Group 7 referee Nick Mcinerny reached an extremely impressive milestone on June 30 when he refereed his 600th grade game.McInerny, who has been refereeing since he was 13 years old, says that his true love for the sport and continued support from family and friends is what brings him back year after year.“I started out as a 13-year-old and I did it because I was having a lot of injuries in my last year of footy in under 13s. And I wanted to take it up to stay involved in the sport. It does take its toll, you’ve got to have good support from the family and friends around you, which I’d be lost without,” says McInerny.Since beginning, McInerny has watched both the sport and refereeing evolve and he is so happy to see females finally being able to get involved.“There are a lot more games these days than there were when I first started. The games have gotten quicker, there's a lot more female participation now which is great to see, both playing and officiating which is good. And that’s one area which will be an issue going forward with all these other grades, having enough officials going forward,” says McInerny.Referees are as vital to rugby league as having a field to play it on, and yet they are subject to a lot of unfair abuse from players, coaches and spectators.This unfair abuse is one reason why referees are becoming scarce, and McInerny’s wish is that people involved in the sport would be more empathetic towards them.“Group 7 has been pretty positive in trying to foster a family attitude at games, unfortunately that isn’t always the case. Unfortunately there are still some people who believe that they paid their money to get into the gate so they can say what they want and do what they want,” says McInerny.“Some of the comments that I have had over the years have been quite derogatory, and people have just got to remember that we are all human, we will make mistakes which is part and parcel of the game, but we don’t go out there to deliberately make mistakes,” says McInerny.McInerny loves a game with a good atmosphere and teams having a real battle. Some of his most memorable games have been the various grand finals he has officiated which includes the 2013 grand final between Gerringong and Warilla which ended in golden point.“If you can get a game of footy where the two teams just play football and you can walk off the field after the game and no one talks about the referee, then I think the referee has done a great job in that game,” says McInerny.Fellow referee Ryan Micallef speaks very highly of McInerny and his service to both the game and the Group 7 Referees Association.“Nick is the kind of bloke to go about his work quietly and without any fuss. To do 600 career-grade games is a testament to his long-term dedication to officiating & rugby league in general. On top of his on-field refereeing, Nick has spent numerous years holding administration positions within our association, continuing to move us forward,” says Micallef.Group 7 Referees Association President, Jarrad Borg nominated Nick for a life membership in 2018 and is forever grateful for his wisdom and advice.“For myself, starting as a junior referee in 2007, Nick has been a cornerstone of my journey as both a coach and mentor. His extensive knowledge as a referee and his willingness to provide honest feedback made him an invaluable resource for all of us,” says Borg.McInerny assures that he is not quite finished yet, next he aims to reach the 300 first grade games milestone which has only been reached by one other referee in Group 7 history.

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Kiama Rugby Club gun, Jack Hobbs, has been selected in the prestigious NSW Country Cockatoos team to represent his state. Hobbs was picked in a 39-man squad based on his performance for the Illawarra representative team back in June. Jack Hobbs playing for the Country Cockatoos. Source Jack HobbsOn Saturday July 13 he had his first training session with the squad and from there they will narrow the squad down to just 28. If Hobbs is to pass through this process it will be his fifth time representing NSW. “This is my fifth time in a row. I started in 2019 and played every year since then. Once you’re in, it's a bit hard to get out,” says Hobbs. “As long as you’re playing good footy they want to keep a similar team. But there’s always good young boys coming through and I’ve been lucky.” The Cockatoos will play for the Australian Rugby Shield in the Sunshine Coast in October and Hobbs says that the quality of play is incredibly different from local rugby. “It's an honour to put the jersey on representing our state and I really enjoy doing it. It’s a big step up. I wouldn’t say it's professional, but it's a few steps up from playing first grade local footy. Everyone knows their job and it's a lot faster,” says Hobbs. Hobbs has played at the Kiama Rugby Club for the last two years after moving there from the Wollongong Vikings, and he says it’s helped him grow as a player. “They’ve got a lot of good players at Kiama. We had nine selected in the Illawarra team - the most players out of everyone. It's just good to be playing with other good players and it’s really made me step up and be a bit of a leader,” says Hobbs. President of the Kiama Rugby Club, Mark Bryant, speaks very highly of Hobbs and the qualities he has brought to the club. “Since he joined the club he’s been an absolute workhorse on the field and off the field. He pushes everyone and he’s a very good rugby athlete. His defence is impeccable, he's got attacking skills. He's very classy and he's hard. And there's no malice in his play, it's always clean rugby,” says Bryant. Kiama are currently sitting at third on the Illawarra District Rugby Union ladder and have only lost one game in 2024 to the first place Shoalhaven team, but Bryant is confident they can hit back when they play again next week. “Even though we got beaten in the first round by Shoalhaven, the first 2 tries were lucky, and we won the second half, so we have a real chance to knock them off next week,” says Bryant. Since Hobbs joined the club in 2023 the Kiama team has improved immensely from coming seventh and eighth in 2022 and 2021 respectively. Hobbs is also the brother of Clayton Hobbs and together they run Claytons World which has over 28 million likes on TikTok. You can find their TikTok account here.    

