October is mental health awareness month, and research shows that 40 per cent of young people aged 16 to 24 have experienced mental illness in the last year. SENTRAL Youth Services — operated by Kiama Municipal Council — has been around for three decades and hopes to address the needs of young people in the community. Galavizh Ahmadi Nia, Manager Community Hubs, says young people are facing a number of stressors that could affect their mental health and that having a support network is crucial for outreach.“The importance of feeling listened to and trusted in key adult relationships, and the need to feel safe, respected, and accepted when wanting to discuss mental healthand connect with others.”Academic pressure, navigating social relationships, future uncertainty, media influence and social isolation are all factors that young people are tackling, Ahmadi Nia says.  The federal government announced a national study led by Curtin University into mental health of Australians aged 4 to 17, a demographic that is largely underrepresented in available research.  The latest research of this age group is from a decade ago, and the new study will be designed in consultation with kids within the age range. “A better understanding of child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing will shape more tailored mental health services to meet their needs,” Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride says. Recent headspace research found that 8 in 10 families were concerned about a young person’s mental health in their household. SENTRAL offers a range of free programs to support the social, recreation, health and wellbeing needs of young people, including mental health. “Through these programs, young people are encouraged to discuss matters of importance to them and the opportunity to express needs, including the need to discuss mental andemotional experiences and challenges,” Ahmadi Nia says.Young people who attend can participate in a one on one session with youth workers to discuss any personal concerns or goals they want to achieve. The introduction of headspace Kiama has provided additional resources and connections for the youth workers of SENTRAL, who are able to promote their services to young people who come through their doors. 

Gerringong local Annette Pust has experienced the housing crisis first hand as a renter in one of the most expensive LGAs in the country. After seeing close friends leave the township in search of more affordable housing in the Illawarra, Annette felt there weren’t enough options available. She began a petition calling on Kiama Municipal Council to utilise the vacant aged care facility in Havilah Place by turning it into housing stock. She believes the site will help ongoing rental stress, provide emergency accommodation and aid the housing crisis in the second most expensive town in the country. Council have stated that the Blue Haven aged care facility in Havilah Place is in an “advanced state of dilapidation and cannot be repurposed.”A German native and Gerringong local for fifteen years, Annette said she is perplexed by the situation at hand, and feels a part of the solution is right in front of the Council.“It’s been empty for five years… I don’t know how you can have a site sitting empty and have the building rot away in essence, I can’t explain it.”Council voted in favour of receiving a report on the options for a public-private partnership and mixed-use development on the site, ensuring at least 25 per cent is allocated to social and affordable housing — a motion put forward by Councillors Imogen Draisma and Stuart Larkins last term.The former residential aged care facility on Havilah Place has been deemed as unsafe and unhealthy to enter. Blue Haven has been operating since 1979, the most recent addition in 2019 is Blue Haven Bonaira — which is currently in the settlement phase of being sold to private owner Hall & Prior.Council are in the process of exploring options to subdivide and divest the facility as a requirement outlined in the NSW Government Performance Improvement Order. A business case will be presented to councillors for consideration and a site masterplan will be drafted.Birgetta Smith, a Gerringong local and supporter of the petition, is facing the housing crisis with the added stress of a recent divorce.“We have to sell the house and probably move out of the area.”“My kids have grown up in Gerringong, they would love to stay, but there’s not a chance. There’s no affordable rentals around, it’s not affordable to buy something.”Gerringong has 74 houses available on the market as of September this year — with a median price of $1,400,000 as of July this year. “Any petition regarding future uses for the Havilah Place site would be subject to our Petitions Policy and would need to accord with already resolved decisions and the substantial staff work already undertaken on implementing these decisions, alongside the State required work articulated in the PIO”, a spokesperson for Council said.Property market analyst Propertyology ranked Kiama the second most expensive township, above Australia’s most populous city, Sydney.The petition will be located at Gerringong Pharmacy. 

