16 January 2016

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

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

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

Serving the communities of Kiama,

Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs,

Minnamurra and Gerroa

and now at www.thebugleonline.com

Focus on the merger

debate p 6 & 7

Duck Derby makes a

splash p4

2016 Kiama Show p 8

Australia Day Awards

and celebration

guide p3

Inside this issue

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

After Hours Towing 0438 424 574

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More than 1000 Kiama resi-

dents declared their strong

opposition to the NSW Gov-

ernment’s proposed merger

of Kiama and Shoalhaven

councils at a public meeting.

It was a meeting which

had just about everything,

including a declaration of a

political uprising, passionate

speeches, a few heated

exchanges and even an

old fashioned protest song.

The huge crowd over-

flowed out of the Kiama

Pavilion and onto the grass

of the Kiama Showground

to hear proceedings.

On the night, a lot of the

frustration was directed

towards Kiama MP Gareth

Ward, who was publicly

warned by many - including

councillors he had endorsed

- that his job as the local

member was on the line

should the merger proceed.

The evening commenced

with an extraordinary meet-

ing of Kiama Council.

Councillors formally

resolved to oppose the

proposed merger of Kiama

and Shoalhaven Councils

“based on the lack of

community interest between

the two areas, the loss of

democracy which would

result, the strong community

opposition to such proposal

and the strong financial

position of the Kiama

Municipal Council”.

The Council also sup-

ported a mayoral minute

from Brian Petschler which

declared “a serious lack of

confidence” in the NSW

Government’s decision.

Cr Petschler said the pro-

posal from the Premier Mike

Baird and Local Govern-

ment Minister Paul Toole

had been met with “shock

and dismay”.

The Premier announced

plans to merge the two coun-

cils prior to Christmas with

a supporting document justi-

fying the proposal published

in early January.

The Government claims

the merger has the potential

to generate a net saving

to the two council areas of

$38 million over the next 20

years, with a newly merged

council to be given an assis-

tance funding package of

$15 million.

The proposal states a

merged council would result

in improved strategic plan-

ning and economic develop-

ment “to better respond to

the changing needs of the

community” and that a com-

bined council would provide

a “more effective voice for

the area's interests”.

However the document

was slammed for its lack of

substance, contradictions

and mistakes.

Wearing a placard declar-

ing Kiama had been ‘stabb-

ed in the back’ by the NSW

Government, Cr Dennis

Seage declared that the

Baird Liberal Government

was “the enemy at the gate”.

He warned his friend

Mr Ward that “Jesus might

forgive, but voters won't

forget”.

Kiama Greens councillor

Andrew Sloan said council

amalgamations in other

states had shown mergers

did not save money as they continued on page 6

Ward promises to fight the merger Kiama MP Gareth Ward said the message that the

Kiama community was opposed to amalgamation

was received loud and clear at Tuesday night’s

meeting.

He said he understood the community's disap-

pointment and that he himself had been shocked by

the proposal handed down by his own government

before Christmas.

“I have always said that Kiama Council can stand

alone,” Mr Ward said.

“That was the position of the Samson review and

the IPART review, neither of which recommended

Kiama merge with Shoalhaven City Council.

“This had never been mooted prior to cabinet

presenting this recommendation.

“Kiama and the Shoalhaven are beautiful, but

Kiama’s biggest public meeting ever voted to oppose the merger proposal

Continued page 7

Gareth Ward takes picture of the

protesters to send to Premier Mike Baird

ALEX ARNOLD

Community says NO to forced merger

Photos: David Finlay

The BugleThe BugleThe BugleThe Bugle

2

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Disclaimer:

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to ensure the accuracy of

the information

in this publication,

but we are only human.

4 Tingira Cres, Kiama 2533

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

Every Wednesday Kiama Farmers’ Market

Kiama Harbour 3-6pm

On weekends Live music at The Sebel,

Kiama Leagues Club,

The Mecure, Jamberoo

Pub and other venues.

Til 18 January Dynamic Earth photo-

graphic exhibition

(see below)

14-17 January Illawarra Folk Festival

Bulli Showground

See below

16-17 January Kiama Rotary Antiques

& Retro Fair

Kiama Leisure Centre,

9.30-5pm on the Sat and

10-3pm on the Sun. $10/$7

16 January Shimano Children's

Charity Fishing Comp

Kiama Harbour

Gerringong Village

Market In and around

the Town Hall

17 January Kiama Seaside Markets

Black Beach, 9-3pm

19 January Lego Lake

Kiama Library, 6-7.30pm

Come along and see what

you can build

21 January Gerringong Twilight

Markets

Anglican Church

Grounds, cnr Fern and

Blackwood Sts, 2.30-7pm

22-23 Jan Kiama Show (see p 8)

23 January Gerroa Market Morning

8.30-12.30, Gerroa

Neighbourhood Centre,

37 Stafford St

Kiama Makers &

Growers Market

Kiama Harbour, 9-2pm

25 January Summer Outdoor Movie:

Australia

Hindmarsh Park,

8 for 8.3pm. Free.

26 January Australia Day

Festivities held across

the district, ending with

a jazz & blues concert

in Hindmarsh Park

from 6-9pm (see page 3)

31 January Jamberoo Village

Markets

Reid Park, 9-2pm

5 February Pics and Flicks

Tanna (see right)

Gerringong Town Hall,

7.30pm $10

11 February Kiama Bush Dance

Joyce Wheatley Commu-

nity Centre, Hindmarsh

Park, 7.30-10.30pm $5

12 February Summer Outdoor Movie:

Red Dog

Hindmarsh Park,

8 for 8.30pm, free

$65/hour — No solution, no charge.

