On the same day as one of the biggest Norfolk Pines in the local government area was chopped down, Kiama Council has been asked to review whether the iconic but non-native species should remain part of the future. Council removed a damaged Norfolk Pine, which was dead, at Belinda Street in Gerringong on Tuesday and later that night, a motion by Councillor Stuart Larkins was passed which asked Council to consider the Urban Greening Strategy as a required action item in the Delivery and Operational Plans for the next financial year or 2027-28.As part of the Strategy, Cr Larkins is asking Council to review whether Norfolk Pines should be listed as a “Tree Species of Significance” in its Development Control Plan.He said the trees have “a unique, but complex, history in our LGA”.Norfolk Pines along Terralong Street, from Collins Street to the Kiama Anglican Church, are listed as local heritage items. In his submission, he noted that the history of Norfolk Pines in coastal regions in NSW stem from colonialism, where they were planted to provide masts for ships. The tree being removed in Belinda Street. Photo: David TooheyCr Larkins said they provide scenic landscaping and identity for the town but they are not a native species which require significant public and private management that have caused significant impacts to public infrastructure, including footpaths, roads, housing and water and electricity infrastructure.“I think it's quite a complex and challenging topic for Councillors and our community when it comes to those trees,” Cr Larkins said at the meeting.“As part of reviewing and updating our local greening and tree management, we need to consider the role and the future aspects of those trees in our community.”Council CEO Jane Stroud told The Bugle that trees of all shapes and sizes are really important for shade, amenity and character of a town.“In the case of Norfolk Pines, they link to boat building and the ethos of history of eras gone by. So of course people are attached to them.“There's barely a coastal community on the eastern seaboard of Australia where you won't find a Norfolk Pine. They're everywhere. They're part of our collective culture and history.”She acknowledged that there are environmental health concerns attached to Norfolk Pines. “That said, they do create some challenges, whether that's view loss, noise. They drop really significant cones and seeds, and attract quite a lot of bird activity, which can be a good thing, can be a bad thing. “I think it's probably sensible to assume that during the development of an Urban Greening Strategy, folks are going to talk about what's an appropriate tree along the foreshore, and the question of Norfolk Pines will get raised."As for the massive Norfolk Pine on Belinda Street which was removed, Stroud said it had been identified several months ago as a hazard and Council put up a sign to inform the public that “this tree was not poisoned, most likely struck by lightning” so speculation about vandalism allegations would not gain traction. “We all know tree vandalism does happen, but on that occasion, we had complaints, we did testing and soil sampling and we could find no evidence. “So we communicated to people up front and early and say the tree has not been poisoned and it’l need to come down.“It was expensive to remove because it was so big and required an appropriately qualified arborist. “I'm sorry it will leave a hole in that streetscape because it was a significant tree, but it was dead and now it’s won’t risk anybody's property.”

Crystal lovers across Kiama and the Illawarra are invited to immerse themselves in a weekend of gems, jewellery and wellness when Gemtopia arrives at The Pavilion Kiama next month.The two-day event will feature more than 35 stallholders, showcasing an extensive range of crystals, minerals, gemstones, opals, carvings, statement pieces, handmade jewellery, and spiritual and wellness products. Visitors can browse, learn and purchase unique items across all budgets.Special guest Jaymin from The Young Guns Opal Hunters, known from the television series Opal Hunters Australia, will be in attendance with opal pieces available to view and buy. The event on 7-8 March will also include demonstrations and expertise from the Illawarra Lapidary Club, offering insights into the art of lapidary.Additional attractions include crystal readers, lucky door prizes, and a free crystal quiz and gift for children.Gemtopia runs Saturday 9.30am–5pm and Sunday 10am–4pm at The Pavilion, 2 Bong Bong Street, Kiama. Entry is $5 for the full weekend, with free admission for under 18s.Organisers say the event is designed to be a welcoming, family-friendly experience celebrating natural beauty, creativity and wellbeing.

Shellharbour squeaked home by three wickets to beat Kiama in a South Coast cricket nail-biter at Scout Willoughby Oval on Saturday.The loss puts Kiama’s hold on fourth spot in doubt heading into the final two rounds of the men’s first-grade competition.Cavaliers captain Jaya Hartgerink’s 30 and 37 from Niall Owers lifted the visitors to a modest total of 148 and the Harbour were cruising when they reached a hundred for the loss of just two wickets with Oran Pattison making 50.But they lost 5-41 before Jim Glazbrook’s unbeaten 31 got them home to claim outright second on the ladder.North Nowra Cambewarra kept their finals hopes alive by upsetting Bay and Basin by 103 runs at Bernie Regan Sportsground. Hyeon Parsons belted 61 off 47 and Samuel Neri (49) and captain Nathan Thomas (48) also did well as they amassed 244. The Dolphins’ top order crumbled to be 4-59 and they were never in the hunt with Cooper Bramley, Parsons and Blake Horton taking three wickets each. Lake are certain to finish with the minor premiership after Ryan Maguire’s 67-ball 100 and Jake O’Connell’s 53 propelled them to 7-282 against Oak Flats.Despite half-centuries to skipper Jack Bennett (51) and all-rounder Zaied Bin Khalid (59 not out), the Rats finished well short of their target on 7-198.Ex Servos have leapt from last to eighth, consigning Albion Park to the wooden spooner spot with a six-wicket win at Hayden Drexel Oval.The Eagles were bowled out for 161 and the home side chased it down within 30 overs thanks to opener Matthew Higham’s 57 and an unbeaten 38 from Kuldeep Singh rana.Bomaderry thrashed Kookas 262-142 on the back of opener Luke Jones (67) and Riley Ingram (71) starring with the bat and new-ball duo Peter King (4-34) and Brad Cross (3-33) dominating for the Tigers.This Saturday, Bomaderry are away to Bay and Basin, Lake host Shellharbour in a top-of-the-table tussle, Kookas face Kiama at Warilla, the Eagles fly south to North Nowra and Ex Servos head north to Oak Flats.Ladder: Lake 97, Shellharbour 86, Bay and Basin 80, Kiama 76, North Nowra 69, Bomaderry 68, Rats 42, Ex Servos 37, Kookas 36, Park 34.In the women’s competition, Shellharbour claimed their first win of the season with a 50-run upset over Oak Flats Ratatouilles.Opening duo Tammie Croker (46) and Pamela Evans (41) blazed away to set up their total of 1-131 from their 20 overs before Oak Flats were restricted to 3-81.Lake Illawarra won a thriller over Kiama in the battle for fourth spot in the penultimate round.Lilly Willstrop smashed 36 in their total of 6-114 despite Emma Ford’s haul of 3-16 before Ebony Winston put the Cavettes within striking distance with her unbeaten 51. But they finished just four runs short of the total to drop to fifth on the ladder with one round remaining.Ex Servos (5-108) beat the Ratettes in the other game with Nakita Boatswain top-scoring with 47 and Rebecca Carson bagging 3-12 for the Shoalhaven side.This Friday, the Lakers lock horns with the Ratatouilles at Albion Oval, the Kookas are away to Kiama, and Shellharbour meet Ex Servos and the Ratettes clash with Albion Park in the two Myimbarr fixtures.Ladder: Kookas 48, Ratettes 30, Ratatouilles 28, Lake 28, Kiama 24, Ex Servos 20, Park 18, Harbour 8.

