Community Matters

Community Industry Group
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Community Matters is the new podcast hosted by Community Industry Group’s CEO Nicky Sloan that dives into community-driven solutions for pressing issues. Join Nicky as she catches up with community leaders to hear inspiring stories, expert insights, and actionable ideas to create positive change. 

  1. Jul 7

    FOSTER CARE: With Christine Wilde - It takes a village to raise a child

    In this heartfelt episode of Community Matters, Nicky Sloan is joined by Christine Wilde, an experienced Foster Carer with CareSouth, a community-based organisation that provides a range of services including Aunties & Uncles, Family Connections and youth and disability support services that support children, young people and families.  Drawing on her experience caring for 19 children over the years, Christine shares the realities of foster care, from the challenges children face when they first enter care to the incredible moments of watching them rebuild their confidence and simply enjoy being children again.  With compassion and honesty, Christine reflects on the importance of community in helping children and families through difficult times. She reminds us that every child's journey is unique and highlights how kindness, stability and supportive relationships can make a lasting difference in a child's life. She discusses the importance of routine, consistency, empathy and building trusting relationships, while reflecting on the rewarding experience of helping children heal and break the cycle of trauma.  The conversation also highlights the vital role caseworkers play in supporting both children and carers, the different ways people can become involved in foster care, and how others in the community can make a meaningful difference by supporting children and foster families in their community.  This is an inspiring conversation about resilience, hope and the extraordinary impact that ordinary people and supportive communities can have when they simply show up for a child in need.  Acknowledgement of Country Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders.  We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country.  We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people. Music Credit: "Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

    FOSTER CARE: With Christine Wilde - It takes a village to raise a child

  2. Jun 23

    ADVOCACY FOR INCLUSION: With Rebecca Schmidt Lachlan – Helping others is helping ourselves

    At just 26 years old, Rebecca Schmidt Lachlan woke up from a stroke able to do only one thing: blink her eyes. What followed was a remarkable journey of reinvention, resilience, and purpose. In this episode, Nicky sits down with Bec, stroke survivor, author, radio host, inclusion advocate, and volunteer board director, for a conversation that is as practical as it is inspiring. Bec's story isn't just about surviving; it's about choosing to fight, adapt, and ultimately use her lived experience to make the world more accessible for everyone. From Survival to Advocacy:  Bec's stroke didn't just change her body — it changed her entire relationship with the world. Facing the daunting task of relearning life's basics, she describes having to "do everything all over again." But rather than retreating, Bec channelled that experience into something powerful: a deep, personal understanding of what it means to be excluded, and what it takes to change that. Her book, colourfully titled, “Shit! I'm 26 and Had a Stroke!”, captures the raw reality of that journey, and her work since has only amplified its message. Making Communities Work for Everyone: Through her role as Project Officer with the Flagstaff Group, Bec leads the We Belong Project, connecting people with disability to their communities and helping them find their voice when dealing with organisations and services. Her advocacy work is tangible and wins real results. As a driving force behind the Unanderra Access Group, Bec helped lead the campaign to make Unanderra Railway Station, a major transport hub with 72 stairs and zero accessibility, fully accessible through the installation of lifts and ramps. It's a powerful reminder of what community voices can achieve. Why Inclusion Is Everyone's Business:  One of the most thought-provoking threads of this conversation is Bec's challenge to the idea that accessibility is only a "disability issue." Being able-bodied, she reminds us, is always temporary. "None of us know when we are going to have injuries - we need to be open to and prepared for when that actually does occur, we have those things in place that we might want to use later on." It's a reframe that cuts through resistance and makes inclusion feel not just compassionate, but rational. Communicating with Courage and Curiosity: Bec offers genuinely useful guidance on how to communicate better with people with disability, encouraging curiosity over avoidance, and reframing difficult conversations through empathy: "If this happened to me, what would I expect, how would I feel?" She also models something rare: the ability to ask for help without shame. As she puts it, the worst that can happen is being told “no”. A Life Expanded: Winner of the National Courage Award at the 2024 Stroke Awards, Bec reflects on how disability, for all its challenges, has opened her eyes to a fuller experience of life. It's shaped her into someone more considered, more aware, and more connected to community. Her ethos is simple and self-reinforcing: "Help other people while helping ourselves to make sure everything works well in our community." This episode will leave you thinking differently — about inclusion, about vulnerability, and about the quiet power of showing up for others. Resources and Links: ·         Rebecca’s Book: Shit!! I'm 26 and had a Stroke » Altered Abilities ·         We Belong Project, The Flagstaff Group: WeBelong - Disability Support, Employment & Inclusion ·         Rebecca’s Stroke Foundation Courage Award: Rebecca recognised for tireless work… | Stroke Foundation - Australia Acknowledgement of Country Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders.  We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country.  We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people. Music Credit: "Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

