At the end of last month we joined over 400 leaders from across civil society at the Sydney Alliance Convention in Blacktown, to celebrate major wins and reaffirm our collective power moving into a big year in 2025. With a Federal election somewhere around the corner, it is an important time for civil society to regroup.
 
Our members and staff helped on the night by ushering attendees to their tables and leading small group conversations. They joined table talks and heard stories from across our diverse coalition, many of which centred on housing stress and the cost of living.
 
We want to thank Shelter NSW member Murray Mayes in particular for volunteering to be Floor Manager for this event, an important role given there were representatives from 38 different Alliance organisations in attendance as well as other guests. Thanks also to Stacey Miers, who bravely shared her story of housing insecurity from the stage. 
 
A few highlights from the evening include:

• Celebrating the end of ‘no-grounds evictions’ with Minister Rose Jackson, who accepted our thanks for the Government’s follow through on its pre-election commitments to the Alliance on this and a number of other reforms.
• Seeing so many political representatives there just to listen, not to campaign! Joining us were Susan Templeman MP (Labor), Senator David Shoebridge (Green), state MP for Blacktown Stephen Bali, and staff representing the offices of five other Federal politicians.
• Listening as Alliance leaders presented their stories on stage and explained our vision for dignified homes and well-resourced communities.