JUNE 2026

Step into better foot health

Khaled Assaad, the experienced podiatrist behind Platinum Sports Podiatry, is your go-to expert for all things foot and lower limb-related in the community. With a strong background in biomechanics and years of experience, Khaled provides high quality, personalised care tailored to your needs. He offers a wide range of services, including:

• Routine nail & skin care (incl home visits)

• Ingrown toenails & fungal treatments

• Children’s assessments

• Management of growth plate issues in kids

• Specialised care for adolescents & seniors

• Treatment of sports injuries

• Help with knee pain

• Tendinitis and nerve entrapments

• Custom orthotics for comfort and support Khaled is available from Mon-Sat, and home visits in Helensburgh. Book online

www.platinumsportspodiatry.com.au 02 4214 4293 | 0481 796 781 (if urgent/after hours) Shop 1, Level 1, 338 Cemetery Rd, Helensburgh

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Contact hello@theillawarraflame.com.au; 0432 612 168; PO Box 248, Helensburgh, 2508. TheIllawarraFlame

COVER Sammy Bremner. Photo: Tyneesha Williams

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Lions plan two fairs

By Lauren Martin of Helensburgh Lions

The popular Helensburgh Lions Club Brick Fair will be back on Sunday, 9 August at Tradies Helensburgh. Save the date to enjoy fun for the whole family with amazing displays, rare and vintage Lego and great prizes to be won!

Also coming up on our calendar is the much-loved Helensburgh Country Fair on Saturday, 24 October. “We would love to see more locals coming along to our meetings to give their ideas and help with the planning,” said the Lions Club president, Rod Peppernell.

The Lions Club has had a busy few months with fundraising BBQs, and preparing Mother’s Day gift bags for the residents of Kennett Home in Stanwell Park, which are always very much appreciated. “This has been one of our projects for many years now and brings so much joy to us and the residents,” said Helensburgh Lion Melissa, who organises the gift bags. “Thank you to everyone that donates, buys a raffle ticket or a sausage sandwich. It’s because of you that we continue to do these things.”

In April, the Lions Club held its Anzac Day ceremony at Stanwell Tops, with a great turnout. The Lions Club is on the lookout for new members. It doesn’t involve lots of time, and is really rewarding. One member, Libby, said: “Since becoming involved with Lions, first as a Lions Lady, then as a Lioness and lastly as a full member, I can truthfully say that you can be involved without much interruption to your personal commitments. Helensburgh Lions Club is a wonderful way to help others, both here and overseas. Being a member is a privilege!”

Another Lion, Gina, agrees: “I love the determination of our small club to continue to serve our local and international community.”

Email info.helensburghlions@gmail.com

‘A wonderful way to help others’ –Helensburgh Lions Club is on the hunt for new members

Don’t Wait For Spring.

Winter is here and so are the buyers.

Music and Tea with Echoes of Deadly Harmony

By Felicity Woodhill

Everyone is invited to join us for Echoes of Deadly Harmony, a First Nations-led NAIDOC Week celebration on July 2 at Wollongong Art Gallery.

Echoes of Deadly Harmony is an exciting musical program that foregrounds Aboriginal language, song, and story in honouring the 2026 NAIDOC theme “50 Years of Deadly”, presented by Koori vocalists and musicians Mudjingaal Yangamba and Nicole Smede.

We invited Mudjingaal Yangamba to introduce themselves and their program.

Stories revived through song

Mudjingaal Yangamba, meaning “Spirit Singing” in Dhurga, is a strong collective of Koori women dedicated to revitalising our ancestral languages and sharing our stories through song. We are a collective of Elders, Aunties, and sisters with strong ties to Yuin and Dharawal Country and community, coming together to heal, grow, and celebrate our cultural strength through music. Since our formation in 2022, we have been honoured to perform alongside respected First Nations artists and at significant festivals and cultural events, weaving personal and collective story, culture and celebration through the music we write and share.

This special NAIDOC performance deeply resonates with our mission. By centering Aboriginal language, song, and story, Echoes of Deadly

Harmony creates a vital space for cultural expression, pride, and intergenerational knowledge sharing. We write and perform our songs in our group’s collective languages of Dhurga, Dharawal and Gathang, offering story and translations to engage all audiences meaningfully and foster reconciliation and understanding. This act of public language performance is a powerful form of cultural revitalisation, and resilience that strengthens identity and reinforces connection to Country.

We are honoured that young Yuin musician Jiah King will join us in this event with a solo performance on Yidaki (Didgeridoo), enriching the storytelling with diverse voices and traditions.

Together with Nicole Smede’s artistic leadership and a solo set of original vocal and poetic compositions, this event will foster a shared cultural space where Indigenous and nonIndigenous communities can come together in respect, learning, and celebration during NAIDOC Week.

We stand proud to be part of this inspiring initiative and look forward to contributing to a powerful and inclusive celebration of ‘50 Years of Deadly’.

When: July 2nd at 11am Where: Music & Tea at Wollongong Art Gallery. Entry: Free – Donation Appreciated Book via Humanitix.com or scan the QR code

Celebrate on us! $50 VOUCHER

To celebrate 20 years, we’d love you to join us this June and enjoy a special $50 voucher* — a small thank you from our family to yours.

*Conditions apply

Happy 20th to See Side Optical

The Thirroul store is celebrating a special business anniversary in June

Back in 2006, See Side Optical opened its doors in Thirroul with a simple idea — eye care should be personal.

Founders Sonya Broadhead and Linda Simpson had spent years working in large corporate optical stores, where the focus was often on sales and speed. They knew there was a better way.

So they created something different.

From day one, See Side Optical has been about taking the time to truly understand each patient — looking beyond prescriptions to consider lifestyle, comfort, and the perfect fit. No pressure, no upselling — just honest, personalised advice.

That same philosophy still guides us today. Our entire front-of-house team are qualified optical dispensers, so you’re always speaking with someone who understands both the clinical and personal side of your vision.

And while technology has come a long way (hello, AI and advanced lens design), we’ve stayed committed to combining the very best technology with genuine, human care. By working closely with global leader Rodenstock, we’re able to create highly customised lenses designed specifically for you.

In 2026, our commitment to personalised care was recognised on a national level with an Optical Dispensing Association award for Outstanding Practice Owner — something we are incredibly proud of.

Almost 20 years on, we’re still here for the same reason — to help you see comfortably and confidently, every day.

Most importantly, thank you. To our amazing clients and community — your support, trust, and loyalty have meant everything to us.

See Side ptical

20 THINGS WE’VE LEARNT IN 20 Years of Optometry in Thirroul

1

Choosing a coffee shop is basically choosing your personality: Black Bird Cafe, Black Market Roasters, Home Coming, Finbox or Honest Don’s.

2 Have you exercised in Thirroul if you haven’t lost your breath halfway up the Sublime Point track?

3

Ray Humphreys proved you don’t need a council position to become the unofficial Mayor of Thirroul, you just need to know everybody and stop for a chat every 15 metres.

4

Locals don’t use street names for directions. It’s more like: “Near Anita’s”, “past Black Bird”, or “at Ryan’s”. If you’re not local, it just sounds like directions to a mate’s house.

5

Thirroul Living Facebook comments can go from “lost dog” to “town planning debate” in under three minutes. Anyone know what those sirens are?

6 Somehow, a U-turn on King Street became less of a driving manoeuvre and more of a local custom.

7

The heritage-listed Anita’s Theatre will always be iconic … although locals might argue the Coles carpark is just as memorable, for different reasons.

8

A decorated Vietnam veteran whose legacy reached far beyond Thirroul, Major General Brian “Hori” Howard reminded us that true strength can come with humility, humour and service.

9

In a nursing home, Nan’s glasses could genuinely belong to absolutely anyone.

Joseph Vezgoff showed art belongs in everyday life, not just galleries. His talent became part of the soul of Thirroul.

11

Elizabeth Carmichael carried herself with such grace and elegance that locals would quietly say she was the closest thing to Thirroul royalty.

12

Christine Hill doesn’t just live by the beach, she captures its soul. Her art is part of Thirroul’s colour and character.

14

Are you a local if you haven’t visited Kim’s Christmas lights and Santa on Christmas Eve?

People in Thirroul can identify each other by silhouette, dog breed, surfboard or coffee cup.

15 When you’ve been away for a while, you always take the coast road home.

16

In a small town, a quick adjustment of someone’s glasses leads to hearing about their grandchildren, renovations, surf conditions and who moved away. 20 minutes later, it’s school pickup time.

17

The escarpment light changes so beautifully during the day it accidentally became the best lens demonstration imaginable.

18

The Couchman twins reminded young people that small town talent can make it to the big stage while staying humble and grounded.

19 When Austinmer locals say the water is beautiful, trust them and go for the swim.

20

After 20 years, we realised optometry was never really about glasses. It was about becoming part of the story of Thirroul – one conversation, family and familiar face at a time.

LGBTQIA+ citizens make history

By Tyneesha Williams

Record-keepers brushed the dust off long-kept photo albums and file folders when archived histories of Wollongong’s LGBTQIA+ community were welcomed into Wollongong libraries for a scanning day.

Earlier this year, LGBTQIA+ community members joined allies, activists and historians, bringing in photos, posters, badges, flags and documents depicting the historic experiences of LGBTQIA+ people in the Illawarra. Library staff assisted by assessing kept materials and scanning records on the day.

Local studies librarian Juliet Beale said collections often represented people who had more mainstream stories or those who were recognised in newspapers.

“They’re the easy stories to collect,” she said. “It’s harder to collect the stories of people who may have been marginalised or less represented in mainstream media.

“What we say now is, ‘a story for every place and a place for every story’. There’s an active push to make sure that we’re collecting those stories that have been left out.

“It’s about creating a fuller picture of the past. At the moment, if somebody comes and searches our records and were to put in a search term like LGBTQIA+, they’d probably find very little.

“It’s really important for people to be able to find themselves in history – to feel that you haven’t actually been written out of the story.”

Trish Regal brought a collection of documents and photos from her time working as a cub reporter with the AIDS Council of NSW (formerly known as the Community Support Network).

What’s On

More information at your local library

@ Thirroul Library

Indie Authors Panel

Sat 27 June 10.30-12noon. Hear from local indie authors and discover what it takes to write, publish and craft your own novel. Free, visit our website to book a place.

Celebrating Pride Month

Tue 9 June Pride Storytime, 10-10.45am, preschoolers aged 3-5 years

Wed 17 June Paper Mobile Craft, 3.30-4.30pm, ages 8+

She has long kept folders of ACON newsletters, meeting minutes, training papers, newspaper clippings and personal notes from a time when “nobody would go near anybody that was sick”.

