Gerringong Lions NRL utility Tyran Wishart has capped a tremendous season for the Melbourne Storm by earning selection in the Prime Minister’s XIII squad. It is the second season in a row that Wishart has made the squad, recognition of his reputation as one of the emerging stars in the NRL who could be an Origin or Test player in the future.Anthony Albanese announced the Australian men’s and women’s Prime Minister’s XIII squads earlier this week for the clashes with their Papua New Guinea counterparts at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday.The men’s team will be captained by South Sydney forward Keaon Koloamatangi with Wishart joined by the likes of Storm teammate Nick Meaney, Rabbitohs duo Jye Gray and Tallis Duncan, Canberra trio Ethan Strange, Tom Starling and Corey Horsburgh.The women’s Prime Minister’s XIII will be captained by Cronulla hooker Quincy Dodd.Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters will oversee the PMs XIII before heading off to the UK later this month for a three-Test Ashes series against England.“The squad has a really strong mix of experienced representative players and some of the best young talent that we saw showcased in the NRL this season,” he said."There is a lot of strike across the park with the likes of Ethan Strange, Jye Gray, Bradman Best and Jason Saab and some real power and mobility up front, led by Keaon Koloamatangi who is getting the opportunity to captain the side."I’m excited to get to work with the team this week and put on a great display in Port Moresby on Sunday.”For Wishart, selection in the PMs XIII was a pick-me-up after Melbourne went down 26-22 in the NRL grand final on Sunday night at Accor Stadium after holding a 10-point lead at the break.Wishart was brought into the game early off the bench after centre Jack Howarth suffered a groin injury.The versatile 25-year-old faced a tough task filling in on the left edge against Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs.He made 18 runs for 128 metres and made 11 tackles, missing just one.Unfortunately for Wishart, he has now lost two grand finals on the trot, doubling the tally of his father Rod, whose last match was St George Illawarra’s 20-18 defeat in the 1999 premiership decider.Wishart is entering the final 12 months of his contract with the Storm and with the Perth Bears coming into the competition the following season, he is likely to command a sizeable upgrade after becoming a permanent member of Melbourne’s line-up over the past two years.

A 45-year-old disqualified driver will face Kiama Local Court in November after he was caught speeding during the Labour Day long weekend traffic operation by NSW Police.Lake Illawarra Highway Patrol officers at 8.25am on Monday allegedly stopped a vehicle travelling 124km/h in a 110km/h zone along the Princes Highway at Dunmore. Inquiries revealed the 45-year-old male driver’s provisional licence was disqualified in 2011 until 2042. He was served with a Field Court Attendance Notice for drive motor vehicle during disqualification period - 2nd offence and is due to appear at Kiama Local Court on Monday 3 November. The driver was also issued a $592 infringement for class A motor vehicle exceed speed > 20kph – Lidar.NSW Police conducted an extensive traffic operation over the Labour Day long weekend and three lives were lost on roads in the state.The high-visibility operation saw police across the state targeting drink and drug driving, fatigue, mobile phone use, speeding and seat belt and helmet offences, with double demerits in place for the duration of the four-day operation from Friday to Monday.Across the state, police issued 11,389 Traffic Infringement Notices, including 4026 for speed-related offences, 302 for mobile phone usage, and 174 seatbelt/helmet related offences.Police conducted more than 214,906 breath tests, with 300 drink-driving offences and conducted 11,283 drug tests with 724 drug-driving offences detected, with 285 major crashes reported.A total of 277 people have been killed on NSW roads in 2025.Over this long weekend three people lost their lives – all of which occurred in northern NSW.Acting Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Ryan Park said still too many lives are being lost to recklessness on our roads.“Three people lost their lives over the weekend, not because of bad luck, but because of bad decisions taken on our roads,” he said.“These crashes aren’t accidents, they’re preventable. Every time someone speeds, looks at their phone or drives under the influence, they’re putting lives on the line.“As we head into one of the busiest times of year on our roads, the message couldn’t be clearer. Slow down, pay attention and never drive if you’ve been drinking or taking drugs.“Police will be out in force again coming up to Christmas, targeting dangerous driving, speeding, distraction and impairment. Real change starts with every driver taking responsibility. "One careless decision is all it takes to destroy a life.”

