Few places capture Kiama’s charm quite like its harbour, a postcard-perfect curve backed by Norfolk Pines, fishing boats and the hum of visitors who seem awed that such a scene still exists this close to one of the world’s most famous harbours. It is undoubtedly the jewel in our town’s crown.Now, that same idyllic pocket has become the latest stage for one of Kiama’s most enduring dramas: the battle between progress and preservation.In June 2025, Kiama Council resolved to establish a working group to provide a mechanism for Council and the community to shape the future of Kiama Harbour. “Fast-forward” eight months and Council is now calling for interested and “qualified” community members to join the Kiama Harbour Revitalisation Working Group.On paper, this should be a constructive forum. Its aim is to guide the future of the harbour precinct ensuring that the heritage, tourism and business elements align in a way that benefits the town. Yet within days of its announcement, and some social media from Councillor Mike Cains, community Facebook pages were alight with suspicion. Posts decrying “dollar signs,” “overdevelopment,” and “here we go again” quickly gained traction.This reaction is hardly new but is a natural progression of the conversation about the future of our town. With Council having moved forward and set the boundary of “going out” and expanding the town, and “going up” (though we are still not sure what’s happening at Akuna and Shoalhaven Street), it’s onto the next frontier: the Harbour.Our community has shown an instinctive vigilance toward change. We are fiercely protective of the town’s scale and identity and traits that underpin its appeal but can also stifle needed renewal.Critics of the backlash argue Kiama risks paralysis by nostalgia. Infrastructure near the harbour is ageing, access is uneven and the tourism economy which is central to local livelihoods depends on reinvestment and revitalisation. Without careful upgrades, the harbour could fade from charm into complacency. Supporters of revitalisation see the working group as a rare chance to shape outcomes early rather than reacting late, and also securing tangible outcomes.Still, perception matters. When trust in Council and developers runs thin, even the most promising ideas are viewed through a lens of distrust. Transparency will therefore be critical: open meetings, publishable minutes, clear visuals of any proposed changes. A harbour renewal done with the community, not to it, could reset the tone.Kiama has always been defined by its edges where land meets sea, character meets growth, and locals meet newcomers. The harbour revitalisation debate is not simply about bricks, boardwalks and (possibly) beverages on the water. It’s about who gets to decide what Kiama Harbour becomes next and whether its people can find common ground. So, when Cr Cains says the working group will “get cracking on the job of making sure that the jewel is everything that it can be”, The Bugle’s View is that we hope that this next frontier is a positive one, and not more of the same.

Kiama Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters has shot down suggestions that a code of conduct investigation into fellow Councillor Imogen Draisma was politically motivated.Council went into confidential session on Tuesday night to, among other things, discuss and vote on a motion after an investigation into Cr Draisma’s conduct.The investigation, which was conducted by an external investigator, arose after Cr Draisma disclosed information from confidential construction documents at a Council meeting last May during discussion about rezoning plans for Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club.After a discussion of more than half an hour on Tuesday, Councillors voted not to proceed with enforcing the code of conduct breach against Cr Draisma. Council resolved that they would not follow the investigator’s recommendation to censure Cr Draisma because she had “made a full and frank apology to her colleagues, CEO and staff, and gave an undertaking that her future conduct will comply with the code of conduct for councilors and the Local Government Act of NSW”.When contacted by The Bugle, Cr Draisma said: “I am thankful for the support of my councillor colleagues on this matter.”There has been speculation that the investigation was politically motivated but Cr Matters angrily denied that was the case and does not want Council to go back to the bad old days of backstabbing each other.“What happens on the floor of state Parliament has nothing to do with what happens in our Council Chambers and whoever is suggesting otherwise should be more worried about the community rather than stirring up trouble about Council,” she told The Bugle.“For anyone to say this code of conduct proceeding against her was a politically motivated attack is nonsense. We don’t react to rumours, we rely on facts.“When I first came into Council, our Orange ticket were strong believers that we were fiercely independent because we didn't believe that politics should play a part in local council.