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6 NOVEMBER - 12 NOVEMBER 2026

Kiama Minnamurra Kiama Downs Jamberoo Gerringong Gerroa

Sāmoa shares stage with Kiama kids at Rugby League World Cup “We have a lot of girls who love rugby league as much as the boys, so for them to see those pathways too was really important,” she said. “The Sāmoan women came over at the end of the game, one of them gave them their training jersey and the other gave up their gear, they signed everything we had … it was magic.” Read more on page 4.

Photo credits: NRL Photos

Glover’s parenting crash course

P3 Property Edition What's next for Kiama's historic Pilot's Cottage? Why is a controversial hillside back on the market? And could you be the next owner of Jamberoo's 150-year-old church?

P6 Exhibition scrapped, then saved

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THE BUGLE NEWS

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6 November - 12 November

Welcome to The Bugle It’s always interesting when this corner of the world becomes national news or – in the case this week – international news. The backlash following Shoalhaven Council and their CEO’s decision to cancel an art exhibition that memorialises the 18,457 children killed in Gaza between October 7, 2023 and July 19, 2025 has been immediate, swift, and far-reaching. And as disappointing as it is to see local government deem acknowledging the deaths of thousands of children as ‘antisemitic’ or prevent the public from experiencing a famous artwork from Phil Buehler that has been accessible globally thus far, the response from the community has been heartwarming. Put simply, people have rallied in support of both the exhibition and the cost of the conflict it’s highlighting, particularly our local Uniting Churches in Berry and Kiama who are now hosting the exhibition after Shoalhaven Regional Gallery was prevented from doing so. People power, empathy, compassion and the truth – at the end of the day – should always win out. Personally, I was proud to see that was the case for our South Coast pocket. Reverend Kath Merrifield from Kiama Jamberoo Uniting Church delivered a powerful mesaage about the cost of war on Thursday at Kiama–Jamberoo RSL Sub-Branch’ rededication of a historic Japanese 37 mm anti-tank gun. While the full speech is too lengthy to print in full, there’s one portion that feels particularly timely: “I have to say that our weapons are much, much more sophisticated these days. “We also know the devastating cost to our neighbourhoods, to communities, even to the lands and waters. “And so I wonder, as we commemorate and remember today, what we dream about for our children and families, for our communities, for our nations and indeed for the world.” As a massive pivot, huge thank you to all who supported our first ever Halloween edition of The Bugle. We were sold out everywhere by Monday and have been scrambling to source extra copies ever since, so spooky shakas to the ghouls and goblins out there.

Shoalhaven Hospital building opens in $440 million redevelopment

An artist impression of the finished hospital

M xx @maria___lewis

The Bugle acknowledges the Dharawal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and tell stories, and pays respect to Elders past and present.

Published by: The Bugle News

hoalhaven Memorial Hospital’s new seven-storey acute services building has officially opened, marking a major milestone in the hospital’s $440 million redevelopment. The opening on Thursday, October 29 followed the start of services in the new emergency department at 8am on Wednesday, October 28. The building expands healthcare capacity for the Shoalhaven and South Coast, with facilities designed to reduce the need for patients to travel to Wollongong or Sydney for treatment. It includes a new emergency department and emergency short-stay unit, intensive care unit, medical wards and a rooftop helipad. The redevelopment also doubles the number of operating theatres, endoscopy and procedure

rooms. New medical imaging facilities include MRI and CT machines, while the building connects directly to the existing hospital through a linkway. Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney said the expanded services would make a difference to patients and their families. “Our community has waited a long time for this moment, this historic uplift means fewer patients transferred to Wollongong and Sydney, and more families getting vital care closer to home, surrounded by the people they love,” she said. The opening does not mean every new service is operating immediately. The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District will continue moving services into the building in stages over the coming months, including the psychiatric emergency care centre, mental health

services and new cardiology services. The redevelopment includes a dedicated cardiology inpatient unit, coronary care unit and cardiac catheterisation laboratory. Health Minister Ryan Park said staffing and accommodation investment had supported the expansion. “Investment in recruitment and health worker accommodation has played a critical role in this project, it’s excellent to see the 120 additional health staff starting with us this week,” he said. Ms McInerney said 48 additional nurses had been hired since the start of the year, with another 20 on the way. Nine townhouses in Bomaderry were purchased last year through the NSW Government’s Key Health Worker Accommodation Program to help address accommodation barriers for

health workers. The hospital also has a new pharmacy dispensing robot, described by the NSW Government as the first of its kind in a regional NSW hospital. Working alongside pharmacy staff, the technology is designed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of medication storage and supply, giving clinicians more time for patient care. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the redevelopment would allow more people to receive treatment locally. “More procedures will be performed locally, and more people will receive care locally,” he said. Once services have moved into the new building, the next phase of the redevelopment will focus on refurbishing existing hospital facilities. The opening coincides with Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital’s 75th anniversary.

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NEWS www.thebuglenews.com.au

6 November - 12 November 2026

Richard Glover has some Kiama celebrates Cup Day reassurance for parents

Emily Crisp

f you’ve ever watched a parenting video and wondered whether you’re getting everything wrong, Richard Glover has some reassuring news. Parents have been made to feel that way for generations. The advice once arrived through official handbooks and baby health centres. Now it can appear on your phone while you’re trying to get a child to sleep, often promising that the right method will make everything easier. Glover isn’t convinced. “The truth is there’s not an easy way to do it,” he says. “No one’s ever achieved it.” In his latest book, How to Ruin a Child, the author and broadcaster explores the instructions given to Australian parents over the past century. For parents dealing with conflicting advice, his research offers perspective. Experts have long delivered their rules with confidence, warning that ignoring them could have terrible consequences. Glover describes mothers

listening to their babies’ cry while waiting for the prescribed feeding time. Some were crying themselves but believed responding sooner would be wrong. Years later, women questioned why they had followed advice that caused such distress. When I suggest people often defend a strict upbringing by saying they turned out all right, he agrees only to a point. “We sort of did turn out all right. But there was a lot of misery along the way. A lot of unnecessary misery along the way.” He is equally sceptical of the complaints levelled at younger parents, particularly the claim that children receive too much praise. When I raise the possibility that the pendulum has swung too far, he questions the familiar argument that everyone gets a prize. His sons received small participation trophies during their early soccer years. Outstanding players received bigger awards. Was a little trophy for a six-year-old really such a problem? His oldest grandson, nearing the end of his first

school year at the time of our conversation, had earned three merit certificates. “Is three too many?” he asks. Glover’s frustration is with how readily exaggerated examples become judgements about everyone raising children. He describes the careful conversations parents have about allowing a child to travel into the city with friends. They consider the circumstances and whether someone knows the route, trying to balance independence with safety. They might not get every decision right. That doesn’t mean they haven’t thought hard about it. “Meanwhile, the rest of society sits back in judgement, as they have always done.” His research may also help explain some differences between parents and grandparents. Glover remembers telling his mother he had scored nine out of 10 in maths. She wanted to know about the one he got wrong. The handbooks he read warned that too much praise could spoil a child. Parents withholding encouragement

might have believed they were protecting their child’s future. “They were just following orders,” he says. Understanding those expectations can offer context when families disagree about how children should be raised. “People should be more forgiving of themselves, because we all parent in a culture, don’t we?” As a grandfather, Glover has a proposal to make family life easier: borrow the paperwork from car rental companies. At drop-off, parents could mark existing injuries on an outline of their child. If someone notices a bump or bruise at pick-up, Nana and Pa would have evidence it arrived with its owner. He wants the children to enjoy themselves, preferably without acquiring injuries on his watch. An inspection sheet might offer some protection. Richard Glover is appearing at Berry Writers’ Festival in conversation with Holly Wainwright on Saturday, November 7, from noon to 1pm at Berry School of Arts. Visit berrywritersfestival. com.au for program and ticket information.

ashion, food and a special four-legged guest brought Melbourne Cup colour to Kiama on Tuesday, with celebrations at Kiama Bowlo, Kiama Leagues Club and The Pavilion. At the Bowlo, at least 100 punters enjoyed a buffet, with a full house for the festivities. Manager Andrew Broadwood reflected on how Cup Day had changed over the years: once a big occasion for the tradies, it has increasingly become a celebration of ladies’ fashion. There was plenty of that on display around town, with hats and fascinators adding colour as friends gathered for lunch and the big race. At Kiama Leagues Club, celebrations spread across the Cedar Cutters Bar and main lounges. The bar’s big television screens provided an ideal vantage point for racegoers to follow the action, with many guests tipping their hats to the occasion. Meanwhile, The Pavilion hosted its inaugural Melbourne Cup luncheon,

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combining its spectacular coastal views with food from Apple Tree Catering. The event was a collaboration between The Pavilion and Apple Tree Catering, with Pavilion event manager Jackie Hall thrilled with the lovely crowd who attended the first luncheon. Apple Tree Catering’s Executive Chef Will Totman and the catering team helped make the occasion memorable, with guests praising the food. But one particularly popular attendee needed neither a hat nor a fascinator. Mac the Miniature Horse, provided by Apple Tree Catering, proved a favourite, posing for photographs with luncheon guests – with Jenny Brown head of marketing snapping pics as guests took the opportunity for a photo with Mac. Across venues in the LGA, the afternoon offered plenty of reasons to dress up, catch up and enjoy Cup Day close to home.

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6 November - 12 November

Photo credits: NRL Photos

Kiama Public School students say Tālofa to Rugby League World Cup

Maria Lewis

t’s the game currently sweeping the world as nation battles nation. And 21 Kiama Public School students got to be in the thick of Rugby League World Cup action last week as Sāmoa went head-to-head with England in women’s Round 3. The “once in a lifetime experience” was the result of Assistant Principal and School Sports Coordinator Sheree Payne entering the NRL’s Adopt a Country competition through their Teacher Ambassador Program. “You could pick any country and with so many of our kids loving rugby league in general, they all know and love the Sāmoan players,”

she told The Bugle. “And by not picking Australia, it gave them a great opportunity to learn about another country and another culture too.” For the students and their parents, Payne said game day was “absolutely priceless” and exactly what makes “teaching so rewarding”. “I knew the kids were going to be excited, but they were next level,” she laughed. “When we went to WIN Stadium, they got given shirts for the Sāmoan team and just standing in that tunnel before the game – they know that’s the same place where the players stand – and the whole thing had them buzzing. “One of our Year 6 boys was the flag bearer and another got to go and lay

out the game ball while Bulli Public School walked the English team out.” Sāmoa ultimately proved victorious in a 24 to 6 win over England, which sees them advance to the semifinals against the New Zealand team on Saturday in Newcastle – before the men’s semi-finals which sees New Zealand and Tonga battle it out. Getting to stand on the field during the Sāmoan national anthem - Sāmoa Tula'i – was “eye opening” for the Kiama Public School students, followed by a performance of the traditional Siva Tau (war dance). “Getting to be in the centre of WIN Stadium with the whole stadium cheering, that was eye-opening for the kids,” said Payne.

“Most of the women were crying during the national anthem, so for them to see how much emotion they put into it and what it means to be representing your country on that level was huge. “They learned a lot, from listening to the national anthem and watching them do their haka, even just speaking to the women afterwards, it really opened their eyes.” The students also got to stay and watch the men’s match, which saw England beat Papau New Guinea 34 to 12 and students from Gwynneville Public School walk out with the Papua New Guinean side. It’s part of an ongoing cultural exchange with PNG and Gwynneville Public School that goes back years, with the school welcoming

a family from PNG into its community for 12 months while a parent undertakes study in Australia. During that time, the family’s children experience Australian school life and culture, while students and staff learn about PNG’s traditions, culture and way of life. With Payne “heavily involved” in the local rugby league community and her three daughters all playing for the Kiama Knights in the seniors and juniors, she said the possibilities weren’t lost on the Kiama Public School students. “We have a lot of girls who love rugby league as much as the boys, so for them to see those pathways too was really important,” she said. “The Sāmoan women came over at the end of the

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game, one of them gave them their training jersey and the other gave up their gear, they signed everything we had … it was magic.” Payne offered “a huge thank you to the NRL” for the experience, with one of our local stars – Dolphins player Jack Bostock – having made a massive impression in the tournament so far. With Australia heading into the semi-finals against Tonga on Sunday, the 21-yearold’s first-time playing in the green and gold has been a memorable one with three tries scored last weekend in their 66 to 6 win over the Cook Islands. Bostock also won Man Of The Match in his nail-biting debut against New Zealand, scoring another three tries in the Rugby League World Cup opener.

