The Bugle Newspaper August 12

Graced by Garrett

Kiama’s upcoming ‘Clearly Music, Art & Wellness Festival’ has announced a major coup with Australian music legend and Midnight Oil lead singer Peter Garrett joining the lineup.

Garrett will be the keynote speaker for the festival’s Clearer Workshop event on 10 November before performing songs from his solo discography with his band, The Alter Egos, the following night at Kiama Showground on 11 November.

Festival co-founder Dom Furber was thrilled to announce Garrett to the lineup, saying his dedication to environmental causes aligned perfectly with the spirit of the festival.

"From my early days in Gerringong, I have fond memories of my dad blasting Midnight Oil's incredible music, and I’m still blasting the incredibly important (not just catchy) records today,” Furber added.

Garrett himself is keen to get back on stage, having recently played his final run of shows with Midnight Oil.

“I’m raring to play again; to talk, sing, perform and connect and The Clearly Music Festival is shaping up as the paramount

AFFORDABLE HOUSING REALLY ON THE WAY?

Continued P3

by Donna Portland Kiama Council has welcomed the release of the Advocacy Campaign Report by Business Illawarra to accelerate housing supply in the Illawarra Shoalhaven. In partnership with key regional stakeholders, Business Illawarra have released this major report outlining solutions to the affordable housing crisis affecting key

workers in the region.

“There is a role for each level of government, the property sector, Community Housing Providers, major employers, peak bodies and the wider community in supporting the development of new affordable housing – and being innovative in how we do it,” said Adam Zarth, Executive Director of Business Illawarra.

experience where that can happen,” said Garrett.

Garrett is known as much for than just the frontman of legendary Australian rock band Midnight Oil, whose enduring music catalogue includes songs like ‘Beds Are Burning,’ ‘Power and the Passion,’ and ‘Blue Sky Mine’.

A lifelong champion of environmental issues, Garrett’s keynote speech will discuss ways to tackle the looming climate crisis, and how artists, audience and society at large can embrace sustainability as the country transitions away from fossil fuels towards clean energy.

Garrett has earned numerous accolades for his environmental advocacy. He was admitted as a member of the Order of Australia for his work in the music industry and environmental advocacy. He served as president of the Australian Conservation Foundation for ten years before becoming a politician in the Federal Labor Party between 2004 and 2013.

During his time in politics, Garrett served as Minister for the Environment between 2007 and 2010, where he instigated a

successful International Court of Justice case to stop Japan’s whaling industry. He was then appointed as Minister for School Education, where he legislated for a new needs-based funding system for Australian schools.

Garrett continues to champion social justice issues, including finding ways to combat the climate crisis, and campaigning to establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

We know Kiama residents and festival goers will have a hard time staying away from the dance floor once Peter Garrett and The Alter Egos hit the stage at the Kiama Showground on 11 November!

Clearly Music, Arts and Wellness Festival will feature live music, art exhibitions, market stalls, amusement rides and more. Already announced artists include iconic singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd, ARIA-nominated surf and garage rock trio Skeggs, and critically acclaimed singer-songwriters Ruby Fields and Gretta Ray. by Brendon

Foye

KIAMA FARMERS’ MARKET

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

SENTRAL’S OPEN MIC

Every Thursday SENTRAL Youth Cottages, 5-7pm

ROBYN SHARP OPEN GALLERY

First weekend of every month

Cedar Ridge Studio, Foxground, by appointment

THE BERRY BOWLING CLUB MARKETS

Second Saturday of the month, 9-2pm

GERRINGONG ROTARY MARKETS

Third Saturday each month

Town Hall, 8.30-1.30pm

KIAMA SEASIDE MARKETS

Third Sunday each month

Black Beach, 9-3pm

JAMBROO VILLAGE MARKETS

Last Sunday each month

Reid Park, Jamberoo, 9-2pm THE MUSIC MAKERS

13th Annual Creative Performance Evening

Tuesday 15 August

The Pavillion 6 – 10 pm

KIAMA ART SOCIETY

Through to 16 August

Exhibition of arts and cards

Jamberoo Music Festival

Jamberoo School of Arts

6 – 13 August

DOGS IN THE PARK

Berry Showground

Sunday 13 August

9 am – 1:30 pm

NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK

Drop in screening of SCINEMA

Gerringong Library

Friday 18 August

ILLAWARRA CLEAN ENERGY SUMMIT & EXPO

Monday 14 August 9 am

BUSINESS BOOTCAMP

The Hill, Gerringong

Friday 18 August 9:30 am

SHORT FILMS: KIAMA

Kiama Library Auditorium

Saturday 19 August 2 pm

JEANS FOR GENES

Gerringong Town Hall

Sunday 20 August

FABRIC SWAP

The Pavillion

Wednesday 23 August 2:30 pm

KIAMA COMMUNITY RADIO

Celebrating 3 Years

Friday 25 August

Kiama Leagues Club

ILLAWARRA CLEAN ENERGY SUMMIT & EXPO

You’re invited to attend The Illawarra Clean Energy Summit and Expo hosted by Business Illawarra on Monday, August 14, 2023 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

The summit will feature special guests, The Hon. Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and The Hon. Paul Scully, Minister for Planning and Public Space.

It’s a crucial opportunity for the business community in the Illawarra to learn about the

region’s future in renewable energy generation, transmission, storage, and export from industry and government leaders.

The National Net Zero Authority’s announcement and the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone’s potential offer a significant opportunity for local industry and investors.

Engaging with the federal and state government is essential for the region’s growth and success.

MY KIND OF TOWN : KIAMA

Join the Kiama Historical Society for an exciting event featuring a series of short films showcasing the Kiama Area. Malcolm Bedford, a dedicated Life Member and Volunteer, will present the films, including one filmed in Kiama during the 1940s. The event will also feature a film on Kiama quarrying, excerpts from the BBC

DOGS IN THE PARK

The Dogs in the Park NSW is a non-profit organisation that strives to promote responsible pet ownership and support local communities by raising awareness and organising fun-filled dog events.

They aim to create engaging activities celebrating the bond between humans and their furry companions.

In their upcoming day, they’ll bring pawrific fun to the South Coast by transforming Berry Showground into a pawsome day out for dog lovers and their furry friends.

The day will feature various dog competitions and awards, such as cutest puppy, cutest dog, and fancy dress. Additionally, there will be lick mats and a ball pit filled with hidden treats to keep the dogs entertained.

By Steven White

Sunday 13 August 9 am – 1:30 pm

TV Coast Series filmed in Kiama by Neil Oliver in 2017, and some ABC short films on Bombo. This fun afternoon is sure to entertain and inform, while also bringing back fond memories of Kiama's rich history. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to learn about the area's past!

by Steven White

News team: 0412 415 101 news@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Advertising: 0428 662 499 advertising@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Office 2, Edessa Arcade, 88-90 Terralong St, Kiama

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, but we are Published by: Regional Media Group

KLC CULINARY AWARDS WIN

BUGLE VIEW AFFORDABILITY CRISIS

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out Kiama is in the middle of a housing affordability crisis.

But the problem in our part of the world is now so bad, according to new research, that you may need to be a rocket scientist just to afford the rent.

Business Illawarra’s Solutions to the Affordable Housing Crisis report – covered by The Bugle’s Donna Portlandshows more than 20,000 essential workers across the Illawarra Shoalhaven region are experiencing housing stress.

In other words, the people that make our community tick – like nurses, labourers, and Aged Care workers – are finding it the hardest to keep a roof over their head.

for families that we fix it, it’s important for small businesses too.

Businesses Illawarra’s report also found 93 per cent of businesses across the region are worried about worker shortages, and 43 per cent of them see “an underlying lack of affordable housing” as the cause.

Of course, much of this won’t come as a surprise to The Bugle’s readership – it is more confirmation than revelation. The important question is: what do we do about it?

A HUGE congratulations to Kiama Leagues Club win in the NSW ‘Your Local Club Perfect Plate Awards’.

These awards celebrate the incredible variety and quality of food available in local clubs!

The public’s votes were counted and the winners of the 2023 Your Local Club

advocated the merit of elastic waisted pants whilst tasting dishes at multiple clubs in a day!

The three state-wide winners (small, medium and large clubs) and 13 regional winners were announced at the Perfect Plate Awards Night held at Norths Cammeray and the Kiama

the competing chefs and taste their creations!

“I was so impressed with the quality of the Perfect Plate dishes, and as someone who started their own career in a Western Sydney club, it was fantastic to see so many passionate — and in many cases very young — chefs honing their craft in their local club and expressing themselves through their cooking,” he said.

Courtney, who began her career at Putney “bowlo”, equally enjoyed her culinary tour of NSW clubs.

“Club food has come such a long way in the last decade. They still serve up traditional Sunday roasts and the like, but they offer so much more now, from hand-made pastas and dumplings to fresh, locally caught seafood that’s perfectly grilled,” she said.

Courtney said that the Kiama kitchen team really knows their customers and cater to their wants. We are so privileged to have chefs with such passion in our area! Pop into the Club sometime soon to congratulate Sarah and the team!

by Belle Wood

Consider this hypothetical case study included the Judith Stubbs & Associates research which fed into Business Illawarra’s report:

“A child care worker wanting to move out of Sydney to take up a job in Kiama, and earning $772 per week could pay $231 in rent, and could not afford to rent a one-bedroom unit in the cheapest part of the region. They would pay more than half their income to rent a one bedroom unit in Kiama ($400), noting that these are in very short supply”.

It's the Bugle’s View that this is unacceptable, unsustainable, and unfair – and it needs fixing.

It’s not just important

Business Illawarra makes a few common-sense suggestions like identifying more vacant government-owned land for development, expedite approvals for affordable housing developments, and consider upto-date shortfall figures in regional housing targets. They’ve also launched a new campaign to accelerate housing supply, which most people agree is a big part of addressing the crisis.

Perhaps most valuable though is their call for all stakeholders – all levels of government, industry, and community – to act on solutions within their control.

As always, The Bugle supports having a broader public conversation about making Kiama the best place to live, work, and raise a family, but the best way to fix this problem is to get shovels in the ground.

Perfect Plate Awards have been revealed.

Kiama Leagues Club scored the top award in the ‘medium club’ category with their hearty Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder with Cauliflower Puree. A creation by Sarah Rebbeck, the head chef that was destined to win!

Club locals were introduced to the meal over the period of the competition and the club was visited by the celebrity chef Courtney Roulston in the tour across NSW on the quest for the perfect plate. Courtney

Leagues Hospitality team were in attendance to receive their awards.

From Broken Hill toBatemans Bay, 174 eateries from 146 clubs right across NSW created a special competition dish for their menu, with members and patrons invited to score the meals out of five and cast their votes.

An estimated 80,000 Perfect Plate dishes were purchased by diners, with the competition’s ambassadors — celebrity chefs Matt Moran and Courtney Roulston — visiting nearly 50 participating clubs to meet

“I was surprised with how many seafood dishes and vegetarian options clubs had on offer too — there really is something for everyone on the menu at their local club these days! It is great to see all the clubs get together at the awards evening – there was such good camaraderie and they were all in if for the same reason to show off their food. It was such a great, friendly vibe.”

Sarah has been working at the Leagues club for the past five years. It started with a casual lunch with her mum there at the venue and morphed into her current role.

Sarah is widely travelled and previously had a restaurant in Berry prior to being in Kiama. She comes from a long apprenticeship in her craft and has loved living and working in her hometown –she was in total shock at the win when the Bugle saw her the day after.

Courtney sampling the winning dishthe winning dish

ZapMap

After suffering a cardiac arrest in Jamberoo on Thursday evening and being revived with a nearby defibrillator David Toohey is a man on a mission.

He has pointed out to the Bugle that very few locals know where the defibrillators in the Kiama LGA are, and in fact most are locked inside after business hours.

Only a very few of them are accessible 24 hours and the locations are not well known.

David said he was lucky the one used on him was in a box accessible 24 hours a day.

He still has not connected with the locals who all pitched in with true community spirit to revive him.

David Toohey, President of Kiama Community Radio is on a mission to make sure more defibrillators are available and more locals can access them, and bothe the defibrillators and signs are in outside locations and know

how to operate them in an emergency.

He said he will be meeting with Member for Kiama Gareth Ward later in the week to see what can be done.

David will be talking about his experience on Kiama Community Radio on Tuesday 8 am 1 September .

The Kiama Rotary Club has already donated a defibrillator for the Sebel Harbourside carpark entrance off Shoalhaven Street which was installed in September last year.

This was an initiative of Rotary member Graham Tweedie who has been revived twice with defibrillators.

The defibrillator sits in clear view of School Flat park where many markets and events are held locally.

David would like the sign indicating its a defibrillator location be more prominent and move outside so people can find it easily when urgent-

TRAVEL CARD AXED

ly needed.

Peter from next door Penny Whistlers Cafe said he was not aware himself or for his staff that the defibrillator has even been removed and deployed.

A number of local initiatives are already happening with Chris Beaven speaking to the Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers Association on 1 August on the Heart of the Nation project.

David Arakie of Shoalhaven Superheroes told the Bugle they doanted 3 defibrillators at the Shoalhaven Community Centre in August

The Bugle has a map on the app showing where defibrillators are currently available around Kiama, Gerringong and Jamberoo.

The Bugle will update and look forward to adding manu more defibrillators to our defibrillators KIAMA ZAP MAP which can be found on our APP. Please download from the QR code on our front page.

by Mark Whalan

The NSW Labor Government has axed the Regional Seniors Travel Card in favour of cheaper petrol for seniors, but there is a major caveat for residents of the Kiama LGA.

The Regional Seniors Travel Card, which gave seniors $250 each year to spend on public transport, stopped accepting applications in July 2023 following reports that funds could be spent on products and services other than transport.

In its wake, United Petroleum has introduced a new scheme offering a 4-cent-perlitre discount from participating service stations. These cards can be used once per day on a maximum of 150 litres.

This would be welcome news for Kiama’s senior residents if we actually had any United Petroleum stations in the LGA. The closest United Petroleum stations are located in Nowra and Windang.

NSW Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said the new scheme was designed to give seniors the best benefits and discounts possible.

“This brand new discount has been added to the wealth of Seniors Card savings to

help keep more money in seniors’ pockets and ease price pressure at the pump,” Minister Harrison said.

Minister Harrison also hit back at reports that the United Petroleum card is intended as a replacement for the Regional Sales Travel Card, saying the United partnership isn’t a NSW Government funded initiative.

“Allegations that the Regional Seniors Travel Card has been replaced by a direct deal with a private operator are intentionally misleading,” says Minister Harrison.

