THE BUGLE WEEKLY DIGITAL EDITION
Aurora a roaring delight
Lleyton Hughes
Our region was treated to a rare and breathtaking spectacle this week as Aurora Australis illuminated the night skies.
Local photographer and amateur astronomer
David Finlay captured the mesmerising sight at Gerroa Beach when it first lit up the night skies on Sunday, describing it as an experience of pure wonder.
"People were cheering. You can hear the joy in the crowd on my video. It was amazing to
see people not just capturing it with cameras, but actually witnessing it with their own eyes. It was something really special," said Finlay.
Aurora Australis was visible due to the intense activity on the sun, which is at the peak of its 11-year solar cycle.
"At times, the sun releases solar flares, sending out a burst of charged particles - protons, electrons - into space," Finlay explained.
"When these particles interact with Earth's magnetosphere, they are drawn towards the poles,
both North and South, and at an altitude of about 90 kilometres, they create a glow in the atmosphere.
"This ionisation is what causes the Aurora. There are different factors at play, like solar wind or solar flares.
"In fact, just two to two-anda-half days ago, we had a solar flare, and that was responsible for the spectacular Aurora last night," he added.
He elaborated that Australia's position relative to the South Magnetic Pole often allows for clearer sightings of the Aurora Australis,
particularly in Tasmania, the southernmost point of the country. "Typically, by the time you reach NSW, you're looking over the top of the Aurora. But we still get some incredible colours - especially those magentas.
"What's especially unique about this event was the overwhelming presence of orange hues. I've never seen so much orange in an Aurora before," Finlay said.
"I'm calling it the 'orange Aurora.' Usually, you see more reds and magentas, but this one had vibrant orange beams
that were visible to the naked eye. It was quite remarkable."
He first photographed Aurora Australis 26 years ago and has witnessed the phenomenon countless times. "It's a deeply human experience because what you're seeing is the interaction between the sun’s radiation and Earth's magnetosphere. This shield is what protects all life on our planet.
"If we didn’t have that magnetosphere, the sun's radiation would sterilise the planet. Life as we know it would not exist. So, in a sense, we’re witnessing the Earth's defensive shield in action.
"To me, that’s pretty mindblowing. That’s why I make sure to take every chance I get to see it," he added.
The Aurora was also visible on Monday night and many local residents up and down the coast turned out to see the show after missing out on Sunday. This spectacular main
was
photo
taken by Gerroa resident Jeff Sheppeard from the shoreline at Jervis Bay on Monday night.
The view from Jervis Bay on Monday night.
Photo: Jeff Sheppeard
The view from Gerroa on Sunday night. Photo: David Finlay
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Natalie Ward.
Shadow Minister calls out Draisma over vote ‘cover-up’
Shadow Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast Natalie Ward has accused the NSW Government of turning a blind eye to claims of a conflict of interest levelled at Kiama Councillor Imogen Draisma.
Ward believes Cr Draisma should have declared a conflict of interest and abstained from voting at the recent Council meeting over a reclassification motion involving three local surf life saving clubs.
Cr Draisma, who was one of five local Councillors who voted for the motion along with Matt Brown, Yasman Tatrai, Stuart Larkins and Mike Cains, is employed as an electorate officer for Wollongong MP Paul Scully, who is also the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Shadow Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman first raised concerns about Cr Draisma’s employment in Parliament last Thursday, directing a pointed question to Scully.
“Your staff member, Imogen Draisma, didn’t disclose a conflict of interest before voting on the 20th of May in favour of a Council motion to reclassify three surf life saving clubs from community land to operational land, allowing them potential sale,” she said. “That reclassification requires your approval. What discussions did you have with
Councillor Draisma about this reclassification prior to the vote?”
Scully responded: “I don’t discuss Council matters with Councillor Draisma but as for her declaration, I don’t know. I also don’t watch Kiama Council proceedings because I have got work to do.”
When contacted by The Bugle about Tuckerman’s query, Cr Draisma was adamant there was no conflict of interest.
“As the former Minister for Local Government, I would expect the Member to better understand the fundamental process of land reclassification under the Local Government Act,” she said.
“I have, on the public record, diligently disclosed and removed myself from numerous items of business in the current and previous term of Council. The motion in question is to commence a reclassification process of land subject to consent of each Surf Life Saving Club. The outcome of this consultation will be provided in a future report to Council.
“It is not the policy of Kiama Municipal Council to sell any Surf Life Saving Club or the land that they sit on.
“If the Member, or the person behind her, has concerns they are aware of the avenue available. I will not be intimidated from serving my community by a politically motivated misinformation
and disinformation campaign made under parliamentary privilege. I have written to the Speaker seeking a Citizens’ Right of Reply.”
Ward said “locals are right to smell a cover-up”.
“The Minns Labor Government is running a two-tier system where it is one rule for everyday locals, and another for Labor staffers sitting on councils voting on planning matters tied to their bosses,” she said. “The Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully, is the Minister for Planning and the employer of the councillor who voted on a land reclassification matter - a matter that will ultimately end up on his desk. She didn’t declare a conflict, and he says he didn’t ask. From Macquarie Street, down through the Illawarra and to Kiama, Labor’s got a transparency problem.”
Ward said Cr Draisma declared at the Council meeting “a significant nonpecuniary conflict” for Item 15.5 – Quarterly Planning and Development Report, and left the chamber during that item due to her employment with the Planning Minister.
However, for Item 20.1, she participated in the debate and voted on a matter that Ward claims involves planning powers held by her employer, creating a clear perception of conflict. Cr Draisma opted not to respond to Ward’s claims when contacted by The Bugle this week.
Search called off for missing elderly fisherman
Marine Area Command officers will continue patrolling the area but the full-scale search was suspended on Wednedsday for a missing man, after his boat capsized off the Illawarra coastline on the weekend. About 1pm on Sunday, emergency services were called to the breakwall in Seawall Road, Port Kembla, following reports of two people in the water.
On arrival, officers attached to Wollongong Police District found a capsized vessel, about 1km south of Port Kembla Road.An 18-year-old man – who was on the vessel before it capsized – was able to swim to shore and alerted members of the public, who contacted emergency services.
Marine Area Command launched a search operation, with assistance from Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW and the Westpac Helicopter. The second person, a 78-year-old man, was unable to be located.
The search continued on Monday during daylight hours and on Tuesday, involving NSW Marine Area Command, NSW Police Divers, Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW and the Westpac Helicopter.
Despite the efforts of searchers, the man has not yet been located, and the multi-agency search concluded about 3pm on Tuesday.
Time running out for businesses to nominate Kiama Business Network has issued a friendly reminder to local operators to submit their entries for the inaugural Kiama Business Awards before the 13 June.
KBN has already received a number of nominations and would love to see more from anyone else who is finalising their submissions or those still considering entering.
Categories up for nomination are Outstanding Employee, Excellence in Sustainability, Outstanding New Business, Excellence in Micro Business, Excellence in Small Business, Outstanding Young Business Leader and Outstanding Business Leader 20 Employees and Under.The winner of each category will go straight through to the Illawarra Business Awards.
To be eligible, entrants must be KBN members. A discounted membership offer is available for businesses who join before 30 June, with full membership kicking in from 1 July. For full details and nomination forms, head to the Kiama Business Network website.The award ceremony will be held on 3 July.
New mental health van on the move
A new Mobile Outreach Mental Health and Wellbeing Van has been launced for Indigenous people in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven as part of National Reconciliation Week.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Van will travel around Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) which covers the lands of the Dharawal and Yuin peoples, making it easier for Aboriginal people to access mental health care and support.
It is the first Aboriginal mental health van service being delivered by NSW Health after a $176,000 investment by the Aboriginal Health Minor Capital Works Program.
“This outreach van is really positive, and it will deliver culturally appropriate preventative health care, early intervention, health promotion and really importantly trauma informed care," Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Ryan Park said.
“The Van aims to honour Aboriginal people’s autonomy while offering culturally safe support, in their communities, where they can feel supported by family and community.” The van will provide culturally safe mental health, wellbeing and healing support, information and resources to Aboriginal people in their own communities, as well as delivering other health services based on need in the community.
Paul Suttor
Our region unites for Reconciliation Week
Complainant sent Ward job application years after alleged incident at Potts Point
Kiama MP Gareth Ward’s defence lawyer on Tuesday raised questions about the complainant applying for a job with the politician after he had allegedly sexually assaulted the man.
Ward is facing five charges and has pleaded not guilty to each of them: sexual intercourse without consent, common assault and three counts of indecent assault.
National Reconciliation Week in the Illawarra and South Coast has united communities to be proactive in their approach to upholding this year’s theme of “Bridging Now to Next”.
As a show of solidarity, community leaders and members have gathered across the regions over the past week at events to commemorate the nationwide week of recognition of the importance of reconciliation in Australia.
Yuin man, Uncle Richard Campbell, is a familiar face
around Kiama and sees the theme as “an ongoing journey”.
Part of this is sharing knowledge, which has transcended through the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This echoes the former Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney MP, who said in her farewell speech last year: “healing in Australia is a profound, long-term incremental thing. It’s about people. It’s a tough road, but I think we will get there.”
When asked about sharing
knowledge, Uncle Richard said “it’s about keeping our traditions, our song lines and our story lines and if we don’t pass them on to the next generation, it’s going to be gone and lost.”
