Shellharbour City Council is calling on residents to have their say on a new playground planned for the Shell Cove foreshore, with feedback now open on two proposed concept designs.The playground will be delivered by Frasers Property Australia as part of the Shell Cove partnership, with Council leading community engagement to ensure the final design reflects local needs and priorities.Following community feedback on green space in October 2024, Council has prioritised retaining open, grassy areas while delivering a family-friendly play space close to the kids’ beach.The proposed playground will include a mix of active, imaginative and inclusive play elements for children of all ages, along with seating, shade and picnic areas for families.Residents are invited to review two design themes: Concept 1, inspired by the nearby ocean environment, and Concept 2, drawing on the natural features of the Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve.Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said playgrounds play an important role in bringing the community together.“Playgrounds aren’t just for kids – they’re the heart of our community, where families relax, neighbours meet and everyone gets to enjoy our open spaces,” Cr Homer said.“We’re excited to hear what the community thinks and look forward to creating a space where imagination and fun can thrive.”Community members can view the concept designs and provide feedback through Council’s Let’s Chat platform, with QR codes also available on on-site signage at the foreshore.Feedback is open throughout February as Council will use community input to help guide the final playground design.

When a submarine becomes a spaceship, chaos is guaranteed.Kiama-grown author Clayton Comber and illustrator Conor McCammon are heading into outer space with their latest children’s book, Gimme Some Space, launching at The Pavilion 2 March.Cover of the duo's new book Gimme Some SpacePublished by HarperCollins, the illustrated chapter book is the sequel to The Marvellous Submarine, sending twins Poppy and Billy – along with their animal crew – beyond the sea and into space. When mysterious moon rocks start crash-landing on Monkey Island, the pair suspect old foes The Fugitives are back at it, prompting one bold solution: modifying Mum’s greatest invention, the Marvellous Submarine, to fly as a rocket ship.What follows is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud adventure that sees the crew tangled in an intergalactic heist, caught in a wild space storm, climbing the biggest volcano in the universe and encountering a space cowboy armed with a ‘Super-Duper Lasso Blaster’.Described as a junior fiction duology that blends the anarchic humour of The Bad Guys with the imagination of The Treehouse series, Gimme Some Space is designed to be ridiculous in the best possible way.While it’s a sequel, Comber says the story works as a standalone adventure.“Kids don’t need to have read the first one – it’s its own story,” he said. “It’s silly, zany and all about letting your imagination run wild.”Aimed at – but not limited to – primary school readers aged around seven to 12, the book combines short chapters with illustrations, comic strips and visual jokes, making it accessible for a wide range of reading levels.“It’s the kind of thing where parents can read it with their kids,” McCammon said. “We always try to sneak in jokes for the adults too – a bit like a Pixar film or a Simpsons episode.”The collaboration began many moons ago while the pair were working together at the Bookstore Café in Kiama – their early ideas were scribbled down between coffee shifts. McCammon’s illustrations, first drawn on receipt paper, soon brought the heroes and villains to life.“I think people pick up on the fact that we’re mates first and creators second,” Comber said. “It never really felt like work.”The duo launched their first book at The Pavilion last year and will return to the venue for the South Coast launch on March 2.“Kiama is still very much home base for us,” Comber said. “It’s always special launching a book here.”The free, family-friendly event will include book signings, storytelling and plenty of cheeky banter between the longtime collaborators.While Gimme Some Space includes light environmental themes, Comber says the focus remains firmly on fun and creativity.“We want kids to feel like there are no limits,” he said. “You can do whatever you want in a story.”The Gimme Some Space launch will be held at The Pavilion on Monday, 2 March, from 6pm. Entry is free.

For the thousands of people who visit Kiss Arts Festival every year, Tamara Campbell is best known as her alter ego, ‘Kiki Bittovabitsch the Hilarious Humanitarian,’ with her quirky style, penchant for pink and love of double entendres.Off stage, Campbell is an entrepreneur and the co-founder of Kiss Arts Festival — and she is not immune to the stress and strain of the events industry.The Kiss Arts Festival, which has taken place in Kiama every year since 2013, was postponed last year. “We moved it back to April 2026 because of the busyness of the October period,” says Campbell.And then there’s the small matter of money.“There are two elements,” she says. “It’s not just [government] funding — it’s also about ticket purchasing. Post-COVID, people do everything last minute and it’s very nerve-wracking and unsettling. That’s reason one why events get cancelled.”For Kiss Arts Festival 2026, which runs from April 24 to 26, Campbell and co-founder Dave Evans are planning a “compressed but definitely vibrant” comeback.This year, it will still run over three days, but with reduced hours and locations.Campbell describes it as a “best of” program.“You’ll see a really great mixture of old faves and new and different,” she says.Highlights include laugh-out-loud street entertainment, a lantern-making workshop and the iconic raft race, setting off from Black Beach at midday on Sunday. (Registrations are now open.)In addition to the adults-only cabaret, there’s a bonus event — an “interactive trivia night” on 27 February from 7 to 11pm.“I’d like to thank Kiama Surf Club for donating the building and letting us run the bar there,” says Campbell.“We encourage you to put a team together, book your tickets and make a night of it.”At the time of our interview, funding from Kiama Council had not yet been confirmed, but Campbell was hopeful.If any local businesses wish to sponsor events, she says, their donations would be welcomed.“Please do support this iconic, free community event, because they’re dying off,” says Campbell.“Personally, you can be a sponsor just by buying a ticket and coming to these events.”Since the festival began over a decade ago, the demographic of Kiama has changed significantly.“The original Kiss crowd — their kids have grown up,” she says. “There will be a whole lot of new people in this town who don’t know what Kiss is. If you’ve never been, you don’t know what you’re missing.”She adds, “Human connection, community spirit and shared joy is what the world needs right now.”To book tickets, visit kissartsfest.com.au.

