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The Indoctrinated Brain: How to successfully fend off the global attack on your mental freedom
The Indoctrinated Brain: How to successfully fend off the global attack on your mental freedom

08 October 2024, 4:58 AM

By A Sense of Place Publishing“Indoctrinated Brain: How to Successfully Fend Off the Global Attack on Your Mental Freedom” by Michael Nehls is a clarion call against what the author perceives as a deliberate and insidious assault on cognitive freedom worldwide. Michael Nehls, a German doctor of medicine with a background in molecular genetics and an avid long-distance cyclist, brings together his scientific acumen and social commentary in this book, which has stirred both intrigue and controversy.Nehls argues that across the globe, there’s a discernible decline in mental capacity, particularly among the youth, coupled with a rise in depression rates. He posits that this decline is not merely coincidental but part of a grander design—a “Global War on the Human Brain.” According to Nehls, this war deploys various mechanisms, including the manipulation of public health crises like the COVID-19 response, to subtly alter human cognition and behaviour.Manipulation Through Fear and Health PoliciesNehls delves into how the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the resistance against broad vitamin D prophylaxis, was not just an oversight but a tactical move to weaken natural immunity. He claims this was done under the guise of health protection, allegedly aiming to make populations more susceptible to indoctrination.The Great Reset and Mental FreedomThe book touches on the concept of the “Great Reset,” suggesting that beyond economic and environmental changes, there’s an underlying agenda for a “Great Mental Reset.” This involves using advanced neuroscientific and informational methodologies to reshape human thought, aligning it with technocratic visions of the future.Historical and Societal ContextNehls draws parallels with historical indoctrination practices, comparing modern societal controls to past regimes’ efforts to shape public thought through fear, propaganda, and control over information.On page 106, Nehls writes, “When the immune system has recovered to some degree after seven to eight months (after being spiked) a cytokine storm is not only possible again, but also even more likely, because the immune system, constantly activated by spiking, has consumed a lot of vitamin D, increasing its deficiency thus the imbalance in the immune system.”“If Dr. Nehls is right, his theory here will be as important as Dr. Sigmund Freud’s discovery of the subconscious, if not more so.” – From the foreword by Naomi Wolf.“The protagonists of the Great Reset use the latest neuroscientific and informational sciences methodology to pursue a motive that derives from their worldview: a Great Mental Reset, so that we accept without hesitation and even welcome the future of a brave new world as envisioned by the elitist technocrats,” Nehls said.“If you want to truly know your enemy, this masterful unmasking of indoctrination is a must-read.” – Monica Crowley, PhD, news analyst and former assistant secretary of the US Treasury.On page eleven, Nehls writes, “…seems to me with the help of the many seemingly isolated events and influences, such as the spreading of fear and panic, the spiking, and the primary measures to contain COVID-19, other intentions were actually pursued: to manipulate people unnoticed on a neurobiological level in order to be able to indoctrinate them more efficiently.”The book has garnered both praise for its bold assertions and criticism for its alignment with fringe theories over established scientific consensus. Michael Nehls’s background in molecular genetics and his previous works on Alzheimer’s disease lend him credibility in some circles, yet his views on public health responses to pandemics and cognitive manipulation have drawn criticism for potentially spreading misinformation. Critics argue that his narrative might cater more to conspiracy theorists than to those seeking academic or scientific discourse on cognitive health.“Indoctrinated Brain” presents a stark warning about the erosion of mental freedom through what Nehls sees as orchestrated global initiatives. While it invites readers to question mainstream health policies and societal controls, it also stands at the intersection of science, philosophy, and speculative social critique, making it a contentious yet undeniably thought-provoking read in the landscape of contemporary literature on freedom, health, and control.

Carrying the Weight: A Review of He Ain’t Heavy
Carrying the Weight: A Review of He Ain’t Heavy

08 October 2024, 4:47 AM

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 resonates deeply with the themes of the film, which follows Jade, a young woman who kidnaps her drug-addicted brother, Max, and locks him 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 stylized 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. 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.