After leading a dance at a community event held at Reddall Reserve during National Reconciliation Week, Uncle Richard spoke about ways for the entire community to engage.
“Keep coming to events like this and show your support to our people, unity is everything” he said.
Across 27 May to 3 June, community events were held across the Illawarra to commemorate two significant milestones for Indigenous Australians.
Firstly, the 1967 referendum, where the population voted on Aboriginal people to
be counted in the national census and the right to vote which was voted on 27 May that year.
Much of the outcome of the referendum can be attributed to the “freedom ride” where a group of Sydney University students led by Charlie Perkins travelled around Australia on a bus.
The end of National Reconciliation Week falls on 3 June, Mabo Day in honour of the High Court ruling in 1992 when six of the seven High Court judges ruled in favour of Eddie Mabo.
This recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples had lived in Australia for thousands of years overturning the concept of Terra Nullius, which British settlers had used to claim sovereignty over the land in the late 1700s.
Twelve months later in 1993, the Native Title Act 1993 was passed.
His barrister, David Campbell SC, questioned the complainant under cross examination in the Downing Centre District Court over a job application which was sent years after a 2015 incident in which the man alleged he was sexually assaulted by Ward at Potts Point in Sydney’s east.
Campbell read the letter of application for the job in which the younger political staffer wrote “I would have no hard feelings should you be unable to find a role for me”.
It also contained: “Your friendship means the world to me and my respect for you is already as high as it can be.”
Under cross examination, Campbell put it to the
complainant that this did not sound like a description of “a man whom you allege sexually violated you” or that he was fearful of Ward. The complainant responded by saying when he applies for a job, “sometimes I overcompensate”.
He was also asked whether he had told colleagues that Ward was creepy and that “Gladys has chosen a rapist as a minister in her Cabinet” in 2019 when the NSW Premier at the time, Gladys Berejiklian, had chosen Ward as a Minister. His response was that he did not recall the conversation in great detail.
Another man, who had just turned 18 at the time of an alleged incident in 2013, has also accused Ward of an indecent assault at the Kiama MP’s Meroo Meadow property in the Shoalhaven.
The trial before Judge Kara Shead has been adjourned for the rest of the week and will resume on Tuesday.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Mitchell Beadman
Committee calls for submissions to reduce regional road trauma
Almost 70 per cent of road deaths occur in regional NSW, sparking a statewide inquiry to investigate ways to lower the staggering toll.
Gilmore Federal MP Fiona Phillips has backed the initiative - launched by the state government’s Committee on Road Safety - to reduce regional road trauma caused by speeding, fatigue, drink- and drug-driving
Phillips, a former chair of the NSW Black Spot Consultative Panel, says road deaths and accidents have a significant health and economic impact on regional communities like Kiama and
the Shoalhaven. She says the Albanese government is “progressively doubling” local council Roads to Recovery funding from $500 million to $1 billion a year to ensure “more potholes are being fixed, more roads are being resealed, and more drainage work is being done”.
“Road safety is always a priority and that is why the Albanese Labor Government has been increasing funding for local roads since 2022,” she says.
Funding has also increased under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, says Phillips, along with Black Spot Program funding increasing to $150 million a year “so more projects are
eligible, including here on the South Coast”.
Kiama Council received $4.5m from Labor’s Infrastructure Betterment Fund to upgrade Jamberoo Mountain Rd, Foxground Rd and Wallaby Hill Rd and “critical infrastructure projects” like the Far North Collector Rd, Jervis Bay Flyover and Nowra and Milton-Ulladulla bypasses “will improve road safety, connectivity and liveability for decades to come,” says Phillips.
Road Safety Committee chair Greg Warren says regional communities continue to have a disproportionately high number of road fatalities.
"Our inquiry is looking at whether current strategies and programs are effective in reducing driving risk factors, such as fatigue, speeding and drink-driving, that increase the likelihood of road crashes," says the Campbelltown MP.
The committee is calling on community members and stakeholders from regional and rural communities, road safety experts, community organisations, local councils, first responders and healthcare workers to provide submissions to the inquiry before July 25.
More information, including the inquiry's terms of reference and how to make a submission, is available on the committee's website.
Phillips returns serve at Senator over ‘dead duck’ claims about Housing Fund
Paul Suttor
Member for Gilmore
Fiona Phillips has rubbished claims by Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg that the federal government is not doing enough to fix the housing crisis.
Senator Bragg claimed that Australian Bureau of Statistics data which reveals overall dwelling approvals have dropped 5.7% in May is "further evidence Labor’s promise to build 1.2 million new homes is a dead duck".
Phillips said the Labor government was righting the wrongs of the past which stemmed from the Coalition neglecting the housing issue when they were in office prior to Anthony Albanese's first election win in 2022.
She retained the seat of Gilmore, where housing was one of the main election issues, last month with a 5% swing towards her after the electorate had been the most marginal in the country.
"I know housing is a huge issue locally. People in Kiama, Gilmore and Australia voted for the Albanese Labor Government because of our strong housing policies and plan to tackle the housing crisis," Phillips said.
"After a decade of neglect by the Liberals, we’re investing more in housing than any government in history.
"We’re making it easier to buy, better to rent, and building more homes."
Phillips said Labor had legislated a massive housing agenda through the National Housing Accord to boost supply.
"We are starting to see the outcomes that will boost affordable and social rental housing for decades to come," she added.
"We’re working with and incentivising the states to get on with planning reforms and building more well-located homes close to amenities - and maintaining characterwhich will help in Kiama.
"Our Housing Australia Future Fund is already boosting supply and will permanently into the future as further rounds are rolled out, enabling community housing and local and state government to partner with investors to multiply growth in social and affordable rental housing. There are huge opportunities locally."
Phillips said Labor was
working with the other levels of government to get results.
"We’ve incentivised the state government to get on with planning reforms which allows more medium density housing in appropriate areas in the Kiama, Nowra, and Bomaderry CBDs," she said.
"We’re supporting councils to enable infrastructure for housing through our Housing Support Program.
"Finally, we’re starting to see a renewed vigour and excitement locally for more well-located housing and social and affordable rental housing. You can feel that the wave of social and affordable rental housing and more housing options has begun.
"We’ve also expanded and introduced programs to assist first home buyers, like our expanded First Home Guarantee and the Help to Buy scheme.
“Help to Buy will get people into the housing market, while more than 470 new home buyers across Gilmore have already benefitted from our Home Guarantee Scheme, helping them buy their first home with just a 5 per cent deposit.
"We’re also setting aside 100,000 new homes for first home buyers."
In conjunction with the housing strategy, the government is also encouraging more apprentices to take up trades in the residential construction and new energy sector with free TAFE and a $10,000 apprentice incentive, according to Phillips.
"Building more houses is the best way to make sure people can find a home, whether that’s to rent or to buy. “Over the past three years, the Liberals voted against building more homes and supporting first home buyers," Phillips said.
"Through a decade in Government, the Liberals invested less than $5 billion in housing. Labor is now delivering a $43 billion Homes for Australia Plan and driving the biggest home-building program since the post-war housing boom.
"I look forward to continuing to work with Kiama Municipal Council as it works with the community to develop and implement the Kiama Housing Strategy, so there are more housing options for Kiama locals."
Danielle Woolage
Banter Bugle
Stay safe when out and about
on our busy public holiday weekend
Belle Wood
It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since I stepped into the "enviable" role of managing The Bugle here in Kiama.
In my very first week, an 80hour whirlwind of learning the ropes, laying out pages, navigating local civic affairs and setting up CRMs, the first King's Birthday weekend arrived. After harbouring myself away indoors for days, upskilling and organising systems, I decided I’d earned a whale-watching walk. Kiama was buzzing. The Black Beach markets were in full swing, the harbour alive with holiday goers, and there was activity in every direction.
After a brisk walk I crossed the road near the Blowhole heading towards my car, when my day, and potentially my life, took a dramatic turn.
Out of nowhere, a large Triton ute came tearing around the corner from the direction of the Anglican Church. I had one of those split-second realisations: I’m going to be hit. And then I was!
I remember being flung through the air, landing hard, and opening my eyes to a sea of shocked tourists.
A couple of quick-thinking doctors stepped in, told me not to move, and called for the ambulance.
As I lay there, stunned and bruised, I thought, I’m supposed to be reporting the news - not becoming it!
Another thought - Or maybe someone has already taken umbrage to a story and I'm
being targeted!!! Adding insult to injury, the attending officer looked down and asked what I, now a 'local' , was doing out in Kiama on a public holiday. Apparently, the secret to surviving long weekends here is staying well clear of the precinct altogether.
In the months that followed, more than 20 pedestrian incidents crossed my desk, many fatal, from news feeds across the state. It was a sobering reminder that caution is demanded whenever we are near a road!
As for the King's Birthday itself, whether you’re a monarchist, a republican, or just grateful for the extra day off, it’s one of those peculiar public holidays that Australians mark in June regardless of the monarch’s actual birthdate (Charles was born in November, but we follow the tradition set for British weather).
It’s a moment to reflect on the evolving place of the Crown in Australian life - or just to enjoy a cuppa while watching the whales. Either way, the King’s Birthday weekend continues to draw big crowds to our region. It’s a time when locals and visitors alike get a taste of Kiama’s winter unique charm - blowholes, brisk sea walks, busy cafés and, if you're lucky, a whale breach or two.
Enjoy the many activities and concerts happening this weekend!
Just take care out there. Let’s keep the news about the whales - not the walkers.
OPEN HOUSEEND OF AN ERA SALE
Sports complex upgrade likely to cost over $100m
The early indicative estimated cost of fully revamping Kiama Sporting Complex is expected to top more than $100 million as Kiama Council seeks feedback from the local community about how to upgrade the ageing facility.
Both the Kiama Sporting Complex and South Werri Reserve masterplans are going up for public exhibition on Tuesday and will be on display on the Council website for 56 days.
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald is keen to hear what the community thinks about which direction Council should take with each project.
“The public exhibition of these masterplans present different options for these locations, particularly the Kiama Sporting Complex, as to what the community
might see as the future of these areas,” he said.
“We know that the lighting at the Complex is less than ideal, the playing surfaces need upgrading, and the facilities haven't been upgraded for a number of years.
“The Kiama and District Sports Association has been a great advocate for our sporting groups over a range of issues, including in support of bringing these master plans forward for public consultation.
“We're really looking forward to receiving public feedback on what these areas might look like. It may be that these current plans are not the appropriate plans because they were the subject of previous consultation.
“We've had the ability over a longer period of time to think about how those areas are being used and what options there might be for
our community regarding their use.”
For such a mammoth undertaking as overhauling the Kiama Sporting Complex, a combined effort will be needed from all levels of government to fund a project which could cost north of $100 million.
“The different Complex plans have significant dollar values attached to them and a serious upgrade will not be possible without significant funding from federal or state governments” Cr McDonald said.
“It's not something that will happen overnight but essentially the finalised plan will enable us to advocate for funding to ensure that the facility is the best it can be.
“Short of that, we will also be looking at funding opportunities so that we can implement a staged process of upgrade for items that are necessary at this time, such as
improved lighting, improved change room facilities so that those facilities are more suitable.”
While the South Werri Reserve does not come with such an enormous price tag, Council is keen to hear from residents about their vision for its design and functionality.
“There are a lot of users of the South Werri area, and considerations such as environmental and indigenous culture and history that we as a community are keen to protect, maintain and enhance” Cr McDonald added.
“Similarly to the Kiama Sports Complex, its important to have a South Werri Reserve plan in place to be able to take advantage of funding when it is available to implement the final plan for the area that the public decide they would like to see.”
Paul Suttor
Kiama High School students at their recent athletics carnival at Kiama Sporting Complex. Photo: Kiama High
Fiona is focusing on key issues after Gilmore win finally officially declared
The Australian Electoral Commission officially declared Fiona Phillips the winner of the federal seat of Gilmore last Friday, 27 days after the South Coast electorate went to the polls.
Phillips attended a ceremony at the AEC office in Wollongong as part of her third straight term as the Gilmore MP. There had been little doubt she would retain the seat in the hours immediately after the polls closed on May 3 even though she had claimed the seat by only 373 votes in 2022, which made it the most marginal seat in the country leading into the election.
Once the final numbers were tallied this time around, she ended up with 55.15% of votes on a two-candidate preferred basis, a swing of nearly 5%, to trounce Liberal rival Andrew Constance.
Phillips is focusing on better local health services
and cost of living relief as her main priorities at the start of her third term in office.
“I’m really thrilled to be delivering a new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Nowra and expanded hours for the Batemans Bay clinic from 6am till midnight seven days a week,” she said.
“Local people deserve to have access to free health care close to home, which is why I am also proud to have secured an upgraded Nowra Medicare Mental Health Centre. I’m working hard to see these projects move forward as quickly as possible."
Anthony Albanese's Federal Government is slashing student debt in the wake of their comprehensive victory over the Coalition and Phillips believes these measures will have multiple flow-on effects.
“So many local young people have told me how much the slashing of student
debt will mean to them, providing cost of living and debt relief to help them build a better future,” she said.
“I’m so proud the Prime Minister has made this a top priority for the new Parliament, and I am excited to help deliver this and more to support local people deal with the cost of living.”
At the official declaration, Phillips thanked the community for its support and pledged to keep fighting for her electorate.
“I have been absolutely humbled to represent this amazing community in our Parliament since 2019, and I’m honoured to continue working hard for the people of the South Coast,” she said.
“I’m driven by my love of this community. I’m so grateful they have put their trust in me once again. I would also like to sincerely thank my wonderful volunteers for their incredible work.”
Fiona Phillips (centre) with her son Henry and local volunteer Cathy Russell at the Declaration of the Poll.
Crucial meeting on the horizon to get Housing Strategy’s wheels in motion
Paul Suttor
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said Council is ready to move ahead with its Housing Strategy at its meeting next month.
After he recently met with NSW Housing Minister Paul Scully, Cr McDonald is hopeful of making progress after Council was inundated with feedback from the Draft Local Housing Strategy (Draft v2) being on public exhibition between 21 February and 27 April. “Council will consider the finalised strategy for adoption at our July Council meeting,” he said.
“And accompanying that will be an analysis of all the feedback we received from our pop-ups, from our website, from public discussions to show that we've listened, we've considered, and this is the final strategy.”
Cr McDonald described the catch-up with the minister as positive and along with CEO Jane Stroud and Director of Planning, Environment and Communities Ed Paterson, they were able to bring Scully up to speed on the housing strategy and assure him that Council is implementing the
performance directions from the state governm Council is looking at various scenarios for the Housing
Strategy which will be debated at next month’s meeting.
“We’re looking at the bigger picture from a
development point of view that will take into account the infrastructure needs that we require locally and not to look
at developments in isolation that possibly don't trigger the need for aninfrastructure upgrade, but to consider
the overall development framework and policy of the local area as a whole so that the necessary discussions with state agencies and other agencies can occur so that we aren't caught out,” the Mayor added.
Despite written submissions to the state government and ongoing discussions with the relevant departments, there is still no resolution on Council’s request to have controversial caveats lifted so residential land can be sold in Glenbrook Drive, near Spring Creek.
“We do have five blocks of land out there that are connected to water and sewage,” he said.
“There are houses built between those lots and Bombo Quarry, which is the subject of the caveat - the operations there. So it doesn't make sense for that caveat to remain in place.
“And while we're under a performance improvement whereby we need to have balance neutral finances by 2027, that would provide much-needed income for Council to be able to move forward and achieve our objectives.”
Plates heating up at Leagues Club in the pursuit of perfection
Mitchell Beadman
The plates are heating up again at the Kiama Leagues Club’s Sails Family Bistro with head chef Sarah Rebbeck out for another top gong in this year’s ClubsNSW Your Local Club Perfect Plate awards.
Rebbeck and Kiama Leagues Club are aiming for another perfect plate, after securing bragging rights in 2023 with two entries, their Middle Eastern Lamb Rack and Panna Colada.
Acknowledging that Australians love lamb, Rebbeck and staff narrowed it down to this dish, with the sauce proving to be the real hero on the plate.
“The lamb is beautiful, it is just melting in your mouth, but it is really about the sauce and flavours,” Rebbeck said.
The sauce recipe itself is a blend of secret herbs and spices, with the chefs sticking to the methodology consistently so it is of the
highest standard for diners every time.
“The taste is important, but it needs to be produced over and over. We have 10 different chefs altogether,” she explained.
“The recipe is massive, with many different components, but yes, its lots of spices, very Middle Eastern flavours. It is quite the blend.”
So far, the feedback has been positive with one diner saying to Rebbeck that the dish would not be out of place at a Michelin Star restaurant.
Over the years, menus at pubs and clubs have evolved from the classics.
“It has become a place where they focus a lot on their food and beverage, and Perfect Plate is part of that,” Rebbeck added.
“This is trying to show people that clubs are more than what the collective perception is, because people might not have stepped into a club for years.”
Rebbeck leant on her chef
Gav to procure the dessert dish for the competion, Panna Colada, which is the combination of two dishes.
“Gav loves his pastries and desserts. Oh, and biscotti!” she said. The competition has provided a platform for clubs to showcase not only their talented chefs, but their camaraderie, by visiting and supporting other clubs and their chefs.
“It’s a bit of rivalry and a good prize, but really, it all comes down to bragging rights and being the ones that win,” Rebbeck said.
Former Parramatta Eels, NSW and Australian representative rugby league star Nathan Hindmarsh joins expert chefs Matt Moran and Courtney Roulston as ambassadors for the Perfect Plate Awards.
Be quick and head to support your local club before the competion ends on 15 June and you can vote for Kiama Leagues Club at the Perfect Plate website.
Sarah Rebbeck.
Forum’s focus on brighter night-time econmic future
Paul Suttor
The inaugural Kiama Night-Time Economy Forum broke new ground in aligning local business operators, politicians and community leaders on a path towards shaping the town’s twilight and evening trading economy.
Monday’s event at The Pavilion was such a success that the attendees are keen to keep catching up regularly. Hosted by Kiama Council in conjunction with the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, the forum connected local business owners, operators and stakeholders to foster a shared vision on a more vibrant, inclusive and community-led Kiama After Dark.
