Lifelong surfer Paris Chisholm had one thought when starting Feral Femme Surf: “I can literally do so much of a better job than your boyfriends”.
LLewis
ifelong surfer Paris Chisholm had one thought when starting Feral Femme Surf: “I can literally do so much of a better job than your boyfriends”.
The 24-year-old soil scientist by day, passionate surfer and community organiser by earlier day, launched the female focused group last month with the aim of girls supporting girls to achieve their goals in the ocean.
“My number one pillar in life is community and I just wanted to create
a surf school that really feels like a community and is tailored to women,” Chisholm told The Bugle.
“As women, whenever I see my female friends learn to surf I think what’s holding us back is confidence.
“That’s the number one thing I wanted to instil in girls because I know it’s so intimidating going out into a big group of boys and trying to learn a new skill and be confident in the ocean.
“It has taken me so many years to feel like I can paddle out into a lineup of boys and take the waves that I want.
“I think surfing is amazing and I feel so lucky to experience it as often as I do. Everyone deserves to have this feeling and being connected to nature and the ocean.
“It’s the most present I ever feel in life.”
Growing up in Western Australia, Chisholm became hooked on surfing when she was 10-years old and learned on some of Australia’s most iconic waves in Esperance and Margaret River.
She moved to the South Coast specifically so she could complete her university studies while continuing to surf as often
as she liked, all the while the idea of starting her very own surf group percolated in the background as she worked as a coach at other surf schools.
“I got back from an overseas trip last year and a whole lot of my girlfriends had just learnt how to surf and their boyfriends were taking them out,” she said.
“Their boyfriends were just doing the worst job and the girls were like ‘maybe I just want to do a lesson or video analysis’ and I thought ‘oh my God, I could do that’.
Continued on page 6
Maria
Welcome to The Bugle
This week, it's our 'Drink Up!' issue, as we spotlight the people, places and businesses keeping our community refreshed. Whether it's a fresh juice, a cocktail, a craft beer or the latest alkaline water vending machine trend, there's something for everyone.
As a sober girl myself – 16 years and counting – I also wanted to explore the other end of the barrel. We chat with mic-dropping couple Ash Grunwald and Danni Carr about how they're putting teetotalism in the spotlight. (Page 15)
Despite the rainy week, there was plenty to celebrate across our region as the community came together for NAIDOC Week. Every year, my kids and I attend the Shoalhaven NAIDOC Family Fun Day, and this year's celebration, marking the '50 Years of a Deadly Milestone', raised the bar with an incredible turnout. See page 4.
We're also on the lookout for sponsors! We'd love to hear from local businesses and community organisations interested in supporting our book club, kids' pages, sports coverage or another regular Bugle feature that aligns with what you do. See page 18 for details.
Thanks for being part of our story.
The Bugle newspaper is brought to you by locals weekly and available free throughout the Kiama LGA. Get daily news updates and the digital edition anytime via The Bugle app or at thebuglenews.com.au
The Bugle News is bound by the standards of practice of the Australian Press Council. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, but we are only human. Content does not necessarily represent The Bugle’s view.
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The Bugle acknowledges the Dharawal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and tell stories, and pays respect to Elders past and present.
50 years of Deadly
Library and Museum
NAIDOC Week by displaying the
by Wiradjuri woman Kay Andonopoulos (Kay A). Marrumbang, the Wiradjuri word for kindness and/or love, connects artist Kay A to family, earth, sky and water.
NAIDOC family funday shines a light on support available
It has been weeks of rain and wild wilds, but for a few hours the storm subsided and sun shined down on Nowra Showgrounds for Shoalhaven City Council’s NAIDOC Family Fun Day.
More than a thousand people from the community and surrounding areas braved the mud to celebrate 50 Years of Deadly – the theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week - with attendees saying this year held particular significance.
“We come every year, it’s a great way to bring people together and showcase the diversity of our culture and our community,” said Jeff Williams, who was attending with the Booderee National
Park team.
“Everybody is feeling it this year, it’s all around, the spirit’s out there with the 50 years.
“It’s always inclusive. It’s about teaching the young ones, closing the gap, and raising awareness.”
With the Wreck Bay NAIDOC event on Monday having to be cancelled due to bad weather, Williams said the turnout in Nowra was an important display of unity and captured “the spirit of everyone working together”.
“It’s what we’ve always done, but it’s what the communities are especially good at doing down here, showing up and supporting,” he told The Bugle.
Amongst the live performances that ran across the day from an array of talented Indigenous musicians, there was also free tucker on offer from Blak
Cede, a popular First Nations women-led cafe in Nowra.
With activations from the St. George Illawarra Dragons to a petting zoo, one of the most important aspects of the day were dozens of stalls on site trying to bring awareness to services they offer to the local Indigenous community.
Services Our Way was one of the most busiest tents, with staffers decked out in Aboriginal flag beanies and scarves that had been knitted by their staffer Trish Wilson.
“I made one for a staff member who was having a baby, then I made a few adult ones for NAIDOC and now everyone is wanting one,” she laughed.
“This is all about being part of the local community, seeing everyone come together to celebrate our culture and the diversity that we’ve got.
“You have mob coming from all over. I’m from Moree, there are people from Moree here, people from Bundjalung, Lismore, Ballina.
“It’s a day where you’re not stressed about work and its’
great for us to get our face out there.”
A service within the Aboriginal Housing Office, Wilson said the Family Fun Day was a way to raise awareness about the work they do an services they can offer.
“Services Our Way has been out there for about 14 years now and people still don’t know about us,” she said.
“People come to our service during hard times and we can assist in everything from navigating government policies to helping people set up their home.
“We walk alongside people, so to get to see them out in community as well, it’s such a positive day.
“The biggest compliment we get is we just listen, people are always saying to us ‘thank you for listening’.
“We might just help someone fill out a housing application or help someone deal with their court matters … We don’t have a box, we try to work with whatever people need.”
Gerringong
Gallery celebrated
Marrumbang art exhibition
Maria Lewis
Thinking of standing for Kiama Council?
The Bugle is inviting all candidates contesting the Kiama Council by-election to share their announcement with the community. We will be collaborating with Kiama Community Radio to bring you all the latest as the campaign ramps up. Send your media release, photo and contact details to news@thebuglenews.com.au for consideration for publication.
Warren Steel legacy lives on with Todd Jordan COULD THIS BE YOU?
Kiama by-election update
Long-time Kiama local Todd Jordan has announced he will stand as an independent candidate in the Kiama Council by-election, saying he wants to bring practical leadership, financial discipline and a strong community focus to local government.
Jordan said his decision to nominate was driven by his lifelong connection to the area
residents.
"I have made the decision to stand for the Kiama Council byelection because this community is my home, and it always will be," Mr Jordan said.
A former student of Minnamurra Public School and Kiama High School, Jordan said his local upbringing has given him a deep appreciation for the community. He is also a founding member of the Jones Beach Boardriders Club.
Professionally, Jordan is Production Manager at Innovation Composites and has previously managed major national and international infrastructure projects, including the Goro Nickel Refinery in New Caledonia, the Barrow Island LNG fire ring main project in Western Australia, and several
delivering complex projects on time and within budget would translate well to local government.
"I want to apply that same focus and discipline to Council through sensible planning, careful spending and reliable delivery of the services our community relies on," he said.
Jordan said his decision to stand was also influenced by his late father-in-law, former Kiama councillor Warren Steel, who served the community for 30 years.
"Warren's life of service, his quiet dedication to the community and the way he always put people first inspired me and helped shape my decision to stand," he said.
Jordan previously stood on Warren Steel's ticket and said, if elected, he would continue that tradition of community-
deep social conscience."
His priorities include keeping Council focused on core services, maintaining responsible financial management and supporting local communities.
"If elected, I will put ratepayers first by keeping Council focused on its core responsibilities — our roads, parks and gardens, public toilets, footpaths, car parks and essential resident services — while ensuring spending is disciplined so rates remain fair and predictable," he said.
Jordan also pledged to protect the character of Kiama, Jamberoo and Gerringong, pursue practical solutions to traffic and parking issues, support local sporting clubs and community organisations, and improve communication and customer service within Council.
Local business owner, TAFE NSW teacher and long-time community advocate Michael Bowden has also announced he will stand as an independent candidate in the Kiama Municipal Council byelection. Read the next issue of The Bugle for our interview with Bowden on his election pillars.
Postal vote applications open for Kiama by-election
Myah Garza
Eligible voters can now apply for a postal vote for the Kiama Municipal Council by-election, to be held on Saturday, 22 August.
The NSW Electoral Commission has opened postal vote applications for residents who are unable to
vote in person on election day. Applications can be made online through the NSW Electoral Commission.
Voting is compulsory for enrolled voters in the Kiama LGA. Residents who have recently moved or need to update their details should ensure their enrolment is current before rolls close at 6pm on Monday, 13 July. Australians only
need to enrol once with the Australian Electoral Commission, but any changes to address or personal details should be updated before the deadline. More information on postal voting, enrolment and key election dates is available on the NSW Electoral Commission website: https://elections.nsw.gov. au/voters/enrolment
Riverfront rezoned: 900+ homes on the horizon for Nowra
The NSW Government has officially approved the rezoning of the Nowra Riverfront Precinct, clearing the way for one of the city's biggest redevelopment projects in decades and delivering hundreds of new homes along the Shoalhaven River.
The state-led rezoning, finalised on 19 June, introduces new planning controls for key sites along Scenic Drive, Hyam Street and Bridge Road, allowing buildings between five and 12 storeys and creating capacity for up to 377 new homes alongside new commercial and retail spaces.
