Gerringong 82-year-old John Le Carpentier, or “Chippy” as he is known around town, defied Father Time yet again at a gruelling event at University of Wollongong’s recent Illawarra Fitness Festival.Despite his age, Chippy braved the Team Race category alongside 21-year-old University of Wollongong College graduate Cohen Harms and student Max Ferri.His contribution included a 700m run and 700m on the rowing machine, followed by another 700m run before finishing with 140m of a farmer’s carry with two 10kg weights. While he found the weighted exercises breezy, the competitive and intensive nature of running was the event’s most taxing aspect.“I'm quite capable of going out tomorrow and walking 40 or 50km, that would never bother me. But running is a different thing,” he said. Chippy is no stranger to fitness challenges - he has previously been involved in a 12-hour Lifeline walk and the 1000km Oxfam Trailwalker with his family.He also attends spin classes twice a week, takes daily 6km walks and frequently orienteers, also logging a fitness activity for every single day of September as part of Million Moves’ campaign to popularise physical exercise.To train for the Hyrox event at the uni, Chippy called upon his instructor Korin Koutsomihalis and UOW College fitness student Daniel Fleming, both of whom work at Soul Fit Co. “Doing exercise with other people is motivating as opposed to just doing it on your own, because you can always find an excuse to [avoid] it. “But when you do it as a group, you feel obligated to turn up and do it, and you kind of bounce off each other,” Chippy said.He has no intentions of slowing down, with a trip to Japan on the horizon that includes a seven-day mountain hike.“My thing with keeping fit is not about the length of life, but the quality of life,” said Chippy. “So it's kind of advantageous - you spend less time getting treated by doctors because you're healthier.”

Fifteen-year-old Gerringong surfer Lucy Darragh has claimed her second major Qualifying Series victory of the year, taking out the 2025 Taiwan Open.Held at Jinzun Harbor from November 5-9, Darragh entered the competition on the back of a breakthrough win at the Nias Pro earlier in the year and a 13th-place finish at the Siargao International Surfing Cup, placing her near the top of the Oceania rankings.Darragh had a shaky start in the opening round, placing second in her heat with a combined score of 7.96. From there, however, she dominated every heat, posting totals of 15.33, 12.06 and 11.36 on her way to the final.In the title decider against New Zealand’s Saffi Vette, Darragh struck early with a 5.17 on her first wave. Vette responded with a 5.43 on her second, but Darragh’s fourth wave - a 6.67 - sealed the victory as her rival was unable to improve.Darragh finished with a combined total of 11.84, securing the win and catapulting herself to the top of the regional rankings heading into the final leg of the 2025/26 QS season.“This is so crazy,” Darragh said. “I’m just so stoked and grateful to be able to do these events and travel to amazing places like this and surf with my friends.“It’s been such a good experience surfing against all of these amazing women in this series. I just can’t really believe it, to be honest. I barely have any words.“I didn’t really know if I was going to do these comps this year, so to get two wins is incredible. I’m looking forward to celebrating with my friends.”The 15-year-old recently qualified for the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, to be held in Peru from December 5–14, and is determined to carry her momentum into the event.“My goal, results-wise, is to make the final and win a medal for Australia,” she said. “But personally, I just want to show my best surfing in my heats and represent Australia with pride and determination.”Darragh now sits 2,500 points clear at the top of the Oceania Qualifying Series rankings, with her dream of reaching the World Surf League Championship Tour firmly within reach.

