The Bugle 1 July 2023

Greater Cities planning group axed by Minns

The NSW Government has scrapped the Greater Cities Commission (GCC) nearly 12 months after deciding Kiama would be a part of a new ‘Illawarra-Shoalhaven City.’

Premier Chris Minns said the decision was made to reduce overlap and duplication of finite public resources, specifically when it comes to planning and building more houses in the State.

“There’s no point having housing targets if you can’t deliver the housing,”

Premier Minns said in a statement. “This is about ensuring we have the right team in place to deliver the housing and infrastructure we so critically need in this State.”

The GCC was established by the Liberal Party, with Labor’s support, under former Premier Mike Baird, and

was intended to coordinate planning across the State to identify locations for jobs and houses, as well as setting housing targets for 43 local councils.

The intent was to transform Sydney into a ‘global city’ rivalling California’s Bay Area, Greater London and the Netherlands’ Randstad.

Last year, the commission rebranded to include Wollon-

Local Elder gifts Mayor

If you’ve visited the Kiama Council Chambers recently, you may have noticed two new pieces adorning the desk of Mayor Neil Reilly.

gong/Illawarra-Shoalhaven in its remit, which would have stretched from Wollongong down to Batemans Bay.

At the same time, Jacki Johnson was appointed the City Commissioner for the Illawarra-Shoalhaven. She will continue to assist the NSW Department of Planning and Environment with metro planning, along with the continued on p5

Croxford wants fewer Councillors

Kiama Council may have two fewer elected representatives in the future after one of its current Councillors lodged a notice of motion to reduce the number of Councillors from nine to seven.

Councillor Mark Croxford lodged the motion, saying that reducing the number of Councillors would improve Council’s efficiency and effectiveness, as well as save $43,460 per annum that could be better spent on

delivering services.

Kiama’s population is significantly lower than neighbouring Councils but has a much smaller ratio of residents compared to the number of Councillors.

According to data for the 2021 financial year from a NSW Government report called Your Council, Wollongong had 16,637 residents for each Councillor, Shellharbour had 8,695 residents per Councillor and Shoal-

haven had 8,417 people per Councillor. By comparison, Kiama has 2,598 residents per Councillor.

“Kiama is classified as a Group 4 Council, along with 25 other Councils in the same classification,” Councillor Croxford says.

“Analysis of other Group 4 Councils indicates that Kiama may be considered overrepresented compared to other Councils in the continued on p.13

The pieces are actually two igneous rocks gifted to Mayor Reilly for his 70th birthday by Aunty Gwenda Jarrett, a local Aboriginal elder and native title lead for the south coast of NSW.

Mayor Reilly told The Bugle about the significance of the gift and how his friendship with Aunty Gwenda developed out of a mutual respect for each other.

“One of the first people I met formally when I was made Mayor in January 2022 was Aunty Gwenda. We’ve had a very strong connection since then, based on our mutual respect for each other.

“We have met maybe once or twice a month since then, and Gwenda and I are very dedicated to making sure there is a mutual respect between the First Nations people and the Council that represents everybody in our local Government area.”

Despite requesting no presents for his birthday, Aunty Gwenda and her husband, Uncle Stan, still felt compelled to show their

appreciation for Mayor Reilly and their relationship.

The rocks come from Saddleback Mountain, and were painted by local Indigenous artist Aunty Jodie Stewart, who has also created artwork for NAIDOC Week, which takes place from 2 July to 9 July this year.

“The two rocks indicate concentric circles, which mean whoever you are, you’re in the circle, you’re part of this mob,” Mayor Reilly says.

“It doesn’t mean you’re an Indigenous person, or a Scottish person, it doesn’t mean anything else other than you’re a part of this

mob, and I think there’s something lovely about that. All these concentric circles representing all the different peoples in our LGA, we’re all the same mob.”

“Outside of that is like a yarning circle, and those little U-shaped graphics around the outside. That means that being the same mob, we can and we must talk to each other all the time and be in constant communication. We believe that’s key to being in this mob.”

Even though Aunty Gwenda made it clear that these were a personal gift to Mayor Reilly, the rocks will remain continued on p.7

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 NAIDOC WEEK

2-9 July see below

ILLAWARRA RAMBLERS COASTAL WALK

Tuesday 4 July

G’gong Train Station, 10-2pm

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

3-14 July see page 9

WINTER ART EXHIBITION

Until 5 July

Old Fire Station, Kiama, 10-3pm

KIAMA WINTER FESTIVAL 7-12 July see page 9

G’gong Pics and Flicks

Margrete: Queen of the North Friday 7 July

Gerringong Town Hall, 7pm

AUTHOR TALK at KIAMA

LIBRARY

Tony Gilmour: South Coast Aboriginal Housing: New Perspectives

Saturday 8 July 2-4pm

THE BERRY BOWLING

CLUB MARKETS

Sunday 8 July 9-2pm

HOME EXHIBITION

until 9 July

Fern Street Gallery, G’gong, 10-4pm

DIAGON ALLEY TWILIGHT MARKET

Friday 14 July see right

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.

News team: 0412 415 101

Belinda Woodfield GM 0411 728 770 belinda@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

G’GONG ROTARY MARKETS

Saturday 15 July

Town Hall, 8.30-1.30pm

KIAMA SEASIDE MARKETS

Sunday 16 July

Black Beach, 9-3pm

ROSE PRUNING WORKSHOP

Sunday 16 July

Peace Park, Kiama, 10am

ANNA DA SILVA CHEN and LEE CHEN CONCERT

Sunday 16 July see below

JAMBEROO VILLAGE MARKETS

Sunday 30 July

Reid Park, 9-2pm

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

NAIDOC Week Events

To mark NAIDOC week (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee), Kiama Council has a range of exhibitions, activities and events that celebrate this year’s theme, For Our Elders.

Communities across Australia celebrate NAIDOC Week every year in July to increase awareness of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Kiama Library will host a First Nation’s Film Fest to celebrate Indigenous resilience, identity and storytelling through a showing of four films across two days. It will also include a special presentation of the Adam Goode’s documentary The Final Quarter, on 6 and 7 July.

There are a range of workshops for young creatives throughout the week including boomerang and mural painting at SENTRAL Sounds at Hindmarsh Park on 7 July and a Weaving Workshop on 5 July at Kiama Library.

Attendees of the event,

DIAGON ALLEY’S MAGIC MARKET

The Diagon Alley Twilight Magic Market is returning after its successful launch last year which saw over 600 magic enthusiasts flock to Gerringong Library.

Organisers Carla James and Lauren Watkins say the vibe in the space was phenomenal and it was something for entire families to enjoy together.

“The Library was transformed with magical themed backdrops and lighting and this year we are going to make the event bigger and

even more wondrous,” Carla says.

The mystical evening will host a photobooth, roving entertainers, live music, a fortune teller and market stalls that display the “imagination and creative skill of our local makers.”

Market goers will also have a chance to complete a quest and prizes are up for grabs for those who come dressed in their best magical garb.

Friday 14 July, Gerringong Library, 3-7pm

which is free for 10 to 14 year olds, will learn the traditional weaving techniques with local First Nation’s artist Amethyst Downing-McLeod and make handmade pendants out of natural resources.

Kiama Library will also be making their own Sea of Hands, which has been at the heart of the reconciliation movement since it first came about in 1997.

Everyone is invited to contribute by decorating a hand template with pencil or paint on 7 July.

GLaM, the Gerringong Library and Museum gallery will host a Contemporary Aboriginal Art exhibition that will run across the whole week, while the Old Fire Station gallery in Terralong St will showcase the talented artwork of 2022 NAIDOC Awards winner of the Aboriginal Elder of the Year, Aunty Jodie Stewart.

Kiama Council will also host their annual NAIDOC Awards Ceremony on 29 July. For tickets to the awards night, see https://www.kiama.nsw.gov.

Concert in Gerringong

International performers

Anna Da Silva Chen, who is regarded as Australia’s finest and most versatile young violinist, and pianist Lee Chen will take to the stage for the next Gerringong Music Club concert.

Anna is no stranger to Gerringong Music Club where she has regularly played since she was a young student.

She has now established an exciting international reputation as a violinist and equally at home as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician.

Lee, whose playing has

been described as impeccable and impressive, jumps between continents as a performer, educator and arranger playing music that is joyful, moving and inclusive. The program starts off with Clara Schumann, followed by Claude Debussy and finishes with Franz Schubert.

The concert will be held on Sunday 16 July at Gerringong Town Hall, doors open at 1.30pm. Tickets are on sale on the day at $30 for visitors and free for Gerringong Music Club members, students and children.

