Following a recent article in The Bugle, “Kiama community wants answers on Blue Haven Terralong vacancies amid housing crisis”, which stemmed from concern among locals who overheard Council officers discussing the potential sale of Blue Haven Terralong independent living units, Kiama Council has moved to clarify the situation. On 19 July, they issued a statement via their website: “Council is not seeking to divest Blue Haven Terralong Village.” This should provide some reassurance to concerned residents.The Council website reported that there are currently 17 vacant units with four under renovation. They explained that a slowdown occurred following the retirement of the last Independent Living Unit (ILU) Manager, a role crucial for sales, coordination, and daily management of over 250 ILUs and their residents. The Council is actively seeking a replacement for this position.They also noted that due to the age of the units, significant repairs such as waterproofing, plastering, and bathroom and kitchen refurbishments are necessary for some units. These repairs are taking longer than expected due to difficulties in securing tradespeople. Additionally, some units and common areas require fire safety compliance work.With 17 vacant units now available, those who previously inquired and were declined might find this an opportune moment to reapply.In contrast, Havilah Place, the former Residential Aged Care facility, is in an advanced state of dilapidation and has been deemed unsafe to enter or occupy. The Council will be installing security fencing around the premises to ensure the area is secure and inaccessible to the public and Council staff, except for official purposes.In line with the NSW Government’s varied Performance Improvement Order, the Council is preparing subdivision plans to explore options for subdividing and divesting the former Residential Aged Care facility at Havilah Place. However, they have not yet indicated whether the original purpose of the facility will be retained.The Council has promised to keep the community informed throughout these processes, including master planning, subdividing, and rezoning land at Havilah Place and the Kiama Sports Precinct. Residents can hopefully expect more regular communication moving forward.For more details, visit the Council’s website and look for the post entitled “Blue Haven Terralong facts.”

When the winds howl through Jamberoo, bringing down power lines and plunging us into darkness, it's easy to feel isolated. This week was a reminder to me that when you live in villages like Jamberoo, adversity only seems to draw us closer together. Like over 40 people living on Saddleback Mountain and Wallaby Hill, I'm now on my third day without power, and in my case, without water. A situation that can test anyone's patience and resilience, yet it's during these times that the true spirit of Jamberoo shines through.I've spent these days journaling, writing blog posts, and immersing myself in crime novels on my Kindle. But with each passing hour, the battery on my devices has dwindled, leaving me feeling more disconnected. In desperation, I called one of our local business owners to ask if I could charge my devices at their premises. Their immediate "yes" was a lifeline, a simple act of kindness that meant the world to me.This morning, I headed down to collect my recharged devices. On my way, I decided to treat myself (and get a much-needed coffee) and dropped into my local patisserie. To my surprise and delight, the patisserie was bustling—not just with people buying pastries, but with neighbours collecting their charged devices, just like me. It was a scene that perfectly captured the essence of Jamberoo: a community where we look out for one another, especially in tough times.Standing in line, waiting for my turn to grab a pie (yes, I thought mega calories were justified), I felt a profound sense of gratitude. Here we were, a small village facing a significant challenge, yet everyone was doing their part to help out. Local businesses had become makeshift charging stations, and neighbours were checking in on each other, ensuring no one felt alone.When the winds tear through our town, causing chaos and disruption, they also bring to light the extraordinary care that binds us together. Living in Jamberoo, you know that you are part of a community where everyone genuinely cares for each other. It's this spirit of solidarity and compassion that makes our village not just a place to live, but a place to belong. Special shoutout to Elders and Kings Patisserie. When I accidentally left all my now-charged devices behind in the patisserie, I was reminded how grateful I was to live in a place where your belongings are safe.

