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

Vaughan Rogers left court after hearing the closing submissions in his sexual assault trial at Wollongong courthouse on Thursday.

SUBSCRIBER'Good old-fashioned passion': Rogers' lawyer denies alleged rape could take 90 minutes

Ashleigh Tullis

Parq life: The unit blocks in the complex surround a central courtyard. Pictures: Anna Warr.

First look inside Wollongong's long-awaited Parq on Flinders apartments

Kate McIlwain

Unanderra mother admits to stealing identities and forging documents

EXCLUSIVEUnanderra mother admits to stealing identities and forging documents

Ashleigh Tullis

A company working on the Shell Cove Marina has been fined by the Environment Protection Authority. Picture: Sylvia Liber

Shell Cove Marina construction company hit with EPA fine

Glen Humphries

Barriers and signs were knocked down at Croom sports complex, hand basins and toilets were broken inside amenities blocks at Beverley Whitfield pool and Village Green in Flinders, and skylights smashed.

Shellharbour's 'stupid' vandals run up $20k damage bill

Kate McIlwain

There will be no verdict this week in the sexual assault trial of Jack de Belin and Callan Sinclair. Picture: Adam McLean

SUBSCRIBERJury in Jack de Belin trial to resume deliberations on Monday

Ashleigh Tullis

Illawarra First executive director Adam Zarth and University of Wollongong SMART Infrastructure director Pascal Perez at Wollongong station for the launch of a new rail proposal that could link the region to western Sydney. Picture: Adam McLean

Key groups back plan for Wollongong-West Sydney rail link

Glen Humphries

An upgrade to the Snakepit is one of four Wollongong projects to receive a cash injection from the state government's Resources for Regions program. Picture: Anna Warr

Upgrade of Snakepit backboards and courts nets government funding

Glen Humphries

Shell discovery halts Shellharbour's new mega playground

Concerns over Christmas shutdown of hospital's mental health services

Support grows for Australian-first women's trauma recovery centre in region

Wollongong's plan for new beachside eatery and bar

Vaughan Rogers left court after hearing the closing submissions in his sexual assault trial at Wollongong courthouse on Thursday.

SUBSCRIBER'Good old-fashioned passion': Rogers' lawyer denies alleged rape could take 90 minutes

Illawarra Women's Health Centre general manager Sally Stevenson urges support for a women's trauma recovery centre. Photos: Adam McLean

Wollongong ramps up fight to build a one-stop centre for DV survivors

Politicians including Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery, Whitlam MP Stephen Jones and Shellharbour MP Anna Watson attended Wednesday's exhibition launch. Picture: Adam McLean

Support grows for Australian-first women's trauma recovery centre in region

Jamberoo is expected to reach temperatures in the low 30s this weekend, according to Weatherzone. Siblings Mason and Ruby Murtezovski at the Jamberoo Action Park in September. Picture: Adam McLean.

Pump up the air-con, Illawarra temps set to soar this weekend

Creating atmosphere: The successful eatery will be able to set up rent free for a year, and will be asked to stage live music on weekends.

Wollongong's plan for new beachside eatery and bar

Smiths Hill High's class of 2020.

PHOTOSGlam photos from the Illawarra's Year 12 formals

Makos proving a manic pursuit

1hr ago

SUBSCRIBER'Good old-fashioned passion': Rogers' lawyer denies alleged rape could take 90 minutes

19:30PM

Shell Cove Marina construction company hit with EPA fine

17:30PM

EXCLUSIVEUnanderra mother admits to stealing identities and forging documents

17:30PM

Upgrade of Snakepit backboards and courts nets government funding

17:00PM

WHAT'S ONAuthor delves into the 'darkness' of sexual assaults

16:30PM

Opposition Queensland MP John-Paul Langbroek suggested Indigenous MPs were rewriting history.

Indigenous MPs told not to rewrite history

Telstra admits to acting unfairly in signing up people to phone plans they had no hope of ever paying for.

