Formerly known as the Community Visitors Scheme, Ageing with Grace is combating loneliness in the elderly community with their Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS).The program is funded by the Australian Government and is available to anyone receiving government funded aged care services in an aged care facility of their own home. Through this funding, Ageing with Grace is able to offer this service free of charge, with a strong focus on social support to those who need it. The scheme matches an elderly individual lacking social interaction to a volunteer who provides compassion and companionship.Loneliness is a growing concern among Australia's elderly population, with one in five reporting feeling isolated, this figure rises to one in three for older people living in aged care facilities. Social isolation and loneliness have detrimental effects on both mental and physical health.By matching volunteers with older people based on shared interests, hobbies and geographical proximity, the program works to create meaningful and lasting connections. A Kiama local, Shirley, is one such participant in the program who found comfort and friendship with her match, Tania. Tania is a dedicated volunteer who heard about the visitor scheme on the radio and felt compelled to lend a hand. She has a long history of lending a helping hand in her community, and her efforts are truly commendable.She is a caring and generous person who travels each week to spend time with Shirley, usually in her home. Shirley loves flowers and her cat and together the pair spend time talking and catching up, reading magazines, doing jigsaw puzzles and much more. The pair have great plans to get Shirley out and about in the future. Tania’s regular visits to Shirley’s home have blossomed into a heartwarming friendship, acting as an exemplary scenario of how the scheme can help. Shirley’s daughter shares her gratitude for the program, emphasising the positive impact it has had on her mothers’ wellbeing. “Tania’s enthusiasm to help and her understanding of my mother’s situation has been amazing,” she said. “She is committed to providing support and friendship to my mum. We are grateful to the scheme and to both Tania and Annie.”Annie Lucas, the aged care program coordinator for the Illawarra Region emphasises the rewarding aspects of the scheme for both participants. One such example is a 19 year old woman paired with a 91 year old woman. These visits have prompted a long awaited cinema trip for the elderly woman, who had not been to the movies in 50 years. In turn, she is teaching her young volunteer how to crochet, a skill she had been hoping to develop. Annie is passionate about her work, citing the number of successful matches that have stayed in touch with each other, even once the pair have parted. Many still send letters, postcards, and call each other regularly. There are innumerable benefits involved in the program and the ACVVS aims to improve quality of life for the participants. Shown to increase self esteem, sense of purpose, increasing independence and overall wellbeing, the program is successfully working toward a sense of connectedness in the community. ACVVS is always seeking volunteers over the age of 18. If you’re seeking a rewarding way to occupy your time, why not consider being a part of something life changing? Volunteers like Tania play a crucial role in enriching the lives of the elderly community.National Volunteer Week is coming up between 20-26 May 2024 and what better time to contribute to your community and make a positive difference in the lives of those who need it.For any further information you can contact Annie Lucas, who covers an area from Bulli to Ulladulla, by email at [email protected] or by phone at 0459 542 227.

On Thursday 11 April, the electric Liam Cooper brought his show, King of the Keys, to the Shoalhaven Performing Arts Centre. The interactive show gave the audience the chance to vote for who they thought was the King of the Keys. Read on to hear who won!Liam’s infectious energy had the audience singing and dancing to old favourites. Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Freddy Mercury, Ray Charles and many more. With over 40 songs in the set, the band was as tight as Liam’s jeans. My personal favourite was Liam’s rendition of Isn’t She Lovely, which he dedicated to his little fur baby, Millie. His powerful and nuanced vocals helped with flawless transitions through clean belts and controlled falsettos. The versatility enabled him to tackle notoriously challenging tracks like Take On Me and Crocodile Rock, daring even to jump the octave on the last note of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ as if it isn't challenging enough already!In the spirit of Freddie Mercury’s (alleged) famous quote "Do what you want with my music, just don't make it boring", Liam embraced creativity together with his guitarist, Noah, who stood upon the piano as if it were a stage during his stunning Bohemian Rhapsody guitar solo. The Beyonce effect was in full swing, as Liam brought out a leaf blower to get Noah’s long locks spectacularly blowing in the wind.The band was phenomenal with an especially strong horn section. The trumpetist, Angus, deserves a special shout-out, as he had some show stopping solos. Liam himself showed off his multi talented musical skills on harmonica, kazoo, keytar and of course piano.Liam, obviously a well seasoned performer, reacted calmly and humorously to the pyrotechnics not turning off and seamlessly let the backstage crew know to unplug the fire hazard. Not only did Liam put on a fabulous show, but he did it all in heels. So, who won the grand title of King of The Keys? Drumroll please … Elton John! Liam closed the show with Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me and I'm Still Standing as a tribute to the ‘Rocket Man’. The standing ovation from the crowd was well deserved. 

