Wollongong news, sport and weather | Illawarra Mercury | Wollongong, NSW

Rachael Hutchinson with her daughter Tabitha and son Randall Watts.

PHOTOSStunning portraits capture the creative ways Illawarra families are spending lockdown

Ben Langford

Incident: Tim Lafai. Picture: Robb Cox/NRL Imagery

Dragons player served with AVO after allegedly punching walls in home

Tim Barrow

Damage to Wollongong Art Gallery after strong winds bring down large tree

Damage to Wollongong Art Gallery after strong winds bring down large tree

Agron Latifi

OUTBREAK: The North West Regional Hospital in Burnie, the largest hospital in North-West Tasmania.

FREELockdown: Tasmanian hospitals and retailers to close due to virus spike

Anthony Haneveer

What you need to know about COVID-19 this Easter Sunday

DIGESTWhat you need to know about COVID-19 this Easter Sunday

Gavin Stone
1hr ago

Some 46 crew onboard the Ruby Princess docked in Port Kembla, have tested positive for coronavirus. Picture: Robert Peet

46 Ruby Princess crew at Port Kembla test positive for COVID-19

Agron Latifi

The Ruby Princess could be docked at Port Kembla for longer than the planned 10 days, said NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard. Picture: Robert Peet

The troubled Ruby Princess may not be leaving Port Kembla as planned

Glen Humphries

BORN AGAIN: After he was feared dead, this little calf survived all odds and is now part of the family. Photo: Emily Gough

Farmer resuscitates calf found lifeless in creek

Jess Wallace

Electricity network standing up to power demands as people work from home

Oyster market 'falls off a cliff': thousands of tonnes unsold

Man charged under the Public Health Act in Wollongong

Helensburgh plans to mine under water catchment draw criticism from Sydney council

Rachael Hutchinson with her daughter Tabitha and son Randall Watts.

PHOTOSStunning portraits capture the creative ways Illawarra families are spending lockdown

Wollongong police target 'non-essential' road users over Easter, more health staff wanted - live updates

LIVEWollongong police target 'non-essential' road users over Easter, more health staff wanted: live updates

Jockey Jim Cassidy has looked back on the life of Might And Power who has died aged 26.

Jim Cassidy remembers Might And Power

29m ago

Safety first: Automated pedestrian crossings are now active in the Wollongong Hospital precinct to stop the spread of COVID-19. Picture: Robert Peet

Automated pedestrian crossings at Wollongong Hospital for infection control

Dr Reece Gately checking alcohol content of the disinfectant used to make hand sanitiser. Picture: Sylvia Liber

Illawarra scientists create valuable hand sanitiser for in-need community group

Graffiti on the barrier at Bulli Pass bridge. Makeshift signs have popped up around the Illawarra warning of coronavirus in the area. It's believed the signs were erected to deter non-residents to the city's beaches.

PHOTOSPhotos document how life in the Illawarra has changed amid coronavirus pandemic

China's new high for imported virus cases

1hr ago

46 Ruby Princess crew at Port Kembla test positive for COVID-19

14:25PM

The troubled Ruby Princess may not be leaving Port Kembla as planned

14:00PM

Some doctors moving away from ventilators

13:55PM

Electricity network standing up to power demands as people work from home

12:30PM

Helensburgh plans to mine under water catchment draw criticism from Sydney council

12:00PM

OUTBREAK: The North West Regional Hospital in Burnie, the largest hospital in North-West Tasmania.

FREELockdown: Tasmanian hospitals and retailers to close due to virus spike

Are children under threat from coronavirus?

Are children under threat from coronavirus?

The Ruby Princess could be docked at Port Kembla for longer than the planned 10 days, said NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard. Picture: Robert Peet

The troubled Ruby Princess may not be leaving Port Kembla as planned

The Endeavour Energy network is handling the increase in numbers of people working from home. Picture: Anna Warr

Electricity network standing up to power demands as people work from home

Sponsoring 120 meals to doctors and nurses: Peter Nicholson, Ray Tubman and the team at FinoComp 's support for health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic on Easter Sunday has been described as out of this world.

FinoComp ensures dozens of busy hospital workers don't miss out on Easter Sunday meal during COVID-19

Greg Ellis

MERCURY.NEWS.BlueScope steelworks series at the Hot strip Mill. . pic by sylvia liber. 23 March 2016

A sudden coronavirus lockdown could be the end of Port Kembla steelworks

Glen Humphries

Brad Tucker with his new puppy Luna. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

Too much puppy love not ideal for return to normal

Kimberley Le Lievre

Listen to the Couch Choir pay tribute to our COVID-19 heroes

Listen to the Couch Choir pay tribute to our COVID-19 heroes

Janine Graham

Hard road: Angel Of Truth, trained by Kembla Grange trainer Gwenda Markwell. Picture: Getty Images

Frustrating campaign for Angel Of Truth ends in Sydney Cup defeat

Tim Barrow

Incident: Tim Lafai. Picture: Robb Cox/NRL Imagery

Dragons player served with AVO after allegedly punching walls in home

Tim Barrow

In charge: ARL Commission chairman and Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

From Keira Boys High to NRL saviour, V'Landys fighting way out of crisis

TIM BARROW

Hard road: Angel Of Truth, trained by Kembla Grange trainer Gwenda Markwell. Picture: Getty Images

Frustrating campaign for Angel Of Truth ends in Sydney Cup defeat

Out in front: Electric Girl will contest Saturday's Provincial Championships final at Royal Randwick. Picture: Adam McLean.

