Who owns our community buildings? Tensions rise over use of valuable assets
Great news! We have a fresh new look with our website and email addresses. You can now find us at www. thebuglenews.com.au
The Bugle is a free independent newspaper, available fortnightly throughout the Kiama LGA in print .
There is a weekly digital edition available on The Bugle App and daily community news updates.
Published by:
The Bugle News hello@thebuglenews. com.au
O ce 2, Edessa Arcade 88-90 Terralong St, Kiama
GENERAL MANAGER belle@thebuglenews. com.au
EDITOR Paul@thebuglenews. com.au
NEWS TEAM news@thebuglenews. com.au
0412 415 101
ADVERTISING advertising@ thebuglenews.com.au
0428 662 499
Disclaimer: Every e ort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, but we are only human. Content does not necessarily represent The Bugle's view.
both community minded and business focused.
Passions are running high locally, but beneath the noise sit a bigger question.
Who really owns the buildings funded by our rates and taxes? And how do we protect essential services in tough financial times?
Recent events have sparked a wave of petitions and social media campaigns, suggesting that Kiama Municipal Council is blocking vital volunteer services. In reality, Council is standing by a simple principle: community-owned buildings must serve the whole community.
This is not about stopping volunteers. Council is working to open up access, ensure transparency, and manage every community facility responsibly. It is about ensuring that the public assets we all fund deliver the maximum benefit for everyone, not just a privileged few.Acting Mayor Melissa Matters said she stood by her election commitment to be
“At the November Council meeting, I asked for information on every councilowned asset, including every building and every parcel of land, to understand exactly what they provide for the community and what they return to Council," she said.
"This work is about making sure our assets are activated, accessible, and delivering the best possible outcomes for the whole community. That includes providing disabled access, open bathroom facilities, financial sustainability, and broader community use. We need to make sure every community asset is working for everyone, not just a few.”
Some groups are fortunate to have access to state-ofthe-art facilities and built-in fundraising opportunities.
Meanwhile, other frontline volunteers, like our rural firefighters, continue their critical work out of modest garages, without cafés, function rooms or private
bars to help raise money for their essential services.
Councillor Erica Warren said Council must take a responsible approach to community assets.
“Given the financial constraints Council faces, it is imperative that we manage community facilities in a way that increases income that can be further spent on the community," she said.
"What is the alternative? That rates go up? We need to be smarter with what we have.”
We must not lose sight of the bigger picture.
Every public building must be a living, working part of our community. Council is not taking anything away. It is trying to create opportunities for broader use, fairness, and sustainability.
Strong communities are built when everyone has a seat at the table, not when public spaces become private clubs. Protecting our facilities means protecting our future. It is time we walk the talk on community ownership.
‘A childcare desert: Matters calling for change in Jamberoo
Lynne Strong
Kiama’s Acting Mayor, Cr Melissa Matters, says it is time for the State and Federal Governments to stop turning their backs on regional communities like Jamberoo.
From early childhood education to critical transport links, Cr Matters says Council is being forced to carry the load while higher levels of government remain silent.
“Kiama is a childcare desert,” she said. “Families are stuck on waitlists for months. In Jamberoo, our community preschool is on a floodplain, one heavy rain away from being unusable, and we still have no funding commitment for a safe, modern facility.”
The need for a new Jamberoo Community Preschool is now listed as a top priority in Kiama Council’s Draft Delivery and Operational Plan. Cr Matters is encouraging residents to make a submission and show their support during the public exhibition period.
“This is more than just
education,” she said. “It is about safety, equality and whether young families in our region are given a fair go.”
Another major concern is also front of mind. Jamberoo Mountain Road, a vital route for locals, tourists and emergency services, will again be closed for major repairs in May. Council will carry out the work, but under disaster funding rules, the repairs must follow outdated standards.
“We are doing the heavy lifting, rebuilding a road from the 1800s, but the funding rules stop us from building it to modern safety standards,” Cr Matters said. “That is not just frustrating. It is dangerous.”
Kiama Council is calling on the NSW Government to assume responsibility for Jamberoo Mountain Road and for both levels of government to fund a long-term solution before another landslip or tragedy occurs.
“We are not asking for handouts,” Cr Matters said. “We are asking for common sense and a fair go. Until we get it, Council will keep fighting.”
Lynne Strong
Erica Warren and Melissa Matters
Even at 102, age shall not weary WWII veteran Harold
"War is one of those stupid corruptions of
mankind
we keep
repeating.
You
hated
them,
then
peace came, and we turned around and got on with life. There’s no point holding hate. It doesn’t do anyone any good." – Harold West
Harold West served in what is now Papua New Guinea.
From his home in Kiama, the 102-year-old reflects on the war that shaped his early adulthood, and the quiet strength that carried him into peacetime.
He was part of the Anzac Day services in Kiama last week, riding in a car in the official march.
When Harold talks about war, he doesn’t dwell on heroism.
He speaks plainly, almost gently, of a time when he was 18, conscripted into the Australian Army, and sent
to fight the Japanese in New Guinea, the eastern half of the island that is today the independent nation of Papua New Guinea.
“You’re shooting at a bloke you don’t know because someone told you to do it,” he says. “That’s the way it was.”
For four years, Harold worked as a wireless operator, keeping communications alive through dense jungle and harsh conditions.
He remembers being in Wewak, in northern New Guinea, when the war ended.
“We caught the surrender ceremonies up there,” he says.
“And that was it. Four years, then peace.”
But coming home didn’t
mean picking up where he left off.
“You miss a big chunk of your life,” Harold reflects.
“You’ve lived by army rules, and then suddenly, you’re free. It’s strange. You’ve got to start from scratch.”
Before the war, Harold had already begun training as an accountant.
Without the interruption, he imagines he might have finished his studies, found a job, and married young.
“But the war turned that path inside out,” he says.
“When I got back, I just wanted to settle down. Find a girl, get married, have a family. That was my way of getting back to normal.”
And that’s exactly what he did. He completed his qualifications as a Certified Practising Accountant, met and married Eunice in 1949, and together they built a home in Mascot.
They raised three daughters, and now have seven grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.
Many family holidays were spent at their much-loved getaway in Jervis Bay.
In recognition of his longstanding commitment to community service, Harold was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2007.
When Harold retired they moved to the South Coast, a decision they had long
dreamed about. “We loved it down here,” he says. “We built a cottage and eventually moved our whole life here.”
Now living in Kiama, Harold reflects often on peace and forgiveness.
Harold’s story is one of endurance, perspective, and quiet resolve.
“War is just one part of your life,” he says.
“When it ends, you turn around and get on with the next bit.”
“They were the enemy then. Now we trade with them. There’s no point holding hate. It doesn’t do anyone any good.”
Motion can protect Minnamurra River as debate flows on
Lynne Strong
Amotion to protect the Minnamurra River is testing whether Kiama Council’s governance reforms have real bite, or just better branding.
At first glance, the Strategic Finance and Governance Improvement Plan (SFGIP), adopted in response to a state-imposed Performance Improvement Order, is full
of promises, better systems, improved accountability, streamlined decision-making. It is the kind of plan that comes with charts, timelines, and a digital dashboard called Pulse. But at the last Council meeting, the real test of those reforms came from outside the official agenda, through a public access presentation by Minnamurra Progress Association spokesperson Jacqui Forst.
Speaking in support of Councillor Melinda Lawton’s motion to undertake a full environmental assessment before a possible relocation of the Council depot near the Minnamurra River, Forst offered more than advocacy. She offered a mirror, asking whether a Council promising high governance standards can justify self-assessment under outdated legislation.
CEO Jane Stroud’s written response to Cr Lawton’s motion confirmed a selfassessment under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 would be carried out and stressed that the project was already being managed within Council’s new internal framework, the very one established by the SFGIP. In other words, trust
the process. But Forst gently challenged that trust, pointing out that 1979-era assumptions about rivers as “dumping sites” no longer meet community standards or expectations. Her call includes quadruple bottom line reporting, economic, environmental, social, and cultural costs, in the assessment process, and collaborating with Shellharbour City Council to create a joint strategy for the catchment. This is not the first time the CEO’s approach to transparency has raised concerns. In her Item 13.1 progress update on the Performance Improvement Order, Jane Stroud noted that the governance plan was “operational in nature” and therefore did not require community feedback.