“We love compost here,” declares a jubilant Peter Maywald, a staunch member of the Kiama Community Garden.But that’s not all that the dedicated members of the garden are in love with at the moment. A sense of jubilation surrounds the dedicated crew at the Kiama Community Garden, which until recently were certain they were under a death sentence. Now they’ve had a reprieve. The Kiama Council considered selling off the land, which is attached to the Blue Haven Aged Care complex. The latest performance improvement order from the NSW Minister for Local Government to the Council included the requirement that the garden, as a community resource, be separated out in a subdivision prior to the sale of the Blue Haven complex.“We were under threat,” says Peter. “The Council was talking about selling. We were certain a developer would just get rid of the garden. The Council has now publicly committed to subdividing, so this garden will be preserved. We are very relieved, actually we are thrilled that the future of the garden is now assured.”It is no exaggeration to say that the Kiama Community Garden is a community resource. The dedicated group, which boasts 49 financial members but is open to the public and welcoming to all comers, serves multiple functions, including teaching locals about what plants can be grown in the Kiama climate and how to improve their own gardens. They also hold courses explaining how people can make their own compost.  The site is known as a peaceful place where people can come just to relax. One group comes to paint. Other groups include scouts, school children’s groups, and people participating in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (the Duke of Ed). “The Garden is important to a lot of people,” says Peter. This week, the Gardens were important for a group of excited children from the Outside of school hours care (OOSH). “I love connecting with the gardens. It is good for the kids. Many of them don’t have backyards. Lots of kids whinge about eating vegetables, but when they are actively involved in the garden, pulling out carrots, picking snow peas, munching on celery, they are far more willing to try. They learn food doesn’t just arrive in a packet, it is part of a natural cycle,” says founder Sabrina Kelly.Also involved with this week’s OOSH group was music therapist Kathleen Lawson, who has just penned a new song, to the tune of John Williamson’s Home Among the Gum Trees:“There is a garden in KiamaIt’s permacultureA place to be, a community.There’s lots of things to do, And you can join us tooFun for Everyone!”“The idea of combining music therapy with the garden is that it makes it accessible to a whole range of people, young and old,” Kathleen says. “Music and nature go hand in hand. They both have healing qualities, and allow you to commit to new and different things.”“I like that the garden is big and you can play in it. I like to hide. Sometimes you can eat the lemons. I have them in my garden too. I like gardening, I am going to get chooks in my garden,” an excited James Little, 7, told The Bugle.“I like that it is a nice peaceful place and that you can come to relax. It is really peaceful and somewhere nice,” Hannah Mensforth, also 7, says.Once a dumping ground, Kiama Community Garden now resides in people’s hearts. The strawberries have finished for the year, the fig trees have been pruned back and the pumpkins are running wild. But as we prepare for winter, carrots, cauliflowers and spinach are all flourishing. Julie Howe came to the official opening in 2011, promptly fell in love and has, as she puts it, “never left.”A Minammurra local, Julie describes herself as a “gardening tragic.” “This was designed as a permaculture garden, and we continue to maintain the garden on permaculture principles.”She points to a sign overhanging the communal area: Earth CarePeople CareFair Share“They are the principles of permaculture, and that is the basis of our garden. One of the best things about the garden is I have met some wonderful people I would never have crossed paths with otherwise.” “It is the atmosphere. Ability, agility, knowledge, it is all about the community, that is so important.”Unlike some community gardens, participants are not assigned their separate plots but all muck in together.Asked if there are ever any arguments, she smiles broadly: “It is all about collaboration, cooperation and community. You learn so much here. Some people say it has helped them to fit into the Kiama community, others that it has helped with their mindset, calmed them down.”Earth CarePeople CareFair ShareYou could create a happy, fulfilling life just on those principles alone. Viva the Kiama Community Garden!

