In the quiet, rolling hills of Jerrara, horses are doing something no doctor could: helping a non-verbal child find his voice.At the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Illawarra Centre, the air is still, but the impact is profound. It’s a place where "magic moments" are part of the weekly schedule, and where the bond between a horse and a human transcends the need for words.For those who are dedicating their time at the site, the reward isn’t in a pay cheque – it’s in the giggles and breakthroughs. Bluey One story that has become legend at the centre involves a young boy, a grey pony named Chloe, and a father who just wanted to hear his son’s voice."We decided to get Chloe into a slow trot down the lane," RDA secretary Carmen Power recalled, the emotion still evident in her voice. "Suddenly, the dad was in tears. He hadn’t heard his son speak – and there he was, shouting: ‘More! More!’ I still come out of here with goosebumps. That’s why we do it."While these moments feel like magic, they are backed by significant clinical evidence. Equine therapy is increasingly recognised as a multimodal intervention that uses the horse to enhance core impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).Research shows the horse's rhythmic movement improves social communication, sensory processing and emotional regulation.For children with Cerebral Palsy, the benefits are equally striking. Because a horse’s walking gait mimics the human pelvis’s natural movement, riding helps improve trunk posture, muscle tone and gross motor function.Archie, Bluey, and Kerry.Archie Taylor-Wright, 9, has tactical cerebral palsy, autism, and Level 2 ADHD. When his physiotherapist recommended RDA, his family saw the results immediately."One hour of horse riding is like three hours of physiotherapy," explained coach and committee member Kerry Southwell. "They use muscles in the saddle that a physio can’t even touch."The "therapists" here have four legs and a lot of patience.The centre cares for nine horses, including Bluey, a little grey pony who "clicked" with 13-year-old rider Carter, and Tricky, an impeccable thoroughbred who, despite her racing pedigree, is "the biggest sook you’ve ever seen"."She’s the laziest thoroughbred we’ve ever come across," laughed Power. "She doesn't even walk; she mopes.If you could piggyback her, she’d be happy. But put a rider on her, and she never puts a foot wrong. She counterbalances them. If they start slipping to one side, she’ll walk across to keep them centred … It’s like a switch goes off."For parents, the RDA is more than an extracurricular; it’s a lifeline. For Carter, who is on the spectrum, the rhythm of the horse provides emotional regulation that lasts all week."His teachers would say Tuesday to Thursday – after he’s been riding – are his best days at school," said his mother, Tenele Constable, with tears in her eyes. The confidence Carter gained allowed him to stand up and give a speech about RDA to his entire school at the end of Year 6, a tremendous milestone Tenele attributes to his time in the saddle.The breakthroughs aren't limited to school speeches. Carmen recalled a rider with CP who arrived using a walker and struggled to move across the grass. "He needed two side-walkers just to keep him on the pony. But after a while, he gained so much strength and balance that we were just there for support – not to hold him up. He was doing it himself."Assistant coach and mother Justine Proksch shared a similar journey with her son, Luke Vanduin, 34. "He was so shy, a late walker. We put him on a pony when he was barely two. He couldn't walk at the time, but he could sit up.You can't pedal a push-bike when you can't walk, but suddenly, here he was on a pony, grinning like a Cheshire Cat. For his fifth birthday, all he wanted was pony rides for his friends."Luke at RDALuke still rides with RDA Jerrara. The centre is kept alive by a crew of dedicated South Coast locals. Some, dubbed the "farm boys," have been volunteering for over 33 years.They arrive at the crack of dawn to drive the old tractor, slash the paddocks, and repair fences damaged by the notorious Jerrara natural springs."I became involved 33 years ago and I’m still here doing farm boy work," volunteer Norm Power said. "I liked it that much I just had to come back."Despite these outcomes, the Jerrara centre does not receive government funding.It relies on lesson fees – which at $30 barely cover electricity and water – and "miracle" donations. A few years ago, the Parliament House Cricket Club donated $10,000 to replace an ageing, 25-year-old wooden arena."We got a brand-new, spick-and-span arena, and then COVID hit," Kerry said. "We had this beautiful arena and nothing to do with it for three years!"The centre has three riders on Tuesdays and Saturdays, but the need for help is constant. Because some riders require up to three volunteers at once – one to lead and two to "side-walk" for safety – the program's capacity is entirely dependent on community hands."You don't need to be a horse expert," the team stresses. "We’ve had 'horse virgins' come in who didn't know how to do up a bridle, and now they’re part of the furniture."If you’re a local looking to make a difference, Jerrara’s best-kept secret is waiting for you. Volunteers are always wanted and encouraged to help support the riders and the nine very patient horses that call this valley home.Contact RDA Illawarra via rdansw.org.au or visit their Facebook page to enquire about volunteering or riding placements.

Check out this week's edition of The Bugle to get your fill of local news and views from our South Coast community.Our lead story is a tear-jerking tale of a Jamberoo artist who lost her battle with cancer but her artwork will live on, thanks to the support of her grieving husband.READ THE DIGITAL EDITION HEREWe also bring you the heart-warming story of how horses are bringing joy to disabled riders in Jerrara, making breakthroughs to the delight of the families involved.There is also an update on the Kiama New Year's Eve fireworks saga, Liberal candidate Serena Copley's campaign to win the next state election and a retro upgrade for one of the local pubs.You can also read plenty of community stories including the whisky guru who will be delivering a masterclass at The Drink Show at The Pavilion, a fly hunter in Jamberoo and a casting workshop in Gerringong with a difference.In sport, you can read about Kiama rocketing into the top four of the South Coast cricket competition, the Jamberoo Sevens this weekend and Ali Day signing off from his glittering career in style.The 35-year-old former Kiama nipper claimed his sixth Shaw and Partners Iron Series title over the weekend, completing a fairytale career that could hardly have been scripted better.Last year, Day announced he would retire from professional competition at the end of the 2025/26 season, before going on to claim his record-breaking 11th Coolangatta Gold crown.Day’s six Shaw and Partners Iron Series titles add to an extraordinary list of achievements, including an unmatched 11 Coolangatta Gold victories, four Australian Ironman Championships, a World Ironman title, four Queensland Open Ironman titles, Australian and state representative honours, and induction into the Surf Life Saving Australia Hall of Fame.