Local clubs get helping hand to save lives

The Gerringong, Oak Flats and Shellharbour Bendigo Bank branches has given away 50 defibrillators to local businesses and not-forprofit community clubs and organisations.

Gerringong Anglican Church, Gerringong Breakers Football Club, Gerringong RSL sub-branch, Gerringong Rotary, Gerroa Boat Fisherman’s Club and Kiama Junior Knights were some of the 50 organisations that were handed a defibrillator at an event held recently at the HARS Aviation Museum at Shellharbour Airport.

Guy Leech, the founder and CEO of Heart180 who has supplied the defibrillators, shared a chilling message at the event; cardiac arrest doesn’t discriminate.

“Sudden cardiac arrest is the biggest killer in Australia. We lose about 100 people a day,” he says. That figure includes children under 10 years of age.

As a former Australian Iron Man Surf Lifesaving champion and 2007 Celebrity Survivor winner, Guy says heart issues affect even those who are “in the top 1 per cent of fit people for their age group.”

“It can hit anyone,” Guy says. “For every minute after the first three minutes of not having a defibrillator on someone whose heart has stopped, the heart has 10 per cent less chance of kicking over. When you add the 12 to 15 minutes waiting for an ambulance, the chances of kicking that heart over with an electric shock is minimal.”

It is this statistic that Guy based his business off, and it all began when he lost his friend over 7 years ago despite starting CPR straight away.

Council reclassifies Bonaira

Kiama Council has approved its planning proposal to reclassify the Blue Haven Bonaira land from ‘community’ to ‘operational’.

In introducing the proposal, Mayor Neil Reilly acknowledged the significance of this matter, saying it was probably “the biggest thing we will ever have done in this Council.” However, he affirmed the Council’s authority and responsibility to amend the classification correctly.

Mayor Reilly summarised the issues necessitating reclassification:

the land.

On the land are residential living and aged care facilities. People have homes and gardens on the property, and vulnerable community members are cared for. In addition, other related businesses are operating on site. It is a commercial enterprise with contracts and licences in place. It’s not appropriate for it to be classified as ‘community’, nor is it appropriate that it has unrestricted public access.

gested that finalising the reclassification after the proposed subdivision would improve community acceptance.

Clr Rice’s proposal was supported by Councillors Keast and Renkema-Lang, but ultimately overruled.

“Had I had a defibrillator and got it on him within the first three minutes of his heart stopping, he would have had a 70 per cent chance of surviving,” Guy says. He believes a defibrillator should be within a close enough proximity that a person can go grab a defibrillator and come back to the person in need, all within 180 seconds.

He applauds Seattle, where defibrillators originated from over 70 years ago, who has a device on every corner and at every shop, restaurant, schools and more, and where CPR and defibrillator courses are mandatory for students and people applying for their car licence.

“In Seattle when someone drops in the street, there are 5 people lined up to do CPR and a couple of defibrillators waiting to go on the persons chest. People have an over 60 per cent survival rate, compared to our 6 per cent here.”

While de defibrillators are simple to use, some training is required so that people feel confident using them in a tough situation.

The 50 local organisations

have not only received the defibrillator but will also receive free online training.

Two years ago, Guy helped South Australia pass a bill to make defibrillators mandatory in Government buildings and building over 600 square metres. He says that the rest of Australia is way behind.

“That is the first lot of legislation from a Government which means a defibrillator is mandatory in a certain position. But the crazy thing is that it is not mandatory in schools and gyms.

“We lose 100 people a year on average from fire related incidents and fire extinguishers are mandatory by Government regulation.

“We lost 100 people today from electrical issues with the heart and there is no mandatory reason to have a defibrillator.”

Guy thanks Bendigo Bank for being “so gracious and helpful” in getting more defibrillators in the community.

The number of defibrillators that has been handed out by Bendigo Bank now totals 90, after they gave away 40 in 2021.

By Cassandra Zaucer

After the acquisition, Council did not classify the land, which was an oversight, not a decision. That it was an oversight was confirmed in a letter from the Regional Director of the Department of Planning, further corroborated by the lack of preparation of a plan of management for

It is Council’s policy to sell the land. To proceed with the sale, the land needs to be reclassified as ‘operational’

In response to community concerns, to preserve the cultural heritage associated with Barroul House, Councillor Kathy Rice proposed an amendment, suggesting that the Council subdivide the land, excising the area occupied by Barroul House. Clr Rice sug-

Mayor Reilly assured the community that the current heritage listing of Barroul House would be protected regardless of the property’s sale. He pointed out that other State heritage-listed buildings in Kiama remain protected in a commercial environment.

Councillors Croxford, Draisma, Larkins, Reilly, Brown and Steel supported the proposal to reclassify the land at Blue Haven Bonaira. Councillors Keast, Renkema-Lang and Rice voted against the motion.

by Tracey Henderson

Church vandalised

The Kiama Presbyterian Church was deeply saddened after waking up on 19 June to a Church scrawled with the satanic symbol.

The graffiti, reading ‘hail satan’ and ‘God loves the homosexuals’, was found on the sign and the columbarium wall of the Church.

Minister Reverend Andrew Satchell says it was especially saddening to see the graffiti on the plaques in the columbarium wall which holds people’s ashes.

The vandalism was removed several days later, costing the Church thousands of dollars. Its removal involved the replacement of the sign, pressure hosing and repainting.

Mayor Neil Reilly described the incident and the vandal’s behaviour as disgraceful.

“It’s a form of bullying where a building and the significance of that building

is the recipient,” Mayor Reilly says.

“The people who have perpetrated this are not only cowards but have no thought for anyone else other than their ridiculous notions of the world.”

While the incident is disappointing, Andrew says he will be praying for those who did this and would like to take the opportunity to talk with them and the whole Kiama community about Jesus Christ.

“Jesus came to bring light and life to all.

“It is why we gather on Sundays and during the

week together, it is why we help serve the community with our op-shop, and it is why we want people to hear about who Jesus is and why his death and resurrection is still important today,” Andrew says.

“We would like to thank those in the community who have expressed their sadness at what has occurred and would like to invite everyone to come on Sundays at 9am.”

A police report was filed on the incident, but Andrew is yet to hear back.

By Cassandra Zaucer

The 50 community organisations were handed the same model of defibrillator that saved former Yellow Wiggle Greg Page’s life in 2020.

Indian Hamlet inspires

Artists will tell you that inspiration often strikes at unexpected times. Inspiration for RA Spratt’s latest novel struck while she was reading an Indian graphic novel version of Hamlet, the famous Shakespeare play.

“I was standing in the local bookshop in the main street of Bowral, and I’m trying to get my kid to read, so I suggested a graphic novel,” Spratt told The Bugle.

“I picked up an illustrated Hamlet and started reading through it and it was really interesting because when you see Hamlet performed as a play, it’s usually someone in their 30s or 40s playing Hamlet because it’s a difficult part so they need an experienced actor.

“The character is supposed to be around 23, and you don’t think about him being so young. But in the graphic novel, because it’s just a cartoon, he looked that young. I thought, Oh, the character makes so much more sense, he’s like a university arts student who has studied a semester of philosophy and thinks they know everything!”

“All of a sudden, the character became very clear to me as to who he really is. He’s this really articulate guy that’s full of ideas but has no worldly wisdom.”

The revelation of Hamlet’s true character inspired Hamlet’s Not OK, Spratt’s latest novel for young adults. Spratt is already an accomplished author of such series as Shockingly Good Stories, Friday Barnes, The Peski Kids and Nanny Piggins, and hosts the Bedtime Stories with R.A. Spratt podcast.

Spratt had always enjoyed taking her kids to see local Shakespeare performances and wanted to write about it for years, but acknowledged a lot of the stories aren’t entirely appropriate for children in 2023.

“We saw a modern production of Richard II which was kind of baffling because it’s

not the most accessible play.

“I was thinking about how to make Shakespeare more accessible and fun for kids and explain the ideas that seem really dated.

“Some of these themes feel old fashioned, but then some of the things in Hamlet seem like just as big an issue now as it ever was even though it’s hundreds of years old.”

At first, Spratt thought of writing a novelisation of the play, but the project soon grew to a much larger scale. Instead, the book became about a modern 15-yearold drawn into the world of Hamlet meeting the titular character and working with him to find better solutions to his problems.

Spratt tends to put aspects from her own personality into her characters and it’s no different with Hamlet’s Not OK’s heroine, Selby.

This time though, Spratt also drew from her own children’s personalities as well, especially when it comes to social issues.

“They’re very woke-aware. They see issues and call you out on issues, definitely not in a way they did when I was 15,” says Spratt.