The sun was out and the vibes were high as Hindmarsh Park came alive with sound for the latest installment of Music in the Park (25 January). Despite another day of sweltering heat, the event proved to be a resounding success, drawing a crowd that organizer Charlie D’Amico described as having an awesome buzz.From the soulful melodies of 15-year-old local prodigy Florence Johnson to the high-octane energy of the Ramoans tribute showband, the afternoon bridged the gap between grassroots talent and seasoned professionals.While the event currently enjoys the support of a Kiama Council Cultural Grant, D’Amico is looking toward a more ambitious future.RamoansWith the live music scene currently struggling and artists swamped with the desire to find a stage, he has his sights set on expansion. D’Amico envisions holding the event four times a year on fixed dates, providing the community with a regular schedule and giving more performers the opportunity to be involved.To transition from an occasional highlight to a quarterly staple, D’Amico is looking beyond local borders for support. SeldomHe is beginning the process of seeking further funding from state and federal government sources and intends to contact representatives Katelin McInerney and Fiona Phillips to discuss the future of the initiative.He believes that increased frequency is essential to supporting musicians who are finding it harder and harder to secure gigs in the current climate.Despite the success of the day, D'Amico noted a missed opportunity for the town regarding the Hindmarsh Park stage itself.He said that the facility remains significantly underutilized and encouraged other community members and event organizers to reach out to the Council to make better use of the space for future events.As the echoes of the last performance fade, the focus now shifts to whether higher levels of government will step up to help turn this local favorite into a permanent fixture of the Kiama calendar.

A man has been charged with weapons and drugs offences after he was arrested on Monday in Nowra.Police responded to calls from the public about 7.40am following reports of a man sleeping in a vehicle with a firearm in Journal Street.South Coast Police District officers located a man allegedly in possession of a privately made firearm.Officers seized a homemade firearm, ammunition, a machete, methylamphetamine and cannabis within the vehicle.A 45-year-old man was arrested and taken to Nowra Police Station.He was charged with eight offences – possess loaded firearm public place, possess unauthorised firearm, possess ammunition w/o holding licence/permit/authority, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, custody of knife in school, two counts of possess prohibited drug and possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance.He was refused bail to appear in Bail Division Court on Tuesday.

JAMBEROO 7'S 2026

As the stars are re-aligning I write to make a few observations on the Australian political scene. As the author of the Adventures in Climate Change series, readers will know my interest in population. I place the failure of governments to have a formal sustainable population policy at the centre of the changing political galaxy. To be clear, this policy should be non-racist.For well over a decade robust credible public opinion polls have consistently shown a majority of our multicultural society say we have excessive population growth. That same multicultural society makes fertility choices that are well below replacement levels, a trend in many developed countries.Yet federal governments of both persuasions have pursued high population growth through immigration with a zeal. Australia has one of the highest population growth rates for developed countries. This strategy is increasingly described as a Ponzi scheme.We are now seeing major disruptions. The federal Government was elected with a low 34.6% primary vote. The trend of major party decline continues with independents and minor parties achieving 33.6%, out-polling the Coalition on 31.8%. A situation not seen for seven decades. Subsequently the Coalition vote has collapsed and now there are tantrums that may lead to a long term separation. Some commentators are predicting new political parties. Immigration is a key battleground.The Government continually ignores the demand side. It’s all about increasing supply. For example, the housing crisis. For many with low incomes or large mortgages this leads to a cost of living crisis. How much more difficult and expensive is the transition to renewable energy due to the rising population? We never hear a word about that. It’s Economics 101.Citizens’ frustrations have over-flowed into public demonstrations. Groups with policies that have racist themes have been quick to leverage these frustrations. Laws have been changed reducing freedoms. The opinion polls show One Nation in the ascendancy, although still well below the level where it might form government.National government is a complex beast. But the Population Ponzi, out of step with the national sentiment, is a common theme in many short and longer term significant issues. The nationally derived, state-mandated housing targets, relying on an industry that doesn’t have the capability or capacity to deliver, are but one expression of the impact. As seen in Kiama. You don’t have to go far to hear vested interests calling out for more.The failure of leadership to acknowledge the sentiment risks national division. Winding up the Population Ponzi scheme will take decades. Like with climate change, the sooner you start the better.Ray JohnsonKiama