Commuters in Shellharbour are set for a more inspired morning trek as the city’s bus shelters undergo a creative transformation.From February to April, award-winning artist Sharon Billinge will bring her community-focused works to the streets as the latest feature of Shellharbour City Council’s Art in Unexpected Places program.As the latest installment of the program, the project features site-specific designs that explore human relationships and the stories that connect us.Known for her collaborative approach, the Sydney-based artist works closely with communities to create murals and artworks that reflect local history, shared experiences, and social themes.The Art in Unexpected Places program introduces a new artist quarterly to provide ongoing professional opportunities while offering visual delights for visitors and locals alike.Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer praised the initiative for its role in enriching the local landscape, noting that the program continues to surprise and inspire the community."Sharon’s work is thoughtful and engaging, and we are proud to showcase her talent in Shellharbour," Mayor Homer said.For Billinge, her practice is about more than aesthetics; it is a vehicle for building genuine connection.Sharon Billinge’s works will feature in bus shelters across Shellharbour as part of Council’s Art in Unexpected Places program. Photo: Shellharbour City Council“Public art can transform spaces and spark conversations," she said. "I love working with communities to create something meaningful that reflects their identity and values.”A British-born multidisciplinary artist, Billinge holds a Masters of Research from the Victorian College of the Arts and has exhibited widely across Australia, including solo shows at The Centre for Contemporary Photography and WestSpace Gallery in Melbourne.She is best known for her collaborative mural projects which transform public spaces and often involve local residents in the creative process.Bus shelter artwork locations are as follows:211 Princes Highway, Rotary Park, Albion Park RailShellharbour Primary School, Mary St, ShellharbourLake Entrance Road (Wattle Road Intersection), Warilla128 Shellharbour Road, Warilla

It used to be that whisky was an old man’s drink but connoisseurs nowadays are much younger with women now making up nearly half of consumers.Central Coast-based distillery Amber Lane has been at the forefront of Australia’s rising reputation as one of the world’s finest producers of Scotland’s most famous export. Amber Lane co-owner, Figtree resident Rod Berry, will be in attendance at The Drink Show at The Pavilion in Kiama where he will be talking to attendees about the finer points of whisky.He will also be providing a masterclass between the first and second of the three two-hour sessions where he will teach budding brewers “The Secret Blend Behind Australia’s Best Whisky 2025”.Amber Lane’s 2025 limited release Silk Road took out the highly coveted Best Small Batch Single Malt Whisky title at the World Whiskies Awards in London last week.Silk Road was also among a slew of Amber Lane whiskies to be recognised in the 2025/2026 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, released recently.“Whisky is definitely experiencing a revival. There's a massive whisky culture across the world. Australia now has more whiskey distilleries than Scotland has, so it's really really captured the Australian imagination but the production volumes of those distilleries is a lot less.“But we're doing very well internationally. “It's not just a parochial local idea that our whisky is good. It's being assessed against the best whiskies in the world and we just keep doing fantastically well. “Amber Lane has now won 14 international gold medals which means that our whisky is rated up there with some of the best whisky in the world.Berry founded Amber Lane in 2017 with his friend Phil Townsend and started production the following year, waiting for it to age sufficiently before releasing it to the market in 2022.The secret to their success is the use of 60-year-old barrels, imported from the famous sherry regions of southern Spain, “What I'm going to be doing in that session is providing everyone with samples direct from our barrels and making the blend of our internationally acclaimed whisky, the Equinox.“Each person has their own barrel samples and then we create the blend together and then people get to take home their own 50ml bottle of this magnificent whisky.Berry said Amber Lane prides itself on the consistency of its mash bill, the grain combination used in fermenting the spirits “to make sure the flavours are consistent”.“And then we use really premium quality barrels to mature the whisky. We have imported some of the most exclusive barrels in the world, up to 60 years old from the very old Spanish bodegas (wine cellars) in the south of Spain.”The Drink Show features three sessions from 12.30pm-2.30pm, 3pm-5pm and 6pm-8pm, with a range of independent craft distillers and modern drinks producers showing their wares.Berry’s half-hour masterclass will be held at 2.30pm, followed by Felix Clarke from Ester Spirits at 4pm on Summer Drinks.Each masterclass is strictly limited to 30 ticket holders so get in quickly to reserve your spot at drinkshow.com.au.

