The Bugle News 19 June 2026 by The Bugle News

Surf Life Saving Club appeals to Council for “a chance to do our jobs”

Maria Lewis

After 50 years of protecting and patrolling local beaches, Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club are fighting for “a chance to do our jobs” after facing first eviction and now a “convoluted” lease from Kiama Council to access their own surf club.

In a dispute that has dragged out for over 18 months, garnered support from Werri Beach Boardriders and surrounding clubs, had 2228 local community members sign a petition, see a Code Of Conduct complaint made against a Kiama councillor and “taken a toll on many

volunteers”, Council this week continued their bid to control the surf club’s upstairs area, recently renovated in a $6.3 million development.

“Our mindset the whole time has been on the impact this has on the community in terms of beach safety and our ability to save lives,” said Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club Vice President Richard Payne.

“We’re volunteers, but we just want a chance to do our jobs and keep the surf club operating as a surf club.”

The long-awaited redevelopment of Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club was completed in March, 2025 with majority of the funding - $5.5 million - coming from the Federal Government, with

an additional $490k from the NSW State Government and $370,000 from Kiama Council.

In April 2025 - less than a month after the new clubhouse opened - CEO Jane Stroud sent a letter to the surf club advising that “the use of the upstairs is not permitted”, as Kiama Council would be taking over bookings and use of the space - “effective immediately” and requested “an urgent meeting with you as President, and the Acting Mayor and myself to discuss this letter and its contents”, with Councillor Melissa Matters serving as Acting Mayor at the time. The surf club was also advised that “the use of the upstairs is not permitted”, as Kiama Council

would be taking over bookings and use of the space - “effective immediately.”

“There has been an ongoing want from Council to utilise the upstairs area, which started from the eviction notice we received informing us that they were going to take over operation of that space – which resulted in the surf club being forced to take legal action,” Payne told The Bugle.

“That has now led to a situation with a proposed lease that is an anomaly compared to any other lease for a surf club in New South Wales, it’s an anomaly compared to any other emergency organisation, it’s an anomaly compared to any other sports club in the LGA and we’re yet to be told why.

Continued on page 3

Welcome to The Bugle

I should know better than to say, “This is going to be a nice, quiet news week” – that’s rarely the case with Kiama Council. This week’s Council coverage involved a resignation letter, hundreds of pages of paperwork, and accusations of misconduct against a councillor. Read all about it in our stories on pages 3 and 5.

When I spoke to (former) Councillor Mike Cains about his resignation, he told me he was looking forward to having less conflict in his life after Council. Whatever your view on the $200k cost of replacing him, it’s easy to relate to that sentiment. “I just want more joy,” said Cains – and that’s something I’d wish for all our readers. (We’ll do our best to bring it to you.)

Speaking of which, we have plenty of reasons to appreciate life in Kiama this week. We celebrate a surf brand from the Heads that is amassing a cult following, the saving of a Gerringong charity shop, and the spirit of pride at Kiama Library.

We also have a shout-out for young writers to take part in our first-ever Bugle Kids special. (See page 12.) The beauty of a free paper is that it’s available to everyone. However, clear, courageous news doesn’t come free. If you’ve been thinking about advertising in The Bugle, let this be your nudge to support community journalism. Reach out at advertising@ thebuglenews.com.au.

Thanks for being part of our story.

Fireworks future in the air: Can Kiama afford to celebrate?

businesses.

It’s an explosive topic in the Kiama community – should Kiama’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display return this year? And, if so, where will the money come from?

The Bugle newspaper is brought to you by locals weekly and available free throughout the Kiama LGA. Get daily news updates and the digital edition anytime via The Bugle app or at thebuglenews.com.au

Published by:

The Bugle News

GENERAL MANAGER

Belinda Woodfield belinda@ thebuglenews.com.au

EDITOR Amy Molloy editor@thebuglenews. com.au

NEWS TEAM news@thebuglenews. com.au 0412 415 101

hello@thebuglenews.com.au Office 2, Edessa Arcade 88-90 Terralong St, Kiama

At Kiama Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 17 June, the topic of this year’s fireworks display was hotly debated, with some pushing for an urgent decision to be made and others dousing water on the conversation.

At the meeting, a New Year’s Eve Event Lean Business Case was put forward.

Another short-listed option was a community grant program. In addition to extended licensing permits, Council would offer a “funding envelope” of up to $40,000 for community organisations to deliver events on 31 December each year.

Council would have a “high degree of control” over which activities would be eligible for funding and which would not.

The final short-listed option was reinstating the full NYE sky show event in all its former glory. The estimated cost?

present, no funding for any New Year’s Eve events has been included in Council’s draft 2026-27 budget, which is currently on public exhibition.

The question is: can Kiama afford to celebrate, and where would the money be diverted from?

At Kiama’s Ordinary Meeting, an amendment to the business case was proposed.

The solution? That $30,000 be redirected from the Kiama Harbour Revitalisation Working Group, and that the group be dissolved completely.

to working group members, who were only appointed at the Council Ordinary Meeting in April and are due to hold their first meeting on 7 July.

Currently, community support for the NYE sky show is mixed.

Community research found that 67 per cent of 2025 survey respondents indicated the event was “at least somewhat important to them”.

PRODUCTION MANAGER Veronica Bardsley veronica@ thebuglenews.com.au

DIGITAL DESIGN Tiffany Springett tiffany@ thebuglenews.com.au

ADVERTISING advertising@ thebuglenews.com.au 0428 662 499 Contact Us

The Bugle News is bound by the standards of practice of the Australian Press Council. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, but we are only human. Content does not necessarily represent The Bugle’s view. Download The Bugle App Scan the QR code

Developed by the Sparrowly Group, it proposes multiple ways for Council to cut the costs of a New Year’s Eve event while still proceeding with tourist-attracting festivities.

The short-listed options included a “scaled-back NYE event” with “very low investment from Council”. This would focus on promoting “2am licensing extensions” to local businesses across Kiama’s main streets. It would also include Council-led marketing and promotion to encourage people to support local

More than $82,000, according to the business case, excluding staff costs.

The recommendation of the business case was to select Option 1 for the next three years – a scaled-back NYE event – with the possibility of reviewing Council’s budget position in three years’ time to assess whether the full NYE Sky Show should be reinstated in 2029.

The annual cost of delivering a scaled-back event would be approximately $15,000, including staff costs.

But there’s a problem: at

In June 2025, Kiama Council resolved to establish a working group to help shape the future of the Kiama Harbour precinct.

At the time, former councillor Mike Cains said: “We want people to come to Kiama as a destination.

We want them to enjoy the harbour. We live in the most amazing part of the world, yet our prime real estate looks tired, unused and underutilised.”

However, it appears the working group is now under threat or is being viewed as unnecessary.

This may come as a surprise

Survey responses ranged from “It’s a great community event, bring it back” to “Kiama is already over tourists” and “the taxpayer should absolutely not pay for this”. After hours of discussion, Councillor Imogen Draisma called for a decision to be deferred until the Extraordinary Meeting on 30 June, despite other councillors pushing for the harbour revitalisation group to be dissolved immediately.

One thing was clear from the Council Ordinary Meeting: further discussion is needed and, with Council’s finances already overstretched, even a leaner version of the event is far from guaranteed.

Amy Molloy

Continued from page 1.

When contacted for comment, a Kiama Council spokesperson said: “As a community facility, the use of the first floor for Surf Club related events is limited to 52 events per calendar year. Council resolved to progress a lease which provides greater access for the community outside of these 52 events.”

On 26th October 2025, a proposed lease was put on public exhibition, outlining new terms that Council proposed to include in a lease agreement. Initially, a 20-year lease was proposed, however, this has since been reduced to ten years.

Three potential operating models were outlined for consideration by Kiama Council: a council-operated model, shared management model and “license with priority use rights”. All of the models were

Putting a lease on saving lives

“concerning” enough that Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce left “dealing with the aftermath of the shark attack” in Coogee to advocate for the surf club in person in Kiama on Monday night.

“As you can see, it looks like I’m here with the entire Gerringong surf club,” said Pearce at Kiama Council’s monthly Community Forum, referring to crowd of people behind him.

“This lease negotiation for Gerringong surf club has been, I think, one of the most convoluted and exhaustive processes that I’ve seen for any surf club in New South Wales.

“I know it has taken its toll on many volunteers … I know this has affected them from a mental health perspective, just because of the stress that it has generated.”

It’s not the first time Pearce has been required to travel to the area to speak with Kiama Council in regards to the issue, with the SLSNSW CEO also addressing allegations from councillors that Werri Beach Boardriders Club had been in a dispute with the surf club.

“Look, it has been

Expert conveyancing for property transactions

Buying or selling property is a significant step, so having experienced guidance makes the process less stressful. A professional conveyancer pays close attention to details and anticipates potential issues before they arise.

As a Licensed Conveyancer, Kylie Falconer brings over fifteen years’ experience in conveyancing and property matters as well as being a JP.

Friendly and practical, Kylie prides herself on clear communication and a personal service so clients feel confident and supported throughout their property transaction.

For trusted conveyancing with legal support, Kylie will be by your side.

Gerringong Surf

Life

Saving Club appeals to Kiama Council for “a chance to do our jobs”

disappointing that I know there has been some commentary down here to make a division between the board riders club and the Gerringong surf club,” he said.

“That is really disappointing, and I put that on record, because that is not the case here for Gerringong.”

Meanwhile, Werri Beach Boardriders Club had previously written a letter to Kiama Council in support of both Gerringong Life Saving Club and their ongoing relationship.

“The Gerringong Surf club has a unique relationship with the board riders that is not mimicked in a lot of other areas around Sydney,” Pearce added.

Councillor Melinda Lawton also asked questions about whether he had seen a letter sent to Kiama Council “about councillor conduct”, which he said he had not.

Lodged in 2025, a Code Of Conduct complaint was made against a Kiama councillor with members of the public “concerned” after they were contacted by a Kiama councillor and representatives

on her behalf that pressured them to speak out at the Council’s public forum against the surf club.

When contacted for comment, a Kiama Council spokesperson said “Council handles complaints in accordance with its Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct (the Procedures). Council does not make any comments about alleged complaints.”

However, no conflicts of interest were declared during either Monday’s Community Forum or Tuesday’s Ordinary Meeting when the issue of the surf club’s ongoing lease arrangement were raised.

