The Bugle 28 Jan 2023

Housing land value increases 37.8%

The NSW Valuer General has released its land values for the South Coast as at 1 July 2022, which show an overall increase of 38.2 per cent for the year.

Land in the Kiama LGA has increased overall by 34.2 per cent, with residential land value increasing by 37.8 per cent over the year; commercial land increasing 14.7 per cent; industrial land 10.3 per cent; and rural land 16.9 per cent.

A list of typical residential land values in the Kiama LGA show the patchiness of the increases, with a property on Headland Drive, Gerroa, increasing by 104.2 per cent over the year, while another in Stafford Street, Gerroa, has a 14.9 per cent increase.

The new land values will be used by Revenue NSW to calculate land tax for the 2023 land tax year and will be used by Kiama Council to calculate the rates and charges for the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years. Land values are one factor used by councils to calculate rates.

Landholders will receive a Notice of Valuation showing their land value in coming weeks, giving them time to appeal before rates are calculated (see box).

The South Coast overview shows overall residential land increased by 38.3 per cent, with the largest increases experienced in Bega Valley (62.1 per cent) and Eurobodalla (61.3 per

cent), which come off much lower bases.

Commercial land values for the South Coast have also increased 32.6 per cent, again led by Bega Valley and Eurobodalla, with the summary by the Valuer General also noting commercial land increasing by 40.6 per cent in Wollongong.

The value of industrial land has been even stronger (40.1 per cent overall) with Shellharbour and Wollongong increasing by over 49 per cent.

The summary report for the Kiama LGA is available at: tinyurl.com/bdzcpzmu

Owners can look up the value of their land at: tinyurl.com/3n3bmhyc

What will this mean for rates?

The answer is complicated and as yet unknown.

The 2022 land values will be used to calculate Council’s rates and charges for the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years.

The current financial year is the last of the three years based on the 2018/9 valuations.

While our residential land value has gone up 115 per cent since then, this does not mean that Council rates will increase in tandem due

largely to the rate peg.

Last September, the State Government’s Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal set a 2023-24 rate peg for Kiama Council of 5.1 per cent.

Rate pegging means a council’s overall rates revenue cannot increase by more than the approved percentage increase.

The Office of Local Government’s website says that “if overall land values rise, councils may have to reduce

Australia Day Citizen Awards

or otherwise adjust the amount of rates levied per dollar so that total income does not grow by more than the approved percentage increase.”

Council staff will attend a workshop with the Valuer General of NSW in midFebruary on how land value changes will apply to properties in the LGA.

“Property prices and valuations have changed significantly in recent years. We continued p4

For the second year in a row, Kiama Council’s Australia Day Citizen, Young Citizen and Senior Citizen awards have all gone to women in our community.

With inclusion and diversity as a passion, Soul Fit Co’s exercise instructor and wellness coach, Korin Koutsomihalis, has been awarded Citizen of the Year for her

sincere involvement in, and contribution to, the wholistic health and wellbeing of our local community.

Working to break down the bias in what’s considered to be normal in fitness communities, Korin says, “Everyone should be able to move and do it together.

“There are so many people left behind because they feel

like they shouldn’t be moving. My passion is to move others, people of all ages and all backgrounds, and for them to have the best possible life, which for me is through moving your body.”

The Senior Citizen of the Year award has gone to the much loved member of Gerringong community,

WHAT’S ON

Kiama Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday

Surf Beach or Kiama Uniting Church, 3-6pm

SENTRAL’S Open Mic

Every Thursday for local youth

SENTRAL Cottages, 5-7pm

Kiama Show

27-28 January

Kiama Showground

Kiama Art Society

Annual Exhibition

til 29 January

Kiama Leagues Club

Photography Exhibition

30 January - 12 February

Fern St Gallery, G’gong

Treasure Chest Exhibition

til 1 February

Old Fire Station, 10-3pm

Seniors Festival

1-12 February (see right Death Café

Friday 3 February

Kiama Library, 3-5pm

Pics and Flicks: Full Time

Friday 3 February see right

Don’t Look Too Closely Exhibition

3-8 February

Old Fire Station, 10-3pm Werri Warrior

Wind & Waves Festival coming to Kendalls

The inaugural Wind & Waves Festival is coming to Kendalls Beach soon.

Organised by the company behind the Husky Triathlon Festival and other sports participation events, Elite Energy, it is hoped the new festival will become one of the iconic water-based events in Australia.

The weekend at Kendalls will include ocean swims, beach volleyball, beach netball and family fun activities.

Saturday will see 500m, 2km (from Easts Beach) and 4km (to Easts Beach and return) ocean swims taking place. Registration fees apply for participants.

Back on the sand, Volleyball NSW’s Beach Volleyball Tour will be in action, with NSW’s elite and developing athletes partnering up to put on an exciting show.

The weekend will also

introduce beach netball to Kiama, with locals encouraged to register an adult or youth team of 5 to 8 players to take part.

The weekend will include other fun for the whole family, with a sandcastle competition, food and music.

There will even be a free

one hour yoga class as the sun rises over the ocean on both days.

Saturday 11-12 February, Kendalls Beach

To register for a beach sport (fees apply) or yoga, go to windandwaves.com.au

Local Seniors Festival events

The program of local events for this year’s statewide Seniors Festival is now on Council’s website.

It includes:

• a free gelato from The Pines and a free Boomerang Bag at the Kiama Farmers’ Market

• Meals on Wheels lunch (at own cost)

• the annual trivia challenge for Shellharbour and Kiama residents

• First Nations Elders YarnUp – talking dementia

• Rock ‘n’ Roll Variety Dance organised by the Gerringong Rotary Club

• A Death Café at the Kia-

What’s On is compiled by Cassandra Zaucer.

If you have any events coming up, please contact her at cassandra@ thebuglenewspaper.com.au or 0491 686 975.

