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How a nursing home tackled racism by celebrating culture

In 2024 a nurse reported racist abuse from some residents and family members. A year later, instances of abuse have plummeted and staff say it is because of a new program promoting respect.

Published: 18h agoWed 24 Dec 2025 at 8:39pmSource: ABC IllawarraTopic: Aged Careby Penny Burfitt

Woman charged over fatal Mount Druitt stabbing

Emergency services were called to a bus station at Mount Druitt in August to find two 19-year-old men with stab wounds.

Zac McRae in a black hoodie outside a local business with finalist signage

Published: YesterdayWed 24 Dec 2025 at 2:54amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Crime

Mixed bag for NSW oyster growers as peak Christmas demand looms

The Christmas oyster harvest is flourishing on the NSW south coast, but further north it is a very different story as growers face the fallout of this year's record-breaking floods.

Published: TueTue 23 Dec 2025 at 4:42amSource: ABC South East NSWTopic: Fishing and Aquaculture Industryby Lauren Bohane, Jacinta Counihan and Romy Gilbert

NSW hospital patients swelter without aircon during heatwave

Patients swelter in an Illawarra hospital ward after an air conditioning unit fails during a heatwave.

Published: TueTue 23 Dec 2025 at 3:11amSource: ABC IllawarraTopic: Public Healthby Penny Burfitt

Search underway for rock fisherman missing on NSW South Coast

Emergency services launch a multi-agency search for a man last seen rock fishing at Bushrangers Bay, south of Wollongong, on Monday evening.

Published: TueTue 23 Dec 2025 at 1:37amSource: ABC IllawarraTopic: Accidents and Emergency Incidentsby Romy Gilbert

University accused of 'false advertising' after cuts disrupt degrees

A University of Wollongong student says she left the institution after being unable to complete core subjects due to course cuts.

Three young people standing in a courtyard with serious looks on their faces holding a protest sign

Published: MonMon 22 Dec 2025 at 5:02amSource: ABC IllawarraTopic: Universitiesby Penny Burfitt and Brooke Chandler

Baker went to jail in 1977 so you can enjoy fresh bread at weekends

Richard Warby still remembers the day his local community piled into a mini-bus bound for Long Bay Jail to pay a fine and release his father, who was locked up for the bizarre crime of baking bread on a weekend.

Black and white newspaper clipping of les Warby being freed from prison

Published: SatSat 20 Dec 2025 at 11:38pmSource: ABC IllawarraTopic: Historyby Justin Huntsdale and Brooke Chandler

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ABC Illawarra Local News

Local news, updated weekdays at 6:30am

Duration: 4 minutes 58 seconds

Source: Listen

Tips for making an Aussie Christmas wreath

From Billy buttons to banksia blossoms, native flowers look splendid on an Aussie Christmas wreath.

A circular flower wreath hangs on a door.

Duration: 6 minutes 40 seconds

Source: ABC IllawarraTopic: Christmasby Sarah Moss

UFC champ, cooking star and local legend Alex Volkanovski is ready to rumble

With a fight coming up in February Alex Volkanovski begins his long preparation, but assures fans this isn't his last hurrah.

Alex Volkanovski poses with his UFC belt in front of the Sydney Opera House

Duration: 11 minutes 6 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Mixed Martial Artsby Radio producer and presenter Stefan Posthuma-Grbic

Artistic roller skating is more than just a sport

To encourage members of Wollongong's Artistic Roller Skating Sport, Aussie international champions rolled out to perform.

Young women wearing roller skates pose in a dynamic stance

Duration: 7 minutes 30 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Sportby Sarah Moss

ABC Radio ILLAWARRA

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Natalie May ventriloquist

Ventriloquist Natalie May says she has the best job in the world.

A woman sits next to a pink box full of puppets.

Source: ABC News

World's tallest spotted gum

Standing at over 72 metres tall, Big Spotty lies in state forest just off the Princes Highway on the NSW South Coast.

Duration: 30 seconds

Source: ABC South East NSW

Darren Coggan performs Fire and Rain in the Anita's Theatre foyer.

