Greens candidate Tonia Gray is far from impressed by what she described as “political skulduggery” by Labor on election day.She said Labor volunteers in plain clothes deceptively handed out how-to-vote cards that looked like they had been produced by The Greens, asking constituents to put Katelin McInerney as their next preference if they were putting Dr Gray first.The Greens had placed Labor at fifth on their official how-to-vote cards behind Ellie Robertson from the Animal Justice Party, Don Fuggle (Legalise Cannabis Party) and Community Independent candidate Kate Dezarnaulds. “It was political skulduggery. We had Labor No.5 on our vote ticket. They had their younger volunteers, not dressed in their usual red T-shirts, handing out these things,” Dr Gray told The Bugle.“We tried to play a clean game but because we hadn’t given them the No.2 preference, they printed off all these forms that look like ours. They were green. No one noticed. It was just trickery.“They were dressing in hippy sort of clothing, even verging on green. “It’s deceptive and not in the tone of the game we were trying to play, which was very respectful campaigning. “It left a bad taste after such a great campaign.”Dr Gray accused Labor of trying to leapfrog from five because they didn’t want Dezarnaulds to be above them. “I was appalled. Any self-respecting person would have thought it was a Greens flyer,” she added.“Would they be OK if, in the next election, we do some red ones and say if you’re voting Labor, vote Greens two?”McInerney said she was unaware of the green pamphlet being handed out and a Labor Party spokesperson said it had been approved by the NSW Electoral Commission and that several parties had used similar tactics during other election campaigns.Dr Gray’s percentage of the primary vote dipped from 11.1% three years ago (when there were only five candidates) to 7.9% this time around (with 13 names on the ballot paper).The Greens’ share was reduced by a combination of a Climate 200 candidate in Dezarnaulds entering the state race, plus the Legalise Cannabis Party - which received 5% of the vote - as well as Animal Justice Party and Sustainability Australia nominees.“We were very happy with our final result given that there was 13 candidates to vote for on the ballot paper,” she said.Dr Gray said the landslide Labor win was a massive wake-up call for the Liberal Party “They’re reeling. The Libs are in disarray. They’re rudderless. It’s time for them to have a really hard rethink about what they stand for,” she said.“Their leadership style probably needs a revamp.”As for her own future, Dr Gray said “you never say never” but this was likely to be her last tilt at politics and hoped to see fresh blood representing The Greens at the next state election in early 2027.“My lived experience was the main thing driving me. I’m not a career politician, I just saw that the education system was in crisis in the early childcare sector, I could see we could do battery-powered trains so easily. Public housing needs to be fixed,” she said.“I want to finish on a nice campaign. We put our best foot forward. I really enjoyed it except for that last bit of skulduggery. “We had wonderful MLCs who came down - Abigail Boyd, Sue Higginson, Cate Faerhmann and Amanda Cohn - they’re all just good, capable women at the helm.“Politics needs more people who are willing to be a whistleblower when things go wrong. The two major parties like to coast along with lazy policy.”Her message for McInerney and Premier Chris Minns was simple - deliver on your promises.“How many times will we see Chris Minns back in the electorate in the next 18 months? Ten times in a few weeks but will we see him on a regular basis?” she asked, cheekily.“I’d love to see Katelin engage in some really strong environmental activism. She said she was worried about her son’s future so let’s get out of native forest logging, for example.“Stop the cost shifting onto local councils. That’s really hurting us at the coalface.“It’s time to put your promises into deliverables.”

Kiama Quilters Guild has marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special high tea at the Joyce Wheatley Community Centre.Founded in 1985 by friends who shared a common interest in sewing and quilting, the group has grown from meeting in members' homes to becoming a community group with 36 active members.Kiama Quilters Guild president Sue Lovett, joined the group 14 years ago following in her mum's footsteps.“My mum was a founding member as well, but they used to do it in their homes, and then they got too big and came to the group," she said.The Kiama Quilters have found a home away from home in the Joyce Wheatley Community Centre for the past 35 years, with inaugural members Pat Stewart and Margaret Carmichael among those present at the 40 year celebration.Meeting every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm, the group has an impressive attendance rate with approximately 26 to 28 members regularly participating. Most members live locally but one member travels from as far as Wollongong, and some travel from Gerringong to be a part of the close knit community.Kiama Quilters Guild high tea celebrations“We're branching out into doing lots of different stitches and stuff like that, and that keeps us all going,” Sue said.The group is committed to giving back, with members regularly supporting various charities and causes, including the Children's Medical Research Institute, a ‘Jeans for Genes’ quilt every year, local raffles and donations, and contributing to Share the Dignity bags.“We've had a gentleman come and his grandson needed surgery, so we've made a couple of quilts for him to raffle to raise money,” said Sue.The Kiama Quilters welcome new members and actively teach new skills, running a monthly in-house workshop for members to learn from each other.Sue says she thinks the group will run for a long time, with recently gaining two younger members, the guild has an optimistic future ahead of them.“Come along, if you've got something to share... we welcome anybody that wants to come and join us,” she said.The Kiama Quilters Guild longevity not only lies in their skills and community service but in their ability to foster a creative and social space that creates long lasting friendships that span over four decades.Kiama Quilters Guild President Sue Lovett