Sixteen-year-old Kiama Golf Club member Sage Laird claimed the recent Open and Closed Women’s Golf Illawarra Championship at her home course.Across three days of competition and 36 holes, Laird finished at the top of the leaderboard with a gross score of 143.Club captain Margaret Cooper praised Laird’s dedication and achievement.“She’s only 16 years old, so it’s a fabulous achievement,” said Cooper. “She’s been playing golf for several years now, is a member of the Illawarra Sports Institute, and also receives private coaching. She’s incredibly dedicated and is doing very well at the moment.”The WGI District Tournament is an annual event covering clubs throughout the Southern Illawarra, extending as far south as Mollymook. The competition is divided into three divisions, allowing players to compete at their own level.“We also have what’s called the Champion of Champions, where the best player from each club - the winner of their own club championship - plays off to determine the overall district champion,” Cooper explained.Laird was also crowned Champion of Champions, topping off a hugely successful event not only for her but for Kiama Golf Club.“Kiama is quite a tricky little course,” said Cooper. “Our women did very well! We had great results across all three divisions, with winners in Divisions 2 and 3, as well as the Stableford competition.”Among the other strong results, Kim Parsons from Kiama finished third in Division Two, Margaret Johnson finished second in Division Three, and Trish Laird won the Stableford competition.The runner-up to Sage was another Kiama member, Jane Wall.“Jane is a former professional who’s now returned to amateur status. She’s still a very keen and talented golfer and finished runner-up in the event,” said Cooper. “Having both first and second place go to Kiama members - and on our home course - was just fantastic for the club. It’s something we’re all really proud of.”Cooper said she was thrilled to see the rise in female golfers, particularly at Kiama.“When I joined about 12 years ago, there were around 80 to 90 female members. Now we have about 150,” she said.“Not all play in competitions - some just play socially - but the club has always been very encouraging and inclusive of women in all forms of the game.“One of the key factors behind this increase is the support from our golf professionals.“We’re now on our third since I joined, and all of them have actively promoted women’s clinics and group lessons. These sessions are fun, friendly, and a great way to build confidence and friendships.”Just a week after the WGI District Tournament, Kiama Golf Club hosted the Kiama Women’s Open on November 2. Laird once again impressed, finishing equal first alongside sisters Mimi and Lara Thomsen, before Mimi took the title in a playoff.“When it started, we had about 30 players,” said Cooper. “This year we had 80, and last year we had close to 100. It’s becoming one of the more popular events in the region, and it really helps to promote Kiama and our women golfers.”Cooper said the growing interest in women’s golf at Kiama has created a strong sense of community and excitement for the future.“It’s wonderful to see so many women discovering what a fun and rewarding sport golf can be,” she said.

Young surfer Alice Hodgson made history as the first female to win the annual Jones Beach Boardriders surfing competition in its 43-year history.Held at Jones Beach on Saturday, the event - renamed Robbo’s Round last year - began bright and early at 7am, with 64 competitors going head-to-head.“The competition was first introduced in 1983 when our club started, 42 years ago,” said JBB president Hayden Bombaci.“It’s a specialty event. Instead of the usual four surfers per heat battling for waves and the win, this one is one-on-one - the winner progresses through the draw all the way to the final, knockout style.”The conditions were on the smaller side, perfect for the younger groms but trickier for senior competitors.“The smaller, trickier conditions often give an advantage to the younger, more agile groms,” laughed Bombaci. “Plenty of groans from the oldies could be heard!”After a day full of upsets, the final came down to two young surfers - Hodgson and 13-year-old Lennox Lindsay.“It culminated with two groms in the final,” said Bombaci.“Their tenacity to hustle from round one all the way through was awesome. Both competed with smiles on their faces, inspiring even younger competitors. Dreams start small and local.”Bombaci said the reaction to Hodgson’s win was incredible.“Everyone lost it,” he said. “She took down some huge names and was on a rampage through the draw. "I think this victory was a real coming-of-age moment - her introduction to stamping her dominance in the area and the sport. No one sees the hours of effort she puts in - they just see the result.“She personifies the JBB spirit. As a club, we love her. All our girls are ripping and super supportive of each other. There’s a crew of girls who don’t even surf but come down every event to cheer them on. "They ran down the beach and met her at the water’s edge, giving her the ultimate surfing honour - being chaired up the beach.”The event received strong community support, including professional judging from Surfing NSW, a $50 voucher from real estate agent Aimee Longbottom for the highest heat total, bread rolls donated by Breadrocks Shell Cove, and meat from Superior Meats in Shellharbour.“A huge $2000 was donated by Daniel Mikosic from Multiquip, and a brand-new custom surfboard was donated by Matt Thompson from Indumech through Zink Kiama,” added Bombaci.“You can see there’s plenty of community backing, which is incredible. Every cent we generate comes from members, sponsors, and grants.”It wasn’t just about donations - the event brought the whole community together.“We had members and non-members hanging out. One of the neighbours we checked in on because of the noise had actually set up on the deck with friends, enjoying the music and hilarious commentary,” said Bombaci.“The community are absolute legends and the reason we love our little spot. In this crazy world, it’s cool to provide a safe place for all walks of life to hang out. There’s a real sense of belonging.”This year marked the second under the event’s new name, Robbo’s Round, renamed from Man on Man in honour of community member Pete Robinson. The idea came from JBB life member Grant Mason.“Pete Robinson lived in the house next to where we hold the events most of the time at North Jones,” Bombaci explained. “He’d often come and say hello - we used his power and water, not to mention the hooter, for years.“Pete’s wife Karen still lives there, and the family remains very supportive. Pete’s son Ben earned a wildcard invite this year. Unfortunately, Pete has since passed away, so we fondly call it Robbo’s Round in loving memory of him - and all our members and community who we’ve lost.” Looking ahead, Bombaci said the future of JBB and the event is bright.“We’ve got great surfers coming through and older members returning because it’s a place of belonging,” he said. “Robbo’s Round is a unique event and certainly my favourite. It’s always a great day - no second chances, no making it up next month. The best surfer on the day wins it all.”