Wollongong musician Darren Coggan performs an acoustic cover of Fire and Rain by James Taylor inside the Anita's Theatre foyer.

Duration: 3 minutes 33 seconds

Source: ABC News

Electric vehicles have been stored at Jamberoo Action Park.

Hundreds of BYD vehicles are being stored at Jamberoo Action Park in NSW.

An aerial view of hundreds of cars parked at Jamberoo Action Park.

Duration: 32 seconds

Source: ABC News

Features

How a nursing home tackled racism by celebrating culture

In 2024 a nurse reported racist abuse from some residents and family members. A year later, instances of abuse have plummeted and staff say it is because of a new program promoting respect.

Source: ABC IllawarraTopic: Aged Careby Penny Burfitt

Embracing live entertainment's 'human connection' in aged care centres

A performer and an advocate for older Australians are worried that live entertainment for aged care residents is on the decline as other leisure activities, such as virtual reality, gain popularity.

A singer hugs an old woman who looks very happy.

Source: ABC IllawarraTopic: Aged Careby Sarah Moss

Make a Christmas wreath with flowers from your garden

Worried you might make a mess, get it wrong or waste your time making a wreath? Read our tips first.

A flower farmer holds a wreath as she constructs it.

Source: ABC IllawarraTopic: Christmasby Sarah Moss

Old fashioned farming with heavy horses

Aleks Berzins is farming the land in the same way his grandfather did, using draught horses for jobs now widely done by machines.

A man sits on an old plough with horses in the foreground

Source: LandlineTopic: Horse Farmingby Emily Doak

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Local news direct to your inbox

ABC Illawarra's newsletter delivers local news and stories from your community every Thursday. Sign up to stay connected.

Published: 3 Jun 2021Thu 3 Jun 2021 at 11:56pmSource: ABC Illawarra

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The ABC listen app connects you to the best podcasts and live radio from the presenters you know and love. Download it today and hear the world differently.

Published: 27 Aug 2024Tue 27 Aug 2024 at 4:23amSource: ABC BRISBANE

Know Your ABCs in an Emergency

This summer know your ABCs; action plan, be safe, connect with us. The ABC has a host of useful resources and tips on how to best prepare yourself for emergency weather so you can keep you and your household safe.

Letters A, B and C in pink, yellow and blue with small infographics of people completing emergency safety tasks

Published: 19 Nov 2023Sun 19 Nov 2023 at 11:11pmSource: ABC SYDNEY

Know your ABCs in an emergency

Published: 17 Dec 2025Wed 17 Dec 2025 at 5:08amSource: ABC EmergencyTopic: Bushfires

NSW Sport

'We push it to the max': She ready to add to Sydney to Hobart history

A fellowship of sailors will embark on She's 23rd Sydney to Hobart campaign. As they do they will honour one of the most resilient boats in the race's history and remember late owner Peter Rodgers.

A crew of eight sailors seated or crouching on board a boat, posing before the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Sailing

Sydney to Hobart set for strong starting winds, but nothing like 2024

The Sydney to Hobart fleet is in for milder conditions this year than in 2024, when two people died on the first night of racing, although sailors have been warned to expect strong winds.

Master Lock Comanche, LawConnect and Celestial V70 with Sydney in the background.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Sailing

feel good

Why 83-year-old Nancy is training to run her next marathon at 90

Nancy Dickman has run marathons in London, New York, Rome and Sydney, and at 83 shows no signs of slowing down.

A smiling Nancy Dickmann in a hat and glasses, fluro top smiling with her thumb up.

Source: ABC NewcastleTopic: Ageing

Re-Spin: Mark Schwarzer on Australian football's past glories and future challenges

The Socceroos' 2005 World Cup qualifier win over Uruguay is arguably Australia's greatest sports moment. Mark Schwarzer was at the centre of it and has just been named to Sports Australia's Hall of Fame.

Mark Schwarzer lifts his arms in the air wearing a grey goalkeeper's outfit with several Australian soccer players behind.

Duration: 14 minutes

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

NSW News

Charity, church services and cheer as Australians give back on Christmas Day

Australians have marked another Christmas Day with solemnity and celebration, with churches full and beaches packed.

