Inner Sydney Voice

22/06/2026

What makes a functional community?

This piece from the Tenants' Union of NSW is well worth a read. It highlights three films about public housing communities across 45 years, including Waterloo 2050, made with young people from the area through Inner Sydney Voice.

As Eliza says in her film:
“One of the good things about living in housing is everyone's super friendly. I think, because most people have been through some hard stuff, they have lots of compassion and care about others. So you know there's like issues with addiction, domestic violence, poverty and all these things, but I feel like everyone kind of bands together and supports each other because they know what it's like… if there wasn't that sense of community, then it would be a lot harder life.”

There's a lot to bite into here from CEO Leo Patterson Ross, from the history of 'mixed estates' to essential reading on social mix and redevelopments; this is a must-read for anyone who has been following the Waterloo estate renewal and the future of estates in general.

Recently demolition fences started being placed around the first buildings in the Waterloo estate. This move attracted protests and prompted discussion about the estate renewal and the future of estates in general. On ABC Sydney the Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson, made a comment...

18/06/2026

As part of her placement, our student Social Worker, Sunny Stubbs spent the day attending the Refugee Week 2026 celebrations at Redfern Town Hall, hosted by Sydney Multicultural Community Services.

Here's what she had to say about the incredible event: [It] was as full of cultural expression and experiences as you could imagine! It was a moving day, with multiple speakers from diverse ethnic backgrounds sharing stories of human experiences, from coming to Australia, finding home and community, to sharing music and dance of their cultures. It was a truly moving day, and I was so appreciative to be a part of the celebrations, which highlighted the thing I love about Sydney, multiculturalism. Another highlight was seeing the Art for Wellbeing programs exhibition, an art therapy group for people to explore creativity and improve emotional wellbeing. These artworks highlighted the participants' journeys, challenges, strengths, and their storytelling about coming to Australia and how their stories continue."

17/06/2026

This morning at the Poet’s Corner Women’s Group Digital Mentoring Session, Lorraine watched herself on screen in Eliza’s Waterloo 2050 film, 'Homes'.

She also worked with digital mentors to set up her phone and take her first call!

Thanks to the team at RedLink and all the digital mentors for an amazing session. 👏👏👏

Good Things Foundation Australia

15/06/2026

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and treated with dignity as they age. Sadly, for some older Australians, this is not their reality.

Elder abuse can take many forms, including financial abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. It is often carried out by someone the older person knows and trusts, such as a family member, friend or carer.

The numbers are confronting:

Around 1 in 6 older Australians have experienced elder abuse in the past year.

In half of reported cases, the person responsible was a family member.

Two in three people who experience elder abuse do not seek help.

For older people living with disability, the risks can be even greater. When someone relies on others for personal care, finances, decision-making or essential supports, strong safeguards and trusted support networks are especially important.

If you or someone you know needs help:

National Elder Abuse Line: 1800 ELDERHelp
1800 353 374

NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline:
1800 628 221

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission:
1800 035 544

In an emergency, call 000.

You can also learn more about the signs of elder abuse and where to get support through the Australian Human Rights Commission’s elder abuse resources, which are available in 20 languages:

https://humanrights.gov.au/resource-hub/search-all-our-publications/reports-and-projects/projects/older-peoples-rights/elder-abuse-resources-in-20-languages

11/06/2026

Looking for social connection in Green Square? 🤠👯‍♀️

Scoot down to Green Square Primary School and Community Space every Wednesday for free line dancing.

We've teamed up with the amazing Saddle Club, Green Square Neighbourhood Central and the City of Sydney to deliver six FREE sessions where you can learn line dancing, make intergenerational friendships, and have fun!

When:
Wednesday 24 June from 6pm to 7pm
Wednesday 1 July from 6pm to 7pm
Wednesday 8 July from 6pm to 7pm
Wednesday 15 July from 6pm to 7pm
Wednesday 22 July from 6pm to 7pm
Wednesday 29 July from 6pm to 7pm

Register here:

Sessions for women to connect and learn to line dance!

10/06/2026

Catch up on Charlie's CAFS Learning Session here and learn from 50 years of experience in community engagement. 🐐

In conversation with Charlie Coorey.Charlie has 5 decades of expe...

10/06/2026

Do you have an old phone, tablet, laptop, hard drive somewhere collecting dust? Bring it down to Field Rooms in Waterloo on June 21!

As part of Make or Break’s residency project D!sa$$3mbly L1n3s at Field Rooms, this workshop guides you in different types of making and breaking, including tinkering, disassembly, drawing, writing, movement, and embossing using a simple home-made press.

Sunday 21 June - two workshops:

10am-11.30am adults and kids** who can use tools (kids need to bring an adult with them).

1pm-2.30pm adults**

The Field Rooms is located at 921 Bourke Street, Waterloo, (although the entrance is off Young Street)

https://events.humanitix.com/dead-hardware-hangs

04/06/2026

Do you have a burning question about facilitating, advocating, or building trust in your role, but are too afraid to ask? Join the next CAFS Learning Series and get an answer from Charlie Coorey!

There are not many situations or challenges Charlie has not faced in his 50 years of community work. He has built trust with communities, supported people through crisis, worked across systems, advocated for change and facilitated countless conversations in complex settings.

Now, he is generously sharing that experience in conversation with ISV's student placement, Sunny Stubbs, in a practical one-hour AMA-style online session.

Register here: https://innersydneyvoice.org.au/news/do-you-have-a-question-about-community-engagement-but-were-too-afraid-to-ask/

Ask your question in the comments, or email it to [email protected] before next Wednesday!

01/06/2026

Thank you to Uncle Jimmy Smith for generously sharing your time, stories and knowledge on the City of Sydney's Green Square Aboriginal Cultural Walk as part of Reconciliation Week.

Charlie and Natalie came back to the office full of stories about eggs, stars, sustainable practices and all the native plants growing around Green Square.

They learned about how plants have been used for healing, caring for babies, treating sores and cuts, and supporting everyday life.

31/05/2026

This afternoon, Waterloo 2050 alum Eliza spoke with residents at the Save Waterloo Encampment about the realities of relocation.

She asked residents how they feel about leaving their community, what the next stage of the redevelopment looks like for them, and whether they feel supported through the process.

Keep an eye out for Eliza’s piece in the upcoming edition of Inner Sydney Voice magazine.

subscribe here: https://innersydneyvoice.org.au/news-events/subscribe/