The four-storey proposal on the southern side of Akuna Street is a step closer to reality after Kiama Council on Tuesday night voted unanimously to approve the updated development application.A 38-apartment complex will be built at 14 Akuna St which will also house four commercial units on the ground floor.After the initial DA was lodged, Council staff informed the developer that it would need to alter its plans and an updated submission was lodged.Despite concerns over non-compliance with building height and floor to space ratio limits, all nine Councillors voted to approve the proposal.Councillor Melinda Lawton raised concerns about adopting the plan but was reassured by Council’s director strategies and communities Ed Paterson who said the non-compliance “variations” were minor.He said they “don't have any broader detrimental impact on neighbours, be it overshadowing views or whatever else the objectives of those individual controls are".“And that is what is asked of Council when assessing applications utilising Clause 4.6 of the Local Environment Plan - that you have to flexibly apply controls and ensure the objectives have been met and the public interest has been met.“So that's the conclusion that staff have come to.”Councillor Erica Warren asked whether the balconies of the proposed development will “look directly into the backyards” of nearby residents.Paterson responded by saying he could not comment on how it will directly impact the neighbours, “but it's always going to impact people differently”.“The quantitative assessment that has been undertaken is there is compliance with setback requirements in both Council's Development Control Plan and the Apartment Design Guide. Louvres and privacy screens are proposed on the balconies.“The properties on Bong Bong Street sit quite higher than this site so it's not as though all units are directly overlooking into balconies and backyards. So a relative and reasonable privacy is maintained as per our Development Control Plan.”Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald praised the planning department for its efforts in getting the modifications made to the DA, which included issues such as potential groundwater contamination and pollution, sustainability measures, aesthetics, solar and daylight access, car parking design and waste collection arrangements.“As Councillors, we need very good reasons not to follow a recommendation. What we have seen from our planning department is very good communication with the applicant and a comprehensive report prepared for Council and so as an elected body we supported that recommendation,” he said.Council CEO Jane Stroud was pleased to see this development proceed.“I was glad - that development application has a long history. It has been with Council for some time and then it was withdrawn and reworked on,” she said.“So in terms of the plans that were put forward to Council for endorsement, we were grateful that that was a unanimous decision. And now we just need to see the developer crack on with it.“That whole process is more in line with the planning reforms that are happening across the state. Rather than just leave a development application in the system and go through hundreds and hundreds of days of long, drawn-out conversations, these days we push for the withdrawal, we tell you what the issues are, we expect you to take them on board and make your application properly so that we can get it in and get it out for you.”The Caliope St site.Demolition and construction is expected to start later this year but no official timeline has been released.Council is also looking to expand the local housing supply with a new development at Caliope Street, an elongated, irregular-shaped allotment of land situated on the south-eastern corner of Old Saddleback Road.A motion was endorsed for a Planning Proposal to be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for a Gateway determination.If approved, the Planning Proposal would be placed on public exhibition to enable community, stakeholder and state agency consultation to occur.Paterson said a maximum of 20 low-density residential units would be available if the project goes ahead.Cr Lawton raised objections at the Council meeting over the impact on Zieria granulata, a small shrub native to the area which is protected under the Biodiversity Act and a heritage-listed drystone wall along the southern boundary.The western part of the site has been strategically identified as a suitable site for residential development in Council’s Local Housing Strategy while the remainder of the vacant land is considered environmentally sensitive and it is proposed that it would be preserved for conservation.

