Think+DO Tank Foundation
2019 Annual Report
My work with TDTF brings a sense of pride and satisfaction that comes from its integrity, innovation and unfaltering mission to make the world less 'Home Brand' and whole lot more equal.
Kath Melbourne, Arts Consultant
The Foundation’s mission is ambitious and optimistic; it works in genuine partnership with the community, bringing its own combination of experience, creativity, curiosity and care to the table. The Foundation strikes a deft balance between the attention it pays to individual circumstances and constant awareness of opportunities for positive systemic reform.
Amy Denmeade, TDTF Board Member
Message from CEO
Who We Are
Think+DO Tank Foundation (TDTF) is a creative force for social cohesion and belonging
We are a champion of multilingual creative production and self-expression; an accelerator of creative talent; an investigator of complex social needs; and an agile, experimental, collaborative force. Think+DO Tank Foundation’s work has generated, and is the result of relationships and connectedness. We have maintained a continual presence and program in South Western Sydney since 2013.
Our work asks low-income and marginalised community members: “What would make life here easier, more affordable, or better?”. By working together, participating communities increase their capacity to be driving forces of change in society and in their own lives.Hand-in-hand with local communities, we make art, we create social change, and we make our part of Sydney — the most culturally and linguistically diverse region in New South Wales — a cultural reference point for our city, our state, and beyond.
Our work is distinguished not only by our region, but the multilingual framework in which we operate. We literally speak the languages of the communities in which we operate.
2019 Team
Jane Stratton
CEO
Elizabeth Allen
Captain of Commerce
Danni Townsend
Communicator in Chief
Aseel Khalaf
Community Connector
Afaf Al-Shammari
Lead Community Connector
Ehoud Al-Hazzah
Retail Manager
Ailsa Liu
Trainee Manager
Ginan Yelda
Community Connector
Aghasan Saleem
Retail Assistant
Mary Andaryous
Language Writing Academy Educator (Arabic)
Purpose + Mission
We have a firm purpose in mind, and the strategic nous to pursue it: to create fairer systems for low-income communities, through the arts.
TDTF collaborates with low-income and marginalised communities in NSW, with a focus on culturally and linguistically diverse women and children. Together we develop a shared methodology, designing projects that have a demonstrated impact within our communities.
We address urban disadvantage and catalyse positive change using evidence-based, arts-centred and replicable approaches to improve community cohesion, reduce isolation and foster equity.
Through human connection, multilingualism and creativity, we are an enabler of social change for sustainable local impact, shifting systems that reinforce poverty.
Vision 2020 - 2024
As reflected in the “Think+DO” of our name, we have been applying critical and curious thinking to everyday realities since 2013.
We invest in, produce, and champion the stories of people and their places, in their own languages and in English; and experiment with new, Innovative approaches of presenting these stories.
We work to reveal and strengthen the threads that connect us all, in society with one another, through the sharing of story, place, language, meaning and by making apparent our connectedness. We champion multilingual literacies and creative production models. We produce, invest in, and champion new Australian stories, in the languages of Australian communities; and experiment with new ways in which to present these stories.
Our Method
Our work is distinguished not only by our region, but the multilingual framework in which we operate. We literally speak the languages of the communities in which we operate.
Hand-in-hand with local communities, we make art, we create social change, and we make our part of Sydney — the most culturally and linguistically diverse region in New South Wales — a cultural reference point for our city, our state, and beyond.
Our method consists of 4 main stages:
Enquiring
Together with community members who are inhabiting a challenge, we ask: what gaps need attention for systems to work better for low-income community members?
Experimenting
Together with the community, we devise and test the most promising solutions.
Enacting
Multidisciplinary thinking and doing to act upon systemic gaps.
Devolving
Co-creating a just legacy for the impact of our work.
Our Projects
LOST IN BOOKS
Think+DO Tank Foundation conceptualised, fundraised, fitted out, launched and now runs LOST IN BOOKS.
LOST IN BOOKS is a multilingual bookshop, café, safe space for women, creative learning centre, and language exchange hub in Fairfield, one of Australia’s most diverse multicultural communities.
