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

CENTURY: Royal Australian Air Force veteran Lillian Gallegos turns 100 the same year as the Air Force itself. Picture: Anna Warr.

Veteran Lillian shares centenary celebration with the Air Force

Zoe Cartwright

TIME'S UP: Departing University of Wollongong vice-chancellor Paul Wellings will hand over the reins to incoming VC Patricia Davidson on May 21.

SUBSCRIBEROutgoing UOW boss has 'no regrets' heading into retirement

Agron Latifi

Almost 700 paddled out to make a statement on protecting Killalea. Picture: SYLVIA LIBER.

Killalea: Give it to National Parks, says MP Ward

Ben Langford

OPERATION ART: Kiama High teacher Kate Stehr, student Emily Keith and curator Ivy Baddock at Wollongong Art Gallery. Picture: Robert Peet

Illawarra students' art bringing joy to sick kids

Agron Latifi

GOOD FIGURES: Corpus Christi Catholic High School principal Robert Muscat with siblings Torren (green shirt), Kash red shirt) and Rize Smith (yellow and green jumper). Picture: Anna Warr

Wollongong Catholic school enrolments on the rise

Agron Latifi

Bail granted: Matthew Burston is accused of swindling money from a vulnerable man.

SUBSCRIBERPolice allege disabled, 'vulnerable' man swindled out of money

Ashleigh Tullis

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and former PM John Howard. Picture: InQueensland

Look who's been invited to Paul Wellings' farewell dinner

Agron Latifi

Terry Evans, with his lawyer Michael Mandicos, was convicted of stealing and cashing a $4400 cheque meant for a police operation that was mistakenly issued to him as the finance manager.

EXCLUSIVENSW Police civilian employee stole and cashed a $4400 work cheque in Wollongong

Ashleigh Tullis

You can help the homeless this winter by donating a new pair of socks or jocks

Former Illawarra Hawks big man Dave Andersen joins Melbourne United roster

Long-vacant old Port Kembla Public School site may be developed

SUBSCRIBERBull shark tag at large in Wollongong, last seen on UOW campus

CENTURY: Royal Australian Air Force veteran Lillian Gallegos turns 100 the same year as the Air Force itself. Picture: Anna Warr.

Veteran Lillian shares centenary celebration with the Air Force

Chris Dodds with her handmade fairy cottage, which took a year to make. Photo: Robert Peet

SUBSCRIBERIt's a small world: Illawarra women and their ridiculously awesome doll's houses

Ugly deficit: The federal budget has taken a huge hit from COVID-19 and the Australian government's responses to it. Picture: Shutterstock

What to look for in Tuesday night's budget

PARENT WARNING: If you hated Fidget Spinners then buckle up for Pop Its.

OPINIONRemember Fidget Spinners? Well, now be prepared for Pop Its ...

Convicted: Former Parramatta star Jarryd Hayne was sentenced to jail on Thursday. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

OPINIONGame On: NRL players must call out bad behaviour

OPTIONS: Chris McKenna from Herron Todd White says the type of property a first home buyer will be looking at is dependent on their life situation. Pictured are some examples.

SUBSCRIBERThe Illawarra suburbs where first home buyers should be looking in 2021

Leeds' Bamford sinks Tottenham's ECL hopes

02:56AM

SUBSCRIBER10-man Port Kembla and Bulli share honours in Illawarra Premier League draw

17:50PM

Pat Logan the hero as Tech Tahs edge University in Illawarra Rugby thriller

17:45PM

Wollongong Catholic school enrolments on the rise

17:30PM

Illawarra students' art bringing joy to sick kids

14:00PM

Sharks and Wollongong Olympic's Illawarra Premier League clash called off

13:07PM

Up to 10,000 first-time home buyers with dependants will be able to access a new government scheme.

Frydenberg promises big aged care package

23m ago

Agencies serving the homeless are receiving no support regarding vaccine access or education.

Vaccine scepticism high among homeless

Experts continue to be concerned that Murray-Darling water allocations are not sustainable.

Murray-Darling Basin fight still afloat

31m ago

The Murray-Darling Basin covers a seventh of the continent.

The Murray-Darling Basin at a glance

31m ago

With debt heading towards $1 trillion, the government's budget will continue priming the economy.

Federal Budget 2021 - what is known so far

45m ago

The budget will have funding for cervical and breast cancer, endometriosis and reproductive health.

Budget has $354m women's health package

Colin Brinsden
58m ago

Sinologist Linda Jaivin believes Australia only has ears for China hawks.

Author wary of only 'China hawk' advice

Liz Hobday
1hr ago

HAPPY SEBBY: Edwina and Sebastian Symonds.

