We’re two months out from the 12th annual Kiama Folk by the Sea Festival - and with over 35 bands and artists already confirmed, this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the biggest on the Kiama calendar.Running from 12-14 September across 10 local venues, Festival director Neil McCann says he’s excited for what 2025 has in store.“Folk festivals are a significant part of the Australian music landscape now - they’re happening all over the country,” McCann said.“Kiama’s festival has been going for over a decade and it gives a great platform to musicians who aren’t necessarily mainstream - artists playing folk music in all its forms, from bluegrass and country to acoustic and beyond.”This year’s program includes award-winning acts like Darren Coggan, recipient of multiple Golden Guitars and Independent Country Music Awards, The Weeping Willows, currently touring Europe and the UK, and The Water Runners, who have played at festivals across the country.“Another standout is Charley Castle and the Boys in the Well - a young band that recently won the Tamworth Busking Competition,” McCann said.The Water Runners (from left) James Turk, John Littrich, Danita Harris and Neil McCann. Photo supplied.“That’s no small feat. Tamworth draws in everyone trying to make it in country music. They won purely on the strength of their musicianship and performance. They’re seriously impressive.”McCann, a longtime attendee of folk festivals nationwide, says the real magic lies in the atmosphere.“People are just there to enjoy the music - there's rarely any angst. Folk festivals have this beautiful community vibe. They’re almost always volunteer-run, not-for-profit events,” he said.“We’ve got between 35 and 40 acts this year, offering a huge variety. Folk festival crowds want to hear a bit of everything - and that’s exactly what we aim to deliver.”A key element of most folk festivals is the camping culture - artists and audiences mingling on-site. But in Kiama, that’s been a logistical hurdle.“Camping is a huge part of the experience. A lot of our audience are older folk who don’t want to fork out for motels - many have caravans and follow the folk festival trail,” said McCann.“Unfortunately, we don’t have access to enough campgrounds. That’s been one of our biggest challenges, and it’s definitely impacted attendance. “We’re doing everything we can to keep ticket prices low so it’s still affordable for people.”One way to save? Grab an early bird ticket - on sale now until 31 July before prices go up.Head to folkbythesea.com.au/tickets to secure your spot at the 2025 Folk by the Sea Festival in Kiama.

From humble beginnings and bowling greens, Club Jamberoo is celebrating decades of camaraderie and change. Jamberoo Bowling Club will commemorate a major milestone next Saturday (12 July), marking its 75-year anniversary with a day of bowls, lunch, and reflections on its long standing within the local community. “To commemorate the first meeting, we are having a day of bowls with three matches and lunch,” Club Jamberoo treasurer Terry Stamp said. “We’re inviting old bowlers, all our life members, current members, and their guests. After the bowls, we’ll have a birthday cake and a few speeches.” While the event honours the pioneers and a bowling legacy, Stamp said the club’s identity has grown well beyond its greens. “The club is very much more than just a bowling club; it’s a community club,” he said. “We’ve evolved over time, forming strong partnerships with many sporting clubs in Jamberoo." Club Jamberoo supports community groups providing a place to meet. “We provide access for the Red Cross to raise money within the club, the Probus Club also meets at our bowling club and so does the Ratepayers Club,” Stamp said. “It is just providing access to the facility so that those people can meet and feel they belong to the town, not just the club.” The Jamberoo Bowling Club’s inaugural meeting was held on July 12, 1950, and was chaired by Jamberoo Mayor Roy Warby. A total of 89 Foundation Members each paid three guineas to join – raising £280 pounds. The No.1 green was officially opened on October 30, 1954, followed by the original clubhouse on March 11, 1956. For more details about the anniversary and the club’s history www.clubjamberoo.bowls.com.au.

