Just outside of the Old Fire Station Community Arts Centre there is a cow. You may have noticed her. The cow’s name is Daisy. You’ll often see her playing with kids or painted in various styles which reflect what is going on in the Kiama community.  Former Mayor Sandra McCarthy once wrote about Daisy, “It’s funny to think a paper mache cow, that stands solitary and rather longingly on a main street, can embody a town’s community spirit and culture. But that is exactly what ‘Daisy the Decorated Dairy Cow’ does.”  Daisy with no art in 1991. Source - - Kiama Arts and Culture FacebookBut where did Daisy come from? What’s her story? In 1991, a crazy haired Italian born sculptor named Ernesto Murgo created Daisy, using paper mache and wire, for the Seaside festival that ran in October of that year. He based her on a real cow called ‘Meadowhaven Daisy the 47th’ who was a breed of cow that was popular on the dairy farms of the Illawarra and was owned by Jamberoo farmer Tom Walsh. Sue Blanchfield was the first artist to paint Daisy at the Seaside Festival saying, “Rather than having the cow in the landscape, I’m going to put the landscape on the cow.” Somewhere along the way Daisy was given a tougher outer skin of plaster and sisal by Grahame Kime. Kiama council bought Daisy from Ernesto after this, and she has since become a reflection of the town. A cultural and historical, ever-changing piece of art. If there was some sort of time lapse video showing each one of Daisy’s designs throughout history, you’d be presented with a pretty thorough history of Kiama since 1991. Sue Blanchfield reunited with Daisy in 2010. Source - Kiama Arts and Culture FacebookShe has been covered in musical notes for a jazz festival, words for a poetry happening, butterflies, lilies, daisies and she has even been a conduit for protest. She was dressed to resemble condoms to warn against aids, a private part of her anatomy was highlighted to spread awareness about chlamydia, she has been pink for breast cancer awareness and had a red nose for cot death appeal. She is covered in hearts for Valentines Day, covered in tinsel at Christmas, green for St Patrick’s Day, flagged for Australia day and she’s been a cheerleader for sports teams. In a classic story she was also once cownapped by high school students.  Most recently she was painted to represent NAIDOC week and then for the Kiama Winter Festival weekend. The Expressive Art Experience is inviting the Kiama community to paint her. “We’re all going to paint Daisy the Cow. We’re inviting the community to come, and we’ll give them a little pot of paint and a paintbrush and there’s lots of different spaces they can paint on Daisy,” says artist and Experience Art facilitator Michelle Springett.  Ernesto Murgo and the inspiration for Daisy. Source - Kiama Arts and Culture FacebookDaisy has seen a lot in her almost 35-year-old life, but she has never abandoned her post or her town. She sits there day after day absorbing new information and reflecting it back to the world. She is an unofficial mascot for the town, and she will be an important piece of Kiama history for years to come.

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 Glam Gallery, within the Gerringong library, will host the Wild Life and Wild Places exhibition from October 11-24 featuring works by local artists Yvonne Clough and Gay Emmerson.At ages 78 and 82 respectively, Yvonne and Gay are living proof that it’s never too late to follow your passions. Both developed a love for art earlier in life but only began to pursue it seriously in later years.Yvonne, 78, recalls how her journey into painting began at the age of 55, following an inspiring conversation with a friend.“I had never painted, but I was talking to someone who happened to be an art teacher, admiring her work,” Yvonne says. “I told her I couldn’t paint, and she said, Anyone can paint, come along to my art class. That’s how it all started.” Since then, painting has brought her immense joy. “I’m in another place when I paint,” says Yvonne. “I’m in my happy place. I have music and a candle going, and the time just disappears—I’m completely lost in it.”Yvonne is very fascinated with painting wildlife, and more specifically magpies. Magpies seem to be her muse, and she sees something in them that is extraordinary and that translates very well into her work.One example of Yvonne's quirky crows.“Magpies are all very different. Some are cheeky, some are nervous, some are just blaze and they couldn’t care if you were there or not. So, I’ll see them and then I’ll paint them and name them and feel as though I’m getting to know them,” says Yvonne.Yvonne adds a playful touch to her work. One memorable piece captures two magpies: one standing still, the other flapping its wings energetically, which she titled Who’s the Boss?“The name and the painting tell you everything about their personalities,” she says.Gay, 82, approaches her art from a different perspective, focusing on landscapes. Her fascination lies in the way human forms appear in nature—a theme that has driven her creativity since she first started painting at 37, after persistently urging her local art school to admit her.“I started to see the human body in the landscape - everything started to look like bums and bellies and breasts and things like that. The mountains are like low hills and you’d see a row of hills that looked like a backbone or a spine,” says Gay.“And then gum trees, admittedly some are a bit boring, but the ones that have twisty and turny branches can look really young and supple, while others seem to have arms with wrinkles under them.”One example of Gay's humanistic landscapes.Gay, who is originally from Canberra, moved to Gerringong in 2017 and she says the young landscape and the beautiful colours rejuvenated her artistic sensibilities.“When I first came to Gerringong in 2017 it started a renaissance and a rejuvenation for me because the colours were so fresh and youthful and the smell of the sea air and the colour of the grass was so inspiring for me,” says Gay.As a result of this human influence on her paintings, these painted landscapes seem to be almost moving in a human way as you look at them and they are very engaging.The contrasting styles of Yvonne’s wildlife portraits and Gay’s evocative landscapes come together harmoniously in Wild Life and Wild Places, showcasing their unique perspectives and lifelong passion for artThe official opening for Yvonne and Gay’s exhibition entitled Wild Life and Wild Places is on October 12 at 5pm at the Glam Gallery and all are welcome to attend.