All options are on the table for Kiama Council for the Blue Haven nursing home site at Havilah Place which is being demolished six years after it was closed down. Demolition started last week on the site which was previously the home to Kiama’s first retirement village for four decades from 1979 onwards.Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said Council was open to ideas about how the area should be used once the derelict buildings are removed over the next two months.Council will form a finance and major projects committee to spearhead the process of working out what to do with the community asset.“Basically it’s an open book,” he said.“That committee is an acknowledgement that Council is not the expert on all things and the scope of work for that committee will be to look at all our catalyst sites owned by Council and understand where they might be in the next 20-30 years as well. The old State Quarry at Kiama.“Sites in desperate need of repair, such as this Havilah one, the existing Terralong Street site, the Council Chambers themselves and some of the other sites we’ve got, including the Minnamurra Depot.“There has been many people in the community saying what should happen with that Havilah Place site and nothing is off the table as far as Council is concerned.“It will become a part of a larger jigsaw puzzle as to how our community assets might look into the future.”Council is revisiting the Kiama Sporting Complex masterplan after gauging community feedback to come up with a preferred plan for its redevelopment following responses about the initial three options.The future of the Havilah Place site will also play into how the Sporting Complex could end up.There have been calls for the demolished Blue Haven complex to be converted into affordable housing, more retirement homes, sporting facilities, retail and commercial space, or even parkland. After the committee is formed, Council will proceed with the community consultation process before working out what will happen with the subdivision of the site.The nursing home after opening in 1979.Blue Haven Terralong will not be affected by the redevelopment of the abandoned section of the old retirement village and Kiama Community Garden will also remain as is.Long-time Kiama local Nick Hartgerink wrote the book, literally, on Blue Haven: The First 40 Years, which was released in 2019.“It was a great facility in its time, but it reached its use by day,” he said.“The whole process started because around 1970 the Kiama Hospital was full of elderly residents and there was nowhere for them to go and they would have had to go to nursing homes 30, 50, even 100km away in Sydney because there was nowhere to accommodate them anywhere in the Illawarra. Thus the Kiama and District Retirement Village Committee was born on 19 November, 1970 with Kiama Mayor Paul Saphin elected president.They raised money and the retirement village was set to get the green light in 1975 but the government funding was cut off due to the nationwide financial uncertainty surrounding the turbulent final days of Gough Whitlam’s time as Prime Minister. Eventually, Malcolm Fraser’s government reopened the purse strings and the retirement village was built and finally opened in 1979.As Hartgerink wrote in his book, “long-serving Kiama doctor, Jon Phipps, remembers that he and his medical colleagues were forced to use Kiama District Hospital as a de facto nursing home. “Kiama Hospital had a lot of long-term patients who were kept there because they needed to be looked after full-time.“They were beyond rehabilitation and too sick to live at home, but there were no nursing homes nearby to send them to. “Sometimes we sent them to nursing homes as far away as Sydney, but that was very hard for them and their families. So we tried to look after them in Kiama Hospital.“That was a real problem because they were taking up the beds, but what else could we do?”The land for the site was initially home to the State Rail Quarry from the 1870s where blue metal was mined with a tramline down Terralong Street taking the stone to ships in Kiama Harbour to be loaded up to be taken to Sydney.By the 1970s, the disused quarry land was owned by local businessman Tony Freedman, who generously donated an acre to Council as the site for the nursing home before more land was purchased from him for the sports complex.

The long-awaited transformation of the Bombo Quarry into a housing area is a step closer after the Independent Planning Commission has recommended that proposed rehabilitation works be declared a State Significant Development.For decades, the land has been viewed as a potential solution to Kiama's lack of housing and the IPC's decision has been welcomed by Mayor Cameron McDonald.“It is a really great announcement for the community of Kiama,” he told The Bugle.“It’s the first necessary step in a long process. Council certainly doesn’t have the ready set of consultants that would be required to look at the remediation of the site such as geotechs, hydraulic engineers and other specialist analysts.“What it means for the ratepayer is the State Government steps in and does all that work underneath the State Significant Development umbrella, the ratepayers get the benefit of that work to progress it and to stay in control of the site.“It is excellent from a Housing Strategy point of view. This is a significant signal from the State Government that it’s a much shorter timeframe than what the community is expecting.”It is a common refrain around the Kiama LGA that the Bombo Quarry redevelopment has been “10 years away” for several decades but it now looks like it will happen with a new estate in place sometime within the 2030s.“The State Government, with the housing crisis, is keen to get things moving, Cr McDonald added.“We haven’t lost sight of the fact that with this Bombo Quarry site there’s all this significant infrastructure that will be required to be addressed alongside it.”That includes the road network, Sydney Water’s needs, the Bombo sewage treatment facility as well as school, pre-school, shopping, and sporting and community group facilities.Later this year or in early 2026, Kiama Council will begin to come up with a plan, in consultation with the State Government, about its long-term vision for the precinct and how that can be achieved.There could be as many as 2000 houses in the redeveloped quarry site but that could fluctuate depending on the density put in place and other amenities that are built for the area.Cr McDonald said Council’s housing goal of 900 new homes by the end of this decade would be more than accommodated by in-fill development as well as projects already underway in Shoalhaven Street, the Sunnymeade site in Gerringong, South Kiama and Golden Valley in Jamberoo.The goal of 3400 new dwellings by 2040 isn’t a mandated number by the NSW Government but Council is planning for those numbers to come to fruition.IPC’s decision to recognise the state importance of the Bombo Quarry rehabilitation project progressed after a Ministerial call-in request from the NSW Transport Asset Manager and Boral, supported by Urbis.While the project does not meet the statutory thresholds in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) 2021, the Commission found the development warranted consideration as a State Significant Development due to its broader significance.“Bombo Quarry has played a significant role in the state’s infrastructure and construction story for decades," Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said."The Independent Planning Commission’s advice makes clear that its rehabilitation is a matter of state importance.”Newly elected Kiama MP Katelin McInerney said this was an important milestone for the local community.“The rehabilitation of Bombo Quarry has been talked about for many years, and it’s clear the scale and complexity of the project means it should be treated as state significant," he said."I welcome the Commission’s recommendation and the attention it brings to getting the best possible outcome for the people of Kiama.”