At the Ordinary meeting on 16 June, the council voted to endorse option three - “license with priority use rights” –which would see “Council sets usage parameters, pricing, and compliance requirements”.

Councillor Matt Brown posed an amendment, seconded by Councillor Yasmin Tatrai and Councillor Imogen Draisma, to delete several points of the council’s proposed lease to bring it in line with Pearce’s

recommendations. However, this amendment was struck down.

“This issue should not be that complicated,” Cr Brown said.

“The surf club has presented Council with a petition signed by over 2000 people saying the community wants the surf club to have exclusive operational use of their own surf club – just like every other surf club does.

“They do not want a complicated process where council workers are having to be paid to do something the surf club will do as a voluntary operation. We have a great surf club there. It’s unfair they built this amazing new facility and they’re being punished. I’ve been on this council from when this process started many, many years ago.”

While the legal fight drags on, for Payne – who has been a lifetime member of the surf club after signing up as nipper over 40 years ago - and the other volunteers at the surf club “this comes at a really alarming time”.

“The demographics of Gerringong are changing

and we’ve got a lot of cultures coming down from different areas, which is great for the community, but it means our call outs have gone up dramatically and we’ve had more rescues than ever,” he said.

“We are an emergency response organisation. The amount of time we have spent on this lease and other aspects of this whole issue would have been far better spent on beach safety and working to educate our growing community.”

To move forward, Council will now make an application to the Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Ron Hoenig, for consent to enter the proposed lease – this is necessary because there was community objection.

Maria Lewis is a best-selling author, award-winning screenwriter and journalist who has been an active member of Surf Life Saving Clubs in Queensland for over 20 years and represented Surf Life Saving Australia as a competitor nationally.

MARIA LEWIS

The care gap: Questions hang over Shellharbour

Amy Molloy

With the Shellharbour Hospital Dunmore Road development now a familiar sight on the horizon, questions are being asked about two areas of concern: where will staff live, and what about much-needed cancer care?

The new Shellharbour Hospital will include an expanded emergency department, specialised elective surgery services, rehabilitation and aged care services, acute medical services, maternity services and a new drug and alcohol unit.

However, a medical oncology service is not listed in the plan – alarming locals who have approached The Bugle, worried about the state of cancer care in the local area.

“I have loved ones who have to travel to Sydney for cancer treatment,” a community member told The Bugle. “We have an aging population here. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t include cancer care in the new hospital.”

When The Bugle approached MP for Kiama Katelin McInerney for comment, she acknowledged community concerns but pointed to solutions.

“I appreciate locals want access to expanded health care services for cancer treatment,” said McInerney, who recently toured the new Shellharbour Hospital development, which is anticipated to be completed in late 2027.

“As part of the new Shellharbour Hospital project, a new planned surgical services hub will be delivered, improving access to some preventative and curative cancer procedures.

“The new hospital will also increase the number of operating theatres, and provide two dedicated endoscopy suites, inpatient rehabilitation wards, and associated allied health services to support this model of care.”

The new hospital is part of the more than $780 million New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services

Project, jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth governments.

According to McInerney, the services at the new Shellharbour Hospital will “complement” the specialist inpatient cancer services provided at Wollongong Hospital, which delivers complex cancer care for patients across the region requiring hospital admission.

“Additionally, there are a number of outpatient cancer services available across the District, including the Illawarra Cancer Care Centre at Wollongong and the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre in Nowra,” says McInerney.

“Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District is also a state centre for upper GI cancer surgery, complex head and neck surgery, and rectal cancer surgery, supporting patients to receive complex cancer surgery without the need to travel to Sydney.”

Where more highly complex care is needed, patients may be referred to specialist hospitals in Sydney.

McInerney also pointed to investment being made to support the future workforce of the hospital.

The Minns Labor Government is currently implementing “Safe Staffing Levels” for nurses at both Shoalhaven and Shellharbour hospitals, and recruitment is underway for more than 43 additional nurses across the hospitals.

“We’re investing $21 million in Illawarra and Shoalhaven Key Health Worker Accommodation funding,” says McInerney. “These are properties that NSW Health owns outright or rents for our health staff.”

In August 2025, the Minns Labor Government purchased nine townhouses in Bomaderry to provide key worker accommodation for Shoalhaven hospital. McInerney recently toured the fully furnished townhouses.

“I met junior medical officers who chose to work at the redeveloped Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital instead of a hospital in Sydney because of the provision of rental accommodation,” she says.

“Housing will continue to play a key role in attracting and retaining health workers in the region – that’s why we are investing so heavily in different housing options for our new health workforce in the region.

“The proposed rezonings of the Kiama Depot and Nowra Riverfront have the potential to unlock future housing for not only our health workforce, but for the aged care and disability support workers who are so key to meeting the needs of our community.”

If you would like to share your experience of local cancer care or support services, please email : news@thebuglenews.com.au

Aweek after Councillor Mike Cains called for the resignation of Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig – the Minister behind Kiama Council’s Performance Improvement Order (PIO) variation – The Bugle shared an unexpected update.

Councillor Cains has himself resigned from his position.

On 15 June, during a phone call with The Bugle, Cains confirmed he had sent his resignation to CEO Jane Stroud.

“I’ve had to resign,” he told The Bugle within thirty minutes of sending his resignation, blaming geographic reasons. “I have to move out of Kiama for a while. It means I’m not spending a lot of time there. I can’t, hand on heart, say it’s my primary residence anymore.”

According to Cains, who has been a councillor since October 2024, his resignation will trigger a by-election.

“There are going to be some people who complain that it costs Council a lot of money,” says Cains. “If Council was run professionally, there would be

a provision for these things on the balance sheet – but it doesn’t.”

In Kiama Council’s Ordinary Meeting, held the day after Cains’ resignation, it was estimated that filling his place on Council will cost in the region of $200k to go through the by-election process.

An additional line item will now be added to Council’s budget sheet – an extensive expense that, arguably, Kiama cannot afford.

Some will question the timing of Cains’ resignation, especially after his recent criticism of Minister Hoenig. However, Cains says his hand wasn’t forced and that he wants to turn away from conflict.

“It’s honestly nothing to do with [the criticism of Minister Hoenig] at all,” he insists. “I felt strongly about that letter ... But, from my perspective, I’m just not spending a lot of time in Kiama. I just don’t feel like I’m close enough.”

During Kiama’s Ordinary Meeting, an amendment was put forward for Cains to withdraw his resignation, and stay

$200k to fill his seat K

iama voters are being asked, once again, to return to the ballot box, this time following the sudden resignation of Councillor Mike Cains.

in his role until March, after which a by-election would not be triggered.

However, Councillor Imogen Draisma clarified that, according to the Local Government Act, once a Councillor’s resignation is sent it cannot be withdrawn and their position becomes open.

Councillor Yasmin Tatrai says she is disappointed by the timing of the resignation, at a pivotal point for Kiama Council and its financial future.

“He could have waited until Thursday [after the meeting.]” she told The Bugle. “I can’t believe he had to do it today.”

The afternoon of Cains’ announcement, Mayor Cameron McDonald formally accepted the resignation.

“We thank him for his time and effort,” Mayor McDonald said in a statement.

“Cr Cains has stood up for what he believes in, been a passionate advocate for the rejuvenation of Kiama Harbour and the local agricultural industry.”

For updates on the upcoming by-election, download The Bugle app.

While by-elections are a normal feature of democracy, the frequency with which Kiama residents have been called to vote in recent years is anything but.

For those counting at home, over the last five years, we have been to the polls six times. That’s two Federal elections (May 2022 and May 2025), a State election (March 2023) and State byelection (September 2025) and two Local Government elections (December 2021 and September 2024). The by-election to replace former Councillor Cains will make it lucky number seven.

One might think we are a political hotbed of sorts.

The timing of Cains’ departure has inevitably raised eyebrows. It comes in the immediate aftermath of his (very) public remarks regarding Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig –comments that cut through beyond Council chambers and into the broader political conversation.

Cains maintains that his resignation was not directly influenced by this exchange (nor his boycott of the recent

and successful Community Cabinet). Simply, Cains told ABC Illawarra that ‘life happens’ and that he has all but relocated to Sydney due to the demands of his new job. However, the sequence of events invites scrutiny and scuttlebutt, particularly for a Council still working to solidify public confidence.

Yet reducing Cains’ tenure to its closing chapter would miss the broader story. He was part of a cohort that represented a distinct shift in Kiama’s local leadership – a move toward a more community-minded, business-focused approach to governance and decision making. Whilst Cains was not part of the Mayor Cameron McDonald ticket, he was certainly part of this “new age” of councillors that emerged at a time when the Council faced intense pressure to recalibrate its financial management, decision-making processes, and relationship with residents.

That platform is often framed as balancing community priorities with economic realism and has been central to Kiama’s recent political identity.

Back to the polls (again)!

The political leanings of whoever is elected will offer a clear signal about how the community has received this blend of “community minded, business focused” governance, and whether voters are seeking continuity or a recalibration back towards the dark days of old. There is, of course, a broader question about voter fatigue. Repeated elections risk disengagement, yet our recent experience suggests the opposite may also be true: that heightened scrutiny has produced a more politically engaged and discerning electorate and community. In that sense, our area’s status as a political flashpoint may be less a burden and more a reflection of a community actively negotiating its future.

Mike Cains exits at a moment that invites both critique and acknowledgement. The circumstances of his resignation will be debated, as will the timing, but his contribution as part of a reform-oriented Council should not be overlooked. As Kiama heads back to the polls, the focus now shifts to what comes next, and what kind of mandate the community chooses to deliver.

The upcoming by-election now becomes more than a routine replacement; it is a live test of whether that approach still resonates.

Amy Molloy

Parking woes hit cafe culture

The closure of the rear Akuna Street car park has intensified concerns about parking availability in Kiama, with local workers warning the loss of spaces is making it harder for staff, shoppers and visitors to access the town centre.

The privately owned car park closed on 11 June to make way for construction of a new multi-storey residential development, removing another parking option from an area already under pressure.

The closure follows the loss of other parking areas, as development has reshaped parts of the town centre, prompting renewed debate about whether Kiama has enough parking to support its businesses, growing population and tourism industry.

