Wollongong news, sport and weather | Illawarra Mercury

LOOKING AHEAD: Illawarra coach Brian Goorjian. Picture: Anna Warr

BREAKINGFalse positive COVID result clears Hawks for NBL take-off

Joshua Bartlett
1hr ago

The Omicron COVID-19 variant has been found in two overseas travellers who arrived in Sydney.

Omicron confirmed in Sydney passengers

Colin Brinsden
2hrs ago

UPDATEDWindang shooting: Accused gunman 'has firearms licence', police reveal

Shannon Tonkin

UPDATEDPolice bomb squad searches nearby home after shooting, siege at Windang

Shannon Tonkin, Greg Ellis

Heavy traffic heading north on the Princes Motorway between Yallah and Dapto mid Sunday afternoon.

Major traffic delays between Wollongong and Shellharbour on both sides of lake

Greg Ellis

The World Health Organisation has designated the Omicron coronavirus variant a "variant of concern".

EXPLAINERExplainer: What we know about the new COVID-19 'variant of concern' Omicron

Australian Associated Press

PHOTOSWings Over Illawarra: See all the action from day one

Greg Ellis

'Everyone should have a neighbour like Joel': Donna Porcella believes she is alive today thanks to the heroic efforts of her neighbour Joel Fitsimmons. Picture: Sylvia Liber

SUBSCRIBER'My instinct took over': How hero saved neighbour during violent Port Kembla home invasion

Shannon Tonkin and Ashleigh Tullis

COUNCIL ELECTIONSTraffic problems a priority, Wollongong council hopefuls say

1hr ago

SUBSCRIBERHear heartbreaking triple-0 calls before fatal Albion Park Rail crash

Illawarra health district warns region to remain COVID vigilant

Illawarra spared worst of wild weather as firies head north to help with flood rescues

BREAKINGFalse positive COVID result clears Hawks for NBL take-off

1hr ago

The Netherlands has curbed evening activities until December 18 as COVID-19 case numbers soar.

Dutch curb evening activities, COVID soars

22m ago

Body of missing man located near Wilton

Paddy Coughlan behind the bar at Five Islands Hotel, the pub he bought for $20 million as CEO of an investment group earlier this year. Picture: Robert Peet

'Still undervalued': Why the regional pub boom might just be getting started

EXPLAINERExplainer: What we know about the new COVID-19 'variant of concern' Omicron

CLEAR: Sweetheart the koala ready to go home after recovering from serious eye disease. Photo: Supplied

WATCHSee the moment a Koala is set free after lifesaving rescue

Man drowns off Sydney's northern beaches

57m ago

Omicron variant confirmed in NSW arrivals

1hr ago

BREAKINGFalse positive COVID result clears Hawks for NBL take-off

1hr ago

COUNCIL ELECTIONSTraffic problems a priority, Wollongong council hopefuls say

1hr ago

Passengers infected with Omicron variant of concern: NSW Health

1hr ago

Toughest fight of all: Jack Newton's family opens up on dementia battle

2hrs ago

A man has drowned off Dee Why Beach, on Sydney's Northern Beaches. (file)

Man drowns off Sydney's northern beaches

57m ago

Omicron variant confirmed in NSW arrivals

1hr ago

The World Health Organisation has declared the Omicron variant a variant of concern after it emerged in southern Africa. Picture: Shutterstock

Passengers infected with Omicron variant of concern: NSW Health

1hr ago

NO SILVER LININGS: Hunter golfing legend Jack Newton was diagnosed with dementia in 2019. His loving wife Jackie, pictured here with Jack in their Merewether home, said her husband's condition has gradually deteriorated over the past year. Picture: Marina Neil

Toughest fight of all: Jack Newton's family opens up on dementia battle

2hrs ago

Omicron confirmed in Sydney passengers

Colin Brinsden
2hrs ago

Australia is now 86.68 per cent fully vaccinated for everyone aged 16 or over.

Latest snapshot of the coronavirus impact

New laws will force social media platforms to expose people who make defamatory posts anonymously.

PM says new laws to end online bullying

Colin Brinsden

NSW water police say they found the drug ice and cannabis after rescuing a woman north of Newcastle.

Drug charges follow NSW woman's sea rescue

HOT TOPIC: Traffic congestion is a common issue of concern in the community and among council hopefuls. Picture: Anna Warr

COUNCIL ELECTIONSTraffic problems a priority, Wollongong council hopefuls say

1hr ago

COUNCIL ELECTIONSTraffic problems a priority, Wollongong council hopefuls say

1hr ago

Voters will have to decide whether they prefer the stability of what they already know in incumbent lord mayor, Gordon Bradbery (main), or if it's time for the city to take a new path ahead with Tania Brown (inset).

COUNCIL ELECTIONSBattle for Wollongong's top job a two-horse race

COUNCIL ELECTIONSMeet the mayoral hopefuls vying for your vote

BREAKINGFalse positive COVID result clears Hawks for NBL take-off

Joshua Bartlett
1hr ago

KICK GOALS: Sienna Powell and Technical Director Kevin Grima at the launch of a Dapto High, Liverpool FC International Academy and Australian College of Physical Education joint program. Picture: Adam McLean.

