Kiama Council is removing two light poles at the Kiama Sports Complex for safety reasons. The Kiama District Sports Association is helping the affected sporting organisations. Council will be organising replacements as a matter of urgency.Kiama Sports Complex is one of the town’s most valued and widely used assets, hosting football, netball, cricket, and athletics serving residents as young as four as well as senior citizens.The Kiama Sporting Complex Workers Group has launched a campaign urging politicians at local, state and federal level to pledge their support for a long-overdue upgrade and modernisation of the site.They have outlined several major concerns: a cramped 45-year-old clubhouse, dilapidated change rooms and toilets, limited disability access, poor lighting, inadequate field drainage, and unsafe netball courts.“These deficiencies not only hinder current sporting activities but also prevent us from attracting major sporting events, impacting our community both economically and reputationally,” Ryan McBride, president of the Kiama Junior Football Club, recently told The Bugle.Newly re-elected Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips is backing the Kiama Sports Complex Master Plan, which is being developed by Kiama Council.“Federal funding, through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, was utilised by Kiama Council to support the development of the Kiama Sporting Complex Master Plan,” she said.“Once the project is shovel ready, I will explore and advocate for further federal funding for this important community project.”The Kiama Sporting Complex Workers Group letter was also addressed to Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald, CEO Jane Stroud, MP Gareth Ward, Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, and Craig Scott, President of the Kiama District Sporting Association.

The Bishop of the Wollongong Diocese, Reveren Brian Mascord, has welcomed the appointment of Pope Leo XIV as a "sacred and historic moment" for the Catholic Church.Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old who was born in Chicago, has been announced as the successor to Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.Reverend Mascord on Friday described the appointment as one that will continue to guide Catholics on their spiritual journey and build upon the legacy of Pope Francis."This is a sacred and historic moment for the universal Church and fills our hearts with renewed hope and calls us to unity as one body in Christ," Reverend Mascord said."The election of our new Holy Father comes at a time of both challenge and opportunity. "Guided by prayerful discernment and trust in God’s providence, the cardinals have chosen a man who brings with him a deep love for Christ and his Church, a commitment to the Gospel, and a heart for humility, service, and evangelisation. In his first address, Pope Leo XIV calls us to renewed discipleship when he proclaimed that 'The world needs Christ’s light. Humanity needs him to be the bridge so that God and his love can reach us'."As Pope Leo XIV begins his petrine ministry, I invite all the faithful of our diocese to unite with me in prayer for him. May he be granted wisdom, courage, and strength to shepherd the Church with compassion and truth."Reverend Mascord said this new chapter of the Church’s journey would renew their commitment to faith, discipleship, and unity.

Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has opened up on the strain of her achieving her goal of being re-elected after securing her third term on the back of a lengthy and draining campaign leading into last Saturday’s election.Phillips managed to not only hold off Liberal candidate Andrew Constance but secure a swing of just under 5% to Labor as part of the nationwide trend which resulted in Anthony Albanese being returned as Prime Minister with a majority government.For the 55-year-old Gilmore MP, the slings and arrows of public life in an election campaign are part and parcel of the role but she is relieved it is now over.“I was just elated,” she said when asked about the moment she realised the seat had been retained last Saturday night.“I've had an opponent for quite some time, over a year, and I’ve had a lot thrown at me.“I've just really tried to stay focused on what I've had to do, which is support our communities but everything has been a really big strain on me, personally, so just to know that that part is over is very good for me and my team.”Phillips, who was contesting her fourth federal election after losing in 2016 and then winning the next three, said she never questioned if it was all worthwhile.“I always say you would really want to do this role because going through elections is really, really hard,” she said.“And I do want to do it. The moment I stop enjoying it, I won’t be doing it.”“There's lots of different things we do as the federal member and it's a big electorate too - it takes in three local government areas, three state members and just to get across that area is huge.”Phillips was surprised by the overwhelming nature of her victory given the bookmakers had installed Constance as an early favourite before a YouGov poll in the lead-up to the vote indicated that the tide had changed in her favour.“Honestly I really thought it was going to be close and I had a quietly good feeling on pre-poll but you can never tell so I always like to err on the side of caution so I was pleasantly surprised on the night,” she added.As polling closed late in the afternoon, Phillips spent some time with her family before joining her small army of Labor faithful to watch as the official results started filtering in.Now, she says, her priority is to deliver on her promises of strengthening the local economy, alleviating the pressures of the cost of living crisis and helping facilitate Australia’s switch to renewable energy.

