13 February 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 NSW Upper South Coast of NSW Upper South Coast of NSW Upper 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 p 6 and 7 Burnetts expand into Mitre 10 vacuum p3 Kiama Sevens almost here p 3 Lloyd Rees’ Legacy needs your help p5 Concerns over Manning St DA p8 Inside this issue Phone: 42322757 Fax: 4232 2676 21B Barney Street, KIAMA [email protected]After Hours Towing 0438 424 574 ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS • LOG BOOK SERVICING • BRAKE & CLUTCH SPECIALIST • AUTO ELECTRICAL REPAIRS SMASH REPAIRS • INSURANCE CLAIMS & PRIVATE WORK • WINDSCREENS • TOWING TYRES • BALANCE AND ROTATION • FULL RANGE AVAILABLE REGISTRATIONS • PINK SLIPS – CAR, VAN, BIKE, TRAILERS The Bugle The Bugle The Bugle The Bugle Public Inquiry into the merger: community presents united front In years to come, locals will still be talking about the day the NSW Government made concerned residents spend three hours in a tent in a carpark if they wanted to express their views on its proposed merger of Kiama and Shoalhaven councils. Prepared as an overflow venue for the expected large crowd at the Leagues Club, a last minute decision was made to shepherd everyone into the temporary structure. The poor ventilation, no easily accessible toilets, inadequate audiovisual screens and need for water to be handed out was rightly seen as an insult. The Mayor Brian Petschler said as much, while making it clear the Delegate was not responsible for the arrange- ments. He let everyone know that Council had offered The Pavilion as a venue, and the offer was still open. The lack of amenity added to the passion of the event, where eighty-five people had registered to speak. Only 63 people reached the microphone, where they were given three minutes to speak rather than the five minutes many had prepared. One of those too far down the speaking order was eighty seven year old Elaine Pratt. “My mum has lived in Kiama since the Fifties and wanted to speak against the merger,” says Geoff Pratt. “She waited patiently in a stinking hot tent, no cooling, no toilets, no water, lots of guards, for 3 hours. Then had to leave without getting the opportunity to speak. I felt very sorry for her.” The Bugle attended all three sessions of the Inquiry, two in Kiama and one in Nowra. The other two ses- sions were held inside clubs, not outside, so lacked the undercurrent of the first meeting. In all, over 120 people spoke, and all of them were against the merger. Two people at the morning meet- ing who were unable to speak before time ran out said they were for the merger, but they did not take the opportunity to be given priority to speak at the evening session. Speakers approached the ten points under considera- tion by the Delegate, Greg Wright, in different ways. Many addressed Kiama’s sense of community and common interest, the lack of Lions’ plan to provide holiday respite for carers Council has given the green light to the Lions Clubs of Kiama, Minnamurra and Jamberoo to renovate a disused house on Shoalhaven St as a respite centre for carers. Councillors unanimously approved the project, offering the house at a peppercorn rent, saying they were pleased a currently unused and deteriorating Council owned property will become an asset to the wider community. The ambitious undertaking will turn the former gasworks’ manager’s cottage into a spacious holiday house with three bedrooms (complete with ensuites), where carers can come to ‘recharge their batteries’. There is room for parking and disabled access out the back, and for a deck out the front. A number of local businesses, tradesmen and suppliers have already expressed an interest in assisting Lions with the refurbishment, which is expected to take a year to complete, including negotiating the lease and lodging a DA. The first stage will be to clear the ground sur- rounding the house and make it watertight. Carers Association of NSW is very enthusiastic about the project, as there are very few respite cen- tres available for their members. “We just can’t wait to start,” says Ray Redgrave. “The house has good bones, and just needs some TLC. It is a project for the whole community to become involved with.” Anyone wishing to help should contact Peter Scifleet on 0414 973 388. Local Lions Peter Scifleet and Ray Redgrave discuss the extent of the renovations with Lions District Governor Sally Wilton. Continued on page 6
The big news in Kiama still revolves around the threat of a merger of Kiama and Shoalhaven councils. But behind that, our community continues on and there is plenty to read about.
