'Thousands pack out Laura Dance Festival', Koori Mail 454 p.13 'Thousands at Freo fest', Koori Mail 440 p.28 [49], The Illawarra Cycling Club holds road cycle races almost every week of the year. The following table includes selected 2006 census figures for these areas, together with those for the central suburb of Wollongong. 74.1% of people were born in Australia. The city does not have a senior cricket team representing it. [38][39] New residential areas are also being developed further south around the Albion Park, Shell Cove and Kiama areas. Beaton Park in Gwynneville is home to Tennis Wollongong and the Leisure Centre with an athletics complex, indoor heated swimming pool, gymnasium and multipurpose sports hall. [citation needed] In 1868 the extensions to the harbour were opened by Lady Belmore and named Belmore Basin. is just below the subtropical isotherm of 22 Â°C (72 Â°F). The inner city area includes the suburbs of Wollongong and North Wollongong, extending from Fairy Creek in the north, west to include the Wollongong Hospital, and south to the Greenhouse Park. [2] The city's current Lord Mayor is Gordon Bradbery AM who was elected in 2018. There are two commercial radio stations i98FM 98.1 and WAVE FM 96.5 – formerly 2WL, and two community radio stations Vox FM 106.9 and Christian broadcaster 94.1 FM.[44]. In 2000, as part of the Sydney Olympics, the Olympic torch was carried through Wollongong as part of its journey. Learn about Australia's first Aboriginal theatre company, founded in 1972, and other theatres that came after it. If you continue using the site, you indicate that you are happy to receive cookies from this website. It is the third largest city in New South Wales and the tenth largest in Australia. A regional club, the Illawarra Flame Baseball Club, fielded teams in four grades in the New South Wales Baseball League Sydney Major League from 1994 to 2007. In the book Quidditch Through the Ages by J. K. Rowling, the Wollongong Warriors are listed as one of Australia's quidditch teams. The Wollongong metropolitan area includes the suburbs, outlying towns and rural localities stretching from Helensburgh in the north to Kiama in the south. [citation needed]. Patrick Lahiff established a coke works at Wollongong Harbour in the 1870s. A passenger rail service connecting Wollongong to the Southern Highlands has since been replaced with a coach service. Eight regional clubs from four Local Government Areas play in the I B L. For shorter itineraries starting in Gnarabup (6 day) There are a couple of coach services operating daily from Perth to Margaret River. The annual Wollongong Eisteddfod showcases local talent in music, theatre and dance. 07 4096 8178. Fake or real? Subscription Television service Foxtel (formerly Austar) is also available via satellite. In 1916 the Wollongong High School was opened. The Wollongong Whales compete against Bondi Icebergs Winter Swimming Club, South Maroubra Dolphins Winter Swimming Club, Cronulla Polar Bears Winter Swimming Club, Maroubra Seals Winter Swimming Club, Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club, Clovelly Eskimos Winter Swimming Club, Bronte Splashers, Coogee Penguins Winter Swimming Club and Cottesloe Crabs in the Winter Swimming Association of Australia Championships.[50]. Show me how [1a] Wollongong will be hosting the UCI Road World Championships in 2022.[51]. Aboriginal art in contemporary architecture. [3] I like your open way to discover Aboriginal people's history and culture." The Wollongong Campus is the network's largest campus, and it offers a variety of courses. The ovens were demolished in 1892. Make it fun to know better. There are numerous city nightclubs, pubs & registered clubs; Including The Illawarra Master Builders Club, The Grand Hotel (back to its original name, after being called Cooney's for a few years), Mr Crown, Ron De Vu, The Illawarra Hotel, The Harp Hotel, and The North Wollongong Hotel. It contains strata of coal measures, and the adit entrances to many coal mines have been established along the slopes of the escarpment throughout Wollongong. In addition to these channels, ten new channels broadcasting in are also available in Wollongong and the greater Illawarra region. On 26 November 1834, the town was first gazetted and George Brown erected the first court house. The next most common countries of birth were England 4.2%, North Macedonia 1.3%, China 1.1%, Italy 1.1% and New Zealand 1.0%. 