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© 2025 The Illawarra Flame
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Review

Mama Mia! Fabulous new Italian restaurant opens in iconic Wollongong location

It’s been a remarkable month for two of our region’s most loved restaurateurs. July kicked off with Maria Luciani and Keana Lufe winning the 2025 Outstanding Restaurant Award at the Illawarra and South Coast Local Business Awards. On Saturday night...

Jeremy Lasek
6 hours ago
video
News

‘The Wollongong Walkout’: Councillors storm out of national conference over ‘shocking’ speech

It’s been described as ‘The Wollongong Walkout’. In unprecedented scenes, all five Wollongong Council delegates, including the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, stormed out of the recent National Local Government Association (ALGA) Congress over what’s been described as a “shocking” keynote speech.

Jeremy Lasek
4 hours ago
video
Puzzles

Quick Quiz: 30 July 2025

The Illawarra Flame
14 hours ago
video
Science & Nature

What on Earth Wednesday: A shelled slug with a taste for flesh

My husband walked inside, thick canvas gardening gloves on, tightly grasping several small sticks. He held the sticks out, as far away from himself as possible and perched on top was a precariously balanced…something. “I don’t know what this...

Amanda De George
14 hours ago
video
News

Wollongong’s peace movement is ‘a movement of the heart’, says activist Alexander Brown

With much of the world at war, a Port Kembla-based historian, activist and academic, Alexander Brown, posed the question “How can we make Wollongong a city of peace?” during his address at Wollongong Library on Monday night. In a wide-ranging talk...

Jeremy Lasek
July 2025
video
News

‘Very worried that council are going to botch it’: Parents protest against preschool tender

Parents who love the idea of nature-based learning, including regular bushwalks on rainforest tracks, are worried about the future of Stanwell Park Preschool. The preschool, renowned for its Bush Kinder program, has run out of the council-owned...

Genevieve Swart
July 2025
video
News

Paul Tuckerman, tireless champion of Thirroul, earns national honour

You don’t spend more than 50 years placing yourself between a heritage building and a bulldozer, helping bring cancer treatment machines closer to home or fighting to keep Bulli Pass bushland out of developers’ hands unless you care deeply about where you live.

Tyneesha Williams
July 2025
video
News

Ban on e-bikes on trains will have massive economic impact, damage tourism, says Cr Whittaker

Plans by the NSW Government to place a ban on people taking e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards on trains between Wollongong and Sydney will be an economic and tourism disaster and a major inconvenience for hundreds of local commuters, Greens...

Jeremy Lasek
July 2025
video
News

Blue Futures’ view on the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone

On July 16 the ABC reported that BlueFloat Energy, the only applicant for a feasibility licence in the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone, was withdrawing from offshore wind internationally. Locally, news headlines declared the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone project “sunk”. So, is it?

Genevieve Swart
July 2025
News
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News

‘The Wollongong Walkout’: Councillors storm out of national conference over ‘shocking’ speech

It’s been described as ‘The Wollongong Walkout’. In unprecedented scenes, all five Wollongong Council delegates, including the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, stormed out of the recent National Local Government Association (ALGA) Congress over what’s been described as a “shocking” keynote speech.

Jeremy Lasek
4 hours ago
video
News

Wollongong’s peace movement is ‘a movement of the heart’, says activist Alexander Brown

With much of the world at war, a Port Kembla-based historian, activist and academic, Alexander Brown, posed the question “How can we make Wollongong a city of peace?” during his address at Wollongong Library on Monday night. In a wide-ranging talk...

Jeremy Lasek
July 2025
video
News

‘Very worried that council are going to botch it’: Parents protest against preschool tender

Parents who love the idea of nature-based learning, including regular bushwalks on rainforest tracks, are worried about the future of Stanwell Park Preschool. The preschool, renowned for its Bush Kinder program, has run out of the council-owned...

Genevieve Swart
July 2025
video
News

Ban on e-bikes on trains will have massive economic impact, damage tourism, says Cr Whittaker

Plans by the NSW Government to place a ban on people taking e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards on trains between Wollongong and Sydney will be an economic and tourism disaster and a major inconvenience for hundreds of local commuters, Greens...

Jeremy Lasek
July 2025
video
News

Blue Futures’ view on the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone

On July 16 the ABC reported that BlueFloat Energy, the only applicant for a feasibility licence in the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone, was withdrawing from offshore wind internationally. Locally, news headlines declared the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone project “sunk”. So, is it?

