Walk with us, Making Change Together
Welcome to Mount Druitt, postcode 2770.
This richly diverse community in the heart of Western Sydney is strong, fierce and determined to show ChangeFest participants some of the remarkable stories from people who call Mount Druitt home.
ChangeFest was hosted at Kimberwalli, meaning ‘many stars’ in Darug language. The name honours Aboriginal language and recognises the role of stars in Aboriginal storytelling and learning, navigating country and following lore to sustain culture and well-being. The name also recognises young Aboriginal people can be the stars of their own destiny. This unique initiative will support young Aboriginal people in Western Sydney to transition from school to education and/or further employment.
Over 560 people gathered who were interested in place based social change.
Everyone was committed to making Australia a better place for all citizens and seeking change in our systems, recognising First Nations first within strong diverse and sustainable communities. Achievements were celebrated and new connections made. Learnings were shared between communities.
Mount Druitt is a richly diverse community, home to the largest Indigenous population in metropolitan Australia. Mt Druitt is also home to some groundbreaking, thriving community projects. The inaugural ChangeFest18 event in Logan, Queensland gathered communities to celebrate the new energies and success stories taking place in place based social change from all over Australia. We built on these foundations on Darug country in Mt Druitt.
Here are a few of the places and people from Mt Druitt who helped make ChangeFest happen:
Kimberwalli will walk alongside young Aboriginal people as they navigate their future.
Kimberwalli is located on Darug country on the site of the old Whalan High School at 1 Mimika Avenue, Whalan. https://mapcarta.com/28698488/Map
The ChangeFest program featured amazing community talent from Mount Druitt and Western Sydney. It reflected many exciting place based change successes taking place around Australia. We also presented International speakers with unique experiences in their own communities to help us all gain perspective and advance our work in Australia.
To open each day of the program in a new window, please click on the day name. Download program – Day 0, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Full program
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Day 0 – Tuesday, 19 November 2019. A Free introductory day for citizens with Leadership Workshops, Jargon Busting and exploring what needs to change in Mount Druitt.
| Space | Outdoor gathering stage | Assembly Hall | Kimberwalli Presentation space | Kimberwalli Breakout | Henry Parkes Space | Whalan Community Action Group Space |
| 8.30am | First Nations Breakfast Local hosts, the Baabayn Elders will host an informal welcome for all Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander peoples and First Nations guests who are attending ChangeFest from around the country. Please RSVP by emailing optimists@changefest.com.au. | |||||
| 10am | Welcome to Country - everybody welcome! | ChangeFest in Mt Druitt - everybody welcome! ChangeFest will be framed for the community to provide connection and grounding for the next four days. | Closed session: Connected Beginnings Gathering | Closed session: Justice Reinvestment Australia Meeting | Closed session: Opportunity Child OC Connect | |
| 11am | MORNING TEA | |||||
| 11.30am | Introduction to ChangeFest - everybody welcome! What is place based social change? How do you do it? What can it achieve? How can citizens get involved and what opportunities will ChangeFest offer you? We will explore citizen leadership and the role we all play in making change. Led by Kate Simpson, Beck Ronkson and Beth Stockton. | Closed session: Connected Beginnings Gathering | Closed session: Justice Reinvestment Australia Meeting | Closed session: Opportunity Child OC Connect | Closed session: Collaboration for Impact Network Meeting | |
| 1pm | LUNCH What does it mean to grow up in Mount Druitt, Western Sydney? Writer Winnie Dunne, General Manager of Sweatshop shares her story with Kristal Kinsela. | |||||
| 2pm -3.30pm | ChangeFest registrations open | Jargon Busting This is the session where you will get the key tools and tips to help you navigate unfortunate but sometimes necessary professional jargon. Contributing to this session will be a local learning specialist who will interpret for Mount Druitt participants and for visitors.Led by Jennifer Chaplyn, Collaboration for Impact and Cassandra Jackson, Learning Ground. | Connected Beginnings Gathering | Justice Reinvestment Australia Meeting | Opportunity Child OC Connect | Collaboration for Impact Network Meeting |
| 3.30pm | Shuttle bus commences, returning to Mt Druitt Station | |||||
| 6pm | The Australian Dream - Hoyts Mt Druitt | |||||
| Space | Outdoor gathering stage | Assembly Hall | Kimberwalli Presentation space | Kimberwalli Breakout | Henry Parkes Space | Whalan Community Action Group Space |
Day 1 starts with the place we are in; the fabulously resilient and too often overlooked communities of Mount Druitt. There will be an update on the ChangeFest story as we set the agenda for the event.