The St. George Illawarra Dragons have crowned Gerringong student Camilla Addison for their ‘The Best You Can Be School Learning Icon Design Competition’. Camilla’s artwork included an illustration of Buriburi, a spiritually significant figure in the Dreamtime that takes the form of a humpback whale. Camilla's winning artworkThe competition began as a way for schools and students to discuss the importance and relevance of Aboriginal history on the lands of which their schools sit and from where they learn each day. The competition task is to design a ‘learning icon’ which reflects on the ancient history of First Nations people. Gerringong Public School recently opened the Buriburi playgroup, a dedicated space for Koori children in the community. Gerringong Public School was one of 11 schools entered in the competition that had close to 120 entries. They have won a Dragons jersey to aid fundraising efforts, a breakfast and skills clinic hosted by the Dragons and individual Dragons packs for the winning classes. 

The Kiama International Sea Side (KISS) Arts Festival is coming back to Black Beach over October 25-27. “With a lineup of performers reminiscent of the pre covid KISS and the biggest ever KISS adults-only Cabaret, 2024’s KISS is on and banging. We promise you the best, the most hilarious and the most ‘get involved’ festival fun this state has to offer. All right here in our gorgeous town of Kiama,” says organiser Tamara Campbell.KISS is a celebration of street theatre, circus, comedy and entertainment in one location. A blend of international acts, local talent and unique performances will be on offer for all ages to enjoy.The three-day-event kicks off on Friday 25 October with the first of two adults-only cabarets in the Kazador tent. Saturday 26 will see street theatre performances who will “blow your little socks off and intimate tent shows that will leave you oohing and aahing, so many changes to get involved you’ll feel like the star of the show,” Campbell continued.KISS is a free event for all ages to attend. Artists will pass the hat, so make sure to pack some cash and bring your card to support performers. The opportunities to take part are another thing that sets KISS apart from your average festival. Build a raft, have your say at the Unity project, flex your comedy muscle in stand up for kids, make a lantern and play along to be part of the fun. Don’t forget to get your tickets to the unforgettable and unexplainable delight of the KISS Arts Fest adults only cabaret. You don’t want to miss it, because everyone will be talking about it, but no one will know how to explain it.

Jamberoo CWA’s Opera in the Valley is on again.This special event is on Saturday, 2nd November.Maestro Glenn Amer will once again be working his magic at the piano.This year’s program will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the death of one of the greatest operatic composers of all time, Giacomo Puccini.Mark your diary: tickets go on sale at Elders Real Estate: 4236 0891 on 2 Oct.  Get in early as tickets sell out fast. The Bugle will be publishing an article in the Oct 19 edition about the line-up of talent for the evening.

Jamberoo local, Nic van Oudtshoorn, has taken home a ‘Highly Commended’ award at the prestigious Mono Awards held by Australian Photography Magazine. His portrait of Coral Miller, ‘Anzac Day pride’ at the 2024 Anzac Day celebrations won the award in a black-and-white competition in the People category. The retired photojournalist and teacher at Workers Educational Association has been photographing veterans for a number of years. “Like any photographer it’s good when you do your work to have it recognised,” van Oudtshoorn says.“To feel that you have been successful in what you’ve tried to capture and what you’ve tried to portray, [the category was] ‘people’ and it portrays an interesting aspect of people in Australia.”The Mono Awards received over 4,000 entries in 2024.