Genevieve Swart
July 2025
video
News

Paul Tuckerman, tireless champion of Thirroul, earns national honour

You don’t spend more than 50 years placing yourself between a heritage building and a bulldozer, helping bring cancer treatment machines closer to home or fighting to keep Bulli Pass bushland out of developers’ hands unless you care deeply about where you live.

Tyneesha Williams
July 2025
video
News

Bush care volunteers outraged by ‘disgraceful act of wanton vandalism’

Vandals have desecrated a little piece of inner suburban bush paradise and those who’ve created and care for the area are angry. More than 30 years ago, a small but dedicated group of locals decided to turn an area covered in kikuyu and lantana into...

Jeremy Lasek
July 2025
Arts & Culture
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Arts & culture

Thirroul filmmaker’s debut movie heads home for Gala Cinema screening after successful run at film festivals

After months on the film festival circuit, travelling from the outback to London with “my baby girl on my hip”, Thirroul filmmaker Mara Jean Quinn is looking forward to the local screening of her debut feature, Andamooka, at Warrawong’s Gala Cinema on Saturday, August 2.

Genevieve Swart
July 2025
video
Arts & culture

SPAT plans for musical tale, improv challenge and the popular annual panto

The annual SPAT Singers supper show, Riversong was a great success and both the audience and those involved in the show had loads of fun. We are indeed fortunate to live in a community with so much musical talent, and this was certainly on display...

Lauren Mitsak
July 2025
video
Arts & culture

Where the light slips: Ceramic artist to hold debut show at Clifton School of Arts

Stanwell Park ceramic artist Alexandra Neville will launch her debut solo show, where the light slips, with a free opening event at 6pm on Friday, July 25.

Genevieve Swart
July 2025
video
Arts & culture

Behind the Curtain with Sidedoor Theatre

Twenty years ago, the space held a business that sold risqué goods of an adult nature. Twenty years before that, it hosted a Balkans-themed club where young men complained that cans of VB cost $2.50. Now the tiny bolthole under ground level hosts...

Brian Kelly
July 2025
video
Arts & culture

From Uruguay to Barrack Heights

By Alejandra Martinez My family landed at Cabramatta Hostel in the early 1970s. We were housed in a hot one-room corrugated iron half-cylindrical hut. It was far away from all that was familiar, including the coast, which is so prominent in...

The Illawarra Flame
July 2025
video
Arts & culture

South Coast Writers Centre celebrates ‘extraordinarily successful’ festival in Thirroul

The South Coast Writers Centre hosted its most popular festival at Thirroul Community Centre last weekend, with well over 1000 tickets sold and up to 150 book lovers present at any given time. “It’s been extraordinarily successful,” said SCWC...

Genevieve Swart
July 2025
Energy Transition
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News

Blue Futures’ view on the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone

On July 16 the ABC reported that BlueFloat Energy, the only applicant for a feasibility licence in the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone, was withdrawing from offshore wind internationally. Locally, news headlines declared the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone project “sunk”. So, is it?

Genevieve Swart
July 2025
video
News

Business Illawarra’s Clean Energy Roadmap to deliver ‘jobs here for our kids and our grandkids’

Community association Good for the Gong has welcomed the “exciting and hopeful vision” of the new Illawarra Clean Energy Industry Roadmap, commissioned by Business Illawarra and launched this week at the University of Wollongong.

Genevieve Swart
July 2025
video
News

An exclusive visit inside one of Australia’s most energy-efficient 10-star homes

In these days of spiralling energy prices, how a home is built can make all the difference when power bills arrive, with their growing impact on the household budget. The Illawarra Flame has been granted exclusive access to one of the nation’s most...

Jeremy Lasek
July 2025
video
Energy Transition

Dr Saul Griffith urges Illawarra households to electrify these ‘five big things’

Engineer, entrepreneur and climate advocate Dr Saul Griffith says Australians have 20 years to make five upgrades that could help the country meet its climate targets.

Tyneesha Williams
July 2025
Clubs & Community
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Clubs & Community

Halfway through the year at Helensburgh Public School – what a journey!

By Helensburgh Public School teacher Nina Sampson As we reach the halfway mark of the school year, Helensburgh Public School students continue to engage in a variety of enriching activities that foster creativity and a sense of belonging. From dance...

The Illawarra Flame
July 2025
video
History

The Fullers of Dunmore

Dunmore House, built on a rise beside the Minnamurra River, is arguably one of the Illawarra’s most beautiful historic homes. You catch glimpses of its elegance and grandeur as you pass it on the way south to Kiama. George Laurence Fuller was the...

The Illawarra Flame
July 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Illawarra Ramblers invite bush walkers to take a hike on National Tree Day

Following on from the Illawarra Flame July article on famed local tree identity Leon Fuller’s life and books, the Illawarra Ramblers are on National Tree Day putting on a walk with lots of trees. Although the main ambition of National Tree Day is...