With 15 years’ IT teaching experience, Jim Carney

(aka Fat Albert) can help you learn to get the

most out of your electronic devices

(Apple a specialty).

Available for sessions 8am-8pm.

t 0434 611 674

jim@fatalberts.com.au

Like fatalbert on Facebook at

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• Internet

• Microsoft Office

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Pics & Flicks is introducing a ten ticket pass available at

the door for $75. This not only gives a 25% reduction on

the door price of $10, but also can be used by more than

one person. Use them all on the one night for a group of

friends or use them over a series of night.

The regular membership ticket of $60 (valid for a year

from the date of purchase) is still available, but is not

transferable and has one ticket for each session.

The film selected as the first for 2016 is Tanna, a Romeo

and Juliet story set within a tribe in Vanuatu whick pre-

miered at the Venice Film Festival last year. The drama

shows that love, not war, takes genuine courage and that

even the oldest traditions must contain the flexibility to

evolve and bring about change.

Details: Friday 5 February,

Gerringong Town Hall, 7.30 for 8pm

Hope you get to read The Bugle in

time to get to this year’s Illawarra Folk

Festival at Bulli.

This year, the volunteer organising

committee has put together its biggest

program yet, with over 160 perform-

ance acts from all over the world and

Australia coming together for four

days to offer 500 concerts, dances,

workshops and sessions.

It is definitely the largest ever contin-

gent of international acts, with folk musicians from the

UK, the USA, Canada, Italy and Japan.

These include The Poozies, one of the longest-standing

UK folk groups. Their four-part harmonies and instrumen-

tals effortlessly fuse folk with pop, soul, country, Gaelic

and 'any enticing genre'.

Details: Check out the full program at

www.illawarrafolkfestival.com.au To give an indication

of a wide selection of ticket prices, two day weekend

passes are $135, and a Sunday pass is $75

Folk lovers heading to Bulli

Young photographers show their perspective

Pics & Flicks even better value

Details: 13-18 January, Old Fire Station, Kiama

Dynamic Earth is a photographic exhibition show-

casing the beauty of the natural world surrounding

Kiama, as seen from the perspectives of Ryan North

and Jack Parkinson, two seventeen year old award-

winning photographers.

The exhibition will also feature live music,

supporting the young, local musicians of Kiama.

The project is a finale to the Young Entrepreneurs

Program – an eight week business and marketing

course held by SENTRAL Youth Services in Kiama in

early 2015. Ryan and Jack worked for the rest of

year together with experienced artists and mentors

to finalise the planning. Drop in and show your sup-

port to these young artists.

To market, to market..

to buy seeds and plants.. Burnetts On Barney,

your local Landscape

and Garden Centre,

brings healthy veggie

seedlings, heirloom

seeds, organic gardening

additives and loads of

flowering colour to the

Kiama Farmers’ Market.

Visit us at our stall at our first Kiama Farmers’

Market for 2016 on Weds 20 January

Or drop into at 80 Barney St Kiama t 4233 1322

Open 7.30-4.30 Mon-Fri 7-4 Saturdays

3

This year’s official Australia Day celebrations start the

night before, with a free screening of the epic movie

Australia, in Hindmarsh Park.

The next morning, the tradition of local surf clubs

organising community breakfasts on the beach continues,

with events at Surf Beach, Kiama Downs and Gerringong

(see box for details). Jamberoo will also have its tradi-

tional breakfast, with a visit from our Australia Day

Ambassador Najeeba Wazefadost.

She will then accompany Mayor Brian Petschler and

Australia Day Committee Chairman Neil Reilly to the

11am Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony in Hindmarsh

Park, where she will address the audience.

Ms Wazefadost fled

Afganistan with her

family when she was 12.

As president of Hazara

Women of Australia,

she is a vocal advocate

for the rights of women,

refugees and children in

detention. She is a writer,

a regular panelist on the

ABC’s Q&A, a finalist in

the 2013 NSW Woman

of the Year Awards and

has also established her

own childcare business.

For this week only, the

Kiama Farmers’ Market

is moving its regular

Wednesday market to

Tuesday and staying

open until 7pm to add to the atmosphere. While the

market is on, there will be a surf rescue demonstration

by local surf life saving clubs on the harbour at 3.30pm.

There will also be buskers and games on the beach.

The day will end with a Twilight Concert in Hindmarsh

Park, from 5 til 9pm.

The bill includes Jamberoo Public School Singers,

the PlaySpace Vocal Ensemble, Triple Clef and Cohlaj,

featuring Alicia Quinn.

Later in the evening, the Kiama Jazz & Blues Club will

present Dr Don’s Double Dose, The Jacky Howellers and

Sound of Koko.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, a previ-

ously-advertised evening lightshow has been cancelled.

Where will

you breakfast? Enjoy a BBQ breakfast, play

some games and generally

celebrate being Australian.

Kiama:

Coronation Park,

from 7am

Featuring live music

by Out of the Blue,

free jumping castle,

facepainting and beach

volleyball. Presented by

Kiama Rotary and Kiama

SLSC.

Kiama Downs:

Jones Beach, 7am-11am

Presented by Kiama

Downs Surf Club and

Minnamurra Rotary.

Featuring flag-raising,

sand modelling, treas-

ure hunt, a brickies’

relay & thong-throwing.

North Kiama Dr will be

closed between Merindah

Ave and Johnson St,

6.30-11.30am.

Gerringong:

Gerringong Surf Club,

7.30-11am

Presented by Gerringong

Surf Club, Gerringong

Lions and Gerringong

Sunrise Rotary Club.

Guest speaker will be

Kimberley Abbott (8am)

and local band Rusty

Hinges will perform.

All proceeds to the

Gerringong Bush Fire

Brigade and Gerringong

Primary School.

