Recently I was lucky enough to travel to Bali with a group of like-minded friends as part of a “spiritual rejuvenation” holiday.We had all marked a mid-life milestone birthday and decided it was time for our own Eat, Pray, Love moment of self care. So we left our teenage kids at home and headed to the hills for a traditional Balinese purification ritual.While we happily traversed the streets of Kuta to cries of “g’day mate, how’re ya goin” from cheerful Balinese shop owners, our real purpose was connection - not only with each other, but our spiritual selves.And we found it, deep in the mountains of Ubud, during a traditional Hindu cultural ceremony called Melakut.Don’t get me wrong, we still enjoyed Bintangs on the beach and laughed at the crude stickers and wood carvings targeting the widely loved but gently mocked Aussie Bogan traveller.It was, however, a trip to Taman Beji Griya temple for the cleansing Balinese water ritual that was at the heart of our holiday.The temple sits deep in the lush, green mountains of Ubud, surrounded by waterfalls believed to flow with holy water designed to purify and cleanse those who come to worship.The Balinese take part in the traditional Melukat cleansing ritual during a full or new moon, when the water is at its purest and has the power to wash away negative energy.Our ceremony is scheduled a few days after the full moon and we wake at dawn, filled with negative energy from the wine-soaked night before, to beat the busy morning traffic.As we weave our way up the mountain, through tiered rice paddies and small villages, the slower-paced countryside is a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Kuta’s busy streets.When we arrive at Taman Beji Griya temple we have the place to ourselves for a private ceremony. It is well worth the extra cost as the temple quickly fills with visitors by mid-morning.Taman Beji Griya has been used by local families for religious ceremonies for generations but was only opened to the public in 2017, allowing westerners to take part in purification ceremonies for the first time. Hundreds of visitors now cross the temple threshold each week and the best time to visit is early morning on a weekday.As we walk through the tropical forest to the entrance of Beji Griya we are greeted by our guide Karen Bayu Aditya Putra.Bayu is a photographer and artist - he designed the logo for the uniform worn by the temple’s guides - and is renowned for the stunning images he captures of those visiting the spiritual site.Bayu asks us to each choose a brightly coloured sarong, which we wear into the temple as we walk though waterfalls, canyons and grottos offering gifts, known as Canang Sari, to the gods.The intricate baskets, woven from palm leaves, are filled with flowers, incense and rice, and are a fundamental part of Balinese Hindu culture, representing gratitude, balance and devotion.As we approach dozens of intricately carved stone gods Bayu instructs us to take a deep breath, close our eyes, give thanks for that which we are grateful, and place a Canang Sari in front of each deity.We offer our thanks and feel our limbs begin to loosen and relax.Bayu tells us to reach out and touch the ancient, gnarled banyan tree guarding the temple’s entrance. The Balinese believe banyan trees connect the physical world to the spiritual realm.The tree - skirted in the black-and-white checked Balinese poleng cloth which represents the harmony between good and bad, light and dark - is a balance of opposites, rooted in the earth while its branches reach for the sky, its leaves smooth and limbs rough.We touch the tree and ask for a blessing.“Feel its energy, it is the home of our spirits and ancestors,” explains Bayu.While the banyan tree is an important part of the purification ritual, the temple’s waterfall is the centrepiece.As we stand underneath it, getting flogged by fast-flowing water, Bayu yells instructions over the noise: “Scream as loud as you can, let out all the bad energy”.We do as we are told and it feels oddly liberating to shout louder than the crashing water.We move to a slower flowing waterfall - a relaxation massage compared to the deep-tissue hammering of its neighbour - and Bayu tells us to “dance and give thanks for our blessings”.We laugh and dance, careful not to slip as we celebrate, holding each other upright in our silliness.Next a holy priest chants mantras to bless the water which he pours over our head - it signifies rebirth and cleansing.Bayu explains Melukat will wash away stress and bad luck, help our body and mind feel calm, bring balance and inner peace and open our hearts to blessings.“Now you will feel calm and new again,” says Bayu as he ties a band of tri-coloured string, known as tri datu, or three powers, around our wrist.The red string signifies Brahma the god of fire and knowledge, black is Vishnu the god of water and giver of life and white is Shiva the god of destruction and cleansing.“Don’t cut it,” instructs Bayu. According to local legend the band falls off when the wearer is spiritually cleansed.We leave the ceremony feeling lighter, careful not to break our tri datu and grateful for the opportunity to experience the “real” Bali and its ancient traditions and culture.