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13 February 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
The BugleThe BugleThe BugleThe Bugle Public Inquiry into the merger: community presents united front In years to come, locals will
still be talking about the day
the NSW Government made
concerned residents spend
three hours in a tent in a
carpark if they wanted to
express their views on its
proposed merger of Kiama
and Shoalhaven councils.
Prepared as an overflow
venue for the expected large
crowd at the Leagues Club,
a last minute decision was
made to shepherd everyone
into the temporary structure.
The poor ventilation, no
easily accessible toilets,
inadequate audiovisual
screens and need for water
to be handed out was rightly
seen as an insult.
The Mayor Brian Petschler
said as much, while making
it clear the Delegate was not
responsible for the arrange-
ments. He let everyone
know that Council had
offered The Pavilion as a
venue, and the offer was still
open.
The lack of amenity added
to the passion of the event,
where eighty-five people
had registered to speak.
Only 63 people reached
the microphone, where they
were given three minutes to
speak rather than the five
minutes many had prepared.
One of those too far down
the speaking order was
eighty seven year old Elaine
Pratt. “My mum has lived in
Kiama since the Fifties and
wanted to speak against the
merger,” says Geoff Pratt.
“She waited patiently in a
stinking hot tent, no cooling,
no toilets, no water, lots of
guards, for 3 hours. Then
had to leave without getting
the opportunity to speak.
I felt very sorry for her.”
The Bugle attended all
three sessions of the Inquiry,
two in Kiama and one in
Nowra. The other two ses-
sions were held inside clubs,
not outside, so lacked the
undercurrent of the first
meeting.
In all, over 120 people
spoke, and all of them were
against the merger. Two
people at the morning meet-
ing who were unable to
speak before time ran out
said they were for the
merger, but they did not take
the opportunity to be given
priority to speak at the
evening session.
Speakers approached the
ten points under considera-
tion by the Delegate, Greg
Wright, in different ways.
Many addressed Kiama’s
sense of community and
common interest, the lack of
Lions’ plan to provide holiday respite for carers Council has given the green light to the Lions
Clubs of Kiama, Minnamurra and Jamberoo to
renovate a disused house on Shoalhaven St as a
respite centre for carers.
Councillors unanimously approved the project,
offering the house at a peppercorn rent, saying they
were pleased a currently unused and deteriorating
Council owned property will become an asset to
the wider community.
The ambitious undertaking will turn the former
gasworks’ manager’s cottage into a spacious
holiday house with three bedrooms (complete with
ensuites), where carers can come to ‘recharge their
batteries’. There is room for parking and disabled
access out the back, and for a deck out the front.
A number of local businesses, tradesmen and
suppliers have already expressed an interest in
assisting Lions with the refurbishment, which
is expected to take a year to complete, including
negotiating the lease and lodging a DA.
The first stage will be to clear the ground sur-
rounding the house and make it watertight.
Carers Association of NSW is very enthusiastic
about the project, as there are very few respite cen-
tres available for their members.
“We just can’t wait to start,” says Ray Redgrave.
“The house has good bones, and just needs some
TLC. It is a project for the whole community to
become involved with.” Anyone wishing to help
should contact Peter Scifleet on 0414 973 388.
Local Lions Peter Scifleet and Ray Redgrave
discuss the extent of the renovations with
Lions District Governor Sally Wilton.
Continued on page 6
2
What’s on?
The BugleThe BugleThe BugleThe Bugle Editorial:Editorial:Editorial:Editorial:
Cathy Law
t 0412 415 101
Sales:Sales:Sales:Sales:
Steve Law
t 0428 662 499
Ian MacDonald
t 0422 736 582
Or email us at
emailthebugle@
gmail.com
Disclaimer:
Every effort has been made
to ensure the accuracy of
the information
in this publication,
but we are only human.
4 Tingira Cres, Kiama 2533
Let us know if there’s an event you’re organising. Just email the details to [email protected] 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.
