It’s an ongoing debate within early childhood education.Some parents love being sent photographs of their little ones throughout the day. Others would prefer educators to focus on caring for their children.Across daycare centres and preschools, it has become normal — even expected — for parents to have access to an online app, such as Xplor or OWNA, which allows educators to post a feed of snapshots showing what their child is learning, playing and eating.But is it necessary — and what about digital safety?Now, the Federal, State and Territory Governments have come together to clarify guidelines for taking photos of children in childcare. Working with the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), long daycare centres, preschools and kindergartens are encouraged to adopt the new National Model Code and Guidelines. These are an interim measure while government child-care safety reforms are being worked out.The guidelines include restrictions on using personal electronics to take photographs of children — instead a “service-issued device” must be used. Personal electronic devices that can take or record images, including smartphones and smartwatches, should not be carried when providing early childhood care, unless for “essential purposes”, such as emergencies and health reasons. The guidelines also dictate how images are stored and the use of ‘inappropriate’ images. For example, if a child is in a state of undress.The ACECQA notes, there are benefits to taking photos of children to share with their families.“This type of communication can and does play a role in engaging families and carers in a child’s education and care experiences, particularly where there may be low levels of literacy or English is not a first language.” There are downsides. Constant documentation can ‘reduce educators’ ability to supervise, interact and engage with children.In Kiama, early childhood education services have already begun exploring their electronics policies, with the support of families. The Kiama Preschool use the OWNA childcare app to share updates but not to post photographs. Instead, every child has a scrapbook, which contains printed photographs of their activities. At the end of term, kids take the books home to show their families. Dido Street Early Learning Centre (ELC) road-tested a “no technology day”, during which the educators did not take any photographs of children, even on service-issued devices. The feedback from educators and children was positive.Staff reported feeling calmer without the distraction of needing to take photographs and were able to facilitate more meaningful interactions with the children.Dido Street ELC is exploring further opportunities to promote a healthy balance of technology-use in the centre with input from families.

Authorities are reminding South Coast residents not to attempt caring for injured, sick, or orphaned native animals themselves. Instead, it is crucial to pass on the responsibility to the professionals to ensure the animal is given the correct medical treatment by a vet or qualified carer. Winter often causes an increase in incidents of wildlife road accidents, particularly involving wombats and kangaroos, it is critical these animals receive proper medical care. According to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) and WIRES, native animals have specific dietary and care needs that only trained professionals know how to meet. Attempts to rescue them can often worsen their condition. Though, these organisations acknowledge that people often have the best intentions in rescuing wildlife, attempting to do so without the correct information and expertise can often cause more harm than good. Only licensed wildlife carers or registered veterinarians can legally rehabilitate native animals under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.WIRES CEO, Leanne Taylor, emphasises the risks of incorrect care leading to poor outcomes for wildlife saying, “the best way for the community to help a native animal in need of human intervention is to contact their nearest wildlife rescue group or WIRES for advice and if needed, a trained and authorised wildlife carer can attend.” Residents encountering injured wildlife are urged to contact local wildlife groups, a veterinarian, or WIRES Rescue Office at 1300 094 737 for any assistance. Prompt intervention by trained carers ensures animals receive proper treatment and are prepared for eventual release back into the wild. For more information on how to respond to encounters with sick, injured or orphaned native animals, visit the NSW Government website. By seeking professional help promptly, the community can effectively support the well-being and conservation of native wildlife during the winter season.

Kiama real estate agent Marnie Beauchamp has returned to the industry, and the town she loves, after stepping away for several years “to heal emotionally, physically and spiritually”.Several years ago, the successful business woman moved from Kiama to Sydney. A series of traumatic events and a mid-life evaluation prompted her to take stock of her life and make some changes, including writing a book, Unread Pages: The Silent Struggles Behind Every Success. The book is a raw account of her struggles, including losing both her parents, surviving financial ruin and two divorces, battling an eating disorder, undergoing spinal surgery and helping bring a stalker to justice, “which was pretty scary”.It is little wonder then that the self-confessed workaholic needed some time out from the daily grind of 15 hour days, seven days a week.“I went overseas, did solo road trips, I laid on the beach and I basically hid away from the world,” she laughs. But the break proved life-changing and reminded her how much she missed Kiama and the real estate industry. “It wasn’t the place that was the problem, it was the place I was in. By giving myself some space I was able to get clarity around where I wanted to be and it’s definitely here in Kiama. Sometimes you need to move away from something to really appreciate it.”Marnie had been working ridiculous hours “her whole adult life,” buying her first real estate agency at 27 while nursing a newborn. She juggled running a business and raising two young children for the next five years until her marriage broke down. When she decided to sell the business, the transaction went pear shaped and ended up in court. Marnie was being sued for damages and came out of the process “hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt from having to fight the claim”.“I lost everything,” she says. “Financially as well as physically, as my health deteriorated.”Marnie put her company, named after her daughters, into voluntary administration. But she couldn’t bring herself to declare bankruptcy or liquidate her business.  “I’m a fighter, I didn’t want to take the easy way out,” she says. “I decided to get back into it and pay every cent back. At the time, I had $1.76 to my name, that's how bad it was. I was sitting in the park and I couldn't even buy my girls an ice cream. It took me about five years to pay off the debt, but I did it.” Around the same time, Marnie’s beloved father passed away suddenly, at just 58 years old. Her dad was her inspiration to find the strength to rebuild her career and her life. Despite vowing to never open another business or franchise again, she did both in 2009, “starting from scratch”. Over the next several years she won a raft of awards, including business person of the year, most outstanding real estate agency, number one agent of the year, and business of the year. Marnie successfully “clawed herself out” of both debt and despair.“You only fail if you give up,” she says. “Failure has been the catalyst for the biggest successes in my life. If you want something bad enough you find a way. A lot of it is about mindset, you just have to be willing to do the hard yards.”Resilience is the underlying theme for Marnie’s book, a project she began working on after taking a career break from the real estate industry and moving away from Kiama in 2019.“For the last few years I haven’t done much at all,” she says. Not much at all for Marnie includes writing her book, industry coaching and business mentoring, guest appearances on business podcasts and, most recently, developing a performance-based app for the real estate industry.“Writing the book was cathartic and very emotional,” says Marnie. “Revisiting all the things I’ve been through was hard, but the book gave me the opportunity to breathe, reflect and think.”Marnie recently signed on with Belle Property and is back home in Kiama, her “happy place”.Marnie will launch her book at Belle Property Berry on August 8 at 6pm. All are welcome for book sales and signings. 

