As an active, apolitical Kiama community member, I have had quite a lot to do with Gareth Ward over the years. For most of the 14 years, Gareth Ward has been an outstanding MP. However, he now needs to do the following:- Resign before he is expelled by Parliament.- Exercise his rights to appeal if he chooses.- If his conviction were overturned on appeal, he could stand again. To retain any dignity, and for the sake of all the Kiama electorate, he must resign before next Tuesday.Gordon BellKiama

Gareth Ward’s defamation lawsuit against Sydney radio station 2SM will proceed as the jailed Kiama MP awaits sentencing on sexual assault charges.After being taken to Silverwater Correctional Centre on Wednesday when his bail was revoked, Ward’s case against 2SM was heard in the NSW District Court on Thursday.In the brief court hearing, his legal representatives requested for the case to be adjourned while Ward awaits the outcome of his sentencing hearing on 19 September when Judge Kara Shead will announce the punishment for four sexual assault charges.The 44-year-old disgraced politician was found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault at the conclusion of his nine-week trial.He was charged by police three years ago after complaints against Ward from a man, aged 24 at the time, over an incident at Potts Point in Sydney’s east a decade ago.Ward was also accused of indecently assaulting a recently turned 18-year-old at the politician’s Meroo Meadow home in 2013.Separate to his criminal proceedings, the former NSW Families, Communities and Disability Services Minister instigated defamation action against 2SM.The nature of the alleged defamatory material has not been made public.His lawyer requested that the matter should be adjourned until after Ward’s sentencing but Judge Judith Gibson on Thursday told the Court that a directions hearing will be held on 11 September.NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman have called on Ward to resign immediately with community members incensed that he will continue to be entitled to his salary and entitlements despite being in jail.They are likely to expel him when NSW Parliament reconvenes on Tuesday.Speakman on Thursday said he agreed “in principle” with Minns’ push to expel Ward if he does not resign.“The Premier has referred to legal advice he has obtained. I would like to see some legal advice just to confirm that that is in order,” Speakman said.“Subject to that, in principle, we support it.“I would invite the Premier to share that legal advice with his parliamentary colleagues so we can be completely assured that we are doing the legally correct thing.“I’d prefer to see him resign in the public interest.”The Premier said on Monday said it was "ridiculous" that Ward was able, under the NSW Constitution, to retain his seat even after he had been convicted of such serious offences.“You name me one workplace in the world where that person would continue to be an employee facing that kind of jail time,” he said.Minns has indicated the NSW Government will take steps to protect the Legislative Assembly’s integrity because Ward's position is "no longer tenable".Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald has written to the NSW Government to emphasise the importance of local representation and request clarity on what Parliament will do following Ward's guilty verdict on sexual assault charges.1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Kiama’s central business district is grappling with escalating vandalism, illegal dumping and antisocial behaviour, particularly around the Akuna Street car park adjacent to the vacant Kiama Independent building and the former Mitre 10 site. Local business owners and residents are urging authorities to bolster security measures and increase police presence to curb the growing trend.The Akuna Street area has become a magnet for youth loitering outside of business hours. Two abandoned vehicles at the site have been heavily vandalised, with smashed windows and significant damage. Piles of rubbish, including furniture and household items, continue to accumulate, exacerbating the problem.A store employee from Edessa Arcade witnessed a group of teenagers, estimated to be around 15 years old, using bats to smash car windows at approximately 4 pm in the afternoon earlier this month. The former Kiama Independent site is an eye-sore. Photo: The BugleShe attempted to report the incident at the Kiama police station but found it unattended. “It’s incredibly frustrating,” she said. “We need a consistent police presence in this area - it’s becoming a serious concern for everyone.”Last Thursday, (24 July), a fire extinguisher was discharged inside Edessa Mall, leaving a mess that real estate staff and business owners cleaned up the next morning. “This senseless behaviour disrupts our businesses and affects our livelihoods,” a shopkeeper remarked. “It’s a growing worry for the entire community.”Residents near the Akuna Street car park report frequent gatherings of young people lighting small fires and congregating around e-bikes in the vicinity. In response, police visited the site on Monday to assess the damage and recommended installing CCTV cameras as a deterrent. They also revealed that the existing CCTV system on Terralong Street has been inoperative since recent thunderstorms, a matter now under review.The importance of functional surveillance was underscored last November when CCTV footage helped apprehend culprits behind a robbery at Trinity Jewellery Store in Centrepoint Arcade. Police have committed to increasing patrols in the Akuna Street precinct during afternoons and weekends to address the ongoing issues.Edessa Arcade after last week's incident. Photo: The BugleTreena Allen, a representative from First National Coast & Country - the managing real estate agency for Edessa Arcade, welcomed the increased patrols but stressed the need for broader solutions. “The police response is a positive step, but more action is needed,” she said. “We’re deeply concerned about the damage and disruption. “We support any measures - whether it’s working CCTV, security patrols, or improved police reporting access - that will enhance safety and deter further incidents.”Kiama Council clarified that the Akuna Street site, including the buildings and car park, is privately owned by Level 33.Complaints about