A separate rezoning for the nearby Mandalay Avenue Sub-Precinct has also been approved, enabling Homes NSW to deliver about 537 social, affordable and private dwellings.
Combined, the projects could see more than 900 new homes built within the broader riverfront precinct as Shoalhaven prepares for significant population growth.
The NSW Government expects the Shoalhaven Local Government Area to grow by more than 43,000 people by 2041, with the rezonings designed to increase the supply of low, medium and high-density housing close to the Nowra CBD.
The riverfront rezoning also includes a requirement that
2 per cent of new homes on private land be delivered as affordable housing, creating up to seven affordable dwellings within the precinct.
Across the Homes NSW development at Mandalay Avenue, at least 30 per cent of homes will be social and affordable housing.
Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White said the approvals represented a milestone for the city.
"Securing these approvals is a significant step forward for the Nowra Riverfront and for our community. By enabling a greater mix of housing types, we're creating opportunities for more people to live close to the city centre, to access key services and to enjoy our incredible riverfront," Cr White said.
"This outcome reflects the strong collaboration between all levels of Government to unlock much-needed housing in a highly desirable location while enhancing the character and liveability of Nowra.
"I know the community has a clear vision for this precinct and I'm incredibly excited to see it continue to evolve into a place where people can live, work and enjoy the riverfront for generations to come."
Cr White thanked the NSW Government and council staff for progressing the project and acknowledged Premier Chris Minns for fast-tracking the rezonings through the State Significant Rezoning pathway.
John Salmon is
While the rezonings are now in place, development cannot begin immediately.
Shoalhaven City Council must first prepare a Development Control Plan to guide future development across the precinct.
Further flood modelling will also be undertaken for riverfront land to assess flood risks, evacuation arrangements and off-site impacts before development applications are considered.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and Shoalhaven City Council will jointly fund further investigations into sewer and water servicing capacity.
The riverfront redevelopment has attracted support from all levels of government. In January 2025, the Federal Government committed $5 million to help Council prepare an Open Space Masterplan for the precinct, while Premier Chris Minns announced in March last year that the rezonings would be fast-tracked.
Once complete, the Nowra Riverfront Precinct is expected to become a major residential, commercial, cultural and recreational destination, transforming one of the city's most prominent waterfront locations.
The estimated completion date is 30, June 2027.
For more information, visit the Nowra Riverfront Precinct Activation Get Involved page.
Construction begins on longawaited Jamberoo subdivision
Amy Molloy
After almost eight years navigating the planning system, construction has officially begun on the Golden Valley subdivision on the edge of Jamberoo.
Developer Fountaindale Group expressed relief and excitement about hitting this significant milestone after an eight year process of obtaining planning and servicing approvals, despite the land being identified as a growth are by Kiama Council many years before.
“Delivering new housing shouldn’t be this difficult,” said a spokesperson from the Fountaindale Group.
“This project is an excellent example of the complexity and uncertainty embedded in the NSW planning system that has led to the housing crisis that we face today.
“The NSW Government has recognised the problem and its great to see them implementing changes at a rapid rate which will hopefully mean a smoother pathway for future housing projects. We are just pleased
to have that behind us and are now focused on delivering a high quality subdivision on time and on budget”
Following an extended tender process, influenced in part by rising fuel costs, the $5 million civil construction contract has been awarded to WEM Civil.
The company has now taken possession of the site and begun establishing construction fencing and site facilities, with major earthmoving equipment expected to arrive shortly.
Works include the construction of roads, drainage, sewer, water, electricity and NBN services, along with landscaping throughout the estate.
Subject to weather conditions, civil works are expected to be completed in early 2027. Once complete, the 50-lot subdivision will be registered, allowing purchasers to settle on their land and begin building homes.
The developer says interest has been strong, with enquiries coming from across the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and Sydney.
According to Fountaindale Group, many prospective buyers are looking for a quieter lifestyle while remaining within easy reach of larger regional centres.
"Some of the strongest interest has come from people already living in places like Kiama, Berry and Bowral," the developer said.
"Those towns have become increasingly busy, while Jamberoo is seen as offering a quieter village lifestyle that's still close to beaches, cafés and services.
"The views across the surrounding dairy farmland are also a major drawcard."
The 50 residential lots, ranging from approximately 800 square metres, are expected to be released for sale in late spring as construction nears completion.
As work gets underway, the development is likely to remain a talking point within Jamberoo, where balancing housing growth with protecting the village's unique character continues to be an ongoing community conversation.
Dental Practice
Myah Garza
Dr John Salmon • Kiama
the first site meeting between Fountaindale Gorup, WEM Civil and Kiama Council
Ihave a love of magpies and their quirky nature, and so
I wanted to share my story of choosing names for these birds that I love to paint.
I have been painting them for many years, capturing their interesting characters and poses. To date, I have painted over 400 magpies, many of which have found new homes. The new owners often tell me a personal story of the maggies that they become attached to in their local area or even in their own backyards. The happy expressions on their faces when they relate their magpie story is what makes it all worthwhile. I guess my painting reminds them of their favourites.
I give each bird an
individual name, and this is where it gets difficult, having painted so many. Sometimes their name jumps out, especially when they have an inquisitive or cheeky look about them or act in a certain way. For instance, one I named Scouting – this bird was on the hunt and oblivious to my presence. Then there is Ruffled, that had ruffled feathers in full view, a pleasure and fun to paint. The Warblers were carolling away, and I considered myself lucky to enjoy these melodious creatures. Peek-a-boo was on to me, but I got a good photo just in time.
Of course, there are the obvious ones, such as My Turf, Greedy, Feed Me, Old and Proud, Dirty Harry, Cheeky
Bird, Fly Boy, My Patch, Hot Shot and Angry Bird.
Even Elvis has been honoured, as well as some characters in the Top Gun movie, my favourite being Maverick.
I also have my Australian group including Straya, Dingo, Boomer, Crikey, Roo, Mad Max, Brumby and Banjo, to name just a few.
A selection of my magpie artworks can be found amongst the beautiful giftwares available at Burnetts on Barney and The Collective Beat at Gerringong. This hobby brings me great joy, and I will continue pursuing it for as long as I can.
Yvonne Clough Gerringong
Government stands firm, by-election is on.
The NSW Office of Local Government’s decision to knock back Kiama Council’s bid to avoid a by election is, on its face, a straight forward exercise in legislative consistency. The rules are clear: when a councillor resigns outside the narrow window where a countback is permitted, a fresh poll is required. It is designed to protect democratic legitimacy, not council balance sheets. It is just extremely unfortunate that Mike Cain’s resignation came within this window. But for us, mandated democracy comes with a price tag likely north of $200,000 which is a considerable sum for a community still grappling with financial pressures and service expectations. Council’s argument was simple enough: with less than a full term to run, a functioning governing body already in place, and rates and fees under strain, surely the Minister could show some flexibility. The
Office of Local Government has now answered that question, firmly, in the negative
There is a certain irony here. Countbacks are often held up as the gold standard for continuity and cost effectiveness. They honour the original intentions of voters, are administratively simpler and far cheaper than sending everyone back to the booths. Had the vacancy occurred earlier in the term, that is exactly what Kiama would have received.
In the case of the 2024 local elections, a countback would almost certainly have delivered another independent aligned with the McDonald/Matters ticket. On first preferences, their 36% primary vote towered over other candidates and parties. A re run of those ballots with one councillor removed would, in all likelihood, have seen another familiar independent face slide into the chamber with minimal fuss and no new slogans.
One can’t help but wonder whether that neat continuity is precisely what makes some in Macquarie Street so attached to the rigidity of the current rules. A by-election, after all, is a roll of the dice. It offers parties and personalities a fresh chance to test messages, mobilise volunteers and, perhaps, chip away at the dominance of a particularly successful local ticket.
For residents, though, the calculus is simpler. We will be asked, yet again, to spend their Saturday queuing at polling places so that the letter of the law can be satisfied and the numbers around the council table restored. Whether we view this as a vital democratic moment or an expensive exercise in box ticking will depend on voter turnout and the eventual result.
Let’s just hope the weather on 22 August 2026 was as good as last week.
The Bugle’s View is, as it always has been, make sure you make your vote count!
“Better than your boyfriends” Feral Femme Surf puts ladies in the line-up
fifteen showing up.
“It was proper four to five foot Werri, it was tubing, and everyone made it out the
“Everyone was yelling for each other on waves, girls were wiping out, others were making it … it was awesome.”
The next Feral Femme Surf event is a screening of the award-winning documentary Girls Can’t Surf at Natural Necessity in Gerringong at 6pm on Friday, July 10.
“There’s so many surf movies that you’ll go and see and it’s just a bunch of boys getting barrelled,” Chisholm
“These movies can be a boys club and I was like ‘why can’t we make it a girls club?’
“So we’ve chosen Girls Can’t Surf, which is a movie I really connect with ...
“Those women, they’re so cool … they’ve just paved the way for us to surf now, have a women’s tour, and it’s so important to hear all those stories and realise where all our power comes from.”
One of the key subjects of Girls Can’t Surf and pioneer of the sport, Pam Burridge, said groups like Feral Femme Surf were so important because it shows “different ways to be in surf culture and in the water”.
“You need it, you need your people to show you that you don’t have to be a stereotype of anything,” she told The Bugle.
“Like, you see them in the line up and you see the longboarding girls and this and that, but to see these charging shortboarder girls … we’re on track, you know?
