Our departing Lord Mayor was in a jovial mood as he signed off this week, his last after 13 years in our city’s top job.
On Monday night, the current Council met for the last time, with five councillors choosing not to seek re-election when we vote on 14 September.
The following night, at the city art gallery, dressed in the Lord Mayoral robes, Councillor Gordon Bradbery performed his last official duty before retirement, recognising nearly 100 of our city’s ‘movers and shakers’ at the Lord Mayor's Recognition Reception event.
Among those thanked and presented with certificates of appreciation were all of the most recent recipients of Australia Day and King’s Birthday Honours.
Also honoured were volunteers from the Wollongong Art Gallery. Elspeth McCombe has given an incredible 30 years’ service, while her colleagues, Cathy Briand James and Judy Goodley, were recognised for a decade of volunteering at our city’s cultural hub.
The Lord Mayor thanked the efforts of the Australia Day Committee, which he chairs. He paid a special tribute to Robyn Hampton, the longest-serving member of the committee, who for more than 20 years has "had responsibility for our Australia Day baby" (the first baby born in our city each year on January 26).
Others recognised at the ceremony included Shaz Harrison from Need A Feed, the Friends of Wollongong Botanic Garden for 40 years’ service, David Bere for 30 years volunteering with the State Emergency Service (SES), Aunty May Button for Aboriginal initiatives and knowledge sharing, and Ian Garling for two decades of leading Whipbird Bushcare at Balgownie.
See all Wollongong City Council's photos from the event at Lord Mayors Recognition reception 2024 (thirdlight.com).
Find the full list of all last night's Recognition Reception recipients here
