WHAT'S ON THINGS TO DO

Stomping Blues, Wombat Heroes, and Finding Your Rhythm at a Clogging Class

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Samantha Tannous

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FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER: Ditch the sand and find your adventure! This week, you can help the wildlife at the Mudgeroo Wombat Working Bee , learn the rhythmic art of Clogging in Tomerong , or catch Paul Greene’s stomping blues set at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co on Sunday. Plus, we have the scoop on the best markets and weddings open days.

There's a working bee at Mudgeroo Wombat & Wildlife Rescue in Jervis Bay this weekend. Photo: Mudgeroo
There’s a working bee at Mudgeroo Wombat & Wildlife Rescue in Jervis Bay this weekend. Photo: Mudgeroo

What’s On This Weekend

Friday 7 November – Sunday 9 November: Albatross Musical Theatre Co is turning 50 and to celebrate this milestone, they are going back to where it all started with a Gilbert & Sullivan Caberet show at the Nowra School of Arts, Berry Street Nowra. Tickets for the evening shows are $35, byo snacks and buy drinks (or pre-order when you buy your tickets). The Sunday matinee is $45 including Devonshire tea by the Berry CWA.

Friday 7 November, Bluegrass Duo on Tour: Tomerong Hall will be thrumming with the energetic sounds of Bluegrass from Canadian duo, Moranz & Fremlin. These dynamic multi-instrumentalists evoke a simpler ethos of “string and timber, smoke and dew, joy and sorrow, and the remembrance of all we hold most dear”. These guys are seriously talented on mandolin, banjo and guitar with soothing lyrical songs. They will be supported by Americana/folk duo, Those Folk. This performance is part of the duo’s album launch tour, tickets $30/$25+bf, doors open at 6.30pm.

Help Albatross Musical Theatre Celebrate its 50th Anniversary this November.
Help Albatross Musical Theatre Celebrate its 50th Anniversary this November.

Saturday 8 November, Weddings at Worrowing: A few timeslots are still available for the open day showcasing weddings at Worrowing Jervis Bay, in the beautiful European Homestead Gardens, wedding reception venue The Hereford, and the many spectacular ceremony locations across the 250-acre estate. Hop online to reserve a free spot and be inspired by the location while sipping on a coffee or bubbles from the on-site vans.

Saturday 8 November, Craft Demonstrations: Head to the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in Nowra to see some captivating demonstrations of traditional crafts, part of the “Celebration” exhibition of Creative Moments, the annual joint exhibition and sale of the Shoalhaven Potters, Shoalhaven Woodcraft Society and Nowra Spinners & Weavers. Gallery opens 10am-2pm on that day and entry is free.

Saturday 8 November, Wombat Working Bee: Lend a hand to the wildlife rescue carers at Mudgeroo Wombat & Wildlife Refuge on Jervis Bay Road, Falls Creek. Assist this very special refuge with much-needed gardening, maintenance and cleaning to ensure they can continue to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife in need. Morning tea and lunch will be provided but you will need to bring garden gloves, hat and water bottle, wear old clothes, joggers or gumboots, and bring your swimmers for a dip if weather permits. Let Mudgeroo know you are coming, for catering purposes.

Saturday 8 November, Markets: Your choice of lovely community markets on the South Coast this Saturday include Callala Markets on from 8am-1pm at the community centre on Emmett Street, and the Sussex Inlet Market in the Lions Club park, from 8am.

Sunday 9 November, Markets: The “second Sunday” of the month offers a plethora of excellent markets across the South Coast, starting with the Husky Markets in the sports fields, 8am-2pm with dozens of stalls including great coffee and things to eat. For outstanding fresh produce and providores, head to the Kangaroo Valley Farmers Market, behind the Friendly Inn from 9am-1pm, and don’t forget to bring your own bags and baskets. Head further south to the Ulladulla Wharf Market along the picturesque waterfront alongside the working fleet, from 8am-1pm.

Sunday Sessions 9 November, Live Music: Support the venues who support indie musicians across our vibrant South Coast! Here’s a few recommendations for you this weekend: Start at Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla where one of our favourite acoustic duos, The Castaways, will be weaving together pop, folk, country, and blues into a perfectly mellow soundtrack for your afternoon from 12:30pm.

From 3pm at Flamin Galah in Huskisson, enjoy Happy Hour with the powerhouse vocals of Kate Young, from Wollongong, who is performing her blend of rock, pop, blues and pub favourites till 6pm.

