By Bill LyonsMinnamurra Lions Club is inviting local women and men who would like to share strong comradery and fellowship and make a positive contribution for the community to its prospective members night on Tuesday the 9th of April at the Kiama Golf Club. It’s a chance to meet club members, hear about some of their experiences, learn about some of the activities the club is involved in and enjoy a social outing.We provide assistance for local schools, charities, events and individuals while also supporting larger Australian Lions initiatives such as childhood cancer, diabetes and disaster relief.  The Club meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at the Kiama Golf Club for a social dinner, usually in conjunction with a guest speaker.For anyone new to the area the Minnamurra Lions Club is a great way to meet locals and get involved in our community through fundraising and social events. While the club represents the areas of Minnamurra, Kiama Downs and Jamberoo many of our members live outside this area, from Meroo Meadow in the south to Shellharbour in the North.The Minnamurra Lions club is also close to completing its new website with a formal launch planned for later this year. However it is already fully functional and community members can now access it. On the site you can find some of the latest news on the Club, learn about the Lions organisation and its history, get a feel for some of the projects we are involved in and learn how to seek assistance if required.Anyone interested in finding out more about Minnamurra Lions Club and what we do is encouraged to visit our website at minnamurralions.org.au and if you are then interested in attending the prospective members night click on the contact button, enter your details and one of our members will be in contact. Alternatively, you can contact president Bill Lyon on 0434 567 375 or Secretary Phil Andersen on 0419 491 536.

The GatheringA short story by Jenny EnglandThey found her early in the morning, propped up on a pillow on her bed, eyes closed, motionless, pale and cold. Serenely dead. An open book lay across her chest. She must have been reading until her very last breath. It was the dog barking that alerted Sally, her next door neighbour on the left. The silky terrier, her constant companion, rarely barked. They knew instantly when they heard the barking that something must have been amiss. Luckily the back door was not locked so she could let herself in.     We soon gathered in the street after hearing the sad news. I remarked on the odd symbolism of the open book, as she and her life had been far from an open book. Few of us even knew her name or where she had come from although it was well known that she had lived in the area for over twenty years. Those who were a little more in the know revealed that her name was unpronounceable, leading to various suspicions about her origin. Ted, one very imaginative neighbourhood character indeed, suggested she may have been a Russian spy. As he was never able to elaborate on this wild idea we dismissed it as pure waffle.     The police arrived just after 9 o’clock. Later on we were informed, much to the disappointment of some, that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. She was quite elderly. Vera, from across the road estimated she must have been in her early nineties but no-one really knew for sure.     I often saw her walking her little dog around Black Beach. From my kitchen window I would watch as she occasionally stopped, picked up an odd piece of driftwood or some shells that had been swept onto the shore from a recent storm, and then carefully packed them into a hessian bag she carried on her back.  I used to wonder what she did with all this stuff and how she might spend her days, devoid of human contact.     She did, however, have one visitor from time to time. A young man mowed her lawns every month or so and was occasionally seen doing a little weeding. So I guess she wasn’t into gardening or felt it was too much for her. She never seemed lonely to me but of course I have never lived on my own for long periods of time so I don’t know how it would feel year after year. She didn’t drive anymore. Once a week she would walk to the bus stop, disappear for the day and then return in a taxi with her shopping. Sometimes the taxi driver would help her in with her parcels. I would like to think she met a friend for lunch or coffee and cake, but I guess I will never know.     We all agreed it was a shame we had not got to know her better. We did invite her to our yearly Christmas street party but she never came. The one day I worried most about her was Halloween. The neighbourhood kids usually get together in the street and go from house to house for trick or treats. The young ones are pretty harmless and all finished before dark but the older ones often go on a bit of a rampage, throwing eggs and flour at each other and occasionally fighting.     A few of the neighbours didn’t make it to the gathering. Many had already left before the hullabaloo began. Old Ted, who we all knew was also in his nineties was probably pottering around in his back garden tending to his vegetable patch, totally oblivious to what was going on in the street. He would eventually find out, I was sure, through his daughter, who was a regular visitor.  Or from a death notice in the local paper, if any was placed. I was more than sure that that was not likely to happen.     When the ambulance arrived to take her away we, her neighbours, stood silent and still. Even though some of us would have liked a closer look, there was really nothing to see. They simply packed her into the back of the van and drove off. I wondered if there was a family somewhere that would organise a funeral but it is more likely it will be a private cremation arranged by some remote government department that takes over in situations like this. The little dog was also whisked away by the police. No-one in the gathering offered to take him so he was off to the pound, I suspect.     The gathering started to disperse around 10 o’clock. We all wandered off in various directions, back to our lives. Some off to work, shopping and university, albeit a little late. Others went back to their cosy homes to tend to housework or to their small children, who had started becoming decidedly restless in the street. We all resolved that day to get to know each other better, keep in touch and never to let such a lonely death in our street ever happen again. But I haven’t caught sight of any of them of them since.     As for the book? We never did find out its title or what it was about.

