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Meet two STARS helping to ease bed block in the Illawarra

STARS stands for Support Transition Assistance Response Service. Simply put, these volunteers really are the stars of aged care in the Illawarra, providing practical advice for people stuck in hospital, waiting for a place in a care home. “Our...

Tyneesha Williams

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

Egg-ceptional: How Stanwell Park children make Art in the Park

The Stanwell Park Children’s Centre in the Stanwell Avenue Reserve has been involved in Banksia Bushcare’s work since its formation in 2017. We invited the Children’s Centre to have their pupils paint some of the eggs for the nests we created...

Drowning sparks calls for urgent safety measures at Wollongong Harbour breakwall

The tragic drowning of a 58-year-old Sydney fisherman in the early hours of Good Friday has sparked calls for an urgent review of safety along the breakwall. As reported by The Illawarra Flame a fortnight ago, the breakwall is in a poor state of...

The battle for Beaton Park’s Ted Tobin Hall is on again as fitness groups petition council to keep it in community hands

After a six-month cease fire between Wollongong City Council and users of a popular indoor sports facility at the Beaton Park Leisure Centre, battle lines have been drawn again. This time, fitness groups who fear they’ll be left homeless if Council...

Picture the future of a city built on steel

He is on The Port Kembla steelworks has been an integral part of the history of the Illawarra region for almost 100 years now. It has brought countless jobs and trained hundreds of thousands of people along the way. Which also means it has been the backbone of the economy in the Illawarra. In partnership with local coal mines, they created the great base for the region’s prosperity. board of Hi Neighbour

The Illawarra Flame

Dangerous surf closes all Wollongong swim beaches

The Easter long weekend has begun with a sunny day and hazardous surf in the Illawarra. “All 17 patrolled beaches in the Wollongong Local Government Area are currently closed due to dangerous surf conditions,“ a Wollongong City Council spokesperson said today.

The Illawarra Flame

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

Youngest winner of Shellharbour’s Community Awards loves to share cultural knowledge

Inspired by ancient Aboriginal technologies like weaving, today 15-year-old Emjae Woods loves to share her cultural knowledge with others. Emjae is in year 10 at Lake Illawarra High School and volunteers to teach cultural and technology-based workshops, representing her community and championing young people.

Tyneesha Williams

‘Horrible’ cycleway from city to the south needs urgent investment, Council told

Four years after Wollongong celebrated being awarded the prestigious UCI Bike City label in recognition of its long-term commitment to cycling there are calls for more to be done to encourage people to get out of their cars and on to bikes...

Why regional communities need local news to be told

Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info™

The Illawarra Flame

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

‘Love the vibe’: Festival goers rate family-friendly event in Port Kembla

Everyone loved the vibe at the fourth Port Kembla Festival on Saturday. Locals and visitors turned out in droves to celebrate the fourth free, family-friendly event and explore the town’s rich culture. From 2pm, Wentworth Street hosted a vibrant array of street performers, art markets and stalls, while festival goers took their pick of over 40 musicians playing at in 10 locations, from the quirky Shave Cave and Black Metal Motor Co. to three iconic Port venues: The Servo, The Wentworth and The Vault. Thanks to those who their thoughts with The Flame.

Tyneesha Williams

UOW’s ‘tree man’ reflects on his remarkable 50-year legacy

It’s been described as one of the most beautiful university campuses in the world, and this week The Illawarra Flame had the privilege of catching up with the man who can take much of the credit for creating the leafy, bush-like feel of our...

Dreamtime story of the Lyrebird and the Frog

The Australian Museum and Stockland Shellharbour have unveiled the FrogID Touring Exhibition, a new initiative dedicated to raising awareness of frogs and their vital role in the environment. Featuring interactive elements such as frog calls...

The Illawarra Flame

It’s too big’! Locals tell Homes NSW go back to the drawing board on massive Gwynneville housing project

There was one common theme coming through the first community information drop-in session for a proposal to dramatically change a residential precinct close to the University of Wollongong – “it’s too big”! At the Wollongong Senior Citizens Centre...

Welcome to the Weekend: It’s full of fun

Welcome to a Weekend edition full of things to do these school holidays

The Illawarra Flame

HARS Tarmac Days: Connie Engine Works and Sabre Jet on show

By Ian Badham of HARS Aviation Museum Australia’s first operational Sabre jet fighter from the 1950s joins with the unique sight and sound of three former submarine-hunting and marine patrol Lockheed Neptunes from the 1960s to highlight the April...

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

Call for council to support soft plastics recycling in local roads

By Helen Lewis of Circular Plastics Illawarra Circular Plastics Illawarra is a community alliance that was formed in early 2023 following the collapse of the REDcycle recycling program for soft plastics. Our initial focus is on soft...

The Illawarra Flame

MP honours local firefighters with Community Recognition Statements

On February 26, firefighters were invited to attend the first Community Recognition Statement Morning Tea at the office of Maryanne Stuart, Member for Heathcote, and were awarded a framed community recognition statement. We joined Maryanne, and...

The Illawarra Flame

Newer, safer tools than shark nets

The NSW Government may have removed its shark nets early this year, but it’s still refusing to commit to scrapping them permanently – even after its own expert panel found no solid evidence they actually work. A new report from the state’s...

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