University of Wollongong students are experiencing long waits, complicated applications and crowded inspections in the battle to secure a rental before the new year. Wollongong’s competitive rental market continues to create barriers for students seeking to find housing off campus. Second year student, Lauren Pendergast, said she was worried she wouldn’t have anywhere to live. “We started looking early because we really didn’t have a choice, as in we were going to be homeless at the end of our student accommodation contract,” Ms Pendergast said. “We ended up paying double rent for about a month, just to make sure we…
Author: Lily Bevan
North Gong Hotel has hosted Pound Paws providing pet owners with a perfect day out with their pooches and a chance to spread awareness of adoption over shopping for a pet. Pet market stalls, a puppy ball pit and live entertainment brought the pet owning community together. First time attendee veterinarian Liz Chmurycz said she enjoyed the day. “It’s been a really beautiful event, awesome people and the dogs are so well behaved,” Ms Chmurycz said. “I’m very honoured to be involved.” The day included a strip of pet rescue stalls that focused on raising awareness about pet rescue. “I’m…
Empowerment self-defence (ESD) could be the new strategy to combat violence against women in Australia, teaching psychological and physical defence skills. ESD is a specialised form of self-defence training but there are very few providers within Australia. Program director and lead instructor of Power2SelfProtect, Dr Sally Lai said there was an absence of ESD workshops in Australia. “ESD is largely unknown in Australia, it has been around for decades in North American and New Zealand,” Dr Lai said. Dr Lai said it was vital in stop violence against women. “It aims to contribute to broader efforts to reduce gendered violence…
A drink-spiking incident has left a University of Wollongong student hospitalised, following what was supposed to be a fun night out with friends. The incident occurred on Thursday, September 5 at a popular nightlife venue. Law and International Studies student Mia Saxon was celebrating when her night took an unexpected turn. “I purchased about three drinks and got really sick really fast, and my friends had to take me to hospital, and I was there overnight.” “I don’t remember anything, which is very scary,” Saxon said. Ms Saxon discussed her concerns about reporting the incident to authorities. “The thing is…
Australia’s biggest snow resort, Perisher Valley, has announced two major areas of terrain will be closing due to warmer temperatures melting the snow. The early closure of Guthega and Smiggin Holes means the available terrain for spring skiing will be reduced. Long-term local, Liz Withers wasn’t surprised by the early closure as it’s been a much warmer August than usual. “It used to be freezing all the time, but this year we’ve had warm weather since halfway through August and this is meant to be peak time,” she said. “I can’t remember this kind of event before.” This year has…
Campus East residents are being trained in mould prevention, following a wet couple of months that drenched the Wollongong area. End of semester room inspections at Campus East, were followed by numerous reports of mould found in bathrooms, cupboards and roofs. Campus East resident Millie Ravenscroft said that the cleaning staff have been bleaching units to help eradicate the mould. “There was a point where mould was in the roof and the cleaners came in and bleached the roof,” Ms Ravenscroft said. “I didn’t even realise there was mould in the roof, so I’m glad they pointed it out and…
If you like to boogie in the dark with friends and strangers there is an event at the Thirroul Railway Institute that might get you in the groove. No Lights No Lycra ( NLNL) is a dance class that is attracting people of all ages and abilities. The popular event resumed at the end of July, after a brief hiatus, with a large turnout of die-hard beat seekers. Organiser Shay O’day said that the class can be ‘therapeutic’ for dancers. “NLNL is an individual pursuit where we turn off the lights, pump up the tunes and dance for an hour,”…