The “Perry” steam locomotive in its heyday hauling sugar cane in the Tully region – the old boy is now ready to carry passengers on a journey into the past. Photo: ILRM.
International Women’s Day headlines the calendar this week with an abundance of ways to celebrate amazing women in your orbit and beyond.
It’s a week rich in highlights however, including the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival and a diverse variety of Seniors Festival 2025 events.
Kiama Woodcraft Group puts on its annual expo and HARS marks the 10th anniversary of the arrival of the former Qantas 747-400.
Don’t miss the chance to do your part to raise funds for KidsWish through the Great Illawarra Walk or follow the remarkable journey of the “Perry” steam locomotive as it makes its grand re-entry into service at Albion Park.
To cap it all off, the Melbourne Celtic Festival is headed to Wollongong.
Here are nine awesome things happening in the Illawarra this week.
Multiple Days
The Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival includes a mix of free and ticketed events, so plan now to avoid disappointment. Image: Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival.
Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival
When: Friday 7, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March, various times
Where: Various Kiama, Gerringong and Minnamurra venues
Cost: Various | Book via Kiama Blues Festival.
Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival is a three-day South Coast signature event packed with music and celebration. Set in the streets, outdoor hubs, parks, churches, cafes, bars, breweries and clubs across the breathtaking Kiama region, audiences are amazed by the exceptional performances in the ever-evolving genres of jazz and blues. This year sees more events in festival hubs, street activities and outdoor environments.
Calling all grandparents – pack a picnic and your little one’s favourite teddy and join in the fun at this Seniors Festival series. Photo: DekiArt.
Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Stories for NSW Seniors Festival
When: Friday 7, Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 March, various times
Where: Various Wollongong City Council Libraries
Cost: Free.
As part of the 2025 Seniors Festival comes a series of teddy bear picnics for seniors and their grandchildren. Pack a picnic, bring your favourite teddy bear and enjoy tales, songs and plenty of teddy bear fun. The events are held as follows:
- Friday 7 March, 10:30 to 11:30 am at Helensburgh Library
- Tuesday 11 March, 10 to 11 am at Thirroul Library
- Tuesday 11 March, 10:30 to 11:30 am, Warrawong Library
- Wednesday 12 March, 10 to 11 am, Corrimal Library
Wood you like to pick up a gift or explore a new hobby? Photo: Kiama Woodcraft Group.
Kiama Woodcraft Group Annual Expo
When: Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Kiama Masonic Hall, 46 Collins Street, Kiama
Cost: Free entry.
The Kiama Woodcraft Group Annual Expo is on again. There will be demonstrations of various types of woodcraft including wood turning, bandsaw work, carving, scroll saw work, pyrography and more. There will also be a display and sale of members’ work, with a wide range of woodwork styles and skills on show. Pick up a special gift or tools and materials for your own craft.
Saturday
A panel of amazing women is coming to Shellharbour for International Women’s Day 2025. Image: Shellharbour City Libraries.
IWD Panel: Writers, Researchers, Women Marching Forward
When: Saturday 8 March, 10:30 am to noon
Where: Shellharbour City Library, 76 Cygnet Avenue, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: Free | Book via eventbrite.
The International Women’s Day 2025 theme is March Forward for ALL Women and Girls. In celebration, Shellharbour Libraries will host a line-up of phenomenal female writers and researchers accelerating action in and around our community. Panellists will include writer Dr Sonia Henry and dispute resolution expert Rosemary Gattuso, as well as UOW Liz Hilton Memorial Fellowship recipients and researchers Dr Emma Darragh and Dr Ellie Crookes, who will speak on their newest research project Women’s Mission to Women: Women’s Rights Advocacy in the Illawarra (1970-2025).
The only Boeing 747-400 remaining in Australia, former Qantas double record holding VH-OJA is a favourite attraction at HARS Aviation Museum. Photo: Mark Mennie.
Celebrating Boeing 747s 10th Anniversary of Landing at HARS
When: Saturday 8 March, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm
Where: HARS museum, Shellharbour Airport, 54 Airport Road, Albion Park Rail
Cost: 7:30 to 9:30 am by donation | Adults $30 | Concession $25 | Child (14 years and under) $15 | Family $70 | Book via HARS.
