Western Sydney Community Forum Logo

Latest News & Media

Champions of the Parramata LGA have been Recognised in the 2016 ZEST Awards

Media ReleaseZEST

Community organisations, groups and individuals have been recognised in the 2016 ZEST Awards – four winners from the Parramatta LGA have been announced and two received recognition in their categories as highly commended.

Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said it was great to see so many nominees from the Parramatta LGA with 23 nominees from the region representing 14 out of the 16 categories.

“The huge range of organisations nominated for awards shows that the community sector is really delivering a quality service to the community in Western Sydney. It is important that through these awards we are able shine a light on the remarkable work these individuals and organisations do to improve people’s lives.”

Western Sydney Community Forum’s Chief Executive, Billie Sankovic, thanked leaders from Greater Western Sydney for supporting the extraordinary achievements showcased during last night’s awards.

“The ZEST Awards sees the coming together of key regional leaders within the not-for-profit, government and business sectors – to collectively recognise the strengths of Greater Western Sydney and the outstanding successes that shape the region’s social and economic future” said Sankovic.

Winners

Annie Nielsen: Outstanding Community Leader – Volunteer Capacity

Annie Nielsen is a teacher who has lived in the Parramatta LGA for 24 years. She has taught science at various high schools including in Western Sydney, worked on syllabus and co-authored the text book “Science for Life”. Annie’s expertise in biology motivated her to be an outstanding long term volunteer bush regeneration and Clean Up Australia coordinator in the Parramatta LGA. Annie also holds volunteer Executive positions on Parramatta Climate Action Network (ParraCAN), a local park committee, reconciliation group, ATSI Committee and is a semi-voluntary gymnastics coach leader.

The HuB in Telopea: Exceptional Project within a Not For Profit Organisation

The HuB in Telopea is a dynamic and innovative project enabling all members of the community to come together, learn new skills and participate in community life. Key staff have taken the successful Men’s Shed model and developed it into a practical whole-of-community space, with activities such as Men’s and Women’s Shed, D.I.Y Classes and programs for Young People, Dads and Kids and Mums and Kids.

Arrupe Place – Jesuit Refugee Service: Exceptional Community Partnership Project in a Local Government Area

Arrupe Place is the first collaborative project in Parramatta to provide a safe and welcoming space for people seeking asylum. Asylum seekers can drop in to the cottage, provided by the Sisters of Mercy to receive services delivered by eight partner services including legal advice, financial assistance, and access to case workers, English classes, home visits, cooking classes, food provision and a sense of community.

Warren Gardiner: Hall of Fame

Warren Gardiner has worked in, and for, Western Sydney for much of his life. He is an inspiring individual that has a grounded passion for the communities that he has worked in and is a strong advocate for the people of the Greater Western Sydney Area.

Highly Commended

Darcy Street Project: Exceptional Social Enterprise in Greater Western Sydney

Darcy St Project, headed by the amazing and inspiring John Cafferatta and Tristan Brookes-Perrin, is a social enterprise that directly addresses social needs and serves the common good for the communities of Greater Western Sydney and Parramatta through specialty coffee education. Darcy St Project’s point of difference is that they are the first of its kind, a Specialty Coffee School and Brew Bar in the one location. Their belief is that once you invest in knowing how to become a barista or coffee roaster then you have endless possibilities for employment and travel. They work in partnership with the local, social, public and private enterprises of Western Sydney to assist those most in need within the community with a particular focus on providing employment pathways for the homeless and young people who are at risk. Profits are re-invested into coffee roasting/barista training scholarships and work experience opportunities.

Parramatta Climate Action Network (ParraCAN): Outstanding Voluntary Group/Organisation

ParraCAN furthers understanding and appropriate practices regarding climate change among residents, local organisations, schools, councils and politicians. ParraCAN highlights Western Sydney in everything they do, working with many organisations based on values of growing democracy, cultural diversity, inclusion, non-partisanship, walking the talk and cooperation.

For more information on the ZEST Awards click here.