As the sun went down behind the rolling hills shadowing Albion Park Bowling Club, Labor candidate Katelin McInerney was preparing to enter her political career for the second time with an "air of certainty". “It’s because of your support I can be standing up here, second time lucky, as the new Labor member for Kiama,” McInerney told the jubilant crowd in her victory speech at Albion Park Bowling Club. At the beginning of the night, The Ruth Williams room slowly filled with loyal Labor members, but the energy went to another level when the Party's younger supporters arrived. Amongst the chatter of the crowd there was a cheer “we’ve got Nowra – that’s the most conservative part!” and you could feel the excitement of the room crescendo. Throughout the night, the drinks were flowing, and it became not only a sea of red shirts, but also a choir of cheers from the young Labor supporters. When the news spread of Liberal candidate Serena Copley conceding, the room's energy reached exponential heights. “Katelin, Katelin!” the room roared. With the crowd gathered by the door, the anticipation was electrifying as the room waited for the new member for Kiama to arrive. Dressed in the Labor colours of red, McInerney walked in alongside Wollongong MP Paul Scully and he raised her hand in triumph to the cheering crowd. As McInerney made her way to the stage for her speech, she embraced her now fellow Labor MPs, providing not quite a majority government, but another seat filled. Scully presented McInerney officially to the crowd, as the new member for Kiama, praising the Labor family for rallying behind the local candidate in the election. “This result is an invitation for us to continue the hard work that the Minns government has been doing over the past few years,” he said.  As McInerney stepped up to the lectern the roar from the Labor faithful was all consuming and she thanked and pledged to the 200-strong crowd her commitment to the electorate. “Today, many people of this electorate voted for the NSW Labor team for the very first time,” McInerney said. “And many people voted for Labor for the first time in a long time. I just want to say I thank them deeply for putting their faith and their trust and their confidence in me and in the NSW Minns Labor Government.  “Whoever you’ve supported in the past, whoever you chose to support today, it doesn’t matter. “I will be a strong advocate and a strong voice in the NSW Parliament on your behalf, representing this community every day. As I rightly said, the work starts today.”The new Member of Parliament for the Labor Party thanked the Premier Chris Minns and her new Party Members, both state and federal for their support, as well as bringing her partner Brian on stage to thank him and also her family and friends in her speech. McInerney then joined the crowd and ran straight for her family and friends to celebrate and just like that, the former Minnamurra Public School student took her first steps to Macquarie street as the first elected female member of the Kiama electorate.  Oh, what a night! 

The Bugle is proud to launch Kiama Cares, a monthly community kindness initiative designed to lift the spirits of locals who are experiencing hardship or quietly giving back without recognition.Each month, residents are invited to nominate a neighbour, friend, volunteer or family who could use a helping hand.A small selection panel will choose one recipient to receive a tailored “Care Package” of goods and services - provided by local businesses and community supporters.The program will kick off in October with the generous support of Flash Window Cleaning, which will give our first recipient’s home a sparkle with a full window, gutter and exterior clean.“This is about more than just help around the home,” says Belle, Kiama Cares coordinator at The Bugle.“It’s about showing people they matter, reminding them they’re part of a caring community, and celebrating local generosity.”Businesses of all sizes are invited to get involved - from offering a meal voucher or a haircut to donating time, services or seasonal treats.Each partner will be recognised in The Bugle’s print edition, app, and social media, showcasing their contribution to the community.How to get involvedNominate: A household or person that you feels needs a helping hand.Sponsor: Offer a product, service, or funding to help make the monthly Care Package complete.Email [email protected] for the nomination form or phone 0428 662 499 for enquiries.

Jamberoo Rural Fire Service Captain Hannah McInerney has been recognised as the Regional Adult Volunteer of the Year in the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, celebrating her exceptional service to the community.Hannah joined the Jamberoo RFS at 18 and, at just 33 years old, has already made history as the first female brigade captain in the Illawarra. She has held the top role for eight years, leading a team of 55 members – including 39 operational firefighters and 16 support volunteers – in one of the most active brigades in the region. Today, three out of four of the brigade’s officer positions are held by women, a shift Hannah has championed by mentoring and encouraging emerging leaders.In the last calendar year, the brigade responded to 180 incidents, ranging from bushfires and structure fires to road accidents, powerline damage and flood recovery. Twice during 2024, the brigade faced more than ten emergencies in a four-hour window, deploying all three of its appliances under Hannah’s calm leadership.Her influence, however, goes far beyond emergency response. Hannah has reshaped brigade culture, fostering inclusion and diversity in what was once a male-dominated space. “If there is an opportunity in your local area, it’s an opportunity to get involved in the community, and to give back a little bit, and learn new skills and gain new qualifications,” she said.Hannah also runs fire safety and preparedness programs for the community, reaching more than 350 preschool children each year, and works closely with local businesses, schools, churches, and community groups to strengthen Jamberoo’s resilience.“The preschool program is focused primarily on understanding basics of fires, starting the conversation, and allowing kids to go home with a pamphlet and encouraging parents to continue the conversation,” Hannah said. Her volunteering doesn’t stop at the fire shed. Hannah is also an active surf lifesaver with Kiama Surf Life Saving Club, where she has served as Club Captain. She helps coordinate local events from Anzac Day to the Jamberoo Car Show and was a visible leader in local flood recovery efforts.Hannah admits the role hasn’t always been easy. Taking on captaincy as a young woman brought challenges and resistance, but she persevered with professionalism and respect. Over time, she has earned the trust of her team and transformed the brigade into one of the region’s most respected and inclusive.Hannah has previously been named Kiama’s Young Citizen of the Year and was a finalist in the Rotary Emergency Service Awards in 2025.As the judges noted, Hannah is much more than a brigade captain, she is “the calm in the storm, a mentor to the next generation, and a symbol of what modern volunteerism can be.”

Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips drives on the South Coast's roads every day, which is why she is thrilled to have been reappointed chair of the NSW Black Spots Consultative Panel.The Black Spot Program, an important tool for reducing the national road toll under the National Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan, has helped fund several projects in the region.It provides for infrastructure such as roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, safety barriers and audio-tactile line marking (ATLM) to reduce the risk of further crashes.Phillips said she was proud of the improvements to Forest Road at Comberton, Woodburn and Woodstock Roads west of Milton, and the recently completed roundabout at the intersection of George Bass Drive and Broulee Road at Broulee.“Road safety has always been a top priority for me,” she said.“The state of our region’s roads is one of the biggest complaints I hear locally, and our communities deserve to have the safest roads possible.“As chair of the NSW Black Spot Consultative Panel, I am proud to be in a position to help make roads right across NSW safer.”The NSW Black Spots Consultative Panels are an opportunity for people to nominate a black spot, and ensure that nominations of the highest priority and importance to the local community are recommended for approval.The panel that reviews priorities includes representatives from the National Roads and Motorists’ Association, the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia, NSW Police Force, the Federation of Parents & Citizens Associations of NSW, the Traffic Management Association of Australia and Transport for NSW.“Local people know the roads that feel unsafe in their community,” Phillips said.“I encourage anyone who knows of a dangerous intersection or stretch of road that would benefit from safety improvements to consider nominating that site for investigation.“I’m really pleased to see the duplication of the Princes Highway continuing, which includes the new Jervis Bay Flyover that is under construction, and the upgrade of six kilometres of the highway south to Hawken Road, thanks to an injection of $400 million from the Albanese Labor Government.“I drive these roads every day, so I understand the frustration during peak times, which is why I’m pleased to see the Princes Highway duplication moving forward and the Nowra and Milton-Ulladulla Bypass planning well underway.”Anyone can nominate a Black Spot for consideration. Visit the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program online for full details.