12 February Summer Outdoor Movie:
Red Dog
Hindmarsh Park,
8 for 8.30pm, free
CMRI Movie Fundraiser
Screening of Brooklyn,
Greater Union Shellhar-
bour, 6.30 for 7pm. For
$20 tickets call Belinda
0421 349 505/4234 0224
14 February Kiama & District Histor-
ical Society Meeting
Christ Church, Kiama,
2pm. Keith Smith on the
history of the church.
20 February Gerringong Village
Markets
In and around Gerringong
Town Hall
20 February Outdoor Movie: Minions
Reid Park, Jamberoo,
from 8pm
19 February Movie at Library
(see below)
21 February Kiama Seaside Market
Kiama Harbour, 9-3pm
Chamber Philharmonia
Cologne Christ Church,
1 Terralong St, Kiama
25 February Business Information
Expo, The Pavilion
Kiama, 5.30-7.30pm
26 February The Green Day Out
Fundraiser golf day for
Gerringong Golf Club and
the Childrens’ Medical
Research Institute
Enquiries to Daryl Hobbs,
0417 471 800
27 February Kiama Rugby Sevens
(see p3)
28 February Last chance to make
a submission over the
proposed amalgamation
(see p7)
5 March Friends of Kiama
Library Talk (see below)
11-13 March
Jazz & Blues Festival
(see right)
11 March Australian Haydn
Ensemble with
Sara Macliver (see below)
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 fortnightly stall at the
Kiama Farmers’ Market on Weds 17 February
Or drop into at 80 Barney St, Kiama t 4233 1322
Open 7.30-4.30 Mon-Fri 7-4 Saturdays
SHOP ONLINE
for regional and
local food
Greenbox is a non-profit, regional food co-op
based in Gerringong, run by a team of
passionate volunteers
www.greenbox.org.au
Order online every week
from 10am Fri to 7pm Mon for collection or delivery
Thurs from 2.30 to 6pm
AGM invite The Annual General
Meeting for Gerringong
Music Club will feature
entertainment from
keen violinist and local
MP Gareth Ward.
Most committee posi-
tions are spoken for but
the Club is always keen
to welcome new mem-
bers. Afternoon tea will
be provided.
Details: Sunday 21 Feb,
2pm in the Gerringong
Soldiers Memorial Hall.
Enquiries to Gillian
4237 8331 or 0422 543 928
Jazz & Blues Festival bigger than ever The 29th Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival is set to be
the biggest yet, with almost 80 free gigs on over
the three days, at over 30 local venues.
This year’s festival performers include acoustic
guitar virtuoso Michael Fix teaming up with his per-
cussionist son Adrian, to take his classic guitar rep-
ertoire in exhilarating new directions.
Also headlining is Doug Williams & the Mix, a five
piece hot funk soul and blues band set to turn the
Leagues Club into boogie wonderland, plus blues
legends Wards Express, along with the slick young
sound of Blue Eyes Cry (below).
For the jazz purists you can’t ask for more than
Balmain pub veterans Unity Hall Jazz Band.
Other acts include Paul Winn Band, Chris Harland
Blues Band, Tommy M and the Mastersounds, Pearl
Noire, Alex Hahn and the Blue Riders, Milena
Barrett, Stormcellar, Dr Don’s Double Dose, Lionel
Robinson, Paul Robert Burton & Andrew Toner,
James Vann, Frank Sultana, Out of Abingdon and
many more.
Details: 11-13 March, free at various locations around
town. Bookings may be needed at some venues.
Full program at www.kiamajazz.com
Baroque in Berry The Australian Haydn Ensemble is
visiting Berry with Aria award-winning
Sara Macliver, one of Australia’s
favourite and acclaimed sopranos.
An expert in baroque performance,
her pure and elegant style is ideal for
the works of Mozart and Boccherini.
Bocherinni’s work is characterised
by astounding optimism, colour and
warmth flavoured with Spanish folk
music.
Mozart’s operas are amongst his most loved works.