Once known as the King of the Mountain, the grueling Summit Shoalhaven trail run returns on 28 July. The 2024 version has seen a record number of entries, making it the largest Summit Shoalhaven and King of the Mountain trail run ever held.Seasoned trail runners and weekend warriors alike are drawn to the rugged terrain of Mount Scanzi and Kangaroo Valley.The revival of a historic eventOriginally established in 1966 as the “King of the Mountain” by a dedicated group of running enthusiasts from the Nowra Athletics Club, the trail run has grown significantly since then. After a hiatus over several years, the event transformed into Summit Shoalhaven, keeping the spirit and the challenge of the original run, including water crossings and challenging ascents.62km runners crossing the causeway on Bugong Rd at Bugong Creek (2023). Photo credit: Russell Pittaway/Geosnapchat.Scones and cream are offered at the finish line, courtesy of Bakehouse Delights in East Nowra. This tradition has been a staple since the event’s inception and adds a sweet touch at the end of a hard run.New challenges aheadThe updated courses for the new 54km and 36km routes feature a total gain of 1,158 metres, incorporating more vertical gain than ever before, through the magnificent wilderness of the Shoalhaven. Participants will navigate varied terrains, with over 82 per cent of the course consisting of fire trails, plus some single-track and off-road terrain. The all new courses are continuous loops.Join the adventureWhether you’re aiming to conquer the 54km, 36km, 21.1km, or more accessible 11km, find more information at Summit Shoalhaven.

On 17 July, former Olympians Kaarle McCulloch and Michelle Ford, honoured the memory of the late Cecil Healy, the only Australian Olympic gold medalist to die in combat, at a ceremony in France.The pair laid wreaths and flowers on Healy’s grave at a war cemetery in the small French village of Assevillers, an hour north of Paris.Freestyle swimmer Cecil Healy, who won gold and silver at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics Games, was killed in France just 73 days before the end of World War One. A member of the 19th (Sportsman’s) Battalion, 2nd Lt Healy and the other Australian soldiers had come to liberate the villages of the Somme area when he was gunned down on 29 August 1918. His death was keenly felt in the Australian Olympic movement, not only because of his exceptional qualities as a swimmer, but particularly for the extraordinary act of sportsmanship he displayed at the Stockholm 1912 Games.Cecil Healy in Paris. Photo courtesy: John Devitt and Larry WriterHealy denied himself a certain gold medal by insisting the race favourite Duke Kahanamoku be allowed to compete in the 100 metres freestyle final, despite the American champion missing his semi-final due to an apparent mix-up.His stance led to officials holding a special semi-final, which included Kahanamoku. The American went on to win the final with the Australian picking up the silver.Healy felt that without Kahanamoku in the race, any gold medal would be tarnished.“What stands out is his leadership, his bravery and his sportsmanship. And of course, he was such a wonderful athlete. Accounts of his life paint a vivid picture of a great Australian who lived his Olympic values. What a tragedy that he lost his life at a young age with the First World War coming to an end,” said Kaarle McCulloch, Australian Olympic Team Deputy Chef de Mission and dual Olympic track cyclist.Cecil Healy in uniform. Photo courtesy: John Devitt and Larry Writer.“He and Duke Kahanamoku were obviously great friends with the Duke’s visit to Australia in 1914 putting surfing on the map in Australia. And now surfing is an Olympic sport – something that Cecil and Duke Kahanamoku could not have imagined back then.”Dual Olympian and Moscow 1980 gold medallist swimmer Michelle Ford joined the commemoration honouring Cecil Healy’s courage, as did Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman MP, Australia’s Ambassador to France Ms Gillian Bird PSM and the Mayor of Assevillers Didier Jacob.