In a situation that resembled the screenplay from the 2009 movie Bride Wars, the Kiama Knights rugby league club were made to fall on their proverbial swords due to a double booking at the Kiama Sports and Entertainment Complex. Last Saturday, the Kiama I Do wedding exhibition was held at The Pavilion and within the vicinity, the Kiama Knights had planned six games, which included a 40-year reunion for the 1985 premiership-winning team at the Kiama Showground. Leading up to Saturday, there were whispers within the community that the use of the Kiama Showground would be inhibited for most of the day. Kiama Knights seniors and juniors committee member and coaching coordinator Marc Laird told The Bugle “we had a big day planned for last Saturday for a long time"."We had our 40-year reunion for our 1985 premiership-winning team, with a lot of those boys travelling interstate, a couple from Queensland, one from Tasmania. “Thursday morning, we got wind that it was not going to happen, that the grounds were already booked for another event, that they (the grounds) weren’t available from 10am until 2pm. “Sort of rendered our whole day, you know six games planned. Pretty much put a big dent in our day, I guess. “It is just disappointing, knowing that all the planning that had gone in then just to be told that there was no sort of wiggle room, or (that) we couldn’t get on the field was extremely disappointing.” While Laird and the Kiama Knights fraternity were disappointed with the displacement, it seems there is no animosity, at least from Laird. “I don’t want to blame anyone or point fingers at anyone. It’s sort of a miscommunication from all parties, I guess,” Laird said. “The ground had been booked for a year in advance for this expo and our draw had been done for six months. “We (Kiama Knights) have been using this field for 100 years.” Home games are imperative to the facilitation of revenue for regional rugby league clubs, with limited funding coming from parent bodies making game day revenue and the support of volunteers vital to the progression of the club. “The thing with us, it’s the game day revenue and for us to survive as a community footy club, we rely on the game day revenue,” Laird said. “We only get nine games a year at home, so it is really important that we have big days financially to keep us afloat. “So, it went from being potentially a really great day for the club, to a pretty uneventful one really.” When asked if the club was provided with any sort of compensation for the late cancellation, Laird could not confirm, stating “we sort of have to suck it up, I guess.” Rebecca Armstrong from caterers Culinarius explained that she was not authorised to comment on the booking faux pas, but ensured the Kiama I Do exhibition was a success. “It was excellent. It was a really busy day,” Armstrong said. “We had three wedding venues open, we set up mock weddings with the help of local wedding suppliers. “It wasn’t just about showcasing the venues, it is about driving more business and revenue to the local businesses that we partner with.” In a detailed statement from Kiama Municipal Council provided to The Bugle, it simplified the complex booking conflict highlighting that this issue was flagged earlier this year in April. “Kiama Council was advised in April 2025 by the Kiama District Sports Association (KDSA), which handles the sportsground bookings, of the prospective Knights 40-year anniversary tournament, at which point Council flagged the existing Kiama I Do booking,” a Council spokesperson said.  “Council suggested contacting The Pavilion or consider a Friday twilight game. As no further contact was made with Council or The Pavilion, it was assumed an alternative arrangement had been made by KDSA and/or the Knights to hold their anniversary game.  “When it became evident late last week that both bookings had accidentally gone ahead causing a clash (eg: Kiama I Do was not using the showground, but a football match there would not be conducive to the wedding expo), organisers worked hard behind the scenes to accommodate both events.  “Council acknowledges and understands that this double-booking was made accidentally. Unfortunately, mistakes happen. The Pavilion and Showground precinct is a large and popular complex with a range of different users and events throughout the year, which generally run smoothly.  “Council further acknowledges the importance of local sport and the role of Kiama Showground as our town’s chief football venue, particularly during mid-season. However, wedding events and venues also bring significant revenue and promotional opportunities to our region and contribute to our local and regional economy.”  It is estimated through the average wedding spend and weddings per capita, the wedding industry is worth almost $5 billion to the Australian economy a year.   A spokesperson for KDSA was unavailable for comment. Bride Wars is a 2009 comedy film starring Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson, where two best friends booked the same venue and became estranged through the process.

Kiama Council’s controversial decision to cancel the New Year’s Eve fireworks display unless a sponsor can be found will have ramifications not just for local businesses but community groups as well.For many local business operators, the festival is their biggest money-spinner of the year while community groups use the event as an opportunity to raise much-needed funds.The local Rural Fire Service, covering Jamberoo, Gerringong, Foxground and Carrington Falls, and Surf Life Saving Clubs have been beneficiaries as the chosen charity.Volunteers worked their way through the heaving crowds on Kiama’s foreshore, collecting donations and raising awareness about their efforts in the community.The Surf Life Saving Clubs were chosen for the past two years with the Rural Fire Service getting the gig the previous two years.By simply having volunteers wander around with donation buckets, around $15,000 has been raised each New Year’s Eve to help fund their vital community services.Destination Kiama chair, Councillor Matt Brown was intending to put forward Landcare as this year’s chosen charity as well as a local mental health group.Kiama Council has put the call out for sponsors to offset the cost of the annual event after recently opting to withdraw its own funding with Mayor Cameron McDonald stating that the NYE Sky Show needs substantial external funding to go ahead.Councillors voted against allocating $95,000 to self-fund the fireworks when the 2025-26 budget was approved last month with Cr McDonald saying they needed to be fiscally responsible while operating under the State Government-imposed Performance Improvement Order.South Coast Surf Life Saving branch president Shane Wicks, who is a member of Kiama SLSC and the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service, hoped that Council can find a solution through a sponsor or change its mind about financially supporting the event.“It’s a great opportunity for community groups to get a large range of people in a small area and a lot of community groups rely on different types of funding to fund a lot of their activities,” he said.“Surf life saving doesn’t get government funding. We do grants but most of the funding comes from ourselves - clubs have to organise fundraising.“With regards to the RFS, we are supplied with basic equipment that we need to fight fires but it’s the things on top like gas detectors and thermal imaging cameras to identify hot spots we have to fun.”Wicks said the volunteers not only collected money but used the opportunity to engage with the community about the services they provide and offer advice on safety matters, such as fire hazards, surf awareness and fishing on the rocks.He added that as a local resident who has been going to the New Year’s Eve show for more than a decade that the town is alive as thousands gather to celebrate together by watching the spectacular fireworks, Australia’s biggest coastal fireworks outside of Sydney.“I’ve been to at least 15 with my kids over the years, there’s a great vibe in the town and you very rarely see any trouble,” he said.“Being able to fundraise during those events that are put on by Council just makes it so much easier for those organisations.“The community absolutely loves the fireworks. It’s a great atmosphere.”Council’s Spendmapp "Event Tracker" data revealed there was $1.76 million in local spending on New Year’s Eve, which was the highest total recorded across recent major events.Little Betty’s on Collins Street is one of the many local businesses which thrives on New Year’s Eve and co-owner Paul Paterno said he would be disappointed if the fireworks display disappeared from the calendar.“The amount of people who descend into town is incredible,” he said.“Without it a lot of businesses miss out on their biggest night of the year.“It’s always good when we’ve got that many people in town - thousands walking around looking for food and drink. It would be a shame not to have it.“Having the fireworks on gives people a reason to come to Kiama. I do believe people are going to go other LGAs that do have events on and it will leave Kiama missing out.“The return on investment for local businesses is much greater than the 80 or 90 grand it costs to put them on.”

