Accounting Professionals, Wollongong City Council and the Australia China Business Council joined forces this month to host a Chinese New Year event in Wollongong.
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But according to Garry Pinch of Accounting Professionals, it was more than a new year celebration.
"It was all about building connections with China and Chinese businesses based in the Illawarra," Mr Pinch said.
"Illawarra businesses are getting a lot of understanding of working with the Chinese business owners locally and the expertise they can offer in doing business in China. We had 97 people. We will do a Chinese New Year celebration like this each year."
Wollongong City Council economic development manager Mark Grimson said the council had worked over many years building connections between Wollongong and China, so it only made sense to support Accounting Professionals and the Australia China Business Council.
Among the businesses present at the event were Boab Boats, Global Coffee Solutions, Piranha Eyewear and Terry Cross Financial Services.
Mr Grimson said it was a great opportunity for businesses looking to get into the Chinese market to share stories with other enterprises and organisations who have done work in China.
Premier takes role
NSW Premier Mike Baird has accepted an invitation to become Ambassador of The Rotary NSW Emergency Service Awards.
Mr Baird said it was a privilege to join Governor of NSW General David Hurley as an ambassador to support the volunteers and paid emergency service personnel who did so much to help communities across the state.
Students clean up
Six properties occupied by residents of Illawarra disability support service House with No Steps received a mini-makeover recently by unemployed students paying off fines.
Fusion Training Solutions sent 18 students to enhance the properties in Bateman Avenue, Albion Park Rail. Fusion trainer Mick Mather said the work included gardening, pruning and cleaning gutters.
The work also enabled some students to reduce any outstanding fines by undertaking unpaid work through the Office of State Revenue's Working and Development Order Program.
Top Blokes Foundation also worked alongside Fusion to help the students.
Acoustic concert
Mark Jones of Edmiston Jones will begin to realise an ambition this week to enhance the Illawarra's cultural experience and diversity.
He and IRT chief executive Nieves Murray have organised a small acoustic concert in Edmiston Jones' conference room and courtyard in Belmore Street, Wollongong, on Thursday night.
Miriam Lieberman will be accompanied by cellist Kate Adams and percussionist Syd Greene. The concert is a $20 donation, which all goes to the musicians.
Seniors get active
There are plenty of activities happening as part of Seniors Week.
Dapto Rotary held its annual Seniors Day Picnic at Don's Farm, West Dapto, on Monday.
Club member Peter Abba said more than 400 pensioners attended the day for a meal and entertainment.
And Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce member Tammy Mead said a group of 50 senior citizens were visiting Port Kembla on Friday for a recycling tour arranged by Wollongong City Council.
They will visit vintage shops and restoration workshops to learn about the benefits of re-using and recycling.
Careers expo
Top employers from around Australia are bringing their national search for high-calibre graduates to the University of Wollongong Graduate Careers Expo on Wednesday.
The Expo, hosted by UOW Careers Central and event partner Defence Force Recruiting, will give about 1500 students and recent graduates a chance to meet future employers.
More than 30 exhibitors are expected to attend.
Autism support
The Business In Heels - Illawarra networking event at Bella Portofino on Tuesday will feature Karen Meiring de Gonzalez, of Skin Correctives, talking about her passion to help families affected by children with autism.
Mrs Meiring de Gonzalez has a new Care & Share for Autism event planned for the middle of the year. It will take the form of a disco for family members of people with autism.
She also has a pampering day for mothers of autistic children planned for later in the year.
Monique Field, of Business In Heels - Illawarra, will hold a fundraising activity to help with that next Tuesday.
Musical to open
Horsley's Kerrie Hartin is one of the stars in the Miranda Musical Society's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel starting this month.
It runs from March 25 to 29 at the Sutherland Entertainment Centre.
