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.

News

Tourism chief heads west to pitch Wollongong as next major Australian cruise terminal

With the ink barely dry on a glossy new bid document to help drive Wollongong’s campaign to become the state’s third cruise terminal and turnaround port, the head of tourism in the city has hit the road to begin the hard sell. Jeremy Wilshire and...

Jeremy Lasek

3 hours ago

News

Jet ski operator says he’ll be good for the Illawarra

The businessman behind the controversial jet ski tours set to begin on Lake Illawarra in the coming weeks says his operation will be resident, business and public friendly. Speaking to The Illawarra Flame after concerns were raised about the noise...

Jeremy Lasek

11 hours ago

News

‘This is our lake. Why weren’t we told’: Bird lovers share shock at new jet ski business

A 77-year-old Berkeley wildlife rescuer renowned for saving pelicans is among lakeside residents shocked to learn of a new jet ski business wishing to open in time for the spring school holidays.

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

Food & Travel

It’s a final Ciao for the Cosa Nostra family

After the Illawarra Flame reported the popular family-run Cosa Nostra restaurant was on the market, bookings at the popular Corrimal Street diner in the city doubled. On Saturday, the place many regard as the best home-cooked Italian on the planet...

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

Cover Story

Our very own bootscooting superstar dances her way into a community’s heart

Pretty much anywhere else in the world, Maddison Glover would be a household name. The bubbly 30-year-old from Albion Park is to bootscooting what Lionel Messi is to soccer. Put simply, she is the amongst the best of the best. When The Illawarr...

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

News

Candle vigil says ‘Let Gaza Live’

Nearly 12 months after retiring as Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Gordon Bradbery, joined more than 200 concerned citizens in calling for peace in Gaza. Thursday night’s moving candlelight vigil on a cold, windy evening was organised by the South Coast...

Jeremy Lasek

August 2025

News

NSW Government puts an end to behind-closed-doors meetings at local councils

The practice of many councils that hold ‘closed’ meetings out of the eye of the public and the media will no longer be permitted. A Friday night missive from the NSW Office of Local Government (OLG) – titled “The model code of meeting practice for...

Jeremy Lasek

August 2025

News

The power of social media just may have saved one of our most iconic restaurants

If you’ve ever doubted the power of social media, please read on. In less than 24 hours, a simple Facebook post appears to have saved one of the Illawarra’s most loved restaurants – at least for now. At 7pm last night (Thursday, August 28) the...

Jeremy Lasek

August 2025

News

Objections aside, Lake Illawarra jet ski business ready to launch

Despite broad community objections, approval has been granted for a jet ski hire operator to set up on Lake Illawarra. Sydney-based Play Hard Jet Ski Hire Pty Ltd convinced Wollongong Council staff that its operation wouldn’t unduly impact the...

Jeremy Lasek

August 2025

News

Anchors away: Lord Mayor’s bold bid for an international cruise terminal sets sail

Wollongong’s ambitious plan to become a major cruise terminal for national and international tourist vessels took a significant step forward today. Lord Mayor Cr Tania Brown launched a glossy prospectus, effectively the bid document to support the...

Jeremy Lasek

August 2025

News

Why has Wollongong Mall gone gangbusters?

Since its opening in the 1980s, our Wollongong City Mall has divided opinions on its worth. Everyone seems to have an opinion. You either love it or hate it. New statistics just released by Wollongong Council has shown an unprecedented increase in...

Jeremy Lasek

August 2025

News

‘Gone fishing’ presents life-saving education program at Port Kembla

Rock fishing in the Wollongong/Illawarra area has proven to be a deadly pastime over the years and that’s prompted Surf Life Saving NSW to run a weekend rock fishing safety and skills program at Port Kembla. Emily Cook, project lead of the ‘Gone...

Jeremy Lasek

August 2025

News

E-scooter hire company hopes to expand its booming Wollongong footprint

Wollongong’s e-scooter hire trial has been so successful, the company which owns those bright orange scooters hopes to expand its current riding area across more of the city. It’s now two years since Wollongong was approved to be part of the NSW...

Jeremy Lasek

August 2025

News

Community groups say lessons must be learnt from Mt Ousley bridge debacle

Community groups that campaigned successfully for the reinstatement of a pedestrian and cycling bridge over the new Mount Ousley Road say politicians and bureaucrats can learn a lot from the process. “Consult early and consult often,“ said Emm...

Jeremy Lasek

August 2025