There were 25 local business and industry stakeholders, including Kiama Business Network president Cathryn Lyall, Special Entertainment Precinct Working Group represntative Katelin McInerny, local councillors Melissa Matters, Matt Brown, Melinda Lawson and Stuart Larkins, and Kiama Council’s director of planning, environment and communities Ed Paterson.
Kiama Council’s tourism and economic development manager Sally Bursell and
Ashleigh Smith, associate director of eEngagement for the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, made presentations at the forum about options on the way forward for the town to grow the night-time economy.
Bursell said the forum shifted the focus beyond alcohol-based venues to embrace a broader definition of the night-time economy, including “lights, eats, beats.”
The aim is to explore opportunities to grow Kiama’s after-dark identity in line with community values and local strengths, to encourage local leadership and collaboration while providing a platform to contribute ideas for the emerging Visitor Economy Strategy, which includes the development of a Night-Time Economy Strategy.
“It was all really positive, I was a bit nervous walking in because there’s lots of passionate people with big ideas but the whole purpose was to get people together to start talking among themselves because there’s only limited things we can do from a Council point of view,” she said.
“To remind them that they pla a part was really valuable and the takeaways that they wanted to get together on a regular basis between
themselves and keep the communication lines open going forward so that in itself was the most positive step that we’ve had in a number of years. It was a valuable step forward.”
Kiama is at the “emerging stage” of the NSW NightTime Economy Maturity Framework and the first step in that process is getting the local leaders and business operators together to identify the barriers and where opportunities are in the local government area.
Further work will be done to develop the Visitor Economy Strategy which will incorporate the nighttime strategy with a view to submitting grant applications from the state government to fulfil the vision that Council wants for Kiama’s after dark economy after also consulting with ratepayers.
In her presentation, Smith outlined how the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner can support regional towns like Kiama with government initiatives and grant programs. She emphasised a holistic view of night-time vibrancy, including the arts, food, connection, safety and community identity, was the way forward.
As part of the forum, the
attendees were separated into small groups to formulate a vision for "Our Kiama After Dark".
The common themes of this exercise were that Kiama needed a night-time economy that was safe, accessible, connected and vibrant.
Precinct planning will explore options for after-dark districts or groupings but local residents should not be concerned that Kiama will transform into a hotbed of loud, late-night activity.
“While Kiama is markedly different from larger centres that have a thriving nighttime economy, we can pursue a future that may not promise immediate transformation but builds steadily by leaning into what makes us unique -
our rich culture and history, our commitment to safety and community, our celebrated events, and the natural beauty that surrounds us,”
Bursell added .“From this foundation, Kiama can develop a night-time economy that is not only active and engaging but also deeply reflective of our character.
A future where locals and visitors alike can experience Kiama’s charm after darkconnected, enriched, and inspired.”
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said Council wanted to provide businesses with the opportunity to open
up later to employ more local staff.
“It's about enabling a vibrant economy into the night to attract people into the area so that our business can flourish,” he said.
"Although we just won the Top Tourist Town 2025, we're more than just a tourist town.
“We're a town that the local people want to enjoy as well.
A vibrant nighttime economy - and from an arts and cultural perspective - is something that I think we should aspire to.”
Photo: Shot Studio
Power upgrade at Coronation Park as part of ongoing works
Mitchell Beadman
Recent upgrades are powering up Coronation Park but there is more to come.
Kiama Council recently installed three-phase power to the popular park at Surf Beach.
Three-phase power is commonly used in commercial settings because it is reliable and able to withstand high demand.
“It’s ideal for the Farmers Market, which has lots of food stalls, mobile kitchens and coffee carts,” a Council spokesperson said.
Council also recently upgraded the play equipment in the park as it tends to attract rust being so close to the beach.
However, it hasn’t been all good news for Coronation Park lately, with the park to undergo remediation works on the grass following the overflow from the surf during recent wet weather.
“Coronation Park is well used by visitors on a
weekend, but also by locals during the week for exercise groups, for schools, so we’ve really got to consider their usage, so that during any upgrade their needs are considered with regards to how that upgrade is managed,” Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said.
“What we’re are looking at is the damage from the ocean, essentially wrecking the park. And there’s works involved to try and upgrade the level of the park and the grass covering.”
The works are expected to begin next month and will likely to take several months.
“We know this will be an inconvenience, but the work is necessary. Council will keep you informed and updated, as we move through the process.
“We’re looking forward to having one of our most popular parks back to where it should be,” Cr McDonald said.
Funding for the remediation works will come from the Crown Lands reserve.
‘Waste into wonder’: How to make every compost a winner
Mitchell Beadman
Whether you have a spacious backyard or live in an apartment, composting is for everyone.
Kiama Council is hosting a free workshop on the 17 June at the Kiama Community Gardens on home composting.
Joe Carter, who volunteers at the Kiama Community Gardens, will be providing an overview of the benefits of composting with participants.
“The good thing about this is it works for people who live in apartments… it is not necessarily about having a garden,” he said.
The event will guide
participants through the basics of successful home composting, which includes three different methods.
The methods are the ‘Dalek composting bin’, a worm farm, and ‘Bokashi One’ composting system. All participants will be provided with one that suits their residential needs.
The worms are locally sourced from Gerringong and double in population every six months, but seem to manage their population.
The event will provide a guide on how to use the different composting systems and which one is best for your home. It will also troubleshoot common problems people come across when they
get their hands dirty in composting.
Carter said that by composting at home, residents can help bring down the cost of landfill waste to councils.
Research from the University of Southern Queensland highlights that food waste is a global concern, with around one third of food being wasted annually, which can have a flow-on effect onto council resources.
Kiama is viewed as an Australian leader in the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) system since its implementation over a decade ago.
“I was speaking to one
person recently who started composting at the age of 14 and has now moved into a share house and has their housemates doing it,” Carter said.
Thursday was World Environment Day and Carter said everyone can help out: “It does make you more aware… basically I’m composting all my food waste..
“Composting makes sense and it’s a good feeling as well.”
Bookings are essential for the workshop and can be made at the Kiama Council Website. Registrations close on 16 June at 3pm.
There will be further workshops on 23 August, 11 November and 7 March.
Joe Carter at the worm bin at Kiama Community Gardens.
Kiama High School out and about: Athletics, camps and Sorry Day
The Bugle is pleased to present a fortnightly feature with Kiama High School, bringing you the latest news and events from the school.
Sorry Day recognised
Kiama High School’s Indigenous students have made wreaths for Sorry Day last Monday and they looked amazing. The school is so proud of their contribution to reconciliation and grateful to Amethyst for her leadership in this space.
Athletics carnival
The Athletics Carnival is a fantastic opportunity for students from all year groups to come together, compete, and support one another, embodying the true spirit of our school community.
It’s a vibrant celebration where friendships are strengthened, and everyonewhether running, cheering, or
volunteering - plays a vital role in showcasing our core values of respect, responsibility, and excellence.
Kiama High’s senior students truly shone at the recent carnival as beacons of school spirit, leading the charge with enthusiastic cheers sporting their house colours.
A massive shout-out goes to our dedicated staff and
Year group chaperones, who, armed with clipboards, ensured the event ran smoothly.
With the help of student volunteers, measurements were taken, records noted, and plenty of laughs were shared.
And let's not forget the delicious food from our school canteen and the everpopular ice-cream van, which provided perfect fuel for both
Navy Aviation Prospect Scheme Base Visit
Six curious and committed Year 10 students took part in the Navy Aviation Prospect Scheme visit at HMAS Albatross, where they explored career pathways in Navy Aviation.
Students toured the hangars, sat inside helicopters and met a wide range of Navy personnel. They even had the unique chance to eat
competitors and spectators alike, because nothing says athletic achievement like celebrating with a scoop (or two) of your favourite flavour.
lunch in the mess — not a typical school day.
Due to the top secret nature of naval operations (and some very serious looking signs), we don’t have any photos to share - so you’ll just have to take our word for it.
These students represented Kiama High with respect, maturity and curiosity, and will be heading back for the next stage of the program later this year.
Year 7 Peer Support Camp
The recent Year 7 Peer Support Camp at the “The Tops”, Stanwell Park was a massive success.
There were 155 students and 12 dedicated, funloving staff who enjoyed the plethora of games, activities, adventure and challenges that supported many of the students' (and staff) personal development.
A special thanks and shout out must go out to our amazing Year 10 Peer Support leaders who supported, lead, engaged and conducted themselves beyond reproach.
Defence Tri Service Work Experience
Congratulations to two outstanding students, Anna and Evey, who were selected to take part in the Defence Tri Service Work Experience program. They were among just 22 students from nine Illawarra Central and South schools to complete this immersive, weeklong program exploring life in the Navy, Army and Air Force.
Throughout the week, they: Visited HMAS Albatross, experiencing flight simulators, physical training and team building at Greenfield Beach; Travelled to Canberra for the Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, an ADF careers briefing, a tour of ADFA and a physically demanding water and rope obstacle Course.
Explored RAAF Base Wagga, participating in cultural learning, military drills, a fire brigade tour and more PT sessions. They also had the privilege of meeting Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs.
Local theatre group ready to ‘Bloom’ this season with new play
By Laura Oliver Graham
The Nowra Players, a non-profit community organisation, have been bringing live theatre to the Shoalhaven community since 1951.
They present four productions each year which incorporate a wide variety of styles.