They would have been cowering in fear and desperately ringing triple zero, if only they had known.The security camera footage is startling.Three cars were parked in the garage at the luxury residence in Gerroa. There were obviously people at home.But that didn’t stop the brazen attempt at a home invasion recently.The security footage shows two young men in hoodies, with masks covering much of their faces. They arrive on the property shortly after 2.50am and can be seen trying the front door, two windows and a side door at the rear of the house.Fortunately for Ian and Janice Dolan, the owners of this magnificent property, and equally fortunately for their three female visitors, all the doors were security-locked and the windows safely secured.To this day, they are shocked by the blatant nature of it all.The footage shows the would-be home invaders checking all the car doors at the front of the house, unfazed by the lights coming on.Without any alarms being triggered, the Dolans slept through it all.They only discovered the terrifying incident – which could have ended very badly for both of them – through happenstance.Ian’s sister-in-law, a meticulous person, kept insisting someone had been in her car and stolen her remote.He brushed it off at first, but she kept insisting. Finally, he got to thinking: she’s not the sort of person who would misplace anything.That led him to check the security camera footage.“It is bloody terrifying,” says Ian. “As people get older they feel more vulnerable. How would you like to be an octogenarian and have a stranger roaming through your house?“They were so casual. The lights came on at the front of the property and they didn’t even hesitate.“It feels like you lose a lot of your freedom. You should be able to relax and feel free in your home. It is an awful proposition.”He is thankful there were no young children in the house.“My wife had broken her foot and couldn’t walk at the time. What am I going to do? I am not going to move while they are holding a knife at my wife’s throat. They have no fear. They don’t care whether they kill you or not.”Janice says they are now diligent: “We live in such a beautiful place, you are always a target. We’re religiously checking; everything is locked all the time.”Ian has dropped leaflets throughout his neighbourhood, warning everyone of what has happened. As a result, residents are updating their cameras and their security.One neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was thinking of getting a Bull Terrier. Her security footage shows the would-be thieves walking past her home at 3.01am.“They were so brazen,” she says. “They were rattling the doors of one of my neighbours. It is frightening.”Potential thieves know the enclave – with spectacular views down Seven Mile Beach – is wealthy. The Dolans bought their property in 2003 for just over a million dollars, then a record for the area.“It was more than I could afford at the time,” says Ian. “There were dolphins jumping out of the surf as the auction was going on, and I got auction fever.”A million dollars gets you nowhere anymore, with small blocks of land on the ocean side of the street fetching more than five million.That sort of money attracts thieves, making locals nervous. Some of Ian’s friends, even with their doors locked, routinely sleep with baseball bats or iron bars beside their beds.“One day those thieves are going to wake up the wrong person,” Ian says. “Nothing good is going to come out of this.”The footage of the incident, along with the number plate of a car circling the block at the time, have been passed to the police.According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, only 13 per cent of break and enter offences in the state are ever solved.Kiama MP Katelin McInerney said the NSW Government was focused on ensuring peace of mind for residents, which is “why we are delivering extra Police assigned to the Lake Illawarra Command this year”.“I know any attempted break-and-enter would be deeply worrying to local residents and distressing for the family impacted and it is important for the community to know that the Police not only take these matters seriously but are acting to arrest individuals found committing these crimes,” she told The Bugle.“When I spoke to Superintendent Commander Darren Brand, Lake Illawarra Command, about this matter and the community’s concerns about recent break-and-enter events, he confirmed Police have already investigated a number of these cases and that Police have made a number of arrests related to break and enter in Kiama over the past few weeks.“I will continue to work with our local command and support the community in this as we all want the same thing – safe streets, secure homes and peace of mind for our families and neighbours.“Superintendent Brand also reiterated that simple steps like locking your doors, securing your home and vehicles, as well as reporting suspicious behaviour can make a real difference.”McInerney said residents should call Crime Stoppers, contact the Police Assistance Line or visit Kiama Police Station, which is open daily between 9am to 5pm, and she also recommended downloading the Protect Your Home document from the NSW Police website for tips on keeping your property secure.Lake Illawarra Police District and Kiama Council were requested for comment but declined.

Disappointing, underwhelming, deflating - there are many ways to describe the Illawarra Hawks’ NBL title defence.And none of them are good.After the ecstasy of last year’s run to the championship, breaking a trophy drought which stretched all the way back to 2001, the Hawks never got out of second gear this season.They got off to a slow start, which can partly be attributed to their participation in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore, losing their opening three matches.Injuries played their part too, along with the signing of import guard JaQuori McLaughlin, who only lasted three games before the 27-year-old was told his services were no longer required after he averaged 7.7 points and four assists.The monumental signing of Olympic champion and three-time NBA championship winner JaVale McGee turned out to be a good move in getting attention on the club.But his style did not mesh with his teammates and although his stats were for the most part impressive, it did not translate into enough victories.He put up 19.4 points on 57% shooting and 10 rebounds per outing, averaging just two assists, which - to be fair to him - was never a strong part of his game during his lengthy NBA career.The all-round teamwork that symbolised the Hawks’ superb season and ultimately successful playoff campaign was nowhere to be seen when McGee was on the court even though he was named the club's season MVP this week. McGee has said he has a “high temptation” to come back to the NBL next season but it’s highly unlikely the Hawks will roll the dice on the 38-year-old again.He is winging his way to China to play for the Beijing Ducks. Fellow import QJ Peterson, who replaced McLaughlin mid-season, is also plying his trade in the CBA with Fujian and he has not been signed for next NBL season as well.Star guard Tyler Harvey, who is on the way to becoming a naturalised Australian, is signed up for next season while centre Sam Froling has two more years on his deal.Fan favourite Davo Hickey and defensive specialist Wani Swaka Lo Buluk are also locked in for the next two seasons so the bulk of the current roster will be back on deck for the 2026-27 season.And coach Justin Tatum is also back for another campaign.The Hawks finished their season on Wednesday night in Tasmania with a 103-90 consolation win over the JackJumpers. They finished the regular season in eighth with a 13-30 recordIllawarra recorded back-to-back wins on only three occasions during the season and were never able to string together three on the trot. Their hot and mostly cold performances meant they never seriously entered the conversation as title contenders despite keeping the majority of the team which went all the way last year.Off the court, the Hawks are booming. Ticket sales have never been better and the club is getting a brand new arena after the recent announcement that WIN Entertainment Centre would be demolished.The new arena will have a capacity of 9500, more than 4000 seats higher than the current venue. But the team needs to be playing much better than this season otherwise it’s going to be tough to fill a bigger arena.

