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‘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.

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...

‘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

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...

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

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

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...

Uncle Richard Davis welcomes walkers to Berkeley and the area where King Hooka once lived

Uncle Richard welcomed a group of 25 walkers to Berkeley on Tuesday, July 22

Genevieve Swart

Knitting together a future with the Nannas of IKNAG

“Well behaved women seldom make history”, the bold black and yellow T-shirts of the Illawarra Knitting Nannas Against Greed (IKNAG) proclaim. All due respect, but when the time comes to record the local fight for environmental justice, the Nannas will definitely be making the history books.

Tyneesha Williams

Local pharmacist delivers call for Gaza action signed by over 3000 healthworkers

Wollongong pharmacist Yossra Abouelfadl is “overwhelmed” by the response to a petition from over 3000 health professionals calling for urgent government action on Gaza. “The good news is we’ve achieved our goal,” said Yossra, who created the...

Genevieve Swart

What’s happened to Wollongong’s most loved beach?

Arguably our city’s most loved beach, North Gong has had a terrible 2025 so far. Earlier in the year, for many weeks the beach was covered in thick matted seaweed, making swimming an unpleasant experience. More recently, for well over a month, the...

Help new Illawarra Bird Sanctuary and Rescue take flight at Saturday fundraiser

The Illawarra Bird Sanctuary and Rescue is off to a flying start, with a fundraiser for the new charity to be held at Unanderra’s Atlantis Pets this Saturday.

Lesley Roulston

Big blue gap: Scientist calls for Illawarra marine tourism plan

Duncan thinks there are more big blue opportunities in diving and snorkelling. “I think we should push councils for a marine tourism plan and get some leadership happening,” he told the Illawarra Flame

Genevieve Swart

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

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

Girl power leads the way to win global robotics fame in Texas, and a big new local award

Amidst wild scenes, an Illawarra robotics team representing 20 regional schools went “ballistic” with “lots of screaming” when they were named the best of the best against 600 teams made up of some of the world’s smartest young minds. With the...

Lord Mayor’s column: Time to action our shared vision for Wollongong

News from the Lord Mayor’s Office, 15 July 2025 By Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown When it comes to our long-term vision for Wollongong, there is no more important document than the Our Wollongong Our Future Community Strategic Plan...

The Illawarra Flame

Discover history of Illawarra Peace Movement at Wollongong Library exhibition

Wollongong’s proud history of peace activism is currently being celebrated in the Peace Movement Illawarra exhibition at Wollongong City Library. The exhibition features photographs and artefacts in the main Wollongong library and an online...

Alexander Brown

Calls for greater safety as Wollongong’s e-scooter trial extended to Jan 2026

For the second time, the NSW Government has extended Wollongong’s e-scooter trial program. It’s prompted calls from one Wollongong councillor for increased safety measures to protect riders, cyclists and pedestrians who use the shared paths. The...

Banksia Bushcare solves African art mystery with AI

By Kieran Tapsell of Banksia Bushcare When the Suez Canal was being built in the 1850s, many Greeks were brought in as labourers and tradesmen. After the completion of the canal in 1869, many of them stayed in Egypt. However, after the Suez Crisis...

Lord Mayor’s column: Reflecting on NAIDOC Week 2025

News from the Lord Mayor’s Office, 14 July 2025 By Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown Every July NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres...

The Illawarra Flame

Help Council continue to build a city that’s inclusive

For more information head to the Our Wollongong website

Wollongong City Council

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