In a bold move, Kiama

Council has narrowly de-

cided to hold a poll to send

the Premier a message from

residents about the depth

of feeling for their current

local government area.

It is thought to be the first

time that a poll has been

held on its own, and not at

the same time as a council

election. Voters are to have

their say on Saturday 9 May.

The question they will be

asked - Do you want Kiama

Municipal Council to stand

alone? - has been designed

to cover both the proposed

forced merger with Shoal-

haven City Council, and the

possibility that another

variation on the theme may

emerge in the interim. The

latter has happened to other

council areas which are now

finding themselves facing

entirely new proposals.

“This is our last chance,”

said Councillor Dennis

Seage when proposing the

motion. “We really need to

have a poll. If the govern-

ment was fair dinkum it

would withdraw us from this

ridiculous race. But they

continue to make us grovel

for our very survival.

“I think the only thing left

is for the community to have

their voice heard. If this

government ignores that

then they are completely

ignoring democracy.”

He again quoted the

Mayor of Noosa, a council

which faced a similar situa-

tion and is now de-merging,

who said “if you sit on your

hands the bastards will cut

off your feet”.

While some councillors

expressed concern about the

estimated $120,000 cost of

having the NSW Electoral

Commission conduct the

plebiscite, others strongly

defended the cost (while

expressing resentment that

the government has not seen

fit to conduct the poll them-

selves).

“I am sure the community

would be willing to go with-

out a footpath, a driveway or

something that is going to

cost a similar amount,” said

Councillor Gavin McClure.

Councillor Neil Reilly was

amongst those who agreed,

“A couple of months ago we

gave $600,000 for street

sweeping equipment. Surely

we can afford $120,000 to

keep the streets.

“In the grand scheme of

things - how much is our

survival worth?”

It was agreed the money

is to come from Council’s

contingency reserve.

Concerns were also ex-

pressed about:

• the timing of the poll this

late in the decision making

process, as indications

are that the Minister will

make his decision in late

May/early June. The

appointed Delegate is due

to hand his report in at the

end on April.

• the need to get a high

voter turnout.

Councillor Seage is adamant

that the plebiscite is the only

choice of action left.

“If we have a poll, people

will come out in force and

the passion of our commu-

nity will be on display to

all.” he said. “When it is a

normal type of election there

is a lot of complacency

around. This is not about an

election. This is about our

very survival.

“It is the only way we will

change the government’s

mind. If they ignore this

democratic process, they

don’t deserve to hold gov-

ernment.”

Our story last issue on

the proposal to hold a poll

prompted Max Reitze to

write of his strong support

for the move. See page 7.

12 March 2016

A fortnightly celebration of A fortnightly celebration of A fortnightly celebration of A fortnightly celebration of

people and places on the people and places on the people and places on the people and places on the

Upper South Coast of NSWUpper South Coast of NSWUpper South Coast of NSWUpper South Coast of NSW

Serving the communities of Kiama,

Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs,

Minnamurra and Gerroa

and now at www.thebugleonline.com

Protesters off to

Sydney rally

p 3

New tennis surfaces

at Blowhole Point p5

Building houses in

Cambodia

p 8

Inside this issue

Phone: 42322757 Fax: 4232 2676 21B Barney Street, KIAMA ksmr@bigpond.com

After Hours Towing 0438 424 574

ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS

• LOG BOOK SERVICING

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REGISTRATIONS

• PINK SLIPS – CAR, VAN, BIKE, TRAILERS

The BugleThe BugleThe BugleThe Bugle Community to be asked: Should Kiama stand alone?

Surfers ‘putting smiles on dials’

Get involved in this year’s Surfing for

the Disabled Day at Gerroa - p7

2

What’s on?

The BugleThe BugleThe BugleThe Bugle

Editor:Editor:Editor:Editor:

Cathy Law

t 0412 415 101

Sales:Sales:Sales:Sales:

Steve Law

t 0428 662 499

Or email us at

emailthebugle@

gmail.com

Disclaimer:

Every effort has

been made to ensure

the accuracy of

the information

in this publication,

but we are only human.

PO Box 304,

Gerringong 2534

Let us know if there’s an event you’re organising. Just email the details to emailthebugle@gmail.com or phone 0412 415 101 Listings are free, and at the editor’s discretion

Every Wednesday Kiama Farmers’ Market

Kiama Harbour 3-6pm

On weekends Live music at The Sebel,

Kiama Leagues Club,

The Mecure, Jamberoo

Pub and other venues.

11-13 March Jazz & Blues Festival

(see p xxxxx)

11 March Australian Haydn

Ensemble with

Sara Macliver

Berry Uniting Church

Hall, 7pm. Tickets $50

($40 conc) from

australianhaydn.com.au

First release movie

at the Library

Book in for details, 3pm

12 March Locals Long Lunch,

Gerringong Town Hall,

1pm $35 t 4232 0416

12-13 March Kiama Woodcraft Group

Annual Expo, Masonic

Hall Lodge, Collins St

9-5 Sat, 9-4 Sun

14 March Spirituality in the Pub

The first speaker for

2016 is Dr Elizabeth

Farrelly, Sydney Morning

Herald columnist and

critic on architecture

and public issues.

