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.

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?

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. 

On Wednesday 7 November, WSCF staff attended the Healthy Ageing Forum in Granville, hosted by Multicultural NSW, facilitated by Granville State member Tony Issa MP, with panelists includng the Minister for Multiculturalism, the Hon. Ray Williams MP and the Minister for Ageing, the Hon. Tanya Davies MP.

Anastasia Sadovaya is a case manager and Team Leader at St Simeon’s Health Care, and Coordinator of Home Care Services - and a 2018 Generation CommunitY Alumnus. Generation Community is a leadership program for young people, delivered annually by Western Sydney Community Forum, which is aimed at developing knowledge, skills and goals toward a self-defined career in leadership and managerial roles. Over 6 months, participants delve into discovering what motivates them in their work and aspirations, working on ways to constructively harness their strengths and work with any perceived limitations.

The Communities of Change Roadshows are underway, delivering key insights from the Communities of Change Report, throughout the local government areas of Western Sydney. The Roadshow sessions are an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the report with WSCF specialists and facilitators, specifically relating the data to current and future service delivery in local government areas.