Join the Million Paws Walk and help fight animal cruelty. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Time to shake off the doona and dive into the best bits of the Illawarra this week.
From dog parades to stand-up tirades, eco-art in the forest to Christmas in July at the library (yes, really), there’s no excuse to stay in.
Lace up for the Million Paws Walk, catch Brett Blake’s chaotic comedy hour at the Wollongong Comedy Festival, or test your Spice Girls knowledge at a 90s trivia night in Shellharbour.
Feeling festive, curious or creative? There’s something for every mood — including live music for NAIDOC Week, an open day at SES, and a picnic to honour community spirit.
Here’s what’s worth leaving the house for this week.
Multiple Days
Betty Kuntiwa Pumani of Mimili Maku stands with Antara, 2020. Photo: Anna Kučera.
Opening Weekend: Betty Kuntiwa Pumani and David Sequeira
When: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June, various times
Where: Bundanon Art Museum, 170 Riversdale Rd, Illaroo
Cost: Free | Book via Bundanon.
This is the launch of exhibitions from two incredible artists: Betty Kuntiwa Pumani and David Sequeira. Both exhibitions encompass significant bodies of work made over a number of years, alongside new commissions, offering different perspectives on contemporary practice. Opening with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, there’s free entry to the exhibition as well as several complementary events including guided meditation with David Sequeira, artist talks and live music over two days. Some events have limited capacity, so book soon to avoid disappointment.
Friday
From police brutality to questionable ’90s parenting choices, nothing’s off the table in Brett Blake’s show. Image: Wollongong Comedy Festival.
Brett Blake – Little Turd (Wollongong Comedy Festival)
When: Friday 27 June, 7 to 8 pm
Where: Side Door Theatre, 293-297 Crown Street, Wollongong
Cost: Book via Humanitix.
In 2002 Brett Blake was charged with inciting a riot, disorderly conduct and assaulting a public officer. He was 16 years old and facing a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. What happened next surprised him, his parents, his lawyers, the neighbours and even the judge. This is a story of the importance of second chances, the hypocritical expectations of young people and how your number one enemy might just end up being your biggest champion. Only Brett can manage to make a story of police brutality, learning disabilities, questionable 90s parenting and growing up in a suburb “funny”.
Brett has been seen at the 2024 Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala, on Question Everything, Spicks and Specks and is the co-host of the Work Hates podcast.
Saturday
Ever wanted to meet a real-life hero? Bring your family along for this free and informative event. Image: SES Shellharbour.
SES Open Day
When: Saturday 28 June, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: NSW SES Shellharbour City Unit, 127 Tongarra Road, Albion Park
Cost: Free.
NSW SES Shellharbour City Unit is hosting a family-friendly event showcasing the NSW SES. Meet the highly skilled and trusted teams of volunteers that manage the response to natural disasters in the community and beyond. You can see vehicles and floodboats on display, hear from the incident management team and get insights into what it’s like managing a disaster, get information about storm preparedness at home, see a live chainsaw display, participate in kids’ activities and partake in a free community barbecue.
Sunday
Let’s make this final walk our best one yet – for the animals who need us most. Photo: RSPCA Million Paws Walk.
Million Paws Walk 2025
When: Reddall Reserve Illawarra, 73 Reddall Parade, Lake Illawarra
Where: Sunday 29 June, 9 am to 1:30 pm
Cost: Adult $20 | Child/Concession $10 | Family $40 | Book via Million Paws Walk.
Join in for “The Last Lap” of the Million Paws Walk. Bring your family, friends and furry pals for one final, fun-filled celebration on the stunning Lake Illawarra foreshore – all while raising vital funds for animals in need. You’ll enjoy a 1.2 or 2.4 km walk (your choice), food and coffee stalls, live music and doggy games, a jumping castle, face painting, fancy dress and prize auctions.
Come together to remember those we have loved and lost. Image: Tender Funerals.
Our Community Remembers Memorial Picnic
When: Sunday 29 June, noon to 3 pm
Where: Girl Guide ‘Kum Bah Yah’ Campsite, 333 Mt Keira Road, Mt Keira
Cost: Free.