Alexcia Meloni, who works at a Earnest Arthur cafe on Terralong Street said workers were among those feeling the impact most acutely.

"I think it affects a lot of people that work along the main street, especially because there's only really two-hour parking around here," she said.

"The side streets get used up by all of us because we're working more than two hours. It's not really worth getting a fine just to do your job."

Meloni said limited parking was becoming a deterrent for visitors, particularly tourists who may decide not to stop if they cannot find a space.

"Working here, you hear people say all the time that if there's no park, they won't stop in, they'll just keep driving," she said.

"I've had people come in and say they're lucky they found a park. Some locals don't even bother coming into Kiama anymore because the parking is such a mess."

They’ve been told by regular customers, they are reluctant to come in for their morning coffee, because there is nowhere to park – so they keep on driving.

The issue comes as local businesses prepare for the winter school holiday period and the annual Winter Street Festival, both of which are expected to attract increased visitor numbers to the –recently awarded NSW Tourism Awards Hall of Fame – town.

Meloni questioned how Kiama could continue promoting itself as a major tourism destination without additional parking

infrastructure.

"If we're the number one tourist town, then why the hell don't we have parking for tourists?" she said.

When The Bugle reached out, Kiama Council said it had no immediate plans to alter parking restrictions in the town centre despite concerns raised by workers and business operators.

A council spokesperson said the existing two-hour limits had been in place for many years and even pointed the finger at local businesses for asking for tighter restrictions.

“The parking restrictions have been in place for a long time and were instituted at the request of local businesses to create economic turnover,” they said

Asked about complaints from workers who say they are forced to leave their workplaces throughout the day to move their vehicles, Council said responsibility for staff parking rested with employers.

"It’s the responsibility of business owners to ensure there’s a provision of parking for their staff," the spokesperson said.

Council noted there are several four-hour and unrestricted parking areas located between 500 metres and one kilometre from the town centre.

The spokesperson also

confirmed Council would not be introducing temporary parking measures during the winter school holidays.

"Council does not change parking restrictions during school holiday periods, only during special events," they said.

While acknowledging concerns about future parking demand as Kiama grows, Council argued the overall parking situation has improved in recent years.

The opening of an additional parking level at Kiama Shopping Village in 2024 increased the number of available spaces for shoppers, council said.

It also pointed to the developments currently under construction in Akuna Street, which are expected to include more than 100 publicly available parking spaces once completed, in addition to parking allocated for residents.

For now, however, many workers remain focused on the immediate challenge of finding somewhere to leave their cars during a work shift.

With another central parking area now behind construction fencing, the question being asked by many residents and business operators remains the same: where will everyone park in the meantime?

Bringing more life to Kiama After Dark

One thing I hear regularly from residents is that people would like a little more life in our town centres after the working day is done.

That does not mean people want Kiama to become a city or a late-night party precinct.

It simply means they would like more chances to stay local, catch up with friends, enjoy a meal, hear some live music, take the family to an event or spend time in our public spaces without having to leave the area.

That is the idea behind a new strategy Council is considering called Kiama After Dark.

The strategy, which will soon go on public exhibition, looks at how we can create a more vibrant and welcoming evening economy over the next decade while still protecting the character of our towns and villages.

Community consultation has played a major role in shaping the strategy, and the message was clear. People want more live music, more cultural experiences, more family-friendly activities, more dining options and more reasons to spend time locally in the evenings.

Just as importantly, they want Kiama to remain Kiama.

I do not see those goals as being in conflict.

Our opportunity is not to reinvent Kiama. It is to build on what already makes this place special. More opportunities for people to connect, support local businesses and enjoy where

we live should strengthen Kiama's identity, not weaken it.

The upcoming Kiama Winter Street Festival on Saturday 26 July is a great example of what that can look like.

With support from the NSW Government's Open Streets Program, Terralong Street will once again become a lively pedestrian precinct filled with music, art, food, workshops, wellness activities and family entertainment.

The festival is much more than a fun day out. It supports local businesses during the quieter winter months, brings visitors into town outside the peak holiday season and gives residents another reason to get out and enjoy Kiama.

The NSW Government has committed almost $350,000 over three years to support the festival, helping it continue with minimal cost to our community.

I hope you rug up, bring the family and enjoy another fantastic Winter Street Festival in the heart of Kiama.

On another matter, Council this week received the resignation of Councillor Mike Cains.

We respect his decision and thank him for his contribution to the community.

A by-election will now be held to fill the vacancy, and Council will keep the community informed as that process moves forward. Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald.

This is paid content.

MYAH GARZA

A sister’s hope, 25 years on

Will 500k reward solve South Coast murder?

Maria Lewis

It’s a case that fascinated a country and left its mark on locals in Gerroa.

Now on the 25th anniversary of Rachelle Childs murder, her family are reminding the public that the fight for justice still isn’t over.

“I just want everyone to know about her,” Kristy Childs, younger sister of Rachelle, told The Bugle.

“She was beautiful person, she was loved, she was hilarious, she was typical fun loving 23-year-old who had her whole life ahead of her and it looked so bright.

“There’s someone potentially still alive who’s responsible for violently taking her away from us and she got so ripped off.”

Kristy and the wider Childs network of family and friends went from strangers to people millions of listeners felt like they intimately got to know with the success of Dear Rachelle, a podcast about the 2001 murder and the hunt to

find Rachelle’s killer decades on.

Hosted by investigative journalist Ashlea Hansen, the series was pivotal in getting the case back in the public eye as fresh leads were uncovered, new witnesses came forward, and a whole generation learned about the story for the first time.

“It's crucial Rachelle's case is kept front and centre in people's minds,” Hansen told The Bugle

“Rachelle now lives on in the hearts and minds of millions of listeners around the world because of the impact of the Dear Rachelle podcast.

“Her case should never be forgotten. Her family, friends and the community deserve answers.”

Hansen added that she believed “Rachelle's case is still solvable” with advancements in forensic technology every day: “someone in the community could still hold the key”.

“I strongly believe more people know what happened to Rachelle,” she said.

Former detective Damian Loone – who’s now a Councillor in Ballina - shares that view as a former local and someone who worked on the investigation extensively.

“I lived in Kiama for 10 years so I’m really familiar with the area and the case really resonated with me,” he said, adding that “fresh evidence” can spark a prosecution no matter how many years later.

“We’re going back 25 years now since Rachelle’s homicide: 25 years ago people might have had allegiances with others and didn’t want to say anything or were too afraid to speak out. “As we know, over time some relationships diminish and there’s no more loyalty to those persons and

they feel free to speak out ...

“I’ve always believed that any unsolved homicide shouldn’t be forgotten. It should always be taken in mind that the preparator or preparators are still out there, still alive, and walking amongst the community.”

Loone encouraged anyone with additional information to contact CrimeStoppers via the website or phone – 1800 333 000 - as “that may be the little piece of the jigsaw puzzle that we’re missing”.

Last seen leaving the car dealership where she worked in Camden on the night of Thursday, June 7 in 2001, Rachelle was thought to be catching up with a friend at her local pub in Bargo where her

car was later found in the days following her disappearance.

However, her partially burned body was discovered on the morning of Friday, June 8 off Crooked River Road at a key access point to Seven Mile Beach in Gerroa following reports of a fire.

“I’ve always felt a connection to there because it’s where she last was,” Kristy said.

“The Gerroa community and Illawarra at large were a tight kit community and the people down there absolutely beautiful.

“A lot of people who live down there and their families have been there their whole lives, so when something terrible like that happens it really impacts the community … it still is.

“We are so heartened by the outpouring of support for Chelle and for us …it’s something really special and something we don’t take for granted. We’re really grateful.”

Kristy hopes that continued public support will apply pressure for an increase to the reward offered for information

that leads to the conviction of the person or people responsible for Rachelle's death.

Currently sitting at $200,000, it hasn’t been increased since 2011 with letters having been written to NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley personally by Childs and an active Change.org petition.

“It’s a no-brainer,” she said.

“They’re handing out rewards for cases all the time, which is great, but when is it Chelle’s turn?

“There was a reason her case was never solved: we don’t have all the information, we don’t know who was responsible, and any information is great information …

“If someone is going to blow their life up, they’re going to need a bigger carrot than that if they were going to potentially put themselves in danger by coming forward.

“When it comes to murder, I think all rewards should be at a million dollars, but we’re just asking to get Chelle’s up to $500,000.”

offer for those who attend.

information

is the

first step.

Date: Wednesday 1 July 2026

Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm

Kristy and Rachelle Childs as chidlren

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

Homegrown surf brand tees off a decade of success

Whether you're baking for a special celebration or simply wanting to share something memorable with family and friends, a Fijian Honey Cake brings people together around the table.

1. Preheat your oven to 180C or 160C fan forced.

2. Grease and line a loaf tin.

3. In a large bowl combine all the ingredients except the almonds and beat well.

4.Pour the cake batter into the prepared tin and sprinkle with the almonds.

5. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

6. Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning it out. Tips: Warm the honey in the microwave for 10sec, runny honey will incorporate easier without over mixing. Honey can burn, so start checking the cake about 10min before it is due to be done. Treat it like Banana Bread - cut a slice, toast and enjoy with butter!

Maria Lewis

A simple mantra of “homegrown, backyard tested” has seen Shoalhaven Heads surf brand Tee Pee Surf go from classroom sketchpad to cult sensation.

Initially “started as a joke” by then 16-year old high school student Tom Page, it’s now about to celebrate its tenth anniversary with customers ranging from Gerringong to Sweden.

“I was a week off turning 17, I was in school, and I just wanted to do this because doing this was better than doing school,” Page laughs.

“And it was a way for me to get my designs out and about.

“I’ve always been into art and graphic design, so I started getting shirts made and kept running with that.

“People thought it was funny back in school, so it started off as a joke and it just sort of kept building from there.”

Fast forward nearly a decade later, Page and the Tee Pee brand are a regular fixture at markets up and down the South Coast and have a feverish online fandom largely fuelled through Instagram.

“I always wanted to do it as a full-time thing, but I didn’t think it would come around this quick,” he told The Bugle.

“Ten years sounds like a long time, but it was eight years of working multiple jobs so it could get to the point …

“Being able to chat to people and meet people at markets is really cool, being able to put a face and name to the brand.

