New research has revealed yoga to be a significant weapon in the fight against depression. Research conducted by universities in Australia, the United Kingdom and Brazil has found yoga to be superior to other treatments, such as waitlist and attention control, in alleviating symptoms of depression. Researchers from University of South Australia, the Federal University of Santa Maria, UNSW Sydney, Kings College London and Western Sydney University defined movement-based yoga as any form of yoga where participants are physically active at least 50% of the time, with an emphasis on holding and transitioning between poses. Lead researcher, UniSA PhD candidate and…
Author: Katie Kells
The Reserve Bank of Australia has forecast a number of scenarios for Australia’s economy over the next few months, and high unemployment is expected to continue. While the outlook depends largely on how and when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, data suggests unemployment rates will remain above seven per cent until the end of next year. Jetts Nowra Club Manager Alanna West and a number of her employees retained full-time work thanks to the JobKeeper support payment, but Ms West was concerned about the gym’s future. “Thankfully no one has had to be laid off, but we may need to reassess…
Non-for-profit Good Will Only has started production two months earlier than expected and will provide meals to vulnerable groups in response to the recent COVID-19 outbreak. Each week up to 800 meals will be donated to local providers and the organisation said it will help those most in need across the Illawarra. The food is cooked by volunteers who have found themselves out of work during the pandemic lockdown, and sourced from suppliers affected by the reduced trade. The initiative is founded by a number of local business known as the Good Times Only group. These include Howlin’ Wolf, Dagwood Bar and Kitchen, Births…
The Federal Government has announced the development of a new tracking app that will monitor people’s movements in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus. Once downloaded, the app will use bluetooth beacons to identify and store information about who you’ve come into contact with. If you, or someone you’ve had close contact with, tests positive for COVID-19, officials will be able to rapidly trace and notify those affected. In Singapore, a trial of the app, Trace Together, has been released with some success, now reaching over one million users. A publication by researchers at the University of Melbourne has…
The daily lives of Australians are dramatically changed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. This Easter in the Illawarra will be unlike any other, with social distancing restrictions putting an end to the traditional festivities. In a press conference at Parliament House, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of maintaining social distancing. “Stay at home. Failure to do so this weekend would completely undo everything we have achieved so far together, and potentially worse.” The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, also advised that the usual celebrations with family and friends could lead to an increased spread of the…
Wollongong Art Gallery has celebrated its 40th anniversary with the opening of the immersive Bob Sredersas exhibition titled THE GIFT. The exhibition features more than 100 fine works, including antique china and Pacific artefacts, that were donated to the City of Wollongong in 1976 by Bronius ‘Bob’ Sredersas, a quiet and unassuming steelworker originally from Lithuania. His donation was fundamental to the establishment of Wollongong City Gallery, now one of the largest regional galleries in Australia. Exhibition curator, Anne-Louise Rentell, said: “In an age where the existence of cultural institutions in our cities is taken for granted, one man’s transformative act of…