Weave's origins date back to 1976, when a group of local Aboriginal parents advocated for the creation of services, activities and support for local young people.
Since then, we have grown and evolved in response to what the community needs, providing responsive, collaborative and consistent support in ways that really matter.
Over the years we’ve made a difference to four generations of families. While we’re proud to have come this far, we also understand there is still so much work to be done.
1976
Sydney Youth Services is established by a group of local Aboriginal women in Redfern/Waterloo advocating for services, activities and support for local young people.
1998
Speak Out Dual Diagnosis Program launches, developed by South Sydney Youth Services in partnership with the Richmond Fellowship of NSW to fill the gaps in service delivery.
2001
South Sydney Youth Services (now Weave Youth & Community Services) receives charity status.
Weave Kool Kids pilot program launches in La Perouse in partnership with Randwick Council, La Perouse Primary School and the local community.
2007
Weave’s Speak Out Dual Diagnosis Program is invited to present at the International Narrative Therapy and Community Work Conference in Norway.
2009
Weave’s Tutoring Program begins with initial support from students of Medicine at UNSW. Our Tutoring Program was developed as a free service offered to families in our communities whose children needed extra support and guidance with their school work.
2011
South Sydney Youth Services undertakes a widespread client, community, staff and stakeholder consultation to come up with a new name. “Weave” emerges as the winning new name.
2014
Weave voluntarily achieves accreditation at certificate level under Australian Services Excellence (ASES) Standards.
2016
Weave undertook an external evaluation — Stories of Lived Experience — to seek client and community wisdom and insights into Weave’s service delivery and impact and to contribute learnings to the sector. One of the most important findings in the evaluation report and one that we at Weave are very proud of is: “Clients have a voice and mutual respect sustains relationships.” This remains a core value of our work today.
Weave Kool Kids Program wins ‘Outstanding Program Supporting Indigenous Young People’ Award at the NSW Youth Action Awards.
Weave’s Youth Advocate Program wins ‘Most Outstanding Youth Participation’ Award at the 2016 NSW Youth Action Awards.
Weave’s Speak Out Dual Diagnosis Program wins the NADA Award for Treatment Excellence, recognising excellence and innovation in treatment to reduce alcohol and drug-related harms.
2018
Long-time CEO Shane Brown resigned after 35 years of service and commitment to the organisation. In 2019, Shane was awarded an OAM for his service to the community and lifetime achievement at Weave. Over 35 years, Shane dedicated his heart and soul to Weave and the communities we work with. We thank and honour Shane for all he made possible.
Following a rigorous recruitment process Siobhan Bryson is announced as Weave’s new CEO.
Weave Kool Kids Program wins ‘Outstanding Program Supporting Indigenous Young People’ Award at the NSW Youth Action Awards.
Weave’s Youth Advocate Program wins ‘Most Outstanding Youth Participation’ Award at the 2016 NSW Youth Action Awards.
Weave’s Speak Out Dual Diagnosis Program wins the NADA Award for Treatment Excellence, recognising excellence and innovation in treatment to reduce alcohol and drug-related harms.
2020
‘Always Was, Always Will Be’, a short film produced by Weave in partnership with local grassroots organisations Tribal Warrior and Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service, is launched. The film was produced alongside Weave’s Aboriginal staff, and features clients and community members who share stories of connection to land and place on Gadigal and Bidjigal land.
Weave’s Aboriginal Healing Framework launched alongside ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’. This framework guides the ongoing development and implementation of healing-centred practice for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and their communities, with the intention of creating genuine and sustainable healing outcomes.
Following a rigorous recruitment process Siobhan Bryson is announced as Weave’s new CEO.
Weave Kool Kids Program wins ‘Outstanding Program Supporting Indigenous Young People’ Award at the NSW Youth Action Awards.
Weave’s Youth Advocate Program wins ‘Most Outstanding Youth Participation’ Award at the 2016 NSW Youth Action Awards.
Weave’s Speak Out Dual Diagnosis Program wins the NADA Award for Treatment Excellence, recognising excellence and innovation in treatment to reduce alcohol and drug-related harms.