Kiama has been named a finalist in the 2025 Top Tourism Awards, recognising not only its scenery but the work being done behind the scenes to market the town to visitors. To be in the running, Destination Kiama created and submitted an itinerary aimed at a specific visitor demographic, alongside a video that uses that target market. According to Kiama Council’s Tourism and Events manager Sally Bursell, the process was about strategy and the community. “It’s a bit of pride in our town too…If people say where you're from, I'm very proud to say Kiama,” Sally said.“That's something that rings true for most people that live in this beautiful area, it's a testament to our welcoming community.”Sally believes it’s the combined efforts of council, local businesses, and the community that make Kiama a strong contender for this award.“When people roll into town, they get a coffee from a friendly barista and the barista can tell you where to get the best loaf of bread or where’s the best surf break,” Sally said“It's a bit of a group effort from everyone that lives here.”Part of Kiama’s tourism strategy has been to move away from increasing visitor numbers and instead encourage longer stays. “It's really about our messaging, about come not just for the day, come for three days, because we've got all these things on offer,” said Sally.“In terms of domestic visitor nights, which are people that are traveling within Australia and staying overnight, we were 24 per cent higher in our latest stats compared to the previous year and the average length of stay is over three nights.”A strong and consistent range of events, from the Kiama Winter Festival, the Jazz and Blues Festival to Changing Tides, have played a role in strengthening the town’s tourism appeal beyond its summer peak.“There's lots of people that come in summertime and consider us as a summer destination,” Sally said.“It's our job at Destination Kiama and Council to try and level that out and remind people how good the area is not in peak time.”“We obviously have been running the Kiama Winter Festival for a few years…we find that because that's the time of year where our businesses are really crying out for more patronage.”Destination Kiama is currently running a winter campaign in partnership with local businesses, offering deals to visitors to increase the town’s off-peak season.Winners of the Top Tourism Town Awards will be announced later this month.

“Talking about Mum helps boys understand themselves. Some boys will have wonderful mothers, some not so great. Some will have absent mothers, and some may have mothers who have passed away.” That is the quiet truth at the heart of The Kiama Building Young Men Program, a mentoring initiative that is helping shape local teenage boys into thoughtful, respectful men, one honest conversation at a time.And this week, that conversation is about Mum. As Mother’s Day approaches, mentors from the Kiama LGA are preparing to sit with their mentees and explore one of the most formative relationships of all: the one between mothers and sons.It is not always easy. In fact, program leaders warn the session might be difficult, painful, and upsetting for some of the boys.But they show up anyway.Despite the challenges, there is power in truth-telling. By mentors and mentees sharing stories of how they were mothered - stories of tenderness, mistakes, warmth, estrangement or loss - it gives boys permission to reflect on their own experience, to make sense of it, and crucially, to decide what kind of men they want to be.The Building Young Men (BYM) program does not sugar-coat things.It asks mentors to speak frankly: “The young men are still watching and learning from all of our discussions and attitudes towards women,” it reminds them. “Be true and authentic.”Program facilitator Mark Burns puts it more simply: “It is not about being perfect. It is about being real.”The session asks boys to think not just about their relationship with their mum and other women in their life growing up, but also about how that relationship has shaped the way they treat women now. It is a big ask for any teenager, but mentors say the payoff is worth it.“They open up in ways that surprise even themselves,” said Mark. “And they leave with a stronger sense of who they are and who they want to become.”So if your teenage son who is a part of this program seems unusually reflective this weekend, it might just be because someone gave him the space to talk about Mum and he took it.Happy Mother’s Day to all the women who helped raise our boys, and to the men brave enough to talk about them.To learn more about the Building Young Men Program, click here

