Dunmore farmers John and Janelle Kelleher are paying the price for a bad decision back in 1956 where John’s uncle allowed an easement to be put through their farm for the convenience of a farmer who had a block of land at the back of their property.The easement was only 12 foot wide and half a kilometre long, mainly for horses, carts, cattle and tractors.Now the back block has a house on it which is rented out to the public and at present, the tenants and all their visitors are not required to sign in on the visitor log book which is part of the farm’s biosecurity plan.Anyone can go through this part of the farm at any hour of the day and night the Kellehers have no knowledge of where they have been and if they have been in contact with any exotic diseases, weeds and pests because of this, they want the law to change.The Kellehers had been in contact with former Kiama MP Gareth Ward about the issue and have recently held discussions with new state member Katelin McInerney.They have also sought legal advice but have been told that unless the State Government amends the Biosecurity Act then they are stuck with the current situation where they have to hope that anyone who uses the easement signs in beforehand.“We want that law changed to accommodate biosecurity, because at the moment, anyone can go up there,” Janelle said. “We’ve got cattle up there, and our cattle could be exposed to anything. "The biosecurity act was created in 2015, then the regulation 44A2 was changed in 2017 to give exemptions to easements, which is now putting ourfarm in a biosecurity risk.”If people have visited foreign countries, they may be unaware they are bringing diseases to Australia and when an outbreak occurs on agricultural land, the effects can be devastating.“They don’t have to sign in,” John said. “Any Tom, Dick or Harry can just walk up there.“They could have been overseas in a place where they’ve come into contact with anything. Who knows what. So the biosecurity isn’t protected anymore.“If any disease breaks out, a 10-kilometre radius goes up where nothing can go in or out of that area.” Janelle added that the Australian government loves to talk up the strength of the national biosecurity protocols but this law makes a mockery of those claims.“It’s so important to our farmers. But what the politicians say is a load of crap. Our whole herd could be wiped out. It’s ridiculous,” she said.“People should have to sign in and let us know where they’ve been. We want restrictions for our cattle just in case there is an outbreak so that we can retrace back where these people have been and try to work out what happened.”The Kellehers had five cattle die 15 months ago due to lungworm, prompting them to upgrade the biosecurity at their breeding farm.At the moment they have got about 80 head of cattle near the easement, using a strip-grazing farming technique where John changes the placement of the electric fences each day to give the paddocks time to regenerate.“We want other farmers out there that are going through what we’re going through to know that we’re here. “We want them to ring us and join us in trying to change this law so we can make it better for farmers.”The Kellehers would like any other farmers experiencing problems due to this law to contact them on 0447 040 965.

Kiama Councillor Yasmin Tatrai wants to make sure the New Year's Eve fireworks are reinstated in 2026 so she is spearheading a community-led petition and moving a motion at next month’s Council meeting to lock it in.Cr Tatrai said the catalyst for the petition was a raft of local business owners telling her that they had suffered a negative downswing in trade on New Year’s Eve. She took photos across the town centre and foreshore on New Year’s Eve which show unusually empty streets, low foot traffic and subdued trading conditions - a stark contrast to previous years when fireworks attracted huge numbers of families, visitors and overnight stays.“It was sad. At seven o’clock on New Year’s Eve it was like a ghost town. It was disturbing,” she said, speaking as an individual Councillor not on behalf of Council.“There was nothing to do in the LGA whatsoever on New Year’s Eve.Cr Tatrai empathised with the plight of pet owners who say their dogs in particular experience stress from the fireworks but added that the noise only lasts for 15 minutes.“We've all got to work together,” she said.“It's about potentially 16,000 people in town enjoying a night together with their families in the community, going to all the venues, going to the cafes and restaurants.“We are a tourism town but without tourism, business couldn’t survive. And then what? We've seen towns around Australia that don't get business, their towns close.”Since the 2025 fireworks were officially cancelled in September due to the financial constraints of the state government’s performance improvement order, Mayor Cameron McDonald has reiterated that it would be a one-off.Cr Tatrai will move a motion at the first monthly meeting of the new year in February for Council to commit to the Sky Show and to prepare a business case by June.She wants Council to engage with the community on suitable locations and timing and to allocate funding and planning resources early, or explore cost-recovery options such as a ticketed or partially ticketed event.“Fireworks are not just entertainment — they are a proven driver of tourism, hospitality spending and community connection.”Cr Tatrai said successful community-run models already exist elsewhere, demonstrating that fireworks can be delivered safely and responsibly without placing undue strain on council budgets.“Other towns have shown that with early planning, community partnerships and ticketed formats, fireworks can be both financially responsible and highly successful,” she added.“We’re asking Council to work with the community — not remove events that bring people together and support local livelihoods.”Her Change.org petition can be found here.Fellow Kiama Councillor Erica Warren is also canvassing local opinion with a survey about how New Year’s Eve should be celebrated.Cr Warren’s survey asks whether people would support “a more distributed model of New Year’s Eve celebrations across multiple locations in the Kiama LGA”.She lists Gerringong, Jamberoo and Kiama Downs as other locations where celebrations could be held and asks how likely would people be to attend celebrations if they were held in multiple locations.Cr Warren’s survey also asks for “new ideas or improvements for New Year’s Eve celebrations” and whether they should be funded by a ticket and business sponsorship system or Kiama Council via the ratepayers. Her survey can be found here.