By Joan HughesLocal Kiama woman, Joan Hughes, will volunteer at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in August and September. Joan will be an access coordinator at the Grand Palais, which will host a number of events including fencing and taekwondo.Joan volunteered at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics, which she says, “it was a life changing event.” Joan applied for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics when she heard that the Olympic Committee was seeking volunteers from around the world. There was no requirement to be a French speaker as Joan only has ‘school French.’“Being a volunteer is a wonderful way of giving back to the community. Being in my early 70s, I have been able to take advantage of many educational and employment opportunities,” Joan said. “I have done many volunteer jobs, even during my paid employment. Giving back to society is very satisfying.” She will travel to Paris in early August and will also take the opportunity to travel within Europe and to the UK to see friends.

Holidays and long trips away from home can be complicated for those requiring regular dialysis. The Big Red Kidney Bus has set up shop in Kiama to reduce the barriers and allow holidayers to receive mobile dialysis.Kidney Australia launched the year-round program to give those receiving dialysis the opportunity to go on holidays throughout NSW and ensure they still have access to their life-saving treatment. “Our Big Red Kidney Bus mobile dialysis program is much loved by our kidney community as it gives them the freedom to move beyond their treating clinic and visit other parts of Australia – a freedom so many of us take for granted” says Kidney Health Australia CEO, Chris Forbes.All dialysis sessions on the Bus are free of charge, and there is no limitation to the number of sessions someone can receive. The bus features three chairs with dialysis machines and is staffed by renal technicians and dialysis nurses. The bus will be parked at Big4 East Beach Holiday Park, 30 Ocean Street Kiama from 8 July until 3 August.To make a booking for the Big Red Kidney Bus, follow the appointment system here.

From Greek mythology to rock music, fairytales to family drama, the South Coast Readers and Writers Festival has it all, including an insider’s look at the publishing business for aspiring scribes trying to break into the industry.The festival, at Thirroul Community Centre from July 13-14, features award-winning local novelist Helena Fox, lawyer-turned-author Bri Lee discussing her debut as a fiction writer, legendary Australian music writers Stuart Coupe and Jeff Apter and journalists Caroline Baum, Malcolm Knox and Mitch Jennings.The jam-packed weekend, with more than 22 sessions, will cover genres including poetry, literary fiction, suspense, biography, memoir, historical fiction and First Nations writing, said festival director Sarah Nicholson.Dr Nicholson, who is head of the South Coast Writers Centre and a University of Wollongong academic, said 60 percent of writers talking at the festival are locals. “We are excited to showcase more than 40 authors, poets, academics and journalists, who will cover everything from the literary classics to the pressing issues of current affairs," she said."It will be a weekend filled with captivating stories, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring conversations. We encourage people to come along and discover some of the local literary talent hiding on the coast."Australian historical fantasy author Kell Woods, Emma Darragh, who has a PhD in creative writing from the University of Wollongong, and Illawarra Mercury journalist Mitch Jennings will debut new books at the festival.Established award-winning writers including Catherine McKinnon, Kirli Saunders and Helena Fox will also host talks. Dr Nicholson, co-author of Heroines An Anthology of Short Fiction and Poetry, will discuss her writing in the ‘Crimes of the Cross’ session. The festival will be held in the Thirroul Community Centre for the first time this year. “It’s close to a public transport hub and gives festival guests easy access to Thirroul’s great cafés,” Dr Nicholson said.“We’ve partnered with Wollongong City Libraries to present two free Young Readers and Writers sessions in the Thirroul Library and Collins Booksellers will also feature festival books for sale.”Dr Nicholson said the festival is a community event, with organisers giving it a rebrand in its third year to include readers in the title.  “We renamed ourselves the South Coast Readers and Writers Festival so that it is clear to the many readers in our community that this festival is for them,” she said.“This isn’t a festival only for writers. It’s a festival with writers that is designed for readers. It’s a place for book lovers to hear writer’s insights, to learn about and find new books, and to hear about the process behind their creations.”Ge the program and tickets here - https://southcoastwriters.org/festival