vandalism, rubbish, water leaks, or the site’s condition should be directed to the property owners. However, the Council has raised its own concerns with the owners following numerous community complaints. It is also seeking funding to replace the Terralong Street CCTV system, installed in 2015 and damaged in recent storms, with a full upgrade planned.Council advises reporting illegal dumping to the NSW Environment Protection Authority at 131 555 or via ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au and criminal activity directly to NSW Police.Local businesses and residents hope this renewed focus will lead to coordinated action to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Kiama’s Lime Building Group has won an unprecedented nine times at the 2025 Master Builders Association Regional Excellence in Building Awards, the most successful night in the company’s 15-year history.The business is led by local builder Joel Stewart and specialises in custom luxury home construction across the South Coast and Southern Highlands, with projects ranging from Wollongong to Mollymook.“I normally win one [award] every year that we go … I don't think I've won nine in my whole career,” Joel said.The awards won by Lime Building Group included major categories such as Master Builder of the Year 2025, Best Contract Home Over $6 Million, Best Contract Home $5 to 6 million, Best Kitchen Project $100,000 to $200,000, Best Bathroom Project $50,000 to $75,000, and Best Swimming Pool over $500,000 as well as Best Residential Fit-Out, Best Outdoor Living Area Project, Best House Additions, Alterations & Renovations $2 Million to $3 Million.“It makes me really happy because it wasn't just one house that won. It was four different projects we'd done,” he said.“It really shows that we've got a really strong team to be able to win so many awards across so many different categories.”'The Autumn House' by Lime Building GroupIn an industry that is becoming increasingly reliant on subcontractors, Lime Building Group operates with over 50 full-time employees and many of them have been with Joel for 7-10 years.“To deliver what we're doing, you've got to run that model, which is how they used to run building companies 10 or 20 years ago,” he said.Joel said it can be difficult when hurdles happen, like when there's multiple days of rain - he can’t simply send his workers home, he needs to find work for them.But the payoff of this is consistency and continuous improvement as a team.“It's like, ‘hey guys, last time we did that, we did pretty well, but next time I reckon we can do it better.’ And then we just keep learning and evolving with that,” he said.Growing up in Foxground helped Joel develop an understanding of rural infrastructure that serves him well when they work on larger properties in the area.Joel’s vision remains the same from when the business started, delivering quality projects without compromise.“If we do something we're not happy with, we just pull it down and do it again. And if it costs me money, the boys just know that we just do it again and I'll wear the cost,” he said.Lime Building Group will now head to The Master Builders Association of NSW Excellence Awards in September as finalists, where they’ll be up against elite builders across the state.

Kiama Independent MP Gareth Ward was taken into custody and will be sent to jail after his bail was revoked on Wednesday afternoon following last Friday’s guilty verdict on four sexual assault charges.Ward returned to the NSW District Court on Wednesday afternoon where Crown Prosecutor Monika Knowles requested that the 44-year-old politician should be detained after he was found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault at the conclusion of his nine-week trial.His defence counsel, Edward Anderson, opposed the request to revoke his bail due to the nature of his crimes and that his vision meant he was nearly legally blind due to his oculocutaneous albinism.Anderson told the Darlinghurst Courthouse that Ward would be vulnerable to physical violence from other inmates due to his public profile.The Prosecutor argued that the former NSW Families, Communities and Disability Services Minister’s situation did not constitute the “special or exceptional circumstances” required to continue bail.Judge Kara Shead agreed that Ward should be sent to jail and provisions would be made so that electronic devices that he requires to communicate would be accessible so that he could prepare for a possible appeal against his convictions.He was handcuffed and taken from the Downing Centre Court in Sydney's CBD to Silverwater Correctional Centre.Ward was escorted from the dock by court officers and taken into custody.He will face Court again on 19 September for sentencing.Ward’s fall from grace has led to NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman calling on him to resign from Parliament.They have indicated that they will make moves to not just suspend him but expel him when Parliament resumes on Tuesday.This would trigger a by-election for the Kiama state electorate in the coming months and almost certainly bring an end to Ward’s political career after more than 20 years in public office as a Shoalhaven councillor and then NSW Member of Parliament.He was charged by police three years ago after complaints against Ward from a man, aged 24 at the time, over an incident at Potts Point in Sydney’s east a decade ago.Ward was also accused of indecently assaulting a recently turned 18-year-old at the politician’s Meroo Meadow home in 2013.Parliament has the power to expel Ward under the NSW Consitution which allows for an MP's seat to be declared vacant if convicted of a crime which carries a jail term of five years or more.Ward was accused of digitally penetrating a political staffer in the Potts Point incident and performing a sex act without the other man's consent.He was also accused of mounting the 18-year-old in the Shoalhaven incident as he lay face down on a bed to perform a massage and also of touching him on the genitals without consent earlier in the evening while the teenager was lying on the lawn.He retained the seat of Kiama at the most recent election in 2023 as an independent, after he left the Liberal Party when it emerged that he was the subject of a criminal investigation.The Premier said on Monday said it was "ridiculous" that Ward was able, under the NSW Constitution, to retain his seat even after he had been convicted of such serious offences.