St George Illawarra battled bravely in Canberra but just fell short to lose 28-24 at GIO Stadium.With 11 regular first-graders out due to injury, the Dragons were rank underdogs but came home strongly to nearly steal victory against the competition leaders.The Dragons have now dropped to a 6-9 record and will finish Round 18 in 11th spot but their playoff hopes are fading.They are just two competition points behind eighth place but they need to win the majority of their remaining nine games to have a hope of sneaking into the finals.Dragons coach Shane Flanagan was unhappy with some of the refereeing decisions which cost his team victory, including a controversial no-try ruling against Tyrell Sloan in the first half when the final pass was ruled to have travelled forward from Moses Suli."Lucky the rules are changing, related to press conferences, because I'd be paying a fine," he said."When you're a side flying high like the Raiders, you probably see that they get the bounce of the ball and they deserve it because (they're) at the top of the table."When you're at where we're at, the middle of the table, sometimes you feel that you don't get the rub of the green sometimes. It's a tough one. In the end, that's the difference."I thought we should've won."The Dragons started strongly before Xavier Savage opened the scoring for the Raiders against the run of play halfway through the first term.Sloan equalised in the 32nd minute before Kaeo Weekes scored the first of his three tries just before half-time when he scooped up a kick from a Dragons attacking and returned the ball the length of the field.Canberra added three more tries to one response from Dragons forward Jaydn Su'A to make it 28-12 with 20 minutes to go.But the visitors refused to lie down and finished on top of the Green Machine with Sloan grabbing his second and Kyle Flanagan pouncing on an in-field kick from the winger to make it a four-point gap with eight minutes left.However, they were unable to cross in the closing stages and the Raiders hung on by the skin of their teeth.Gerringong forward Hamish Stewart sat out the match due to a concussion he suffered last week against Parramatta but should be back for next Saturday's clash with the Roosters at Kogarah. In the NRLW, the Dragons kicked off their season with a win, knocking over Canberra 36-14.They raced in six tries to three with Raecene McGregor bagging 16 points from a try and six goals.

Kiama’s Cath Munro is heading to Germany to represent Australia at the 17th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) World Dragon Boat Racing Championships.Cath will compete in the Senior C division at the event, which takes place in Brandenburg an der Havel from July 14-20. Her journey to the world stage began in a surprising way - through a raffle ticket.“A friend of mine was selling raffle tickets for the SUDU Dragon Boat Club,” she said.“I told her I’d always wanted to try dragon boating. I’d done other paddling events like the Murray Marathon in kayaks, but not dragon boating. I went along to try it - and just loved it.”This will be Cath’s second time representing Australia. She competed in Thailand in 2023 with the Senior B team, bringing home three bronze medals and a silver.“It’s incredibly competitive, so to come away with medals was amazing. We’re hoping to match or better that this year,” she said.(Left,top and right) Photos from Cath's last time at the World Champonships and (Left,bottom photo promoting the 2025 World Championships). Photos provided by Cath Munro.Dragon boating is one of the world’s fastest-growing water sports, and Cath says Australia is holding its own on the international stage.“We tend to do well in water sports,” she said. “Germany, Canada and the US are probably our biggest rivals.”For Cath, representing Australia later in life is something she finds both humbling and deeply meaningful.“Wearing the green and gold is really special,” she said. “Standing on the podium and receiving a medal for your country - it’s one of the most profound experiences I’ve had. “There's a lot of personal growth in the process. Rowing is as much mental as it is physical.”Cath also values how accessible dragon boating is, especially for people recovering from injury or illness.A shot of Cath's team in Thailand. Photos provided by Cath Munro.“It’s a fantastic sport for people who may no longer be able to run or have lower body injuries. You can be a competitive or a social paddler - it’s healthy, it’s on the water, and it’s fun,” she said.“You’ve got 20 people in a boat, racing in what’s essentially a sprint. It brings back that team sport feeling from when you were a kid. And many women get into it after breast cancer, as it helps with recovery. "It’s also helped me - my RSI in my wrist disappeared after I started paddling.”Preparation for the world stage has been intense. With teammates from across the country - including Townsville, Victoria, and WA - training requires travel and dedication.“We have three compulsory camps and regular regional hub sessions,” Cath explained. “Right now we’re training five times a week with the competition so close.”Back home in Kiama, she’s supported by Alan Swan Athletics as well as a local team from Kiama.“I’ve worked with Alan Swan and his team for three years now. I also work with Pete Parkinson and David Todd at Kiama Leisure Centre. They help me unpack the training program I get from the Australian Dragon Boat Federation. I’m there every week, and I also do yoga twice a week for recovery.”Cath and her team will race in all four international distances: 200m, 500m, 1,000m, and 2,000m across six days of competition.

