One of Wollongong's most beloved events will have a new home in 2025, with Dapto Ribbonwood Centre to host the annual Comic Gong extravaganza on Saturday 24 May.
Programmed and delivered by Wollongong City Libraries staff and volunteers, the annual celebration of comics, cosplay, gaming and pop culture will feature a host of activities synonymous with the event – including cosplay competitions, trade stalls, arcade games, and live entertainment – all under one roof.
Since first being held at Corrimal District Library and Community Centre in 2013 to highlight awareness of the library's growing comics and graphic novel collection, Comic Gong has enjoyed huge growth over the ensuing decade.
The free event now attracts more than 10,000 people and holds a place in many hearts as an inclusive way people and community groups can connect and share their passion for all things comics, cosplay and pop culture.
It has also achieved its core mission of growing Wollongong City Libraries' graphic novel collections. Widely acknowledged for their role in promoting multiple literacies and fostering a lifelong love of reading in young people, the junior graphic novel collection has grown to become the second-most loaned collection across the service.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown is thrilled to see the iconic event spread its wings south.
"Bringing these types of events to our southern suburbs is a major priority for Council and Dapto's Ribbonwood Centre is the perfect location for Comic Gong," Cr Brown said.
"From humble beginnings at Corrimal Library, Comic Gong has grown into a wonderful event that draws thousands of people to the Wollongong area.
"There is a huge amount of work that goes into delivering an event of this kind and what it has become is a credit to the Wollongong City Libraries staff and volunteers who have brought the event to life over the past 12 years.
"The range of services and opportunities our libraries offer has evolved significantly over the years and, while they're still a space for study, reading and borrowing books and other resources, they're also hubs of social connection and engagement.
"We are committed to the ongoing growth of our libraries for our community and bringing Comic Gong to Dapto allows us to spread the love and hopefully attract a new audience, both to the event, and to our library services in general."
Expressions of Interest to be a stallholder at Comic Gong 2025 is now open, with interested stallholders urged to submit an EOI via this form