You may recognise her from behind the counter at Foodworks Kiama Downs on a Sunday afternoon, but 16-year-old Kyah Shipley is also a budding Surf Life Saving champion.From January 4 - 6, Kyah will be heading to New Zealand for the 2025 Surf Life Saving Trans-Tasman Tri Series.Kyah is one of two girls from the South Coast region who have been chosen to be a part of the NSW Country team. Shipley currently competes for the Warilla Barrack Point Surf Club, she began her career at Kiama Downs Surf Club.Source: Casey Shipley“We moved to Kiama Downs from Penrith and she started when she was five at Kiama Downs Surf Club. She’s been doing it for 12 years,” says Kyah’s mother, Casey Shipley.As the years went by, Kyah realised she had the skills and talent to take her further in the sport of Surf Life Saving, and because there was more competition available at the Warilla Barrack Point Surf Club, they made the decision to switch.“We loved Kiama Downs; it was a beautiful start for her, but a lot of the girls in her age group dropped out as she got older. She wanted to be more competitive, and that’s what Warilla offered her,” says Casey.“I came here really just because it has a more competitive community, and it pushed me to where I am today,” says Kyah.Casey explains that an average week of training for Kyah includes two hours each morning — apart from Sundays and Fridays when she’s at Foodworks — either swimming or the gym, followed by afternoon sessions focused on surf skills and an iron session on Saturdays.“The amount of training she does is crazy,” says Casey. “She’s just very disciplined and passionate about it, and we’re all really proud of her. She deserves all the achievements she is getting.”Her long time surf coach Kirk Allen adds, “She is going well at training, she is obviously happy with her selection and we are really looking forward to seeing how she goes this season.”Some of her achievements include winning gold at the 2024 Australian Championships.Casey believes Kyah dedicates so much time to the sport simply because she loves it.“She loves being in the water. She loves the waves and she loves the people—her coaches, the other girls. She’s always smiling and just having the best time,” says Casey.Kyah herself says she is extremely excited for the opportunity to go to New Zealand and represent NSW Country.“You don’t really get these opportunities, and because I’ve been chosen, it puts it into perspective that I have a chance in this sport, and I’m really excited and keen,” says Kyah. “I hope to inspire other young girls to take up the sport too.”Kyah’s journey is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and with the right support, she hopes to make a significant mark in the world of surf life-saving. For those interested in helping Kyah reach her goals, consider visiting her GoFundMe page or reaching out for sponsorship opportunities at [email protected].

The Kiama Vintage Fair is back from 9am — 3pm on Sunday 3 November at the Masonic Hall.With an array of stalls showcasing unique vintage finds and live music, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.Best of all — the event is completely free for all attendees, so don’t miss out!If you have a vintage collection you would like to sell items of at the upcoming fair, you can contact Barb to secure a stall on 0423 748 948.

Daisy has a fresh new coat in celebration of The Daisy Spring Festival! The festival which took place from October 4th till the 9th showcased our wonderful local artists and everyone was invited to take part in the creativity. Daisy's new coatMichelle Springett, from Expressive art experience, thought up the moo-velous idea for the Spring school holidays. 50 pieces of art were displayed by 40 different artists from all ages, all with a cow theme in honour of Daisy. In addition to the artwork displayed, the festival offered ‘drop in art days’ where people of all ages were able to let their creative juices flow with painting and drawing. Families enjoying their creationsMichelle Springett said “We also offered drop in art days where young and old came and painted. Comments from people coming into the Old Fire Station were amazing, they loved the theme of cows, and many stayed for a long time to cast their vote (for people's choice award) and some painted cows too. All ages loved stopping for a while, painting, participating in voting and doing something in their day that was quite unexpected.”1,148 votes were casted for The People's Choice Award, and there was a clear winner. Congratulations to Isla Downes, 15 years old, for her colourful artwork ‘Boris’, receiving 16% of the overall votes.Isla Downes with her winning artwork.There were age categories for kids, teens and adults and awards for outstanding work were given in each category. In the 8-12 years category, Chloe Duren was awarded. 13-18 years, Isla Downes and 18+years was awarded to Karen Crea. Congratulations to all. Make sure to stop by The Old Fire House and see Daisy's new look, painted by one of our talented local artists, Tiffany Springett, Michelle's Daughter!Winners with their artworks.Michelle would love to host this event again next spring holidays, "With lots of visitors in town, it was a lovely event to host in the school holidays and I look forward to finding sponsorship so we can do it again next Spring", Michelle said. One thing is for sure, all our local talent will have you saying Holy Cow!

Daisy has a fresh new coat in celebration of The Daisy Spring Festival! The festival which took place from October 4th till the 9th showcased our wonderful local artists and everyone was invited to take part in the creativity. Daisy's new coatMichelle Springett, from Expressive art experience, thought up the moo-velous idea for the Spring school holidays. 50 pieces of art were displayed by 40 different artists from all ages, all with a cow theme in honour of Daisy. In addition to the artwork displayed, the festival offered ‘drop in art days’ where people of all ages were able to let their creative juices flow with painting and drawing. Families enjoying their creationsMichelle Springett said “We also offered drop in art days where young and old came and painted. Comments from people coming into the Old Fire Station were amazing, they loved the theme of cows, and many stayed for a long time to cast their vote (for people's choice award) and some painted cows too. All ages loved stopping for a while, painting, participating in voting and doing something in their day that was quite unexpected.”1,148 votes were casted for The People's Choice Award, and there was a clear winner. Congratulations to Isla Downes, 15 years old, for her colourful artwork ‘Boris’, receiving 16% of the overall votes.Isla Downes with her winning artwork.There were age categories for kids, teens and adults and awards for outstanding work were given in each category. In the 8-12 years category, Chloe Duren was awarded. 13-18 years, Isla Downes and 18+years was awarded to Karen Crea. Congratulations to all. Make sure to stop by The Old Fire House and see Daisy's new look, painted by one of our talented local artists, Tiffany Springett, Michelle's Daughter!Winners with their artworks.Michelle would love to host this event again next spring holidays, "With lots of visitors in town, it was a lovely event to host in the school holidays and I look forward to finding sponsorship so we can do it again next Spring", Michelle said. One thing is for sure, all our local talent will have you saying Holy Cow!