The sounds of fiddles, guitars and poetry drifted across Kiama over the weekend as the 12th annual Folk by the Sea Festival brought together more than 30 bands and artists from across Australia.Held mainly at The Pavilion, the program offered audiences everything from traditional bush ballads to contemporary folk.Festival director Neil McCann said this year’s edition was among the strongest yet.“It was fantastic. The numbers were slightly up from last year, with about 600 people attending the festival, and we’ll get our money back,” he said.“The performances were just incredible. There was not a dud act.”Among the award-winning names on the bill were Darren Coggan, recipient of multiple Golden Guitars and Independent Country Music Awards, acclaimed duo The Weeping Willows, and rising stars Charley Castle and the Boys in the Well, winners of the Tamworth Busking Competition.Local acts also featured prominently, including the Kiama Sea Shanty group and the Kiama Pipe Band, ensuring a mix of hometown pride and national talent.A world of folkMcCann said this year’s line-up showcased an impressive breadth of genres and cultures.“We had over 30 acts - individuals, duos, bands - and three cultural groups: Sicilian, Galician (from near Portugal) and South American,” he said.“The Weeping Willows had just come off a European tour, and we had a young guy from Melbourne, Rhys Crimmin, who’s just amazing. He’s a one-man band who plays didgeridoo, guitar and about four drum aspects at once. Just incredible.”Emerging talent was a particular focus. Wollongong’s Kane Calcite wowed audiences with his songwriting and voice, while Melbourne duo Hand Over Hammer impressed as a “modern-day Simon & Garfunkel”.“There are all these people that very few have heard about, but when they apply we look at their videos and get a sense of their quality. This year, we were really pleased with the breadth and talent we selected,” McCann said.Traditional Australian folk was also well represented, with bush dancers and bush poets drawing strong crowds.“The feedback was only positive,” McCann said. “Musically, it was the standout year.”Growth stifled by camping banDespite the artistic success, organisers remain frustrated by an issue that is preventing the festival from reaching its full potential: the lack of camping at Kiama Showground.“We always struggle with bigger numbers, and I know it’s a direct correlation with the inability to provide camping for our visitors,” McCann said.“We should have had 2000 people attend the festival based on the quality of acts, not 600.“We’re the only folk festival in Australia that doesn’t have camping.”He said the problem stems from a council decision made after a two-year campaign by organisers to allow festival camping at the showgrounds.“The sort of reasons we’ve been given is they don’t want Kiama to look like a shantytown,” McCann said.“We had people who bought tickets for the festival but couldn’t get accommodation here, so they got a refund on their tickets,” McCann said.The restriction has left organisers questioning whether the festival’s future lies outside Kiama.“Do we look at moving it out of Kiama to somewhere we can have camping? There’s a lot of stuff up in the air,” McCann said.

Chrome, colour and craftsmanship were on full display in Kiama over the weekend as the Romans Hot Rod Club staged its biggest event yet.The three-day Romans Kiama Hot Rod Run drew enthusiasts from across the state, with more than 230 entrants showcasing rare and restored vehicles.Event co-organiser Steve Poulton said this year’s gathering marked the pinnacle of the run’s 10-year history.“This year’s event is as good as we’ve ever had. It’s testament to the location of Kiama, the support we get from our sponsors, Kiama Council and The Bugle, and of course all our members at the club, including co-organiser of the event, Chris Cassar,” he said.“When you look at some of the cars, and what they were like when the owners started with them, you just shake your head and think, ‘that’s unbelievable what they’ve done to restore that’.”He said more than 100 visitors booked into local caravan parks over the weekend, giving the Kiama economy a welcome boost.John Dyer with his 1932 Ford 500D Coupe. Photo: The BugleWith around 70 members in the Romans club and 40 volunteering, Poulton said the event had become as much about community as classic cars.“Hot rodding isn’t just about the guys. Ladies get into it too. The custom line that won a trophy today is owned by a lady,” he said after announcing the event’s Top 5 awards on Sunday.“The history of hot rods is a big lure. A hot rod is a pre-1948 car of American origin, but these days they’re so hard to get that you see more modern classics like Falcons, EH Holdens and Valiants joining the runs. It’s keeping the hobby alive.”Top of the classThe highlight of the weekend was the Top 5 awards on Sunday, where entrants were judged on the style, presentation and attention to detail in their machines.Taking out the most votes was Jason Cavanagh, of Mount Ousley, with his immaculately restored burgundy 1936 Ford three-window coupe.“It means a lot to win this trophy. There’s a lot of nice cars here so it’s really good to get the recognition,” he said.Cavanagh’s coupe is a labour of love that has consumed more than a decade of his life.“I bought it about 12 years ago and it was extremely rusty,” he said.“The first restoration took about three years, then I drove it for a while before pulling it off the road again for another two-year rebuild. It’s all roadworthy now.”The coupe, which reflects the art deco curves of the 1930s, has been subtly modified.“It’s not chopped like a lot of cars, it’s a standard roof height. I’ve welded the guards and running boards together and converted the dicky seat into a boot lid. It’s also got a little blower on it,” he said.The car has already earned recognition on the national stage, making the top 26 out of about 800 entrants at this year’s Bendigo Hot Rod Nationals.Cavanagh joked that his professional reputation was also on the line in showing off his coupe.“I’ve got a shop in Fernhill (called Classic Fabrications) where I do car restorations, so I have to do a good job with mine,” he added, laughing.Jason Cavanagh with his award-winning 1936 Ford coupe.Runner-up rides in styleSecond in the voting was John Dyer, from Tomerong, south of Nowra, with his sleek 1932 Ford 500D Coupe, powered by a 351 Cleveland V8 with a C4 transmission and 9-inch Ford diff.“I’ve had it for just over a year. It’s basically brand new. I bought the body out of the US from United Pacific Industries, who remanufacture those ’32 bodies,” he said.He says the build cost around $80,000, with the finished car valued at about $110,000.“It drives beautifully,” Dyer said.“It’s got a Kugel independent front suspension, automatic beaming, cruise control, electric windows and air-conditioning.“We’ve camped at Kendalls Beach caravan park this weekend, driving up from Tomerong. It’s a great run.”A growing traditionFor Poulton and the Romans club, the success of the weekend reinforced Kiama’s reputation as a car-lover’s destination.“This event helps stimulate the local economy with all these people coming to stay and eat out,” he said.“It’s a real team effort in promoting hot rodding and custom cars.”