A stunning day for the Pavilion High Tea raising money for cancer prevention and awareness. Hosted by the Pavilion and catered by Central Perk Café the attendees were treated to some brilliant treats against the iconic Kiama back drop. Whilst swimmers swum, and the gorgeous cars basked in the Kiama sunlight with bystanders photographing them, the ladies indulged in a champagne or too provided by Jackie Hall and her team.  Margot the Tarago graced the scene again and she was escorted down the coast by a ‘Convoy to the Coast’ of car enthusiasts, including MazdaACT, Roadster Bros, Mazda 3 MPS owners Australia and RX Nation members.The day also showcased a Show ‘n’ Shine car display, guest speakers and raffles. All in all a great day out! organisers with the tarago

Kiama Tennis Club is home to a community of enthusiastic people with a love for tennis from all ages and skill levels. The club has around 480 members making it the largest tennis club on the South Coast. They are dedicated to hosting an array of social events at various times in the week and there’s something for everyone.  On Sundays from 2pm and sometimes earlier, all members are welcome for social tennis. With a casual atmosphere and the ‘famous Kiama tennis banter’ on the courts. Mixed, ladies, and gents have meetings at various times throughout the week as well.You can access more details on the social meetings here.One such member of Kiama Tennis Club is David Graham who is passionate about the sport and getting the community involved. David remarked on an interesting pattern that emerged in the latest ITF Men’s Tennis Rankings. All of the top 10 players use a double-handed backhand. Last week, Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas dropped out of the top 10 to 11th in the world. Here are the current top 10 players all utilising a double-handed backhand: Novak Dlokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune, Hubert Hurkacz, Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz.This is the first time this phenomenon has occurred. KTC has only one player who utilises the double-hand technique, which is very interesting to consider. In the golden era of tennis in the 1950s and 1960s legends of the game included Ken Rosewall, Lew Hoad, Pancho Gonzales, John Newcombe, Pat Cash, Arthur Ashe and Boris Becker, to name a few. All these players possess a single-handed backhand. This was the way that coaches taught the backhand in that era.Then, Jan Lehane arrived in the women’s ranks. From Grenfell in Central West NSW, her father was a farmer and keen tennis player with heavy weighted racquets. Young Jan, who was keen to learn tennis and follow in her father's footsteps picked up the racquet and started to hit against a brick wall on the farm. She was strong enough on the forehand but couldn’t hit a backhand without holding the racquet with both hands, there was no light junior racquet in the 1950’s. As a junior, Jan was invincible defeating, Margaret Smith from Albury in all the junior finals around Australia, she was the first double-handed player to compete at Wimbledon.Then came Chris Evert, a double-hander who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles in her bag of 157 total titles overall. In the men’s ITF we cannot forget Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe who all play with double-handed backhands. Local tennis coaches tend to prefer younger players to use both hands on the backhand as it seems natural. Children seem to have quicker success. 

