Nick McLaren
Wollongong, NSW
Nick has worked in the ABC Illawarra newsroom since 1998. He became the Journalist-in-Charge in 2010 and Lead-News-Reporter in 2015.
He has previously worked for the ABC in Kempsey as a producer/presenter, and in Sydney for Radio News, Local Radio, Radio National and ABC Sport.
Nick also worked for SBS Radio inspired by two years in Europe as a freelancer based in Berlin, Germany.
He started his media career at community radio 2SER-FM in Sydney, has lived in Newcastle and Thredbo in NSW, and had a short stint as a bi-media journalist at 666 ABC Canberra.
At university Nick first studied Sociology and Political Science.
He has now has degrees in Arts and Communications from the University of NSW, the University of Technology Sydney, and the University of Wollongong.
Nick has a special interests in all things Illawarra, state and federal politics, Indigenous Australians, the environment and surfing.
Latest by Nick McLaren
Major upgrade of road linking south-west Sydney to thousands of new homes approved after five-year wait
A major road linking south-west Sydney to Wollongong has received NSW government approval for a long-awaited upgrade that accounts for impacts on a growing koala colony.
Fake lawyer Alexander Pinnock identified as gunman killed by police at Nowra medical centre
The man shot dead by police on a street in Nowra yesterday has been identified as 34-year-old Alexander Stuart Pinnock, known to authorities after pleading guilty to offences relating to unqualified legal practice last year.
Man shot dead by police in Nowra's main street after confronting police with gun
New South Wales Police say the man was shot and killed in the main street of Nowra after he confronted police with a handgun.
Julian Assange 'will not survive' US extradition if last UK court appeal fails, lawyer warns
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is at risk of suicide if the UK High Court next month rejects his final appeal against extradition to the US, his lawyer warns.
Is it time for a rethink of the red and gold flags? After a spate of beach drownings, some lifesavers believe so
Veteran lifeguards in New South Wales say more education about beach safety is required for tourists and people from non-English speaking backgrounds, along with a shake-up of patrolling strategies.
Despite alleged confession and new witness, Cheryl Grimmer cold case inquest ruled out
NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley has rejected calls for a fresh inquest into the 1970 disappearance of the three-year-old, as well as other requests made by her family and the detective who worked the case.
'Horrendous' year of koala deaths in NSW prompts calls for lower speed limits, better road design
A coalition of koala conservation groups calls on NSW Roads Minister John Graham to take action after a spike in koala road deaths.
New witness emerges in Cheryl Grimmer's disappearance, prompting calls for fresh investigation
A man tells a BBC podcast he saw a young man "in full stride with this baby on his hip" back in 1970, with a former detective into the three-year-old's disappearance from a Wollongong beach calling for the claims to be investigated.
'Jumped the gun': Offshore wind farm plan withdrawn as debate rages in NSW
Spanish firm BlueFloat Energy says it intends to resubmit its proposal for the controversial project off the Illawarra coast, which it lodged before the government declared the area designated for that purpose.
Sydney to Gong charity bike ride cancelled for thousands as bad weather closes transport links and beaches
An intensive weather system that hit Wollongong on Saturday night temporarily closed roads and the south coast rail line, caused significant damage to properties, and the cancellation of an annual charity bike ride.
Swapping dentistry for gelato, migrants build new Australian business
Iranian migrant Kambiz Seyedghalouri and his wife, Sara Minagar, leave behind the political turmoil of their home country to open a chocolate and gelato franchise in Wollongong. In 2021, Iran supplied the second-largest number of business migrants to Australia.
MP pushes for fresh Cheryl Grimmer inquest after family's request denied
Greens MP Sue Higginson says NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley should step in and grant the request to the Grimmer family, which she says has been failed by the system.
Call for Bluescope to rapidly transition away from coal based-steelmaking at Port Kembla
A new global organisation monitoring carbon emissions from steelmakers is urging Australian company Bluescope to abandon plans to reline its main blast furnace at Port Kembla in Wollongong.
Rescuers say a busy road frequented by koalas is a 'kill zone'. But it's not just a danger to the animals
Wildlife rescue volunteers operating on a busy road say they feel increasingly anxious not just for the koalas they are trying to rescue but for their own safety.
Residents rally in support of LGBTQI+ community amid right-wing protests at drag queen reading event
A community in the New South Wales Illawarra has turned out to voice support for a Rainbow Storytime event despite protests from far-right groups.
Toddler Cheryl Grimmer vanished from a beach in 1970. Now a request to reopen the case is under review
The NSW Department of Communities of Justice is considering a request to review evidence surrounding the missing Wollongong toddler Cheryl Grimmer.
Woman 'thrown to the ground and arrested' by police at 'peaceful' church protest gets $60k payout
A woman receives compensation from police after being wrongfully handcuffed and placed in a police wagon while walking by a protest to protect a heritage church on the NSW South Coast.
Property developer apologises, vows to fix 'design issues' in NSW south coast homes after residents complain of leaks
Frasers Property Australia says 12 remedial teams are fixing "design issues" in some of the 3,500 homes being built in Shellharbour, but some residents are critical of the slow pace.
Who is liable when a petrol station closes, then fails to clean up?
There are calls for changes to make the fossil fuel industry responsible for cleaning up old petrol stations, as almost 900 sites across NSW remain derelict.
Tears as dad accused of fatally running over neighbours granted bail
A 27-year-old Nowra man has been banned from driving as part of his bail conditions after he was accused of running over two men while under the influence of alcohol.
NSW train travellers fail to return with monthly figures still around half of pre-COVID levels
The number of people catching intercity trains from Wollongong, the Central Coast, and Blue Mountains to Sydney is on the decline, failing to bounce back after COVID.
Fatal crash on notorious highway stretch highlights urgent need for long-promised upgrade
The death of a man in his 80s who was travelling along a dangerous stretch of road in the NSW South Coast has reignited the community's calls for an urgent road upgrade.
Dragons hope Anthony Griffin sacking will 'spark' season revival
The team is equal last on the NRL ladder after a sixth straight defeat at the weekend, with club bosses saying the performances this season have not met expectations.
'Demolition by neglect': Council set to sell 19th century property to make way for housing development
There are fears for a unique slice of Illawarra heritage, which inspired the name of Wollongong's newest suburb, Stream Hill, after council voted to sell the deteriorating property.
Drivers to wear extra car import costs as tighter quarantine slows vehicle flow
A major car importer says costs of bringing vehicles into Australia are piling up and expects it will be the consumer who is left to cover them.