Jeremy Lasek

Jan 18, 2025 | theillawarraflame.com.au | Jeremy Lasek

A campaign running more than four decades that would see a permanent cafe built in Wollongong's Botanic Garden appears to be edging closer to reality. This story dates back to the 1970s and the Illawarra Flame thanks members of the Friends of Wollongong Botanic Gardens for their research assistance. Lost opportunityIt's been described as the Illawarra's missing architectural gem.

Jan 17, 2025 | theillawarraflame.com.au | Jeremy Lasek

As speculation continues about exactly when Australia will go to the polls in the 2025 federal election, young voters are uniting to demand their concerns are heard as the political parties and would-be politicians pitch for our votes. One such voter is 26-year-old Maddy Yerbury from Lake Heights.

Jan 16, 2025 | theillawarraflame.com.au | Jeremy Lasek

While recent rains in the Illawarra may have reduced any immediate bushfire risk this summer, experts from the University of Wollongong (UOW) say the devastating wildfires in California demonstrate there is no cause for complacency, especially as the impact of climate change increases the threat. Scientists have now broadened the definition and impact of the global climate crisis to include a growing 'Global Fire Crisis'.

Jan 14, 2025 | theillawarraflame.com.au | Jeremy Lasek

"Our vision is to create a spectacular, iconic walking track which would rival any other in Australia.”It's now more than 50 years since former Kiama mayor and prominent community volunteer Neville Fredericks first heard of the vision for a walking track along Illawarra's escarpment linking the famous Royal National Park in the north with the magnificent Cambewarra Mountain, more than 150 kilometres to the south in the Shoalhaven.

Jan 8, 2025 | theillawarraflame.com.au | Jeremy Lasek

Four decades ago, they were Wollongong and the Illawarra's top A-listers. Over the summer break, former WIN-TV (Channel 4) news anchors Michael McRae and Susie Elelman reunited at a television reunion with former colleagues. In the late 70s and early 80s Michael and Susie were the region's best known local faces. It was a time when Channel 4 (now WIN) was the only commercial television station. The ABC (Channel 5A) was the only competition and there was precious little local content there.