Saul Griffith stood in front of a packed room at the Grand Hotel in Kiama with a beer in hand and a message that cut through the political noise: Australia can lead the world in climate action, but only if we stop waiting for others and start doing the work ourselves.Griffith, an inventor and engineer with deep experience in global climate policy, brought urgency and optimism to a community event hosted by local independent candidate Kate Dezarnaulds.He has advised governments around the world, including working on the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States.In recent months, he has seen that progress unravel.His own organisation lost more than $2 billion in US government contracts as political winds shifted.“Political flip-flopping costs us. It destroys trust, delays progress and kills opportunity. Australia has a chance to show another way.”That way, according to Griffith, is full electrification.Australian households that electrify their cars, appliances and heating systems, and install rooftop solar, could save more than $4000 a year. Scaled nationally, this would lead to savings of nearly $2 trillion by 2050.“This is not a sacrifice,” he said. “It is an opportunity. But we have to fight for it. The system is not going to change itself.” Griffith also addressed the Coalition’s recent decision to embrace nuclear energy, describing it as a distraction rather than a solution. “It’s not serious policy,” he said.While he supports nuclear technology in countries without other viable options, he argues it makes no sense for Australia. It is costly, slow to build and relies heavily on water. “We have sunshine, we have momentum, and we know what works. We are the driest inhabited continent on Earth. Nuclear relies heavily on water we simply cannot spare - we don’t need it,” he said.“We need courage and the right incentives.” He explained Australia’s electrical grid is already experiencing a transformation - 40% of substations now send electricity both ways due to rooftop solar.But regulators are still operating as if we live in the 1950s.Griffith argues Australia has the best sunshine in the world and the perfect conditions to electrify homes, businesses and even heavy industry. What’s missing, he said, is the political will.Griffith is not aligned with any party, but he is passionate about the role independents can play in restoring integrity and ambition to Parliament.He’s worked with the current crossbench and describes them as some of the hardest working and most values-driven MPs in Canberra. He believes more independents could help hold major parties to account and push for real progress. That’s where Dezarnaulds comes in.While Griffith joked that everyone in the room already knew she was great, he also made it clear her campaign is serious.Dezarnaulds has spent years working with community organisations across Gilmore, listening to concerns about affordability, infrastructure, environmental protection, and political integrity. Her campaign is backed by Climate 200 and supported by a growing grassroots movement. Griffith reminded the room the energy transition will not only lower bills and cut emissions but can also help address inequality. With the right policies, renters, low-income households and small businesses can share in the benefits. But if we wait or get distracted by expensive dead ends like nuclear, the window will close. “We know what to do,” he said. “Electrify everything. Start in your community. And vote for people who will make it happen.”

Opinion It takes courage to run into danger when others run away. And in Jamberoo, that courage wears ponytails, work boots and smiles that hide sleepless nights.The local Rural Fire Service brigade, like Kiama’s Surf Life Saving Club, is quietly reshaping what frontline service looks like - and who belongs in it.Half of Jamberoo RFS’s operational team are women. Its captain, Hannah McInerney, is the first female brigade leader in the Illawarra.Their message is simple: inclusion isn’t just nice to have.It’s critical to capability. It makes our emergency services more resilient, more responsive and more connected to the communities they serve. That’s why it is so disheartening to hear public figures still clinging to outdated beliefs about who belongs in what roles.When a would-be federal representative questions whether women should serve in combat, it is not a policy debate.It’s a warning signal.It tells every girl who dreams of making a difference that her ambition will always be second-guessed - not because of her skills, but because of her gender. Normalising diversity in frontline roles doesn’t weaken the system.It strengthens it.It sends a powerful message that courage, leadership and care are not defined by age, gender or background.When the community sees inclusive teams protecting their homes and livelihoods, it reshapes old stereotypes and opens the door for everyone to contribute. These women - from Kiama’s beaches to Jamberoo’s valleys, are not asking for praise.They are asking to be recognised as capable.To be seen for the hours of training, the split-second decisions, the physical toll, the emotional weight.They are showing up, night after night, sometimes risking their lives.What they should never have to risk is their right to belong. Let’s not slide backwards.Let’s take our cue from the communities that already know better - and do better.

At a community meet the candidates forum hosted at Kiama Uniting Church, the absence of the Australian flag drew criticism from former Liberal MP Joanna Gash, prompting her to write a Letter to the Editor to The Bugle. But Reverend Kath Merrifield, who moderated the event, says the meaning behind the church’s wall display has been misunderstood. “We do not have an Australian flag at the church. We never have,” Reverend Merrifield said. “It is not a political decision. It is simply not part of our worship or community space.” Instead of flags, the church displays coloured fabric panels.These include the red, black and yellow colours associated with Aboriginal identity, and green, blue and white representing Torres Strait Islander culture. They are not flags, but cloth strips that have been on the wall since January.Their purpose is to represent the Uniting Church’s ongoing covenant with First Nations peoples through its national body, the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.Andrew Constance, Liberal candidate for Gilmore, speaking at the Meet the Candidates forum at Kiama Uniting Church. Reverend Merrifield said the cloths reflect the church’s commitment to truth-telling and reconciliation. “The colours change to mark different church seasons."It is part of our spiritual life. Around Easter they will change again.”  The community forum was organised by 350.org Australia, the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change.It drew a crowd of 145 locals and featured Gilmore candidates including Fiona Phillips MP, Andrew Constance, Kate Dezarnaulds and Debbie Killian. While Ms Gash criticised the lack of the national flag, Reverend Merrifield clarified the church would have displayed one respectfully if requested. “We just do not own one.”