“I'm not the slightest bit interested about who's in government, whether it’s Labor or Liberal. I'm interested in the community and that they're getting what they’re entitled to receive.“What I find disappointing is that an issue like this is weaponised politically in Council when this whole investigation was purely about someone who does work in the political arena in state government who is fully aware of the rules and we’ve accepted her apology.”At the time, Cr Draisma was working for Wollongong MP Paul Scully and has been performing the role of senior electorate officer for Kiama MP Katelin McInerney since her victory in last September’s by-election.Cr Draisma was subsequently asked how she received the confidential information about the surf club plans but has refused to divulge where it came from.Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman raised concerns in NSW Parliament about the potential conflict of interest but Scully, who is also the Planning Minister, dismissed her query with “I don’t discuss Council matters with Cr Draisma. I also don’t watch Kiama Council proceedings because I have got work to do.”Cr Draisma also responded to Tuckerman by saying she would “not be intimidated from serving my community by a politically motivated misinformation and disinformation campaign made under parliamentary privilege”.Kiama Council was contacted and declined to comment on the matter. Tuesday’s Council meeting also discussed the hot topic of fireworks. Destination Kiama is aiming to get Council to commit to funding this year’s event after it was cancelled last New Year’s Eve while Cr Erica Warren moved a motion for other locations in the LGA to be considered for events apart from the traditional Black Beach viewing area.Her motion received solid support from her fellow Councillors and the CEO has been tasked with developing a range of feasible event models which include the alternative option of a “light-based drone show”, ticketing for events and partnerships with local businesses to alleviate costs to the ratepayers.Mayor Cameron McDonald said: “The scope of this report is not just to concentrate on fireworks around Kiama Harbour, it’s to look at an LGA-wide celebration for what is New Year's.” Cr Warren said she would like to see a range of events “from breakfast to midnight” at places like Gerringong, Jamberoo and Minnamurra.

When four friends from Kiama heard that Gainsborough’s much-loved takeaway was suddenly closing, they came together to fast-track a plan they’d been sitting on for years.“We jumped into dream mode,” recalls Esther Keenan, best known as the owner of local printing service Known Design and Print. Along with her husband, Nathan, and close friends Michael and Shaye Lucassen, they began to “put legs on a conversation” they had been having for over two years.The dream? To create a local smokehouse in Kiama.Between the four friends, they had the skillset. Michael is the chef in-store, with more than 30 years’ experience; Shaye and Michael both have extensive food backgrounds, catering locally for events in Kiama for years.What they didn’t have was time — the lease on the shopfront had to be filled urgently. Overnight, Gainsborough Takeaway was transformed into Hook & Ember. Their slogan? Coastal flavour, smokehouse fire.“We opened just two weeks after confirming our lease at the Gainsborough shops,” recalls Keenan. “It was a hectic forty days from Christmas onwards, with new opening hours coming into play at the start of February.”When Hook & Ember opened eight weeks ago, they were “blown away” by the support of locals — some relieved fish and chips were still on the menu, many excited by the prospect of smoky specials.“Naturally, we knew we couldn’t get rid of fish and chips, but wanted to add our own flavour,” says Keenan. “This is where Michael’s experience and enjoyment of smoking meats and being creative with food came into the picture.”Pre-orders are currently open for their second Smokehouse Saturday on 28 February. Locals can pre-order limited-edition, slow-smoked items, including their signature 24-hour brisket, pork belly lollipop, or a ‘full-tilt smokehouse spread’ made for sharing.Their first Smokehouse Saturday in January sold out.“There was a great atmosphere,” recalls Keenan. “We had acoustic live music on the pavement, with locals bringing camp chairs and enjoying their smokehouse packs scattered around the front of the store.”Next on the menu? A catering service, offering their signature smoky menu for events and parties.The couples have four children each, with ages ranging from eight to 19, so it’s a busy time for the four entrepreneurs, who are bonded by their shared aspirations.“Both families have very full lives, with a whole bunch of kiddos on board,” says Esther. “Some [of our kids] love working in-store — and others just enjoy the food they get to eat.”For pre-orders, visit hookandember.com.au.

