When asked to write about the Gerringong Rotary Markets I was intrigued, having in another life worked as the Manager and Assistant Manager of Sydney’s Rocks Market – by contrast a huge operation (150 plus stalls at the time – most ‘permanent’) and decidedly ‘for profit’. Most casual visitors to the monthly Gerringong market would be unaware of its original raison d’etre, and ongoing clear focus, while they browse the eclectic range of stalls, bask in the relaxed coastal vibe, and sample its tasty food offerings. In July 2007, a group of Gerringong Rotarians started the market to raise funds for local, national, and international charitable projects and programs. The market was founded by then Rotary President Sandra Hainsworth with the help of then Market Manager Neil Miller, and with strong support from the then Mayor of Kiama, Sandra McCarthy, OAM.The market is staffed solely by a team of unpaid dedicated volunteers (mostly Gerringong Rotary members, with several ‘Friends of Rotary’), who also man the popular market barbecue – from which emanates enticing aromas of the legendary egg and bacon rolls and sausage sandwiches, to warmly welcome visitors. A range of talented local volunteer musicians generously provide music to add to the market’s ambience and support its aims. Town Hall indoor stallMarket committee member and regular volunteer duty manager, Christa Wood, a retired University of Wollongong academic, expresses her appreciation of the local Gerringong community, who are “very supportive of all their community organisations.”Wood wears many hats, including Gerringong Rotary Treasurer and Vice President Berry Writers Festival. She says she’s, “always amazed at the support and assistance we get from community members.” Most sites cost $55 per day (with no price rise in about the last ten years), of which the market currently pays Kiama Council an $11 fee. All profits are donated to an extensive and diverse range of charities and charitable projects, which to date included programs and activities involving:at-risk youth;young people - to reach their full potential (such as leadership and career opportunities) including apprenticeships, exchange students, and an international school in Tanzania; refugees;medical charities providing assistance to developing countries (such as Interplast Australia & New Zealand, Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children and Operation Cleft); homeless and disadvantaged people - including SALT and Homestead of Hope;disaster areas, through direct donations or Shelterbox;locals living with dementia and their carers, such as Dementia Inclusive Dancing and the Alchemy Chorus; local NFP organisations, such as the Rural Fire Service (RFS);local sporting clubs in need of funds;environmental projects, such as Adopt-a-Tree; andindigenous projects, including a sporting program for Aboriginal students, and an indigenous newspaper in Ngukurr. Organisers reserve two (or more, if able) unpaid stall sites each month for local charities/not-for-profits, including the Gerringong Red Cross. Their popular Devonshire teas, served in the Town Hall, draw dedicated regular repeat fans, including a committed group of seniors from Uniting Gerringong.  Vibrant rosemary, sage, bay and cinnamon herbal space clearing sticksWith a quality, boutique feel and prioritising local and handcrafted goods, the market aims to be ‘more Paddington than Paddys,’ according to market committee member, volunteer duty manager (when I visited), and retired Gerringong vet, Andrejs Medenis – in a reference to well-known Sydney markets. Trading with an average of 50-60 stalls (more in summer, less in winter and extreme weather), the all-weather market offers a wide range of products, including unique fashion items, quality second-hand clothes, bags, leather goods, jewellery (from costume to high end), handicrafts and small furniture pieces, skincare and cosmetic items, hair accessories, ceramics, homewares, baby/toddler items, toys, eco-friendly wares, pet products and plants. Tempting food offerings include fresh local produce, honey, nuts, delicatessen items, cakes and pastries, pies/sausage rolls, Gozleme and dumplings. Popular market Entertainment the Southern StompersAlong with casual walk-in tourists passing through, the visitor demographic includes a strong local customer base – including from the Shoalhaven and Illawarra, and regular visitors from Greater Sydney staying in holiday homes and caravan parks. Many visitors come back regularly to pick up specific product favourites. The market is also popular with families – kids can play safely in the onsite playground, while parents browse nearby stalls or relax and enjoy a sausage sandwich or other culinary delight.Renowned Rotary BBQGerringong Rotary Markets is on the third Saturday of each month at the Old School Park and Gerringong Town Hall, in Fern Street.Prospective stallholders are encouraged to make contact via an application form on the Gerringong Rotary website: https://gerringongrotary.org.au/.