Jamberoo:

Kevin Walsh Oval,

8-11.30am

Children’s games, jump-

ing castle, classic cars

and Born and Bred Vs

Blow-ins touch football

game at 10.30am.

Ambassador Najeeba

Wazefadost will speak

at 9am.

Australia Day: something to celebrate

“Australia Day is a great day to join with friends, family and neighbours and celebrate what makes Australia a wonderful and culturally-diverse place to live,’’ says Mayor Brian Petschler.

Congratulations to Jamber-

oo’s Geoff Boxsell on being

named Kiama’s Australia

Day Citizen and Hannah

McInerney, our Young Citi-

zen of the Year for 2016.

From his youth, Geoff

has had active involvement

across a variety of areas.

The former manager of the

Jamberoo Dairy Factory and

Dairy Farmers’ employee

has long been a vocal advo-

cate for the industry and for

Jamberoo itself through the

Jamberoo Ratepayers’ Asso-

ciation. He is also a member

of Jamberoo Golf Club,

Kiama Men’s Probus Choir,

Kiama/Jamberoo Uniting

Church, Terralong Drainage

Union and Wollongong

University Cricket Club.

A University of Wollon-

gong Nursing student and

worker at the Kiama Leisure

Centre, Hannah is an ener-

getic and dedicated commu-

nity member involved as

Club Captain of Kiama Surf

Life Saving Club as well as

the Brigade Training Officer

for the Jamberoo Rural Fire

Service. She is also a volun-

teer for AIME - the Austra-

lian Indigenous Mentoring

Experience - which aims to

help and encourage indige-

nous students to continue

their education through

school and university.

Kiama Mayor Brian

Petschler praised the com-

mitment and dedication of

the winners and nominees

and commended their

community spirit.

“Once again we had an

extremely strong field of

nominees, any one of who

would have been

deserving of the awards

in the seven catego-

ries,’’ he said.

“Each nominee had

an impressive list of

involvement and

achievement detailing

their commitment to

our Municipality and

the wider community.

These sorts of people

inspire us all and help

to make Kiama the

wonderful place it is.”

2016 AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD WINNERS

Citizen of the Year Geoffrey Boxsell

Young Citizen of the Year Hannah McInerney

Sportsperson of the Year Brandon Sosoli

Community Arts Award Merelyn Pearce

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

Service to the Environment Debra Moore

Community Achievement Kiama SES National Rescue

Competition-winning Team

Youth Achievement Imogen Bakewell

Kiama honours its own

Geoff Boxsell

Hannah McInerney

4

Keep your brain active with U3A Classes for U3A’s first term of 2016 include Tai Chi

Qigong, computing for beginners, dancing, classes on

various types of music and art appreciation, and more.

In addition, another program of its popular Monday

Talks, held 2-4 pm at The North Kiama Neighbourhood

Centre, has been organised:

1 Feb Gallipoli – Then & Now by Dr Jen Roberts

Why does Gallipoli hold an important place for

Australians?

8 Feb Stories Cathedrals Can Tell by Simon Duffin

Tales from some of the UK’s 110 Cathedrals.

15 Feb An Architectural Vision for Kiama

by Harry Sprintz

Enriching, optimistic and forward looking.

22 Feb Who are the Digital Natives?

by Prof Sue Bennett

Considering the implications of technology.

29 Feb Australian Frogs: Their Biology, Threats and

Conservation by Michael Fox

How to win Kermit’s affections.

7 Mar The Last Great Frontier: Ocean Governance

by Prof Robin Warner

Be made aware of the need to govern the

conservation of our oceans.

14 Mar No talk - Visit to Joadja Creek Heritage and

Eco Tour for members

21 Mar Death Decomposition and Detector Dogs

by Prof Shari Forbes

The training of cadaver dogs.

Details: Class enrolments are on the Mon 25 January,

2-4 pm, including a welcome sausage sizzle (free for

members) and Tuesday 26 January, 2-3 pm, The North

Kiama Neighbourhood Centre, Meehan Drive. Member-

ship fees are $25/year plus a gold coin donation for tea/

coffee and biscuits. People may attend two talks for a

gold coin donation before having to become a member.

Gerringong Men’s Shed’s

inaugural Duck Derby was well

supported by the community and

a large crowd was on hand to

cheer their ducks to the finish line

at Gerroa.

The ducks, which were regis-

tered to those who adopted them

for the race, were launched from

the footbridge at Crooked River.

The winner was Reece Masling,

who collected $350 for first duck

past the post, with the two runners

up Denise Ottey and Brodie Miller

received $100 and a voucher for

dinner for two at the Mercure

Gerringong Resort respectively.

The proceeds from the event

will help to build the men’s much

needed new shed.

“Due to the success of this event

we are already busy organising for

next year and hope to incorporate

more races in our program and

make this an annual event,” says

Graham St Clair.

“All the members of the Men’s

Shed would like to say thank you

for the support of the Gerringong

Lions Club and the local busi-

nesses who made the event

possible - Gerringong Auto Bob

Waite, First National Real Estate,

Gerringong Pharmacy, Gerringong

Medical Centre, Mercure Resort

Gerringong, Trivium Restaurant

and Gerringong Automotive.”

Inaugural Duck Derby a real quacker

Local children helped launch the ducks off

the Crooked River footbridge for their race

westward. It was such fun that next year

will feature a number of races.

Below: Reece Masling with the winning duck

5

Bluewaters Dental Care - “Your local family Dentist caring for all your generations.”

We spend the extra time needed to listen to your concerns and give you

the kind of personalised attention you deserve.