“They were terrified, and so they set ACON up because they had to look after themselves and each other,” she said.

Juliet said the community response has been great, and people have been enthusiastic to contribute to the project. She says any number of scannable artefacts are welcome. Contributors can donate their original copies or simply have them scanned and kept for their personal archives.

Missed the scanning day? Email localhistory@ wollongong.nsw.gov.au at any time to find out how to add to the archives

Special Storytime Police Visit

Tues 16 June 10-10.45am. Ages 3-5 years: join us for a special Storytime with a special visitor, a local police officer.

@ Helensburgh Library

Author Talk with Camille Booker

Wed 10 June 6-7 pm. Camille is a multi-awardwinning author, editor, teacher and literacy judge. Come along and listen about her latest book, Code Name Funnel Web.

Celebrating Pride Month

Fri 12 June Pride Storytime, 10.30-11.15am, preschool ages 3-5 years.

Time to volunteer

Janice Creenaune meets Thirroul’s Gary Grace, an electrician by trade, the, president of Thirroul Men’s Shed and a volunteer for many other organisations

Gary Grace spends at least three days a week at the Thirroul Men’s Shed, volunteering in overall operations, management and welfare of all those who participate. With nearly 60 members, this is a huge undertaking and Gary prides himself in knowing each member.

“The Men’s Shed is a working unit of men with a purpose,” Gary says. “The aim of the shed is to work for the community, to work for each other and to work for ourselves.

“With roughly a third for each goal, it manages to bring the group together. We really do work best when interacting and working together.”

Gary is no stranger to volunteering. He volunteered for the NSW Fire and Rescue for 37 years and was the deputy captain in Thirroul.

So it is little surprise that Gary has held the president’s role at the shed for the past five years.

“A good president manages people as well as tools and facilities,” he says. “I get to know everybody. I have a great committee, who all work really hard at whatever is set. Some of their roles are wide and varied, others small tasks, but I know I can depend on them.”

Work in the shed includes woodcrafts, metal

Free flu spray

‘well received’

By Genevieve Swart

“Yay, it’s flu vax time,” said no preschooler ever. However, this year families are seizing an easier option to avoid winter sickness – and the fallout of lost school and work days.

Since April, GPs, pharmacies and Aboriginal medical services have been offering a nasal spray influenza vaccine for ages two to 17. The new FluMist is free for children aged two to four

crafts (with a metal lathe available), welding facilities, a photography group and computer and phone use group.

“We have made over 500 cheese boards for Greenacres to sell or raffle. This is no small feat as the skills involved in the boards are quite high.

The general skills and choices for various woods, the woodwork itself, the joins, the sanding, the varnishing etc all take skills and time. We also work with Bunnings supporting their family activities. We made 200 small wooden Christmas trees for children to paint and decorate. Bunnings provide the wood but it is our men who provide the skills. It is amazing to watch the real craftsmen at work.

“The shed highlights men’s health with various monthly talks such as a focus on dementia or cancer. One was from Tender Funerals. Most of all, we encourage talking (when not operating machinery).

“General conversation also allows men to feel comfortable and they often open up to each other for support or genuine friendship. We invite our wives and partners to a dinner twice a year because we know they, too, are integral to our success.

“I wouldn’t be able to do all of this without the support of my wife, Marie,” Gary says.

thanks to a NSW government‑funded program. One spray in each nostril and children are protected for about three to four months, the same protection time as the needle version.

“This has been very well received by young children to date and those older children who have a fear of needles,” said Thirroul Pharmacy owner Raelee Hooton.

Raelee’s experience reflects a wider uptake across the state, with community pharmacists providing 2500 free FluMist vaccines to eligible young children in the month after it launched.

Peppe Raso, a national councillor at the Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch, said: “We’ve seen strong interest from local families.” Influenza can result in breathing difficulties and pneumonia. NSW Health says children are being prioritised with free vaccines as they are at high risk of severe illness and also readily spread the flu to others.

2026 Influenza Vaccines are now

The INFLUENZA vaccine is recommended for people aged > 6 mths and is FREE* to those most at risk from influenza and its complications.

The needle-free Intranasal Influenza Vaccination is also available FREE for children aged 2, 3, and 4 years and at a private cost for those aged 5-18 years.

Book online at www.thirroulpharmacy.com

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon-Fri: 8.30am-6pm / Sat & Sun: 9am-4pm

Shop 4, 277a Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul NSW 2515 Ph: 02 42681067

The team at Transitus Legal is dedicated to helping you navigate your legal journey. We offer assistance in the following areas:

Big walk for brain cancer research

By Genevieve Swart

Daniel Peyton’s father-in-law ran a small business, working in glass installation and repairs. He loved golf, hanging out with mates and jokingly giving Dan a hard time, which was how he knew he was part of the family.

“His name was Rob, known as Robbo,” says Dan. “He was a really amazing father and husband, and father-in-law. He worked really hard all of his life for his family. Just a real knock-around bloke –loved his footy, loved his Cronulla Sharks.”

Rob Usov died in 2019, aged 62, about five months after being diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer. Dan is now preparing to honour his memory in the best possible way – walking 150km from Sydney to Newcastle, arriving at McDonald Jones Stadium on June 28, just in time for a Knights vs Tigers game.

“It’s for the Mark Hughes Foundation, so it aligns with the NRL round, the Beanies for Brain Cancer round,” Dan says. “We arrive and do a lap of honour around the stadium, which is really cool.

“This will be my third year doing it, and [all together] we’ve raised over a million dollars for brain cancer research.”

Dan’s wife, Vanessa, will be there to welcome him. “I know she’s very proud, and she really enjoys the fact that I’m doing it for Robbo.”

His sons, 11-year-old Brodie and nine-year-old Carter, will be at the finish line too, keen to meet the footy stars. “There’s some well-known retired football players that do the walk … guys like Adam Muir, Billy Peden, a few TV presenters, Marlee Silva and her dad, Rod Silva.”

Dan discovered the Big Three Trek through a

friend and did his first one, amid pouring rain, three years ago. Last year, his group raised $355,000.

This year, Dan will be stepping out for another loved one lost to cancer: his sister-in-law Cheree, who died from bowel cancer in November 2025, aged 44, leaving behind a husband Troy (Vanessa’s brother) and daughters Lyla and Lily.

While cancer impacts all too many families, Dan has been inspired by the strength, courage and positivity of the “warriors” he’s met on the walk.

“Many of them have either gone through brain cancer or are family members or friends with someone who suffered from it.”

At 50km a day over three days, even with the support of roadside well-wishers, a physio and a coffee van, it’s a gruelling journey. “We probably spent half the time talking about our feet, and then sharing blister stories,” Dan says, laughing.

While his training is “pretty minimal”, it does include parkruns and the occasional 15 or 20km walk. On these, Dan would like company. “It can get boring, so if anyone’s keen, just hit me up to just walk, whether it’s a kilometre or 20.”

Donate or follow @danpeyton on Instagram

Explore native gardens bursting with colour, featuring grevilleas and other Australian natives from across the country. Wander through the rainforest, sensory walk and vine forest trail leading to the giant blackbutt tree.

The Park offers many grafted and hardto-source grevilleas varieties for sale, plus hundreds of other native plants and books in the historic chapel. Dogs on leash are welcome.

Volunteers put up pergola for gran who lost her home in fire

By Paul Blanksby of Helensburgh Men’s Shed

Since 2016, our Men’s Shed motto has been “Serving the 2508 Community”. We do this because we love helping others, sharing our life and trade skills, and making the most of the workshops at the ‘Shed in the Forest’. We support local schools, service clubs, churches, non-profits, the unemployed, pensioners, single mums, and everyone in our community, including people like Denise and her grandchildren.

Five years ago, Denise lost her home in a fire. Since then, Salvos has supported her through health challenges, caring for her grandchildren, and finding secure housing in Helensburgh.

Recently, the Shed teamed up with Salvos and the Helping Hands/Gardening Team to help Denise by building a covered pergola in her backyard. Now she can relax and enjoy her garden.

Your HMS is unique. Nestled amongst the gum trees at the end of Darkes Forest Road, our shipping container workshops are miracles of clever planning and organisation, each one a microcosm of production. Our main work area is a hayshed, airy and with a lovely outlook.

We enjoy our meal breaks in a cosy meeting room, a sun-drenched paddock, or even around a

Students awarded ANZAC medallions

By Ian Carroll, secretary of the Helensburgh RSL Sub Branch

The Helensburgh RSL Sub Branch wishes to acknowledge the great public support for and attendance at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service held at Charles Harper Park in Helensburgh.

Our thanks go to all those who contributed to the preparations and conduct of the event, as well as to all of the participants in the service and the

campfire, and we’re a green shed, utilising water tanks, solar power, and a high usage of the R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Repurpose, Reimagine, and more. A big thank you to SJ Read and Parkes Street Landscape Supplies for kindly donating materials used in Denise’s Backyard project.

Helensburgh Men’s Shed, open to men and women 18+. Visit Helensburgh Men’s Shed. 624 Darkes Forest Rd. Open Mon-Wed 9 am to 3 pm. 0478 892 485, helensburghmensshed.org.au

audience for their respectful observance of this occasion. We would also like to thank Wollongong City Council for the excellent presentation of the memorial through their works department’s ongoing maintenance and development.

Helensburgh RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Award recipients from the five Helensburgh district schools were presented with the insignia medallions of the award by serving ADF members, veterans and members of the sub branch, to the well deserved acclamation of the audience. These awards were also announced at ANZAC Day ceremonies held within the schools for the students in the days preceding or post ANZAC Day. The 2026 recipients of the award are :

• Elijah Whitney – Otford Public School

• Charlie Hahipene – Helensburgh Holy Cross Parish school.

• Ty Davis – Waterfall Public School

• Evie Barker – Helensburgh Public School

• Gordon Ives– Stanwell Park Public School

During the service a replica in bronze of one of the original Honour Rolls from Helensburgh Workman’s Club which has been installed on the Wall of Remembrance was also unveiled.

The recent Federal Budget introduced major changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, marking a significant policy shift despite earlier commitments. While positioned as a way to improve affordability for first home buyers, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain.

