The Bondi2Berry Ride to Remember is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary this Saturday.The 155km bike ride sees its participants pedal from Bondi Beach through to Berry to raise funds for the Dementia Research Community.The charity is volunteer-led and in its 9 years has raised over $1.9million and channelled it into 10 research projects dedicated to raising awareness and finding a cure for Australia’s leading cause of death.In addition to this annual event, the organisation is responsible for coordinating multiday rides that take place every two years, including Bondi2Barosssa, Bondi2BlueMtns, Bondi2Brighton and this year’s Bondi2Byron.Kiama local Jay Gaffey will be among the 300 riders, participating in remembrance of her mother and aunty who passed away from dementia.At 11am, the riders will make a pitstop at Kiama’s Hindmarsh Park, where live music, face painting, and a bake sale will be open to the public. The event will be hosted by Kiama Municipal Council, with proceeds going directly to dementia research.Donations can be made at: https://drc.supporterhub.net.au/fundraising/bondi2berry-2025/bondi2berry

With poor weather around the grounds on Saturday, it was all smiles in fourth grade, where Kiama claimed a thrilling win in a reduced 30-over contest against Gerringong, securing victory with only three balls to spare - thanks to youngster Milo Brown.Gerringong reached 183 runs in their first innings with opener Harry Kenneally's 32 and Richard Warfield's 33 the best of the bunch.The Cavs openers got to work with a 64-run stand before Adam McCrone fell for 29 to Gerringong’s Brad Speering, who tore through the next two batters, claiming 3-0 in the ninth over.Brett Nortje belted 51 off 36 balls before retiring, taking the Cavs to 4-100 before Gerringong took regular wickets, leaving the visitors at 7-160.“Enter under-13s youngster Milo Brown, who finished 17 not out from 13 balls - showing maturity and nerves beyond his years - guiding the Cavs to an epic three-wicket victory on the third-last ball of the innings,” said Kiama president Bernie Brown.“Partnered by club legend and all-round good bloke Dan Cooper, who finished not out on nine, Milo earned a standing ovation as they took the win, making it three on the trot and finding some great form.”This Saturday, they play the Oak Flats Rats and will look to make it four in a row.The men’s first and second grades took on Albion Park in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the clubs’ first encounter back in 1875.“As were the comments from the write-up 150 years ago,” said Brown, “‘the weather was most disagreeable’ - a sentiment that rang true for the sesquicentenary.” Afternoon storm cells played havoc with most matches, with first grade disappointingly washed out at Keith Grey Oval just as festivities were in full swing.Before the match was abandoned, Kiama had Albion Park in trouble at 3-28 after 13 overs, with wickets going to Brad Ison (2-13) and Jon Hay (1-20). They’ll face competition leaders Shellharbour next week.The second grade side with Albion Park, celebrating the 150th anniversary since both clubs first met. Photo: Kiama Cavaliers Cricket ClubSecond grade, playing at home, managed to complete their match at Kiama Sporting Complex despite the weather - though they might have wished otherwise after going down by 68 runs.“In a disrupted, reduced-overs match, Albion Park got away from the home side in the latter overs to post 6-181 from 35 overs. The best of the bowlers was Jacob Lewis, picking up 2-27,” said Brown.Kiama began well with the openers combining for 41 runs, but the dismissal of captain Josh Battishall for 24 triggered a collapse.“Kiama unfortunately collapsed, losing 9-72 to be all out for 113, with only a handful of batters reaching double figures. They head into the bye this week and will be back on the 22nd to take on competition heavyweights Gerringong,” said Brown.Third grade’s match against Lake Illawarra at Bonaira Oval was also abandoned. They’ll face Kookas Blue this Saturday.In the South Coast women's competition, Kiama Cavettes fell just eight runs short of defeating competition leaders, the Oak Flats Ratatouilles.Coming into the match at Bonaira Oval on Friday night, the Cavettes had one win and one loss to their name, while the Ratatoullies were unbeaten.Kiama did well to restrict the Ratatoullies to 121 - their lowest score of the season.“The Cavettes set a strong game plan, restricting two of the competition’s leading run scorers and producing an excellent fielding display that resulted in two run-outs,” said Brown.Emma Timbs was the standout with the ball, finishing with figures of 2-28 and contributing to a run out.The Cavettes began strongly with a 62-run opening partnership between Ava Sloan (35 off 37) and Ebony Winston (18 off 27). However, both fell in quick succession, and another wicket soon followed, leaving the side at 3-70 with less than eight overs remaining.Emma Ford rallied late with some strong hitting, reaching 27 not out off 24 balls and forming partnerships with Brooklyn Brown and Jacquie Sloan.But ultimately they fell eight runs short.

