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© 2025 The Illawarra Flame
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Digital editions

April 2025

The April print edition is on its way to 11,000 letterboxes, libraries and local businesses

The Illawarra Flame
April 2025
video
News

NIRAG shares April meeting report

The Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG) was formed in August 1984 as a reaction to proposals to construct 40m-high Coal Bins at Sandon Point, Bulli. We support preservation of open space and the retention and enhancement of our...

Ross Dearden
6 hours ago
video
Puzzles

Play WordroW - 3 April 2025

The Illawarra Flame
14 hours ago
video
Clubs & Community

Rise & Shine: Join the award-winning Dilys Hoser and her crew at CREG

Bellambi local Dilys Hoser received the Rise & Shine - Basil Ryan Award at the Wollongong Council Environment Volunteer awards, for her work as leader of Corrimal Rotary Environment Group (CREG). CREG carries out environmental clean ups every...

Tyneesha Williams
13 hours ago
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
Arts & culture

14 artists to welcome visitors on the Northern Illawarra Art Trail

By Pateena Donnelly The fifth annual Northern Illawarra Art Trail will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13. You are invited to visit 14 artists located in 10 studios between Helensburgh and Thirroul. To give visitors more time to enjoy...

The Illawarra Flame
April 2025
video
Science & Nature

Latest plant mystery: What’s going on with the Sassafras?

The beautiful Sassafras tree (Doryphora sassafras) is a distinctive and very common local rainforest tree of the escarpment. It is present in many areas along the slopes and benches, but particularly the steep upper slopes. These upper slopes run...

Emma Rooksby
April 2025
video
Arts & culture

Kirli Saunders launches new poetry book Eclipse

On March 19th, Kirli Saunders OAM launched her latest poetry anthology ‘Eclipse’ at Ryan’s Hotel Thirroul, supported by Collin’s Booksellers. Audiences saw the multi-talented, proud Gunai woman Kirli Saunders in conversation with her “precious...

Tyneesha Williams
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
News
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News

NIRAG shares April meeting report

The Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG) was formed in August 1984 as a reaction to proposals to construct 40m-high Coal Bins at Sandon Point, Bulli. We support preservation of open space and the retention and enhancement of our...

Ross Dearden
6 hours ago
video
Media release

Local and independent news publishers gather in Melbourne amid turbulent times for industry

Local & Independent News Association (LINA) media release: 2 April 2025 Local and independent news publishers from across Australia are gathering in Melbourne this week for the third annual LINA Summit. The three-day event brings together over...

The Illawarra Flame
April 2025
video
Media release

Illawarra Women’s Health Centre opens at UOW Innovation Campus

The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre now has a northern site at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus. The new location will increase accessibility for women living north of Wollongong, particularly those who may have found the Warill...

The Illawarra Flame
April 2025
video
News

The history-making career of Ken Habak, Senior Citizen of the Year

The Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI) turns 50 this year and, to celebrate, Ken Habak OAM has been helping out on a history book.

Tyneesha Williams
March 2025
video
News

Hoons, litter and a broken portico: Council responds to Helensburgh Cemetery concerns

“We also encourage people visiting the cemetery to report to Council any concerns or issues through our Customer Service team. If people witness anti-social behaviour at the site, this should be reported to the NSW Police.“

Genevieve Swart
March 2025
video
News

Five years on, big celebrations for the Growing Illawarra Natives website

It took many years and the support of hundreds of volunteers before the popular Growing Illawarra Natives website was launched just days before the Covid pandemic lockdowns began in March 2020. Last weekend, about 70 contributors and supporters of...

Jeremy Lasek
March 2025
video
News

Council responds to NF1 concerns over new Helensburgh Community Centre and Library

Wollongong City Council staff attended the Neighbourhood Forum 1 (NF1) meeting on March 12 to provide an update on the long-awaited new Helensburgh Community Centre and Library. Residents criticised Council’s consultation process for the town’s...

Genevieve Swart
March 2025
Arts & Culture
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Arts & culture

14 artists to welcome visitors on the Northern Illawarra Art Trail

By Pateena Donnelly The fifth annual Northern Illawarra Art Trail will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13. You are invited to visit 14 artists located in 10 studios between Helensburgh and Thirroul. To give visitors more time to enjoy...

The Illawarra Flame
April 2025
video
Arts & culture

Kirli Saunders launches new poetry book Eclipse

On March 19th, Kirli Saunders OAM launched her latest poetry anthology ‘Eclipse’ at Ryan’s Hotel Thirroul, supported by Collin’s Booksellers. Audiences saw the multi-talented, proud Gunai woman Kirli Saunders in conversation with her “precious...