Berry-born human rights barrister Jennifer Robinson made her mark on the legal fraternity long before she helped free activist Julian Assange.Ms Robinson worked quietly behind the scenes for over a decade as a member of Assange’s legal team before the WikiLeaks founder was finally freed in 2024, catapulting the former Bomaderry High School student into the spotlight.But the 44-year-old has been racking up accolades and awards for as long as her friends and family can remember. The most recent is being named alongside fellow high flyers as a winner of the 2025 Global Australian Awards.The awards recognise “extraordinary Australians who are quietly shaping the world” through life-saving breakthroughs in fire safety, ageing science and humanitarian action, to global leadership in business, innovation, culture, human rights and space discovery.Global Australian Awards CEO Kate McQuestin says Ms Robinson was one of several winners, from hundreds of nominees across 140 countries, selected by an independent panel of judges.“(Jennifer) represents Australians succeeding well beyond our borders and, in doing so, strengthening Australia’s influence, reputation and competitive position at home,” says Ms McQuestin.“From London to New York, Vietnam to Singapore - we are very proud to be shining a light on the success of Australians around the globe.” Ms Robinson, who lives and works in London’s Doughty Street Chambers but splits her spare time between her Gerroa holiday home and her family’s farm in Berry, has never been one to shy away from a challenge, taking on her first human rights fight at just 21.She was still a student at the Australian National University when her legal work helped political prisoner Benny Wenda and his family escape West Papua. She graduated in 2006 with the University Medal in Law and went on to become a Rhodes Scholar. At Oxford she chaired the Law Faculty’s pro bono postgraduate organisation, Oxford Pro Bono Publico, which provides research assistance on major human rights cases around the world, and was named by the UK Attorney-General as a National Pro Bono Hero for her work in 2008. While at Oxford she worked with renowned human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson to expose child abuse in the Catholic Church and in 2019 was named International Pro Bono Barrister of the Year.She is the youngest Australian woman to appear before the International Court of Justice, and as well as taking on high-profile cases like Julian Assange. Despite all the awards and all the wins across her stellar career, she describes Assange’s emotional reunion with his wife Stella as the “highlight”.Ms Robinson looked on, with tears in her eyes, as Assange stepped off the plane into the waiting arms of his wife after fighting for freedom for almost two decades. It was after defending Amber Heard in the infamous Johnny Depp deflation case - the Hollywood actress was subjected to widespread online hate and Ms Robinson received death threats - that the lawyer used the “power of the pen” to explore how the system often fails victims of gender-based violence.Ms Robinson co-wrote a book How Many More Women? Which was in part inspired by Heard and other women the law failed but also the “strong female role models” who helped raise her.Jennifer’s maternal grandmother worked in women’s refuges in Sydney to support those fleeing domestic violence, she was instrumental in shaping her sense of social justice from a young age.“That bears out in a lot of what Jen does,” says her father, Terry. “She wrote her first book about how women are mistreated, she’s very passionate about changing that.”Ms McQuestin says the human rights lawyer joins a host of talented Aussies “transforming global systems, saving lives, empowering communities and elevating Australia’s influence worldwide”.“Australians back themselves and they back each other. That ‘have-a-go’ attitude and spirit is loved around the world and is at the heart of our global reputation. “And yet, Australians are famously modest. Many don’t seek recognition for what they’ve achieved.”“Together, they represent Australian ambition at its best — bold in vision, generous in spirit and determined in action. They are resilient, curious and adventurous.” Mr Robinson agrees. “Jen takes a lot on,” he says. “I don’t know how she does it. She had to work hard to get where she is today, coming from a small country town. But Jen never shied away from hard work. “She got her first job at 15 at the local pub, The Berry Hotel. All my kids did, and it taught them a great work ethic.”

At first glance this appears to be an unassuming book, but once you start exploring, you find 128 pages of creative inspiration and work of many local makers in fabric crafts since 2020. It’s more than a book. It’s a celebration.Featured makers include: Robyn Sharp (knitter and artist), Peter Daley and John Mara (crochet), and unique plant dyed knitted pieces by Brian McCarthy. But for every maker highlighted there are many more quietly and busily engaged in their inspired creations whether represented in the book or not. Groups mentioned include Berry Spinners and Weavers, Kiama Quilters and Wrap With Love participants. Displays included those at Kiama Library, Gerringong Library and Museum (GLaM), Bonaira Care Home and Blue Haven Terralong independent living units, and each were hailed a success. As we hurtle into a future dominated by uber-technology and AI, it sometimes takes displays like these and books like this to remind us of the significance of hand-crafting, not only for individuals but also for community-building. Meticulously compiled by Boni and Peter Maywald, this book could also be described as a work of art, as it incorporates over 100 full colour photos, many taken by photograher Lea Tucker, that also offer a lot of thoughts to consider, including in the accompanying artist statements. These provide a glimpse into the creative journeys of many of the participants.Last, but not least, the Kiama Craft in COVID wall hanging is reproduced in its final form, with details of its origins and the inspirations behind the 50 makers involved. This amazing wall hanging will be on display at Kiama Show along with the launch of the book.At Kiama Show, 23-24 January: This book will be launched at 2pm next Friday (23 January) by Sandra McCarthy, along with the finished Kiama Craft in COVID wall hanging. When visiting the Show, enter for a chance to win a Gift Pack that includes the book, at the book launch stand in the Pavilion.

What started as a summer swim at the Kiama rockpool turned into a life-or-death rescue on New Year’s Eve, as a tourist was swept into the surf and injured.With the quick thinking and teamwork of three young Kiama Nippers, local cadets, and lifeguards, a potentially fatal incident ended in safety.The Kiama rockpool was bustling with tourists that afternoon. The surf was high, with waves breaking into the pool and surging over the edges.“We actually thought it was a prank,” said 10-year-old Parker Parr, recalling the moment he first saw the victim floating in the dangerous waters. “There was a helicopter that came over and said ‘wear your lifejacket’ and we were like, oh, it might be a prank, but then we figured out he was floating.”Parker was accompanied by two young Nippers and friends, nine-year-old Willow and 12-year-old Charley Hallinan, who were meeting for a swim when they noticed the man in trouble.“I was nervous for the man,” Willow said. “He was just laying out – if people had not gotten to him in time, he might have actually died.”The children acted quickly. Their first attempt to alert an adult failed: “I don’t believe you,” someone told them and “he’s just practising floating”. Refusing to ignore the danger, the kids ran to Diggies and the alarm was raised.By coincidence, Peter Gallagher, Kiama Nippers Water Safety Supervisor and lead coach, was returning from a surf-ski training session with cadets Forbes Robertson, 14, and Finnlay Smee, 16.“He told us to get away so we wouldn’t have to see a dead guy’s body because he looked dead,” Forbes said.From the water, Pete quickly assessed the situation, grabbing the man by the arm and asking, “Are you alive? Are you awake?” The injured tourist, estimated to weigh 130 kilograms, had a dislocated shoulder and multiple lacerations from the rocks. Pete worked to keep him above the water and out of the surf, supported by the cadets.Meanwhile, lifeguard Jake Willick was alerted via SurfCom and raced from Surf Beach on a jetski. The swell was extreme, with waves around eight feet, and getting the injured man onto the jetski sled proved a complex task.“It was quite difficult getting him onto the ski with the size of him and the size of the swell and his injuries,” Jake said. “We had to drag him, Pete, and the surf ski out of the impact zone because of the big swell - they’d get pushed into the rocks.”The victim was finally transferred to the jetski and taken to the boat ramp, where the fire brigade assisted with a stretcher before paramedics arrived to take him to hospital and he is now on the road to recovery. Throughout, the only responses from the man were vomiting from swallowed water and screams of pain.The young Nippers who raised the alarm watched the rescue unfold.“Once our parents told us it was a big deal, then I was proud,” Charley said. Parker added: “I’m just glad and thankful that he’s alright.” Willow remembered an unusual moment during the rescue: “When he was getting carried in by the jetski, there were dolphins following – it was strange.”For the cadets, the experience was like none other. “We thought he was a log, but then he got closer, just laying on his back – we just thought he was dead,” Forbes said. Finnlay added: “When I saw him there was a lot of adrenaline – that’s the first time I’d ever seen something like that.” Both have been part of Nippers for 10 years.Kiama local Jake, who has been lifeguarding since he was 17 and is now 25, reflected on the severity of the situation. “A couple of years ago, the same thing happened and a swimmer got washed out of the rockpool and died,” he said. “In the end, this was a good outcome. He was very lucky with the surf. If Pete and those boys hadn’t been paddling past and I was on my own, I would’ve struggled a lot.”As young Charley said, “Nippers is very helpful for learning about the waves and how the tide works.” For everyone enjoying the water, staying alert, swimming between the flags, and knowing your limits can make all the difference.

