It was Friday the 13th, a cold winter morning. Kiama’s Helen Maitland had just woken from surgery to find her gynaecologist standing at the foot of her hospital bed. “He said ‘you have ovarian cancer’, just like that,” recalls Helen. The devastating news was delivered without preamble. Brutal, blunt and life-changing.In March 2014, three months before her eventual diagnosis, Helen - who was 67 at the time - knew something was not quite right when she started bleeding.“You don't bleed for nothing, not at my age,” she says. “I went to see the doctor the next day, I didn’t muck around, he didn’t muck around. He referred me to a specialist straight away."Helen underwent a series of blood tests and scans. The results showed nothing out of the ordinary, which is often the case with ovarian cancer.“By the time I saw a specialist, my husband Peter and I were about to go on a six-week trip to South America and Europe,” says Helen. “The gynaecologist said ‘go on your holiday’ and come and see me again when you get back. So I went and saw him in May and by June, Friday the 13th, an unlucky day, I was having surgery that morning.”That afternoon Helen was diagnosed with stage one ovarian cancer. Her doctor, not wanting to leave anything to chance, referred her to an ovarian cancer specialist at Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital. She had a second operation where “everything unnecessary was removed” followed by four rounds of chemotherapy.Helen has now been cancer free for almost 12 years and says she was “one of the lucky ones” because her ovarian cancer was caught in its early stages.More than 1900 cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed each year and in many of those cases the disease is detected at an advanced stage, which can make it more difficult to treat. “The thing is, women tend to ignore things like that but you just can’t, especially with ovarian cancer,” says Helen. “Nothing was ever picked up, nothing in the blood tests, until they operated on me. Thankfully I listened to my body.”Survival rates from ovarian cancer have not significantly improved since Helen was diagnosed more than a decade ago. In 2011-2015 Australian women with ovarian cancer had a 46 per cent chance of surviving for five years. In 2026, of the five women diagnosed every day, the five-year survival rate is 49 per cent. Ovarian Cancer Australia CEO Debbie Shiell says the disease is the nation’s most lethal female cancer, with three Australian women dying from it each day.February is ovarian cancer awareness month and an opportunity for Ovarian Cancer Australia to “address knowledge gaps, help people recognise symptoms earlier, and prompt more informed conversations about ovarian cancer”.“Many Australians do not know about the signs, symptoms and severity of the disease,” says Shiell. It is often called a silent killer because symptoms are vague - abdominal pain, pelvic pain, bloating, frequency of urination, changes in bowel habits, weight loss or gain.“These are symptoms women might feel most days and often by the time symptoms and signs start to appear the cancer has spread,” she says.“This disease affects women of all ages but we do know that the most common age for diagnosis is around 62, just after menopause."What we ask is for women to listen to their bodies and to get checked out and keep getting checked out until they feel like they have been heard.”It’s a message echoed by oncologist Dr Catherine Shannon, who wants women to be aware that the onset of menopause and perimenopause can sometimes mask life-threatening cases of ovarian cancer.“Ovarian cancer is most common in women over 60, but it can occur at any age, including during perimenopause and menopause,” Dr Shannon says.“Many of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause overlap with ovarian cancer and this is something that women need to be aware of.”There is no effective early-detection screening test for ovarian cancer and Shiell and Dr Shannon have urged women to know their symptoms, risk factors and family history and to visit their GP “as soon as they notice a change in their body”. Shiell says ovarian cancer awareness month is an opportunity to “elevate the voices of women impacted by this disease” by sharing their real life experiences.“We need women to talk about ovarian cancer to remove the stigma of gynaecological cancers and that's why ovarian cancer awareness month is so important, it shines a light on a disease that has been forgotten,” says Ms Shiell.Helen, who turns 80 in a few months and continues to play golf several times a week, is telling her story of survival in the hope more women will know the signs and symptoms, listen to their body and see a doctor straight away if they notice “anything out of the ordinary".“I felt fine, I was playing golf as normal, there were no signs except for the bleeding, but I knew that wasn’t right so I got it checked out straight away,” says Helen.Ovarian Cancer Australia is encouraging all Australians to buy a teal ribbon this month to raise funds and awareness, and wants every Australian woman to take the ovarian cancer awareness quiz on the organisation’s website.“So much more needs to be done for the treatment of this disease,” says Shiell. “We will continue to advocate for those impacted by ovarian cancer, not just this month but all year round. We need more research funding, policy reform, greater access to affordable treatment options and ultimately better outcomes for all those affected.”While Ovarian Cancer Australia welcomes donations all year, the organisation aims to raise $550,000 on their annual Giving Day on February 18.