“You name me one workplace in the world where that person would continue to be an employee facing that kind of jail time,” he said."We are not dealing with hypotheticals any more. He has been convicted."Minns has indicated the NSW Government will take steps to protect the Legislative Assembly’s integrity because Ward's position is "no longer tenable".Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald has written to the NSW Government to emphasise the importance of local representation and request clarity on what Parliament will do following Ward's guilty verdict on sexual assault charges.Councillor McDonald issued a statement on Tuesday to say Council is seeking "clarification on what the next steps will be from the NSW Parliament in relation to this matter".“On behalf of the residents of Kiama municipality, I have respectfully urged the NSW Parliament to take swift and decisive action in this matter, keeping in mind the vital importance of local representation in maintaining the public's faith in our political system," he wrote.1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Music weaves its way through the heart of humanity, transcending barriers of age, memory, and language. For many, it is a source of joy, solace, and connection. Nowhere is this more evident than in the first solo concert performed by our dementia choir, a transformative event that not only celebrates music but champions the resilience and vibrancy of those living with dementia and their families and care partners.The Alchemy Chorus was founded in 2022 by Dr Christa Wood, with the help of the Rotary Club of Gerringong, and community volunteers. Since early 2025 a new charity, Active Ageing NSW Inc, is looking after this choir, bringing together people living with and alongside dementia and community volunteers, who share the joy of music, and the power of connections through song. The success of the choir lies in a belief that music possesses the unique power to unlock memories, foster emotional connections and bring light to even the most challenging moments of cognitive decline. After months of practice and several performances at care homes and community centres, the choir set its sights on an ambitious goal: to headline its very own solo concert. An event solely dedicated to showcasing the talents of our singers and musicians and to connect with our local community. Musical director Jenny Ferguson has worked hard to adapt arrangements to suit the choristers, using vocal exercises and including choreography to provide a professional experience for our audience. The concert serves as a showcase for our choir while making a powerful statement against the stigma that often surrounds dementia, challenging assumptions about what those living with the condition can achieve. By taking centrestage, the choir members assert their presence, their voices, and their stories, refusing to be defined solely by diagnosis.Participation in music-making has been shown to ease anxiety, improve mood and enhance quality of life for people with cognitive challenges. For this ensemble, the concert will be a reaffirmation of self-worth and capability. Research in the field of music therapy supports these observations, revealing that familiar melodies can stimulate brain regions associated with memory and emotion, even when other cognitive functions decline. Singing in a group also nurtures social bonds, reducing isolation and reinforcing a sense of belonging.The name ‘Alchemy’ represent the blending of various elements – our voices – to make something valuable. And we do! Join us to share our first Solo Concert experience on Sunday (3 August), from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Gerringong Town Hall, 106 Fern Street. Email Christa for more information via [email protected].

Kiama Council is backing a report from Local Government NSW which is calling on the state and federal governments to commit to genuine reform on regulatory changes, proper budget support and fair funding.An independent report commissioned by LG NSW has found that each ratepayer is being short-changed by around $500 a year due to cost shifting by the NSW and Australian Governments.All up, local councils in NSW are absorbing a staggering $1.5 billion in costs that have been diverted to them from the higher levels of government for responsibilities such as infrastructure, services and regulation without sufficient fundingChief executive officer Jane Stroud, Mayor Cameron McDonald and his fellow Councillors Stuart Larkins, Melinda Lawton and Mike Cains represented Kiama at the National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra last month where the topic of cost shifting was the talk of the conference.“Councils are really struggling to do more with less money,” Cr Lawton said."These days, it’s not like it used to be - there are more services, more choices, and naturally, communities expect more in return for their rates, especially when those rates have gone up significantly. And fair enough. But the reality is, those increases don’t actually stretch far — they mostly just keep pace with inflation, not the rising costs of delivering the services people rely on. She spoke to a representative from another local council who said their plight was so dire that they couldn’t even afford to buy a new garbage truck.Cr Lawton used the fact that Kiama Council now has to foot the bill for the upkeep of Jamberoo Mountain Road instead of the NSW Government as an example of local Councils having to do a lot more nowadays.Council has been advocating since September 2022 to have Jamberoo Mountain Road reclassified from a regional to a state road.“When things like this get pushed back onto local councils, we’re stuck. We don’t get the funding to redesign the road in a way that would actually reduce the risk of landslides - we just get enough to patch it up. "So it ends up happening again, just a few metres down the track,” Cr Lawton said. “There’s just not enough money to go around.“It takes away money reserves that we could allocate somewhere else.