96b821ac061de5d9685121aa7754b5a3
Subscribe
Sign in Subscribe
© 2025 The Illawarra Flame
video
Arts & culture

From the Gong to Edinburgh: Our top citizen set to appear at the world’s biggest fringe festival

Just when you thought the multi-talented Malika Elizabeth Reese’s year couldn’t get any better... it absolutely does. In February, Malika was named the Wollongong Citizen of the Year for her advocacy on behalf of victim-survivors of violence. She is...

Jeremy Lasek
June 2025
video
Arts & culture

Born in Wollongong, Nikki Gemmell returns for South Coast Readers and Writers Festival

The South Coast Readers & Writers Festival returns to Thirroul over the weekend of 5–6 July with a vibrant lineup of literary talent. General admission and single session tickets for the festival program are on sale now, featuring local...

Elizabeth Heffernan
June 2025
video
Puzzles

Quick Crossword, 27 June 2025

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
video
Partner content

Finding Steady Ground in an Uncertain World

By Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Bourke Life doesn’t come with a pause button. In a world where life feels more uncertain than ever, many of us are quietly carrying more than we let on. We’re often expected to keep functioning, caring...

Dr Marianne Bourke
June 2025
video
News

In a Wollongong first, new cruise operator promises a whale of a time

A new whale watching season is now in full swing and it’s been “an unbelievable start” according to the newest cruise operator offering passengers “the experience of a lifetime” just off our coast. While cruises have been operating out of Jervis Bay...

Jeremy Lasek
June 2025
video
News

New safety fences erected at deadly Wollongong Harbour breakwall

Two months after a fisherman drowned when he was washed off the Wollongong Harbour breakwall and Transport for NSW Maritime has taken action this week to improve safety in the area. It was shortly before sunrise on Good Friday when a Sydney...

Jeremy Lasek
June 2025
video
Opinion

Trouble with holding Peabody to account

By Helensburgh’s James McCormack, editor of Wild Magazine On March 21, the NSW Land and Environment Court released its long-awaited decision on the EPA vs Metropolitan Collieries Pty Ltd. The case stems back to September 2022, when I was...

James McCormack
June 2025
video
Arts & culture

Find your voice: Learn how to keep bots away and memoir human at SCWC workshop

Starting on August 7, it will run once a week, for six weeks, online. All memoirists are welcome. Bookings are essential

Elizabeth Heffernan
June 2025
video
Puzzles

Play WordroW - 26 June 2025

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
News
View all
video
News

Go Electric Open Day drives change in the Illawarra

The Go Electric expo welcomed 600 south coast locals to Club Thirroul on Sunday 22 June, to learn about local projects supporting renewable energy. Attendees enjoyed an update from Electrify 2515’s community pilot program, A book launch from Dr...

Tyneesha Williams
10 hours ago
video
News

New safety fences erected at deadly Wollongong Harbour breakwall

Two months after a fisherman drowned when he was washed off the Wollongong Harbour breakwall and Transport for NSW Maritime has taken action this week to improve safety in the area. It was shortly before sunrise on Good Friday when a Sydney...

Jeremy Lasek
June 2025
video
Opinion

Trouble with holding Peabody to account

By Helensburgh’s James McCormack, editor of Wild Magazine On March 21, the NSW Land and Environment Court released its long-awaited decision on the EPA vs Metropolitan Collieries Pty Ltd. The case stems back to September 2022, when I was...

James McCormack
June 2025
video
News

Dark Scarp lights up the coast with sold-out celebration of renewal, fire and community

By event organiser Jamie Madden of Wombarra Bowlo A new winter tradition has been born on the coast. On Saturday, 21 June, the community-owned Wombarra Bowlo played host to Dark Scarp, a bold new Winter Solstice festival that sold out all 800...

Jamie Madden
June 2025
video
News

In a Wollongong first, new cruise operator promises a whale of a time

A new whale watching season is now in full swing and it’s been “an unbelievable start” according to the newest cruise operator offering passengers “the experience of a lifetime” just off our coast. While cruises have been operating out of Jervis Bay...

Jeremy Lasek
June 2025
video
News

‘Thank you, Illawarra’ as the Torres Strait Ride Revolution delivers 100 new bikes

A Port Kembla mum, now living with her family in the Torres Strait, has sent thanks to the generous people of the Illawarra who contributed to her ‘Bike Revolution’ project. Late last year, mother-of-two Sarah Tedder launched a crowdfunding campaign...