Over two weekends, 19-20 October and 26-27 October, at Huskisson Pictures, Screen it Again Sam will present the ocean themed film series OCEAN1.The film series includes the films: Jaws, Morning of the Earth, The Lighthouse, Puberty Blues, Bait and The Big Blue.The series is supported by Gerringong surf shop Natural Necessity who helped bring the two surf films, Morning of the Earth and Puberty Blues, into the lineup.Screen it Again Sam is a collaboration between Shoalhaven residents Jane Johnston and Kerry de Fluck, along with Bruce Isaacs, Chair of Film Studies at Sydney University.Johnston and de Fluck explain that the idea came to them while streaming films at home. They felt the urge to watch these films as they were meant to be seen—on the big screen.“Almost all directors, except those working specifically for television, envision their films on a large scale with a proper sound system to enhance the viewing experience. The emotional connection that develops in a dark cinema, surrounded by others, is a powerful feeling you can't replicate at home,” says de Fluck.They hope the series will encourage people to support local cinemas and bring back the communal experience of watching a film, followed by meaningful discussions.“Cinemas offer something special to the community. We often take for granted that they'll always be there, but they need our support,” says Johnston.“One of our main goals is to spark conversation about films, their culture, and themes. This is best achieved when watching films as a group and discussing them immediately after. It’s also important for regional communities to have opportunities to come together,” adds Johnston.For the selection, they wanted a diverse lineup that spans different genres and styles, including blockbuster hits like Steven Spielberg’s Jaws and smaller films like Robert Eggers’ black-and-white drama The Lighthouse.“So, we wanted a whole set of films that would be able to have a variety of different feelings, thoughts, and stories about the ocean. We wanted films that were mainstream and films that were avant garde,” says Johnston.The film series will be held at Huskisson Cinema, chosen for its beautiful location and the charm of the old cinema.“It’s truly a special venue. The cinema, originally a community hall from the early 20th century, was transformed into a modern space in 1990. It’s comfortable and set in the stunning surroundings of Huskisson,” says Johnston.Tickets are available for individual films or as weekend packages. Purchase tickets online via Humanitix.

Tilley Wood’s exhibition, titled Equinox, opens at the SEVENMARKS art gallery on September 21, the day before the 2024 equinox, when the sun is directly above the equator, marking the beginning of longer days in Australia. “I live in Tasmania, where our lives are deeply influenced by the sun. Winter here is long and dark, making me acutely aware of the seasonal changes. The equinox is powerful because it signals the shift to a time of year with more sunlight than darkness. To me, it marks the start of my most active, happiest, and brightest season,” says Wood.Wood is an artist who enjoys looking at landscapes at different times of the year to see how the different seasons affect the colours and lighting of a particular place. A lot of her paintings in the Equinox exhibition feature similar landscapes that evoke vastly different emotions.“I like how similar times of year look in different environments. Last equinox I was in the Northern Territory and since then I’ve been back in Tasmania, so comparing what spring is like there to here, there’s something really interesting in contrasting those two landscapes,” says Wood.Wood’s process often begins with mixing colors on the canvas, allowing shapes and landscapes to emerge organically. “I usually start with whatever colors are in front of me, playing with them until memories and shapes appear. The painting Big Hill, lutruwita / Tasmania originated from dark colors and circular shapes, gradually evolving into the landscapes I know so well,” says Wood.Wood went to the University of Newcastle for Natural History Illustration and she says that the degree taught her technical skills and how to paint realistically, but ultimately she has found herself departing from this style of painting.“I started learning how to paint and draw in a super realistic, hyper fine way. That was a starting point for me in oils - to paint more realistic, but then working in the medium, what I love about it is the textures and how the colours sort of do their own thing when I mix them together,” says Wood.“I find that there is more interesting stuff to me in my paintings when I let it come out a bit more freely without trying to control it or represent anything precisely. In the past when I’ve tried to produce things that are more realistic, I get further and further away from the feeling of what inspired me about it to begin with.”On top of her paintings in her SEVENMARKS exhibition, Wood also has created sculptures working with wood and dried flowers. She says that all of these works were inspired by the same feeling, and that when she set out to create the exhibition she wanted to do all sorts of different things to make the experience more interactive.“I really didn’t want to just create a room with pictures on the walls that people are just looking at. I wanted to make a more physical space that people are a part of, rather than looking at something that was outside them,” says Wood.With her exhibition, Wood sets a milestone for the SEVENMARKS gallery as she becomes the first early-career artist to hold a solo exhibition in the space. Being originally from the South Coast, Wood says it was a no-brainer for her to present her work at the Kiama gallery.“Being from NSW I’ve always wanted to come back there and have more of a life there and present my work. So when the opportunity came up I thought, absolutely I can’t say no. It feels really good to be asked to exhibit in a space that is a really contemporary gallery that does work across all mediums,” says Wood.Wood’s work is very immersive and satisfies all of the senses. After viewing her paintings for an extended period of time you begin to hear and smell the environments and even see them moving through time.The opening night for Tilley Wood’s exhibition Equinox is Saturday, September 21 and her work will be featured in the gallery until October 12. 