Illawarra are clawing their way up the NBL ladder after finally putting together back-to-back wins for the first time this season.After slumping to a 2-6 record, the Hawks kick-started their title defence last Wednesday in Wollongong with a 107-93 victory over the previously unbeaten Melbourne United.They backed that up on the road just 48 hours later with a 107-90 triumph over the Taipans in Cairns to skip up to eighth spot, just one win outside the playoff equation. After a four-game blitz within eight days, they have a mini break before returning to the WIN Entertainment Centre this Sunday for a showdown with their traditional rivals, the Sydney Kings. Former NBA star JaVale McGee rose to the occasion as the Hawks upset Melbourne with 37 points and 14 rebounds.The ex-US Olympic gold medallist hit 13 of his 21 shots and missed just once from 11 trips to the free-throw line.Hawks guards Will Hickey (18 points) and Tyler Harvey (17, including four threes) provided perfect support for McGee’s masterclass.McGee and Hickey again dominated as the Hawks carried their red-hot form north for their tussle with the Taipans.Hickey registered the first triple-double of the season with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.Recently signed import QJ Peterson drained four three-pointers in his 22-point haul while McGee tormented the Taipans in the paint with 28 points, six rebounds and two assists while making 12 of 13 field goal attempts.Hawks coach Justin Tatum said their performance was really strong, particularly considering they were backing up from their Wednesday clash with Melbourne. “We didn't want to drop that intensity," he said."We understand that Cairns is short-manned and our mentality was to keep coming and putting pressure on them as much as we can.“I loved the effort the guys came out and played with."They found ways to dominate and score in the paint and make it tough for Cairns."

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.

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.

