Nine things to do in the Illawarra this week (11 - 17 August)

The Illawarra offers up an eclectic social calendar this week.

As part of its Adventure Reels showcase, two mini film festivals are stopping by Anita’s Theatre in Thirroul – one for dog lovers and one for adventure addicts.

Science Week is hitting the region, and UOW is putting on several events in response.

WIN Stadium is set to host an epic doubleheader and in between there’s live music across multiple genres, creative workshops and a talk from a best-selling author.

Here are our top nine picks for the week.

All Weekend

Killer Rides Live 5 car exhibition

When: Saturday 12 August, 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 13 August, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Illawarra Hockey Centre, Waples Road, Unanderra
Cost: Adult $15, under 14s $5, payable upon entry.

Billed as the Illawarra region’s most esteemed motoring event is this impressive showcase of stunning vehicles for young and old. There will be numerous awards up for grabs including titles such as “Best Street Machine”, “People’s Choice”, “Killer Top 3”, “Best Pro-Street” and “Best Retro-Tech”.

Among the highlights is a Formula One-inspired streetcar (a one-off build), the current Summernats Grand Champion Porsche 911 and many Summernats Top 10 Elite Cars. There will also be several in-the-build cars to showcase what goes into building a show car, and this year’s special feature is an array of panel vans. Add to this a massive BMX bike showcase, Australia’s wildest streetcars and a host of traders.

The Hockey Centre will be opening their canteen offering all kinds of hot and cold food inside the venue, which has plenty of seating.

Saturday

Science Showcase UOW Shoalhaven

When: Saturday 12 August, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: UOW campus in West Nowra, George Evans Rd, West Nowra
Cost: Free except $10 to enter the Project Bucephalus Lego robotics building and competition, book here.

The UOW campus in West Nowra is set to be transformed into a science activities hub.

Activities will include guided tours of the medicine and nursing teaching spaces, the show Fire & Ice Spectacular Science presented by the Science Space and a dragon training mobile zoo reptile display, including a lace monitor, crocodile, snake, turtle, frogs and lizards.

There will be great prizes to win and lunch vouchers included in the $10 entry fee for the Project Bucephalus Lego robotics building and competition (BYO robot or build one onsite).

Visitors can take tours of the observatory on-site where they can view the sun with a solar scope and a telescope display with Shoalhaven astronomers.

Interactive displays will allow you to measure your blood pressure, see your muscles via ultrasound, see how dummy patients and simulations are used in medicine and nursing and view anatomy models of the different parts of the body.

Top Dog Film Festival

When: Saturday 12 August, 2 pm to 4:45 pm
Where: Anita’s Theatre, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Thirroul
Cost: $33.60, book here.

For dog lovers in the Illawarra, this film festival is impawsible to pass up. Stopping at Anita’s on its annual tour, the Top Dog Film Festival screens more than two hours of the most inspirational, heartwarming and entertaining films from independent filmmakers around the globe, all about dogs and their human companions.

The carefully curated selection includes films of varying lengths and styles that will hit you right in the feels, fur sure.

Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour

When: Saturday 12 August, 7 pm to 10 pm
Where: Anita’s Theatre, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Cost: $33.60, book here.

This is an inspirational curation of action-packed, inspiring, all-female short adventure films like no other. Expect to be wowed by adventure, talent, inspiration and stunning scenery set to unite not only women but all those with an adventurous spirit.

Witness incredible women as they chase their dreams and push their boundaries, including the epic story of Samantha Gash and Jessie Ling’s crossing of Nepal featuring awe-inspiring climbing and near-naked skiing.

Candice Fox author talk

When: Saturday 12 August, 11:30 am
Where: Shellharbour City Library, 76 Cygnet Avenue, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: $10, book here.

Don’t miss this afternoon of conversation, crime and cake with renowned thriller writer Candice Fox. This best-selling author has written 15 novels including Crimson Lake, which aired on the ABC as Troppo. She has worked with world-famous author James Patterson to co-author several novels, including Liar Liar and The Inn.

Light refreshments will be served at 11:30 am followed by discussion with the author of the latest blockbuster Fire with Fire, as she shares her pathway to becoming a published author. This event is recommended for ages 18 and above.

Sunday

Australia Cup: Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners

When: Sunday August 13, 2 pm
Where: WIN Stadium, 46 Harbour St, Wollongong
Cost: Adults $15, concession $12, family of four $40, junior $8, book here.

A massive afternoon of football is lined up at WIN Stadium this Sunday. Kick-off is at the family-friendly hour of 3 pm for Sydney FC’s Australia Cup clash with reigning Isuzu-UTE A-League Men’s Champions Central Coast Mariners.

But it won’t just be Steve Corica’s new-look squad facing off with Nick Montgomery’s title winners – this doubleheader will see David Carney’s Wollongong Wolves FC taking on Sydney Olympic FC at 5:45 pm.

Jamberoo Music Festival

When: Sunday 13 August, noon to 6 pm
Where: Jamberoo School of Arts, 30 Allowrie Street, Jamberoo
Cost: Adult $39, under 18 $20, book here.

This all-ages music festival brings five hours of blues and roots to the Jamberoo School of Arts. The line-up features 19-Twenty, Sunday Lemonade, Glenn Whittehall, Tall Shaun and Kay Proudlove.

Please note the event is strictly not BYO. Henry Clive will be supplying the bar and there will be a food truck onsite.

Tuesday

Science Showcase UOW: Indigenous science, song-lines and stars in the Science Space

When: Tuesday 15 August, 6 pm to 9 pm
Where: UOW Science Space Puckey Avenue Innovation Campus North Wollongong
Cost: $10, book here (recommended for 18+).

Doors at 5:45 pm for this unforgettable journey through Indigenous wisdom and celestial wonders. It will kick off with a captivating Welcome to Country ceremony commencing at 6:15 pm beneath the mesmerising stars in the planetarium.

Highlights will include a preview of the Jiigurru, “Lizard Island” section of The Earth Above planetarium show, a video produced with Dingaal community members combining Indigenous knowledge and sciences to help future-proof Australia’s biodiversity and ancient heritage.

Dr Robert Fuller’s presentation “Black Duck Songline – links to the Seven Sisters star cluster” will discuss Aboriginal cosmologies and Indigenous astronomical knowledge, and links to songlines, oral traditions and calendars.

Then there will be a presentation from Dr Jodi Edwards, a proud Walbanja Yuin woman with Dharawal Kinship connections. In “Whale Songlines that connect First Nations along the East Coast of Australia” she will interweave the cultural connections through story, song and dance, connecting the whales to land, sea and stars.

Intervals throughout will provide the chance to enjoy food that’s part of the ticket package and the paid bar service and explore the Science Space exhibits.

Thursday

Doctors Without Borders Fundraising Concert

When: Thursday 17 August, 6:30 pm
Where: Main Auditorium, Wollongong Town Hall, cnr Crown and Kembla Sts, Wollongong
Cost: Adult $40, student or pensioner $20, under 12s free, book here.

Described as “one of the finest artists in the world”, Simon Tedeschi comes to Wollongong for this one-night-only musical event in support of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). This fundraising concert also features violinist Cedar Newman, whose breathtaking virtuosity is gaining attention, and WollCon BlueScope Youth Orchestra, who recently returned from tours in New Zealand and Bali.

MCd by former Circus Monoxide artistic director Alicia Battestini, this event is not to be missed.