“When people find out I design everything and print it all in the Heads, they’re like holy shit – that’s crazy!

“It’s not going overseas and being done in six-month turnarounds. If there’s something out of stock that you want, I’ll just print one up next week for you.”

A pivotal turning point for Page was doing work experience at iconic Australian surf brand Mambo when he was still in high school, a brand his mum had first gotten him into when he was a kid.

“I was always drawing weird stuff and mum was like ‘you should check out these guys’,” he said, being drawn to Richard Allan’s farting dog design that debuted at the peak of their popularity in the nineties.

Getting dropped off by his granddad at a warehouse in North Manly, Page got to work on a giant mural that was being painted for 2016 Splendour In The Grass music festival alongside his heroes Kentaro Yoshida, Ben Brown, and Lee McConnell.

Brown ended up becoming one of Tee Pee’s first customers.

“One of the best shirts that I ever did was just a plain shirt with a little triangle on it that said Tee Pee,” said Page.

“He actually wore one of those to an art exhibition he did with Jim Phillips from Santa Cruz and he sent me a photo of that and I was like ‘fuck off, Ben Brown is wearing that and Jim Phillips is there, everyone is there, that’s crazy!’”

“I’ve still got that shirt too,” laughs Brown, who has followed Page’s career closely. “I just like a shirt like that: a design that’s not too loud or too over the top, but has this cool little logo on it.

“I still wear it: it’s the original design of just the little Tee Pee on the shirt.

“I’ll be buying a coffee or something and some well todo lady will be like ‘oh, that’s such a lovely a shirt’.”

With a huge international following crafted over decades of creating band posters for acts such as AC/ DC, Elton John, The Cure and Pearl Jam - as well as working for companies like Billabong and Hurley - Brown said the success of brands like Tee

Pee and Graveylane herald “a return to originality”.

“Over a period of about 20 years, all those big surf brands became so mainstreamed and got bought out by investment companies and kind of disappeared,” he said.

“It happens to most brands, it’s just the evolution, but it’s cyclical.

“It’s good to see young kids like Tom that really love the culture and think ‘I can have a crack at this, I can have a go’.”

For Page, who experienced a boom in business during COVID - “especially international sales”, - he has definitely noticed a cultural shift towards customers trying to support boutique businesses.

“There has definitely been a change in the past five years,” he said.

“People really like smaller brands and want to support something that’s a bit different and not just wear the same thing all the time…

“I think everyone got sick of the big three – Billabong, Quiksilver, Ripcurl - it just got a bit stale.

“And now they’re bringing back all their nineties Navystyle stuff and everyone is like ‘fuck yeah, I love that’.”

For Page, on the eve of celebrating a decade of Tee Pee Surf, a big goal for the next ten years would be continued growth and an eventual brick and mortar store.

“I definitely want a shop one day, somewhere you can kick back,” he said, with Quiksilver’s Torquay flagship and Finbox in Thirroul being aspirational examples.

“Especially as a kid, I remember surf shops being a really cool place to hang out growing up,” he said.

“I want a mix of surf, skate, music and art … they all compliment each other, so having a store that could compliment all those things together would be pretty cool.”

‘Seek advicelegalfirst’ Kiama conveyancer shares costly mistake people make

Myah Garza

Buying property is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make, yet Kells Kiama conveyancer Shanae Allen says many buyers still sign contracts without fully understanding the risks involved.

Allen recently joined the Kiama office of Kells Lawyers after beginning her career with the firm in Wollongong in 2018 as an administrative assistant. After qualifying as a licensed conveyancer in 2023, she progressed into a senior role and now works closely with local families navigating the property market.

Allen said one of the biggest misconceptions about conveyancing is that it simply involves paperwork and transferring ownership.

“I think people assume that conveyancing is just the

paperwork side of buying or selling but there is a lot more depth to our role” she said.

“When you meet with a conveyancer, you’re provided legal advice on the contract you’re about to enter into and you’re made aware of any legal issues, for example if there is any unapproved structures on the property, it is our role to point out what risks that may expose a buyer to.”

She said many people, particularly first-home buyers, underestimate the importance of seeking legal advice before signing a contract.

“If you’re buying or selling without proper legal advice, there could be potential risks that may expose you to more financial difficulties down the track so it is important that you are made aware of these risks before signing a contract,” she said. She pointed to issues such as extensions or renovations that

may not have received council approval - problems that can become costly if they are not identified before a property is purchased.

Her advice is to ensure all relevant checks are completed, including building inspections, strata reports and legal reviews.

“Just make sure no stone is left unturned before you’re entering into a contract,” she said.

“Meeting with a conveyancer before you sign contracts is very important, particularly with first-time buyers. They have never been exposed to the property market before, so it can be intimidating and overwhelming.”

Allen said one of the most common mistakes she sees is buyers rushing into a purchase because they are worried about missing out on a property.

“When you have your heart set on something, you want it,”

she said.

“But it’s important to be a little bit more cautious and make sure you’re taking the right steps to avoid being exposed to costly issues further down the track.”

For first-home buyers, Allen said excitement can sometimes overshadow practical considerations.

“I always say to my firsttime buyers that once you sign a contract, you’re bound to those contract terms and it’s harder to negotiate what you want.” she said.

One of the most common questions she receives is whether making an offer on a property commits a buyer to purchasing it.

Her answer is no.

“If you put an offer in on a house, you’re not legally bound to anything until you sign a contract,” she said.

“People are often nervous to make an offer on a property

because they think the offer makes them bound to the contract terms, and that’s not the case.”

Now settling into life in Kiama, Allen said she has enjoyed working with a community made up largely of families and retirees, and values the opportunity to build stronger relationships with clients during important milestones.

“I enjoy creating closer relationships with my clients, particularly with families when it is such a big chapter in their life,” she said.

“If I can be a small window of that and remove the stress that can come with buying or selling property, then I feel like I’ve done my job properly.” For anyone considering buying or selling property, her message is simple. “Seek legal advice before signing anything.”

“Seek legal advice before signing anything.”

Lifeline store soon to open

Myah Garza

More than 60 volunteers have signed up to help run Kiama’s new Lifeline South Coast store ahead of its official opening next month. 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. A soft launch is planned for June 29, with the official opening on July 1. Retail area manager Alicia Ferderer said the project had come together in just two months, with strong community support and an overwhelming response to early donation drives. The store will be staffed by two employees and supported by a large volunteer workforce, with up to 15 volunteers rostered each day.

As well as selling donated clothing, books, toys and household goods, proceeds from the store will help support Lifeline South Coast services, including the 13 11 14 crisis support line and community assistance programs.

Tuned in: KCR

Food hub initiative targets food insecurity

Anew regional initiative aimed at tackling both food insecurity and food waste is gaining momentum, with Project Lead Melinda Lawton from Healthy Cities Australia on Breakfast recently to discuss the proposed Illawarra Regional Food Hub.

At KCR, we are pleased to support Melinda's work and help draw attention to an issue that affects far more local families than many people realise.

The project, spearheaded by Healthy Cities Australia, seeks to create a centralised system to rescue, store and redistribute surplus food providing food relief throughout the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

Speaking on air with Bernie Hems, Melinda highlighted the confronting reality that food insecurity is becoming an increasingly significant issue across the region. Research indicates that 38 per cent of households in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven experience some form of food insecurity, while 61 per cent of residents identify the cost of food as the greatest barrier to eating well.

Yet at the same time, large quantities of perfectly edible food are being discarded.

The challenge is not a shortage of food but a shortage of coordination.

The proposed Food Hub aims to bridge that gap by creating a central collection and distribution point, helping ensure surplus food reaches people rather than landfill. The initiative would support a network of more than 37 organisations already providing food assistance across the region, many of which currently/ Melinda explained that the project offers social, economic and environmental benefits. By improving food distribution systems, the hub could increase access to nutritious

food for vulnerable households while reducing the amount of food waste entering landfill.

The model would rely on partnerships with local farmers, supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and food producers. A crowdfunding campaign has now been launched to help establish the Food Hub and build the infrastructure needed to make the concept a reality.

Melinda encouraged community members, businesses and organisations to get involved: to donate to the GoFundMe campaign and help spread awareness of the project. Opportunities for volunteering will become available once the Food Hub is operational.

Supporters of the initiative believe the Food Hub has the potential to create a more resilient regional food system, one where surplus food is redirected to those who need it most and where organisations can work together rather than in isolation.

As cost-of-living pressures continue to impact many households, the Illawarra Regional Food Hub offers a practical and collaborative approach to addressing one of the region's growing challenges. For more information about the project and its crowdfunding campaign, visit Food Fairness Illawarra: https:// foodfairnessillawarra. org.au. This interview is available as a podcast on kcr. org.au

If you’re interested in any aspect of local radio, we’d love to meet you at our next gathering. We’re always excited to welcome new people. Whether you’d like to broadcast, podcast, volunteer, or simply hang out and connect, you’ll find us a friendly and supportive bunch.

Project Lead Councillor Melinda Lawton from Healthy Cities Australia

Kiama High School: Local schools working together

Amy Molloy

The local school community is coming together to foster relationships for young people across the Kiama LGA.

“We want to focus on the positive relationships we have built within our community,” says Kiama High Principal Catherine Glover, while acknowledging the “wonderful Kiama Community of Schools”, which includes Kiama High School, Gerringong Public School, Kiama Public School, Minnamurra Public School and Jamberoo Public School.

“Together, we support each other with student initiatives that provide enhanced opportunities for learning,” she adds.

In Terms 2 and 3, Kiama High has welcomed the Year 6 High Potential and Gifted Education class each Wednesday to learn with Mr

Pride and expert high school educators.

In 2020, Kiama High School was an early adopter of the NSW Government’s HPGE Policy, inviting Year 6 students from four partner primary schools to attend Kiama High School one day per week.

“We are also planning for our Cultural Immersion Day

at the end of June,” says Principal Glover. “These are now embedded as regular events in our calendars. Our collaborations stem from a strong desire to create meaningful interactions.”

Principals from local schools meet twice each term to plan events and focus on identified topics.

Achievements include a biannual Music, Arts, Dance and Drama (MADD) Night, a public speaking competition, and high school students supporting primary school sporting events. Planning is also underway for an inaugural drama competition.