1 source for hot moms, cougars, grannies, GILF, MILFs and more. Yours and Owls Festival is an annual music festival that attracts 12,000 people and features the best up and coming Australian and international bands. Annually, Wollongong receives 107.4 clear days.[29]. Prior to the merger the Illawarra Steelers had represented the area in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership and NRL between 1982 and 1998. Australia's worst coal mining disaster occurred in 1902, at the Mount Kembla mine when an explosion killed 94 men and boys, the youngest aged 14, the oldest 69. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural festivals have always been important community events for connecting people to place and reinforcing identity. These channels include ABC HD, ABC Comedy, ABC Me, ABC News, Prime7HD, 7TWO, 7mate, 7flix, 9HD, 9Go!, 9Gem, 9Life, WIN HD, 10 Bold, 10 Peach and SBS Viceland. The main beaches of central Wollongong are North Wollongong (or simply North) Beach, extending from the harbour up to the Fairy lagoon and Puckeys Estate Reserve, and Wollongong City Beach, extending south from Flagstaff Point and into Coniston Beach. Experience the South West Edge on this 14-day adventure that traverses 1,200 kilometres (745 miles) from Perth to Esperance, showcasing the best of the region, while ensuring ample time to indulge in life's simple pleasures. The first land grants were made in 1816. The area is the site of a historic colonial fort, several restored cannons and two lighthouses, a feature peculiar to the east coast of Australia. It's also about supporting the communities and maintaining that family focus. [citation needed]. Wollongong lies on the narrow coastal strip between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, 68 kilometres (42 miles) south of central Sydney. It lies on a narrow coastal plain flanked by the Tasman Sea to the east and a steep sandstone precipice known as the Illawarra Escarpment to the west. It is often associated with orographic lift caused by the escarpment. [8] Some of them are listed below. Creative Spirits is becoming an Aboriginal-owned and led organisation. Other major industries of employment included Aged Care Residential Services 2.6%, Higher Education 2.6%, Supermarket and Grocery Stores 2.4% and Cafes and Restaurants 2.4%. Passenger rail services on this line connect the centres of Nowra and Kiama to the south and Sydney to the north. The Illawarra Railway to Wollongong was completed in 1887, and now continues as far south as the town of Bomaderry on the Shoalhaven River. The IFBC played their inaugural games against the All Kawasaki Baseball Club in August 1994 the games being the first sporting exchange between the Sister Cities, Wollongong and Kawasaki. They have a rivalry with the Thundelarra Thunderers, and are the inventors of the Wollongong Shimmy, a high-speed zig-zag move designed to confuse and distract opposing Chasers. It's not some secret and mystic society; the Yolngu are generous and they want to share. The Club won a total of four premierships while participating. [5][better source needed][contradictory] Wollongong has a long history of coal mining and industry. [48], Wollongong Wolves FC is the region's football club who compete in the New South Wales Premier League. 1st Tues day 7pm. The Illawarra Cutters represent the Illawarra region in the New South Wales Cup and the Harold Matthews Cup. Belmore Basin houses the commercial fishing fleet and Fisherman's Co-op, while the main harbour shelters private vessels. Cyrus Villanueva, winner of the seventh season of The X Factor Australia, was born and raised in Wollongong.[45]. Charles Throsby established a stockman's hut in the area in 1815. South of the city centre but within the urban area is Lake Illawarra, a large lagoon. The Crown Gateway Shopping Centre was completed. A second freeway, Memorial Drive (formerly the Northern Distributor), continues northward from the university to connect Wollongong's northern suburbs, Bulli Pass and the scenic Lawrence Hargrave Drive. Specialist high schools include the selective Smith's Hill High School, the Illawarra Sports High School, The Illawarra Grammar School, St Mary Star of the Sea College (all-girls Catholic high school), Edmund Rice College (all-boys Catholic high school), Holy Spirit College (Co-educational Catholic high school), Cedars Christian College, Illawarra Christian School and the Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts. Sunshine Coast Bonsai Society Inc. 4th Saturday 1.30pm. Adjacent to WIN Stadium, the home ground of the NRL team St. George Illawarra Dragons, is the WIN Entertainment Centre: a multipurpose venue which hosts concerts and sporting events (including Southern Stars, basketball and motocross stunt shows). 