Wollongong Welcomes HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex

Wollongong Youth Services and North Wollongong Beach are the two must-see locations for His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO when he visits the City on Saturday 14 September 2019.

HRH The Earl of Wessex will be in Wollongong to celebrate the 60^th Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia.

He will attend a special event at Wollongong Youth Centre where he will meet Award Participants. He’ll also meet with representatives from Surf Life Saving Illawarra at North Beach and watch demonstrations by the club’s nippers.

“I am looking forward to welcoming HRH The Earl of Wessex to Wollongong and hope that he has an enjoyable visit in our beautiful city and region,’’ Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“It’s terrific to see The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, coming here to celebrate the significant milestone for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and recognise the efforts of our young people who have participated in the program.’’

Peter Kaye AM, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia said it was exciting news that Prince Edward was coming to Wollongong to meet with the young people participating the in Award.

“Prince Edward will attend a total of 25 engagements while he is in Australia between 12 and 17 September and I’m pleased that he will be able to engage with the Award participants who are actively giving back to their community through their voluntary service and bettering themselves through the Skills, Physical recreation and Adventurous journey they do,’’

“The Earl is here to celebrate and recognise the achievements of those who have completed their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards and to congratulate them on their hard work, determination and willpower in completing the Award that’s open to all young people regardless of where they live or their circumstances.’’

After the event at Wollongong Youth Centre, The Prince Edward will visit North Wollongong Beach where he’ll meet with youth representatives from Surf Life Saving Illawarra and watch demonstrations from Nippers, Inflatable Rescue Boats and a traditional Surf Boat Rowing crew in action.

Peter Evert, President Surf Life Saving Illawarra said, “It will be great opportunity for our 14 to 24-year-old surf lifesavers, some of who were introduced to surf lifesaving through volunteer participation in the Duke of Edinburgh award, to meet and discuss their experiences with His Royal Highness,’’

‘’The empowering of Young Australians into The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Award is a great opportunity for Surf Lifesaving, as it brings young members to our organisation, young motivated people develop skills, and become our future surf lifesavers.’’

Wollongong has welcomed a number of members of the Royal family to our City over the years including Her Majesty The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince Phillip who visited in Wollongong in 1954 and again in 1970. For their second visit, they brought with them The Prince of Wales, and The Princess Royal. The Prince of Wales returned in 1988 with The Princess of Wales and officially opened the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre. Most recently, His Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG visited the City in September 2017.

“While Prince Edward is here in his role as Chairman of The Board of Trustees of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, we look forward to giving him a very warm welcome,’’ Cr Bradbery said.