“It may not be ideal, but at least it’s a start.”A fenced dog park is coming to Jamberoo by late July 2025, but not without questions from locals about location, size and shared use.Guest speakers from Kiama Council, Donna Flanagan (Manager of Property and Recreation) and Peter Giouroukelis (Capital Works Project Coordinator), presented the plans at the latest Jamberoo Valley Residents and Ratepayers Association (JVRRA) meeting, outlining the project and responding to spirited community feedback.The proposed park will be located at the south-east corner of the reserve between Gibson Crescent and Churchill Street.Site of the Jamberoo Off Leash Dog ParkIt will be 30 by 30 metres, fenced, and feature basic amenities like a drinking station, bag dispenser, bench and a single shade tree. The area will include a safety “airlock” entry gate.The site was selected for its central location, existing infrastructure and compliance with planning regulations.Several alternative sites including the Jamberoo Cemetery, the reserve near the tennis courts, Reid Park, Kevin Walsh and Keith Irvine Ovals were ruled out due to zoning, user conflict or safety concerns.However, locals expressed concerns about the size. “It’s not big enough to separate small and large dogs,” said one resident, worried about safety. “You’ll only be able to safely run five to ten dogs at a time.”Parking also proved contentious.The proposed site currently serves as overflow parking for weekend football and events like the car show.Peter Giouroukelis said the design avoids steeper, flood-prone land nearby, but gates could be opened to temporarily close the park during large events.Locals suggested using nearby Crown land adjacent to the Jamberoo cemetery for overflow parking, which Council agreed to explore.The $100,000 plus project (funded by Kiama Council and the NSW Government) aims to create a safe, inclusive space for dogs and their owners.Council officers committed to maintaining the facility, restocking waste bags, and providing signage to promote responsible pet ownership.Some attendees questioned whether the space would serve larger or more active dogs, but others welcomed the overdue investment. “It may not be the most ideal outcome,” said one speaker, “but at least it’s something. A starting point.”Brochures are available at Jamberoo IGA, and Council confirmed that works will begin later this month.

Opportunities are opening up for dairy exports, but here in our region, short-term leases and rising land prices continue to limit our ability to seize them.Indonesia’s plan to deliver milk to 60 million school children by 2029 could significantly expand demand for dairy across Southeast Asia.According to a new report by Rabobank’s RaboResearch division, the program may require more than two billion litres of milk annually, opening the door for new export partnerships.Yet, as the global opportunity grows, the local reality remains constrained.Kiama’s dairy industry is led by a vibrant generation of young farmers. Many lease land, invest in equipment, and breed award-winning cattle. But they do so under mounting pressure. “Sustaining the industry here isn't about capability, it's about capacity,” one local farmer explained.With Kiama’s coastal lifestyle in high demand, land values continue to climb. The only buyers who can afford to enter the market are wealthy sea/tree-changers or developers banking on future zoning changes. That leaves commercial dairy farmers relying on short-term leases, a precarious foundation for long-term investment.Meanwhile, young farmers in the Kiama LGA are quietly holding up the industry. They’re leasing land year-to-year, investing in equipment they don’t own the ground beneath, and trying to future-proof a legacy that is always at risk of being edged out.RaboResearch senior analyst Michael Harvey said the Indonesian school milk initiative, part of a wider Nutritious Meals Program, represents a major policy shift by the newly elected Indonesian government. “If successful, it could double the size of the white milk market,” he said. While the primary focus is on building domestic supply, Indonesia will remain a net importer of dairy, presenting opportunities for countries like Australia.Harvey believes the greatest potential lies in exporting UHT and recombined milk products, as well as live cattle, genetics, and farm expertise. “To meet the increased milk demand, the local supply would require a fourfold increase in the domestic herd,” he said. “That means importing over one million dairy cattle in the next five years.”Australia is already a long-standing exporter of dairy cattle to Indonesia and holds a strong position thanks to trade access and well-regarded genetics. But Harvey cautions the growth will not be a “game changer” for the Australian industry. It is, however, “a potential growth opportunity.”For Kiama’s farmers, those words ring both hopeful and bittersweet. The global prospects are strong, but local conditions make it difficult to build for the future.What these farmers need isn’t just access to global markets. It’s secure, long-term leases and a recognition that productive agriculture has a place in regions as desirable as Kiama.Without that, export dreams may continue to curdle. 