Destination Kiama is getting in early and calling on Kiama Council to guarantee that the New Year’s Eve fireworks display will be reinstated this year. The Tourism and Economic Advisory Committee met recently and resolved to request Council to ensure that $94,000 in funding is allocated to deliver the Sky Show in the 2026-27 budget.TEAC chair Matt Brown said TEAC voted “unanimously and emphatically” for the immediate return of the fireworks display after describing Kiama as a ghost town on New Year’s Eve after Council’s decision to cancel the event due to the financial constraints brought about by the NSW Government-imposed Performance Improvement Order.“All members are wanting to see the re-introduction of the New Year's Eve fireworks and Sky Show,” he said.“Destination Kiama moved a motion requesting Council put fireworks in its upcoming budget for the next financial year.“We do not want to go through another New Year's Eve where our streets are empty and a lot of the shops are empty as well. New Year's Eve fireworks in Kiama is an institution - many local families look forward to it and plan around it. “They love having fireworks in their own backyard. It saves them from travelling outside the area and of course it attracts a lot of visitors as well.“I'm looking forward to putting this motion in front of my fellow Councillors and working out a way so we can find money in the upcoming budget to ensure that this tradition continues well into the future.”Cr Brown said he had been inundated with robust feedback from locals over the lack of atmosphere in the town on New Year’s Eve without the fireworks.“Whether I'm at a local coffee shop or doing my surf patrols, the feedback is very strong in people’s disappointment that this year there were no fireworks,” he said.“The sad thing is when we didn't deliver fireworks, Wollongong spent extra effort promoting their fireworks and we also had a lot of rogue fireworks getting set off around the local area, which is just unsafe.“I believe that is a result of us not providing the fireworks that we usually do.“Our New Year's Eve fireworks is the biggest event in Kiama by a long shot. It attracts close to 20,000 people and more than half of them are local residents.“Our local fireworks are a complete community event. For instance, Jamberoo Rural Fire Brigade manage the parking at the Leisure Centre and people donate to them. "The last couple of years we've had local surf clubs use the fireworks to sell raffle tickets and to raise funds for much-needed life-saving equipment.“This event is more than simply a 9 o'clock fireworks. It is a significant community gathering. A lot of these things you can't measure but if they're not there you certainly feel the disappointment.”Councillors Yasmin Tatrai and Erica Warren are also set to enter motions regarding plans for New Year’s Eve fireworks at the 17 February meeting which could be superseded by TEAC’s proposal. TEAC is not in favour of organising a ticketed event for the Sky Show due to the location of the event at Black Beach.“We understand that this is a large expense and we're looking forward to sponsorships from local businesses and contributions from businesses to mitigate the cost to Council,” Cr Brown added.Kiama businesswoman Anne-Marie Esler has recently joined TEAC as Kiama Business Network’s representative, replacing KBN president Cathryn Lyall with Cr Warren and local businessman Ryan Rievely also leaving the committee.“We welcome Anne-Marie Esla as a new board member on Destination Kiama and I certainly valued her contribution in her first meeting,” Brown said.“And I'd like to thank Cathy Lyall, Ryan Rieveley and Councillor Warren for the contributions they made to Destination Kiama over the past year.”

The 2026 Berry Show attracted competitors, exhibitors and crowds of people from far and wide to the Berry Showground on a very hot Saturday last weekend. Many were dressed in western gear, interlopers from the western districts of NSW.The gigantic horse transport trucks, floats and caravans filled the eastern side of the showground while laughter and screams could be heard coming from patrons enjoying the rides and games in Sideshow Alley over in the west. This year’s Berry Show Committee and volunteers produced a fantastic show. A relaxed, happy, friendly and exciting atmosphere was in abundance as people caught up with old friends and reminisced over past shows. There was something for everyone. The Berry Rotary and the Show Society provided high quality food options and the hot day ensured ice cream and cold drink vendors were kept busy. The Hawkesbury Working Kelpies display had a huge crowd watching this very intelligent Australian working dog breed at work – moving sheep on command, pushing sheep up a race and barking on the simple command of “speak”. It was like a scene from the ABC’s Muster Dogs program. Mittagong’s Frensham Girls School brought its cattle to the Berry Show for judging. Future champions were seen competing in the junior woodchop event which at first looked dangerous but it was soon evident they had developed great skills. The Exhibition Pavilion, which in the distant past was like entering an oven on hot days in Berry, was now fully air-conditioned and provided great relief from the heat outside for Show patrons to enjoy the entries on display - the artwork, the amazing photography, the delicious baking and the beautiful flowers. The Animal Nursery was a delight for children, especially those not familiar with seeing and actually patting kid goats, lambs and donkeys.The Poultry Shed was noisy and it wasn’t just the ducks, chickens, roosters, turkeys and geese quacking, clucking and crowing at the top of their voices. Adults and children alike were talking poultry – chook chook, cock a doodle do and quack, quack echoed through the shed. Horse trainer Guy McLean is a true “horse whisperer.” A huge crowd watched in silence as he worked his horses and then cheered loudly in appreciation of his skills. At one stage Guy was mounted on his horse, had hold of two horses and then asked another horse to sit down. He proceeded to walk sideways over the sitting horse with two horses and amazingly the horse sitting down didn’t move an inch and only stood up when Guy asked him to do so. To finish his display, Guy gave a beautiful rendition of his own poem, “My Promise to You”, the you he said could be his horse, his wife or whoever. Many found this quite emotional. Finally, Guy generously allowed his audience to pat his horses which brought not only smiles but tears to some. Yes, a true horse whisperer had come to the Berry Show.

Local healthcare is getting a significant shot in the arm with 63 medical graduate interns officially beginning their rotations across the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.After wrapping up their orientation, these junior doctors hit the ground running this week, providing much-needed support to the region’s frontline staff and caring for patients across local wards.These graduates have completed their medical degrees but must now undergo a rigorous supervised year of practice to earn their general registration.Over the next two years, the interns will receive two-year contracts to rotate between metropolitan, regional, and rural hospital -- ensuring a diversity of experience across different specialties, including surgery, medicine, and emergency medicine.Kiama MP Katelin McInerney welcomed the arrival of the new cohort, noting the timing is crucial as the region prepares for major infrastructure upgrades."It is wonderful to have more junior doctors boosting the capacity of our local health system," McInerney said."The Government is delivering for regional communities by investing in the health workforce as we prepare for the redeveloped Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital and the new Shellharbour Hospital."Health Minister Ryan Park echoed these sentiments, highlighting that the interns are joining the state's skilled medical staff within one of the world's best health systems."Choosing to work here in NSW means these new junior doctors will have the opportunity to learn from some of the country’s very best," Park said.The influx of new doctors is part of a broader push by the NSW Government to stabilise the healthcare sector.Key initiatives underway include the abolition of the wages cap, the implementation of staffing ratios in emergency departments, and the provision of study subsidies for the future workforce.For residents in Kiama and the broader South Coast, the presence of these 63 interns means more "boots on the ground" in local hospitals, ensuring that as the population grows, the quality of care remains high.