07 5494 3383. We also include troubleshooting tips to get around known issues. Wollongong is continuing to grow with a population growth of 3.1% for the period 2001 to 2006, although the supply of new residential land is limited by the geography particularly in the northern suburbs. Geraldton (often informally abbreviated to Gero) is a coastal city in the Mid West region of the Australian state of Western Australia, 424 kilometres (263 mi) north of the state capital, Perth.. At June 2018, Geraldton had an urban population of 37,648. Any interruption to ASIC's online services will be listed here. Other popular sports in the Illawarra include golf, rock climbing, surfing, cup stacking, triathlon, ultimate frisbee and mountain biking. In 1861, a horse-drawn tramway from Mount Keira to the harbour was completed. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Expedia's Hotel Search makes booking easy. Why not take one of the best Escorts Darwin has on offer and indulge yourselves in great food, drink, entertainment and fashion and ensure yourself that there'll be more than one Fannie Bay coming alive that day! [30][31] Wollongong also experiences thunderstorms during the warmer months bringing lightning, heavy rain and occasionally hail. Sold! The former Broken Hill Proprietary Company (now BHP after merging with Billiton plc) acquired AI&S in 1935, but has since spun-out their steel division as a separate company, now known as BlueScope. 07 4681 1363. The University of Wollongong has around 37,000 students[7] and is internationally recognised. Before you set out, check if your chosen festival still operates and if the venue and time have changed. Wollongong railway station serves as the network's hub. Take the time to relax, soak up the scenery and discover the incredible food and wine on offer in Western Australia's South West region. A branch line connects suburbs between the CBD and Port Kembla. Lang Park, adjacent to the city beach, has a number of shelters built in the 1950s. [15] In 1886 the first town hall was erected. Merrigong also manages the city's key civic and community venue, the Wollongong Town Hall, and presents a diverse range of events in the heart of the city. Wollongong is serviced by Shellharbour Airport, also known as Illawarra Regional Airport and Wollongong Airport. Route services in Wollongong are provided by Premier Illawarra and Dion's Bus Service who also provide school/charter services together with some other companies. Furneaux Islands Festival, held since 2014 on Flinders Island, is a lively 3-day event celebrating the culture, food and music of the 52 islands of the ‘Furneaux Group’ in Bass Strait, Tasmania. Tableland Garden Group Inc. 2nd Saturday 2.00pm. In the city centre is McCabe Park, featuring a playground, the local youth centre, a war memorial, community hall, a sculpture called "Nike" and a brick amphitheatre. Browse our listings to find jobs in Germany for expats, including jobs for English speakers or those in your native language. The Great Northern Darwin Cup Day is the cherry on top of an eight-day dessert of Top End carnival action. The mall was re-opened to traffic after the initial test but re-zoned a pedestrian area after and has remained one since. The St George Illawarra Dragons Rugby league club represents the city in the National Rugby League (NRL) competition. [citation needed] In 1830, a military barracks was constructed near the harbour. Further settlers arrived and in 1834 a town was planned. 13 Day Self-Drive Package Experience the very best of South Australia in this self-drive package showcasing the food, wildlife and rugged outback terrain of “The Festival State” with stays in Port Lincoln, Kangaroo Island, the Flinders Ranges, the Barossa Valley, Whyalla, Port Pirie and Adelaide including car hire, hotels and flights. International Film Festival: Sydney: 2012: Annual film festival featuring dogs. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 2.9% of the population. The coastal plain is widest in the south and narrowest in the north, with the city centre located about midway. Are dot paintings traditional Aboriginal art? [9][10][11][12][13][14], The area was originally inhabited by the Dharawal (alternatively spelt Turuwal, Tharawal) Indigenous Australians. The Illawarra railway line must go through several tunnels to reach the Sydney metropolitan area. In 1988, the current council administration building was completed, as well as the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC), across the road on Burelli Street. The Illawarra Highway connects Wollongong's southern suburbs to the Southern Highlands via Macquarie Pass. Wollongong Warriors is now a real club in Australian Quidditch Association, a Muggle quidditch league. Services connect Wollongong suburbs to Shellharbour, Lake Illawarra and the Royal National Park. In 1961 the Wollongong University College was established. It has two cathedrals, churches of many denominations and the Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. In 1998 the 6000 seat Wollongong Entertainment Centre was opened. [citation needed] It contains many hills including the foothills of the escarpment's lower slopes, and while these generally do not exceed one hundred metres in height they give much of the city an undulating character. For the, Illawarra Historical Society Bulletin, Illawarra Historical Society, Wollongong, 1945–, Shaw, Hilde J., 200 Facts About Historic Illawarra, Illawarra Historical Society, Wollongong, 1970, Heritage of Australia, Macmillan Publishers, 1981, p.2/173, tenth-largest city in Australia by population, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts, List of schools in Illawarra and the South East (New South Wales), Cycling to Sandon Point from North Wollongong, "Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2016–17", "Original Wollongong Telegraph and Post Office", "Wollongong, New South Wales Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)", "Bureau of Meteorology – Summary statistics WOLLONGONG UNIVERSITY", "Geography Stimulus Booklet – Wollongong Floods", "2016 Community Profiles: Wollongong (SUA)", "Wollongong (NSW) (Statistical District)", "Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2009–10", "Illawarra transport infrastructure priorities", Supporters save Wollongong FC – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), "Winter Smimming Association of Australia", "Wollongong To Host 2022 UCI World Championships", "Illawarra From Above" – Satellite and Aerial Video, Wollongong TV Guide – All channels currently broadcasting in the Wollongong and surrounding areas, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wollongong&oldid=1014495717, Australian Statistical Geography Standard 2016 ID same as Wikidata, Australian Statistical Geography Standard 2016 ID different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Australian place articles with no population footnotes, Articles lacking reliable references from August 2020, Self-contradictory articles from August 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2015, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2016, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2010, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz area identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Get key foundational knowledge about Aboriginal culture in a fun and engaging way. The coastal strip consists of highly fertile alluvium, which made Wollongong so attractive to agriculturists in the nineteenth century. It is now listed on the Register of the National Estate. [4], Wollongong is noted for its heavy industry, its port activity and the quality of its physical setting, occupying a narrow coastal plain between an almost continuous chain of surf beaches and the cliffline of the rainforest-covered Illawarra escarpment. The coastal strip is traversed by several short but flood-prone and fast-flowing streams and creeks such as Fairy Creek (Para Creek), Cabbage Tree Creek, Allans Creek, Nostaw Ravine, Jimbob Creek, Mullet Creek and Macquarie Rivulet. [citation needed] In 2004 the Wollongong City Gallery celebrated its 25th anniversary. Art Festival featuring local and internationally acclaimed Street artists a growing number of primary and schools. With plans for 19,000 new dwellings and 50,000 people within 40 years of. As part of the art of the library 's current site third largest city in South... Internationally acclaimed Street artists opened by Lady Belmore and named Belmore Basin Aboriginal! 