Coolangatta Floor Sanding (CFS), a family-owned and operated business, has proudly served the Shoalhaven region for 26 years, establishing itself as the premier local floor sanding and polishing company. Under the new leadership of Dane Hamill, who recently took over from his father Glen following his retirement, the business continues its tradition of excellence and quality service.Dane, who has been perfecting his craft since graduating high school in 2006, brings extensive expertise in floor sanding, cleaning, and timber maintenance. His proficiency includes providing valuable advice and performing restoration work to repair scratches and recoat floors, significantly enhancing their longevity and overall lifespan.CFS collaborates with contractors, builders, and architects across Shoalhaven and its surrounding suburbs, including Berry, Nowra, Shoalhaven Heads, Kiama, Kangaroo Valley, and Jervis Bay, to deliver exceptional service and expert guidance. Dane proudly notes their use of state-of-the-art European sanding and buffing equipment, which features large belt sanders for expansive areas and smaller edging sanders for intricate work in corners and alongside boards."I have witnessed remarkable transformations in the homes we've worked on," Dane shares. "The results significantly enhance the property's value, as polished floors are a highly sought-after feature in real estate marketing."Homeowners not only seek to improve their living spaces for aesthetic appeal but also to protect their investments. "Our entire team takes great pleasure in seeing our clients' reactions to the finished product," Dane adds.Dane is also knowledgeable about the 'whitewash' technique, which can be applied in various ways. Floors can either be painted with full coverage white paint followed by a clear coat in matte, satin, or gloss finish, or a light tint can be added to the coating to prevent sun-induced discoloration. Additionally, other colour options are available.Whether for domestic or commercial applications, Dane and his team at CFS are invaluable resources for expert advice and floor improvement potential. It is highly recommended to get in touch with them for a quote and experience their exceptional service firsthand.

The newly refurbished Kiama Village has a new addition that’s quickly becoming a local favourite - The Spot Café. Conveniently located with easy parking, it's a must-visit for coffee lovers and anyone seeking a cozy spot to relax.Owned by Luke Gamble-Smith, The Spot Café is more than just a place to grab a coffee. Luke is passionate about sharing what he calls a "piece of heaven" with both the visitors and the local Kiama community alike. His enthusiasm for creating meaningful relationships with customers, staff, and suppliers is at the heart of his business philosophy.“The little conversations you have with people each day can make a big difference in their life,” Luke shared. Through these interactions, he has formed lasting friendships and connected with many on a personal level.Despite his youth – ‘under 30’ - Luke is no stranger to the hospitality industry. His journey began at McDonald's, where he honed his hospitality skills and learned the intricacies of running a business. Growing up in public housing with a mentally ill single mother, Luke faced significant challenges but remained determined to create a better future. Positive role models instilled in him a strong work ethic and a desire to give back to his community.Luke's first business venture, Naturally Tasty in Shell Cove, launched in October 2018. His passion for the Illawarra region has only grown since then. A place to connect: The name "The Spot Café" reflects Luke's vision of a welcoming local hub where people can enjoy great food, excellent coffee, and quality time with friends. His goals are straightforward: provide an exceptional customer experience and consistently deliver high-quality food and coffee.To Luke, customer service goes beyond a simple transaction. He often feels like a friend or counsellor to many of his patrons, sharing advice and brightening their days. His favoritepart of the job is mentoring his staff, watching young employees grow into responsible community members and succeed in their careers.“I believe in giving back to people, treating everyone with respect and aiming to have a positive influence on them. A business is nothing without the people who are a part of it in any capacity,” Luke emphasised.The Spot Café serves Toby’s Estate specialty coffee and offers an inviting space for group meetings. Regular food specials and all-day breakfast are available, with trading hours from 7:30 am to 3 pm daily, extending during the warmer months. Seniors can enjoy a 10% discount with a senior card, and special deals are frequently offered.For convenience, you can order ahead online via Hey You, LOKE (Our website/App), and Uber Eats. With ample parking at Kiama Village, visiting The Spot Café is easy and enjoyable. You definitely need to experience the welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service that Luke and his team provide.

