User Profile

Genevieve Swart

Genevieve Swart is a journalist who has spent 30 years at newspapers, magazines and websites in London, Cape Town and Sydney. For the past decade, she has run a community news business, which rebranded in 2022 to become The Illawarra Flame, a name inspired by a tree. Genevieve is a co-director of True Story festival and a founding member of the Local & Independent News Association. On days off, she goes kayaking.

News

Author joins calls for a museum celebrating Illawarra’s ‘remarkable’ history

Author Michael Samaras thinks local proposals for a world-class regional museum celebrating the Illawarra’s history are a “great idea”. “I think that would be splendid,” said Michael, who will be in Thirroul to talk about his new book...

Genevieve Swart

9 hours ago

News

Coledale film screening raises over $1000 for ‘Grandma’s House’

The Coledale RSL hosted a sold-out screening last week of two locally made short films: Grandma’s House (2024) and Dating Violet (2021)

Genevieve Swart

April 2025

News

3 Ways with Climate Action: The letter writer

Worried about climate change, an Oak Flats grandfather is campaigning for action and he’s chosen to deliver his message via good old-fashioned Letters to the Editor. What’s more, he’s found it an effective way of reaching an undecided demographic...

Genevieve Swart

April 2025

News

3 Ways with Climate Action: The conversation starter

Nearly everyone is worried about climate change. A ground-breaking global survey of 10,000 young people in 10 countries – including Australia – published in The Lancet in 2021 found that 84% were worried, with more than half feeling sad...

Genevieve Swart

April 2025

News

3 Ways with Climate Action: The protestor

Genevieve Swart

April 2025

News

NF1 convenor reelected after council’s major Helensburgh projects discussed

Warwick Erwin is heading towards his 10th year as Neighbourhood Forum 1 convenor, after being re-elected unopposed at the group’s April 9 meeting at Helensburgh Community Rooms.

Genevieve Swart

April 2025

News

Have your say on new draft Illawarra Bush Fire Risk Management Plan

A draft of the first Illawarra Bush Fire Risk Management Plan in a decade went on public exhibition yesterday and the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is calling on everyone to share their feedback Last updated in 2015, the plan aims to protect the...

Genevieve Swart

April 2025

News

Hot tip: Cut costs with the thermal battery already in your home

In April, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen announced a ‘bill busting’ election promise – to roll out a $2.3 billion program to cut home battery costs by 30 per cent and bring down power bills by up to $1100 a year for those...

Genevieve Swart

April 2025

News

Elected as an Independent, Cr Ryan Morris is now the sole Liberal voice on council

The unfortunate tale of the NSW Liberals’ nominations bungle – when forms were not submitted on time, leaving about 150 members unable to stand in last year’s council elections – has had a happy ending for the party in Ward 1 of Wollongong.

Genevieve Swart

April 2025

Arts & culture

Author Michael Samaras shares untold history of Australia’s anti-fascist soldiers in new book

Michael Samaras’s research credentials are well known. It was his work that exposed the dark past of Wollongong Art Gallery’s first benefactor and won 2022’s Local History Prize with the essay, Discovering A Secret Nazi: Bob Sredersas And The...

Genevieve Swart

April 2025

Sport & Leisure

Local secret turns 70: Join the tennis club at Coledale

Set high on Cliff St, with stunning views of the ocean, St James Park Tennis Club is a well-kept local secret. And that’s the problem. “At one stage, we had upwards of 100 members, the vast majority of them being social,” says Rod Zabell, club...

Genevieve Swart

April 2025

Clubs & Community

Working wonders: The man with the golden trowel

Ian McKinlay is the city’s keeper of the Golden Trowel, honoured in December 2024 at Wollongong Council’s Environment Volunteers Awards. His prize tool saw action soon after, finding a rare species of flowering ground-cover on its first outing...

Genevieve Swart

April 2025

News

‘Let me fight for you,’ says Responsible Future volunteer turned Liberal candidate Amanda Ivaneza

Responsible Future volunteer turned Liberal Party candidate for Cunningham Amanda Ivaneza tonight urged a crowd of about 220 people at Warilla Bowls Club to “fight for the Illawarra”.

Genevieve Swart

April 2025

Arts & culture

Ancient African ceremonial vessels inspired prize-winning potter

A Q&A with Leonora Heaven, winner of the Sculpture Prize at 2024’s Thirroul Seaside & Arts Festival

Genevieve Swart

April 2025