Latest statistics show that, on average, almost one in five first year students will drop out before completing an autumn and a spring session at University. So we look at exactly why so many freshman can’t deal with university life. 1. Students are mostly really, really poor If you’re a university student and your parents aren’t particularly wealthy, you’re probably going to have to work part-time. Part-time and casual hours can be inconsistent and financially unrewarding. Most first year students are 17 or 18 and trying to make a start in life, and earning a full-time salary can be much…
Author: Cameron Warner
SeaStills is the visually stunning new project from Thirroul photographers Ray Collins and Chris Duczynski, it includes crystal clear gorgeously lit still pictures and video of the guys in treacherous waters getting the shots. Qantas will show the film as in flight entertainment for the next three months, and surf site SwellNet shared the video, but Duczynski has bigger plans for it, he told the mercury he will enter an extended version into the New York and San Diego surf film festivals. The film doesn’t showcase any actual surfing, focusing more on the natural beauty and power of an undisclosed break somewhere on the South…
The former managers of Castros and Industry can’t see a new gay bar opening up in Wollongong any time in the near future. When Wollongong’s newest nightclub The Garden opened in June it did so on the former site of a night spot that was important to many in the community. Before the two-storey Victoria St building was The Garden it was Industry, and Castros before that. While the Wollongong Nightlife Group’s Castros identified itself as a gay bar, the company funding industry, Metro Entertainment, described is as a queer-friendly spot. “It was a place to feel safe and free…
Speak Easy is a blending of performance, music and artworks unlike anything currently on offer in the Illawarra. UOW artist Aaron Hull created the event to showcase the blending of artwork in a completely new light. Speak Easy runs until 1 November at Project Art Space at UOW.
This week Wollongong is offering a smorgasbord of upbeat musicians to dance to, and if you’re willing to travel to Sydney there are plenty of laughs to be had: CROOKED COLOURS Sydney’s Lepers & Crooks are teaming up with Brisbane-based Barefoot Alley for The Raw Tour. The guys will be playing a massive 30 shows in 40 days and this Wednesday it’s Wollongongs’ turn, catch them at Rad Bar from 7.30. ONWARDS AND UPWARDS Songsonstage is a statewide concert tour that absolutely anybody (who can hold a note) can get involved in. This Wednesday at the Balgownie Hotel,…
Rad Hardcore Sydney hardcore outfit Vices’ 2013 album Between My Mind and The World continues to gain momentum, after a tour of New Zealand and a few regional dates the SPR Tour stops the boys off at Rad Bar, Tuesday 7th October. Feel free to show off your musical or stand up comedy chops at the Balgownie Hotel’s open mic night, Wednesday 8th October. Missy Moo Aussie indie darling Missy Higgins is back with Oz, a collection of Australian songs reworked by the multi award-winning songstress, with the help of Dan Sultan and The Waifs to name a few. Missy’s…
The UOW leg of the National Campus Band Competition came to a close on Thursday, producing some of the biggest and best sets of the entire competition. MC’d by UOWTV Multimedia’s own Sarah Navin, the night was thoroughly entertaining and ultimately quite impressive. Winners of the Repechage wildcard round We Came For Dinosaurs kicked things off with almost a carbon copy of their set last week, not that that’s a bad thing. Georgia Broderick’s voice was on par, and originals Chasing Time and Home pleased the enormous crowd that had turned up just to see the three-piece. Basil’s Kite are…
Despite the icy winds and miserable downpour, a reasonable crowd strolled into the Unibar for the Repechage round of the National Campus Band Competition. The runners-up from the four previous rounds were scheduled but, with one pulling out, three short and sweet sets were more than enough to warm the winter chill and show the local talent-pool is very deep. Heavy Set Dub were up first, the funk-reggae outfit even boasted a didgeridoo player. They started with an excellent cover of I Chase The Devil before venturing into a few original tracks. Sentimental had a nice Australian indie-reggae vibe, similar…
Wollongong has a thriving nightlife but being a part of that can be intimidating for people with disabilities. Beau Thatcher of The House With No Steps organisation, along with Wollongong Nightlife senior manager Lu Ristov, have created the first club night in the region catered specifically to people with disabilities, in the hope it will increase their confidence and lead to a more mixed crowd overall in Wollongong’s clubs. Multimedia reporter Cameron Warner
A lot has been said about the binge drinking culture among the youth in the Illawarra. Provisional psychologist Carole Keane is running the Controlled Drinking Program at North Fields Clinic.She is aiming to give young people the knowledge to ensure they are in control of their drinking on a night out. Some students may not be getting the message. Cameron Warner – Multimedia Reporter