The Minnamurra Lions Club received an impressive turnout for their recent prospective new members evening at Kiama Golf Club on Tuesday 9 April, with the inclusion of women for the first time. The Lions are well known for their sausage sizzles. But the club contributes so much more to the lives of members and the community, which long-term members Denis Beynon and Ken Horspool expressed with obvious wholehearted gratitude during the evening.Approaching its 25th anniversary, the Minnamurra Lions Club was established in November 1999 with 38 members. In fact, Beynon was one of those original chartered members. Over the years, the Minnamurra Lions have kept their member numbers fairly stable. As the original members are inevitably getting older, Beynon emphasised the need for younger members to keep the community thriving. “When we were chartered, I was 51. We were a relatively young Lions Club compared to some others. But, 25 years later, I am not that young, middle-aged person anymore. All of us are going to get older, less agile, which impacts our service work,” says Beynon.“There is also now an emphasis on attracting women to join. Lions was historically an all-males service club, but the decision was recently made to reach out to female members.”Whilst their biggest revenue comes from the traditional snags and bacon and egg rolls at Black Beach’s Seaside Markets, the Minnamurra Lions actively raise funds for various charities and support the community via several other means. “We ran the parking at Killalea markets for many years because people running the markets needed help parking the cars. We raised quite a lot of money through that. It wasn’t just about making money, though, but also helping to keep a community event going,” recalls former president Ken Horspool, who joined in 2002.“Another initiative we try to help promote is ‘The Man Walk,’ aimed at men’s mental health. It is very early days, and we would like to get more people along to spend an hour with us having a walk and talk, perhaps a coffee.”Other contributions over the past year have included construction and maintenance of the whale watching platform and helipad at Minnamurra, offering $10,000 to bushfire relief along the south coast and allocating funding to Triple Care Farm, Kiama SES, and Illawarra Suicide Prevention & Awareness Network, among other organisations in need. On a national level, the Minnamurra Lions have also supported Camp Quality, Cancer Care Trust, CareFlight, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Royal Flying Doctor Service and melanoma research. Whilst the Lions are primarily to serve their local community, Beynon says they have the capacity to reach out on an international level.“We are a part of a Lions Association, and there is a national and an international. In the event of a major international weather event, for example, Lions Australia have the ability to donate major contributions – particularly to developing countries.”Naturally, giving back to the community and beyond in a voluntary capacity inspires a sense of satisfaction and contentment. When Beynon and Horspool are queried as to why someone should volunteer as a member of the Minnamurra Lions, both have a genuine and infectious twinkle in their eye. “As a member of Lions, you get to mix with like-minded people and bring skills that you accumulated over a lifetime and apply them,” says Horspool. Similarly, Beynon expresses gratitude for the opportunity to make lifetime friends through his Lions association. “Lions introduces you to people of different careers, talents and life experiences, which I think helps personal growth. We have volunteers from all walks of life bonding together with a common goal of community service.”Are you keen to help keep our community thriving and make some fabulous new friends along the way? If so, visit Join The Lions Club or perhaps grab a friend and head along to an upcoming meeting held every second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Kiama Golf Club. All potential Lions – young and senior, men and women – are welcome. 