2022
Due to the organisation’s success and growth, Weave transitions its legal structure from an Incorporated Association to a Company Limited by Guarantee.
Following a range of community consultations and conversations, our Weave Community Hub (WCH) in Woolloomooloo developed a new strategic direction and streamlined their casework and community development work to focus on providing programs and services for children, young people and families.
In line with this new strategic direction, and in consultation with local young people, Weave Community Hub is renamed Weave Woolloomooloo to better reflect the changed focus.
Weave Women & Children’s Centre hosts an Open Day to celebrate the renovations and upgrades made to the space. The Open Day began with a smoking ceremony, followed by speeches by the team and morning tea.
1993
Sydney Youth Services incorporated as a not-for-profit organisation.
1999
Streetbeat, a partnership between South Sydney Youth Services, South Sydney Aboriginal Resource Corporation and Redfern Police launches - a safe, late night transport and support service to get young people home safely. Streetbeat ran for 21 years as a key Weave program.
2006
The Shop Women & Children’s Centre in Waterloo becomes part of South Sydney Youth Services (now known as Weave Youth and Community Services). The Shop is now known as Weave Women & Children’s Centre.
2008
The first ever Mad Pride Youth Event, produced by Weave’s Speak Out Program, is held at The Factory Theatre in Marrickville. Mad Pride is a celebration of young people and their wisdom, creativity and achievements.
2010
The Weave Art Centre was established in North Eveleigh. This was a direct result of the success and demand for Speak Out’s outreach art workshops and the therapeutic power of art The Art Centre consisted of free studio space, gallery and exhibition space and premises for the Speak Out therapeutic team.
2012
Weave’s new Head Office at Waterloo Oval, on Gadigal Land, officially opens.
2015
Weave’s Driving Change Program launches, designed to give access to a drivers licence to people who face barriers to obtaining their licence, and open up new opportunities in their lives.
2017
Weave Community Hub opens its doors in Woolloomooloo, located on McElhone Street in Woolloomooloo, on Gadigal Land. Today, Weave Community Hub is now called Weave Woolloomooloo.
Creating Futures Justice Program launches at Weave, an intensive support service for young people leaving custody or otherwise involved in the criminal justice system. The program provides court support, advocacy and wraparound casework tailored to the needs and goals of each client.
Weave celebrates 40 years of service by celebrating ‘40 Years of Stories’ - the stories of clients and communities who have shared their journeys and stories with Weave over 40 years. A community celebration in Waterloo included the launch of our ‘Stories of Lived Experience’ documentary and photography exhibition, featuring clients and families who took part in the evaluation report.
At the 2017 Mental Health Week Awards, our Stories of Lived Experience Project wins the Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Award.
2019
Weave Women & Children’s Centre launches ‘Be The Change’, a campaign created to raise awareness of domestic and family violence and abuse and to empower our communities to be involved, to be vocal, to be true, to be supportive, to be non-judgemental and to be advocates.
Creating Futures Justice Program launches at Weave, an intensive support service for young people leaving custody or otherwise involved in the criminal justice system. The program provides court support, advocacy and wraparound casework tailored to the needs and goals of each client.
Weave celebrates 40 years of service by celebrating ‘40 Years of Stories’ - the stories of clients and communities who have shared their journeys and stories with Weave over 40 years. A community celebration in Waterloo included the launch of our ‘Stories of Lived Experience’ documentary and photography exhibition, featuring clients and families who took part in the evaluation report.
At the 2017 Mental Health Week Awards, our Stories of Lived Experience Project wins the Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Award.
2021
Together with Randwick Council and Kobie Dee, Weave holds the first South East Block Party on Bidjigal Land to showcase local talent, bring young people together and celebrate community.
Weave celebrates our 14th Annual Mad Pride event online, produced by our Speak Out Dual Diagnosis Program, with a podcast episode, a youth expert panel stream and creative zine celebrating the voices and creativity of young people.
Weave Kool Kids Program celebrates 20 years of service in the community, sharing stories and feedback from the team and people connected to the program.
Weave celebrates 45 years of service, celebrating this key milestone by sharing moments from our 45 year history on our digital channels.