NAPLAN falling from favour
Students currently sitting the National Literacy and Numeracy test this year are being told not to take it too seriously, or “fall for the hype”, as the program is flawed. The Principal of the Emmaus Christian School in Canberra, Paul Marshall, says the six-month waiting period for results mean the tests aren’t relevant or useful [...]
Walk to fight animal cruelty
Do you have a four legged friend who loves to get out and about? Well, according to the RSPCA, the ‘Million Paws Walk‘ is the most important event on the canine calendar. The annual event is the RSPCA’s biggest fundraiser and aims to raise awareness about animal cruelty and funds go towards the care of [...]
Budget 2013/14
The Illawarra will receive $42 million dollars to upgrade Mount Ousley Road under the 2013/14 Budget announced last night. Funding two new lanes each way on the road between Bulli Tops and Picton Road, the upgrade will comes ahead of an expected traffic growth of 2.7 per cent a year until 2025. The funding was [...]
Dragons re-sign Mitch Rein for three more years
The Dragons have helped secure their future as contenders by re-signing promising hooker, Mitch Rein, today to a three-year deal. A Kiama junior, Rein made his debut for the Dragons in 2011 and has since claimed the role of starting hooker, drawing talks of possible Blues squad selection in the future. “I am a local [...]
Gong gets a taste of Italy
Local ceramic artist, John Kuczwal, and Italian ceramic artist, Marino Moretti, are currently showcasing their ceramic works at the Wollongong City Gallery to portray aspects of Italian culture and history. The collaborative exhibition will feature the lustre and maiolica ceramics that the artist’s are known for, as well as Spanish and Italian revival pieces that [...]
Innovation Campus welcomes industry giant
China-based IT service giant Pactera will establish their first Australian development centre at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus. Michael McCann, Director of Pactera’s Wollongong Nearshore Development Centre, expects that the centre will create 35 new jobs locally by 2014, drawing primarily from UOW graduates. Pactera operate under a business model known as ‘right-shoring’, which [...]
UOW researchers use Trojan horse tactics against superbugs
Taking inspiration from Greek mythology, UOW researchers have patented a world-breakthrough approach for treating infections resistant to antibiotics. Dubbed ‘Trojan horse’ drugs, the medical advancement allows the barriers of resilient infections to be attacked. “Biofilms occur when bacteria grow together as communities… encased within a protective polymetric blanket,” says Dr Mike Kelso, researcher with the Illawarra [...]
Wrongfully jailed woman wins in High Court
Wollongong woman Roseanne Beckett has successfully won her High Court bid for compensation after being wrongfully imprisoned for ten years. “I’m over the moon, I’m numb and it’s 25 years in the making, a very hard slog,” Ms Beckett said upon leaving the court. Ms Beckett, formerly Roseanne Catt, was jailed in 1991 for nine [...]
UOW education graduates given the thumbs up
Image courtesy of the University of Wollongong School principals will be given the power to remove poorly performing staff under a proposed Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. The University of Wollongong (UOW) says it is well placed to welcome the changes. Leading UOW Education researcher and Associate Professor Pauline Lysaght, said the University is training students to [...]
NDIS: A local standpoint
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced details of a levy increase to support the Federal Governments National Disability Insurance Scheme. The levy of 0.5% will become apart of the Medicare levy, raising it from 1.5% to 2%. Prime Minister Gillard said the cost would still be affordable for Australian families. “An average worker on $70, [...]
Supporting Illawarra artists
The Illawarra is home to many emerging artists, musicians, actors and writers who contribute to the rich and vibrant culture of the region. Funding, resources and getting support continue to be an issue for these artists. To help artists along, UOW takes part in the National Campus Band Competition to encourage local musicians to showcase their [...]
Bitter battle sees Dragon turn Panther
Jamie Soward is leaving the Dragons for a four year contract with the Panthers. Soward has hit back at critics telling them he is not a coward and wants to play where he is wanted. The Dragons have since revealed that Gareth Widdop from Melbourne will be their new playmaker. During his time at the [...]