Kiama Library is hosting a writing workshop with a difference, with well-known writing teacher Keith Whelan. Writing a eulogy can be daunting. Often we’re grieving while trying to put our thoughts into words, and it can be challenging to write a speech that strikes the right tone and that does justice to someone’s life in a few short minutes. Perhaps you’re writing a eulogy for an important person in your life? Or perhaps you’re writing your own? Not as strange as it sounds. Writing your own eulogy can be a creative exercise in self-reflection, preparation, or clarifying priorities in how you want to live your life and be remembered. It can also be a gift for friends and family to ease their stress at a time of grief. A eulogy or tribute can be a special part of a funeral, but where do you start in summing up your own or someone else's life? Do you write a formal summary of milestones and achievements, or something more personal based on stories, memories and anecdotes?This workshop will show you how to:Choose the most appropriate type of eulogy, depending on the person and the circumstancesIdentify your own or someone else's most noteworthy characteristicsFocus on what people love most about you or the person you are writing about. This workshop will provide samples and written exercises to help you write clear, concise and compelling memories.Whelan is an experienced author and teacher. He has been teaching creative writing for 17 years in Australia and Ireland. He has also worked as a journalist, sub-writer, critic and editor, and has judged writing competitions. He also teaches creative writing workshops at the University of Sydney Centre for Continuing Education.The workshop will be held on Saturday 25 October from 10am-12pm at Kiama Library Auditorium. Cost is $10 and no experience is necessary. Book online via the Kiama Library website or call 02 4233 1133.

Local photographer Nic van Oudtshoorn was recognised with Highly Commended Awards for two of his photographs in the 2025 Australian Photography magazine ‘Mono Awards’ competition. “I love black and white photos,” says van Oudtshoorn. “It is the earliest form of photography, yet even in today’s world of colour, it can produce photos with amazing impact.” Starting out from humble beginnings as a cadet journalist in South Africa for an afternoon newspaper, van Oudtshoorn’s love of photography was inspired from taking photos for his stories when there wasn’t a photographer available. “I then transitioned into basically a photojournalist where I did both photography and reporting simultaneously,” he said. “I found that really gave me the opportunity to express both in words and in photography.” Sharing stories that have spanned across his illustrious career, van Oudtshoorn explained the many facets of being a photojournalist. “When you’re doing active journalism, you’re covering things like a riot and you’re covering police actions,” van Oudtshoorn said. “Obviously you take pictures as fast as you can because there’s the fleeting moment when things happen.” Explaining the patience that is required when doing wildlife photography would leave many reaching for something to do to pass the time. “When you’re doing things like wildlife photography, you must be willing to go and sit at a waterhole for six to seven hours waiting for something to happen because animals come at their own pace,” he said. “But you have to be ready all the time because, again, Henri Cartier-Bresson coined that phrase ‘the decisive moment’. “That’s what you are really looking for.” Having transitioned and evolved from film to digital, van Oudtshoorn explains the double-edged sword that hobbyists and professionals experience with photography. “I think it’s tremendous that people have an opportunity now to just take a phone out of their pocket and they can record a moment,” van Oudtshoorn said. “They see a sunset or they can see a bird landing with a frog in its mouth – you can capture that moment.“I think it’s progression and also, of course, a lot of people don’t realise [what] their phones can do these days – and the level of quality.” Dedicating his profession to passing on knowledge, van Oudtshoorn teaches the unwritten components of photography such as “the eye”. “In fact, phones are so good, they can really do all the technical things for you,” he saidApproaching Storm Photo: Nic van Oudtshoorn“But if you don’t have the eye to see, [which] is one of the big things I teach, when I teach photography.” Another component of photojournalism is the importance of a caption, which van Oudtshoorn encourages aspiring photojournalists to purchase a copy of the National Geographic magazine. “They [National Geographic] employ people specially just to write captions,” he said. “Most of us [photojournalists], when we write a caption, we look at the picture and then we write down what we see. “You shouldn’t have to do that – viewer can see the picture. You have to write a caption that takes the picture, the viewer beyond that.”Just last year, van Oudtshoorn entered an international photography competition named reFocus Awards - World Photo Annual where he won the Photographer of the Year for a series of photos taken through a microscope.  The two images van Oudtshoorn received the Highly Commended Awards for were ‘Approaching storm’, which he describes as “a raptor racing to safety across a tempestuous sky in Jamberoo” and ‘What do you want’ which “captures a confrontation between Silver Gulls at the Kiama waterfront”. Having worked for over 50 years as a journalist and a photographer, van Oudtshoorn has lived in Australia for the past 46 years and teaches photography at WEA Illawarra, St George & Sutherland Community College and Sydney Community College.What do you want Photo: Nic van Oudtshoorn

