People are grappling with high levels of distress and emerging mental health issues for up to ten years before reaching out for support, a major Beyond Blue survey has found.Australia’s 2024 Mental Health and Wellbeing Check, undertaken byAustralian National University’s Social Research Centre on behalf of Beyond Blue, is a representative survey that gives a reliable pulse check on the current state of mental health and wellbeing in Australia.  Researchers surveyed more than 5000 people around the country about the common causes of distress they’ve experienced in the past year and how they have supported their mental health.   This year, almost half (49 percent) of those who sought professional mental health support said they had waited until they were “very distressed” or “extremely distressed” before they reached out, compared to 30 percent who were moderately distressed.  Some people waited up to ten years before seeking support.   The top barriers to taking action included waitlists, affordability of treatment and people thinking their problem wasn’t serious enough to seek support.   Shame is also getting worse – 22 percent of people say they aren’t getting professional mental health support because they feel ashamed, up from 13 percent two years ago.   “The main reasons people don’t seek support are well known – it can be expensive and the waitlists are long. What’s important about this survey is that it’s telling us mental health literacy and increasing feelings of shame are barriers too,” Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said.  “Feeling unsure about when to seek support seems to be causing as many delays in help-seeking as long waitlists,” Ms Harman said.  “Increasingly, life feels more stressful and unpredictable. People are dealing with compounding and mounting pressures. They’re strung out but muddling through. The pressures people face can often snowball to have a real and negative impact on our mental health and wellbeing,  “This data tells us that people are delaying asking for support or waiting until they are in severe distress. Beyond Blue is working to change this with our free, effective mental health support options. It's never too late and it’s never too early to contact us.”  The release of key survey findings coincides with the start of World Mental Health Month. This is the second Australia’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Check undertaken since it started in 2022, when cost of living pressures began to climb.   Nearly half of all respondents – 46 percent – named financial pressure as a key factor in their distress. Housing affordability and personal relationship challenges were also identified as stress factors by 34 percent of respondents.  Just over a quarter of respondents who reported that they'd experienced a mental health challenge in the past 12 months did not seek any support for their mental health.   “Mental health issues, or experiences of situational distress, are easier to manage when we get onto them early, before they snowball,” Ms Harman said   “We want people to know that you don’t need to be struggling for years before your problems are worth addressing – you don’t have to be at crisis point to benefit from support.”    “Feeling constantly overwhelmed or worried, prolonged feelings of being flat or stuck, or having trouble sleeping are some of the signs you to look out for.”   “Our message this World Mental Health Month is that when it comes to your mental health, don’t wait until things really get on top of you. Let people know how you're feeling or check in with someone you've noticed changes in. The earlier the better. You're not alone.”  “Beyond Blue offers free, 24/7 support right around Australia. There’s the Beyond Blue Support Service, which offers support by phone, webchat and email, and there’s our online community forums.”   Beyond Blue’s Support Service is available 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 and via web chat or email beyondblue.org.au/getsupport  Their online community forums are available on our website: forums.beyondblue.org.au 

Kiama’s first triathlon in over a decade will take place on Sunday, October 13, and roads will be closed from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.Affected Roads:Federal Street: Between Charles Ave and Riverside Drive.Riverside Drive: From Swamp Road/M1 Princes Hwy to Oxley Ave.Swamp Road: From Riverside Drive to Jamberoo Road.For full road closure times and detailed maps of access routes surrounding James Oates Reserve, click here.The standard race begins at James Holt Reserve at 8:00 AM, while the sprint race starts at 8:30 AM at North Street Reserve.Additionally, there will be a health and lifestyle expo at James Oates Reserve from 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

By Carol GoddardThe recent October Long Weekend brought the sunshine,the visitors, and the latest Classical Kiama Concert to our beautiful town, but this concert was different. It was the first concert by Classical Kiama totally devoted to Jazz.Christ Church Kiama was the venue, and it's great acoustics, in addition to the beauty of the space with its leadlight windows and gorgeous timber work, make it so welcoming for performers and audience alike.The concert was due to start at 5pm, but eager music lovers were jockeying for position way earlier - such was the popularity of the musicians and their program.Simon Tedeschi, no stranger to performing in Kiama, was joined by George Washingmachine, to present some of the fabulous tunes made famous by the likes of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and “Fats” Waller.Simon played his piano, and George played his violin and also sang, with the panache, the style and the groove of the exceptional musicians they are.And the patter! And the jokes! Wonderful. George in fact told us the story of how he got his surname. I sat riveted; I’ve always wondered. He told us. The audience broke down with laughter. It shall remain secret to all of us who attended.Being a lifetime jazz fan, and an admirer of both these consummate performers, I was not disappointed. Simon Tedeschi, George Washingmachine and Kiama Classical -thank you for a glorious 90 minutes of wonderful, wonderful entertainment.