A man dressed as Santa giving out presents

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Christmas

Public assemblies banned for 14 days across Sydney as police enact new laws

The NSW Police Commissioner, Mal Lanyon, has activated new powers prescribed under changes to NSW protest laws sparked by the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on December 14.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Policeby Jamie McKinnell

White Christmas in Tasmania as heat climbs in other states

Snow has arrived in the island state on Christmas morning, but hotter conditions are expected around the country, including a scorcher in the west.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Weatherby Gian De Poloni, Scout Wallen, Rebecca Trigger and Kelsey Reid

How a nursing home tackled racism by celebrating culture

In 2024 a nurse reported racist abuse from some residents and family members. A year later, instances of abuse have plummeted and staff say it is because of a new program promoting respect.

Source: ABC IllawarraTopic: Aged Careby Penny Burfitt

National News

Pope Leo asks people to think about Gaza during Christmas Day speech

During his Urbi et Orbi (city and world) speech on Christmas Day, Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to all wars and for people to think about the conditions in Gaza.

Pope Leo stands on a balcony flanked by two cardinals.

Published: 1h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 1:06pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Christmas

Crane collapse, thousands without power after Christmas Day storms in SEQ

Storms hit south-east Queensland on Christmas Day afternoon, knocking out power to thousands of homes.

Duration: 14 seconds

Published: 5h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 8:51amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Construction (Assembling)by Lottie Twyford

Boddington locals urged to 'leave immediately' as bushfire fast approaching

Several bushfires burning north and south of Perth have caused major power blackouts, including the entire town of Margaret River.

Duration: 10 seconds

Published: 4h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 10:21amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Bushfiresby Bridget McArthur, Madigan Landry and Gian De Poloni

Will the ‘Scandinavian sleep method’ really help me sleep?

This arrangement allows couples to continue sleeping together while meeting each person's individual needs.

A woman with long, dark hair, wearing a blue t-shirt, sleeping in white sheets.

Published: 10h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 4:40amSource: The ConversationTopic: Sleep

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ABC Illawarra

How a nursing home tackled racism by celebrating culture

Woman charged over fatal Mount Druitt stabbing

Mixed bag for NSW oyster growers as peak Christmas demand looms

NSW hospital patients swelter without aircon during heatwave

Search underway for rock fisherman missing on NSW South Coast

University accused of 'false advertising' after cuts disrupt degrees

Baker went to jail in 1977 so you can enjoy fresh bread at weekends

ABC Illawarra Local News

Tips for making an Aussie Christmas wreath

UFC champ, cooking star and local legend Alex Volkanovski is ready to rumble

Artistic roller skating is more than just a sport

ABC Radio ILLAWARRA

Live. Nightlife

Connect with ABC Illawarra

Get the ABC Illawarra newsletter

Natalie May ventriloquist

World's tallest spotted gum

Darren Coggan performs Fire and Rain in the Anita's Theatre foyer.

Electric vehicles have been stored at Jamberoo Action Park.

How a nursing home tackled racism by celebrating culture

Embracing live entertainment's 'human connection' in aged care centres

Make a Christmas wreath with flowers from your garden

Old fashioned farming with heavy horses

Local news direct to your inbox

Download our free ABC listen app

Know Your ABCs in an Emergency

Know your ABCs in an emergency

'We push it to the max': She ready to add to Sydney to Hobart history

Sydney to Hobart set for strong starting winds, but nothing like 2024

Why 83-year-old Nancy is training to run her next marathon at 90

Re-Spin: Mark Schwarzer on Australian football's past glories and future challenges

Charity, church services and cheer as Australians give back on Christmas Day

Public assemblies banned for 14 days across Sydney as police enact new laws

White Christmas in Tasmania as heat climbs in other states

How a nursing home tackled racism by celebrating culture

Pope Leo asks people to think about Gaza during Christmas Day speech

Crane collapse, thousands without power after Christmas Day storms in SEQ

Boddington locals urged to 'leave immediately' as bushfire fast approaching

Will the ‘Scandinavian sleep method’ really help me sleep?

Other ways to listen

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