With respect for Aboriginal cultural protocol and out of recognition that its campuses occupy their traditional lands, Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug, Dharawal, Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wiradjuri peoples and thanks them for their support of its work in their lands (Greater Western Sydney and beyond).
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The Centre for Western Sydney hosts a diverse program of community and industry-focused events. These events aim to raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges facing Western Sydney, and to support conversations that advocate for positive change across the region.
For information on upcoming events, or to join our mailing list, please contact cfws@westernsydney.edu.au
Upcoming Events
Western Sydney International Airport and City Deal Forum
18 September 2026
Hosted by The Hon Malcolm Turnbull AC in partnership with the Centre for Western Sydney at Western Sydney University, this forum will bring together Malcolm Turnbull and The Hon Paul Fletcher to reflect on the development of Western Sydney International Airport and the Western Sydney City Deal. The conversation will explore the major policy decisions that shaped these landmark projects, their significance for Western Sydney, and the opportunities and challenges that will shape the region’s next decade of growth.
Date: Friday, 18 September 2026
Time: 1pm - 3pm (lunch provided)
Location: Level 9, Peter Shergold Building, Western Sydney University, Parramatta City Campus, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
Recent Events
How do young migrants in Western Sydney build a life in the face of economic crises?
25 August 2026
As part of the Centre for Western Sydney's Western Sydney Lecture Series, Dr Sherene Idriss presented a lecture exploring how financial hardship and the cost-of-living crisis shape the wellbeing, aspirations, and civic engagement of culturally and racially marginalised young people in Western Sydney. The lecture also highlighted young people's resilience and the ways they navigate structural inequality through community connection and everyday forms of agency.
Using Our Voices Canterbury-Bankstown Youth Forum
30 July 2026
The final Using Our Voices workshop brought together 60 students from six schools across the Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area. The event featured Mayor Bilal El-Hayek and NSW State Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib MP, who joined students in discussions on civic participation, leadership, and community issues.
What Can a Clothes Swap Do? Climate Justice and Community Care Through Reuse and Repair
22 July 2026
As part of the Centre for Western Sydney's Western Sydney Lecture Series, Dr Jenna Condie presented a lecture exploring how community-led clothes swaps can strengthen social connections, reduce waste, and support more sustainable futures.
Using Our Voices School Holiday Workshop
15 July 2026
The Centre for Western Sydney, in partnership with the Whitlam Institute and Canterbury-Bankstown Council Youth Division, delivered a Using Our Voices school holiday workshop focused on civic participation, community leadership, and youth engagement. The workshop was attended by Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek.
Digital Inclusion and Service Access Leadership Forum
8 July 2026
The Centre for Western Sydney co-hosted the Digital Inclusion and Service Access Leadership Forum alongside the Western Sydney Community Forum and the Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association (CPSA). The event featured the Hon. Jihad Dib MP and explored barriers to digital inclusion and service access in Western Sydney.
Moving NSW Bus Forum
16 June 2026
The Centre for Western Sydney joined the Moving NSW Bus Forum alongside the Transport Workers' Union (TWU), BusNSW, and Business Western Sydney to discuss the future of public transport and investment in bus services across Western Sydney.
Cent$ Lab Final Workshop
23 May 2026
The Centre for Western Sydney supported the final Cent$ Lab workshop, delivered in partnership with Arts & Cultural Exchange (ACE). The workshop engaged young people in discussions on the cost-of-living crisis, housing, employment, and economic opportunity in Western Sydney.
ACOSS Post-Budget Event
19 May 2026
The Centre for Western Sydney co-hosted the ACOSS Post-Budget Event alongside ACOSS and HESTA, bringing together sector leaders, community organisations, and Western Sydney University students to discuss the Federal Budget's impact on Western Sydney communities and the region's social and economic priorities.
Navigating Success Narratives
27 March 2026
Vanessa Campbell presented at the inaugural 2026 Western Sydney Lecture Series, exploring how Western Sydney not-for-profits communicate with their communities through online channels.
Strengthening Sector Support and Advocacy
10 March 2026
Dr Rifaie Tammas opened the 2026 Greater Western Sydney Sector Support & Advocacy Workshop, bringing together sector leaders to strengthen collaboration, advocacy and community development.