Springside Hill - renewed hope for locals
Springside Hill - renewed hope for locals

06 October 2024, 9:00 PM

Please note this is paid content.The independent Southern Regional Planning Panel has recommended in favour of the rezoning of Springside Hill, marking a major step forward for this project and the delivery of affordable housing in the region.This is a great win for the many hundreds of locals who contribute to the life, character and economy of a town they love, but cannot afford to live here.It gives hope to the hundreds of locals who have registered their interest to become future residents at Springside Hill. This decision means that Springside Hill will progress to the next stage of assessment and we look forward to working through the decision and providing the additional information requested by the Planning Panel.The independent Planning Panel was established to take the politics out of urban planning, so that decisions which impact the whole community are based on merit and need.Kiama is the most unaffordable place in regional NSW to purchase a home and this decision to move forward with our proposal to build around 1,000 homes is a welcome one for key workers, locals, first home buyers and those who are struggling to find housing in the region.Traders In Purple has been asked to consult with Government agencies and provide clarifications and further information, with no major changes required. This is a normal part of the planning process and a common occurrence at this stage of the rezoning.The Council and community will still have a chance to comment on the proposal as is a standard requirement for planning proposals.We have been extremely open and transparent in engaging with the community and we will continue to do this when appropriate.To date there have been more than 400 individual conversations with locals to discuss the proposal, we have had more than 6,000 unique visitors to our website and held multiple community information drop-in sessions.As we have always said, Springside Hill is a long-term legacy project for Traders In Purple and we are extremely excited to continue the journey. It is by no means job done, and we look forward to discussing our plans with the new Councillors.

Building a successful business - Part 3: Business operations
Building a successful business - Part 3: Business operations

06 October 2024, 8:00 PM

Building a successful business is a challenging endeavour, and The Bugle, in partnership with the Kiama & District Business Chamber, has developed a six-part series highlighting six critical success factors. After exploring Strategic Focus, and examining Finances, this instalment delves into the operational aspects that underpin a thriving business.Get organised: The foundation of success as a business owner lies in being well-organised and prioritising effectively. This enables you to complete tasks efficiently and manage the myriad responsibilities involved in running a business. A simple yet effective strategy is to create a daily ‘to-do list’, ticking off items as they are completed. It’s important to recognise that not all tasks carry the same weight - focus on high-priority tasks first to maximise impact.Numerous online tools can support your organisational efforts, such as Trello, Microsoft Planner, Slack, Notion and others. For small businesses, a planner or calendar, or a basic Excel spreadsheet may suffice, especially in the early stages.Consistency is key: Consistency plays a crucial role in long-term success. Repeatedly doing what’s necessary, day in and day out, builds positive habits and helps sustain profitability. Customers value consistency just as much, forming trust in businesses that deliver reliably over time.Limit distractions: Productivity experts suggest working in focused one-hour blocks, followed by a 15-minute break to maintain peak efficiency.Sometimes taking time-out from phone calls and meetings is necessary during the day so that you can focus on your priorities. Consider noise-cancelling headphones perhaps if noise is a distraction. Stick to your core business purpose - don’t try to be everything to everyone. To stay focused, consider using project management software to streamline collaboration and create prioritised task lists. While expanding your product line and exploring new markets may be future goals, it’s important not to get sidetracked from your initial go-to-market strategy.Automate repetitive tasks: Automation saves time and ensures that crucial details don’t slip through the cracks. For instance, using a CRM* tool allows you to automatically follow up with new contacts or send emails to leads visiting your website. Similarly, accounting software can automate routine bookkeeping, freeing you from the time-consuming task of manual data entry.* CRMs are a great idea, but they do come with a significant price tag. Research well before committing, as some suit specific industries more than others. Protect your Intellectual Property: Intellectual property (IP) encompasses intangible assets such as trademarks, copyrights, and patents that set your business apart. For a small business, safeguarding elements like designs, ideas, and trade secrets is vital. If competitors copy your product, it could erode your market share and damage your brand’s reputation.Study your competitors: Understanding your competitors is essential to defining your competitive edge. Larger companies often invest heavily in competitive intelligence, but small businesses can still benefit from studying the competition. Examine their taglines, value propositions, and offerings to identify their strengths and weaknesses.Depending on your industry, competitor analysis can vary. A restaurant or retail store owner, for example, might simply visit competitors and ask customers for feedback. In fields like manufacturing, where competitor insights are more restricted, trade publications, shared customers, or publicly available financials can provide useful information.Key areas to investigate include:Digital marketing strategy: How do they drive traffic and engage with leads? What kind of content do they publish, and how active are they on social media?Target audience: Who is their audience, and does it overlap with your customer base?Strengths and weaknesses: Where do they excel, and what areas do they fall short in? What can you improve upon?Stay focused on your goals: Building a business takes time, and success rarely happens overnight. It can take years to turn a profit, with many relying on savings or loans to sustain operations in the meantime. Persistence and a clear focus on your long-term goals are essential.However, if the business is not profitable after a reasonable period, it’s worth reassessing your strategy and considering whether a shift in direction is necessary.