But this distinction, as the river debate shows, is exactly what troubles residents, decisions made under the banner of “operations” still affect public land, natural resources, and community amenity. Whether it is selling aged care facilities or moving a depot near a fragile river ecosystem, these decisions are lived, not abstract.
Tellingly, the PIO progress report flags a quiet risk, that councillors might “make new commitments beyond capacity.”
In plain terms, it is a warning against councillors overstepping. But it also raises a deeper issue, are elected representatives being empowered to lead, or managed into silence under the guise of reform?
Cr Lawton’s motion, and Forst’s evidencebacked support, suggest that community leaders are still trying to ensure environmental integrity is not sidelined by financial convenience. The test is not whether the system can absorb such motions. It is whether it can act on them.
Just months after finalising the Blue Haven Bonaira sale and launching a new digital governance tool, Council is now facing a different kind of audit, not by the Office of Local Government, but by residents who are asking, what does improvement actually look like?
As Jacqui Forst put it, “Safe and inclusive discussions are essential in this time of change.” So is listening.
Lynne Strong
Harold West
Phillips
Candidates preferences
Kate DezarnauldsMelissa WiseDebbie KillianGraham Brown
Candidates air their vision for a better future in Gilmore
Opinion by Lynne Strong
Listening to the Gilmore candidates this week on Kiama Community Radio, one thing became clear. Some focused on immediate relief, such as cost-of-living measures, funding boosts and short-term incentives. Others spoke about longer-term
structural reforms.
Debbie Killian (Greens): "If we keep choosing shortterm fixes, we will never solve the real problems facing our community."
Maybe this difference says more about us than it does about them. Feeding, clothing and housing our families is vital. But it is worth asking whether we have become so
used to short-term solutions that we shy away from deeper changes. Choosing the comfort of quick fixes over a harder path of long-term resilience.
Fiona Phillips (Labor): "I come from a point of loving this community and wanting to genuinely see better outcomes."
It is not an easy choice. Both
approaches have a place.
Kate Dezarnaulds (Independent): "Real change happens when communities stop waiting for permission and start leading the way themselves."
The question is whether, as a community, we are willing to think beyond the next few years and what it could mean for Gilmore’s future.
Andrew Constance (Liberal): "You don’t have to always agree with the community, but you must always fight for them."
These differences in approach are worth considering carefully as we head to the polls.
In a crowded election field, it is easy to be overwhelmed by promises, flyers and
slogans. That is why KCR deserves real credit for their in-depth interviews with the main candidates, giving them the same set of questions, covering topics like housing, healthcare, First Nations voice and climate action. It was a great way to compare their vision for our region.Good politics begins with informed voters.
Andrew ConstanceJohn HawkeAdrian Carle
Gilmore’s vote one of the most crucial nationwide
Yes, we are talking (again) about the federal election this Saturday and the most important decision our community will make this year.
As of last Saturday, exactly one week before polling day, almost 2.4 million people had cast their vote early.
That’s around 400,000 more people than at the same period of the election campaign in 2022. And this also takes into account the Anzac Day and Easter holidays that reduced the length of prepoll days in the lead-up to the big day.
The pre-poll vote number will grow as the trend for early voting has increased. It seems the democracy sausage is losing out to people’s desire to avoid the queues, traffic and the tradition of running the gauntlet of volunteers shoving how-to-vote cards in your face.
As we predicted, there has been almost wallto-wall coverage of our electorate across national news publications. Here’s just a snippet:
“How a sense of betrayal brought a major complication to a battleground seat” from Nick O’Malley at The Sydney Morning Herald is a profile piece on the big three contenders being Labor incumbent Fiona Phillips MP, Liberal contender Andrew Constance and Climate 200-backed Berry local Kate Dezarnaulds.
In particular, the article focuses on Constance and his “backflip” on climate action following the Black Summer fires of 2020.
Sinead Mangan at ABC News has highlighted Gilmore as one of the “Five seats that could change the course of the election” and profiled the plight of Kristy Alleson who has been forced to move house 13 times in three years.
The housing crisis in Gilmore is very real and housing affordability and rental protections are at the top of her agenda.
This follows a recent report from Cotality (formerly Corelogic) that the electorate of Gilmore is the 19th-most unaffordable electorate in Australia.
“A holiday destination for some, but no one
is coasting in Gilmore, Labor’s most marginal seat” writes Caitlin Cassidy and Jordyn Beazley, for The Guardian
Their piece focuses on the Black Summer fires of 2020, climate policy and the renewable energy debate.
It also highlights an element that The Bugle has previously focused on – the Independent factor – with Dezarnaulds suggesting that she had about 13% of the vote, prior to her campaign’s official lunch.
If she doesn’t end up as one of the last two standing, her preference flow may determine the winner.
Our colleagues at The Illawarra Mercury have continued the focus on the Black Summer fires and climate policies more broadly in the “Gap widens in knifeedge seat of Gilmore, one of Australia’s most marginal”.
They have highlighted polling conducted by YouGov during April 17 and 24 that showed Labor coming in at 54 per cent on a two-party preferred basis, compared to 46 per cent for the Coalition.
Interestingly, in a dramatic flip from the 2022 results, Phillips attracted 36.2 per cent of the primary vote compared to 33.5 per cent for Constance.
If this analysis is realised, it would represent an almost 10 per cent drop in his favourability since the 2022 election.
Throughout all the coverage and content focusing on our community, there has been one constant: 373. That is the number of votes that stood between Phillips and Constance in 2022. Your vote will determine tangible outcomes related to housing, climate policy, cost of living.
These issues will have a profound impact on all of us, over the next three years and beyond.
The Bugle’s View is if you are not one of the 2.4 million people that has already voted in this election, please make sure you make a (formal) vote on or before this Saturday - the Gilmore electorate is one of the few places in the country where it really will matter.
Dutton announcement derailed by protesters
Paul Suttor
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's tour of the Gilmore electorate on Tuesday was upended by antinuclear protesters in toxic waste suits who interrupted a funding announcement at Francis Ryan Reserve.
Dutton and Gilmore's Liberal candidate, Andrew Constance, were at the Sanctuary Point sports ground to announce they would commit $3.5 million to build
the Bob Proudfoot Pavilion if the Coalition was successful at Saturday's federal election.
But the event quickly descended into chaos, due to a small group of protesters, including South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris.Upon seeing the hecklers, Dutton made an abrupt exit from Francis Ryan Reserve, which is home to the Bay and Basin Cricket Club and the St Georges Basin Dragons Rugby League Club. A Liberal Party official said
‘Menacing’
Gilmore candidate
Andrew Constance was blindsided by a report claiming members of a religious sect had in ltrated the group of Liberal volunteers who have been handing out how-to-vote cards for the federal election.
Independent candidate Kate Dezarnaulds said she has had first-hand experience of intimidatory bullying tactics from volunteers at local polling booths.
She told The Bugle that a Liberal Party volunteer had taken a photo of her and her 11-year-old daughter talking to a Greens official without their consent as “proof” that she was linked to their party.
The Sydney Morning Herald
his quick departure was due to security concerns.
The three protesters staged a mock attempt at measuring the playing field to be, what one of them described as, "the first nuclear reactor".
Constance said the protesters hopped into a car branded with campaign messaging for independent candidate Kate Dezarnaulds but she had "absolutely zero knowledge of any protest".
"It is not in any way affiliated with the campaign but I respect the right for peaceful protest in this country and I am not supportive of the
Liberal Party's fantasy of a nuclear future."
Constance said the protesters were out of line.
"To completely upset a local community and the local Dragons football club who have worked really hard to secure these funds, to have it turn into a platform for supporters of the Labor Party and Kate Dezarnaulds is really disappointing," he said.
"We were about to announce $3.5 million for Sanctuary Point's new clubroom, amenities block and pavilion and it was turned into a circus by people who should know better."
and the increased women and girls in rugby league and cricket," Dutton said.