In a world that often overlooks the wisdom of experience, one storytelling movement is making sure women of all ages are seen, heard, and celebrated. On Tuesday, February 17, the award-winning Generation Women Australia brings its "On the Road" tour to Fillmore’s in Kiama for a night of raw, real-life storytelling.The concept is a straightforward but powerful bridge across the ages: six women, representing six different decades of life (from their 20s to their 70s+), each tell a seven-minute story based on a shared theme.The movement began in New York in 2017, founded by Georgia Clark.The inspiration was deeply personal as Clark was moved by conversations with her mother, Jayne, regarding the feeling of "disappearing" as an older woman. Determined to create a space where every decade is valued, Clark launched the series.By 2018, the movement reached Australian shores and today, under the leadership of Donna Logue, Generation Women Australia is driven by the bold vision to unite and empower 100,000 women through the power of story over the next decade.This month’s Kiama show, “Matriarchs, Mentors and Aunties,” focuses on the elder women who showed us what’s possible.The performers for the Kiama show represent a powerhouse of creative and professional achievement:Sarah Collins (20s): A Jamberoo-based classical singer who recently made her international operatic debut in Berlin.Adara Enthaler (30s): A Dharawal-based spoken-word poet and host of Enough Said Poetry Slam.Angela Blake (40s): Co-founder of the global SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3) and inclusive filmmaking tutor.Lillian Rodrigues-Pang (50s): An internationally acclaimed bilingual storyteller with 20 years of experience in "healing stories."Lynne Strong (60s): A researcher dedicated to ensuring women’s names and labour are preserved in history.Tiang Lim (70s+): A comedian, Raw Comedy finalist, and dementia care educator with a background in nursing and psychology.Presented in partnership with the South Illawarra Older Women’s Network (OWN) and funded by Create NSW, the event is a reminder that strength multiplies when it is shared across generations. Whether you are in your 20s looking for a path, or in your 70s looking to share one, the night promises a mix of laughter, reflection, and deep connection.Event DetailsWhen: Tuesday, February 17, 2026Where: Fillmore’s, 38 Manning Street, KiamaTime: Doors open at 6:30 PM | Show starts at 7:00 PMTickets: Available at generationwomenaus.com/next-show/all/kiama/feb-26

In April 2024, 10-year-old Indi Whittaker had a vision for Kiama: a street pantry where the community could look after its own. She drew up designs, created the slogan “Take what you need, Give what you can,” and wrote to the Council.Fast-forward 18 months, and Indi’s vision is a reality. Standing proudly at the Kiama Uniting Church grounds on Manning Street, the Community Care Cupboard has officially opened its doors and the response has been tremendous. The project came to life through a massive community effort. After Indi’s letter was referred to the church, Reverend Kath Merrifield and the congregation stepped in to host the site. Kiama Men’s Shed built the structure based on Indi’s original drawings, with architectural guidance from Madeleine Scarfe.For Rev Merrifield, the cupboard fills a desperate gap in local support services."What we know is that there's nothing within Kiama for anybody outside of office hours," she said. "It was a no-brainer for us to find a way to meet the needs of people sleeping rough or families doing it tough. "It’s a dignity thing – people can access help on a Saturday afternoon when there’s nothing in the fridge without having to engage with formal service providers."While the cupboard has only been operational since just before Christmas, it is already being heavily utilised.Following a "social media blitz" by project coordinator Annie O’Sullivan over the Australia Day long weekend, the community rallied to restock the shelves after they were wiped nearly bare."When I came back after the long weekend, pretty much everything was low–food and toiletries," Rev Merrifield noted. "The community responded amazingly to the shout-out, and it’s now nicely stocked again."While the cupboard holds books and toys, it’s the essentials – toiletries, soap, and non-perishable meals – that are moving the fastest, proving that the cost-of-living crunch is being felt right here at home.The challenge now is sustainability. The team wants the cupboard to become a permanent fixture of Kiama life, rather than just a holiday project."I hope it becomes part of how we function as a community," says Rev Merrifield."If you’re doing your shopping and walking past, check in – if the pasta is running low, feel free to top it up. It’s really about the community providing for each other."Despite some early battles with rain-proofing the unit, the message from Manning Street is clear: Kiama looks after its own.If you would like to help keep Indi’s vision full, the cupboard is seeking:Non-perishable food: Pasta, rice, canned meals, and long-life milk.Toiletries: Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products.Comfort items: Towels and blankets (especially as we head toward the cooler months).

On 14 February, Kiama’s SEVENMARKS Gallery will present Rising Tide, a new exhibition by artist Alexander Boynes that features an unlikely subject as its focus - the Illawarra Steelworks.Rising Tide brings together a major new body of paintings and drawings alongside a large-scale painting, a video projection, and an original score by cellist and composer Tristan Parr all about Port Kembla and its surroundings.“At its core, the project is about Port Kembla and the Illawarra as places shaped by industry, ecology, labour, and deep time,” Boynes said.Boynes was inspired by the way the steelworks embody a tension between beauty and destruction.“I personally find them quite beautiful - there’s something mesmerising about industrial landscapes, even though they’re producing things that are harmful,” he said. “Art historically talks about the romantic sublime; maybe this is an industrial sublime. Beauty can exist in these spaces too.”Beyond their imposing presence, the steelworks are deeply embedded in the social and cultural fabric of the region.“The Illawarra is one of Australia’s most significant industrial landscapes. Port Kembla, in particular, has literally helped build modern Australia through steel,” Boynes said. “It has also been central to major cultural movements - migrant rights, women’s rights protests, labour struggles - and that history is important.”At the same time, Boynes is clear-eyed about the environmental consequences of industry.“This has always been Dharawal country. These landscapes were shaped over millennia by coastal systems, wetlands, escarpments, and cultural knowledge long before industry arrived. Industry has rapidly transformed those environments, and I want the work to begin from that deep history,” he said.“That tension - prosperity and sacrifice existing side by side - is central to the work.”SEVENMARKS describes Boynes’ work as presenting “fractured, atmospheric visions, where structures and figures hover between endurance and erasure, presence and collapse.”The project is also deeply personal for Boynes. His mother, the late Australian artist Mandy Martin - renowned for creating the largest commissioned artwork in the Australian Parliament - worked extensively in and around Port Kembla during the 1980s.“Port Kembla has a personal connection for me,” Boynes said. “My mother made a lot of work in that area when I was a kid. In that sense, this project is tied to my own history and her legacy. It helped shape the way I think about landscape, ethics, and responsibility.”One of the works from Rising Tide. Photo: SEVENMARKSWhile Rising Tide engages with major issues such as climate change and green energy, Boynes does not see art as offering direct solutions. Instead, he believes in its power to provoke reflection and emotional engagement.“Art bears witness. It can reflect back to us what’s hidden in plain sight,” he said. “Its ability to make people feel operates very differently from statistics or reports. Humans are emotive beings, and when we feel something deeply, that’s often when we’re motivated to act.”“This is one of the biggest challenges civilisation will face in our lifetimes, and every approach matters. Art just happens to be the language I have to engage with these issues - to ask questions, create pauses, and encourage people to reflect on their own impact.”Boynes is careful to emphasise that the exhibition is not intended to instruct viewers on what to think.“The exhibition is really about witnessing transformation and asking what responsibility looks like now,” he said. “In many ways, the show aims to be a monument to labour, but also a reminder of environmental cost. I’m not trying to be didactic - I’m talking about ethics and asking us to consider the systems that shape our lives.”Rising Tide is a special multi-disciplinary exhibition, combining painting, drawing, moving image, and sound. “All these forms are communicating the same ideas, but at different rates of release and decay. Seeing how they work together, each in its own way, is really interesting to me.”Rising Tide opens at SEVENMARKS Gallery on 14 February from 5–7pm and runs until 14 March. More information is available via the SEVENMARKS Gallery website.

