Local community and resident groups
An essential link between the City of Sydney and the communities we serve.
At 130 Henderson Road Alexandria is a scout hall that has been vacant for over a decade. A group of local volunteers have taken on the task of reopening the venue so it's ready to serve the local community.
Friends of Alexandria Scouts is:
- recruiting cubs and scouts leaders
- re-establishing Alexandria Scouts Troop
- reopening Alexandria Scout Hall.
Contacts
- Group Leader: Sandra Kemp
- [email protected]
The 2011 Residents' Association Inc was established over 20 years ago to promote residential amenity for people living within the 2011 postcode of Kings Cross, Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Rushcutters Bay and Woolloomooloo – one of the most densely populated areas of Australia.
It meets on the first Monday of each month (except public holidays) at 6.30pm in the Greenknowe Room at the Rex Centre, Macleay Street, Potts Point.
Contacts
- Convenor: Helen Crossing
- Media Liaison: Paul Wagner
- Secretary: Peter Young
- Treasurer: Kerry Needs
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: PO Box 1513, Potts Point NSW 1335
The Alexandria Residents' Action Group (ARAG) meets on a monthly basis to discuss issues impacting the local community and to initiate activities that create social, educational and environmental benefits for the suburb.
The group meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 7pm at the Alexandria Town Hall, Garden Street, Alexandria. All residents, families, friends, local businesses, agencies and members of the local community are welcome to attend.
Contacts
- Co-Convenors: Vanessa Knight & Ben Aveling
- Email: [email protected]
BIKESydney is an incorporated not-for-profit community organisation that advocates to improve cycling opportunities in the local area.
It organises regular social rides and gatherings and has many opportunities to become involved as a volunteer.
Contacts
- President: David Borella
- Phone: 02 8213 2437
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: PO Box M59, Missenden Rd, Camperdown NSW 2050
The Blackwattle Cove Coalition aims to work with the Wentworth Park Sporting Complex Trust, the City and numerous state government agencies involved with the planning of Wentworth Park and the Blackwattle Bay foreshore area. Its membership is based on residents and business operators in the Glebe, Pyrmont and Ultimo areas, including representatives from other local community groups.
Contacts
- Convenor: John Brooks
- Phone: 0408 687 954
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: c/- The Glebe Society, PO Box 100, Glebe NSW 2037
This group is open to residents who live in postcode 2000.
The group meets occasionally – please refer to the Facebook group for details.
Contacts
- Coordinator: Jill Yates
- Phone: 02 9299 4211
- Email: [email protected]
The Centennial Park Residents' Association was established to represent and address the mutual interests and concerns of residents around Centennial Park who live in Martin, Robertson, Lang, Cook, Furber and Poate roads.
The CPRA comprises 2 representatives from each road and focuses on issues that impact the immediate area. The CPRA meets monthly or when required.
Contacts
- Co-chairs: Peter Tzannes and Julie Osborne
- Email: [email protected]
The Chippendale Residents Interest Group has been established for over 20 years. The group aims to address the interests and concerns of the local community, with a particular emphasis on preserving Chippendale and achieving better planning, heritage protection, open spaces and community facilities.
Working closely with the East Chippendale Community Group and Friends of Carlton United Site, the group is also a member of City of Sydney Combined Resident Action Group.
Contacts
- Convenor: Jeanette Brokman
- Phone: 0412 191 333
- Email: [email protected]
All local resident groups in Glebe are represented at the Coalition of Glebe Groups.
Contacts
- Chair: Mark Stapleton
- Phone: 0417 238 158
- Email: [email protected]
The Council of Ultimo/Pyrmont Assocations provides a forum for resident and community groups from the Ultimo and Pyrmont area.
Contacts
- Convenor: Mary Mortimer
- Phone: 02 9518 8681 or 0410 679 204
- Email: [email protected]
Crafty Women meet every Friday at Have a Chat cafe, the Old Fire Station, 113 Mitchell Street, Glebe from 10am to 12.30pm.
