Well the federal election for 2025 is over and in this week's newsletter we have a wrap up of what happened across our region and what's to come. The ABC Illawarra team was on the ground in the federal seat of Gilmore on Saturday night. Our reporter Nick McLaren (pictured) was with Labor's Fiona Phillips in Currarong while our reporter Kelly Fuller was with the Liberal's Andrew Constance in Shoalhaven Heads.
 

Also in this newsletter, make sure you read about a local farmer who is breeding heat-tolerant cattle. You can also listen to the story about a little-known gem that is sitting in the shed of the Wollongong Polish Club.
 

Have a great week, and remember, if you have a story idea drop an email to 973@your.abc.net.au.

Rory Macdonald,
ABC Illawarra editor.

Supporters of large-scale renewable energy projects are urging Labor to get on with the job of assessing offshore wind options in New South Wales after the weekend's landslide election victory.

The Liberal candidate, who campaigned against Labor's renewable energy platform, has conceded defeat, admitting his party needs to be "pro-environment".

A fourth-generation dairy farmer is using a world-first genetic index to breed heat-tolerant cattle, with his animals grazing in hot, sticky conditions and producing large quantities of commercial-grade milk.

While the Wollongong Polish Club is known for promoting Polish culture, history, art and language in the Illawarra, there's a little-known gem sitting in their shed out the back.

John Geoffrey Fairley was one of a small group of photographers tasked with documenting the conflict for Australian audiences back home. Fifty years after the fall of Saigon, he says he has tried to forget the tragedies he witnessed. 

Octogenarian Carolyn Robinson sets off on a 130-kilometre trek to reach Mount Everest's South Base Camp, 5,364 metres above sea level.