THE BUGLE NEWS

NEWS www.thebuglenews.com.au

6 November - 12 November 2026

Getting to know our councillors:

There are a number of options... the number 1

iama Mayor Cameron McDonald’s latest “Mayor’s Column” in The Bugle offers reassurance about finding a sustainable financial future. But residents deserve a franker assessment: as the deadline for budget repair approaches, a special rate variation looks less like one option among many and more like the likely destination. The problem is timing. Council adopted its Revenue Improvement Strategy and Strategic Asset Review on 20 October 2026. These documents identify opportunities to improve property returns, introduce paid parking for non-residents and increase other revenue. Adoption, however, is not implementation - and potential income does not pay today’s bills. Meanwhile, the financial deadline is clear. Under the varied Performance Improvement Order from the NSW Government, Council must adopt a 2027– 28 budget demonstrating an operating position at or above break-even, excluding capital grants and contributions and without relying on assetsale proceeds. That distinction matters. Selling property can provide cash, but the order requires Council to address its recurring operating position. Regardless, the experience of the Akuna Street car park tells us that the headline number, does not always end up being realised. Better leasing arrangements and commercial returns may help, yet identifying opportunities is only

the beginning. Council’s asset review includes a divestment programme spanning three years, while its revenue strategy also operates over a three-year horizon. The immediate challenge is a $3.8 million annual structural deficit. Council estimates a 20 per cent special rate variation would generate approximately $4 million annually, a revealingly close match between the problem and the proposed solution. Seems like a convenient path towards a solution. This does not prove a rate rise is unavoidable. It does suggest that presenting every revenue option as equally capable of meeting the approaching deadline risks overstating the choices still available. Residents should be told which initiatives can deliver recurring income before July 2027, how much they will raise after costs, and what remains uncertain. Without that implementation schedule, consultation risks becoming a discussion about preferences rather than an honest assessment of feasible alternatives. Council deserves acknowledgement for progressing the strategies. But the longer their financial benefits remain prospective, the greater the pressure to turn to the most direct recurring revenue lever: rates. Whilst this decision continues to be framed as an ongoing ‘conversation’ and that there are a number of ‘options’, The Bugle’s View is that the situation is clear, the Order is clearer and the circumstances are unavoidable. The path has been picked.

Stan Jarrett

common concerns residents raise is how long they wait for feedback after writing to Council. “People seem to think that Council is slow, so I want to try to improve that, if I could,” he says. “One of the items I stood on was effective communication with our community. It’s something I’ve always prided myself on — providing that regular feedback.” Improving public confidence in local government will be a focus over the next two years, alongside caring for Country and supporting relationships between Native Title holders and government. Cr Jarrett says he wants to help with the Native Title process and encourage cooperation across all levels of government, starting locally. Community safety is another priority. He wants a greater regular police presence in the municipality, saying residents can face waits for officers travelling from outside the area. “It’s a 10 to 20 minute response time in the Kiama LGA for police to get here from Oak Flats or Nowra, and we don’t have that regular

Belle Wood

etter communication with residents, housing young people can afford and a stronger police presence are among Kiama Councillor Stan Jarrett’s priorities for the remainder of the Council term. Speaking as part of The Bugle’s getting to know our councillors series, Cr Jarrett says becoming a councillor is one of his proudest achievements as a community leader. “It’s a privilege to be there and an honour to represent the local communities in the way I’m doing and will continue to do,” he says. Since joining Council, he has noticed political alliances and occasional friction in the chamber. But he believes differences can serve a useful purpose. “Healthy debate is a good thing — it doesn’t matter what side you’re on, as long as it benefits the community in the end.” For Cr Jarrett, strengthening the relationship between Council and its community begins with keeping people informed. He says one of the most

Blow your Bugle

ike many users of the South Coast Rail line, I was pleased that the Minns government listened to the community and shelved plans to introduce the new rail timetable. Longer trips, more train changes and not stopping at Wolli Creek were seen by the community as too high a price to pay for additional services, mainly from Wollongong to Sydney. I appreciate how our local member Kaitlin McInerney effectively took our concerns to Macquarie Street. The

electrification of the line to Bomaderry is great long term planning, as are the track upgrades Central to Bomaderry. While I’m not certain I’ll live long enough to get on a train at Gerringong for a direct trip to Central, at least my kids will. However, while we wait for the long term plan, it is important our government does not do nothing in the meantime to improve the service between Kiama and Bomaderry. The Toolijooa loop should be built at once to

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police presence that we should,” he says. On housing, Cr Jarrett believes development needs to keep pace with population growth while giving younger residents a chance to remain in their community. “We’ve got a lot of young people who can’t afford to buy in our LGA, which is sad,” he says. “We’ve got young people who have to move out of town to get into the property market.” His preference is for lowerdensity housing rather than tall buildings, with growth that he believes can also help strengthen Council’s finances. “I don’t want 10-storey skyscrapers, I’d rather see lower-density housing,” he says. Cr Jarrett identifies Council’s debt as its biggest immediate challenge, with sustainable development another significant issue ahead. He sees initiatives including the Special Entertainment Precinct as part of efforts to improve the municipality’s financial position, while acknowledging their results will take time to emerge. “We’re at a point where we are waiting to see how they

develop,” he says. Looking towards the March state election, his funding priorities centre on completing projects already underway. He nominates Kiama Coast Walk, the Special Entertainment Precinct and Kiama Sports Complex as projects he wants candidates to support. Away from Council matters, his favourite place to relax is Campbell’s Hole, just north of Werri Beach. “There’s a beautiful rock pool there. In whale season, we watch the whales go past,” he says. “The water’s warm, it’s a great spot.” It is the efforts of councillors and Council staff that give him optimism about the municipality’s future. He says people are working hard on initiatives intended to put Kiama on a stronger financial footing and create better opportunities for the community. “It’s the way people on Council and staff alike are working really hard on those initiatives to give our community a better chance of getting out of this debt to set ourselves up for the future.” For full Q & A visit The Bugle App.

email editor@thebuglenews.com.au if you want to have your say! allow an improved passenger service to work successfully with the Manildra trains. The extra passenger rolling stock could come from the current Explorer Trains that are being replaced. The Explorer trains currently run from Central to places like Moree, Tamworth and Broken Hill. The Explorer trains and Endeavour trains are exactly the same basic train, just the seating is different for short or long term travel. Adaption to our line would be easy. We would probably only need one

more two car Endeavour set to allow an Endeavour set to meet every train arriving at Kiama from Sydney, including at weekends. If these two short term improvements, as part of a long term plan, happen quickly, it would prove the government is really serious about improving our South Coast rail line, especially south of Kiama. Trevor Hamblen. Gerroa.

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6 November - 12 November 2026 Phil Buehler’s public art installation Wall of Tears in Bushwick images: Isa Farfan, Hyperallergic

PUSH FOR GREATER COUNCIL SAY OVER TOBACCO SHOPS

iama Council could gain greater control over where new tobacconists open under a renewed push by the state’s peak local government body. Local Government NSW is calling on the NSW Government to make development consent compulsory for new tobacco outlets, allowing councils to assess their proximity to schools, childcare centres and community facilities. The proposed changes would also allow councils to consider how many outlets already operate nearby before approving another shop. Local Government NSW President Mayor Darcy Byrne said councils needed a greater role in determining where these businesses could establish. “The requirement for a DA would let councils consider where a tobacconist wants to open, how many are already nearby and how close it is to

schools, childcare centres and community facilities.” For the Kiama municipality, the proposal would mean greater local scrutiny of applications for new tobacco outlets. However, the release does not identify particular local businesses or provide figures showing whether tobacco outlets have increased across the area. Mayor Byrne said stronger planning controls would complement licensing and enforcement measures, giving councils an opportunity to assess proposed locations before businesses opened. He said he had written again to the NSW Planning and Health ministers seeking mandatory development consent. The call follows a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the illegal tobacco trade. According to Local Government NSW, the inquiry recommended

reducing tobacconist numbers, capping retail licences and requiring development approval near schools and community spaces. The inquiry’s final report was tabled on August 20, with the NSW Government’s response due on November 20. NSW already operates a tobacco licensing scheme, while NSW Health has powers to close premises suspected of selling illicit tobacco or illegal vaping goods. Vaping products can legally be sold only through pharmacies for therapeutic use. The planning proposal concerns where shops can operate; whether a retailer sells illegal products is a separate enforcement issue. “Councils know their communities. Give us the tools to act before another tobacco shop opens in the wrong place,” Mayor Byrne said.

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Shoalhaven Council cancels Palestinian memorial exhibition Maria Lewis

n a move that has now become national news and drawn the ire of human rights bodies, Shoalhaven Council has cancelled an art exhibition that memorialises Palestinian children killed in Gaza days before it was planned to open. The world-renowned Wall Of Tears public art installation from American artist Phil Buehler lists the names of the 18,457 Palestinian children killed in Gaza between October 7, 2023 and July 19, 2025 in an expansive work that just finished exhibiting on the lawns of Parliament House in September. However, what was considered appropriate for Canberra, Perth, Brooklyn in New York, Dearborn in Michigan and Richardson in Texas - where it has been exhibited globally - has been deemed inappropriate for Shoalhaven Regional Gallery following council’s decision. Organised by Shoalhaven Friends of Palestine, the exhibition was flagged in an October 22 risk assessment from Shoalhaven Council that – amongst several conditions – requested the exhibition be shortened from eight days to two, hire “armed guards”, restrict gallery attendance to by RSVP only, and cease any advertising due to “reputational risk” that could impact council and/or the Nowra gallery due to showing the artwork.

Despite no credible or specific threat being recorded, the assessment was said to have been conducted following at least two emails received by council that deemed the exhibition antisemitic. Meeting with CEO Andrew Constance and senior council staff on Tuesday, October 27, Shoalhaven Friends of Palestine agreed to the conditions, which would then take the exhibition to a low to medium risk. Yet the following day – Wednesday, October 28 – former Liberal MP Constance made the decision to cancel Wall Of Tears anyway, with Shoalhaven Council passing on the news to the community group who had to scramble to make alternate arrangements ahead of the planned November 4 opening. Buehler’s artwork will now exhibit to the public at Berry Uniting Church Hall from Thursday, November 5 until Sunday, November 8 in partnership with the local branch of human rights body Amnesty International - Bay and Basin Amnesty – and the original organisers Shoalhaven Friends of Palestine. The decision has drawn national attention from the likes of media outlets such as The Guardian, Cheek Media, New Politics and extensive coverage by Steve Prothero’s Substack Eye On Shoalhaven Council who first broke the story earlier in the week. International publications

such as Art In America, who have been running since 1913, have now picked up the story as well with Buehler himself speaking out against the decision on social media saying that he was shocked. Meanwhile Shoalhaven Council have been inundated with online campaigns from groups such as Paediatricians Without Borders, Perth Doctors Medical Aid For Palestine, and more requesting further information about why the exhibition was ultimately cancelled. Shoalhaven Friends of Palestine has also written to Council seeking further explanation, however, at the time of printing are yet to receive additional information. Additionally, Kiama Uniting Church has announced they too will be hosting the Wall of Tears exhibition in the Lecture Hall, from Sunday, November 8 to Wednesday, November 11. In an update send out on Wednesday evening, they noted that although it was very short notice they will be holding an opening from 6pm to 8pm on the Sunday evening. “We are hoping this will engage our community in thinking about the cost of war - any war - and an invitation to lament and prayer,” said Reverand Kath Merrifield. The exhibition will be open Monday to Wednesday from 10am to 7pm the rest of the week.

Time for a clear-out:

Kiama's free bulky waste drop-off returns

iama residents looking to clear unwanted household items will have an opportunity to dispose of eligible bulky waste when Council's next free dropoff event begins this Saturday. The event will run from November 7 to 15 2026 at the Minnamurra Waste and Recycling Facility. Registrations opened on October 12, with residents required to book through

Council's Household Bulky Waste Drop-Off portal. The initiative provides an opportunity to dispose of larger household items that may not fit in regular kerbside bins. The November event is proceeding while Council continues to examine the future delivery of its bulky waste service. Council has previously considered options for

managing the service, including the financial and operational implications of different collection and disposal arrangements. Residents planning to use the facility should check the eligibility requirements, accepted materials and booking conditions before loading their vehicles. The event is intended for eligible local households, and bookings are required.

THE BUGLE NEWS

NEWS www.thebuglenews.com.au

6 November - 12 November 2026

A Novel November for best-selling Gerringong author Maria Lewis

er books are international bestsellers, with more than 1.5 million copies sold worldwide, and have been translated into over a dozen languages. And now local storytellers have the chance to learn from award-winning author and academic Dr Kate Forsyth. Having recently returned from a “hectic but wonderful” nine weeks teaching and touring in Ireland and the UK, she will be hosting a workshop on the elements of story structure at Gerringong Library on Friday, November 6. For Forsyth, who lives in Gerringong and considers

the library her local, the opportunity to base herself in the coastal town is a “dream come true”. “I travel a great deal with my work, touring and teaching both here and overseas, so it's important for me to have a place of beauty and calm to retreat to,” she told The Bugle. “I just love the conjunction of the ocean and the soft green hills and the escarpment, being able to walk for miles by the ocean and swim every day, and the release from city pressures like traffic, roadworks, noise and pollution. “It also means I have more time to pursue my hobbies, like painting and crafting. “I've joined a book club and a quilting class in Berry, which

has brought so much pleasure into my life. “I am also loving having a garden again to grow flowers and herbs for the house.” After looking for years in the area, Forsyth and her family first bought a property in Gerringong in 2021 that they were intending to use as a holiday home at first. Yet as their kids grew up, moved out, they began spending more and more time in the area before relocating from Sydney permanently – a decision she said “refreshes the soul”. “We are surrounded by this enchantingly beautiful landscape, yet still maintain a rich cultural life,” she said. “And Sydney is only a few

hours away, I zip up for literary events or meetings, have a few days in town, then head home again, ready to be revived and inspired again.” With a PhD in fairy tale studies, many of Forsyth’s 18 novels draw from those same inspirations such as Psykhe, a feminist reimagining of the ancient Greek myth; Bitter Greens, a retelling of Rapunzel which won the American Library Association award for Best Historical Fiction; and The Witches of Eileanan, a dark romantic fantasy. Her latest literary work, The Changeling, which was released earlier this year, is set against Scotland’s first witchhunt and follows a young, rebellious woman with faery

blood. After a week-long writers retreat in the Cotswolds – which Forsyth has been running for over a decade – she said that given it’s such an isolated profession at times, she always looks forward to engaging in-person. “Writers work in solitude, hoping that our work will move and inspire others,” she said. “It's so wonderful to meet people who have read and loved your work. “Many write me letters telling me how much my books have meant to them over the years, and it's just such a comfort and a joy. It keeps me writing at times when my courage fails me.”