Place-Based Services and Delivery Leadership
26 February 2026
Place-Based Services and Delivery Leadership Forum alongside the Western Sydney Community Forum, City of Parramatta, and CHETRE, with special guest The Hon. Tanya Plibersek.
Second Cent$ Lab Workshop
24 February 2026
The Centre for Western Sydney supported the second Cent$ Lab workshop, engaging young people in discussions on the cost-of-living crisis and democratic participation through creative activities.
Community Dialogue on Social Cohesion
12 February 2026
The Centre for Western Sydney co-hosted a community dialogue with Metro Assist, bringing together leaders to discuss safety, belonging, social cohesion and community-led action.
Using Our Voices Workshop
21 January 2026
The Centre for Western Sydney partnered to deliver the Using Our Voices workshop, empowering young people to strengthen civic participation, leadership and community dialogue.
Western Sydney Economic Update
5 December 2025
Professor Neil Perry presented the final Western Sydney Lecture for 2025, providing an economic update and reporting on progress against the Unlimited Potential strategy's eight success measures.
First Cent$ Lab Workshop
19 November 2025
The Centre for Western Sydney supported the first Cent$ Lab workshop, engaging young people through creative activities exploring money, work, housing and opportunity in Western Sydney.
Aiming Higher Essay Launch
12 November 2024
The Centre for Western Sydney co-hosted the launch of Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s Future, bringing together leaders to discuss the future of universities and their role in Australia.
Understanding Climate Vulnerability
31 October 2025
Dr Anastasia Mortimer presented a Western Sydney Lecture exploring how climate risk intersects with socio-economic disadvantage, highlighting challenges facing communities across Greater Sydney.
Where in the World is Western Sydney?
3 October 2025
Jodie Vo launched the Western Sydney Lecture Series, exploring how the region’s boundaries and identity influence inequality, opportunity and lived experience through data and storytelling.
Future of Broadband Consultation
29 September 2025
The Centre for Western Sydney hosted an ACCAN community consultation, bringing local voices together to discuss the future of broadband and digital connectivity in Western Sydney.
First Nations Digital Inclusion Report Launch
16 July 2025
The Centre for Western Sydney launched the First Nations Digital Inclusion in Western Sydney report, highlighting opportunities to improve digital access, inclusion and equity for First Nations communities.
'Digital Equity and Education' launch event
4 December 2024
Report examines digital equity and education across NSW schools.
'Unleashing Creativity' launch event
21 November 2024
Report outlines strategies to grow Western Sydney’s creative sector.
Past Events
Strengthening Social Cohesion Conference
22 August 2024
There has never been a more important time for this event to take place, with economic pressures, local and geopolitical issues, and divisive rhetoric continuing to take their toll.
This two-day event brought together representatives from community, government, and industry across the nation to tackle these critical issues. Attendees accessed a blend of plenary sessions, concurrent workshops, and immersion sessions geared towards equipping them with the knowledge and skills to, individually and collectively, deliver solutions that improve social cohesion and the lives of the people they work with.
In Conversation with Distinguished Professor George Williams AO
22 August 2024
The remarkable, self-driven transformation of our Western Sydney region was the centrepiece of a special ‘In Conversation’ event featuring new Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO.
Speaking to an audience of industry, business and community leaders in one of his first public engagements since commencing as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Williams outlined his vision for the University and reinforced its important role as an anchor institution for Western Sydney.
In Conversation with Distinguished Professor George Williams AO
In Conversation with Distinguished Professor George Williams AO - Video Highlights Reel
For more video content, visit the Centre for Western Sydney YouTube channel.
International Women's Day 2024
8 March 2024
Western Sydney University Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO, launched our report ‘Unlocking Women’s Potential: Labour force participation in Western Sydney’ at the University’s International Women’s Day (IWD) event in 2024.
The event, sponsored by Westpac, Western Sydney International Airport and Business Western Sydney, was held at the University’s Parramatta City campus. For more information visit our news page: Gender equity: “It’s where you live that counts”
International Women's Day - Video Highlights Reel
For more video content, visit the Centre for Western Sydney YouTube channel.