On Monday July 1, Kiama community members united in urgent solidarity when a patron at Penny Whistlers stopped breathing.Voytek Lewandowski, a regular diner at the cafe, was having lunch when he began choking. A tourist applied the Heimlich manoeuvre whilst customers rang emergency services, and Penny Whistler barista and local surf instructor, Kane Presland courageously stepped in to apply CPR.Fellow diners helped Kane keep rhythm on his compressions until an ambulance arrived. Bhanu Rathore, owner of Penny Whistler provided support to those impacted by the traumatic event. Tragically, Voytek could not be revived. Voytek Lewandowski grew up in Poland under communist rule and emigrated to Australia on a whim, and immediately set about learning English and establishing his own business. He trained in Film and Television Production in his home country, but was unable to break into the industry in Australia. He moved into the food technology industry and opened his own factory producing roasted capsicum long before it became popular, and was a passionate proponent of yoga and Vipassana meditation. In 2011, he suffered a traumatic brain injury from a car accident.In 2015, Voytek moved to Kiama and wished he had made the move earlier, having a deep appreciation for the Australian birdlife, animals and the ocean. The south end of Kendalls Beach, the Continental Pool, the sauna at the Leisure Centre, and Penny Whistler were places he frequented and felt at home.His sparkling eyes and open smile were easily recognisable, and inviting to those who knew him or strangers that he would meet along his journey. Voytek passed unexpectedly at a place he loved and frequented regularly. July 4th was his 63rd birthday, and his loved ones celebrated enthusiastically and passionately at Penny Whistler to remember him and honour his life.Voytek’s partner Madeleine wishes to hear from anyone who was present or provided help to express her gratitude and support. You can reach out to The Bugle to get in contact with her.

Coolangatta Floor Sanding (CFS), a family-owned and operated business, has proudly served the Shoalhaven region for 26 years, establishing itself as the premier local floor sanding and polishing company. Under the new leadership of Dane Hamill, who recently took over from his father Glen following his retirement, the business continues its tradition of excellence and quality service.Dane, who has been perfecting his craft since graduating high school in 2006, brings extensive expertise in floor sanding, cleaning, and timber maintenance. His proficiency includes providing valuable advice and performing restoration work to repair scratches and recoat floors, significantly enhancing their longevity and overall lifespan.CFS collaborates with contractors, builders, and architects across Shoalhaven and its surrounding suburbs, including Berry, Nowra, Shoalhaven Heads, Kiama, Kangaroo Valley, and Jervis Bay, to deliver exceptional service and expert guidance. Dane proudly notes their use of state-of-the-art European sanding and buffing equipment, which features large belt sanders for expansive areas and smaller edging sanders for intricate work in corners and alongside boards."I have witnessed remarkable transformations in the homes we've worked on," Dane shares. "The results significantly enhance the property's value, as polished floors are a highly sought-after feature in real estate marketing."Homeowners not only seek to improve their living spaces for aesthetic appeal but also to protect their investments. "Our entire team takes great pleasure in seeing our clients' reactions to the finished product," Dane adds.Dane is also knowledgeable about the 'whitewash' technique, which can be applied in various ways. Floors can either be painted with full coverage white paint followed by a clear coat in matte, satin, or gloss finish, or a light tint can be added to the coating to prevent sun-induced discoloration. Additionally, other colour options are available.Whether for domestic or commercial applications, Dane and his team at CFS are invaluable resources for expert advice and floor improvement potential. It is highly recommended to get in touch with them for a quote and experience their exceptional service firsthand.

On the weekend of 5-8 July, the Kiama Netball Association (KNA) competed at the HART Junior State Titles, with both teams performing really well.The U13’s team won the title while the U12’s team came close and were the runners-up.The U12 Runners-Up“It’s been a little while since we’ve had that success, particularly with more than one team. Usually we might get one team out of the five or six that we send away, so to get the two of them being so successful is a pretty big thing for us,” says a thrilled KNA president Michelle Gregory.Gregory attributes the success to the hard work put in by the players and the team spirit within the group.“I think they've trained really hard, even with all the rain and everything that we’ve had, they kept training through it all. The coaches have worked hard on creating a really nice team spirit across the two different teams so that helped when games were close or tough. I think the girls really rallied around each other and helped get themselves over the line,” she says.The U13’s team were completely undefeated over the three days, even though they had a brief hiccup just before the weekend.“They had a last-minute change due to illness, and we had to withdraw a player on the Monday before they left and add in a training partner,” Gregory says.She explains that the whole weekend was successful, not only the results but also the relationships and the memories that the players made.“They were in the tents together the whole time, and on the court at the same time, so they did spend an awful lot of time together hearing from each other about how the games were going. I think there will be lots of netball memories for them.” The girls wore Destination Kiama caps, which they wrote messages on and gave to other teams.Councillor Matt Brown says that the success of the teams and this tradition of sharing caps is a great way for people to learn about the great place, which is Kiama.“I’m really pleased that our netball team are not only promoting their sport and their prowess, but they’re supporting visitors coming to Kiama. These girls are sharing their Kiama caps with girls from right around the state, and I think that is a wonderful thing that our sport is doing to promote Kiama as a destination.” 