Shellharbour put a dent in Bomaderry’s South Coast cricket finals hopes with a 41-run victory at Artie Smith Oval on Saturday.With four rounds left before the finals, the Tigers are now nine points adrift of fourth spot in sixth position while the Harbour have retained a share of second alongside Bay and Basin.Six Harbour batters made 20 but no one kicked onto a half-century in their total of 8-206 with Tigers seamer Daniel Troy (3-43) the pick of the bowlers.Bomaderry were travelling nicely at 1-88 but the loss of Jarrod Mitchell (33) and Luke Jones (37) in quick succession triggered a collapse and they were all out for 165 under the onslaught of Beau Chamberlain, who bagged 5-57.Kiama celebrated their 170th anniversary weekend with a low-scoring home win over Oak Flats.They were bowled out for 147 after teenage seamer Sam Huetter (4-28) and allrounder Zaied Bin Khalid (3-27) did the damage for the visitors.But the Cavaliers attack combined brilliantly with Brad Ison, Glenn Cleary, Adam Ison and Joe Burgess taking two wickets apiece to win by 49 runs.Lake Illawarra reinforced top spot by cruising past last-placed Ex Servos. Allrounder Jake O’Connell picked up 5-6 as Ex Servos made 135 on the back of Chris Buckley’s 58.O’Connell completed a fine performance with 86 not out off just 37 deliveries, with six fours and eight sixes, as the visitors reached their target in the 18th over.Dolphins captain Tom Dolby top-scored with 53 as Bay and Basin posted 173 before bowling Albion Park out for 116.New-ball pair Cooper Bramley and Jason Moschioni bagged three wickets each as North Nowra Cambewarra rolled the Kookas for 108 and then chased the target down with six wickets and 32 overs to spare.This Saturday, Lake head south to play Bomaderry, North Nowra host Ex Servos, Albion Park are away to Kiama, Shellharbour and the Kookas play out their local derby at Scout Willoughby Oval while Bay and Basin are up against Oak Flats at Sanctuary Point.Ladder: Lake 83, Shellharbour, Bay and Basin 72, Kiama 68, North Nowra 61, Bomaderry 59, Oak Flats 40, Kookas 34, Albion Park 32, Ex Servos 23.In the women’s competition, the Kookas stayed on top of the ladder with a 22-run victory over Ex Servos at Myimbarr.Jennifer Kitchen cooked up an unbeaten 79 and Jacquie Monie added 37 as the home side reached 5-146.Ex Servos lost a couple of early wickets before bouncing back via an unbeaten 50 from Rebecca Carson but could only muster 5-124 in reply.Oak Flats Ratettes defeated Lake Illawarra by 41 runs after opener Anne Boatswain (41) and young allrounder Maya Huetter (26) powered them to 5-126 despite 3-10 from Lake’s Kiana Dovern.The Lakers got off to a strong start but after Dovern fell for 29, they fell away to finish on 9-85.Kiama’s clash with the other Oak Flats team, the Ratatouilles, was abandoned due to rain soaking Bonaira Oval on Friday afternoon while the Shellharbour v Albion Park game was also washed out.This Friday’s draw is Kiama at home to Albion Park, the Ratettes taking on Shellharbour and the Ratatouilles facing the Kookas at Myimbarr, with Lake meeting Ex Servos at Albion Oval.Ladder: Kookas 40, Ratatouilles 28, Ratettes 26, Kiama, Lake 20, Albion Park 18, Ex Servos 16, Shellharbour 4.