“I see this as something that the community could take to and push back at the state election. Relay our current issues to the people who are running - what are you going to do about cost shifting, what are you going to do about these roads that we’ve been given that should not be ours and get some real answers.”Cr Lawton floated the idea of being more transparent with rate notices to show what percentage stays with Council for their operations.“If our rates notices can be more transparent about what monies go where, rather than a general line item, then people might see that some of those monies that they’re paying to us, is by-passing local govt and goes straight up the line,” she said.“People could see that Council’s not getting $500 from me this year; they’re only actually getting $250. These figures as an example only.“That may explain some of the issues around the fact that we can’t always provide what the community would like.”Complicating matters for Kiama is the NSW Government-imposed Performance Improvement Order that they are operating under in order to balance the books by midway through 2027.“Everyone knew it was always going to be a challenge but to date we are looking really positive,” Cr Lawton said. “Although there’s probably going to be some tough calls to get us to that point, I think the community can feel there’s a bit of security there just by the fact things are being righted by these processes and having the OLG looking over our shoulders. “It’s great. Accountability should never be seen as an imposition; it can only benefit us in the long run.”Cr McDonald has described the LG NSW report as a “significant wake-up call” for the higher levels of government.Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips disputes Kiama Council’s claims in relation to federal funding.Phillips pointed to the significant Australian Government funding flowing into the Kiama local government area to assist Council with roads and community infrastructure projects.“The new Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club would not have been built without the $5.5 million federal funding that I delivered,” she said.“The recently completed car park in South Kiama Drive at Kiama High School would not have happened without federal funding.“I’ve delivered federal funding for flag poles at the Jamberoo School of Arts, upgrades to Gerry Emery Reserve Club amenities and repairs for cricket pitches at Bonaira, Chapman and Keith Irvine Ovals ... and much more.“The injection of federal funding reduces the burden on Kiama Council to fund the upgrade of local roads and facilities that are important to our community.“Without federal funding many of the local projects in Kiama wouldn’t even get off the ground.”Phillips said that the federal Roads to Recovery program is progressively increasing from $500 million to $1 billion per year, the Road Black Spot Program is increasing to $150 million per year, and $50 million has been added to the new $200 million per year Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.“Kiama Council can access funding to help maintain and upgrade local road networks, especially with the severe weather events that have so heavily impacted road infrastructure in recent years,” she said.“Federal infrastructure betterment funding was also provided to Kiama Council to assist with building three disaster-impacted roads back better, including Jamberoo Mountain Road.“I encourage Kiama Council to be proactive and apply for federal funding, and to engage with me about grant opportunities that are available.”

Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald is confident Council will be able to maximise returns on developer applications under the new Housing Strategy after a review undertaken by the governance team into how they recoup fees and charges.Councillor Erica Warren raised concerns at Council meeting in the May as part of commentary in the community about concerns over developer contributions.Cr Warren requested an urgent engagement of specialist staff to update the now expired Section 7.11 fees and chares so the Mayor requested a thorough review, also including Section 7.12 contributions.The review was tabled at this month's Council meeting which delved into the history of the two sections, dating back to 2010.According to the report, regular reviews had been undertaken by Council staff in recent years and there had been no wrongdoing by any staff or incorrect information given to Councillors.“It was important to request a comprehensive report to address the history of the Section 7.11 and Section 7.12 contributions applied locally but also as a way to commence conversations about what our local contributions plans might be moving into the future,” Cr McDonald said.“We adopted the Housing Strategy at the last Council meeting and and Director Paterson has commented that we will be reconsidering those Section 7.11 and Section 7.12 contribution policies because with greater development and greenfield development, potentially, one plan may be much more favourable than the other.”Cr McDonald said Director Paterson had been in conversation with the South Kiama development and negotiating a voluntary planning proposal, which is essentially an agreement made with developers on what the contributions will be”.“We won't enter into those unless it's beneficial for ratepayers to enter into those agreements.“It was helpful from a historical perspective for this report to inform us of what Council's treatment of those contribution plans has been and to provide some education and understanding as we embark on these conversations into the future.“It's a comprehensive report attached to the business paper. I would hope it answers some of the questions that have been in the community with regards to developer contributions.“A report like this is a bit of a line in the sand in that we've been presented with the information now.”Cr McDonald added that Council was committed to ensuring they operated efficiently without secrecy.“Members of the public heard during the campaign made it clear that we want an open and transparent local government that consults with the community and is at one with the community.“There has been a lot of grey area with the development contribution discussion in the community so let's try and be as open as transparent about the history of it as possible but also let’s use that report so that we can all be on the same page and make sure that Council is actually trying to maximise the benefit for ratepayers out of any developments that might be at hand.”

