To share information that supports Aboriginal workers identify service gaps to develop new initiatives and strategies to address key priority issues
About Us
To provide a Culturally Appropriate space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers from Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Local Service Providers of Government, Non-Government and Corporate Sector to share information about the services that exist to meet the needs of our community of the Inner Sydney.
Background: Our Interagency was founded over 30 years ago formerly known as the South East Sydney Koori Interagency. The name changed to Inner Sydney Aboriginal Interagency Network by members in 2014.
Our Member Suburb Areas
Sydney CBD, Ultimo, Pyrmont, Haymartket, Redfern, Waterloo, Elizabeth Bay, Potts Point, Surry Hills, Paddington, Glebe, Alexandria, Zetland, Newtown, Sydenham, Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Ashfield, Stanmore, Enmore, Petersham, Annandale, Camperdown, Leichhardt, Balmain, Rozelle, Lilyfield, St Peters, Erskinville, Rosebery, East Lakes, Mascot, Birchgrove, Earlwood, Bardwell Park, Campsie, Burwood, Greenacre, Punchbowl, Hurstville, San Souci, Rockdale, Brighton Le Sands, Strathfield, Homebush and Sydney Olympic Park.
Our Guiding Principles
Create opportunities for collaborative effort and unity in our approach to addressing shared issues to ensure good outcomes for Aboriginal people in Inner Sydney.
Communication
Build an open and honest communication channel between Aboriginal Service providers.
Advocacy
Support
Provides a platform for cultural support and advocacy for all the members of the Aboriginal Interagency Network
Collaboration
To support and promote community events & functions and address issues that arise within Aboriginal Communities in Inner Sydney.
Click here to Print - ISAIN Promotional Flyer
Click Here to Print - ISAIN Code of Conduct
Our Key Priorities
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Aboriginal Workers Advocacy & Support
Supporting Aboriginal Workers across the Inner Sydney to navigate dispute resolution processes by identifing Aboriginal Cultural barriers in the workplace by providing guidance on Cultural Protocols, the importance of ongoing Aboriginal community engagement & consultation and empowerment by inspiring more of our members to become accredited mediators.
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Aboriginal Cultural Gatherings
Our Cultural Experiences is about understanding our Inner Sydney Aboriginal community Cultural Protocols and developing new Cultural initiatives such as: Yarning Circles, learning an Aboriginal Language, Cultural Dancing, Art making and engaging in historical tours and experiences on country. A space where our community can come together and celebrate our living cultures.
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Aboriginal Youth & Families
Identifying Service Gaps and Empowering a Aboriginal Youth and Families voice by collaborating with Youth Services across the Inner Sydney including but not limited to: Midjuburi Youth Resource Centre, Glebe Youth Service, The Sydney University Settlement Neighbourhood Centre, The Fact Tree Youth Service, Weave Youth & Community Service and Phunktional Youth & Community Arts Projects.
Our interagency is about listening generously, honouring collective commitments, acknowledging and appreciating one another.
OUR MEETINGS FOR 2026
January 15 2026
Online via Zoom Only.
February 12 2026
Burwood City Council, Conference Room, Burwood Library, 1st Floor, 2 Conder Street, Burwood, NSW 2134.
March 12 2026
City of Sydney, 119 Redfern Street, Redfern NSW 2016.
April 9 2026
UTS Jumbunna Institute, Level 6 17/15 Broadway, Ultimo NSW 2007.
May 7 2026
Venue to be Confirmed, Sydney CBD.
June 4 2026
Venue to be Confirmed, Ultimo.
July 2 2026
Venue to be Confirmed, Sydney Olympic Park.
August 6 2026
Venue to be Confirmed, Sydney Olympic Park.
September 3 2026
Venue to be Confirmed, Newtown.
October 1 2026
Venue to be Confirmed, Crows Nest.
November 5 2026
Aboriginal Affairs NSW Level 6, 201 Coward Street, Mascot NSW 2020.
December 3 2026 Last Meeting of the Year
Venue to be Confirmed, Marrickville.