In a proud milestone for RMB Lawyers, Kiama locals Claire Osborne and Tanya Emmett, have been appointed as Partners at the firm, marking a significant achievement in their careers. Their promotions underscore RMB Lawyers' commitment to fostering talent and recognising dedication, leadership, and expertise within their ranks.Claire Osborne's journey with RMB Lawyers began in 2007 when she undertook a work placement as part of her double degree in Arts and Law at the University of Wollongong. She officially joined the firm in May 2008 as a graduate lawyer and steadily advanced through various roles, including associate, senior associate, and divisional leader managing RMB Lawyers’ Family Law team. In 2016, Claire achieved the position of salary partner, a notable promotion that coincided with her maternity leave. Today, she leads the Wills & Estates team, exemplifying her versatility and dedication.Reflecting on her new role, Claire shared, "I think it's a recognition of hard work and commitment but also a big responsibility to continually help the business by mentoring and supporting our staff and delivering results to our clients. Personally, it's about showing my daughters that you can do anything you set your mind to and achieve financial security as a woman."Managing Partner Craig Osborne OAM commended Claire's exceptional blend of legal and business acumen, noting her generosity, community leadership, and clear communication skills. "Claire Osborne has an outstanding mix of legal and business skills, she is generous with her time, is a community leader and a clear communicator. She is trustworthy, has a great personality, and cares very much about her clients and the community she lives in. Claire has consistently earned and maintained the respect of her legal colleagues and clients over a long period of time," he said.Claire attributes her success to consistent hard work, dedication to the team and the Firm, and caring for colleagues and clients. "I also think having interests outside of work, whether it's sport, family, fitness, or meditation, is important to give you some reprieve, balance, and perspective to what a high-stress and demanding job can be," she added. She also encourages aspiring female lawyers, saying, "You can do it. There will be choices and sacrifices, and you may have to be patient as you juggle family life and the law, but if you want to be a Partner, you can do it."Raised in Kiama herself, Claire now raises her own family here. She acknowledges the support of her husband and parents, her fellow partners at RMB Lawyers, and past and present colleagues who have guided and inspired her.RMB Lawyers is equally delighted to announce Tanya Emmett's promotion to Salary Partner. Craig Osborne highlighted Tanya's exceptional technical skills and rapport with clients. "Tanya has an excellent skillset from a technical point of view and a wonderful manner with people – clients love her. Tanya gets outstanding results for her clients’ time after time; leaving aside her glowing skills as a lawyer, she is also an outstanding person," he remarked.Expressing her gratitude, Tanya said, "I’m extremely grateful to the partners and my colleagues for their support over the years. I am very lucky to be able to live and work in a community that I love. Reaching this level in my professional career hasn’t come easy but I have managed to maintain a healthy work/life balance which has been really important."RMB Lawyers proudly congratulates Claire Osborne and Tanya Emmett on their new roles. Their promotions not only reflect their individual achievements but also signify the firm's dedication to nurturing and celebrating exceptional talent. RMB Lawyers looks forward to their continued success and leadership within the firm and the broader legal community.

KD Cellars Bottlemart, a small family-owned business, has been on an exciting journey of transformation since being taken over last July. Over the past year, the owners have dedicated themselves to enhancing the store to better serve their loyal customers.Recently, a major exterior renovation was completed, giving the store a fresh and inviting new look. But it’s not stopping there! KD Cellars is thrilled to announce that in the coming weeks, they will begin a comprehensive interior renovation! This includes expanding the cool room to offer an even wider variety of cold beers and wines, ensuring that everyone’s favourite drinks are always perfectly chilled and readily available.Rest assured, throughout these updates, the Bottlemart store will remain open, and trading hours will not be affected. Director Luke Richardson says, “We deeply value the support of our community and are committed to providing an enhanced shopping experience.”“In addition to our in-store improvements, we offer convenient click-and-collect and same-hour delivery services from Shellharbour to Kiama, Kiama Downs, Gerringong, Jamberoo, and Gerroa areas. We encourage our customers to download the Bottlemart app to take advantage of exclusive promotions and get their purchases delivered right to their doorsteps.”“We’re excited about these improvements and can’t wait to share the new and improved KD Cellars Bottlemart with all of you. Thank you for your continued support.”For more updates and information, visit in-store or check out the latest advertisements in The Bugle newspaper and app.