Two months after Australia’s social media age ban came into force, Kiama’s “GenTech” teens are already finding ways around it.“A lot of kids who kept their accounts logged in on their laptops never actually lost access — as long as they don’t log out,” says a Kiama mum of three who works in the education department.“They’ve also created multiple fake profiles with different ages, from 16 to 18. They wanted it to look realistic, not obvious.”The ban, which took effect on 10 December 2025, prevents children under 16 from holding accounts on major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube.But the results have been mixed.“Before the ban even started, they set up new Gmail accounts with fake birthdays so they could verify their new profiles,” she says.“We’ve raised a generation we call ‘GenTech’. We shouldn’t underestimate their savviness, resilience and stubbornness. They survived puberty and social disconnection during a global pandemic.”The app charts tell a similar story.According to data from the Queensland University of Technology Digital Media Centre, the top ten app downloads in Australia on 10 December — the day the ban hit — included Lemon8 and Yope.Yope, a photo-sharing app, is gaining traction with 2.2 million monthly active users. Similarly, Lemon8, an app developed by the creators of TikTok, has been described as an “Instagram clone.”Currently, both are exempt from the ban; however, they are under investigation.Meanwhile, in a surprising twist, local teens report regaining access to Snapchat in late December.“Overnight, kids were saying, ‘check your accounts, they’re open again’,” said a mum. “They were locked out for two weeks after the ban, and then suddenly able to get back in.”Before the ban, Snapchat said it reached 75 per cent of 13–34-year-olds across more than 20 countries.By the end of January 2026, the company had locked or disabled more than 415,000 Australian accounts it says belong to under-16s — either self-declared or flagged by its age-detection tools.Yet in a February media release, Snapchat conceded there are “real technical limitations” to reliable age checks, even as it says it is “locking more accounts daily.”The social media ban has had a unique impact on teens in regional areas such as Kiama, where social connection is already limited by geography, transport and fewer after-school options.Milly Rose Bannister is a youth mental and social health expert and the founder of ALLKND, a youth-led charity working nationally with young Australians aged 15–25.She has spent the past six months analysing the real-world impact of the social media age ban on young people across both metro and regional Australia.Her research highlights three trends: high levels of circumvention, particularly outside cities; a disproportionate impact on regional teens; and the “absence of parallel support.”“Policy has removed access without replacing support,” she says. “Young people consistently report the absence of parallel investment in digital literacy education, safer platform design, or offline alternatives that are genuinely accessible in regional areas.”She supports the advice of other digital experts who say an all-out ban is an overcorrection.“Young people are not asking for unrestricted access to social media,” says Bannister. The compromise? Age-appropriate platform settings, co-designed with young people.“In consultation, young people are repeatedly calling for school-based digital literacy education that goes beyond just tracking screen time,” she says.“They also need adults who are equipped to have informed, non-alarmist conversations about online life.”Holly Pastor is the Careers and Transition advisor at Bomaderry High School and agrees regional teens can feel isolated.“Being a teen in a regional area comes with its own challenges,” she says. “There are fewer opportunities for social activities compared to the city, so social media is often their main way of connecting with friends.”“The age ban might feel more limiting here because it takes away one of the few ways they can stay connected with their wider peer group.”She says this is only the start of a lower-tech transition — and offering alternative ways to connect with peers is vital.“Some students are coping well, others are struggling a bit with anxiety or feeling left out,” she says. “It’s early days, so we’re keeping an eye on things and making sure students have support when they need it.”For adults and young people alike, it is clear more still needs to be done to ease the impact of tech addiction — and the answer isn’t to go cold turkey.A hopeful example is the banning of mobile phones in schools.Beginning with Victorian schools in 2020, mobiles have been banned in Australian schools. According to government data, 81 per cent of students say learning has improved since the ban, 87 per cent say they are less distracted in class, and 86 per cent say socialising has improved.“The effect was immediate,” says a local high school educator. “I used to walk through the playground and every student would be looking at a phone. The week after the ban, they were playing basketball and chatting to each other. It was incredible.”The strategy offers students age-appropriate autonomy.In New South Wales, high school students can leave their phones in lockable ‘pouches’, in lockers, or hand them to school staff at the beginning of the day.In a policy change, which came into effect in February 2025, principals may allow students to use mobile phones in “specific circumstances” such as to achieve health and wellbeing outcomes.As a local 15-year-old told The Bugle, “I hate all the technology in schools. I wish I didn’t even have a phone, but I’d be totally cut off from everyone.”However, young people are finding opportunities to unplug and rebel against the social media giants.A group of students in Kiama are boycotting WhatsApp, which has been repeatedly criticised for being a hotbed of bullying and harassing behaviour.Currently, WhatsApp is not part of the social media age ban because it is technically a ‘private messaging’ platform. However, experts are warning that group chats are part of a hidden bullying epidemic.“Last year, my daughter and her friends all decided to uninstall WhatsApp — and they’re not resorting to reinstalling it,” said a mum. “It’s a dangerous place and even the kids know it. They didn’t get banned, but they’re boycotting it. I love that for them.”Boxout: Supporting Young ScrollersFamily therapist Rachel Schofield says leading by example is key.Be the anchor: Your teen needs to feel your confidence. If they hit a wave of upset at the loss of their social media account, try not to rush in to ‘fix’ the feeling. Their upset is a natural and healthy response to a loss. If we feel anxious at our child’s upset, we can enter a vicious cycle.Check in on the ‘how.’ Help them navigate alternative ways to stay in touch with friends, whether that’s safer platforms or more face-to-face time. We want to ensure their social world stays rich, even while their online world is being protected.Cultivate the long game: Think of this time as a vital digital pause. Their brains are still building the filters they need to handle the complexities and pressures of the social media world. By age 16, they will be better equipped to cope with it.Model healthy tech use: Check in with your own social media use and prioritise face-to-face connection at home. The habits they develop now will stay with them; let’s help make them healthy ones.

