I feel privileged to be the new Executive Officer of Inner Sydney Voice and am delighted to have begun meeting the many community members, workers and organisations that ISV engages with.
I would like to express my gratitude to Marika Kontellis and Gary Jacobson, who have led ISV with excellence over the past four years. Building on their strong foundation, I look forward to continuing to strengthen ISV’s reputation for social justice advocacy and local civic engagement across Sydney’s inner and eastern suburbs.
One of the things that has particularly impressed me is the way ISV engages local people who are deeply connected to their communities and supports them to grow their leadership through peer education training. This is an area of increasing focus and growth for the organisation. It has been wonderful to meet some of our trained Peer Community Educators, who have been delivering information sessions for public housing residents in their local communities. Their work includes sharing practical information about disaster preparedness, particularly heatwaves, and helping people understand how to protect their health and wellbeing during extreme weather periods.
ISV has a long and proud history. Established in 1974 as the Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development, it remains one of inner Sydney’s longest-running grassroots community organisations. Over more than five decades, the organisation has evolved alongside changing patterns of urban development, resident activism and government policy, while remaining committed to strengthening local communities and advancing social justice.
Having lived in and around central Sydney for many years, including the last few years in Waterloo, I have seen firsthand the significant changes taking place across the area. This makes ISV’s role in supporting community participation and local leadership more important than ever.
My own journey into community services has been shaped by an unusual experience. I grew up in New Zealand and happened to be born at the same time a major longitudinal research study began, tracking all the babies born in the local public hospital over the course of a year. I am one of more than 1,000 participants who have contributed to this research for over 50 years, helping to build the evidence base on how childhood experiences influence later life.
The study has explored questions such as:
- Does childhood temperament predict adult personality?
- What role do parents play in shaping how a child matures?
- Is day care good or bad for children?
- Does adolescent delinquency forecast a life of crime?
- Is adult health shaped by childhood experiences?
- Do genes influence success in life?
Being part of this study has given me a lasting curiosity about people’s life experiences and the factors that shape individual and community wellbeing. It has also influenced my path into community services and social justice work.
I look forward to continuing that journey with the dedicated ISV team, Board members, community partners and funders as we work together to strengthen communities across inner Sydney.