The organisers of the recent IT&T Empowering Small Business: Cyber Security Awareness event (2 May) were surprised that so many business owners had made it to Novotel Wollongong in North Wollongong on this particularly rainy and dark Thursday.“We thought that a few of you might turn out with the bad weather out there,” said business support at IT&T, Anne Reeve. It was quite the contrary. There was almost 100 people (96 to be exact).Although, perhaps that’s no wonder with news about cyber security and -crimes making headlines almost daily. Who can forget about Medibank and Optus being victims of high-profile cyber attacks in 2022?In April of this year, the City of Sydney had data from several public institutions posted online. Now in May, a Sydney man was arrested over an alleged data breach impacting at least 17 licensed clubs in NSW and the ACT, ABC News reported. “The cyberhackers are starting to go for the low-hanging fruit, that’s small and medium-sized businesses,” said Partner Technology Strategist at Microsoft, Philip Meyer. Meyer was one of the night’s three speakers, along with Andrew Bremner of SherpaTech and Peter Eldon of Access4 Telecommunications.Among the most common cybercrimes affecting small-to medium-sized businesses are: email compromise, fraud compromise and bank fraud. In 2023, the Australian Cyber Security Centre revealed that, on average, a cybercrime report is made every six minutes. That is rather terrifying statistics, to put it mildly. But the idea behind tonight’s event is not to alarm business owners but rather to inform them how they can protect their businesses, but how they can utilise artificial intelligence (AI) without putting their data in danger; and to be aware of the implications of the new Privacy Act 2022.Helen Hasan runs a small non-for-profit, Living Connected, and has a few clients living in Kiama. “A little bit of information is always useful,” she said. “For us protecting older people, it’s important. Balancing between not scaring them, and making them aware.”She’s known about AI for a long while after attending university in the 1960’s. The first AI program was actually written in 1967, according to Meyer. ChatGTP launched in November 2022. But for all its wonderful features, Meyer cautioned against using it for work-based queries.“It’s great for mysterious travel planning and writing poems for my wife,” he said. “But please, don’t use it for work. All the data that you put in there becomes everyone’s data.”Meyer also recommended that business owners, with a staff of less than 300 people and who are PC-users, get Microsoft 365 Business Premium, as it includes several security features in addition to products such as Word and Teams.Bremner is an insurance specialist for tech and IT with SherpaTech. “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” he asked the room. “That is, increasing technical complexity, cyber threats and a tougher regulatory environment.”It’s not said to dampen the mood but rather to ensure that small business owners are across how they will be affected by Privacy Act 2022. The review of the act saw 116 recommendations, some have been fast-forwarded and some are waiting to be passed, he noted.In summary, “there’ll be three big builders,” Bremner outlined. “Lowering the dollar amount (which means that businesses with an annual turnover of less than $3 million will need to comply with the Act); fines and penalties (the maximum penalty that can now be applied for a serious or repeated breach will be increased from $2.5 million to the greater of: 1) $50 million, 2) three times the value of any benefit contained, and 3) 30 percent of the company's adjusted turnover in relevant period; and the reporting time threshold. Previously, if you had a material breach, you had to notify the regulator within 30 days - now, it’s 72 hours."

You can pledge a donation to the Bugle through our phone number 0412415101 within our business hours which are 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. If no one is there to answer your call, leave a message and we will get back to you. You can also pledge online with the link at the bottom of the article.Nobody died and the boat didn’t sink. But nonetheless, the return of the Signa to Kiama Harbour managed to create quite a stir, with locals braving the drizzling weather to occupy vantage points along the foreshore. Many people have memories of the Signa, and a significant number of them showed up in Kiama on May 8 to commemorate its return after two years in dry dock at Albion Park.After an estimated 12,000 hours of volunteer labour, the boat, which was originally launched in 1970, has been lovingly restored to its former glory with new windows, new engines, and new fittings.  Those showing up to mark the event included former charter operators, fishermen who used to hire the boat on weekends and even the children of the original builder of the boat, Bob Riddell, who built the boat in the coffin factory his boss Jack Paton owned. It was one of the first dedicated game fishing boats ever seen in Australia, and large by the standards of the day. Signa being lowered into Kiama Harbour. Photo: John Stapleton.The boat is named after Jack’s wife, Signa. Bob Riddell’s daughter, Jane Dove of Woy Woy, drove down to Kiama for the event. “Just to see the boat is fantastic, my father built it and 50 years later, it is still going,” she said. “We never got a trip on it. My father was a very quiet person, he was just going to work building a boat.”Son Greg Riddell remembers to this day the boat being launched near Silverwater Bridge in Sydney. “My father would have loved to have been here,” he says. The Riddell children might never have gone out to sea in the boat, but plenty of other people did, including, famously, actor Lee Marvin of Hollywood fame, along with Bob and Dolly Dyer of Pick-A-Box, a television program familiar to any Australian old enough to remember the 1960s. For a time, the boat was owned by the famous Sydney restaurant Doyles, which used it for their high-profile customers. A clearly delighted John Hansen, who funded the project, wants above all to pay tribute to the many people who helped restore the boat.Those he wishes to thank by name include his wife Sandra, who has been an enthusiastic supporter, Rex Jones, Richard Roman aka Don, Peter Rook, Lawrie Lovegrove, Graham Williams, Rob Hoffmeister and Geoffrey Farrer. “It was ten times bigger than we thought,” he says. “It was a labour of love. We were all retirees, they all played golf together. And once they started on the boat it was a labour of love, they just loved doing it.”Sandra and John Hansen. Photo credit: John Stapleton.As to how it all came about, John Hansen says he and a friend Rex Jones had previously rebuilt a small fishing boat and as retirees were looking around for another project. The Signa came up for sale, and the rest is history. Except they had no idea quite what they were buying into. The boat was in poor condition, having basically been rotting in the harbour for some time, and having been officially declared unseaworthy. “We suddenly realised when the boat was ours how complicated the project was,” he recalls. “We have basically rebuilt the entire boat.”As Sandra recalls: “The bones of Signa, the hull, was good, it was a good boat, it just needed attention. The deck and the roof and parts of the floor inside were just rotted. We took out nearly two tonnes of rubbish.”Signa is expected to stay at mooring in Kiama Harbour for the next several weeks as the timber boat adjusts to being back in the water, the new engines settle in and the final bits of cosmetic work, including cabinetry and carpeting. “Cosmetic stuff,” Sandra calls the final adjustments. “The kitchen’s been done, the bathroom, all the hard stuff has been done.”Sigma being maneuvered. Photo credit: John Stapleton.And there it is, back in Kiama Harbour, a boat full of memories, as many of those in attendance were quick to recall. Kevin Adams, who went out on the boat with his father, Bruce, who helped build the original refrigeration, said his father, too, would have loved to have been there. “It is amazing what they have done with the refurbishment,” he says. “They have done a great job. At the time Signa was a master, it was one of the biggest boats around built out of wood.” Wayne Hollingsworth, who before he retired to the South Coast used to come down from Sydney with a group of mates and hire out the boat for fishing trips, says: “Seeing it brings back a lot of memories. It was a good boat, solid in the water. I used to see it in the harbour in recent years, it was just rotting away.” One of the most obvious things about the freshly restored Signa is how good the woodwork, including the original teak, looks. Retired carpenter Lawrie Lovegrove, when asked why he was prepared to spend so many hundreds of hours on the project, including countless hours sanding, just shrugs: “Silly old bastard.”Well, thanks to a lot of silly old buggers, Kiama now has a beautifully restored and intriguing part of Australia’s maritime history in pride of place.  DONATE HERE.

