WESTIR Ltd is a not-for-profit community organisation, standing for Western Sydney Regional Information and Research Service. Since 1981, we have been committed to enhancing accessibility to social research and data for everyone in Greater Western Sydney (GWS) and beyond. We address current and potential issues by collecting, analysing, and interpreting information, making it readily available to the community. Our guiding principle is to ‘let the data run free.’ For information about our Board, staff and WESTIR’s Strategic Plan, click the link below.
WESTIR has available current data and information about Greater Western Sydney, and beyond, for you to use.
Drawing on data from the 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census, this report presents an overview of mental health conditions within Greater Western Sydney.
Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) is the current New South Wales (NSW) Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) contractual stream governing the delivery of family and community services state-wide. The TEI stream ‘offers voluntary support to children, young people, families and communities, where the evidence suggests it will have the most impact, early in life and early in need’. At the time of writing this report, the Draft TEI Program Specifications for 2025 have been released. Contracts will conclude on the 30th of June 2025 and are currently in the process of recommissioning for 2025. The TEI priority groups included in the Draft TEI Program Specifications were Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities; 0-5 year olds; children and young people at risk of disengagement from school, family and community; young parents with known vulnerabilities or who are experiencing a number of hardships; and children and young people affected by a mental health condition/s. This paper aims to provide a summary of recent data relevant to TEI priority groups in Greater Western Sydney (GWS), GWS DCJ Districts, and GWS LGAs. Findings from this report are based on the analysis of data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 Census of Population and Housing (Census).
In August 2023, North West Community Services Inc. (NCWS) initiated The Wellbeing Project - My Liveable Neighbourhood, targeting communities in Blacktown and The Hills Shire LGAs, especially for those affected by the 2022 NSW flooding.
WESTIR Limited analyses data from the Australian Census Report of Population and Housing for Greater Western Sydney.
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WESTIR holds current, and a library, of our publications and data over the years.
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WESTIR Limited analyses data from the Australian Census Report of Population and Housing for Greater Western Sydney.
EXPLORE ALL
WESTIR holds current, and a library, of our publications and data over the years.
EXPLORE ALL
We provide data expertise to organisations to build their data analysis skills, utilise a range of contemporary data visualisation approaches to support data interpretation, and deliver tailored data consultancy services.
Our research projects offer valuable assistance to services by uncovering essential data-driven insights.
Our service and program evaluation expertise serves as a vital resource for those aiming to maximise their impact.
By conducting client surveys, we gather valuable feedback that illuminates perspectives and preferences, aiding services in understanding their clients.
Our expertise in demographic and statistical data analysis provides a crucial advantage to others seeking actionable insights.
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Photos from ABC Coffs Coast's post ... See MoreSee Less
Today is the International Day of People with Disability. Held on 3 December each year, it is a day to raise community awareness, understanding and acceptance of the 5.5 million people with disability in Australia.
This year, the theme focuses on amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.
In Australia, people with disability are significantly underrepresented in positions of leadership, with a study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare finding that four out of five people with disability do not report feeling represented in leadership roles.
Join in the conversation to break down barriers and encourage a more diverse and inclusive community in Australia. To learn more, visit idpwd.com.au
#InternationalDayofPeoplewithDisability #IDPwD #IDPwD2024 ... See MoreSee Less
Congratulaltions to WSLHD’s Centre for Population Health team who, in partnership with the City of Parramatta and Cities for Play, were recognised at the 2024 Planning Institute of Australia NSW Awards for Planning Excellence, winning the Award for Community Wellbeing and Diversity. 🏆
The teams won the award for their Australian first document, the Healthy Higher Density Living for Families with Children: An Advocacy, Planning and Design Guide.
Read more on The Pulse thepulse.org.au/2024/11/28/wslhds-healthy-higher-density-living-guide-recognised-at-planning-exce...
#WSLHD ... See MoreSee Less
England's prestigious Oxford University has opted to go down the cheeky route, appealing to Gen Z's after announcing 'brain rot' as its 2024 word of the year.
