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News

Helensburgh fireys celebrate half-century of care

Helensburgh Fire and Rescue celebrated 50 years of service on August 15. “It’s an honor to stand before you today as we celebrate 50 years of service from Fire and Rescue New South Wales. Fifty years ago, the fire station was built with one...

Tyneesha Williams
22 hours ago
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Puzzles

Easy Sudoku, 26 Aug 2025

The Illawarra Flame
22 hours ago
video
Energy Transition

Illawarra’s Offshore Wind Zone enters new research and demonstration phase

Offshore wind in Australia will enter a new research and demonstration phase, which the Member for Cunningham has welcomed, hailing it as “a big green light” for investors. “I firmly believe that the Illawarra has a big role to play in the future of...

Genevieve Swart
6 hours ago
video
Science & Nature

Find a Grevillea colour for every garden at Spring Open Days

Looking for a spectacular tropical grevillea to brighten up your garden? Here are suggestions from the Illawarra Grevillea Park team. Red – ‘Katherine’s Fire’ has large vibrant red flowers with golden styles. Cream – ‘Moonlight’ is...

John Elton
22 hours ago
video
News

Cracks show in debate over coal mining in water catchment

Despite a show of support by the Illawarra Knitting Nannas Against Greed (IKNAG) and two speakers with coal mining expertise, a motion that Wollongong City Council oppose Peabody’s plans to mine under the water catchment failed to win support at...

Genevieve Swart
7 hours ago
video
Science & Nature

ORRCA advice for boaters after Southern Right Whale calf struck off Stanwell Park

By Jody Langlois, secretary of the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) In July, ORRCA received reports of a Southern Right Whale calf being struck by a boat off Stanwell Park, NSW. The incident appears to have...

Jody Langlois
August 2025
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News

Community groups say lessons must be learnt from Mt Ousley bridge debacle

Community groups that campaigned successfully for the reinstatement of a pedestrian and cycling bridge over the new Mount Ousley Road say politicians and bureaucrats can learn a lot from the process. “Consult early and consult often,“ said Emm...

Jeremy Lasek
22 hours ago
video
News

‘City of peace’ divided over Palestine flag motion

After a testing debate tonight, Wollongong City Council voted not to support a motion where Council would fly the flag of Palestine in support of the people of Gaza currently under siege. After the councillors’ vote was deadlocked at 6-all, it was...

Jeremy Lasek
23 hours ago
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Puzzles

Mini Crossword, 25 August 2025

The Illawarra Flame
August 2025
News
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News

Cracks show in debate over coal mining in water catchment

Despite a show of support by the Illawarra Knitting Nannas Against Greed (IKNAG) and two speakers with coal mining expertise, a motion that Wollongong City Council oppose Peabody’s plans to mine under the water catchment failed to win support at...

Genevieve Swart
7 hours ago
video
News

Helensburgh fireys celebrate half-century of care

Helensburgh Fire and Rescue celebrated 50 years of service on August 15. “It’s an honor to stand before you today as we celebrate 50 years of service from Fire and Rescue New South Wales. Fifty years ago, the fire station was built with one...

Tyneesha Williams
22 hours ago
video
News

Community groups say lessons must be learnt from Mt Ousley bridge debacle

Community groups that campaigned successfully for the reinstatement of a pedestrian and cycling bridge over the new Mount Ousley Road say politicians and bureaucrats can learn a lot from the process. “Consult early and consult often,“ said Emm...

Jeremy Lasek
22 hours ago
video
News

‘City of peace’ divided over Palestine flag motion

After a testing debate tonight, Wollongong City Council voted not to support a motion where Council would fly the flag of Palestine in support of the people of Gaza currently under siege. After the councillors’ vote was deadlocked at 6-all, it was...

Jeremy Lasek
23 hours ago
video
News

The adrenaline, new skills, being part of a family – so many reasons to join the RFS in new recruitment drive

Everyone has a different reason why they volunteer to join the Rural Fire Service (RFS). For 22-year-old Reese Craven from the Darkes Forest Brigade, it’s about the adrenaline. Reese’s day job is as an electrician but two and a half years ago she...

