Listening to Ian Bird speak at the Leadership Victoria Oration provoked deep reflection on the role of community and our collective responsibility to build bridges and bonds, seeking points of similarity that enable genuine connection. His provocation that “communities are on the rise because of the reintroduction of disorder” left me both unsettled and hopeful. In a time when life feels unpredictable and the fragmentation of society dominates the 24-hour news cycle, people are searching for connection, meaning and for ways to make sense of the world around them. Too often, we fixate on the strong, obvious signals of change – the visible crises, the data, the sensationalised reporting. Ian offered a different invitation: to slow down and notice the quieter, weaker signals, because these are the first hints of what is emerging in our communities, and the ones most deserving of our attention. This requires a different kind of awareness: quiet, watchful, and humble. Ian also offered a gentle challenge around power. Our sector speaks often of sharing it, but what’s needed is letting go of it entirely. We must shift power and invite the unheard voices into the fold. Our value lies in connecting people, ideas, and funding, and in creating the capacity for local leaders to imagine and build a fairer future. Woven through this was an encouragement to think of community philanthropy not as an institution, but as a mindset – centred on the question: “how do we show up?” Ian’s answer: with openness, curiosity, and joy! This reminder matters. The energy we bring and the joy we share is what will create space for others to join this growing movement. Just two years ago, Australia had 28 community foundations and $500 million in organised community capital. Today, we have 72 foundations and over a billion dollars – making Australia the fastest-growing community foundation ecosystem in the world. The recent DGR1 reforms will accelerate this even further, boosting social capital and connecting local giving to amplify impact. And this is where the opportunity lies. At a time when social cohesion feels like its slipping, community giving offers something simple but powerful. It brings people together – creating space to build bridges and bonds, to listen, to grow trust, and to notice the weak signals that reveal what’s really happening beneath the surface. At its heart, this work is about people. It’s about building strong relationships and connecting the people, ideas, and funding needed to imagine and build a fairer future. And in this moment of disorder and uncertainty, it feels more important than ever. The invitation is a simple one: show up. Be curious. And when you’re ready, join this collective movement towards a just and equitable society – because generosity works best when it’s shared. Giselle Pinto General Manager Engagement