Allegedly coined in 1854, the term in the digital age has come to widely signify the impact of overconsumption of material, particularly online content. #9News
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Ruth and Graeme are incredible homeowners who opened their downstairs unit to Kate Scott, an older woman who is on the disability pension who was staring homelessness in the face.
Kate said, "There were too many people and I was lower scale on the money range, so I wasn't a good tenant for [estate agents] to look at." Luckily for Kate, she signed up for the Homes for Older Women Blue Mountains program and was paired with Ruth and Graeme who decided to forgo commercial rents to help out a vulnerable older woman.
Can you imagine Rupert Murdoch or Gina Rinehart saying they "don't need any extra money"? It's the ordinary people in our community who are stepping up to help others who are showing the way of how to be generous and thoughtful.
We thank Ruth, Graeme and all the other homeowners in the program. If you own property in the Blue Mountains and wish to help out, please contact Julie on how@ownnsw.org.au or give her a ring on 0493 965 190.
bit.ly/3BazsI3 ... See MoreSee Less
BREED Australia is proud to announce an exciting new chapter in our journey by introducing a dynamic team structure to drive innovation, strengthen community ties, and enhance program delivery. Effective immediately, the following appointments will contribute to the organisation’s mission of empowering youth and our business communities:
Yasmine Shah – General Manager
With over 20 years of experience in sales, operations, and strategic partnerships, Yasmine is an award-winning leader and community advocate. Her work as Founder & CEO of the Women’s Commercial Finance Forum and her role at Ethical Finance Australia highlight her expertise in strategic community building and financial management. Yasmine will bring a unique blend of commercial acumen and entrepreneurial mindset to BREED to mentor the Community Manager, develop impactful partnerships, and lead with vision. Her efforts will focus on fostering collaborative partnerships and driving sponsorships and innovative growth strategies for the organisation.
Sajda Nisar – Community Manager
Sajda comes to BREED with a rich leadership, customer service, and operational management background. Her experience as a manager at City Beach demonstrates her ability to lead teams effectively, achieve key performance indicators, and cultivate strong client relationships. With a passion for community engagement and youth empowerment, Sajda will oversee day-to-day operations at our Nirimba Business Hub, strengthen partnerships, and promote community programs. Her energy and organisational skills will be pivotal to delivering BREED’s mission and expanding its community impact.
Nathan Burbridge – Head of Programs (Consultant)
Nathan joins BREED on a consulting basis to lead program development and funding initiatives. With a proven track record of securing grants, designing impactful projects and creating commercially viable business strategies in senior roles, Nathan’s expertise will drive innovation and expand BREED’s service offerings. He will work closely with the CEO to identify new opportunities, foster collaborations, and enhance the organisation’s transformative projects.
Amber Carlson’s Transition
We would also like to take this opportunity to announce that Amber Carlson, BREED’s dedicated Operations Manager, will be leaving the organisation on December 20, 2024. Amber has been an integral part of BREED, and her transition into the NSW Police Force marks the next chapter in her career. We thank Amber for her remarkable contributions and wish her success in her future endeavours.
This new structure reflects BREED’s commitment to strengthening its impact and ensuring sustainable growth. We are confident that Yasmine, Sajda, and Nathan will bring fresh perspectives and capabilities to our team, furthering our vision to empower communities and youth.
Regards,
Emmanuel Martin
Chief Executive Officer
BREED Australia ... See MoreSee Less
The ABC has reported on the System Review into Out of Home Care (2/12/24). A new report has found the out-of-home care system (OOHC) in NSW is "not fit for purpose" and fails to meet the needs of children at an efficient cost. The system review into out-of-home care was commissioned by the state government to examine its effectiveness and how taxpayer money was being spent by non-government providers. The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is responsible for the out-of-home care system. The total DCJ child protection budget for 2024-25 is $3.2 billion, with $2 billion allocated to out-of-home care. The report found a "profound lack of accountability and ineffective oversight" within the system, and said it was slow to respond in the best interests of children and young people. "A system that had effectively punished parents, carers and children through inconsistent decision-making, inadequate consultation and poor policy implementation," the report noted. ... See MoreSee Less
System review into out-of-home care (OOHC)
dcj.nsw.gov.au
System review into out-of-home care (OOHC)