With whale migration in full swing, experts and local boardriders clubs are reminding people to stay shark smart through the winter months.
As one of the world’s leading shark experts, Doctor Daryl McPhee
of Bond University said it was “important” for those still taking on the chilly waters to understand the “heightened risk” and what to look out for.
“This time of year south of Sydney and on the southern New South Wales coast you start to see the whales moving north and following those whales
are white sharks,” he told The Bugle.
“In terms of what people can do, namely surfers and swimmers, you need to avoid being near aggregations of food – particularly schooling fish, schools of pilchard, other baitfish, Australian salmon.
“Avoid anywhere with lots of bird activity as well, as that bird activity is often associated with fish activity which is then
associated with shark activity.”
That activity is something the Werri Beach Boardriders Club have been keeping a close eye on, with three of their scheduled events in the past 12 months cancelled due to shark sightings.
and assesses the situation throughout the day,” said WBBC Secretary Jess McGarn.
“If he spots something, we have policy with Surfing NSW where we postpone for half an hour and reassess.”
too as an added precaution.
“We now have the technology we need to have a look, all the boardriders clubs have drones, and our drone pilot Adam puts it up
“Empty shops and tobacconists” Sloane calls out small biz issues
While McGarn says “everyone is pretty relaxed about it”, the boardriders club has gone a step further by installing Shark Bite Kits along Werri Beach and one in Gerroa
“A shark attack victim and his mate started making them in their backyard, putting them up themselves, and it has grown from there,” she said of the kits, which she and her husband first spotted in Port McQuarie on their travels.
“I just reached out to them as a boardriders club to see if we could purchase some and they said yes.”
Continued on Page 3
Welcome to The Bugle
Like any newsroom I’ve ever worked in, The Bugle office is never a dull place.
You never know who will drop by; Councillors, kids, puppies — and this week, the NSW Leader of the Opposition. (Cue a very last minute cleanup. Thank goodness for our amazing new artwork — thanks Kay!)
We used our catchup with Kellie Sloane and Serena Copley to discuss the pain points we hear from our local community — and to put other issues on their radar. (See page 4.)
We’re also talking … sharks! As an ex-pat raised in London who now spends all my time in the surf with my kiddies, I always welcome a chance to learn shark safety without misinformation and panic. So, we turned to the experts… And, we cover all the (many) local ways to lift your spirits as the temperature drops, from fireside hangs to pet-friendly events and natural wonders that aren’t overrun by influencers! Of course, everyone loves a freepaper, but community journalism doesn’t run on snowflakes.
Head to The Bugle website and click on “donate” to become a PressPatron for whatever you can afford. Or, let this be the month you become a Bugle advertiser. Reach out on advertising@ thebuglenews.com.au
Thanks for being part of our story.
Winter is Kiama-ing!
8 reasons to keep spirits high as the temperature drops
Amy Molloy
As the temperature takes a sudden nose-dive, don’t mourn summer too quickly. Here’s a Bugle-approved list of reasons to love South Coast life, especially during the winter season.
Beach days with a difference
Swapping your cossie for a cosy coat doesn’t have to be a downgrade. Kiama’s beaches are equally beautiful in winter (minus the crowds!). It’s also a good excuse to upgrade your kids’ wetsuits – and your own.
Visit the “washing machine”
Winter is a great time to visit Bombo Headland and the basalt columns that make it a photographer’s dream landscape. Kids will be in awe of the “washing machine”, where turbulent water swirls around the basalt caves. Just respect the warning signs and keep a safe distance.
Be a good neighbour
Winter festival season
From Kiama to Robertson, make your way around the local winter festivals.
On 11 July, Terralong Street transforms into a winter playground for one night only. Meanwhile, Robertson Winterfest offers free activities for kids, livestock displays and a special meet-andgreet with Elsa frowm Frozen.
Cold-dip smugness
If you want instant bragging rights, head to one of Kiama’s rock pools for a cold dip. At the Blowhole Point Ocean Pool, the morning swimming crew checks the temperature and writes it on a rock in chalk, so you can boast about your brave feat later.
Fire
Fridays
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Now is the perfect season to keep your neighbours close. (Because it’s too cold to go any further.) Gather around a campfire, deliver a hot toddy to someone’s doorstep, and check in on neighbours with little kids – they’re likely going stircrazy in the wet weather and would appreciate some light relief.
Whalewatching wonder Winter is peak season for the humpback whale migration. Grab a spot at the Minnamurra viewing platform, Bombo Headland or the Kiama Lighthouse walk. There’s nothing like seeing a whale leap out of the water to make your worries shrink away.
Have a snow day (or weekend)
Grab your thermals, get a ski pass and head for the snow. Or, at the very least, take a trip to Corin Forest, where the snow guns ensure there’s always enough coverage for snowball fights, tobogganing and beginner ski and snowboard lessons.
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A new addition to the winter schedule, The Courtyard in Gerringong – part of the Co-op – is kicking off “Fire Fridays” from June to August. Visitors gather around a cosy fire pit area complete with log seating, cushions and blankets for an evening of alfresco dining. There are also signature cocktails, including a Blood Orange Negroni and a Whiskey Sour, alongside complimentary homemade
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.
Kiama Ice Kubes take the plunge
South Coast surfers staying shark smart through winter
“In the end, I think most surfers are happy to be out there in the ocean and respect sharks. I suppose it’s just a smart idea to have some things in place to minimise risk.”
With shark interactions on the rise given the “increased populations of prey” such as whales, fish and seals, Dr McPhee said local initiatives like the Shark Bite Kits were “a great idea”.
“It doesn’t change the likelihood of a bite occurring, but it can change the consequence and that can be just as important,” he said.
“That can potentially save a person’s life, particularly for a surfer. As opposed to a spear fisherman, bites are likely to be on a leg and the cause of death is that person bleeding out.
“So if you can get them to a beach and apply a proper torniquet, you’re giving that person a great chance of surviving.”
Port McQuarrie high school teacher Danny Schouten took it upon himself to start making the Shark Bite Kits back in 2024 after several friends barely survived encounters, including Kai McKenzie who
MARIA LEWIS
a kit installed on every beach in Australia, the non-profit has had a boost with partnerships from Surfing NSW and the State Government, with an app also in development.
Each kit contains compression bandages, packers, tourniquets, dressings, a thermal blanket, amputated-part bags, gloves, a whistle, first-aid instructions for treating a severe bite and is shrinkwrapped so everything can fit inside.
McCarn added that without the support from local businesses in the community they wouldn’t had have the funds to install the kits, with other nearby boardriders clubs like Port Kembla and Kiama following suit.
“When we installed them, we put it on the community page with a few photos and explained what it was and saying please don’t go for a sticky beak, just know that they’re there and hopefully they never have to be used,” she said.
“The response was really positive, people saying thank you and what a great idea …
“We also just got sent a letter that there are going to be stickers we can put on the kits that have a QR code and if you scan it, that will lead you through the first-aid and have maps of the locations for other kits.”
Continued from page 1
that number increasing to 4 per year from 2020 to 2025.
“We’ve already had four this year, so it is trending up,” said Dr McPhee, who attributed the increase to a variety of factors including “more prey”.
“The whale population has gone up, so they’ve got a predictable food source that they follow in close and that brings them into the coastal areas,” he said.
In 2026, two of the fatal bites have occurred in Western Australia, one in Queensland and one in New South Wales, with three on spearfishermen and one on a swimmer in Sydney Harbour.
In late April, Surf Life Saving NSW announced that they would be installing 129 Shark Bite Kits across the state and affixing them to the external walls of local surf clubs so they would easily accessible for on duty lifeguards, lifesavers, or any member of the public.
“We believe that by ensuring our surf clubs are equipped with these publicly accessible Shark Bite Trauma Kits, we are addressing a major need and providing a safeguard against the possibility of a serious incident unfolding,” said SLSNSW CEO Steve Pearce. The kits are in addition to the UAV shark surveillance program already in place by Surf Life Saving NSW across the breadth of the NSW coastline, helping locals have
Doctor Daryl McPhee (Left) and Mako (right)
Shark Bite Kit
“Stay frank and fearless” Opposition Leader returns to her roots
Cooler, greener playgrounds: Tree-planting school program grows
biodiversity, sustainability and First Nations knowledge.
When NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane
visited The Bugle newsroom, it was a return to her roots for the politician, who began her career as a journalist. Joined by Liberal Candidate for Kiama, Serena Copley, Sloane visited the region to discuss key local issues ahead of the next state election.
A key topic on the Liberals’ agenda was waiting times at Shoalhaven Hospital where, according to new data, waiting times for the sickest patients are now the worst in the State, with ambulance “ramping” also skyrocketing.
Independent data released by the Bureau of Health Information on 10 June shows one in four (23 per cent) of the sickest “T2 emergency patients” are starting their treatment on time – an 18 per cent fall compared to this time last year.
One in two patients are being transferred to care from an ambulance within the
quarter last year.
“These figures paint a worrying picture of a hospital struggling to keep up with demand under the Minns Labor Government,” says Sloane. “People in the Shoalhaven deserve a health system that works when they need it the most.”
Copley agreed, regional health care is too important and should be a priority, saying, “Our doctors, nurses and paramedics are working incredibly hard, but these results show the pressure on Shoalhaven hospital is growing and patients are paying the price.”
When travelling across the South Coast, both Sloane and Copley agree there are two issues she hears about consistently: health and the cost of living.
“People are working harder, they're taking extra jobs, they're going without, they're deferring things they would consider to be a normal life, and there is no end to that,” says Copley.
“In fact, things are getting
that we have to acknowledge, because it's what I'm hearing every day in the community.”
Sloane pointed to recent figures showing more than 6,200 NSW businesses closed their doors in the past year.
“I have noticed it as I travel through the South Coast – empty shop fronts and places that might have been the local bakery or the local supermarket that are now a tobacconist,” says Sloane.
“We want to be a government that will be very focused on supporting business, removing red tape, and making it easier for them to employ more locals. You're going to be hearing more about that as we get closer to the election.”
We also highlighted other issues raised by community members to The Bugle, including a lack of cancer care services at the new Shellharbour Hospital and concerns about a shortage of crucial wellbeing nurses at local schools. Both topics, The Bugle will continue to
Speaking of the importance of community journalism, Sloane said, “There's nothing more powerful in my mind in media than local voice, and it's a real shame that we're losing that local voice in a lot of regional communities, and certainly suburban Sydney as well, where the only remaining newspapers tend to be based on real estate.”
For Sloane, the connection between journalism and politics remains strong. Both, she says, rely on listening to communities, understanding local concerns and giving people a voice.
Speaking of the tension that reporting can create with local councils – especially those in the spotlight like Kiama – she added,
“You know, my very first job was in a regional newspaper, so I understand the tension between community responsibility and getting the facts right. I learned that you can't please everyone.
“The fact that you have this [paper] is gold. So, you know, stay frank and
More than 150 schools across New South Wales will benefit from expanded tree-planting and greening works under a $2.3 million investment aimed at reducing urban heat and improving outdoor learning spaces.
The program will deliver thousands of new trees, shrubs and bush tucker gardens over the next four years, increasing shade and cooling in schoolyards while creating greener spaces for students to play and learn.