Rain may have fallen over Kiama on Sunday, but it did little to dampen the colour and music at Kiama Surf Life Saving Club’s Pride Sunday Sips.The club marked Surf Life Saving Australia’s Rainbow Beach initiative with a Pride-themed patrol followed by a vibrant Sunday Sips gathering — drawing an impressive crowd despite the drizzle.Event coordinator Jane Bourne said the idea began late last year when Surf Life Saving Australia invited clubs to request free Pride Packs.“My husband and I are very involved with the surf club, and we thought that looks like a great idea,” Bourne said.“We checked with the water committee and they were like, ‘Yep, great.’”While the official NSW date was the 14th, the club shifted celebrations to align with its regular Sunday Nippers and Sippers.“It made more sense for us to do it on the 15th — and they were very happy for us to change the day,” she said.Lifesavers flew the rainbow flag and wore rainbow zinc, armbands and whistles as part of the patrol.“The whistles, the zinc and the rainbow armbands were all part of the pack. It was lovely,” Bourne said.Upstairs, Sunday Sips took on a Pride theme, with local DJ Brendon Reece generously donating his time to keep the atmosphere lively. A glitter and glam station proved especially popular.“It was mainly kids — although some bigger kids got themselves bedazzled and glittered up too,” Bourne said.Moist & Glazed supplied fresh donuts, while a 100-square fundraising board raised $500 for the surf club, alongside $500 in cash prizes.Despite steady rain — conditions that would normally see Sips cancelled — organisers decided to press ahead.“We’ve got an indoor space at the club, and I thought, we’ve got a DJ, we’ve got these people coming — let’s keep it on,” Bourne said.“It was a really good turnout, especially for a rainy Sunday. Loads of new faces, new families — people who don’t normally come.”Members of the local Pride community, including representatives from an Illawarra-based Rainbow choir, attended and expressed interest in future collaborations.“We reached out to Rainbow families and Pride groups in the area, as well as our regular locals. We wanted to make sure that the community knew they were welcome,” she said.Beyond the music, glitter and donuts, the day carried a clear message about belonging in the Kiama community.“Inclusion and visibility are vitally important everywhere,” she said.“The Surf Club serves the community. We teach young children life skills and lifesaving skills. It’s important that everyone feels welcome.”In a regional town, she said, that visibility can be especially powerful.“It’s so important to show people who perhaps feel different that you are absolutely welcome, you are wanted, you can be yourself — and people will support you.”Bourne hopes Pride at Sippers will become an annual event aligned with Rainbow Beach, and a springboard for more Pride celebrations across Kiama in the future.

Kiama residents are leading the charge when it comes to clean energy adoption, with solar rooftop panel installation in the LGA higher than the national average. Steve Heinecke is one of thousands of residents who invested in rooftop solar several years ago to lower his household electricity costs. Now the Kiama resident has supercharged his energy-saving measures by installing a solar battery, allowing him to store the energy produced by his rooftop panels.Last July, the federal government introduced the Cheaper Home Battery scheme, reducing the upfront installation cost of home solar batteries by up to 30 per cent.The incentive cemented Heinecke’s decision to invest in the technology and the timing allowed him to take advantage of the peak summer sun, with Kiama-based business All Australian Energy installing the battery in December.Heinecke is not alone in taking advantage of the solar subsidy. A recent report by the Clean Energy Council found 183,000 solar batteries were sold in the six months to December 31, 2025. This figure is more than the previous four years combined.“I decided to invest in the battery as I thought it was a good thing to do for the environment,” says Heinecke. “But the cost reduction helped my decision to purchase a battery. “While we had low power bills with two people in the household, the battery will allow us to start storing solar energy and over a 12-month period we should have enough so that we don’t get a power bill at all.”He also likes the fact that the battery will provide back-up power during a blackout “and make us self sufficient”.Figures from the Australian Photovoltaic Institute show more than 40 per cent of households in the Kiama LGA now have rooftop solar, higher than the national average. Australia is a world leader in renewable technology, with more than 4.2 million rooftop solar systems installed across the nation. Until recently only one in 40 households used batteries to store their solar production.The Clean Energy Council report - which tracks national trends in renewable energy uptake from 2020 to 2025 - found the “high cost made solar batteries out of reach for many households”.But the Cheaper Home Batteries Program “has reduced barriers to these high upfront costs,” says the report, with the number of battery installations more than doubling year-on-year to 454,753. Now one in 24 households has a solar battery.With rooftop solar producing almost 15 per cent of the nation’s electricity - five years ago it produced just 7.2 per cent of electricity - Heinecke believes the long-term benefit of panel and battery installation outweighs the upfront cost.Heinecke has urged consumers who want to save money and the environment to do their homework and look into how a solar battery could help households turn sunlight into savings.

The Bugle Bulletin is BACK for 2026! 🗞️📻In partnership with Kiama Community Radio, we’re bringing you the stories that matter – local people, local voices, local news.Here’s what’s making news across Kiama and surrounding areas this week: Under-16s are banned from social media — but “GenTech” teens are already finding ways around it. A slice of Jamberoo history restored, with the original plaque returned to the old Council Chambers, now home to Jamberoo Valley Meats. The Sulli-Vans take their family act on tour — from Phillip Island to Tamworth. Calls to expand Seven Mile Beach National Park to help save the endangered Southern Greater Glider.… and more! Read full details all these stories and more on The Bugle app or pick up this week’s edition of The Bugle newspaper from the usual outlets.

