KIAMA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CLUBMEMORIAL RIDE 1

One of Kiama’s most famous exports, Orry-Kelly, has been recognised as one of 16 new blue plaque recipients as part of the NSW Government spotlights people and events that have shaped our rich history.Born Orry George Kelly in Kiama in 1897, he was known as Hollywood’s designer to the stars and he led the costume design on over 300 films.Known as Orry-Kelly, he won three Academy Awards and was the most prolific Australian-born Oscar winner for over 50 years until fellow costume designer Catherine Martin. His father, William, was a tailor and opened his shop, W Kelly & Co. Men’s Mercers and General Outfitters, on Terralong Street, in 1888. He moved his shop further up the road between Shoalhaven and Collins streets the following year and it was part of the block that was burnt down in the Great Fire of Kiama in 1899.Orry went to school at Kiama Public School before moving to Sydney as an adult to live with his aunt to pursue a career in banking. He developed an interest in the Sydney theatre scene and Orry set off for New York in 1921 and designed costumes and sets for Broadway. He moved in with a little-known English actor called Archibald Leach who would later achieve great fame as Cary Grant and he moved to Los Angeles with his on-again, off-again closeted partner in the 1930s.Orry-Kelly in 1937.Orry, who was also well known as an artist with paintings that can be found all around the world, won three Academy Awards for Best Costume Designs for An American in Paris (1951), Les Girls (1957) and Some Like It Hot (1959)and was nominated for a fourth.A long-time alcoholic, he died of liver cancer in Hollywood in 1964. Cary Grant and another member of Hollywood royalty, Tony Curtis, were among his pall-bearers.“My concept is that my clothes wrap around the form like smoke. If you do that, you will be ahead of your time,” he said.In 2015, his memoir – found in a pillowcase in his sister's family home following his death - was published. It became a documentary film ‘Women He’s Undressed’ by award-winning filmmaker Gillian Armstrong.Danish-born landscape designer Paul Sorensen, who designed Wollongong’s Gleniffer Brae and more than 100 other gardens in NSW, has also been recognised as one of the blue plaque recipients announced on Monday. With work spanning seven decades, Sorensen designed remarkable gardens from Glen Innes in the far north to Cowra and Orange in the west, through Sydney’s eastern suburbs and south to Wollongong and Canberra. Many of his iconic designs, including Gleniffer Brae and Everglades in the Blue Mountains, are must-see examples of his work for garden lovers. These gardens, often described as ‘outside rooms’, showcase his signature seamless connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. “The Blue Plaques NSW program is a great way to celebrate the remarkable people and events that have shaped the state’s history,” Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Ryan Park said.All nominations are assessed by Heritage NSW and independent historians.

When the 2019-20 bushfires tore through the South Coast, sending thousands fleeing north, Dr Neil Moss was heading in the opposite direction. Seconded by the Department of Primary Industries, he drove into the heart of the disaster in Bega, through thick smoke and chaos, to help dairy farmers whose livelihoods had been left in ruins.This week, the Kiama Heights resident's extraordinary service has been recognised with the National Emergency Medal.For two exhausting weeks, Dr Moss, senior consultant and co-director at Scibus worked up to 14-hour days, assessing the damage, ensuring farmers were safe and coordinating urgent supplies. Power was out, roads were blocked and cattle were stranded with no food or water. With the support of Local Land Services, DPI and agricultural industry bodies, he helped secure fuel, generators and fodder, ensuring every affected farm had feed within days. His work did not end there. Recognising that recovery needed structure, he brought together key agricultural groups, including the DPI, Dairy Australia, NSW Farmers, Local Land Services and Bega Cheese, to map out a long-term plan. By the time he left, industry and farmers had a clear path forward, knowing they were not alone in the struggle to rebuild. Even after the fires, Dr Moss continued his work, supporting flood-hit dairy farms in 2021 and 2022 and leading a major risk analysis project to help farmers prepare for future climate related disasters. Through it all, he has remained deeply aware of the emotional toll disasters take, urging people to listen to those who have lived through them. "You can see everything that needs to be done when you walk onto these farms," he said.“But the most important thing is to take the time to listen. Often, letting people tell their story is just as important as fixing the problem." The National Emergency Medal, established in 2011, honours Australians who have rendered significant service during times of crisis. Dr Moss joins a remarkable group of people who have stepped up in the darkest moments to help their communities.

Kiama Knights are confident they can avoid a repeat of last year’s struggles with a new coach and key recruits creating optimism at the Group Seven club.Their first-grade team was hampered by a string of injuries in 2024, which forced them to forfeit a match, but new coach Matt O’Brien is optimistic about their prospects for the season ahead.“There’s a few local boys back, which is great - Brad Kilmore, Cameron Vazzoler, Dylan Morris, and Callum Roberts are all returning. Plus, we’ve got some strong talent coming up from the U18s,” he said.O’Brien coached the Knights’ first-grade team from 2014-17 and he returns as head coach alongside Steve Ross.While the first-grade team is his primary focus, O'Brien is confident the rest of the senior sides will continue to meet the club's high standards.“We’ve got Matt Gladman captaining and coaching our reserve-grade team, and our under 18s and girls’ teams are always competitive, so they’ll be aiming to maintain that success,” O’Brien said.For the Kiama Knights junior club, new president Lachlan Payne is excited that the club has achieved its goal of fielding a team in every division. With 37 teams, the Knights have managed to cover all age groups.“We’ll have teams in every division, from U6s through to U16s in tackle, as well as U8s to U16s in league tag. We’re also fielding girls’ teams in U12s, U14s, and U16s tackle. Every division is now filled with players,” Payne said.After a successful 2024 campaign, where the Junior Knights claimed five premierships, Payne believes the focus should remain on fostering a positive environment, rather than just results.“It’s great to celebrate those wins, but our main priority is creating a supportive environment for the kids. We’re building relationships with families and kids in the community, and that’s what makes the club special,” says Payne.The Group Seven season kicks off on April 5.