The new Australian film Kid Snow begins with a boxing match that will echo through time. A loss for the titular character Kid Snow (Billy Howle) results in a crash on his way home from the fight that kills their father and cripples his boxing brother Rory (Tom Bateman).Ten years later, it’s 1971 and the Irish brothers are working in a tent boxing troupe, Rory runs it and Kid fights in it, and they both seem to have given up. “When we meet Kid he has kind of given up on life and he’s almost become like a performing animal,” says director Paul Goldman. “He is just trotted out to a tent boxing ring to punch and be punched. It’s pretty self destructive.”For those that don’t know, tent boxing was an Australian tradition going back as far as the late 19th Century up until 1971 when it was banned (although there is one still going). Tent boxing involves what the title refers to: a tent and a boxing match. Tent boxing troupes would follow agricultural shows, set up a tent and then allow any strangers to come up and challenge them to a fight - the winner taking the money.“I always wondered why no one had ever made a film about tent boxing in Australia given the enormous rich vein of folklore and mythology that surrounds it,” says Goldman.Set in the Australian Outback, one night the same man who Kid fought ten years earlier challenges him to a rematch for a large sum of money - all Kid has to do is fight and last at least three rounds. The only problem is, Kid is out of shape and his opponent is now the Commonwealth champion. The second only problem is, Rory has already accepted the fight for Kid.“He throws his brother into the lion's den, into a fight that he knows could well and truly destroy his brother’s physical life because he has to take on the Commonwealth champion. And he knows his brother is overweight and out of shape and has given up,” says Goldman.The two brothers have a very interesting relationship, it is clear that there is an intense love between them but, at the same time, also an intense hatred. Rory blames Kid for killing their father and crippling him, and Kid blames himself which means they have some sort of severed line in their relationship that never heals.This also leads to the third thread of the film which is led by the introduction of the female character Sunny played by Hollywood star Phoebe Tonkin. Sunny is a fierce character who has taken on the responsibility of caring for her young son on her own. She is hired by Rory as another attraction for the show, to dance. And she also begins a relationship with Kid.She comes between the two brothers and becomes a beacon of light for Kid, showing him a way out of the life he seems to be trapped in. The film smartly allows her her own character arc as well. She becomes a leg dancer for the troupe, but she does it on her own terms and Gladman says this was a huge focus for them as they made the film.“I’m sure for some people the scenes of her dancing will be provocative, the fact is that leg shows did exist and if you went to show alleys any time before the 80’s there were leg shows. She’s not stripping, there’s colour and movement. And I wanted her to have some sort of agency and we did a lot of work on that character to give her agency,” says Goldman.This definitely translates to the screen, and there’s a great moment where she tells a story of her step mother stripping for an audience in Sydney where a fight breaks out - and her stepmother is able to control the room with her power. Dancing is also such a great contrast to boxing. They are both ways for people to be physical and vulnerable, but also powerful. And this story about her stepmother is a great indicator for Sunny’s character - she may have to do things that she doesn’t want to to survive in this world but she is going to do these things her way, and use them to her advantage. The most interesting part of the film is the actual boxing. The interplay between the story and the sport of boxing is fascinating and impactful. It analyses the way boxers use their fights as ways of punishing themselves and this was a big theme for Goldman.“There’s moments I think in the final fight where it looks like Kid is almost willing to be punched. We know that's the history of boxing. Why does someone climb into the ring? Well it’s not simply to punish someone else, it’s actually to be punished. It’s a very very complex relationship that people have with that sport,” says Goldman.“I spent many many months, when I was living in Sydney, going to the Redfern gym watching Tony Mundine prepare for a fight - I just remember how often I would see him sitting in the corner after sparring for an hour and wondering to myself - why would you do this to yourself? What is it in your heart and soul that allows yourself to be punished like that? “And I think in the film Kid is self-destructive and he’s just lacerating himself until this woman walks in and says, You don’t even know what you're fighting for or what’s worth fighting for.”Kid Snow is ultimately a movie about family, relationships, the debts that we feel we owe people, and the complex ways in which we deal with these debts. The performances are great, the photography of the Australian outback in the 70’s is crisp and beautiful, and the film has a great energy to it. It is playing at Event Cinemas Shellharbour, Hoyts Cinemas Warrawong and the Gala cinemas also in Warrawong from Thursday, September 12. Go and watch it on the big screen.Become a Good Neighbour Support your local by giving great journalism a helping hand