The initiative, funded by the Minns Labor Government, has also been expanded beyond metropolitan Sydney for the first time, reaching schools in the Illawarra–Shoalhaven, Hunter and Central Coast regions.
Officials say the expansion reflects growing concerns about urban heat across regional areas as well as Greater Sydney.
Since its launch, the Cooling the Schools program has planted more than 70,000 native trees and shrubs across 306 schools, benefiting more than 20,000 students. It has also delivered close to 100 cultural education sessions, helping students connect with Country while learning about
Delivered in partnership with Greening Australia, the program focuses on increasing tree canopy cover in school grounds while giving students hands-on experience in environmental restoration and native planting.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the initiative was a simple but effective way to reduce heat impacts in schools and surrounding communities while improving health and wellbeing outcomes.
“Planting trees in schools is one of the simplest and most effective ways to combat urban heat, cool our schools and suburbs, and improve the health of our communities,” he said.
Greening Australia Restoration Operations Hub Lead Nicola Masters said students were responding strongly to the program’s practical, outdoor approach.
“Kids love learning through this program because it is active, outdoors and fun,” she said. “We’re not just creating wildlife habitat and cooler schools; we are helping to build ‘GenGreen’.”
Schools can check their eligibility and register at: greeningaustralia.org.au/ projects/cooling-the-schools/.
Next week’s Council meeting is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the future of vibrancy in our community. In his ‘Mayor’s update’, Cameron McDonald foreshadowed that Council will ‘formally consider a range of options for our (New Year’s Eve) celebrations’.
This is pivotal not only for the celebration itself and the ability for families to gather in the Harbour, but also for the investment and spending that it happens on the day.
According to Spendmapp data, $1.76 million was spent in Kiama on 31 December 2024, delivering a whopping economic multiplier of more than 17:1 (the 2024 New Years Eve fireworks were budgeted at $94,000).
With this very clear context, next week’s meeting is more than a seasonal budget decision. With clear economic benefits to show, the range of options and eventual Council decision is a signal about the kind of town Kiama wants to be.
At its core, this is not simply about a single night of celebration. It is about whether Council is prepared to actively invest in the vibrancy of our town and the experiences that bring people into it. Fireworks, while brief, are a visible and
Vibrancy or not?
symbolic form of activation. They draw residents and visitors together, support local businesses, and create a sense of shared place that extends beyond Kiama’s natural attractions.
This decision sits alongside other pivotal choices, including the (revived) Fillmore’s development application, which similarly is due for a Council decision shortly. After another round of public submissions (following a remarkable 94% support for the initially refused application), Council’s decision on Fillmore’s will undoubtedly raises questions about how Kiama evolves. Taken together, these are not isolated decisions. They form part of a broader narrative about whether vibrancy, activity and evolution in and of our town is something to be actively shaped or passively maintained.
Kiama has long been defined by its coastline, rolling hills, and natural beauty. These assets are significant, but they are not sufficient on their own to sustain a dynamic local economy. Increasingly, regional centres are competing on experience and on their ability to offer activity, hospitality, and authentic reasons for people to linger rather than simply pass
through.
In this context, events like New Year’s Eve take on greater importance. They are not just entertainment; they are part of a wider ecosystem of activity that supports local traders, enhances community life, and reinforces Kiama as a destination but also town with aspirations to attract. The same logic applies to well-considered developments that contribute to the vibrancy and activation our the town centre.
The challenge for Council is to approach these decisions with a clear sense of intent. Investment in vibrancy and activation does not need to be excessive, but it does need to be deliberate. It requires asking how individual decisions, whether funding fireworks or assessing development proposals, contribute to a cohesive vision for the town.
Kiama is at a point where incremental choices will shape its trajectory. It can lean solely on its natural advantages, or it can complement them with purposeful investment in activity, evolution and placemaking.
The fireworks debate, in that sense, is not about spectacle. It is about whether Kiama is prepared to back itself as a place worth investing and gathering in.
BLOW YOUR BUGLE
If you have something to say, email editor@thebuglenews.com.au with your letter to the editor!
I fully support your listing of the Bonaira Street Playground as worthy of a story. It's location adjacent to the lovely Native Gardens is an added bonus. However, it is just a shame Kiama Municipal Council don't maintain the grassy area surrounding the playground very well –it only receives a haircut about every 6 weeks (at best).
There are other issues with the holiday parks that rarely get mentioned by anybody, including how the van owners at Werri have been getting treated since 2018, and continuing.
It's worth checking out the facebook page of "Werri Beach Van Owners". Below is a recent comment I provided on that page - have been following this topic for years but it's just one of many where you learn that there's no accountability: They also gave van owners at Werri and Seven Mile incorrect info about
During the growing season the grass can get over 30cm tall, and you would easily lose a ball, and certainly not see any snakes, with the grass in this condition.
Council can find the funds to mow the Bonaira playing field every week but neglect the playground area across the carpark.
The "walkway" between Mark St and Tharkinna Ave
having to remove vans to comply with the new legislation (widening roads, set backs, etc) but failed to inform van owners that the new rules did not need to be applied to 'existing' vans.
So, despite the Council having the power to remove vans their information to van owners was 'incorrect' because they made out that they were just following the 'new rules' and that's why the vans had to be removed when these new rules did not need to be applied to 'existing' vans.
They also decided last year to 'vary' all the
is another case in point. This is used by walkers, dog owners and children but the grass is left to grow to unreasonable lengths – a neighborhood group now maintain it like one would expect.
I have tried to influence the cutting frequency but to no avail.
Rigby
caretaker contracts so that they expired on 30 June this year - convenient considering the timing of the "unsolicited" proposal. It has become abundantly clear in this Council term that the Council management doesn't want to 'manage' much at all and I'm not the only resident who has noticed this.
I empathise with the van owners who have been treated very poorly.
Debra Moore
This is an abridged version of the original letter. Read the full version on the Bugle app.
Local stars of King’s Birthday Honours
South Coast locals are among 949 remarkable Australians recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List.
“Our honours system recognises outstanding people who contribute so much to Australia,” said the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC.
“In our communities, in workplaces and across the country, recipients have made an exceptional contribution.
“Just like those honoured across the past 50 years, their service and achievement in the community and public service, industry and academia, science, the arts and sport help shape our nation.”
Superintendent Darren Brand APM of Kiama Downs was awarded an Australian Police Medal in the General Division. Supt Brand, who took command of Lake Illawarra Police in February 2026, has spent much of his career working in rural towns across NSW.
Anna Watson MP, Member for Shellharbour, observed: “Throughout his career, Superintendent Brand has demonstrated outstanding leadership, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to serving the community and supporting his colleagues.”
COORDINARE’s Manager, Social Impact and Engagement, Jo Riley, was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to suicide prevention advocacy.
At COORDINARE, Riley has played a key role in leading regional suicide prevention initiatives, including the Illawarra Shoalhaven and Bega Valley Eurobodalla Suicide Prevention Collaboratives. Her work has helped strengthen local partnerships and improve community responses to suicide prevention.
In acknowledging the award, COORDINARE CEO Prudence Buist said Riley’s
recognition reflects not only her individual impact but also the collective efforts of communities and organisations working to ensure people feel supported.
Commander David O’Toole OAM RAN of Nowra was awarded recognition for meritorious performance of duty in the field of Navy Aviation Operational Policy and Airworthiness.
Meanwhile, Royal Life Saving Australia congratulated Kiama’s David Macallister OAM on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his longstanding commitment to aquatic safety and the significant contribution he has made to Royal Life Saving.
Other local legends recognised on the honours list included Mr Kevin Camm OAM of North Nowra, for service to veterans' welfare; his Honour Judge Douglas Dick OAM of North Nowra, for service to the law; John Haslem OAM of Batemans Bay, for service to the community.
MP for Gilmore Fiona Phillips commented: “Congratulations to the residents who have been named on the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List. Thank you for your dedication and service to our community.”
In 2023, shortly after taking over management of The Bugle, I was whale watching at Blowhole Point between assignments when I was struck by a driver in a large Triton ute while crossing the road on the first Kings Birthday.. I remember lying there thinking: “I’m supposed to be reporting the news, not being the news.”
Thankfully, I survived. So this year, in search of a better King’s Birthday memory, I headed to Sydney to attend the Australian Monarchist League’s 2026 King’s Birthday Dinner at Doltone House in Hyde Park.
The Australian Monarchist League describes itself as Australia’s largest member-based monarchist organisation, dedicated to promoting understanding of Australia’s constitutional monarchy.
Given the ongoing debate about whether Australia should remain a constitutional monarchy or become a
republic, I expected the evening to focus on that question.
Surprisingly, it didn’t.
Instead, discussion centred on Australia’s heritage, traditions and historical institutions.
Keynote speaker, NSW Legislative Council member The Hon. Rachel Merton MLC, spoke about what she sees as the gradual erosion of historical and constitutional symbols in public life.
A major focus of her address was the future of the proposed Queen Elizabeth II Place, announced in Sydney following the late Queen’s death in 2022.
Merton questioned why the project has yet to proceed, saying she had been advised no state funding had been allocated.
“We were promised a lasting tribute to a monarch whose life was defined by service to Australia and the Commonwealth,” she said. “Where is the square? Where is the statue of our late Queen?”
Merton argued the issue extended beyond a single public square. She pointed to the removal of royal symbols from institutions, debates over the NSW flag, and the proposed sale of historic defence sites as examples of Australia’s heritage gradually
disappearing from public view.
Heritage takes centre stage BELLE WOOD
“Symbols matter,” she said repeatedly throughout the evening.
Supporters of constitutional monarchy argue such symbols provide continuity, stability and a connection to Australia’s history. Republican advocates, meanwhile, believe Australia should eventually adopt an Australian head of state and develop symbols that reflect a modern, independent national identity.
The differing views help explain why debates about heritage, national identity and the monarchy remain alive more than 25 years after the 1999 republic referendum.
For those attending the dinner, however, the focus was less about constitutional change and more about preserving historical connections they believe remain important to Australia’s identity.
The evening concluded with questions from guests before Master of Ceremonies Chris Whittaker thanked attendees and formally closed proceedings.
For me, it proved a far more pleasant King’s Birthday memory than the one from 2023 — no ambulances, no road accidents, just a room full of Australians debating the role of history and heritage in modern Australia.
Amy Molloy
Superintendent Darren Brand and Anna Watson MPMember for Shellharbour
Hon Rachel Merton MLC with MC Chris Whittaker
Prestige Has a new presence
Welcoming the trusted team at South Coast Prestige Properties. Now proudly part of Christie’s International Real Estate NSW — bringing the same local expertise, personalised service, and proven results, backed by one of the world's most recognised luxury property networks.
Global Reach Local Knowledge
“It’s
important to support local”
The secret to winning in business in 2026
Myah Garza
In honour of the upcoming 2026 Kiama Business Network Kiama Business Awards, The Bugle looks back at one of last year’s standout winners, Burnetts on Barney, which took out both Business of the Year and Excellence in Small Business at the inaugural 2025 awards. Held in Kiama, the awards recognised local businesses contributing to the region’s
economy and community life.
Burnetts on Barney owner Elizabeth Burnett said the awards give businesses “a great opportunity to analyse their own business performance and then showcase that to their community,” and described them as “a great way of raising your profile within your community.”