Items are published at the Editor’s discretion.

There’s more on

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.

ma Library

• Prime Time Seniors Lunch at the Kiama Anglican Church

• Canva basics workshop at Kiama Library

• Music, song and poetry at Gerringong and Kiama Libraries

• Alchemy Choir for people living with Dementia and their carers at the Uniting Church Kiama

• Free morning tea and bingo at the Joyce Wheatley Centre organised by HomeInstead

• What’s Next: panel question and answer session around death and dying at

the Anglican Church

• A range of free activities including aqua and health exercise programs at the Kiama Leisure Centre. More detail at www.kiama. nsw.gov.au

Pics & Flicks

Gerringong Pics & Flicks makes a welcome return with a modern French drama, Full Time, which won best director and best actress at the Venice Film Festival in 2021.

Friday 3 February, Gerringong Town Hall. Doors open 7.20 for 8pm start

Almost $500k for Gerry Emery upgrade

Woolworths starts redevelopment

Kiama will soon have to deal with the reality of there being only 60 car parks available on site at Kiama Village from February to December, down from the usual 200, as the redevelopment gets underway.

An extra change that will take some time to get used to is that, from 2 February, customers will no longer be able to access Kiama Village Shopping Centre via the Terralong Street roundabout.

construction work, only Woolworths, BWS and the pharmacy will continue to trade.

During that period, Woolworths is introducing a 60 minute limit for parking and will be ensuring its retail and construction team park offsite.

The Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, has announced a NSW Stronger Country Communities Fund grant of $466,000 towards the update of female and accessible clubhouse facilities at Gerringong’s Gerry Emery Oval. In making the announcement, Mr Ward congratulated club stalwart John Trevenar for his hard work and perseverance in getting this project across the line.

“This money is not a campaign promise,” Mr Ward said, “it’s money in the bank.

“I’m really pleased that the State Government could make this contribution and I now hope that the Federal Government will match it.”

Past President of the Gerringong Breakers Soccer Club, Javid Sadrnia, put in the grant application the minute approval for the Development Application was received from Council last year.

The money will go from the State Government directly to Kiama Council, who will administer the project, as part of $160 million distributed in Round 5 of the fund to 530 successful projects across regional NSW.

The cost of the whole proj-

Chamber appeals to Minister

ect is in the region of $1.3 million, and John is hoping that by end of January/early February Gerringong District All Sports Inc will have $600,000 plus.

“If all the locals pay $1 for a brick, we could raise thousands,” he says.

In addition, bidding closes on three items donated by sporting stars – an Australian Socceroos 2022 signed Qatar jersey, a surfboard owned and ridden by champion Sally Fitzgibbons and Mick Cronin’s 1983 match work NSW Blues State of Origin jersey – on 1 February at 7pm.

View and bid on the items in the Sports Memorabilia section of allbids.com.au

John started this project 20 months ago and says he intends to project manage it until it’s finished, all as a volunteer.

“I’m doing all this for my community,” he says.

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The Kiama & District Business Chamber has written to the Minister for Regional Roads, Sam Farraway, expressing its concerns about there being no end in sight for the repairs to Jamberoo Mountain Road.

It claims that businesses in Kiama, Jamberoo and Robertson are experiencing around a 40 per cent reduction in turnover, and that it is time to focus on an upgrade of the roads connecting the coast to the Highlands – Jamberoo Mountain Road and Macquarie Pass.

The Chamber asks for the State Government to assist Kiama Council to expedite repairs, giving clear timelines; calls for Jamberoo Mountain Road to be a State road; asks for compensation for affected businesses; and calls for scoping studies for the upgrade of the two roads to be made a priority.

A temporary vehicular entrance further west will provide access to the reduced parking area until May, when Stage 1 works are expected to be completed (see right). This will mean that many cars wishing to enter the complex will have to navigate the small Havilah Place roundabout, due to the median strip.

The existing pedestrian access will be maintained during the work, but the path fronting the site will be closed for safety reasons for the duration of the work.

With most retail tenancies having already vacated the centre, either temporarily or for good, Woolworths has installed site fences and hoardings around work site.

While the centre will be open throughout the

Workers and Village staff are being asked to use the Leisure Centre carpark during the entire construction period.

In a letter delivered to neighbouring properties, Woolworths is encouraging customers to consider shopping during off-peak times, walking whenever possible and utilising home delivery or Direct to Boot services available at its nearby stores.

Many will shop out of town.

While the changes listed above have required planning approvals rather than being matters for the Traffic Committee, Councillor Stuart Larkins, who sits on the Committee, says, “I’ll certainly be monitoring the traffic conditions in Kiama and always welcome people to contact me about Council issues including traffic and parking.”

Below: Constructing the new vehicular access

Stage 1: February to April

• works will be undertaken to build the new access road and the rear car park close to Meares Place

• customer vehicular access will be provided via a new access on Terralong Street

• safe pedestrian access into the store will be provided from Terralong Street via the existing pedestrian walkway; and from Meares Place via the existing stairs.

Stage 2: May to December

• works will be undertaken to build the new decked car park and the new Direct to Boot facility

• works within the supermarket will also take place, to allow expansion of the range and to provide a fresh new look

• the rear car park close to Meares Place will be open to the public for this Stage

• customer vehicular access will be provided via the existing roundabout

• safe pedestrian access into the store will be provided from Terralong Street via the new access road; and from Meares Place via the existing stairs.

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MP Gareth Ward congratulates John Trevenar, with Ian Morris, President of the Gerringong Breakers Soccer Club; Norm Boardman, technical director of the Breakers; David Young, Life Member of the Jets Cricket Club; and Dan Peade, Secretary of the Breakers in attendance

Girls’ quick action highlights rip danger

The quick action of seventeen year old twins Bea and Clara McDonald recently saved a visiting family after they were swept out to sea by a rip at South Bombo, and later that day Bea went out a second time to save someone else.

