Everything is bigger in the 'Gong.
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Arriving from a small seaside city in the north-west of Tasmania to settle in Wollongong, it was clear things were similar but a little different in scale.
Even the roadkill is bigger ... here's hoping this editor never encounters one of the big 'roos lying sprawled beside the highway into town.
The two places are spectacularly beautiful.
Both have amazing beaches, the difference being the water temperature here is not set on "Antarctic" for 10 months of the year.
Comparatively, both regions face similar economic challenges.
A global economy and downturn have meant challenges to traditional industries that have been the lifeblood of their region.
In terms of working out its future, Wollongong seems a little more advanced in reinventing itself as a centre of innovation.
Equally, both regions have somehow maintained a strong sense of community and belonging.
It's highly valued and has not been lost as it has in some parts of metropolitan Australia.
Yet there has been one notable difference in the recent weeks spent travelling to this region.
If you have ever been to the north-west coast of Tassie and driven from Devonport to the other main centre in Burnie half an hour up the road, you'd see a beautiful, pristine four-lane highway largely devoid of traffic.
Drive past Devonport and you would have noticed the only federally-funded hospital in the entire country.
Why?
Oh, the joys of being a long-time, marginal federal seat.
Yet the same love doesn't seem to have happened in Wollongong.
Why?
The road from Sydney to the 'Gong doesn't seem to have the same attention and there are grave concerns about the rail link to and from Sydney servicing a large population.
Maybe it's time for this to change and this community to unite as one to make those who need to in Canberra take notice.
Maybe this masthead has a role to play in that.
Stay tuned.
Julian O'Brien is the new editor of the Illawarra Mercury and can be contacted at j.obrien@fairfaxmedia.com.au.