Emergencies seen promptly. Services Available :

• General Services & Cosmetic Services

• Emergencies & Children’s Dentistry

• Veneers, Implants, Crowns and Bridges

• Fillings & Root Canals

• Smartbleach3LT - In Chair Teeth Whitening

• Invisalign - Invisible Braces

• Muscle Relaxants

• Mouth Guards

• Snoring & Sleep Apnea Treatments

Your Emergency Dentist over the festive season

Welcoming New Patients!

Call 4234 4880 or 0408 625 071 Email: info@BluewatersDentalCare.com.au

Web: BluewatersDentalCare.com.au

Address: (Shop 2) 24/25 Noble St, Gerringong

Bill and Anne Cham-

bers were the lucky

winners of the

Minnamurra Lions

Club Trailer Raffle

for 2015. The raffle

was an outstanding

success and all

proceeds will be

allocated in 2016

to support local

community and

youth projects.

Digital detox in the offing Professional life coach Eva Kokkelmans is wanting to

gauge interest in staging an Unplug Kiama Challenge.

“The idea is to detach ourselves from technology for one

full week, and with that grasp the opportunity to destress,

recharge and spent more time outdoors,” she says.

Other communities around the world have taken up the

challenge with rewarding results.

People can choose how the challenge looks for them:

anything from no phones in the bedroom to no social

media during the working hours, or even just no social

media when you have somebody next to you to be really

social with.

Details: If you are interested in getting involved in this

initiative (free to everyone), probably in early March,

contact insightoutsidecoaching@gmail.com

Golf ball too small? Try Footgolf for size Given Jamberoo’s strong association with football

(soccer) it isn’t so surprising that the Jamberoo

Golf Club is the first club on the South Coast to

hop on board with the latest sport from Europe -

Footgolf.

“It’s golf played with a soccer ball,” explains

one of the Club’s board members, Sue Paul.

“The object of the game is to complete a round

of 9 or 18 holes in the fewest number of kicks,

using separate larger holes.”

Details: Nine holes costs $10 pp weekdays and $15pp on weekends.

Family and group concessions available. It can be played at any time,

but bookings are essential. Check out www.footgolf.org.au

Join Probus The Beachside Ladies

Probus Club is looking

for new members. We are

assured that Beachside

Ladies is a fun and friendly

club with great interaction

and interesting speakers.

Details: Meetings on the

first Monday of each

month at the North Kiama

Community Centre,

9.45-noon. For further

information call

President Pat McInerney on

4237 7714 or 0412 521 727.

Kiama welcomes comedy star

Reported sightings of Matt Lucas, from the cult comedy show Little Britain,

continue to grow. He spent ten minutes talking with Jess Arroyo and her

husband Matt Counsell, telling them he had just flew in from LA.

6

In his report to Council,

General Manager Michael

Forsyth highlighted the

terms of reference of the

decision-making process

(see box below), and offered

the following response to

the criteria:

• Council is financially

sound with approximately

$42 million in reserves

and a 10 year long term

financial plan and asset

management plan

• Consultants Morrison Low

have reviewed Council’s

proposal to be fit for the

future and show that

Council is able to meet

the IPART financial crite-

ria by 2019/2020

• Council has substantial

assets including the Blue

Haven Retirement Village

and Aged Care Facility,

residential land at Spring

Creek and key commercial

sites

• Kiama Council has had

a long period of good

governance and political

stability

• Kiama Council has been

the long term host of the

Joint Regional Councils

and effectively collabo-

rates with the other Coun-

cils on regional programs

and resource sharing

• Kiama Council employs

approx 280 staff

(including Blue Haven

and WasteServices)

providing a high level of

service and underpinning

the local economy

• 40% of local residents

work in the Municipality

while 50% travel north to

Shellharbour, Wollongong

and Sydney for work.

Only 10% of residents

travel to the Shoalhaven

for work.

• Kiama Council is part of

the Sydney Water region.

Shoalhaven City Council

is not.

• Kiama Council is in the

Lake Illawarra Police

Command. Shoalhaven

City Council is in the

Shoalhaven Police

Command.

• Kiama Municipal Council

provides a green waste

service. Shoalhaven City

Council does not.

• Kiama Council provides

a range of aged care

services. Shoalhaven City

Council does not.

• Kiama Municipal Council

has had excellent relations

with and provides funding

support for local emer-

gency service groups

including the Kiama State

Emergency Services and

local bush fire brigades

• The unemployment rate in

Shoalhaven City Council

is 9.5% compared to 4%

in the Kiama LGA

• The Kiama Municipality

has a very strong commu-

nity of interest which is

different and separate to

surrounding local govern-

ment areas.

Council has engaged Morri-

son Low to assess the cost

benefit of any merger.

Under new management Sherree and the team would like to welcome

all existing clients and new clients to our newly

renovated premises on Railway Parade.

We cater for three people at a time to allow for

personal one on one attention. Groups, weddings

and special event parties are well catered for,

and our couples room is very Zen and relaxing.

We still have your last minute gift vouchers (or e-vouchers) available

for Christmas. Call us today to arrange one.

Open 7 days 10 am til 5pm Friday to Tuesday

Wednesday 1pm til 5pm and Thursday by appointment.

Appointments also available earlier and later during summer period.

