An extreme heat awareness event – Parramatta, Sydney
Summers in Sydney are getting longer, hotter and more extreme. On 5 Feb 2026, we filled Parramatta Town Hall in Western Sydney for our biggest in person event yet Hot City, Cool People to mark Extreme Heat Awareness Day.
Extreme Heat Awareness Day is dedicated to having a national conversation on the health impacts of rising temperatures.
Hot City, Cool People was an evening of expert insights, creativity and connection. From powerful community voices to practical pathways for action, the night explored how climate justice and resilience must be built together.
Speakers and performers on the night included:
- Award winning author Winnie Dunn
- AFLW player, Project and Engagement Director at FrontRunners and Board Director at Footy for Climate Nicola Barr
- Midfielder and emerging leader for the GWS GIANTS Tom Green
- Chair of Public Health for the Australian Medical Association and GP Dr. Michael Bonning
- Paediatrician and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Cybele Dey
- Chair of the Hills Doctors Association and Asian Australians for Climate Solutions and Western Sydney GP Dr. Kim Loo
- Noqu Vanua Youth Choir
- Sydney Alliance Organiser, Raul Sugunananthan
If you couldn’t join us live, you can now watch the full event recording below. Settle in and be part of a vital conversation shaping a safer, cooler future for Sydney.
You can also scroll down past the recording for event graphic illustrations of program highlights by the talented Jess Harwood.
You might find yourself wanting to take action with us by the end of the recording – its not too late, click here to get involved!
Hot City, Cool People recording – just press play
Event graphic illustrations by Jess Harwood
Keynote Address:
Panel discussion:
Hot City, Cool People was made possible thanks to the hard work and partnership of Dr. Kim Loo alongside the Hills Doctors Association and Avant. We also thank programming partners Australian Red Cross, Sydney Alliance, Frontrunners and the Antipoverty Centre.
The work of Sweltering Cities is people powered. Support us here to help sustain community action for safer summers.