“It’s a lot harder to get waves on a shortboard, in a pack, but if you’ve got other mates around you in the water that’s where it comes in.
“It’s good to have a few lil’ allies to hold your spot and give you confidence in the line-up …
“If you love surfing, just be
you, do it with your mates, and if there’s art and music and whatever else comes along with it, challenging ideology or whatever, that’s also interesting and that’s an important part of it: smashing down the stereotypes.”
Now running a surf school in Mollymook, Burridge was one of Australia’s first world champions in an era where men were actively working to exclude women from the sport.
She and fellow female surfers like Pauline Menczer, Jodie Cooper and Wendy Botha would do anything they could to get their names out there. In Burridge’s case, that meant everything from her first sponsor being a car yardAsian Wreck - to releasing her very own pop song. “You had to get in to pop culture some way,” she laughs.
“And it wasn’t usually through the industry, because women weren’t in it, so it had to be via whatever way you could get in.
“That was your job and it worked so … whatever.”
Now over 40 years later, the industry looks very different thanks to the likes of Burridge and the future of Feral Femme Surf is brighter for it, with
Chisholm planning even more coaching sessions, more trips, more events, and eventually more merch.
“I’m planning so many different collaborations with other businesses in the community,” she said, with a plan to donate a portion of future proceeds to the Illawarra Women's Trauma Recovery Centre in Shellharbour.
“I would love for this to be my full-time job one day, but right now it’s just so exciting that people are loving it and have been so supportive …
“We’ve got hoodies and stickers at the moment that people have been wearing around town, which is so cool, but I’d love to eventually have functional and cute boardshorts for the girls that you can actually surf in.
“Another thing is I want to take the focus off what women look like and instead just focus on how much they can rip and how keen they are to get out there.”
Those interested can stay updated via Feral Femme Surf’s rapidly growing Instagram account, with Chisholm adding that “the boys are invited too” for the Girls Can’t Surf movie night taking place at Natural Necessity.
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Artist impression
Cocktail Passport delivering global tastes without leaving Kiama
Maria Lewis
It’s rare an idea can do three things at once. But for Cin Cin owner Michael Bowden, coming up with the Cocktail Passport was the perfect trio of solutions simultaneously.
Introduced as a Saturday and Sunday initiative throughout winter, it offers punters a cocktail at Cin Cin and Little Betty’s for just $39, with a free courtesy bus taking customers between venues,
“I’ve got a really good relationship with Little
connects our venues for free: essentially someone can go have a cocktail at Little Betty’s, then they might jump in the bus, have a cocktail at our venue, maybe stay on for dinner with us or vice versa.
“They might just have the two cocktails then head over the road to (Uncle) Fuku’s … that’s where most of my ideas come from, working out what I’d like to do.
“If I had a Saturday night off, I’d love to have cocktail somewhere, jump in a bus and have another cocktail, then work out the rest of the evening from there.”
Betty’s, it’s where I go when I’ve got a night off, so I thought they would be the perfect business to bounce that idea off and they were open to it,” Bowden told The Bugle.
“Not only that, but because I’ve got the courtesy bus it
Having worked in hospitality for over 30 years, Bowden has spent more than half his career working in Kiama, with the Cocktail Passport just the latest in a long line of ways to try and get creative about generating a nighttime economy locally –something he’s very passionate about.
“We had a really good nighttime economy in Kiama and slowly over the years –and COVID didn’t help – it has dropped right away, so it’s important to find ways to get people out of their houses with a deal,” he said.
“We’ve got over 30 coffee shops in Kiama that thrive,
nighttime venues that thrive.
“We’ve got to come up with concepts that stimulate the nighttime economy.”
With a cocktail list that serves variations on all of the classics, Bowden says his personal favourite on the menuatCinCinisnaturally“the
Mick’s Spicy Marg.
“I make my own chilli syrup myself in the kitchen,” he said, adding that’s the secret.
“When we opened up, I did a fair bit of research and tried to come up with my own receipt to have that good balance between the chilli and sweet.”
Another popular offering is The Evie, named after one of their regular customers Evie Stein, whose go-to is a dirty martini.
With Cin Cin’s extensive track record as an essential stop for those after cuisine in a curated space that celebrates fine art and Little Betty’s unique vibe run by brother and sister duo Christina and Paul Paterno, Bowden hopes the Cocktail Passport will open up a world of delights to those willing to check in … all without leaving Kiama.
“We’re all great at what we do and connecting our
business to the other ones in Kiama is a great way to show people that,” he said.
“The whole idea of starting somewhere and kicking on is very important.
“Transport is one of the biggest issues preventing people from going out in this town, so if we can take care of that then hopefully people will be keen to come by and have a cocktail.”
“This isn’t just about my business, this is about every hospitality business in Kiama: we want people enjoying themselves in our venues.
Berry brings 24-hour hydration station
Fresh filtered alkaline water is now more accessible to people across the South Coast following the installation of a new 24-hour hydration station outside Berry General Store.
The self-service DRIP Hydration Station allows customers to refill containers of all sizes, from a one-litre drink bottle through to five, 10 and 15-litre containers. Those without their own container can also purchase a reusable BPA-free 15-litre bottle from inside the store before filling it at the station.
The station is operated by DRIP Hydration, a local South Coast family business. Founder Georgia Crisp who grew up in the Kiama area and still calls the region home with her family. The business was created to make fresh filtered water more accessible while encouraging people to reuse containers instead of relying on single-use plastic bottles.
For DRIP co-owner Georgia Crisp, partnering with Berry General Store was a natural fit.
"The community and atmosphere that Taylor and Brie have created at Berry General Store is incredible," she said.
"It's exactly the kind of place we want DRIP to be part of."
The station connects directly to the town water supply before the water passes through an eight-stage filtration process, including reverse osmosis and remineralisation, to produce
filtered alkaline water.
"Our reverse osmosis system removes chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, bacteria and other impurities, before beneficial minerals such as magnesium and sodium are added back in controlled amounts."
The result is fresh filtered alkaline water available whenever people need it, without relying on single-use bottled water.
Making the station available around the clock was an important part of the concept.
"People's schedules don't stick to shop hours, whether it's an early morning walk, a late-night workout or simply needing a refill on the way home," Georgia said.
"We wanted DRIP to be there whenever people need it, not just when the store is open."
Sustainability is also central to the business, with customers encouraged to bring their own containers or reuse DRIP's refillable bottles.
"Every refill is one less plastic bottle in circulation," Georgia said.
"We want to make it as easy as possible for people to reuse what they already have. It's a small habit change that adds up over time."
Berry General Store owner Taylor Hudson and his naturopath partner, Brie Brazenor, said the hydration station aligned closely with their vision for the business.
"For Brie and I, it was about offering something genuinely different that aligns with our values," Taylor said.
"We're always looking for
products and experiences that are high quality, sustainable and add value to both our local community and the many visitors who come through Berry each week."
Taylor said the station complemented the store's focus on community and convenience.
"Our vision has always been to create more than just a café. We want Berry General Store to be a communityfocused business and a destination where people can discover great food, quality coffee and thoughtfully curated retail products that improve everyday life," he said.
"The hydration station is a natural extension of that vision. It gives locals another convenient service they can access any time of the day, while also providing visitors with something they may not have seen before."
Although the station has only recently been installed, Georgia said the response had been encouraging.
"We're still in the early days, so it's less about sales numbers and more about the genuine curiosity we're seeing from the community," she said.
"People are stopping to ask questions, trying it out and spreading the word, which is exactly what we'd hoped for."
Berry is home to the second DRIP Hydration Station on the South Coast, joining the original location at Tino's Bodega in Narrawallee, with the local family business planning to expand to more locations across the Illawarra in the coming months.
Bugle Newsroom
From refreshing morning pick-me-ups to nutrient-packed drinks on the go, local cafés and health-focused spots across the region are serving up an exciting range of juices and smoothies. While winter may have us reaching for warm coffees and cosy drinks, these stores are still a perfect way to stay energised, hydrated and refreshed.
Local spots serving up refreshing drinks
Diggies Kiama
Set against Kiama’s coastline, Diggies Kiama is the perfect place to relax with a refreshing drink in hand. Their menu features freshly squeezed juices, vibrant fruit smoothies and expertly brewed coffee, all made to enjoy alongside the stunning ocean views. Whether you’re stopping by after a morning walk or catching up with friends over brunch, Diggies offers the ideal blend of fresh flavours and seaside atmosphere.
Sippin Nowra
Sippin’ Nowra is the perfect destination for a delicious and energising boost. Specialising in loaded teas, refreshing açaí bowls and protein-packed smoothies, Whether you’re after a post-workout pick-me-up or a tasty, healthy treat, their vibrant menu has something to keep you refreshed and recharged.
With locations in both Kiama and Berry, The Hungry Monkey is a local favourite. On top of their famous burgers, their uniquely named juices and smoothies are just as worth the visit. Their drinks menu features everything from nutrient-packed green and vegetable juices to tropical fruit blends and protein smoothies, offering a delicious way to refuel any time of day.
Park Central
Located in the heart of Kiama, Park Central Cafe is a favourite for expertly brewed coffee and refreshing handcrafted drinks. Alongside their popular Grinders coffee, the café offers a unique range of beverages including single-origin cold brew, freshly brewed iced teas and other seasonal refreshments. Their fruit smoothies are a go-to, a range of flavours making it a great place to stay refreshed.