Her topic is Beauty,

Sacredness and Change.

All welcome. Jamberoo

Pub, 7.30pm

14-20 March Mardi Gras Regional Art

Prize Exhibition

(see p10)

17 March Campfire Sessions

Kiama Scout Hall,

Kiama Harbour,

7.30-10pm, $5 or $3

18 March Illawarriors Fundraiser

$80 for cocktail dinner,

welcome drink and to

hear Simon Poidevin

and Phil Kearns speak.

t 0413 027 939

19 March Gerringong Village

Markets In and a round

the Town Hall.

Friends of Kiama

Library Talk (see below)

20 March Kiama Seaside Markets

Kiama Harbour, 9-3pm

Red Hot Summer Tour

Kiama Showgrounds

1-8.30pm, $95

21 March 2016 Colourfest Film

Festival (see p8)

22 March Book launch at Kiama

Library See right

25-26 March Kiama Makers &

Growers Market,

Kiama Harbour, 9-2pm

27 March Jamberoo Village

Markets, 9-2pm

Kiama Seaside Markets

Kiama Harbour, 9-3pm

1 April Pics & Flicks: Far From

Men, Gerringong Town

Hall, 8pm

2-3 April Blowhole Big Fish Classic

4 April Friends of Kiama

Library Talk:

Jim Eames, The Flying

Kangaroo, 2.30pm

SHOP ONLINE for regional and local food

Greenbox is a non-profit, regional food co-op based in

Gerringong, run by a team of passionate volunteers

www.greenbox.org.au Order online every week

from 10am Fri to 7pm Mon for collection or delivery

Thurs from 2.30 to 6pm

Attention Tradies and DIYs

AUTUMN

CEMENT SPECIALS

No need to leave town, no need to even leave your ute…

Burnetts On Barney

are passing on massive autumn price savings

to their trade and home owner customers

for all quality bagged cements.

Book launch at Library Many of us dream of

writing a novel once

we retire, and well-

known human rights

activist and peace

academic Stuart Rees

has achieved just that

with the launch of

his debut novel,

A Lover’s Country.

Stuart, who lives

at Hyams Beach, has

taught in major universi-

ties in the UK, Canada,

the USA and Australia. For twenty years he was Professor

of Social Work and Social Policy at the University of

Sydney. He was co-founder of the University’s Centre for

Peace and Conflict Studies and the founder of the Sydney

Peace Foundation.

A Lover’s Country is a historical novel that sheds light

on the intrigue, struggle and behind-the-scenes wrangling

associated with the nomination of a Palestinian woman as

the recipient of a major peace prize.

With a cast of memorable characters, a tightly crafted

plot and touches of memorable poetry, his book is an illu-

minating tale of justice with a hard-won message of hope.

Given Stuart’s background, it is a must-read for anyone

interested in the current plight of the Palestinians, Arab-

Israeli relations, and the presentation of these questions

by the Western media.

Details: Tues 22 March, 6pm, Kiama Library.

Copies of the book will be available

for purchase and signing on the night

(cash sales only). Bookings essential.

Call 4233 1133.

Kiama and the Western

District of Victoria contain

the best Australian exam-

ples of historic dry stone

walls built in the 19th cen-

tury. These walls help to

shape the distinctive char-

acter of our area to this day,

thanks to the work done to

protect them.

Kiama and District His-

torical Society has secured Les

Davey and Ian Downes to speak on

this topic at their next meeting.

They will be talking about the

Kiama district's dry stone walls

and the involvement of Kiama

Rotary Club with their protection

and promotion as part of our local

heritage.

Les is a former Kiama councillor,

was the principal of Kiama Primary

School, and was a driving force

behind Kiama’s Dry Stone Wall

Committee where the concept

of the dry stone wall town entry

markers was conceived. Ian is our

present ‘Thomas Newing’ stone-

wall builder, having constructed

twelve of our entrance markers, as

well as other stonewalls in our area.

Details: Saturday 19 March,

2.30pm, Family History Centre

underneath the Library

We love our stone walls

80 Barney St, Kiama t 4233 1322

Open

7.30-4.30 Mon-Fri

7-4 Saturdays

Bag prices (+gst) Sand and Cement $5.80

Savings of up to Concrete Mix $6 $3 per bag GP Cement $6.50

Quickset Concrete $6.80 Brighton Lite Off White $8

Yes, you can even pre-buy pallets at this trade price!

Plus, all trade account customers who spend $500 on any

Burnetts On Barney products go in the draw to win back

$500 in product. Sale and customer draw ends 30 April.

Sunday at the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival Make sure you drop

down to Hindmarsh Park

with family and friends

for the free concert on

Sunday.

There’s something for

everyone: Chris Harland

Blues Band 11am, the

Australian Navy Big Band

at noon, Dane Laboyrie

Band 1pm, Blue Eyes Cry

2pm, Sound of KoKo

3pm, Tommy M and the

Mastersounds at 4pm.

3

Second new director for Council

Kiama Council has a new

Director of Engineering &

Works, following the retire-

ment of Bryan Whittaker at

Christmas.