Following dreams at any age: Local artistic duo’s new exhibition
Following dreams at any age: Local artistic duo’s new exhibition

06 October 2024, 1:00 AM

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.

Australia’s first Aboriginal owned birth centre set for construction on the South Coast
Australia’s first Aboriginal owned birth centre set for construction on the South Coast

05 October 2024, 11:00 PM

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

Why seeing a specialist periodontist for dental implants matters
Why seeing a specialist periodontist for dental implants matters

05 October 2024, 10:00 PM

When it comes to dental implants, many people don’t realise just how important it is to seek out the expertise of a specialist. Here in the Illawarra region, residents are fortunate to have access to world-class care provided by Specialist Periodontist, Professor Alex Quaranta. With a PhD in Implantology and years of global experience educating, Professor Quaranta leads the team at Kiama Dental Specialists, offering services that go far beyond what you might expect from a general dentist. Before & afterWhile general dentists can certainly provide dental implant procedures, the skillset of a specialist is invaluable, particularly in complex cases. Professor Quaranta and his team focus not only on the precision placement of implants but also on the long-term health of the surrounding gums and bone—both critical for implant success. This advanced training ensures that patients receive care tailored to their specific needs, minimising risks and maximising results. What sets Kiama Dental Specialists apart is their commitment to managing even the most difficult implant-related issues. Whether it’s peri-implantitis (inflammation around the implant) or complications from previous procedures, Professor Quaranta’s expertise ensures that patients get the best possible outcomes. His deep understanding of implantology allows him to resolve complex cases that might be beyond the scope of general practitioners. Illawarra residents and Kiama locals no longer need to travel far to access this specialist dental care. With Professor Quaranta and his equally qualified colleague, Dr. Lizzy Hui, on hand, the regional community now has access to top-tier implant services right at their doorstep. For anyone considering dental implants or needing treatment for implant-related issues, visiting a specialist like Professor Quaranta could be the key to ensuring long-term success and peace of mind. 

Playing cricket in Gerringong 100 years ago
Playing cricket in Gerringong 100 years ago

