FRIDAY 26 JUNE: This weekend brings an incredible lineup of local action to our shores. Take the kids to a free musical safari concert in Ulladulla, spot migrating humpbacks from Point Perpendicular with ORRCA, or roll up your sleeves for community working bees in Vincentia and Mudgeroo. Here is your guide to what is happening.
Things to Do Right Now
Sign up for a working bee at the Vincentia golf course precinct to support the new club, Jervis Bay Community & Sports Club, which is making great progress to become the new custodians of the precinct. If you can weed, prune and bag up invasive vegetation, email your interest to volunteer@jbcsc.com.au. Alternatively, if you have a spare green waste voucher for the tip, let them know! Read the latest details about the new club’s bid for the precinct, set to take place at the end of this month. If you want to help out without getting your hands dirty, check out this fundraising event coming up in August.
Schedule some experimental abstract art-making in your future, at this art-after-dark event at the August Arts Muster Festival. Musician Scott Gillespie will set the vibes as you respond by mark-making with a range of mixed media. This is a catered event, BYO drinks, $90.
Introduce your kids to the orchestra at a free concert tomorrow, 11am at Ulladulla Civic Centre. MUSO—the Milton Ulladulla Symphony Orchestra—invites all primary-school aged kids (younger and older also welcome) to dress as their favourite animal to come on a musical safari. MUSO is also performing a community concert for everyone on Sunday 28 June from 3pm in the civic centre, playing favourites from stage & screen, entry by donation or pre-donate online to support your regional orchestra.
Become a Citizen Scientist at the 27th annual Whale Census, being conducted by ORRCA this Sunday 28 June. ORRCA invites us to spend a spectacular day by the ocean counting the majestic humpback whales on their northern migration. Our closest official site for the count is at Point Perpendicular, on the northern side of Jervis Bay. Find out how to join in either the abundance count or the passage count and contribute to our knowledge and preservation of our oceans.
What Else is Happening Around Jervis Bay
Saturday 27 June, Husky Uke Muster: It’s on all day from 10am, the annual Uke Muster at Husky Sports (aka the bowlo) where ukulele afficionados from near and far gather to celebrate the instrument affectionately associated with Hawaii. Drop in to listen or play along, marvel at the variety of ukes being played and support music in the community.
Saturday 26 June, Art Trail: Visit local artists at work in their home studios on the Jervis Bay Arts Trail, from 10am-3pm. Vivid still lifes, moody landscapes and local photography will all be on display this open day.
Saturday 27 June, Evening Artmaking in Vincentia: “Love letter to self” is the theme of an evening of writing, art making and dining, hosted by Vincentia art studio, the apiary 3. The $130 fee includes materials, keepsake and meal. Spend a few hours from 6pm getting to know yourself through artistic expression.
Saturday 27 June, Wildlife Rescue Working Bee: Roll up your sleeves and volunteer to help in the grounds of our local wildlife rescue property, Mudgeroo on Jervis Bay Road, where many wombats are among the animals who are nursed and prepared for a wild life. Belinda Donovan and her family are hoping for helpers between 9am-3pm, with sturdy shoes, gloves and hats. If you are available, send them a DM to get further information. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
Saturday 27 June, Make Your Own Pasta: The experts at Pasta Buoy in Huskisson are hosting make-your-own noodle classes for adults (1.30pm for $89) and kids (10.30am for $45). Adults will get a spritz on arrival, and get to take home a delicious swag.
Saturday 27 June, Road Trip for Art: The Kangaroo Valley Artists Collective is holding an exhibition at the Bowral Art Gallery with a special opening event from 2pm-5pm. The collective consists of 19 artists working across painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography, printmaking, mixed media and cordwaining. This is their inaugural exhibition, at BDAS from 25-30 June.
Saturday 27 June, Local Markets: Nowra Showground Indoor Markets is on from 8am-1.30pm with plenty of handmade items, soaps, jams, baby clothes, plants and great coffee and snacks.
Sunday 28 June, Breathwork + Sauna: Bowline wellness centre in the Woollamia industrial precinct is hosting a special morning session with experienced practitioner, Chelsea Mazzini who will lead a small group in a breathwork journey from 8am, followed by an opportunity to use the sauna and/or ice bath and a wholesome snack, $113.
Sunday 28 June, Local Markets: Head over to Pyree Village for the Art & Handmade Markets, 9am-1.30pm. You will find it next to the village hall on Greenwell Point Road, brimming with ceramics, textiles, plants, produce and more.
Sunday 28 June, Winter Carbs: Satisfy your winter cravings with Pasta & Pinot night at Sandbar Restaurant in Huskisson. For $30 you can choose the pasta or risotto of the day perfectly paired with a glass of house wine, from 3pm-9pm.
Sunday 5 July, First Nations Films in KV: As part of NAIDOC Week this year, a special screening of three films by First Nations storytellers, including the recently produced The Rock by Luke McLeod Ebsworth, is on at Kangaroo Valley Hall, from 3pm. You can read about the making of The Rock in our story from last week, and find out more about the films on the program, and buy tickets $20 online, from Reconciliation Allies Kangaroo Valley and Shoalhaven First Nations Film Festival.
Sunday 5 July, Bonsai and Brews in Woollamia: Bonsai master Mason Keene is bringing the art—and the rootstock—to Jervis Bay Brewing Co for a morning of manipulation. Follow Mason’s advice to wire up your tiny tree while sipping on a beverage of your choice. From 11am, $140 provides everything you need to take home a potted plant.