Kiama Presbyterian Church is appealing to the public for information after its charity bins were damaged and mattresses were dumped at the Op Shop.Reverend Andrew Satchell said the two incidents have caused problems and raised the question of whether the church should keep those bins on their property. “This has been compounded by some attempts over recent months by certain people to break into the charity bins, taking of some items and dumping the rest over the driveway of the church property,” he said. “This has caused much stress and worry for our op-shop volunteers and for the church.“We are grateful for the donations that we receive for our Op Shop and we know that Anglicare (who operate the charity bins) are grateful for the clothing donations received through their bins. “However, the continued dumping of these mattresses and other items as well as the attempts to break into the charity bins, Kiama Presbyterian Church may have to look at increasing our security or having the bins removed all together.” Rev Satchell said the church would like to continue operating its charity bins but if the incidents continue, they may not have an alternative.“This is not something we want to consider but for the sake of the safety of our volunteers and other people coming onto the property, as well as the time and expense which takes away from the work of our Op Shop we may have to consider taking this course of action.” The Op Shop is open 10am-3pm on weekdays and some Saturdays, offering second-hand goods at a reasonable price.If anyone has any information about the recent incidents, email the church at [email protected].

In the quiet, rolling hills of Jerrara, horses are doing something no doctor could: helping a non-verbal child find his voice.At the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Illawarra Centre, the air is still, but the impact is profound. It’s a place where "magic moments" are part of the weekly schedule, and where the bond between a horse and a human transcends the need for words.For those who are dedicating their time at the site, the reward isn’t in a pay cheque – it’s in the giggles and breakthroughs. Bluey One story that has become legend at the centre involves a young boy, a grey pony named Chloe, and a father who just wanted to hear his son’s voice."We decided to get Chloe into a slow trot down the lane," RDA secretary Carmen Power recalled, the emotion still evident in her voice. "Suddenly, the dad was in tears. He hadn’t heard his son speak – and there he was, shouting: ‘More! More!’ I still come out of here with goosebumps. That’s why we do it."While these moments feel like magic, they are backed by significant clinical evidence. Equine therapy is increasingly recognised as a multimodal intervention that uses the horse to enhance core impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).Research shows the horse's rhythmic movement improves social communication, sensory processing and emotional regulation.For children with Cerebral Palsy, the benefits are equally striking. Because a horse’s walking gait mimics the human pelvis’s natural movement, riding helps improve trunk posture, muscle tone and gross motor function.Archie, Bluey, and Kerry.Archie Taylor-Wright, 9, has tactical cerebral palsy, autism, and Level 2 ADHD. When his physiotherapist recommended RDA, his family saw the results immediately."One hour of horse riding is like three hours of physiotherapy," explained coach and committee member Kerry Southwell. "They use muscles in the saddle that a physio can’t even touch."The "therapists" here have four legs and a lot of patience.The centre cares for nine horses, including Bluey, a little grey pony who "clicked" with 13-year-old rider Carter, and Tricky, an impeccable thoroughbred who, despite her racing pedigree, is "the biggest sook you’ve ever seen"."She’s the laziest thoroughbred we’ve ever come across," laughed Power. "She doesn't even walk; she mopes.If you could piggyback her, she’d be happy. But put a rider on her, and she never puts a foot wrong. She counterbalances them. If they start slipping to one side, she’ll walk across to keep them centred … It’s like a switch goes off."For parents, the RDA is more than an extracurricular; it’s a lifeline. For Carter, who is on the spectrum, the rhythm of the horse provides emotional regulation that lasts all week."His teachers would say Tuesday to Thursday – after he’s been riding – are his best days at school," said his mother, Tenele Constable, with tears in her eyes. The confidence Carter gained allowed him to stand up and give a speech about RDA to his entire school at the end of Year 6, a tremendous milestone Tenele attributes to his time in the saddle.The breakthroughs aren't limited to school speeches. Carmen recalled a rider with CP who arrived using a walker and struggled to move across the grass. "He needed two side-walkers just to keep him on the pony. But after a while, he gained so much strength and balance that we were just there for support – not to hold him up. He was doing it himself."Assistant coach and mother Justine Proksch shared a similar journey with her son, Luke Vanduin, 34. "He was so shy, a late walker. We put him on a pony when he was barely two. He couldn't walk at the time, but he could sit up.You can't pedal a push-bike when you can't walk, but suddenly, here he was on a pony, grinning like a Cheshire Cat. For his fifth birthday, all he wanted was pony rides for his friends."Luke at RDALuke still rides with RDA Jerrara. The centre is kept alive by a crew of dedicated South Coast locals. Some, dubbed the "farm boys," have been volunteering for over 33 years.They arrive at the crack of dawn to drive the old tractor, slash the paddocks, and repair fences damaged by the notorious Jerrara natural springs."I became involved 33 years ago and I’m still here doing farm boy work," volunteer Norm Power said. "I liked it that much I just had to come back."Despite these outcomes, the Jerrara centre does not receive government funding.It relies on lesson fees – which at $30 barely cover electricity and water – and "miracle" donations. A few years ago, the Parliament House Cricket Club donated $10,000 to replace an ageing, 25-year-old wooden arena."We got a brand-new, spick-and-span arena, and then COVID hit," Kerry said. "We had this beautiful arena and nothing to do with it for three years!"The centre has three riders on Tuesdays and Saturdays, but the need for help is constant. Because some riders require up to three volunteers at once – one to lead and two to "side-walk" for safety – the program's capacity is entirely dependent on community hands."You don't need to be a horse expert," the team stresses. "We’ve had 'horse virgins' come in who didn't know how to do up a bridle, and now they’re part of the furniture."If you’re a local looking to make a difference, Jerrara’s best-kept secret is waiting for you. Volunteers are always wanted and encouraged to help support the riders and the nine very patient horses that call this valley home.Contact RDA Illawarra via rdansw.org.au or visit their Facebook page to enquire about volunteering or riding placements.