Recharge Nwutrition
Recharge Nutrition in Dapto serves everything from refreshing loaded energy teas to nutritious protein smoothies, making it easy to enjoy a healthy drink without compromising on flavour. Their low-calorie, nutrient-packed beverages come in a huge variety of flavour combinations, offering endless choices to suit every taste. With special school holiday deals for families, it’s the perfect stop for all ages.
Tiffany Springett
Hungry Monkey
The World Cup and the Windfall Myth
Local experts Anthony Hourigan and Joe Calcraft from Cloudbreak Wealth give a footy-themed lesson in finance.
The biggest World Cup in history is in full swing –48 teams, 104 matches and around six billion people expected to watch. For the first time, it's spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada and is, by any measure, a spectacle.
It's also, if you believe the headlines, an economic bonanza. FIFA and the World Trade Organization reckon the tournament will add US$17.2 billion to American GDP. The White House has floated US$30 billion. Big, round, attention-grabbing numbers.
But as football fans and financial advisers, we'd ask one question: does hosting
actually pay – and what does the answer teach the rest of us about money?
Start with that US$17.2 billion. It sounds enormous until you set it against a US economy running at nearly US$32 trillion a year. Suddenly it's about 0.05 per cent of GDP – a rounding error. And that's the optimistic forecast. When economists measure what actually happened after past tournaments, the story gets worse. Goldman Sachs found the long-run impact is effectively zero, and of the 14 World Cups since 1966, 12 left their hosts worse off. One sports economist memorably described these pre-event estimates as "a promotional press release rather than a serious piece of economic analysis."
There's a lesson here that reaches well beyond football. We're surrounded
by big, confident numbers – projected merger savings, "trillion-dollar markets", profits with the inconvenient bits stripped out. The discipline isn't to be dazzled by the size of a number, but to ask who produced it and what they're hoping you'll do as a result.
The same goes for the cash itself. FIFA banks the broadcast and sponsorship money, the global sponsors capture the upside wherever their customers are, and the host cities foot the bill for security, transport and policing. Spectacle and cash flow, it turns out, are rarely the same thing. The confetti is for the fans; the cash flow is for the owners.
So enjoy the tournament – we certainly will, hopefully with a decent run from the Socceroos before the inevitable. Just don't confuse
the excitement on the pitch with value in your pocket. Good investing is famously unglamorous: pay sensible prices for things that produce real, repeatable income, stay the course, and never let a forecast dressed up as fact stampede you.
General Advice Warning: Any advice given herein is general in nature and has not taken into consideration your personal financial objectives, situation, or specific needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the advice as it relates to you before acting upon it. Where a specific product has been mentioned, you should always consult the PDS before making any investment decision relating to it.
This is paid content. The Bugle thanks our supporters
Illawarra Caravan Lifestyle Expo returns
More than 100 exhibitors, the latest caravans and camping products, free family entertainment and holiday inspo will be on offer this weekend when the Illawarra Caravan Lifestyle Expo returns to Kembla Grange Racecourse. Running from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July, the threeday event coincides with the NSW school holidays and will showcase the latest caravans, motorhomes, campervans, camper and tent trailers, camping accessories and holiday park destinations.
Visitors will have the chance to compare products, speak with industry experts and explore a range of travel options in one location, whether they are experienced travellers or planning their first caravan or camping holiday.
Families can also enjoy a full program of free entertainment, including face painting, magician shows, a Candyland jumping castle, a toddler zone and the popular Snake and Reptile Show, featuring presentations on reptile safety and first aid.
Caravan & Camping Industry Association (CCIA) NSW chief executive Wayne
Lange said the expo was a great opportunity for people to discover everything the caravan and camping lifestyle has to offer.
"Whether you're a seasoned traveller looking to upgrade your setup or simply curious about the lifestyle, the Illawarra Expo is the perfect opportunity to compare products, speak directly with experts and start planning your next adventure," Mr Lange said.
The latest State of Industry report shows NSW recorded more than 5.6 million caravan and camping trips and 18.5 million visitor nights over the
Kiama Business Awards finalists announced
past year, the highest figures of any Australian state.
The expo will be open from 9.30am to 4pm each day. Adult tickets cost $16, concession tickets are $12, and children aged 16 and under receive free entry when accompanied by an adult.
Free parking is available at Fred Finch Park, with shuttle buses running throughout the day. Mobility permit holder parking is available at Kembla Grange Racecourse.
For more information and tickets, visit the Illawarra Caravan Lifestyle Expo website: https://www. caravanexpo.com/
Amy Molloy
As the Kiama Business Awards night draws closer on 23 July, finalists across all categories have been announced as the competition moves into the interview stage, where each finalist will appear before a panel of judges to present their case for the top honours.
In the Excellence in Business category, finalists include Cin Cin Wine Bar (featured in The Bugle this week), Saltwater Café and previous winners Slow Dough.
In the Excellence in Micro Business category, finalists include Bee Inspired, Known Designs and Print – the creators of our Bugle flags – and Resolve Business Coaching. For the Outstanding Employee award, finalists include representatives from Padua Solutions, Kiama Community College, and our very own production manager, Veronica. Join us in congratulating these outstanding finalists and wishing them all the very best as they progress to the interview stage
Maximising your home's appeal
The Bugle’s property expert Sam Scobie shares the high-impact, lowcost secrets to prepping for sale
When preparing your property for the market, understanding how to perfectly present it can feel overwhelming. While professional styling is a fantastic tool for creating powerful first impressions, it is not necessarily a requirement to achieve a premium result. For many local homeowners, a strategic approach to decluttering and refining what you already own can unlock that vital emotional connection to the Kiama lifestyle.
The secret lies in looking at your home through the objective lens of a buyer. Buyers aren't just looking at bricks and mortar; they are visualising their future. You can easily assist this process by removing spatial distractions. Start by packing away bulky, excess furniture and highly personal items to make rooms feel instantly larger and brighter. Next,
ensure every room has a clear, defined purpose, maybe turn that multipurpose storage space back into a clean bedroom or a functional home office. Finally, elevate the space with low-cost, high-impact touches like crisp white bed linens, modern cabinet handles, and fresh greenery from the garden. Ultimately, presentation is a highly effective tool for driving buyer enquiries and building early campaign momentum. Whether you choose full styling or a thoughtful, budget-friendly edit, putting effort into the presentation of your home is always worth the effort. If you are weighing up your options and want a local expert's advice on how to best prepare your home for sale, I am always here to help.
This is paid content. The Bugle thanks our supporters
Myah Garza
Bugle Production Manger, Veronica
Kiama Community Radio this July!
Grow and Sow – Friday 10 July
on KCR
This week on Grow and Sow, discover what happens when a passion for gardening crosses continents — from a 5-acre garden in Norfolk, England, to a 1-acre garden here in Kiama.
Jane and Joe chat with Perrie Croshaw, who shares her experience creating and maintaining gardens in two very different environments. Together, they explore the similarities and differences between English and Australian gardening.
developing a garden from the ground up
From the English countryside to the coastal conditions of the Illawarra, Perrie’s experiences provide plenty of inspiration and ideas for gardeners of all levels.
Topics include choosing plants suited to different climates, garden design, landscaping and creating beautiful spaces, managing pests and diseases, and the joys and challenges of
Listen to Grow and Sow – Friday 10 July on Kiama Community Radio, or catch up anytime through the podcast library at kcr.org.au
Coming up on Grow and Sow – Friday 17 July
Joe and Fiona welcome Joel Walsh, Sustainability & Operations Manager at Crooked River Estate, for a fascinating conversation about sustainable farming, viticulture and caring for the environment.
Joel will share how sustainability is incorporated into the day-to-day operations of the vineyard and winery — from improving soil health and conserving water to reducing waste, increasing efficiency and encouraging biodiversity.
The conversation will explore the challenges of balancing productive agriculture with environmental responsibility, and how lessons from commercial viticulture can also inspire home gardeners.
Whether you are passionate about gardening, interested in sustainable living, curious about modern winemaking, or simply enjoy learning about local businesses making a positive environmental impact, this promises to be an informative and inspiring program.
If you miss the live broadcast, the interview will be available afterwards as a podcast at kcr. org.au.
The KCR Book Space is turning the page on exciting new stories!
From hard-boiled crime to poetry, history and even feline fiction, KCR Book Space continues to explore an amazing variety of literary worlds.
The program has recently established a connection with the South Coast Writers Centre, giving local authors the opportunity to share their stories and discuss their work with KCR listeners.
Recent guests have included award-winning slam poet Adara Enthaler, internationally successful romance writer Alyssa J. Montgomery, and Helen Laidlaw, author of On Wadi Wadi Country: From the Mountains to the Sea — a remarkable exploration of the history of the Indigenous people of our coastal region.
The connection with the South Coast Writers Centre began through Book Space cohost Campbell McConachie, a published truecrime author and SCWC member. Following an invitation to local writers, the program has received an enthusiastic response and has many fascinating guests lined up.
This Friday, hosts Neil Reilly and Karen Lateo welcome Wollongong prose poet Linda Godfrey to discuss her career and her newly released work, Tannic Skin & Sweet Flesh.
Coming up on July 17, writer Kathleen Bleakley will discuss her seventh publication, Toupie: New & Selected Poetry & Prose. Also waiting in the wings are a historical novelist, a surrealist writer from Nowra, and a self-help author.
Listen to KCR Book Space every Friday from 10.30–11.30am with the rotating team of Neil, Karen, Campbell and Diane Ellison, joined in July by guest presenter Dean Koorey. Missed an episode? Check out the podcast releases anytime at kcr.org.au.
BUGLE E
KIDS
PlAstic-free heroes!
Could your family go one day without using single-use plastic?
