And the ZEST Winners are ...

Details

Thursday, 06 March 2014

The 4th Annual ZEST Awards Ceremony, held on the 26th of February, was a resounding success in recognising some of the great work which takes place in the Community Sector of Greater Western Sydney. Nearly 500 people packed into the Millenium Room of ANZ Stadium and were treated to stunning performances by Manea Pacifica and Hybrid Formz Academy. The night ended on a high with the induction of Cheryl Webster OAM, Maree McDermott OAM and Uncle Wes Marne into the ZEST Hall of Fame. The Winners on the night were:

• Maria and Richard Maguire - Outstanding Community Leader - Volunteer Capacity
• Stephanie Oatley - Outstanding Community Leader - Paid Capacity
• Katrina di Pietro - Outstanding Youth Leader
• Pearls of Granville - Out of the Box Award
• Student Connect - Exceptional Community Partnership across a Region
• Safe Celebrations Project - Exceptional Community Partnership in an LGA
• TJW Youth Clicks Committee - Exceptional Project in a Not for Profit Organisation
• Building Social Cohesion in Blacktown - Outstanding Project in a CALD Organisation/Group
• Young Mob Leaders Program - Outstanding Project in an Aboriginal Organisation/Group
• Green Wings - Exceptional Social Enterprise in a Not for Profit Organisation
• One Parramatta - Outstanding Use of Technology by a Not for Profit Organisation
• Blue Mountains East Timor Sisters - Outstanding Voluntary Organisation/Group
• Cheryl Webster OAM - Hall of Fame
• Maree McDermott OAM - Hall of Fame
• Uncle Wes Marne - Hall of Fame

Highly Commended Awards were also received by:

• Aurelia Rahman - Outstanding Community Leader - Paid Capacity
• Tony Hunter - Outstanding Community Leader - Paid Capacity
• Lucy Brotherton - Outstanding Community Leader - Volunteer Capacity
• Aboriginal Women's Leadership Project - Out of the Box
• Life as We Know It - Out of the Box
• Macarthur Yarning Circle - Exceptional Community Partnership across a Region
• Meals Plus Community Outreach Project - Exceptional Community Partnership in an LGA
• No Boundaries - Exceptional Community Partnership in an LGA
• The Mondo Community Safety Project - Exceptional Community Partnership in an LGA
• BREED Business Centre - Exceptional Social Enterprise in a Not for Profit Organisation
• Taste Tours - Exceptional Social Enterprise in a Not for Profit Organisation
• Parents Cafe - Outstanding Project in a CALD Organisation/Group

To download the Community Stories Booklet which details each nominees story you can click here.

To download the Program for the ZEST Awards Ceremony you can click here.

We are growing community-business partnerships in Parramatta and we want your opinion.

Details

Wednesday, 05 March 2014

Western Sydney Community Forum, in partnership with Parramatta City Council and Parramatta Business Chamber, is building community-business partnerships. Partnerships between community and businesses can be a win-win for both sides. Communities can benefit though creative solutions to local social issues. Businesses can benefit by building upon their credentials as good corporate citizens.

Read more...

Submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Social, Public and Affordable Housing - February 2014

Details

Wednesday, 05 March 2014

Western Sydney Community Forum endorses the Regional Development Australia – Sydney’s comprehensive submission to the Inquiry into Social, Public and Affordable Housing and also make some recommendations.

Affordable housing is one issue that continually surfaces for residents in the region. Local State MPs tell us that 90% of their visits from constituents are regarding access to affordable housing. The WS LGAs of Auburn, Fairfield, Liverpool and Canterbury Bankstown have the highest levels of housing stress in Australia.

Read our endorsement and suggestions HERE

Influence outcomes for Western Sydney - Come to the Sydney Alliance March Assembly

Details

Wednesday, 12 February 2014

49 Partner organisations representing people from all walks of life will gather on March 26th to launch a new movement in Sydney’s civil society. Will you join us?

Together we will launch the Sydney Alliance agenda for the common good with specific asks for the NSW Government on the issues of public transport, affordable housing and supported job pathways (WorkingStart!). Do these issues matter to you?

With a year to go before the next NSW election, we want to build a bridge between Sydney’s civil society and those who serve us in elected office.  Do you want your politicians to hear your voice?

Anita Tang from the NSW Cancer Council and Rev. Garry Derkenne from Unitingcare/Uniting Church will chair the assembly.

When: Wednesday March 26th

Time: Doors open at 6:15pm. Will conclude at 8:30pm sharp.
(Please be seated by 6:40pm for a performance by the Sydney Alliance Choir).

Where: Sydney Town Hall, George Street, Sydney CBD.

Read more...

OPAL IS COMING-ELECTRONIC TICKETING for transport

Details

Thursday, 30 January 2014

Will the Opal card be the ticketing gem we want and value? 

Read this interesting comparison  which compares the  rollout of the Sydney Opal Electronic Ticketing system to Melbourne's Myki and Sydney's failed TCard.

http://transportsydney.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/comparing-opal-to-myki-and-tcard/

Opal will also be used across Western Sydney.

Collective Impact in Practice: Insights from the US and Western Sydney

Details

Friday, 28 February 2014

The Western Sydney Community Forum and United Way Australia together with Centre for Social Impact, the Ten20 Foundation and Local Community Services Association invite you to join a forum for practitioners in Western Sydney, to engage with Patricia Bowie and Lila Guirguis from Magnolia Place Community Initiative, who are in Australia to participate as keynote speakers in Collective Impact 2014. The event will be held on Friday 28th of February at Sydney Business Chamber – Western Sydney in Parramatta.

Following the presentation there will be an opportunity to ask questions and then a panel with local practitioners of Collective Impact.

Read more...