Civic leaders in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama have shared New Year messages dominated by COVID but also expressing optimism for the year ahead.
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Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said everyone had felt the impact of the global pandemic differently in 2020.
"From losing business to employment, fears and concerns, isolation and separation from special people to the questioning the future without loved ones who have passed away, we have survived a terrible year of disruption with various intensities," he said.
Cr Bradbery said while the situation had dominated headlines at the end of 2020 it was also important to remember how the year started with awful bushfires, then experienced significant flooding and how the community worked together to support, care and look after one another.
"Our community focus is one of Wollongong's strengths and this will continue in 2021," he said.
"Like everyone, I welcome this New Year and look forward to a fresh start. This will be another big year for Wollongong as council continues to work to deliver the best for our community in terms of the work we do and how we do it.
"While it looks like we're off to a bumpy start, thanks to some local COVID cases, let's all work together and support one another and make 2021 a happy, healthy, safe and memorable one.''
Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba is starting the year buoyed by an encouraging message from NSW Governor Margaret Beazley about how well the community was doing in response to COVID-19.
The NSW Governor is staying in the area and wanted to express how impressed she was in how the Shellharbour community was turning out in large numbers to get tested and the number of people in Kiama she has seen wearing a mask.
Cr Saliba said such recognition of the Illawarra community is doing the right thing which was very timely because such vigilance is what we need to keep doing to increase the chances of 2021 being a better year.
My message is Happy New Year, please stay vigilant, ensure physical distancing and personal hygiene and if you are unwell don't go out
- Shellharbour mayor Cr Marianne Saliba
She said there were no official New Year's Eve celebration because it was important everyone adhered to the NSW Public Health Order to limit interactions and stay safe.
"My wish for 2021 is that we can get on top of this and return to some form of normality," she said.
"My message is Happy New Year, please stay vigilant, ensure physical distancing and personal hygiene and if you are unwell don't go out."
Kiama mayor Mark Honey said 2020 reminded him how resilient people are in Kiama.
"I am so grateful for our wonderful community spirit," he said.
"We have all been tested in many ways this year and 2021 will probably continue to make us dig deep.
"I do hope that in 2021 we will see the end of this dreadful pandemic but until we do I hope we continue to support one another, remain safe and foster our self reliance as a country."
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
