The Bugle 17 June 2023

Housing targets may be forced on Kiama

Kiama Council will likely be forced to green light the construction of more new homes, as the State Government cites measures to address the housing affordability crisis.

NSW Government Planning

Minister Paul Scully – whose electorate of Wollongong borders Kiama – says every council in the state will have to “do their fair share” to help NSW reach its target of building 315,000 new homes over the next five years.

The new initiative, first reported in the Daily Telegraph, could affect the preparation of Council’s Local Housing Strategy, which is long delayed and due to be made public in July.

The Minister’s comments come as fresh analysis shows Kiama is in the midst of its own housing crisis – there is not enough supply to meet demand, what is available is not affordable, and mortgage stress is becoming more common and severe.

The new insights were provided exclusively to The Bugle by AEC Group, who was recently engaged by Kiama Council to provide

for the local government area (LGA).

AEC Group projects demand for housing in Kiama will almost double between now and 2041, at the same time the population is set to skyrocket to more than 30,000 people.

Population forecasts show that an extra 7,000 people will call Kiama home, this is a 126 per cent increase on previous projections.

These numbers state, very clearly, that Kiama Council does not have enough zoned land to meet this future demand.

This situation will exacerbate the Kiama housing market, where the current median house price ($1.5 million) is 16 times the current median household income ($95,368).

AEC Group estimates that to be able to afford mortgage repayments on a $1.5 million home, a household income of $220,000 is required – more than $100,000 higher than the average.

Off the back of these numbers, locals about their own experi ences in the housing market.

One local, who did not wish to be named, says the pros pect of buying his own home

in Kiama “has never seemed obtainable”.

“Even finding an affordable rental property has been a challenge in itself, which means I now rent in Nowra and drive to Kiama for work every day…I’ve never met anyone my age that owns a home in the LGA, the closest is Nowra,” he says.

A local small business owner, who also did not want to be named, says they are considering moving interstate because rent is so expensive.

“We were probably about six months off from getting enough funds to purchase a property in Kiama, then COVID happened and prices went through the roof. So, we continue to rent,” they say.

These sentiments appear to be echoed by current and aspiring homeowners across the LGA. The great Australian dream of owning property, particularly in one of ‘Australia’s most livable towns’ needs to become a reality. Necessary mechanisms need to be considered

the crown remains atop and continues to shine well into

People power blows windfarms north

A proposal to build up to 150 wind turbines off Kiama’s coast has been dashed in favour of a new location further north.

BlueFloat Energy – the company behind the South Pacific Offshore Wind Project – has selected an alternative site to Kiama, which stretches 14 kilometres from Shellharbour to Clifton, north of Thirroul.

The company had been investigating two sites, the other would have been between Kiama and Jervis Bay.

The project will see up to 150 offshore wind turbines constructed, providing 1600MW of energy to the region which could power 825,000 homes.

BlueFloat Energy Australian country manager Nick Sankey told ABC Illawarra that the company reviewed both locations, and that it preferred the northern site

newable energy zone.

He added that BlueFloat will continue to refine exactly where it will construct the turbines throughout community consultation.

Independent Kiama

development.

Councillor Brown listed a handful of major concerns stemming from his own consultations with the community.

One of those major concerns is how reliant the Kiama LGA is on tourism, and whether the introduction of large wind turbines would disturb the coastal scenery.

WHAT’S ON

KIAMA FARMERS’ MARKET

Every Wednesday Surf Beach or Kiama Uniting Church, 2-5pm

SENTRAL’S OPEN MIC

Every Thursday

SENTRAL Youth Cottages, 5-7pm

SOUTH COAST SINGS

WORKSHOP & CONCERT

Saturday 17 June

Kiama Pavilion, 9.30-7pm

AUTHOR TALK at KIAMA LIBRARY

Peter Honey: Footprints across Riversdale

Saturday 17 June see below

G’GONG ROTARY MARKETS

Saturday 17 June

Town Hall, 8.30-1.30pm

LUX NOCTURNA EXHIBITION

Saturday 17 June

Seven Marks Gallery, Kiama, 6-8pm

KIAMA SEASIDE MARKET

Sunday 18 June

Black Beach, 10-3pm IN HARMONY EXHIBITION

Until 18 June

Fern Street Gallery, Gerringong, 10-4pm

HOME COMPOSTING

WORKSHOP

Wednesday 21 June

Kiama Community Garden, 9-12pm

NOWRA QUILTERS EXHIBITION

Until 21 June

Old Fire Station, Kiama, 10-3pm

CHAT GPT BUSINESS WORKSHOP

Wednesday 21 June

Kiama Pavilion, 6-8pm

ART-4-MAT EXHIBITION

23-28 June

Old Fire Station, Kiama, 10-3pm

OPENFIELD ARTS FESTIVAL

22-25 June see page 13

WRITTEN IN CHALK: FREE FILM

Saturday 24June see right

KIAMA COASTAL CLASSIC

Saturday 25 June see right

JAMBEROO VILLAGE MARKET

Sunday 25 June Reid Park, 9-2pm

Clearly new for Kiama

Tickets are flying out the door for a new festival coming to Kiama Showground.

Clearly Music, Arts and Wellness Festival will debut this November featuring live music, art exhibitions, market stalls, amusement rides and more.

Headlining the inaugural event across three stages is iconic singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd, ARIA-nominated surf and garage rock trio Skeggs, and critically acclaimed singer-songwriters Ruby Fields and Gretta Ray.

Tickets to the all ages festival have been selling fast.

Co-founder, Dom Furber, has always dreamed of delivering a festival of this scale locally as he is a local.

“I was born in the area, attended school in Gerringong and Kiama, so have close ties to the local community,” Dom says.

The day before the festival will feature a one day workshop led by industry leaders

for aspiring musicians, performers, songwriters, rappers, producers and DJs.

The conference and collaborative learning experience is designed to create clearer pathways to success in the industry.

“We can’t wait to see the positive impact this festival will have on the community this year and in the years to come,” Dom says.

The event is funded by a

$147,300 grant through Round Two of the NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund, which aims to support the social and economic recovery and prosperity of regional NSW.

Saturday 11 November, Kiama Showground, 12-10pm

Buy tickets via clearlyfestival.com

Riversdale Farm memories

Veterinarian, cattle producer and author Peter Honey, who grew up on Riversdale Farm, will be speaking at Kiama Library on his book Footprints across Riversdale

The book details the early history of the Kiama area through the lens of the families who made their homes on this Illawarra Estate from the 1830s until the 1940s.

Many of the surnames

are still recognisable in the community today.

The interesting publication, with many local names coming into it, will be on sale on the day for $35 cash only.

Saturday 17 June, Kiama Library, 2.30-4.30pm

$3 Members/

$5 Non-members

ADFAS LECTURE Michael Pembroke: Silk Silver Opium

Thursday 29 June

Berry Uniting Church, 7.30pm

ROBYN SHARP OPEN GALLERY

1-2 July

Cedar Ridge Studio, Foxground, by appointment

WINTER ART EXHIBITION

30 June-5 July

Old Fire Station, Kiama, 10-3pm

What’s On is compiled by Cassandra Zaucer. Events coming up: contact cassandra@ thebuglenewspaper .com.au or 0491 686 975. Items are published at the Editor’s discretion.