Kiama Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters says Council is determined to solve the area’s housing issues but is growing increasingly frustrated by a lack of collaboration from federal and state governments.Matters, Mayor Cameron McDonald, CEO Jane Stroud and director of planning, environment and communities Ed Paterson represented Council at the Australian Property Institute conference last week at The Pavilion, the first time the event has been held in Kiama.They spoke about Council’s achievements, challenges and the progress in confronting the property issue in Kiama.Matters told The Bugle that Council had no problem with the NSW Government imposing housing targets of 900 new homes by 2029 but “we’ve also got employment land to think about”.“The LGA is already extremely short on employment land,” she said.“It's OK for the state government to want this many houses but without upgrades to infrastructure - water, sewage works, road infrastructure connections, on and off ramps to freeways - it's impossible.“We can't have growth without infrastructure. And we can't have infrastructure without growth.“I just don't think there's enough collaboration between state and federal governments with local governments.”Matters comes from a small business background and said “if we didn't communicate and collaborate in small business, we just wouldn't survive”.“There would not be many people that disagree that we desperately need more housing. And we've got a council that is very proactive in that area. And we're very, very keen to work with people, keen to work with state government, keen to work with developers,” she added.“We've got five housing blocks in Glenbrook Drive, which is a two-minute drive out of town.And the state government have a covenant placed on that. Five blocks from 30 years ago. And it was because it's near a quarry but that's no longer applicable.“Council has tried for two years to get that lifted with this state Labor government.“It could virtually have signs put on it that said housing blocks coming soon. They're all powered. They're all ready to go, ready to build.”Mayor Cameron McDonald at the vacant residential lots. Photo: Kiama CouncilMcDonald said covenant was imposed on the five lots of residential land near Spring Creek in 1991 which stops anyone from constructing any homes on these fully serviced lots.“Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis and Kiama Municipality has been issued a NSW Government target to build 900 new homes by 2029, which we’re obliged to comply with,” he said.“Further, we’ve been ordered to improve our financial sustainability by the NSW Government. It makes no sense at all that we have five build-ready blocks here that we’re not able to utilise, preventing a number of family homes from being built and annual rates from being collected.”Kiama Council has written on numerous occasions to the NSW Government over the years requesting the covenant be lifted. In August 2022 Council received a letter from the previous NSW Government Minister for Regional Transport and Roads advising that he would not lift the covenant.Last November, Mayor McDonald and members of Council’s executive team met with the NSW Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison and repeated the request.“It’s absurd that we’ve been issued a Performance Improvement Order by the NSW Government instructing us to improve our finances, and yet that same government is preventing us from doing just that,” McDonald added.“Times have changed, quarrying practices have changed. We are divesting surplus land where we can and we want to provide much-needed homes for families. We call on the NSW Government to lift this 30-year-old covenant so we can move forward and continue our journey towards financial sustainability.”.Matters is concerned that there has not been any new housing estates in the LGA for more than a decade.“I get people saying to me where are my kids going to live? I think people are sick and tired of it,” she said.“We've pushed our young kids out of town. And I know not everybody can afford to buy in our LGA. But there's also nowhere for people to move into some really nice property in towards town with some lovely apartments. We need infill in our town centres.”She believes the draft Local Housing Strategy can set Kiama up well for the future with a mix of housing options.“You've got to give variety. And I think there needs a lot of work and consultation before we sort of eat too much into the rolling green hills. We're talking 30-40 years of planning here. And if we didn't include a little bit of urban expansion, I think that would be a bit naive of us if we didn't think we had to consider that,” she said.“I'm a bit worried people think Bombo Quarry is the magic bullet. Well, that's not for possibly 20 years down the track either.“We don't have to go to the rolling green hills. But then are there lifestyles for young people that want that? Are there people that want an acre and want a bit of space for their family?“What do the people want? That's why we're encouraging people to engage with this local housing strategy. It's not about what I want or other councillors. It's about what the community wants.“If we don't plan now, we will get substandard developments and the infrastructure won't be there to facilitate that. And that's my biggest concern about the infrastructure around it.“I still would like very much to see Kiama keep its own identity and we don't have to be the same as Shellharbour or Nowra. We're very different.“It doesn't mean that we shouldn't be giving our young people somewhere to live, but we don't need to be overdeveloped as well.“There's people that actually moved out of town with their first house that are ready to come back now, but we're not giving them anything to come back to.”

Residents from across the Kiama LGA gathered on Saturday to vote on a proposal to transform the Kiama Community Precinct (KCP) into Kiama Matters Inc.The motion passed with strong support, signalling a fresh chapter in community-led advocacy.Many attendees voiced concern about Kiama Municipal Council’s inconsistent approach to community engagement, and a broader desire emerged: to be heard by those in power. As The Bugle continues to report on the formation and actions of Kiama Matters, there is growing interest in how local media can help close the gap between the community and government.By covering events, providing clear summaries, and amplifying local voices, the media can serve as a bridge between residents and decision-makers.Chair Janet Peters introduced the purpose of the meeting, the interim committee, and invited nominations for future leadership roles.Tracey Henderson, who is leading the group’s engagement strategy, acknowledged her initial hesitation.“Apathy felt a bit more comfortable,” she admitted, “but the energy and diversity in this group rebuilt my faith in what’s possible.”She encouraged both active and passive involvement. Active members might organise events or drive campaigns, while passive members support by signing petitions or simply being counted.“We hope to reach 200 members by 30 June and 500 by year’s end,” she said. “Come visit us at the Kiama Markets on 30 April.”Ian Robertson, part of the group’s tech team, explained how Kiama Matters plans to keep people informed.A website will launch by mid-May as the central hub for news, events and access to key government documents.Regular email updates will highlight important issues, and surveys will be used to gather feedback.He welcomed new volunteers, especially those with tech or grant-writing skills.In the short term, updates will be shared via the Kiama Community Facebook page.Karen Fowler presented on the Draft Local Housing Strategy Version 2. She urged residents to read the document and make a submission.“This is a big document with big implications,” she said. “Please engage, whatever your view.”Closing the meeting, Alan Woodward reminded the room that community wellbeing is shaped by more than money.“Without health, there is nothing,” he said. “And that includes social and emotional wellbeing.”To get involved or stay informed, email [email protected].