Forsyth is one of four local authors taking part in the month-long program of workshops, including former The Bugle editor Amy Molloy who will be sharing secrets to memoir magic at Kiama Library on Friday, November 13. Then it’s back to Gerringong Library on Friday, November 20 for crafting atmospheric settings with Camille Booker and Kiama Library concluding the month on Friday, November 27 on creating memorable characters with Juliet Madison. The sessions are for adults aged 15 and up, with tickets $35 per session or $120 for all four sessions with all materials, tea and coffee provided.

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Staying local drives downsizer interest in Elan Kiama

or one couple who have called Kiama home for 45 years, downsizing means leaving the family house while keeping their connection to the town. The couple are among purchasers at Elan Kiama, where developer-builder Level 33 reports seven of the development’s 20 residences have sold for a combined $27 million. The sales include a $6 million penthouse, which the developer says set a new apartment price record for Kiama. One local purchaser, who wished to remain anonymous, said the decision followed several years of looking at developments in Kiama and nearby Shellharbour. “We loved our family home but were happy to sell, so we could downsize into a lowmaintenance apartment,” she said. Having raised their family in Kiama and watched their children return to raise families of their own, staying in the area was an important consideration. She said the apartment’s northerly living areas, generous spaces and practical floor plan helped convince them to make the move. Privacy, finishes and electric vehicle charging capability also influenced their choice. Level 33 sales and marketing director Kara Herne said

buyers had mostly come from the South Coast, with others from Sydney, including Surry Hills and Mona Vale. “We’re seeing a very clear trend among local downsizers who want to stay in Kiama but are ready to move away from the maintenance and responsibility that comes with a large family home,” Ms Herne said. “They’re looking for a more manageable home, but they don’t want to compromise on space, quality or lifestyle.” Designed by PBD Architects, Elan comprises 20 threebedroom residences in a location between Kendalls Beach and Surf Beach, near Kiama’s town centre. Features include spacious entertaining areas, secure lock-up garages and premium kitchen appliances. The penthouse includes three bedrooms and a study, with the developer reporting an overall area of 468 square metres. Level 33 founding managing director Eddy Haddad said the project was designed to appeal to residents seeking a change of home without leaving their neighbourhood. “We set out to design a project for the people of Kiama who wanted to move on from their family homes but still have house-like proportions,” he said. Elan’s display suite is at 2/134 Terralong Street, Kiama.

6 November - 12 November 2026

Kiama families brace for another rate rise as Labor spending criticised

John Stapleton

okes about ‘cozzie livs’ have quickly turned to serious conversations about financial crisis with fears about a further interest rate increase confirmed. On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.85 per cent – the eighth increase since the Minns Government took office in March 2023 and the fifth this year. In response, Australia’s big four banks – NAB, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank and ANZ - all lifted their interest rates on mortgages and savings accounts. In a media release, Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane and Shadow Treasurer Scott Farlow said the government’s own figures showed that spending was budgeted to reach $133 billion in 2026 - 27 – $12.7 billion more in dollar terms than in 2021 - 22. They noted revenue forecasts had risen by $11.7 billion over four years since last year’s budget while spending forecasts increased by $11.8 billion, with four consecutive Labor budgets delivering forecast deficits totalling $21.2 billion, plus

a $1.1 billion pre-election allocation for additional spending. “Families are cutting back on groceries, putting off purchases and wondering how they will cover the next mortgage repayment,” Ms Sloane said. “They deserve a government prepared to show them the same spending discipline.” Locally, the figures arrive as many in the Kiama electorate – covering coastal communities from Kiama through Gerringong and into parts of the Shoalhaven – continue to feel pressure on mortgages and business costs. Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney said she is “hearing the pain firsthand” while out and about in the community every day. “Families are doing it tough with inflation and rate rises – we are hearing that and this Government is listening and acting responsibly, without adding to inflation,” she told The Bugle. “Locally, that means rebuilding the basics we all rely on. “We’re building the new Shellharbour Hospital, have opened Urgent Care Clinics in Shellharbour and Nowra to lift access to free healthcare,

hired 120 extra staff at the upgraded Shoalhaven Hospital to deliver more services closer to home. “You no longer need a GP visit just to renew your contraceptive pill. ADHD diagnosis and treatment is now available through your family doctor, instead of long waits and big out-of-pocket costs. “I’ve secured a new school at Calderwood and free public preschools at Calderwood and Bomaderry to help families. We’re building Tripoli Way and repairing Hampden Bridge, and I won’t stop until the infrastructure this community missed out on for years is delivered. “After years of Liberal neglect, we’re catching up on overdue infrastructure, and we’re doing it responsibly.” Liberal Party candidate for Kiama Serena Copley told The Bugle earlier this year that “families have been doing it really tough under Labor”. “Household budgets are stretched to breaking point, housing is unaffordable, trains are slower and less reliable, essential services and infrastructure are falling behind, and our region isn’t getting the investment it needs,” she said. “It’s not good enough – our community deserves better.”

Local real estate agents and business groups have previously noted that further rises would add pressure in a region where property values and tourism-related costs remain elevated. McInerney added that spending and investment in not just local infrastructure, but resources and jobs, was critical. “I am proud to be part of a Government that has paid down the largest debt ever handed from one government to another, from $15 billion to $3.4 billion – while growing services, investing in our regional communities and keeping us at the lowest rate of expense growth of any mainland state at 2.7%, compared with 6.5% under the former government, the highest of any state,” she said. “We’ve made thousands of teachers permanent, slashed the teacher vacancy rates so every kid has a teacher at the front of the classroom, hired thousands of extra health workers and had successive record-breaking graduating classes at the Goulburn Police Academy. “That’s more police, paramedics, nurses and support staff in our schools, hospitals, and communities, keeping us safe.”

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Pilots Cottage c.1990s. Kiama Library

PROPERTY SPECIAL

Historic fight for one of Kiama’s oldest properties Veronica Bardsley

fter 40 years of caring for Kiama’s historic Pilot's Cottage property, the Kiama & District Historical Society is calling for community support as it navigates a new licence agreement and Council's fee requirements. The Kiama & District Historical Society's longrunning battle to secure its future at Pilot's Cottage has taken another turn, with the volunteer-run organisation calling on the community to support a proposed five-

mour Tony Gil

year licence to occupy the historic building. After narrowly avoiding eviction in April 2026, the Society says it was initially offered a five-year lease, only to later be informed that the arrangement would instead be a licence to occupy. The change marks another chapter in the ongoing saga surrounding the historic building, which Society volunteers have carefully maintained for the past 40 years. In an update to members in their newsletter, the Society expressed its frustration with the changing arrangements. "Have you been following this long running saga? After avoiding eviction from the Pilot’s Cottage in April 2026, we were offered a 5 year lease,” it read. “Oh sorry, there’s been a mistake, but we can have a 5 year licence to occupy." Kiama Council placed the proposed licence on public exhibition in early October, giving residents an opportunity to have their say before a final decision is

made. With submissions closing at 5pm on Friday, November 6, the Society is encouraging locals to show their support. "While we hope there is no opposition to the licence, you never know - this is Kiama! So the more people who share their views the better,” their newsletter said. But securing the future of Pilot's Cottage isn't the only administrative challenge facing the Society. The organisation has also revisited the $370 fee it was required to pay to conduct historical walking tours during Robertson Basin's 150th anniversary celebrations in September. The popular tours, organised by Society volunteers, attracted considerable community interest, with additional walks added to meet demand. However, despite the celebrations being organised by community volunteers to commemorate a significant milestone in Kiama's history, the Society was required to pay fees to conduct the walks on Council-managed Crown land. According to Kiama & District Historical Society vice-president Tony Gilmour, the Society has

been conducting historical walks for 35 years without previously being required to obtain a licence or pay a fee. Although Council's requirements were reportedly already in place, Tony said they had not previously been enforced for the Society's walks. The timing was also disappointing, with the Society saying it was only informed of the requirements days before the anniversary celebrations, despite the walks having been advertised for months. In an official response provided to The Bugle in October, Kiama Council acknowledged the Society's contribution to the anniversary celebrations. "Kiama Municipal is incredibly supportive of the work of Kiama & District Historical Society and we value their dedication and commitment. Council commends the Society for the recent walking tours celebrating the 150th anniversary of Robertson Basin and it was pleasing to see many local residents and visitors participating." However, Council explained that its adopted fees and charges applied to organisations using Council-

managed land. "The use of all Councilmanaged land attracts a fee. Every Local Government has similar fees and charges and many clubs, organisations and event organisers across the LGA have fees/charges applied." Council confirmed that the Society had received a 50 per cent discount under its adopted Fees and Charges Schedule, but staff did not have the authority to waive the remaining amount. A request for a further reduction was referred to councillors for consideration at their October 20 Ordinary Meeting. Council also confirmed that the Society was not eligible for a full exemption because it was not registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). "Kiama & District Historical Society Incorporated is not registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, which means it is not eligible for the full fee exemption available under Council's adopted Fees and Charges Schedule." The move from Kiama Council drew the ire of the public, with The Bugle receiving letters of complaint

including one from Peter Lacey, President of the neighbouring South Coast History Society. “How incredibly stupid of your Council, charging the Kiama Historical Society $380 to run walking tours around Kiama Harbour,” he wrote in our October 19 edition. “Doesn't Council realise that history belongs to everybody - so why should they charge anything for something the community already owns? “And don't they realise that activities such as this (which necessitated 7 walks to be run) attract visitors to the area, who then spend money which supports the area? (which is more than can be said of the bean-counting Council).” Tony hopes the Society's experience will encourage other local community groups to investigate whether ACNC registration could benefit them, particularly if they regularly use Councilmanaged land. He has also offered to provide support to other organisations considering the registration process and hopes to continue gathering community support for its proposed five-year licence at Pilot's Cottage before public submissions close at 5pm on Friday, November 6.

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6 November - 12 November 2026

From Blowhole Point to Spring Creek: Kiama's priorities put to the community

iama residents are being invited to have their say on a new advocacy plan outlining the projects and infrastructure Council wants other levels of government to support over the next two years. The draft Advocating for Kiama 2026–28 plan identifies priorities across four areas: housing, infrastructure, liveability and connections. Among the projects are unlocking Council-owned

land at Spring Creek, revitalising Blowhole Point, investing in sporting facilities and completing the Kiama Coast Walk. The plan also identifies finding a long-term solution for Jamberoo Mountain Road, improving connections between town centres and strengthening community safety through a proposed CCTV network. Mayor Cameron McDonald says the document brings together existing priorities

and new projects considered important for Kiama's future growth. The plan comes as Council continues to address its financial position, raising questions about which projects can be delivered locally and which will require significant NSW or Australian Government investment. For residents, the consultation is an opportunity to consider whether the proposed

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change. There is something appealing about adapting a home around the life you want to keep living. Familiar surroundings, room for family and a connection to place all matter. Of course, a lift deserves the same scrutiny as any substantial renovation. Installation costs, servicing and suitability need consideration, alongside access through the rest of the house. It will suit some homes and budgets better than others. Josette’s approach offers a useful starting point: think ahead before circumstances make the decision urgent. Here in our own coastal communities, that is a conversation worth having. Finding your piece of paradise is one thing. Planning how to keep enjoying it is another.

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6 November - 12 November 2026

From green belt battle to sale: Caliope Street site on market Belle Wood

he Kiama hillside at the centre of a community campaign to protect rural views is now for sale, following approval of a rezoning intended to allow approximately 13 residential lots alongside environmental conservation areas. The 5.707-hectare property at 2 Caliope Street is being offered as one parcel through Raine & Horne Kiama, with expressions of interest closing at 4pm on Thursday, November 26. The listing promotes its coastal outlook, corner position and frontage to two streets. The sale is the latest chapter in a debate previously covered by The Bugle over how

housing development should sit alongside Kiama’s rural landscape. In May, The Bugle reported residents’ fears that development would change their hillside outlook. By September, following Council’s endorsement of the rezoning, concerns had broadened to the potential erosion of the town’s famous green belt. In that coverage, resident Dr Brett Lemass questioned the visual impact of housing on the prominent hillside and warned that further development could follow. His concerns reflected a wider argument about the cumulative effect of expanding Kiama’s urban boundary. The current planning

proposal progressed through public exhibition from May 1 to 31, attracting 45 submissions. Council’s engagement report recorded concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety, housing density, building heights, flooding, stormwater, environmental impacts and the loss of rural vistas. Council staff recommended no changes in response to submissions, concluding that the landscape impact was acceptable given the proposal’s scale and location beside existing urban development. Council endorsed the proposal for finalisation on August 18. The NSW Planning Portal now records it as approved, with a publication date of October 23.