Kiama Community Radio was at the heart of the action when APRA AMCOS brought The Regional Sessions to The Pavilion Kiama on Monday.The one-day event brought together songwriters, producers and composers from across the South Coast for a full program of conversations, workshops, live performances and networking. Designed for beginner, emerging and mid-career artists, it gave regional creatives access to industry insight without the need to travel to Sydney.For a station committed to championing local voices, it was a natural fit. Throughout the day, artists shared stories of their creative journeys, explored the realities of the music industry and connected with others building careers in regional communities. The atmosphere was collaborative and encouraging.The event reflected much of what KCR stands for:• Supporting local artists and creatives• Creating opportunities for participation and skill development• Strengthening community connection• Giving people a voiceAs a volunteer-run, not-for-profit station streaming 24/7, KCR serves the local community — from Minnamurra to Gerroa and Jamberoo — and celebrates the region’s cultural life. Being present at The Regional Sessions was not just about visibility, it was about backing local talent and reinforcing that creative people in the area are valued.Gabriela Cabral and Madeleine Scarfe attended on behalf of KCR, speaking with artists about the role community radio can play in supporting emerging talent.“For many musicians, that first airplay or interview can make a real difference,” Madeleine said. “It was inspiring to see the level of creativity and commitment in our region.”Gabriela said it was particularly meaningful to reconnect with Helen Lear, public relations and communications manager at APRA AMCOS, who was part of KCR’s original team.“It was wonderful to collaborate again,” she said.The day concluded with networking drinks and live performances, reinforcing the strength of the region’s music community and the importance of collaboration in sustaining it.KCR continues to encourage local musicians, songwriters, producers and creative artists to connect with the station to share new music, upcoming performances and creative projects. Creatives interested in airplay, interviews or collaboration can get in touch via kcr.org.au.Please note - this is paid content

Kiama Rugby will be looking to build on their 2025 dominance and go one better at the 54th annual Kiama Sevens, aiming to win their division for the second time in three years.Fresh off winning the Illawarra Rugby District League premiership in first grade and finishing runners-up in reserve grade, Kiama can’t wait to get back on the field on 28 February.“We’ve got a lot of talent from last year coming through,” said Kiama Sevens coach Dante Patrick. “They’re eager to get out there and represent Kiama in probably one of the most prestigious sevens tournaments outside the international stage.“The majority of our squad is homegrown, with a few local players who might usually play league or AFL. We just put the team with the best chemistry on the field, and the boys are looking strong so far.”Kiama competes in the NSW Country Cup division of the tournament, which they won two years ago, and managed to get all the way to the grand final in 2025 before losing to The Lakes Rugby Club“We won two years ago, then lost in the grand final last year. We’re always competitive, but teams come from all over the region and give us a good crack,” Patrick said.“Being the host team adds a bit of extra pressure too - everyone wants to knock us off.”The loss to The Lakes continued a budding rivalry that started a few years ago.“They hosted their sevens tournament in 2022, and we went up as an invitational team. We beat them in their own grand final,” Patrick said.“Then they came down here and beat us in our tournament. So it’s a rivalry we’d like to keep going. If we meet again, it’ll be a big one.”Regardless of the outcome, Patrick said the team is proud to be part of such a significant local event and to represent their town.“Every year, the tournament gets bigger and better. Mark Bryant and the crew do an awesome job keeping it going,” he said.“COVID obviously affected it for a while, but the way they’ve bounced back and grown the tournament is incredible. "For a small coastal town like Kiama, hosting events like this really puts the town on the map, and we’re proud to be part of it.”The 54th annual Kiama Sevens kicks off on 28 February, with the Kiama Sevens Media Launch taking place at Kiama Leagues Club at 12pm this Friday, featuring special guests Olympian Charlotte Caslick and former Wallaby Scott Bowen.