Liverpool FC teams up with Dapto High to kick off unique program

Zoe Cartwright

MOVING FORWARD: Tyler Johns and his Wollongong teammates secured a win on Saturday. Picture: Adam McLean

Wollongong claim first victory of Cricket Illawarra season

Joshua Bartlett

BREAKINGFalse positive COVID result clears Hawks for NBL take-off

1hr ago

Kicking clear: Rachel King surges to victory on Sepulchure for Kembla Grange trainer Joseph Ible on Saturday. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Ible on Magic Millions mission after mare revels in Rosehill wet

Tim Barrow

TOP DOG: Sam and Kristy Sultana with Flying Ricciardo, who has been named Greyhound of the Year for 2020. Picture: GRNSW

OPINIONFlying Ricciardo crowned Greyhound of the Year for 2020

Greyhound Racing NSW CEO Tony Mestrov

Passengers infected with Omicron variant of concern: NSW Health

1hr ago

If in any doubt get tested: With a new COVID-19 strain arriving NSW Health is advising Illawarra and Shoalhaven residents to get tested if they have any symptoms.

Illawarra health district warns region to remain COVID vigilant

Countries around the world have reacted to new coronavirus variant Omicron, with some shutting borders to southern Africa. Picture: Shutterstock

DIGESTBorders close as WHO declares another COVID variant of concern

SES warning possible major flooding for Singleton

NSW Health are working closely with the Commonwealth and other states and territories to rapidly understand the implications of the new COVID-19 variant of concern, Omicron.

WATCHNSW records 235 COVID cases as fears grow over new 'variant of concern'

Fleur Connick

Scott Morrison claims Gladys Berejiklian was brought down by a "kangaroo court". Picture: Getty Images

DIGESTSometimes a drizzle turns into a storm

Kayla Osborne

Cars line up at Wollongong's Denison Street drive thru COVID testing clinic this week. Picture: Sylvia Liber

Six new COVID-19 cases recorded in the Illawarra Shoalhaven

Lisa Wachsmuth

NSW COVID cases remain above 200 as state outlines easing restrictions

Kim Chappell
Michael Parris

Midnight Oil are set to play the WIN Entertainment Centre next year. Picture: Tony Mott

Midnight Oil is coming to Wollongong

Circas Peeshow will headline Spiegeltent Wollongong when it returns in 2022. Picture: Pedro Greig

New open air theatre Shakespeare production comes to Wollongong

Ashleigh Tullis

TOGETHER: The Illawarra Hawks and Bearded Bakers can be found at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday night. Picture: Supplied

Bakers and basketballers join forces in Wollongong this weekend

Marki the wombat was treated for mange in captivity. This is very rare. Picture: Supplied.

LISTENWombats are rotting to death, meet the people trying to save them

K'gari was named for the Butchulla spirit who helped create the land and sea and then never wanted to leave. Photo: Shutterstock

LISTENRestoring Aboriginal place names to acknowledge identity and history

Bylong's general store has been closed for a few months, it's owned by mining giant KEPCO along side the church and the primary school. Picture by Jonathan Carroll for the Newcastle Herald.

LISTENRegenerating a valley and a community

CITY MOVE: Harcourts Horsham agent Tim Coller has sold St John's Church three times, this time most of the demand came from Melbourne, and ended up with a city owner.

City buyers ditch plans to stay close to the office

No end in sight in race to the regions

Infrastructure and services racing to keep up across regional Australia

Get the digital version of the Latest Paper

READ NOW

Under attack: As cyber crime incidences rise, more businesses are taking out insurance to protect from losses.

Cyber crime a growing business threat

COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Fire affected Wondalga residents come together to swap stories and rekindle their community connections at a "Fire Shed Friday" event.

Local communities come together after bushfires

Become your own 'virtual power plant' and trade energy with the grid

Cyber crime a growing business threat

A river round trip to Adelaide

Emma Brown

VIEW INSURANCE - CHANGE YOUR VIEW: Every policy helps the Kindness Factory educate our children on the impact of kindness.

With a view to keep you covered

When it comes to selling property, the more boxes you can tick to match the wish list of buyers, the better placed you will be to sell at a good price.

What makes a property a winner come auction time?

Coastal living is now a distant dream for many renters. Picture: Shutterstock

Property wrap: Regional renters suffer, lake listing garners international interest

Decluttering before you pack is an important step in a smooth house move. Picture: Shutterstock.

Packing hacks that make moving house a little easier

Edel Beattie, The Happy Organiser

House of the Week: Walk to city and beach

House of the Week

It's not just the views

Feature Property

Illawarra health district warns region to remain COVID vigilant

Major traffic delays between Wollongong and Shellharbour on both sides of lake

Greg Ellis

Easing rain: The weekend was cloudy but no significant rain fell in the Illawarra over the weekend after a very wet week. Picture: Adam McLean.