Staffed by bilingual workers, LOST IN BOOKS offers a bountiful public program around books, literacy, multilingual conversation, and wellbeing. It is for children, young people and adults from all backgrounds.
lostinbooks.com.au
Date: 2017 - Present
Location: Fairfield
Press:
“I wanted to see whether the arts, which are sort of a temporary way of feeling how things could be different or otherwise, could become a more permanent feature of life”
Jane Stratton, CEO
Our Method
01
Enquiring
LOST IN BOOKS was motivated by many factors, uncovered through community enquiry. We asked more than 500 residents in and around low-income parts of Liverpool:
What would make life here better, easier or more affordable?
LOST IN BOOKS emerged as a multi-faceted solution to the common threads that we heard from community members, particularly from women, including:
- Lack of “something to do” for adults and for children
- Isolation, disconnection, fear and distrust, particularly in public spaces and of people from unfamiliar cultural backgrounds
- Loss of mother tongue and low English proficiency amongst women
- High incidence of family and domestic violence.
02
Experimenting
We are constantly experimenting with methods of delivering workshops, content and arts program. Check out our Creative Programs here.
03
Enacting
Lost in Books is a social enterprise structured around a principle of accessibility – a place for people to access books in their own language “without feeling shamed, without having money to spend”. It’s not a library, but price points are wide enough to cater for any budget, and our stock includes a wide range of secondhand titles for people to read in-store
As well as selling multilingual books, Lost in Books is also contributing to their creation, running artist residency programs based around storytelling for children in languages other than English.
04
Devolving
Lost in Books is a socially thriving, and increasingly financially viable safe space where local artists are employed to run creative workshops for the community. It provides a structured volunteering experience that is taken up by local women with migrant and refugee experiences, providing them with Australian workplace training and experience. It also regularly employs from the volunteer base, providing incomes and on-the-job training.
Key Metrics
The LOST IN BOOKS and Think+DO Tank Foundation is a community made up of:
What do our program participants say?
Funders and Partners
Think+DO Tank Foundation thanks our funders and partners for their generosity and support for LOST IN BOOKS in 2019.
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Funders: Johnston Foundation, Crown Resorts, Foundation Packer Family Foundation, Create NSW, NSW Government, Community Building Partnerships, Scanlon Foundation Liverpool City Council
Partners: Liverpool Public School, Western Sydney University, Fairfield City Council, Fairfield City Museum & Gallery, Settlement Services International
Hear from the community
Click on images to play videos
The People Movers
The People Movers is an experimental transport solution developed by Think+DO Tank Foundation in consultation with local community members in South-Western Sydney.
The People Movers is a solution to the lack of mobility in some parts of our local community. Powered by community, it is a 12-seater van that offers a shared and affordable solution to the challenge of getting around parts of South Western Sydney. It aims to develop into a demand-responsive transport solution that provides the convenience of ride share services to low-income community members, to enable them to get more done in their day and to extend the horizon of their networks.
thepeoplemovers.org.au
Date: 2019 - Present
Location: South Western Sydney
Press:
Transportation and mobility is a really big barrier and we've done research since 2015 including two surveys and what we've learned is that people are saying here's how I can move, but this is how I want to move and they weren't the same.
Jane Stratton, CEO
How do you make sure we are safe? I wouldn’t get into a car with someone I didn’t know. But maybe I would if they knew someone I know … you know, like one step removed from a friend, or something like that. And you can build in circles like that. It builds confidence and trust.
Mental Wellbeing Impact Assessment Workshop Participant
Our Method
01
Enquiring
Our enquiry was conducted through two surveys, and a qualitative Mental Wellbeing Impact Assessment that we conducted together with Western Sydney Community Forum, South Western Sydney Local Health District, and CHETRE, University of New South Wales. We learned from local South Western Sydney residents that:
- public transport is unaffordable
- public transport is inconvenient and often feels unsafe, and
- “to get around here”, you need a car.
The problem? Most people we surveyed don’t have reliable access to a car.
02
Experimenting
We asked, what would a solution look like?
The community consultation we conducted told us that trust was the most important element of any response.
Our task is to experiment with a transportation method that addresses concerns of risk, trust and safety and promotes accessibility, choice, and connectivity. We surveyed the community that would immediately benefit from the service to ask for their input on how the service should be designed.48 community members
03
Enacting
The project is funded by NSW Government (Community Building Partnerships, Office of Responsible Gambling) . The van has been acquired and fitted out, and the service is being designed in consultation with its potential beneficiaries. The People Movers service will be launched in 2020.
Local bilingual community members with experience in professional driving are being invited to register their interest to be employed and trained as The People Movers’ drivers.