Monday 6 July-Friday 17 July, Sailing Lessons: Feel the wind in your sails this school holidays with the Vincentia Sailing Club offering sailing lessons. There are limited slots for new and intermediate sailors to improve their skills, so book now. From one-on-one instruction to a family session, let the crew at the Club know what you prefer via their online form.
Monday 6 July-Thursday 27 August, Melaleuca Exhibition: Randall Sinnamon has created a new series of large-scale works detailing the diversity and intricacy of the landscape around Jervis Bay, which will be exhibited in the new venue, Melaleuca at Worrowing Farm. The exhibition will be open weekdays, 10am-2pm.
Saturday 11 July + Sunday 12 July, Flame to Plate in Woollamia: A crackling fire, a long table and a menu of local produce cooked over the flames awaits diners at the Bay & Bush nature retreat, a 27-acre bushland property just minutes from Huskisson. For $176, you can choose from an evening event starting before sunset, at 4.30pm on the Saturday or a lunch time event from 11.30am on the Sunday. Book online for this delicious winter experience created by chef Alexia Brown. Read more about this event in our story by hospitality editor, Narrell Tabone.
Saturday 11 July, It’s Xmas in Sussex: Nobody does Christmas in July better than Sussex Inlet, where the annual Santa-fest is on Jacobs Drive (near the park and church) from 3.30pm-7pm. Expect the jolly red fellow to appear with his reindeer alongside circus acts, kids activities including a free movie in the cinema, live music, food trucks and of course, Christmas lights.
Saturday 11 July, Dahlia Workshop: Get your hands dirty at the Tomerong farm of Petal & Bee for a Dahlia Dig & Divide workshop where you will learn the essentials for growing these showy blooms. From 9.30am spend a few hours with your hands in the soil and on the tubers, then take home some tubers, tools and know-how back to your own patch, $250.
Saturday 11 July, Line Dancing in Tomerong: Revival Line Dancing is holding a beginner-friendly line dancing night at Tomerong Hall from 6pm. Join in for $20 as the experts walk through the routines and even take requests. A great way to warm up on a cool winter’s night.
Sunday 12 July, Paint in the Paddock: The low winter morning light provides the perfect conditions for an outdoor painting adventure at Worrowing, the 250-acre bushland property along the Wool Road where artist Amy Kinzett will guide a small group of painters on a three-hour workshop from 9.30am. Start with some sketching for composition and move onto oil painting under the tutelage of Amy, who assures this is suitable for all skill levels. For $70 the workshop includes art materials, a warm drink and a snack.
Tuesday 14 July, Women’s Health Talk: Perimenopause & Beyond is the topic of a free information session at Nowra Library, from 5.30pm. A representative from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Menopause Service will unpack what menopause really is, what happens during perimenopause, and what to expect in the years beyond. Register now to attend this talk designed to support women with practical, evidence‑based information to help make sense of changes during midlife.
Saturday 18 July, Xmas with Marine Rescue JB: La Vespa Italian Restaurant and Marine Rescue Jervis Bay are teaming up for a buon natale in Vincentia. For $45 per person, get in the Christmas spirit with three courses and a visit from Santa. Funds raised from a raffle and silent auction will go towards maintaining the rescue craft that keep our waters safe.
Thursday 23 July, Skylarking at the Museum: For anyone who has visited Cape St George and the ruined lighthouse, there remains a sense of unease around the tragic events that are noted on the visitor information signs. For author Kate Mildenhall, they became a novel (Skylarking) and now, a decade later, a real-life epilogue to the story. For one night only, Kate will talk more about this intriguing chapter in Jervis Bay’s history, in conversation with Dr Rose Searby at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, $20 includes a drink and refreshments, doors open 5.30pm.
Sunday 25 July, Seafood Celebration: A dozen top chefs and seafood producers from across the south coast are collaborating on an odyssey of seafood sustainability and seafood preparation, and you are invited to witness the techniques, hear about the producing and taste the bounty. From 4pm till 10pm, seafood will be centre stage at Worrowing, the 250-acre estate in Jervis Bay, with tickets priced from $266.
Plan Ahead—Diary-worthy events coming up on the South Coast
Friday 31 July–Sunday 2 August, Citrus Fest Kangaroo Valley: Workshops, dinners, tours and high tea are all on the program at Kangaroo Valley’s inaugural Citrus Fest, a celebration of all things zesty at the peak of the season. Learn how to grow and care for your trees, or how to preserve the fruit in so many delicious ways. Discover zesty cocktail ideas and join a long table dinner in the KV Hall. There are activities designed for kids as well.
Saturday 8 August, Walk for Women’s Safety: The 10th annual SASSI 30 fundraising walk along the Jervis Bay coastline is raising funds for domestic violence survivors in the Shoalhaven and women and children at SASSI’s crisis accommodation sites. Gather at 8am in White Sands Park for a photo-worthy mass start, then choose your distance along the route to Hyams Beach. Register now and help make our community a safer place.
27-30 August, Arts Muster Festival in Huskisson: Now on sale, there are 12 two-day workshops on offer at this year’s annual Arts Muster Festival in Huskisson, $350. Each class is taught by an accomplished and generous artist, in small groups of 10 students. Try your hand at making a cloth doll or discover fleeting beauty in ephemeral art, enjoy the immediacy of pen and wash or the ancient art of shibori. See the full program of events including art-after-dark immersive cultural experiences and a community movie night to raise funds for high school student scholarships to Arts Muster workshops.