| Across the day | REGISTRATION & INFO DESK | SEER DATA LAB ROOM (open all day) | THE MUSEUM OF US MOB (interactive installation) | EXCHANGE PLACE (open all day) | ELDER GATHERING SPACE (open all day) | YARNING CIRCLES, CURATED COFFEE, WEAVING WORKSHOPS & MORE |
| Space | Outdoor gathering stage | Assembly Hall | Kimberwalli Presentation space | Kimberwalli Breakout | Henry Parkes Space | Whalan Community Action Group Space |
| 9am | Welcome to Country | |||||
| 9.20am | Welcome to Kimberwalli - Lillian Gordon, Director. Welcome to ChangeFest: framing of the event- convenors & local hosts introduce purpose, principles and the road we've traveled so far. Kerry Graham, Collaboration for Impact; Matthew Cox, Logan Together; Dianne Jackson, Opportunity Child, Linda O'Brien, Griffith University, plus local hosts Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation, The Hive & Jesuit Social Services. | |||||
| 9.50am | Welcome to Mount DruittCommunity speakers reflect on living, working and dreaming change in this place. An Elder, a child and a local worker. | |||||
| 10.20am | The Press Conference In 2014 the Social Revolutionaries, a group of seven teenagers living in Mt Druitt, shared their stories. Mt Druitt stories, presented through the media, tell tales of riots, failure, violence and crime. These young people held their own press conference to speak to these news articles and create a new voice for their community. The Press Conference is revisited with original and new voices. FUNPARK Coalition is PYT | Fairfield, CuriousWorks, Blacktown Arts Centre, Learning Ground, and Bidwill Uniting. It offers ongoing creative opportunities for young people in Mount Druitt. With Daisy Montalvo, Andrew Llamas, Shaun Millwood, Savarna Russell, Robyn Hardge-Scott and Karen Therese, Director PYT Fairfield. | |||||
| 10.50am | MORNING TEA | |||||
| 11.15am | Deep Collaboration Deep Collaboration is an ongoing project focused on changing the relationship between First Nations and other Australians. This session focuses solely on the collaboration skills required to facilitate progress in the relationship between First Nations and other Australians with the purpose of positively influencing relationships and connections, power dynamics and worldviews. Led by Grant Paulson and Liz Skelton. | |||||
| 11.45am | Young People’s Voices in Systems Change Young people want to join the conversation. How can they help reframe systems change work to improve their future? How can we all be better ancestors? Hosted by: Kristal Kinsela with emerging local leaders and The Council Of the Future organised by Jessica Montalvo | Mount Druitt's Big QuestionsA facilitated conversation exploring how to address specific challenges for the Mount Druitt community. Led by Monique Perusco, JSS; Danielle Roderick, The Hive; Baabayn and the Mount Druitt community. | Pecha Kucha - News RoundPecha Kucha is a storytelling format, where community leaders from across the country will share their story with 20 slides images and fast paced commentary of their learning and progress. Communities presenting: Connected Beginnings Galiwin'ku NT Connected Beginnings Kutalayna/ Jordan River TAS Connected Beginnings Mildura VIC Connected Beginnings Ceduna SA Baptistcare Hope Street (Western Sydney) NSW Julalikari, Aboriginal Town Camps Taskforce, Tennant Creek NT Tomorrow Today Education Foundation VIC Southern Moreton Bay Islands Project QLD Wentworthville Huddle NSW Hosted by Moira Were - Collaboration for Impact | Evaluation Tools Evaluating progress and capturing learnings is critical to ensure we achieve the outcomes we're searching for. Clear Horizons will share the tools that have been developed to better evaluate place based work. Led by Skye Trudgett and Ellise Barkley | Jargon Busters (intermediate)Translating the words and concepts used in place-based work into everyday language A local will also help translate Mount Druitt for visitors. Plus how does language develop during times of big change and how can we notice?Led by Jennifer Chaplyn, Collaboration for Impact and Cassandra Jackson, Learning Ground and Rumbi Mabambe, Chain Reaction Foundation. | |
| 1pm | LUNCH | |||||
