Between the cats, dogs and sad-looking rabbits are the snakes, skinks, turtles, lizards, rats, wild birds and reptiles of all kinds. Even geckos.Who knew that the South Coast harboured a vet specialising in reptiles?Well, one person who did was the representative for the wildlife rescue group WIRES, Jamberoo-based Hugh Marriott. For the endless roll call of snakes and reptiles damaged by cars or rescued from neighbourhood backyards, he has relied for years on the services of Kiama Downs Veterinary Clinic’s Dr Amanda Brett.Whether he’s carrying a blue-tongue lizard hit by a passing car or an escaped pet Centralian python that people have found in their back shed, Hugh makes the trek to Kiama Downs several times a month.While your stricken cat or ailing dog won’t be turned away, the clinic particularly specialises in exotic wildlife on Mondays and Fridays each week.Dr Amanda has a lifelong passion for reptiles, including her pet Cunningham’s skink, affectionately known as Pretzel. Their personalities are a subject of eternal fascination.“Pretzel is a really friendly lizard,” she says. “He has really soulful eyes. He loves cuddles.”Hugh is particularly fond of blue-tongue lizards, which are breeding at this time of year and a common visitor to his cages in Jamberoo, where injured wildlife can spend months before being released back into the wild.“They have a personality, most definitely,” he says. “They are amazing, really curious critters. And placid. “They are normally chill. They are outstanding Illawarra residents. They take out snails, like strawberries and eat mice. They are an all-round addition to your garden.“We are getting lots of baby blue-tongues at the moment. They are born alive and are independent at birth.”For Amanda and Hugh, their fascination with reptiles began early in life.“I have always liked the weird and wonderful,” Amanda says. “I grew up around the Australian bush. I was catching lizards and snakes when I was young. My grandparents had a farm on Cambewarra Mountain.“We are lucky in Australia - we have such a variety of really interesting creatures, and they deserve to be preserved.”She says many of her customers bringing in reptiles became acquainted with them because of their children.“One of the major things I have learnt is that when people first decide to get lizards as pets, usually for their kids, they then absolutely fall in love with them,” she says. “The lizards like to sit and watch TV; they want to be part of the family.“They will tap on the glass to be let out. They want to be out there with you.“We grow up fearing reptiles; we are taught snakes are scary, but if you take the time to get to know them it will change the way you feel. They have wonderful personalities and make great pets.”Hugh agrees. “The main thing to remember is reptiles are not out to get you.”That said, if you find an unwelcome visitor in your backyard, he advises to steer clear and ring WIRES.Most lizards can be cheerfully left to their own devices. But if you really have a blue-tongue you want rid of, give them a call. Don’t kill them.Snakes, too, are active at this time of year.“As we move into the cooler weather snakes are looking around for somewhere to spend the winter, and building up on food.”While diamond pythons, native to the Illawarra, are not venomous, others can be deadly or make you very sick. Of particular concern are red-bellied black snakes, which can be lethal.But there are others to be avoided, including golden-crowned snakes and small-eyed snakes.To contact Hugh directly, phone 0401 394 444. Known as the Snake Catcher of Jamberoo, he is also the reptile coordinator for WIRES for the Illawarra. For any other wildlife rescue, ring WIRES on 1300 094 737.

A Native Title claim covering the NSW South Coast from southern Sydney to the Victorian border is edging closer to formal recognition, with local leaders gathering in Kiama and Gerringong last week to prepare for its impact.The Kiarama Southeastern Seaboard Native Title Partnership Symposium, hosted by Kiama Council and the Gerringong Aboriginal Housing Corporation on February 18 and 19, brought together Traditional Custodians, councils, state agencies and Aboriginal organisations ahead of the pending South Coast Aboriginal Peoples’ consent determination.Aboriginal Elder Uncle Stan Jarrett, the chair of the Kiarama Southeastern Seaboard Native Title Partnership Symposium, said the claim has been nearly a decade in progress.“It goes back about eight, nearly nine years,” he said. “The claim’s just about to be rubber-stamped, probably about another year and a half, I reckon.“It’s not an actual court decision – it is a consent determination.”A consent determination means the NSW Government agrees to recognise Native Title rights without a contested court trial.Uncle Stan said the process had involved extensive genealogical research and years of negotiation.“We had to go back and find all the lineages,” he said.The claim spans coastal land and sea country from Bundeena in southern Sydney to the Victorian border, extending three nautical miles offshore – a component that could carry significant implications.Kiama Councillor Stuart Larkins described it as “quite a significant Native Title claim”.“It’s been on for some years. These things take a lot of time, and we’re probably still a couple more years away, but we’re getting closer to determination,” Cr Larkins said.“The biggest thing for government, whether it’s local, state or federal, is understanding what that claim is going to be and how that works, particularly for local government, which owns or manages Crown Land.”He said the inclusion of sea country rights makes the claim especially important.“One of the biggest things about this claim is that it not just focuses on traditional native title aspects, but it’s also about sea country,” he said.“The big question for the last 30 years hasn’t been so much about land – it’s been about water rights … Once a determination is made on this claim, particularly around sea country, it could have national significance.”Jarrett said the symposium was designed as an information and preparedness forum for councils along the coast.“It was a great information day for local governments from Sutherland Shire to Bega Valley – all the councils in between,” he said.“A lot of people got a lot of great information about what a Native Title claim is and what implications it has for local governments.”He said a key outcome was the beginning of a co-designed framework for how councils and Aboriginal communities will work together once the determination is made.“Part of the aim was to start a dialogue with local government and the Aboriginal communities of the South Coast and to form a network of Native Title officers,” he said.“We’ve started a framework of how government could work with Aboriginal communities up and down the coast. That’s going to be co-designed by councils and communities together.”Uncle Stan said the framework would allow for place-specific relationships, acknowledging that Aboriginal communities along the coast are culturally diverse.“All the communities are different up and down the coast,” he said. “What we’re trying to do is provide a framework where they can initiate local relationships in their own areas.”He noted that only three of a minimum of six councils represented at the forum indicated they had a Reconciliation Action Plan in place – which he found surprising.“You’d think they’d all start a reconciliation action plan,” he said.The symposium also addressed environmental concerns linked to sea country, including the decline of kelp forests along the Great Southern Reef due to sea urchin overpopulation.“Our Great Southern Reef is under threat,” Jarrett said.He described underwater areas once covered in kelp forests now reduced to “white rock, an undersea desert”.Speakers discussed sea country plans developed along the coast and the recent formation of the NSW Aboriginal Sea Country Alliance, which Jarrett said underpins the broader Native Title claim.“Sea country and country – nowadays, it’s everybody’s business,” he said. “We all have to live together and we have to work together.”Kiama Council highlighted its ongoing reconciliation work, including an Aboriginal Advisory Group and a Reconciliation Action Plan nearing final endorsement.“We’re in such a really good place with our community through years and years of open and frank dialogue and relationship building,” Cr Larkins said.The symposium, funded by NSW Aboriginal Affairs, included speakers from Crown Lands, Aboriginal Affairs, Native Title Services and the Native Title Claimant Group, as well as workshops focused on governance, land management and cultural heritage.“It’s a step in the right direction,” Jarrett said.Organisers hope similar forums will be held across the coast as the determination approaches, ensuring councils and communities are ready to work together once Native Title is formally recognised.