    ADVOCACY FOR INCLUSION: With Rebecca Schmidt Lachlan – Helping others is helping ourselves

  3. Jun 9

    INNOVATION EQUITY: With Tamantha Stutchbury - Why Diversity in Startups Is Everyone's Problem

    What if the solutions being built for tomorrow's world are only designed for half the people in it? That's the provocative question at the heart of this week's Community Matters, featuring Tamantha Stutchbury the Director of iAccelerate at the University of Wollongong and the 2026 Wollongong Local Woman of the Year. Tamantha brings a rare combination of scientific rigour and entrepreneurial fire to her work. After completing a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry and research and commercialisation of a novel cancer therapeutic, she understands firsthand what it takes to move from a bold idea to a functioning business. Now she's channelling that experience into building something bigger: an ecosystem where anyone with a vision can become a founder. At the core of this engaging conversation is an uncomfortable truth about the startup world. Funding, mentorship, and opportunity are not equally distributed — and that means the solutions being built right now reflect a narrow slice of human experience. As Tamantha says: "If we are only funding one type of startup we are likely only creating solutions for one part of society." The challenge isn't just getting more diverse founders through the door. It's convincing the people holding the purse strings that there's even a problem to solve. "The biggest hurdle is getting the people writing the cheques to acknowledge it's a problem." It's a candid observation that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like the tables of power were set before they arrived. As Australia's largest and longest-running University backed startup accelerator, iAccelerate supports entrepreneurs at every stage, from the spark of an idea right through to building a scalable, successful company. It's sector agnostic and proudly so, with supported businesses ranging from music festivals to tech solutions to community services.  The program creates a collaborative ecosystem where founders can exchange ideas, access mentorship, and build the skills and confidence needed to move from ideation to implementation, a leap that Tamantha acknowledges is far bigger than it sounds. Tamantha is a passionate advocate for the Illawarra region. The close-knit nature of the Illawarra community makes it something of a perfect incubator, and iAccelerate is designed to harness exactly that. For community organisations and businesses stretched thin, iAccelerate offers a vital pressure valve, partnering with the community sector to explore solutions, and running programs where university students tackle real-world problems pitched by local businesses and organisations. Tamantha reflects on how those who have needed the greatest support in her personal life have shaped her and challenges us all, "Are you looking around at your community and ensuring that we are not leaving people behind?" The future being built right now will only be as inclusive as the people building it. iAccelerate is working to widen that circle, one founder at a time. If you have an idea and the drive to pursue it, visit their website or book a call with Tamantha’s team to find out more. Resources and Links: ·         iAccelerate: iAccelerate - empowering entrepreneurship - iAccelerate ·         Illawarra Flame Article: The 'academic black sheep' now powering jobs and industry Acknowledgement of Country Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders.  We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country.  We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people. Music Credit: "Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

    INNOVATION EQUITY: With Tamantha Stutchbury - Why Diversity in Startups Is Everyone's Problem