Telstra admits signing Indigenous customers to phone plans they could not afford

SOLO SHOW: The Whitlams singer and keyboardist Tim Freedman will bring his solo show to SS&A Club Albury on Sunday. Picture: SCOTT GELSTON

Freedman's take on colourful crime slip-up rewrites the record book

UOW PhD student Juliana Cavaleri Goncalves Peloche is in the running for International Student of the Year. Picture: Paul Jones

How Juliana helped feed struggling uni students during COVID

Cody Ward operated a dark web drug business from his home on NSW's south coast.

NSW web drug kingpin found purpose online

Greta Stonehouse

NSW train drivers and workers have threatened to sit out a two-day test of a new intercity trains.

NSW train workers sit out intercity trial

Hannah Ryan

Brian Ellis is one of two former Liberals accused by WA's corruption body of misusing allowances.

Former WA Liberal MP hired 'sham employee'

Michael Ramsey

A woman whose children were removed says she was left confused after a disability assessment.

Mother left confused on disability status

Nick Gibbs

There will be no verdict this week in the sexual assault trial of Jack de Belin and Callan Sinclair. Picture: Adam McLean

SUBSCRIBERJury in Jack de Belin trial to resume deliberations on Monday

There will be no verdict this week in the sexual assault trial of Jack de Belin and Callan Sinclair. Picture: Adam McLean

SUBSCRIBERJury in Jack de Belin trial to resume deliberations on Monday

The jury is expected to retire soon in the rape trial of Jack de Belin and his co-accused.

Rape trial jury to begin pondering sidelined Dragons player's fate

The jury is expected to retire soon in the rape trial of Jack de Belin and his co-accused.

Rape trial jury to begin pondering sidelined Dragons player's fate

Jack de Belin (left) and Callan Sinclair during the night of the Santa Pub Crawl before they allegedly raped a woman. Picture: Supplied

SUBSCRIBERJack de Belin was a bad boyfriend but 'not a rapist', jury hears

Jack de Belin (left) and Callan Sinclair during the night of the Santa Pub Crawl before they allegedly raped a woman. Picture: Supplied

SUBSCRIBERJack de Belin was a bad boyfriend but 'not a rapist', jury hears

Bass player: Nic Brunyee with a solid Australia bass just before release.

Makos proving a manic pursuit

1hr ago

Home-made does the trick: Jason Davies with a bronze-coloured bream caught on his home-made lure.

Patrols mount as cod season approaches

TOP TRIO: Caleb Serong, Hayden Young and Liam Henry made their AFL debuts for Fremantle in 2020. They were all top-10 draftees. Picture: Getty Images

A draft like no other after a season like no other

Justine McCullagh-Beasy

Bass player: Nic Brunyee with a solid Australia bass just before release.

Makos proving a manic pursuit

1hr ago

Big aims: Robert (left) and Luke Price are hoping to have Count De Rupee run in the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas. Picture: Adam McLean

Price stable Counting on path to the Magic Millions

Tim Barrow

BIG SCHEDULE: The Dragons will host three of four preliminary finalists' in Wollongong next season. Picture: NRL Imagery

Dragons: WIN Stadium to host NRL heavyweights in 2021

Mitch Jennings

A pizzeria worker sparked Australia's strictest - and briefest - COVID-19 lockdown. Picture: Shutterstock

OPINIONHating on the SA pizza guy won't fix an entirely foreseeable problem

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce indicated international passengers could be required to prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Picture: Getty Images

EXPLAINERNo jab, no fly: who decides on mandate?

Children may transmit coronavirus at the same rate as adults: what we now know about schools and COVID-19

ANALYSISChildren may transmit coronavirus at the same rate as adults: what we now know about schools and COVID-19

Some of the country's busiest air routes have resumed. Picture: Karleen Minney

EXPLAINERAs borders reopen, what is next for domestic air travel?

A QR code check-in system is used to view a cafe menu. Picture: Matt Loxton

QR code concerns: Call for businesses to comply with guidelines

Sarah Basford Canales

Stanley James Brodel, a new grandson for Karleen Minney, living in Melbourne.

OPINIONI'm ready to crawl from Canberra to Victoria for my 'Stanley cuddles'

Karleen Minney

A higher price for produce is one of the ramifications of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Shutterstock

OPINIONMaking lemonade in 2020

Jasper Lindell

Flights will continue to run from Adelaide and Canberra amid further restrictions to travel from. Picture: Karleen Minney

New rules for SA travellers to the ACT

Julia Kanapathippillai

Creating atmosphere: The successful eatery will be able to set up rent free for a year, and will be asked to stage live music on weekends.