Police have released CCTV footage as they reappeal for information following an assault and robbery in the Illawarra earlier this year.About 11pm on Friday, 28 March, a man was walking at the intersection of Queen Street and Shellharbour Road at Warilla, when he was allegedly approached by two people and knocked to the ground, before they stole a mobile phone and fled the scene.A member of the public stopped to assist the man.The 61-year-old man returned to his home nearby and contacted police.Officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police Station responded and transported the man to Shellharbour Hospital, where he was treated for facial injuries.A crime scene was established and detectives launched Strike Force Torulosa to investigate the circumstances.As investigations continue, detectives have released additional CCTV of two people they believe can assist with their inquiries, who were seen in Queen Street prior to the alleged robbery.The man depicted is described as Caucasian in appearance, 25-35 years old, medium to heavy build, with dark coloured hair. He was last seen wearing a black hat, blue t-shirt, red shorts, and black and white joggers.The woman depicted is described as Caucasian in appearance, 25-35 years old, thin build with long brown hair. She was last seen wearing a grey coloured singlet, black full length leggings and white joggers.Police would also like to speak to a person who stopped their car to assist the man, shortly after the alleged assault.Anyone with information, or CCTV footage is urged to come forward and contact Lake Illawarra Police Station on 02 4232 5599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Councillor Melinda Lawton said concerns about the area turning into “little boxes on a hillside” was part of her decision to vote against Kiama Council’s Housing Strategy.Cr Lawton was the lone dissenting voice who voted against the Housing Strategy at this month's Council meeting and she did so because she was concerned about urban sprawl dominating the local government area.The Strategy confirms Kiama Council will add 900 more homes in the local government area by 2029, to meet NSW Government housing targets.“I understood where the other Councillors were coming from - this document had been on the table for a long time and people felt it needed to move forward,” Cr Lawton told The Bugle, airing her views as a Councillor rather than on behalf of Council.“However, I was really disappointed that we included areas that seemed excessive and the community thought they were excessive too.“There’ll be parklands and green spaces to divide up the housing but the way it was put, to me it seemed like a blanket approach. “The idea is that we don’t get all the little boxes on a hillside - there’s nothing I would hate to see more than pure urban sprawl of housing and nothing else.“I think it’s vitally important that we have mini shops, schools and employment areas. “From my perspective I felt the document could have included some more information about the other critical aspects of what’s going to be required to enforce this Housing Strategy.”Cr Lawton believes the name of the document should become Growth Strategy “so that we can see all areas that make up the whole.”.“I’m a big believer in creating a document that takes into account all the issues and then working through timelines, allowing it to be a constantly evolving document rather than a complete, submit and we look at it in five years,” she added.“Potentially it’s something we need to look at every two years, depending on people moving in and out of the area, what employment becomes available, how the LGA changes over time.“Yes, I was disappointed but now you’ve got to move on and work with it and I intend on being very instrumental in being part of the Strategy, working in as many benefits for community that are possible. I know everyone out there is really desperate for housing - that’s a given - but ensuring we do it properly.“It’s always that fine line - you won’t please everybody.” Many local residents have expressed fears that the area will end up resembling other locations already swamped by urban housing sprawl - vast estates with rows of houses with similar design outcomes.Previous urban sprawl does appear to be a case of “here’s some land, let’s put as many houses on it as possible,” she added. “And that comes from demand and developers wanting to maximise their return on investment, which I also understand.“But I think the time for that kind of urban sprawl is coming to an end. Developers are having to think more innovatively, community expectations are very high.“We are wanting more from our developments. We don’t want houses upon houses. We want walking tracks, cycling tracks, cornershops.”Cr Lawton said a community member hit the nail on the head when they told her “we don’t need one of everything in Kiama”. “We need to work regionally to see what other local councils are doing and see where we can share the load in providing services,” she said.As someone who grew up in Jamberoo, she was particularly concerned that the rural township could lose its unique character if there is too much development.“Everyone wants to live there because it’s so beautiful, rural and peaceful, however we need to be careful that it’s not loved to death by overdevelopment.“Our region is lucky that we have independent towns that bring people in.. The beauty, our friendliness and offerings are different from other places, we need to make sure we don’t wipe them out.”Cr Lawton is also worried the Strategy will not do enough to make housing more affordable and said it is not as simple as incorporating smaller houses or blocks into planning.“I’m really concerned that housing will be provided but not at a percentage of affordable housing,” she said.“We’re in a housing crisis so we need to look at things differently. “Social housing is a big issue. There’s such a small percentage in the Kiama LGA. This needs to be looked at in quickly. It should be one of our highest priorities. It can’t be an afterthought. “Part of my ongoing commitment to community is collaborating with various community groups to ensure active engagement during the development of further housing and growth policies.”