  4. May 26

    PHILANTHROPY: With Susan Wallis – A Commitment to Kindness

    On this inspiring episode of Community Matters, Nicky sits down with local legend Susan Wallis, Head of Government and Philanthropy at Good360, a remarkable charity tackling one of Australia's most overlooked issues, the $4.5 billion worth of brand new goods going to landfill every year. Susan explains how overproduction is baked into capitalism, you need surplus to meet demand, but that surplus doesn't have to mean waste. That's where Good360 comes in, acting as a powerful connector between corporate surplus and the charities, schools, and communities that need it most. Since launching in 2015, Good360 has redistributed over $550 million worth of brand-new goods to more than 5 million Australians through supporting 4,700 charities and disadvantaged schools, including over 100 right here in the Illawarra. The range of goods is extraordinary: books, clothing, electrical appliances, and even, in one memorable moment, a pallet of cat food delivered by Susan herself in her little car. With cost-of-living pressures mounting, the demand for this model is only growing. As Susan puts it, "We are Australia's biggest marketplace connecting surplus and need." Susan also shares her deeply personal motivation, caring for her late daughter Grace, whose disability needs helped spark the very idea behind Good360. She speaks passionately about inclusion, volunteering, and the profound power of giving back. "I cope by giving, kindness is a major protective factor for me." This is a conversation about waste, generosity, and the quiet revolution happening when the right people decide to connect the dots. Because when kindness becomes a system, everyone wins. Resources and Links: ·         Good360 Website: Home - Good360 Australia   Acknowledgement of Country Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders.  We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country.  We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people. Music Credit: "Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

    PHILANTHROPY: With Susan Wallis – A Commitment to Kindness

  5. May 12

    LIVED EXPERTISE: With Dr Shane Clifton – Nothing about us without us!

    The community sector talks a lot about lived experience but what does it really mean, and how can a lived reality of disability become a form of expertise every bit as hard earned, powerful and valuable as any doctorate? In this eye-opening episode, host Nicky sits down with someone who is themself a doctor (but would prefer to be called Shane) - Dr Shane Clifton, the Director of the Centre for Disability Research and Policy at the University of Sydney.   Shane's story is a remarkable one. At the age of 39, while working as a teacher at a theological college, he acquired a spinal cord injury that left him a quadriplegic. Navigating not just the physical challenges but a profound shift in identity, all while working through grief, was, as he describes it, a transformative experience that changed him completely. And yet, something unexpected emerged: Shane became a better teacher because of his disability. Central to Shane's thinking is the social model of disability, which locates disability not in the individual and their impairment, but in the inaccessible environments, attitudes and structures of society around them. This fundamental shift in perspective changes everything; it can change depression into anger, it can change how you see barriers, where you look for solutions, and inspire those with lived expertise and their allies to move beyond good intentions to bring forward valid opinions to inform and where necessary to contradict, argue or challenge. Shane takes a deep and honest look at the world of lived experience roles and co-design, and why, despite best intentions, these can so often tip into tokenism. When a person with disability sits alongside qualified professionals, they may have a seat at the table but often it is not an equal voice. Shane argues powerfully that this needs to change. The creativity, adaptability and hard-won wisdom that comes from navigating daily life with disability is genuine expertise and deserves to be treated as such. "We shouldn't apologise for what disability has taught us," he says.   As a current board director of The Disability Trust and the former president of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, Shane has brought his lived expertise into governance roles, demonstrating what authentic representation looks like in practice. Grounding it all is the disability community's powerful guiding principle: Nothing about us without us. This is not a slogan - it's a fundamental requirement and a call to action. This is a conversation that will genuinely shift the way you think about disability, inclusion, and who gets to be the expert in the room. Don't miss it. Resources and Links: · Shane’s Blog: Shane Clifton – Riding the current · Shane’s Article (2025): Powering my wheelchair through academia: an autoethnography  · Shane’s Article (2025): Disability lived experience and expertise  Acknowledgement of Country Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders.  We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country.  We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people. Music Credit: "Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

    LIVED EXPERTISE: With Dr Shane Clifton – Nothing about us without us!

  6. Apr 28

    INCLUSIVE ARTS: With Ethan Arnold – Neurodiverse Actors Can Do Anything!