The group shares coffee and cake and enjoys working together on developing arts and crafts sold or donated within the local community. Door to door transport available.
Contacts
- Kayleigh Ellis, 02 9692 9375 or 0424 348 968
The Darlinghurst Residents' Action Group focuses on community concerns about inappropriate development in the local area.
It works for increased open spaces, improved residential amenity and attempts to maintain the diversity that Darlinghurst is famous for.
The group meets every alternate month with the 2011 Residents' Association, in the Greenknowe Room at the Rex Centre, Potts Point.
Contacts
- Co-convenor: Jo Holder
- Email: [email protected]
- Co-convenor: Julia Perry
- Email: [email protected]
- Co-convenor: Louise Butler
- Email: [email protected]
The East Chippendale Community Group focuses on community concerns such as inappropriate planning, lack of open space, poor heritage controls and traffic issues. The group meets regularly and works closely with the Chippendale Residents Interest Group and FoCUS.
Contacts
- Convenor: Jeanette Brokman
- Phone: 0412 191 333
- Email: [email protected]
The East Sydney Neighbourhood Association has been working for over 30 years. It works to improve the residential amenity and protect the heritage of East Sydney, an inner-city residential heritage precinct bordered by Oxford, College, William and Forbes streets.
The association meets every second Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm in the Doug Heron Room, at The Republic building on the corner of Palmer and Burton streets, East Sydney.
Contacts
- President: To be advised
- Secretary: To be advised
The Forest Lodge and Glebe Coordination Group meets the second Wednesday of each month from 11am to 12.30pm at Glebe Town Hall, 160 St Johns Road, Glebe.
Contacts
- Email: [email protected]
Friends of Bourke Street meets regularly in one of the heritage-listed boulevard's many excellent and inexpensive restaurants to promote improvements and to discourage threats to the amenities of the street. All users and admirers of the street – residents, local businesses, cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and politicians – are welcome to join the group.
Contacts
- Convenor: Rosemary Potts
- Phone: 02 9332 1002 or 0402 615 107
- Email: [email protected]
Friends of Erskineville meets regularly to discuss community issues and liaises with the City of Sydney for positive outcomes. Monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month, at the Erskineville Town Hall from 7.30pm.
All residents, local businesses and members of the community are welcome to attend and actively participate in the meetings.
Contacts
- President: Andrew Chuter
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: PO Box 137, Erskineville 2043
- Web: friendsoferskineville.org
Friends of Fitzroy Gardens was formed in 2010. The group raises awareness about the significance of the gardens designed in 1970 by Ilmar Berzins, Australia's first qualified landscape architect, to complement El Alamein Fountain, designed by architects Woodward and Taranto.
Berzins was ahead of his time making environmentally sensitive interventions into the public domain.
His gentle modernism can also be felt in Hyde Park's Sandringham Gardens and in lovely little McElhone Park, in front of Elizabeth Bay House.
Friends of Fitzroy Gardens generally lobbies against public gardens being commercialised. It meets each alternate month with the 2011 Residents' Association.
Contacts
- Convenors: Paul Wagner and Jo Holder
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: C/- 2011 Residents' Association, PO Box 183, Potts Point NSW 1335
Friends of Pyrmont Point is an incorporated group that reflects community concerns on development, open spaces, parking and safety in the Pyrmont Point local area.
Contacts
- President: Drew Morrow, 0414 948 224, [email protected]
- Vice President: Walter Giles, 0412 959 468
- Secretary: Philippa Giles, 0412 959 468
- Treasurer: Peter Devoy, 0408 307 761
The Friends of Reginald Murphy Centre is a volunteer group of locals who actively promote use of the City's Reginald Murphy Community Centre.
The centre celebrated 50 years in 2017. The group meets weekly for informal discussions on Mondays at 2pm.
Contacts
- Pamela Dunsford, 02 9357 1966 or 0438 289 824
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Elizabeth Bay NSW 2011
Friends of Rushcutters Bay Park is a not-for-profit community group formed in 2010. Its aims include conserving public use of the heritage-listed park, including Reg Bartley Oval.