Check out this week's edition of The Bugle to get your fill of local news and views from our South Coast community.Our lead story is a tear-jerking tale of a Jamberoo artist who lost her battle with cancer but her artwork will live on, thanks to the support of her grieving husband.READ THE DIGITAL EDITION HEREWe also bring you the heart-warming story of how horses are bringing joy to disabled riders in Jerrara, making breakthroughs to the delight of the families involved.There is also an update on the Kiama New Year's Eve fireworks saga, Liberal candidate Serena Copley's campaign to win the next state election and a retro upgrade for one of the local pubs.You can also read plenty of community stories including the whisky guru who will be delivering a masterclass at The Drink Show at The Pavilion, a fly hunter in Jamberoo and a casting workshop in Gerringong with a difference.In sport, you can read about Kiama rocketing into the top four of the South Coast cricket competition, the Jamberoo Sevens this weekend and Ali Day signing off from his glittering career in style.The 35-year-old former Kiama nipper claimed his sixth Shaw and Partners Iron Series title over the weekend, completing a fairytale career that could hardly have been scripted better.Last year, Day announced he would retire from professional competition at the end of the 2025/26 season, before going on to claim his record-breaking 11th Coolangatta Gold crown.Day’s six Shaw and Partners Iron Series titles add to an extraordinary list of achievements, including an unmatched 11 Coolangatta Gold victories, four Australian Ironman Championships, a World Ironman title, four Queensland Open Ironman titles, Australian and state representative honours, and induction into the Surf Life Saving Australia Hall of Fame.

It has been a little more than two years since the Reserve Bank of Australia raised interest rates. A two year-long reprieve allowed for family budgets to be more flexible and gave us all an opportunity to tackle our debts and maybe even get ahead of mortgage repayments. That’s all come to a screeching halt. The RBA’s latest rate rise might look like a neat 0.25 percentage point adjustment on a graph, but in Kiama it lands particularly hard.As we all know, Kiama is one the most expensive places to buy a home in regional NSW, with a median house price around $1.5 million. For many owner‑occupiers, that translates to mortgages comfortably above the state average of about $828,000 in NSW, with plenty of local families carrying loans in the $900,000 to $1.1 million range. On a $1m mortgage over 30 years, a 0.25 percentage point rate rise typically adds around $150 a month to repayments, and households with larger debts will feel even more. These are not abstract figures for investors in distant capitals - they are dual‑income parents in Minnamurra and Jamberoo, hospitality workers in town, and health and education staff commuting up and down the coast. When your loan is already stretched to match a premium coastal market, every extra dollar in interest slices directly into groceries, kids’ sport fees and the chance to put anything aside. It continues to challenge the idea that locals can stay local, particularly as the next generation with young families struggle to balance housing with child care and a commute to employment hubs.Kiama households earn a little above the regional NSW average, at about $1,572 a week, but that uplift is quickly swallowed by housing, food and utilities. Rents have climbed as well, with median house rents around $800 a week and unit rents near $650, leaving both tenants and new mortgage‑holders exposed as rates rise. Nationally, the cost of living is still rising faster than wages for many households, driven by housing and supermarket bills that never come down once they go up. Around town, that pressure shows up in local business closures, quieter café mornings outside peak tourist weekends, trimmed grocery baskets at IGA and Woolies, and local families delaying renovations or trading down holidays to a single night away instead of a week. Kiama’s economy remains anchored in tourism, hospitality, construction and services, with tourism alone supporting close to a thousand jobs and forming a major pillar of local employment. Regional plans emphasise growth and resilience, but service‑based and visitor‑dependent economies feel rate rises quickly as locals cut discretionary spending and visitors shorten stays. The paradox is that rate hikes aimed at cooling inflation risk chilling the small businesses that give Kiama its character: the family‑run restaurants, tradies dependent on home‑improvement work, and the hospitality and tourism operators that rely on city guests already stretched by their own mortgages. While this rate rise was predicted and pundits were calling this rate rise the least-worst option, it is certainly not how we wanted to ring in the second month of the new year. We just hope the RBA and Government get a handle on the economy and we do not see successive rate rises to come.

Commuters in Shellharbour are set for a more inspired morning trek as the city’s bus shelters undergo a creative transformation.From February to April, award-winning artist Sharon Billinge will bring her community-focused works to the streets as the latest feature of Shellharbour City Council’s Art in Unexpected Places program.As the latest installment of the program, the project features site-specific designs that explore human relationships and the stories that connect us.Known for her collaborative approach, the Sydney-based artist works closely with communities to create murals and artworks that reflect local history, shared experiences, and social themes.The Art in Unexpected Places program introduces a new artist quarterly to provide ongoing professional opportunities while offering visual delights for visitors and locals alike.Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer praised the initiative for its role in enriching the local landscape, noting that the program continues to surprise and inspire the community."Sharon’s work is thoughtful and engaging, and we are proud to showcase her talent in Shellharbour," Mayor Homer said.For Billinge, her practice is about more than aesthetics; it is a vehicle for building genuine connection.Sharon Billinge’s works will feature in bus shelters across Shellharbour as part of Council’s Art in Unexpected Places program. Photo: Shellharbour City Council“Public art can transform spaces and spark conversations," she said. "I love working with communities to create something meaningful that reflects their identity and values.”A British-born multidisciplinary artist, Billinge holds a Masters of Research from the Victorian College of the Arts and has exhibited widely across Australia, including solo shows at The Centre for Contemporary Photography and WestSpace Gallery in Melbourne.She is best known for her collaborative mural projects which transform public spaces and often involve local residents in the creative process.Bus shelter artwork locations are as follows:211 Princes Highway, Rotary Park, Albion Park RailShellharbour Primary School, Mary St, ShellharbourLake Entrance Road (Wattle Road Intersection), Warilla128 Shellharbour Road, Warilla

