At the end of this year, the SIMNA Western Sydney Committee celebrates five years as a committee. Launched on 12 November 2018, the Committee was the vision of former SIMNA Sydney Committee member Christina Jarron, with the aim of supporting professionals west of the Sydney CBD through all stages of their social impact measurement journey.

Photos: SIMNA Western Sydney founder Christina Jarron (left) and attendees of the SIMNA Western Sydney launch, November 2018 (right)

Western Sydney is home to half of Greater Sydney’s population and is Australia’s third largest economy. The region is home to many cultures, and is rapidly growing in both population and infrastructure. The SIMNA Western Sydney Committee provides an accessible networking and learning space for those living and working across this dynamic region—in other words, it’s the place to be!

In the years following its launch, the SIMNA Western Sydney Committee has run 11 unique events to showcase social impact measurement in the region and beyond. As we mark five years, we are taking this opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved over this time period.

Exploring place-based impact measurement

In May 2019, SIMNA Western Sydney’s first post-launch event called ‘Measuring the impact of growth and change in Greater Western Sydney’ showcased the interesting measurement work undertaken by the Greater Sydney Commission, Liverpool City Council, and Parramatta City Council. The following year, in August 2020, a SIMNA webinar called ‘The challenges and possibilities of measuring the impact of community-based cultural events’ featured the perspectives of Parramatta City Council and Cumberland City Council’s ‘Refugee camp in my neighbourhood’ initiative. These events did a fantastic job in highlighting the great local work being done in measuring the social, cultural and environmental activities across our diverse region.

Partnering with local councils in Western Sydney

SIMNA Western Sydney has also had the pleasure of partnering with local councils for events over the last five years. In August 2019, SIMNA Western Sydney partnered with Cumberland Council to host the ‘Measuring outcomes and impact with young people in Western Sydney’ event which championed the involvement of young people in all stages of the impact measurement cycle. In March 2022, the Committee also partnered with Penrith City Council to run the ‘Social Impact Measurement for Community Organisations – What, Why, How’ workshop, to build the capacity of local community organisations. The SIMNA Western Sydney Committee recognises the importance of working with our local government partners and hopes to collaborate more in the future.

Showcasing the social impact measurement work in the not-for-profit space

With the last few years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the SIMNA Western Sydney Committee took this opportunity to run a number of online webinars showcasing the amazing impact measurement work done in the not-for-profit space. Projects and organisations that have been featured include The Groundswell Project (November 2020), the Creativity Village arts program by I.C.E and Abel Tasman Village (February 2021), SNAICC – National Voice for our Children (November 2021), the National Community Hubs Program (November 2022), and ReachOut (March 2023).

Focusing on networking

More recently, the SIMNA Western Sydney Committee have begun running the ‘Let’s talk about social impact measurement’ networking events – the first one online in August 2022 and the second one in-person in August 2023. These networking events are a wonderful opportunity to connect with our colleagues about social impact measurement and we look forward to more networking opportunities in the future.

Appreciation of the past and looking to the future

The SIMNA Western Sydney Committee would like to thank all its past and current members who have contributed to the committee’s success over the last five years: Christina Jarron (current member), Natalie Jurisic (current member), Amy Lawton (current member), Sophie Davis (current member), Jo Cummings (current member), Katie Wearne (past member), Lila Kennelly (past member), Talia Stump (past member), Jen Vallentine (past member) and Daphne Drew (past member).

Special thanks also goes to Lisa McGhee (SIMNA’s Lead Doer and Connector 2017 – 2022) and Laura Glynn (SIMNA’s Executive Officer 2022 – Present) for their support in bringing together our events, as well as all our guests and colleagues who participated in the various events over the last five years.

Finally, the SIMNA Western Sydney Committee is always looking for new members! If you are interested in joining the committee, email Laura at SIMNA on laura@simna.com.au.  

We look forward to seeing everyone at even more SIMNA Western Sydney events in the near future!

SIMNA Western Sydney Committee

Christina Jarron, Natalie Jurisic, Amy Lawton, Sophie Davis and Jo Cummings

October 2023