For the third time in as many weeks, volunteers tending to Peace Park on Manning Street found rose bushes they had planted had been stolen. The Coordinator of the Peace Park Volunteers, Mr Colin Hollis, said, “This selfish, illegal act deprives all residents of enjoying the rose display in the park in the coming months.” The group was about to commence this season’s planting but are now reconsidering their future involvement. Colin can't believe that the rose bushes have been stolen“It seems pointless to purchase new rose bushes just to have them stolen,” Mr Hollis added. Among the latest roses stolen were a rare miniature donated by the late Robert Curll and a Pierre de Ronsard, donated by Elizabeth Burnett to replace an earlier stolen bush. The motivation behind these thefts remains perplexing. Unfortunately for Kiama, if the rose bushes continue to be stolen, the volunteers may see little point in continuing their work at Peace Park.If anyone in the community has any information, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Caffeine is a stimulant and the most commonly used drug in the world. Data from a survey on attitudes towards coffee conducted in Australia in 2022 showed that coffee culture is deeply embedded in the Australian lifestyle, with coffee being the main mode of caffeine consumption for over half of the people surveyed. Amid myths and controversy about whether caffeine is good or bad for us, evidence suggests that moderate coffee consumption can bring both benefits and risks.Caffeine is considered to be both a drug and a food additive. The widely accepted recommendation is a maximum intake of 400mg a day - about 4 or 5 cups of coffee. This amount is not associated with negative effects. There is no set limit for children, but the consumption of caffeine and other stimulants by children and adolescents is discouraged by medical professionals.Seventy-five per cent of survey respondents claimed that they enjoy at least one cup of coffee a day. Twenty-eight per cent of Australians reported that they enjoy three or more cups of coffee a day. Benefits can include increased alertness, energy, and concentration, so every day, millions of people consume caffeine to increase wakefulness, alleviate fatigue, and improve concentration and focus.Caffeine features in tea, coffee, and chocolate, and it is regularly added to gum, jellybeans, waffles, water, syrup, marshmallows, sunflower seeds, and other snacks. Caffeine occurs naturally in the leaves, seeds, or fruit of more than 60 plant species, including coffee beans, tea leaves and buds, kola nuts, cacao beans, guarana seeds, and yerba mate leaves.Caffeine may have some wide-reaching health benefits, but not all of these have been fully confirmed by definitive research, including:Easing certain types of headaches or migrainesBoosting weight loss or preventing weight gainIncreasing attention and alertnessImproving physical performanceEnhancing some thinking skills and slowing mental declineReducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s diseaseBoosting long-term memoryDecreasing the risk of cirrhosisHelping protect people from an eye disorder known as blepharospasmPotentially protecting the lens of the eye against damage that could lead to the formation of cataractsGuarding against certain skin cancersLowering the risk of developing kidney stonesLowering the risk of death from oral cancer, and reducing the risk for other cancers (endometrial, prostate, head and neck, breast, liver)Lowering the risk of strokeLowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.In some types of headaches, the blood vessels in the brain dilate or swell, expanding into the surrounding tissues, which triggers pain. Consuming caffeine, which narrows the vessels, can ease or even reverse some headache pain. Ironically, a sudden lack of daily caffeine can cause a headache.Caffeine may boost weight loss or prevent weight gain by suppressing the appetite and temporarily reducing the desire to eat, and by stimulating thermogenesis, so the body generates more heat and energy from digesting food. Weight loss products that are marketed as thermogenic may contain caffeine and ephedra, or ephedrine. Research has not confirmed long-term results.In prescription and over-the-counter medicines, caffeine is used to treat tiredness and drowsiness, and to improve the effect of some pain relievers. It belongs to a group of medicines called central nervous system stimulants. A 75mg serving of caffeine can increase attention and alertness, and a 160-600mg dose may improve mental alertness, speed reasoning, and memory. However, caffeine is not a substitute for sleep and should not regularly be used for this purpose. If overused it can also lead to insomnia and headaches.Caffeine can improve physical performance during endurance exercise. The Australian Institute of Sport recognises that caffeine can increase endurance performance, endurance capacity, and reduction in perceived exertion. However, the effects on short-term, high-intensity exercise remain inconclusive.Studies have suggested that drinking coffee may help enhance some thinking skills and slow the mental decline that comes with age. However, more research is needed to confirm this. Research has found that lifelong caffeine consumption may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have also reported that people with higher coffee consumption have a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.Research from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore suggests that a dose of caffeine after a learning session may help boost long-term memory.It has been suggested that caffeine enemas may help prepare the colon for an endoscopy or colonoscopy by supporting the excretion of bile through the colon wall. Advocates claim that a caffeine enema increases the levels of glutathione, an antioxidant, and so supports the natural processes of detoxification in the liver. However, at this time there is little evidence to support this theory.Coffee consumption may help decrease the risk of cirrhosis and slow the rate of disease progression in hepatitis C infection. Observational studies have found that coffee may have protective benefits for people with hepatocellular cancer.There is some evidence that caffeine may help protect people from an eye disorder known as blepharospasm. This condition, caused by abnormal brain function, makes people blink incessantly and can leave them functionally blind.Researchers have found that caffeine may help protect the lens of the eye against damage that could lead to the formation of cataracts.Some scientists have suggested that caffeine may guard against certain skin cancers. One team found that caffeine applied directly to the skin of mice helped prevent damaging ultraviolet light from causing skin cancer. Others have linked the consumption of three cups of coffee a day with a 21 percent lower risk of developing basal cell carcinoma in women, and a 10 percent lower risk in men, compared with drinking less than one cup per month.A study of 217,883 participants analysed the association between caffeine intake and the risk of developing kidney stones. Those who consumed more caffeine had a lower risk of developing kidney stones.In a study of 968,432 men and women, participants who drank more than four cups of coffee a day had a 49 per cent lower risk of death from oral cancer, compared with those who drank no coffee at all or only an occasional cup.Other possible cancer-related benefits include:A lower risk of endometrial cancerA reduced risk of prostate cancerProtection against head and neck cancerProtection against the recurrence of breast cancer.Data for 34,670 women in Sweden without a history of cardiovascular disease indicated that women who drank more than one cup of coffee per day had a 22-25 percent lower risk of stroke compared with women who drank less. Low or no coffee drinking appeared to be linked to an increased risk of stroke.One longitudinal study found that participants who increased their coffee intake by more than one cup a day over a four-year period had a 1 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with people who did not change their intake. People who lowered their daily consumption by more than one cup of coffee showed a 17 per cent higher risk for type 2 diabetes. A study published in Diabetes Care in 2004 linked high coffee consumption over a period of four weeks with increased fasting insulin concentrations. However, the reasons for the link were unclear. It may be due to lowered insulin sensitivity, meaning the body does not use the insulin produced efficiently. The team called for more investigation before asserting that high coffee consumption lowers the risk for type 2 diabetes.These prospective benefits stated, it is important to note that high consumption of caffeine may not be healthy. It may have a negative impact on pregnancy, fertility, glucose control, and other aspects of health.The recent trend of adding caffeine to drinks and snacks that do not naturally contain it has raised new concerns, such as the question of energy drinks, and whether caffeine overdose could occur. Having said that, caffeinated energy drinks are unlikely to be hazardous unless consumed with alcohol.Caffeine is unsafe when used in very high doses, as it can cause irregular heartbeat and even death. Products with very concentrated or pure caffeine have a high risk of being used in doses that are too high, which is why pure and highly concentrated caffeine food products (including pure caffeine powders) are banned from retail sale in Australia.Despite its widespread use and numerous benefits, caffeine is a powerful substance that should be consumed with caution. Moderation is key, as excessive intake can lead to adverse health effects. Understanding the balance between benefits and risks can help individuals make informed choices about their caffeine consumption. As research continues to unfold, staying updated on the latest findings will ensure that we maximise the positive effects of caffeine while minimising potential harms.