| 1.45pm | How To Get Started - building readiness in your place. A deep dive into how to build on existing foundations and get change happening in your community. Regardless of where you are, even if you are just thinking about starting, this session will share lessons from other places and help you create a plan for change. Led by David Lilley and Kerry Graham, Collaboration for Impact. | Healing our systems - Healing Our Way - The Ochre Healing Forums How this approach could improve systems to benefit everyone's health. Led by John Hunter with Baabayan Aboriginal Corporation and Donald Gilbert Lyons. | Righting the wrongs Showcasing the powerful work of communities across Australia tackling pathways to prison on their own terms. Led by Justice Reinvestment Network Australia. | Mentoring session. Experts from across the field will offer their time for one-to-one mentoring with delegates seeking advice and connection. Bring your burning question for some very practical support in a one on one 30 minute mentoring sessions with leading practitioners from Collaboration for Impact and across the field. Book your session in at the Collaboration For Impact Tent | Deep dive to community led change Community led projects present insight into the complex challenges of interdisciplinary & intercultural change. Presented by South Moreton Bay Island Initiative and Learning Ground, Mount Druitt. Facilitated by Lisa Ryan, Collaboration for Impact. | |
| 3.15pm | AFTERNOON TEA | |||||
| 3.40pm | Digital StorytellersDigital storytellers run a hands on session about how to create stories about your community on your terms and importantly, in your voice. | Bending the System - local solutions to improving early childhood outcomes in Mt DruittDiscover how The Hive partners are ‘bending the system’ for young children in Mt Druitt. Western Sydney University will share its work with local early childhood educators in the Collaboration for Learning mentoring program, and Willmot Public School will share its approach to working with children in the early years of school. This is an interactive session which will highlight local efforts to ensure that young children’s experiences of these two systems are the best they can be. Led by Danielle Roderick, The Hive; Dianne Jackson, Opportunity Child with Christine Woodrow, Western Sydney University. | The Economics of Place We will hear about a range of different financing models being used to disrupt and empower communities. Hosted by Moira Were, Collaboration for Impact with a short introduction from Tiago Piexoto of the World Bank giving a global perspective on innovations in participatory budgeting. Panelists include: Matthew Cox, Logan Together; Liz Dibbs, Greater Western Sydney Commission; Si Lappin, Department of Communities Western Australia; Lill Healy, Department of Premier and Cabinet Victoria. Guest presentation: Tiago Peixoto, World Bank | Leading questions - The role of research and evaluation in systems change How can investment and integration of research and evaluation enrich and enable longer term results? Led by Linda O'Brien, Griffith University; Sue West, Centre for Community Child Health at Royal Children’s Hospital with Michelle Locke, WSU; Dr Sara Branch, Griffith University and Nyomba Gandaŋu, The Northern Institute (NI), Charles Darwin University. | Deep Collaboration Changing the Relationship Between First Nations and other Australians This session focuses on the collaboration skills required to facilitate progress in the relationship between First Nations and other Australians with the purpose of positively influencing relationships and connections, power dynamics and worldviews. Led by Mark Yettica Paulson, The Yettica Group; Jane Martin, Collaboration for Impact. | Different Ways for Citizens to Participate and Lead An interactive session exploring different approaches to citizen engagement, participation and leadership. What is working where you are? What are some of the lessons from around the country and international movements? Led by Kate Simpson, Collaboration for Impact with panelists: Michelle Bates, Tennant Creek, Dr Ariella Helfgott, Collaboration for Impact, Julie Jarrett, Claymore Neighbourhood Action Board, Men of Bourke and Thuy Nguyen, Sydney Alliance. |
| Space | Outdoor gathering stage | Assembly Hall | Kimberwalli Presentation space | Kimberwalli Breakout | Henry Parkes Space | Whalan Community Action Group Space |
| 5pm | Reflections on the day - Listeners in Residence. | |||||
| 5.30pm | Walk to Willmot - 4.5km through Mt Druitt (1 hour) or Shuttle bus to Mt Druitt Station and proceed to Willmot | |||||
| EVENING | ABORIGINAL ASTRONOMY AT WILLMOT COMMUNITY HUB - Led by Aunty Sandra Hickey (food and refreshments provided) |
Day 2 will hear from different voices across Australia. Today’s plenary is all about how we walk together with respect. The afternoon is a series of working groups focused on what is getting in the way of change followed by a magical night of entertainment.