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - UNDER 14 GIRLS - PURPLE PANTHERS

It used to be that whisky was an old man’s drink but connoisseurs nowadays are much younger with women now making up nearly half of consumers.Central Coast-based distillery Amber Lane has been at the forefront of Australia’s rising reputation as one of the world’s finest producers of Scotland’s most famous export. Amber Lane co-owner, Figtree resident Rod Berry, will be in attendance at The Drink Show at The Pavilion in Kiama where he will be talking to attendees about the finer points of whisky.He will also be providing a masterclass between the first and second of the three two-hour sessions where he will teach budding brewers “The Secret Blend Behind Australia’s Best Whisky 2025”.Amber Lane’s 2025 limited release Silk Road took out the highly coveted Best Small Batch Single Malt Whisky title at the World Whiskies Awards in London last week.Silk Road was also among a slew of Amber Lane whiskies to be recognised in the 2025/2026 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, released recently.“Whisky is definitely experiencing a revival. There's a massive whisky culture across the world. Australia now has more whiskey distilleries than Scotland has, so it's really really captured the Australian imagination but the production volumes of those distilleries is a lot less.“But we're doing very well internationally. “It's not just a parochial local idea that our whisky is good. It's being assessed against the best whiskies in the world and we just keep doing fantastically well. “Amber Lane has now won 14 international gold medals which means that our whisky is rated up there with some of the best whisky in the world.Berry founded Amber Lane in 2017 with his friend Phil Townsend and started production the following year, waiting for it to age sufficiently before releasing it to the market in 2022.The secret to their success is the use of 60-year-old barrels, imported from the famous sherry regions of southern Spain, “What I'm going to be doing in that session is providing everyone with samples direct from our barrels and making the blend of our internationally acclaimed whisky, the Equinox.“Each person has their own barrel samples and then we create the blend together and then people get to take home their own 50ml bottle of this magnificent whisky.Berry said Amber Lane prides itself on the consistency of its mash bill, the grain combination used in fermenting the spirits “to make sure the flavours are consistent”.“And then we use really premium quality barrels to mature the whisky. We have imported some of the most exclusive barrels in the world, up to 60 years old from the very old Spanish bodegas (wine cellars) in the south of Spain.”The Drink Show features three sessions from 12.30pm-2.30pm, 3pm-5pm and 6pm-8pm, with a range of independent craft distillers and modern drinks producers showing their wares.Berry’s half-hour masterclass will be held at 2.30pm, followed by Felix Clarke from Ester Spirits at 4pm on Summer Drinks.Each masterclass is strictly limited to 30 ticket holders so get in quickly to reserve your spot at drinkshow.com.au.

In a world that often overlooks the wisdom of experience, one storytelling movement is making sure women of all ages are seen, heard, and celebrated. On Tuesday, February 17, the award-winning Generation Women Australia brings its "On the Road" tour to Fillmore’s in Kiama for a night of raw, real-life storytelling.The concept is a straightforward but powerful bridge across the ages: six women, representing six different decades of life (from their 20s to their 70s+), each tell a seven-minute story based on a shared theme.The movement began in New York in 2017, founded by Georgia Clark.The inspiration was deeply personal as Clark was moved by conversations with her mother, Jayne, regarding the feeling of "disappearing" as an older woman. Determined to create a space where every decade is valued, Clark launched the series.By 2018, the movement reached Australian shores and today, under the leadership of Donna Logue, Generation Women Australia is driven by the bold vision to unite and empower 100,000 women through the power of story over the next decade.This month’s Kiama show, “Matriarchs, Mentors and Aunties,” focuses on the elder women who showed us what’s possible.The performers for the Kiama show represent a powerhouse of creative and professional achievement:Sarah Collins (20s): A Jamberoo-based classical singer who recently made her international operatic debut in Berlin.Adara Enthaler (30s): A Dharawal-based spoken-word poet and host of Enough Said Poetry Slam.Angela Blake (40s): Co-founder of the global SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3) and inclusive filmmaking tutor.Lillian Rodrigues-Pang (50s): An internationally acclaimed bilingual storyteller with 20 years of experience in "healing stories."Lynne Strong (60s): A researcher dedicated to ensuring women’s names and labour are preserved in history.Tiang Lim (70s+): A comedian, Raw Comedy finalist, and dementia care educator with a background in nursing and psychology.Presented in partnership with the South Illawarra Older Women’s Network (OWN) and funded by Create NSW, the event is a reminder that strength multiplies when it is shared across generations. Whether you are in your 20s looking for a path, or in your 70s looking to share one, the night promises a mix of laughter, reflection, and deep connection.Event DetailsWhen: Tuesday, February 17, 2026Where: Fillmore’s, 38 Manning Street, KiamaTime: Doors open at 6:30 PM | Show starts at 7:00 PMTickets: Available at generationwomenaus.com/next-show/all/kiama/feb-26