Australia Post and Beyond Blue have launched an expanded campaign to support mental wellbeing, designed to reach over five million mailboxes across Australia, including rural areas. Research indicates that nearly one in three Australians grapple with loneliness, especially in our remote and regional areas. This initiative, now in its fourth year, aims to combat loneliness and promote community connection. The two-part ‘connection postcard’, featuring artwork by Australian artist Jocelyn Proust, includes mental health information and a prepaid postcard for personalised notes. New South Wales will receive 1,047,000 of these postcards this May. Beyond Blue ambassador, Brad McEwan, encourages participation, emphasising the impact of such small gestures. Messages on the postcards prompt recipients to share thoughts, memories, and stories, fostering meaningful connections. Beyond Blue Chief Executive Officer, Georgie Harman, underscores the importance of community support and accessible mental health resources. Australia Post has an ongoing partnership with Beyond Blue that aims to provide vital mental health information and support to millions of Australians. 

Kiama is gearing up to host book lovers and literary enthusiasts from far and away for the Kiama Readers’ Festival over the weekend of 19-20 July. This year, the festival promises two jam-packed days of literary discussion, insightful author talks, and the opportunity to mingle with like-minded individuals who share a passion for the written word. The festival has been organised by the volunteer group Friends of Kiama Library, which supports the Kiama public library service and the local community. They have done it spectacularly by creating a stimulating and enjoyable program for members and the local area alike.Day one of the program focuses on food and literature, welcoming authors such as Fiona Weird of Buena Vista farms, Kirsten Bradley and Craig Castree. The evening sees Fred Smith deliver a performance and discussion called “The Dust of Uruzgan,” at Kiama Library. Day two features appearances by renowned authors Hugh Mackay, Sue Williams, Chris Hammer and others. For the final session, Chris Hammer and Michael Brissenden will discuss Australian crime writing. The festival will conclude with dinner at the Kiama Leagues Club where attendees can join writer and social commentator Jane Caro, who will be the guest speaker. For those eager to spend a weekend enjoying reading and writing delights, visit the Kiama Library website: for  tickets and the full program.Keep an eye out in The Bugle for exciting updates leading up to the festival!

While the Kiama Council posted a $7.7m loss for 2022-23, there are green shoots rising through the ledger, as this is a $2.4m improvement compared to last financial year.Yet, serious issues remain with council spending more than it earns, a continuing failure to verify some of its assets and accurately track the movement of monies in previous financial years, according to its newly released annual financial statement.Blue Haven Terralong posted a $2.54m loss for the financial year.Some of the achievements were:Progress towards accurate and complete financial reporting on fixed assets. Ninety percent of the total Infrastructure, Property, and Equipment balance has been verified and audited (value $521m), andRestricted and allocated cash movements were verified, except for the opening balances (previously disclaimed) of the Domestic Waste and Crown Land Reserve balances.“The improvement is due to a focus to improve operating performance and financial sustainability,” CEO Jane Stroud says.“This drive will continue over the next few years, as Council seeks to reduce the loss position, produce a balanced budget and operating result, and meet the requirements of the NSW Government Performance Improvements Orders.”“Our finance team has worked diligently to prepare these statements following on from the significant challenges of presenting the 2020-21 and 2021-22 statements.”“That is a monumental achievement and one which finally gets Kiama Council back to real-time financial data, and a normal cycle of financial year end and audits,” Ms Stroud says.The statement flagged Council was in negotiation with a potential buyer for Blue Haven Bonaira which was, “expected to be finalised by June 2024.”Ms Stroud says no new issues were raised by auditors and some key matters from the previous audits had been progressed or cleared.The Kiama Council building.Even so, Independent Auditor Michael Kharzoo had reservations about the accuracy of some figures.“The disclaimer of opinion on the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2022 affected my ability to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence on the opening balances at 1 July 2022.” “This is a limitation on the scope of my audit as I was unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to determine the impact on ‘Depreciation, amortisation and impairment’ in the Income Statements of the Declared Business Activities,” he wrote.Mr Kharzoo could not assert the, “completeness, accuracy, valuation, existence or condition of the asset classes.”Council stated it could not verify $56m of assets such as roads, land improvements, recreational assets and more, in the financial statements.It also could not verify the movements of some balances for infrastructure, plant and equipment for the year ending 30 June 2023.This lack of clarity on the council’s financial situation was why the Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman, issued an Performance Improvement Order in October 2022.Minister Tuckerman was concerned about the council’s use of “funds other than the restricted purpose,” which may refer to council’s alleged access of resident’s deposits to build the $109m Blue Haven Bonaira facility.The council statements can be found here.