Starting in November, the Kiama Tennis Club will introduce a new monthly social tennis event on the first Friday of each month from 6 to 9 pm.The club aims to attract new members, keep tennis exciting, and provide an opportunity for players to improve their skills.“It’s open to members and visitors who want to come down and play. People can bring their own drinks, and we'll provide snacks for the evening. We’ve arranged for several of our division one and two players to join, so attendees can enhance their skills,” says Kiama Tennis Club President David Lehman.Members will pay a $2 ball fee, while visitors will be charged $10. Lehman hopes that events like this will energise the sport of tennis in the local area, especially in light of the growing popularity of similar sports like pickleball.“It's really a drive to keep tennis alive and vibrant. Obviously, many people are playing pickleball right now, but our courts are synthetic grass, which means we can’t accommodate pickleball. We’re committed to remaining a purist tennis club,” explains Lehman.Lehman emphasises the unique social aspect of tennis, noting how it allows players to meet and interact while enjoying friendly competition.“There’s a social aspect to tennis where you get to meet people, and then there’s the competitive side that can emerge. What makes tennis unique is this combination of social interaction and competitiveness,” he adds.The first Friday night social event will take place on November 1. If you're interested, contact Kiama Tennis Club for more information.In addition to the new social event, the Kiama Tennis Club will also host the 2024 Kiama Seniors Tournament from November 8 to 10. This tournament is for players over the age of 30, and November 1 is also the closing date to enter. Interested participants can email [email protected] to apply.

While walking around Kiama in October, you may spot a man in what looks like an army vest. That man is local resident Lee Mallon, who is wearing a 10kg vest for 10 hours a day throughout the month to raise awareness for mental health.When I learned about Lee's challenge, I reached out to him for a chat. He invited me to join him, so I donned a vest and walked alongside him.Lee is participating in the Top Blokes Foundation initiative, which involves carrying the 10kg vest for a total of 50 km during October. The aim is to shed light on the mental health challenges young males face. However, Lee decided to take it a step further; instead of just walking 50 km, he committed to wearing the vest for ten hours a day every day.“I decided to take that challenge to the next level and raise awareness for youth mental health as much as I could. The only way I could think of doing that was wearing the vest 10 hours a day for the entire month of October. It popped into my head a week beforehand and I thought, I’m going to do this,” Lee explains.As I strapped on one of the 10 kg packs, I immediately felt heavier and slower. While 10 kgs might not sound like much, in a vest that digs into your shoulders, it becomes significantly more burdensome.“I struggle sometimes. It’s hard work to just sit; it’s easier when you’re moving. But when you’re sitting, you can’t help but think about it,” says Lee.Driving poses another challenge for Lee. He can’t drive while wearing the vest, which complicates his job that sometimes requires long hours on the road. To compensate for missed time, he commits to doing 2 km on his elliptical machine for every hour he loses.Lee’s motivation stems from his young son Riley's personal struggles with mental health. He recalls a poignant evening when Riley confided that the weight of his issues never seemed to lift.“He told us about how things never left him, that they were always there,” says Lee. “I thought that using weighted vests would be a good way to raise awareness for these issues. I can take the vest off, but people like Riley can’t.”Lee announced his challenge through a heartfelt video on his Facebook page, detailing the difficulties his family has faced. The video has been shared nearly 30 times and has helped him raise over $3,000 for the Top Blokes Foundation.On his walks, Lee has shared his video link with 50 strangers, hoping to inspire others to open up about their own struggles.“I hope people find the courage to talk to someone if they’re feeling down. There’s so much pressure on kids these days, especially with social media, making them feel they have to be someone they’re not,” Lee says.He also encourages parents to engage with their children by asking, “Is everything okay? You can talk to me.” Building that trust takes time, and it’s essential for kids to feel safe doing so.Lee believes teenagers are at a critical juncture in their lives, where early intervention can make a significant difference. He supports the Top Blokes Foundation for their work in schools, targeting young people at this pivotal stage.“I believe that if you don’t get help early on, it’s much harder later down the track. This program is aimed at kids still in school,” Lee emphasises.During our walk together, Riley, Lee, and I managed to cover 2km, and I was relieved to finally take off the vest.Riley shares his thoughts on his father's initiative: “I think it is really good at representing the strenuous day-to-day weight that mental health issues can give you, and initiatives like this are doing great things.”Lee wants to thank everyone for their support. You can find his Facebook video here and you can donate to his challenge here. 

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.