Working in hospitality is common amongst university students: cleaning dishes, working behind a bar, waiting tables, it’s almost a rite of passage, a way of earning some cash and developing independence and a work ethic. But hospitality can also be toxic. Studies show that sexual harassment and gender-based violence are pervasive issues within the hospitality industry. A recent report by the United Workers Union (UWU) found that 47 per cent of hospitality workers in South Australia had experienced sexual harassment at work. And in recent weeks, investigations by leading news organisations into Sydney’s hospitality industry have shown just how pervasive…
Author: Tallulah Brassil
Courage to Care is the latest effort to resolve a collection of paintings and artworks tied to Nazi Germany from Wollongong Art Gallery’s history. A 2022 investigation into renowned Wollongong art donor Bronius ‘Bob’ Šredersas revealed he was a Nazi intelligence officer during the Second World War before immigrating to Australia in 1950 and concealing his identity. Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the Šredersas collection, bequeathed to the Wollongong Art Gallery in 1977, allowed the Council to leverage education on the issue. “Council resolved to educate people about the Holocaust situation, but then also the general issues around humanity…
Wollongong’s diverse communities are the focus of a new contemporary festival set for Saturday October 21. Culture Mix’s cause is to celebrate diversity through music, dance, art and food from across the world. Wollongong City Council event specialist Belinda Morris said the festival is focused on both the traditional and contemporary elements of culture. “The thing that we’ve really tried to focus on is making it a real collaborative opportunity for programming, so we’re working really closely with our multicultural community groups and our First Nations groups to be involved in the direction of the program,” Mrs Morris said. “It…
A recent report by Monash University’s Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI) has revealed Australians purchase on average an estimated 27 kg of new fashion and textiles each year, twice the global average of 13 kg per person. The study found this overconsumption makes Australia the second largest consumer of textiles globally, behind the US. Deputy director of MSDI Professor Rob Raven told Waste Management Review that fashion and textile industries need to become more sustainable. “This is a hard nut to crack due to international value chains and intimate connections to individual expression and lifestyle,” Mr Raven said. “But we can…
A recent report commissioned by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and WWF Australia has revealed plastic production in Australia released more than 16 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. The study found that continuing at this rate Australia’s plastic consumption and emissions will more than double by 2050. Studies like these motivate convener of Circular Plastics Illawarra and Environmental Consultant Dr Helen Lewis to work with local government and companies to phase out single use plastics. Ms Lewis said working with companies to find sustainable solutions can be a mixed bag. “Some [companies] are really progressive…
The Gong’s Great Clothes Swap returned on Saturday, September 9, encouraging the community to reuse, recycle and revamp their wardrobes. Since 2014, the Swap has saved approximately 50,000 items of clothing from becoming textile waste. For just $20, attendees can swap up to 10 unwanted items for a fresh 10 more. The remaining clothes are then kept for future events or donated to Green Connect Illawarra. In a recent report from The Australian Fashion Council, 55 per cent of garments in Australian households have never been worn. According to the Global Scan report, we see 200,000 tonnes of textiles reach…
Wollongong Art Gallery opened its doors last week to Operation Art’s Touring 50 artworks as they make their way around regional NSW. Operation Art is an initiative run by The Children’s Hospital at Westmead allowing students across the state to submit artworks which are all exhibited at Sydney Olympic Park from September. Fifty pieces created by students from Kindergarten to Year 10 are selected to be toured through regional centres before being gifted to the hospital. Art Curator for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Ivy Baddock said the artworks make those in the hospital realise there are people that care.…