This park is the people's backyard.
It should remain a passive park for sports and quiet enjoyment in one of the most densely populated areas in Australia.
It should be properly and sustainably maintained as Crown Land for benign uses, not over-developed or exploited for commercial profits.
The group meets in the park for coffee on a casual basis by arrangement to discuss issues of heritage conservation and maintenance.
Contacts
- Media: Ms Dixie Coulton, 0412 426 690
- Paul Wagner [email protected]
- Andrew Woodhouse, 0415 949 506
- Email: [email protected]
The Friends of Ultimo network was founded about 10 years ago. The network aims to represent local residents on community issues, help find solutions and keep residents updated with local news. It now has just under 300 active members and before the Covid-19 pandemic it held regular social/business gatherings, which will resume when permitted.
Since its foundation Friends of Ultimo has interacted regularly with the City of Sydney and councillors, and with state and federal politicians. Issues have included saving the Powerhouse Museum, the New Life development, the Bulwara Road shared zone, rats, dumped rubbish, local road flooding and local development concerns.
Contacts
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: facebook.com/ultimofriends
Friends of Victoria Park is a group of community members with a broad range of interests and needs, united by the desire to see Victoria Park flourish and evolve into a vibrant, sustainable, connected and creative community.
The group seeks to achieve this through planting the seeds for present and future generations.
Contacts
- Email: [email protected]
The Glebe Assistance and Partnership Program is an initiative of St John's Church for local people who find themselves needing help.
GAPP offers commitment, time and some expertise, and emergency relief funding.
People will be offered basic assistance with the opportunity to form an ongoing partnership with one of its volunteers.
Appointments essential, either on Monday or Wednesday each week from 10am to 1pm. Access is from the community garden entrance, opposite St John's Church, near the corner of St Johns and Glebe Point roads.
Contacts
- Minister: Mark Wormell
- Associate Minister/GAPP Coordinator: Darcy Vaughan
- Community Assistance Worker: Stephen Brooks
- Office Manager: Angie Collier
- Indigenous Ministry Coordinator: Sharon Minniecon
- Phone: 02 9552 4164
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: PO Box 353, Glebe 2037
The Glebe Community Action Group meets on the last Wednesday of the month at the Old Fire Station, 113 Mitchell Street, in Glebe from 6pm.
The group discusses community issues including crime and safety, street cleaning, graffiti removal and beautification.
Contacts
- Chair: Marla Priest
- Phone: 0410 774 431
- Email: [email protected]
Glebe TreeHouse is a free safe space for Glebe families with young children and is located in the grounds of Glebe Public School.
The TreeHouse is a community centre that supports families with kids aged 0 to 8 years with a focus on the early years.
The centre mainly supports families who may be facing some additional challenges in the important work of raising their kids, but remains open to the whole community.
Opening hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Families are welcome to come by anytime for a cuppa and a yarn. For centre activity, please visit the Facebook page below.
Contacts
- Facilitator: Kate Brennan
- Phone: 02 9566 1285 or 0409 835 754
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: facebook.com/GlebeTreehouse
The Glebe Urban Research Association stores historical material including photographs and maps, and other historical data about Glebe.
It is a not-for-profit group made up of people interested in preserving and archiving historical information associated with the Glebe area.
Contacts
- Max Solling on 02 9660 3943
The Green Square Growers share their knowledge within the community about growing plants, particularly food.
The group meets on the second Sunday of the month from 10.30am to midday outside the Tote Library, 100 Joynton Avenue, Zetland.
More event details can be found on the group's Facebook page.
Contacts
Grow is a community-based mental health organisation with over six decades of success helping people regain and maintain mental health and wellbeing. Small groups meet weekly to support each other with issues such as depression, anxiety or loneliness. Meetings are run by peers - people with personal experience of improving their mental health.
Grow is recognised and part-funded by NSW Health. Everyone is welcome regardless of life experience; no diagnosis or referral is required and there is no cost to attend. Meetings involve a series of group discussions, interactions and readings that follow a structure to ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate.