That's the challenge behind Plastic Free July, a worldwide movement encouraging people to make small changes that help protect our beaches, oceans and wildlife.
Single-use plastics are things like shopping bags, plastic straws, drink bottles, cling wrap and takeaway cutlery. They might only be used for a few minutes, but they can stay in the environment for hundreds of years.
Shellharbour City Council is helping families join the challenge with fun library displays, recycled craft activities, sewing workshops and community giveaways throughout July. There's even a special workshop where kids can turn old jeans into a reusable bag instead of throwing them away!
Want to become a Plastic-Free Hero? Try one simple swap this week. Bring a reusable drink bottle, pack your lunch in a reusable container, take a cloth shopping bag to the supermarket, or choose loose fruit and vegetables instead of plastic-wrapped ones.
Which playground will win?
Something exciting could be coming to Shell Cove... a brand-new playground!
Earlier this year, families were asked to vote on two amazing playground ideas for the Shell Cove foreshore, right next to the kids' beach. Now the voting has closed, and everyone is waiting to see which design will be chosen.
One idea is called The Kelp Forest. It has a giant climbing tower, two slides, stepping logs, swings, a spinning carousel and lots of sea-themed play equipment inspired by life beneath the ocean.
The other design is The Weedy Seadragon, inspired by the incredible marine life found at nearby Bushrangers Bay. It also features climbing nets, slides, swings, imaginative play areas and plenty of space to explore.
The new playground will include shade, picnic areas and equipment for children of different ages and abilities.
At the moment, Shellharbour City Council is busy reading through everyone's ideas before announcing the final design. Which one would you choose?
A deadly dAy at school
Hundreds of students from the Kiama schools have come together for an Aboriginal Cultural Immersion Day at Gerringong Surf Club and Werri Beach ahead of NAIDOC Week.
The day provided students with a meaningful opportunity to learn directly from local Aboriginal Elders and community members on Dharawal Country.
Through a series of interactive workshops, students explored Aboriginal culture, traditions, stories, and the deep connection between people and Country.
Activities included a Smoking Ceremony, yarning, weaving, sand art, traditional food tasting, and learning about the ancient fish traps at Werri Beach.
"There is no substitute for learning on Country,” said Principal of Kiama High School Catherine Glover. “Today gave our students the opportunity to hear stories directly from our local Elders, ask questions, and develop a genuine understanding of the enduring connection between Aboriginal people, culture and Country."
The immersion day allowed students to engage with culture in a hands-on and meaningful way. Experiences such as weaving, sand art and visiting the fish traps helped bring history and culture to life beyond the classroom.
FROM
HOT CHOCOLATE FUDGE SAUCE
Ingredients:
500ml heavy cream
60g unsalted butter
110g light brown sugar
150g granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
60g dark chocolate chopped
115g cups sifted high-fat Dutch-process cocoa (sift , then measure)
½ TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT
Method:
1.In medium saucepan, combine cream, butter, sugars and salt.
2.Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Simmer 45 seconds.
3.Add chocolate, and whisk to dissolve.
4.Remove from heat, add cocoa, and whisk until no lumps remain.
5. Return pan to low heat, and simmer sauce until glossy, whisking constantly, 20 seconds.
6.Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. Serve warm.
7. To reheat sauce, warm in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Do not boil.
Store in the fridge.
Makes around 3 cups.
In a one-storey Igloo in Canada, the bedrooms were yellow, the kitchen was blue, the living room was orange and the entry hall was red and the sitting room was purple. What colour were the stairs?
ANSWERS: They are no stairs, it’s one story.
Penguins go through an annual ‘catastrophic moult’, where they lose and regrow all their feathers in a short space of time.
There are 18 species of penguin, 10 of which are considered endangered.
All penguins are native to the southern hemisphere – they never share a habitat with polar bears.
The smallest penguin, the little penguin, weighs just 1.5kg and is only 30cm tall.
Emperor penguins are the only bird species to breed on sea ice.
The king of Norway knighted a penguin, Sir Nils Olav, who is mascot of his guard.
Can you work out what the missing letter is that spells an 8-letter word? It could read
Kiama kids' photo challenge
Ready to become a Kiama explorer?
Your mission is simple: can you snap a photo of every item on this list during the winter school holidays? Wander around Kiama with your family, keep your eyes open and see how many you can find. Get creative! Don't want to print your photos? No problem! Pick your favourite picture and use it as inspiration to draw, paint or colour your own version when you get home.
Harbour Heroes
* A pelican
* A fishing boat
* Someone casting a fishing line
* The lighthouse
* The Blowhole spraying
Around Town
* An ice cream in someone's hand
* A colourful shopfront
* A café with outdoor tables
* A bicycle
* A surfboard
* A friendly dog (with the owner's permission!)
*The Bugle sign in our window (we’re over Short Black café)
Spot the Details
* A funny street name
* A bright red letterbox
* A flower growing by the footpath
* A building with a balcony
* A seagull standing somewhere unexpected
Creative Challenge
* A family selfie at your favourite place
* Something shaped like a heart
* Something blue
* Something that makes you smile
* Your favourite thing you discovered in Kiama
Bonus Challenge
Can you capture...
* A rainbow after the rain
* A train arriving at Kiama Station
* A whale out at sea.
* A reflection in a puddle
* A photo that tells the story of your day in Kiama
Ranger-guided adventures
This school holidays, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is running ranger-guided activities for kids, teens and families. Kids and adults alike can explore their adventurous side — with an expert to keep them on track.
Traditional Weaving Workshop: Killalea
Set between Shellharbour and Kiama, Killalea Regional Park provides the ideal backdrop to learn how to weave using grasses, reeds and other natural materials.
Once you've built your confidence, you'll create your own handwoven piece to take home.
As you explore your creative side, your guide will share how Aboriginal women traditionally weave baskets, carry bags and other everyday items. You'll discover how these ancient skills and practices carry a strong cultural connection for local Aboriginal women.
Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 16 July, 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm For more information, visit nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.
Junior Ranger: Fitzroy Falls Adventure
Junior Rangers aged 5 to 16 will spend a morning learning about the essential role rangers play in NSW National Parks.
Kids will take part in a scavenger hunt and follow clues to uncover secrets about Australia's fascinating and diverse environments. They'll gain new skills, learn about native animals and get up close to nature.
An orienteering activity will teach them how to use a map and compass to discover the natural treasures of Morton National Park. They'll also get creative by designing artwork using natural materials.
It's the perfect starting point for a family day out.
Continue exploring the lush escarpment and towering waterfalls of Fitzroy Falls, or head into the charming Southern Highlands villages of Robertson or Burrawang. 15 July, 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm
Junior Ranger: Minnamurra Rainforest
Junior Rangers will learn hands-on bush survival and safety skills during this guided adventure through Budderoo National Park.
As part of their ranger duties, they'll explore the natural environment and discover the plants and animals that call Minnamurra Rainforest home. Depending on the day, activities may include learning the basics of navigation, map reading and compass use, identifying animal tracks to discover who's living in the rainforest, and getting creative with leaf printing or making animal sculptures from clay. 13 July, 10am-12pm
How many did you find?
5–10 photos – Curious Explorer 11–20 photos – Super Spotter 21+ photos – Kiama Photo Champion!
Credit Adam Hollingworth DCCEEW
Sober sounds
The podcast changing Aussie drinking culture
Maria Lewis
For Danni Carr and Ash Grunwald, it started as a conversation.
Just something as simple and raw as that: the husbandand-wife team talking through sobriety, some of the challenges they faced, and the habits that had driven them to sobriety.
That conversation began as something small, something between friends of the multihyphenate creatives, many curious about the process and how to stick to it.
Then it became a podcast, their very first episode, in fact, titled Quitting the Booze with Ash Grunwald.
“When Ash and I were quitting, all I could find was AA meetings to listen to,” Carr laughs. She has now hosted the How I Quit Alcohol podcast for over six years.
“I was desperately trying to find something and people kept hitting us up all the time like, ‘How the hell did you guys quit?’
“I only intended to do one episode, which was that initial conversation about
how we did it. Then we had Scott Owen from The Living End on and it just spread from there.”
As well as being an author, Carr is a traumainformed sobriety coach and meditation teacher who’s used to working face-to-face with people through retreats and multi-week courses.
However, when the podcast “blew up” back in June 2020, she realised there was a whole other way – and medium – to reach people.
“People just hear your voice every week and they start to feel like they know you,” she said.
“From listening to me, they could tell that I’m a bit of a bogan, I drop an F-bomb occasionally, they can get your personality in a way that can be harder through a book.”
Another huge appeal was the guests.
Where people may have been afraid to talk about alcoholism, addiction or a potential pathway to sobriety, they were more willing to engage through the candid stories of guests they knew and loved, like Dan Sultan
and Kasey Chambers.
“I just interviewed Seye Adelekan, he’s the bass player from Gorillaz, and it blew my mind,” Carr said.
“He was amazing. He had so much wisdom and I couldn’t believe how far gone he was, what an alcoholic he was, and what an advocate he has become for other musicians and their mental health.
“He just has his shit together. He was smart and articulate.
“Another one that got me was Steve Balbi. I was brought to tears so many times in that interview, I really didn’t know what to expect.
“He was so beautiful, had so much wisdom and was so humble … he really took me by surprise.”
Of course, the most important recurring guest was Carr’s partner in life and sobriety – husband Ash – an acclaimed blues and roots musician who’s currently on a massive tour of Australia, New Zealand and Canada with a full gospel choir as he explores a new era of music.