Calling all South Coast puppy lovers, Assistance Dogs Australia needs your help.The organisation is calling for volunteers who work from home, are retired or have flexible schedules and live within 100km of Sydney to help raise the next generation of life-changing assistance dogs. Puppy raisers like Beth Kates provide loving homes for puppies aged 8-18 weeks, socialising, training and integrating them into their everyday lives until the dogs are around 15 months old.They then return to Assistance Dogs Australia for intensive training before finding their forever homes with people with physical disability, children and families with autism, and people with post-traumatic stress disorder.When Beth moved from England two years ago she had to leave her own beloved pooches behind as they were in their twilight years and she was concerned the long journey and quarantine requirements would be too much for them.Desperately missing her dogs, she decided to volunteer with Assistance Dogs Australia, bringing Cairo - a black labrador puppy - into her home with her teenage sons.“I really missed having dogs around,” says Beth. “I came from a farm in England and now I live in a city so becoming a puppy raiser for ADA was a really good way for me to have four paws on the floor.“They go everywhere with you, the shops, the cinema, everywhere, they have to because you are training to be able to eventually go everywhere for the people they support.“You get a much closer bond than you would with a normal pet dog. They become really bonded with you, look at you all the time for guidance as to what they should be doing and do everything you ask of them because that’s what they need to be doing as assistance dogs.”When it was time to say goodbye to Cairo, Beth was “heartbroken”.“I absolutely fell in love with him. He was amazing, so saying goodbye was really, really hard,” she said. “But then I saw him two months after he went back to national training and he definitely remembered me and he was just giving me lots of big hugs.”The only way to get over missing Cairo was to “get another puppy to raise” and she is now training a golden labrador called Nancy.ADA volunteer program manager Kristie Worthy said puppy volunteers were essential to the success of the organisation’s programs. “By opening their homes and their lives to a puppy, volunteers help shape calm, confident dogs who will one day provide independence and support to someone who truly needs it,” she said. “Assistance dogs change lives, but they don’t get there on their own. Every assistance dog starts out as a puppy, and every puppy needs a dedicated volunteer to guide them through those critical early months.”Beth says training high-energy labradors - the preferred breed for Assistance Dogs Australia - required patience and daily practice.“Assistance dogs need to be able to open doors or a drawer, they need to be able to bring somebody the remote control, to go in a crate and stay there and not rush out when you open the door,” she explained. “You want a perfectly behaved dog. And so getting to that point requires daily training - every task you do has to involve the dog so that they've got the best ever manners. “And you see most Labradors are not like that as puppies but they are very food driven so it’s our job to teach them!”Volunteers receive training and support with frequent visits from a field trainer and the Assistance Dogs Australia community.“Some days the training can be tricky," added Beth. "If the dog's a bit distracted, it's too hot, there's other dogs around, but knowing that you are doing it to help people who need assistance in their daily life keeps you motivated.“It's an incredibly important thing to do and that’s what got me through the training on the difficult days. There’s always someone at the end of the phone so you can ask questions, touch base, we've got a community of volunteers and puppy educators that you can say ‘has anyone had this problem before’.”Assistance Dogs Australia provides support for all food, veterinary care, equipment and ongoing training for volunteers. Prior experience with dogs is helpful but not essential and volunteers need to have the puppies with them for most of the day as the puppies couldn’t be left home alone for long periods.“It's a really good, feelgood thing to do,” said Beth. “And volunteers get a lot of puppy snuggles.”For more information or to register interest, visit assistancedogs.org.au/volunteer.

Lake Illawarra Police are appealing for information as investigations continue into a violent home invasion at Flinders overnight.About 3.40am on Sunday, emergency services were called to a home on Mummuga Close, Flinders, following reports of a home invasion.Lake Illawarra Police District officers attended and were told four unknown males wearing balaclavas, one armed with a knife, forced entry into the home's converted garage and assaulted a 20-year-old man.Three other occupants – two men aged 19 and 43, and a 37-year-old woman – attempted to assist, but the residents were also assaulted by the group of intruders, who then ran away from the scene.NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 43-year-old man for stab wounds to the head and chest, the 20-year-old man for a stab wound to the leg and stomach, and the 19-year-old man for significant facial injuries.They were taken to hospital in a serious condition.A crime scene has been established and investigations are continuing.Anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Illawarra Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The new year always brings a sense of possibility, but for the Kiama Business Network, 2026 is already shaping up to be a year full of action, celebration and fresh opportunities for local businesses. As summer winds down, here’s what’s been happening across our business community - and what you can look forward to in the months ahead.First up, the highly anticipated 2026 Kiama Business Directory is officially complete and at the printers. Keep an eye out next week for your copy, whether you’re a business owner looking to connect with others or a resident eager to discover new local services, shops and professionals. This directory remains a staple for our community, shining a spotlight on the breadth and quality of businesses that make Kiama and surrounds such a vibrant place to live and work.Speaking of recognition, mark your calendars: the 2026 Kiama Business Awards will take place on 23 July. This year brings something extra - six new award categories, giving more businesses the chance to be acknowledged for their unique contributions and achievements.KBN is also ramping up support for nominees, offering mentorship and guidance to help businesses present themselves in the best possible light. Mick Emmett.And for those who take home a trophy, there’s more good news: all winners will automatically advance as finalists in the prestigious Business Illawarra Awards, putting Kiama’s best on the regional stage.Community spirit is at the heart of everything KBN does. This will no doubt be on show during the upcoming Kiama Jazz and Blues weekend, where KBN has proudly sponsored the Blues Bus. The initiative makes it easy and safe for locals and visitors to get to the many fantastic venues hosting an impressive lineup of local, national and international talent. It’s a small gesture that we hope makes a big difference, keeping the music alive and the community connected.Navigation just got easier for shoppers, too. The new KBN retail map has been upgraded and now features retail shops not just in Kiama town, but across Gerringong, Jamberoo, Gainsborough, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra, and Kiama Heights. The new map will debut at the Seaside Markets on 15 March, ready to guide locals and visitors alike to the best in retail therapy. For those who like to browse on the go, bespoke digital versions will soon be available to KBN members.Youth engagement remains a priority for KBN. The Markets Crew, a youth employment program, continues to grow.It offers local young people the chance to pick up new skills, real-world experience, and a salary. Watch this space for updates on events designed to build even stronger ties between our businesses and the next generation of workers and entrepreneurs.There have been some changes behind the scenes as well. A huge thank you goes out to Michael Emmett, founder of BlueStone, who has stepped down from the KBN board after six years of dedicated service. Mick’s calm, thoughtful leadership helped steer the network through challenging times, including the pandemic and the recent economic uncertainty. From all of us, thank you. Enjoy more time with your young family and good luck on the cricket pitch!We’re also excited to welcome Derek McMahon, owner of McMahon’s Transport, to the board. Derek brings fresh ideas, deep community roots, and a strong voice for local business - qualities already making a difference, especially in ongoing discussions with Kiama Council about the Employment Lands Strategy.And, as we celebrate milestones, a very happy one-year anniversary to our executive officer, Mel Scarr. Mel’s energy, professionalism and experience have transformed what KBN can deliver for local businesses. Here’s to many more years of growth and community success.With new resources, events, and faces, 2026 is off to a strong start. Stay tuned—there’s plenty more to come from KBN.Please note - this is paid content