Kiama Woodcraft Group president John Hanna is removing the “gag” and speaking out against Kiama Council after the club’s cabinet of books went missing.Hanna is unhappy with the Council’s handling of reimbursement of misplaced books by sweeping it under Section 10A(2) (a) and (f) of the NSW Local Government Act 1993 which was voted on and against confidentially by Councillors.“Because of the silent treatment, [in the end] you couldn’t talk to anybody,” Hanna said. “I got gagged.” Last September, Kiama Woodcraft Group (KWG) relocated their meetings to Jamberoo due to the renovations taking place at the Joyce Wheatley Community Centre in Hindmarsh Park.Hanna says the group were told by Council that they could leave their secured collection of books - which the group has valued at $4021.80 - at the Centre.Upon returning to the renovated Centre, the collection had vanished into the ether. “They [Council] went looking for it [the library of books] and there was some shrugging of shoulders,” Hanna said. Council workers returned three milk crates of books, but this was 'a couple of cows short of a dairy' in comparison to the inventory KWG provided the Council and The Bugle. After a volley of informal correspondence between KWG and Council, club member Mal MacRae sent a detailed timeline of events to Kiama Council CEO Jane Stroud. Stroud responded to KWG with a letter in March addressed to MacRae which was shared with The Bugle addressing the formal complaint to Council stating:  Council staff have no knowledge of the whereabouts of the alleged missing books and strongly deny the accusations that they were stolen by staff during the renovation works.The matter of the books was investigated with our outdoor crew, who assisted with the removal of excess furniture and materials during and after the refurbishment.The group’s public liability insurance should cover the loss of property.Council has no records for the property of groups utilising the Joyce Wheatley facilities and therefore are not covered under Council’s insurance. The process of investigation escalated to involving NSW Police, but the consensus among KWG was a continuation of conflicting reports on the conga line of Council workers right up to the CEO. “When the Police report was done, they visited MacRae and verbally informed him that it had been investigated,” Hanna said. A formal NSW Police report is yet to be passed on to the necessary parties. Hanna and the group are frustrated with how the leadership of Kiama Council has handled the matter.  “Where do we go from here? It just makes us angry,” Hanna said. “Is this the Mayor’s responsibility to clean up Jane Stroud’s mess?” The Bugle can confirm that Mayor Cameron MacDonald has been in contact with the group and has offered to meet the group in October. A spokesperson for Kiama Council said that it considers the matter of the request for reimbursement from the KWG to be resolved. “Council is satisfied that a thorough investigation of the matter was undertaken, including a police investigation, which we cannot comment on,” the spokesperson said. “In terms of Community Hall Hire, Council’s information on public liability and storage equipment is clear: For regular hirers storage of equipment within a hall is at your own risk. Council is not liable for damage to your equipment, stored or otherwise. Kiama Municipal Council is in the process of updating its Community Hall Hire terms and conditions and finalising its Lease and Licence Policy. KWG contests the Council’s stance on storage equipment by saying it was not stated to members regarding their tenancy until after the books went missing. 

Jamberoo’s housing future remains stuck in limbo after years of delays on a vital sewer main upgrade, with a new development on hold and residents unable to even build granny flats until Sydney Water acts.The Fountaindale Group, which is ready to deliver a 50-lot subdivision on Golden Valley Road, says it has offered to fully fund, design and construct the new main.Despite nearly a decade of discussions and repeated offers to shoulder the upfront cost, Sydney Water has yet to confirm the size of the new main.It leaves the project, and the town’s growth, at a standstill.Fountaindale director Jennifer Macquarie said it had been about 18 months since Sydney Water last gave any meaningful direction.“They keep saying, ‘we need to do a study, we need to figure it out’ and then they never do the work,” she said. “It just keeps getting deferred.”Macquarie said the issue went beyond one developer, with local families blocked from connecting granny flats or secondary dwellings, even as NSW Government policy encourages them as part of the housing solution.“Both the State Government and councils are encouraging people to add granny flats as part of the housing crisis … but it’s just not possible in Jamberoo,” Macquarie said.“That affects local families, whether it’s for elderly parents or young people who can’t afford to rent.”She said the new subdivision would also help sustain the town’s services, with some businesses struggling to stay afloat with the existing small population.“We’ve already had a significant number of enquiries about lots in the subdivision, and extra families in the area will boost the local economy,” she said.Fountaindale director Jennifer Macquarie.Macquarie suspects regional projects like Jamberoo’s fall behind larger city priorities.“But we feel like we’re not the only ones. We know Sydney Water is a hold-up for projects across Western Sydney too, so it just leads me to believe they’re stretched and under-resourced,” she said.“That means smaller projects that are a bit more regional fall through the cracks.”In July 2017, the rezoning application for the Golden Valley development started, and Sydney Water had no objection to it.According to Macquarie, the project has since been riddled with delays, shifting requirements and studies that never started.She estimates that once the sewer main is designed and approved, it could be built within about nine months.Macquarie last month wrote to NSW Water and Housing Minister Rose Jackson, urging her to intervene and authorise the project to move ahead.“It’s such a long-running issue, and it seems it’s just a matter of making a decision because all the solutions are being placed in front of Sydney Water,” Macquarie said.In response, Jackson said the Minns Government was focused on ensuring housing and infrastructure were delivered side by side in communities like Jamberoo.“That is why now that the Golden Valley development has received (Kiama) Council support, Sydney Water is actively working with the Fountaindale Group to service the project,” Jackson said in a statement.“I expect Sydney Water to prioritise collaboration and ensure infrastructure planning and delivery keeps pace with approved growth.”Sydney Water also provided a statement, saying it was now working with the developer to progress the sewer main and broader capacity upgrades in Jamberoo.“We are working with the Fountaindale Group to define the technical scope of work, delivery and funding arrangements,” a spokesperson said.“In parallel, Sydney Water will continue its investigations to create further capacity for additional infill development within the existing Jamberoo Village.”Kiama Council, which has housing targets to meet, said it was aware Fountaindale’s development had been approved with the understanding that additional sewerage capacity would be provided by Sydney Water.“Council welcomes any certainty from Sydney Water, not just for this site but for all the growth areas we have identified in our Local Housing Strategy,” the council said in a statement.