The sister of Rachelle Childs, a victim of an unsolved murder in 2001, has called upon New South Wales Police to boost the reward from $200,000 to $500,000. The intention is to rekindle public interest and possibly unearth new evidence in this long-standing cold case.Kristy Morris, Rachelle's younger sister, who was only 18 at the time of the tragedy, expressed the enduring pain caused by losing her quick-witted and beloved 23-year-old sister. A lively and cherished individual, Rachelle left an indelible mark on those who knew her. "The petition is about raising the reward to $500,000, which is definitely not unheard of — it's quite common," Ms Morris said. "The reason why is because we want people to be talking about it.”"We want people thinking about that time, where they were, if there are any details they can remember, and just raising the award will get Rachelle's case back into the public eye, which is what we are hoping for."Rachelle's father, Graham, passed away in 2021 without learning who took his daughter's life. The family remains hopeful that the mysteries surrounding the case will be unveiled in due course, allowing Graham to find peace.About the crime-On the evening of Thursday, 7 June 2001, 23-year old Rachelle Childs was last seen driving her 1978 Holden Commodore, registered as GV-2000, from her workplace in Camden to her residence in Bargo at approximately 5:15pm. After concluding her duties at her work, a car dealership, located about a 20-30 minute drive away, Rachelle returned home.It is believed that she then travelled a short distance to Bargo Pub, possibly to meet someone. Later, her 1978 Holden Commodore was discovered abandoned in the parking lot behind the venue. Notably, during the police investigation, the driver's seat and steering wheel lock of her car were found in an unusual position, prompting scepticism about whether Rachelle had last driven the vehicle or if someone else had taken control of it.At 2:2 am on 8 June, Rachelle's still burning body was found in Gerroa, 60 miles from her home. The discovery, made by a security guard, was nothing short of traumaticFiona Shaw, a colleague of Rachelle's at Camden Holden, arrived at Rachelle's home on the morning of 8 June, unaware of the gruesome discovery. Rachelle's house lights and television were left on, leading to concern about her whereabouts. The family was informed two days after the discovery of Rachelle’s body. A 2008 coronial inquest, prompted by statements from Rachelle's former boss, Kevin Correll, reportedly said that Childs' fingers had been cut off because of her ‘interest in bikies’. Rachelle's body was exhumed and state coroner Jane Culver concluded that her fingers were severed before she was burnt. Culver assumed Rachelle's death was a homicide. Ms Culver also made an extensive list of recommendations during her inquest on how police should conduct murder investigations in future. These mainly involved better cooperation between local detectives and the Homicide Unit."The police investigation in the early period following Ms Childs' death unfortunately was not able to capture some items of evidence which are no longer available to the current investigating police," she said. I was unable to find out what specific evidence she was referring to. Police identified nine possible suspects, focusing on one as the potential perpetrator. To date, eight have been ruled out, with no further details provided.Her family says their greatest fear is that her killer may only be caught after the person strikes again.In 2018, Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Scott Cook said “The movement of Rachelle’s car is of particular interest to investigators, and while it was 17 years ago, her car was distinctive and we believe this could refresh a memory,” Det Supt Cook said. “We believe her car travelled to the Gerroa area and was driven back to Bargo – so we are very interested in speaking to anyone who was on the road around that time and may have seen her car”“Further, we know that her body was burnt with petrol, so we are also keen to speak to anyone who may have seen her vehicle at a service station between Bargo and Gerroa that evening.“Someone out there knows something, so, if you know anything that may help us provide answers to Rachelle’s family, now is the time to free your conscience and speak to us."The late Graham Childs fondly recalled how his daughter cherished her horses, dogs, cats, and family, emphasising that there wasn't a single day when they were unaware of her whereabouts. The heinous act committed against this beloved sister and daughter, who had her entire life ahead of her, points to the presence of a sinister and malevolent force. If you have any information regarding this crime or details about her car's movements on the critical night, we urge you to reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000. Your assistance could be vital in finally bringing closure to this tragic case.

