User Profile

Lesley Roulston

Lesley Roulston is a passionate writer who enjoys hearing the inspiring stories of the people of the Illawarra. Originally from Newcastle, Shellharbour has become her permanent home. She can be found walking her King Charles Spaniel most evenings around the Shellharbour Marina. Her interests include reading and listening to the many podcasts on health and ageing well.

Sport & Leisure

‘SUP? Apart from paddlers, pups and the surf?

The letter M could indicate many things – and no doubt paddlers in the upcoming Shellharbour stand-up paddleboard festival might think it stands for anything from murderous or marvellous, depending on the swell around October 31.

Lesley Roulston

6 hours ago

Arts & culture

New children’s book encourages bravery at bedtime

Vesper Jones & Marshmallow is an empowering new tale about confronting your fears by Shellharbour children’s author Karen Hendriks.

Lesley Roulston

September 2025

Sport & Leisure

Albion Park Little Athletics Club celebrates 40 years

For four decades, Albion Park Little Athletics Club has been a popular training ground for young athletes, including Olympian Jessica Hull. Now the club is set to mark its 40th anniversary with a party, and an invitation for all ages to join the fun.

Lesley Roulston

September 2025

News

Shellharbour para-cyclist to set up Australia’s first Camp Abilities in the Illawarra

After smashing stereotypes to triumph in her own sports, vision-impaired para-athlete Lily Piccolo wants to empower others by launching Australia’s first Camp Abilities here in the Illawarra.

Lesley Roulston

August 2025

Local Business

New farmers and makers market the Local Table opens in Reddall Reserve

A new weekly farmers and makers market launching in Shellharbour on Tuesday, August 5, is set to breathe life into a quiet section of the Lake Illawarra foreshore.

Lesley Roulston

August 2025

News

Help new Illawarra Bird Sanctuary and Rescue take flight at Saturday fundraiser

The Illawarra Bird Sanctuary and Rescue is off to a flying start, with a fundraiser for the new charity to be held at Unanderra’s Atlantis Pets this Saturday.

Lesley Roulston

July 2025

Local Business

Discover Saunaus, Wollongong’s best-kept secret recovery retreat

The founders of Saunaus, Rhylka and Matt Hill are pouring heart and soul into running a relaxation haven on Crown Street in Wollongong. ”We are a husband-and-wife duo with two young boys keeping us on our toes,“ says Matt. ”We have been living in the Illawarra now for around nine years, recently taking a big leap and opening our own health and wellness business.“

Lesley Roulston

July 2025

Local Business

Shellharbour nutritionist supports women on holistic path to hormonal health

Motherhood and menopause both involve big changes but there is still not enough support for women during these times of transition. To fill this gap, a Shellharbour local has started her own business: Emily Gardem Nutrition.

Lesley Roulston

July 2025

Arts & culture

Photographer Geoff Smith shoots ‘For the Love of Trees’

Shellharbour’s Geoff Smith has turned his love of photography into a lifelong passion. Since he was a teenager and learnt the craft under the guidance of his father, Geoff has worked in dark rooms producing black and white images, discovering a creative connection with photography that he didn’t feel with painting or drawing.

Lesley Roulston

May 2025

News

Daniel shares his Waste2Wages success story at Reviva Dunmore

Resource Recovery Australia can offer stable and meaningful employment for people who face barriers to getting jobs through #WASTE2WAGES. Daniel Sommer, who works at Reviva Dunmore, is one of the initiative’s success stories. In 2013, Daniel...

Lesley Roulston

March 2025

News

Shellharbour social enterprise reinvents rubbish, helping people and planet

Resource Recovery Australia’s Shellharbour projects – the Reviva Reuse Shop and The Tinkerage – are part of a nationwide movement to change how people treat their waste. Working in conjunction with Shellharbour City Council, Resource Recovery...

Lesley Roulston

March 2025

Clubs & Community

Alchemy Chorus: Dementia-friendly choir sings for joy

The region’s only dementia-friendly choir, Alchemy Chorus South Coast is bringing great joy to local audiences, singers and carers. Christa Wood, whose partner Ray has dementia, founded the choir in Gerringong in 2022 after being approached by...

Lesley Roulston

March 2025

Clubs & Community

Learn, Laugh, Live with Shellharbour City U3A

Shellharbour City U3A (University of the Third Age) is a local community group that promotes life-long learning in the ‘Third Age’, (the third age being retirement or semi-retirement.) In keeping with their motto ‘Learn, Laugh, Live’ the...

Lesley Roulston

March 2025

Arts & culture

Shellharbour band Silvia Lane drum up support for new EP with live gigs

Once their EP lands later this year, it won’t be long before local band Silvia Lane featuring Shellharbour lads Jack Micallef and Jake Sutton perform to sold out crowds - if the buzz around them is anything to go by. While they have only been...

Lesley Roulston

March 2025