Community Finalists Announced for 2016 ZEST Awards - Parramatta LGA

Community Finalists Announced for 2016 ZEST Awards – Parramatta LGA

Media ReleaseZEST

February 18, 2016

ZEST Awards announces 25 nominees, including community leaders and organisations
operating within the Parramatta local government area – nominees represent 14 of the 16 categories in the awards.

The nominated individuals, groups and organisations reflect innovative partnerships, project work and leadership among volunteers, young people and enterprise.

Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said it was great to see so many nominees from the Parramatta LGA.

“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.”

Parramatta City Councillor Lorraine Wearne said: “I am honoured to be presenting an award
at the event. This year we are celebrating the year of ‘Our Community, The People We Serve’ so it is appropriate that we are honouring those who dedicate their own time to help improve the lives of others.”

The ZEST Awards is an event led by peak body Western Sydney Community Forum and showcases the achievements of the community sector. This year ZEST Awards
2016’s key partners include TRI Community Exchange Inc., WESTIR Ltd., Western Sydney University, TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute and Transport for NSW.

Winners will be announced at the 2016 ZEST Awards on Wednesday, 24 February at ANZ Stadium.

For more information on the ZEST Awards or to purchase tickets visit: www.zestawards.com.au

Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth

Economies thrive when communities do – Equity and the NSW State Budget 2020-21

November 19, 2020

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?

Latest NewsMedia Release

One Small Step Towards Reconciliation

June 16, 2020

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.

AgeingBusinessCommunity DevelopmentDisabilityEventsGovernanceLatest NewsReformTargeted Earlier Intervention ReformTransportYouthZEST

Western Sydney’s Community Champions celebrated at the Ninth Annual ZEST AWARDS

March 5, 2019

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.

Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth

Construction and cranes only get us so far – Equity and the State Budget

June 25, 2018

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.

Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth

Communities of Change Report Launch Snapshots the Future of Western Sydney

May 25, 2018

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.

Community DevelopmentDisabilityHuman ResourcesLatest NewsReablement & Enabling ApproachesTargeted Earlier Intervention ReformWHSZEST

Community Profile: the Craig’s Table Program and its inspirational creator, Rosemary McKenzie-Ferguson

May 3, 2018

“Workers Compensation should be a detour, not a journey for life.” Rosemary McKenzie-Ferguson Set back from the street in a quiet industrial part of Girraween in Sydney’s west is a social enterprise that carves out a place of meaningful work, transition and life-changing purpose, for people whose experience in being injured at work led them into a complex of systemic holes. Rosemary McKenzie-Ferguson is the author, powerhouse and patron of the Craig’s Table program, which supports people who have been injured at work and who find themselves stuck in a hard place. Initially from Adelaide, Rosemary has been in Sydney for 15 months, to trial delivery of the program - which is unique in the world – together with with colleague Corey Williams, and supported by NSW insurance and care organisation, iCare.

Economies thrive when communities do – Equity and the NSW State Budget 2020-21

November 19, 2020

Latest NewsMedia Release

One Small Step Towards Reconciliation

June 16, 2020

R U OK?

September 12, 2019

Held annually, this national day is committed to starting conversations surrounding mental health, acting as a catalyst for community connection and support. This day advocates for not just a onetime check in to ask “RUOK?” but asks of us to collectively support others regularly each day of the year, especially those who may be struggling with the ups and downs of life.

Generation CommunitY

August 14, 2019

The Generation Community program has had an outstanding effect on young leaders who had partaken in it. Western Sydney Community Forum is serious about service delivery and contributes by organising courses which help leaders of our community facilitate a better understanding of their visions.

Why you need Affordable Translations

August 9, 2019

Kamusta! Hola! Marhaba! How many languages are spoken in your local government area, organisation or amongst the people you serve? What steps are you taking to connect with them in their native tongue? Who can help you connect? There is one simple answer, translation services! Western Sydney Community Forum (WSCF) offers quality document translations services to all organisations, charities and businesses ranging from small to large enterprises.

Latest News & Media