Wildlife educator Steve Irwin’s work with a much-maligned reptile not only earned him his famous Crocodile Hunter moniker, but shone a spotlight on environmental conservation. Now CSIRO entomologist Keith Bayless - nicknamed The Fly Hunter by colleagues - is on a similar mission, to inspire kids to love bugs and science by documenting his search for a rare Australian fly which he rediscovered in a stinky loo near Jamberoo.Bayless found the Clisa australis - or what he colloquially calls the bat poo fly after its main food source - at Barren Grounds national park more than 30 years after it vanished from Australian records.The rare Australian fly was first discovered deep in a bat cave near Kempsey in the 1960s by entomologist David McAlpine. It later turned up in pit toilets in a northern NSW national park in the 1990s before disappearing again. Bayless spent more than 10 years hunting for the tiny insect, before he finally found it near Jamberoo. His dogged hunt earned him his nickname and, like The Crocodile Hunter, Bayless hopes his research will spark young people to be “curious about nature”. The fly specialist, who grew up in the United States in suburban New Jersey and got his PhD from North Carolina State University before travelling to Australia to work at the CSIRO, recalls hunting flies in his suburban backyard and being inspired by Irwin as a young nature lover.“The Crocodile Hunter was certainly beloved when I was growing up,” says Bayless. “And while crocodiles might be a lot bigger than flies, they are sometimes just as hard to see as they hide so well. So I don’t know which is more difficult to spot but I'm certainly happy that I work on flies and not crocs.”While the scientist’s target is much smaller, less aggressive and far more elusive than a saltwater croc his hunting ground - national park dunnies across the east coast - could be considered just as daunting as scouring croc-infested waters.“I’ve checked the walls and ceilings of an embarrassing number of public toilets in parks since 2015,” says Bayless on his hunt for the bat poo fly.“If I’m driving I’ve been known to take a peek inside drop toilets if there’s a car park nearby. "Often entomologists will check structures like toilets because tiny insects are more visible on walls and, in the case of the bat poo fly, the larvae develop in the pit and eat poo.”When Bayless visited the Australian museum and met McAlpine, the first person to describe and discover Clisa australis, it inspired his decade-long hunt for the bat poo fly.Bayless visited the original cave site near Kempsey where McAlpine worked with bat experts to discover the species but found that the cave was “on a cliff and surrounded by stinging trees“.“I didn’t have the right gear to get in,” says Bayless.So instead he started looking in the last place they were sighted - national park pit toilets. After years of painstakingly scouring smelly dunnies found the rare species in a trap he had set up near a pit toilet in Barren Grounds, off Jamberoo Mountain Road. “It was nestled under land leeches in a sample from a dark, humid gully,” he says. “That fly had never been collected by trapping before.”Bayless says he felt “elation and relief” after years of searching for his tiny target.“But there was also a fair amount of confusion because it hadn’t been spotted this far south before,” he explains. The finding spurred him on to widen his hunt and not long after his first discovery Bayless spotted a live Clisa australis sitting on a “loo roll” near Merimbula.“It really stood out, blue and shiny, on the white background of toilet paper,” says Bayless.Now the entomologist’s hunt for the tiny fly - which is closely related to the fruit fly species - has been turned into a children’s book called The Very Stinky Fly Hunt.Written by CSIRO science communicator Andrea Wild, the book aims to inspire kids to follow their own scientific adventures just like Bayless and to also elevate the humble fly from household pest to important pollinator.Bayless says the rediscovery of the Clisa australis could help scientists better understand the migration patterns of the rare species - it has since been spotted in Victoria - and also mitigate the spread of agricultural diseases.“Clisa australis is closely related to fruit flies so it's useful to compare the two to develop better ways to control agricultural pests,” says Bayless. “We need to learn a lot more about these flies and their rediscovery will help us understand their role in the ecosystem and how flies evolved from feeding on waste to feeding on plants.”Bayless says flies have an unfair reputation for bringing disease and ruining crops but only one per cent of the species has a negative impact on humans and agriculture. The rest have an important role to play in building healthy ecosystems. “Flies are the second-most important pollinating insect after bees,” says Bayless. “The cacao tree, grown for chocolate, can only be pollinated by flies and the blow fly is the main pollinator of mangoes alongside bees.“Farmers often throw fish heads under their mango trees just to attract flies for pollination. "The Very Stinky Fly Hunt is a great way for curious young people who want to learn more about the species and what it’s like to be an entomologist.”

The Illawarra Hawks will be playing for pride in their final three matches of the NBL season after their title defence ended in Auckland on the weekend.After keeping their playoff hopes alive with a thrilling 100-99 home win over Adelaide on Thursday night, they suffered an 11-point loss to the Breakers on Saturday.New Zealand leapfrogged the Hawks into seventh spot and with an 11-19 record, the champions can no longer qualify for the playoffs even if they win their remaining three fixtures.After breaking the franchise’s 25-year wait for a second championship last season, the hot-and-cold campaign never got out of first gear.Hawks coach Justin Tatum was disappointed with the way they struggled from the outset against the Breakers despite knowing their playoff dreams were on the line."It wasn't what I expected from my team," he said."Felt like we should have played with a sense of urgency.“The inconsistency of this group has been a little frustrating here and there, but we have a great group of guys in that locker room."The Hawks trailed 7-2 after an early Breakers blitz and the home side’s three-point shooting put the visitors on the back foot with NZ taking a 61-50 lead into the half-time interval.Tatum rolled the dice on a smaller line-up, benching star centre JaVale McGee for the entire second half despite his tally of 15 points and seven rebounds in the opening two terms.Todd Blanchfield and Tyler Harvey (who finished with 19 points apiece) started heating up in the third quarter and after they had trailed by as much as 16, they trimmed the gap to 84-80 by the start of the fourth term.QJ Peterson made it a two-point game soon after the start of the final quarter but then fouled out, taking a bloodied eyebrow up the tunnel.Davo Hickey fell one assist shy of a triple-double, recording 14 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists but the Hawks faded down the stretch to go down by 11 with the Breakers keeping their faint playoff hopes alive.‍The Hawks return home to WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday night for their final home game of the season against Sydney, looking to make up for the disappointment of missing the playoffs by beating their fiercest rivals.In better news for the Hawks, the federal government has granted Harvey permanent residency and the club will continue to support their co-captain and his family as they work through the process of becoming Australian citizens.Harvey’s permanent residency places him on track to be eligible to play as a local player in the NBL from the 2027–28 season, subject to league confirmation.Since arriving in the Illawarra ahead of the 2020–21 season, Harvey has become one of the most influential figures in club history, a two-time All-NBL First Team selection (2021 and 2025) and one of the league’s most reliable guards.