04
Devolving
The People Movers launches in 2020 - it is not yet ready for devolution.
Key Metrics
The People Movers by the numbers:
Funders and Partners
Funders: NSW Government, Community Building Partnerships and Office of Responsible Gambling
The Universe of Possibilities
A caravan in which anything is possible!
The Universe of Possibilities is a mobile community arts centre set in a purpose-built caravan that brings new possibilities to places with a high concentration of need including low-income urban places, and regional and remote places. Its initial focus will be on refugee resettlement hubs.
The Universe of Possibilities is capable of hosting creative workshops and programming; performances, screenings and events; and is a venue for community celebrations in the parks, streets, schools, shopping centres and local gathering places that they call their own.
The Universe of Possibilities will be launched in South Western Sydney in 2020 when it will tour to Wagga Wagga and Coffs Harbour with partners, Monkey Baa Theatre; Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga; and Settlement Services International.
Date: 2019 - Present
Location: South Western Sydney and regional areas in NSW
Press:
The Universe of Possibilities responds to the complaint that there is 'nothing for us or our kids to do', coupled with the transport challenge by bringing high quality, multilingual and engaging programming to low-income communities, allowing us to scale our impact by interacting with up to 100 people at a time. Class position and geographical location should not be the prime determinants of whether you can participate in the arts.
Jane Stratton, CEO
Our Method
01
Enquiring
The Universe of Possibilities responds to the complaint that there is 'nothing for us or our kids to do', coupled with the transport challenge by bringing high quality, multilingual and engaging programming to low-income communities, allowing us to scale our impact by interacting with up to 100 people at a time
02
Experimenting
In progress
03
Enacting
The project has been funded by the NSW Government. The caravan has been designed, fabricated, and registered. It will enter service in 2020.
04
Devolving
The Universe of Possibilities launches in 2020 - it is not yet ready for devolution.
Key Metrics
caravan built to our specification to promote:
- access to high quality, multilingual books - we can take our books on the road
- access to screen cultures - we can use the caravan as a mobile cinema
- access to live performance - we can stage performances from the caravan
- access to creative skills development - the caravan brings 22m2 of outdoor space for workshops and training to be delivered.
Funders and Partners
Funder: Create NSW, Creative Capital Fund, NSW Government, Office of Responsible Gambling
Partner: The Showoff Person - David Sell
Against the Tide
Against The Tide is an interactive public artwork in development and production for Think+DO Tank Foundation to present to the public.
Against the Tide is the concept of Jane Stratton, our CEO, that has been explored by an award winning team of theatre artists, musicians and creative technologists. It is an innovative fusion of art, history and technology.
With a state of the art interactive device, Against the Tide will take audiences between Sydney’s Circular Quay and Parramatta by ferry. Participants will discover the rich sediment of untold stories on Sydney’s Parramatta River and Harbour, the memory of the water itself.
Since 2013, we've created new research; produced more than 40 new social histories; commissioned/produced more than 50 original dramatic scripts, a 5-movement musical composition, and a bespoke interactive object to allow audiences to experience the Parramatta River and Sydney Harbour in unexpected and unique ways.
In 2020 - 21, TDTF will produce a further development of Against the Tide to finalise content for production, and to successfully launch the work to the public in the first half of 2022.
againstthetide.net.au
Date: 2017 - Present
Location: Parramatta River and Harbour
One of the biggest insults in times past was to say someone was one eyed, so you only have one view. We are offering you a view of many, and this is what needs to be given
Aunty Jacinta Tobin, Darug Elder
Our Impact
Supporting Community Aspiration
Employing Local Women
Our work reflects the communities in which we operate. So does our staff.
At LOST IN BOOKS, we are hiring local women as part of our team.
We are building a library of case studies of the experiences of local women whom we have employed, all of whom have an experience as a migrant or a refugee, to deepen our understanding of the barriers to full participation in Australian society that they face, and how we can assist them to better overcome them.
Consistent with our commitment to work on systems and at a collective level, as well as addressing individuals’ challenges, we seek to better understand the challenges from the women’s perspective so that we can assist them to fulfil their own aspirations.
Quotes from case studies
In Her Own Words: Ginan
At LOST IN BOOKS, everyone works with passion. Working there, never been merely a job to do, but I felt an active member of the organisation and part of it. This encouraged me to think innovatively to develop the work, and by doing this, I have learned very valuable skills like strategic thinking, long term planning and time management.