It was boots on sand and learning hats on this week as Kiama’s Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters joined a Landcare-guided coastal walk along Werri Beach.The event, led by local plant expert and former Werri Beach Dunecare Coordinator Ailee Calderbank, was more than just a stroll, it was a hands-on lesson in the hard work, deep knowledge, and quiet dedication behind 20 years of Dunecare at Werri Beach.Cr Matters’ presence signalled Council’s growing commitment to better understanding and supporting the work of Landcare.Landcare Illawarra Coordinator Meredith Hall, Landcare Illawarra Committe Member Alison Windsor and Deputy Mayor Melisssa MattersShe follows in the footsteps of Cr Melinda Lawton, who joined a similar walk earlier this year from the Little Blowhole to Minnamurra Headland.Both councillors are working to ensure Landcare voices are heard and valued in shaping council’s approach to environmental management.Guided by Ailee Calderbank, the group explored the native plants that make up the coastal and littoral rainforest vegetation unique to the area.From lomandra to banksias, the walk revealed how much life clings to the dunes - despite relentless pressure from invasive weeds, coastal winds and human impact.Morning tea under the fig tree near Pacific Avenue provided a chance to reflect and share stories.Participants heard how Dunecare volunteers have spent two decades painstakingly removing weeds, revegetating fragile dunes, and restoring habitat for native species.Their work is slow, steady and often unsung - but as Cr Matters noted, it is also invaluable.The event, led by local plant expert Ailee Calderbank, was more than just a stroll, it was a hands-on lesson in the hard work, deep knowledge, and quiet dedication behind 20 years of Dunecare at Werri Beach.“This kind of grassroots stewardship is what sustains our environment in the long run,” she said. “It’s not flashy, but it’s deeply effective.”Landcare events like this offer more than ecological education.They build relationships, between people and place, and between council and community.By walking the beach together, council members gain insight that can’t be captured in reports or policy briefings.And there’s more to come.Cr Erica Warren will be rolling up her sleeves to join volunteers at the upcoming community planting days throughout May:Saturday 10 May – Bombo HeadlandSaturday 17 May – Kendalls Beach (South End)Sunday 18 May – Minnamurra HeadlandSaturday 24 May – Werri BeachSaturday 31 May – Little Blowhole, KiamaEach event is hosted by a local Landcare group, and all are welcome to join.Whether you are plant-curious, weed-wary or just after good company and a cuppa, there’s a spot for you.Sign up here 

The Lions Club of Kiama Inc. Cancer Care Trust received a $10,000 boost from Tour de Cure this week.The cheque was presented during a heartfelt community dinner hosted at the Kiama Leagues Club.The donation formed part of the Tour’s Woolworths Wheels and Walks fundraising campaign and recognised the Lions’ quiet but powerful work supporting locals affected by cancer.Accepting the cheque on behalf of the Trust were chair Gerry McInerney, current Lions Club president Cheryl Moses and Ian Chellew.McInerney, who has chaired the trust for more than 30 years, told guests how the fund began in the early 1990s as a way to honour Lions members and their partners who had died from cancer.“We thought $20,000 would be enough,” he said. “We ran a telethon from the CBC (NAB) bank, calling every number in the district and raised it. Then we just kept going.”The trust has now grown to nearly $300,000.Support continues to flow from funeral donations, local art auctions, and Bunnings sausage sizzles.“We only spend the interest and dividends,” McInerney said. “But what we do spend makes a difference. We help pay for medication, travel, or even respite holidays during treatment. We can’t cure cancer, but we can ease the load.”Tour de Cure’s Woolworths team rolled into Kiama with more than 100 riders, support staff and volunteers.All were taking part in a multi-day ride across the region to raise funds and awareness. Since launching in 2014, Woolies Wheels and Walks has raised over $7.7 million and helped fund 18 cancer research breakthroughs.Half of the funds raised go directly to PanKind, Australia’s pancreatic cancer foundation.“When we started, the survival rate for pancreatic cancer was just 4 percent,” said one of the event speakers. “It is now 12 per cent. Still far too low, but proof that our efforts are helping.”Kiama’s dinner reflected the powerful blend of humour, humility and shared humanity that defines the tour.Guests laughed at jokes about calf muscles and Star Wars references. This year’s event coincided with May the Fourth. Applause broke out for those who had ridden since the very first event.First-time riders and navigators shared their stories in a moving panel discussion. Some rode for family members lost too soon.Others were driven by recent cancer diagnoses among friends. “I was terrified,” said one first-time rider. “But this group, it’s the most welcoming, encouraging team I’ve ever met.”Many support crew members also had deep personal motivations.One volunteer spoke about a close friend who endured four separate cancer battles before passing away last Easter. “Nothing satisfies me more than doing something that might help find a cure,” she said.The “Tour bubble”, as returning riders call it, is where senior executives and frontline workers ride side by side.Titles are left behind. “Everyone is equal on the road,” one rider said. “You ride beside someone for three days and go home changed.” The dinner closed with a moment of reflection.It was a reminder that cancer research is not the only legacy being built.For the Lions Club of Kiama and for Tour de Cure, the goal is just as much about community as it is about a cure.