'Unlimited Potential' economic plan launch event
22 February 2024
The Centre for Western Sydney delivered on behalf of Western Sydney University Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO, a comprehensive blueprint that will build on the region’s existing advantages and propel Western Sydney to the forefront of the global economy.
'Unlimited Potential: Western Sydney’s economic plan' was launched by the Chancellor at an event at the University’s Parramatta City campus, featuring NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, The Hon. Prue Car MP. For more information visit our news page: Western Sydney University unveils ambitious economic plan for the region.
'Unlimited Potential’ Economic Plan Launch Event – Video Highlights Reel
For more video content, visit the Centre for Western Sydney YouTube channel.
Home Truths: The real housing story in Western Sydney
9 November 2023
The Centre for Western Sydney report, ‘Home Truths: The Real Housing Story in Western Sydney’, demonstrated that the region is at the epicentre of the state’s housing crisis.
The report was launched at the University’s Liverpool City campus, at an event featuring Charishma Kaliyandra MP, Member for Liverpool, and Anita Hanna from the Western Sydney Community Forum. For more information visit our news page: Western Sydney at epicentre of the state’s housing crisis.
100 Days in Government
19 July 2023
The Centre for Western Sydney hosted NSW Premier, The Hon. Chris Minns MP, at a special event to recognise the Premier’s first 100 days in government.
The event, held at the University’s Parramatta City campus, provided the opportunity for the Premier to share with key community, public and private sector representative his government’s vision for the region. For more information visit our news page: In conversation with the Premier on his priorities for Western Sydney.
100 Days in Government – Video Highlights Reel
For more video content, visit the Centre for Western Sydney YouTube channel.
Morning tea with the Chancellor
4 April 2023
Western Sydney University and Business Western Sydney hosted morning tea with Professor Jennifer Westacott AO. Professor Westacott commenced as the fourth Chancellor of Western Sydney University in January 2023. The morning tea event was an opportunity for guests to hear Professor Westacott’s vision for the university and the region.
State of the Arts in Western Sydney
16 March 2023
The Centre for Western Sydney partnered with Western Sydney Creative and Business Western Sydney to deliver its keystone report for 2023, ‘State of the Arts in Western Sydney.’
The report was launched at an event, hosted by Business Western Sydney, in the Parramatta CBD and featured a presentation of the report findings by Dr Rhonda Itaoui. For more information visit our news page: Report calls for the west to be given fair share of arts and cultural funding.
Western Sydney Votes Forum
February 2023
The Centre for Western Sydney’s Western Sydney Votes Forums saw State Government Ministers and Shadow Ministers engage in lively debates on topical issues concerning the region in advance of the NSW State Election.
Four Forums were delivered across four Western Sydney University campuses.
For more information visit our news page: Western Sydney centre stage in NSW election forums.
In Conversation with Chris Minns MP
Ahead of the state election in March 2023, Professor Andy Marks sat down with then Opposition Leader Chris Minns MP. In this one-on-one interview, the Labor leader discussed cost of living pressures in Western Sydney; the need to close the gaps in school infrastructure; and why our region isn't getting its fair share of arts and culture funding.
For more video content, visit the Centre for Western Sydney YouTube channel.
CatalystWest
November 2022
The Centre for Western Sydney is the home of CatalystWest – Western Sydney’s largest ideas forum. The event brings together the best and brightest minds to hit the reset button and make headway on the most pressing issues impacting the region.
The last CatalystWest was hosted in November 2022 in partnership with LaunchPad. For more information visit our news page: CatalystWest 2022 – It is time for a reset in Western Sydney.
Launch of 'The Glover Review'
6 October 2022
Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover AO, was appointed by the NSW Premier, The Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP, to lead a review on how to develop the Parramatta region as a global city.
The Centre for Western Sydney delivered the resulting report on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, ‘Parramatta 20235: Vibrant, Sustainable, Global’ – also known as ‘The Glover Review.’
The report was launched at the University’s Parramatta City campus and featured an address by the Premier. For more information visit the publication page: Parramatta 2035.
Acknowledgement of Country