The Kiama Rugby Sevens will not just deliver nearly 12 hours of high-octane sporting action on Saturday but a seven-figure windfall for the local economy.Despite the wet weather, Kiama Council on Friday gave tournament organisers the go-ahead despite forecast of more wet weather possibly being on the way on Saturday. Running for the 54th year, the iconic annual event kicks off at Kiama Showground and Chittick Oval at 8am on Saturday with matches running on both fields throughout the day.A helicopter will deliver the trophies late in the afternoon before the semis and finals are held for the men’s and women’s country divisions, as well as the Bowl and Plate categories leading into the women’s final at 6.30pm and the premier men’s decider at 6.50pm.The winning teams in the two main finals receive $6000 each with the runners-up pocketing $3500.Tournament director Mark Bryant said Saturday’s event was shaping up to be one not to be missed.“Everything is done preparation wise, we've filled 44 teams back in November and then we had a few teams pull out and we've had to adjust.“The grounds are coming up quite well. You can't get a room in town because of all the teams - everything is full.“The weather is looking like it's gonna be about 23 degrees and overcast which is actually perfect weather for rugby. You don’t want it too hot.”It’s not just a sporting event but a driver of economic benefit to Kiama.“Through Destination Kiama, we do a post-event report and we bring in $1 million to the town for the weekend. For all the licensed outlets, this is the biggest night of year for them,” Bryant added.And the standard of play is set to be sky high with Shute Shield teams and a squad from the Brisbane GPS lining up.“Manly won the Hamilton Sevens, Warringah Rats are always up there, UTS Gordon will be really strong. Southern Districts are coached by Kiama’s own former Wallabies player Scott Fava so they will go well.“GPS Brisbane are not going to travel all this way and not give it a shake.“In the women’s, Manly and UTS Gordon are always up there and one of the dark horses this year will be Hunter Wildfires from up in Newcastle.”Illawarra premiers Kiama will be taking part in the country division with Wagga Wagga Reddies, Orange Emus and Northlakes likely to be their main competition.“The good thing about the country cup is that it’s pretty even and it could come down to a ref’s call or a bounce of the ball,” Bryant said.Tickets are still available from kiamasevens.com.

It has been 15 years since Kiama Council adopted its Local Environmental Plan and Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters says it’s high time it had a thorough overhaul.Cr Matters successfully moved a motion at last week’s Council meeting to systematically review the LEP from 2011 and Kiama’s Development Control Plan (DCP) from 2020 with a view to removing any inconsistencies and to facilitate good outcomes for our community.Whether the LEP is reviewed or replaced altogether with an updated version remains to be seen and will depend on Council finances in the near future.“That will come down to where Council can find money from because money is extremely tight,” Cr Matters told The Bugle, expressing her own views on the subject.“But at least we've brought it to the fore because with all the other strategies in place - the employment lands, the housing strategy, the vegetation study and rural lands - unless they all overlap and intertwine, things will still be outdated.”She added that Councillors had been put in a situation where they had to vote against several submissions because “the LEP being outdated, left us with no choice at times”.“We're short on housing so we can’t be restricting people on their own property if they comply with the new housing strategy or the urban strategy but it doesn't fit the box because of the outdated LEP - that doesn't make sense.“They all have to be aligned for us to move forward.”Cr Matters said there had been a 15-year period where there has been a lack of progress in the amount of housing in the LGA and Council is now under significant pressure from the NSW Government to accelerate supply.“Council is now in a position, and so is the government, about rushing housing through when there's been 15 years of basically nothing in our area,” she said.“What worries me is when you do it in a hurry, it becomes a little bit of hodgepodge here and there, whereas I don't want our community to become like that.“I want all strategies to overlay and be aligned. If we don't have a guideline and a criteria for what we meet, there will be no control on how we expand and how we still keep our rolling green hills.”Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said CEO Jane Stroud and Council’s planning department will investigate what can be done to overhaul the LEP.“We've had the housing strategy, we're doing the employment land strategy, we're hoping to be looking at a rural land strategy later in the year - these are all putting blueprints around our LGA for future development, and not just now for the next 20 or 30 years.“Rather than piecemeal adjustments, we've acknowledged as a group that we need to do a significant review of the LEP.“With all these things, they come with the cost. As a community, we've got to update that document and it will involve significant community consultation to ensure that it is how we want to develop as a community for the next 20 or 30 years.”

