Author: James Wilson

Computer technician-turned UFC fighter, Ben Nguyen will look to make his debut in Melbourne later this year after using social media to secure a position in UFC 193. The crowd favourite, known as ‘Ben 10’, reached internet stardom in March after knocking out ‘tattooed bully’ Julz the Jackal. The video of his triumph reached all corners of the Internet, and he soon became the people’s champion on social networking sites like Reddit. The 26-year-old fighter who, despite only making his Octagon debut a fortnight ago in Adelaide, attracted almost 50 per cent of voting when The Daily Telegraph recently ran an…

The sounds of Africa are set to fill the Wollongong air. The Kwaya African Children’s Choir will preform at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Sunday night. The choir is a ensemble of disadvantaged children from different communities in Uganda, and has been running for over 30 years. Sponsored by churches and charity organisations, the group tours the world, preforming authentic African music that is full of drums and rhythm. The event is a showcase of more than 1000 performers, and brings together 26 choirs from across Africa. ARIA nominated artist Kate Miller-Heidke will feature on the night, and will top off…

New South Wales has been identified as one of Australia’s messiest states. According to the National Litter Index, NSW had 10.24L of rubbish per thousand square kilometres in 2014 – the most in the country. Queensland is the worst offender when it comes to rubbish items per thousand square kilometres, topping the list with 72. Cigarette butts account for 46 per cent of all litter in Australia, and each butt takes one to five years to decompose. The statistics have prompted significant changes to be made in waste disposal and the littering culture. Last Wednesday’s Earth Day raised awareness for the…

The world woke to the distraught wails of teenage girls (and NSW opposition leader Luke Foley) this morning following news of the departure of One Direction heartthrob Zayn Malik. Fans have taken to social media, tweeting, Facebooking and Instagramming their reaction to the world. Tweeters used the occasion to voice their concerns on the seriousness of the situation saying; You guys are worrying about tornados???? WHEN ZAYN MALIK IS LEAVING 1D, you guys need to get your priorities straight!!!! — mariela (@mariielaaaa_) March 25, 2015 After crying at school, the pet store, and grocery store, I came home to…

One of Wollongong’s best loved trees has been uprooted in Belmore Basin during the region’s recent wild weather. The 200 year-old fig tree came crashing down into the harbour-side car park in the early hours of Wednesday morning, ripping up the concrete and metal grating that covered it. Tree removalists on the site say its un-doing was due to a short root ball, as the previously relocated species couldn’t attached itself to the foundation enough to survive the gale force winds. Locals walking past expressed their disappointment at the now empty waterfront location, voicing concerns for the future of the popular…

The Wollongong Bulldogs Australian Football Club has been frantically trying to raise money in an effort to keep its place in the South Coast AFL. The club is heading into its eighth season $12,000 in debt to its governing body and has been told to pay up or not take the field. This has led to a series of fundraising efforts from the young team and also a contentious debate over the legitimacy of the finances.