Illawarra celebrates milestone

The Illawarra Mercury, one of Australia’s longest standing regional newspapers, is celebrating its 170th anniversary with a campaign that honours its legacy, strengthens community connections, and drives continued growth in both digital and print
readership.

Launching on Wednesday 8 October, the centrepiece of the celebrations will be a 170th Anniversary Souvenir Edition, a 24-page wrap available online and in print. The publication highlights the Mercury’s proud history of trusted journalism, iconic photography, and community storytelling that has been central to life in the Illawarra for nearly two centuries.

Editor Kathy Sharpe said the milestone was both a celebration of the past and a statement of intent for the future:

“For 170 years, the Illawarra Mercury has been at the heart of this community reporting its stories, championing its people, and recording its history.

From covering the rise of the steelworks and mining industry, to reporting on the tragedies of bushfires and floods, and celebrating the triumphs of the Illawarra Hawks and our region’s everyday heroes, the Mercury has been there with the community for it all.

Today, our coverage reflects not only the industries that shaped the Illawarra, but also the issues shaping its future. Our readers engage with us in print and across multiple digital platforms, ensuring our journalism remains accessible, relevant and impactful in a changing media landscape.”