“Reasonable people would agree raising awareness and celebrating the savings available under the NSW Seniors Card falls within my remit as Minister for Seniors, without interpreting it as a hidden budget announcement.”

Seniors (ages 65 and above) will need to sign up from United Petroleum’s website with a NSW Seniors Card to start receiving discounts on petrol.

The Regional Seniors Travel Card was introduced by the then-Coalition Gov-

ernment. It could be used for petrol at any service station, as well as taxis or public transport. While applications for new cards have ended, the existing 320,000 cards remain valid until their expiry date.

Independent Member for Kiama Gareth Ward, who has been a proponent of the Regional Seniors Travel Card, said the new scheme

“hugely disadvantages” seniors in the Kiama LGA who don’t live anywhere near a United Petroleum station.

“This new scheme benefits seniors in Labor electorates where there are a large number of United stations but this decision disadvantages regional seniors that have to travel longer distances and have fewer public transport options,” Mr Ward said. With cost of living pressure continuing to rise, and only one non-United Petroleum station open in Kiama, seniors will really be under the pump!

by Brendon Foye

Minnamurra sandmine stoush

The Friends of Minnamurra River (FOMR) have come out swinging over the decision by the Federal Department of Environment not to intervene in the Boral 5B sand mine expansion at Dunmore. FOMR has made the strong claim that there is endangered forest protected by federal law present on the planned land clearance despite claims the forest does not exist on the site. There is also public concern about possible debris from the new sand mine ending up in Minnamurra, which has not been addressed despite such debris being found from stage 5A during heavy flooding in 2022.

The Department of Environment announced on Friday (28 July) that the proposed Boral sand mine with dredge pit, pipeline pumps and access roads was ‘not a controlled action’, that is, ‘it will not have or is unlikely to have a significant impact on one or more protected matters (EPBC-listed ecosystems) and therefore does not require assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.’

A FOMR media release in response to the decision claimed the Federal Department of

Environment “appears to be in chaos having just approved a breach of its own environmental protection legislation to allow a national mining company to destroy a highly protected and critically endangered ecosystem which the company says does not exist and contrary to a Ministerial consultant who says the very same area must be completely protected in perpetuity by declaring it a Significant Aboriginal Area because of its very high landscape and cultural values.”

“We’ve had Robodebt, the illegal scheme from the Federal Department of Human Services, more recently the debacle of apparent illegalities in the Department of Home Affairs and now, with last Friday’s decision, we have Envirokill, the Federal Department of Environment approving the destruction of rare and federally protected Australian biodiversity and multiple endangered bird and animal habitats, on the basis of desk studies in Sydney and Canberra and total reliance on the consultant’s reports of the applicant mining company,” says Will Chyra, Chair of FOMR. “But the situation is even more farcical than that.

“While one branch of Tanya Plibersek’s depart-

ment is approving the destruction of an EPBC Act which protected critically endangered ecosystem, another branch of the same department is preparing to support the recommendations of the Government’s own expert consultant, Dr Brendan Corrigan, that the Minister moves to protect from any destruction or damage the very same vegetation and area that the same department approved for destruction last Friday.”

The crux of FOMR’s claims comes from report to the Federal Department in June 2023 by Boral and its environmental consultants to support its application for mining approval under the EPBC Act, which says the Littoral Rainforest that the Federal Department has approved for destruction does not exist. FORM has recorded drone footage and images claiming that it does exist.

One of Dr Corrigan’s recommendations is that Minister Plibersek declares Boral’s 5B mine site at Dunmore a Significant Aboriginal Area under the Federal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act .

“To avoid the wholesale destruction of the Aboriginal heritage values in and at the specified area (Site 5B) the entire specified

area should be protected from the proposed sand mining; any such protection should extend to any similar large scale earth moving activities.”

Dr Corrigan also told the Minister that there was evidence indicating the potential presence of Aboriginal burials in the 5B mine site with some of them potentially victims of the 1818 Minnamurra Massacre of Aboriginal families on or very near the site.

Boral Limited countered this by telling the Minister that it had run a Ground Penetrating Radar survey over the area and that the survey showed no Aboriginal burials.

However, FOMR responded by informing the Minister that this was not surprising because extensive Ground Penetrating Radar practice and studies, both in Australia and overseas, had shown conclusively that it was practically impossible for the technology to detect

human burials older than about 150 years, particularly burials made without the use of coffins with metal fittings.

FOMR also claims that Boral’s environment consultant’s maps in the same June report show that a very large area of the Littoral Rainforest said by Boral to be non-existent, is within Boral’s 100-metre-wide buffer zone around the dredge pit site. Also, the impact from mining cannot be avoided.

Graham Pike from FOMR said that stage 5B would allow the clearing of 7.5 hectares which included 38 Bangalay Sand Forest trees containing 100 hollows which act as bird and animal habitats. In addition they would be digging a hole 27 metres deep for a sand mine planned to last only two years.

In July 2022 FOMR discovered sand and debris from Stage 5A washed into Rocklow Creek in Ruth Devenney reserve during heavy rain that caused flooding. At the time hundreds of tonnes of sand was observed, in a 120-metre wide fan and included orange buoys and thick rubber sheeting.

FOMR has provided drone footage which showed yet again, that vegetation clearing to make way for Boral’s sand mine would not only damage but actually remove substantial sections of federally protected Littoral Rainforest which, according to the same Federal Department of Environment, are inextricably interwoven with the Bangalay Sand Forest.

by Mark Whalan

AEC GREEN LIGHT FOR SIGNAGE

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has given the green light to anyone that wants to display signs for or against the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Kiama Councillor Mark Croxford raised concerns this week that displaying signs relating to an elec-

tion or referendum before a voting date had been set contravened the NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).

immediately following election day.

However, The Bugle was informed by the AEC that there were no laws preventing people from displaying campaign activities for a referendum at any time, and that the SEPP only applies to elections.

period. The Referendum Act actually doesn't limit the amount, the format or the timing of referendum communication."

Cllr. Croxford acknowledged that the initial advice he relied upon was invalid, but questioned why the rules for election campaign material don’t apply to elections.

“This raises critical questions about the need for a robust regulatory framework to govern the display of referendum signs within NSW. The State Environment Planning Policy Subdivision 13 Election Signs was established for a reason,” he says.

“Should not the same rationale and reasoning applied to federal, state, and local government elections be equally applied to referendums?”

NSW.”

“We are already witnessing the uncontrolled display of referendum signs across NSW, but with no date set for The Voice referendum, we have no idea how long they will remain in place.”

“The Premier must urgently address the ineffectiveness of the current situation and demand an immediate, ironclad system to quash this unbridled ‘open slather’ scenario.”

Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly has attempted to separate himself and Kiama Council from Cllr. Croxford’s views.

This can create misinformation and confusion, as has occurred in the case of the press releases on referendum signage being put out by this individual Councillor.“

The policy states that election signs can only be displayed eight weeks preceding election day, the day of the election, and one week

According to an AEC spokesperson,"...there is no law that says campaigning activities have to occur only during the referendum

Cllr. Croxford has written to NSW Premier Chris Minns urging him to intervene on what he called “open-slather placement of referendum signs across

“Only the Mayor and CEO are able to act as official spokespeople for Kiama Council, and it is only the Mayor or CEO who can delegate a Councillor or staff member to be quoted in an official press release or interview,“ said Mayor Reilly.

“When councillors put out their own press releases, Council is not always provided copies or the opportunity to correct facts.

LET THE CONVERSATION BEGIN

‘Yes’ supporters flooded the main streets of Kiama on the morning of 1 August to convince the community to vote in favour of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament at the upcoming referendum.

The National Day of Mobilisation was led by the local yes23 chapter, a non-political group, beginning in Hindmarsh Park at 10AM before marching towards the Kiama Blowhole and back into town. Participants stopped along the way to chat with other Kiama residents and visitors to discuss what exactly is included in the Voice and what isn’t. Australians will decide whether to establish an Indigenous Voice to

Parliament, which would serve as an advisory board to the Federal Government on issues affecting Indigenous Australians.

The Voice would not be able to implement its own

policy or directly deliver services, but as its inclusion would require amendments to the constitution, a referendum must first pass to make it a reality.

Karen Forsyth from the Kiama Region for yes23 campaign kicked off proceedings by reminding participants what they were marching for.

“We need to listen to our Indigenous Australians by providing a Voice, a Voice that actually addresses issues that affect Indigenous people across the country. Why do we need to enshrine it? Because we can’t silence it because of different political tides that come and go.

“It needs to be respected in

a bipartisan way, and that’s what today is all about. All across the country, Australians are coming together in a grassroots way, we are crossing political, ethnic and religious divides to say Yes. We have a choice at the referendum, we have a choice for unity, for reconciliation and for respect.”

The Bugle also caught up with Kiama Councillor Stuart Larkins, who was among the marchers, to discuss why it was important for him to attend.

“From my personal perspective, my mother is an Aboriginal woman from the Aboriginal community. This is an important issue about

the recognition of our involvement and living in this area for a long time, having the heritage of the Wodiwodi people.

“From a Council perspective, Council has endorsed the Uluru Statement from the Heart and we’ve moved the motion to support the ‘Yes’ campaign. The Yes vote is very important for the constitutional change we need in Australia. Marchers who trekked up the hill to reach the Kiama Blowhole were rewarded with a spectacular sight of humpback whales breaching close to shore.

by Brendon Foye

Kiama Council resolved at its ordinary meeting in July to officially support the Voice to Parliament, with Cllr. Croxford the only member to vote against the motion. During the meeting, Cllr. Croxford proposed an amendment to the motion that Kiama Council should take a neutral stance instead, but this was shot down as it was considered to be against the original motion.

The Indigenous Voice to Parliament seeks to establish an advisory committee to the Federal Government to advise on issues affecting First Nations Australians. The Federal Government is yet to set a date for the referendum vote, but it is expected to occur sometime in October this year.

By Brendon Foye

Now even more care for

Laurence, Jack Miller, Steve Warwick and Deb Russell lead

The report, based on leading research undertaken by Judith Stubbs and Associates, was launched at two events in Wollongong and Nowra. It examines the underlying causes of the crisis and identifies actions to grow affordable housing in town centres across the region.

Mr Zarth said that his organisation was responding to the concerns of local employers and business owners who were suffering acute workforce shortages and attributed them to a lack of affordable housing regionally.

“We knew that the housing challenge key workers face is particularly acute in our region, where they spend on average 40% of their income on rent, compared against the 30% national average,” he said.

“Today we have articulated the actions that each of us can take to address this issue, which is hampering economic growth and exacerbating difficult trading conditions for key sectors including hospitality, human services, retail and construction,” Mr Zarth added.

The research was supported by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation, Warrigal, MMJ Real Estate, the Housing Trust and the Property Council of Australia (Illawarra).

Kiama Council acknowledges that designated affordable housing development in Kiama is in very short supply. Council, through the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation, was consulted in the development of this important advocacy document and acknowledges the need for adequate housing to be available to support their key workers. “Kiama’s economy is supported by tourism, and it is crucial that we have housing available for employees of our small businesses, tourism operators and associated business,” Council said in a press release.

Currently Kiama Council has only one designated affordable dwelling, which is on land owned and leased by Council to the Housing Trust at peppercorn rates. This dwelling was built many years ago and has reached the natural end of the asset’s life. Council understands the property is in urgent need of redevelopment and is open to helping with relocating and

2023 NAIDOC AWARDS

redeveloping the site to get a more modern outcome and greater yield for the site.

“We are actively seeking for both this and other opportunities to improve and enhance our existing stock and encourage affordable housing development within our region for key workers, in whatever way we can,” said Council’s Director Planning Environment & Communities Jessica Rippon.

“We want to make sure the [affordable home] resident isn’t displaced from the community but what is clear to us is that it’s time to think differently and to work with lots of partners to achieve the kind of aspirational goals this report demands.”

Roger Stephan, CEO, Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation said, “The councils I represent are invested in finding solutions to the regional housing shortage, and in this they must be supported by the state government and the wider community.”

Warrigal CEO Jenni Hutchins said, “My organisation is now providing housing for our workers, so we know well the impact the current housing crisis is having. Our staff support the most vulnerable members of the community and work in shifts, so it is imperative that we can provide safe, local accommodation to meet their needs.”

Housing Trust CEO Michele Adair said, “We need a commitment from each level of government to help deliver more affordable rental housing, faster and more collaboratively with the private and not-for-profit sectors. We need additional investment, planning reform, and where possible, partnerships on their landholdings.”

Natalie Allan, MMJ Real Estate Business Operations Manager said, “There is a pivotal role to be played in community education and engagement to overcome concerns surrounding infill development. By focusing on selecting appropriate areas with proximity to transportation and essential services, we can ensure well-planned growth that serves the best interests of the community.”

Jennifer Macquarie, Chair, Property Council of Australia (Illawarra) said, “The current planning system is overly complex and in dire need of reform. The state gov-

ernment has recently taken some welcome steps that will have a positive impact in our region, but in this report we are urging them to go further.”

Ms Macquarie adds, “Of the four LGAs covered by this report, Kiama is the least affordable location to either buy or rent a home. This presents a significant challenge for attracting and retaining lower to middle income workers in the aged care, retail, hospitality and tourism sectors that make up such a significant part of Kiama’s economy.

“The Property Council appreciates Kiama Council’s commitment to identifying solutions to this problem, in particular the possibility of building Affordable Housing on Council owned land adjacent to Bombo quarry and the opportunity for housing density and diversity within the quarry itself when that is eventually developed.

“It will take a number of years before these projects will deliver new housing, and in the meantime we encourage Council to review its internal assessment processes and its planning documents to enable the industry to deliver smaller, more affordable housing options in a more efficient manner within Kiama LGA. We are keen to collaborate with Council on these initiatives and trust that this will be treated as a priority given the urgency of the affordable housing issue in the LGA and the region.”

by Donna Portland

Kiama Council hosted the Regional NAIDOC Awards ceremony at the Kiama Pavilion on Saturday 29 July with attendees showing off their best black tie and glamour outfits.

The ceremony has been hosted by the four local councils in the Illawarra area for more than 10 years with duties rotating between councils each year, and 2023 was Kiama’s turn.

Very much styled like a glamourous TV awards show ceremony, the entertainment included local Gumaraa dancers.

Sponsors include Bluescope, Big Fat Smile, Lendlease at Calderwood, Southern Youth and Family Services, Bernardo’s, New Ageing and Disability Commission, Murra Southern Hire, Pademelon Press, ECTARC (Early Childhood Education Services and Training) and Fiona Phillips, Federal Member for Gilmore.