Sara will sing selections from The Magic Flute and Don
Giovanni, accompanied by a chamber ensemble of flute
and strings.
Details: Friday 11 March, 7pm, Berry Uniting Church Hall
Tickets $50 ($40 conc) from australianhaydn.com.au,
1800 334 388 or try your luck at the door.
Bushrangers in art & song Aileen Harland will be
the guest speaker of the
Friends of Kiama Library
in March.
Her talk will be on the
history of bushrangers,
with a focus on their depic-
tion through art and song,
including Tom Roberts’
iconic Bailed Up in the
current National Gallery
exhibition in Canberra.
Details: Saturday 5 March,
2.30pm,
Kiama Library Auditorium.
$5 members, $8 others.
Movies at the Library At the risk of
sounding Secret
Squirrel-like,
do you find it
difficult to get
into Shellharbour
or Nowra to watch
the latest movies?
Kiama Library will be holding monthly screenings
of recently released movies on Friday afternoons
from 3pm. If you are interested please take note of
the following dates: 19 February and 13 March.
Due to licensing restrictions, numbers are strictly
limited to 30, and they are also unable to advertise
the title of the movies. However staff can certainly
tell you details when you make a booking.
Sounds intriguing. Book soon.
3
Kerry McMurray took over
as Kiama Council’s new
Director of Finance,
Corporate and Commercial
Services at Kiama Council
in late January.
Kerry was formerly the
Acting General Manager
of Murrumbidgee Shire
Council and prior to that the
Group Manager Corporate
Strategy and Finance at Queanbeyan City Council, as well
as General Manager at Yass Valley Council.
He accepted the role the day before Kiama Council was
announced as a merger candidate, and says that his experi-
ence tells him the Council is in much better shape than
many others.
In his new role he is responsible for a wide and varied
portfolio of Council functions and business operations,
including finance, customer service, records, human
resources, IT, economic development, tourism, business
process analysis, Kiama Coast Holiday Parks, Kiama
Leisure Centre and The Pavilion Kiama.
Meet the new Chris Quigley $10,000 for Illawarra RDA Illawarra Riding for the
Disabled Association,
based at Jerrara, has re-
ceived $10,000 from the
NSW Government to help
upgrade their facilities.
“I was very pleased to be
able to secure this $10,000
funding which will go to-
wards replacing the roof on
their recreation shed which
houses the lawn mowers
and tractors,” says Gareth
Ward MP. He also pre-
sented a desktop computer
to provide as an additional
office resource.
“Illawarra Riding for the
Disabled does a really fan-
tastic job providing recrea-
tion and support for people
with a disability,” he says.
Kiama’s landscape supplier
and nursery, Burnetts On
Barney, is preparing to
expand into trade and DIY
lines now that Mitre 10 is
preparing to close its doors.
Despite being hamstrung
by rules associated with the
proposed amalgamation that
allow only short-term lease
extensions, Council moved
unanimously to extend
Burnett’s lease on the old
quarry site in Barney Street
for another three years.
A longer term lease is
expected to be considered
once the amalgamation issue
has been finalised.
The locally-owned and
operated business will now
take over the front section
of the site currently used as
a Council storage area,
allowing room to renovate
and stock new product lines,
including building materials.
“Mitre 10 has been an
iconic Kiama business for a
long time and their closure
will leave a big gap when it
comes to trade and home
owners buying building and
landscape products in
Kiama,” Burnetts On
Barney owner Elizabeth
Burnett says.
“Customers as well as
other local businesses will
all suffer if the only alterna-
tive is to leave town for
these products.
“There is a strong ‘buy
local’ sentiment around here
and it is up to local business
to try to fill the need so peo-
ple aren’t forced to go out of
town.”
The Mitre 10 site was pur-
chased by Kiama Council
when the Simmons family
put it up for sale last year.
Council sees it as a key
strategic site in the town
centre’s future development,
giving access to Akuna and
Collins streets.