Earlier, Dutton and Constance had visited shops in Nowra. “This new pavilion will meet the needs of this growing community and the increased participation of young women and girls in rugby league and cricket," Dutton said.
allegations at polling booths
reported on Monday night that hundreds of members of a religious sect known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church had been campaigning in Labor-held marginal seats in Victoria and NSW, including Gilmore.
Labor incumbent Fiona Phillips did not want to comment about the allegations and said her focus was ensuring the issues relevant to the Gilmore electorate are at the forefront in the lead-up to election day on Saturday. Six pre-polling stations have operated in Gilmore since last Tuesday with around 50 per cent of voters expected to get in early at the ballot box.
“There was something menacing and hard to put your finger on in terms of
the style and behaviour of the dominant number of volunteers for the Liberals over the last week," Dezarnaulds said.
“There are familiar faces from the local Liberal Party who were at some polling booths but the dominant numbers have been made up by a group which are not known to the community and have been very threatening and menacing and dominant in their behaviour.
“People really don't like the experience of being harassed at the polling booths and overwhelming booths with out-of-towners doesn't do anything to communicate to the people of Gilmore that the Liberal Party is listening to their concerns and their priorities."
Dezarnaulds said the actions of some volunteers had been intense but "our job is to rise above it, to keep on smiling and to stay focused".
Constance was not happy with any implication from Dezarnaulds that he would condone intimidatory tactics.
“It’s quite a serious allegation that she is putting because I don’t go and ask the religious background of any volunteer,” he said.“It’s inappropriate to and she should do well to know that any Australian can participate in the democratic process, regardless of religious background or what she might think. Generally pre-polling is very respectful. If people have concerns, the election officials are there. Go to them if you have concerns.”
Paul Suttor
Tilly scoops up prize with teacup mystery
The Bugle recently put out the call for school-aged future journalists to send in their best stories.
We were thrilled with this submission from Minnamurra nine-year-old Tilly Mckillop, who is in Year 3 at Sts Peter and Paul Catholic School in Kiama. Tilly was selected as the winner and stopped by The Bugle offices with her proud parents and envious little brother to collect her prize, including lollies and a Bugle teacup of her own.
We hope you enjoy reading her story as much as we did.
By Tilly McKillop
The community is wondering ... What is up with the mystery teacup and book which was found in Kiama Downs shops? They were spotted in a phone booth during the first week of the recent school holidays.
Days later it was still in the same location.
The name of the book was Our Lady of the Forest by David Guterson.
The teacup was pink on the inside, white on the outside with pictures of flowers on every side.
No one knows what happened. Did the person who owned the book and teacup go missing?
Or did the person purposely put them there? It’s a real mystery.
Then two days later, the book was gone but the teacup remained. The mystery grew even deeper.
Fisherman rescue caps off big season for Kiama Surf Lifesavers
Lleyton Hughes
Monday marked the nal day of the summer season for Kiama’s volunteer surf lifesaversbut they were on duty right until the nal moment, rescuing a rock sherman just three days earlier.
On the morning of Anzac Day, a man in his 40s was swept into the water near the Kiama Blowhole - fortunately, he was wearing a lifejacket.
“It was before patrol officially started - around 9:40am - when a member of the public alerted our team that fishermen had been swept off the rocks at Blowhole Point,” says Kiama Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) President Phil Perry.
“Two patrolling members, Ben George and Dave Gorman, launched the IRB (inflatable rescue boat) and found a fisherman floating in the water, conscious. The massive thing that saved him was the fact he had a lifejacket on."
George and Gorman transported the man to Kiama Harbour, where paramedics
and emergency services were waiting. He was later taken to hospital with minor injuries sustained from the rocks.
Perry emphasised the importance of safety gear: “It’s so important for the general public - especially fishermen in that area - to wear a lifejacket. If you get washed in and hit your head, your chance of survival is much higher if you're buoyant.”
The rescue capped off a busy and successful season for Kiama SLSC, which recorded 46 rescues and approximately 770 preventions. Perry noted a visible rise in beachgoer numbers.
“We’ve definitely seen more people on the beach this year. Our patrolling membership grew from 84 to 102 members, which made a huge difference,” he says.
“We’ve also put a big focus
on developing our youth and cadet programs. Our board training sessions now attract 50 kids per session, up from 40.”
This year, the club trialled a flexible volunteer roster system, which proved particularly effective for frontline, shift, and FIFO workers.
“It’s a minimum of three hours per shift, and volunteers can come when they’re available. It’s worked really well, and we really appreciate the support,” says Perry.
Looking ahead to next season, Perry encouraged more community members to get involved with the club.
“You don’t have to be an ironman or ironwoman to be a surf lifesaver. There are so many roles - from radio operator to first aid and advanced rescue. It’s about being part of the village and having fun.”
The club will celebrate the season’s achievements at its annual presentation night on 17 May, held at the Kiama SLSC auditorium.
Faith groups urge community to put climate first at voting time
Shelby Gilbert
"Vote as if the future of your kids depends upon it, because it does" is the message appearing in letterboxes across Kiama in the lead-up to the federal election thanks to local members of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change.
awareness about climate issues and shed light on local political parties' environmental policies.
“It's not telling people how to vote, but just asking them to think about the environment as they vote considerably,” she said.
"climate action, not nuclear distraction" and "no new coal and gas".
created everything, and that humankind is in the process of destroying a lot of it,” Rev Brentnall said.
“We just feel a responsibility to try and protect it and to remediate it if possible.”
The flyers circulating through Kiama are produced by the South East Climate Alliance and display a "climate and energy scorecard" where Gilmore’s political parties’ environmental policies are scored as poor, fair or good.
The ARRCC is a multi-faith organisation that advocates for a sustainable future, viewing climate change as a moral and spiritual issue - one that should be considered in this year's election.
Members of ARRCC and climate activists at Kiama
Uniting Church
ARRCC member Louise Pinson says the organisation’s motivation is to spread
“For many of us, we have children and grandchildren, and my child and grandchild live here in Kiama, so I really want the world to be as good a place as it can be."
She highlights that every ARRCC member is connected to a church or religious organisation and they might usually be seen as "conservative" but they want to “conserve nature and conserve our environment”.
Kiama Uniting Church is one of many churches across Australia which displays climate change banners and encourages people to take yard signs to put up at their homes in this pre-election period. These banners and signs display slogans such as
Lifts for Life making homes safer and more accessible
Shelby Gilbert
Lifts for Life o ers practical and stylish lift solutions with a commitment to helping their clients stay comfortable in the homes they love.
Lifts for Life is based in Albion Park Rail and open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm, they are a local, family-run business making homes and businesses across the Illawarra more accessible.
Lifts for Life CEO, Fiona Wilkinson says the highlight of working in this region is
being able to work within the local community to help people stay in their homes and make their lives more accessible.
“One of the most rewarding experiences was a guy who was house bound for three years and he was unable to get out of his home,” Fiona said.
Lifts for Life were able to assist this client with their custom designed lift solutions that suited his needs, making his home accessible and comfortable.
With years of experience in
accessibility solutions, they offer home lifts, wheelchair lifts, commercial lifts, comprehensive services, and ongoing maintenance.
“Home lifts are becoming quite popular, and there are lots of options for different types of homes and different needs,” Fiona said.
In towns like Kiama, where older generations value staying in their family homes, installing a lift can be the alternative to moving. Not only does it improve accessibility, it can also add value to the property.
Berry Uniting Church Reverend John Brentnall highlights the importance of churches getting involved in climate action as caring for creation, which has been a part of the church’s DNA from the beginning.
“It's to do with the recognition that God
With their banners raised and flyers delivered, ARRCC’s community presence is a reminder that climate action can start anywhere.
“They’re not your shopping centre lifts, they’re made specifically for home and there are a lot of options, we can generally find the right option for everybody,” said Fiona.
“We provide consultations where people can come and figure out what’s right for them.”
Lifts for Life offers reliable service and personalised options to clients, helping them to make their spaces safer and more comfortable for years to come.