John Groom
July 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Scarborough’s new principal encourages kids to dream big

Scarborough Public School’s new principal Emma Hutchinson has introduced a simple rule since starting in January. It’s a reminder to staff and students to notice each other’s strengths and give them a shout out.

Tyneesha Williams
July 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Why should we of the Illawarra care about what’s happening in Gaza?

This Thursday, at sunrise, a group of mainly women will gather for the 20th monthly Solidarity at Sunrise Breakfast in support of the women and girls in Gaza caught up in a humanitarian tragedy. Former Wollongong Citizen of the Year, Sally...

Jeremy Lasek
July 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Clarence Slockee leads 1st Austinmer Scout Troop in Aboriginal cultural experience

By Sam Donohoe, 1st Austinmer Scouts Committee Chair On a cool and clear Wednesday evening in June, 1st Austinmer Scouts of all ages gathered together at the 1st Austinmer Scout Hall for an Aboriginal cultural experience. Scouts were very fortunate...

The Illawarra Flame
July 2025
video
Clubs & Community

Austinmer local Kevin Donald devoted decades to Legacy, helping veterans’ families

Janice Creenaune meets Kevin Donald, a long-time resident of Austinmer, who worked as a supermarket manager, but has devoted his time to the Legacy organisation since 1956 and remains a stalwart supporter after 68 years of service. After the Second...

Janice Creenaune
July 2025
Food & Travel
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Review

Mama Mia! Fabulous new Italian restaurant opens in iconic Wollongong location

It’s been a remarkable month for two of our region’s most loved restaurateurs. July kicked off with Maria Luciani and Keana Lufe winning the 2025 Outstanding Restaurant Award at the Illawarra and South Coast Local Business Awards. On Saturday night...

Jeremy Lasek
6 hours ago
video
Food & Travel

All aboard to enjoy this Wollongong couple’s music-themed holiday of a lifetime

Everyone has their own dream of undertaking the trip of a lifetime. A luxury cruise perhaps. A wildlife safari. Getting close to nature at the pristine Galapagos Islands. The Illawarra Flame has uncovered details of the most remarkable ‘themed...

Jeremy Lasek
July 2025
video
Food & Travel

Hundreds to join urban growing boom on Illawarra Edible Garden Trail

Garden gates will swing open across the region this spring as the Illawarra Edible Garden Trail returns for its third year.

Tyneesha Williams
July 2025
video
Food & Travel

UOW professor enlists Food Warriors in gardening program for students

Thirroul’s Professor Karen Charlton is on a mission to make the food systems of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven “more sustainable, healthy and equitable” for growers and consumers.

Tyneesha Williams
May 2025
What's On
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02
August
Events

Author talk with David Dufty

Author
03
August
Events

RAY BEADLE, CHARLIE WOOTON & ARSÈNE DELAY (New Orleans)

RAY
03
August
Events

Illawarra Folk Club presents Don’t Be Too Polite Girls

Illawarra
09
August
Events

Remember Hiroshima: March for Peace

Remember
Health & Wellness
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Health & Wellness

Is Social Media Making Our Kids Anxious? Let’s Talk About It

By clinical psychologist Dr Marianne Bourke As a clinical psychologist, I’ve sat with numerous parents – mums and dads doing their best to raise kind, resilient kids in a rapidly changing world. Many share the same concern: “My daughter’s...

Dr Marianne Bourke
July 2025
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Health & Wellness

Exercise and healthy diet the key to avoiding diabetes

“Keep moving”! That’s the simple advice on how we can try to avoid getting diabetes from a Wollongong-based expert. During National Diabetes Week (13-19 July) Diabetes Australia is highlighting the importance of prevention, to reduce adding to the...

Jeremy Lasek
July 2025
video
Health & Wellness

For healthy people, cities and hospitals, charity prescribes prevention

Local organisation Healthy Cities Australia (formerly Healthy Cities Illawarra) takes a collaborative approach to community health, working with local government, universities, businesses and other community organisations to “bring people together...

Tyneesha Williams
July 2025
video
Partner content

How to Stay Healthy Through Cold & Flu Season

As winter approaches across the Illawarra, cold and flu season intensifies alongside the cooler weather. In 2024, Australia saw over 349,000 influenza cases, with children under five and seniors most at risk. Vaccination remains the most effective prevention, yet concerning trends show only 13.7% of children aged 5–14 were vaccinated last year—and this number continues to decline.

