Towards the end of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 300 breast cancer survivors and supporters from around Australia and New Zealand will descend on Hobart for this year’s Pink Paddle Power Regatta. This dragon boating event is organised by Dragons Abreast Australia and the local team, Dragons Abreast Hobart.Dragon boating may be a surprising fighter against Breast Cancer, but evidence supports its healing benefits. It used to be widely believed that women treated for breast cancer should avoid rigorous upper body exercise for fear of developing lymphoedema, a debilitating and chronic side effect of treatment. Dr Don McKenzie, a professor in the Department of Sports Medicine (Canada), challenged this theory in 1996.Dr McKenzie started with 24 female breast cancer volunteers ranging in age from 32 to 64. Dragon boating was chosen due to its strenuous and repetitive movements on the upper body. For three months, he taught and trained them in dragon boating, and at the end, none had lymphoedema.The women involved reported feeling fitter, healthier, and happier, finding a sense of regaining control over their lives. They realised the impact this could have for many survivors and kept paddling, naming their team ‘Abreast in a Boat’ and inviting others to join.Dragons Abreast Australia (DAA) was born in 1998. Through the hard work and drive of Michelle Hanton (OAM), a breast cancer survivor herself, ‘Pink Paddling’ began, and the organisation now has more than 1,100 members from around the country in 29 DAA group clubs and celebrated 25 years of advocacy in 2023.Annie Boulton, a member of DA Illawarra, was diagnosed with breast cancer just after she celebrated her 50th birthday. Like many diagnosed, she felt the heavy weight of such a life-changing diagnosis. After numerous rounds of chemotherapy and surgery, she retired early and moved to Kiama for a change of scenery.Annie found support and friendship through the Illawarra Breast Cancer Support Group, which led her to meet three of the founding members of Dragons Abreast Illawarra—Helen Bent, Catherine Holland, and Lesley Gal.Initially hesitant to join the dragon boating team, Annie said, “I told them that I was Irish, and we are not known to like swimming/water sports. I preferred land-based exercise.” The women persisted, and eventually, in October 2013, Annie relented, taking her first paddles on the water. “Since then, I haven’t looked back, and I cherish my time at the club and wherever it takes me.”In addition to being a paddler, Annie has become a sweep (steering the boat), a coach, and has paddled competitively and socially all over the world. “I have paddled 200m races to marathons. 26 miles up the Thames River, 55 km on the Ord River, 44 km on the Derwent, and 33 km on the Venice canals and around the Venetian islands.”Annie is thrilled to be the sole representative for the DA Illawarra in the upcoming ‘Pink Paddle Power Regatta’ in Hobart this year from October 25-27, run by Dragons Abreast Australia, connecting pink paddlers from all around Australia and New Zealand.Reflecting on her fight against Breast Cancer, Annie now focuses on enjoying what she has rather than what she doesn't have, appreciating the family and friends that show love and support, not looking too far ahead while planning opportunities to paddle PINK around the country and the world, and continuing to help other breast cancer survivors through her work with Dragons Abreast Australia.Illawarra Dragons Abreast currently has 35 members and trains at 8:15 am on Saturdays and Sundays, and at 5:00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays alongside the Illawarra Dragon Boating Club at The Rowing Club in Warrawong. A ‘Pink Paddle’ is held on the first Saturday of every month, with the next one taking place on Saturday, 2nd November. If you're interested in joining, you can contact Annie on 0434 563 095.DAA is a not-for-profit. If you would like to donate or join a team, you can visit Dragons Abreast Australia.

