Three months into her role as Kiama Council CEO, Jane Stroud is keen to get out and about and meet more locals in the community.

In what looks like what will be the last week outdoor gatherings for the fully vaccinated will be restricted to five, Jane is inviting Kiama residents to picnic with her across the LGA next week.

"I am a big believer that the CEO should be accessible to the community and getting first-hand feedback is important to me,” says Ms Stroud.

"I've attended zoom meetings of the precincts, and it’s been wonderful to meet the people I have so far. Now I’d like to extend an invitation to Kiama folk to get together to exchange views and share ideas.”

From Wednesday 6 October, Jane will hold six picnics, one in each of Kiama’s villages: Minnamurra, Kiama Downs, Kiama, Kiama Heights, Jamberoo, Gerringong and Gerroa. If you’d like the chance to attend one, please email Council using the details below.

Having relocated from Queensland, Ms Stroud is still new to the area, so says this is also a great chance for her to get more familiar with different parts of the LGA.

“Normally I’d be holding CEO listening posts and working out of town halls for a half a day where people can drop in and chat to me. That’s hard to achieve right now, but I’ll look to the new year to get those up and running again”.

For now, she sees this as a relaxed way to meet people, listen to their ideas and to learn and hear from residents about their views on council. 

If you'd like to picnic with Ms Stroud, send an email to [email protected] with “CEO Picnic – Minnamurra, Kiama Downs, Kiama, Jamberoo, Gerroa, Gerringong (choose one)” in the subject line by Monday 4 October. Only those who are double vaccinated can attend the picnics. Please apply as an individual, rather than a couple or group.

The picnic guests will be selected randomly and notified by next Tuesday 5 October.

Picnics will be held weekdays at lunchtime from Weds 6 October. As host, Jane will bring along something from local businesses to eat and drink.