Aunty Jodie Stewart created the artwork used for the 2023 NAIDOC awards. The

Painting is called ‘Where the Mountains Meet the Sea.’

Winners on the night were:

Young Achiever of the Year

Emma McMahon.

Emma McMahon is a 19-year-old Wiradjuri woman from the Shoalhaven.

She is currently studying a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Wollongong, alongside a Diploma in Community Services.

Young Achiever of the Year

of Central New South Wales, currently living on Dharawal Country down in Gerringong.She has volunteered her time advocating for changes to NDIS packages, to ensure elderly people have increased access to health, fitness and wellbeing programs.

Community Representative of the Year Richard Adler.

Richard is a deadly role model down in the Shoalhaven. He’s shown an incredible commitment to his work with the South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation.

Outstanding Contribution to Reconciliation Tullimbar Public School

Amelia Wall

Amelia Wall is a proud Kamilaroi Woman living and learning on Dharawal Country. She works with First Nations students on their learning plans, she runs cultural programs and helped develop the Minnamurra Public School Koori Kids Club.

Organisation /Project of the Year Coomaditchie

United Aboriginal Corporation

Coomaditchie has worked in the Illawarra community for the past 30 years. The organisation is dedicated to raising self-esteem, pride and dignity among young Aboriginal people.

Current projects include:

• Ngarramurra - a program for high school children who are at risk of non-completion;

• The Homework Centre for primary school children;

• Deadly Women and Deadly kids;

• A community garden, and

• a social enterprise program which creates opportunities for local Aboriginal artists of all ages to generate an income.

Community Volunteer of the Year Korin Koutsominhalis.

Korin is a proud descendant of the Wiradjuri people

Tullimbar Public School’s RAP Team has been recognised for their innovative programs and initiatives including cultural awareness workshops, Aboriginal language classes, and embedding reconciliation into Rthe very fabric of Tullimbar Public School’s ethos.

Aboriginal Elder of the Year - Uncle Tom Brown

Uncle Tom is a born and bred at Wreck Bay down in the Shoalhaven.He loves to make things with his hands and enjoys combing the beach to collect shells for his art.

Aboriginal Elder of the Year Aunty - Annette Lonesborough

Aunty Annette is a Jerrinja woman who recently retired from working for the Aboriginal Legal Service in Nowra as the Office Manager for over 30 years. Aunty Annette was recognised for her lifelong commitment and passion for helping members of her community.

The Regional NAIDOC awards cover the Illawarra area and are supported by Kiama, Wollongong, Shellharbour, and Shoalhaven Council as well as the Aboriginal Affairs NSW Department.

More than 200 members of the local Aboriginal community attended as well as elected local councillors, and members of the wider community including, government, corporate community sectors.

by Mark Whalan

Project of the Year Award - Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation

Right: Richard Ardler accepting his award

Above: Beverley Ardler onbehalf of Uncle Tom Brown NAIDOCC

FROM OUR MAYOR-SUSTAINABILITY

worlds. One is the world around you, and the other one is the world within you. So, I try to adopt a principle that suits each of those worlds. That is: ‘Think for yourself, act for everyone’.

Environmental sustainability is one reason that when it came time to choose a new car for the mayor’s position, I wanted it to be Kiama Council’s first fully-electric fleet vehicle.

I know many in our community have already taken the step of purchasing an EV, and I have spoken to many more who are considering their options.

big decisions to help steer us back towards financial sustainability – we’re forecast to be back in the black by 2026.

Looking beyond our own books, economic sustainability involves Council helping foster a local and regional economy that promotes long-term stability and resilience. In this area, we’ve recently launched our Signature Community Events Grants program to provide a better funding model for local festivals and events.

all aspects of council life. As our mid-year review showed, we have completed 18 actions and counting from the Hopwood report into Council’s governance systems and practices.

ENHANCED ENHANCE

I’ve recently taken to the road in our new Mayoral vehicle, which is an EV (electric vehicle). This has prompted me to think about sustainability.

Pillar two of our Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is: we thrive in a sustainable environment. But what on earth does that mean?

‘Sustainability’ can be challenging to define, yet to me, it is very real. It’s a lens through which I view all issues. I consider sustainability to be an inter-generational contract – basically living life to the fullest without compromising future generations' ability to do the same.

‘Environment’ is two

At Kiama Council, our net zero goals, as outlined in our Corporate Emissions Reduction Plan, are something we take seriously. My EV joins some hybrid vehicles in our passenger fleet and our new waste truck, which meets Euro V1 (6) emissions standards. On other fronts, we’ve also upgraded our street lighting to LEDs to be more energy efficient, and we’re working with Endeavour Energy on a project to install the first community battery in our municipality – every bit helps.

Financial sustainability is a concept that we talk about a lot in Council, and you’ll probably be aware that the Councillors and I have made

Cultural sustainability is another area Council works hard at. Preserving and celebrating cultural diversity is essential for sustainable development. Valuing and sharing diverse cultural heritage, traditions, and knowledge can enrich societies and foster a sense of identity and belonging.

We recently hosted the regional NAIDOC Awards and in November, we’ll host a new event: an Indian Festival, with input from the Kiama and District Business Chamber, the Consul General and the Indian community. It is shaping up to be a fantastic cultural, economic, and fun exchange.

Ethical sustainability: This aspect revolves around promoting ethical behaviour and responsible practices in

Recognising the importance of everyone’s well-being and emotional resilience as crucial components of a sustainable future helps build inter-generational sustainability. This is why I spoke to our Federal Member, Fiona Philips, who is working with us to establish a Headspace here in our LGA, to provide additional mental health support for our youth.

Finally, social sustainability means focusing on creating urban and rural planning that is inclusive and equitable. Where we plan for today, with tomorrow in mind.

This involves engaging with our community to ensure we understand our aligned vision and objectives. Our Local Strategic Planning Statement and Kiama Town Centre Plan goes a long way to achieving development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The Enhance Service station located at 35 Collins Street Kiama is currently closed as the site undergoes renovations, including replacing its fuel tanks.

The ongoing construction is affecting neighbouring businesses such as House2Home, who has been repeatedly impacted by nearby construction, including dealing with restricted parking for customers.

Kev Laves, proprietor of House2Home told The Bugle about his long-term frustration with construction workers that take all the parking spots meant for his

customers and park their vehicles there all day.

“I have contacted Council numerous times about enforcement of illegal all-day parking by construction workers for more than two years, and nothing happens,” Ken says.

“I have customers regularly come in and say they couldn't park so they had to come in the shop another day.”

The service station will be closed for most of August. The Bugle will keep you updated with developments as they happen.

by Mark Whalan

A LOVE OF THE SEA AND WOOD COMBINE

18 July marked one year since the MV SIGNA was lifted out of the water of Kiama Harbour to begin its mammoth restoration on dry land. Six months have passed since the last update and progress has been outstanding.

The original working team of seven have turned up rain, hail or shine and have worked tirelessly to complete the many tasks involved in restoring the beautiful timber boat.

The main deck, side deck and the cabin roof have been totally rebuilt and fibre-glassed and are now ready for the synthetic teak finish. Many of the timber bearers in the cabin roof and deck had to be replaced due to rot in the timbers. The Oregon timber was kindly donated by Roger Wison and originated from the Summer

Hill flour mill in Sydney. The close grain of timber gives the beams incredible strength.

Once the old motors were removed it was apparent they were beyond repair so two new 1056 Caterpillar motors were sourced and ordered. Major replacement of the main timber bearers for the new motors was necessary because of their condition.

The search to find large suitable seasoned hardwood then began. At the time, a seventies timber home in Minnamurra was being demolished. The builder agreed to donate the large turpentine hardwood beams along with other timbers that have been used.

The SIGNA had to be completely rewired from scratch. This involved both 240 and 12 volt twin systems throughout, a huge task in anyone’s

language. Don, our resident electrician, took this daunting task in his stride along with the restoration of the original large brass anchor capstan which he converted from hydraulic power to electric whilst maintaining authenticity.

All the glass windows have been replaced. The main front windows sills were made of teak and were beyond repair, again due to rot. As these sections were being removed, they found that the windows were integrated into the main boat structure. Laurie, our resident cabinet maker removed them and then replaced them with new teak. A magnificent job.

The forward cabin, master’s cabin and bathroom have all been renovated. This involved removal of the old, rotted lining and replacing with new linings. This was

led by carpenter Graham, assisted by Rex and others. Rex has restored and revarnished

KIAMA VILLAGE ACCIDENT SITE

all of the teak internal cabin walls in the accommodation cabins back to their original glory.

The teak main cabin timbers inside and out have been restored. This was achieved by literally hundreds of hours of hand and machine sanding by Rookie and Smokey. The detail on the trim made this task even harder as we have maintained wherever possible the original pieces. To date five coats of varnish have been applied on the outside surfaces and two to the internal. When finished ten coats will be applied to all surfaces.

Scotty, one of the new members has taken over the arduous task of stripping years of built up paint on the flybridge.

Paul O’Keefe who fabricated the starboard rudder from scratch. The original one was damaged beyond repair. The new one, made from stainless steel, is an exact replica of the port bronze rudder. He is also repairing the exhaust tubes damaged when the SIGNA hit the harbour wall when it broke its mooring. We reached out to the Kiama Woodcraft Group for assistance with the intricate one piece, round tapered timber trim mouldings around the air vents and the outrigger poles. One of the members, David Bywater, was able to reproduce the mouldings in the turpentine timber from the demolished house in Minnamurra- ultimate recycling.

A contractor working at the Kiama Village redevelopment was taken to hospital after an onsite accident.

The Bugle understands the contractor fell through a roof on 27 July at roughly 1PM. SafeWork NSW are still investigating the incident.

A spokesperson for Growthbuilt confirmed the good news that the worker was discharged from St George Hospital only a day after the accident. The worker was employed by Noppen Group and was working under Urban Core at the time of the

accident.

Four ambulances and three police units attended the site, and workers were immediately evacuated. One of them told The Bugle that a safety audit was being conducted at the time.

A Woolworths Group spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the contractor and their family. We’re also offering support to other contractors and team members who were on the site at the time. We are assisting authorities with their investigations.

We’re grateful to the local emergency services who were quickly on the scene to offer assistance."

The worksite remains closed until further notice, as well as the BWS and Woolworths popup shop located within Kiama Village.

However, Kiama Health Pharmacy is still open. Staff told The Bugle that the Woolworths popup store was planned to reopen on 3 August.

by Mark Whalan

The hull has been sanded back and undercoated in readiness for the final coating. Rex has spent hours filling imperfections and sanding them back. The hull will be painted with a resplendent high gloss white. The cleaning of the engine bay and painting was a task that only the fully committed would take on- Rex started and finished the job.

A special thanks go to

After twelve months of hard work the volunteer group is starting to see the light at the end of a very long tunnel. All going well, the hope is that the SIGNA will be back in the water in Kiama Harbour at the end of October. A big day to be shared with the community who has supported our project.

Watch this space… by

Mark Whalan

WORDS FROM WARD

Dear Bugle reader, Parliament sat last week, and I didn’t waste a minute.

I gave notice of a bill to amend NSW electoral law to require voters to show some form of ID when they go to vote.

The bill will also require the Electoral Commission to use electronic elector markoff once someone has been issued with ballot papers.

My bill comes amidst revolutions that thousands of people at the 2019 State Election voted twice!

I take any form of fraud very seriously and requiring voters to show some form of identification combined with electronic mark-off will provide a layer of protection for a legitimate vote being outweighed by anyone committing electoral fraud.

This approach has previously been recommended by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters but both major parties have ignored these recommendations.

My bill will mean that both sides will have to nail their colours to the mast on measures designed to safeguard our democracy. I look forward to seeing their approach.

I also concluded debate on a private members bill to provide for greater accountability measures for Ministers on handling government money and government grants. My bill proposed, among other things, that an unethical awarding of taxpay-

er funds by way of a grant, should give rise to a serious breach of the Ministerial Code.

Interestingly, Labor supported provisions of my bill when they were in opposition. But now in Government, it seems they conveniently take a different view.

Whilst the vote was close due to some crossbench support, the bill was defeated with Labor voting against the bill.

I also used Question Time last week to ask the Premier about how the NSW Government is cleaning up expenditure of private sector consultancies used by NSW Government agencies.

Whilst you may have been following the Canberra controversy involving the ‘Big Four’ consultancies, much of the current debate was kicked off due to an inquiry into a little known NSW entity called TAHE (Transport Asset Holding Entity).

As a result of the inquiry into TAHE, the Legislative Council Public Accountability Committee proposed some very sensible recommendations to better manage expenditure on government consultancies and reduce possible conflicts of interest.

My question to the Premier was very simple; what are you doing to implement these recommendations?

The Premier took my question on notice and offered to provide a written reply to the House in due course.

Suffice to say, I take the expenditure of taxpayer funds very seriously and I look forward to reading the Premier’s reply.

Gareth Ward

JAMBEROO LOCALS CELEBRATE AT THE BEN RICKETTS ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVE

rainforests and wealth of animals. At first light, yellow robins call, followed by the songs of lyrebirds.

Grey fantails and thornbills flutter around the leaves of the trees feeding on insects and at the same time keeping the plants healthy.”

Nancy and Rob love wandering through the forest, searching for weeds to remove and, at the same time, noticing the droppings of those who passed by during the night.

indicating the spiny crayfish, and there are snails with strong shells and others with hardly any shell. There are even worms which squirt if you disturb them.” Nancy informs.

On Sunday, 23 July the road reopening celebration for the residents of Jamberoo eventuated. The closure was inconvenient for locals living above and below the closure and so it was a time to celebrate.

Blessed with a beautiful winter’s day a group of people interested in exploring the surroundings of the Ben Ricketts Environmental Preserve gathered.

Before a picnic at midday, they were treated to a walk led by Robert Pallin through the rainforest of the Sassafras Walk. It turns out that Rob is the son of Paddy Pallin who, 90 years ago, created the famous “Paddy Pallin” bushwalkers store that supplies outdoor clothing, hiking and camping gear. So enjoying the great outdoors is in his blood.

Rob is a fountain of information about the area’s history, the trees, Bushcare efforts, wildlife and the three self-contained cabins at Ben Ricketts, where families come to get in touch

with nature in the Budderoo National Park and Barren Grounds Reserve.

Rob’s wife, Nancy shares her husband’s passion for nature and wildlife. She enthuses, “The forest on Jamberoo Mountain is a special place for me because of its huge brown barrel eucalypts,

To see the animals, they have placed a motion-sensing, infrared camera in the forest, moving it from place to place to see who did the diggings or left the scats.