After years of waiting due to NSW Government red tape, Kiama Council is pleased to announce the listing of five Council-owned residential lots at 17–25 Glenbrook Drive, Kiama.The sale of the land will be a key milestone in the delivery of Council’s Advocacy Plan and a significant step toward addressing local housing needs and long-term financial sustainability.The lots are listed with First National Coast & Country and will go to auction on 25 October. Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said the listings represent a positive and long-awaited achievement for Council and the community.“This is a win for the community and for our Council’s advocacy efforts,” he said. “The listing of the Glenbrook Drive lots was one of our key Advocacy Plan objectives, and I’m proud we’ve now achieved it. "It shows that when we set goals and work together, we can deliver real progress for Kiama.”While the sale of the Glenbrook Drive marks a significant milestone, the Mayor noted that more work lies ahead.“We still have important advocacy priorities to deliver - particularly the lifting of restrictive covenants on Council’s Spring Creek landholdings,” he said.“Unlocking this land would allow us to provide more housing and employment lands for our growing community, which would in turn help support local families, and strengthen Council’s ability to deliver essential services in a financially sustainable way.”

Kiama Council has announced its Jamberoo Pool season for this summer will run from Saturday 29 November to Sunday 15 March.This year’s season reflects the Council resolution to reduce the outdoor pool’s opening hours by four weeks to minimise operating costs while maximising pool use.“This year’s opening hours take advantage of our busiest time of year – the summer school holiday period – to ensure our local residents and tourist visitors can enjoy this wonderful facility at peak times,” said Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald.The decision about the season dates and hours reflect the statistics from last year’s 2024-25 summer season:For two weeks of November 2024 only 310 people attended the pool, with the majority only attending during few hours in the middle of the day.In the final two weeks of March 2025, only 81 people attended the pool.Regardless of the number of people, Council still needs to pay for lifeguard.Last year, Kiama council introduced a small entry fee for the Jamberoo Pool.In 2025-26 this will beAdult swim - $4.20Child/Concession Swim - $2.10Family Swim (2 adults/2 children - $10.50Adult Season Swim Membership - $100.00Child/Concession Season Swim Membership - $50.00Children under school age will continue to enjoy free access. Visitors not swimming will not be charged.Payments for single entry or seasonal membership will be via tapping (payWave) your card or smartphone. Last financial year, the revenue from this entry fee was around $7000, while it cost Council approximately $118,000 to open the pool for the season.This year, Council has invested a further $14,000 to have two pool covers and a roller installed, to keep out leaves and other debris. The covers are also designed to dissuade the ducks, as they sit above the waterline.

The Jamberoo Croquet Club is inviting the community to discover the sport of croquet at their Come and Try Twilight Croquet event on Wednesday 5 November from 5pm to 7pm at Keith Irvine Oval.Established in 1997, the club has been in the same picturesque location for almost 30 years and currently has 78 members, both men and women, who play seven days a week across three lawns. Jamberoo Croquet Club’s (JCC) publicity officer Glenda Gutierrez says the come and try event is designed to showcase the sport and welcome new members.“It's just to show them the sport, let them have a hit with the mallet and the ball and see what they think,” she said“And if they wish to pursue it, they're more than welcome to come and we will offer formal coaching then.”The free event provides all equipment and coaching, with JCC members guiding participants through the basics of croquet.For those interested in pursuing croquet, JCC offers three free coaching sessions with no obligation to join, but it allows people enough time to know if it’s the sport for them.“It's really hard to get an idea of whether you think this sport is yours unless you actually physically pick up a mallet and hit a ball,” she said.“I've been playing for quite a while now, once I hit a ball that was it, I was in. It was really the sport for me.”Last year’s come and try event drew in participants from 12 years old to seniors, showing that croquet is for anyone curious about the sport and willing to participate.“Because it's not overly physical, it is very much targeted for the more senior members of the public or those who may have some sort of limitation,” Glenda said.“People can play socially or if they are very competitive, most definitely they can enroll themselves in a competition.”Bookings are essential as spaces are limited, contact Jamberoo Croquet Club Secretary Jim Cook at [email protected] to reserve a spot.

Well into spring and with the summer feeling upon us, Kiama Cycles has launched ‘Ride Kiama’ for locals and tourists to see the area.And with the evolution from external geared bikes to e-bikes, Kiama Cycles has the right bike for everyone. “We’ve had customers come in, haven’t ridden a bike for 20 years and are able to do a three-to-four-hour ride and come back absolutely loving it,” store owner Beau Rosser said. Beau explained he had a meeting with Destination Kiama after he saw a gap in the market of e-bike hire and showcasing Kiama in an environmentally friendly way. “We have set up some routes to showcase the region on an e-bike,” he said. “It works with an app on their phone, and they can basically use that to follow the route. “The e-bikes we rent are fully compliant, usually drive mid motor - so plenty of torque to get up the hills. Everyone is not Lance Armstrong, but people love to get out and go for a ride.” For families looking to get in on the action, age is only important when you’re riding alone – it comes down to height. “Generally speaking, because they’re [e-bikes] more adult sizes, we have had a 10-year-old yesterday who was quite tall, though,” he said. “But as long as they’ve got parents and supervision, that’s fine. “If they are taking them by themselves, they have to be of age - 18 [years old].” Beau is proud of Kiama Cycles’ compliance with regulations and safety managing e-bikes and he told The Bugle how he handles a ‘Temu’ e-bike. “We’re very cautious with that and have to be for a number of reasons,” he said. “One, our safety, but also work health and safety and customer safety as well. “If we see a bike that comes in that is a ‘Temu’ bike, we take the battery out but are happy to work on the actual bike, but not touching the electronics.” To feel the wind in your hair (of course under a helmet) and the sun on your face, bookings are essential and can be made at https://kiamacycles.com.au/pages/e-bike-hire-kiama