With cost-of-living pressures continuing to bite, stress has become a silent but serious threat to heart health. Experts warn chronic stress is not just a mental health issue - it can have profound and lasting effects on the heart.National data shows almost half of Australians cite financial worries as the biggest factor affecting their wellbeing, while more than a third of workers report feeling burnt out every week. According to Heart Research Australia, this constant state of pressure is quietly increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and sudden cardiac events.Cardiologist Dr Avedis Ekmejian explains stress can damage the heart in sudden and gradual ways. Acute stress, such as a major shock or emotional outburst, can trigger heart attacks or stress cardiomyopathy, often referred to as “broken heart syndrome.” Chronic stress, meanwhile, keeps the body in a heightened state of alert, contributing to high blood pressure, raised cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and an increased risk of coronary disease.Clinical neuropsychologist Dr Miranda Say says prolonged stress also disrupts the brain–heart connection. “Stress is meant to spike and then return to baseline,” she explains. “When it never switches off, people experience poor sleep, constant tension, irritability and reduced focus - signs the body isn’t recovering.”This February, Heart Research Australia’s REDFEB campaign is encouraging Australians to take small, achievable steps to reset their stress levels and support heart health. The free REDFEB Bingo Challenge focuses on four simple daily “resets”: Meals, Movement, Measurement and Mental attitude - from sharing a healthy meal to spending time outdoors or checking blood pressure.Kiama Downs resident Michael Williams has become a passionate REDFEB advocate following the loss of his father to a heart attack. After losing his father to a heart attack, Michael has become a community advocate and fundraiser for REDFEB, raising awareness about heart disease and the importance of prevention and research.Australians are encouraged to wear red, take part in the REDFEB Bingo Challenge and support vital research by donating at heartresearch.com.au.

Ever wondered how major productions like Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Return to Paradise, or Anyone But You find their background talent when they roll into town? This Saturday (February 7), local non-profit Screen Illawarra is hosting an exclusive Extras Casting Workshop at the Gerringong Town Hall to help residents break into the industry.The workshop features industry heavyweights Miriam Spry, a leading extras casting director with 23 years of experience, and professional actor Karen Cobban. Screen Illawarra Executive Producer Nick Bolton said the organisation first ran this event in Wollongong about 18 months ago. "It was very, very popular for emerging or low-entry level practitioners in the industry to try and get some work as an extra," he said.Photo: Matt Houston at IronBark photography "One of the reasons we do this is that we work with a lot of the major productions that come down to the Illawarra, and having a database of extras available to these major productions is really beneficial.It's a bit of a win-win for both the individual and for the production company."The session is designed to offer real-world insights into breaking in, understanding the "Who’s Who" of agents and casting directors, and mastering the "Toolkit" - including what makes a strong headshot and the nuances of self-taping. Bolton’s advice for beginners is clear: "Be professional, be courteous, don’t be on time, be early.Photo: Matt Houston at IronBark photographyA very, very common mistake is that people don't have their file naming conventions with their names in it. "You know, they'll send a headshot and it'll be IMG-4932. It’s really simple, basic stuff like that." Beyond the logistics, the workshop highlights how being an extra serves as a vital learning experience for all. "Most people start off as an extra and then do some acting training and then go to short films," Bolton explained. "The benefit is just by being an extra you are on set and observing the hierarchies and methodologies and the very specific processes of what happens on a film set.Photo: Matt Houston at IronBark photographyIt happens all the time that an extra might become a featured extra or be asked to stand right next to the lead cast."The event runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Gerringong Town Hall (106 Fern St). It is a catered event, and while Fern Street has restricted parking on Saturdays, Belinda Street is recommended for unrestricted options.Tickets are free for members and $15 for non-members via Humanitix.Following the event, Bolton also invites the community to the Wollongong City Council Short Film Festival on March 7 at the Sunset Cinema in the Botanical Gardens, where six Screen Illawarra films will be commissioned. "If anybody wants to come along and meet the local filmmaking community, that would be a great event," Bolton added.Photo: Matt Houston at IronBark photographyFor those hesitant to sign up, Bolton emphasised the supportive nature of the group."I'm very proud of Screen Illawarra – people always say that it's a very welcoming and open and inclusive organisation. Karen and Miriam are lovely. "Most people are all in the same boat as extras.Everybody comes with a little bit of nervousness, but the beauty of this workshop is that Miriam and Karen will just talk them through in a very safe place what goes on and how to do it. “What have you got to lose? "Just come along and have some fun."

