It says a lot about Gerry McInerney that the day after he was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) The Bugle caught him down selling entry tickets for the Kiama Show. After that he was rostered on to work at the Lions’ BBQ on site.

Mr McInerney received the national award for his services to the pharmacy industry and our community.

While he retired from retail pharmacy in 2013, he remains active in his professional association, having been president of the Pharmacy Boards of Australia and NSW in past years.

He was named Kiama Citizen of the Year in 2015, for his years of service to the local community, notably through the Lions Club and as one of the instigators of the Kiama Jazz Club and Festival.

Warm welcome for new citizens

Councillor Andrew Sloan and Mayor Mark Honey congratulate Clara Ronchi, who is about to welcome her own little Australian

Locally, Kiama welcomed fifteen new Australian citizens at a special ceremony at Jamberoo on Australia Day, which also presented awards to our Citizen of the Year Barbara Adams, Senior Citizen of the Year Noel Edgell and Young Citizen of the Year Sarah Young.

Auntie Joyce Donovan gave a moving Welcome to Country and Australia Day Ambassador Jeremy Jones AM spoke of the importance of sharing stories.

Given the heat experienced on the day, General Manager Michael Forsyth says his report on the Awards will have a recommendation that Council consider air conditioning the Jamberoo School of Arts in its next budget.