Jeremy Lasek
August 2025
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News

Local volunteers learn how to contact state integrity agencies at ICAC forum

When the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) came to Wollongong last Thursday, the public forum panel led with serious, high-profile cases, including that of disgraced former MP Daryl Maguire, recently sentenced for giving misleading...

Genevieve Swart
August 2025
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News

Can Council’s grand plan for a 20-year sports strategy fix our ‘dire’ shortage of venues?

It’s no secret that the Illawarra’s population growth over the past 25-30 years has put increasing pressure on our community facilities, none more so than our sporting and swimming venues. Earlier this month The Illawarra Flame reported that indoor...

Jeremy Lasek
August 2025
Arts & Culture
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Arts & culture

‘Terra Motion’ to showcase landscape forever on the move

When you prepare to land in Central Australia what strikes you first is the red earth. On the ground you observe all the subtle variations of red in the desert landscape, the browns, the pinks and the purples. Surprisingly, 40 percent of Australi...

The Illawarra Flame
August 2025
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Arts & culture

See ‘Where Art Meets Life’: New contemporary work by 19 IAVA artists on show

Until 24 August, local art lovers can visit Project Contemporary Artpace to see the ‘Where Art Meets Life’ exhibition by Illawarra the Association for the Visual Arts (IAVA). Artists and their loved ones came together for opening night on 15...

Tyneesha Williams
August 2025
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Arts & culture

Music4Medicine: Variety shines in concert to help kids

A little bit of something for every taste is coming the audience’s way when Wollongong Town Hall hosts a fundraising concert featuring pianist Simon Tedeschi next Thursday, August 28.

Tyneesha Williams
August 2025
video
Arts & culture

Time to sing with Thirroul’s Slap Dash Choir

Janice Creenaune meets Andrew Pedrana, who had various occupations before becoming a high school teacher and moving to the Illawarra. Andrew Pedrana only began singing fairly recently with The Slap Dash Choir. “A friend recommended the choir when...

Janice Creenaune
August 2025
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Arts & culture

SPAT and the Con join forces to take on ‘Peter and the Wolf’

SPAT’s next show is a dazzling production of Sergei Prokofiev’s classic tale combining a live chamber orchestra with theatre, puppetry and storytelling, and for the two evening performances, this will be followed by a 1940s radio play entitled...

Lauren Mitsak
August 2025
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Arts & culture

850 tickets for humanity: Music4Medicine aims to fill town hall for charity

On Thursday, August 28 join us for a magical night, with songs from musical theatre and performances by rising stars set to uplift concert goers of all ages at Wollongong Town Hall. Music4Medicine is Inspire Music’s annual fundraising concert...

Felicity Woodhill
August 2025
Energy Transition
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Energy Transition

Illawarra’s Offshore Wind Zone enters new research and demonstration phase

Offshore wind in Australia will enter a new research and demonstration phase, which the Member for Cunningham has welcomed, hailing it as “a big green light” for investors. “I firmly believe that the Illawarra has a big role to play in the future of...

Genevieve Swart
6 hours ago
video
Energy Transition

Common Ground: Where a Baby Boomer ex-coal miner meets a Gen Z marine ecologist

Darryl Best and Phebe Fidge are both Illawarra locals and regular contributors to the Illawarra Flame. Despite their vastly different backgrounds – Darryl having worked in coal mines most of his life and Phebe just beginning her career in marine...

Darryl Best
August 2025
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News

‘Sunlight is the best disinfectant’: How independent media is shining a light on renewables in the regions

After two years of furious debate, the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone is in a lull. The Illawarra Flame is seizing the moment to find out how other independent papers have coped with the challenges of reporting on renewables. In speaking to other...

