Join us for our hybrid capstone event: a national conversation highlighting what we heard, what we’ve learned, and where we’re headed next. 

Nadine Haddad, PLACE’s Director, Learn and Share reflects on her trip to Bankstown and Vincentia High School, where despite operating in vastly different contexts, both are achieving deeply impactful outcomes.

Last week, we travelled from regional Victoria to Western Sydney and the South Coast of NSW, four communities showing what’s possible when change is driven from the ground up. 

Last week across WA, we met communities doing what they’ve always done, leading change in ways that centre culture, connection and care. From Derby to Pingelly, grassroots work led by Elders, ACCOs and Community Resource Centres are driving quiet but powerful transformation. 

Nadine Haddad, PLACE’s Director, Learn and Share reflects on her trip to Stradbroke Island and Deception Bay North, where she witnessed just how impactful services can be when power is placed in the hands of community.

Week six saw the Tour head to La Trobe Valley in Victoria, a region shaped by ongoing transitional challenges and remarkable local leadership. From early childhood to emotional wellbeing, we saw what it means to act with care, adapt with purpose, and walk alongside community.  

Week five saw the Tour head across Queensland and Tasmania, from Cape York Institute in Cairns championing Indigenous-led policy solutions, to food security projects in Brighton in Lutruwita/Tasmania. We heard real change is already happening, it’s just not always being recognised, funded or supported sustainably. 

This week we visited the Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) in Victoria. Nestled in a disaster-prone area of Victoria, MRAG shows the power of community-led resilience and long-term vision in action.

Our journey continued this week through 10+ diverse regions in New South Wales and Queensland, seeing the power of community-led collaboration in action.

This week, PLACE met with 11 regional communities across South Australia and Victoria each grappling with complexity, courage, and care. 

Over three powerful days in the Mallee and Wimmera regions, we witnessed place-based change led by communities, grounded in culture, and driven by deep relationships. 

Announcing the PLACE Community Roadshow and Listening Tour. A 10-week community engagement initiative from 25 March 2025 to 14 June 2025.