When Kelly Morrison joined Gerringong’s Travel Focus Group three months ago she pitched a business idea - solo women’s travel tours - to owner Peta Godfrey.ROAM is a bespoke travel service for adventurous women, travelling alone or with girlfriends, which focuses on good food, good company and lots of laughs.Kelly, an avid explorer whose love for travel began in the late 1980s and has taken her across the globe many times over, created the concept after years of fun adventures, sometimes solo, sometimes with family and friends.Kelly quickly learned “wine tastes better with girlfriends” and Peta knew Kelly was onto something. Who wouldn’t want to travel with like-minded women on tours with no mental load required, where all the organisation is done for you and the only person you have to think about is yourself.Kelly hosted a breakfast meeting this week, not only to get the word out about the services offered by ROAM, but to also tap into the wealth of expertise shared by female travellers.She held the meeting on a Tuesday because “at least one of my friends was off so I knew she’d come along”. The event coincided with one of the most severe weather fronts – an East Coast low – to hit the South Coast in recent times.Despite the 150mm of rain that fell across the region, more than a dozen intrepid female travellers turned up to share coffee, croissants and ideas for future adventures together.“We had 15 lovely ladies brave the wind and rain to join us for our inaugural breakfast,” says Kelly. “Some were single and wanted adventures with other like-minded women, some were girlfriends who wanted to travel together but without the mental load of having to organise an itinerary and, interestingly, we had quite a few married women whose husbands are too busy or don’t want to travel.”All of the women who attended had one thing in common - their idea of a great holiday aligned with ROAM’s beliefs of slow travel, enjoying the location, leisurely mornings and small-group tours.“Our solo women tours are all about slowing down and savouring the journey,” says Kelly. “There are no crack-of-dawn wakeups or rushed schedules. We don’t do alarms unless it’s for pastries!“Delicious food is a big part of the ROAM experience, there are no sad salads allowed. We also offer meaningful cultural experiences, rather than rushed tick-a-box, buy the fridge magnet tours. “You can explore at your own pace and yes, you can skip the museum for wine if you want to.”ROAM’s first tour, in November, will be held in New Zealand and include good food, fine wine, a health spa and jet boat ride. But there are many more adventures on the horizon.“We had a wide range of interests at the breakfast, with women suggesting tours to Africa, Italy, Vietnam and even a pub crawl through Ireland and Scotland,” says Kelly. “There was a common theme of going to a location, such as Italy, and staying for a few weeks in one place and becoming part of the community.“Some of the activities that were of interest included cooking classes, art retreats and hiking tours such as the Camino trail. Everyone wanted off the beaten track, with travel outside the main tourist season that is unique and authentic.”If this sounds like your kind of globetrotting visit ROAM on the Travel Focus Group’s website. You can join the mailing list to stay up to date with upcoming tours and sign up to join waitlists.

Kiama Downs is the next location in the local government area likely to get a fenced off leash dog area with Jamberoo’s new facility a couple of months away from completion.Councillor Stuart Larkins has led the push for Kiama Council to launch its first Dog Friendly Spaces Strategy, which was adopted at the June Ordinary Meeting.“In the past we had seen a very ad hoc approach to the decisions around dogs spaces, in particular a big focus on the beaches,” said Cr Larkins, voicing his views as a Councillor, not on behalf of Council.“It didn’t really identify the issue, particularly in Jamberoo where not only was there debate about whether a dog space should be fenced or not, or whether they needed one.”With more than 9000 dogs in the local government area among the human population of 23,000, Council needs to provide several friendly spaces for the canine community and their owners to spend quality time together and to get in some much-needed socialisation and exercise.The Jamberoo fenced off leash area is being constructed and is due to be complete in September with recent adjustments to the plan ensuring there will be spaces for small and large dogs to roam.Cr Larkins said the Jamberoo sporting community will be thrilled once the new FOLA is up and running because they have had ongoing problems with dog owners using Kevin Walsh Oval and other sports fields and leaving more than just footprints.He was confident the Jamberoo space would be big enough to give local dog owners plenty of room for their canines to stretch their four legs.“A lot of the sporting community raised feedback through that Strategy around the difficulties they experienced of people using the sports fields for running dogs and the dog waste that is then produced,” he added.“The whole point about establishing the five-year strategy is it outlines where dogs should and shouldn’t go but it also creates the community expectations about the safety and standards for dogs within our LGA.”Kiama Downs is likely to be the next cab off the rank for a designated area for dogs and a location would need to be locked down after a community consultation period.“When I moved the motion in the Council meeting I made an addition that Council explores the opportunity for a fenced dog park in Kiama Downs,” Cr Larkins said. “We’ve got 9000 dogs and a high proportion of them are in the Kiama Downs area.”

Tay Byrne, an emerging young leader from Dharawal country recently completed the 2025 NSW Parliament Young Aboriginal Leaders Program with 20 other young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from around the state. “We all got the chance to come together and workshop some leadership skills, hearing directly from community (leaders) and organisations, how they were successful in making change in their community,” Byrne said.“Pretty much hearing their story, how they were successful in making change in their community and their advice on what that looks like for the next generation going through that process.” Byrne shared that they struggled with identity and figuring out who they were as a young person, but also with their education. “I wasn’t very good at reading and writing, so I struggled a bit with school and lack of support.”Having experienced this within their own schooling, Byrne speaks with authority on the issue of providing greater support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school students. One of the issues raised by Byrne is that the initiatives and programs established by governments in schools are unreliable and students, like Byrne, become subsequently displaced educationally. “A lot of the things that were offered to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student would often go for about a year, and then funding would subside and you wouldn’t have anything else for a couple of years until some new government policy would come in and there would be some incentive to do it,” they said.  “The limitations at the moment that we are facing is we’ve lost funding, so we’ve lost the worker. “We’re not able to support our Year 7 and 8 students at the moment to the full capacity that we could be. “It is just the attendance rates of our children, it’s a crucial part of schooling. So those development years are going to impact if that child stays for their senior schooling and their employment.”Part of the NSW Parliament program Byrne attended was preparing and delivering a speech to the Upper House of the NSW Parliament.“I was pretty lucky in the sense that I was able to represent two communities, the Illawarra Aboriginal Alliance Corporation and the Gunya Gurindja team from Vincentia High School, which started under Aunty Gai,” they said. “Just being able to showcase what they do in school, how effective the program is (Gunya Gurindja) and highlight how underfunded these programs and initiatives are. “I’m passionate about preserving our culture and ensuring that all the fight our elders have fought was for something and they can rest.“So we can continue to carry that fire and we (younger generations) continue to represent our culture.“We have the longest living and continuous culture. It is something that all people should be proud of, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, because we both benefit from the knowledge of traditional owners.“Everyone can benefit from embracing Indigenous culture and knowledge as a collective. We have adapted to the westernised and colonial Australia that we live in and it is now time those systems adapt to Indigenous people and grow together.” This year’s national NAIDOC week, which runs from 6–13 July has the theme ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, & Legacy’ highlighting the achievements of the past generations, while looking forward to the future strengths of young leaders, the vision for communities and acknowledging the legacy paved by ancestors.