After 12 weeks of training, it was Rodney Zarif’s turn to step into the ring during the Battle of the Businesses boxing tournament at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday, 20 April.Zarif could give both Adonis Creed and Rocky Balboa a run for their money. The father of three, and manager at KD Cellars in Kiama Downs, who got involved with the Battle of the Businesses purely on a whim, won by technical knockout (TKO) inside the first round.“It was a very successful event and especially for myself,” says Zarif, whose fight on the night was upgraded to a belt fight.The event, which raised money for the i98FM Illawarra Convoy, had its first outing last year and became an instant success.There were 40 businesses battling it out, including Rebecca Moystn of Mostyn Legal, Steve Lozenkovski from Bears Auto Group, Tiarna Katrivesis from Fitness Express Shellharbour and Rob Mitchell from A Class Building.The Battle of the Businesses boxing tournament was sponsored by Tiny Tins, Wollongong Crane Trucks and Grechys Boxing & Fitness.

The iconic Penny Whistlers cafe is well known for its delicious food and stunning outlook across Kiama’s colourful harbour. A firm favourite amongst locals and tourists alike, the beloved establishment has been serving patrons for close to a decade. Last month welcomed the cafe’s new owners, Bhanu Rathore and his family. Born in the vibrant city of Jaipur in India, Bhanu, along with his wife Vertika and their two children, bring with them vast experience and a vision to further enrich the community through their commitment to excellence. "Our native place Jaipur (Pink City) is known globally for its warmth, rich art, culture and heritage, along with its iconic palaces and forts which are standing examples of the royalty and honour of the people of the state,” reminisced Bhanu. Following their move to Kiama, Bhanu admired the beauty of the region whilst finding the strong sense of community increasingly familiar to that of his hometown. "When we came to Kiama, we were mesmerised by the picturesque beauty of the place. As we started spending some time here, we were pleasantly surprised by the extremely positive vibes of the place and the warmth of the community," shared Bhanu. "I had read somewhere that Kiama is one of the best places to live in NSW. Now I am an advocate of this theory and claim."Bhanu recognises the legacy of the café and aims to build upon its foundation of excellent food and hospitality. "A business is as good as its team, and Penny Whistlers’ is a classic example," remarked Bhanu proudly. "Most of our team members have been with us since inception and have been continuously working towards targeting an outstanding customer experience."With a keen eye for promising ventures in hospitality, Bhanu was drawn to Penny Whistlers’ historic performance and its commanding position in the local area. "A combination of excellence in its segment and adorable scenic views of Kiama harbour make it a unique business opportunity, which I could just not miss out on. It struck my heart and mind both at once," he affirmed.Backed by their commitment to quality and community, Bhanu and his family along with the management duo, Eddie and Nick, are ready to infuse new energy into Penny Whistlers Café, promising an unforgettable dining experience for all. Penny Whistlers cafeSunday - Wednesday: 7:00am to 3:00pmThursday - Saturday: 7:00am to late (10:00pm)Now available on UberEats