Wollongong's plan for new beachside eatery and bar

Kate McIlwain

Trauma: Gemma Carey, who writes of her sexual assaults when she was just 12, is featuring in the Wollongong Writers Festival this weekend. Picture: Hilary Wardhaugh

WHAT'S ONAuthor delves into the 'darkness' of sexual assaults

Glen Humphries

Cultural site: The discovery of shells has halted construction at Reddall Reserve.

Shell discovery halts Shellharbour's new mega playground

Kate McIlwain

Michelle Forte and members of the Austinmer Dance Theatre have altered choreography to adhere to strict social distancing measures. Picture: Robert Peet

How these Illawarra arts troupes kept afloat during a pandemic

Desiree Savage

"The brass in the piano actually started to melt. That's how hot it got", Torrington resident Richard Cork lost a property to fire on November 8, 2019. PHOTO: Andrew Messenger

LISTENWhen these wilderness escapes became death traps

"The brass in the piano actually started to melt. That's how hot it got", Torrington resident Richard Cork lost a property to fire on November 8, 2019. PHOTO: Andrew Messenger

LISTENWhen these wilderness escapes became death traps

Rick and Carolyn Lean lost their son to suicide two years ago after a long battle with addiction and mental health issues. Photo: Kellsey Galea

LISTENHow one city is trying to tackle its drug problem from within

Rick and Carolyn Lean lost their son to suicide two years ago after a long battle with addiction and mental health issues. Photo: Kellsey Galea

LISTENHow one city is trying to tackle its drug problem from within

Photo of Cobargo posted to Facebook on December 31 by Josh Mead.

We've moved on to the next crisis, but black summer still haunts Cobargo

Photo of Cobargo posted to Facebook on December 31 by Josh Mead.

We've moved on to the next crisis, but black summer still haunts Cobargo

Insider's guide to getting away in Sydney

Insider's guide to getting away in Sydney

Bernadette Chua

Vivere Retreat has stunning views over the Baw Baw Ranges. Picture: Supplied

No room at the inn? Try the 12 stays of Christmas

Britt Lazarus

These hills aren't just for skiing - head to the Snowies in summer.

Hike, ride, relax in high country heaven

Rose Jacobs

Just because we can't travel, doesn't mean we can't enjoy art.

The Virtual Traveller: Galleries of Art

Nicole Phillips

Get the digital version of The Latest Paper

Get the digital version of the Latest Paper

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Seniors encouraged to share the word on CarerHelp

Seniors encouraged to share the word on CarerHelp

Holiday season plans look-up as lockdowns are eased

Holiday season plans look-up as lockdowns are eased

Emma Brown

Regional NSW is calling!

Regional NSW is calling!

Seniors encouraged to share the word on CarerHelp

Seniors encouraged to share the word on CarerHelp

Never a better time to build a career in regional Australia

Never a better time to build a career in regional Australia

Farmers and outdoor workers may be at greater of risk non-melanoma skin cancer

Farmers and outdoor workers may be at greater of risk non-melanoma skin cancer

Sponsored Content

New, quick way to search the property market

New, quick way to search the property market

New, quick way to search the property market

New, quick way to search the property market

Pictures: Supplied

PHOTOSThis old cow paddock turned private oasis is for sale near Albion Park

Pictures: Supplied

PHOTOSThis old cow paddock turned private oasis is for sale near Albion Park

The 'COVID effect' set to make the Illawarra a popular work-from-home location

The 'COVID effect' set to make the Illawarra a popular work-from-home location

Brendan Crabb

HOT PROPERTY: This property, 'Excelsa', located at 199 Alne Bank Lane, Rose Valley sold for $5,665,000 at auction in September. Picture: NEG Photography

Illawarra high-end property sales still topping $4m benchmark despite pandemic

Brendan Crabb

Pictures: Supplied

Former rugby league player lists luxury Bowral estate for $14 million

Brendan Crabb

HUMBLY ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF HIS MATES: Bob Smith with his World War II 75th anniversary commemorative medallion and certificate.