“I’m so sorry, ladies. I have some bad news,” Slow Dough co-owner Lucy King tells the group who have just arrived at the seaside bakery for coffee. “We’ve sold out of treats.” It’s 11.30am on a Friday and there’s not a spare seat in the house. Only a handful of choc-chip biscuits and focaccia slices topped with seasonal ingredients are left after a busy morning of trade. When Lucy and her husband Richard opened the doors of their artisan bakery two years ago, this is exactly what they hoped to achieve - a community coming together to enjoy baked goods, coffee and each other’s company and empty shelves at the end of the day.“Running a business is really hard work,” says Lucy. “Our team works long hours, everyone’s on their feet all day, it’s very hot in the bakery.“But one of the things that brings us all a lot of joy is when we get a spare minute to look out the window and catch moments where people are biting into their sweet treat. “Seeing the happiness on their face makes all the hard work worth it.”The couple, who moved from South Africa to Melbourne where they worked in high-powered corporate jobs, settled in Gerringong when Victoria’s borders were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. While working from home, Richard, who has always loved baking, dabbled in making sourdough like many during the pandemic.Soon they were baking loaves of sourdough out of their garage and delivering to family and friends throughout the lockdown. Demand was high and they eventually opened a shopfront in Kiama in early 2024.Lucy and Richard King at Slow Dough. “When we decided to leave our corporate careers and do this, it was not only because Richard enjoyed baking and making a really good product, but we saw the impact of coming together around good sourdough in our garage,” explains Lucy.“Introducing neighbours to each other and the sense of community that was created in our garage was the reason we did this, ultimately everything we do comes back to that, bringing people together around good food.”Such good food that Slow Dough was recently rated among the state’s top regional bakeries on popular websites Broadsheet and Delicious. With word quickly spreading among food lovers, and Kiama already a popular destination for travellers and day trippers, the Kings found themselves busier than ever.But an increase in customers brings with it new obstacles to overcome. Namely how much product to make to remain financially and environmentally sustainable while also ensuring local customers don’t miss out on their beloved bread.Richard says knowing exactly how much to bake for each trading day “is the bane of my existence”.“Getting the balance right is challenging,” says Richard. “There are so many factors to consider. “It’s one of the hardest things to get right but I feel like we're getting it right more often now. But there are still days where we don't produce enough or have too much left over.”The Kings use the highest quality ingredients to produce their baked goods and with prices increasing across the board any leftover product is a financial hit. “We use very expensive ingredients so we don't want to be throwing money down the drain,” says Richard. “We go through up to 500 free range eggs and 40kg of butter each weekend,” adds Lucy. “So when we sit down to plan our menu each week we look at not only what’s in season but also our production capacity to make sure we’re not putting undue pressure on our team of three bakers.”“And we look at the weather,” says Richard. “Weather plays a huge role in getting the balance right of meeting customer demand.” The pair are also mindful of their environmental footprint and each week send around 500 litres of kitchen waste and compostable customer packaging to feed a local permaculture garden in a partnership with The Passion Project.Lucy and Richard, perfectionists at heart, are constantly striving to improve their products and sustainability, while ensuring local customers don’t miss out on bread or treats during peak times.“One of the things we're really focusing on this year is creating more experiences for our local customers because we love that we have a consistent group of supporters who get joy out of picking up their bread and having a coffee and connecting with one another on the grass,” says Lucy.The pair briefly considered throwing a birthday party at the seaside store to celebrate two years in business, but finding time in their busy schedules proved difficult. Then an opportunity arose to have local DJ Clay Comber host a Bread and Beats party on Valentines Day.It was a way for the Kings to show their love for the local community who had wholeheartedly embraced them, their business and their ethos - a quality product, created sustainably, which brings people joy.“We want to create experiences that give back to the community, and Bread and Beats was fantastic, we had so many people turn out,” says Lucy.They will hold another community event on 20 March, from 9-11am, in partnership with local artist Amy Kinzett. The event is free and Amy will teach kids and adults how to create a masterpiece using just paper and glue. For more information visit @amykinzett_art on Instagram and Facebook.Local customers can also pre-order their bread and treats to make sure they don’t miss out by visiting www.slowdough.com.au.

This week's edition of The Bugle is filled with a range of local news and views from our South Coast community.Our main story is about local environmental concerns caused by waste matter being washed down the coast from Sydney as well as the need to upgrade the Bombo wastewater treatment plant.CLICK HERE TO READ OUR DIGITAL EDITIONWe also bring you the story of the volunteers in Gerringong who have made the difficult decision to wind up the Nearly New Op Shop after more than 50 years serving the community.There is also all the reaction from Jacinda Ardern's surprise visit to Gerringong on the weekend, local cafe Slow Dough getting national recognition and a feature on the rise of voluntary assisted dying in regional areas.You can also read plenty of other community stories about the impact of YouTube on teenagers, the Kiama Golf Club's bistro upgrade and the Native Title Symposium which was held in Kiama and Gerringong.In sport, we bring you the latest on South Coast cricket, the windsurfing event at Gerroa, the upcoming beach tag tournament and the build-up to the 54th Kiama Rugby Sevens this Saturday.And don't miss John Gabriele's gardening column with the best advice on how to get rid of weeds and stop them coming back.The paper is available from all the usual outlets around the Kiama local government area - grab yours before it's too late.

Akuna Street and Caliope Street might have looked like just two more lines on last week’s meeting agenda, but Kiama Council’s decision for them both to proceed marks a quiet turning point for our community and its future.A Council long branded as anti‑development is now, cautiously, putting its stamp on growth. For years, Akuna Street has been shorthand for everything locals feared about overdevelopment, height, bulk and developers trying to remake the town centre for scale the community were not prepared for and did not support. The 14‑storey proposal at the carpark site has become a veritable lightning rod, prompting legal manoeuvres, community outrage and a council that is still seemingly in the dark as to what is happening. Now, with that project declared State Significant and much of the final say shifted to Macquarie Street, Council’s recommendation to progress proposal for a smaller site to the south of the controversial carpark site is less a surrender than a strategic recalibration. By engaging with the process instead of stonewalling it, Councillors are signalling they would rather shape the inevitable than stage another symbolic, losing fight. This is despite a 13% variation to the height limit and a 25% increase to floor space for the apartment building. Caliope Street tells a different, but complementary story: a green light for new homes in a town that has spent years agonising over a housing strategy it desperately needs but struggles to embrace. The planning work already done for Kiama’s urban release and key catalyst sites and the recognition that Council must help meet state housing targets hangs over this decision. Endorsing Caliope to move forward is an admission that saying “no” to density in the centre and “no” to greenfield supply on the edges is no longer an option if locals want their kids to have somewhere to live. The contrast with past terms is stark. Previous Councils often defined success by what they could stop: towers cut down to size, rezonings stalled, strategies sent back for another round of “community reassurance”. This Council, by recommending Akuna and Caliope progress in the same week, is edging toward a different test: how to secure design quality, infrastructure and housing supply from developments that are coming anyway. That won’t silence critics who still see every crane as a crack in Kiama’s character. And if our social media pages are anything to go by, there are a number of locals that are up in arms regarding last Tuesday’s decision and are expecting the four storeys at Akuna Street to become 14. However, this cynicism distracts from the step change happening within Council and through parts of the community who see more housing as a positive move.Kiama is moving from a defensive politics of protection to a more mature politics of negotiation still protective but finally prepared to let some projects through the gate in return for a better, fairer town that is preparing for a future.

Residents and visitors in Shellharbour now have improved access to urgent medical care, with the official opening of the Shellharbour Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC).The clinic was opened earlier this week by Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler and Whitlam MP Carol Berry.Following a competitive tender process led by COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network (PHN), the service is operating from Centre Health Medical Centre in Barrack Heights.The Shellharbour Medicare UCC is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. The service provides walk-in urgent care that is fully bulk billed, making it free for patients with a Medicare card.Butler said the clinic would deliver significant benefits to local families and help ease pressure on nearby hospitals.“The Shellharbour Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is a game changer for families in the region,” he said.“This clinic is part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to strengthening Medicare and making health care more accessible and affordable.“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are taking pressure off hospitals and ensuring patients can get the care they need, when they need it.”Berry said the clinic would provide convenient care close to home.“This is a huge win for our community,” she said.“It means locals can access bulk billed urgent care in the heart of Shellharbour, while also reducing demand on the emergency department at Shellharbour Hospital.”COORDINARE Chief Executive Officer Prudence Buist said the clinic would offer treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions.“This service provides an alternative for people who need to see a doctor or nurse for issues such as sprains, minor fractures, cuts, wounds, insect bites, minor burns, and ear or eye problems,” she said.Shellharbour is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Illawarra, with increasing demand for health services. According to the latest available data (2023–24), almost half of presentations to Shellharbour Hospital were for non-urgent or semi-urgent conditions.The Shellharbour clinic is the 130th Medicare Urgent Care Clinic to open nationwide.Since the first sites launched in June 2023, more than 2.5 million patients have attended clinics across Australia.Other Medicare UCCs in the region are operating in Dapto, Wollongong, Queanbeyan, Batemans Bay and Bega.

Australian rugby royalty Glen Ella, Charlotte Caslick and Scott Bowen gave their seal of approval to the Kiama Rugby Sevens at the official launch heading into Saturday’s 54th annual event.The current, in Caslick’s case, national star and two Wallabies blasts from the past were the keynote speakers at Kiama Leagues Club last Friday.They kept the rugby-loving crowd entertained with stories from their decorated playing careers.Bowen represented Australia as a fly-half in the 1990s and is now the high-performance chief for the national women’s squads.Ella is one third of the legendary brothers who formed a brilliant attacking combination for the Wallabies a decade earlier while Caslick’s career has unfortunately been interrupted by a broken ankle suffered last year. The Olympic sevens gold medallist from the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro has not competed at the Kiama event but has been a few times as a spectator. Caslick was thrilled that Kiama’s event features equal prizemoney for the champions in the women’s division.“The domestic sevens tournaments were a really important part of growing our squad in the lead-up to Rio,” she said.“It's nice to see Kiama still going strong. A few of them have dropped out. “There are more and more opportunities for girls to play sport and women to keep competing. The more opportunities we give them to create depth within Australia, from grassroots to the elite level, is really important.”While the national sevens squad is off to North America for the World Series, Caslick is undergoing rehab with a view to returning next season.Her goals are to get back in the Olympic squad for the next Games in Los Angeles in 2028 and the 15-a-side format to represent the Wallaroos at the World Cup on home soil the following year.Ella, who made his Test debut in 1982, used to love coming to Kiama with the famous Randwick teams during his playing career for what was then considered the unofficial start to the rugby season.“We looked forward to it, coming down and throwing the ball around,” he said. “And the good thing was that with the two grounds right next to the beach, you'd play a game, you'd go straight in the water, have a swim and come back out.“In those days you used to have a lot of international teams coming to Kiama to play. The standards of the games were really, really high.“And they used to pick the Hong Kong sevens from this tournament so we’d be doing our best to make sure we got on that trip. I think I went there about eight times.”The seven style of rugby, with an emphasis on attack in the open space created by 16 fewer players on the field, was ideal for the Ellas.“It suited us, there's no doubt about that,” he recalled. “It was always good winning and having a few beers afterwards.”He has been coming to the event for the past couple of decades as a spectator and will be watching on from the sidelines this Saturday.Bowen was coached at Southern Districts by Ella in the early 1990s and fondly remembers the pre-season trips to Kiama to dust off the summer cobwebs.“We came here every year, that was the tradition within the Sydney teams,” he said.“You'd come down and play to kick-start the season. “In the last couple of years, some of the teams that have gone really well in the Shute Shield Cup, like Eastwood and Warringah, they've been pretty consistent performers at the Kiama Sevens.“We could tell any youngster that’s playing sevens that it is only going to make you a better 15s player because of the microscope you're under with your skills.“Because of the space when you miss a tackle, it's a try to the other team. A dropped ball or whatever it is, if you make an error it’s a game of high consequence if you're not skilful.”Bowen laughed that a quick dip in the surf was the perfect way to cool off between games, as long as everyone made it back in time for the next game.“Some of the days when the surf's out of control, when you were back on the field you were counting the players to make sure your 12 people all got back rather than being lost down in the water.” The Kiama Sevens gets underway at Kiama Showground and the neighbouring Chittick Oval at 8am on Saturday with matches running throughout the day, culminating in the women’s final at 6.30pm and the premier men’s decider at 6.50pm.Tickets are still available from kiamasevens.com.