In the morning, immediately after noticing the man, woman and two children getting into trouble from their kitchen window, Bea rushed down to the beach to help with the rapidly escalating situation.

“They were all out in the rip and all yelling,” says Bea.

“I ran down in my clothes after grabbing my soft board to help, followed quickly by Clara.”

The man was at the base of the rip after being out to sea, and was sent into shore.

“I got the mum and the son to hold onto the board and

catch their breath, and then Clara and I took them in on our boards,” says Bea.

The other child managed to get in on their boogie board.

The lifeguard arrived then and organised an ambulance, which took the man to hospital. While it is the first time the girls have rescued someone at South Bombo, they have helped other people while working as surf instructors at The Farm.

“We’ve had to interrupt our lessons to get people out of rips a number of times,” says Bea.

After the morning incident, the girls have watched other people come close to getting swept out at South Bombo, and ten minutes after telling this to The Bugle, Bea had to go out again to save another man.

Bea says the issue is worse in small surf, as people un-

derestimate the danger.

“Because it is shallow, they willingly move to where it is deep, and then they look up and find they are out the back,” she says.

“It is the worst conditions in a way, because people don’t go out when the surf is

really big.”

South Bombo is notorious for its rip, and there are signs advising not to swim. Council has placed an emergency relay beacon there, and asks people to swim at the northern, patrolled end of the beach.

Council’s Chief Lifeguard, Craig Bowley, says, “The best thing to do if you get caught in a rip is to try not to panic, float and conserve your energy, rather than fighting against it.

“A rip will often take you out but then bring you back around to a sandbar or shallow area, from which you can return to shore or wait to be rescued.”

Lifeguards and surf life savers will be patrolling Kiama’s beaches seven days a week until 29 January.

After that, North Bombo, Easts Beach, Seven Mile Beach and Kendells will be patrolled by lifeguards on weekends in February.

Surf Beach will remain patrolled for seven days until 25 April, and Werri Beach on weekends and public holidays and during Term 1 school holidays.

What does it mean for rates?

from page 1 need to get the facts straight before we can begin to inform people how the changes will affect everyone,” said Interim Chief Operating Officer Joe Gaudiosi.

It is anticipated that Council will be able to provide estimates of the potential rate increases/decreases in March 2023.

“We will keep the community informed of the State Government changes when we know about it. Further communication will likely come out from us about this in March,” says Mr Gaudiosi.

Intergenerational gathering success

Blue Haven Terralong residents and children from Kiama Family Before/After School Care (Family OOSH) could not keep the smiles off their faces as they formed friendships with each other in Kiama’s Community Garden.

Aware of the positive benefits of intergenerational relationships, Sabrina Kelly, who runs Family OOSH, pushed for the two groups to get together last week ahead of the Seniors Festival. It follows a similar initiative last year by Kiama Public.

“One thing I found is a lot of these children come to care because their grandparents are interstate or overseas,” says Sabrina.

“They have really missed the opportunity to connect with older Australians and form friendships with people not of our own generation and I feel like that is a great loss.

“I wanted children to connect with them, make

friendships and see that older people have a lot to contribute.”

The two groups were partnered up to help to get to know each other, painting rocks and sitting around the table to eat sausages donated by Butcher’s Nook, fresh handpicked produce from the garden and dessert by Flower Water Salt.

One friendship was made between Zane and resident George Robertson whilst participating in rock painting together.

Zane says he enjoyed hearing about what the seniors used to do and learnt that George was once a ukulele player.

“It’s beautiful,” George said at the time.

“Zane here has been telling me all about different things – he plays the guitar and now I know he’s an artist.

“The children these days are out of this world and getting out amongst them is

Zane and George Robertson got on like a house on fire

a wonderful thing.”

President of the Community Garden, Joe Carter, says this is what the garden is all about.

“The Community Garden is about caring for people and the community and this is just an expression of that, getting the young and old together sharing experiences and broadening connections. It’s just wonderful for the garden itself and the people involved,” Joe says.

Blue Haven Manager of Community Services, Marianna Parish, says, “It was lovely to see the residents interacting with the younger generation and everyone working and laughing together.”

Sabrina hopes the event is not a one time thing but a regular get together.

by Cassandra Zaucer

People dangerously close to the rip (the flat water) at Bombo

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MV Signa labor of love powers ahead

Back in July, we reported on the MV Signa being craned out of Kiama Harbour for a passion project restoration. Here, owners John Hansen provides an update to what has become a community project.

A number of interested people have enquired about the whereabouts and progress on the MV SIGNA since her removal from Kiama Harbour on 19 July. She was relocated to dry stand at Albion Park and has undergone many changes since then. It was clear on initial inspection that there was a lot of work ahead to restore her to her former glory. The aim is to restore her as authenti-

cally as possible. A strategic plan of attack was undertaken starting with the clean out and removal from the harbour. Further preparation was carried out on site over many weeks.

It was obvious from the start that both the main and top decks were beyond repair, both motors needed replacing, the entire electrical wiring and plumbing needed redoing, restoration and or replacement of timbers, repainting, replacing kitchen, shower, toilet, bunks etc.

In collaboration with Rex Jones initially, and now boasting a team of seven dedicated volunteers, the refurbishment is way ahead of the predicted schedule. Progress to date:

• cleaned out and gutted throughout

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• both motors removed – to be repowered by Catepillar 3056 diesel motors that have been marinized, making them fit for purpose. The gearboxes are currently being overhauled in Sydney.

• the propellors and shafts are being repitched in Parramatta to give a cruising speed of 12.5 knots at 1800 RPM resulting in massive fuel savings

• the portholes, air scoops and lettering along with all other brass fittings are being rechromed in Sydney

• a shipwright was sourced to repair some timbers damaged in the move and has offered invaluable advice along the way

• the main deck was removed in November and replaced in December with 12 millimetre marine grade ply. New noggings replaced those rotted out. Fibre glassing of the deck will be carried out in January and February with composite teak decking applied prior to being returned to the water.