Dr Meaghan Miller-McConochie
July 2025
video
Opinion

What we are really teaching kids when we keep them too safe

By Simone Potter, founder of Bush Magic Adventure Therapy We live in a world where children’s lives are more protected, programmed, and padded than ever before. Helmets, knee pads, safe surfaces, safety scissors – these things have their place...

Simone Potter
July 2025
video
Health & Wellness

Is it okay to boil water more than once, or should you empty the kettle every time?

The water contained trace amounts of metals such as iron and lead, low enough magnesium levels that it can’t be tasted, and sodium levels substantially lower than those in popular soft drinks

The Conversation
July 2025
Local Business
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Local Business

Discover Saunaus, Wollongong’s best-kept secret recovery retreat

The founders of Saunaus, Rhylka and Matt Hill are pouring heart and soul into running a relaxation haven on Crown Street in Wollongong.  ”We are a husband-and-wife duo with two young boys keeping us on our toes,“ says Matt. ”We have been living in the Illawarra now for around nine years, recently taking a big leap and opening our own health and wellness business.“

Lesley Roulston
July 2025
video
Local Business

Shellharbour nutritionist supports women on holistic path to hormonal health

Motherhood and menopause both involve big changes but there is still not enough support for women during these times of transition. To fill this gap, a Shellharbour local has started her own business: Emily Gardem Nutrition. 

Lesley Roulston
July 2025
video
Local Business

New Abyss Project eco-cruise sets sail around Five Islands

On 21 June, The Abyss Project launched on the first ever eco-tour of the Five Islands Nature Reserve off the Coast of Wollongong, offering tour-goers the chance to learn about the Illawarra’s marine environment and spot whales, seals, seabirds and...

Tyneesha Williams
July 2025
video
Local Business

Bodyfit Shellharbour Launches Free Community Yoga Classes to Reset & Reconnect

Spots for the free classes are limited and bookings are essential. To reserve a place, visit Bodyfit Shellharbour’s Instagram or Facebook page for the booking link

Kasey Simpson
July 2025
video
Local Business

Books talks at Ryan’s Hotel in July

News from the team at Collins Booksellers Thirroul We have three fantastic events at Ryan’s Hotel this July. Too difficult to choose? We recommend you come to all of them! On the 9th is the launch of DAYS SINCE, the latest anthology from the Young...

Collins Booksellers Thirroul
July 2025
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Partner content

An Invitation to Glow, from The Skin Confidential

If your skin isn’t looking or feeling its best lately – think dullness, dehydration, pigmentation or those first signs of fine lines – it might be time to prioritise expert-led skin care. That’s where The Skin Confidential comes in. Located...

The Illawarra Flame
June 2025
video
Local Business

Let’s talk about online meetings

By Pauline Calme Atlassian, the giant Australian-owned tech company, conducted a study last year revealing that team meetings are ineffective 72% of the time. Simply put, since I moved to the beautiful suburb of Otford with the opportunity to work...

The Illawarra Flame
May 2025
Science & Nature
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Science & Nature

What on Earth Wednesday: A shelled slug with a taste for flesh

My husband walked inside, thick canvas gardening gloves on, tightly grasping several small sticks. He held the sticks out, as far away from himself as possible and perched on top was a precariously balanced…something. “I don’t know what this...

Amanda De George
14 hours ago
video
Science & Nature

What actually is a waterway?

Since my last couple of posts, I’ve had all sorts of interesting conversations about waterways. First Nations Peoples caring for the Country to which they belong; people who live on or own (in the conventional legal system) a stretch of waterway...

Emma Rooksby
July 2025
video
Science & Nature

The incredible diversity of the Sandon Point rock pools

Just south of the iconic old boat sheds at Sandon Point, lies a pretty non distinct rock platform. Sure, it’s beautiful, and this morning drenched in sun and without so much as a puff of wind, it was heavenly. But I wasn’t there for the scenery...

Amanda De George
July 2025
video
Science & Nature

Bothered by mozzies? Here’s 1000 reasons a night to love microbats

Over the summer months I’m lucky enough to have microbats visit my yard. I have no idea where they spend the day roosting - in one of the tree hollows across the road? Someone’s shed? Under shedding bark of old growth trees? - but come dusk, they...

Amanda De George
July 2025
Motoring & Property
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Motoring & Property

Driven: 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250 Series

The new-generation Prado (aka the 250 Series) is larger than the previous Prado and is now able to tow the industry-standard 3500kg, rather than the 3000kg the previous generation is limited to. The new Prado, now based on the same TNG-F chassis as...