Jeremy Lasek
June 2025
video
News

Wollongong council to use ‘bin springs’ to stop clever cockies from raiding rubbish

More than a decade after Stanwell Park cockatoos were exposed as bin raiders – using their beaks, claws and teamwork to lift lids and rip into refuse – Wollongong City Council has a plan to stop the heists.

Genevieve Swart
June 2025
Arts & Culture
View all
video
Arts & culture

Born in Wollongong, Nikki Gemmell returns for South Coast Readers and Writers Festival

The South Coast Readers & Writers Festival returns to Thirroul over the weekend of 5–6 July with a vibrant lineup of literary talent. General admission and single session tickets for the festival program are on sale now, featuring local...

Elizabeth Heffernan
June 2025
video
Arts & culture

From the Gong to Edinburgh: Our top citizen set to appear at the world’s biggest fringe festival

Just when you thought the multi-talented Malika Elizabeth Reese’s year couldn’t get any better... it absolutely does. In February, Malika was named the Wollongong Citizen of the Year for her advocacy on behalf of victim-survivors of violence. She is...

Jeremy Lasek
June 2025
video
Arts & culture

Find your voice: Learn how to keep bots away and memoir human at SCWC workshop

Starting on August 7, it will run once a week, for six weeks, online. All memoirists are welcome. Bookings are essential

Elizabeth Heffernan
June 2025
video
Media release

Songkeeper Jessie Lloyd brings her modern take on ancient Songlines to Kiama

By Folk By The Sea’s honorary publicity officer, Nick Hartgerink Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Songkeeper Jessie Lloyd is bringing her Sing On Country show to Kiama’s Folk By The Sea festival in September, hoping to create a “pub-choir...

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
video
Arts & culture

Award-winning author Kate Forsyth coming to South Coast Readers & Writers Festival in Thirroul

The South Coast Readers & Writers Festival returns to Thirroul over the weekend of July 5 and 6 with a vibrant lineup of literary talent. General admission and single session tickets for the festival program are on sale now, featuring local...

Elizabeth Heffernan
June 2025
video
Arts & culture

Celebrate NAIDOC with song

By Felicity Woodhill, founder of Inspire Music Australia In July, the monthly free Music and Tea at Wollongong Art Gallery concert welcomes Ron Callaghan and Kyarna of the Yuin Nation to share their songs and stories, honouring the strength...

Felicity Woodhill
June 2025
Energy Transition
View all
video
Energy Transition

Plug In! Dr Saul Griffith to launch new book at free Go Electric Open Day in Thirroul

With energy bills soaring and the movement toward healthier, low carbon living gathering pace, the time to electrify your lifestyle is now. Whether you’re already on the electric journey or curious about how to get started, mark your calendar for Go...

Elsa Evers
June 2025
video
Energy Transition

Gas vs Electric – what’s in a decision?

By Denise Aubourg of Electrify Illawarra Not so long ago, installing gas appliances in our homes was a popular choice for cooking, heating and hot water. The phrase “Cooking with Gas” even crept into our language, originally introduced by the...

Denise Aubourg
June 2025
video
Opinion

What’s an Urban Energy Zone – and why should we care?

The Illawarra could be on the verge of a quiet revolution in clean, local energy, writes Greg Knight of Renew Illawarra A fortnight ago the NSW Government announced the Illawarra will be the site of the first Urban Energy Zone (UEZ). While details...

Greg Knight
June 2025
video
Energy Transition

Renters reap electrification rewards with 2515 community pilot

Josh lives in Austinmer with his wife and two-year old daughter. With support from their landlords, they are the first tenants to take part in the Electrify 2515 Community Pilot. Josh explains why it’s so important for renters to be involved. What...

Elsa Evers
May 2025
Clubs & Community
View all
video
Clubs & Community

New members welcome to try Helensburgh Probus Club meeting

More information ? Contact Val on 0419129984 or email helensburghprobus@y7mail. com

The Illawarra Flame
May 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Wollongong Harmony Chorus brings it home at national competition

By Isabelle Ghetti, events coordinator at Wollongong Harmony Chorus The Wollongong Harmony Chorus has brought home the 5th place medal after competing at the Sweet Adelines Australia Convention held in Hobart, Tasmania last weekend. Competing in...

