This edition of Fairfield Community Sector news highlights HIPPY early learning EOIs, gambling harm screening resources, a disability conference, and community programs across the LGA.
2027 Cohort Expressions of Interest (EOI): HIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents & Youngsters)
Offered by Learning Links, HIPPY is an early learning and parenting program that supports parents and carers in preparing their children for a positive start to school.
The program works with families of children aged 3-5 years and provides fun, play-based learning activities for parents and carers to do with their children at home. HIPPY also provides opportunities for families to connect with others through regular gatherings, enrichment sessions and community activities.
HIPPY supports children and families in Cabramatta and surrounding areas, and is now taking EOI for the 2027 cohort.
Flyers: English | Chinese | Khmer | Vietnamese
Contact: Coco (Cantonese, Mandarin), 0431 794 153; Keang (Khmer), 0415 995 388 or Thao (Vietnamese), 0452 249 664
Community
New Videos to Support Use of Gambling Harm Screening Tool
Developed by Fairfield City Health Partnership and Alliance Gambling Working Group, the new videos provide practical guidance for health professionals and community workers on using the screening tool. The videos cover:
- Recognising gambling harm, including common signs of harm and when to consider asking about gambling
- Talking about gambling harm, including practical guidance for respectful, non-judgemental and culturally responsive conversations.
- Using the Gambling Harm Screening Tool, including how to complete the screening, interpret results and identify appropriate next steps
Watch videos
Gambling Harm Screening Tool
What’s Happening in the Community
– Expressions of Interest (EOI: Trash Art Bash – Permission to Flop: CuriousWorks and PYT Fairfield invite EOI from creative folks for a one-week artist residency. Three solo artists will be chosen for this program celebrating experimentation, learning, and the bravery of failing. Closes Monday, 19 October, 3pm | Information & EOI form
– NSW SLASA Market Call for Stallholders: Clothing, jewellery, accessories, crafts, beauty & skincare, plants, gifts, etc | Saturday, 7 November, 9am-2pm, Bonnyrigg | Flyer | Contact: Annie, 0411 969 952
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Multi-lingual 4 Eva
SPEAKINGTRUTH and Think+DO Tank invite young people to celebrate linguistic diversity and think about multiculturalism on Aboriginal land. Engage in a zine maker station, screenprint ‘We all live on Aboriginal land’ in six languages, and listen to talks from First Nations and migrant creatives.
Saturday, 24 October, 11am-3pm
Think+DO Tank Community House, 40 Harris St, Fairfield
Ageing
What’s Happening for Seniors
– NSW SLASA Seniors Wellness Program: Designed to improve emotional and physical wellbeing – to improve balance and mobility, reduce risk of falls, and become more independent | Fridays, 12.30pm-3pm, Bonnyrigg | Flyer | Contact: Carlos Encina, 0414 825 085
– Stay Connected – Fair Foundations Get Online Week Event: For community members 50 years and over to engage in fun activities and games designed to build digital skills | Wednesday, 21 October, 10am-12.30pm, Fairfield | Flyer | RSVP: 9727 4333 or hello@fairfoundations.org.au
– Stepping On Falls Prevention Program: SWSPHN has commissioned Skilled Health to provide the service across all LGAs in SWS, while Activempowerment is funded to service LGAs including Fairfield | Program information
Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CALD)
Fair Foundations Mother’s Wellbeing Kitchen Project
Bringing women from diverse backgrounds together to learn simple, healthy, and affordable meal preparation skills.
Thursdays, 22 October to 26 November, 10.30am-12.30pm, Fairfield East
Flyer
Registration: by Friday, 9 October, online or contact Lina, 0402 324 377
Disability
Conference: Enabling Ability in Greater Western Sydney
Hosted by Faculty of Health – Western Sydney University (WSU), the conference brings together people with disability with allies – including researchers,educators, community members, employers, service providers, and students connected to the Greater Western Sydney region – to share ideas, showcase innovation, and foster meaningful connections across sectors
The conference will explore how collaboration, research, and community engagement can create more inclusive systems, environments, and futures.