Across neighbourhoods and country towns, a quiet kind of kindness is taking root - neighbours meeting neighbours, sharing food, and lending a hand through Box Divvy, a community-powered grocery network that connects people directly with each other. Unlike supermarket shopping, Box Divvy members pick up their produce from a neighbour’s garage or carport – the local “Hub” – creating small but meaningful connections every week. Through these simple exchanges, members get to know one another, notice when someone might be struggling, and often find ways to help.Box Divvy members purchase together in bulk and can customise their orders, which often results in a few extras. Sometimes those extras are shared, and other times members intentionally add more so there’s enough to give to others.At some Hubs, that care has grown into what are known as Kindness Boxes – boxes of fresh fruit, vegetables and pantry staples donated by members and shared with people or families doing it tough. The idea is simple: each member adds an extra item or two from their regular order before it’s passed on to someone nearby or to a local charity supporting people in need. Boxes are donated to what resonates locally, for example:Quakers Hill, NSW, members give to families through Wesley Mission’s Quakers Hill Family Centre.Rankin Park, NSW, boxes go to Ronald McDonald House, Mums Cottage and Survivors R Us.Bowral, NSW, donations support Can Assist, which helps locals undergoing cancer treatment, and Pop In at Moss Vale, which assists women and children experiencing domestic violence.Fraser, ACT, donations are shared with the Cato Place Pantry in Dunlop.North Croydon, VIC, kindness boxes go to members that might be doing it tough and unable to order that week.Cheryl Thomas runs the Box Divvy Hub in Quakers Hill, which services around 60 families. She reminds her community each week that kindness doesn’t have to be complicated.“Every Thursday I remind our Hub members to add a piece of produce. "Most weeks we put together a really generous, heavy box that often goes to local charities like Wesley Mission’s Quakers Hill Family Centre or a Ukrainian household that takes in people from overseas. "Other times it’s clear a member or another local family could use a hand, and we’ll quietly make sure the box goes their way. It’s such a simple thing, but it brings people together and reminds us how much we all look out for one another.”These gestures mean more than a grocery top-up. Nearly one in three Australians say they feel lonely at least once a week, while one in four households experiences some level of food insecurity.Independent research by Western Sydney University and the University of Wollongong found that joining Box Divvy helps turn those trends around — with members reporting a drop in food insecurity from 51 per cent to 28 per cent. The findings show how Box Divvy’s shared-ownership model, where neighbours pool orders online to buy from mostly Australian suppliers at fair prices, not only makes good food more affordable, but also builds stronger, more connected communities.Box Divvy co-founder Jayne Travers-Drapes said the Kindness Boxes reflect the model’s deeper purpose.“Box Divvy was built around the idea of neighbours meeting neighbours — not just to share affordable, good food, but to look out for one another,” Jayne said. “In a world where so many people feel disconnected, these small acts of generosity show how powerful local connection can be, people supporting their farmers, their community, and each other.”For Cheryl, it’s simply part of what makes the Hub special.“It’s lovely to see people thinking of others while they’re collecting their own food,” she said. “It reminds us how connected we are as a community — and how food is one of the simplest ways to show you care.”

It's been the busiest start to a boating season for Marine Rescue NSW, with volunteers across the state performing 460 search and rescue missions in October - including 130 emergency responses - and safely returning 989 people to shore.Acting Commissioner Todd Andrews said the figures are the highest recorded for an October, continuing the record pace set the month before.“We have seen a 19% increase in demand for our services compared with the same month last year, which was previously our busiest October,” he said.The surge comes as boaters flocked to the water during the warm spring weather and long weekend, with many vessels needing help due to mechanical issues.“It is concerning that 44% of our responses were for engine failure,” Andrews said. “Being the start of the season, many skippers were caught out by a lack of maintenance.”Across the state, volunteers managed more than 21,000 radio calls, including 15 Maydays and four Pan Pans, while keeping watch over 27,390 people who logged on via the Marine Rescue app or VHF Channel 16.Locally, Marine Rescue Illawarra units - covering Port Kembla, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet, Ulladulla, and Kioloa - completed 43 search and rescue missions in October, 17 of which were emergency responses.A total of 78 people were safely returned to shore, with Jervis Bay and Sussex Inlet recording the highest demand (10 rescues each), followed by Port Kembla (8) and Shoalhaven (6).Andrews praised the dedication of the state’s 3500 volunteers, calling them “the backbone of boating safety in NSW.”“Every mission, every call answered - it’s all done by trained volunteers who give up their time to save lives,” he said.He encouraged all boaters to make safety a priority this season.“Log on before you head out so we know when to expect you back. Every safe trip starts before you hit the water.”