Recently, David McCallum organised for me to have the honour of meeting a living legend residing in Mayflower Village at Gerringong. I thought it might be nice to write an article about this gentleman for the Bugle. But I have a problem. What is the problem you might say? Well when writing about the lives of notable people, most of them have excelled in just one area.They might have had an outstanding career in the Police force. They might as a member of the above run a Police Boys club for many years. They might have had such a positive effect on Aboriginal and other migrant children from disadvantaged homes that the former children will say it changed their lives. They might have organised and run boxing tournaments and had a big influence on Australian boxing champions. They might have established a relationship with other world class boxing champions like Mohammed Ali.They could have, for many years, trained and managed representative Pentathlon teams attending numerous Olympic games and other international meets. They could have been heavily involved in surf lifesaving clubs in Sydney. They might have become famous for a huge rescue effort and received major awards.They then may have moved to Gerringong and become the president of the Gerringong Surf Lifesaving Club and be heavily involved in the building of the first major clubhouse as well as the day to day running of the club and tournaments. Ken at a Gerringong surf carnival  Any one of the abovementioned activities would warrant an article on its own. But what happens when you have to write an article about a man who has achieved all of these? And this is only the highlights!This gentleman’s name is Mr. Ken Hodges.I first came across Ken in an unusual place. I was flipping through an old newspaper from 1967, and I came across a picture and accompanying article about a group of aboriginal boys having fun at the South Sydney Police Boys Club in Redfern.I posted pictures of these on the South Sydney forum. A man replied and said that he was one of those boys. In those days Ken was Sgt Hodges the policeman. He was a Sergeant at Redfern PCYC on Elizabeth Street for many years. With John ‘Pogo’ Morgan, Ken worked tirelessly to help young aboriginal boys get a good start in life. The poster recalled that he and the other boys had full access to the club including boxing, Sgt Hodges helped out there and broke it up with a laugh when things escalated! They had trampoline, gymnastics, roller skates, simple toys and things us poor kids could only dream about.Ken with the Governor Marie BashirHe said he will always love and forever respect Pogo Morgan and Sgt Hodges, both fantastic men for their efforts to make life a little better and the example they set to get us kids off the streets.Just about all of the kids that were involved in that program went on to be very decent family men. Some went into government and helped create community development programs. These thoughts were echoed by an Aboriginal boxer named Wally Carr who gave generous praise to Ken in his book MY LONGEST ROUND.In another post Brian Corless, a Gerringong resident, had this to say about Ken.‘Sgt Ken Hodges retired down the coast and was a significant figure in the early days of Gerringong Surf Club at Werri Beach. Ken was also involved in surf lifesaving in Sydney and received a bravery award for swimming 100 metres from a surf boat in heavy seas with a line to attach to a fishing boat, so they could pull it and the crew away from rocks. His bravery medal was at one of the northern beaches and was on the front page in a newspaper. He was always doing good things for youngsters in Sydney and down the coast and managed and coached young Australian pentathletes taking them to Olympic Games and World Championships. He started the Berry Biathlon, a swim and run events for all ages at Broughton Creek, Berry as a fundraiser for the surf club. It featured ex Olympic athletes, emerging and retiring surf stars, elite triathletes and aquathon athletes alongside mum, dad and their kid participants.’While visiting Ken, I had the chance to flip through a plastic sleeve folder where he had placed all the certificates, awards, newspaper articles and testimonials. It took quite a long time to go through them all. There were some from the Queen and even Winston Churchill.Brian sent me a photo of Ken with some other dignitaries at the opening of the new Life Saving club house at Gerringong. The Gerringong and District Historical Society currently has a wonderful exhibition at the museum featuring the surf club and is releasing a new history book by Robyn Florence. I know Ken will be rightly honoured at the launch.Mind you David did say I had to do one thing before I met Ken. That was to get dressed in my best South Sydney regalia. One of Ken's biggest passions all of his life has been the Rabbitohs.

Nine natural disasters in three years adds up to the new reality of life on the Illawarra and South Coast, with floods, fires and storms battering local communities. Yet, when it comes to rebuilding, state and federal disaster funding rules force councils to simply restore roads and infrastructure to their pre-disaster state - no upgrades, no future-proofing, just patchwork repairs.Member for Kiama Gareth Ward is calling for change, urging the NSW Government to push for a “build back better” approach, like Queensland’s, which prioritises resilient infrastructure over band-aid fixes.Without it, locals will be left watching their roads wash away again and again, according to the independent member.He has spoken up in State Parliament to call for the implementation of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Arrangements to enshrine “betterment” so that disaster-impacted communities ‘build back better’.“We shouldn’t be replacing goat tracks with newer goat tracks,” he told Parliament.“Under current arrangements, government funding only provides for the reconstruction of public assets to its pre-disaster condition. But with so many roads originally built as far back as the 19th century, the current guidelines don’t ensure we rebuild infrastructure for the next 50 years rather than simply the next flood.“Taxpayers deserve betterment. When rebuilding after a natural disaster, governments, at all levels, need to consider how we can not only prevent essential infrastructure succumbing to mother nature, but how can we use this opportunity to futureproof public assets.“Betterment funding, for a relatively small additional investment, will save millions of dollars in years to come by making sure that infrastructure is rebuilt to withstand more extreme bushfires, cyclones, and floods.“The Queensland Government has enshrined betterment in so many of its programs.He said he had faith in the NSW Government to “secure a better deal for disaster-impacted communities”.