Kiama Cavaliers first-grade team bounced back with a vengeance on the weekend after suffering their first loss with a nine-wicket South Coast cricket victory over the Kookas.At Cav Park, stand-in skipper Mick Norris lost the toss and was forced onto the field first, with conditions a little wet from the week’s rain.The Kookas got off to a good start, moving to 23 before John Hay took two wickets in as many overs to put the Cavs on the front foot. The Kookas then built another partnership through Craig Bramble and Chris Leaduis, but as they reached 49 runs, the wicket of Bramble was taken by Niall Owers.“That effectively saw the end of the Kookas’ resistance, with Adam Ison (5-10) being the chief destroyer as the Kookas were dismissed for 97,” said Cavaliers president Bernie Brown.“In an event that will see the statisticians diving for the databases, all 10 wickets fell at the Blue Haven end of the ground."The Cavaliers then went into bat, with the five-wicket man Ison getting the Cavs off to a good start with 19 runs before mistiming a ball to cover to leave the Cavs 1-41.“Ryan Butta came to the crease next and took complete control of the match, with Joe Burgess’ 23 not out providing a perfect role at the other end,” said Brown.“Butta’s 45 not out off 34 deliveries saw the Cavs record a commanding nine-wicket victory, claiming a bonus point in the process.”The Cavs sit third on the ladder and will face Albion Park away from home this Saturday.Kiama's second-grade side took their second loss of the season against a firing Lake Illawarra side away from home.“In a much-anticipated match-up, Kiama were sent into the field on a tacky and awkward wicket. Having the Lakers reeling at 1-1, the Cavs found themselves in a grind with spin twins Lee and Yasin keeping the run rate below three and taking consistent wickets,” said Brown.The Cavaliers had Lake Illawarra at 6-123, but a few dropped catches allowed the home side to get back into the game and post a respectable score of 204 runs. Jake Lee (3-30), Saad Yasin (2-25), and Mick Hook (2-62) were the pick of the bowlers.“The Cavs’ chase never got going, facing a home side who revelled in the conditions, rolling the Cavs for 91,” said Brown.Captain Josh Battishall top-scored with 22, with Matt Kennedy and Joey Timbs the only others to make double figures, posting 11 and 13 respectively. Second grade take on Albion Park this weekend before the bye.Third grade went down for the second week in a row, posting a low score of 111 with Sheldon Hall (22) and Jacob Lewis (28) top scoring.The Kookas were completely in control with the bat, passing the score in the 35th over with only five wickets down. Captain Dane Parnaby fought hard, managing figures of 3-11 off eight overs. They’ll also take on Lake Illawarra in the next round.On the opposite side of the stick, fourth grade made it two wins in a row against Albion Park on the weekend.“Kiama were relentless with the ball,” said Brown. “Matt Harrison bagging 3-9, Adam McCrone 3-23 and Harry McCrone 3-20, followed by the miserly Giles Brown chipping in with 1-11 from four overs, with the home side making only 96.”Kiama surpassed the score one down in the 17th over. Posting his third consecutive 50*, Adam McCrone was all class, followed by Matt Harrison (23*) and Milo Brown (14*). Fourth grade next take on the in-form Jets in the match of the round.The Kiama Cavettes’ match against the Ex-Servos was abandoned due to the weather. They will take on the undefeated Oak Flats team this Friday.

Kiama achieved massive success on the global stage recently, with seven members of the Kiama Triathlon Club claiming top-10 finishes at the World Triathlon Championships.The 23 KTC members who competed at the championships, held in Wollongong from October 15–19, did a great job, according to club president Mary Street.“KTC had an impressive representation, with 23 of our dedicated members competing across various age groups and distances,” said Street.“Facing a formidable field of over 4500 triathletes representing 75 countries, KTC once again proved its calibre. “The event marked one of our finest moments, with seven triathletes achieving top-10 finishes in their respective age groups, and another five placing in the top 20.”Among the top performers were the mother-and-son duo Tanya and Harry Fraser. Tanya won the Multisport Long Distance World Championship in the female 45-49 category last year.Some of the KTC athletes at the World Championships. Photo: Kiama Triathlon Club“Tanya was joined this year by a very special teammate - her son Harry, who raced in the 16-19 years category,” said Street. “He’s an outstanding triathlete and one of Australia’s rising talents. They are certainly a joint force. It was wonderful to see them share the same journey - and the same nerves!”Tanya competed in the standard distance event, comprising a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride, and 10km run. She finished fifth in the female 45-49 category - an outstanding achievement - completing the course in 2:26:06, less than a minute behind fourth place and only 12 minutes behind the winner.Harry took on the sprint distance event - a 750m swim, 20km bike, and 5km run - finishing 10th in his 16-19 age group and 17th overall. He completed the course in 59 minutes and 52 seconds, just two and a half minutes behind the overall winner.“To finish in the top 20 yet alone in the top 10 in the world, on any stage, is an extraordinary accomplishment,” said Street.The other top finisher was Keelan Green who also managed to finish in fifth in his age 30-34 for the standard distance with a time of 02:03:04.“And beyond our personal achievements, the event was a phenomenal showcase for the Illawarra region and a significant boost for our sport, both globally and locally.”Street also thanked KTC coach Jodie Linsley and the wider community for their vital support.“Jodie has a deep understanding of triathlon and has guided our athletes through every step - from qualifying races to selection for the Australian Championships,” she said.“Our success wouldn’t be possible without the foundational support of our community. Your generosity has helped our members prepare for world-class events by meeting training costs, securing facility access, and maintaining essential equipment. Your support has truly been instrumental.”Here are the full results of the KTC athletes who finished in the top 20: Standard Distance:Tanya Fraser - 5th Womens 45-49 Keelan Green - 5th Mens 30-34 Scott Kraus - 17th Mens 35-39Mark Wynen - 20th Mens 60-64Sprint Distance:Harry Fraser - 10th Mens 16-19 Karino Frangos - 13th - Womens 30-34Cameron Griffith - 13th Mens 30-34Mark Wynen - 14th Mens 60-64AquaBike Distance Race:Mark Ettridge - 7th Mens 45-49Cheryl Freeman - 8th Womens 60-64Joshua Frangos - 8th Mens 35-39Matthew Charnock - 8th Mens 45-49