Kiama Leagues Club was alive with colour, flavour and festive spirit on Wednesday night as guests gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year at Cedar Cutters Sports Bar.The special Lunar New Year set menu delivered exactly what was promised - a bold, banquet-style dining experience designed for sharing and savouring.Guests enjoyed the generous offerings from the carefully curated menu that highlighted classic Asian flavours and techniques. It was a lively, social atmosphere, with diners sampling the variety while enjoying the buzz of the sold-out event.Entrees featured steamed pork and chive dumplings alongside duck spring rolls with salt and pepper squid. The main course selection was equally impressive, with Cantonese soy and ginger barramundi, Kung Pao chicken and rich braised beef short rib, complemented by seasonal Asian greens. The meal ended on a high note with a coconut and kaffir lime pannacotta, offering a light yet indulgent finish - all favourites that reflect the warmth and generosity traditionally associated with Lunar New Year celebrations.The event showcased the club’s commitment to offering diverse dining experiences and celebrating cultural occasions within the community.Hats off to executive chef Sarah Rebbeck for delivering an outstanding event that was widely praised by diners. The banquet-style format encouraged sharing and conversation, creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere in keeping with the spirit of Lunar New Year.The Cedar Cutters Sports Bar proved a perfect venue, with its extensive sports coverage screens themed for the occasion to enhance the setting. One fellow diner even suggested the banquet could inspire a regular seafood feast to follow on from the popular Oyster Sundays - an idea many would welcome.Judging by the strong turnout and positive response from diners, the Lunar New Year banquet was a standout success and a welcome addition to the club’s calendar of special events.

As a journalist, it can be difficult to be unbiased at times, especially when you love Italian food and you’re tasked with writing about pizza (there are worse jobs, I suppose). The assignment from The Bugle was to check out the local pizza scene. However, this journalist went to one of Kiama’s newest pizza joints, Loui’s, and decided she’d seen all she needed to see in regards to pizza and anything carbohydrate related.Upon walking into Loui’s, owned by Morgan Lewis, also the proprietor of Fillmore’s, I instantly felt welcome. The layout is spacious yet cosy, with plenty of natural light and the staff are friendly and easy going. Renovated by Morgan using recycled wood, the interior strikes a balance between openness and warmth. He had the goal of creating a space where locals - although tourists are also welcome - would feel comfortable eating alone at the bar and chatting to the staff. He also wanted to offer late-night dining to the local community, something of a rarity in Kiama. And in particular, he felt it was important to create a safe space for women to dine alone.In addition to the welcoming atmosphere, the food at Loui’s is certainly something to write home about. Based on traditional Italian food, which at its core is simple and uncomplicated, Loui’s offers a variety of pizzas and pastas which prove less is always more. Morgan worked closely with Adam Childs to create a simple yet satisfying menu. Having previously worked together at Fillmore’s, he said “it’s a really good partnership, it works great”.This is evident as they laugh and chat about the menu that they developed together. Despite the simplicity, the ingredients are high quality and local.“It’s very important to have really good, fresh produce. And everything is made fresh on-site daily … and it’s ever evolving,” Morgan said.Some recommendations from Morgan and Adam are the potato pizza and the salami pizza, which of course I had to try and, as expected, they were tasty and fired to perfection. If you’re looking to feed a crowd, the table of nine that I dined with shared five pizzas which was enough to satiate us all. While sipping on wine curated by Yakka and waiting for our pizzas to be woodfired, I caught glimpses of Adam kneading and tossing the pizza dough fresh to order (oh, to be the dough). After pizza, it was time for dessert. On offer were oven-roasted, glazed peaches served with pistachio or vanilla gelato. The peach itself was somewhat tricky to eat with a spoon, so I suggest picking it up and biting into it while simultaneously manoeuvring the gelato into your mouth. Although be warned - you might feel like you should buy the peach a drink before consuming this way. If you still have room after dessert, why not treat yourself to an affogato with coffee from a local roastery, Little Earth.Loui’s is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm-10pm, Fridays and Saturdays 5pm-10:30pm.

Jamberoo’s long-awaited dog park is officially moving ahead, with Kiama Council endorsing a revised design for a fenced off-leash area at the corner of Churchill Street and Gibson Crescent.The project, expected to be completed by mid-2026, marks the culmination of years of advocacy from local residents. Jamberoo is the only township in the LGA without a designated off-leash dog space, an issue that gained momentum in 2022 when Kiama Council received a petition – attracting hundreds of signatures – calling for a fenced facility in the area.Councillor Stuart Larkins said he was pleased to see the project progressing after a lengthy and at times contentious process.“There’s been a long advocacy for dog space in Jamberoo. There isn’t any dog space, and it’s been an issue for quite some time,” Cr Larkins said. Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said: “We’re happy the dog park is moving forward. Cr Larkins has been a driving force behind this and I thank him for his efforts. We’re getting closer to people being able to get out to thecentre of Jamberoo and enjoy this Council facility.”Council assessed several potential sites before determining the Gibson Crescent reserve was the most suitable, with other options ruled out due to impacts on cemetery or sporting land.Initial works began in April 2025, including plumbing and partial fencing, but the early installation of fencing prompted community concern about the size, layout and the loss of informal overflow parking used during events. The project was subsequently paused and five design options were placed on public exhibition between September and November.Option 5, which proposed two separate dog areas, received the highest level of support. However, consultation also revealed strong sentiment for an unfenced space. Taking this feedback into account, Council has endorsed a modified Option 5 that will include a fenced 30m x 30m area for small dogs and a designated but unfenced off-leash area for large dogs. The park will also feature shade structures, seating, bins, footpaths and a drinking water bubbler.The project is jointly funded by $75,600 from the NSW Government and $70,000 from Council’s developer contribution fund. With grant funding required to be spent by November 2026, it seems Jamberoo will finally be ready to let the dogs out – officially.

