Grafton (or any of our host communities) isn’t just a backdrop for Social Impact in the Regions 2025—it’s our co-creator. And that’s entirely by design.
Each year, Social Impact in the Regions (SIITR) selects a new host community, but the goal isn’t to fly in, deliver a talkfest, and fly out again. It’s to weave the spirit, culture, knowledge, and leadership of that place into the very fabric of the event. That weaving starts long before the first name badge is printed.
The groundwork for SIITR 2025 began months ago through our Ready Communities flagship program—a place-based process that works alongside communities to assess readiness, elevate local leadership, and create the conditions for sustainable impact.
In Grafton, we’ve been building those relationships step by step. Mapping existing assets. Listening to what’s strong, not just what’s wrong. Learning about and connecting with local champions. And very soon we will commence a series of community led ‘Readiness events’ All of this sets the tone for a conference that is truly embedded in place—not just hosted there.
Step 1: Choosing With Purpose
We don’t choose our host community based on convenience. We choose based on character, complexity, and potential for shared learning. The Clarence Valley embodies all of that.
It’s a place where First Nations history and leadership are foundational. A place navigating deep social and economic shifts while holding on tightly to creativity, connection, and care. The stories from here mirror the broader story of regional Australia—but with local flavour, resilience, and insight we can all learn from.
Step 2: Local Leadership Shapes the Design
From the start, we’ve engaged Grafton locals. Our Ready Communities focus areas are community led and we identify a range of local ‘Impact Facilitators’ to bring opportunities to life. We asked: what matters here? What can we showcase? What’s off-limits? These conversations have directly shaped the conference program.
It’s why the event is held in local venues rather than generic conference rooms. Why the themes reflect lived realities in the Valley. Why you’ll hear from voices you won’t find on the typical speaking circuit.
Step 3: Hosting With Integrity
We’re here to partner with the local community and starts long before the event and continues long after.
That means sourcing food, accommodation, entertainment, and materials locally. It means honouring cultural protocols. It means slowing down to allow time for real conversations. And it means being transparent about what we can—and can’t—offer as collaborators.
It means walking the streets, finding the hidden gems, hearing from the everyday people in the community.
Step 4: Legacy, Not Just Logistics
The Ready Communities model continues after the conference ends. That’s part of the deal. We’re not a one-off event. Our intention is to leave behind more than a memory—we aim to strengthen networks, unlock new funding pathways, and support local momentum long-term.
This is demonstrated through our continued work in Kempsey, our 2024 host community.
You’ll see different facets of life in the Grafton community reflected throughout the conference and will have more than one opportunity to contribute to the local community in a range of ways including our local Impact Labs on day 1 where you’ll learn strategies that can be implemented directly in your own community while you support the host community.
This is what it means to weave community into SIITR—not as a side note, but as the foundation. The Clarence Valley isn’t just where we’re meeting. It’s what we’re learning from.
