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Figtree - 2525

After years helping her kids build with Lego, Wendy decided to make her own creation

Wendy Coppola wanted a large artwork for her blank wall, so she made one herself out of Lego.
Wendy stands behind her Lego artwork

Dry winter causes bloomin' early showing of spring favourites like jacaranda and flame trees

A warmer than usual winter has spurred jacaranda, Illawarra flame trees, and Christmas bush into unseasonably early flowering as neighbourhoods are painted in striking purple and red. 
A close up photo of bright purple jacaranda tree flowers.

When HECS began, it helped more Aussies go to uni. Today, it's 'feeding women's disadvantage'

It has been more than 30 years since the HECS system widened access to tertiary education. But after a number of changes over the years, there is concern about inequity between men and women.
Updated
A middle aged woman sitting on the step of a house with her teenage daughter

Called up for Matildas friendlies, Mackenzie Hawkesby takes her chance to stake World Cup claim

Mackenzie Hawkesby dreamed of playing for the Matildas as a little girl while growing up in Figtree in Wollongong, and this week she received that call-up to the national women's squad.
Young woman sits on a bench, she is smiling.

Illawarra and Shoalhaven residents shine on Queen's Birthday Honours list

A prominent broadcaster has been recognised posthumously, and nine other residents celebrated for extraordinary contributions in fields ranging from health to the arts.
Kirli Saunders smiles at the camera at Port Kembla.

Real estate prices continue to rise amid lockdown, hurting first home buyers

COVID lockdown has had almost no impact on the cost of property in the Illawarra, with open home restrictions merely serving to filter out non-serious buyers.
An aerial view of the beach and property, looking south from Coledale beach down the Illawarra coastline.

'You are my life': Twins' tribute to mother who died in Sydney Delta outbreak

Brothers Roni and Ramsin Shuka express their grief over the death of their 57-year-old mother Saeeda, who became the fifth person to die in the current outbreak of the Delta strain of COVID-19 in NSW. 
Updated
A photograph of a smiling woman looking into the camera .

'Unfathomable': Police charge men who allegedly left Sydney despite knowing they had COVID

NSW Police charge three men who allegedly knew they had COVID-19 but still travelled from Sydney to the state's Central West.
Updated
Molong NSW

Woman dead, teenager critical after Wollongong crash

A woman has died and a child is in a critical condition after a horror car crash on the Princes Motorway near Wollongong overnight.
The side of an ambulance with red and white checks and the words "Ambulance Service N.S.W." above a yellow line.

'Extensive investigation' launched after several COVID-19 cases discovered at Sydney quarantine hotel

An "extensive investigation" is launched to probe whether a person who tested positive for COVID-19 two days after leaving hotel quarantine was infected at Sydney's Sofitel Wentworth.
Updated
the exterior of a hotel with a garden and restaurant

Court shown dashcam footage of motorway inferno that claimed two lives

A 65-year-old NSW man has been found guilty of causing a fiery 2019 crash in which two people were killed and nine others injured.
Updated
A split image showing a vehicle as seen from a dashcam and a fiery road accident.

Calls for disclosure on coal sludge discharge into Wollongong creek

A pollution incident that saw coal sludge wash down a suburban creek in the centre of Wollongong has raised wider transparency concerns at South32's Dendrobium Mine.
Updated
A finger is dipped into a Figtree creek but comes out covered in a dark black substance

Protestors highlight South32 mine spill into creek

Protestors try to deliver what they say is a contaminated water sample from a Figtree creek to NSW EPA in Wollongong.
Protesters stand in bio hazard suits, holding glass bottles with sludge in them.
Duration: 1 minute 17 seconds

Teens face 25 years' jail over 'vicious' assault at shopping centre, likened to 'pack of wild dogs'

Three girls accused of attacking another teen near Wollongong face a maximum 25 years behind bars if found guilty of the shopping centre assault.
Updated
One girl is sitting on the ground covering her face while another is leaning over her and holding onto her arm.

Putting your baby to sleep can be a nightmare — but some parents are living the dream

Tiny humans can be surprisingly difficult to get to sleep, and parents are often driven to the end of their wits just trying — but experts say there is a solution for just about everyone.
Updated
Scarlett and book

Second road death in as many days as 56yo hit by car in Wollongong

New South Wales Police are investigating after a pedestrian was hit by a car and killed in the second road fatality in the Illawarra this week.
Updated
NSW Ambulance generic

Mystery shopper surveillance ramped up to ensure consumers get what they pay for

Shopping these days is no private affair as shopper surveillance ramps up towards the Christmas period. What you might not be aware of is that traders and their employees are also being keenly observed.
Updated
Anyone can be a mystery shopper

Running life of Brian: 83-year-old clocks up 100,000km

Brian almost lost his leg when he was 11 years old and spent a year in a caliper. But then he started to run, meticulously recording his mileage. Now he's looking back at the ground he covered.
Two older men running over a wooden bridge

Jean is turning 90 and has fallen in love for the first time: 'It's the happiest time in my life'

Jean Whittle is celebrating her 90th birthday as well as her first experience of falling in love. She is enjoying the romance and happiness of her first relationship — from her retirement village.
Updated
An elderly woman looks up adoringly at an elderly man she is holding hands with.

Infamous train station at centre of viral outrage to get $20m upgrade

Years after footage of a double amputee hauling himself up the stairs at a NSW train station sparked widespread fury, the NSW Government has promised the long-awaited fix with the election just weeks away.
A man without legs climbs up a steep flight of stairs at a train station.

Snoring, sleep apnoea, and the long-term risks of sleep deprivation

Fifty per cent of people who snore loudly have sleep apnoea, according to a NSW doctor who says the condition can lead to serious illnesses.
Updated
Young woman with CPAP mask

Homes evacuated, highway closed as fuel tanker explodes

The driver of a fuel tanker makes a lucky escape after his vehicle bursts into flames on the Princes Highway near Wollongong, forcing nearby homes and a childcare centre to be evacuated.
Updated
Fuel tanker on fire

Goulburn prison escapee Beau Wiles and girlfriend face court

A Goulburn prison escapee and his girlfriend, accused of aiding his escape, appear at Port Kembla court in the New South Wales Illawarra region via video link.
Updated
Beau Wiles was captured

Service at Figtree school to remembers fallen ANZACS

Service at Figtree school remembers fallen ANZACS
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ABC News Current

Jailed Illawarra teacher wins child porn sentence appeal

An Illawarra catholic high school teacher jailed for possessing child pornography will be released in a fortnight after successfully appealing his sentence.
ABC News Current