The role has been filled

by Gino Belsito who worked

at Sydney Water for many

years before moving to

Liverpool City Council.

There he held the positions

of Manager Civil Mainte-

nance, Acting Director City Assets and, most recently,

Director City Presence.

In January, Kerry McMurray took over as Director of

Finance, Corporate and Commercial Services following

the retirement of Chris Quigley.

Among the first projects Mr Belsito will be responsible

for are the amenities block at Loves Bay and the construc-

tion of the roundabout at Oxley Ave and Riverside Drive,

Kiama Downs (see p6).

One of the people making

his way to Martin Place

for the anti-forced coun-

cil amalgamation rally

this weekend will be Bob

Shaw. An indication of

his strong feelings on this

issue is that this is the

first protest rally he has

ever attended.

“I never protested

against Vietnam,” he

says, “And I’ve voted

Liberal since 1975, but

I am so disappointed in

the lack of democratic

process that is being

shown here. They have-

n’t explained why they

are doing things.

“When you push things

through without showing

proper justification then

it raises the possibility of

corruption. Good govern-

ance deserves more.”

Bob retired from IT and

moved to Kiama two

years ago, and is now

pursuing his passion for

photography.

“I lived in six council

areas in Sydney and this

is the best I’ve ever

seen,” he says. “It is well

and truly worth saving.”

He will join a strong

contingent from Kiama,

including Mayor Brian

Petschler, councillors,

council staff and

a large contin-

gent of commu-

nity members.

“I think it is

outrageous that

this proposal has

been put upon us

without any con-

sideration or con-

sulting with the

community. I’ve

watched the advertising

being done saying how

they have consulted with

the community and this

will result in better local

government. They have

not consulted with us at

all,” says the Mayor.

Kiama’s ukulele troupe,

the Blowhole Buskers,

will ensure Kiama’s anti-

amalgamation stance is

heard loud and clear

when it performs its war

cry We Shall Not Be

Merged at the rally, at

the request of organisers.

Keep Kiama Council

Local committee deputy

chairman Peter O’Neill

urged the community to

attend the rally in large

numbers.

“It is very important

that Kiama continue to

be front and centre in

the minds of Mr Baird and

Mr Toole,’’ Peter said.

“A big Kiama contingent

at the rally will show we

are keeping up the fight.

“We will also show

solidarity to others

around the state who are

worried about their com-

munities.’’

Details: Sunday 13 March,

Hyde Park, from noon.

If you get your Bugle in

time, you’re encouraged

to catch the 8.51am train

from Gerringong (9.05am

Kiama) and get off the train

at Martin Place.

In a nutshell Next stage in hospi-tal redevelopment Council has received more

than twenty submissions

from architects and project

managers seeking to be

appointed to those roles

for the development of

the Centre for Aged Care

Excellence (the old hospi-

tal site).

Tender for key site Over fifty developers have

expressed interest in the

old Independent building

and carpark site in Shoal-

haven Street, now that Aldi

has been secured as an an-

chor tenant in a redevelop-

ment. Colliers will soon

proceed to the formal ten-

der stage of the process.

Considering options for Mitre 10 site Following the closure of

the Mitre 10 business in

Terralong St, Council will

soon call for expressions of

interest for the future use

of this strategic site. The

use will be limited to the

building only, with Council

retaining use of the land

behind which has access to

Collins and Akuna Streets.

Nobles’ latest proposal for Fern St A revised DA for the rede-

velopment of the contro-

versial land on Fern St,

which is leased by the

Noble brothers, is to be

considered at Council’s

March meeting.

New gym at Kiama Downs shops? After years standing va-

cant, and a false start as a

bar, the old function centre

at the Kiama Downs shops

(which was briefly a bikie

clubhouse) is looking to be

approved as a gym.

Express now stop-ping at Austinmer, sometimes Unless you are a regular

commuter, you might not

be aware that from Sunday

6 March some express

trains from and to Kiama

now stop at Austinmer.

While the extra time

won’t be long, we’d hate

you to miss your train so

make sure you factor this

in when using an old time-

table.

Ward to table petitions against forced merger Gareth Ward MP is to table Kiama’s anti-amalgamation

petitions in Parliament by the end of March. The tabling

of the petitions will mean that the Minister for Local

Government has to respond in writing within 35 days.

A number of different petitions have been circulating

within the community, all with the same aim, so they will

be brought together under the one banner.

The petitions are thought to contain in the order of 7000

signatures. If anyone has any petition sheets in their care,

please contact Narelle Mousdale at Council asap.

Keeping up the anti-merger fight

Bob Shaw will be at his first rally

The Blowhole Buskers are

keeping Kiama in the news.

Share your ideas With the submission period

ended, the Keep Kiama

Council Local committee

is holding brainstorming

sessions to keep the mo-

mentum going. They are

seeking ideas from as many

people as possible on how

to proceed with the fight

against the proposal, and

ways to implement those

ideas. The sessions will be

facilitated by Tamara

Campbell.

Details: Thurs 17 March,

2-4pm or 7-9pm downstairs

at the Pavilion, Kiama.

Register via the Events

section of the Keep Kiama

Local Facebook page.