“I am very proud to be part of such a wonderful Community of Schools where our students’ school lives are enriched,” says Principal Glover.

Do you have a story to share or a topic you're passionate about? The Bugle's upcoming Bugle Kids edition is looking for articles written by local young people.

Tell us about: A sport or team you love

A favourite hobby or activity

An issue that matters to you

A community group you're involved in Or something else you're passionate about!

Articles can be up to 350 words and we'd love a photo of you to go with it.

This is your chance to share your voice, interests and ideas with the community.

Submissions by EOD Friday, 26 June. To submit an article or find out more, email news@thebuglenews. com.au

Real estate Jargon: Types of offers

The Bugle’s property expert, Sam Scobie breaks down property jargon, and how to not be caught out.

Whenever I am speaking with purchasers and sellers who are navigating the real estate market, I tend to use terms like "conditional" and "unconditional" to describe offers that we have received.

A conditional offer means the sale depends on specific terms and conditions being met and can be things from a purchaser securing the final finance approval or a satisfactory pest & building inspection being obtained to simply having an inspection of the property. Contracts that are written as

such typically allow for a 5 day cooling off period for the purchaser to undergo their due diligence.

While this offers a safety net for buyers, it introduces risk for sellers, who must wait to see if the deal will actually proceed. Conversely, an unconditional unconditional represents total certainty. Once the contracts are signed and exchanged, the deal is legally locked in, meaning the buyer is fully committed and the seller has a guaranteed sale. This is what I would consider the strongest form of offers and why I recommend some clients take their property to an auction. This is paid content. The Bugle thanks our supporters.

Nearly New charity shop to remain open

Myah Garza

Gerringong’s Nearly New Shop will stay open after a new nonprofit organisation was established to take over its operations.

Kiama Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters helped bring together more than a dozen local residents to form Gerringong Volunteers Incorporated following uncertainty over the future of her long-running charity shop.

Earlier this year, the Gerringong Mayflower

Volunteers group announced it was winding up operations after Uniting Church reclaimed the Belinda Street and Rowlins Road shed used to sort donated goods.

In response, Cr Matters worked with community members to find a way forward and secure the future of the Fern Street shop, which has been operating for more than 50 years.

The new organisation has also secured a new sorting facility, with Gates Haulage providing a shed for volunteers. The arrangement means the shop will continue operating from 1 July.

According to Cr Matters, the changeover will be seamless for the public. It will remain business as usual, with the only notable difference being the removal of Uniting and Mayflower branding from the shop's signage.

The Nearly New Shop was established in the early 1970s to raise money towards the construction of the local retirement village and has remained a fixture in the community ever since.

Cr Matters said all existing shop volunteers would remain, along with many of the volunteers who worked

in the sorting shed, while additional community members had also offered to help.

As president of Gerringong Volunteers Incorporated, Cr Matters said money raised through the shop would continue to be used to support people and community groups in need.

She said the organisation would focus on local causes but would consider requests for assistance on a case-bycase basis.

“The committee will assess the requests as they come in and if we can help out, we will,” she said.

Winter lawn care

It’s really easy to neglect our lawns over winter with the cold weather. You don’t often want to come out in the garden, mow, and you don’t necessarily need to. But setting your lawn up for good stead over the colder months is really important.

One of the key things is to look at the weeds that are in the garden at the moment — or in the lawn particularly. We’ve got a couple of beauties here: this little fellow, which is flick weed, and alongside it we have winter grass.

These are two weeds that are notorious. Over the cooler months they will establish themselves in your lawn and in other areas of your garden very, very quickly.

You can see on this winter grass it has seeds already starting to be produced, and similar on the flick weed. These plants will grow, flower and seed within three weeks,

so it’s important to be on top of them.

If you’ve got winter grass in your lawn, you can get a selective herbicide to control it, or if you’re out there regularly you can just keep the cutter height high so that you’re not scalping the lawn. This will take out most of the seed heads and foliage on your winter grass.

The selective herbicide works really well — check it out at Burnetts on Barney if you do have it as a significant problem. Otherwise, you can always hand remove them.

When it comes to lawn care, I keep banging on about keeping your cutter height high. This lawn, which is a Buffalo lawn, is the result of scalping. It’s been cut too low on very many occasions and as a result we’ve got all of these broadleaf weeds now coming up and outcompeting the Buffalo lawn.

We’ve got creeping

yellow oxalis, there’s cat’s ear, cudweed, and bindii particularly, and now’s the time to get in here and start doing something about managing these weeds.

We could use a broadleaf selective herbicide — that would be ideal. It’s going to get rid of most of these. Or we could use a specific bindii killer. But being a Buffalo lawn, you need to make sure that you select the right type of herbicide.

So check with your horticulturist to make sure that the one you select to control broadleaf weeds in your lawn over winter is designed for Buffalo lawns or the specific species of grass that you’re growing.

Remember too that now is the time to keep that cutter height high. Don’t scalp because your lawn is going dormant and these weeds will rapidly take over.

Kiama educator launches nature play program Full day wander:

As concerns grow about children's screen time and declining opportunities for free play, Kiama educator and inclusion advocate Sabrina Kelly is offering families a refreshing alternative.

Through her new venture, Flying Fox Australia, Kelly has launched Full Day Wander – an inclusive nature immersion holiday program where children swap screens for creeks, bush tracks, wildlife, creativity and adventure.

A teacher, early childhood educator and two-time

Regional Educator of the Year, Kelly is also the 2025 Citizen of the Year, co-founder of the award-winning Social Club for Neurodivergent Teens, and a recent inductee into the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.

"Children are spending more time than ever on devices and in structured activities, but less time simply playing," Kelly said.

"Play isn't a luxury – it's how children develop confidence, resilience, creativity, problemsolving skills and social connections."

Designed around children's

spontaneous interests rather than rigid schedules, Full Day Wander gives children the freedom to explore, create, discover and connect in the natural environment.

Activities may include bush exploration, wildlife discovery, nature crafts, storytelling, environmental learning and outdoor adventures.

Grounded in Flying Fox Australia's philosophy of connecting children to people, place and Country, the program offers a low-tech, high-engagement alternative to traditional holiday care.

The program has also been designed with inclusion at its heart, welcoming children of all abilities and learning styles.

Joining the adventures is Hamish, Kelly's trained therapy dog and black Labrador, who provides companionship, emotional support and plenty of tail wags along the way.

"Nature doesn't expect children to fit a mould," Kelly said. "When children are given time, freedom and opportunities to follow their interests, they thrive."

Full Day Wander is an

inclusive nature immersion holiday program operated by Flying Fox Australia in the Kiama region. Through child-led play, outdoor adventure and environmental connection, children are encouraged to explore, create, build confidence and develop a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.

As more families seek meaningful alternatives to screens and overscheduled holidays, Full Day Wander is bringing childhood back to what it does best – play, adventure, connection and discovery.

Travel smart in uncertain timeS

There is an old saying along the South Coast that if you don’t like the weather, just wait ten minutes. Lately, planning an

international holiday has felt a bit like watching our winter skies, that is it is constantly shifting, keeping us guessing, but entirely worth it once the

sun breaks through.

As we settle into winter, there is plenty of good news for local travellers. The severe geopolitical disruptions

that dominated global flight paths over the last couple of months have happily quieted down, with routes through the Middle East stabilizing.

Airspaces have cleared, schedules are more reliable, and that bucket-list trip to Europe or the Mediterranean is looking more inviting than ever.

Yet, as one cloud clears, another rolls in closer to home. Instead of global conflict, the conversation around the kitchen tables in Kiama is heavily focused on the economy. With persistent interest rate uncertainty and sticky domestic inflation, the Australian dollar is working harder, and our holiday budgets have to do the same. It’s a unique paradox: the world is ready and safer to explore, but the financial road to getting there requires a much steadier hand on the wheel.

This is exactly where the true value of a dedicated travel agent comes to light.

In an era where algorithms handle online bookings, people are rediscovering that an algorithm won't advocate for you when things go sideways. Traveling smart in 2026 isn't just about finding the cheapest flight on a comparison site; it’s about bullet-proofing your hardearned investment.

When interest rates fluctuate, airlines alter

their capacities, and local currencies shift, standard travel plans can quickly become complicated. If a connection is missed, a flight rescheduled, or a booking lost in an automated system, the solo traveller is often left hanging on a customer service line for hours, listening to hold music.

As the recognised experts, Travel Focus Group ensures you don't navigate these waters alone. They possess the industry connections to adapt your bookings quickly, unlock rates that shield your budget from sudden economic shifts, and resolve unexpected hiccups before you even arrive at the airport. They aren’t just a booking service, but rather offer you peace of mind.

Uncertainty will always be a part of travel, but it shouldn't keep you grounded. By partnering with a trusted professional, you can step onto the plane with absolute confidence, knowing that no matter how the wind changes, your holiday is in expert hands.

Speak to the experts at Travel Focus Group on (02) 4209 2044 or visit us in-store to plan a journey that offers you peace of mind

This is paid content. The Bugle thanks our supporters

Sabrina Kelly

The reason why:

Kiama donors roll up their sleeves

For National Blood Donor Week, which ran from 13–19 June, the nurses working at donation centres — including the mobile donor centre parked at Kiama Anglican Church — wore T-shirts with a simple statement on the back: “The reason why.”

On the front of the T-shirt was a single word: life.

In 2025, there were more blood donors among the Australian population than ever before — 580,324, to be precise.

You life-giving legends donated more than 1.6 million times last year.

Thanks to you, 1,069,721 litres of blood were donated for Australian patients. That’s 355,000 litres of whole blood and 715,000 litres of plasma and platelets.

However, more is needed

— and I know this better than most.

Truthfully, it was a coincidence that I chose National Blood Donor Week to pop my donation cherry.

For years, I had valid excuses not to book in: tattoos, piercings and back-to-back pregnancies.

Donating felt like an extra item on my to-do list that I could keep kicking down the road — until my dad was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a type of blood cancer.

This isn’t my family’s first rodeo. When I was a teenager, he underwent a stem cell transplant to overcome Hodgkin Lymphoma.

This time, he is bloodtransfusion dependent. Later this year, a stranger in America will become his bone marrow donor — a man who doesn’t even know him, but has agreed to help him.

So really, I have no excuse not to roll up my sleeve.