Folk Festival calls for help

Kiama’s folk style festival –Folk by the Sea – that livens up the town three days a year needs volunteers.

People are needed behind the bar, to set up and pack down, billet musicians, videography and general help across the weekend.

Volunteers will earn a free festival pass while learning new skills and meeting like minded people.

The festival features the sounds of folk, world, roots, Celtic and bluegrass music across five venues in and around the Kiama Showground and will welcome up to 35 artists from across Australia.

Visit folkbythesea.com.au to become a volunteer.

There’s more on the app

For a comprehensive guide to What’s On in our region, check out The Bugle App to find out about live music and events.

Download The Bugle App for free using this QR code

Coastal Classic

The Kiama Coastal Classic is returning for its 7th year, giving runners the perfect lead up event to major events or an opportunity for the community to enjoy the outdoors.

The three courses – 2km, 12km, and the main 21km – guides runners along the picturesque Werri and Kiama beaches, with all courses to

finish at Kiama Surf Club where there will be an expo and prize giveaways. The annual running festival is open to runners of all ages and abilities.

Register online before 21 June.. Visit www.eliteenergy.com.au/ event/kiama-coastal-classic/ for start times and locations.

Free film night

The Kiama Anglican Church is hosting a free screening of the new documentary Written in Chalk, with Director Richard Attieh in attendance for a Q&A session.

The documentary, released late 2022, follows the legend of the man who became “Mr Eternity”, and his impact on Sydney’s history.

For over 35 years, Arthur Stace – a World War One veteran who ended up as a homeless drunk on the street – wrote the word ‘Eternity’ in

chalk on Sydney’s footpaths. Richard’s documentary dives deep into Arthur’s message, which lit up the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 2000. Popcorn will be provided, with a giveaway of 5 ‘Eternity gift bags’ and original Eternity memorabilia on display.

Register via Kiama Anglican Churches website.

Saturday 24 June, Kiama Anglican Church, 7pm

Belinda Woodfield GM 0411 728 770 news@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

News team: 0412 415 101 Perrie Croshaw 0411 700 253 perrie@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Tracey Henderson 0420 841 544 tracey@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Brendon Foye 0413 091 543 brendon@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Cassandra Zaucer 0491 686 975 cassandra@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Advertising: 0428 662 499 Veronica Bardsley Donna Portland advertising@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Festival partners Fred Phillips from Henry Clive Bar (left) and Dom Furber

New Akuna St land sale could reach $4 million

The undeveloped carpark on the high side of Akuna St could soon go under the hammer for as much as $4 million.

Colliers Wollongong, the marketing agent for the site at 14 Akuna St, Kiama, confirmed to The Bugle that guidance for the carpark ranges between $3.5 million and $4 million. Guidance is based on the potential of what the site could be used for.

Selling agent Simon Kersten told The Bugle that it was Colliers’ opinion the most value could be extracted by building “shop top housing” on the site similar to those at Akuna Court on

the same street. Shop top housing refers to buildings with commercial shops on the ground floor and residential buildings stacked on top.

However, Mr Kersten said the potential for Akuna St has meant that Colliers has fielded interest for a range of uses, including retirement housing and hotel and motel accommodation.

“It’s a rare site for Kiama because it’s a simple site that’s clear and able to be developed quite easily,” says Mr Kersten.

“It’s elevated so it has lovely views. It’s got a lot going for it as far as sites go.”

The site is a 2400sqm

parcel of land that stretches across four lots, with a maximum build height of 11 metres.

The property is being sold by tender following an expression of interest campaign which closes 28 June 2023. The final sale will still require approval by Kiama Council.

The lot at 14 Akuna St is the latest divestment by Kiama Council after it sold its landholdings on the opposite side of the street to Level 33 Property Group for $28 million,

Premier Minns continues to ignore Kiama MP Gareth Ward

NSW Premier Chris Minns will continue ignoring questions from Independent Member for Kiama Gareth Ward and has also said he will refuse to accept Mr Ward’s vote on legislation in the Lower House.

If Mr Ward does vote with Labor, a member of the Labor party would abstain from voting, ostensibly making Mr Ward’s vote not count.

Premier Minns said, “I don’t want to be in a situation eventually where the government could be brought into disrepute because we’ve been relying on Mr Ward’s vote.” This practice will continue “until the criminal part of his [Mr Ward’s] court session

Taxi update

Although Kiama no longer has a dedicated taxi service in this region after Kiama Cabs closed their business to the general public in May, there are still some transport options that locals and tourists can use.

The Illawarra Taxi Network, Uber and Driving Miss Daisy are available for booking via a phone call or through their websites and apps.

The Illawarra Taxi Service has 136 vehicles, with 12 wheelchair accessible vehicles and 12 maxi taxis.

Check the Uber app for availability of local drivers, with more availability on weekends and holidays.

Driving Miss Daisy, a franchise based in Shellharbour, is a pre-booked driving business which now services the Kiama area.

and those inquiries are completed.”

Mr Ward has been facing criminal charges last year, and was suspended from Parliament as a result. He pleaded not guilty and his case will go to trial next April.

Mr Ward says he is “completely appalled” by Premier Minns’ actions. The Premier has already refused to answer Mr Ward’s questions in Parliament on two separate occasions.

“I don’t expect an apology from the Premier to me, but I believe he should apologise to my electorate of Kiama for his treatment of the issues I’ve raised and the decision

they made to re-elect me as their local MP.”

Earlier this week, the NSW Government’s Parliamentary Privileges Committee released a report which concluded that the Government could have “serious and negative consequences” and would risk legal action if it re-suspended a member of Parliament that had been re-elected.

The parliamentary privileges committee stated one of the risks the government faced if it re-suspended with “full public knowledge of pending criminal charges” would be culpable of “repeated denial of the electorate being represented in the

assembly by their chosen member.”

Even though the Premier ruled out moving to re-suspend Mr Ward, Mr Minns says his party will continue the practice of taking the MPs’ questions on notice and replying to them formally in parliament so residents of the Kiama LGA can still have their questions answered.

“He [Mr Ward] still faces very serious charges and while I make absolutely no judgement about those charges and the eventual case that needs to take place, I’m also not going to pretend they don’t exist,” Premier Minns told reporters. The report also stated

that re-suspending Mr Ward would run the risk of compromising the presumption of innocence of a member by further demonising them before they’ve had their day in court. Premier Minns denied that he was jeopardising Mr Ward’s presumption of innocence.

“A reasonable person would acknowledge that there is an inherent conflict of interest in him questioning the executive about particular issues, and the most appropriate thing to do is take it on notice and reply formally to his enquiries of the executive,” Premier Minns says.

by Brendon Foye

They offer to drive people to and from social gatherings, appointments and to assist people in running errands. But Shellharbour franchise owner, Tony Orth, says they are not a taxi service and instead require bookings with as much notice as possible.

Tony says since Kiama Cab’s closure he has received an increase in demand for his services.

“You don’t notice something until it’s gone,” he says.

According to Tony, the Nowra franchise will cover Gerringong and is expected to open in July or August.

Illawarra Taxi Service: 4254 2111, illawarrataxinetwork.com.au or use the SmartHail app.

Uber: download the Uber app Driving Miss Daisy: pre-book a car on 0491 204 076 or shellharbour@drivingmissdaisy. com.au

Now even more care for our clients.