The community is being invited to share stories of the historic Nowra Bridge as the first stage of repairs on the Shoalhaven River crossing continues ahead of its new life as a pedestrian and cyclist path.After 142 years of service, the bridge was retired from road traffic use when the new Nowra Bridge opened. The historic landmark is being retained due to its historical significance, heritage value, community support, and expected benefits to the area.Repairing and repurposing the bridge to ensure its future longevity is a significant task, with the first stage focused on repairing the truss structure.Crews have been removing damaged and corroded elements for repairs, including 1500 rivets by hand, replacing rosette style diagonal bracing washers, and propping and removing end truss lattices.An innovative method was successfully trialed to remove the cantilever pedestrian walkway, which was added to the historic bridge in 1980. A crane mounted on a truck was used to carefully manoeuvre large sections of the walkway, each weighing more than three tonnes, through the bridge trusses. This approach means the walkway can be dismantled directly from the bridge deck, avoiding complex marine operations and delivering cost savings.Crews will continue removing the remaining cantilever pedestrian walkway sections later this year after moving into stage two of the work, which will include installing scaffolding beneath the bridge ahead of repainting.Over the next few months, the team will continue repairs, remove and replace services, utilities and concrete barriers, and start procurement for repainting.In the first half of next year, stage three is expected to begin. This will involve abrasive blasting to remove existing paint, requiring sections of the bridge to be wrapped to prevent contaminants entering the river below. The process, expected to take around 18 months, will include strict environmental controls.The final stage will involve pier strengthening and the installation of new lighting, handrails, street furniture and other shared path features.The repair and repurposing work is being carried out with $20 million in funding as part of the Australian and NSW Government’s $364 million Nowra Bridge project.Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said the project was about investing in Shoalhaven’s future while respecting the past. "The Nowra Bridge has carried generations of locals across the river, and I’m delighted the Albanese Labor Government has partnered with NSW to preserve it as a shared community space," she said.“As a kid growing up in Nowra, when you drove over the bridge, you knew you were home.“I look forward to hearing interesting stories about the bridge from over the years and urge people to get involved in this project which will preserve the history of the bridge for generations to come.“Projects like this not only celebrate our heritage but also boost local jobs and tourism opportunities.“It’s such an iconic local landmark and I’m really looking forward to seeing it transformed into a wonderful asset the whole community can enjoy.”State Member for South Coast Liza Butler added that she saw Nowra Bridge as "part of the fabric of our community" and "a vital connection for more than a century". "I’m proud that it will continue to have a role in our future, as a safe and accessible space for pedestrians and cyclists.“This project is about preserving our history while adapting the bridge for modern needs. "Locals and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the bridge in a whole new way, as a place to walk, cycle, and reflect on its remarkable story.”“I encourage everyone in the community to share their memories and stories of the bridge, so this important piece of Shoalhaven’s history can be celebrated for generations to come.”Incoming Kiama MP Katelin McInerney said she was “excited to see it given new life for future generations to enjoy”.Local residents are encouraged to share their memories and stories of the historic bridge by emailing [email protected].

This week's edition of The Bugle is filled with plenty of local news and views from the local community.Our lead item is the tale of Gerringong grandmother Anne Colquit, who is reaching out to the wider community to rally together and help support her daughter and son-in-law’s family, who have triplets in two different hospitals; one hour and a half apart, with one newborn suffering severe complications.CLICK HERE TO READ THE DIGITAL EDITIONThere is in-depth coverage of the upswing in local real estate, the Mayoral breakfast, the demolition of the old retirement village at Havilah Place and the firestorm over Andrew Constance's appointment as the new Shoalhaven City Council CEO.Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has launched a "preliminary investigation" into the appointment of Constance.Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips wrote to the Minister after Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White announced on Tuesday afternoon that the former NSW Treasurer had won the race to fill the CEO vacancy.Phillips said the appointment "smacks of political bastardry" and she raised her concerns about his lack of experience at local government level with Hoenig.You can also read plenty of other great community stories, including John Gabriele's gardening column, a local woman's breast cancer fundraiser, the breakthrough in the Bombo Quarry development plans and all the action with some great photos from the dashing dogs at the high-octane flyball competition on the weekend.In sport, you can read about Kiama's grand final victory in the Group 7, a local soccer player's golden season and a full wrap-up of the Kiama Triathlon last weekend.Nearly 500 competitors took part in the triathlon, with many entrants using the event as a final warm-up for the World Championships in Wollongong later this month.