Independent MP Gareth Ward could remain the state member for the Kiama electorate even if he is sent to jail.Ward will return to the NSW District Court on Wednesday after being released on bail since he was found guilty on Friday of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault.The 44-year-old, who has protested his innocence throughout the judicial process, could appeal the verdict.Crown Prosecutor Monika Knowles has indicated that she will request that his bail should be revoked on Wednesday.If Judge Kara Shead agrees, Ward will be taken into custody and imprisoned before he is sentenced at a later date.He was found guilty after complaints from a man, aged 24 at the time, over an incident at Potts Point in Sydney’s east a decade ago.The jury also found Ward guilty of indecently assaulting a recently turned 18-year-old at the politician’s Meroo Meadow home in 2013.NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman have called on Ward to resign immediately.The Premier said on Monday said it was "ridiculous" that Ward was able, under the NSW Constitution, to retain his seat even after he had been convicted of such serious offences.“You name me one workplace in the world where that person would continue to be an employee facing that kind of jail time,” he said."We are not dealing with hypotheticals any more. He has been convicted."Minns has indicated the NSW Government will take steps to protect the Legislative Assembly’s integrity because Ward's position is "no longer tenable".Parliament resumes next week and if Ward is expelled, a by-election will be held.Ward has been involved in politics for more than two decades after starting as a Councillor in the Shoalhaven before claiming the state seat of Kiama in 2011 and retaining it ever since, including as an independent - after he resigned from the Liberal Party - at the most recent election in 2023.He was suspended by the NSW Parliament in 2022 after the former minister for families, communities and disability services was charged by police with the sexual assault offences.After he was re-elected the following year, he was allowed to continue in the role after a Parliamentary Privileges and Ethics Committee warned the government to "seriously consider any negative risks to the parliament, constituents, victims of any alleged crimes and the presumption of innocence" in relation to situations such as the one involving the Kiama MP.The NSW Constitution provides for politicians to be disqualified from Parliament if they are convicted of a charge that is punishable by a sentence of a prison term of more than five years, which is the case for all four offences that Ward was found guilty of committing.Sydney University Professor Anne Twomey, a constitutional law expert, told ABC Radio on Monday morning that there is the distinct possibility that Ward could be suspended but that the Constitution was amended 25 years ago to say expulsion ultimately depends on whether there is an appeal and its outcome.“What if you are elected, you’ve been convicted but you appeal and they overturn your conviction?” she said.“So the Constitution now says your disqualification only kicks in if, at the point where you’ve not appealed within the prescribed time, your disqualification kicks in immediately. Or if you have appealed, the disqualification kicks in at the point at which the appeals are all determined, assuming that they don’t quash your conviction.“There’s potentially quite a long period, depending on how long it takes to get an appeal on and whether there’s a further appeal after that, etc.”Professor Twomey said the most obvious path for the Parliament to take if they believe Ward should be removed would be to suspend him during an appeal period.“However in NSW, you can neither suspend or expel for any reason other than protecting the integrity of the Parliament and its ability to fulfil its functions,” she added.“So you can’t suspend or expel for punishment.“Punishment is something that can only be applied by the courts, not the Parliament.“The Constitution respects the fact that someone could appeal and the conviction could be quashed and therefore they should be able to retain their seat. So if you interfere with that with an expulsion, it’s sort of undermining that Constitutional respect for the process.”Professor Twomey said when the amendments were made to the Constitution in 2000, a provision was made so that “nothing in this section affects any power that a House has to expel a member of parliament”.“Expulsion power is still there in extreme cases and it would be a matter for the Parliament to decide whether this is an extreme case,” she explained.“In an extreme case they could say, well it undermines the ability of our House to operate because people will lose trust in us and respect for us and therefore in the circumstances we just simply have to expel (rather) than leave it up to the people to decide (at the next election).“They could do that. It’s a choice but in all circumstances they have to be able to justify it by saying this is for self-protection of the House’s ability to perform its function, it’s not because of the purposes of punishment.“If he appeals then it will take a while until that’s resolved. So you could be a member of Parliament and sitting in prison.”Speakman issued a statement to say Ward's conduct was a "complete abuse of power"."The Member for Kiama must resign from Parliament. If Mr Ward does not resign, then upon its resumption the Parliament should swiftly take all appropriate steps to protect its integrity,” he said.1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Lake Illawarra Police have arrested a 29-year-old man after a high-speed pursuit on the Princes Highway on Sunday between Gerroa and Dunmore.After highway patrol officers attempted to stop the man driving a gold Nissan Patrol for an alleged speeding offence on the highway at Bombo about 2.45pm on Sunday, he allegedly drove away despite police turning on their warning lights for him to pull over.He drove north to Dunmore before turning the vehicle around to head south to Gerroa. Police deployed road spikes at Gerroa which brought the pursuit to an abrupt end.The driver was arrested and transported to Lake Illawarra Police Station before being then taken to Wollongong Hospital.There was heavy traffic in the area during and immediately after the incident from South Kiama to Bombo.Police are continuing their investigations into the incident.It was the second high-speed pursuit involving Bombo in the past three weeks - a 25-year-old man failed to appear in Nowra Local Court last Tuesday due to medical reasons after he was arrested on Saturday, July 12, following a series of incidents that began just before 1pm in Worrigee.Police allege he approached a 66-year-old woman sitting in her Ford Mustang on Illawarra Circuit, striking her repeatedly with an axe before forcing her out of the car and running her over as he fled in the vehicle.He led police on an hour-long pursuit through Nowra, Bomaderry, Berry, Gerringong and Kiama, with police alleging the Mustang reached speeds of 180km/h and was driven on the wrong side of the Princes Highway before crashing into a ute in Kiama Downs.