Katelin McInerney has pledged to work for the entire electorate of Kiama after her landslide victory in Saturday's by-election.The Labor candidate was declared the winner less than two hours after the polls closed after enjoying a huge swing in her favour after narrowly missing out on victory last time around to former independent MP Gareth Ward.His resignation after being jailed over sexual assault offences was always going to make it difficult for the Liberals to win this election after he had represented the Party for more than a decade.Liberal candidate Serena Copley trailed McInerney 60-40% after more than 44,000 votes were counted on Saturday night, meaning Labor regains the seat for the first time since 2011 and the former journalist and union campaigner has become the first female to represent the electorate.The key to McInerney's stunning victory was a large proportion of the 20,000 people who voted for Ward last time around switching their allegiances to Labor.It was the first time a NSW government has won a by-election seat since 1996, which is bad news for Opposition Leader Mark Speakman's hopes of retaining the role in the lead-up to the state election in early 2027."Many people voted Labor for the first time in a long time. I just want to say I thank them deeply for putting their faith and their trust and their confidence in me and in the NSW Minns Labor Government. Whoever you've supported in the past, whoever you chose to support today, it doesn't matter," McInerney said."I will be a strong advocate and a strong voice in the NSW Parliament on your behalf, representing this community every day. "The work starts today. I promised that I would be a strong voice inside government, and it starts right here, and that's what I'll be."And we will continue to deliver on the things that we were out there talking about (on the campaign trail)."McInerney said she comes from "a family of Labor tragics"."The reason that you all received a sandwich today was because that's a tradition that dates back to my grandfather, who was a delegate for the TWU," she said at Albion Park Bowling Club on Saturday night to the delirious Labor faithful. "He and our family would deliver those sandwiches anywhere in Sydney they needed to go."If it was Randwick or Ryde, they delivered those sandwiches because you know what's more important than a good feed? The look on the opposition's face when you show up with a free sandwich. "That's what being part of Labor is all about. We are a team. We back each other and we are all about that solidarity."The Kiama electorate has been neglected somewhat in recent years with the Government freezing Ward out after he refused to resign despite facing serious criminal charges.McInerney said the future now looked bright for the region."We are leaving no one behind in the electorate of Kiama anymore," she added."No one telling me that they haven't had the infrastructure investment or the investment in their essential services that they needed."No one telling me that their public school needs work. We are going to be working every day. I'm going to be working every day to make sure that our electorate gets the infrastructure, the investment, the essential services it deserves going forward."NSW Premier Chris Minns on Sunday said Labor had run a "shrewd and energetic election campaign"."The circumstances were very grave and serious that led to the by-election but to be honest with all of you, it was very advantageous to the Labor Party that a by-election fell due," he said."The incumbent member of parliament is sitting in jail and I think it's important that I note that those circumstances will not be repeated in another by-election or certainly in the next general election. "And we need to be aware of that and approach this result in a humble way. I think that the clear message from the electorate was that they expect us to work even harder and the point I'm trying to make is if there was an election held in different parts of NSW, I can think of off the top of my head not only would we not have won I think we would have gotten beaten and that's what I'm saying about this election campaign. "It's quite patchy across NSW. My sense is the voters of NSW expect us to make major inroads and real progress at the challenges that they're facing in their community and if we don't make real progress then we will not win the 2027 election campaign." With McInerney attracting 36% of the vote, Copley was a long way back on 25.2% with Community Independent Kate Dezarnaulds further adrift in third spot with 10.7.With a total of 13 candidates on the ballot paper, The Greens' Tonia Gray has only received 7.8% of the diluted vote ahead of Don Fuggle (Legalise Cannabis Party) and Felix Nelson (Shooters, Farmers, Fishers) who had 4.9% each.None of the other seven candidates cracked the 2% barrier.

With a social media ban for kids under 16 just months away, research from a national child protection organisation found many children would rather spend time with family than be online.To mark Child Protection Week, which runs until September 13, Act For Kids commissioned a nationwide survey of more than 300 people aged 10-16.The research found that, contrary to popular belief, 41 per cent of the children surveyed would rather connect with family in real life compared to 15 per cent who preferred to spend time online. Three-quarters of children reported feeling most connected to their families when talking about their day in person and 74 per cent felt positive about a close adult being in the same room while they were online, including 17 per cent who felt safer. The findings prompted Act for Kids to launch their Let’s Connect IRL (In Real Life) campaign, which was rolled out nationally to mark the start of Child Protection Week on September 7.The theme for Child Protection Week - Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action - is a timely reminder for adults to listen to, and value, what children have to say, says Act for Kids CEO Katrina Lines. Let’s Connect IRL was co-designed by children and provides practical tips for parents and carers to prioritise positive connections and conversations with kids by going back to basics and moving away from the fast-paced digital world. It also encourages parents to join their kids when they are online to help them feel shared and create a shared connection. “The campaign and research results come at a critical time with Australia becoming the first country to implement social media restrictions for children under the age of 16,” Dr Lines said. “It highlights that despite the conversations we are having about children spending too much time on devices and their social media habits, we have ignored the most important voice in this issue – the voice of children.“As a society, we need to listen to what children are saying and explore different ways to connect with them, whether that’s in real life or by trying new things such as playing games together online.” Kiama Unplugged founder Jane Bourne who, along with her husband Ian Harvey-George hosts a monthly phone-free family afternoon at Fillmores and a weekly reading group at Cin Cin, agrees.“The fact that young people are saying that they want to connect in real life is fantastic, and we must listen to this,” she says. “We have to meet our young people where they are, and be open to their interests and hobbies, and make sure we approach them with an open mind. “This means they are much more likely to share with us, and also confide in us, especially if something doesn't feel right, or if there is online bullying.”Dr Lines says screens are an important part of a young person’s life and parents should find a way to incorporate a child’s digital world into their own. She says the survey results provided “an important insight for parents and carers to keep kids safe online by simply being in the same room as them when they are on devices”. “Our research found playing games is the most popular activity kids like to do online (41 per cent) and yet only a third (29 per cent) of families play games online together, which shows there’s an opportunity here for adults to connect with kids,” says Dr Lines.“International research also shows young people who feel less connected to their family often turn to social media for support. Unfortunately, we know that social media can sometimes lead to negative experiences with children feeling isolated, lonely, anxious and at-risk of cyberbullying. Jumping online with them can reduce this.“Most people are time-poor and juggling many competing demands, which is why it’s important to understand that short, meaningful moments spent together can be just as impactful as spending long periods of time together.”With digital demands increasing and new regulations on the horizon, the child protection body and local groups like Kiama Unplugged are encouraging adults to seize “everyday opportunities” to connect with children.“It is clear from the research that young people want their parents to be involved in their interests; so playing an online game with them, or taking an interest in their shows would be a great way to do this.” says Jane. “We also understand that young people feel safer being online when there is an adult in the room, and we would certainly encourage families to keep screens in communal areas of the home, and not behind closed doors, in bedrooms.”Jane recommends chatting in the car and asking open-ended questions, sharing a favourite movie or book together, baking, playing a boardgame, listening to vinyl records or building Lego are great ways to connect with kids, as well as joining them in their digital spaces, or simply being present in the room while they’re online. The Let’s Connect IRL (In Real Life) campaign offers practical tools, videos, and resources to support stronger real-life connections and help keep kids safe both online and offline.

