When Wollongong resident, Chloe Thompson, 17, checks her phone each morning she already knows what’s coming, another rejection, another “unfortunately”, another reminder that entering the workforce is no longer straightforward, even for the qualified. “I’ve applied for 47 jobs since January,” Ms Thompson said. “Most don’t even reply. The ones that do want three years of experience for casual work.” Her experience reflects a growing reality for young Australians that despite strong headline employment figures, the path into stable work has become increasingly narrow. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.1 per…
Author: Caprice Tesoriero
Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia, overtaking ischaemic heart disease for the first time, reshaping national health‑care priorities. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that dementia caused more than 17,500 deaths in 2024, making it responsible for more deaths than any other condition. A comparison of leading causes shows dementia accounts for 9.4 per cent of all deaths, ahead of ischaemic heart disease at 8.7 per cent and chronic lower respiratory diseases at roughly 4.8 per cent. ABS’s Head of Mortality Statistics, Lauren Moran said that the long‑term rise reflects both demographic…
A University of Wollongong research team has received $1 million in funding from the NSW Government to improve responses to problematic and harmful sexual behaviour (PHSB) amongst children and young people. The project will establish Australia’s first digital clearinghouse dedicated to PHSB, providing practice ready guidance for teachers, health workers, youth workers and carers. University of Wollongong senior lecturer, Dr Kenny Kor, who is leading the initiative, said the scale of the issue is far greater than most Australians realise. “The Australian Child Maltreatment Study showed that young people were responsible for nearly half of all child sexual abuse incidents,”…
First-home buyer activity has surged across Australia, with new Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing a 6.8 per cent rise in loan commitments for the December quarter. According to the ABS a total of 31,783 first home buyer loans were approved, being the largest quarterly increase since late 2023, as a new federal scheme and rising inner-city prices push more buyers into outer suburban markets. Source: Domain ABS head of Finance Statistics, Dr Mish Tan said in a media release the rise was broad based. “There was a strong growth across all borrower types this quarter,” she said. “The number…
Animal welfare group Animal Liberation will take to the streets of Wentworth Park this Friday in a protest against the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase (MDC) calling for an end to what they call a “dog killing industry”. Regional Campaigns Manager for Animal Liberation Lisa Ryan expressed the group’s concerns ahead of the event, highlighting the negative impact of greyhound racing on animal welfare. “The message is simple: greyhound racing is a gambling-fuelled dog killing industry that must end. The Minns minority Labor government must respond to the overwhelming evidence and growing public demands for the cessation of commercial dog racing,”…
On Tuesday, 17 September, the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) iAccelerate Centre hosted the Illawarra’s first-ever ‘STEMM Stroll’ event. The event aimed to promote and support women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). It was designed to create a supportive community by fostering connections, providing mentorship opportunities, and offering a platform for women to share their experiences. Organised in collaboration with Women in STEMM Australia and sponsored by Merck and Sicona, the event attracted over 30 participants, including academics, researchers, students, and professionals. Participants began their walk at the iAccelerate Centre, continuing through Puckey’s Estate and Squires Way,…
In a major advancement in the global battle against StrepA, Professor Martina Sanderson-Smith from the University of Wollongong and an interdisciplinary team of researchers have been awarded the Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research. The project, Protecting Young Hearts conducted by Professor Sanderson-Smith from UOW’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and the Molecular Horizons Research Institute and a team of Australian researchers aims to mitigate the effects of StrepA, specifically in vulnerable populations like Indigenous Australians. StrepA, a bacterial infection that often causes sore throats, can escalate into life-threatening conditions such as rheumatic heart disease, scarlet fever, and necrotising fasciitis.…
With the arrival of warmer weather, the Your Local Run club based in Shellharbour has experienced a significant increase in participation. This surge has not only motivated the local running community but has also had a positive impact on the local economy. Darley Street Local, a popular café in Shellharbour, has reported a substantial increase in customer traffic and revenue, attributed to the influx of club members who gather at the café after their runs. The café, located across from the public pools in Shellharbour Village, has become a hub for the running community, particularly on Wednesday mornings. Alex Rains,…
In the ever-evolving landscape of data privacy, one landmark case that has cast a revealing spotlight on the intricacies of personal information and its regulation is Telstra Corporation Limited and Privacy Commissioner. The case, which unfolded in Australia, carries significant implications for understanding the concept of “personal information” and how individuals can assert their rights over their data. The Request for Metadata In June 2013, journalist Ben Grubb, employed by Australian media company Fairfax, requested access to all metadata associated with his mobile phone service from Telstra. This request included various data like cell tower logs, call details, text messages,…