Liberal candidate for Gilmore, Andrew Constance, is concerned about Kiama Council’s Draft Local Housing Strategy creating a population explosion and detracting from the area’s natural beauty.Constance believes there will be a negative impact from rapid development and is adamant that revamping Bombo Quarry is the way to solve Kiama’s need to expand in a sensible fashion even though it will take around a decade to get underway.Council released its draft local housing strategy to the public on 18 February and Constance believes it will put immense pressure on local infrastructure and the environment.“My principal concern is the housing targets that have been set by the state government, which have been informed by migration levels,” Constance told The Bugle.“A, the local community and the local council are not going to be able to deliver the infrastructure to support the growth and B, we need to be protecting our rolling green hills and the environment.”The Strategy states Kiama aims to build 900 new dwellings over the next five years to accommodate a population growth of nearly 7000 people within the next 15 years, which Constance said was highly ambitious.“Kiama was first largely established in the 1830s, so it's taken the best part of 200 years to grow to 23,000 people, and then all of a sudden, within 15 years, we're going to have an extra 7000 people?” he said.“I don't want to see small subdivisions eating into the rolling green hills, which are part of the wonderful environment, which makes Kiama what it is.“You can't just come in with an arbitrary housing target and say, well, here you go Council, deliver this.”Constance’s proposed solution is to develop Bombo Quarry over the next 15 years, a site he believes could accommodate up to 6000 new properties.“The reality is, it's an end of life quarry. The transport asset holding entity is a commercial entity of the transport department. It needs to show leadership, and it should be a project of state significance,” he said.“You could potentially put 4000 to 6000 properties in there with sporting fields, with the appropriate shopping. You've got to plan all this. You've got to plan your road network.”Constance said if the Liberal Party won the upcoming election, likely to be held in mid-May, they would help ease the housing problem by allowing young people to access their superannuation early, by freezing the National Construction Code, banning foreign ownership of existing properties for at least two years, and pledging $5 billion for local infrastructure.“Anybody who says they're going to fix the housing crisis tomorrow is having themselves on. This is a major intergenerational problem now, and it's got to be worked out sensibly,” he said.Kiama Municipal Council’s Director of Planning, Environment & Communities, Ed Paterson, outlined the challenges and discussed the potential for a Bombo Quarry development on Bernie Hems' Kiama Community Radio program, Council Counsel during the week. Paterson said the most realistic estimate for housing on the site was 10 to 15 years or more. He also noted that parts of the quarry remain operational, with transport activities still occurring, further complicating development. The recent sale of Cleary Bros’ property holdings in the area adds another layer of uncertainty to the planning process.Housing remains one of the biggest issues facing the Kiama local government area and regardless of where people stand on the issue, Constance is urging the community to review the Draft Local Housing Strategy and provide feedback.“I'm really keen for the community input into the housing strategy, because it's probably one of the most important documents that the community could input into for a very long period of time,” he said.The Draft Local Housing Strategy can be found here.

Say My Name is an uncomfortable film to watch. It is beautiful and emotional and human and inspirational, but it’s also profoundly upsetting because of how real and raw it is.And that discomfort is something we should embrace. That tingling feeling of unease triggers something inside us, sparking reflection, and maybe even action. Isn't that the essence of art?Say My Name is an Australian short film based on Mel Baker’s memoir, Sleeping Under the Bridge. The film has earned over 90 international film awards.It follows Mel’s journey as a young girl, enduring abuse and exploitation by her father and his friends, before being abandoned on the streets of Sydney as a vulnerable teenager. Despite the darkness of her past, Mel’s strength, courage, and resilience shine through as she finds hope - even as her traumatic history threatens to resurface.The film aims to ignite conversations on critical issues like child sexual abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, teenage suicide, and mental health.A still from Say My Name. Photos supplied.Baker shares how writing her memoir and working on the film helped her heal. “I feel healing through writing it because I'm a strong visual person. I visualise myself back in that situation, especially when writing about my childhood, and I feel everything I felt as a child,” she says.“I put myself right back in that space. And it’s harrowing and repulsive what I went through, but I find healing in getting through that and reflecting on how I survived through different traumas. It’s a therapeutic process.”However, Baker’s primary motivation for revisiting these painful memories is to help others who’ve gone through similar experiences.“For me, it’s about other people more than myself. I felt like the film could embrace these themes and show people who have lived through it that there’s hope - there’s a way to live life again, to find yourself, transform, and get through these really difficult things,” says Baker.“And people can latch onto whatever part resonates with their own lives, whether it was domestic violence, violence on the streets, or something else.”Baker is the co-writer and producer of the film, which is directed by Rhoyce Nova, with cinematography by Zachary Peel-Mcgregor. The film does an excellent job of conveying intense, impactful emotions without words. It handles confronting subject matter while also offering a sense of hope for those going through similar struggles.Set around the city of Sydney, the film was a personal challenge for Baker, as revisiting the locations tied to her traumatic past was emotionally difficult.Baker with the composer (who also plays her in the film). Photos supplied.“The hardest thing for me was going back to those same locations. I’ve made peace with the Sydney Harbour Bridge because it’s changed so much since I slept under it. But Kings Cross was tough - I hadn’t been back there, and filming a night scene there was really hard,” Baker says.“Even though it’s been cleaned up so much and is different from the ‘80s, there were still some of the same shops and pubs. It was confronting, and I had to push through because I was also a counsellor on set, making sure the cast and crew were okay with the heavy themes we were dealing with.”There’s also a particularly disturbing scene involving a roulette wheel, which Baker found difficult to be near.“That roulette wheel prop stayed in my car for months. I couldn’t throw it out or donate it to charity. I just couldn’t touch it. I couldn’t even look at my car boot. It was so hard to get it out of there,” says Baker.“Plus, I still had the bloodied shirt and some clothing the actress wore, who played me as Mel. It felt like Mel from the past was living in my car for months.”Say My Name is now available to watch for free on Vimeo. Despite its unsettling subject matter, stories like these need to be shared and embraced because they are real. The first step in addressing a problem is acknowledging its existence - saying its name.

