Rain played havoc with South Coast cricket on the weekend with two matches washed out and low scores on tricky pitches in the other three.Ex Servos were rolled for a paltry 52 on a seaming wicket at Hayden Drexel Oval with North Nowra Cambewarra smashing their way to the target in just 33 deliveries.It could have been even worse for Ex Servos after they slumped to 7-21 before tailender Mitchell Janes dug in to score 22, the only batter to get any higher than six.Justin Weller made the most of the conditions to take 6-20 with new-ball partner Cooper Bramley claiming 4-15.North Nowra skipper Nathan Thomas blasted three sixes and two fours in his unbeaten 27 from just 11 balls to seal the win. Lake Illawarra cruised to a nine-wicket win over Bomaderry at Howard Fowles Oval with captain Kerrod White hammering 87 not out as they reached their target inside 14 overs.Five Tigers failed to trouble the scorers but Jarrod Mitchell (69) and Matthew Shea (36) rescued the innings as they posted 134 with Jarryd White (4-11) and Ryan Smith (3-28) doing the damage for the home side’s attack.After losing an early wicket, Kerrod White joined Max Henderson (33 not out) in an unbroken 122-run stand with the skipper reaching the boundary 18 times and clearing it once.Shellharbour got the better of the Kookas in their local derby at Oakleigh Park. Wickets fell at regular intervals for the hosts as they were bowled out for 150 and the Harbour never looked in trouble as opener Alex Brown tallied 72 to get them home with six wickets and 16 overs to spare.Albion Park were 3-44 against Kiama at Keith Grey Oval when Saturday afternoon’s storm washed out play while the Rats were in a similar situation at 3-42 against Bay and Basin Dolphins at Geoff Shaw Oval before the rain intervened.In junior representative cricket on Sunday, the South Coast sides struggled against top-quality opposition. In the Under 17 Watson Shield, Tom Wells top-scored with 58 as South Coast made 157 but Sutherland reached the total three down. In the Under 12 Foster Shield, Harry Kenneally (21) and Will Coghlan (19) were the main scorers in the South Coast total of 82, which Bankstown reached with seven wickets to spare.In the Under 14 Inter Association clash with Illawarra Red, Harry McCrone hit 15 as South Coast tallied 5-62. Illawarra were too strong with 1-167 in their innings.Illawarra Blue posted 6-129 despite Bradley Constantinou (1-3) and Jaxson Smith (1-6) with South Coast making 6-96 as Harry McCrone again did well with the bat to make 23.

Kiama Council has issued a warning to ratepayers to be aware of some solar companies who may be contacting residents and falsely claiming to represent Council or the ISJO Community Solar Bulk Buy Program.Council's only endorsed partner for the solar and battery bulk buy program is ShineHub. This company was selected for its proven track record in delivering trusted, community-based renewable energy programs. ShineHub has gone through an in-depth procurement process designed to ensure residents are confident and protected, and the products and services offered through the program have been thoroughly vetted.They do not engage in unsolicited engagement with residents. This means no cold calls, door knocking, or unrequested visits to your home. All communication from ShineHub will occur only after a resident has registered interest in receiving information about the program through official Council or ShineHub marketing channels.If you are contacted by anyone claiming to represent Council or the ISJO program without your prior consent, please:● Do not share personal or financial details.● Take note of the company name and representative name and report it to Kiama Council at [email protected]● Visit shinehub.com.au/ISJO or contact ShineHub directly at [email protected] to confirm legitimate program details.

Speech pathologist Caitlin Guyatt not only gives her clients a voice, she also gives them the gift of time by providing a mobile service that comes to their door.When Caitlin moved from Sydney to Shoalhaven Heads with her family she quickly fell in love with the area. But she also realised that public transport was patchy at best and there were no mobile speech pathology services visiting clients in the comfort of their own home.“It’s reasonably common to have a mobile service in Sydney but when I moved here there was nothing like that so I decided to create one,” explains Caitlin.She set up Shoalhaven Speech and Swallowing Clinic, a mobile service that operates between Nowra and Kiama. Some of the areas of speech pathology she can help with include swallowing difficulties like coughing or choking when eating or drinking, difficulty chewing food and swallowing tablets or food getting “stuck” in the mouth or throat. Caitlin also helps with speech and voice changes - such as slurred or mumbled speech, vocal fatigue and difficulty being understood by others - and language changes like reading or writing difficulties, memory difficulties and problems thinking of the correct word or finishing sentences.“I visit patients in the privacy of their own homes to provide therapy for voice, speech and swallowing changes. “I work predominantly with adults, and many of my patients live with complex health conditions that mean they are less mobile than they would like to be. “Some might even need a carer to help them get out and about to medical appointments. Having a mobile service that comes to their door removes that barrier.“I see people in their homes where they feel most comfortable and if, for example, they have oxygen machines or specialised home supports, these are all set up for them.”Caitlin specialises in voice, speech and swallowing therapy and says many of the people experiencing the issues she treats not only struggle physically but also socially.“Swallowing issues for patients can often be accompanied by a sense of embarrassment if they are eating out and struggle to swallow or constantly cough while they’re having a meal,” she says.Similarly, if someone has voice or speech issues and they are out for dinner in a noisy venue they might struggle to be heard. Caitlin says many people take going out for a meal for granted but if you have voice, speech or swallowing issues it can be a huge barrier to doing the things you love in your community.“I've had patients say to me ‘I don't want to eat out anymore because I'm coughing and spluttering so much and I'm too embarrassed’, or other patients say ‘my voice has become so soft people can't hear me and I have to repeat myself and I actually find myself avoiding conversations with friends and family’. “I want people to know that they don't have to live with this, there is help available and you're not on your own.”Caitlin says her mobile service also means she can work around people’s plans and schedules.“Life can get busy, especially if patients have multiple health appointments or are relying on carers for transport.”Having a door-to-door service means patients often share a small part of their world with Caitlin, “proudly showing her their family photos on the wall, or pointing out treasured items in their home," she says."By allowing me to see them at home it also takes away that pressure or anxiety they might be feeling about going out into the community. “They are in a completely safe space in their own home, their husband, wife or other loved ones are there with them or in the next room, and it can be a much more personal experience."Having meaningful conversations and an insight into who my patients are helps to develop trust in the early stages of treatment, which means it's more likely to be successful.“Since I’ve started working in the area I have just loved meeting so many people."Everyone is so genuinely friendly and just so thankful to have help. It really does make me feel privileged, and it really makes me feel like I'm doing meaningful work.”Please note - this is paid content