Importantly, the planning change does not convert the entire property to residential land. The western portion changes from RU2 Rural Landscape to R2 Low Density Residential. Across the remainder, the framework expands C2 Environmental Conservation zoning and introduces C3 Environmental Management zoning. Council’s published information describes approximately 13 residential allotments. The larger remaining allotment would be privately managed under a vegetation management plan aimed at restoring and protecting biodiversity, including Illawarra Zieria and areas of Illawarra Subtropical Rainforest.

The selling agent said that the property had attracted strong early developer interest and was surplus to the owner’s needs. No price guide was available but it was sold in May 2024 for $2.8 million. The assessment stage remains significant. The rezoning establishes the landuse framework; it does not itself approve a subdivision layout or construction of homes. Council’s engagement

report says subdivision design, access and stormwater arrangements would undergo further assessment. Protection and management of the site’s large fig trees would also receive further consideration at development application stage. The sale campaign now tests the market for a property whose future combines housing potential with environmental management obligations, while residents await the detail of any development proposal.

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6 November - 12 November 2026

$37 million Huskisson apartment proposal draws environmental objections Belle Wood

proposed apartment and visitor accommodation development near Moona Moona Creek has drawn objections from community and environmental groups concerned about vegetation loss, traffic and the changing character of Huskisson. The application for 3 Moona Street proposes 37 residential apartments and 40 serviced apartments, alongside food and drink premises, a swimming pool, basement and ground-level parking, and new access infrastructure. Shoalhaven City Council’s application tracker confirms the mix of permanent housing and visitor accommodation. The NSW Planning Portal lists a capital investment value of approximately $37.2 million and identifies the application as under assessment by the Southern Regional Planning Panel. DA2026/2080 was lodged on August 28 and referred to the panel on September 30. Vincentia Community Forum has formally objected

to the proposal, describing it as a four-storey development whose scale is inappropriate for the sensitive creek-side setting. Its concerns include impacts on an endangered ecological community associated with the Bangalay Sand Forest corridor, reliance on public land for access and bushfire asset protection zones, and additional pressure on local roads. The forum also questions the cumulative effects of development around Moona Moona Creek, including traffic, stormwater runoff, vegetation removal and changes to the area’s established bushland character. In its published assessment, the forum argues that access, servicing and parking

arrangements should receive close scrutiny because elements extend beyond the development boundary into public land and road reserves. It has also raised concerns about pedestrian safety and

holiday-period congestion along the connection between Huskisson and Vincentia. Property industry publication Apartments. com.au identifies Kingfisher Projects as the proponent

and Kann Finch as the architect. Its September report describes separate residential and serviced apartment buildings, with a restaurant, bar and communal facilities. It reports that the design provides communal open space above the stated minimum requirement, while parts of the buildings exceed the site’s 13-metre height control by approximately 1.3 metres. The same report, drawing on a biodiversity assessment prepared by Biosis, says the proposal was revised to reduce vegetation clearing. Changes reportedly included removing a tennis court and truck movement area and repositioning pavement and drainage works. However, the reported proposal would still involve clearing approximately 0.83

hectares of native vegetation, while retaining about 0.69 hectares of Bangalay Sand Forest and six hollow-bearing trees. The Jervis Bay Marine Park Alliance has separately objected, raising concerns about excavation, groundwater, acid sulfate soils, flooding and stormwater pollution. In a submission published through Our Future Shoalhaven, the alliance argues the application has not adequately demonstrated that impacts on the creek, adjoining wetlands and Jervis Bay Marine Park can be avoided or satisfactorily managed. These are the alliance’s objections, rather than findings by the assessing authorities. The forum advertised a submission deadline of 5pm on Saturday, October 24. That date has passed, while the NSW Planning Portal continues to list the proposal as under assessment. The application and supporting material can be located through Shoalhaven City Council’s tracker using reference DA2026/2080.

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6 November - 12 November 2026

Pedestrian confusion at Gerringong Plaza over stop sign

Holy new chapter for Jamberoo’s 150-year-old church Belle Wood

Jamberoo landmark that opened its doors to worshippers 150 years ago is seeking a new owner, with the former St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church listed for $1.75 million to $1.9 million. The property at 2 Allowrie Street is being marketed by Dean Lewisman of Christie’s International Real Estate NSW, offering a distinctive piece of the village’s history on a 4,055-square-metre block. Its return to the market comes in the anniversary year of its opening on January 26, 1876. Churches

Australia records that services finally ceased in 2001 and the property was sold in June 2009. The building’s story reaches back further. Historical material drawn from the NSW heritage register describes an earlier Presbyterian church-school built in 1842, serving as a place of worship on Sundays and a school during the week. By 1874, the congregation had resolved to build a larger church. The stone building that followed was dedicated before a gathering reported to number more than 1,500 people. It entered the NSW State Heritage Register in

April 1999. Today, the selling material describes a building that retains cedar joinery, a timber pulpit and exposed roof trusses. Its former vestry has been converted into a bathroom, and a kitchen has been installed. According to the listing, the deconsecrated church has council approval for use as a tourist facility and has most recently accommodated self-catering visitors and corporate meetings. Outside, mature trees frame the grounds, with access from Allowrie and Beattie streets. Historic graves remain along

the western boundary, forming part of St Stephen’s Cemetery, which the listing dates to 1859. The campaign suggests possibilities ranging from continued visitor accommodation to a creative venue or private residence, subject to relevant approvals. Those possibilities remain proposals rather than confirmation that every use is permitted. For Jamberoo, the sale offers another chapter in the life of a familiar landmark - one whose significance extends beyond its stone walls to the generations who gathered there.

Maria Lewis

f you’ve ever had to duck into Gerringong Plaza, you may have experienced this problem. Whether it’s to grab a few quick things for dinner at Khan’s IGA or simply to find a park behind Natural Necessity and away from the chaos of Fern Street. However, with the recent increase in visitors to Gerringong over the past year - shout out Tasman Drive and various viral Instagram reels – that local secret is notso-secret anymore, causing concern among some locals. Peter Berry has flagged the “ineffectiveness” of the stop sign at the end of Standen Lane, which sees the one-way flow of traffic open up to car spaces and pedestrians on foot who may be travelling from their vehicle or cutting through the arcade from the main street. “We’re in this unusual situation where pedestrians are stopping for cars rather than the other way round,” he told The Bugle. “The stop sign is there for a reason, but many people either can’t see it because it’s partially obstructed for much of the drive down the lane here or they see it too late. “We have this huge influx of visitors to our town, it’s people who aren’t familiar with our town, and they walk out not realising that cars can go whizzing through not stopping when they should.” Having lived in the area for over 13 years and a familiar face amongst local longboarders,

Berry said he first began noticing the issue “a few years ago” but that it has only gotten worse as Gerringong has become even busier. While there are pedestrian stairs that lead up to the main part of Gerringong Plaza from the car park and a footpath from Blackwood Street as well, Berry said majority of the foot traffic still crosses over at the end of Standen Lane where the stop sign is allocated. “I’ve spoken to the local council several times over the past few months and they’ve listened to my concerns, but have said it’s a police issue,” he said. However, without any reported vehicle or pedestrian incidents at the site, NSW police haven’t been able to enact any changes except suggest a pedestrian crossing as a potential solution and the introduction of a speed hump earlier up the lane to slow vehicles. “When these cars are heading to the car park, we’re usually here with a trolley – some people are there juggling kids or shopping bags – and there’s a bottleneck,” he said. “There’s uncertainty about who should stop and when… “I’d be really interested to know if other people in the community are concerned about this as well, but I think it’s something important that people should know about.” Residents have the opportunity to report local issues – whether it’s abandoned vehicles, damaged infrastructure, illegal dumping and more – to Kiama Council via the Snap Send Solve app.

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PROPERTY www.thebuglenews.com.au

6 November - 12 November 2026

Kiama businesses can cut energy costs with new battery incentives

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sk any Kiama business owner about their outgoings and they’ll tell you the costs are hard to contain. Cafés, retailers, accommodation providers, workshops and other local businesses are finding expenses eating into alreadytight margins. One expense that can be significantly reduced is electricity. New state and federal government incentives are making solar power and battery storage more affordable, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. Eligible NSW businesses can access upfront discounts of around 20–30% on battery installations; potentially increasing to 30–40% when installing batteries alongside new or additional solar panels. The actual discount depends on the system installed and eligibility requirements. For local businesses, this presents an opportunity to reduce reliance on the electricity grid and make better use of renewable energy, day and night. Why consider a battery? Many businesses use most of their electricity during the day, when solar panels are generating power. Others need electricity early in the

morning, into the evening or overnight, when solar production is limited or unavailable. Batteries store surplus solar energy generated during the day for use later. This reduces the electricity a business needs to buy from the grid and may help lower peak demand charges, which can significantly affect some commercial electricity bills. For businesses with refrigeration, security systems or other essential equipment, batteries can also provide backup power during an outage. Every business has different energy needs. A café, motel and workshop will have different consumption patterns, so the ideal system should be tailored to each business' circumstances. What about federal incentives? The NSW battery discount can be combined with eligible federal incentives. The Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program also supports qualifying small businesses installing eligible batteries connected to new or existing solar systems. The Smallscale Renewable Energy Scheme provides support for eligible commercial solar installations, including

systems up to 1MW. Together, these incentives can substantially reduce upfront costs and improve the potential return on investment. Eligible businesses may also benefit from the Instant Asset WriteOff, subject to current rules and eligibility requirements. What size system is suitable? Before investing, businesses should have their electricity bills and usage patterns reviewed by an experienced professional. A site assessment can help determine the right size solar and battery system and confirm final installation costs. Business owners will then have a clear picture of the expected savings and the payback period. For Kiama businesses looking to manage operating costs and make better use of renewable energy, now is a good time to take advantage of the many subsidies. Curious whether solar or battery storage could work for your business? The Energy Experts, based in Kiama, can review your energy usage, provide a tailored assessment and help you understand your options. The Energy Experts 1300 516 474 | save@ theenergyexperts.com.au

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6 November - 12 November 2026

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6 November - 12 November 2026

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Current Listings

19 Caliope Street, Kiama $1,400,000 - $1,500,000

Recently Sold

10/20 Dido Street, Kiama $920,000 - $990,000

145 Manning Street, Kiama $1,425,000

35 Cliff Drive, Kiama Downs $1,801,601

39 Minnamurra Street, Kiama 5 Just Listed

16 Chapman Street, Kiama $2,200,000

13 Belvedere Street, Kiama $1,350,000

2.07/44 Manning Street, Kiama 3 $1,350,000

2/20 Dido Street, Kiama $990,000 - $1,080,000

5 Taylor Street, Kiama Coming Soon

2/28 Kaleula Street, Kiama $1,700,000

33 Minnamurra Street, Kiama 4 $2,650,000

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PROPERTY www.thebuglenews.com.au

6 November - 12 November 2026

Rodney Clarke Ray White Kiama 0452 273 384

rodney.clarke@raywhite.com

PROVIDING A CONSIDERED AND TAILORED APPROACH SERVICING THE ENTIRETY OF 2533 2 Moreton Bay Place, Kiama Downs

1/1 Kurrawa Avenue, Kiama Downs

AUCTION

Guide $1,200,000

A Classic Home Holding an Elevated Position with Sweeping Vistas

House-Like Proportions and Dual Street Frontages, Only 150m from Jones Beach

Holding a commanding corner block with an elevated outlook across the local neighbourhood, ocean glimpses, and stunning views of the escarpment, this home presents an outstanding opportunity for buyers seeking strong bones and immense potential. Showcasing a classic blonde brick facade, the home's appealing street presence continues throughout the interior.

With its dual street frontages, house-like proportions, and beautifully manicured gardens, it is abundantly clear why this extraordinary coastal property is a place any family would love to call home. Living up to every expectation, enjoy a level 150m* stroll to Jones Beach and 350m* to the local shopping strip, with no hills or busy thoroughfares in between.