Trusted medical practitioner and popular media personality Dr Cindy Pan, who you may have seen on Channel Seven’s ‘Sunrise’ and ‘The Morning Show’ will be headlining the ‘IAMPOWER Mental Health and Wellbeing Summit’ at The Sebel, Kiama on 25 May. Her expertise in women’s health is extensive, and extends across many areas such as sexual health, women’s medicine, stress management, relationships, and family issues. Speaking at this inaugural event - the first of its kind in the Illawarra, Dr Cindy will be sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience to enlighten and empower women. On the day there will be several accomplished speakers in the field of women’s health, such as Sulin Sze, women’s health naturopathy expert, Desiree Savage journalist, broadcaster and editor, Juliana Scopel wellness movement specialist and renowned psychologist and founder of The Shellharbour Clinic, Natali Lazaroski.This first ever Illawarra summit is the brainchild of two passionate, Illawarra women - Deborah Devaal and Sonia Houria who both work in the mental health arena – Deborah is an accredited art therapist and well-being coach, while Sonia is an apnea survival instructor, spiritual and empowerment coach. She is also well known within the Illawarra as the visionary behind ‘Women Make Waves’ - a venture bringing together an array of spiritual practices, mindfulness, breathwork and tools borrowed from the art of surfing to guide women on their transformative journeys. The pair have teamed up to create an event that will raise mental health awareness, empower women, and make a positive impact on the well-being of women.Deborah and Sonia explain this collection of speakers has been carefully curated – to ensure their expertise and specialties embody the theme of the event. This summit has been created to offer women the tools they need to transform their lives and reignite their spirit. The focus is on raising awareness, providing education, a supportive community and fundraising, to help women feel empowered and able to take control of their mental health and wellbeing. It is important, says the pair for this event to be designed by women and to feature inspirational women as it is rooted in the celebration of women, their talents, creativity, and abilities.The summit offers keynote speakers, step by step exercises, engaging Q and A sessions, bonding time and group exercises, real life stories and a delicious morning tea and lunch provided by the talented chefs at The Sebel Kiama. And be sure to look on Facebook and Instagram for an early bird giveaway where one lucky ticket holder will win a luxurious one-night stay and breakfast at The Sebel Kiama!Deborah adds “when you look at the statistics surrounding women’s mental health, you can see how necessary it is to have an event for women specifically. 50% of women in Australia are dealing with mental health issues- with depression the most widespread. That is why we will be donating a percentage of sales to ‘The Liptember Foundation’ an Australian charity dedicated to women’s mental health and research.”Tickets are limited to 100 people only and available online (details below)THE IAMPOWER SUMMIT 2024:When: Saturday 25 May 2024 from 10am – 4pmWhere: The Sebel, KiamaTickets are available online at www.iampower.net

Kiama residents have a clearer understanding of what the proposed $66 million development on Akuna Street will look like after the developers, Level 33, made a trove of new documents available for exhibition.Last month, Level 33 lodged its initial development application, which will see 344 basement car parking spaces, 24 retail premises, two supermarkets and 82 residential units built on the property.With the latest round of documents lodged, residents will have some of their lingering questions answered, while other issues remain unresolved, such as what residents and workers who currently park their cars at the Akuna Street car park will do once construction begins.VisualsOne of the most immediate aspects of the development that will impact everyone, from residents to workers to tourists, is the visual amenity.Kiama Council controversially agreed to raise the building height limit for Akuna Street to six storeys after selling the property to Level 33, leading residents to question how much of the town’s skyline the new building will occupy.The latest Visual Impact Assessment created by Urbaine Design Group shows exactly how much of the horizon will be blocked, especially for those already living on Akuna Street where the building height limit was not increased.TrafficOne of the recently lodged documents was a Traffic Impact Assessment commissioned to Traffix, which shows that 163 of the planned 344 parking spaces will be reserved for residents of the above dwellings, while 181 parking spaces will be set aside for supermarket and retail shoppers and workers. The development will also include 21 adaptable car spaces for residents, and one accessible car space for visitors. For the retail component, there will be eight accessible car spaces.The Traffic Impact Assessment also looked at the impact that increased traffic will have on the centre of the town, stating that “...the development proposal will not result in any unacceptable traffic implications, and all nearby critical intersections are expected to continue to operate satisfactorily, and as such, there are no road improvements or intersection upgrades required.”The report showed that there will be 136 additional vehicle trips per hour (cars going in and out of the car park) during the morning peak period, and 490 trips per hour during the afternoon peak.The Bugle has previously asked Kiama Council and Level 33 about where workers who currently use the car park will park during construction. We will update readers if we hear a satisfactory response from either party.EconomicsHillPA Consulting was commissioned to provide an Economic Impact Report, which found the Akuna Street development will generate around 170 jobs on the site, including 111 in the two supermarkets and 54 in other retail shops. These employees will contribute around $9.6 million to the local economy each year. For a wider context, potential retail sales in Kiama’s town centre is expected to increase from $242 million in 2022 to $371 million by 2036, according to HillPA.The report also states that “there will be no adverse impacts on other centres” like the CBDs of Gerringong and Jamberoo. “Given that the site is inside the Kiama Town Centre the overall impacts of the development for the town centre as a whole will be net positive,” the report states. The report however does not take into account the impact on the existing businesses on Terralong Street which the new development will overlook.You can check out all the planning documents for yourself on Kiama Council’s Development Application Portal here. You can also provide your feedback to Kiama Council and Level 33 directly from the portal.The Development Application for Akuna Street is on exhibition until 15 March 2024. The Southern Regional Planning Panel will have the final say on approval for Akuna Street, which is composed of experts appointed by the State Government and Council.

