Alan Swan’s participation in the George Bass Marathon wasn’t just a physical challenge; it deepened his connection to the coastal environment and reaffirmed his passion for protecting it.With a background in environmental science and professional experience at Sydney Water, Alan brings a unique perspective to the importance of maintaining pristine waterways. “The clarity of the water, the abundance of seafood – it’s a treasure,” Alan says, reflecting on the South Coast’s untouched beauty. The marathon took Alan through some of the most stunning and undeveloped coastlines in the region, which he describes as a privilege to experience. “Seeing that made me more passionate about protecting these environments.” Alan’s environmental consciousness is rooted in his studies and his time working for Sydney Water during a critical period of improvement in wastewater management. “I worked there just prior to the commissioning of the Deep Water Outfalls in Sydney,” he recalls. “At that time, untreated sewage was being discharged through cliff outfalls at the headlands, creating appalling beach conditions.”  The Deep Water Outfalls were a game-changer, significantly improving the water quality of Sydney’s beaches. Alan’s firsthand knowledge of what happens when coastal environments are neglected drives his commitment to raising awareness about the need for sustainable practices. “The technology exists to handle waste responsibly; it’s about having the will to use it.” During the George Bass Marathon, Alan marvelled at the pristine conditions of the South Coast waters, contrasting them with his earlier experiences. “No one wants to be rowing in polluted waters,” he states firmly. For Alan, preserving these environments isn’t just about aesthetics but about ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from them. He also emphasises the broader role participants in events like the George Bass Marathon can play in environmental advocacy. “If you want to take part in these kinds of activities, it’s beholden on you to respect and protect the environment you’re using,” he says. Alan’s passion for the coastlines extends beyond personal enjoyment. He believes in leveraging his experiences to educate others, particularly on issues such as water pollution and responsible development. His call to action is clear: “We’ve seen what happens when we overdevelop or mismanage our resources. It’s up to all of us to do better.”

Gerringong’s rising surfing star, Lucy Darragh, has claimed her first major junior competition win of 2025, setting herself up for a successful year ahead.Lucy secured first place in the Under 16’s female division at the 20th annual Taj’s Small Fries competition in Western Australia, marking her second consecutive victory at the event.“I was really happy with how I surfed. I managed to post some good scores in every heat, despite the varying conditions throughout the 5-day event,” says Lucy.Lucy in action. Source: Salt Diaries and Surfing Western Australia.For Lucy, getting off to a strong start in 2025 was a key focus. “It was important to start the year on a high, just like I did last year. Winning this first major event gives me a lot of confidence and puts me in a great position to achieve my goal of representing Australia again at the ISA World Surfing Games in 2026.”At the end of 2024, Lucy was crowned the number one ranked Under 16’s surfer in Australia at just 14 years old.This win proves that she is well on her way to her dream of reaching the world tour, winning a world title, and becoming an Olympian.Gerringong supporters at the Gerringong surf club. Source: Salt Diaries and Surfing Western Australia.Lucy expressed her appreciation for the support of the Gerringong community who came together and watched her compete via livestream at the Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club.

KIAMA MEN'S OVER 35 OZTAGTAG N RELEASE VS MCS

KIAMA MEN'S OVER 35 OZTAGKIAMA ARBOR VS PEAK

KIAMA WOMEN'S OZTAGDAISYS DODGE SQUAD VS GEZZA GIRLS SENIORS

KIAMA WOMEN'S OZTAGGEZZA JUNIORS VS PEAK

Jamberoo Moto3 rider Jacob Roulstone has fractured and displaced his C3 vertebrae following a crash during a training session at Jerez, Spain, on Friday, 17 January.Roulstone, who competes as a Red Bull KTM rider, is currently in Barcelona and is set to undergo surgery in the next day or two.In a Facebook post, Roulstone shared, “It’s a real shame to have this after such a strong preseason. But now it’s about recovering as quickly and safely as possible to get back on the bike.”Roulstone completed his rookie Moto3 season in 2024, finishing 15th overall in the standings.The Bugle wishes Jacob a speedy and full recovery.