Tyneesha Williams
April 2025
video
Arts & culture

Bianca Hester: Walking through time and process

Bianca Hester does a lot of walking. The now local artist, whose work Circuits of Solar Descent will feature in this year’s Sculpture in the Garden (SitG), started the ritual when moving from Melbourne to Sydney for work in 2013. This practice...

Amanda De George
April 2025
video
Arts & culture

SPAT show taps into local talent

Tap Cats of the Sunshine Coast is now in rehearsal! SPAT is proud and delighted to be premiering this play written by Stanwell Park author Christine Sykes (pictured). Christine adapted the play from her novel of the same name, which was inspired by...

Lauren Mitsak
March 2025
video
Arts & culture

Nuwa ganda (look up): Handwoven flying foxes headed for Wollongong Botanic Garden

There’s a breadth to Dr Virginia Keft’s work that I’ve had trouble condensing into a few hundred words. She’s a proud Muruwari woman, a multidisciplinary artist and the owner of Illawarra’s longest-running belly dance company, Cinnamon Twist. Her arts practice is wide ranging, and she is currently exhibiting her wearable artwork Women’s Business in Germany, while April will see her take part in Sculpture in the Garden.

Amanda De George
March 2025
video
Review

Made From Scratch: ‘Quality is very much in the mode of Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates’

The variety style of entertainment that leaped from British music halls to 1970s prime-time TV hasn’t died, it has merely graduated in low-key form to a midweek slot – to Wollongong Town Hall, at least. Made From Scratch brings together a melange...

Brian Kelly
March 2025
Energy Transition
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Analysis

What will be the Illawarra’s Energy Future? This election could decide

Last week, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, announced a pause to the Illawarra offshore wind proposal, following a mutual agreement between the government and the sole developer who applied for a feasibility license. The reason? Uncertainty over the upcoming federal election, with the opposition pledging to scrap the plan if elected.

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
video
Energy Transition

Sun’s up, wind stalls: Politicians share their views

The solar energy transition continues to gather pace in the Illawarra, with Endeavour Energy recently cutting the ribbon on new community batteries in Warrawong and Dapto.

Genevieve Swart
March 2025
video
News

Big Switch: Electrify movement expands all over the Illawarra

I grew up in small gold- and diamond-mining towns in South Africa. My father sometimes took us on weekend hikes, while my mother enjoyed a rare moment of peace. As one of five children from a mixed English-Afrikaans family, these simple adventures...

Denise Aubourg
March 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
Clubs & Community
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Clubs & Community

Rise & Shine: Join the award-winning Dilys Hoser and her crew at CREG

Bellambi local Dilys Hoser received the Rise & Shine - Basil Ryan Award at the Wollongong Council Environment Volunteer awards, for her work as leader of Corrimal Rotary Environment Group (CREG). CREG carries out environmental clean ups every...

Tyneesha Williams
13 hours ago
video
History

Working in ‘Kleinville’

By Tamara Hynd, curator of Shellharbour City Museum Edwin Harold Klein was an eccentric to say the least. He had little education, made millions using unorthodox construction methods while working as a builder at Shellharbour, and purchased the...

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Ambos embrace CWA’s comfort teddies

By Marion Cook The Keiraville Branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) are always busy cooking and sewing and raising funds for the needy and creating things to help others less fortunate. One way that our branch likes to help is the...

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion

By Ken Magnus of Oak Flats Lions Club In 1917, in response to social problems created by World War 1 and rapid industrialisation, a businessman named Melvin Jones invited business clubs across the US to a meeting where the Association of Lions Clubs...

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
video
Clubs & Community

CWA enjoys pottery class, shares Remote Opshop tip

By Jan Johnston of Stanwell Park CWA In February, one of our members hosted a wonderful day teaching us the art of pottery. After moulding the clay, we came up with a complete array of pottery ideas – all shapes, decorations and colours. While...

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Helensburgh Men’s Shed sets up in Darkes Forest

By Bob Pymm of Helensburgh Men’s Shed Helensburgh Men’s Shed now has a new home. Over the last few months, we have moved all our stuff from our old premises in Parkes Street to what can only be described as a ‘green fields’ site at the end...