First home buyers already benefit from a range of incentives, which have supported demand at the lower end of the market and contributed to price growth. At the same time, investor activity has been declining. Many economists warn that further discouraging investors may reduce rental supply, potentially placing upward pressure

lan Pepper 0403 570 041 Joshua Pepper 0437 790 052 ian.pepper@agencyhq.net.au joshua.pepper@agencyhq.net.au 9/17 Cemetery Road, Helensburgh

SERVICING ANDSYDNEY THE ILLAWARRA

on rents rather than easing property prices. With Australia’s capital gains tax settings now among the highest globally, property investment may also become less attractive as a long-term strategy.

Locally, the impact may be limited in the short term. Owner-occupiers remain the primary drivers of demand, but ongoing confidence will be key as the market adjusts to these changes.

Call the Pup-arazzi

Post pet pics to our socials or email hello@theillawarraflame.com.au

Likes: Having a good sniff during a walk, belly rubs, watching the rosellas above him in the trees and he enjoys munching on orange peel too! Little Austi Beach is his fave, he stays on leash and loves to sniff and soak up the fresh air and new smells too.

Dislikes: Having a bath and the flies buzzing around in summer.

Indy Powell – the Powell family’s devoted and energetic blue cattle dog

Likes: McCauley’s Beach, playing fetch, jumping waves, her people, her best doggy friend (Sarah), treats from the postie, and food!

Dislikes: Being left alone, going to the vet and bath time.

Likes: Walks, treats, chasing the cat, humans, the water and did I say treats.

Dislikes: The wind, being told what to do, being away from humans.

“He’s a whippet, so that’s why he’s called Devo. He’s going to be in a children’s book soon, because his mum is an author!”

Likes: “He likes everyone and everything, he likes other dogs, anything he can play with, walks, and sleeping in everyone’s bed but his own.”

Dislikes: Thunder and storms.

Sissy Sue Thirroul

Who is the cutest pup of all?

OK, it was impossible to choose. So we threw all the dogs’ names in a hat and came up with a randomly selected champ: Congratulations, Milo! You win a $50 pet store voucher.

“Her name is Sissy Sue. Her sister was Poppy Mae, and six months later she came along, so we said ‘Sissy.’ Sissy Sue”.

Likes: “Going for little walks with her dad, mum and auntie. She’s pretty bland, but likes eating chicken, steak and little lollies and treats at night, when she’s been a good girl.”

Dislikes: “She doesn’t like dog food, and she’s not too keen on other dogs. When she was younger, we went past a couple of staffies. She took off into the rocks and ... she got a little nip on the tummy. That was when she was younger, but she’s never forgotten. She doesn’t forget anything.”

How to Support Teen Health

By Dr John Deady of Bulli Medical Practice

The teenage years bring rapid growth, increasing independence and plenty of exciting change – but they also come with unique health challenges.

Small practical habits can make a real difference to a teenager’s physical and mental wellbeing and it’s something I talk about regularly with families at Bulli Medical Practice.

Screen Time

Physical Activity and Sports Safety

Australian guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate-tovigorous physical activity every day for teenagers. Organised sport supports cardiovascular fitness, bone strength, coordination and mental wellbeing. However sprains, overuse injuries and concussion remain common in adolescents.

Australian guidelines including those from the RACGP recommend limiting recreational screen time to no more than two hours per day for teenagers. Excessive use has been linked to poorer sleep, reduced concentration, headaches, eye strain and worsening mental health.

Evening screen use is particularly problematic as it suppresses melatonin production and delays sleep onset. Teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep each night yet many are chronically sleep deprived. Removing devices from bedrooms overnight and avoiding screens for at least one hour before bed are simple, effective strategies.

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Open Monday to Friday: 8am - 6pm Saturday: 8am - 12 noon

Full range of general practice services including women’s and men’s health, child and adolescent health, older adult health and nursing home visits, and specialised clinics including:

y Travel medicine - accredited Yellow Fever vaccination centre

y Skin cancer checks

Proper warm-ups, good hydration, adequate recovery days and appropriate protective equipment all help to reduce injury risk. Any teenager with a suspected concussion should be removed from play immediately and assessed by a GP before returning to sport.

Why Regular GP Visits Matter

Regular check-ups give us the opportunity to monitor growth, sleep, mental health, nutrition and general wellbeing. Early intervention and healthy habits can have lasting benefits.

If you would like to book a health check, get in touch online or call us on 4284 4622.

Book online* via the website: www.bullimedicalpractice.com.au or scan QR code:

*Please call 4284 4622 for an appointment if you have any respiratory symptoms 74 Park Road, Bulli 4284 4622

What in the world is Pecha Kucha?

By architect Ben Wollen

Back in the early “Noughties” there was a new style of talks sweeping the world called Pecha Kucha. It was created in Tokyo by a couple of expat UK architects, Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein. The term pecha kucha means “chit-chat” in Japanese. The format was simple and more image-based than verbal content (we architects are a visual lot!). The format goes something like 20 slides in 400 seconds (just under 7 minutes). It’s fast paced and designed for the attention deficit world we live in now. Twenty seconds per slide, the image has to speak louder than words. It’s fun to watch but somewhat daunting to prepare a presentation for. Image selection is everything.

Why, do you ask, I rattle on about pecha kucha? Well, our little studio on Raymond Road, Thirroul has recently rebranded. We are now called CAST Studio and have a collective of design experts working together in our little niche – if you have a design problem, come stop by our shop, we’ll find you a solution! One of those in our midst is Ocean Pools Ambassador, Nicole Larkin. You can see some of her ocean baths work at www.nicolelarkin. com/the-wild-edge. As you do in a collaborative environment, ideas start to foment and Nicole

thought it would be great to host pecha kucha talks out front of our shop window. We held the first of these in early May and due to its resounding success we’ll be hosting more!

As it was a bit of a test-run to see if there was any interest out there, we started off with three of us punters from CAST Studio. We also modified the format a bit so that it was five-ish slides in five-ish minutes. I went first and recounted five of my most memorable archiarticles with accompanying images. From the Solar Haves & Have-nots to on the Merits of Quaintness. I’ve been writing these monthly articles for over five years now and it was fun to bring some of the topics back to life and in a more spoken word format.

After me fellow CAST member, Adam Russell from Saltbush Projects, gave a presentation on his design of the Great Hall for the University of Technology, Sydney. A fascinating tale of a young architecture firm undertaking their first big design commission. Sometimes winging it (they put a photo of the vice chancellor on a design scheme they really wanted to get across the line and it worked!) and other times bringing cutting edge ideas to the project that a larger “play it safe” firm likely wouldn’t. Did you know there were more than 1200 unique triangular panels with more than 1.2 million perforations that were incorporated into the custom ceiling dubbed “the mantle”? How do you document that!

Nicole wrapped up the evening with her incredible research project on New South Wales Ocean Baths. Along our coastline sit more than 120 ocean baths that extend from as North as Yamba all the way down to Eden. The highest concentration of this typology in the whole world! Nicole visited every single one of these mapped them with cutting edge drone technology and laid out her research findings into a book you can now purchase from Collins titled The Wild Edge, A Survey of Ocean Pools in NSW. Asked if she also swam in every single pool, the answer was an emphatic - “No” for the good reason that she was generally there before dawn in the middle of winter so that she could get swimmer free access to map the pools properly. Fair enough!

Our next Pecha Kucha night will be held on 3rd July so bring your puffer jacket! We project onto the drop down blind in our shop window which creates a lovely frame. If it gets too cold, you can always tuck into Franks for a quick tipple! To follow us, hear about our next speakers and more, go to our insta handle @cast.thirroul.

Upcoming Creative

JUNE JULY AUGUST

TUE 2, 16 JUN + TUE 7, 21 JUL

Ongoing Art Classes

With Ivor Fabok

THU 18 + 25 JUN

Life Drawing

With Elspeth McCombe

WED 5, 12, 19, 26 AUG

Watercolour focus on flowers

With Christine Hill

Info: cheryloconnor1@bigpond.com

Crowd rolls up for hope and heroes

By Genevieve Swart

Book lovers were promised a night of environmental hope and heroes at Coledale hall, and that’s what they got.

On April 30, the heroes were Associate Professor Sarah Hamylton and environmentalist Natalie Kyriacou OAM, who appeared in conversation with Professor Tim Flannery, chief councillor at the Climate Council and 2007 Australian of the Year.

Hope came in Sarah and Natalie’s new books, which celebrate nature and those who care for it.

Sarah is a coastal scientist and academic at the University of Wollongong. Her book, Plotting the Oceans: Stories of powerful maps and their makers, has been almost 15 years in the making. “I wrote it for my students,” she said, joking it was either that or stand-up comedy to capture their attention.

“The book is basically five stories back to back about people who’ve made maps that have changed our relationship with nature or our understanding of nature … it weaves together a bit of environmental doom and gloom with some inspirational good news in terms of environmental stories as a way to try and get my students out there map-making and doing good in the world.”

In Nature’s Last Dance, Natalie shares good news seldom heard. “I interviewed a 12-year-old girl… She made a promise to a masked owl in Tasmania, and she promised to protect it. She takes adults on tours through the forest to show them why it’s worth protecting, and she’s a citizen scientist for the Bob Brown Foundation.

“I interviewed a woman who spent Christmas Eve dangling upside-down from inside a

stormwater drain to protect a tiny little lorikeet. She’s part of one of the most under-appreciated workforces on the planet – wildlife carers and rescuers, who are more than 75 per cent women, and women over 45 years old.”

Tim Flannery, who has a new book in the works covering a “history of human folly” when it comes to climate, said Natalie’s book reminded him of actor Isabella Rossellini, who made a TV series called Green Porno in 2008. “It’s got that same humorous but deeply understanding view of what animals do and why they do it,” he said.

Sarah ended the night by thanking hosts, SCWC and Collins. “The bookshop does an amazing job in terms of bringing people together.”

L to R: Natalie Kyriacou, Tim Flannery and Sarah Hamylton

Readers & Writers Festival returns

By Elizabeth Heffernan of the South Coast Writers Centre

The South Coast Readers & Writers Festival returns to Thirroul over three days, 24-26 July, with a vibrant line-up of literary talent from rising local stars to international bestsellers.

The first guests to be announced are: Evelyn Araluen (The Rot), Antoinette Lattouf (Women Who Win), James Bradley (Landfall), Sulari Gentill (Five Found Dead), Michelle de Kretser (Theory & Practice), Tara Moss (The Italian Secret), Kate Mildenhall (The Hiding Place) and Andrew Pippos (The Transformations).

“We’re excited to be returning for our fifth year,” said festival director Dr Sarah Nicholson. “Our 2026 program is bigger than ever, and we can’t wait to share it with our community.”