COORDINARE and Grand Pacific Health are collaboratively rectifying unforeseen issues surrounding building work approvals that have resulted in the delayed opening of headspace Kiama. The facility anticipates opening its 11/65 Manning Street doors in the coming months to provide young people aged 12-25 years with support for mental health issues, alcohol and other drug abuse as well as work and study support. Commissioned by COORDINARE, the South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network, and funded by the Australian Government’s national headspace program, the service will be operated by Grand Pacific Health. Progress is well underway, with building plans submitted and builders contracted. The facility is expected to be up and running within approximately 10 weeks of approvals being received to commence building works. Prudence Buist, CEO of COORDINARE, assures that all parties are working to get the new facility operational as swiftly and effectively as possible, with resources ready to roll once the green light is given.“There has been consultation with young people on the look and feel of the service to ensure the service will be one of a kind. Plus, there has been a consortium of partners formed and ready to assist in delivering services at headspace Kiama,” says Buist. “All headspace Kiama staff have been recruited and are working from headspace Shellharbour until headspace Kiama site opens.” Until headspace Kiama becomes operational, telehealth services via phone or video are available. Additionally, Kiama-based young people can access in-person support at headspace Shellharbour, and Kiama High School students are provided with onsite support.“From Term 2, headspace Shellharbour will be offering services onsite at Kiama High School for Kiama High students. These arrangements will stay in place until headspace Kiama is operational,” says Buist. The Bugle will continue to provide updates on the much-anticipated opening of headspace Kiama. In the meantime, if you or someone you know needs support, please phone headspace Shellharbour on 02 4225 5670 or pay them a visit at 162-172 Shellharbour Road, Warilla.   

Gerringong’s Co-Operative Dairy Society was established in 1888 so that individual local dairy farmers could, by joining together, create stronger bargaining power for the group around pricing, based on larger combined quantities. The Co-Op first operated from a timber building where Gerringong Uniting Care now stands. At that time, it wasn’t possible to send whole milk to the cities and cream was skimmed off to make butter. Thanks to the rich local pastures, Gerringong's butter was known for its quality, and commanded a high price. From Boat Harbour, shipments were sent as far as to England and South Africa.Gerringong Station opened in 1893. In 1908, after a rail siding was built, the Co-Op moved to its current location near the railway station. The siding’s subsequent extension facilitated the transfer of milk to the South Coast Milk Train. A short, preserved section of siding with buffers remains in front of the Co-Op buildings today.In 2004, the Co-Op was renamed Dairy Farmers Limited, and at that time managed over 1,400 local farms. Until the doors closed in 2007, the factory was Australia’s oldest continually running dairy Co-Op.The Miller family was one of the Co-Op’s original founders. Fast forward to present day, and current owner Melissa Matters (née Miller – at the time still a prominent local dairy farming family) reminisces about her fond childhood memories of visiting the Co-Op. “As children, we just used to love it. It was such an event to go there and meet up with everyone,” she says.Melissa and her husband Dean, who own and run Gerringong’s popular Hill Bar & Kitchen and Gather by the Hill, bought the heritage-listed Co-Op complex in 2020 with local friends, investment banker David Phillips and his wife Charlene Dawson.In early 2022, Kiama Council approved the DA for the $5 million plus redevelopment, revitalisation and repurposing of the Co-Op precinct, into an events, dining and wedding destination. The owners are seeking to recreate its past role as a vibrant community hub. While perfectly-located for visitors – right at the train station – they aim to make it an enjoyable gathering place for the local community.The team has collaborated with heritage advisers to restore and enhance the building. The restoration has seamlessly integrated the Co-Op's original features – like exposed steel beams, and a gabled roof with trusses – with new, stylish, and luxurious elements and touches. Stage One of the three-stage development is now complete. The venue is taking bookings and planning events with the expectation that it will very soon be ready to host weddings and sophisticated events in its multi-purpose indoor events space (originally called the Truck Room). A stunning mirror wall, full bar, beautiful lounge area and indoor fireplace add to the atmospheric ambience. The indoor space is complemented by a north-facing lawn, coastal garden and new amenities block. Stage Two, on which work is likely to begin later this year, will include a:courtyard beer garden with Italian alfresco style dining;state-of-the art commercial cooking facilities, including Traegar smokers, Argentinian grills and a pizza oven; children’s play area;sunny deck and fire pits;indoors dining and a bar, with double sided fireplaces, andindoor meeting or private dining room and a cocktail bar (featuring craft beers).Stage Three is as yet to be advised.The Co-Op precinct is multi-purpose and versatile. It is expected to become a sought-after wedding venue, a vibrant hub for live music, a picturesque setting for filming and photo shoots, and a pleasant and well-located space for business gatherings and leisure activities.Upcoming events include the Sam Matters Cup in May, Distilled in June and Christmas by Candlelight in July. For more details, visit The Co-Op Gerringong.