“Well, Ash’s rider – which he talks about in the book –used to be bottles of brown
spirits, bottles of red wine, beers; it was so extensive,”
Carr said.
“It was ridiculous. In fact, I read his rider one day and I was like, ‘You’re kidding, aren’t you? That’s wild, Ash.’
“He was supporting Jimmy Barnes and asked what he wanted in his rider, and his sound engineer goes, ‘Oh no, Ash doesn’t drink,’ because this was two weeks into us taking one year off.
“And that did two things for Ash. Just hearing ‘Oh, Ash doesn’t drink’ – when he was feeling a bit edgy, there’s drinks everywhere, Jimmy Barnes is there, you want to fit in – something just switched over for him.
“That’s what he talks about: when you’re surrounded by it, just decide it’s easy.”
Carr said a huge part of it was also career longevity.
In Grunwald’s other book –Surf By Day, Jam By Night –he interviewed legends like Kelly Slater and Jack Johnson, who advised against drinking so they could achieve their goals.
“He needed to hear that. All those high-achieving people in that book, like Kelly Slater
and Jack Johnson, were all like, ‘Don’t drink,’ because that takes away from their focus,” she said.
“I’ve found that musicians who have long careers are very rarely the ones getting shitfaced.
“Musicians, particularly these days, have to work so f**king hard. There’s so much to it.
“The landscape is completely different to when Ash was coming up and what it could be like in the blues scene. In the roots scene it’s still there, but a lot of the musicians are more mindful.
“We were doing a show with The Teskey Brothers and most of the time they’re just having a cup of tea.
“They’ll have a few beers, but mostly backstage people are just drinking cups of tea.”
With Dry July, Carr said she has noticed a boost in signups to a four-week course she’s currently running –something she attributes to increased awareness during the month and the ongoing reach of the How I Quit Alcohol podcast.
“I generally have a lot of people reaching out because
of the podcast, but I am running a challenge at the moment that’s particularly full and could have a lot to do with Dry July,” she said.
“Although most people who sign up are looking for a long-term thing, which I think is great as we work towards taking the stigma out of those conversations …
“It’s definitely more accessible and more acceptable than it was.
“With the rise of all the alcohol-free drinks, particularly in Australia, so many people will drink a Heaps Normal or take a sixpack like that to a party – I see that everywhere.
“Lots of people might say, ‘Oh, I’m on the Heaps Normals tonight.’ That doesn’t mean they’re committed to sobriety, but they might just be choosing not to drink that night.
“For the most part, people seem to think it’s pretty cool.”
With a large-scale retreat happening next year for Carr – and Grunwald booked and busy with his ongoing gospel tour dates – the pair have plenty to keep them locked in on the sobriety journey.
what’s on?
Jeans for Genes
When parents Laurie and Craig found out their daughter Ruby had cancer, one of the hardest parts was explaining to the six-year-old that this was very different from when her tooth fell out.
“She was sitting on my lap and I remember her looking up at me saying ‘Mummy, is this worse than when I knocked my teeth out?’And honestly, I don’t know how I responded. It was just such a crazy moment in life where you think, ‘Darling, this is going to be quite a ride for you.’”.
Ruby is one of the 2026 faces of Jeans for Genes, the iconic fundraising day that supports research at Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI).
It was during the Covid-19 lockdown that Ruby’s parents noticed she had started to complain of constant aches and pains. However, on New Year’s Eve she went rapidly downhill, so they took her to hospital.
“I don’t really know what I was expecting to be honest,” Laurie said. “But it was quite shocking to us when some of her test results came back and they told us it was something quite serious, and they were contacting the oncology department to come and speak to us. I don’t think I heard much after that.”
Ruby was diagnosed with T-cell leukaemia and her oncologist, Professor Luciano Dalla-Pozza, who is also a member of CMRI’s Board of Directors, told them what was to come.
“I still won’t forget this –he said the next two years of your life are going to be a lot different to what it is now,” said Laurie.
Despite the challenges, Ruby came through treatment extremely well and is now a
Do you have an update from a community group or coverage of a local event? Send 150 words and an image to news@thebuglenews.com.au. (Deadline: EOD Tuesday for the Friday print edition.)
strong and healthy 11-yearold in remission. Craig said another vivid memory for him was being asked if they would donate her blood and bone marrow to research.
“For us, it was just a nobrainer to say yes,” Craig said. “Anything we can do to help find a future cure for this horrible disease is something we wanted to be a part of. And organisations like Children’s Medical Research Institute can hopefully one day find a cure for diseases and cancers like leukaemia.
Laurie and Craig said while they are grateful for the impact research has had on Ruby’s life, they have met other families who didn’t have the same outcome: “Some are still battling with it, they haven’t been quite as lucky and unfortunately, we’ve met others who haven’t made it through.”
Craig recalls Dr Dalla-Pozza explaining that leukaemia is caused by genetic mutations, and that scientists still don’t know what triggers these changes. The research at CMRI gives Laurie and Craig hope.
“If you can find the answer to why it happens, you can stop it happening,” Laurie said. “I really would love to see in my lifetime a cure for leukaemia.”
Jeans for Genes is one of Australia’s longest-running charity days and this year will be held on Thursday 6 August. Your support will ensure ongoing research to help children like Ruby.
The CMRI Gerringong Committee’s Jeans for Genes Trivia Night is Friday 7th August at Gerroa Boat Fisherman’s Club, 6.30 for &pm start, tables of up to 8 people, nibbles provided, drinks at bar prices.
Tickets available from July 13th at trybooking.com/ DNJIM
Man on Fire: Visions of Nebuchadnezzar
Until Sun 11 Oct
Bundanon Art Museum
Opening weekend 4-5th
July
Drop In Art Play – Six
Days
Thu 9 Jul-Wed 15 Jul, 10am3pm
Old Fire Station, Kiama
Drop in, buy a canvas and paint
Sydney Hotshots
National Tour 2026
Fri 10 Jul, 7:30pm
Kiama Leagues Club
Girl’s night out
Robertson Winterfest
Sat 11 Jul, 11am-4pm
Illawarra Highway, Robertson
Market stalls, live music, and special appearance of Elsa from Frozen Kiama Winter Street
Festival
Sat 11 Jul, 12pm-8pm
Terralong St, Kiama Festival filled with art, music, dance, and workshops
Kiama Presbyterian Church Winter Fest
Markets
Sat 11 Jul, 12pm-4pm
Kiama Presbyterian Church
Market stall, kids activities, music
Rock’n’Dance
Sat 11 Jul, 6:30pm
Gerringong Town Hall
Dj, dance coach and live music.
Christmas In July |
Family Fun Day
Sun 12 Jul, 12pm
Illawarra Light Railway Museum
Festive Christmas train and Mini Elf Express.
Kids School Holiday
Glow Disco
Tue 14 Jul, 5pm
Cin Cin Wine Bar
Disco packed with colourful lights, great music and plenty of fun
Doughnut Decorating
Wed 15 Jul, 11am-12pm
Gerringong Bowlo
Decorate your own delicious doughnuts before enjoying your tasty
creations
Kids Cooking Class
Thu 16 Jul, 11am-1pm
Cin Cin Wine Bar, Kiama
Chocolate Spiders, Choc
Chip Muffins & Honey
Mustard Ham & Cheese
Scrolls
WellComm Home –
Building a Community of Wellbeing Opening
Sat 18 Jul
WellComm Home, Kiama
Downs
Free classes of yoga, dance, art and Active MindSteps classes, opening day
Kiama Historical Society
Seminar and History talk
Sat 18 Jul, 10am-3:30pm
Kiama Library Auditorium
Full-day program combining practical
research skills with local history
Christmas in July Jazz Spectacular
Sat 18 Jul, 6:30pm
Cin Cin Wine Bar, Kiama Jingle and swing with Bonnie Kay and the Sweet Patooties.
Kiama Seaside Markets
Sun 19 Jul, 9am-3pm
Black Beach, Kiama locally sourced and created arts, crafts, clothing, jewellery, produce.
Comedy Show – Jimmy Kuratz
Mon 20 Jul, 7pm
Kiama Leagues Club
KAC supporting young people seminar
Sat 25 Jul, 2pm-4pm
Kiama Anglican Church
Talking about neurodiversity and ADHD
Palette Knife on Black Art Workshop
Sat 25 Jul, 4pm-6:30pm
Stoic Brewing Gerringong Art class with palette
knives with Michelle Springett
Sing Out Proud
Sun 26 Jul, 2pm-4pm
Kiama Pavilion
Kiama Illawarra Pride Choir performance
fundraiser
The Creative Business Summit
Thu 30 July, 9:30am
The Pavilion, Kiama One-day business conference
South Coast Fibre
Muster
Sat 1 Aug-Sun 2 Aug Berry School of Arts Celebrate creativity, community and fibre Dementia Inclusive Gathering Mon 3 Aug, 10am Barroul House cafe, Kiama For those living with/ alongside dementia, monthly meeting Twilight Feast Sat 8 Aug, 5:30pm Bundanon Art Museum Bangalay’s acclaimed dining experience
Alchemy Choir (Dementia Inclusive Choir)
Sun 2 Aug, 1:30pm
Gerringong Town Hall Performance, free entry The Kiama Fringe Fri 14 Aug- Wed 16 Sep, 6pm
Black Beach, Kiama Comedy, circus, live music, family-friendly fun
Sydney Balalaika Orchestra
Sun 16 Aug, 2pm
Gerringong Town Hall
Russian folk music played Kiama Rod Run 11 Sep-13 Sep Kiama Horizontal Festival Fri 2 Oct Bowral wine makers, tasting bars, live music and new free precincts
Ruby is one of the 2026 faces of Jeans for Genes
The Bugle girls brave the cold at Sydney Winterfest
This weekend was filled with sword fights, mead and medieval merriment as The Bugle girls ventured to Sydney Winterfest for a day of fantasyfilled fun. After a seemingly endless train ride, complete with a few curious stares from fellow passengers, we finally arrived at Hawkbury Showground, ready to dive into the festivities.
