Holiday-makers gather to get a rare look at a humpback whale found dead at Shoalhaven Heads.
Forget Wollongong the Brave. UOW students Trent Scanlen and Sheree Morrison introduce Wollongong to the blog.
Domenico Bellomo celebrates his 100th birthday with daughters Maria Sorace (left), Agnesa DeLucia, and Amabile Iera.
A helicopter lowers the one-tonne steel disc to the top of Port Kembla Copper's main stack.
Johnson, 5, loved the helicopter but gave the closure of the Port Kembla stack the thumbs down.
Luke Heemskerk and Sam Emerton-King missed their Year 12 graduation because they weren't wearing black school shorts.
Michael Jordan (right) jumped into rough seas to save Nathan Townsend at Coalcliff.
Frank Addison outside his garage which would soon be the only servo in Kiama.
A model shows off a Wollongong-designed swimsuit at Viva la Gong.
Artists Jarrod Taylor and David Wallin with a decorated Integral Energy boxes in Wollongong.
Adam, Delma, Chris and Joanne Wilson at The Beach House.
Athletes Foot staff Amanda Schier, Brett Magennis and Rebecca Tweddle show their true rugby colours.
Austinmer Public School basketballers who were part of the team that finished second in the NSW PSSA titles.
April Scott,14, with Teaca, bought from the RSPCA after the puppy had its leg amputated. April also has only one leg.
Thirroul twins Julia and Laura Peckham completed their final advanced HSC English exams along with 24,705 NSW students.
A sprinkler catches the attention of a Wollongong council ranger who, in his new role as teacher, talks to the resident.
The Wollongong Roller Hawks, the national Wheelchair Basketball League champions, earned a rousing reception at the WEC.
Fraternity and Recreation Bowling Club treasurer Joe Scimone and vice-president Nick Gigliotti with plans for a revamp.
Tibetan monk Geshe Sonam Thargye with students at Mt Ousley Public School after sharing his life story with them.
Kirralea, 4, and Ryan, 4, at the Warilla Child Care Centre for their crazy hair day, admire each other's style.
Bakery owner Vera Stojanovska with a petition against a boundary change that would see Tarrawanna shops become Fernhill.
Flinders toddler Jett Russo suffered no stage fright when he met Bert, Ernie, Elmo and Zoe.
Kev Neels' Old Time Music Machines museum paraphernalia will go under the hammer in a public auction.
Bryan and Sandra Fleming completed a 10,000km trip across the US to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Harley.
The Beach Babes give Hawks fans more to cheer about.
Motorcycle champion Wayne Gardner launches Touring the Illawarra, an information booklet for motorcycle riders in the region.
Elizabeth Espinosa performs a Spanish dance as Tania Daniels decorates one of the David Jones windows in Crown St Mall.
Kiama Heights Petroleum manager Jenny Harris and her nephew, Joel, with a 1600-strong petition to save Kiama's service stations.
St Mary's HSC student Adnrea Gregoriou was the only Illawarra student to undertake the Modern Greek extension exam.
Visiting jailbirds Savannah, 6, and Giorgie, 4, look through the police cells during the NSW Police Open Day.
Assistance Dogs Australia chief Andrew Biggs with puppy Amy and six-year-old Oscar.
Alison Studholme, Norman Taylor, and Jane Sim at Kembla Grange.
Brad Davis, Jenelle Hocking, Shannon Fleming and Bronwen Reid, at their Corrimal World Cup party.
Kate, Wendy, Phil, and Laura Jones at Wendy's 40th birthday.
Janette Sattin, Amy Linnehan, Ken Hayward, Melinda Cornford and Leanne Barnett at Kembla Grange.
Doris Ireland, Leonie North and Kristen Love at the Illawarra Womens Soccer Association presentation night at the Master Builders.
Denise Vasquez, Lara Santiago, Anita Fantasia and Lara Lofano at The Harbourfront restaurant.
Emma Thompson, Hayley King and Tammy Markham, at the Illawarra Women's Soccer Association annual presentation night.
Todd, 6, of Mt St Thomas flew the flag for Canada at the World Cup Rugby game at WIN Stadium.
Bulli High jumper Petrina Price relaxing at home after achieving an Olympic B qualifying jump of 1.92m.
Ariane Lewis co-ordinated a special event at Thirroul to raise public awareness about Tibet.
Bryce Whitby, 2, from Berkeley enjoys Sesame Street at the WEC.