Ageism Awareness Day, initiated by EveryAGE Counts and now marked in many countries around the world, is on today. EveryAGE Counts is Australia’s national coalition of organisations and individuals committed to end ageism in Australia. Ageism is stereotyping, discrimination and mistreatment of older people based solely on their age and will impact on all Australians as they age.Ageism disempowers and damages many older people as they age and the World Health Organisation has stated that ageism may reduce life span by 7 years.Ageism is a matter of growing concern and our research shows that:•  68% of all over-50s agree 'ageism against older people is a serious problem in Australia' (73% of those aged 60-69)•  74% of all over-50s believe Australia is 'not doing enough to raise awareness of ageism and fight against it'This year’s theme is ‘End Ageism in Advertising’. Ageism Awareness Day Takes Aim at Ageism in AdvertisingThe way people are portrayed in marketing has a very real effect on how society sees them and behaves towards them. Anything that has reached mainstream advertising is, by definition, mainstream, and feels normal and accepted.While advertisers and their agencies have made progress in how groups, such as women, people of different cultural backgrounds and LGBTQI+ communities, are represented in ads (remember how ‘housewives’ used to be portrayed and how same sex couples were nowhere to be seen?), very little has changed in the portrayal of older people in advertising.Unless it’s for cruises, funeral insurance or arthritis relief, older people are usually either excluded (which sends one message) or stereotyped as kindly old folks in the corner of Christmas ads or the butt of jokes as doddery, forgetful caricatures who lose their keys and can’t use technology.“There are so many blatantly ageist ads out there but most of them go either unnoticed or tolerated” said Jane Caro, author, anti-ageism activist, former agency creative and Gruen panellist. “Ageism really is our last accepted prejudice. If advertisers and their agencies excluded or clumsily stereotyped any other group the way they do older people, the community backlash would break the internet.”While pernicious, ageism in advertising is just one aspect of a much bigger ageism issue; a pervasive prejudice that is all around us, all the time - in employment, healthcare, retail, entertainment, news media and casual conversation. Ageism is the one prejudice that will affect us all one day – if we’re lucky enough to grow older.At a National Press Club event on ageism in Canberra last week, Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM said, “When it comes to society's treatment of older people, too often we do not attribute to them the same rights many of us take for granted. These attitudes are underpinned by ageism, be it conscious or unconscious, and we often just accept this as okay. It isn’t.”Ageism diminishes the lives of millions of older Australians in big and small ways. It makes them feel invisible, excluded and their lives of lesser value. Anti-ageism advocates highlight how marketers have no qualms about generating fear to make the natural process of ageing feel like a disease you need to buy products to cure: ‘Remove ugly wrinkles’, ‘Look ten years younger’. In marketing, the inclusion of older people in mainstream campaigns hasn’t even reached tokenistic levels, never mind normal and natural levels. Ageism robs Australia of the full participation of older people with a wealth of knowledge and experience that most would willingly contribute to our society, to the social and economic benefit of all.“Today we call on all Australians to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of ageism in advertising. We call on advertisers and their agencies to raise their game, not only for the social good and because it’s the right thing to do, but because advertisers are currently alienating and irritating millions of potential and valuable customers” said Robert Tickner AO, Chair of EveryAGE Counts.On Ageism Awareness Day, author, EveryAGE Counts advocate and former agency creative, Jane Caro AM, will join Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM and US author and anti-ageism activist Ashton Applewhite in a one-hour webinar to highlight ageism in advertising and what can and should be done about it. Advertisers and their agencies are encouraged to be part of the conversation and can register 

