Category: blog
MEDIA RELEASE: New video from community leaders including Just Reinvest NSW’s tell the NSW Government: do better for children and communities
WATCH THE VIDEO 15/04/2026 REDFERN, Sydney: New videos from NSW community leaders and frontline workers, including the Rev. Bill Crews; representatives from the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW and Just Reinvest NSW; and CEOs from St Vincent de Paul Society NSW and Youth Off The Streets are sending a powerful message to the NSW Government. The […]
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NEWS: Just Reinvest NSW testifies at Senate inquiry on Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system
On Friday (10 April 2026) at a public hearing in Parramatta Just Reinvest NSW CEO Geoff Scott, Community Data Manager Ian Brown and Chairperson Blake Alan Cansdale provided testimony to the Australian Senate inquiry into Australia’s youth justice and incarceration. Their call was clear – the Commonwealth Government must further support justice reinvestment as a […]
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Statement: Just Reinvest NSW stands in solidarity with the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and supports its call to action in response to the NSW Government’s proposed changes to land rights legislation.
“The right of Aboriginal people in NSW to make land claims under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 is fundamental. It reflects decades of advocacy and is grounded in the principle of self-determination; just as communities have the right to lead place-based, community-driven responses to overincarceration through justice reinvestment. “Efforts to weaken land rights, particularly […]
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Justice Reinvestment leaders meet in Bathurst as Aboriginal Incarceration Levels Remain Unacceptably High
The NSW Justice Reinvestment Community of Practice met in Bathurst to share local solutions, data tools and collaborative strategies to reduce Aboriginal incarceration. In late February, more than 50 people gathered in Bathurst for the Justice Reinvestment (JR) Community of Practice Forum for New South Wales, co-hosted by Wahluu Health. The forum brought together Aboriginal […]
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MEDIA RELEASE – Just Reinvest NSW announces new Board of Directors following the transition from its status as an association to a Company Limited by Guarantee
Just Reinvest NSW Chair Blake Alan Cansdale 20/01/2026 REDFERN, Sydney: Just Reinvest NSW (JRNSW) today announced its new majority Aboriginal Board with new Chair Mr. Blake Alan Cansdale and Board Directors Paul Morris, Prof. Jack Beetson and Karlie Stewart. Gino Vumbaca and Paul Wright will be retained as Independent Directors. “I am honoured and excited […]
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STAFF PROFILE – Dillion Saunders-Carr. You might recognise Dillon as one of the stars of the Mounty Yarns film. He is the newest member of the Youth on Track team in Mt Druitt and started out with JRNSW as a Youth Ambassador. Dillon now works as a full-time Youth Worker.
Dillon Saunders-Carr (pictured right) with a colleague in Mt Druitt A typical day for Dillon as a Youth Worker is “full on”. You might be mistaken for thinking that it’s all about running programs and youth engagement (the fun stuff) – but there’s a significant administrative responsibility in the role, such as keeping case notes. […]
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STAFF PROFILE – Mekayla Cochrane: “To succeed, you need to be adaptable and independent. You have to be ready for the lows, but the highs do balance it out. Community can be hard work, but it’s so rewarding.”
Mekayla did a trial with JRNSW during the pandemic and found that the ways of doing things and ways of working challenged the norm. She enjoyed seeing community-led initiatives take place, rather than a local government driven perspective, where those who would not usually can step up and lead were given a platform. Mekayla joined […]
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STAFF PROFILE – Archie Darcy is a dedicated member of the Youth on Track team at the JRNSW Mt Druitt site, where he brings passion, lived experience and deep community ties to his work with young people.
Archie Darcy is a dedicated member of the Youth on Track team at the JRNSW Mt Druitt site, where he brings passion, lived experience and deep community ties to his work with young people. Archie began his journey with JRNSW as a Youth Worker, supporting young people with essential welfare needs such as arranging birth […]
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NEW VIDEO – JR Community of Practice in Nowra Reinforces Sharing of Knowledge and Experience Across NSW Communities
Across three days in September, seven community organisations involved in justice reinvestment (JR) initiatives came together for the first community-hosted JR Community of Practice meeting in New South Wales; co-hosted by Just Reinvest NSW (JRNSW) and Waminda South Coast Aboriginal Women’s Health & Wellbeing Coorporation. Aboriginal community representatives from Bourke, Bathurst, Cowra, Kempsey, Toomelah, Moree […]
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New Research that Builds a Pathway to Justice: Designing a Reinvestment Mechanism with Aboriginal Communities
By James Nichols A new discussion paper: “Designing a Justice Reinvestment Mechanism for New South Wales: A Discussion Paper – Practical considerations for planning a reinvestment policy mechanism“, published by Just Reinvest NSW is calling for governments and Aboriginal communities to work together to design a strong and effective policy mechanism for justice reinvestment in […]
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