Monday 23rd November, 6:00 pm

View: as advertised or by appointment

Monday 23rd November, 6:00 pm

View: as advertised or by appointment

THE BUGLE NEWS

PROPERTY www.thebuglenews.com.au

6 November - 12 November 2026

SPRING AT BARREN GROUNDS John Stapleton

he plateau at Barren Grounds, on the Illawarra escarpment above the south coast of NSW, is the southern remnant of a much larger sheet of Middle Triassic Hawkesbury Sandstone, laid down more than 200 million years ago as the Sydney Basin filled with river and coastal sands. The sandstone is tough and relatively impermeable. Beneath it lie softer Permian shales and coal measures. Over tens of millions of years the Illawarra Escarpment has retreated eastward as those weaker rocks weathered and were undercut, leaving the resistant sandstone to form the flat-topped plateau and the near-vertical cliffs that ring it. On the plateau itself the low relief and poor drainage keep water close to the surface, creating the shallow, acid soils and hanging swamps that support the heath. Small

basalt outcrops mark later volcanic activity, but the dominant character of the place is still the old sandstone surface, slowly shedding its edges while holding a thin, wet skin of vegetation on top. In late October the heath is not a single wash of colour. It is a succession of small, precise events. Fine, needleleaved shrubs carry tight yellow button heads and dark, rounded buds. Other shrubs hold clusters of small white flowers, five-petalled, faintly pink at the centres, set against long, narrow leaves. Yellow blooms appear in low clusters on grey-green foliage. Between them the sedges stand in dense tussocks, and the trunks of the open woodland are mottled with lichen. Nothing is loud. The colour is there if you stop and look at the scale the plants themselves use. This is one of only four large areas of heath remaining on the New South Wales south

coast. The plateau is a hanging swamp system: shallow, wet soils over sandstone, almost completely enclosed by cliffs that drop to warmer forest and cleared land below. The reserve was gazetted in 1956, the third faunal reserve in the state, primarily to protect two birds that depend on this kind of country, the eastern ground parrot and the eastern bristlebird. Both are still present, though neither is easy to see. Around 180 bird species have been recorded. The flowering shrubs feed honeyeaters; the dense low growth shelters the more secretive species. The plants that dominate the heath are the ones adapted to the poor, acid, often waterlogged soils. Banksias flower later, in winter. In spring the show is carried by the smaller shrubs: species of Baeckea and related tea-trees, Isopogon (the drumsticks), Epacris, various peas, and the white-flowering shrubs

whose precise identity is less important, on the day, than the fact that they are open and fragrant enough to draw insects. The understorey is full of sedges—Gahnia and others—that form the dense green base you walk through. In better-drained pockets there is open eucalypt woodland; in wetter hollows the sedgeland thickens. The whole pattern is a response to slight changes in drainage and soil depth across a few metres. Tim Entwisle, the botanist, has argued that the European four-season calendar is a poor fit for south-eastern Australia. He proposed five seasons keyed to what the plants actually do. In his system, August and September are “sprinter”— the early flowering, especially of wattles. October and November are “sprummer,” the main spring flush. That is roughly where the plateau sits now. The wattles have largely finished. The heath shrubs are

in their turn. The distinction is not academic. Once you start watching the sequence, early wattles, then the button flowers and the white clusters, then the later banksias and Christmas bells, the year stops feeling like a blunt four-part division and starts to look like a series of overlapping, plantled events. The D’harawal people of this country have long worked with six seasons, read from the flowering and fruiting of particular plants and from the behaviour of animals. The European calendar is simply the least precise of the systems available. Walking the tracks, the peculiar beauty of the place is in the restraint and the detail. The light is bright but not harsh. The wind keeps the shrubs moving. A close view of the needle foliage shows how densely the leaves are packed, how the yellow heads sit just above the green. The lichen on the trunks is

pale green and grey, almost luminous against the dark bark. The sedges catch the light along their edges. From the lookouts the coast is visible on a clear day, but the stronger impression is of the plateau itself: a high, open, carefully made landscape that has been left largely alone. It is easy to miss. From the road the reserve can look like ordinary bush. Once you are on the tracks the difference is clear, the fine texture of the heath, the way the vegetation changes with the smallest shift in moisture, the birds that use the cover and the flowers. The place does not need a dramatic seasonal peak to justify a visit. What it offers, in this stretch of the year, is the steady, particular flowering of a heath that has survived because the soils and the climate and the cliffs have kept most other uses away. In a world beset with troubles, that is enough.

Sam Scobie Ray White Kiama 0451 523 680 sam.scobie@raywhite.com Buyers notice gardens early. They walk past the front hedge before they ever see the kitchen. A mature, established garden tells them the place has been looked after, and it gives a home a settled feel that new turf and fresh mulch can’t quite fake. Natives have a few extra things going for them here. Grevilleas, bottlebrush, lilly pillies and banksias cope with our salt air and dry spells, need little water once established, and bring in wrens, honeyeaters and the odd king parrot. For a lot of people moving down from Sydney, waking up to birdsong is a big part of why they’re coming in the first place.

17 Michael Crescent, Kiama Downs $1,525,000 - $1,585,000

This spring the bottlebrush trees around 17 Michael Crescent in Kiama Downs, a home we’ve just brought to market, have had some unexpected visitors. Bogong moths, and plenty of them, settled into the red flowers like they’d booked the place for the season. Bogong moths pass through the South Coast each spring on their long trip from inland NSW and Queensland to the cool caves of the Australian Alps, and they refuel on nectar wherever they find it. Someone planted those bottlebrushes years ago, and they’re still doing a job nobody asked them to do. It got me thinking about what a garden actually does when a home goes to market.

You don’t need to overhaul a garden before selling. A tidy-up, a prune and some fresh mulch usually does more than a rushed planting ever will. The best gardens are the ones that have been given time. If you’re wondering what your garden adds to your home, I’m always happy to come and have a look. And if you spot bogong moths around your porch light this month, don’t worry, they’re just passing through.

Sam Scobie Ray White Kiama

THE BUGLE NEWS

COMMUNITY www.thebuglenews.com.au

Allison Tait’s global stories begin in Nowra

Emily Crisp

llison Tait’s books reach readers around the world, but every one of her 13 novels for younger readers began in Nowra. It’s a detail she loves sharing with local students who might wonder whether becoming an author means leaving the South Coast. “They sell all over the world and I speak all over Australia and internationally about them, but they were all ‘born’ here,” she says. “If I can do it, they can do it if they want to.” Writing as A.L. Tait, the author will appear at Berry Writers’ Festival, running from November 6–8 with a free session for younger readers and their families. Her own move into children’s fiction was something of a happy accident. After years working as a freelance journalist, Tait had written two non-fiction books and several

unpublished adult novels when her agent asked whether she had any ideas for middlegrade readers. She did. Conversations with her son Joe, then about nine, had sparked an idea about a race to map the world. She hadn’t pursued it, having never written for children, but her agent encouraged her to give it a go. The result was the first book in The Mapmaker Chronicles series, published about a year later. “Writing for children helped me to get out of my own way as a writer,” Tait says. Rather than becoming caught up in what she thought she needed to say, she concentrated on telling a great story. The South Coast has remained part of that process. “There’s a little bit of the south coast in every book I write, even if the entire world I’m writing about is made up.” For parents supporting a child who enjoys making

6 November - 12 November 2026

Joe Mungovan returns to Kiama with Little Birdy’s Katy Steele

up stories, Tait’s advice is to take the pressure off getting everything right immediately. “First drafts are for getting a story out of your head and onto paper and you write that first draft for nobody but yourself.” Editing is where that draft becomes ready for a reader, she explains, while questions from others can help a young writer recognise what’s missing. At the festival, she hopes young visitors leave wanting to open a book, whether it’s hers or someone else’s. Tait joins Nathan Luff for The Art of Suspense at The Shed, Berry General Store, on Saturday, November 7, from 10.30am to 11.30am. She will also moderate the free Voices of the South Coast: Paths to Publication session at Berry Show Pavilion from 2pm. Families can also attend Sally Rippin’s free The Joy of Reading conversation at the Pavilion at 9am that day. Bookings and the full program are available at berrywritersfestival.com.au.

iama singersongwriter Joe Mungovan will return to his hometown stage in December, joining Little Birdy’s Katy Steele for a night at Fillmore’s. The Thursday, December 3 performance forms part of a run of solo and full-band shows following the release of his EP, Preparing For Lift Off. Writing to fans three months after the EP’s release, Mungovan said both launch parties had sold out, encouraging him to take the songs back on the road. “I hope you’re all still loving the songs – I’m still so incredibly proud of this body of work and everything that

went into making it,” he said. The upcoming dates give audiences a chance to hear the material in different settings, with Mungovan moving between solo support slots and performances with his band. He will play with the band supporting Skunkhour at Scarborough Wombarra Bowling Club on Saturday, November 7 before joining Steele for December shows in Kiama, Milton and Camden. The Kiama appearance is part of Little Birdy frontwoman Steele’s This Is Me, Undressed tour featuring stripped-back interpretations of her solo songs, fan favourites and select covers. For Mungovan, the run

is another opportunity to reconnect with listeners who have embraced the EP. “It’s been so special seeing you all connect with these songs, and I’m really looking forward to playing them for you again,” he said. Following Kiama, his announced dates include Bar Yuki in Milton on December 4 and The Estate in Camden on December 5, both supporting Steele. A free-entry, full-band headline show at Chuck Trailers in Sydney follows on December 11. Tickets for the Kiama performance are available through Humanitix, with doors opening at 6pm and Mungovan on stage at 8pm.

We know things are tough right now, but the NSW Government is helping with everyday expenses. Transport

Energy

• $100 off private vehicle registration

• Up to $285 Low Income Household Rebate

• Child $1 and family fares

• Up to $180 Family Energy Rebate

• Pensioner Travel Vouchers

• $200 Seniors Energy Rebate

Health

Home

• Cheaper and more accessible ADHD care

• Helping renters transfer their bond from one home to another

• Free 24/7 health advice from a registered nurse

• Limiting rent increases to one per year

• Urgent Care Services with no out-of-pocket expenses

• Ending extra fees for background checks and ‘no grounds’ terminations for tenants

For more information, visit nsw.gov.au

THE BUGLE NEWS

COMMUNITY www.thebuglenews.com.au

6 November - 12 November 2026

Saving the A CLAY GARDEN MADE TO BE TAKEN APART planet one small step at a time:

M E L B O R P C I T S A L THE P Emily Crisp

ost artists hope their work will last. For ceramic artist Baylee Griffin, taking an artwork apart was central to a project that invited the Shellharbour community to rethink what it means to make something. Griffin’s residency at The Imaginarium in Shellharbour Village ran from October 26 to November 2, with a program centred on a collaborative clay garden inspired by native flora. Free workshops offered people of all ages the opportunity to contribute, with the understanding that the finished installation was designed to be dismantled. The project, CLAY: build it up/break it down, explored the possibilities of a material that could return to the workbench once its time as an artwork was over. Based in Thirroul, Griffin is a ceramic artist and community arts facilitator whose practice draws on natural materials and sustainable processes. Nature and folk craft traditions inform their sculptural work. For this residency, the garden provided a shared starting point. The Coil Garden Workshops invited participants to learn simple hand-building techniques and contribute individual pieces to a larger installation. Leaves and flowers were among the suggested forms, alongside seed pods and imagined botanical creations. The sessions also introduced surface texture and patternmaking, giving beginners ways to experiment with the appearance of their pieces. Designed for families and mixed ages, the workshops required no existing ceramics

experience. Each contribution had a place within the communal garden, making collaboration part of the artwork’s design. The program then shifted from making to unmaking. A workshop invited the community to dismantle the installation and rehydrate its clay. That process was intended to demonstrate how the material could be reclaimed for future use, while opening a conversation about temporary art. Previous workshop participants and the broader community were invited to this final stage. The session’s focus extended beyond recycling to consider impermanence and the value of the creative process itself.

Quality finishes. Competitive prices. ree uotes.

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0466 661 245

An artwork’s ending became another opportunity to learn about its material. “I’m passionate about creating welcoming spaces where people can learn, make and share knowledge together,” Griffin said ahead of the residency. The project formed part of The Imaginarium’s Artist in Residence program, which gives emerging artists dedicated space and time to develop their practice in Shellharbour Village. Griffin’s approach brought a practical sustainability question into that creative setting: what happens to the material after the artwork is finished? In this garden’s design, the clay already had a future beyond the installation.

Jenny England

ccording to the Woolworths website, 558,000 tonnes of soft plastic waste is generated every year. Their goal with the program is to maximise the potential for soft plastic recycling in conjunction with Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia and iQRenew. The damage that has been caused by the over-use of soft plastic, which can take hundreds of thousands of years to breakdown, has been catastrophic. Harmful chemicals have been making their way into soil and water. It has caused major marine loss in the oceans and plastic microfibers have even been found in our bodies. The disposal of soft plastic is actually only a small issue compared to the more complex problems caused by plastic in general. The earliest forms of plastic and its gradual development over the first half of the century were lauded as a major breakthrough leading to the expansion of low-cost manufacturing of all kinds of products we take for granted

today. If you look around your home or workspace you would be amazed at how much plastic you have collected over the years. The global unrest at the moment has caused concern over the availability and flow of oil from the Middle East to the rest of the world. While most are complaining about the rising price of fuel, little has been said about the fact that plastic is derived from oil – a finite resource in a era of complex geopolitical conflict. While there are developments in creating plastic from a plant source, increasing its biodegradability, there is still a long way to go. Curiously, the first ‘plastic’ was a polymer using plants. So, what can we do in the meantime? Put simply we can be aware of the issues and avoid plastic when an alternative is available. We can also reuse plastic bags and containers where possible. Finally, recycle anything plastic if it can be. Use the codes found on the plastic items to check before placing in the yellow bin to assist with sorting. One of the most popular ways to recycle plastic

bottles is the Return and Earn programme. Unfortunately the once busy collection point at Kiama Village was removed for the renovations. However, there are still points of collection in Gerringong (Michael Cronin Oval, Blackwood Street) and Jamberoo (21 Allowrie Street). To find other local ones, you can download the Return and Earn app, where it addresses and whether it is currently operating. Alternatively, Kiama Lions runs KLEP – Kiama Lions Environmental Program. Mobile MKI Raytraptions, where plastic bottles can be donated have been placed at Burnetts on Barney and 105 Shoalhaven Street (The Kiama Lions Carer Cottage). Return money is then used for local community projects. More information can be found on their website. Being aware of your relationship with plastic, choosing wisely when buying it and recycling where possible are only tiny solutions to the larger global plastic problem that requires much more industry and government intervention, but at least they are small steps in the right direction.

