A nice birthday surprise is waiting for Wollongong music icon Graham Wilson on Wednesday.

Wilson shares his birthday with his daughter Leah Treadwell and to mark the occasion Lagoon Seafood Restaurant manager Andrew Harrison has hung Wilson's portrait near where he sings at the popular eatery.

Mr Harrison wasted no time doing that when he heard how the winning bidder of the innovative painting of the Four Kinsmen guitar man was happy to let it stay there as a backdrop for the time-being for when Wilson returns as a regular entertainer for lunch and dinner guests later this year.

Also asked if they would let Shellharbour artist Natalija Vocanec, of Little Leonardo's Art Studio, enter the major artwork in the Archibald Prize next year, Dennis Matthews and his partner Lisa Mitchell said yes they would love to see that happen.

Speaking from his hospital bed the day before the fundraiser on July 21 Wilson spoke of how much he loved and wished he could bid for the innovative one-of-a-kind portrait that is also an abstract with many components reflecting and celebrating important memories, loves and parts of his life.

Mr Matthews is a long time friend of Wilson and just wanted to do something to help his mate who has been an entertainer in the seaside city nestled between the mountains and the sea for more than four decades.

And this was something he could.

‘‘I am so proud to give back to Graham who has given so much to Wollongong, not just for the quarter of a century I’ve known him but his whole life,’’ Mr Matthews said.

‘‘Graham is a lovely humble guy. He is a great mate and we are happy to support him in any way possible. We are saddened by his struggle but we are behind him all the way we can to show our support and care for a mate and a legend within the community and profession.’’

One of the most moving parts of the painting was the music Wilson wrote out for the first time so it could be incorporated into the artwork and everyone who loves Wollongong as much as he does agrees with its Wollongong - Close To Heaven sentiment.

Part of his performance of that song at the fundraiser will soon be linked to the online version of this story. 

In the meantime this is the original version.

CLOSE TO HEAVEN by GRAHAM WILSON

There are many, many cities by the sea

There is one that means everything to me

Everywhere you’ll see a smiling face

One reason why I’ll never leave this place

From Mt Keira you can see along the Coast

The Sea Cliff Bridge entitles us to boast 

How could I leave this place where I belong

‘Cause deep down my heart’s in Wollongong

I know that I could live anywhere

But would I have the memories I now share

There are many who have the same thoughts as me

It’s as close to Heaven as I’ll ever be

This City welcomes any Race

We can conquer any problems we may face

Together our city ties are strong

We’re proud to say we’re all from Wollongong

I know that I could live anywhere

But would I have the memories I now share

There are many who have the same thoughts as me

It’s as close to Heaven as I’ll ever be, ever be

This City welcomes any Race

We can conquer any problems we may face

Together our city ties are strong

We’re proud to say we’re all from Wollongong

We’re proud to say we’re all from Wollongong 

Wollongong x 3

A giving chauffeur

Many people went above-and-beyond for the Graham Wilson fundraiser, but one person who did something many did not see was Dean McLerie, of Paragon Chauffeured Car Service.

Asked the day before if he would be willing to drive Wilson to the Lagoon in style, Mr McLerie said yes and had his new luxury black BMW rushed out of service so it was ready in time to get Wilson there early enough to do a soundcheck before guests arrived.

Not knowing what time the event would end, or how long Wilson would feel like staying, the giving chauffeur was not asked to wait around and drive him back.

But he did and waited two hours in the car park at the end of the night until his special passenger was ready.

Mr McLerie delivered him back to the hospital safely and did it all in his own time and at no cost.

It is not the first time he has helped people with cancer.

Mr McLerie is also known for supporting the Illawarra chapter of Junior Chamber International with its annual Tea By The Sea fundraiser for the Cancer Council.

He has chauffeured cancer patients to and from the event for free.

Gender dialogue

Gender in the workplace is the topic for the next Junior Chamber International Illawarra chapter Ponder Box forum on July 30.

The Ponder Box is a mediated, unbiased discussion enabling anyone who attends to express their satisfaction, or lack thereof, regarding the issues surrounding gender in the workplace. Its purpose is to open a dialogue, and be the start of the conversation.

JCI Illawarra president Jesy Pinkerton said ultimately the aim was to identify and prioritise barriers and potential solutions, and she invited everyone to come be part of the discussion at Diamond Offices in Burelli Street, Wollongong.

Registrations at www.ponderbox2.eventbrite.com.au.

Amazing Race plans

Novotel Wollongong Northbeach human resources manager Emily Squires and her colleague Chantelle Drolc are busy planning the next Amazing Race Wollongong.

Mrs Squires is already contacting business people about the 2015 event on September 25.

Particularly those who have participated in the past.

She would like to hear from any business interested in being involved as a checkpoint sponsor, or in entering a team.

Previous participants are being offered a discounted entry fee.

Further information at www.racegong.com.au.

Food for thought

Accelerate and the University of Wollongong's Alumni are continuing their Entrepreneurial Women's Breakfast Series in 2015.

The series is designed to share the insights and stories of successful entrepreneurial women.

The breakfasts are free and the guest speaker at the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, on the ground floor of the Wollongong Innovation Campus, is Roka chief executive Kimberley Abbott.

Positive message

Wollongong racing car driver Andrew "Fishtail" Fisher's Life Choices ministry continues to go from strength to strength.

The Jesus Racing Team owner has just come back from speaking to 2000 students in Cairns and Townsville as well as 250 inmates at the Lotus Glenn Gaol and 30 boys at the Cleveland Detention Centre.

The Life Choices program takes a positive message to youth in high schools and prisons across Australia during the Australian motorsport season.

THE DIARY

July 30: Gender in the workplace is the topic of the next Junior Chamber International Illawarra chapter's Ponder Box forum. Register at ponderbox2.eventbrite .com.au.

August 1 and 2: Aboriginal Illawarra Before Colonisation Conference in the Panizzi Room of the University of Wollongong library.

August 2: Greenacres Mountain to Mountain Challenge.

August 4: The Illawarra Connection with Geraldine Doogue at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach speaking on The Climb: Conversations with Australian Women in Power.

August 11: iAccelerate Workshop on valuing a startup company.

August 14: IWIB Coffee Club at Twenty Twenty Restaurant, TAFE Wollongong Campus.

August 14: Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net) industry breakfast at the Lagoon Restaurant with Australian Business Consulting and Solutions senior manager of international markets Ian Bennet, AusIndustry regional manager Peter Masterson, Industry Skills Fund skills adviser Milton Owen and RDA Illawarra chief executive Natalie Burroughs.

August 15: Salvos Stores are launching their first ever stand-alone Salvos Street Boutique.