A widespread decline of the endangered Southern Greater Glider species across the South Coast has prompted Gerroa Environmental Protection Society to call for the expansion of Seven Mile Beach National Park.The Society has spoken with Kiama MP Katelin McInerney about supporting an investigation into the expansion of the national park to protect the complex vegetation and to assist the survival of the Greater Glider population at Seven Mile Beach. A recent study by Garry Daly in the Journal Australia Zoologist provides evidence that the beach may be one of the last strongholds of the Greater Glider on the South Coast. The Southern Greater Glider has suffered severe declines in abundance and distribution across several National Parks, except for Seven Mile Beach, where populations have remained unchanged. Daly warns a minimum habitat of 1000 hectares is needed to sustain a Greater Glider population and while Seven Mile Beach National Park is less than that, there is adjoining freehold and council managed lands that exceeds the minimum size to support a viable population.GEPS secretary Howard H Jones said the study should be a wake-up call for action to be taken before it’s too late.He said koalas used to inhabit the area around the beach in the 1950s but the ongoing loss of habitat led to their demise.“This Glider population is particularly vulnerable. "The problem is the disconnection from other populations in the hinterland and the small area of habitat within the Park available to support the local population,” he said.“We are very concerned that development and sand mining pressure on land adjoining the Park could lead to further vegetation loss and fragmentation, and over time, to the loss of this Glider Population.”Jones said the area is “unusually rich and diverse” and provides a habitat for 13 endangered and threatened species as well as eight Endangered Ecological Communities, including Coomonderry Swamp, the largest Coastal Freshwater wetland in NSW. “Yet much of this biologically important vegetation, including this great wetland, is not protected within the National Park.“There’s a lot of really good reasons to bring this habitat into the park.“Much of the habitat is threatened by sand mining and development. There has been an ongoing reduction of the bushland and we don’t want to see that continue.”Jones said McInerney seemed to be supportive of the Society’s call for an investigation into the issue but that it would likely take time to come to fruition.GEPS conducts nighttime walks through the national park to spot the gliders when they are active.“It’s a thrill to see them,” Jones added.“The best thing is to actually see them glide but that’s a rare occurrence.“Most people never see the glider because they’re very secretive and they only come out at night so it can be hard to generate community awareness.”

More than a dozen local venues have already signed on for the Sounds of Jazz & Blues weekend which will be held early next month. The live music weekend from 6-8 March will feature local businesses hosting jazz, blues and a mix of other musical styles, with music-lovers encouraged to wander between venues and enjoy live music across Kiama and surrounding villages.To make it easier and safer for people to move between venues, a free Blues Bus shuttle loop service will operate across the weekend, thanks to sponsorship from the Kiama Business Network.KBN president Cathryn Lyall said the shuttle was a practical way to support local businesses.“This weekend is all about collaboration,” she said.“Local venues are hosting and funding their own live music, and the Blues Bus helps people enjoy more of what’s on offer while supporting our hospitality community.”All performances are free to attend, with individual venues managing entry conditions, capacity limits and any booking requirements.The weekend of music is filling the gap after the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival opted to pause in 2026 ahead of its 40th anniversary return next year.Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said the weekend was about backing local effort and keeping live music at the heart of the community.“Sounds of Jazz & Blues is about local venues, local musicians and locals coming together to keep our town buzzing,” Cr McDonald said.“It’s a great example of what can happen when a community works together to create something special.”A full gig guide and performance schedule will be released shortly, allowing audiences to plan their own music trail for the weekend.Among the participating venues are Burnetts on Barney, Club Jamberoo, Cin Cin Wine Bar, Crooked River Wines, Diggies Kiama, The Grand Hotel, JJ’s Indian Kiama, KG Café, Kiama Beach Tag, Kiama Bowling Club, Kiama Golf Club, Kiama Leagues Club, Kiama Surf Club, Mercure Gerringong, Saltwater Cafe, Stoic Brewing, Yves Kiama as well as the Gerringong and Kiama libraries.

Ex Servos put a huge dent in North Nowra Cambewarra’s finals hopes with an upset win in round 15 of the South Coast cricket season on Saturday.With three rounds left, North Nowra are now 13 points adrift of Kiama in fourth place and need other results to go their way even if they peel off three wins to finish the season.Ex Servos managed only 98 in their low-scoring affair at Bernie Regan Oval, anchored by John Bowern’s 41 as Jason Moschioni (4-22) and Matt Hickmott (3-41) tore through the batting line-up.After progressing to 1-41, Andrew Wilson (3-17), Kuldeep Singh rana (2-4) and Jovan Croese (3-54) triggered a dramatic collapse to bowl North Nowra out for just 80.Their 18-run win, the first for the season, gives Ex Servos hope of offloading the wooden spoon, now just three points behind Albion Park.The Eagles went down by 30 runs to Kiama after the Cavaliers posted 7-176 on the back of solid contributions from David Coleman (46), Ryan Butta (42) and captain Jaya Hartgerink (37).Park’s top order crumbled to be 4-38 and they had no answer as Coleman completed a fine all-round performance with 4-30.Bomaderry’s playoff hopes are also fading after they lost a nail-biter to competition leaders Lake Illawarra at Artie Smith Oval. The hosts only managed 87 with the bat as allrounder Jake O’Connell (4-25) and fellow seamer Jarryd White (3-30) ran amok.But the premiers went from cruising at 1-76 to losing 6-11 before limping over the finish line after Lachlan Duggan took 4-7 and Brad Cross bagged 3-25.Shellharbour maintained a share of second spot with a five-wicket win over the Kookas, chasing down the total of 182 with 4.4 overs to spare while Bay and Basin beat Oak Flats by eight runs in another rain-shortened game with Dolphins skipper Brock Balgowan (41 and 4-34) guiding his team to victory.This Saturday, North Nowra host Bay and Basin, Lake Illawarra take on Oak Flats at Geoff Shaw Oval, Kiama are away to Shellharbour in the match of the round, Albion Park are away to Ex Servos and the Kookas visit Bomaderry.Ladder: Lake 90, Harbour, Bay & Basin 79, Kiama 75, North Nowra 62, Bomaderry 60, Oak Flats 41, Kookas 35, Park 33, Ex Servos 30.In the women’s competition on Friday night, the Kookas sealed the minor premiership by thrashing Oak Flats Ratatouilles by 78 runs.Mel Nolan’s 48 and an unbeaten 34 from April Wells powered the Kookas to 2-133 before five bowlers were among the wickets in restricting Oak Flats to 8-55.Oak Flats Ratettes sunk Shellharbour 128-77 with Anne Boatswain top-scoring with 46 while Lake Illawarra trounced Ex Servos.Nakita Boatswain and Anthea Godwin made 43 apiece but Kiana Dovern belted 55 not out as Lake chased down the total with seven overs up their sleeve.Annette Thornton took 3-14 as Kiama bowled Albion Park out for 73 before Ebony Winston blasted an unbeaten 40 as the Cavettes hauled in the target without losing a wicket.This Friday, the Ratatouilles meet Shellharbour and the Ratettes face Ex Servos at Myimbarr, Kiama host Lake and Albion Park take on the Kookas at Albion Oval.Ladder: Kookas 44, Ratettes 30, Ratatouille 28, Kiama, Lake 24, Park 18, Ex Servos 16, Harbour 4.