The World Day of Prayer is coming to Kiama and Gerringong again in March.This is an international, ecumenical initiative led by Christian women from various traditions. It aims to bring together people of different races, cultures and backgrounds to pray and take action for peace and justice. The event is celebrated in over 170 countries, fostering fellowship and understanding.Each year the women of a different country prepare the service, and this year, it is from Nigeria, a country with the largest population in Africa. The theme is 'I will give you rest: Come'.In Kiama this year, the Presbyterian Church at 40 Shoalhaven Street will host this special service at 10am on Friday, 6 March. In Gerringong, the Uniting Church at 24-28 Fern Street will host the service. Everyone is welcome.

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Probus is celebrating a major milestone - 50 years of bringing people together through friendship, shared interests and local connection.That sense of connection is being celebrated locally. Kiama Seaside Probus Club marked the 50th anniversary early, joining 10 clubs from Shellharbour to Gerroa for a lively District Probus Luncheon in October. Kiama Seaside Probus president - and secretary of the liaison committee - Laraine Conder said the event showcased the strength and camaraderie of Probus across the region.“It was wonderful to see so many members coming together, renewing friendships and enjoying the social spirit that defines Probus,” she said.Founded in Australia in 1976, Probus was created with a simple but powerful purpose: to ensure people had opportunities for social connection after leaving the workforce. Five decades on, that mission remains as relevant as ever. Today, Probus is a network of more than 1,300 not-for-profit clubs across Australia and New Zealand, supporting over 90,000 members and having helped more than half a million retirees stay active, engaged and socially connected.At its core, Probus is about people. Clubs are run by members, for members, with activities shaped by local interests and communities. From city centres to regional towns, Probus clubs offer regular face-to-face interaction through outings, guest speakers, special interest groups and simple conversation — all within a welcoming and inclusive environment.Probus is open to retirees, semi-retirees and those planning their next chapter, regardless of gender, cultural background or belief. It is not political, religious or commercial. Instead, it offers something increasingly valuable in later life: routine, purpose and a sense of belonging.Research consistently shows that strong social connections play a critical role in wellbeing, mental health and quality of life as people age. As opportunities for daily interaction often change in retirement, community-based social groups like Probus help people remain socially, mentally and physically active.Probus CEO Silvana Martignago says the organisation’s enduring strength lies in its focus on connection. “Probus was created so people could enjoy life beyond work with friendship and community at the centre,” she said. “Fifty years on, that purpose matters more than ever.”The 50th anniversary will be marked throughout 2026 with celebrations hosted by local clubs across the country. A key commemorative event will take place on 3 February at Hunters Hill in Sydney - home to Australia’s first Probus Club - officially launching the national celebrations. The event will be attended by former Prime Minister John Howard, along with respected journalist Heather Ewart, who will serve as National Spokesperson for Probus.From shared meals to lifelong friendships, Probus has spent 50 years strengthening communities - one local club at a time. And as Australia’s population continues to age, its role in fostering connection, friendship and positive ageing looks set to continue well into the future.There are several Probus clubs on the South Coast:• Jamberoo - meetings at Kiama Leagues Club fourth Wednesday of the month.• Kiama Downs - meetings at Anglican Church Hall first Thursday of the month.• Kiama Seaside - a mixed club for retired and semi-retired members living in Kiama and surrounding areas, offering regular social activities and opportunities for connection, which meets at Kiama Leagues Club on the third Wednesday of the month.• Kiama Harbour – mixed club, meetings at Kiama Leagues Club first Wednesday of the month.• Kiama Mixed - meets monthly (often at Kiama Leagues Club) and focuses on fellowship, outings and shared interests. • Kiama Men’s - a club for retired and semi-retired men that meets regularly (at Kiama Bowling Club on the fourth Wednesday of each month) and includes activities like a choir and social events. • Kiama Beachside Ladies – meetings at Kiama Leagues Club first Monday of the month.• Albion Park-Oak Flats - meetings at Albion Park Bowling Club, third Wednesday of the month.• Oak Flats - meetings at Oak Flats Bowling Club, third Tuesday of the month.• Gerringong - meetings at Uniting Church Hall, fourth Monday of the month.• Blackbutt-Flinders - meetings at Warilla Bowling Club, third Wednesday of the month.• Shell Cove Combined - meetings at Warilla Bowling Club, third Monday of the month.• Shellharbour - meetings at Warilla Bowling Club, second Monday of the month.• Gerroa Combined - meetings at Gerroa Boat Fishermans Club, third Wednesday of the month.• Berry - meetings at Berry Uniting Church, second Tuesday of the month.• Shoalhaven Heads - meetings at Shoalhaven Heads Bowling Club, second Friday of the month.• Shoalhaven - meetings at Bomaderry Bowling Club, second Monday of the month.• Shoalhaven Ladies - meetings at Bomaderry Bowling Club, first Thursday of the month.• Nowra - meetings at Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre, third Monday of the month.For more information about Probus or to find a local club, visit probussouthpacific.org or call 1300 630 488.

