By Jessica Freeman & Anna Rixon It’s rough. A city built on the back of steel and surf, salt and smoke. From the mountains to the sea, Wollongong shifts as much as the tide sweeps. But there is one little corner that stands the course of time. A place where stories spill across the bar, where worker boots dance and scuff the floorboards. And, if you listen closely, the air still hums with the Old Council’s defence, deciding if the miners resting above are to be remembered as men or machines. Situated on the west end of town, Dicey Riley’s…
Author: Anna Rixon
In recognition of Global Climate Change Week, Australian music festivals are taking accountability for the excessive waste their events produce, reminding attendees to implement sustainable practices. The popular New Year’s festival Beyond the Valley shared an Instagram post this week, revealing the devastating amount of rubbish left behind last year. Beyond the Valley organisers have encouraged their followers to work together to reduce festival waste going forward. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyond The Valley (@beyondthevalleyfest) “These images were honestly eye opening & show that we all need to work together to look after…
UniActive is offering students free reformer pilates classes throughout Mental Health Month. Forbes reported in 2022 that pilates is the fastest-growing exercise genre in Australia and New Zealand. Wollongong Studio Pilates instructor Amal Paleka believes social media and celebrity influence are the main reasons for pilates rise in popularity. “There was a period of time where a lot of celebrities were posting about reformer and how to achieve that toned, pilates figure,” Miss Paleka said. “I think, particularly for young people, pilates sort of became a trend online and it has continued to grow ever since.” Unlike a lot of…
A UNSW charity concert is revitalising Australia’s music scene, following the cancellation of major festivals and growing concerns about the nation’s live music industry. The annual student-organised Jam in a Jar concert will be held at Roundhouse and is raising funds for the Sydney Children’s Hospital. UNSW student organiser Harry Crisp, 20, believes small live shows like this are key to saving the future of live music in Australia. “It’s an entry level for small aussie artists to make their way into the broader live music scene,” Mr Crisp said. “If you catch a band at a local gig, you’re…
Horse racing parties have become a trend in Wollongong, attracting university students and reigniting the passion for live racing. There have been two Kembla Grange Race day parties this year, with the last being held at the end of August. INVADES director of operations and marketing Alex Crelley said the company organises student-focussed parties on race days across the country to create fun events for young adults. “We partner with local racecourses to engage the 18 to 25-year-old demographic,” Mr Crelley said. “Young people don’t get dressed up as often as they’d like, so this event is a different way…
Wollongong residents experiencing mental health issues are being encouraged to participate in a range of outdoor free mental health groups. The trend developed after the pandemic to restore a sense of community and belonging to those suffering from a mental health disorder. Choice Mental Health service manager Brendan Reilly hosts a men’s community group called ‘Meet The Boyz’ (MTBz), a weekly catch-up for fellow mountain bike riders. Mr Reilly started the group early 2023 to combat isolation post-COVID, and create an outlet for men to comfortably discuss their mental health. “It’s so rare, especially in an Australian context, for men…
Australia is the food allergy capital of the world, with peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame being some of the leading reactive food items, according to the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Sydney resident Georgia Rixon, 26, has been allergic to nuts her whole life, and is diligent about advising staff and checking allergen contents when ordering food. “I have ordered a chicken schnitzel before, which I thought was a safe meal but after I started having a reaction, the staff told me there were hazelnuts and walnuts in the salad,” she said. “Nowhere on the menu was that…
The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) welcomed prospective students over the weekend during their open day, showcasing their state-of-the-art facilities. The open day included guided tours of the academy, information sessions, student-led food stalls, sporting matches, training demonstrations, and interactive displays. Second-year Officer Cadet Sterling Thompson, 20, shared his highlights from the event, including a rugby game between Art and Science students. “The section attack on the parade ground was also very good,” Mr Thompson said. “It’s great for the visitors to understand what happens in the army and what your role could be if you join. As for those…