By Damian Morgan, President, Country Press AustraliaThis week, I step up as President of Country Press Australia (CPA), ostensibly to represent the best interests of independent regional newspaper publishers. But the responsibility is far greater than that.The future of regional news publishing is inextricably linked to whether regional communities will continue to have a say in shaping the future of regional Australia.In fact, regional newspapers are the metaphorical canary in the coal mine - their health signals the health of the voice of the communities they serve.And both are under threat.The toxic combination of ever-expanding corporations and surging city populations dominating our politics is reducing regional communities to branch office status, withtheir futures determined by powerful elites in our CBDs.With every small business that’s bought out and “rolled up” into a corporate machine - or shut down to make way for a big-box competitor - a local business owner is replaced by a corporate manager. The profits are siphoned off in the first electronic transfer back to the city, and a small part of the soul of our communities dies.As our capital cities grow, the weight of our democracy and decision-making drifts further away from the regions - away from where much of our nation’s wealth is generated, by the way.Even local government is losing its voice.Many locally elected councillors now fear speaking out on behalf of their communities, worried they’ll be reported by bureaucratic staff to increasingly powerful, city-based governance bodies. When this happens, our democracy is weakened.Regional news publishers are among the last lines of defence against these forces.At our best, we rally and amplify the collective voice of our communities. We stand up to power and fight for a fair go.There’s a saying that the squeaky wheel gets the grease - but in regional Australia, it’s mostly the silent, hardworking wheels that keep the whole country moving.That’s why regional newspapers promote local communities and give those doing the heavy lifting a voice.We unapologetically champion independent regional businesses - the ones who make, grow, and fix things. The ones who only sell what they believe in and are proud of.We’re also here for the bush cops and single-teacher schools, the nurses and doctors who are always on duty, and the junior sports coaches who drive the bus three hours each way so kids can get a game on the weekend.We’re up for the fight. But it’s getting harder.A decade ago, regional newspapers were thriving. Classifieds, display ads, and community notices funded large local newsrooms filled with trained journalists.But the landscape has changed.When news went online - and we’re online too - global tech giants like Facebook quickly came to dominate the advertising market, using their monopolistic power to take an overwhelming share of digital ad revenue.Yet these platforms don’t produce news.They don’t employ journalists.And they certainly don’t hire anyone in regional communities where they glean enormous profits from the attention of local people while contributing nothing back to local newsrooms or communities.In fact, they profit from our content, created by local journalists, without paying fairly for it - undermining the very business model that sustains local news.And big box retail corporations making huge profits from our regional communities are now choosing to advertise with these global tech giants, not with local publishers.Like frogs in warming water, too many Australians are unaware of the growing danger of letting corporatism control our communities - and the new media platforms and AI systems that (mis)inform them.My top priority as President of CPA is to fight for the publishers who, in turn, are fighting for their communities.We’ll be wearing out the boot leather lobbying governments to protect our people from exploitation by tech platforms that profit from harmful content and put our children and democracy at risk.We’ll push back against bureaucracy that strips power from local leaders.We’ll shine a light on the creeping reach of corporatism.We’re proud to take on these battles.All we ask in return is that you keep buying your local paper — or subscribe online — and support the local businesses that advertise with us.

