Local community and resident groups

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

• Email: [email protected]

The 2011 Residents' Association Inc was established over 25 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: Carole Ferrier
• Media Liaison: Helen Crossing
• Secretary: Paul Wagner
• Treasurer: Kerry Needs
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: PO Box 1513, Potts Point NSW 1335

The Alexandria Residents’ Action Group (ARAG) was established in 2011 and holds meetings as required on issues impacting the local community. The group initiates activities that create social, educational and environmental benefits for the suburb. It also supports residents to advocate on issues that matter to them by helping them understand how to navigate the process.

When required, meetings are promoted by letterbox drops and social media. Meetings are held 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

• 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

• 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

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.

The group is also a member of City of Sydney Combined Resident Action Group.

Contacts

• Email: [email protected]
  

All local resident groups in Glebe are represented at the Coalition of Glebe Groups.

The Council of Ultimo/Pyrmont Assocations provides a forum for resident and community groups from the Ultimo and Pyrmont area.

Contacts

• Convenor: Mary Mortimer
• Email: [email protected]
  

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
• Co-convenor: Louise Butler

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 Tuesday of each month from 11am to 12.30pm at Glebe Town Hall, 160 St Johns Road, Glebe.

Contacts

• 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

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
• Community Assistance Worker: Stephen Brooks
  
• Indigenous Ministry Coordinator: Sharon Minniecon
  
• Phone: 02 9552 4164
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: PO Box 353, Glebe 2037

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: 0409 835 754
• Email: [email protected]
• Web: facebook.com/GlebeTreehouse

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

• Web: facebook.com/greensquaregrowers

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

• Phone: 1800 558 268
• Email: [email protected]
• Web: grow.org.au/group-locations/redfern-grow-group

Heaps Decent is an arts organisation providing activities for children and young people in music production and visual art. It focuses on wellbeing, connection and community through creative engagement.

The organisation hosts a free music production program on Mondays for young people aged 15 to 25 years. Budding music producers and singer/songwriters can work on their ideas with an experienced professional.

Contacts

• Email: [email protected]
• Web: heapsdecent.com

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

• 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

• 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 1331
• Email: [email protected]
• Web: www.paddingtonuca.org.au

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

• 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
• Email: [email protected]
• Web: www.pyrmontaction.org.au

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

• Phone: 0423 751 903
• Email: [email protected]
• Web: www.pyrmontcares.org.au

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

• 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]
• Web: www.redwatch.org.au

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
• Mail: PO Box 3007, Eastlakes NSW 2018
• Web: www.secc.sydney

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

• Manager: Gillian Elliott, 02 9356 4977
• Email: [email protected]
• Web: shnc.org 

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

• 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

• Email: [email protected]
• Web: facebook.com/groups/1700325056695955/ 

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: Ian Stephenson
• 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

• 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

• Web: www.facebook.com/groups/17266387570

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

• Email: [email protected]