Held in the Thirroul District Community Centre and Library, the Festival is a celebration of all things reading, writing and creativity on the South Coast of NSW. Audiences can choose from 12 sessions on Saturday and 10 sessions on Sunday, on topics ranging from crime fiction, history, young adult literature, poetry, environmental writing, publishing, memoir, literary journals and more.

Plus, book launches, author workshops, and a free “The Library That Made Me” event on Friday night, brought to you by the State Library of NSW. Early bird Saturday, Sunday and two-day passes are on sale, and the full program will be out in June.

Visit southcoastwriters.org/festival

Bevan

Book gives wings to butterfly effect

By Meg Wright

Why did ABC journalist Matt Bevan launch his new book at Ryan’s pub in Thirroul on May 2? It could have been an obvious choice – or it could have been due to some random event years ago that he hasn’t worked out yet.

Matt’s fans will know how much “the butterfly effect” fascinates the podcast host – and If You’re Listening: Declassified is full of such stories.

In conversation with political commentator and Thirroul resident Elliot Stein, Matt shared stories from his debut book to a packed house in the first stop on his launch tour.

“History is jammed full of little ‘sliding doors’ moments; Matt’s book peers into those doorways with great skill,” Elliot said.

The collection of non-fiction stories, which comes off the back of the long-running success of Matt’s ABC podcast series of the same name, has arrived at what he describes as a pivotal moment in history. “Being wrong about things isn’t new,” Matt said. “But the rate at which it spreads now can be dangerous.”

He shared with the audience that inspiration for the book – subtitled “The world’s most important stories boldly explained by a man hiding in his basement” – came from the idea of “taking historical moments that have a certain meaning and seeing if they stand up to time”.

Matt delves deep to find answers to questions that have eluded us – or we may not have even thought to ask. Did a joy ride in a light aircraft end the Cold War? Why is fluoride in the water such a contentious issue in Queensland? Did Alexander Downer really cause Trump’s first impeachment?

“Matt is the master of the tangent – he can’t just tell you one story, he needs to tell you five before it. All the while, you’re in the hands of a gifted storyteller,” Elliot said.

A new chapter

With the team at Collins Booksellers Thirroul

As always, we have a promo for an event! Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans is a new novel from author Zoe Gaetjens. At 3pm Sunday, 7 June, Zoe and fellow YA author Claire Zorn will be chatting in the bookshop. An event for teens from Year 8+ or anyone interested in reading a warm, funny coming-of-age romance. Bookings on Humanitix.

And now the big news – 1 July marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of our bookshop as we hand over the reins to new owner, James Tierney. A simultaneously happy sad moment for us both as you can well imagine and we’d like to thank everyone for their most beautiful thoughts and wishes. On Wednesday, 24 June, we’ll be saying a very informal goodbye and thank you upstairs at Ryan’s Hotel. Please feel welcome to pop in any time between 5pm and 9pm for a drink and a bit of music. RSVP Humanitix or thirroul@ collinsbooks.com.au.

collins BOOKSELLERS thirroul

Shop 5/264 Lawrence Hargrave Drive www.collinsbooksthirroul.com.au

@collinsbooksellersthirroul

Universal theme flows through film

Community resilience in the aftermath of Lismore’s 2022 floods was the focus of a documentary screening, with lessons for the Illawarra afterwards, Genevieve Swart reports

The smell of lemon myrtle was the first hint of a powerful theme flowing through Floodland, an award-winning documentary about Lismore.

Ahead of May 14’s screening at Warrawong’s Gala Cinemas, organiser Anna Jane ‘AJ’ Linke handed out dried leaves from the native rainforest tree, adding to the sensory experience of a film strong on stories, cinematography, the sound of rain and a rising river.

“With the increased severity and frequency of climate disasters … we’re all going to experience more disasters more frequently,” she said.

AJ – one of the founders of the Edible Garden Trail – was the film’s impact producer, a role that uses storytelling to campaign for change. “It’s no longer just evacuation routes and sandbags,” she said. “We actually need to start thinking about the social aspect of recovering…And what’s really important at the forefront of that is also to ground and centre First Nations wisdom.”

About 100 people attended the screening, and stayed on for a panel discussion. The speakers were researcher Sonia Graham, NSW director of Landcare; Clare Robinson, Wollongong City Council’s emergency management officer; Kelly Andrews, CEO of Healthy Cities Australia; and Jerrinja/Yuin man Peter Hewitt, a senior lecturer in Aboriginal education at UOW.

“The language of respect and Country resonates really strongly throughout that film,” Peter said.

Talent takes flight

By Tyneesha Williams

More than 900 people packed out UOW University Hall to see movies united by a bird motif at this year’s Creative Wollongong Short Film Festival. Presented by the City of Wollongong with Screen Illawarra on March 27, the competition celebrated emerging and established voices, and had a ‘birds’

L to R: Jason Hough, Sonia Graham, Clare Robinson, Kelly Andrews, Peter Hewitt and AJ Linke.

“For me, Country is the opportunity for us to come together. There’s healing in it. Our old stories talk about how we behave. Resilience comes from those values and holding our own respect.”

“You’re all been invited to hold a little bit of Country this evening … there’s an invitation with that lemon myrtle to continue that healing.

“Pop those leaves into [boiling] water for two or three minutes, put a bit of honey with it – and you’ll breathe in that healing, the medicines that are in that leaf.”

To host a community screening, visit the Floodland website.

National Reconciliation Week is from 27 May-June 3

theme, chosen to reflect the city’s commitment to sustainability and climate resilience.

Bin Day won the commissioned film category, with director Jane Fullerton-Smith saying: “It was fast and furious but fantastic fun being able to make this project in the local area … Special mention to our composer – Datu Begley who at 19 years old delivered an extraordinary score. A great soundtrack really makes your story sing.”

Nicole Stojanovska, director of the best film winner in the open category, said: “The Things We Bury was a true labour of love, created to represent the Macedonian community I come from, whose stories are rarely seen on Australian screens.”

A Five Islands school team won the ages 12-18 category with The Day. Elsie said not all students involved were able to make it on the night: “I would like to thank Jeff, Chantelle, and Matt, our well-being officer at Five Islands. I’d also like to give a shout out to Youth Services and Five Islands Secondary College. Thank you so much.”

her own feature Cover

A LEAGUE OF

By Marcus Craft

The 2026 NRLW season is about to kick off, and rugby league legend Sammy Bremner is as excited for footy now as she’s ever been.

This passion drives the sporting trailblazer to back any efforts to attract girls and women to the sport she loves. In fact, Sammy is keen for girls and women to play and keep playing any sport, and to do this, she believes better amenities for women and girls are crucial.

Case in point: the new Thirroul Butchers facility at Thomas Gibson Park, which has accessible and ambulant toilets, change rooms for all genders, a referees’ room, first aid room and a canteen.

The project was supported by a $1 million grant from the NSW Office of Sport’s Level the Playing Field program. Upgrades like these are “extremely important”, Sammy says.

“I was super-excited when our new facility was built for both men and women in rugby league, but also it’s super-important that there’s a clear pathway and our grassroots are doing the same thing.

“Thirroul Butchers are one of the first in our catchment to have built a new facility that caters for female rugby league and league tag players to have their own change room and privacy, and have a bit of equity within that club. So that’s superexciting and hopefully that’s the first of many.”

And – understatement alert – Sammy happens to know just a little about the importance of sport in a girl’s life.

She played netball from the age of five to 19 and was instrumental in establishing the Helensburgh Tigerlillies in 2010. She went on to play eight seasons with the club – including four premiership victories – and then, while pregnant, coached the team to another premiership win in 2020.

Sammy played nine Test matches for Australia and in the 2013, 2017 and 2021 rugby league world cups, was part of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2022 grand final side in the NSW Premiership, was in two Sky Blues Origin squads (2018, 2022), and played in interstate matches from 2012-17.

In 2016, she was named Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) Players Champion.

In 2018, Sammy was St George Illawarra Dragons’ NRLW captain, leading the side in its historic inaugural NRLW season.

She played two seasons for the Dragons and then joined the Sydney Roosters in 2022.

Sammy won the Dally M Fullback trophy in the NRLW Team of the Year and was named as fullback in the RLPA’s 2022 Dream Team.

Then, in the wake of so many great sporting achievements – and at the peak of such an inspirational playing career – the then 31-year-old

L to R: Sammy Bremner at Thomas Gibson Park, chatting to Thirroul Butchers players at the club’s new facility, and with Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart, Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown and rising sports stars.

Photos: Tyneesha Williams, Wollongong City Council

mother of two officially retired from the Roosters and playing rugby league in 2024.

But there’s no stopping her.

Sammy returned to the Dragons in November 2024 as the club’s female football manager. Now, with the full support of her husband, Wayne, and three children – six-year-old Reef, four-year-old Lakey and two-year-old Cali (“they’re wild”, she says) – Sammy is determined to help the Dragons to a top showing this season and continue growing women’s sport from the grassroots.

The new Thirroul Butchers facility is a milestone for women’s sport in the Illawarra, she says.

“I think that, as children, one of the reasons we do sport is for that sense of belonging and connection to community in the club,” she said.

“And creating a facility that enables them to feel connected and feel like they belong to it means that they have an opportunity to stay and play for longer instead of losing them to either another sport or no sport at all.

“So any bit we can do to help bridge that gap is really important.”

The Dragons’ new $65 million state-of-the-art community and high-performance centre – the Bruce Gordon Centre at UOW’s Innovation Campus – is further evidence the club is invested in the development of sport in the Illawarra.

Sammy says proof of the Dragons’ strong commitment to women’s sport is on full display in the Red V’s NRLW team leading into this season.

“I feel like we are miles ahead than where we were last season. We still have a lot of work to do, but there’s been a lot of buy-in from the players, we’ve had a lot more staff come on-board, which

ties into making sure that we have a really supportive ecosystem.

“That takes a bit of pressure off my shoulders and Mark Riddell [NRLW & Pathways Recruitment Lead] has come on board … and he’s been huge for us in terms of recruitment and ensuring our pathways are really strong and linking that to the NRLW – he’s been unbelievable.

“Nathan Cross has just started his dual role –he’s our head coach and the Queensland Maroons women’s coach – and that’s been of huge benefit to our squad because he’s up-skilling himself and bringing that back to the Dragons as well.

“And then you add some new players and some new leaders, some new international players coming into our squad, going into the new facility, with a whole different look and feel to not only our female program, but our club in this season.”

Sammy says it’s great to see the NRLW has come so far since she started and to also be a part of it.

“I started playing rugby league for Helensburgh [Tigerlillies], because I just wanted to have fun, but I also loved hearing that people thought girls didn’t play football, and then when we ran out, everyone was gobsmacked by how well we played in our first game and I found that addictive.

