Alex Garland’s ‘Civil War’ holds a mirror to the domestic and global impact of political polarisation in America
Alex Garland’s new speculative film is generating discussions on social media about the likelihood of a second American civil war as the country becomes increasingly politically divided. A 2022 YouGov poll found that two in five Americans believe a civil war in the...
Crowdfunding saves local art space ‘Society City’
https://soundcloud.com/kyle-turner-683017201/crowdsourcing-saves-local-art-space-society-city Local Wollongong art space 'Society City' has raised over $5,000 within two weeks to keep their doors open. The non-profit managed to raise these funds to pay off rent debt...
Demystifying culture shock for higher research students
Embarking on a Higher Degree Research journey presents many obstacles, with a variety of factors that are often overlooked. Jo Pye has spent the past 30 years away from the classroom, developing her career the best way she knows how. Now Ms Pye is returning, juggling...
Dude, where are my wheels?
Minette Kirkegaard had recently begun university when she found herself victim to a series of unfortunate events. This short audio feature recounts the emotions and challenges of student life when things go wrong. Warning: this story contains explicit language....
Lost in illusion, or awakened reality? The story of a trip
While on a cosmic voyage into a realm of taboo and darkness, Shawn (not his real name) takes a chilling peek behind the curtain. As he questions the very origins and limits of reality, his narrative sketches a portrait of life lived in the shadows of liminality. "Is...
2024 Splendour in the Grass cancelled – what does that mean for live music workers?
Live music workers in Australia received unexpected news last week about the ‘2024 Splendour in the Grass’ music festival. The North Byron Parklands based festival was cancelled two weeks after the official line-up was posted. The reason was due to unexpected events....
High road safety risks concern Wollongong drivers
There has been an increase in the death toll on Australian roads, according to a report from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE). The total number of road fatalities in Australia reached 1,266 in 2023, which is the highest it has been...
Could medical cannabis be the future of medicine?
Medical cannabis use has a growing acceptance, with legislative changes revealing a new era of treatment for Australians. Chronic pain, insomnia and bad appetite were issues for medical cannabis user Nathan Mileto, 22, who prior to taking the drug had relied on...
LGBTQIA+ community more likely to experience mental illness
The Australian LGBTQIA+ community experience mental illness at a rate two to four times higher than the broader population, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The 2020-2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing found three in...
Wollongong’s economic growth boosted by diners
Wollongong is fast becoming an entertainment hub with an increase in spending on eating out and leisure activities, according to new figures by Wollongong City Council (WCC). WCC has released an Economic Insights Report earlier this year, wrapping up the city’s...