This week's edition of The Bugle brings you the news of Gareth Ward resigning after losing his appeal to prevent the NSW Government from expelling him from Parliament due to being found guilty of sexual assault offences.

The disgraced Kiama independent MP is behind bars in the Hunter Valley awaiting sentencing and after resigning on Friday before he was set to be removed from NSW Parliament, a by-election will now be in the electorate in the coming months.

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Ward had ignored ongoing calls from NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman to resign and there has been widespread anger in the general public over the fact that he has continued to receive his parliamentary salary while in prison.

There is also a feature on the Local Government Awards, the glitz from the Orry-Kelly Gala night and Kiama Council's survey of locals about paying for the New Year's Eve fireworks.

You can also read plenty of great community stories including an update on the Gerringong community groups, a 95-year-old who grew up on what is now the Gerringong golf course and a couple of local businesses who have been winning awards for their excellence.

And there is more on Folk Festival, Loneliness Week, the Kiama Unplugged initiative and all the latest in local sport, including netball, bodyboarding, the end of the Dapto Greyhounds and a feature on Gerringong's Ashton Ward graduating to the NRL ranks with South Sydney.

For the greenthumbs, check out John Gabriele's column about how to discover the secrets of the soil in your garden.