Jamberoo’s long-awaited dog park is officially moving ahead, with Kiama Council endorsing a revised design for a fenced off-leash area at the corner of Churchill Street and Gibson Crescent.The project, expected to be completed by mid-2026, marks the culmination of years of advocacy from local residents. Jamberoo is the only township in the LGA without a designated off-leash dog space, an issue that gained momentum in 2022 when Kiama Council received a petition – attracting hundreds of signatures – calling for a fenced facility in the area.Councillor Stuart Larkins said he was pleased to see the project progressing after a lengthy and at times contentious process.“There’s been a long advocacy for dog space in Jamberoo. There isn’t any dog space, and it’s been an issue for quite some time,” Cr Larkins said. Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said: “We’re happy the dog park is moving forward. Cr Larkins has been a driving force behind this and I thank him for his efforts. We’re getting closer to people being able to get out to thecentre of Jamberoo and enjoy this Council facility.”Council assessed several potential sites before determining the Gibson Crescent reserve was the most suitable, with other options ruled out due to impacts on cemetery or sporting land.Initial works began in April 2025, including plumbing and partial fencing, but the early installation of fencing prompted community concern about the size, layout and the loss of informal overflow parking used during events. The project was subsequently paused and five design options were placed on public exhibition between September and November.Option 5, which proposed two separate dog areas, received the highest level of support. However, consultation also revealed strong sentiment for an unfenced space. Taking this feedback into account, Council has endorsed a modified Option 5 that will include a fenced 30m x 30m area for small dogs and a designated but unfenced off-leash area for large dogs. The park will also feature shade structures, seating, bins, footpaths and a drinking water bubbler.The project is jointly funded by $75,600 from the NSW Government and $70,000 from Council’s developer contribution fund. With grant funding required to be spent by November 2026, it seems Jamberoo will finally be ready to let the dogs out – officially.

Kiama’s Family History Centre volunteers will continue to have access to the facility during Kiama Library opening hours to undertake research on behalf of the wider community.Councillor Erica Warren successfully moved a motion at Tuesday night’s meeting asking Council to formally acknowledge the centre’s significance as a cultural, educational, and community resource – locally, nationally, and internationally. It also reaffirmed that volunteers will continue to be able to help members of the public with research projects.Cr Warren said the motion sought to ensure the centre’s sustainability while maintaining its volunteer-led operations. The motion also directs Council CEO Jane Stroud to report on operating costs and explore cost-recovery options, including fee-for-service sessions, annual memberships, and volunteer-led models with minimal staff oversight.“The Kiama Family History Centre is more than a room in the library,” Cr Warren said at the meeting. “It is a repository of unique local history, an educational hub, and a place of purpose for volunteers and residents alike. This motion ensures the centre can continue to operate sustainably and remain accessible.”The centre, established in 1989 beneath the Kiama Library has been a cornerstone of the community.Volunteers have dedicated decades to transcribing historical documents, digitising records, and assisting local, interstate, and international researchers.The decision follows Council’s recent announcement to reduce the centre’s open-to-the-public hours to two per week as part of the library’s overall services. During library hours, volunteers will continue to be supported by Council to undertake research projects on behalf of the community.Many volunteers and community members attended the council meeting, witnessing the vote that reaffirmed the value of the centre and the importance of volunteer-led service in preserving Kiama’s history. “Kiama Council absolutely loves its volunteers. If you volunteer for Council, you do so in an unpaid capacity, but you are still deemed a Council employee, so we've got a little bit of work to do in terms of bringing those Council volunteers up to speed around their responsibilities, roles and our code of conduct,” CEO Jane Stroud said. “We're going to do a wave of mandatory training for any of our unpaid workforce, because we value the work that they do and they need to know their obligations as volunteer employees of the Council.” Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald, whose uncle has been a long-term volunteer, hoped the Family History Centre services will still be an integral part of Council despite the restructure of the library.“It is a really important local offering and we've had many volunteers over the years providing their time so that people can come in, research their family history, and many other topics, including how our links to history have been shaped our local community. “Our volunteers should not be discouraged from providing these services.“The volunteers are a really valued resource for our local community and there is a range of matters that volunteers have been querying recently such as what times the offering will be available, what future services from the facility will look like and what infrastructure they will be provided with. “We are looking forward to having those conversations and for these much respected volunteers to continue providing the service that they would like to provide well into the future.”Stroud added that the Community College notified Council a month ago that they would be vacating their premises. Council will consult with volunteers and community stakeholders over the next 12 months to co-design this space and develop a sustainable operating model for the centre, similar to the successful Gerringong Library Arts and Museum model. “That's a significant change for us and that's a valuable asset and a valuable parcel of Council land that we need to activate and that we need to use,” she said.“So it's high time to reconsider what goes on in that downstairs section of the building and what it could be into the future and certainly what we did at Gerringong has been a great success.GLaM has a small exhibition space, there's local history, heritage information side by side with the library service and it operates really well. “One half of the building is operated by an incorporated volunteer group, which is fabulous, and the other half is staffed by Council staff.”