The Lions Clubs of the Kiama–Shoalhaven region is celebrating a big win for local kids’ eye health, following the successful accreditation of new Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) screeners and the completion of the first children’s vision screening by Minnamurra Lions.The screening was delivered with strong support from Kiama Lions, Gerringong Lions Club, Shoalhaven Heads Lions Club, Lions Club of Tahmoor Inc, and Woonona and Canberra Lions Clubs, demonstrating the depth of collaboration across the region. The activity was proudly conducted in partnership with Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club, strengthening ties between local service organisations.Training for the new screeners was led by District N2 LEHP Instructor Jenny Barclay, whose expertise has been central to building capability across the zone. As a result of her program, the Kiama–Shoalhaven region now has more than 24 accredited screeners, significantly expanding local capacity to deliver early‑intervention vision checks for children.The accreditation also welcomes two new LEHP‑active clubs - Gerringong Lions and Shoalhaven Heads Lions - further strengthening the region’s long‑term commitment to improving children’s eye health. Planning is already underway to develop at least six trained facilitators, with the potential for one or two new instructors in the near future.This momentum continues, with Kiama Lions set to conduct the third Lions Eye Health Program – Australia screening on 1 March at the Kiama Surf Life Saving Club, delivered in partnership with the Kiama Kingfishers. The event will provide another important opportunity for local families to access free, early‑detection vision screening for their children.A Lions spokesperson said the achievement reflects “the best of Lions collaboration - clubs working together, sharing skills, and building a service that will benefit children and families for years to come.”For the Kiama–Shoalhaven region, these milestones mark the beginning of a stronger, more coordinated approach to children’s eye health, one built on teamwork, training, and a shared commitment to community wellbeing.

JAMBEROO 7'S 2026 - WOMEN 1

Walk into Number 19 Gallery in Jamberoo, and one of the first things you spot is a collection of vibrantly coloured paintings instantly evocative of the South Coast.Behind that flash of colour lies a remarkable story of talent, triumph, love and loss.Painter Deborah Chisholm passed away on 15 December.She leaves behind a grief-stricken husband, Ross, who mists up multiple times a day and says little beyond: “I miss her so much. She was such a talented person.“She loved this place, the cows, the horses, the lyrebirds, the blue wrens. We have blue wrens everywhere. She was inspired.”A flyer for her 2024 exhibition at Fern Street Gallery in Gerringong, before her cancer diagnosis, declared: “Colours pop and fizz, and patterns cleverly emerge, layer upon layer, like Russian nesting dolls, suggesting the grandeur of everyday existence built upon the microscopic framework of life itself.”Deb described her creative process: “Suddenly I’ll visualise a painting, its colours and patterns. The South Coast is truly my haven – the green hills, the bird life, the vastness of the ocean – all hold a powerful artistic potency.”Their beautiful house up on Fountaindale Road edges the local rainforest known as The Brush, a remnant of the region's lush temperate rainforest.Each evening, the loved-up couple sat at a table in the garden, admiring the Jamberoo Valley view with a glass of wine. “It was unreal,” Ross recalls. “Just the two of us and the dog. You couldn’t get any life any better.”New arrivals in Jamberoo since moving into their forever home in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, both professionals from the Sutherland Shire – Ross an engineer, Deb a graphic designer with her own business, they named their new home Omaroo, an Indigenous word meaning “beautiful view”. It was their retirement dream.They poured money, love and effort into remodelling gardens and lawns.The house brims with Deb’s paintings. Prints sell well in Allowrie Street, but Ross will never part with the originals.Covid isolation deepened their bond, sparking Deb’s artistic renaissance. After decades as a graphic artist, she turned to vivid paintings of South Coast landscapes.Their dreams were shattered on 24 August 2024 with her diagnosis of aggressive brain cancer and she was given six months to live.Surgery left her severely disabled - Ross became her full-time carer. Early efforts to get help from the NDIS frustrated him deeply, leaving him with the conviction that the scheme is heavily rorted and in urgent need of reform.Often unwell, she painted one-handed; her studio holds half-completed works.After 14 years together, they married on 1 January 2025. “It was a perfect day,” Ross recalls.They knew it couldn’t last.Loss echoes everywhere: an unused pizza oven on the back lawns, an unused, covered spa, a brand-new Porsche SUV driven only once - to bring Deb home from hospital. She wanted to die at home, but illness returned her to hospital for her final weeks.Her last wish: Ross by her side at the end.He missed the moment by five minutes. Telling the story, he chokes up again. A terrible regret.Artistic to the end, Deb left a final card in elegant script with a splash of colour on the cover: “Dear husband, my soulmate, my rock.“I am so glad we found each other! We’ve had plenty of fantastic times away overseas and not only that at home spending time together and enjoying life.“You have given me more than I could ever ask for in dedication and devotion in looking after me through thick and thin, and I am eternally grateful for your support.“Even though you can’t see me, I will always be hanging around sitting next to you on the chair looking over the beautiful valley. "My spirit will be mingled with the mist rising from the valley. "It will be in the song of the lyrebird singing to you melodies from the bush. It will be the rustling of the wind through the trees.“Just talk to me. I will hear you. I may not answer but just know I can hear you.“Be brave and soldier on. And I love you more than you could ever know.”