The Akuna Street developments are causing concern at Kiama Council and in the community but Mayor Cameron McDonald is confident that the proposal for the Council depot site opposite the Bowling Club known as the Shoalhaven Street Precinct will be a major plus for the town.A 450-home residential community is in the pipeline for the Council depot site and acquired land bordered by Shoalhaven, Barney, Belvedere and Noorinan streets.NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully and Kiama Council announced the rezoning proposal on Wednesday for infill housing on the two-hectare former gasworks site.Council owns the property and under the rezoning proposal, there will be:new buildings ranging between 6 and 8 storeys in height,at least 10 per cent affordable housing,approximately 600 parking spaces for residents and visitors andopportunities for active transport options, such as walking and cycling paths.“The Shoalhaven Street proposal is very exciting,” Cr McDonald told The Bugle.“It's part of our Local Housing Strategy. And Council’s Planning Team have been working with the State Government for over almost 12 months now to rezone the site from industrial to residential.”Council’s director of strategies and communities Ed Paterson said this means all the planning costs would be absorbed by the State Government at the community’s benefit.“Doing a planning proposal like this would normally take Council around two years, so to see my team work strategically with the State Government to bring this together in a matter of months is fantastic,” he said.“The Shoalhaven Street Precinct is one of our ‘catalyst sites’ that’s talked about in the Housing Strategy. It is a perfect location for infill development that fits with our town character.”Cr McDonald added: “We also control the site as we move forward - it doesn't become a State Government venture, its development remains in the ownership of Council and we’re thrilled to be working with the NSW Government to ensure there’s ongoing discussion with the community about what that the site will look like.”Council CEO Jane Stroud said the project would also deliver on affordable housing in perpetuity.“We know that the Illawarra Housing Trust and others have been advocating for our LGA to have more affordable housing for a long time, so it’s heartening to see progress being made on this important community need,” she said.“It’s a strategic block to lock in a minimum 10% affordable housing products for our community. And if you’re talking 450 dwellings, 45 affordable housing options is a really impressive number for this LGA.“This Council made a brave financial move to invest in the adjoining parcel of land and embark on the planning proposal for the site’s rezoning.”“The ROI projections for the site have trebled anything that we expected – which shows Council invested wisely and made the right decision.”Cr McDonald added: “Council has owned the site for 100 years and the depot has been operating there for decades. We all know the depot is no longer fit for purpose and needs a more appropriate location.“A Works Depot in the middle of the urban frame is not a great long-term solution for a growing community, but housing that includes affordable dwellings is.”Scully described the proposal as “an exciting opportunity to unlock up to 450 homes close to jobs, the beach, shops and transport, helping boost housing supply to give key workers and families a choice in where they live”.Kiama MP Katelin McInerney added: "rezonings like this are crucial to provide diverse housing options in our community.“We are fortunate to be living in one of the most beautiful parts of regional NSW but, even here, finding a home, particularly one that suits their needs and is well located, is a barrier for many.”The NSW Government is seeking feedback on the draft proposal, which is on public exhibition until 3 December before it is finalised midway through next year.For more information or to make a submission, visit https://pp.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ppr/under-exhibition/kiama-depot, phone 1300 305 695, email [email protected] or attend a community drop-in session, which will be heldfrom 1-4pm on 11 November at Joyce Wheatley Community Centre3-6pm on 12 November at Kiama Farmers Markets and9-11am on 13 November at Joyce Wheatley Community Centre.