4

Electricians Murray Connerty: Air conditioning and refriger-

ation specialist. t 0408 420 655

Appliance repairs CVC Appliances: Repairs to washing machines,

stoves, dishwashers, dryers etc. t 0401 294 810

Carpenters John O’Donnell Carpentry: All property mainten-

ance - decks, pergolas, windows etc. No job too

small. Lic R77219 t 0401 301 620

Horticultural services Burnett Trees: Kiama Municipality’s own tree

care service - skilled, insured professionals for all

tree care, pruning, removal, stump grinding and

mulching. t 4233 1311

Builders Burrell Builders: Cracked brickwork, underpin-

ning, insurance/structural repairs. All building

work. Ln3281c t 0419 378 000

Plumbers Kiama Plumbing & Drainage: Affordable, reliable

plumbing and gasfitting services. t 0405 654 035

Our listing of local businesses providing

trades & services is designed as a handy

reference for people wanting to get

work done by a local. At just $10/line,

it’s a great way to grow your business.

Contact Steve on 0428 662 499 or

at bugleadvertising@gmail.com

Need work done? Use a local

Despite the inclement weather, the crowd at this

year’s Kiama Sevens was up by almost 20 per cent,

due to the calibre of the players on the field.

One face in the crowd was Andy Friend, the Aust-

ralian Seven’s Coach. With Rugby Sevens looking to

make its debut at the Olympic in Rio, players were

looking to catch his eye for selection. He said the

Kiama Sevens has grown in stature as a legitimate

pathway to represent Australia in the sport.

The Cleary Brothers Cup Final was won decisively

by Australian Rugby Legends (right).

The date has been set for next year’s 45th Sevens:

25 February. Organisers are already in discussion

with NSW and ACT rugby over the draw of Shute

Shield and Dent Cup to accommodate a pathway for

fringe Sevens players.

Planning for 45th Kiama Sevens already underway

Kiama Farmers’ Market nominated for a 2016 Delicious Award We don’t know much detail as yet,

but we’ve heard on good authority that

Kiama’s weekly farmers’ market will soon

be attracting national attention by being

nominated in these top foodie awards. Photo

s: Brian Sco

tt

5

What a difference a year makes. Last

March, the future of the historic tennis

club at Blowhole Point, established in

1892, was under a cloud following the

release of the Kiama Harbour and Blow-

hole Point Headland master plan.

While recommending its short-term reten-

tion, by improving drainage and stabilising

old quarry walls, the master plan said

“consideration should be given to removing

the tennis courts and exploring additional

tourism opportunities to support the exist-

ing tourism facilities”.

Now, after merging with the much larger

Kiama Tennis Club, the courts have had an

upgrade to a state of the art surface sure to

make them very popular amongst members

and visitors.

The work was made possible by a combi-

nation of Club fundraising and grants. One

of the courts at the Club’s large Noorinan

Street complex was also made into a hard

court, with the others remaining grass.

Details: Kiama Tennis Club members

may play on the courts for free.

Non-members can rent the courts, through

the Kiama Visitors Centre, for $10/hour.

The Club welcomes new members.

Call 4232 2431 or visit kiamatennis.org.au

Tennis anyone?

6

Drivers

Wanted A Kiama passenger

transport business

requires Casual Drivers

across all departments.

Taxi Drivers, Hire Car

Drivers, Casual Bus Driv-

ers and Special Education

Drivers are all required.

Applicants with a driver’s

authority preferred, with

immediate start consid-

ered, however those that

will need to obtain this

will also be considered.

Applicants must be able

to work some weekends

and some night shifts as

required. Local applicants

preferred.

Call 0414 377 505 or

email kiamatransport@

gmail.com

Riverside Drive update Work on a roundabout at the intersection of Oxley Ave-

nue and Riverside Drive, Kiama Downs, is due to start

this month. It is expected to take six to eight weeks to

complete.

In addition, Roads and Maritime Services has recently

changed speed limits along Riverside Drive to a uniform

60km per hour for the stretch from 100 metres north of

Oxley Avenue to Panama Street at Bombo.

It also plans to reduce the speed limit through the on and

off ramps at the Princes Highway to 60km per hour.

Last year the Council resolved to retain the traffic lights

at the corner of Meehan Drive.

It will be interesting to see how the roundabout works

the next time there are roadworks on the Highway, as the

RMS now has a policy of diverting traffic away from

works as a safety measure for workers. As previously re-

ported in The Bugle, Riverside Drive has been identified

as a diversion route.

Kiama’s Baptists came

together in late February to

demonstrate that everyday

Australians stand for gener-

osity, fairness and doing

all they can to end extreme

poverty around the world.

The event, attended by

over eighty people, was part

of the national Campaign

for Australian Aid, which

is a joint initiative of the

Make Poverty History and

Micah Australia coalitions

(representing over 50

organisations) supported

by the Bill and Melinda

Gates Foundation.

Normally known for their

Sunday worship services,

youth ministries, and kids’

holiday programs, people

met at the church to cele-

brate the work of Australian

aid and show their support

for giving the world’s poor-

est people the foundation

for a brighter future.