Cricket teams from throughout the South Coast, Shoalhaven and Illawarra competitions wore black armbands and observed a moment’s silence on the weekend.The players and officials were paying tribute to young Victorian cricketer Ben Austin, who died last week after he was hit by a cricket ball during a training incident.In round 4 of South Coast cricket, Shellharbour knocked Lake Illawarra off the top rung of the ladder with a thumping win over the premiers.The unbeaten teams went head to head at Scout Willoughby Oval on Saturday and the Lakers were all at sea against the Harbour.On a tricky wicket after rain in the lead-up, Shellharbour sent Lake in and new-ball duo Brenton Geribo (2-14) and Beau Chamberlain (3-18) ripped through the top order.Lake stumbled to 6-17 before recovering to at least make it to 77 thanks to Jackson Burns (27) and Noah McWilliams (26) combining for a 53-run partnership.Jim Glazbrook (3-16) and Hunter Ockenden (2-14) also did well with the ball before Shellharbour cruised to victory in 18 overs with Daniel Smith smashing an unbeaten 45.The clash between Albion Park and North Nowra Cambewarra was called off due to the wet Keith Grey Oval wicket and low scores were the order of the day.Oak Flats recorded their first win in their comeback season to the top grade after bowling Ex Servos out for 109 at Hayden Drexel Oval. All-rounder Scott McAndrew snared 4-21 for the Rats and then backed up with an unbeaten 59 alongside Kip Penfold (44 not out) as they reached the victory target with eight wickets and nearly 30 overs to spare.The Kookas were kept grounded in Kiama with only Craig Bramble (30) making a decent contribution in their total of 97 with Adam Ison bagging 5-10 for the Cavaliers.Ryan Butta (45 not out) belted six fours and a six as the hosts recorded their victory for the loss of just one wicket.Bay and Basin edged out Bomaderry in a five-run thriller at Artie Smith Oval.Rhys Burinaga starred with 5-13 as the Dolphins were bowled out for 128 after Brock Balgowan top-scored with 37.The Tigers were in trouble at 6-52 but Riley Ingram (40) and Matthew Shea (27) got them within sight of the finish line before Dolphins seamer Jack Allen dismissed tailender Nate Jones to wrap up the nail-biting win and finish with superb figures of 6-35.Bay and Basin travel to Oak Flats this Saturday, Ex Servos host North Nowra Cambewarra, the Kookas and Shellharbour face off in a local derby at Oakleigh Park, Kiama are away to Albion Park and Bomaderry head north to lock horns with Lake Illawarra.Standings after Round 4: Shellharbour 29, Lake 25, Kiama 24, Bay Basin 23, North Nowra 19, Bomaderry 16, Oak Flats, Kookas 10, Albion Park 6, Ex Servos 4.

Another Gerringong Lions junior has re-signed with their NRL club, with Hamish Stewart committing to the St George Illawarra Dragons for another three years.Fresh off the news of Gerringong’s Ashton Ward extending his stay with the South Sydney Rabbitohs for another season, Stewart - who has signed on until the end of 2029 - becomes the second former Lion to re-commit to his current team.“I’m really happy to be re-signing here at the Dragons,” said Stewart. “It’s the club I grew up supporting. It’s home for me, and making my NRL debut here was a dream come true.”Stewart made his NRL debut in the Dragons’ 2025 season opener against Canterbury, going on to play 19 games, averaging 60 run metres and making 532 tackles at over 93% efficiency.Despite the Dragons finishing 15th on the ladder in 2025, they remained in finals contention deep into the season. Stewart remains optimistic about the team’s direction.“Knowing I’ll be here for the next few years is unreal, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve with the squad we’ve got,” he said.Stewart also recently took home the Dragons’ NRL Emerging Talent Award at the club’s presentation night - a testament to his impressive development. Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said he’s thrilled to have Stewart locked for the rest of this decade.“We’ve been really pleased with Hamish’s progression over the past few seasons, and we’re excited to have secured him for the future,” Flanagan said.“He’s a really good trainer and has all the traits to grow into a leader for our club. He’s fit, athletic, and skilful, and made some real strides this year as a player."He’s a local junior who’s come through our system and loves the club, so we’re really excited to keep him here.”Stewart was the first of three former Gerringong Lions players to debut for the Dragons. Dylan Egan, who suffered an ACL injury in Round 11, is signed through to the end of 2027, while the Dragons haven’t made clear whether 19-year-old Hayden Buchanan - who scored a try in the Dragons’ NSW Cup Grand Final loss - is in contention to be in their top 30 squad next season.

