Author: Jessica Olson

The Illawarra is an area rich in Indigenous culture, and its community continues to honour the Dharawal people who, more than 200 years ago, lit fires along to tell each other about an unusual object that was moving along the coastline. That object was Captain James Cook’s ship The Endeavour. The Global Communicator’s Program, funded by SAF (Student Services & Amenities Fee), is a group of UNiversity of Wollongong students who are passionate about building intercultural friendships, forming cultural literacy and remaining global citizens. Although they value embracing the world’s cultures, first and foremost they stand for recognising and remembering Indigenous heritage…

Sutherland Shire Council has implemented a neighbourhood signage program, supported by the Aboriginal Advisory Committee, that recognises and acknowledges the Shire’s Aboriginal heritage. The signs are earth-brown in colour and signify connection to the land, including the phrase ‘Dharawal Country’. Where the Dharawal derivation of the suburb name is known, it is printed underneath the English name. Cronulla, for example, is translated to the Dharawal word Kurranulla, meaning “the place of the pink seashells.” This project is an attempt to bridge the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members of the community, and recognises the Indigenous history of the land. Thirty-five suburb…

The council’s draft annual plan will go before councilors on Monday, April 4th. It details the budget for work on the Fowlers Road bridge, the $2.2 million carbon tax refund and the $101.55 million to be spent on more than 350 capital works projects in 56 suburbs. Recently, the new public art strategy, Animating Wollongong, was proposed by Council, communicating how public art has the central ability to embrace physical and social/cultural dimensions via encouraging residents’ engagement. The draft details the importance of extending knowledge and familiarity of the local environment through artwork. In 2014, Council Cultural Development Manager, Sue Savage, said…