OPINIONHow to support a grieving mum on Mother's Day

Edwina Symonds
1hr ago

HARD WORK: Port Kembla's Keegan Matias (right) and Bulli opponent Jake Levy compete for the ball on Saturday. Picture: Sylvia Liber

SUBSCRIBER10-man Port Kembla and Bulli share honours in Illawarra Premier League draw

Joshua Bartlett

Leading from the front: Tech captain Patrick Logan scored the winning try for his team on Saturday. Picture: Anna Warr

Pat Logan the hero as Tech Tahs edge University in Illawarra Rugby thriller

Cameron Mee

Tomohiro Ishii finds some space for Woonona along the wing at Terry Reserve against Albion Park last weekend. Picture: Anna Warr

Sharks and Wollongong Olympic's Illawarra Premier League clash called off

Joshua Bartlett

HARD WORK: Port Kembla's Keegan Matias (right) and Bulli opponent Jake Levy compete for the ball on Saturday. Picture: Sylvia Liber

SUBSCRIBER10-man Port Kembla and Bulli share honours in Illawarra Premier League draw

BACK IN ACTION: Former Hawk Dave Andersen prepares to take a free throw at the WEC. Picture: Anna Warr

Former Illawarra Hawks big man Dave Andersen joins Melbourne United roster

Joshua Bartlett

Talented family: Identical twins Max (left) and Mat Feagai will line up for the Dragons on Sunday afternoon. Picture: Dragons Media

Steelers junior to make NRL debut for St George Illawarra Dragons

Cameron Mee

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

DIGESTFederal budget to prioritise growth over repair

Vulnerable Aussies to get ticket home from India

DIGESTVulnerable Aussies to get ticket home from India

Picture: Shutterstock

DIGESTSydney masks up after second COVID case detected

Restrictions: The So Popera performance of Jersey Boys is going ahead despite the reintroduction of COVID restrictions. However, the restrictions will affect Mother's Day at aged care facilities. Picture: supplied

COVID can't stop the show, but it can affect Mother's Day

Tasmanian man, 70, among five new vaccine blood clot cases

Tasmanian man, 70, among five new vaccine blood clot cases

Jessica Willard

Gladys Berejiklian

DIGESTRace to trace positive COVID case in NSW

Joyjit (left) and Jashan Sanghera with the son they last held on February 29, 2020. Picture: Supplied

Heartbreak of Australians trapped in India

Steve Evans

A new study has offered insight into Australians' feeling towards COVID-19 vaccines. Picture: Karleen Minney

Side-effect concerns fuelling vaccine jitters: survey

Sally Whyte

PRETTY EXHAUSTED: Operators of District Skate Michael Ford, with parents Ray and Terri, have received flowers, messages of support and offers for help to relocate their roller-skating business after its forced closure. Picture: Sylvia Liber

District Skate owner vows to resurrect roller rink elsewhere in the Illawarra

Desiree Savage

Saxon Reynolds with some of his steampunk-inspired work at the Wollongong Art Gallery. Picture: Anna Warr

Things to do around the Illawarra this week May 6 to 9

Desiree Savage

Sami Lukis.

Sami Lukis joins Illawarra breakfast radio team

Jim Morrison (centre) and other members of the Special Operations Group responded to the Port Arthur shooting in 1996. Picture: Supplied

LISTENFirst responders break silence on Port Arthur massacre

Jim Morrison (centre) and other members of the Special Operations Group responded to the Port Arthur shooting in 1996. Picture: Supplied

LISTENFirst responders break silence on Port Arthur massacre

Community solar farms empowering small towns

LISTENCommunity solar farms empowering small towns

Community solar farms empowering small towns

LISTENCommunity solar farms empowering small towns

Latarnie McDonald and Rodney Carter are trying to make kangaroo grass a viable crop. Picture: Tom Melville

LISTENWould you eat Kangaroo Grass bread?

Latarnie McDonald and Rodney Carter are trying to make kangaroo grass a viable crop. Picture: Tom Melville

LISTENWould you eat Kangaroo Grass bread?

Get the digital version of The Latest Paper

Get the digital version of the Latest Paper

READ NOW

SAVING TIME AND MONEY: Mitchell Harris Wines managing director Alicia Linley was able to save thousands of dollars a year on their gas and electricity bills simply by talking to Beevo.

How this wine bar saved thousands of dollars in minutes

An exceptional lifestyle for aged care residents

An exceptional lifestyle for aged care residents

Take the stress out of moving house with this handy checklist

Take the stress out of moving house with this handy checklist

Della Vreeland

SAVING TIME AND MONEY: Mitchell Harris Wines managing director Alicia Linley was able to save thousands of dollars a year on their gas and electricity bills simply by talking to Beevo.

How this wine bar saved thousands of dollars in minutes

Outback tour will have you travelling again

Outback tour will have you travelling again

Emma Brown

Feeling breathless? Dizzy? Fatigued? Don't assume its your age, it could be your heart

Feeling breathless? Dizzy? Fatigued? Don't assume its your age, it could be your heart

Pictures: Supplied

SUBSCRIBERJamberoo estate has nearly $7m price tag - and its own helicopter landing pad

Pictures: Supplied

SUBSCRIBERJamberoo estate has nearly $7m price tag - and its own helicopter landing pad

Here's how much Wollongong house prices jumped during pandemic

SUBSCRIBERHere's how much Wollongong house prices jumped during pandemic

Here's how much Wollongong house prices jumped during pandemic

SUBSCRIBERHere's how much Wollongong house prices jumped during pandemic

OPTIONS: Chris McKenna from Herron Todd White says the type of property a first home buyer will be looking at is dependent on their life situation. Pictured are some examples.