How can you prepare for an important job interview?Congratulations! You’ve been invited to interview for a job role that you’ve applied for, showcasing your mastery of the application process. Now, it’s crunch time. How well will you stack up verbally against the other candidates?We've all been there – facing a panel of interviewers throwing questions to see how well you can think on your feet. Instead of being stumped by curveballs, you can prepare ahead of time for the likely questions you’ll be asked. This preparation can make you stand out as the preferred candidate over others, who might hesitate and cobble together responses on the fly.Deducing likely questionsOne effective strategy is to examine the job advertisement carefully. Look for sections like “About You,” which describe the qualities the employer seeks. You've already met the educational requirements, as evidenced by the invitation to interview. Now, focus on the other attributes mentioned. Here are some common qualities employers look for and how you can prepare to discuss them:1. Leadership experience If the job ad mentions “a broad range of previous leadership experience,” prepare to give an overview of your leadership roles. Reflect on your professional experience and list the industries you’ve worked in (e.g., hospitality, recruitment and business). Then, identify the leadership skills you have utilised in those roles. Some examples include:Keeping the team focused on their goalsEncouraging team members to share views and ideasUpskilling colleagues and fostering their talentsProviding counsel, advice, and maintaining an open-door policyInspiring, guiding, and motivating individuals and the teamPracticing collaboration, openness, respect, and empowerment.Tie these skills to specific occasions where you demonstrated them, making them more accessible during the interview.2. Attention to detail is the basis of another likely question. For qualities like “high attention to detail in both written and verbal communication,” recall roles and examples that showcase your meticulousness. For written communication, think about drafting, reviewing, and editing documents. For verbal communication, focus on preparation, practice, eye contact, and a measured tone of delivery.3. Ability to work under pressure is a classic. When asked about your ability to work under pressure, provide examples from your current and past roles. For instance, meeting deadlines, staying calm and focused, prioritising tasks, and assisting others can all illustrate this ability.4. Customer service excellence is highly likely to elicit a question. If “proven experience offering a high level of customer service” is a requirement, reflect on what good customer service means to you. As someone who has walked more than five decades on the planet and been the recipient of both good, bad and ugly customer service, I don’t think you can beat three simple rules/skills at the crux. These are ‘listening skills’, ‘politeness’, and ‘timeliness of response’, assuming of course that the response is also accurate. When I think back over my hospitality career, success also came from having good observation skills, empathy and a friendly demeanor. No one wants to wait, and wait, and they expect to get what they asked for, with a smile. If workers are not focused on each customer during the transaction, then mistakes are made. It happens all too often. I also consider it rude if the server also doesn’t look me in the eye and provide basic ‘professional warmth’.So your focus needs to be on key elements such as listening skills, politeness, and timely, accurate responses. Draw on your experiences from various roles to highlight these skills. In hospitality, focus on empathy, observation skills, and maintaining a friendly demeanour. In financial services, emphasise timeliness, accuracy, and politeness. In health and wellness, highlight empathy, patience, and building trust.Additional tip: To further prepare, enlist the help of a clever friend to brainstorm possible questions and practice your responses. Here are some additional questions to consider:How have you improved efficiencies in the workplace?Can you provide an example of leading a team to achieve a specific goal or project?What drives you to become a successful leader? How do you measure your success?Wishing you the best in your interview! Remember, preparation and practice are key to success. By anticipating questions and reflecting on your experiences, you can confidently demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job.

