The Fold - Illawarra

LOCAL NEWS // A little local catch-up for your week.

Shellharbour’s young leaders took centre stage this week, with more than 200 students coming together for the annual Youth Summit to talk leadership, technology and what the future could look like.
Plus, we’ve rounded up a few other local updates worth knowing, including funding opportunities, community safety news and scam awareness reminders.

Catch up on what’s been happening across the Illawarra via the link: https://bit.ly/4gl0y0X

NEW-ISH KID ON THE BLOCK // Longboard Cafe

If it’s been a little while since you’ve popped into this much-loved beachside spot, there are a few new things to check out.

Longboard Cafe has had a refresh, with a beautiful new space, updated menu and fresh uniforms bringing a new look while keeping the welcoming cafe feel locals already know and love.

The important things are still very much there though… good coffee, colourful plates, matcha, vegan and vegetarian options, beachside views and all those cafe staples that make a morning out feel a little better.

They’ve also updated their opening hours, making those early coffee runs even easier. Longboard is now open from 6am every day (7am Sundays for those extra-important sleep-ins) and stays open until 4pm on weekends.

Fresh look, same friendly feel, even more reason to pop by.

Check out Longboard Cafe and plan your next visit here: https://bit.ly/4zUAEJh

The Coastal Classic is coming up, and this one is a pretty big day on the trail running calendar.

Organised by Max Adventure, this 30km trail run is happening in Royal National Park, taking runners along the Coast Track from Otford to Bundeena, with some seriously beautiful coastal views along the way... ocean cliffs, bush trails, a fast stretch of boardwalk and remote beaches. A good view is pretty solid motivation! 🙌

It’s been part of the trail running scene for years and has become a much-loved event, so it’s always so cool seeing the course come alive with runners, supporters and loads of energy.

This year’s event is already sold out, with a waitlist now open, which tells you plenty about how popular this one is. So if you missed a spot this time around, it’s definitely one to pop on the future calendar.

And for anyone keen to cheer them on, Bundeena Reserve is the spot to catch that finish-line energy as runners make their way home. Big cheers very much encouraged.

Good luck to everyone taking on the Coastal Classic. We’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines. 💙

Head to this link for more details on the Coastal Classic: https://bit.ly/4xducLp

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK // The week ahead is looking very Illawarra in the best way.

There’s surf action along the coast, live music at Crooked River Estate, theatre at IPAC and Wollongong Art Gallery, a little cocktail celebration, plus plenty more local happenings to add to the calendar.

This is just a peek. The full article has heaps more local ideas, events and excuses to get out and about around the Illawarra this week.

Head to the link for the full guide: https://bit.ly/4wynnUA

📸 Surfing Australia

LOCAL NEWS // The local news cycle moves quickly, so we’ve pulled together the Illawarra stories worth catching up on this week.

There are updates across road safety, community projects, public spaces, local growth and more, with stories from Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and around the region.

Grab a coffee, have a scroll and catch up on what’s been happening locally.

Read the full news wrap here: https://bit.ly/4qqVuvj

A market run is a pretty easy way to put your money where your community is. 🙌

The Illawarra markets bring together people growing, baking, making and creating right here in the region. You get to discover something new, and they get a little extra support for the work they’ve put in.

Pretty good trade-off, really.

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND // The Illawarra is giving us a proper mixed bag this weekend, in the best way possible. 🙌

Food and wine in Clifton, plant shopping in Keiraville, costumes and creators in Shellharbour, reggae and roots in Berry, fascinating local stories in Wollongong and a full day of belly dancing by the beach in Warilla.

We’ve pulled together a handful of events worth adding to your weekend, with plenty more happening across the region. Have a scroll and find your next little adventure: https://bit.ly/3KNeVhp

WHAT’S ON // The end of winter is almost here, but we’re not quite ready to pack away the cosy plans just yet.

There are still a few good weeks to squeeze in a local adventure before spring really gets going, and the Illawarra calendar is giving us plenty of reasons to get out.

Live music, markets, creative workshops, community events, good food and plenty of other things happening around the coast and across the region are all waiting to be added to the diary.

Soak up the last of the cooler days, rug up when you need to and make the most of what’s happening around the Illawarra before the season changes.

We’ve rounded up some of the things worth checking out over the coming weeks here: https://bit.ly/4wuUtDO

The local job hunt doesn’t have to mean falling into an internet rabbit hole for three hours.

Our Illawarra Job Board pulls local opportunities into one easy spot, and this month there are roles for a whole bunch of different careers.

Dog groomer, daycare assistant, cleaner, early childhood educator, graphic designer… and that’s just a tiny sneak peek.

Jobs are being added all the time, so it’s a good one to keep checking if you’re on the hunt, casually browsing or just curious about what’s happening on the local job front.

Check out the latest roles via the link: https://bit.ly/4s4V3Gx