Gwenda Markwell set for battle with Provincial's best

Cameron Mee

Watching closely: Trainer Gwenda Markwell. Picture: Sylvia Liber.

Markwell confident as Angel of Truth readies for Sydney Cup

Cameron Mee

Norfolk Island's breathtaking Emily Bay.

Hiding out on Australia's most under-rated island

Craig Tansley

Animals the world over are creeping back into cities deserted due to COVID-19. Picture: Getty Images

Where the wild things (now) are

Sarah Bekessy

Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. Picture: Getty Images

A reminder of why we travel in the first place

Carol Ann Davidson

Get the digital version of The Latest Paper

Get the digital version of the Latest PaperRead Now

Loved by parents and kids: Blue heeler pup sisters Bluey and Bingo, and their parents, Bandit and Chilli will all be appearing in Bluey's Big Play.

'Bluey's Big Play' tour, including Wollongong shows, has been postponed

Brendan Crabb

CANCELLED: The event was due to kick off in late May, and take place at various Illawarra venues. Picture: File image

FREEWollongong Eisteddfod won't take place this year, 'will be back in 2021'

Brendan Crabb

HOME STUDIO: Multi-instrumentalist Greg Mineeff recently released his second full-length album, After Today, via the Greek-based Cosmicleaf Records. Picture: File image

FREEMusicians can use self-isolation to hunker down and be creative, Illawarra artist says

Brendan Crabb

Vickie Roach has shared her experience of domestic violence as part of the ongoing Road to Recovery campaign. Picture: Sylvia Liber

OPINIONWe need to prepare for DV impact of COVID-19

Vickie Roach has shared her experience of domestic violence as part of the ongoing Road to Recovery campaign. Picture: Sylvia Liber

OPINIONWe need to prepare for DV impact of COVID-19

Ten years since fleeing an abusive marriage, Jacquie Charlesworth wants to see a centre set up for women who feel they have no way out. Picture: Sylvia Liber

'Are you in a safe place': Jacquie managed to grab her mobile before taking refuge in the bathroom

Ten years since fleeing an abusive marriage, Jacquie Charlesworth wants to see a centre set up for women who feel they have no way out. Picture: Sylvia Liber

'Are you in a safe place': Jacquie managed to grab her mobile before taking refuge in the bathroom

Moving forward: Melissa Edwards experienced many forms of domestic abuse at the hands of her ex-husband. Picture: Sylvia Liber

Gaps in support for DV 'glaringly clear' to Melissa, after a three year battle

Moving forward: Melissa Edwards experienced many forms of domestic abuse at the hands of her ex-husband. Picture: Sylvia Liber

Gaps in support for DV 'glaringly clear' to Melissa, after a three year battle

How Adelaide is becoming Australia's innovation capital

How Adelaide is becoming Australia's innovation capital

An Easter baked dinner recipe that will knock your socks off

An Easter baked dinner recipe that will knock your socks off

Sponsored Content

Successful businesses create the future, failed ones struggle to react to it

Successful businesses create the future, failed ones struggle to react to it

Sponsored Content

How Adelaide is becoming Australia's innovation capital

How Adelaide is becoming Australia's innovation capital

Do you know where your money is?

Do you know where your money is?

PODCAST || Connectivity vital to regional Australia

PODCAST || Connectivity vital to regional Australia

Gemma Purves

HOT PROPERTY: 'Aberteifi' (named after a small town in Wales) is located at 24 Barney Street, Kiama. Pictures: NEG Photography

Historic Kiama property sold after almost 80 years in same family

Brendan Crabb

James Ianni, director of Wollongong-based Ianni & Co. Property. Picture: Sylvia Liber

FREE'Tricky' time for buyers, sellers and agents in Illawarra property market due to coronavirus

Brendan Crabb

PROPERTY: 'Willabrook', a 37-hectare property at 30 Parrishs Road, Upper Kangaroo River initially had an asking price of $4.5 million to $4.9 million. Pictures: Supplied

Rock star's Kangaroo Valley property still on the market, with $4m-plus asking price

Brendan Crabb

Teach kids to be kinder online

Teach kids to be kinder online

You can learn how to cope better

You can learn how to cope better

Gary Bentley

FUNDING: Thirsty wallabies will benefit from the WIRES Landcare Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grants. Photo: Paul Melville

Landcare, WIRES unite to nurture wildlife

Teach kids to be kinder online

Teach kids to be kinder online

Royal Far West occupational therapist Billie Newton doing a Telecare session with a child in Cobar. Royal Far West says its clinicians work hard to make their online sessions just as engaging as their face-to-face programs.

