Steelworks – The Backbone

A Wollongong City Libraries online photographic exhibition for History Week 2021

Worker standing in Blooming Mill motor

The exhibition showcases the Wollongong steel industry from its inception in the 1920’s through to the present day. The photographs have been selected from the Illawarra Images Collection of Wollongong City Libraries.

The images depict not only the steel works’ physical growth and presence over the years, but the people that surround it, are supported by and support it, including: the bosses, workers, unions, migrants, families and communities. As well as the obvious economic benefit, the steel industry in Wollongong has been integral to its growth as a strong, diverse multicultural regional city.

To view images and their captions, go to the the slideshow below or click on individual images within the gallery.

To see more images from the Wollongong City Libraries’ Illawarra Images collection

or to order high resolution copies of images, go to:

Illawarra Images