The Gerringong Music Club is excited to present James Fortune and Georgia Lowe, a flute and harp duo, at the Gerringong Town Hall on Sunday, 19th May 2024, from 2 pm to 3.30 pm. Located at 106 Fern Street, Gerringong NSW, the event promises a delightful afternoon of popular opera arias and art songs.Imogen Stewart, the Musical Director of the Gerringong Music Club, shares, "Audiences can expect a program of opera arias, art songs arranged by Georgia Lowe and a recent Australian commission. The concert will be followed by the Club’s Annual General Meeting, where we will discuss exciting plans for the upcoming year. It is an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow members, express your ideas and actively participate in shaping the future of the Gerringong Music Club.”Tickets can be booked online or purchased at the door. Members, children, and students enjoy complimentary access, while visitors can secure their seats for $30. To reserve your spot, visit Gerringong Music Club's website.Founded in 2003, the Gerringong Music Club is dedicated to enriching lives through music. Their commitment to curating an exceptional annual concert program has made them a cornerstone of cultural enrichment in Gerringong. Join them for an afternoon of musical enchantment and community engagement with James Fortune and Georgia Lowe.

IntroductionThe Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal language group were the main Aboriginal inhabitants of the Illawarra area, and a clan was centred around Werri Beach and Crooked River/Gerroa. Here is a great story of a cricket team, which was formed from the Crooked River area 130 years ago. It’s an important piece of Gerringong history.The formation of the teamThere is no record of the cricket club being formed, and the reasons why it was created.However, it can be surmised that ‘King’ Mickey Weston was the person behind the formation of the team. Mickey Weston was the Elder who oversaw the tribes from the Illawarra to Seven Mile Beach (at least) and he would regularly travel to these places. I imagine that he had a great interest in cricket and was keen to put together a team.Was the team just made up of indigenous men from Crooked River? It is possible, but it is also likely that some came from other places. There were mentions of Sims and Longbottoms in the team. The Longbottoms were prominent at Kiama and the Sims at Werri Beach.The name Crooked River was not always used as well. Sometimes, it was mentioned that the team came from Gerringong or maybe the South Coast. However, it may have been a convenience as I imagine the name Crooked River was not well known outside the Gerringong District.A sure thing is that one of the first challenges for Mickey was to get the proper playing equipment. One thing that is consistent with most of the games played was that the team would, ‘put on a show’ after the game. This might include a corroboree and a demonstration of boomerang throwing. The ‘hat’ was taken around to collect money from the spectators. Often, there was a ‘goodly’ crowd there to watch the match and the entertainment. Another thing that seemed to happen at most games was that the Indigenous team were always the visitors and, as such, were entertained to a luncheon/afternoon tea. Apparently, on one occasion against Gerringong, this did not happen and the players were most put out according to a letter to the editor!Apart from newspaper advertisements announcing the coming games, the first mention of an actual game report was from Saturday, 27 January 1894, reported in the Kiama Independent and Shoalhaven Reporter. Thank you to Trove.CRICKET.(From a Correspondent.)A match was played at Gerringong on Wednesday last between Mickey Weston's Team of Aboriginals and a 2nd team of the local club which resulted in a win for the former by 22 runs. The scores were:           GerringongA, Wilson, b Cummins ........ 13M. Hanrahan, lbw,b Sutton ... 7J. Wilson, b Longbottom........31R. M. Miller, b Button........ 0J. Fields, b Cummins ......... 0J. W, Francis, c and b Cummings3T. Hanharhan c Simms, b Longbottom......- ..........      0B. Johnstone, b Cummings ...  3M. Burke, b Cummings ........ 2T. F. Seage, not out .........8R. Gordon, c Matto, b Cummins.0- Sundries …                  17Total .....                   87Aboriginals.B. Hoskins, b Wilson .....,     4Sutton, b Wilson                0Walker, b Wilson ......... . .. 0W. Broughton, b Wilson ....     8Hunt, b Johnston                1T. Simms, b Wilson .....        8G. Longbottom, not out         51Judson, b Wilson ........       4Matto, c Fields, b Miller..     6A. Cummings c Hanrahan b Miller 5Edwards, b Wilson ...        . 12Sundries ...... ...... .       13                               109A Cummings appears to be a very good bowler!The next game mentioned comes up in the paper 3rd February in a game against Jamberoo. The ‘Gentlemen of Colour’ arrived with plenty of time for the match and were entertained at lunch by ‘the white fellows’. They were one player short, and a Gerringong white boy substituted during the game.Micky Weston’s team scored 31 in the first innings and 77 in the second. The Jamberoo team got 84 and were 2 for 27 when stumps were called.After this the large number of spectators were entertained by a demonstration of boomerang throwing. It was noted that the crowd was the largest that had been to any Jamberoo game that season.The visitors were then entertained at ‘tea’. A collection was taken up to help the team and 1 pound, 7 shillings and sixpence was collected. The next match was only a few days later at Kiama. There was an extensive report on the proceedings in the paper.   The next mention is a game between Gerringong CC and the Crooked River CC on 17th February with Gerringong scoring 128 and the Aboriginals 69. W. Sutton scoring 27no.On 22 March, the Gerringong Aboriginal CC, as it was called in the article, travelled to Shellharbour to play a match. The Aboriginal team won the game scoring 78 to Shellharbour’s 40. Top scorers were T. Simms and Joe Dixon, who both scored 20. It does not mention how they got there.The next game mentioned was a trip to Wollongong. A ‘goodly crowd’ was in attendance. The papers were all in praise of the Aboriginal team, displaying great skills. The team was described as ‘Mickey Weston’s team from Gerringong.’ The Aboriginals scored 36 and 8 for 25 and Wollongong 78. When they travelled to Comerong on May 8 to play, they were called the South Coast Aboriginal Cricket team. In this match, they scored 35 and 31 as against Comerong with 44 and 70.This is the last game mentioned in 1894 and the last mention of the Crooked River team. Mickey, however, appears to have put together another team of Dharawal men and played in the Wollongong areas in later years.Joe Dixon was the best player from the team. He forged out a career with Gerringong CC.