She also said, “Keeping business locally, whether with us or any other businesses in Kiama, is important to the
whole business community’s vibrancy, particularly when economic impacts are real.
“It’s important to support local businesses, and we do that. And I think that helps us help other businesses stay efficient.”
Burnetts on Barney is part of a family of local enterprises run by Elizabeth and Andrew Burnett, beginning with Burnett Trees in Jamberoo in 2000, expanding to the Kiama garden centre in 2012, and
May the earliest parker win
later The Quarry Café in 2022.
The business continues to operate across horticulture and hospitality, with a focus on collaboration and local engagement through workshops, community programs and family-friendly additions at the nursery.
Although entries for KBN awards have closed as of Monday June 8, finalists will be announced Monday, 29th June with Awards Night taking place Thursday, 23rd July 2026.
Veronica Bardsley
Kiama drivers were dealt another blow on June 10th, with the windshields of cars parked in the rear Akuna Street car park covered in notices announcing its permanent closure from 11 June due to upcoming construction works.
The notices read: “Due to upcoming construction works, this car park will be permanently closed from Wednesday, 11 June until further notice.
“We kindly ask that you do
Why
looking past the screen is critical
Don’t get tricked by digital listings, warns The Bugle’s property expert Sam Scobie.
When searching for a new home, it is easy to get caught behind a screen, filtering for properties by strict criteria and dismissing anything that doesn’t look perfect online. However, one of the best things to do as a buyer is to inspect properties even if you aren't entirely sure they are the right fit.
Real estate is an emotional and tactile experience that goes beyond what a digital listing can convey.
While photos, videos and floorplans show you the fundamentals of a property, they cannot express the way the morning light fills a room, the true sense of space, or the feel of the neighbourhood.
Inspecting a variety of homes also builds your market knowledge, helping you clarify your actual nonnegotiables and see where
you might be happy to compromise.
A property that seems ordinary on a screen can feel completely different the moment you step through the front door. By getting out to open homes, you also connect with local agents who can keep you in mind for off-market opportunities. Finding a home is about how a space functions for your lifestyle, not just ticking boxes on a website. This weekend, step inside a few properties you might have otherwise overlooked – you might just find exactly what you didn't know you were looking for.
If you want to discuss the current local market or your buying property goals, I am always here to help.
This is paid content. The Bugle thanks our supporters.
not enter the area while works are underway, as this is private property and access will be restricted. We apologise for any inconvenience and greatly appreciate your patience, understanding and cooperation during this time.”
The notice contained contact information for Saiyu Constructions, who The Bugle has approached for comment.
While many residents knew this day was coming, the one day's notice made the reality sink in. The closure removes yet another convenient parking
option in an area already under pressure.
The question now being asked by many locals is simple: where will everyone park?
As construction gets underway, commuters, workers, business owners and visitors will all be looking for alternatives. It remains to be seen whether replacement parking solutions will be available, or whether the squeeze on parking in Kiama is about to become even tighter.
The Bugle will continue to cover this story. Follow The Bugle app for updates.
Burnetts on Barney winning in 2025
TIFFANY SPRINGETT
Local gyms are flexing more than just muscles on Instagram. From workout tips and community highlights, their socials are packed with content that’s raising the bar. Whether you’re looking to pump up your fitness routine, spot your next workout spot or simply scroll through some serious gains, these accounts are worth adding to your regular reps.
Behind the muscle Gyms making gains on Instagram
One Fitness
@Onefitness247
Snap Fitness Kiama @Snapfitnesskiama
Bodyfit @Bodyfitgroupau
One Fitness 24/7 is a community-focused gym designed to support members at every stage of their fitness journey located in Kiama. With state-of-the-art equipment, over 30 group fitness classes each week, and a welcoming atmosphere, the gym provides the perfect balance of motivation, variety and convenience. Backed by a passionate team committed to helping members achieve their goals, One Fitness 24/7 is a place where fitness, support and personal growth come together.
South Coast Strength and Conditioning
@Scstrengthandconditioning_
Open since December 2024, Snap Fitness Kiama offers members the convenience of 24/7 access in a modern and welcoming fitness environment. Equipped with a wide range of cardio, strength and functional training equipment, the gym caters to all fitness levels. Members can also take advantage of the Snap Fitness app to set goals, track progress and stay motivated throughout their fitness journey.
Focused on helping members build strength, move better and enjoy the process, South Coast Strength and Conditioning offers expert coaching in a supportive boutique setting. With small group classes, open gym access and convenient swipe entry, members can train in a way that suits their lifestyle. Located in Gerringong, this gym helps everyday people develop real-world fitness while staying motivated and consistent.
Located in Shellharbour, Bodyfit is a welcoming fitness community built on inclusivity, support and connection. With state-of-the-art facilities, members can enjoy a range of premium amenities including a crèche, functional training area, group fitness studio, recovery spaces and a relaxing sauna. Whether you’re starting your fitness journey or working towards new goals, Bodyfit provides a positive environment where everyone is encouraged to feel at home and thrive.
Fernwood Fitness @fernwoodfitness
Fernwood Fitness Shellharbour provides a supportive women’s-only fitness environment where members can work towards their health and wellness goals with confidence. Offering a diverse range of group fitness classes, including boxing, Pilates, yoga, cycle, Zumba and 30-minute workouts, the club caters to all fitness levels and interests. With expert instructors, personal training, nutrition support and child-minding facilities, Fernwood creates a welcoming space designed to keep women motivated and active.
Maximising your EOFY outcome: tax, super and beyond
Local experts, Anthony Hourigan and Joe Calcraft from Cloudbreak Wealth talk end of tax year planning – and how to put money back in your pocket.
As the end of the financial year approaches, the masses are turning their attention to tax returns, but EOFY planning is about far more than simply claiming deductions. With a little forward thinking, there are a range of strategies that can potentially improve your financial position and put more money back in your pocket.
One of the most common EOFY opportunities is maximising legitimate tax deductions. Employees should ensure they have records of any work-related expenses, including home office costs, professional memberships, training expenses and workrelated travel.
However, superannuation can provide some of the most valuable EOFY opportunities.
For those eligible, making a personal deductible super contribution before 30 June can reduce taxable income while boosting retirement savings. Many Australians are able to contribute up to $30,000 in concessional contributions this financial year, including employer contributions. If your Total Super Balance (TSB) was below $500,000 on July 1 2025, unused concessional contribution caps from previous 5 years may also be available, allowing larger tax-effective contributions. Keep in mind though, these contributions are taxed at 15% when entering super, so in theory, depending on your taxable income, you can contribute too much.
Meanwhile, low and middleincome earners may benefit from government incentives such as spouse contribution tax offsets or super cocontributions, depending on their circumstances.
More specifically, if your spouse’s taxable income is below $37,000, you get the maximum benefit of making a $3,000 spouse contribution into their super account, an 18
per cent tax offset or $540.
This phases out to zero if they earn above $40,000. For the government co-contribution to be most effective, you need to make a non-concessional contribution in the financial year, be under the age of 71 and satisfy other eligibility criteria.
For maximum benefit, the government will match you 50 cents in each dollar if you earn under $49,293, which also phases out at $64,293. The maximum they will cocontribute is $500. These strategies are great value for lower and middle income earners to boost super and save on tax.
It is important to review the cut off dates with super funds to make these contributions in time as they are fast approaching. The ATO portal, either with your accountant or using MyGov is also a great source of information which will help you properly assess your eligibility for these strategies.
Finally, EOFY is also an excellent time to review personal finances more broadly. Consider whether your investments remain aligned with your goals, whether your insurance cover is still appropriate and whether your estate planning documents are up to date.
This is paid content. The Bugle thanks our supporters.
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.
Many journalists have experienced it: the interview where you feel like you're talking to a media release rather than a person.
A simple question is met with a well rehearsed talking point. A direct question receives a carefully constructed answer to a completely different question.
The person sounds confident, polished, prepared…. They also sound completely unlike a normal human being.
Recently, I've been wondering whether modern media training has created a strange paradox.
In trying to make people — politicians and community leaders in particular — communicate better, are we actually making them sound less real?
The rise of social media has changed the game of politics. A moment can become a
meme. An offhand comment can become a headline.
People are now under pressure to communicate carefully, clearly, and concisely, in order to avoid ‘misunderstandings’.
In media training’s favour, it genuinely helps people communicate better and navigate the often unforgiving world of modern media. But when does media training stop being communication support and start becoming performance training?
It’s a fine, fine line. There are elements of media training that begin to feel… less authentic.
Learning to pivot away from questions. Repeating key messages regardless of what was asked. Avoiding uncertainty at all costs. Bridging techniques like: “What’s important to remember is…”
The result is predictable. Responses become overrehearsed. Controlled. Safe.
And listeners can almost
Total Kalm brings “scratching therapy” to Kiama
Does media training kill authenticity?
hear the training happening in real time. Not in what is said, but in what is not said.
I, thankfully, don't have to report on council meetings for a living unlike my coworkers.
As the creative director at The Bugle, I get to design your local paper, but when I first started watching local council meetings around four years ago, I was struck by how difficult it was to get straightforward answers to straightforward questions.
Some councillors are trueblue locals. They're there because they care deeply about their community and want to make a difference.
Others see local government as the first step on the political ladder. The rest, I'm not quite sure yet.
During my three years with The Bugle, what has surprised me isn’t the politics itself, but the language.
Simple questions often receive long answers. Direct questions are met with explanations, context, caveats and carefully chosen wording.
Sometimes, by the end
of a grammy winning monologue, I wonder whether the original question had actually been answered at all.
The irony is that while media training is designed to make politicians better communicators, it sometimes has the opposite effect. The more polished and controlled the answer becomes, the less authentic it sounds. (I certainly have my favourite councillors, and they’re the ones who speak to me like humans.)
Perhaps the biggest problem with modern media training isn't that it teaches politicians how to communicate. It's that it sometimes teaches them how to avoid communicating. In an age when voters are craving authenticity, transparency and directness, the safest answer is not always the most effective one. Sometimes the most authentic thing a politician can say is the one thing media trainers spend their careers trying to prevent: "I don't know."
Anew boutique wellness studio, Total Kalm, has opened in Kiama, NSW, offering a range of massage and body treatments alongside an emerging technique known as back scratching therapy.
Operating for almost a month now, the space sits tucked at 42 Collins Lane, positioned away from the town’s main street, providing a quiet setting for clients seeking relaxation-based services.
Owner and therapist Ona Chaipon said the studio was designed as a calm, private space focused on traditional Thai massage techniques and modern wellness treatments.
“We offer Thai massage, remedial, deep tissue, relaxation massage, hot
stone foot massage, cupping, couples treatments and facials,” Chaipon said. “We also provide lymphatic drainage and treatment packages for clients who want a full session.”
An addition to the service list you don’t typically see is back scratching therapy – a technique originating from wellness trends in Thailand and gaining attention internationally within sensory-based relaxation practices.
The treatment involves gentle, rhythmic scratching movements across the back and shoulders, intended to create a calming sensory response and encourage relaxation.
Chaipon said the service has been introduced in response to growing interest in tactile and ASMR-inspired
wellness treatments.
“It’s quite popular in Thailand at the moment,” she said. “It helps people relax, and many describe it as very calming and sleep-inducing.”