Friday, 30 October, 9am-4pm
Conference rooms 1 & 2, Level 8, WSU Bankstown City Campus, 74 Rickard Rd, Bankstown
What’s Happening for People with Disability
– Fair Foundations LifeAbility Hub October Activities: Including arts & crafts, cooking, walks, aqua golf, ten pin bowling, fishing, apple picking, and more | Monday to Saturday, 9.30am-2.30pm, Fairfield | Calendar | Contact: 9727 4333 or hello@fairfoundations.org.au
– Zen Tea Lounge Foundation Road Safety Workshop for Young People with Additional Needs: For young people 17-25 years to build road safety awareness, confidence and practical everyday skills | Thursday, 12 November, 10am-12pm, Smithfield | Registration
– Anowah Support After School: Supports school leavers and adults with disability 18 years and over who have high to complex support needs, as well as transition support for school leavers | Flyer | Contact: Angela, angelaw@anowah.org.au or 0499 212 397; or Syed, syed.aziz@anowah.org.au or 0421 002 069
Families & Children
South West Sydney Domestic & Family Violence Conference
Hosted by South West Sydney Domestic Violence Committee (SWSDVC). Leading voices and frontline workers will explore how language, narratives and systems shape understanding of domestic and family violence, challenge perspectives and consider what accountability can look like in practice.
Thursday, 19 November, 8.30am-4.30pm
Western Sydney University (WSU) Parramatta Campus
What’s Happening for Families
– Zen Tea Lounge Foundation Building Resilience Workshop for Kids: For children 5-12 years – featuring storytelling, creative activities and interactive learning to build confidence and understand emotions, relationships and personal boundaries | Tuesday, 6 October, 11am-1.30pm, Bossley Park | Registration
– CORE Community Services Kids School Holiday Dental Checkups: For children 5-12 years – dental checkups designed to support early detection and help children build a positive relationship with visiting the dentist | Wednesday, 7 October to Friday, 9 October, 9am-3.30pm, Fairfield | Flyer | Registration
– Karitane Fairfield Child & Family Hub Term 4 Activities: Including Learning through Music, My Toddler & Me, Little Learners for Big School, Play Strong Playgroup; and much more | 138-150 The Horsley Dr, Carramar | Calendar | Contact: 9794 2300
– Mums & Bubs Yoga & Wellbeing Program: Fairfield Women’s Health Service program supporting new mums in the Fairfield LGA | Mondays, from 19 October, for 6 weeks, 10am-12pm, Cabramatta | Flyer | Registration: SWSLHD-FairfieldWomensHealthService@health.nsw.gov.au, 9794 0150 or 9794 0160
– Fairfield City Council Parents Info Session – Keeping Children Safe on the Road: Registrations open Thursday, 1 October | Tuesday, 20 October, 10am-12pm, Fairfield | Registration
– Maternity Service Open Day: SWSLHD open day at Fairfield Hospital for families to learn about the care available throughout pregnancy, birth and early parenting | Saturday, 24 October, 9.30am-12.30pm | Registration
– Fairfield City Council Competition – Design the Mayor’s Christmas Card: Open to children 5-12 years who live in Fairfield City or attend school in Fairfield City. Closes Friday, 30 October, 11.59pm | Submission information
Health & Wellbeing
Fairfield City Council Gyms in Parks Term 4
Outdoor exercise sessions for the community. Registrations open Saturday, 3 October | Flyer | Mondays, 26 October to 9 December, St Johns Park, 9.30am-10.30am | Registration & Tuesdays, 27 October to 10 December, 9.30am-10.30am, Canley Vale | Registration
Young People
Think & Do Tank Foundation Future Right Now – Special Event at Lost In Books
Celebrating a new pictorial book capturing the creativity, ideas and activism of young people involved in Australia’s climate movement | Saturday, 17 October, 3pm-7pm, Fairfield
Plus sector resources & online training: