4th February, 2026
Have a little fun with it, I beg: Why Joy is Important in 2026
Ringing in the New Year with a chat about resolution no.1... 'have fun, prioritise joy, be silly.'
Read MoreHave a little fun with it, I beg: Why Joy is Important in 2026
Take your seats, cinema’s shared experience is back
Woonona lecturer Jeannine Baker teaches media production and audiovisual journalism at the University of Newcastle. Ian Fenwick is a retired grandfather from Mt Kembla who worked in business systems, while Wollongong's Lea…
Rein in old worries and start fresh: Year of the Horse on horizon
Wollongong's Vietnamese community is preparing to celebrate the most significant event on its cultural calendar – Lunar New Year, also known as Tet. While the official New Year falls on February 17,…
Behold the dance sensation you feel as well as watch
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following article contains the name of a person who has passed away. An immersive dance event is set to bring a compelling…
Council lifeguards need more funding: lives depend on it
In early January, I witnessed the aftermath of a near-drowning at Sandon Point. The council lifeguard and multiple paramedics were treating a teenage boy who had been caught in a rip current…
‘Onwards and upwards’: Sandon Point Survival Day grows for third year
More than 200 people gathered at Sandon Point on January 26 to learn, connect and show respect at a Survival Day event organised by Dharawal elder Uncle Peter Button. Organisers and attendees…
On 20th birthday, Miss Zoe’s School of Dance steps up for charity
For two decades, Miss Zoe’s School of Dance has provided a space for Illawarra dancers to embrace the joy of movement without the pressure of competition. Founder Zoe McCarthy said she set…
‘Just brilliant’: Sculpture winner rates Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival
When Fiona Ryan-Clark’s Aqua Vitae was awarded the main sculpture prize at last year’s Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival, it was more than just an accolade for a talented artist – it…
Thirroul retired headmaster awarded OAM
Reading the news, you may think the world's in trouble. But teaching in high schools around the state for 50 years provides a different perspective. “I look at the young people today…
Love, the greatest achievement of all
In the 2026 Australian Day Honours List, the Governor-General has recognised 949 people for their exceptional achievements. And for two Illawarra recipients, the greatest of these was love. Reginald Alan Young was awarded…