Raffle tickets for a stunning French-themed quilt will be on sale outside Gerringong IGA on Thursday (8 May) from 10am to 5pm, with all proceeds supporting the Children’s Medical Research Institute.The quilt, stitched from fabrics collected during a Paris quilting tour, will be raffled as part of the CMRI’s sold-out Mother’s Day High Tea at Gerringong Town Hall.With event tickets already snapped up, the raffle offers the wider community a chance to take home a truly unique piece while supporting children’s health research at the same time.When local quilter Annette Hoskins first chose the textiles in Paris, she had no idea they would end up at the centre of a local fundraising campaign.“I’d been holding on to the materials for years,” Annette said. “They were too special to use just anywhere. When I heard the CMRI team needed a raffle prize to lift their fundraising this year, I knew it was time.”The quilt was coordinated and joined together by Annette using mostly her own material, but the hexagon patches that form the design were contributed by many members of the Kiama Quilters. “It was a true group effort,” she said. “But the inspiration came from those beautiful Parisian fabrics.”Annette’s passion for creating with heart is well known across the region.A retired nurse and university lecturer, she is a long-time volunteer for CMRI and coordinates charity quilts exclusively with the Kiama Quilters group.Whether it ends up as a keepsake, a gift or an heirloom, this quilt tells a bigger story. One of community, compassion and creative generosity.

Kiama Council is seeking information from the public about vandalism over the weekend at Blowhole Point.“It is extremely disappointing that vandals have used their vehicle to damage a significant part of the grassed area near the Blowhole Point lighthouse.”“Reserves in the Municipality are recovering from recent wet weather and will now need further rate payer funding to restore.”Council asks anyone who can help identify the people or vehicles involved to contact our Customer Service team on (02) 4232 0444 or via [email protected].

Polling day kicked off at Werri Beach with sunshine, salt air and the kind of chilled community spirit that makes you want to hug a stranger.There were no democracy sausages in sight (a national scandal, frankly), but the vibe was golden.Volunteers handed out how-to-vote cards without ambushing anyone.You could chat, laugh and still feel your personal space intact. I was off to a flying start.Wandering south, things took a more sombre turn.Tucked beneath the trees stood the Forest of the Fallen, white silhouettes representing those lost after COVID-19 vaccinations. It was a quiet moment. People slowed. Some stopped. Some looked away.Whether you agreed with the message or not, it made you think. Democracy is layered like that.Over in Kiama, the main booth had undergone a personality transplant since pre-poll.Earlier in the week, it felt like walking into a wind tunnel made of pamphlets. But polling day had a new mood. The circus had left town. Or maybe mellowed.One standout was Liz Ashcroft, owner of Moist 'n Glazed, who rocked up holding a spoof campaign sign that read Vote 1 Moist ’n Glazed, Candidate for Calories.She had a box of freshly baked donuts and a grin big enough to win votes on charm alone. The samples were superb. Satire, sugar and local business spirit in one neat bundle.Kate4Gilmore’s crew brought the cute vote, with tiny dogs in yellow bandannas trotting about like they ran the joint.And the Liberal corner? Let’s just say a couple of diehard farmer types I’ve known for years were handing out flyers. The day was full of surprises.And then, the sausage salvation I had been waiting for.The Uniting Church barbecue was in full swing, expertly run by Rev Kath’s boys, who were turning snags like seasoned professionals.I arrived late and looking desperate. Fortunately, a long friendship paid off. I scored two sausages and the last of the onions. This, my friends, is the taste of democracy done right.Then came the grand finale, Jamberoo. The Red Cross stall had sold out by lunchtime.The Jamberoo P and C barbecue was flat out, thrilled, and sending out extra sausages. But the real scene stealers were the kids.Next-gen entrepreneurs had set up mini market stalls. One sparkly stand of resin earrings and keyrings caught everyone’s eye.What started as a post-Christmas craft project had blossomed into a sweet little side hustle.With her mum’s help, the young maker now crafts joy in pastel and glitter. The customers could not get enough.And finally, the legends themselves, Betsy’s ballot butterflies. Iconic butterfly cakes with cream centres and fluffy wings, known to vanish within minutes.One local swears her friend lines up early just to get the first batch.If elections were judged by dessert, Jamberoo would be in government by now.