Grow's Redfern-Waterloo group meets every Tuesday from 10.45am to 12.45pm. When Covid-safe stay-at-home rules apply we meet on zoom. When in-person meetings are possible, we meet in the hall behind South Sydney Uniting Church, 56A Raglan St, Waterloo.
To confirm whether in-person meetings are on, or to get the zoom link, please contact us.
Contacts
- Kylie, 1800 558 268
- Email: [email protected]
The group is an incorporated association with the objective of providing a safe and welcoming village within Kings Cross and surrounding areas that encourages residents, businesses and visitors to live, work and play together.
Contacts
- Email: Hugh McCullum at [email protected]
Kings Cross Arts and Cultural Festival Inc was formed in 2015 to promote arts and cultural events and showcase local talent.
The Kings Cross Dog Show, staged in 2015 and 2017, has been successful in bringing the community together in a fun activity.
Contacts
- Chair: Jo Holder
- Secretary: Peter Young
- Email: [email protected]
The Kings Cross Community Centre is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation that aims to meet the needs of local residents, especially the frail, the aged and people with disability.
The centre offers shopping services, information, referral and advocacy services, a weekly jumble and book sale, a poste restante, Justice of the Peace services, and access to fax, phone, photocopier and computer.
The centre's opening hours are Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
Contacts
- Coordinator: Robyn Greaves
- Phone: 02 9357 2164
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: Rex Centre arcade (adjacent to Fitzroy Gardens), 50-58 Macleay Street, Potts Point 2011
- Web: kingscross.org.au/
The Millers Point Community Resident Action Group represents residents in Millers Point, Dawes Point, Walsh Bay and The Rocks, and it promotes and fosters community building and engagement. The community group’s main mission is to protect and promote Millers Point as a precinct of state and national heritage significance and to enhance the safety, amenity and character of the Millers Point neighbourhood. The group achieves its mission by advocating on behalf of the residents of Millers Point to those who have an impact on our community, including government (local or state), business or cultural groups.
Contacts
- President: Bernard Kelly
- Email: [email protected]
- Vice President: Yasmina Bonnet
- Email: [email protected]
- Secretary: Candice Murphy
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: millerspoint.org.au
Neighbours Not Strangers works to protect residents against the enormous social and financial impacts provoked when billion-dollar short-term rental accommodation operators take over our housing.
The rights of residents to safe, secure, affordable housing are paramount.
We aim to hold those in authority to account when it comes to the enforcement of planning and zoning legislation and NSW Land and Environment Court case law.
The court has repeatedly and consistently judged mixing short-term letting with permanent residential occupation "fundamentally incompatible".
Contacts
- Convenor: Trish Burt
- Phone: 0415 682 375
- Email: [email protected]
The Nichols Street Community Group supports local issues in Surry Hills and aims to protect residents' rights.
Contacts
- Brian Noad on 0402 615 107
- Email: [email protected]
This is a parish mission of the Uniting Church promoting Christian faith, inclusiveness, justice and creativity.
Through the activities of the congregation, the Eddie Dixon Centre, Paddington Markets, Eastside Arts, and the Paddington Children's Centre, the church seeks to support and serve the community.
The church is committed to hospitality, valuing the potential of each human being, including and serving people from all walks of life, and contributing to a just and sustainable society.
- Church services are on Sundays at 10am and 7.30pm.
- The Eddie Dixon Drop-In Centre operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm for homeless and disadvantaged people.
- Paddington Markets operate every Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
- Groups such as AA, NA and Christian meditation meet weekly.
More information about its groups and services are available on the church's website.
Contacts
- Minister: Rev Danielle Hemsworth-Smith
- Phone: 02 9331 2646 or 02 9331 4864
- Email: [email protected]
We have been established for 14 years. We cherish heritage conservation and support residential amenity in the Potts Point and Kings Cross areas.
We advocate for better planning controls and outcomes at all levels of government and represent locals in the NSW Land and Environment Court.
