About us
Community Praxis is a worker’s co-operative that provides the collaborative infrastructure for members, friends and colleagues to earn an income by forming self-managed teams for project, consultancy and training work. We will consider any work for which we can bring together a team with appropriate skills and experience, in which there is an opportunity to contribute towards building more peaceful, just and sustainable communities.
As a result of our work all of us in Community Praxis Co-op hope to contribute to the reduction of exploitative competition; the expansion of productive collaboration; the celebration of the unique gifts of all people, especially those on the edge; and the equitable utilisation of our common resources.
The Co-op seeks to practice traditional co-operative principles, encouraging the development of acceptance and respect, spirituality and compassion, solidarity and participation, responsibility and competence in the individuals, neighbourhoods and organisations with whom we work.
Our current members are:
As a result of our work all of us in Community Praxis Co-op hope to contribute to the reduction of exploitative competition; the expansion of productive collaboration; the celebration of the unique gifts of all people, especially those on the edge; and the equitable utilisation of our common resources.
The Co-op seeks to practice traditional co-operative principles, encouraging the development of acceptance and respect, spirituality and compassion, solidarity and participation, responsibility and competence in the individuals, neighbourhoods and organisations with whom we work.
Our current members are:
|
Dave Andrews
Dave, his wife Ange and their family, have lived and worked in intentional communities with marginalised groups of people in Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal and for more than forty years. Dave and Ange together with their friends started Aashiana, Sahara, Sharan and Sahasee – four well-known community organisations working with slum dwellers, sex workers, drug addicts, and people with HIV/AIDS in India. They are currently a part of the Waiters Union, an inner city community network working alongside Aborigines, refugees and people with disabilities in Australia.
Dave is interested in intentional community, interfaith engagement and the dynamics of personal and social transformation. He is author of many books and articles, including 'Not Religion, But Love', 'Building A Better World', ‘Down Under – In-Depth Community Work’ and ‘Living Community’ Dave is an educator at large for TEAR Australia, an aid and development agency, and a trainer for the Praxis Community Co-operative. Howard Buckley
Howard has been Manager of Deception Bay Community Youth Programs since 2009. His work experiences include six years as a Social Planner with Caboolture Shire Council and over 25 years of work in the community sector. His work with the Co-op includes a passion for community development training and he loves facilitating the Building Better Communities courses. For the last 28 years he has lived in Maleny with his partner and children, and played a major voluntary role in establishing and developing the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre. Howard loves bush walking, camping, and is a passionate supporter of the Richmond Football Club (2017 left a big smile on his face). He enjoys the humour of Leunig & The Far Side and is a Monty Python tragic.
PJ Humphreys
PJ lives and works on the south side of Brisbane involved in supporting a wide variety of community led projects in her community development role with Community Plus+ and also as an active citizen in her own neighbourhood. PJ has a Masters in Development Practice and has worked in the community sector for fifteen plus years in disability, Indigenous communities and in community organising to build collective power to create positive social change. PJ has also combined her love of travelling with international volunteering in Kenya. PJ is passionate about harnessing community energy to act together that is cooperative and collaborative. PJ enjoys good coffee, hiking, camping, travelling and quiet time to read, reflect and meditate.
Peter Westoby
Peter Westoby originally hails from the UK but now loves living in Maleny/Jinibara Country, Australia. He is currently a community development practitioner at Hummingbird House, a consultant with Community Praxis Co-op, a custodian of the Camellia Centre for Reflective Practice, as Adjunct Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology, Australia and a Visiting Professor with the Centre for Development Support, University of Free State, South Africa. Peter’s experience includes over 30 years of development practice work in South Africa, Uganda, Nepal, PNG, the Philippines, Vanuatu and Australia. He is also the author of 15 books and over 50 professional journal articles. In his spare time Peter also loves drinking good coffee, hanging out in his local bookshops, swimming in water holes, and bush walking.
|