With whale season approaching along the east coast, what better time to dive into the migration of the humpback and southern right whales. Despite the long journey, stretching thousands of kilometres, these marine mammals’ migration is more than just a seasonal event. They were saved from extinction by a journey rich in ecological science, climate change, cultural importance, and conservation victories. The Journey North Every January, some 60,000 humpback whales set out on their yearly trip from Antarctica, travelling the 10,000 km round-trip across temperate waters to Queensland, where the warm weather facilitates calving and breeding. Victoria’s Dolphin Research Institute’s…
Author: Angelina Raula
Wollongong’s smart city vision has progressed with the introduction of new initiatives, bringing the city closer to other technological powerhouses around the world. Every smart traffic light and Wi-Fi hotspot in Wollongong lies behind a developing web of sensors and data, a digital nervous system capable of redefining the way the city lives, flows, and breathes. By combining community-driven leadership with progressive technological investment, Wollongong has been laying the groundwork to become one of Australia’s top smart cities. PhD student Marc Levingston, researching smart infrastructure and data science, said the city is on a promising path, although it still has work to do.…
Australians drink an average of 1.91 kilograms of coffee per person per year, yet surprisingly, Australia doesn’t rank among the top 25 coffee-consuming countries, according to a report by Corner Coffee Shop’s 2025 Coffee Consumption. Australia’s strong café culture and growing interest in home brewing doesn’t compare to Finland, the country that tops the global charts with over 12 kilograms per person annually. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted habits significantly, with Australians consuming 37 per cent more coffee at home. Today, 65 per cent of households own a coffee machine. However, instant coffee remains dominant, accounting for 75 per cent of…
With unpaid internships becoming a stepping stone to gaining employment, university students are facing growing financial pressure to gain experience in Australia’s competitive job market. For many students, finding a job is paved with unpaid or volunteer work, with recruitment agencies such as SEEK and Indeed, now placing advertisements for internships. University of Wollongong Employability Officer, Michael Cooper has warned that students undertaking months of unpaid work may be unknowingly caught in illegal arrangements. “Many students don’t realise it, but if you’re doing unpaid work for months, that’s illegal,” Mr Cooper said. “It’s not the student who’s at fault—the responsibility…
With rising fuel costs Wollongong residents are being encouraged to take up cycling as a sustainable solution to tackle emissions and traffic congestion throughout the city. A recent surge in local fuel prices has prompted residents to consider adjusting their transportation budgets. Work, Health and Safety Graduate James Horpic has expressed his apprehension regarding the implications of the rising fuel prices. “I for one, will say it is concerning the issue of the rising cost of petrol prices, along with the cost-of-living crisis that we currently have here in Australia,” Mr Horpic said. “Particularly for those of us who must…
As the countdown begins for the 2023 Uni Sport Nationals, 43 Australian universities are set to compete across 31 different sports over seven days on the Gold Coast. Over 6,000 participants will converge on the games, to be held between September 23 to 29, with the event a fusion of individual and team competitions. Lead coach of UOWFC Robert Gold expressed his enthusiasm for both the men’s and women’s teams. “I’m really looking forward to the Uni nationals this year, the male and the female teams are looking really strong,” Mr Gold said. “[We are] looking to progress from last…
In a heartfelt effort to raise funds and awareness for cancer research, the University of Wollongong (UOW) has hosted Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. The event brought together students, staff, and community members who rallied together for the cause of fighting cancer and supporting those affected by the disease. Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is the Cancer Council Australia’s most popular fundraising event and the largest, most successful event of its kind in Australia. Cancer Council representative Melania Schuller Tate said that the funds raised during the event supported cancer-related initiatives. “One of our primary focuses is cancer research,” said Ms Schuller…