This story was first published on 8 April at 7.51am and has been updatedThe owner has been found of a 15 metre-yacht which ran aground just outside Kiama Harbour near the ocean rockpool, prompting an extensive land, sea and air response.He had moored the boat near the harbour on Monday night and went ashore in his dinghy but the vessel broke free overnight.The police have confirmed they have spoken to the skipper and the matter is being managed by Maritime NSW.A swimmer in the rockpool does laps on Wednesday morning with the striken boat wedged in the rocks nearby. Photo: The BugleThe boat was first spotted on the rocks in the early hours of Tuesday morning, with Kiama Municipal Council amenity cleaners alerted by a local swimmer around 4am.“We all raced down there,” one local said.“We ran to the edge of the rock, yelling out to make sure there was no one on board. We couldn’t see anyone, so we called police and Maritime NSW.”A Kiama local who lives above the harbour, had noticed the yacht moored in the harbour the previous evening.“This morning I looked down just after 5.30 and saw it on its side, half-submerged with water on board,” she said.“I zoomed in on my camera and couldn’t see anyone. I contacted emergency services straight away.”Local child Darcy O’Brien, before heading off to school, captured remarkable photos of the yacht’s position as waves broke around it.Photo of the yacht off Black Beach on Monday evening.His images, shared with The Bugle, show rigging tangled and the bow fully breached by the swell.“I thought maybe a shark was involved,” our intrepid scout reporter said.As responders arrived, a search effort expanded. A tender dinghy was found tied up at a nearby wharf. A diver entered the water, banging on the hull to listen for any response. None came.A Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter conducted an aerial sweep from Kiama Surf Beach to Barrack Point.Police were able to track down the owner on Tuesday afternoon and have begun investigations surrounding the incident.Photo of the yacht sinking at 5.30am on Tuesday.Authorities had earlier confirmed the yacht is registered to a Tasmanian address and had recently been in Jervis Bay. Pollution booms were deployed around the vessel to contain potential diesel leakage. Officials estimate the yacht may have carried under 500 litres of fuel.Authorities on Tuesday afternoon said the yacht was stable, wedged in the rocks near the ocean pool, and although there was a hole in the hull, it was unlikely to topple over.The water behind the boat was reportedly cloudy, and a salvage team from Avcon Water Safety remained on site throughout the day. Transport for NSW – Maritime Services has been leading the vessel recovery, supported by Kiama Municipal Council.Fencing was installed to prevent public access while a full recovery plan is prepared.Photo by Darcy O'BrienActing Mayor Melissa Matters said: “The vessel is unstable and dangerous and should be avoided. Please allow first responders the space they need to do their work.” Questions now turn to who will foot the bill.Boat owners are responsible for securing their vessels and any damage caused, including environmental harm. Maritime authorities are empowered to recover costs from the registered owner.Kiama locals watched the unfolding drama, with dozens gathered along the ocean pool railings throughout the day on Tuesday.Photos: Darcy O’Brien, The Bugle and local residents

You may hear the siren, but what you don’t always see is the quiet discipline, teamwork and sacrifice behind every turn-out from Jamberoo Rural Fire Service.In the 2024 calendar year, this entirely volunteer brigade responded to a record-breaking 180 call-outs, averaging one every two days - the busiest operational year in its history.For a small village, that’s a big commitment.What’s even more remarkable is how fast they do it. From the moment the call comes in, it takes just 4.5 minutes on average for the first fire truck to hit the road - one of the fastest response times in the region.Their call-outs aren’t just fires.They respond to structure fires, car crashes, grass fires, downed trees, welfare checks, animal rescues, and even land-based flood rescues.They’ve searched for missing persons, helped in multi-agency hazardous material events, and assisted other regions during the Hawkesbury floods and the Varroa mite biosecurity emergency.While their primary responsibility is to the Jamberoo valley and surrounds, this brigade also supports the broader Shoalhaven, Illawarra and Sutherland areas, and when called upon, they deploy across NSW - wherever the need is greatest.But it’s not just what they do - it’s how they do it. The brigade’s strength lies in its diversity, inclusion and deep community roots.Their members range from 16 to 86 years old, representing a cross-section of Jamberoo life - from retired engineers and school students to small business owners and even religious ministers. Everyone brings something unique, and everyone is welcomed.In 2025, 50% of the brigade’s operational officers are women, including Deputy Captains Leanne Deen and Corrine Wesche.At the helm is Captain Hannah McInerney, the first female brigade captain in the Illawarra.She is widely credited with helping to transform the culture of the brigade - shifting it from a traditionally blokey space to a collaborative, supportive team grounded in professionalism and mutual respect.The brigade is also deeply connected to local life.They work hand-in-hand with groups like the Kiama Show Society, Red Cross, CWA, Jamberoo Tennis Club, the RSL sub-branch, and local schools and pre-schools.In 2024 alone, their fire education programs reached more than 350 children across 10 pre-schools - planting seeds of safety and confidence for the next generation.After last April’s floods, they were on hand with gumboots and grit, helping clean up the tennis club and other community assets without hesitation.It’s not all sirens and smoke. Sometimes, it’s a food drive for the Salvation Army, or a “Get Ready” day to prepare locals for bushfire season. Sometimes it’s quietly standing beside someone in crisis.In a time when many communities struggle to maintain volunteer numbers, Jamberoo RFS shows what’s possible when people from all walks of life come together with a shared purpose.This isn’t just a fire brigade. It’s a local lifeline - and a shining example of what happens when a community invests in itself. On Saturday 24 May, the Fukers will raise the roof at Jamberoo School of Arts Hall, all in support of the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service. Come along, show your appreciation, and help keep this vital local brigade strong.The important details📍 Jamberoo School of Arts Hall🗓️ Saturday 24th May🕕 7 pm till late🎤 Live music, singing and dancing🍷 Food and drinks at bar prices🎟️ $40 from Humanitix (see flyer for QR code)