“I love when people say that certain things can’t happen in our program [at the Dragons] and in our game and I’ll do my best to find a way to make it happen so that our girls can benefit from it.”

The 2026 NRLW premiership season opens on July 2 with Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights, and the St George Illawarra Dragons are scheduled to play the Canberra Raiders on July 4.

Bus to the future

By Darryl Best, a retired miner on the board of Hi Neighbour

This is a good news story about what can happen when you are given the chance to contribute to a project and the unexpected way that the results can come to your attention.

Earlier this year, Yael Stone and her charity Hi Neighbour (think scholarships to re-train in renewables) held a celebratory event at the Servo in Port Kembla. The reason for this story was at that event, but had its origins much further back.

A couple of years ago, TAFE NSW along with UOW held a series of meetings about the future of TAFE and how it could align with renewables.

Yael and I were invited to share our thoughts.

TAFE does amazing work, especially given the funding cuts, in training people for myriad careers. But one problem was how to set up new courses in renewables when there needs to be guaranteed teachers and students.

Our suggestion was to create an interactive mobile unit to showcase the career pathways.

There were other suggestions, the meetings concluded and everyone went their separate ways. About six months later I received a call from TAFE to say they were going to use funding to build some interactive demonstration units. I smiled – a lot!

So jump forward to the Servo a few weeks ago. As I was walking up the street, I was thinking how much I enjoy events there. Food trucks, something to drink, music and good people. I looked up and thought, “Now that is a big food truck.”

Then as I walked in, I read the writing on the

side, which said… “TAFE NSW Energy Futures Skills Unit”. I stood, staring. Then Andrew Martin from TAFE, walked out, looked at me, smiled and said: “Hi Darryl, here is your bus.”

To someone who has been campaigning for renewables to offset the job losses in coal, those six words meant the world. I am still smiling.

Never underestimate the effect your words or actions can have. They won’t always deliver a bus, but said in the right place and the right way, they may just help the world to be a better place.

You can contact TAFE in Wollongong (where they have an even bigger bus) and/or Andrew Martin and go and have a play with the interactive equipment and read fun facts about our energy future and the career opportunities. Or maybe the bus will simply turn up at a school near you.

Frog of the Month

By Ewan Auld

Common Eastern Froglet (Crinia signifera)

This tiny amphibian is incredibly common all over south-eastern Australia and one of the few local species that remains highly active throughout winter. They are found in a range of habitats from creeks, ponds and dams to urban backyards, where they produce a loud repetitive “crick” call. Interestingly, this species is well known for its broad variation in pattern and colouration, with some individuals possessing distinct stripes or spots in various shades of grey to brown, making it sometimes tricky to tell whether you are looking at the same species. I spotted this tiny frog with some difficulty, after pinpointing its call next to a puddle on a sandy track on the Illawarra escarpment.

Beetling About

Part 1 of A Diverse Microhabitat by

I’ve talked quite often about poo, probably more often than some of you care to know. For which apologies, but… here’s another poo story. Eat your breakfast first.

The insects associated with poo are diverse, poo is easy to obtain, it works well as an attractant and at least some of the insect groups attracted are well-known – so poo makes an easy way of measuring a portion of biodiversity (all living things). We know that the major disposers of poo are dung beetles (scarabs of the subfamily Scarabaeinae) – that’s the same things as the famous Egyptian scarab. We cognoscenti call them dungies. The Egyptian scarab is a ball roller, but most of our 500+ species are tunnellers and just shove the stuff in. Kick away horse dung on a track in Dharawal NP and you’ll probably see tunnels going straight into the ground. But they are generally not active in winter, when flies take over – so our trapping is from October to March.

entomologist Dr Chris Reid

For example, last October we had a brush-tailed visitor to a bottle brush at the edge of the driveway, and every morning there was fresh poo. Nothing was known about dungies and possums. So I wrapped some up in a cloth, suspended it over a pot buried in the garden and waited to see what happened. The result was remarkable – in one night 14 specimens of a species, Onthophagus yourula, that had only been discovered and described in 1990 and of which there were only 13 specimens in the Australian Museum. It seemed likely that Onthophagus yourula is a possum specialist.

Different dungies live in different places, as they have adapted to different substrates (sand, clay, alluvial soils etc), different vegetation types (rainforest, woodland, heath etc) and different ‘hosts’. So finding a certain type of dungy can tell plenty about the environment.

Surprisingly, attraction to native hosts is only recently being worked out. This is largely because most researchers have been trying to get as many species as possible as easily as possible and it turns out the most favoured bait for most species is the generalist feeder (omnivore) called human and poo of that animal is easy to obtain (for the fainthearted pig is also good). However, this misses out potential poo specialists, such as those feeding on rotting fungi, rotting fruit or poos of native animals.

The Mossman to Manly ‘North Shore’ of Sydney has, besides some swanky houses, several bush reserves which have become isolated islands bordered by sea and houses. These reserves retain small populations of bandicoot, brush-tailed possum and swamp wallaby. My Honours student Matilda Rosas has just completed a study to see if the reserves retain any associated fauna associated with the poos of these animals. Thanks to local zoos and animal carers, including our very own Symbio Wildlife Park, we were able to obtain a steady supply of each through the summer.

I’ll report on the results in part 2.

Thanks to Matilda Rosas for comments and information and to Symbio for poo.

Jazz it up at weekly concerts

By Jeremy Lasek

It’s a long way from Paris to Helensburgh, but vocalist Annick Gouw wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Annick is a self-confessed jazz lover.

“As a kid, I loved old music and old movies from the 1940s, and I was brought up listening to Edith Piaf and other French artists,” she said.

Annick was aged five when her family migrated to Australia but her love of French culture and French music in particular is as strong as ever.

Having grown up in Melbourne and Sydney, Annick moved to Helensburgh in 1987 after marrying. She loves being close to Wollongong’s beaches while also having Sydney just up the road.

It was 11 years ago, after joining the Illawarra Jazz Club, that Annick had her first opportunity to perform publicly: “They gave me a go.”

Annick performs French songs and next appears on a shared bill at the Illawarra Jazz Club’s weekly concert at City Collegians on June 20.

“It’s great having jazz every week, and we’re probably the only jazz club in Australia that has a performance every week,” she said, adding that it’s a great opportunity for local musicians. “We also have a lot of Sydney bands come down to play.”

SCAN FOR SONG CLIPS

Nannas rock Gong

By Genevieve Swart

The Illawarra Knitting Nannas Against Greed (IKNAG) swapped their needles for song sheets to deliver an anthemic protest outside the office of Wollongong MP Paul Scully on May 16.

“We don’t need no longwall mining,” lead singer and guitarist Margi Curtis sang, in a parody of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall. With a dozen backing singers and supporting activists, Nanna Margi belted out her coal protest

Now the jazz club secretary, Annick encourages more people to get along to the 2-5pm shows every Saturday at Collies – “especially young people”.

“We need more members and more young people to come along for the club to survive.”

Annick said entry for the three-hour Saturday gigs is very affordable at just $10. “What do you get for $10 these days?” Annick said.

Visit www.illawarrajazzclub.com

lyrics, calling on NSW Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos to “leave our creeks alone”. The Nannas also performed Bye Bye Coal, a parody by Jenny Fitzgibbon, and No Mine, to the tune of Darling Clementine.

About 50 people attended the rally to demand the government protect the state’s drinking water. Protestors want to stop any extensions to NSW coal mines, including at Peabody’s Metropolitan in Helensburgh, where an application to expand under the Woronora catchment is being assessed.

Uncle Mark Bloxsome, an Aboriginal elder of the Dharawal and Yuin nations, thanked the Nannas “for their ongoing guardianship and their care for Country”.

Speakers included Deidre Stuart, the Greens’ Wollongong city councillor for Ward 3, Nic Clyde from Lock the Gate, Cooper Riach from the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre, and Steph Lentz from the Gardens of Stone Alliance.

The rally followed the release of the NSW Coal Industry 2026-50 policy, which Mr Scully, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, said “balances energy security, steelmaking, jobs and regional development with the need to reduce emissions and meet NSW’s net zero targets”.

Principal to champion equity

By Genevieve Swart

The principal of Woonona High School has won a prestigious award to study in the US. Caroline David was one of four head teachers to be honoured with a Harvard principals scholarship at the Public Education Foundation’s Proudly Public Awards gala event at Sydney Town Hall on 4 May.

She wants to use the opportunity to advance a policy revolution, so all children can enjoy a free high-quality education as a democratic right.

“What I hope to achieve is more research into how systems embed equity alongside choice,” Caroline says. “We are the second most segregated schooling system in the OECD, which is a national disgrace.”

Caroline has a vision for a fairer system where the government funds all schools and everyone attends the school of their choice. “The biggest issue for me is equity.

“Some students can choose what school they want to go to – if they want to go to a faith-based school, a selective school, an art school.

“But not all children get that choice, which results in a disastrous result for disadvantaged students, who are increasingly in schools with high concentrations of other disadvantaged students – and we know that that does terribly for their trajectory in life. We also know that when you concentrate advantaged students together, they don’t necessarily do any better than if they were just in their local high school.”

Caroline started her career by studying economics and Japanese. She brings a variety of experience – including living in Japan and working at Sony’s PlayStation factory – to leading Woonona High (which is how the school comes to have a Japanese exchange program). In 2024, she travelled to Canada to investigate a better school system. “We’ve written a report called Lessons from Canada,” she says. “A fair system is possible.”

Caroline will finish her PhD at Sydney University before going to Harvard in July 2027.

Wonder Wednesday

By principal Emma Hutchinson

At Scarborough Public School, Wednesdays look a little different. Every Wednesday afternoon, students from Kindergarten to Year 6 take part in our whole-school “Wonder Wednesday” program – an exciting initiative to build curiosity, creativity, problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking.

Wonder Wednesday encourages students to develop future-focused mindsets. Students are taught skills such as collaboration, resilience, innovation, creativity, empathy, critical thinking and initiative. They explore problems deeply, design ideas, test solutions, seek feedback and share their thinking with others – all while working together across stages and age groups.

This term, our whole-school inquiry focus is “systems”. Students are investigating the way natural, environmental and human-made systems work together and influence one another. Students have travelled to Wollongong Botanic Garden. where they enjoyed hands-on experiences. From rainforest environments and bushland ecosystems to sustainable food production and the interconnectedness of plants, animals and people, students were encouraged to observe, question and wonder about how systems support life and function effectively.