Genevieve Swart
August 2025
video
Energy Transition

Live in an apartment? Tap into solar and save

By Elsa Evers of Electrify 2515 Do you live in an apartment or strata building? Over 8% of us living in the 2515 postcode do. Yet so far, apartments represent only 2% of applications to the Electrify 2515 Community Pilot. Of the 174 apartment blocks...

Elsa Evers
August 2025
Clubs & Community
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Clubs & Community

New Bicycle Buddies scheme is getting women on their bikes

A new mentoring program in Wollongong aims to increase the confidence and skills of women and non-binary people to ride their bikes for active transport and leisure. Bicycle Buddies, an initiative of the Illawarra Bicycle Users Group (IBUG), rolled...

Emma Rooksby
August 2025
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Clubs & Community

Kayakers remove 20 big bags of rubbish from island in Lake Illawarra

Kayakers from Illawarra Ramblers spent the morning of July 17 cleaning up rubbish around the foreshore of Lake Illawarra’s Gooseberry Island as part of Plastic Free July. A 12-strong crew of Ramblers volunteered for the clean-up, held as part of the annual Plastic Free July, a global event in which millions of people help to rid our streets, communities and oceans of rubbish by participating in community clean-ups and pledges to reduce/eliminate single-use plastic.  

Julie McDonald
August 2025
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Clubs & Community

Campfire tales from the Shed in the Forest

Well, it’s winter. And who would believe it’s colder at Darkes Forest than in Helensburgh? Like, 77 metres difference in elevation drops the temp THAT MUCH? Yep. Hardy folks at Darkes. Good for the apples and peaches, though. So, what does...

Paul Blanksby
August 2025
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Clubs & Community

How Stanwell Park and Keiraville CWA clubs are helping our community

In May, our election day cake stall was a great success and it has enabled us to direct further donations towards help for women fleeing domestic violence. Our recent book review evening was well attended and opened our eyes to what a cosy venue the...

The Illawarra Flame
August 2025
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Clubs & Community

From making fire to eating octopus, Cubs share their favourite night

By Scott Bradburn, 1st Austinmer Scouts Cub Group Leader The 1st Austinmer Cub Group (for kids aged 7 to 11) are looking forward to Term 3 activities. These include running a ‘pop up’ restaurant, learning magic from a professional magician...

The Illawarra Flame
August 2025
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Clubs & Community

Need a Feed’s 12-hour mission to get a mobile food van on the road

Twelve hours, 12 teams and one big goal - to get a mobile food van on the road helping those doing it tough across the Illawarra. The Need a Feed Swim Challenge will take over the UOW Aquatic Centre on September 21 to raise funds for the local charity’s Mindful Meals program as demand for its services grows.

Tyneesha Williams
August 2025
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Clubs & Community

Celebrating Aboriginal culture at Helensburgh Public School

By teacher Nina Sampson In the final week of Term 2, Helensburgh Public School hosted an afternoon tea to celebrate the achievements of our Aboriginal students. Families, staff, and students gathered to recognise each student’s learning journey...

The Illawarra Flame
August 2025
Food & Travel
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Opinion

Kaikōura village: What we can learn from Thirroul’s Kiwi cousin

Winding south along State Highway One we thought we were somehow back home. The road, narrow, a single lane each way, hugged the escarpment which shot up high and to our right. Big metal mesh nets held back falling rocks. The ocean stretched out...

Elliot Stein
August 2025
video
Food & Travel

Owners of new Ninth Cloud city diner/bar want to take us to cloud nine!

Lower Crown Street in the centre of the city continues to build its reputation as Wollongong’s small bar and easy dining epicentre with the opening of the latest venture. On the site of the former Eastern European foodie hot spot, Moomin is the uber...

Jeremy Lasek
August 2025
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Food & Travel

Dust off your pastry cutters: Apple Pie Day is coming to Darkes Glenbernie Orchard

It’s that time of year! Glenbernie Orchard’s annual Apple Pie Day returns to Darkes Forest on August 24! Join us for a day of family fun, live music and, of course, apple pie. This event is run in support of our local community – 5% of every...