In a significant boost to the Shoalhaven community, a Dutton Liberal Government has committed to the development of a $1.39 million Marine Rescue base in the region if they are elected.The new facility will replace the existing base at Crookhaven Heads, with plans to demolish the current structure and build a state-of-the-art Search and Rescue Control Centre.This upgraded base will feature enhanced radio operations, improved storage, and better accessibility, ensuring that the region’s emergency services can operate at peak efficiency.The facility will be equipped to provide the best possible response times and safety measures for those in need on the water.Liberal candidate for Gilmore, Andrew Constance, expressed his pride in the announcement, noting that the project would not only enhance safety but also serve as a fitting recognition of the volunteer work that has been vital to the region for decades.“This commitment acknowledges the decades of work by Marine Rescue Shoalhaven volunteers to keep our community safe on the water. It will save lives and bring our community together for many years to come,” Constance said.The commitment was made official during an event at Culburra, attended by Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley. Ley praised Constance for his advocacy on behalf of the local community, highlighting his dedication to the South Coast.“Andrew has fought hard to make this commitment possible, but it will be his unrivalled experience of delivering for the South Coast that will bring this important project to life,” Ley said.

Landcare Illawarra is writing to invite you to join part of the Landcare Kiama coastal walk on Saturday 12 April, from the Little Blowhole to Minnamurra Headland. The full walk is approximately 9km, but there is no expectation to complete the entire distance. You are welcome to join at any of the four Landcare sites along the way and walk a section that suits you.The walk is part of the Kiama Coastal Community Planting Program, supported by the BUPA Healthy Cities Landcare grant. It will highlight the work being done by our five local Landcare groups to restore native vegetation and care for the coastal environment.We would love to walk alongside you, even briefly If you would like to take part, please register here and let Landcare Illawarra Coordinator Meredith Hall know which section you are most interested in. Meredith will coordinate approximate timings and can send a message on the day when we are around 15 to 20 minutes from your preferred meeting point.This is a great opportunity to meet volunteers, hear their stories and see firsthand the quiet, consistent impact of community-led restoration along our coastline.Estimated timings 8.30am Meet at Little Blowhole9.00am Kaleula Headland (South Kendalls)10.00am Bombo Beach10.45am Bombo Headland11.15am Jones Beach /Kiama Downs (no Landcare site here)11.45am Minnamurra Headland12pm Morning tea at Minnamurra site.We’d love to see you there.To take part or find out more see the event flyer here Landcare Illawarra Coordinator Meredith Hall can be contacted on 0499 027 770 on the day.