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• the top deck will hopefully

be rebuilt by mid-February following the replacement of roof spars due to excessive water damage. The fly deck has been removed and will be restored.

• the sanding of the teak and the coating of the boat timbers is ongoing. The livery will be exactly as the original colour scheme. In its lifetime, the hull has been painted blue, black and red. It will be the original white. Both Rex and I are truly thankful to our group of volunteers – there is no way this boat would have seen the water in coming years without them. We have a cabinet maker, a carpenter, electrician, spray painter, fitter and turner and three allrounders.

If there is a retired, active plumber looking for a project we would be happy to hear from you as we are at the plumbing design stage now.

The support of Craig Duren in offering and operating his crane truck to remove the motors and fly deck at no cost was greatly appreciated. Thank you to the people of Kiama for your interest – it has been enormous.

To clarify, the MV SIGNA will not return as a charter boat. It will be used by those who restored her, family and friends. The ultimate reward will be a return trip to Hobart, Tasmania for the International Timber Boat Show in 2025.

I look forward to providing another update as we move forward.

Australia Day recognition

from page 1

102 year old Bev Sherwood, who continues to be a role model and inspiration to many.

Age is simply just a number for Bev as coincidentally she is a regular in Korin’s studio and continues to be a colourful sight on her daily walks along Werri Beach with her dog. She also remains an active member in the community, participating in the Gerringong Christmas Parade, the Rotary Club and raising money for Camp Quality.

Seventeen year old Ava Snelling has been awarded Young Citizen of the Year for her passion and commitment to community sport.

Not only has Ava competed with Kiama Downs Netball Club and made six consecutive grand final appearances, she has also raised her hand multiple times to help as a coach and umpire.

“If you love your sport, you will do anything for it and that’s what I’ve done. I love to be involved and help out whenever I can,” Ava says. In long overdue recognition, Kiama Surf Life Saving Club’s Jet Rescue Boat has received the Community Group of the Year award. After 47 years of saving countless lives through patrolled actions and emergency callouts, the Boat was disbanded last year. It played a part in some of the region’s major rescues and was a massive help in providing bushfire support and flood relief.

Kiama’s 2023 Australia Day Ambassador and guest speaker was world superbike champion Warwick Nowland who, with his athletic and persistent nature, is a two time Endurance World Champion.

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Rex and Hoff rigging the starboard motor for removal

The boat when it arrived in Albion Park

The restoration team: Rex, Smokey, Rookie, Richard and Graham (Laurie absent)

Get ready for the Kells Kiama Sevens

Regional law firm Kells is putting its name to the Kiama Sevens this year, signing up as the new naming rights sponsor for the event.

“As local lawyers we are always looking for opportunities to be more involved in the community, and this is one of Kiama’s iconic events,” says the Partner Michael Hatfield, who lives in Kiama and runs the Kiama office.

“The Kells Kiama Sevens will continue the fifty year old tradition which has become a pathway to representing Australia in the Sevens, through the HSBC competition and the Olympics.”

Tournament Director

Mark Bryant says the event’s success is due to its established one day formula, with a minimum of three games leading to a knockout.

“Then there is the $36,000 in prize money plus trophies, and the attraction of visiting Kiama,” he says.

Nominations for the 32 mens teams and 16 womens teams were filled last November, with a dozen teams still hopefully on the waiting list. They will be converging on Kiama on 25 February.

“Randwick is back for the

first time in eight years, as their new coach Stephen Hoiles is involved with the Australian Sevens program,” says Mark.

“At the same time, due to other coaching/management changes in the other direction, Waringah is not playing for the first time in 40 years and West Harbour, which has won a number of times in recent years, isn’t playing.

“It has left some very disappointed players, but given opportunity to others.”

These include mens and womens teams from West Wylong and two teams from Victoria – Footscray

and Box Hill.

Ahead of the draw being done on 10 February, Mark says his early favourites are Manly, Gordon and Box Hill for the mens competition, with Burraneer (last year’s winners – made up of Southern District players whose club didn’t want to nominate a team), Sydney Uni and Norths for the womens competition.

Again this year, the men and women will receive equal prize money of $7000 for winning the main competition – the Kiama Sevens Cup

Men’s Table hits mark

and the Sebel Kiama Sevens Womens Vase.

Cleary Brothers has been a sponsor of the Kiama Sevens Cup since 2008.

“We’re polishing up the Cup for this year’s competition,” says Denise Ovens.

“It’s great to be involved in a local event that is appreciated by the broader rugby community. It really does Kiama proud.”

Other prizes are sponsored by Rhino Sporting Equipment (Mens Bowl), Gates Haulage & Resources (Mens Country Cup), Droppoint (Womens second division) and Carter Ferguson Solicitors (Womens Country Cup).

Other sponsors are: Kiama Inn, Kiama Council, Destination Kiama, Raine and Horne Kiama, Niche Building Services, Integrity New Homes, Edwards Constructions, Illawarra Toyota, Tiffen & Co, Kiama Leagues Club, Victor Sports and Kiama Bowling Club.

“There are still opportunities for other businesses to sponsor aspects of the event, including the Plate for the winner of the battle between third and fourth in the mens comp,” says Mark.

Men coming together once a month to listen, share and support each other at The Men’s Table is doing more than originally envisioned, with research showing a wider impact.

Over 80 per cent of men in The Men’s Table – a mental health initiative aimed to get men to open up about the issues they are facing –have experienced a positive ripple effect to relationships beyond their Table.

Local convenor Michael Collins says, “The research shows there’s not only a benefit to individual men, but it teaches them how to support each other and also support their wider relationships in the community and with their families.”