An asset to the community.
viewing climate change as a
Uniting Church
John Brentnall, Kath Merrifield, Rex Graham
Members of ARRCC and climate activists
SECA Climate and energy scorecard
Kiama success story powering the future
When former Kiama High student Mateo Goytizolo returned home after being medically discharged from the army, one of the rst things he did was reach out to his old school mates.
It turned out to be a lightbulb moment for the army private, and politics, philosophy and economics graduate.
Kiama High School friends
Ben Falconer and Jaden
Manley were working in the solar energy industry. Ben as a Kiama-based electrician and owner of Solar Storm and Jaden as a systems design specialist in solar sales.
Now in their late 20s, the trio lost touch after high school when Mateo went to university and was posted to Townsville. When he reached out it was like stepping back in time and the tight-knit group of friends reconnected.
The bond grew deeper when they started working on their business projectAll Australian Energy - in November before launching it early this year.
“We decided to put our brains together and that was enough to equal one pretty sharp brain,” joked Mateo.
All Australian Energy installs solar panels and batteries and along with the trio, employs five other exKiama High School students as sales representatives.
“We are keeping our business in the community to help the community,” says Mateo.
With the push for renewables a key election topic and some Kiama suburbs experiencing frequent blackouts, Mateo expects interest in solar panels and battery storage to increase.
Australia is a world leader in solar energy production, with solar panels installed on more than four million homes, but less than five per cent have battery storage.
Earlier this month the federal government launched its Cheaper Home Battery Program, offering a 30 per cent discount on the up-front cost of a home battery.
If Labor retains government, and the promised solar battery
storage rebates are delivered, Mateo says the technology will become much more cost effective and even allow users to make money from solar power.
“If people want to profit from solar power we link them to our partner Amber Electric,” he says.
“People can then export their excess energy into the grid during peak periods of high demand to maximise the bang for their buck.”
Mateo expects energy bills to continue rising and says a passive income from solar and battery energy can help reduce the cost of living.
But he has a word of warning for those interested in solar battery storage.
“I would recommend doing your homework,” he says.
“The solar and battery company you choose should be an approved seller and have all the correct qualifications to claim the new rebate on your behalf through an Accredited Certificate Provider."
Mateo has urged those interested in exploring their solar panel and solar battery options to keep it local and contact the team for a consultation.
“We can send a system design specialist to look at people’s energy bills and then
design an energy system for their needs,” says Mateo.
“Solar panels were quite expensive when they first came onto the market but they are now very cost effective.
“If these solar battery rebates do come through batteries will be much more affordable.
“We install premium
Australian-made RedEarth Energy batteries that
come with 100% Blackout Protection and can power your entire home.
"It's difficult to navigate your way around solar and batteries at the moment, but we tailor our solar and battery systems specifically to your home's energy consumption habits, ensuring you are completely energy independent, regardless of government policies or power outages."
‘Couldn’t be happier’: Fran finds plenty of sunshine to go around at Cedar on Collins
Lynne Strong
From Sydney’s bay walks
to Kiama’s coastal vista, Fran Barton has always moved forward with quiet determination. Now, surrounded by good company
and morning light, she’s found exactly where she needs to be.
When Fran Barton first visited Cedar on Collins, it wasn’t just the ocean breeze that drew her in, it was the sunlight.
presence but for her fitness. She completed the City2Surf seven years in a row , all after turning 70.
“I said to my sister, I’ll keep doing it till I’m 80 if we enjoy it,” she recalls. “And we did.”
horticulturalist, has even named a flower after Fran’s cardigan - “Fran’s Cardy,” a pink bloom that links generations through colour and love.
Her daughter, who lives in Kiama, had noticed it too and gently encouraged her.
“Mum, I think it’s time,” she said.
At 96, Fran had spent years in Sydney, where her social circle had thinned and the hills near her home were, as she puts it, “a killer.”
Her sister Val, her companion in many of those races, passed away at 89, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, loyalty, and a headline that still makes Fran chuckle: “City Sisters Smash the City2Surf.”
“We were at the back of the pack,” Fran says, “but we finished.”
Fran doesn’t own a mobile phone, doesn’t see the point in it, and jokes that her daughters think she lives in a “time warp.”
But her clarity of thought and compassion are anything but out of touch.
Stepping into a sunny, northfacing unit that catches both the morning and afternoon light, Fran knew she had found her next chapter.
found her next chapter.
Nearly a year later, she has no regrets.
fuss.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Fran says, with a matterof-fact warmth that suggests she’s not one for fuss. “There’s something for everyone here, but no pressure. I’ve got my independence, but there’s always someone nearby.”
She laughs easily now, even while sharing the more difficult parts of her journey, losing her husband in 2012 after a long battle with Parkinson’s, navigating the quieter, lonelier years that followed, and recognising when it was finally time for a change.
“There’s something
“I was ready when I was ready,” she says simply.
She worries about the future, yes, about technology outpacing humanity, and about respect becoming rare, but she believes in women’s equality and independence, and sees those gains as vital.
The hills of Kiama don’t bother her much anymore.
“I’ve walked to the chemist, down to Penny Whistler. I’m working up to the shops,” she says, describing her gradual reclaiming of confidence.
“I don’t use a stick. I don’t need it.”
Fran, who has three children and ten greatgrandchildren, is known among fellow residents not just for her friendly
grandchildren, is known not
What makes life at Cedar on Collins so special for Fran isn’t just the building, or even the outings and exercise classes she enjoys with fellow residents like Hilton and Jan, it’s the little signs that her life still ripples outward.
Her daughter, Sidonie, a
And when asked about a photo, Fran waves off any worry. “I’m not photogenic,” she says with a grin, before pausing. “But I don’t care.” After all, there’s strength in being seen - and plenty of sunshine to go around.
Fran Barton in the gym at Cedar on Collins
Community warns Kiama’s housing plan ignores basic infrastructure
Lynne Strong
You could feel the frustration in the room, not anger for anger’s sake, but a deep weariness that came from years of seeing housing decisions made without listening to the people who live here.
At last week’s housing forum at Kiama Leagues Club, the panel had spoken.
Then it was the community’s turn. What followed was part town hall, part truth-telling session.
So what would actually fix the housing strategy?
When the question was put to the panel they didn’t hold back.
Former urban planner Tony Gilmour suggested two quick changes: add affordable housing to the list of strategy priorities and make it crystal clear that in-fill and brownfield development are preferred over sprawl on greenfield sites.
"That’s planning 101," he said. "And we’re not even doing that."
Housing Trust CEO Michelle Adair called for data with a pulse.
“We need to know who’s going to live here,” she said. “How old are they, what are they earning, are they raising kids, are they care workers or casuals, or retirees?”
Without this, she argued, the strategy is planning for a place that may not even exist.
She also called for an action plan with actual action, not vague “we’ll review this in two years” clauses.
Architect Madeleine Scarfe demanded targets. Social housing in the Kiama LGA sits at just 0.6 per cent - well below the state average of 4.2 per cent.
She also called for an increase to at least 5 per cent and for limits on short-term rentals. "Targets matter," she said. "Even if they’re modest, we need to know where we’re headed."
She also urged Kiama Council to take out Spring Hill and Riversdale Road from the strategy until demand justified it. “We don’t need them now,” she said. “Let’s not waste land just to hit numbers we don’t believe in.”
Bronwyn Siden, a retired town planner, spoke plainly. “You can’t achieve affordable housing in greenfield sites,” she said. “The infrastructure costs alone make it unviable.”
She called the current strategy a step forward, but one still fundamentally flawed.
Her message was clear: Council needs help. Volunteers, experts and locals must work together if the vision is to be realised.
Neville Fredericks, a developer and former Mayor backed her up. The real problem, he said, isn’t bad intentions, it’s bad regulation.
“The system is designed to produce sprawl,” he said. “If you want compact, walkable, diverse housing, you have to change the rulebook.”
And then came the big red flag - infrastructure. Or rather, the lack of it.
One long-time resident asked how 900 new homes
could be approved without accounting for the waste they would produce.
He had done the maths: four people per home equals 720,000 litres of sewage from 900 homes per day.
Has Sydney Water even been consulted?
No one could say. The silence was damning. “We’re already short on sewer and space,” he said. “We can’t keep piling people in and pretend it will sort itself out.”
