Community engagement and connection still matter most in an increasingly digital world. Sparrowly Group’s Justine Sinclair explores why genuine presence - showing up, listening deeply and meeting people where they are - builds trust and sparks real conversations that lead to authentic insights, stronger relationships and lasting impact in regional communities.

Australia’s productivity and workforce growth rely as much on skilled trades as on technology. Sparrowly Group’s Federico Moreno unpacks why boosting apprenticeships in construction and vocational pathways is essential for a balanced, future-ready economy - and why parents, educators and policymakers all have a role to play in supporting this shift.

Place branding and placemaking go far beyond visual identity - they shape how communities see themselves and how others see them. Sparrowly Group’s Jackie Hicks shares insights from the City Nation Place Australasia forum, exploring how storytelling, collaboration and community engagement turn place brands into powerful economic and social drivers for towns, cities and regions.

Cultural tourism and diversification can help cultural institutions stay sustainable without losing their identity. With the sector growing faster than total tourism in Australia, Sparrowly Group’s Justine Sinclair shares practical steps to balance innovation, financial resilience and authenticity - ensuring cultural spaces remain vibrant, thought-provoking and true to their core purpose.

Workforce, visitor, economic and community development are deeply interconnected pillars of thriving regions, yet often operate in silos. Sparrowly Group's Giovanna Lever explores why greater collaboration across these sectors is vital for Australia’s future prosperity and how aligning strategies can unlock stronger communities, more resilient economies and lasting regional growth.

Arts, culture and creative industries in NSW are vital economic drivers, contributing to exports, jobs and local identity. Sparrowly Group’s Justine Sinclair explores how the NSW Creative Communities Policy can unlock growth, strengthen cultural ecosystems, and help regions harness creativity to boost both community wellbeing and Australia’s creative economy.

Ethical consumer behaviour and sustainable business practices are reshaping how organisations connect with their audiences. Sparrowly Group's Morgan Thorn explores how aligning your values with transparency, social impact and environmental responsibility can strengthen brand trust, attract conscious consumers and create lasting benefits for both your business and the communities you serve.

Social science and human behaviour shape how we live, work and connect - yet their influence often goes unnoticed. Sparrowly Group's Giovanna Lever explores how understanding society’s underlying patterns helps us navigate everyday life, improve community outcomes and make sense of the world around us, revealing that social science is anything but boring.

“Going out at night”…this phrase can conjure up different images and perceptions. Typically these words more times than not are correlated with images usually involving dining, drinking and perhaps performances. The phrase “Going out at night” however, when linked to the night time economy extends way beyond just the ‘having fun’ sector. Sparrowly Group’s Justine Sinclair explains how to support vibrant communities by reimagining the night time economy.

In a world that thrives with human connection, why do we design our houses to live at the back of them? As we look towards optimising the natural assets of our towns and cities and building better public spaces to connect for residents and visitors, how can we take that same energy and better connect the streets we live in? Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever provides solutions to connecting communities closer to home.

Lost your mojo? Giovanna Lever shares her approach to finding it and your joy in life and work.

How many people would compare the toilets that we experience in public spaces to the toilet we experience in our own homes? As Place Makers and destination creators, when extending our hospitality, we should definitely be considering the impression that our public toilets are communicating to our residents and visitors.Toilets are a big deal. More than ever before.