Men have also seen a reduction in using less useful approaches, such as bottling up feelings and dealing with issues alone; and increases in more useful approaches with 74 per cent of men more likely to reach out to someone after attending a Table.

However, Michael says their service has not led to people seeking professional help.

“People who go to Tables

aren’t looking for professional help, they’re looking for another kind of help. What we’re doing is we’re providing a niche that doesn’t exist in the health service system,” he says.

“It’s men serving men and it’s the fresh idea of not through charity but out of brotherhood.”

Beginning in 2011 with 12 men, there are now over 100 tables nationally, with two full tables in Kiama.

“If we have additional men wanting to join, we just start a new table,” Michael says.

To join or attend an entrée event – which allows men to experience what the Men’s Table is all about before committing to one –get in touch with Michael 0450 612 358. Details at www.themenstable.org

by Cassandra Zaucer

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Tournament Director Mark Bryant with Kell’s partner,

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Jamberoo’s role in the Huxley dynasty

Jamberoo’s connection with the one of the world’s most influential family of scientists has been highlighted in a new book, An Intimate History

of Evolution: The Story of the Huxley Family

Written by Alison Bashford, Laureate Professor of History at the University of New South Wales, the book has been described as a “masterful biography” and recommended as a book of the year by The Economist magazine.

Henrietta Heathorn, whose father operated a brewery at the Woodstock Mill near Jamberoo, met Thomas Henry Huxley in 1847, just four years after she arrived with her family from England.

Huxley was visiting from England with Charles Darwin. He met Henrietta at a ball in Sydney and proposed at 3am. Eight years later, in 1854 after he had established an income as Professor at the Royal Institution in London, they wed.

The two would “go on to found one of the great intellectual and scientific dynasties of their age”.

“The Huxley family through four generations profoundly shaped how we all see ourselves. In innumerable fields observing both nature and culture, they worked as scientists, novelists, mystics, filmmakers, poets and –perhaps above all – as public lecturers, educators and explainers,” the book reveals. In correspondence with Huxley and future letters to Darwin, it is obvious that Henrietta is an intellectual match to her husband.

Huxley called his wife ‘Frau Professorin’ as she combined the twin roles of wife and academic assistant. Huxley is credited with drawing the famous Ascent of Man diagram, which was intended to simply compare the skeletons of apes and humans, but unintentionally created a durable meme of supposed monkey-to-man progress.

In his book written in 2008 specifically about Nettie: The Evolution of Nettie Huxley 1825-1914, Martin Huxley Cooke writes: “TH Huxley sprang to prominence after the publication in 1859 of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species led to his famous exchange with the Bishop of

Health Destination

Pharmacy will remain open while Kiama Village shopping centre undergoes refurbishment

Oxford at the British Association. The argument generated so much emotion that one of the participants fainted, and Huxley soon became known as Darwin’s Bulldog.

“His views might appear to conflict, therefore, with Nettie’s Moravian upbringing [one of the oldest protestant denominations in Christianity], but the couple worked hard towards finding a compromise.

“Huxley coined the term agnostic to describe his position and was always open to debate and to new evidence. Nettie, too, allowed her own beliefs to evolve, abandoning the idea of original sin and exemplifying in her own life the ways in which a Christian reconciliation with the new ideas might work.”

Thomas and Henrietta’s grandson, Aldous Huxley, wrote the dystopian futuristic novel Brave New World in 1931 and his The Devils of Loudon was infamously adapted for film by Ken Russell in 1971 (The Devils).

Aldous’s brother, Sir Julian, was a legendary biologist, helped found UNESCO, won an Oscar for his natural history films and taught David Attenborough how to shoot TV documentaries.

Another younger brother, Andrew Huxley, became Master of Trinity College Cambridge, President of the Royal Society and won a Nobel Prize for understanding

the process of nerve electrical impulses that co-ordinate the central nervous system.

Stuart Richards, a member of the Kiama & District Historical Society, is currently doing some research and preparation work for a Heritage Display in Jamberoo (all based on being successful with grant funding).

He says there is more information regarding the Woodstock Mills in The History of the Illawarra and its Pioneers by Frank McCaffrey.

ABC Radio National journalist Robyn Williams, who lives in Gerroa, interviewed Alison Bashford about her book on The Science Show: It can be listened to here: www.abc.net. au/radionational/programs/ scienceshow/the-scienceshow/14101736

by Perrie Croshaw

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When I was a young boy, I questioned my parents about why was there a ‘Father’s Day’ and a ‘Mother’s Day’ yet no ‘Children’s Day’?

The stock, universal reply to every kid, from every parent with this question was ‘Every day is Children’s Day!’

When asked about why we have Australia Day on 26 January I give a similar answer... every day is Australia Day!

We celebrate that day, but I’d be happy to change it if it upsets some people, and who wouldn’t want that?

But it’s the day we use currently, and that’s kind of ironic because India shares that day too!

It’s ironic because we use it as the day the British put up the Union Flag here, and it’s the day they pulled it down

in India!

In the 1780’s, there was also lot of international intrigue about an American letter sent to the British about the French.

But for a couple of mishaps, Australia could have become a French colony.

So that instead of saying, ‘I’m Australian, not English!’, we’d say ‘Je suis Australien, pas Français!’

Anyways, I love it here every day. We’re living in the same land as the Earth’s oldest culture, where you get to vote and marry whoever you like and there’s Kookaburras.

I have seen, learned and lived in many other places, there’s nothing wrong with them, but here is better.

I’ve had extensive talks with local Aboriginal elder Aunty Gwenda, who is so gracious, and wants to acknowledge that the past holds good and bad, but it is for us all to create a better and more representative future.

We’ve agreed, in this area, to work on that as a team.

