UOW Wellbeing has announced a free Mental Health First Aid training for University of Wollongong students and staff. The training is valued at around $250-$300 when completed in the community. The in-depth program equips people with the knowledge of how to respond and what to do when someone comes is in need of help. UOW Wellbeing coordinator, Rosalie Milne, says the program provides information about mental health conditions and how to identify them. “It a relatively in-depth and extensive training helps you respond appropriately when put in that situation … to sit, listen and to make them feel valid.” Spots…
Author: Kirstie Wellauer
Landlords and tenants are calling for changes in rental laws across the country, with some claiming Australian tenants have fewer rights than renters in other countries. Census data shows that renting is on the rise with 31 per cent of Australians living in a rental property compared to 27 per cent in the 1990s. With housing prices sky-rocketing, students and young people are forced to move back into home or live in share houses. However, some young tenants are often unaware they are not protected by law. Illawarra and South Coast Tenants Service team leader Warren Wheeler has called for…
The NSW Government has referred the state’s consent laws to the Law Reform Commission following an ABC Four Corners episode into a high profile-rape trial. This aims to redefine consent. The potential model of ‘enthusiastic consent’ was described by NSW Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Pro Goward. She says “You must explicitly ask for permission to have sex.” “If it is not an enthusiastic yes, then it’s a no.” So what is enthusiastic consent?
(Image: Catheline Froelich) Changes to the Great Barrier Reef environment are beginning to have an impact in southern waters, according to experts. Dr Marian Wong from the University of Wollongong’s Centre for Sustainable Ecosystems Solutions said increases in appearances of tropical species in the south is concerning. “Many juvenile tropical fish from the north are being ‘washed down south’ by the East Australian Current, and some of those are surviving over winter because of the warmer temperatures in the south,” she said. She said the presence of these tropical species further south will impact species living in southern reefs and could…
Tryouts kick off at the University of Wollongong this week for the new UniSports Nationals Championships. It is the first year of the rebranded UniGames with new divisions and a new look for UOW. (Source: UOW UniActive Facebook) The vision of the new strategy, according to Australian University Sport, is “healthy, active, engaged and well-rounded university students” in an attempt to move beyond the binge drinking culture commonly associated with the games. However, some students do not want to give up their drinking games, believing the changes will deter students from participating this year. For information on trials go to the…
Concerns have been raised about Australia’s potential dependance on Chinese students in its high education sector. Education is Australia’s third largest export industry, with around 80,000 students coming to study in 2017, according to the federal Department of Education and Training, The inaugural ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Australia Education Dialogue, held today in Penang Malaysia, highlighted Australia’s heavy reliance on Chinese international students. Nationally, 44 per cent of international students come from China, but 48 per cent of University of Wollongong international students come from China. The dialogue has raised concerns about the potential negative impact on the Australian…
Guiding Art is an exhibition produced by the volunteer guides of Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Art Centre. It is a showcase of print, paint, paper craft, ceramics, quilting and photography. The exhibition celebrates the talents of volunteer guides and shares their engagement with art. Gallery Director Belinda Hanrahan said the guides are the “heart and soul” of Hazelhurst. The volunteer guides learn and share knowledge on exhibition works within the gallery and provide the community with a greater understanding of each work. Ms Hanrahan said the exhibition allowed the community to view the volunteer as more than guides, but as…