| Across the day | Registration & information desk | SEER DATA LAB ROOM | THE MUSEUM OF US MOB - interactive Installation | EXCHANGE PLACE - Stalls open from 8am and during the breaks | ELDER GATHERING SPACE - OPEN ALL DAY | YARNING CIRCLES, CURATED COFFEE, WEAVING WORKSHOPS & POP UP FUN |
| Space | Outdoor gathering stage | Assembly Hall | Kimberwalli Presentation space | Kimberwalli Breakout | Henry Parkes Space | Whalan Community Action Group Space |
| 9am | Platform C LaunchPutting the platform into practice Take the self-assessment test and be ready to create a picture of who we are and where we are in our place-based work as a national movement (with a drone!) Led by Moira Were & Jennifer Chaplyn, Collaboration for Impact. | |||||
| 9.30am | First Nations First - Making Change Together A diverse group of Indigenous Leaders explore what is required to work better together. Panellists include: Professor Megan Davis, Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous and Professor of Law, UNSW; Dean Parkin, Investment Analyst at Tanarra Capital; Mick Gooda, former Human Rights & Social Justice Commissioner. Led by Carla McGrath, Program Lead at Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity | |||||
| 11am | MORNING TEA | |||||
| 11.30am | Power dynamics & collective impact Exploring equity and trust in systems change, cultural authority and how communities can work together to challenge and transform power dynamics. A far reaching conversation. With input from Dr Michael McAfee, PolicyLink USA, Mark Yettica Paulson, Unity Australia, Jo Taylor, Paul Ramsey Foundation, Dr Michael Mohammed Ahmad, Writer & Director of Sweatshop: Western Sydney Literacy Movement, & Monique Perusco, Jesuit Social Services. Hosted by Fiona McKenzie, Collaboration for Impact. | Systems change & creative cultural change A conversation about the role of arts and culture to lead and rehearse change, who controls the story and how we imagine change. With Rhoda Roberts, Head of First Nations Programming, Sydney Opera House; Professor Heidi Norman, UTS; Belinda Duarte, Culture is Life (Impact producer for The Australian Dream); Monir Rowshan, Blacktown Arts; Daniel Gobena, leading Australians Sharing a New Story (see below) and Duygu Dogan, filmaker. Hosted by PIppa Bailey, Director/Producer ChangeFest. | Trauma, grief and the the process of changeExperts help unpack issues of trauma, how this impacts the whole community and how to keep moving forward. Led by John Hunter with Donald Gilbert Lyons, Leech Lake Band of Ojibway and descendant of Six Nations Mohawk; Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation; Mohamed Dukuly, STARTTS - the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors and Habib Razay, Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency. | Mentoring session Experts from across the field will offer their time for one-to-one mentoring with delegates seeking advice and connection. Bring your burning question for some very practical support in a one on one 30 minute mentoring sessions with leading practitioners from Collaboration for Impact and the across the field. Book your session in the Collaboration For Impact Tent. | Pecha Kucha - Future News With an emphasis on the future, Pecha Kucha is a storytelling format, where a community leaders will share their story with 20 slides images and fast paced commentary of their initiative in 2024 and beyond. Presenting communities Hands up Mallee NSW Juniper WA Claymore Neighbourhood Action Board NSW Sanderson Alliance NT Mid Murray Family Connections SA Go Goldfields, VIC Logan Together QLD. | How to you set a place-based agenda that will change the system?An introduction to systems change and examples of systems changing agendas. This will be a facilitated conversation. Hosted by Sharon Fraser and Kerry Graham, Collaboration for Impact. |
| 1pm | LUNCH - Truth to power - 3 minute open mic slots to air burning issues. Sign up on the day. (in assembly hall) | |||||