Many coastal residents may not be aware of the delightful offerings just up the hill in Robertson, a charming township on the edge of the Southern Highlands. For day-trippers from the Illawarra and South Coast, Robertson is a treasure trove of experiences, particularly the unique and multifaceted Moonacres. This enterprise encompasses a regenerative fruit and vegetable farm, a successful bakery and café, and a cooking school, both in the heart of "Robbo," plus a satellite café called Hearth situated next to Ngununggula, Southern Highlands Regional Gallery in Bowral.As someone who is passionate about cooking and nutrition, I've attended several classes at the Moonacres cooking school. My most recent experience was a session on Japanese home cooking led by Emiko Davies, an Australian/Japanese/Italian chef and food author. Alongside 20 fellow enthusiasts, I delved into the intricacies of Japanese home cooking, from preparation to cooking to enjoying our culinary creations. Whether you're a hands-on participant or prefer to observe with a glass of wine, Moonacres offers a personalised and engaging experience.Moonacres cooking school continuously curates inspirational classes and guest chef sessions to keep things exciting. Popular offerings include sourdough breadmaking and various cultural cooking classes, such as the recent Mexican class and the upcoming Vietnamese class (which I can't wait to attend). The Guest Chef experiences are also a highlight, where chefs share their stories and culinary motivations.Ange Clarke, the school manager, emphasises the school's mission: “Our school is about empowering individuals with the awareness about where their food comes from, and how to approach cooking, as well as the understanding and tools needed to foster sustainable living, improve their health and well-being.”The school's philosophy is straightforward: To raise awareness about food origins, educate about the SLOW food movement, and promote cooking with organic, locally-grown, seasonal, high-quality produce with zero waste – all in a relaxed, informal setting. For those unfamiliar, SLOW stands for Seasonal, Local, Organic and Whole. The movement prioritises food quality over quantity, aims to preserve local food cultures and traditions, and counters the rise of fast-food culture, aligning perfectly with Moonacres Farm's principles. Owner Phil Lavers describes his approach as, “working with nature, not against it.”Phil's journey began in Tokyo, where he worked as a financial trader. Inspired by an experience involving the incredible taste of organic mandarins, he decided to return to Australia with his family to start an organic farm on 140 acres of rich red basalt soil. Committed to sustainable farming practices, Phil and Lisa Lavers have created a farm that produces flavourful fruits and vegetables, surprising many visitors to their cafés and school.Moonacres produce is renowned for its taste and quality, earning accolades and becoming a favourite among top Sydney chefs and regional favourites alike. Restaurants such as Don Peppino’s, Lankan Filling Station, Fred’s, Ragazzi, Poly, Moxhe, Firedoor, and Clove Lane, as well as Babyface Kitchen in Wollongong and The Press Shop in Bowral, are just some of the establishments that prize Moonacres' produce.To explore upcoming cooking school courses and make bookings, visit the Moonacres’ website.

On 17 July, former Olympians Kaarle McCulloch and Michelle Ford, honoured the memory of the late Cecil Healy, the only Australian Olympic gold medalist to die in combat, at a ceremony in France.The pair laid wreaths and flowers on Healy’s grave at a war cemetery in the small French village of Assevillers, an hour north of Paris.Freestyle swimmer Cecil Healy, who won gold and silver at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics Games, was killed in France just 73 days before the end of World War One. A member of the 19th (Sportsman’s) Battalion, 2nd Lt Healy and the other Australian soldiers had come to liberate the villages of the Somme area when he was gunned down on 29 August 1918. His death was keenly felt in the Australian Olympic movement, not only because of his exceptional qualities as a swimmer, but particularly for the extraordinary act of sportsmanship he displayed at the Stockholm 1912 Games.Cecil Healy in Paris. Photo courtesy: John Devitt and Larry WriterHealy denied himself a certain gold medal by insisting the race favourite Duke Kahanamoku be allowed to compete in the 100 metres freestyle final, despite the American champion missing his semi-final due to an apparent mix-up.His stance led to officials holding a special semi-final, which included Kahanamoku. The American went on to win the final with the Australian picking up the silver.Healy felt that without Kahanamoku in the race, any gold medal would be tarnished.“What stands out is his leadership, his bravery and his sportsmanship. And of course, he was such a wonderful athlete. Accounts of his life paint a vivid picture of a great Australian who lived his Olympic values. What a tragedy that he lost his life at a young age with the First World War coming to an end,” said Kaarle McCulloch, Australian Olympic Team Deputy Chef de Mission and dual Olympic track cyclist.Cecil Healy in uniform. Photo courtesy: John Devitt and Larry Writer.“He and Duke Kahanamoku were obviously great friends with the Duke’s visit to Australia in 1914 putting surfing on the map in Australia. And now surfing is an Olympic sport – something that Cecil and Duke Kahanamoku could not have imagined back then.”Dual Olympian and Moscow 1980 gold medallist swimmer Michelle Ford joined the commemoration honouring Cecil Healy’s courage, as did Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman MP, Australia’s Ambassador to France Ms Gillian Bird PSM and the Mayor of Assevillers Didier Jacob.