Hindmarsh Park will transform into a vibrant celebration of Latin culture as the Spanish and Latin American Outdoor Fiesta takes over next Saturday. This free, family-friendly event is being hosted by the Spanish and Latin American Community Organisation (SALCO), and offers a day of music, dance, art, food, and cultural celebration from 11am to 4pm. Project Manager of SALCO, Bertha Quiros, says the event welcomes visitors to experience Latin American culture through visual art and live performance. “The Spanish & Latin American Outdoor Fiesta is all about celebrating culture and bringing people together,” said Quiros.The festivities will kick off with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Gwenda Jarratt, and from there attendees can expect to see a range of performances. The lineup includes performances from the high-energy Samba Brazil dancers, passionate Soul Flamenco music and dance, and the Tango Sur flash mob that encourages audience participation. “We’re proud to showcase world-class performances while sharing the rich traditions of Latin America with the Kiama community,” said Quiros.Audiences can also expect to see performances by the Latin Power Band, Aguilera Family Music, Mexican Dance Group of Australia, Te Amo Peru, and Fabi Vera. Beyond entertainment, festival-goers can explore the many food trucks offering authentic flavours, artisan stalls, and cultural displays throughout the park.Alongside the weekend celebration, SALCO is hosting an exhibition at the Old Fire Station Gallery titled ‘Natura Viva: A Latin American Celebration of the Natural World”.The exhibition will be open daily from 9 to 15 October, from 10am to 3pm and will feature art by Spanish-speaking artists exploring nature, heritage, and identity. The Outdoor Fiesta will take place on Saturday 11 October from 11am to 4pm with entry to the fiesta and exhibition free. For more information visit www.salco.org.au.

Development looks to have claimed another victim and this time it is independent charity op-shop Mayflower Nearly New in Gerringong which is set to lose the depot which houses its overflow of stock.With almost 50 years of servicing and supporting locals with donated items and having stepped away from being under the Uniting Church umbrella, it appears there is no love lost when it comes to real estate.Jennifer James, of the Mayflower Nearly New store, explained to The Bugle that the Uniting Church is pulling down the old hospital on Belinda Street to be developed into independent living units. “They own the land and of course, we own the shed and they [Uniting Church] are not renewing the lease,” she said, who has had experience working in the clothing store ‘A Breath of Scandal’ in Sydney. “The lease expires [for the depot] next June.” The current store, which is located on Fern Street next to the Butcher and displays the processed goods from donations, is approximately 35 square metres. “If you can see the size of this shop, we can’t even fit two people in the back room - we can’t have this as a depot,” James added. Mayflower Nearly New’s Isabella Campbell said around a dozen ladies turn up every Tuesday morning to help sort out the donations for sale. Because of the generosity of the Gerringong locals and surrounding townships, not all that is donated makes it to the shopfront. “What we can’t give to the shop here has to go somewhere and we don’t want it to go into a garbage bin anywhere,” Campbell said. “We give to the Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse – we send all our material to them because they make bags that go overseas. “We also give to Animal Welfare [League] if there are blankets that can’t be sold.” Looking around the shop, the majority of the items are clothing with some preloved books, but there is a lot of antique ‘bric-a-brac’. “If somebody gives us antiques and we can’t sell them, we pass them on to our museum in Gerringong here,” James said. Over the past six years, the ladies from the shop projected the potential donations to various community organisations and charities has exceeded $300,000.Campbell and James, along with some elders from the Uniting Church, are on the committee which decides where the money is distributed. “It is a real hub for the grandparents, [they] come here in the school holidays to stop the children from getting bored,” James said. “A lot of jigsaw puzzles – it is a community place.”   The ladies of the Mayflower Nearly New store said they once received 75 wedding dresses, all brand new, which did not take long to waltz out the door, but a silver jug takes the cream. “It’s a little cream jug that we believe came off the Orient Express, but we didn’t want to sell stolen goods, so we passed it on,” James said.For anyone who has any information on a new depot for the Mayflower Nearly New store speak to someone in the Fern street store or email [email protected]