Rising young sports star Koffi Brookfield signed a development contract with St George Illawarra Dragons in May.“She has been in the state school teams and we see a bright future for her. She’s a young hooker who’s going to play some Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership this year, so we wanted to reward her and get her into our NRLW system as possible,” said Dragon NRLW head coach Jamie Soward in a Dragons’ press release.Brookfield found out that she’s been signed with the Dragons close to the end of the Steelers Rep season. Soward pulled her aside during one Monday training session and chatted before handing her a piece of paper and asking if she’d like to become a development player for the NRLW 2024 season.“It was an awesome feeling,” says Brookfield.“I had trained so hard the previous season in and around the NRLW squad and Sowie. I was prepared and ready for a good season.” “Unfortunately, I injured my knee and worked twice as hard physically and mentally to get back to my best during and after my injury. That moment when he handed me the Development Contract made the struggles, frustrations and extra efforts all worth it. It refilled the tank to keep my focus and keep chasing my goal of playing NRLW.”Photo credit: Koffi Brookfield.Brookfield got into rugby, thanks to the enthusiasm of the male members of her family.“I remember playing in the backyard with my brother Jeff, how we would just tackle each other, and how it would be Jeff and I against my dad. I remember just having so much fun.”She played junior football with the Kiama Junior Knights, which began with the League tag and progressed into the Tackle Rugby League, once it became available for girls to play when Brookfield was 13. She loved it.“We all had the same interests in playing tackle, and for Kiama,” she says.She also pursued rugby league through school, having represented South Coast, Greater Southern and NSW CHS at the highest level.During the last week of May, Koffi joined the Dragons Rookie Camp where her 2024 season with the NRLW team began. There were two things that stood out in particular. “Definitely the mindset and self-confidence by Dan Haesler and female health by Jessica Stoll,” she says.Close to 23,000 people attended the Women's State of Origin III at Queensland Country Bank Stadium at the end of June. That can be compared with the around 7,000 people who saw the first Women's State of Origin at North Sydney Oval six years ago.“There’s been a bigger look on women’s games, which is amazing,” Brookfield says. “My experience has been great, as a player you have your highs and lows. I’m definitely thankful for my mum, dad and brother who got me through that. Overall, I don’t think I would change my experience for the world. I’ve loved it and can’t wait for more.”

On Monday July 15, Kiama MP Gareth Ward met with players, coaches and other members of the Kiama Netball Association (KNA) to congratulate them on their success at the State Championships.Meeting at the Kiama Netball Courts, Ward spoke with players and coaching staff from the U13’s, who were winners at this year's state championships, and the U12’s, who were runners up, praising Kiama’s sporting ability.The U13 winners with Gareth Ward“Kiama is a little town but we continue to punch well above our weight and I'm so proud, and the community is so proud, of what the team has achieved. It's a huge success to be recognised for your accomplishments and your skill at this level,” says Ward.Both teams believe it was the close-knit culture and their team spirit which got them through the gruelling 19 game weekend and was the secret to their success.“We were all in a hotel with each other so there was lots of time where we could have fun games and bond with each other. We had breakfast and dinner every morning and night together and got a big bus in from Kiama together,” says Manager of the U12’s team Anne Marie Esler.U12 runners up with Gareth Ward“We just had a lot of bonding, so the team spirit between each other meant across the court each girl stood by each other, they did their role and knew their role, it's like nearly a year's preparation and it all pulled off,” says Coach of the U13’s team Dave Whitchurch.Ward says that he finds so much joy in days like these where he gets to go and congratulate, in person, the people of this community who are doing so well.“I love saying well done to people who have represented our community well and we as a community can be proud of each and every one of the members of this team,” says Ward.“And I also want to commend, not just the coaches but also the parents who have supported them through this journey.”While he was at the Kiama Netball Courts on Monday, Ward also addressed concerns that the club had about the quality of their facilities.“Having good facilities locally is really important and I know that we need to look at an upgrade of the netball courts here and I’ve been talking to the club about that today and I look forward to supporting them in seeking funds to do that so that we can continue to see a new generation of netballers come along, succeed and continue to blast away the competition into the future,” says Ward.The Bugle wants to congratulate all players, coaching staff and members of the KNA as well as the parents who made it all happen.

