The Illawarra Flame

18/07/2025

On a cool and clear winter evening, 1st Austinmer Scout Group of all ages gathered together at their hall for an Aboriginal cultural experience, Sam Donohoe reports

https://www.theillawarraflame.com.au/clubs--community/clarence-slockee-leads-1st-austinmer-scout-troop-in-aboriginal-cultural-experience

18/07/2025

Janice Creenaune meets Kevin Donald, a long-time resident of Austinmer, who worked as a supermarket manager, but has devoted his time to the Legacy Australia organisation since 1956 and remains a stalwart supporter after 68 years of service

Janice Creenaune meets Kevin Donald, a long-time resident of Austinmer, who worked as a supermarket manager, but has devoted his time to the Legacy organisation since 1956 and remains a stalwart supporter after 68 years of service. After the Second...

17/07/2025

A new eco-cruise is giving locals the chance to explore a protected marine haven just off the coast of Wollongong, where whales, seals and seabirds gather during their winter migration. Tyneesha Williams chats to The Abyss Project creator and marine biologist Nathalie Simmonds

Abyss Scuba Diving

On 21 June, The Abyss Project launched on the first ever eco-tour of the Five Islands Nature Reserve off the Coast of Wollongong, offering tour-goers the chance to learn about the Illawarra’s marine environment and spot whales, seals, seabirds and...

17/07/2025

Amidst wild scenes, an Illawarra robotics team representing 20 regional schools went "ballistic" with "lots of screaming" when they were named the best of the best against 600 teams made up of some of the world's smartest young minds, Jeremy Lasek reports

Congratulations to Project Bucephalus Robotics - FLL and FRC!

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17/07/2025

Stanwell Park ceramic artist Alexandra Neville is inviting the community to attend the launch of her debut solo show, "where the light slips", at Clifton School of Arts

Stanwell Park ceramic artist Alexandra Neville will launch her debut solo show, where the light slips, with a free opening event at 6pm on Friday, July 25.

16/07/2025

"Whilst this species is generally shy, they are quite recognisable by their long, dainty tail feathers, which closely resemble those of the Emu." Find out more about Ewan Auld's Bird of the Month

The bird of the month for July is the Southern Emu-wren (Stipiturus malachurus). This tiny wren species inhabits the heathlands and grasslands spanning coastlines from southeastern to southwestern Australia. Whilst this species is generally shy...

16/07/2025

Microbats can change our world – but sadly we are also changing theirs. Backyard Zoology chats to Dr Beth Mott of Saving Our Species about lighting, cats and the need to protect local vegetation

Over the summer months I'm lucky enough to have microbats visit my yard. I have no idea where they spend the day roosting - in one of the tree hollows across the road? Someone’s shed? Under shedding bark of old growth trees? - but come dusk, they...

15/07/2025

"Keep moving!" That's the simple advice on how we can try to avoid getting diabetes from a Wollongong-based expert. Jeremy Lasek chats to Karina Bronska, from Wollongong's Young Street Medical

"Keep moving"! That's the simple advice on how we can try to avoid getting diabetes from a Wollongong-based expert. During National Diabetes Week (13-19 July) Diabetes Australia is highlighting the importance of prevention, to reduce adding to the...

15/07/2025

Friendship Days are held every Thursday at Club Thirroul. Tareyn Varley spoke to Linda O’Neill and Anne Clarke, the vice presidents of Thirroul Women’s Bowls Club, about how the group offers fun, friendship and a big blanket of support

When Linda O’Neill lost her husband Michael earlier this year, she struggled with even the simplest tasks. The two had been inseparable - her soulmate, she calls him - and when Michael died just six days before what would have been their 20th...

15/07/2025

This is the third year Helensburgh Men’s Shed has joined the Thistles Soccer Club and other Australians to walk, talk, and bring to people's attention that prostate cancer is detectable, treatable, and survivable. Paul Blanksby reports

Friday, June 13th, 6pm. It was a dark and cold night, but not stormy. Soup bouquets swirled through the Thistles clubhouse, mixing with the nostril-twinging aroma of Goanna Oil. The under-13 girls are out on the pitch, the middle-aged blokes are...

14/07/2025

What’s the difference between the Illawarra’s Urban REZ and Offshore Wind Zone? Director of Energy Futures Network Ty Christopher explains

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14/07/2025

Checking out the latest MATE Exhibitions (Modern Art Tributes on Eggs) at Stanwell Park's bush art gallery? Kieran Tapsell shares the story behind two recent additions

By Kieran Tapsell of Banksia Bushcare When the Suez Canal was being built in the 1850s, many Greeks were brought in as labourers and tradesmen. After the completion of the canal in 1869, many of them stayed in Egypt. However, after the Suez Crisis...