Counterpoint Community Services National Volunteer Week Awards 2026
I was fortunate to attend the 20th Counterpoint Community Services Volunteer Week Awards at Alexandria Town Hall in May. It was a really joyful occasion, with lots of volunteers receiving awards, including myself and photographer Scarlett Thompson. South Sydney Herald’s award was accepted by Geoff Turnbull, norrie mAy-welby, John Lanzky, Murray Gillett, Catherine Skipper and Yvonne Hocothee. Congratulations and thank you to all the recipients. South Sydney and Waterloo are certainly lively neighbourhoods. Thank you to Counterpoint for being so welcoming, providing refreshments and lunch in an atmosphere of conviviality and community.
Vivid Sydney until 13 June
Once again, Sydney puts on a spectacle of light like no other, with the Lighting of the Sails – Opera Mundi nightly from 6pm to 11pm. Circular Quay and The Rocks will have many and varied lights and projections, including Vaiola by Samoan-Australian artist Angela Taiatia, at the Museum of Contemporary Art. For 3 nights only, Cristal Palace will have an open-air extravaganza of aerial acrobatics, dance and circus feats from 7.30pm to 8.40pm.
Visit the website to discover all the magical events to suit everyone.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Museum
Sydney’s newest museum is situated in the South-East Pylon of the Bridge and opened in May 2026. Features include history, engineering and everything about this iconic structure.
Tickets are $39.95 for adults and $22 for children. Info here.
Refugee Week, Sunday 14 June to Saturday 20 June
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Refugee Week in Australia, with the theme ‘One Million Stories’ marking the milestone of 1 million refugees welcomed to Australia since WWII. Ron Williams Community Centre, 5-11 Kepos Street, is hosting an Iraq-inspired Morning Tea with guest speaker Nawfel, a Refugee Ambassador with the Refugee Council of Australia, on 17 June from 10.45am to 12pm. This is a free event, and you can book tickets on 02 9265 9701.
NAIDOC Week, Sunday July 5 to Sunday July 13
This year’s theme, 50 Years of Deadly celebrates 50 years of NAIDOC Week.
The winner of this year’s poster design is Zaachariaha Fielding, a Yankunytjatjara artist and musician with ‘Paralpi’. A Lifetime Achievement Award honoured the late Rhoda Roberts, AM. You can download a free copy here. Posters will also be available from KMart and Target from 18 June
The Journalist Code of Ethics
Our Religion & Ethics editor is reading the papal encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, with an eye to its implications for community news reporting. Next month, the SSH will publish a reflective article on artificial intelligence and journalism.
In the meantime, this response from The Atlantic journalist Elizabeth Bruenig resonates: “Homogeneity, efficiency, and productivity are not what human life is about: our calling isn’t to operate like computers, but to do exactly what computers cannot, which is to love.”
The SSH abides by the Journalist Code of Ethics established by the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance. Point 9 of the code states: “Present content which is true and accurate. Any manipulation should be disclosed.”
Pat Clarke
volunteers@ssh.com.au