Entries are now open for the Kiama Art Society’s 45th Annual Art Exhibition, to be held at The Kiama Leagues Club in July. This is the Art Society’s major event, which draws entries each year from local artists, the South Coast, Metropolitan Sydney and beyond. Prize money this year is $10,000, with the major “Best in Exhibition” prize of $3,000. Prizes are awarded in Landscape/Seascape, Local area, Abstract, Still Life, Portraiture and Figurative. Works in these sections can be in any medium. There is also a special prize for watercolour. “The exhibition is a wonderful display of varied and interesting art, ranging from traditional to abstract and contemporary” said Helen Pain, art society president. “This is a great way for artists to have work hung in a professionally presented exhibition which will be viewed by hundreds of visitors and local art lovers. There is something for everyone across a wide price range, and each year many works find new homes.”The exhibition is sponsored by many local business, including major sponsors Kiama Leagues Club and Kiama Municipal Council. The exhibition Opening function will be on June 7th, Opening hours 10am to 5pm, June 8  to June 16th. Entries forms can be downloaded from the website kiamaartsociety.org.au. Entries close April 30th, 2024. For further information you can contact Helen Pain at 0432 232 054 or by email [email protected]

Jamberoo Probus Club Inc. held their sixth annual meeting at Club Jamberoo recently and in a massive nod to the fabulous work of the previous committee, most were returned unopposed.President Mike Douglas was returned for a second term, as was his vice-president Robert Lee, while Bruce Johnston will continue as Treasurer for a second term also.The one change in the executive was Shirley Johnston replacing her Newsletter Officer’s hat with the Secretary’s one, replacing Alison Relf who has done such a sterling job over the past couple of years.The Newsletter position is in abeyance for now.After a very busy period of activity, our Tours, Events and Activities team of Pam Facey, John Pearce and Fiona Turner all remained for another term, much to the delight of our members.In three new changes Kerry Brennan will replace the outgoing Helen Hoogandorn as Membership Officer, while Kevin Gilbert will be Member Speaker Officer, replacing David Barnes, while David Hall will handle Publicity. Anne Edwards will be Welfare Officer. Any positions vacant will be filled at a later date.

Severe flooding from Jamberoo Creek wreaked havoc on the Kevin Walsh Oval and the southern end of Jamberoo Tennis Club courts after the wild weather on 5-6 April.The floods caused extensive damage to the courts and also the clubhouse. The President of the club, Bruce Roberton and Secretary, Bev Corfield warned members that the facility is likely to be closed for at least a month. Local tennis court specialist Mal Kessel inspected the courts, confirming significant water infiltration beneath the synthetic carpet, requiring major repairs. The cleanup effort saw the local fire brigade, club members and SES volunteers removing thick mud and silt from the courts. Jamberoo Rural Fire Service helped with the cleanup, dedicating seven personnel and their truck for over five hours to water blast mud and debris off the affected courts, requiring at least a half dozen trips to refill water tanks. The community has shown an incredible display in helping clear the debris and Jamberoo Tennis Club will be making a donation to JRFS and the club is asking for anyone willing and able to contribute to this fund, as it would be greatly appreciated. You can donate by EFT to the Jamberoo Tennis Club account (BSB:062 562 ac: 1008 6657) and reference JRFS  or by cash to one of the committee members.Further details can be gained from Club President Bruce Roberton on 0418318749.

Soul Clay has expressed appreciation to the Kiama Council and Kiama NSW Australia for the opportunity to have tourism signage for Soul Clay Studios in Gerringong.The new signs welcome an exciting phase of the growth for the business, who recently celebrated three years at their Rowlins Road location. Head into Soul Clay to browse their range of unique handmade ceramics made by resident artists and ready to purchase. Group tours, workshop bookings for groups and individuals are all available at the studio. For more information about their upcoming classes and events check out their website. 