The head to Jervis Bay Brewing Co for a 4pm start with Paul Greene, a powerhouse of the indie muso scene and a captivating performer, from raucous stomping blues and swirling harmonica to gentle truths of existence.

For a sundowner, it’s gotta be the rooftop bar at Bannisters in Mollymook, where a delicious cocktail goes down even better with the musical accompaniment of Gaby Bonello from 5pm.

What’s On This Week – the fun keeps going Monday to Friday

Tuesday 11 November, Taco Tuesday Pre-order: The Local café in the Vincentia Shopping Village is taking online pre-orders for Taco Tuesday, including several delicious flavours of taco filling, kids’ bowls and nacho – including GF and veggie options. Or just rock up from 4.30pm on the day to savour the flavours, until sold out or 7pm.

Tuesday 11 November, Clogging: Join a beginners session to learn the rhythmic art of clogging, with the Amethyst Park Stompers at Tomerong Hall. For $15 from 6pm, find your feet on the lovely old boards of the hall.

Friday 14 November, Deadline for Artists Books: Entry in the inaugural Arts Muster Mini Book Competition closes today! Deliver your Mini Book to PO Box 14, Huskisson NSW 2540 to be in the running for some creative prizes, including packs of art papers and gift vouchers from Boobook on Owen. There are categories for under-12 and under-18 entrants, who can submit one book for free. Entries in the open category are $25 each for up to 2 entries. All money raised will provide scholarships to art workshops for local high school students at the 2026 Arts Muster weekend of creativity.

Friday 14 November, Paint at the Park: Take some time for yourself and join the Art Cafe with Jen, a two-hour workshop that blends creativity with a cuppa and cake at Peckish on the Park in Nowra. Beginners and more experienced creatives are all welcome to make a unique artwork with pen and watercolour under the helpful guidance of Jenny McIntosh. Tickets are $45 or $50 with materials provided, and the class starts at 9.30am.

Saturday 15 November, Sunday 16 November and 22-23 November, Sculpture in the Valley is on over two weekends in November, enjoy a selection of indoor and outdoor sculptures. Buy a day pass for $15 (kids under 16 free) and you might even walk away with a new masterpiece for your home or garden.

Saturday 15 November, Bird Watching at Bundanon: Spend an hour on the walking tracks around the Bundanon Art Museum site with the feathery friends from BirdLife Shoalhaven. Look into the canopy and listen to the sounds of the forest as you identify some of the 400+ species of birds that call our south coast home. Bring binoculars if you have them and book online for $25/$22/$20.

Sunday 16 November, Clothes Swap: Head to Tomerong Hall at 10.30am for a community clothes swap. For $5 entry, share space on trestle tables and clean out your wardrobes. Please bring clean items in good condition. All leftover items will be donated to charity.

Sunday 16 November, Irish Music at the Brewery: The Jervis Bay Slow Sessions is on again at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co taproom, from midday till 2.30pm. Everyone is welcome to join in playing traditional Irish and Celtic music (sheet music is available on the day) or sit back with a drink and enjoy the jigs, reels and airs. Stay for lunch from the 5 Little Pigs food truck. These monthly gatherings are hosted by The O’Carolan Trio, who select the music and lead the group in tune learning to help beginners and more experienced players alike enjoy an afternoon of music-making in the community.

Plan Ahead – what’s worth waiting for

Monday 17 November Christmas Beetle Talk: Join Brett O’Keefe at Nowra Library to learn more about the mysteries of the beautiful Christmas Beetle, 5.30pm-6.30pm. Register online.

Thursday 20 November, Ecology Guest Speaker: The eradication of rodents from the iconic Lord Howe Island will be the subject of a keynote speech by Nicholas Carlile at the Shoalhaven Landcare AGM. Register online for this free, fascinating talk at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum at 4pm. Read our interview with Nicholas, who has dedicated the past 30 years to ecological research in NSW.

Thursday 20 November, “The Hendrix of the Kora”: The South Coast is experiencing a wave of international music luminaries and Seckou Keita is one of these, bringing his exceptional mastery of the traditional kora to Berry for an unmissable performance. Dubbed “the Hendrix of the kora”, this solo show promises to be a mix of “captivating melodies, joyous rhythms, uplifting vocals and contemplative instrumentals”. This virtuosic musician from Southern Senegal has performed at WOMAD, Glastonbury, Tokyo, Chicago and now at the Berry Uniting Church Hall. Tickets are $50/$45/$25 for under-25s with ID. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Thursday 20 November, Young Filmmakers: “A Presence” will be screening at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, 4pm-6pm, in a closing celebration of the work and creativity of young, local filmmakers who created the poetic short film. This free, all ages event will include a film screening followed by a Q&A session and light refreshments. Discover what the young people have to share about their experiences filming, themes of the film and what the creative process was. Reserve your spot online.

