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.

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

9 hours ago

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

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

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

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

Exclusive

Old map found, lost graves protected at Helensburgh Cemetery

The graves of stillborn babies, paupers and a teenage coal miner will all be protected at Helensburgh Cemetery, thanks to decades of determined advocacy by the Helensburgh & District Historical Society.

Genevieve Swart

March 2025

Science & Nature

Flipping fantastic: How ORRCA helps save our seals

When a human raises a hand in the waves, it’s a signal for help. When a seal raises a flipper, it’s usually cooling down, but many people assume it’s in distress and ring ORRCA, as the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in...

Genevieve Swart

March 2025

News

Council welcomes 2025 Wollongong Youth Forum as part of Young Mayors Program

The only Young Mayors program in NSW, Wollongong Youth Forum began its second term with an affirmation ceremony attended by the city’s leaders and future leaders last Thursday. In a proud moment for his supporters, Ethan Zappelli – a Year 12 student who has risen from adversity to become an advocate for homeless young people – stepped up to speak on behalf of his peers at Council’s Chambers.

Genevieve Swart

March 2025

News

Nowruz in Wollongong: Iranian Association to hold Persian New Year party

Across Central and West Asia, flowers are lighting up deserts, orchards and ancient cities. According to the Solar Hijri calendar, it’s almost time to celebrate an ancient spring festival – Nowruz, the Persian New Year. “Nowruz means ‘new...

Genevieve Swart

March 2025

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

News

Ramadan in Wollongong: ‘It’s time to recharge our soul’

For the Syrian refugee community in Wollongong, 2025’s Ramadan celebrations are extra special. The dictator Bashar Al-Assad is gone, fled to Russia in December, and there are hopes of peace after 15 years of civil war. Wafaa Izzeddin longs to...

Genevieve Swart

March 2025

News

Worried about battery fires? Helensburgh station offers free home safety visits

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) last month issued a plea to the public to wake up to the risks of lithium-ion battery products, such as e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards. FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said: “We had at least 318...

Genevieve Swart

March 2025

Arts & culture

Dire Theatre Co. puts pool in theatre to make a climate change splash

Theatre goers, get your togs on. To tackle human denial and our ability to ignore the rising water amid the climate crisis, Dire Theatre Company is setting up a big blue portable stunt for their satirical new show, Don’t Piss in the Pool, which...

Genevieve Swart

February 2025

News

Deep dive: How oil rig rehab is inspiring ‘nature positive’ wind farm design

It’s early days but new research – ironically coming out of the oil and gas sector – has given scientists hope that offshore wind structures could boost biodiversity by becoming artificial reefs, home to sponges, crustaceans, molluscs and...

Genevieve Swart

February 2025