Speaking with the team at the Kiama Mobile Donor Centre, which will return in September, it’s clear this is a coastal town with empathy.

The centre can see up to 100 donors in a single day, which is why they love coming here.

As I sat with a needle in my arm and my legs propped up, it was heartwarming to overhear people’s reasons for donating and the stories behind them.

There I was, a first-time donor, sitting among a hall of fame of regulars with donation counts in the double and even triple digits.

Thirty minutes later, I left with my pockets stuffed with salty snacks and a limitededition bandage on my arm.

For National Blood Donor Week, children at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Adelaide were asked to draw what they love about life, and

their artwork inspired a new bandage design.

Lifeblood Acting Chief Executive Officer Cath Stone says the organisation hopes the branded bandages will spark conversations about blood donation and encourage more people to become blood and plasma donors.

“A new blood donor is needed every five minutes in Australia, and that means we need people talking and thinking about blood and plasma donation and encouraging each other to roll up their sleeves,” Stone says.

“We know that branded postdonation bandages are a great way to start conversations and boost awareness about blood donation.”

Bookings are now open for when the Kiama Mobile Donor Centre returns in September. To book, visit lifeblood.com. au or download the Lifeblood app.

The little book helping people tackle big worries

Author Kate Elton

Emily Crisp

When three-year-old Isabel recently discovered a small square book tucked away at home, she was immediately curious.

The fun little publication was called The Little Book for Big Worries, and it had been created years before Isabel was born by someone she knows very well: her mum.

"She loved it and wanted to know what it was all about," Kate Elton said.

The conversation that followed gave Kate a chance to explain why she had created the pocket-sized book in the first place and why, more than a decade later, people are still picking up copies from local stores. It was also a reminder of just how much life has changed since she first sat down to create it.

Kate, who lives in Kiama with her partner Sam and children Isabel and Oscar, has always been drawn to making things. An industrial designer by training, she spent the early part of her career designing products before moving into strategic and service design, a field focused on understanding people and ensuring their needs sit at the centre of products and services.

Today she works part-time as a strategic designer for a Sydney consultancy while balancing family life and a seemingly endless list of creative projects.

"I think there's a small part of me that will always be an industrial

designer," she said.

That creative streak has led to a variety of side projects over the years. There have been handmade zines, painted rocks, self-designed vases, knitting merchandise under the label Knit That Sh*t and, more recently, embroidered T-shirts declaring their toddler wearers to be "Certified Big Girl".

One of those projects, however, has stood the test of time.

First created in 2015, The Little Book for Big Worries grew out of Kate's own experience with anxiety.

As a child and young adult, she struggled with severe anxiety, panic attacks and homesickness, often feeling overwhelmed by worries she could not easily control.

After years of working with a psychologist and developing practical strategies to manage anxiety, she realised she had built up a collection of tools that might help others facing similar challenges.

Rather than creating a traditional self-help book, she designed something small enough to slip into a pocket, handbag or bedside drawer. Filled with practical exercises, reminders and reflections, the book was intended to be something readers could turn to whenever they needed a little support.

The first print run of 550 copies sold out, prompting a second run in 2019 with a handful of updates and refinements. Since then, more than 650 copies have found homes around Australia.

For Kate, one of the most

surprising aspects has been the book's longevity.

"With no marketing or publicity, I've sold over 650 copies, which I think means it must be continuing to resonate with people," she said.

She believes that while the causes of anxiety may change over time, the experience itself remains familiar.

"Even though the focus of the anxiety might shift and feel like a new thing, the feeling of it and how it affects your body doesn't really change all that much," she said.

Motherhood has brought a new perspective to those lessons.

"As well as all the good and special things, being hard," Kate said.

"I also want to be a good role model for my kids when it comes to accepting and managing anxiety."

In a world filled

with mental health apps, podcasts and endless online advice, Kate believes there is still something reassuring about a physical book.

"People still love something tangible," she said.

"For me, my copy of the little book feels a bit like a little rock that feels grounding and is there if and when I need it."

More than 10 years after Kate first created The Little Book for Big Worries, the conversations it inspires are still continuing and helping people.

The Little Book for Big Worries is available locally at Top Shop Kiama

Amy Molloy

Limited edition bandage based on drawings by kids from the Women’s and Children’s hospital, Adelaide

Editor Amy shares her why

what’s on?

Share your news

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.)

Jamberoo’s next big wave

Amy Molloy

The story of how a failing dairy farm became NSW's largest familyowned and operated water theme park has the stuff of local legend. Now, Jamberoo Action Park is taking a milestone step.

On 14 June, it was announced that the Eddy Group of Companies – named after the Eddy family who founded the Action Park – has acquired the Raging Waters Sydney theme park.

“Jamberoo Action Park has been in discussion with the foreign owners of Raging Waters Sydney, and now, together with Greater Sydney Parklands as the property owner, has reached an agreement for the sale and settlement of the water theme park business as of last week,” read a media release.

“The business will immediately undergo significant modifications, improvement and re-branding and will be relaunched in the coming months as Sydney Action Park… let the action begin!”

Jamberoo Action Park is NSW’s largest family-owned and operated water theme park and has been in business for more than 45 years. Management and staff intend to apply all of the learnings

from this successful business to the new-look and newexperience Sydney Action Park.

“One of the strengths of Jamberoo has always been the care and attention to detail applied to all aspects of operation,” said a representative from Jamberoo Action Park.

“Clean, well-presented

facilities, beautifully maintained gardens, welcoming staff and an environment that families genuinely enjoy spending time in. Those same principles will be brought to Sydney Action Park from the very beginning.

“Guests will see a renewed focus on the presentation of the park, with investment

What Holds Exhibition

Until 20 June

Seven Marks Gallery, Kiama

Exhibition by Isobel

Rayson

Berry Extend the Weekend Fri 18 Jun- Sun 21 Jun

Berry

Live music across multiple venues

Gerringong Rotary

Markets

Sat 20 Jun, 8:30am-1:30pm

Gerringong Town Centre

Community service

markets with multiple stalls

Wildlife Watch Jamberoo

Sat 20 Jun, 9am-11am

RSL Hall, Jamberoo

Wildlife sign collection

Kiama Coastal Classic

Sun 21 Jun, 7am

Kiama

in landscaping, theming, painting and maintenance. We want the park to feel vibrant, welcoming and full of life from the moment guests arrive.”

The acquisition will also create jobs in Western Sydney – in the same way that Jamberoo Action Park has become a rite-of-passage workplace for young people in the Kiama LGA.

“Great attractions bring guests through the gates, but great service is what brings them back,” said the representative. “We want every interaction to be friendly, genuine and memorable. Our goal is for guests to feel genuinely cared for throughout their visit.”

Over the coming seasons, the Eddy Group has ambitious plans to invest in new rides, attractions and experiences that will continue to elevate the park.

“We want Sydney Action Park to be recognised as industry-leading and a destination that stands proudly alongside the very best attractions Sydney has to offer,” they added.

Run event with multiple distances for different levels of fitness

Kiama Seaside Markets

Sun 21 Jun, 9am-3pm

Black Beach, Kiama

locally sourced and created arts, crafts, clothing, jewellery, produce Love A Fair Wedding

Showcase

Sun 21 Jun, 10am-3pm

Berry Showground

eighty plus inspirational wedding vendors and venues on display

Simple Gift of a Bag

Thu 25 Jun, 9am-1pm

North Kiama

Neighbourhood Centre

All change at Gerringong Rotary Club

Gerringong Rotary rang in their new year at a lunch in mid-June at the Gerroa Fishermen’s Club. This was an opportunity for members to reflect on all the great causes, big and small, local and international, that Gerringong Rotary has supported over the last year, while enjoying a good lunch with a great view.

Andrejs Medenis took over the Presidency from Graham Hayes-St Clair and told us what he has loved about his last 18 years as a member of Rotary — as well as the social side, he drew attention to the outward international focus of many of Rotary’s charitable activities.

The big fundraiser for the year was the travel raffle sponsored by Travel Focus and we were delighted that it was won by a local, Belinda

The club presented Nathan Miller with a Paul Harris Fellowship to honour all the work he has done for us over the years with technology, the website and social media. Christa Wood, representing Active Ageing NSW also presented Gerringong Rotary with a certificate of appreciation for their work in supporting Active Ageing’s programs including Active Mindsteps and the Alchemy Chorus South Coast.

The new board consists of President Andrejs Medenis, President Elect Kerrie Lindsay, Immediate Past President Graham HayesSinclair, Secretary John Green, Treasurer Andrejs Medenis as well as Directors Jeff Quine, Pam Daniel and Val Cuthbertson.

New members and friends to Gerringong Rotary Club are always welcome. Visit, gerringongrotary.com.au

Kiama Business Awards: countdown is on

Who will make the finalist list for the Kiama Business Awards? A panel of independent judges are now reviewing this year’s entries after the deadline on the 8 June. Finalists will be announced live on Kiama Community Radio on 29th June, with the award ceremony on Thursday 23 July at Kiama Pavillion.

The Awards represent far more than simply taking home a win.

Alongside recognising and celebrating the region’s most exceptional businesses, they offer a valuable opportunity to acknowledge the collective achievements of the Kiama LGA business community.

For entrants, the Awards create a chance to reflect on business operations from a new perspective, supported by the insight and expertise of industry professionals. They shine a spotlight on the region, highlighting the accomplishments of leading businesses.

Each finalist will receive a digital finalist e-badge to showcase across their social platforms, website, and email signatures, along with a congratulatory Finalist Certificate.

Good luck to everyone who has entered.

For more information, visit kiamabusinessnetwork. com.au

Reflections from Warren Steel's farewell

Belle Wood

The size and diversity of seven-term Councillor Warren Steel's funeral on 12 June farewell spoke volumes about the life he lived. Around 500 people gathered to pay their respects.

Former mayors, councillors, family members, representatives from Lions and Rotary, business associates, sporting companions and drinking buddies all sat side by side. Six former mayors were among those present. That is no small achievement for any individual.

The two-hour service was a testament not only to Steel's life but also to the organisation and dedication of his children. Through stories, memories and reflections, they painted a picture of a man who was creative, exuberant,

community-minded and deeply connected.