“It’s very front-of-mind for them, things like racism, sexism, bullying, those sorts of things. When Hamlet tells

Kiama Dental Studio

Ophelia to go to a nunnery, they see that and think Hamlet is being a bully, whereas I don’t think people would have seen it the same way in the past.”

Hamlet’s Not OK was only recently published, but Spratt is already thinking about the next instalment. While she initially envisioned exploring Shakespeare’s entire works through Selby’s eyes, Spratt has caught on to a different trend.

“I would love to be able to help people unpick whatever the Shakespeare syllabus is for that year.

“If you read the book, there’s a point where Pride and Prejudice gets involved as well, so there’s some discussion as to whether there is another book, whether it’s a Shakespeare play, probably Macbeth or King Lear, or it will be something totally different.

“I am tempted to work out what all the year 12 students are studying and just do those books.”

To find a copy of the book, Spratt suggests you contact your local bookshops or library. Or buy it at amazon.com.au

By Brendon Foye

BUGLE’S VIEW

This week in The Bugle’s View, we want to do something reporters are not supposed to do.

We want to talk about ourselves.

We think it’s an important time to remind you, our readers, about why exactly we do what we do.

Plain and simple, our job is to tell the stories of our community.

It is to make sure you, our readers, are properly informed about what is happening all around town.

Just in the last two weeks, The Bugle has been at its best doing an extensive job reporting on local issues, big and small.

Cassandra Zaucer helped the parents of Shellharbour Anglican College voice their concerns about unsafe and overcrowded school buses.

Tracey Henderson has covered council news and Perrie Croshaw and Cathy Law have helped us navigate the changeover period.

Brendon Foye covered the decision of BlueFloat Energy not to establish its South Pacific Offshore Wind Project off the coast of Kiama.

While our new General Manager, Belle Woods, made the news herself when she covered her own run in with a Triton Ute at the entrance to Blowhole Point (you will be pleased to know Belle is

getting better by the day).

Stories like these matter to our special and close-knit community. And it is thanks to our frank and fearless reporters for facilitating this.

We have also launched The Bugle’s View to build on this reporting, by starting conversations about the issues that matter and asking tough questions to address them.

That is why we have brought you The Bugle’s View on issues like the cost of living, the cost of housing and how we can turn parts of our town into greater tourist destination hot spots to ensure job security and opportunities for our youth and community.

Rest assured; we are certainly not going to stop now.

We are going to redouble our efforts and keep going, because we know that is what you, our readers, expect.

Try as we might, we also acknowledge that we cannot be everywhere at once. As such, we invite you to continue write to us - to make sure that we cover the issues that matter to the community, no matter how big or small.

It is important to remember that you, our readers, also happen to be our family, friends, neighbours, and fellow community members.

We are proud to be your Bugle.

Smoke alarm saves residents

If you needed any proof that smoke alarms save lives, two Jamberoo residents are lucky to be alive after their alarm woke them up to their house on fire last week.

The blaze started in the early hours of Thursday last week which set off the fire alarm, waking up the two residents in time to escape with their dog and two pet chicks. Thankfully, nobody was injured.

Crews led by Jamberoo RFS worked for around six hours to extinguish the blaze. The fire was contained to one end of the house, which managed to stay upright despite extensive damage.

Jamberoo Mt Rd close to opening

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, though it likely started in a chimney flue on the property.

Jamberoo RFS thanked a number of organisations for their assistance, including Fire and Rescue NSW Station 207 Albion Park, Albion Park Rural Fire Brigade, NSW RFS Calderwood Brigade, Dunmore Rural Fire Brigade and staff from NSW RFS Illawarra, Lake Illawarra Police District & NSW Ambulance.

Now’s the time to check your smoke alarm batteries if you haven’t in a while!

by Brendon Foye

The long-awaited reopening of Jamberoo Mountain Road has been pushed back another month, making the grand reopening exactly one year after its initial closure which was caused by a landslip.

Kiama Council has announced the road’s opening will be in the first week of the next school term, which commences Monday 17 July.

It was last reported that the road will be open in June, but contractors have since experienced delays.

While the closure of the road – which is the key connection between the Municipality and the Highlands – has caused local businesses to suffer, Kiama Council thanks residents, business owners and visitors for their patience and cooperation

during the project.

Kiama Council has reported that the contractors have completed manufacturing, drilling and filling of 78 piles to stabilise the downhill side of the road and are almost finished repairing the hills above the road – which involves installing 170 soil nails to support the damaged terrain, before placing geofabric and supporting mesh over the sections for further reinforcement.

The contractors will then resurface the road and install barriers and other safety infrastructure.

Meanwhile, contractors have nearly finished their work at

Foxground Road, Foxground and work is well underway at Wallaby Hill Road, Jamberoo.

by Cassandra Zaucer

Action on bus safety

Following another tragic bus incident in the Hunter Valley, the Minns Labor Government is urging the NSW Bus Industry Taskforce to examine bus and coach safety regulation in the state.

The Taskforce will examine the enforcement of seatbelt laws, consider changes to the Australian Design Rules for buses and coaches, and safety management systems including driver training and fatigue management.

They are expected to deliver any early findings by the end of July.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen says, “When tragic events like this happen, we need to look at what we can do to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

“Passengers get onto buses and coaches expecting to be kept safe and the Taskforce will look at what needs to be done to improve passenger safety across the industry.”

The Taskforce will also review Transport for NSW’s oversight of operators as well as their ability to actively manage, monitor and implement safety management systems, and engage with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to review any gaps in risk management of bus safety between the two agencies and bus and coach operators.

G’gong masseur sentenced

Transport for NSW will seek recommendations by NSW Police on the implementation of any necessary measures to ensure the safety of the travelling public.

Meanwhile, 136 concerned local parents and residents have signed Kiama MP Gareth Ward’s petition to fast track seat belts on school buses.

The petition came about when local parents of Shellharbour Anglican College students raised concerns over an unsafe and overcrowded school bus.

The Bugle reported that the bus, which services south of the school, travels along the highway with no seatbelts and up to 19 students crowding the aisle.

By Cassandra Zaucer

Housing sales down

New homes sales in NSW remain at depressed levels, despite a 9.4 per cent increase in May 2023 compared to the previous month and a three-month bump of 4.4 per cent compared to the previous quarter.

However, overall sales in the three months to May 2023 were down a whopping 63.3 per cent compared with the previous year.

These figures come from the Housing Industry Association (HIA), representing more than 60,000 individuals in the housing industry, which surveyed its largest home builders by volume.

The downward trend indicates slow house sales will continue for at least another year to its lowest point in a decade, according to HIA.

The biggest factor was The Reserve Bank of Australia’s increase to the cash rate, which has risen by four points in 2023 alone.

HIA senior economist Tom Devitt said finance is

becoming unobtainable for more buyers.

“The significant increase in the cost of land and construction across all jurisdictions over the past two years is compounding the impact of higher interest rates,” says Mr Devitt.

“The additional costs of compliance with the National Construction Code, that come into effect this year, will further increase the cost of new home construction and dampen demand further.”

NSW saw the biggest sales contraction compared to other states due to its heightened sensitivity to changes in the cash rate.

The only state that saw an increase in the number of houses sold was Western Australia, growing 19.4 per cent in the three months to May 2023.

By Brendon Foye

Mark John Horsfall, an unlicensed masseur at BodyResort Chinese Massage Parlour in Gerringong, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his sexual assault crimes against seven female clients.

He appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre Court on Tuesday 27 June, where he heard powerful statements from some of his victims, who are aged between 20 and 60 years old.

Mr Horsfall, who was sentenced with a non-parole period of six years and six months, will be eligible for release in January 2029, as his sentence was backdated to July 2022.

Mr Horsfall, 62, was arrested in March 2021 following reports of an aggravated sexual assault of a woman in Gerringong.

Mr Horsfall was found guilty of four charges of aggravated sexual assault at his trial in February this year.

It was revealed after the trial that Mr Horsfall pleaded guilty to eight charges of sexual assault and touching of five women.

By Cassandra Zaucer

Greater Cities scrapped

continued from p.1 other five City Commissioners. The near-350 staff working for GCC will also be redeployed within the Department of Planning and Environment.

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the planning process had become too confusing from having too many agencies with overlapping responsibilities.

The NSW Productivity Commission also claimed that the reason houses cost more in NSW is because there are fewer homes built in the State, which is why the Department of Planning is shifting its attention towards removing red tape.

By Brendon Foye

Vietnam Vets remembered 60 years on

A Vietnam Veteran Remembrance Vigil will be held at Wollongong Memorial Garden to mark 60 years since the arrival of the Australian Army Training team in South Vietnam.