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 14 MIXED COMPETITIONPINK PANTHERS 15 d COASTAL WARRIORS 5

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG UNDER 14 MIXED COMPETITION TRY BABIES 6 drew with ACTIVE TIGERS 6

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 12 MIXED COMPETITIONUNTAGGABLES VS FLAM-INGOES

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 12 MIXED COMPETITIONMINNI MAGIC VS BLAZING STARS

On October 13, Kiama’s Ali Day won his tenth Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold Ironman, maintaining his unbeaten record at the event.The gruelling 41.8km event includes a 23 km ski, a 1 km run, 3.5 km swim, 6.1 km board and an 8.2 km run and Day has raced the event ten times for ten wins.The 34-year-old father of two won the race with a time of 3:59:31 and declared that it will be his last ever race of the event.In a media release from Surf Life Saving Australia, Day stated, “It takes a village to get me here, and as much as I’d love to come back next year, it’s someone else’s turn to win. I hope there’s a kid out there now watching me who can say they’ll do the race next year. But that definitely won’t be me—10 and done.”While Day expressed pride in his victory, he emphasised his commitment to the sport: “Winning is one thing, but showing up year after year, regardless of the conditions or competition, is what I’m most proud of. I’ve challenged myself mentally every time, and that means so much.”Reflecting on his journey, Day recalled, “I came here in 2007 for the old course with my brother for a team event and thought, ‘How does one person do the full race?’ I struggled to complete 23 km as a 16-year-old, jumping off my ski three times because my butt fell asleep. I returned in U19s and failed miserably, telling myself I’d never do it again. And here I am now.”Day is originally from Kiama, and began at Warilla Barrack Point Surf Life Saving Club at the age of 9. On top of his 10 Coolangatta Gold titles, Day is also a five time Iron series champion.The Bugle congratulates Day on adding another spectacular achievement to his ever growing list.

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

KIAMA TRIATHLONRUNNING LEG

KIAMA TRIATHLONCYCLING LEG

KIAMA TRIATHLONSWIMMING LEG

KIAMA TRIATHLONLADIES 13TH OCTOBER 2024

KIAMA TRIATHLONKIAMA TRIATHLON CLUB COMPETITIORS13TH OCTOBER 2024

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

Gerroa’s Sally Fitzgibbons won the EDP Ericeira Pro in Portugal on October 6 against 13-year-old Tya Zebrowski from France.The 33 year old Gerroa surfer won the final against Zebrowski with a combined score of 13.60 against Zebrowski’s 10.80.In a WSL press release, Fitzgibbons expressed her surprise at the outcome. “I knew she had a good score, but it kind of came as a surprise that I got the win. I’m so happy. This new generation coming through is fierce in freesurfs, and it gives you more drive to beat them when you get them in a heat,” she said.In 2023, the 33-year-old Fitzgibbons dropped out of the World Surf League (WSL) top ten, was cut from the Championship Tour (CT), and was forced to compete in the Challenger Series.With this recent victory, she now tops the Challenger Series leaderboard and qualifies for her 14th CT season.Fitzgibbons shared her excitement with WSL about her return to the CT. “It's mixed emotions; this year is so long. But when you put it into perspective, these women are incredibly talented, and it’s so hard to win a heat.”“It’s such an honour to be in this position, competing at such a high level as we move into 2024. I have so many goals—I want to improve my performances at the tour locations, which feature some of the best waves in the world. That really excites me,” Fitzgibbons said.She also acknowledged the importance of support from her hometown in Gerroa: “The support from everyone back home means so much to me. I aim to show up and give my best, and if that means I head back on tour, then everyone has contributed to that.”

The Penrith Panthers etched their names in history on October 6 by winning their fourth consecutive NRL grand final against the Melbourne Storm, which featured Gerringong’s own Tyran Wishart.Tyran, who was wearing the number 14, came on the field in the 33rd minute and played until the 62nd minute. He then came back on in the 72nd minute and played out the match.In his 36 minutes, Wishart managed to get through a remarkable amount of work. He looked dangerous every time he was given the ball, managing 10 hit ups for 93 metres and 2 tackle breaks. Defensively, he made an enormous 37 tackles to go along with that, an impressive workload to get through in his limited game time.Tyran never gave up and persisted until the final siren, but the Panthers finished off winners of the 2024 NRL grand final, 14 points to 6.Tyran unfortunately joins his father Rod Wishart who also lost an NRL grand final off the bench back in 1999 with the St George Illawarra Dragons.Before the game, Rod expressed his pride in Tyran’s successful season, stating, “Win, lose or draw I’m proud of him, the whole family is proud of him and all of Gerringong is proud of him.”The Panthers’ victory solidifies their place in rugby league history, marking four grand final wins in a row and establishing them as one of the sport's most successful teams.