His lifelong passion for the Rabbitohs was woven through many of the memories shared, reflecting the loyalty and commitment he brought not only to his sporting allegiances but to every aspect of his life.

Different speakers revealed different facets of Steel’s character, together creating a rich mosaic of a life fully lived.

Funerals inevitably prompt us to reflect upon our own journey. They remind us to consider how we are travelling physically, mentally, socially, emotionally and spiritually. As the crowd dispersed following Steel's farewell, there was a powerful sense that his was a life that mattered. Not because of titles held or positions occupied, but because of the countless lives he touched along the way.

More than a table: Men’s Shed creation

Aof historic church

from

has been given new life – transformed into a striking handcrafted table by the Kiama Men's Shed.

The cedar and pine pews, originally milled locally in the 1870s, served the Jamberoo Uniting Church for well over a century before being acquired by the Men’s Shed in 2025. Rather than see the timber lost or discarded, members set out to preserve its story in a new form.

The result is a substantial 3-metre by 1.2-metre table - a piece that blends craftsmanship with community history.

Men’s Shed Vice President Ian Yabsley said the project was driven by a desire to honour the past while creating something practical for today.

“We wanted to recycle a valuable piece of local history into something people could use and appreciate every day,” he said. “It’s not just a table – it carries the story of this community.”

The Men’s Shed has set a guide of $5,000 to $6,000 for the table.

“We’ve been told it could fetch much more elsewhere,” Yabsley said, “but that’s not what we’re about. We’d love to see it stay in the local community.”

Available for viewing at The Kiama Men’s Shed, interested parties should contact kiamamensshed@gmail.com

Stephanie Kemp

Camarda.

set

pews

Jamberoo

read with pride

Myah Garza

This Pride Month, Kiama Library celebrate stories that reflect the ways people experience love, identity, and belonging. Whether you’re discovering queer stories for the first time or returning to familiar voices, you’re going to love these inclusive reads.

#1 Contemporary: The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Described as “a comedy feast for your moody soul” and one of those books that make you want to change for the better, The Guncle follows Patrick—known to his family as GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick ) — a former sitcom star who is unexpectedly thrust into full-time caregiving when he becomes the guardian of his young niece and nephew after a family tragedy. Still grieving the loss of his great love and dealing with a career that has stalled, Patrick’s carefully managed, selfcontained life is suddenly upended by two children who need more stability than his glamorous, chaotic world is used to providing.

Ultimately, The Guncle is a warm, funny, and emotionally rich story about loss, love, and the unexpected ways people grow when they’re needed most.

#4 Family Picture Books: Confetti by Dean Atta

Confetti follows Ari, who one day finds a small piece of pink confetti hidden beneath the sofa cushions. She tosses it into the air and watches it float and spin, turning a simple moment into something that feels like a tiny celebration.

From there, Ari begins to notice confetti everywhere — at a Pride parade, in the changing leaves of autumn, and even in the delicate fall of snow. Slowly, she comes to see that life itself is filled with moments of joy and color, each one like a burst of confetti waiting to be noticed.

This debut picture book by poet Dean Atta, brought vividly to life by illustrator Alea Marley, is a joyful reminder that celebration can be found in everyday moments if you know where to look.

#7 Historical Fiction: Devotion by Hannah Kent

Set in Prussia in 1836, this story follows Hanne, a nearly fifteenyear-old girl who feels out of place in the narrow expectations of womanhood and longs instead for freedom in the natural world around her. Friendless and misunderstood, she eventually finds a deep connection with Thea, who becomes her closest companion and source of belonging.

Part of a persecuted Old Lutheran community forced to worship in secret, Hanne’s family sees a chance for safety when they are offered passage to Australia, a supposed land of religious freedom. But what begins as hope for a new life soon becomes a long and difficult journey that tests the entire community.

As hardship closes in, Hanne and Thea’s bond is pushed to its limits, revealing both the strength of their connection and the painful cost of survival in a world determined to reshape them.

#2 Science Fiction: Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler

A science fiction vampire novel by American writer Octavia E. Butler, published in 2005 after a seven year break. This is Butler’s final book published before her death in 2006. Fledgling follows a seemingly young girl who wakes up with no memory, only to realize her unusual abilities and needs set her apart from ordinary humans. As she pieces together fragments of her past, she uncovers a shocking truth: she is actually a 53-year-old genetically engineered vampire. While trying to reclaim the life that was taken from her, she also has to confront the enemies responsible for her situation — some of whom still pose a threat to her and the people she grows to care about. The novel explores themes of identity and belonging, pushing readers to reconsider what it really means to be human and what it means to be “other.”

#5 Fantasy: The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro

Rick Riordan, the #1 New York Times best-selling author, joins forces with award-winning writer Mark Oshiro for a standalone tale centered on two beloved figures from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Accustomed to the proximity of death, Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, finds his peace shattered by a persistent and haunting voice in his dreams. Convinced the plea comes from Bob, the reformed Titan in the Underworld, Nico faces a grim prophecy that confirms his darkest suspicions: a rescue mission is necessary.

Accompanied by his boyfriend, Will Solace — a son of Apollo — Nico prepares to venture into the abyss. Their journey is fraught with uncertainty, raising the question of whether a child of light can survive the most profound darkness. Adding to the peril, the prophecy dictates a harrowing requirement: Nico must surrender something of equal worth to succeed.

#8 Mystery & Suspense Speak of the Devil by Rose Wilding

Seven women connected to the same man find themselves trapped in a single, shocking moment: standing in a hotel room with his severed head on the floor. Each of them — the wife, the ex, the teenager, the journalist, the colleague, the friend, and the woman who raised him — has a reason they might have wanted him dead, but none will admit to doing it.

With the police closing in, the women are forced into an uneasy alliance, trying to uncover the truth while protecting themselves and each other.

A tense psychological thriller about manipulation, loyalty, and survival, the story explores what happens when women refuse to stay silent about the roles they’ve been forced into — and the violence that follows when those roles finally break apart.

#3 Family Picture Books: Peanut Goes for the Gold by Jonathan Van Ness

The celebrated star of Netflix's Queer Eye, Jonathan Van Ness, delivers an uplifting and humorous debut picture book. This empowering story encourages readers of every age to embrace their authentic selves and celebrate their individuality.

Peanut Goes for the Gold follows Peanut, a nonbinary guinea pig who lives life entirely on their own terms. Whether they’re cartwheeling at basketball practice or giving themselves an unexpected haircut, Peanut always adds a unique flair to everything they do. So when they decide to take on rhythmic gymnastics, they create a routine that reflects exactly who they are — unapologetically Peanut.

Inspired by Jonathan Van Ness’s own childhood pet guinea pig, this lively picture book encourages kids not only to be themselves, but to take pride in who they are with confidence.

#6 Dress Codes for Small Towns by Courtney Stevens

Billie McCaffrey has never fit the expectations placed on her as the preacher’s daughter of a – you guessed– small town, preferring work clothes, DIY projects, and hanging out with her close-knit group of friends over anything traditionally “feminine.” She’s always been seen as one of the guys – but when her friend Janie Lee admits she’s in love with Woods, Billie realizes she has feelings of her own for both Woods and Janie Lee. Uncertain about her identity and not ready for labels, Billie keeps her emotions to herself, worried about disrupting her friend group. In this Young Adult contemporary novel, author Courtney Stevens (who is from a small Kentucky town herself) navigates shifting friendships and confusing first love through Billie as she begins to question what love is supposed to look like and whether she can define it on her own terms.

#9 Non fiction: Queer Intentions by Amelia Abraham

Queer Intentions is a work of journalism and personal exploration in which Amelia Abraham examines what it means to be LGBTQ+ in the modern Western world. While queer visibility, legal rights, and corporate support have increased in many places, the book questions what this progress has actually cost — and who is still being excluded or left behind, especially in regions where LGBTQ+ rights remain limited.

Blending reporting with lived experience, Abraham travels across multiple countries to explore different facets of queer life today. Her journey takes her from same-sex weddings in Britain and major drag conventions in Los Angeles to Pride marches across Europe, underground LGBTQ+ nightlife in Turkey, and trans advocacy spaces and communities in New York and Stockholm.

These books are just a glimpse of what’s available this Pride Month at Kiama Library. To discover more titles, authors, and stories celebrating LGBTQIA+ lives and perspectives, check out the full pamphlet with a visit to the library.

Shellharbour athletes earn Illawarra Academy scholarships

Myah Garza

Thirty-one of Shellharbour’s most promising young athletes have been recognised after securing places in the 2026 Illawarra Academy of Sport scholarship program.

The athletes were celebrated at a special reception at the Shellharbour Civic Centre, where family, friends and community leaders gathered to acknowledge their achievements.

Among those selected were basketball player Harlen

Walsh, footballers Tehani Aperau-Bob and Eden Casey, golfer Jaidon Kyriacou and triathlete Jack Gibson.

The region’s strong hockey tradition was also reflected in the scholarship intake, with Max Elliott, Eli Mayo, Sam Huetter, Sienna Mason and Maya Huetter all earning places in the program.

Cycling talent was well represented by BMX and mountain bike riders Harvey Delforce, Wyatt Delforce and Indiana Lambert, while volleyball players Lily Ison and Megan Fackender also secured scholarships.

In netball, Lilly McIntosh was awarded a scholarship, alongside netball umpires Charlotte Weir and Abbey Whitchurch, recognising the important role officials play in developing the sport.

Several emerging athletes were selected through the Academy’s Future Stars and Para Sports programs,

including water polo player Harper Beaton, athlete Max Serfontein, touch football player Kobi Hayward and paraathlete Xavier Wilson.

A particularly strong contingent came from girls rugby sevens, with Eseta Tuidraki, Layla Bramstedt, Indie Bramstedt, Zali Milthorpe, Reeva Milthorpe,

Niamh Hicks, Ashanti Atallah, Marli Kissell and Ryah Hayward all earning scholarships.

Shellharbour City Council, a long-time supporter of the Illawarra Academy of Sport, contributed $18,676 to the program in 2026 to help develop local sporting talent.

The Academy is recognised for its holistic approach to athlete development, combining high-performance training with education, mentoring and personal development opportunities designed to prepare young athletes for elite-level

competition.

Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer said the scholarships reflected both the dedication of the athletes and the strength of local sporting pathways.