Alan Woodward brought the cautionary tale. He spoke of Ligurano, a coastal town in Italy that once thrived.
Now it’s a ghost town half the year. Holiday rentals replaced families, schools shut down, and trains stopped running. “Could Kiama become the next Ligurano?” he asked. The room fell quiet.
And still, practical ideas kept coming. Bernadette Black, a South Precinct resident, described streets overwhelmed by short-term rentals - not a family getaway, but party houses for 18 guests with no development approval.
An environmental advocate warned that Spring Creek, Kiama’s last remaining coastal
freshwater wetland, was under threat from proposed housing development.
A small local developer and builder stood up and told the story from the other side. “We want to build affordable homes,” he said, “but the system is stacked against us.”
He listed every layer of cost: stamp duty, capital gains tax, GST, land tax, holding costs and the endless risk of going to the Land and Environment Court. “We’re not the enemy,” he said. “We’re part of the solution, if we’re allowed to be.”
And yet, the room wasn’t cynical. It was clear-eyed. Create a citizen jury. Attract real innovation. Invite funders, insurers and housing organisations to collaborate with local knowledge.
“The innovation won’t come from Council,” said panel member Jacqueline Forst. “But it can come from us.”
In the final moments, 21-year-old Jordan CassonJones took the mic again. “If teachers and nurses and firefighters can’t live here, then this won’t be a community anymore,” he said. “It’ll just be a place.”
What would innovation in housing really look like? Solutions from global models
Lynne Strong
She didn’t get to show her slides on the night, but if you asked Jacqui Forst what Kiama should be doing differently, she’d answer with one word: partnerships.
At last week’s housing forum, Jacqui proposed something bold - a way to flip Kiama’s housing narrative from stuck to strategic.
Her deck, titled “Innovate Kiama”, points to global and local models that are already delivering clever housing solutions with social,
environmental and economic impact. Among them were: Nightingale Housing, a notfor-profit group delivering architect-designed, lowenergy apartments for low to middle-income residents, underpinned by values of affordability, transparency and community.
Havilah Place, right here in Kiama, was named as a potential Nightingale-style demonstration site. International examples like Birmingham Dreaming City, Dark Matter Labs, and Glasgow’s Our Town
initiative, all of which use strategic partnerships to drive regeneration and social infrastructure.
Jacqui’s key proposal was to activate Recommendation 26 of the Draft Housing Strategy, the final action line most readers skipped over, and turn it into something real.
She wants Council to help convene a housing reference group of local residents, funders, venture capitalists, urban futurists, and strategic risk holders such as insurers and superannuation funds. The goal? To co-design
Right, said Ed: Council responds to residents’ concerns over strategy
Lynne Strong
When Karen Fowler asked “Is this housing strategy right for Kiama?” In her recent opinion piece for The Bugle, she gave voice to what many in the community have been wondering. Is the Draft Local Housing Strategy guiding us toward a future we recognise, or one we might regret?
Her article raised concerns about whether the Strategy matches our actual growth needs, reflects the community’s values, and ensures that infrastructure keeps pace.
At a recent Kiama Business Network forum, Ed Paterson, Kiama Council’s Director of Planning, responded to those concerns.
Outdated population figures?
Karen noted that the Strategy uses 2022 population projections that predicted 6,917 new residents by 2041. But 2024 data slashes that figure to just 2,180.
Ed acknowledged the discrepancy and said the newer figures will be reviewed as part of the Strategy’s refinement. “Projections change all the time,” he said, citing migration and policy shifts. “We’ll be checking our work against the latest data.”
Too much housing?
Karen also questioned why Council was planning so many homes if population growth is expected to slow. Ed explained that the Strategy is a long-term vision, stretching 40 to 50 years ahead, not a shortterm construction program. Rezoning and infrastructure take time, he said, and planning ahead prevents reactive decision-making down the track.
Why expand urban boundaries?
Even using the older population forecasts, Karen argued that the Strategy proposes more homes than needed and questioned the need for four Urban Expansion Areas (UEAs). Ed’s
response? Council doesn’t control when landowners or developers act, so identifying greenfield sites early allows for coordinated, sustainable growth rather than speculative, piecemeal proposals.
What about infrastructure?
Karen welcomed the Strategy’s “non-negotiable principles” and its focus on infrastructure planning. Council says these parts have been significantly strengthened. Sydney Water is now doing network modelling, and a new Structure Plan is being prepared to ensure coordinated delivery of roads, open space, schools, and utilities.
Preserving what matters most
Karen called on the community to think about what we value most, our green hills, beaches, and village character, and to ask if the Strategy protects those things.
Ed said this feedback has been heard. The revised vision includes environmental protections, respect for First Nations culture, and aims for “housing in the right locations.”
Will it deliver affordable housing?
While Karen didn’t use the phrase “affordable housing,” she raised real concerns about inclusivity. Ed clarified that Council is exploring planning controls, incentives, and partnerships with community housing providers. But he also pointed out that some aspects of affordability, like regulated housing schemes, are beyond local government’s control. Council received more than 100 submissions during the feedback period, which closed last Sunday and the final Strategy is expected to go to Council mid-year.
As Karen wrote, “This is more than a plan. It is a vision of our future. Let’s make sure it’s one we share.”
and support a portfolio of real-world, system-led demonstrations that tackle the housing crisis through local innovation. She also proposed a Kiama Hackathon, where residents, planners, architects and builders could prototype new ideas and break through regulatory constraints together.
“This doesn’t have to be a pipe dream,” Jacqui said. “We’ve got the land, the knowledge and the urgency. What we need now is structure, trust and investment.”
Tony Gilmour and Michelle Adair
Karen Fowler’s presentation
Do you know how to make your vote count?
Federal election, Saturday 3 May 2025
It’s important that you understand how to vote correctly.
On election day you need to complete two ballot papers:
• a green one for the House of Representatives
• a large white one for the Senate.
On the green ballot paper you are voting for a representative of your local area or electorate in the House of Representatives.
On the white ballot paper you are voting for representatives of your state or territory in the Senate.
Don’t worry if you make a mistake. Just ask for another ballot paper and start again.
Pawspective
Lily is an eight-year-old Moodle, that's a cross between a poodle and a Maltese.
She is quite the fashionista with her easily recognisable pink tail.
Lily has been with her owner Diane since she was a tiny puppy weighing less than a kilo and would have blown away in a strong wind.
Though still very petite, Lily now hits the scales at a whopping three kilos. Her distinctive pink tail came about some time ago - while staying with her owner’s friend, Lily came home with her new look and it has now become her trademark hairstyle.
She loves chasing balls and welcoming other dogs and people to South Bombo Beach.
Don't be fooled by her small stature - she really is the queen of her domain.
Max is a beautiful German Shepherd who joined the Stokes family five years ago as a COVID puppy at 13 weeks old.
He has a strange penchant for catching stones, though thankfully not eating them. Max loves to catch stones on his daily walks thrown by his owner, David, and remains very fixated on his movements as he waits for the next opportunity to reveal his catching techniques.
Throwing balls for Max is another ball game (pardon the pun). He will catch the ball but you won't get it back.
What may appear as a lost ball will turn up again out of the blue in the following days during his walks.
An extremely gentle dog Max loves to sleep cuddled up with his family’s granddaughters.
He is however very protective of his family and the people that reside in the estate where he lives with his family.
Flynn is a long-haired Weimaraner, which is a German hunting dog known as the Silver Ghost or Grey Ghost, and when you see Flynn you know why.
Spotted with his family on Anzac Day morning at the Bombo Headlands, Flynn joined the family as a 10-week-old pup two and a half years ago.
Flynn is hard to miss with his absolutely stunning silvery grey colouring and he exudes personality as he smiles at you.
He walks with his family regularly at the Bombo Headlands and then has drops by the local coffee shop where he is affectionately known as the Mayor Of Kiama due to fact he greets everyone who comes in.
His welcome may include his cute bum dance he likes to do when he gets excited. If you live in Kiama you possibly already know Flynn.
He truly thinks he is human and has a beautiful bond with the family’s twoyear-old toddler “sibling” and they love to share their toys.