Serena Copley is fed up with what she perceives as a lot of talk but not enough action in the Kiama electorate.The former Shoalhaven councillor has been endorsed to run again for the Liberal Party in the state election early next year after she was a distant runner-up to Katelin McInerney in last September’s by-election.Copley said “the desire to serve my communities never left me”.“I think it's important to have as much time as possible to work with the community - issues don't just turn up a matter of weeks before an election,” she said.“They are there all the time and if you're serious about the community you want to work on them for as much time as possible and I was very keen to keep going and keep talking to people and working towards solving some of the concerns that people have in our electorate.“I'm in it for the long haul, not just you a flash in the pan before an election.”Copley said it appears McInerney and the Labor Party are happy to “mark time” in the 18-month period from the by-election to next year’s statewide poll. “There's a lot of reading of Labor media releases and talking points but we still have Ground Zero, same old, same old with a lot of our issues.“Our infrastructure is at breaking point. We're not getting the movement on promised infrastructure that we should be getting and those are the things that I will be pointing out. “The community is coming to me and making it quite easy to do my job because they're coming to me and saying what about this, what about that? And I agree with them. “We can't just mark time until the next election, we actually need to get things done now and it's important to act now for the community. I'll be fighting for those improvements.“People that are coming to me are starting to get really frustrated. It's one thing to just trot out statements about good intentions but what we absolutely need is a Member of Parliament who will actually fight for and deliver for that community.“I do have a track record of delivering for my community and I will continue to be a community champion - that's what's important to me.” Copley is pleased to see increased development occurring on the South Coast but warned that transport, schools and big-ticket infrastructure items needed to be planned in conjunction with the expected population explosion.“My real concern is with projects of the volume and density that are being proposed that we absolutely need to make sure that the current infrastructure is upgraded to be able to handle the increased density and so that it provides quality living for our residents and our community into the future,” she added.“We need to be delivering more schools and it can't take the amount of time it's taken so far. Calderwood Public School has been on the table since 2023. “We need to get these facilities built and being delivered for the public as soon as possible because you can't retrofit these things - they need to be planned with the projects that they are announcing, otherwise our community into the future is going to be dealing with bigger issues, unless we get this sorted now.“We are going to need to have a world-class transport system.A major change since she was unsuccessful in the by-election in September is Kellie Sloane taking over from Mark Speakman as the leader of the Liberals in a bid to reinvigorate the Opposition.“Kellie is an outstanding person and a wonderful leader so I'm really excited to continue on with her and have her representing us as a leader,” Copley said.“I got to know her quite well through the by-election - we worked together quite heavily at that time and got to know each other.“She's such an authentic person who cares deeply about local issues in the community. She is a wonderful communicator and as you've seen just in the recent tragedy that happened in Bondi, she's genuine.”

South Coast History Society has grown significantly over the past decade but it needs help to continue bringing the stories of yesteryear to life.The Society, which covers the vast coastal expanse from Wollongong to the Victorian border, publishes the popular Recollections quarterly magazine and runs an in-depth website featuring tales of the past.It is “Australia's largest, most innovative, most active history society”, according to founder and president Peter Lacey.But it can’t run on volunteers alone and the Society is putting out the call for donations to keep its operations running smoothly.The Society needs to raise $40,000 per year to meet current demands, an ongoing challenge for the community-focused, volunteer organisation.“We’re run totally by volunteers, and what we're trying to do is to simply provide interesting South Coast history to anybody, anywhere in the world who's interested, and particularly to people who live on the South Coast,” Lacey said. “I guess you could say that we're Australia's largest purveyor of history, and the beneficiaries of that are the people who are interested in history or live on the South Coast. We've been going for almost 10 years now.“Our philosophy is that it's our history, it's your history, and we shouldn't charge a monetary amount of money to share it with anybody. “So right from the start, Recollections magazine has been free and it has been extremely popular as a result of that. We now have to print at least 4,000 copies of each edition.”The Society’s website has been live for a year and has received hundreds of thousands of hits from people all around the world.Lacey said they also deliver talks to community groups and liaise with the other 22 locally-based historical societies up and down the coast. The local history groups are generally focused on their town and running a museum whereas the South Coast Society is concerned with recounting the tales of the past.“We don't have a museum. We don't have a library. We just are interested in the stories,” Lacey explained. “Using a marketing analogy, we're interested in the sizzle, not the sausage.”Lacey said he would much prefer to be focusing on history rather than appealing for donations but “fundraising is just a fact of life”.“We get nothing from councils. We get nothing from the state or federal governments. We're totally reliant on commercial organisations, Rotary Clubs or groups like that, and primarily on individuals who simply support the Society. “With the latest edition of Recollections, we made an appeal to people saying, would you assist us by giving us a donation? Last year, we spent $40,000 basically on printing Recollections. So we've got to raise a considerable amount of money for a small volunteer group organisation.“If you're interested in history, if you're interested in supporting us, please do.”Lacey said one of the joys of the Society was reliving quirky events from the distant past, such as the article in the most recent edition about whales at Twofold Bay around the turn of the 20th century providing “a miracle cure” for rheumatism.Patients were rowed to the whaling station where blubber would be cut out of a carcass and the sufferer, stripped naked, would stand inside the whale for two hours at a time.“The whalers would dig out a piece of blubber and you would climb in there,” Lacey said.“It's a fascinating story.”A patient told the Sydney Bulletin in 1896: “For exactly 12 months, the rheumatism left me. Then it came back again as bad as ever. The smell has never left me: that dead whale haunts me still.”If you would like to help fund Recollections, send a cheque to South Coast History Society, 90 Whitby Wilson Road, Quaama NSW 2550, via a deposit into account (100112005) with Horizon Bank (BSB 802-124) or over the phone at 0448 160 852.

