On Australian beaches , the red and yellow flags have become a symbol of safety. Lifeguards repeat the message every summer: swim between the flags . Despite decades of warnings and public awareness campaigns , Australians are still drowning outside patrolled areas at alarming rates . Surf Life Saving Australia recorded 154 coastal drowning deaths in the past year, with every death occurring either outside patrol times, away from the flags , or on unpatrolled beaches. For some visitors and migrants, the issues are not necessarily recklessness, but confusion . Surf Lifesaver and North Wollongong Chief Training Officer, Manuel Schuldt…
Author: Amelia Brennan
As rent and grocery prices continue to soar across the Illawarra, questions are growing around whether Australia’s JobSeeker payment is enough to cover basic living costs. The current maximum JobSeeker payment for a single person without children is approximately $808 per fortnight, according to Services Australia. Meanwhile, median rental prices in Wollongong continue to rise, placing increasing pressure on low-income households. The median rental price in Wollongong sits at around $750 per week, or approximately $1500 per fortnight. Data comparing average rental prices with fortnightly JobSeeker payments highlights the growing gap between welfare support and housing affordability in regional cities,…
Hazard reduction burns are expected to increase across New South Wales this year, following a wet season that significantly limited fire prevention efforts. According to the NSW Parliament Fire Season Statement, only around 25 per cent of planned hazard reduction work was completed due to prolonged rainfall and flooding. These conditions reduced the number of safe opportunities to conduct controlled burns, which are critical in lowering fuel loads and preventing large-scale bushfires. Only 25 per cent of planned hazard reduction work was completed due to wet weather. Wollongong’s Fire and Rescue station officer Phillip Parker said the impact of last…
University of Wollongong research has raised concerns about the consistency of ADHD diagnoses, with findings suggesting that many psychologists may not be fully adhering to established clinical guidelines. The study found that while approximately 75 per cent of psychologists reported following diagnostic guidelines, while less than half (48.6 per cent) consistently applied all recommended assessment components in their practice. This gap highlights a discrepancy between what clinicians believe they are doing and what is actually occurring during assessments. Note: Reported vs actual adherence to ADHD diagnostic guidelines Surveying 322 psychologists, the research also revealed inconsistencies in how ADHD is evaluated.…
Destination Wollongong is forging new attractions for the region introducing a new mountain bike trail to join the growing list of tourist drawcards for the area. Tourism business development manager Tracy Pascoe said the bike trail is expected to be opened at the end of the year. According to Ms Pascoe the main priority for the city is the emphasis on investing in tourism infrastructure, that aligns with their destination management plan. “By fostering a robust local economy, we can enhance amenities for both residents and visitors, creating a better quality of life and a more attractive destination,” Ms Pascoe…