Kate Dezarnaulds was genuinely surprised when her name was called out at the inaugural Kiama Business Awards.The WorkLife founder took home the Outstanding Business Leader award, a recognition she describes as “absolutely delightful”.“It was very unexpected from my point of view,” Dezarnaulds said.“The camaraderie of other business owners is a real joy, and the respect and acknowledgement that's implicit in the award is so gratifying.”The Kiama Business Network established the awards this year as a way to recognise outstanding business achievements in the area. WorkLife was also nominated in the Excellence in Small Business category, dual recognition that shows the company’s impact in the region.Dezarnaulds admits that she used to be cynical about business awards but made the decision to enter multiple awards the past few years. The recognition has been valuable to the business considering the financial challenges many small businesses face.“Small business is really full on and risky, and the last few years has not been very profitable,” she said.“To take a moment to take stock on what you have achieved when you feel like the usual measure of success is dollars in the bank … it's been great to be able to actually say, no, it's OK, we've done some really great things.”The journey to this success began when Dezarnaulds founded WorkLife in 2017 after getting tired of her Berry to Sydney commute for work that she’d made at least 882 times. She tried working remotely from home and a local cafe, both of which weren’t working for her, so then she opened WorkLife’s first co-working space in Berry.After WorkLife’s success in Berry, they expanded to Kiama and Coledale, though they lost their Kiama location during COVID, they bounced back by opening a space in Picton in 2023.“We've got a lot of Kiama-based businesses that are working out of our location in the area at the moment,” Dezarnaulds said“I think part of my surprise was the acknowledgement of the role that we play in the wider region here.”Looking ahead, Dezarnaulds wants the small business community to build better connectivity with young people in the region.“I would love for the small business community to build better connectivity with our young people in the region so that we can keep their energies and their intellects close to home,” she said.

This week's digital edition of The Bugle is headlined by the guilty verdict that has been handed down in the trial of Gareth Ward over historical sexual assault allegationsWard was visibly taken aback when the verdict was read out at Darlinghurst Courthouse after a nine-week trial before Judge Kara Shead - The 44-year-old had pleaded not guilty to five charges - he was found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent, common assault and three counts of indecent assault.Click here to view our latest editionA charge of common assault was considered not necessary by the NSW District Court once he was found guilty of the other offences.The digital edition also brings you the story of a local photographer who has developed a kinship with the beautiful but potentially deadly octopus species that inhabit Kiama's rockpools.There is also a feature on acclaimed filmmaker Gillian Anderson coming to Kiama for the Orry-Kelly Gala night and the "shame" that led her to create a movie about his amazing life.You can also read plenty of great community stories including an update from Councillor Melinda Lawton on why she voted against the Kiama's Housing Strategy, an amazing property which has gone on the market near Easts Beach and the latest on the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone.And there is more on a local dementia support forum, Kate Dezarnualds' win at the Kiama Business Awards, a new book by a local poet and all the latest in local sport, including league, rugby, AFL and a teenage soccer player who represented NSW Country at the recent Matildas Championships.Kiama's local government area was inundated with rain and buffeted by heavy winds with gusts of more than 120km/h.Please note if you have picked up the print edition of The Bugle, due to Thursday night deadlines it was published before the Ward verdict was announced

Whether you like them baked, mashed or fried, potatoes are a winter staple.The good news is they’re super easy to grow at home, even if you’re short on space.I’m a big fan of using potato grow bags. They’ve got a handy flap near the bottom so you can keep tabs on your crop and even harvest a few early spuds – what us gardeners like to call “bandicooting”.To get started, place a base layer of sugarcane mulch at the bottom of the bag, then add a generous serve of compost. I love using cow manure, though chicken manure or any decent organic matter will also do the trick.After that, put down a shallow layer of good-quality potting mix. This becomes the seed bed for your potatoes.Make sure you're using certified seed potatoes. Don’t go rummaging through the pantry for sprouting spuds; supermarket varieties often carry viruses.Place five or six seed potatoes across the surface, spacing them out a bit. Don’t worry if it’s a little tight, you can always thin them later.I like to roll the sides of the bag down at this stage to let in more sunlight. Then cover the spuds with about 2-4cm of potting mix. As the shoots grow, keep topping up the potting mix around the stems, always leaving a bit of foliage exposed. This helps build a bigger yield.Once the bag is full and your potato plants start to flower, you’re nearly there.When the flowers die off, it’s harvest time. Either dig them out or lift the flap on the side and go bandicooting for fresh, homegrown potatoes.No grow bag? No worries. A hessian sack works just as well. Just make sure your spuds get good drainage, rich organic soil, and a decent dose of sunshine.Give them a go this winter. They’re easy, fun and delicious.Clivias under attack? Blame the caterpillarsClivias are usually hardy, low-maintenance plants, but lately I’ve seen more and more gardeners dealing with lily caterpillar outbreaks.These sneaky little pests hide deep in the folds of clivia leaves and can chew right back into the crown before you even know they’re there. If your clivias are looking shredded, it’s likely the caterpillars have moved in.My go-to treatment is a spray called Success Ultra Insect Control, which contains the active ingredient spinetoram.It’s fast-acting and once sprayed, the caterpillars stop feeding immediately. You can also try an organic option like Bacillus thuringiensis, but be warned: it can take up to four days to kick in, and by then, your clivias could be toast.Act fast and keep checking for more caterpillars hiding in the foliage. The quicker you catch them, the better your plants will bounce back.To watch the full gardening segment, head to The Bugle News Kiama’s YouTube channel.