If you have interest, you can see these videos on the Ben Rickets website: www. benricketts.com.au/stories

“We even had a quoll visit,” Nancy remarked.

Many of the animals are small yet vital to the functioning of the forest. “There are burrows in the creeks

Red, yellow, orange, purple, black and white fungi have been marvellous during the recent wet years. Mosses, lichens, and a rich array of ferns clothe tree trunks and rocks. Nancy says, “It is a wonderland to explore.”

Nancy says that she always sleeps deeply and wakes refreshed in this marvellous forest. “It comforts me to know that 90 percent of the property is under a conservation agreement, protecting it for the future,” she says.

The Ben Ricketts community likes to share this special place with others, so you too could stay in one of the three Ben Ricketts cabins – visit the website to explore the options. Make sure that you have time to wander along the marked tracks and listen to the rich bird song, and don’t forget to pack suitable walking shoes! It was indeed a pleasure to be part of the ‘locals’ celebration for the reopening of the Jamberoo Mountain Road in this unique and special nature preserve.

by Donna Portland

A guest on the nature walk finds an enormous bracket fungus.

The Quoll photo credited to Department of Primary Industry /Lachlan Hall.

MINNAMURRA LOOP REOPENS

The Lyrebird Loop Track located within Minnamurra Rainforest has re-opened to the public, boasting even better views of the surrounding nature.

The 30-year-old track, which stretches 1.6km through the rainforest, is well-known for its swinging suspension bridges over the Minnamurra Rivulet.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Area Manager Graham Bush there has been months of meticulous planning to construct a new stainless steel boardwalk, most of which was done by hand to avoid disturbing the native flora and fauna.

“The upgraded track will lead you into a different world of rare remnant rainforest that once reached throughout the Illawarra,” Graham says.

“It’s an experience for all the senses. Walking the track you’ll feel the temperature drop, your eyes will adjust to the shade and the sounds of suburbia will be replaced by a chorus of birds. The brand-new stainless steel elevated boardwalk takes people higher up into the rainforest to give amazing views and is suitable for people of all ages and abilities.

The upgraded track comes in addition to the newly built

Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, part of a $4.74 million project to renew the project.

Graham said around 100,000 visitors come to the Minnamurra Rainforest every year.

Illawarra’s iconic Lyrebird Loop Track at Minnamurra Rainforest Centre has reopened and is set to spoil visitors with scenic river views and a spectacular south coast experience

Illawarra’s Lyrebird Loop Track at Minamurra Rainforest Centre has re-opened

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Area Manager Graham Bush said the 30-year-old track has been extensively upgraded

“We have spent the last few months completely upgrading the family-friendly, 1.6 kilometre Loop track, famous for its swinging suspension bridges over the Minnamurra Rivulet.”

“The upgraded track will lead you into a different world of rare remnant rainforest that once reached throughout the Illawarra.

“It’s an experience for all the senses. Walking the track you’ll feel the temperature drop, your eyes will adjust to the shade and the sounds of suburbia will be replaced by a chorus of birds.”

“The brand new stainless steel elevated boardwalk

takes people higher up into the rainforest to give amazing views and is suitable for people of all ages and abilities.”

“Behind the beauty has been months of meticulous planning and hard work to carefully demolish and construct the new boardwalk, much of which was done by hand to minimise disturbance to the forest and to visitors.”

“Around 100,000 visitors make the trip out to Minnamurra Rainforest Center each year, and we are excited to showcase this completely upgraded experience to the community,”

The upgrades to the boardwalk are in addition to the newly built Minnamurra Rainforest Centre that was part of a $4.74 million renewal project for the precinct

by Donna Portland

Wombat Woes

Scientists in New South Wales have joined forces with the state government to wage a battle for the welfare of our beloved wombats

injured since the road was reopened. Some locals have even taken to creating their own signs to warn motorists of wandering critters on the road.

Four esteemed universities have been awarded research grants to further the cause.

against the deadly scourge of wombat mange.

With research grants totalling a generous $452,000, the NSW Government is taking proactive measures to study effective treatments and map at-risk wombat populations.

Wombat mange, caused by scabies mite infestations, has posed a significant threat to the survival of wombats in the wild. If left untreated, the condition can be fatal, leading to the unfortunate demise of these gentle creatures. Recognising the severity of the issue, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has taken the reins in spearheading research efforts to combat this issue.

This initiative, part of a broader $2.8 million effort, aims to protect these furry creatures and ensure their survival in the face of the infestations. Moreover, the preservation of wombats is crucial not just for their sake but also for the delicate balance they bring to Australia's unique ecosystem.

The safety of our native species is sure to be on the minds of many residents of the Kiama LGA with the reopening of Jamberoo Mountain Road in July. Animals like wombats and kangaroos had free reign of the roads for more than a year, but locals have reported numerous native species that have been

Western Sydney University, one of the beneficiaries, is set to develop a monitoring assessment tool that will aid individuals in identifying the prevalence of mange in the field, working hand-in-hand with the Wombat Sarcoptic Mange (WomSAT) database. This innovative approach will enable more targeted treatments for affected wombats and help prevent further spread of the disease.

The University of the Sunshine Coast will focus on understanding mite medication resistance and the effectiveness of different medications. Its findings hold the potential to revolutionise treatment regimes and improve the prospects of managing mange in wild wombats.

The University of Tasmania's research will delve into surveys that investigate landscape and climate links to the distribution of mange. Unravelling these connections will be crucial in determining the hotspots and high-risk regions for the infestations.

Lastly, the University of Melbourne will explore how wombats metabolise treatment medication. This study could pave the way for more tailored and effective treatment plans, offering hope for wombats suffering from this debilitating condition.

This comprehensive twoyear research program, aptly named the Curb Wombat Mange program, will yield valuable insights into on-theground treatment practices.

Armed with this knowledge, wildlife conservationists can improve welfare outcomes for wombats and devise strategies to safeguard the future of these unique creatures.

Dr. Aditi Sriram, the NPWS Project Officer overseeing the Wombat Mange

Research grants, emphasises the significance of identifying infected wombats' locations and assessing the extent of the issue in each population. Armed with this data, resources can be channelled towards targeted and high-priority areas to better protect the wombats at risk.

In addition to the research grants, separate funding is available via the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife to support wildlife rehabilitators treating barenosed wombats in the wild. These devoted individuals play a crucial role in offering care and rehabilitation to these vulnerable creatures, furthering the cause of wombat preservation.

Beyond their undeniable charm, wombats play a crucial role in Australia's unique ecosystem. As burrowing herbivores, they contribute significantly to soil aeration and nutrient turnover, shaping the landscape and supporting a diverse range of plant and animal species. Their burrows also provide refuge for other wildlife during extreme weather events, making them an indispensable part of the ecological balance in the region.

The NSW Government's commitment to investing in research to combat wombat mange shines as a beacon of hope for these marsupials facing a serious threat. Through the dedicated efforts of universities and passionate wildlife advocates, we are one step closer to ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our furry friends and the vital ecosystem they inhabit. As the Curb Wombat Mange research program unfolds, we anticipate groundbreaking discoveries that will transform the landscape of wombat conservation, inspiring us all to protect and cherish the unique wildlife that makes our world so vibrant.

by Veronica Grace

Elizabeth Burnett is all about community. She is the co-owner and founder of Burnetts on Barney, a Garden Centre and a hub for gardening, landscaping and building products located in the historic blue metal quarry site in Barney Street Kiama.

Elizabeth originally trained as a journalist and after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Relations took her first job as a journalist with the Kiama Independent newspaper, under her maiden name Hampshire. This was in the era of the great Peter Attwater who allowed her as a young journo to cover the Kim Corrigan Murder, a real opportunity to get inside the culture of the local community.

She fell in love with the people of Kiama in that time but went on to work in Sydney as Communications Manager for agribusiness GrainCorp before she and her husband Andrew Burnett, an arborist, moved to Jamberoo in 2001. They established Burnett Trees, a business which still offers tree care, pruning and tree removal throughout the Illawarra. Their son, Charlie, is following in dad’s

footsteps and has become a tree surgeon with Burnett Trees. Their daughters Ellie and Annique work in the business when home from university and school.

When they moved Burnett Trees from Jamberoo to Kiama in 2012 there was no intention of opening a landscape hub or garden centre.

“We were only selling firewood and mulch in the early days,” but Elizabeth quickly realised they needed to “respond to the community need” and reopen landscape supplies. Burnetts

On Barney was opened and that small goal has since grown into the opening of a plant nursery in 2014, adding hardware supplies when Mitre 10 closed and late last year the opening of a cafe. Burnetts On Barney was recognised as ‘Illawarra Business Excellence in Sustainability in 2021’ and also won NSW and ACT Best Small Nursery in the same year.

The Quarry Cafe, which celebrates the site’s history as well as seasonal foods and homestyle cooking, catering for those who value fresh, nutritious and in-season fare as well as serving their own Quarry Blend locally-ground coffee.

Within the plant nursery

setting and with a towering rock wall backdrop, it’s a fantastic spot to meet with friends, and sit in the sun amidst an array of blooms and greenery, whilst enjoying live music performed by local artists.

Elizabeth explains the business is not just about selling products nursery and landscaping supplies, “it’s a community hub; a living-working business and hopefully part of the fabric of the local community”.

“It is evolving into a place where people can connect with Kiama’s natural beauty and rich quarrying history, while meeting with others in the community,” she said.

This is Elizabeth’s twenty-third year in business.

“The business has evolved over the years and has grown to fulfil its mission: to create happy customers and visitors to the centre and while satisfying their garden needs,” she says.

During Covid lockdown Burnetts was one of the few

COMMUNITY KCR RADIO

Rekema Lang in a leadership steering role in the early days, and Mayor Neil Reilly who wrote, voiced and produced an original old time radio drama called ‘Annie of the Airways’ which is thoroughly recommended for all Kiama locals. It can be found in the podcasts lists at www.kcr.org.au

local businesses allowed to stay open and Elizabeth recalls people loved coming to visit the quarry for community, connection and a sense of normality at a difficult time. The concept of ‘Community in The Quarry’ was born in those strange times.

Once a month Burnetts hosts “Crop & Swap”, and sometimes large groups utilise this unique space to gather for community events, including a variety of garden clubs. Burnetts also host Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival each year and local musicians play every Saturday morning. Interactive workshops are held onsite, particularly in school holidays for children to learn about plant care and even bee keeping! There are currently four ‘flow hives’ onsite and Rachael from “Bee Inspired” in Kiama guides the workshops.

Burnetts on Barney employs around 30 people, which makes them one of the largest local employers.

Elizabeth says, “I’m very conscious of our responsibility as an employer to recognise the role our team plays in local society and we need to operate a business which reflects the values of that team - we support community groups and initiatives wherever possible celebrate the ‘reuse, recycle, repurpose’ idea, composting on-site food scraps from the cafe as well as shredded pallets.”

The business supports Kiama Business Chamber’s initiative: “Think, Shop and

Buy Local” which aims to support and grow a vibrant, sustainable local business economy. “Small towns rely on circular economies and to survive and thrive businesses need to lead the shop local concept by cross promoting and supporting each other,” Elizabeth remarks.

“In business, as in life, we thrive best when we support and lift each other up rather than existing in isolation”.

by Donna Portland

GERRINGONG SUPER HEROES CELEBRATE

Kiama Community Radio is celeKiama Community Radio celebrate third birthday

Kiama Community Radio are celebrating their third birthday with a party and are inviting everyone in the area to the Kiama Leagues Club to celebrate on Friday 25 August. Get your tickets now at https://Trybooking.com/ CJKYP and join in for an unforgettable evening.

Kiama Community Radio (KCR) has in three short years established itself as an institution on the media landscape in the Kiama LGA.

KCR has come a long way over this time, and are now ready to throw the ultimate party. All are welcome to join in the fun at the Kiama Leagues Club on Friday, August 25 for a night of music and festivities. With local bands like Cha Cha Del

Mar, Little Light Duo, Pearl Noire, The Splayds, The Kiama Sea Shanties, this will be a memorable event .

Shifting from podcast production to live streaming a year ago to live broadcasting as a radio station, KCR has gone from strength to strength.

The heart of KCR are three hardworking volunteers who have put in the hard work to make KCR a success; Gabi Cabral as Volunteer Coordinator, Madeleine Scarfe as Secretary and David Toohey as President. David had a recent health scare and as reported recently in The Bugle and he is on a mission to have more access and awareness about defibrillators in the Kiama LGA.

Some Kiama Councillors have played an active role with KCR including Karen

KCR has produced 300 plus podcasts by our local community, (including my own Old Time Radio drama ‘Journey through Night’ in seven episodes about 12 minutes long each.)

KCR now has a regular line up of breakfast presenters with Robbie on Monday, Bernie on Tuesday, Glenn on Wednesday and Friday, Gabi on Thursday and Brian Warren on Saturday mornings. Bernie has had some excellent in-studio guests recently with Independent Member for Kiama Gareth Ward, and Harry from successful alt rock Gerringong band Pacific Street and Glenn Shepherd with the Mayoral Murmurs series about concerns about Kiama Council’s finances.

All are welcome to come along and support your local community with some great entertainment and great food!

by Mark Whalan

A day to thank and celebrate our local aged care superheroes.

Monday 7 August marked this year’s national Aged Care Employee Day – a day to express thanks and celebrate Australia’s 400,000-plus residential care, home care and retirement living workers who collectively care for our over 1.5 million older Australians.

“Aged Care Employee Day has become an important date in our calendar and reminds us of the caring and professional work of our aged care staff,” says Tom Symondson, CEO of The Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA). “They’re the backbone, the people who support our elders day in and day out. They make the lives

of older Australians better’.

The Australian aged care workforce encompasses a wide variety of essential roles including nurses, personal care workers, outdoor maintenance workers, housekeeping, specialised therapy and allied health practitioners, catering, administration, management, volunteers, in-home care workers and others.

Throughout the last year aged care workers have gone over and above in their provision of vital care and support for our older Australians, as they continue to face enormous challenges, including severe staff shortages.

Cathie Farquhar, Leisure and Wellness Coordinator at Uniting Gerringong aged care home, told us that:

“Today on National Aged Care Employee Day, we recognise all the amazing staff we are privileged to have working with us at Uniting Gerringong, and we say ‘thank you’ to all our hardworking and compassionate staff for all they do for our residents, across the variety of important roles within our organisation.”

“We hear so often from the families of our residents how grateful they are for the caring support and kindness shown every day to their loved ones by our staff.”