Proponents say it can contribute to reduced stress and a sense of calm through repetitive, gentle stimulation.
Chaipon, who moved to Australia from Phuket Thailand three years ago, said she previously worked in human resources before training and working in massage and wellness therapy in Australia.
She said finding a suitable space in Kiama took time.
“It was difficult to find the right shopfront,” she said.
“Some were too large or too small, but this space suited what we wanted to create.”
The laneway location has also contributed to a quieter
environment for clients compared to busier streetfront premises, she said.
“I've been getting feedback from clients that just said they like it, more than like going to the main street for a massage because after that they're going to come out with oily face and hands.”
Despite only recently opening, Total Kalm has already seen steady demand.
“We thought it might take time to build up,” she said. “But it’s been busier than we expected, so we are now looking at bringing on additional staff.”
Total Kalm continues to develop its offerings as it establishes itself within Kiama’s growing wellness sector, with a focus on traditional massage services alongside newer sensorybased treatments.
VERONICA BARDSLEY
Myah Garza
Lifeline South Coast set to open with 60 volunteers onboard
More than 60 volunteers will help run Kiama’s new Lifeline South Coast store when it officially opens in the next few weeks.
The former Salvation Army op shop site at 116 Terralong Street will reopen as a Lifeline retail store and community hub, operating seven days a week from 10am to 4pm, with a soft launch on Monday, June 29 and a grand opening scheduled for Wednesday, July 1.
Retail area manager Alicia Ferderer said the project came together quickly over a two-month period.
“From the beginning of May we’ve been recruiting staff and volunteers and getting everything ready,” she said. “It’s been about a two-month process overall.”
The store will be operated by two core staff members, supported by a large volunteer workforce, with between eight and 15 volunteers on the floor on any given day.
“We’ve got over 60 volunteers,” team leader Simone Shelton said. “It can run with eight to 15 volunteers in a day, and the response has been fantastic.”
Ferderer said community interest had been immediate, with donations arriving even before the official opening.
“We opened last Friday [for donations] and we’ve already been inundated,” she said. “People are really excited for us to open.”
She said winter clothing is currently in high demand as the store prepares for its first full trading weeks.
“You get many surprises in an opportunity shop like ours — you never know what you’re going to find,” Ferderer said.
“Yesterday it was a trumpet… actually, a bugle!” she laughed.
The Kiama site replaces a long-running Salvation Army op shop, and early feedback from locals has reflected both appreciation
Thrifty, flirty and thriving: Power of pre-loved fashion
for the new service and nostalgia for what came before.
“A customer said to me they were happy it was us, but they also missed the Salvos,” Ferderer said. “So there’s definitely a mix, but overall the support has been really strong.”
Retail projects operator Sylvanna Cachia said the Kiama store is part of Lifeline South Coast’s broader model, supporting local community services.
The organisation operates the crisis support line 13 11 14 as well as a community kitchen providing free meals during the week.
The community kitchen also connects people with further support services when needed.
“People can go there and be referred to counselling,” she said. “We’ve got trained staff who help direct people to the right support.”
The Kiama store will stock clothing, books, toys, jewellery, bric-a-brac and household goods, with pricing aligned across all Lifeline South Coast locations.
Ferderer said consistency in pricing remains central across the organisation’s stores.
“We have a structure across all our shops,” she said. “It’s about valuing the donations we receive while maintaining consistency across locations.”
Shelton said the store has been designed to serve both residents and visitors, reflecting Kiama’s mix of weekday locals and weekend tourism.
“We want to meet the needs of the community as well as people who come on holidays,” she said.
Volunteers have already begun training, with staff describing strong enthusiasm and engagement.
“They’re buzzing,” Shelton said. “They feel like they’re part of something really meaningful.”
The Lifeline South Coast Kiama store officially opens Wednesday, July 1.
Maria Lewis
With “cozzie livs” continuing to climb, more and more people are turning to thrifting as a cost-effective and creative way to revamp their wardrobes.
And with some of the best op shops and pre-loved markets in Australia based right here on the South Coast, local fashionistas are one stylish step ahead of the pack.
Donna Donlon runs the bimonthly Pre-Loved Fashion Markets at Kiama Masonic Hall – the next one coming up this weekend on June 13 and 14 – along with Rekindled Fashion in Gerringong and said she has noticed a significant uptick in customers since times have gotten tougher.
“I am definitely seeing not just young people turning towards pre-loved fashion as a way to spice up their wardrobe, but all demographics,” she told The Bugle.
“It is fantastic that the awareness is growing, but I also feel that the onus should also be on the manufacturers who are over-producing …
“I meet so many like-minded people who love to find a pre-loved ‘gem’ and know that it is ‘good for the planet and good for the pocket’.
“It is true that if you know what you are looking for, you can find some absolute bargains pre-loved and in like new condition.
“As a ‘thrifter’ you would understand the dopamine hit when you find a designer or mid to high-end label item, not always affordable to all of us at this time at new prices, where the quality is evident and it just sparks joy when you wear it.”
Best-selling author Amy Remeikis is known as much for her unique sartorial style
as she is her political analysis, with her Instagram account Pyjama Politics an online hub for those wanting a breakdown of the latest political news of the day … delivered in colourful outfits.
Remeikis – who sources most of her fashion second-hand – said the “best op shops are always in country towns “.
“The quality of stock is incredible and it is not as picked over by online sellers,” she told The Bugle.
“Just a lot of incredibly well taken care of, one of a kinds, that will give you another 30 years easy if you treat them well …
“Ninety per cent of my wardrobe is thrifted or second hand and I just make sure that the pieces I choose for daily wear are 'friends' so they'll always go with each other.”
Having recently completed a tour for her latest book Where It All Went Wrong: The Case Against John Howard and about to embark on another for her next title Screw Nice, Remeikis said she’s not surprised that in a world of fast fashion more and more people are turning towards pre-loved pieces.
“I think people are looking for individuality in a cookie cutter world,” she said.
“With so much of our lives being curated and designed for us - the algorithms, our jobs … people are looking for something authentic and individualistic they can make their own.
“If you wear second hand, you have to know how to make do with what you have and be creative in how you work something.
“All that and the economy and fast fashion, we seem to be paying a lot of money for something that won't last and that wears on you.
“It's also the difference between materials and cost:
there is a lot of oil in modern clothing, and all that polyester and acrylic is very, very expensive for what it is.”
As well as physical brick and mortar stores, pre-loved fashion is going through a boom period online with websites such as Depop hitting approximately $1 billion in global sales.
Attributed to Gen Z's obsession with vintage trends and financial strain, like eBay it allows users to sell and bid on items and search specific eras or brands that are relevant to them.
Donlon first started out her career in pre-loved fashion online back in 2010, yet with the combination of her physical store in Gerringong – nicknamed The Little Shop - and the bimonthly markets she runs in Kiama, few things beat finding a hidden treasure in person.
“I have a passion for preloved fashion and my aim with the markets was to make it as easy as possible for people to on-sell their quality preloved items,” she said.
“The only problem is because it is such a small market, it has become so popular that I am practically booked out to the end of the year.
“It is a very supportive and friendly market with the young, the not-so-young and the in-between … For me, I always zero in on my favourite colours first, and also scan for favourite fabrics, merino wool, linen, silk, cotton.
“I also don’t take any notice of sizing on the label, best to try it on as sizing is all over the place these days.”
For first-time thrifters, Donlon added that it was important to “take your time scanning the racks as there are generally gems waiting to be found”.
With Instagram also becoming an essential tool for both businesses and buy-
ers, Remeikis said the only rule when it comes to second-hand searching is what you decide.
“It depends on how much you love it, but as a general rule if it is natural fibres, it is worth it,” she said.
“If it is a 90s t-shirt with just the one line of stitching down the bottom, it is worth it.
“If it is a wool jacket or blazer, or silk, or 100% thick cotton, it is worth it.
“If it looks like you, it is worth it. If it is something that makes you gloriously happy - it is worth it.
“If it's a copy of something, or just on trend, or you feel like you would never actually wear it, it's too expensive.”
THRIFTING TIPS
Know what you’re looking for
Go in with a plan. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the choices, textures, and fabrics, but remember what items you’re after specifically.
Expect the unexpected Be prepared to throw that carefully curated plan out the window because you never know what you’re going to find while trawling a preloved market or garage sale. That’s the thrill of it, uncovering that gem you never expected to see.
Understand the value
Not numerically, but personally. It’s easy to walk away from something in a store and come back to it later: you can’t do that with thrifting. If you really love an item, ask yourself: if I leave this behind, will I regret it? Will I ever get a chance to own it again?
Don’t follow trends
Sure, Ed Hardy baby tees might be back in fashion now … but will they still be Du Jour in two years? You want to keep your thrifting focus on timeless pieces that will endure any fast fashion trends.
MYAH GARZA
Ordinary People Doing Amazing Things
Stephanie Kemp
Avisit from Gary Davis of Canberra Rotary
was a great example of ordinary people doing amazing things. Gary is District Governor Elect and heavily involved with a number of Rotary programs close to the hearts of Gerringong Rotary, including Australian Rotarians Against Malaria (ARAM), Say NO to Domestic Violence and Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS).
Gary is also on the board of the Rotary Youth Enrichment Program, RYPEN for our district. At RYPEN, during an intensive residential weekend, young people aged approximately 14 to 16 years develop increased motivation, improved life skills, better self-image, pride in themselves and an understanding of setting and achieving goals. At the same time, participants are interacting with peers from different backgrounds, and different parts of our district, improving their teamwork skills and having fun!! All this done in an informal atmosphere, where questions and debates are encouraged.
He has travelled extensively with Rotary to conferences and projects around the world and his particular interest is the elimination of malaria in our region. He announced that Sam Mostyn, the Governor General, has just agreed to be the patron of ARAM, an exciting development that will raise the profile of the work.
While Timor Leste has recently been declared malaria free, there is still work to do in our region in Papua
New Guinea, West Timor, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands and in preserving the malaria free status of Timor Leste from reinfection. With climate change, we also have an interest in preventing the spread of malaria from our near neighbours into northern Australia. In 2019 in just PNG alone there were 1.4 million cases and 2,800 deaths from malaria.
While work is being done on developing a malaria vaccine, it is only 40 – 50% effective in real world conditions and requires multiple doses, so it is still vital to spray and provide mosquito nets. When Gary visited PNG, he discovered that it takes three years to get round PNG to distribute these supplies because of the lack of roads. The problem is compounded because some of the villagers associated the program with witchcraft and attacked the aid workers bringing in supplies and trying to educate them. As a result, ARAM has just funded some mountain bikes to make the distribution easier.
Gerringong Rotary presented Gary with a donation of $1,000 to support ARAM’s vital work.
Gerringong Rotary is running a huge travel raffle, the prize being a $10,000 travel voucher provided by Travel Focus in Gerringong. Proceeds will support charities involved in domestic violence and brain cancer and other Rotary causes, such as Rotarians Against Malaria.
The raffle will be drawn at Gerringong Bowling Club at 7pm on Friday 5 June and tickets can be bought online from raffletix.com. au at raffletix.com.au/ travelvoucher2026.