We all know that the changing landscape of our world brings with it exciting, yet challenging times, so in order to provide even more care and legal expertise for all our clients, we are proud to announce an expansion of our Board of Directors.

Alice Laurence, Jack Miller, Steve Warwick and Deb Russell lead our talented team of Lawyers and Licensed Conveyancers to provide expert legal advice, support and representation across the Illawarra and South Coast.

At Carter Ferguson Solicitors, we’re passionate about providing a more human, caring and contemporary approach to the Law.

the single biggest commercial transaction in

the Council’s history. by Brendon Foye

Blue Haven Bonaira: report on reclassification released

Kiama Council has released the Public Hearing Report on the reclassification of land at Blue Haven Bonaira. It is available on the Council website, at Kiama and Gerringong Libraries, in the Council’s Admin Centre foyer and at Blue Haven Bonaira reception.

The Report is a statutory requirement, with the purpose of providing an independent record of the submissions which the Council is required to share with the public and use to assess its decision on reclassification.

At the Public Hearing, 16 people made oral submissions (nine of whom also made written submissions) and Council received 21 written submissions. Most submissions were opposed to the reclassification.

The concerns are summarised into three areas:

• The reasons for reclassification didn’t stack up

• Concerns around legal and procedural issues with Council’s decision-making processes to date

• Deficiencies in planning proposal documentation and justifications for the reclassification

As a result, the Report identified key questions raised from the community’s

perspective directly relating to the proposal, being:

• Can Council lawfully operate the existing facility on community land with a plan of management in place that enables leasing for specified uses? If not, why?

• Can Barroul House and its curtilage be excised from the proposed reclassification? If not, why?

• How will the proposed sale of the land and associated facility impact Council’s financial position (short and longterm)? What additional information, if any, can Council make available to the community to explain the financial implications for the potential sale and other options it may have considered?

• Has Council acted unlawfully by resolving to sell the land before the reclassification process has commenced and was complete? If not, why?

Chatterbox closes stores

Chatterbox Marketplace has closed its Kiama shopfront, along with four other locations in NSW citing a difficult trading environment for its ethical, sustainable and handmade goods and gifts.

• Has Council fully considered all interests, conditions, agreements and restrictions in the land, in particular:

• The interests of the residents of the independent living units?

• The restriction of use on the title?

• Any conditions in funding agreements for the restoration of Barroul House The Report acknowledges the complexity of the planning proposal and the community’s recognition of the significance of Council’s decision on the reclassification. Further, the community will continue to be following the process and the future of Bonaira closely.

It concludes with the observation that providing information on these questions may help address community concerns and ‘will need to be given consideration in furthering the reclassification process’.

By Tracey Henderson

Founder Natasha Cuevas took to Instagram to announce the company’s closure, saying that the company had turned over close to $10 million in its four years of trading despite “fires, a pandemic, a war and ongoing economic struggle”.

“Despite the team’s massive efforts to continue trading and supporting over 70 local small businesses and 20 plus staff over five locations, after four years of trading, we have not remained immune to the challenging times we have faced,” Natasha said.

The Bugle understands Natasha planned to sell the

Chatterbox stores in Kiama and Nowra, but those plans were dashed two weeks ago. She also told The Illawarra Mercury she would pay all stall holders renting spaces in Chatterbox stores what they’re owed, and that all employees have been compensated.

The Kiama store was

opened in 2021 at the start of a second lock down for the region, a difficult time for any business to start trading. Both the Kiama and Nowra stores are closed as of 1 June.

Chatterbox was approached for comment. by

Brendon Foye

People power moves Windmills

continued from p 1 It’s not just aesthetics that need to be accounted for.

Councillor Brown said one of the other reasons the move north makes sense is because it could potentially disturb the migration patterns of whales, a major drawcard for tourists in the region.

Each wind turbine would require four large anchors to secure it to the coastal shelf.

Finally, the issue of infrastructure. Councillor Brown says building turbines so close to Kiama would require significant upgrades to energy infrastructure like hire tension wires, which already exists in Port Kembla.

Given one of the reasons for building more renewable energy sources is to better secure the NSW power grid, it would be more sensible to use the existing infrastructure we already have, according to Councillor Brown.

by Brendon Foye

Aussies are still travelling

Australians are back to spending big on holidays, travel and eating out since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ausralian Bureau of Statistics released its findings on household spending since 2019, finding that overall spending by each household grew 6 per cent in April compared to the previous year.

Tourism, including hotels, travel and restaurants, were the big winners this month, with each household spending 13.4 per cent more in 2023 than in 2022.

The statistics should come as welcome news by Kiama business owners, where it’s no secret how reliant the local economy is on outside visitors.

According to Destination NSW, an estimated 400,000

domestic tourists visit the Kiama LGA each year for at least one night, spending a total of $207 million, while day visitors spent another $48 million in the region alone.

It’s not all greenfields for the economy, however, as

and results matter.

the increase in household spending is levelling out as the economy recovers in the wake of the pandemic.

Tourist spending hit a peak of 69.9 per cent in August 2022, but this timeframe also includes the busy Christmas trading period.

THE BUGLE’S VIEW

Last year, on a cloudy Monday afternoon in October, thousands of people turned up at North Bondi to catch a glimpse of Nedd Brockman.

They were there to cheer on the 23-year-old sparkie from Forbes in the last 200 metres of his 3,952 km, 47day run across Australia.

Once he’d finished, journalists peppered Brockmann with all sorts of questions. Did you ever think you wouldn’t finish? What’s the first thing you’ll do when you get home? How are the knees holding up?

ABS head of business indicators, Kate Lamb, actually pinned the relatively small overall growth of six per cent on the slowdown in hotel, cafe and restaurant spending, which will continue to normalise after the pandemic.

by Brendon Foye

Estate Planning/Dispute Lawyer

The most important question of all, though, was why? Why run the equivalent of 270 City2Surfs in seven weeks? Why put yourself through hell?

The answer was simple: for charity.

Through almost 20,000 contributors, Brockmann raised $1.5 million for the homelessness charity, We are Mobilise.

In an interview a couple of years earlier, he explained what it meant to him:

“Every Tuesday, I was travelling into Ultimo to go to TAFE and I’d always see 10 or so homeless people doing it tough on the streets … it’s the most humbling experience. Your mindset changes and you feel like you’ve just got to help.”

This spirit – of giving back, looking out for others, and lending a hand – is a quintessentially Australian thing; mateship is unselfish, and it’s reciprocal.

The Bugle’s very strong view is that this spirit is alive and kicking in Kiama.

Indeed, it was on full display when locals came together for the ninth annual Red Cross Fun Run to help raise funds for those in need.

The Bugle encourages all its readers to participate, whether that’s by running or walking the 5km, 9 km, or 21km course – or lining the Coast Walk to cheer everyone on.

We should all take pride in the fact our community is home to a grand smorgasbord of grassroots organisations – Kiama Leagues, Kiama Masonic Club, Kiama SLSC, Lions Club, Probus,

Rotary and Kiama Community Radio to name just a few.

The philosopher Edmund Burke famously called community organisations like these the “little platoons” of society.

In other words, it’s not governments and councils that make communities tick, it’s people.

