User Profile

Genevieve Swart

Genevieve Swart is a journalist who has spent 30 years at newspapers, magazines and websites in London, Cape Town and Sydney. For the past decade, she has run a community news business, which rebranded in 2022 to become The Illawarra Flame, a name inspired by a tree. Genevieve is a co-director of True Story festival and a founding member of the Local & Independent News Association. On days off, she goes kayaking.

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

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

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

News

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

July 2025

News

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

July 2025

News

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

July 2025

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

News

What’s the difference between the Illawarra’s Urban REZ and Offshore Wind Zone?

In his keynote address at the Illawarra Clean Energy Industry Roadmap launch on Wednesday, Wollongong MP Paul Scully took the chance to set the record straight about the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone, now the state’s first ‘Urban REZ’. “Some...

Genevieve Swart

July 2025

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

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

News

Lightbulb moment: How the Illawarra Urban REZ is leading a quiet revolution

“The huge advantage of operating a system like that is – if done right – it could democratise equitable access to locally generated, low-cost renewable energy,” Ty Christopher says.

Genevieve Swart

July 2025

Arts & culture

Kooky fun with a Kiwi twist as Mr Red Light stops at IPAC

Set in a pie shop, Mr Red Light is set to serve up kooky humour “with a Kiwi twist” at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre tonight. Think a touch of absurdism with “Buster Keaton-esque clowning”, says the show’s co-director, Ben Crowder.

Genevieve Swart

July 2025

News

Wollongong council to use ‘bin springs’ to stop clever cockies from raiding rubbish

More than a decade after Stanwell Park cockatoos were exposed as bin raiders – using their beaks, claws and teamwork to lift lids and rip into refuse – Wollongong City Council has a plan to stop the heists.

Genevieve Swart

June 2025

Arts & culture

Barracks Art Studios open for Thirroul Seaside Festival weekend

The exceptional visual artists at Barracks Art Studios Thirroul will open their work spaces to the public on Saturday, 31 May and Sunday, 1 June from 10am-4pm as part of the Seaside Festival. Located in an old brick building near the railway line at...

Genevieve Swart

May 2025