A memorial service to celebrate the life of Frederick Coulson will be held on Thursday, October 26th, at 10 a.m. The service will take place at Stan Crapp Funerals, located at 125 Manning Street, Kiama, followed by a burial at Bombo Cemetery.Refreshments will be served at 12 p.m. at the Kiama Bowling Club, 100 Shoalhaven Street, Kiama, where friends and community members can gather to share their memories of Fred.Fred was a beloved member of the Kiama community, cherished by those who knew him through the Kiama Heart Foundation Walking Group, where he belonged for many years of his life. He had celebrated his 96th birthday this year in August.Rest in peace, Frederick Coulson. You will be dearly missed.

GUY MARRIOTT 5 May 1944 - 9 October 2023CONTACT [email protected]/illawarraPh: (+61) 4276 161199 Military Road, Port Kembla NSW 2505 Tender Funerals Illawarra is currently fundraising and looking for community support. 

The Bugle would like to acknowledge the recent passing of some of our Kiama elders.WINSOME BARKER(Winsome Barker pictured above) Winsome Barker, well-known citizen of Kiama passed away on Tuesday 5 September 2023.After an eventful life, Winsome moved to Kiama in 1990.Winsome was instrumental in the creation of Peace Park (noted for the wonderful rose garden) in Manning Street, and the Kiama Pelican statue down at harbour, which was moved to Kiama Library. Many locals have fond memories of Winsome’s many colourful hats. The Kiama Garden Club presented Winsome with her life membership in 2014. The gazebo at Kiama Peace Park, which Winsome was instrumental in creating, is named the Winsome Barker gazebo in her honour. The park was paid for by the innovative “Buy a Brick” scheme where bricks with names can be added to the walking paths, which has now has become a memorial itself. A less well-known fact is that Winsome worked for many years as a volunteer guide at Taronga Zoo, despite the long distance required to travel to and from Kiama. Winsome was a long-term member of the Kiama and District Historical Society.As part of the Tidy Town Committee, Winsome arranged for the bronze mix statue of the Kiama Pelican. The statue by artist Tim Johnman was erected in 2002 as a warning to fishers and locals about the dangers of plastic bags to local wildlife after Winsome heard the story of a real pelican at Kiama that died eating plastic bags after mistaking them for jellyfish.In 2014 Winsome Barker was presented with the Kiama Electorate Community Recognition Award by NSW Governor David Hurley.The Bugle would like to thank Barry Wilson for supplying much of the above material. Barry, Winsome’s long-time neighbour, remembers Winsome “as a distinguished lady who maintained an aura and thoroughly enjoyed talking to people and doing as  much as possible for our community.” Her legacy will be enjoyed by the community and visitors for many decades to come. Winnsome was just shy of 99 when she passed. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Winsome’s life at the Kiama Presbyterian Church on Thursday 21 September, 2023 from 11.30 am. DICK OKEDick Oke, who passed away on 30 August 2023 in Astonville, is fondly remembered by Kiama locals and former residents who have moved away for his extensive knowledge and photographic contributions to the local Facebook group, Kiama Remembers, a history of Kiama. (Dick Oke)His mother Esme Campbell’s family were from Kiama, and Dick visited Kiama many times in his youth. Dick was in many ways the heart of the Kiama Historical Pages on Facebook, and his many posts were a joy to all.Dick went to Macquarie Boys High and worked at Grace Bros in Sydney. He loved golf. His son, David Oke said: “Dad loved his Datsun 260z which he bought new and owned all his life.He was a great fan of Star Trek and the Goons. He was heavily into music and was in a band which tried out on Bandstand with Brian Henderson.”David told The Bugle that Dick had compiled a large document about Kiama with lots of photos that hopefully will be publicly available one day. As one contributor to the Kiama Remembers FB page said in tribute: “The photos that Dick put up on the page brought up so many great memories of Kiama’s past. He will definitely be missed.”Both Winsome and Dick forged connections and memories which have helped make the Kiama community all that much stronger, and they will be remembered.The Bugle shares with many locals the feeling that we are witnessing the passing of a generation as we in Kiama lose the wisdom of the elders who guided our great local community spirit for so long.

