The journey to ChangeFest25

Originally launched in the east—on the country of the Yuggera and Yugambeh Speaking people, followed by Darug country—the ChangeFest Songlines have also embraced Larrakia country in the north, Lutriwita country in the south, and Latji Latji country along our great rivers.

This extends the ChangeFest Songlines westwards for the first time.

“It is right that the ChangeFest Songlines now travel to Western Australia. ChangeFest25 in Walyalup connects the work of ChangeFest across the country, providing a continuation of celebration, learning, and connections for change,” said ChangeFest Elder Aunty Faith Green.

Fremantle is the first place that did not recognise Australia day – an important step for justice and healing between First Nations and other multicultural Australians. Fremantle is also, like many communities across the country, learning and reimagining what a more equitable community that works for all can look like when we centre First Nations leadership.

“Imagined Futures is thrilled to bring ChangeFest to Western Australia. This is an amazing opportunity for not just our community, but for all of Western Australia to learn alongside the ChangeFest Movement about community led systems change for a more truthful, equitable country. Western Australia has a lot to share from our unique context into the work of nation building across Australia.,” said Leigh Sinclair, Executive Director of Imagined Futures.

“We need movements like ChangeFest now more than ever if we are to grow into a nation of peace through justice, democracy through community power, and equity through bold, collective change. This is the foundational nation-shaping work being led by community leaders and collaborators right across the country. CF25 is the next step in the living ChangeFest songlines — a time for us all to gather, reconnect, renew our energy, and shape the next horizon of change.” said Collaboration for Impact CEO, Anna Powell.

What happened?

ChangeFest25 was held 19 – 21 November 2025 on Whadjuk country in Walyalup (Fremantle, WA), extending the ChangeFest Songlines west for the first time. In partnership with Imagined Futures, this national gathering brought together changemakers from across the country to listen, share, heal, and act. The Gathering was hold in Fremantle Oval, Parry St and nearby venues within Central Fremantle.

Walyalup has long been a place of deep connection — a leader in truth-telling and justice. Fremantle was the first place to reject Australia Day in recognition of First Nations truth. This spirit of bold, community-led change is what ChangeFest25 builds on.

Held during Kambarang, the season of wildflowers and renewal, the CF25 program explored the cycles of time and the seasons of change — weaving together the past, present and future into a shared experience of learning, reflection and action.

As the Walyalup Elders have said:

“We have to be forward, because we’ve been left out for so long. This is what ChangeFest means to us. An opportunity to step up and share our stories – our stories of past hurts, our stories of strength and resilience. To find a new way. To build a future with our young people based on truth and healing.”

ChangeFest25 Program: Creating a new way

Held during Kanbarang, the Noongar season of change and renewal, 2025’s theme, Creating a New Way, invites us to explore community agency in addressing the injustices of the past and imagining new futures through the strength of collaboration in the present.

2025's Gathering was about community agency in addressing the injustices of the past and imagining new futures through the strength of collaboration in the present. The ChangeFest25 Program centred stories from communities leading change, examples of collaborative action across diverse sectors and perspectives that is changing how systems work, and opportunities to develop networks for strengthening our collective influencing and learning.

The ChangeFest25 Program explored the cycles of time, the seasons of change that occur as we explore the intersections of past, present and future together into a shared experience.  Co-created with community, elements of the program include:

• Grounding in where we’ve come from: Understanding the history and context of our communities and institutions is an important first step in collaborating together in community led systems change. We will begin by grounding ourselves in the culture and stories of Walyalup Country. Together, we’ll explore how truth-telling, storytelling, deep listening, and systems mapping can connect diverse voices, heal communities, and reimagine.
• Collaborating in the present: Communities and collaborators across Australia are already demonstrating collective action to shift systems and address root causes. The program will highlight stories of community-led peacebuilding and healing and share practical examples of how community-centred systems change is happening across Australia — including measurement and learning, sharing power and decision making, building mutual accountability and community-owned resources and capital.
• Stepping bravely into new futures: From grounding and collaborating in place we will then reimagine what futures we are co-creating for the next generations and young people of today. Here we will explore what power-shifting work is needed next – locally to nationally – to create systems that work for all people and country. This may include practices such as First Nations leadership of futures thinking, intergenerational learning and accountability, and opportunities for influencing policies, resourcing and narratives around place-based change.

Overview of each day:

Day 1: Understand the history and context of our communities is an important first step in moving forward together in community led change. Together, we'll explore practices that enable this work - such as storytelling, deep listening and community-led approaches that bring together diverse voices to connect, learn, and heal.

Day 2: Communities across Australia are leading the way in collective action to shift systems and address root causes. The program will highlight stories of community-led reconciliation, peacebuilding and healing, and share practical approaches for driving change - including measuring impact, sharing power, building community accountability, community-owned resources, and embedding reflection and learning.

Day 3: We’ll dialogue and imagine a bold new future together. This part of the program will explore First Nations leadership in futures thinking, intergenerational learning and listening and practices for long term system change.

You can also see the full 2025 program here

ChangeFest25 Speakers

Narelda Jacobs

We were honoured to welcome Narelda Jacobs OAM as the keynote speaker for ChangeFest25. A proud Whadjuk Noongar woman from Perth, Narelda is a trailblazer in Australian media and a passionate advocate for justice, truth-telling, and equity. As a journalist, presenter, and advocate with over two decades of experience, she is known for her powerful storytelling, cultural leadership, and fearless commentary. Narelda opened ChangeFest25 on her home Country, setting the tone for three days of connection, truth-telling, and collective action.

Hon. Tanya Plibersek

The Hon. Tanya Plibersek – Minister for Social Services and Federal Member for Sydney – joined us in-person for the Opening Statement. Tanya has served in senior leadership roles across multiple portfolios, including Health, Housing, Education, the Environment, and Women’s Affairs, and was Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 2013 to 2019. She grew up in Sydney as the daughter of Slovenian migrants and began her career in the NSW Domestic Violence Unit. Elected to Parliament in 1998, she has consistently championed fairness, community-led change, and inclusive policymaking that centres people and place. Speech to ChangeFest25 | 19 November 2025 – Read it here

Cormac Russell

Also our Speaker Cormac Russell, internationally renowned author and community development leader, shared a video plenary to invite us to reimagine the future by returning power to where it truly belongs – communities themselves. Cormac is also the author of Rekindling Democracy, Founding Director of Nurture Development and a member of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute, at DePaul University, Chicago.

Thanks to our Partners and Sponsors 2025

Partners

Imagined Futures

Collaboration for Impact

Gold Sponsors

Minderoo

General Sponsors

Business Events Perth

City of Fremantle