Buyer confidence in the local property market is starting to lift ahead of next week’s Reserve Bank of Australia meeting, with analysts tipping a third rate cut for the year.Marnie Beauchamp, from Belle Property Kiama, says signs of renewed momentum are finally starting to emerge after a “pretty tough” opening half of the year.She believes the RBA’s next move could be a turning point.“It does feel like there’s more confidence and movement happening in the market in the past couple of weeks,” Beauchamp said.“I think that if we do get another interest rate cut next week, then that’s going to give us a real boost.“I just don’t think the two rate cuts we’ve had so far this year have been enough considering where everybody was at leading up to that.“With inflation and the cost of living these days, people need a bit more of a reprieve before they’re going to make their next move.“Coming into the second half of the year, another rate cut will be key, absolutely.”The RBA’s next interest rate decision is scheduled for Tuesday, with strong anticipation of a 25 basis-point rate cut.Economists from the Commonwealth Bank and Westpac are among those to forecast a rate reduction.Greg Crumpton, of Stone Real Estate, agrees confidence is rising again in the local property market.“It’s definitely starting to move upward,” Crumpton told The Bugle.“The last couple of interest-rate reductions have helped, but it’s the next one that I think will really kick things off.“Borrowing capacity and confidence increases when rates drop, and that brings more activity and buyers into the market.”As confidence improves, the region’s prestige performers remain in the spotlight.Leading the way is Gerringong, which topped Cotality’s 20-year growth rankings when it released its May 2025 property data last week.According to Cotality, Gerringong’s median house price has jumped from $625,000 in 2005 to nearly $1.8 million today.Beauchamp says the surge reflects the natural growth of the seaside town.“If you go back 20 years, there was very little infrastructure in Gerringong,” she said.“People came to Kiama because it had more shops and a supermarket, whereas over the last 20 years there’s been a whole lot of new buildings in Gerringong … more restaurants, shops, little boutiques, and more business in general.“And then they also opened that beautiful subdivision around Tasman Drive, and all of a sudden the big prices came in and people were paying $2 million for a block of land where the views are just incredible.”In the key growth corridor of Shell Cove, the median house price now sits at $1.4 million, also edging into prestige territory.Beauchamp was there from the very beginning, as the first stages of Shell Cove were launched in the mid-1990s.“I was working for a property developer at the time, before I got into residential sales,” she said. “We actually had a model created, which was sitting in the foyer of one of the display homes up there, showing how it was all going to look and where the marina was going to be.“That marina was proposed around the late ’90s but it has only just really taken off in the last couple of years.”Crumpton said local demand remained strongest east of the freeway, especially in locations with views.“This is still particularly sought-after,” he said.“Close proximity and walking distance to the beaches is a big attraction, and/or the local shops and cafes.”While buyer interest from Sydneysiders and Canberrans remains strong, Crumpton said locals were still key players in the Kiama market, either upsizing or downsizing.As for his local market prediction over the next year?“The previous 12 or 18 months, there’s been a lot of hesitation, but I think we'll see an increase in activity, and prices may even start to creep up again,” Crumpton said.“Interest rates are likely to keep going down, and that generally means things will start to pick up again in the market.”

Even though the Illawarra and South Coast is over the worst of the wild weather that hit the region this week, boaters in particular are being reminded to stay safe over the weekend.Dangerous surf and strong winds are forecast along the NSW coast with Transport for NSW Maritime urging boaters to stay off the water. NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings said this week's powerful weather system is expected to continue to bring large waves and hazardous conditions along the east coast. "While the rain and wind are beginning to ease, the swell remains hazardous. We strongly urge all boaters to stay off the water until conditions improve," he said. “We’re asking all boaters and water users to stay off the water while these conditions pass.“A strong low-pressure system is moving down the coast, bringing rough seas and big swells. “Crossing coastal bars or heading offshore in this kind of weather is extremely dangerous. "If you’ve brought a boat or jet ski on holidays, don’t risk it, leave it on the trailer and stay off the water.“We’re seeing lots of debris into the waterways; the debris not be able to be seen which makes it extremely dangerous for boaters."There are safer times to enjoy the water, now is not one of them. Taking risks puts your life and others in danger, including emergency services who may need to respond. “If you absolutely must go out, stick to sheltered inland waters and wear a properly fitted lifejacket at all times. Check the weather before and during every trip, and if in doubt, don’t go out.”

NSW Police are urging drivers to take extra care on the roads during the next two weeks, with data indicating 20 per cent of fatal or serious crashes occur during school holiday periods.Motorists who plan to travel across the state are being urged to drive to the weather conditions which are typically adverse in the month of July.The winter public school holidays begin on Monday 7 July and conclude Friday 18 July 2025.Officers will be conducting enforcement patrols and operations over the next two weeks to deter drivers from making poor decisions.In the July school holidays last year, eight people lost their lives in fatal crashes; the same number of deaths were recorded for the same period in 2023.NSW Police data shows almost 20 percent of crashes involving injuries or fatalities occur during the 12 weeks of public school holidays.So far this year, 190 lives have been lost, 29 more deaths than for this time last year.Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver, said the July school holidays was typically a time when weather conditions could contribute to serious crashes.“Drivers need to be aware of the risks when travelling in wet and snowing conditions, with black ice a serious hazard on our roads at this time of year,” Assistant Commissioner Driver said.“Our data shows one in five serious or fatal crashes happen in the school holidays.“We also know that about two thirds of fatal crashes occur on regional areas.”Assistant Commissioner Driver said the school holidays were a time when families typically go on road trips, often in unfamiliar territory.“Take extra care, reduce your speed, and remain focused so you and your family can arrive at your destination safely.“As always, don’t speed, wear a seatbelt, never drive when tired, do not use a mobile phone while driving and never drive if affected by drugs or alcohol.”NSW Police figures:- 2024 School holiday period (12-week period) there were 2106 crashes where people were injured, including 63 fatalities.- 2023 School holiday period (12-week period) there were 2228 crashes where people were injured, including 56 fatalities.- 2025 January and April school holiday period there were 1305 crashes where people were injured, including 37 fatalities.- The July school holidays are typically the third worst period for fatal crashes compared to the other school holidays.Driving Tips:- Look out for black ice, a coating of glaze ice on the surface of the road which is transparent and hard to see and can cause a loss of traction.- Stay alert during heavy rainfall as it can cause pooling on the road, leading to an inability to control the vehicle and poor visibility.- Avoid driving in dark and wet conditions as it carries the risk of not seeing wildlife.- Drive to the conditions especially in regional areas like the Snowy Mountains, Orange, Bathurst and the Blue Mountains.- Check your cars are roadworthy before travelling – monitor tyre pressure, fluids, brakes, lights, wipers and car battery to ensure they are in good working condition.