The Jehovah’s Witness group have commenced some much needed renovations on their Kingdom Hall building on Gipps Street, Kiama. The original hall was built in 1987 and before that there was a Kingdom Hall in Kiama  Downs in the 60’s. Apparently the hall was built in a matter of days by a full team of volunteers. Today, there are around 300 locals from the Kiama and Albion Park congregations that make use of the hall space, many of whom are participating in its restoration. However, there is plenty of help from around Australia as well. The NSW Local Design/Construction team are on site, coordinating the work to be done on the hall. In this early stage, fencing has been erected and scaffolding is currently being installed to ensure a safe working environment for the whole team. The friendly team are happy to help, sacrificing their time, energy and resources to pitch in and help out their community.“We do this work because we love people and want the community to be able to have Bible education for free, in a safe, peaceful environment,” says one member of the team. With a typical team of around 50 volunteers each day, the crew will make quick work of the changes that need to be completed and the project is set to be completed in August. Stay updated on the renovations with The Bugle.

Cancer care in Kiama received a helping hand yesterday when local garden and landscape centre, Burnetts On Barney, presented a cheque for $2000 to Kiama Lions Club for their Cancer Care Trust.The money was raised during a recent whole day of music which included local musicians Penny Hartgerink and Cha Cha Del Mar as well as Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival musicians. The event became a tribute day to one of the Burnetts’ team, Debra East, who died earlier that week after a short battle with cancer.Debra and her family had received assistance from the Kiama Lions Inc Cancer Care Trust and the Burnetts’ team chose to support this local charity which uniquely provides palliative care medicines to any Kiama residents.“The Lions Cancer Care Trust money is raised by people in Kiama for the people of Kiama and Debra would be pleased to know that customers of Burnetts were able to support a charity which had supported her”, said Elizabeth Burnett during the presentation.“This local charity works solely for the benefit of our own Kiama district community. The money stays here to help those who are touched by cancer. If it isn’t helping your family it is probably helping a family you know,” she said.Lions Club of Kiama Inc Cancer Care Trust was established in 1990 to help subsidise expenses incurred by cancer patients or their carers as part of their treatment. Each year it distributes more than $24,000 to Kiama residents.Burnetts will this Saturday (tomorrow) be hosting local musician Greg Brown who is currently raising money for Cancer Council and will be donating all proceeds from his gig at The Quarry Café at Burnetts. The East family have also donated a voucher to Doyles Restaurant in Watsons Bay which will be raffled to assist Greg’s fundraising. Come and enjoy Greg’s music between 9.30am and 12.30am or donate online at https://www.doitforcancer.com.au/fundraisers/gregbrown27729.

