Australian historic institutions are surviving the digital age, particularly when it comes to finding information, sources and sites, and its continuing relevance has allowed for greater sustainability. From 1865, the historic Illawarra Museum building housed the region’s Post and Telegraph Office, in a time prior to the invention of the telephone. Today the two-story building displays experiences of past lives, from a working Blacksmith’s shop, to a Stockman’s Hut. There’s also a 50s schoolroom, which is popular amongst children, as they learn how different education was prior to the introduction tablets and computers, a few short years ago. Illawarra Museum volunteer,…
Author: Thomas Panayiotou
The State Emergency Service has seen a steady rise in its volunteer program, with NSW residents taking action to support their local communities in emergencies and weather events. There was a recorded number of 11,329 SES volunteers in 2025, which is a 6.4 per cent boost from last year’s number of 10,645. SES Shellharbour volunteer, Nikki Ristoski said the volunteer registration has increased over the past year for the SES Shellharbour Unit. “We do get lots of applications; the community is seeing more members out there in orange and understanding what we do,” Ms Ristoski said. (Source: NSW SES) Due…
There are safety and security concerns as bridge management across New South Wales comes under-fire, with the government working with fund programs to prevent future calamity. A significant number of bridges in NSW are aging, having been built between the 40s and 60s, and so far are yet to be put under maintenance or renewal programs thus increasing the safety risks. Neighbourhood watch member, Paul Harrison has personal experience with flooding of the bridge in Koloona Avenue, Mount Keira. “The bridge itself was only supposed to be temporary; it was supposed to be pulled down and made into a single…
The emergence of artificial intelligence has lead to an increase in the carbon and water footprint, and is projected to compete with Australian households for water consumption within a decade. With the rapid expansion of data centres housing AI, the demand for its cooling source rises each year, leaving Australia’s drinking water at risk. The building of data centre infrastructure within Australia, such as Microsoft and Amazon Web Services, have become the primary source of AI usage. (Source: Global Data Centres Report) Computer science student, Jordan Milevski has a view on the expansion of AI in Australia. “It’s a…
Forwarding of renewable energy projects by both parliament and the corporate industries, for the future in the Illawarra, has the possibility of broadening the prospects for university students. On Tuesday, March 10, 2025, industry leaders, federal ministers, members of parliament, and other members of the research and science fields gathered at the expo at Parliament House to make plans for the Illawarra to become a renewable energy source area. The various fields of research used for these future projects allow for increased job opportunities for university students in various degrees. UOW Future Energy Network Director Ty Christopher, who attended the…
Despite it still being under construction, the Illawarra is beginning to see the positive economic and social impacts of the St George Illawarra Dragons’ new $65 million high performance facility, the Bruce Gordon Centre. The centre, scheduled for completion next year, has sparked job opportunities, tourism and excitement, especially for the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus, where the facility is situated. Upon completion, the centre will become the training base for the Dragons, with its amenities bringing the club into line with its Sydney rivals’ in having a state of the art facility. Thomas Panayiotou reports. https://youtu.be/IYxlVcBciQE
The Multicultural Communities Council Illawarra organises sports and recreational activities for all youth during the school holiday period. Youth worker of the Multicultural Communities Council Illawarra, Emily Duncan said the activities help youngsters keep fit and have fun. “We run a suite of fun programs and activities that are aimed basically to get young people outside, having fun and doing new things,” Miss Duncan said. Miss Duncan said it the events included an outdoor cinema, soccer and volleyball on the beach. “There are over 400 families that MCCI works with within the Illawarra and we are inviting as many people…
The University of Wollongong Tennis Club is giving members the chance to improve their skills on a social and competitive level. UOW Tennis Club player Ben Petrevski said the club has been playing a significant role in enhancing not only his skills but the social element of tennis. “Personally, tennis is a good way not only to burn a few calories but also to get outside and see my mates, so to me it is something very casual but still special to me,” Mr Petrevski said. “Through the club I’ve meet a new group of people who share similar thoughts…
Illawarra Junior Soccer is introducing a points-per-game system for the divisions that missed games due to weather washouts through the season calendar. Wollongong United FC, under 18s player, Patrick Vaughn has explained how the season changed with the introduction of the system in which teams progress through the ladder, instead of the normal three-point system from a win. “If you won one game you would go up like two positions on the table and if you lost you end up on the bottom of the table,” Vaughn said. Vaughn added that the main reason for the introduction of the new…
The 2024 WEMBO World Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike event will give bike riders around Australia the opportunity to reach professional status. Mountain bike rider Micah Braddock said success at the championship, to be held in Canberra this weekend, could potentially lead to sponsor opportunities and draw the attention of biking teams. “If you compete at a large event like this, riders like me and others have the chance to draw exposure and lets us show off our skills at an international level,” Mr Braddock said. “If you do well or even win the championship you could have the opportunity…