“To mark and celebrate this year’s National Aged Care Employee Day, our staff have received messages of support and thanks from our Executive Director and Director of Senior Services, and personal messages of thanks have been delivered verbally to those staff at work on the ground today providing service”.

The Bugle recognises, thanks and celebrates our aged care superheroes that work tirelessly for our community.

by Bellinda Dunn

Pictured: Uniting Gerringong staff Catherine Woodall-Cathie Farquhar-Josie Godfrey

Council on board for EV charging ctations for LGA

Kiama Council charges through with EV power stations plan Kiama Council is charging through with plans to build public fast-charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) in the LGA.

ENERGY SUMMIT

stations in the LGA. Council has participated in several Expressions of Interest and submitted several applications for funding over the years but has been unsuccessful.

“I am hopeful that the organisation continues to

emissions of all of its operations, facilities and services to net zero by 2031.

The Mayoral vehicle assigned to Mayor Reilly was recently updated to an EV, a Hyundai Kona. The previous vehicle was five years old and had exceeded the re-

The Illawarra Clean Energy Summit & Expo – 14 August What does this mean for you?

With the announcement of the National Net Zero Authority, and a significant opportunity presented by the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone, engagement with Federal and State Government is critical for local industry and investors.

It will be an important opportunity for the region’s business community to hear from leaders in government

and industry on the Illawarra’s exciting future in renewable energy generation, transmission, storage and export with with special guests including The Hon. Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and The Hon. Paul Scully, Minister for Planning and Public Space, who will speak at this summit.

Held in partnership with Endeavour Energy and Oceanex, the summit will present expert panels that will discuss opportunities making the Illawarra a future clean energy, renewables and clean manufacturing powerhouse.

The Illawarra is home to a strong, diverse and growing renewable energy sector which benefits from leading research at the University of

Wollongong and advanced supply chains in related fields.

The Expo component of the event will showcase the expertise and technology that is driving this industry, and all key players will be present to discuss their businesses. There will be panels on clean energy and clean manufacturing and skills

For further info email events@businessillawarra. com.

POLICE SEEK MISSING PERSON WITH TECHNOLOGY

missing from Shellharbour at 5:45pm.

Council participated in a NSW Government feasibility study conducted by contractor Chargeworks to find the best locations for fastcharging stations. Council will report its findings in the coming months.

There are currently no public charging stations in the Kiama LGA, with the closest being Shell Cove. Woolworths has confirmed plans to build four EV chargers in the new Kiama development, but these are not considered public.

Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly reconfirmed Council’s commitment to fund and deliver public EV charging

move more vehicles in the fleet to EVs and hybrids in the longer-term,” Mayor Reilly said.

“I see this as a natural progression towards a more sustainable model of fleet and energy management, that aligns with our net zero targets. The Councillors and I will continue to advocate for additional EV charging infrastructure in our area. Change is coming. I’m proud to be part of it!”

Kiama Council is also doing its part to reduce emissions as part of the Corporate Emissions Reduction Plan it adopted in 2021, which set a target to reduce

placement policy threshold.

“Going fully electric supports our net zero goals and I wanted to lead by example,” Mayor Reilly said.

While Kiama remains without a fast-charging power station, Council installed a power point near the Mayor’s assigned parking spot at Council Chambers so the Mayor can at least get from A to B!

Council has also adopted a new electric waste truck for household bin collection that meets Euro V1 (6) emissions standards.

by Brendon Foye

Police sent out their alert at 9:51pm and fortunately Shirley was found safe and well, as NSW Police confirmed at around 10pm. That was a quick and successful mission!

It’s obviously a worthwhile endeavour to use the community to assist in finding missing people.

So, how are they able to do this?

location. “The NSW Police Force and NSW government works with mobile providers such as Telstra, Optus and TPG under the Emergency Alert Framework,” NSW Police reveal.

Have you ever received a ‘missing persons’ alert email from NSW Police?

On Monday 7 August I received a text (pictured) from NSW Police to assist them to find a missing person. 74year old Shirley Hanes went

SMS messages from number +61 444 444 444 are not a scam. They are official text messages from the NSW Police Force as part of the new geo-targeting alert system.

With the assistance of the phone companies, you will receive a message if you have been within 5km (in metropolitan areas) or 20km (in regional areas) of a missing person’s last reported

The Emergency Alert is a national telephone warning system that allows emergency services to send out alerts in emergency events. The system has already been in place for several years and is used during other emergency situations like bushfires, floods and other extreme weather conditions.

An alert is only used in high-risk circumstances, with an assessment of all available information to be undertaken by police before a geo-targeted SMS message is sent.

by Donna Portland

Shop 8 65 Manning Street in Kiama, NSW Call 0466 054 696

www.coastalfloat.com.au

Floatation Therapy is a way to achieve a deep state of relaxation, relieve tension and allows the body to heal through absorption of magnesium and time spent in a weightless environment

We offer a variety of massage options from Remedial, Therapeutic, Lymphatic & Pregnancy Health fund rebates available!

AHOY ACQUATIC ROBOT

A little bit about our sauna. Sunlighten 3 in 1 infrared sauna

Our private sauna is available for you to sit back, relax and sweat it out, suitable for up to 3 people, why not bring a friend The infrared heating technology has multi wave lengths that target different areas and promote different benefits. The far-infrared is for detoxification, blood pressure and cholesterol reduction and relaxation The mid-infrared is for weight-loss, pain relief & improved circulation and near-infrared predominant wavelength for cell health, complexion, wound healing & skin purification.

If Shoalhaven Marine Rescue has its way, an aquatic robot could be seen off the coast of Gerringong helping boaters in distress.

Deputy Unit Commander Lynne Hocking revealed that the organisation hopes to raise $13,000 to purchase the Portugese-made self-propelled, remote-controlled robot buoy that can rescue conscious people in the water where a rescue vessel and its crew could be at risk.

“[The buoys] pay for themselves. You’d only have to have one of our rescue vessels do a ‘prop on a rock’ and that’s far more than $13,000, so this is a steal,” she says.

Shoalhaven Marine Rescue covers as far north as Black Head in Gerringong and could see the self-propelled rescue device deployed.

“There’s another unit that takes care of Kiama,

they’re out of Shellharbour, but if they needed it, boy oh boy, would we be there with our robot.”

The idea behind acquiring the robot is to reduce the risk of harm to the volunteers on the water and quickly reach people in distress.

“Picture this,” says Lynne, “Some boaters are driving out over the bar and their boat breaks down, very close to the rocks.

“Out comes Marine Rescue, thrashing through the swell and we think we can’t get in too close, but we need to save these people because that’s what we do; we save lives at sea.

“So, we’ll whip this little remote-controlled robot [to the distressed boat], zip it across with a line attached to the distressed vehicle, and [those in trouble] attach it to the front of their boat, and we drag them

away into safety.

“We haven’t put our volunteers or vessel at risk,” says Lynne.

Shoalhaven Marine Rescue is looking for donations to purchase the high-tech equipment.

“This is a vision that our unit has of the first on the South Coast to have [an aquatic robot].”

Last fiscal year, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers achieved a remarkable feat by conducting a high number of rescues. They saved 68 people in the Shoalhaven and 160 in Port Kembla, including two children and two adults from a vessel that was taking water off Scarborough on Saturday morning.

by Steven White

Discover a whole new world of relaxation and find yourself feeling better than ever!

At Coastal Float we want you to focus on your wellbeing in an oasis of rest, replenishment and rejuvenation

HISTORICAL HAUNTS

plinth.

SPECIALISING IN COACH TRAVEL

EXTENDED TOURS, DAY TRIPS & THEATRE SHOWS

D A Y T R I P S

The Great Synagogue, Sydney

Tuesday 29 August 2023 - $115

Includes: Light morning tea en-route, guided tour of The Great Synagogue, lunch at The Juniors at Kingsford and return coach transport

Tulip Top Gardens

Monday 18 September 2023 - $125

Includes: light morning tea, entry to the gardens, lunch onsite and return coach transport

Miss Saigon the Musical

Wednesday 11 October 2023, 1 pm matinee, $235

Includes: ticket to Miss Saigon, showing at the Sydney Opera House, and return coach transport

Pick up locations from Gerringong through to Wollongong

E X T E N D E D T O U R

Echuca & The Mighty Murray River

Sunday 10 to Saturday 16 September 2023

$2725 per person twin share Add $515 for singles

Tour Highlights: Port of Echuca Tour, Great Aussie Beer Shed, Murray River Paddlesteamers day cruise, National Holden Motor Museum, The Spanner Man, Sharps Magic Movie House, The Big Strawberry and Chocolate Apple Factory

Price includes: 6 nights’ accommodation at Wagga Wagga (1), Echuca (4) and Albury (1), breakfasts, dinners, light morning teas, all lunches, entry to all attractions and coach pickup and drop off from your home in the Illawarra area

One of Kiama’s prominent pieces of architecture is the wavy steel statue in Manning Street, not far from Kiama Council Chambers.

It’s known as the Joseph Weston Statue, and was erected in 2009 as part of Kiama Council’s 150th anniversary celebrations. The sculpture, created by Vivienne Lowe, is also called ‘Wave’, and was paid for and commissioned by Margaret Weston, proprietor of WestonPress until her death in 2012.

Joseph Weston established the Kiama Independent newspaper, which went on to become the oldest family-owned newspaper in Australia. The paper was owned and managed by the Weston family for 142 years until it was sold to Southern Independent Publishers in 2005, who sold it to Fairfax Publishing. The Kiama Independent ceased trading

in 2020.

Joseph Weston was an Alderman on Kiama Council for many years, and was an early proponent of the first dairy farmers’ cooperative in Australia in the 1880s. He was also actively involved in obtaining a fresh water supply for Kiama.

After his death in 1913, Kiama Council erected a monument in honour of Joseph Weston’s work for the community. Council chose to erect the monument outside Council Chambers as it’s where the original premises for the Kiama Independent was located.

The monument was originally a drinking fountain designed by Walter MacFarlane, and was manufactured by his company, Saracen Foundry in Glasgow, Scotland. The fountain consisted of a single pedestal basin with four decorative columns rising from an octagonal

Unfortunately, the original statue was hit by a truck during an accident in the 1950s that also took out the Kiama Obelisk, which led to it being relocated to the opposite corner of the Kiama Post Office. When the new memorial was unveiled in 2009, an anonymous local resident supplied a picture showing that the original Joseph Weston fountain was now in their own garden!

The support The Bugle has received from residents of the Kiama show that strong, independent local news is alive and well, and we’re honoured and privileged at The Bugle to keep it alive!

by Mark Whalan

Real sound. Really comfortable.

WE WELCOME YOU TO JOIN US FOR THE FIRST OF OUR OPEN DAY EVENTS IN AUGUST.

- Select and secure your new home!

PLACES ARE LIMITED SO DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY.

REGISTER FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE TOUR AT

Post COVID and all the pressures of modern technology in a fast paced world, it’s our kids that often suffer without the right coping mechanisms. It’s rare to find a family that it hasn’t been affected to some extent. Fortunately our area is very proactive with addressing this.

There’s no shortage of research indicating supportive connections with others are crucial for mental wellbeing, and that these can provide a measure of protection against anxiety and depression.

A recent suite of workshop programs run in Kiama (1524 yr olds) and an Australia-wide survey into loneliness (16-26 yr olds) have sought to delve further into

understanding the mental wellbeing concerns of young people.

Dr Monty Badami is an anthropologist, speaker, facilitator and coach, as well as an officer in the Australian Army Reserves. He is also a parent and a Kiama local. In 2021, Dr Badami’s social enterprise Habitus, (which had worked previously with both Kiama High and Kiama Primary) was approached by a number of young people from Kiama who wanted support to make sense of the recent rise in youth suicides in the area. The last few years was really hard, and one of their biggest concerns was the feeling they weren’t being listened to.

The Lifehacks program

was created and delivered by Habitus (in partnership with Sonder Youth and #Talk2MeBro) to uncover and clarify how young people in Kiama were really thinking and feeling – by asking them.

It was an opportunity to share their stories and their voices, with the program reinforcing the benefit of asking people with a lived experience of a situation, before trying to create community interventions.

The program was funded by the 2021 Youth Opportunities Grant from the Department of Communities and Justice, with additional support from The Kiama Lions Club, The Kiama Leagues Club, and Makuta Youth.

To date, 60 young local people have attended the two-day Lifehacks workshops (two in 2022 and one in early 2023), with six under 18s trained as mentors and assisting in the later workshops.

Dr Badami explains that thanks to the ‘very generous support of Makuta Youth, we can train local community members to continue to deliver the Lifehacks program in the area’. (Makuta Youth is a Kiama-based charity raising funds to support established suicide prevention and wellbeing initiatives in our community).

On 19 July, Kiama Council and SENTRAL Youth Services Kiama organised a presentation of the Lifehacks Whitepaper for the Kiama community at the Pavilionwith the Mayor, Councillors and other local bodies and community organisations represented.

Dr Badami said of the evening that he was ‘so proud of the young people, proud of the program and proud of our community’ and that it ‘genuinely felt like a watershed moment for our community’.

Below is a broad summation of the Lifehacks participants’ survey responses and feedback:

• Young people know what support is available and how to maintain good mental health, but they crave more connection.

• Young people value their relationships with adults, but need us to trust them.

• Young people are struggling and want adults to try to see things from their perspective.

• Young people know what they want for their immediate future, but feel that it isn’t enough to satisfy the desires or aspirations of their parents.

To find out more about the Kiama Lifehacks

Nowra or Ulladulla can apply via www.sonderyouth. com/changemakers or email lucy@sonderyouth.com.

There are still some places available for the next Kiama intake, commencing later in August.

Moving from the local area to the national youth mental wellbeing landscape, on Sunday 30 July, the annual International Day of Friendship, ReachOut released a report on the impacts of loneliness on Australian young people.

The report (based on a national survey of over 660 young people aged 16-26), identified that nearly 60 per

of support from their friends and family, a need for closer relationships, a need for people to talk to and hopes to find new connections.

The full report can be found at: Craving Connection: How Loneliness is Impacting Young People’s Mental Health. ReachOut Australia is anonymous, free and 100 per cent online.

Support Resources:

• NSW Health Mental Health Support Services for Children and Young People

• SENTRAL Youth Services

KiamaSonder Youth

• Beyond Blue

• ReachOut Australia has

cent of young people are concerned, stressed or worried

CEO of ReachOut, Ashley de Silva, explained that the ‘International Day of Friendship’ was an important opportunity to highlight young peoples’ experiences of loneliness and to encourage young people to seek

He said that not only did the report highlight loneliness as a major issue for young Australians, but that ‘loneliness can affect mood mental health and wellbeing, and other areas of a young person’s life including sleep, appetite and relationships’.