Their second production of 2025 is "Bloom"; by Andrew Morton, a beautiful, funny and uplifting play that deals with grief and the bonds between people.
The play revolves around a teenage boy, Daniel (Sean Leach) whose life has been suddenly uprooted and he acts out.
After getting suspended from school, he is placed in a sort of involuntary work experience situation with Bob (Paul Fraser), a retired urban garden hobbyist.
As these two men build this on-stage garden, they slowly build a beautiful bond that supports each other through their personal grief with time and purpose.
“What I love about the play is how immediately familiar it feels," Bloom director Amber Van Dusen said.
"Each of the characters feel like someone you actually know, and all their delightful and funny dialogues are conversations you'll swear you've had with someone before.”
The set for this production is a complicated collection of props. The production has an actual garden bed in the middle of the stage that evolves during the show in symbolic tandem with the growth of the characters.
This was achieved with the amazing work of the Nowra Players volunteer crew.
Where: The Players Theatre, 27 Meroo St, Bomaderry.
When: June 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 at 7:30pm; June 7, 14, 21 Saturday matinees at 2:00pm; June 8, 15 Sunday matinees at 2:00pm
Tickets are $30 concession and $32 full price - available at www.nowraplayers.com.
comp etitio n time!
Expert celebrates famous author at Library’s Jane Austen Festival
Danielle Woolage
Illawarra scholar and author Jan Merriman is on a mission; to give a voice to the often unrecognised women who helped shape literary history.
It is a journey that started in the 1970s, when Jan was a young high school English teacher and Jane Austen’s novel Emma was the set HSC text. For the past five decades Jan has immersed herself in the world of Austen, spending many hours in libraries across the globe – from Oxford and Cambridge to Albion Park and Shellharbour –researching the famous author and those close to her.
Later this month Jan will host a talk at Kiama Library as part of the library’s sixmonth long celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
While much is known about Austen’s life, thanks in part to three volumes of perfectly preserved writings from her teenage years housed in the Bodleian Library, little is known about the women who inspired the much-loved novelist.
“It’s wonderful to see so much interest in someone I have very much admired for so many years,” says Jan who is a member of the Australian, North American and UK Jane Austen societies.
Jan has written countless academic papers on Austen, presenting them at conferences and running workshops around the world celebrating the author. But one of her proudest achievements was researching and writing a biography about Jane Austen’s aunt Philadelphia Hancock, who played a significant role in the novelist’s life.
The book, Jane Austen’s Remarkable Aunt Philadelphia Hancock, was an eight-year labour-of love for Jan who pieced together the life of Philadelphia and her daughter Eliza (Jane’s first cousin and close confidante) through years of painstaking research.
influential women of the time didn’t get a mention in history. But we are now rectifying that by telling their stories and bringing them to life.”
Jan spent thousands of hours trawling through history to piece together Philadelphia’s life as a milliner, mother, doctor’s wife and wealthy widow.
“I couldn’t have written this book without the internet or without libraries,” says Jan.
“From Albion Park and Shellharbour Library to Oxford, Cambridge and the British Library, all of them have been wonderful sources of information.”
Jan discovered letters Philadelphia had written to her daughter in France and husband in India, a surgeon for the East India Company whom she met through an arranged marriage.
When he died Philadelphia moved to France with her daughter until the revolution forced them to return to England.
Both women provided inspiration for characters in the young Jane’s novels and the author is now held in the same literary esteem as Shakespeare. Jan’s book details the connection between author and aunt, discovering the worlds that Philadelphia moved in across England, France and India, the people she met and the mystery of Eliza’s real father.
“Philadelphia brought another dimension to a young Jane Austen’s life,” says Jan. “But very little was written about her. So, I set about finding out as much as I could about Jane’s aunt and the impact she had on her life and her writing. Many
“Philadelphia and Eliza remained central figures in Jane’s life and writing,” says Jan, who is considered worldwide to be a Jane Austen expert.
After the publication of her biography late last year,
Jan Merriman.
Jan was invited to speak to Jane Austen fans at Chawton Cottage the house where she wrote her famous novels, including Pride and Prejudice (adapted for television by the BBC five times - the first version in 1938 and the most famous in 1995).
It was a career highlight for the retired teacher and university lecturer who, all those years ago when she first picked up a copy of Emma, never dreamed she would one day be standing in Jane Austen’s home signing copies of her own book.
Jan will share her wealth of knowledge about Jane Austen and her remarkable aunt at Kiama Library on June 20 from 6pm as the special guest of Friends of Kiama Library (FOKL). She will also sign copies of her book. Tickets are $25 for FOKL and $30 for guests, including drinks and finger food.
Jan’s talk will kick off six-months of Jane Austen celebrations with the library hosting a free Jane Austen Book Club each month. The first - Northanger Abbey - will be on June 24 and celebrations will culminate in a discussion of the muchloved Pride and Prejudice on November 25.
Building lifelong literary resilience at the forefront for Kiama libraries
Mitchell Beadman
Kiama Council is prioritising grassroots programs within its library and cultural hubs as part of its plan to provide “lifelong learning experiences”.
The extensive Kiama Library Strategic 2025-2029 plan highlights the strength of services and facilities in Kiama.Council’s manager of library and cultural hubs
Michelle Hudson said: “the vision is providing lifelong learning experiences for people and building community resilience.”
Kiama Library provides extensive early literacy programs, which fosters development during crucial learning stages of children.
“We provide all the newborn babies in Kiama with a library bag and board book, and information about all the community programs and portraying the importance of reading to young children,” Hudson said.
Kiama Library has implemented three stages of learning with baby story time, toddler tales and preschool story time.
“It’s about preparing children for that classroom environment,” Hudson said.
There are also school
holiday programs for children and their families to engage in their own time, from building Lego to even working with robots.
For many, keeping up with the constant evolution of technology can be difficult, but Kiama Council is offering education to help those in
need. “We are providing classes so that people can improve their digital literacy, but also provide a point of contact for those having problems with their phones, even showing people how to print from their phones and download documents,” Hudson said.
The Original Coronation Chicken A royal dish born in 1953
Invented for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation banquet by Le Cordon Bleu’s Rosemary Hume and author Constance Spry, this curried chicken salad is light, creamy and effortlessly elegant.
Ingredients
500g cooked chicken (poached or grilled, then chopped)
2 tbsp dried apricots (chopped or puréed)
4 tbsp mayonnaise
3 tbsp light crème fraîche (or unsweetened whipped cream)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp curry powder
1 small onion or shallot (finely chopped)
100ml red wine
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp lemon juice
Pinch of sugar
Salt & pepper
Optional: flaked almonds for garnish
Method
In
In
large bowl, combine cooled sauce with mayonnaise, crème fraîche and apricots.
Fold in the chicken. Garnish with almonds if using.
Serve with salad, as a sandwich filling, or over baked potatoes.
Kiama’s libraries are also a great place for those enjoying a break on the South Coast to use the services available.
“We get a lot of tourists in Kiama and our facilities cater to their needs,” Hudson added.
“We are only a smaller library, but it is about making the most of our staff and working collaboratively with different partnerships so that we can provide a range of different programs for the community to engage with.”
With the cultural development in Kiama, she said it is “about communication and connection by procuring various creative partnerships and making people feel part of the community”..
“We also pay homage to where we live, understanding the environment that we live in, and also appreciating our local history.”
Hudson was optimistic about the Library Strategic Plan 2025-2029 saying “we have had some really positive feedback from the community, reinforcing what Council is doing and I am looking forward to the plans being carried out”.
Submissions closed for the Library Strategic Plan 2025–2029 at the end of March.
Mitchell Beadman
Through the advocacy of local Lions Club members
Hilton Bloomfield and Dr Jon Phipps, six large tubs of stamps have been collected, with a rare find amongst them, a Penny Black stamp.
At auction, the rarest of Penny Black stamps has fetched for more than $200,000.
“We found a Penny Black stamp and passed it on to be auctioned, which is set for a date in June,” Bloomfield said.
The Penny Black stamp was the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, and it went on sale in Great Britain in 1840.
There is said to be 68 million printed, with only 3.4 million thought to still be around.
With the evolution of technology and emails, it is a great feat that the community of Kiama has so far donated six 20-litre tubs of "collections" and generally used stamps.
The stamps are then passed onto the Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation, where they are
One a penny … could there be two rare stamps in Kiama?
sorted by denomination and then passed onto auction houses.
“We often get people ringing and we collect the stamps and then pass them on,” Bloomfield said.
The ongoing goal for the ALCMF is to provide a walker to every child in Australia, who needs one.
As children are evergrowing, Bloomfield said “they outgrow their mobility and they have to get new ones, which cost thousands of dollars”.
A child in Kiama Downs is set to receive a mobility walker worth around $7500 as part of this initiative.
Earlier in the year, the ALCMF presented Bloomfield and Dr Phipps with a recognition of services award for their fundraising efforts.
For those who have recently cleaned out the garage or sorted through old boxes and have come across old collections or used stamps, they can be dropped into the Kiama Pharmacy on Manning Street or Blooms the Chemist on Terralong Street.
Scones with Jam & Cream
The jewel of any high tea
The humble scone is the cornerstone of British morning teas. Light, buttery and best served warm, it pairs perfectly with a strong brew and good conversation.
