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Briannah Devlin

Meredith and Billy Rogers and Jeannine and Stuart Garrard wore family medals to the Anzac Day service in Exeter. Picture by Briannah Devlin

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'The service of the Anzacs has brought us freedom' - Exeter comes together

Jackie Meyers

The Catafalque Party at the Berrima Dawn Service travelled from HMAS Albatross in Nowra. Picture by Jackie Meyers

It was a fine, but crisp morning that welcomed the many who attended the Berrima Dawn Service.

Hundreds gather for Berrima Dawn Service

Elaine, Lesley and Garnet Whitby at the Sutton Forest Morning Service. Garnet became a National Serviceman about 60 years ago and was recently made a life member of the Mittagong National Servicemen's Association at Mittagong. Picture by Jackie Meyers

Men, women, children, horses, dogs and even a rooster turned out for the Sutton Forest Morning Service for Anzac Day.

Anzac Day 2024: People and animals step up for Sutton Forest morning service

One-year-old Onyx Allen attended the Yerrinbool Anzac Day service with his family. Picture supplied

The village of Yerrinbool marks Anzac Day.

Yerrinbool community unites at village service to commemorate Anzac Day

More than a thousand people gathered for the Bowral Day Service. Picture by Jackie Meyers

The sacrifices made by many in the past were at the forefront of attention for all who attend the Bowral Day Service.

More than a thousand turn up for the Bowral Day Service

Traffic, trains, breaking news and a warm day

A person jumping into the water at City Beach, Wollongong. File picture by Adam McLean

Live updates on traffic, travel, and everything else across the Illawarra.

Traffic, trains and breaking news from across the Illawarra

Sir Donald Bradman AC spent 12 years in Bowral, where he honed in on his cricket skills. The home is on the market. Pictures supplied by Drew Lindsay Sotheby's International Realty

He lived there from the age of three to 15.

Cricket legend's childhood home for sale, price guide starts at $2.9 million

Lauren Giroud, Mittagong RSL sub-Branch secretary Dan Crocker and President Baden Taylor, and Commander Emma Griffiths from the CO RANTEWSS at the main Mittagong Anzac Day service. Picture by Briannah Devlin

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Up to 6000 people attended both services.

Thousands unite in Mittagong to honour legacies and sacrifices on Anzac Day

Artists, volunteers and members of the community are devastated about the sudden closure of Creative Space Southern Highlands in Bowral, which is run by St Vincent de Paul Society NSW. Picture by Briannah Devlin

Artists and volunteers are angry about the closure.

'It is a lifeline for people' - Creative Space closure devastates users

Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan surprised fans at the Milton Park Garden Party on April 23. Picture supplied 

Bridgerton fans have rubbed shoulders with the cast.

'So friendly' - Bridgerton fans meet this season's leads in Bowral

News

Who doesn't love a good listicle? Especially when it's one you can nod along to because you know EXACTLY what the author&nbsp;means. Here's 29&nbsp;things only Southern Highlands locals&nbsp;get. If you're from the area, no doubt you'll be able to think of even more. If you do, send them through and we'll add them to the list.

You know you're in the Highlands when Vegas is a casino-free zone.
There’s Las Vegas, lined with casinos and then there’s Moss Vegas where there’s no casinos but a few pubs with pokies.

You know you're in the Highlands when a giant brown non-descript object is a landmark to be proud of. 
It has long been known as the big potato, but after a recent Robo discovery of Australia’s largest truffle, the big potato could have a dual identity.

You know you're in the Highlands when dodging wildlife is part of learning to drive.
Half the roads in town are completely country and as such have no centre line or light posts

You know you're in the Highlands when Bongy is a district-wide ‘sick’ day.
The second week in November brings an unusually high number of colds, stomach bugs and food poisonings with thousands of people gathering at Bong Bong Race Course rain, hail or shine to party it up while a few diehards watch the pinnacle of Highlands horse racing.

You know you're in the Highlands when kilts are the norm one day per year.

Each year Bundanoon hosts one of the biggest Scottish festivals in the country: Brigadoon. The town is transformed and renamed and men in kilts are more common than women in dresses. Props to the men with their legs out, every year it's colder than the middle of winter. 

You know you’re in the Highlands when a trip to Bundanoon requires advanced water planning.
Bundanoon was the first town in the world to ban bottled water. Now, the only thing available is refillable bottles but don't worry - there are plenty of public water fountains around to fill your hydration needs. 

You know you're in the Highlands when a fling has lasted 10 years. 
The Highlands Fling is a mountain bike marathon for cycling enthusiasts of all levels. Now that's reached its tin anniversary it might be time to admit it's something a little more serious than a casual fling. 

You know you’re in the Highlands when you find more dogs than children in strollers.
Going for your morning walk you think you’re seeing a bunch of keen mothers or doting grandmothers taking their infant child out for a stroll…but it’s just not the case. Inside the three-wheeled buggies are instead four-legged friends.