In fact, a whopping 82 per cent of those worried about loneliness believed this was having a moderate or major impact on their mental

Many of those surveyed expressed a perceived lack

support information on loneliness and friendship, an Online Community and one-to-one peer support via ReachOut PeerChat.

ReachOut also has information for parents supporting young people on loneliness and friendships, a parents forum and a one-one-one parents coaching service. ReachOut encourages safe reporting about mental ill-health and suicide and encourages media to report according to the Mindframe guidelines.

by Bellinda Dunn

NATIONAL TREE DAY

Kiama High School students dig in for National Tree Day

Students from Kiama High School have once again pitched in on National Tree Day to help plant approximately 700 trees around the Kiama LGA.

Year 7 students, accompanied by the local Bushcare group, planted local native trees at three locations: Seven Mile Beach, Bombo

Headland and Spring Creek. Kiama Council thanked everyone involved, including Minnamurra Lions Club, which supplied its barbecue and cooking skills to help feed the students and staff.

The trees will help regenerate the three areas and provide new habitats for the local wildlife.

National Tree Day is an initiative organised by Planet

LOCAL VOLUNTEER GROUPS SHARE $66,000 IN GRANTS

Volunteer groups from across the Gilmore electorate have received a share of more than $66,000 in grants to support their organisations.

Local organisations from Kiama to Tuross Head received grants which will fund purchases such as fuel costs, training, community barbeques and safety equipment.

Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips MP celebrated the success, saying “Providing grants to volunteer organisations is one of my favourite parts about being a local Member of Parliament. These organisations are here for our community through thick and thin, and I am delighted to be able to

give back to so many great organisations.

“Volunteer groups do such amazing work in our communities, and after a tough few years navigating devastating bushfires, storms, floods and the COVID pandemic it is important to help support them when possible.”

The Kiama Scout Group was granted $3000 towards its portable defibrillator.

Gerringong and District Historical Society received $1128 for two podcast microphones.

Kiama Swimming Club received $4200 for training and transport.

St John Ambulance Australia NSW - Kiama Combined Division was given $1786 for

radio equipment.

“These organisations do all sorts of wonderful things. Like Marine Rescue, St Johns Ambulance and United Hospital Auxiliaries teams keeping people safe and healthy. Local sports clubs help keep people active and are a vital social outlet, and our Rotary and Lions Clubs support and develop the community from the ground up,” she adds.

“I am really in awe of the commitment and dedication of our local volunteers, and I want to sincerely thank them,” Phillips said, and her gratitude is shared in the community.

by Donna Portland

Ark and has taken place each year at the end of July since 1996.

Schools Tree Day took place on 28 July this year, while National Tree Day was on 30 July. Anyone who missed out can participate once again on 3 December this when Tropical Tree Day rolls around. by

Brendon Foye

Jake O’Brien, who runs the chess sessions at the Kiama Farmers Market at Coronation Park at the edge of Surf Beach, is thinking big - giant in fact!

Eleven-year-old Jake is seeking support for the market to acquire at least one giant chess set and is asking the Kiama community for support buying or even donating a giant set. Wind overturning games halfway and loss of pieces

has him thinking this way.

One of the regular highlights of the Kiama Farmers Market on Wednesday’s at Coronation Park has been the free Chess Sessions. These have been running for since April 2023 and have received a lot of support and interest from visitors to the market.

There is something quite peaceful about playing chess right on the beach in the afternoon. Many young-

sters, some as young as six, have been enthusiastic to try chess for the first time and many older residents with a passion for chess have enjoyed being challenged by younger players with a fresh perspective on the game.

“Players of all ages and abilities are welcome to come along,” says Tricia, the Market Manager. Backgammon and checkers are also available for those unfamil-

JET-VAC

iar with chess.

Jake, who hopes to be a writer, has shown a real talent for creating a community, yet he told the Bugle that he had to jump in to be the umpire and blow the whistle when a couple of girls overturned another pair’s game, who then retaliated by overturning the first pair’s game!

Jake’s parents Nicole and Brendon, who own the Butcher’s Nook shop in Ter-

ralong St, have been very supportive of Jake’s passion for chess. “He took to it really quickly and now it is a real passion,” his mum Nicole said to The Bugle. She has looked into the idea of Council adding a giant chess board to the grass at Coronation Park.

Jake is asking the Kiama Community to come forward to donate or support at least one giant chess set. The giant pieces are

not only sturdy in wind and hard to steal but also have great visual impact for any audience watching the game.

If you are interested in supporting this initiative, for example if you happen to have a giant chess set sitting unused in your garage, please contact The Bugle directly, or Tricia Ashelford, the manager of Kiama Farmers Markets.

by Mark Whalan

BOARD APPEAL TO FURTHER CHESS ENGAGEMENT

CELEBRATIONS IN STORE FOR MEALS ON WHEELS

ence,” Joanne explains.

The mission is supported by tens of thousands of dedicated volunteers, who not only deliver nutritious meals to the doors of those who need it but also help to combat social isolation, which is a national health and wellbeing issue among those aged over 65.

our volunteers are critical in supporting older people to live well, meet their nutritional needs, their dietary and eating preferences, providing necessary social connection, as well as carrying out lifesaving wellbeing checks at every visit,” Mr Sadler says.

Wednesday 30 August is the National Meals on Wheels Day.

This iconic charity and much-needed meal delivery service is celebrating 70 years of delivering #morethanjustameal to older Australians.

Kiama Meals on Wheels will commemorate this day

by hosting a brunch for members and guests at the Sebel Harbourside in Kiama, celebrating 53 years serving our local community and giving a huge thanks to their volunteers for their dedication and commitment.

“At Meals on Wheels Kiama we know that it’s not just the customers who benefit from our service.

The sense of purpose felt in making a real and tangible difference in our local community, as well as opportunities to make new friends and learn new skills, make volunteering for Meals on Wheels a rewarding experi-

The chair of Meals on Wheels Australia, Paul Sadler says that this 70-year milestone is something to be truly proud of. “One thing that has remained clear over all this time is that the service we provide with the support of committed volunteers is vital.”

“As we learnt from the subsequent Meals on Wheels Social Impact Report, released by Huber Social, the Meals on Wheels model and

It’s all of this that sets Meals on Wheels apart and makes it such a crucial service for communities and older Australians right across the nation.

In supporting the health, independence, and connection of people within our community, Kiama Meals on Wheels Manager, Joanne North says “The Huber Social Report has confirmed what the Meals on Wheels community has known for years.”

by Donna Portland

Hi, My name is Susi, I am the lifestyle coordinator at the Blue Have Aged Care Facility. Yesterday saw Ted Moore turn 100. Here is some information on Ted if you could run the story you surely would make his families day. I am Ted Moore, born in Sydney 08/08/1923, in Summer Hill. Roselle in Sydney is where I spent my early years of life growing up. I went to Fort Street Boys

High School, it was a selective school for those who excelled at mathematics. I went to a college that specialised in Technicians. My first job I worked at PMG in Sydney, then I was promoted to Wagga where I met Joan and married. Next, we moved to Albury and then moved to Coonabarabran, where Joan fell pregnant. Then it was off to Taree for a few years then another promotion to Kempsey. So, every time I would get a promotion we moved again, next was then

to Wollongong where we saved up enough money to buy a house in Coniston and built a house in Sussex Inlet later retiring in for 33y ears. Then moved to Blue Have in Terralong Street. With others we were the main fundraisers to raise money for the local swimming pool at Sussex inlet. My children consist of a son Ted JR. and daughters Jenny and Marilyn. The names of my grandchildren are Daniel, Brad, Rhys (dec.), Renae and Dean, Matthew and Ben. I have 17 great children. My favourite singer is Vera Lyn. I loved sports such as Golf, Tennis, Lawn Bowls, and Cricket. I also enjoyed reading and swimming. My favourite topics of discussion are the Love and Pride of my family. I have a great pic if you would like it, we have permission from Ted. If you could email me would be greatly appreciated. Susi.

THE SURGE BY ENSEMBLE OFFSPRING

Sunday 15 October | 3pm

The Surge is a multi-layered feast of music, reigniting ‘90s classics alongside new commissions that reflect on the cultural, environmental and political situations Australia finds itself in today. Enjoy an afternoon concert at Bundanon, with views overlooking the Shoalhaven River.

Tickets from $35. Add a picnic for two $40

FIND OUT MORE & BOOK: bundanon.com.au/whats-on/ensemble-offspring

Ensemble Offspring.

SCAN

BOOK

MUSIC MACHINEJACK REILLY

Most kids who grow up in a small town get the urge to move away to find adventure in the big city.

Even when you grow up in one of the most beautiful towns in the country like Kiama, the allure of finding something “bigger” is almost impossible to ignore.

This yearning to leave can also cloud your memories and make you forget how good you had it “back in the day” when you were young.

This journalist received a pleasant reminder of what it was like growing up in Kiama when I spoke to Jack Reilly, now a Sydney-based musician who grew up in Kiama. If the surname sounds familiar, it’s because Jack is the son of Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly.

Like myself, Jack was a part of the Illawarra music scene in his youth before moving to Sydney in his early twenties. With his next album in the works, The Bugle caught up with Jack to discuss what it was like trying to make it as a musician in Kiama during the 2000s.

Jack was around 11 when he started seriously listening to music, but it wasn’t until watching a performance at the ARIAs that he decided he wanted to be in a band.

“What got me to consider music was Frenzal Rhomb performing at the ARIAs. They played Never Had So Much Fun and it changed my life.”

The next day, Jack decided music was his life even though he didn’t actually know how to play an instrument.

“It was a few years before I could do anything. I met my friend Ben in high school and we just told everyone we were a band. We would say we’re having band practice but just put on Rollin’ by Limp Bizkit really loud and jump around.”

Jack and his mates eventually got their own instruments and started a band called Laceration, which was the beginning of Jack’s live performing career at around 13.

It wasn’t easy being a fan of alternative music, or any alternative subculture at all at the time. “I think the South Coast generally speaking is very good, but I just think culturally everyone is kind of cool, and into surfing and sports,” says Jack.

“Certainly that’s changing now, but when I was growing up, I was really interested in heavy music and edgy, goth culture, and sensitive guys wearing makeup. It was just a bit weird for a lot of the kids who were going surfing.”

Jack says it was this dichotomy among Kiama’s youth that brought young musicians and anyone interested in alternative subcultures together.

“It was when the community found each other, there were goth kids, punk kids, kids that were a bit alternative, when they found each other, it was a very good thing.”

One of Jack’s memories of playing in bands at the time was how competitive the scene could be at times.

“The scene gets kind of big, everyone is really excited and supporting each other, then all the bands feel like

they’re really important and put themselves and a lot of egos in the way when people start coming to shows. And it’s hilarious to think about because we’re all in Kiama.”

Despite the ups and downs, Jack has fond memories of playing in Kiama, and attributes his current success to the skills and attitude he formed on the South Coast.

“In terms of what it was like to play music, my memory of it is that it was generally pretty good. I certainly have a lot of memories of being young, before music I had no way of expressing myself and no sense of community in the town, certainly I went from having nothing to having some.”

“The local nature of everything, having to put on shows yourself, organising bills, organising events, making sure they’re as inclusive as possible, they’re all things I’ve learnt in Kiama and have very much tried to keep consistent throughout the rest of my career. The attitude that was formed here has informed everything I’ve done.”

Jack has been on a hiatus when it comes to releasing music, his last release being in 2020. That being said, he’s gearing up to release a new 10-track album next year, and has just released a cover of Funeral by Phoebe Bridges.

Jack says he decided to cover Funeral because hearing Phoebe Bridges made him feel the same way that hearing Frenzal Rhomb did all those years ago. That feeling inspired Jack to return to basics and release his music with a DIY approach.

“I just really wanted to

alleviate some of the anxiety

around releasing music, because having those three years to build something, I got really overwhelmed at the idea of it being right and reintroducing myself to the world in a new way, then I started worrying if people would be into it, and all these really unhelpful thoughts,” says Jack.

“I thought the only way to alleviate that pressure of putting out new music was to go back to how it was for me when I first started, so I purposefully didn’t put it on Spotify, I put it up for free on Bandcamp and Youtube.”

As for the new songs, Jack says there’s a tension between his own desire to express emotions in a raw and honest way while also catering to what people want to hear that permeates throughout his music. As a result, the lyrics of his new music tend to revolve around conflict resolution and being able to have honest conver-

sations despite being scared of the outcome.

“A lot of my music has been about feeling lonely and alienated, so I really wrote this record to have some semblance of not feeling so alone anymore, finding people I can spend my life with, and how that’s not always the end of the story,” says Jack.

“You still learn and grow when you let people into your life and start having real adult relationships, and with that comes its own set of separate headaches. But it’s mainly about the conflict tension and hopefully the resolution that comes from being able to articulate your feelings.”

Jack says that any young people in Kiama that want to be in a band should focus their efforts on doing what

they love to do, not just what a potential audience might think about it.

“Just try to think about the feeling you had when you felt that you’d feel better if that was expressed. If your focus is just on making work that you’re proud of that you can express yourself honestly through, that’s a really valuable thing.”

“The majority of people do not have the inclination to do anything creative whatsoever, so if you have an inclination, you have a responsibility to pay homage to that feeling. So you’re already streets ahead of everyone else if you have that feeling and attempt something.”

by Brendon Foye

Picture: Hazel Chan

WEDDING SEPARATES

ABC ANIMAL SOUNDS

Australia's Favourite Animal Sound: Celebrating the Symphony of the Wild An ABC Initiative for National Science Week 2023 12-20

August

Vogue bridal here on the south coast”

The best kept secret of the South Coast is the Australian bridal label, Bowie Rae, twice featured in Vogue magazine internationally.

Designer Manal Waugh launched her debut collection in 2019 and after 5 years of travelling the world, she set up her first studio in Woonona. “It was always on the vision board that BOWIE RAE would eventually live in the heart of Sydney CBD… yet the more time passed, the more it felt right to bring this new kind of bridal over to the South Coast where it was born”.

Manal says, “I never imagined BOWIE RAE would have taken off so quickly, In 2019 we were featured in Vogue after our very first bride and muse, Rebecca Burrow wore a custom BOWIE RAE gown”.

Now brides who want to do bridal their own way can visit the studio. “The South Coast is booming with the most beautiful and inspiring creatives,” Manal shares. “Teaming up with the other cool kids of the South Coast like Hero Florist, Mrs Gibbons, or the beautiful storytelling of Sea-People Photography and a host of other local creatives, BOWIE RAE has the vision of collating all the local rebel creatives and creating a one-stop-hub for all things cool in bridal”.