In its sixth year, the Tender Funerals “Community Remembers” Memorial Picnic is a casual gathering with an inclusive, non-denominational ceremony of remembrance. Sharing a meal is the centrepiece of this celebration. You are warmly invited to rug up and BYO picnic blanket and a plate of “sacred food” for the communal table — something that’s special to you or the person you are remembering. Behind each plate are stories and memories to share, if you wish. People of all ages are encouraged to attend with special arts and craft activities by Tenders’ Sewing Circle and performances by the Tender Community Choir.
Get inspired by nature at this hands-on “eco art” workshop with Illawarra’s stunning gum trees. Photo: wirestock.
Red Gum, Yellow Gum, Blue Gum | A creative workshop with Illawarra gum trees
When: Sunday 29 June, 1 to 3 pm
Where: Blackbutt Forest Way Carpark, Blackbutt Way, Blackbutt
Cost: Free | Book via eventbrite.
Join local artist Janine Bailey, tree expert Leon Fuller and Landcare leader Emma Rooksby for a creative journey blending art, ecology and mindfulness. Learn to identify local eucalypt species by exploring their colours, shapes and textures. Create unique nature-inspired art. Enjoy a relaxing guided meditation under the forest canopy, connect with community and deepen your bond with nature.
This outdoor workshop is designed for adults and ages 16+, with easy access and minimal walking. Part of the Sustainable Shellharbour program by Shellharbour City Council, spots are limited – book now and unleash your creativity in the great outdoors.
Tuesday
Are you a 90s music nerd? Well then, as Amber once sang, this is your night. Image: Ocean Beach Hotel.
90s Music Trivia Night at Ocean Beach Hotel Shellharbour
When: Tuesday 1 July, 7:30 pm
Where: Ocean Beach Hotel, 2 Addison Street, Shellharbour
Cost: Free | Book via Seven Rooms.
Spice Girls, NSYNC, Hanson, No Doubt, Britney, The Backstreet Boys — if the music of these ’90s pop icons and their contemporaries has you screaming “This is my jam!”, you might be in with a shot at winning this ’90s Music Trivia. Better yet, trivia is free to play on the night with food and drink vouchers up for grabs. You’ve got to eat anyway, so it might as well be at Ocean Beach Hotel, and it might as well be served with a side of nostalgia for the pinnacle era of pop (sorry, not sorry).
Wednesday
Shortlisted for the Adam New Zealand Play Awards 2019, this is absurdist comedy at its most life-affirming and joyful. Photo: Stephen Langdon.
Mr Red Light
When: Wednesday 2 to Saturday 5 July, various times
Where: Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Adult $59 | Pension or Student $49 | Groups 8+ or Under 30s $44 | Book via TicketSearch.
Wild slapstick, the meaning of life, falling in love – suddenly the pie shop is a place where anything can happen. From award-winning company Nightsong, written by Carl Bland and directed by Ben Crowder and Carl Bland, Mr Red Light is one of the funniest, most outrageously original New Zealand shows to ever hit the stage. It follows “Mr Red Light” — a man who attracts bad luck. So naturally, when he tries to rob a bank he fails miserably – and ends up in a pie shop dealing with three very uncooperative hostages and the world’s worst police negotiator. As time ticks by, Mr Red Light and his captives play a game of getting to know you. With nowhere to run and nothing to lose, they form an unlikely bond. And mysteriously, Mr Red Light seems to know more about his hostages’ lives than is possible …
Thursday
NAIDOC kicks off with this live music concert, inviting listeners to pause, reflect and be drawn into a space of meaningful connection. Photo: Supplied.
Ron Callaghan & Kyarna Celebrating with Song: NAIDOC WEEK 2025
When: Thursday 3 July, 11 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free | Book via Humanitix.
In July, Music and Tea at Wollongong Art Gallery welcomes Ron Callaghan and Kyarna-Rose of the Yuin Nation to share their songs and stories, honouring the strength, resilience and creativity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Dr Joyce Donovan will open the concert with a Welcome to Country, and her great-grandson Quinten Dingo-Donovan, a student at Dapto High School, will perform.
This is part of the Emerging Concert Artists 2025 series, produced by Inspire Music Australia, and presented at Wollongong Art Gallery.