Jo Fahey
August 2025
video
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
What's On
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28
August - 7 September
Events

Terra Motion at Clifton School of Arts

Terra
28
August
Events

Music4Medicine’25: A Fundraising Concert for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)

Music4Medicine’25:
31
August
Events

Illawarra Folk Club presents Free Concert 31 August at Don’s Farm

Illawarra
05
September
Events

4th Annual Illawarra Women’s Day of Dance and Culture

4th
Health & Wellness
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News

Food for thought: Could Berkeley Public’s cooked lunch pilot become a school staple?

This morning at 11am the Year 1 class at Berkeley Public School will sit down to enjoy what could be a game changer, not just for their academic performance today but the children’s good health tomorrow. Healthy cooked meals are being served three...

Genevieve Swart
August 2025
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Health & Wellness

Preventing Common Injuries in Everyday Activities

By Dr Berlinda Png at Bulli Medical Practice Have you ever pulled your back lifting a box, slipped on a wet floor, or developed neck pain from desk posture? Everyday injuries are surprisingly common, but most are entirely preventable with simple...

Dr Berlinda Png
August 2025
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Health & Wellness

Is Social Media Making Our Kids Anxious? Let’s Talk About It

By clinical psychologist Dr Marianne Bourke As a clinical psychologist, I’ve sat with numerous parents – mums and dads doing their best to raise kind, resilient kids in a rapidly changing world. Many share the same concern: “My daughter’s...

Dr Marianne Bourke
July 2025
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Health & Wellness

Exercise and healthy diet the key to avoiding diabetes

“Keep moving”! That’s the simple advice on how we can try to avoid getting diabetes from a Wollongong-based expert. During National Diabetes Week (13-19 July) Diabetes Australia is highlighting the importance of prevention, to reduce adding to the...

Jeremy Lasek
July 2025
video
Health & Wellness

For healthy people, cities and hospitals, charity prescribes prevention

Local organisation Healthy Cities Australia (formerly Healthy Cities Illawarra) takes a collaborative approach to community health, working with local government, universities, businesses and other community organisations to “bring people together...

Tyneesha Williams
July 2025
video
Partner content

How to Stay Healthy Through Cold & Flu Season

As winter approaches across the Illawarra, cold and flu season intensifies alongside the cooler weather. In 2024, Australia saw over 349,000 influenza cases, with children under five and seniors most at risk. Vaccination remains the most effective prevention, yet concerning trends show only 13.7% of children aged 5–14 were vaccinated last year—and this number continues to decline.

Dr Meaghan Miller-McConochie
July 2025
Local Business
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Local Business

MTB champ Nathan Rennie is sharing skills with the next generation via the Victory Lab

For a bloke who didn’t have a ‘‘normal’’ job until he was 31, Nathan Rennie has done okay – and now he’s happy to share the knowledge that took him global.  The downhill mountain biking world champion is using his experience to guide the next generation of athletes in the Illawarra – and not just for those on two wheels.

Tyneesha Williams
August 2025
video
Local Business

Why Helensburgh’s Grace Barlow started her own home care service

Inspired by her grandmother, and determined to treat older people with the dignity they deserve, a Helensburgh woman has launched her own home care service.

Tyneesha Williams
August 2025
video
Local Business

Connect with South Coast Urgent Response at 2025’s Illawarra Indigenous Business Expo

In 2025, after an EOI period, the expo officially swapped hands into a First Nations-owned business, Sacred Country Consulting

Gemma Lloyd
August 2025
video
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
video
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
video
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
video
Local Business

New Abyss Project eco-cruise sets sail around Five Islands

On 21 June, The Abyss Project launched on the first ever eco-tour of the Five Islands Nature Reserve off the Coast of Wollongong, offering tour-goers the chance to learn about the Illawarra’s marine environment and spot whales, seals, seabirds and...