The toddler likes to call his canine pal “Mimi” and as he can't quite grasp Flynn yet.
Flynn
Meet “H” the black pug. Named after his owners grandfather Henry Joseph Cornelius Twomey, who fought in World War II and was nicknamed Black Harry by his mates.
H loves living in Kiama and taking trips to Bombo Beach with his mum, and is an avid TV watcher, especially when spotting fellow canines or any four-legged animals.
A close second to this is visits with his neighbours Lyn and Bobby where he is spoilt with yummy treats.
He has more Kong toys than most dogs and loves a Tug-Of-War with his dad. Always up for treats and cuddles H loves meeting new friends.
HLocal St John volunteers in action at Easter show and Anzac Day events
Shelby Gilbert
St John Ambulance Kiama Combined Division had a big week at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and local Anzac day events.
A team of a cadet first aider, six first responders and an EMT travelled to Sydney to support the Royal Easter Show, on the show's busiest day. For many it was their first state event, which offered them experiences that are not commonly presented to them around the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
Kiama Combined Division’s 2IC and officer in charge, Melissa Williamson, says that the team had a great time at the Easter show.
says that the team had a great voluntarily,” Melissa said.
“It was a great experience for them, they got to see stuff they may not ever normally see. They got to meet members from all over the state,” she said.
The team treated 20 patients with cases increasing in complexity as the day continued, but they still had time to enjoy themselves.
“We managed to squeeze in some time at the end to grab some show bags, which is really good. It was great for camaraderie between people,” Melissa said.
Not long after their day at the Easter show, the Kiama Combined Division were back out again attending the Kiama Dawn service and the Anzac Day March and ceremony.
“We don't actually charge anything for Anzac Day either because of what it is, we just go there completely
The Kiama Combined wrong,” she said.
Division currently has around 20 adult members as well as seven members under the age of 18.
The division covers community and sporting events within the local community and around the Shellharbour LGA, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands areas.
“I guess some of the community events they can't run without first aid coverage,” Melissa said.
“Because our guys are volunteers, we can do it for less than what you would pay for events management and organisation.”
Melissa says that the benefit of volunteering with St John Ambulance goes beyond the events.
“You gain those skills throughout and become confident in helping other people if something does go
“It’s kind of a win-win…for the community and for the members to gain those skills, because those members are going to take those skills with them in everyday life.”
Melissa encourages people to join St John Ambulance Kiama Combined Division as they are always looking for new volunteers.
“All you can do is give it a go. We do have a period where you can decide before you're fully committed,” she said. “You won't be left on your own, taking charge of everything, you have people supporting you all the way.”
St John Ambulance Kiama Combined Division are actively recruiting and looking for volunteers. To learn more or get involved, you can reach out to them via Facebook or through their website.
St John Ambulance Kiama Combined Division at Anzac Day
Ciros Pizza Party takeover
at The Grand Hotel Kiama
4th May
The Grand Hotel
‘Wounds’ by Jaz Corr
29 March - 10 May
SEVENMARKS Gallery Kiama
8 Week Shine Womens Program
RSVP for participation before 30th April to simone@pacificfurniture .com.au
Upcoming events in Landcare
Kiama Coastal Community Planting program.
-Saturday 3 May | 10am –12pm | Werri Beach and Werri Lagoon
-Saturday 10 May | Bombo
Headland – Hosted by Bombo
Headland Landcare
-Saturday 17 May | Kendalls Beach (South End) – Hosted by Kaleula Headland Landcare
-Sunday 18 May | Minnamurra
– Hosted by Minnamurra
Headland Landcare
-Saturday 24 May | Werri
Beach – Hosted by Werri Beach Dunecare
-Saturday 31 May | Little Blowhole, Kiama – Hosted by Little Blowhole Landcare
Mothers Day
Weekend High Tea
Saturday May 10
Gerringong Town Hall 2-4pm
Tickets $35 at trybooking.com
India by Night 15 May By The Sea
The Colours of Venice
A lecture from Artsnational Shoalhaven 15 May - 7.30pmBerry Uniting Church Hall
Tickets at the door on the night or through Trybooking
Cellissimo concert
Sun, 18 May 2pm-3:30pmGerringong Town Hall
Jambero RFS and The Fukers
Jamberoo School of Arts
Saturday 24 May
Tickets at humanitix.com
Kiama Parkinson’s Support Group seminar Kiama Leagues Club
Tuesday 27th May Get tickets at humanitix.com
Johnny Warren Golf Classic
Thursday 15th May Jamberoo Golf Course
Entries close for Country Press NSW Short Story Competition 4 July
Pick up entry forms from The Bugle offices.
Orry-Kelly Dressing
Hollywood Gala
Saturday, 26th July 2025, 6pm The Sebel, Kiama
A Vivid sight for all to see First nations artist to light up Maritime Museum
Lleyton Hughes
Vivid Sydney 2025 will kick o later this month and this year, the Australian National Maritime Museum will present Tunku and Ngaadi - the entertaining and illuminating Indigenous tale of Mirriyaal, the creator, who shaped the rst humans from the stars and entrusted them with the task of creation. Told through striking animation, sound, and storytelling, Tunku and
Ngaadi will be projected onto the museum’s rooftop nightly from May 23 to June 14, between 6pm and 11pm.
The animation and artwork, created by Walbunja and Ngarigo artist Cheryl Davison, brings to life the story of Mirriyal, the creator of the first humans - Tunku and Ngaadi - who shape the land, animals, and trees using a stick and stone.
As exhaustion and conflict emerge, Tunku is cast into the sky as the moon, while Ngaadi’s grief gives rise to rivers, oceans, and the
waratah flower - a powerful symbol of life and nature.
Developed in collaboration with Studio Gilay, the animation beautifully captures this myth of creation and enduring love.
The experience is enhanced by a soundscape performed by the Djinama Yilaga choir, which can be heard from Pyrmont Bridge.
Other great vantage points include King Street Wharf and the Vivid Light Walk.
Museum Director and CEO, Daryl Karp, says the installation is the perfect
place to begin your Vivid journey and connect with this year’s theme, Dream.
“We are thrilled to partner with a First Nations artist and animation team - Cheryl Davison and Studio Gilayand to showcase the choral works of the Djinama Yilaga choir as part of the worldrenowned Vivid Festival, bringing this timeless Dreaming story to life,” said Karp.
Vivid Sydney runs from May 23 to June 14. For more information, head to www. vividsydney.com.
support local
Why empty flagpoles speak volumes
Opinion by Lynne Strong
"My
father refused to march on Anzac Day until the service of Indigenous soldiers was formally recognised."
Those words, shared by a local resident after this year’s Anzac Day events in Jamberoo, capture something many of us felt but struggled to articulate.
representing the United Kingdom. It did not start that way. It grew.
Australia’s flag, too, has a history of evolution. The Federation Star gained its seventh point in 1908 to represent all territories.
A version of the Australian Blue Ensign was carried into battle by Australian troops in both World Wars.
By Anzac Day itself, however, the story had changed. Local community members chose to raise all three national flags - the Australian, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander flagsside by side. The difference was not lost on those who attended.
As one local said, “Well done to Jamberoo for being so inclusive and respectful of all, and for including ALL three of our national flags.”
inhabitants,” one contributor observed. “Forever learning.” When arguments erupted online about which flags “deserved” to be flown, another reminder surfaced: “Gracious acceptance of the Aboriginal flag is, to me, characteristic of a country that has come to terms with its past, however difficult it’s been.”
The moment you leave two flagpoles bare on an Anzac Day remembrance, you invite a distraction that should never have occurred.Flags are symbols. And like language, tradition and democracy itself, symbols evolve.
Across the world, flags have changed shape, colour and meaning, reflecting revolutions, reckonings, and the growing understanding that nations are made up of more than one story.
The British flag itself evolved into what we now call the Union Jack, acknowledging the union of England, Scotland and Ireland, and eventually
But it was not until 1954, more than five decades after federation, that our current national flag was officially declared under the Flags Act, and in 1995, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were also formally proclaimed as official national flags of Australia.