Dumplings, cocktails and bad advice is the name of the game at Uncle Fuku’s, which is now open for business on Collins Street. The team behind Miss Arda, Emily Lewisman and Lauren McWatters, are the masterminds behind the Japanese-inspired tapas and karaoke bar. The two colleagues and friends truly are what many would consider the dream team as they designed and refurbished the entire venue themselves. Stepping inside Uncle Fuku’s is like entering a giant, red cheeky lantern. And yes, you read that correctly, cheeky. There are various posters on the walls such as, Send Noods and Surely Not Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting that certainly set the mood. That’s the thing about Uncle Fuku’s, it pushes the boundaries of what Kiama is used to and it’s here to inject some new energy into the local nightlife. "It's different, it’s fun, it’s exciting,” Lauren said.“For those concerned about the name (pronounced foo-koo) Lauren assures me Fuku is simply a unique name and isn’t intended to be offensive. Fuku primarily means good fortune, luck, or blessing. It is an auspicious term frequently used to represent happiness and prosperity, such as in "fukubukuro" (lucky bags) or on lucky items like the maneki-neko cat.The food at Fuku’s is top notch and while it is designed to be shared, I will admit I guarded my food like a hangry hound because it was that good. The edamame beans alone were enough to convince me as they came drizzled in oil and garnished with sesame seeds. This created a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s unusual for edamame beans. Next on the menu were the vegetarian spring rolls, which were satisfyingly chunky (because when it comes to spring rolls, size does matter) and crispy. Sashimi is also on offer at Uncle Fuku’s. As someone who usually chases her sashimi with a side of raw fish anxiety, I was relieved to discover the sashimi was more akin to smoked salmon. Also of note, was the Mushroom Bao, which comes served in a bamboo steamer and is a filling option for the vegetarians among us. For the less adventurous, there are also potato gems with a secret house seasoning (I’ll let you discover the name of it for yourself).Once dinner is over, there is the option of karaoke in the Tone Deaf Temple, but don’t worry, it’s sound-proofed. If you do suffer from stage fright, you can summon a spirit with a helpful button for a little bit of Dutch - or in this case, Japanese - courage. Before wrapping up your evening, don’t forget to leave some sage advice on the Mirror of Misguidance. Uncle Fuku’s is open from 11am-10:30pm, Thursday through to Monday.

The Kiama Inn Hotel is set to go back to the future with plans to install a new steel balcony which will sweep around the corner of Terralong and Shoalhaven Streets.When the local landmark was built in the late 1800s it had a wrought-iron verandah with 13 posts dotted around the footpath on the corner.Kiama Inn has lodged a development application with Kiama Council, which is on a 28-day public exhibition period until 18 February.The $990,000 upgrade to the hotel also includes the installation of a new lift to cater for all floors and moving the gaming room to the covered barbecue area in the south-eastern part of the hotel. If approved, the balcony will encroach on Council land but that is unlikely to be a conflict of interest issue.Kiama Council’s Director of Strategies and Communities, Ed Paterson, said they were seeking community feedback about the retro design.“Reinstatement of the double hung verandahs is something that the Kiama Town Centre Study and Development Control Plan certainly encourages,” he said. “We've just got to work through the finer detail.”As far as a potential conflict of interest, under the Planning Act, whenever a DA is lodged that includes Council land, or involves an employee or a Councilor, Council is required to hold an extended notification period and submit declaration to say how they will manage the conflict.The site was initially home to the Fermanagh Hotel, which was built by James Barton in 1849, before the two-storey wooden structure was demolished and replaced four decades later by George Tory, who built a three-story masonry hotel.Tory’s Hotel included 60 rooms and wrought-iron lattice verandah in the late Victorian era architectural style.Architect Peter Jay, in his submission to Council, wrote that the proposed development would be beneficial without detracting from the hotel’s historical significance.“The proposed new gaming room, lift, and balcony at the Kiama Inn Hotel, which involves relocating the existing gaming by converting an existing covered BBQ area, the provision of a new balcony and lift, and associated works, will have no adverse impact on its established heritage significance.The original concept for the Elan development. Kiama Council has also reached an agreement with Sydney-based developer Level 33 over the proposed Elan development at Burroul Street which overlooks Surf Beach. Level 33 initially lodged a DA for a four-storey development with 15 housing units before requesting an additional level with five more residences.The developer took the matter to the Land and Environment Court and after a conciliation conference, the two parties agreed to a modified plan which will allow for the extra five units on the fifth floor.“Rather than it being a separate standalone DA it was a new development application that sought to amend the approved development application and we were seeking legal advice around purely the mechanics of how that worked,” Paterson explained.“The applicant took the matter to court on a deemed refusal and that was the only contention that Council had - just around the mechanics of that process working and through mediation, that was very quickly resolved at little to no expense to both parties.” The NSW Government changed the height controls as part of its low-mid rise reforms and Elan fits the criteria for a five-storey development as an R3 zone piece of land as it is just within 800 metres of the town centre.