Call 42 332 397 or 0403 707 265 2/5 Railway Pde, Kiama Just off Terralong St in the Kiama CBD, 5 mins walk from The Sebel

www.jindaleespakiama.com.au info@jindaleespa.com.au

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The matters required to be considered

by the Delegate, Boundaries Commission

and NSW Government are listed as fol-

lows:

• the financial advantages or disadvan-

tages of the proposal to the residents

and ratepayers of the areas concerned

• the community of interest and geo-

graphic cohesion in the existing areas

and in any proposed new area

• the existing historical and traditional

values in the existing areas and the

impact of change on them

• the attitude of the residents and rate-

payers of the areas concerned

• the requirements of the area con-

cerned in relation to elected represen-

tation for residents and ratepayers at

the local level, the desirable and ap-

propriate relationship between elected

representatives and ratepayers and

residents and such other matters

as considered relevant in relation to

the past and future patterns of elected

representation for that area

• the impact of the proposal on the abil-

ity of the council to provide adequate,

equitable and appropriate services and

facilities

• the impact of the proposal on the em-

ployment of the staff by the council

• the impact of the proposal on any ru-

ral communities in the resulting area

• the desirability (or otherwise) of divid-

ing the resulting area or areas into

wards

• the need to ensure that the opinions

of each of the diverse communities of

the resulting area or areas are effec-

tively represented

• any other factors relevant to the pro-

vision of efficient and effective local

government in the existing and pro-

posed new areas.

The issues that will decide the matter

Does Kiama meet the merger criteria?

promised, but were purely

ideological.

Cr Neil Reilly warned

the community that the fight

to save Kiama would not be

a points decision but a fight

won by a knockout punch.

“We are more than a

quarry with a view,” he said.

“We are a community,

a community and a council

that others would do well

to emulate.”

The formal council

meeting was followed by

a community meeting con-

ducted by the newly formed

committee of the group

Keep Kiama Council Local.

The group's chair, former

councillor Rob McKinnon

slammed the timing of the

Government's proposal as

“sneaky”.

Among those from the

Keep Kiama Council Local

committee to address the

meeting were former Kiama

mayor Sandra McCarthy,

Cliff Mason from Minna-

murra Ratepayers Associa-

tion, music writer Bruce

Elder, former Illawarra

Mercury editor Nick Hart-

gerink, Ian Pullar from the

Kiama-Jamberoo RSL and

Werri Beach resident Andy

Farrell who spoke about the

Municipality’s healthy com-

munity and services sector.

Concerns were expressed

for the future of Kiama

Council's prized asset, the

Blue Haven aged care facil-

ity, should it be placed in

the hands of Shoalhaven-

based councillors.

There were also fears that

Kiama would feel the brunt

of council job losses, with

the new council's admini-

stration to be centred in

Nowra.

There was also disbelief

that the NSW Government

would think that Kiama was

bound to coastal communi-

ties more than 180kms to

the south when most resi-

dents of the Municipality

looked north for services.

At the end of the meeting

a motion was passed calling

on the NSW Government

to abandon the proposed

merger and allow the Kiama

community to run its own

affairs as it has done since

1859, with just one dissent-

ing voice.

Kiama Mayor Brian

Petschler said he had not

seen a meeting like that in

Kiama since he arrived here

in 1986.

“This meeting was very

important,” Cr Petschler

said. “We needed to gauge

how the community feels

and it was clear that the vast

majority of residents do not

want the merger.

“To have so many people

attend was astounding.”

Keep Kiama Council

Local spokesman Nick Hart-

gerink said the committee

would continue to make its

message heard in the six

weeks until submissions

close, with more public

meetings planned.

“People are determined to

take the fight the the Pre-

mier ... we want to keep the

momentum going,'' he said.

In the coming weeks, the

Council will organise and

support a number of public

meetings throughout the

Municipality to provide

information on the proposal

and gather community

feedback.

Meet our Delegate The Government has

appointed Greg Wright

as the Delegate to examine

the proposal to merge

Kiama and Shoalhaven

councils.

The role of the Delegate

is to examine and report on

the merger proposal. Sub-

missions on the matter will

be reviewed by the Dele-

gate and used to inform the

examination and reporting

process.

Once the Delegate has

completed their examina-

tion, they must prepare a

report and provide that

report to the Minister and

to the independent Bounda-

ries Commission for ulti-

mate decision by the Min-

ister.

Greg is the Principal of

Wright Associates and has

extensive experience in

the local government sector

through his role as former

General Manager for Cam-

den Council and as interim

General Manager for

Broken Hill City Council,

where he prepared the

council for significant cul-

tural and financial changes.

The closing date for

written submissions to the

Delegate is 28 February.

Details:

He can be contacted on

Greg.Wright@

dpc.nsw.gov.au

Phone: 1300 813 020

Community says NO from p1

7

Decision expected by mid-year Following the shock announcement of the merger

proposal, the process is continuing apace. At time

of print, this is the timeframe that is known:

• Delegate to meet with councils – imminent

• Public Inquiry: 3 February - two sessions in

Kiama for verbal submissions (see below)

• Written submissions: closing date Sunday

28 February

• Submissions reviewed: Delegates examine

proposals and submissions and prepare reports

• Boundaries Commission: Reports provided to

the Boundaries Commission for comment

• Minister: Delegates report to Minister Toole for

decision

• New councils commence: Decision announced

by proclamation of the Governor (expected

around mid-2016)

• Elections for new councils: Expected April 2017

different places ... Kiama

does not have a lot in com-

mon with a council that runs

down the coast to just north

of Batemans Bay.

“I will be making a sub-

mission to the Delegate and

I am asking the community

to send me their views

which will be attached to

the submission.”

Mr Ward said it was his

understanding that where

amalgamations are proposed

by the Government, they are

obliged to conduct a poll of

the community.

Mr Ward said he was

“not anti-amalgamation'“.

“I am not against amalga-

mations per se, but there

needs to be a business case

and reasoned and rational

arguments and I can’t see

that here in Kiama.

“I am not against consider-

ing expanding the Kiama

Council boundaries but at

this point there is not an

alternative proposition on

the table.

“I think that Kiama Coun-

cil can meet the Fit for the

Future criteria, in many re-

spects the new Blue Haven

site will provide a steady

stream of income

“I think right now Kiama

is a victim of a snapshot in

time, rather than a longer

term view of the council’s

financial viability.”