The Thunder Dragons dragonboat racing team swept up multiple gold and silver medals at the Master Games, an over-40s sporting event held annually in Canberra.The team is a union of Dragons Abreast Illawarra and the Sussex Inlet River Dragons, who trained together twice a month in preparation for the competition which had roughly 1800 paddlers take to the water from 18-25 October.Dragons Abreast Australia (DAA) is a national body with 29 clubs and over 1100 members across the country dedicated to forging relationships between breast cancer survivors and encouraging them to engage in team-oriented physical activity.Dragonboat racing has been a popular fitness outlet among breast cancer survivors worldwide for 30 years, since Canadian Professor and avid kayaker Don McKenzie conducted research to dispute the notion that cancer survivors were not permitted to exercise following their treatment. Dragonboating was chosen due to its similarities to kayaking as well as its repetitive use of upper-body movement.“It’s a wonderful sport, particularly for breast cancer survivors to reclaim their life after treatment,” said DAA Board Director and Illawarra Dragon Boat Club member Ann Boulton. “The benefit is the connection that the survivors make with each other… and flowing on from that [is] the fitness and health aspect.”Boulton has been paddling since 2013 when she moved to Kiama from Sydney following a breast cancer diagnosis. She was introduced to the sport by the Dragons Abreast founders, who were fellow members of the Illawarra Breast Cancer Support Group at St Paul’s Church.In addition to her efforts with Dragons Abreast, Boulton is a paddling coach and facilitated the cost-free Encore exercise program through the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) for women who have recently undergone gruelling cancer treatment. The DAA has plenty of opportunities ahead, including Lunar New Year in Darling Harbour in February and a four-day festival on the Gold Coast next September called Pink Paddle Power. Six Australian teams will also head overseas in August to compete against 4500 paddlers from other countries in the International Regatta organised by the International Breast Cancer Paddling Commission in France. In the meantime, Dragons Abreast offer Come And Try Days to the community, where recovering breast cancer patients can dip their toe into the water sport and expand their support networks. The next Come and Try Day is taking place this Saturday (1 November) at The Rowing Club at Northcliffe Drive in Warrawong. Dragon Boat NSW has also introduced a new initiative called Dragon Pass, where interested parties or aspiring paddlers can get their first month of membership at their local club for free.

This week's edition of The Bugle is jam-packed with the latest news and views from our local community.Our top story centres on Kiama Councillor Yasmin Tatrai's concerns about the rise of crime in the local area and whether the reopening of the police station during daylight hours will be enough to prevent this problem getting worse.CLICK HERE TO READ THE DIGITAL EDITIONCr Tatrai recently aired her concerns at Council’s October meeting last week that there has been “an astounding increase in crime, with residents reporting various incidents, such as vandalism of vehicles and public property”.https://issuu.com/kiamacathy/docs/the_bugle_news_31_october_2025She added that “advocating for a continuous police presence may be necessary to ensure community safety and deter future vandalism”.You can also read plenty of great community stories, including The Bugle winning a prestigious award for Best Editorial Campaign, a column from Mayor Cameron McDonald and an update on the dispute between the Kiama Business Network and local shop owners.And don't miss gardening expert John Gabriele's latest YouTube video.In sport, you can read about the former NRL star who was named Kiama Rugby Club's best and fairest, the latest from South Coast cricket and the local dragonboaters who are making a splash.Plus there are a bunch of great sporting photos from our intrepid photographer Brian Scott getting out and about on the weekend - you may see someone you know!