Back at school, students are now applying this learning through an entrepreneurial lens. Students are identifying real-world problems or unmet needs for people, animals or the environment. They are then designing and developing a business idea, product or service that could help address that challenge. Across classrooms, students are sketching prototypes, researching audiences, creating sustainable designs, planning marketing ideas and refining their thinking through feedback and testing.

The learning journey will culminate later this term in a whole-school market-style showcase where students will present their prototypes, ideas and innovations to families and the community.

Ryan McBriarty with his truck and Coalcliff broker Chanel Vaccari. Photos: supplied, Scribbly Gum Photography

Driving innovation

By Genevieve Swart

Chanel Vaccari and Ryan McBriarty met at Little Athletics when they were children. While both went on to study at the University of Wollongong, it would be a couple of decades before they ran into each other again – this time in the fast-paced and competitive world of commerce.

Here, having a trusted Wollongong connection proved a big help.

Chanel is a broker, and Ryan is an entrepreneur who last year began looking to finance his dream start-up: an emissions-free freight business.

“Ryan came to me with this great idea, and we funded the first electric truck for him,” Chanel said. “Now he’s flat-out. He’s a great guy, very driven.”

Now living in Lilli Pilli, Ryan has spent 12 years working in human resources, including with aviation, rail and stevedoring companies. This year, he hit the road as the founder of Verdline, driving a Foton T5 EV, a battery-electric light-duty truck with a 220-kilometre range.

When his truck arrived in February, diesel cost $1.80 per litre. Then the fuel crisis hit.

“I was a little bit nervous, to be honest,” Ryan said, as EVs suddenly made the headlines and demand for his service accelerated.

“The fuel crisis didn’t have anything to do with the initial decision phase, but it obviously has created a lot of attention.”

Ryan now aims to build a fleet, all based on the success of the original truck that his old friend from Little Athletics helped finance.

“It was nice to have a familiar face at the start of the journey,” he says. “Chanel was great from the very first day, such a great support.”

Insights from a broker

A Coalcliff resident, Chanel is a broker at Translease who volunteers as the membership officer at the Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce (NICC). She studied mathematics and finance, then worked for Macquarie Bank.

Since 2012, she has specialised in vehicle and

equipment finance, and watched how the long tail of the pandemic, cost-of-living pressures and the fuel crisis are affecting businesses.

“Businesses like landscaping, farming and transport, I’ve seen be quite affected,” Chanel said.

“We’ve had a lot of clients come to us with cashflow problems. Some of what I’m seeing is a lot of ATO tax debts, so clients are falling behind in payments to the ATO, and they’re using the ATO money to help with cashflow.

“For us, it’s then about trying to help.

“In situation like this, I have moved the debt to a small business loan so the client can claim the interest as a tax deduction as interest with the ATO is no longer tax deductible.

“Also, I am assisting with small business loans or overdrafts so clients can access money to improve cashflow. There are lots of ways to help depending on the client’s scenario, which as a broker, we really need to understand.”

The pivot’s back in business

Last month, Dr Ethan Nikookar, a supply chain expert at the University of Wollongong, told the Flame that disruption is becoming the new normal.

He said businesses should move beyond resilience to become “antifragile”, to innovate, adapt and take advantage of new opportunities, as breweries like Headlands Distilling Co did when switching to making hand sanitiser during Covid.

Chanel thinks Ryan’s vision of zero-emissions freight is a great example of innovation meeting the moment. “Because what will happen in the next couple of years is that the government transport operators will move to be more green. He’s getting on the front foot.”

While Ryan is climate conscious, Verdline was chiefly inspired by seeing a gap in the market, he said. “I always had a dream of driving the Tesla semi when they arrived – they’re still about three or four years away. But I realised, what am I waiting  for?”

Watt’s next?

By Elsa Evers of Electrify 2515

So you’ve electrified your home? What’s next?

There are still a few key things you can do to ensure you’re getting the lowest possible energy bills.

With hundreds of local homes newly (or nearly) electrified as part of the Electrify 2515 Community Pilot, don’t forget these final three things.

Disconnect your gas

The cheapest and easiest way to disconnect your gas is to call your gas retailer (e.g. Origin, AGL) and ask them to do a final read and ‘cap’ your gas. This should cost about $70.

The alternative (and safest) method is to call your gas retailer and request a ‘gas abolishment’.

Jemena will come and permanently remove your meter and gas pipes. If you call up today, your retailer will likely quote over $1200 for this service – but, as a result of consumer advocacy from organisations like Rewiring Australia, from July 1, it will reduce to $250. Pop the date in your diary!

Understand your energy use

Use your smart energy device app or solar inverter app to understand how you’re using electricity and when. When is your hot water heating? Could it be moved to the day to take advantage of excess solar? Are you using a fast car charger that exceeds your solar generation? Think about how to take

advantage of your solar or cheaper electricity tariffs.

Review your electricity plan

Electrify 2515 participants Gerry and Julia

Find a plan to suit your usage. For example, if you don’t have solar, you could switch to one of the solar sharer plans coming onto the market that give you three hours of free electricity during the day.

If you need to charge an EV overnight, consider an overnight EV plan like the GloBird EV Charging Plan.

If you have a battery, you might be better off with AGL’s Battery Rewards Plan or trading on the wholesale market with Amber.

Need help? Call the Electrify 2515 pilot team on 4216 6032 or come see us at Thirroul Library on Fridays 10am-2pm.

Switched-on city leads charge

By Denise Aubourg of Electrify Illawarra

It is a year since the community rallied to support electrifying new builds across the Wollongong Local Government Area, to reduce health risks, energy bills and emissions.

Now, campaign organisers are welcoming Wollongong City Council’s latest Development Control Plan revision, which includes new builds to be all-electric, saying it will benefit household

The May 2025 rally called for ‘no new gas’

budgets, and the public health of residents and workers. This is likely to be a staged approach starting with the Wollongong city centre.

Electrify Illawarra president Rachel White said it was “a positive first step”, and the campaign is not over yet. “We look forward to working with the community and Council representatives to roll out this sensible proposal across Wollongong’s residential and commercial developments.”

Support from Healthy Cities Australia

“We know that asthma is a major contributor to illness in children and that gas cooking has been linked to 12.3% of Australia’s childhood asthma burden,” said Alexander Brown at Healthy Cities. “Ensuring new buildings are all-electric will improve indoor air quality and reduce this unnecessary risk to child health.”

Have your say on Council’s proposal by 6 July via our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au

Thunderstorm 101

The science of storms explained, by

Ross McLean. Photo: Brad Chilby

Southern Hemisphere thunderstorms in temperate zones mostly come from the south-west and travel to the north-east.

Gaspard Gustave de Coriolis, an 18th century French engineer and mathematician, came up with the idea that rotating objects travelling on a rotating surface (the earth) would tend to move to the right or left depending on which hemisphere they were in – a theory known as Coriolis force.

The Science Part Coriolis force caused by the earth’s rotation (west to east) is responsible for air masses being pulled to the right (clockwise) in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left (anti-clockwise) in the Southern Hemisphere. This action is responsible for the direction of air-flow entering a low-pressure system or leaving a high-pressure system. However, when a cyclone crosses the equator, it becomes unpredictable because it is rotating in the wrong direction for its new hemisphere.

The result of all this is that thunderstorms, being acted upon by the jet stream and Coriolis force, will

tend to move from the south-west to north-east in Southern Hemisphere temperate zones. Thunderstorms do not travel from south-east to north-west, as some people believe happened in Sydney in 2000. That is an impossibility due to the jet stream on the top of thunderstorms pushing them east.

Formation

According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM): “Thunderstorms develop when warm, humid air near the ground receives an initial upward push from converging surface winds and rises rapidly in an unstable atmosphere.” All thunderstorms contain lightning, they occur singly, in clusters or in lines. Thus, it is possible for several thunderstorms to affect one location in the course of a few hours. Some of the most severe weather occurs when a single thunderstorm forms a cluster and continues to affect a location for an extended period of time, for example the Brisbane floods.

What are the warning signs that the weather is deteriorating? Watch out for Fractocumulus clouds, ill-defined clouds in the first or last stage of condensation and representing the tops of small, low atmospheric waves due to rapid winds near the surface of the ocean or land. Dissipating, small convective clouds, such as cumulus humilis and mediocris, often transform into fractocumulus.

When you see fractocumulus clouds that are concave on the underside, like a frowny face, the weather at that location is deteriorating. Once the bad weather has passed the clouds will change, and you will see fractocumulus clouds with a convex underside, like a smiley face. Keep in mind that thunderstorms are thousands of feet/metres high; some people will argue that thunderstorms always turn to follow their valley, although the valley may be just a few hundred feet deep. This is more likely a squall or rain bands, not a thunderstorm.

Next time we will look at the dangers associated with thunderstorms.

World of Whalefall

A chapter in the Hello Fish series by Duncan Leadbitter

The word ‘whalefall’ conjures up all sorts of interesting but uniformly messy outcomes. Thankfully whales live in the water and the risk of a day way worse than being under a pelican is not something we have to worry about.

The recent fiasco over the disposal of a dead whale via the Bellambi boat ramp has put the need to consider whalefall on the list of factors to consider when working out what to do about a dead whale. The term refers to the fact that most whales die in the open ocean and fall to the seabed, which can be hundreds if not thousands of metres below.

The seabed, especially in deepwater is commonly a place where there is not much food. Most fish life lives on the continental shelf (waters of 100m depth or less) where there is sunlight to convert the sun’s rays into plankton and then into fish food. In deepwater the animals that live down deep rely on a steady supply of dead plants and animals that slowly rain down from the shallower waters. This organic matter is called marine ‘snow’.

A dead whale falling from above is an absolute gift if you’re one of a wide variety of critters that feed opportunistically on whatever they can. A dead whale supplies tonnes of much needed calories, especially given the amount of fat and oil

What’s On

More events at theillawarraflame.com.au

Concert for the Children of Gaza

27 June 2-5pm, Railway Institute Hall, Thirroul. Featuring Illawarra Union Singers, Rising Tide, Shalani and more. Entry by donation.

North Illawarra Probus Club

Tue 9 June The club meets at Woonona Bulli RSL at 10.30am. Like-minded retirees are welcome.

June’s speaker is Larry Jennett OAM, Life Member Wollongong City Surf Life Saving Club. More info: Shelley Tough on 0418 218 959.

