a year of connection
a year of connection
2025
A message from our CEO Donna Shepherd
We like systems theory at Creating Communities.
We like systems theory at Creating Communities.
It reminds us of Aristotle’s “the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts”.
No one plan, initiative, facility or person can bring about systems transformation. It’s about many parts working together.
Positive change always starts with people, their relationships, and their envisioning as they bring into being what they value. When the focus is on root causes, aspirations and collaboration, change for the better in systems can emerge.
Again, this year, people came together, forming relationships of trust on our Creating Communities projects, with the intent to improve the fate of their communities. Thousands of people also celebrated the significant legacy of their collective contributions.
All these individuals have created community systems far more multifaceted and generative than any of us could have imagined, planned for, or delivered alone. It took people uniting around common values, investing in relationships and collective effort.
The importance of collective intent in changing systems for the better was also reinforced in our second national SocialQue™ survey, which revealed that the majority of people all over this nation value community. They value connection, they value multiculturalism and they believe they can create positive change together.
This excites us, because despite geopolitical friction and technological disruption, individuals, groups and businesses are continuing to invest in collaboration and relationships to drive positive change.
Being fully human together is where it’s at! We’ll continue to be enthusiastic adopters of new technologies, but it will always be in service of humanity.
Thank you for being on this journey with us.
Donna
2025 wrapped
contributed to communities as a result of our projects, strategies and plans
indirectly benefited from our projects
made directly with community and stakeholders
Stronger collaboration
reported in
First Nations perspectives
contributed to
with our project delivery
We get on the ground.
Our job is to find out what truly matters to people, then support them to make that happen. Because people know what works for them.
In Newman, we supported BHP to bring together 44 leaders, including First Nations representatives, registered native title bodies, government, community groups and businesses.
Together, they celebrated five years of the Newman Futures project and set priorities for the years ahead.
We’ve been working alongside local groups to help them realise these priorities.
Now, we're bringing together local leaders, government agencies and industry to implement the plan.
Bringing people together is the heart of building community.
The Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance wanted to connect with people and share their story.
We supported them with workshopping ideas, and building a strategy based on their strengths.
When communities lead the way, real change happens.
We are back working on the highly successful remote jobs program which saw us facilitating a community-led reinvention of employment for the remote communities in and around Warburton.
So far, more than 70 people have been employed.
In the Far West of South Australia great work is underway.
Supporting women and families in Newman.
Together with our project partners, we’re helping turn unused resources into transitional housing for women and families who need it.
Everyone should have access to stable housing and food.
Over the years we worked with NWS, KJ and BHP to trial new ways of improving food security in East Newman.
This work led to the Newman Tucker Truck, which gives more and more people access to food and support in the region.
Supporting people is what great organisations do.
Rio Tinto took the time to listen to FIFO workers and their families to find out what life is like when work takes them away.
We helped Rio Tinto understand the impact through a Social Impact Assessment study that took in regional communities from Broome to Albany.
The study will help them provide better support to their people and towns.
You can’t know what people care about without listening.
This year, we released our second Australia Speaks Up report – powered by our AI platform, SocialQueTM.
The report is based on thousands of stories from people all over Australia.
They told us what life is like in their community. All in their own words.
The answers surprised us...
79%
of people feel positive about their community
80%
of people who mentioned multiculturalism see it as a strength
Many feel safe and secure in their communities
The 3,758 people who shared with us came from all walks of life. They live in the city, the suburbs and the outback. Some work, some are retired, and some are just starting out in their careers. Regardless of their differences one thing was clear – people in Australia feel good about where they live and love being a part of their community.
Organisations that get their people, build better programs.
The West Coast Eagles are committed to delivering meaningful outcomes for their communities.
Together, we explored new ways of thinking designed to support them with decision making and help them share powerful stories about the difference their work makes.
At Perth Airport, Skyfields is creating something special.
A community of businesses where tenants feel connected to each other.
They asked us to support them with building this sense of community.
Because they know people want to be where they feel they belong.
Building incredible communities takes time.
Like in Brabham where the Maarakool Primary School and local groups worked together to create Harmony Day on behalf of Peet.
More than 400 people celebrated multiculturalism in their community.
In Wellard, connection was built over two decades.
We created the conditions.
The community brought the heart.
...and you can’t fake heart.
In 2025 we stepped back. Because the community stepped up.
In Bushmead, people have been coming together for eight years to care for the environment and each other, nestled in a forest with over 700,000 trees planted by Cedar Woods.
People came together in Alkimos.
We supported Stockland to deliver a NAIDOC Week celebration.
Families in the community gathered to celebrate Aboriginal culture and welcome the new Alkimos Beach Youth Zone.
Constellar’s community is just getting started.
At Richard Noble’s Cardup Junction development, a Community Compact is bringing developers, local government, businesses and residents together to create a more connected community.
Thank you to the communities we walked alongside this year.
We can’t wait for what’s next.
