‘Closing Night’ is one of eight segments featured in the latest anthology film, Here Out West. A love letter to ‘the ever-changing melting pot’ of Western Sydney, the Screen Australia-supported project spotlights eight emerging writers and their diverse takes on what it means to live in Western Sydney, including Vonne Patiag of Halal Girls fame, and Bengali writer Arka Das. The Western was privileged enough to chat with Chinese-Australian critic and essayist, Claire Cao. Hailing from Canley Vale, she describes her work with Here Out West as an experience unlike past projects in her writing career.

ZOKU Creative masters the power of storytelling by sharing the stories of those who would be considered as the black sheep of society.

If you love bananas, you need to try Just Bannoffy’s Banoffee Pie. I am a sucker for all things banana; whether it’s a banana berry smoothie, banana bread or Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey. I remember having a Banoffee Cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory in 2019 when I was in America and it was one of the most delicious desserts I’ve ever had, my mouth waters thinking about it.

The Western podcast is finally back! As we come in headstrong for our fourth season in 2021, our editorial writer Nicole Cadelina will be hosting a new episode every week, with a fresh line-up of guests to meet and greet.

Who has power over you, and what would you like to the say to them? Creators and writers Jeremy Goldstein and Henry Woolf bring their program from the United Kingdom to Western Sydney. Speakers and artists tell stories in response to that question, including The Western’s own Mark Mariano. Running March 11-13 at Riverside Theatres in Parramatta, tickets are available now!

Nicole interviews Miranda, a Filipinx writer and speaker. Their latest project, Let Me Know When You Get Home, will be performed at Riverside’s National Theatre in Parramatta, from March 18-20. Tickets are available now at the CuriousWorks website.

Erin chats to the creator of Reduce The Stigma - a locally made jewellery collection set to spread mental health awareness.

Mark chats to good friend and small business owner Kristin Buenaventura about tonesofeve, a one-woman online earring boutique operating in Doonside.

Laura chats with Mariam Mohammed - co-founder of MoneyGirl and one of Financial Review’s 100 Women Of Influence - about her start-up journey!

We are excited to announce UPFRONT, an Instagram live special. On Wednesday, May 27, The Western’s, editor Mark Mariano will chat with special guests The Pxblication. Tune in at 8pm AEST on our Instagram page!

Local director Vonne Patiag presents Western Sydney Shorts - a curated collection of short films set to celebrate the area and share important stories.

COVID-19 has forced a lot of small and local businesses into uncertainty. Laura and Erin join the Stonecutters for one last hurrah as they announce their heartbreaking closure.

In light of International Women's Day, we are the mainstream, a collective of Black, Indigenous and Femmes of Colour hosted an all day event on Saturday, 29 February to celebrate the BIWoC community. The atmosphere was inspiring, just being surrounded by like-minded women who were ambitious to challenge the status quo.

Cool Jay from the 9, still in the area moving (moving) hustling to make that grind’ Lyrics from ‘Repeat’ by Jaecy featuring Pistol Pete and Enzo. If you haven’t heard this track then please play it as you read this feature, I promise you, you’ll get hooked to the energy. I’d like to introduce you to John Charles or artistically known as Jaecy.

The Western’s Nicole profiles Raven, a Marayong-local visual artist.

Hot off the steam press, The Western’s Tabitha chats with Western Sydney clothing label The Forbidden Religion Apparel.

The Western’s Erin attends an art workshop centred on charcoal, led by Western Sydney local artist Kristone Capistrano.

Local artist Paula do Prado is hosting a creative workshop at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre as part of their Summer Workshop program called Bound Together.

The Western’s Mark chats to award-winning media personality Jan Fran about her Western Sydney roots, and her inspiring journey to stardom. 

The Western’s Nicole chats to Culture Shock creatress Jazel Jozic, a Filipino-Croatian all-rounder who has collab'd with some of Western Sydney’s biggest names.