Communities have always gathered to share knowledge, make decisions, strengthen relationships, and care for Country and each other.

ChangeFest continues this tradition today.

Since the first gathering in 2018, ChangeFest has brought together people working across communities, organisations, governments and systems who share a belief that lasting change begins with community voice and leadership.

These gatherings are moments in a growing national movement for community-led systems change – grounded in relationships, shaped by place, and carried forward by the people who take part.

Each ChangeFest gathering is shaped by the Country it takes place on and by the communities who host it.

We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original custodians of this land and the longest continuing cultures of leadership, governance and care in the world.

Each gathering is a collaboration between Collaboration for Impact as the national convenor and local hosts – led by Local Elders, cultural leaders and community practitioners. In this way, each gathering reflects both the priorities, knowledge and spirit of place as well as the national Songlines being developed across the continent.

Community-led change is an ancient and continuing practice. ChangeFest is the movement that exists to strengthen and connect this practice across systems in Australia.

Since 2018, nearly 2,400 people from across Australia have come together for ChangeFest Gatherings including:

• Community leaders
• Young people
• Backbone teams and place-based partnerships
• Public servants
• Funders
• Researchers
• Artists and storytellers
• Practitioners working alongside communities

They have made new connections, shared knowledge and stories, strengthened their collaborative efforts and demonstrated the power of community led systems change.

Repeatedly, participants say ChangeFest Gatherings helped them realise they were not working alone in this different perspective. They were part of something larger already underway.

Every ChangeFest gathering reflects the place that hosts it.

From the first national gathering in the country of the Yagara and Yugumbeh speaking peoples in Logan Qld; to gatherings across the continent since, the ChangeFest Songlines have grown through local leadership and national connection.

While each gathering evolves in response to place, what stays the same is the commitment to the ChangeFest principles:

• Shared leadership:  between First Nations and other Australians requires equitable ways of working together across races and cultures.
• Collaboration:  we recognise that everyone has a role to play in changing the systems they are a part of. We need all stakeholders from local to national levels to collaborate on complex challenges that communities are facing.
• Power:  that effective place based change is when communities are enabled to lead and work in collaboration with other decision makers and power holders. This requires all groups to be aware of the power they have and how this can be shared and harnessed to centre community in decision making.

Every ChangeFest gathering reflects the place that hosts it and becomes part of a continuing national conversation about how systems can better support communities to lead their own futures.

Today, ChangeFest Gatherings sit as a foundational element of a wider national commitment to strengthening community leadership across Australia.

The next gathering will be held in 2027 on Gimuy Walubara Yindij in partnership with Cairns South Together:

To stay informed about the next gathering – join our mailing list).

In between times, connect with the Learning Network

As a living network of people working across places and systems who are learning together how change happens when communities lead, this work continues through shared learning spaces, partnerships, local initiatives, and national connections that grow the movement over time.

Each gathering builds on what came before. Each person who joins helps shape what comes next.