User Profile

Jeremy Lasek

Jeremy Lasek has many decades of experience in media, marketing, events and PR. His career began in the Illawarra with the Lake Times, ABC Radio and WIN-TV. For eight years Jeremy was news director for WIN in Canberra and was national news director before joining the National Capital Authority as head of media and events. Jeremy was executive director of ACT Government Communications, Events, Arts, Heritage and Protocol for many years, was Chief of Staff to the ACT Chief Minister and had responsibility for the Centenary of Canberra celebrations in 2013. Before returning to Wollongong, Jeremy was CEO of the National Australia Day Council (including the Australian of the Year Awards) and head of communications for the Australian Federal Police. Jeremy is a member of the Friends of Woolyungah Indigenous Centre at UOW and a regular contributor to the Illawarra Flame.

Arts & culture

Despite the rain, Sunday’s ZZ Top show is still on, with a venue change

The curse of Stuart Park at North Wollongong as a venue for major music events has struck again. After wet weather forced several concert cancellations in the past, and created havoc for Yours and Owls, sparking a search for new venues in the city...

Jeremy Lasek

9 hours ago

News

Controversial Gwynneville housing plan will set a precedent for ‘future radical planning changes’, says KRAG

‘Fundamentally flawed in its scale, planning and approach’ Controversial plans from Homes NSW for a big, new housing development at Gwynneville, near the University of Wollongong, have been slammed by locals who have called for them to be scrapped...

Jeremy Lasek

14 hours ago

Exclusive

Local First Nations leaders won’t be intimidated by criticism of Welcomes to Country, as Wollongong Council stays its course

Two of the region’s most prominent First Nations leaders have hit back at suggestions raised in the dying days of the current federal election campaign that Welcomes to Country have been overdone. The issue, which has dominated the final week of the...

Jeremy Lasek

May 2025

News

NSW Maritime says it will act to improve safety at Wollongong harbour drowning spot, as more safety fencing collapses

Less than a fortnight after a drowning tragedy claimed the life of a Sydney fisherman, washed into the water at the Wollongong Harbour breakwall, another large section of the safety fence has collapsed. The drowning occurred shortly before sunrise...

Jeremy Lasek

May 2025

News

Continental Pool swimmers launch petition, telling Council they ‘won’t give up’ campaign for longer winter opening hours

Swimmers who’ve been lobbying Wollongong City Council to extend winter opening hours at North Wollongong’s Continental Pool have vowed never to give up despite Council voting not to proceed at this time. On the eve of Anzac Day, the day the popular...

Jeremy Lasek

April 2025

Sport & Leisure

A labour of love: Highlands couple used Covid lockdown to rediscover, recreate a stunning ‘lost’ bush trek

Exactly five years ago, as the early months of the Covid pandemic sent the nation into lockdown, the majority of us struggled with a strange new life of isolation, disconnection and uncertainty. Not so for a nature-loving Southern Highlands couple...

Jeremy Lasek

April 2025

News

Homes NSW seeks to calm Gwynneville locals angry over big new housing plans

Responding to community concerns about a lack of consultation about plans for a major new residential precinct near the University of Wollongong (UOW), Homes NSW has produced an information brochure in an attempt to allay concerns. The glossy...

Jeremy Lasek

April 2025

News

Harbour drowning tragedy prompts calls for education, urgent safety audit

The tragic drowning on Good Friday of a fisherman swept to his death by a huge wave at the entry to Wollongong Harbour has prompted calls for safety fencing to be repaired and improved education of those who fish in the area. Shortly before sunrise...

Jeremy Lasek

April 2025

News

Drowning sparks calls for urgent safety measures at Wollongong Harbour breakwall

The tragic drowning of a 58-year-old Sydney fisherman in the early hours of Good Friday has sparked calls for an urgent review of safety along the breakwall. As reported by The Illawarra Flame a fortnight ago, the breakwall is in a poor state of...

Jeremy Lasek

April 2025

Exclusive

The battle for Beaton Park’s Ted Tobin Hall is on again as fitness groups petition council to keep it in community hands

After a six-month cease fire between Wollongong City Council and users of a popular indoor sports facility at the Beaton Park Leisure Centre, battle lines have been drawn again. This time, fitness groups who fear they’ll be left homeless if Council...

Jeremy Lasek

April 2025

News

‘Horrible’ cycleway from city to the south needs urgent investment, Council told

Four years after Wollongong celebrated being awarded the prestigious UCI Bike City label in recognition of its long-term commitment to cycling there are calls for more to be done to encourage people to get out of their cars and on to bikes...

Jeremy Lasek

April 2025

News

UOW’s ‘tree man’ reflects on his remarkable 50-year legacy

It’s been described as one of the most beautiful university campuses in the world, and this week The Illawarra Flame had the privilege of catching up with the man who can take much of the credit for creating the leafy, bush-like feel of our...

Jeremy Lasek

April 2025

News

It’s too big’! Locals tell Homes NSW go back to the drawing board on massive Gwynneville housing project

There was one common theme coming through the first community information drop-in session for a proposal to dramatically change a residential precinct close to the University of Wollongong – “it’s too big”! At the Wollongong Senior Citizens Centre...

Jeremy Lasek

April 2025

News

No joy for Continental Pool swimmers seeking extended winter swimming hours

There’s disappointment today for a group of dedicated swimmers who have been campaigning to have the opening hours at North Wollongong’s popular Continental Pool extended over the winter months. As first reported in The Illawarra Flame last month...

Jeremy Lasek

April 2025