By Joan HughesLocal Kiama woman, Joan Hughes, will volunteer at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in August and September. Joan will be an access coordinator at the Grand Palais, which will host a number of events including fencing and taekwondo.Joan volunteered at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics, which she says, “it was a life changing event.” Joan applied for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics when she heard that the Olympic Committee was seeking volunteers from around the world. There was no requirement to be a French speaker as Joan only has ‘school French.’“Being a volunteer is a wonderful way of giving back to the community. Being in my early 70s, I have been able to take advantage of many educational and employment opportunities,” Joan said. “I have done many volunteer jobs, even during my paid employment. Giving back to society is very satisfying.” She will travel to Paris in early August and will also take the opportunity to travel within Europe and to the UK to see friends.

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Alicia Dooley will make history on July 13 when she runs out for the 200th time in the Group 7 Competition. Dooley will not only be the first woman to do this in Group 7 history, but she has also done it at the same club and will therefore also be the first woman to play 200 games for the Jamberoo Superoos. “I didn’t think it would be me, there’s been a lot of players that have probably played just as long, or started before I did, but it just feels pretty good to be able to do it for one club. I think it's a big thing because in Group 7 people move around a lot. So, it's a pretty unreal feeling, but it's good at the same time,” says Dooley. Alicia Doolan winning the 2016 premiership. Credit - Gameface PhotographyShe began her career playing League Tag in 2013 when there was only one competition and since then women’s involvement in rugby league has only grown with there now being two competitions, a tackle competition and now a junior competition. “It's really good for the game and it’s great for women to be able to get out and feel included in something that used to be a very male dominated sport,” says Dooley. Dooley has won the Group 7 premiership four times in her 11 year career and counts the first one in 2015 and the most recent one in 2023 as the most special. But she says winning is only a small part of why she keeps coming back year after year. “I’ve made a lot of friendships within sport that you don’t make anywhere … You have that undying connection with different people from different places and different walks of life. In our club alone we have a lot of people from out west, so our connections span far and wide. And that's what you always come back to: the friendships you make and the social side,” says Dooley. Dooley’s Jamberoo Superoos captain coach Aimee Barnard has played alongside Alicia for many years and would describe her as the perfect team and club member.  “Alicia possesses all the positive traits that make her such an integral part of the team. She is passionate, supportive, competitive, dedicated, levelheaded with a team first mentality,” says Barnard. Member of the Jamberoo club, David Hall, echoes this sentiment about Alicia and says its people like her that make him proud to be a part of the club. “It's just a really good little club and its people like Alicia who just make it really special. She’s loved in the club and who knows how many she’ll play until she retires,” says Hall. On July 13 Doolan will make history playing against the Kiama Knights at Kevin Walsh Oval and she is adamant that her 200th won't be her last. “I probably just want to continue to play until I can’t anymore and maybe one day bring my kids to the club and get them to play too,” says Doolan. The Bugle congratulates her and wishes her all the best with her future.  