Today is headspace day — a national day of support for the mental health and wellbeing of all young Australians. This year’s theme,‘Pause. Reflect. Reconnect.’, encourages young people to take a step back and take a moment to reconnect with things that bring them joy.New research from a national survey conducted by headspace shows that family members are struggling to help with their young people's mental health needs. 2,059 participants across parents, carers, siblings, elders, close friends and stepfamily who care for young people aged 12-25 completed the survey, which revealed that 8 in 10 family members show concern about their young person's mental health.Those caring for a LGBTIQA+ young person (90 per cent) and those who belong to multicultural communities (85 per cent) as the most concerned.One in five participants reported not feeling confident enough to ask for professional support for their young person. The findings also showed that the more concerned the families are, the less likely they are to have ‘difficult’ mental health conversations.Headspace CEO Jason Trethowan says the survey highlights the size of the challenge facing families, who are doing their best to respond to their young people’s mental health needs. “It’s not surprising that families are worried about their young people’s mental health, given some of the challenges we’re facing right now, including school refusal, cost of living pressures and impacts from extreme climate events.“Family members are the first group that young people will reach out to when they need support, so it’s important they stay engaged with their young person’s mental health and wellbeing by being aware of any changes in their behaviour, such as disengaging from social activities, difficulty focusing, or changes in sleep habits.While these can be early signs of stress, they also present opportunities to check in, provide support and create a safe environment that encourages open communication and seeking help when needed.”Trenthowan also sends a reminder that most of us are not mental health experts, and it's okay to ask for help and support. “It’s important to remember that there’s no expectation for you to be an expert and it’s okay to get things wrong. Just being there for your young person and showing that you care for them unconditionally is a good start. “There’s also still a portion of family members who don’t feel confident reaching out for support, perhaps due to stigma or because they don’t know what is available.“This headspace day, we want to put a spotlight on the services that help family members to feel more confident when supporting their young person’s mental health journey.”To help build the skills needed to seek professional support, headspace encourages family members to:Start conversations early: Approach your young person with openness and empathy, creating a safe space to talk.Use available resources: Familiarise yourself with online tools and support services provided by headspace.Seek professional help when needed: Don't hesitate to reach out to mental health professionals (such as headspace) if you’re unsure how to proceed.All connections are good connections: if your young person doesn’t feel in a place to share with you how they’re coping, then it’s OK for them to talk to another supportive adult in their lives. The most important thing is that they feel connected and supported.Practice self-care: Supporting a young person’s mental health is challenging. Take time to care for your own mental wellbeing as well.Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward used headspace day as an opportunity to promote taking time for self-care among his constituents.   “Whether it is spending time with your family and friends, pursuing a new hobby, or simply taking a break for reflection and relaxation, finding time for self-care is essential. “I encourage local residents and community groups to visit the headspace website for information on how you can get involved, find great tips, and explore activities to support your wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.”This Headspace Day, take a moment to pause and breathe deeply. Reflect on both the challenging and joyful times that shape you. Reach out to family and loved ones, and start conversations about mental health to help remove the stigma around it.If you’re looking for someone to talk to immediately, Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), and 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) are available to talk 24/7.

Councils across the state have received their rate pegs for the upcoming 2025/26 financial year. Kiama Municipal Council has seen a decrease from the 2023/24 financial year— with a decrease from 4.5 to 3.7 per cent. The rate peg is the maximum percentage amount in which a council is allowed to increase its general income for the year. There is a separate rate peg for each of NSW’s 128 councils.The main purpose of a rate peg is to protect ratepayers from excessive increases in their rates bills. IPART Chair Carmel Donnelly said the rate pegs limit the amount by which councils can increase their rates income and allow them to meet changes in the cost of providing services. “The Tribunal understands that the community has been facing significant cost of living pressures and we have taken this into account in our decision making.”Rates constitute on average one third of a council’s total income.Councils receive income from different sources, this can include grants, user fees and charges. Rate pegs only apply to ‘general income’ which is received mostly from rates.Each council’s rate peg is open to councils to decide not to implement the increase or delay it. “Ultimately, elected councillors decide whether to increase rates and by how much,” Ms Donnelly said.The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW (IPART) is the independent authority and pricing tribunal of the NSW government responsible for regulating markets and government services. 