Some hearing aid providers are using high pressure sales tactics such as touting hearing tests and pushing the most expensive brands, to maximise hidden commissions to elderly locals.Chain stores such as Bay Audio and Audika are ‘vertically integrated suppliers’, which means they are sales-driven and have commercial and preferred supplier arrangements with specific hearing aid manufacturers. Current hearing aid prices range from $1,500 to $10,000 a pair.Bay Audio is now trading in the Kiama Village, 150 metres from Audika Kiama and Hearing Sound Solutions on Terralong Street.HEARING SOUND SOLUTIONSKiama Audiologist Stacey Clark owns Hearing Sound Solutions on Terralong Street. She said there was a significant difference between her independent and Australian-owned clinic and the rest.“Ethically, patients should be offered a full range of hearing devices that are tailored to their needs and budget.”Ms Clark said Audiologists were accredited clinicians with a Master's degree in Audiology whereas Audiometrists have a diploma qualification from TAFE.“Hearing Sound Solutions is the only local private practice with a fully qualified clinical Audiologist in Kiama. We are not aligned with or owned by a hearing aid manufacturer,” Ms Clarke said.“This gives us the advantage of offering, prescribing and fitting the most comprehensive range of technologically advanced hearing aids from all brands to suit each individual.”The President of the Independent Audiologists Australia, Dr Tegan Keogh, warned consumers that the hearing industry was not regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and some businesses used commissions, targets and incentives for their clinical and front-of-house staff.“This might result in patients feeling pressured to engage with a particular service provider, or purchase a specific device, and in our opinion that is not appropriate for a healthcare setting,” Dr Keogh said.In 2017, an ACCC investigation found commissions, incentives and other mechanisms to drive sales created conflict with clinical independence and professional integrity.“This conflict is particularly troubling in the sale of hearing aids, given that consumers who require hearing devices are often disadvantaged or vulnerable due to their hearing loss, age or other medical conditions.”The ACCC was critical of the use of undisclosed sale commissions as high as 15 per cent, in a healthcare setting where consumers expected to receive impartial advice.National Seniors criticised some retailers upselling hearing aids without their members having an understanding of the comparative cost benefit of the product being sold.“Older people can feel pressured to purchase more expensive hearing aids if an audiologist claims that the less expensive model is not adequate. Some of our members are concerned there is an emphasis on selling the product rather than assisting with hearing health,” a National Seniors spokesperson said.AUDIKA KIAMAAudika's head office in Sydney did not reply to questions about the ownership structure of the Audika Kiama business or the rate of sales commission.The Kiama store is part of a chain of more than 300 Australian stores owned by Demant in Denmark.Audika has an interest-free payment plan with a 20 percent deposit using direct debit.BAY AUDIO KIAMABay Audio in Kiama ejected this reporter from its office and did not wish to be part of the story.According to its website, Bay Audio sales staff participate in profit-sharing based on sales. It’s job advertisements on Seek state sales staff ‘must meet daily and monthly targets’.Its staff are now touting for business in the Kiama Village, where people are asked to take a free hearing test.Bay Audio is owned by Amplifon and has preferred supplier agreements with Starkey, Oticon, Resound and Signia.Some sales-driven hearing centres are asking clients to take out loans to purchase hearing aids. Interest charges can be as high as 25.90 percent.Prospective clients may be eligible for subsidised services and devices through the Australian Government Hearing Services Program and they can check their eligibility here.Australians under 26 years of age and who are citizens or permanent residents, may also be eligible for services under the program.

Former Red Rooster owners Steve Willis and his wife Jo have sold more than half a million pieces of chicken to the Kiama community over the past 16 years.Last month the pair, along with their son Grady, who has worked at the store since he was 12, handed over the keys to the new owners with little fanfare.“We slipped out quietly, kept it low key, we didn’t want to upset the apple cart and wanted the transition to be as smooth as possible for staff,” said Mr Willis, who estimates he and his wife have employed around 200 local Kiama kids, including his now 20 year-old son.Now all three family members are putting their feet up for a well-earned break before they decide what their next business move will be. But Mr Willis, who is president of the Kiama Leagues Club, is certain they will stay in Kiama.“We love this community, the 16 years we owned Red Rooster were a big part of our lives. There were a few tears from my wife Jo when we hung up our aprons, but not from me. I’d be happy not to handle another raw chicken again,” he said, chuckling.  Mr Willis, who grew up in Cootamundra, has had 31 jobs across his working life and ran five businesses with his wife by his side. He was an apprentice mechanic straight out of school, worked on the Cootamundra railways for eight years, and spent some time in the meatworks before leaving at the age of 21. He headed to Bowen to pick mangoes, and worked at a seed farm in Griffith, where machinery would knock seed pods from plants and he would sort through the piles and remove the twigs and leaves.“It was a terrible bloody job,” he recalls. But Mr Willis was a hard worker, a trait that stood him in good stead when he moved to Milperra, then Wollongong to manage pubs.He met his wife Jo, a Barrack Heights local, in Wollongong and the pair opened the first of many hospitality businesses in inner city Sydney. One was a sandwich shop near Central Railway Station during the Sydney Olympics. To say it was busy was an understatement. The couple moved to Kiama for a seachange and took over the Kiama Red Rooster store when Grady was four. For the next 16 years they became stalwarts of the Kiama community, feeding hordes of hungry families and tourists alike. It was the longest time Mr Willis stayed in one job.“Red Rooster was a whole different kettle of fish for us,” he said. “The business, which opened more than 35 years ago, was one of only a few fast food outlets in Kiama. “When we took the shop on, my son was a year away from starting kindy,” Mr Willis recalls. “One of the reasons we bought it was so that one of us could be home before he went to school and the other when he came home from school.” The days were long and the couple did everything from cleaning drains, prepping chicken, managing staff and mopping floors. By the time their son Grady was a teen he was working alongside his parents, and never missed a day of work in the six years he helped out, testament to the work ethic instilled in him by his parents.“Two of my son’s greatest achievements is that he’s never missed a day of work or a day of school,” said Mr Willis. “He went to Kiama High School for six years and had 100 per cent attendance. Only a handful of kids before him have achieved that. His number one trait is grit and I’m very proud of him, and all of the other young people we have worked with over the years.“One of the most rewarding parts of this job has been watching staff grow from 13 year-old kids to young adults. We’ve employed several sets of siblings over years, been to two weddings of staff we employed as teens and proudly watched young people move on to roles serving in Afghanistan, as teachers and electrical engineers.“We just wanted to take this opportunity to say a really big thank you to the Kiama community who supported us over the years. It’s a great community and so many of the kids who grew up here have worked for us.”

