The Mercury asked each candidate to introduce themselves to the community; you can read their responses below.

If you want to know who is running in the Wollongong and Shellharbour mayoral elections, you can see the list here. Pre-polling has opened and you can find out more information here.

Read more: Your guide to the 2021 Illawarra council elections

Ann Martin (Labor)

I am a current ward 3 councillor, and have a long history in the community, arts, planning and cultural planning sectors. I am also a part owner of a live music venue in Port Kembla, have a family, with a son doing his HSC. I am an artist, poet and sometime performer. I work as a planner for my day job, and volunteer for organisations, including Our Community Project, and have volunteered on many committees and boards for community and cultural organisations. I am a great fan of local government and have worked for a number of councils.

Linda Campbell (Labor)

I am ward 3 born and bred, growing up and attending school in Berkeley and Dapto now living in Port Kembla. I raised my family in ward 3 and will always be a passionate advocate for the southern suburbs.

As a former senior manager in local government I understand the many layers, complexities and legislation that council operates under and after many years of leaving home to go to work I am excited to finally have the time and space to focus on giving back to the suburbs and communities that my family and I call home.

I am a keen swimmer, enjoy paddling my kayak on Lake Illawarra and am an active member of Dapto Physical Culture Club. I enjoy exploring our parks with my grandchildren who live locally and am a keen supporter of the various sports and activities they participate in.

I know the important role council has to play in making our suburbs a better place to live, work and play. I am committed to doing everything I can to make ward 3 a place we can all be proud of.

David Atkins (Labor)

[I am] currently working as a teacher at Airds High School in Campbelltown. [I live] in Warrawong with my wife and two rescue greyhounds.

[I am] passionate about making ward 3 more liveable for all. [My] main priorities include upgrading footpaths, advocating for more road resurfacing, and maintaining and upgrading public green spaces.

Joanne Kowalczyk (Labor)

Growing up in Dapto I attended Dapto High School and the University of Wollongong before travelling and working overseas. I returned to Dapto in 2009 to be close to my extended family and to raise my family and have been an active member of the community ever since. My four years as the owner of a small bar and restaurant facilitated my engagement with a broad cross section of residents and I became an enthusiastic supporter of live local music and entertainment.

The last two years have emphasised the importance of having access to local services and facilities, and the critical role we each play in our immediate communities. I will continue to be a passionate advocate for Dapto and the southern suburbs; especially in ensuring that opportunities associated with the expansion of the night-time economy extends to the southern suburbs.

Jess Whittaker (Greens)

I'm a mum of two from Port Kembla who works as a paramedic in Dapto and volunteers in the local community. I grew up in Wollongong and studied science at UOW. I'm someone who likes to get things done and see the community get good outcomes from any funding that is allocated to projects in the local area.

I think we need to do more for young people in our city by providing affordable housing, good local jobs, making our city a fun place to be and I'd really like to see more skateparks built! I love seeing our city transform into a more sustainable place to live, with more street trees, footpaths and is easy to ride your bike and get to where you need to go without the car.

Jamie Dixon (Greens)

I work as an alpaca shearer. I have lived in ward 3 for over five years. I am passionate about social justice, tackling climate change, and affordable housing.

Adam James (Greens)

I am raising my young family in ward 3 and would like to see safer and more active public spaces, social inclusion and a healthy environment. I am a project manager in health, a board director, a bush regenerator and a beekeeper. I like the Greens platform because it is focussed on outcomes to benefit our kids.

Malika Reese (Greens)

I have lived in Wollongong for most of my life and love it and the people very much. We truly live in paradise. I am incredibly community focused and have been for most of my adult life. I care about our home, what happens to it and the well being of the people here.

I am running for council because I care deeply about positive change in our future. We absolutely need more affordable housing, more healthy outlets for children and better flow of traffic in our city.

Elisha Aitken (Liberal)

I moved to the Illawarra when I was 17 and have worked in ward 3 for much of the time since then. I worked at the steelworks for 21 of those years and now work at a locally owned manufacturing business.

I love this region and want to make sure that it remains liveable. I want to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is put in place as ward 3 continues to grow. I want to see our community facilities and infrastructure maintained and new facilities built where they are needed. I think council has an important role to play in ensuring that obstacles to business are removed and can help in the recovery of our local economy in this way.

Rennie Cristini (Liberal)

James Wilson (Liberal)

Jacob Morath (Liberal)

Gordon Bradbery (Independent)

Married to Pilar with two sons and two granddaughters. Graduate from Wollongong University and post graduate from Sydney University. I am the first lord mayor to be a graduate from the University of Wollongong. I am a member of several boards being a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Justice of the Peace. As an ordained Uniting Church minister and after 35 years of ministry and being an administrator I was elected lord mayor of Wollongong in September 2011.

I am passionate about social justice, building and strengthening the community infrastructure and support programs for social inclusion based on collaboration. I have worked hard to promote Wollongong as a liveable and thriving location for all our residents. To protect our natural assets and plan for a sustainable future are amongst my highest priorities. As lord mayor it is important to keep the council focused on its primary role to deliver for the community within the constraints of sound financial management to get maximum outcomes. Keeping in mind always that nearly 80 per cent of council's revenue comes from rates, fees and charges. Therefore accountability and transparency are very significant values I hold dear.

I have been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for my service to the community.

Dom Figliomeni (Independent)

I was first selected to council in 2017. Previously I was employed as CEO of the Port Kembla Port Authority and the Bunbury Port Authority in WA. I have also worked in the iron ore industry in WA and in the Power industry in the NT. I am currently president of Scouts for the Sth Coast and Tablelands, I am a member of the Port Kembla and Dapto Business Chambers and serve on a number of Council Committees. I have TAFE, undergraduate and post graduate qualifications I have served on UoW Council for 8 years.

Terry Gallagher (Independent)

Donna Waters (Independent)

The Illawarra Mercury newsroom is funded by our readers. You can subscribe to support our journalism here.

Subscribe to our newsletters below...