There’s just a week to go to the ever-popular Kiama Show, which this year celebrates its 178-year anniversary. Hosted at the Kiama Showground –one of the state’s most picturesque locations – the Show features a broad selection of agricultural events and entertainment over two full days on Friday and Saturday (23-24 January), culminating in a stunning firework display at around 9pm on Saturday.Giddy up At the heart of the two-day Show are, of course, cattle and horses, Pony Club events and competitive showjumping. Friday show classes, starting at 10am, include cute Australian Miniature Ponies and Shetlands, Arabians and Warmbloods, as well as Australian National Saddlehorses and Stock horses in ridden contests, with Pony Club events kicking off at about 11.30am in Ring 1. Saturday features junior and senior riding classes and a 15-hand-plus competition that includes the Off The Track Thoroughbred NSW/ACT Series, whose winner and runner-up will be eligible to take part in the NSW state final. Standardbred classes are new for 2026, open to horses registered with Harness Australia only. Showjumping competitions take place over both days, starting at 9am. Showjumping heights have been altered to encourage more riders to develop their skills and compete in this thrilling competition.  Photo: Brian ScottCattle all classCattle classes celebrate the local area’s long history of farming and dairy production, which still take place extensively among Kiama’s justifiably famous, green rolling hills. Expect to see dairy breeds such as Illawarra, Holsteins and Jerseys, and a wide range of beef cattle. Young farmers (under 14s and under 18s) take part too, proudly showing off their particular charges. Cattle shows take place from 9.30am on Friday and are an exciting chance to learn more about local farming and agriculture.On the chopping blockOn Saturday the attention turns to competition of the humankind. Yes, it’s the woodchop! This classic event has been part and parcel of the Kiama Show for over 70 years. If you can bear to watch as axes slam into solid logs, expect skilled participants in standing block and tree-felling classes, with the Double-handed Sawing Championship and Junior Underhand Handicap event further highlights of this iconic sport. Woodchop events begin at 9.30am on Saturday in a dedicated arena at the church end of the Showground.The Pavilion a hive of activity A country show wouldn’t be a country show without Pavilion events, and new this year is a wonderful prize in grateful recognition of the outstanding contribution made by Pavilion steward Bruce McIntyre, in over 50 years of dedicated service. Donated by Bruce’s son Geoff in honour of his father, who sadly died last year, the Bruce McIntyre Award rewards the Most Successful Exhibitor Overall in the Pavilion, with a $200 first prize, trophy and ribbon, and $100 runner-up prize and ribbon. Entries to Pavilion classes can be made up to 5pm on Monday 19 January, and delivered on Wednesday 21 January from 3pm-6pm, and on Thursday from 8am-11am. Cut flowers, roses, dahlias and decorative flower classes have until noon on Thursday 22 January to enter, with submissions due between 6.30am and 8am on Friday 23 January. For how to enter, check out the Kiama Show website on kiamashow.com.au/2026-schedule. Produce and cookingVegetables, fruit and produce always deliver a mouth-watering selection of beautifully presented goodies that wouldn’t look out of place in the finest greengrocer, while cookery shows off participants’ baking and cooking skills. Classics such as fruit cake, scones, brownies and Anzac biscuits are ranged alongside jams, preserves, pickles and condiments, with an extensive selection of junior cookery classes, open to age groups from Under 5 to 16 and under, giving the kids an early – er, ‘taste of competition.New to the baking line-up this year is ‘My favourite cake’. Reserved for exhibitors aged 80 and over, participants are invited to choose and create a cake recipe that’s special to them. Prepare to dazzle with your very own take on the Victoria Sponge!Photo: Brian ScottHandicrafts, art, LegoCreativity is the watchword throughout the Pavilion – think artwork, photography, handicrafts, sewing, spinning and weaving, with expanded classes this year for knitted and crocheted rugs. Last year saw the inaugural Kia-Bald portrait competition in a tongue-in-cheek homage to the Archibald, which will doubtless invite another talented selection of portraits of Kiama identities. Kids have their own classes, with the Junior artwork section attracting a host of entries in particular. Another big attraction for the under 18s is the Lego section, and from this year, their parents can get a piece of the action and a chance to become Lego masters in their own right with new entries for adults, as well as an intergenerational class. For this, grab a grown-up (or two) and create an aspect of the Kiama Show from Lego, document it and submit your entry for a chance to win. Flowers and plants in bloomEvery year areas of the Pavilion are turned over to flower power – a gorgeous array of cut flowers filling the space with colour and fragrance. Roses and dahlias earn their own special group of classes, as do decorative arrangements, with an inspiring selection of posies displayed in containers such as vases, teacups and teapots. There’s something for everyone, whether your taste runs to colourful blooms or subtle foliage. Pot plants demand particular care, so it’s only fitting that they should feature in their own special section, with extra classes this year in the Junior section (17 years and under). Adults should bring in their bromeliads, fish out their ferns and seek out their succulents for their chance to win the plaudits of Most Successful Exhibitor and the Robert Young Shield, donated by Elizabeth Burnett of Burnetts on Barney.Entertainment aplentyA full program of entertainment running alongside traditional events means fun for all the family at this year’s Show. Let the games begin (at 2pm on Friday) with Billycart and Hobby Horse races, the Tug of War and Gumboot Toss, all kindly sponsored by Native Cafe. MadStyle Moto Bikes make a welcome return to the Show with a motorcycle display packed with jaw-dropping tricks and stunts.Move over Muster Dogs! Farmer Dave’s canine superstars also return to this year’s Show with the K9 Superwall – a vertical obstacle that gets higher and higher each round – and Temptation Alley. Photo: Brian ScottWill the intrepid pups make it seamlessly from one end of the arena to the other, or will they be swayed by the many toys and treats along the way, designed to put good dogs off their stride? Find out at the Showground on Friday and Saturday evenings (see program for timings). There’s also the chance to put your own pet in the spotlight at the annual Pet Show, taking place this year on Friday at 5pm in the Showground. Junior classes, open to children under 16, include Most Unusual Pet, Cutest Cat or Kitten, Best Groomed Dog and much more, while adult classes feature Best Trick, Golden Oldie and the ever-popular Pet Most Like Its Owner. Entries to the Pet Show close at 5pm on Monday 19 January, so there’s still time to include your favourite furry or feathered friend. For a full list of classes, check out the Kiama Show Schedule online at kiamashow.com.au/2026-schedule.Saturday sees an action-packed day, starting with Footgolf in the Showground and featuring a double round of ShowMow, featuring modified lawnmowers up against each other in a battle to put the Wacky Races to shame. Just don’t expect the grass to be trimmed – the focus here is speed over style. The Six Bar equestrian event is a thrilling contest comprising a series of tightly spaced, ever-taller fences to jump, to delight horse-watchers, while the Farmfit Challenge gives participants the chance to show off their farm-edged fitness and endurance with a series of physical challenges.Ambassador programSaturday will also give visitors the opportunity to welcome Kiama Young Woman 2026. Mia Thompson, 18, works on a dairy farm and will go on to compete against other entrants from local shows for a chance to appear in the Zone Final, which will be held by Albion Park Show in February. It’s an especially exciting time for young people at the Show this year, with the launch of Kiama Show’s involvement in the Rural Ambassador program. Mia Thompson. Photo: SuppliedAimed at people aged 14-30 years, the program aims to attract and encourage those who would like to learn more about agriculture in general and the Show in particular, but aren’t sure how or where to start. Read more about the program on the Kiama Show website. Kiama Show programFriday​​9.00am Pavilion opens (downstairs only; upstairs opens 11am)9.00am Showjumping events begin9.30am Dairy and beef cattle classes begin, including Junior Paraders10.00am Australian miniature, Shetlands, Coloured and Standardbred horse classes begin (Ring 1)10.00am Arabian, Warmblood, Saddlehorse and Stock horse classes begin (Ring 2)11.30am (approx) Pony Club and Open Sporting events begin (Ring 1)2:00pm Billycart Races (Showground)2:30pm Hobby Horse Race (Showground) - Sponsored by Native Cafe3:30pm Gumboot Toss (Showground)- Sponsored by Native Cafe4:00pm Official Opening of the 2026 Kiama Show (Showground)5:00pm Pet Show (Showground) - Sponsored by Joske Family6:00pm Farmer Dave's Temptation Alley (Showground)7:00pm MadStyleMoto Bikes (Showground) - Sponsored by Middleton Financial Planning7:00pm Pavilion closes8:00pm Farmer Dave's K9 Superwall (Showground) - Sponsored by Summerbell Foundation9pm Close of Show​Saturday9.00am Pavilion opens9.00am Showjumping events begin9.00am Pony and riding classes begin (Ring 1)9.00am Hacks, Adult Riding, Galloway hacks, Show Hunter Galloways and Hacks classes begin9:30am Woodchop events begin2:00pm Footgolf (Showground) - Sponsored by Jamberoo Footgolf3:00pm Gumboot Toss (Showground) - Sponsored by Native Cafe3.15pm Billycart Races (Showground) - Sponsored by Native Cafe3:45pm Hobby Horse Races (Showground) - Sponsored by Native Café4:00pm Six Bar Jump (Showground)4:30pm Ag Ambassador & Young Women Presentation (Showground) - Supported by BlueScope WIN Community Partnership & The Agriculture Group (TAG)5:00pm Farmfit Challenge (Showground) - Sponsored by Cloud Wealth5:45pm Farmer Dave's Temptation Alley (Showground)6:30pm  ShowMow - Lawnmower Race Round 1 (Showground) - Sponsored by Aaron Shelley – Project Dry Hire & Kilmore Plant Services Kiama​7:30pm Farmer Dave's K9 Superwall (Showground) - Sponsored by Summerbell Foundation8:15pm ShowMow - Lawnmower Race Round 2 (Showground)- Sponsored by Aaron Shelley - Project Dry Hire & Kilmore Plant Services Kiama​8.30pm Pavilion closes9.00pm Fireworks - Sponsored by Carter Ferguson Solicitors, Gerringong