Grassroots organisations play a really important role in our community for a few reasons. They bring locals together, they give locals an opportunity to give back, and many of them are there to help when times are tough.

Right now – with yet another interest rate rise adding to the skyrocketing cost of living – these groups, and the support they offer, are more important than ever.

While it’s a bad thing that 15 per cent fewer Australians were volunteering in their community in 2020 compared to 2021, it’s a good thing that participation in community sport across the country is holding firm.

It was also heartening to see Deputy Mayor Imogen Draisma talk up the benefits of volunteering in The Bugle a couple of weeks ago and advertise the good work of Kiama Council in putting on the first ever Volunteer Expo. There’s no doubt this was a worthwhile initiative.

It’s The Bugle’s very strong view that, here in Kiama, the more locals who give back, the better.

Council’s spending singled out in House

NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has taken aim at “egregious spending” by councils, singling out Kiama in the process.

While addressing parliament on 30 May, Minister Hoenig said there had been “universal complaints” from local governments about having to pay an emergency services levy, which councils and insurance companies pay to support services like police and firefighters.

According to Minister Hoenig, local governments have recently requested the state to pay the levy, or pass it on to ratepayers so they can get their own financial stability back on track. Councils previously paid 11.7 per cent of the levy until 2019, when it was increased to 19 per cent due to bushfires in 2019 and floods in 2022.

Honeig told Parliament that his view was that councils needed to get their own expenses in order to achieve financial stability, not just increase rates.

“They are very good at putting their hand out and taking a 3½ per cent increase from the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal, and spending their time making submissions to upgrade their categories to earn more fees when we are putting through legislation to freeze our own salaries and that of senior public servants,” said Minister Hoenig. “They are quite happy to embark upon some egregious expenses.”

He went on to use Kiama as one of those egregious examples: “Kiama Council put $105 million into an aged-care facility, nearly sinking the council’s financial processes.” He also called out Ryde council for spending $10,000 for a weekend at the Hyatt Regency, Tamworth

for spending $13,000 on overseas travel to the US, and Liverpool for spending $350,000 renaming itself to City of Liverpool.

After his address to Parliament, Minister Hoenig has met with Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly and CEO Jane Stroud, and Gareth Ward MP at Parliament House to discuss the government’s finances.

Mayor Reilly said Minister Hoenig’s comments weren’t a surprise or shock given that the council disclosed its financial issues with the previous NSW government in December 2021. He pointed out that Minister Hoenig’s gripe was with local councils not wanting to pay an emergency services levy, which was unrelated to Kiama Council.

“Most importantly we aren’t asking for the NSW Government to bail us out,” said Mayor Reilly. He added that he thanked the minister for his “frank appraisal” of the previous council’s decision-making regarding its aged care investments during the meeting with Minister Hoenig.

“The positive message that I took from our meeting was that the Minister and our local member, Gareth Ward, were well briefed on our situation, shared many of our views and [understood] the steps we are taking towards correcting our situation.”

Jamberoo residents told no sell-off for Jerrara Dam

At its June Meeting, the Jamberoo Ratepayer and Residents Association (JVRRA) was relieved to hear from Council Executives Jessica Rippon and Joe Gauadiosi in response to a question from the floor that Jerrara Dam was not part of the Council’s asset divestment program.

Following Councillor Warren Steele’s proposal for a report to be prepared to look at the site’s disposal at the April Council meeting, JVRRA had an extended discussion at its May General meeting, resulting in a letter being sent to Director of Infrastructure and Liveability to outline its concerns.

The letter highlighted the dam’s environmental significance and the need for habitat protection, the lack of community engagement in previous surveys, and the potential value of passive tourism activities such as birdwatching. It also raised the willingness of environmental groups to be more involved in maintaining and protecting the environment.

and several other species are considered rare in the lower parts of Jamberoo Valley.”

Numerous studies, reviews, and surveys have identified the area’s unique flora and aquafauna, with over 178 bird species in the Jerrara Dam vicinity since May 2019.

weed control initiatives and improve the habitat.

Given the Council’s limited resources, JVRRA recommends Council prepare an updated Plan of Manage-

ment, to incorporate and the preparedness of the community and environmental stakeholder groups to contribute to management of the site.

by Tracey Henderson

50 new Banksias

Neil McLaren, representing LandCare, expressed a keen interest in preserving Jerrara Dam under council ownership and restoring its natural habitat. McLaren suggested that the site could serve as an excellent outdoor education venue with cabins to accommodate school groups and visitors.

Greater Glider.

Brendon Foye

During his speech in Parliament, Minister Hoenig revealed some of the preliminary findings from a draft report by the Auditor-General, which found that just 43 of the 128 councils in NSW had qualified audit reports, while 94 were considered high-risk audits. The 2021-22 report found errors amassing $1.3 billion between each council. by

Council’s Jerrara Dam Plan of Management (1996) recognised Jerrara as ‘potentially one of the most valuable freshwater wetland habitats in coastal Illawarra’ and ‘the high environmental and scenic value of the site, there is potential for education and recreational activities such as bushwalking, picnicking, botanical research, birdwatching, and fishing.’

Kevin Mills wrote about Jerrara Dam in the 2014 publication Illawarra Life Studies, “(its) an important local reserve for forest birds as well as wetland species. Four threatened birds have been recorded in the reserve,

WIRES submitted a Development Application to the Council to lease a portion of land at Jerrara Dam to construct a wombat rehabilitation enclosure. This project received unanimous support during the Council meeting in November 2022.

In addition, Landcare Illawarra and WIRES have explored grant funding opportunities to support

Federal Member Fiona Phillips joined the Seven Mile Beach Landcare group to help with weed management.

She lent a helping hand in their activities at the Seven Mile Beach Crown Reserve, which is home to numerous endangered and threatened species and ecological communities, including the

Ms Phillips helped them to prepare and weed a site for the planting of 50 Banksias, which will be tended until they can survive by themselves.

The Seven Mile Beach Landcare group has been operating in the reserve since 2009.

“I think Ms Phillips was pretty proud of her weed haul on the day,” says Stephen Brazier from Gerroa who is the Landcare coordinator.

Dear readers,

The cost of living is getting harder. And that’s why I will always fight hard to protect measures that help ease cost of living pressures for locals.

Alongside locals, I’ve launched a community petition to fight to stop the MInns Labor Government cutting the Regional Seniors Travel Card.

Axing this travel card would represent a major blow at a time when our seniors need this assistance the most.

The $250 prepaid card can be used for pre-booked rail travel, coaches, taxis and even fuel for a private vehicle.

Axing this card would also impact aversely on local

seniors who travel on public transport for cancer care treatment, various medical appointments, to visit their families, children, grandchildren and other important needs.

After lobbying the previous government, this card is now available to those on a disability support or carers pension (if you are of aged pension age), as well as those on an aged pension, service pension or a war widow pension.

Axing this program would be a heartless and cruel blow for our local seniors.

Please sign my community petition here to help save the Regional Seniors Travel Card program. A paper copy of the petition is also available at my electorate office for signing and distribution. We need 10,000 signatures to have this matter debated in the NSW Parliament.

Last week, I was absolutely delighted to be joined by more than 400 local residents in NSW Parliament House for lunch and a tour of the Parliament.