Every child at Kiama Preschool knows one very important fact about educator Lindy Verryt – affectionately known as “Lindy Lou” by the children who adore her: she’s “allergic to chocolate.”“If Lindy eats chocolate, her bottom gets bigger,” a five-year-old, who recently graduated from Kiama Preschool, tells The Bugle.She laughs when she hears the story and happily plays along. The children clearly adore her — and she just as clearly adores them.“This is my home away from home,” says Verryt, who, after four decades working at the preschool, celebrates her final day on 27 February. This makes her the longest-serving educator at the preschool, which opened in the mid-seventies.“I’ve been here for 43 years,” she tells a group of children when explaining the concept of retirement. “Now I’m ready to stay home and rest a little.”In fact, she is already planning her next trip to Europe, as well as local caravan adventures. To celebrate the milestone, local families, staff, and the preschool committee contributed to a weekend away at Bannisters hotel in Mollymook.Many of the children will miss her presence at the ‘kissing gate’ – the gate where children say goodbye to their parents or caregivers, and where Verryt is always present with words of comfort.“My favourite thing to do with Lindy is make magic potions,” says a preschooler. “She helps me to collect the chicken eggs,” shares another.For four decades, Verryt has been a constant in the lives of Kiama families, making her retirement not just the end of a career, but the closing of a remarkable chapter in the preschool’s history.She credits the “lovely team” for her impressive tenure, at a time when many childcare centres are struggling with staff retention. “Here, you really feel part of a community,” she explains.The director of Kiama Preschool, Naomi Gates, will feel the loss.“After 43 remarkable years at Kiama Preschool, Lindy leaves a legacy woven through our entire community,” she says. “Her gift for building genuine connections and nurturing, caring relationships has seen her educate two generations of families. "We are deeply grateful for the kindness, wisdom, and love she has shared with every child and family who has walked through our doors.”As a celebration, the preschool held a disco during the daytime, much to the excitement of the children.Now that she’s retiring, Verryt will join the “old gals” of Kiama Preschool – a cherished group of former educators who still meet regularly, a testament to the fact that their years together made them more like family than colleagues.“I feel ready,” she says. “I put in a lot here, but I’m ready for the new generation [of educators] to move in with new ideas.”

Gerroa has once again lived up to its title as the spiritual home of windsurfing, with the 2026 Severne East Coast Titles finally crowning champions after a week-long wait for the right conditions.Following an earlier postponement and a nervous eye on the forecast, competitors were rewarded on Sunday when the long-anticipated north-easterly filled in at 15–20 knots, sending shoulder-high sets marching into Seven Mile Beach.“It was worth the wait,” local sailor James Hayward said. “When that NE kicked in, even though it was still a bit marginal at times, it gave us a proper window to run it. That’s all you need here.”While winds across the weekend remained on the lighter side, Sunday’s weather window allowed the NSW Wave Sailing Association to run a dynamic expression session format - a crowd-pleasing shift from traditional heat draws.All competitors first hit the water together, throwing down their best carving turns and aerial manoeuvres in an open expression session. From there, the top performers advanced to a final shootout to decide the champion.In a spectacular finale, Logan Haggerston emerged with the East Coast Title. Duncan Osborne finished second, with Laurie Menviel rounding out the podium in third.“Notably,” said Hayward. “Laurie Menviel’s podium finish further cemented her reputation for delivering a level of superb wave riding that rivals the very best in the field.”In a fresh addition to the program, organisers also introduced the East Coast Wave Rally - a high-energy format that quickly became a crowd favourite. Sailors raced out through the break on their wave boards, rounded a buoy set offshore and charged back to the beach in a test of speed, timing and versatility.Photo: Brian ScottDean Hendrie took out the Wave Rally final, ahead of Haggerston in second.Hayward said the new format added another dimension to the weekend.“It shows how well-rounded these sailors are,” he said. “You’re not just talking about surfing a wave - you’re talking about fitness, tactics and board handling. It brought a real buzz to the beach.”Also running alongside the main competition was a youth training session and in a landmark moment for the association, several of the youngest “groms” caught their first waves under the guidance of seasoned mentors.“For me, that’s the best part of the weekend,” Hayward said. “Seeing the kids get their first proper rides out there - that’s how the sport keeps growing. There’s a real sense of passing it on.”Photo: Brian ScottWhilst the event marked the grand finale of the 2025/26 NSWWSA season, Hayward also pointed out Gerroa’s ability to always have a community vibe.“You’ve got elite sailors pushing through tough conditions, but you’ve also got families on the beach, mates catching up and kids getting involved,” he said. “That’s what makes Gerroa special. It’s high level, but it never loses that community feel.”The NSWWSA extended its thanks to long-time supporters including local icon Natural Necessity Surf Shop and Severne for backing the event.Photo: Brian Scott

A bright yellow reminder is headed down Princes Highway, carrying a question it seems many could use to hear. From 2–15 March, the R U OK? Conversation Convoy will wind its way through the South Coast, stopping in towns from Wollongong to Bungendore reminding others you don’t have to be an expert to ask someone if they’re OK – you just have to care.The Convoy will stop in Wollongong on Monday (2 March), Nowra and Shellharbour on Tuesday, Kiama on Wednesday and Vincentia and Kiama again on Thursday.“Checking in with someone isn’t a one-off moment; it’s about building trust and connection over time,” CEO Lachlan Searle said.  “By coming back to the South Coast, we want to acknowledge what communities have previously shared with us, see how they’re travelling, and continue to walk alongside them.”The Conversation Convoy travels across regional Australia each year, meeting locals face-to-face at community events, schools, workplaces and organisations.There’s no lecture circuit – just a cuppa, a chat and practical tips on how to have a meaningful conversation with someone who might be having tough times. Community ambassador Glenn Cotter, who lives in Bega and works in suicide prevention across the region, said the return visit sends a powerful message.“R U OK? isn’t just about starting conversations, it’s about helping communities feel supported to keep having them, any day of the year,” Cotter said. “Having the Convoy travel back through our region is a powerful reminder that these conversations matter and really do make a difference.”This year’s South Coast route includes stops in Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Nowra, Milton, Batemans Bay, Moruya, Narooma, Bega, Bermagui and Bungendore.Free public events along the way will offer a warm drink and practical tools to help locals feel more confident recognising when someone might be struggling and how to respond. As Searle said, sometimes people simply prefer to talk things through in person and learn what support services are available close to home.“Locals know best,” he said.“Through the Conversation Convoy we can better understand what people need, so our resources and programs continue to be practical and useful.”The Convoy is part of R U OK?’s broader work in regional and rural communities, where connection can be a protective factor against suicide.Research in the field of suicide prevention has long called attention to the importance of belonging and community – something R U OK? aims to strengthen by empowering everyday Australians to look out for their friends, family and workmates.R U OK? Day itself will be held on 10 September 2026, but organisers stress the message applies every day of the year: Ask R U OK? Any Day – because a conversation could change a life.For event details and free resources, visit ruok.org.au.If you or someone you know needs support, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can contact 13YARN on 13 92 76 for free, confidential support.