Kiama Council is forging ahead with the Kiama Sounds of Jazz & Blues live music weekend in March and is calling on businesses and the community to support the stopgap event.After the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival organisers pressed pause on their event for 2026, Council is organising a community‑led live music weekend in its place. The Kiama Sounds of Jazz & Blues live music weekend will feature live performances across multiple venues, spanning jazz, blues, and a variety of other music styles.Kiama Council tourism and economic development manager Sally Bursell said the initiative would help local venues and businesses keep live music thriving across the region during the traditional festival weekend.An Expression of Interest is now open for local businesses and venues interested in hosting performances with the deadline to nominate this Sunday (18 January). Bursell said after Mayor Cameron McDonald announced late last year that Council would step into the breach, they have received plenty of interest from local businesses.They held a meeting with business owners before Christmas to map out a plan.“Everyone was sort of on the same page and willing to pull together however they could,” she said. “We asked them what did they think Council's role could be to support them.“We spoke about a few things - how it would be good to have as many businesses involved as possible and how the challenges can be marketing and connecting the businesses.“So we thought that Council's biggest contribution could be those things - looking at how we can communicate what's going on and where, and also looking at using funds to physically connect the businesses through a rotating bus or something along those lines. “We've got the EOI out to try and get as many businesses that are willing to do something in that sort of capacity - live music within their businesses. “We've been really encouraged to see the business support and also the community support and response.“Essentially it's a venue led and paid for exercise and Council’s just supporting through the marketing and pulling everyone together while the Jazz & Blues Festival is on pause for this year. Bursell said Council staff were connecting artists with venues and have reached out to Kiama Business Network to see if they can assist as well.The fact that the Jazz & Blues Festival is on every meant that many tourists had pre-booked accommodation and some venues had lined up live music acts.Council will help coordinate who is participating, preferred performance times and programming opportunities, informing a draft weekend schedule and promotional activity.Cr McDonald hoped the live music weekend would preserve the spirit of the long‑running festival while giving venues the flexibility to curate their own line‑ups.“One of the things I value most about Kiama is the way our community steps forward when something important to them is at risk of being lost.“With the Jazz & Blues Festival taking a break in 2026, it’s been encouraging to see local venues and creatives come together with their own ideas to keep live music part of our town’s identity. “Council’s role here is simple: To support, coordinate and create the space for community-led initiatives to happen.“This Live Music Weekend in early March is a good example of that approach. It’s about backing local effort, strengthening collaboration and letting the community lead the way.“We want to ensure the weekend continues to bring vibrancy, culture and visitors to our towns and villages.”After the long-running Folk By The Sea festival was wound up and the Changing Tides independent music event was cancelled in November, the local events calendar has taken a heavy hit.Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival organisers are planning to return for a 40th anniversary festival in 2027.