School of rock:
Kate Henderson
Rebecca Gavin oversaw a playground full of extraordinary creativity on Monday morning as Jamberoo Public School held its annual Crazy Hair and Crazy Socks Day.
Dressed for the part in a long pink ponytail and colourful hosiery, Jamberoo’s new Principal was clearly delighted to be leading the colourful crowds of children.
After a three-week “practical” at the school during her teacher training days, “many moons ago”, she jokes, she had always nurtured a fond memory of the historic site, loving its history, the buildings themselves, the “absolutely beautiful” setting and the strong, tight-knit community.
She would always tell people it was her dream school, even pointing it out to her children as they drove past, and “never thought I’d be lucky enough to be here as Principal.” As a big fan of history, the fact that her office is the old Headmaster’s residence and that the buildings have remained unchanged since 1878 means a lot.
Gavin’s main priority in her first year will be to really get to know everybody and everything about the school. She will be getting a strong feel for what “everybody really wants from me” and
understanding how the school works.
What makes a great primary school, she says, is a feeling that is hard to quantify, where kids, teachers, parents and carers are valued and “happy and proud to be part of the school community.” She is excited, “knowing I can make a positive impact on so many lives. It feels really important, and something I do not take lightly.”
With an Assistant Principal background, Gavin is clear on the need for the building blocks of literacy and numeracy to set pupils up with the skills to attain success in whichever field they choose.
With the world changing so rapidly, she also promotes “soft skills” — resilience, how to face challenges, critical thinking, problem-solving and “how to be discerning about the information they are presented with.”
Additionally, she is passionate about the role of extra-curricular activities.
“When I think back,” she says, “to my own primary school, those are the things that really enrich your experience.” Children can be introduced to things they may not otherwise have come across, that “might not be in your own family’s areas of interest”, and this has the effect of broadening their horizons.
She is “astounded by the
The Principal who shared Lady Gaga’s birthday cake
dedication and passion” of the teaching staff at Jamberoo, who go above and beyond to provide enriching experiences across the arts and sports.
For a school with only six classes, the teachers happily and enthusiastically commit to the extra effort and administration required to make primary school “more colourful, interesting and more exciting”. Not all children may thrive on the academic side, but they are all given the chance to shine in other areas.
This week will see youngsters head off to the Stage One Dance Festival, while last week included an excursion to the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Jamberoo participates every year in three major carnivals — swimming, cross-country and athletics — and is represented regionally in many sporting pathways.
When asked what may surprise the students to find out about their new Principal, Gavin reveals she was once a drummer in a rock band.
She “once had a piece of Lady Gaga’s birthday cake” and worked in the music industry in her mid-twenties.
She is still a huge music lover and, outside of working hours, likes to attend live concerts, play guitar and listen to her husband’s large vinyl collection. She and her daughter are big netball fans and supporters of the NSW
Swifts, and she also loves watching her son play cricket, reading and enjoying family days at the beach. However, as she notes, with two young children, there is not a lot of downtime.
As a girl at Shellharbour Public School, she had a favourite teacher, Mr Lewis.
Talking to Jamberoo’s Uniform Shop coordinator, Gavin was thrilled to discover that Mr Lewis is now a grandparent at the school.
“He was so funny,” she recalls. “I remember being eight or nine and feeling so valued and cared for.”
Along with other significant educators in her childhood, she resolved: “I always wanted to make sure I was that kind of teacher, that kids felt I knew them and I cared about them.”
As Principal, Gavin is cognisant of being “consistent and predictable” and letting the children “know they always get the same me.”
To describe her hopes for the school in one sentence, she says: “I hope everyone involved in the school feels happy walking in each morning. It’s very simple, but it sums it up. It’s a good goal to have.”
A collection of cards from the students adorns her office, and Gavin smiles as she says, “I couldn’t have asked for a nicer welcome, a more supportive and warm welcome, from everybody.”
Around and about with Gerringong Rotary
Tuned in: KCR
Chasing Astrid
Chasing Astrid? That’s the name of a rising indie rock band from Western Australia with a special Kiama connection.
Featuring Kiama’s own Jack Irwin-Cordner (guitar and vocals), Yas Perks (guitar and vocals), Tyrone Finnegan (bass), and Kye Sawyer (drums), Chasing Astrid blends dreamy guitars with nostalgic, emotionally driven songwriting.
With over 30,000 streams on their debut EP, Triple J airplay, and a successful WA headline tour, they have continued to build momentum nationally, including a recent interstate run in May 2026. Their second EP, Ordinary Life, is due for release in October 2026, followed by extensive touring across Australia.
After a bumpy flight from Western Australia, three of the four band members joined Lee Cordner in the KCR studio. The conversation covered their journey, influences, and how the group came together from Western Australia, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Jack was warmly welcomed home, along with Kye, who hails from Ulladulla.
Lee introduced frontman Jack (his grandson), who reflected on his Kiama school days, early musical beginnings.
“Growing up in a beachy town, you’re always outside – surfing, skating, sport,” Jack said. “A lot of my soundtrack was what I had in my headphones, making music in my bedroom.”
Originally starting as Jack’s solo project, Quite Loud, the band spoke about evolving from bedroom recordings into a full live act.
Kye shared his beginnings as a self-taught drummer in Ulladulla, while Tyrone reflected on moving from having
no musical background in Melbourne to learning guitar before transitioning to bass with encouragement from the band.
Yas, from Adelaide, was not present in the studio, but the group explained how they eventually converged in Margaret River, Western Australia –a coastal environment that has helped shape both their sound and lifestyle.
“Beautiful coastline, surfing, and a healthy lifestyle – it all feeds into the music,” they said.
When asked about their sound, Yas has previously described it as “angsty pop” –music that often sounds bright and upbeat on the surface but carries darker, more introspective lyrics underneath.
The conversation also turned to life within the band and how performing together has shaped each of them. Tyrone reflected on the journey: “I didn’t even realise that being on stage with people dancing would become such a dream. It’s exciting and joyful.”
The band acknowledged that while the path isn’t always easy, with many acts emerging in the scene, the creative process keeps them grounded.
“It can be a challenging journey,” they said. “But we get to jam a few nights a week, and the songs just flow from there.”
As they continue to refine their sound, Chasing Astrid represent a growing wave of emerging Australian artists blending diverse backgrounds into a shared musical direction – one grounded in experience and open to what comes next.
For Lee Cordner, it was a particularly meaningful moment to share the studio with his grandson as part of the conversation.
Listen to the full podcast at kcr.org.au.
The kindness of strangers in Kiama
Jenny England
It was only a slight misstep, then suddenly… thud!
One minute I was confidently making my way down our busy main street, heading for an appointment with Services Australia. The next minute I was lying flat on my back on the wobbly, neglected tiled pavement, wondering what had happened.
Half a dozen young people immediately rushed to my assistance. They helped me up, checked me over and asked if I needed anything, even offering to drive me home.
I felt uncomfortable, a bit silly, vulnerable and old.
I survived with only a few cuts and bruises, but it could have been worse. Another fall a few months later finally convinced me that I needed to use a cane or wheelie walker when out on the street.
But I’ve never forgotten the kindness of these young total strangers.
It reminded me of my first encounter with a kind stranger during the move to our new home. On the first day we arrived to start setting up furniture and finding
places for our belongings, another stranger offered to carry a heavy packet of cat litter back from a nearby pet store.
It caused a bit of a laugh when we arrived at my new front door with the stranger carrying my package and me beside him smiling, holding his dog.
I never found out his name and, even though he said he lived nearby, I never saw him again. That happens sometimes, especially in a busy community.
Not all encounters with kind strangers come about like these two. Sometimes it’s just a fleeting moment that you don’t think about until later.
Things like a fellow shopper nodding for you to jump ahead in the supermarket queue when they see you only have a bottle of milk, and they have a very full trolley. Or the strangers who you may never meet, like those who find and return your wallet or phone completely intact or deliver a parcel to your door that was left at the wrong address.
I have found that the community I now call home is abuzz with all sorts of kind strangers.
The oft-quoted idiom, “there is no such thing as a free lunch”, doesn’t always apply around the streets of Kiama.
On Tuesdays there is a free lunch at the Kiama Scout Hall near the harbour, prepared by volunteers from Homestead of Hope. On Wednesdays another free lunch is offered by The Everyday Table volunteers at the North Kiama Neighbourhood Centre in Kiama Downs.
Apart from the social aspect of the lunch, visitors can also purchase many grocery items at a fraction of their normal retail price, with a few freebies thrown in.
The Kiama Uniting Church has a community pantry full of non-perishable foods and essential household items available to anyone in need.
There are also a number of street libraries around the local suburbs and towns, run by enthusiastic readers offering books to take home and enjoy at your own pace.
It’s on the days when you feel a little down or overwhelmed by the complexity and stress of 21st-century life that these simple acts of kindness can really make an impact.
I felt this the other day
while walking home from a shopping trip. On the side of a garden box, I came across a small, beautifully painted rock with the word “hope” delicately placed in the centre. I held it for a while, then put it back for another stranger to find and perhaps add a little cheer to someone else’s day, just as it had to mine.
What is it about these simple acts of kindness?
A quote I recently saw on Facebook seemed to sum it up perfectly:
“It is important to be kind because we walk past hundreds of people each day and none of them wear signs that say, ‘I’m grieving’ or ‘I’m exhausted’ or ‘I’m barely holding it together’. Kindness may be the only softness they receive that day.”
At the end of the day, a stranger is simply someone you haven’t had the opportunity to get to know yet.
Some you may never meet. Some may become acquaintances over time. And every now and then, one or two may become friends. The type of friends you want in your life – ones who can also bring out the kindness in you.
Tribute to the life and service of Hilton Bloomfield
Hilton “Sonny” James Bloomfield will be remembered in Kiama as a man of steady leadership, quiet generosity, and a deep commitment to helping others. He passed away peacefully on Thursday, 4 June 2026, aged 83, leaving behind a community strengthened by his presence and example.
After making Kiama his permanent home in retirement, Hilton quickly became a familiar and respected figure in local life. While many came to know him through his volunteer service, those who worked alongside him often spoke first of his calm judgement, practical approach to problem-solving, and his ability to bring people together without seeking recognition.
Hilton’s earlier life was marked by a distinguished professional career spanning more than three decades with
the National Australia Bank Group. In senior leadership roles, he worked across financial management, administration, and strategic planning, including serving as General Manager of Custom Credit in its final years. His work was characterised by discipline, foresight, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Following his banking career, he continued his commitment to leadership and community development as Chief Executive Officer of Scouting NSW, a role he held for eight years. He later took on a significant organisational leadership position for a major international scouting event in the Illawarra region, reflecting both his capability and his reputation for dependable execution of complex projects.
In Kiama, Hilton devoted much of his retirement to voluntary service and community initiatives.
He contributed to youth development programs, supported projects aimed at improving the lives of children and families, and was actively involved in fundraising efforts that turned small ideas into meaningful outcomes. Colleagues often noted his belief that practical action mattered more than words, and that even modest community efforts could have lasting impact when done well.
Hilton also played an important role in initiatives supporting carers and children with mobility needs, as well as other local fundraising activities. He approached these commitments with patience and persistence, often working behind the scenes to ensure projects were properly organised and sustained.