Andrew and Elizabeth
Burnett of Jamberoo have
leased the Barney Street
quarry site for the past three
and a half years, operating
their established tree care
business Burnett Trees and
more recently establishing a
landscape and nursery cen-
tre, Burnetts On Barney.
The businesses currently
employ 15 local staff and
they expect to fill two more
positions this month specifi-
cally for the hardware-
related business.
“It won’t all happen over-
night but now that we have
Council approval we will be
able to stock some of the
most often used lines in
landscape and building re-
lated hardware and other
product lines as customer
demand determines,” says
Elizabeth.
“There are plenty of every
day landscape hardware
products which we haven’t
carried to-date because
Mitre 10 has met that
demand. Then there are the
odd things like key-cutting,
pool supplies and fly-screen
mesh, which would be a
pain to have to travel all the
way to Shellharbour to buy.
“Since we opened the
nursery a year ago we have
been encouraged by local
support and people are again
telling us they want to shop
locally and don’t want to
leave town for their land-
scape and building hard-
ware.
“The good thing is there’s
never a problem finding a
car park at our site in
Barney Street so they won’t
need to drive around the
block twice and we can
load product straight into
customer vehicles which
will save them time and
money.”
The initiative is warmly
supported by the Economic
Development Committee.
Council will soon be
actively seeking a new com-
mercial tenant for the Mitre
10 site, as it will be some
time before it is ready for
redevelopment.
Burnetts expanding into vacuum left by Mitre 10
The presence of the new Australian
Sevens coach, Andy Friend, at the
44th annual Kiama Sevens is sure to
produce some stellar performances
as players vie for his attention.
“Tournaments such as the Kiama
Sevens are critical as we seek to
unearth the next generation of Rugby
Sevens talent in pursuit of future
Olympic gold,” says Australian Rugby
Union CEO, Bill Pulvers.
Coming a long way from its early
origins, the 2016 tournament will see
40 high quality teams competing for a
range of trophies including the Kiama
Sevens Cup, the Women’s Vase, Coun-
try Cup and the Bowl Competition.
Teams representing the cream of
Sydney first division sides will compete
against Sydney subdistricts, NSW Coun-
try, the ACT and Queensland. Kiama
Sevens is a partner tournament to the
HSBC Sydney 7's that was played on
the weekend, only much bigger and
with more prize money (a total value
of $25,000). It has long been Austra-
lia’s premier one day Sevens tourna-
ment.
Sydney Shute sides attending are
Parramatta, Gordon, Warringah,
Southern Districts and defending
champions Manly.
Continuing with tradition, HMAS
Albatross, Squadron 723, will be heli-
coptering in the trophies around 3pm
(weather dependant).
Details: Saturday 27 February, Kiama
Showground. $10 entry. Games from
8.30am, with finals from 5.15pm.
Kiama Sevens attracts the best
4
New blood for Economic Development Committee Tass Schmidt, Michael Hatfield and Geoff Pratt are the
new members of Council’s Economic Development
Committee, volunteering their expertise to the body.
They join on-going community members (Sandy
Rendel, Stephen Thomas and Andrew Waugh), council-
lors and staff, and nominees from Kiama Tourism and
the Kiama Business Chamber on the Committee.
Tass has more than 25 years’ experience in corporate
roles in telecommunications and retail finance marketing.
She has worked closely with government departments
and major advertising agencies both in Australia and in-
ternationally, before moving into her own entrepreneurial
projects. She has been general manager at Jamberoo
Valley Farm since 2012, and is a founding committee
member of the Kiama Farmers’ Market Inc.
Michael is studied law at the University of Wollongong
and became a partner at Kells in 2007. Michael now
owns a small business employing 60 people, specializing
in small business law and commercial law. He has lived
in Kiama for eight years.
Born and raised in Kiama, Geoff retired from his
management role with Department of Education in
Sydney in 2015 to return to the family home in Kiama.
