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

Jet ski approval panel said yes, despite ‘considerable community opposition’

The independent panel which last month approved a controversial jet ski business on Lake Illawarra was split, with one of the panel members strongly opposing it. The ‘community’ panel member, Lewis Troman, who was appointed to represent the views of...

Jeremy Lasek

2 hours ago

News

Triathlon Worlds countdown begins, and locals’ concerns answered

Organisers of the fast-approaching World Triathlon Championship Finals have responded swiftly to concerns raised by locals living on the cycling route that they weren’t getting enough information about road closures and other disturbances. In one...

Jeremy Lasek

12 hours ago

News

A standing ovation as multicultural Illawarra thanks and farewells Ken Habak

Tributes flowed all night and there was a standing ovation as our region’s multicultural community said “thank you” to the man who’s guided the sector for the past quarter of a century and is now stepping down. Earlier this year, Ken Habak AM was...

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

Sport & Leisure

From humble beginnings, Fairy Meadow Surf Club celebrates 75 years

It’s a big weekend ahead for members of the Fairy Meadow Surf Club which is celebrating its 75th birthday. Surf Club President Jeremy Kuiper says the main celebration will take place at the city Collegians club on Saturday night when 150 people will...

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

News

Our Voice Matters: New grassroots campaign launches after heated discussion

There were angry scenes at a community meeting on Wednesday night to launch an “Our Voice Matters” campaign, calling for better communications and engagement about a controversial big housing project at Gwynneville. During an address to the crowd of...

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

Opinion

Farewelling the famous Dapto Dogs, and remembering the night I won running barefoot

After nearly 90 years, this Thursday night marks the end of an era, as the curtain comes down on the iconic Dapto Dogs. A record crowd of up to 3,000 is expected to pack into Dapto Showground, says the CEO of Greyhound Racing NSW, Steve Griffin...

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

News

Boat owners say they’re sitting ducks for vandals as harbour breakwater disintegrates

Frustrated boat owners at Wollongong’s Belmore Basin are seeking immediate action to repair a “disintegrating” breakwater which is now in a dangerous state of disrepair. The owners say their complaints to Council and local state MP, Paul Scully have...

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

News

The man who builds epic walks joins the escarpment trek team

There’s been a significant step in the right direction for proponents of an epic Illawarra escarpment walk that will link the Royal National Park in the north to Cambewarra Mountain in the Shoalhaven to the south. Garry McDougall, the man who in the...

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

News

Community outcry after ‘woeful’ consultation over new Lake Illawarra jet ski business

Since The Illawarra Flame reported last week that Wollongong Council’s independent planning panel had approved the operation of a jet ski hire business on Lake Illawarra, we’ve received numerous complaints and concerns from people who love the lake, live near it, or use it for their recreation.

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

News

Ruby’s restaurant ‘David and Goliath’ battle is still far from over as a community rallies

Ten days after news broke that the iconic Ruby’s Restaurant at Kembla Heights was being forced to close, the owner says he’s still in limbo nervously hoping for a long-term solution. But Scott Woods says he’s been blown away by the support he’s...

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

News

One week on from ‘ugly’ rallies, leaders focus on reasons to feel ‘optimistic and proud’

“We are a nation of migrants and there is no place for hate in our society. Every Australian, whatever their heritage, deserves to feel safe and welcome.“ Those words from Julian Hill, the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, sparked a huge round of applause at Friday night’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra (MCCI).

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

News

‘What’s not to love about it?’ Lots of interest in joining the local RFS

From teenagers to retirees, there was a great turnout last weekend when the Rural Fire Service (RFS) in the Illawarra’s northern suburbs opened their doors for a recruitment drive blitz. As reported in The Illawarra Flame last month, the ageing...

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

News

UOW farewells a shining First Nations star, as Jaymee Beveridge bids farewell

It’s been a tumultuous 12 months at the University of Wollongong (UOW) and there’s more challenging news with the departure this week of another senior staff member, recognised widely as one of the uni’s rising stars. A UOW graduate, Jaymee...

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025

Arts & culture

Our queens of the Edinburgh Fringe are set for two special homecoming shows

After a sold-out season at their first Edinburgh Fringe Festival, two Illawarra-based performers are now home and ready to bring their show to local audiences. It’s a very limited two-show season at Coniston’s Phoenix Theatre later this month and...

Jeremy Lasek

September 2025