Until The Sky Falls Quiet, the 2025 Australian documentary featuring powerful insider footage of life inside Gaza, will screen at Warrawong’s Gala Cinema on 21 February, with the directors urging as many people as possible to attend.Directed by Erica Long and Jason Korr, the film follows two Western Sydney doctors - Dr Sanjay Adusumilli and Dr Siraj Siratravel - as they travel to Gaza on a medical mission, risking their safety to provide aid on the frontlines.“It came about after we met Dr Sanjay and Dr Siraj, and Dr Siraj’s wife, Veena, when they contacted us to make a promotional video for their medical mission to Gaza,” she said.“We filmed that first, and then right before they left, we pitched the idea of a documentary. They agreed.”Long said she felt compelled to tell the behind-the-scenes story because she believed Australian media coverage was not fully capturing what was happening on the ground.“I was seeing humanitarian doctors speaking at the UN about what they witnessed. I was reading opinion pieces from doctors like Dr Irfan Galaria, who described what he saw in Gaza as an annihilation and not just a war,” she said.“It made me realise that what we were being shown was probably nowhere near the full reality.”Because of restrictions on independent media entering Gaza, the doctors themselves filmed much of the footage. Initially, Long expected the material would only support a short film - but that changed when they returned.“They were using phones,” she said. “And one of the aid workers they were with, who’s from the UK, turned out to be a photographer.”Additional footage was provided by MSF and three other humanitarian workers - Dr Bushra, Dr Jamal Murai and Khaled Cheikhshir - who were working at the same hospital.A still from the film: Sanjay in surgery. Photo: Tom Lewendon“With six aid workers contributing raw footage, it gave us enough coverage to piece together what it was like working in Rafah and at Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza,” Long said.As the project evolved, so did its focus. What began as a behind-the-scenes account shifted toward a more human-centred narrative.“The Gaza–Israel conflict is so polarising. Some people switch off as soon as they hear ‘Gaza–Israel’ because they think about protests and political division,” Long said.“What we realised was that we wanted to humanise Palestinians and show that they’re not just numbers in the news. They’re human beings. We wanted people to be confronted with the question: How can you, as a human being, watch all of this and be okay with it?”The film presents Gaza through the lens of the two doctors, immersing viewers in their emotional journey.“You feel what they feel - their pain and their moments of hope,” she said.The documentary does not shy away from confronting material. Long described the difficult editorial decisions involved in handling graphic footage.A still from the film: An injured child in Al Aqsa Hospital. Photo: Tom Lewendon“There were images of deceased people. On one hand, you don’t want to show something graphic. On the other, if no one shows it, will people understand the brutality?” she said.“Jason, my partner and co-director, is a doctor. Some photos were so graphic that even he couldn’t make out what was happening because the injuries were so severe.”Ultimately, the filmmakers chose to focus on individual stories that had deeply impacted the doctors, including young patients treated in the hospital.Despite the devastation, the film also highlights resilience.“There’s a scene where kids are running around playing with a blown-up disposable hospital glove as if it’s a balloon,” Long said.“You see little Zico, who’s 10, trying to help at the hospital. And medical students stepping up to assist wherever they can. These people are living in hell on Earth and yet still they try to find joy and help one another.”In one moving sequence, Dr Siraj asks children at the hospital to draw pictures. Their drawings reveal both grief and hope.“There was such a range - one child tried to draw Dr Siraj, another drew their father who had passed away. You realise how much they’ve already experienced,” Long said.“But there were also rainbows and doves. At the end of the day, they just want it to stop. They want to live in dignity.”The poster for the film. Photo: Avenoir ProductionsAs the film prepares to screen locally, Long encourages audiences to approach it with an open mind.“Put politics aside and come for the human story,” she said. “It’s about two Australian doctors on a medical mission. Whatever your political views, you can connect with their journey.”Until The Sky Falls Quiet will screen at Gala Cinema on 21 February, followed by a Q&A with director Erica Long and Dr Sanjay Adusumilli. Tickets are available via the cinema’s website and you can watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9wzfV6EY8I.