Motorists taking to the roads this long weekend can expect to see police out in force in NSW to ensure the safety of all road users.Operation Labour Day 2025 kicked off at 12.01am on Friday and will run until 11.59pm on Monday.Officers will be targeting drink and drug driving, fatigue, mobile phone use, speeding and seat belt and helmet offences, with double demerits in place for the duration of the operation.Operation Labour Day will be led by officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command with the assistance of general duties and specialist police from all police commands and districts across the state.Since 1 January, 271 people have died in crashes on NSW roads – 192 of those in regional areas.Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley, has urged drivers to take extra care on the roads this long weekend as the state heads into one of the most anticipated times of the year.“As we welcome in one of the best times of the year, we're pleading with drivers to be careful on the roads,” Catley said.“No one can afford the price of a split-second decision gone wrong. It could mean years behind bars, the loss of a loved one or losing your own life. It's simply not worth it.“Make the right decision, one that gets you and your family to and from your destination safely and you’ll make it a weekend to remember for all the right reasons.“While many of us spend the long weekend with our families, police officers are on the roads pulling over dangerous drivers, responding to crashes and delivering heartbreaking news. Their work saves lives and we thank them.”Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver said the aim this weekend is to ensure all road users get to their destinations safely.“NSW Police Force is committed to ensuring our roads are safe, and we need everyone to do their part,” Driver said.“You can expect to see officers anywhere, anytime on the road to deter any dangerous behaviour that impacts the safety of road users.“This means not driving while you are tired, taking breaks on long trips, driving to the conditions and not getting behind the wheel if you have been drinking alcohol, have taken illicit drugs or are impaired in any way.“All road users need to be constantly aware of the ever-changing circumstances they find themselves in.“Being distracted includes simply not concentrating on what you are doing, whether it be driving, riding or crossing the road.“When it comes down to it, we are responsible for our behaviour behind the wheel, and we urge all road users to do the right thing – it could save your life.”Transport for NSW executive director of transport safety Chadi Chalhoub said everyone on the road has a responsibility to obey the rules and make safe decisions to ensure everyone has a safe long weekend.“Every decision you make behind the wheel can be the difference between someone reaching their destination safely or tragically never returning home and no one should lose a loved one because someone didn’t follow the road rules,” Chalhoub said.“There are simple things everyone can do to help make our roads safer. That includes staying under the speed limit and driving to the conditions, wearing a seatbelt, never driving when tired, not using a mobile phone while driving, having a Plan B before drinking and never, ever driving if affected by drugs or alcohol.“Fans attending the NRL grand final on Sunday are encouraged to take public transport as travel is included with match tickets. However, if you must drive you must pre-book parking before and are reminded to allow extra travel time, be patient and drive safely as the roads are expected to be busy.”Members of the public are urged to report motorists engaged in dangerous driving to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

As the days grow longer and the sun begins to shine brighter, winter hibernation is coming to an end and Kiama Unplugged is kicking off with the hottest event of the season - Unplugged After Dark at popular eatery Cin Cin Wine Bar near the Little Blow Hole. Jane Bourne, who heads up Kiama Unplugged with her husband Ian Harvey-George, explained the organic nature of the event. “The only rule is no phones. Everything we do is all about connecting people in real life and away from screens,” Bourne said. “It’s an opportunity for friends, couples, or just singles who want to meet local people to come and have a nice dinner at Cin Cin.” Exploding Topics Research Associate Fabio Duarte published findings of screen time attributed to adults in April 2025 and found that on a global average, people spend 6 hours and 40 minutes per day. Bourne said the event aims to provide a space where people are not tempted to reach into their pocket and pull out their phone for some scrolling and explains that removing screens is part of the foundational mission of Kiama Unplugged. “We didn’t just want it to be about this kind of pledge for no smartphones, we wanted it to be about getting the community back together again and getting adults off their screens,” she said. “We all spend too much time scrolling and rotting our brains. “So it very much became wider than the phone pledge, but also about connection, community and real-life experiences.” The Unplugged phenomenon, which started out as a grassroots community movement in Kiama has now expanded to Berry, with Bourne and Harvey-George establishing a vision statement for Unplugged Australia leading the way for other communities to start their own local Unplugged groups. Part of Unplugged Australia’s vision is to reconnect in real-life, with community and nature - away from screens, promote sustainable and low tech living, support young people to branch away from screens and into authentic connections, establish local interactions that facilitate mindful experiences and foster inclusion and collaboration. There are three guidelines for Unplugged and screen time heads it up with connection and community closely followed, with some events being free for the group to remain accessible. Before the Unplugged After Dark event, Kiama Unplugged in collaboration with Grounded Education are holding a Spring Walk at Jerrara Dam for a morning of nature’s trails, wildcraft, nature’s art and connection. “We love linking up with local businesses where we can be supporting them as well and so we are really happy for them [Grounded Education],” Bourne said. “It’s aimed as a family activity and is probably aimed at families with younger kids. “And we are going to be collecting things like sticks and leaves, and then there is going to be a time to do some nature craft.”The Kiama Unplugged After Dark Event is on 23 October from 6pm at Cin Cin and costs $15 per person and includes a drink upon arrival. Bookings are essential. The Spring Walk with Grounded Education is on 19 October from 9:30am with a suggested donation of $10 per family. Bookings are essential.For those looking to get out and about this long weekend, there is a Kiama Unplugged event this Sunday 5 October at Fillmore’s plant-based, art and culturally focused café on Manning street, which is sure to match the temperature forecasted for this weekend.For Kiama Unplugged event information and links to booking sites, head to https://www.kiamaunplugged.com/events 

Kiama Council will temporarily close Jamberoo Mountain Road to all traffic from Monday to Wednesday next week to carry out emergency pavement repairs between Misty Lane and Barren Grounds.The road will be closed daily from 9am to 4pm during this period. Outside of these hours, Jamberoo Mountain Road will remain open to traffic. Traffic control measures will be in place to ensure safety for workers and road users.Alternative routes such as Macquarie Pass, Kangaroo Valley and Picton Road are recommended during the closure.The essential works are part of ongoing improvements funded through the NSW Government's Infrastructure Betterment Fund, aimed at restoring and strengthening infrastructure impacted by recent severe weather events.Motorists are reminded that heavy vehicles, including trucks, buses and caravans, are not permitted on Jamberoo Mountain Road at any time.

