Boardroom ambitions? Rego now open for Wollongong’s first company directors course
Plus: High fives and kudos to more Wollongong startups, the tourist businesses up for state gongs and the U35s next big diary date
RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven will host the prestigious AICD Company Directors Course in April 2026, giving local professionals access to one of Australia’s leading governance programs without leaving the region.
Tailored for both current and aspiring directors, the course covers board responsibilities, strategy, risk, and leadership and is designed to equip participants with the tools to lift board performance and drive organisational impact.
Delivered in a hybrid format, the program blends online learning with five in-person days at Wollongong Golf Club, making top-tier governance education more accessible than ever.
Registrations are now open, and, be assured, places are limited.
High fives and much kudos to …
Green Gravity: The Wollongong renewable energy storage provider continues to make its presence felt, signing an MoU with TEXMiN, one of India’s four technology translation research parks. The partnership will initially focus on evaluating two disused coal mine shafts in West Bengal. The partnership follows on from the Illawarra’s Russel Vale mine being launched as the company’s first demonstration site.
A bevy of tourism specialists: for being named finalists in the2025 NSW Tourism Awards. Across 30 categories 125 exceptional businesses and individuals are in the running for recognition at the annual awards on November 27. The awards are considered the pinnacle acknowledgement for the state’s visitor economy. Among the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands finalists are:
Visit Wollongong
Destination Kiama
Amaroo Valley Springs
Bigwave Skydive
Crank It Up Festival
Cupitt’s Estate
Foxdog Distillery & Brewery
Jervis Bay Brewing Co
Kalinya Estate
Mt Hay Retreat
Narooma Oyster Festival
Region X Kayak, Walking & Camping Adventures
Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour
Symbio Wildlife Park
The Drawing Rooms of Berry
Sicona Battery Technologies: Co-founders Christiaan Jordaan and Andrew Minnett have been included in Australia’s Top 100 Innovators (paywalled). It’s back to back mentions in the fifth edition of the list curated by The Australian. It also follows on from Sicona’s inclusion in Forbes Asia’s “100 to Watch” list for 2025 and its stunning success at the Illawarra Business Awards which included entry into the Hall of Fame.
Brendan Banfield: The UOW-educated co-founder and CEO of energy data specialist Gridsight had the joy of seeing his company named one of Australia’s top 20 startups. LinkedIn named its list for eighth time and Gridsight was included among health, tech and financial startups. Read more here. Back in April, Airtree Ventures threw $7.5 million behind the business.
Applications open
Wollongong City Council invites expressions of interest from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to join the Aboriginal Reference Group.
The Aboriginal Reference Group provides strategic advice to council on matters affecting the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
The Reference Group comprises eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representatives, supported by two councillors and a council officer. More details here.
Next Young Professionals Network meeting
After an encouraging first event when dozens flocked to learn more about the Business Illawarra-aligned group, the Young Professionals Network (YPN) will meet again on Friday, November 7.
”We’re kicking off the first in our new Future Focus series - a space for conversations about the future of work, leadership, and opportunity in the Illawarra,” organiser Elise Sinclair posted.
Also if you’re interested in renewable energy, then pencil in October 26 at Dapto’s Ribbonwood Centre. Gretel Van Lane is facilitating a community vision workshop with Good for the Gong.
You can find full details on both events in our October-November events guide.
What we’re listening to
Mention Brené Brown and you’ll probably have an audience. NPR, a public broadcaster in the US, also has an audience. Combine them via Rachel Martin’s Wild Card podcast and you have 40 minutes of quality listening. Go to the homepage and check out all the other top shelf guests, too.
Hot ticket
Who needs a ticket? Get down to Wollongong’s Lang Park - and nearby streets, beaches, roadsides etc etc - and watch human spirit on show as the World Triathlon Championships continue.
Take sunscreen but travel light as you’ll find a pop-up pub, beer garden and local food and coffee operators providing a taste of the Illawarra at the event village (AKA Lang Park!).
There’s also an exhibition of the sport’s most loved Aussie photographer Delly Carr, on show at Wollongong’s Old Courthouse. The heritage-listed building is Destination Wollongong’s official base for the World Triathlon Championships.
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