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Welcome to the friendliest street in the ‘Gong!

For more information about both events visit the Thirroul Community Garden website

Wollongong City Council  profile image
by Wollongong City Council
Welcome to the friendliest street in the ‘Gong!
Macey and Xavier Guevara decorating their picket fence with flags of world. Photo: Council

WCC media release: Wednesday 14 September 2022

Ramah Avenue, Mount Pleasant has claimed the unofficial title of the friendliest street in Wollongong – a big claim, but the welcome signs, bunting and colour is hard to disagree with.

Macey and Xavier Guevara have been working hard to decorate their picket fence with flags of world. Their goal is to get their neighbours excited for the 2022 UCI Road World Championships.

This project, as well as several others around the city, was supported by the Wollongong City Council, Connecting Neighbours UCI Grants. The aim of the grants is to encourage residents to connect with their neighbours in a new way, dress-up their street and have fun during the Championships.

Macey and Xavier Guevara said that they plan to put out garden chairs to watch the 2022 Road World Championships as they race by their house.

“We have told all our neighbours about our project, and they all think it’s great. We have found out which countries are competing, and our Pops, David, called a flag making shop to see who can make bunting with flags. The flags are big enough for the riders to see. It’s going to be really good.” – Macey and Xavier Guevara said.

Macey and Xavier were just one successful Connecting Grants applicant. There was a vigorous selection process as Council received an overwhelming response from the community for the Connecting Neighbours Grants.

“It was great to see such an enthusiastic response from our community. We received so many great ideas on how residents could share community-pride during the Championships and connect with their neighbours,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“We did have a limited budget, so we’ve done our best to approve as many Connecting Neighbours grants as possible. The good news is that for those who missed out, we will be holding another round of Connecting Neighbours grants in 2023.

“Council awarded grant funding for a real range of new activities across the Wollongong LGA from Helensburgh in the north down to Horsley in the south and a number in Mount Pleasant.

“Through the grants we were able to support 28 neighbourhood gatherings, 6 decorating projects, a senior’s night out event, street library, gardening and working bees. It’s pleasing to see these creative ideas now come to life.”

Another successful grant went to members of the Thirroul Community Garden, which is also located along the route of the 2022 UCI Road World Championships.

Members are keen to connect with new neighbours and plan to host a garden working bee prior to the race to beautify the garden beds at the entrance. New members and nearby residents are encouraged to join in. Then on Saturday 24 September during the Women’s Road Trial race, they’ll hold a community garden and verge event, with a BBQ and live music.

For more information about both events visit the Thirroul Community Garden website.

“Of course, our community members don’t have to have a grant to get behind this extraordinarily exciting event for Wollongong,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“If you’re on or near the route, you can get into the spirit of things by decorating with bunting and banners. We’d love to see Wollongong’s passionate and enthusiastic residents getting behind this global phenomenon and showing what fantastic community spirit we have here.”

Wollongong City Council  profile image
by Wollongong City Council

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