Momentum is building for ambitious plans to create a world-class regional museum and cultural centre in the Illawarra.

The Illawarra Flame has revealed exclusively two concept proposals: one to be located on surplus steelworks land at Port Kembla and the other in an unspecified central Wollongong location.

Both sets of proponents believe a museum that captures the city and region's unique story and history is long overdue.

Franca Facci, chairperson of the Migration Heritage Project, is convenor of the proposal to build an Illawarra Museum of People and Industry (MPI), which she believes has the potential to transform the region, in the same way MONA has impacted Tasmania.

"There is nothing like this in Australia and that's what makes it so exciting," Franca said.

Support from historical society

There's overwhelming support from the Illawarra Historical Society (IHS), which currently operates one of the region's modest museums in Wollongong's first post office in lower Market Street.

Volunteers from the IHS open the museum's doors for just six hours a week on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons (12-3pm) and the wide range of historical objects on display includes furniture made by early settlers, equipment from local farms and hundreds of items from everyday life dating back to the 19th century. The collection traces the social, agricultural and industrial development of the Illawarra.

The museum's curator, John Shipp, while proud of the collection, which has been a work in progress since 1944, admits it isn't able to tell the bigger Wollongong story. He is a strong supporter of the proposal for a much larger, modern museum that would become a major drawcard for visitors and locals alike.

People don't realise what's already been lost

"Quite simply, we've run out of space here, and over the years, people don't realise what's already been lost," John said.

"People expect to be able to visit a museum of significance when they come to a place the size of Wollongong. Just today, we welcomed visitors here from the Netherlands, Canada and Peru. We regularly host people who come from interstate and overseas. They want to learn more about this place."

There's support for a large regional museum from the Helensburgh and District Historical Society which operates a small museum from an historic coal mine surgery.

Support from Helensburgh

The president of Helensburgh's Historical Society, Jim Powell, described the regional museum concept as "brilliant."

"It's a brilliant idea. It's just what we need. I'm all for it," Jim said.

"I'd like to see it start off with a timeline of our history, starting off with our Indigenous history. It would be a place to learn about the people and the place.

"Because we are trying to attract more cruise ships to the region, this would be a place which is a must for people visiting on their journey."

Society celebrates its 80th birthday

The proposal for a major regional museum was a hot topic of conversation when members of the Illawarra Historical Society came together on 5 December to celebrate the organisation's 80th anniversary.

Guest of honour Joyce McCarthy OAM has been a member of the IHS since 1965. She's the oldest serving member and says she joined nearly 50 years ago, to learn more about the city and region.

Joyce supports the regional museum plan but admits "it's been on the go for many years".

Ian Smith, from Towradgi, has volunteered with IHS for six years and he loves the idea of a big museum to capture the essence of Wollongong's history.

"Absolutely, the bigger the better," Ian said. "There's so much good stuff around and it's sad to see so much of our local history getting trashed and lost."

It's the migrant history of the region that appeals most to Balgownie sisters, Lucia Baimat and Marisa Keaveny, who migrated from Trieste in Italy when they were young girls. Their stories of settling here are part of the region's rich fabric.

"When we first came to Balgownie we lived in a detached garage the same as so many migrant families," Marisa said.

"Dad was working at the Charles Hotel in Fairy Meadow and the publican, Mrs Grace, wanted to help our family out.

"In 1955 she sold us an old mining cottage, fully furnished for 900 pounds and she let Dad pay it off over time. There are so many wonderful stories just like ours."

Franca Facci is pleased at the growing grassroots support for the museum proposal and hopes in 2025 this will convert to firm  commitments from business, government and philanthropists.

"The Museum of People and Industry will fill the significant gap that currently exists in the researching, recording and securing of our stories," Franca said. "Without the work of a museum new generations will have little opportunity to learn about the history of our city."