For more than 70 years, the Country Women’s Association of Kiama has been a hub for community gatherings, high teas and charitable work. But the local branch faces an unexpected upheaval: their longtime home has been sold, leaving the group to find a new base.CWA Kiama president Cheryl Pearce said the situation has been complicated and frustrating. “We’re not entirely sure when everything has to be out,” she said. “I rang state office, but they’ve been a bit cagey. It’s commercial and confidential. We just don’t have the details.”The property, built in 1953, has served generations of women in Kiama, providing not just a meeting place, but also storage for chairs, tableware and other community resources. Maintaining such an ageing building, Cheryl says, had become unsustainable. “Once a branch decides it no longer wants to upkeep its building, we give permission to state office to take it over and sell it.The maintenance is beyond us,” she said.The sale is part of a larger wave of development in the area. Cheryl described developers eyeing multiple properties in the neighborhood, sometimes approaching older residents directly with generous offers for their homes. “I’ve been here 26 years, and I became aware of developers knocking on doors,” she recalled. “Some of these offers were huge. It can be overwhelming for older women, widows, or those unfamiliar with the process.”With the building scheduled for a potential demolition to make way for new developments, the CWA has been working quickly to move its resources. Finding a new meeting space has also required creative solutions. The Kiama branch has been offered limited use of the Catholic Church hall for monthly meetings, though it doesn’t provide the convenience of their former home.Cheryl emphasised the importance of keeping the CWA community intact, despite the logistical challenges.“We’re trying to enter the building before state office takes over to retrieve anything we need,” Cheryl said. Furniture, crockery, and other items are being offered to local community groups, including the Anglican Church and Jamberoo CWA.“We’re trying to keep it as a real community. Even if we have to share resources with other branches or other groups, we’ll make it work.”The CWA itself has a long history of supporting women and communities.Formed in 1922 to help country women fight isolation and lack of health services, the organisation quickly became a force for change. Members have set up baby health centres, funded bush nurses, built maternity wards and hospitals, and created schools, rest homes, and holiday cottages. Today, the CWA continues to improve conditions for women and children, offering a network of support, educational programs, social activities, and fundraising initiatives – locally and internationally.Though they’ll no longer have their own building, Kiama CWA plans to continue holding meetings, and providing catering and community projects. “We’ve enjoyed the luxury of having our own building for many years,” Cheryl said. “Now we just have to accept it, adapt, and keep going. It’s about the people and the work we do together – that doesn’t change.”

If you’ve spent time around Kiama’s pubs, festivals or folk gatherings over the past decade, chances are you’ve crossed paths with The Water Runners.What began as a loose collection of local musicians has grown into one of Australia’s most respected folk-roots acts and most recently awarded Runners Up for The People's Choice Award for the Australian Folk Music Awards (Folk Alliance Australia).Formed around 2016, The Water Runners have settled into a long-standing lineup since 2017, featuring Kiama local John Littrich on guitar and vocals, Neil McCann on banjo and mandolin, Danita Harris on fiddle, and Gerringong’s own James Turk on double bass.“We’ve had a couple of people come and go over the years,” Littrich says, “but since 2017 we’ve basically had the same lineup. It’s been really solid.”That stability has helped the band refine what many now describe as their signature sound – a lively blend of bluegrass, folk and roots music, anchored firmly in Australian stories.It’s a style that’s even earned them a genre of their own.“People have started calling it ‘bush grass’,” Littrich laughs. “We love the bluegrass sound, but we wanted to sing about Australia – our bushrangers, First Nations heroes, local history– not just American places we haven’t lived in.”That approach has struck a chord well beyond the South Coast.The Water Runners have now played folk and music festivals across almost every Australian state, from Tasmania to Queensland, with Western Australia the only one left to tick off.They’ve just returned from Queensland’s iconic Woodford Folk Festival – one of the largest festivals in the Southern Hemisphere – and are barely pausing for breath.“It’s been busy,” Littrich says. “We’ve got Illawarra Folk Festival this week, then Bulli, then straight up to Tamworth.”The band has been a staple at the Illawarra Folk Festival since the early days, not only performing but also volunteering behind the scenes – helping with production, set design, and sound.  “We're looking forward to that. But we have to keep a bit of petrol in the tank, both literally and metaphorically, to get up to Tamworth and do that,” he says.Tamworth, of course, looms large this year.While the Water Runners might joke they’re not “hanging out with Keith Urban,” they’re heading north with an impressive list of nominations across multiple award bodies — including the Tamworth Songwriters Association, Capital Country Music Association, Capital Country Radio, and the Australian Bush Balladeers Association.Their latest album Shelter has picked up nominations for Best Song and Best Video, while tracks like Viking and Murrumbidgee continue to gain national attention.The latter tells the powerful true story of a Wiradjuri man who saved around 90 people during the Gundagai floods of the 1850s.“There are so many songs about Ned Kelly,” Littrich explains, “but not many about our First Nations heroes. When I saw the statue in Gundagai and read the story, I thought – "this guy needs a song.”That sense of storytelling is central to the band’s connection with audiences, especially at regional festivals.“When you play somewhere like Majors Creek or Braidwood and you sing a song about that area, locals really latch onto it,” he says.“It helps you connect in a much deeper way.”Despite touring nationally, Kiama remains home base and creative hub Littrich speaks about with pride.“We’re really lucky here,” he says. “You’ve got young bands like Pacific Avenue, The Terrys, Joan Montgomery – and then older, folkier artists like us.There's a lot of artistic and musical talent in Kiama. I just hope a lot of these festivals that are sort of falling by the wayside can be resurrected, and we can capitalise on the talent we do have in the town.”That local network feeds directly into the band’s work.The Shelter video, which has been nominated for best video and song, was filmed in Jamberoo, shot by local videographer Blake Lauricella, with a cameo from Littrich’s son Dom – better known these days as a member of Pacific Avenue and part of The Inspired Unemployed circle.The song itself came from a simple songwriting challenge while travelling around Australia with his wife Jane.“She put words in a box and made me pull one out each day and write a song,” Littrich says. “There were threats of no beer if I didn’t.”The result was Shelter, a song about finding warmth, safety and belonging, themes that resonate just as strongly back home as they do on the road.Despite the long drives and packed festival schedules, the band remains grounded.“We take each day as it comes, and there's a lot of work in planning these things,” Littrich said, “But it's really nice when you get nominated for these things, and you get a little bit of recognition, not that we're going to be retiring to the Bahamas anytime soon,” he joked. “Even if we don’t win, it’s just really nice to be nominated,” he adds. “You go along, rub shoulders with other songwriters, make a few connections – and that’s always good.”For a band that’s been playing together for years, Tamworth is just another stop along the road. The Water Runners will head north, play their gigs, catch up with friends, and then return home to Kiama – doing what they’ve always done.