Folk by the Sea kicks off this evening with a schedule jam-packed with 15 events starting at 5pm. Friday will be a taster of what to expect before a massive 55 event day on the Saturday of the festival. There are still 3-day full price tickets available online so if you want to grab some last minute, head to the Folk by the Sea website. You won’t want to miss out!If you’re strolling out and about on Terralong street you can pick up a copy of the three-day program schedule from Edessa Arcade. For the digitally-savvy, Friday’s schedule can be viewed below.

The Shell Cove PromenART Sculpture Walk is back this year with an even more captivating display, featuring over 50 artworks along the scenic Shellharbour Marina at The Waterfront, Shell Cove. The exhibition will be open to the public until October 30.Building on last year’s success, the number of sculptures has been expanded by 25%, offering visitors a more immersive experience. The artistic trail, presented by ARTPark, winds its way through the picturesque marina’s pathways and boardwalks, with each sculpture accompanied by a QR code providing details about the piece and its artist.Many works reflect the stunning oceanside setting of Shell Cove. Notable pieces include three bronzes from Mela Cooke’s The Swimmers series, capturing women preparing to dive into the water. Also on display is Tobias Bennett’s striking Hungry Egret, a towering 4.5-metre sculpture made from steel pipe, which stands as the tallest piece in the exhibit.One of the standout highlights is Michael Van Dam’s Earth’s Custodian, a massive 900kg stainless steel and chain sculpture valued at $224,000. At the more accessible end of the price range, Andrew Kasper’s 105kg Fire, a weathered steel work standing at 195cm, is priced at $8,890.All sculptures are available for purchase, catering to both private collectors and corporate buyers. In addition, several artists are open to creating custom, bespoke pieces for interested patrons. Proceeds from the sales go directly to the artists, further supporting the creative community.Beyond the sculptures, the PromenART Sculpture Walk, sponsored by Frasers Property Australia and Shellharbour City Council, offers a lively program of live music every Saturday from 11am to 2pm, featuring talented local musicians like Mark Crotti, Glenn Whitehall, Jack Willis, and Blessie Pica.The event also boasts large-scale murals created by local community groups and artists along the eastern edge of the marina. Among the muralists is Claire Foxton, renowned for her 14-metre depiction of Matildas’ star Caitlin Foord on Wollongong Central. Foxton will be adding a new piece to this year’s mural collection.During the October school holidays, the Make Your Mark Youth Mural Painting Sessions will give young artists aged 8 to 18 the chance to contribute to a new mural at the northern end of Shellharbour Marina. The concept, developed by aspiring artists during July’s holiday program under the guidance of local artist Tegan Georgette, will come to life over three days between October 2 and 10.Students from Shell Cove Public School and Stella Maris Catholic Primary School will also collaborate on a mural in Shellharbour Village, showcasing the community’s youthful creativity.According to Mathew Gulliver, Development Director of The Waterfront, Shell Cove, the PromenART Sculpture Walk is well on its way to becoming a signature event on the NSW arts calendar, attracting both locals and visitors alike.“Shell Cove has natural beauty in abundance and now it’s also fast developing its own cultural identity through events like this along with the likes of markets, community groups and programs. It’s all part of what makes this community the full package,” Gulliver said.For details about the Youth Mural Painting Sessions email [email protected] more information about the Sculpture Walk and its surrounding events visit www.promenart.com.au Become a Good Neighbour Support your local by giving great journalism a helping hand