This Saturday will be a special day at HARS, as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of the arrival of the former Qantas 747-400 at the aviation museum. Having initially made the longest commercial jet flight in history, the jumbo jet made its final journey after detailed planning on 8 March 2015, when it landed at Shellharbour Airport to become a major tourist attraction.
To mark the occasion the section of the museum around the Boeing display will open early at 7:30 am with talks, tours and mingling opportunities with former staff – pilots and flight attendants – who worked on the plane itself in its heyday. HARS then opens as usual from 9:30 am with the usual daily tours hosted by informative volunteer guides.
The region’s largest regional meditation and tai chi event is held for International Women’s Day this Saturday. Image: Nan Tien Temple.
Nan Tien International Women’s Day Charity Meditation Fundraiser
When: Saturday 8 March, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Nan Tien Temple, 180 Berkeley Road, Berkeley
Cost: $20, book via Humanitix.
Nan Tien Temple hosts the largest regional meditation and tai chi event in the Illawarra region for International Women’s Day 2025. Participants are invited to experience mindful practices, including guided meditation and tai chi from the Buddhist monastics, while supporting Women Illawarra.
A free screening of the international award-winning short film Frances will take place, followed by a discussion on the themes of women’s resilience. Visitors can engage with filmmaker Sharon Lewis and star Juliet Scrine, gaining insight into the film’s portrayal of women’s strength and struggles.
Register now for The Great Illawarra Walk 2025 and be part of a community event that will bring joy and opportunities to families across the Illawarra. Photo: halfpoint.
The Great Illawarra Walk 2025
When: Saturday 8 March, 7 am
Where: Bean Roasted Espresso Bar, Addison Street, Shellharbour
Cost: Adult $50 | Kids $20 | Book via Great Illawarra Walk.
The Great Illawarra Walk is back with all funds raised going directly to KidsWish in support of the mission to fulfil the lives of children living with disability or illness. Your registration fee includes an event shirt and lunch. Collect your T-shirts from LJ Hooker Corrimal, Wollongong or Shellharbour during business hours or at the Shellharbour or Wollongong departure points on the morning of the event.
Walk as little or as much of the 40 km as you like, or join the all-accessible KidsWish Blue Mile. Departures are from Shellharbour’s Bean Roasted Espresso Bar, Westfield Warrawong, Stuart Park (The KidsWish Blue Mile begins at Belmore Basin Playground) and Sandon Point Beach next to Bulli Surf Club. Break or start the journey at the free family fun day at Stuart Park from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and stick around for the after-party at Headlands Hotel Austinmer, where walkers finish.
Sunday
Step into the heyday of Perry the steam locomotive as the Illawarra Light Railway Museum celebrates the old boy’s recommissioning. Photos: ILRM.
Follow the Journey: Official Recommissioning of the Perry Steam
When: Sunday 9 March, 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Illawarra Light Railway Museum, 48A Tongarra Road, Albion Park Rail
Cost: Adult $18 | Child 3 – 16 and Concession $12.50 | Family $64.13 | Book via Illawarra Light Railway Museum.
Steam locomotive Perry returns to service in 40s-themed fanfare this Sunday. It’s been a long journey getting Perry back on the rails, but he’s shining like a new penny. As part of a great family day there will be classic car and vintage farm machinery displays, roaming entertainment and the usual chance to explore the museum, take a tour or ride the mini train.
Thursday
Melbourne Celtic Festival on Tour
When: Thursday 13 March, 8 pm
Where: Wollongong Town Hall, corner Crown and Kembla streets, Wollongong
Cost: Adult $65, concession $55, groups 8+ $52, under 30s $50, book via TicketSearch.
The Melbourne Celtic Festival is stopping in the Illawarra on its Australian tour, bringing the best ‘Craic’ in Australia to the South Coast. This unforgettable production features the best of Celtic music with Australian Folk Band of the Year Winners Austral, international sensation Chloe Matharu direct from Scotland and traditional Irish trio Bhan Tre.
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