Prepare your taste buds for a culinary adventure as 'The Perfect Plate 2024' competition makes a grand return for its fourth annual showdown! The competition celebrates the quality and range of cuisine available at clubs throughout NSW. It also aims to recognize the immense talent of chefs in the industry while enticing patrons to explore the culinary delights offered by clubs. Public voting runs from 30 April to 16 June (11:59 pm).We recently visited the Kiama Leagues Club to savour their delectable entry - the 'Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder.'The club’s apple cider braised pork shoulder was a delightful blend of warmth and flavour, featuring a subtle apple infusion that complemented the dish perfectly. The generous portion size and the tender, mouth-watering pork were highly satisfying, priced at $30 for non-members and $28 for members; it offers great value.Also throwing their hat in the ring for Kiama are the Cedar Cutters Sports Bar, presenting their enticing Braised Beef Short Rib with Dauphinoise Potato, Herb Pea Puree, and Braising Marrow Jus, and the Kiama Bowling & Recreation Club Limited Summit Bar & Grill with their Pork Knuckle. Here's how you can participate and indulge in this gastronomic competition:TASTE: Visit a club near you and savour a ‘Perfect Plate’ competition dish.VOTE: Show your support by scanning the Perfect Plate QR code at the club or search from the provided list. Keep your receipt handy for verification.WIN: Get a chance to win daily $100 dining vouchers or a 'Foodie Getaway' for two valued at up to $3,500. The more dishes that you vote for, the higher your chances are of winning.SHARE: Share your Perfect Plate Awards experience by posting photos using the hashtag: #perfectplate2024This year, culinary expert Matt Moran and Masterchef finalist Courtney Roulston serve as ambassadors for the Perfect Plate competition. Awards include 13 regional winners based on dish scores, three state winners categorised by club size, and one statewide winner for the best dessert. Winning clubs receive commemorative plaques and top three statewide winners get advertising campaigns worth $10,000 each.The Bugle wishes the Kiama Leagues Club every success once more. To explore more participating restaurants and dive deeper into the Perfect Plate experience, visit: perfectplate.com.au.

The much-anticipated Enchanted Forest light event has been postponed due to the prediction of heavy rainfall. The new opening date will be Friday, 24 May. Event organisers have inspected the Blackbutt Forest site and deemed it unsuitable for vehicle access. The team is unable to get the necessary equipment on site without impacting the waterlogged terrain. The Enchanted Forest 2023. Photo credit: Laservision.Ticket holders for sessions between 17-23 May will be contacted by Laservision to reschedule their booking. Laservision CEO Shannon Brooks says the postponement is unfortunate but unavoidable. Chris Homer, Mayor for Shellharbour says, “unfortunately, we can’t control Mother Nature,” but emphasises that the community is still excited for the Enchanted Forest to return to the city. For more information, and to reserve tickets, visit: www.theenchantedforest.com.au.