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

Friday, October 17, marks the start of a new summer swim club season, and the Kiama Swimming Club is encouraging all local swimmers to get involved. The summer season, which runs from the beginning of Term 4 to the end of Term 1, takes place weekly on Fridays at the Kiama Leisure Centre. Swimmers of all ages and abilities are welcome to join. Corinna Walker, who has been involved with the swim club for 14 years, says the best part about Kiama Swim Club is its focus on fun and personal improvement rather than competition.“It’s not about being competitive or racing each other. It’s simply for the kids to get up and have a go,” says Walker. “Each week, the kids race against their own times, earning points based on their personal improvement.” Although the heats are set up so swimmers with similar times race together, Walker emphasises that the real competition is with themselves. “They’re racing their own time, not the other swimmers,” she explains. Walker encourages anyone interested in an individual sport, or simply looking to improve their swimming skills, to come along and give it a try.“Swimming is great for kids who aren’t necessarily drawn to team sports or don’t want to commit to one. Plus, our membership fees are affordable, so missing a few sessions isn’t a problem,” she says. “It’s also fantastic for kids to practise starting on the blocks and listening for the starter gun, which is great preparation for school carnivals. We have two technical officials present every night to offer guidance on proper technique and explain disqualification rules, as they would in a race.” Coming off the back of the 2024 Olympics, where swimming was Australia’s most successful sport, Walker hopes the excitement will inspire locals to dive into the new season. “Swimming has always been one of Australia’s strongest sports, especially at the Olympics. Hopefully, this motivates both kids and adults to come and join the fun,” she says. Membership costs $199 and covers both the summer and winter seasons, but new swimmers are welcome to attend two free trial nights to see if they enjoy it before committing. If you’re interested, send your name and age to the Kiama Swimming Club secretary at [email protected], and they’ll provide more details.

Kiama Oztag is set to begin its 15th season on October 14, with over 2,000 players registered across various age groups, making it the biggest participant sport in the Kiama LGA. Oztag is a non-contact version of rugby league that focuses on speed and agility, making it accessible to everyone. Kiama Oztag Association Coordinators Keiron Duncan and Ross Thomas say they never expected the game to grow so large, but they believe its accessibility and fun atmosphere are key draws. “A great part of the competition is that we have that duality. You have competitive players who want to win and play at representative levels, and then you have those who just want to have fun. You don’t need a rugby league background; players come from soccer, AFL, netball—it's all about having a go and running around with your mates,” says Duncan. Thomas emphasises another valuable aspect of the competition: the opportunity for individuals without teams to inquire about joining others. “There have been around 70 individuals who expressed interest in joining teams, and we’ve successfully placed about 56 of them. We hope to find spots for the remaining 12 before the competition starts. It’s a fantastic way to get active, socialise, and meet new people,” Thomas adds. The competition will run through early January and will be played across four venues, including the newly added Kiama Sports Complex fields next to the Kiama Leisure Centre. “We play on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Mondays are for over 35s and senior divisions, Tuesdays are for juniors and some seniors, and Wednesdays feature mixed and men’s teams at the Kiama Leisure Centre, which is a change from previous years,” says Thomas. “This setup allows us to utilise more fields and better lighting, enabling later games, and the parking and facilities are significantly better than at Gainsborough.” In addition to local competitions, Kiama has its own representative team, the Kiama Phantoms, which competes in the State Cup. Players from this team can be selected for national and even international competitions, with both young and older players proudly representing Australia. Duncan and Thomas are optimistic about continued growth, especially in age groups where participation in sports is less common. Since introducing an over 35s men's group and a women’s competition two years ago, participation has surged—from four teams each to eight teams this season. Both coordinators commend each other for their dedication to managing the league, which includes over 150 teams. They also express their gratitude to volunteers, referees, local photographer Brian Scott from The Bugle, and the Kiama District Support Council for their unwavering support. As the season approaches, there’s still time to join in! Interested individuals can contact Kiama Oztag at 0404 204 518. Whether you’re looking to compete or simply have fun with friends, now is the perfect time to get involved!

