Wollongong Man Avoids Jail in COVID Grant Fraud Case A man from Wollongong, Australia, narrowly escaped a jail sentence after getting caught up in a COVID grant fraud scheme orchestrated by his lover. The scheme involved submitting false applications for financial relief intended to help businesses impacted by the pandemic. The man, identified as Weir,…
How Retro: Chickenpox Cases Reported at Two Illawarra Schools Recent reports indicate that cases of chickenpox have been identified at two schools in the Illawarra region. While not a notifiable illness, it is still a cause for concern among parents and educators. This resurgence of chickenpox, along with other illnesses such as slap cheek and…
Illawarra Sports High School out to return to its ‘basketball heyday’ Illawarra Sports High School is determined to regain its reputation as a powerhouse in basketball. The school, located in New South Wales, Australia, has a rich history of producing talented basketball players, but in recent years, the program has faced some challenges. The school’s…
Spring 2022 vs 2023: Are home values up or down in your Illawarra suburb? The Illawarra region is experiencing a mix of trends in home values comparing Spring 2022 to Spring 2023. While some suburbs have seen an increase in property values, others have experienced a decline. One notable finding is the increase in home…
The Illawarra firefighter battling bears and bushfires in Canada In a remarkable display of bravery and dedication, an Illawarra firefighter has been dispatched to Paddle Prairie, located north of Keg River in Canada, to assist in the ongoing efforts to control devastating bushfires. The firefighter is currently facing the daunting challenge of battling not only…
‘Let me in. I have a gun’: Armed man took hostage in North Wollongong siege An armed man, identified as Leal, caused a siege situation in North Wollongong on October 27 last year. Leal allegedly approached a man at around 11am and demanded entry into a building, saying, “The cops are coming. Let me in….
The Illawarra Employer Providing Housing for Workers to Foster Connection In an effort to address the challenges of loneliness and isolation faced by migrant workers, a company in the Illawarra region has taken a unique approach to support their employees. Warrigal, an employer in the area, has made housing arrangements for their workers to ensure…
How Libby Ruge’s memory will live on at her Wollongong high school The tragic incident involving Libby Ruge, Tye West, and Eva Harrison has left a lasting impact on the community, particularly at their Wollongong high school. The person responsible for the accident, Jaskaran Singh, has been found guilty of dangerous driving causing Libby’s death,…
Rising bushfire threat, but Illawarra’s preparations are behind schedule The Illawarra region is facing an increasing bushfire threat, but unfortunately, the preparations to mitigate this threat are behind schedule. According to local fire authorities, there is a very fine line between conditions being too dry to burn and the ideal window for conducting necessary preventative…
Wollongong Council Facing Criticism for Abandoning Pest Deer Policy The Wollongong Council is under scrutiny for its decision to abandon its pest deer policy, despite the issue gaining national attention. The move has sparked concerns among residents and experts who believe that having a clear and effective policy on feral animal management, especially when it…