As Mother’s Day quickly approaches, NSW Fair Trading has issued a warning against potential shopping scams and urging consumer diligence. Whether it be flowers, chocolates, or other gifts, consumers must take responsibility for what they buy and where from. While Mother’s Day usually calls for showering mothers with gifts, it also brings about an increased risk of falling victim to fraudulent schemes. NSW Fair Trading Commissioner, Natasha Mann, emphasises the importance of informed consumer decisions in light of the increasing cost of living pressure. “A little bit of research could go a long way to avoiding a Mother’s Day headache,” says Mann, adding the need to scrutinise terms and conditions, refund policies, and expiry dates before making any transactions. Mother’s Day serves as an opportune moment to cultivate new online and in-person shopping practices, ensuring protection against unnecessary spending or data breaches. The mantra remains the same: Avoid impulsive purchases, stick to budgets, and verify the credibility of websites.Shoppers across the region are advised to compare prices diligently, check business reviews for credibility, and exercise caution when opting for gift cards. Last year, there were 376 complaints lodged surrounding gift card purchases. For further guidance on consumer rights and savvy shopping tips, you can visit NSW Fair Trading: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/. In the midst of celebrating mothers across the nation, consumers must stay vigilant when shopping both online and in store. 

Kiama MP, Gareth Ward, has delivered a Private Members Statement in Parliament, acknowledging and commending the bravery and dedication of local emergency service personnel during the flooding that occurred in Kiama throughout the weekend of 6-7 April 2024.With almost 2,000mm of rainfall in the community over an exceptionally short period, flash flooding was inevitable and with it came enormous damage to homes, roads and infrastructure. Many locals were forced to flee their homes due to their floors, which saw sewage and stormwater entering homes and rendering them uninhabitable.Ward expressed his gratitude to Kiama’s State Emergency Service (SES) unit when he visited Kiama SES unit volunteers following the events of the storm and again in his Parliament address.“I acknowledge Kiama unit commander Chris Warren, Shellharbour unit commander Ray Merz, and local commander John Wall. I also acknowledge Nowra unit commander Jo Allen, and local commander Adam Carney.“I acknowledge Shoalhaven SES headquarters in Nowra, the Jamberoo RFS and all other emergency responders that played a critical role in assisting with the latest natural disaster to beset my community,” said Ward.  Among the heroes recognised was Mitch Rosser, a local tradesman whose quick thinking and bravery saved a life amidst the chaos of the floods. Rosser acted quickly and selflessly when he heard cries for help on his property on Saturday 6 April, successfully rescuing a man from flood waters with his pool scoop. Check out our article on Mitch Rosser here. Ward commended Rosser’s courage and nominated him for Premier’s Award. Reflecting on the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change, Ward has emphasised the importance of investing in preparedness and recovery efforts. He announced plans to introduce a bill imposing fines on those who recklessly drive through flood waters, proposing revenue is directed to support the SES volunteers risking their lives in rescue operations. Acknowledging the challenges faced by the community in rebuilding after the disaster, Ward thanked the NSW Reconstruction Authority and several government officials for their support in disaster recovery.Despite the extensive damage the community experienced and the ongoing recovery left to be done, Ward has expressed optimism for the resilience and restoration of Kiama and its surrounding areas.

In a battle of rival aerial images, the Friends of Minnamurra River (FOMR) blame Boral’s 5B sand mine south of Dunmore House, for killing grey estuary mangroves. Boral claims the dieback started before the mining began.Locals first noticed the dieback near the mine site in early March 2024, as shown in FOMR’s drone photos. Sand mining began on the site on 30 October 2023.Mangrove dieback from water course (Credit FOMR)FOMR spokesperson Will Chyra says the sand mine may have changed drainage patterns, which caused the mangroves to wither and die.“Mangrove dieback has a number of common causes such as human intervention to local groundwater and drainage patterns, dredging for industrial purposes or housing developments and physical disturbance from clearing riparian vegetation,” Will Chyra says.“The estuary dieback areas also appear to extend from the larger area near the shore, along both sides of tidal channels fringed with dead and dying mangroves, to a number of smaller dieback areas closer to the main river,” he says.In mid-February 2024, Boral cleared all vegetation around the 5B dredging site, including a 400-year-old Bangalay sand forest and the rare Southeast Littoral Rainforest.A Boral spokesperson says the images it supplied, taken in June and July 2022, show the start of environmental degradation - “a grey area”- before the construction of the 5B site.Aerial images supplied by Boral, June & July 2022 (Credit Nearmap).“Boral notes that aerial images of the small area of mangrove referred to by FOMR show progressively reducing mangrove vitality before the establishment of the Stage 5B pond … and is not likely to be the result of Boral activities,” a Boral spokesperson says.“An alternative explanation could be that the mangrove dieback was due to changes in sea and water levels.”Yet, an enlarged Google Map dated July 2022, shows little observable damage to the mangroves south of Dunmore House.Boral sand mine 5B on left and mangroves to the right, July 2022 (Credit: Google Maps)FOMR has asked the Department of Planning and Environment, and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to investigate.Mangroves take carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and bury it in their roots for thousands of years, which is released when they die.The NSW Department of Primary Industries imposes a maximum penalty of $220,000 for a corporation, or $110,000 for an individual, found to have damaged a mangrove without a permit.The dredge pit area will be left as a private lake at a depth of 27 metres, and will cover 7.5 hectares (18.5 acres), when Boral exhausts the sand supply in about 12 months.The Dunmore Lakes Sand Mine project was approved by the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission in November 2020.