Above all, Hilton will be remembered for his character. He was generous
with his time, thoughtful in conversation, and quietly humorous in a way that put others at ease. Friends and colleagues valued his steadiness and the sense of reassurance he brought to group efforts. He is survived by his wife Janice, his children, and grandchildren, who will remember him as a devoted family man whose influence extended far beyond his own household.
Hilton Bloomfield’s legacy in Kiama lives on in the many lives he touched through his leadership, kindness, and unwavering sense of service.
Five flat family bike rides (for even the littlest legs)
Emily Crisp
My three-year-old recently graduated to a pedal bike and has become absolutely convinced that every weekend should involve a family bike ride.
While I love the idea of family cycling adventures, I am not particularly interested in spending my morning pushing a small child and a bicycle up a hill while questioning my life choices. So, we've been on a mission to find bike rides that are flat enough for little legs, easy enough for reluctant parents and scenic enough that it feels like we've achieved something impressive.
Here are five local rides that have become favourites.
Jamberoo Farming Flats Swamp Road, Jamberoo
Tucked between Minnamurra and Jamberoo, this shared path follows the Minnamurra River floodplain through some of the prettiest farmland in the district.
Start near the river crossing on Swamp Road and follow the flat path towards Kiama Downs. Kids will love waving to the cows grazing beside the track and spotting the colourful mural painted on an old farm shed along the way.
What makes this ride such a winner for beginner riders is that it feels like a proper adventure without any challenging hills. Alternatively you can park along Henry Parkes Drive and follow the path under the highway to get to swamp road for a slightlymlonger ride.
Werri Beach Bike Park, Gerringong
If your children need regular distractions to keep them pedalling, this is the ride for you.
Starting at the northern end of Werri Beach, the shared path hugs the coastline all the way south towards the headland. There are plenty of reasons to stop along the way including picnic areas, beach access, grassy spaces to explore and a small playground near the northern end of the beach.
On a sunny day it feels more like a holiday activity than a bike ride. Pack swimmers and finish with a dip at South Werri Ocean Pool before heading home.
Bonaira Native Gardens, Kiama
Hidden away in Kiama, Bonaira Native Gardens is one of our favourite places to venture on a rainy day as the trees provide enough cover from the elements that you can be outdoors even if it’s raining..
The network of paths and bridges makes it perfect for kids on bikes and scooters who are still finding their confidence. While some sections become hilly, there are plenty of flatter loops where children can happily ride circles for ages.
After rain, bring gumboots and let the kids splash through the creeks and explore the bushland once they've finished riding.
Ruth Devenney Reserve, Minamurra
Located just after the Minnamurra Tip entrance, this reserve combines bike riding with enough extra attractions to keep curious children entertained.
The path winds through
open green space with little bridges to cross, creeks to investigate and regular train sightings adding to the excitement.
It isn't a long ride, but that's part of the appeal. It feels like an adventure without requiring an entire morning or a car full of snacks. You can park on the other side of the Minnamurra Bridge and follow the path past the tip which joins up to Ruth Devenney Reserve.
Sand Track Walk, Seven Mile Beach
This might be the closest thing you'll find to a bush bike ride that is still manageable for young children.
Starting near Gerroa, the track meanders through coastal forest beneath a canopy of trees, creating
plenty of shade and shelter. While there are some sandy patches, most of the route is flat enough for children who have recently mastered riding.
The trail eventually reaches Seven Mile Beach, although if riding and not walking I would suggest returning home on the bush track rather than riding along the beach. It is a peaceful, scenic and a nice change from riding laps around the local footpath.
The best family bike rides are not necessarily the longest rides or the most challenging. They are the ones where nobody ends up carrying a bike home, the children finish wanting to do it again and everyone feels like they have spent a few hours outdoors together. These five local rides tick all three boxes.
Grey nomad adventure
Carol Goddard
My latest Grey Nomad adventure has begun, though I much prefer the term AgeAverse Nomad.
I am currently looking out my caravan window towards a scene of texture and colour.
The sky is a wash of pale blue, dotted with wistful little cotton-wool clouds. It's early morning, surprisingly mild for this time of year, and the day ahead, like the last four, promises adventure.
The grass is dewy and shining. Mist rises languidly from the distant paddocks, enveloping the cows, while trees are dropping multitudes of yellowybrown leaves.
The nearby river drifts by, murky and lapping against half-submerged tree roots.
Further away, the old timber bridge clatters occasionally as the odd car or bus passes over it. This is Gundagai River Caravan Park, on the banks of the Murrumbidgee, my home for the next five days.
There's a newspaper lying open next to me on a table strewn with the detritus of travel. Living in a little metal box for a few days, let alone months, results in a paucity of space. And so, the table has become the resting place of far too much.
There are books, pens, magazines, tissues, a pair of sunglasses kept handy, and a plastic bag full of hubby’s clutter. But it's the newspaper headline I'm drawn to.
A quote from an author unknown to me – “You don't have to understand life. You just have to live it” – is emblazoned in capital letters across an entire page.
Yes, that's just about right, I think to myself. That's exactly what I'm doing, fitting as much as I can into every day.
It's hard, though. To get away, I mean.
I am blessed with a very close-knit family: my kids, their partners and my grandkids. I'm also part of the so-called sandwich generation, sandwiched
between my younger family and my elderly parent.
Yes, at my ripe old age, I still have a living parent – my mum. Though she resides at Blue Haven Bonaira and is cared for magnificently by aged-care professionals, these days it has become trickier to do what I want to do: lock up and spontaneously take off travelling. After all, I'm needed for both Nanna and daughter duties. But I must travel. Life is a gift and not to be wasted. Hubby and I can, and will, while we both have the health and the desire for adventure. There's still so much to see, do and experience. This trip will be about not only seeing the sights and learning about them, but actively mixing with locals wherever we land, boosting their local economies by way of coffee, entrance fees, shopping and the sipping of the odd bevy. First stop was Crookwell, about a week ago now, though it feels more like a month. Walking the main street with its heritage feel, myriad country stores, four pubs (but only two operating), an overflowing Vinnies, the famous Lindner Sock Factory, and the butcher shop featured in the NRMA lighthouse ad, I'm feeling mellow.
Sustained by a flat white and a warmed berry muffin with cream in the gorgeous, fern-filled environs of Ensemble & Co (think Kiama's Collective Beat with a café up front), I'm looking forward to this evening's art show at the Memorial Hall. A tribute to two local artists, the opening night offers paintings, sculpture, wine, nibbles and the prospect of experiencing Crookwell conviviality.
Country hospitality, I can assure you, is alive and well. We two non-locals were welcomed, chatted with, befriended and plied with a few cheeky reds and assorted delicious canapés while viewing the art and hearing the artists’ stories. Two memorable hours, and a fitting finale to our brief sojourn in this pretty town.
Whats on
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.)
The curse of the influencer (and safer spots for that shot)
Source: Instagram
For a beautiful destination, going viral can be the worst thing that ever happens to it.
Tasman Drive isn't the only Aussie hotspot to discover that internet fame comes at a cost. Across the country, viral posts have transformed quiet natural attractions into overcrowded hotspots, forcing closures, fences and safety warnings.
The good news? You can still visit these places. Just don't expect to stand exactly where the influencer stood.
Here are the destinations still worth visiting – from a safer angle.
Figure Eight Pools, NSW After going viral in 2019,
the Figure Eight Pools in Royal National Park drew hordes of visitors, but not everyone was aware of the dangers. Following several deaths, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service warned visitors to exercise extreme caution, describing the site as a "dangerous rock shelf" that cannot be visited during certain tides.
Their advice? Pick a safer hike for a scenic selfie, such as the Manly Scenic Walkway or America Bay Walking Track. Wedding Cake Rock, NSW Wedding Cake Rock, also in Royal National Park, attracted large crowds seeking the perfect photo despite safety concerns. The fragile sandstone formation
deteriorated under increasing visitor pressure, eventually leading authorities to restrict access to protect both visitors and the site itself.
After going viral, National Parks fenced off the area.
"This is a beautiful location, and we encourage people to come and look at the spectacular rock formations," reads the National Parks website. "But the key is to enjoy the views from a safe distance."
Gerringong Falls, NSW Gerringong Falls experienced a surge in visitors after images spread online. Increased foot traffic led to concerns about environmental damage, trespassing on private property and strain on local infrastructure.
As of December 2023, access to the base of Gerringong Falls is prohibited. The walk will remain permanently closed to the public "to protect visitor safety".
For an alternative waterfall experience, NSW National Parks recommends the Minnamurra Falls Walk, Carrington Falls Walking Track in Budderoo National Park, Fitzroy Falls Lookout in Morton National Park, or the Griffiths Walking Track
in Barren Grounds Nature Reserve.
Kennett River, VIC
This tiny, tight-knit Great Ocean Road community is famous for its wild koalas.
The rise of geotagging and travel influencer content has created an influx of tourists, which has reportedly led to dangerous driving, the feeding of native wildlife and increased stress on the local ecosystem.
Local authorities and residents have pushed to ban large tourist coaches from stopping in Kennett River to curb overcrowding, improve road safety and protect local wildlife.
Uluru, NT
Perhaps the most iconic example of tourism's negative impact is Uluru, a problem only amplified by social media fame.
Today, climbing Uluru is not only taboo; it is a breach of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.
However, a trip to UluruKata Tjuta National Park is still spectacular. The park's website offers a range of itineraries, including some of the best hikes and viewpoints for taking in its breathtaking sunsets.
what’s on?
What Holds Exhibition
Until 20 June
Seven Marks Gallery, Kiama
Exhibition by Isobel
Rayson
Worldwide Knit Day
exhibition
Sat 13 June
Blue Haven Terralong, Kiama
exhibit of locally
handmade charity blankets
Bundanon Built
Architecture Tour
Sat 13 Jun, 11am
Bundanon Art Museum
Tour of the award-winning architecture
Royal Dining & Dancing
Night
Sat 13 Jun, 6:30pm
Curries and Spirits Indian
Restaurant, Gerringong
Nawabi Night, Indian cuisine and belly dancing
The Main Line Steam
Train Family Fun Day
Sun 14 Jun, 10am
Illawarra Light Railway
Museum
Annual opening day
Kiama Premiere
Screening
Tue 16 Jun, 1pm-3:30pm
Kiama Bowling Club
Networking, screening and afternoon tea hosted by
Finding Your Path
Kiama Farmer’s Market
Wed 17 Jun, 2pm-5pm
Surf Beach, Kiama
Endless Taco Night at
Bella Char
Thu 18 Jun, 5pm
Bella Char, Gerringong
Food and drinks served
Vinnies CEO Sleepout
Thu 18 Jun
Fundraiser for the homeless
Kiama Seaside Markets
Sun 21 Jun, 9am-3pm
Black Beach, Kiama
Kiama Coastal Classic
Sun 21 Jun, 7am
Kiama
Run event with multiple distances for different levels of fitness
Christmas in July
Wed 1 Jul - 31 Jul
Pub Jamberoo
Festive vibes and food
Film screening and heritage workshop
Thu 2 Jul, 12:30pm-4pm
Pilot’s Cottage, Kiama
Workshop and afternoon
tea hosted by Finding Your Path
Christmas in July
Sat 4 Jul, 5pm
Gerringong Co-op
Festive dining, live classical music, and seasonal atmosphere
Kiama I do
Sat 4 Jul, 10am-2pm
Kiama and surrounds
Offering an inspiring showcase of wedding venues
Drop In Art Play – Six Days
Thu 9 Jul-Wed 15 Jul, 10am3pm
Old Fire Station, Kiama
Drop in, buy a canvas and paint
DIY Giant Chocolate Freckle Workshop
Thu 9 Jul, 10am
The Treat Factory, Berry Make your own giant freckle
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
Rock’n’Dance
Sat 11 Jul, 6:30pm
Gerringong Town Hall Dj, dance coach and live band
Christmas In July | Family Fun Day Sun 12 Jul, 12pm Illawarra Light Railway Museum
Festive Christmas train and Mini Elf Express Comedy Show – Jimmy Kuratz
Mon 20 Jul, 7pm Kiama Leagues Club The Creative Business Summit Thu 30 July, 9:30am The Pavilion, Kiama One-day business conference
The Kiama Fringe Fri 14 Aug- Wed 16 Sep, 6pm Black Beach, Kiama Comedy, circus, live music, family-friendly fun
Amy Molloy
Slither in: Free snake nature talk
Shellharbour residents are being invited to take a closer look at one of the region’s most quietly important and often misunderstood animals at a free upcoming Nature Talk focused on local snakes.
