Sydney Alliance

10/04/2026

Another compelling piece featuring many of our Mt Druitt leaders. We cannot wait any longer for dignified and reliable public transport in 2770

John Graham
Marjorie O’Neill - Member for Coogee
Transport for NSW
Sweltering Cities

‘The kids are missing out’: when fuel is expensive and public transport hard to access

08/04/2026

07/04/2026

Sydney Alliance leader and Western Sydney local Eddie Bognet recently spoke to the ABC about the gaps in Mt Druitt public transport.

Only worsened by the fuel shortage, residents of the 2770 postcode are struggling with infrequent and unreliable public transport that fails to get them where they need to go.

The Sydney Alliance has been organising with local services and faith organisations to make a difference. We look forward to the working group we secured beginning on Friday. With NSW Government politicians and planners, this is our chance to progress reals solutions to this urgent problem.

John Graham
Marjorie O’Neill - Member for Coogee
Transport for NSW

Mount Druitt residents would happily use public transport to avoid high fuel prices, but say it is not an option due to unreliable services.

05/04/2026

One year on, in this season of renewal, we revisit these words from an important conversation in organising history.

This was written by Lead Organiser Chantelle Ogilvie-Ellis, and shared in our newsletter last year, following the passing of Pope Francis. One year on, in the same season of Easter and Passover, his message to fellow organisers still resonates.

04/04/2026

The Iron Rule in our organising work, actions building toward the Discernment Convention, and green shoots of leadership across our communities: click here to read more of Lead Organiser Chantelle Ogilvie-Ellis' reflection this week.

Our Lead Organiser, Chantelle Ogilvie-Ellis, writes a reflection as part of our bulletin, with the latest one below. If you'd like to receive these along with news across our Alliance first thing every Tuesday, sign up here.

27/03/2026

Two weeks ago, the NSW Government announced increased bus routes and shelters for Western Sydney Details. Details in the comments.

Together in 2770 and Sydney Alliance welcome the announcement. We particularly recognise the hard work of Sweltering Cities who have been campaigning for investment in bus shelters. $1.5 million for shelters will have a real impact on Western Sydney communities which are facing the brunt of extreme weather and transport disadvantage. This is something we have been asking for, and we continue to advocate alongside Sweltering Cities.

However, we want to be clear: the drought is not over for the outer suburbs of Mount Druitt.

While any investment in public transport is welcome, today’s announcement delivers little for the communities we represent, unless “new or enhanced services” are announced for the 2770 postcode specifically. Residents of Willmot, Lethbridge Park, Shalvey, Whalan, Bidwill and surrounding suburbs continue to face the same reality they have for years – infrequent and unreliable services, and a transport system that cuts them off from the jobs, services, and opportunities that make for a thriving community.

We acknowledge the new connection through Mount Druitt CBD, particularly the improved access it offers to the Western Sydney Airport. But access to an airport means little when getting to Mount Druitt town centre itself remains a challenge. Frequency and reliability remain the missing pieces.

BaptistCare
Jesuit Social Services
Bidwill Uniting Uniting Church NSW & ACT
The Salvation Army NSW & ACT Division
Diocese of Parramatta
Mission Australia
United Way Australia
John Graham
Marjorie O’Neill - Member for Coogee
Transport for NSW

26/03/2026

Yesterday we held our first Sydney Alliance Council meeting of 2026.

Excitingly, we welcomed to new organisations: Youth Action NSW and Diversity and Disability Alliance. Each pledged their commitment to working together in coalition, and in return, Council pledged the Alliance's commitment to working in honest and relational partnership.

We also affirmed a proposal to incorporate the work of the Temporary Migrants Team into the Discernment Convention, and did further work in our the discernment season.

Thank you to United Workers Union for hosting us. Onwards!

20/03/2026

This week was a big week for Sydney Alliance local teams!

The Northern, Metro, Blacktown/Mt Druitt, and South West teams all met, bringing together 55 leaders from across our city.

These teams gather local organisations and passionate individuals to build our organising muscle in sub-regions of Sydney.

This week, we have been sharing the voice of our neighbourhoods to the citywide campaign teams on housing, clean energy/climate, and social isolation, as well as progressing local campaigns.

Well done to each team, and the many more Sydney Alliance local teams that meet across our city!

07/03/2026

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women organising across the NSW Community Alliance network, including here at the Sydney Alliance. Across our network, women are leading, from our Executive Officer to the organisers of the Sydney Alliance and Hunter Community Alliance. We know firsthand the leadership women bring to building relationships, developing leaders and organising communities to win change.

We see every day the strength, clarity and determination women bring to public leadership, strengthening our organisations and the communities we represent.

07/03/2026

Leaders from our Housing, Energy & Climate and Social Isolation Research Action Teams gathered last Thursday at Uniting on Pitt Street for a workshop on power.

Together we dug into the political landscape, talked honestly about politics, and tried to understand where our communities fit in the scheme of things; the work now is organising that power to win change.

If you’d like to join one of our Research Action Teams, leave a comment below, send us a message, or talk to an organiser!

02/03/2026

Last week, the Uniting Church Centre for Ministry in North Parramatta hosted Vaka 26, a 2.5 day community organising gathering and training rooted in Pasifika culture and Christian faith.

Welcoming 94 people from a wide range of faith, union and community backgrounds, participants travelled from as far as Gimuy-Cairns, Boorloo-Perth, Aotearoa-New Zealand, Vanuatu, and even the Marshall Islands.

A collaboration of the NSW Community Alliance, Uniting Church NSW & ACT, Uniting Church in Australia, Uniting NSW/ACT, and the IAF Pacific (including Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga), we thank the many hosts, trainers, small group leaders and sponsoring organisations for helping make Vaka happen.

It was an incredibly rich time of sharing our stories, cultures and learnings from across Te Moana (the ocean). Onwards!

12/02/2026

In the wake of the violence that unfolded at Monday night’s protest, and amid deep grief in many communities, the Board of the NSW Community Alliance, which includes the Sydney Alliance, has issued a reflection to our members and partners.

You can read the full statement in the link here.

The violence that unfolded at Monday night’s protest has left communities across NSW shaken. The images from Sydney’s CBD come in the context of widespread community grief at the horrific targeting of the Jewish community at Bondi, and grief at the continued suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.