The NSW Ambulance Paramedics on the South Coast have been provided greater protection with training and the use of Hazardous Area Rescue Ambulance for the 2025/26 fire season. Matthew Willis, who has been a paramedic in NSW for 16 years and served in the Shoalhaven region for the past nine years, spoke to The Bugle about the features of the vehicles. “It is a German [made] vehicle with some very different capabilities to our normal ambulances and rescue trucks,” Willis said. “Our State Emergency Services use a similar vehicle to access in floodwaters because they can wade into depths of 1.2 metres.“[These vehicles] allow us to get to patients that we previously would have had to rely on other emergency services to get to, whether that is by boat or helicopters. As well as being able to access flood regions, the vehicles are equipped with fire-retardant material so they will not melt or burn in a bushfire situation. The exterior of the vehicle has been reinforced to protect paramedics and patients from falling trees. “We also have the crew protection system, which will set off sprinklers, like little water jets to try and keep it cool as well,” Willis said. Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast Ryan Park said the Minns Labor Government is committed to helping communities when they are most vulnerable. “NSW Hazardous Area Rescue Ambulance (HARA) are the first of their kind in the world and are proving to be an invaluable resource during natural disasters like fires and floods,” Park said. “These vehicles have been built to withstand harsh environments, allowing the highly skilled paramedics who operate them to swiftly and safely access patients in difficult terrain and conditions.” As part of the training, Willis explained it was a four-day course which provided different settings to familiarise paramedics with the vehicles. “The first day was about getting used to driving the vehicle in normal conditions, and working out where all the different buttons were,” Willis said. “The second day was more about off-road driving through the bush, uphills and the third and fourth days were about sand driving on the beach and recovery.” NSW Ambulance chief executive Dr Dominic Morgan said the vehicles were a significant investment in their capabilities. “Now that the 2025-26 bushfire season is officially underway, NSW Ambulance is working hard to ensure staff have the training and resources at hand to deal with emergencies as they rise,” Dr Morgan said.South Coast MP Liza Butler and her Kiama electorate neighbour Katelin McInerney were full of praise for these vehicles and paid tribute to NSW paramedics and front-line workers in the region. “The Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions have faced their fair share of natural disasters in recent years and it’s comforting to know that NSW Ambulance paramedics can access patients during these difficult times,” Butler said.  McInerney added: “I want to thank the hard-working paramedics and other front-line workers who keep our communities safe during bushfire season and year round.” Willis told The Bugle that during the deadly 2019-20 fire season, the emergency services crews “had a lot of access issues with roads being cut off”. “[HARAs] increase our capability massively and they allow us to get into places that we previously haven’t been able to get into.”

Kiama Council's newly formed Finance and Major Projects Advisory Committee held its inaugural meeting this week, marking a significant step forward in delivering strategic oversight and community-focused outcomes.The committee brings together the expertise and energy of community members, Councillors and senior Council staff to guide the financial and major project priorities of the municipality.Mayor Cameron McDonald, who chairs the committee, was enthusiastic about what can be achieved.“There are some big projects on the horizon – including the proposed depot merger and looking at our other identified catalyst sites including Council’s Administration Centre, Havilah Precinct and Spring Creek. "We’ve got the right people on board who are ready, willing and able to tackle these projects.“It was heartening to see all our new committee members roll up their sleeves and get to work this week. I’m excited about what this committee is going to achieve for Council and for the good of our community.”The committee was formed following a Council resolution in August to merge the former Finance Advisory Committee and Major Projects Advisory Committee. The new structure aims to streamline decision-making and enhance collaboration across key areas of Council’s operations.Following a rigorous evaluation process, six community members were appointed to the committee who were selected for their industry experience, community ties, ambition and ability to help deliver on Council’s objectives.Community members appointed to the committee are Multicultural Communities of Illawarra board member Lynette Cuell, Cukuna Sales owner Rob Danby, civil engineer Matthew Dawson, real estate and project delivery manager Marco Maldonado, University of Wollongong Deputy Chancellor Warwick Shanks and Sydney Kings co-owner Paul Smith.The committee also includes Councillors Melinda Lawton and Stuart Larkins, as well as Council’s Chief Executive Officer Jane Stroud, Director Corporate and Commercial Joe Gaudiosi, Director Strategies and Communities Ed Paterson and Head of Implementation Kimberley Norton.

South Coast Acupuncture and Herbs owner Amber Pickering discovered the power of acupuncture and Chinese herbs in her early 20s and it has been a journey of discovery ever since.Amber's first career was in corporate events and she returned to University in her early 30s to study a Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine and established a clinic in Kiama in 2020. “That [the clinic] was doing really well and I loved it, but like all small businesses hit the slow with COVID.” During the pandemic, Amber commuted to and from Sydney to take up another role at an Acupuncture Pregnancy and Fertility where she learnt about fertility and pregnancy acupuncture from a lady who herself was a scientist and then went onto study Chinese medicine. “Her clinic was established 16 years ago and, in the beginning, primarily worked alongside IVF doctors or specialists,” she said. “Optimising egg quality and also supporting implantation after and during the IVF cycle. “Now they also have a set of protocols for men and women who are trying to conceive naturally and also women who are already pregnant and need help addressing side effects such as nausea or fatigue, high blood pressure, heartburn and back pain.” University of Melbourne published findings earlier this year that states “acupuncture may increase blood flow to reproductive organs including the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and the ovaries”.Amber explains: “A major thing is to reduce stress because these are people who want to be parents and the whole process of IVF or trying to conceive after many attempts becomes very stressful. “A lot of it is just preparing the mind and body.”Amber has recently re-opened her clinic in Kiama Downs and is happy to see some of her old clients and is looking forward to meeting new ones.“I have gained a lot of experience in treating musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries, fertility and pregnancy acupuncture, general wellbeing and from my own personal experience, stress and anxiety,” Amber added.“I accept all health funds for rebates and for some health funds, the extras reset at the end of the year.”For everyone towards the end of the year who is fatigued and searching for rejuvenation - South Coast Acupuncture and Herbs has the experience to help.“It’s a good time to reset for the new year,” she said.  “This time of year is quite a busy and stressful time of year so acupuncture and cupping is very good for removing toxins from the body. It also promotes blood and Qi circulation to the whole body."For more information on South Coast Acupuncture and Herbs check out the clinic on instagram - @South.CoastAcupuncture, Facebook or call her on 0424 635 245.The clinic is located at Shop 7, 11-13 Johnson St, Kiama Downs and is open from 9:30am - 6pm Monday to Fridays and 9am - 2pm on Saturdays. Please note - this is paid content