Some months ago while pleasantly engaged in nanna babysitting duties, I was summoned by Grandson No.2 to curl up on the couch with him and watch a film of the stage puppet show featuring Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli.Now if you happen to be unfamiliar with these names, you need to do some research. Because if you don't, you'll be missing out on some good old-fashioned fun.And quite possibly, one of Australia's most beloved creative products, now seen by the world, and certainly loved by young and old. There is a sweetness, a wide-eyed innocence to Bluey that has endeared the show to so many .Learning through immersive play is the theme, and in each episode, there is a lesson taught and learned. It's a simple, and universal concept. Just think of how baby lion cubs learn survival skills from their mum. Most humans learn through play from a very young age. As do, apparently, Blue Heelers.For fans of the animated ABC series Bluey, watching a film of a live stage play, with puppeteers manipulating larger than life doggy characters onstage, is yet another way of enjoying this wonderful creation. Grandson has watched it so often, I'm sure he knows the script.And so imagine my absolute delight when a new stage show is advertised, coming to the Wollongong Entertainment Precinct recently. An absolute holiday must, a treat for Grandson, or that is my story. (I am actually using him as my excuse for buying tickets).On a very rainy afternoon we battle the holiday traffic, and the accompanying parking juggle, and because Nan has foolishly underestimated the weather conditions and therefore the extra time needed to circumnavigate Wollongong, we arrive, breathless from running, with mere minutes before showtime.I artfully dodge the merch table, so cleverly placed for us to have to walk past, though Grandson is aware, very aware. I foil him though, and we enter the theatre to take our seats.Oh, the cacophony!The unmistakable sound of countless excited small children shrieking with anticipation, in a confined, dimly lit theatre space is an initial shock to my system, but we look down at the stage and grandson turns to me with the biggest grin, and hugs me, and I know this is going to be so worthwhile. This is, after all is said and done, Making Memories.The show begins with larger than life dancing ibis, and flying birds on very long thin poles, wielded by talented and very lithe young puppeteers, who are wearing kneeguards. As the show progresses, it's obvious why. These puppeteers could possibly be gymnasts - their puppetry is stunning. They move with speed and get themselves into the most awkward positions with absolute grace. Of course, the puppets are what you are supposed to be watching, and I'm sure the children are, but I am marvelling too at the talent and the athleticism of the puppeteers.The colour, the flashing lights, the music, the set changes, the storyline, the invited audience participation, it is all so cleverly done.The performance lasts just under an hour, and rightly so. Any longer may be a bit torturous for some, possibly the accompanying adults.The average small human attending is probably no older than five or six, with some a lot younger, and so the audience’s attention span is limited.The show's creators know this and so the storyline teaches a simple life lesson. Bandit, Bluey's Dad, uses his phone too much. Bluey and her little sister Bingo want him to play with them, so they hide his phone.Chilli, Bluey's mum, helps them, and also talks affectionately to Bluey about how important it is to be a kind big sister to Bingo. Simple.No show for young children is complete without bubbles cascading down from the heights above. Or a raucous game of KeepyUppy, which literally has the audience yelling for more, including me. For the uninitiated, Keepy Uppy is a game of yes, you guessed it, the audience members keeping very large inflated balls up in the air by way of batting them in the air with their hands, back and forth, up and down through the seating. Perhaps you've seen this practice before, at sporting events. Let me assure you it was a very well received finale for Bluey’s Big Play on that wet afternoon in Wollongong.Now it's time to leave the auditorium, show's over.Did I mention the merchandise being lavishly and magnificently displayed in the foyer? And the crowds of adults being separated from their dollars by way of small human coercion? Blocking the exit?Did I pull off a sneaky Nan ploy? Did I manage to escape into the rainy street, having foiled Grandson for the second time?I'll leave you to guess.

The Ladies Midweek Wollongong Competition starts next week and the local Kiama Division 1 side is in heavy training for the Tuesday competition. Teams from Wollongong and Bulli dominate the line-up of entrants but the Kiama side became the "quiet achievers" to take the trophy for the competition at the end of last year. Kiama’s team is Kate Sharp, Merrilyn Glaister, Kathy Wallace and Vicky Pritchard.Vicky is a member of the Kiama Tennis Club and a Tennis Australia coach based in Bomaderry and she travels north each Tuesday to compete.