Kiamasala Festival will bring the sights, sounds and flavours of India to Kiama for a celebration of Culture, Community and Collaboration.Kiama Harbour will be transformed into a delicious street food market, a market stall bazaar and a vibrant performance space where community members can soak in a mix of classical and contemporary dance and music to transport us and educate us on the rich ancient Indian culture. It’s a time to dance, come together, share a plate and party.The festivities will include yoga workshops, cooking Demonstrations, cricket games, Bollywood Buffet Night, travel talk, Indian handicrafts and fashion stalls.Food is deeply intertwined with Indian culture, going beyond sustenance to represent tradition, hospitality, spirituality and identity. Take a food journey at Kiamasala, starting in the North with the Nepalese Fare Stall and travel through the various regions down to our South Indian Kerala style stall. Washed down with a refreshing Mango Lassi or a Hot Masala Chai?Bring a picnic rug and bring some company.And if you would like to share your photos, send them to [email protected]’s the schedule of Saturday’s events: 🕚 11:00 AM 🎤 Korma Kids🕛 11:40 AM 🎶 SKM (Sitaron ki Mehfil)🕛 12:20 PM 🌟 Bollywood Exclusive🕛 12:35 PM 💃 Kathak🕛 12:45 PM 🌟 Bollywood Exclusive🕐 1:00 PM 🎙️ Welcome to Country - Aunty Gwenda🕐 1:20 PM 🥁 Shivagarjuna Dhol Tasha🕑 2:00 PM 🎭 Nethra🕑 2:30 PM 🌟 Bollywood Exclusive🕑 2:45 PM 🎶 Desi Genes🕒 3:00 PM 💃 BollyOn Australia and DJ Dance Party

It is impossible to meet David Butcher and not be completely enthralled. Here is a man who has spent his life working with animals, building institutions, and leading organisations, all while maintaining an unshakable sense of curiosity and ingenuity. And yet, when you ask him about the highlights, he shrugs.No big deal. Just built a zoo from scratch in the middle of nowhere, under budget and almost on time. Just fired the public works department when they became an obstacle. Just changed the way people think about conservation, animal welfare, and agriculture. Just.David Butcher and his partner Amanda Large are both heavily involved in their local community Born in New Zealand, David started his veterinary studies at Sydney University in the early 1960s. In those days, there was no veterinary course available in New Zealand, so students had to go abroad. He began his career in dairy practice in Taranaki at a time when the industry was shifting rapidly. The days of small family-run farms with 30 cows were disappearing, making way for larger-scale operations. New Zealand’s approach to pasture management was evolving, and David was in the thick of it, working with farmers as herd sizes grew into the hundreds.But his career wasn’t just about cows. After a stint working with thoroughbreds, he became disillusioned with the racing industry.What followed was a wildly varied career, each phase as remarkable as the last.Locum work at Taronga Zoo turned into a full-time offer to lead the establishment of what would become the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.In true David fashion, he took a haphazard, bureaucratic project and got it done. He became a quantity surveyor, a project manager, a civil engineer, and when needed, a demolitions expert.He worked with a crew of farmhands, bushies, and practical problem-solvers to build roads, enclosures, and entire animal habitats. And he did it all in 13 months, delivering the project for $2.7 million and $300,000 under budget.Transporting animals became one of the most fascinating parts of his career.Giraffes from Taronga had to be carefully lowered as trucks passed under low bridges. Elephants from England were transported on cargo ships, surrounded by stacked containers forming enclosures.Aboard planes, giraffes had to descend slowly to prevent fainting from air pressure changes. David worked with Qantas to fly animals across the globe, including the first koalas to Japan. Every transport was a logistical puzzle, requiring creative solutions and careful problem-solving.After eight years at Dubbo, he returned to Taronga Zoo, this time as Assistant Director. But the politics of big institutions never suited him. He soon moved on to run the RSPCA, where he worked to reform animal welfare enforcement and modernise the organisation.His career then took him to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), where he spent a decade leading conservation efforts across Australia and the Asia-Pacific.Under his leadership, WWF tackled major environmental issues, including the preservation of marine habitats, reforestation projects, and climate change mitigation.His work with WWF took him to some of the most remote and fascinating places on the planet, collaborating with international organisations and governments to drive sustainable environmental policies. He played a key role in projects that addressed overgrazing in Tibet, the deforestation crisis affecting the Yangtze River, and sustainable farming practices that protected local ecosystems.Later, he led Greening Australia in New South Wales, pushing for streamlined national management in a sector that often tripped over its own bureaucratic complexity.Throughout these roles, David remained committed to veterinary practice.Except for his years at the zoo, he continued to work part-time as a vet at his practice until 2014 when Bankstown Veterinary Hospital was sold. His career also included a stint in North Yorkshire in mixed practice adjacent to that of Alf White, known as James Herriot. He still holds his veterinary registration, though today his continuing education is largely focused on wildlife issues.His stories are endless.Tales of solving a power crisis in Broken Hill by changing dairy cattle feed to disrupt a flock of 10,000 corellas. Of discovering an old army tip site by watching a bulldozer sink into the earth, spitting up army rations as it went.Of an elephant who, given medication disguised in a loaf of bread, promptly spat it out after rinsing her mouth with water.David’s approach to life is simple: trust people, empower them, and get the job done.And if something isn’t working he gets rid of the roadblocks and handles it himself.