Whilst this event was a

celebration of my re-election as your local MP, I love hosting local people, taking your questions and talking about the Parliamentary process.

If you are part of a community group who would like to visit Parliament and tour the building, please don’t hesitate to contact my office so we can help facilitate a fun and fascinating visit. We can also organise tickets to Question Time on sitting days.

Last weekend, I enjoyed joining with our local community to take part in the Kiama Fun Run. A great cause and what a stunning day it was! Thank you to each and every volunteer who put the entire day and Kiama Fun Run together and to our community for turning out in such large numbers.

I know my dog Oscar was very pleased as he literally walked away with a prize! Have a great week.

Kind regards, Gareth Ward MP Member for Kiama

Better stamp duty deal for first home buyers

The NSW Government expects first home buyers will have an easier time securing their first property after passing legislation last week that exempts more people from paying stamp duty.

The legislation specifically raises the threshold for properties exempt from paying stamp duty from $650,000 to $800,000 and offers concessions for properties worth between $800,000 and $1 million as part of the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme.

The NSW Government said first home buyers could potentially save up to $31,090 by scrapping the fees, which is how much previous stamp duty would cost for an $800,000 property under the previous scheme.

The NSW Treasurer said five out of every six first home buyers will pay no stamp duty or concessional rate at all.

The Government expects over 8,500 first home buyers will qualify for stamp duty exemption each year, and another 4,400 can receive stamp duty concessions. This translates to 84 per cent of first home buyers being able to access assistance under the scheme.

The new scheme also scraps the previous Liberal government’s plan, introduced in January 2023, that gave first home buyers the option to pay for stamp duty upfront, or pay an annual land tax fee.

In a press statement, the NSW Government said that this scheme will end on 30 June 2023, but those that opted into it can continue until they sell the property.

Independent member for Kiama Gareth Ward supported the increased cap to

stamp duty exemption but argued that the option to pay an annual fee should remain in place because most first home buyers in the electorate won’t be able to benefit from the changes.

The average house price in Kiama is $1.4 million, which would only just qualify buyers for stamp duty concessions.

“Which is why I voted in favour of the stamp duty exemptions and to preserve the option of paying land tax rather than guillotining choices that people can make that are right for them and for their family,” says Mr Ward.

“We know the land tax scheme is popular, with 4,842 buyers taking it up since it’s been in place earlier this year, including 1,000 already in May.

“It’s a good scheme and we should give it time to work and in the future look at broadening it to more people to allow more flexibility and more choice.”

by Brendon Foye

Markets get licence to sell

The Kiama Seaside Market and Kiama Farmers’ Market have both received licences for five years from Kiama Council.

Five years gives both markets assurance so they can spend more on creating a great experience for locals and visitors.

Kiama Farmers’ Market is held every Wednesday afternoon at Coronation Park (Surf Beach) or in the grounds of Kiama Uniting Church during wet weather. Kiama Seaside Markets is held on the third Sunday of every month, with an additional four specialoccasion markets per year (eg. New Year’s Eve).

Also Councillor Matt Brown has put forward a Notice of Motion for Council to consider providing 3-phase power in Coronation Park, which will be useful for all community events held there.

Kiama climber conquers Everest Jamberoo to get new dog park

If you thought Kiama’s hills were difficult to climb, how would you like to traverse 8,848 metres to the top of Mt Everest? Well one Kiama resident has done just that.

John Dover reached the summit of Mt Everest on 17 May after a one-and-ahalf month journey, but his obsession with climbing the world’s tallest mountain started in earnest back in 2017.

Kerry brought husband John on a trip to Nepal to travel to the Everest Base Camp, a 12-day round trip and the final stop before mountaineers make for the summit. Once they arrived, John told Kerry, “Well, that’s great that we’re here but if I’m standing here, then really I want to be at the top.”

John, who is a helicopter pilot Lieutenant Commander in the Australian Defence Force, signed himself up for all the mountaineering and climbing courses as soon as the couple came home.

Over the next few years, he climbed some of the world’s tallest peaks in preparation,

including Mt Cook in New Zealand, Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in South America, Mont Blanc in the Alps and Nepal’s Ama Dablam, known as a “moun-

taineers mountain.”

John went back to the Everest Base Camp as soon as he could, and spent two weeks with Kerry trekking to acclimatise to the high altitude.

Before climbing Everest, however, the group climbed a 6,119 metre mountain called Lobouche as additional training. Talk about a warm up!

After a second acclimation mission through the Khumbu icefalls, the group, which included two Americans, a Cuban, lead guide and three sherpas, had to wait for a 7-8 day gap of clear weather before they made the ascent safely. Such a gap appeared on 12 May, and the group set off at midnight.

While the Cuban mountaineer became the first from his country to climb Everest, not everyone in the group was so lucky. One of the other climbers, an American, suffered a stroke at 8,000 metres on the way back down, and was carried back to camp before being helivaced to a hospital in Kathmandu. Thankfully, he is doing fine now, and is waiting to fly back home. While surviving relatively unscathed, even John still suffered from a small bout of frostbite on his feet but feels fortunate to have made it without anything worse happening.

This year has been particularly deadly for Everest climbers, with 12 reported deaths and five others still missing, along with the countless rescue missions that take place.

So, if you’re thinking of making the climb, stay safe and rug up!

Know an exceptional person? Tell us news@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

by Brendon Foyle

Jamberoo is set to get a dedicated dog park in the next financial year, which means dog owners no longer need to do 20km round trips to Minnamurra, Bombo, Gerringong or Gerroa to legally walk their dogs off-leash.

This news comes after years of lobbying and advocacy by the Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers and Residents Associations (JVRRA). At their June meeting, Kiama Council Executive’s Jessica Rippon and COO Joe Gaudiosi confirmed that monies had been allocated for the dog park in the 2023/24 budget.

A dog park’s significance extends beyond our canine well-being; it fosters inclusion, community engagement and improved social welfare.

Local resident and JVRRA member Kate Troy says, “It will be a wonderful resource for the community, and a great way to build new relationships between residents and their animals.”

Over the past decade, the community and Council have prepared reports, reviews, and surveys to address concerns specific to the Jamberoo area, such as environmental impacts on native wildlife, flood plains and the risk of being struck by golf balls.

A June 2022 survey led by Kate, collecting 223 responses, showed that 65 per cent

of residents would use the dog park a couple of times a day to multiple times per week. The survey also identified preferred locations for a fenced dog park: between the tennis courts and the golf course and two specific areas along Hyams Creek opposite Gibson Crescent and Peace Park.

This information was shared with the Council via Councillor Stuart Larkin.

Kate says, “It’s wonderful to be able to now let people know that Council has acknowledged the substantial community interest in such a facility.”

While the survey investigated the possibility of unfenced dog park areas, Council guidance and community interest lean towards developing a fenced facility.

Kate adds, “My hope now is the community will have input into the design of the park, to cater for breeds and size.”

The approval of capital work funding for this long-awaited facility represents an achievement stemming from years of persistent efforts. It will create a secure environment for dogs to receive training, exercise, and socialisation and foster a sense of community and wellbeing among Jamberoo dog owners.

By Tracey Henderson

Lee turns 99

Lee Cook, a member of Kiama Beachside Ladies Probus, has celebrated her 99th birthday.