The Garden holds the grave sites of four Vietnam Veteran soldiers.

The Illawarra Vigil will be one of many happening across the nation at every Vietnam soldier’s grave or commemorative plaque site on 3 August.

The event will complement the Australian Government’s Commemorative Service which will be held two weeks later on 18 August at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra to mark 50 years since the complete withdrawal of combat troops in 1972.

The Remembrance Vigils are providing surviving Vietnam Veterans, next of kin and the Australian people the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way in

recognising the national loss, paying respects to those who were Killed in Action (KIA) and to show solidarity with their loved ones for their loss.

Rick Bensley, a Vietnam Veteran who lives in Kiama, says the event is incredibly important to fellow Vietnam Veterans.

“Everyone is going to get together and they’re going to be supporting each other,” he says.

“At these functions, there is usually a lot of fun and enjoyment. We remember the good times - that is a priority in our minds.

“The friendship, the mateship, the comradery and the desire to continue our enjoyment of life with these mates.”

On talking with The Bugle, Rick said he feels “tremendously proud to be representing so many of those guys [Vietnam Veterans].”

Rick was called up for National Service in the first

intake on 30 June, 1965. He joined C Company of the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and rose to Corporal, Section Commander, in charge of nine front-line soldiers.

The Vietnamese Community in Australia recognised Rick’s role in the aftermath of the Battle of Long Tan by presenting him with the Republic of Vietnam’s Gallantry Cross Medal last September.

The Illawarra Vigil, organised by the Illawarra Vietnam Veterans Association and Dapto/Port Kembla RSL Sub-Branch, will commence at two locations within the Wollongong Memorial Garden where the four soldier’s remains and their plaques are located.

The Red Cross will provide morning tea at 10am in the chapel before the Vigil which will commence at 11am.

A Caribou flyover will follow, donated by HARS Illawarra.

Attendees are invited to the

Figtree Sports Club for an informal lunch at personal cost after the Vigil.

The four soldiers buried in the Wollongong Memorial Garden are:

Pte Russell James Copeman 3rd Squadron, Special Air Service Regiment 1967 Sapper John Laurance

O’Hara 1 Field Squadron (Engineers) 1967-

Pte Donald Cameron Hill 1

ATF D&E Platoon 1971

Pte Maxwell Lachlan Rhodes 4th Battalion RAR 1971

The Commemorative Service on 18 August will be televised nationally by the ABC.

By Cassandra Zaucer

Mayor given special gift

continued p.1 where Mayor Reilly says he needs them most.

“I keep them here at Council because the work that I do, my Council work and work as Mayor are the most important, and I want those rocks with me when I make those important decisions.

“I count those rocks as such a significant thing because they remind me of my responsibilities to my mob and to communicate, and I want those two issues where I’m making the big decisions.”

Mayor Reilly also praised Aunty Gwenda’s leadership and guidance around the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which will establish an independent board to advise the Government on issues affecting First Nations people in Australia. Aunty Gwenda had initially rejected the proposal but announced during Kiama’s Sorry Day ceremonies that she had reversed her decision

and would instead support The Voice.

“If anything, Gwenda’s not just going to go with the flow, she thinks things through very carefully,” Mayor Reilly says.

“I think one of the greatest strengths in any person is the ability to change their mind.

Gwenda has come out from the outset and was concerned that we needed all this rigmarole for something like The Voice, when in 2008, Kevin Rudd made that statement about reconciliation and apologised, which happened without all this.”

“She has since asked the question, and she knows that if it’s part of the Constitution, it can’t be changed easily, so she has changed her mind. I think that’s a really admirable thing for any balanced person to do.”

By Brendon Foye

Last week in Parliament I supported moves to cap politicians’ wages for the next two years.

I went into politics to serve our local community – not to feather my own nest!

Given the cost-of-living challenges everyone is facing, it’s my strong view that proposed increases in politicians’ wages could be better spent on our frontline public servants such as ambulance offices and nurses - as well as bolstering our frontline homelessness services.

Last week, I introduced a Private Members Bill to provide greater transparency and accountability on government grants. Governments do not have money – its taxpayers money and I want to ensure your hardearned dollars are spent appropriately. The bill will

ensure that breaches of transparency measures have serious consequences for a Minister who inappropriately handles government funds. The Bill will be debated in Parliament in coming weeks.

I love using the Parliament to recognise local people doing great things and this week was no exception.

I was delighted to deliver a Community Recognition Statement on the floor of the House to congratulate Sophie Yates and Hallie Richmond of Kiama High School, who have been selected to attend the International Youth Science Forum in London this coming July.

Both Sophie and Hallie are extremely passionate science students who have been provided with a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with global innovators throughout the scientific community. The International Youth Science Forum is a 14-day program held at various prestigious establishments. They include the Royal Geographic Society, Imperial College London, Oxford and Cambridge universities, as well as a multitude of other recognised institutions.

Sophie and Hallie have ad-

vised me that they will have access to a range of specialist lectures, demonstrations and keynote addresses from Nobel Prize winners and other scientific trailblazers, as well as scientific visits to world-class laboratories.

Sophie and Hallie will be connecting with around 500 young people from across 70 countries, allowing for the global expansion of scientific outreach and the inspiration of the next generation.

I was delighted to make a small contribution to their fundraising efforts and I congratulate both of them on their success.

Over the weekend I attended a National Tree Planting Day and attended the 20th annual Gerringong Rotary Change-Over. Wednesay night it is the Rotary Club of Bomaderry’s turn who are celebrating 53 years of service.

This week in Parliament

I’ll have some special visitors to Parliament with my mum and some close friends joining me in the House for lunch to celebrate my birthday. Looking forward to seeing them!

Have a great week.

Gareth.

The Voice to Parliament vote to go ahead

Australians will vote before the end of this year on whether to establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament after legislation to hold the referendum passed the Senate on Monday afternoon. The legislation means the Government will allow Australians to vote on whether to amend the constitution to include the Indigenous Voice to Parliament which would serve as an independent advisory board to the government.

The Voice would be able to

make recommendations to the Government but not actually dictate or pass legislation, nor will it deliver any of the services it supports itself.

As The Voice’s inclusion would require amendments to the Australian constitution, it requires a majority vote in a referendum to become official.

Legislation to hold a referendum already passed the Lower House in May, and now that the Senate has also approved the bill, all that remains is for Prime

Minister Anthony Albanese to set a date for Australians to vote.

The referendum is likely to be held in October.

To understand more about The Voice, read the Uluru Statement from the Heart https:// ulurustatement.org/the-statement/

Read about how to vote yes https://togetheryes.com.au/ or https://yes23.com.au/ or why you might vote no https://www. fairaustralia.com.au/ or https:// www.advanceaustralia.org.au/

Last Saturday, a remarkable event in Kiama helped me understand our community's essence.

Movie night at Kiama’s Uniting Church is something special, when a widely diverse group show up with blankets and sustenance, greet friends and make new ones before settling in.

'Written in Chalk,' a movie directed by Richard Attieh and based on Arthur Stace's graffiti was recently shown to the Kiama community. Despite being illiterate, Stace chalked in beautiful copperplate, the word 'Eternity' countless times across Sydney's streets, alleys, doorways and bridges from the 1930s to 1960s.

The Rev Dr Bill Lawton set the stage, taking us on an historical journey, through the era of Stace’s childhood. From extravagant high teas at the QVB to the shallow graves on Devonshire Street and hidden opium dens behind Broadway, we were immersed in a time of stark disparities.

'Written in Chalk' explored Stace's graffiti's profound and sustained impact and its multiple interpretations. It explained the necessity for Sydney Council to copyright the 'Eternity' typeface and its significance in marking the new 21st Century as it was illuminated on the bridge after the fireworks. It discussed the profusion of academic studies, Eternity's role in the 2000 Olympics, and how authors and artists were compelled to incorporate Stace and his work into their art. All of this, as the result of one man, and his eccentric obsessive sharing of one word.

Then, on Sunday morning, I discovered my own 'Eternity', chalked near the doorway of the old CBA building in Manning Street. It caused me to pause. Here I am on this beautiful sunny crisp morning, on my way to meet good people for beachside breakfast and I’m overcome with a rush of good fortune that I am a part of Kiama.

'Over the past few years,

residents have had to weather some local challenges causing anger, concern and sadness. As a relatively new resident, I've been moved by the sincerity of the dedication people feel towards its town, especially the time, effort and commitment of people who advocate for all of us.

Similarly, sitting among the open-hearted individuals on Saturday night, I recognised that Kiama transcends its buildings, councils, and tourists. It's a place where people genuinely care for one another and want the best for their town.