Saturday 22 November, Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle: Continue your world music adventure with an intriguing performance of the Norwegian hardanger fiddle by composer-performer Benedicte Maurseth at the Bundanon Art Museum from 3pm. For this entrancing performance, she will be joined by three other musicians celebrating her new album inspired by her childhood in the northern mountains of Norway. Tickets are $75-$55 and you can add optional food and beverage.

Saturday 22 November, Acrylic Painting Workshop: Join Wilma Southan to paint in acrylics in this workshop hosted by the Shoalhaven Art Society, $120/$80 members. Learn how to paint a vibrant still life with flowers, from 9.30am-4pm at Vincentia. Book online.

Saturday 22 November, Author Talk: Join Boobook on Owen and Darling House Café in Huskisson for a conversation with author Kate MildenhallKate will speak about her gripping new novel The Hiding Place, a tale of friendship and the secrets we keep. For $15, you also get a discount on the book. Doors open 5.30pm for a 6pm start.

Thursday 27 November, Bubbles, Beers & Business: The Greenhouse co-working Space, upstairs from 5 Little Pigs café on Owen Street, Huskisson is hosting a casual networking evening for small businesses of the Bay & Basin, from 5.30pm. Meet and mingle with your peers over a charcuterie plate and a drink, create new connections and be part of a dynamic business community. Entry is free, please indicate your intention to attend via this link, and feel free to bring a plate or beverage to share.

Saturday 29 November, We Mavericks in Concert: After rave reviews of their UK and European tour, regional NSW is next on the agenda for We Mavericks, the multi-instrumentalist, songwriting sensational duo Victoria Vigenser and Lindsay Martin and their band-mates, Rachel Johnston and Trent Arkleysmith. Tickets are now on sale for an all-ages show at the Tomerong community hall on Saturday night, 29 November, doors open 6.30pm, $30/$10. If you love folk, alt-country, great storytelling lyrics and insanely talented musicians, book now. We freely admit to being groupies of these guys, so look out for our exclusive interview with We Mavericks next week, including a sneak peek at their new album.

Saturday 29 November, Brewers’ Birthday: It’s hard to believe that six whole years have flown by since the Jervis Bay Brewing Co opened their doors here in Huskisson, and they invite us all to come celebrate this milestone. There will be live music, face painting for the young (and young at heart), big giveaways plus a few special birthday surprises. Gates open at midday.

Sunday 30 November, Artisans & Providores Market: The Huskisson Artisans Markets is bigger and better for their pre-Christmas event that will be bursting with gift ideas for your loved ones. There will be a curated pop-up art gallery called Artful Mind, plus over 40 stalls offering hand-crafted ceramics, jewellery, textiles, accessories, original framed art, providores offering fine food and wine, a special children’s gift section featuring books by local authors and delightful handmade toys. The markets occupy the entire building of the Huskisson Community Centre including the garden room and lawns accessed via the carpark. Explore the many offerings and support local artists and makers.

Sunday 30 November, Celebrate! Concert: MUSO, the Milton Ulladulla Symphony Orchestra is putting on a cracker of an end-of-year concert including Handel’s Water Music, the Bach Violin Concerto in A Minor with guest soloist, Sarah Hussey, and some pulse-quickening contemporary music by composers Soon Hee Newbold and Paul Barker. Reserve your seat with a donation (amount of your choice) online, or pay at the door on the day. The performance starts at 3pm in the Ulladulla Civic Centre, so arrive a little earlier to find a good spot. The beginners’ ensemble, MUSOminor will start with a rendition of “We Will Rock You” and the program includes some seasonal treats as well, ie carols but with a twist. The Orchestra is celebrating a recent transition from a string ensemble to a full symphony orchestra, and your donations will assist in the purchase of some new percussion instruments to round out the sound.

Samantha Tannous

Samantha is a visual artist, and also organises arts, crafts and cultural events, including Arts Muster on the stunning NSW South Coast. Sam has also enjoyed a successful career as a public relations consultant and journalist, content creator and social media communicator.