Nestled beneath the ancient forests of Minnamurra Falls, the once obscure hamlet of Jamberoo is now fast becoming a tourist destination all its own.Adding to the impetus is the opening of a new shop in the main street, Number Nineteen Gallery, Floral and Gifts.The business started as an off-street florist in 2021 but has significantly expanded its remit and moved to a new iconic location in the historic, character-filled Old Dairy Co-op Building, attracting passing trade and tourists alike.Aside from being a well-known local florist, owner Rachelle Cove is establishing herself as the manager of a curated gallery featuring work from Australia wide. Number Nineteen exhibits artists, ceramicists and creatives. Artists from the Jamberoo district on display include acclaimed local landscape painter Andrew McPhail, ceramist Jennifer Swann and South Coast photographer Kyle Coffee, whose works capture the beauty of our region's coast and countryside.Also featured is the Kiama and Jamberoo Woodworkers Group, with their woodworking skills on full display. Even the name of the street where Number Nineteen is located, Allowrie, draws tourists because of the fascinating history of Jamberoo as one of the birthplaces of the dairy industry.The florist business which was the foundation of Number Nineteen is now tucked into a space at the rear of the store. It thrives on its regular clientele and a steady stream of weddings, events and celebrations.“This is a beautiful building, and a beautiful new location,” says Rachelle. “It has been a five-year journey for me to get here. “Moving to this new street-front location has given us more exposure and creates a landmark for both locals and tourists to come and explore.“Artists can apply to exhibit their work, and we hope Number Nineteen grows into a curated space where small-batch artists can exhibit. “We are very excited to see our beautiful space grow over the next 12 months and look forward to presenting to you many more Australian artists and creatives.”Peering through the windows of Number Nineteen, passers-by are invited to discover an ever-changing treasure trove: from stunning local artworks and handmade ceramics to whimsical wooden ornaments which celebrate the heart of the Jamberoo district.To follow the new exhibits for Number Nineteen or order some flowers, go to @jamberooflorist and @number19jamberoo on Instagram.

With schools returning this week, the clichéd challenges – school refusal, missing lunchboxes and shoes that don’t fit - have been overshadowed by a very modern problem.Local parents are pushing back against the onslaught of “ed-tech” in schools, after a summer holiday that involved a little too much screen time - or none at all.“During the rainy days, my kids had their fair share of screen time,” a mum of three from Kiama Downs told The Bugle. “I could see an immediate impact on their behaviour. All of my mum friends will relate. “It’s really made me think about next year and setting better boundaries.”Others had the opposite issue: they cut back on screen time during the summer months and reaped the benefits.“The problem is, schools seem to be pushing tech,” one mum said. “It feels like we’re fighting a losing battle.”New research from HP Australia has highlighted this digital dilemma.According to the research, 65 per cent of parents say holiday screen time makes the transition back to school harder. At the same time, an overwhelming 83 per cent of parents want to reduce their child’s screen time as the school year begins.But what happens when the tech is prescribed by the education system?From kindergarten upwards, many local schools now use an online system for homework reading.Instead of being sent home with paper books, families are instructed to log onto an online “decodable reader” system, accessed via a computer, phone or iPad. For some families, it’s easier and more accessible. For others, it leads to tears and overstimulation.“We do our homework reading together before bed,” said one dad. “So, I’m handing my child an iPad - after spending the evening trying to take a device away from them.”As with most school-age issues, it’s not black and white.Many parents don’t realise they can still request “paper” home readers from their school, allowing them to take a more old-fashioned approach.Supportive educators have even taken the time to print out books from the online software, binding them into physical copies for students to take home.And then there’s the social aspect.“My seven-year-old asks to FaceTime her friends after school,” said a local mum. “It’s become normalised. I’ve encouraged them to write notes and post them to each other instead - and they love it.“I’ve bought a paper calendar and notebook for myself this year. It’s all a learning curve, but we can’t tell our kids to reduce their screen time if we can’t live without one.”

The conversation around the Kiama Show water cooler focused on one topic: freebies.As young families lined up at the Wallop Water Station, which offered free refills of filtered drinking water, it was clear the cost of living is on everyone’s minds this year. Families were grateful for a reprieve from show expenses.“There seems to be a lot more free activities this year,” a mum of two told The Bugle. “Normally, it feels like we’re just handing out notes to our kids, but this year there’s a lot of free activities. We’re all very grateful.”One of the standout hits for kids was the Junior Tradies area, where children could play on construction sites and drive miniature construction vehicles. One mum sounded shocked when she got to the front of the queue and asked where she had to buy tickets, only to be told she didn’t have to pay.The petting zoo was also popular, along with the “Drop In Art” tent. At the World of Wildlife Encounters tent, kids could meet and greet a carpet python or blue-tongue skink — free, unless they wanted a photograph, which cost $5.Parents also praised the show for its inclusivity, not only for young children but for neurodivergent kids as well.“My little boy is autistic and doesn’t enjoy the big rides,” said the mum of a six-year-old.“This year, he had a lot more to do, and most of it we didn’t have to pay for.”Photo: Amy MolloyThere was, however, one piece of common feedback.“It would be great to have more shade next year,” said one mum. “If there were a few umbrellas for downtime with the kids, we could have stayed all day.”