In my interpretation of 'eternity,' I see the relentless ebb and flow of change, eroding the old while ushering in the new. Yet, beneath it all, the bedrock of Kiama’s passionate community persists, one that can value its present as much as its history and future

Look out for 'Written in Chalk' as it's recently been picked up by Channel 9 and Stan. www.writteninchalk.com.au

By Tracey Henderson

Folk by the Sea to feature ‘Voice’ concert

As well as returning to its pre-pandemic scale this September, Kiama’s Folk by the Sea festival is set to feature a ‘Voice of First Nations Folk’ concert with leading Indigenous artists.

Festival artistic director David De Santi says it is their contribution to the debate on the Voice to Parliament.

Headlining the festival’s new

addition is Gumaraa, First Nations singer-songwriter Pirritu and Microwave Jenny, which includes Indigenous duo Tessa Neku and Brendan Boney whose music is a fusion of folk, pop and jazz.

According to David, the festival organising committee wanted to celebrate the enormous contribution Indigenous performers have had on Austra-

lian cultural life.

“The Illawarra Folk Club has always sought to showcase Indigenous performers at our events and feel that this year’s ‘Voice’ feature will add a rich extra dimension to Folk by the Sea,” he says.

Folk By The Sea, September 22-24. For more information and to buy tickets visit folkbythesea.com.au

Light up your winter holidays Keeping kids busy

Ice skating on the water’s edge surrounded by light installations and roving entertainment is just part of what people can expect at the six-day Kiama Winter Festival over the July school holidays.

With a huge turnout at last year's Ignite Festival, the Kiama Winter Festival is returning with the authentic ice rink at its centre.

“The feedback from Ignite was super good in terms of the people that went along, the buzz that it created in town and the filling up of our hotels outside of our normal summer season,” Kiama Council Tourism and Events Manager Sally Bursell says. “It ticked all of our boxes, so we really wanted to do it again.”

This year, the event will be showcasing local flavour with ‘Eat Like a Local’ tents set up, which will rotate local food and beverage businesses.

“We have found in the past that when we’ve had food trucks come along to our events, it feels like we’re taking away from our local businesses, so we just wanted to make it as easy as possible for them to be involved,” Sally says.

Igloos will be set up by the water for people to shelter from the cold and enjoy their food.

For a taste of Aboriginal history, a ‘Taste the Dharawal’ tent will hold bush tucker and artifact talks with a live mural painting with Uncle Richard Campbell to kickstart the festival.

A new element this year will be the themed nights.

“Despite not having the $180,000 State Government funding this year, we were looking at how we could still make the event exciting,” Sally says.

Each night will have a distinct theme, like Freaky Friday, Superhero Saturday and Retro Sunday.

Music, food trucks and performances by Circus Wow will all suit the theme, with people encouraged to get dressed up.

There will also be a light show by RnR Production with an illuminated sculpture brought down from Vivid. And it wouldn’t be a festival without a bar; Henry Clive Caravan Bar will operate a bar featuring ‘warm drinks’ as well as the normal wines and beers.

Kiama Winter Festival have also teamed up with Stoic Brewing and have created their own Kiama Winter Brew pale ale.

It will all be happening on Old School Flat from 7 July. There has been a recent spike in tickets sales, so Sally

says to get your tickets now for the ice-skating rink.

“I would like everyone to invite their friends and family to Kiama for the school holidays so they can experience it because I don’t think we will have another opportunity to have an ice-skating rink right on the water again.

“This is your opportunity,” Sally says, who is looking forward to getting people out in winter past 6pm.

See kiamawinterfestival. squarespace.com for the full event program and tickets.

By Cassandra Zaucer

With school out for two weeks from 3 to 14 July, students will have a range of activities to choose from to fill their spare time.

Across the two weeks, Kiama Leisure Centre will host gymnastics, games and provide pool toys for children aged 5 to 12 years old.

Kiama and Gerringong Library are hosting a wide range of workshops including Sphero light painting, weaving and knitting, pompom beanie-making and LEGO building.

Kiama Library will also

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hold their own mini ‘LEGO Masters’ fit for the whole family with a LEGO Family Challenge Night on 12 July. For the sporty kind, SENTRAL Youth Services are holding a basketball, soccer and kickball competition for juniors (12-15) and seniors (16-24).

For further information, see library.kiama.nsw.gov. au/Events/Kids-events/Winter-school-holiday-activities or www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/ Council/News/Whats-onthese-Winter-school-holidays

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Kiama Council mid-year review

As we reach the middle of the calendar year and the end of the financial year, I wanted to update you on some of the critical work we at Kiama Council have done.

Since your current Councillors and I were elected for this term, Council has been subject to its fair share of scrutiny This is, in part, because we have been so transparent about what has come to light in terms of our financial situation.

We’ve been open with our community in sharing the issues Kiama Council is facing.

In February 2022, Council released a State of the Organisation Report, which identified various issues and challenges related to financial sustainability and resourcing.

In April 2022, the initial Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) was created, outlining actions to address the identified issues.

The NSW Audit Office raised concerns, leading the NSW Office of Local Government (OLG) to monitor Kiama Council’s progress.

In November 2022, the OLG issued a Performance Improvement Order (PIO) that incorporated key actions from the SIP Since then we have achieved a lot. We take this opportunity to update you - our community - on our progress.

Neil Reilly, Mayor of Kiama

Key actions from the SIP and PIO and other reports

Obtained accreditation for our Blue Haven aged care facility operations

Plan to address outstanding actions from Blue Haven accreditation report accepted by Aged Care Commission

Sold property holdings in Akuna Street, which has gone some way to restore reserves and working capital

Decided to divest our Blue Haven Bonaira property and aged care, residential, home care, and community transport operations (subject to the reclassification of the land)

Developing plans for liquidity, property, and cashflow improvements

Explored scenarios for the Blue Haven Terralong site and resolved to seek a dilapidation/asset report (and cost) along with options for Havilah Place and the Kiama Community Garden

Repaid $30m of our debt to TCorp for the Blue Haven Bonaira development and have negotiated a 2-year extension for the remaining $15m

Resolved to modernise municipal operations, review business units and services, and advance enterprise technology platforms

Completed 18 recommendations from the Forsyths forensic accounting assessment –April 2022 (at April 2023)

Completed three out of four recommendations from Forsyths Developer Contribution reserves review – April 2022 (at April 2023)

Completed 18 recommendations from the Hopwood Governance report

First Strategic Improvement Plan closed off (75 actions completed) and 12 outstanding actions moved to Strategic Improvement Plan 2

Events, projects and customer service

72 events held on Council reserves this financial year (including major events, charitable, not for profit, community school based and sporting events)

9 Capital Works projects completed (upgrades, refurbs, roads, crossings). Almost $10m spent on Capital Works projects for FY22-23

4 Strategic projects commenced

12 plans, projects or policies put on public exhibition

2 major coastal management plans progressed (Crown Lands Plan of Management, Coastal Management Plan)

17 Major events including returning favourites such as Kiama I Do, Kiama Rugby Sevens, Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival, and Gerringong SurfLife Festival

New events including the Sun Up Festival, Gerringong Kite Festival, Surfing NSW – Her Wave Teams Classic, Volleyball NSW Wind and Waves Festival, Wine Down Carols

100,000+ inbound emails per month (staff send 25,500 emails per month)

7,500 subscribers to our e-newsletters

2,000 phone calls per month to main Council number 90% of calls are answered within 60 seconds

450 customers per month visit our Customer Service desk

250 live views per Ordinary Council Meeting (plus 250 views of each recording)

2

2

meetings of the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC)

meetings of the Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee (ARIC)

ISJO Board meetings and monthly ISJO GM meetings (Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation)

Council Reports (February – May 2023)

144

Council Resolutions (February – May 2023)

Lifeguards take a well-earned break

As we pass the winter solstice our summer lifeguards are enjoying a well-earned break!

The 2022-23 patrol season report shows an increase in rescues even though we had less beach-goers.

Council’s 31 lifeguards operated 405 patrol days from September 2022 to April 2023, across our 7 patrolled beaches

Our 3 surf lifesaving clubs at Kiama Downs, Kiama, and Gerringong provided 216 volunteer patrol days at their respective beaches.

Seven Mile Beach remains our most patronised beach, experiencing a significant increase in visitors. Easts Beach also recorded an increase in use.

However, we had an overall 15.6 per cent drop in beach visitors (260,000), due to the resumption of international travel.

Despite this decrease, our lifeguards had to perform more preventative actions (6,658) and rescues (116).

Twelve rescues were conducted at South Bombo, a notorious black spot, with four people taken to hospital.