The environment will be a major issue in the seat of Gilmore at the upcoming Federal election and the heat was on Liberal candidate Andrew Constance at a community forum this week in Kiama. Organised by 350.org Australia, the Australian Conservation Foundation and Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, the Gilmore Candidates Forum at Kiama Uniting Church gave incumbent MP Fiona Phillips, Mr Constance, Community Independent Kate Dezarnaulds and The Greens’ nominee, Debbie Killian, a chance to address a crowd of 145 locals.Kiama Uniting Church Reverend Kath Merrifield moderated the debate, which was civilised until a few rabble-rousers who snuck in towards the end were asked to leave for being rude and disruptive.“It was high spirited and passionate,” she said. “It was certainly focused on climate and environmental issues, so questions about wind farms and nuclear power and logging, all of those sorts of issues were covered.” Rev Merrifield was also part of a faith-based delegation organised by the ARRCC that met Mr Constance at a separate meeting on Monday before the candidates forum and she has concerns about Peter Dutton’s environmental policies if he wins government from Anthony Albanese.She said Mr Constance was favouring information from a Frontier Economics report that was commissioned by the Liberal Party over recommendations put forward by the CSIRO.“The CSIRO is a highly reputable body, and it seemed to me he was questioning their integrity rather than addressing the urgent need for action to address climate change,” she said. Reverend Kath Merrifield moderating the debate: Photo: Cathy Russell“In our meeting he said something very similar about the integrity of the Climate Change Authority, which is another impartial organisation that had also put out a report of its own, showing that going down the nuclear pathway would hugely increase our carbon emissions as it would take so long to build and would prolong the use of coal and gas in the meantime. “It seems Mr Constance doesn’t like the facts: nuclear will both cost people more and damage our climate.”Mr Constance told The Bugle that Frontier Economics had years of experience in energy economics, and understood the necessary and correct assumptions to work out the price of nuclear energy.“The Liberals commissioned leading and independent advisory firm Frontier Economics to cost emissions-free nuclear at several current coal-fired power generation sites,” he said.“Australia cannot gamble its future energy needs on a '100% renewables only' policy, which has been found to be 40% more costly than nuclear given the huge investment required in new transmissions assets across farmland and national parks. “My focus is the devastating impact Labor's policies are having on electricity and energy prices in this cost of living crisis. Locals are in serious trouble.“I am the only candidate standing with a plan to tackle the cost of living crisis, whilst the remaining candidates show no regard to the impact of their climate policies on the welfare of locals.”Ms Phillips countered by saying: “It’s interesting that Constance didn’t mention nuclear in his opening statement, and only spoke about the Liberals’ nuclear energy plan when questioned directly about it. It was most definitely the elephant in the room.Community members at the forum at Kiama Uniting Church. Photo: Mick McGrath “I think the Libs are finally realising that switched-on Australians don’t want to go down the nuclear path, and the topic seems to have completely disappeared from their talking points.”““It was fantastic to see so many Kiama locals out supporting climate action and the need to swiftly transition to renewable energy to put pressure on electricity prices, to create local jobs and to ensure we meet our target of 82 per cent renewable electricity by 2030.“I believe the majority of Kiama residents are smart enough to see right through the ridiculous offshore wind scare campaign being peddled by Dutton and Constance. They understand the science behind renewables, and they know we need to get more energy into the grid to reduce electricity costs for families and businesses.” Ms Dezernaulds said when she is out and about talking to community members, the environment is top of mind in the electorate.“The priorities for our campaign are people being able to afford the basics, people being able to protect what they love about this place, a just energy transition, integrity in politics and infrastructure suited for our regional population,” she said.“I really focused (at the forum) on the opportunity for people to be able to reduce their household bills and their small business expenses with the opportunities of the energy transition and just where the government policy has seen the electorate of Gilmore falling too far behind.“I think the opposition to wind farms is concentrated in a vocal minority and is ideologically driven. Whipping up fear within the community without a proposal on the table is politically motivated.”Ms Killian said The Greens had a really clear set of “quite ambitious policies”, not just about environmental issues.“The transition to renewables is a big thing not only for Gilmore but for everywhere.“We need to look very carefully at offshore wind. Once we get a proposal that’s environmentally viable it would be great to have, because of the jobs. We know that with good, careful planning they can work without destroying the ocean,” she said, while adding that The Greens would oppose any plan which harms wildlife such as whales and sea birds.Bob Hayward, a committee member from Repower Shoalhaven, which is part of the South East Climate Alliance which helped organise the event, said taxpayers were tired of bearing the cost burden for infrastructure while coal companies enjoyed massive tax breaks.“There has been a lack of pace on climate change, the urgency is now,” he said.“A number of the candidates got applause for their commitment to seek ways to accelerate it. People are rightly anxious about the cost of living and climate change is a major contributor in terms of insurance costs and the damage done to public infrastructure which we have to pay for with our rates and taxes.”