05 October 2024, 9:00 PM

By Mark Emery - memories from Clive EmeryReading the Bugle’s last issue, I noticed that yet again, Gerringong has won the group 7 rugby league premiership. The club has produced many magnificent players. Some like Paul Quinn, Rod Wishart and Michael Cronin have represented our country.However, the footy boots have now been packed away and attention moves to a different set of sports. One of those, of course, is cricket.A hundred years ago Gerringong was very strong in both cricket and rugby league. Gerringong Rugby League Club played in the very strong Illawarra competition and in 1925 won the premiership in front of 3000 people! Gerringong Cricket Club's A grade won the premiership in the 1925-26 season and again the following year. There was also the Gerringong and District Cricket Competition with teams such as Foxground, Crooked River and Toolijooa in full swing playing on grounds such as the one on Graham’s farm opposite the golf course. These, however, were not as lovely as the ones Gerringong CC are going to play on this season.There are few firsthand accounts of playing cricket from so long ago. However, there is one from Clive Emery, who was heavily involved in the Gerringong and District Historical Society and had a long association with cricket in the Gerringong area. Many great times were had, and lifelong friendships were made. I personally can remember playing on cement pitches as a child around 1970. When you were the home team, the first job was to drag the coir mats out that pitch and cover them ready for the game. Our coach was Norm Carradus, surely one of the most dedicated junior coaches, in any sport, that Gerringong has ever had. But, of course, the grass was always mowed and there were no big holes in the ground if you were the fielder at long on.Cricketers playing around 100 years ago did not have such luxuries. Clive’s account will give you an idea of the difficulty they had to face sometimes. Cricket days by Clive EmeryFrom the 1900s onward Gerringong had a cricket team; likewise, there was one in Berry and further south, so a competition was organised in which many teams played.One member of our Gerringong team of that era explained how he remembered milking the herd of cows in the morning, then the whole team of eleven players rode their horses to Cambewarra, a distance of almost twenty miles to play the local cricketers, and as the locals had no provisions, rode on to Nowra at twelve for a meal, then rode back to finish the game. We then rode home to Gerringong and did their milking in the dark!’The early cricket was played on a farmer’s grass paddock, in the days before concrete pitches were invented, consequently a score of twenty runs for a team took some beating! In Gerringong there were five local teams from which a team was picked to represent us in district games, which were hard fought. In the 20s we had district teams in a local district competition of our own. Omega, Toolijooa, Foxground, Crooked River and Gerringong (called the Seagulls). The Seagulls team was made up of talent from the township, and the other teams were almost entirely of dairy farmers. The pitches were strips of concrete, covered by coir mats, which were laid down before the game was to be played. The pitch at Jubilee Park in Gerringong was of glazed concrete for a time until finely woven green mats were placed thereon. The matches were keenly contested.Other grounds were usually in paddocks belonging to a certain farmer, probably the most level paddock to be found in each locality. It was fortunate if a paddock was mown of the long grass, and the games were played over two consecutive Saturdays during the morning and afternoon, with the exception of the Gerringong team that played their games on the Recreation ground (called ‘the Rec’) in the afternoon. All the others played between milking times as it were, meaning ten in the morning and until three in the afternoon with a luncheon break between twelve and half past, provided by the wives and girlfriends of team.If a farmer did not have a grass mower and mow his paddock prior to a game, it was possible for a fieldsman to trip in the luxuriant growth of the paspalum grass when attempting to field a ball. Likewise, the batsman had his own difficulty in forcing the ball to the boundary, indicated by a few white pegs, sometimes hidden in the grass. As an alternative to mowing the ground, a farmer was likely to put his herd of cows on the ground overnight to eat the grass down, and this brought problems of another nature, that of trying to clear the pitch and grounds of bovine excreta before the game!The long grass was not a problem to the fellow who had the capacity to loft the ball instead of trying to drive it, but there was the danger here of being caught out. Sometimes of course, if the grass had been mown and not raked up, the ball could lie hidden under the mown grass, and perhaps four fieldsmen spent time searching while the batsmen kept on running. All these games were taken very seriously, and in later years the scores were shown on the screen when the pictures were on in the School of Arts on a Saturday night, to the delight of the younger players, whose job it was to take a girlfriend to the pictures or have the cheaper delight of sitting beside one.Foxground team c. 100 years ago. Photographer unknown

Debut novel helps people navigate their emotions
Debut novel helps people navigate their emotions

