Well-known local resident Howard Jones gave a talk at the GLaM for the Gerringong Historical Society and Remnants Art Exhibition on the evening of Thursday 23 November 2023.

Howard H Jones, long-term Saddleback resident and founder of GEPS (Gerringong Environment Protection Society) spoke for an hour on the preciousness of the remnants of our local biodiversity. 

Howard served as a Kiama Councillor from 1991 to 1995.

Howard said in his talk:

“Kiama has at least 11 Endangered Ecological Communities. My talk focused on the ecological values, losses and threats to 6 important vegetation communities in our area and the wildlife associated with them. 

The presentation also outlined the 35 years of GEPS actions to build awareness and advocate for these values.  

We have lost all of our natural freshwater wetlands and around 88 percent of the great Illawarra Brush Subtropical rainforest that once covered much of the volcanic soils of Kiama.  So, it’s really important to know this history in order to look after what’s left. 

The remnant rainforest remaining in Kiama still represents the largest area of subtropical rainforest in South Eastern Australia and Seven Mile Beach has an amazingly diverse association of Endangered Ecological Communities. “

Howard also referenced the loss of the endangered species of ziera granulata along Saddleback roads, and melaleuca but also referenced Barren Ground Nature reserve near Jamberoo as a success with its 500 species of plants and 180 birds recorded, and many species of frog including the green and golden bell frog. Bushwalkers often comment on the area being full of flowers in season.

Howard Jones also said after the talk:

“I don’t feel sad because that wouldn’t affect change. It’s important that the community, especially the decision makers, are aware of what we have and value, love and care for this beautiful environment. Ignorance and indifference are the greatest threat.”

Howard Jones at the GLam

The Remnants art exhibition’s theme highlights what is left of our precious rainforest, and various other local environments with many endangered species of plants and animals. 

Many of the colours used in the creation of the art in the exhibition were made from local materials.

The three artists behind the exhibition are Penny Sadubin, Tim Rushby-Smith, and Sue Blanchfield.

Penny Sadubin is a local Gerringong artist who did her BFA at UNSW in 1994, and her Master of Teaching Secondary Visual Arts in 2021 at UOW. She was based in London between 1996 and 2013.

Tim Rushby-Smith is a journalist and author who wrote a memoir ‘Looking Up’ published in 2008 after a fall from a tree in 2005 resulted in permanent paraplegia. He has been published in many Australian and British publications and wrote a second book ‘Beyond the Break’. He has exhibited his art at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in 2023 and Hazelhurst Art Centre in 2021.

Susan Blanchfield uses printmaking on paper and cloth, using eucalyptus dyes and her work was shown in Lodz Poland in 2004. She trained at the National Art School in Sydney from 1966 to 1969 and completed her Master of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong in 1998.

The exhibition is open till 29 November 2023 between 10am and 2pm in the Museum Gallery inside Gerringong Library on Blackwood Street Gerringong.