Eight days after the Bondi attacks, while the initial shock had begun to settle but the emotional weight remained heavy, Kiama resident Judi Sandilands arrived quietly with her therapy dog, Miss Ollie.There was no media presence – just a deliberate choice to show up when people were still trying to process what had happened.“Actions always speak louder than words in times like this,” Judi says. “I was never not going. It was always on my radar.”Judi, a former clinical nurse consultant in mental health, knows how beneficial a therapy dog can be to wellbeing and had responded the same way after the Bondi Junction stabbings, working alongside Lifeline to support a community struggling with shock and grief.Rather than arriving during the height of attention, she came later, when residents, workers, and volunteers were left carrying the impact once the cameras moved on.“It affects the whole community,” she explains. “Not just the victims and their families, but everyone whose backyard is Bondi.”That reality became clear almost immediately.While buying a coffee near where she and Ollie had set up on 22 December, café staff spoke about how they had not yet had time to stop and process what had happened.“They said, “We haven't stopped, we're just making coffee and we haven't had a chance to actually process. We're here every day, we live in this community and we can't process it.” They actually articulated it very well,” Judi recalls. Miss Ollie, a Guide Dogs–trained therapy dog, wore her Lifeline vest during the visit.Judi noticed a pattern she has seen many times before. People would stop to pat the dogs, begin talking without meaning to, and then naturally move toward Lifeline staff positioned nearby.“The dogs act as an icebreaker,” Judi says. “They buffer people just enough so mental health professionals can step in.”Inside Bondi Junction Westfield, Judi and Ollie sat on the floor while parents spoke with mental health providers and their children quietly patted the dogs beside them.“You could actually see people calming down,” she says. “Lowering their anxiety enough to find the words they were struggling to say.”Judi describes therapy dogs as providing emotional first aid – a kind of support that no human interaction can quite replicate.While research shows dogs can lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones, Judi says the impact is most powerful when witnessed firsthand.“You see it happening in real time,” she says.On that first visit, Judi was joined by another South Coast resident and friend– who has asked to remain anonymous– along with his Bernese Mountain Dog, Jasper.Although Jasper is not formally trained as a therapy dog, he instinctively did what was needed.“Who doesn’t want to cuddle a Bernese Mountain Dog?” Judi says. “People were so appreciative.”First time therapy-dog Jasper brought smiles to BondiIn the days and weeks that followed, Judi received messages from Bondi residents about what the visits had meant to them.Many also asked about the crocheted Matilda bees that had been shared with children and families.The bees were handmade and sent by volunteers from Jamberoo Red Cross, along with local resident Sue Mawbey, as a gesture of remembrance and support.The bees carry deep symbolism. Matilda, the young girl killed in the attack, had been named after Australia itself.The bees — drawn from the Matildas emblem — became a quiet representation of unity, resilience, and national identity during a time of collective grief.Crocheted bees have been shared and are in high demand to spread unity and resiliencePeople from interstate and overseas told Judi they were taking the bees home to share Bondi’s story and what the community had endured. “I think that's what Matilda's mother wanted to happen for the bees,” Sandilands said,Judi later received a phone call from Matilda’s mother, who had tracked her down to personally thank her for bringing the dogs to Bondi.Bees have become a quiet symbol to represent and honour Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi shootingThe two now have each other’s phone numbers. During their conversation, Matilda’s mother shared that her daughter had been a dog lover, something Judi had not known at the time, and expressed how much it meant to see comfort being brought to the community in this way, sharing a photo of Matilda in a T-shirt with many dogs breeds on it saying ‘it's just a girl and her dogs’.At the request of the Bondi community, Judi returned on 7 January, this time with additional dogs and handlers.Joining Ollie and Jasper were Shiko, Lennon, and Tyler — all involved in Guide Dogs programs, including court companion roles.With extreme heat on the day, the group set up a shaded gazebo with assistance from police to ensure the dogs’ welfare remained the top priority.Once people understood why the dogs were there, they came.Lifeline volunteers again positioned themselves nearby, and the dogs once more created a gentle pathway for people to seek support.Based in Kiama, Judi regularly travels to support schools, courts, ambulance call centres, police, and youth services.She and her dogs work quietly and without funding, motivated by a belief that presence matters.In 2025, her contribution was recognised with her and Ollie being named community champions by the NSW Mental Health Commission. For Judi, the work is not about recognition. It is about responding when something is needed and continuing to show up.“It gives people just that little bit of hope,” she says. “And in that moment, that’s enough.”.

Welcoming new citizens, community events and the Jervis Bay Duck Derby will be among the highlights of Australia Day festivities on the South Coast. There will be a range of activities January 26 but for something totally different, you can win $500 if you enter the Marine Rescue Jervis Bay 2026 Duck Derby at Moona Moona Creek.Tickets are now available via www.raffletix.com.au/duckderbyrace12026 and if your duck is first across the line you will pocket $500.Funds raised go to support the lifesaving work of Marine Rescue NSW Jervis Bay.There will also be Indigenous cultural displays performed by The Gadhungal Murring Aboriginal Community, food stalls, market stalls, and entertainment.Kiama Council, with the assistance of Australia Day Community Event grant funding, is partnering with local organisations to host free BBQ breakfasts at three locations.Reid Park, Jamberoo, 8:30am–10:30am hosted by Jamberoo Red Cross and Jamberoo Rural Fire ServiceKiama Downs Surf Club - 7am-11am, hosted by Kiama Downs Surf Life Saving ClubGerringong Bowling Club car park - 7.30am-11.30am, hosted by Gerringong Lions Club.Pack a camp chair, picnic blanket and sunscreen, and join your community for a relaxed morning of connection and conversation. There will be family friendly activities at each venue for the community to enjoy.Council will also host the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony at Gerringong Surf Club from 10am, where Mayor Cameron McDonald will officially welcome the LGA’s newest Australian citizens.“Welcoming new citizens is a highlight of the day,” he said. “It’s exciting to see people choose Kiama as their home and bring their stories, energy and commitment to our community. Australia Day is a chance to come together with respect, optimism and pride.”Country singer David Kirkpatrick will be Shoalhaven Council’s Australia Day ambassador with author and gender equality advocate Diana Ryall filling the same role for Shellharbour.Kirkpatrick, who is also an emergency medicine specialist doctor, will be a keynote speaker at the Mollymook Beach Reserve event organised by Council and the Ulladulla Milton Lions Club.Reddall Reserve will be the central point for Shellharbour's activities with a sizzling BBQ breakfast and free family fun, including Slip n slides, jumping castles, a sand modelling competition, a rock climbing wall, laser tag, stand up paddleboarding, face painting, children's arts and crafts, live music and market stalls.