Mark your calendars for Friday, August 2nd, as Gerringong gears up for Jeans for Genes Day with an exciting Trivia Night and Denim Quilt Raffle. Hosted by the Children’s Medical ResearchInstitute Gerringong Committee, this event aims to raise crucial funds for research into genetic diseases affecting 1 in 20 children. Enjoy a lively evening of trivia, music, and community spirit.Don’t miss your chance to win fantastic prizes in the multi-draw raffle, including a stunning denim quilt crafted by the Kiama Quilters Guild and quilted by Carol Tabone of Shoalhaven Quilting, generously donated to CMRI.Supporters can also purchase Jeans for Genes pens, badges, and quilt raffle tickets at IGA Gerringong on July 26th, 27th, August 1st, and 2nd.Local students from Gerringong Public School and Kiama High are pitching in with a mufti day and gold coin donations. Additionally, businesses throughout the community are contributing to the cause through raffle donations and merchandise sales.Gerringong Public School students supporting the campaign. Standing Sienna Woolley, from left Teddy Brierty, Wally Brierty and Spencer WoolleyThis event isn’t just about fun and games—it’s about funding research that could lead to cures for devastating genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and metabolic disorders, among others.Learn more about the science behind genetic diseases and the promising advancements in gene therapy, which aims to correct DNA errors and restore normal cellular function.Researchers at CMRI are at the forefront, pioneering gene therapy treatments that could revolutionize medical care worldwide.Gerringong Public School students supporting the campaign . From left Teddy Brierty, Sienna Woolley, Spencer Woolley and Wally BriertyYour participation and support at the Jeans for Genes Trivia Night make a direct impact on ongoing research efforts. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children facing genetic diseases.Details: Gerroa Boat Fisherman’s Club –Tickets are available athttp://www.trybooking.com/CSVVD for $30 per person. Enjoy nibbles, drinks at bar prices, andtake advantage of the courtesy bus service (book through the club).Jeans for Genes Trivia Night & Denim Quilt RaffleFriday 2nd August is Jeans for Genes Day and all funds raised by Children’s Medical Research Institute Gerringong Committee will support the research that is finding cures for genetic diseases that impact on 1 in 20 children who face a birth defect or genetic disease.Tickets for the Trivia Night at the Gerroa Boat Fisherman’s Club are on sale at http://www.trybooking.com/CSVVD$30 per person, nibblies provided, drinks at bar prices, courtesy bus (book through the club). There will be a multi draw raffle and denim quilt raffle tickets for sale and drawn on the night. The quilt was created by the Kiama Quilters Guild, quilted by Carol Tabone of Shoalhaven Quilting and donated to CMRI.Jeans for Genes pens and badges as well as quilt raffle tickets will be sold at IGA Gerringong on 26th, 27th July, 1st & 2nd August.Students at Gerringong Public School and Kiama High will be helping us to raise funds by having a mufti day and gold coin donation. Local businesses also support the cause with donations for the raffle and by selling merchandise.Come to the Trivia Night and enjoy a fast game with music trivia included and comperes Glen Isemonger and Dave Peade keeping the fun and the questions moving! It’s all about raising funds for research that gives us the cures.What Causes A Genetic Disease?Genetic diseases are caused by errors in our DNA, the instructions for making ‘us’. DNA is the source of information for all the cells in our body, telling them what to do every second of every day.When something goes wrong with those instructions, it means some part of our body doesn’t function properly, leading to a life-threatening genetic disease like cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, metabolic disorders or even cancer.The best way to treat or cure many of these conditions is to correct the problem at the source, to correct the DNA. That’s what gene therapy does.How Does Gene Therapy Work?A gene with the correct DNA information is inserted into a vector (usually one called AAV), which is harmless but functions as a delivery vehicle that can go into the cells of a patient to correct the DNA information and restore normal function. This is already being used to treat diseaseslike haemophilia and spinal muscular atrophy.More advanced technology being developed goes a step further, equipping these AAV vectors with the ability to scan billions of letters of the genetic code, find the single error causing a genetic disease, and precisely correct it in the patient’s DNA. In this case, instead of just being a delivery vehicle, the AAV acts like a microscopic scalpel, performing surgery on the DNA to cure a genetic disease.How Are We Making A Difference?Currently, AAV works well with blood and liver diseases, but Dr Lisowski’s team at CMRI is advancing AAV technology, developing vectors that work in muscle, brain, retina and other organs to cure even more types of genetic diseases.The scientists and clinicians at Children’s Medical Research Institute conducted the first ever clinical trial to correct a genetic disease using gene therapy in Australia (SCID-X1 deficiency or "boy in the bubble disease"). They were also the first outside North America to trial a cure for spinal muscular atrophy, and a gene therapy we’ve developed in Australia for metabolic liver disease is entering clinical trials in the UK. Right now, we are working on a cure for Propionic Acidemia and other previously incurable genetic diseases.