SUBSCRIBERThe Illawarra suburbs where first home buyers should be looking in 2021

Brendan Crabb

HOT PROPERTY: With large numbers of buyers vying for a slice of the property market, auctions are being fuelled by bidders who have previously missed out on properties and so are extremely competitive. Picture: File image

'It's all about confidence': Professional bidder on how to succeed at Illawarra property auctions

Brendan Crabb

HOT PROPERTY: The home located at 53A Gipps Street, Kiama sold for $4.2 million. For more images, visit our website. Picture: Supplied

SUBSCRIBERHigh-end remains strong as Kiama beachfront home fetches $4m-plus at auction

Brendan Crabb

APPEAL: Grace Rey, who runs an appeal whereby the community can donate socks and jocks for the homeless. Picture: Robert Peet

You can help the homeless this winter by donating a new pair of socks or jocks

Brendan Crabb

HIGH ACHIEVER: Kirli Saunders is a proud Gunai woman and award-winning writer of poetry, plays and picture books. She is a teacher, cultural consultant and artist, and last year was named the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year. Picture: Supplied

How Indigenous author Kirli Saunders is celebrating 'Book of the Year' win

Desiree Savage

70 YEARS, NO INFRINGEMENTS: From getting his licence in a Morris Tourer 70 years ago, Mr Victor Day now drives a 2005 Ford Falcon, and has never received an infringement. Image: Grace Crivellaro.

After 70 years of a clean driving record, Victor Day is giving in his licence

Grace Crivellaro

APPEAL: Grace Rey, who runs an appeal whereby the community can donate socks and jocks for the homeless. Picture: Robert Peet

You can help the homeless this winter by donating a new pair of socks or jocks

125 YEARS YOUNG: An artist's impression of what a renovated Denmark Hotel in Bulli will look like once it's transformed into apartments. Picture: In2 Architecture + Heritage

Inside the plan to turn Bulli's derelict Denmark Hotel into apartments

Desiree Savage

WATCH OUT: Scamwatch is warning that scammers are pretending to be defence personnel in order to con people into parting with their money.

Scamwatch: Scammers now pretending to be defence personnel

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

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

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

Chris Dodds with her handmade fairy cottage, which took a year to make. Photo: Robert Peet

SUBSCRIBERIt's a small world: Illawarra women and their ridiculously awesome doll's houses

Tareyn Varley

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

GREEN IS GOOD: Tony Kanellos has plenty of priceless childhood memories of times spent in his family backyard.

A time when the grass was greener

Rowan Cowley

Enjoy meeting and serving travellers at the William Creek Hotel. Photo: South Australian Tourism Commission.

Fancy a working holiday?

Sue Preston

Cafes and shops in Kings Cross, Sydney, 1933. Photo: National Library of Australia.

Fun and frolics up at the Cross

John Piggott

Ugly deficit: The federal budget has taken a huge hit from COVID-19 and the Australian government's responses to it. Picture: Shutterstock

What to look for in Tuesday night's budget

Alex Frino

PARENT WARNING: If you hated Fidget Spinners then buckle up for Pop Its.

OPINIONRemember Fidget Spinners? Well, now be prepared for Pop Its ...

Julian O'Brien

Why it's time we listened to young people

Why it's time we listened to young people

Georgie Igoe

Moree on a Plate sizzles upon its grand return

Moree on a Plate sizzles upon its grand return

Billy Jupp

Some of the trees planted by Fiona and Bill Ogilvie in their entrance paddock. Manna gum (E. viminalis) in the foreground was planted five years ago; the deodar (Cedrus deodara) on the right was planted in 1991.

Change is in the trees

FIONA OGILVIE

Scenic Rim dairy farmer Kay Tommerup understands the power of collaboration between producer and copnsumer and will be speaking as part of a panel during the Farm2Plate Exchange on May 18 at Beaudesert, Qld. Photo: Supplied

Paddock to plate a growing concept worth pursuing

Jamie Brown

CHAOS TO CALM: Amy Revell from The Art of Decluttering. Photo: Supplied.

Organise your kitchen with tips from a decluttering expert

AFFORDABLE LUXURY: The design elements of this Australian Hamptons home meld interior with exterior for an elegant yet eminently livable family dwelling.

A grand scale luxury farmhouse with country charm and Hamptons style

Vickii Byram

The uroliths bladder of Dr Anne Quain's cat, Hero. Picture: Supplied

Signs your cat has a urinary tract obstruction

Dr Anne Quain