| 1.45pm | What is getting in the way of Change? In two distinct sessions, you will be invited to get down deep to work out what is getting in the way of the changes you want to see happening. Part 1 you will join with peers who have the same roles and responsibilities. In Part 2 you will join with people who in the same kind of places you live and work. Choose the stream that suits you best for a facilitated workshop and work on disrupting the system to help you make the changes you want to bring to your role and place. | |||||
| 1.45pm | What is getting in the way of change? Part 1. Backbone organisations and service providers working group. Led by Sharon Fraser, Collaboration for Impact. | What is getting in the way of change? Part 1Citizens working group. Led by Kate Simpson, Collaboration for Impact. | What is getting in the way of change? Part 1Indigenous working group Led by Mark Yettica Paulson, The Yettica Group. | What is getting in the way of change? Part 1Evaluators & researchers working group. Led by Sue West, Centre for Community Child Health at Royal Children’s Hospital. | What is getting in the way of change? Part 1Philanthropists and funders working group Led by Carolyn Curtis, The Centre for Social Innovation. | What is getting in the way of change? Part 1Public servants & policy makers working group Led by Sarah Hurcombe, NSW Treasury. |
| 3.15pm | AFTERNOON TEA | |||||
| 3.40pm | What is getting in the way of change? Part 2 - mash up Groups now are reformed to explore the challenges through place.Inner city urban communities working group. Led by Kerry Graham, Collaboration for Impact. | What is getting in the way of change? Part 2 - mash upGroups now are reformed to explore the challenges through place. Regional communities working group. Led by Beck Ronkson, Collaboration for Impact. | What is getting in the way of change? Part 2 - mash upGroups now are reformed to explore the challenges through place Suburban communities working group Led by Kate Simpson, Collaboration for Impact. | What is getting in the way of change? Part 2 - mash upGroups now are reformed to explore the challenges through placeRemote communities working group Led by Michelle Bates, Collaboration for Impact | What is getting in the way of change? Part 2 - mash up Groups now are reformed to explore the challenges through placeNomads and misfits working groupLed by Michael McAfee, PolicyLink | What is getting in the way of change? Part 2 - mash upGroups now are reformed to explore the challenges through placeMount Druitt working group Led by Lisa Ryan, Collaboration for Impact. |
| Across the day | Registration & information desk | SEER DATA LAB ROOM | THE MUSEUM OF US MOB - interactive Installation | EXCHANGE PLACE - Stalls open from 8am and during the breaks | ELDER GATHERING SPACE - OPEN ALL DAY | YARNING CIRCLES, CURATED COFFEE, WEAVING WORKSHOPS & POP UP FUN |
| 5pm | Day Close - Reflections from Listeners in Residence | |||||
| 5.30pm | Drinks reception to launch Platform C and toast all those who have supported ChangeFest 19 | |||||
| 6pm | Australian's sharing a new storyThe Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency (MECA) leads this wonderful participatory project by Initiatives of Change. Led by Daniel Gobena, Shoshana Faire and a group of guest facilitators. | |||||
| 7.30pm - 10pm | A MAGICAL NIGHT AT KIMBERWALLI with local band - Gii, the extraordinary Emma Donovan and a chance to dance with the Dollar Bin Darlings | |||||
| 9.30 -10.15pm | Shuttle bus to Mt Druitt Station |
Day 3 channels Fridays for Future to help direct our conversations to the bigger forces of change impacting our lives. From Climate Change to urban development to transforming power relationships, we will explore the wider purpose of the movement as we build new visions and possibilities for systems change in Australia.