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.

Arts & culture

Merrigong Season 2025: From Love Stories to Strangeways

Want a gift to bring joy to your world? Merrigong Theatre Company recently announced its biggest ever season for 2025 and artistic director Simon Hinton has a hot tip for Christmas shoppers: Love Stories. “A season ticket makes a really great...

Genevieve Swart

November 2024

News

New rock stars: Electrification gig plays to packed house at Anita’s

Sunday afternoon’s home electrification session at Anita’s Theatre was a hit, enjoying a turnout rock stars would envy at Thirroul’s live music venue. About 600 people attended yesterday’s launch of the Electrify 2515 Community Pilot, a two-year...

Genevieve Swart

November 2024

Arts & culture

Extra Murals: Artist Sarah Rowan has left her mark on the 2508 district

Artist Sarah Rowan shot to fame locally after she painted a mural of Olympic gold medallist Saya Sakakibara and her brother Kai with their BMX bikes. The artwork – which brightens up the Short Street exterior of Helensburgh’s pet food store –...

Genevieve Swart

November 2024

News

Good Neighbours become good friends

A retired coal miner and a young mum with a background in the creative arts have cemented an unlikely friendship after starring in an episode of Good Neighbours, hosted by Ryan Moloney (aka ‘Toadie’ in Neighbours). Wollongong locals Darryl Best...

Genevieve Swart

November 2024

News

‘The little peak that could’: How a local group is tackling the aged care crisis

Once there was a woman, aged 94, whose husband had dementia and gone into aged care. She still lived at home, with some help. “She was a really proud gardener, loved her garden, and a real key part of her local community,” says Nicky Sloan, CEO...

Genevieve Swart

October 2024

Arts & culture

Meet an uNCOILEd eXposed choreographer: Mara Glass

AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre’s annual unveiling of fresh choreographic talent will return to the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC) for a three-night run from October 17-19. 2024’s uNCOILEd eXposed will feature new pieces by Fion...

Genevieve Swart

October 2024

News

Growing the Illawarra Edible Garden Trail

Illawarra Edible Garden Trail, Saturday & Sunday, November 9 & 10, 10am-3pm, buy tickets via the website

Genevieve Swart

October 2024

Arts & culture

Meet an uNCOILEd eXposed choreographer: Elizabeth Arifien

Genevieve Swart

October 2024

Arts & culture

Meet an uNCOILEd eXposed choreographer: Fiona Larkin

Genevieve Swart

October 2024

Science & Nature

For the birds: Why wind research should be shared

Offshore wind farms might affect seabirds. But we don’t know how much or what to do about it. And if Australians don’t fight for their right to know, then the unique environmental data gathered during feasibility research could remain the...

Genevieve Swart

October 2024

Local Business

Family business Outdoor Furniture Taren Point celebrates 50 years of trading

Regular Illawarra Flame advertiser Outdoor Furniture Taren Point is celebrating an incredible 50 years in business tomorrow, Saturday, October 5. Join the crew in store at 2/141-151 Taren Point Road to enjoy a free sausage sizzle, cake and lucky...

Genevieve Swart

October 2024

Arts & culture

AUSTI. dancers poised to turn Coalcliff hall into a moving arts hub

Coalcliff is set to become a moving arts hub, with AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre poised to reside full-time in the community hall on Lawrence Hargrave Drive. It’s the first permanent home for the 14-year-old contemporary dance company and...

Genevieve Swart

October 2024

News

Women, politics and the media: How far have we come?

Tania Brown looks set to make history as the first woman to be Lord Mayor of Wollongong. She forms a trio of Labor Party women who’ve been the first to bust the glass ceiling in local politics – in 2004, Sharon Bird became the first woman MP for...

Genevieve Swart

September 2024

What's On

Illawarra Festival of Wood turns into Woodfest Workshops & Markets

The popular Illawarra Festival of Wood has turned into Woodfest Workshops & Markets. It’s back at Bulli Showground on October 19 and 20, thanks to longtime Coledale locals Suzanne and Stuart Montague. “We have lived in the Illawarra since 1987...

Genevieve Swart

September 2024