Kiama Beach Tag is back bigger than ever in 2026 for its fifth year, with a full house of teams, a live music line-up and what organisers are calling a “once in a lifetime” opportunity for junior players.The one-day beach tournament taking place on 7 March has grown from fewer than 40 teams to 72 this year - its biggest field yet - with waiting lists in multiple divisions.Founder Keiron Duncan said the growth has exceeded even his expectations.“We started with high 30s, maybe close to 40 teams, and now we’re at 72 and basically at capacity,” Duncan said.“We’ve got about 13 or 14 teams on the wait list, but we just can’t run it across two days. With weather, tides and swell, it’s too risky, so we keep it to one big day.”The tournament will feature nine divisions this year and features a full standalone women's division.“The standalone women’s division is full with eight teams, which is awesome.”Photo: Brian ScottThe event will again feature an exhibition match with NRL and NRLW players and junior winners will also receive Rugby League World Cup tickets, along with what Duncan described as “a once in a lifetime opportunity”.“We’re calling it that for now,” he said. “It’s going to be pretty special for the kids.”The tournament’s $20,000 prize pool also remains a major drawcard.Beyond the football, the event continues to evolve into a full community festival.In conjunction with the Sounds of Kiama Jazz and Blues weekend, organisers will open the bar on Kendalls Beach on Friday, 6 March from 4pm to 8pm, with local musician Ben Gunn performing live.“With the (original) jazz festival being called off, we thought it was a good opportunity to get some live music happening in town,” Duncan said.Saturday will see DJ Clayton Zane playing throughout the day, while Kiama Leagues Club will host an after party featuring two DJs into the night.“There’s plenty to do in town for everyone over the weekend,” Duncan said.Also on the sidelines will be the increased food and market stalls and the return of the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation’s new screening bus, offering close to 100 free skin checks on the day.Duncan shared the story of Australian rugby league star Emma Tonegato, who attended the event last year and underwent a routine check.“It ended up being a melanoma,” Duncan said. “She had to take some weeks off footy at the time. Now she’s an ambassador for the foundation. So that’s a really important part of what we do.”Community involvement remains central to the tournament’s identity, with Kiama Surf Life Saving Club providing beach patrol, Kiama Lions Club assisting with parking and waste management, and strong backing from local businesses.For Duncan, who founded the event and has overseen all five editions, the secret to its success lies in its setting and spirit.“The opportunity to play with your mates on the beach, have a swim between games and be in a great part of the world like Kiama - that’s what makes it special,” he said.“There’s a really good positive energy around the tournament. People are trying to win, but they’re not overly caught up in it. It’s just as much about what’s happening off the field.”

In a follow-up to The Bugle’s report on the impact of the social media ban on regional teens, experts are warning about the “rabbit hole” of YouTube — and why it’s a lot darker than slime videos and kids unboxing Lego.New data, released by the Australian research company Roy Morgan, has revealed YouTube viewing is near-universal among 6–13-year-olds across the country, with 89 per cent of this age group - an estimated 2.5 million - watching the streaming channel between April-December 2025.Gaming and animation are the leading video categories Australian kids are watching on YouTube, according to the Roy Morgan Young Australian Survey (YAS).There’s also a gender divide.Boys are more likely to watch gaming and sport, while girls’ top-ranking categories are animals, fashion, and “unboxing” videos — usually featuring another child unboxing toys or products.Although YouTube falls under Australia’s social media age restrictions, which means people under 16 are only permitted to access the YouTube Kids app — a version designed for 12 years and under — it’s parents who are the worst offenders for side-stepping the rules.“A lot of my little boy’s favourite shows, like ‘Brain Breaks,’ aren’t available on [ the YouTube Kids app],” a local parent told The Bugle. “You find yourself getting worn down and letting them log onto the adult app instead.”YouTube creators generally make significantly more money posting content for general audiences, rather than content specifically designated as “made for kids”, because of regulations surrounding data collection and advertising for children’s content.This means, some of your kid’s favourite programs — including ‘brain breaks’ which promote movement and meditation — might be available on ‘grown-up’ YouTube only, leaving parents in a dilemma.It’s also not necessary to log in to watch the adult YouTube channel, which means the age of the user is hard to police.The research from Roy Morgan has revealed the worrying impact of regular YouTube viewing. Among 10–13-year-olds, those who watched YouTube were more likely than those who didn’t to prefer computer games over playing outside, and to worry about war and terrorism.Like adults, young people are not immune to doomscrolling – the compulsive, habitual and often unconscious act of endlessly scrolling negative social media content, even when it is distressing. Toby Dagg is a Senior Executive with the eSafety Commissioner and has been a key player in the social media age ban conversation in Australia.“There are harms faced by kids on YouTube, which isn't a safe service by any means”, he told The Bugle. “There is a ton of material on YouTube which is completely inappropriate for kids — violent, scary, sexually suggestive, graphic and threatening.”On average, there are over 20 million videos uploaded daily to YouTube, according to data from the streaming service.“Given the sheer volume of material uploaded every day, problems undoubtedly still plague YouTube, no matter how sophisticated their AI classifiers might be in detecting and removing violative content,” adds Dagg.His worries are echoed by many experts and caregivers.Jocelyn Brewer is a psychologist and founder of Digital Nutrition with a special interest in “cyber-psychology.”She has two rules for parents who want to keep their child safe on YouTube: no headphones for younger kids, and a “pause and show me” habit. Parents should always be able to hear what their child is watching, and a child needs to feel empowered to press pause and question any scary or bullying content.“It keeps things calm, makes it easier to block or adjust quickly, and keeps you in the loop without turning it into a daily fight,” says Brewer.“If your kid is watching YouTube logged out, you often miss out on a bunch of the built-in guardrails you’d get when they’re signed in. If you can, steer them to YouTube Kids or a supervised child setup.”Even if your child is watching the kid’s version, don’t become complacent.Emily Hanlon is a Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist and founder of The Playful Psychologist. With her three young children, she doesn’t allow YouTube in her home unless it’s “completely supervised.”“Even platforms designed for younger users can’t fully filter every recommendation,” she says.“Autoplay, endless scroll, and algorithmic suggestions can mean kids spend far longer than intended on the app and encounter content beyond what parents choose. Assuming it’s ‘just cartoons’ they’re watching can lull families into a false sense of safety, and inappropriate material can still slip through.”Her advice? Turn off autoplay, curate playlists, and have ongoing conversations about what kids are watching.“Most importantly, join your child’s media experience rather than leaving them solo,” she says. “Co-viewing helps you contextualise content and model critical thinking around what they’re seeing.”