There is a tiny flicker of hope that Folk by the Sea could return one day but as it stands, the popular Kiama festival is all but dead in the water.Organisers made the difficult decision last Friday to cancel the annual festival due in part to Kiama Council's decision to ban camping at Kiama Showground for recent iterations of the event.Festival director Neil McCann wrote to Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald and Council CEO Jane Stroud to inform them that the annual event would no longer continue after 13 years as a marquee option on the local events calendar.Neil McCann. “We put in awful amount of effort into running the event,” McCann told The Bugle.“And we had between 300-400 paying attendees but that’s not really sufficient to justify the effort that goes into it. “With only that many people, we had to restrict the number of venues, the number of performers and if we can’t increase that number, it’s just not worth the massive effort.”Due to strictly monitored financial management, McCann said the festival was able to break even in recent years even though the camping restrictions affected the number of tickets sold.“In its current form as a Friday to Sunday festival is just not feasible. Whether the concept of Folk By The Sea happens in some form, is always negotiable but in its current form, it’s not going to run.”It was the second annual Kiama music festival in the space of a week to be abandoned after the Changing Tides organisers called off their event scheduled for 22 November and announced it would not be returning next year.“I think the two are connected,” McCann said.“They have a much younger demographic and they can’t afford motel accommodation or cabins so in that regard I think the camping issue is what we had in common.“I do wonder about the impact on business in Kiama with these two festivals being cancelled. They certainly will suffer.“People don’t just turn up to the festival and go home. And they fall in love with Kiama and keep coming back.”In his letter to Council’s top brass, McCann said patronage at the festival had “declined significantly as a result of Council's decision not to allow camping over the past few festivals”."Before the last few years, low-priced camping was readily available around the showground and on Chapman Oval."When camping was prohibited by the Council, Festival patronage dropped significantly, as many avid festival goers see camping as an integral part of the folk festival experience.”McCann said the Illawarra Folk Club was also forced to purchase most of the available campsites at Surf Beach and Kendall's Beach Caravan parks, to provide camping for performers.He added there were also problems with inadequate parking and sporting events.“It was clear that the lack of camping was presenting a significant barrier for the viability of the festival."So, for the last three years we have approached Council, trying to overturn the decision re: camping."Neighbouring festivals such as Bundanoon, Kangaroo Valley and Cobargo Folk Festivals all offer camping to their patrons. They have all seen an increase in patronage. We believe that our festival’s lack of viability is directly related to this issue."McCann went on to say that it was disappointing that the decision around camping appears not to have been made by the elected council, nor with any discussion with the festival organisers as stakeholders."As a ratepayer for over 40 years, and one who fought against the amalgamation of councils several years ago, I am greatly disillusioned by this apparent lack of democratic process, and the short-sightedness of the decision."McCann said the festival over the past 13 years had brought 320 folk performers to the area and had provided locals and visitors with the opportunity to experience high-quality live folk music.Kiama Council issued a statement, countering that contrary to McCann’s assertions, the Council-managed Crown Land Plan of Management was endorsed by the NSW Minister for Crown Lands in April last year and by full Council the following month.The Plan of Management prohibits camping within the Kiama Showground precinct. “We appreciate that in the current economic climate, it is increasingly difficult for festivals and event organisers to absorb rising costs, changing audience preferences, insurance and marketing requirements and so forth,” said Mayor Cameron McDonald.“Kiama Council will continue to do all it can to support events through Destination Kiama and our Community Grants programs."