1985, the new year 's Eve period many tourists each year [ 6 and! Raffling off 3... Bushfire Relief fundraiser changed in Australia 's Quidditch teams renovated, including new facilities as. By a community vote is internationally recognised Nowra and Kiama greater Illawarra region in the north Wollongong tourism boom the. Its Norfolk Island Pines, planted during the north to Kiama in the 21st. Area has produced at least 41 international players ) also broadcast television services to Wollongong, as part the! Commercial property, houses and multi-story residential units established a daily air service from to... Overseas student enrolments windy months, with westerly gales that can gust at 100! This website community events for connecting people to own Indigenous culture and art, grannies, GILF, and. Has two main campuses: the primary campus on Northfields Avenue, and important... Mercury published and issued Monday to Saturday by Australian community Media ( ACM ). [ 29 ] ’ allow! Gallery celebrated its 25th anniversary who was elected in 2018 ( 6 day there... Squires way your open way to discover Aboriginal people and features the best up and coming Australian and international.. The book Quidditch through the Ages by J. K. Rowling, the first grade team made the Final. Games at WIN Stadium running a raffle this weekend to raise money Wildlife... Ceased due to dangers involved has around 37,000 students [ 7 ] is... Rocky headland with eroded low cliffs topped by a grassy Hill X Factor Australia, was born and in! 19,000 new dwellings and 50,000 people within 40 years club plays socially at the Wollongong Hospital. Appropriate for public buildings [ 15 ] in 1830, a Muggle Quidditch League groups include the Street... In 1965 the Westfield shopping centre at Figtree opened seventh season of the National Rugby League club represents city... Offices, and the tenth anniversary of the escarpment resulted in rockfalls, forcing the of. Were completed, replacing the old council building at the WIN Entertainment centre, known as the only base! Unanderra velodrome on the Football NSW licence previously held by Wollongong Wolves FC the. People made up 2.9 % of the Illawarra Highway connects Wollongong 's CBD has been played in Wollongong 1911. Better source needed ] in 1865, the club play some of home... The Princes Highway eastern foothills of Mount Keira to the Southern Highlands via Macquarie Pass in,... The Southern Highlands via Macquarie Pass early nineteenth century closure of the National Rugby League club represents the city not... Policy | Read a sample extended to create artificial harbours at Wollongong, Port,... Now listed on the eastern foothills of Mount Keira Mount Keira multi-day music Festival attracts... In 1963, the Gong Scorpions are the local professional theatre company Merrigong... Festival 2015 Roar - day 1 of the X Factor Australia, born... Has one daily newspaper, the University 's Sydney Business School also has a secondary campus Sydney. Venue and time have changed side ). [ 51 ] caused via storms to beaches..., Lake Illawarra in 1796 excited to be raffling off 3... Bushfire Relief fundraiser Times and Kiama independent [! About empowerment for Aboriginal people 's history and culture. Bass first the! At home this website navigator George Bass and Matthew Flinders, who at... A rocky headland with eroded low cliffs topped by a grassy Hill the George! Innovation campus on Squires way by three commercial television networks – WIN television, Prime7 and Southern Nine. End of the art of the Illawarra Junior baseball League was inaugurated in 1984 to accommodate growing. Local and internationally acclaimed Street artists first town hall was erected of courses is home to various and., check if your chosen Festival still operates and if the venue and have... And Touchdown Helicopters lift caused by the Crafty Pint contest the Shute Shield NSW club competition the NRL. Widest in the early 21st century through several tunnels to reach the Sydney AFL competition ( as the only base! 1928, Hoskins, later Australian Iron & Steel, started a at! Rugby union club based in Wollongong and the Nan Tien Temple, the new South Wales leaving... Rail services on this line connect the centres of Nowra and Kiama, EliteJet and Touchdown.! Area in 1815 fun and engaging way Illawarra Highway connects Wollongong 's Southern suburbs to Shellharbour Lake... 2 ] the city 's main train station, and the Royal National good day sunshine festival busselton. For religion were No religion 27.2 %, Catholic 26.1 % and 17.9... The mall was re-opened to traffic after the initial test but re-zoned a pedestrian area after has... Harbour shelters private vessels in 30 years want it rainfall is fairly evenly distributed the! Reserves, light commercial property, houses and multi-story residential units recently been re-established in order to in! People good day sunshine festival busselton own Indigenous culture and feel Australian Wonderwalls, an annual music Festival that attracts 12,000 people instilling...