In October 2020, Tyran Wishart was raising the trophy after winning the Group 7 grand final with the Gerringong Lions. Now, only four years later, he’s preparing for an NRL grand final in front of more than 80 000 people.On October 6 Tyran will wear the number 14 jersey as the Melbourne Storm attempt to end the reign of the Penrith Panthers, but Tyran is adamant that it’s just business as usual for the Craig Bellamy coached side.“Obviously, the Panthers have been in this position for five years, so they have that experience. But we also have players and coaches with plenty of finals experience, and I’m leaning on them and asking questions,” says Tyran.“When it comes to facing them, you can prepare as much as you want, but at the end of the day, you have to play your own style of footy. That’s worked for us throughout the year, so it needs to work for just one more game—80 minutes.”Tyran’s father, Rod Wishart, played 177 NRL games for the Illawarra Steelers and St George Illawarra Dragons, along with 22 games for NSW and 17 for Australia.But he was only in one NRL grand final in 1999 which he lost, ironically, against the Melbourne Storm. But Rod says there is no grudge between himself and the Storm, in fact, he says, there is no better place for his son.“A lot of people ask what I think about Tyran playing for the Storm, and honestly, I couldn’t think of anything better to be honest. I have nothing but respect for the Melbourne Storm,” says Rod. “The little things they do are essential, and they’ve given Tyran the chance to develop his rugby league skills. I don’t think he’d be where he is without them.”As they prepare for this momentous game, both father and son emphasise the importance of enjoying the week while sticking to the game plan and keeping things simple.“I just try and simplify everything. In finals games, everything is a lot quicker and harder and contact is much more intense. Everything is going to be faster and naturally I’ll play a bit harder too, but I think I just have to simplify my role,” says Tyran.“At the end of the day it’s a big occasion, but I think you have to remember to enjoy it. I think you just have to be confident in your ability and if you see an opportunity, trust yourself. Trust the process that your team has got. Trust the Melbourne Storm - they’ve been there and done it that many times,” says Rod.Tyran has had an outstanding 2024 season, securing his place in the NRL side. In his 25 games, he has scored 12 tries and kicked 14 goals. Due to unfortunate mid-year injuries, he led the Storm in the five-eighth role for 10 games, achieving 8 wins.When Tyran is not in a starting role he is in a ‘sort of everyman’ position for the team. A utility coming off the bench that can slot into almost any position including wing, fullback, halfback, hooker and lock.Although this unique role does make it hard for Tyran to prepare for a game, the more he has played it, the more he has gotten comfortable with it, and in that way he has become a bit of a Mr. Fix-it for the Melbourne Storm.“I’m very proud of Tyran’s ability to adapt to any position without getting overwhelmed. He just approaches each challenge with, This is my job, whether he’s on the wing, at fullback, or in the pack. The Storm appreciates having someone who can slot into any role and get the job done,” says Rod.“It was different and a little hard to prepare, but I think I’ve managed to find a routine in order for me to get comfortable. And like I said, I don’t like to think about it too much, I just try and tick off what I need to throughout the week to know that I’ve prepared the best that I can,” says Tyran.Rod coached Tyran in the juniors at the Gerringong Lions and both believe that his time there has contributed a lot to the way he plays today, and even his decision to go and play in Melbourne.“That’s where you learn everything in your juniors, and to have those players to look up to back home just made every kid want to do well back home,” says Tyran. “The club at Gerringong is very similar to the Storm in the way that it is run, obviously to a much higher degree here. But in the simple ways: everyone gets along and family comes first,” says Tyran.Rod says that he couldn’t be more proud of Tyran and that the whole town of Gerringong will be behind him when he runs out on Sunday.“I think he’s been humble and he’s just worked extremely hard to get where he is and he deserves where he is. Win, lose or draw I’m proud of him, the whole family is proud of him and all of Gerringong is proud of him. And he is a proud Gerringong boy and he will never forget where he came from and the people who have helped him get where he is,” says Rod.The Melbourne Storm face the Penrith Panthers at 7:30 PM on Sunday, October 6. The Bugle wishes Tyran good luck and congratulates him on reaching this significant milestone!