By Antoinette RaynalKatandra Women's A Cappella Choir held two musical events on June 29th. The ‘South Coast Sings’ day included workshops in learning to sing, Singing Jazz latin, Salsa and Tango Dancing and Music Theatre. The evening “Big Swing'' featured the Beachside Big Band and it was a fabulous night of dancing and singing. We were able to raise $12,000 for our focus charities; The Children's Medical Research Institute and Salt Ministry. Currently, we are having a well-deserved break and will be back for Term 3, on 23 July in Berry and 25 July in Kiama. Katandra are looking forward to encouraging new members in our community to join us in Term 3 and we are also promoting our free high school and uni student sponsorship programme. This is a chance for young singers to learn vocal technique and build their vocal skills and performance confidence.

Rising young sports star Koffi Brookfield signed a development contract with St George Illawarra Dragons in May.“She has been in the state school teams and we see a bright future for her. She’s a young hooker who’s going to play some Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership this year, so we wanted to reward her and get her into our NRLW system as possible,” said Dragon NRLW head coach Jamie Soward in a Dragons’ press release.Brookfield found out that she’s been signed with the Dragons close to the end of the Steelers Rep season. Soward pulled her aside during one Monday training session and chatted before handing her a piece of paper and asking if she’d like to become a development player for the NRLW 2024 season.“It was an awesome feeling,” says Brookfield.“I had trained so hard the previous season in and around the NRLW squad and Sowie. I was prepared and ready for a good season.” “Unfortunately, I injured my knee and worked twice as hard physically and mentally to get back to my best during and after my injury. That moment when he handed me the Development Contract made the struggles, frustrations and extra efforts all worth it. It refilled the tank to keep my focus and keep chasing my goal of playing NRLW.”Photo credit: Koffi Brookfield.Brookfield got into rugby, thanks to the enthusiasm of the male members of her family.“I remember playing in the backyard with my brother Jeff, how we would just tackle each other, and how it would be Jeff and I against my dad. I remember just having so much fun.”She played junior football with the Kiama Junior Knights, which began with the League tag and progressed into the Tackle Rugby League, once it became available for girls to play when Brookfield was 13. She loved it.“We all had the same interests in playing tackle, and for Kiama,” she says.She also pursued rugby league through school, having represented South Coast, Greater Southern and NSW CHS at the highest level.During the last week of May, Koffi joined the Dragons Rookie Camp where her 2024 season with the NRLW team began. There were two things that stood out in particular. “Definitely the mindset and self-confidence by Dan Haesler and female health by Jessica Stoll,” she says.Close to 23,000 people attended the Women's State of Origin III at Queensland Country Bank Stadium at the end of June. That can be compared with the around 7,000 people who saw the first Women's State of Origin at North Sydney Oval six years ago.“There’s been a bigger look on women’s games, which is amazing,” Brookfield says. “My experience has been great, as a player you have your highs and lows. I’m definitely thankful for my mum, dad and brother who got me through that. Overall, I don’t think I would change my experience for the world. I’ve loved it and can’t wait for more.”

On 16 July Kiama Council released a statement claiming that the $4.5 million Hindmarsh Park development will still be completed on schedule despite the poor weather.“Growth Civil Landscapes have been moving heaven and earth (including a significant amount of mud) to ensure the new Hindmarsh Park playground is ready for the Spring school holidays,” wrote the Kiama Council.The major features of the development are beginning to take shape in the playground as well as a new set of swings and a rock climbing wall.Adding to this there is also new street furniture, a bike locker and repair station by the bus stop and, around the stage, the stairs and perimeter path has been completed.The development is scheduled to be completed by October.

On Monday July 15, Kiama MP Gareth Ward met with players, coaches and other members of the Kiama Netball Association (KNA) to congratulate them on their success at the State Championships.Meeting at the Kiama Netball Courts, Ward spoke with players and coaching staff from the U13’s, who were winners at this year's state championships, and the U12’s, who were runners up, praising Kiama’s sporting ability.The U13 winners with Gareth Ward“Kiama is a little town but we continue to punch well above our weight and I'm so proud, and the community is so proud, of what the team has achieved. It's a huge success to be recognised for your accomplishments and your skill at this level,” says Ward.Both teams believe it was the close-knit culture and their team spirit which got them through the gruelling 19 game weekend and was the secret to their success.“We were all in a hotel with each other so there was lots of time where we could have fun games and bond with each other. We had breakfast and dinner every morning and night together and got a big bus in from Kiama together,” says Manager of the U12’s team Anne Marie Esler.U12 runners up with Gareth Ward“We just had a lot of bonding, so the team spirit between each other meant across the court each girl stood by each other, they did their role and knew their role, it's like nearly a year's preparation and it all pulled off,” says Coach of the U13’s team Dave Whitchurch.Ward says that he finds so much joy in days like these where he gets to go and congratulate, in person, the people of this community who are doing so well.“I love saying well done to people who have represented our community well and we as a community can be proud of each and every one of the members of this team,” says Ward.“And I also want to commend, not just the coaches but also the parents who have supported them through this journey.”While he was at the Kiama Netball Courts on Monday, Ward also addressed concerns that the club had about the quality of their facilities.“Having good facilities locally is really important and I know that we need to look at an upgrade of the netball courts here and I’ve been talking to the club about that today and I look forward to supporting them in seeking funds to do that so that we can continue to see a new generation of netballers come along, succeed and continue to blast away the competition into the future,” says Ward.The Bugle wants to congratulate all players, coaching staff and members of the KNA as well as the parents who made it all happen.