The Kiama Cavettes kept their season alive with a dominating win over Albion Park on home soil, chasing down their target in just nine overs.Kiama have been locked in points with Lake Illawarra over the past few weeks, making every match a must-win with only two rounds remaining.The Cavettes chose to bowl first at Bonaira Oval, and Kiama Cricket Club president Bernie Brown says they started strongly.“The Kiama side began well, with Emma Ford breaking through midway in the 3rd over with a caught-and-bowled,” Brown said.“Annette Thornton then came on in the 6th over and took a wicket with her very first ball, expertly caught by Naomi Poole, who snared her maiden catch in four seasons of cricket. "It was a tremendous moment, and the Cavettes converged for an excitable, extended celebration. Albion Park slowed to 2/24.”Albion Park finished with a respectable 73-run total from 19.3 overs. Thornton finished with 3-14 from 3.3 overs, while Ford and Carolyn Perry each took two wickets.The Cavettes' Naomi Poole who got her first official catch. Photo: Kiama Cricket ClubKiama then went out to bat with their very successful opening pairing of Ava Sloan and Ebony Winston, and the rest was history.“It was a classy and complete chase by the Cavettes, with Winston 40* (31) and Sloan 14* (16) carrying their bats and knocking over the total in just nine overs,” Brown said.This Friday, Kiama will face Lake Illawarra in the match of the round at Bonaira Oval, with both teams locked on 24 points in 4th and 5th place, respectively.“Kiama will be eyeing a second finals berth for the first time in three years, although they will need to bring their A-game against a Lake side in red-hot form,” Brown said.“The Cavettes boast some of the best stats in the competition this season, including leading in wickets lost - having only lost 17 wickets from 12 games, which is an amazing statistic.”Kiama had mixed results across the other grades.First Grade continued their winning streak and is almost guaranteed a spot in the finals. Batting first at home against Albion Park, Kiama lost both openers early but recovered thanks to David Coleman (46), captain Jaya Hartgerink (37), and Ryan Butta (42), taking the total to 176.Kiama’s bowlers struck early in the second innings, with Niall Owers taking three wickets and reducing Albion Park to 6-70. A bottom-order partnership lifted Albion Park to 7-110, but Brad Ison’s second wicket of the day broke the stand, allowing David Coleman to take the final three wickets and end the game. Albion Park finished 146 all out from 46.3 overs.Third Grade also recorded a win over Albion Park on the road, keeping their slight finals hopes alive. Kiama batted first, with Robert Miller (31) and captain Daniel Reilly (25*) helping set a total of 112. Their bowlers then dismantled Albion Park, taking all ten wickets in 35 overs, with Lennox Holz taking four, leaving Albion Park just nine runs short of the target.Second Grade and Fourth Grade weren’t as fortunate. Second Grade bowled first and faced Albion Park’s total of 167. Jacob Lee took four wickets and Jacob Lewis three, but despite Nathan Battishal’s heroic 62-run effort, Kiama fell short, all out for 138. They remain third on the ladder.In Fourth Grade, Kiama were bowled out for 90, and Oak Flats chased down the target in 21.1 overs. Kiama sit third, with finals hopes still alive.This Saturday, First Grade will face Shellharbour (away), Second Grade has the bye, Third Grade will take on Jamberoo (away) and so will Fourth Grade (home).

I arrived on the train from Sydney close to midday on Thursday, 29 January.As I went to tap my Opal card on the machine closest to the road, it slipped from my hand and disappeared a long way down into overgrown grass and bushes never to be seen again.Or so I thought given how far down it landed and how steep the terrain was. I knew I would soon be applying for a new one. As my friend and I were about to walk away, a small group of young boys, who had obviously witnessed the event, appeared. Without a second thought, one of them scaled over the fence and, somehow finding a couple of tenuous footholds, lowered himself to the ground. He was able to retrieve the card after fossicking through the dense foliage We all held our breath wondering how he would get back up. The alternative wasn’t a good one. It seemed no trouble for this young man despite the return journey taking longer and being more arduous. A small crowd had by now gathered and along with his two or three mates he was given rousing applause. I was incredibly grateful and in awe of his kindness and ability. His name was Josh, he was probably about 14 (I'm 75), wearing a cap and glasses and he and his mates had skateboards and were off to catch a train. I hope he or someone he knows reads this story because it is my way of saying thank you Josh! What a fine example of youth.Eileen Guthrie Willoughby East