Gerringong School of Arts: keeping the history alive Janelle Lumsden was just a Brownie in 1954 when the
old Gerringong School of Arts was officially reopened
as the Gerringong Scout and Guide Hall. She remembers
the occasion well, because
she saw her father, builder
Wal Lumsden, walk up the
front steps, dressed in a suit,
to receive a Certificate of
Appreciation from the Scout
Commissioner for the work
he’d done renovating the
building.
So she was delighted to
be invited to the launch of a
new history of Gerringong
School of Arts which was
held in Gerringong Museum recently.
Tony Butz, a member of Gerringong and District His-
torical Society, has worked tirelessly with others to pro-
duce a new publication which follows on from the late
Clive Emery’s earlier booklet on the School of Arts.
That publication celebrated the centenary, 1883-1983,
and this booklet seeks to provide more narrative and con-
tinue the story. The project was supported by Arts NSW’s
Cultural Grant program in conjunction with the Royal
Australian Historical Society.
At the launch President Helen McDermott introduced
Emeritus Mayor Sandra McCarthy, who spoke of the im-
portant role the School of Arts had played in Gerringong’s
community and social life over many years.
Others present were able to recall events which had
taken place in the building. Margaret Lumsden, Janelle’s
cousin, remembered her mother talking about roller skat-
ing and euchre nights, balls and dances, and telling her
that her father, Bruce, often played the piano and acted as
MC for social functions. It is this social history that the
book seeks to record.
Kiama Council is seeking Federal regional funding for
an upgrade of the building to provide a combined library,
museum and community hub for Gerringong, but as yet its
efforts have not been successful despite election pledges.
Members of the Society hope this plan will not be jeop-
ardised by the proposed merger of Kiama Council with
Shoalhaven Council.
Details: Copies of the Booklet are available at
Gerringong Museum for a small price.
The Museum is behind the School of Arts
in Blackwood Street, and is open
Saturdays and Sundays between 1 and 4 pm.
Plans to redevelop the
Kiama Hospital site into a
Blue Haven Centre of Aged
Care Excellence have re-
ceived formal approval by
the Southern Joint Regional
Planning Panel (JRPP)
after minor modifications
to improve privacy.
Council is now looking for
an external project manager
and an architect to progress
the $73 million project to
the construction stage.
“The appointed architect
will prepare detailed draw-
ings required for a construc-
tion certificate, and Council
is planning to commence
construction later this year,”
said Clare Rogers, Kiama
Council’s Director of
Community Services.
The first stage of the rede-
velopment includes the
demolition of existing build-
ings (except the heritage-
listed Barroul House) and
remediation of the site.
This stage will also in-
clude the development of
a 134 bed residential aged
care facility, 16 assisted
living units, a community
centre and community care
office, and the restoration
and adaptive reuse of Bar-
roul House.
The second stage of the
redevelopment will build 51
seniors’ living units.
The completion of the first
stage is anticipated by late
2018 with the units com-
pleted by the end of 2020.
The hospital site has been
subdivided, with the Illa-
warra Shoalhaven Local
Health District (ISLHD)
retaining a section of the
land to build a new commu-
nity health facility on the
site.
This site will continue to
provide outpatient services
for all of the community.
The DA for these facilities
has yet to be approved.
Completion of this project
will be necessary before the
hospital can be demolished.
Hospital redevelopment approved
5
Learner driver in the family? Learners and their
supervisors are
encouraged to take
advantage of a free
opportunity to
experience a series
of practical demon-
strations whilst gaining extra log book hours.
They will be taken on a planned route through a variety
of driving conditions, experience RBT/RDT, visit a Driver
Reviver station, meet a Fire Rescue team, hear road safety
personal experiences, understand crash investigation
methods and receive reverse parking tuition.
In addition to being given a road safety resource folder,
participants will go in the draw to win a fuel voucher.
Learner drivers must have a minimum of 40 log book
hours to participate.
Date: Sunday 20 March, 9-1.30pm, Lake Illawarra PCYC.
The morning is free (including driver reviver stop snacks
and Pizza for lunch on completion).
Bookings are essential as places are limited.
Contact Kiama Municipal Council’s Road Safety Officer