On a positive note the installation of the Emergency Response Beacon (ERB) at South Bombo Beach (others were also installed at Blowhole Point and Kendalls Beach), proved invaluable for these rescues.

The ERB intercom system was used by members of the public, allowing a quick response from lifeguards at North Bombo Beach and Surf Beach.

Our lifeguards were also able to resume their regular (pre-season) surf education awareness program (post-COVID) at our 5 primary schools in September.

This program teaches essential lessons regarding sun safety, water safety, rescue equipment and methods, first aid recognising dangerous surf conditions and the necessary surf skills needed to deal with them.

Dog owners taking their animals onto local beaches also kept our lifeguards busy, making up the vast majority of the 755 breaches of regulations on our beaches during the season: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/lifeguardreport2023

Bigger, better and greener

Our waste services team has taken delivery of a brandnew bin collection truck, which allows them to service more bins with a smaller carbon footprint.

The Dennis Eagle truck has already had the thumbs up from its driver Jim, who is enjoying the bigger capacity, which means fewer trips back and forth. The truck also has a low entry cab, meaning Jim not only doesn’t have to get in and out as often, but it’s easier on the body when he does.

The ‘Eagle’ can handle 22 cubic metres of waste and recycling, while its high efficiency engine complies with Euro VI emission standards. It even comes with a nifty deodorising system that sprays each bin automatically after it is emptied.

New waste calendars now available!

You can download your new waste calendar for 2023-2024: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Services/Waste-and-recycling/ Find-my-bin-collection-dates

School holiday program

Wondering what's on for your children these school holidays?

Kiama Leisure Centre has a range of activities to keep the kids entertained including the inflatable pool toy, gymnastics games and fun!

Join the fun at SENTRAL Youth Services with basketball, soccer and kick-ball competitions, Pride Day and the SENTRAL Sounds music gig.

Kiama and Gerringong Libraries have a smorgasboard of offerings, from Sphero light painting and popcorn beanie making to LEGO challenges and more!

Want more? Check out what’s happening via Destination Kiama’s July calendar, which has all sorts of events, activities, markets, workshops and more.

www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/winterholidays

Our summer lifeguard team was kept busy with rescues despite a drop in beach goers

Kiama Lions toast new guard

Kiama Lions Club held its annual dinner to celebrate the changing of the guard, as President Peter Scifleet handed the reins over to incoming President John Larkins.

The Club also presented awards to outstanding members for their contributions to the community over the past 12 months.

Mr Scifleet wasn’t shy about sharing his reasons for standing for the position a year ago: there wasn’t anyone else willing to take the reins. That issue has been amended over the past 12 months as President Larkins takes on the leadership role.

Mr Scifleet noted that membership numbers were sliding downward, but thanks to Secretary English, the club added nine new members in 2022-23.

The Changeover Dinner also celebrated some of the club member’s achievements throughout the year. Michael Fox was congratulated for his work running the club’s bottle & can collections and

ANZAC Day Dawn Service & March collection, all while building a home with his son.

Secretary Bobbie English was acknowledged for her hard work spent organising the club’s sessions running the Bunnings BBQs on weekends and for “stretching the regulations” to introduce music to each event. The club also thanked Damien Daiburra for donating ice to cool down drinks for each BBQ.

Mr Scifleet noted that membership numbers were sliding downward, but thanks to Secretary English, the club added nine new members in 2022-23.

Acclaim for Pines

Federal Minister for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has brought The Pines dairy farm in Kiama to national attention for their sustainable and regenerative practices.

The praise was broadcast in Federal Parliament when Fiona spoke on her support for the Labor Government’s Nature Repair Market Bill 2023.

story of The Pines, which was founded in 1854 and is now a family run microdairy operated by Kel and Mahlah Grey.

“They manage all facets of farming themselves, using organic, biodynamic, holistic and regenerative farming methods.

Next was Ron Micaleff, who was responsible for running the Driver Reviver stations and potentially saving hundreds of lives just by having a cuppa and a chat with passing motorists.

Lion Cheryl Moses was thanked for managing the Carers Cottage, which the club rents out to holiday makers, as well as managing Comedy for a Cause at the Kiama Leagues Club, which proved to be one of Kiama Lions Club’s most successful events throughout the year.

Finally, Mr Scifleet welcomed incoming President John Larkins: “I wish you and your board

Your Local Dental Team • Kiama

The Bill seeks to establish a Nature Repair Market, which aims to make it easier for businesses and organisations to invest in projects that protect and repair the natural environment.

The market will be overseen by the Clean Energy Regulator, an independent statutory authority, which will be able to issue tradable

Kel Grey

biodiversity certificates to Australian landholders.

The Minister shared the

“They place a huge emphasis on sustainability and enhancing the precious ecosystem of the farm, where the wellbeing of animals and the land is at the forefront of everything and regenerative farming practices ensure nothing from the farm goes to waste.”

By Brendon Foye

Less Councillors: Croxford

continued from p.1 same group.”

Councillor Croxford says he also considered reducing the number of Councillors from nine to five, but landed on seven because it strikes the right balance between efficiency and representation. Having seven Councillors would result in a ratio of 3,384 residents per Councillor, bringing it much closer in line with neighbouring Councils. He added

that five Councillors could streamline decision-making even further but could limit effective representation.

If the motion is successful and passes all regulatory hurdles, it won’t be until the 2028 local Government election that the Councillor headcount is reduced.

The motion first needs to be put to the public for a 42-day consultation. Any submissions the Council receives in that time will

help inform its debate.

Council must vote on a resolution 12 months before the next local Government election takes place, which is expected to be held 15 September 2024, in order to allow the NSW Election Commission time to provide the Kiama LGA with a referendum on the changes to Councillor numbers for that 2024 election.

Council is expected to vote on whether to approve the motion at its August Council meeting. If successful, Council will provide a summary of the motion as well as public consultation submissions to the NSW Minister for Local Government before being handed to the NSW Electoral Commission. If the referendum is approved, it will come into effect at the next local Government election, which will take place in 2028.

By Brendon Foye

Life’s sweet in a candy shop

Kiama Sweet Company owner Jennifer James is preparing to take her confectionary business on the road for the first time. Well, at least as far as the Kiama Winter Festival.

Her business is nearing its one-year anniversary in July 2023, so we caught up with Jennifer to discuss how the past 12 months have been.

“It’s been great, it’s been really well received by the community,” Jennifer told The Bugle.

The idea for Kiama Sweet Company actually came from Jennifer’s brother, who has run a similar business in regional Victoria for around 20 years.

“My brother has a store called the Echuca Heritage Sweet Store on the border of NSW. It’s much bigger than here but it’s still pretty much the same store.

“I wanted to replicate what he’s done here, so with his assistance, I opened it and tweaked it a little bit more

because the clients are a bit different.”

Jennifer says the main difference between her Kiama clients is the frequent visits from Sydneysiders who are harder to impress. She says she’s landed on the winning formula to keep locals and tourists happy though.

“What I wanted to do was really create something that wasn’t just a lolly store. We’ve got a range of Dutch Licorice, European Chocolate, a range of beautiful cordials from Beechworth in Victoria’s high country, so just something a bit different,” says Jennifer.

“Being a sweet company, we try to go into everything that’s sweet, although the Dutch licorice is pretty salty. We also have a range of gifts that go with those chocolates like tins filled with yummy things.”

Jennifer also prides herself on bringing snacks not just from around the world, but around Australia, to Kiama as well, including fudge from

Chilli Salt Prawns

Club Culinary Competition

Adelaide, chocolate from Victoria, and all the American imports a kid in a candy store dreams of.

Despite being a sweet-focused business, the proliferation of online food challenges involving spicy snacks has led Jennifer to diversify her supply into products attempting to innovate in the confectionery market.

“We’ve found that spicy has come around in recent years. So, there’s spicy Tarkis and that sort of thing, but there’s a Mexican range with sweet and spicy, so we have lollipops that are watermelon and mango with a chilli dipping powder.

As for why Jennifer chose Kiama to locate her business? She says the choice was easy.

“Spending the last 30 years in Sydney, I had always been coming to Kiama because I have a friend that lives nearby. I had left Sydney [after COVID lockdowns] and didn’t really want to go back into that space.

“I was really looking for that relaxed, beautiful town with good tourism and I don’t think you can get better than Kiama. It’s just a divine place to be.”

The Kiama Sweet Company is on Terralong Street, near the Collins Street roundabout.

