on-site behaviour change”. “Fingers crossed, hopefully we can push this idea further, and maybe someday they will be implemented here,” she says.
Owners lift the bonnet on EVs By Christian Cochrane of Electrify Kiama
Kiama’s Finding Fillmore’s recently partnered with Electrify Kiama to host an EV Community Day, bringing together local EV owners and residents curious to learn more about making the switch. Despite a cloudy start, the sun came out as people wandered in to enjoy a coffee, check out the cars and have a chat. The cars and the crowd were positively charged. Local EV owners shared their experiences and answered questions about real-world range, charging, boot and frunk space, reduced servicing and the growing choice of models available. With fuel prices continuing to fluctuate, the
advantages of EV ownership are increasingly on the table. There was also plenty of discussion around the growing second-hand EV market, including the importance of considering battery health alongside a vehicle’s age and kilometres. The day also explored how EVs can work alongside home solar and batteries as part of a broader approach to household electrification. The Electrify Kiama volunteers were delighted with the interest and are planning more activities. Follow Electrify Kiama on Facebook and Instagram. Visit www.electrifyillawarra.org
Spring 13
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School teacher turns to tutoring By Genevieve Swart
An Albion Park tutoring service offering maths and English programs to boost students’ confidence and ability is turning three. The owner and instructor is Sarah Sharp, a former maths and science teacher who was drawn to tutoring after moving to the South Coast with her family. “I felt it was time for a change,” said Sarah, who taught for 20 years in Sydney high schools. “I loved helping students learn and my own children had benefited so much from being Kumon students themselves. “Having a strong foundation in the basics of maths was making a difference to their confidence at school but the nearest Kumon centre was too far to get to each week. So I decided to open my own local centre!” The beauty of the wider region was a big appeal for her family. “I’m a huge fan of Kevin McCloud and Grand Designs and my husband missed the country after growing up in the rural UK. So we bought an old house on the beautiful South Coast and had a go at building our own grand design.” The best part of Sarah’s job is seeing how students progress. “It’s definitely seeing the look of pride on a student’s face when they come in and show me an award they have achieved at school for a subject they were finding so difficult before starting Kumon,” she said. “They might have gone up a maths group, or their parent tells me that they’ve performed better in their NAPLAN test. All their effort is being rewarded and I’m so glad they’re finding their schoolwork easier.” Kumon Albion Park is at Shop 3, 151 Tongarra Rd, visit au.kumonglobal.com Photo: Jeremy Park Photography
SUP queen wins state tour guide award By Lesley Roulston
Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour has snagged the silver award at the 2026 NSW Tourism Association Top Tour Guide Awards held at Taronga Zoo Sydney. The local business, run by national SUP champion Rebecca Dunning, was the only Illawarra tourism company nominated for the 2026 awards. Rebecca said the award was important recognition for her work as a tour guide, her business and for Shellharbour. “We are trying to put the little gem that we have here in Shellharbour on the global map and these awards really help spotlight the natural assets we have.” Rebecca said it was an honour to win silver behind gold award-winner Laura Stone of Sydney by Kayak, whose business is renowned for its tours in the harbour city. As a sign of Rebecca’s commitment to constantly improving Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour and providing fun, memorable sessions for people of all skill levels, she recently completed months of work with the Australian Tourism Industry Council to improve tour-related accessibility, earning five accessibility badges. “Accessibility isn’t a one-off project,” Rebecca said. “It’s an ongoing commitment. We believe
Rebecca Dunning and her husband Justin at the 2026 NSW Tourism Association Top Tour Guide Awards held on August 13. Photo: NSW Tourism
everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the incredible experience of stand-up paddle boarding, and we’ll continue to listen, learn and innovate to make our experience as welcoming and inclusive as possible.” Rebecca was crowned 2025 Open Women’s Australian SUP surfing champion at the Australian Titles at Phillip Island in October 2025. She is looking to clinch a world title having earned a spot in the Australian team for the 2026 ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship.
Festival of fun afloat
The popular Shellharbour SUP Festival is back for 2026. The festival will be held from Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1 at Reddall Reserve, Lake Illawarra and Warilla Beach. This year, in addition to the core events with cash prizes, there will be a free screening of the documentary, The Plastic Country, which follows Australian filmmaker Kal Glanznig as he investigates the plastic crisis, and uncovers a hidden threat to our health, and our future.
The free screening will be held at Shellharbour Civic Centre on Saturday, October 31 from 6-8pm. Festival organiser and founder of Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour, Rebecca Dunning, says the festival is attracting more competitors from interstate with a larger contingent expected from Victoria this year. “We have a bigger numbers too with more teenagers and older competitors in the seniors category, particularly in the 70+ age range.” Pups on SUPs, Goats afloat, the dress-up 2km novelty race, SUP yoga and SUP sound bath will be back this year. Key competitive events will include SUP surfing, SUP Bop Race and SUP 9km distance with all skill levels, from beginner through to the most competitive SUP racers, catered for. Lunch, drinks, a live band and giveaways will be available during Sunday’s presentation at Reddall Reserve. Visit www.supshellharbour.com/supfestival
Spring 15
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