FRIDAY 22 MAY: Our local villages are alive this week with community pottery doors opening, celtic music, and creative workshops from Sanctuary Point to Huskisson. Here is your guide to getting involved.
The Jervis Bay flyover was “officially” opened with a ribbon cutting photo opp attended by local, state and federal pollies, but the first cars aren’t due to drive over the new bridge for another few days—on 1 June at this stage. The opening of the new bridge is the first stage in the ongoing construction, which will continue into 2027. So keep your eyes peeled for signs updating the route. Meanwhile, enjoy this image of the Vincentia Matters members who campaigned for the flyover, celebrating on the new bridge with none other than Albo.
Things to do Right Now
Invest in your future creative self: the new program of workshops in the annual Arts Muster have just been announced, so it’s the perfect time to choose from 12 classes to be held in Huskisson on 29-30 August. Teaching these workshops are talented and generous artists and craft practitioners who will share their vast knowledge and experience in small, 2-day classes, tickets from $350. Stay tuned for more events in this exciting arts and cultural mini-festival coming up in August.
Attend the event of the season: Buy your ticket to the Masquerade Ball, the grand finale of this year’s Autumn Celebration of Food, on Monday 15 June $220 and start planning your outfit—masks are a prerequisite. This event by Club Jervis Bay and the Shoalhaven Food Network is the perfect celebration for all of the hospitality businesses across the region to gather for a night of fine dining and dancing, while proceeds from the evening will go to charity. See you there!
What’s On in Jervis Bay
Saturday 23 May, Bush Potters Open: Great news for anyone who has been keen to visit the Bay & Basin Bush Potters but couldn’t make it on a Monday, the Sanctuary Point Community Arts Cottage – home to the B&B Potters – will open on Saturday from 10am. All welcome to visit the studio, meet some members and find out more about this community group.
Saturday 23 May, Dust off your Tartans: There’s no better time of year than almost-winter to dress in Highland finery to attend the Berry Celtic Festival. The highlight is undoubtedly the street parade which steps off at 9.30am in the main street, with pipe bands, community groups, entertainers and jousting horses making their way to the showground, followed by a massed band performance of 12 pipe bands and the “Call to Pipers” contingent. Pipers will be gathering from across the district, to add to the spectacle. Tickets are $20+bf for general admission and kids under 15 are free.
Sunday 24 May, Hand Made Markets: Head to the Pyree Village Art & Handmade Markets next to the village hall along Greenwell Point Road from 9am-1.30pm and browse beautiful items from Shoalhaven Potters, along with woodwork, embroidery, jewellery, plants, stone carving, cards, jams, preserves, soaps, lavender, scarves, baby wear and more. Berry Village Market is on featuring over 80 curated stalls focusing on local makers, artisan crafts, plants, and bespoke finds. At the Berry Bowlo from 10am-3pm
Sunday 24 May, Spectacular Native Gardens: One of the best-kept secrets of our region is the Shoalhaven Heads Native Botanic Garden, which is holding its annual Open Day, bbq and plant sale, in conjunction with Botanic Gardens Week. Spend some time meandering through the green space, learn about the plants from the labels and meet some of the volunteers who keep this treasure thriving for our community.
Sunday 24 May, Tea Ceremony in the Forest: Experience a nourishing Sunday morning of tea, live improvised music, and nature on a beautiful private property just 10 minutes from Huskisson. This intimate experience brings together a Zen style tea ceremony served by Jax Wechsler, alongside live improvised soundscapes by Scott Gillespie, starting at 2pm. Spend two hours sipping delicious oolong tea, served in exquisite ceramic ware, and steeping in the sounds. Tickets are $40+bf.
Sunday 24 May, Kim Sings Ella: The South Coast’s favourite entertainer, Kim Hair is performing a tribute to the First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald at a special performance in the auditorium of Coastal Waters, from 2pm, $25 at the door. The bar will be open during intermission. Kim will be accompanied by a five-piece of sensational jazz musicians, in the village off the Wool Road at Worrowing Heights.
Tuesday 26 May, National Sorry Day: First Nations people and their allies will be in Nowra’s Harry Sawkins Park from 11am- 2pm for a day of torytelling, dance, song & reflection. For safety reasons, the event will not include a walk over the bridge this year. Find out more about this day of reconciliation on the event page.