The problem of vandalism in the Kiama local government area has arrived on The Bugle's own doorstep.Vandals went on a rampage on Thursday night in the Edessa Arcade on Terralong Street and police are now investigating the incident.They did not do much damage and thankfully none of the shops were damaged.The hoodlums got their hands on a fire extinguisher which is permanently placed in the arcade and sprayed its contents throughout the area, on ground level, the stairway and the upstairs level.They also ripped mail from the letterboxes for the Edessa Arcade tenants and dumped them in the stairwell.While they did not do too much damage, they have caused inconvenience with the area now needing to be cleaned, the fire extinguisher has to be replaced and the strewn mail sorted out.

Shadow Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast Natalie Ward and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman have launched a scathing attack on the NSW Labor Government over public transport in the region.They have blasted the government over results of the 2025 financial year which was the worst on record for train services running on time at 76.4%.Ward and Speakman pointed to figures which show the situation has worsened with 63.9% of services in July running on time. Speakman said the results are not a glitch but a failure of planning, delivery and representation.NSW Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman questioned what rail commuters have to show for Labor’s two years in office and three state budgets.“A service that’s worse than ever and local Labor MPs who’ve gone missing,” he said.Ward said Maryanne Stuart, Ryan Park, Paul Scully, Anna Watson and Liza Butler have all had their chance to speak up.“But when their communities are left stranded, they go quiet. Why?” she asked.Ward said the Minns Labor Government was out of excuses and instead of blaming others, they need to show leadership to fix the ongoing problems with the trains network on the Illawarra and South Coast lines.

The Kiama community is invited to a fundraiser at Kiama Anglican Church on Saturday (26 July), with a firm 10am start time, and running till 4pm with 100% of funds raised to support vital medical care in one of the poorest regions of Madagascar.The event will feature a BIG quality book fair, lots of beautiful bric-a-brac treasures, a $5 cuppa with baked treats, and a sausage sizzle - raising funds for a newly established medical clinic in Toliara, Madagascar.The clinic was recently opened by Dr Avril Friend, an Australian GP who has committed to working for 15 years in the region, where healthcare is extremely limited. Avril initially stocked the clinic with basic supplies brought from Australia, but more equipment is urgently needed.Proceeds from the fundraiser will help purchase items from Avril’s medical wish list, including a portable ultrasound device that fits in the palm of your hand and connects to a phone, a compact ECG machine, a portable defibrillator, and essential medications and supplies.Kiama resident Barb Friend is organising the fundraiser and is also Avril’s mother-in-law.“We’re deeply thankful for everyone’s generosity and hope for a strong turnout on 26 July,” she said.Barb is hoping to raise $10,000, which will go a long way toward equipping the clinic and supporting the local community in Toliara.

The 14th annual Illawarra Shoalhaven Dementia public forum is being held this September and organisers are hoping it will be their biggest event yet.The forum will take place at the Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow on Wednesday 17 September, running from 9:30am to 3pm, with lunch and refreshments available.The forum has recently expanded to include the Shoalhaven area, with a free bus running from Nowra and stopping at Gerringong railway station.With changes happening to dementia and aged care legislation from 1 November, organiser Val Fell is urging people to attend to learn more about the changes and impacts it will have.The forum began on a ‘whim’ as Val would describe, with a spur of the moment request at a Labor Party conference in Sydney. Val approached Sue Pieters-Hawke, who was touring the country sharing her experiences caring for her mother who had dementia.“I just got up and went across to her and I asked her to come to Wollongong, and she said yes,” Val said.“I started to arrange it, and then decided it was going to cost me a lot of money. So I went to Dementia Australia and said, 'will you help me put this on?' And they said yes.”What started as a single event with about 150 attendees, has grown into an annual forum that now brings in over 350 people. The forum is organised by volunteers and funded through donations and contributions from organisations such as Dementia Australia, Dementia Support Australia, Dementia Training Australia, and the federal government.This year's forum will include speakers Professor Tanya Buchanan the CEO of Dementia Australia, Robert Day from the Department of Health, and Joanne Kershaw from Childhood Dementia Initiatives. The speakers will be addressing the rise in dementia, community initiatives, details about the new aged care act, and information about childhood dementia.Based on last year’s success, the forum will include an art and craft exhibition in the Fraternity Club’s foyer, displaying works created by people in the early stages of dementia.“Just to show that people can still have meaningful lives,” said Val.In the lead-up to the forum, Dementia Australia is offering support sessions in Kiama and Nowra between 28-31 July.Dementia Australia states that there are an estimated 141,800 people living with dementia in NSW which is projected to rise to more than 252,800 people by 2054 if there are no medical breakthroughs.These free sessions will provide an opportunity for people living with dementia, their carers, family, and friends to better understand dementia, and to learn about support services.The program includes sessions on carer wellness, understanding dementia, EDIE for family carers, mild cognitive impairment, consumer engagement information, understanding changes in behaviour, communication and dementia, exploring respite, driving and dementia, and grief and loss.These sessions cover Kiama and Nowra locations over the four days, bookings are essential and can be done online or by calling the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.Registration is essential for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Dementia Public Forum and available online or by phone to Val (0488 114 555) or Lynda (0417 468 977). Attendance is free with donations always welcome.If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours a day, seven days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.