Information on Australian

Aid and the impacts of the

cuts to Australian aid on real

people were presented in a

variety of ways.

In 2014 alone, Australian

aid helped to immunise

more than two million chil-

dren, supplied 2.9 million

people with safe drinking

water, helped more than one

million children enrol in

school and provided disaster

relief for emergencies in

24 countries.

Unfortunately, a signifi-

cant proportion of Austra-

lia’s aid budget is now being

diverted to fund immigra-

tion detention and offshore

asylum processing centres in

PNG and Nauru.

Details: For more

information about

the campaign visit

www.australianaid.org

Kiama Tennis Club Inc.

Now at 2 locations:

Noorinan St and Blowhole Point

For Court Hire, Membership or

Ladies and Mens Competition enquiries

please call 4232 2431 or email

membership@kiamatennis.org.au

Concern over foreign aid

It’s World’s Greatest Shave time again, where people get

sponsored to shave or colour their hair to support Austra-

lians with blood cancer and fund research. Twelve year

old Jessie Fredericks of Kiama will be shaving her hair off

next week to help this great cause.

She has been touched by a very close family friend

whose family has been challenged by cancer, and knows

how life changing it is.

“World’s Greatest Shave has been on my bucket list for

some time and I am glad that I get to participate this time

round,” Jessie said. “Cancer is one of those things in life

that gives you a real hard kick up the behind. I really think

that the people who are going through hard times are more

important than my hair. It is an honour that I get to shave

off my locks for the thought of others”.

Details: To support Jessie you can donate at

Jennie’s Book Nook Kiama or online at

my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/jessiefredericks

Jessie ready to join in World’s Greatest Shave

7

RED HOT SUMMER CONCERT

KIAMA SHOWGROUNDS

Sunday 20th March 2016

ROAD CLOSURE NOTIFICATION

BONG BONG STREET FROM SHOWGROUNDS TO

ROUNDABOUT IN MANNING STREET

11.30am to 9.30pm

For 30 years, the Disabled Surfers Association (DSA)

has been giving disabled people the opportunity to

share the exhilaration of surfing. The South Coast

branch is holding its last event for the summer next

week - its 15th Annual Hands On Day at Gerroa.

“We are not teaching people to surf, we’re just

giving them a surfing experience and making them

feel special for the day,” says Kiama’s Jim Bradley.

“It is a way for the surfing fraternity to give back

for a few hours.”

Last year’s event attracted over 250 people to the

beach, including carers and volunteers. “We have

the voluntary power to handle any situation,” says

Jim. “We have a minimum care ratio of 6:1, but it

can be up to 30:1 for severe physical disability.”

Years of experience has established safety proto-

cols and procedures, so DSA can offer the experi-

ence to people with the full spectrum of disability.

“Our aim is to put smiles on dials. We feed every-

one, and participants go home with a trophy.

“People enjoy the experience so much they plan

their holidays around the Australia-wide events.”

The organisation gets no government funding, and

new volunteers are always welcome.

Dear Editor

I was delighted to read in The

Bugle that the Kiama Council

had approved a Poll to gauge the

true feeling of the Kiama people

in regard to the proposed forced

amalgamation.

I have heard people say… “It’s

a foregone conclusion. They’re

going to do it anyway no matter

what we think or do...” I heartily

disagree with this line of thought

and believe that, if we go down,

it wont be without a fight!

Julius Caesar was confronted

with a similar problem about

50BC He was then a Consul of

Rome. He drafted a bill to grant

land packages to veterans of for-

eign wars and placed it before

the Senate, that assembly of arro-

gant Patricians (Aristocrats) who

promptly blocked it because they

wanted the land for their own

speculative purposes. Caesar

then took his bill to the forum,

that great market place in the

heart of Rome. He stood on the

Rostrum, (the stone platform that

can still be seen today) and laid

his bill before the Plebeians

(common people). He received

unanimous approval by vote

from the plebeians for the Bill,

marched back to the Senate who

could not refuse it because such

an action made it law by the Ro-

man Constitution. This is where

we get the term Plebiscite.

Kiama Residents: your

Council has placed itself in the

same position as Julius Caesar.

The Council will stand on the

Rostrum before the people (us

plebs) and ask for YOUR vote.

Will you give it the authority (by

Plebiscite) with which to con-

front the Government with a

unanimous 100% “NO AMAL-

GAMATION” vote (from all us

Plebs!) that they dare not refute?

The Poll will certainly get my

YES vote (accompanied by my

donation to help defray the

Council's expected expense!).

Finally, a message to our State

Government... Be warned...no

Australian likes the word

FORCED... we've shed too much

blood to purchase our freedom to

have it abused by a few politi-

cians!!! Please consider the

position of trust we have placed

you in.

I'm sure that I am not the only

person that thinks this way!

Max Reitze, Kiama

Letter to the editor

The Bugle welcomes Letters to the Editor, which it will publish

at its discretion as space allows. See p2 for contact details.

South Coast surfers share the waves for the day

Details: Sunday 20 March. Meet at Emery Park, Gerroa no later than 9.30am.

There is no need to book for the day, just be there on time so resources can be allocated.