Probus Club of Helensburgh & District Thu 11 June We meet at 10am for 10.30 start, June’s speaker will be Jan Lee, of Helensburgh Historical Society. On 28 June, join Glebe Island Walk and visit new Fish Markets. Enquiries Carol 0432 385 524 or helensburghprobus@y7mail.com

Stanwell Park U3A Term 2

U3A meets on Mondays. Session starts at

involved. A recently landed whale gets covered in a wide variety of animals but the decomposition process can take months or even decades. Indeed, research has discovered a whole new family of worms that bore into the bones to feed on any organic matter they can find, and this can take decades. Decomposing whale also seeps into the surrounding sediments which is also fed upon by various worms and crustaceans.

The book Fathoms by Rebecca Giggs contains all sorts of interesting facts and stories about whales. In the context of whalefall the sheer tonnage of whales removed by whaling in the early to mid 20th century was astounding. Millions of tonnes of whale was removed from the marine environment and converted into land-based products.

At present there doesn’t seem to be any publicly available and well-considered process for handling dead whales. The numbers will undoubtedly increase as there are now an estimated 50,000 humpbacks alone passing us by. As the population reaches its natural carrying capacity and the average age increases, more will die and some will wash up on the beaches.

Hopefully there will be a well-considered protocol in place that may even ensure the new species of worms get a feed.

9.30am-12pm. All are welcome to Hillcrest House behind Kennett Home. Call Jenny on 0406 350 025.

1 June Reconciliation Discussion, Ainslie Lamb

8 June Public Holiday. King’s Birthday 15 June Mongolia P2, Roy Lawrie 22 June Living Life Lessons from the Stoics, David Muscio

U3A Wednesday Talks Program at Thirroul

3 June Graeme Sutherland: Healthier Illawarra Men 10 June Roy Lawrie: Crossing the Gobi 17 June Frank Nowlan: The Australian Frontier Wars and a Little More 24 June Stephen Brown: Russia and Ukraine

U3A Northern Illawarra Film Appreciation

3 June Notorious (USA, 1946), starring Cary Grant, directed by Alfred Hitchcock 10 June The New Boy (Australia, 2023) directed by Warwick Thornton 17 June A Complete Unknown (USA, 2024) starring Timothee Chalamet 24 June Snatch (UK, 2000) by Guy Ritchie Visit www.northernillawarra.u3anet.org.au

RFS chainsaw trainer awarded

By Genevieve Swart

Considering the training acceptable for tree fellers in the 70s, it’s lucky Illawarra/Sutherland Group Captain Will Lee is around to pass on his skills at the Rural Fire Service.

On 4 May, Will was one of 30 individuals and teams awarded at a St Florian’s Day ceremony at the NSW RFS Training Academy in Dubbo.

Will said he felt “really honoured” by the commissioner’s certificate of commendation for his role in developing chainsaw training courses.

“The job of an old firefighter is to train young firefighters to become old firefighters,” Will said. “We want them to be safe.”

Will is also the lead trainer of the heavy plant supervisor training team, which includes Peter Field, captain of the Darkes Forest Brigade. This unit was also commended, while the crew from Mt Keira Brigade won a commissioner’s unit citation for service during the April 2024 floods.

Will has spent five years working on chainsaw training packages, as well as tree felling and

polesaw training. He drew on a background in training management to redesign the courses, serving on four national committees to establish the units of competency.

It’s a far cry from his own learning curve, wielding a chainsaw on the job as part of a subsidence crew working for BHP in the 70s.

“I’m actually an engineering surveyor,” Will said. “We used to do a lot of work for the coal mines, all on top of the mountain.

“So back in early 1970, they said, ‘Here’s a chainsaw. Here’s how you start it – off you go.’

“Then in the mid 90s, I did a formal training course the Rural Fire Service put together. And I walked out of there and said, ‘I should be dead.’ The amount of things I learned on there about everything I was doing was completely wrong.”

The RFS’s attitude to safety and training is the biggest change Will has seen in the organisation since he started volunteering 56 years ago.

As an Illawarra/Sutherland group captain, Will looks after crews in Bulli, Mount Keira, Mount Kembla and Illawarra communications. He’s also a life member of Austinmer Brigade, a Justice of the Peace and Austinmer Thirroul RSL Sub-Branch president. Every year he organises the local ANZAC and Remembrance Day services.

“I’m a very young 74,” he said.

“I lost my wife, close to two years ago now, so my outlet is to go out with people in the Rural Fire Service.

“It keeps me active, it keeps me young, because I’m dealing with a lot of young people. It’s the life that I’ve had, helping other people.”

NIRAG/NF3 Report

By NIRAG secretary Ross Dearden

The Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG) supports preservation of open space and the retention and enhancement of our heritage. Residents of Neighbourhood Forum 3 area are welcome to attend NIRAG meetings.

1. Amy Street, Thirroul: The majority of Lot 303 (about 7ha) of the lot is zoned C2, Environmental Conservation. This is a vital Green Corridor. Council has agreed to review the strategic value of this land as public reserve. Advice is awaited.

2. Draft Infrastructure Delivery Program (IDP): At the May meeting Council officers attended to

discuss the Draft Infrastructure Delivery Program (IDP) and Operational Plan 2026 – 2027. Members were encouraged to make individual submissions to Council and contribute to the NIRAG/NF3 response; and in particular ask for completion of Point Street footpath and for the design for the shared cycleway from Aragan Circuit, Bulli and Hamilton St, Thirroul to be widened for safety, to cater for future aged care residents and active transport needs.

3. Bulli Hospital parking: It is pleasing that after a long struggle residents received advice that four-hour restrictions would be extended on the

Thirroul Village Committee update

By TVC secretary Annette Jones

The TVC attended meetings in April, including the Road Safety Forum with Transport for NSW and the Wollongong City Council (WCC) Neighbourhood Committee Convenors meeting.

TfNSW Road Safety Action Plan Forum

Representatives from Wollongong and Shellharbour councils, groups (IBUG, 30km zones, TVC and NIRAG) and the community attended this forum. It commenced with a solemn reminder of the importance of road safety when a father spoke of the trauma of losing his daughter in a motor vehicle accident a few years ago.

Thereafter there were round table discussions concentrating on the following themes:

• Creating safe, vibrant urban places across NSW

• Creating safer high-speed roads (80km/h+)

• Safer vehicles and protective equipment

• Improving safety for vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, older and younger road users

• Increasing safe road user behaviour. There was discussion about decreasing the road speed on side roads, and around schools – 30km/h was suggested, as in the UK. The suggestion was for higher speeds on main roads and lower in side streets. There was lots of talk about e-bikes and safety for all, as well as the need for cycle lanes. There was lively discussion about the need for emergency access through Thirroul, the extension of Memorial Drive to the M1 and the need for better integrated public transport. TfNSW will assess the information gathered from this, and other forums throughout NSW before releasing its plan later in the year.

southern side of Hospital Road from 27-33 Hospital Rd (where staff were parking all day). This part of the road has zero impact on residents as it runs along the old hospital site. It would provide about 19 more parking spaces for patients and visitors.

4. E-bikes: NIRAG received a request in March to ask Council to take urgent action to require e-bike riders to dismount in shopping centres. Council replied that it “does not currently support a blanket ban around shopping centres, as the suitability of ebikes, bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians sharing these spaces depends on a variety of considerations”. We request Council does something, consistent with its duty of care; perhaps signage or pavement markings warning of a hazard on shopping centre footpaths.

Neighbourhood Convenors Forum

WCC hosted a forum for the Neighbourhood Forum Convenors on 23 April, providing an overview of the draft Delivery Program 2026-2030 and the draft Operational Plan 2026-2027.

Representatives attended from active neighbourhood forums across the LGA, NIRAG, the TVC, plus from sections of Council –Corporate Strategy, Infrastructure and Development and Engagement. Such a meeting has not been held before. It was a great opportunity to meet the convenors, hear their concerns and hear what Council has planned for 2026 to 2030.

WCC General Manager Greg Doyle addressed the meeting, sharing that he grew up in Thirroul and appreciated the challenges and opportunities for the LGA. He said Council had applied for state and federal funding for projects to take stress off ratepayers, with some success – e.g. skateparks in Thirroul and Wollongong, and North Beach seawall.

Council officers stated they receive around 4,500 submissions a quarter about assets that need to be replaced or repaired. Council has identified over 360 projects for action over four years. The operations and maintenance budget is over $263M.

Convenors expressed frustration about the progress of large projects, in particular, in Dapto and Helensburgh. Some have been promised for years and are yet to be delivered. It was acknowledged that some projects are complex and need to be done in stages. Residents will have noticed work has begun at Austinmer Beach on the Grand Pacific Walk.

Next TVC meeting (AGM): 30 August

5. NIRAG E-Bike policy: A motion for greater controls was discussed at length. There was agreement we need education and safety measures to control battery-powered bikes (mopeds, i.e. e-bikes that do not require pedalling). These should be treated as motor vehicles – licensed, registered and have third party insurance.

All E-bikes (cycles that are pedalled to activate the battery) must be speed limited to be compatible with pedestrians on shared paths. Bulli High has taken steps to have students display bike number plates and it is hoped this will promote safer cycling. Our State and Federal Members are urged to take action to make the changes needed for public safety.

Next NIRAG quarterly meeting: 14 August, contact nirag@bigpond.com

Back in time with dance troupe

By Local Studies librarian Samantha Figueroa

Macedonia. They were invited to perform at the 2006 Summer Festival in Ohrid as part of a Wollongong City Council delegation visit. With community support, the Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe fundraised enough to finance this trip. They performed to appreciative audiences in multiple locations over 10 days, including Skopje, Kumanovo, Bitola, Ohrid, and Struga with some of the stages set amongst ancient ruins.

Starting in National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2026, photographs of the Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribes experience in Macedonia have been brought together in an exhibition.

The exhibition will be in the Local Studies area on level 1 Wollongong City Library from 25 May and aims to recognise the significance of the group’s contribution to international relations through sharing Aboriginal culture on the global stage. To see images from the trip and listen to the Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe’s tour experiences through oral histories, visit the Illawarra Stories website.

It has been 20 years since the Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe hit the stage as the first Aboriginal dance troupe to perform in Wollongong’s sister city in

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this exhibition contains images and names of deceased persons.

CWA for every mum – and daughter

By Genevieve Swart

A Bulli mum and her daughter have teamed up in a creative campaign to show the Illawarra there’s more to the Country Women’s Association than tea and scones (although they do like baking too).

Keiraville CWA’s publicity officer, Marion Cook was at the NSW conference in Forster when it dawned on her that the CWA was misunderstood.

“Sitting through four days of motions, reports, discussions and awards, one thing became very clear to me,” Marion said. “Many of the remarkable achievements of the Country Women’s Association are not widely understood even by some of our own members, let alone the broader community.