    Getting a regular paid gig in the performing arts is no easy feat, but Ethan Arnold has done exactly that. In this enjoyable and thought-provoking episode of Community Matters, Nicky sits down with Ethan to hear his remarkable story. Ethan is a Performer, Writer and Creator with The Strangeways Ensemble — a local theatre group of seven professional actors, all performers with an intellectual disability, employed by the Merrigong Theatre in Wollongong. Born from a joint initiative between Merrigong and The Disability Trust, the Ensemble has been running since 2014, when they made their debut with the critically acclaimed production The Man Who Dreamt the Stars. Ethan joined the Ensemble in 2019, progressing from back-of-house production support to writing, acting and taking centre stage. In that time, the group has delivered five major productions, each one the product of a deeply collaborative, co-designed process that Ethan explains takes an average of three years to develop and bring to life. In this conversation, Ethan takes us inside that creative process, from the generation of ideas and script development right through to stage design and music and speaks about the camaraderie that makes the Ensemble's unique approach so special. He reflects on recent productions including The Seven, a thriller exploring the mysterious disappearance of seven people, and the powerful Something That Happened, which challenged ableism in theatre head-on. Inspired by a story of an international casting search for actors to perform in a version of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, the production flipped the script on inclusion, with actors with disability auditioning for the lead roles of non-disabled characters, delivering a clear and compelling message: neurodiverse actors can do anything. Ethan also treats listeners to a rendition of part of his stage monologue Spider in My Room, offering a vivid glimpse into his imagination and creative voice. And he lets slip that a brand-new passion project, Grand Final Day, is already in the works. Having once put his creative dreams aside because of his disability, Ethan now reflects with quiet pride: "A dream that I doubted would happen, it's happening." For anyone who may be struggling to back themselves, his advice is simple and clear: "Never say never, you can do it!" The Strangeways Ensemble's upcoming Cabaret Show plays at Merrigong on 27 June before touring NSW, visiting Goulburn and Queanbeyan. See the link below for more information. Resources and Links: ·         Merrigong Theatre's The Strangeways Ensemble: Merrigong Theatre Company ·         The Disability Trust’s Altogether Drama Group: Altogether Drama - The Disability Trust Acknowledgement of Country Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders.  We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country.  We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people. Music Credit: "Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

    INCLUSIVE ARTS: With Ethan Arnold – Neurodiverse Actors Can Do Anything!

  7. Apr 14

    CHILD POVERTY: With Melissa Andrews – Levelling the Playing Field with Communities for Children

    What does it mean to be one of the wealthiest nations on earth, yet leave one in six children living in poverty? In Australia, that contradiction is stark — and for nearly 40% of sole parent families, poverty isn't a risk on the horizon, it's the daily reality. In this episode, Nicky sits down with Melissa Andrews, Program Manager for Barnardos Communities for Children in Shellharbour, to explore what it actually takes to show up for vulnerable children and families — and why place-based, community-led programs like those facilitated here are among the most important investments our society can make. Communities for Children, facilitated by Barnardos, is one of 52 targeted programs operating in locations of need across Australia. In Shellharbour, Melissa and her team are doing far more than delivering services — they are building something lasting. The program is grounded in research and evidence, but at its heart, it is guided by a deceptively simple principle: be led by the children themselves. Barnardos is busy compiling the fourth State of Shellharbour’s Children Report and Melissa reflects on what the data reveals for its youngest residents. Since the 2019 report, the region has weathered COVID, bushfires, and a sustained erosion of housing stability. Cost of living pressures have intensified, and while some education indicators show improvement, the data points to areas of entrenched disadvantage that demand continued, long-term investment. Melissa is clear that raising the jobseeker rate would make a meaningful difference — and that community programs like Communities for Children are proven mechanisms for levelling the playing field. You'll hear about flagship initiatives like EduPlay camps, which bring children and families together in ways that build confidence, connection, and joy. The program's end-of-year awards night — celebrating achievements that might otherwise go unrecognised — is a powerful reminder of what it means to be seen. Melissa describes the deep networks of peers, mentors, and staff that form around young people in the program, and why those relationships matter long after any single activity ends. Perhaps most pressing is this: Communities for Children is currently under government review, and there is real anxiety about what the future holds. With 20 years of data demonstrating what works, Melissa makes a compelling case — not just as an advocate, but as someone who has witnessed lives transformed. One young woman, born into intergenerational poverty, is now in education and forging her own path forward. That story, Melissa says, is not the exception. It is the point. As Melissa puts it simply: "It's a really sound investment. It makes a lot of sense." Resources and Links: Barnardos Communities for Children Shellharbour programs -  Communities for Children | Barnardos AustraliaThe State of Australia’s Children 2025 Report - The State of Australia’s Children 2025 report - ACYWAThe Australian Early Development Census - Home | Australian Early Development Census (AEDC)Acknowledgement of Country Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders.  We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country.  We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people. Music Credit: "Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