The local community gathered across the South Coast for a moment of silence to honour the returned service personnel who paid the ultimate sacrifice for Australia.At Kiama’s Memorial Arch in Hindmarsh Park on Terralong Street, the strongest crowd in recent years of more than 100 people gathered to listen and reflect on the lived experiences shared during the service.Kiama Rotary Club chair Phil Whyte said he found the most moving part of the service was during the moment of silence at the 11th hour when The Last Post rang out across the town.“I must admit that it was quite eerie hearing three or four different bugle calls all around town,” Whyte said.“That’s what happens in the big army camps, you have echoes of the Reveille [the call that breaks the silence after the Last Post] to get us up in the morning.“And it was always because of the distance of that the others were out of tune.”The ceremony at Kiama.Kiama Rotary’s Tonia Barnes said that seeing her uncle’s plaque among the others on the wall parallel to Terralong Street donned with poppies “really gave me a shake down my spine”.“The whole connection brings us back to our roots of our community and that’s what is important,” Barnes said.“This will be quite important for our community in Kiama and not only seeing the Kiama -Jamberoo RSL Sub-Branch in play but also Rotary, the Country Women’s Association and the Men's Shed [who all laid formal tributes].”Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald, who was joined by Kiama Council CEO Jane Stroud, said the Remembrance Service was a pause for reflection after the many conflicts Australia has fought in.“It’s a real honour to attend the service today as the Mayor of Kiama and be able to read out the opening prayer,” Cr McDonald said.“I think Remembrance Day - 11th hour, 11th day, 11th month - has always been special, and even more so that people are continuing to further reflect on this day.“And that is the ethos of giving in our community, which is really humbling actually.”Lieutenant Colonel Gary McKay MC OAM (Ret’d), president of the Kiama-Jamberoo RSL Sub-Branch, told the service about his family connection with the Australian military and the camaraderie shared among service personnel.“For my own family, my mum and dad served in the Second World War,” McKay said.“Dad was sent out to western NSW to guard a water reservoir and Dad gave his guys the afternoon off to go to the pub at the same time as the agent who came around and did an inspection.“So, the old man went to jail and was busted back to digger, back to private.“And my mother was a telegraphist, a morse code operator and Mum did very well at that."She finished the war as a full corporal, a fact that she never let my father forget.”More than 100 community members gathered at the Memorial Headland Flag Pole for the Gerringong RSL Sub-Branch’s Remembrance Day ceremony.Sub-Branch president Michael O’Leary spoke about the sacrifices made by 64 local men who went off to World War I with only 50 of them returning home safely.Michael O'Leary, Kiama Deputy Mayor with Gerringong Public School students Hamish Burke, Ivy Payne and Isaac Winchester.A stirring part of the ceremony was when Gerringong Public School students Hamish Burke, Ivy Payne and Isaac Winchester told the tales of four locals who made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefields of Europe.John William Donovan, a dairy farmer, was killed in action at Gallipoli in 1915 at the age of 23, railway fireman Joseph Bernard Harding was just 17 when he died in France a year later and Foxground brothers Albert and Lindsay Parrish were 28 and 21 respectively when they selflessly gave up their lives “for King and Country”.“We were talking about having something different this year so we asked the school to see if some kids who could talk about the people who were on the memorial wall,” O’Leary said.The Remembrance Day service at Gerringong. Photo: The Bugle“They chose three kids from their leadership group and I thought their speeches went very well.”O’Leary quoted a famous speech by war-time Australian Prime Minister John Curtin in which he said “we only want them to learn about the history so they can keep the respect for the people from those wars - they don’t want medals or thanks, they just want remembrance.”Remembrance Day services were also held at Albion Park RSL Club, the Wollongong Cenotaph and the Sussex Inlet RSL War Memorial.