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.

The Community Bank Oak Flats and Gerringong are holding their annual Community Grants Program with up to $150,000 in grants to be awarded. Applications open Monday 15th April and close on Monday 3rd of June 2024.This year the Community Bank is looking to invest in new and existing opportunities within the local community. With up to $150,000 to be awarded, any local clubs, groups, organisations, charities or not-for-profits could benefit greatly from a Community Grant.Applications close on Monday the 3rd of June 2024 and must be submitted via the online form. Head over to the Community Bank Oak Flats and Gerringong Facebook or Instagram page to find the link.The Community Bank officially opened its doors to the general public in 2000 and has since reinvested over $4.5 million in the local community. From skateparks and mental health workshops to hospital wings, and local sporting clubs, the Community Bank has helped improve and support the community wherever possible.To celebrate its 21st birthday last year, the Community Bank donated 40 Heart of the Nation defibrillators to local businesses, organisations, not-for-profits and groups. Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes in Australia today and the state of the art technology can be the difference between life and death. The Community Bank recognised how crucial it is to have AED devices available to the wider community and offered a helping hand to those who need it most.Geoff Egan, Chairman of Oak Flats Financial Services Limited said “Every day our customers help change lives, and save lives, simply by banking with us.” The Community Bank reinvests 80% of profits back to the local community, so when you bank with the Community Bank Oak Flats and Gerringong, you know your money is making a difference.About the Bendigo Bank’s Community Bank model: Since 1998, the Bendigo Community Bank network has now grown to include more than 300 branches Australia-wide. Our Community Banks are wholly owned by their local communities, employing almost 1,600 people and overseen by more than 1,950 directors. Our purpose is to feed into the prosperity of our customers and communities - not off them. To date, more than $251 million has been returned to strengthen and underpin the local communities in which they support.

In yet another tale of community dedication, the Illawarra region welcomes a new face to its educational landscape. Last year, Sarah Sharp and her family made the decision to settle down in this locale, bringing with them a wealth of experience in teaching Maths and Science for over two decades.But as life often beckons for change, Sarah found herself at a crossroads, seeking a fresh avenue to channel her passion for education. It was during this time that the transformative power of Kumon Education came into focus. Witnessing firsthand the remarkable progress of her own children through the Kumon method, Sarah felt a calling to become a part of this renowned educational initiative.Celebrating its 40th anniversary in Australia this year, Kumon traces its origins back to Japan, where a father's dedication to his son's mathematical development laid the foundation for a global educational phenomenon.  Last August, Sarah and her team proudly opened the doors to the Albion Park Kumon Centre, marking a new chapter in an educational journey. Since then, the centre has become a hub of learning, nurturing young minds and fostering a culture of academic excellence.Reflecting on the strides made by their students, Sarah is very proud. From beaming smiles to tales of newfound confidence, the transformation is palpable. Students eagerly share stories of academic achievements, proudly showcasing awards won at school and revelling in newfound abilities and confidence. They embody the spirit of perseverance and achievement that lies at the heart of the Kumon philosophy.As Kumon continues to witness the blossoming growth of their students, the Albion Park community is enriched by their unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation of scholars. It provides a great opportunity to avail your children to the transformative power of great education tools to boost and encourage learning.There are some great specials being offered currently – check out their current advertisement.

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 popular Kiama and Bowral Bookshops were sold recently for an undisclosed sum, by Clare Meldrum and Michael Burns of Bowral.Previous owner Marie Fitzpatrick said that decision to sell came after almost 32 years of owning the Bowral bookshop and 18 years owning the Kiama bookshop.“We've cherished our careers at the heart of the book-loving communities in the Southern Highlands and South Coast,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.“Sharing our love of stories and storytellers has been rewarding and enriching in so many ways. We’ve had the pleasure of serving generations of readers, from our own friends through to their grandchildren,” she said.Clare Meldrum’s leadership was good news for Southern Highlands and South Coast communities, Ms Fitzpatrick said.Clare Meldrum is a book industry professional who has worked in sales and account management roles at a range of publishers, including Bloomsbury, Pan Macmillan, Allen & Unwin and Hachette.It is understood the new owners will continue to support community organisations and host literary events.