The Illawarra Flame
May 2025
video
History

Burials hidden for a century

By Helensburgh Historical Society researcher Jenny Donohoe The society has had a field survey with Wollongong City Council’s Cemetery Supervisor, Paul Gooda, regarding the Flame article by Genevieve Swart in the April 2025 edition. Society members...

Jenny Donohoe
May 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Where to find a Justice of the Peace (JP) in Wollongong

All times are 10am till 1pm. Thirroul Library – 1st Thursday of the month Corrimal Library – 2nd Wednesday of the month Wollongong Library – 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month, plus 4th Tuesday of the month. Dapto Library – 2nd & 4th...

The Illawarra Flame
May 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Great reviews for NINA’s Cafe Club: ‘One of the best groups I’ve joined in my life’

Local Not-For-Profit organisation, Northern Illawarra Neighbour Aid (NINA) helps clients from Helensburgh to Woonona to live independently. NINA organises social groups such as Cafe Club, which improves quality of life by addressing social...

Tyneesha Williams
May 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Fashion parade highlight at Wollongong weavers and spinners expo

Crocheted bunting and mandalas hung from the sprawling branches of trees and adorned benches and the entry to the community centre in Fairy Meadow. Before even making it inside the annual exhibition from the Wollongong Handweavers and Spinners...

Amanda De George
May 2025
video
History

‘A million ways to remember mother’

‘A million ways to remember mother’ was the newspaper slogan used to draw shoppers into Anthony Horderns for their 1963 Mother’s Day Sale. Featured items included; tomboy spotted flannella pyjamas ($4.99) and brunch coat with satin bow...

Jenny McConchie
May 2025
Food & Travel
View all
video
Food & Travel

UOW professor enlists Food Warriors in gardening program for students

Thirroul’s Professor Karen Charlton is on a mission to make the food systems of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven “more sustainable, healthy and equitable” for growers and consumers.

Tyneesha Williams
May 2025
video
Food & Travel

Kiama Farmers’ Market set to move over winter

Kiama Farmers’ Market is preparing for a temporary move from its prime location at Surf Beach to allow Kiama Council to rehabilitate the damage done by tidal storm surges in early April. “The park was a mess of sand, debris and fish on the...

Cathy Law
May 2025
video
Food & Travel

Food, recipes and friendship exchanged at Unanderra Crop Swap

Monthly crop swaps across the Illawarra are connecting locals with more than free fruit and veg. Ester Neyers, who runs the Unanderra Crop Swap, says the events are a great way for people to connect with their local community.

Tyneesha Williams
May 2025
video
Food & Travel

Wine is still Australia’s most popular alcoholic drink – but many producers face an uncertain future

This trend isn’t confined to Australia; it is global. The decline reflects cost-of-living pressures, growing health concerns about alcohol, and Gen Z questioning traditional drinking norms

The Conversation
May 2025
What's On
View all events
27
June
Events

Illawarra Folk Club presents When Woody Met Pete

Illawarra
28
June
Events

Greenplan Plant Sale

Greenplan
28
June
Events

Screen Illawarra x Screen NSW - Exterior Lighting Workshop

Screen
28
June
Events

UOW Campus Open Day

UOW
Health & Wellness
View all
video
Partner content

Finding Steady Ground in an Uncertain World

By Clinical Psychologist Dr Marianne Bourke Life doesn’t come with a pause button. In a world where life feels more uncertain than ever, many of us are quietly carrying more than we let on. We’re often expected to keep functioning, caring...

Dr Marianne Bourke
June 2025
video
Health & Wellness

New local social enterprise aims to make exercise ‘For Funsies’

Local marketing professional Elise Sinclair is set to launch a new social enterprise to make fitness inclusive, non-competitive and accessible for women and girls – or, as she puts it, just ‘For Funsies’.

Tyneesha Williams
June 2025
video
Health & Wellness

Staying Well at Every Age: Essential Health Checks for Men

By Dr John Deady of Bulli Medical Practice Men’s health encompasses the full spectrum of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing throughout life’s journey. While we all share many common health concerns, certain conditions like heart disease, high...

Dr John Deady
June 2025
video
Opinion

Why did I choose homebirth?

The seeds of influence that would bloom into my first homebirth were sown during my pregnancy with my first child. She was born at Wollongong Public Hospital in the waterbirth tub after an induction. My experience was both incredibly empowering and...

Andy Lawrence
May 2025
video
Partner content

Food Intolerances: What To Watch For

By Dr Amy Harkness of Bulli Medical Practice Is your child experiencing unexplained symptoms after meals? Unlike food allergies that cause immediate reactions, food intolerances can be subtle and difficult to identify, affecting up to 25% of...