Voters arriving at Werri Beach on Saturday morning were met with a confronting sight.An installation called Forest of the Fallen had been set up beside the polling booth.Dozens of placards lined the walkway, each bearing a name, photo and story of someone whose family believes they were harmed or killed by a COVID-19 vaccine.The display, peaceful but emotionally charged, is part of a national campaign challenging vaccine safety and advocating for medical choice.As someone who spent years working as a pharmacist, I understand where some of this anxiety comes from.No medicine is without risk. But it is also true that vaccines have protected millions, probably billions, of lives across generations.Before we had vaccines, children routinely died from diseases we no longer see.Back when I was working as a pharmacist, many countries required certain vaccines for entry.Yellow fever was one of the few with strict international rules. If you were travelling to or from parts of Africa or South America, you had to show proof of vaccination or risk being turned away at the border.Other vaccines, like typhoid and cholera, weren’t usually compulsory but were strongly recommended depending on where you were going and how you were travelling.These days, for most destinations, vaccines are no longer a formal requirement but a choice.That’s a sign of how successful public health efforts have been.But it also means we’re losing the collective memory of what life was like before vaccines became part of the background.The danger in displays like this one is not just the stories.It is the doubt they plant, especially among people too young to remember a world before routine immunisation.The personal grief is real and should be treated with compassion, but public health is built on collective protection, not individual anecdotes.Science is not perfect, but it is our best tool for navigating uncertainty.That matters on election day, and every other day too.

Monday, 28 April marked the final day of the summer season for Kiama’s volunteer surf lifesavers - but they were on duty right until the final moment, rescuing a rock fisherman just three days earlier.Last Friday on Anzac Day a man in his 40s was swept into the water near the Kiama Blowhole - fortunately, he was wearing a lifejacket.“It was before patrol officially started - around 9:40am - when a member of the public alerted our team that fishermen had been swept off the rocks at Blowhole Point,” says Kiama Surf Life Saving Club president Phil Perry.“Two patrolling members, Ben George and Dave Gorman, launched the IRB (inflatable rescue boat) and found a fisherman floating in the water, conscious. The massive thing that saved him was the fact he had a lifejacket on."George and Gorman transported the man to Kiama Harbour, where paramedics and emergency services were waiting. He was later taken to hospital with minor injuries sustained from the rocks.Perry emphasised the importance of safety gear: “It’s so important for the general public - especially fishermen in that area - to wear a lifejacket. If you get washed in and hit your head, your chance of survival is much higher if you're buoyant.”The rescue capped off a busy and successful season for Kiama SLSC, which recorded 46 rescues and approximately 770 preventions. Perry noted a visible rise in beachgoer numbers.“We’ve definitely seen more people on the beach this year. Our patrolling membership grew from 84 to 102 members, which made a huge difference,” he says. “We’ve also put a big focus on developing our youth and cadet programs. Our board training sessions now attract 50 kids per session, up from 40.”Kiama SLSC patrolling membership grew from 84 to 102 members. Source: Kiama SLSCThis year, the club trialled a flexible volunteer roster system, which proved particularly effective for frontline, shift, and FIFO workers.“It’s a minimum of three hours per shift, and volunteers can come when they’re available. It’s worked really well, and we really appreciate the support,” says Perry.Looking ahead to next season, Perry encouraged more community members to get involved with the club.“You don’t have to be an ironman or ironwoman to be a surf lifesaver. "There are so many roles - from radio operator to first aid and advanced rescue. It’s about being part of the village and having fun.”The club will celebrate the season’s achievements at its annual presentation night on 17 May, held at the Kiama SLSC auditorium.

Passions are running high, but beneath the noise sits a bigger question.Who really owns the buildings funded by our rates and taxes? And how do we protect essential services in tough financial times?Recent events have sparked a wave of petitions and social media campaigns, suggesting that Kiama Municipal Council is blocking vital volunteer services.In reality, Council is standing by a simple principle: community-owned buildings must serve the whole community.This is not about stopping volunteers. Council is working to open up access, ensure transparency, and manage every community facility responsibly.It is about ensuring the public assets we all fund deliver the maximum benefit for everyone, not just a privileged few.Acting Mayor Melissa Matters said she stood by her election commitment to be both community minded and business focused.“At the November Council meeting, I asked for information on every Council-owned asset, including every building and every parcel of land, to understand exactly what they provide for the community and what they return to Council," she said."This work is about making sure our assets are activated, accessible, and delivering the best possible outcomes for the whole community."That includes improving access, including ambulant and accessible bathroom facilities, financial sustainability, and broader community use."We need to make sure every community asset is working for everyone, not just a few.”Some groups are fortunate to have access to state-of-the-art facilities and built-in fundraising opportunities.Meanwhile, other frontline volunteers, like our rural firefighters, continue their critical work out of modest garages, without cafés, function rooms or private bars to help raise money for their essential services.Councillor Erica Warren said Council must take a responsible approach to community assets.“Given the financial constraints Council faces, it is imperative that we manage community facilities in a way that increases income that can be further spent on the community," she said."What is the alternative? That rates go up? We need to be smarter with what we have.”We must not lose sight of the bigger picture. Every public building must be a living, working part of our community.Council is not taking anything away. It is trying to create opportunities for broader use, fairness, and sustainability.Strong communities are built when everyone has a seat at the table, not when public spaces become private clubs. Protecting our facilities means protecting our future.