By nature and circumstance, Australia’s early European settlers had dwellings of bark and poles.  In the rugged and untamed bush, it was far more convenient to take from the bush what it could provide in the way of a place to rest one's head, like a cave, a burnt-out tree-trunk and subsequently a slab-walled hut.  The quickest and easiest method was to use the available materials the bush could provide and that was bark and poles.No bushman was without an axe, and with this implement he could cut and erect a skeleton building of poles and sheet it over with bark stripped from a tree. The Australian stringybark provided the best covering but if that was not available, bark from most eucalyptus trees was a good alternative.Green bark had a tendency to curl as it dried, so the roofing had poles laid lengthwise on the top section to keep it flat and also to prevent it being dislodged by wind.  Walls could be bark or slab - a decision of the builder and the estimated permanency of the structure. Loose boards provided a doorway.That this could be the very first building of a man and his wife in the early days of settlement is legend. Poets and writers wax lyrical about the sense of isolation and privation, but to hear of it first-hand from one's grandparents and to see their weathered hands is to know the truth of it.After building a home there were many things to consider - beds were made of hempen bags strung on poles, which was slightly better than sleeping on the earth, especially when a thunderstorm flooded the inside of the hut.  How to keep provisions dry and free from ants was an ever-present battle. It may be years before circumstance and availability when corrugated iron could be used to roof the dwelling, and sawn slabs replaced the bark walls. Corrugated iron was used to provide a chimney and fireplace at one end of the hut, having the structural timbers on the outside for safety.  Sparks were a constant danger once the bark walls had dried. Water was carried from mountain streams in tin buckets and billies.Toilet facilities consisted of a hole in the ground walled in by sheets of bark which was propped,and held in place by shortened logs, with the roof also of bark. A crude and serviceable seat was a wooden slab cut smooth with a square hole morticed through appropriately, and rested on round blocks or logs, or in many cases a single pole suspended on forked sticks at either end and this was known as the ‘long drop'. A neighbour could be a half-hour walk through the forest, even after a walking track had been cleared. To have a neighbour was a bonus; there would be the inevitable case of an accident to either party during the hard and dangerous clearing of the brush and forest and there was also the necessity of a woman to assist at births, unskilled as she invariably was, and a baby brought a new dimension to the striving couple.  It could be more than a day’s walk or further to the nearest settlement - if there was a settlement at all. Returning with supplies or necessary means of survival this could mean a hazardous adventure as well, only to be repeated if the burden of fencing wire or wire netting was too heavy to be managed on the one journey.  Men became beasts of burden until a horse or a bullock could replace him, and the settler was a fortunate man if he had an area of grass upon which to graze his animals.  Nethervale, just south of Kiama. Photo: Emery Family CollectionTo have the fortune to possess two bullocks to yoke raised the status of a pioneer immensely for he then had the means of cultivation and hauling materials and logs into position for fencing.His crops would be damaged by the marauding kangaroos and wallabies seeking succulence, with the only means of preventing their incursion was eternal vigilance, lighting fires and tending them at nighttime being a necessary addition to the daily rounds, with fires in themselves a hazard if the forest litter should catch alight.  Wives shared these duties to give their man a chance to rest, and a kangaroo dog or two had to be added to the set-up.If the hapless settler had the luck to have cedar trees in his location, the harvesting of this timber would be a means of cash if it could be taken to one of the few ports of call of the sailing ships plying the coast and thence to the city markets.  This involved the cutting of tracks through the bush and the hauling or carrying the lumber some miles in many cases, a painstaking task at best. Although the commodity was mostly received by agents at the wharf-side, and who had the responsibility of payment for the article the cutter received little recompense in comparison to the retail value when received in Britain when sent on by the wily trader.  It was the beginning of the appearance of the adventitious “middleman”' or trader who bought and onsold produce for personal profit or loss. During the next 20 years our settler may have a family of seven, a small herd of cattle and a few accoutrements in the way of labour-saving devices, a plough and six or eight bullocks, a stock horse and a dray.  His children may have all been born without the aid of a doctor, and a neighbour's wife may have developed into a renowned midwife servicing a small community striving to achieve enough recognition to have a local town available to them as a trading post, where farm produce like eggs and milk and butter and hides could be traded for tea and sugar and farm necessities. His wife was usually never recognised for the duties she was expected to perform and her contribution to the union. However, she stuck to job of having and raising children and supporting her man with a stoicism not unremarkable in her day but liable to be forgotten and unrehearsed 150 years later.

Bomaderry Pharmacy can now test customers’ blood sugar and cholesterol levels as part of an innovative pilot to deliver accessible, affordable health services to the community.Owner and pharmacist Katrina Farrington says the point-of-care testing pilot program was designed to take pressure off overstretched GPs and hospitals.Her business, part of Independent Pharmacies of Australia, is one of 29 chemists across the nation offering testing to detect those at risk of diabetes or heart disease, with the simple prick of a finger.“We get a little spot of your blood and test your glucose and cholesterol levels and you get the results while you’re in the shop,” she said.“So in 10 minutes you can have two tests done and the results in your hand. People don’t have to wait weeks at a GP to get these tests or results and they’re not clogging up the emergency department because the pilot is a preventative health care measure based on early detection and treatment.”Kiama MP Gareth Ward, who visited the pharmacy this week, pointed out that pharmacists were at the coalface of the COVID-19 pandemic, deliver National Immunisation Program vaccines, and provide urinary tract infection treatment for women over 18 across Australia. Point-of-care testing is another feather in a pharmacist’s cap.“This pilot program showcases how pharmacy-led testing can fill gaps in healthcare access,” he said.“It also assists in reducing the number of hospital emergency centre admissions and lowers overall healthcare costs for patients which is critical.“Our local pharmacists are often the backbone of many regions like ours, however, they remain an often-underutilised health resource despite their advanced training,”Farrington said customers were charged a $20 fee for the testing which was subsidised by a pharmacist program and the manufactures of the testing machines.“We would like to see governments step up and fund the program long-term, we believe the cost is worth paying because it will save so much money in the long run by preventing people from losing a limb (from diabetes) or ending up in hospital with a heart attack.”

"You never know when you're going to need it." That simple truth from Gwen Wishart, one of Gerringong's longest-serving volunteers, captures the heartbeat of a group that has been quietly shaping the town for over six decades.For 66 years, the Gerringong Committee for the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) has been cooking, crafting, hosting and hustling – all in the name of science, community and love.Founded in 1959 by Dorothy Bailey, the Gerringong group is now one of 16 CMRI committees across New South Wales. It has outlasted trendier causes, flashier campaigns and even some of the very diseases it set out to conquer."We just keep going," says Lorraine Peade, who has been active in the group since the 1990s and now serves as publicity officer. "We believe in the science, and we believe in each other."Step into a CMRI kitchen in Gerringong and you won’t just find cakes rising and scones cooling – you’ll find camaraderie, purpose, and a fair bit of cheek. Some members are expert bakers. Others, like Brenda Davy, a recent arrival from Sydney, cheerfully admit they are better at washing up. Brenda joined after meeting Lorraine while planning her wedding, which CMRI members helped cater."It’s work, but it’s joyful," says Brenda. "You’re doing something meaningful, with really lovely people. It grounds you."Joyce, 94, a founding and Life Member, still comes to meetings and makes exquisitely embroidered coat hangers that sold year after year at the Quilt and Craft Shows. Meanwhile, newcomers like Holly Fogarty (née Bailey) and Kate Cutri (née Cronin) are bringing fresh energy – and famously beautiful cupcakes – to the group.Brenda Davy and Peter Matthes at the buffet table.At a recent event, a local man stood up during a talk on gene therapy. He pointed to the little girl running behind him and said, “She wouldn’t be here without it.” That moment, unexpected and unscripted, reminded every volunteer why they keep going."You get feedback, not just from CMRI but from people in the community who’ve benefited," Lorraine explains. "It keeps us going."CMRI ensures that nearly all funds raised by local committees go directly to research, and volunteers receive regular updates and access to the scientists whose work they support. That transparency matters.The Gerringong CMRI group is thriving because it adapts.Gone are the days of cash-in-hand ticket sales; events now sell out in minutes online.Bunnings BBQs are manned by husbands who are also members and work happily for the cause.Decorations from past weddings and parties are recycled for fundraisers. And despite a formal committee structure, members say there’s no hierarchy – just a shared willingness to work hard, and laugh harder."There’s a place for everyone," says Lorraine. "And if you don’t cook, you can still wash up."The next big event is the Mother’s Day weekend High Tea at Gerringong Town Hall on 10 May from 2pm. Tickets are $35 pp with tables of up to eight people. Tickets go on sale on 28 April.Come along and enjoy lots of delicious homemade treats, sandwiches and good company. Celebrate Mother’s Day and support a great cause.New members are always welcome. The next meeting will be held Monday 7 April at 7pm at Gerringong Town Hall.