Other Meeting Host Organisations:
Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Womens Legal Centre Addison Road Community Centre Building 13, 142 Addison Road Marrickville NSW 2204 Australia
Barnardos Australia Sydney Metro Centre 23-27 Shepherd Street, Marrickville NSW 2040
Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern 36 Turner St, Redfern NSW 2016
Midjuburi Youth Resource Centre 23 Yabsley Ave, Marrickville, NSW 2204, Australia
Tranby Aboriginal Co-Operative 13 Mansfield Street, Glebe NSW 2037 Australia
South East Sydney Local Health District Equity and Prevention Service Level 1, 80 Williams Street Woolloomooloo NSW 2010 Australia.
Weave Youth & Community Services 1B Elizabeth St, Waterloo NSW 2017
Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation 1/179 Botany Rd, Waterloo NSW 2017 Australia
City of Sydney 119 Redfern Street, Redfern NSW 2016
Glebe Aboriginal Cultural Space Glebe Town Hall, 160 St Johns Road Glebe NSW 2037 Australia
Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council Australia Hall, 150–152 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
Sydney Community Forum Unit 4/11-13 Hartill-Law Ave, Bardwell Park NSW 2207
Heart Research Institute Djurali Centre 7 Eliza Street Newtown NSW 2042 Australia
AbSec C301, C302, Level 3/104 Eveleigh St, Redfern NSW 2016
TAL Level 16, 363 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Cancer Council 153 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo, NSW 2011
Bridge Housing Level 9/59 Goulburn Street, Haymarket, NSW, 2000
Art Gallery of NSW
Parliament House of NSW
Accor Hotels
Our Community Projects
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Eora NAIDOC Community Group
Eora NAIDOC Community Group - In 2017 ISAIN passed a motion to action an Aboriginal Community Controlled NAIDOC Event. With much discussion and planning, ISAIN Members in 2019 established the Eora NAIDOC Community Group. Our annual Inner City EORA NAIDOC Family Fun Day is organised by the Eora NAIDOC Community Group this event features performers of Aboriginal dancers, singer songwriters, musicians, bands, Elders tent, jarjum activities, BBQ lunch and more. The event Funded by the City of Sydney from 2019-2025. Auspice in 2019 by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Auspice in 2020-2025 by the Sydney University Settlement Neighbourhood Centre and Auspice from 2026-2028 by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.
See below frequently asked questions…
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Aboriginal Affordable Housing Campaign
Aboriginal Affordable Housing Campaign - In 2020 ISAIN passed a motion to action to write a letter to let the NSW Government know that housing is a basic right and that we want action on making it affordable for Aboriginal people. This led to the establishment of the Redfern Waterloo Aboriginal Affordable Housing Campaign, made up of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Allies. November 2020, we led a Campaign that sought government action and targets for Aboriginal affordable housing in the Redfern Waterloo area. For further information on this Campaign please see below media links.
See below frequently asked questions…
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Aboriginal Housing Forum
In 2023 the Redfern Waterloo Aboriginal Affordable Housing Alliance Organisational Action group of the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service Co-operative Limited, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation and WEAVE Youth & Community Services founded the Aboriginal Housing Forum established to learn how to support Aboriginal Tenants across Sydney, provide information on the local Aboriginal services and develop ways we can support the issues they care about. We are re-organising our community to learn more about what does Housing look like for Sydney Aboriginal communities across Community Housing Providers, Public Housing Estates, Affordable Housing and the private housing market.
See below FAQ’s
Our Frequently Asked Questions
EORA NAIDOC Community Group
AN ACTION TO CREATE AN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY CONTROLLED COMMUNITY EVENT
Our Frequently Asked Questions
Redfern Waterloo Aboriginal Affordable Housing Alliance Campaign
OUR CAMPAIGN IS TO LET THE NSW GOVERNMENT KNOW THAT HOUSING IS A BASIC RIGHT AND THAT WE WANT ACTION ON MAKING HOUSING AFFORDABLE
Was the Campaign Launch Video Recorded?
Yes, our Redfern Waterloo Aboriginal Affordable Housing Campaign was Launched Online Via Zoom on Monday 21st September 2020 at 10:30am. To watch our Campaign Launch Click Here
What are the three priorities of the Affordable Housing Campaign?
The Redfern Waterloo Alliance of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations from the Redfern Waterloo area support this Campaign to let the NSW Government know that housing is a basic right and that we want action on making it affordable for Aboriginal people.