Mark your calendars for Friday, August 2nd, as Gerringong gears up for Jeans for Genes Day with an exciting Trivia Night and Denim Quilt Raffle. Hosted by the Children’s Medical ResearchInstitute Gerringong Committee, this event aims to raise crucial funds for research into genetic diseases affecting 1 in 20 children. Enjoy a lively evening of trivia, music, and community spirit.Don’t miss your chance to win fantastic prizes in the multi-draw raffle, including a stunning denim quilt crafted by the Kiama Quilters Guild and quilted by Carol Tabone of Shoalhaven Quilting, generously donated to CMRI.Supporters can also purchase Jeans for Genes pens, badges, and quilt raffle tickets at IGA Gerringong on July 26th, 27th, August 1st, and 2nd.Local students from Gerringong Public School and Kiama High are pitching in with a mufti day and gold coin donations. Additionally, businesses throughout the community are contributing to the cause through raffle donations and merchandise sales.Gerringong Public School students supporting the campaign. Standing Sienna Woolley, from left Teddy Brierty, Wally Brierty and Spencer WoolleyThis event isn’t just about fun and games—it’s about funding research that could lead to cures for devastating genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and metabolic disorders, among others.Learn more about the science behind genetic diseases and the promising advancements in gene therapy, which aims to correct DNA errors and restore normal cellular function.Researchers at CMRI are at the forefront, pioneering gene therapy treatments that could revolutionize medical care worldwide.Gerringong Public School students supporting the campaign . From left Teddy Brierty, Sienna Woolley, Spencer Woolley and Wally BriertyYour participation and support at the Jeans for Genes Trivia Night make a direct impact on ongoing research efforts. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children facing genetic diseases.Details: Gerroa Boat Fisherman’s Club –Tickets are available athttp://www.trybooking.com/CSVVD for $30 per person. Enjoy nibbles, drinks at bar prices, andtake advantage of the courtesy bus service (book through the club).Jeans for Genes Trivia Night & Denim Quilt RaffleFriday 2nd August is Jeans for Genes Day and all funds raised by Children’s Medical Research Institute Gerringong Committee will support the research that is finding cures for genetic diseases that impact on 1 in 20 children who face a birth defect or genetic disease.Tickets for the Trivia Night at the Gerroa Boat Fisherman’s Club are on sale at http://www.trybooking.com/CSVVD$30 per person, nibblies provided, drinks at bar prices, courtesy bus (book through the club). There will be a multi draw raffle and denim quilt raffle tickets for sale and drawn on the night. The quilt was created by the Kiama Quilters Guild, quilted by Carol Tabone of Shoalhaven Quilting and donated to CMRI.Jeans for Genes pens and badges as well as quilt raffle tickets will be sold at IGA Gerringong on 26th, 27th July, 1st & 2nd August.Students at Gerringong Public School and Kiama High will be helping us to raise funds by having a mufti day and gold coin donation. Local businesses also support the cause with donations for the raffle and by selling merchandise.Come to the Trivia Night and enjoy a fast game with music trivia included and comperes Glen Isemonger and Dave Peade keeping the fun and the questions moving! It’s all about raising funds for research that gives us the cures.What Causes A Genetic Disease?Genetic diseases are caused by errors in our DNA, the instructions for making ‘us’. DNA is the source of information for all the cells in our body, telling them what to do every second of every day.When something goes wrong with those instructions, it means some part of our body doesn’t function properly, leading to a life-threatening genetic disease like cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, metabolic disorders or even cancer.The best way to treat or cure many of these conditions is to correct the problem at the source, to correct the DNA. That’s what gene therapy does.How Does Gene Therapy Work?A gene with the correct DNA information is inserted into a vector (usually one called AAV), which is harmless but functions as a delivery vehicle that can go into the cells of a patient to correct the DNA information and restore normal function. This is already being used to treat diseaseslike haemophilia and spinal muscular atrophy.More advanced technology being developed goes a step further, equipping these AAV vectors with the ability to scan billions of letters of the genetic code, find the single error causing a genetic disease, and precisely correct it in the patient’s DNA. In this case, instead of just being a delivery vehicle, the AAV acts like a microscopic scalpel, performing surgery on the DNA to cure a genetic disease.How Are We Making A Difference?Currently, AAV works well with blood and liver diseases, but Dr Lisowski’s team at CMRI is advancing AAV technology, developing vectors that work in muscle, brain, retina and other organs to cure even more types of genetic diseases.The scientists and clinicians at Children’s Medical Research Institute conducted the first ever clinical trial to correct a genetic disease using gene therapy in Australia (SCID-X1 deficiency or "boy in the bubble disease"). They were also the first outside North America to trial a cure for spinal muscular atrophy, and a gene therapy we’ve developed in Australia for metabolic liver disease is entering clinical trials in the UK. Right now, we are working on a cure for Propionic Acidemia and other previously incurable genetic diseases.

To celebrate NAIDOC week, two First Nations artists showcased their work at the Old Fire Station in Kiama.The exhibition entitled Keep the Fire Burning, was based on the theme of this year's NAIDOC week Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud. It presented the work of artists Richard Campbell and Kay A.Richard Campbell's paintingsRichard Campbell was born in Kiama NSW, from Yuin Nation South Coast Australia and his paintings are influenced by stories and symbols passed down through time.“My paintings are all passed down from generation to generation, every single one of my pieces tell a story. My paintings depict everyday life of the past and present. They’re about saltwater country, garden country, the south coast and what it means to our people,” says Campbell.Exhibition at The Old Fire StationKay A is a proud Wiradjuri Woman of the Galari Clan, Cowra. She was born on Gadigal Land and now lives on Dharawal Land in Gerringong and this informs her paintings as she is more concerned with the present day connection with the land.“Because I’m off-country and because I’m a guest of the Dharawal people here, I’m based in Gerringong so I tell stories based on my experiences with the land here. A lot of my stories are explaining how the work is inspired by the connection to country,” says Kay A.Both artists believe the exhibition is a great opportunity to educate people about their culture and their history.Photo credit: Lleyton Hughes“The benefit for me is that it actually explains to people in a nice quiet way what the difference is when we step on country, how we connect to country, how we introduce ourselves to new country when we stand on country, when we introduce ourselves to spirit and we acknowledge the people on country. So, for me it's like getting those stories out and educating the public,” says Kay A.“Aboriginal people have got to shine. If we don’t shine through football we shine through art, dance and song,” says Campbell.The exhibition was from July 4 to July 10, but if you missed it you can get in touch with Richard Campbell through his website: www.gumaraa.com.au, and Kay A through her website: https://andonopouloskay.wixsite.com/.

