Our Diverse Community
Populated by a proudly diverse community, a large variety of people call Woollahra home, including people from all over the world, those who speak different languages, and practice different religious beliefs. Council is committed to supporting our diversity by creating a safe and welcoming community, where all can feel they belong.
More than 34% of Woollahra's population were born overseas, and 15.5% speak a language other than English at home. Woollahra also has a large Jewish population, and a wide-ranging mix of age groups.
Council's Social and Cultural Plan 2018-2030(PDF, 5MB) details Council's commitment to engaging and sustaining our diverse, creative and welcoming community. The strategies presented in this document were informed through direct engagement with the community.
Racism Not Welcome Campaign
Councillor Luise Elsing and Former Mayor Susan Wynne with #RacismNotWelcome signs
Woollahra Council has endorsed the Racism Not Welcome campaign, developed by the Inner West Multicultural Network. It seeks to acknowledge the existence of racism, validate people’s lived experiences of racism and normalise conversations about racism whilst promoting change.
We have installed twelve Racism Not Welcome street signs across our Municipality, one in each suburb and two additional signs in key locations.
The purpose of the signs is to start conversations about racism, and demonstrate that there is no place for racism in Woollahra or across Australia.
Resources
Religious, Cultural & Language Resources
- Jewish Care – A Jewish support service, specialising in Aged Care, Mental Health, Disability Services, and Family & Child support.
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Jewish House – Dedicated to supporting people facing employment, relationship, legal, mental health and housing issues. Call their 24/7 Crisis Line on 1300 544 357 for urgent assistance.
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Sydney Multicultural Community Services – Exists to support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, including the aged, newly arrived migrants and refugees and those in crisis, suffering from language barriers, isolation, disability, poverty, disadvantage, and helplessness.
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Multicultural Health Communication Service - provides NSW Health resources in a variety of languages, to improve health literacy and accessibility across the state.
- National Translating & Interpreting Service – provides a variety of translating and interpreting services, including 24/7 phone interpreting services.
Places of Worship in Woollahra
Churches Australia - Provides information about all Christian Churches in NSW and can be filtered by suburb.
Jewish Australia – Provides information about Jewish Synagogues in Sydney.
LGBTQIA+ Resources
- Twenty10 – provides counselling and social supports to LGBTQIA+ young people.
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ACON - Provides community health information and programming for people of diverse sexualities and genders.
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Gender Centre - Provides services and support for the trans and gender diverse community.
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Rainbow Families - Supports, connects, celebrates, empowers, and advocates for LGBTQ+ parents and their families.
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Equality Australia – Advocates for and supports all LGBTQIA+ people from all walks of life.
- Minus18 – support service for young people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Woollahra Council acknowledges that the first people of this area are the Aboriginal Peoples of the Eora Nation.
Find more information on Council's commitment to reconciliation, as well as events and our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) on Council's dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples page.
People with Disability
Woollahra Council provides support for local residents living with disability through the provision of accessible community facilities, direct services, the allocation of grants and subsidies to local disability focused projects and through consultation with an Inclusion (Disability, Aged and Carers) Advisory Committee.
For more information on how Council supports people living with disability, please look at Council's dedicated Disability Inclusion page.
Mental Health
Mental health issues affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Council supports and promotes a range of mental health activities and initiatives in the area.
Find more information, including local support services on Council's dedicated Mental Health & Wellbeing page.
For immediate crisis support, please call:
Citizenship Ceremonies
Woollahra Council hosts regular citizenship ceremonies (approximately every 5-7 weeks).
Find more information on Council's Citizenship Ceremonies webpage.
For further information regarding Australian citizenship including ceremonies, applications or general enquiries visit the Citizenship website or contact the Department of Home Affairs on 131 880.
Older Adults
Woollahra Council provides support to adults aged 65 years and over through a variety of services and events, and through consultation with an Inclusion (Disability, Aged and Carers) Advisory Committee.
For more information on the local services available to older adults, please view Council's dedicated Older Adults page.
Multicultural Events
Council hosts and supports a variety of events for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. These include school holiday workshops, walking groups, technology support services, and a monthly library transport service.
View the full calendar of events at Woollahra Council.
Enquiries
Community Development
Telephone: 9391 7191
Email: community@woollahra.nsw.gov.au