From the moment Aunty Jonny took the stage the audience was ready to dance. It was a flashback to the 1980s, when Blue Light Discos were introduced by local police as a way to engage youth in a bit of clean fun. Only this time, everyone was over 18 and the punch had been spiked!  Photo Credit: Ruby Boland“No touching on the dance floor, unless you have a permission slip from home”, actor Duncan Fellows (also known as Glenn Twenty) joked at the beginning of the evening. It was an evening of great 80s music, including a very energetic YMCA towards the end of the night, that kept everyone on their feet. There were prizes for Best Dressed and Fanciest Footwork.Photo Credit: Ruby BolandThe performers were a star-studded cast of Australian actors, comedians, and performers, including Jonny Hawkins, Duncan Fellows, Jane Watt and Cheryn Frost. Together they took up roles as the “fun-police” and engaged with audience members throughout the night. Photo Credit: Ruby BolandIf you missed this event in 2024 – make sure that you keep an eye out for the next one!

Local Kiama artist Greg Martin Vale is set to exhibit his latest collection, "Inspired by Kiama," at the Old Fire Station on Terralong Street from 10–16 October. His exhibition promises to showcase the vibrant interplay of light that defines his work, capturing the essence of Kiama in ways that most people might overlook.Each morning, Greg goes out on a walk around Kiama, his eyes attuned to the play of light across buildings and landmarks. Where others might see the ordinary, Greg sees the extraordinary – a fleeting moment of illumination that transforms the everyday into something remarkable. It’s this keen ‘artist’s eye’ that defines his style and sets him apart.In June of this year, Greg's talent was recognised at the Kiama Arts Society Show, where he received a ‘Highly Commended’ prize for one of his paintings. His work draws comparisons to Australian artist Jeffrey Smart, who was celebrated for finding hidden beauty in the seemingly mundane. Much like Smart’s meticulous urban landscapes, Greg breathes life into otherwise nondescript street scenes, making the light itself the subject of his art.A recent holiday took Greg to Venice, a city renowned for its artistic inspiration. While Venice’s allure is undeniable, Greg insists that Kiama holds its own unique charm, finding it not at all necessary to leave his hometown for inspiration. “I am inspired by the distinctive scenes I come across in Kiama,” he says. Ever observant, he walks with his camera in hand, ready to capture the moments he wants to preserve on canvas.

There’s been a huge change in the enquiries I am fielding this week with locals getting hopeful about Spring springing early on us and getting their outdoor living areas ready to enjoy and entertain with. For interior decorators, exteriors are literally an extension of what we do and indeed I treat them as an extension of your home. When decorating a deck, courtyard, pool area or garden setting it is still all about connection, bringing the style and tastes established inside through to the outdoor living areas where then those spaces connect onwards to their surroundings. People sometimes hesitate to invest in outdoor furniture because they assume it will be quickly damaged and not worth the investment. That’s a good myth to debunk. Yes, the Australia sun will eventually affect all things that lay under it. And yes, our glorious South Coast location comes with corrosive salt air. However, it is a bit of a false economy to think the answer is to purchase ‘disposable’ furniture every two years. There are miraculous fabrics on the market with UV ratings to blow your mind, and other innovations that combine marine grade steel and synthetic weave rope to produce sturdy and stylish furniture that last well into their second decade. Keeping it classic, teak furniture remains the go-to timber as it decays slowly even in Australian outdoors conditions.If you are renovating your outdoor space it can be very similar to the decision-making process for an interior renovation. Be sure to research the green-certified products that can handle almost everything. For mine, they are the superheroes of hard materials! Dekton is my ‘go to’ and featured in the photo above from a recent client project. I often think that if we are decorating to enjoy the outdoors, we should look after it. So, I’m all for outdoor living purchases that are sustainable selections. Invest in quality and you will not need to add to landfill for a very long time. 

Crude, rude, and downright fabulous - that’s how one could describe the Drag Music Bingo night at Kiama Golf Club on Saturday, 31 August. The incomparable Joslyn Bosoms turned the usual bingo game into an outrageous blend of belly laughs, risqué humour, and high-energy tunes that left the audience in stitches, some even 'clutching their pearls' in shock. If laughter truly is the best medicine, then this night was a full cure for all who attended.The music bingo featured a playlist of Joslyn’s favourite tracks, proving her knack for setting the right vibe in a room filled with over 50 enthusiastic attendees. Her confident command of the AUX had everyone dancing, singing, and having fun. Lucky winners were treated to drink vouchers, exclusive Joslyn Bosoms merchandise, and even a cheeky surprise from the infamous “bag of gayness.”Kudos to Sharon at Kiama Golf Club for orchestrating this fabulous event. If you’re hoping to see more of this entertaining queen, show your support and let’s make Drag Music Bingo a regular gig. Here’s to many more nights of music, laughter, and just the right touch of naughtiness!