05 October 2024, 8:00 PM

If you are looking for fulfilment and balance in your life then Illawarra author Deborah Devaal’s debut book, ‘Social Freedom: The Path to Wellbeing’ is for you.Deborah, an accredited art therapist and wellbeing coach, says true freedom is found in our ability to understand and regulate our emotions and allows us to make connections with people to live a fulfilling life.“My book focuses on emotional identification and looks at why we feel certain things, what certain emotions mean and how we can use those emotions to guide us to make positive changes in our lives,” explains Deborah, who is also an artist.  The book came about after Deborah began drawing sketches and writing notes for her clients to take home at the end of their art therapy and wellbeing sessions. “I work with a range of clients who need some extra support to navigate their emotions and build resilience,” explains Deborah. “I found that giving them a visual representation of what they have worked on during their sessions was very helpful.“Sometimes I work with teenagers struggling with mental health issues, mums who are juggling to balance everything that is going on in their life, or retirees who are making big life changes. But after each session I would provide sketches and notes of things to work on and so one day I thought I should put it together as a guide so I can print it and give it to them.”Deborah realised that many people outside of her client base would also benefit from her handwritten notes and sketches. So she reached out to a local illustrator who helped bring her art and easy-to-read content to life. “The idea was to put something together for my clients,” says Deborah. “Then it just grew and grew and after three years it turned into a book. Those who have read it say there’s something in it for everyone. Writing this book was a beautiful process for me, it was so nice to get everything out of my head and onto paper and have it all in one place.“Younger people in particular, those in their teens and early 20s, are really interested in understanding their emotions, way more than the older population. It has been really refreshing to see that they want to know how to navigate their emotions and this book gives people the tools to understand how to do this.”Deborah will officially launch her book later this month. It can be purchased at www.devaaldesign.com.au

New crisis accommodation for women and children in the Illawarra
New crisis accommodation for women and children in the Illawarra

05 October 2024, 7:00 AM

Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra Ltd (SAHSSI) has opened new crisis accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic violence in the Illawarra. SAHSSI, the Illawarra’s leading domestic violence accommodation service, have said that they are thrilled to announce the opening of a new 8-unit apartment complex for women and children escaping domestic violence.  Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services through the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program (Safe Places Program), the fully secured complex is gated, with back to base alarm, and CCTV monitoring systems. Each unit is fully self-contained, with its own kitchen, bathroom, balcony, and car space. Shared facilities include laundry, outdoor play area, meeting rooms and common spaces.Marlowe Richards, a fundraising officer from SAHSSI, joined the Kiama Zonta meeting on August 20 to share her concerns and experiences. “It can cost a woman over $20,000 to escape domestic violence, they often are left with nothing and need to start over again.”Zonta district 24, is a Kiama charter for the Zonta organisation, advocating for equal human rights. Rita Sullivan, the director of Zonta advocacy, says “Zonta district 24 is very concerned about the rising toll of women who have died this year because of domestic violence.” She shares that there is inadequate support for those fleeing from these situations “This ranges from inadequate space in refuges, lack of sufficient case workers and carry through of care and support for women and children fleeing violence. We call on the NSW government to increase funding for these support services”Rita and other Zonta members, alongside these organisations, are raising awareness of the connection between homelessness and domestic violence. “Women stay longer in refuges because they cannot find affordable housing. Women stay longer in abusive relationships because they have nowhere to go.” said Rita. Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth said that she is pleased to see this service open following her visit to the project while under construction in April 2024, providing greater support for women and children in the Illawarra. “We know that if a woman has a safe place to go and take her children, she is more likely to take the steps to leave a violent relationship. This accommodation will provide crisis and recovery support for women and children in the Illawarra that have experienced family, domestic or sexual violence which is accessible and delivers quality services to victim-survivors.” SAHSSI CEO, Penny Dordoy emphasised the critical need for safe accommodation in the Illawarra: “This accommodation will provide women and children with a safe place to recover that is dignified, private and accessible. We will then work with women to find safe, secure long-term housing where their recovery journey will continue”. SAHSSI has been at the forefront of providing safety and housing services to women and children across the Illawarra region for 20 years. This critical infrastructure provides a much-needed addition to the Illawarra’s response to the domestic and family violence crisis we face. We will continue to advocate for the right for women and children to live in their homes and communities without the fear of violence.If you have interest to view the property or arrange an interview, please contact Gillian Vickers on 0418-277 552 or email [email protected]

