Inside the Friends of Industry networking events. Photo: Supplied.
Wollongong’s popular grassroots networking event Friends of Industry is giving the Illawarra a world-first look at an upcoming documentary celebrating the region’s much loved basketball team, the Illawarra Hawks in September.
Friends of Industry: August Edition, to take place on 4 September in Wollongong, will treat attendees to an exclusive clip from Har’Work: Rise of the Illawarra Hawks, the championship documentary in production by Wollongong creative agency Relativity.
Har’Work tells the story of the Hawks’ journey to NBL championship glory, taking the team from the Snakepit grandstands to the WIN Entertainment Centre over four decades.
It will be a rare opportunity to see early footage from a project expected to make national waves when it launches later this year.
Last month, the team behind the documentary put out a call for fans to share moments and mementos to help capture the full story, and were inundated with memorabilia and tales that will help shape the documentary.
Relativity founder and documentary producer Gerardo Ceres said the team was thrilled to be supporting Friends of Industry and giving the region a glimpse of the powerful story they’d been capturing.
“This isn’t just a basketball story … it’s a Wollongong story. A story of grit, belief, heartbreak and glory,” Gerardo said.
“We’ve been in locker rooms, living rooms and stadiums.
“And we’re proud to share a sneak peek of Har’Work with the people who live and breathe this community.”
Gerardo said the Hawks’ emotional journey had impacted more than simply the players, hence the reason for wanting to include the wider basketball community as part of the film.
The first sneak peek of documentary Har’Work will happen in September. Photo: Supplied.
“What happens on the court is an incredible, important part of it but it is only one part of it, and none of that happens without all the staff and all the support and all the volunteers and all the fans, and all the community that come together.
“The story can’t just be about what happens on the court.”
Friends of Industry has become known for its relaxed approach for Illawarra’s leaders across business, media, sport, tech, design and the arts to build real connections.
Started by Innovatus Projects founder Nick Halakatevakis, the grassroots networking event promises start-up founders, creatives and corporate CEOs and CFOs no panels, no pitches, and no pressure, just smart people and good energy.
Ioanna Alexopoulos, Friends of Industry board member and co-organiser, said the event kept growing because it delivered the one thing people in business and community valued most: genuine connection.
“Friends of Industry is where good conversations happen,” Ioanna said.
“There’s no hard sell, no ego, just people doing interesting things, coming together.
“And this month, we’ve got something special. Har’Work is going to be a huge cultural moment for this region and you get to say you saw it first.”
Friends of Industry will be held at the Sage Hotel Wollongong on 4 September at 5:30 pm. Tickets are free but limited. Register your interest.