Kiama’s Family History Centre volunteers will continue to have access to the facility during Kiama Library opening hours to undertake research on behalf of the wider community.Councillor Erica Warren successfully moved a motion at Tuesday night’s meeting asking Council to formally acknowledge the centre’s significance as a cultural, educational, and community resource – locally, nationally, and internationally. It also reaffirmed that volunteers will continue to be able to help members of the public with research projects.Cr Warren said the motion sought to ensure the centre’s sustainability while maintaining its volunteer-led operations. The motion also directs Council CEO Jane Stroud to report on operating costs and explore cost-recovery options, including fee-for-service sessions, annual memberships, and volunteer-led models with minimal staff oversight.“The Kiama Family History Centre is more than a room in the library,” Cr Warren said at the meeting. “It is a repository of unique local history, an educational hub, and a place of purpose for volunteers and residents alike. This motion ensures the centre can continue to operate sustainably and remain accessible.”The centre, established in 1989 beneath the Kiama Library has been a cornerstone of the community.Volunteers have dedicated decades to transcribing historical documents, digitising records, and assisting local, interstate, and international researchers.The decision follows Council’s recent announcement to reduce the centre’s open-to-the-public hours to two per week as part of the library’s overall services. During library hours, volunteers will continue to be supported by Council to undertake research projects on behalf of the community.Many volunteers and community members attended the council meeting, witnessing the vote that reaffirmed the value of the centre and the importance of volunteer-led service in preserving Kiama’s history. “Kiama Council absolutely loves its volunteers. If you volunteer for Council, you do so in an unpaid capacity, but you are still deemed a Council employee, so we've got a little bit of work to do in terms of bringing those Council volunteers up to speed around their responsibilities, roles and our code of conduct,” CEO Jane Stroud said. “We're going to do a wave of mandatory training for any of our unpaid workforce, because we value the work that they do and they need to know their obligations as volunteer employees of the Council.” Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald, whose uncle has been a long-term volunteer, hoped the Family History Centre services will still be an integral part of Council despite the restructure of the library.“It is a really important local offering and we've had many volunteers over the years providing their time so that people can come in, research their family history, and many other topics, including how our links to history have been shaped our local community. “Our volunteers should not be discouraged from providing these services.“The volunteers are a really valued resource for our local community and there is a range of matters that volunteers have been querying recently such as what times the offering will be available, what future services from the facility will look like and what infrastructure they will be provided with. “We are looking forward to having those conversations and for these much respected volunteers to continue providing the service that they would like to provide well into the future.”Stroud added that the Community College notified Council a month ago that they would be vacating their premises. Council will consult with volunteers and community stakeholders over the next 12 months to co-design this space and develop a sustainable operating model for the centre, similar to the successful Gerringong Library Arts and Museum model. “That's a significant change for us and that's a valuable asset and a valuable parcel of Council land that we need to activate and that we need to use,” she said.“So it's high time to reconsider what goes on in that downstairs section of the building and what it could be into the future and certainly what we did at Gerringong has been a great success.GLaM has a small exhibition space, there's local history, heritage information side by side with the library service and it operates really well. “One half of the building is operated by an incorporated volunteer group, which is fabulous, and the other half is staffed by Council staff.”

More than 60 people are moving into a new 39-unit social and affordable housing complex in Bomaderry, marking a significant boost to local housing supply. The development is close to Bomaderry train station and includes 25 social homes and 14 affordable units, ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments, with shared BBQ and play areas.The project was funded through a $4.8 million NSW Government contribution via the Community Housing Innovation Fund, supported by Southern Cross Housing, with land donated by Shoalhaven City Council. Southern Cross Housing will manage the complex.The first residents include women over 55, a demographic at growing risk of homelessness. The project is part of the state’s $6.6 billion social housing investment, expected to deliver 8,400 new homes across New South Wales.Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast Ryan Park said the development would provide greater housing options for Shoalhaven. Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson added: “Many of the new homes are going to women aged over 55, and that’s exactly who we need to be supporting.”Southern Cross Housing CEO Alex Pontello described the project as “life changing for so many." Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Patricia White said, “Providing land is one of the levers we can pull, and I’m delighted this important step was taken and this project is now complete.” 

For local businesses in Berry, there was an upside to the return of fans for Red Hot Summer, the touring rock concert series that stopped in town on Valentine’s Day.Many festivalgoers were returning for an encore after previously attending Red Hot Summer when it took place at Berry Showground in October— and they had learned money-saving strategies that had a positive impact on the local community.“Instead of buying food in the venue, we arranged to go out to eat in Berry beforehand,” said a festivalgoer in his 70s. He had been gifted tickets to the October show by his children and grandchildren for Father’s Day and enjoyed it so much he returned for last weekend’s concert.Despite paying for ‘fast pass entry’, his group still chose to enjoy a leisurely lunch in Berry before heading to the Showground — proof that, despite an abundance of food trucks on site, the influx of people pouring into town was still spending locally.“Last time, we rushed to the venue to get good seats, but this time around we wanted to spend time in the town as well as enjoy the music,” he added.Berry Chamber of Commerce & Tourism secretary Anthony Colfelt said the dual concerts over summer had delivered “a strong economic boost for Berry and surrounding areas”.“With thousands of visitors in town for the weekend, local accommodation providers often book out, while cafés, restaurants, pubs and retailers benefit from increased foot traffic and spending.”For local businesses, it’s the ripple effect of the festival which makes the difference.“Many concertgoers arrive early or stay on after the event, exploring the town and supporting a wide range of local businesses,” says Colfelt. “Beyond the immediate impact, events like this showcase Berry as a vibrant destination, attracting new visitors who return again in the future.”Festivalgoers took to the Ticketmaster website to applaud the event — and air their grievances.“We have been going to the Red Hot Summer Tours for many years,” wrote one fan. “The event was extremely well run, employees were polite and professional, good security was in place and good quality food was available. And to all the performers — they gave it their all. It was one of the best programs we have been to.”Others were less complimentary, including a disgruntled attendee who paid for the ‘RocketBar’ package, which cost $299.90 and included access to a bar and a barbecue dinner.“We really appreciated the fast-pass entry — tick! Tables, chairs and umbrellas — tick! Separate bar — tick! Barbecue dinner — dismal,” they wrote. “It was basic at best — sausages, undressed salad and white sliced bread. C’mon guys, if you are offering a premium experience, a lot more thought could have been put into this economically.”Unimpressed, they chose to leave the private bar to buy food elsewhere.It’s bad news for the food trucks inside the venue, but good news for the local community — especially with the event expected to return next year.