The launch of headspace Kiama evolved from an important community need to have a mental health service for young people in the area.And Member for Gilmore is proud that the office on Manning Street is making a difference in the lives of local youth“The community were really advocating for that support for families so I fought to get this service up and running,” she said.“There's a headspace in Shellharbour and Nowra, and Kiama is a bit smaller in population so to actually have it here, is a real win.”Phillips and Labor Party Senator Tim Ayres dropped in at headspace Kiama during the week to get an update on the impact the centre has made since it opened in August.“The feedback from the community has been really, really good,” she added.“Headspace really adapts to the community in terms of needs.“There were a number of suicides in the community across the LGA. And from that, there were a lot of good initiatives and just people working together on what can we do to help and that's where that need for a headspace came from.“It was also to support many adults that wanted to support young people and our local school - teachers needed that sort of support.“That's certainly one thing that I really remember from going to many different community sessions where people were just crying out for help, adults saying we need to support our young people. We're trying to do it ourselves, but we need that support.“That's what's here and that access to that specialist support as well.”Senator Ayres described Phillips as “one of the most effective local members in the country”.“Her advocacy on this question has been relentless and has gone over many, many years“It's a real privilege to come back with her, with this facility, six months after it's been opened to watch the progress.“I know that she'll keep focused on how progress has been made here in working with the staff and the community on this. It is a real achievement. It doesn't happen by accident.“It is a real honour to meet these staff. The work that they are doing is so crucial. I think in a few years' time, people in Kiama will just assume that this is the way that this has always been - that there's this glue joining young people up to services, supporting families, supporting teachers, supporting community leaders. It will be as if it's always been here, but it hasn't been here and they're playing a remarkable role.”Headspace Kiama manager Charo Seventy said they have key workers on staff who draw on their lived experience of mental illness and recovery to provide support in the centre or at the beach or at a safe location out in the community.“The response from the community has been really amazing,” he said.“There’s so many people that I’ve met in Kiama who are putting so much time, effort and love into supporting young people.“I think Kiama’s been through a lot and it’s really heartening to see people putting in the time and coming to us to get some ideas to support young people with their mental health.“One of the main things we’ve done is to work with Kiama High School, providing outreach there. Usually on a Monday and a Tuesday we have counsellors who can see students at school to provide support.”Headspace Kiama also has a community engagement officer who raises awareness about mental health services at locations like the library and the youth centre.A free Youth Mental Health First Aid training course is starting next month to assist people in the community who support young people every day.Over two days of face-to-face training participants will:✅ Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental health challenges in adolescents✅ Gain practical skills to support young people experiencing mental health difficulties✅ Receive expert-led guidance in responding in a crisis & connecting someone to appropriate servicesThis training, typically valued at over $300, is free and will be held on 21-22 May but has already been booked out.

Paul Taylor might tell you he’s just a bloke with a ukulele, a cheeky nickname for every bandmate and a soft spot for surf breaks. But don’t let the self-deprecating tone fool you. Behind the scenes of this riotously named band, The FUKERS (Freshwater Ukulele Recital Society), is a crew of seriously good musicians with a mission. On Saturday 24 May, they’ll raise the roof at Jamberoo School of Arts Hall, all in support of the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service.And yes, they know what the name sounds like. That’s part of the charm.“We've raised well over $150,000 for charities,” Taylor said. “But it's not just about fundraising. It's about music, mateship and making people smile.” Their four guiding values? Fun, friendship, finesse and, when those three align, fundraising.This gig is a great example. Proceeds will go to the local RFS brigade, led by Captain Hannah McInerney and powered by a team of quietly heroic women and men who keep the valley safe. Taylor and the band were inspired to support them after local legend Amanda Large attended a FUKERS gig and asked “Can we do more?”.The answer was yes, with enthusiasm.Imagine a bunch of long-time mates, many who met in their school days or the surf at Manly, now armed with electric ukuleles, smooth harmonies and some of the best nicknames in the business. Jonny, resident artist, is the “Ace of Bass”, Mike “The King fUKEr” came up with the uke concept before it was cool and filmmaker Paul Clark “the director” (yes, You're the Voice, The Hardest Line and many more) adds professional polish and pitch-perfect vocals. Add to this the ukulele gravel voiced geniuses of Dave the “Duke of Uke” and the dulcet tones of their very own Fireman and big wave surfer “Smokin Tim Tango”.Then there’s the real serious musos, Greg “Mayor of Snare” on drums, and Jeff the “Tzar of Guitar”, a guitar player whose solos can make jaws drop. “People come just to see Jeff,” Taylor added. “He’s as good as any guitarist Australia has ever produced.” Greg “the mayor” is an incredible musical talent with (to raised eyebrows) an array of the corniest one-liners.They’re all held together by humour, heart, harmonies and a shared love of music and mischief.Over the years, they’ve played gigs where the nativity scene featured a doll named Baby Cheeses, headlined Lord Howe Island through a cyclone and held raucous Christmas Eve concerts under names like Brown Trout and Santa’s Illegitimate Children. Their harmonies are tight, their stories even tighter and their fundraising track record speaks for itself. The important details📍 Jamberoo School of Arts Hall 🗓️ Saturday 24th May 🕕 7 pm till late🎤 Live music, singing and dancing 🍷 Food and drinks at bar prices 🎟️ $40 from Humanitix (see flyer for QR code)

