When Wollongong music icon Graham Wilson was diagnosed with brain cancer in April this year, and was operated on by Dr Charlie Teo, one of the first people to call was fellow entertainer Doug Parkinson.

In fact, during those first few days at Prince of Wales Hospital Parkinson, Frank Ifield and Col Joye were in regular contact with The Four Kinsmen member to check on their friend.

They also supported the fundraiser at the Lagoon Restaurant to help raise money for his ongoing medical treatment.

On that night everyone in the room was blown away by Parkinson's performance.

And with so many people present Wilson was disappointed he did not have more time to talk to his friend.

So when Robert Specogna, of CBD Centro, secured the Australian popular music artist, who had big hits in 1969 and 1979, to play a dinner show on Saturday, he saw it as an opportunity to bring the two back together. It just so happened to be the same day Wilson was released from hospital after almost five months. The smile never left his face as his friend continued the great form he showed weeks earlier.

Parkinson singled Wilson out from the stage on Saturday, saying he wanted to acknowledge a great friend in the room. "He is one of the great entertainers that Australia has produced," he said.

"There were four of them. They were fantastic. Graham, it is lovely to see you here again, mate."

Convention in town

More than 600 people from all over Australia will hit town this Friday when the VIEW (Voice, Interests and Education of Women) national convention comes to Wollongong.

VIEW members from all over Australia have three big days of activity from September 11 to 13.

On Friday, they will hear from Channel 10 personality Jessica Rowe, comedian and actress Jean Kittson, president of Jane Austen Society of Australia Susannah Fullerton, Australian movie host and critic Margaret Pomeranz, and journalist Ticky Fullerton.

On Saturday, the line up includes the president of Australian Human Rights Commission Professor Gillian Triggs and authors Geraldine Doogue, Sarah Hopkins and Kate Grenville will talk to Melinda James about their most recent books.

Zone councillor Yvonne White said a highlight was a gala dinner to celebrate VIEW's 55th anniversary in style.

Master of ceremonies Scott Radburn, of The Four Kinsmen, will be joined by Charlotte Rhiane and Trent Bowater.

On the Sunday, there is a free grand celebration event with BlueScope Youth Orchestra, a pipe organ and a representative from Nan Tien Temple.

Industry showcase

Final preparations are presently being made for the 2015 Illawarra Industry Showcase running over three days from Tuesday, starting with the Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net) board hosting a welcome dinner for delegates.

On Wednesday, there is an industry tour.

That will be followed by an industry dinner in the Western Grandstand, with an official welcome to the delegates by Wollongong lord mayor Gordon Bradbury and presentations from council, i3net and Advantage Wollongong.

On Thursday morning there is an industry breakfast, expo and presentations by visiting delegates.

i3net executive officer Tony Green said all local industry was invited to the breakfast on Thursday.

Documentary film

Dan Murphy, of Aventus Health and Fitness in Warrawong, has just spent two weeks in Fiji with five other contestants, being filmed for a documentary being released next year.

Mr Murphy was one of more than 3500 to apply to be part of a program called This Is Your Life Change.

While there he experienced traditional Fijian culture and life on remote island VoroVoro.

Mr Murphy said his experience would be featured in more than 100 media outlets worldwide.

Animal fundraiser

Traci Griffiths, of Miyow & Barkley designer pet accessories in Woonona, is a director of Zambi Wildlife Retreat, which this Saturday morning is to have a fundraiser for the animal sanctuary at Woonona Bulli Fitness Centre.

Zambi Wildlife Retreat is an animal welfare establishment that rescues, rehabilitates, re-homes and offers shelter to a wide range of species.

The fitness/bootcamp fundraiser Ms Griffiths has organised from 8am is being hosted by Bianca Dye, and entertainer Rikki Organ is auctioneer.

Further information is available at zambiwildliferetreat.com.au, facebook.com/zambiwildlife retreat and facebook.com/lotlrescue.

Fashion on show

WOLLONGONG fashion designers Antonella Ianni and Wendi Leigh were both briefly in New York at the same time this week. Mrs Leigh was leaving just as Ms Ianni arrived and both were there with their latest designs as part of New York Fashion Week.

IRT inaugural ball

The IRT Foundation is staging its inaugural fundraising ball on Wednesday at City Beach Function Centre.

The Neverland Masquerade Ball includes the Baker Boys Band and a range of auction items donated, with all funds going directly to the IRT Foundation's work to create opportunities for people to age without barriers.