At 2:35am Tuesday July 8, the Kiama Fire and Rescue team responded to a report of a house fire in Kiama Downs.The Dunmore Fire Brigade, NSW Police Force and NSW Ambulance also responded to the report at a one storey house with large amounts of smoke coming from the roof.“The fire was brought under control, however the house sustained a large amount of damage.  Luckily the smoke alarms in the premises alerted the residents who evacuated safely,” the Kiama Fire and Rescue team wrote in a Facebook post.An initiative enforced by the NSW Government allows people to book a free Home Fire Safety Visit where Fire and Rescue will ensure your smoke alarms are in working condition.You can book one here https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9316, or you can call the Kiama Fire Station on 4224 2046.

The Kiama community are eagerly preparing to participate in the year’s National Tree Day, a celebrated annual event that encourages community members to come together for environmental conservation. This year National Tree Day is on 28 July. Established in 1966, National Tree Day has since grown into Australia’s largest community tree planting and nature care initiative. More than 5 million volunteers have contributed their time and energy to plant more than 27 million native trees, shrubs and grasses. This year, Planet Ark aims to plant a million new trees across the country, reinforcing the importance of biodiversity and environmental control while strengthening community bonds through hands-on participation. Key themes for this year’s event include ‘planting hope’, to encourage engagement with nature and to inspire younger generations to work toward a more sustainable future amidst climate challenges. Additionally, the event will address the urgent need to protect threatened plant species, which constitutes over 70% of Australia’s endangered species. Local schools, councils, community groups and residents are encouraged to participate, National Tree Day for schools will be undertaken on 26 July. For any unable to lend a hand in person, donating to The Seedling Bank supports environmental projects nationwide, ensuring a lasting impact beyond the event. You can find local planting sites and volunteer opportunities through the National Tree Day website. 

Kell Woods knew she wanted to be a writer from a young age. The voracious reader and self-confessed nerd spent all her spare time either reading books, or writing them.“If you asked me what I wanted to be at eight, I would’ve said an author, I was one of those annoying kids that read too much and probably talked too much,” laughs Kell.Fast forward a decade or two and the Jervis Bay local has achieved her dream, releasing her debut novel After The Forest in October. Set in Germany’s Black Forest in 1650, the historical fantasy reimagines the story of Hansel and Gretel, blending fairy tales and folklore to create a “gritty, real and dark story that is also really beautiful”.Kell will join a host of other talented writers at this weekend’s South Coast Readers and Writers Festival to discuss her novel and her journey to becoming a published author. “I’m so excited to be a part of this festival,” says Kell. “I’m going to be talking fairy tales with Melbourne writer Michael Earp, who I recently joined at the Supanova Comic Con and Gaming festival last month. We had so much fun together at Supanova so there will be lots of laughs this weekend.”Kell studied English literature, creative writing and librarianship at Macquarie University and worked as a reference librarian for 13 years. She was always surrounded by stories, whether sourcing them, reading them or writing them. Five years ago Kell began devoting “serious time and focus” to writing, completing After the Forest in 2020. Then the real hard work began: picking up a literary agent and finding a publisher. “I finished the book and started pitching to agents during COVID, so a lot of agencies were closed and weren’t taking submissions,” says Kell. “Most Australian agents weren’t interested in fantasy at all, I didn’t get very far in Australia.”Kell tried her luck overseas and sent through first chapters of her book to agents in the United States and United Kingdom. She was picked up by UK agent Julie Crisp and offered an acquisitions deal with US publishing powerhouse TOR books.  “I had to go out of Australia to get published in Australia, which is funny,” says Kell. “Now there are a lot more fantasy books out there, thanks to ‘romantasy’ books like Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses.” “I was at the beginning of that wave of popularity, so it was really good timing for me. Luck and timing often play a big part in whether or not a book gets published and I was writing the kind of books publishers wanted at the time.”Kell is now paying that good fortune forward, sharing industry insights and secrets to success with advanced English students from high schools across the South Coast, including Kiama High.“It’s been such a privilege to have the opportunity to work with high school students, to show them that what they are learning is relevant to their future professions,” says Kell. “It’s linking the curriculum with real jobs in the industry and I’m more than happy to share insights and learning with the next generation of creatives.”The question and answer sessions with industry professionals like Kell are the brainchild of Shoalhaven Head Teacher Careers, Shanna Fuz.“I love helping students to develop their own skills and employability,” says Shanna. “Nothing gives me a greater thrill than students discovering what motivates them to develop their perfect career, and then help them create experiences that link to that.”Kell held writing sessions at Kiama, Nowra, Ulladulla and Vincentia High Schools (Vincentia also happens to be Kell’s alma mater) and Shanna organised for each student to receive a signed copy of After the Forest.Kell Wood with Kiama High School student Olivia Cunningham“Hopefully I provided some inspiration,” says Kell. “I really wanted these kids to know that anything is possible, even if you go to a small high school on the South Coast like I did.” One of the Kiama High School students in the workshops, Olivia Cunningham (pictured), was doing work experience at HarperCollins when my book was being worked on and she was involved in that which is very exciting.”  Kell is putting the finishing touches on her second novel, Upon A Starlit Tide, which combines elements of The Little Mermaid and Cinderella and will be available early next year. She will take part in the South Coast Readers and Writers Festival Modern Fairytale session on Saturday July 13.