On Saturday July 13, during Kiama’s Winter Festival, the community was invited to paint Daisy the Decorated Dairy Cow at the Old Fire Station.The day marked a new chapter in the biography of Daisy and Kiama’s strange and endearing fascination with her.“It was packed, I reckon we probably had 500-600 people through here on Sunday and probably almost a thousand on Saturday. But poor old Daisy looks like she's got about ten layers of paint on her,” says Experience Art facilitator Michelle Springett. Springett inhabited the Old Fire Station during the festival inviting visitors to come inside and paint. Whether it be painting Daisy, painting the Kiama mural inside the building or just simply getting some paint and some paper and making something.“One person said, how nice is it that there's six or seven children around the cow painting, and they’re not home on their mobile phones? Yeah, it was really lovely. We’ve had kids hanging around here all weekend and not just adding one piece onto the mural but adding five, six, seven pieces to the mural,” says Springett.But it wasn’t only kids painting their magnum opuses onto Daisy, Kiama MP Gareth Ward stopped in to have a go at it and he says that the festival was an incredible success.“The festival was a success and I just want to congratulate Destination Kiama, Sally (Bursell) and her team, who did a terrific job and I’m just really pleased to have supported them in a request for a government grant to help make the festival a success,” says Ward.Ward says that although the festival brought in a lot of people, he is interested in garnering the response from the local businesses involved as it is important that they are benefitting from all these community events.“I’ll be interested to hear some feedback from small businesses in the main street specifically, as they have to pay ongoing rents and overheads. Just to make sure they did benefit out of it because we need to think about our small businesses and the impact on them,” says Ward.This article is another episode in the continuing saga of Daisy the Decorated Dairy Cow, you can find the previous article here.

It’s an ongoing debate within early childhood education.Some parents love being sent photographs of their little ones throughout the day. Others would prefer educators to focus on caring for their children.Across daycare centres and preschools, it has become normal — even expected — for parents to have access to an online app, such as Xplor or OWNA, which allows educators to post a feed of snapshots showing what their child is learning, playing and eating.But is it necessary — and what about digital safety?Now, the Federal, State and Territory Governments have come together to clarify guidelines for taking photos of children in childcare. Working with the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), long daycare centres, preschools and kindergartens are encouraged to adopt the new National Model Code and Guidelines. These are an interim measure while government child-care safety reforms are being worked out.The guidelines include restrictions on using personal electronics to take photographs of children — instead a “service-issued device” must be used. Personal electronic devices that can take or record images, including smartphones and smartwatches, should not be carried when providing early childhood care, unless for “essential purposes”, such as emergencies and health reasons. The guidelines also dictate how images are stored and the use of ‘inappropriate’ images. For example, if a child is in a state of undress.The ACECQA notes, there are benefits to taking photos of children to share with their families.“This type of communication can and does play a role in engaging families and carers in a child’s education and care experiences, particularly where there may be low levels of literacy or English is not a first language.” There are downsides. Constant documentation can ‘reduce educators’ ability to supervise, interact and engage with children.In Kiama, early childhood education services have already begun exploring their electronics policies, with the support of families. The Kiama Preschool use the OWNA childcare app to share updates but not to post photographs. Instead, every child has a scrapbook, which contains printed photographs of their activities. At the end of term, kids take the books home to show their families. Dido Street Early Learning Centre (ELC) road-tested a “no technology day”, during which the educators did not take any photographs of children, even on service-issued devices. The feedback from educators and children was positive.Staff reported feeling calmer without the distraction of needing to take photographs and were able to facilitate more meaningful interactions with the children.Dido Street ELC is exploring further opportunities to promote a healthy balance of technology-use in the centre with input from families.