This article contains discussions of end-of-life care, voluntary assisted dying (VAD), and related medical processes. Content may be sensitive and emotionally challenging for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) has been legal in NSW since 28 November 2023. It stands as an option for individuals grappling with intolerable symptoms at the end of life. This legislation marks a significant milestone in the state’s approach to holistic healthcare. NSW is the last state in Australia to approve legislation of this kind, following in the footsteps of Victoria who was first to commence in 2021 with Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland following suit. In the last month, the Illawarra Shoalhaven Compassionate Communities and the NSW Government worked together to provide information sessions in Kiama to facilitate understanding and education about the new legislation.The ‘ask anything’ sessions gave members of the community the opportunity to come and discuss the topic in a confidential and respectful environment. Key points discussed during the sessions include the voluntary and person-centric nature of the process. VAD complements the right to high-quality palliative care and also the importance of informed consent when making decisions about a person’s own medical care.There is a lot of information on legislation and the safeguards in place to ensure the process of voluntary assisted dying is conducted ethically and safely. There are several requirements for the multiple medical assessments, clear eligibility criteria and strict procedures for administering the medication. The process involves several medical practitioners who follow the patient through their end-of-life care, conducting the assessments and steps required. Healthcare professionals who are involved in the process undergo specialised training to ensure they understand the legal and ethical implications of the process. NSW typically provides support services for patients considering VAD, as well as their families and carers. These services may include counselling, information about alternative options and assistance with accessing palliative care or other forms of support. The support follows the patient and their family from the beginning until the end.There is a structured 11-step process that is required to receive the end-of-life medication. There are a series of assessments, consultations and waiting periods. The initial request starts the process when a patient expresses their wish to access VAD medication. The request must be clear and unambiguous. Following this there are several assessments and waiting periods that take place before the medication is dispensed. There are several ways the medication can be administered, all depending on the patient and their wishes. This decision is highly sensitive and intimate and takes place during an extremely vulnerable time in life. Overall, the legalisation of Voluntary Assisted Dying in NSW marks a significant milestone in providing end-of-life options for those facing intolerable suffering, ensuring dignity and autonomy in their final moments. The legislation says the cause of death resulting from VAD is not recorded as suicide but attributed to the existing condition the individual is suffering from. This guarantees the decision to pursue VAD gives individuals a sense of empowerment and control over their circumstances. It’s a personal process that is extremely sensitive and unique to the individual. Many legal and ethical considerations are in place throughout VAD legislation in NSW to address legal and ethical considerations, such as protecting the rights of healthcare professionals who object to participating in the process, and ensuring that patients are fully informed about their options and rights. There is a wealth of information on Voluntary Assisted Dying available here.Compassionate Communities also host a ‘death cafe’ meeting each month. The next one is set for 18 April at Kiama Library and encourages people to come for an open discussion about death.

Tragedy struck the Burnetts on Barney community earlier in the week as they mourned the loss of one of their own, Debra East. The Jazz Festival performances became a touching tribute to her legacy, turning the stage into a canvas of remembrance adorned with flowers and a portrait of Debra. Elizabeth from Burnetts, with a heavy heart, delivered a moving speech before the performance, dedicating the stage to Debra. In addition to honouring her memory, the event served as a platform to raise funds for the Lions Club Of Kiama Cancer Care Trust. Strawberries, drinks, and delicious food were sold, with all proceeds contributing to this charitable cause in Debra's name.The sudden loss of Debra left many in the community grappling with sorrow, as expressed in Burnetts' Facebook post: “Deb left too soon and without time for goodbyes, but the memory of her welcoming smile and gentle, selfless kindness will remain in our hearts forever.”Tom Harrigan, who graced the stage with his wonderful acoustic performance, empathised with the audience, sharing his own recent loss of his dear nan. His heartfelt condolences resonated with the crowd, making his set a memorable and emotional experience. It was evident that the Jazz Festival had become a platform for shared grief and healing.Despite the sombre circumstances, Debra's close family bravely attended the event, choosing to celebrate her life amidst the sorrow, and enjoy her love of live music. Burnetts expressed “We will miss her sway when she was listening to music playing in the quarry. She loved the Jazz Festival above all else and this Saturday our Jazz Festival music will play in Deb’s memory.