The eighth annual Kiama Classic Motorcycle Club Memorial Ride will rev up this weekend.The memorial ride began in 2017 to honour the club members who have passed away over the years.“The ride is mainly about coming together with club members, their friends, and other riders. We plan the route on the day,” Pete Parkinson, the club's welfare officer, said.“It’s a pretty laid-back event. We have a gathering on Friday, then ride together on both Saturday and Sunday.”The ride kicks off at 9.30am on Saturday from Jerrara Road. The first stop of the weekend will be for lunch at the Gerroa Fisherman’s Club at midday, where you might be able to catch some of the classic motorcycles.Parkinson anticipates at least 50 bikes will participate in the memorial ride.

Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips is confident that cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will deliver cost of living relief with a script to cost no more than $25.Ms Phillips and Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler dropped by the Beachside Pharmacy in Ulladulla this week to announce that four out of five PBS medicines will become cheaper because of this $689 million investment in the upcoming Budget. There will be a more than 20 per cent cut in the maximum cost of PBS medicines, which will save Australians over $200 million each year, according to Ms Phillips.She said the last time that PBS medicines cost $25 or less was 21 years ago.“Residents in Gilmore have told me Labor’s cheaper medicines are giving them real cost of living relief – these changes will deliver even more savings,” she said.“Our community has already saved almost $10 million, and under a re-elected Labor Government they will save even more.“Our plan is clear – more bulk billing, more doctors, even cheaper medicines, a federally funded Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Nowra and extended hours, from 6am until midnight, at the Batemans Bay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.“Only Labor will deliver a stronger Medicare for Australia and Gilmore.”Mr Butler said Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had voted to block cheaper medicines six times when he was a member of prior Coalition governments.“When Peter Dutton was Health Minister, he tried to make medicines cost more, not less,” he said.“Peter Dutton tried to jack up the cost of medicines by up to $5 a script and put free medicines for sick pensioners even further out of reach.” “The contrast, this election, is clear: cheaper medicines with a re-elected Albanese Government, or the frankly terrifying legacy of Peter Dutton, who wants medicines to cost more, not less.” If re-elected the Albanese Government will pass legislation and $25 maximum PBS scripts will start from January 1 2026.

Robyn Atkins never expected to start a revolution. But in just two years, she has helped grow Jamberoo’s Country Women’s Association (CWA) juniors from six members to a staggering 55.It all started with a realisation: there were no young people entering the CWA’s famous handcraft, cookery or cultural competitions.“I was sitting here with my sister Wendy and my friend Robin Alexander, and I said, ‘There’s no juniors! No one’s learning these skills anymore!’” Robyn recalls. “We have all these amazing women with so much knowledge to pass on – knitting, sewing, cooking – and no one to teach.”Determined to change that, Robyn started spreading the word. She rallied support, reached out to local families, and before she knew it, the idea had taken on a life of its own.“We started with six. Now, we have 55 kids, from five years old up to 18,” she says.The community has embraced the initiative wholeheartedly. Parents have signed up to help, local businesses have donated supplies, and even a generous benefactor stepped in to buy four brand new sewing machines and overlockers.“The kids are learning to sew, put in zippers, bake scones, and do all the traditional crafts,” Robyn says. “One of our ex-teachers even dresses up in her chef’s uniform to teach them baking.”The impact has been enormous, not just for the children, but for the older members of the CWA too.“It has brought new life into our group,” Robyn says. “The kids make us smile. They keep us on our toes. And it’s wonderful to see them so excited to learn.”With strong community backing and a secured junior Facebook group to keep families connected, the program continues to thrive.“The best part is the enthusiasm,” Robyn says. “Just yesterday, two little girls turned up with a crate full of competition entries. Not just one entry – a whole crate!”For Robyn, the mission is clear. “These kids might grow up and move on, but they’ll never forget the Country Women’s Association,” she says. “Just like I never did.”