By Brendon Foye

RECIPE BY: Courtney Roulston

SERVING SIZE: 2 – 4 people

INGREDIENTS:

1kg Coles fresh green/raw prawns (from the Deli)

• 600ml Cobram Estate olive oil to fry

• 1 egg white

• 1-2 cups potato starch

1 spring onion, thinly sliced

1 long red chilli, thinly sliced

1 small clove garlic, crushed

• Lemon cheeks to serve

• ½ bunch coriander leaves to serve

Celebrity chef Courtney Roulston made an exciting visit to Kiama Leagues Club in search of the best club meal in the State.

Courtney was treated to head chef Sarah Rebbeck’s slow cooked roasted lamb shank combined with a cauliflower puree, asparagus, jerusalem artichokes, jus and salsa verde.

It is part of Courtney and culinary icon Matt Moran’s tour across NSW for the Perfect Plate Awards, which are designed to showcase the quality and diversity of food on offer in clubs.

Courtney and Matt –ambassadors of the competition who both started their careers in clubs – will be sampling as many of the 160-plus competition dishes as possible.

“I want to see clubs utilise as much fresh, local produce as possible and plate up dishes that take them out of their comfort zone a little bit,” says Matt, who is excited to see what clubs submit.

“I know there is a plethora of talent in club kitchens and Perfect Plate is a fantastic way for chefs to demonstrate their skills and really impress the public.”

Courtney says club food has come a long way in the last 10 years.

“I think people are going to be blown away with the calibre of the dishes that clubs have entered in Perfect Plate this year,” she says.

The public are encouraged to take part in the annual awards by tasting their club’s Perfect Plate dish and rating it. Prizes are on offer for the

two diners who vote for the most dishes.

The 13 clubs that receive the highest average score for their dishes based on patron ratings will be crowned the winner of their respective region, with three state-wide winners announced in small, medium and large club categories.

The ‘Your Local Club Perfect Plate Awards’ are now in their third year, with a tofu dish taking out the top spot in the state-wide large club category last year, challenging the notion of what many would consider a typical club meal.

Vote before 9 July via perfectplate.com.au.

By Cassandra Zaucer

SALT AND PEPPER SEASONING:

• 1 teaspoons sea salt

½ teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns

• ½ teaspoon white pepper

• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• ¼ teaspoon Chinese 5 spice

METHOD :

To make the salt and pepper seasoning, combine all the ingredients in a mortar and pestle, grind until a fine powder.

Remove the heads from the

prawns and take out the intestine track.

Fill a large wok or pan 1/3 full with olive oil and heat to 170-180 degrees C.

Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks, then add the prawns to the egg. Using your hands, work the whites into all the prawns.

Gradually add in the potato starch, until the prawns look dry, shake off any excess flour and cook the prawns, in the hot oil. Using a slotted spoon, remove any small

pieces of batter that rise to the surface. Cook the prawns in batches for 2 minutes, or until just cooked. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on kitchen paper to drain. Drain the oil from the pan, reserving 1 tablespoon of oil, Place pan back over a high heat. Add the spring onion, chilli and garlic, toss to combine, then add the prawns, sprinkling over a little of the seasoning as you toss.

Serve with fresh lemon wedges and coriander leaves.

Terry Digger 0417 760 669 terry digger@ccfn com au

Abbey Murphy 0423 596 724 abbey murphy@ccfn com au

Terry Digger 0417 760 669 terry digger@ccfn com au

Abbey Murphy 0423 596 724 abbey murphy@ccfn com

TRAVEL

Get excited! Explora Journeys is set to transform ocean travel through a synergy of the chicest ships and the most immersive itineraries that allow guests to discover further, travel deeper and linger a little longer at each destination. These are enriching holidays for the curious, cosmopolitan traveller who wants to create connections that last long beyond the cruise itself.

Designed in partnership with the world’s foremost super yacht specialists and harnessing cutting-edge maritime technology, the first ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, Explora I, sets sail in July 2023, with Explora II setting sail in August 2024 and four more to follow by 2028.

Every intricate detail aboard exudes European elegance. The 461 suites, penthouses and residences - each with sweeping ocean views from their floor-to-

ceiling windows and private sun terraces - offer guests comfortable homes at sea, with unrivalled space and privacy.

The 27,000 sq feet of outdoor space includes three swimming pools and 64 private cabanas, plus an indoor pool with a retractable glass roof, and 9,700 sq feet for the spa and fitness studios ensuring guests can do as much (or as little) as they like. This includes a luxurious spa, indoor and outdoor wellness areas, contemporary fitness facilities in partnership with TechnoGym and outdoor Sports Court and Running Track

The culinary experiences promise something for every palate and provide the perfect scene for long, languorous lunches and vibrant evenings.

A celebration of global culinary talents, cultures, and passions, Explora I and Explora II will showcase

sophisticated and varied culinary experiences across six vibrant restaurants plus in-suite dining, as well as in five of the 12 bars and lounges onboard (eight indoor and four outdoor). Also a chef`s kitchen where guests can discover and enjoy diverse flavours from around the world - a truly unique culinary and beverage `journey of discovery`, inspired by the Ocean State of Mind.

Throughout the year, wine selections will reflect the regional areas where the ship sails, while offering favourite grape varietals.

Explora’s Ocean Wellness philosophy has been curated to assist the guests to reach the Ocean State of Mind; offering an array of highly effective, restorative experiences far removed from urban noise and the always-on digital culture. Sleep, relaxation, mindfulness, energy and immunity-boosting are addressed

Minnamurra Lions

holistically, producing a deep sense of physical and spiritual renewal enhanced by the revitalising influence of the sea.

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Travel Stories

Club changeover

As a bevy of service club change over dinners happen throughout the community, the Minnamurra Lions Club was no exception, celebrating outgoing president Gerard Kenny and the achievements of the club and welcoming in new president Lion Bill Lyon.

It was the 23rd Changeover dinner of the group, and was hosted by the Kiama Golf Club and presented by MC Denis Peynon.

The 2022-23 Lions year was busy for the club with the sale of the Minnamurra Scout hall premises and a

new website project managed by Phil Andersen. Phil was also the recipient of Lion of the Year Award. Included in the evening was a report of how funds raised were allocated.

Minnamurra Lions Club meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6.30pm ath Kiama Golf Club. For further information email minnamurra. nsw@lions.org.au or call 0408766533

by Belle Wood

Tennis Tales to tell Netball Success

who has been playing the sport – which he says saves him from exercises – for 70 years.

For Bruce, who was one of the founders of the Club in 2001, tennis has become his Tuesday morning ritual.

“I don’t go to church on Sunday, so I go to tennis on Tuesday,” he says.

Two Kiama Netball teams saw great success over the June long weekend competing in the Senior State Title Netball Championships, with one team claiming the title.

The under 17s team went through with one draw and no losses, and finished five points clear of the next team.

For four men at Kiama Tennis Club, the sport of tennis has been their devoted hobby for well over 50 years and despite being in their 80s, they continue to engage in weekly rallies.

Fortunately for Alan Hansell, Brian Keast, Bob Morgan and Bruce Ryan, there is no age limit for the sport.

Bob, who is President of the Club and ranked No.1 in men’s doubles for over 80s with Ulladulla local Herbie Chee, describes their weekly matches as their version of the Men’s Shed.

“There is a health benefit – it keeps us healthy, fit and engaged – but you also have a good group of people that you can talk to, and that’s the best benefit I get out of it,” says Bob, who still competes in Senior Competitions across Australia. Their matches may be less intense than what’s seen in the Australian Open, and according to Bryan, there are key differences between them and younger players.

“Most young people who play sport warm up and do things like that. We just roll out of bed, wander out and get on the court,” says Brian,

The Kiama Tennis Club, which began with one Tuesday morning group compiling of four people, now has 513 members and allocated times seven days a week for social women’s, men’s, mixed and junior tennis as well as competition tennis.

“We’re here to provide a service to our community and the more people who come down here, the better it is,” Bob says.

“We welcome everybody,” treasurer and member of 13 year’s, Alan says.

You can join online via kiamatennis.org.au or in the Club.

By Cassandra Zaucer

Motocross champ off to Romania

Kiama’s next motocross champion Jack Nunn is flying to Romania in July to compete in the 2023 World Junior Motocross Championships.

The 14-year-old recently placed second for the NSW and Australia titles, which qualified him to represent Australia in the 85cc category between 7th and 9th in Bucharest.

The Australian team will be led by professional coach Ross Beaton. CEO of Motocross Australia Peter Doyle congratulated Jack and all of the other riders chosen to represent Australia. “Do us proud and enjoy every moment. With Ross Beaton as Team Manager, I have no doubt that this team will excel.”

Even though Jack is part of the Australian team, riders compete in each event as individuals.