Tuesday 26 May-Thursday 28 May, Mid-week Dining Options: Keep out of the kitchen with these delicious mid-week dining options during the Autumn Celebration of Food across the Shoalhaven: Taco Tuesdays: tasty $7 tacos and $15 margaritas at The Rooftop Bar & Grill at Bannisters down at Mollymook Beach. Wings & Whiskey Wednesdays: bold bites and smooth sips at the The Rooftop Bar & Grill, baskets of delicious wings from $20, curated whisky flights from $22 plus comforting cocktails.
Mexican Thursdays: small plates (from $8), mains (from $24) and res leche cake accompanied by micheladas & margaritas at Sandbar Restaurant Huskisson. Chef’s Table Thursdays: a shared table menu for $75, changing weekly at The Gunyah Restaurant, Paperbark Camp Woollamia.
Tuesday 26 May, Learn Line Dancing: Take your line dancing to the next level with weekly classes starting at Vincentia Public School hall, beginners from 6pm and intermediate from 7.15pm, Pay at the door, $10 for one class or $15 for both, thanks to Revival Linedancing.
Wednesday 27 May, Bundanon for Locals: It’s the last Wednesday of the month when the Bundanon Art Museum opens free for Shoalhaven locals and pension cardholders. Head to the museum property out at Illaroo this Wednesday to see Sky, Earth, Water featuring works by Rosalie Gascoigne and First Nations artists Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Janet Fieldhouse and Glenda Nicholls. Opens at 10am.
Thursday 28 May, Meet Your Peers: Bubbles Beers & Business is on at the Greenhouse co-working space from 5.30pm where you can meet and mingle with your fellow business owner from the Bay & Basin while enjoying the sunset over Huskisson. Reserve your free ticket and come up the stairs (between 5 Little Pigs and Weekend boutique on Owen Street) to enjoy the friendly and inspiring catch-up. This month’s gathering is brought to you by the Mothers’ Day Classic and Husky Bakery, raising vital funds for cancer research.
Saturday 30 May, Make Pasta – Kids and Adults Options: The pasta experts in the heart of Huskisson, Pasta Buoy are inviting you behind the scenes to help make fresh pasta, with a kids’ event starting at 10.30am, $45 and adults’ session at 2pm, $89. Roll up your sleeves and roll out the pasta sheets in this hands-on event that includes some delicious pasta and sauce to take home.
Saturday 30 May, Dolphin Count: Coastal communities along the NSW coast will take part in the first NSW Dolphin Census, a statewide citizen science event to help map where dolphins are found across our coastline, bays and estuaries. Register with Marine Mammal Research Jervis Bay to find out more about getting involved in this vital research for our coastal ecology.
Plan Ahead—get out your diary
Tuesday 2 June, Amnesty Film Night: Husky Pictures is the venue for a Bay & Basin Amnesty film night, screening of We Are Not Powerless. This story places a small refugee community at the centre of some of the biggest and most important geopolitical and immigration debates in the world. Tickets are $20 at the door.
Friday 5 June, Shoreline Exhibition: The portrait prize is a hard act to follow but the new show going up at Jervis Bay Brewing Co is going to measure up. Shoreline, curated by Randall Sinnamon and also featuring Alison Mackay and Richard Morecroft, will celebrate its opening night in conjunction with World Ocean Day, as it explores the textures, stories and remnants of our coastline. See the new works and meet the artists from 6pm in the Woollamia industrial precinct.
Sunday 7 June, 2nd Night for Nuclear Story: A reading of Alana Valentine’s play Nucleus, with Peter Barley & Jane Gallenca, is on for a second night at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum. Inspired by the planned nuclear reactor at Murrays Beach, the play was highly commended in this year’s NSW State Premier’s Awards. Tickets are $30.
Thursday 18 June, Dinner & Paul Greene in Sussex: Inlet Cinema is the venue for a delicious dinner & show event, in Sussex Inlet from 5.30pm $45, or cheese plate & show from 6.45pm $20. The entertainment is by singer/songwriter Paul Greene, a South Coast favourite who is best known for his folk-rock, roots and soul sound. Paul has just released his long awaited 10th studio album Get Loved, marking a major milestone in a career built on authenticity, independence and powerful love connections. Book online.
Saturday 27 June, Dahlia Dig-Up: Get your hands in the dirt and learn how to dig and divide dahlias and store them for the winter to ensure a new crop of these showy, colourful blooms. Petal & Bee farm in Tomerong is hosting a hands-on, all-weather workshop and participants will take home a swag of useful stuff including tools and tubers, book online $250.