 The 28th annual Jamberoo 7s is set to take over the village, bringing with it a wave of football fever and community spirit. The event will be held 7-8 February 2025 at Kevin Walsh Oval, Jamberoo. What began with just six teams has blossomed into a major sporting event, attracting over 1,000 players for a weekend of thrilling seven-a-side action."The energy is infectious," says Alan Smith, President of Jamberoo Football Club. "The Jamberoo 7s creates lasting memories for everyone involved, while also strengthening our community bonds."This year, 112 teams will battle it out across seven tournaments, making for a spectacle of amateur football. The action kicks off Friday night and continues throughout Saturday, culminating in an exciting finals showdown.Beyond the sport itself, the Jamberoo 7s significantly boosts the local economy. With an influx of visitors, the tournament is expected to generate over $1 million for businesses in Jamberoo and surrounding areas.Organisations are working to secure camping facilities to accommodate out of towners, adding another layer of convenience and camaraderie to the weekend.The tournament holds special significance as it honours the legacy of Australian football icon, Johnny Warren."It's an honour to see Uncle John's legacy celebrated through events like this," says Erica Warren, Johnny's niece and a Kiama Councillor. "The Jamberoo 7s embodies his belief in football's power to unite communities."Driven by a dedicated team of volunteers, the Jamberoo 7s is a testament to the village's spirit and hospitality. Visitors can enjoy the charm of Jamberoo, from the iconic pub housing the Johnny Warren Museum to the picturesque surrounding landscapes."It's a celebration of Jamberoo," says Smith. "We invite everyone to experience the magic."With its unique blend of sport, community, and legacy, the 28th Jamberoo 7s promises to be an unforgettable event.

Shona Kirchen and Richard Statham are partners through life and on the bowling green, and now they’re also South Pacific Champions.The couple won the lawn bowls mixed pairs competition at the 65th South Pacific Carnival, held from 27 December to 6 January and hosted by Woonona Bowling Club. The tournament kicked off at Windang Bowling Club with 770 competitors, including 90 teams in the mixed pairs division, with the finalists competing at Woonona. Shona and Richard say they had no expectations going into the competition.“We weren’t under any pressure on the first day because we weren’t expecting anything, so we just played and we both played really, really well that day,” says Shona.“We didn’t expect to do as well as we did - we went in there with the idea that we'd have a good go at it. You had to win all three games at Windang, which was a bit daunting, and we were surprised when we came away with three wins,” says Richard.The pair continued their winning streak and found themselves in the final at Woonona, facing Queanbeyan’s Cherrie Climas and Darren Walsh. They won the game 19-12.Richard has been bowling for just six years, and Shona even less, starting only four years ago. They were up against players with more than 20 years of experience but managed to clinch the championship, making them the first team from Kiama to win in 30 years.“We didn’t have any clue that we’d go as well as we did. But we just kept playing and were lucky enough to win. It was more of a surprise to us than anyone else,” says Shona.The pair, who have been partners for 23 years, say the key to their success is that they never get angry at one another.“We just go out there to enjoy ourselves,” says Richard. “If someone puts down a bad shot, we forget about it. We don’t get angry or upset with each other, as we’ve noticed with some other teams.“Once you get cranky with each other, you lose your concentration and rhythm, and you feel like you have to try harder, which messes everything up.”Shona adds that this calm and supportive attitude is not just present in their relationship, but also within the lawn bowls community, especially at Kiama Bowling Club.“If you win or lose, everyone comes in, sits around together, and compliments each other on their games that day,” she says. “It’s a nurturing environment, you meet new people, make friends, and it’s challenging too. It’s a lot harder than it looks.”Richard and Shona want to extend a big thank you to everyone who came out to support them, as well as to Woonona Bowling Club for hosting the event. They also encourage anyone interested in lawn bowling to give it a try.“Give it a go! There are bowls available at Kiama Bowling Club, so you don’t need to buy your own,” says Shona. “There’s free coaching on Tuesday afternoons at 4.30pm, and you don’t need to book, just come down, and they’ll set you up and off you go.”The Bugle congratulates Shona and Richard on their impressive achievement!

Registrations have now opened for the Kiama Junior Knights for all children aged 5-16 who are interested in playing rugby league or Blues Tag.Source: Brian ScottAfter a very successful 2024, new president Lachlan Payne says the club is hoping to continue to provide an environment that kids love being a part of.“Last season, we had more than 500 players registered with our Club including 310 boys and 191 females across 38 teams,” says Lachlan.“We also experienced some great results on the field with our five teams winning their respective premierships and another team making the grand final.”In 2025, the Kiama Junior Knights are looking to field teams in all ages in the junior rugby league competition, under 12, 14 and 16 teams in the girls tackle competition and under 8, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 16 teams in the girls league tag competition.The club will be holding a ‘Come and Try’ clinic on Monday 10 February at Black Beach, Kiama.“The session will be run by the local NRL Development Officer and will be a great chance for all children aged 5 to 12 years to come down and try rugby league or league tag, meet other players, coaches and committee members ahead of the 2025 season,” says Lachlan.To register go to playrugbyleague.com, search for 2533 and follow the steps. Eligible players can apply for a $50 Active Kids Rebate, on the Service NSW website: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-active-kids-voucherFor further registration information people are encouraged to contact Cass Timms via [email protected].