So when a local Anzac Day service takes place in front of three flagpoles and only one flag flies, it sends a message. Not necessarily an intentional one, but a message all the same.At the Anzac Day March in Jamberoo the weekend before Anzac Day, it was the RSL which made the decision to fly only the Australian national flag.
Two flagpoles stood empty.
This decision left many in the community feeling disappointed and excluded.
The emotional weight of the issue was clear in other reflections. “Respect to those RSLs now who acknowledge this also,” another wrote, sharing an historical note that many Aboriginal servicemen were once excluded from RSL branches, denied entitlements, and discouraged from marching with everyone else on Anzac Day.
Many Aboriginal veterans returned from war only to face exclusion at home
Others pointed to the deeper truths often overlooked.
“You can find a million pieces of info about colonisation of Kiama, but so very little on its first
In a country where all three national flags are officially recognised, where they fly on Parliament House, at citizenship ceremonies, and increasingly at Anzac Day services, choosing not to fly them creates an absence that is impossible not to notice. Including all three flags does not diminish the meaning of the day. It strengthens it. It tells our young people that all who serve, and all who remember, belong.It invites unity, not division. And it reminds us that evolving is not erasing, it is maturing.
A country that tells the whole truth about its history is a stronger country, not a divided one.
Next year, let us raise all three. Quietly, respectfully, together.
Local Lions clubs on the prowl for more volunteers
Lleyton Hughes
Our region is fortunate to have active Lions Clubs making a real di erence - but to keep that momentum going, they need more helping hands.
Both the Kiama and Minnamurra Lions Clubs are seeking new volunteers to support their initiatives in different ways. Kiama Lions Club has been running its successful Return and Earn program for six years, raising over $20,000 in 2024 alone.
Recyclable containers are collected from around the community to raise funds for local groups and individuals in need. “It’s money for nothing, and it’s going to charity or back into the local area,” says Michael Fox, Return and Earn coordinator for Kiama Lions. “Plus, there’s the environmental benefit - keeping it out of
landfill, the ocean, and wherever else it ends up.” Fox says the program requires a lot of handson support, and the club is eager to welcome new volunteers.
“We’re looking for around 20 people over the course of a week, and not everyone is always available, so we really need backups.” Minnamurra Lions will host an Information Night at Jamberoo Pub on 20 May, to introduce local residents to the club’s work and encouraging new memberships.
“There is no Lions Club in Jamberoo, and while we’re called Minnamurra, the name actually refers to the Minnamurra River catchment - so our goal has always been to join with Jamberoo,” says Minnamurra Lions Club president Phil Lyon.
How the Jamberoos flagpoles looked at the official Anzac service ... and how they looked on Anzac Day the next Friday.
New-look Kiama Swim Club dives into rebrand
Lleyton Hughes Kiama Swim Club’s Winter
Pointscore Competition will begin on Friday, May 2 at 7pm, coinciding with the launch of the club’s new logo and refreshed brand identity.
Unveiled on April 13, the new logo has been described by club member Jemma Haythorpe as a much-needed update for the club, which was first established in 1953.
helping to develop future champions.
“The new branding both celebrates the club’s proud history while also looking to the future,” and reflects its “inclusive, energetic, and community-focused approach,” reinforcing its role as a key part of Kiama’s coastal lifestyle.
In its 72-year history, the club has prided itself on supporting swimmers of all ages and abilities, even
“The club has played a role in the early careers of elite athletes like Sally Fitzgibbons and Ali Day, showing that big dreams can grow in small communities,” says Haythorpe.
Today, the club continues to strengthen its place in the region’s swimming ecosystem through programs like the Friday Night Pointscore, competitive pathways, and training for surf lifesavers and triathletes.
It is also launching a new community engagement
campaign, working closely with local schools, surf clubs, and sporting organisations to welcome new members.
Over the past six months, Kiama Swim Club has had swimmers compete at both regional and state levels, with standout athlete Trae Spencer qualifying for the national championships.
The Winter Pointscore Competition starts Friday, May 2 at 7pm. New swimmers are invited to join, with two free trial sessions available.
To register your interest, email kiamaracesecretary@ gmail.com.
NRL star Arrow on target with coffee blend hitting the spot
Created by a Bunny, poured by The Grumpy Bunny: South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow visited Kiama today (29 April) to launch his new co ee blend, The Arrow, at local café
The Grumpy Bunny.
Arrow has played 162 NRL games and represented Queensland in 12 State of Origin matches, but he is also a passionate coffee lover.
“I love my coffee,” says Arrow. “I got involved with
my mates’ coffee company and decided to make my own blend. I was lucky enough that The Grumpy Bunny was looking for a new coffee, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”
The Arrow is the result of a collaboration between Arrow and longtime friend Jayson Matheou, founder of specialty coffee roaster Willy’s Beans.
“Jai and I grew up together,” says Matheou. “He was always promoting my coffee, so I asked him - instead of just promoting it, would he like to
have his own product?”
The Grumpy Bunny is now the first café to stock
The Arrow blend - a fitting partnership for the Bunnies star. According to Matheou, the café will now be serving the highest-grade coffee in the region.
“Willy’s Beans started when I invested in a coffee farm in Colombia,” says Matheou. “I wanted to showcase what real specialty coffee is - from a farmer’s perspective.”
He adds, “I travel to Colombia every three months,
import the beans, and roast them on the Gold Coast.
There’s no other café in this area serving a blend of this grade.”
Matheou and Arrow ended up collaborating on the blend with other South Sydney Rabbitohs players to craft the perfect blend.
“Jai is very particular - not necessarily about the variety, but he wants a really smooth, rich coffee,” says Matheou.
“He came up to the roastery and we tried different roast profiles and origins. He liked
all of them, so we had the Souths boys at the club taste them - since they all drink his coffee now - and they helped pick the final blend. That’s how it all came together.”
Willy’s Beans prides itself on full traceability and direct involvement in every step of the process - from farm to cup.
“If you can’t tell me who the farmer is, where the farm is, what kind of soil they use - to me, that’s not specialty coffee,” Matheou said.
“With every coffee we roast, I can tell you where and when
it was harvested, who grew it, how it was processed, how it arrived in Australia, and how it was roasted and brewed. That’s what real specialty coffee is.”
The Arrow blend is available exclusively at The Grumpy Bunny. And if you’re wondering what the creators themselves drink - Jai Arrow’s go-to coffee order is a strong flat white, while Jayson Matheou prefers an espresso or a filter coffee.
Kiama Triathlon returns amid packed season for local triathletes
AHughes
fter its successful revival in 2024, the Kiama Triathlon is back for the second consecutive year, landing in the middle of a jam-packed schedule for local athletes.
The event will take place on May 10, following the same popular course as last year: a swim in the Minnamurra River, a bike leg out to Jamberoo via Swamp Road, and a run through Minnamurra to the finish line.
Kiama Triathlon Club vice-president Geoff Besnard says the event’s return could mark the beginning of a long-standing
tradition.“After the success of last October’s race, we’re hopeful it becomes a staple on the calendar,” says Besnard.
“All the feedback from last year’s event was positive, so the council had no issues with approving it again. Locals were happy, competitors were happy with the course - it all just worked.”
Originally scheduled for October again this year, the triathlon was shifted to May to avoid clashing with the World Triathlon Championship Finals, which will be held in Wollongong on October 15. The new date, however, presents a challenge for local participation.
“A lot of our athletes are doing Ironman Port Macquarie on May 4, and then the NSW Club Championships in Forster on May 17. So it’s not ideal timingthere’ll be fewer Kiama competitors this time,” Besnard says.
Despite the tight schedule, Besnard is confident the race will still be a success. “The triathlon will still be a sellout - I assure you there won’t be any empty spots.”
The Kiama Triathlon Club has a strong competitive record, having won five of the last seven NSW Club Championships, and hopes to continue that streak in 2025.
“About a third of our club will head to Forster. It’s our biggest
event each year,” says Besnard.
“We’ve got around 26 or 27 athletes competing, and we’re confident we’ll do well.”