There they were, about a dozen or so, spread along the rooftops about 100m ahead, above where I was headed on foot. Police with rifles raised, snipers.Not what you'd expect at 6pm on a Monday in Sydney's Darling Harbour.This wasn't a film shoot. These weren't stuntmen in bulletproof vests. And what they held in their hands were not props. They were real rifles.Four of us had left Happy Hour at our Harbourside hotel to walk to dinner.Something was up, you could feel it. There were police officers everywhere, poised, on alert.The police presence on the ground as we approached the International Convention Centre was enormous. So many young police officers, male and female, and plainclothes personnel as well. Standing in groups of two or three, all around. Watching, and waiting. For what, I wondered.With so many people, tourists, visitors and locals alike, milling around the harbour front or making their way to the various cafes, bars and restaurants, this was a fragile, possibly tenuous, definitely not-your-normal Monday evening sort of situation.All the while, two helicopters hovered overhead, occasionally taking off for a reconnoitre, then returning. Their noise was a little reminiscent of Apocalypse Now.Blame my imagination. Blame my heightened sense of Something Not Quite Right.Then, the lightbulb moment. It suddenly occurred to me that the President of Israel had arrived in Sydney earlier today.Now it made sense. What's the bet he wasn't actually here at the ICC?The public walkway was crowded, and hubby and I were uneasy, though our dinner partners ahead of us were blissfully unaware as they hungrily forged ahead towards our Chinese restaurant of choice.Not much further along, we were all stopped and asked by an armed police officer if we were attending the imminent meeting inside the Centre, and the answer being no, we were diverted to another pathway through to Chinatown where we spent the next delightful, anxiety-free hour eating, drinking and catching up with our friends. Before we meaningfully avoided the uncertainty and scariness of the return walk by using the Light Rail, a first for me! How great is an opal Card. Hubby and I had come to Sydney earlier in the day, ostensibly for an exhibition, Ron Mueck Encounters, at our gorgeous Art Gallery of NSW.We knew of President Herzog's visit, and therefore dutifully checked out Live Traffic for possible road closures. We were also aware of the possibility of unrest, and violence at Sydney Town Hall, but we weren't going to be there, so all good. We didn't know however, about the ICC gathering, and neither did most people, no doubt for security reasons.We could have gone to the city just for the day. I could quite happily spend an entire day at the Art Gallery, especially a rainy day. Which it was. But weeks ago we had decided to make our trip an overnighter, so that we had a bit of time to see for ourselves what had been happening in this lively part of the city since we'd last been here, quite a few years ago.Barangaroo, an eye-watering assortment of very high rise apartments and skyscrapers blotting out the sky, more coffee shops than customers, many more bars, and myriad construction sites, that's what's happened.The beauty of our Harbour though, still remains, though becoming cluttered. What is also unchanged is the fun of getting out on the water in one of our iconic ferries. It's always a must do for me.If you find yourself in need of an awesome art experience, do make the time to at least check out the Ron Mueck exhibition, only in Sydney at the Art gallery of NSW, until 12 April.Mueck, born in Melbourne in 1958 but working in the UK, is a sculptor whose work is unparalleled for its exquisitely crafted realism. He started as a puppet and mask maker, and earlier in his career had collaborated on productions with the likes of Jim Henson of Muppets fame.As one newspaper reported about Encounters, you'd be forgiven for thinking the sculptures are alive.How did I find out about the Exhibition?I can happily blame my phone for this. My beloved phone is always telling me of opportunities not to be missed, things to go to, things to see and do. It's my pocket What's On Guide.My phone though, regrettably, didn't tell me about unknowingly finding myself in a potential hot spot, walking apprehensively through banks of police with copters overhead and snipers on standby. Just to get dinner.An innocent abroad, thankfully not caught up in any mayhem, and in hindsight, keen to tell my tale.

Drivers using Moss Vale Road should prepare for delays starting next week as work begins to repair three landslip sites on Cambewarra Mountain.The stabilization project, funded by the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), will focus on the stretch between Green Valley Road and Cambewarra Lookout Road starting on Monday (23 February).Transport for NSW will be deploying specialist contractors to install soil nails, apply shotcrete, and improve drainage.Work will take place Monday to Friday, between 7am and 5pm. During these hours, motorists should expect lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h.Travelers are advised to factor in an extra five minutes of travel time for the duration of the 12-week project.While most lane closures will be restricted to work hours, a more significant disruption is planned for mid-April. For roughly three weeks, a single-lane closure will remain in place 24 hours a day near Beau Cottage while roadside safety barriers are removed to facilitate repairs.Further maintenance is also on the horizon. In late March 2026, drainage work will require overnight closures of Moss Vale Road across both Barrengarry and Cambewarra mountains.Specific dates and times for these night-time closures will be released to the community in the coming weeks.Since the record-breaking rainfall of 2022, 39 landslip sites have been repaired along this corridor, with 11 sites still remaining on the project list.Member for Kiama, Katelin McInerney, noted that these works are part of a long-term recovery effort to make this critical route more resilient for locals and visitors alike.For more information on natural disaster recovery on Moss Vale Road, residents can visit transport.nsw.gov.au/mvr-repairs.