Mr Ward called on Shoal-

haven City Council, which

was yet to take a position

on the NSW Government

proposal, to make its opposi-

tion to the merger clear.

Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna

Gash, who represented the

Kiama area for 17 years

in her role as the Federal

Member for Gilmore, told

The Bugle that she would

not be taking a position on

the proposed merger until

more information was pro-

vided and feedback from

the community received.

Shoalhaven Council was

assessed by IPART as ‘fit

for the future’ both in scale

and capacity and financial

sustainability, but this was

on the basis that the council

would raise its general rates

through a two-year special

rate variation of 21 per cent

from 2017/18.

Cr Gash said with the

State Government proposing

to freeze the rates of a

merged council for the first

four years, early estimates

suggest Shoalhaven City

Council could be up to $11

million worse off annually.

“From a Shoalhaven per-

spective we are concerned

that we will lose funding,”

Cr Gash said.

“We have gone through a

process with staff cuts that

the council is now running

on the smell of an oily rag.

“We want to hear from our

community. Our community

has not been as vocal as

Kiama's as most of the area

is still in holiday mode and

people away are away, but

we will make a submission

to the delegate by Feb 28.

“This is a challenging time

and we just have to wait and

see what the outcome is.”

However the current

Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis,

a former Kiama councillor,

and business owner in both

areas, said Kiama and

Shoalhaven were two quite

different communities.

“It beggars belief why

Shoalhaven, Kiama and

Shellharbour for that matter

have been proposed for

amalgamation ... it seems

unnecessary and unpopular.”

Community urged to get involved

A group of residents

formed Keep Kiama

Council Local shortly

after the proposal was

announced to oppose

the forced merger.

The protest group

organised the public

meeting after the

Council meeting, and

is spearheading efforts

to galvanise the com-

munity to fight the

proposal.

Its committee members are drawn from through-

out the LGA and includes people with a record of

community involvement and activism:

Jamberoo: Rob McKinnon (Chair),

Vivien Marriss, Ian Pullar

Kiama: Bruce Elder, Kim Elder,

Peter O’Neill, Rod Cork

Gerringong: Sandra McCarthy, Darrell Clingan,

Andy Farrell

Kiama Downs: Nick Hartgerink

Minnamurra: Cliff Mason

They are encouraging all of Kiama to register their

opposition to the forced merger by:

• Writing to the Premier and our local member

Gareth Ward

• Signing the petitions circulating around the area

• Registering to talk to the Delegate when he

comes to Kiama (see right)

• Talking to your friends about the issues involved.

Ward promises to fight from p1

Join the team at

Granties Maze Granties Maze is a new

family fun park in Foxground.

With over 35 attractions, it‘s

a great day out for everyone.

ARCHERY PERSON

We are seeking the services

of an experienced archery

person to look after our

archery range. This is a

full time position working

five days a week including

Saturdays and Sundays.

PONY PERSON

If you would love to work with

our four ponies, and later on

our clydesdale horses, this

is a dream job for you.

It is a full time position

working every Saturday and

Sunday and having two days

off mid week.

HANDYMAN

We’re looking for someone

who can fix things and build

sheds, and is prepared

to work.

To apply, email your resume

to jbg1948@yahoo.com.au

GRANTIES MAZE

25 Princes Highway

Foxground

www.grantiesmaze.com.au

Gareth Ward attended the meeting, as did the Mayor of

Shoalhaven Joanna Gash and the Federal Member Ann Sudmalis

Emeritus Mayor, Sandra

McCarthy at the meeting

Will six hours be enough? Public hearings by

the Delegate have

been set down

Wednesday 3 Febru-

ary in both Kiama

and Shoalhaven.

They will be 9am-

noon and 7-10pm at

Kiama Leagues Club, with session in between in Nowra .

Call 1300 813020 to register or do so online - go to

www.councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au, search for

Kiama and click on the Public Inquiry tab.

Written submissions can also be lodged via this site.

Unlikely, judging by the crowd

registering for the first public meeting

Let’s talk about rates While Shoalhaven’s average rates are lower due to

lower average land value, comparing like with like

shows Shoalhaven’s rates will soon outstrip Kiama’s.

Land value Current 2018/19 2020/21

$300k Kiama $1850 $1923 $2164**

Shoalhaven $1739 $2095* $2150

$500k Kiama $2280 $2370 $2668**

Shoalhaven $2195 $2645* $2714

* after 15.9% rate rise ** after 9.7% rate rise

Photo: David Finlay

Photo: David Finlay

8

Use the Library for printing The days of being caught

out when your printer isn’t

working or you are away

from it are over.

Kiama Library now has

a MobilePrint service,

which allows anyone to

have their pages printed

by the Library printer.

Smart phones and tablets

use the Printeron app, and

pc or laptop users print

via the Library website.

Print jobs will be held at

the Library for 48 hours,

and normal printing

charges apply.

Minnamurra wetlands needs your help Conservation Volunteers

Australia (CVA) and

Kiama Council are part-

nering on two weed control

projects in the Minnamurra

River wetlands; at

Trevethan Reserve and

in the swamp oak and

saltmarsh area at the north-

ern end of Charles Ave.

CVA groups work in

these areas at least twice

a month, and welcome

new members on a regular

or occasional basis.

If you are interested in

participating in a worth-

while environmental initia-

tive and increasing your

knowledge of wetland

areas.

Details: Contact

wollongong@

conservationvolunteers.

com.au or call 4228 9246

for more information.

Kiama set to put on its 168th Show

Kiama’s equestrian events are an important precursor to the Royal Sydney Show

The entertainment line-up

for this year’s Show brings

back the popular and

impressive D-Max Isuzu

Utes, Australia’s only

precision driving team.