“Lee is an amazing lady and lives independently in her own home here in Kiama,” Vice President and historian of the Probus Club, Pat Shenton, says.

Kiama Women’s Probus meets at the Presbyterian Church, 9.30am,first Monday of the month.

Sonia Henry shares journey as outback GP

Sonia Henry has released a new memoir which recounts her journey from a medical intern in the city to a solo GP in the outback and it’s all thanks to her Jamberoo roots.

“Growing up in the country has shaped me, even subconsciously, in my connection to being in a place that’s not the city,” says Sonia.

“I grew up in Jamberoo and was the school captain at Jamberoo Public School. My grandfather was the local vet in Kiama for many years and started the Kiama Alpine Club,” says Sonia, whose parents still live in the area.

“I am really proud to be from the South Coast.”

Sonia is the bestselling author of Going Under,

her debut autobiographical novel which tells the tale of the stresses, failures and triumphs of a young doctor. She says her dual worlds, as a doctor and writer, go hand in hand.

“Being a doctor has provided me with fantastic material to write about, while writing has helped me cope with being a doctor,” she says.

Put Your Feet In The Dirt, Girl, her new memoir, explores her connection to the land, the concept of home and identity and recounts the challenges she faced in the tiny mining town in the middle of the Western Australia desert.

“One of the most challenging things was the lack of access.

“When you’re out there,

Committee members needed

Kiama Council has extended the application deadline for residents to join the Infrastructure and Liveability Advisory Committee or the Sustainable Communities Advisory Committee, saying it is a great opportunity to help shape the place in which we live.

The deadline to apply is now midnight, Sunday 18 June.

have a sense of priority.”

He says we need “strategic thinkers; masterminds who can see the big picture.”

“We need a committee system that not only drives our community’s shared vision for the future but is representative of our community as well.”

• Manage land use planning to retain distinct towns and villages.

And some of the considerations by the Sustainable Communities Advisory Committee, include:

you’re on your own. There are no hospitals within 400 or so kilometres and the flying doctor service is understaffed, so you’re really relying on your wit,” she says.

“It’s about knowing oneself, and to truly know yourself you have to understand the context in which you exist; and there’s city Australia and remote Australia.”

Sonia, who is passionate about improving health equity for people who live in regional and remote parts of the country, now spends part of every year working as a GP in remote Australia. She heads off again next month.

Put Your Feet In The Dirt, Girl is out now, available at all major retailers. RRP $34.99.

by Cassandra Zaucer

The Committees are a forum in which local people can represent the interests of Kiama’s residential and business community, contribute advice directly to the relevant Executive and Council members and guide decision-making for the municipality.

Mayor Neil Reilly says that Kiama needs “people with boundless enthusiasm, capable of injecting our committees with a surge of energy, contagious excitement ... people who can manage a wide range of disciplines, have an open mind… (and)

Each Committee has six members, three being community representatives. The role is to provide expert advice and make recommendations to the Council on developing specific strategies.

Each Committee has significant agendas; some of the considerations for the Infrastructure and Liveability Advisory Committee include:

• Developing a regional response to supply affordable housing

• Facilitate development that is respectful of the local characteristics of the municipality

• Interconnected roads, pathways and cycleways

• Provide facilities that enable us all to participate in social, cultural, recreational and sports activities

• Engage with local and regional First Nations Peoples; seek knowledge with the intent to learn, share and protect

• Heritage advice on development applications, council projects and requests for information

• Land use planning assessment considering biodiversity and Municipal Vegetation Study Committee meetings are held bi-monthly in Council Chambers. As the Committees are new, there will be an initial learning curve for all the members.

By Tracey Henderson

Stevie’s grief journal goes places

It’s been over two and a half years since 19-year-old Libby Ruge’s life was cut short by an out of control car, but her legacy is ongoing Libby’s older sister, Stevie Shanahan, is sending her legacy around the globe while helping others battle the pain of grief, with a guided grief journal.

“After I lost Libby, I was desperate for anything that might help me,” Stevie says.

“I started a TikTok page as an outlet which gained a lot of followers very quickly and I had people messaging me daily saying ‘your page helps me so much’ and ‘thank you, I feel less alone’.

“So, I started thinking of more ways I could help these people.”

Stevie has self-published Life After Losing You which guides people through the seven stages of grief – including shock, anger, denial and depression – with writing prompts and activities.

“Grief isn’t linear, so the idea is to use the chapters as you need them,” Stevie says.

The journal provides different coping strategies, grounding exercises and distractions while offering a safe space for people to express their intimate emotions and thoughts around grief.

Within the first four days of publishing the book, it was sent across the globe to six countries.

“Libby’s photo is in the first few pages, so I feel like she still gets to travel the world.

“She’s gone to so many different countries already including America, Canada, the UK, Belgium and Germany,” Stevie says.

It’s a bittersweet feeling for her, using a tragic moment in her life to help others.

“If I can help just one other person, then I know I’m making my sister proud.”

It adds to the long list of people that Libby’s legacy has already helped.

As an aspiring dentist who wanted to change people’s lives through their smile, Libby’s parents Jules and Julie set up the Libby Ruge Smile Fund on her passing to do it for her.

The Fund provides young adults access to orthodontic treatment that they or their families cannot afford. The charity is currently helping five recipients with another three coming on board this year.

Jorja, Libby’s best friend, was the first recipient and has finished her treatment with a brand-new smile.

It’s fundraised by the Bee

Kind Like Libby movement, which was inspired by Libby’s “Bee Kind” tattoo and her kindness to everyone.

The movement encourages people to do random acts of kindness while raising awareness for the Smile Fund.

The annual Spring Black Tie Ball is returning in October at Novotel, Wollongong, after its inaugural event last year, which pulled in just shy of $40,000 for the Smile Fund.

Buy tickets to the Ball via trybooking.com. or the book at Lifeafterlosingyou. myshopify.com.

by Cassandra Zaucer

Libby (right) with her older sister Stevie

Support for strategy to engage the community

With the draft Community Engagement and Community Participation Plan (202324) on exhibition for feedback, the Kiama Alliance of Precincts and Associations (KAPA) has expressed its support for the review of the Community Engagement strategy.

Community engagement is vital for Kiama Council to achieve its objectives, according to KAPA spokesperson Alan Woodward.

While recent focus has been on re-establishing itself as a financially sustainable and responsible entity, Mr Woodward emphasised the importance of addressing community expectations and demonstrating its willingness to work with the community to regain its trust.

Involving the community in decision-making, councils can consider diverse perspectives and discern preferences that align with the broader public interest.

Highlighting the relevance of the International Association for Public Participation principles mentioned in the draft strategy, Mr Woodward observed that engagement with those affected by decisions is not only a democratic duty, itleads to better

decision-making.

To emphasise the significance of community engagement, he referenced recent public hearing on the reclassification of land at Blue Haven Bonaira.

The author of the hearing report reinforced the seriousness of the council’s duty to explain its decision on this matter in a way that will not leave lasting fractures and discontent.

Mr Woodward said ‘this doesn’t mean that the council must decide one way or another. That is indeed the job of the elected representatives. However, they need to consider the community’s feedback and have a way to address the community’s underlying concerns and questions’.

Kiama might be considered uniquely diverse, given its regional variances within the LGA along with cultural diversity such as First Nations

people, young residents, new and long-term residents.