Jack won’t have to wait long for his next big race. The family will travel straight from Bucharest to Darwin to the Australian Junior Nationals, where Jack was recently selected to represent NSW.

Jack’s dad, Michael, says the family are very happy to be rewarded with the opportunity for Jack to compete on a global stage. He wants to thank everyone who has supported him on his journey.

Longtime supporters of Jack, BBR 102 motorsports team, have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help fund the trip. Including the cost of flights, accommodation,

bikes and other related expenses, the trip will cost approximately $25,000, which a small amount has already been covered for by Motorcycling Australia.

Anyone who would like to help Jack can contribute at https://www.gofundme. com/f/2023-world-junior-motocross-campaign

By Brendon Foye

The Kiama Netball Association under 17s team has returned from the competition in Newcastle as undefeated champions and were declared the Senior State Titles Winners in the 17 and Under Division 3.

The Titles consisted of five to seven shortened games played each day over the three-day event, with the winning team the first past the post.

Kiama’s 15yr team competed against a total of 18 teams in the Championships and finished in a credible 6th place.

President of the Kiama Netball Association, Rhonda Beedles, says she is very pleased with the efforts of both teams.

“I also want to congratulate both teams at being mentioned at the presentation as the runners up in the Suncorp Spirit Award.

“It’s a great reflection of

how all our players approach their netball when they take the court,” she says.

Their junior teams are set to take the court at the Netball NSW Junior State Titles on the 1 July weekend.

by Cassandra Zaucer

Lifesavers put to the test post COVID

Lifesavers in the Kiama LGA have been hard at work saving the lives of errant swimmers even as beach goers set their sights on international travel.

Kiama Council published a report detailing the efforts of volunteer and casual lifeguards patrolling seven beaches in the LGA between the September 2022 and April 2023 patrol season. While the number of beach visitors fell during the season from 304,000 to 260,000, rescues performed by surf lifesavers increased to 116, while preventative actions were taken 6,658 times.

Throughout the season, there were 31 casual lifeguards that operated 405 patrol days across the seven beaches, and another 216 volunteer patrol days from lifesaving clubs in Kiama Downs, Kiama and Gerringong.

The overall number of beach visitors fell by 15.6 per cent during the season, but Seven Mile Beach – the most patronised in the LGA – saw a significant increase in visitors, as well as Easts Beach.

Council says the decrease

is due to the normalisation of visitor volumes post COVID as more tourists opt for international travel over domestic.

There was one death, which occurred after patrol hours at Blowhole Point rock pool.

Council also praised the installation of the Emergency Response Beacon (ERB) at South Bombo Beach, a notorious black spot for patrolling. There were 12 rescues at South Bombo, four of which were taken to hospital.

In each of these instances, the ERB was used by the public to quickly communicate with lifeguards at North Bombo to deploy rescue crafts, proving the new system to be invaluable.

ERB systems were also

installed at Blowhole Point and Kendalls Beach.

Lifeguards were also able to resume their regular pre-season surf education awareness program for the first time since the pandemic.

The program ran in five primary schools in September, which teaches students how to stay safe in the sun and in the water, how to recognise dangerous conditions and the skills to deal with them.

The biggest offenders on Kiama’s beaches were dog owners, who were responsible for the vast majority of the 755 breaches identified on our beaches.

by Brendon Foye

Picture credit: Brian Scott

OUT AND ABOUT

A plucky group of swimmers, young and old, took to the waves at Surf Beach at this week’s Kiama Farmers’ Market to celebrate the shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice. This swim, and the nudie women’s swim at dawn on the morning of the Solstice, is a great tradition in Kiama – but only for those who don’t mind water temperatures of between 10 and 15. Post swim, toasted marshmallows were handed round to warm up these brave swimmers and their children.

Anna Tydd (left) and Trisha Ashelford, Marketing Manager at the Kiama Farmers’ Market, Tricia Ashelford

Wollongong Bluetits

Chill Swimmers Jenny Weyman (left) and Janet Hunter. The Bluetits are a worldwide group with 100,000 members

18 degrees felt like 11

Sara and Anthony Janelle Hamill

Solstice Swimmers were played out into the sea by Dan Challis www.danchallis.com

THE BUGLE CROSSWORD

Across 9 Fit (7)

10 Small long-tailed bird (3-4)

11 Claire Hooper, for example (5)

12 Misnamed fruit bat (6,3)

13 Utopian (7)

14 Some arts (7)

15 Sydney-born country singer (7,6)

20 At the start (5,2)

22 Flat-bottomed canal or harbour barge (7)

24 Coiner of “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” (9)

26 Register (5)

27 Mocked (7)

28 Developed over time (7)

Down

1 Clairvoyant (7)

2 Consternation (6)

3 Powerful (8)

4 Enforce pit discipline to achieve improvement (10)

New App Features

5 180-degree turn (4)

6 Disposable mobile phone (6)

7 Some wall art (8)

8 Banished (2,5)

14 Popular NSW National Park (5,5)

16 Bombastic monologue (8)

17 Enlisted (6,2)

18 Mass-to-volume ratio (7)

19 Musical introduction (7)

21 Like fresh bread (6)

23 Prosper (6)

25 Chucks in (4)

On Your Side.

I am your representative in the Australian Parliament. I can help with issues like Medicare, Centrelink, aged care and pensions, the NDIS, Veterans’ Affairs and community grants. I can also arrange special birthday and anniversary messages, and information for pensioners and seniors. You can contact me on 4423 1782.

Eyes over the years - part iii

Teenager vision

The teenage years are often when common vision problems first arise. Watch out for signs of changes in vision, such as squinting into the distance or complaints of sore, tired eyes or headaches when using screen-based equipment or doing homework.

I recommend eye exams every 1-3 years based on the individual. Other considerations: Teens are concerned with self-image, and sometimes won’t wear glasses. Contact lenses are a great option.

This generation of teens have dramatically different vision habits with much more screen time. Short breaks every 20 minutes, limiting optional screen time to 2 hours, and maintaining 2 hours of outdoor time are good ideas.

Teen sport gets rougher than younger kids, and eye injuries are more prevalent. Appropriate or protective eyewear can be needed. It is also a good age to discuss UV eye protection.

With the chilly months fast approaching, my wife Julie and I escaped north to Port Douglas to find the last glimmers of warmth.

After a three-hour flight, we found the sound as temperatures rose to 25 degrees, a much kinder experience than the blustering winds we’ve had back home.

We’re usually intrepid overseas travellers, but we still appreciate and enjoy the convenience of travelling in our own backyard.

On a previous trip up north, I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a cassowary in the wild, but Julie was yet to spot the elusive create.

On this trip, magic happened.

A beautiful cassowary started crossing the road right in

Kiama Science students overwhelmed by support

Hallie is shocked at the amount of people who have been supportive of their academic achievement and says – with a mixture of school, meetings and fundraising – she hasn’t had time to process her exciting journey yet.

front of us, not alone either; it was trailed by its little chicks following close behind.

Next was a day trip to Mossman River for snorkelling, which produced the highlight of the trip: a turtle popped up from out of the water right in front of us.

It’s such an amazing experience when something so wild and free joins you, even if just for a moment.

That afternoon saw us drift down the Mossman River on a specially built inflatable air bed, where we could lay back and watch the rainforest’s ceiling pass us by.

We’re back home now and fully recharged, but still missing the wonderful tropical north each day.

By Michael Foye, Kiama

Kiama High Students, Hallie Richmond and Sophie Yates, are overwhelmed by the amount of community support they have received to help get them to the prestigious London Youth Science Forum (LYSF).

The year 12 students will set off to London next month where they will join 500 others from around the world in attending lectures by high-profile scientists, including Nobel prize winners, and exploring some of the finest

research labs in the UK.

Hallie and Sophie’s fundraising efforts and help from the community have paid for their two-week program, raising up to $16,000.

“We have been overwhelmed with the amount of money that we have raised,” Sophie says.

“We’re so grateful, I feel like we can’t say enough. It’s just amazing for such a small community.”

They have received large amounts of money from local

businesses and organisations including Gerringong Rotary Club and Gerringong Lions Club, as well as Kiama Council, MP Gareth Ward and Fiona Phillips, who have donated $1,000 each.

Hallie and Sophie say they have received warm wishes from the community and want to thank everyone for their fundraising.

“People have become so invested and so willing to donate, it’s been so humbling,” Sophie says.

She is looking forward to using the Science Forum to narrow down her interests in health, science, biology and anatomy.

Sophie, who is interested in tackling a double degree of law and science with biology as a major, is keen to find out how she can enter into the science field in the most impactful way.

You can still donate to Hallie and Sophie via gofundme.com

By Cassandra Zaucer