We are calling on the NSW government to deliver:
1. 10% Aboriginal Affordable Housing
In all government redevelopments in the Redfern Waterloo area.
2. An increase in Aboriginal Social Housing
Ensuring that any community housing provider must either be Aboriginal owned and managed or if not, work in partnership with an Aboriginal led organisation.
3. Aboriginal Jobs and Ongoing Employment
Targets for Aboriginal employment and contracts for construction and for Aboriginal employment in the provision of ongoing services in all government redevelopments in the Redfern Waterloo area.
Are there any Campaign Stories in the Media?
October 23, 2023 - Alliance Media Release
August 21, 2023 - NSW Government Media Release: Waterloo South social and affordable housing boosted to 50%
October 6, 2020 - South Sydney Herald
October 5, 2020 - Sydney Morning Herald
October 2, 2020 - National Indigenous Times
What is the Historical connection of Aboriginal people to Redfern Waterloo?
Redfern is an important place for Aboriginal People. It is where the Aboriginal civil rights movement began and where many actions for self-determination took place such as the 1938 Day of Mourning, the 1965 Freedom Ride, and the ongoing struggle for Land Rights.
Redfern is the foundation of key Aboriginal services which became models for the rest of Australia. The Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Children’s Service, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Aboriginal Housing Company, Redfern All Blacks, the Black Theatre Arts & Culture Centre, Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care and Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Corporation are founding Aboriginal organisations, some of which have been in operation and servicing the community for many decades.
Many Aboriginal community members still live in social housing in Redfern and Waterloo and the Aboriginal services they access are still there too. Many Aboriginal people who grew up in the area still see it as their home, but can no longer afford to rent in the area.
The gentrification of inner Sydney suburbs has meant that historically working class suburbs such as Redfern and Waterloo have become highly desirable suburbs in the 'property market', with rent hikes pushing out the Aboriginal people who were living in these suburbs.
Aboriginal people working in Aboriginal services cannot afford to live in the community where they work. Aboriginal people who are starting in employment and training on modest incomes have to leave the community due to the increasing cost of living in the area.
Who are the Aboriginal Organisations that Support this Campaign?
Aboriginal Medical Service Cooperative
Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council
Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation
Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Womens Legal Centre
Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation
Aboriginal Housing Company Limited
Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Corporation
Redfern Aboriginal Children's Service
NSW Local Government Aboriginal Network
Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Limited
Inner Sydney Aboriginal Interagency Network
Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care
Who are the Organisation Allies that Support this Campaign?
The Sydney University Settlement Neighbourhood Centre
Weave Youth & Community Services
The Fact Tree Youth Service
Women's & Girls Emergency Centre
Redfern Legal Centre
Inner Sydney VOICE
REDWatch
South Sydney Uniting Church
Counterpoint Community Services
Sydney Community Forum
Shelter New South Wales
Tenants' Union of New South Wales
National Justice Project
ANTaR National
The Sydney Alliance
Addison Road Community Centre
Friends of Erskineville
Waterloo Public Housing Action Group
Settlement Services International
Glebe Youth Service
Which Local and Federal Politicians Support this Campaign?
Jenny Leong MP, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Member for Newtown, Parliament of NSW.
Tanya Plibersek MP, Member for Sydney, NSW, Parliament of Australia.
David Harris, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Member for Wyong, Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs & Treaty, Parliament of NSW.
Mehreen Faruqi, Senator for NSW, Parliament of Australia
Upcoming Events
January 15
Invasion Day/Survival Day, This is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples cultures, languages, histories, resilience and strength.
Sydney
February 13
National Apology Day, to mark the anniversary of the formal apology by the Parliament of Australia to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly the Stolen Generations, for past injustices.
March 19
National Close the Gap Day, Raises awareness of health equality, focusing on disparities in life expectancy and health outcomes.
May 26
National Sorry Day, Commemorates the Stolen Generations, their families, and communities, promoting healing.
July 9
Inner City EORA NAIDOC Family Fun Day
Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
Free Community Event, All Welcome to attend.
Our Member Organisations
Contact Us
Contact Us
Warren Roberts
Coordinator
Appointed as Coordinator by South East Sydney Koori Interagency Members in 2013. As mentioned above the name changed to Inner Sydney Aboriginal Interagency Network by members in 2014.
warrenjroberts@gmail.com