COMMUNITY www.thebuglenews.com.au

CANNON YOU BELIEVE IT! Veronica Bardsley

THE BUGLE NEWS

6 November - 12 November 2026

Descendants of former HMAS Kiama crew member Alan Hopkin

Warwick Sporne playing The Bugle

1945 recounts a particularly daring mission involving HMAS Kiama and two other Australian corvettes, including HMAS Dubbo. Under the cover of darkness, the warships approached Japanese positions during operations in the Northern Solomon Islands. According to the newspaper: “In company with two other corvettes, HMAS Kiama and another, Dubbo sneaked in at night under orders to bombard Jap positions.” Kiama’s role was to fire star shells, illuminating the sky to make the Japanese forces believe an air attack was underway, while the other two ships moved closer to shore. But as with any good adventure story, there was one big obstacle standing between them and their target… a minefield. “In no circumstances were we to cross the minefield, as it was too dangerous, but we could not get in close enough to bombard unless we went through the mines,” recalled Lieutenant Wally Hill, HMAS Dubbo’s gunnery officer. Despite the danger, the ships pressed ahead. And that was just one of the many missions HMAS Kiama undertook during the war. With a crew of just 85, the little corvette travelled an astonishing 60,882 nautical miles during its wartime service. That’s almost three times the distance around the Earth. The ship spent 6,369 hours at sea, equivalent to more than 265 days, and earned two battle honours: Pacific 1944– 45 and New Guinea 1944. As the conflict continued, so too did the special bond between the sailors and the (then) little coastal town whose name their ship proudly carried. In February 1946, with the war finally over, HMAS Kiama returned to its namesake town for a six-day farewell visit before its decommissioning later that year. The occasion was marked by a civic welcome, with Kiama Mayor Alderman W. R. Holden greeting the ship’s company. During the ceremony, Lieutenant Commander Godden explained that it was a tradition of the British Navy that once a name had been chosen for a ship, that name would live on. “While there was an Australian Navy of any size,

there would always be a ‘Kiama’,” he said. And after all that, the sailors still managed to bring home a couple of souvenirs! Two Japanese mountain guns, captured during the war, were presented to the people of Kiama. And according to a historical account published in the Kiama Independent in January 2001, they hadn’t even been given a fresh coat of paint. “They still had their war paint on and were just as they were when captured.” But what happened to the two cannons afterwards is another story. The artillery register reveals that both guns were placed in storage for many years, until public pressure eventually prompted Council to put them on display. However, by that time, one had reportedly deteriorated so badly that it could no longer be exhibited. John said, “I think it’s been scrapped.” Growing up in Kiama, John remembers playing on the cannon as a young Cub Scout, back when it stood near the Scout Hall and tennis courts around Hindmarsh Park. “I remember as a child in Cubs or Scouts, we used to push it out and play around with it and it was heavy, but half a dozen others managed to push it around, so we used to play all over it,” he recalled. It’s a dichotomous image, a Japanese weapon captured during the Second World War becoming a playground for children. But as the decades passed, the cannon’s condition began to deteriorate. John explains that the cannon was eventually displayed outside the old Kiama Council Chambers. However, it slowly became obscured by surrounding vegetation. “It was under the bush there and the bush was just growing over it and you really couldn’t see it.” That’s where John and the Kiama–Jamberoo RSL subbranch come back into the story. After returning to the area and joining the Kiama– Jamberoo RSL sub-branch, John suggested approaching the Council about relocating the cannon. “I made the suggestion to them, what about approaching the council to see if we could get hold of the old gun and put it out the

front.” Council was receptive to the proposal and assisted with transporting the cannon to its new home. But after decades exposed to the elements, the cannon needed more than just a change of scenery! Its wooden wheels had deteriorated, requiring specialist repairs, while the cannon itself underwent sandblasting and repainting. The restoration was no small undertaking, with the wheels alone costing more than $4,000 to repair. Now, 80 years after it was first presented to the people of Kiama, the cannon sits proudly outside the Jamberoo RSL Hall, having been given a new lease on life. To mark the occasion, a special rededication ceremony was held, bringing together local history, community members and a rather special connection to HMAS Kiama’s past. John even managed to borrow a naval ensign from HMAS Kiama, which had been kept at Christ Church Anglican Church in Kiama. And through his connections and a little detective work, he tracked down descendants of the original HMAS Kiama crew, including the daughters of former crew member Alan Hopkins, who were invited to take part in the ceremony. One of those daughters, Lesley Anne Friedman, who now lives in Jamberoo, shared how much Kiama impacted her father. Alan served aboard HMAS Kiama from 1944 to 1946, but his relationship with the town didn’t end when he left the Navy. “He came down to Kiama and decided this was a place that he wanted to live,” Lesley recalled. Originally from Manly, Alan moved to Kiama after the war, bringing his wife and eventually raising his family in the coastal town.

From left :K comman iama Mayor Jim de P former H r Lieutenant Co earce, HMNZS K iama mmande MAS Kia rB ma comm J. Benso n. anders H urrows, and . Godden and S.

He became a local accountant and was actively involved in community organisations, including the Learn to Swim Association. The sailors aboard HMAS Kiama knew how to have a little fun between their wartime duties! While the official naval records document the ship’s wartime operations, Lesley shares the stories passed down from her father. She remembers her father telling her about water polo matches played alongside the ship, sometimes against the crews of other Allied vessels. “If an allied ship pulled up alongside, they’d put down the nets and they’d, yeah, have a game and have a bet on the game.” Apparently, the games were memorable enough that one of the sailors even painted a picture of them! Keith Swain created a detailed sketch identifying the sailors involved, complete with cheeky descriptions of their antics. Among them is Alan Hopkins, affectionately labelled “Hoppy Hopkins”, who is depicted pulling off “another miraculous save”. A painting by HMAS Kiama crew member Keith Swain, dated 1984, depicts sailors enjoying a water polo match alongside the ship during the Second World War. The artwork was included in a historical collection compiled by former crew member Alan Hopkins and displayed by his daughter, Lesley Anne Friedman, at the cannon rededication ceremony. Alan also spent years collecting photographs and historical material about HMAS Kiama, eventually compiling a book that was kept at Pilot’s Cottage. Lesley retrieved the collection to display at the rededication ceremony, ensuring her father’s memories could be shared with another generation. With Lesley’s daughter,

grandson and sister also attending, the ceremony brought together several generations of the Hopkins family. Eighty years after HMAS Kiama arrived in the harbour carrying two captured Japanese cannons, the family of one of its sailors had returned to help celebrate the restoration of one of them. During her speech at the rededication ceremony, Lesley said, “Dad would have been very proud and happy to see his family together at the restoration of the gun.” History lovers, veterans and families gathered outside the Jamberoo RSL Hall for the cannon’s rededication ceremony. Mayor Cameron McDonald reflected on the importance of preserving the town’s wartime history, Terry Stan shared the history of the cannon then Warwick Sporne played the last post on his historic Bugle. Reverend Kath Merryfield offered a poignant reflection on the human cost of war and the importance of remembering those who served. “May this place stand as a testimony to courage, sacrifice and service, and also remind us of our continuing responsibility to seek justice, happiness and reconciliation with one another,” she said. “And like me, I wonder, do you dream of peace? Of a world where there will be no more violence or war, where there’s no more death, no more tears, and no more need for weapons such as this one.” Make sure to check it out next time you’re in the area, and spare a thought for the years of stories, history and memories that came before it. This was a big one. As usual I make every effort to get the history right, but there’s always someone who knows more! If there’s something I’ve missed, or a piece of the story you can add, please let me know at veronica@ thebuglenews.com.au.

2008 VS 2022

magine you’re living in the small shipping town of Kiama in February 1946. The population is barely 2,300, the Second World War has finally ended, and there’s something exciting going on at the harbour. Word has spread that HMAS Kiama, the Royal Australian Navy warship proudly bearing your town’s name, is coming to visit. Local businesses are collecting donations, families are offering their homes to visiting sailors, and the town is preparing to give the crew a proper Kiama welcome. You gather with crowds at the harbour to greet the ship and its crew. But the sailors haven’t arrived empty-handed. They’ve brought two captured Japanese cannons, taken during the war, to present to the people of Kiama. 80 years later, one of those cannons is still making local history — while the fate of the other remains a mystery of history. Welcome back to Vee’s Vault! In this week’s history mystery, we’re celebrating the hard work of the Kiama– Jamberoo RSL sub-branch, which has spent the past year giving a piece of Kiama’s wartime history a new lease on life. After decades of weathering the elements, a Japanese cannon presented to the town by HMAS Kiama in 1946 has been relocated, painstakingly restored and given a place of pride outside the Jamberoo RSL Hall. And what better way to celebrate than with a special rededication ceremony, honouring not only the cannon’s fascinating history but also the local people who served during the Second World War? But let’s start from the beginning. HMAS Kiama was launched on 3 July 1943, during the height of the Second World War. The town of Kiama donated recreational equipment, including a radio set, books and even a 16mm movie projector. And after reading about some of the missions HMAS Kiama undertook, the crew probably appreciated a few home comforts! An article published in The Telegraph on 19 July

Vee’s Vault

THE BUGLE NEWS

COMMUNITY www.thebuglenews.com.au

6 November - 12 November 2026

Iceland: The Photos Don't Do It Justice I O

ne of our team recently returned from a road trip through Iceland. That lucky traveller was Monica and she has one thing to say: however many spectacular photographs you've seen, they still won't prepare you for the real thing. We all know Iceland is beautiful. The waterfalls, glaciers and black-sand beaches have been filling our social feeds for years. But standing in front of those landscapes, with the wind in your face and the earth quite literally steaming around you, is something else entirely. And the colours! Jet-black sand against white surf. Electric-blue glacier ice. Rustred earth around bubbling geothermal pools. Bright green moss draped over ancient lava fields. Then there's the sheer variety of shapes: towering basalt columns, jagged cliffs, ice caves, lava fields and waterfalls that seem to appear around every bend. If you love nature in its rawest, wildest form, Iceland is hard to beat. Perhaps that's what surprised Monica the most: not one iconic sight, but how frequently the landscape changed. A short drive could feel like travelling between completely different planets. She was exceptionally lucky with the weather. Iceland is

notorious for wind, rain and cloud cover, and it's best to arrive expecting all three, possibly on the same day. Her guide on a black-sand beach horse ride near Vík told her they get cloudy or rainy weather around 300 days a year. Somehow, she enjoyed blue skies every day. And while she didn't complain, we can imagine how mist would add its own magic to those moody landscapes. She explored by car, following the main road along the south coast as far as Höfn before turning back. Driving on the opposite side of the road took a little concentration, but in fine weather it is surprisingly straightforward. Of course, conditions can change quickly, so checking the forecast and road conditions is essential. The bigger challenge is resisting the urge to stop every ten minutes. There's always another waterfall, glacier tongue or extraordinary view demanding your attention. Often, the drive between the famous sights was just as memorable as the sights themselves. Her favourite moments? Walking behind a roaring waterfall, riding sturdy Icelandic horses along a black beach and standing beside a glacier lagoon watching enormous pieces of ice drift

past. Experiences that are almost impossible to capture in a photograph. One warning: Iceland is expensive. Accommodation, meals, car hire and activities add up quickly. Budget accordingly and you'll spend less time wincing at prices and more time enjoying the adventure. Would she recommend it?

In a heartbeat. Pack for every season, don't cram too much into each day and leave room for unexpected stops. Some places simply need to be experienced. And if Iceland has captured your imagination, contact the Travel Focus team on 02 4209 2044. We’d love to help you plan your own unforgettable adventure!

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Travel assistance and helpful advice when you need it.