Landcare Illawarra is pleased to announce the formation of two new community-led groups, launching at Loves Bay on the coast in Kiama’s south and inland at Jerrara Dam Reserve.The community-based, volunteer-led Landcare movement features local residents working together to care for their environment. Projects may take place on private land or public reserves and are driven by local priorities and local knowledge.Within the Kiama local government area there are already four Landcare groups working on private land and seven on Council reserves. These groups are formed by people who want to improve their immediate surroundings and make a positive contribution to their community.The new Loves Bay Landcare group was initiated by Alan Woodward, a Kiama Heights local who lives near the popular starting point of the final stage of the Kiama Coast Walk. Alan approached Landcare Illawarra in late 2025 after recognising the opportunity to improve the ecological health of the area for the benefit of both nature and the community.“Loves Bay is a beautiful place, but it could be better with the regeneration of vegetation and the environment around the creek that flows into the bay,” he said. “Already there are remnants of the rainforest that once covered the local area, with plants, seeds and water-life that could thrive through the removal of weeds and native plantings. “This Landcare project will restore a truly unique coastal place for the future.”The first meeting of Loves Bay Landcare will be held on Saturday, 28 February.Jerrara Dam Reserve is a 54-hectare site surrounded by farmland between Kiama and Jamberoo.Ros Neilson, who lives in Jamberoo, is passionate about the reserve’s value as an important parcel of community land. She hopes the formation of a Landcare group will support continued public engagement with the area, which is already well used by birdwatchers, wildlife carers and walkers.“This new group will focus on small, practical actions to support the regeneration of rainforest and wetlands in the face of ongoing weed pressure,” she said. “The site contains valuable and endangered remnant rainforest species, and what was once Jerrara Dam has naturally evolved into a wetland that provides important habitat for migratory birds and other native fauna.”The group’s first working bee was held earlier this month and a follow-up session has been planned for Sunday, 22 February.All community members are welcome to attend working bees at both sites, and no previous experience is required.Landcare Illawarra vice chair Michael Andrews said the organisation was proud to support new community-driven initiatives.“At Landcare Illawarra, we’re always excited to support new grassroots groups who are taking action to care for the places they love,” he said.“Community-led projects like these don’t just improve the environment on the ground, they also show decision-makers at all levels how much our natural places matter. “We’re proud to support volunteers with the training, knowledge and technical support they need to make a real, lasting difference.”

A man has been refused bail after an incident in Kiama in which he was arrested over domestic violence allegations.About 9.30pm on Sunday, police attended a home in Cooinda Place, Kiama, to arrest a man in relation to an alleged DV incident.During the arrest, police allege the 32-year-old man punched a male constable in the throat and face before the constable deployed OC spray to effect the arrest.The 32-year-old was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where he allegedly made threats towards the same male constable and a male leading senior constable.NSW Ambulance was called and attempted to treat the man, who allegedly declined.Police will allege that while in custody, the man punched the leading constable in the face, breaking his glasses and causing cuts to his eyebrow and nose.Officers then deployed OC spray, and the man was handcuffed again.Both officers were treated and have returned to duty.The 32-year-old was charged with assault police in execution of duty without actual bodily harm, two counts of hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, two counts of intimidate police officer in execution of duty and assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm.Police also charged him with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm.He was refused bail.

Gerringong junior Ashton Ward is making a strong case for a spot in South Sydney’s Round 1 side after a strong performance in the Charity Shield win over St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium on Saturday night.The 22-year-old five-eighth, who did well in his six first-grade appearances when he made his debut late last season, came up with a try assist in the 28-24 victory over the Dragons. There is a vacancy in the halves for the Rabbitohs in the opening round with Jamie Humphreys out suspended so coach Wayne Bennett may use Ward alongside Cody Walker for the clash with the Dolphins in Brisbane on 8 March.Ward was thrilled to play his part in the triumph with Souths fielding an inexperienced side against what was virtually a full-strength Dragons line-up.“It was unreal, it was good to get back out there with the boots back on. It’s been a long pre-season so it was good to get a bit of footy under the belt,” he said.“Especially for something like the Charity Shield it’s always good to get one up on the Dragons. “We were completing well, kicking to the corners, not try and complicate things too much - that’s what we did and it got us the win.”Ward also scored bragging rights over fellow Gerringong products Hamish Stewart and Hayden Buchanan, who turned out for the Dragons.Stewart peeled off 37 tackles to be the equal leader in that category for the home side with prop Emre Guler while Buchanan made a couple of tackle breaks in racking up 56 metres from just three runs after he also entered the fray from the bench.They will both be in contention for the squad that travels to Las Vegas at the end of this week to take on Canterbury at Allegiant Stadium next Sunday.St George Illawarra have now wrapped up their pre-season campaign while South Sydney will take on Manly at Glen Willow Oval in Mudgee this Sunday.