Youth Week 2024 (11 - 21 April) has been hailed a success by both young people and their families. Hosted by Kiama Council’s SENTRAL Youth Services team, Youth Week was packed with a variety of activities and events to provide entertainment and a sense of community for people aged 12-24 years. The festivities boasted a variety of engaging options, such as classic favourites like a day at Zone Bowling, which included laser tag, arcades games and bumper rides. Other events included an outdoor movie night and gaming sessions at the SENTRAL cottages. SENTRAL also encouraged the creative side of young individuals, providing an array of workshops including 3D printing and painting. Other events fostered exploration and appreciation for our environment, such as fishing outings that provided an opportunity to connect with nature and learn about marine life. For those seeking more adventurous experiences, an overnight camping trip featuring kayaking and bouldering offered a chance to develop survival skills, resilience and teamwork. The theme of Youth Week 2024 was ‘Express, Empower, Get Loud!’. SENTRAL services did a great job providing opportunities for young people to emulate these values, providing them with experiences and educational opportunities to build skills and feel empowered in a safe and inclusive environment. The young participants got to have their say for future Youth Weeks, with suggestions such as deep sea fishing, surfing, rock climbing, and biking all at the top of the list for next year - a challenge the SENTRAL team is more than willing to accept.  

Kids Helpline, run by yourtown, has unveiled a new mental health care platform called ‘My Circle,’ in response to the growing demand for mental health support digitally. In collaboration with several stakeholders, including the Bupa Foundation and the University of Sydney’s Cyberpsychology Research Group, My Circle offers a free, private, and anonymous social network, moderated by clinical professionals and provides a safe space for peer support. The platform introduces a new level of accessibility for how young people access and receive mental health assistance.Tracy Adams, CEO of yourtown, emphasises the urgent need to address mental health challenges that young people face today. “We cannot allow mental ill-health to become the new norm in children and young people,” she states.Supported by a $1M investment from the Bupa Foundation, the platform has already gained significant traction with nearly 4,000 new users last year, 70 per cent of which falls within the age group 13-17. With an age range of 12-25 years old, young people in the Kiama area are encouraged to join the free platform. My Circle has seen a lot of growth since it began in 2021 and is a safe and private way for our youth to connect on matters that are prevalent to their peers with qualified Kids Helpline Counsellors monitoring. With its innovative approach, involving young people in the design and implementation of the platform, and commitment to empowering young people, My Circle represents a significant step forward in the provision of mental health support for teenagers in Australia. Fore more information and to join the platform you can click here.

A former TV presenter from Better Homes And Gardens and garden landscaper designer, who started enjoying growing tomatoes from the age of seven, and a fireman . Jason Hodges has won nine Logie Awards, and also the Silver Gilt medal for the eight time with his team at the Chelsea Flower Show in the UK. He’s also a four-time winner at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, where he did a design called, “Welcome Garden” for this year’s edition.Jason now lives in Berry, enjoying the good life. He runs his own business as a Buxus farmer – ‘Green Art Gardens‘ and also Canary Island Palm Farm. The members enjoyed the talk given by Jason, a very knowledgeable, funny and down-to-earth guy, who had us all laughing and learning. You might spot him enjoying a coffee at the local cafes to say hi too. 

As National Walk Safely to School Day approaches on Friday 10 May, Shellharbour schools are gearing up to embrace the initiative with open arms. Mayor Chris Homer is encouraging children and their parents or carers to ditch the car and lace up their walking shoes. The initiative aims to highlight the numerous benefits of regular walking, particularly to and from school. Tullimbar Public School in Shellharbour is one such school participating in the initiative. The annual National Walk Safely to School Day is in its 25th year of promoting physical health, the importance of road safety and environmental consciousness due to decreased car dependency that causes air pollutionMayor Homer emphasised the significance of daily physical activity for children’s overall health and mental wellbeing saying, “I have always been an advocate of leading a healthy lifestyle. This initiative is a wonderful way of setting up regular walking habits for children.”  The initiative is championed by the Pedestrian Council of Australia. Their Chief Executive Harold Scruby adds, “Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. We should encourage them to take a walk before school, during and at the end of their day.”For more information click here.