Kiama’s waterfront has been transformed into an open-air gallery, with 20 striking outdoor sculptures on display from Hindmarsh Park to the harbour until October 15.Thanks to ArtPark Australia, locals and visitors can wander through an eclectic mix of bronze, stainless steel and Corten steel creations, each a contemporary talking point designed for gardens and public spaces.Among the many people appreciating the works in a unique way is local photographer Darren Parlett, who has lived in Kiama for nearly four decades.On a whim one recent morning, during a hectic week of rehearsals for a stage show at Wollongong’s Phoenix Theatre, Parlett grabbed his camera phone and headed to the foreshore at sunrise.“It was a seemingly perfect morning,” he told The Bugle.“There was plenty of cloud about, but that helped create these spectacular backdrops. I tried to position each sculpture so the light and colours played into the shot.”The resulting images are as much about Kiama’s landscape as they are about the art itself.They join a growing portfolio of local landscapes Darren has been compiling, including aerial drone shots of Kiama Harbour.One of those harbour photos will feature in his upcoming calendar, due to be released on October 31.Photography became a passion for Parlett nearly 20 years ago, sparked by an unlikely experience: a ghost tour at Picton.“Every time you take a photo, you’re actually telling a story. It’s capturing history, a moment in time,” he said.But his creative streak extends well beyond the camera. Since the early 1990s he has been involved with the Roo Theatre Company in Shellharbour.He encourages others to give acting a try.“You don’t have to be a NIDA graduate to participate,” he said. “All you need to do is touch base and ask about the acting classes.”He has also found himself in front of the cameras as a film and television extra, including an extra’s role alongside Pamela Anderson in Place to Be, a part in ABC’s Return to Paradise, and most recently, in a thriller dark comedy called Fangs, starring Joel Edgerton, due for release next year.

Greens candidate Tonia Gray hopes the Kiama electorate thinks twice before filling in their ballot paper on Saturday about whether a major party deserves their vote.Dr Gray is standing for the state seat for the second time and with Labor tipped to regain the seat ahead of the Liberal Party, Kiama is all but certain to be represented by a major party for the first time in four years. She wants to keep the government honest by getting the chance to represent Kiama in NSW Parliament but she believes Labor’s Katelin McInerney is a shoo-in to win based on the campaign so far.“We get lazy governments, blue or red, where they don't have to listen to the people. But when you put in someone who is a minor party, like the Greens, we become like a stone in the shoe and it rubs and annoys and you actually have to pay attention,” Dr Gray said.“That's part of why we in Kiama need to elect someone who is a minor party to be the voice of the community rather than a voting machine with bloc votes, which both major parties do.“No one crosses the floor. “If you want same old, same old and the status quo to remain the same, vote big. But if you want big change, now we are on the cusp of change.”Dr Gray was furious that the Labor Government had not appropriately delivered for the Kiama electorate since its election win in 2023 due to its disdain for former local member Gareth Ward, who survived Chris Minns’ attempts to oust him from Parliament soon after the Premier came into power.“The electorate was held political hostage. It's like we were being politically tortured. So any demand he made, fell on deaf ears. So we were the poor country cousins,” she said.“We were at the disadvantage, which should never be the case. Politics shouldn't play that game. You should be here for everyone, not just your voting base. I'm really pissed off about it. “The political inertia is what's held Kiama back. We need someone who will agitate for better.”But since the by-election was called last month, Dr Gray said government funding has materialised out of thin air. “We are agitating and looking for better outcomes because at the moment I'm finding that magic sprinkle dust that's going around where we have money here, money there. Why didn't that happen beforehand?” she asked.“Whether it's Kangaroo Valley Bridge, whether it's sporting fields, whether it's better roads we're getting. Why so slow? “We've got the finances, we've got the knowledge, we've got the technology. What was missing? Political willpower.” Dr Gray predicted the major parties would probably only get “66% to 70%” of the primary vote but she was expecting her own percentage to be affected by the fact there is a field of 13 candidates who will dilute the vote. She said he idea for a battery-powered train between Kiama and Bomaderry had struck a chord with the electorate as well as her calls for a maternity ward at the new Shellharbour Hospital.“People are having births by the side of the road because of a lack of facilities,” she said.“You're either going to be shunted to Wollongong or shunted to Nowra. And half an hour, if you're having a baby, is a lot.”