Gareth Ward has urged Kiama locals to speak up while they still have the chance, calling on the community to make submissions to Kiama Council’s Draft Local Housing Strategy before the 27 April deadline.In a fiery speech to Parliament, the Member for Kiama said it was time to put “Australians first” in the midst of a worsening housing crisis, pointing to long public housing waitlists, skyrocketing rents, and a growing number of people sleeping in cars or couch surfing. He called on the community to get involved in shaping local housing decisions, rather than leaving the future of the area to “big Sydney developers”.“The strategy anticipates that an additional 6917 people will call Kiama home by 2040, only 15 years away,” Ward told Parliament. “The NSW Government has set a five-year housing target for the Kiama local government area of 900 additional dwellings. I want to see more homes, but they need to be in the right locations, and these locations should be decided by our community.”Ward also renewed his push for the Bombo Quarry site to be redeveloped in a master-planned, community-led way, describing it as a prime opportunity to offer “a variety of different housing types” that reflect the needs of locals. He welcomed current collaboration between Kiama Council and the Department of Planning on this project.But while backing new housing where appropriate, Ward did not shy away from criticising the NSW Government’s broader approach. He questioned the Government’s handling of immigration, foreign property ownership, and what he sees as a weakening of local planning powers.“There are plenty of people in this place who oppose all development without offering a solution. I do not want to be one of those people,” he said, proposing a list of sites and policy changes that could be explored to help meet the region’s growing housing needs. These included:Masterplanning the old Shellharbour Hospital site for key worker housingRezoning the Nowra CBD to increase height and densityUsing Government-owned land for housing those delivering essential services.Ward also took aim at the NSW Rental Commissioner, questioning the independence of the role and calling for more accountability and real action to help renters in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.“Growth needs to be balanced against the maintenance of village character and the need for people to have a say in the future of our urban and natural environment,” Ward said.You can read the draft strategy and make a submission by visiting Council’s website. Submissions close Sunday 27 April.

OpinionIn 2021, The Bugle reported strong criticism of Kiama Council’s failure to respond to the region’s growing housing affordability crisis. At the time, Michele Adair, Chief Executive Officer of The Housing Trust, gave Council an “F” for its lack of action, arguing essential workers were being priced out of the community. Kiama Council’s new Draft Local Housing Strategy Version 2 is now on public exhibition but does it deliver on the promise of affordable housing? The answer is mixed. On the positive side, the draft strategy clearly acknowledges affordability is a major issue in the municipality.It notes the region’s high purchase and rental costs, and the pressures faced by key workers, older residents and young families. It outlines potential tools councils can use, such as partnerships with community housing providers, use of Council-owned land, and planning mechanisms including inclusionary zoning. It also includes a specific action to develop and adopt an Affordable Housing Policy and implementation framework. Kiama Council has confirmed it is investigating potential partnerships with community housing providers on “appropriate catalyst sites”. It also points to planning controls, such as the limited height allowances in R3 medium density zones, as a barrier to larger-scale mixed-tenure projects, like those being trialled elsewhere. “Scale is required to achieve mixed tenure,” a Council spokesperson said. “Our draft strategy includes an action to review planning controls associated with the R3 zone to increase feasibility of mid-rise and small-unit development.” As for the absence of clear targets or land allocations, Council says this is under investigation during the draft’s public exhibition phase. It notes affordable housing targets often apply to large-scale developments (over 50 dwellings), which are uncommon in Kiama, but concedes that “every little bit helps”. Still, for many advocates, the strategy may not go far enough. There are no affordable housing targets in the current draft, no committed partnerships or earmarked parcels of land. Council has also not identified funding sources to support delivery, leaving the strategy without a clear implementation pathway. In contrast, other parts of the state are already showing what is possible. Charlie Daoud, a board member of The Man Walk and a developer specialising in social and affordable housing, spoke to The Bugle at the recent Man Walk gala about the success of his Northsea Apartments, Wollongong project. This development is the first in Australia to integrate social, affordable, and private housing within a single building, using shared entrances, communal areas, and consistent design standards throughout. “There are no red doors,” he said. “You do not know who lives where, and that is the point.It breaks the stigma.” Daoud argues that models like his should work everywhere, including places like Kiama. “Why can’t it be in suburban streets? Beautiful design, great landscaping, heritage context - done well, it fits in.” He is now working with the NSW Government to transform older housing estates into mixed-tenure neighbourhoods where social housing is integrated among private dwellings, revitalising communities without isolating people. Adair’s comments from 2021 remain relevant. “What the Local Strategic Planning Statement says is that whoever wrote this statement believes the barista making their coffee, someone changing the sheets in the Sebel, none of these people can live in the Kiama community.” While the updated strategy marks a shift in tone and acknowledges housing stress more clearly than past documents, critics may find it too cautious.For now, it reads more like a preface than a plan. If you want to shape the future of housing in our area, now is the time. You can read the draft strategy and make a submission by visiting Council’s website. Submissions close Sunday 27 April. And if you do not feel the engagement process is strong enough, it is your right to raise that with your elected councillors. Housing affects all of us. So should the way we talk about it.