Fresh off the heels of a sold-out concert in Bowral last weekend, the legendary Ross Wilson brought his electrifying energy to Kiama, performing at The Pavilion on Saturday 31 August. At 76 years old, the Melbourne-born artist’s career spans over five decades, with no fewer than 26 ARIA Top 40 hits under his belt as a singer, songwriter, and producer. As one of Australia's most awarded, respected, and beloved musical icons, Wilson continues to captivate audiences nationwide.With a self-proclaimed "hippie" spirit, Wilson shows no signs of slowing down. Having been at the forefront of every major musical trend since the 1960s, his passion for music remains as vibrant as ever. A crowd of around 350 fans filled The Pavilion, eager to witness Wilson’s magic. Although initially seated, the audience couldn’t resist the urge to move once Wilson and his band took to the stage. Classic hits like Eagle Rock, Come Back Again, and Chemistry had the crowd on their feet, dancing in the aisles. The front of the venue quickly became a tight space as fans gravitated towards the stage, a testament to the magnetic pull of Wilson’s performance. It’s worth noting that The Pavilion may want to consider more room for dancing at future gigs, as the appeal of live music clearly knows no bounds.Forming in 1970, Wilson fronted the band Daddy Cool which had a number one song Eagle Rock released in 1971 - by far his biggest song - that stayed at number 1 on the Australian singles chart for ten weeks. There is another Daddy Cool song he likes more, due to its simplicity: Come Back Again. It’s the sister song to Eagle Rock and he plays both at every gig saying that he never gets sick of it.Daddy Cool’s debut album Daddy Who? was released in July 1971 and smashed all previous sales records in Australia - an astounding 50 years ago. Breaking up in August 1972, Daddy Cool briefly reformed during 1974-1975 before disbanding again.The 1976 formation of Mondo Rock delivered several epic 80’s hits Cool World, State of the Heart, Chemistry, No Time, and Come Said the Boy. After 15 years of amazing success Mondo Rock disbanded in 1991, although they periodically appeared at reunion concerts.Now in the 21st century Ross Wilson continues on as a solo performer, producer and major songwriter. He has continued to achieve success and make his mark during the 90s and beyond with his songs being recorded by artists as diverse as Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham, DEF-FX, Custard, Jennifer Rush, Troy Cassar-Daley, Leslie Avril, Hey Gringo, You Am I, Uncle Bill, Keke, Renee Geyer, Christine Anu, Duane Jarvis, Elkie Brooks, Ann Kirkpatrick and Lee Kernaghan, Sovereign, Pleasantville, Beccy Cole, Sonic Jihad, and The Wiggles! Wilson has also produced songs for the legendary Skyhooks, Jo Jo Zep, The Johnnys, and The Screaming Jets. Over a 50-year span Wilson has actually never been out of the limelight and has been twice inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. He’s been working as a solo performer since Mondo Rock and gathers the best musicians he can find for his touring band to play his vast assortment of hit songs but retains creative control and high levels of professionalism.He has been quoted as saying, “Musically, I’m more in tune than when I was younger. As a performer, I probably used to be a bit wilder, but now everything I do counts. I hire the best musicians I can because I like to sound good.”His biography sums it up perfectly: “Ross Wilson is probably the only person in Australian rock music who can't make a comeback simply because he's never been away”.Now resting on his catalogue of classics, in 2023 Wilson released the EP She’s Stuck on Facebook All the Time featuring four totally new tracks. To launch the EP he announced his biggest national tour since the 80’s with 40+ dates across the country from Oct 2023 - and he's still going!There are still lots more venues to catch Ross Wilson live, so check out his website or FaceBook page for dates and locations all over Victoria and NSW. The closest to Kiama are: Wollongong on 28 Sept. Gundaroo 22 Nov. Milton 23 Nov.