Kiama is renowned for its breathtaking coastal landscape and picturesque countryside - traditionally explored on foot. The launch of the Kiama Rides guide shows you how to explore with the wind in your hair and the freedom of a bike beneath you.The handy pocket-sized booklet outlines nine diverse rides catering to riders with a range of skills and experience: from leisurely, family-friendly outings to more challenging routes that can be extended to excite experienced cyclists. Destination Kiama Chair Matt Brown said that “this new Kiama Rides guide has filled the missing piece of our information offering and sits neatly beside our other pocket-sized Kiama Walks, Kiama Eats and our favourite retro Kiama Touring Map.” “The staff and volunteers are looking forward to being able to hand this out to the 60,000 + visitors to the centre each year,” Cr Brown said.The rides navigate Kiama's most scenic locales, including the serene coastlines of Gerroa and Gerringong, the iconic Blowholes and rock formations of Kiama and Bombo, as well as the edges of the Minnamurra River. The guide also offers routes through the dairy paddocks of Jamberoo where cyclists can take in the rural views and wave to resident cows."This guide is the result of extensive collaboration and effort from our community," said Visitor Services Coordinator Lauren Res. "We engaged Bicycle NSW representative Peter McClean as well as the local Kiama Bike User Group (KBUG), to ensure we were providing the most practical information possible from a biker's perspective."An additional and useful feature of Kima Rides is a convenient key directing cyclists to essential amenities such as water refill stations, coffee stops, and scenic viewpoints along the way.The compact pocket guide is now available for pickup at the Kiama Visitor Centre at Blowhole Point, making it easily accessible for anyone eager to explore the region on two wheels. An online version is also available via the Destination Kiama website: kiama.com.au/experience/activities/cyclingFor those without bikes, Kiama Cycles on Collins Street offers e-bikes for rental, ensuring that everyone can partake in the adventures that await!

Kiama Council has announced that it is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from potential tenants interested in utilising a portion of the Old Ambulance Station located at 61 Terralong St, Kiama, for community purposes.The initiative aims to transform the historical site into a shared facility accommodating multiple tenants. The EOI specifically pertains to 77 square meters of the property.Council is open to considering an initial license agreement for a period of up to five years. Interested parties are required to propose a monthly rental fee (excluding GST) as part of their submission.Additionally, the selected respondent may need to furnish a bond or bank guarantee equivalent to one month's rental as a minimum requirement.Submissions are to be sent via email to [email protected] and must be received by 4 pm on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.For further details and submission guidelines, interested parties are encouraged to visit the Kiama Council website at www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/oldambulancestation.

There’s a lot of doom and gloom in the business community right now, with spiralling costs and low demand killing off many enterprises, but when it comes to dairy farming there’s plenty of optimism on the NSW South Coast. Justin Walsh, 39, runs a major dairy farming operation at Jasper Brush just past Berry. The area was named after the brother of one of the early settlers John Ingold. His brother Jasper died in 1860 before he could leave England for Australia, while the term brush refers to the original temperate rainforest which once coated the area. Justin milks some 380 dairy cows each day, sending some 7000 litres a day to Sydney which is then sold under the brand name Pauls. “Farming is the only industry where you can be 50 and everyone considers you young,” he laughs. “I didn’t think I would end up being a dairy farmer when I went off to uni, but I always thought I might end up running my own business. “There is a lifestyle aspect, my father has only ever lived on the two houses on this property his entire life. There are always spin off benefits. But it has been a very successful business, it has been financially rewarding.”Now there’s some words you don’t hear together very often these days, successful business, financially rewarding. And Justin is more than happy to throw his weight behind the Young Farmer Business Program being run by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.The NSW Young Farmer Business Program, which began in 2016, is dedicated to empowering the next generation of farmers by providing them with business skills and resources to succeed in farming enterprises in a rapidly evolving industry.Whether young farmers are just starting out in the industry, looking to create their own businesses, or expand and grow existing family operations, the Young Farmer Business Program aims to help the next generation to make informed decisions.Registrations are now open for workshops in Nowra, Bega and online for the Ag.Biz Ready Program for young farmers in the South East of NSW.Focused on 5-minute intervals, the program is aimed at every young farmer who thinks getting “future ready” in business is too complex, expensive or time consuming. Throughout the 10 week program, young farmers benefit from 10 micro-learning modules relevant to regional business needs,  two minute video case studies filmed with a local business peer and workshops in Nowra, Bega and online. Justin, who studied agricultural science at Sydney University, speaks highly of his own education. “It taught me how to think about farming as actually a business,” he says. “It taught me how to think about challenges.“When I came home, if I hadn’t had that time at uni, I think I would have fallen into the same old patterns. I just wanted to get on with it. My mom and dad were looking at retiring. It was a bit of a blank slate. “Farming is not always easy, but it has a lot of things going for it. Agriculture needs positive stories. “Compared to the rest of the world, I would say there is an unbelievable amount of opportunity. Farmers in general are getting older and they are looking for young people coming through to take over existing businesses. “For people who have the right skills, who are willing to learn and are willing to put in the time and effort, there is unbelievable potential in agriculture. All the aging farming population are looking to retire.“That is why the Young Farmer program is really good, it gives them the opportunity to learn some of the business skills. It is about helping people set up their business opportunities for success, and to face the industry’s unique challenges.”Module topics for the Young Farmers program include getting the right insurance, cybersecurity, achieving financial viability, forming business networks, and turning disasters into opportunities.Justin concludes: “In the old days, farmers were more like Old McDonald. Now they are more like multi-million dollar businesses.”To find out more go to the website: https://www.youngfarmer.nsw.gov.au/People can register at any stage during the program – it’s self-paced, although the learning modules are released weekly, beginning this week.

