Wollongong went above and beyond this year. You showed up and supported events, initiatives and creativity like the superstars you are. Together you helped tick off our community goals to be Sustainable, Connected, Vibrant and Inclusive.
Here are some of your 2025 highlights:
Goal 1 - We are a sustainable and climate resilient city
We are a sustainable and climate resilient city, and this year we are proud of the way our community got behind our Community Renewables Program, our FOGO and recycling programs, and your involvement in environmental initiatives such as Nature Shake, Tiny Forests, and our first ever Blue Light Clean-up.
1. You watched your waste
At our soft plastics collection day, 232 of you legends brought your stashes of plastic bags, snack and chip packets, pasta, bread and rice bags, cling and bubble wrap, mail sachets, pet food bags and other scrunchable plastics to recycle. In total, 740 kilograms of plastic was bailed up and sent to iQRenew in Taree. There, instead of filling up our landfill, it's been recycled into high-grade plastic feedstock used in range of construction and agricultural products.
You won't have to wait for another collection day with Woolworths relaunching their Soft Plastics Recycling Trial at selected stores.
2. You turned up for the environment
You got right in on the environmental act in 2025, embracing ongoing initiatives such as Tiny Forests and Nature Shake, and our first-ever After Dark Blue Light Cleanup in Stuart Park.
We'll be bringing a lot of extra lights next year given how many of you turned up to remove fluorescent plastics, and microplastics that are very harmful to wildlife, particularly native birds – all with the help of a nifty blue light.
Nature Shake returned for its second year, offering hands-on nature and garden activities – including the first ever gumboot tossing competition – to celebrate our beautiful natural environment and Wollongong Botanic Garden.
Goal 2 – We have well planned, connected, and liveable places
You've transformed the lives of 709 dogs and cats in need, by welcoming them into your homes through Wollongong Pet Connection! That's through a whopping 474 pets being adopted into new homes, 235 being cared for in temporary foster care, plus an endless amount of pats, walks, cuddles and company. Local pet owners accessed free desexing and microchipping through pop-up events. This huge effort shows the power of our community in giving pets the care and homes they deserve.
3. You spurred on hometown heroes
Wollongong's a famously sports-mad city and it was a memorable year for a couple of our sporting icons, and now newly minted Keys to the City recipients.
The Illawarra Hawks claimed their first championship in more than 20 years, and you helped us paint the town – and the Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse – red. With the WEC sold out, our live viewing sites in Crown Lane were abuzz with the Hawks championship fever that captured our city.
It was also a red-letter year for Alex Volkanovski, who regained the UFC featherweight title in April – his seventh victory in world-title bouts. It saw Lord Mayor of Wollongong Tania Brown award 'Volk' Keys to the City of Wollongong in May – a long-awaited honour for Wollongong's fighting pride.
4. You had your say on the important stuff
Over 4,000 of you shared your ideas and vision for our city, either online or at one of more than 40 face-to-face 'Let's Talk' events held right across the local government area.
Your input is actively shaping Wollongong's future – guiding everything from pools, parks and libraries, to how we care for waterways, manage flood risk and plan the precincts that bring our city to life. And let's not forget the newly minted Community Strategic Plan .
Goal 3 – We foster a diverse economy, and we value innovation, culture, and creativity
Our third community goal is "Vibrant" and works to fostering a diverse economy and valuing innovation, culture, and creativity. We aimed high and the community delivered in spades on this goal. You supported us a host city for the World Triathlon Championship Finals, got behind the return of the Wollongong Art Prize and smashed local jobs targets.
5. You made our city shine
October's 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals firmly positioned Wollongong as a premier destination for global sporting events. As the crown jewel of the triathlon calendar, the event brought more than 5,000 elite and aspiring athletes to our city for four days of world-class competition. Against the backdrop of Wollongong's pristine beaches and picturesque escarpment, athletes swam in crystal-clear waters, cycled through challenging city routes, and ran along scenic coastal tracks.
What truly made the finals unforgettable was the way you, our community, embraced the occasion. From cheering crowds lining the course to local businesses welcoming visitors, Wollongong's spirit and hospitality created an atmosphere that elevated the entire experience. This level of energy and engagement didn't just make the event shine; it demonstrated that our city is a passionate sporting community ready to support future opportunities on the world stage. By coming together, we've proven that Wollongong isn't just a beautiful location; it's a vibrant, connected community that makes global events feel at home.
6. You celebrated local art
The Wollongong Art Prize returned this year. First introduced in 1956, the Prize came back reimagined for a new generation of Australian artists. The 2025 edition welcomed artists working across all mediums, with a strong focus on access, inclusivity, and community.
The Prize was embraced by both national and local art communities, with over 300 local entries and over 1,100 submissions in total, exceeding all expectations. Hundreds of local artists and creatives attended the opening night, celebrating the region's vibrant art scene.
For the first time, the Prize introduced a Local Artist Award valued at $5,000, recognising and supporting talent from the Illawarra. Visitors to the gallery also play a role by voting in the People's Choice Award, ensuring the community's voice is part of the celebration.
7. You boosted the local economy
Smashing previous job targets, local businesses and industry partners played a big part in shaping Wollongong's future. Your input informed a new Economic Development Strategy that will build momentum and deliver 20,500 new jobs in target sectors like clean energy, advanced manufacturing, technology, health and creative industries.
You also helped Wollongong earn a tick of approval from UNESCO, putting us on the world stage as part of the Global Network of Learning Cities. This recognition celebrates our city's commitment to lifelong learning for all and makes us the first city in NSW to receive this honour.
Goal 4 - We have a healthy, respectful, and inclusive community
This goal is all about ensuring we have a healthy, respectful and inclusive community. You rallied around Culture Mix and Comic Gong, supported the growth of the Indigenous Expo, and got active on our gyms, shared paths, pools and parks.
8. You celebrated our differences
At the heart of Wollongong is a commitment to creating a city where everyone feels welcome, respected and connected. This year, our community came together to celebrate diversity and inclusion with events and festivals designed to bring people together. These celebrations fostered spaces where people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds could join in and feel included.
Culture Mix lit up the Wollongong CBD with plenty of colour, flavour, music and dance! With a jam-packed day of vibrant performances and energy, our community showcased our multicultural spirit and shared culture with each other, creating a welcoming and inclusive event where we felt connected and proud of the diversity that makes Wollongong so unique. Comic Gong moved to the suburbs and transformed the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre into a buzzing hub where cosplay, comics, and imagination shined through. It's a welcoming and inclusive event at its heart, where our community came together to celebrate their passions in a respectful and supportive environment. Tune In hit the CBD by storm and live music rocked Wollongong, with local and visiting musicians filling out venues with incredible sounds and immaculate vibes. From intimate gigs to rocking stages, Tune In celebrated all things Live and Local - bringing the CBD to life with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
9. You supported First Nation owned and operated businesses
The huge growth of Aboriginal Business Expo continued in 2025, with the annual event held at the Novotel for the first time after outgrowing the host venues of its first two years.
More than 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned and operated businesses from diverse industries showcased their expertise, products and services to the community.
Launched in 2023 as a joint initiative of Council and the Illawarra Indigenous Business Network, this year's event was delivered by First Nations business, Sacred Country Consulting, realising a long-term vision for the expo.
