The Vibe
Social impact in the Regions
Social Impact in the Regions is held in small regional communities throughout Australia. Now in Year 3 which will be held in Grafton, NSW our first conference was in Coffs Harbour (2023) and Kempsey (2024).
Could your community be next? Get in touch to find out more.
The Dress Code (2025)
We want you to be comfortable. Grafton NSW has a temperate climate, you can expect the days to be around 18-22 degrees Celsius and the evenings may be a little cooler (bring a light jumper or cardi). And yet, who knows these days… Still keep an eye on your weather app. You will be walking between venues most days (noting there are transport options for anyone needing support). Make sure you wear comfortable shoes.
On Day 1 it’s most likely you’ll be moving straight from the conference venues to the welcome event to dinner.
It will cool off in the evening so make sure you have something warm with you. The program in the evening is snappy and there isn’t a lot of time to pop back to your hotel.
NOTE: If you aren’t staying in Grafton chances are the local cafes won’t be open. Let us know where you are staying so we can put some requests forward in smaller towns.
Who could forget Aunty Vicki Taylor’s stellar performance which took out the 2024 ‘best dressed’ at our conference dinner.
“On the fringes”
There weren’t many dry eyes in the venue when Aunty Vicki announced this year’s theme:
“Your superpowers”
As Aunty Vicki described it – she sees the kids at Dalaigur Pre-School sharing their superpowers every day. She’s invited you to consider what your superpowers are and to come dressed as a superhero with that special power. Maybe you’ll lean into Marvel, maybe another lot or maybe you’ll make up your own.
Don’t worry about going over the top – the SIITR audience now have a long history of having fun at the Gala dinner particularly with the dress theme.
You don’t have to lean into the batman, superwoman typology – try this… Think about YOUR superpower, now either retrofit or dream up a superhero to match. That’s you as a superhero.
Stuck? South Grafton does have the most fabulous array of op shops and we will have some on hand to help you out. Don’t worry if you’re stuck, we’ve got you.
Whether wellness means taking a walk, pulling out a yoga mat or sharing a glass of wine with friends time for all options exist within the program. Bring what you need to make sure your wellness is your priority.
We also recommend throwing a brolly in your luggage just in case.
What to Expect
We have designed the event to ensure there is a variety of ways for you to connect with the conference content and delegates.Â
We know networking can be daunting for some and have done our best to ensure it’s easy to meet people. All you need to do is turn up – as we say this year ‘come as you are’ – be ready to soak it all in and we’ll guide you through the rest. If you do have any comments or feedback we can implement in 2025 please reach out.
Walk with us through the conference and venue
There are four venues to consider, all have ample parking options:
- Â South Grafton Ex-Services Club: Our morning venue each day. There is ample parking around the club. Still, if you are able to make carpooling arrangements we thoroughly recommend that.
- Grafton Brewhouse: There is parking both onsite (point your GPS to the Brewhouse Cafe) and on the street.
- Grafton Cathedral: While parking is limited across from and around the cathedral, if you park in Shoppingworld it’s just a 5min walk to the venue
- The Barn (Grafton Showground). Again there is a lot of parking at the barn, just drive into the showground and follow your nose.
The SIITR team have some transport options available for anyone arriving via public transport but they are limited. We really appreciate your support in connecting with your fellow delegates prior to the event to make arrangements via our delegate FB page here.
Other than getting to the main venue (Grafton Ex-Services Club), you will need transport to move around on Day 1 between Grafton Ex-Services Club, Grafton Brewhouse and then the Cathedral.
On Day 2 you will need transport to get to the conference dinner which will be held at the Grafton Showground (the Barn).
Day 3 will be held entirely in the main venue.
Considerations:
- While you can walk between venues the program is tight and (aside early morning strolls) we suggest you find some wheels to get you around.
- We have established a Facebook page for delegates to connect and make carpooling arrangements. You can join here.
- We have notified the local taxi company and they know you are in town. You can contact them 24/7 via 6642 3622
Registration will commence from 8am on conference days. We appreciate if you can check in each day at the reception desk so we can keep a tally of our delegate numbers.
Imagine a traditional ‘club’ environment. That. You will see the usual sign in book (you don’t have to do that). Signage will point you towards the conference area and you’ll see our team ready and waiting for you to sign in.
Once you’ve signed in you’ll have the chance to visit some of our conference stands, network with peers and engage in some of our activations.
We’ll need you seated in the main room by 9am.
Please make sure we are aware if you have any accessibility needs as early as possible. We want you to feel comfortable throughout the event. You can add accessibility information when you purchase your ticket and if you have additional requests please email the our conference support, Jodie directly and they will be discretely accommodated.
As our main venue is upstairs there is a lift available if you’d prefer to avoid stairs.
The downstairs part of the Ex-Services club is open to the general public. While it is a quiet club you can expect to hear poker machines, coffee being made and the general buzz of a club on your arrival. Upstairs will be filled with excited chatter as delegates arrive and new friendships are made and existing ones reinforced.