Ingredients
2 cups selfraising flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp caster sugar
¼ tsp salt
60g cold butter, cubed
¾ cup milk
Method
Preheat oven to 220°C. Combine dry ingredients. Rub in butter until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in milk to form a soft dough. Lightly knead, roll out and cut into rounds. Bake on a floured tray for 12–15 minutes. Serve warm with strawberry jam and whipped cream or clotted cream.
Perfect Pairings: Tea Time Tips Brewing the ideal English Breakfast
A Royal Morning Tea calls for a robust black tea. Brew English Breakfast tea in freshly boiled water for 3–5 minutes. Add milk or a slice of lemon to taste. For extra refinement, try Earl Grey for its soft bergamot notes.
Coronation Chicken — a light, curried delight created for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. Stock Photo.
Serve scones warm with lashings of jam and cream for the ultimate royal touch. Stock Photo.
Michelle Hudson.
Mark Emery
Iwas volunteering at the Gerringong museum the other day and a lady came in. She was telling me a story about how, as a child, about 50 years ago, give or take a few, she used to come down with her family to Easts Beach Caravan Park every year and spend the Christmas holidays there.
She spent every day at the beach, made some great friends who also came down every year.
She said the group, all well and truly grown up, planned to go back and spend a weekend at the park to relive the excitement of their youth.
It got me thinking about those times. I actually had two childhoods, a bit like her. During the non-holiday time I spent my youth the same as any other child around Gerringong, going to school, cricket, scouts, church and so on.
During holiday time I was fully employed at my parents' caravan park at Gerroa.
Even though Easter was a big time and there were some reasonably busy times on special weekends, I wanted to just focus on the biggest time of them all - the Xmas holidays.
The school bell rang for the last time in a year back in the days when we had three terms. Therefore you had a full six weeks of Xmas holidays.
You had a week of holidays between school breaking up and Xmas. We did get a few people to come into the caravan park but most people waited until Xmas Day was all but over.
From late Xmas Day and Boxing Day, locals did not go out onto the roads if they could help it because they
Caravan days of yore
were packed with holidaymakers descending onto the coast. It was a very busy day.
The holiday-makers could be divided into three groups.
First were those who took up accommodation that was already there, like onsite caravans.
Second were those who brought their own accommodation such as caravans or tents and were occasional visitors.
The third group were those who had bought a caravan and left it at the park more or less permanently and came down to the same place every year, sometimes for decades.
On the day, it was interesting
to watch some "green" holiday-makers trying to back a caravan into an allocated spot. Some had never towed a caravan before.
Staying in a tent sounds like a lot of fun and I’m sure it was, when it didn’t rain.
Some Xmas holidays it started to rain and just kept it up for weeks.
We had a shop and we would have these poor drowned rats come up to the shop just to get out of the rain for a couple of minutes. Everything they owned was wet through.
By the time Boxing Day was over most of the parks around the Kiama LGA were full, including ours.
Woolly wonders on display
The Illawarra Feltmakers are returning to Kiama with their much-anticipated annual exhibition, and this year’s event promises to be a woolly delight for all ages.
‘Felt into Nature’ will take place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June, from 10am to 4pm each day, at the Kiama Masonic Hall, 46 Collins Street.
Entry is free, and visitors are invited to roll up their sleeves and dive into the tactile world of wool and feltmaking.
For two days, the historic hall will be transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity, showcasing handmade felt art, items for sale, live demonstrations, and interactive workshops.
There’s even a “funny hat” station, where visitors can try on wild and whimsical wool creations in front of a mirror, a sure hit with children and adults alike.
“Our group is passionate about sharing what felt is and how it’s made,” says Christine Sloan, one of the group’s key organisers. “So many people have never seen the process of turning wool into fabric without
glue. It’s soap, warm water, and a bit of elbow grease.”
The simple but fascinating technique will be on full display, with demonstrations showing how raw wool is carded, shaped, and transformed into either wearable pieces or sculptural art.
One particularly captivating process visitors will get to see is Nuno felting, where silk and wool are combined to create lightweight, reversible garments, a perfect fit for our coastal climate.
“Kids and adults love rolling felt balls and seeing how soft fluff becomes something solid. It's a bit like magic,” Christine adds.
The show also celebrates the achievements of local and national feltmakers.
Jamberoo-based artist Anita Larkin, founder of the Illawarra Feltmakers, is a nationally recognised textile artist whose sculptural works are held in the Australian War Memorial and Wollongong City Gallery, where she was formerly Artist in Residence. Around 15 of Anita’s pieces will be on display during the exhibition.
And so started a different life for myself and the holidaymakers. The tourists' days went on a repeating cycle. The family wakes up and has breakfast. Pack up the beach stuff and off to the beach for a few hours. Sunscreen was usually a Coppertone variant, designed to give you a "safe" tan or a thick gooey cream that sat in streaks on your face called Zinc Cream.
You would sit on the beach under an umbrella if you had one, or went out in the water with a blow-up surf mat (Surfoplane) with handles or a hard plastic kickboard to catch waves. Occasionally "real" surfboards were used
The event also honours the memory of the late Barbara Wyles, an accomplished fibre artist known for her fine lacework and knitted shawls, which earned top awards at the Royal Easter Show.
Expect the entrance to the Masonic Hall to be decked out in colourful wool-themed decorations, designed to draw the community in. “No real sheep,” Christine jokes, “but plenty of felt ones. We’re woola-holics. And while we may only usually wear wool three months of the year on the coast, this show proves wool is for every season, every age, and every imagination.”
For those inspired to learn more, the Illawarra Feltmakers also run beginner-friendly workshops at the North Kiama Neighbourhood Centre on the first Saturday of each month. These small group sessions are an ideal way to pick up traditional skills in a warm and welcoming environment.
“Don’t miss this chance to see, touch, and learn about the world of felt,” Christine encourages. “And maybe leave with a woolly treasure of your own.”
people I saw never wore anything else apart from a swimming costume and thongs.
After the first week, some dads (and it was usually dads) returned home alone to go to work and came back on weekends.
Great friendships were forged. As the same people came down every year to the same sites, you got to know your neighbours and little communities sprang up. At our park I got to know some other young people and had a close relationship with this group for the Xmas period but never saw them again until the following year. My brother even married a girl from the park.
Speaking of my brother, he was involved in one of the highlights of the day for the kids.
In those days you had cylindrical garbage bins with lids. It was his job to drive around the park picking them up, ready to take to the dump. Hordes of kids would descend and hang off all parts of the truck as he drove around.
by young people with varying degrees of success. A block of surf wax was essential.
Back home for a sandwich lunch and back out to explore the landscape, canoeing, walking on the rocks, etc.
You usually did not go back to the beach as by that time a stiff nor'easterly was blowing, flattening the waves and blowing sand so hard it actually cut into your legs as you walked.
Dinner was often a barbie set up in front of the van. Maybe you were lucky enough to go to the movies at the Gerringong Town Hall.
This routine was repeated for up to five weeks. Many
Many businesses would come to the park to sell their goods. I can remember daily deliveries of meat and apple pies. The smell was wonderful. In those days vans had ice boxes rather than electric fridges and an ice man would come around. Tourists would come out in droves carrying any plastic object they could find to get a block of ice to keep food cool.
Come the end of January the parks would empty out and people would go back to their other lives.
Walking around Avonlea Caravan Park in February you could hear the silence!
Many holiday-makers ended up buying properties in the district.
What’s On?
Worldwide Knit in Public Exhibition
On now until 12 June, 1pm
Gerringong Library & Museum. For more information contact 0424641663
Lost Saturdays Fine Wine Festival
Sat 7 June
The Pavilion Kiama
Get tickets online at Oztix
Winter Wine Festival
Sat 7 to 8 June, 11am-10pm
Crooked River Estate
Distilled
Sat 7 to Sun 8 June
The Co-Op Gerringong
Get tickets online at thecoopgerringong.com
Kiama red cross fun run/walk
Sun 8 June
Kiama Coastal Walk
21.1km or 8km or 5km.
Prams, strollers & dogs
welcome More details: kiama.com.au/events/ kiama-fun-run
Steam Down the Line
Sun 8 June
Illawarra Light Railway Museum
Susannah Hardy in conversation with Lisa Darcy
Tues 10 June
Kiama Library, 6pm to 7pm
OpenField Arts Festival
Fri 13 to Sun 15 June Berry, NSW
Mosaic Art Classes
Kiama: Turkish
Lamp Workshop
Sat 14 June, sessions at 10am, 2pm, and 6pm Kiama Bowling Club
Home Composting
Workshop
Tues 17 June 9am-12pm
Kiama Community Garden
Revvies Kiama
Coastal Classic
Sun 22 June
The running festival has four race distances; 2km, 5km, 12km and the main event, the 21km Revvies Kiama Coastal Classic. Register online.
Echoes: Steel City Strings
Sun 22 June, 2pm-4pm
The Pavilion Kiama Book online
Sing Australia Kiama’s 15th birthday
Wed 25 June 2025
Karaoke ‘style singalongs, Contact: Maree Shepherd, 0414 752 982, maree@shepherd.com.au
Kiama I Do - Wedding
Open Day
Sat 28 June, 11am-2pm
The Pavilion Kiama Gerringong Music Club presents Estampa Sun 29 June, 2pm-3:30pm Gerringong Town Hall Book tickets online or at the door.
