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CLP ’25 in Review
What a week it was! The Dialogue’s 2025 Collaborative Leadership Program brought together an extraordinary cohort of leaders from across Western Sydney for five days of insight, inspiration and connection – exploring the region’s opportunities, challenges and future through the lens of collaborative leadership.
Day One set the tone with a focus on calm and purposeful leadership led by Will Martin from Waterline Leadership, before delegates gained an insider’s perspective on Western Sydney at Deloitte Parramatta from Dr Michael Mohammed Ahmad, Anisha Anandh and Dr Amanda Larkin. The night closed with networking and lively discussion about growth and infrastructure with Stuart Ayres at Rosehill Racecourse – a fitting start to a program dedicated to future–focused leadership.
Day Two turned the spotlight to media, diversity and community. Delegates began at ABC Studios with Assistant Minister and Member for Parramatta, Andrew Charlton MP, before a panel with leading Western Sydney journalists. A visit to Lakemba Mosque with Dr Jamal Rifi AM underscored the power of connection and inclusion, followed by robust debate on regional growth led by Tom Nance. The evening at Bankstown Sports Club featured storytelling and creativity with Dr Bryan Brown and Bilal Hafda, celebrating the vibrant cultural fabric of Western Sydney.
Day Three focused on education, skills and opportunity. Delegates met with the Clontarf Foundation, visited Cabramatta Public School with Minister for Education Jason Clare MP, and explored the Institute of Applied Technology with Prof. Barney Glover AO, Chloe Read, and Melissa Monteiro. The day ended with Mayor Chagai at Savannah Pride and a spirited basketball game at PCYC Mount Druitt – a true showcase of leadership in action.
Day Four explored housing, sustainability and legacy. Beginning with a Parramatta walking tour, delegates then visited Thornton Central with Landcom and Homes NSW, before heading to Western Sydney Lakes and Penrith Whitewater Stadium to discuss development and the Olympic legacy. The evening wrapped up at URBNSURF Sydney Olympic Park, where Jennifer Vandekreeke and Lucy Turnbull AO shared insights into sustainable city–building and visionary leadership.
To finish, day five looked ahead to jobs, innovation and connectivity. From the Campbelltown Billabong Parklands to the Campbelltown Health and Education Precinct, delegates saw how collaboration is driving growth in the south–west. Visits to Bradfield City Centre and Western Sydney International Airport highlighted the scale of ambition, investment and opportunity shaping the region’s future. The week concluded at the WSI Experience Centre, where delegates reflected on their journey and the next generation of leadership emerging across Western Sydney.
Across five transformative days, CLP ’25 reaffirmed that the future of Western Sydney is being built by leaders who collaborate, connect, and care deeply about the communities they serve.
NSW Parliament Takes Flight
The Dialogue’s Airport readiness campaign, Take Flight 2026, marked a significant milestone last week with a meeting at NSW parliament to showcase the work being done to help ensure Western Sydney is ready to welcome the world when Western Sydney International opens next year.
Attended by a number of key Western Sydney MPs, the parliamentary luncheon featured insights from local business owners, tourism leaders, attraction operators and advocacy organisations, all focused on the steps needed now to promote Western Sydney as a great place to visit.
Jihad Dib MP, addressed the group of more than 25 attendees, stating: “This is too good an opportunity to waste.” Greg Warren MP, echoed the sentiment, adding: “From 2026, we want visitors to stay and enjoy all the wonderful things Western Sydney has to offer.”
The Take Flight 2026 campaign will continue its campaign over the coming months, and in partnership with Business Western Sydney, a policy paper will soon be released highlighting the support, investment and policy priorities needed to ensure the region is ready to take off in 2026.
The Dialogue in The News
Dialogue CEO, Adam Leto, featured in a number of recent media articles, including the importance of the NRL in supporting the Western Sydney economy, the ongoing debate on the need to accelerate local housing development to meet demand, and contributed to the discussion on defining Western Sydney’s boundaries.
Campbelltown Billabong Parklands
2024 Project of the Year – Category Winner (Outstanding Community Infrastructure Project)
Project of the Year
Do you have what it takes to be crowned Project of the Year?
Nominations are now open for the Dialogue’s GWS Project of the Year Awards, recognising the infrastructure and property projects that drive the sustainable growth of Greater Western Sydney – economically, socially and environmentally.
The 2025 GWS Project of the Year Award finalists and winners will be announced at the Boomtown! Gala Dinner in February 2026 (details to follow), with the grand prize winner chosen in consultation with our Dialogue Patrons.
Selection Criteria for 2025 Project of the Year Awards:
📍 Project located in Greater Western Sydney
🏗️ Completed by, and opened between January-December 2025
✅ Demonstrated positive, social, economic, environmental and/or architectural outcomes
💰 Both public and privately funded initiatives are eligible for consideration
We welcome nominations across all platforms, including, but not limited to: transport, education, health, sustainability, housing, culture and community assets.
Nominations are to be submitted through the link below by Friday, 28 November 2025.
Newest Partners joining The Dialogue
The Dialogue is thrilled to have Business Events Sydney and The University of Notre Dame on board as Partners, strengthening our collective voice for Greater Western Sydney.
Business Events Sydney is a not-for-profit bringing worldwide knowledge and talent to Sydney and Greater Western Sydney by targeting and bidding for global conferences, meetings and events to be hosted here, on home soil.
The University of Notre Dame Australia is a national university, founded in Western Australia in 1989. It is growing its presence in Western Sydney – in Liverpool, Oran Park and Auburn.
Upcoming Events
The Dialogue is finishing the year with a bang. We have two brand new events – the Sustainable Cities Summit and Canterbury Bankstown Beyond – while the popular GWS Media Forum returns.
Dr Roy Medich Recognised by WSU
The Dialogue congratulates Dr Roy Medich OAM for winning the “Spirit of Western” Award from Western Sydney University.
For 16 years, Dr Roy Medich OAM has supported the Western Sydney University’s School of Medicine with ongoing funding of the Roy Medich Bachelor of Medical Research Scholarship through the Medich Foundation.
His generous support has also extended to refugee and asylum seeker scholarships, funding for cancer research and many other areas across the University
Congratulations Dr Medich.