David GrahamThe 2024 Kiama Tennis Club Seniors Tennis Tournament, held at the end of November, was a resounding success, attracting over 125 players from across the state and South Coast. Tournament organiser David Lehman was pleased with both the number of entries and the strong support from local players.Three local pairs were victorious in their respective doubles events: Rod Clarkin and David O’Keefe won the Open Group C Doubles, Steve Marshall and Chris Geraghty triumphed in Group B, while Joe Moseley and Dane Mottley claimed first place in Group A. Ralph Szulerowski, alongside fellow Kiama Tennis Club member James Brown, won the Group E doubles event.In the Open Ladies Doubles, local player Kathy Wallace, partnering with L. Griffiths, took out the Group D event.Ken Cliff from Kiama also had a standout performance, finishing as runner-up in two doubles events. He competed alongside James Brown in the Group C Combined Men’s Doubles and teamed up with S. Watty in the Combined Mixed Doubles.Tracey Coleman also featured in two doubles finals. She was a runner-up in the Combined Ladies Doubles with C. Stiller and narrowly lost in the Combined Mixed Doubles (Group C) alongside her husband, Mark.With the impressive performances and strong community spirit displayed throughout the tournament, the 2024 Kiama Tennis Club Seniors event was a highlight of the 2024 season and a testament to the talent and camaraderie of local players.

Jamberoo’s Alan Swan never thought he’d be part of the gruelling George Bass Marathon, but the experience became a celebration of resilience, camaraderie, and shared effort, proving that teamwork truly makes the dream work.For Alan, the challenge wasn’t just physical, it was a test of mental grit. “I’m not exactly a sea creature,” he jokes. “I’m more comfortable on land. The deep-sea crew changeovers were especially daunting for me.”Yet, it was in those moments of discomfort that Alan discovered the power of his eight-member crew. “Rowing is all about working together,” he reflects. “It’s not about individual effort; it’s about rhythm, flow, and trusting your teammates.”Kiama Surf Life Saving Club George Bass Marathon Team proves teamwork makes the dream workThe George Bass Marathon is legendary for a reason. Over seven days, crews face relentless rotations, rowing in shifts that challenge their endurance and spirit. Long days mean swapping every 20 minutes, with equal rest, but shorter days are even more punishing, with six-person teams only getting 10 minute rest periods.“The short days were harder,” Alan says. “There’s barely any time to recover before you’re back in the boat.”Behind the scenes, the land support crews were equally critical. They moved boats, set up camp, and prepared meals, ensuring the rowers could focus on the water. “Our support team was incredible,” Alan says. “They took care of everything. It made all the difference.”The physical toll was immense, blistered hands, sore feet, blistered and bruised backsides from the unrelenting motion of the boat. But Alan’s good humour carried him through. “One guy told me to use a tub of Vaseline with a spatula,” he laughs. “That advice saved me!” Seven Days of Blood Sweat and Tears and BlistersAmidst the struggle, there were moments of magic. “One day, everything just clicked,” Alan recalls. “We found our rhythm, the boat was flying, and the coastline was stunning. I thought, how lucky am I to be part of this?”Support from sponsors like Ray White Real Estate, Kiama Lions Club, and Boab Marine was vital. “Boab Marine provided our support boat,” Alan shares, “and the funds helped us secure a new set of oars. For smaller clubs like Kiama, that’s huge.”The marathon’s 50th anniversary made the event even more special. “Rowers from the original race, now in their seventies, joined in,” Alan says. “Seeing them still out there was inspiring.”For Alan, the experience wasn’t just about personal achievement. “If one person wasn’t fully committed, it wouldn’t have worked,” he says. “It was all about everyone coming together.”The George Bass Marathon has left Alan with a new sense of confidence and possibility. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve done in a long time,” he says. “But it’s shown me that stepping out of your comfort zone is where you grow.”As he considers his next adventure, one thing is certain: Alan Swan is ready to keep testing his limits, proving that with teamwork and determination, anything is possible.