When it comes to the brand itself and what separates BOWIE RAE from the rest, Manal adds, “We have a very unique but simple philosophy when it comes to bridal… You don’t have to become anything or dress up as anyone else on your own wedding day. We create a collection of separates that all work together to create your very

own bridal look”.

After causing controversy in the media over a sheer wedding dress, designer Manal bares all, “I have nothing to hide when it comes to who and what I design for. BOWIE RAE is inspired by the bold and designed for the daring. We focus on building a stronger, more empowered representation of the bride… challenging the outdated and divisive representation of the storybook bride that excludes and secludes many women. BOWIE RAE wants to broaden this traditional definition of what it means to be a bride and ask, ‘what if a Bride can just be a woman getting married?’ And what if this woman can choose what she will wear on her own wedding day…”

We like it! BOWIE RAE studio is now open and available for bookings but by appointment only

by Donna Portland

The great continent of Australia is renowned for its unique and diverse wildlife, a true testament to the wonders of the natural world. As National Science Week 2023 approaches, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is inviting everyone to join in a nationwide initiative that celebrates the extraordinary symphony of animal sounds that resonate throughout the land. This initiative, titled "Australia's Favourite Animal Sound," invites citizens to cast their votes for the most cherished calls of the wild.

The Science Behind the Symphony

From the rhythmic screeches of cicadas during the warm summer nights to the haunting howls of dingoes echoing through the outback, Australia is home to a plethora of distinct animal sounds. The project aims to shed light on the fascinating field of bioacoustics, which delves into the study of wildlife sounds. Ecologist and science communicator, Dr. Jen Martin, emphasises the significance of animal sounds in scientific research. These sounds aid in identifying elusive creatures and provide insights into their behaviours, communication patterns, and interactions.

The renowned science communicator, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, encourages individuals to embrace this opportunity to connect with Australia's unique wildlife

and explore the captivating sounds they produce. By participating in this initiative, people not only contribute to determining the nation's favourite animal sound but also engage with the marvels of nature that surround them.

Listening to the Call of the Wild

The initiative presents a list of 28 distinct animal sounds for consideration, ranging from the iconic whip crack of the whipbird to the eerie, long call of the moaning frog. Each sound has been carefully selected by ABC's team of nature enthusiasts in collaboration with scientists, offering a diverse and captivating array of noises that represent the animal kingdom's vocal prowess.

Included among the contenders are the unmistakable "koo-koo-koo-koo-koo-kaakaa-kaa" of the kookaburra, the melodic and maniacal calls of the butcherbird, the enchanting mimicry of the lyrebird, and the soul-stirring grunts and bellows of the koala. These captivating sounds are more than just auditory experiences; they provide valuable insights into the behaviours and communication strategies of these remarkable creatures.

Join the Chorus: Cast Your Vote

The voting process has started at www.abc.net.au/ sounds, where as a participant you can immerse yourself in the symphony of Australian wildlife. Take the opportunity to listen to each animal sound, learn about the creatures that produce them, and ultimately cast

your vote for your top three favourites.

After the initial round of voting, the list will be narrowed down to the top 10 finalists on August 11th. A second round of voting will commence, leading to the announcement of the winning animal sound on August 18th. This eagerly anticipated revelation will mark the culmination of Australia's Favourite Animal Sound project for National Science Week 2023.

The project has received support through the Australian Government's Inspiring Australia strategy, showcasing the value of scientific engagement and exploration in the nation.

A Celebration of Nature's Melodies

Australia's Favourite Animal Sound initiative is a celebration of the symphony that reverberates across the country's landscapes. It encourages people to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature's soundscape, showcasing the intricate and diverse ways in which animals communicate and express themselves. By casting your vote, you're not only participating in a poll but also joining a chorus that reverberates with the essence of the Australian wilderness.

So, open your ears and hearts to the enchanting calls of the wild, explore the captivating world of bioacoustics, and cast your vote to honour the most cherished animal sounds that define Australia's natural heritage.

by Veronica Grace

CURES FOR CHILDHOOD GENETIC DISEASES

Hear how fundraising leads to cures for genetic childhood diseases.

The Children’s Medical Research Institute Gerringong Committee (CMRI) keeps on fundraising, and this year’s slogan for Jeans for Genes campaign ‘Jean-ius’ says it all. The GENIUS who leads and inspires the talented researchers is Professor Roger Reddel and he is coming to Gerringong.

On Sunday 20 August from 2-4pm at Gerringong Town Hall, Professor Reddel will outline the recent breakthroughs in research into cancer, embryology, neurobiology and gene therapy.

Tickets are $20, which

includes an afternoon tea of home baked delicacies prepared by CMRI members. You can buy your via www.trybooking.com/ CJYLB

This is a great opportunity to find out how the Gerringong Committee’s fundraising dollars - over $2.3 million since 1959are spent.

CMRI is an independent organisation with over 170 scientists committed to finding treatments affecting kids. Research Scientist, Tahlia Lawler, BSc, Advanced Studies (Honours), Applied Medical Science and PhD student will also share her experience.

A lot has changed since

young pregnant mother, Dorothy Bailey, started the Gerringong Committee in 1959. Dorothy contracted Rubella during her pregnancy and her child was born with a congenital heart problem that meant a lot of time in Sydney being treated by the founder of Children’s Medical Institute, Sir Lorimer Dods. He was not able to save the child, but he asked Dorothy to set up one of the first fundraising committees and it is still going.

Professor Reddel is an informative and inspiring speaker who leads a team with “a vision of doing research of the highest quality to improve the health

of children.” The goals are “highly ambitious, and becoming more so, as the power of research tools increases. We continue to think long-term so we can tackle the most difficult diseases and their root causes –not just the symptoms”.

CMRI Gerringong Committee encourages everyone to bring your friends and support this cause while you learn more about ongoing medical research. It is also a great opportunity for young people with an interest in science, career opportunities and future study.

by Donna Portland

Enjoy afternoon tea with Director of CMRI Professor Roger Reddel to hear how our fundraising $$$ lead to cures for genetic childhood diseases

Sun 20th August

Gerringong Town Hall 2-4pm

Tickets: $20 at https://www.trybooking.com/CJYLB

SECOND HAND SATURDAY

DYING TO KNOW

and coping with the emotional aftermath of death and dying."

Discussing death can be difficult for those facing it, but there is support available. The facilitators at Death Cafés can guide how to approach loved ones with these challenging conversations.

"The facilitators are available to discuss various avenues that partners and family members can take when they find it tricky to

open up about death.

"These cafés provide comfort because we are encouraged to talk about whatever we would like to."

Kate encourages people to explore the conversation surrounding death by attending a Death Café. She believes that discussing this topic openly and honestly helps individuals feel less alone and more supported.

Rampant Scams

Rampant scams afoot

Death is a topic that everyone will encounter at some point in their lives, but many Australians choose to avoid discussing it.

The Groundswell Project Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that works to improve end-of-life experiences, seeks to change this by promoting open conversations about death.

Together with the local Compassionate Communities Group, they are hosting

a Death Café at the Kiama Library on Friday.

Kate Roberts, a resident of Kiama, has been attending Death Cafés since 2020 and finds them incredibly helpful. She believes that these events aid in preparing people for the unimaginable by addressing both practical and emotional aspects of death.

"We discuss important issues like making wills, appointing a power of attorney,

"When people speak and they touch on what you have been through, that's so comforting. We are often alone when dealing with death and dying.

"We try to be the caregiver or be strong for the people who are unwell. But people with different experiences come together to make a for

A Kiama resident, wants others to be aware of how easy it is to get fooled. Beth, not her real name …bit embarrassed… shared with The Bugle.

Beth is no fool, she has a middle management role, is well educated, has a teenage son and is a busy woman. She was sent a text that read: “Hey mum just texting you off this new temporary number for the meantime, had a little accident and damaged my phone pretty bad causing damage to my sim card. hope to hear from you soon (loveheart emoji).”

Since this was something that her son Jack was likely to do, she accepted it on face value. It was not Jack though – it was a scammer. His next message was “Do you think you’d be able to help me out mum? The phone shop said that the phone is badly damaged so I’d either be able to pay for a repair or get a cheap refurbished.” Beth told him that the phone cost a lot and that he should take better care of things he owns and asked how much money he needed.

Beth really thought she was talking to Jack and kept the dialogue going. The scammer then texts her, “The only thing is I tried to pay before but I can’t access my bank because it sends the code to my old phone number so as soon as I get access back, I could pay you back straight away, is that alright? The repair would be around $500 but I could get a new refurbished phone if I pay them $750.”

Beth then tells him that she prefers the first option and since she doesn’t have a credit card she asks him for the banking details of the phone shop, then tries to send the payment. Fortunately, she receives a message from her bank, saying “The account name doesn’t seem to match the account,” which she said, “was a blessing because I would have lost $500 otherwise”.

Finally, Beth begins to smell a rat. Upon closer scrutiny she realises that these texts are not typical of the way Jack writes, and they are pretty generic. Luckily, she had the presence of mind then to call her son on his real phone number, and of course he answers, and has no idea what she’s talking about concerning the ‘broken phone’. She was a little embarrassed - after all she had actually tried to send the money to the scammer

and was only saved by her bank’s warning about the name and number not matching.

“It would have been really easy for them if I’d given a credit card, but ever since my elderly mother got conned by a fake charity collector a couple of years ago, when she’d given them her credit card, I decided that I’d prefer not to run the risk, and only ever pay by bank transfer or PayPal these days,” Beth reveals.

What Beth should have done was to call her son straight away to check if the person behind the texts was really him or not. These types of scams happen every day to thousands of unsuspecting people. Scammers are getting quite inventive, and people need to be alert and suspicious if they receive a message like this.

How can you clue up?

The ACCC has published “The Little Black Book of Scams” which is a guide for people to be able to spot, avoid and protect themselves against scams. You can search this online and download the PDF. It is very much worth a read. There is information about all the various types of scams that happening these days including, dating and romance scams, investment scams, threat and penalty scams, unexpected money scams, lottery and prize scams, job and employment scams, identity theft, charity and medical scams, business scam, etc. this list is long.

by Donna Portland

102 Terralong Street, Kiama NSW 2533

garethwardmp com au

garethjward

A wonderful new outdoor food and beverage area, known as the Back Green, has been built at the Kiama Bowling Club on Shoalhaven Street.

The grass is green, and the area has new tables and ramps built by the Men’s Shed from Kiama. This area is intended to be used mainly

BOWLO BACK GREEN

for social gatherings and can comfortably accommodate 60+ people, so it is perfect for groups to hire out and will also be used for barefoot bowling! e

They have called it the “Ray Walker Green” after a former President and life member, who passed about two years ago, but has clearly

NETBALL INSPIRES

club netball players.

The day included a Q&A session, signing of merchandise, taking selfies with the girls and much much more.

left an impression on the Club! The area was officially launched two months ago and has wheelchair access. It has already been used by schools and charity groups for events.

Secretary Manager, Andrew Broadwood, said that the Back Green is very popular over summer for ‘barefoot

bowls’ and we can see why that would work!

The Kiama Bowling Club always appreciates new members joining the club. Go and check it out for yourself - you’ll be welcome.

by Donna Portland

KIAMA OZTAG

Two Kiama residents have become Oztag world champions as part of the Australian Beach OzTag team.

The Kiama Central Netball Club hosted an exclusive INSPIRE event for all club members on Sunday 6 August 2023 @ The Pavilion which was generously sponsored by The Pines Kiama. Special guest speakers Maddy Proud and Sophie Fawns (pictured above) from the Sydney Swifts Netball Team wowed and INSPIRED the up and coming

All the members were very excited to be part of such an auspicious occasion. Contact Jackie Hall at the Pavilion if you would like to be involved further.

Australia beat New Zealand 8 - 2 in the grand final of the Oztag World Cup held in Limerick on 5 August.

Australia’s Oztag team has won the Oztag World Cup in Limerick, which includes two team members from Kiama.

The Australian team,

See the real thing:

Essential

No other collection even comes close imported carpets you’ll see at these unbeatable prices in the Persian Carpet Gallery You’ll select from Australia’s largest and most respected collections gathered over years of astute selection at their source

All handcrafted and guaranteed authentic with assured trade-in value In fact many are rare masterworks of excellent provenance, heritage and heirloom quality This is an investment that will improve with age and continue to reward you every day At these prices, even your accountant may approve And you can take one home to try before you buy

known as the Tagaroos, beat out New Zealand in the grand final 8 points to 2. The team included two members of the Kiama LGA - Jarvis Austin and Liam Vane-Tempest.

Kiama has a healthy OzTag scene, and is regularly played at Surf Beach and Gainsborough Oval in Kiama Downs. The next Kiama Beach Oztag Tournament will be held at Kendalls Kiama Oztag World

Beach in March 2024. The local Oztag team is known as ‘the Kiama Phantoms.’

Oztag began in 1992 with two small competitions in St George and Cronulla, and has been played in Kiama for more than 12 years. There are currently 150,000 Oztag players in Australia across 80 associations.

Beach Oztag is a non-contact version of rugby league Cham-

Champions team members Liam Vane-Tempest (centre), Jarvis Austin (right) where players must remove one or both tags from a player’s waist to stop their progress and to mark the play of the ball.

by Mark Whalan

KIAMA JUNIORCOMETS SOCCER

The regular season comes to a close this weekend with quite a number of Kiama Comets teams progressing to the semi-finals.

The Comets have had a great season 2023, with players developing their skills to higher levels with the outstanding coaches that have volunteered their time for the training sessions and

games. The enthusiasm shown by the players and their excellent sportsmanship and respect for the referees and officials has been inspiring and holds the entire club in good stead for another great season in 2024.

Well Done!

by Brian Scott

Our localsopinionated matter

in the SMH book of published letters. Then in 2013 along came Tony Abbott, who Nola describes as “a letter writer's dream.”

Nola is also good friends with Joan Brown who lives in Orange. Joan contacted Nola a few years ago and they still correspond, mostly about their letters. Nola said “Recently SMH published Joan’s 500th letter (since the 1990s) and there was a lot about her achievement last week in the Herald.”

cise’ the negative thoughts.”

In one such letter in the Herald’s Opinion column on 16 Feb 2023, Greg commented on what he described as the ‘ludicrous’ practice of ‘gay conversion therapy’, which is apparently still a thing in 2023. He makes the valid point that “No course of therapy would ever convince one to change.”