The role of preferences in shaping Kiama's new council
The role of preferences in shaping Kiama's new council

04 October 2024, 11:00 PM

Opinion Piece by Lynne StrongAs the dust settles after the recent Kiama council elections, the final results offer some interesting insights into how our voting system works and what it means when candidates are elected without reaching the set quota.Out of the nine successful candidates, three—Matt Brown, Stuart Larkins, and Mike Cains—were elected despite not reaching the quota of 1,460 votes. This might raise questions: How did they get in, and what does this say about our democratic process?Understanding the QuotaIn local council elections, a quota is the number of votes a candidate needs to secure a seat outright. In this case, with 18,000 enrolled voters, the quota was set at 1,460 votes. Six candidates—Cameron McDonald, Imogen Draisma, Melinda Lawton, Yasmin Tatrai, Erica Warren, and Melissa Matters—reached the quota and were elected fairly early in the counting process.However, not all seats are filled by candidates meeting this quota. That’s where the importance of preference voting comes in.The Role of PreferencesCandidates like Matt Brown, Stuart Larkins, and Mike Cains didn’t receive enough first-preference votes to meet the quota. However, they were elected because, by the final rounds of counting, they had the highest number of remaining votes, even though they didn’t reach the quota.In a proportional representation system, as the candidate with the lowest number of votes is excluded in each round, their preferences are redistributed to other continuing candidates. This process continues until either candidates meet the quota or the remaining candidates’ vote totals are high enough that they can no longer be overtaken by others.This highlights the nuanced role of preferences—they can have a significant impact, but only if the margin between candidates is narrow enough for preference flows to make a difference.Understanding Preferences Across Different ElectionsIt appears that many people, including me and those who regularly engage in the political process, do not fully understand how preferences work. It’s important to remember that the way preferences are allocated differs across the three levels of government.At the Federal level (for the House of Representatives), it is compulsory to allocate preferences, meaning a voter must number every single box for their vote to count.At the state and local level, preferences are optional. In the NSW Lower House elections, voters can simply vote "1" and are not required to number additional boxes if they do not wish to.For local council elections, such as Kiama’s, the proportional representation system is used. This system, also applied in the Australian Senate and NSW Upper House, determines the outcome based on quotas and the redistribution of preferences.What Does This Say About the Election?Broad Community Support: Although these candidates didn’t reach the quota through first-preference votes, their election reflects broad support across the community. Voters might have chosen them as their second or third option, showing that they were seen as viable representatives, even if they weren’t the top choice for many.Fragmented Voting Patterns: The fact that three candidates were elected without reaching the quota suggests that voting was spread across many candidates. With so many individuals and groups running, voters likely had diverse views, leading to a fragmented first-preference vote. This fragmentation creates an opportunity for candidates to win seats through preference flows.Preference Allocations Can Be Critical: In some cases, like the 2021 election, every preference allocation made a difference to the final positions when candidates didn’t make quota. However, in 2024, the primary votes were more spread apart, meaning that while preferences played a role in determining the final order, the primary vote totals were decisive.It Is the Voter Who Determines Their Preferences: A crucial point to emphasise is that voters control their preferences. How voters choose to rank candidates—whether they stop at their first choice or continue ranking additional preferences—has a direct impact on the election’s outcome. Voters ultimately decide how their preferences will flow if their first-choice candidate is excluded.The Takeaway for Future ElectionsThe Kiama election is a powerful reminder of the importance of preference voting. It shows that elections aren’t just about the most popular candidates but about how the community as a whole distributes their votes. The candidates who understand the importance of preferences—and who engage with a wide range of voters—are the ones who stand the best chance of success.As we look ahead to future elections, it’s clear that preference voting can lead to more diverse representation. By giving weight to lower-preference votes, the system ensures that different voices and perspectives can still find their place on the council.For Kiama voters, this election serves as a call to action: don’t underestimate the power of your second and third preferences. They can make all the difference in shaping the future of our council.

