Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ in 1986, South Africa’s Macarena dance in 2010, and the 2018 French squad. These are the FIFA World Cup’s most memorable moments, this is how a tournament can bring nations together to form sporting greatness. This year the FIFA World Cup returns, played in the United States, with commentators saying it is set to be the biggest yet. Representing their country is something all professional footballers strive for, to make it to the largest stage of talent, patriotism and heart. For spectators, there is nothing like watching your country prove itself in the world arena.…
Author: Hugh Regan
Millions of Australian workers will start next month with a pay rise, delivering a boost to household incomes amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has approved an increase in pay of 5.97 per cent, with the new base-rate being $26.44 per hour and $1,004.90 per week. An increase in award rate has also been implemented by the FWC that is likely to affect an estimated 20 per cent of the working population. Following the wage review lodged by the government, business groups, and unions, the FWC aims to assist young Australians in keeping up with rising living…
Movie lovers and binge watchers are preferring to stay at home to watch their favourite screenings, with a revenue surge amongst streaming services. Netflix has become the most popular streaming platform within the last decade and continues to achieve new subscriptions weekly. Business of Apps has identified the trend in revenue over the past decade as Netflix gained a 15.7 per cent increase in 2024 up from the previous year, indicating that viewers are still keen to watch films at home. Netflix subscriber Kerrie Braithwaite said she prefers to watch things from the comfort of her own living room. “It…
The Dire Theatre at The Forge in Gwynneville has brought an adaptation of George Orwell’s classic 1984 to the big stage. The show brings together local talent in the theatre group, providing Wollongong’s acting to the world renowned novel. Lead actor of the production Ben Buenen gives an overview on the venue and how the audience experiences the theatrical atmosphere. “The Forge in Gwynneville, it’s a fantastic theatre. It’s a very small space, so we sort of had to adapt around that as well which means the benefit for this one is we get our audience very up close and personal…
A former journalist has said becoming a foster carer during the COVID-19 pandemic changed her understanding of the stories she once reported on from the outside. Belinda Cleary said her experience caring for children during the 2020 lockdown opened her eyes to the emotional complexity of foster care and the need for more carers across Australia. While continuing her work reporting for the Daily Mail, Ms Cleary became a foster carer during the pandemic, balancing both roles at the same time. Ms Cleary said fostering had reshaped both her personal and professional perspectives. “Looking at foster care from the outside…
Australia’s gambling culture has become an increasingly serious issue, as teenagers find themselves drawn to betting. With gambling services easily accessible, young adults between the ages of eighteen and nineteen are losing on average $320 annually. Children as young as 12 have also been found to be playing their hand at gambling, with almost one in three in the age group admitting to betting. The Australian Institute has identified the popular forms of gambling and highest expenditure for twelve to seventeen-year-olds in Australia, with sports betting and scratchies becoming the most targeted ways of spending. North Nowra Tavern employee William…
IMAX cinemas are on the rise as movie enthusiasts give a big thumbs up to spending more on premium viewings of new films. With a plethora of movies coming to IMAX screens, the market for high-quality and immersive experiences is gradually increasing. Following COVID-19, standard cinemas have and continue to struggle to recover. Intel Market Research projects a 10.6 per cent increase of Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in IMAX demand by 2031. University of Wollongong screen media student, Aidan Groves attributes the success of IMAX to expanding technologies. “People want to see these movies in the best format that’s…
There has been an increase in road fatalities this year, with statistics showing a significant average increase. According to latest figures from the National Road Safety Data Hub, 103 people died on Australian roads in February 2026 alone, a figure 6.8 percent higher than the five-year February average. Over the 12 months ending February 2026, total fatalities reached 1,336 deaths, representing a 4.4 percent increase, up on the previous year. Shoalhaven City Council spokesperson Aidan Groves believes road safety has lost its significance. “People are just reckless and do not care for themselves or others when getting behind the wheel,”…
The Australian Prime Minister’s XIII side have retained their unbeaten run against the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister’s XIII with a 42-20 win in the capital of Papa New Guinea, Port Moseby, on Saturday. The Australian line-up, although hindered due to the Australian Kangaroos selection for the 2024 Pacific Championships, were able to put on a dominant display after conceding two tries to Papua New Guinea within the first ten minutes. With a team consisting of semi-unproven rookies such as Newcastle Knight’s Fletcher Sharpe, West Tiger’s Lachlan Galvin and Canberra Raider’s Kaeo Weekes, the Australian outfit were explosive in their…
St George Illawarra Dragons coaching and supporting crews are holding their breathes for North Queensland Cowboys star centre, Valentine Holmes, whom is contracted to the Dragons from 2025, after he collapsed in his team’s elimination semi final against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night. The star Origin representative put on an all-time finals display for his team, scoring two tries, leading the Cowboys in line breaks and racking up 153 running metres. Trailing the Sharks 26-18 with less than three minutes remaining, the Cowboys struggled to get into opposing territory and when fifth tackle come about, halfback…