In addition to the Club Championships, Kiama athletes will also compete at Ironman Port Macquarie, the Ultraman event in Noosa (also on May 10), and aim to qualify for the World Championships in Wollongong.
With a packed 2025 ahead, Kiama Triathlon Club continues to punch above its weightproving once again that this small coastal town produces some of the state’s most committed and capable triathletes.
Lleyton Hughes
coastal lifestyle.
swimmers
Kiama Leisure Centre, home of Kiama Swim Club. Source Kiama Swim Club
Lleyton
From YouTube to nationals: Archie going a long way in javelin journey
Lleyton Hughes
Using YouTube clips as training, 11-year-old Archie Lyall has just won the NSW State Championships in javelin for the second year in a row in her age group.
In 2024, when she was 10, Archie was allowed to use a real javelin and she surprised even herself by picking one up and throwing it the furthest in the state.
“I started last year and just picked it up,” Archie says. “I threw a record, then went to zone and won it, then regionals - and somehow I won state with no training. Then I did the same thing this year.”
In 2025, Archie took things one step further,
competing at the National Championships in Perth from April 4–8.
“There was a guy watching at the state championships who asked if I’d like to train with him.
“So I had two sessions with him before Nationals - and I threw my personal best there,” she says.
Archie placed fourth at Nationals, competing against athletes who have had professional coaching and years of training.
But next year, things will be different, says her mum, Cathryn.
“We’re changing that this year,” Cathryn says. “A coach in Port Hacking, SydneyRay Russell - has offered to train her in javelin. He’s had several athletes compete at
Knights shine brightly on wet and windy weekend
Lleyton Hughes
After a week o , Jam-
beroo and Kiama returned in strong form in Round 3 - Anzac Roundof the Group 7 Rugby League competition, both securing impressive wins despite the wet and windy conditions.
At Kiama Showground on Sunday, the Knights faced last year’s runnersup, Shellharbour, who were sitting atop the ladder.
With rain and wind creating challenging conditions, both sides went into halftime locked in a scoreless 0-0 draw.
Kiama finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when centre Callan Thistlewaite capitalised on a loose ball, toeing it ahead and diving on it over the line.
Six minutes later, secondrower Tom Angel powered
through a gap and muscled his way past the fullback to score, extending the lead to 10-0 - a scoreline that held until the final whistle.
Knights coach Matt O’Brien said it was a satisfying return to form after a close loss to Nowra-Bomaderry Jets prior to the Easter break.
“It was good to win after losing a close one to Nowra before Easter - particularly pleasing to play well again at home,” O’Brien said.
“It was heavy going after the rain we had during the ladies league tag matches, but we defended really well in the second half. Our back row was tremendous - Ryan Hodgson, Tom Angel, and Kieren Poole really stood out.”
Over at Kevin Walsh Oval on Saturday, the Jamberoo Superoos enjoyed a dominant day, with all four grades
recording victories against the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets.
In first grade, the Superoos got on the board early in the 6th minute and never looked back, running in multiple tries to complete a commanding 36-0 win.
Superoos coach Jono Dallas says he is so glad to see the club coming together in 2025.
“It was a really nice day for the club to see all four teams winning at home. I feel as though everyone has bought into the club so these kinds of afternoons generally come about when the club is happy and together. In terms of first grade, we are still trying to figure a few things out, but the way they are competing and supporting each other is what's getting us results right now. I'm big on positivity while you’re in games, and even though we probably
aren’t playing as well as we would like, we’re able to move past adversity pretty quickly.”
Both Kiama and Jamberoo now sit on two wins and one loss. Jamberoo will have the bye this weekend, while Kiama travels to face Berry.
In other local sport, Kiama Rugby Club’s first grade team were narrowly defeated by Campbelltown 15–14, with a try in the final five minutes deciding the match.
First grade captain Dante Patrick said the weather played a big part in what turned out to be a disjointed game.
“It was a very scrappy game - the surface was slippery and there were a lot of mistakes from both sides. But ultimately, it was neck and neck the whole way through, and they pulled out an amazing try at the end,”
Nationals in different age groups.”
Archie has been part of Kiama Little Athletics since the Under-9s. It’s a small club with only four athletes in her age group, run by President Craig Scott and a dedicated team of parent volunteers.
“With such a small club, we really rely on parents putting their hands up to help,” says Cathryn.
“I’ve kind of become the manager of Archie’s age group because I’m there every week - but I didn’t know anything about athletics at first. I just Googled everything because there wasn’t anyone to teach us.”
Cathryn hopes that with the Brisbane Olympics on the horizon in 2032, more attention and funding will go
into developing grassroots athletics programs.
“We’ve got some incredibly talented kids, but many end up in sports like Oztag or footy, where there’s more structure, funding, and coaching support,” she says.
“I’m really hoping that when the funding comes through to upgrade Kiama Sporting Complex, we see improvements not just for footy but also for athletics - because the Olympics are coming, and there’s so much talent in our area.”
The Bugle looks forward to seeing what Archie Lyall can achieve with a full year of training behind her. And if you’re interested in signing your kids up for Little Athletics Kiama, you can contact them via Facebook.
Patrick says. “We were very fortunate to be able to debut four new young boys who did exceptionally well. Given it was our first game of the season for first grade, it just took us a little while to get into it.
“Trying to balance brushing off the cobwebs, helping guide the debutants, and taking the full force of the Harlequins side was always going to be a hard task. We thought we did the best we could at all of
those, but just fell short. So we’ll be back to the drawing board this week and put our full focus on the Shamrocks this weekend.”
Kiama Power's first-grade AFL side was defeated by the Northern District Tigers, though their Ladies Premier League team dominated in a huge 92-6 win.
Gerringong Breakers men’s first-grade football team earned a convincing 6-1 win over Thirroul.
Kiama Knights in the wet conditions on the weekend. Photo: Kiama Knights
Archie Lyall in action at the Australian Athletics Champs.
Photo: Cathryn Lyall
OVER 45 MEN VS COLEDALE WAVES
GERRINGONG VS KIAMA BLACK
UNDER 8
GERRINGONG UNDER 6 RED
JAMBEROO UNDER 6 BLUE
GERRINGONG UNDER 6 BLUE
GERRINGONG UNDER 8S
Another Lion roars: Flying Knight Kyle the sixth Gerringong junior in NRL
Three things in life are certain: death, taxesand Gerringong juniors making it into the NRL.
After making his NRL debut late last year, Kyle McCarthy officially became the sixth Gerringong Lion to don an NRL jersey in 2025 when he was given a run on the wing by Newcastle. McCarthy got his first taste of the top grade in
Round 24 last season against Cronulla before earning his second NRL game on April 13, taking on the Wests Tigers.
Despite the Knights’ loss, McCarthy delivered an impressive performance - racking up 151 running metres, three tackle breaks and a line break. Since then, he has been named 18th player for the team but has not got on the field over the past couple of weeks.
McCarthy joined the Gerringong Lions in his first year of under 18s and was coached by John Ford, who recalls his talent was obvious from the start.
“He was always one of the top players,” Ford says. “He had a lot of skill, and once he got his mind on the job, he couldn’t be stopped.”
Ford says watching former players achieve their dreams is one of the most rewarding
parts of coaching. “Because I coached him, I saw the hard work he put in - the time, the effort. Seeing him get the rewards now just makes me so happy,” he says.
Together, Kyle and John never lost a game during their time with the Lions in 2021 and 2022. After the 2021 season was abandoned, they went on to win the under 18s title the following year.
McCarthy joins a growing
list of Gerringong juniors who’ve cracked the NRL, including St George Illawarra duo Hamish Stewart and Dylan Egan, Storm utility Tyran Wishart, Warriors forward Jackson Ford and Manly centre Reuben Garrick.
And the pipeline doesn’t stop there. More Gerringong products are knocking on the NRL’s door, including John’s son, Taj Ford, who is playing in the Jersey Flegg Cup for the
Sharks, as well as Nick Quinn and Ashton Ward, who are playing in the NSW Cup for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Ford credits the club’s culture for its consistent success.
“I think they’re just brought up the right way and taught from an early age that hard work gets results,” he says. “They’ve all bought into that, and now they’re seeing the rewards.”