A couple of weeks ago, Gerringong Rotarians were treated to a fabulous armchair expedition to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, courtesy of member Andrejs Medenis, who presented a slide show of his recent cruise.He set off from Ushuaia in the very south of Argentina, snuggled between the Andes and the Beagle Channel. With a population 89,600, Ushuaia claims to be the southernmost city in the world. It has a 10,000 year indigenous history, 1800s British missionary involvement, and only in 1873 did the first Argentine citizens arrive. That same year a penal colony was established modelled after one in Tasmania, for Argentine repeat offenders.Half Moon Island Wild weather caused a change in route, with the ship visiting the Falklands and South Georgia before heading across to Antarctica. South Georgia has an incredible history of sealers, whalers, and explorers, including Shackleton. Salisbury PlainVisitors were not allowed to venture closer than 200 metres to deserted whaling stations, due to the danger of loose materials and asbestos, apart from in the administrative capital, Grytviken, where they visited the small township’s museum, historic church, Post Office, research station, and cemetery containing Shackleton’s final resting place.After several days at sea the ship reached the South Shetland Islands, part of Antarctica. Choosing to explore by kayak, Andrejs paddled through sea ice, past icebergs and glaciers, alongside coastlines and rocky beaches, home to penguins and other birdlife and seals, and experienced the pure silence when they paused to take it all in. A retired vet and self-confessed bird nut, Andrejs loved the wildlife, photographing numerous species of penguins and seals. A highlight was seeing a Black-browed Albatross colony.Salisbury PlainThe travellers witnessed firsthand the drastic effects of Climate Change. The dramatic recession of all glaciers is well documented. The rapid increase in the detachment and/or melting of ice shelves has had catastrophic effects on Emperor penguin colonies. In 2022, record low Antarctic sea ice led to a catastrophic breeding failure for emperor penguins. Global warming has meant that precipitation in the Antarctic has started falling as rain. Half Moon Island More and more penguin chicks, armed only with downy feathers, instead of the waterproof coats that they later develop, die before they reach adulthood, because they are unable to warm up or dry off after heavy storms.Saunders Island Accompanied by spectacular photographs, Andrejs’ talk taught us so much more about Antarctica and I suspect it has now crept on to a few more bucket lists!

It’s been six short months since our community went to the polls and elected our new Kiama Council. Some were shocked at the results with Mayor Cameron McDonald’s “Community Minded, Business Focused” team taking one third of the seats, with another third also made up of newcomers. With the Federal election around the corner, the next two months will be chock full of campaigning, announcements, broad brush commitments and sweeping statements – we love it! The big question is, and always has been – what’s in it for us? What will our community get? And which candidates and political parties are best placed to actually deliver it? On an ultra-thin margin of 0.2%, the seat of Gilmore, which encompasses Kiama, Nowra-Bomaderry, Berry, Milton-Ulladulla, Jervis Bay and Batemans Bay and surrounds, is one of the key seats in the upcoming election. The result in Gilmore could indeed tip the result of the election one way or another. In Gilmore, it looks to be a three-horse race between the incumbent, Fiona Phillips (Labor), the failed challenger of the 2022 election Andrew Constance (Liberal) and Berry local, Kate Dezarnaulds as the independent, sponsored by Climate 200. With the benefit of a Federal Budget that will take place next week, Ms Phillips will have the opportunity to make commitments related to much-needed public infrastructure and cost of living measures. We have already seen proclamations regarding the Nowra Riverfront Revitalisation and upgrades to the Marine Rescue facility at Crookhaven Heads.  Mr Constance, historically a member of the “moderate” faction of the Liberal Party, has taken a more hardline stance on issues such as climate change, in line with the position of Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton. The Liberal Party will be latching onto historically high interest rates and inflation, and the subsequent impact on cost-of-living pressures as a core tenet of their election campaign. Finally, Ms Dezarnaulds is marketing herself as the truly independent voice for Gilmore. She sets her priorities as affordable housing and healthcare, powering the future, community resilience and honest leadership. She will be hoping history repeats itself and the Gilmore electorate supports her in the same way the Kiama community supported the independent ticket at the 2024 local council elections. The election must take place on or before 17 May 2025, and there will be a period of at least 33 days between announcing the date and polling day itself. For what it’s worth, here at The Bugle we have 10 May as our pick. Over the next 5-7 weeks these candidates will be out and about, making proclamations as to why they should represent Gilmore and our community for the next three years.  Over the next decade, our community will undergo very significant change. Whether it be to Council services or expansion of the existing town (both up and out) all of this means we are going to require more infrastructure, funding and support (from all levels of Government). The Bugle’s View is that every one of us has the responsibility to ask hard-hitting questions, seek genuine commitments and ensure we elect the candidate that will get the most for us now, and into the future.

When five-year-old Lachie walked through the gates of Kiama Public School last month, he became the fourth generation of his family to do so, a tradition that began in the 1930s.This remarkable family connection of more than 90 years offers a glimpse into the school’s progression. Lachie's great-grandfather, Alisdair Tarbert, who moved to Kiama when he was three, was the first in the family to attend the school.His daughter, Karen Rossiter, explains that he started kindergarten around 1938-39, “then my sister, brother and I started at Kiama Infants when it was down where The Sebel is”. Karen began her education in 1966 at the original site that opened in 1861 which catered for infants and as the town started to grow, a new school was built on Thompson Street in 1965 for students in Years 3-6. After a few years of renovations and new buildings, the schools amalgamated in 2001, with all students moved to the newer location. She recalled how the playground at the original site was near Black Beach and considerably different to school playgrounds today. "We used to play on the school flats of a lunchtime down there - we had the best playground in the world,” she said. Kiama Public School first class in 1940. Alisdair holds the class information board.Her father's school experience during World War II reflected a time of much greater hardship in public education. "Dad played football for Kiama Primary and the school was so poor that they had to make their jerseys out of hessian bags,” Karen says. “He said they were so itchy and very uncomfortable to wear but there was no money around." The school milk program is a prominent memory of Karen’s primary education, partly because the milk was always hot but also due to her Mum’s resourcefulness. Kiama Public School first class in 1966. Karen holds the class information sign on the left."I remember the school fetes, they were a lot of fun and we were able to be on 'dunk the dolly', people would throw balls and dunk us into the water,” says Karen. “And Santa used to come across the harbour at Christmas time in a rowboat, and see all the kids waving on Black Beach."We used to get milk every day and it was always hot, and then mum kindly let us take a little bit of Milo in a container so that we could fix the Milo in so it didn't taste so bad.”Karen was a prefect and the tradition continued with her sons."One of my sons was school captain so his name's up on the honour board, and it's lovely for Lachie to see that his uncle's name is up there, and his dad was a SRC member,” she said."We value public education and it's just lovely for that family tradition to continue."Lachie is loving it, he's having a great time, he was well and truly ready to start school. “I still have friends today that I went to school with, and my boys both have friends and my Dad even still has friends that he went to school with, so I'm sure Lachie will have lifelong friends as well."Karen’s parents are still in the area as well as her two sons as they continue to share a connection with the community forged from their days in the old schoolyard. 

