The journey of an artist blacksmith
A Wagga Wagga man is keeping alive the tradition of blacksmithing by breathing new life into an old craft. John Wood designs and creates sculptures and art combining old and new techniques in his backyard shed. His obsession with medieval metalwork began after...
Singing through quarantine with the Engadine Musical Society
As the lights go down on live community theatre, Engadine Musical Society has experienced a virtual curtain call as they staged their first instalment of Singing Through Life. Singing Through Life is an at-home concert series created by Engadine Musical Society (EMS)...
Local dance studios finally return after covid shutdown
Illawarra dance studios have returned to a new normal, after taking their classes online during social distancing restrictions. Unanderra's Dance Affinity is one studio that shut down all face-to-face lessons on March 21 due to covid-19. Owner and teacher Teagan...
Kiama Leisure Centre re-opens due to covid-19 restrictions easing
The Kiama Leisure Centre is planning to re-open with a two-phased approach due to Covid-19 restrictions easing. Non-contact and social distancing activities will take place during the first phase of re-opening and from July 1 the second phase will allow contact...
Artists and students collaborate for new public art projects in Corrimal
A community art project that combines the creativity of local students and professional artists has seen two new art installations in Corrimal. A poetry exhibition and mural has been created under the Cultural Development Program funded by Wollongong City Council The...
Illawarra bands use Instagram in lieu of live concerts
Illawarra bands and musicians have continued to use social media tools to perform live music while coronavirus restrictions are still in place. Wollongong band Lemon Row has organised an Instagram live show on Friday to celebrate the second anniversary of its...
NSW govt lifts internal travel restrictions to boost the regions
Regional travel within NSW will be allowed from June, but some businesses fear capacity limits will still slow tourism revenue. Businesses have less than a fortnight to prepare for increased tourism after the NSW government announced on Wednesday morning that holiday...
Destination Wollongong declares: ‘We’re Open’
The easing of NSW travel restrictions has provided regional tourism industries a chance to recover following a two-month stand still, according to the Illawarra's peak tourism body. From the start of June, museums, galleries, and libraries are allowed to reopen and...
Future of journalism in doubt following newsroom closures
According to an article published in The Guardian on 18 May 2020, 150 Australian newsrooms have shut since January 2019. As the news media landscape continues to collapse under COVID-19 restrictions and dwindling readerships, hundreds of journalists lose their jobs as...
Highlands winery was a tour target, then COVID-19 hit
After years of drought, a summer of bushfires and now a global pandemic, wineries in the Southern Highland are feeling the strain. Winemaker and manager at Tractorless Vineyard Jeff Aston said his business depended heavily on tours and tastings to keep afloat....