8

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Kiama districtKiama districtKiama districtKiama district

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find out how by sending a message to

bugleadvertising@gmail.com or

calling Steve on 0428 662 499

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In September, the latest team of people

will be going over to Cambodia to con-

tinue a tradition begun in 2006 when

Gerringong and Kiama locals started

building houses with Tabitha Cambo-

dia (see box).

The volunteers (29 in total, including

10 children between 11 and 17) not

only have to fund their own trips,

but raise the money needed to build

the houses. Each house costs $1700.

The 2016 team is planning to build

more than twenty houses.

The group’s recent fundraiser at

the Leagues Club raised over $10,000,

well above expectations. “The people

in this area are so generous, both in

purchasing but also in donating items,”

says the night’s organiser Jen Hines.

She is going on the trip with her

eleven year old son and her father.

“I thought it was a good opportunity

to show my son how people can live,

what they make do with, and what they

do without,” she says. “Kids in our

society are generally very fortunate,

and I think it is important to show

that not everyone is as lucky as they

are. No doubt it will very eye-opening

for me as well.”

She likes Tabitha because every

dollar raised goes to the building, with

no monetary losses to administration.

“In addition we work with the Cambo-

dians, rather than trying to do it for

them,” she explains. “We don’t take

the work from them.”

Details:

For more information,

or to donate,

go to www.tabithaaustralia.org.au

Since 1994, Tabitha Cambodia has directly

or indirectly reached millions of poor Cambo-

dians, working with families through their high

impact community development programs –

savings, house building, cottage industry,

water sources and schools.

Its fundraising arm, Tabitha Foundation

Australia was established 14 years ago, and

has sent more than $11 million to Cambodia.

Every dollar raised goes to Cambodia and is

used directly for the purpose it was donated.

All administrative costs are met by the direc-

tors and Tabitha Cambodia is funded by its

cottage industry program so no donated funds

are lost to administration.

Jen Hines with one of the donated items

The volunteers help families build new homes

Raising money for Cambodians Celebrate Harmony Day Kiama Council is inviting

you to attend a series

of short films from

the 2016 Colourfest

Film Festival to mark

Harmony Day.

Harmony Day cele-

brates Australia’s

cultural diversity.

It is held on 21 March

each year to coincide

with the United Nations

International Day for

the Elimination of Racial

Discrimination.

The films focus on

social inclusion and

identity, and are

suitable for a family

audience.

Kiama is one of more

than 30 local govern-

ment areas that will

screen the session that

day.

Details: Monday 21 March,

7-8.30pm, Saddleback

Room, The Pavilion Kiama.

Free, inc light supper.

To register book at

kiamaculturenetwork.

wordpress.com or call

Louise on 4232 0549

Deciding if or when to stop driving after a

dementia diagnosis will be among the top-

ics covered at a Kiama Council workshop

in April.

Timed to coincide with Seniors’ Week

activities, the On the Road 65 Plus Demen-

tia and Driving workshop will look at the

effect dementia can have on driving ability.

“The workshop will assist people in de-

ciding when to stop driving after receiving

a diagnosis of dementia. It is about helping

them with that decision, not making it for

them,” says Kiama Council Road Safety

Officer Janelle Burns. The workshop will

also cover alternate transport options.

Workshop guest speaker will be Cath-

erine Andrew, Australia Catholic Univer-

sity Occupational Therapy Lecturer.

Ms Andrew was a co-author of the Uni-

versity of Wollongong’s Dementia and

Driving booklet.

Details: Friday 8 April, 10-noon,

Kiama Library. Free, but RSVP essential

by March 21. For more information and

bookings, contact Janelle Burns on

4232 0444, or email

council@kiama.nsw.gov.au

Book now for Dementia Driving Workshop

Photo

: David Finlay

9

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The last day of summer saw a dramatic

two-person rescue for Kiama Municipal

Council Lifeguards at Surf Beach.

A man in his mid-40s, who was un-

able to swim, was rescued after stray-

ing away from the flags, getting out of

his depth and being pulled into a rip.

Supervising Beach Lifeguard Andy

Mole said he was sure the man would

have died if lifeguards had not been on

hand.

“Sometimes in your career as a life-

guard you are involved in rescues

where you think the person would

have been ok on their own,” Andy

said.

“But then there are rescues you do

where you think ‘if I had not got to

that guy, he would have died’.

“This man was literally in chest-deep

water but could not swim a stroke and

had no education in the ocean whatso-

ever. He gave us a massive hug when

he got out of the water.”

While attempting to get the man

onto the rescue board, the experi-

enced lifeguard was also sucked into

the rip. He supported the man on the

board until a second lifeguard reached

the pair.

The incident highlighted an area of

major concern for lifeguards.

“People who don’t have strong swim-

ming abilities putting themselves at

risk in conditions where they are not

confident is always of concern to us,”

Andy says. “And again we have an is-

sue with people swimming out of pa-

trolled areas.”

It was a very busy peak season for

the Council lifeguards, which saw

them conduct 72 rescues,152 instances

of first aid, 2668 preventative actions

and enforce beach and reserve regula-

tions just over 1000 times.