KAPA proposes Council continues to use existing structures, such as precinct committees and local associations, as part of the community engagement process. Large sections of the community are regularly volunteering and contributing to a co-ordinated forum that gathers, investigates and shares information, unique to its local community.

Finally, Mr Woodward praised council’s efforts at the June Jamberoo Valley meeting, with the attendance of two executives, Jessica Rippon and COO Joe Gaudiosi. “They were open and willing to take questions, and I’d make the observation that everybody who left that meeting went away with a little bit more understanding than they came into the meeting.” by Tracey Henderson

Town loses Jazz Alley mural

Kiama has lost an artwork that celebrated the town’s connection to Jazz & Blues after it was painted over.

The mural, simply titled ‘Jazz’, was painted on a lane wall adjacent to the St Vincent de Paul Society shop on Terralong St.

The work was painted by local artist Mikey Freedom in 2017 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival that year.

As an avid fan of jazz himself, Mikey said the mural was directly inspired by the vibrant album artwork associated with the genre.

However, the mural has since been covered by a layer of beige paint as part of renovations to the Vinnies store.

Mikey told The Bugle he was disappointed his mural had been erased, which had originally been gifted to the town for free.

“I’ve been painting murals for over three decades, and I know they can be costly at times, but I don’t like that to be a hindrance,” says Mikey.

“I like the idea of investing in where I live and not making it all about money, so it’s about giving freely what I do and what I love doing so I can enhance where I live.”

Kiama residents and visitors can still see Mikey’s work around town, including on the side of the Scout’s Hall at Black Beach, and Little Earth Cafe near the Little Blowhole.

Mikey said giving back to the community was an important part of living here, whether it’s an artwork or any other assistance.

“Everyone has something to provide, something to give their community.

“They just have to look first at what’s in their hands, it doesn’t have to be up in lights or out of the ordinary, it can just be whatever is in yourself to do.

“If we only think in big picture terms, I think we miss what we’re able to contribute.

“It just so happens that I’m an artist that paints murals, but I’m sure there are people that do amazing things that they don’t see what they’re doing is special.

“ Just by virtue of sharing it, they add to who we are and where we live.”

by Brendon Foye

Kiama Bridge Club

Wednesday evening sessions have now recommenced at our clubhouse by Bonaira Oval, from 6 30pm

For more information, call Ruth on 0404 871 216

I believe that building strong relationships will open doors to strong partnerships.

Two weeks ago, I headed up to Macquarie Street and met with Ron Hoenig, MP. He is a very impressive man, and so he should be, he’s the Member for Heffron, Leader of the House and the Minister for Local Government. The previous day he said some pretty harsh words about our previous council’s financial choices. I made a point of meeting with him and I was there to tell him we have gone a long way to fixing that. He knew, congratulated our council, and will help us on the way to recovery.

Collaboration with State Government heavy hitters is a great way to make shared progress on complex community issues that our council is experiencing, but cannot act alone to solve.

Last week I met with Ryan Park MP, Member for Keira, Minister for Health, Minister for Regional Health, and Minister for the Illawarra and the

South Coast. As Minister for Health, he understands Aged Care is a pretty precarious business for a council. As Minister for the Illawarra, he understands Kiama and will help us with our intention of moving away from aged care, leaving it to those better equipped to deal with that business.

Last Friday I made a point of meeting with Lisa Berwick, Senior Executive of the NSW State Audit Office. Lisa is a member of the Senior Executive Service with more than 25 years experience in accounting, assurance and risk management. When she speaks, I listen. I found that she understands our situation and is well aware of the steps we have taken to stabilise our finances, and again, is willing to help with the next steps of divestment.

As I write this, I am in Canberra, making Kiama visible on the Federal radar, while attending the 2023 National General Assembly of Local Government and the Regional Cooperation and Development Forum.

Yesterday I had a meeting with Councillor Linda Scott, President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). Her guidance and connections are of strategic value to Kiama and I intend to make the most of this.

I am away from my home

in the bush capital to show the Feds the intentional choices that we have made and will continue to make to drive change and transformation for a better future for our area and your council.

Linda has organised a day in Federal Parliament for the members of ALGA, the first in my history of local government.

When we are strategic, we play a long game, carefully building relationships and establishing building blocks that will shape council, serve communities and deliver lasting results.

Strategic relationships play a crucial role in the functioning and success of our council.

These relationships, especially with Federal and State governments, are of paramount importance as they enable Kiama Council to effectively address the needs and aspirations of our communities. By forging strong partnerships, we can access vital resources, collaborate on policy development, and promote the interests of residents in our Local Government Area. We stay informed about upcoming legislative changes, funding opportunities, and strategic planning initiatives.

I know that a lot of people depend on our council for the multitude of services we

deliver. I believe effective collaboration, communication and awareness at all levels will ensure we have partners in high places who will enhance our ability to address the diverse needs of our community. We’re better together!

NAIDOC news

With the annual NAIDOC Awards fast approaching, Kiama Council is encouraging the community to place their nominations which will recognise outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our region.

After the success of local Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week events, Mayor Neil Reilly says it is an ideal time to consider those who deserve recognition.

“Let’s now turn our minds to those indigenous people, be it neighbours, family friends, workmates or teammates,” says Mayor Reilly.

“You can make a nomination based of their achievements in their own right, as an individual or an organisation, young or old, for their work or volunteering efforts.”

Make a nomination via Council’s website before Sunday 30 June. The Awards ceremony will be hosted at Kiama Pavilion on 29 July.

Jaz Corr’s two truths

Berry will this month host the first Open Field art festival, showcasing contemporary art and performing artists across four days of performances, live music and events around the town.

The Bugle spoke to one of the artists who will feature at Open Field, Jaz Corr, a Dharawal woman and Kiama resident with three titles: a visual artist, an art teacher and a practitioner of Wayapa Wuurrk.

Jaz was asked to put in an expression of interest for an artwork at the festival, and immediately began looking for inspiration from the Berry township, its history and its environment.

Driving from Kiama to Vincentia every day for work, and reflecting on the Open Fields theme of intersections and interplay, Jaz took notice of the literal intersections built as part of the new Berry bypass.

Jaz says the ongoing road work was such a struggle for many commuters but has since become extremely beneficial for everyone who uses it on a daily basis. This inspired Jaz to use tar for her artistic medium as a direct reference to the new highway.

Next, Jaz looked at the story behind how Berry came to be. “It’s widely known that Al-

exander Berry and his brother, David, are the founders of Berry,” says Jaz. “There’s so much information out there regarding those two brothers.

“What we don’t talk about is the two black brothers that helped and actually assisted the Berry brothers to make the town what it is today.”

Jaz decided to paint Broughton Creek, who was one of the two brothers that helped Alexander Berry develop the area along with brother Brogher Creek.

“Broughton is well known to have helped Alexander Berry in tracking and local knowledge, but there was a divide between the two black brothers,” Jaz says.

“He [Broughton] was helping the Berry brothers, but Brogher never agreed to that. So over time, Broughton was given rations for his great work and for assimilating well. Later in life, he rejected them and went back to his community and his brother.

Gwen turns 103

Today marks a very special milestone for a Uniting Mayflower resident, Gwen Wilson, who is celebrating her 103rd birthday.