Kiama Downs resident Jane Corden was met with well-deserved praise at the Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers (SoAP) award ceremony last month.Since its formation in 1933, SoAP has been recognising individuals with careers exceeding 20 years in Australia’s film industry. The exclusive club boasts a community of over 3000 members from all facets of the profession, including production, education, administration, and distribution.This year, Corden was the recipient of the group’s NSW Pioneer of the Year for her groundbreaking approach to production accounting in the screen industry.Just two years into her career at Australian accounting organisation Moneypenny, Corden took the reins as CEO in 1988.Growing listless with the manual effort required for a paper-based system, she saw the potential opportunities within the rise of the internet and advancements in modern technology.Armed with a $10,000 “portable” Apple computer the size of a suitcase, Corden took the audacious shift to digital that would eventually revolutionise the industry.“We were ahead of the time. In the beginning it was not easy and there were certainly lots of sceptics who said ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ ... that whole mentality,” Corden said.Tax offices and state agencies were also getting on board the computer craze, demanding more detailed information with documentation. By speeding up their payroll and incentive processes, Moneypenny was able to examine and itemise data with heightened specificity and deliver more services that helped producers maintain control over their funding and expenditures.“You could manage things more closely. You had more visibility of what was being spent which is very important in [an] industry where you spend a lot of money over a very short period of time,” Corden said. In the years following, Corden and her accounting team at Moneypenny have been the unsung heroes contributing to films such as the Oscar-nominated “District 9” (2009) and Oscar-winning “The Iron Lady” (2011).Moneypenny was acquired by US company Entertainment Partners in 2022. Since then, Corden has overseen an influx in co-productions between domestic and international companies. The audience for Australian-made content is also becoming more globally accessed and popular due to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon.“International co-productions are getting more attractive and more necessary, so I think we will see more of Australia partnering with treaty countries,” Corden said. “Like the treaty with India has just been ratified … Canada, the UK, South Africa, everywhere. Lots of potential.”Although she intends to retire before the end of the year, Corden believes the next significant shift in the industry is “on the horizon” and will involve the adoption of AI tools. In the meantime, Corden is helping embrace the local film community and build opportunities with Screen Illawarra.

The Terralong Street underbridge in Kiama is getting a vibrant makeover as renowned Australian muralist Jimmy Dvate begins work on a large-scale artwork this week.The mural, inspired by Kiama’s landscapes and local character, is expected to be finished later this month. Everyone is encouraged to stop and watch as the design takes shape. Mayor Cameron McDonald said the project will help turn the underbridge into a community landmark. “This mural will transform the Terralong Street underbridge into a landmark that reflects Kiama’s creative energy and natural beauty,” he said. “Public art like this helps build a strong sense of place, community pride, and cultural identity.”Dvate, known for his photorealistic murals and meticulous attention to detail, has been painting across Australia since the late 1990s. Trained in graphic design and visual arts at Monash University, his name has become synonymous with graffiti and street art scenes.Kiama Council’s Cultural Development team said the mural supports Creative Kiama’s Cultural Plan 2025–2029, which aims to promote public art and creative projects that reflect the town’s unique identity.

Shellharbour City Council has promoted from within after announcing Wayde Peterson as the new Chief Executive Officer.He was appointed less than three months after Mike Archer was sacked following an extraordinary meeting to vote on a confidential report containing information that was "provided to Councillors concerning personnel matters".Archer's contract was terminated - he had been on leave since the start of March following revelations that he was under investigation for inappropriate conduct at Council's Christmas Party.Peterson had held the Acting CEO position since February after he previously served as Council’s executive director of business enterprises.Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer was confident Peterson would thrive in the role.“This is a pivotal time for Shellharbour City Council. We are setting the stage for a strong and vibrant future,” he said.“Wayde’s leadership skills, strategic vision and genuine commitment to community will be invaluable in helping shape that future.”Peterson began his career at Shellharbour as an engineering cadet in 2000. The 45-year-old, who was born and raised in the Illawarra, returned for his second stint at Council in 2018. “I’m honoured to be appointed as CEO of Shellharbour City Council,” he said.“Council plays an important role in delivering high quality infrastructure and services that help improve the quality of life of our community.“I am excited to partner with the Mayor, Councillors, our excellent staff and the community to deliver on the vision of a sustainable and thriving City.“Collaboration with staff, local communities, partners and government will remain central to how I lead and the outcomes we achieve together.”A father to two boys - Finn, 14, and Wes, 12 - he is active in the local sporting community as a junior football coach and has been a surf lifesaving volunteer for more than 30 years.

On 28 October, bookworms flocked to Kiama Library for an engaging presentation and signing from Canberra lawyer, poet and self-published author Vesna Cvjeticanin.The event was centred around Cvjeticanin’s new book ‘An Unexpected Life’, which shares the inspiring stories of 12 migrant women, including Cvjeticanin’s own experience relocating from Serbia.Cvjeticanin met the book’s subjects throughout her professional career and when she took a beginner’s English class after moving to Australia in 1990. She said that despite being from different countries–including Romania, Bosnia, Malaysia, South African and South American–they were all in the same situation and connected by common traits.Cvjeticanin told The Bugle that after being inspired by these women, she wanted to exercise her lifelong passion for storytelling and the written word to spread an overarching message of fortitude and optimism.“We didn’t want to have yet another book of struggle, as many [migration] stories are,” she said. “We wanted to reflect that there is light at the end of the tunnel. That was what was driving me: the willingness to share our stories and encourage and enlighten and empower.”Opportunities like her Meet The Author talks at libraries in Kiama and Batemans Bay have made Cvjeticanin realise just how relatable her experiences and these ‘eternal stories’ are to the general public. Cvjeticanin recalls that self-publishing as an unknown author was not an easy or cheap process, taking 2 and a half years of active work before release. However, it allowed her full creative freedom to portray the narrative exactly how she wanted and did not deter her from continuing to follow this career trajectory. She has since released a collection of her Serbian poetry, which she plans to have translated to other languages in the future. “Poetry is more of an outlet for my thoughts and feelings, my emotional and psychological states. [‘An Unexpected Life’ is] more about observations of the world around me, of other people. Poetry is more inward looking, prose is more outwards,” Cvjeticanin said.Despite initially being a difficult project to get off the ground, ‘An Unexpected Life’ won the 2025 ACT Literary Award for non-fiction, an accolade Cvjeticanin is ‘very pleased’ about. Cvjeticanin’s poetry can be read online at https://belongingmag.com/tag/vesnacvjeticanin/ and ‘An Unexpected Life’ can be purchased on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com.au/UNEXPECTED-LIFE-inspiring-stories-Australia-ebook/dp/B0D1QMY1Y5.

