Everybody has a passion. Something they need, oxygen for their soul, as Bill Butler would say. What is it that you live and breathe? What drives you forward? Passion. Always passion. For some of the most driven individuals I have had the pleasure to know, it’s music. There’s something so inspiring about the passion of a musician. Diving deep into one of the most over-saturated and competitive industries in the world with not a thought for the struggle to come, because to them, it doesn’t matter. Fame, wealth and success aren’t things situated in the heart of a true musician.…
Author: Ashleigh Gallagher
The University of Wollongong has recently launched a new Swim Club, led by student volunteers, to help students build water confidence in a relaxed and social environment. The presence of a swim club at UOW has been missing for the last few years, despite the University’s coastal setting. Recognising that many students come from regional areas and include international exchange students, a dedicated group at the University of Wollongong sought to create opportunities for building water confidence. UOW Swim Club president Lachlan Schier said that the club activities promotes positive mental health. “We try to keep it pretty social here,…
International students and university representatives have voiced their concerns regarding the cap on international students in tertiary institutions. The Federal Government recently announced international students in Australia will be limited to 270,000 from 2025. However, students previously enrolled in tertiary or vocational training education will remain unaffected. Compared to last year’s numbers, government figures show there will be a decrease of just over fifty thousand international students in 2025 due to the cap. University of Wollongong’s Pulse group representative Kamakshi Ahuja said she was disheartened by the news being an international student herself. “It’s, of course, sad to see there…
Miss Kim Farrugia, from the Southern Highlands NSW, was set to fly from Hobart the day after 9/11 occurred. This is her story. Cover image sourced via Pexels, copyright free.
Sydney’s urban landscape is on the brink of a pet-friendly transformation, thanks to a forward-thinking proposition put forth by the City of Sydney. Under the initiative, all modes of public transport within the city may soon be accessible to our furry and feathered friends. The proposal, championed by Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, seeks to overhaul current restrictions and usher in a new era of pet-friendly commuting. As it stands, pets are only permitted on select modes of public transport, including light rail, ferries, and buses, provided one secures verbal consent from the vigilant vehicle staff. This, however, may soon be…
Services Australia has announced a rate increase for those currently receiving both Youth Allowance and Austudy payments that will mean a $40 base rate rise per fortnight from September 20. Westpac Banker, Alannah Powell said access to financial support has become difficult, and is impacting university age students. This has led many students to question the allowance and what it could mean for them in the long run. “The higher costs of living, as well as difficult access to financial support is something that forces students to work more hours in order to make ends meet,” Miss Powell said. “A…
The University of Wollongong has announced, ‘UOW’s Got Talent’ will return for students to showcase their talents this September. The competition was a success last year, and the coordinators of the show hope to bring it back bigger and better this time around. UOW music student and co-coordinator Xavier Do, 19, is hosting the show. “I’m co-organising the whole event with Mark Lenzo, who runs the Illawarra Music Foundry,” Mr Do said. “The contestants don’t have to be music students; they can bring whatever talent they’d like to the show. They get five minutes each to show off their talent,…
Young students from the University of Wollongong have discussed their opinions regarding the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ statement suggesting a potential change to the gender identity options available in the 2026 Census. The first phase of the ABS public feedback consultation has recently come to a close, and the Bureau has stated in their 2026 Topic Review Phase One that new topics including gender and sexual orientation are being considered for inclusion in the next census. UOW social science student Alex Ross, 19 said the changes were a ‘positive step forward’ . “It’s important for everyone to feel represented, and…
The University of Technology in Sydney has recently released a statement to students addressing Sydney’s newest cyberthreat, juice jacking. Public charging stations can be hugely convenient, but experts say that cybercriminals can exploit these stations for malicious purposes. Anna Aquilina, Chief Information Security Officer at UTS, has released a message to all students warning of how this cyber-scam works, and what can be done to avoid being hacked. “The port you use to charge your smartphone is the same one you can use to transfer data,” she said. “Hackers could use that connection to steal data from your phone or…