Inaugural Kiama Readers Festival on October 14-16, Kiama Library and the Pavilion,  where you can share a love of reading with a number of talented and entertaining authors!  Details: http://www.library.kiama.nsw.gov.au/krf/

2016 Emergency Services Expo at Black Beach Kiama, Saturday, October 15, 9am-3pm - free day out for the family featuring NSW Police Band, Pol-Air police helicopter, Rural Fire Service water-bombing helicopter and other emergency services.

Festival of Christmas Carols  will once again be held in the Kiama Uniting Church on Sunday, December 18, with Wendy Leatham conducting the Choir.  Members of the Community are welcome to join us to sing a variety of Carols.  Dates of practices will be announced nearer to the date.

MARKETS

The Kiama Farmers’ Market is on Wednesdays at Coronation Park, Surf Beach from 2pm-5pm. Fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, bread, honey, jams, sauces, meat, flowers, seafood and more. Email kiamafarmersmarket@gmail.com for details.

Kiama Seaside Markets are on the third Sunday of the month (October 16), from 9am–3pm at Black Beach. Includes arts, crafts and collectables. For stall bookings, phone 0457773063.

Kiama Makers and Growers Markets is on the fourth Saturday of the month at Black Beach from 9am-2pm. A ‘make it, bake it, grow it, sew it market’. Phone 42320464 for stall bookings.

Jamberoo Village Markets takes place on the last Sunday of each month in Reed Park, Jamberoo. Includes art, craft, collectable and bric-a-brac. For stall bookings, contact Vivienne on 0402101343.

Gerringong Anglican Church Twilight Markets, Thursday, October 6, 2.30pm to 7pm

Gerringong Markets is on the third Saturday of the month (October 15) at Gerringong Town Hall, 8am-1pm. For stall bookings, contact Margaret Hyslop on 4234 2564 or Patricia Crowhurst on 4234 4904.

GROUPS

Blowhole Buskers Ukulele Band meet Mondays in Blue Haven Village Centre at 2pm-3pm; and Kiama Uniting Church on Thursdays 7pm-9pm. Contact Sue 42321798

The Compassionate Friends invites you to a Day Seminar for Bereaved Parents, Siblings and their Families. Saturday, November 5, 9am to 4pm at the Anglican Church Hall, 1 Terralong St, Kiama. Seminar fee $25 ( includes lunch, morning/afternoon tea)  Bookings essential RSVP or further information Phone Denise 0408 360 034 or Judy 0423 133 686

Compassionate Friends is a worldwide organisation for parents, siblings and grandparents who have lost a child in the family. The Kiama group meet on the first Thursday of every month in the meeting room next to Sts Peter and Paul church, Manning St, Kiama, at 7pm. Phone Denise for further details: 0408 360 034.

Friday Friends is a non religious group of elderly that meet every Friday at the Kiama Uniting Church from 9:30-1pm. Morning tea, lunch, activities and great friendship are shared. Everyone welcome with bus services provided. For more details phone Linda on 4232 1215

Friends of Blue Haven Aged Care meet the first Monday of each month at 2pm in the Dining Room of Blue Haven.

Kiama Group of Knitters Guild NSW Inc meet on third Saturday of the month at Kiama Uniting Church at 1.30pm. Contact Sue 42321798

Gerringong Museum invites local primary schools  to visit our Museum in school time by  arrangement with us at 10 Belinda St. They suggest years 3 to 6.  Children  $3 each, no charge for teachers  with children. Contact  Helen, 4234 3914,  or Margaret, 4234 1127

Gerringong and District Seniors meet each Wednesday at the Gerringong Town Hall, They meet at 9.30am for morning tea and a chat. On the first Wednesday of the month they meet to discuss latest developments. The following week is for carpet bowls. There is usually a day coach trip on the third Wednesday and then bingo is played on the fourth Wednesday. For further details, phone secretary Doreen Woods on 4234 2268.

The Illawarra Breast Cancer survivors group meet on the second Tuesday of each month at Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church Hall in Manning Street, Kiama from 10am to 12 noon. For further information contact Moira Telephone 4234 0324.

Jamberoo Red Cross meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10.30am at the School of Arts Hall. We also hold Bingo on the third Thursday of the month at 10.30am at Club Jamberoo and we always have a stall at the Jamberoo markets in the park on the last Sunday of the month. Contact Barbara 4236 0430.

Kiama Pipe Band is keen to talk to anyone interested in joining the band either as a learner or as a former player who misses the skirl of the pipes or the beat of the drums and would like to get back to it. The band practises on Wednesdays 7pm – 9pm at the Uniting Church Hall in Manning St. Kiama. Drop in for a chat or call John Kenny on 0434 989 253.

Kiama Hospital Auxiliary meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 1.30pm in the Hunter Room at the hospital. Newcomers are welcome. Contact June Powell on 4233 1394.   

Kiama Toastmasters meets on the first and third Tuesday night of each month at Kiama Leagues Club from 7pm. Toastmasters gives people the skills and confidence needed to effectively express themselves in any situation. Toastmasters is a non-profit educational organisation. Contact Noelene on 4232 2573 and Patricia on 4276 2227.

Kiama U3A  @ North Kiama Community Centre, Meeham Drive. Monday talks program start from 2pm to 4pm.  We have a wide range of extra classes, (extra fees on enrolment) Tai Chi/computing/twinkling toes/music & other special interests.

Illawarra Women’s Health Centre have various musical groups: drumming, ukulele, musical moments. For more information please phone 4255 6800 or look them up on Facebook,

Red Cross Kiama meetings take place at the Girl Guide Cottage on Collins Lane, Kiama (adjacent to Hindmarsh Park) on the first Friday of the month, starting at 1.30pm. If you are looking to join a friendly volunteer organisation and would like to support them in their fundraising efforts, contact vice-president Heidi Smith on 4232 2821.

Craft get-togethers at St Paul’s Church Hall, 17 Railway Avenue, Minnamurra. Tuesdays during school terms 9.30am to midday, bring your own craft project and do your own thing. Also first and third Wednesday nights (except Christmas holidays) a group for women in their teens and up  interested in scrap-booking, creative card making, boxes and more. Inquiries: 4232 2066.

Hymnsing will recommence at the Uniting Church Fellowship Centre, Manning Street, on Sunday afternoons at 2pm. The next date this year is November 27. If you love singing hymns, old and new just give Gail 4232 1630 or Reuben 4233 2490 a call.

Kiama Community Calendar is a free service for not-for-profit organisations. Contributions are welcome and should reach the Kiama Independent by 1pm Wednesday for following week's edition. Items should be as brief as possible and sent by email only. Email: community.isen@fairfaxmedia.com.au. Use Kiama Community Calendar in the subject line.