Need some inspiration to get more exercise? Months of planning and training will culminate this weekend with a charity fundraiser based around ultra endurance, indoor rowing and cycling on Saturday at Kiama Surf Club.Two of our region's most dedicated athletes, Nardia Guillaumier and Alan Swan, will be leading the charge from 8.30am with personal targets for Nardia to row 100km and Alan to cycle 200km.Nardia, a dual world indoor rowing gold medallist, is no stranger to setting herself physical goals.“I have always enjoyed the challenge of pushing myself to the limit and am delighted that we will be doing so for such wonderful causes," she said."Whilst this challenge will be testing our physical, emotional and mental strength we expect that we will giving over 100,000 heartbeats to our 4 deserving causes."Nardia and Alan will be joined by rowing and cycling teams with each of its members working in rotation to raise money.Participating charities will have an information table at the event, so they can offer support to participants as well as sell merchandise with funds going directly to their charity.A giant raffle is currently running with tickets drawn at the event on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased at the event or online at https://www.raffletix.com.au/kiamaultrachallenge2025.Australian Amyloidosis Network (AAN), The Leukaemia Foundation, Breast Cancer Network Australia and Kiama Surf Life Saving Club will receive donations from the event. And the fun doesn’t stop there for Nardia and Alan on Saturday. Following their marathon effort, they will be retiring to Club Jamberoo where local choir leader, Kate Whitworth, will be leading the throng in a club choir. Kate explains: “We have worked together with the team at Club Jamberoo and the band to put on an event for singers of all ages and abilities”. The choir starts at 6.30pm sharp and will climax with everyone singing along with the band.The Swamp Critters will follow the club choir where singer and harmonica player Ian Backhouse, himself having participated in Kiama Ultra Challenge, will join Kate and the band to entertain the audience through the evening.Entry to the pub choir and live music event at Club Jamberoo is free. Should members of the public wish to make a donation to the Kiama Ultra Challenge the opportunity will be available on the night for people to not only do so but also acknowledge and congratulate Nardia and Alan.

Local artist and designer Emma Veiga-Malta has had a busy few weeks - selling six pieces, welcoming more than 200 visitors and filling Kiama’s Old Fire Station with colour, energy and conversation.Her exhibition, which wraps up on Wednesday, features three distinct collections - blue and white ceramic-inspired works, bold abstract florals and expressive nude life sketches - each reflecting the breadth of her 27-year creative career.“Sales were looking a bit bleak at first,” she laughed, “but the weekend changed everything.”Emma's sketchbook: Supplied by The BugleVeiga-Malta’s creative journey began early.“My earliest memory is lying on the floor with my dad as he drew a bus with my name on it. One minute it was blank cardboard, and the next, magic - that’s when I fell in love with art.”After years running her own design business, she decided to “create for herself again”, hosting her first solo show at Gerringong Library and Museum (GLaM) last year.Blue and white paintings: Supplied by The BugleNow based in Gerringong, she’s deeply involved in the local art community - a member of several societies and vice-president of the Shellharbour City Art Society.She’s also the founder of the Creative Business Summit, a conference she launched to help creatives learn how to turn their passions into sustainable careers.“There’s so much creative talent, but not enough education on the business side,” she explained.“So I decided to build something by creatives, for creatives.”For Veiga-Malta, the heart of it all is community.“Nothing beats in-person connection. People are craving it more than ever,” she said.Mini flower painting: Supplied by The Bugle“That’s the best part - meeting people, sharing stories, and creating together.”

Kiama business Marketing Movement has been chosen as a finalist for the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards (AWSBCA) 2025 in the Marketing category. The team of 11 assists businesses with their digital marketing approaches, reviewing performance data to tailor these strategies to meet specific objectives.Their expertise offers clients constructive intervention on aspects such as analytics, digital advertising and promotional campaigns, social media management, website design, and branding.Founded in 2018 by Kiama resident Megan Storey, the company is innovatively modern, undeniably successful, and unapologetically female. “Women tend to bring empathy, collaboration, and a focus on culture that can really elevate teams and client outcomes,” she said.“I think the key is leveraging those strengths, staying confident, and not being afraid to shake up traditional ways of doing business.”Storey is energised by the AWSBCA recognition, stating that “marketing, like many industries, still carries biases” as women are often dismissed by their male counterparts and continue to cop the brunt of a 33% pay gap. She believes that while progress is being made in our culture’s awareness of gender inequality, more can be done to accommodate leadership roles for women. As a dedicated mother of three, Storey often finds herself juggling parenting with hefty workloads and other priorities like volunteering, travelling and the gym.This is where Marketing Movement thrives. Storey has facilitated a flexible and collaborative system for many other strong-willed women in the same boat. She aims to encourage women to get back into the workforce after having children, with an emphasis on support and mentoring to drive success.“It’s not just good ethics, it drives better results,” Storey said.She says that with a close-knit support network of kindness and positivity from the women around her–notably her mother, her daughter, her sisters, her friends, and her elite sports coach–“it’s hard not to be inspired every day”.Marketing Movement has plans to partner with a women's charity to reinforce its commitment to nurturing disadvantaged women in the community.The organisation joins Unyarat Panapunnang of Silver Spoon Thai Restaurant and other local businesses Again & Again Café and Restaurant, Saltwater Café, Expressive Mind Therapy, Always Education, Meats and Greet BBQ, and Evolve Communities as a finalist.The winners of the AWSBCA will be announced on Friday night at the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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