Drivers using Moss Vale Road should prepare for delays starting next week as work begins to repair three landslip sites on Cambewarra Mountain.The stabilization project, funded by the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), will focus on the stretch between Green Valley Road and Cambewarra Lookout Road starting on Monday (23 February).Transport for NSW will be deploying specialist contractors to install soil nails, apply shotcrete, and improve drainage.Work will take place Monday to Friday, between 7am and 5pm. During these hours, motorists should expect lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h.Travelers are advised to factor in an extra five minutes of travel time for the duration of the 12-week project.While most lane closures will be restricted to work hours, a more significant disruption is planned for mid-April. For roughly three weeks, a single-lane closure will remain in place 24 hours a day near Beau Cottage while roadside safety barriers are removed to facilitate repairs.Further maintenance is also on the horizon. In late March 2026, drainage work will require overnight closures of Moss Vale Road across both Barrengarry and Cambewarra mountains.Specific dates and times for these night-time closures will be released to the community in the coming weeks.Since the record-breaking rainfall of 2022, 39 landslip sites have been repaired along this corridor, with 11 sites still remaining on the project list.Member for Kiama, Katelin McInerney, noted that these works are part of a long-term recovery effort to make this critical route more resilient for locals and visitors alike.For more information on natural disaster recovery on Moss Vale Road, residents can visit transport.nsw.gov.au/mvr-repairs.

A significant new collaboration between NSW Ambulance and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) has been launched to enhance patient care and reduce the burden on regional emergency departments.The program, announced this week, introduces two additional Extended Care Paramedic (ECP) vehicles to the region.These units are staffed by six specialist paramedics who are highly skilled in assessing and treating "low acuity" conditions.Their primary objective is to provide high-quality medical intervention within the community, allowing patients with chronic or complex but non-emergency conditions to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.The logic behind the initiative is to ensure that hospital resources are reserved for those in most urgent need.By performing on-the-spot assessments, these ECPs can provide treatment in a patient’s home.Member for Kiama, Katelin McInerney, described the program as a "terrific example" of local health teams co-designing innovative pathways to ensure residents receive the care they require without enduring long waits in a busy Emergency Department (ED).In addition to the increased physical presence on the road, NSW Ambulance is enhancing its Virtual Clinical Care Centre (VCCC).This system allows experienced clinicians to monitor the Illawarra Shoalhaven area remotely.If a patient’s condition is stable, the VCCC can connect them with alternative care options, such as a GP or pharmacist, ensuring the most appropriate provider is utilised while preserving frontline ambulance resources for life-threatening emergencies.Minister for Health and Member for Keira, Ryan Park, noted that this collaboration is a vital step in delivering better health outcomes across the state.By integrating services across the health network, the government aims to provide the right care in the most appropriate setting.The initiative also supports the expansion of the Aged Care Outreach Service.For older residents in Kiama and the South Coast, this provides increased access to clinical care within their own residential facilities, helping to address the challenges faced by patients awaiting NDIS or aged care placements.Liza Butler, Member for South Coast, highlighted the essential role these paramedics play in supporting the community.While planning for future phases of the program is currently underway, this immediate boost in resources is a welcome development for the region's healthcare infrastructure.

A new Rural Fire Service brigade station at Dunmore will ensure local firefighters are better equipped to do their life-saving work.The NSW Government has announced six new combined Fire Control and Emergency Operations Centres and 18 new rural fire stations as part of a $34.5 million project to help coordinate the response to bushfires and other emergencies such as storms and floods.Kiama MP Katelin McInerney welcomed the announcement from Minister for Emergency Service Jihad Dib.“Having met the amazing volunteers at Dunmore RFS with Minister Dib last year, I know firsthand that this investment will ensure they have the modern amenities needed to train and attract more volunteers, particularly women,” she said.“The new station will provide change rooms that will cater for all members, a multi-purpose room for training and general meetings.“The new station will also overcome the lack of space in the current building and will provide a first-class station for the future.“The brigade currently responds to 120 jobs per year, including in the Kiama electorate.”Dib said the Government was committed to “ensuring our volunteers have what they need to do their job”.“Our focus on the state's firefighting capability reflects our deep respect for the people who step up when it matters most.“This summer has already served as a reminder of our reliance on our volunteer firefighters, who have tirelessly responded to bush fire emergencies in NSW, Victoria and beyond. "We are planning for the future and investing in firefighting facilities so they have the infrastructure they need, both on the fireground and to coordinate effective emergency response operations. "Rural firefighting response has been a partnership with local government for one hundred years and I thank councils for their shared contribution in keeping communities safe." Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said region communities “deserve the strongest possible protection and this investment delivers exactly that”. “These new and upgraded RFS facilities will ensure our volunteers have the modern resources they need to keep people safe during bush fires, storms and floods. "I'm especially proud to see a new brigade station being delivered for Dunmore. I was happy to work with Mr Tony Hardy, who was a tireless and relentless advocate for a new upgraded facility.“Sadly, Tony has passed before he could see his vision come through and I would like to extend my thanks to Tony's family for their ongoing support on behalf of their father."

Wollongong mum, Isla Becker, was eight months pregnant with her baby, now four months old, when she received shocking news. The super fund that she’d invested 80 per cent of her retirement savings into had collapsed — and $116,000 of her savings had vanished.“I had only recently begun taking a more active interest in my super, including salary sacrificing, and I was proud to see my balance growing,” says Becker. After completing an online comparison — similar to those used for health or car insurance — she was contacted by a consultant to review her super options.“I was set up with a financial consultant, Rhys Reilly, who signed me up to YourChoice Super and invested my money into the First Guardian Fund,” says Becker. “They provided what appeared to be a comprehensive report, including projected retirement balances, based on this new structure. It all seemed legitimate and encouraging.”She thought her future was in safe hands, until she saw the news break.On 17 March 2025, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced they had applied to the Federal Court for the “appointment of liquidators to Falcon Capital Limited” — the responsible entity for First Guardian.As stated in a media release: “ASIC is concerned about the management and operation of First Guardian and the associated risks to investors.”Since then, financial planner, Rhys Reilly, and his company, Rhys Reilly Pty Ltd, have been named in the investigation.“I didn’t fully grasp the seriousness of the situation until I logged into my super portal,” says Becker. “I saw a deduction of more than $100,000 — and my heart sank.”She is one of approximately 6,000 people who invested their money, including their retirement savings, into First Guardian — totalling more than $1 billion.Initially, she was hopeful her money wouldn’t be lost. “I joined the Save Our Super Facebook group and followed the media coverage on [the news],” she recalls. “I was encouraged to see that some people had been reimbursed, but I wasn’t.”Currently, over 2,100 people are members of the Facebook group, First Guardian and Falcon Superannuation Discussion — including many familiar faces.“When I joined the Facebook group, I was amazed by how many local people and familiar names I spotted,” a mum of two from Kiama who lost $70,000 told The Bugle.“I spoke to someone in Jamberoo who lost more than $150,000. At least, we’ve been able to connect, share tips and support each other.”Since then, ASIC has taken court action to preserve any remaining assets of Falcon Capital and First Guardian, so they can be recovered for investors. They are also actively “exploring avenues for compensation for victims”.A video on the ASIC website states: “At this stage it is unclear how much of the funds that were invested can be recovered and returned to people.” The Commission warns of a trend of “high risk of super-switching schemes” in Australia that are often promoted by sales calls after people click on online ads.Financial planner Joe Calcraft, who alongside business partner Anthony Hourigan forms Cloudbreak Wealth in Kiama, hadn’t heard of First Guardian before its collapse, and none of his clients were impacted.He advises anyone affected to lodge a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), “the sooner the better”.“You can also find out if you can access the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR), which is a fund that has been set up to provide ‘last resort’ compensation, which steps in if all other avenues have been exhausted,” he adds.The First Guardian collapse is the second scandal in the Australian market in the last two years. In 2024, another scheme, Shield Master Fund, collapsed after its responsible entity, Keystone Asset Management, went into voluntary administration.According to ASIC estimates, around 12,000 Australians poured $1.1 billion in retirement savings into the two funds, amid what ASIC chair Sarah Court has described as “industrial-scale misconduct.”“Planning for your retirement should be a time of joy, however it can be a time of angst given the gravity of decisions that need to be made,” says Calcraft.“If someone has contacted you, usually through a cold call without your consent to try and advise — sell — you a product for an investment or superannuation, it is usually not going to be in your best interest.”He points out this type of selling has been illegal since October 2021 under the anti-hawking provision.“If you are being offered ‘high guaranteed returns’ or you’ve been advised to put all your money into one single brand or investment, it is usually too good to be true,” he says. “Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion and certainly don’t feel embarrassed or think you are asking a silly question when it comes to your life savings.”His advice is echoed by Nicola Beswick, former lawyer, financial advisor and founder of White Rabbit Advisory.“Events like this should certainly raise questions, because they should never happen,” she says. “Australia’s superannuation system is heavily regulated and operates under strict governance and compliance frameworks. I would always recommend early financial advice to gain the right structure for you and the confidence that comes with it.”She says this is a great time to boost your financial literacy: “Take a look at the diversification of your superannuation investments and the credentials of those overseeing your investments. It’s also always a good step to make sure that your beneficiary nominations are up to date.”For locals like Isla Becker, the wait is not over. She is grateful that her husband’s super remained with a “larger, more established fund”, as she is aware of local families who lost their entire combined savings.“I hope to be reimbursed as much as possible, so I don’t have to find alternative ways to rebuild my retirement savings,” she says. “I want to see the individuals responsible held accountable, and for stronger regulations to be put in place so this cannot happen to thousands of Australians again.“I was genuinely trying to take control of my financial future, and instead I lost a significant portion of my super. It has shaken my trust in the system.”

This week's edition of The Bugle is jam-packed with local news and views from our South Coast community.Our main story centres around reaction in Gerroa to brazen thieves attempting to break into properties and cars. CHECK OUT OUR DIGITAL EDITION HEREWe also bring you the heart-warming story of local carers being needed to look after Labrador pups so that they can be trained for higher duties.There is also an update on developments at Kiama's Akuna Street and Caliope Street, the drama surrounding Councillor Imogen Draisma facing a code of conduct investigation and a new eatery which is making waves in Gainsborough.You can also read plenty of other community stories about Skin Check Champions, superannuation dangers and a column from Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald.In sport, we bring you the latest on South Coast cricket, the Illawarra Hawks' season coming to an abrupt end and a Gerringong junior starring in the Charity Shield but not for the Dragons.And our intrepid photographer Brian Scott has been out and about snapping community sports stars doing their thing.For the green thumbs, check out John Gabriele's latest video with advice for your garden.The paper is available from all the usual outlets around the Kiama local government area - grab yours before it's too late.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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

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

Kiama Council will vote next Tuesday on a development application for a four-storey development on the southern side of Akuna Street.The developer is planning to build a mixed use development of three commercial units, 38 “shop top housing” residences and spaces for 93 cars at 14 Akuna Street, which is currently a split level car park.The estimated cost of the project is $21 million. Kiama Council’s director strategies and communities Ed Paterson has tabled a report for the meeting which recommends approving the plan which has been recently declared a State Significant Development by the NSW Government.Under the plan, the existing structures and car park will be demolished and two trees removed.A previous development application for the project was previously lodged but withdrawn at the recommendation of Council staff due to “deficiencies” in the proposal relating to issues such as potential groundwater contamination and pollution, sustainability measures, aesthetics, non-compliances with the Apartment Design Guide relating to common open space, visual privacy, solar and daylight access, acoustic impacts between land uses and unacceptable car parking design and waste collection arrangements.The staff recommendations have been incorporated into the amended design for the current application.There is a relatively minor encroachment to the 11m building height limit as a result of the sloping topography and the change in building height limits across the site, according to Paterson’s report.Council will also vote on a proposal to extend the lease for Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club until October. Council received 93 submissions in relation to the proposed lease when it was placed on public exhibition from 26 October to 23 November with 82 in support. Director corporate and commercial Joe Gaudiosi has advised Council that, in accordance with the Local Government Act, having seven objections means NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig will be required to give his consent before Council can agree to a proposed 20-year lease with the Surf Club.Council staff will meet with the executive of the GSLSC to negotiate the specific lease conditions taking into account the feedback from the submissionsIn Gaudiosi’s report to Council, he states that “overall, the submissions acknowledge the significant community value and services provided by the Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club, with most submissions (approximately 80%) supporting the proposed lease. “Notwithstanding this support, the submissions raise matters requiring further consideration and negotiations with the Surf Club executive prior to finalisation of the lease terms, including community access and use.” At Tuesday’s meeting, Council is also set to vote on the public’s preferred option for the long-awaited Jamberoo Dog Park.Five designs for a fenced off-leash area were presented with the final option getting the most votes - separated dog parks comprising a 30m x 30m small dog area in the east and a 45m x 22.5m large dog area in the west of the reserve on the corner of Gibson Crescent and Church Street.