Related posts

Federal-Budget-2023-FINAL-1024x330
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
Since the budget announcement on Tuesday night, I have been reflecting on what all this means for the community and human services industry, and more importantly for the people of Western Sydney that we support. On budget night, I saw a shift in the national narrative with the Government’s approach to people experiencing vulnerabilities. I saw a shift in how income support and rental assistance was viewed, that it is a security safety net for times when people are in need and at times of crisis.
Economies thrive when communities do equity and the NSW State Budget 2020-21
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
As I tuned into the NSW Government’s Budget 2020-21 announcement on Tuesday, I couldn’t help but hold a level of anticipation. Amid recent announcements that Australia is facing a recession, I needed to know as I scanned the influx of media announcements – was Western Sydney going to be a ‘winner’ in this year’s budget?
A guy holding a boomerang looking at smoke with people watching
Latest NewsMedia Release
Western Sydney Community Forum welcomes a recent Mayoral Minute adopted by Council as a measure towards reconciliation for communities in Western Sydney. Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne of The Hills Shire Council made a significant motion regarding reconciliation in the region. The Mayoral minute was unanimously endorsed by Council where an invitation will be extended to local Aboriginal Elders to meet with Council, and an Acknowledgement to Country will be included in Citizenship Ceremonies and at major community events.
A gentleman holding a microphone to a woman speaking
AgeingBusinessCommunity DevelopmentDisabilityEventsGovernanceLatest NewsReformTargeted Earlier Intervention ReformTransportYouthZEST
Western Sydney’s everyday heroes were in the spotlight at the 9th Annual ZEST Awards on 15 February, celebrating exceptional people and projects in the community.   Led by Western Sydney Community Forum with major partners Western Sydney University, National Australia Bank, City of Parramatta Council, and Wentworth Community Housing, the ZEST Awards showcase Western Sydney’s inspiring stories of resilience, strength and innovation. 
Equity and the state budget
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
The NSW Government released its much-anticipated Budget this week. I was excited. We had the recent signing of the Western Sydney City Deal. We saw a strong public discourse of governing ‘with heart’.  And we have an election(s) looming. I was excited and keen to hear how this would all play out in reality, to get to the heart of priorities across Western Sydney and beyond, in NSW. What I found is that this Budget, in the main, begins to address some of the infrastructure priorities of the region but has some considerable way to go before it gets close to being a Budget that will foster, sustain and improve community wellbeing and liveability.
Communities Of Change Report Launch Banner
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
Joint Media Release St Vincent de Paul Society NSW and Western Sydney Community Forum Parramatta, 23 May 2018:  The release of a major report on the changing landscape of Western Sydney reveals important insights which could impact future planning and investment in community health and wellbeing. The ‘Communities of Change: Western Sydney Now and Into the Future’ report, a collaboration between Western Sydney Community Forum and St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, highlights areas of potential shortfalls in investment and service delivery.

Recent posts

Heading (2)
Latest News
With the unveiling of the first Budget by a NSW Labor Government in 12 years, I—like many others in Western Sydney’s community sector—watched with interest for signs that the new government was committed to taking the bold steps needed to address the challenges facing the region. However, what I witnessed this week was a budget that did not step up to those challenges.
Support-Services-Gaza-Conflict-1024x330
Latest News
The escalation of violent conflict in Israel and Gaza is being felt by communities in Western Sydney, and it may be affecting your staff or the people you work with. Multicultural NSW has developed a list of support services available for people who may be impacted at this time.
NSW-Budget-2023-Statement-FINAL
Latest News
With the unveiling of the first Budget by a NSW Labor Government in 12 years, I—like many others in Western Sydney’s community sector—watched with interest for signs that the new government was committed to taking the bold steps needed to address the challenges facing the region. However, what I witnessed this week was a budget that did not step up to those challenges.
Federal-Budget-2023-FINAL-1024x330
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
Since the budget announcement on Tuesday night, I have been reflecting on what all this means for the community and human services industry, and more importantly for the people of Western Sydney that we support. On budget night, I saw a shift in the national narrative with the Government’s approach to people experiencing vulnerabilities. I saw a shift in how income support and rental assistance was viewed, that it is a security safety net for times when people are in need and at times of crisis.
Economies thrive when communities do equity and the NSW State Budget 2020-21
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
As I tuned into the NSW Government’s Budget 2020-21 announcement on Tuesday, I couldn’t help but hold a level of anticipation. Amid recent announcements that Australia is facing a recession, I needed to know as I scanned the influx of media announcements – was Western Sydney going to be a ‘winner’ in this year’s budget?
Skip to content