Despite the chilly winter weather, the atmosphere was warm with excitement as visitors embraced the event by dressing as everything from pirates and fairies to
knights, queens and mythical creatures. Naturally, we had to join in, debuting our own pirate outfits.
The bustling marketplace was packed with handcrafted trinkets, artisan stalls and unique treasures, while the lively tavern offered the perfect place to warm up with traditional mead and hearty food.
Throughout the day, crowds gathered to watch thrilling jousting tournaments, spectacular sword-fighting demonstrations and cosplay competitions, bringing the medieval world to life.
Crowds turn out for Lifeline Kiama
Lifeline South Coast's new Kiama op shop has exceeded expectations in its first week of trading, with crowds flocking to the Terralong Street store.
The store officially opened on July 1 following a soft launch earlier in the week.
Marketing director Shelley De Costa said around 20 people were waiting outside before the doors opened at 10am on opening day.
"There was about 20 people waiting," Ms De Costa said.
The early turnout came despite the organisation doing little promotion around its soft launch.
"We'd done a lot on social media, but we really hadn't talked about being open Monday and Tuesday at all," she said.
"There's been so much interest in the community that people were just walking past. The word just spread and
we had a really, really busy day, particularly on Monday."
The Kiama store is
Lifeline South Coast's latest retail outlet, with all proceeds helping fund the organisation's crisis support and suicide prevention services.
"All the profits raised from everything that we sell go directly to the programs and services that we offer right here in the Illawarra and South Coast," Ms De Costa said.
"So you can not only shop and find bargains, you can contribute to that as well."
Ms De Costa said the response had been encouraging.
"It's been such a great response," she said. "We love this community and we're really excited to be here."
The Kiama store is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm.
Celebrating Probus's 50th anniversary
In 2026, Probus reached
a significant milestone, marking 50 years of helping tens of thousands of older Australians stay engaged and connected. In fact, the very first Probus Club in Australia – the Probus Club of Hunters Hill, established in 1976 – continues to provide the essential social connections seniors value later in life.
Gerroa Combined Probus Club received a special invitation from Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, the 39th Governor of New South Wales, to attend a 50th birthday afternoon tea at Government House in Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden.
The club's enthusiastic secretary, Jackie Woollcott, attended on behalf of the Gerroa Combined Probus
Club.
In other news, Jackie Woollcott, the club's longserving secretary and committee member, is leaving the area. Members wish her all the best for the future.
KIAMA I DO
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Growing up fast: 100 days of kindy
Children from Ss Peter and Paul's celebrated 100 days of kindergarten by dressing up as 100-year-olds, continuing a tradition that has become popular in schools across Australia.
Pictured are Lakey Watson, Lennon Swan and Cody Swan in their "100-year-old" outfits for the day.
Next term, Minnamurra Public School will celebrate the same milestone by asking students to dress in the colours of the rainbow. Reaching 100 days of school is a milestone well worth celebrating.
Time to prune the roses
Have you been putting off pruning your roses because you're not sure how to do it? Relax – help is at hand!
Those wanting to learn how to prune their roses should keep Sunday, 12 July free.
The Illawarra Rose Society will once again hold its annual rose-pruning demonstration at Peace Park, Kiama, on Sunday, 12 July, from 10am.
"It's free and everyone is welcome to attend," said Rose Society member Colin Hollis. "A good prune now will be rewarded with masses of beautiful blooms."
Now is the ideal time to prune your roses for the best spring display. Many people think rose pruning is difficult, but a few basic rules make it easy and will result in an abundance of blooms.
Colin Hollis said those attending the demonstration will be encouraged to help prune the roses in Peace Park, so bring along your secateurs and have a go.
Although the demonstration officially starts at 10am, people are welcome to come and go anytime between 9.30am and 2pm, Mr Hollis said.
For more information, contact the Illawarra Rose Society on 0408 295 223.
Tiffany being slayed by Veronica
Locals invited to unlock an archive of hidden histories
Myah Garza
Whether it's discovering an unexpected convict ancestor, tracing the history of a family home or uncovering the story behind a local street name, distinguished historian Carol Liston believes anyone can become a history detective.
The President
Historical Society (RAHS) and Associate Professor of History at Western Sydney University will travel to Kiama on Saturday, 18 July, to present a research masterclass hosted by Kiama Historical Society alongside archivist and historical researcher Christine Yeats.
Designed for local historians, family researchers, writers and anyone curious about the past, Liston invites guests to look at history from a new perspective.
The workshop will focus on practical research skills, including using Trove, the Historical Land Records Viewer and early New South Wales colonial records.
Liston said increasing access to digitised archives had transformed family and local history research,
making it easier than ever for everyday Australians to investigate their own stories.
"Information is there if you know how to find it," she said.
"But also you have to learn what you can trust and what you shouldn’t trust. We direct people to libraries and archives that have reputable sources so they know what they're finding out is worth the effort."
She said Australians had become increasingly interested in exploring parts of their family histories that previous generations often avoided discussing.
"People now want to find out about their family history, even the bits that their grandmother would never speak about," she laughed.
"People move into new areas and they want to know, 'When was my house built? Who was living here before me?' They're the sort of things we try to
show people how they can discover for themselves."
Rather than viewing history as something confined to textbooks, Liston said the workshop encourages participants to investigate original sources and make their own discoveries.
"For a lot of people, they didn't like history at school because, in effect, they weren't doing it," she said.
"This isn't about reading what other people said. This is about making your own discoveries."
The workshop will also introduce participants to newly digitised historical records, including documents dating back to 1794 that can reveal details about early settlers, convicts, soldiers and colonial families.
Liston said the resources were freely available to the public but many people simply did not know they existed.
"We feel quite strongly that public information should be available to the public," she said.
"There's no point saying that if you don't encourage people to use it."
“They pay the taxes for it to be made available,” she said, “And often it becomes quite an exciting chase.”
“What can I find out about this? But why did that happen? Who else was involved? And so you start a sort of detective story of your own.”
Following the masterclass, Liston will deliver a public talk exploring the lives of the Rutter sisters, three orphaned girls whose lives took them from Sydney's Female Orphan School to becoming pioneering European settlers in Kiama and Gerringong.
The presentation examines how Cecelia, Caroline and Catherine Rutter overcame early hardship to establish
families and homes throughout the district, placing their local story within the broader history of colonial New South Wales.
Liston said local histories often reveal much larger stories about Australia's past.
"One of the things that's exciting for local communities is to realise that what they take for granted as their local story is actually a segment of a much bigger story," she said. The seminar will be held at Kiama Library Auditorium from 10am to 1.45pm on Saturday, 18 July, followed by the Rutter sisters presentation at 1.45pm.
Bookings for the masterclass are essential through Kiama Historical Society and can be found here: https://www.rahs.org.au/shop/ tickets-kiama-regional-seminar/ The afternoon talk is open to the public without prebooking.
Carol Liston
PUZZLES
WORDFIT 9-LETTER
Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list?
The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in ‘s’.
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
Each number corresponds to a letter of the alphabet. Two have been filled in for you, can you work out the rest? Can you find all the words
PUZZLES AND PAGINATION
Bettr Strata
Whether you own a unit, townhouse or apartment, chances are you've dealt with strata at some point. But what actually goes on behind the scenes? This week, we catch up with John Martin from Bettr Strata to chat about the challenges of managing shared communities, why communication matters, and what every owner should know about protecting their investment.
Business name:
Bettr Strata
Owner / operator:
JM (John Martin)
Years in the trade:
20 years in strata, starting in fire protection before moving into strata management. What services do you provide?
Strata and community management for residential and mixed-use schemes. Everything from levies, meetings and insurance through to compliance, maintenance coordination and major works. We manage schemes across the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and Greater Sydney, including several here in Kiama. How do you support people in the local area?
We manage a number of
schemes in Kiama and the surrounding area, and it's a big part of the portfolio.
Local buildings come with local issues, from coastal weathering to retaining walls, and knowing the area makes a real difference to how quickly problems get sorted.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
The connections I make with good people whether it be owners, tenants, contractors, and the local community. I love my job, I feel very blessed to be doing something I love. What makes your business different?
We don't take insurance commissions, and we don't have related-entity arrangements. Everything is fee-for-service, so committees can see exactly what they're
paying for and why. It's a deliberately small portfolio, capped so every scheme gets proper attention. No call centres, no handballing. What's a common issue owners call you about?
For our owners, it's usually help with a repair or an issue on site. We work closely with our committees and I'm contactable at all hours. For new business, the biggest reason people look to move to Bettr Strata is a lack of communication from their current strata manager. No replies to emails. No returned calls. They feel unimportant once they've signed up.
What's one piece of advice for owners?
Take an interest in your strata scheme. Not everyone can be on a committee, but you can
read the agenda, attend the meeting, read the minutes and ask questions. This is your investment. Stay informed. Look at your owners portal, and if the information you need is not there, ask why. Why do you choose to advertise in The Bugle?