The event will be held at Shellharbour City Library on Thursday 18 June from 6pm to 7.30pm, and will be presented by Dr Damien Esquerré from the Biodiversity Evolution Lab at the University of Wollongong. The session will explore snakes found across the Illawarra and offer practical guidance on how to safely and respectfully share space with them.
Far from being something to fear, snakes play an essential role in the natural environment. The talk will highlight why they matter, how to recognise common species in the region, and what to do if you happen to encounter one at home, in the garden, or out in the bush.
A Diamond Python, one of the species found locally, will be among those featured.
Shellharbour Mayor Chris
Homer said the session is a chance for the community to build knowledge and confidence when it comes to local wildlife.
“Snakes are a natural part of life in our region, especially during warmer months,” Mayor Homer said.
“Learning more about how they behave and the role they play in our environment can help people feel more confident and stay safe if they come across one.”
Dr Esquerré will also share insights from his research into snake venom and evolution, offering a glimpse into how these remarkable animals have adapted over time. The discussion will also touch on the importance of protecting natural habitats that support local wildlife across the Illawarra.
The event aims to encourage curiosity as much as caution – helping residents better understand a creature that is often seen but not often understood, and showing that with a little knowledge, sharing the landscape can feel a lot more comfortable for everyone involved.
Myah Garza
One of Australia’s most contentious wartime art disputes – and a surprising Kiama link to British theatre star Noël Coward – will be the focus of a Kiama Historical Society talk this Saturday.
The event will be held at 2pm on June 13 at the Kiama Library Auditorium, where historian and Kiama resident Dr Peter Edwell will present research from his book The Case That Stopped the Nation, which examines the 1944 Archibald Prize controversy.
The dispute erupted after William Dobell was awarded the Archibald Prize for his portrait of fellow artist Joshua Smith. While celebrated by
some, the work divided the Australian art world, with critics arguing it strayed too far from traditional portraiture and leaned into caricature. The disagreement escalated into a Supreme Court case, placing the painting — and the broader question of what constitutes a portrait — at the centre of national debate.
Dr Edwell says the controversy reflected a shift in artistic expectations at the time.
“It took a quite different form to what the previous winners had looked like,” he says, noting Dobell’s intention to capture what he described as the “character” of his subject rather than a strict likeness.
That approach, however, proved deeply divisive.
A love affair in Berry
The South Coast’s premier wedding event, Love A Fair, is set to return to Berry Showground this June, promising a fullday immersive experience for engaged couples, families, and wedding professionals.
More than a traditional wedding expo, Love A Fair positions itself as a celebration of local creativity, connection, and destination weddings –bringing together hundreds of attendees and exclusively South Coast-based wedding vendors under one roof.
Organisers say the event is designed to help couples plan their entire wedding in a single day while also highlighting the region’s growing reputation as one of
Australia’s most sought-after wedding destinations.
“This is about authentic connection,” said organiser Kaity. “We want couples to meet vendors they truly connect with – people who feel like trusted friends on their wedding day.”
Held in the heart of the South Coast at Berry Showground, the showcase will feature venues, photographers, celebrants, florists, stylists, planners, entertainers, caterers, beauty services, and honeymoon travel specialists.
Organiser Jess said the event encourages couples to slow down and enjoy the experience rather than rush through a typical expo format.
“We want people to make a day of it, or even a weekend away. Come down to the South Coast, explore the region, meet the vendors and experience why so many couples are choosing to get married here,” she said.
Dog owners need not be deterred as the event is dogfriendly.
Love A Fair will feature a range of interactive experiences, including live wedding styling installations; a fashion runway showcasing local exhibitors; live music and entertainment throughout the day; food trucks, drinks, and free samples
There will also be giveaways, prizes, and competitions throughout the day for
everyone who attends to take part in. Plus, dog-friendly spaces for attendees.
The event is designed to be relaxed and immersive, encouraging visitors to explore, connect, and gather inspiration in a welcoming environment.
Organised by two local small businesses within the wedding industry, Love A Fair is proudly communitydriven, with a strong focus on supporting South Coast vendors and businesses.
With tickets priced at $10 online or $15 at the door, organisers are expecting strong interest from couples across Sydney, regional NSW, and beyond.
A painting, a court case and a wartime nation:
Kiama Historical Society talk revisits Archibald dispute
was very much a no-no at the time in terms of whether it qualified as portraiture,” he said.
The case unfolded during the height of World War II, yet still managed to dominate public discussion across Australia.
Dr Edwell says the intensity of the reaction revealed how deeply art, politics and social attitudes were intertwined at the time.
“What is remarkable is how much attention this managed to take in the middle of World War II,” he said, adding that the debate reached far beyond galleries and courts, even being followed by Australians serving overseas.
Alongside the national story sits a more local thread.
Research by Dr Edwell
uncovered that British playwright and actor Noël Coward was reportedly in Kiama during the same broader wartime period, resting after becoming unwell while travelling in Australia on a government-sponsored tour.
While Coward was not directly connected to the Archibald court case, archival records and correspondence show he was part of a wider network of cultural figures and patrons moving through Australia at the time. His brief presence in Kiama adds an unexpected local footnote to an already high-profile national story.
Dr Edwell’s connection to the Kiama Historical Society is itself relatively recent. He became a member following the public discussion around the future of the Kiama Family History Centre , an issue he said prompted him to become more involved in local heritage activity.
That involvement has since grown into his upcoming
presentation, reflecting a broader interest in linking academic research with community history.
Kiama Historical Society vice-president Tony Gilmour, who set up the collaboration, has told The Bugle talks like these continue to attract strong local interest, particularly when they connect national events with regional stories.
The Society’s events are deliberately accessible, with entry priced at $3 for members and $5 for visitors, including afternoon tea and informal discussion.
The Society now has around 220 members and continues to promote its program through local radio, community announcements and word of mouth, with many attendees first hearing about events on radio or through posters around town.
Some talks are also recorded and later shared through community radio, allowing discussions about Kiama’s history to reach a wider audience beyond the
auditorium.
Dr Edwell, who is also an ancient historian at Macquarie University, said he was initially drawn to the Archibald Prize case through family connections, but his research soon expanded into a broader study of cultural and political dynamics in 1940s Australia. He said what continues to surprise him is how far the controversy travelled at the time, and how deeply it resonated across different parts of society.
Saturday’s talk will explore both the legal battle and the artistic debate at the heart of the Archibald controversy, while also tracing the unexpected intersections between national history and local Kiama life.
For attendees, it offers a chance to revisit a defining moment in Australian cultural history — while also seeing how even brief local visits by international figures like Noël Coward can leave traces that surface decades later in unexpected ways.
Share your news
Out and about with the bugle
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.)
The Gerringong RSL Hall was packed for this year's Biggest Morning Tea, hosted by the Gerringong RSL SubBranch and Gerringong Red Cross to raise funds
for the Cancer Council. Blue and yellow balloons and table settings reflected the Cancer Council's colours, while a large team of volunteers worked behind the scenes
Full house for the Biggest Morning Tea
to prepare the hall and welcome guests.
Gerringong RSL
Treasurer Leanne Mitchell said the event was an opportunity to bring the community together,
support an important cause and make greater use of the RSL Hall as a community hub.
Read Margaret Lester's full coverage on The Bugle app.
Celebrating 175 years of faith and community
The Kiama/Jamberoo Uniting Church will celebrate 175 years of Methodism in the region on Sunday, 14 June.
A special service at 9.30am on Manning
Street will be led by NSW Moderator Rev Faaimata Havea Hiliau, followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque outside the historic 1851 Lecture Hall. The plaque features an engraving
Minnamurra Progress Association
of Eugene von Guérard's 1859 sketch of Kiama.
At 175 years old, the Lecture Hall is Kiama's oldest church and public building. The original church, built later, was destroyed in a cyclone in 1962.
Following the ceremony, guests are invited to enjoy a picnic lunch and a guided tour of the building, echoing the celebrations held when the hall first opened.
The Minnamurra Progress Association (MPA) held its monthly meeting on 2 June, welcoming guest speaker Serena Copley, Liberal candidate for Kiama, who was presented with a jar of Minnamurra honey.
Among the issues discussed were concerns about parking enforcement, with meeting minutes noting that Council parking rangers "appear to operate in a random or haphazard manner".
Councillor Stuart Larkins,
who attended the meeting, undertook to raise the concerns and the need for a better warning system.
The following day, MPA members met with Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald and Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters
& about
Knit in Public Day
Kiama's knitting and crochet community will mark Worldwide Knit in Public (WKIP) Day 2026 with a series of community events, highlighted by a special exhibition and workshop day at Blue Haven Terralong Retirement Village on Saturday, 13 June, from 9am to 5pm.
The event will feature a display of locally handmade
charity blankets and casual crochet workshops suitable for all skill levels. Visitors can enjoy morning and afternoon tea, receive free starter yarn kits and learn how local knitting and crochet groups support charities through their handmade creations. For more information, contact Boni on 0424 641 663.
The magic of Alchemy
Music, friendship and connection were centre stage when Alchemy Chorus South Coast recently performed at Mayflower Retirement Village in Gerringong.
Supported by Gerringong Rotary and Active Ageing NSW, the choir brings together people living with dementia and their carers through the joy of singing.
Led by choir director Jenny Ferguson and backed by a live band, the group performed for around an hour. A highlight of the year has been learning their own Alchemy theme song, written by local musician and choir volunteer Kath Lawson.
By the concert's end, audience members were on their feet, singing along and joining in the actions. For more information about Alchemy Chorus, visit activeageingnsw.org/ about-alchemy-chorus. New members and friends are always welcome at Gerringong Rotary Club. Visit gerringongrotary. com.au or email secretarygerringongrotary@gmail. com.
during a Community Group Forum hosted by Council. The forums are expected to be held quarterly, providing local groups with a regular opportunity to engage with Council representatives.