Dr Amy Harkness
May 2025
video
Health & Wellness

Bridging the Divide: How to Navigate Tough Conversations with Confidence

The second in a two-part series by local clinical psychologist Dr Esther Davis We all know that tricky conversations – about differences of opinion or even who forgot to take the bins out – can quickly go off the rails. With the federal election...

Dr Esther Davis
April 2025
Local Business
View all
video
Partner content

An Invitation to Glow, from The Skin Confidential

If your skin isn’t looking or feeling its best lately – think dullness, dehydration, pigmentation or those first signs of fine lines – it might be time to prioritise expert-led skin care. That’s where The Skin Confidential comes in. Located...

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
video
Local Business

Let’s talk about online meetings

By Pauline Calme Atlassian, the giant Australian-owned tech company, conducted a study last year revealing that team meetings are ineffective 72% of the time. Simply put, since I moved to the beautiful suburb of Otford with the opportunity to work...

The Illawarra Flame
May 2025
video
Local Business

Collins hosts talk by journalist Jess Hill at Coledale

At Coledale Community Centre on 10th May, Jess Hill, a journalist and the author of Quarterly Essay ‘Losing It’, will be in conversation with Regina Featherstone, a senior lawyer from the Human Rights Law Centre. Bookings essential for what will...

Collins Booksellers Thirroul
May 2025
video
Partner content

Home decor for harmony and happiness with CS Interiors

By local interior decorator Claire Cronin-Smith, owner of CS Interiors Communication is at the heart of my work. I believe that understanding my clients and their families is essential to bringing their vision to life. With a degree in...

The Illawarra Flame
April 2025
video
Local Business

Family creates streetwear brand: Meet the Helensburgh crew behind Shred Clothing

A Helensburgh-based online enterprise called Shred Clothing is a true family business. “I started Shred with my three boys,” said owner Carla Brittain, who also runs Coal Coast Shutters and Blinds with her husband, Dave. “It started out as...

Genevieve Swart
April 2025
video
Partner content

Poetry & History at the Pub in April

Wednesday 16th Poetry at the Pub launching new books from David Stavanger and Ali Jane Smith. Also appearing will be Joseph Schwarztkopf Jr, Nicole Smede and special guest, Hasib Hourani. If you’ve been to one of our poetry events at Ryan’s...

Collins Booksellers Thirroul
April 2025
video
Local Business

Networking and training boosts careers, thanks to Junior Chambers International’s Illawarra chapter

Want to give your career a boost? Melannie Thomas, president the Illawarra chapter of Junior Chambers International (JCI), recommends joining her local group of young leaders.

Genevieve Swart
March 2025
Science & Nature
View all
video
Science & Nature

Make every whale count, join Sunday’s ORRCA census

It’s been a big couple of weeks in whale news! Everything from rare behaviours to rare sightings and plenty of the bog standard ‘oh look, it’s just one of largest marine mammals breaching before my eyes’ observations. Here’s what’s been...

Amanda De George
June 2025
video
Science & Nature

Gardening for Platypus in the Illawarra

This is the last in the ‘gardening for’ series for now, and hence time to take a step up and beyond! Let’s all garden for Platypus. It sounds pretty unusual and niche, doesn’t it? Perhaps something that is only possible for folks with a large...

Emma Rooksby
June 2025
video
Science & Nature

Urchins of Menace

Source: Recipe by Sea Urchin Harvest from Port to Plate: South Coast New South Wales (2025, porttoplate. com. au)

Phebe Fidge
June 2025
video
Science & Nature

Bird of the Month: Grey Fantail

The bird of the month for June is the Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa). This small songbird is common all over Australia and frequents a wide range of habitats from forests, coastal scrublands to swamps and urban backyards. They are quite...

Ewan Auld
June 2025
Motoring & Property
View all
video
Partner content

RBA Cuts Interest Rates by 0.25%

Ian is a regular advertiser in the Illawarra Flame

Ian Pepper
May 2025
video
Partner content

Whatever the election result, first home buyers will be the winners

Ian is a regular advertiser in the Illawarra Flame

Ian Pepper
April 2025
video
Motoring & Property

Diary of an EV Driver: Charging Away Simplified

Part 12 in Peter Aubourg’s column, Diary of an EV Driver It turns out that it is quite a social affair at the charging stations, with people sharing their experiences, and generally helping each other. On the subject of planning the trip, another...