For more than four decades Gerringong’s Shane Wicks has kept his beloved community safe as a volunteer surf lifesaver, fire brigade member and medical support officer. Earlier this week, as part of the Australia Day honours, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the community through emergency response organisations.He is among thousands of volunteers across NSW who give up their time to make their communities a better place.If you live in Gerringong, chances are he has come to the rescue of you or someone you know as a life member of Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club and Rural Fire Brigade. Wicks got his first taste of community service at the tender age of eight as a nipper at Gerringong SLSC, and as soon as he was old enough he began voluntarily patrolling the region’s beaches.The recently retired paramedic is now the Surf Life Saving NSW South Coast Branch president and is mentoring nippers across the region to become future community heroes. Wicks also serves as the medical support officer for the Gerringong Lions Rugby League Club. Like surf lifesaving, he joined the footy club as a junior and was always the first to put his hand up to help out. In 1990, as a 15-year-old, he joined the NSW Rural Fire Service after a school teacher piqued his interest. And like his beloved surf and footy clubs, has remained a dedicated community volunteer, serving as the Gerringong Rural Fire Brigade captain for several years before becoming the Shoalhaven RFS operations manager, a job he juggles with volunteering. Wicks knows firsthand the importance of volunteers - they are the glue holding together communities and few places can claim stronger social cohesion than Gerringong. “I grew up in Gerringong,” said the 50-year-old. “I want to be able to give back to my community and I’’m passionate about training other people with my paramedicine background.“It’s an honour to be able to pay that knowledge forward to the next generation of young people.”Wicks says the average patrol hours a season in the South Coast Branch is 50 hours. “At city clubs that drops to 20-30 hours because of the sheer number of clubbers to draw from. “Regional lifesavers give up a lot of their time volunteering and it’s a big ask but the social cohesion and skills they learn are invaluable.”While he has saved many lives through dramatic fire, flood and water rescues, his proudest moments have been watching young people thrive and find a sense of purpose through volunteering.When the Gerringong community was left heartbroken after several young people took their own lives in 2020 at the peak of the pandemic, people like Wicks stepped up.He was part of the Gezza Cares community-led support network for young people, wrapping those impacted by mental health and suicide in a collective hug. Wicks continues to be an advocate and spokesperson for Gezza Cares and was instrumental in mobilising the community to adorn trees, letterboxes and gates with yellow ribbons and hearts in 2020 to raise awareness about mental health and the devastating impact of suicude. He cites his role as a mentor to the town’s young people, through surf lifesaving, the football club and fire brigade, as an honour and says passing on the legacy of community service to the next generation is an even bigger win than his prestigious OAM. Asked if there’s anything he doesn’t do, he jokes “my wife says I don’t clean the house”. But he might just get a leave pass while he continues to save lives and mentor the next generation of young people to take up community service so the older crew “can eventually hand over the reins and retire”.

Brilliant summer sunshine helped make the 178th Kiama Show a stunning success last weekend.Crowds flocked to Kiama Showground to see the jam-packed schedule on Friday and Saturday featuring the very best of agricultural life on the South Coast.There was something for everyone from the gumboot toss, billycart races, the MadStyleMoto Bikes, the Farmfit physical fitness challenge and lawnmower races to cattle judging, showjumping, woodchopping and the pet show.The iconic two-day event culminated in a spectacular pyrotechnic display with the fireworks lighting up the night sky over the showground.Visitors to the popular Pavilion at the Show were treated to a wonderful display of art in the downstairs gallery – among them a select number of portraits in the Kia-Bald section.There were generous cash prizes for first and second place, as well as the winner of the People’s Choice Award.First prize went to The Bugle’s own Tiffany Springett for her vibrant portrait of her mother, Michelle, while Colleen Behl took out second place with her arresting self-portrait.Fiona Turner’s endearing painting of her grandson, ‘My Boy’ was the worthy People’s Choice Award. Congratulations to all!Tiffany is an artist already well known locally for painting the Kiama fire station’s popular cow sculpture and her work with Expressive Arts with her mum.“It was a lovely painting. We knew straight away it was the right one,” said local artist Greg Martin Vale, who was on the judging panel.“She has a real ability to spread joy through her work.”Beyond individual works, he said judging prompted broader discussion about the future of the Kia-bald category and how it defines a “subject”.“One of the best outcomes was talking about changing the conditions,” he said. “Instead of limiting it to well-known identities, we suggested opening it up to a ‘vibrant, contributing member of the community - dead or alive’.”He believes that shift could encourage more entries and better reflect the spirit of Kiama.Another entry by Tiffany in the Kewpie Doll section also featured The Bugle, and yet another in the Kia-bald category featured our general manager, Belle Wood, in a creative mixed media showcase of Kiama.The Show introduced a special new award this year - The Robert Young Shield for the Most Successful Pot Plant Exhibitor.This award recognises more than 60 years of dedication to the Kiama Show by Jamberoo dairy farmer Bob Young, and in particular his extraordinary commitment of over 25 years as Head Steward in the Pot Plant and Cacti Section.Bob’s passion, time and knowledge have helped shape this section into what it is today.The perpetual shield is truly one of a kind — crafted from one of Bob’s own garden spades, set onto beautiful Jamberoo white cedar by the Kiama Men’s Shed, and expertly engraved by Jimani Trophies.Bev Hayes (née Unwin) was named the inaugural winner and also took out Best Plant Exhibit with her stunning, large, trailing 25-year-old Hoya.The Show also helds its awards presentation, announcing the 2026 Rural Ambassador, Rural Youth Ambassador and Young Woman.Rural Ambassador: Courtney Marsh. A passionate community member with strong agricultural roots, having grown up around her grandparents’ dairy and sheep farms. She has volunteered extensively at the Kiama Show, assisting with woodchopping clean-ups, pavilion exhibits, cattle leading, refereeing touch football and more.Courtney has led cattle at Kiama, Albion Park and the Sydney Royal Easter Show and continues to show outstanding dedication to agriculture and community involvement.Rural Youth Ambassador: Holly Sheridan. A dedicated young member of the Kiama Show Society who is actively involved in organising, stewarding and pavilion exhibits. She also supports the pet show and assists with show set-up and pack-down.Living on a small Jamberoo property, Holly cares for a range of animals and maintains a productive vegetable garden, earning multiple junior awards across decorative, handcraft and cookery sections.Young Woman 2026: Mia Thompson. The 18-year-old from Albion Park recently transitioned from dairy farming into disability support work while studying veterinary nursing (with a focus on dairy cattle) and completing a Diploma of Agriculture.She holds Certificate III qualifications in Agriculture and Fitness. Through the program, she hopes to challenge herself, advocate for agricultural communities, and encourage young people, especially those without an agricultural background, to recognise the opportunities within the industry.