Leonie Murphy was named the 2024 Werri Boardriders Club Person of the Year at the annual presentation - and even though it is a club mainly focused on being in the water, Leonie did most of her work from the shore.As a passionate photographer, Leonie’s outstanding work behind the lens, alongside her contributions to the club's committee, earned her the prestigious recognition.“I was very honoured to accept Club Person of the Year with the Boardriders. I’m still gobsmacked about it because there are a lot of good people in this club,” says Leonie.You’ll often find Leonie down on the beach taking photos of all the surfers. She aims to ensure that she gets at least one great photo of everyone, no matter their skill level.“It doesn’t matter to me how good a surfer you are, if you’re out there and having a go, that is what it's all about,” says Leonie.But if she had to pick a favourite of the surfers to take pictures of, it would have to be the youngsters. “A photo tells a story and it captures a moment. And with the Boardriders I love seeing the young surfers and it is so fantastic watching them having fun.”“I was meant to go on a trip to Africa to take photos, but it was cancelled because of COVID-19. So, I started doing some surfing photography instead. I had a friend named Finbar O'Leary, the father of surfer Connor O'Leary, who gave me some great pointers on how to follow the wave,” explains Leonie.When she moved to the area from Sydney a few years ago, Leonie wasn’t sure what to do next. However, after spotting a group of surfers in action, she approached them and asked if she could take some photos. And that was how it all began.Leonie is now deeply involved with the club, especially in fundraising efforts. She’s working on organising events throughout the year to help raise money for Lucy Darragh's journey to the world titles, as well as for the club’s 20-year-old trailer.She also encourages anyone in the community interested in joining the club to reach out. “It’s such a warm community, and it feels like my second home. The friendships I’ve made here are lifelong ones. There are so many wonderful families within Boardriders, and anyone looking for a great environment for their children to grow and develop should join.”The Werri Boardriders are also actively seeking sponsorships. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact the club via their Facebook or Instagram pages.

The 2024 Werri Warrior was one for the history books. 47 individual competitors, 32 teams and three prestigious Gerringong clubs battling it out for glory - but in the end an outsider came home with all the glory.After a swim around a buoy, a run to the north end of Werri Beach, and another two swims, Max Miller and Kobe Sims were the two leaders as they began the final leg running to the top of Gerringong headland and back.Some of the competitors involved in the 2024 Werri Warrior. Source: Gerringong Surf Club Facebook.Warilla’s Kobe Sims surged ahead during the run to the headland and maintained his lead all the way to the finish line. Despite representing Warilla, Sims has deep Gerringong roots - his father, Ashton, is a Gerringong Lions legend and former member of Gerringong SLSC.“He may have moved to Warilla, but he’s a Gerringong boy at heart,” says Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) Vice President Mitch Payne. The Werri Warrior began as just a fun event for the Gerringong SLSC, but has somehow grown into a full community event to the surprise of Payne.“The first Werri Warrior, eight years ago, was a small club event - just a bit of fun for members. We had maybe 10 individual competitors and 10 teams,” says Payne. “Then, during the bushfires in 2019, it naturally evolved into a larger community event. That year, the Gerringong Rugby League Club, Werri Beach Boardriders, and Gerringong SLSC all came together, and since then, it’s been a collaboration among all three clubs.”Although none of the clubs could boast a winner in the individual event, Ross and Noah Finney from the Werri Beach Boardriders won the team event. But despite the friendly rivalry between the clubs, Payne emphasises the event’s unifying power.“It has really brought all the clubs together and created a good vibe on the beach. As someone who grew up in Gerringong, these clubs have never collaborated like this before and I think working together will help build all three clubs for the future,” says Payne.After the event, nearly 400 participants and spectators headed up to the brand-new Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club clubhouse for a tour.“We’re not officially moved in yet, we’re still waiting on a few things. But everyone got a look at it and a tour and they all seemed to be happy with it - we got overwhelmingly positive feedback,” says Payne.Spectators and competitors enjoying the new Gerringong SLSC clubhouse. Source: Gerringong SLSC Facebook.With the success of the Werri Warrior and the new clubhouse, Payne hopes the momentum will attract more members to the Gerringong SLSC for the 2025 season.