Soldier who came of age amid battlefields in New Guinea

HUMBLY ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF HIS MATES: Bob Smith with his World War II 75th anniversary commemorative medallion and certificate.

Soldier who came of age amid battlefields in New Guinea

COMFORT BELOW: Nurses in the Second World War in the Underground Hospital in Mount Isa.

Did 79 soldiers die of cyanide?

COMFORT BELOW: Nurses in the Second World War in the Underground Hospital in Mount Isa.

Did 79 soldiers die of cyanide?

SHOVELLING SNOW IN SYRIA: Members of the 2/3 Battalion clearing snow in 1942.

Tragic drowning of digger who fought the enemy in three countries

SHOVELLING SNOW IN SYRIA: Members of the 2/3 Battalion clearing snow in 1942.

Tragic drowning of digger who fought the enemy in three countries

Helping others: Jodi Bush appears on a new video resource as part of an Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative campaign.

When Jodi lost her husband to suicide, she had no idea where to turn for help

Greg Ellis

400 people to attend funeral for Chloe Saxby on Friday after COVID exemption

400 people to attend funeral for Chloe Saxby on Friday after COVID exemption

Greg Ellis

SCARF needs more driver mentors for popular L2P program

SCARF needs more driver mentors for popular L2P program

Agron Latifi

Helping others: Jodi Bush appears on a new video resource as part of an Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative campaign.

When Jodi lost her husband to suicide, she had no idea where to turn for help

Black Friday chance to shop locally: Baby by Boutique Bundles owner Kellie Bates with a gift box of all Australian sourced products and a handmade crocheted baby's bonnet made by a local mum. Picture: Robert Peet.

The Illawarra shops joining Black Friday sales mania this year

Greg Ellis

Animal loving innovator: Bonza Dog Treats founder and owner Julie Black is dreaming of delivering good Christmas for pets as Santa Paws.

Santa Paws set to deliver a very merry pet Christmas with many treats

Greg Ellis

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

Michael Weekes protects his property west of Ulladulla from the Currowan fire on December 21. Flames reached 60 metres in height. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

A year ago today, a monster was let loose on the South Coast

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

LISTEN TO THIS: The winning project holds promise for those who have suffered hearing loss as a result of ageing, among other possible factors.

Hearing loss treatment crowned winner

ONLINE CHECK: There are many charities that deserve your donation this Christmas. But before giving, do a quick check on the ACNC website's Charity Register.

How to avoid charity scams this Christmas

Geraldine Cardozo

Ethicist calls for sexbots for elderly

Ethicist calls for sexbots for elderly

Worth a toast: Dining and entertainment vouchers announced in this week's state budget will see $500 million injected into these sectors early next year. Picture: Shutterstock

Nation's economic recovery well under way

Adam Zarth

We as 'ILLAWARRA' Hawks fans need to step up to plate

OPINIONWe as 'ILLAWARRA' Hawks fans need to step up to plate

Julian O'Brien

The Man Walk where it started - and continues - around Kiama harbour. Plenty more free, informal walks have now been established to health boost men's physical and mental well-being. Picture: Sylvia Liber

Support for men during these tough times

Helping hands: The value of community and looking out for each other has become more essential than ever before. Photo: Shutterstock

Maintaining connections in times of crisis

Patrick Reid

Graham, Yvonne and Barry Philp have enjoyed a stellar peony season on their Arding property.

Pretty as a peony: ideal conditions allow for bumper season

Billy Jupp

Nutrien Ag Solutions is filling on average 30 positions a month.

Nutrien looking for new recruits

Goats hit new Australian records in first Cobar stud sale

Goats hit new Australian records in first Cobar stud sale

Hannah Powe

The climbing Pierre de Ronsard rose is one of the most popular roses in the world and it's easy to see why. Picture: Shutterstock

Pruning tips to get the most from a blooming rose season

John Gabriele

It's the innovators who are willing to take risks to help improve technologies. Photo: Shutterstock.

Thank an innovator for that handy new piece of tech

Gifting something a little life-changing this Christmas. Picture: Shutterstock.

A money guru's go-to list of books for life-changing ideas

Noel Whittaker