Tyneesha Williams
July 2025
Science & Nature
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Science & Nature

Find a Grevillea colour for every garden at Spring Open Days

Looking for a spectacular tropical grevillea to brighten up your garden? Here are suggestions from the Illawarra Grevillea Park team. Red – ‘Katherine’s Fire’ has large vibrant red flowers with golden styles. Cream – ‘Moonlight’ is...

John Elton
22 hours ago
video
Science & Nature

ORRCA advice for boaters after Southern Right Whale calf struck off Stanwell Park

By Jody Langlois, secretary of the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) In July, ORRCA received reports of a Southern Right Whale calf being struck by a boat off Stanwell Park, NSW. The incident appears to have...

Jody Langlois
August 2025
video
What's On

The Grassening: A living installation at Illawarra Nature Festival

An immersive multi-artform installation on Dharawal Wodi Wodi Country is bringing attention to a critically endangered local community – the Illawarra Lowland Grassy Woodland.

Kathryn Morgan
August 2025
video
Science & Nature

What are the trees telling us?

It’s that time of year when the days start getting longer, though not really warmer, and all sorts of flowers start to appear. Frances Bodkin’s compilation of a Dharawal seasonal calendar says this period is known as Wiritjiribin, after the Superb...

Emma Rooksby
August 2025
Motoring & Property
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Partner content

RBA Cuts Cash Rate to 3.60% as Inflation Eases

Ian is a regular advertiser in the Illawarra Flame

Ian Pepper
August 2025
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Motoring & Property

Driven: 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250 Series

The new-generation Prado (aka the 250 Series) is larger than the previous Prado and is now able to tow the industry-standard 3500kg, rather than the 3000kg the previous generation is limited to. The new Prado, now based on the same TNG-F chassis as...

Marcus Craft
July 2025
video
Partner content

RBA Holds Rates Steady – What It Means for the Local Property Market

At its July meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) opted to leave the official cash rate unchanged at 3.85%, despite broad expectations among economists and financial markets for a 0.25% cut. The decision reflects the RBA’s cautious optimism...

Ian Pepper
July 2025
video
Motoring & Property

Driven: 2025 Ford F-150 Lariat LWB 3.5L Auto

US utes are very popular in Australia and the Ford F-150 Lariat long wheelbase – the top dog in the F-150 line-up – is the latest arrival in America’s full-size pick-up invasion of our car market. 

Marcus Craft
July 2025
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
Sport & Leisure
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Sport & Leisure

Medal glory for Thirroul karate team at world championships

In June, 6 competitors from Samurai Dojo in Thirroul travelled to Finland to compete in the KSI (Kimura Shukokai International) Karate World Championships - an international tournament that hosted over 800 entries from 16 countries. “Even though...

Tyneesha Williams
August 2025
video
Sport & Leisure

Thirroul snowboarder Charlie Tanner on quest for global success

Teen snowboarder Charlie Tanner is using a busy Aussie winter to prepare for his shot at global glory.

Zachary Houtenville
July 2025
video
Sport & Leisure

Epic morning for pointscore no.6

Winter? What winter? The sun was out, the weather was warm, the waves were pumping for our June pointscore #6 at Sharkey’s Beach. In the morning the sets were solid and groomed by a light offshore wind, making for a super fun day. The A Grade saw...

Ian Pepper
July 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
Videos
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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
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Puzzles

Easy Sudoku, 26 Aug 2025

The Illawarra Flame
22 hours ago
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Puzzles

Mini Crossword, 25 August 2025

The Illawarra Flame
August 2025
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Puzzles

Quick Crossword, 22 August 2025

The Illawarra Flame
August 2025
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Puzzles

Sudoku Challenge - 21 August 2025

The Illawarra Flame
August 2025
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Puzzles

Quick Quiz: 20 August 2025

The Illawarra Flame
August 2025
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Puzzles

Easy Sudoku, 19 Aug 2025

The Illawarra Flame
August 2025
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Puzzles

Mini Crossword, 18 August 2025

The Illawarra Flame
August 2025
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