Business as usual for Royal Far West

Olivia Calver

Fun family time can also produce educational discoveries.

Fun tips to make Easter fun - and maybe the kids will learn too

Joanne Crawford

Garrawarra Cemetery. Pictures: Christopher Chan

The forgotten souls of Waterfall's Garrawarra Cemetery

8 of the most haunted places in the Illawarra and South Coast

8 of the most haunted places in the Illawarra and South Coast

The Imperial Hotel at Clifton from a new angle — at Mt Mitchell, Stanwell Tops. Photo: Bushwalk the Gong

Is this Wollongongs most spectacular bushwalk?

Blue pool. Photo: Bushwalk the Gong

This Southern Highlands bushwalk has a blue pool, cascades and multiple lookouts

A video tour of the majestic Wollongong garden tucked under Mount Keira

A video tour of the majestic Wollongong garden tucked under Mount Keira

Bushwalk the Gong

NSW Police raid Ruby Princess at Port Kembla to seize evidence for investigation

NSW Police raid Ruby Princess at Port Kembla to seize evidence for investigation

Lisa Wachsmuth

The view from Burragorang lookout and picnic area. Photo: Chris Piazzo, Piazza Wood Works

7 wilderness walks near Wollongong to add to your bucket list

Ashleigh Tullis

A still from footage of the fire by Top Notch Video.

Watch dramatic footage of massive Corrimal High inferno

Thinking of moving in with your adult children? Get legal advice first. Image: Shutterstock

Legal minefield: When granny flat arrangements fail

Eileen Wood

Pension rise won't lift many older people out of poverty. Image Shutterstock

Age pension increase announced for March 20

Eileen Wood

FIELD OF EXPERTISE: Cochlear implant inventor Professor Graeme Clark and Aussie cricketing legend Brett Lee have teamed up to urge older Aussies to get their hearing checked.

Cricket legend Brett Lee bowled over by bionic ear inventor

Geraldine Cardozo

Exclusive excerpt from the Easter Bunny diaries: Hopping To It

SATIREExclusive excerpt from the Easter Bunny diaries: Hopping To It

Julian O'Brien

Health comes first as businesses adapt and change, IBC boss says

OPINIONHealth comes first as businesses adapt and change, IBC boss says

Adam Zarth

This Mangerton home and its colourful fence painted as part of the global 'bear hunt' during the COVID pandemic featured on the Illawarra Facebook page to lift people's spirits. Picture: Sylvia Liber

OPINIONIllawarra group showcases kindness of community in tough times

Two hospitals in northwest Tasmania will be shut down for deep cleaning, after a virus cluster.

Tasmania shuts hospitals in virus outbreak

48m ago

What you need to know about COVID-19 this Easter Sunday

DIGESTWhat you need to know about COVID-19 this Easter Sunday

1hr ago

Passengers evacuated from the Antarctica cruise ship The Greg Mortimer arrive in Melbourne.

Month extension for Vic state of emergency

1hr ago

Another man has died from COVID-19 after contracting the virus on the Ruby Princess cruise ship.

No new cases in SA, but airport a concern

1hr ago

Passengers from the Vasco da Gama have completed their quarantine and are waiting for flights home.

Three fresh COVID-19 cases in WA

Christine McGinn
2hrs ago

Longtime corporate media relations man David Bell has died in Sydney aged 79.

Farewell to longtime airline PR man

2hrs ago

Over 1200 Australians will fly into Melbourne this weekend and be quarantined for two weeks.

Australia in 'good place', says CMO

Colin Brinsden
2hrs ago

OUTBREAK: The North West Regional Hospital in Burnie, the largest hospital in North-West Tasmania.

FREELockdown: Tasmanian hospitals and retailers to close due to virus spike

Anthony Haneveer

Agents say pre-sale inspections will be an important factor in stud stock reaching high prices during online auctions. Photo: Sam Townsend

Will we still see high prices for studstock as we move online?

Hannah Powe
2hrs ago

This is a job for more than just our farmers

This is a job for more than just our farmers

Andrew Norris

Dave Weston recently showing field day attendees a 10-year-old Premier digit tropical grass pasture on his and wife Christine's property near Cumnock. Bambatsi panic was also surviving well but Rhodes grass had failed.

Why perennial tropical pasture choice is so critical

Bob Freebairn

Forget grey, colour is coming back 'with a bang' this autumn

Forget grey, colour is coming back 'with a bang' this autumn

Stylish: Colours featured on this table include Duck Egg Blue, Antoinette, Paris Grey, Paloma, Coco, Louis Blue and Burgundy.

Project time: create a terrazzo table

HIGH END: The River Homes are a collection of eight homes in a prestige residential development in a unique surrounding landscape. Photo: Scott Burrows

River Homes at Hamilton Reach offers diversity within cohesion