David Barrow: alumni profile

What has your journey looked like since graduating from CCGS in 2003?

My experience growing up on the Central Coast made me sharply aware of the disparity between haves and have-nots. After getting involved in education campaigning at uni and the leadership of the Uniting Church, I decided to make community organising my vocation. That, plus the campaign for marriage equality, getting married and then surviving a touch of cancer has made it a wild and exciting ride since.

You’ve worked for Sydney Alliance for over 10 years. What is Sydney Alliance and what’s involved in being a Lead Organiser?

The Sydney Alliance brings together churches, mosques, synagogues, charities, migrant groups, environment orgs and unions to act for the common good of Sydney. We’re non-partisan and we’ve won big on affordable housing, public transport, refugee welfare and protecting weekends.

As Lead Organiser I act as coach, agitator, mentor, provocateur, trainer and facilitator of a network of 400 leaders across civil society helping them to work together to change the city for the better, at heart I’m a professional relationship builder.

What’s the hardest thing about your work?

Maintaining the budget to support the work, moving politicians to take their voters truly seriously, getting journalists to cover stories West of Strathfield.

What drives you to go to work and give it your best each day?

Supporting people of humble means to have the confidence and team to negotiate eye-to-eye with elected officials for a community win.

A proud moment was seeing Nabjib a young Hazara man on a temporary visa, secure a deal with the Dpt. Premier for 10,000 people seeking asylum to get entry to TAFE, he then went to TAFE and has become a (tax paying) electrician.

Seeing Chaitra, an international student who was on the brink of homelessness lead a state-wide campaign that resulted in $21 Million in secure emergency housing.

Donna, a librarian and mum of four from Rouse Hill pin down the Minister for Planning to an affordable housing commitment in front of 600 community members– and got a yes.

What are you passionate about?

I live publicly for the common good and privately for the good life. My faith guides me.

What has the highlight of your career been to date?

Three highlights that are all about working together in huge teams: Filling the Town Hall for our Alliance assemblies with community leaders six times since 2011. Winning the abolition of domestic full-fee paying places as National Union of Students’ President in 2009. Under COVID leading efforts to secure $21M in emergency affordable housing, $6M in support for asylum seekers and $7M for the red cross for temporary migrants.

Working with democracy activists in Hong Kong.

How has the COVID pandemic affected your work?

Tripled the responsibilities, energy and needs, but also the opportunities for a better city and state.

What trait that has been most vital in helping you succeed?

Joyfulness, punctuality and enjoying teamwork

What is one piece of advice you would give to your high school self?

Don’t wait till year 11 to come out, be your full self from the beginning.

Extra-curricular activities will help you make the world a better place for those that don’t get your opportunities. Especially school productions…. and even rugby. 

Anything else we should know?

The Alliance offers internships for university students passionate about social justice, community work, politics and civil society. I’d be honoured to have CCGS alumni apply.