Your Voice, Your Music: Shaping the South Coast Sound

The Shoalhaven, Kiama, and Shellharbour music scene is getting a closer look through the Amplify Music Industry Research Project, and locals are being asked to help shape its future.

The project is gathering insights from across the community, musicians, venue operators, sound technicians, educators, promoters, and music fans alike. By mapping out the strengths and challenges of the local music ecosystem, the goal is to build a clearer picture of how to create more opportunities, stronger festivals, and a thriving live music culture.

What makes this different is the focus on real community input. The survey will guide future planning and policies, ensuring they reflect what the local scene actually needs, whether that’s better support for up-and-coming artists, more diverse live events, or sustainable ways to keep venues active.

The survey is open until Friday, 31 October, followed by community workshops where people can share ideas, connect with others, and contribute directly to the report.

Whether you’re on stage, behind the scenes, or in the crowd, your perspective matters. This is a chance to influence how music grows on the South Coast, so if you care about live gigs, creative spaces, and the future of local music, now’s the time to speak up.

For more information, see: https://www.2st.com.au/local-news/shoalhaven/mapping-the-music-landscape/

Photo credit: https://holidayhaven.com.au/blog/where-to-find-live-music-comedy-and-performance-venues-in-the-shoalhaven-2/

More Than a Marathon: Running for Awareness

Mitch McKenny is lacing up for one of Australia’s most ambitious runs. Over 29 days, he plans to cover 1,132 km, the equivalent of 27 full marathons, as he journeys from Broken Hill to Newcastle. His mission is to raise awareness and funds for Angelman syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.

The idea took root when his close friends’ baby, Huxley, was diagnosed at four months old. McKenny, a father himself, wanted to make more than just a donation, he wanted to make noise. And noise he’s making. The campaign has already raised over $100,000 for the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST).

He’s calling the stunt “Huxley’s Hero.” The run will start right on Huxley’s first birthday, setting off from Argent Street in Broken Hill. Along the way, Mitch will stop in regional towns like Dubbo, meeting other families affected by Angelman syndrome and spreading awareness.

Mitch isn’t chasing records or speed; his goal is simple: get people talking. “I hope by the end … everyone knows what Angelman syndrome is,” he says. To prepare, he’s been running multiple times a week, often stacking two long runs in a day.

He admits it’s a massive undertaking. But for Mitch, it’s nothing more than putting one foot in front of the other, on behalf of a cause bigger than himself.

For more information and photo credit, see: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-22/man-running-27-marathons-broken-hill-to-newcastle-fundraiser/105668106

The Power of Purpose: A Path to Lifelong Brain Health

Here’s a brain-boosting truth: according to a new study from UC Davis, having a sense of purpose might help guard against dementia.

Researchers tracked more than 13,000 adults (aged 45 and up) over as many as 15 years. They found that people who felt their life had direction and meaning were about 28% less likely to develop cognitive decline or dementia. The protective effect held up even after adjusting for factors like depression, education, and the APOE4 gene (a known Alzheimer’s risk).

“Having a sense of purpose helps the brain stay resilient with age,” says lead author Aliza Wingo. Even among those at genetic risk, purpose was linked to a later onset of dementia.

So, what counts as “purpose”? The study didn’t pin it down exactly, but past research hints at plenty of possibilities:

deep connections with friends, family, community
work, volunteering, or mentoring roles
personal goals, creative projects, lifelong learning
acts of kindness, advocacy, helping others

Interestingly, people with stronger purpose showed a modest delay in cognitive decline, around 1.4 extra months over an eight-year span. That might sound small, but in the world of dementia, small gains are still meaningful.

The exciting takeaway is that the purpose is free, it’s accessible, and it’s something you can start cultivating today. Whether it’s volunteering, building relationships, or setting new goals, your brain might just thank you for it down the road.

For more information, see: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/living-with-purpose-may-protect-your-brain-from-dementia-shows-huge-new-study/

Photo credit: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-purpose-dementia.html#google_vignette