Gerringong forward Hamish Stewart will miss just his second NRL match this year since he was handed his debut back in the opening round when the Dragons travel to Canberra on Saturday.Stewart suffered a category-one concussion when he came off second best while trying to make a tackle in last Saturday's 34-20 win over Parramatta at WIN Stadium.His absence is one of several changes St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has been forced to make for the trip to face the in-form Raiders at GIO Stadium in Round 18.The Green Machine are at the top of the NRL ladder with a 13-3 record after they knocked off the Knights 22-18 in Newcastle last Friday night.After beating the Eels despite a heavy injury toll, the Dragons have remained in the race for the playoffs with a 6-8 record to sit in 11th place.Young forward Toby Couchman (shoulder), wingers Nathan Lawson (shoulder) and Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring), second-rower Luciano Leilua (thigh) and Valentine Homes (State of Origin duty) are out from the team named last week.Tyrell Sloan and Sione Finau have been recalled to be the new wing duo with Corey Allan shifting in to centre. Veteran forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner has been elevated to start in the second row while Hame Sele, Loko Pasifiki Tonga and Michael Molo - in his first NRL appearance of 2025 - are the new names on the bench. Flanagan has relegated young forward Viliami Fifita drops to the reserves.

This week's edition of The Bugle brings you full coverage of the wild weather that battered our region this week with rain and heavy winds causing havoc up and down the coastThe Illawarra and South Coast is counting the cost of the trail of destruction that was left behind.Click here to view our latest editionKiama's local government area was inundated with rain and buffeted by heavy winds with gusts of more than 120km/h.Kiama only received 18mm in the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday after copping 133.2mm in the previous 24-hour period. Foxground received 148mm, Broughton Creek 191mm and 207mm at Bawley Point during the midweek deluge.This week's edition also inclusdes a feature on the real estate market with interest rate cuts on the horizon and all the winners from the inaugural Kiama Business Awards ceremony at The Pavilion on Thursday night. You can also read plenty of great community stories including an update on Kiama's New Year's Eve fireworks display which is in jeopardy, the Council's Dog Strategy and plans for more EV chargers in the LGA. And there is more on a new local travel service, trekking in Nepal, why quolls just have a dens and all the latest in local sport, including league, rugby, AFL and dragon boating.

A man has been charged following a pursuit in South Nowra.About 2.45pm on Thursday, Highway Patrol officers attempted to stop a sedan at Hillcrest Ave, South Nowra, following reports the vehicle was driving erratically on the Princes Highway at Falls Creek.When the alleged driver did not stop, a pursuit was initiated.As the pursuit continued through Nowra, the sedan was allegedly involved in minor collisions with two vehicles. No injuries were reported.The sedan then crashed into a concrete median strip near the Nowra Bridge, deflating both front tyres.The pursuit continued east on Bolong Road where road spikes were successfully deployed.The vehicle came to a stop on Bolong Road, Shoalhaven Heads, following a minor collision with a marked police vehicle.The driver - a 31-year-old man - was arrested at the scene and taken to Nowra Police Station.He was charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously, intentionally throw object at vehicle/vessel risk safety, two counts of not give particulars to other driver, driver use mobile phone when not permitted, and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic).He was refused bail.

Burnetts on Barney took out the Business of the Year top gong at the Kiama Business Awards on Thursday night at The Pavilion in Kiama.Kiama Business Network founded the event this year to recognise the exceptional achievements of businesses in the region.Trophies were awarded to winners in six categories with those businesses then judged to decide who would be the 2025 Business of the Year.Kiama Business Network president Cathryn Lyall said the anonymous judging panel comprised of local business leaders who analysed the 50 nominations to come up with finalists and eventually the category winners.“It was a fantastic night, the community came together,” she said.“The diversity of businesses of talent and individuals on display was a highlight.“It was very community focused, it was very nurturing and supportive - there was a strong feel that everyone was coming together to support the community.”The category award winners have all now won the right to be a finalist in the Illawarra Business Awards for the black-tie ceremony on 19 September at WIN Entertainment Centre.Excellence in Small Business & Business of the Year: Burnetts on BarneyBurnetts on Barney was recognised for its excellence as the region’s leading garden and landscaping centre.The business began in 2001 when Andrew and Elizabeth Burnett moved to Jamberoo to start a tree care business. They moved the business to its current site in 2012.Burnetts is not just a business but a dedicated community space providing a garden haven for locals and visitors alike.Its beautiful quarry-wall space is home to live local music each Saturday as well as festivals, community and private events throughout the year.Lyall said the judges were impressed with Burnetts not just being a central horticultural hub but it’s devotion to making Kiama a better place to live.Kiama Council representatives, Councillor Imogen Draisman, Mayor Cameron McDonald, Emily Vaughan, CEO Jane Stroud, Helen Demertzis, Cr Erica Warren and Cr Melinda Lawton. Photo: Peter Izzard Photography“It’s become a real hub for the community, doing stuff like sending a minibus out to Blue Haven twice a week so the retirees can come to the cafe and have morning tea together - for those who don’t have transport it’s a huge part of their week,” she said.“The musicians that they profile there, the many community events they host, interaction with the bees by kids and adults - there’s just so many things they do that go above and beyond the business of making money.”Excellence in Sustainability: Ozeano EyewearA small local social enterprise founded by Caroline Hartline, Ozeano produces ethically handmade prescription glasses and sunglasses using a 100% biodegradable plant-based bio-acetate.“Not only was it design conscious eyewear that was made with sustainable premium materials but there was a really clear impact around sustainability right from the outset,” Lyall said.Caroline Hartline from Ozeano Eyewear. Photo: The Bugle“She’s a relatively new business, all online from Kiama Downs, but her reach has not just national, it’s been global as far as what she’s doing to remove plastic from the oceans, among other things.”Outstanding New Business: Slow DoughThe unique bakery in Kiama, run by RIchard and Lucy King, was rewarded for its resilience.“It’s a great story from starting the business in their garage, nearly giving up because they couldn’t get the space they needed to run a shop front and then deciding to persevere, and their whole philosophy around slowing down, bringing people together, the high quality of the products,” Lyall added.Lucy and Richard King from Slow Dough. Photo: The Bugle“The staff are aligned on the journey together to embed sustainability and action in the community.“Their whole ethos and hard work they’ve put into building it into the successful business it is, shone through.”Excellence in Microbusiness: This Old House StudioThe architectural hardware microbusiness serves builders, architects, homeowners and designers up and down the South Coast.“The fact that we’ve got this on our main street is unique and desirable,” Lyall said.Dave Brown from This Old House. Photo: The Bugle“It was a tightly contested race but they are serving such a broad swathe of the community and they are a great example of the circular economy in our LGA.”Outstanding Business Leader (20 employees and under): Kate Dezarnaulds - WorkLifeLyall said there was another strong contingent in this category of finalists for this award.“Kate stood out for her leadership skills and qualities,” she said.Kate Dezarnaulds. Photo: The Bugle“She ran as an independent in the federal election but this was focused on WorkLife and all she’s done since she founded it in 2017."She’s done so many things for workers, freelancers and creatives to give them access to all sorts of ways to grow their businesses.”Outstanding Employee: Sarah Rebbeck from Kiama Leagues ClubRebbeck has played an integral part in the growth of Kiama Leagues Club’s in recent years.“What stood out for the judges was her dedication and strong work ethic from rising from the ranks of being in the kitchen to now being part of the executive leadership team over seven years,” Lyall said.“Going on that journey, studying to learn new skills and now overseeing the entire catering operations for the club, for a young female to do that was great.“The praise heaped upon her in her nomination from her colleagues was really strong and it gave a real sense of her empathy in the workplace, strong leadership qualities and clarity of vision for running the businesses and making it fit for purpose in the future.”