On Tuesday, July 9, ‘Yours and Owls’ announced a pre-party to celebrate ten years of their local festival.The event will be held on October 12, 2024 at the University of Wollongong and will feature artists Golden Features, Peking Duk, Alice Ivy, Anna Lunoe and more.“We are pulling out all the stops to throw a huge party to celebrate! Due to headliner avails, the main event is moving into early 2025 (details will be announced real soon), but we will stop at nothing to ensure the logistics grinch doesn’t steal Gong Christmas (also, as you guys know, we love any excuse to throw a party),” revealed Yours and Owls in a press release.Pre-sale tickets go on sale 8:30 am, Wednesday July 10 and the general sale begins at 8:30am, on Thursday July 11.Last year, the Yours and Owls Festival was held for the first time at the University of Wollongong, and it looks as if that tradition is set to continue.“The Yours and Owls 10th Birthday Pre-Party will be held in the lush, comfy grounds of University Of Wollongong gardens,” wrote Yours and Owls.

Just ahead of NAIDOC week, the winners of the 2024 NAIDOC awards were announced on 6 July. Held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, almost 2,000 people attended the The National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony. The awards celebrate the outstanding contributions and excellence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across ten award categories, including art, culture, education and training, sport, environment and leadership.With over 200 nominations submitted, 28 finalists were selected. The winners in each award category include:National NAIDOC Person AwardThe award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated excellence in making a significant difference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, both locally and nationally. It honours past and current achievements.This award was won by Aunty Muriel Bamblett, a distinguished Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, and Boon Wurrung Elder. Aunty Muriel, the longstanding CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), was honoured for her tireless advocacy for children in out-of-home care. She emphasised the need for more work to protect children from being disconnected from their community and culture. "We're actually starting to work to keep children at home, which is where they should be," she said."We're teaching mainstream Australia that Aboriginal people can do better for our people, no matter whether it's in justice, education, family violence, or health. We’ve got to learn from Aboriginal ways of doing things.”National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement AwardThis award recognises an individual's lifelong commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, celebrating their achievements, leadership, and extensive community involvement at local, regional, and national levels.Awarded to Aunty Dulcie Flowers, AM, a Meriam woman. Aunty Dulcie has been a relentless advocate for her community, playing a pivotal role in improving health outcomes for First Nations peoples. "I'm very proud to think the committee chose a Torres Strait person for the first time, but this will open the gates for other people," she remarked.National NAIDOC Female Elder AwardThe award acknowledges respected and inspirational role models and leaders who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It also recognizes their involvement in these communities at local, regional, and national levels.Awarded to Aunty Millie Ingram, a respected Wiradjuri Elder from Cowra, NSW, who grew up on Erambie Mission. In the 1950s, Aunty Millie moved to Redfern in search of work opportunities. She pursued tertiary education, engaged in community work, and spent 13 years with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, where she advocated for change in education and land rights.Aunty Dulcie Flowers, second from left, with Female Elder of the Year Auntie Millie Ingram, second from right, after the ceremony (photo ABC News Tiarna Stehr)National NAIDOC Male Elder AwardThe award celebrates inspirational role models and leaders who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and have been actively involved in their respective communities at local, regional, and national levels.Awarded to Kim Collard, a respected Balladong/Wadjuk Elder of the Noongar Nation.In 2014, Collard established The Bibbulmun Fund, an Indigenous-led philanthropic initiative aimed at facilitating positive change by Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people. The fund has raised $1.4 million, supporting 19 charitable organisations across Australia.National NAIDOC Sportsperson AwardThe award honours accomplished athletes or sporting leaders who have promoted and developed sport within their communities and served as inspirational role models for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community.Awarded to Alex Winwood, a proud Noongar man from Bunbury, Western Australia. Since starting his boxing career in 2013, Winwood has achieved several milestones. He represented Australia at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and has competed in multiple world championships. Winwood is currently ranked second in the world by the World Boxing Council, fifth by the International Boxing Federation, and eighth by the World Boxing Organisation. National NAIDOC Youth AwardThis award recognises exceptional young people who are aged 16-25 years. It seeks to recognise young people who are inspirational role models for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader Australian community.Awarded to Dante Rodrigues, a proud Tiwi Islander with a mix of Timorese, and Portuguese heritage, who was the first Aboriginal kickboxer to represent Australia at an Olympic level, where he won silver.Outside of the ring, Rodrigues is an advocate for mental health awareness and runs health and well-being programs for the youth in Northern Territory through "One Percent Better Communities," a business he co-founded with his cousin, Jahdai Vigona.National NAIDOC Creative Talent AwardThe Creative Talent Award recognizes writers, poets, illustrators, and artists in traditional, contemporary, and experimental visual arts, crafts, and design. It also celebrates outstanding individuals and groups in the performing arts sector, including music, theatre, and dance. Awarded to Naarah, a Gija woman from the Kimberley who grew up in lutruwita (Tasmania). Naarah is a multi-faceted creative, excelling as an actor, performer, and singer. Naarah recently won the 2024 Young Australian of the Year in Tasmania.Reflecting on the barriers she has overcome in the entertainment industry, she said, "If you can't get a seat at the table, you make your own table.""I love storytelling. I’ve always been a passionate storyteller, and as the oldest continuing culture in the world, it’s something we’ve done for quite a long time," she remarked. "So to be able to continue doing that in musicals, plays, radio, and theatre every single day of my life is an absolute honour."National NAIDOC Caring for Country and Culture AwardThis award recognizes the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities who care for, protect, and nurture Country and culture. It honours those who are revitalizing or teaching language, dance, and traditions, conserving lands and waters, and protecting the environment for future generations.Awarded to Alick Tipoti, a Koedal (crocodile) and Zugubaw Baydham (seven stars shark constellation) through his father’s side from Badhu, and a Koedal, Thabu (snake), and Dhoeybaw (wild yam) through his mother’s side from Saibai. Tipoti is a fluent speaker of Kala Lagaw Ya (KLY & KKY dialects) and serves as a cultural leader and advisor. He is passionate about preserving his native language and reviving cultural traditions through his art and dance. For over 20 years, Alick has promoted his culture nationally and internationally through these mediums.National NAIDOC Education AwardThe award recognizes exceptional individuals and groups in the education sector, including early childhood, primary, secondary, tertiary, vocational, and other education groups, who have made a significant impact on the lives of students and communities. It honours those who have demonstrably contributed to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.It was presented to the Warlpiri Education and Training Trust (WETT). Established in 2005 by Warlpiri teachers and traditional owners of the Newmont Tanami gold mine site, WETT uses royalties from the mine to improve education and training outcomes for yapa (Warlpiri people) in the Tanami Desert.In their acceptance speech, WETT representatives said:"Our vision is for the future generation to be strong in the knowledge of culture, Country, and language. To be strong role models and to stand up for our communities. Our language, culture, and decisions will be respected. Our voices will be heard. We will have the same opportunities as everyone else. Our people will be confident, knowledgeable, disciplined, healthy, and respected. They will have good roles and jobs, as will the generations to come."National NAIDOC Innovation AwardThe award recognizes those who have developed new and creative ideas, applied forward-thinking strategies, and utilized Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge in unique ways. It also acknowledges efforts to create positive change for people and communities, highlighting commitment, adaptability, and innovative thinking that enriches communities and beyond.Awarded to Tui Nolan, a proud Gudjal man who grew up in Sydney. Nolan holds a Master of Science and a PhD in Statistics from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Over the past nine years, he has dedicated his career to advancing machine-learning models. His innovative work has been applied to forecasting housing market trends, predictive economic modeling, enhancing robotics and satellite data, and improving data quality and accuracy.In 2020, Nolan contributed to the development of RoboSimian, originally designed for disaster recovery operations and now repurposed for space exploration, showcasing his impactful contributions beyond traditional boundaries.Next year, the National NAIDOC Week Awards will be held in Perth.

