Wollongong City Libraries have partnered with the Migrant Heritage Project to mount an exhibition of photos for History Week 2024. A launch of the exhibition and presentation of the Local History Prize 2024 will take place at Wollongong Library on Monday, September 9 at 5pm.

The exhibition includes 40 images showing life for migrants to the Illawarra. Illawarra’s migrant settlers and refugees coming from diverse cultural backgrounds have enriched our present society.

From the 1940s onwards many people were initially housed in Nissen Huts as hostels at Balgownie, Berkeley, Coniston, Cringila, Helensburgh, Unanderra and Warrawong. The steel and related industries were big employers of the migrant population. People also started their own businesses including cafes, produce supply, manufacturing and service industries. They formed clubs and brought music, dance, community events, religious festivals, foods and great coffee!

The exhibition can be viewed on Level 1 of Wollongong Library from 9 September or online.