He says, “You either like oysters or you don’t,” and suggests, “Let’s accept people as they are and move on.” Hear hear!

theatre, as opposed to watching movies on the TV in the loungeroom, or architecture (his passion), theatre or art living on to reflect and nourish our lives, or the devastating effects of gambling addiction. He has had more than 80 articles published.

The Bugle commends our locals ‘with an opinion’ and invites others with something to say to let us know what it is. We will soon be starting an ‘Opinion column’. Watch this space.

How will I see when snow skiing?

Winter is here, and many of us will be going to the snow in the coming months. Vision correction is complicated by a few factors, so let me outline the options and what I normally recommend.

Contact lenses: Have I mentioned I love contact lenses? Well let me say it again, I love contact lenses, and they work so well at the snow. You can wear goggles or sunglasses over the top of your contacts, they don’t fog up and don’t get rain spots on them. One of the challenges is dryness due to the dry air but also the heating used. Make sure you have the latest lens material technology like Dailies Total1, which solve this problem. These are also available in multifocals so you can read with them too.

Local Kiama resident and retired teacher Nola Tucker has been a major contributor of letters written to the Sydney Morning Herald, including Column 8. She averaged eight contributions each year for decades.

Nola describes Column 8 as “the fun bit of SMH”. She started this pursuit back in the 1960s, with her first letter relating to the Indonesian control of New Guinea.

Nola’s next letter came during John Howard’s time as Prime Minister and the introduction of the GST in the late nineties – meaty stuff! That ended up

Another local and prolific writer of letters to the Herald is Greg Martin Vale, a well-known Kiama artist. Nola says, “Not only is Greg a wonderful artist, but he also writes very good letters to the Herald, mostly on Arts subjects, and they are always very perceptive.”

The Bugle met with Greg, who is not one to ‘sit and stew’. He revealed that his motivation is really about social commentary; to “hold up a mirror” to the things he perceives as “madness”.

He’s not politically motivated, but rather his letter-writing pursuits over the last 20 years was really to “get things off his chest.” Greg says, “By writing these letters, I am able to ‘exor-

Greg writes about a wide range of topics, i.e. the experience of going to a movie

by Donna Portland

Glasses with goggles over the top: Not quite as elegant, but a good option. There are a number of goggles designed to fi t over your glasses. Make sure they don’t alter the position of your glasses, as this can affect your vision. Definitely need to take some time getting a good fit. Brown/ yellow goggle tints work best.

Prescription Sunglasses: Great when the sun is out, dangerous when visibility drops.

Warning: If your glasses go dark outside, because of the cold and UV, they will go VERY DARK. If you are putting goggles over the top, do so before you go outside, so your glasses stay clear. Have fun.

Jean Anderson

Convenient

Dine out whilst Kiama Village closed

Where can locals buy bread & milk these days is the cry of many in the Kiama community.

Seniors particularly have told The Bugle they are concerned about the ongoing Woolworths closure and wonder where and how they can buy the staples locally.

They are unhappy about having to leave Kiama to shop for food and would prefer to “use their money for other things normally purchased locally,” according to one resident.

One elderly local resident, Owen said, “It’s very difficult for the elderly without a food outlet.” He posed the question “I wonder what people visiting Kiama think? and how they expect to stock up on food, especially basics!”

Maybe some of the local coffee shops could sell miilk and bread for the ease of those that can’t travel far?

And of course supporting local eating establishments is always a treat - a holiday from the everyday!

The Woolworths complex remains closed whilst the roof is replaced until 16 August – if all goes to schedule.

Here are a few viable options to be able to get the groceries you need:

Visit your friendly local supermarkets - the IGA in Kiama Downs, Gerringong or Jamberoo, or Foodworks in Gainsborough. There is also Top Shop in Kiama. Who knows it might become a new habit!

There is a courtesy bus service that takes people to Stockland Shellharbour, which operates on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only, from 11am (departure) to 1:30pm (leaving from Shellharbour to return to Kiama.)

The pick-up location is the bus stop on Terralong Street opposite Kiama Village.

Driving Miss Daisy can also be contacted for shopping trips.

Woolworths intended to have a pop-up shop at BWS Kiama Village, where locals could buy a limited range of

WILDGINGER WINNING FANS

essential products including milk, bread and fresh produce. Unfortunately, due to the accident with one of the building workers, this pop-up store has been closed.

When the Bugle approached Woolworths for information we were told, “The Woolworths pop-up and BWS store remain closed as investigations continue into a workplace incident that occurred last week. This is to ensure the safety of customers and team members and due to the limited access for product deliveries.”

The good news is that there is online delivery services available, however, there will be no option for in-store pick-ups in Kiama in the immediate future.

With the garage closed also for upgrades, and the new diagnostic centre going in in Terralong Street, (exciting), one could be forgiven for thinking Kiama is looking like a large building zone!

by Belle Wood

Burnetts Recipe Corner

After nearly 20 years living in Huskisson, Jervis Bay, and running two establishments (Seagrass Brasserie and Wildginger Restaurant), Kierrin McKnight moved to Kiama with his partner Lucie in 2019 to enjoy the great lifestyle in Kiama as well as the accessibility to Sydney.

The new owners of the newly renovated Kiama Shores Motel suggested that he lease the front restaurant venue in Collins Street.

After five months of floor to ceiling renovations, gutting and designing a fresh new modern sleek look with his 2011 created Wildginger brand in mind, Kierran opened the doors of Wildginger on 31 March 2023.

The main goal was to create a more upmarket adult only dining experience with beautiful white tablecloths and decor to make guests feel like they are experiencing a special night out.

With the team that was formed 18 months ago, including head chef Cayle O’beirne at the helm in the kitchen, Wildginger is creating dishes that have been favourites in the past, together with a new balance of cooking that no other establishment in this region is offering.

Kierrin says “Being on the seaside of the Pacific Ocean and the region’s excellent providores and farming, we are blessed with a wonderful range of produce”.

Wildginger can seat up to 75 diners and are open Wednesday through to Saturday evenings.

However, they have introduced Yum Cha Sunday lunches (on the first Sunday of the month) giving a full range of dim sum and classic dishes for a long lunch style experience.

“I also realised that there is a demand for our food to be enjoyed in your own oasis with a more relaxed evening in mind, so we also now offer takeaway meals, but be aware that orders will cut off on busy nights by 6pm to give the kitchen time to concentrate on our in-house diners,”

Kierrin explains.

“Being attached to the 50-room motel we also opened our pool bar and kiosk called Single Fin Kiosk which sends out fresh fish and chips with a selection of homemade sauces,” he adds.

The kiosk trades 12pm -6pm Wednesday - Saturday.

This reporter, a self-confessed foodie (and wino), adds her recommendation, having experienced the 8-course ‘classic banquet’ a couple of weeks ago – very memorable!

by Donna Portland

REVITALISING RELATIONSHIPS

Caryn is a Kiama Counsellor & Psychotherapist, Life and Executive Coach and welcomes your Relationship questions in this column.

religious, reproductive, or sexual abuse’ How can she deal with this?

• Firstly, your friend needs to recognise the nature of the relationship in which she is living. Many people deny they live in a violent relationship and over time, it gets worse. Never better.

Caryn Walsh

I have read your “Revitalising Relationships” column and I am impressed that you are covering this subject, especially because topics such as domestic violence are so topical in the news right now. All couples fight from time to time –that’s normal, but I have a friend who I have suspected as being a victim of an abusive husband. He is stressed from his job, and they have some heavy financial worries (surprise surprise), but this is no excuse for taking it out on his wife. (I think he hits her, and I know that he is emotionally abusive.) It’s not her fault and his behaviour is no solution! I feel sorry for him too. She keeps forgiving him and tries to be understanding, but the cracks are showing.

Bugle Reader

We are living in a very different world than we did in the past, and there are many reasons why people (and couples) are under stress. The huge increases in the mortgage rates over the last year, the significantly high cost of living, working in a role or environment where a person is not happy, daily challenges of raising children, looking after ageing parents, feeling they are carrying the world on their shoulders …. the list of stressors seems endless. Couples who relate well in times of stress are those relationships that fare well. They understand each other and the pressures they are both under, to offer comfort and leniency in times when most needed, they are supportive and loving of each other within the boundaries of kindness, care, respect and trust.

People living in stressful situations

However, people under stress behave differently to others who are not stressed - and often ‘unacceptable’ behaviours raise their ugly heads – name calling, belligerence, hostility, hitting their partners, being emotionally abusive, sulking, ignoring their partner and getting angry often with their partners are some examples of dysfunctional behaviours that occur.

Domestic Violence is defined as ‘violence committed by someone in the victim’s domestic circle. In its broadest sense, it also involves violence against children, parents, or the elderly. It can assume multiple forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, economic,

• She needs to acknowledge that what she experiences, is not ok. Ever.

• If she continues to accept this behaviour, it will continue. And frankly, it can cost her her life, and that of her children.

• Children respond differently when living in domestic violence, depending on their age and stage of development. For example, babies living in domestic violence appear to lower levels of health and poorer sleeping patterns.

• Studies show that children are at greater risk for abuse and neglect if they live in a violent home

• Studies show that 3 million children witness violence in their home each year and those who see and hear violence in the home suffer physically and emotionally. Getting help is her first port of call. Right now, she is suffering in silence, and if this continues, the impact on both she and her children will worsen.

Strategies to help your friend

• Have an honest chat with her and ask her if she is experiencing domestic violence in her relationship

• Explain that you are talking about it to her because you are concerned for her safety (and children)

• Explain that by making plans to move away from her dangerous situation, she breaks the cycle of domestic violence in which she is currently living. Staying in this Cycle continues to reinforce it

• Explain that there is always help out there as – there are many resources available - the 1800 RESPECT line is a great start

• They will guide and advise her about where she could find a safe place for her and the children to live, even if temporarily

• She needs an Escape Plan –talking key items for she and her children. (1800 RESPECT)

• Show her research about the damage that domestic violence has on her children – she may downplay the impact her husband’s violence has on her (but there is no denying it has on her children)

Concluding this column, you are the most wonderful person for wanting to help your friend. I hope you found this information useful.

If you have a question, please send it to Caryn at hello@ thebuglenewspaper.com.au

All information is confidential and whilst we may publish your queries, all names will be changed to protect your privacy.

Billed as the world’s most remote music festival, BIG RED BASH is located 35-kms west of Birdsville Queensland. As a crow flies, that is some 1400-1500-kms from the cities of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne but much further by road. This is its tenth anniversary year, and BIG RED BASH attracted over 10,000 people in attendance. A tremendous line up of musicians included: Icehouse, John Williamson, Chocolate Starfish, Angels, Hoodoo Gurus, Kate Ceberano, Troy Casser-Daly, Human Nature, Grace Knight, Mel Dwyer, Caitlin Shadbolt, Shane Howard, Wendy Mathews, Dragon and many more.

Apart from the music, there are many other events and activities for the whole family. This year some 5,838 people set a new world record for Nutbush dancing as sung by the legendary Tina Turner, who recently passed away. This record event raised some $90,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). Further funding for RFDS came from Drag Race, Dunny Door painting, fashion parade and early entry/exit passes. Juvenile Type one Diabetes Medical Research received a huge donation from 5,467 people who dressed in blue clothing and wigs to form a giant map of Australia, which made another world re-

cord. Crack Up Sisters also entertained the crowd with their shows, comedy, whip cracking plus games and activities.

The event also included a big number of displays and food vendors to cater for the masses.

SmIth‘s mobile bakery made hot bread, pies, cakes, tarts and donuts for patrons. Other vendors did pizza, burgers, coffee, Mexican food, South American food, chicken, ice cream, fish & chips etc.

Festival goers could also do camel rides and helicopter flights. Festival organisers also had a huge range of merchandise for sale.

Birdsville BIG RED BASH (with Big Red sand dune as a backdrop) certainly Rocks the Simpson Desert and is an iconic event that brings people back year after year. For myself, this was my fourth BIG RED BASH as a volunteer. I work as a stage builder along with about 400 volunteers that are road marshals, merchandise sellers, ticket staff, concert marshals, tent erectors, cooks, electricians, plumbers, dunny angels, stage hands, camp site and road set up teams etc. Some 11,000 man hours of work was done by volunteers to make this event a success plus a huge effort by the event staff members.

It is a great event in that it showcases Australia’s music

talent, has raised some $300,000 for charity. It has generated an estimated $20 million for the outback economy as patrons travel to and from Birdsville, spending money on fuel, food (groceries, meat, fruit and vegetables), caravan parks, hotel/ motels, meals out, camping supplies and tourist attracti ons.

It is a windfall for small towns like Birdsville, Boulia, Windorah, Quilpie, Winton etc. plus larger towns like Charleville, Cunnamulla, Longreach, St George and many others along the way. I believe it helps our economy where Australian tourism dollars are spent here rather than overseas.

Congratulations to Greg

SCOUT JAMBAREE

On Friday 4 August over a thousand NSW Scouts gathered in Appin, South of Sydney, to engage in a range of challenging outdoor activities at the 2023 State Rally – the largest annual event for Scouts aged 11-14 in NSW.

The first order of business for Scouts upon arrival was pitching tents before embarking on caving, rock climbing, flying fox, obstacle courses, and home-made escape room challenges across the weekend. Each activity involved friendly competition, with Scouts winning points by completing activities for their Patrol.

“Our youth members were so excited for this year’s State Rally which is one of the biggest we have seen, with more than 1700 Scouts, Leaders and supporters attending,” Mitchell, who is also State Commissioner – One Program at Scouts NSW, said.

Mitchell Stubbs and Charlotte Gleeson said this year’s State Rally theme is "Around the World in three days”, with the event to give Scouts a memorable experience full of fun and challenging adventures, while building and developing their outdoor adventure skills and meeting fellow Scouts.”

Scouts NSW Chief Commissioner Lloyd Nurthen said: “State Rally provides an opportunity for participants and Leaders to explore new ideas, meet new people and, most of all, have fun and create memorable experiences.”

Kerry from Kiama Scouts said “Despite the cold weather and patches of rain over the weekend the Scouts all thoroughly enjoyed the rally. It was a great success.”

If you have interest to join up, more information can be found at www.joinscouts.com.

Donovan and his family who have founded and promoted Birdsville BIG RED BASH and making it such a great event. Greg was featured on ABC’s “Australia Story” some months ago.

by John Knox

To add to the outdoor adventure of the State Rally, Scouts hiked between the activity bases positioned throughout the 160ha site during the day, then made camp in the early afternoon on the Saturday night to be ready to face the next series of challenges on Sunday morning.

Organisers

au by Donna Portland