Callum, 3, gets a boost from Canada's 2003 Rugby World Cup full-back and former Australian Quentin Fyffe at Woonona Beach.
Actor Samuel Johnson has a swim at North Wollongong Beach during a break in his 1000km unicycle ride for CanTeen.
Angie Wilson and Georgia Leary at Kembla Grange.
Aleksandar, 13, his sister Dragana, 11, and Gabriel Akuak, 23, drew upon their experiences as refugees to participate in painting a mural.
Cathy, Luke and Sam Potter with (rear) Anthea Verney, Renee Potter, Scott Little, Matt Potter, Sean Potter and Brendan Adams, at Figtree Community Hall.
Deborah De Santis, Troy Coyle, Debra Murphy, Natasha Lee and Donna Dives.
Jane Carson, Lily McLean, June Hall, Debbie Hall, Alicia Power and Jackie McLean toast Lily's birthday at The Beach House.
Norm and Jess Harriman (centre) celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with their entire wedding party, including grooms Syd and Joe Harriman and bridesmaids Avis Bright and Joyce Warrington.
Steve Kaddis, Lynette Germanos, Emma Matarranz, Will Germanos and Jocelyne Germanos at The Harbourfront.
Children taking part in a colourful Vietnamese Moon Festival performance.
Connor Harris Cook, 3, with his mum Natalie and cousin Fern Cook enjoy Sesame Street at the WEC.
Kelly and Shawne Gleeson, Trent Avery, and Judith and Matt Simpson at Corrimal RSL Club.
Cringila Youth Project members Albie Andermoska, Jessica Langelaar and Suzana Demus.
Dennis Brooks and fellow Thirroul and Scarborough firefighters celebrate their successes at the National Firefighters Championships.
Declan, Callum and Ellis play with toys at Toy Share.
Grant Plecas and Melanie Muscat at Corrimal RSL Club for the northern districts Tigers AFL presentation night.
Collegians Football Club Chairman Terry Gillen, club secretary Bruce Prior and captain-coach Jason Ferris.
Daniel Lipa tests his cookery skills in the dumpling making competiton at the Polish Food Festival.
Daniel Rhoden (left), Luke Vallely and Ashlee Beare at Crown St Mall.
David Campbell shows Corrimal High School students his old school blazer.
Denise Raper, Peter Pedersen, and Gai Rowan at Kembla Grange.
Delma Boland and Maxyne Graham open a soup kitchen with the help of volunteers at Warrawong Community Centre.
Hadijat Lawal and Sharon Callaghan discuss their action group's paper on issues faced by Muslims in the Illawarra.
Ijuma, a pure-bred Rothschild giraffe en route to Mogo Zoo via a boat-trip from Christchurch and 300km trip from Sydney.
Fair Trading Minister Reba Meagher and Wollongong MP Noreen Hay usher in the festive season in David Jones with a warning against over extending credit.
Guy Baker was at the Illawarra Regional Airport to see the Catalina, the same type of plane that whisked him to safety after 3 1/2 years as a POW.
Glen Saville draped in an Australian flag.
Grandparents Ruth and Rudi Schober and great grandmother Barbara Hayman with Jordan 4, and Jessica, 2 at the UOW child-care centre's Grandparents Day.
Glenn Longbottom from the tent embassy at Sandon Point during the smoking ceremony that opened the Aboriginal conference at the Novotel.
Green Team volunteers from the UOW help in projects around the Illawarra including bush regeneration at Killalea.
Jenny Clark with former teacher Brad Lloyd and Roslyn Jones at Wollongong High's Year 12 1973 reunion at the Fraternity Club.
Hawks player Adam Caporn encourages Dapto High Students in their Dare 2 Dream program.
Illawarra Health's Fay Jackson and Eugene McGarrell celebrate the services three Mental Health Matters awards.
New Hawks recruit Troy Pilon, whose nickname is ''The Truck'', at the Mack truck dealership in Unanderra.
Illawarra community and sporting identity Ted Tobin (front centre) with Kangaroos at the Men of League Grand Final Luncheon at Dapto Leagues Club.
Graham Donnelly sorts through documents returned with his briefcase that was stolen from the back seat of his car.
Frieda Botica before a march to help women reclaim the streets, and trains, in Wollongong.
Jake Deluca, 3, and his dad John at the air show.
Fifth generation dairy farmer Neville McEvilly and his dog, Suzie, enjoy the rain in Robertson.