Local resident Fiona Smith is hosting a garden party fundraiser at Kiama Surf Lifesaving Club on Saturday 11 October from 10am to 1pm, with all proceeds supporting Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Action Australia.The morning tea event will host a variety of activities including raffles, vintage clothes, handmade crafts, plants, and plenty of food and treats. The relaxed event promises something for everyone all while supporting a cause important to Fiona.Fiona knows firsthand why this cause matters, after being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and thinking she was through the hardest part, after six years, her cancer had returned and spread, becoming metastatic. Fiona says that MBC is treatable but not curable and with more people living with MBC, there needs to be more support and funding.“By having this event I want to get it out to the local community because I'm sure there will be people living with metastatic breast cancer but I don't know them because there's no support group here,” she said.“Raising awareness helps you realise, okay, it's not a great diagnosis, but I can still live a fuller life, however long that is, and there are people that will support me in that.”Metastatic breast cancer occurs when cancer spreads from the breast to other parts of the body, affecting an estimated 24,000 Australians. MBC Action Australia, launched in October 2024 and is the country's first advocacy organisation specifically for people living with MBC, filling a crucial gap in support services for this disease.The garden party aims to raise both funds and awareness in the local community, as Fiona is passionate about ensuring regional patients have access to the same level of support that people do in major cities.Fiona encourages anyone to attend the event, from people living with MBC, partners, carers, family and friends, to have a cup of tea, have a chat, or maybe raise their own awareness.More information about MBC Action Australia can be found at www.mbcaction.org.au.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has launched a "preliminary investigation" into the appointment of Andrew Constance as the new Chief Executive Officer.Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips wrote to the Minister after Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White announced on Tuesday afternoon that the former NSW Treasurer had won the race to fill the CEO vacancy.Phillips said the appointment "smacks of political bastardry" and she raised her concerns about his lack of experience at local government level with Hoenig.The Minister has responded by saying he has instructed the Office of Local Government to look into the matter.“Not only is the general manager the most important position, but it requires proven skills in management, finance and administration," he said. "I have requested the Office of Local Government conduct a preliminary investigation under the Local Government Act into the manner of the appointment.”Shoalhaven City Councillor Ben Krikstolaitis.Shoalhaven City Councillor Ben Krikstolaitis has added his voice to the chorus complaining about the former NSW Treasurer becoming Council’s new Chief Executive Officer.After fellow Councillor Bob Proudfoot criticised the appointment, Cr Krikstolaitis has issued a statement savaging Council for the way in which the Liberal Party stalwart was awarded the role.The Labor Councillor had concerns over Matthew Norris being removed from the selection panel as well as the fact that Constance was appointed without a unanimous vote and that his name had been leaked via social media during the interview process.“The entire process of selecting a CEO was flawed from the start,” Cr Krikstolaitis said.“From the removal of Cr Norris from the selection committee to the leak of Mr Constance's candidacy on social media and then to the process in the council chamber.“I am sorry to say that I cannot comment further on what happened in the chamber due to confidentiality rules.“It is highly unusual to elect a CEO without a unanimous vote. It is highly unusual for a candidate to turn down an offer after his name was leaked by persons unknown.”Cr Krikstolaitis has invited Shoalhaven City Council ratepayers to write to local state member, Liza Butler, and to councillors to voice their displeasure at Constance’s appointment.“The goalposts kept shifting and I do not believe we employed the best candidate,” he added.“I have nothing personal against Mr Constance, in my limited experience with him he seems like a decent man. But that doesn't make him qualified for the role of CEO.“There is a significant difference between a politician and a CEO. Political experience does not equate to being the executive with a half-billion dollar budget and hundreds of staff."The speed of which Mr Constance was placed in the role after the meeting has left no room for probity checks or any kind of response from the responsible people at the Office of Local Government. This is also highly unusual.“I do believe this to be a political appointment rather than one which is merit-based. I welcome any response from the OLG and higher authorities in investigating the circumstances and process involved in employing Mr Constance.“I do not believe that this appointment is in the best interests of the Shoalhaven.“I look forward to continuing the work that we have put in over the last 12 months to bring down the debt and get real infrastructure. I still think it can be done but I also think it just became a more difficult job.”After Robyn Stevens resigned in November 2024, James Ruprai held the role for eight months in an acting capacity before he also quit and Brian Barrett has filled in as an interim CEO since 31 July.Cr White said Constance brought more than 18 years of public service experience to the role, including as the NSW Member for Bega from 2003 to 2021 and holding several senior ministerial portfolios such as Treasurer of NSW, finance, transport and roads, industrial relations, ageing and disability services.Phillips declared she had has "lost all confidence" in the Mayor and Council after the appointment, saying it "smacks of political bastardry".Cr Proudfoot aired his concerns on ABC Illawarra on Wednesday morning by saying he had concerns about conflicts of interest and that there were candidates there that fitted the role more appropriately.NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman accused Labor of hypocrisy."He has exceptional skills, a Minister, a Treasurer at the most senior levels of government, he is the product of an executive search, and I understand the decision is the result of that executive search, a competitive process, and he has come out as the best candidate."