The title of the song He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother by The Hollies is supposedly taken from an anecdote about a young girl. The story goes that she is carrying a big baby boy in her arms when someone, seeing her struggle, asks her if she needs any help to which she replies, “No, he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.”Perth director David Vincent Smith’s new film — He Ain’t Heavy — and this anecdote resonate deeply with the themes of the film, which follows Jade, a young woman who kidnaps her drug-addicted brother, Max, and locks him in their grandmother’s house for seven days in a desperate attempt to force him into rehabilitation.The idea for the film came to Vincent Smith in a moment of desperation when he literally thought about kidnapping his own brother.“I was really desperate to resolve this problem within my own family. I got to the point where I literally came up with the idea of kidnapping my own brother. Most of the conversations, the language, the intensity, even the ending of the film are all real moments from my life,” says Vincent Smith.While the kidnapping itself is fictional, Vincent Smith strives to capture the intense emotions of trying to help a loved one struggling with addiction. The film began as a short titled I’m Not Hurting You, and after its success, he adapted it into a feature, enriching the narrative with additional characters and deeper exploration of existing ones.“In early drafts I wouldn't let the characters say certain things and that was because I wasn't ready to say those things,” he explains. “So part of the writing process when I was writing the feature film was also part of confronting my own chains and feelings.”Vincent Smith says he was inspired to make the story into a film after seeing some of the personal responses the short film evoked. At the Austin Film Festival, a transformative moment occurred when a 14-year-old girl approached him, sharing her struggles with her mother’s alcoholism.“She grabbed me by the arm and said, "My mom's an alcoholic. I've never told anyone before. Can you help me? What do I do?’”In He Ain’t Heavy, Jade takes her brother’s treatment into her own hands, reflecting Vincent Smith’s scepticism toward existing rehabilitation processes. “Unfortunately, we’re not getting to the core of healing. That’s why people keep getting reincarcerated—we’re not understanding why they’re angry and treating that,” he says. He believes the prison system should function more like a radical hospital, focusing on underlying issues rather than punishment. The film’s dark and raw portrayal creates an emotional viewing experience. Vincent Smith doesn’t use comic relief or stylised cinematography to soften its nightmarish themes. Instead, audiences, like the main characters, feel the isolation and desperation confined within the house’s walls.This rawness demands equally vulnerable performances from the cast. Leila George (Animal Kingdom) and Sam Corlett (Vikings: Valhalla) deliver powerful portrayals of Jade and Max, respectively. The film truly relies on their two performances, and they are sure to inspire some watery eyes and Vincent Smith emphasises the importance of creating a safe environment on set to facilitate these authentic performances.“We shared a lot of stories, and we formed a really important bond, so that we could always feel incredibly comfortable and honest and vulnerable with each other. And it’s not only just casting the cast, you’ve got to cast the crew to create an environment where actors feel safe and comfortable,” says Vincent Smith.He Ain’t Heavy releases in select cinemas on October 17. Dark, intense and emotionally gripping, the film explores the limits of care, the best ways to support someone battling addiction, and the significance of family.A preview screening with a Q&A session featuring Vincent Smith will take place on October 14 at the Dendy Cinemas in Newtown.

The Penrith Panthers etched their names in history on October 6 by winning their fourth consecutive NRL grand final against the Melbourne Storm, which featured Gerringong’s own Tyran Wishart.Tyran, who was wearing the number 14, came on the field in the 33rd minute and played until the 62nd minute. He then came back on in the 72nd minute and played out the match.In his 36 minutes, Wishart managed to get through a remarkable amount of work. He looked dangerous every time he was given the ball, managing 10 hit ups for 93 metres and 2 tackle breaks. Defensively, he made an enormous 37 tackles to go along with that, an impressive workload to get through in his limited game time.Tyran never gave up and persisted until the final siren, but the Panthers finished off winners of the 2024 NRL grand final, 14 points to 6.Tyran unfortunately joins his father Rod Wishart who also lost an NRL grand final off the bench back in 1999 with the St George Illawarra Dragons.Before the game, Rod expressed his pride in Tyran’s successful season, stating, “Win, lose or draw I’m proud of him, the whole family is proud of him and all of Gerringong is proud of him.”The Panthers’ victory solidifies their place in rugby league history, marking four grand final wins in a row and establishing them as one of the sport's most successful teams.