Raising the bar
Raising the bar

04 October 2024, 10:00 PM

Gareth Ward has been a local from the get-go. Born in Gerringong, attending pre-school in Kiama and school in Bomaderry, he came into the world fighting – being born legally blind and with albinism (Oculocutaneous Albinism). Despite these challenges, Gareth has worked hard to create a worthwhile life helping others and has achieved considerable success. The uneven playing field on which he grew up renders his many achievements, including being the youngest councillor to be elected to Shoalhaven City Council, even more noteworthy.While our community is largely well aware of his political achievements, Gareth has also achieved success in academia and further study. Impressively already holding degrees in Arts, Commerce and Law along with a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, Gareth also recently passed the toughest legal exam in the country – the NSW Barristers exam, known as the Bar Exam.While adhering to a strict separation of powers, there is no doubt the subject matters of law and politics complement each other, with Parliament responsible for writing laws, and the courts for interpreting and applying them. The Bugle got up close and personal with Gareth to find out more about his recent Bar Exam and how his legal studies have informed and enriched his work in advocating for the community.“People often confuse passing the NSW Bar Exam with being admitted as a lawyer, mostly because people have watched too many US legal dramas,” Gareth joked. “The US system is very different to what we do here”. “To become a solicitor, you need to complete your law degree and then undertake what’s called Practical Legal Training, which makes you eligible to apply for admission as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia. You also need to receive approval from the Legal Profession Admission Board which involves passing a fit and proper person test. “To become a Barrister in NSW you need to pass the NSW Bar Exam, which is run by the NSW Bar Association. Once you pass the exam you undertake the Bar Practice Course and commence what’s called a ‘reading year’. The Practice Course and the reading year are the next two challenges for me to formally gain admission, but the exam is the most serious part of this challenge. “In order to apply to undertake the exam, you must first be admitted as a solicitor - so you can’t just rock up and ask to sit the exam. “The exam itself has a horrendously high fail rate. We had a study group of about 30 and only four of us passed. “There are two papers, one which focuses on criminal law and one which focuses on civil law and procedure, with questions on evidence and ethics woven throughout both papers.” Asked how he found time as a busy local MP to study and pass, Gareth explained,“I actually completed my Master of Laws at Sydney University when I was a Cabinet Minister. I like to read and read widely. I think it’s really important for politicians to have more than one string to their bow, and this is a really helpful skillset for my role as a local advocate.“So often the matters people come to you with as a local MP have a legal complexation or question. Whilst I refrain from giving legal advice, the training is invaluable in these situations as to how I can best help. “The main reason I did it was to be a better MP and more effectively help and serve our community. It’s an unusual skill set, but it is helpful”. We asked what the difference between a Barrister and Solicitor is and Gareth repeated what he told his younger brother, “When you are sick, you go to your GP, which are like the medical equivalent of solicitors. If your medical condition is serious and requires an area of specialisation, you go to a specialist. Barristers are your legal specialists - and of course barristers are trained to appear and speak in a courtroom”. We put the obvious question to Gareth – Is he planning a return to the law and to move on from politics? His response was immediate..“I love our community and serving our region, and ensuring we have the strongest advocacy is important. I’m not planning on going anywhere anytime soon.”

Girl Falling Review: If we alter memories, can we change what really happened?
Girl Falling Review: If we alter memories, can we change what really happened?

04 October 2024, 9:00 PM

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

Meet your new councillors
Meet your new councillors

04 October 2024, 8:00 PM

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

Friends of Kiama Library author talk features novelist inspired by Holocaust survivor
Friends of Kiama Library author talk features novelist inspired by Holocaust survivor

04 October 2024, 6:26 AM

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

Hall & Prior granted another extension for Blue Haven Bonaira acquisition.
Hall & Prior granted another extension for Blue Haven Bonaira acquisition.

04 October 2024, 6:24 AM

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

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