Authorities are reminding South Coast residents not to attempt caring for injured, sick, or orphaned native animals themselves. Instead, it is crucial to pass on the responsibility to the professionals to ensure the animal is given the correct medical treatment by a vet or qualified carer. Winter often causes an increase in incidents of wildlife road accidents, particularly involving wombats and kangaroos, it is critical these animals receive proper medical care. According to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) and WIRES, native animals have specific dietary and care needs that only trained professionals know how to meet. Attempts to rescue them can often worsen their condition. Though, these organisations acknowledge that people often have the best intentions in rescuing wildlife, attempting to do so without the correct information and expertise can often cause more harm than good. Only licensed wildlife carers or registered veterinarians can legally rehabilitate native animals under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.WIRES CEO, Leanne Taylor, emphasises the risks of incorrect care leading to poor outcomes for wildlife saying, “the best way for the community to help a native animal in need of human intervention is to contact their nearest wildlife rescue group or WIRES for advice and if needed, a trained and authorised wildlife carer can attend.” Residents encountering injured wildlife are urged to contact local wildlife groups, a veterinarian, or WIRES Rescue Office at 1300 094 737 for any assistance. Prompt intervention by trained carers ensures animals receive proper treatment and are prepared for eventual release back into the wild. For more information on how to respond to encounters with sick, injured or orphaned native animals, visit the NSW Government website. By seeking professional help promptly, the community can effectively support the well-being and conservation of native wildlife during the winter season.

Kiama real estate agent Marnie Beauchamp has returned to the industry, and the town she loves, after stepping away for several years “to heal emotionally, physically and spiritually”.Several years ago, the successful business woman moved from Kiama to Sydney. A series of traumatic events and a mid-life evaluation prompted her to take stock of her life and make some changes, including writing a book, Unread Pages: The Silent Struggles Behind Every Success. The book is a raw account of her struggles, including losing both her parents, surviving financial ruin and two divorces, battling an eating disorder, undergoing spinal surgery and helping bring a stalker to justice, “which was pretty scary”.It is little wonder then that the self-confessed workaholic needed some time out from the daily grind of 15 hour days, seven days a week.“I went overseas, did solo road trips, I laid on the beach and I basically hid away from the world,” she laughs. But the break proved life-changing and reminded her how much she missed Kiama and the real estate industry. “It wasn’t the place that was the problem, it was the place I was in. By giving myself some space I was able to get clarity around where I wanted to be and it’s definitely here in Kiama. Sometimes you need to move away from something to really appreciate it.”Marnie had been working ridiculous hours “her whole adult life,” buying her first real estate agency at 27 while nursing a newborn. She juggled running a business and raising two young children for the next five years until her marriage broke down. When she decided to sell the business, the transaction went pear shaped and ended up in court. Marnie was being sued for damages and came out of the process “hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt from having to fight the claim”.“I lost everything,” she says. “Financially as well as physically, as my health deteriorated.”Marnie put her company, named after her daughters, into voluntary administration. But she couldn’t bring herself to declare bankruptcy or liquidate her business.  “I’m a fighter, I didn’t want to take the easy way out,” she says. “I decided to get back into it and pay every cent back. At the time, I had $1.76 to my name, that's how bad it was. I was sitting in the park and I couldn't even buy my girls an ice cream. It took me about five years to pay off the debt, but I did it.” Around the same time, Marnie’s beloved father passed away suddenly, at just 58 years old. Her dad was her inspiration to find the strength to rebuild her career and her life. Despite vowing to never open another business or franchise again, she did both in 2009, “starting from scratch”. Over the next several years she won a raft of awards, including business person of the year, most outstanding real estate agency, number one agent of the year, and business of the year. Marnie successfully “clawed herself out” of both debt and despair.“You only fail if you give up,” she says. “Failure has been the catalyst for the biggest successes in my life. If you want something bad enough you find a way. A lot of it is about mindset, you just have to be willing to do the hard yards.”Resilience is the underlying theme for Marnie’s book, a project she began working on after taking a career break from the real estate industry and moving away from Kiama in 2019.“For the last few years I haven’t done much at all,” she says. Not much at all for Marnie includes writing her book, industry coaching and business mentoring, guest appearances on business podcasts and, most recently, developing a performance-based app for the real estate industry.“Writing the book was cathartic and very emotional,” says Marnie. “Revisiting all the things I’ve been through was hard, but the book gave me the opportunity to breathe, reflect and think.”Marnie recently signed on with Belle Property and is back home in Kiama, her “happy place”.Marnie will launch her book at Belle Property Berry on August 8 at 6pm. All are welcome for book sales and signings. 

By Joan HughesLocal Kiama woman, Joan Hughes, will volunteer at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in August and September. Joan will be an access coordinator at the Grand Palais, which will host a number of events including fencing and taekwondo.Joan volunteered at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics, which she says, “it was a life changing event.” Joan applied for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics when she heard that the Olympic Committee was seeking volunteers from around the world. There was no requirement to be a French speaker as Joan only has ‘school French.’“Being a volunteer is a wonderful way of giving back to the community. Being in my early 70s, I have been able to take advantage of many educational and employment opportunities,” Joan said. “I have done many volunteer jobs, even during my paid employment. Giving back to society is very satisfying.” She will travel to Paris in early August and will also take the opportunity to travel within Europe and to the UK to see friends.