She didn’t get to show her slides on the night, but if you asked Jacqui Forst what Kiama should be doing differently, she’d answer with one word: partnerships.At last week’s housing forum, Jacqui - a social worker and service innovator with experience across NSW Health, aged care and the not-for-profit sector - proposed something bold to flip Kiama’s housing narrative from stuck to strategic.Her slide deck, titled “Innovate Kiama”, points to global and local models that are already delivering housing solutions with social, environmental and economic impact.Among them:Nightingale Housing, a not-for-profit group delivering architect-designed, low-energy apartments for low to middle-income residents, underpinned by values of affordability, transparency and community.Havilah Place, right here in Kiama, was named as a potential Nightingale-style demonstration site.International examples like Birmingham Dreaming City, Dark Matter Labs, and Glasgow’s Our Town initiative, all of which use strategic partnerships to drive regeneration and social infrastructure.Jacqui’s key proposal was to activate Draft Housing Strategy V2 Recommendation 26 of the Draft Housing Strategy, the final action line most readers skipped over, and turn it into something real.She wants KIama Council to help convene a housing reference group of local residents, funders, venture capitalists, urban futurists and strategic risk holders such as insurers and superannuation funds.The goal? To co-design and support a portfolio of real world, system-led demonstrations that tackle the housing crisis through local innovation.She also proposed a Kiama Hackathon, where residents, planners, architects and builders could prototype new ideas and break through regulatory constraints together.“This doesn’t have to be a pipe dream,” Jacqui said. “We’ve got the land, the knowledge and the urgency. What we need now is structure, trust and investment.”

When two gifted quilters answered a quiet call for help, they stitched more than fabric.They stitched memory, respect and community into every thread.The two quilted panels now hanging in Jamberoo’s RSL Hall began their journey in Broken Hill.Barbara Adams, president of the local Red Cross, saw them in a craft store and immediately felt their potential.Robyn Thomson (L) and Teresa MacPherson (R) at Jamberoo RSL Hall, where their handmade remembrance quilts honour generations of service and sacrifice.Photo: Linda FaiersShe brought them back home, hoping they’d find someone to bring them to life.That connection was made by Annette Hoskins, the Community Coordinator of the Kiama Quilters Guild and a long-time volunteer with the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI). Annette is known for quietly connecting people and projects with purpose. She brought the panels to the Guild and asked if anyone might be willing to quilt them. Two members,Teresa MacPherson and Robyn Thomson, stepped forward.What followed was a labour of love, generosity and quiet pride.Teresa, who moved to Kiama five years ago, discovered the quilting group through The Bugle and has found a deep sense of belonging through her involvement.Though she modestly downplays her role, describing herself as “just one of a team,” it’s clear her contribution was heartfelt.“Anything that involves community, I love to be part of,” she said. “And being able to contribute to the Anzac spirit means a great deal to me. I lost relatives in the World Wars, so this was personal.”For Robyn, quilting has been a part of life for 30 years, but it wasn’t until moving to Kiama that she joined a group.Originally from Australia, she spent decades living in Scotland and the United States before returning with her husband, who now works remotely in immunology research.“It’s a pleasure, really,” Robyn said. “But it’s selfish too. I do it because I enjoy it.”Teresa MacPherson and Robyn Thomson in front of a commemorative poppy quilt at Jamberoo RSL. The quilt, stitched with teamwork and care, honours those who served and includes handmade poppies contributed by fellow community quilters. Photo: Linda FaiersThe pair are long-time contributors to community quilting projects, especially those that support the Children’s Medical Research Institute through the Genes for Jeans campaign.But last Saturday’s unveiling of their Anzac quilts in Jamberoo was something new. They were present. They were celebrated. “A little overwhelming,” Robyn said. “But very, very nice.”Each quilt, while based on a pre-printed panel, was brought to life by hand.Other members of the quilting group were invited to create beautiful crocheted and knitted poppies, which were then carefully attached to the quilts, adding a special handmade touch.The added details, including crocheted poppies and careful stitching, reflect a shared effort. It’s a striking example of what happens when quiet craft meets community care.As Teresa put it, “We thought we’d just send them off and maybe one day get down to Jamberoo to see them.🎥✨ A stitch in time... unveiled! Watch this beautiful moment as Barbara Adams, President of the Jamberoo Red Cross, unveils two stunning quilts honouring Vietnam War veterans.But then we were invited to the march and the morning tea. It was such a lovely acknowledgement.”Now hanging in Jamberoo’s RSL Hall, these quilts are not just beautiful.They are a reminder of those we honour, and of the people who quietly, lovingly, remember them.