A motorcycle rider died in Jamberoo on the night of Sunday, October 6, following a police pursuit.At about 3:35 PM, police were patrolling the Jamberoo area and attempted to stop the rider for a random breath test. Allegedly, the rider refused to stop, prompting officers from the Lake Illawarra Police District to initiate a pursuit.The pursuit was terminated shortly thereafter due to safety concerns. However, police later located the same motorcycle crashed on Jamberoo Road.Officers commenced first aid before NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived; unfortunately, the rider died at the scene and has yet to be formally identified.The section of Jamberoo Road where the crash occurred was closed off late last night.A critical incident team from the Wollongong Police District will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, which is also subject to an independent review.The Bugle reminds everyone to drive carefully, especially during the long weekend when traffic is likely to be heavy.Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or via the CrimeStoppers website. Information is treated in strict confidence, and the public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Construction of a new birthing facility at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander holistic healthcare facility, Waminda, is expected to begin before the end of the year.The $22.5 million Gudjaga Gunyahlamai Birth Centre and Community Hub will provide First Nations women along the South Coast with a culturally safe midwifery service. Gudjaga Gunyahlamai will be the first Aboriginal owned and midwife-led birth centre in Australia and is expected to welcome 130 newborns once the doors open late next year. The centre will follow the Birthing on Country model.Regaining birthing rightsBirthing on Country aims to return childbirth services to First Nations communities and control. First Nations women have been supported through birth by family and cultural caring until disruption from colonisation.A Birthing on Country service in Queensland showed mothers are more likely to attend five or more antenatal visits, are less likely to deliver prematurely and more likely to exclusively breastfeed out of hospital.Maternal death for First Nations mothers is 3.7 times higher than for other Australian women.“Aboriginal babies are more likely to be born with lower birth weights, to be born prematurely and are twice as likely to die in their first year of life," Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, David Harris said.Waminda’s Melanie Briggs said the organisation have worked incredibly hard to get where they are today and are proud of the work they have done for reclaiming birth rights. “It’s incredible to think about the women that will be birthing here and that they can feel the sacredness and the powerfulness of Birthing on Country.”Since May 2024 Waminda midwives have been privately employed to provide labour and birthcare to First Nations women in Shoalhaven Hospital.“As a mum of four, I understand that holistic health care and support is critical from pregnancy right through to the early days of welcoming a new, tiny person into your family,” Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said.Melanie said the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people will be significantly improved through care that is culturally safe and respectful.“Waminda’s Birthing on Country initiative is a key milestone for increasing the First Nations workforce that will fundamentally enhance generational wealth and sustainability for our people.”Breaking down barriers Fiona Phillips recently announced nearly $800,000 towards the expansion of Waminda’s Dead or Deadly lifestyle program.The federal grant through the Play Our Play program will support physical activity and health education for Aboriginal women and girls. The program was established as a response to Aboriginal women’s sense of exclusion from mainstream sport.One in four Aboriginal women participate in sport or regular physical activity, research by Western Sydney University shows racism and ongoing effects of colonisation continue to inhibit women from taking part in sport. Waminda has been running the Dead or Deadly program for a decade, facilitating health, wellness and exercise programs for First Nations women and girls. “This is another example of a community wrapping its arms around women and empowering them to be happy, healthy and included,” Phillips said.

Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra Ltd (SAHSSI) has opened new crisis accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic violence in the Illawarra. SAHSSI, the Illawarra’s leading domestic violence accommodation service, have said that they are thrilled to announce the opening of a new 8-unit apartment complex for women and children escaping domestic violence.  Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services through the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program (Safe Places Program), the fully secured complex is gated, with back to base alarm, and CCTV monitoring systems. Each unit is fully self-contained, with its own kitchen, bathroom, balcony, and car space. Shared facilities include laundry, outdoor play area, meeting rooms and common spaces.Marlowe Richards, a fundraising officer from SAHSSI, joined the Kiama Zonta meeting on August 20 to share her concerns and experiences. “It can cost a woman over $20,000 to escape domestic violence, they often are left with nothing and need to start over again.”Zonta district 24, is a Kiama charter for the Zonta organisation, advocating for equal human rights. Rita Sullivan, the director of Zonta advocacy, says “Zonta district 24 is very concerned about the rising toll of women who have died this year because of domestic violence.” She shares that there is inadequate support for those fleeing from these situations “This ranges from inadequate space in refuges, lack of sufficient case workers and carry through of care and support for women and children fleeing violence. We call on the NSW government to increase funding for these support services”Rita and other Zonta members, alongside these organisations, are raising awareness of the connection between homelessness and domestic violence. “Women stay longer in refuges because they cannot find affordable housing. Women stay longer in abusive relationships because they have nowhere to go.” said Rita. Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth said that she is pleased to see this service open following her visit to the project while under construction in April 2024, providing greater support for women and children in the Illawarra. “We know that if a woman has a safe place to go and take her children, she is more likely to take the steps to leave a violent relationship. This accommodation will provide crisis and recovery support for women and children in the Illawarra that have experienced family, domestic or sexual violence which is accessible and delivers quality services to victim-survivors.” SAHSSI CEO, Penny Dordoy emphasised the critical need for safe accommodation in the Illawarra: “This accommodation will provide women and children with a safe place to recover that is dignified, private and accessible. We will then work with women to find safe, secure long-term housing where their recovery journey will continue”. SAHSSI has been at the forefront of providing safety and housing services to women and children across the Illawarra region for 20 years. This critical infrastructure provides a much-needed addition to the Illawarra’s response to the domestic and family violence crisis we face. We will continue to advocate for the right for women and children to live in their homes and communities without the fear of violence.