Here’s what’s doing on Aus-

tralia Day locally: Welcomes to Country, didge recitals, smoking ceremonies, traditional dancers, a yarning circle, flag flyovers, surf club barbecues, pool parties and a whole pile of other fun!

At our ceremony at Gerringong Town Hall we’re also welcoming 30 new citizens, presenting our local Australia Day citizens awards, while our guest speaker is World Superbike Champion Warwick Knowland.

Specifics can be found at: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/ Events/Australia-Day-2023

So here are the three actual points of what we’re doing and why:

• Reflect

• Respect

• Celebrate We reflect on our nation’s past, which began more than 75,000 years ago and respect the contributions of all Australians, and we celebrate our achievements by coming together and connecting with family, friends and the community.

And you know what? We really should do this every day.

Join other crafters in 2023

The Kiama Adult Creative Craft group is reconvening for 2023 with new members encouraged to join.

The weekly social group is for adults to get together and participate in a variety of crafts including knitting, crochet, candle wicking and more.

Organiser Jill Lambert says members enjoy being able to do craft and see their friends and says the affair has been a life saver for many.

“For a number of them, it is the only social connection they have and so it’s been very important, particularly over the last few years, for their wellbeing,” Jill says.

To join, simply tag along to their meetings at Kiama Uniting Church at 9 am every Monday during school terms, starting on 6 February. $5 fee which includes tea and biscuits. Bring own craft. by Cassandra Zaucer

Art Society exhibition winners

This year’s Kiama Art Exhibition, judged by prominent local artist Gary Laird, has seen Christine Gordon-Smith take out the overall award, with her striking landscape of the McDonnell Ranges.

Continuing with tradition, her painting will be bought by the Leagues Club to hang beside previous winning paintings – including some by Gary.

The prizes awarded at the opening night were:

Best in Show

1st Christine Gordon-Smith, McDonnell Ranges (right)

Sponsor: Kiama Leagues Club

2nd Cheryl Howlett, Please

Sponsor: Kiama Municipal Council

3rd Renate Fischer, Adrift

Sponsor: Illawarra Financial Group Landscape and Seascape

1st Ken Tucker, Headland

Hues

Sponsor: Bombo Curtains and Blinds

2nd Neville Connor, Cloud Shadow Along The Parramatta

Sponsor: Fern Street Gallery

3rd Helga Kelly, Erosion

Georges River

Sponsor: Framed By Us

Kiama Local Area

Sponsor: Kiama Municipal Council

1st Evelyne Smith, Dalmeny Circa 1895

2nd John Downton OAM, Mood of Nature

3rd Ken Tucker, Boneyard Abstract

1st Adrienne Conway, Portholes

Sponsor: Raine & Horne Kiama

Christine Waite, Solicitor

2nd Judi Goodwin, Flowing Chiffon

Sponsor: Kerry’s Klothes Kiama

3rd Helen Pain, Perpetual Motion

Sponsor: Alexander Art Supplies

Still Life

1st Sandra Gray, Zapped

Sponsor: Burnett’s on Barney

2nd Helen Pain, Lilies in

Pink

Sponsor: Kiama Health Destination

Pharmacy

3rd Jann Parkes, Resilience

Sponsor: Levers Art Supplies

Figurative/Portrait

1st Anke Bethke, See Ya!

Sponsor: Kiama Furniture One

2nd Janetta Lyon, G’lah Morning to You

Sponsor: Art House Direct, Nowra 3rd Geraldine Taylor, Golden Threads

Sponsor: CAAA Commercial Associates

Watercolour

1st Heidi Uhlig, End Of Summer

Sponsor: Big 4 Easts Beach 2nd Adrienne Conway, Citiscape

Sponsor: Kiama Air Conditioning 3rd Eva Illyes, Evening In Paris

Sponsor: Monique Field Real Estate Heather Netherclift Award Outstanding Contribution to KAS: Andrea Badi

The exhibition continues upstairs at the Kiama Leagues 10-5pm daily til Saturday 28 January, and finishes at 2pm on Sunday 29 January. All entries are for sale.

New sports projects awaiting a strategy

Kiama’s overarching sports body has welcomed the installation of a large amenities block and new cricket pitch at the Bombo Hill Reserve on Riverside Drive, while expressing concerns about the limbo new projects are in while Council’s first Open Spaces and Recreation Strategy is developed.

“Although Kiama Council has well known problems with its finances, it is still trying to upgrade the local sporting facilities as best it can,” says John Dawson, Secretary of the Kiama District Sports Association.

“Bombo has not been used to its full potential for many years, mainly due to the lack of amenities and the irregular cricket wicket configuration [three wickets were removed and a new one installed].

“It will now be better used by Kiama Oztag and Kiama Cricket for competition games, as well as Kiama Junior Football and Kiama Rugby Union for training.”

While commitment to new investment in other sporting fields and playgrounds awaits the production of Council’s Open Spaces and Recreation Strategy, which was due last December, the Council team continues to roll out work already in the pipeline.

The Strategy’s development now involves an extended community consultation phase ending in mid-February (see feedback sessions below).

Mayor Neil Reilly says, “Given the sheer number and variety of our parks and playgrounds, which hold different levels of importance for different people, we’ve ramped up our consultation.

“We’re seeking the thoughts of those in our community who use our parks and playgrounds, as well as the advice of those at Council who manage them.”

John’s concern is that in waiting for the Strategy to be completed, there currently aren’t any further ‘shovel ready’ sports ground projects in place to take advantage of any sporting grants that will become available this year.

The work at Bombo Hill was done using a grant Kiama Council applied for quite some time ago. This grant will also pay for a smaller amenities block at Chapman Reserve and to refurbish amenity blocks at James Oates Reserve and Gainsborough Oval.

“These projects will prove very important for the users of these fields. The ameni-

ties block at Chapman will be used by not only the lady softballers during the winter months but also the junior AFL players and supporters during winter, junior cricketers and supporters during summer and the many casual walkers who use the costal walking track from Surf Beach to Kendalls Beach,” John says.