Holidays and long trips away from home can be complicated for those requiring regular dialysis. The Big Red Kidney Bus has set up shop in Kiama to reduce the barriers and allow holidayers to receive mobile dialysis.Kidney Australia launched the year-round program to give those receiving dialysis the opportunity to go on holidays throughout NSW and ensure they still have access to their life-saving treatment. “Our Big Red Kidney Bus mobile dialysis program is much loved by our kidney community as it gives them the freedom to move beyond their treating clinic and visit other parts of Australia – a freedom so many of us take for granted” says Kidney Health Australia CEO, Chris Forbes.All dialysis sessions on the Bus are free of charge, and there is no limitation to the number of sessions someone can receive. The bus features three chairs with dialysis machines and is staffed by renal technicians and dialysis nurses. The bus will be parked at Big4 East Beach Holiday Park, 30 Ocean Street Kiama from 8 July until 3 August.To make a booking for the Big Red Kidney Bus, follow the appointment system here.

From Greek mythology to rock music, fairytales to family drama, the South Coast Readers and Writers Festival has it all, including an insider’s look at the publishing business for aspiring scribes trying to break into the industry.The festival, at Thirroul Community Centre from July 13-14, features award-winning local novelist Helena Fox, lawyer-turned-author Bri Lee discussing her debut as a fiction writer, legendary Australian music writers Stuart Coupe and Jeff Apter and journalists Caroline Baum, Malcolm Knox and Mitch Jennings.The jam-packed weekend, with more than 22 sessions, will cover genres including poetry, literary fiction, suspense, biography, memoir, historical fiction and First Nations writing, said festival director Sarah Nicholson.Dr Nicholson, who is head of the South Coast Writers Centre and a University of Wollongong academic, said 60 percent of writers talking at the festival are locals. “We are excited to showcase more than 40 authors, poets, academics and journalists, who will cover everything from the literary classics to the pressing issues of current affairs," she said."It will be a weekend filled with captivating stories, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring conversations. We encourage people to come along and discover some of the local literary talent hiding on the coast."Australian historical fantasy author Kell Woods, Emma Darragh, who has a PhD in creative writing from the University of Wollongong, and Illawarra Mercury journalist Mitch Jennings will debut new books at the festival.Established award-winning writers including Catherine McKinnon, Kirli Saunders and Helena Fox will also host talks. Dr Nicholson, co-author of Heroines An Anthology of Short Fiction and Poetry, will discuss her writing in the ‘Crimes of the Cross’ session. The festival will be held in the Thirroul Community Centre for the first time this year. “It’s close to a public transport hub and gives festival guests easy access to Thirroul’s great cafés,” Dr Nicholson said.“We’ve partnered with Wollongong City Libraries to present two free Young Readers and Writers sessions in the Thirroul Library and Collins Booksellers will also feature festival books for sale.”Dr Nicholson said the festival is a community event, with organisers giving it a rebrand in its third year to include readers in the title.  “We renamed ourselves the South Coast Readers and Writers Festival so that it is clear to the many readers in our community that this festival is for them,” she said.“This isn’t a festival only for writers. It’s a festival with writers that is designed for readers. It’s a place for book lovers to hear writer’s insights, to learn about and find new books, and to hear about the process behind their creations.”Ge the program and tickets here - https://southcoastwriters.org/festival

On Monday July 1, Kiama community members united in urgent solidarity when a patron at Penny Whistlers stopped breathing.Voytek Lewandowski, a regular diner at the cafe, was having lunch when he began choking. A tourist applied the Heimlich manoeuvre whilst customers rang emergency services, and Penny Whistler barista and local surf instructor, Kane Presland courageously stepped in to apply CPR.Fellow diners helped Kane keep rhythm on his compressions until an ambulance arrived. Bhanu Rathore, owner of Penny Whistler provided support to those impacted by the traumatic event. Tragically, Voytek could not be revived. Voytek Lewandowski grew up in Poland under communist rule and emigrated to Australia on a whim, and immediately set about learning English and establishing his own business. He trained in Film and Television Production in his home country, but was unable to break into the industry in Australia. He moved into the food technology industry and opened his own factory producing roasted capsicum long before it became popular, and was a passionate proponent of yoga and Vipassana meditation. In 2011, he suffered a traumatic brain injury from a car accident.In 2015, Voytek moved to Kiama and wished he had made the move earlier, having a deep appreciation for the Australian birdlife, animals and the ocean. The south end of Kendalls Beach, the Continental Pool, the sauna at the Leisure Centre, and Penny Whistler were places he frequented and felt at home.His sparkling eyes and open smile were easily recognisable, and inviting to those who knew him or strangers that he would meet along his journey. Voytek passed unexpectedly at a place he loved and frequented regularly. July 4th was his 63rd birthday, and his loved ones celebrated enthusiastically and passionately at Penny Whistler to remember him and honour his life.Voytek’s partner Madeleine wishes to hear from anyone who was present or provided help to express her gratitude and support. You can reach out to The Bugle to get in contact with her.