For the past year, Australian travel media have repeatedly highlighted the flood of tourists heading to Vietnam.Bali may still top the list of favourite destinations, but it's hard to find a negative word about Vietnam from those who have visited.Australian visitors to Vietnam have surged significantly, with a 54% increase in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2019, outpacing many other international spots. More than 276,000 Australians arrived in the first half of 2025 alone. Booking platforms like Klook reported massive spikes, with hotel bookings up 250% between March and June 2025 compared to the previous year.Vietnam excels on key factors that draw tourists: price, quality infrastructure, safety, friendliness, stunning landscapes, rich history, cultural uniqueness, climate, and exceptional food.Above all, for working Australians facing rising living costs, affordability stands out. Step away from tourist areas, and you can grab a coffee or beer for a dollar, enjoy a bowl of pho for three dollars, or take an hour-long taxi to the airport for about 10 dollars.Vietnam has earned an extremely positive reputation from travel writers over the past 12 months, driven largely by value for money and the positive impacts of its regulated economy. Travel writer Chantelle Francis headlined a News Limited story: “Vietnam surges in popularity, emerges as new favourite among Australian tourists”.A Travel Money Oz spokeswoman told her: “Vietnam consistently offers Australians incredible value, and with the Australian dollar’s steady appreciation against the Vietnamese dong travellers can enjoy even more bang for their buck. This translates directly to your holiday budget, with an average meal or a taxi ride costing around just $5.”The Vietnamese are industrious and hardworking, unburdened by the over-regulation that hampers much commercial activity in Australia. Suburban streets buzz with makeshift cafes, street-side eateries specialising in meals by time of day, and home-based shops selling everything from corn to mobile phones. Where I stayed for months on Saigon's outskirts, morning stalls catered to schoolchildren with breakfast, pens, and books.Part of Vietnam's allure, amid Australia's government-generated crises, is glimpsing a prosperous, well-functioning Confucian society that values family, community, dignity, and self-worth.What struck me most was how well-behaved and cherished Vietnamese children are. Each evening in my apartment complex's public space, swarms of kids ran, jumped, laughed, played, and rode trikes – all clean, tidy, immaculately dressed, with no tantrums. They appeared genuinely happy and dearly loved. This scene, with proud, watchful parents and grandparents, repeats nationwide across economic levels, speaking volumes about the country.These children represent why Australians are increasingly choosing Vietnam – a nation that endured extreme poverty until the 1980s but now enjoys a remarkable boom.Vietnam has avoided Thailand's mistakes in chasing tourist dollars. Unlike Thailand's world-famous bars, clubs, and sex industry (where locals often resent foreigners), Vietnam remains socially conservative. Drunken debauchery exists only in small, contained pockets, and with a former policeman leading the country, open drug use in Saigon's entertainment district of Bui Vien is now a thing of the past.For Australians, it's astonishing we once fought in what we call the Vietnam War and they call the American War. No one defeats the Vietnamese – they proudly recount sending off the French, Germans, Chinese, and Americans. While Australian flags are rare in this country, the Vietnamese flag flies everywhere, and national pride is taken for granted.My advice: wander freely. Every country has its con artists, of course, so don’t be stupid. But when a Vietnamese person invites you for a beer, coffee, or meal, accept with grace. You won’t regret it.Veteran Australian journalist John Stapleton is the author of the 2014 book Thailand: Deadly Destination, which received international coverage and, he wryly notes, promptly became a bestseller on various pirate sites, none of which pay royalties.

The Gerringong SurfLife Music Festival will return on March 28, bringing live music, coastal culture and community spirit to the iconic Gerringong Town Hall - all while raising funds for youth mental health.After a strong response in previous years, the festival is once again calling on the community to turn up the music and support a cause, with a portion of ticket sales and raffle proceeds being donated to headspace Kiama. The organisation provides vital mental health and wellbeing services for people aged 12-25.Festival organisers say live music and community events play an important role in fostering connection, belonging and shared experience, particularly for young people.The event will transform Gerringong into a hub of live entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening, encouraging locals and visitors to soak up the town’s laid-back coastal charm while enjoying performances across multiple spaces.Free live music will feature along Fern Street, with soulful buskers Tayah Larsen and Iris Zarrella setting the tone as visitors explore local shops and cafés. Families are also invited to enjoy the Hour of Power, a free, high-energy session inside the Town Hall hosted by Ocean Wizard, offering music, dancing and fun for children and their grandparents.The festival will also showcase emerging local talent, with youth bands Dirty Merchants and Twisted Arrow taking to the stage as part of the New Kids on the Block segment, delivering high-energy sets and supporting the next generation of live performers.For those seeking a more relaxed experience, ticket holders can enjoy SurfLife Cocktails, Pizza and Grooves, featuring surf-inspired cocktails from the bar team and food by Gerringong Pizza. The chilled atmosphere will be soundtracked by Kane Calcite, Ren McArdell and Night & Day.The evening’s main event promises a high-energy, groove-filled celebration, headlined by indie-folk and roots duo Sunday Lemonade. They will be joined by up-and-coming indie rock-funk act Autumn Sunset and party favourites Hot Pursuit, rounding out a diverse and energetic line-up.Organisers are also encouraging attendees to support the cause further by entering the SurfLife raffle, with a range of prizes on offer.Tickets are on sale now, with community members encouraged to secure their spot early for what promises to be a vibrant night of music, connection and purpose.Event DetailsDate: March 28, 2026Venue: Gerringong Town HallTickets: $50 (Main Event or Cocktails, Pizza and Grooves)Website: www.surflifemusicfestival.com.au

