Electric Communities - end of year wrap-up

Reflecting on what we’ve achieved in a massive year

As we come to the end of 2025, I think it’s worth taking stock of what this network has achieved together. It’s been our biggest year yet, driven by the energy, commitment and generosity of local groups across the country.

The year began with community groups coming together for the US Connecting Communities Tour, with events and knowledge sharing with US and NZ counterparts, as well as groups across Australia.

This network came together brilliantly during the election campaign, with community groups helping to lift electrification into the public conversation. Groups hosted candidate forums, met with MPs and candidates and helped electrification become a key issue for candidates, parties and MPs. With electrification advocates being elected in seats all over Australia, it was a strong reminder that when communities organise they can shape the national agenda.

Shortly after that, Kristen handed much of this work over to me as the incoming Community Lead, and I immediately had my hands full with the Faster and Fairer Book Tour, which became a highlight of the year for many groups. Local volunteers packed out venues, created new electrification partnerships, and brought their communities together to hear from Saul. For many groups, it was a chance to activate volunteers, reach new audiences and build confidence in hosting larger events. The impact was real and immediate, and it showed what can happen when national and local energy come together. I know Saul absolutely loved interacting with local groups on the ground, whether it was a gathering of 30 people or 300!

We supported groups on local issues, such as the closure of the gas network to ten towns in regional Victoria, or the rejection of renewable energy projects in Queensland.

Throughout the year, our network also came together through a series of workshops that helped build skills and confidence across the movement. We explored topics like Sustainable House Day, electrification expos, how to engage communities and how to approach grants and fundraising. These sessions were supported by top level speakers, bringing their insights and knowledge to the network, but also by volunteer members of the network, who shared stories, compared notes and learned from each other. Our groups have given great feedback on these workshops, and have strengthened their skills to reach, engage and uplift their communities.

In addition, a host of events, workshops, panels, local programs, advisory sessions and more have been held as a collaboration between local groups and Rewiring Australia, all with the goal of supporting local communities to electrify.

Alongside these shared moments, your groups have been busy all year with expos, community workshops, council engagement, advocacy, neighbourhood events and conversations at kitchen tables and market stalls. It has been inspiring to watch how much care, skill and heart local volunteers bring to this work. The growth and strength of the network is a direct result of your effort.

We're so appreciative of the amazing work the network and all the groups in it have been doing this year, and we look forward to deepening the knowledge, and expanding the reach of, this network and all of you.

Tim, Kristen and the Rewiring Team