Gainsborough Oval, which was flooded due to heavy rains, clogged drains and the fact that it is built on a retention basin, has now dried out and Kiama Council workers have started installing new drainage.

“With the support of the Kiama District Sports Association, Kiama Council applied to the State Government through its Sport Infrastructure Recovery Fund for a grant to pay for this work to clear the drains and to replace the cricket wicket,” John says.

However, once the drainage is improved and amenities block refurbished at Gainsborough Oval, money will have to be found for lighting at the field so it can be utilised to its full potential, says John. This cannot be applied for until the Strategy is completed.

“It is presently used by Kiama Oztag, along with Bombo and Gainsborough Chase Reserve, for its ever-growing competition during the summer months.

“Once the lights are upgraded, night Oztag and Cricket games could be played, and it would prove a welcome addition to the limited number of fields with lights for winter training.”

Given there is still a lot to be improved across the LGA, John welcomes the Strategy as a way of prioritising the projects in the future.

“Even though there are plans in progress to improve the amenities at Gerry Emery Oval in Gerringong, there is a much more crucial need to improve the amenities at the Kiama Sports Complex [in Havilah Place],” he says, noting that the users of this

Complex have been asked to wait patiently for Kiama Council to complete the Strategic Plan for outdoor recreation spaces and also a master plan for the Sports Complex precinct before anything can be done.

“Once these are endorsed by Kiama Council and concept designs plans are completed, it is hoped that the overused and aging amenities at the Complex can be replaced by facilities that will justify its place as the premier venue for sport in Kiama.”

The Strategy will cover all of the LGA’s sporting facilities, play facilities, parks and open spaces.

The following gives the various different methods to express your opinions about what is needed.

Pop-up consultation sessions:

South Werri Reserve

Monday 6 February 10-11am and 2.30-3.30pm Coronation Park, Kiama

Tuesday 7 February 10-11am and 2.30-3.30pm

James Oates Reserve, Minnamurra

Thursday 9 February 10-11am and 2.30-3.30pm Reid Park, Jamberoo

Friday 10 February 10-11am and 2.30-3.30pm

Community feedback sessions (registration required):

The Pavilion Kiama

Wednesday 8 February 10.30-11.30am and

Thursday 9 February 5.30-6.30pm). Register via the Your Say page of www.kiama.nsw.gov.au

Online survey or written submission: Closes 19 February.

Links at the Your Say page.

by Perrie Croshaw

FROM THE EDITOR Paper quality issues

Many people have commented to us about our paper quality, so I thought more of you would be wondering.

The reduction in quality down to the paper in this issue isn’t part of a cost saving exercise – there simply isn’t any white paper being produced in Australia at the moment.

Since the start, we had been using paper made in Victoria, but production has been suspended there indefinately due to a lack of timber supply.

This has been caused by the Supreme Court finding that VicForest broke the law by failing to adequately protect the yellow-bellied glider and the endangered greater gliders. Environmentalists say the greater gliders have gone from common to endanged in six years.

Our printer Spotpress, which prints most of the independent newspapers in NSW, is currently trying to obtain supply from overseas, but no timeframe has yet been established.

Of course the bigger issue is whether we should continue printing at all, given our ability to distribute news more efficiently and comprehensively on The Bugle App and the environmental and benefits of not using paper.

However. we are also aware of research done by RMIT and others that shows many in the community still prefer to read their local paper in print.

That is why we will continue to print our paper, as well as reporting online. You choose!

KDSA’s John Dawson by the new facilities at Bombo Hill Reserve

At the Art Society Exhibition opening

See out report on the winning entries on page 12.

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Eva Illyes, Genny Maliphant and Julia Walsh

Julie Wardell with Ruby and Steve Marriott

Di Curtin and Lexi Watts in front of the Lexi’s drawings

Eve Smith of Culburra’s painting of Dalmeny House (top) won the Local Area prize

Left: Mayor Neil Reilly with 2nd Overall winner, Cheryl Howlett

Alan Blake and Bob Skuza

Heidi Uhlig and Linda Simpson

Anke Bethke accepting an award from Kerry Bruce

THE BUGLE CROSSWORD

ABC TV

43. Electricity.... supply or use simultaneously three separate alternating currents of the same voltage, but with phases differing by a third of a period (5,5)

44. 93 year old moonwalker who just remarried

45. 36 inches

DOWN

1. Waxy substance found in your blood

2. Woollen head covering

3. Rough fight

4. The smallest part of a substance that cannot be broken down chemically

5. New NZ PM

8. Last name of woman who presents ABC 7.30 report

9. Name of Prince Harry’s book

11. Heart physician

14. Pastry enclosed food

16. Direction in which hands of an analogue watch move

17. Lunar New Year. Chinese Year of the ------

by the late Judith Durham

ACROSS

6. Thin strip of material used to align parts

7. Premier in a Nazi outfit

10. Aust. Foreign Minister (5,4)

12. American electric car

13. Rear engined auto model manufactured by Rootes/ Hillman group in UK

15. Boy who drives in a fast aggressive manner

18. United Arab Emirates (1,1,1)

19. Sitting member for Kiama

20. Aust folk music group led

22. NSW public transport card

23. Tropical woody grass

24. Which animals go out with Englishmen into the Midday Sun (3,4)

27. Greens candidate for Kiama

28. Boxing term Technical Knock Out (1,1,1)

29. Which country celebrates Republic Day on 26th January

31. Lacking the ability or strength to move. Chemically inactive.

32. Birds small soft feathers

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.