The South Coast Disabled Surfers Association is heading back to Gerroa – and while participant spots filled in just one week, organisers are calling for more volunteers to help make the day possible.“We only do four events a year,” said South Coast DSA president Ian Picton. “They’re very hard to organise. You do need a lot of volunteers.”The event that is Sunday, 1 March at Seven Mile Beach already has 50 surfers booked in, with a growing waiting list. But to safely get participants into the water, the organisation needs between 140 and 180 volunteers.“Our ratio is six to one in the water,” Picton explained. “But when a participant goes out, there’s generally about 15 people in the group looking after that one person.”Six boards typically operate at once, forming a carefully coordinated “runway” of volunteers in the surf. As the wave rolls toward shore, volunteers line up on either side, ensuring safety and support if the surfer falls.“Gerroa is perfect for what we do,” Picton said. “When the waves break there, they roll right in up the beach – It’s fantastic and it’s safe.“It’s about giving back to the community and making an easy day for people that don’t get the opportunity to go into the water.”For some participants, it’s the only time they surf all year.“The only time they go into the surf is when they come with us.”The DSA has been operating on the South Coast for 32 years. Entirely volunteer-run.“Every dollar donated goes to putting stuff on the beach and getting people into the water,” Picton said.“We’re a truly voluntary organisation that’s been doing good stuff for 32 years.”The group supports people with a wide range of disabilities – physical and intellectual – and adapts the program as needed.Swimming or surfing experience is not required for participants or volunteers.“What DSA does is like plasticine,” Picton said. “We mould what we do to suit our participants’ needs.We don’t discriminate against disability. We just make sure we can get them into the water safely.”Volunteers aren’t even required to get wet. Roles range from registration and beach support to water assistance.Local schools, families and community members regularly take part with many returning year after year.“I know a young fellow that started at five years old,” Picton said.“He’s 35 now and he keeps surfing with us. He’s been with us for 30 years as well.It’s just a great place, great way to give back to the community and what a lovely environment to do it in – on the beach, having a good time, helping someone have a surf.“Not everyone’s going to stand up. A lot of people will only lay down on the board. Just that feeling of catching a wave – it’s something that you can’t make up.”And the reward?“What we call smiles on dials,” he said. “Everyone goes home tired, but happy.You’ve got that feeling in your belly and in your heart that you’ve done something really good for the community.”Bunnings South Nowra will provide a free barbecue for all participants and volunteers on the day.Volunteers are encouraged to register via Humanitix by searching “Disabled Surfing – Gerroa/Seven Mile Beach.”Walk-ups are also welcome on the morning of.With community support from Nowra to Wollongong, organisers are hoping this year’s event will once again deliver what they promise every time:“No one goes home disappointed.”

Three members of the Gerringong Lions Club have undergone initial training to take part in Lions National Children’s Visual Screening Program, considered one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.Free Vision Screening is provided to children from three years old, in childcare centres, schools, sporting clubs or community groups. It is a screening service only. If there is any concern about a child’s vision, a full eye examination by a local optometrist may be recommended. Since the program started in 2018, there have been 56,132 children who have been screened, with 11,556 referrals to optometrists recommended.As part of their training, the Gerringong Lions went to the Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club and asked for volunteers to come forward to be screened. Eleven parents consented for their “nippers” to be screened. Three of the 11 were found to have sight issues with a recommendation to follow up with an optometrist.A state-of-the-art piece of equipment, The Spot Vision Screener can be used to identify, myopia (near sightedness), hyperopia (far sightedness), astigmatism (blurred vision), anisometropia (unequal refractive power), binocular vision (eye misalignment) and aniscoria (unequal pupil size).Visual acuity is tested to determine how sharp vision is at longer distances. Colour perception is also part of the screening regime and stereo depth perception, to assess binocular function of eyes at near tasks, rounds out the battery of screening tests.Once their training is complete, the Gerringong Lions are hoping to offer the program to local pre-schools, schools and sporting groups.