An extra public holiday will be handed out to NSW residents this year and in 2027 with Anzac Day falling on a weekend.The NSW Government has announced an additional public holiday on the Monday following Anzac Day on both occasions - in 2026, Anzac Day will fall on a Saturday, and in 2027 it will fall on a Sunday.Dawn Services, marches and community ceremonies held on that day will continue to be the central focus of remembrance across NSW.Each year, thousands of families rise before dawn, gather at local memorials, march alongside veterans and reflect on the service and sacrifice that shaped our nation.The additional holiday on Monday does not replace Anzac Day. Rather it reinforces its importance and significance as well as making it consistent with other major public holidays.Unlike New Year’s Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, there are currently no additional public holiday arrangements in place in NSW when Anzac Day falls on a weekend, which occurs on average twice every seven years. NSW has fewer public holidays than all other mainland states and territories.Prior to the addition of the Anzac Day holiday, NSW had 11 public holidays in 2026, compared with 15 in South Australia and the Northern Territory and 14 in Queensland, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory and on par with Tasmania’s 11 public holidays this year.The experience of the additional public holidays will form part of a NSW Government review of the state’s public holidays to commence in 2027, that will consider:the current number of state-wide public holidays in NSWwhether NSW should have an additional public holidaywhether there should be a permanent change to Anzac Day public holiday arrangements when Anzac Day falls on a weekend The review will be informed by community, business, veteran groups and other stakeholder feedback, as well as the economic and social impacts of the additional public holiday in 2026 and 2027.Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said Anzac Day was "one of the most important and solemn days on our national calendar, and that will not change".“We have a tremendous amount of reverence for Anzac Day across our communities, especially among our veterans and their families.“Each year, thousands of families rise before dawn, gather at local memorials, march alongside veterans and reflect on the service and sacrifice that shaped our nation.“Adding a public holiday when Anzac Day falls on a weekend will not diminish that tradition. If anything, it is a reminder of its importance and another reason for people to get up, attend a local service and ensure the spirit of remembrance continues to be passed on to the next generation.”RSL NSW acting president Vince Williams said their primary concern is that “the sanctity and significance of Anzac Day is protected".“Having consulted members, RSL NSW does not oppose the introduction of an additional public holiday, and looks forward to continuing to work constructively with the defence and veteran community and the NSW Government as the trial progresses. “Additionally, a public holiday on Monday will also provide many serving Australian Defence Force personnel who are required to work on Anzac Day itself with an opportunity to spend quality time with their loved ones.”

You must have been hiding under a rock if you did not hear the Reserve Bank’s announcement recently about interest rates. RBA governor Michele Bullock announced an increase in the cash rate from 3.60% up to 3.85% - an increase of .25% and the first rate hike in over two years, following a series of cuts in 2025. Happy New Year from the RBA to every mortgage holder in Australia!This decision was primarily driven by a "material" pick-up in inflation during the second half of 2025, which indicated that the economy was running "hotter" than previously estimated.The real debate was around the main driver behind the inflationary numbers - was it the private or government sector that contributed to the increase? While the debate raged in the media, there is unfortunately nothing we can do to reverse last Tuesday’s announcement.All is not lost, however. You do have a few things in your control that might help manage the increase and reduce either your repayments or the term of your mortgage.If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Contact your bank or your mortgage broker and ask them for a home loan health check or an interest rate review. You might be surprised by the outcome.If your bank doesn’t come to the party, contact a mortgage broker to test your current interest rate or home loan product against what is available from other lenders in the market.You could also consider making additional repayments or leveraging your redraw or offset account to reduce the term of your mortgage.The team at Astute Brent Rollings is always here to help. Feel free to reach out to us if you need help to talk through your options to make sure you are getting the best outcome in the market.Please note: This is paid content

The Roll of Honour plaque at the Gerringong RSL Sub-branch for World War II, labelled “The Great War”, reads: “Men Who Answered their Country’s Call. 1914–1918.”Behind every name on that plaque lies a heartbroken family and a deep tragedy that rocked the then tiny community of Gerringong. The official 1921 census recorded a population of just 792.None of those young men who died in the service of their country would recognise Gerringong as it is today, with its high-end properties, smart cars and affluent population.We will never know much about the men behind the plaque adorning the front of the historic Memorial Hall at the heart of Gerringong’s shopping strip:“J.E. Alexander, Died on Service; G.H. Cooke, Palestine; E.A. Cook, France; or Private J.W. Donovan, Gallipoli.” And so many others.“They put their whole life on the line,” says Gerringong RSL treasurer Leanne Mitchell. “I’m a mother, and I can’t imagine sending my children off to die. It was about serving for the betterment of all of us, our way of life.”Fast-forward through another world war, and the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Soldiers' Memorial Hall is no longer the bustling community hub it once was.Membership of the Gerringong RSL Sub-branch never exceeded 50 or so after World War I or World War II, yet the branch served as a vital gathering place for military personnel and their families – a place of solace for returned soldiers to remember fallen mates, and for the bereaved. It hosted dances, afternoon teas, weddings and engagement parties, supported by the local Ladies Auxiliary.Now, membership is dwindling due to age and illness, and the Memorial Hall has lost much of its former vibrancy.In an unprecedented step, the group is publicly advertising its Annual General Meeting on Monday, 16 February, declaring:“We would like to invite anyone with an interest in the RSL, or any ex or serving personnel, to attend to meet with us and see what we are about. "We welcome any ideas to encourage veterans and their families to join us.”Gerringong RSL President Mike O’Leary, 78, says they are keen to see the building once more become a community hub for returned service men and women, and for their families.Conscripted for National Service at age 21 in 1967, he wasn’t political and never campaigned against the Vietnam War – or the American War, as the Vietnamese still call it. Nor did he ponder deeply the morality of being sent to a foreign conflict. He simply figured he was unlucky that his number had come up.“I didn’t see it as an adventure, didn’t know anything about war, none of us did,” Mike recalls. “Vietnam was a complete unknown. I thought it would be like Wollongong.”Many who fought in Vietnam returned severely damaged and never fully recovered from what they experienced. Like many veterans of that terrible war, he doesn’t want to talk much about his service.“When I joined in the early 2000s there were still WWII and Korean veterans involved,” Mike says. “They have all gone. Now we are all in our 70s and 80s.“The main thing we are after is to attract more members. You need to have a defence service history, but we also have affiliate memberships.“The Anzac Day Dawn Service, which we organise, attracts large numbers. We had 100 kids this past year. It is the only community event that pulls that many people.“We want to see this place once again become a centre for social events. We are not living in the past. We are trying to get people involved.”

