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 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 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 [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 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 Bugle The Bugle The Bugle The Bugle
We have a detailed report on the first public meeting to fight the proposed merger of Kiama and Shoalhaven councils. Our detailed report will update you on all there is to know about this important issue. There's also news on Australia Day and the 168th Kiama Show.
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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
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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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
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
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