“At its heart, the CWA has always been a strong voice for advocacy and community action. Our work reaches into areas that deeply affect women, children and families across rural, regional and local communities. We lobby governments for meaningful change and work tirelessly to ensure regional voices are heard.”

Now, with the help of her daughter, Bianca

Jarvis, Marion has launched a social media campaign and opened the doors to a new generation of members. “One of the most exciting outcomes of Bianca’s involvement has been the establishment of a new group within the Keiraville CWA, designed to welcome younger members and full-time workers. Bianca has helped transform our online presence. Thousands of people are now viewing and engaging with the clever and creative posts promoting the work of Keiraville CWA.

“The future of the CWA is strong, and it belongs to women of all ages.”

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What’s On

By SPAT publicity officer Lauren Mitsak Stanwell Park Arts Theatre

SPAT Bush Dance – Sat night 30th May Encore, I hear you say. It’s on the cards!

SPAT Film Society

The popular comedy-drama Rental Family will be screened on Saturday night, June 20. Annual Film Society membership is $25 (adults) and $15 (students, school-aged children, or concession holders). Three more films, including this one, will be shown before the end of the year.

SPAT Singers Dinner Show

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Swimming lessons for all ageschildren, adults and families of refugees and asylum seekers in the Illawarra area.

FREE “LEARN TO SWIM” CLASSES

Learn to stay safe in the water at the:

BEACH

Swimming lessons for all ageschildren, adults and families of refugees and asylum seekers in the Illawarra area.

ROCK POOLS

HOME POOLS

Learn to stay safe in the water at the:

RIVERS, CREEKS & DAMS

BEACH

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RIVERS, CREEKS & DAMS

Text or Call Peter - 0424 199 299

Text or Call Peter - 0424 199 299

Swimming lessons for all ageschildren, adults and families of refugees and asylum seekers in the Illawarra area.

Learn to stay safe in the water at the:

BEACH

ROCK POOLS

HOME POOLS

RIVERS, CREEKS & DAMS

Text or Call Peter - 0424 199 299

Our multi-talented musical director, Lindy Sharp, has called this year’s SPAT Singers Show Beatles and Other Animals. This year we will have a dinner show on July 4, 7pm start, and two afternoon soirees on Sunday, June 28 and Sunday, July 5, 2pm start. A delectable home-cooked three-course meal will be served for the evening performance, and a scrumptious afternoon tea will be served after the soiree performances. Tickets are $25 (soiree) and $40 (dinner show). Book now at www.spat.org.au

Youth Workshop

We’re looking for someone experienced to run a youth drama workshop in the Sept/October school hols. Email: spartstheatre@gmail.com

Late August/Early September show

A show which will be held on Friday August 28, Saturday, August 29, Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5. Stay tuned!

Annual Pantomime

This year’s panto will be written by Cameron Sharp. Cameron was involved in SPAT as an actor and pantomime writer for many years before moving to Norway. Fortunately, he spends six months here and six months in Norway, so it’s wonderful to have him back. His Artemis/space-themed script promises to be loads of fun. Rod Lander, also a seasoned writer, actor, composer and musical director will be director and musical director.

Parents, if your kids want to be involved in the panto, consider putting up your hand to be an actor, or a stage manager, backstage helper, producer, front-of-house organiser, set painter, or poster and program designer. The kids love it when it’s a family affair and you’ll discover your creative talents and make new friends.

Aidan Chamberlain charging a barrel to the finals in A Grade and the Mixed 10 & Under division winners for the day. Photos: Nic McLaren and Ian Pepper

Dream day for surfers of all ages

By Ian Pepper & Nic McLaren of the Scarborough Boardriders

Our May 3 pointscore was postponed due to the deceased whale being towed past our beaches a few days before the event was scheduled. We eventually staged the event on May 17 in epic conditions at our home beach, Scarborough.

It was just one of those days, we arrived to hoots and screams, and it just got better as the day went on, slowly picking up and slamming the bank harder. Barrels, power carves, lip slams all on offer, and everyone – from junior parent-assist right through to 55s – was getting a slice of the action.

Some of the stand-outs: Fin McLaren’s 8.10 in the final with a wild carve everyone was talking about; Talina’s 7.83 (but she couldn’t get a back-up); Flynn Gale on fire in the U18s heat with a heat total of 15.00; the kegs going down post-heat around midday; and the courage of super young surfers like Mara Giddings, Mini Kornek and Tully Warren on waves double overhead for them!

It’s days like this you dream of, so thanks to the crew for making it happen.

Special thoughts to Ian Anderson and Mick

Smoley – from the 55s, wishing you both a speedy recovery. Thanks to Wombarra Bowling Club for the new rashies and shout-out to Banabae Thirroul for junior prize & to Headlands Hotel Austinmer for the vouchers for winners.

Good luck to our members who travelled up to Coffs Harbour after the event for the Surfing NSW State Titles. We have juniors and seniors representing our area and we wish them all the best.

On June 7 we will host the NSW RSL Winter Chill Surf Comp. Coordinated by the NSW RSL and Coledale RSL, this comp includes former and existing defence personnel in a tag-team format.

Sandon Point will also host the Inaugural Sandon Point Teams Challenge, from 5–7 June 2026 at Sandon Point. The event is capped at 28 teams with many from the local area including Scarborough Boardriders. It should be a great event!

Our next pointscore, scheduled for May 31, will be held as this issue is being printed.

Keira Lions dominate cricket awards

By Jeremy Lasek

In a dominant display, winning the first, second and third grade premierships, the Keira Lions were the big winners at the annual Illawarra Cricket presentation night.

Northern Districts took out the club championship as well as several other awards at the event, held at the Fraternity Club on April 17.

A highlight of proceedings was induction of three past legends of Illawarra cricket into the Cricket Illawarra Hall of Fame – all-rounders Harold Stapleton, Ron Ring and Bill Moffatt.

The first grade batting aggregate award was taken out by Sam Hobson from Northern Districts, who finished the season with 522 runs. Jonathon Fowler from Northern Districts took the averages with 509 runs at 72.11. Justin Brancato from Northern Districts took out the wicketkeeper award with 17 catches and six stumpings.

Women’s cricketer of the year was Amanda Rose from Northern Districts, and the women’s spirit of cricket award was shared by Jasmine Roberts from Keira and Wendy Holtby from Balgownie.

2

PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES

Port Kembla Tidal Chart

3

4

1

5

2

6

3

7

4

8

5

13

20

14

June 2026

3

5

6

20

3 FR 0435 0.40 1032 1.25 1552 0.64 2221 1.73

7 SU 0011 1.60

8

22

4 SA 0512 0.41 1114 1.27 1636 0.66 2300 1.68

23

17 FR 0436 0.18 1039 1.39 1614 0.47 2237 1.88

18 SA 0520 0.25 1128 1.40 1708 0.53 2324 1.72

19 SU 0602 0.35 1216 1.41 1803 0.60

PORT KEMBLA – NEW SOUTH WALES

9

6 SA 0630 0.51

7

8

9

5 SU 0549 0.43 1158 1.30 1725 0.69 2341 1.61

20 MO 0010 1.54

© Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2025, Bureau of Meteorolog Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Times are in local standard time (UTC+10:00) or daylight savings Moon Phase Symbols New Moon First

6 MO 0629 0.44 1245 1.35 1820 0.71

21

24 WE 0340 1.26 0945 0.59 1630 1.54 2307 0.70

7 TU 0027 1.52 0710 0.46 1335 1.41 1924 0.72

22

25 TH 0440 1.20

8 WE 0122 1.42 0755 0.48 1429 1.49 2037 0.70

23

AND HEIGHTS OF

9 TH 0228 1.33 0845 0.51 1524 1.58 2156 0.63 10 FR 0342 1.27 0939 0.52 1622 1.69 2310 0.51 11 SA 0457 1.25

© Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2025, Bureau of Meteorology. Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide. Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect. The Bureau of Meteorology gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency, completeness, quality or reliability of the information or that the information will be fit for any particular purpose or will not infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights. The Bureau’s liability for any

or

from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded.

Golf news

Tradies Social Golf

Barry Thompson reports

Sixteen eager combatants teed off in the first round of the club championships. Shane Wilson scored 61, and Rod Vaughan (63) and Hayden Overton (64) impressed. These gents chose prizes from Helensburgh Butchery and Gallardo’s Pizzeria, while Paul Morahan can now save his flagging career with a Helensburgh Driving Range voucher.

Golf is a cruel sport! Geoff Hammonds birdied two consecutive holes, then finished in the middle of the field. Don’t worry Geoff, this only happens to good golfers – hacks like me never get birdies.

I was told that a lapse by Dave Astill saw him hit every tree, post and inanimate object in sight. Luckily no small furry animals were harmed.

I sympathise with Terry’s shrill complaints about Rod’s driving of their shared cart. Now you know why he is called Pothole Rod.

Dismiss the rumour that Mick the Merciless sets handicaps based on Reserve Bank decisions.

The following match play games are to be contested on or before our June 20 round (7am tee-off). Please arrive early to aid our starters. Dave Astill v Hayden Overton, Iain Birss v Geoff Hammonds, Dave Tipping v Terry Maney, Roger Hendry v Mick Carroll. Interesting match-ups, should be some lively banter back at Tradies.

hyslop

Helensburgh Sunday Social Golf Club

Robert ‘Indy’ Jones reports

On May 3 HSSGC golfers enjoyed another fine day at Boomerang. A day early and the 4th (force) was with Mark ‘Chucky’ O’Connor “striking it lucky” on the 9th to be 75cm from the flag and take home $200. The question is: was it a shared hole?

Back to the regulars and it was Ross Fagerstrom 1st with 37, 4 points clear of Francis (aka Frank) Morgan who managed a two-point gap to Chris Pike. $75 worth of Christian’s Premium Meats (thank you!) heading Rosco’s way, $30 of Bunnings goodies to help Frank around the house, and a Helensburgh Driving Range voucher (thank you!) to support Chris’s handicap. Peter Gardener was on point to bag 4 holes, leaving Mark Buckley, Rosco, Nathan, Scotty and Chucky to share the on-course bounty. FATOE was the unlucky Mark Hardick.

The next HSSGC scheduled events are: June 14, July 5, and August 2 (all 8am tee-offs). Call Tony on 0418 863 100, to register your attendance and cart requirements on the Tuesday ahead of the date of our next event as well as membership info.

Indy signing off: Remember, talking to a golf ball won’t do you any good. Unless you shout at it while your opponent is teeing off.

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