NSW Liberal Party Deputy Leader Natalie Ward has launched a late appeal to the voters in the Kiama electorate to send a message to the government at the ballot box over the inadequate South Coast rail line.Ward - who is also the Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads, and the Illawarra and South Coast - said nearly 40 per cent of services have been late in the region in 2025. The rail line between Kiama and Bomaderry has been an ongoing cause of angst for local commuters and there have been calls for several years for a passing loop to be installed at Toolijooa.Former Kiama MP Gareth Ward had promised to build a $125 million four-kilometre stretch at Toolijooa in 2019 and Labor Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said the government was in the process of investigating the situation through its $10 million Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan which is looking at several ways to improve the network.Aitchison said the plan would be presented to the government by the end of this year with the community to be consulted in early 2026.Ward said the Liberals would commit to installing the loop if they win government in early 2027.“We will continue to invest in upgrades to rail. I’m disappointed that rail reliability is so bad in the area. “Labor talks a good game and puts out press releases but doesn’t actually deliver.“As Transport Shadow Minister, I’m very aware of how much that line needs those upgrades and we would commit to it. There’s a lot that we have delivered. You can’t realistically do everything. “With the South Coast line, we know that ongoing service reliability is not good enough for regional commuters.“Given around 40% of services have been late in 2025, that’s not good enough for a service where people are relying on that to get to jobs, to the city, to schools and appointments.“It’s not just an inconvenience, it’s an absolute impediment and this government needs to do better and we certainly would be looking at that in 2027.”Aitchison countered by saying Ward’s comments were off the mark.“This is just situation normal for the Liberal Party. They started projects, talked about projects and never actually delivered them and then are critical that we haven’t managed to fix everything in our time in government when they had 12 years to do it,” she said. “We’ve been implementing a lot of change on the network. We have the Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan and that is about looking at ways we can improve that network.“Under the formal government there wasn’t a plan to look strategically at the network in Sydney, outer Sydney or the rural/regional area of the state.”When asked about the issue of trains running late, Aitchison said a combination of a lack of rolling stock, track conditions and timetabling problems that they have inherited from the previous government were the main factors.“You can’t undo 12 years of neglect and lack of maintenance and delivery in a short time. I think we’re doing a good job in getting the improvements there and we’ve got a plan for the future.”Ward claimed the transport issue was a prime example of why the Kiama electorate should choose Liberal candidate Serena Copley over Labor frontrunner Katelin McInerney at Saturday’s by-election.“It’s very easy to do a press release, it’s very easy to talk about things. It’s actually in the delivery that people should judge you over time. The old saying that action speaks louder than words,” Ward said.“The proof is in the pudding. You can’t do that overnight five weeks before a by-election. Judge us on our record but what I’m not seeing from Labor is a commitment over the years they’ve been in. I’ve seen a lot of light-on announcements, lots of sprinklings of a little bit but they are light on detail on delivery dates and they don’t fully fund the upgrades that have been promised.“What you have is a true local who’s been there for 30 years in the area who’s a vocational training expert, a former Councillor who understands how to deliver and what the community wants intimately rather than a union hack who’s been delivered a job from head office.”

Legalise Cannabis Party’s Kiama candidate Don Fuggle believes that Australia and its states are behind much of the world when it comes to laws around cannabis. The by-election hopeful wants voters to know that he is advocating for what he deems is a modern-day civil rights issue. “I think it [the legalisation of cannabis] is a step for civil rights, to recognise that people do have the right to choose and body autonomy is a choice,” Fuggle said. “You can’t find a product that is more misinformed than cannabis. It has been called the devil’s weed but this has proven to be not true. It still has stigma around it.” A pertinent issue Fuggle sees is the Road Transport Amendment (medicinal cannabis-exemptions from offences) Bill 2025, which has been adjourned. “There is no technology for testing impairment, but there’s plenty of scientific evidence that after a number of certain hours, you’re not intoxicated by cannabis,” Fuggle said. Fuggle is of the opinion that “when” cannabis is legalised, there should be an age limit. “We need to look after our children,” Fuggle said. “I was brought up in the alcohol world and I was allowed to drink from quite a young age and I don’t think that was good for me. “I’d agree at a minimum 18, and then you can make a choice. “If we moved it out of the criminal justice system into the health and education, we’d save so much money to start with and we’d be able to educate children.” In the Impact of the Regulatory Framework for Cannabis in NSW inquiry, which was chaired by Legalise Cannabis MLC Jeremy Buckingham, there were nine recommendations and 20 findings. The Bugle asked if there should be different rules around how cannabis is cultivated and Fuggle was optimistically honest. “When it becomes legalised, then proper description [cultivation of product], you’ll know what you are getting,” he said. “But we can be out there and it becomes a health and education issue. “So we educate people, educate growers, educate everyone. “At the moment it is all in the hands of the black market [recreational use], so people can sell cannabis laced with stuff.” Within the by-election campaign, Fuggle doesn’t see himself as an outlier among the candidates but just doing the right thing campaigning with the cannabis law. “I suppose that is what sets us apart. Although it can look like we’re a single issue, it’s really bigger issues about civil rights and things like that."

Serena Copley knows she’s the underdog in the Kiama by-election campaign but the Liberal Party candidate is a fighter who has found out the hard way that politics can be a tricky game. Copley was elected to Shoalhaven City Council in 2021 but her time in the role came to an abrupt end last year when an administrative error from Liberal Party HQ meant she was unable to stand again because the nomination forms for more than 100 unlucky candidates had not been submitted by the deadline.This time around there was no such problem with the Liberal Party staffers checking and double-checking to make sure the NSW Electoral Commission had received her nomination well before the cut-off date.When asked what she learned from that debacle, Copley said: “That my will to serve my community wasn't diminished by an administrative error. “Things happen, and I was disappointed but pragmatic. It was something that was out of my control. But I'm a very positive person, so I'm still here.“My values haven't changed. My focus on the community hasn't diminished.“And what I'm seeing under the current government is concerning, and I'm the sort of person who will step up and fight for what I believe in, and this community's worth fighting for, and that's what I want to do.“It never changed my desire to serve my community and fight for our local community. It just meant those plans were put on hold a little bit.”When disgraced former Liberal MP Gareth Ward resigned in the wake of his convictions for sexual assault offences in July, Copley said she saw it as “a natural progression” to nominate for the vacant seat.“I've always been interested in state politics. And it was always the intention there that if the timing was right and the seat ever became available for one reason or whatever, it would be something that I would definitely look at,” she said.“You know what they say - a day's a long time in politics.”“I don't think there were that many people were surprised that I would naturally step up. One door closes, another one opens.”Copley has been buzzing up and down the geographically vast Kiama electorate which stretches from Albion Park to west of Nowra.“The four-week campaign has been challenging for everybody,” she said.“I think anybody would like to have more time to get their message across. But it's a level playing field. “I'm hearing from the community that they are feeling forgotten down here. And my message to them is we can't reward that with handing the seat to Labor.“We need to have somebody who wants to fight for our patch and make sure we're getting our fair share. And not just being focused on when there's a by-election.” One of her major issues with the NSW Government, particularly if Labor rival Katelin McInerney is elected, is the plans for housing growth and associated infrastructure in the region.“There's definite concern about how we grow. And also the lack of facilities that are being discussed with that growth,” Copley added.“So there's a big push and targets from the Minns Labor Government to councils for housing. But there's no discussion about what supporting infrastructure will come with that growth. They're not talking about schools. “They're not talking about road upgrades. They're not talking about water or sewerage upgrades, waste transport stations. All the things that will be impacted by a growing community.“They're just focused on the housing targets. We shouldn't be just growing fast. We should be growing well.“It's about the cost to build too. There's so many fees and charges imposed on buildings under this government. That makes it not viable to build homes.“It's important for a government to get the settings right. And we're not seeing that at the moment. We're seeing a lot of focus on housing, but we're not seeing small businesses being supported. “They're the lifeblood, the engine room of our economy. When our small businesses are doing well, our communities are strong. “The cost of doing business in NSW is getting more and more expensive. And harder and harder to manage. That is something that has to stop.”