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Toastmasters to compete at Woonona-Bulli RSL

By Toastmasters Area 03 Director Matthew Derbridge Toastmasters is a safe, welcoming place to develop communication and leadership skills. It is a not-for-profit organisation that provides opportunities for our members to grow and learn new skills...

Matthew Derbridge
March 2025
Food & Travel
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Food & Travel

Around the world in Wollongong: 11 foodie favourites to visit this Harmony Week

This diversity of culture has contributed a rich variety to local cuisine and the Illawarra is home to specialist supermarkets to purchase ingredients for home cooking.

Susan Luscombe
March 2025
video
Food & Travel

Cosa Nostra sale will mark the end of a local dining era

The big news on the Wollongong restaurant scene this week is that one of the city’s most popular Italian restaurants, Cosa Nostra, is on the market. After decades, cooking and serving meals in Wollongong, Cosa Nostra owners, Neve and Giorgio Piras...

Jeremy Lasek
March 2025
video
Local Business

Earth Walker & Co: From cafe to cultural haven

By Emma Maggs A cafe in the heart of Coledale, Earth Walker & Co. is embarking on an exciting new chapter under the creative vision of founder Ciara Kulmar. Many locals in the area have borne witness to the changes and are enjoying the new...

Emma Maggs
March 2025
video
Food & Travel

What’s the difference between Hass and Shepard avocados? It’s not just the colour

We now know that a majority of this fat is oleic acid, a monounsaturated (healthy) fat that helps to reduce cholesterol and improve heart health

The Conversation
February 2025
What's On
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06
April
Events

Bach to the Bush | Music for Solo Cello

Bach to
06
April
Events

Great Southern Nights presents Pete Denahy in Concert

Great
07
April - 9 April
Events

David Lesslie’s At Work

David
07
April
Events

Small Business Forum

Small
Health & Wellness
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Partner content

Immunisations for Seniors: Why Vaccinations Are Vital

By Dr Julie Blaze of Bulli Medical Practice Is your immune system working as well as it used to? As we age, our body’s defence system naturally weakens, leaving us more vulnerable to infectious diseases and making vaccines less effective. This...

Dr Julie Blaze
April 2025
video
Health & Wellness

Bridging the Divide: Why Difficult Conversations Go Wrong And How to Fix Them

Whether we’re talking about reality TV meltdowns, political clashes, or that never-ending debate in your group chat, tricky conversations tend to get stuck at the wrong level. The Harvard Negotiation Project’s framework for difficult conversations...

Dr Esther Davis
March 2025
video
Opinion

Misinformed consent in the birth room

A friend told me a story recently about an online consent module she completed during her uni degree. It was one of those tests that fails you until you memorise the answers and get one hundred percent. My friend kept failing due to one question. It...

Andy Lawrence
March 2025
video
Parenting

The masks we wear: are they false, or are they us?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the different masks we wear. We like to think of ourselves as ‘whole’ people who walk around being our authentic, whole selves all the time, or at least we aspire to. But really, I think we have different...

Andy Lawrence
March 2025
video
Partner content

Menopause matters

Are you in your forties or fifties and noticing changes? Perhaps your periods are irregular, you’re feeling irritable, or experiencing sudden hot flushes at inconvenient moments. Maybe you’re waking at 3 AM, unable to get back to sleep... If this sounds familiar, you might be entering perimenopause or menopause.

Dr Rebecca Goodman
March 2025
video
Parenting

The tragic short life and sudden death of Ducky the chicken

Early in the New Year, I ordered some fertile chicken eggs to hatch in my small incubator. I often do this to replace old laying hens or inject new breeds or genetics into my flock. It also provides my children a beautiful opportunity to learn how...

Andy Lawrence
February 2025
Local Business
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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

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

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
video
Local Business

New leaders volunteer at local business chambers

In the north and the south, new leaders are emerging at Wollongong’s volunteer-run local business chambers.

Genevieve Swart
March 2025
video
Partner content

Viking Skip Bin Recycling: Where does the waste go?

Viking Skip Bin Recycling processes and crushes concrete, bricks and tiles, which can then be resold to homeowners or the construction industry. It’s one of just three companies in the Illawarra to provide this service, says Glen Steggles, owner...

Lesley Roulston
March 2025
video
Local Business

Illawarra Flame honoured: Walkley Foundation announces grants for solutions journalism

Yesterday the Walkley Foundation announced that The Illawarra Flame has been honoured with a grant from the new Walkley Solutions Journalism Fund. Eleven new Australian journalism projects will share in just over $180,000 of funding support. The...