Jamberoo School’s hall was filled recently with the joyful buzz of children eagerly awaiting a very special surprise to kick off the Christmas holiday: three books following the adventures of a ‘Little Twig.’ Dreams Come True, Never Give Up, and Never Walk Alone are more than just stories– they are gentle guides for life, history lessons, and tales of a kind-hearted community.Author Chris Beaven, warm, engaging, and wonderfully approachable, shared the inspiration behind Twiggy’s very first adventures. Chris Beaven at Jamberoo. Photo: Ella Gunning“The very first one is, he’s a little twig, and he says he’s going to be a Christmas tree,” she explained. “The wind knocks him off the tree, but an old lady picks him up, puts him in a pot, and places all her husband’s medals over him. "So he becomes a Christmas tree, and then she plants him at the top of the hill with other trees.”Chris went on to describe the broader themes of the series. “They’re all about history. "The first story touches on a bit of bullying for the little twig. The second one is all about the bushfires, and the third one is about Covid. They’re all beautifully drawn and help children understand history in a way they can relate to.” Through Twiggy’s experiences, children learn about resilience, friendship, and the value of community support.The stories also showcase the rich life of Jamberoo, featuring villagers who play important roles in Twiggy’s life – farmers, firefighters, shopkeepers, pub owners, butchers, and families. Each tale is a snapshot of life in the village over the years, capturing events that will one day become history.Chris also spoke fondly of the books’ wider reach, including her friendship with Greg Page, the Original Yellow Wiggle, who has brought Twiggy’s adventures to life through animated readings online. “They can go online and watch them,” she said, giving younger children the chance to enjoy the stories with Mum or Dad.A delightful anecdote highlighted Chris’s unique journey and beginnings as a children’s author. “The Queen had just had a great-grandchild, and I said to my husband, ‘I’m going to send this to the Queen.’ And I got a letter back from Buckingham Palace saying, ‘Can’t wait to see the next two!’”Jamberoo School, true to its motto “A Small School, Making a Big Difference,” found Twiggy’s stories the perfect way to teach children about reading, history, community, and kindness. As Chris Beaven said, her goal is simple: every child at Jamberoo receives these three books, learning about life, resilience, and the power of support– one little twig at a time.

So, you think Gerringong in 1953 was a backwater and did not have any special shows.Well, you would be wrong. In spring of that year, a fashion establishment from Wollongong put on a show for the ladies at Gerringong Town Hall. Of interest is the term “mannequin” which refers to the live female models who modelled the dresses on the night. Nowadays the name is only used for plastic models of human figures, not live ones.Young girls or married women could go to Wollongong to have lessons in deportment and become a mannequin. Another interest is the sponsors for the show. A large ad from A.J. Campbell and Son for auctioneering and a ‘Shopping Guide’ list businesses from the Gerringong district. Some notable names appear such as Bergin, Chittick, Rutledge, Lumsden and Carradus.The grand news for this year's show was the extensive use of nylon. It appears in just about every garment that the discerning lady might require.I can imagine that it was a popular night in Gerringong. Looking at Google maps, it is quite sad to see the shopfront in Wollongong. Long gone are the deportment classes.

Kiama Council has marked a milestone in one of the largest residential developments in recent decades with progress on the South Kiama Urban Release Area.The 40-hectare site, located west of the M1 Princes Highway and bounded by Saddleback Mountain Road and Weir Street, will deliver 380 residential lots, along with open space, conservation areas, stormwater management, and essential infrastructure.The development will be delivered in stages and forms a key part of Council’s Local Housing Strategy, contributing to the NSW Government’s housing targets.Council has applied its "non-negotiable principles for greenfield development" to ensure strong environmental, open space, and infrastructure outcomes.Kiama Council endorsed the South Kiama Urban Release Area Planning Agreement at its Ordinary Meeting in November.The agreement, signed on 5 December, secures approximately $30 million in on-site works and monetary contributions from the developer, ensuring local infrastructure is delivered alongside the development.“This Planning Agreement ensures that as new homes are built, the infrastructure and open spaces that make our Municipality special will be delivered in step with growth,” said Council CEO Jane Stroud.A Conservation Management Plan has been prepared to protect heritage items, including Kendalls Historic Cemetery and the Walls of Barroul, and was endorsed at the 16 December meeting.Council’s planning team has also approved the Stage 1 subdivision Development Application, which includes 81 residential lots, a local park, regeneration of the riparian corridor, an upgraded section of Saddleback Road, and over $340,000 in contributions to Council.Civil construction works, including roads, parks, and drainage, are said to commence once approvals are finalised.Subdivision completion will allow new homebuyers to lodge applications for their homes.

As part of a series looking back at the major moments of 2025, The Bugle is presenting a look back on the stories that mattered on the South Coast over the past 12 months - this article was first published on 1 October.Paws were flying across the turf at Albion Park showground as 96 dogs competed at the South Coast Dog Training Club’s biannual Flyball competition on Saturday 27 September.With 17 teams and over 100 people gathering for the event, Flyball is one of the most exciting events on the dog sports calendar, combining speed and obedience training into a fun competition.Flyball, is a fast-paced canine sport where dogs race over jumps to a flyball box that they need to trigger to release a ball, then run back to their owner, all while being timed. Two teams of four dogs compete head-to-head in a relay race and the team with the fastest time and least amount of errors wins, with the fastest Division One teams completing runs in under four seconds.Flyball in actionOperating for over 50 years, the South Coast Dog Training Club (SCDTC) specialises in dog obedience training but also hosts events like Flyball, a dynamic and popular competition that showcases the results of dedicated training.The president of SCDTC, Fay Hull says that the club has been transforming dogs and helping owners for years, providing support and training every week.“We'll get at least one dog that's very reactive. And by that, I mean it's growling or barking at people or dogs. And we turn them around. It's amazing,” she said.Flyball“The owners have to turn them around, but what we do is we show the owners how to do it.”Saturday’s competition featured a diverse range of breeds from border collies to kelpies, poodles, and mixed-breed dogs, many of which are rescue dogs. The event brings together a wide variety of ages, as they all share a common interest in doing something they love with their dogs.The SCDTC has a lot of members from Kiama, Gerringong, and Jamberoo whilst being based in Albion Park but Fay says many people don’t know the club exists.“I talk to people and they say, ‘oh, there's a dog club at Wollongong’ and I'll say, ‘what about the one at Albion Park?’”Events like Flyball attract people from all over the Illawarra and NSW, but the club has around 150 members and anywhere between 25 to 55 members attending each week to the different sports the club holds.“We've really started to focus on helping people have dogs that are good family members and good community members that are obedient and tractable and friendly and sociable”.The SCDTC is a not for profit club, anyone is able to join, they have a membership fee each year, and it’s $5 per week to train.For more information about the South Coast Dog Training Club visit their website www.scdtc.org.au.