The final team of artists has been assembled to transform the new Shoalhaven Hospital into more than just a clinical facility as the $440 million redevelopment enters its final stages of construction.The project’s Arts in Health program has officially confirmed its full cohort, with Glenn Barkley, Antonia Pesenti, Claire Foxton, and Nastia Gladushchenko joining previously announced artists Lara Merrett and Kirli Saunders OAM. Together, the group will deliver a series of integrated works across the new seven-storey acute services building, covering public spaces, paediatric treatment rooms, and the Mental Health Unit.The initiative marks a shift toward healing architecture, where the environment is considered as vital to recovery as the medical equipment. Glenn BarkleyA central feature of the plan is an outdoor respite area designed specifically for staff and families who requested a space to connect with nature during breaks. Artist Glenn Barkley is creating Skiesful/Treesful, a sandstone garden sculpture using local materials. Barkley is collaborating with BirdLife Shoalhaven and students from the Aboriginal Cultural Arts Program at Bomaderry TAFE to ensure the space reflects the local community. “This work is about creating a space where someone can stop, take a breath, listen to the birds and simply be,” Barkley said.Claire FoxtonInside the hospital, the focus shifts to reducing the stress of medical treatment. A massive 23-metre mural by Claire Foxton and Nastia Gladushchenko will greet people at the Shoalhaven Street entrance. Foxton noted that “public art has the power to create connection and a sense of belonging, especially in a hospital environment,” while Gladushchenko added that her work aims to encourage people “to connect with nature, with place and with each other.”Natalie GladushchnkoIn the paediatric wards, Antonia Pesenti is designing vibrant illustrations to provide a sense of play for young patients. “As an illustrator, to bring imagination, play and local connection into paediatric treatment spaces is an incredibly meaningful opportunity for me,” Pesenti said. Antonia PesentiThese works join contributions from Kirli Saunders OAM, who drew inspiration from the grounds' large blackbutt tree, and Lara Merrett, who collaborated with staff on pieces for the Mental Health Unit.The decision to integrate art into the $440 million build is backed by public health research suggesting that creative environments provide measurable benefits for physical and mental wellbeing.Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital general manager Frank Bazik said that "public health and cultural policy research show that taking part in creative activities has measurable benefits for physical and mental health." He noted that each artwork has been carefully considered to enhance the experience of consumers, staff, and families, "creating spaces that support healing."Construction of the new Acute Services Building is expected to be completed later this year. The artists are working with the project team to finalise the design and construction of the artworks ahead of their installation.

In April 2024, 10-year-old Indi Whittaker had a vision for Kiama: a street pantry where the community could look after its own. She drew up designs, created the slogan “Take what you need, Give what you can,” and wrote to the Council.Fast-forward 18 months, and Indi’s vision is a reality. Standing proudly at the Kiama Uniting Church grounds on Manning Street, the Community Care Cupboard has officially opened its doors and the response has been tremendous. The project came to life through a massive community effort. After Indi’s letter was referred to the church, Reverend Kath Merrifield and the congregation stepped in to host the site. Kiama Men’s Shed built the structure based on Indi’s original drawings, with architectural guidance from Madeleine Scarfe.For Rev Merrifield, the cupboard fills a desperate gap in local support services."What we know is that there's nothing within Kiama for anybody outside of office hours," she said. "It was a no-brainer for us to find a way to meet the needs of people sleeping rough or families doing it tough. "It’s a dignity thing – people can access help on a Saturday afternoon when there’s nothing in the fridge without having to engage with formal service providers."While the cupboard has only been operational since just before Christmas, it is already being heavily utilised.Following a "social media blitz" by project coordinator Annie O’Sullivan over the Australia Day long weekend, the community rallied to restock the shelves after they were wiped nearly bare."When I came back after the long weekend, pretty much everything was low–food and toiletries," Rev Merrifield noted. "The community responded amazingly to the shout-out, and it’s now nicely stocked again."While the cupboard holds books and toys, it’s the essentials – toiletries, soap, and non-perishable meals – that are moving the fastest, proving that the cost-of-living crunch is being felt right here at home.The challenge now is sustainability. The team wants the cupboard to become a permanent fixture of Kiama life, rather than just a holiday project."I hope it becomes part of how we function as a community," says Rev Merrifield."If you’re doing your shopping and walking past, check in – if the pasta is running low, feel free to top it up. It’s really about the community providing for each other."Despite some early battles with rain-proofing the unit, the message from Manning Street is clear: Kiama looks after its own.If you would like to help keep Indi’s vision full, the cupboard is seeking:Non-perishable food: Pasta, rice, canned meals, and long-life milk.Toiletries: Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products.Comfort items: Towels and blankets (especially as we head toward the cooler months).

On 14 February, Kiama’s SEVENMARKS Gallery will present Rising Tide, a new exhibition by artist Alexander Boynes that features an unlikely subject as its focus - the Illawarra Steelworks.Rising Tide brings together a major new body of paintings and drawings alongside a large-scale painting, a video projection, and an original score by cellist and composer Tristan Parr all about Port Kembla and its surroundings.“At its core, the project is about Port Kembla and the Illawarra as places shaped by industry, ecology, labour, and deep time,” Boynes said.Boynes was inspired by the way the steelworks embody a tension between beauty and destruction.“I personally find them quite beautiful - there’s something mesmerising about industrial landscapes, even though they’re producing things that are harmful,” he said. “Art historically talks about the romantic sublime; maybe this is an industrial sublime. Beauty can exist in these spaces too.”Beyond their imposing presence, the steelworks are deeply embedded in the social and cultural fabric of the region.“The Illawarra is one of Australia’s most significant industrial landscapes. Port Kembla, in particular, has literally helped build modern Australia through steel,” Boynes said. “It has also been central to major cultural movements - migrant rights, women’s rights protests, labour struggles - and that history is important.”At the same time, Boynes is clear-eyed about the environmental consequences of industry.“This has always been Dharawal country. These landscapes were shaped over millennia by coastal systems, wetlands, escarpments, and cultural knowledge long before industry arrived. Industry has rapidly transformed those environments, and I want the work to begin from that deep history,” he said.“That tension - prosperity and sacrifice existing side by side - is central to the work.”SEVENMARKS describes Boynes’ work as presenting “fractured, atmospheric visions, where structures and figures hover between endurance and erasure, presence and collapse.”The project is also deeply personal for Boynes. His mother, the late Australian artist Mandy Martin - renowned for creating the largest commissioned artwork in the Australian Parliament - worked extensively in and around Port Kembla during the 1980s.“Port Kembla has a personal connection for me,” Boynes said. “My mother made a lot of work in that area when I was a kid. In that sense, this project is tied to my own history and her legacy. It helped shape the way I think about landscape, ethics, and responsibility.”One of the works from Rising Tide. Photo: SEVENMARKSWhile Rising Tide engages with major issues such as climate change and green energy, Boynes does not see art as offering direct solutions. Instead, he believes in its power to provoke reflection and emotional engagement.“Art bears witness. It can reflect back to us what’s hidden in plain sight,” he said. “Its ability to make people feel operates very differently from statistics or reports. Humans are emotive beings, and when we feel something deeply, that’s often when we’re motivated to act.”“This is one of the biggest challenges civilisation will face in our lifetimes, and every approach matters. Art just happens to be the language I have to engage with these issues - to ask questions, create pauses, and encourage people to reflect on their own impact.”Boynes is careful to emphasise that the exhibition is not intended to instruct viewers on what to think.“The exhibition is really about witnessing transformation and asking what responsibility looks like now,” he said. “In many ways, the show aims to be a monument to labour, but also a reminder of environmental cost. I’m not trying to be didactic - I’m talking about ethics and asking us to consider the systems that shape our lives.”Rising Tide is a special multi-disciplinary exhibition, combining painting, drawing, moving image, and sound. “All these forms are communicating the same ideas, but at different rates of release and decay. Seeing how they work together, each in its own way, is really interesting to me.”Rising Tide opens at SEVENMARKS Gallery on 14 February from 5–7pm and runs until 14 March. More information is available via the SEVENMARKS Gallery website.