Telstra will be upgrading its base station at Saddleback Mountain in July to give their customers better service in the area and to also prepare the network for 5G coverage.The Telstra base station at Saddleback provides mobile reception to Jerrara and Rose Valley. Due to the upgrade, the Telstra coverage in the area will be disrupted. “There’s never a good time to undertake this sort of work,” says Telstra Regional General Manager Chris Taylor. “But once it is complete, it will mean better mobile service for local residents.”The site is expected to be offline from 7am on Wednesday 17 July to 5pm on Tuesday 23 July. And then from Wednesday 24 July to Friday 26 July there will be testing which will put the network offline for four hours at a time.If all goes well, the update will be completed by 26 July and Saddleback Mountain’s site will join more than 4,900 Telstra 5G sites on-air within selected areas of more than 400 cities and towns across Australia.“We’re continuing to expand our 5G network across location and nationally we’re adding new sites to the network every week. Upgrades like these continue to demonstrate Telstra’s ongoing commitment to regional Australia,” says Taylor.

The United Services Union (USU) wants the NSW Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, to appoint an administrator to stop the Kiama Council selling assets to cut debt.The USU fears Blue Haven Bonaira will be sold to Hall and Prior Aged Care well below the $107m it cost to build the state-of-the-art retirement centre.It is expected the Council will release the sale figure and terms on July 16 in a confidential meeting with the media.The USU believes the council is ‘blame shifting’ on to the Green councillors who voted against the sale to minimise reputational damage if Bonaira is sold at a ‘bargain basement’ price.A union spokesperson said the council had, “gone out of its way by notifying the media of their actions to cause political damage to those who are standing up for their community.”The union states the council is planning to sell off other services including its waste services, leisure centres and tourist parks.“We have been notified of confidential reports seeking support for this wholesale sale of community assets which will be put to a council meeting in August for implementation after the council election in September,” a USU spokesman said.“While selling these services may reduce existing debt, it will leave the council destitute of assets and without the ability to raise capital outside of rates. This will also lead to further job losses and an overall collapse of the council’s workforce.”The council has already flagged a review into a number of assets such as the leisure centre but it will be up to the new councillors if assets will be sold.Council will record an operating deficit of $5.4 million in 2024-25 (excluding capital grants and assets sales). This may improve to an operating deficit of $2.7 million in 2025-26 before returning an operating surplus of $700,000 in 2026-27.Chief Executive Officer Jane Stroud said returning an operating surplus by 2026-27, without relying on asset sales or capital grants, was required by the NSW Government.