The chance to be immortalised through a popular board game was too good to pass up for some of Wollongong's high profile businesses and organisations.
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The new Monopoly Wollongong has been released by Winning Moves (the makers of licensed Monopoly editions), with an array of landmarks from Dapto Station to Wollongong Botanic Garden.
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Kevin Fallon of Symbio Wildlife Park said they were more than happy to pay a few thousand dollars (a huge "discount" to the five figures originally quoted) to be included on a dark blue square, where traditionally high value Park Lane would be.
"It's something good for the region, it gives people something to be proud of and something they can show their kids," Mr Fallon told the Mercury
"Even for Symbio, it's something that immortalises us in the game."
Wollongong Central's marketing manager Holly Howell said they felt they just had to take up the offer considering they were "the main shopping centre in town".
"When presented with the opportunity it was too good to pass up, and that lasts forever," she said.
"That gives us that permanent place in history."
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Wollongong City Council also got in on the fun, paying for the inclusion of Wollongong Botanic Garden, the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong Art Gallery, Wollongong City tourist parks and Wollongong's UCI Bike City label on the board.
"This is an opportunity to support civic pride from our passionate Wollongong community, and re-engage with visitors as we emerge from the latest COVID-19 lockdown," a spokeswoman said.
"The Game is a novel souvenir for tourists, particularly as we prepare to host the 2022 UCI Road World Championships - Wollongong NSW."
Wollongong joins other popular Australian destinations such as the Gold Coast, Sydney and Newcastle as well as international cities like Edinburgh, Dubai, Cape Town and Auckland as having city-specific games.
Other notable landmarks budding real estate tycoons can play for include WIN Stadium, WIN Entertainment Centre, Bluescope Steel, i98FM Illawarra Convoy, The Builders Club, Illawarra Hotel, Nan Tien Temple, the University of Wollongong, Corrimal Beach and Church Street.
A spokesman for Greater Bank said they were "delighted" to sponsor a square, a Chance Card, and have all the money branded with Greater Bank.
He said the commercial partnership was a "fantastic opportunity" to showcase the region, as well as their organisation which has been part of the Illawarra for almost 50 years.
Dale Hackett from Winning Moves said the Monopoly Wollongong boardgame would be continually available online and through selected retailers in store. It retails for around $59.99.
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