In Her Own Words: Aghasan
I came to Australia in October 2016, my world was limited, socially I don’t know many people or have many friends. Through working at LOST IN BOOKS, I meet many peoples from various backgrounds and my social network has greatly expanded. Now, I know people from different cultures and gained precious friendships.
In Her Own Words: Afaf
I came to LOST IN BOOKS with a training in Psychology and a big passion to open communication channels between different cultures so they co-exist peacefully and being able to access equal opportunities in life. My main concern is disadvantaged communities and refugees...
...In the same time, I was aware of my own experience as a refugee and how this guide my thinking and reactions. It is very challenging, to stay focus and objective, but with the generous support of LOST IN BOOKS and the compassion and an open mind they show on every step, I am able to gain the balance again and learn objectively.
Read more from case studies
Our Impact 2019
an expanding multilingual collection
a growing community
Community+Aspiration
Creative Outputs
Audience and Engagement - Face to Face
Digital Audience and Engagement - Web
a creative force
a thriving local cultural hub
a strong web audience
Diversity+Multilingualism
Digital Audience and Engagement - Social Media
a growing and engaged online community
Think+DO Tank Foundation’s work is concerned not only with artistic excellence and creative leadership, but to contribute in measurable ways to social cohesion, social inclusion, liveability and community wellbeing.
In 2019, we deepened our work at LOST IN BOOKS where we champion multilingual literacies and multilingual and inclusive creative production models.
We understand the already-existing, and growing linguistic diversity of Australian society as a capability that is increasing, and that is undervalued and under-realised. Our linguistic diversity makes us globally capable not only in trade and political negotiations, but through the arts.
We have embraced the opportunity and challenge to create channels for self-generated revenues, in ways that serve our purpose. Think+DO Tank Foundation has already launched one social enterprise - LOST IN BOOKS - and is poised to launch its second, The People Movers. We are developing other channels of passive revenue by finalising Against the Tide: A Highway West, an interactive public artwork that will be permanently installed from early 2022, producing ongoing revenues from tour fees.
Our work at LOST IN BOOKS is to increase the feelings of belonging; legitimacy; self-worth; and equality amongst participants and community members. Through this social enterprise, we produce, invest in, and champion new Australian stories, in the languages of Australian communities; and experiment with new ways of presenting these stories. We develop the skills and further the aspirations of local community members, predominantly women with a migrant or refugee experience.
Together, LOST IN BOOKS, The People Movers and The Universe of Possibilities aim to create healthy, creative, culturally rich and socially connected communities; and to provide social infrastructure capable of meeting the community’s changing needs.
We work to reveal and strengthen the threads that connect us all, in society with one another, through the sharing of story, place, language, meaning and by making apparent our connectedness.
TDTF is an entrepreneurial and courageous producer, skilled at bringing together bold collaborations.
As reflected in the “Think+DO” of our name, we have been applying critical and curious thinking to everyday realities since 2013. We welcome you to become involved, and to learn more about our work.
Did you know that more than 21% of Australians speak a language other than English at home? In Fairfield, more than 71% of local residents are speaking languages other than English at home. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census 2016)
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Audited financial statements available to funders on request.
Credits
Photography:
- Huy Nguyen, Graphic Designer, TDTF
- Ben Williams, Create NSW
- Nancy Trieu, Phoenix Eye
- Velinda Wardell ACS
- Maria Del Mar Barahona
Community contributions:
- Think+DO Tank Foundation thanks our staff, volunteers, and collaboration artists and community partners for sharing their perspectives in this Report.
- Thanks to you: Emmanuel; Ehoud; Ginan; Ramina; Kelly; Asmaa; Dr Bushra; Zahra; Alyx; Cipi; Joo Young; Vicki; Xue Zhen; Ginan; Aghasan; and Afaf.
Design:
- Our thanks to Huy Nguyen, Graphic Designer, TDTF, for his work on the design, copy and management of this Annual Report.
- Thanks too to Aphrodite Delaguiado, Marketing & Creative Lead, TDTF
Data Analysis:
- Jane Stratton, Chief Executive Officer, TDTF
- Liliana Occhiuto, Marketing Assistant, TDTF
Programming and data visualisation:
- Huy Nguyen, Graphic Designer, TDTF
- Paul Ballesty, Front End Engineer