From 29 December 2024 to 4 January 2025, ten locals over the age of 40 rowed in the 50th annual George Bass Marathon - a seven day, 190km surf boat race on the open sea stretching from Batemans Bay to Eden. Boat captain Ian Backhouse says that on day seven they were just hitting their stride.“We rowed down Mollymook on the last day. That was very satisfying and we reckon we were just starting to hit our straps. What might have happened if racing had continued for a few more days?” Says Backhouse.The crew were the first ever Men’s Veteran Crew entry in Kiama Surf Lifesaving Club (SLSC) history and finished the race with a combined total time of 16 hours, 49 minutes and 54 seconds, securing 6th place.“The racing was tight on most legs and a tussle for placings took place daily between Kiama, Cottesloe, Mullaloo, and Mollymook. Often the margins were so close that the lead would change every time we or they had a change of crew. Most days we finished only minutes or seconds apart,” says Backhouse.The crew consisted of 8 rowers - Evan Westlake (56), Ian Backhouse (65), Alan Swan (56), Matthew Barnes (47), Dave Selby (57), Nathan McInerny (41), Martin Walker (51) and Ben George (48) - as well as a sweep - Steven Swain (79) - and super-sub Reece Gregory (41).Backhouse was full of praise for the crew’s commitment. “It was an amazing team effort from all crew members as well as their wives and kids who didn’t see them as much during training for 6 months and then away for a whole week during the summer holidays. I am humbled by this level of commitment,” says Backhouse.In addition to the surf boat race, the George Bass Marathon also features a surf ski event over the same course. Peter Gallagher represented Kiama in the veterans division and emerged victorious, impressively winning every leg with a cumulative time of 15 hours, 2 minutes, and 23 seconds.Peter Gallagher receiving his first place trophy. Source: Ian Backhouse“It was a superb effort from a great bloke and much-admired mentor coach and athlete of Kiama SLSC. He was part of our crew touring party and we enjoyed sharing meals and spending time with him during the week,” says Backhouse.Backhouse says that even though it was challenging - and a lot of the crew have some gnarly blisters and bruises to prove it - it was one of the best weeks of his life.“It was physically demanding and difficult but we achieved our goals by completing the course without injury or damage to any equipment. We were camping with all the other competitors and it was a happy experience sharing time and space with other like-minded people enjoying the sport that they love. It brought our members together for an adventure like no other and we will strengthen us as a club,” says Backhouse.The veterans men's George Bass Marathon crew. Source: Ian BackhouseBackhouse expressed his gratitude to all the organisers of the marathon, the families of the crew members, Kiama SLSC, and their sponsors: Ray White Kiama, Kiama Lions Club, and BOAB Commercial Marine. And he gave a special mention to their support crew.“An integral part of our race was Dave Griffin and his crew Charlotte, George and Hannah Griffin. These guardian angels kept us safe and we spent time recovering from our efforts on board that boat,” says Backhouse.He also encouraged younger members of the community to get involved with the surf club and events like the George Bass Marathon.“All of these people and crews mentioned are qualified and proficient life savers patrolling our local beaches and saving lives. Some are getting close to retirement we need younger members to fill our ranks and keep our beaches safe in the future,” says Backhouse.“We encourage anyone in our community to come down to Kiama SLSC and join us. Get your kids involved, it is a great club. The Surf Bronze can be undertaken at age 15 and is a widely recognised workplace award. Surf Life Saving is one pathway to work in health care, nursing, ambulance paramedics, firefighters, police and lifeguards.”If you want to get involved visit https://kiamaslsc.com.au or email Backhouse at [email protected] Bugle congratulates the veteran crew for completing the gruelling 190km race and especially Peter Gallagher for winning first place.

Kiama is serving up excitement with its first ever pickleball competition, set to take place on Saturday 11 January, from 2 PM to 4 PM at the Kiama Leisure Centre.The family friendly event is run by Jones Co. Tennis, and encourages players to participate even if they are new to pickleball.Pickleball is an engaging and dynamic sport, combining long rallies with a mix of soft and fast-paced shots. Success on the court isn’t solely determined by athleticism, power, or speed but also by strategic positioning, patience, tactical thinking, and finesse. It’s played on a smaller hard court surface with a modified net, making it accessible for players of all ages, abilities, and genders without requiring special adaptations.The Jones Co. Tennis pickleball competition runs as a double round robin, with teams of two to four players, and if you don’t have a team, you will be set up with one. The winner will be chosen based on final point scores but there will be other prizes that aren’t just skill based. Director and coach at Jones Co. Tennis, Daniel Jones, says that it has been great to see the community interest in their weekly pickleball sessions, especially the families that come together for it.  Daniel also remarked that the interest from adults is particularly noteworthy as it can be hard to get adults involved in organised activities due to life commitments. Jones Co. Tennis also runs weekly pickleball sessions at Kiama High School, with no experience needed, they will teach players everything they need to know. During the term these sessions run on Tuesday 5:30PM-7:00PM and Thursdays 6:00PM-7:30PM, and during the summer holidays they run only on Thursday 6:00PM-7:30PM. Participants can register via the Jones Co. Tennis website, every member of each team needs to register. The cost is $20 per person. To learn more head to their website or social media. 

WERRI WARRIORGROUP 11

WERRI WARRIORGROUP 10

WERRI WARRIOR GROUP 9