Local schemes deserve a local option. Most strata management in this region is run out of Sydney or Wollongong offices with big portfolios. The Bugle reaches the people who actually live in and run these buildings, and supporting a local paper is an easy decision. I also lived in Kiama for a while and The Bugle was always a good read.
Best way to contact you: jm@bettrstrata.com. au or 02 4217 5588.
Power find form with backto-back wins
Lleyton Hughes
The Kiama Power
Premier Division side has continued its push towards the finals with backto-back victories, following up last week's 56-45 win over the Northern District Tigers with a dominant 100-36 victory over the Wollongong Bulldogs on the weekend.
Playing away from home at Keira Oval, the Power set the tone early and headed into halftime with a 24-15 lead before producing a dominant second-half performance.
Despite controlling much of the play, Kiama was unable to fully capitalise on its opportunities early, with inaccuracy in front of goal keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance at the main break.
Coach Sean Byrne said it was an issue that had affected the Power at times throughout the season.
"Unfortunately, inaccuracy in front of goal - which has been a theme for us at times this season - again hurt us in the first half," Byrne said.
"To the players’ credit, they stuck to the process and kept creating opportunities."
After halftime, the Power found another gear, piling on 42 points in the third quarter
and another 34 in the final term to run away with the contest.
Byrne said some adjustments after the main break helped the team make better use of its forward entries, with Jamie Reay proving a key target after moving into attack.
"During the third quarter we made a few adjustments, and Jamie Reay really straightened us up when he moved forward," he said.
"That gave us a nice target inside 50, and we were able to capitalise on our forward entries."
Reay finished the match with six goals, while Dan Freeman and Ryley Walker added two each as Kiama produced one of its most complete attacking performances of the season.
Byrne praised the efforts of Freeman, Walker, Tony Trudgett and Shae Hammond for their work across the ground.
"Dan Freeman, Ryley Walker were all class, along with Tony Trudgett and Shae Hammond getting to work around the ground," he said.
The win keeps the Power safely inside the top four, with fifth place now six points behind and just seven rounds remaining.
For Byrne, the most pleasing
aspect of the result has been seeing the team finally turn strong performances into scoreboard results after a frustrating period.
"It's been pleasing to get on the right side of the ledger over the past two weeks," he said.
"Once we started getting rewarded for our hard work, you could feel the energy lift across the group.
"That’s been the frustrating part of our season - we’ve competed well in many key areas and have often won or broken even around the contest, but we haven’t always been able to convert that effort into scoreboard pressure."
The Premier Division side were the only Kiama Power team to claim victory over the weekend, with both men's and women's reserve grade teams, along with the women's Premier Division side, falling short in their respective matches.
With seven rounds remaining, Byrne said the focus remains on continuing to build on the progress the team has made throughout the season.
"We’re looking forward to getting to work and continuing to build on what we’ve shown throughout the year," he said.
AFive wins straight as Kiama Rugby prepares for grand final replay
work they had been putting in at training.
fter a disrupted start to the season, Kiama Rugby is finding its rhythm at the perfect time, with the club claiming its fifth straight victory with a 39-29 win over Bowral on the weekend.
The win followed a successful gala day the previous week, where Kiama played two matches in one day and defeated Camden 36-3 before holding off Wollongong Vikings 17-14.
The recent run of form has come after a challenging period for the club, with wet weather interruptions and changes to the competition schedule after some clubs were unable to field firstgrade sides.
Kiama forward Dante Patrick said the team had been forced to find different ways to adapt prepare during a disrupted season - an example being that they haven’t been able to train on the field for the past few weeks.
"I think on the back of these two wins, we're starting to show form," Patrick said.
"I think it was hard to find form. We had so many breaks throughout the season and stuff like that. And obviously weather as well, we haven't been able to get on our field for the best part of three weeks now.
"So we're doing a lot of stuff off the field, getting into the gyms and any facility we can get into. I think it's pretty rewarding being able to come away with wins without even being able to touch grass."
The victory over Bowral was built on a dominant opening half, with Patrick praising the way the team executed the
"That first half, I can't fault our boys at all," he said. "If we had played that first half against every team in this competition, I don't think anyone would have had an answer for it.
"That's just a credit to our boys really paying attention at training and executing it on the weekend."
While Bowral fought back in the second half, Patrick said the defensive improvements made by Kiama throughout the season had been a key factor in helping the side secure victories.
"Our defence over the last few months has really sort of locked those wins in," he said.
"Now it's just those little fine details that we need to work on to not allow those secondhalf points to come back in."
The result keeps Kiama in second place on the ladder, with Shoalhaven sitting just one win behind in third, setting up a crucial final home game between the two sides this weekend.
The clash will be a grand final rematch, with Kiama looking to continue their momentum against the team they defeated in last year's decider.
The final home game will also be a celebration of the club's culture, with Kiama Rugby inviting the wider community to join the festivities at Kiama Showground.
The day will include a Traditional Indigenous Smoking Ceremony, a Welcome to Country, a Pacific Island fundraising food stall, the annual Mouse Races, and live coverage of the All Blacks versus Italy and Wallabies versus France Test matches.
Patrick said the event was an opportunity to celebrate the different cultures that have helped shape the club.
"Over the last decade, our team has really been built up on different cultures," he said.
"We've got a lot of Polynesian boys, we've got a lot of Kiwi boys, we've got a lot of Australian boys, First Nations boys and a lot of Koori boys. It's more about paying our respects to those guys.
"At least if we can do that for one day while they put in every year for us to try and win us a comp, I think that's the least we can do."
The annual Mouse Races will again be one of the highlights of the day, with Patrick describing it as an event that has become a major part of the club and community.
"It's quite a spectacle," he said. "They stick a bit of cheese at the end and everyone's got money on a different mouse. Sometimes the mouse can get all the way to the finish line and then turn around and go all the way back.
"It's a rollercoaster ride of emotion, and it's something the town really gets behind."
With both grades still in strong positions and the season approaching its business end, Patrick said the focus remains on continuing to improve.
"We just want to keep striving," he said. "The ultimate goal is to strive to be the best in the competition."
Kiama Rugby's final home game kicks off this Saturday at Kiama Showground, with the reserve grade match against Shoalhaven at 1:30pm and first grade kicking off at 3pm following the Welcome to Country.
Lleyton Hughes
Jamie Reay was a standout for the Power kicking six goals. Photo Kiama Power
Kiama Rugby have put themselves in a good position at the pointy end of the season. Photo Kiama Rugby
Sideline kick seals Knights' derby victory
Lleyton Hughes
After suffering a heartbreaking last-start loss to the Shellharbour Stingrays in the final seconds, the Kiama Knights returned from a rain-affected week off to inflict the same fate on the Gerringong Lions, claiming a dramatic 14-12 victory on the weekend.
The Knights entered the match on the back of two consecutive losses and a week off after the previous round was washed out, desperate for a win to avoid slipping out of the top five on the Group 7 ladder.
Gerringong, meanwhile, came into the clash with just one loss for the season and
looking to make it four straight victories.
Played on a muddy Mick Cronin Oval, the match was littered with slips and handling errors, but it was Kiama who struck first.
Following a penalty, the Knights shifted the ball through the backline before Tom Atkins threw a superb cut-out pass to winger Tom Murray, who crossed in the corner and converted his own try for a 6-0 lead.
From there, the game belonged largely to Gerringong. The Lions enjoyed plenty of possession and field position in the Knights' half but were repeatedly denied by Kiama's scrambling defence.
The Knights held firm for 15 minutes and looked set to
survive another attacking raid after earning a relieving penalty, only to hand the ball straight back to Gerringong and invite more pressure.
The Lions finally broke through in the 30th minute when Liam Holland finished a short-side play in the corner.
They struck again in the following set after centre Tyrell Taione burst down the sideline before passing inside to Rixon Russell, who scored beneath the posts to give Gerringong a 10-6 lead.
Kiama reduced the deficit just before half-time with a penalty goal, heading to the break trailing 10-8.
The rain intensified after the interval, making conditions even more difficult as errors crept into both sides' games.
Again, Gerringong controlled much of the territory and possession but struggled to convert their opportunities into points.
Midway through the half, the Lions opted for a penalty goal to extend their lead to 128.
With time running out, it appeared Gerringong had done enough to secure the win.
But with five minutes remaining, Knights secondrower Kieran Poole produced a crunching tackle to force an error just 10 metres from the Lions' try line.
Kiama couldn't capitalise, but only a few plays later Poole forced another mistake to hand his side one final opportunity.
In the 78th minute, another pinpoint cut-out pass from fullback Tom Atkins sent replacement winger Oliver Miles over in the corner to level the scores at 12-all.
That left Tom Murray with a difficult conversion from the sideline. With the Gerringong crowd doing its best to distract him, Murray calmly nailed the kick to put the Knights ahead 14-12.
When the Lions kicked the restart out on the full, the final siren sounded and the Knights celebrated one of their biggest wins of the season so far.
Knights five-eighth Sam Hooper said the local derby victory was a major confidence boost.
"It always feels good to beat Gerringong because they're
such a quality team," Hooper said. "I loved every minute of it and it gives us good momentum going forward.
"I think our confidence had taken a bit of a hit after two straight losses. We went into today with a do-or-die attitude, and I think it showed in our performance."
Both teams wore NAIDOC jerseys designed by First Nations artists from their respective clubs, as did every first-grade side across Group 7, to celebrate NAIDOC Round. In the other local match of the round, the Jamberoo Superoos claimed an impressive 32-20 victory over the Berry Magpies to move within five competition points of the top five.
Kiama Knights get their first win in four weeks. Photo Kiama Knights