Why Community Radio Matters

n a world where the news can feel relentlessly bleak, it's easy to believe there isn't much left worth celebrating. Every day we hear about conflict, economic pressures, climate change and uncertainty. The headlines matter, but they can also leave us wondering where the hope and good news have gone. Yet every day in our community, good things are happening. Volunteers are helping neighbours. Community groups are raising funds, providing support and changing lives. Musicians are creating and performing. Small businesses are taking a chance and pursuing a dream. Ordinary people are doing extraordinary things, often without recognition. At KCR, those are the people and achievements we choose to celebrate. There are many excellent radio stations, podcasts and media outlets competing for our attention. Each serves a valuable purpose. At KCR, however, our focus is deliberately local. We shine a light on the people, groups, events and causes that shape the character and spirit of our region. They may not make national headlines, but they help make this community what it is. For six years we have been recording and preserving local history. We've sat down with artists, musicians, carers, volunteers, business owners, community champions, writers, gardeners and local leaders. We've given election candidates an opportunity to share their ideas so voters could make informed decisions. We've helped charities, sporting clubs and community organisations spread their message and promoted countless local events. Volunteering is something we do exceptionally well in the Kiama LGA. It's one of the things that makes this

community special. KCR is built on that same spirit. Presenters, producers, interviewers, technicians and committee members all give their time because they believe local voices deserve to be heard. We don't charge community groups to tell their stories. We don't charge local musicians to play their music. We don't charge volunteers to talk about the causes they care about. But we do need to keep the lights on. We need to pay the rent, maintain the studio, replace ageing equipment and keep the technology running so KCR can continue serving the community into the future. We're fortunate to have wonderful sponsors who support us, and we're grateful for every one of them. But KCR has always been built on community support. Every interview, every podcast, every event we promote and every local voice we amplify is possible because people choose to contribute through volunteering, sponsorship, attending events and supporting our community fundraising activities. So we're asking for your support. Please support our community fundraiser. Buy a raffle ticket, or better still, join us for our fabulous Blues in the Night event this Saturday at the Kiama Leagues Club. Every ticket sold and every raffle ticket purchased helps us continue celebrating what makes our community so special. Local voices matter! Communities are stronger when they have a voice. And in a world full of bleak news, there should still be a place where hope and good news get a run. Thank you for your support. BLUES IN THE NIGHT TICKETS https://events. humanitix.com/kcr-bluesin-the-night-2026

THE BUGLE NEWS

COMMUNITY www.thebuglenews.com.au

6 November - 12 November 2026

Local artists say “cin cin!” as Italy comes to Kiama Estelle Hakner

ocal Kiama photographer and printmaker Eevi Stein hadn’t travelled much before she met her long-time friend and fellow artist Ambra Sancin. When a mutual friend introduced them in Sydney some 30 years ago, they found they had “common interests” and soon became close – something Stein credits in part to their shared European heritage. Sancin, who lives in Rodd Point in Sydney’s Inner West, is Italian, and Stein’s parents are from Eastern Europe. “Having a little bit of shared European-ness behind us, we love doing the same things,” she said. “We love coffee culture and cocktails and theatre and arts and having a laugh about life.” Through osmosis, Stein became “drawn into [Sancin’s] Italian world” – and so began

480

her love affair with the country. After a number of solo trips, in 2025 Sancin invited Stein and her daughter to visit her hometown of Trieste in northern Italy. “It was fabulous,” said Stein. “It was a really special experience because [Ambra] knows people and knew all the history of the little nooks and crannies, and all the different foods.” The everyday cultural richness and intrinsic creativity in Italy speak to Stein’s artistic sensibilities. “I like things that are aged and have aged beautifully and the unashamed voluptuousness of the way things were done in that time, over time,” she said. “Australia is such a new, fresh country, but when you go to Europe, Italy, France, there's such a lot of deep ingrained culture and beauty that is just part of life, and life happens around, in, throughout, and

! S M HA

it's beautiful.” Today, her love of Italy – and in particular, ornate Italian architecture – inspires her photography and lino cut prints. Even her choice of gilded vintage-style frames, which she has collected over time and restored, hint at her appreciation of Italy’s “weathered” architecture. Sancin’s work, which is watercolour and mixed media, also has Italy at its heart. She has visited her hometown of Trieste and farflung Italian towns many times, and her paintings feature interiors, architectural exteriors and still lifes inspired by everything from Trieste’s neo-classical architecture and “surprising” corners of Venice to beautifully preserved regional train station cafes and cocktail bars. Stein and Sancin have exhibited their art in Sydney, interstate and overseas. Now, they are coming together as “two Italophiles”

to exhibit their pictures and paintings in Kiama. Their When in Italy exhibition will take place at Cin Cin Wine Bar from November 5 to December 31, 2026, with opening drinks on Saturday, November 7, from 3:30 to 5:30. It is part of the Expressive Art Wall Trail, where local art is exhibited for sale at everyday local venues. Other local businesses taking part include Minnamurra Café and Gerringong’s Stoic Brewing. For Stein, selling her art is secondary to her hope of creating a “beautiful space” and comforting flickers of nostalgia. “Lots of people have a fondness for Italy and all places in Europe,” she said. “I would like them just to go ‘ooh’ and ‘ah’ and be reminded of their own travels and memories. And if they’re going to buy something, that's all well and good.” Cin cin to that!

what’s on? Share your news

Do you have an update from a community group or coverage of a local event? List your event on our What’s On page on our App. (Deadline: EOD Tuesday for the Friday print edition.) Hidden Lines exhibition Until Sat 21 Nov Seven Marks Gallery, Kiama Solo exhibition by Cesar Cueva Minnamurra Cafe exhibition Until 30 Nov Minnamurra cafe Artists Rebecca CollinsonSmith and John Forsyth Kiama Sea Shanty Club Every Wednesday, 7:30pm9pm Kiama Inn Hotel A group of singers celebrating of the songs of the sea Berry Writers’ Festival Fri 6 Nov-Sun 8 Nov Berry Weekend Opera in the Valley Sat 7 Nov, 8pm Jamberoo School of Arts Line-up of professional opera singers Blues in the Night Sat 7 Nov, 6pm Kiama Leagues Club Night of live music Kiama Record Fair Sat 7 Nov-Sun 8 Nov, 10am4pm Masonic Hall, Kiama More than 10,000 vinyl records, cassettes and CDs MADE @ The Co-Op Sun 8 Nov, 9am-1pm The Co-op, Gerringong Handmade, homegrown and local products market Singing Roadshow Sun 8 Nov, 5pm-9:15pm The Co-op Gerringong 3 band headline with group singing The Mermaid’s Recycled Tail Mon 9 Nov, 10:30am11:30am Shellharbour City Library

KIAMA LEAGUES CLUB

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Interactive children’s show with Abi Tucker Gerringong RSL Remembrance Day Service Wed 11 Nov, 10:45am Memorial Headland flag pole, Belinda St, Gerringong Tea/coffee served after service Art & Healing Talk with Erin Vink Sat 14 Nov, 11am Bundanon Art Museum Erin Vink talks on cultural knowledge, personal experiences and artistic vision Kiama Seaside Markets Sun 15 Nov, 9am-3pm Black Beach, Kiama Open Day – Cedar On Collins Thu 19 Nov, 9:30am Cedar on Collins Explore the exceptional living experience on offer to their residents “WHOW” Widows Helping Other Widows Thu 19 Nov, 2pm Uniting Church Kiama With female solicitor guest speaker Knit for a cause Fri 20 Nov, 9am Burnetts on Barney Knit a square before and help contribute to the cause Gerringong Rotary Markets Sat 21 Nov, 8:30am-1:30pm Gerringong Town Hall Berry Village Markets Sun 22 Nov, 10am-3pm Berry Bowling Club Twilight Market Fri 27 Nov, 1pm-7pm The Pavilion Kiama Variety of stalls selling homemade goods

THE BUGLE NEWS

WHATS ON www.thebuglenews.com.au

6 November - 12 November 2026

The Singing Roadshow rolls into Gerringong Estelle Hakner

hen Danielle Caruana feels despair, communal singing is her lifeline. Known professionally as Mama Kin, Caruana has performed as one half of ARIAnominated duo Mama Kin Spender since 2017, alongside Dingo Spender. Before that, she collaborated with ARIAnominated country artist Emily Lubitz as the Australian folk and Americana duo We Two Thieves. Throughout her musical career, she has always found solace in “community making” and singing as a collective, both of which have been embedded in her work for more than a decade. “When [Mama Kin Spender] first started touring together, we worked with choirs everywhere we went,” Caruana said. “We would send out all the material to the local choir six weeks before our show, then we'd come to town a couple of days earlier and have these massive rehearsals and then perform all over Australia with local choirs.” Demand was so high that they eventually created their sell-out annual Choir Camp weekends in Victoria and

Western Australia. But even that wasn’t enough. “People were asking for more and more,” said Caruana. “We thought, ‘We can't do more of these, they're so intense, but we can do a version of it called The Singing Roadshow’.” The pilot of their “travelling, mini festival”, The Singing Roadshow, launched last month. Part gig, part singalong, it is headlined by Mama Kin Spender and Emily Lubitz, includes a revival of Caruana and Lubitz's duo We Two Thieves, and is interspersed

with group singing. The show arrives at the CoOp in Gerringong this Sunday, November 8. Gerringong will be the last stop on their New South Wales leg, following visits to Queensland and ahead of a final stop in Victoria. Caruana hopes to open up the fun of communal singing up to Gerringong locals who might not see themselves as singers, or who don’t have a group to sing with but would like to try it. “You basically turn up like you're turning up to a normal gig, and we do a little bit of singing together. It's so low

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stress,” she said. “We're also like, hey, if you don't want to sing, just sit down and enjoy the singing, just listen, just stand up and enjoy it. Whatever, choose your own adventure. We're not there to force anyone, and it's not technical.” The feedback after their first gig in Eumundi last month confirmed Caruana's sense that regional communities were hungry for this kind of experience. “People were like, ‘I was absolutely sure I was coming and was not going to sing, and 10 minutes later, I was singing’

or ‘I did not think I could sing and it was so amazing just to actually have such a playful invitation’,” she said. As musicians who live regionally themselves, they chose to bring the show to small regional towns like Gerringong because these communities have a “really different appreciation for live music”, as well as recognising the “true heart and power” of regional venues and promoters. “We really love working with people who know their communities and who are dedicated to them, because

that's how we feel about places as well,” she said. “We do this by our own hands. There's no big record labels. We are community fuelled, so every ticket really counts for us.” For Caruana, reconnecting with the voices in your community is particularly important at a time when so much “divisive rhetoric” encourages people to “separate from people”. “We do this because we genuinely believe in community and the power of art and music. “For us, yes, it's a gig, and yes, it's a workshop and all those things, but actually it is a reclaiming of something that feels so important at this time, which is the remembering that we actually belong to each other. “We do it with a whole lot of fun and we do it with a whole lot of playfulness, but there is a deeper thing for us there, and it's our way of being in a state of hope at a time when it feels really easy to be in a state of despair,” she said. The Singing Roadshow will be at The Co-Op Gerringong this Sunday, November 8. Doors open at 5pm. Tickets are $60 for adults, $30 for children 5–16 years and free for children under 5.

Saturday Afternoon, 5 P.M. Tickets, $ 60.00, $ 20.00, Sale at www.trybooking.com/DQTIT Phone : 1300 654 262 and at the door at Kiama Anglican Church

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CWA Kiama Evening Branch meets at 6.30 pm on the first Wednesday of the month at Kiama Downs Surf Life Saving Club, 150 North Kiama Drive, Kiama Downs. Send an email to secretary.cwakiamaevening@gmail.com to find out more. We would love to hear from you and welcome you to our CWA branch.

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THE BUGLE NEWS

6 November - 12 November 2026

DON'T READ THIS IF YOU 2. HATE DELICIOUS FOOD!

out & H about

Veronica Bardsley

A century worth of celebrations

ver a hundred family, friends and community members turned out to celebrate a hundred years of local legend Betty Reardon. Gerroa’s Fishermen’s Club was packed as they celebrated a century, with Betty posing alongside her 36 great grandchildren and 14 grandchildren in attendance. “The youngest person there was just three months old and the oldest was 100, so it was the full spectrum,” laughed Betty’s daughter Helen. “The baby was actually her newest great granddaughter.” The eldest of nine children, Betty grew up in Sydney

and worked in her father’s vineyard in Western Sydney as a young woman during World War II. Having lived all over the state, from Hornsby to Dubbo, she and her husband moved to Gerringong upon retirement, which had always been a favourite holiday spot for the family. A mother of four, she has lived in the first house built on Croft Place since the eighties. For her birthday, her family – including her three siblings – travelled from all over including Darwin, Northern NSW, Berry, Melbourne and more.

ook & Ember took the tastebuds of the Kiama Business Network on a wild ride last Wednesday, serving up a smorgasbord of seriously sexy food! The night kicked off with a welcome espresso martini (although I did witness one man's night being ruined when he dropped his). Then came the star of the show: tender, melt-in-yourmouth brisket, courtesy of chef Michael. He might not

have wanted his photo taken, but his food speaks for itself! And on the side, mac and cheese, potato salad, corn ribs, pork bites, cornbread, salsa, sausages… have I missed anything? As you can see from the photos, nobody cared if they had food in their mouths or sauce on their faces. It was simply too good to worry about! There were also plenty of not-so-subtle hints dropped to Mayor Cameron McDonald, including “Welcome to Kiama Downs for the first time!” and

rs Anne-Marie Esler, Mel Scarr and Melissa Matte

“Wouldn't this be a great spot on a Friday night?” Only time will tell, but watch out, Kiama! Kiama Downs might just have its newest foodie hotspot. Everything is made inhouse, including their sausages and rissoles. And if you're looking for a recommendation, the pork belly lollipop is a MUST-TRY! Former owner Esther Keenan even shared that some customers had cycled all the way from Sydney just to have lunch at Hook & Ember! Whether you're a local

Cathy Lyall

foodie looking for something new or need catering for an upcoming event, this place deserves a spot on your list!

B Burnett, Sam Edward s, Cathy Lyall

Get out of the brownies Glenn!

3. Lions Clubs unite with a vision Trish, Gabby and Kelly

ast week, volunteers from Minnamurra, Kiama, Gerringong and Shoalhaven Heads Lions Clubs joined forces to conduct a Vision Screening Program at Minnamurra Public School,

with Minnamurra Lions coordinating and leading the event. Vision is one of Lions Clubs International's eight global causes and since the first local screening was held at

Andrew and Wayne Kiama Bowlo

Kiama Surf Club in March 2024 the program has grown significantly. The region today boasts more than 20 accredited vision screeners and several qualified facilitators, enabling clubs to expand this important community service. Congratulations to Minnamurra Lions for building a highly experienced

screening team and continuing to lead the way in supporting children's eye health. If you'd like to make a difference in your community, Lions offers opportunities to serve, learn and connect with others while supporting causes that matter.

