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City of Wollongong

Sea views essential for Emma celebration

Wednesday 8 September 2021

Wollongong City Council is moving forward on plans to recognise local swimming sensation Emma McKeon.

Following her inspiring success at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which saw her become the highest Olympic medal holder in Australia, Council asked our community for suggestions on ways we could acknowledge Emma locally.

The feedback included ideas about renaming one of the local pools, or a local landmark such as the Blue Mile, Belmore Basin or Allan’s Creek after her, building an aquatic facility with an Olympic pool in her honour, or establishing a community fund or learn-to-swim program.

We took those suggestions to Emma and her family for their all-important feedback.

“We saw during and after the Olympics the outpouring of support, admiration and desire for her hometown to recognise Emma’s achievements at this event,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“I know from my conversations with Emma and her family she acknowledged the generous support and passion from the Wollongong community for her achievements. She was humbled by the community’s suggestions and suggested that if there was to be something named in her honour, that it could be a space that celebrates the city’s beauty, is accessible to everyone and has links to water.”

With this in mind, Council is considering two options to recognise Emma’s achievements.

The first is to name the new North Beach Promenade and Terraces, which are currently under construction at North Wollongong Beach. This is the area directly east of Diggies North Beach kiosk and the project is due to be finished mid-2022.

The second is to name the Cliff Road viewing platform that overlooks the harbour and Continental pool after Emma.

“I, for one, think both options are winners as they’re open to everyone in our community, are locations that celebrate the city’s beauty and are connected to water,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“Both options are also considerate of Emma’s own wishes as she wasn’t keen on the idea of a statue and she already has strong connections with an existing swimming centre. So naturally the Blue Mile, one of Wollongong’s most iconic coastal landscapes, is an ideal location to recognise and reflect Emma’s great achievements.

“Right now, we’re keen to find out from our community if there is anything we need to know about the sites before a final decision is made by Council at a meeting in October.

To Join the Conversation visit Council’s website by 16 September 2021.


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