After 12 weeks of training, the fight is on. Rodney Zarif, father of three and manager at KD Cellars in Kiama Downs, got caught up in the Battle of the Ages, well the Battle of the Businesses, purely on a whim. The event, which raises money for the Illawarra Convoy, had its first outing last year and has been such an instant success it is already set to become a fixture on the annual calendar. There will be 40 businesses battling it out to be top dog, with Rodney as optimistic about his changes as he can be. Especially as he is up against the rather alarmingly named Jason Murdzevski from Flash Homes. The finale of all the hard work that has gone into the event will be on Saturday 20th at WIN Entertainment Centre.Last year the Convoy raised $2.85 million for children’s charities in the Illawarra Area. But for Rodney it wasn’t so much noble intentions as an impulse, when he saw an advertisement on Facebook looking for participants in the Battle of the Businesses Boxing Championship and thought: “Why not?”“I had a little bit of training when I was younger, and boxing was something I have always wanted to do,” he said. “I didn’t tell my wife at first, but I got accepted. And it was something my wife couldn’t say no to, because it was for charity. “Everyone is put through 12 weeks of intense training, three or four times a week. As soon as they said yes I started focusing on diet and training. “I am nervous about the actual fight, but health wise it has been awesome. It has changed my life in terms of fitness. They teach you boxing. The fitness side of it’s crazy. “Sometimes you are sore and don’t want to go to the gym, but you just have to push yourself. “Now that I have done it, I appreciate how difficult a two minute round of boxing is. You just feel drained. The biggest challenge has been events coming up, tempting me to eat bad or have a couple of drinks. “I am looking forward to it. I am a bit nervous, but… “Originally I wasn’t going to tell anyone, but obviously they want us to advertise for the event. It has been a good experience. The friendships you form at the gym, and networking business wise has been awesome. All sorts of people are involved, lawyers, real estate agents, electricians, there is just a massive mix. “And it is for a good cause.”  Other businesses and individuals involved include Rebecca Moystn of Mostyn Legal, Steve Lozenkovski from Bears Auto Group, Tiarna Katrivesis from Fitness Express Shellharbour and Rob Mitchell from A Class Building.Spokeswoman for the event Karlie Zec said we wanted to try and think of a fund raising event that would bring something different to Wollongong and raise a lot of money. “I think we’ve succeeded,” she said. “We have all sorts of businesses from all over the Illawarra. We deliberately picked people who hadn’t boxed before and gave them the training they needed.“All the people from the various businesses get involved and we have sold more than 1200 tickets so far. It has created a great atmosphere, we all see other at the gym and it has become more of a family than a friendship.”   The Battle Of The Businesses boxing tournament is sponsored by Tiny Tins, Wollongong Crane Trucks and Grechys Boxing & Fitness.Doors open at 4.30pm for a 5.30pm start on Saturday 20th of this month at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster and start at $90.

The South Illawarra Older Women’s Network (SIOWN) was established in early 2024 after a room full of enthusiastic and passionate women endorsed its development at an interest meeting. This is an exciting initiative for the Kiama, Shellharbour and Berry districts that brings older women together to share experiences, forge new friendships, identify opportunities to support each other and other women in the community, learn from guest speakers and socialise over afternoon tea. At the first general meeting in March the initial enthusiasm was still very much apparent. The ages of those attending ranged from mid-50’s to late 80’s and there were women who were born and raised in the district through to more recent arrivals. The sheer range and number of voluntary groups and other activities in which older women are already engaged was inspiring. SIOWN held a session at the recent Kiama Seniors Festival where Susie Pettit, a wellness coach, spoke passionately about wellness and mindset and Marilyn Martin, a dance and movement educator, got the women moving and shaking to music and yoga moves.SIOWN is in discussions with the Older Women’s Network Theatre group to bring to Kiama mid 2024 their Adelaide Fringe Winner cabaret performance of Not Dead Yet. This death-defying show presents the challenges and triumphs of ageing. “The show is original, funny, moving and poignant and features performers from 60-90 who are still ageing and raging.”SIOWN aims to promote the rights, dignity and wellbeing of older women. It is the newest of 17 local groups and 7 wellness centres across NSW that are part of the NSW Older Women’s Network New South Wales (OWN NSW). As the peak body the OWN NSW is recognised and consulted by government on such issues as violence and abuse, homelessness, transport, health and housing, as well as home, community and residential care.SIOWN meetings are held on 3rd Friday of each month at Saints Peter and Paul Church Kiama, from 2:00pm till 4.00pm. The guest speaker on 19 April will be Mary Spillane from the Homestead of Hope.  At this meeting the results of a survey and conversations with older women on future potential activities and speakers will be workshopped and the Facebook page will be launched. The reasons women give for wanting to join SIOWN include extracts from the following conversations: “I love everything about the activities and causes I’ve seen on the OWN website and have read in the newsletter.”“I’m interested to learn new things, and engage with speakers on interesting topics, and to catch up and meet new women over afternoon tea. I’m interested in healthy ageing, wellness, various other talks and activities.”The annual membership fee is $35, and a $5.00 per meeting contribution for afternoon tea. Members are covered by insurance for activities and can subscribe to the OWN NSW fortnightly newsletter dOWNtime, as well as access a variety of online classes via Zoom, including Feldenkrais, Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Ukulele and Crafternoon.For further information contact:Julie McDonald: (0409 760 225)Email: [email protected]: https://ownnsw.org.au

Cedar on Collins held a successful Open Day on 6 April at their buildings in Collins Street Kiama.  Despite the damp weather, three old friends bumped into each other to catch up at the Cedar on Collins open day in Kiama on 6 April. Proves what a small world it is as it had been years in between. New resident Jennifer brought along her furry companion Ewok, who also happens to be a resident.