Former Kiama High School student Danielle Heinecke, has recently taken up residence at the High Commissioner’s residence in Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career. As a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Heinecke was most recently the First Assistant Secretary of the Pacific Melanesia Division and now serves as the High Commissioner to Malaysia.Danielle Heinecke's academic credentials are as impressive as her career trajectory. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Arts in International Relations from the Australian National University, and a Master of Economics from the University of New England. With these qualifications, Heinecke entered the Australian diplomatic corps and has since served in various roles in Timor-Leste, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. She is proficient in Tetum and Tok Pisin, languages spoken in these regions.Australia and Malaysia enjoy robust economic ties. In 2022, Malaysia was Australia’s second-largest trading partner in ASEAN and the second-largest source of foreign investment from the region. The two countries are also close defence and security partners, collaborating under the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the Malaysia–Australia Joint Defence Program.In her role as High Commissioner, Ms. Heinecke oversees 46 departments, including Agriculture, Financial, Tourism, and Intelligence. Her extensive experience and leadership skills make her a pivotal figure in maintaining and enhancing the Australia-Malaysia relationship.On a recent overseas trip with his partner, Councillor Matt Brown took the opportunity to visit his old friend and former schoolmate Danielle Heinecke in Kuala Lumpur. During his visit, he reminisced about their shared history, including memories of Danielle’s mother, Ros Thomas, who was his science teacher at Kiama High School. Brown maintains regular contact with the Heinecke family, noting that Danielle’s father continues to work in Kiama.Danielle Heinecke’s journey from a local high school student to a significant diplomatic role exemplifies the far-reaching impact of dedication and education. Her story serves as an inspiration to many, illustrating how local roots can lead to global influence.

On the weekend of 5-8 July, the Kiama Netball Association (KNA) competed at the HART Junior State Titles, with both teams performing really well.The U13’s team won the title while the U12’s team came close and were the runners-up.The U12 Runners-Up“It’s been a little while since we’ve had that success, particularly with more than one team. Usually we might get one team out of the five or six that we send away, so to get the two of them being so successful is a pretty big thing for us,” says a thrilled KNA president Michelle Gregory.Gregory attributes the success to the hard work put in by the players and the team spirit within the group.“I think they've trained really hard, even with all the rain and everything that we’ve had, they kept training through it all. The coaches have worked hard on creating a really nice team spirit across the two different teams so that helped when games were close or tough. I think the girls really rallied around each other and helped get themselves over the line,” she says.The U13’s team were completely undefeated over the three days, even though they had a brief hiccup just before the weekend.“They had a last-minute change due to illness, and we had to withdraw a player on the Monday before they left and add in a training partner,” Gregory says.She explains that the whole weekend was successful, not only the results but also the relationships and the memories that the players made.“They were in the tents together the whole time, and on the court at the same time, so they did spend an awful lot of time together hearing from each other about how the games were going. I think there will be lots of netball memories for them.” The girls wore Destination Kiama caps, which they wrote messages on and gave to other teams.Councillor Matt Brown says that the success of the teams and this tradition of sharing caps is a great way for people to learn about the great place, which is Kiama.“I’m really pleased that our netball team are not only promoting their sport and their prowess, but they’re supporting visitors coming to Kiama. These girls are sharing their Kiama caps with girls from right around the state, and I think that is a wonderful thing that our sport is doing to promote Kiama as a destination.” 

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By Jenifer SymesThe Shoalhaven Dressage Club is deeply saddened by the passing of CP Dresden, a much loved and celebrated horse in Grand Prix dressage.Under the ownership and guidance of Life Members Jane and Maurice Bruce, CP Dresden - affectionately known as ‘Desi’ - was a champion.Initially trained and competed by Jane Bruce, Desi's career blossomed under her watchful eye. His exceptional talent provided two young riders from the Shoalhaven region, Alycia Targa and later Charlotte Phillips, with unprecedented opportunities.Alycia Targa's partnership with Desi spanned eight years, marked by numerous triumphant Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle performances, which earned them legendary status in Australian equestrian circles.Charlotte Phillips continued Desi's legacy, forging a graceful partnership that culminated in a memorable qualification for the 2023 World Cup in Omaha, USA.Their final performance together at the 2024 Sydney CDI, showcased their prowess in the Grand Prix Freestyle, and consolidated Desi's enduring legacy on the sport.Reflecting on Desi's profound influence, Alycia Targa expressed heartfelt gratitude for their journey together. She said Desi was a steadfast companion and a source of inspiration.Charlotte Phillips recalled how Desi's exceptional abilities and Jane Bruce's guidance turned a distant dream into a reality, describing their partnership as a life-changing experience akin to ‘flying’.Tragically, Desi's life was cut short at the age of 16 due to complications from colic. The Shoalhaven Dressage Club extends its deepest condolences to everyone touched by Desi's remarkable spirit.Jenifer Symes, Media Liaison for the Shoalhaven Dressage Club, said Desi was a once-in-a-lifetime horse.