Peter Aubourg
March 2025
video
Partner content

Why Didn’t the RBA Cut Interest Rates?

Local real estate agent and finance professional Ian Pepper looks at the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to keep interest rates on hold at 4.1 per cent after the board’s April 1 meeting. Inflation is Back in Target – So What’s the Problem?...

Ian Pepper
April 2025
video
Opinion

Ladies and Gentrification: A tale of two suburbs

The dictionary defines gentrification as “the process whereby the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses, often displacing current inhabitants in the process”. It...

Ben Wollen
March 2025
video
Motoring & Property

Driven: 2025 GWM ORA GT

One of the major issues plaguing EV usage in Australia – that is, the lack of reliable EV-charging infrastructure – is being addressed, with the Federal Government recently announcing that Australian EV charging company EVX Australia will install 250 kerbside chargers

Marcus Craft
February 2025
video
Media release

March Traffic blog: Education precinct changes

News from Transport for NSW Windang Bridge improvement work continues Transport for NSW will continue improvement work on Windang Bridge next month to ensure the bridge remains safe now and into the future. Transport for NSW Regional Director South...

Transport For NSW
March 2025
Sport & Leisure
View all
video
Sport & Leisure

Power carves at Coledale corner

The waves of the past few weeks continued but in a southerly direction, making Coledale corner the place to be for our 5th pointscore on Sunday, May 18. Some brisk winds from the south kicked up throughout the day but the waves held up and increased...

Ian Pepper
June 2025
video
Sport & Leisure

Helensburgh Tennis Club needs you

By Harley Mangham Helensburgh Tennis Club (HTC) has recently upgraded the court lights and the surfaces – we invite you to come and enjoy a game of tennis. HTC would like to thank Wollongong City Council, Wollongong Tennis Courts Administration...

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
video
Sport & Leisure

60 Years of Mateship: Coledale Oysters celebrate winter swimming milestone

“Many of my fellow swimmers have been competing for far longer than me, and some have such lovely strokes and style that is amazing to watch,” Denis says. “But in meeting each week it does not seem to matter. “We all get in and swim. It does not appear to matter what style you exhibit or your speed.

Tyneesha Williams
June 2025
video
Sport & Leisure

Another championship for Wollongong!

The Illawarra Hawks may have won the NBL25 championship, but another local team has flown under the radar to win a prestigious AFL title… Local Ben Shum saw an expression of interest for teams to register for an AFL Masters Carnival at...

Tony Ryan
May 2025
Videos
View all
video
Videos

On the road with NINA

Ahead of National Volunteer Week (16 to 22 May 2022), Iris Huizinga joins a Northern Illawarra Neighbour Aid bus trip to the Imperial at Clifton. Visit the NINA office at 18 Walker Street, call 4294 1900 or follow @northernillawarraneighbouraid on...

Iris Huizinga
video
Videos

How John Stubbs put patients at the heart of healthcare

A Thirroul resident and now Member of the Order of Australia, 74-year-old John Stubbs is on a mission to put patients at the centre of healthcare treatment. Watch the interview

Iris Huizinga
video
Videos

Lifesaver teaches refugees to swim

When former Scarborough-Wombarra lifesaver Peter Rafferty volunteered as a driving instructor for refugees in Wollongong, he discovered most of his students couldn’t swim. So he decided to do something about it. Peter, who worked with asylum...

Iris Huizinga
video
Videos

Rise in demand for Need a Feed

“Right now, we can’t meet the demand, we have had to knock people back,“ says Need a Feed CEO and founder Shaz Harrison. ”There was one organisation that wanted 70 food packages, we could only give 25.”

Iris Huizinga
Puzzles
View all
video
Puzzles

Quick Crossword, 27 June 2025

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
video
Puzzles

Play WordroW - 26 June 2025

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
video
Puzzles

Quick Quiz: 25 June 2025

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
video
Puzzles

Easy Sudoku, 24 June 2025

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
video
Puzzles

9-Letter Challenge, 23 June 2025

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
video
Puzzles

Quick Crossword, 20 June 2025

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
video
Puzzles

Play WordroW - 19 June 2025

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
Digital editions
View all issues
June 2025

Winter 2025

The Illawarra Flame
May 2025

June 2025’s print mag is out now

The Illawarra Flame
May 2025

May 2025

The Illawarra Flame