Gwen has called Gerringong home for over 45 years, living on Werri Beach in a house built with her late husband, David, until she was 100 years old.

She has been visiting the town since 1957 when she and David, with her twin sister Jeane and her husband, built a holiday home.

“We were down here just about every weekend and all school holidays,” says Gwen, who has two daughters Janice and Judith.

“Other than being the family taxi driver, I didn’t have time for anything else, I was too busy playing bowls.”

Gwen and David (below) were married for 58 years. “When he asked me to marry him, I thought, ‘well, he’s too nice to let go so I’ll have to say yes’.”

Choosing community over the Berrys would have been a really difficult choice. We don’t talk about that story and we don’t talk about those black brothers, but we do talk about the Berrys.”

The artwork is painted within the void of the two cut outs of the Berry brothers marking the entrances to the town, or as Jaz puts it: “painting the missing black history that we don’t talk about.” She used rust to represent these two sculptures.

“It was a wonderful lifestyle and the kids loved it. They made friends down here and so did we.”

The four were founding members of the Gerringong Bowling Club and did volunteer work in the kitchen.

Her tip for a long and healthy life is an unconventional one; “I always say it’s sunshine – because I used to bake myself – and salt water”.

Although Gabby, the cook at Mayflower, believes it’s her bacon and egg breakfast she cooks her; “That’s how she got to be 103.”

no one was around. I was just an ordinary run of the mill.”

When asked what her hobbies are now, she said, “Well, I’ve got an iPad”.

“I’m never bored. I do jigsaw puzzles and solitaire on my iPad and when that’s charging, I read books or I watch my electric photo frame which goes round and round.”

Gwen with her five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren celebrated her milestone on Sunday with a traditional espresso martini in hand.

Foye

The artwork, which was recently renamed “Two Truths” will be on display at Open Fields in Berry, which will be held on 22-25 June. by Brendon

As children, Gwen and Jeane spent a lot of time on the beach, where Gwen later took up surfing on the old blow up ‘Surf-oPlanes’.

“I surfed down at Gerroa, even when I was quite old when

“On my 99th birthday, Danny [at Gerringong Bowling Club] put this martini in front of me.

“Well, every birthday since, I’ve had one. I love them.”

by Cassandra Zaucer

Jaz Corr is one of the artist’s to feature at Berry’s OpenField Arts Festival

At the G’gong Library Knit in Public Day

Kiama and Gerringong joined the world to celebrate World Wide Knit in Public Day with more than 55 people gathering in Kiama at Blue Haven’s Matterson Hall and 45 at Gerringong’s library to share tips, tea, cake and company while they knitted or crocheted. Skills ranged from seriously professional, to novices knitting their first stitch. This year’s gathering was again organised by Boni and Peter Maywald, the couple behind Kiama’s Wrap With Love knitters who make blankets which are then sent to people in need around the world. Last weekend Boni and Peter took 3 dozen blankets to western NSW for people suffering after floods.

Top left: Boni and Peter Maywald from Kiama.

Top right: Margaret Burke and Colleen Rees

Left: Kay Benyon.

Right: People’s Choice Quilt winning team

Below right: Ruth Cave and Heather Schow

Below left: Jeremy Marlton and Teresa O’Leary

Far below: Celia Wade, Boni Maywald and Leanne Barrett

ACROSS

8 Most intimate (6)

9 Former St. George Dragons pro rugby hooker and national captain (3,5)

10 “Iron Gloves”, Test wicketkeeper (3,5)

11 Sort of (2,1,3)

12 Gun butts (6)

13 What you usually see in a mirror (8)

14 Rare Queensland spidereating flying mammal (6-6,3)

18 Patriotic (4,4)

21 Refuse to accept (6)

23 Deadeye Annie (6)

24 For the few (8)

25 Ghastly (8)

26 SA leader --- Marshall (6) DOWN

1 Not too many (3,2,3)

2 Vast (6)

3 Gets cracking (6,2)

4 Long NW Australian coastal

Soduku

strip (6,4,5)

5 Instead (2,4)

6 Worried (8)

7 East Mediterranean democracy (6)

15 Inhabitants (8)

16 Playful dolphin relative (8)

17 Place for old documents (8)

19 Grounds (6)

20 Give the pink slip (3,3)

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POSTCARD HOME

The spectacular Jurassic Coast, England’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its rocks, marine fossils, remarkable landforms and stunning natural beauty.

It spans over 180 million years of geological history, being the only place on earth where due to extremely active marine erosion, rock formations from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods can all be seen in one location.

Impressive natural features include arches, pinnacles, hollowed out coves, crumbles, stack rocks and a fossilised forest.

The Jurassic Coast makes up a 150 kilometre stretch of the English Channel coastlines of Dorset and Devon, and forms a section of the longer South West Coast Path walking trail.

The relaxed and pretty seaside town of Weymouth (shown) makes an enjoyable base from which to explore the area, and is an easy couple of hours from London by train or car. Local buses from Weymouth to the nearby Jurassic Coast destinations mentioned below are plentiful and inexpensive.

Chesil Beach is breathtaking, a dramatic steep-

metres (29) from the Isle of Portland into the distance, and comprised of millions of pebbles and stones (mainly flint and chert from and Jurassic rocks) of different shapes and colours, some as large as potatoes. Author John Fowles described it as “above all an elemental place, made of sea, shingle and sky, its dominant sound always that of waves on moving stone: from the great surf and pounding… of sou’westers, to the delicate laps and back-gurgling of the rare

is a favourite spot for fossil hunters and the gateway to a breathtaking coastal path featuring a range of eye-catching natural rock formations, such as Stair Hole and Durdle Door.

Over time the power of the sea cut through the resistant Portland limestone layer at the mouth of the cove, with waves then bending into an arc shape when pushing through the cove’s mouth, thereby creating its horseshoe-shape.

Striking Durdle Door,

Access to table tennis

Kiama Table Tennis Club is inviting players of all skill and ability levels to join now that it has secured a new table tennis table for wheelchair players.

The purchase was made thanks to a grant from Table Tennis Australia, bringing the Kiama club’s total to nine tables. The new table allows wheelchair users to push much further under the table to reach shorter shots than a standard table.

The Club only has one wheelchair player now, Joy Boyd, an Order of Australia Medal recipient, and Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist, who founded the club in 2003 with her husband Tom.

The Club is keen to have more players with disabilities

join now that they can accommodate them.

Players meet twice a week at the Kiama Leisure Centre on Mondays and Thursdays between 12pm - 3pm. Players are provided with bats, balls and afternoon tea, all for $7.

Kiama Table Tennis Club mostly caters to senior players, but is open to players of all ages, with more than 70 registered members on the books. The Club’s oldest player, Ken White, recently turned 90 this month, so there’s no excuse not to give it a try!

Please contact Brendon Foye, The Bugle’s sports writer, with all your local sporting news at brendon@thebuglenwespaper. com.au or 0413 091 543 by Brendon Foye

for the ‘Jurassic’ Coast), is an example of a natural limestone arch, and a lovely place for a fresh dip on a warm summer’s day, after an exhilarating walk along the scenic coastal path to reach it. Durdle Door and its surrounds have been featured in a range of music videos, films and TV programs.

Bellinda Dunn, Kiama

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