Hands up if you are ready for the Easter Long weekend? Here is 97.3FM ABC Illawarra Breakfast presenter Mel James and Mornings presenter Nick Rheinberger pictured with some Easter treats, we hope you have great break with family and friends.

Over Easter you can spend some time catching up on all the latest Illawarra news, ahead of the Royal Easter Show we have looked at the history of showbags and meet an Ulladulla lady who is the queen of the showbag scene. We farewell a local swimming family that has trained thousands to swim over the last 40 years. And speaking of swimming, take care if you are going in the ocean this Easter, we have a story about the record number of drownings along the NSW coast during March.

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

Rory Macdonald

Editor, ABC Illawarra

Former interim vice-chancellor John Dewar says he can see a "perception" of conflict of interest after a $3.8m contract was awarded to his consultancy firm by the University of Wollongong.

The country has come to the city for the Royal Easter Show and despite the cost of the trip blowing out amid high fuel prices, the exhibitors say they would not miss it.

Rescuers say the impact of a drowning doesn't end when the sirens stop, with better support now helping them process the shock and grief that can follow.

Over the past four decades Ron and Susie McKeon estimate their swim school has taught hundreds of thousands of kids to swim in the Illawarra.

Consultancies have been accused of infiltrating universities and wasting scarce public funds on questionable advice about cutting courses and jobs. 

The "uniquely Australian" tradition of the showbag dates back more than a century, and shows no sign of dying out.