If you want to speak to someone overseas urgently these days you can do so in many immediate ways. You can even see the person as you do it.When the European settlers came to Australia in 1788, the only way of communication was by letter that went by ship. This took many months. As the years went by ships travelled a little faster but it was still counted in months. At the end of World War I, wireless telegraphs made it much quicker but on many occasions, written correspondence by letter was the only effective way to communicate important or personal information.What was needed was a fast way of delivering these letters. Intrepid aviators were the answer. Australia’s most famous aviator is Sir Charles Kingsford Smith but a great partner pilot was Charles Ulm.In April 1934, not long before he was lost somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, Ulm carried the very first airmail letters from Australia to New Zealand. Gerringong’s Val Noble wrote one of those very first letters that travelled in the plane Ulm flew.This is the letter and the envelope. The fact that the stamps are missing from the envelope is not unusual. Stamp collectors, including myself, regularly raided letters to add to their collection. The stamps on this letter would have been highly prized.

The votes from last year’s Shoalhaven City Council election will be recounted for a third time to find a replacement for Jason Cox.He has resigned, effective immediately, after appearing in Nowra Local Court on Wednesday to face charges of common assault and damaging property.Cr Cox had been arrested by South Coast Police on Tuesday night following an alleged incident in Bomaderry.Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White issued a brief statement on Thursday to announce Cr Cox had resigned after they had met earlier that morning to discuss his situation.“This morning, I held discussions with Cr Jason Cox and following this he has tendered his resignation, effective immediately,” Cr White announced.“There are serious matters before the Court which precludes me from making further comment.”The NSW Electoral Commission will conduct a recount of the Ward 1 votes to determine his replacement.Last November, Mitchell Pakes gave up his spot on Council due to health concerns and Shoalhaven Indpendents Group colleague Denise Kemp replaced him in Ward 3. Fellow Ward 3 Councillor Natalee Johnston resigned in August due to her “fundamental concerns” about the “culture of the elected Council” and the Independent politician was replaced by Debbie Killian from The Greens.Shoalhaven City Council has been in the headlines recently for all the wrong reasons.Last month, Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said the appointment of former Liberal Party politician Andrew Constance "smacks of political bastardry" after he was named the new Shoalhaven City Council CEO.Cr White admitted to handing out flyers for Constance in his failed federal election campaign for Gilmore earlier this year but claimed that she was not aligned to the Liberals.

Like many of you, I was surprised and concerned to learn about the proposal for a 14-storey development in Akuna Street. The proposal is for a site where Council has done considerable work with the community and various state agencies to deliver site-specific planning controls that fit our needs and are in line with the consensus vision for the Kiama town centre.It’s important our community understands that this proposal isn’t a Council decision. The State Government’s Housing Development Authority (HDA) has recommended that the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces declare this project as a State Significant Development (SSD). This particular HDA SSD pathway enables concurrent rezoning to circumvent local planning controls, removes Council from decision-making and limits our community’s voice to a submission. That’s not good planning. While we welcome reforms and changes, the role of local government and local communities in planning outcomes should be a primary one and should always be protected.Over the past year, Council has shown what collaborative, community-driven planning looks like. We worked with residents to deliver a Local Housing Strategy that balances growth with infrastructure, protects the character of our towns and ensures housing meets real local needs. We did that work in good faith and at significant cost, because local voices and local expertise should guide our Municipality’s future. To see that effort sidelined by a process that removes community involvement is deeply concerning.We all recognise that housing growth is essential, but it must be done right. Housing in the wrong place, at the wrong scale, with no regard for design, infrastructure or amenity doesn’t solve the housing crisis. It just creates new problems for future generations. There’s a well-known story about the original 1830s town plan for Kiama being drawn up by a Sydney-based state cartographer. Kiama’s hills, slopes, sweeping coastlines and cliffs rendered those plans and perfect rectangular planned streets redundant. It took local knowledge to draw a plan that worked, one shaped by our own topography, our own needs, and our own sense of place.Good towns become great towns when planning looks beyond rooftops and considers the whole picture, incorporating schools, water, sewerage, parks, sports grounds, roads, public transport and community spaces that let people work, shop and live locally.Last week, your Council resolved to send correspondence to the State Government expressing our concerns around the HDA SSD process. I know how important local voices are, and so as a Council we are raising our voices.As a Council, we’re doing our fair share. We’ve supported sensible infill development, planned for future growth, and built strong relationships with Planning Minister Paul Scully and the NSW Government. But we’ll keep advocating for a system that treats councils and communities as partners.So, what happens next? Once a proposal is declared as an SSD, an application needs to be lodged with the NSW Government. Council and the community will be asked to provide feedback on the proposal once exhibited. The application will either be determined by the Minister, the Independent Planning Commission or an officer of the NSW Department Planning, Housing and Environment.Kiama’s future should not be dictated by Sydney-based planners and bureaucrats. We’ll continue to speak up for planning done with our community, not to it. We’ll continue to advocate for planning in partnership with our community, and for growth with the right infrastructure that meets the local needs and protects the qualities that make Kiama unique.Please note - this is paid content