The Grange to host Legacy Golf Day fundraiser
The Grange Golf Club will host a golf day this Friday to fundraise for Legacy, an organisation dedicated to caring for the families of deceased and injured veterans. The Golf Day costs $60 per person which includes breakfast, lunch and green fees. The event will start at 7am with breakfast before teeing off at 8am. The [...]
Rules proposed to stamp out bad teachers
A proposed Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) has included guidelines for dealing with poor teacher performance for the first time. Department of Education policy includes reviewing teacher performance but it is not always enforced by school principles. The inclusion of a 13- week process to review teacher performance in an EBA will create greater expectations of [...]
Local community contests Nowra chopper plan
Image: courtesy of The Illawarra Mercury Response time and patient safety are two major concerns of the proposal to relocate the Albion Park Rail rescue helicopter to Nowra. Kiama MP Gareth Ward is calling for the government to keep the helicopter at Albion Park Rail. A petition with over 5000 signatures is currently being circulated [...]
The Gift of Giving
Donating blood can seem like a daunting process but for the people on the other side it’s a different story. Blood donations can significantly affect someone’s chance of survival. The kindness of a stranger has never been so important. The Current will be reporting on blood and organ donation in the Illawarra. More to come on [...]
Improving the health of our Kids
The GO4FUN Program aims to improve the health, fitness, self-esteem and confidence of children who are above their ideal weight range. The weekly workshops run during school terms. Activities include cooking classes, a supermarket tour, tips on healthy food options, label reading and portion sizes. The next program will run during Term 2. Register now by [...]
The Potbelleez are coming to the Gong
Award winning Australian band The Potbelleez are bringing their national tour to Wollongong this Friday at Towradgi Beach Hotel‘s Waves Nightclub. Old favourites will be played as well as their newest single Saved in a Bottle. The concert begins at 8pm. Tickets are still available for purchase. The national tour finishes on May 4th.
UOW investments called into question with funding cuts
The University of Wollongong has begun construction on the world’s biggest centre for teaching and research into social disadvantage, particularly for remote and rural students. Jacob Evans investigated the new Early Centre building’s aim to ‘break the cycle of social disadvantage.’ However, with money taken from Universities to fund the government’s Gonski scheme, the future [...]
Building developments in Wollongong
Council to face new 10 day deadlines The State Government’s latest proposal to improve the NSW planning system means that Wollongong City Council may lose decision-making powers if it does not make decisions on standard development applications within 10 days. The government white paper ‘A New Planning System for NSW’ released yesterday aims to create a [...]
Faculty milestone highlights importance of getting creative
Alumni praise Faculty of Creative Arts The Faculty of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong has long prided itself on producing innovative creative professionals. But as the faculty celebrates its 30th anniversary, it’s the graduates who are singing its praises. Some of UOW’s alumni sang the praise of the FCA at a networking event [...]
Indigenous student’s success to inspire others
After the recent award of a Dean’s Scholarship to indigenous student Kylie McElhone, the UOWTV team investigate what the scholarship is and what it means for other indigenous students. Video: VANESSA CONRY, KATHLEEN HAINES
Bodyboarding comp hits Kiama coast
IBA event to hit the South Coast The Kiama area will be hosting the second event on the International Bodyboarding Association (IBA) world tour. This 2013 NSW South Coast Crusade event will be held from tomorrow until the 1st of May. It’s set to bring some of the biggest names in bodyboarding to the South [...]
Hunt for UOW’s mysterious “Banksy”
UOW‘s mystery whiteboard artist has struck again, this time warning students “There is no use crying over spilt milk”. The drawing, discovered by university staff on a graphic design whiteboard this morning, is the third such artwork to appear around the Creative Arts building in the last month. The series of drawings has re-ignited the [...]