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6 November - 12 November 2026

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6 November - 12 November 2026

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e provide the Kiama area with all your home furnishing needs, from recliners, sofas, mattresses, homewares and outdoor furniture - all under one roof! For over 30 years we have been providing quality furniture for the Kiama area. We joined the 60-year-old Furniture One buying group in 2005 which allowed us to grow our product range and become a 2nd generation family business. We really enjoy helping customers find the perfect piece of long-lasting furniture for their home. It's always enjoyable knowing the

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6 November - 12 November 2026

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thebuglenews.com.au • THE BUGLE

Local duo conquer Abu Dhabi:

Thicknesse and Volkanovski topple undefeated Russians

Lleyton Hughes

ocal UFC fighter Colby Thicknesse has enjoyed a career-defining moment, defeating highly touted Russian prospect Asaf Chopurov by split decision at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, on a night that also saw fellow local and world champion Alexander Volkanovski produce a second-round TKO victory over Movsar Evloev. In a remarkable result for the Illawarra and South Coast, the pair travelled to the United Arab Emirates and handed two previously undefeated Russian fighters their first professional defeats, with Chopurov and Evloev entering the night with a combined record of 31-0.

Volkanovski finished Evloev via TKO at 4:54 of the second round, while Thicknesse went the distance with Chopurov before securing a splitdecision victory. For Thicknesse, the win was particularly special, marking a significant milestone in a journey that began wrestling at Lake Illawarra PCYC almost 20 years ago. “With Chopurov’s combined record, his entire professional career, he was 45-1, I think,” Thicknesse said. “But I watched a couple of his fights, and then I didn't need to do any more than that. The more I worried about him, the less I would focus on myself. “For this camp, it was really

just focusing on me. We got good game planning nice and early, and just got the correct reps in.” The approach paid dividends, with Thicknesse producing the performance needed to secure a memorable victory on one of the biggest stages in mixed martial arts. “It's just worry about yourself, go out there and fight your own fight,” he said. “It was so awesome to have my first win, especially over in a place like Abu Dhabi, which is such a special place. Not many fighters get to fight there, especially from Australia.” The result became even more significant when Volkanovski, also secured his victory over Evloev, completing an incredible night for the two Australians and their training team. Between them, Chopurov and Evloev had entered the night with an unblemished professional record of 31-0, only for both to suffer their first defeats at the hands of two Australians who had trained together at the same gym for years. Thicknesse said the opportunity to share the experience with Volkanovski

made the occasion even more memorable, particularly given their long history together. “When this fight actually got offered to me, about four weeks out, it was a shortnotice one. As soon as I got the name, I knew of him already. I was like, no way, this is going to be so sick,” he said. “We both get to go out and beat these guys. So, yeah, the records before, professional records, would have been like 31-0. And then both of them left that arena that night 31-2. They both got their first losses to two Aussies.” For Thicknesse , the achievement was about much more than two individual victories, with both fighters having spent years training together and building their careers out of the same gym. He was particularly grateful for the opportunities and guidance Volkanovski had provided throughout his journey. “I'm so grateful that I ended up in the same gym as Volk. If I didn't end up there, not only my career path, but my actual whole life path would be no doubt so different,” he said. “The opportunities that man has given me, from my coach alongside in the corner

in Vegas, to being there when he first won the UFC world title, to flying to Miami, now sharing a card with me. “There's just so many countless things, even outside of the fighting aspect. I'm very fortunate that I walked into that gym when I did, and that Volk started training there too.” The pair were also well supported in Abu Dhabi, with Thicknesse bringing a group of around 20 friends, family members and sponsors across from Australia to witness the occasion. One of his standout memories came during the open workouts at Yas Mall, where Volkanovski invited him onto the stage and held pads for him in front of the large crowd. “Volk took me up and then he held pads for me and sort of shared the moment, shared his moment with me, so that was pretty special,” Thicknesse said. The victory also gave Thicknesse an opportunity to represent the region on the international stage, something he said he takes great pride in. Having grown up playing football for the Warilla

Gorillas, Windang Pelicans and Stingrays of Shellharbour, before eventually making his way into professional fighting, he believes the success of the local fighters highlights the sporting talent coming out of the area. “I'm stoked to be able to represent the Illawarra on my back, especially considering how much Volk's been able to put the whole area on the map,” he said. “I think it just shows the sort of talent and the young sporting athletes and the upand-comers that come out of this region.” With his first UFC victory now secured, Thicknesse is already setting his sights on another major opportunity, hoping to face former UFC champion Cody Garbrandt in his next outing. Ideally, he would like the fight to take place in Sydney in February, although he is prepared to travel to the United States if necessary. “I'm trying to fight Cody Garbrandt. He's a former champion just outside the top 15 rankings,” Thicknesse said. “That's ideally what I'd like to do, get a former champion on my resume.”

Cavaliers fall agonisingly short against defending premiers Lleyton Hughes

iama Cavaliers’ first grade side has suffered a heartbreaking threerun defeat against defending premiers Lake Illawarra, falling just short of what would have been a remarkable run chase at Howard Fowles Oval over the weekend. The Lakers won the toss and elected to bat, but were met with an invigorated Kiama bowling attack, which kept the opposition under pressure throughout the innings. Glenn Cleary was the pick of the bowlers, claiming an impressive 4-19, while Cade Hotham provided excellent support with 2-44 as Lake Illawarra finished its innings at 9-212. In response, Kiama’s top order again struggled, slipping to 6-78 and leaving the side with plenty of work to do. However, Hotham and Niall Owers (26) began what

was almost a remarkable comeback, with Hotham producing an outstanding 52 to give the Cavaliers a genuine chance of chasing down the total. Cruz Wraight (25 not out) and Cleary (12) continued the charge, taking Kiama agonisingly close before the innings closed at 209, just three runs short of victory. “It was a bit of a fairytale victory that was snatched away from us,” Daniel Reilly said. Captain Jaya Hartgerink was disappointed with the result but encouraged by the fight shown by his lower order. “The fight shown from the lower order was excellent, but we’re going to need more from our top order to win big games like this,” Hartgerink said. In second grade, Kiama travelled to Jamberoo for the first municipality derby of the season, with captain Steve Piper hoping his side could build on last week’s improved

WHAT’S ON WEEKLY www.kiamabowling.com.au

performance against Oak Flats. An opening partnership of 59 between Nathan Barr (28) and Nick Heineke (28) gave the Cavaliers a solid platform, before the side worked its way to 186. Third grade enjoyed a much more successful afternoon against Oak Flats at Shane Lee Oval, producing an impressive all-round performance to

Monday

Tuesday

MAHJONG 1pm-4pm

Eureka Euchre 2pm

Happy Hour 4pm-5pm

Happy Hour 4pm-5pm Bowls Coaching 4pm

secure a convincing victory. The father-and-son combination of Harry (31) and Adam McCrone (52) got Kiama off to a flying start, putting together an opening partnership of 69. New recruit Jack Pengilly continued his promising introduction to the club with an unbeaten 58, while club president Nathan Battishall top-scored with 74 to help the

Wednesday

Cavaliers post an imposing 5-281. Oak Flats made a strong start to its run chase, but the target eventually proved too much, finishing its 40 overs at 8-208. Captain Dane Parneby led from the front with the ball, claiming 2-44. Parneby was pleased with his side’s performance and the discipline shown throughout the contest. “I heard the crowd calling for deep long ons and deep mid wickets and no slips, but I just stuck to the plan and saw it through,” he said. The fourth grade derby between Kiama Gold and Kiama Blue was held at Bonaira Street Oval, with Gold winning the toss and electing to bat. Bernie Brown continued his consistent run of form with another score above 40, before being dismissed by Blue opening bowler Matt Harrison, who finished with an impressive 4-16.

Thursday

Friday

Benny Cairncross (27) and Harold Tuscano (21 not out) helped steady the innings, guiding Gold to 145. Unfortunately, the weather had the final say once again, with only 4.4 overs possible in the Blue innings. Kiama opener Ethan Whittaker said the wicket had played well early, however, once the rain arrived, the historic Bonaira wicket struggled to cope with the conditions. “I hope that Kiama Council will begin the process of replacing the wicket at the historic ground soon,” he said. There was better news for the club’s women’s program, with the Cavettes fielding two sides this season and enjoying mixed fortunes across the weekend. The Cavettes 1856 recorded their first win of the season, defeating Ex Servos at Bonaira Oval after a difficult openinground loss.

Saturday

Meat raffle 6:45pm Happy Hour 4pm-5pm

Sunday FREE Pool 1pm-6pm

Seafood raffle 6:30pm Tez’s Trivia 7pm

Karaoke 7pm

Live Music

Meat raffle 5:30pm

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KIAMA OZTAG - UNDER 10 BOYS - GGB WHITE KNIGHTS

6 November - 12 November 2026

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Alyce Quod with her golden boot trophy. Photo Football South Coast

6 November - 12 November 2026

Katie French with her golden boot trophy. Photo Football South Coast

38 YEARS IN THE MAKING: FRENCH CLAIMS GOLDEN BOOT AND FIRST PREMIERSHIP Lleyton Hughes

iama Quarriers striker Katie French has capped off a remarkable season, claiming the Football South Coast Golden Boot for the Over 30s Women's division after helping lead her side to a long-awaited premiership. French finished the season with approximately 40 goals, producing the best scoring tally of her career before playing a starring role in Kiama's dramatic 2-1 extratime grand final victory over Thirroul. “For a striker, it's kind of the pinnacle to always strive to get the Golden Boot for the year, but I think for me it was winning the premiership and I take that every day of the week over the Golden Boot,” French said.

“I think it was something like 40 goals, which I've never scored that many goals in a season. It was good, but really just the icing on the cake.” The Golden Boot capped off an outstanding campaign, with French even battling through an injury in the final round to ensure she finished on top of the competition's scoring tally. However, it was the premiership that meant the most to the experienced striker, who has played football since she was four years old and spent many years competing at a high level in Sydney before moving to the South Coast. After coming close on several occasions, French finally got to experience the feeling of lifting a grand final trophy when the Quarriers defeated Thirroul.

The striker scored both of Kiama's goals, heading home from two Alex King corners to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 extra-time victory. “One of my good mates and players, Alex King, we've scored a lot of goals with her crosses and my head, and we've been playing together for that long that we know where each other are without even looking,” French said. “I thought that I'd probably retire if I finally won a grand final, but now I've felt how good it feels to win a grand final. I think I'm just going to keep playing until I physically can't play anymore.” For French, the premiership was made even more special by the group of teammates who shared the achievement, many of whom have played together for years while balancing careers, families

and other commitments. However, having spent more than three decades involved in football, French has also witnessed an enormous change in the opportunities available to women and girls in the sport. She said it was particularly rewarding to see how much easier it had become for the next generation to get involved, including her own daughter, who she coaches in Kiama's under-seven team. “A lot of the original girls were playing before female football was a thing, before we had women's teams,” French said. “I know all of them are really passionate about female sport and female soccer, and a lot of their kids are playing. “It was really more so to see everyone there and all our kids there, to show them that their

mums are still running around at our age, or trying to, and how important sport is, even when you're in your 40s and a mum and you've got your work.” French said having her daughter and the other young players there to witness the grand final victory was one of the highlights of the occasion. The strong turnout also reflected the community spirit within the team, with French recalling how many supporters travelled to watch the Over 30s grand final. “It's a great group of girls. We're all great mates. We're all locals with kids, and to have all our kids there too was really special,” she said. “I don't think there's ever been such a crowded Over 30s women's grand final before. I think half of Kiama were there.”

French's individual honour was not the only recognition for Kiama, with fellow Quarriers player Alyce Quod also claiming a Football South Coast Golden Boot, winning the All Age Division One award. The two individual accolades added to an outstanding season for the club, which finished with two premierships from three grand final appearances, including back-to-back titles for its Division One women. Looking ahead, French hopes the Over 30s group can stick together for another season, despite the challenges of balancing football with family and work commitments. “Hopefully our team will stick together and we can do the fun all again as long as my body holds up,” she said.

2 October - 8 October 2026

thebuglenews.com.au • THE BUGLE NEWSPAPER

KIAMA QUARRIERS WOMEN’S SUMMER 6-A-SIDE FOOTBALL COMPETITION

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KIAMA OZTAAG UNDER 6 - SONIC BOOM

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KIAMA OZTAG - UNDER 10 GIRLS - PINK PANTHERS PROJECT DRY HIRE

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2 October - 8 October 2026

KIAMA CAVETTES 1856

2 October - 8 October 2026

KIAMA OZTAG - UNDER 10 FIREBALLS

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2 October - 8 October 2026

KIAMA OZTAG WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE - AI

2 October - 8 October 2026

thebuglenews.com.au • THE BUGLE NEWSPAPER

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SHOT OF THE WEEK

great fun for the young lifesavers at Kiama Nippers as they take part in the Under 6 Tug-of-war

The Bugle News 6 November 2026