After the success of Dirt Town, in her compelling second novel, Girl Falling, Wollongong author Hayley Scrivenor delves into the complexities of friendship, grief, and identity, exploring the haunting effects of a single moment on the lives of those left behind and the way that an event can shift and distort in our memory.Photo source: Pan Macmillan AustraliaThe life of Girl Falling began at the end. “I had this image of a woman standing on the cliff at the end of the book questioning her own story. In that little flash I had the location—the Blue Mountains. I had this idea for a love triangle. And I had this woman who is this young, lost woman trying to figure out what had happened to her life. But there were so many things that I didn’t know about the book at that point,” says Scrivenor.The novel opens with a tragic rock climbing accident that forces Finn, our main character, to confront the aftermath of her girlfriend Magdu’s death. As Finn navigates her grief, the narrative alternates between past and present, mirroring Scrivenor’s own creative process, which involved writing scenes out of order.“My theory is that everybody is living in all three tenses at once—we’re always thinking about what happened, what will happen, and what is happening right now. And so having the past to go into when things were heavy or where I needed to explain something more or lay the groundwork was very essential for me,” says Scrivenor.Girl Falling is written from Finn’s point of view as she tries to dissect that fateful day she was climbing with Magdu and her best friend, Daphne. As the story progresses you learn that Finn and Daphne’s relationship is very strange and readers begin to suspect that there may have been foul play involved. Scrivenor’s choice of a single, unreliable narrator immerses readers in Finn’s internal struggles, compelling them to question the validity of her experiences.“I think we’ve all had that experience where we’ve known someone who made us question our take on the world and made us wonder if we were in the right or the wrong. And I think it's really interesting to ask that question by having the reader read a book in the first person. You don’t know whether Finn's story is the right one,” says Scrivenor.This exploration of perspective is further illustrated through the idea of an unreliable narrator and the question of what story is the ‘true’ story, which is threaded throughout the novel. Scrivenor says she’s always been the type of person who will listen to a story from one perspective and agree with that person, only to then listen to the same story from another perspective and agree with the absolute opposite.We see these ideas not only in Finn’s retelling of stories from her life and the central crime of the book but also in Finn’s shifting persona around both Magdu and Daphne, which underscores the novel’s exploration of identity and the influence of friendships.“I was interested in showing a complicated female friendship and showing the way that people—not just those we’re in romantic relationships with, but others—can bring out parts of us that we like or don't like. And I think we’ve all had that experience of meeting someone who makes us feel like a different sort of person,” says Scrivenor.The novel, as is natural for the crime genre, has many twists and turns, forcing readers to reckon with who the characters are and what they are capable of. Scrivenor’s narrative not only entertains but prompts readers to reflect on the unpredictable nature of human behavior.“Often what I’m trying to do in my fiction is show people that all of us are capable of almost anything if enough things line up in the right sort of order. I’ll start with an end and a final twist that I know is extreme but isn’t believable. And then my challenge as a writer is to bring you into that story world and make you care about the characters and then slowly, structurally build towards that so that it’s kind of inevitable in hindsight,” says Scrivenor.Scrivenor manages to use the crime genre and narrative structure as an outline to a picture that is then filled in with all of her deeper ideas and beautiful similes. She says that her first drafts are often overflowing with similes, which are whittled down by the final edit to only 1%.In that 1% in Girl Falling, there are lines like: “There was something unnatural about a girl dying, something that made you want to be still and small, so the universe didn’t notice you and start getting ideas.”Her writing often yields unexpected gems, as she describes: “So much of that stuff is subconscious... I often talk about the book being smarter than me. I write to know what I think and to know what I might come up with because I’m genuinely surprised by what comes out,” says Scrivenor.The ending of Girl Falling is one of those endings where you go back and read the whole last chapter again just to make sure you didn’t read it wrong. It makes you wonder whether it is possible to alter history from inside your mind as though the truth was just a bad dream you woke from.The novel is out now, and Scrivenor will be a speaker at the Berry Writers Festival from October 25-27.