Kiama is off to the polls for the third time in the space of 12 months and the good news for those suffering electoral fatigue, you should not have to return to the ballot box until March 2027.Almost one year to the day after the Kiama Council elections and four months after the federal election, the state electorate will choose a fresh face to replace disgraced MP Gareth Ward.The former Liberal then independent member for Kiama is in jail awaiting sentencing next Friday after he was found guilty of four sexual assault offences with his eventual resignation triggering the by-election.Labor candidate Katelin McInerney, who narrowly lost the 2023 poll to Ward despite an 11% swing against him, is the clear frontrunner to emerge victorious after Saturday’s polling day.The former journalist and campaigner for unions and not-for-profit organisations has been installed as an overwhelming favourite to get the nod ahead of the Liberal Party’s former Shoalhaven Councillor Serena Copley, Community Independent candidate Kate Dezarnaulds and Tonia Gray, representing The Greens.Pre-polling opened last Saturday and closed on Friday. Voters can visit one of 22 electoral stations on Saturday with 60,391 people enrolled for the oddly shaped region which covers 2275 square kilometres from Albion Park to the region to the west of Nowra.There are nine other candidates in a loaded ballot paper: independents Lisa Cotton, Cyrille Jeufo Keuheu, Roger Woodward and Andrew Thaler, and minor party representatives Don Fuggle (Legalise Cannabis Party), Ken Davis (Sustainable Australia), Felix Nelson (Shooters, Fishers, Farmers), Joshua Beer (Libertarian Party) and Ellie Robertson (Animal Justice Party).They are not expected to garner too many votes but the distribution of their preferences could play a part in the final equation.Where can I vote?Polling places will be open from 8am-6pm on Saturday.Albion Park High SchoolAlbion Park Rail Public SchoolBerry Public SchoolBomaderry Public SchoolCambewarra Public SchoolCentenary Hall, Albion ParkFalls Creek Public SchoolGerringong RSL Soldiers Memorial HallGerroa Neighbourhood CentreIllaroo Road Public SchoolJamberoo Public SchoolKangaroo Valley Community HallKiama High SchoolKiama Uniting ChurchMinnamurra Public SchoolMount Terry Primary SchoolNorth Kiama Neighbourhood CentreNorth Nowra Public SchoolNowra Hill Public SchoolNowra Public SchoolShoalhaven Heads Community CentreWerri Beach Progress HallMcInerney has been criticised by rivals of “pork barreling” for a wave of announcements during the month-long campaign involving NSW Cabinet Ministers and Premier Chris Minns after the Government had given the electorate short shrift during Ward’s abbreviated final term in office over the past two and a half years.After missing out by just 689 votes last time around, McInerney is not counting her chickens before election day despite being the overwhelming favourite.“I just feel like we've rolled on from the 2023 campaign because there's been work to get on with advocating for the community,” she said.“With by-elections, it's always a bit of an unknown how it's going to go. But it's been really lovely. I've had the chance to just get out and talk to people, which is genuinely what I love doing.“I'm not taking anything for granted, even into this end of the campaign and honestly, I’m just trying to make every conversation count. Because we've got a lot of work that we need to get on with.“The more conversations we can have now, the better place we'll be, if I'm fortunate enough to be elected, to get in and get running.”McInerney said she was perhaps a little shy in not wanting to chat with every potential voter last time around because she did not want to be seen to be imposing.“I think I've got a bit more confidence going in and having that chat now, as in not worrying about not being shy. Last time I was thinking maybe people don't want to speak to me.“But I learnt that actually everybody really does want to have a chat. It's very rare to find someone who doesn't want to speak to you about their concerns."And especially when you show up on the doorstep.“Door knocking is the best part of the gig because you're on their doorstep, people are like, ‘oh, someone's here asking me, no one ever does that’.“People are just genuinely shocked that you'd do it. And I'm like, wow, that should be the bare minimum.”

In the lead-up to the Illawarra rugby grand final this Saturday, Kiama are using the lessons from last year’s defeat to make that “one last step” for redemption against Shoalhaven. Kiama No.8 Dante Patrick says coach, James Patrick, who is also his father, has the team ready to go one better. “We’ve been living off a little message that our coach ingrained in us at the start of the year and that is to go one step further for both grades and hopefully we can get that,” Dante said. Having last weekend off, Kiama used the extra time to reflect on areas of improvement and rest the bodies.   “The first training session this week was probably our best that we’ve had all season,” Dante said. “But it only counts out on the paddock this weekend.”   Leading into a big match, many players have different rituals with Dante sharing that while each team member has different routines, there was more of a focus on club culture. “There are a few boys that like to watch movies or cartoons before, and others just want to get out there and play 80 minutes of footy,” Dante said. “We make sure that the club culture stays intact and by that, I mean being punctual, staying on time, if you count that as sort of a ritual then I guess we’ve got it.” Overall this season, the team has been fortunate enough to avoid any serious injuries. “We’ve managed our injuries and our time off really well,” Dante said. “I think coming into the ‘business end’ of the season everyone just sort of grew an extra leg. A bit of concrete and pickle juice.” Dante paid tribute to the club’s loyal fans for their contributions to the club’s success in 2025. “Our supporters, our families are the ones that sort of make the sacrifices and allow us to do what we love on the weekend,” he said. If successful, coach James Patrick will complete a rare feat of captaining and coaching a premiership-winning Kiama team, albeit 24 years apart. Kiama were back-to-back premiers in 2001 and 2002 with James’ brother Trevor Patrick (assistant coach) captaining in 2002.The reserve and first grade grand finals will be played at Collegians Sporting Complex in Figtree on Saturday at 1pm and 3pm respectively.