Hawks guard Matt Campbell gets past Hunter's Matt Shanahan in a clash at the Snakepit. Wollongong won 131-108.
Gavin Fleming, Kia Slaughter and Todd Slaughter at their Corrimal World Cup party.
Hand On Car Wash manager Darko Filoski wiping the red dust off one of the many cars taken to the Figtree car wash.
Hawks Ben Knight and Darnell Mee were out to prove Cairns made a mistake in allowing the pair to leave.
Helen Martin with a commemorative quilt made by more than 30 women from Bowral's St Simon and St Jude's Anglican Church.
Jenny Wallace and Sandro Balatti at Kembla Grange.
Jodie Tomajka, Jason Lawrence and Jonni Harrison at Kembla Grange.
Joy Mining account manager David Reed with a chock for the West Cliff mine.
Sanders and Sarah Clarke at Illawarra Leagues Club.
Smiths Hill High School students Becky,15, and Negin,15, sell candles in Crown St Mall for Amnesty International.
Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell was presented with an aerial photograph of Wollongong by Lord Mayor Alex Darling.
Woonona swimmer Jason Cram before heading to the US for altitude training.
Josh Gilbert (left), who finished third at the Australian Junior National Motor X Championships in South Australia, with Tori Dare, who won six races at a Sydney women's event.
Kelly Maitland, Elicia Dunn and Nicola Dunn sample some of the drops showcased at wine and food fair Wine Wollongong.
Maple Leafs Ed Knaggs and Aaron Abrams recover in the lobby bar at the Novotel Northbeach.
Kylie Crowe, David Crowe, Tracey Weir, Craig Weir and Benita Andrews.
Kiama council's environmental officer Amanda Schipp shows the results of the Black Beach Catchment stormwater project on the region's harbour.
Kiama artist Virginia Gould with one of her art works shown as part of the 14th annual Kiama Seaside Festival.
Kiama Garden Club president Peggy Ryan (left) with Spring Creek Retreat proprietor Susan Stoertz behind some of the showy proteas in the Jamberoo garden.
Landcare Illawarra chairman Roger Lyle at Jamberoo, where coral trees were being poisoned and removed from properties.
Shellharbour's Grace enjoys a banana with some close friends at Nutrition Australia's Healthy Teddy Bears Picnic.
Lauren Elms and Alex Shaw at Kembla Grange.
Lyn Boscoscuro and Julie Beasley caught up with old mates at the Wollongong High School reunion.
Lynsey Van Ede, Nikki Hannaford and Katrina Romanowski at the Illawarra Womens Soccer Association presentation night at the Master Builders.
Margaret Howard, her daughter Lisa Cook, grand-daughter Montana, 4, and former teacher Merle Wilder join the 50th anniversary celebrations at St Luke's Preschool Dapto.
Mariann Adams (left) with Lance and Darelle Williams of the South Coast American Motorcycle Club ready to roll in the third annual Pink Ribbon Ride for breast cancer.
Master printer and teacher Tom Goulder was attracted to Wentworth St by its low rent and historic character.
Members of the Nga Hau E Wha Maori cultural group performing at the Jewels on Crown Street party.
Members of the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music.
Michael Mlacic with Lawrence Tauasa, Frankie John Gatt and Shannan Taylor.
Mrs McGuire celebrates her 90th birthday at Figtree Community Hall with daughters Valma Weigand (left) and Hazel Piper, and sons Allan, John and David McGuire.
Museum of flight chairman Neil Ralph with a replica of Lawrence Hargrave's revolutionary box kite.
NPWS ranger Ben Owers pictured with vandalised wild flowers. The NPWS was investigating the practice of illegal harvesting.
Paul Jolly joins Clare Gough to celebrate her birthday at The Lobby Bar, Novotel Northbeach.
Picton brothers Ben, 10, and Dayne,14, vainly attempt an after-swim shower at City Beach. Showers were turned off to conserve water.
Austinmer RFS captain Ray Barnes and member Kylie Owen.
Rika Wedlock, Jill Walker and Susie McDonald at the Sandon Point picket line.
New inductees into Illawarra Academy of Sport program Matt Bond (rugby), Emma Cobbin (Hockey) and Ben Allen (surf life-saving) at the induction ceremony.
Pano Tzolakidis, Vann Tremopoulos, PeterPeggs and Con Passadis at the Wollongong Olympic Soccer Club's Annual Presentation.