Whether it’s cruising a pump track or practising tricks close to home, Shellharbour riders could be a step closer to more places to bike, with Council locking in a long-term plan for future recreational riding facilities.Shellharbour City Council has adopted the Recreational Biking Facilities Location Feasibility Study, setting out where bike facilities could be built across the city and how potential sites compare.The study acts as a strategic guide rather than a construction commitment, helping Council plan ahead and strengthen future funding applications.Mayor Chris Homer said the plan reflects strong local interest in biking and outdoor recreation.“This study gives us a clear roadmap for where biking facilities could go and how each option stacks up,” he said.“Our community loves getting outdoors, and this approach allows us to plan properly. With a solid strategy in place, we’re in a better position to chase grant funding and deliver facilities that suit what residents actually want.”The study was developed by specialist consultants Common Ground Trails, with support from Council staff, and shaped by community feedback.Public consultation ran from October to November 2024 and attracted 358 responses through Council’s Let’s Chat page, face-to-face workshops and email submissions.Eight sites across Shellharbour were assessed and ranked for potential facilities such as bike skills areas and pump tracks.At its meeting on 28 October, Council resolved to further explore a local bike track at either Deakin Reserve or the Kingston Street Precinct in Oak Flats.Kingston Street Park was prioritised as it is already part of a master planning process, while Deakin Reserve requires further environmental and cultural assessment due to land constraints.Council stressed the study is about setting direction, not breaking ground, providing a planning foundation so projects can move quickly when funding opportunities arise.Following the 16 December Council meeting, the top three priority sites endorsed were:Kingston Street Precinct, Oak FlatsPioneer Park, ShellharbourCon O’Keefe Oval, Albion ParkCouncil will now prioritise planning for Kingston Street Precinct through its existing master planning work and future capital works planning, while also investigating funding opportunities for facilities at Pioneer Park and Con O’Keefe Oval.The full study is available on Council’s Let’s Chat page.

Families across Kiama are invited to step outside, get moving and reconnect through play at a free community event at Hindmarsh Park Playground on Wednesday 21 January, from 2pm to 4pm.Hosted by PlaY Illawarra, Let’s Play Kiama is a relaxed, inclusive afternoon designed for all ages and abilities, celebrating the simple joy and importance of play - not just for children, but for adults too.The program is packed with activities to suit a wide range of interests. Highlights include a lively silent disco, martial arts sessions, a photo play corner, and a welcoming Pop Up & Play space suitable for toddlers through to adults. Participants can also enjoy traditional Indigenous games, offering a chance to learn through culture and movement.To keep everyone fuelled, there will be free smoothies and sausages, making it easy for families to stay, play and socialise. The event is as much about community connection as it is about activity, with organisers encouraging families to meet others and enjoy Hindmarsh Park’s beautiful playground setting.Attendance is free, but families are asked to book one ticket per family via Humanitix and indicate how many people will be attending, to help organisers cater adequately.PlaY Illawarra runs free community play events across the region, with full listings and playground information available at playillawarra.com.au.The event is proudly supported by Kiama Municipal Council, whose backing continues to strengthen opportunities for inclusive, healthy community engagement.So pack your water bottle, bring your curiosity, and remember - play is for everyone.

As part of a series looking back at the major moments of 2025, The Bugle is presenting a look back on the stories that mattered on the South Coast over the past 12 months - this article was first published on 12 NovemberGerringong 82-year-old John Le Carpentier, or “Chippy” as he is known around town, defied Father Time yet again at a gruelling event at University of Wollongong’s recent Illawarra Fitness Festival.Despite his age, Chippy braved the Team Race category alongside 21-year-old University of Wollongong College graduate Cohen Harms and student Max Ferri.His contribution included a 700m run and 700m on the rowing machine, followed by another 700m run before finishing with 140m of a farmer’s carry with two 10kg weights.While he found the weighted exercises breezy, the competitive and intensive nature of running was the event’s most taxing aspect.“I'm quite capable of going out tomorrow and walking 40 or 50km, that would never bother me. But running is a different thing,” he said.Chippy is no stranger to fitness challenges - he has previously been involved in a 12-hour Lifeline walk and the 1000km Oxfam Trailwalker with his family.He also attends spin classes twice a week, takes daily 6km walks and frequently orienteers, also logging a fitness activity for every single day of September as part of Million Moves’ campaign to popularise physical exercise.To train for the Hyrox event at the uni, Chippy called upon his instructor Korin Koutsomihalis and UOW College fitness student Daniel Fleming, both of whom work at Soul Fit Co.“Doing exercise with other people is motivating as opposed to just doing it on your own, because you can always find an excuse to [avoid] it.“But when you do it as a group, you feel obligated to turn up and do it, and you kind of bounce off each other,” Chippy said.He has no intentions of slowing down, with a trip to Japan on the horizon that includes a seven-day mountain hike.“My thing with keeping fit is not about the length of life, but the quality of life,” said Chippy.“So it's kind of advantageous - you spend less time getting treated by doctors because you're healthier.”

Kiama’s summer is about to get a little louder as Profannity Palooza takes over the Kiama Bowlo on January 24. Created by local musicians who wanted to bring live music back into the community, the event includes a line-up of regional favourite bands - Profannity, Bush Doofs, Silvia Lane, Ashpit and Scram. The festival aims to bring people together for a night of homegrown talent and long-weekend fun.The idea for the event came from a group of musicians who felt Kiama needed more live music after some major festivals in the region were cancelled. The team behind Profannity wanted to create something that felt local, supportive and joyful, something that puts a smile on people’s faces.While each band has played its own individual shows, this is their first time joining forces for a festival-sized event. And surprisingly, pulling it all together wasn’t as chaotic as expected.​“We’ve got a really good group of talent between the bands, who each put on seriously good live shows. It’s the first time all of us have come together for something like this.”​Many of the performers have connections to Kiama and the broader Illawarra scene, making the Bowlo the natural place to host the event.​“A lot of our friends are from Kiama. And with so many major festivals cancelled, we wanted to give people something that puts a smile on their faces,” he explained.The headline act, Profannity, has its own evolving story behind the scenes. The project began as a blues-leaning solo project, with its frontman, Max Carr, performing around the region, experimenting with demos and developing his sound. Through years of gigging, he connected with the musicians who now form the band, and together they shifted into a full rock ’n’ roll group.Profannity has performed widely around the region and is now preparing to head into the studio to record a new album, with hopes of taking it on the road. With many new songs already written, the long-term plan is to keep producing, touring and growing.If the first festival goes well, they hope to turn it into an annual event, an idea they’re already excited about. “The goal is to make it an annual thing and be able to give back to the little guys,” Carr said, “growing the festival each year and offering even more support to emerging artists in the community”.