This approach adds to an appreciation and enhancement of what the community wants to keep from the past for the future.
The society welcomes input from local residents and meets as required at Studio 2, level 2, 50 Macleay Street to discuss items of concern and interest.
We are a non-political, not-for-profit group and are a member of the Better Planning Network and support the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education. Please feel free to email or phone.
Contacts
- President: Andrew Woodhouse
- Phone: 0415 949 506
- Email: [email protected]
Pyrmont Action is an incorporated community group that works with local and state governments to make the physical and social environment of Pyrmont better.
It was originally formed in 2003 in a local campaign to improve broadband internet access.
It meets on the second Thursday each month from 7pm, in the recreation room at the Pyrmont Community Centre, on the corner of Mount and John streets, Pyrmont.
Contacts
- Convenor: Elizabeth Elenius
- Phone: 02 9571 9727
- Email: [email protected]
Formerly known as Pyrmont Progress Incorporated, not-for-profit organisation Pyrmont Cares works with the City and other groups to provide moral, emotional and material support to people who find themselves needing help.
Contacts
- President: Peter Devoy
- Secretary: Ian Bulluss
- Phone: 0452 537 998
- Email: [email protected]
The group aims to participate more effectively in community and government processes, to shape the future of the local community, develop strategies for direct community involvement in local projects, and reduce costs and delays around project planning and development.
The group was awarded an Australia Day Award for outstanding community service.
Contacts
- President: Jean Stuart
- Phone: 02 9660 6702 or 02 9660 6702
- Email: [email protected]
Redfern Station Community Group began as a small team of volunteers in 2013.
The group, whose members were local volunteers and professionals, lobbied for a lift at Redfern station.
The team’s aim was to enhance the precinct of the station with refreshed gardens, new murals and the removal of graffiti. The group continues to lobby in the interests of Redfern station.
Contacts
- Coordinator: Desley Haas
- Phone: 0431 050 486
- Email: [email protected]
The team is a coalition of representatives from government and non-government agencies, community members, volunteers, and local business and community agencies set up to respond to the impact of alcohol and other drugs.
Contacts
- Contact: Charmaine Jones
- Phone: 0432 597 279
- Email: [email protected]
REDWatch is a residents group covering Redfern, Eveleigh, Darlington and Waterloo – the same area under the state government's Redfern-Waterloo Authority.
The group monitors authority activities, the City, and government-run programs in the area to ensure community involvement in decision-making processes.
The group meets on the first Thursday of each month (except January) from 6pm at the Factory Community Centre, 67 Raglan Street, Waterloo.
Contacts
- Contact: Geoff Turnbull
- Phone: 02 8004 1490
- Email: [email protected]
The Rosebery Residents Action Group aims to prevent the City and developers from degrading the suburb.
Major campaigns include opposing the Hillsong mega-church, the City’s garbage truck depot and proposed changes to the draft local environment plan.
The group meets as and when needed, and regularly produces email newsletters and letterbox flyers to keep the local community informed.
Contacts
- Spokesperson/Coordinator: Wayne Moody
- Phone: 0429 522 214
- Email: [email protected]
The South Eastern Community Connect covers the suburbs of Eastlakes, Botany, Mascot, Daceyville, Banksmeadow, Matraville, Kingsford, Rosebery, Hillsdale and Pagewood.
It welcomes residents from all backgrounds who need assistance finding help with things like child care, shopping, education, transport or respite care.
It also provides support groups and has opportunities for people to volunteer.
Contacts
- Phone: 02 8338 8506 or 02 8338 8502
- Mail: PO Box 3007, Eastlakes NSW 2018
The Surry Hills Business Alliance was formed in 1990 after the Central Club was disbanded, a former business group that held monthly networking dinner meetings at local restaurants.
A committee of 6 people run the alliance, which calls meetings of its members when important issues arise.
The alliance is particularly interested in improvements to street cleaning, graffiti removal, crime prevention, parking issues, traffic/pedestrian safety, reducing noise and promoting local business interests.