It’s the third year for Beach Tag in Kiama, aptly organised by locals Keiron Duncan and Steve Emmett. Held at Surf Beach initially and successively at Kendall’s Beach, the event has attracted over 75 teams of juniors and seniors competing in the round-robin event. It will be a jam-packed day. There will be parachute landings, live streams, food trucks, the Hilltop bar, and some NRL legends – yet to be named- will be showing up to give autographs and spend the day with the crowd. The mix of ex-Dragon and NRL players will be going up against the Oztag international team at 1:20pm.It's a community affair with the Kiama Surf Club on beach patrol and the Kiama Knights hosting a barbecue. The Lions Club is helping with car parking and there is live music and lots of food trucks.  With $25,000 in prize money, you can be assured of tense competition! All in all a fantastic excuse to get down to the beach this weekend and soak up all the action. 

‘The Dealing with Disappointment’ seminar held at the Church Point Centre last week was a great success! About 50 women gathered in a welcoming setting to explore the topic. The Shine Women team hosted the discussions and participated in a role play that featured many different responses to a person experiencing a redundancy. Folks discussed which alternative would be the most helpful for them.Brene Brown, an international expert in this field, stated that disappointments cannot be compared and all need to be treated individually. Helpful and unhelpful responses for a healthy way forward were suggested.  Emma Fox, a local counsellor, introduced ‘The House of Disappointment’ as a tool to mind map the process. The final speaker was Liz Maude, an experienced counsellor, supervisor & manager, who came from Richmond to share her incredible story of multiple life disappointments, including losing her home & possessions in the 2001 bushfires. She spoke of the help the “Serenity Prayer” had been to her & concluded with advice from the Bear Hunt story i.e. “You can’t go over it, you can’t go round it, you can’t go under it…you have to go through it”. What an example she of someone who had been through so much, but survived with her faith, hope & love still intact.’A former participant in one of the eight-week Shine Women courses shared how helpful it had been to her. Brochures and registration for further courses for 2024 are available by contacting Simone Hunt on [email protected] or by phone on 4232 2066.  

Rita Sullivan, owner of Knickerboxes in Kiama has received recognition for her contributions to the community after more than 20 years. Gareth Ward MP acknowledged Rita’s dedication and hard work with a community recognition statement letter. Rita’s impact extends beyond the Kiama community. She and her team travel between several locations across the Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands and beyond to ensure access to not only the lingerie and garments sold but also a safe haven for women who have undergone breast cancer surgeries. Rita has built a space and a service to help restore confidence and provide comfort when it’s most needed. The Knickerboxes name also exemplifies generosity and community commitment by collecting and donating necessities to women in Fiji undergoing breast cancer surgery. Gareth Ward commended Rita’s remarkable contributions, acknowledging her as a beloved and respected member of the Kiama community. As Rita looks at a new chapter of life, she is selling her thriving business in Edessa Arcade. The Kiama community expresses heartfelt gratitude for her selfless dedication. Her legacy of kindness and compassion will forever resonate within the hearts of those she has touched. 

Parishioners and church officials gathered to celebrate the centenary celebration of the Soldier War Memorial at Kiama's iconic Anglican Church at 8am on Sunday morning 25 February 2024. Among the attendees, local dignitaries, Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips and invited guests.The commemorative service was a celebration of the bell tower constructed 100 years ago to remind us of the local brave men and women whose lives were taken in WW1. Reverend Steve Stannis, (Senior Pastor at Kiama Anglican Church) welcomed the congregation as the grand organ played. The sermon by Reverend Rod Harding echoed the words that have adorned the Bell Tower for a century “This tower is dedicated to the glory of God in grateful memory of the men of this parish who laid down their lives in the Great war, and all of their comrades in arms who by divine grace were spared to testify to their glorious deeds.” written a century ago. He expounded on what was meant by these words “To the glory of God” and looked at God’s attributes such as faithfulness, courage and sacrifice echoed by those who served.  The words etched into the tower 100 years agoAs the parishioners and visitors took part in communion they were encouraged to say a prayer or have a moment of reflection for the brave soldiers, nurses and workers who served our country. Upon leaving, Reverend Stannis implored guests to read the names of those whose lives were lost, engraved in stone on the entryway to the church and allowed each attendee to toll the bell on their exit. For some congregation members, the bell tower is close to home. Bryan and Margot Fuller, regular church goers, remember their late cousin who served as a nurse during The Great War. Her name is etched into history in the historic bell tower. Bryan and Margot FullerMs Phillips remarked on the wonderful turn out and support from the community to mark a historic day of remembrance for our fallen loved ones. “They were much loved sons, daughters, husbands/wives, siblings, workers and Kiama community members. One hundred years on, we remember.”After the early morning service, attendees were treated to a marvellous “100” cake to celebrate the momentous occasion before church resumed for the second session.Fiona Phillips ringing the tower bellReverend Steve StannisLocal parishioners - Margret Silburn, Wendy Unsworth, Elizabeth Taylor, Dianne AllenPastor Cameron Webber and Margret Clough

Residents in West Kiama had their feathers ruffled this month after receiving letters indicating the nearby Greyleigh Function Centre was expanding its premises.Bugle readers told us they’d received the letter from Kiama Council on 12 February 2024 advising that the owners of Greyleigh, a countryside accommodation and boutique wedding venue on Long Brush Road, had lodged a development application for the property.Council’s letter states: “Under Council’s notification provisions, a person who owns land that the Council considers may be detrimentally affected by the proposed development, will be notified of that development. “The notification plans and associated documents for the development may be viewed on Council’s DA Tracker during the notification period only at https://da.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Home/Index.”The Bugle received a number of letters from concerned residents about the development, so we reached out to the owners of Greyleigh to ask about the changes.Greyleigh’s General Manager, Hamish McCallum told The Bugle that the system generated description of the DA may be somewhat misleading. The DA instead represents Greyleigh’s application to host farm experiences and farm stay accommodation.“This application is more for housekeeping purposes. It does not include the erection of new buildings or modification of any of the existing buildings on site,” McCallum said.“It does not increase the footprint of the site, nor does it increase the capacity of the site either. As per our existing approval, we can host a maximum of 250 guests, while our average wedding is around 120 guests.”“We find the system generated DA description to be somewhat misleading and our town planner has contacted council regarding this. Under the definitions of the LEP we have applied for a Farm Experience Premises and Farm Stay Accommodation.”You can find all the documents lodged as part of the DA, and any future documents, from Kiama Council’s DA portal here.

Amidst the usual hustle and bustle of a school day, the serene atmosphere of Kiama High School's quad was infused with the delightful sounds of music as the school's bands took centre stage for a lunchtime Valentine’s Day performance. Under the guidance of their dedicated educator, Head Teacher of CAPA, Scott Wright, the Kiama High School Band and the Senior Band captivated the passing traffic through the quad.As they played, their passion and commitment shone through, leaving a lasting impression on their peers and teachers alike. As the final notes echoed through the quad, the lingering melodies served as a reminder of the profound impact of live music and the importance of supporting arts education in schools. Principal Catherine Glover and Head Teacher CAPA Scott Wright emphasised the significance of events like these in nurturing students' artistic talents and fostering a sense of community within the school.For the members of the Kiama High School Bands, the lunchtime performance was a culmination of months of dedication and practice throughout 2023. The Future includes to incorporate more wind and brass instruments into their ensemble to enhance their sound to work on more complex musical material, challenging themselves to reach new heights of musical excellence.

In a thoughtful display of generosity, Sheila Lyne, a resident of Kiama, has made a significant contribution to Kiama High School. Sheila's thoughtful donation encompasses top-notch sound equipment for the Music department and a collection of books belonging to her late husband, Ken Methold, a remarkable figure in literature, education, and the arts.The donation of sound equipment, including microphones, mixing desks, recording gear, and audio cables, promises to elevate the learning experience for budding musicians and performers at the school. Sheila's gift ensures that students have access to high-quality resources to nurture their talents and explore their musical abilities fully.HowHowever, the generosity doesn't end there. Sheila also bestowed four boxes of books that once belonged to her late husband, Ken Methold. Ken's legacy is a rich tapestry of accomplishments, spanning various roles as a teacher, writer, publisher's agent, bookseller, and film producer. As a full-time writer from 1974 onwards, Ken's impact on literature was profound. He served as the Chairman of the Australian Society of Authors from 1984 to 1987, demonstrating his commitment to supporting fellow writers and fostering literary talent.Ken's literary contributions extended beyond traditional writing to include over 200 textbooks on communication and readers for students of English as a foreign language. His creative endeavours also led him into the realm of film and television, where he founded his own company in 1986. Among his notable works are two feature films, "Jackson's Crew" (1986) and "Contagion" (1987), a children's miniseries titled "Animal Park" (1991), and an animated children's feature called "Ketchup" (1997). Additionally, Ken's talent extended to writing plays and documentary scripts for esteemed broadcasters such as the ABC and the BBC.The school community extends a profound thank you to Sheila Lyne for her remarkable generosity and celebrates the enduring contributions of Ken Methold to literature, education, and the arts. Sheila's donation, alongside the memory of Ken's legacy, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact, enriching the lives of students for years to come.