In 2007, local dairy farmer Lynne Strong identified an opportunity to connect the dairy industry with the community through art.Inspired by Kiama's very own Daisy the Cow, she designed the Picasso Cows - a MOOving Work of Art program.The program invited primary school students to investigate the dairy industry through the lens of three themes: healthy landscapes, clean water, and energy-efficient dairies.Over eight weeks, the students explored the dairy industry and then designed an udderly fantastic artwork based on their findings, which they painted on a life-size fibreglass cow.The 2007 pilot was a partnership between Kiama Arts Society, with artists Philip Cooper and Rosalyn Hanson painting Daisy the Cow and Jamberoo Public School students painting Buttercup. The official launch in 2008 saw schools from Kangaroo Valley to Wollongong participate in the initiative. Supported by the Kiama Council, the students’ artworks were displayed in Hindmarsh Park for two weeks over the summer holidays. The community choice competition attracted over 5,000 visitors, with the community choosing Kiama Public School as the People’s Pick and the judges selecting Minnamurra Public School as their winner.The Picasso Cows then travelled to the Sydney Royal Easter Show, where the students' artworks were displayed for two weeks, with the cows even participating in the Grand Parade.The herd grew when students from Kiama High School painted three of Daisy's calf-tastic offspring.The program went national in 2009, reaching schools from the apple groves of Tasmania to the wine region of Margaret River and beef cattle country in Rockhampton. In the last 15 years, over 1,000 pieces of dairy art have been created by primary school students across the country, all inspired by our very own Daisy and the artistic endeavours of our local students. It's safe to say the Picasso Cows program has milked the creativity of young minds nationwide!

In 2017 the General Motors Holden factory in Elizabeth closed down. It was the last large scale automotive manufacturing facility in Australia to close. Pete Williams, the director of the new feature film Emotion is Dead, is from Elizabeth and he marks this closing of the factory as a huge event in Australian history. “In 2017 that factory closed and that was the last car manufacturer in Australia. So after that factory closed there was a huge spike in unemployment, in depression, marriage breakups and even suicide. A lot of my family and mates from school worked in that factory and I saw the effects, socially and economically, of that closure. I was determined to tell that story,” says Williams.Thus, Emotion is Dead was born. The film follows an expressionless young man named Brock (Jude Turner) who lives in Elizabeth and regularly visits the closed down Holden factory. We know his father worked at the plant, and his mother is a die hard fan of Holden driver Peter Brock, but we are unsure of the complete effects that it had on the family.Brock is from a low socioeconomic background and he has his own company as a gardener whilst also studying at university. As the film progresses, Brock begins a scheme to steal money from the people whose gardens he tends to which sets off a chain of events that lead to an explosive finale.Williams says that one of the main themes that the film explores is generational inequality and you can see this clearly through the character of Brock.“How do young people buy their first house? How do they climb the social ladder in society? Is it possible to do it legally in this current situation? And Brock doesn’t think it is possible to do it legally. He’s a genius and someone at university but he doesn’t come from a family of wealth so what do you do?” Says Wiliams.The film also contains a plethora of emo music from the 2000’s and the music gives the film character and style. It also reflects the feeling of the characters and the atmosphere that Williams is trying to represent. “When I was Brock’s age I lost a good friend who took his own life in Elizabeth and the music that got me through that time was punk rock and emo music. It really made me feel because I think I went into a similar sort of stasis that Brock does where he pushes all of his emotion down and doesn’t feel anything because he doesn’t want to feel pain. And the only way I could feel was at punk shows or listening to that music,” says Williams.The film also does a great job at capturing the beauty of suburban Adelaide, as well as presenting real Australian characters. In a film culture that is populated by American and English productions, it is refreshing to see Australians accurately represented on screen.“I was away from Australia for 15 years and hadn’t visited much and when I came back I fell in love with the country again. I recognised how special some of our characters are and our people and our places. Even some of our low socio economic suburbs, working class suburbs I saw some beauty there and some authenticity. So I just wanted to capture that on screen,” says Williams.Ultimately the idea at the film's core is that Australia has fallen away from the heart and pride that we used to have in creating our own products. It uses the closing of the Holden factory to present this idea of depersonalisation in the working class. There is no self identity in our work anymore because we are so separated from it. The film explores the effects this has on our work, mental health and economy.“The pride in producing something of significant value, a physical thing, has been taken away from Australian society. And the film really wants to ask the question: How do working class people find dignity and pride in what they do in this modern economy, especially young people,” says Williams.Emotion is Dead is fun, stylish and well acted. All the different threads compliment each other very well and the film both feels Australian and comments on what we’re living through in Australia right now.The film is playing at the Ritz Cinemas in Randwick on August 29 and Williams will be there for a Q and A session afterward.