    CHILD POVERTY: With Melissa Andrews – Levelling the Playing Field with Communities for Children

  8. Mar 31

    POLITICS: With Katelin McInerney MP – From Community Advocate to Member of Parliament

    What does it look like when someone who has spent their career fighting for communities steps into parliament where decisions actually get made? On this episode of Community Matters, host Nicky Sloan sits down with Katelin McInerney, the newly elected Member for Kiama in the NSW State Government, to find out. Katelin brings something rare to the halls of parliament - a background rooted in community sector advocacy. That experience isn't just biographical colour; it's actively shaping the way she approaches her role as an elected representative. She's listening hard, and she wants that to translate directly into better frontline services for the people of her region. But as Katelin is quick to acknowledge, government moves slowly. Promises made in 2023 around funding certainty for community organisations are only now beginning to roll through — a reality that frustrates her as much as anyone. It's a tension she navigates with honesty and pragmatism, understanding that meaningful change requires persistence, locally informed advocacy, and pressure from the ground up. And it does work. The recent announcement of targeted funding to bring more aged care beds online in the region is proof that even seemingly insurmountable issues can shift when the right voices reach the right decision makers. The Kiama electorate faces a compelling and challenging set of pressures. An ageing population, surging demand for essential workers, a housing supply crisis, and infrastructure that simply hasn't kept pace with growth. Transport, health, education and housing sit at the top of Katelin's agenda - and she speaks candidly about what happens to communities when these needs go unmet. When an area is expensive to live in and the infrastructure isn't keeping up, disillusionment sets in. People become reactive, politics becomes divisive, and new arrivals stop feeling welcome. Katelin believes the antidote is removing barriers, building genuinely affordable housing, and ensuring growth is matched with investment - not left to fend for itself. At the heart of this conversation is something Katelin describes as one of the great privileges of her role - walking alongside community members at their most vulnerable moments. Whether it's someone arriving at her office in crisis or a community organisation trying to navigate a fractured system, she shows up ready to listen. And she has broad shoulders for the hard conversations too. Most powerfully, Katelin reminds us of something we can all too easily forget: we have far more in common than what divides us. Her work, week in and week out, is to find those shared human values and build from there. If you work in the community sector, this episode is essential listening. Your local member needs to hear from you - and as Katelin puts it it’s “a great privilege” to do so. Settle in. This is a conversation about what real representation looks like. Resources and Links: ·       Katelin McInerney’s website: Katelin McInerney - NSW Labor Acknowledgement of Country Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders.  We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country.  We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people. Music Credit: "Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

    POLITICS: With Katelin McInerney MP – From Community Advocate to Member of Parliament
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About

Community Matters is the new podcast hosted by Community Industry Group’s CEO Nicky Sloan that dives into community-driven solutions for pressing issues. Join Nicky as she catches up with community leaders to hear inspiring stories, expert insights, and actionable ideas to create positive change. 

Information

  • Creator
    Community Industry Group
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Community Industry Group
  • Show Website
    Community Matters