Lifeguards had to call paramedics

on seven occasions over the period for

a range of injuries including spinal,

broken bones and water immersion.

To extend the lifeguards’ reach,

an emergency radio was installed in

the sand dunes at the start of South

Bombo last year in response to a large

number of rescues at that unpatrolled

beach.

“The emergency radio was used to

rescue two surfers at South Bombo on

a busy day during the January holi-

days,” Andy said.

“The radio is a valuable rescue tool

and means that Lifeguards on patrol

at North Bombo can be on the scene

at South Bombo on 1.5 minutes.

“The more people who know its

there, the more valuable it will be in

ensuring the safety of swimmers who

persist in swimming at unpatrolled

beaches.”

He stresses that the radio is only in

use during the Council patrol season.

Surf Beach is the only beach still

currently under patrol during the

week, with the season ending on 22

April. Local surf clubs patrol beaches

on the weekends.

Over the winter months, Andy will be

working on developing a shark detec-

tion airship project with fellow Kiama

lifeguard and PhD student Kye Adams.

A September or December school

holiday launch date is anticipated.

The project has received a $5000 State

Government grant.

Hats off to our lifeguards

Kiama Library has been successful in

obtaining a Public Library Infrastructure

Grant through the State Library of NSW.

The Grants are aimed at projects that will

assist NSW councils to improve public

library infrastructure, including buildings

and information technology systems.

A total of $60,521 has been allocated

to Kiama Library to digitise the Council

Minute Books of Kiama (1859-1968),

Gerringong (1871-1954) and Jamberoo

(1891-1954) councils.

The Just a Minute project will also pro-

vide public access to these records via a

digital asset management system (DAM)

through the internet.

After the digitisation of the district’s

council minutes, the preservation of these

fragile books will continue to be main-

tained by the State Records Authority of

NSW. The grant will therefore provide not

only public access to these documents, but

also ensure their continued physical exis-

tence.

Through the DAM, Kiama Library will

also provide public access to its vault of

images, oral histories and documents.

The Library already has strong links with

the Kiama and Gerringong Historical

Societies, and with the Kiama Family

History Centre. It aims to become a local

studies and family history hub where com-

munity access to these resources will facili-

tate further and more extensive research

into the rich and unique history of our dis-

trict and its people.

Grant will ensure old council records are preserved

Time to apply for grants from your local clubs ClubsNSW is now calling for grant appli-

cations from community groups involved

with community welfare and social ser-

vices; community development; community

health services; and employment assistance

activities; with funding opportunities open

throughout the year for community devel-

opment and support services (including

sporting, cultural and recreational projects).

Last year more than $100 million was

provided through ClubGRANTS funding,

to thousands of community organisations,

charities and sporting groups.

Details: www.clubsnsw.com.au/clubgrants

or 1300 730 001

10

2016 Green Day Out

Kiama’s inaugural Mardi Gras

Regional Art Prize has been a great

success, with 30 entries from artists

throughout NSW, as well as Queens-

land, WA and Victoria.

Celebrating the life of Kiama's

Orry Kelly, artists were asked to

create work that immortalized a

famous expression from his memoir

“you should only be ashamed of

bein’ ashamed”.

The works of the 19 finalists are

going on show in Kiama next week,

with a panel of experts choosing the

final winner.

“What has emerged is an extraor-

dinarily diverse body of work that

celebrates diversity, resilience,

empowerment, passion, beauty and

determination,” says the competi-

tion’s initiator Bruce Ferguson

from local events company, Canvas

Events.

The public will have the opportu-

nity to vote for their favourite work

too, in a People's Choice Poll taking

place the week of the exhibition.

Details: 15-20 March at the

Old Fire Station and the

Little Blowhole Cafe Art Bar.

The winner will be announced

at an artists party at the Art Bar in

Tingira Crescent on Saturday night.

Art competition attracts a strong field

"I Am What I Am"

- Artist Ann Clarke

"Sewing Our Own Story" - Local artist Belinda Brooks

"Orry with himself"

- Artist Nikolai Preece

These hard working women played in the Green Day

Out as well as helping to organise it, in their roles

as CMRI members and executives.

CMRI Gerringong is very grateful for the generous

cheque for $3000 donated to its fundraising by the

Gerringong Golf Club. Above: Sue Reid (treasurer), Kate Quinn (past treasurer and

life member), Belinda Wall (assistant treasurer), Rosalie Cronin

(president) and Lorraine Jolley (vice president).

The Green Day Out win-

ners this year were the

Village Whispers Team of

David Scerri, Mark Scerri

and Paul Hazelwood.

The annual fundraising

day for Gerringong Golf

Club was a great success,

thanks to the many spon-

sors and participants

(108 players). Local busi-

nesses contributed well

by sponsoring a hole and

entering a team in the three

person Ambrose event.

While some got close,

no-one went away with the

Harrigan Ford sponsored

Hole in One car giveaway.

The success of the day

lies with the support of

many local businesses,

with the major sponsor

for the event being First

National Real Estate

Gerringong.

