Last Saturday I was honoured to welcome HRH The Earl of Wessex who was in Wollongong in his role as Chair of The Board of Trustees of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation.

A reception was held at Wollongong Youth Centre to give Prince Edward the opportunity to meet with local young people involved in the Award, which celebrates its 60^th anniversary this year. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to talk with HRH The Earl of Wessex about their activities and work they've done as part of the Award. He also visited North Wollongong Beach where he met representatives from Surf Life Saving Illawarra and watched a demonstration from up-and-coming nippers.

Australia Day Awards are open

Wollongong is an amazing city with many energetic and selfless people who contribute to civic life every day. The Australia Day Awards recognises and celebrates community members and organisations that have made a positive impact on their communities. We now have two new categories that allow us to help recognise those people who bring `Wollongong to the World' and also those people who advance 'Diversity and Inclusion in our community'.

I encourage everyone to nominate a friend, a work colleague or member of a community organisation in the 2020 Australia Day awards. Information on the nomination process and the eight award categories are available on the council website. Nominations close on December 2.

Get on your bike for Ride the Gong

Council's Bike Week event 'Ride the Gong' is on at the northern end of Lang Park on September 21 from 9am until 1pm. This free event includes workshops, a free helmet exchange and information on how to keep your bike safe. Enjoying our city on a bike is a fund and healthy way to get around. We have more than 100 kilometres of shared pathway in the city and we are adding more each year. With summer just around the corner, it's the perfect time to explore our growing network of cycleways and the Ride the Gong event is a great way to get started.