The Quarry Cafe at Burnett’s on Barney has launched a heartwarming initiative to give elderly residents a chance to remain active and engaged in the community. For a long time staff at Burnett’s on Barney have been transporting patrons that had difficulty accessing transport to and from the cafe and garden nursery. With the use of the Kiama Bowling club bus, outings can become a regular fixture on the calendar. Elizabeth Burnett, owner of Burnetts and the organiser of the initiative, is passionate about addressing barriers the elderly community faces. She believes it is very important to make sure older people can remain active and engaged and she has worked hard to offer a solution to the issue of transportation, “we want to make sure that everyone in our community, regardless of their mobility, has the opportunity to socialise and engage in the activities they enjoy.”The bus runs on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from Bluehaven Bonaira with the opportunity for growth moving forward. Bluehaven Terralong may be included in the pick up and drop off system in future.This collaborative effort between Kiama businesses prioritises inclusion over profit, allowing the elderly residents to visit the cafe and nursery for lunch, to meet with friends or to pick up their gardening supplies, “our community has a lot of old people and they’re really vibrant, we just want to be a part of their lives.”The initiative has been made possible by Elizabeth Burnett, the staff at Burnett’s on Barney and Kiama Bowlo in a generous and selfless reflection of the community’s commitment to caring for our elderly. Photos provided by Elizabeth Burnett.

The Nowra Quilters Group has set up a market at the old fire station in Kiama. Running from Thursday 8 February until 14 February, the market features a stunning array of handmade items created by talented crafters from the group. Quilts, handbags, tea towels, table runners and coasters are just a selection of the beautiful handcrafted goods on offer. The Nowra Quilters are a very generous group that are involved in many charities and initiatives to help people in the local community. Terri, Jenny and Helene, along with the other group members love to showcase their creations. The crafters make it a point to organise events like this and other markets a few times a year to provide the community with an opportunity to admire and acquire their handcrafted artworks. Jenny’s work will be on display at the Nowra show this weekend and the group often have a set up at the Berry Markets in the Masonic Hall. The market will be open until Valentine’s Day, offering people the chance to find unique gifts for their loved ones while supporting local artistry and giving back to the community. 

A suicide prevention workshop was hosted by LivingWorks at Kiama Library on 7 February. The event introduced a small group of like minded individuals to a number of critical skills and mechanisms to help make our community more suicide alert. The SafeTALK skills training runs for four hours and emphasises the importance of suicide alertness for everyone, fostering safer communities through education and awareness by teaching life-saving skills of communication and empathy. The group learned about the importance of the safeTALK model, one of the many programs that LivingWorks makes available for free to individuals, communities and businesses or organisations. The TALK part of SafeTALK stands for Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe. These are steps designed to connect a person who needs help to the services that can provide help, it is a framework for engaging with someone who may be contemplating suicide. The program teaches crucial skills in the correct language to use to help someone having a difficult time with their mental health as well as the correct ways to listen and to be present in the conversation. The goal, of course, is to create communities where suicide alertness will be so well embedded within our society that education like this is completely depleted.Throughout the four hour course, the group was shown video examples of individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts that exemplified the right ways to check on someone and to generate open discussions around suicide and mental health. One participant attended the event for personal interest and work development purposes. She said the program is well informed, engaging and an important undertaking for any community member. Another participant said she tries to attend educational sessions like this regularly in order to stay informed and current on new tactics and terminology. Margie Jirgens, the trainer, did an excellent job with a vested interest in the topic and a strong motivation to educate her community. Margie was a friendly, thoughtful and very informed trainer who hosts programs like this often.The workshop emphasises the fact that suicide is preventable and with the right skills and resources, everyone has a role to play in saving lives. Community engagement and education is a vital step in fostering a supportive and informed future for effective suicide prevention. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, you can find immediate help at Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) and many others. If you are in an emergency please call emergency services on 000. For those interested, there is another course scheduled at Kiama Uniting Church this Saturday 8 February.