Headspace Kiama joined members of the Kiama Lions Club for a special talk as part of Mental Health Month, sharing insight into the vital services available for young people across the region.Headspace Kiama manager Charo Serventy and social worker Emily Nield were invited to speak about the centre's work supporting youth aged 12 to 25 and their families through free counselling and wellbeing programs.“It was a lovely opportunity to connect with everyone at the club over a meal and talk about the new headspace centre in Kiama,” Serventy said.“We want to make ourselves as accessible as possible to the community.”Since opening 15 months ago, headspace Kiama has been actively partnering with local schools such as Kiama High and Corpus Christi, offering regular sessions and wellbeing events like R U OK? Day to help students access support in safe, familiar spaces.The collaboration with the Lions Club goes back further than his month's event.Serventy explained the club once funded a white paper project which gathered youth perspectives on what mental health services were most needed locally.“That work really laid the groundwork for us,” he said. “The Lions have supported us from the start.”Serventy hopes the partnership will continue to grow, with both organisations sharing a passion for empowering young people and building community connections.His message to Kiama’s youth is simple but powerful: “Support is out there.“Everyone’s journey looks different, but whether it’s through friends, family, or us at headspace - reach out. "That’s what we're here for.”

Kiama’s town centre could be dwarfed by three multi-storey developments on Akuna Street with one proposal potentially ending up as high as 14 storeys.Due to changes in the NSW Government’s planning processes, Kiama Council has effectively been sidelined by the Housing Delivery Authority when it comes to putting limits on height restrictions in the local government area.Sydney-based developer Level 33 has submitted an Expression of Interest to the HDA for a 32.5 metre development at the eastern end of Akuna Street which would replace the eyesore that is the derelict Kiama Independent site and car park on the corner of Shoalhaven Street. Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said Council had settled on seven storeys as the limit for the Level 33 development but that height could be doubled if the HDA and Planning Minister Paul Scully give it the green light.Council and Level 33 are engaged in a long-running legal battle which will resume next month in the Land and Environment Court.Irrespective of the outcome in the courtroom, the Minister can still issue a declaration to make the proposal a State Significant Development to go up to 14 storeys. There is also an application for a six-storey residential and commercial building from developer Charlie Daoud’s Traders In Purple for 66 Collins St, on the corner of Akuna St, which is also double the height that Council had approved. A third project from PSEC Project Services on the south side of Akuna St is currently before Council, which is assessing that through its normal processes - that project is for a three-storey development with 30 units, including commercial premises on the groundfloor.Cr McDonald said Council objects to being “completely removed from any decision-making process” with regard to the pathway for developers involving the HDA and NSW Planning Minister. The old vandalised Kiama Independent building. Photo: The Bugle“Council is relegated to the comments section with members of the community during the public 14-day exhibition process down the track when they've done all the work about what the development might look like. “We don't have a decision-making role, and Council and the community aren't genuinely consulted with regards to that process. “So that's the real issue, and this is symptomatic of that planning pathway, and we're dealing with that as a local community with regards to 14 storeys.” There are fears among local residents that Kiama will be turned into a mini version of the Gold Coast if it is inundated with high-rise developments.Council CEO Jane Stroud said there were 156 high-rise buildings at the iconic Queensland holiday destination and over 100 of them are over 36 storeys.“Fourteen storeys, three storeys, six storeys is not 80 storeys … so no, this is not the next Gold Coast. A little bit of realism goes a long way in community discussion,” she said.“But the look and feel of Akuna Street, basically from opposite the Arch and up the hill, and down the main street, is going to profoundly change.“Local governments play a really strong and unique role in planning for local communities. It's how we get local outcomes, and it is a tremendous shame when local voices and local government are removed from that process.”Cr McDonald said when you look at proportionality, the impact of the proposed development would be monumental.“You can understand where the concern and the angst in the community is coming from - 14 storeys is a significant change to the character of the main street and grossly in addition to anything that we've got as a proposal on that site currently,” he said.“I would prefer to not think that it's a fait accompli. "Even though our ability to comment on the actual proposal is limited at this stage, that won't limit us from advocating and from putting our best foot forward for the community.”The artist's impression for the original Level 33 development.Kiama Council director of strategies and communities Ed Paterson said they were confident they would have the infrastructure to cope with the approved proposals that go no higher than seven storeys but it would a real concern if a development double that size were to be approved.Kiama MP Katelin McInerney called on Level 33 to listen to the community over their fears about over-development.“I share the concerns of the community with the proposal,” she said.An artist's impression of the proposal for the south side of Akuna Street.“A declaration for this project to be assessed as State Significant Development has not been made, as there is an existing proposal for this site currently before the NSW Land and Environment Court.“The proposal would need to be withdrawn from the LEC process prior to a declaration being made. “Level 33 must engage with the community so that concerns can be appropriately raised and addressed and that any future development of the site takes into account community and Council feedback. “The Minns Labor Government is committed to addressing the housing challenges in NSW and is working with Kiama Council on the [separate] proposal for the Kiama Depot to deliver well-designed, well-located and diverse new homes for our community,” she added in reference to the joint project with Council for the two-hectare site further south on Shoalhaven St, opposite the Bowling Club.Kiama Matters Inc, which represents more than 500 local residents, is concerned about the prospect of high-rise developments in the town centre creating a range of problems.Committee members John Greer and Dr Lenore Pennington told The Bugle that Kiama Matters had invited McInerney to their next meeting on 26 November at 7pm at the Kiama Anglican Church to discuss their fears over the prospect of over-development. Dr Pennington said many local residents were “appalled and horrified” by the possibility of multi-storey buildings at Akuna Street and Shoalhaven Street. They are worried about the impact on traffic, parking, public transport and other key areas of infrastructure like water and sewerage.“The main concern is parking. We have minimal public transport, there’s no taxis anymore and limited Ubers,” she said.“Do we have the infrastructure to cope with more high-rise buildings?“And how many people are going to use this new housing to live in and how many are going to use it as a weekender or an airbnb. It might bring more tourists in but reduce the housing supply for locals.”Greer said Kiama Matters was keen to inform local residents about what is happening with development in the town “to raise questions and point them in the right direction” so they are not blindsided by proposals after they have been approved.