The NSW District Court has been told that a friend of one of the complainants in the Gareth Ward trial into sexual assault allegations tried to retract his police statement.The trial has now been going for six weeks with Ward facing five charges and has pleaded not guilty to each of them: sexual intercourse without consent, common assault and three counts of indecent assault.The 44-year-old Independent MP was charged three years ago following complaints against him from a man, aged 24 at the time, over an alleged incident at Potts Point in Sydney’s east a decade ago. He has also been accused of indecently assaulting a recently turned 18-year-old at the politician’s Meroo Meadow home in 2013.A friend of the younger complainant was questioned in the Court on Wednesday about an email he sent to the Court before the criminal trial. In the email, he claimed some of the statement that he had given to police “could’ve been a dream” after detectives had “grilled him” during their investigation before charges were laid against Ward.The man told Crown Prosecutor Monika Knowles that he was “angry and upset” about being dragged into the investigation and admitted the claims in the email were untrue.He also told the jury that he was not told anything that “would even come close to being categorised as an assault”.The complainant had earlier in the trial said Ward encouraged him to drink alcohol at his house in 2013. He had recently turned 18 and the Crown Prosecutor has told the Court that police allege Ward indecently assaulted the teenager as he lay on the grass and then again inside in his bedroom.The man, who said he was 17 when he first met Ward, told the jury “I could not move” when he alleged that Ward placed himself on top of him while he was face down in bed and tried to perform a lower back massage.The trial before Judge Shead continues.1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

In just a few weeks living on the South Coast, one thing has become clear to me: property prices here are next level.My first story spotlighted a jaw-dropping $6 million sale in Kiama Downs.Perched above Jones Beach with sweeping ocean views, the resort-style stunner was snapped up at a new record price for the suburb.Then came The Bugle’s look at the 20-year property boom in Gerringong.Back in 2005, the median house price was $625,000. Today it’s nearly $1.8 million. Staggering stuff.If only we knew back then just how much values would rise, you’d have borrowed as much as you could to invest in local property.Gerringong isn’t alone. In Berry, average house prices have soared from $653,000 to $1.6 million.Shell Cove has jumped from $576,000 to $1.4 million, and Albion Park units have more than doubled over the past two decades.Even modest homes are commanding premium prices.Local agents say cashed-up buyers from Sydney and Canberra are still circling.It’s great news if you’re selling, but not so much if you’re trying to break into the market.What’s unfolding in this region mirrors a broader coastal trend: lifestyle migration, flexible work, and the post-pandemic property shift.But there’s something about Kiama and its surrounds - the beaches, the village feel, the easy rail link to Sydney, the much-improved drive to Sydney (thanks to the Albion Park bypass) - that makes it particularly magnetic.And yet, as a newcomer to the region, my first reaction was: how is any young local supposed to buy a property here?Unless you’re inheriting a windfall or cashing out of the city, the numbers simply don’t stack up.Median prices well above $1 million in small coastal towns have become the reality, not the exception.That disconnect is real, and it's growing. It raises hard questions about affordability, generational access and whether councils are striking the right balance between high-end development and local housing needs.Kiama is still paradise. But paradise should come with a pathway, not just a price tag.If this region wants to stay vibrant and inclusive, we need to start asking: who’s the South Coast for, and who’s being left behind?