In 2025 we’ve been a little more creative with our program adding another dimension and giving you a little more time to consider how you are showing up as a changemaker in your regional community, or the communities you are investing in.
Tell me more!!
Our conference day themes are inspired this year by the Nirvana song, ‘Come as you are’. In Kurt Cobain’s words, they lyrics are “about people and what they’re expected to act like.” Is acting as we are expected to getting us to where we need to go? Let’s explore that !
Day 1, 3 September: Come as you are
On day 1 we will invite you to consider how you are showing up right now and what this means for your community. You’ll have the opportunity to consider this through the lens of readiness, skills, resources and your current network. Have you ever heard the saying “you don’t know what you don’t know”? On this day we’ll be unpicking this and prepping you for the following sessions better enabling you to dive right into what you need to know right now to amplify your impact.
The Day 1 program structure will start at the Grafton Showground in the main hall locally referred to as ‘The Barn’ it will include two panel sessions in the morning followed by lunch. After lunch you will participate in your choice of impact labs. In the labs you will assist Grafton based social entrepreneurs to address a range of opportunities in the host community. In the labs you’ll learn a range of skills you can take back to your own community and you’ll also make a valuable contribution to the host community as you brainstorm how the identified opportunity can be brought to life.
As the day comes to a close we will meet at the Grafton Cathedral for a welcome event featuring local food and entertainment.
Day 2, 4 September: As you were
Day 2 will start again at The Barn with a panel session which will give you time to reflect on social impact at a global, regional, local and individual level. You’ll be inspired by others who have worked in regional communities through decades and will share a range of raw stories about wins and losses guaranteed to inspire.
Following the panel you’ll have morning tea and then we’ll get our boots on and attend a range of sessions – your choice of masterclasses, workshops, peer sessions and access to living libraries. We will then host our lunch in local cafes and return to the Barn in the afternoon for a ‘healing session’ which will share a range of modalities for you to take back to your community.
Then it’s time to get your superhero outfit on for our acclaimed conference dinner.
Day 3, 5 September: As you’d like your community to be
(clearly we’ve taken some creative licence here)
Day 3 will be based at The Barn all day. This day is slightly shorter program winding up just after lunch. On day 3 there will be a range of activities enabling you to create a plan to address opportunities and pressing challenges that you, your organisation, your community and/or region are currently facing.
It is our goal that you will leave Social Impact in the Regions 2025 with:
- A full belly, heart and mind
- Loads of new skills and resources that you can apply in your community and beyond
- New colleagues, partnerships and accountability buddies
- A plan to sustain the social impact you are making in your community
- A deeper understanding of social impact in regional communities
- A connection to our host community, Grafton NSW
Will you join us in 2025? For a limited time we have early bird tickets and bursaries available.
Apply for a bursary (free or subsidised ticket) here before 18 April
Or purchase your early bird ticket here before 1 May