Port Kembla captain Steve Nikitaris hopes the rain will stay away so the new Illawarra cricket season can begin.
Photographer Jane Davenport's exhibition at Wollongong's Botanic Garden shows the vivid world of insects.
Training marvel Syd Brown turned the clock back 34 years when he trained Heraklid to win at Kembla Grange.
Albion Park High student Rheannon Anderson completed a traineeship with Culinarius by Monika as part of her HSC.
Louise Meena, Maura Cato and Diane Beatriz at Relish on Addison in Shellharbour.
Revellers enjoy the rugby spirit in Wollongong when Canada beat Tonga.
Reverend Brian Bruce, Pastor Paul Bartlett, Lord Mayor Alex Darling, Pastor Scott Hanzy, Major Elwyn Grigg, Reverend Sam Reeve, Anglican Bishop Reg Piper, Fr Peter Comensoli get ready for Rise Up at WEC.
Robyn Bignell, Karemie Williams, Louise Meyrick and Debra Murphy ahead of Illawarra Connection's 10th anniversary dinner.
Robyn Lindley, Jenny Hamilton, Wendy Wilson, Kerrie Gamble and Julie McCulloch at Kembla Grange.
Rochelle Pinfold, Simone Harris, Naomi Boyle, Amy Tome and Eve Robinson at Illawarra Leagues Club.
Ross Kennedy, Rhonda Cristini, and Graham Wilson at Kembla Grange.
Sandra McCarthy recommends visitors check out Kiama Blowhole.
SiteDoc managing director Grant Brown reveals new software that saves businesses time on document preparation.
Some of the 80 clergy members representing Christian denominations in the Illawarra on stage at Rise UP.
St Brigid's Primary School principal Ken Bryant, Stephen Phillips, Denis Cauduro and Steve Morgan attend a site meeting at the school.
Stable foreman Paul Murray ponders spring without injured star Half Hennessy.
The gates close on Corbett Gardens, signalling the conclusion of the 2003 Bowral Tulip Time.
The Wollongong City SES team which will compete in the November 1-2 national rescue competition.
The World War II Catalina Flying Boat arrives at Illawarra Regional Airport.
Thirroul Theatre Restoration Project member Paddy Lane outside the heritage-listed former Kings Theatre.
Tim Lewis, Wollongong MP Noreen Hay and Air Affairs financial director Stuart Wright at the inaugural Illawarra Business Chamber member-meets-member event.
Trainer Brian Hancock with his Kilmore assault team - Country Ways, Selby Bromac and Blue Galleon.
UOW art collection curator Glenn Barkley, who has a passion for art with a heart.
University of Wollongong PhD student Janette Smith showcases her research into ADHD.
Witchplay was a series of supernatural experiences onstage and off for Lisa Stone.
Zoe Tsembelis tries to achieve balance between family, work and care-giving.
Scott McLean undertakes his apprenticeship to become a locksmith at TAFE.
Twins Vietnamese and Yum Cha Restaurant assistant manager Jenny Ong wheels out the yum cha trolley.
Thirroul Theatre Restoration Project members Guy Freer, Paddy Lane and Shooshi Dreyfus want the old building to again be used for arts.
Vice-president Rod Cunich, Kellie Stannard and Dennis Banks at the Illawarra Connection's 10th anniversary celebration.
Warilla High School HSC students Rebecca Gavin, Jenny-Lee Anderson and Ben Sperring had a few concerns about the modern history exam.
Western Suburbs Child Care Centre director Ruth Leo with Annabelle, 4.
Wolves player Jacob Timpano hits the books for his HSC exams.
Wollongong kickboxers Tammy Currell (left) and Maria Pittiglio shape up at the Reflex gym in preparation for their title fights in Canberra.
Wollongong police prosecutor Jackie Davidson becomes the first female president of the Police Association of NSW.
Wollongong mum Christina Brown and her children Callum, 4, and Lola, 2, tuck into family breakfast at the South Coast workers Child Care Centre.
Welcome to the Mercury's first '10 years ago' gallery, where we take you back a decade to see who was making news in the Illawarra.
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This month we've dug out pics from October 2003. The Illawarra had rugby fever, a lid was lowered onto the Port Kembla copper stack, the Roller Hawks were the NWBL champions and a couple of entrepreneurial students from the UOW introduced us to blogging.
What were you doing in 2003? Do you recognise any of the faces? Let us know in the comments below.
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