Our vision
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FunPark
Festival and community arts program
2014 – 2025
From its beginnings as a vibrant arts festival and through a series of creative activations over a decade, FunPark has celebrated place, culture, young people and the community of Bidwill, Mount Druitt.
FunPark was first presented at Sydney Festival in 2014 under the creative direction of founder, Karen Therese. From there, it developed into a sustained ‘Collective Impact Project’ led by a unique coalition of five arts, government and youth organisations: CuriousWorks, PYT Fairfield, Blacktown Arts, Bidwill Uniting and Learning Ground. At the heart of it all was joyous and grounded embedded creative and community development activities.
In early 2025, CuriousWorks wrapped up our stewardship of FunPark over the last few years and worked with Robyn Hardge-Scott and Learning Ground to support them in securing funding for a further three years. And so in late 2025, FunPark entered yet another new phase with the support of the Paul Ramsay Foundation.
We’re staying connected with our friends and collaborators on FunPark, and will support Robyn and Learning Ground into the future - because legacy stretches both backwards and forwards in time, and because we’re proud to be a part of the FunPark legacy and family.
In recent years under CuriousWork’s stewardship, FunPark’s highlights included:
Youth Leadership Committee (YLC)
Fortnightly meet-ups to June 2024, Bidwill Uniting
The Youth Leadership Committee (YLC) is a group of young people (aged 18-25yrs) from across Mount Druitt who care about their community and want to have a positive impact on social issues through creative action. The YLC play an important role in advising community leaders on issues that are relevant to young people. Through fortnightly meetings where they steer the direction of FunPark events and activities, the YLC develop skills in creative producing, community organising and advocacy. In 2024, select members of the YLC took on paid creative producing roles in the various mini-events the group designed, planned and ran.
'Strength in Stories' Community Calendar Launch
15 February 2024, The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre
Mount Druitt is profoundly rooted in resilient communities that celebrate and advocate for its people, culture, and place. Often misrepresented and underestimated, this heartland is home to a myriad of special individuals, programs, and establishments that breathe life into its every corner. The ‘Strength in Stories'’ calendar aspired to capture this genuine spirit, spotlighting those who define and enrich the community with their diversity, resilience, and vibrancy. Through a focus on the personalities behind the numerous services, institutions, and cultural groups, our intention was to not only honour them but to also weave an authentic narrative of Mount Druitt's multifaceted identity.
Community Kick Off
20 March 2024, Bidwill Reserve
The FunPark Community Kick Off was the first of our Youth Led Mini Events and was produced by one of our YLC members, Aaliyah Filipe. This event was created with the aim to bridge the gap between community and our local emergency services through a friendly game of touch footy. We had two teams called 'Toa' and 'Bunyas' (which means warrior in many Pasifika and First Nations languages), who wore team jerseys designed by young locals in our free Jersey Making and Designing workshops in the lead up to the game. Our teams were made up of local organisation members from Bidwill Uniting, The Hive and Learning Ground, Mount Druitt police force members, Baulkham Hills fire department, Ropes Crossing fire department and young local people who joined on the day.
Bidwill Family Fun Day
29 April 2024, Bidwill Reserve
The Bidwill Family Fun Day was our second of the three Youth Led Mini Events and was produced by another one of our YLC members, Brittney Higgison. This event was created to provide locals with a free, local, day of fun for parents and their kids to enjoy before going back to school for the new term whilst also building a closer relationship with and between community members, local organisations, emergency services.
Western Sydney Mixtape presents The Mixtape
8 June 2024, Mount Druitt Community Hall
FunPark and Western Sydney Mixtape joined forces to present The Mixtape. Mount Druitt Community Hall was buzzing with incredible talent and energy – many thanks to the following artist showcase featuring Majeda, Ignayso, Verdicts, Gemma Navarette, Wartabar, P.Smid and Stacey Street, Lxgcy, Rachel Giudice & James The Poet. This event was also produced by YLC member, Ryan Wicks.
CREDITS
From 2021-2025, FunPark was funded by Multicultural NSW’s Compact Alliance Grant.
Contact
Contact us here
Find us at:
Fairfield City HQ
17 Kenyon St,
Fairfield, NSW, 2165,
Australia
Mail us at:
PO Box 112,
Liverpool, NSW, 1871,
Australia
View our visual story to know exactly how to find us
02 9602 9568
ABN 49 717 992 269
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Always Was, Always Will Be, Aboriginal Land.
Our office is located on Darug land at Fairfield City HQ. We would like to acknowledge the Cabrogal Clan of the Darug Nation, the traditional custodians of the land. Our work takes us across Darug, Dharawal and Eora lands. Sovereignty was never ceded.