The Links Shell Cove hosted some of the rising stars of women’s golf over the weekend at the final event of the Ford Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifying Series.The prestigious tournament is one of six regional qualifiers held across NSW, giving professional and elite amateur golfers the chance to secure one of only two coveted spots in the NSW Open - one of Australia’s premier women’s golf championships.Just under 70 women competed in the tournament, including Kiama Golf Club member Sage Laird. Seventeen-year-old Victorian Amelia Harris emerged victorious.Harris was exceptional across both days, carding rounds of 69 and 67 to finish eight-under par, claiming victory by two shots.After her win, Harris told Golf NSW she was lost for words.“I mean, it’s obviously super special for anyone, but I don’t have any words. Speechless,” she said.At just 17, Harris played with composure beyond her years and closed out the second round with a blemish-free scorecard featuring five birdies.“I just didn’t worry about the other girls, and I just believed in myself. I mean, it probably looked like I was a bit angry out there, but that’s just how I like to play - just doing my own thing,” she said.“Not much was running through my head, honestly. Just telling myself positive words and hoping I hit it straight.”The victory earns Harris a place in next week’s 2026 Ford Women’s NSW Open, co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and WPGA, where she will line up against world-class professionals.Typically unfazed, she is approaching the opportunity in the same manner.“Same as this week - just play my own game. It’s a really good experience and I’m super excited, so I’ll just see how it goes.”Korea’s Jeongmin Cho, who goes by Cecilia, finished second at six-under par, also securing a place in next week’s Women’s NSW Open. She spoke glowingly about Harris.“Congrats to Amelia, she played really solid. Yesterday she had one bogey in that wind, and today she was also solid. Good player coming up for Australia.”Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer said he was proud to host such a prestigious event.“This is a proud moment for Shellharbour. Hosting an NSW Open qualifier puts our city and our course on show, and we’re thrilled to welcome players, visitors and fans to experience everything our region has to offer,” Mayor Homer said.The next step for Harris and Cho is the Ford Women’s NSW Open, which takes place at Wollongong Golf Club from February 26 to March 1.

Lime Building Group is making waves in Kiama – this time, helping the local surf life saving club replace a 20-year-old rescue boat with a new life-saving vessel.The donation from the local building firm has already been put to good use with the new Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) officially “christened” at Sunday’s nippers event. The old boat, which had been in service for two decades, was worn and outdated. Joel Stewart, founding director of Lime Building Group, was proud to support the community initiative."We’re fortunate to have such a passionate, talented and welcoming surf club community. “The work they do is crucial in keeping our beaches safe for both locals and the thousands of visitors we attract each year," Stewart said.As a local business owner and a parent whose children enjoy Kiama’s beaches, Stewart felt it was important to give back to the community."I’m honoured to support the club so their volunteers and professionals can continue their vital work,” he said.“Their previous IRB was in desperate need of an upgrade. “We’re incredibly proud to play a small role in helping ensure our beaches are not only beautiful, but some of the safest on the coast."Stewart emphasised the surf club’s central role for the local area."The surf club is such a cornerstone of this community. They give so much to our town, and supporting them is really an investment in the safety and future of our whole community."His journey from growing up on a farm in Foxground to founding one of the South Coast’s most respected building firms reflects his commitment to local excellence and community.Through both his professional work and civic engagement, Stewart continues to make a tangible difference in Kiama and beyond.

