The path from playground to prison cell is shorter than it should be, and far too well-trodden for some children in the Illawarra. By the time some youth hit their teens, their names are already known to police, courts, and youth detention. In a modest office in Wollongong’s south, youth mentor Jacinta Milne flicks through a well-worn notebook. Names, dates, court appearances, some names are repeated more times than she wants to count. “I’ve worked with kids who’ve been in front of a magistrate before they’ve finished year six,” Ms Milne said. “Then they’re back again, same charges, same…
Author: Sophie Wright
Youth crime in the Illawarra is rising sharply with data showing a consistent increase in offences committed by children and teenagers since 2021. Local authorities and community organisations have warned that the trend reflects more than just criminal behaviour. According to youth worker Natalia Ferris the statistics have highlighted cracks in the system with many young offenders repeating the cycle of crime. “We’re seeing more organised group activity, some of it escalating to violent incidents with the same kids,” Ms Ferris said. “Social influence plays a huge role, many of these kids are chasing attention, not thinking long-term.” The…
The sausage sizzles have long cooled and the ballots have been counted, and while the 2025 federal election has delivered its winners, in the Illawarra’s Cunningham electorate, the results suggest a deeper shift, with voters recalibrating. Long considered a Labor stronghold, Cunningham has once again returned a Labor MP. But behind the headline, Labor’s primary vote has risen to 45 per cent, which is slightly higher to that of previous years, while The Greens rose to 20.2 per cent in the electorate. The result it seems reflects a growing appetite for alternatives, particularly among younger voters. Among those casting a ballot…
Escalating housing costs and limited affordable accommodation are increasingly influencing UOW graduates’ decisions to remain in the Wollongong area post-graduation. UOW boasts a strong graduate employment rate, with 87% of graduates securing full-time employment within four months of completing their studies. Despite this success, there is limited data on the percentage of these graduates who choose to stay and work in the Illawarra. Anecdotal evidence suggests that housing affordability plays a crucial role in this decision-making process. Recent alumni, Kathrine Reynolds said that when choosing from the opportunities provided to her post-graduation, finances including house prices played a big factor.…
Image source: https://www.ruleoflaw.org.au/crime/criminal-trial-processes/criminal-law-processes-court-jurisdiction/youth-koori-court/ In the solemn theatre of the courtroom, where every word is weighted and each gesture scrutinised, it is the lawyer’s and barrister’s role to craft a narrative, to engage the judge in a delicate dance of legal arguments, all with the aim of securing the best possible outcome for their client. The atmosphere is tense, and formal, with every eye in the room trained on the key players; every set of eyes, that is, except for one. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the simple act of avoiding eye contact is not a sign of…
As the final weeks of the cool weather fade, sports enthusiasts across Wollongong are swapping their football boots for their budgie smugglers and surfboards. With no cold weather in sight, the region’s winter sports typically revolve around codes like rugby league, soccer, hockey, and AFL. Now, as warmer weather returns, Wollongong locals are looking ahead to a the summer sports season. Winter sports leagues, which have seen intense competition throughout the colder months, are wrapping up their seasons with finals and presentation nights. The Woonona Sharks Football Club recently concluded their final matches, taking gold in the competition. Sharks player…
The recent cancellation of major music festivals Spilt Milk and Splendour in the Grass and the postponement of Yours & Owls has sparked a resurgence in Wollongong’s live music scene, diversifying the music culture. The scrapping of these festivals has created a boom among smaller venues and community-driven initiatives, now experiencing a revival as they draw both artists and audiences back to more intimate, local settings. Event planner Isabella Lim expressed that the cancellation of the major festivals has breathed new life into the local scene. “We’re seeing artists and audiences reconnecting in smaller, more intimate venues, which is…
Minette Kirkegaard had recently begun university when she found herself victim to a series of unfortunate events. This short audio feature recounts the emotions and challenges of student life when things go wrong. Warning: this story contains explicit language.
Students and staff have raised concerns that the University of Wollongong campus will restrict building and carpark access to facilitate arrangements for the Yours and Owls festival on the weekend of the 14th of October. The UOW library is expected to be partially closed off during the event, and staff and students wanting to access library facilities will need to show their university identification to gain access to the campus library. UOW student Paige Jenkins said she is disappointed in the timing of Yours & Owls as students approach their final assignments and exams. “It is very inconvenient as my exams…
The purpose of Privacy Law in Australia is to regulate how personal information is to be handled, processed, stored and shared by both organisations. Privacy laws play a crucial role in maintaining a balance between data-based technologies and protecting the rights and freedoms of individuals in an increasingly digital Australian society. What are the laws surrounding privacy in Australia? The main source of law protecting Australia’s privacy is the Privacy Act 1988. The legislation regulates the management of personal data, such as taxation and medical records. Additionally, the Privacy Act promotes the transparency and accountability of how organisations and government…