Thousands of people turned out to take part in Wollongong’s colourful Culture Mix last weekend. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
What a treat it was to be part of Wollongong’s diverse community on Saturday!
The city was filled with colour, sounds and the scents of some truly delicious foods for Culture Mix.
In its third year running, the event had the city pumping as people from all across our community came together to share their cultural backgrounds and celebrate the wonderful melting pot that is Wollongong.
At the one-day event there was dance, music, food and workshops open to everyone from all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
When you consider what’s happening on a global stage right now it was glorious to see our community embracing difference and keen to learn more about the different communities that call Wollongong home.
As I walked around the Crown Street Mall, lower Crown Street, through the arts precinct and into the library I heard so many lovely conversations.
There were people having conversations with strangers about their ancestry and what brought them to Wollongong.
There were kids trying new cuisines (and loving them!) at the food market. And there were so many people proudly wearing the traditional dress and clothing from around the world.
I know we often talk about Wollongong’s cultural diversity, but to see it being proudly showcased by so many people was humbling. And it clearly reinforced to me that our city’s diversity is far greater than we probably realise.
This proud expression of connection to community is one of the things I truly love about Culture Mix.
As I said at the event opening, at council we’re very grateful to the NSW Government for their funding support of this event.
We’re also very hopeful that, after last weekend’s successful event, the NSW Government will see the immense community value in Culture Mix and ensure it continues for 2026.
It’s a huge amount of work to put on something that’s of this size and scale. I’d like to extend my personal thanks to all those who were involved in the delivery of Culture Mix 2025 including those on our Multicultural Community Advisory Group as well as council staff for their efforts.
And I’d also like to say thank you to all those in our community who embraced the day – I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
Cr Brown with 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals ambassador Craig Alexander at Belmore Basin. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
One of the things that makes Wollongong such a great place to live is the wide range of events and activities that make the weekends (and weekdays sometimes, too) something to really look forward to.
Flicking through my calendar over the next few months, there is just so much on offer.
Recently we had the exciting news that we’re again stepping up to host the 2025 Australian Junior Surfing Titles in November.
The event was held here last year and with portions of South Australia’s coastline affected by an algal bloom, the decision was made to return the event to Wollongong.
It’s a huge coup for the city with more than 250 of Australia’s most talented junior surfers hitting the water off our coastline, and follows the recent Australian Shortboard Titles at Sandon Point.
To switch surf for the Sandpit, I’m hearing our homegrown champions the Illawarra Hawks’ season opener on Saturday 27 September is getting close to being a sellout.
I will be at the game to hand over the Keys to the City to our Hawks and to see the championship banner raised.
And for our netball fans, tickets are also going fast for the upcoming Origin Australian Diamonds match against the SPAR Proteas.
The game on Wednesday 8 October lands in the middle of the school holidays and is sure to be a hit with our netball-loving community.
It’s also a great opportunity to highlight our fabulous city to an international audience before the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals the following week.
For the triathlon we’re welcoming some 6700 competitors from around the world as well as their 15,000 supporters. They’re all keen to take their shot at title honours.
It’s certainly an exciting time for Wollongong and I encourage everyone to find out more about the event locations and consider where they might best be able to cheer on the athletes.
In fact, it’s extraordinary to think of the number of people around the globe who’ll have Wollongong on their minds – and on their TV screens – before the year wraps up.
At council, we’ve been working hard with Destination Wollongong to raise Wollongong’s profile as a sporting and recreational destination and this work is clearly paying off.
As for what comes next? Well, watch this space…