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
video
Local Business

Earth Walker & Co: From cafe to cultural haven

By Emma Maggs A cafe in the heart of Coledale, Earth Walker & Co. is embarking on an exciting new chapter under the creative vision of founder Ciara Kulmar. Many locals in the area have borne witness to the changes and are enjoying the new...

Emma Maggs
March 2025
Science & Nature
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video
Science & Nature

Latest plant mystery: What’s going on with the Sassafras?

The beautiful Sassafras tree (Doryphora sassafras) is a distinctive and very common local rainforest tree of the escarpment. It is present in many areas along the slopes and benches, but particularly the steep upper slopes. These upper slopes run...

Emma Rooksby
April 2025
video
Science & Nature

Happy National Eucalypt Day to the Grey Ironbark and other outstanding habitat trees

Last Sunday 23rd of March was National Eucalypt Day. There are events being held throughout March, right around Australia, to celebrate this absolutely iconic Australian group of plants. There are over 800 species of Eucalyptus, most of them only...

Emma Rooksby
March 2025
video
Science & Nature

Dear sea anemone, why are you so hard to pronounce? Also, why do you look like an anus?

I found out this week that I’ve been mispronouncing the name of one of my favourite marine creatures for my entire life. Comically, my husband, who is a high school teacher, corrected me after he himself was corrected by his 14-year-old student in...

Andy Lawrence
March 2025
video
Science & Nature

Beetling About: Try replicating Darwin’s experiments

I’ve just finished reading Charles Darwin’s Voyage of the Beagle (1839) and The Origin of species by means of natural selection (1859). Darwin was a man with an interest in explaining the world around him, collecting and studying anything and...

Chris Reid
March 2025
Motoring & Property
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Partner content

Budget 2025 Update – Real Estate Implications

The Budget was presented last night and below are some of the announcements from Labor that will impact our real estate market: First Home Buyers Help to Buy Scheme Expanded The program involves the government providing eligible home buyers with an...

Ian Pepper
March 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
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
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
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
Partner content

Interest rate cut of 0.25% today

At its first meeting of 2025, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) reduced the cash rate by 0.25 per cent, from 4.35 to 4.10 per cent, a move that was widely tipped by the markets and economists across the country.

Ian Pepper
February 2025
video
Motoring & Property

Fan the flames: Why housing materials matter

By architect Ben Wollen The world has all gone topsy-turvy. I know that might seem pretty obvious to most of us who can’t help but to follow the news or happen to click on the wrong link on our socials. I’m mostly referring to the bushfires...

Ben Wollen
February 2025
Sport & Leisure
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video
Sport & Leisure

Swimmers call on Council to extend Continental Pool winter opening hours

Regular swimmers at North Wollongong’s popular Continental Pool are calling on Wollongong Council to extend its opening hours during the cooler months. Amabile Cunzolo, a teacher at Bellambi’s Holy Spirit College, told the latest meeting of the...

Jeremy Lasek
March 2025
video
Sport & Leisure

Golfing at Boomerang: Whose banter could be heard half-way around the course?

Sunday Social Golf Club report By Robert ‘Indy’ Jones The opening event for HSSGC was held on February 2nd, Stableford with the distraction of loud unfamiliar shirts worn to take your eye off the ball. We welcomed Michael Deura, Kyle Brown...

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
video
Sport & Leisure

Coalcliff SLSC postpones Dave Winner events

If you wish to swim in the Dave Winner Beach to Bombie Swim you can register and buy your entry ticket at the following link

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
video
Sport & Leisure

Bushwalk: Helensburgh Ridgetop Walk

By Geoff Whale, author of Northern Illawarra Beachwalks DISTANCE 6 km or 8 km, 50m climb. DIFFICULTY Easy, but many track junctions. SUMMARY Mostly flat family walk through casuarina/banksia/gymea-lily forests. Best in dry weather in the warmer...

The Illawarra Flame
February 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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video
Puzzles

Play WordroW - 3 April 2025

The Illawarra Flame
14 hours ago
video
Puzzles

Quick Quiz: 2 April 2025

The Illawarra Flame
April 2025
video
Puzzles

Easy Sudoku, 1 April 2025

The Illawarra Flame
April 2025
video
Puzzles

9-Letter Challenge, 31 March 2025

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
video
Puzzles

Quick Crossword, 28 March 2025

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
video
Puzzles

Play WordroW - 27 March 2025

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
video
Puzzles

Quick Quiz: 26 March 2025

The Illawarra Flame
March 2025
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