There are three opportunities

on Saturday evening to see the

team’s close formation driving,

high speed drifts and slides, cross-

overs and ramp jumps, and two

wheel driving (5.30pm, 7pm and

9pm).

Friday night will feature Show-

Mow Racing, the crowning of this

year’s Show Girl and an action

packed rodeo.

Out of the ring there will be a

gardening demonstration with the

Compost Heap’s John Gabriele,

the South Coast Scouts’ Climbing

Wall, Matilda’s Farmyard and

Kiama’s own Dave Evans and

Tamara Campbell with their

La Petit Grande Circus. As usual,

Chittick Oval will be transformed

into sideshow alley.

The two days of the Show will

culminate in fireworks at 9.30pm.

Details: 22 & 23 Jan, Kiama Show

Ground. Day ticket $15 adult/$5 conc;

$35 family of 4.

Packed program of entertainment

The organisers of this year’s

Kiama Show are looking

forward to the usual busy

lead up to the two day event,

as competitors lodge their

entry forms and then bring

in their items for judging.

Last year, there were more

than 2000 entries in the Pav-

ilion categories - everything

from vegetables, cut flowers,

baking and craft to painting,

photography and home brew.

While some competitors

are veterans (some would say legends),

each year sees more people begin their

show careers by displaying their creative

efforts. Exhibits must be

the original work of the

exhibitor, completed in the

previous twelve months.

Details: Entries in the

Pavilion sections must by

registered by 5pm on

Tues 19 January

(apart from cut flowers,

entries for which close at

noon on Thurs 21 Jan).

The exhibits need to be

delivered by 11am Thurs

(apart from Art and Junior

Art - due by 10am; and cut flowers - due

by 8.30am Friday). Get full details from

the Schedule or www.kiamashow.com.au

Steward Anne Honey puts

the prize certificates on last

year’s winning entrants

Photos: Brian Sco

tt

Photo: Brian Sco

tt

Photo: Brian Sco

tt

www.greenbox.org.au for convenient on-line access to regional and local food

Greenbox is a non-profit, regional food co-op based in Gerringong, run by a team of passionate volunteers

Kiama Courthouse reduces hours Following the completion

of the works at Wollongong

Court, which have seen

Kiama Courthouse used as

a temporary venue, Kiama

Local Court will now only

be open on Mondays and

Tuesdays from Monday 25

January.

If you have any queries

contact the NSW Court

Service on 1300 679 272

9

10

The Gerringong Village Craft Shop, on Fern St at

the side of the Memorial Hall, recently celebrated

40 years of community service.

The craft shop sells a large range of handmade

goods which include baby items, knitted items, jew-

ellery, kids clothing, cards, jams and so much more.

Profits raised are donated to various organisations

including Gerringong Public School and Gerringong

Fire Brigade. They welcome new members and their

handmade craft. If you are interested come in and

have a chat to one of the members.

Above: left side nearest Catherine Hayward, Betty Richardson,

Jen Thompson, Deb Ford, Pam MacIver, Judith Redding

right side nearest Glenys Kelly, Yvonne Tyler, Sandra Hamblen,

Pat Southwell, Anne Gallagher and Jeanne Evans.

Out & about At the Kiama Show Ball

At Kiama Harbour on New Year’s Eve

Forty years of fundraising

Kiama’s Show Ball lived up to its reputation as being a social highlight

of the year. Over three hundred attendees enjoyed the Carnival

theme, and danced to music by Woody and Care Factor. The three

entrants in this year’s Kiama Show Girl competition were introduced

and judged at the event. The winner will be announced at the Show.

Above: Gareth Ward MP with last year’s Show Girl Georgie Picton, Courtney Sopher,

Ameila Murphy and Lucy Marsden

Top right: Andrew and Fiona Wilkinson

Bottom right: Michelle Young with Sue Granger-Holcombe

This year’s New Year’s Eve on Kiama Harbour was the most popular yet,

with a large number of people lining the foreshore from the afternoon on

to have a great vantage point for the largest fireworks display between Sydney

and Melbourne.

The fireworks were presented by Kiama Tourism and Kiama Council. The Kiama

Business Chamber then hosted a well attended after-concert in Hindmarsh Park.

Photos by David Finlay

11

Electricians Murray Connerty: Air conditioning and refriger-

ation specialist. t 0408 420 655

Appliance repairs CVC Appliances: Repairs to washing machines,

stoves, dishwashers, dryers etc. t 0401 294 810

Carpenters Straight & Level: Home renovation specialists.

Licensed builder. Contact Geoff on 0407 958 087

Horticultural services Burnett Trees: Kiama Municipality’s own tree

care service - skilled, insured professionals for all

tree care, pruning, removal, stump grinding and

mulching. t 4233 1311

Builders Burrell Builders: Cracked brickwork, underpin-

ning, insurance/structural repairs. All building

work. Ln3281c t 0419 378 000

Plumbers Kiama Plumbing & Drainage: Affordable, reliable

plumbing and gasfitting services. t 0405 654 035

Our listing of local businesses providing

trades & services is designed as a handy

reference for people wanting to get

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

it’s a great way to grow your business.

Contact Steve on 0428 662 499 or

at bugleadvertising@gmail.com

Need work done? Use a local

Get noticed in

People love the Bugle!People love the Bugle!People love the Bugle!People love the Bugle!