Woofstock returns
Calling
Visitors
On
Featuring
There
The
This
Maria Lewis
It’s a case of cows versus clowns this weekend in an explosive double-header at Kiama Showground.
Kiama Cows rugby club are facing off against longtime rivals the Campbelltown Harlequins at Kiama Showground on Saturday, with First and Second Grade teams going head-to-head in what is tipped to be an “explosive” day of footy.
“It’s going to be a good battle,” said Kiama Cows Player Representative Jack Smith.
“Campbelltown are a big side and they love the confrontation … our players are keen for it.”
As Minor Premiers, Campbelltown have a score to settle with Kiama after they lost to them last year in the Major Semi Final - also at Kiama Showground - in a 38 – 26 blockbuster.
The result of that game cleared the path for Kiama’s Illawarra District Rugby Union (IDRU) First Grade Grand Final win over Shoalhaven which went down to the wire for a final score of 37 – 36.
With Campbelltown currently on the top of the ladder this season, Shoalhaven in second and Kiama third, Smith said
now,” he said.
“We’re certainly feeling it the next day when we play them, they’re very energetic.
“The weather is looking like it’s gonna be good too, which is another bonus, so it’s gonna be a good game and a good day of footy.”
With the First Grade match kicking off at 3pm, the team is looking to rebound after their first loss of the season with star players jumping at the opportunity.
“For First Grade, in our forward pack we’ve had both Jezza Cairns and Lochie Brooks killing it the last couple weeks,” Smith told The Bugle.
“And someone to watch out for in the backs is our local junior Callum Hodgson, he has been playing really well.”
The Campbelltown and Kiama Second Grade teams are the curtain raiser at 1.30pm, with Maxy Sutton from the forward pack and Issac Raduva in the backline tipped as ones to watch.
“We’re leading the comp – Campbelltown in third –so Second Grade has been going along nicely,” said Smith.
It will be two home games in a row for Kiama Cows, with next week’s game against the Wollongong Vikings “probably our biggest rivalry
The Gerringong Breakers produced one of the upsets of the South Coast Premier League 2 season on the weekend, defeating second-placed Balgownie 4-2 despite entering the clash in eighth position on the ladder.
"The boys have been playing really well, but just haven't been able to quite get the job done on the field," Astin said.
side a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
"There was a lot of pressure because we really needed a win, especially in first grade, and the guys stepped up and did a good job."
The result snapped a two-game losing streak for the Breakers and handed a significant boost to their finals hopes, while ending Balgownie's run of three consecutive victories.
Breakers president Nick Astin said the win was a reward for a side that had shown encouraging signs despite a difficult start to the season.
Playing at home, Gerringong took control of the contest with a dominant firsthalf display.
Jacob Jeffrey opened the scoring after nine minutes with a superb volley from the edge of the box before helping create the Breakers' second goal when his dangerous corner led to an own goal from the Balgownie goalkeeper.
Jye Citra added a third before halftime after combining with Toby House, giving the home
Astin said the scoreline reflected Gerringong's ability to capitalise on its opportunities.
"The first 20 minutes Balgownie were looking really strong, but our boys were just really clinical," he said.
"They took their chances and by halftime they'd gone three goals up and really taken all the momentum away from Balgownie."
House extended the lead to 4-0 early in the second half after winning possession in a dangerous area and finishing calmly past the goalkeeper.
Balgownie responded through a pair of goals from Jake Wilson, including a spectacular overhead kick,
but the visitors were unable to get any closer as Gerringong closed out a memorable 4-2 victory.
The performance was a welcome boost for a squad that has undergone significant change during the offseason, with a new coach, player turnover and injuries contributing to a difficult opening half of the campaign.
Astin said the result showed what the group is capable of.
"I think putting a performance together for a full match and getting the win will give them the belief that they can do it against any team in the competition," he said.
The Breakers' start to the season was made even more difficult by major upgrades to Gerry Emery Oval, which
prevented the club from hosting a home game during the opening seven rounds of the competition.
As part of a $993,600 NSW Government-funded project delivered by Kiama Municipal Council, new subsoil drainage systems were installed at both Gerry Emery Reserve and Athol Noble Oval to address long-standing drainage issues that had regularly disrupted sporting activities.
The improvements have allowed the Breakers to return to a revitalised home ground and Astin believes a run of home fixtures could prove crucial in the club's push towards the finals.
"We've got a lot of home games coming up and they're going to be tough to beat here," he said.
"We get a really good crowd down there and the players always lift when they're playing at home."
The Breakers reached the finals last season and remain confident they can challenge for a top-five finish once again as more players return from injury and the squad continues to build combinations under its new coach.
The victory was capped off by a reserve grade win over Balgownie, completing a successful day for the Breakers.
Gerringong will look to build on the statement result when they travel to face Shoalhaven in their next South Coast Premier League 2 fixture.
The Breakers are ready for a big second half of the season after such a huge win. Photo Brian Scott
Harvey back-to-backgoesat
Lleyton Hughes
Kiama golfer Ethan Harvey has successfully defended his Kiama Open crown, holding off a strong field of more than 120 players to claim the title for a second consecutive year at the tournament held in early May.
Harvey finished with an even-par round to secure victory by a single shot over runner-up Marc Leggett in challenging conditions at Kiama Golf Club, backing up last year's three-under-par winning performance.
The 23-year-old said the course tested competitors throughout the day.
"Kiama's a very tough golf course," Harvey said.
"It's a short golf course, but very narrow. You've got eight par threes, so you've just got to make those holes count by hitting greens consistently and giving yourself chances."
The Kiama Open forms part of the Illawarra Open Series and attracted many of the region's leading golfers, including a number of players carrying plus handicaps.
Harvey said he knew the
competition would be fierce.
"It was a really good field. There were probably 10 people off plus figures, quite a few scratch players and a lot of local people from Kiama playing in the event,” he said.
Despite posting an evenpar score, Harvey was unsure whether it would be enough to secure the title.
"I felt confident that I could win because I won it last year and I've been at Kiama my whole life," he said.
"I pretty much know that golf course inside out.”
The tournament came down to the final stages, with Harvey eventually prevailing by a single shot after Leggett narrowly missed forcing a playoff.
"He came up to me at the end and said, 'You're lucky we're not in a playoff. I just three-putted the last hole'," Harvey said.
"I was very happy to hear that."
Harvey said he was unaware of his exact position during the closing holes but expected the leaderboard to be tight.
"I knew there were a lot of good golfers there who could shoot under par and beat me on the day," he said.
"Anything can happen around Kiama. If you're not hitting fairways and staying out of trouble, the course can do a big number on you."
The victory continues a strong run of form for Harvey, who recently finished runnerup at Shoalhaven in a playoff and is currently competing in the Illawarra Open Series Order of Merit standings.
He hopes the momentum will continue through a busy second half of the year, with regional qualifiers for the NSW Open and several Order of Merit events around Australia on his schedule.
"All the hard work is starting to pay off now," Harvey said.
"My coach has been helping me for the last couple of years and it's really good to see my game starting to click.
"I can't wait to see what's next."
Harvey also thanked his father for caddying during the event, along with his family, coach and support network.
The Kiama golfer has been involved in the game since childhood, receiving his first handicap at eight years old and growing up in a family passionate about golf.
Kiama U15s claim state runner-up finish at Netball NSW titles
Lleyton Hughes
The Kiama Netball Association under 15s representative team finished second at the Netball NSW Senior State Titles over the weekend, narrowly missing out on top spot after a strong three-day campaign at Baulkham Hills.
Competing in Division 3, Kiama produced an impressive run of 14 wins from 16 matches across the long weekend, finishing equal second on points before a countback separated the top sides by just 1.25 per cent.
Kiama Netball Association president Michelle Gregory said the result reflected the consistency of the group across a demanding schedule.
"Across three days of play, they played 16 games of netball against associations all across New South Wales," Gregory said.
"They came away with 14 wins, so they only lost two games all weekend."
The State Titles are decided on a points system rather than finals, with the eventual winners finishing undefeated across the competition.
Gregory said Kiama’s narrow margin on countback underlined just how close the contest was.
"On a countback that gave them runners-up," she said.
"It was very close - I think it was like a 1.25 per cent difference between them and the other team."
Kiama’s only defeats came against the the other two teams in the top three, including the eventual champions.
Despite the pressure of a packed schedule, Gregory said the team handled the weekend with maturity beyond their years.
"They just backed themselves," she said. "They were pretty confident going in, and they didn’t let the fact they were winning get ahead of themselves. They just took it one game at a time and played some really good netball."
The squad’s campaign included several debutants at state level, with two players featuring in their first representative tournament.
Gregory said the group’s success was also a reflection of the strength of Kiama’s wider netball program.
"We are only a small regional association compared to some of the others around," she said.
"So for us to keep getting strong results year after year is a testament to the girls, their dedication to training, and the coaches that take these teams."
The U15s were coached
by
Pheona Saunders
and Kate Francis with Gregory highlighting the experience and commitment within the program, including long-serving contributors to representative netball.
The three-day tournament saw teams play up to six short matches per day, testing fitness, depth and recovery across the weekend.
"It’s pretty hard work," Gregory said. "A lot of preparation goes in to make sure they can get through those games with minimal injuries and fatigue."
While Kiama narrowly missed out on the title, Gregory said the result continues a strong recent run for the association, which has claimed state titles in recent years across other age groups.
She said the U15s performance would also set a benchmark for the younger representative sides preparing for upcoming Junior State Titles in July.
"It sets a great example for the juniors coming through," she said. "This was our oldest representative team, so it’s really something for them to look up to."
Kiama will now turn its attention to the next wave of representative competition, with several junior teams set to compete at state level later this year.
The U15's Kiama Netball Association representative state runners up team.
Photo Kiama Netball Association
Pickleball popularity explodes at Gerringong Tennis Club
Lleyton Hughes
More than 450 players have joined Gerringong Tennis Club's pickleball community in the past year, with the sport's rapid rise helping participation numbers grow to four times the size of the club's traditional tennis membership.
The club installed four dedicated pickleball courts 12 months ago in response to growing interest in the sport and has since expanded to
six or seven social sessions each week as player numbers continue to climb.
Gerringong Tennis Club president and coach Paul Summerside said the growth had exceeded expectations.
"We started the project about a year ago and we now have about 450 people on a WhatsApp group," Summerside said.
"The social play between everyone has been really well received and we have quite a lot of interest, not just from local people but also from visitors during holiday
periods."
While pickleball initially attracted an older demographic, Summerside said the sport was now proving popular across a broad range of age groups.
"We knew how popular the sport had become, specifically for an older generation, but it's actually become a little bit
Sydney and surrounding areas to use the club's facilities.
Summerside said pickleball's accessibility was one of the key reasons behind its success.
"I think it's just an easier sport to play and much easier on the body," he said.
"The shortened area means you don't have to run baseline
surprised even those who anticipated the sport's growth.
"To be having 450 people on a WhatsApp group over a year, it's kind of quadrupled our tennis membership," Summerside said.
The club was among the first venues on the South Coast to install dedicated pickleball courts and is now
expanding our courts to six courts and hopefully becoming a bit more of a pickleball hub for the South Coast region," Summerside said.
The club is also planning to use the sport to support local causes, with another Man Walk Cup fundraiser expected to be held in November.