More than 25 community organisations will assemble at Gerringong Library and Museum to showcase the wide range of groups and service providers in the region.If you are looking to meet new people, discover a hobby, or get more involved in your local community, the Gerringong Community Expo next Saturday (21 February) is the perfect place to see what is on offer.The free event will feature gardening, craft and music groups, as well as U3A, CWA, Probus, Lions and the Rural Fire Service, aned many other organisations offering something for all ages and interests.Families and community members are invited to enjoy a free pancake breakfast and sausage sizzle, and meet the local group members.Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said the event, which has received funding from the Australian Library & Information Association’s Community Cohesion Programs grant, was a great opportunity to strengthen local connections.“Our community is full of talented, passionate people who give their time to make Gerringong and the wider Kiama area such a welcoming and vibrant place,” he said. “This expo brings all of that energy together – helping people find new interests, make new friends and discover support networks they may not have known existed. “I encourage everyone to come along and see what our community has to offer.”

The Bugle is pleased to present a fortnightly feature with Kiama High School, bringing you the latest news and events from the school.Kiama High School’s theme for 2026 is "Your choice matters - Make it count."Principal Catherine Glover wants everyone at the school to adopt the theme to get the most out of the year.“This is a reminder that the decisions we make each day, big or small really matter and for our students this can positively shape their learning, wellbeing, and future pathways.“It has been wonderful to see students return ready for learning, catching up with friends and filling the school with an energy that only they can bring.”Kiama High has welcomed Philip Reuter in Visual Arts, Sharon White-McFadden as School Counsellor (Monday and Friday) and careers adviser Jason Invernon.The School is also reminding students that e-bikes are not permitted to be stored near buildings or structures so they are not allowed on schoolpremises. Glover said the school does not have a suitable facility available but “this may change and it will be communicated once it does”.Kiama High is also making the transition to the Compass platform for student data. Compass entered a joint venture with School Bytes, which Kiama High already uses. Glover said the this new platform offered improved communication between home and school, and streamlines processes for students for excursions.Kiama High’s swimming carnival will be held next Tuesday (17 February), the Year 12 UOW Discovery Day is next Wednesday and the Year 7 Vaccination Clinic will be held on Friday.There will be an opportunity for students to take part in Start Your Future short courses later this term. These are four-week programs, running one day per week. Choir is back up and running in 2026 with practice sessions each Friday at lunchtime. If choir is not your thing but you still love to sing, the Casual Karaoke Club kicked off this term with Friday lunchtime sessions. Students can also sign up for Kiama High’s Ensemble Band for 2026 with Friday morning rehearsals getting underway at 8am.A Wind Ensemble is also starting soon and Kiama High’s music teachers are on the lookout for students who play a wind instrument. Kiama High School would like to thank local artist, Machteld Hali, who has generously donated a number of art magazines as well as paper and equipment for use in the art department. These supplies will be of enormous benefit to teachers and students, who are very grateful for this donation. Year 7-12 students are invited to register for Nintendo Switch E‑Sports sessions at Kiama headspace.Fun, friendly gaming tournaments are held, featuring popular games like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros.Round‑robin style matches are held with eight players at a time and there are prizes for the tournaments held on the second Tuesday of each month from 3.30pm-5.30pm.This is a relaxed, inclusive space to game, connect, and have fun with others in the community.

