Some of the greatest moments in Australian sporting history belong to women. 

Dawn Fraser winning her third successive gold in the 100-metres freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. 

Evonne Goolagong-Cawley clinching her second Wimbledon title in 1980, almost a decade after winning for the first time. 

Cathy Freeman powering along the home straight on her way to Olympic glory at Stadium Australia in 2000. 

These were all extraordinary moments, and they are all extraordinary athletes. 

“Dawnie”, Evonne, and Cathy didn’t just inspire a nation, they inspired the next generation of female runners, tennis players and swimmers. 

And so it will be with our Matildas, whose brilliant World Cup run came to an end last week with an agonising third place playoff loss to Sweden. 

The Bugle is in awe of what the Matildas achieved on the field. Like millions of Australians, we were wowed by Kyra Cooney-Cross’ raw pace, Mackenzie Arnold’s rock-solid defence, and Sam Kerr’s missile-like strikes. 

The game against France – which went down to the wire on penalties – was a particular highlight. 

The Bugle is also in awe of what the Matildas achieved off the field. The response from the Australian public, including our Kiama community, has been quite something. Stadiums have sold out, pubs have been packed, and live sites have been well attended by Tilly fans young and old. 

It's been written and said ad nauseam, but there’s no doubt the Matildas’ success will be a gamechanger for women and girls’ sport across the country. 

That’s why it was encouraging to see the Federal Government announce a $200 million investment in women’s sporting facilities and equipment at the grassroots level. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “we want women and girls everywhere in Australia to have the facilities and the support to choose a sport they love”. 

He's right. 

The Bugle hopes some of that investment ends up in Kiama because we have no doubt that somewhere in the crowd at the Hindmarsh Park live site – amid the green and gold flags and picnic blankets – was a future Matilda. 

Contact us to tell us your favourite Matildas moment, and what women’s sporting initiatives the Government should be looking at in Kiama.