THE DIARY

September 9 - IRT Foundation Neverland Masquerade Ball at City Beach Function Centre.

September 11 to 13 - VIEW Club National Convention in Wollongong.

September 11 - Ables Super Heroes from 7pm at The Ivory.

Cleverlink Lunch and Learn on how to spot and nurture business opportunities and run with them.

September 12 - Fitness bootcamp fundraiser at Woonona Bulli Fitness Centre from 8am to 9.30am to help the Zambi Wildlife Retreat rescue, rehabilitate, re-home and offer shelter to a wide range of species.

Save Sophia’s Leg Charity Appeal trivia night fundraiser at Woonona Bulli RSL Club.

September 13 - Spring into Corrimal from 9am.

Tatum Trio play at The Lagoon.

September 15 - NSW Business Chamber Workplace Update from 7.15am at the Novotel. Registrations at  www.illawarrabusiness.com.au.

September 15 to 27 - Tulip Time at Corbett Gardens in Bowral.

September 16 and 17 - Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net) Industry Showcase.

September 17 - iAccelerate information night at iC Central.

Merrigong Theatre Company VIP performance of Circus Oz at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.

September 19 and 20 - Wollongong Relay for Life at Kerryn McCann Athletics Centre.

Hackagong at University of Wollongong UniCentre.

September 20 - Sage Hotel Wollongong launches the new Jazz Brunch it plans to host one a month with a headline act supported by a jazz combo from the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. The first Jazz Brunch features Jacki Cooper and George Golla who is also celebrating an 80th birthday.

❏ The Duck Dash 2015 supported by The Silos Estate is the largest charity event of its type in NSW and raised money for education. Last year the fun community based event raised enough money to support talented but underprivileged youth in vocational training, TAFE and University to hand out 21 scholarships to young people in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

September 21 - Destination Wollongong free instagram workshop with Australia’s first professional instagrammer Lauren Bath. Further information on 4228 0300.

Little Leonardo’s starts its September school holiday art program at Warilla and Towradgi with daily art activities for five to eight years olds and nine to 12 year olds.

September 22 - Art At The Lagoon with Natalija Vocanec from Little Leonardo’s Art Studio guiding people create their own complete artwork in two hours from 6pm.

September 23 - Telstra NBN Seminar at City Beach Function Centre. Registrations at www.illawarrabusiness.com.au.

❏ Illawarra Forum Members Breakfast on education and training ‘‘navigating the new landscape’’ at Wollongong Golf Club from 7.30am.

❏ Shellharbour Lions Club is hosting a fundraising night at Roo Theatre in Shellharbour Village for the Tennessee Williams’ classic A Streetcar Named Desire directed by Gordon Streek. Peter Turl is handling enquiries and tickets sales at shellharbour.lions@gmail.com or on 0416 004 577.

September 25 - Amazing Race Wollongong at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach.

❏ Illawarra Women in Business (IWIB) Coffee Club at Sage Hotel, Wollongong.

September 27 - Make–A-Wish Foundation walk run fundraising event at Killalea State Park. Further information at http://www.makeawish.org.au/fundraise/upcoming-fundraising-events.

September 30 - Small Biz Bus visits NRMA MotorServe in Oak Flats between 9am and 3pm to give local small business operators the chance to access personalised advice from business experts or 1300 134 359 or at www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au.

October 1 - Illawarra Regional Information Service (IRIS Research) economic outlook luncheon with CommSec chief economist Craig James and IRIS acting executive director Michael Di Leo.

October 2 - IWIB Conference and Expo Day at Sage Hotel supporting the Salvation Army’s Carinya Cottage.

Lagoon Experimental Kitchen hosts a degustation through the decades dinner from 6.30pm.

Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the Lagoon.

October 8 - Business Before Hours hosted by South Coast Private.

October 10 - Wedding Open Day at the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant.

October 13 - Justice Julie Mathews is the keynote speaker at the annual Hargrave Lecture hosted by The Illawarra Connection at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach at 7pm.

October 14 - Access Law Group relaunch you business education session.

October 23 - Illawarra Business Awards at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.

❏ Leukaemia Foundation’s ninth annual golf tournament at The Grange Golf Club.

❏ Speed networking returns to the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant when Illawarra Women in Business (IWIB) relaunches Power Network Plus.