Berry will Extend the Weekend in an innovative campaign to encourage visitors to stay longer outside the village’s peak holiday periods. Targeting Thursdays and Sundays as a way of bookending the traditional Friday and Saturday night busy period for Berry’s hospitality venues, the campaign will be delivered through A Day Well Spent, a four-part, multi-venue live music series running from February to June.High-calibre touring acts and standout regional talent across genres including country, jazz and blues, indie, funk and soul will light up venues across Berry. Berry secured $200,000 in grant funding through the NSW Government’s Uptown grant program to fund the initiative, joining Nowra, Huskisson and Sussex Inlet among the first regional communities selected. Precinct coordinator Kate Dezarnaulds said the campaign was the result of a grassroots effort by people who care deeply about the historic village.“Two years ago a bunch of passionate business owners in town, still struggling to put back together the successful business models that they had before Covid, came together under the auspices of the Berry Chamber of Commerce and Tourism when I was the president and we went through the NSW Uptown accelerator program.“It's been a project which has been two years in the works. We spent about six months together as a group going to all these amazing workshops and trying to put our finger on exactly what it is that were the barriers to vibrancy and sustainability for hospitality businesses in Berry and what might be the things that we could work together to be able to shift the dial on.“We managed to get all of our ducks in a row and put together a pretty compelling case and we were very lucky to be one of the first regional towns to be recipients of $200,000 worth of funding, which is unheard of levels of funding support for place-based initiatives that are not directed to councils.”Berry Showground hosted two Red Hot Summer Tour concerts, headlined by iconic acts like Crowded House, Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins and The Waifs, in recent months but the Extend the Weekend campaign is aimed at small-scale events to help local business so that the tourism spend stays locally. “One of the challenges of big festivals is that they bring fly in, fly out money so this is designed to be a regular, low pulse Injection of funding and support for existing businesses in town so that the benefits of events are not something that sits with city-based businesses and and food trucks that don't even come from the region,” Dezarnaulds added.“The economic benefits flow directly to the bricks and mortar businesses that really make up the regular character of a town.”The Thursday night and Sunday concept is designed to create new windows for local business operators to cash in on Berry’s widespread appeal.“The reason we did Thursday and Sunday is that Berry’s already sold out on the weekend and what we really need for our operators is for them to be able to have people getting back in the habit of catching up with mates or going out on a date night on Thursday night, rebuilding that muscle memory of having fun.“We need our visitors that come on the weekend to have a real reason to stay one more night so extend their weekend with a Sunday night stay, have a chance to live a bit like a local and make the most of a long weekend in Berry.“Thursday nights will tend to be focused on restaurants and bars and Sundays will be on the Southern Hotel and the Berry Hotel.“It's up for the participating hospitality venues to decide what is supportive of their operations and what will give them a bit of courage and motivation to extend their hours or to try something new and to do that with with both the logistical funding and marketing and promotional support that the current campaign brings“My job as the district coordinator is to make sure that we spend the money in accordance with the grant conditions, really build the spirit of collaboration and possibility between all of the different venues and put a bit of optimism and energy back into a hospitality and events scene that's really struggled since Covid to re-find its mojo.”The series will launch next Thursday (February 19) and the following Sunday with a Country-themed weekend, celebrating Berry’s agricultural roots with a contemporary edge.There will be Thursday night performances by Alex Clark, Loki Hines, Solo West and Amber Kenny and a major daytime Sunday session across multiple venues, headlined by award-winning New Zealand artist Jenny Mitchell and Jacob Fitzgerald & The Electric City. Sunday’s line-up also features local favourites The Freewheelers, Tropical Strength and South Coast singer Grace Mae, who has kicked on at the Tamworth Academy of Country Music.Berry’s second event will be Jazz and Blues on 19 and 22 March, followed by an Indie theme on 21 and 24 May, then a Funk and Soul extended weekend on 18 and 21 June.More information at extendtheweekend.berry.org.au.

Kiama’s beloved Old Fire Station gallery is preparing for a bold takeover this month as WO-MAN-O-FEST brings a burst of color and high-end craft to the heart of town.Running from Thursday (19 February) to Wednesday (5 March), the exhibition promises to transform the familiar community space into a vibrant sanctuary of fine art and jewellery.The show is steered by curator and artist Auguste Blackman, son of the iconic Charles Blackman, who has handpicked a stellar lineup of Illawarra-based talent to share the spotlight.A major highlight of the exhibition is the inclusion of Harvey and Jules, who are set to showcase a mesmerizing collection of polished Australian Boulder Opal jewelry.These aren't your average gems; fused naturally with ironstone, these opals are celebrated for their unique play of light, deep hidden sparkle, and elegant organic forms.The striking natural striations ensure that each piece carries a one-of-a-kind character, making them a magnet for serious collectors and jewelry enthusiasts alike.The walls will also feature a rich tapestry of local voices, including the highly respected Indigenous artist Randall Sinnamon, alongside notable contributions from Leah Wilde, Bob Dixon, and Machteld Hali.Adding a whimsical touch to the gallery, Auguste Blackman has produced 45 bespoke owl paintings specifically for this Kiama run, ensuring the space is packed with as much personality as it is prestige.The public is warmly invited to the official opening from 5:00 PM on Thursday 19 February. It is the perfect chance to meet the makers, enjoy the atmosphere, and celebrate the local creative scene.Between the rare gemstones and Blackman’s trademark humor, WO-MAN-O-FEST is set to be a standout on the local cultural calendar. It’ll be a hoot!

Shellharbour City Council’s lifeguards have continued their remarkable run of success, winning the Illawarra and South Coast Lifeguard Challenge in a thrilling contest of skill, teamwork and endurance. Lifeguards from Wollongong City, Kiama Municipal and Shoalhaven City councils pushed hard, but the local team of Storm Balmain, Will Fowler, Leivi Willis, Wade Anderton, Lucas Krstevski and Jordan Simpson secured the title for Shellharbour for the fourth straight year. Shellharbour also placed third with the team of Sean Ritter, Kyah Shipley, Mack Elliot, Baxter Devine, Callum Balcon and Nicole Sims, while Wollongong finished second. “This is an incredible feat by our dedicated lifeguard team. Winning this title four years in a row is a testament to their skill and spirit,” Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said. “Our lifeguards demonstrate outstanding professionalism, resilience and teamwork all year round.”The annual event, hosted this year at Shellharbour Surf Life Saving Club on Thursday evening, featured 54 lifeguards from across the region competing in a series of demanding beach- and water-based relay events. The Lifeguard Challenge tests strength, speed and coordination in conditions that mirror the demands of real-life rescues in a friendly but fiercely contested environment. Nine teams competed, each featuring six lifeguards including at least one female and one member aged over 30. “The Lifeguard Challenge is more than a competition. It celebrates the vital role these teams play in protecting beachgoers and showcases the strong bonds between lifeguards across the Illawarra and South Coast,” Cr Homer added.