“Our community is incredibly proud of these young athletes and all they’ve achieved,” Cr Homer said.

“Selection into the Academy is a significant milestone and reflects their commitment, discipline and talent.

“Council is proud to support pathways that help our young people reach their full potential, both on and off the field.”

Kiama juniors make their mark in Illawarra representative rugby

Power reserve grade women continue impressive inaugural

Atotal of 43 Kiama Rugby Club juniors represented Illawarra across seven teams and age groups ranging from under12s to under-18s during the NSW Junior Rugby Union Country Championships and representative fixtures held on the June long weekend.

The impressive figure highlights the strength of the club's junior development program, with Kiama players selected throughout the representative pathway and local coaches leading many of the Illawarra squads.

Kiama Rugby Club vicepresident Renee Sukavakarua said the club's representation across the championships was a proud achievement.

"Just to have so many players selected was insane," she said. "They've done so well."

Kiama's influence extended beyond the playing ranks, with club coaches leading representative teams across multiple age groups.

"We have the majority of the Illawarra representative teams coached by Kiama coaches," Sukavakarua said.

"We don't have a lot of support from NSW Rugby or some of the resources the bigger city clubs have.

"It's just these volunteers putting in their own time and effort and it's amazing what they do for the kids."

The championships were particularly successful for the Illawarra under-12 and under-13 boys teams, both of which claimed Country

Championship titles.

The under-12 side, coached by Kiama’s Wise Sukavakarua, went through the tournament undefeated, scoring more than 120 points while conceding just 12.

Kiama players Boston Solofa, Ziggy Evans, Aiden Rowlands, Mason Sukavakarua, Oscar Creighton, Semi Nayagodamu, Soul Evans and Sani Nayagodamu were all members of the championship-winning squad.

The under-13 side, coached by Kiama’s Dean Wheeler, also completed an undefeated campaign to secure the Country Championship.

Kiama representatives in the under-13 squad included Blake Longford, James Wheeler, Marcus Crockett, Axl Grimsey and Spencer Tracey.

The success continued beyond the championships, with a number of Kiama players earning selection in NSW Country squads.

Under-14 player Jenson Coughlan was selected in the NSW Country squad and was the only player from Illawarra chosen in his age group.

Jacob Austin, Cody Walker and Leon Proud were selected in the NSW Country under-15 boys squad.

The under-16 boys produced six NSW Country representatives, with Lucas Bentham, Charlie Griffiths, Talon Sacco, Robbie Papesch, Blair Stanton and Charles Tabet all earning selection.

Kiama's success also extended to the girls

competition, with Charlotte Garnero and Sinead Buchanan selected in the NSW Country under-16 girls squad.

Those players will now represent NSW Country against NSW City at Camden Rugby Park on July 4 and 5.

Sukavakarua said Kiama's representative success was especially impressive given rugby union often competes with larger football codes for participants.

"League always seems to get prioritised and even things like Oztag, but we continue to do really well," she said.

"Maybe it's the coaching staff. Maybe they're coaching them right. Rugby is a great game and once kids understand it, they really enjoy it. It's a technical game and for some kids they just thrive in that environment."

Kiama has long been one of the largest junior rugby clubs in the Illawarra, but Sukavakarua believes this year's representative season has been particularly rewarding.

"We always have a lot of kids selected because we have a lot of juniors playing," she said.

"But I feel like more players have gone on to earn NSW Country selection this year, which is just amazing."

With 43 players representing Illawarra and a host of local coaches leading representative teams, the championships provided further evidence that the future of rugby union in Kiama remains in safe hands.

front of goal with four majors, while Mikayla De Jong and Emma Shaw both finished with two goals each as the Power piled on the scoreboard pressure throughout the afternoon.

The win further cements Kiama's position at the top of the ladder at the halfway point of the season and continues what has been a remarkable campaign for a side competing in its first year.

most of the players available for selection."

The Power have now reached the midway point of the season sitting in first place, although Grady believes there are still some significant tests ahead.

"Great to see their consistent form rewarded with sitting in first place at the halfway point of the season," he said.

The Kiama Power women's reserve grade side continued their impressive inaugural season on the weekend with a dominant 56-14 victory over Port Kembla.

The team, which is the first women's reserve grade side fielded by the Power since the club introduced a women's premier division team, controlled the contest from start to finish and won every quarter on their way to another convincing victory.

Paris Mason led the way in

Coach Tony Grady said the group had returned from the King's Birthday long weekend bye determined to continue building on its strong form.

"Another good win for the reserve grade women coming off the back of the long weekend bye," Grady said.

"Despite no games on that weekend, the girls did an extra training session.

"The whole squad, first grade and reserve grade, continue to train together each session and that's really elevating the skills and the game IQ of the reserve grade girls."

What has made the team's success even more impressive is the lack of player depth available throughout the season

"The ressies girls haven't had enough players to have an interchange bench so far this season, so it's a credit to the players who suit up each week and give their all," Grady said.

"It will hold us in really good stead toward the pointy end of the season when we'll see

"We haven't played the second-placed Lions yet so that will be interesting when we have that matchup.

"We were very unlucky to suffer our only loss of the season to Norths, who dropped down from premier division, and I'm confident we can turn the tables in a few weeks when we meet them again."

While the reserve grade women continue to thrive, the club's women's premier division side is still searching for its first win of the season after having a bye over the weekend.

The men's premier division side also enjoyed a week off, while the men's reserve grade team produced one of the club's biggest wins of the year, crushing Port Kembla 97-15. All four Kiama sides return to action this weekend.

The women's premier division side travels to Figtree, while both reserve grade teams host Bay and Basin at Bonaire Oval. The men's premier division team will also be at home when they take on Shellharbour.

Feedback shapes updated vision for Kiama Sports Complex

Kiama Council has unveiled an updated masterplan for the Kiama Sports Complex after receiving 177 submissions during its public exhibition period, with community feedback helping shape several key changes to the proposed redevelopment.

The revised masterplan retains a skatepark within the precinct, includes additional parking and features improvements to the overall layout and sporting facilities.

The plan will now be considered by Council as a long-term vision for the future of the site, although no funding has yet been allocated for construction.

Mayor Cameron McDonald said the masterplan was a critical step in securing the future of one of the municipality's most important

sporting precincts.

"Our Sports Complex and Leisure Centre are vital hubs for our community, but a lot of the facilities at the precinct are at end-of-life stage, so we need significant upgrades or ideally a total overhaul of the entire site," Cr McDonald said.

"We can't just continually patch these facilities up with relatively minor repairs and expect them to be functioning at a high standard."

The masterplan was developed with funding from the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and provides a blueprint for the future development of the precinct.

According to Council, the plan includes opportunities for additional sporting facilities, improved playing surfaces and lighting,

increased parking and upgraded public amenities.

Cr McDonald said the completion of the masterplan would strengthen Council's ability to pursue funding opportunities.

"Now that the masterplan has been adopted, Council and the community are better placed to advocate for the funding necessary to implement the vision of the masterplan," he said.

"It is likely that components of the masterplan will be delivered in stages given available grant funding."

Council has begun advocating for funding support from higher levels of government.

While the updated masterplan represents a significant milestone, Cr McDonald acknowledged that delivering the project will require substantial external funding.

Lleyton Hughes

GERRINGONG HOCKEY - UNDER 12

Knights falls short against undefeated Group 7 leaders

16 to the undefeated Group 7 leaders, the Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles.

trademark defence repeatedly held the Eagles out.

before halftime, giving the Superoos a 10-6 lead at the

disciplined Knights dropped the ball in their first attacking set after conceding points, allowing Jiye Ellis to score in the 13th minute and extend the lead to 12-0.

The Eagles, who have been bolstered in 2026 by the inclusion of former NRL star Drew Hutchinson at halfback, have been favourites throughout the season to take the Group 7 premiership from the reigning champions.

It made for a highly anticipated Round 9 clash at Centenary Field, but with rain falling throughout the match, both sides began with a scrappy opening as handling errors crept into the contest.

After some early back-andforth, Hutchinson took the ball to the line in the 10th minute

The Knights were forced to defend for much of the first half but found some momentum after being awarded consecutive penalties.

In the 19th minute, they finally got on the board through captain Tom Angel after some clever playmaking from halfback Cameron Vazzoler and fullback Tom Atkins.

Just five minutes later, the Knights earned consecutive

The frustration appeared to boil over for the home side, with an Eagles player sent to the sin bin five minutes before the break, handing Kiama valuable field position.

Unfortunately for the visitors, they failed to capitalise. In the 38th minute, a loose ball was scooped up by Hutchinson, who quickly passed to winger Dallas Harrison. Harrison raced 80 metres to score and restore the Eagles' lead before halftime.

Leading 18-12 despite being reduced to 12 men, the opening stages of the second half were crucial for the Eagles.

Albion Park's fifth try in the 57th minute when fullback Jack Talbott sliced through from a scrum play.

From there, the Knights were given plenty of opportunities but struggled to break through the Eagles' defence until the 71st minute, when Toby Lane scored off the back of a slick backline movement to give Kiama a glimmer of hope.

However, it proved too little, too late as the Knights succumbed to a 30-16 defeat.

“It definitely wasn’t our best performance,” Knights fiveeighth Sam Hooper said.

“Our defence, as usual, was pretty on point and I’m

week against the Stingrays.”

The Jamberoo Superoos made it two straight wins for the first time in 2026 with a 26-18 victory over the MiltonUlladulla Bulldogs away from home.

The Superoos opened the scoring in the 17th minute through a well-executed set play, with winger Jaxoon Clarke diving over in the right corner.

After sustained pressure, the Bulldogs hit back in the 29th minute through some individual brilliance from fullback Joshua Crawford to reduce the margin to 6-4.

Through some perfect vision a grubber kick from

Jamberoo piled on the pressure immediately after halftime. Hooker Zac Fairall crossed from dummy-half before Jacob Maher repeated the feat in the 54th minute.

Milton hit back in the 62nd minute after a kick was allowed to bounce, but Jamberoo responded just three minutes later through Gale's second try of the afternoon, effectively sealing the result at 26-12.

The Bulldogs managed a consolation try just before the full-time siren, but it was not enough to deny the Superoos an impressive victory.

The Gerringong Lions also enjoyed a 28-18 win over the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets and remain second on the Group 7 ladder.