Its primary aim is to build a better community spirit, social environment and a successful business centre.
It works with the Nichols Street Community Group.
Contacts
- Chair: Brian Adams
- Secretary: Sunita Adams
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: Box A133, Sydney South NSW 1235
The Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre runs a number of educational, recreational and other community activities, including children services, Surry Hills Markets and Surry Hills Festival.
Contacts
- Chair: Norman Booker
- Email: [email protected]org
- Manager: Gillian Elliott, 02 9356 4977
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: shnc.org
The association represents Surry Hills public housing tenants.
It liaises with Housing NSW, City of Sydney and other government and community agencies to ensure public tenants have a voice in the Surry Hills community.
Contacts
- Contact: Colleen Hepburn
- Phone: 0427 094 030
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: PO Box 136, Surry Hills NSW 2010
The Smith Family established the VIEW Club to promote the voices, interests and education of women (VIEW). All proceeds generated from the club's activities are donated to The Smith Family.
Meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month at 10.30am for an 11am start.
Contacts
- President: Ms Tina Trappes-Lomax
- Secretary: Ms Glenda Stone
- Phone: 0421 742 244
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Club York, 2nd Floor, 95 York St Sydney (Refer to the notice board for meeting room details)
Sydney Queer and Disability aims to create a more inclusive and accessible society for people with disability and queer communities.
The organisation engages both queer and disability organisations and communities, advocating for change.
Since its inception, the group has made strong partnerships with the Council for Intellectual Disability, Twenty10, Queer Screen and ACON.
The organisation focuses on providing a space for social support and organising events.
Group members are located throughout Sydney and meet in the metropolitan area.
Contacts
The group covers issues and concerns of residents who live within the boundaries of the southern side of Oxford, Flinders, Albion and Crown streets.
Contacts
- Michael Tiyce
- Phone: 0414 297 374
- Email: [email protected]
The Glebe Society meets every second Wednesday of the month (except in January) in Glebe Town Hall from 7pm.
The society discusses community issues including heritage, bays and foreshores, transport, traffic, planning, the environment, and it also arranges social events.
Visit the Glebe Society website bulletin for our latest monthly newsletter, The Bulletin, which lists contact details for the management committee and working groups - see inside back page.
Contacts
- President: Janet Wahlquist
- Email: [email protected]
The Paddington Society is Australia's oldest urban activist group.
It was formed in 1964 in response to a government-inspired plan to flatten large parts of Paddington to build a freeway.
The society is dedicated to preserving the unique architectural and historical character of Paddington, and building a lifestyle for current and future generations in a sustainable and humane way.
It meets on the third Monday of each month (excluding December and January) at Juniper Hall, Paddington.
Contacts
- Treasurer and Communications Secretary: Francis Walsh
- Phone: 02 9360 6159 or 02 9363 9572
- Email: [email protected]
The Redfern Society is a not-for-profit community group that was established to protect our local environment including its heritage and amenity, for all residents.
The society generally coordinates its activities and campaigns online but meets occasionally as required.
The society believes that we all have the responsibility to retain the heritage and amenity of Sydney and that residents have an inalienable right to live in their chosen environment by rejecting exploitative overdevelopment and supporting genuine improvements.
Contacts
- Co-convenor: Donna-May Bolinger
- Phone: 0417 171 819
- Email: [email protected]
Transition Sydney is a community-initiated not-for-profit voluntary support hub for local transition initiatives within local government areas across Sydney.
It provides promotion, training and direct support to local initiatives, a web presence and mailing groups for networking and ongoing support.
Meetings are held at various locations in the city centre and inner suburbs. Meeting times and venues are listed on the group's website.
Contacts
- President: Cameron Little
- Email: [email protected]
Ultimo Village Voice independently serves the Ultimo community. The group discusses issues that affect residents and small businesses on the first Thursday of each month (except January) from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, at the Ultimo Community Centre, 40 William Henry Street, Ultimo.
Contacts
- Chair: Yimmy Seifert
- Email: [email protected]
