Your shot at history: Council launches Illawarra Images Photography Prize
A media release from Wollongong City Council calls on local snappers to enter the Illawarra Images Photography Prize
Wollongong City Libraries is calling on locals to capture life in the region today with the launch of the Illawarra Images Photography Prize this month.
The competition invites entries that reflect what life in Wollongong looks like today – from its people and places to neighbourhoods and everyday moments. With categories for kids, teens and adults, a total of $2,000 in prize money is on offer.
More than a just a photo competition, the prize is an opportunity for residents to shape local history and contribute to a rich, more diverse visual record of life in Wollongong today for future generations. Selected entries will be added to Illawarra Images, Wollongong City Libraries’ collection of more than 50,000 images spanning the 1800s to today.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said the prize highlights an important role that the community can play in preserving local history.
“Our libraries are at the heart of preserving Wollongong’s story and initiatives like the Illawarra Images Photography Prize invite our community to be part of that legacy,” Cr Brown said.
“What makes this initiative so special is the opportunity to capture the diverse, everyday experiences that might otherwise go unseen or untold, and the moments, communities and perspectives that truly reflect who we are as a city.
“Every photograph tells a story, and by sharing these moments, residents are helping build a richer, more inclusive picture of Wollongong that future generations can connect with and learn from.”
The new prize replaces the Local History Prize for a trial period, reimagining how local history is collected, with organisers encouraging people of all ages to become “citizen collectors” and contribute to Wollongong’s living history.
Finalists’ will be showcased in an exhibition to be held at Wollongong Library during History Week (5 – 9 September 2026), when winners will be announced.
The Illawarra Images Photography Prize is proudly supported by the Friends of the Library.
Key Dates
- Entries open: 1 June 2026
- Entries close: 31 July 2026
- Winners announced: History Week, 5-9 September 2026
To find out more about how to be part of Wollongong’s living history, visit wollongong.nsw.gov.au/library