19 February 1924 – 31 October 2022A Memorial Service will be held:Tuesday 8 November, 11amKiama Anglican Church, 2 Terralong StFollowed by light refreshments in the Anglican Church HallRSVP (for catering) [email protected] flowers please

Malcolm Weir passed away on Saturday 29 October in hospital in Sydney after a short illness at 84 years old. A funeral will be held at Gerringong Town Hall at 10am on Friday 4 November, with a livestream webcast also available at https://funeralannouncement.com.au/weir-malcolm-robert-oam/Malcolm was born in Kiama, attended Gerringong Public School and Hurlstone Agricultural High School before spending his whole life dairy farming on his family farm, Buena Vista, in Gerringong. He was a valued member of the Gerringong community, and a lifelong member of the Gerringong Rural Fire Service, a contribution which earned him an OAM in 2013. Malcolm was a keen amateur race car driver in his younger years and an enthusiastic caravanner in his later years. He was very happy to be able to pave the way for daughter Fiona to take over the family farm, although he was unsure in the beginning whether goats were a good idea. Fiona’s handmade goat cheese eventually brought him around and he remained terrificly interested in the goat dairy operations right until the end.Malcolm leaves behind his wife Gay, and children Fiona, Naomi, Suzanne and Tim. He was Grandpa to eleven grandkids and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Kevin Wallace Whalan 7th June 1929 - 25th June 2022Obituary by his son, Andrew WhalanAs he said, “I wouldn’t have missed it for quids!”On 25 June, 2022, at age 93, my Dad Kevin Whalan, journalist to the last, filed his final yarn.Born 7 June 1929, in Canowindra, he was the youngest of eight children and spent his first forty years there. He taught himself to drive, invented a poker-machine counter, and learnt to fly Tiger Moths. Until journalism became his calling. In 1951, after working an assortment of jobs, he was cleaning floors at the Cowra Guardian. There, serendipitously, he was asked to write a movie review. As he recounted, “I just wrote it.” Afterwards, he worked for the Guardian and Canowindra Star.In 1961, he married, had his first two children, and was offered the role of editor of the Kiama Independent. Instead, he leased the failing Canowindra Star. As editor, journalist, photographer, advertising manager, publisher, and sport reporter he revitalised an ailing paper, almost doubling its circulation!Dad joined the ALP (1958) and ran for the seat of Orange, against his friend Charles Cutler. He lost the seat but kept the friendship. As Dad wrote, “He (Cutler)… praised my unbiased (campaign) coverage.” After moving to Kiama, he supported local, state, and federal candidates. He joined Apex, Rotary (receiving a Paul Harris fellowship) and was a charter member of Canowindra Lions club. His service club involvement continued in Kiama including forming the Kiama Downs Men’s Probus Club. When the Canowindra Star folded in 1969, he finally became editor of the Kiama Independent. Again, he melded with the local community including the church (Ss Peter and Paul) and school, service clubs and the ALP. As a court reporter, he avoided a murder charge, being pointed out as the accused by an unreliable witness. After the Independent, he worked for the Illawarra Mercury until he was asked to reveal a source. Upon his refusal, he was sacked. His colleagues went on strike, and he was reinstated. Later as Wollongong Bureau Chief for News Ltd, he mentored many up-and-coming journalists. Until Rupert Murdoch offered him a generous redundancy package.  Even in retirement, he contributed to his church, community and charity and travelled the world. He visited Brazil, Great Britain, Japan and the United States making and keeping friends including Ronnie Biggs, the Great Train Robber. Dad lived a full life, one of stories, people, service: none of which he would have missed for quids.

A service to celebrate the life of China will be held at the Kiama Anglican Church on Monday 4th July at 11am.A full life tragically cut short.No flowers by request.