Shellharbour’s lifeguards will be out to cement their dominance when they host the Illawarra and South Coast Lifeguard Challenge at Shellharbour Surf Life Saving Club on Thursday, 12 February.Fresh off three consecutive wins, the Shellharbour team heads into the annual challenge as the competition favourites, taking on crews from Wollongong City, Kiama Municipal and Shoalhaven City councils.The Lifeguard Challenge is a friendly but fiercely fought contest, pushing competitors through a demanding mix of beach and water-based relay events that test strength, speed and teamwork — the same skills relied upon to keep local beaches safe throughout summer.Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer, a former lifeguard himself, said the event showcases the dedication and professionalism of the region’s frontline beach safety teams.“The Lifeguard Challenge is a great way for teams from across the Illawarra and South Coast to come together, celebrate their hard work and push each other in good spirit,” Mayor Homer said.“Our lifeguards do an incredible job keeping locals and visitors safe across six patrolled beaches each summer.”Now a fixture on the regional calendar, the challenge also plays an important role in strengthening connections between councils, promoting water safety and inspiring future generations to consider lifeguarding as a rewarding career.Each nominated team consists of six competitors, including at least one female participant and one member aged over 30. The first race is set to get underway at 7pm.Shellharbour City Council said it is looking forward to cheering on its crews as they aim to defend the title and continue the proud tradition of the event.

A proposed reduction to the Kiama Family History Centre has ignited anger and disbelief in the community, with plans to reduce the 38-year-old service to just two hours a week described by volunteers and researchers as a “slap in the face” and “deceitful”.Kiama Council said the changes were intended to integrate the stand-alone Family History Centre with its Local History Studies services to create a “more streamlined and accessible experience for the community.” Genealogist Carolyn Morrow, who was the co-ordinator at the centre for four years, said she was assured the facility would remain open, only to later be told her services were no longer required and that volunteer involvement would be drastically reduced.“It’s been handled in a deceitful way,” Morrow told The Bugle. “Reducing a centre like this to two hours a week is ludicrous. For the volunteers, it’s been a slap in the face.“People turned up religiously, week after week, for decades.“This was not a financial decision. The centre ran at minimal cost and was largely volunteer‑based.“Even at its peak, it would have cost less than $5000 a year to maintain essential subscriptions.“It’s an extraordinary gold nugget of information - records that don’t exist anywhere else.“People travelled from interstate and overseas to use this centre.“This is not about my job. I’m ready to retire. This is about keeping the centre open for the volunteers and the community.”Volunteers – some of whom have staffed the centre for decades – were notified by email of the changes, a move they described as deeply disrespectful. “This has given us a sense that all our work and dedication over the years hasn’t been valued,” one long-serving volunteer said. Another added: “Volunteering at the centre had given me purpose and passion after my husband died. It gave me a sense of place, a sense of belonging.”Council confirmed the centre has been closed while local history collections are relocated, and from March it will operate on Thursdays from 10am–12pm, with library staff and volunteers available by appointment outside of that two-hour window.In announcing the changes, Council thanked Morrow and the 20 volunteers for their contributions, emphasising that family history services would continue in an integrated form.Kiama Council’s Director of Strategies and Communities, Ed Paterson, said the changes were being made to create a more streamlined and accessible experience for the community.Paterson said dedicated Family History Centres were rare in local councils throughout NSW and the new approach would reduce the financial burden for ratepayers in the Kiama LGA.“There’s certainly some strong feelings about the decision and I can understand that people are feeling upset about the whole situation,” he told The Bugle.“Council is under a state-imposed Performance Improvement Order, so we have to ask ourselves whether a service we are offering is legally required to be provided and if that’s not the case, we have to ask should we provide it?“We truly do value all the effort that volunteers have put in but we can’t continue to run it at a loss at the expense of the ratepayer.“We are still going to provide the service but in a different way.”Paterson added that historical material would not be thrown away despite what has been suggested on local social media groups.The State Library undertook a Service Review of Kiama Counci's library services, which was reported to the April 2024 meeting, and is publicly available.Volunteers say problems started long before the recent announcement. Essential equipment, like the centre’s printer, was removed. Large shelving units were installed in the middle of the room with little explanation, leaving staff and volunteers guessing. “Receiving the email made me feel literally sick,” a volunteer said. “So much of what I love to do at the centre during the week has been destroyed. For what reason?“Our researchers transcribed old documents to be made available online, worked on local cemeteries, the history of pioneer homes, and collated information about our town - and that was just on a Wednesday.”Established in 1989 beneath the Kiama Library with funding from a $1 million Bicentennial grant, the centre has been a fixture of the community ever since.Founded under the leadership of Ray Thorburn, whose work earned national respect in genealogical circles, the centre helped trace living relatives of one of the Fairbridge Boys in the UK and contributed to a major medical genetic study. Originally known as the Australian Genealogical Education Centre, it was once open seven days a week and attracted visitors from across Australia. Thorburn remained at the centre until 2006 when he passed away.During Morrow’s tenure as co-ordinator, the centre expanded outreach, handled commissioned research for interstate clients, and secured a $10,000 donation to preserve 662 invaluable microfiche or microfilm reels.For decades, volunteers have been the backbone of the centre, providing one-on-one assistance, handling interstate and international enquiries, and undertaking long-term projects including war memorial research, cemetery records, and digitisation of historic material.“I and others researched and recorded WWI records of over 170 soldiers and had yet to finish the remainder,” volunteer Jann Parkes said.“When there is a fabulous family history centre, dedicated volunteers, a wealth of resources, and it’s not broken … why destroy it?”A 2024 council-commissioned review by family history consultant Jan Richards focused on expansion and integration, including a Strategic Plan with actions to integrate the Local Studies Collection and the Family History Centre and also to recruit and train volunteers to assist in the enrichment of local and family history collections.The Strategic Plan did not explicitly encourage Council to increase volunteers at the Family History Centre but to attract more volunteers to help deliver all library programs and activities.Online reaction has been swift, with many taking to social media to describe the move as “dreadful” and “deeply disappointing”.