270 community leaders unite to shape the future of Melbourne’s west

Tonight, 270 leaders from more than 70 community organisations will gather in Werribee to launch a major community-led listening effort across Melbourne’s west.

The booked-out Our West, Our Future Assembly will bring together multicultural and faith communities, First Nations leaders, unions and worker networks, neighbourhood houses, community service organisations and grassroots groups from across Melbourne’s west and Geelong.

It marks the first major collective action of the emerging Our West, Our Future Alliance, formed to build lasting relationships between communities and strengthen their ability to act together on the pressures facing the rapidly growing west.

At the Assembly, community members will share personal stories about the challenges affecting them, their families and their communities and begin identifying issues to address as an alliance.

The evening will also launch their listening campaign “Our West Listens”, an ambitious effort to hear from 1,000 people across Melbourne’s west by April 2027. Participating organisations will hold conversations within their own communities, using approaches that work for their cultures and existing gatherings.

Angela Ashley-Chiew, Senior Community Organiser at Environment Victoria, said the Assembly was about communities recognising and building their own collective power.

“The people of Melbourne’s west understand the pressures facing their communities and they are already doing extraordinary work to respond. Tonight is about bringing that leadership together, listening across our differences and building the relationships and collective power to shape the future of the west.”

Werribee MP John Lister and candidates from The Greens and The West Party will join community tables to listen directly to participants. Liberal candidate Reece Clark was also invited but is unable to attend.

The Assembly is being held in partnership with Real Deal for Geelong, whose community leaders will travel to Werribee to take part.

EVENT DETAILS

When: Tuesday 15 September 2026, 6.00–9.00 pm
Where: Italian Sports Club of Werribee, 601 Heaths Road, Werribee

Media are welcome to attend. Interviews with organisers and participating community leaders can be arranged.