By Rev. Jodie McNeillSenior Minister, Jamberoo Anglican ChurchThe Primate of all of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Archbishop Nathan Ingen, visited the Jamberoo Anglican Church as part of his visits to churches in the Sydney region. Archbishop Ingen is the leader and spokesperson for the three million Anglicans scattered over hundreds of remote communities.Archbishop Ingen was invited by the Archbishop of Canterbury to attend the Primates Meeting in Rome, but chose to accept the invitation of the Archbishop of Sydney to nurture the partnership his Diocese shares with like-minded, gospel-centred Anglicans, in fellowship with Gafcon Global Anglicans. The Senior Minister at Jamberoo Anglican Church, Jodie McNeill, hosted the Primate during the Sunday Service on 5 May at 4:00pm, and took the opportunity to interview the Archbishop in front of the congregation.Archbishop Ingen is a rural clergyman, serving as a bishop in the Diocese of Apro Rongo, in a place he describes as, “on the top of a mountain” in the highlands of PNG. During the interview, Archbishop Ingen identified three challenges to his role: “finances, training pastors, and reaching remote communities”. In PNG, the church provides 98 percent of the health and education services, bringing practical care to a country that lacks many of the everyday necessities, which are often taken for granted in Australia. Close to his heart is the recruitment and training of pastors, and Archbishop Ingen remains deeply thankful for the financial partnership provided by churches in the Sydney Diocese, such as Jamberoo Anglican. At present, they are building a theological college in the highlands of PNG, and they are seeking additional funds to set up another ministry training facility in Alotau, near Milne Bay, on the East Coast.

Nobody died and the boat didn’t sink. But nonetheless, the return of the Signa to Kiama Harbour managed to create quite a stir, with locals braving the drizzling weather to occupy vantage points along the foreshore. Many people have memories of the Signa, and a significant number of them showed up in Kiama on May 8 to commemorate its return after two years in dry dock at Albion Park.After an estimated 12,000 hours of volunteer labour, the boat, which was originally launched in 1970, has been lovingly restored to its former glory with new windows, new engines, and new fittings.  Those showing up to mark the event included former charter operators, fishermen who used to hire the boat on weekends and even the children of the original builder of the boat, Bob Riddell, who built the boat in the coffin factory his boss Jack Paton owned. It was one of the first dedicated game fishing boats ever seen in Australia, and large by the standards of the day. Signa being lowered into Kiama Harbour. Photo: John Stapleton.The boat is named after Jack’s wife, Signa. Bob Riddell’s daughter, Jane Dove of Woy Woy, drove down to Kiama for the event. “Just to see the boat is fantastic, my father built it and 50 years later, it is still going,” she said. “We never got a trip on it. My father was a very quiet person, he was just going to work building a boat.”Son Greg Riddell remembers to this day the boat being launched near Silverwater Bridge in Sydney. “My father would have loved to have been here,” he says. The Riddell children might never have gone out to sea in the boat, but plenty of other people did, including, famously, actor Lee Marvin of Hollywood fame, along with Bob and Dolly Dyer of Pick-A-Box, a television program familiar to any Australian old enough to remember the 1960s. For a time, the boat was owned by the famous Sydney restaurant Doyles, which used it for their high-profile customers. A clearly delighted John Hansen, who funded the project, wants above all to pay tribute to the many people who helped restore the boat.Those he wishes to thank by name include his wife Sandra, who has been an enthusiastic supporter, Rex Jones, Richard Roman aka Don, Peter Rook, Lawrie Lovegrove, Graham Williams, Rob Hoffmeister and Geoffrey Farrer. “It was ten times bigger than we thought,” he says. “It was a labour of love. We were all retirees, they all played golf together. And once they started on the boat it was a labour of love, they just loved doing it.”Sandra and John Hansen. Photo credit: John Stapleton.As to how it all came about, John Hansen says he and a friend Rex Jones had previously rebuilt a small fishing boat and as retirees were looking around for another project. The Signa came up for sale, and the rest is history. Except they had no idea quite what they were buying into. The boat was in poor condition, having basically been rotting in the harbour for some time, and having been officially declared unseaworthy. “We suddenly realised when the boat was ours how complicated the project was,” he recalls. “We have basically rebuilt the entire boat.”As Sandra recalls: “The bones of Signa, the hull, was good, it was a good boat, it just needed attention. The deck and the roof and parts of the floor inside were just rotted. We took out nearly two tonnes of rubbish.”Signa is expected to stay at mooring in Kiama Harbour for the next several weeks as the timber boat adjusts to being back in the water, the new engines settle in and the final bits of cosmetic work, including cabinetry and carpeting. “Cosmetic stuff,” Sandra calls the final adjustments. “The kitchen’s been done, the bathroom, all the hard stuff has been done.”Sigma being maneuvered. Photo credit: John Stapleton.And there it is, back in Kiama Harbour, a boat full of memories, as many of those in attendance were quick to recall. Kevin Adams, who went out on the boat with his father, Bruce, who helped build the original refrigeration, said his father, too, would have loved to have been there. “It is amazing what they have done with the refurbishment,” he says. “They have done a great job. At the time Signa was a master, it was one of the biggest boats around built out of wood.” Wayne Hollingsworth, who before he retired to the South Coast used to come down from Sydney with a group of mates and hire out the boat for fishing trips, says: “Seeing it brings back a lot of memories. It was a good boat, solid in the water. I used to see it in the harbour in recent years, it was just rotting away.” One of the most obvious things about the freshly restored Signa is how good the woodwork, including the original teak, looks. Retired carpenter Lawrie Lovegrove, when asked why he was prepared to spend so many hundreds of hours on the project, including countless hours sanding, just shrugs: “Silly old bastard.”Well, thanks to a lot of silly old buggers, Kiama now has a beautifully restored and intriguing part of Australia’s maritime history in pride of place.  

