University of Wollongong journalism alum Lauren Ferri has told student journalists to “say yes to any opportunity” when navigating the media industry. Speaking to RadioU’s Harry Evans and Aimee Yavuzer, Lauren recounted her six years’ newsroom experience, with a specialisation in court reporting, which she eventually decided to pivot away from. Now working as a client manager in public relations, Lauren said her journalism career been defined by finding new outlets for the same passion. “When I was studying here, I had my heart set on features. I almost failed classes in court reporting, and then I went on to…
Author: Max McIver
“You had to look amongst the leaf litter for the koala scats. We’d be down on our knees, and searching very hard for these koala scats.” North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) president, Dailan Pugh laughed as he recalled the group’s research efforts. He describes the process of staking out high-use koala areas, which involves rummaging through layers of leaf litter on the forest floor in search of the aftermath of the camouflaged marsupials. However, it seems the close and personal method of identifying Koala frequency is a research process not favoured by the authorities. “In 2015 I looked at a…
Young musicians are preparing to take the stage at the Red Shield Appeal Concert this Saturday, where they will perform to raise funds for locals in need. https://youtu.be/m4PN8cjyIew The Wollongong Conservatorium of Music’s (WollCon) Symphonic Band will play alongside the WollCon’s Youth Flute Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, and the Wollongong Salvation Army Brass Band. WollCon Symphonic Band and flute ensembles conductor, Suzanne Cowan, said the concert is a great opportunity for the kids to apply their craft. “It’s good for them to develop a sense of community and play for charity, not just for themselves,” Ms Cowan said. Wollongong Salvation Army…
Young adults are attributing declining trust in younger demographics to the influence of social media. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ General Social Survey, in 2025 less than half of Australians aged 15-24 agreed that most people are trustworthy. The percentage of people aged 15-24, who agreed, dropped 12.6 per cent from 2020 to 2025, while ‘disagree’ responses more than doubled. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics ‘Agree’ responses across the total population dropped by 11 per cent, decreasing from 61 per cent in 2020. University of Wollongong (UOW) social work student, Jessica Bailey, 21, said the decrease in trust…
University of Wollongong researchers say applied research is becoming more prominent as spending returns to pre-COVID-19 levels. According to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, spending on research and development has seen a $2.034 billion increase from 2022 to 2024. Health science research saw the greatest per cent increase over the two years at 37 per cent, hitting $2.1 billion nationally in 2024 following the widespread drop during the height of COVID-19. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics Source: NSW Department of Education UOW Associate Head of School for Nutrition Science and Dietetics Kelly Lambert said the growing expenditure…
A digital upgrade to the New South Wales Opal system will see the streamlining of fare payments and improved access to free transport for eventgoers. The $820 million investment from the NSW government will offer a digital alternative to the long-running Opal card, as well as providing more reliable information on the busyness of upcoming services. With the planned rollout of 25,000 new Opal readers beginning in 2027, eventgoers will be able to scan valid ticket QR codes on the new readers to use the transit for free. UOW student Ewan Kendon said he consistently relies on public transport to…
The Fair Work Commission has announced plans to phase out junior pay rates for young adults within certain highly-populated industries. The changes will see entry-level employees aged 18-20 in the retail, fast food, and pharmacy industries receiving adult pay rates without the existing junior discounts. Currently, the three awards pay 90 per cent of the adult rate for 20-year-olds, 80 per cent for 19-year-olds, and 70 per cent for 18-year-olds, with even higher discounts for employees under 18. Source: Fair Work Ombudsman, General Retail Industry Award 2020, Pharmacy Industry Award 2020, Fast Food Industry 2020 The decision follows an…
With the 2026 Winter Paralympics having finished on Sunday, athletes are already looking towards the next event on the Olympic calendar – the 2028 Summer Games. Illawarra tennis coach Jayden Simpson has recently entered the wheelchair tennis arena and says preparations for the international competition have already kicked off. National wheelchair tennis champion Anderson Parker, who competed in the previous 2024 Paralympic games, began training with Mr. Simpson late last year in preparation for 2028. Max McIver · Summer Paralympics prep begins with Illawarra tennis coach In this time, Parker has been working alongside Simpson competing in international tournaments, most…
Max McIver Under the morning shadow of Mt. Kiera, at the escarpment’s foot, Wollongong’s Botanic Gardens segues the region’s warm rainforests to its bustling beachfront city. But the community hotspot meshes more than just plants and concrete. It’s easy to imagine such a landscape being reduced to cliché – described with mention of a paintbrush and endless colour indexes for various greens, some tinted yellow and some more blue. But with an exhaustive breadth of climates, flora, art, and community, it cannot be encapsulated so simply. Each habitat speaks to a history of consideration and sculpture. All heights of plants…
Helensburgh miners secured significant pay increases and improved job security on Thursday following a prolonged clash with a local employer. The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) attained a three-year enterprise agreement with Peabody Energy resolving three weeks of strikes at The Metropolitan Colliery. The agreement guarantees workers a five-percent annual pay increase for three years, and requires the mine to be fully manned with direct employees before contractors are involved in primary operations. MEU Spokesperson Ned Bukarica said the union prioritised the security of direct employment for existing and future employees. “There was a big concern that Peabody was trying…