Shaping Change Together: PLACE in Action

Over the past month, PLACE has been connecting with communities, practitioners, and leaders. With a focus on community-led solutions to complex challenges, we’ve been listening, sharing insights, and engaging in conversations across employment services, evaluation, and disaster recovery. Here are some highlights 👇 

🎤 National Employment Services Association (NESA) National Conference, VIC 

At NESA, PLACE shared who we are and what we’re focused on. We spoke about the challenge communities face in shaping nationally purchased programs to support the most disadvantaged, such as the increasing number of people experiencing long and very long-term unemployment. Local organisations already hold the trust to reach these groups. This creates a real opportunity for providers and communities to work together. Services designed and delivered with trust at their core are key to finding lasting solutions.  

🏥 Primary Health Network (PHN) Commissioning Innovation Showcase, NSW 

PLACE took part in the Showcase to learn more about how PHNs are working with communities to co-design solutions to complex challenges. We heard many PHNs are stretching beyond health into the social determinants of wellbeing and supporting community-led initiatives. Others have been engaged in place-based work with community for a long time and now represent strong national infrastructure for place-based change. The frustrations communities have identified such as short-term and fragmented funding, and lack of investment in co-design, are also experienced by PHNs.  

📊 Australasian Evaluation Society (AES) 2025 Conference – Beyond the Bubble, ACT 

In Canberra, PLACE attended the AES 2025 conference which was full of insights on rethinking commissioning, empowering communities to lead, and centring community voices. We heard about new evaluation tools, explored culturally relevant and safe methods, and the importance of working relationally. Highlights included Ray Lovett and Bobby Maher’s keynote on genuine power-sharing in Yarrabah, hearing from First Nations evaluators, and the launch of Gilibanga network. A key takeaway: evaluation is never neutral - it’s about whose voices count and whose knowledge systems matter.  

🏛️ WA Local Government Professional Community Development Conference 2025

In Perth, our Enable Team joined local government staff to explore people-centred approaches to community engagement. The conference offered insights into skills needs, training opportunities, and place-based projects across WA. A recurring message was clear: local government staff were reminded of the value of stepping out from behind their desks and being present in the community. As one presentation put it, “Community is your knowledge box - they see the little things.” We also heard how strong data and evaluation are critical to securing long-term funding for local projects. 

🌱 Pirie Voices Launch – Port Pirie, SA 

PLACE was present for the launch of Pirie Voices, a new initiative designed to strengthen community voice in Port Pirie. Over the coming months, the project will engage with 1,000 people who live, work, or depend on the town, ensuring their perspectives shape the future of the region. The goal is clear: plans guided by the community, for the community. Meeting the people behind Pirie Voices showed how strong relationships drive lasting change.

✨ Hands up Mallee – On Country Learning Day 

PLACE headed to Mildura for Hands Up Mallee’s On Country Learning Day, guided by local Barkandji Elders, the Yarning Group, and Aboriginal community leaders. First introduced in 2023, the gathering has become a cornerstone for deepening cultural understanding and strengthening relationships across the region. Cross-sector collaboration was on display with more than 25 people from local services, government agencies, and HUM’s Governance and Yarning groups joining immersive learning experiences, walking on Country with respect and open hearts while learning about the history and ongoing connection of Traditional Owners. 

⚡ Gippsland New Energy Conference, VIC 

At GNEC, PLACE saw a strong focus on collaboration and community-led action to advance renewable energy. We also observed participatory democracy gaining momentum, with potential for community benefit schemes to become a national approach to commissioning. 

🌿 Fire to Flourish East Gippsland Showcase – Cann River, VIC 

PLACE heard community voices highlight that the challenges of navigating the system could be more distressing than the disaster itself. We also learned that building trust first, then shaping supports around community-identified needs, made recovery more achievable. Collective decision-making on financial allocation was identified as a key factor in effective disaster recovery. 

Thank you to everyone who shared their insights with us. These ongoing conversations keep us focused on building stronger futures together. 

Images courtesy of Pirie Voices, Hands Up Mallee, AES 2025 and NESA 2025.