Almost nine years after Kiama local Mark Burns went for a walk around Kiama Harbour and came up with the idea for The Man Walk, the initiative is preparing to launch its 100th location.With 93 locations across Australia, four in New Zealand, one in Japan and one in England, Burns still struggles to comprehend how much the grassroots movement has grown.“It’s unexpected - that’s probably the best word for it,” Burns said. “The Man Walk has been this inadvertent success since late 2018, when I went for a wander around Kiama Harbour just to get myself on the right foot.“It was about starting the day in the sun, clearing my head - simple stuff. It worked for me. Then my mates crashed my walk and from there it grew to Wollongong, then Coolangatta, and then a viral social media post in 2019 that reached 1.3 million people.”Originally, the goal was to launch 12 new locations each year. Since 1 July 2025 alone, 21 new walks have started.“The most recent ones include Bribie Island, Chelsea in Victoria, Rutherglen, and Rockhampton, and we’re at 99 now,” he said. “It’ll be a bit of a race to see which becomes number 100. It might be Sylvania in Sydney - or maybe Chelsea in the UK. Pretty cool to have Chelsea, Victoria and Chelsea, London.”As the initiative expands, Burns says the responsibility behind the scenes has grown too. On the tougher days, he draws motivation from the stories he hears from participants.“What’s really powerful is hearing from the blokes who walk regularly. It’s mostly older men - it’s open to anyone 18 and over, free and weekly - but some of the stories are incredible,” he said.“I’ve had guys say, ‘This is my first friend in 40 years,’ or ‘The Man Walk saved my life.’ When I get bogged down in governance, insurance and strategy - which I never thought I’d be worrying about - I think about those stories.”The founder of The Man Walk Mark Burns (centre). Photo: Mark BurnsThe program’s impact is now being measured more formally through a longitudinal study with Charles Sturt University.“Professor Julaine Allan specialises in community connection and social wellbeing. They had some funding available and reached out after seeing what we were doing online,” Burns said.“She and her team designed a thorough study looking at demographics, cultural background, economic position, alcohol consumption, and anxiety and depression scales. We survey ambassadors and walkers in March and October each year for five years. As the same men continue participating, it strengthens the data.”Ninety-seven per cent of men surveyed said The Man Walk has had a positive impact on their mental and physical health whilst ninety-nine per cent said it helped them engage socially with others. The first phase of the study concluded: “The Man Walk is a community-based program that effectively fosters social connection, routine and wellbeing, especially for older men and those in regional and lower socioeconomic areas.”Despite the growth, Burns insists the core of The Man Walk remains unchanged.“The purpose hasn’t changed. It’s still a low-barrier, easy opportunity for connection - shoulder-to-shoulder, walk and talk. That simplicity is the magic, and I don’t think that will ever change,” he said.“What has evolved is that we now offer more. There are mental health education programs and wellbeing check-ins. And with so many locations, there’s a bit of ‘Man Walk tourism’ - like parkrun tourism. Some blokes have walked at 30 or 40 locations around Australia.”Once the 100th walk is confirmed, Burns hopes to see another 500 established over the next decade.“Growth has been entirely organic so far, but we’re starting to identify areas of need more strategically,” he said.In the near future, the organisation will host ‘One Big Walk for Men’s Health and Wellbeing’ - a 400-kilometre trek from Tathra to Kembla Grange from June 13 to 20, more than a marathon a day.“It’s about raising awareness and funds. We’ll pass about 14 active Man Walk locations along the coast and connect with them. Funding a free organisation is tough,” Burns said.“We’re hoping 15 people will commit to the full eight days, each raising $5,000. "Others can join for a day and aim to raise $1,000.”The group will finish at Kembla Grange on Race Against Suicide race day.“It’s a big challenge - I’ve got the walking shoes on already - but it’s exciting. We’re proud of where things are heading. It’s definitely onward and upward.”

A significant new collaboration between NSW Ambulance and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) has been launched to enhance patient care and reduce the burden on regional emergency departments.The program, announced this week, introduces two additional Extended Care Paramedic (ECP) vehicles to the region.These units are staffed by six specialist paramedics who are highly skilled in assessing and treating "low acuity" conditions.Their primary objective is to provide high-quality medical intervention within the community, allowing patients with chronic or complex but non-emergency conditions to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.The logic behind the initiative is to ensure that hospital resources are reserved for those in most urgent need.By performing on-the-spot assessments, these ECPs can provide treatment in a patient’s home.Member for Kiama, Katelin McInerney, described the program as a "terrific example" of local health teams co-designing innovative pathways to ensure residents receive the care they require without enduring long waits in a busy Emergency Department (ED).In addition to the increased physical presence on the road, NSW Ambulance is enhancing its Virtual Clinical Care Centre (VCCC).This system allows experienced clinicians to monitor the Illawarra Shoalhaven area remotely.If a patient’s condition is stable, the VCCC can connect them with alternative care options, such as a GP or pharmacist, ensuring the most appropriate provider is utilised while preserving frontline ambulance resources for life-threatening emergencies.Minister for Health and Member for Keira, Ryan Park, noted that this collaboration is a vital step in delivering better health outcomes across the state.By integrating services across the health network, the government aims to provide the right care in the most appropriate setting.The initiative also supports the expansion of the Aged Care Outreach Service.For older residents in Kiama and the South Coast, this provides increased access to clinical care within their own residential facilities, helping to address the challenges faced by patients awaiting NDIS or aged care placements.Liza Butler, Member for South Coast, highlighted the essential role these paramedics play in supporting the community.While planning for future phases of the program is currently underway, this immediate boost in resources is a welcome development for the region's healthcare infrastructure.