33. Number of Liberal Party candidates standing for Kiama at the time of printing

34. NSW Opposition leader

35. Measure of rum

36. Food. Lavae of an insect/ beetle.

38. Lots of homes in Gerroa have water ----- of Seven Mile Beach

40. How many seats in the NSW Lower House of Parliament (6,5)

41. Domestic airline merged with QANTAS

42. Program shown at 7pm on

18. North coast town or bay where whaling station produced 10,000 tons of whale oil between 1954 and 1962

21. A long and distinct period of history

23. First nation original name for Mr Ayers’ rock

24. Judicial official who hears minor cases

25. Electric current that always flows in the same direction

26. Writer/singer of The Pub with No Beer (4,4)

30. Labor candidate for Kiama

32. Verse or words that are badly written or expressed

36. What color is the new NZ

PM’s hair

37. Which number is the new King Charles

38. DCI Stanhope’s first name and title of on ABC crime show on Sunday night.

Interrupted for three hours by the announcement of Prince Phillip’s passing

39. An underground conduit for carrying off drainage water and waste matter

40. When one gets something completely right one can be said to have hit the ---- on the head

Crossword compiled by Steve Law. Correspondence welcome to crossword@ thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Everyone knows sunglasses with good side protection are important, but why? Part i.

UV light can damage many structures inside the eye, including the macula. We know that light hitting our eye from the side can cause changes on the surface of the eye like pterygium and pinguecula. Pterygium A pterygium (teh-RIJ-eeum) is an elevated, wedged-shaped growth on the scleral conjunctiva that invades the cornea. Pterygia are benign (non-cancerous) growths. Many people with pterygia do not experience symptoms or need treatment. Some pterygia may become red and swollen on occasion, and some may become large or thick. This may cause concern about appearance or create a feeling of having a foreign body in the eye. Large and advanced pterygia can actually cause distortion of the surface of the cornea and affect vision. Treatment depends on the pterygium’s size and the symptoms it causes. If a pterygium is small but becomes inflamed, your optometrist or doctor may prescribe lubricants or possibly a mild steroid eye drop to reduce swelling and redness. In some cases, surgical removal of the pterygium by an eye surgeon is necessary.

Next time I’ll explain what pinguecula is but in the meanwhile give some thought to whether your sunglasses offer you the best protection.

Jean Anderson

POSTCARD HOME

Antarctica has long been out of reach for many travellers, yet sits icily sits on bucket lists.

Whilst not a holiday destination, Antarctica has so much to offer the adventurous and those genuinely interested in the rich history of its exploration and research, its breathtaking landscapes and abundance of well acclimatised sea and wildlife.

It was an easy decision for my wife, Judy, and I and our good friends Ray and Vicki from WA, to embark on an epic adventure last November to see the Antarctic Peninsula and tick the seventh continent.

Our journey took us to Buenos-Aires via Santiago and then on to Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina, where we joined our discovery ship, the Scenic Eclipse.

It was very well equipped to provide passengers with the very best opportunities to sample all there was to see and do in polar regions.

The onboard discovery team consisted of around 20 enthusiastic and passionate scientific experts ranging across marine biology, geology, volcanology, glaciology and naturalists.

Each day whilst navigating the waters of the Antarctic Peninsula we visited at least two destinations, experiencing sightseeing excursions by zodiac to historic sites, sea kayaking and SUP tours,

as well as opportunities to witness this wonderful white continent from the air. Some of the real highlights were the interactions we had with the wildlife.

Our first day encounter with an inquisitive Emperor penguin at Snow Hill Island was an unexpected surprise. A variety of seabirds, seals, whales and penguins, such as the Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo also call this home. We watched spellbound as Gentoo penguins formed rafts and fished for krill at very close range to our zodiac.

The visit to Deception Bay, the caldera of a still active volcano, heightened our senses with steam and the mild stench of sulphur emanating from the black gravel beaches, eerily wisping along

the windswept shoreline with the backdrop of a derelict and abandoned whaling station; a stark reminder of a cruel past.

We were mesmerised by ancient translucent icebergs at Cierva Cove and the ground shaking thud of calving glaciers at Mikkelsen Harbour.

Over 70 of the 179 passengers braved the minus 0.5 Celsius water temperature for a polar plunge at Flanders Bay and on our last day I was very fortunate to SUP in very close proximity to a spouting Humpback Whale at Portal Point.

During transits and in the evenings individual members of the Discovery Team provided highly informative

Lifeguards to battle it out

Council lifeguards from around our region will be showing off their skills in a battle of the lifeguards relay race at Surf Beach next week.

Kiama lifeguard, Blair Day, has organised the Lifeguard Challenge between the four councils – Kiama, Shellharbour, Wollongong and Shoalhaven – and is expecting up to 60 lifeguards to team up and go head-to-head.

tube swimmers and a nipper board paddler.

Blair, who learnt his first surf skills as a Kiama nipper, hopes the event will become an annual affair and grow to become the South Coast’s version of the annual Bondi lifeguard relay.

aboard.

I would be remiss not to mention the Drake Passage, a two-day crossing between Ushuaia and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Known colloquially as either the ‘Drake Lake’ or the ‘Drake Shake’, conditions can be a lottery and we experienced six metre plus swells on our homeward bound leg.

While we have the fantastic still and video imagery that I captured, but nothing can do justice to actually witnessing firsthand the raw and natural beauty that is Antarctica.

“We just want to encourage a fun, friendly competition in a way that will to attest our skills, and nowhere better to stage it than Surf Beach,” Blair says.

The relay will see the lifeguard teams compete against each other in five legs. There will be a runner, swimmer, board paddler, two

“It would be good if we could get this going down here as our own Illawarra/ South Coast Challenge because I know the talent down here is just as strong as the guys on television up there,” he says.

“If anyone is around, come sit up on the grass and watch some fit people go around. It will be pretty exciting.”

Thursday 2 February, Surf Beach, 6pm by Cassandra Zaucer

Blair with Brendan Smith and a trophy he is recycling for the event