Every Thursday at 6.30am the group meets at Kiama Downs shops near the cafe Cantik Place. The walk was proudly started by the men of the Lions Club Minnamurra and encourages more people in the local community to get walking and talking. Many benefits come from this initiative that has taken over and there is a Man Walk in several suburbs around the area.  The group ends their walk with a catch up at Cantik Place. Anyone is welcome, there is no registration necessary, and participants will get to enjoy a nice stroll while engaging in conversation, meeting new people and taking in all the benefits a morning stroll with friends can provide.  For local residents, the Jamberoo Man’s Walk is well established and kicks off from the local bakery at 6.15 am Mondays and Fridays. Newcomers are welcome. The walk already attracts participants from neighbouring suburbs, including Albion Park and Oak Flats.

The Shellharbour Council announced the winners of the annual Good Neighbour Awards 2024 on Friday at The Civic Centre. The awards recognise the community members who reach out, support and help care for people in their neighbourhoods and there was a record number of nominations entered this year.The 2024 Good Neighbour of the Year winners are:Winner: Greg and Sue Walsh (Mt Warrigal)Runner Up: Linda Bardak (Tullimbar) Highly Commended: Ash and Sam Gil (Albion Park), Merilyn and Tony Muscat (Albion Park), Elaine Brown (Oak Flats), James O’Connell (Shell Cove)Children’s Choice: Rosie Di Fazio (Albion Park)The Street of the Year was awarded to McGregor Avenue in Barrack Heights The Children’s drawing competition winners were also announced. A big congratulations to first place winner, Lilly, and Kyliah and Willow coming in second and third place from 20 participants.Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer congratulated the winners, and those who nominated them, for making their neighbourhoods great places to live as Shellharbour City Council is commended for being a “very neighbourly organisation.”Shellharbour City Council celebrates Neighbour Day on the last Sunday of March each year. 

The walls of Minnamurra Cafe are lined with Brian Scott’s incredible photography this week and until early May. An ex teacher and Kiama Downs resident, Brian brings a very local presence to the cafe. Brian’s debut exhibition, Kiama Through Local Eyes is a bright and vivid perspective that offers a stunning insight into our local landscapes and environment. Not only can patrons go to the cafe to enjoy the art and the atmosphere but they also have the opportunity to buy the photographs on display. The project is an innovation by Expressive Art Wall.  The exhibition will run until 13 May so get down to Minamurra to see some amazing shots and grab a cup of coffee. Keep a look out for Brian’s incredible sports photography in The Bugle both in print and on our digital app. We know all the sports teams love logging in after a big weekend to see the latest. 

The Kiama Library hosted a captivating author talk featuring Anne Buist and Graeme Simsion on 5 April, 2024Organised by the Friends of Kiama Library, the event attracted a keen audience eager to explore the creative process behind the pair’s new novel, The Glass House: a novel of mental health.Anne Buist is an Australian researcher and practising psychiatrist specialising in women’s mental health. Her previous works include Locked Ward and Medea’s Curse. Graeme Simsion brings the light touch that made The Rosie Project an international bestseller and a respected contribution to the autism conversation.  Glass House is a compelling and addictive novel, and would appeal to readers who enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. The story follows Doctor Hannah Wright, a country girl with a chaotic history as she navigates her new job at the psychiatric ward at Menzies Hospital.Guests had the opportunity to purchase signed copies of The Glass House and have a chat with the two authors. The author talk was a memorable affair, leaving readers and attendees inspired by Buist and Simsion’s storytelling.