The venue is designed for performances and you can expect the audio experience through the speakers will be smooth sailing.
SIITR25 will be held primarily at the South Grafton Ex Services Club (2 Wharf St South Grafton).
We start each day here and then (around lunchtime on days 1 and 2) move to breakout venues elsewhere in the community.
Day 1:
Morning program: South Grafton Ex-services club
Impact Labs: Grafton Brewhouse
National Pitchfest & Welcome event: Grafton Cathedral
Day 2:
Morning program: South Grafton Ex-Services Club
Breakout sessions and lunch: Various venues through South Grafton
Day 3:
Entire program at South Grafton Ex-Services Club
Connect with Your Cohort
You will have the opportunity to connect with other delegates prior to the event. We’ve set up a humble Facebook page to do this. You can join via this link
What else to expect in 2025
Conference days
SIITR25 is held primarily at the South Grafton Ex-Services Club.
On arrival it’s likely you’ll pick up the club vibe. We want you to think community – third space – connection.
Follow the signage upstairs and you’ll reach the registration area. You’ll find SIITR team members easily as they will be dressed in a conference t-shirt.
After sign in you’ll have an opportunity to network, check out the conference stands and grab a cuppa.
To break up the morning program we will have morning tea just outside our meeting space. This will give you time to check in on the conference stands, stretch, catch up on your phone calls and connect with delegates.
Day 1
Following our morning program we will have lunch at the Grafton Ex-Services Club. We’ve asked the chef, Eddie to prepare his favourite food and he tells us that’s Malaysian cuisine. Eddie doesn’t always get to cook the cuisine that brings him joy but guess what lucky delegates – we’ve made sure that will land in your tummy and keep you happy through the afternoon. Lunch will be a combination of Eddie’s specialties with salads and options to suit your dietary requirements.
Local Impact Labs: After lunch we will mosey along to the Grafton Brewery (you won’t believe your eyes when you see this place). Here you’ll break into five groups and experience a Local Impact Lab. A workshop based on a local opportunity – all opportunities that will relate to your home town.
SIITR National Pitchfest: Then we move to the Grafton Cathedral where our 6 nominees will pitch for the annual National SIITR Pitchfest. Each pitchee will tell you about the social impact they are creating in 5 minutes or less and then our judging panel will determine our 2025 winner.
Welcome event: In the same venue (Grafton Cathedral) we’ll start shifting into party mode spending an hour of networking, a few drinks, delicious capapes and some local entertainment. NOTE: While we consider this to be a very welcoming environment, as a religious space we understand it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Please reach out to us prior to the event should this be a challenge for you. You can reach out discretely here
Dinner: Dinner on evening 1 is of your choice. We’ve given numerous local venues the heads up. Make sure you link with other delegates before the end of the welcome event and head out to dinner in good company. OR you might even want to collaborate with likeminded changemakers to set a time to catch up prior to the event. Here’s a good spot to do that.
Day 2
This is where it gets exciting. Day 2 starts in a normal, conferencie way. Check in, same venue, things look normal. But then… Enter morning tea and things will change.
Breakout sessions: Our time in the Grafton community leading into SIITR25 has enabled quite an addication to the mainstreet of South Grafton and so we’ve created opportunities for you to experience the same joy. After morning tea you’ll walk to the main street (Skinner Street) to your breakout session, a TREASURE HUNT (seriously, YES!), lunch and then a second breakout session. We know getting right into community is what you love about SIITR and this year we have that in abundance. We have no doubt you’ll love South Grafton as much as we do.
From a sensory perspective there are some scents, sights and sounds in the mainstreet that you may like to be preprepared for. Please check in with the conference desk to learn more and ask any and all questions you need to in order to make sure these are safe spaces for you.
Gala dinner: Dinner will be held in three movements. Each will have its own vibe:
Entrance – Departure: Arrive at the event, display your superpower and enter through the welcome gates
Initiation – (entrees and cool beverages are served here). A lively combination of performance, food, smells, lights and sounds. It will be busy, chaotic even. Lots of people, lots of noise.
Return – we then move into ‘the barn’ and sit at long tables for a joined celebration of local food, conversations and celebrating community.
And then… The band and dancing starts. Is dancing mandatory – no. Is it recommended? – yes.
Day 3 Starting again at the Grafton Ex-Services Club today is a little different. You’ll notice the new venue layout immediately and will wonder what next ! Taz and Em of Futures Isle and their trusty youth led cohort will be leading today. Don’t worry, we are in very safe hands as we make plans to address Readiness in our local communities and create plans for change.
At 1230 we are called to the closing ceremony where performing artist Simon Jankelson will guide us on an adventure of music and art. This is an invitation to reflect and embed what’s next. After the closing ceremony delegates will be provided with a lunch pack and invited to either stick around or get on with the commute home.