A total of 180 call-outs in 12 months and a team of local volunteers who quietly keep us safe. Now it is our turn to step up for Jamberoo Rural Fire Service.They do not ask for much. In fact, the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service volunteers spend most of their time asking for nothing at all.They simply show up, again and again, whenever the pager sounds.Last year, they answered 180 call outs across our region. Fires, floods, car crashes, rescues, you name it, they were there.Rain or shine, day or night, these local legends are first on the scene, bringing calm, skill and courage when it matters most.The vital funds raised help the brigade purchase specific equipment that directly contributes to the incidents they respond to.Recent investments include:🔥 A thermal imaging camera that allows firefighters to see through smoke, assist with search and rescue, and quickly gain control over a fire environment.🔥 A piercing nozzle specifically designed for tackling pile burns, hay fires, car fires and rubbish fires by injecting water into the centre of the fire.These tools can be the difference between saving a life or losing a property.Every dollar raised genuinely helps our RFS volunteers do their job better and safer.This Friday 24 May, you can help — and have a fantastic night while you are at it.The FUKERS Fundraising Concert at Jamberoo School of Arts Hall promises live music, singing, dancing, food, drinks, and a chance to throw your support behind the people who are always there for us.Paul Taylor and the FUKERS are donating their time and talent, and every ticket sold will help Jamberoo RFS stay equipped and ready for whatever challenges come next.If you are thinking of coming, please jump online and book now.Bring your friends, your neighbours, your family, and show our RFS they are not standing alone.”The important details📍 Jamberoo School of Arts Hall🗓️ Saturday 24 May🕖 7 pm till late🎤 Live music, singing and dancing🍷 Food and drinks at bar prices🎟️ $40 from Humanitix here

The first slab of concrete has been poured on the site of the new Shellharbour Hospital, a significant milestone in the construction of the much-needed facility. The concrete forms the foundation of the hospital’s perioperative unit, which will house new state-of-the art operating theatres. As the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region's specialist elective surgical centre, the new hospital will help deliver improved health outcomes and enhance patient care for local communities.The new Shellharbour Hospital is part of the more than $780 million New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services Project, jointly funded by the NSW and Australian governments.This initial pour used close to 300 cubic metres of concrete, with more than 33,000 cubic metres of concrete expected to be poured throughout the life of the project.It comes after weeks of site preparation and marks the start of a series of concrete pours that will continue in the months ahead as the new hospital’s seven-storey structure begins to take shape.Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said it was exciting to see this construction milestone reached for the new hospital. "I can’t wait to see the building take shape, which will transform the delivery of healthcare for the Illawarra community.“The NSW Government is committed to improving health services and infrastructure for regional communities across the state and is proud to invest in projects like this that will make a genuine difference.”Once complete, the new Shellharbour Hospital will transform access to healthcare for the Shellharbour community, providing a wide range of modern and expanded health services and reducing the need to travel out of the area for a range of treatments. The new hospital will include an expanded emergency department, enhanced paediatric services, including a new Paediatric Assessment Unit that will function closely with the emergency department, rehabilitation and aged care services, acute medical services, specialised elective surgery and mental health services, renal dialysis and outpatient care services, as well as car parking and improved public transport links. Designs for the new Shellharbour Hospital also enables the construction of a future rooftop helipad.“This initial concrete pour represents more than just a construction milestone - it represents our commitment to the future health and wellbeing of our growing region of the Illawarra," said Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson.“Thank you again to everyone contributing to the delivery of our new Shellharbour Hospital. I look forward to seeing the progress continuing over the coming months.”Community members can stay up to date on the project via shellharbourdevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au.