Within the last five years, Michael Williams, his best mate Josh Walton, and his younger brothers, Ben and Tom, all played their 200th game for the Kiama Power Senior AFL club. Michael plays in the backline, Josh is a utility, Ben’s in the midfield and Tom’s a forward.They have also won three premierships together: in 2009 (versus the Bomaderry Tigers), in 2011 (versus Wollongong University) and in 2018 (versus the Wollongong Lions).The Bugle reached Michael on an morning off from work to chat about his 200 games landmark moment.1) When did you reach the 200-game milestone?“Myself, I reached it in 2022. Josh and Ben, both did in 2019. And Tom last year,” he says.Brothers Ben, Tom and Michael Williams. Photo credit: Michael Williams.2) How did it feel?“It felt really good.”“Me and Josh have been playing for Kiama since we were 10-years-old in 2000, which was the second year for the Junior club. Josh played in the first-ever year for the Juniors in 1999.”“We both started playing for the senior club in 2006, Ben in 2008 and Tom in 2010.”3) How was it celebrated that you'd played 200 games?“The whole club and team made it a big deal. It was a bit embarrassing. But the others got the same treatment, so it was good,” he chuckles.4) Did you receive anything to commemorate the occasion?“They gave us a beer mug with the 200 games engraved and the Kiama logo during the end-of-year presentation. I got it in the living room, in a display cabinet.”“It’s been a good journey, playing together with my two brothers and my best mate. I feel lucky,” he concludes.

The Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) have teamed up with Bakers Delight for the annual Pink Bun campaign to shed light on the diverse experiences and needs of Australian women, navigating a breast cancer diagnosis. This year’s campaign features three unique narratives from Kansas, Sam and Jill, hailing from different corners of Australia, who have come together to share their stories and the invaluable support received from BCNA. Kansas received her diagnosis as a 24-year-old in rural Victoria and credits BCNA’s Pink Lady Match for her timely diagnosis. The Pink Lady Match acted as a reminder for Kansas to get a lump on her breast checked out. Sam contacted BCNA’s free helpline to share a confronting experience when she went through an airport screening with a breast prosthesis, which prompted BCNA into action to advocate for and help give people like Sam a voice. Jill faced metastatic breast cancer and also benefited from BCNA’s advocacy, with her medication now being subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). These stories highlight BCNA’s vital support in empowering breast cancer patients nationwide. The campaign runs from 9-29 May. During that time, you can purchase a 6-pack of Fun Buns from Bakers Delight. There’s also an option to host Pink Bun Parties throughout the month. The newly opened Baker's Delight store in Kiama is eager to participate in the campaign. The Bugle caught up with the Store Manager on Thursday 9 May who said the community response has already been positive adding that he and his team are happy to be part of such a good cause. With the remainder of May ahead of us, head to Bakers Delight to support the Pink Bun Campaign! Through advocacy, support programs and other community initiatives, much like the Pink Bun campaign, BCNA continues to empower patients and raise awareness about breast cancer in Australia.