Steering Group

Who we are

The Initiative is guided by the following people and groups:

The steering committee (outlined below)
The colloquium members who initiated this process in 2022;
Special interest groups working on key work areas such as ‘participation and communication’, 'research', ‘and finance’, 'strategic engagement' and 'power of dialogue';
The current and growing ‘circle of friends’ who want to stay informed or be involved.

Steering Committee

Creating change together.

Carmel Daveson (Convener)

Carmel supports people with lived experiences to identify and find creative solutions to community issues. She has facilitated the formation of a range of organisations which enable people to have a voice in decision-making and to work together for social change.

Bea Rogan

Bea is a community practitioner and enabler with a commitment to community, organisational enhancement and social change.

Patricia Ferrier

Trish's career in the community sector has focussed on environmental issues and community development; Working with others to create change. Her work with local and state government provides valuable insight into policy making and community consultation.

Helen Betts

Helen has worked across government and social policy and has spent the last 20 years teaching Community Development at Griffith University.

Fiona Caniglia

Fiona is currently the CEO of Q Shelter. She has a long history in social planning, community development and neighbourhood centre work.

Morrie O'Connor

Morrie has a long history in constructivist community development and activist work in the housing, cooperative and disability sectors.

Susan Allan

Susan has 30 years experience in diverse human service contexts with Government, not-for-profit, commercial and community-based organisations and is currently the Manager at SANDBAG community centre.

Jacques Boulet

Jacques is qualified in community development with a PhD in Social Work/Sociology. He is the co-founder of the Borderlands Cooperative (1997), editor New Community (2003) and Think Again programmer at 3CR Melbourne.

Laura Barnes

Laura is an experienced leader across the community and public sectors, using systemic inquiry and participatory practices and principles to bring people together effectively to work collaboratively and effectively for change. Laura is currently the lead for ChangeFest – the national movement for community led systems change.