Local Impact

Who we are

Local Impact is a social enterprise based in Melbourne's west, established in 2019. It works across the region to build the resilience and sustainability of the organisations, groups, and leaders who make a difference in their communities. Its vision is of a thriving, well-connected, and resilient western Melbourne that reflects the diversity and strength of its people.

Local Impact's purpose is to deliver meaningful connection, practical education, and professional support services to strengthen the community sector in Melbourne's west. Its team brings embedded experience in the region alongside expertise across business and community development, learning and service design, social enterprise development, cultural and community-led co-design, strategic planning, governance, grant writing, and communications.

Local Impact is led by a core leadership team:

• Andy Moutray-Read, CEO and Head of Connection – Andy has lived and worked in Melbourne's west for over 20 years and helped launch initiatives including Community Bank Seddon and the Community Bike Hub. He leads Local Impact's connection portfolio and brings expertise in community partnership building, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, board governance, and event facilitation.
• Aruna Venkatachalam, Head of Impact Education – Aruna has lived and worked in Melbourne's west for nine years and leads the impact education portfolio, co-building and delivering hands-on learning pathways in financial literacy and social enterprise. She brings over 15 years of experience across businesses, NGOs, and social enterprises in Australia and internationally, and specialises in working alongside underrepresented groups to grow community-centred initiatives.
• Amy McArthur, Head of Support – Amy has lived and worked in Melbourne's west for 15 years and leads Local Impact's operations and corporate services portfolio. She brings extensive experience in operations management, social enterprise growth, and the not-for-profit sector.

What we do

Local Impact's work is organised across three interconnected pillars: Connection, Education, and Support. Together, these pillars help community organisations, leaders, and businesses in Melbourne's west to collaborate, build capability, and operate more effectively. Local Impact currently supports over 70 local organisations through this work.

Connection

Local Impact brings community leaders, organisations, and businesses together through events and networking opportunities that build relationships and spark collaboration. Initiatives include Gather for Good, Leaders Lunch, and Community Pitch events, all designed to connect people working toward similar goals across the region.

Education

Local Impact develops and delivers practical learning programs that build skills and create pathways to economic participation. Programs span financial literacy, social enterprise training, entrepreneurship, and bike education, and are co-designed with communities and schools. To date, Local Impact has delivered programs across 13 local schools in Melbourne's west.

Support

Local Impact provides professional services to help community organisations run more effectively, freeing up local leaders to focus on their core mission. Services include bookkeeping, human resources, marketing, grant writing, and strategic guidance. Local Impact currently delivers shared services and programming support to 26 local organisations across several local government areas (LGAs) in Melbourne's west.