Thanks to the generosity of well-known Sydney artist, Robyn Ross, the next Gerringong fundraiser for Children’s Medical Research Institute will be a charcoal drawing workshop. The event will be held on Saturday, 28 March at Gerringong Surf Club from 10am to 3pm with tickets available from the Trybooking website from 2 March. Cost is $95 per person and includes tuition, paper, charcoal and lunch (catered for by CMRI members). This is a great opportunity for artists from beginners to the more accomplished as Robyn is a very experienced and inspiring teacher who will show you how to create images using charcoal and all the techniques required in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Always expressing a particular interest in people, Robyn specialises in portraiture. Her style and media are eclectic. Equally proficient with paint, charcoal and pencil, she draws different qualities from each medium to create a diverse output of work. Fascinated by the personalities behind the faces, Robyn’s zest for life and interaction with people informs her work with remarkable results. Celebrity portraits include Russell Crowe, Sir Tim Rice, Bette Midler, Gordon Ramsay and Harry Connick jnr – and, somewhat controversially – Christine Forster and her now wife, Virginia Edwards. Considering herself to be mostly self taught, her formal art study includes periods at the Gallery School, Meadowbank and Julian Ashton Art School.Robyn’s clearly a woman proficient across the creative spectrum. Her aim is to paint and share something she’s seen in her subject, leaving her audience to further interpretation. Her art practice includes sittings, photographs and constant dialogue with her subjects. Robyn’s been an invited artist at more than 80 group exhibitions and various solo shows. Career highlights include, invitations to exhibit at the Australian Embassy in Washington and the First International Biennale Izmir Turkey, as a guest artist. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Goethe Institute in Germany, Robyn was invited to show one of her works in an exhibition that toured Europe in 2011. Twenty years ago Robyn established Hunters Hill Art Group, has run workshops for Northbridge School of Visual Arts, Charles Sturt University and Lucca, Italy, as well as various art societies. As a long-term supporter of Children’s Medical Research Institute, Robyn’s donated works have raised more than $150,000 in Jeans For Genes art auctions.She recently completed two striking portraits of Professor Frank Martin, paediatric opthamologist, and Jennifer Philps, CMRI community relations manager. The CMRI Gerringong committee is very excited to have Robyn in town to share her knowledge and talent with our community. Book from 2 March at https://www.trybooking.com/DJJOH.

Hundreds of people will gather at Coledale Beach for a landmark event designed to raise awareness, connect the community and support the early detection of skin cancer.Hosted by local not-for-profit Skin Check Champions, the Breakfast of Champions will bring together local leaders, health advocates, business figures and community members for a morning of fire-cooked food, conversation and purpose next Thursday (26 February) at 8.30am.The breakfast coincides with National Skin Check Day and marks a significant milestone for the Illawarra-based charity.“This time of year is critical,” says Scott Maggs, South Coast local and founder of Skin Check Champions. “We’re coming off a long Australian summer — long days in the sun, beach holidays, backyard cricket, worksites, surf and sport. It’s when UV exposure is at its peak and when small changes in our skin often start to appear.”Maggs has been the face — and iconic beard — of the skin cancer movement in Australia for more than a decade. His journey to advocacy began in 2010 after his best mate, Wes, died from melanoma at the age of 26.Since then, Skin Check Champions has delivered more than 36,000 skin checks to Australians in regional, remote and high-risk communities — detecting thousands of skin cancers and building a national movement focused on early detection. In the process, Scott became an unlikely celebrity — famous for the “bushranger beard” he started growing after Wes died, launching a publicity campaign to raise $1 million before he shaved it off. In 2021, the team reached their fundraising target.For Maggs, the breakfast is about celebration, connection and awareness.Breakfast will be served as a long, open-air fire feast by Earth Walker & Co., with the beachside setting created by teepee company, South Coast Tipis. Guests will also have the opportunity to book a skin check on the day via the charity’s Silver Bullet mobile clinic.At the breakfast, the not-for-profit will launch a new national skin health technology platform, developed by Skin Check Champions to help Australians identify skin cancer earlier and stay connected to follow-up care.Ambassador Deborah Hutton will attend, alongside Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown (both of whom have had significant skin cancer scares), as well as Federal Members of Parliament and NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park.“Skin cancer affects two in three Australians, but early detection saves lives,” Maggs says. “This event is about connection, education and action — and showing that looking out for your mates really can make a difference.”To book tickets, visit skincheckchampions.com.

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.