Something delicious is brewing at The Farmers Table every Sunday, and if you have not pulled up a chair yet, what are you waiting for?Owner Alan Smith and chef Sam Prescott Smith are on a mission to make Sundays the tastiest day of the week, serving up mouth watering feasts that have the whole town talking..This Sunday, they are going modern Australian, with Chef Sam serving up pulled pork with apple and ginger chutney, paired with a crisp fennel slaw in their signature pitta.The slaw is a colourful mix of red and green cabbage, fennel, carrot, and shallots, bringing fresh crunch to the slow cooked goodness.And it is not just the food that makes Sundays special.This week, Kiama’s own Shy Boy Steve will be providing the perfect soundtrack, bringing his unique style to round out the atmosphere.Alan and Sam do not settle for the usual.They are constantly scheming, testing, and perfecting each menu, making sure every Sunday has something fresh and exciting to offer.Even naming the dishes becomes an event, with plenty of brainstorming, trial and error, and a few laughs along the way.If you have already been, you know what the buzz is about. If you have not, all you need to do is keep an eye on what is coming next and book yourself in for a Sunday treat.The Farmers Table is fast becoming the place to be, with food that surprises and delights, an atmosphere that feels like home, and a team working tirelessly to make it all happen.The only question now is, what will they come up with next?Whatever it is, you can bet it will be worth the wait.

Politics is often about who can talk the loudest. But at Gerringong Town Hall last week, Community Independent candidate for Gilmore, Kate Dezarnaulds, showed it is about listening.Her campaign’s lightning talks event gave locals the stage, offering them five minutes each to share what mattered most. The result was a night of connection, curiosity and collaboration, which are qualities often missing from traditional politics.A local resident named Michael spoke with deep emotion about fostering children, sharing the profound impact it has had on his life. “By fostering, you’re not just helping a child, you’re helping to heal a life,” he said. “These kids come to you having experienced things no child should. But when they find safety, love and stability, you see them start to believe in the world again.” His message was clear. Every child deserves a chance, and fostering is a powerful way to shape the future.Rachel, a Kiama beekeeper, brought a jar of honey to illustrate her point. “This took 480 bees and six hours of work,” she said, likening it to the effort required to build a sustainable local food system. Her vision is for the South Coast to become a thriving agricultural and agritourism hub, built on collaboration between farmers, businesses and educators.Stu, a schoolteacher, highlighted the importance of giving young people structure and purpose, using the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as an excellent model. “When young people have clear goals, challenges and support, they thrive,” he said. He spoke about how programs like this help students develop resilience, leadership and a sense of responsibility. “It’s not just about the medals. It’s about giving young people the tools to navigate life with confidence.”Penny made a case for a community forest in Gerringong, concerned that old trees were being removed without replacements. “Tall trees are essential, not just for beauty but for biodiversity,” she said, urging residents to get behind the idea.Cat, a local journalist, spoke about the role of constructive journalism in bringing communities together. “It’s not about taking sides,” she said. “It’s about finding solutions.”Paul, a retired tech entrepreneur, shared his passion for household electrification, explaining how solar, batteries and smart grids could transform the way energy is used. “We don’t have to be perfect to solve climate change,” he said. “We just need to be electric.”Louise, an arts advocate, reminded the audience of the invisible role creativity plays in everyday life. “Imagine a world without music, books, film or colour,” she said. “Creativity isn’t a luxury, it is what connects us.”Then, it was Dezarnaulds’ turn. Speaking with energy and conviction, she shared how she initially resisted the idea of running for office. “At first, I said no,” she admitted. “Politics looked awful. But then I realised, if not me, then who? If not now, then when?”She outlined her campaign’s four pillars. Supporting strong communities, ensuring a just energy transition, investing in regional infrastructure and protecting the environment. More than policies, though, she emphasised a new way of doing politics, one that prioritises integrity, listening and grassroots participation.She also made it clear she would not be dragged into the negativity of politics. “When they go low, we tango,” she said, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd. Her campaign, she explained, is about engaging with people, staying positive and doing things differently.As the evening wrapped up, one message stood out. This was not just another political event, it was a conversation. And for many in the room, it was a reminder that politics should be about people, not just politicians.