Fashion met sustainability at the Salvation Army during this year’s National Op Shop Week in Wollongong. Op shops across the country took part in the initiative to raise awareness about the stores and the programs they fund. Reducing, recycling, and re-purposing goods was the focus at Salvos Stores this year. Wollongong Salvos store manager Rebekah Shoobert said a visit from the organisation’s style ambassador, Faye De Lanty, on Monday showcased transformations of second-hand items. “She came down and she revitalised things. So, from shoes – making them blingy or cutting them, to restyling shirts or just showing what you can…
Author: Olivia Gee
Filmakers have sent a message to Illawarra women – get out there, be realistic and get dirty. The Women’s Adventure Film Tour stopped at the University of Wollongong last night, and featured an international collection of short films about real women and girls taking on unusual physical challenges. The festival was hosted by She Went Wild; an organisation that offers women support and advice about outdoor exploration. Illawarra ambassador for She Went Wild and founder of Bushwalk the ‘Gong Jenae Johnston said realistic expectations of women in the outdoors was an important theme across the films. “The women are being themselves…
Hunters in the Illawarra have opposed a renewed call to reclassify deer from ‘game’ to ‘pest’. As an introduced species, growing deer numbers in the region have a significant ecological impact. The reclassification would mean recreational hunters could no longer shoot deer, with poisonous baiting being the primary method of culling the invasive species. Illawarra Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA Illawarra) members claim ground shooting is the safest and most humane way to reduce the deer population. They spoke with reporter Olivia Gee about why they’re involved in sport shooting, and how it helps the environment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR8GHKh8K0k&feature=youtu.be
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/322998484″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] Illawarra and South Coast mental health and suicide prevention services will receive $4.6 million in government funding from July 1 this year. The announcement was made on Monday by Coordinare – the South Eastern NSW Primary Health Newtwork (PHN) which is responsible for allocating these funds. Coordinare’s Director of Commissioning, Andrew Coe, said the group is redirecting the way mental health services are delivered. “We went through a process of community consultations and we did an extensive health needs assessment as to where the gaps were within current service models,” he said. “What we’ve…
Personal trainers and fitness enthusiasts around the Illawarra are gearing up for a weekend of boxing, yoga and all things well-being. The inaugural Healthy Livin Festival will be held at Black Beach Reserve in Kiama this Saturday and Sunday. The event features a range of health and nutrition seminars, exercise programs and entertainment. The group behind the festival, Livin, is an Australian charity dedicated to raising awareness and support for mental illness through education and promoting active lifestyles. Co-event organiser, AJ Hatch, said that outside of the physical health benefits, the festival positively influences people who might struggle with mental…
Surfing and paddling enthusiasts made a 12km ocean trek from Stanwell Park to Thirroul on Saturday to support North Wollongong’s annual Paddle Against Poverty. This year’s event saw a slight drop in participation and a significant decrease in donations, with the event raising $7500, which is only half of what was raised last year. Ninety-five surfers, stand-up-paddle-boarders, and kayakers participated. Funds were raised for Compassion Australia, an international sponsor of children in need, and Project Purpose – Waves for Water, who supply filters for clean drinking water in disadvantaged nations. Event coordinator Daniel Hutton said increasing involvement by surfing clubs could…
The Merrigong Theatre Company is set to host performances from the Spiegeltent – a collaboration of music, comedy, cabaret and theatre. The Spiegeltent, a structure similar to a circus tent, is far removed from the common canvas circus tent, with wooden walls and mirrors lining its interior. The public will be offered a sneak peak of performances on Friday night outside the IPAC in Wollongong, while the headlining show, Velvet, will begin Saturday.
The State Government has committed $41 million to reforming the New South Wales’ greyhound racing industry over the next five years. Racing Minister Paul Toole announced yesterday the government would adopt of all but one of the Greyhound Industry Reform Panel’s recommendations. Thirty million dollars has been committed to implement the reforms, which include strict regulations for animal welfare, more accountable governance structures and a self-sustaining future for greyhound racing. “$11 million will be allocated to the integrity commission and this will be phased out by the fifth year when the industry will need to stand on its own and…
The national broadcaster has turned its attention to the place of the arts in Australia and its economy. Tuesday’s episode of Q&A on the ABC covered digital convergence and automation, but the panel and audience discussion centred on the of arts’ value in society. With the reported decline of the Illawarra’s traditional manufacturing-base, there are claim the local economy needs to better recognise the economic and social impact of the creative and innovative industries. University of Wollongong lecturer Dr Jo Law said artists working in various mediums are invaluable in this process. The development of institutions, such as iAccelerate -…