Kiama has welcomed six new councillors, with Labor councillors Imogen Draisma and Stuart Larkins, along with former Labor Minister Matt Brown—who ran as an independent this term—being the only returning members.The new council includes Cameron McDonald, Erica Warren, and Melissa Matters (Independent Group A), Matt Brown (Independent), Imogen Draisma and Stuart Larkins (Labor), Melinda Lawton (Greens), Mike Cains (Independent), and Yasmin Tatrai (Independent).The Cameron McDonald ticket led the polls with over 5,000 votes. McDonald has pledged to prioritise getting the council coinpurse in order.“With the current financial strain that council is under, we need to be financially acute and aware.”Ratepayers have put their support behind independent candidates, a decision backed by Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward.“The surge in the independent vote shows locals want people who don’t have divided loyalties between their community and their party,” Ward says.Melinda Lawton expressed her disappointment at young Greens candidate Jordan Casson-Jones not acquiring a seat on council, but says she will continue to seek his advice around youth issues. She plans to attend community meetings with fellow councillors to make sure neighbourhood issues don’t fall by the wayside.“It’s not just the big things we need to look at, it's a lot of the small things as well that will make up the big picture.”Ward has congratulated the councillors, but warns them not to be complacent with decision making.“The most important currency in politics is trust and I know the community has invested that trust and confidence with their vote with these councillors...It’s important to not be anyone's rubber stamp.”Returning Labor councillor Stuart Larkins wants to continue with his initiatives from last term, including management plans across safety, traffic, parking and pets in the municipalityKiama has rejected the idea of popularly electing the new mayor, with almost 55 per cent of voters against the change. Councillors will continue to be responsible for making the decision. When asked if they would put their hand up for mayor, Cameron McDonald said he will be a contender in the race and Stuart Larkins said he would consider the position. Matt Brown, Erica Warren and Imogen Draisma were unavailable due to conflicting commitments. The first meeting of the full Council on October 15 will see the swearing-in of councillors and the election of a new mayor and deputy mayor. 

Former journalist Helen Signy will speak about her debut novel Maya’s Dance at the Friends of Kiama Library (FOKL) Author Talk on October 12.Helen is an Australian writer who grew up in England and spent much of her youth travelling the world before becoming a print journalist at Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post and then the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH). Her first book (about a chipmunk) was written when she was 6, photocopied at work by her mum, stapled together and handed out to family members. She’s been writing ever since.“During my twenty years as a print journalist, I reported on the genocide in Rwanda and famine in Sudan, worked as an editor on the foreign desk, edited sections across the newspaper, and supported the early transition from print to digital at the SMH,” says Helen.“I have never lost my passion for telling a good story, whether it’s a breaking news item or an expertly crafted novel. I still love the process of writing; the whole dreamy business of allowing the characters to come alive and create their world, the chipping away at a sentence to find the right word that will make the cadence work.”Maya’s Dance is Helen’s first foray into fiction and is based on the real-life story of Lucie Pollak-Langford who as a young girl was interned in the Sawin Labour Camp in Poland. The debut novel tells the story of sixteen-year-old Maya Schulze, who is struggling to survive in a brutal Nazi labour camp. Despite days filled with hunger, fear and despair, she is able to find courage and beauty in dancing – it is only then that she feels free. Maya falls in love with Jan, one of her Polish guards, and he risks his life helping her to escape. The novel centres on Maya’s search for Jan, with the help of struggling journalist Kate Young, 50 years after the fact.Maya’s Dance is a book about survival, resilience and enduring love. Helen will talk about her novel on Saturday October 12 at 2pm at the Auditorium Training Rooms under Kiama Library. Afternoon tea will be provided. Tickets are $8 for FOKL members and $10 for guests.Book online at library.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Events/Adults-events/Helen-Signy-Mayas-Dance

In September, family-owned aged care provider Hall & Prior were granted a one-month extension for the settlement of the $95 million Blue Haven Bonaira aged care facility, which, after significant adjustments, saw the sale price plummet to an expected $26 million.Further delays have now been announced. In a joint statement, Council and Hall & Prior attributed the setback to continued “due diligence” and anticipated closures over the end-of-year holiday period.The new settlement date is expected to be in February next year.Graeme Prior, CEO of Hall & Prior, explained the delay, saying it was to ensure all preparations are complete before finalising the agreement."We are dedicated to ensuring everything is in place, and our teams are working hard on-site to meet these objectives."The decision to sell was driven by the substantial debt accumulated by the Council from the construction and expansion of Blue Haven Bonaira, which has resulted in a loss of $3.5 million each year for the Council since the facility began operating.Funds made from the sale will go towards settling Council’s debt.  Blue Haven Community Transport will be divested by Transport NSW. Coast and Country Community Services have been named the preferred provider to take over the program. Coast and Country operate in Shoalhaven, Bega Valley, Young and Weddin Shires.“This will ensure our community continues to receive reliable and high-quality transport services, supporting both residents and staff across the region,” Joe Gaudiosi, Chief Operating Officer for Kiama Council said.