You know you're in the Highlands when 50km/h an hour means 40km/h because there’s a school on every corner.
The Highlands is the kind of place you come to raise your kids. It's close to the city, but far enough away to keep out of trouble and the number of schools reflects that. 

You know you're in the Highlands when Tulip Time is the local apocalypse.
While Highlanders love the business tourists bring into the district for the biggest event of the year they moved to the ‘country’ to get away from the crowds. In the week leading in to the event, locals stock up on their shopping, run all their errands and batten down the hatches.

You know you're in the Highlands when you have a full change of clothes in the car because the temperature can change 20 degrees within an hour.
 
Is it winter? Is it summer? No one knows but everyone’s prepared for both. You can pick the tourists, they’r the people shivering in their t-shirt and shorts on December 20.

You know you're in the Highlands when roundabouts operate by their own set of road rules.
In the Highlands you can queue across them, drive over them and giving away is completely optional. No one even looks at you funny because, lets face it, they’re doing the same thing.

You know you're in the Highlands when ‘The Wang’ is a real place.
And we’re proud of it. And Mossy, Robbo and Mitta and anything else we can shorten.

You know you're in the Highlands when Kmart is a touchier subject than the 2014 State of Origin in Queensland.
We were getting it, and then we weren’t, and it dragged on for years. We might still get it - you never know. Anything you say can lead to a Kmart conversation.

You know you're in the Highlands when a sausage-fest is celebrated.

There aren't many food events more celebrated in the Highlands than Battle of the Bangers, when local pubs go head-to-head to see who has the tastiest sausage...

You know you’re in the Highlands when a pub crawl only takes you 500m.
In Bowral you go from the Impy to The Bowral with one stop in between and pub crawl complete. In Mitta there's the Top Pub and the Lion Rampant and they're so close together you can stand in one and have a pleasant chat with someone necking a schooner in the other pub. Mossy goes from the Pink Pub to the Jemmy Moss. No need for a cab or a bus just two legs and possibly ski gear in winter. 

You know you're in the Highlands when you can arrange to meet up with friends at the oldest continually licensed hotel in Australia. 
That's The Surveyor General Inn in Berrima, which still shows signs of its early colonial days.

You know you're in the Highlands when you can buy a house in the mouth of a once-active volcano. 
Mount Gibraltar sits in between Mittagong and Bowral and is a collapsed volcanic core. It also happens to be where you can find some of the most expensive real estate in the Southern Highlands. 

You know you're in the Highlands when you are told to catch up at the pink pub, but you know you are meant to be at the beige pub in Mossy.
At one point the pub was pink, but it certainly wasn't recently and the nickname has stuck.

You know you’re in the Highlands when you get more mist than sunshine.
It doesn't matter what time of year it is Robbo's just misty. Fact.

You know you're in the Highlands when no one questions an hour round trip to buy a pie.
Everyone knows the best pies in town are from the Robertson Pie Shop. There's no shame in jumping in the car and heading out, even if you are driving past several bakeries to get there.

You know you're in the Highlands when Professor Sprout and Babe are neighbours.
Way back in the 1990s a pig raised by sheep dogs took the world by storm, and he did it from Robertson with the help of Miriam Margoyles (voice of Fly). She has since played Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movies and has lived in Robertson for years.

You know you're in the Highlands when Bush Week is a real thing.
It's got a parade and everything and it's been an event in the district on and off for more than 35 years.

You know you're in the Highlands when an umbrella is more about magic than practicality.
Bowral was the birthplace of one of the most-loved children's stories: Mary Poppins. In honour of the lady with the bottomless bag and magic umbrella, we have a statue in Glebe Park that's been turned around and has even Hula-Hooped with a former world champion.

You know you're in the Highlands when low-level dining isn't even an option.
From hatted restaurants to celebrated wineries and award winning patisseries, the Highlands has it all. 

You know you're in the Highlands when a cricketer from 100 years ago is more famous than the towns. 
Sir Donald Bradman is widely regarded as the best cricketer to ever live and people the world over know his home town. An entire section of Bowral has even been set aside in his memory.

You know you're in the Highlands when the clothing changes of a doll on a swing results in many Facebook posts. 
That doll can be seen on a swing at the entrance to Bundanoon and is affectionately known as Bonnie Nova.

You know you're from the Highlands when the biggest fishing event in town is for a virtually inedible fish.
Each year The Carpathon attracts hundreds of eager anglers who pull tonnes of carp from the waterways in Berrima. There's even prizes on offer for the biggest fish and most fish caught.

You know you're in the Highlands when there's more coffee shops than parking spots.
We Highlanders love our coffee and often down multiple cups per day and local business people have been happy to provide plenty of different options...if you can find a park.

29 times you know you're from the S...

Who doesn't love a good listicle? Especially when it's one you can nod along to because you know...

29 times you know you're from the Southern Highlands

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