Local stories and local readers Local stories and local readers Local stories and local readers Local stories and local readers

means a great opportunity means a great opportunity means a great opportunity means a great opportunity

for local businessesfor local businessesfor local businessesfor local businesses

Now printing

9,000 copies! The Bugle

If you’d like to reach this market effectively, find out how

by sending a message to bugleadvertising@gmail.com or

calling Steve Law on 0428 662 499 or Ian MacDonald t 0422 736 582

Prices start from $79Prices start from $79Prices start from $79Prices start from $79

Across

1. A dedicated poem meant

to be sung (3)

3. Y2K (10, 3)

10. Goddess of the hunt and

twin sister of Apollo (7)

11. Provide for (5)

14. Left out detail pur-

posely (4)

15. Noisy breath, often in

surprise or terror (4)

19. Capital of Turkey (8)

20. Warm cloth (6)

21. Consumed (5)

22. Daughter of Byron; ___

Lovelace (3)

23. Not moving; type of

electricity that makes your

hair stand on end (6)

24. Professional maker of

clothes (6)

26. In addition to (5)

27. Sob (3)

28. “____ in your pants” –

expression describing

excitement (4)

30. Pro-gambler (4, 5)

33. Space probe launched

in 1977 (7)

34. Alias of Tony Stark

(4, 3)

35. Queensland swimming

costume (4)

36. “Bill of ____” outlines

the legal and civil rights

of citizens; missing from

Australian Constitution (5)

37. The action of damaging

the good reputation of

someone (10)

Down

2. Pyne is unsuccessfully

trying to get University

________ through the

Senate (12)

4. Geek (4)

5. Alien (1. 1. 1.)

6. Malicious gossip about

someone (3, 5)

7. Excess of pleasure – one

of the seven deadly sins (7)

8. Periodicals (11)

9. Top of a jar (3)

12. Budget strategy to save

money by cutting welfare

spending (9)

13. Climate change (7, 6)

16. Watcher (8)

17. Arm hole of clothing (6)

18. A house near the ocean

(5, 5)

25. Advocate for (8)

28. Following an event (5)

29. An undescribed object

(5)

30. Broken law (5)

31. Jeans (5)

32. Blood pumper (5)

The Bugle Crossword

Solution for 2 December issue

12

Postcard home If you’d like to share your travel

experiences, send your postcard home

to emailthebugle@gmail.com

Noel Beddoe is a truly local

author. Resident in the Illa-

warra, he was at one time

the Principal of Warrawong

High School. He has been

writing for many years.

His two recent books, how-

ever, mark his arrival in the

highly competitive world

of adult fiction.

They are both excellent

of their kind. Cringilla Hill

is a tough, tautly written

account of gang warfare

and the youth drug culture

in the Warrawong district.

The Yalta Crossing is an

evocatively and movingly

written historical novel set

in NSW in the 1830s. It is

the absorbing story of the

attempt of a father and son,

and the father’s ‘new’

woman and her daughter,

to establish themselves on

an isolated rural property.

Apart from admiring

Beddoe for the quality of

his writing, I admire his

courage. He is clearly

determined to write only

the books he wants to write.

I must assume that he is

willing to ignore the market-

ing wisdom of publisher’s

sales people. They do

not like authors who write

different kinds of books.

They prefer authors who

write the same kind of

book. Most crime writers

produce only crime

novels, often with the

same main characters.

Historical novelists usu-

ally write only historical

fiction, often set in the

same period.

Those of us who like to

try our hands at whatever

genre takes our fancy

commit commercial sui-

cide. In my own case, for

example, I have had six

novels published, commer-

cially, each of which has

been in a different genre.

Partly as a result I have

failed totally to establish

any kind of a reputation

as a novelist.

I hope Noel Beddoe

continues to be brave –

and commercially unwise –

and to write whatever genre

of novel appeals to him.

The result is sure to be

worth reading.

He’ll find it easier, though,

to establish a reputation as

an adult novelist if he pro-

duces more Cringilla Hill

kind of fiction. His grasp

of contemporary life in such

places is so perceptive that

he will be doing Australian

literature a favour by pro-

ducing more of this kind

of thing. Most of us need

to know what life is really

like ‘down the line’.

He knows and tells it

grippingly like it is.

Methold on books

A Kiama resident, Ken has

been a full-time writer

for almost 50 years and is

an elder statesman of the

publishing world.

The Bugle is honoured

to have him as

an occasional columnist.

He is the instigator of a

monthly lunch group of local

male readers and/or writers

of crime which meets on the

last Thursday of the month.

There are currently a few

vacancies. Contact

ken@kenmethold.com

One of my favourite places to visit in

Switzerland is the Ballenberg Open Air

Museum. On the drive up to the museum

we were greeted with picturesque moun-

tains and lakes.

‘All roads lead to Ballenberg,’ because

the museum is located in the heart of

the country, nestled between two snow-

capped mountain ranges. This is not an

ordinary museum, more a village, and

visitors should come prepared for a hike.

Once through the gates, we entered the

past. Many different buildings from across

Europe have been carefully relocated to

the Ballenberg, so that we could wander

from a rope-maker’s barn and into a classic

Swiss chalet from the 18th century! Some

of the exhibits come alive with interactive

demonstrations, and their house-made

cheeses are delicious! There is also a play

area, where children and adults alike could

test their skills at a variation of bowling or

ride on the merry-go-round.

Around midday we wandered into the

town square and feasted on traditional

Swiss meals of risotto and meat platters.

Local artisans set up stalls within the

square, and roving musicians liven the mu-

seum with folk songs. We ate in a small

clearing with a clear and spectacular view

of the mountains, next to a softly bubbling

stream.

I could have spent all day wandering

from building to building, but we had to

leave after lunch. On the way out we vis-

ited the Ballenberg chocolate factory,

where we bought chocolate bark and truf-

fles as souvenirs. All in all, a wonderful day

spent strolling through history in the

shadow of mountains.

Jess Yarrow, Kiama