Double demerit points have been brought into action to deter dangerous driving as the state celebrates the long weekend.Double demerit points have come into effect from midnight (12.01am) Friday 4 October until the end of Monday 7 October (11.59pm) in New South Wales. Police have launched Operation Labour Day 2024 to combat dangerous driving by an increased police presence on NSW roads over the long weekend. Two years ago, eight people lost their lives in separate crashes on New South Wales roads over the Labour Day long weekend. Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner David Driver has asked drivers to not get complacent with road safety. “I’m urging all road users to be responsible on the road and encourage passengers to call out driving behaviour that they are uncomfortable with, or if it is unlawful – it could save someone’s life, including your own.”Mobile phone detection cameras operate across the state and any reckless drivers caught using their phones during the double demerit period will be slapped with a $410 fine, or $544 in a school zone, and 10 demerits.To date 254 people have died in crashes on NSW roads – 184 of those in regional areas.State MP Gareth Ward says research shows a reduction of casualty crashes by 30 per cent when double demerits are in place, and urges his constituents to plan your trip and be responsible.“So whether you are going for the Penrith Panthers or the Melbourne Storm in this Sunday’s NRL Grand Final decider, make sure you have a ‘Plan B’ and don’t drink and drive.”

State MP for Kiama Gareth Ward has launched a petition to reverse speed limits on Jamberoo Road back to 80 km/h.Transport for NSW announced the speed limit would be reduced from 70 or 80 km/h to 60 km/h in September to improve the safety of motorists and make the road a safer place for cyclists and pedestrians. Ward has said he has been inundated with negative feedback on the new limits by Jamberoo residents and believes the reduction won’t improve safety.“Simply lowering the speed limit will not address offending drivers, particularly tourists and motorcyclists. The road requires better maintenance and significant improvements.”The petition calls for additional road works and maintenance, a review on overtaking options, vegetation removal and an increased police presence which the Kiama MP believes will tackle the safety issues more appropriately. “I am also concerned that this change will result in more locals getting fined on their daily commute and that scenario just simply isn’t good enough.” The reduced speed limit will come into effect on Jamberoo Road 8 October and will increase travel time along the seven kilometre road by one minute and 39 seconds. Residents in Minnamurra will have already seen a reduction in speed along Riverside Drive which came into effect on 30 September. 

By Cameron McDonaldWith two board members of the Kiama District Business Chamber being elected to council - Michael Cains and Cameron McDonald, there are vacancies to fill. Cathy Lyall has been acting as President of the KDBC until the AGM on 22 October.  KBDC recently continued a traditional invite to members of the business community interested in becoming Board members to attend a meeting and understand the functioning of the KDBC.Mathew King (The South Coast Kook) and another prospective Board member attended the latest meeting and the Board looks forward to their official appointment should they seek election at the AGM. The KDBC Board is a group of leaders in the local business community who provide their time voluntarily for the local business community, and we as members are proud of the extensive skill set and continued efficient and effective functioning of the KDBC Board. As two of our Board members are Councillors elect, the KDBC looks forward to developing further its strong relationship with the Kiama Council.The KDBC is currently sponsoring the ‘Buy Local’ campaign in our area. If your business would like to join the membership, please contact them directly. 

Friday, October 17, marks the start of a new summer swim club season, and the Kiama Swimming Club is encouraging all local swimmers to get involved. The summer season, which runs from the beginning of Term 4 to the end of Term 1, takes place weekly on Fridays at the Kiama Leisure Centre. Swimmers of all ages and abilities are welcome to join. Corinna Walker, who has been involved with the swim club for 14 years, says the best part about Kiama Swim Club is its focus on fun and personal improvement rather than competition.“It’s not about being competitive or racing each other. It’s simply for the kids to get up and have a go,” says Walker. “Each week, the kids race against their own times, earning points based on their personal improvement.” Although the heats are set up so swimmers with similar times race together, Walker emphasises that the real competition is with themselves. “They’re racing their own time, not the other swimmers,” she explains. Walker encourages anyone interested in an individual sport, or simply looking to improve their swimming skills, to come along and give it a try.“Swimming is great for kids who aren’t necessarily drawn to team sports or don’t want to commit to one. Plus, our membership fees are affordable, so missing a few sessions isn’t a problem,” she says. “It’s also fantastic for kids to practise starting on the blocks and listening for the starter gun, which is great preparation for school carnivals. We have two technical officials present every night to offer guidance on proper technique and explain disqualification rules, as they would in a race.” Coming off the back of the 2024 Olympics, where swimming was Australia’s most successful sport, Walker hopes the excitement will inspire locals to dive into the new season. “Swimming has always been one of Australia’s strongest sports, especially at the Olympics. Hopefully, this motivates both kids and adults to come and join the fun,” she says. Membership costs $199 and covers both the summer and winter seasons, but new swimmers are welcome to attend two free trial nights to see if they enjoy it before committing. If you’re interested, send your name and age to the Kiama Swimming Club secretary at [email protected], and they’ll provide more details.