Marcus Craft
July 2025
video
Partner content

RBA Holds Rates Steady – What It Means for the Local Property Market

At its July meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) opted to leave the official cash rate unchanged at 3.85%, despite broad expectations among economists and financial markets for a 0.25% cut. The decision reflects the RBA’s cautious optimism...

Ian Pepper
July 2025
video
Motoring & Property

Driven: 2025 Ford F-150 Lariat LWB 3.5L Auto

US utes are very popular in Australia and the Ford F-150 Lariat long wheelbase – the top dog in the F-150 line-up – is the latest arrival in America’s full-size pick-up invasion of our car market. 

Marcus Craft
July 2025
video
Partner content

RBA Cuts Interest Rates by 0.25%

Ian is a regular advertiser in the Illawarra Flame

Ian Pepper
May 2025
video
Partner content

Whatever the election result, first home buyers will be the winners

Ian is a regular advertiser in the Illawarra Flame

Ian Pepper
April 2025
video
Motoring & Property

Diary of an EV Driver: Charging Away Simplified

Part 12 in Peter Aubourg’s column, Diary of an EV Driver It turns out that it is quite a social affair at the charging stations, with people sharing their experiences, and generally helping each other. On the subject of planning the trip, another...

Peter Aubourg
March 2025
video
Partner content

Why Didn’t the RBA Cut Interest Rates?

Local real estate agent and finance professional Ian Pepper looks at the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to keep interest rates on hold at 4.1 per cent after the board’s April 1 meeting. Inflation is Back in Target – So What’s the Problem?...

Ian Pepper
April 2025
Sport & Leisure
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Sport & Leisure

Thirroul snowboarder Charlie Tanner on quest for global success

Teen snowboarder Charlie Tanner is using a busy Aussie winter to prepare for his shot at global glory.

Zachary Houtenville
July 2025
video
Sport & Leisure

Epic morning for pointscore no.6

Winter? What winter? The sun was out, the weather was warm, the waves were pumping for our June pointscore #6 at Sharkey’s Beach. In the morning the sets were solid and groomed by a light offshore wind, making for a super fun day. The A Grade saw...

Ian Pepper
July 2025
video
Media release

UOW pool renamed in honour of Olympic legend Emma McKeon

UOW Media Release: 17 July 2025 The University of Wollongong (UOW) made Illawarra Olympic icon Emma McKeon AM an Honorary Doctor of Health Sciences – and renamed the UniActive pool in her honour – in recognition of her outstanding contribution...

The Illawarra Flame
July 2025
video
Sport & Leisure

Power carves at Coledale corner

The waves of the past few weeks continued but in a southerly direction, making Coledale corner the place to be for our 5th pointscore on Sunday, May 18. Some brisk winds from the south kicked up throughout the day but the waves held up and increased...

Ian Pepper
June 2025
Videos
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Videos

On the road with NINA

Ahead of National Volunteer Week (16 to 22 May 2022), Iris Huizinga joins a Northern Illawarra Neighbour Aid bus trip to the Imperial at Clifton. Visit the NINA office at 18 Walker Street, call 4294 1900 or follow @northernillawarraneighbouraid on...

Iris Huizinga
video
Videos

How John Stubbs put patients at the heart of healthcare

A Thirroul resident and now Member of the Order of Australia, 74-year-old John Stubbs is on a mission to put patients at the centre of healthcare treatment. Watch the interview

Iris Huizinga
video
Videos

Lifesaver teaches refugees to swim

When former Scarborough-Wombarra lifesaver Peter Rafferty volunteered as a driving instructor for refugees in Wollongong, he discovered most of his students couldn’t swim. So he decided to do something about it. Peter, who worked with asylum...

Iris Huizinga
video
Videos

Rise in demand for Need a Feed

“Right now, we can’t meet the demand, we have had to knock people back,“ says Need a Feed CEO and founder Shaz Harrison. ”There was one organisation that wanted 70 food packages, we could only give 25.”

Iris Huizinga
Puzzles
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Puzzles

Quick Quiz: 30 July 2025

The Illawarra Flame
14 hours ago
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Puzzles

Easy Sudoku, 29 July 2025

The Illawarra Flame
July 2025
video
Puzzles

9-Letter Challenge, 28 July 2025

The Illawarra Flame
July 2025
video
Puzzles

Quick Crossword, 25 July 2025

The Illawarra Flame
July 2025
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Puzzles

Play WordroW - 24 July 2025

The Illawarra Flame
July 2025
video
Puzzles

Quick Quiz: 23 July 2025

The Illawarra Flame
July 2025
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Puzzles

Easy Sudoku, 22 July 2025

The Illawarra Flame
July 2025
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