Illawarra spared worst of wild weather as firies head north to help with flood rescues

Greg Ellis

Illawarra health district warns region to remain COVID vigilant

PHOTOSWings Over Illawarra: See all the action from day one

Greg Ellis

According to Scamwatch, the government is not offering a benefit payment for those who receive their COVID-19 vaccine.

All the online scams you need to avoid

Submit a photo of your child for our Babies of 2020 feature

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?

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

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

Bushwalk the Gong

UPDATEDWindang shooting: Accused gunman 'has firearms licence', police reveal

Shannon Tonkin

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

CHEEKY CHICKS: The February girls. Photos: Sandra Ramsay

Never too old to be calendar girls

Therese Murray

CHALLENGE: Australia needs many more aged care workers. Picture Shutterstock

Critical shortage of aged care workers threatens care standards

Eileen Wood

The true beauty of older models

Therese Murray

Reaching in: Letting someone know you've noticed that they don't seem to be travelling well, and listening with compassionate curiosity can be a powerful act of suicide prevention. Picture: Shutterstock

How conversations can make a difference

Jo Riley

Letters, November 24

Geoff Walls, an asbestosis sufferer. Picture: Sylvia Liber

The dust with a deadly sting

Gayle Tomlinson

Future Farmers Network director Samantha Noon.

Agriculture, the career of opportunity

Samantha Noon

NSW agriculture has grown by a whopping $5.2 billion in just 12 months to become a $20.9 billion industry.

Ag: Where else would you be?

Edwina Watson

Kristen Hegarty, with her son Jim, 2, and Merino ewes with first-cross lambs run at Belvedere, Cassilis.

Cassilis grazier an AWEX classing finalist

Edwina Watson

SWEPT: Taylor Swift's face framing hairstyles usually include a fringe. Illustration: Shutterstock

Famous hairstyles to copy this summer

HOMELY FEEL: Blockheads Hayden and Sara Vale chose concrete and timber to feature throughout their multi-storey home. This presents a balanced, yet luxurious feel as it incorporates flooring, joinery, furnishings and accents. Photos: supplied by the Vales.

Shack to chic in five stunning storeys

Vickii Byram

Fitness doesn't have to stop as you get older. There are plenty of senior fitness junkies keeping fit and pushing themselves to great heights. Picture: Shutterstock.

WELLNESSFitness after fifty has never looked so inspiring

Wellness with Amy Cooper

BREAKINGFalse positive COVID result clears Hawks for NBL take-off

UPDATEDWindang shooting: Accused gunman 'has firearms licence', police reveal

UPDATEDPolice bomb squad searches nearby home after shooting, siege at Windang

EXPLAINERExplainer: What we know about the new COVID-19 'variant of concern' Omicron

PHOTOSWings Over Illawarra: See all the action from day one

SUBSCRIBER'My instinct took over': How hero saved neighbour during violent Port Kembla home invasion

COUNCIL ELECTIONSTraffic problems a priority, Wollongong council hopefuls say

SUBSCRIBERHear heartbreaking triple-0 calls before fatal Albion Park Rail crash

BREAKINGFalse positive COVID result clears Hawks for NBL take-off

EXPLAINERExplainer: What we know about the new COVID-19 'variant of concern' Omicron

WATCHSee the moment a Koala is set free after lifesaving rescue

NEW Listen to our weekly news briefing

BREAKINGFalse positive COVID result clears Hawks for NBL take-off

COUNCIL ELECTIONSTraffic problems a priority, Wollongong council hopefuls say

COUNCIL ELECTIONSTraffic problems a priority, Wollongong council hopefuls say

COUNCIL ELECTIONSTraffic problems a priority, Wollongong council hopefuls say

COUNCIL ELECTIONSBattle for Wollongong's top job a two-horse race

COUNCIL ELECTIONSBattle for Wollongong's top job a two-horse race

COUNCIL ELECTIONSMeet the mayoral hopefuls vying for your vote

COUNCIL ELECTIONSMeet the mayoral hopefuls vying for your vote

BREAKINGFalse positive COVID result clears Hawks for NBL take-off

BREAKINGFalse positive COVID result clears Hawks for NBL take-off

OPINIONFlying Ricciardo crowned Greyhound of the Year for 2020

DIGESTBorders close as WHO declares another COVID variant of concern

WATCHNSW records 235 COVID cases as fears grow over new 'variant of concern'

DIGESTSometimes a drizzle turns into a storm

LISTENWombats are rotting to death, meet the people trying to save them

LISTENWombats are rotting to death, meet the people trying to save them

LISTENRestoring Aboriginal place names to acknowledge identity and history

LISTENRestoring Aboriginal place names to acknowledge identity and history

LISTENRegenerating a valley and a community

LISTENRegenerating a valley and a community

PHOTOSWings Over Illawarra: See all the action from day one

UPDATEDWindang shooting: Accused gunman 'has firearms licence', police reveal

WELLNESSFitness after fifty has never looked so inspiring