Korin Koutsomihalis is an inspiring and tireless high achiever and award winner. Via her Gerringong-based small business SOUL FIT CO, located at the Gerringong Bowling Club, Korin proactively seeks out networking opportunities, active community events and awards programs, to inspire all Australians to move together. Korin primarily sees her passion for fitness, her awards and achievements as a means to fulfil her life’s purpose to help more and more people live long, healthy and meaningful lives. Korin has a particular passion for working with and helping older Australians.Situated on Dharawal country, SOUL FIT CO is registered with the indigenous collective  Supply Nation as a multi award-winning fitness and wellness business. It was named Illawarra and South Coast’s Local Business Award Winner for Outstanding Fitness Service 2023, AUSactive Roll of Honour Award 2023, AUSactive National Personal Trainer of the Year 2023 and Break The Bias Platinum Award Winner 2023. The business  is currently a finalist in the National Australian Small Business Awards, with the winners to be announced later this month. Korin winning Illawarra and South Coast business awardSOUL FIT CO strives to foster equality, acceptance and support in a safe and socially inclusive space for people of any background, ethnicity or social group, age, ability or fitness level. Korin says SOUL FIT CO encourages everyone to work at their own pace, celebrate who they are and always empower each other to move together for a better life. Participants have included people with dementia, physical disabilities including visual impairments and Parkinsons, frail and aged participants, and those recovering from knee, hip and shoulder surgeries. Korin says the entire operation is about ‘bringing people together through connection-driven experiences where they can smile, laugh, sweat, challenge, share, meditate and move!’ SOUL FIT CO’s regular classes are named according to their focus – ‘Strong’, ‘Golden’, ‘Woman’, ‘Spin’ and ‘Boxing’. I first met Korin in 2021 at SOUL FIT CO’s indoor/outdoor ‘Strong’ class, towards the end of the Covid lockdowns. Her positivity, drive and determination to encourage participants to push on and stretch ourselves was immediately evident and infectious. The tough workout was easier with her motivational words and sense of fun. Our hard work was rewarded at the end with a lovely, long, relaxed guided meditation in a beautiful setting at the back of the Bowlo, half under the stars with the sound of the surf as background. Korin aims for her classes to be ‘medicine for the body and therapy for the mind’.Korin describes her ‘Golden’ session as ‘a class to celebrate the essence of feeling amazing as a mature and wise Werri local’. Undertaken standing or seated, or a combination of both, it offers strengthening exercises combined with elements of balance, core activation, Tai Chi, relaxation and mindfulness. Golden Class at SOUL FITHer star ‘Golden’ class participant, 103 year old local Bev Sherwood is active and healthy, and was a motivational speaker at the Australian Masters Games in late 2023. Korin describes Bev as ‘an inspiring local Australian, super senior and an incredible role model of healthy ageing’. Korin’s classes cater to all ages, and her youngest participant is 10. Bev Sherwood at Golden ClassPresenting Korin’s award for Kiama Council Australian Citizen of the Year 2023 mayor Neil Reilly enthused ‘She is a worthy recipient of our Citizen of the Year Award for 2023’. Of her classes he said ‘Korin’s method of group fitness instruction focuses on diversity and inclusion. This goes beyond the profession to a sincere involvement in, and contribution to, the holistic health and well-being of our local community’.SOUL FIT CO is currently working with academics from the University of Wollongong to collate exercise data on the older attendees of its weekly Golden class. Class attendees have so far documented their activity level and quality prior to taking classes, any history of falls and so forth, and have shared how participation in the Golden class has improved their health, fitness, quality of life and connection to community. SOUL FIT CO’s proprietor Korin Koutsomihalis is hopeful this will lead to a further regional health study which could increase access to mobility and movement classes nationally for thousands of Home Care and MyAgedCare registered participants, to aid in falls prevention and strengthening, and to enhance the community connection and participation for isolated and physically impaired older Australians.