What Does it Mean to be an Artist? Tegan Ware talks Cicada
"It does feel very, very Wollongong and very local, and I think it hits close to home."
Latest
'Felt like a grand final': Warilla ends 708-day Group 7 first grade drought
Almost two years of heartache was washed away on Sunday afternoon when the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas ended a 708-day first grade win drought with a 12-8 victory over the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs at Cec Glenholmes Oval. The two sides headed to the break locked at 4-all
Public Figures is in the Public Interest!
Oh Victoria, a state of many things. Think sports, the arts, culture, and world-class coffee. Being firmly from New South Wales though, I've long considered it my utmost responsibility to take any shot at Victoria I can get, given our rivalry predates Federation, but even I, a
I filmed a music video at my ex-situationship's music video themed birthday party (a manifesto)
There is a time in every woman’s life where she must confront her sexualisation with ironic detachment. Where the condition of sitting on the line between being desired and being disgusting forms, there is the potential for public spectacle. The process of idealisation can be the basis for the
"The cliches are unfortunately true": Karin McCracken on Heartbreak Hotel
Fresh from RISING Festival Melbourne, the Edinburgh Fringe, and Soho Theatre London, Heartbreak Hotel is a synth-studded dissection of a serious breakup. It combines storytelling with science and a soundtrack of your favourite classic breakup songs to explore what heartbreak does to our bodies, and hopes to leave us
Project Q Fashion Show, a moment that changed the Illawarra arts scene forever
On the last night of July, a line of divas formed outside of Van Q on the corner of Crown and Keira. This show was a culmination of the Illawarra’s finest and most creative minds put into Action. Organised by James Windle, Monty Colwill, Felix Wylla, Quirine Van Nispen,
The Gala Week 3, Spring 2026
Project Q Fashion Show review, Warilla ends 708-day Group 7 first grade drought, and more
“A really silly amount of fun”: Yve Blake talks new play Mackenzie
"Watching what our director Virginia has been cooking up, I’m severely gagged. So I can’t wait for our audiences to be gagged by it as well."
The Gala Week 12, Autumn 2026
Ethan Floyd fresh off the Global Sumud Flotilla, Come on Aussie: an interview with Playlunch, and more
Six straight: second half surge powers Albion Park to victory over Gerringong in top of the table clash
The Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles are the only remaining unbeaten side in Group 7 after a dominant second half secured the side a 22-14 win over the Gerringong Lions at Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday. The Eagles overturned a narrow halftime deficit with three tries in 18 minutes
Come on Aussie: an interview with Playlunch
Australia is home to some of the greatest things on earth. From the longest continuous culture to the boomerang and Woomera, all the way along to the Hills Hoist, Holden, Victa, and the Wi-Fi all around us. Yep, Australia is certainly home to some great things, and we’re
On being ‘emotionally avoidant and evil’, ‘insecure and taking it to HR’: your week 12 dating advice
Painfully one-sided situationship trade got you down? Friends tired of you talking about the same chop hoe non-stop? Want advice about dating from someone who has made notoriously bad romantic choices? The Gala is here to help! We are starting a dating and situationships advice column. Submit your
NEWS
Campaigners for a secure NDIS unsuccessful as government continues bulldozing
Days out from Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ budget announcement, large crowds gathered in Wollongong and Sydney to demand a stoppage to proposed cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). As confirmed last Tuesday, the Labor government aims to remove 160,000 participants from the scheme, to save an estimated $35
NEWS
Ethan Floyd fresh off the Global Sumud Flotilla
I had a chance to speak to Ethan Floyd, a 22 year old Indigenous student from the University of Sydney (USyd) and a member of Students for Palestine, who recently arrived home on the 4th of May after joining the Global Sumud Flotilla’s most recent effort to break the
NEWS
'Today we say free Palestine': on the Wollongong Nakba Day rally
May 15th 2026 marked the 78th anniversary of Al Nakba, meaning ‘the catastrophe’ in Arabic. In 1948, over 700,000 Palestinians were displaced from their homes in a violent dispossession of land. Al Nakba is not an isolated historical event, rather the origin of Israel’s ongoing settler colonial violence
NEWS
From Dharawal and Gadigal, to Gaza: Nationwide Palestine Solidarity Week
From the 27th of April to the 1st of May, students on campuses around the country observed Nationwide Palestine Solidarity Week by demanding their universities cut ties to weapons industries. For the duration of this week, the University of Wollongong Palestine Society held a banner outside the library for students
SPORTS
Dogs’ day out: Collegians score comprehensive win over Sutherland-Loftus to remain unbeaten
Collegians have moved to a 2-0 start in the Illawarra Rugby League’s Harrigan Cup competition, courtesy of a 29-6 win over the Sutherland-Loftus Pirates at Collegians Sports Complex on Sunday. The fast-starting Collie Dogs turned a 19-0 half time advantage into a six-tries-
CULTURE
They're no illusion: an interview with LARGE MIRAGE
Anyone who knows me knows that first and foremost, I’m a sucker for all things 70s. Bell bottom jeans, flared shirt collars that look like they have a razor’s edge, big cars with thirsty V8s, and, most importantly, the music. From Led Zeppelin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Who,
CULTURE
First May Day music comp in Wollongong turns prose into power
Coming off the back of the city’s long-running May Day parade on Friday, a music competition brought a buzzing crowd to Globe Lane for a showcase of working class anthems. Six acts entered the competition by submitting an original protest song or cover of a classic, and three
CULTURE
You up for some Two-up?
Two–up, the gambling game you are only able to partake in once a year. This ANZAC Day, I wanted to take my chances on the coin toss. With the tradition taking place across several venues in Wollongong for the day, I decided to check it out. Armed with five
NEWS
Peace is Union Business: May Day 2026
May 1st: May Day, International Worker’s Day… ie. Union Christmas. Five o’clock: outside the Teachers Federation folks of all sorts gathered together, holding banners and flags. Spirited music to the tune of “Study War No More” (courtesy of the Rising Tide Street Band) filled the air. Soon, the
NEWS
So what exactly are UOW's relaitonship with weapons companies?
Here at The Gala, we respect your time, so * The University of Wollongong (UOW) is one of the major research contributors to DMTC (Defence Materials Technology Centre), which is a company that organises military research and development between different parties. * Through it, UOW has helped defence companies like BAESMA, Thales,
Print Issues
The Gala Week 10, Autumn 2026
So what exactly are UOW’s relationships with weapons companies?, From Dharawal and Gadigal, to Gaza: Nationwide Palestine Solidarity Week, and more
CULTURE
Interview with Sheridan Harbridge, author of the musical My Brilliant Career
Interviewed by Levi Murray, Questions prepared by Serena Emanuele