Entries close for Country Press NSW Short Story Competition
4 July
Pick up entry forms from The Bugle offices.
Kiama Vintage Fair
Sun 6 July
Masonic Hall, 46 Collins St, 9am-3pm
Kiama Winter Street Festival
Sat 12 July
Terralong Street, Kiama
Step into a Winter Wonderland in Kiama!
$5 donation upon entry is kindly requested
Orry-Kelly Dressing Hollywood Gala
Sat, 26th July 2025, 6pm
The Sebel, Kiama
The gala will honour the legendary costume designer’s exceptional career and achievements, celebrating his legacy right here in his hometown of Kiama.
Folk by the Sea
Fri 12 to Sun 14 Sept
Kiama Showground Pavilion
Folk by the Sea is a music festival that showcases a rich blend of folk, world, roots, Celtic, bluegrass, and gypsy music. Early Bird ticket is available on the website folkbythesea.com.au
Lleyton Hughes
Local theatre director George Banders will present his interpretation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre on 13 June - a play he has been involved with in various ways for nearly a decade.
Banders, whose wife owns Kiama Sweet Co on the main street, first encountered Macbeth in 2007 while studying acting at drama school. “Since then, I’ve performed as Macbeth, Macduff, Ross, and other characters. I’ve taught the play around the world, seeing it through the eyes of private school students, and through the eyes of young people living in rural, outback Australia,” Banders said.
“I’m so close to this play - I guess that’s what I bring to it. I try to pour everything I’ve learned from it into the production, especially the perspectives I’ve gained from
Local theatre director brings Shakespeare’s Macbeth to life
working with young people. I want to put that richness and insight on stage.”
Banders says that, like most people, he first read the play in school, but he never quite connected with it until he saw it performed. “It wasn’t until I saw a live production that it really clicked. People forget Shakespeare wrote plays - not essays or novels. They weren’t meant to be quietly read around a room. They were meant to be staged, costumed, performed - full of character, energy, and imagination.”
He describes Macbeth as “terrifying, electric theatre”a dark and fast-paced thriller, horror, and action piece in one. “It’s very short and sharp, with one clear plot line that drives the whole story - unlike some of Shakespeare’s more complex works. At its heart, it’s about humanity, our flaws, and the consequences of our choices.”
Despite being over 400 years old, Macbeth, Banders argues, remains urgently relevant which is a testament
to the quality of the writing and a case for why it is a text that needs to be continually retold and reinterpreted.
“Take the Ben RobertsSmith case, for example. He’s a modern Macbeth - a celebrated soldier turned disgraced figure. We honoured him, put him in the Australian War Museum, and then we learned more about what he’d done. He became something else - something darker.
“We see this kind of fall from grace all the time. People ask me, ‘Why study Shakespeare? Why is it still relevant?’ Just look at leaders around the world - people who began with hope and good intentions but turned into megalomaniacs or worse. That’s Macbeth.”
Banders' production of Macbeth will play for one night only at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre on Thursday, 13 June. He encourages the community to experience the power of live theatre.
Post card home Post card home
Imelda at the Taj Mahal
We made it! This morning, our group gathered in front of the majestic Taj Mahal, its white marble glowing softly in the early light. Standing together in saris, sandals and wide smiles, we soaked in every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Located in Agra, northern India, the Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most iconic
monuments. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of enduring love.
Built in the 1600s by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture with Persian, Indian and Islamic influences.
India is a feast for the senses. Colour, spice, sound and spirit all come together here. Every step of the journey
reveals contrasts. There is peace and prayer inside the Taj, and vibrant energy in the streets beyond. No matter how many times you have seen it in photos, nothing prepares you for standing before it.
From still water reflections to the warm glow of dawn behind the dome, each view was magic.
- Imelda x
Time for trivia!
Time for trivia!
What is the fluffiest type of cloud?
What is the fluffiest type of cloud?
Which actor released the memoir Finding e in ? How many points are there on the maple leaf on the Canadian flag?
Which actor released the memoir Finding Me in 2022? How many points are there on the maple leaf on the it's
knowledge to the test! Each week you can find a new and challenging trivia round right on The Bugle App Just go to the bugle app and check out ‘The Weekend Quiz’. Each Friday a new puzzle will go live and th e
Got your answers? Great, now it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Each week you can find a new and challenging trivia round right on The Bugle App ! Just go to the bugle app and check out ‘The Weekend Quiz’. Each Friday a new puzzle will go live and th e competition begins! Enjoy trivia fans!
WHAT IS THE FLUFFIEST TYPE OF CLOUD?
ANSWER : C
Cirrus
Stratus
PUZZLES
25 Vital glandular organ (5)
come, comer, comet, core, corgi, corm, cortege, coterie, emote, ergo, ergot, erotic, gemot, gemote, GEOMETRIC, giro, goitre, gore, meteor, meteoric, metro, micro, more, mort, mortice, mote, ogee, ogre, omit, remote, riot, rote, tome, tore, trio
QUICK QUIZ
Lucy powers to fourth state surfing title with Perfect 10
Gerringong’s Lucy Darragh has secured her fourth surfing state title, dominating the Under 16s division at the State Classics in Coffs Harbourand making waves with a perfect 10-point ride along the way.
Held over six days, the 2025 State Classics made history by combining five major titlesJunior, Masters, Longboard, SUP, and High School - under one event banner for the first time.
Darragh stood out in a strong field of young surfers, posting a combined score of 17.6 in the final, including an impressive 9.23-scoring wave. Her closest rival, Madora Barton, finished with a total of 12.34.
“The conditions were so good for the entire event,” said Darragh. “I’m really happy to have won my fourth NSW state title. It was a stacked field and the girls were surfing so well.”
In round one, Lucy added a rare feat to
her list of accomplishmentsscoring a perfect 10 on a single wave.
“Receiving a 10-point ride is a huge achievement for me. It’s really rare in competition, and I always go into events aiming for big scores,” she said.
“I’ve been training hard and working on my technique - I think that’s why my surfing keeps improving, both in comps and in free surfing.”
Next on the calendar for Lucy are the Krui and Nias Pro Qualifying Series events in Indonesia, kicking off in just a week.
“My biggest goals for 2025 are to climb the Qualifying Series rankings, qualify for the World Surfing League Challenger Series, and make the final at World Juniors later this year,” she said.
Once again, Lucy has proven she’s one of Australia’s brightest surfing talents - and there’s no doubt she’s only just getting started.
Hole lot of fun at Jamberoo with FootGolf titles kicking off
The best footgolfers in the state and beyond will be heading to Jamberoo next weekend. Footgolfers? Yes, FootGolf.
For those unfamiliar, FootGolf involves players kicking a standard soccer ball into enlarged golf holes, following rules and etiquette similar to traditional golf.
Jamberoo Golf Club will host the 2025 NSW Open FootGolf tournament on 14-15 June.This year marks the third time Jamberoo has hosted the event, having also staged the inaugural tournament in 2016. “Jamberoo has supported the sport right from its very beginnings here
in Australia,” said FootGolf ambassador and player Deryn Knott.“They have a permanent nine holes available for social players most afternoons, which enables us to not only practise there but to host competitions as well.”
Knott explained that the way they build the courses is to dig the FootGolf holes in strategically placed positions along a golf course, typically on the edge of fairways.
“When not in use,” said Knott. “We cover the holes with a man-hole style cover with an artificial turf surface, which allows for the usual upkeep of the golf course to continue uninterrupted and means the holes are barely visible to golf patrons.”
Kiama Red Cross Fun Run returns for 11th year
Lleyton Hughes
This 11th annual Kiama Red Cross Fun Run will bring the community together for a good cause along one of the region’s most scenic routes on Sunday.
Despite a windy forecast, the day is expected to be sunny as runners and walkers make their way along Kiama’s stunning coastline to raise funds for the Red Cross.
“Proceeds from this event go to Red Cross to be used
locally to help needy and vulnerable people,” said Judi O’Brien, President of Kiama Red Cross.
“Join in on the fun and help raise funds for the Red Cross.”
Participants can choose from three different runs:
The 21.1km half marathon starts at 7am from Coronation Park, Surf Beach Kiama, extending to Dunmore and back.
Players from around Australia and overseasincluding Japan, Malaysia, and potentially New Caledonia - will travel to Jamberoo to compete. “Players will earn points towards their global ranking, which is what attracts international competitors,” said Knott. “Last year at the Australian Open, we had about 30 to 40 starters - roughly half international and half domestic players from states like Victoria, Queensland, and across NSW.”
Knott has been playing the sport for several years and said it was a natural transition from football.
“The thing that got me hooked was that it's an individual sport. In football,
you're part of a team, and it's sometimes hard to measure your personal contribution,” he said. “In FootGolf, there’s no argument - your score reflects how well you played.
“It allows you to gauge your achievement and track your progression.”
He noted the accessibility and affordability of FootGolf, compared to traditional golf. “With FootGolf, you can just grab a soccer ball and head out for a kick - take it as seriously or as casually as you like,” said Knott. “It’s less frustrating than golf too. In golf, the technicality of a swing can hold you back. But with FootGolf, if you want to curl it, you usually can.”