What was meant to be a simple, cheerful set for the Sing Australia Kiama choir at the Gerringong Community Expo turned into something no one present will ever forget.Like usual, the choir had a handful of songs to perform last Saturday – a relaxed crowd, home in time for lunch. Nothing formal.But conductor Maree Shepherd had a small suspicion that this might not be an ordinary gig.A few days earlier, choir member Ray Lind had casually asked if he could bring “some visitors” to watch the performance. It wasn’t an uncommon request. The week before, Ray’s wife Annette had attended another Sing Australia event with friends – one of whom turned out to be a familiar face from television’s Neighbours.So when Lind mentioned visitors again, Shepherd joked “are you bringing another celebrity?”“Well … you might know her,” he replied. “It’s Jacinda Ardern.”Shepherd wasn’t entirely sure it would happen. There were no elaborate arrangements, no announcements, no security details – just a quiet possibility. Just in case, Shepherd printed copies of the New Zealand national anthem – in both Māori and English – along with a backing track.Right on cue at 11am, as choir members gathered outdoors to warm up, Shepherd asked them to hum the NZ anthem.They looked at her blankly.“It’s not Anzac Day! What was going on?”And then they saw her.Walking towards them, relaxed and smiling, was the Hon. Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand.Ray Lind, The Hon Anette King, The Hon Jacinda Adhern, Garry Funnell, Maree Shepherd“She just came up and was so delightful,” Shepherd recalled. “I asked if we could get a photo and she was so gracious.”Jacinda was visiting Ray and his wife, Annette King, herself a former long-serving New Zealand MP and mentor to Ardern. In fact, Shepherd had only just finished reading Ardern’s biography weeks earlier and had been struck by how often Annette’s name appeared in its pages.“That beautiful and generous spirit of hers just came through at the Expo,” Shepherd said.“Just hearing people talk and the thrill it gave them to just be able to meet and greet her like she was just another person, but knowing what a special position she had – particularly during COVID, that Christchurch massacre – she handled with such dignity and empathy I thought was extraordinary.” Not only did Ardern happily pose for a group photo, she stayed for the entire performance. Smiling, she sang along and encouraged the choir. Then, to everyone’s delight, she joined them in singing the New Zealand National Anthem in Māori and English. For years, the group has performed at Anzac Day services, local expos and community events – often inviting audience members to join in. They’ve learned the Māori version of the New Zealand anthem, sometimes guided by members of the local New Zealand community.“I’m not sure they were looking at us,” Shepherd laughed. “I think they were looking at Jacinda Ardern!”The Hon Jacinda Adhern and Ben WongBut it wasn't the star-struck spectacle that defined the morning. “There was a real sense – no matter what people’s politics – that the office of Prime Minister deserves respect,” Shepherd reflected. “And after reading her book, I was so moved by her heart in office. That beautiful, generous spirit just came through at the Expo.”After singing, Ardern didn’t slip away. Instead, she wandered through the expo, chatting with stallholders, posing for selfies, greeting library staff and volunteers.One Lions Club member, busy at the sausage sizzle, told Shepherd meeting Jacinda was “the highlight of my life”.“She made it all feel so natural,” Shepherd said. “It wasn’t formal … she was just happy to say hello to people.”What began as a modest appearance became a vibrant, joy-filled celebration – a moment where music dissolved formality and titles, and everyone simply sang together.“As I was leaving, people were just absolutely chuffed,” Shepherd said. “You could see what it meant to them.”The choir will next be performing at the Shellharbour Seniors Expo at the Civic Centre next Tuesday at 11am and next Friday at Hindmarsh Park, as part of Kiama Council’s Seniors Expo.

SEVERNE EAST COAST WAVE SAILING TITLES - SESSION 2

It was a tough weekend for Kiama Cricket Club, with all grades slumping to disappointing losses as the competition reaches its pointy end.The weekend began with an achingly close match between the Cavettes and Lake Illawarra in the penultimate round of the South Coast women's competition. Both teams sat fourth and fifth respectively on the ladder and were playing for a finals berth.“Bowling first, the Cavettes started strongly, having the visitors 3-13,” said Kiama Cricket Club president Bernie Brown. “Thanks to some accurate bowling from Emma Ford (3-16) and a great direct-hit run-out from Ebony Winston.”The only other wickets came via a run-out by Naomi Poole and a wicket from Winston herself, with Lake Illawarra finishing on 6-114 from their 20 overs.“Kiama went into bat and another excellent innings from Ebony Winston (51 not out) set up the chase. Along with her opening partnership with Carolyn Perry (12), they looked to have the Cavettes on track,” Brown said.“Emma Ford fell in the 16th over with the Cavettes on 95, needing 20 runs for victory. Emma Timbs and Sharon Kelly fought hard in the face of some tight bowling but fell just four runs short in an exciting finish.”The Cavettes can still make the finals with a win over the undefeated Kookas this Friday night at Oakleigh Park in their annual McGrath Pink Stumps Day Challenge.First grade looked to maintain their strong end-of-season form as they faced second-placed Shellharbour away from home.“Batting first, the Cavs struggled to build meaningful partnerships, slumping to 6-70,” Brown said. “Before Niall Owers (37), with support from the tail, pushed the score to 148. Jaya Hartgerink (30) was the only other Cav to pass 30.”Kiama began the second innings on fire, removing the top order quickly.“Brad Ison (2-28) struck in his second over, removing one of the openers. Niall Owers then produced a direct-hit run-out to leave Shellharbour 2-35 after 10 overs,” Brown said.However, Shellharbour put on a 66-run partnership from there, and even a late collapse could not prevent them from taking the match.“Veteran Dan Reilly (1-13) broke the 66-run stand, triggering a collapse that saw the home side lose 4-8, but it wasn’t enough. Mick Norris toiled as usual, taking 2-27, while Joe Burgess claimed 1-20,” Brown said.Firsts will also play The Kookas at Oakleigh Park this Saturday.Second grade had the bye and will host the final two rounds against the top two teams, Gerringong and Lake Illawarra, to keep their finals hopes alive.Third grade bowed out of the finals race with their loss to Jamberoo, but it wasn’t without cause for celebration.“Welcoming back captain Dane Parnaby from injury, the Cavs started well, removing the dangerous top order thanks to a wonderful spell from Nick Webster (4-38),” Brown said.“At 4-75, the Cavs were in a strong position to restrict the home side to a modest total. However, a dip in intensity allowed Jamberoo to post 195.”Parnaby and Steven Piper took two wickets each, while Geoff McIntyre claimed the other.With the bat, Brown was the only player to post a significant score, finishing unbeaten on 46 as Kiama were dismissed for 136. With their finals hopes dashed, they will play the Kookas away this week.Fourth grade also suffered defeat, but there was something to smile about with bowler Giles Brown claiming a five-wicket haul.“Fourth grade faced competition leaders Jamberoo. Jamberoo struggled early thanks to Kiama’s enforcer Giles Brown (5-26), who dismissed the top five,” Brown said.Giles Brown holding the match ball after his five-wicket haul. Photo: Kiama Cricket ClubJamberoo were bowled out for 143 and Kiama had the target in sight, but unfortunately began in similar fashion.“They lost their top five cheaply. Brett Nortje (58 not out) tried valiantly, striking six fours and three sixes with some lower-order support, but it wasn’t enough as Kiama were bowled out in the 30th over for 115.”Fourth grade fall to third on the ladder but are all but assured of finals cricket. They travel to Albion Park this Saturday.