Andy Higgins with Chamber President Cameron McDonald, also a KHS Alumni

The painting of a mural for the new headquarters of the Kiama & District Business Chamber has resulted in a donation to Kiama High’s Art department by the artist, Andy Higgins.

The Chamber was recently granted a lease on the Council-owned former ambulance station in Terralong St.

The building is to be eventually demolished to make way for the Kiama Arts Centre, but until then the Chamber will use it to support its member businesses.

The building has been empty since the ambulance moved out, and is being renovated by member businesses before the Chamber moves in later in September.

“It is going to be great to have so much space, right on the main street, with a really visible presence to support our member businesses,” says the Chamber’s President, Cameron McDonald.

“We’ll have an office and boardroom, and a reception area to provide information about local businesses.”

It is envisaged that eventually other community groups will occupy additional rooms as co-tenants.

Andy Higgins, a Chamber member through his business Grace & Stone, was asked to paint a mural on the central internal wall and offered to do so for the cost of materials.

In turn, he has donated the $500 to the Art department at his old school, Kiama High.

“My journey started in the art room there, under the guidance of Dennis Koks.

“We all got together and decorated a preschool bus, and ever since then it has been all about giving back to the community where I can.”

He is dismayed by the industrialisation of the curriculum, at the expense of art and creativity.

“Imagination is the greatest gift we have – it needs to be fostered so it can evolve into creativity in business and in life.

“That is what will bring a better future for our kids.

“Creativity and persistence.”