Nearly 2,000 people are expected to descend on Jamberoo this weekend for the annual Jamberoo Sevens - a summer football competition that has grown into one of the South Coast’s largest and most anticipated community sporting events.Now in its 26th year - and its third year being run independently by Jamberoo Football Club - the tournament will feature close to 90 teams across men’s and women’s competitions, drawing players from across NSW and beyond.Jamberoo Football Club president Alan Smith believes the event’s continued growth reflects both its timing and its unique sense of community.“We deliberately schedule it for the end of the school holidays, before the winter season starts,” he said. “It’s a marker for pre-season - a chance to get the band back together, have a weekend away with mates, play some football and have a bit of fun.”While the competition has a long history - Smith is clear that Jamberoo Sevens has always been about more than just football.“This is a community event first and foremost,” he said. “Last year we had around 1,500 people in town with no issues at all. This year we’re expecting close to 2,000. Local cafés, the bakery, the pub - everyone benefits. The whole town gets behind it.”On Saturday alone, more than 130 matches will be played across multiple fields, with age divisions ranging from over-30s to over-55s, alongside rapidly growing women’s competitions.Smith says the women’s divisions, in particular, highlight how far the tournament’s reach has expanded.“At one point we only had two women’s teams,” he said. “This year we’ve got teams coming from the Far North Coast, Central Coast, Canberra, the Far South Coast and the South Coast. That growth has been really exciting to watch.”Despite its size, teams are still encouraged to prioritise participation over results, with flexible squad sizes and a strong emphasis on fair play.“It’s about having fun, not winning at all costs,” Smith said. “If a team’s short a player, lend them one. Everyone’s insured, everyone’s here for a good time.”At the same time the tournament is fully sanctioned by Football Australia, with accredited referees overseeing matches. Smith has also worked with Football South Coast to use the event as a development opportunity for young referees.Another winning team from last years Jamberoo Sevens. Photo: Linda Faiers.“They get exposure to different age groups, men’s and women’s games, and real match situations in a short amount of time,” he said. “It’s a great training ground, and it supports the future of the game.”While the standard of play continues to rise - with returning champions and fiercely competitive divisions - Smith believes the enduring appeal of the Jamberoo Sevens lies in its balance of competition and community.“Some teams come to win, some come for the weekend away, and most come for both,” he said. “That’s what makes it special.”For Smith, the event’s community impact is personal. He first attended the tournament as a player more than 15 years ago, a visit that ultimately led him to move to Jamberoo permanently.“This tournament brought me here,” he said. “Now it’s about giving back - creating something that benefits the club, the town, and everyone who comes through.”The Jamberoo Sevens will start at 8:15pm on Friday and will end at 6pm on Saturday with finals.“It’s noisy, it’s busy, it’s fun,” Smith said. “And that’s exactly how a community event should be.”

A man has been charged with six additional domestic violence offences – including a coercive control offence – after an alleged kidnapping in the Illawarra last year left a woman with multiple fractures.Lake Illawarra Police District officers started an investigation on 5 August after a 32-year-old woman attended Lake Illawarra Police Station to report alleged domestic violence-related offences.Police will allege in court a 34-year-old man – who is known to her – detained her by chaining her up in their home on The Esplanade, Oak Flats.Police will allege between July and August 2025, the woman was subjected to ongoing physical assaults and, on one occasion, scissors and a meat tenderiser were thrown at her.The woman was treated at Shellharbour Hospital for fractures to her eye socket as well as multiple fractures to her ribs.A 34-year-old man was arrested at a home on The Esplanade, Oak Flats, on 6 August and was charged with five offences: Take/detain person with intent to obtain advantage (DV)Common assault (DV)Kidnap with intent to commit serious indictable offence occasion actual bodily harm.Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV), andStalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic).He was refused bail.Following further legal advice, he was on Tuesday charged with six more offences:Sexual intercourse without consent (DV)Common assault (DV)Intentionally choke person with recklessness (two counts)Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV) andIntend abusive behaviour coerce/control intimate partner (DV).The man has been held in custody since his first appearance in court in August.