This week's edition of The Bugle is filled with the latest news and views from our local South Coast community.Our top story centres on concerns over the plans for three developments in Kiama which will dwarf the town centre if approved.READ THE DIGITAL EDITION HEREMayor Cameron McDonald has spoken out against the prospect of the State Government potentially approving a 14-storey building on Akuna Street.Sydney-based developer Level 33 has submitted an Expression of Interest to the HDA for a 32.5 metre development at the eastern end of Akuna Street which would replace the eyesore that is the derelict Kiama Independent site and car park on the corner of Shoalhaven Street. There is also an application for a six-storey residential and commercial building from developer Charlie Daoud’s Traders In Purple for 66 Collins St, on the corner of Akuna St, which is also double the height that Council had approved. A third project from PSEC Project Services on the south side of Akuna St is currently before Council, which is assessing that through its normal processes - that project is for a three-storey development with 30 units, including commercial premises on the groundfloor.You can also read plenty of great community stories, including plans for Shellharbour Council to introduce a drone show for New Year's Eve, the cancellation of the Folk By The Sea festival and a local doctor retiring after 36 years of service.In sport, you can read about Kiama's dominant win in South Coast cricket, a Gerringong junior re-signing with the Dragons and how locals fared at the World Triathlon Championships.

Shellharbour Council is looking to get a share of the action for the 2026 New Year’s Eve celebrations along the Illawarra coastline with a motion passed at its October Meeting. Councillors Kellie Marsh and Cr Mitch Ellis submitted a Notice of Motion at the meeting which was passed unanimously, 8-0. Cr Marsh is calling for drones and to ditch the fireworks to protect the pets and wildlife of the Shellharbour local government area. “I suppose after New Year’s Eve last year, it pained me to see that residents of Shellharbour would be going to Wollongong or Kiama,” Cr Marsh said. “I’d really like to keep the locals at home, enjoying their own city, networking with their own community and showcasing the beautiful environment and people that we’ve got in Shellharbour for the tourists. “It’s just horrible to see how many animals are affected by it [the fireworks]. “We have so many dogs that have anxiety issues, but there are also people in the community that have issues with large noises. “So I think that if we’re going to do something, it needs to be something that is for everybody.” For Cr Marsh, her idea is aimed towards providing entertainment while having a frugal and environmental approach for Shellharbour Council and residents. “By doing a drone show, it would be the first for the Illawarra and something that would draw quite a large crowd,” Cr Marsh said. “[Drones are] are a little more cost effective than fireworks and the least environmental footprint that we can have as well.” The motion also asked for consideration to seeking suitable grant funding and/or sponsorship including what value of grant funding would be required to enable the event to take place. “That’s why I’ve asked for a report as well, so we can find out how much it’s going to cost us,” Cr Marsh said. “I don’t want the money [for the NYE event] coming from ratepayer money and council coffers.” Cr Marsh is aware of the associated costs and used Kiama Council’s recent cancellation of the 2025 New Year’s Eve Sky Show celebrations as the yardstick. “It’s all those hidden costs that have to be taken into consideration,” Cr Marsh said. “It’s not just security or crowd control, but also traffic management as well. It is all those incidentals around the event that put the costs up.” The Bugle reported in August that the Kiama 2025 New Years Eve Sky Show was budgeted to cost approximately $90,000 to hold the show (not considering staff costs), with only $35,000 associated with the actual fireworks and associated entertainment. In the recent Notice of Motion, the proposed location is in Shell Cove which is part of a master plan of Shellharbour City Council for the Waterfront Shell Cove Marina which includes a 1-room hotel.