Katrina Hodgkinson, the Nationals’ Candidate for Whitlam, has pulled out of the race less than a week into the election campaign.Ms Hodgkinson said when the Nationals asked her to run for Whitlam “it was the last thing on my mind as I was engaged in a variety of other roles” but she eventually agreed, announcing her candidacy in February.“Since then, it has become clear that the campaign for Whitlam will be between the Labor and Liberal parties, and I want to do everything I can to help enable a change of this seat and the whole of government to the Coalition," Ms Hodgkinson said.The former state MP says she put her name forward due to her concerns about “the hardship that families and small businesses in our region are experiencing with the ever-spiralling cost of living” but in a change of heart has now decided to clear the way for the Liberals' Ben Britton.“I will step aside from the role of candidate in order to keep the focus on the main game, and that is to win government for the Coalition at this election,” she said. Labor’s Stephen Jones, who has held the seat of Whitlam since 2010, announced his retirement from politics earlier this year. The Disability Trust chief executive officer Carol Berry was anointed as his successor, with Prime Minster Anthony Albanese announcing her candidacy during a visit to the Illawarra in January.

“You are not alone. You are not a burden. You are worthy of life.”For the past 460 days, Kiama’s Alex Glover has been walking across Australia, quietly yet powerfully changing lives. His mission, Strides Against Suicide, is more than a personal journey. It is a moving, step-by-step call to talk openly about men’s mental health and suicide prevention.Alex has covered more than 16,000km on foot. Tasmania, the latest leg of the walk, was added with intention.“I figured, yeah, it's a state, so it needs to have the same respect given to it.”Respect is what drives him - for people, for place and for pain that too often goes unspoken. On quiet stretches of road, Alex invites conversation simply by being there. A man with a backpack, a mission, and time to listen."It's a lot easier to open up to a stranger than to someone you know and love," he says. “Hopefully, that encourages them to talk to their friends and family too.”His first day on the road brought an unforgettable reminder of unpredictability.A car burnout happened just metres from where he was camped.Alex Glover being interviewed in Lenah Valley. Photo: Steven White"It was a powerful reminder that you are where you are, and you must accept your surroundings."Since then, he has crossed deserts, coastlines and cities. In Tasmania, he chose a more intimate route, walking anti-clockwise from Hobart and exploring the small towns off the tourist trail. Flying in, rather than catching the Spirit of Tasmania, meant lighter gear and safer walking on narrow country roads.He wandered through remote forests, hiked rugged ridgelines, and lay awake at night listening to the wild, eerie cry of Tasmanian devils.On Black Buff in the Alpine region, he pushed through sleet, wind and rain, falling again and again until his foot gave way.“I think I’ve torn a few ligaments,” he admits, almost casually.But there is no pause in the mission. With about 1500km to go before returning home to Kiama, Alex is still walking, still waving at passing cars, still stopping when someone pulls over and says, “Hey mate, got a minute?”He has already raised more than $13,000.His bigger dream is to fund nature-based camps for boys facing mental health challenges, creating a space where connection can grow and healing can begin.For Alex, each step is an invitation to speak.Each conversation is a lifelineAnd for the strangers who meet him on the side of the road, his presence is a quiet reassurance that someone cares enough to walk this far, just to listen.📹 Watch the interview here.

When Deidre Henham first put down a deposit on Cedar on Collins, she wasn’t entirely sure how things would unfold.Now, settled into the newly built retirement complex in Kiama, she couldn’t be happier with her decision. “It's wonderful,” she says. “The people here are just lovely, without exception.”Deidre’s journey to Kiama began with a different plan.She and her daughters had purchased a house in Bong Bong Street, intending to create a multi-generational home where they could live separately yet together. But the uncertainty surrounding the property’s potential heritage listing dragged on for years.This process took more than 3 years to confirm whether it would be heritage listed,” she explains. “By then, I had already started looking at Cedar on Collins.”What was once an uncertain step turned out to be a perfect fit. One of the first residents to move in, Deidre quickly took the initiative to build a sense of community.“At first, it was just me and one other gentleman. We decided to meet on Friday nights for drinks, and slowly, more people joined in.”Many of the residents are local, making it easier for newcomers like Deidre to settle in.“They already know all the best places,” she says. “The only downside is that when the bus trips are planned, they have already seen most of the sights.”Originally from the Riverina, Deidre spent years in Wagga Wagga before making the move to Kiama in late 2023.A former rice farmer, she speaks with pride about the industry’s evolution.“Farming teaches resilience. If you are married to a farmer, you learn to do everything, from driving between paddocks to helping with livestock,” she says.Her connection to rice farming runs deep, and she still holds shares in SunRice, a company she praises for its success and support of growers.For Deidre, Cedar on Collins is more than just a retirement complex. It is a new chapter filled with companionship and opportunity. “It feels like a hotel,” she laughs. “But you bring your own drinks.”As Kiama’s newest retirement community grows, stories like Deirdre’s highlight what makes it special, a place where people can feel at home, surrounded by friends, and supported in a way that makes ageing an exciting new stage of life.