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALLBLACK

South Sydney Rabbitohs have re-signed 21-year-old Gerringong Lions junior Ashton Ward for another season.Ward joined the Rabbitohs from the Dragons this year and made his NRL debut in Round 21, going on to play six first-grade games.He also capped off an impressive season by being named the Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup Player of the Year for 2025 at the club’s end-of-year presentation.Rabbitohs Head of Recruitment and Retention, Mark Ellison, said he was delighted to secure Ward’s future with the club.“Ashton joined us from the Dragons this year, and we wanted to see how he would develop his game at Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup levels, but he has shown he can match it at NRL level as well,” Ellison said.“He has earned his opportunity to play at the top level, and his development will be all the better for the experience he’s gained this season.“He’s eager to continue learning and improving on both sides of the ball, and we look forward to working with him again next year.”In his six NRL appearances, Ward scored one try, recorded a try assist and a line-break assist, ran for 317 metres, and made 137 tackles, including a memorable try-saving effort on Broncos forward Jordan Riki.One of the smallest players in the NRL, Ward has already made a big impression with his toughness and tenacity. Upon his debut, his father David Ward spoke about how coach Wayne Bennett showed faith in his son.“I think sometimes players are overlooked because coaches have a set idea of what physical attributes they want,” David said.“Ashton’s always been on the smaller side, but Wayne told him a story earlier this year about being told not to pick a kid for the Broncos because he was too small. That kid was Allan Langer - and we all know how that turned out.”Ward will now look to help inspire a Rabbitohs resurgence in 2026 after the club finished 14th on the ladder this season.In other news involving former Gerringong Lions juniors, Tyran Wishart and Reuben Garrick are both reportedly exploring options for new clubs.While both players remain under contract with their respective teams until the end of 2026, reports suggest that Garrick has knocked back Manly’s latest contract offer, and Wishart - currently behind Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster in the Storm’s halves rotation - is said to be seeking a move to a club where he can secure more consistent game time.

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Former St George Illawarra Dragons playmaker Junior Amone has capped off a standout season with Kiama Rugby Club, taking out the Best and Fairest award at the club’s end-of-year presentation night over the weekend.Kiama Rugby enjoyed a huge 2025 season, with both grades reaching their respective grand finals. The club’s first-grade side broke a 22-year title drought, claiming the Illawarra District Rugby Union (IDRU) Premiership.A major boost to their success was the inclusion of former NRL talent Amone, whose leadership and creativity made a big impact throughout the year. Kiama teammate Dante Patrick recently spoke about Amone’s influence during their major semi-final victory.“He just came into his own. He saw that our forwards were taking it up through the middle and he said, ‘I’ve got to reward these forwards,’” Patrick said.“That’s the mentality we felt from him - if the forwards are laying the platform, what’s my excuse not to take a crack? He took the ball and just ran with it, and we’re so proud of him.“He’s a quietly spoken guy, but when he does speak, he has the whole room’s attention. It’s been amazing to see that side of him and to have him lead us in that back 20.”The 23-year-old previously played 54 NRL games for the Dragons before being stood down by the league for 12 months in 2023 following his involvement in a 2022 incident in Warrawong.Earlier this month, reports emerged that Amone is looking to resurrect his NRL career, with his manager Mario Tartak confirming that Amone will complete a court-imposed Intensive Correction Order (ICO) next week.“I wanted to bring one of my clients to the forefront - Junior Amone - who completes his Intensive Correction Order on 25 October 2025,” Tartak wrote in an email to NRL clubs.“This means Junior will be eligible to reapply for registration to play in the NRL. In the meantime, he has maintained his fitness and competitive edge by playing rugby for Kiama, where he recently helped his team win the grand final.“He’s an exceptionally talented half who is eager for an opportunity to get back into the game. At just 23 years old, he still has a lot to offer. If any club is interested in discussing his return, I’d be happy to arrange a chat ahead of the pre-season in November.”The other awards of the Kiama Rugby presentation night went to:Coaches Award: Nick PittoloMost Improved Player: Ray TaufaBest Back & Players’ Player: Jasper ScobieBest Forward: Jeromy CairnsOutstanding Club Service: Daniel GerhanClubman of the Year: First-grade coaches James and Trevor PatrickKiama Rugby President Mark Redding said the event was a fitting celebration of an incredible season.“It was a great night to finish off a great year,” Redding said. “Everyone is looking forward to next season.”