Some big names are
The 8km run begins at 9am from James Oates Reserve at the Minnamurra River entrance and finishes at Surf
The
and also finishes at Surf Beach. This shorter course welcomes walkers, runners, prams, and dogs on leashes. Walk-up entries are welcome on the day, but participants are encouraged to arrive early to ensure a smooth start.
To register, check race details, or be eligible for early bird prizes, visit: kiama.com. au/whats-on/kiama-funrun.
Malaysia, who recently won a major tournament in Vietnam.
Australian Ryan Paisley, last year’s Jamberoo champion, remains the favourite. “Ryan’s been consistently winning for the last couple of years, so he’s likely Hilmi’s biggest challenger,” said Knott.
The tournament features men's and women’s open divisions, as well as over-45s -
and it's open to all, even first-time players.
“It might seem intimidating to join the NSW Open as a beginner, but anyone can play at Jamberoo from 2pm most days,” said Knott. “You’re welcome to get some practice in before tee-off next week.
“Anyone can come and watch and experience a unique and exciting sport.”
Lleyton Hughes
Beach Kiama.
5km event kicks off at 9am from the North Bombo Beach carpark
Lleyton Hughes
Kiama’s on a roll with win streak
Lleyton Hughes
Kiama Rugby Club’s firstgrade side continued their winning streak over the weekend, edging out the Wollongong Vikings 27-21 in a hard-fought contest.
Kiama started strongly, dominating early play and producing what player Dante Patrick described as their best rugby of the season so far.
“That first half was probably the best half we've played all year. We just didn’t allow them to have any ball, and anything they threw at us, we backed our defence and shut it down,” Patrick said.
“Everything was going our way - we felt almost untouchable at that time.”
However, momentum shifted when Kiama received a yellow card just before halftime, followed by another in the second half. With only 14 men on the field for significant periods, the Vikings capitalised and
clawed their way back into the game.“It was a good effort from the boys, but it got a bit touch-and-go letting them back in during the second half,” Patrick said.
“But we stuck to our processes and really backed ourselves. We just didn’t feel like we were going to losewe were still riding that high from the first half.”
The victory marks Kiama’s third consecutive win. Despite the strong form, the club currently sits third on the ladder, largely due to having played only four games this season, while other teams have played up to six.
“I think this weekend is round eight, and we’ve only played four games so far, which has been tough and a bit frustrating," Patrick said. "But I’m glad we’re coming good at the right end of the season and starting to move up the ladder.”
“It’s all about timing and preparation, and I think we’ve
been nailing that over the past few weeks.”
Fortunately for Kiama, instead of having a bye over the long weekend, they will play a catch-up match on Saturday against the University of Wollongong.
“They’re very competitive, very fit, and very young - it’s unpredictable preparing for a team like University,” Patrick said.
“Because of their fitness and their willingness to turn up every single time, you can’t
Local teams fall short at inaugural Magic Round
Lleyton Hughes
There was no magic in the air for local teams
Gerringong Lions and Jamberoo Superoos during Group 7 Rugby League’s inaugural Magic Round.
Eight of the nine teams in the competition played backto-back in four consecutive matches at Royal Artie Smith Oval in Bomaderry on a picturesque Saturday, 31 May.
With Kiama having the bye, Jamberoo was the first local team to take the field, lining up in the second game of the day against fourthplaced Albion Park Oak Flats Eagles. The Superoos entered the match sitting fifth on the ladder.
Ahead of the clash, Superoos coach Jono Dallas emphasised the need for more consistency and discipline from his side.
“Despite the win last week, we made far too many errors, and our discipline made things harder than they should’ve been. Our next challenge is to start putting back-to-back efforts together,” Dallas said.
Unfortunately for Jamberoo, the game got off to a disastrous start when fiveeighth Nathan Gallastegui suffered an early injury - an opening the Eagles quickly exploited, scoring their first try in the 7th minute.
Playing one man down, Jamberoo struggled to stem the tide. Albion Park
capitalised with three more tries before the break, taking a commanding 20-0 lead into halftime.
James Gilmore offered the Superoos a lifeline with a try in the 43rd minute, narrowing the margin to 20-6. However, Albion Park struck back just five minutes later and ran away with the game, sealing a convincing 42-12 win.
Later in the day, Gerringong Lions faced the competition leaders - the Stingrays of Shellharbourin the final match under the lights at Royal Artie Smith Oval.
The Stingrays struck first in the 9th minute with a crisp backline play that ended in a try in the corner. Former
NRL star Tim Lafai extended the lead just before halftime, making it 10-0 at the break. It appeared the scoreline would remain unchanged until Gerringong finally broke through in the 69th minute, with Tyrell Taione pouncing on a well-placed kick from Rixon Russell to score.
The final 11 minutes were tense, including a lastsecond chip-and-chase effort from the Lions, but the Stingrays held firm to secure a 10-6 victory.
In other results from the day, the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs cruised past Berry 40-12, while the Shellharbour Sharks defeated hosts Nowra-Bomaderry Jets 3216.
Group 7 Operations Manager Ashton Sims estimated that approximately 3,000 people attended the inaugural Magic Round, which featured beers from 17 breweries and eight food vendors.
“It was about bringing rugby league and the community together to ensure our competition is doing things we haven’t done before,” said Sims.
“New supporters and new people are enjoying our great game.”
As the teams head into the long weekend break, both Jamberoo and Gerringong will be searching for improvements to get their seasons back on track.
prep for something like that. So we’ve just got to make sure we don’t take them lightly, no matter where they are on the ladder.”
In the lead-up to the match, Kiama will focus on discipline and cutting out costly errors.
“I think on game day, we can be our own worst enemies - those piggyback penalties let teams back in, along with our own mistakes,” he said.
Kiama will face University of Wollongong at the university campus on Saturday.
JAMBEROO JUNIOR SUPEROOS UNDER 16
JAMBEROO JUNIOR SUPEROOS UNDER
11
JONES BEACH BOARDRIDERS
From paddocks to packed stadiums: Tiyce sets off on American football dream
Lleyton Hughes
“It all happened so fast.”
After seven years away - two at Tocal College and five working on a farm in Beckom - 25-year-old Nathan Tiyce had just returned to his hometown of Gerringong.
He was back to play local rugby league while working for a contractor, driving tractors and trucks. Then, everything changed.
Just a few games into the season with the Gerringong Lions, Tiyce suffered an injury that sidelined him. While recovering, a simple scroll through Instagram unexpectedly set him on a completely new path.
“I was scrolling on my phone and saw a post about a guy getting drafted into the NFL at 30. I thought, ‘How do you even do that?’” Tiyce said.
“So I looked through
his profile and found out he’d gone through a program called Pro Kick Australia. I emailed them asking for a trial.”
Pro Kick Australia is a specialised program that trains and mentors Australian athletes to transition into American football, preparing them for college scholarships and professional careers as punters and kickers.
At first, Tiyce didn’t hear back and assumed it wasn’t going anywhere.
But months later, an unexpected email arrived - he’d been invited to a trial in Sydney.
“I had literally never kicked an NFL ball before,” he laughed. “So I went to Rebel Sport, bought one of those fake ones, and went out to the field the day before the trial. As soon as I kicked it, it popped - it was that bad.”
While he had some kicking experience from junior rugby league and a bit of Aussie
rules, punting with an American football was uncharted territory. Tiyce attended the trial on November 23, 2023. Despite feeling like he didn’t kick well, Pro Kick Australia offered him a spot in the program on the spot. Just two months later, on January 24, he moved to Melbourne for full-time training. “I was training almost every day, in the gym three times a week, just working hard,” he said.
In April 2024, Tiyce joined Pro Kick on a three-week tour of the United States, an experience that solidified his commitment to the journey. “We went over there to get a feel for the size and scalehow big college football actually is. You can’t fully grasp it until you’re there. The colleges were massive, the programs were so personalisedeveryone had their own nutritionist, for bigger players lamborghinis
came and picked them up. It was unreal,” he said.
Then, on December 24, Tiyce was offered a scholarship to Mississippi State - and he didn’t hesitate. Because he left school in Year 10, Nathan had to complete six months of study in Central Queensland to qualify for the academic component of the scholarship, which includes both football and university education.
Now, he's flying out to the United States, leaving on Thursday.
In less than two years, Tiyce has gone from never touching an NFL ball to preparing for his first college football game as a punter, scheduled for August 30.
“From what I’ve heard, there’ll be about 50,000 people at that first game,” he said. “Our fifth game is at Texas A&M University - they get 105,000 people in the stands, and they sell out every time.”
As a punter, Tiyce will
be aiming for precision and consistency. “Ideally, you’re trying to hit it 45 yards with four and a half seconds of hang timethat’s the standard. Then there are Aussie-style drop punts, which go about 35 yards - you just try to kick them as high as you can.”
Surprisingly, it’s not the massive crowds that make him nervous.
“It’s going to be so overstimulating with that much noise,” he said. “But honestly, I’d probably be more nervous kicking at Gerringong footy fields in front of 10 mates than in front of 100,000 strangers. What I’m most anxious about is meeting the team, meeting the coaches, and proving that I can actually kick.”
From farming and playing local footy, to the huge stadiums of College Football - Nathan’s story is a testament to the power of saying yes to unexpected opportunities.