A percentage of funds

raised was donated to

CMRI (see right), with the

remainder of funds to be

used to maintain and im-

prove members and guests

facilities on the course at

Royal Gerringong. The Bugle welcomes your contributions to our social pages - just send us some pictures or let us know an event is

coming up. emailthebugle@gmail.com

11

Have you become

a regular Wednesday

shopper yet?

Enjoy your weekly shop in the great outdoors, buying direct

from farmers and makers

Every Wednesday

Black Beach 3 - 6pm

The Bugle Crossword ACROSS

1. Leave in the lurch, Leave

behind

2. Waves breaking on the shore

3. Engine

4. Timid man or boy

5. Colloquial term for world of

entertainment

6. Extreme nervousness. On has

a case of the screaming (6,7)

7. Australias busiest port by

cargo tonnage

8. Print media published regu-

larly

10. Tea

12. Sandy foreshore next to

ocean

13. Lava of an insect with in-

complete metamorphosis

17. You sit ON this

18 Local marsupial. Sometimes

found in the roof

19.Difficulty passing a motion

21.Area of ground where plants

grow

26. Rug or mat

27. Marine creature with eight

legs

28. State of being first in

importance. First school one

attends.

30. You sit AT this

31. Male chicken

33. World’s oldest fruit. Aus-

tralians eat 5,000,000 a day.

35. Noun. Something intended

to deceive

36. Jedi Master in Star Wars

39. Adam's wife

ACROSS

1.Noun. Moderation in eating

and drinking

8. Number. Often appreviated

to No.

9. Surprisingly and unceremoni-

ously brusque in manner

10.Surname of current Gover-

nor General

11. Vombatus Ursinus. Latin

name of Australian marsupial

12. First name of new deputy

Prime Minister and leader of

The National Party

14. Woodwind instrument

15. Cartoon sailor

16. Lacking vigour or energy,

Low iron count in blood

18. Italian style take away food

19 Fluorocarbon with chlorine

Formerly used as a refrigerant

20. Princes Pacific and Hume

are the names of these

22. To impress with a seal

23. Social insect living in colo-

nies

24. Next beach south of

Coogee

25. Offensively unpleasant

odour

27. Act in disregard of laws or

rules

29. Put off doing something

32. Cry made by sheep

33. Pen with metal ball tip

34.Speed limit in KPH on Kiama

bends

37. Huge computer corporation

is called this

38. Nick name of the South

Sydney Rugby League Club

40. 25th April (5,3)

41. You drink tea from this

42. Motorised lift in a building

Last week’s solution

12

Postcard home If you’d like to share your travel

experiences, send your postcard home

to emailthebugle@gmail.com

Methold on books I have a problem with some of the best-selling crime se-

ries. Unlike the tales told by Conan Doyle and Agatha

Christie, who were concerned with plot as much as any-

thing, so many contemporary crime writers seem to be

more concerned with the private lives of their sleuths than

with the complexities of a good mystery. Indeed, they

seem to fill out what are really very thin plots with either

pages and pages about their characters’ relationships or

with barely relevant chunks of description.

Peter James, who writes the amazingly successful au-

thentic police procedurals, is a good example. He gives

the impression of being far more concerned with the rela-

tionships between the various officers and their partners

than with clever plotting .His novels are, therefore, also

a long-running saga about the domestic problems of his

two major detectives. In order that new-readers to the se-

ries are brought up to date with their marital situations and

sex lives, every title includes large sections which seem to

have been copied word for word from pervious titles.

I was enthralled by the first two or three books in the

Roy Grace series. The inside workings of a police force

attempting to maintain law and order in one of Britain’s

cities most notorious for the amount of criminal activity –

Brighton, would you believe? – are fascinating to read

about. By the sixth title, however, I’d had enough of

Chief Detective Superintendant Roy Grace’s domestic

traumas, and also of his DS’s. I wanted more story, more

clever plotting and much less plodding.

But I do recommend the first title, Dead Simple, and a

few of the others, if you don’t mind something rather

gritty and are prepared to do a bit of skipping.

A Kiama resident, Ken has been a full-time writer

for almost 50 years and is an elder statesman of the publishing

world. The Bugle is honoured to have him as an occasional col-

umnist. He is the instigator of a monthly lunch group of local

male readers and/or writers of crime which meets on the last

Thursday of the month. There are currently a few vacancies.

Contact ken@kenmethold.com

Sometimes when you travel, you

see something you think quite

extraordinary but the locals think

mundane (or at least normal). You

are left with all these questions,

even after you’ve attempted to

understand what you’ve seen.

This happened to us in Vietnam,

where we kept stumbling upon

these elaborate structures set up

to celebrate weddings.

This one is in a relatively wide

street in Hanoi’s old quarter, but

sometimes we’d turn down narrow

lanes and there was another mar-

quee all ready to go.

They were always predominantly

white, set off with a vibrant col-

our contrast. All were meticulous-

ly decorated, and definitely not

permanent structures as they

disappeared as magically as they

appeared. It seems in Vietnam

the wedding reception comes to

the couple, wherever they live.

Strangely, we didn’t see many

of the festivities in full swing - not

sure why. I wish we’d set up camp

on one of those little blue stools

and watched the story unfold

before us.

Louise, Kiama