Developing communities in a post-USAID world

When: Tuesday 25 November 2025, 6:00–8:00 pm (AEDT)

Where: Kelvin Club, Melbourne CBD (Melbourne Place, off Russell St)

Hosted by: 888 Co-operative Causeway

Overview

What does international development look like after the recent USAID funding decision—and what does it mean for Australian aid, civil society, and community-led development? Join a panel of union, faith, and co-operative leaders to explore how politics and partnerships are reshaping the aid landscape and what practical pathways remain for building resilient communities from the ground up.

Moderator: Antony McMullen — Chair, 888 Co-operative Causeway; co-operative developer (Co-operative Bonds).

Reflection: Basil Varghese — Patron, 888 Co-operative Causeway (Basil’s Table).

Special thanks to RSA Oceania for supporting the event with light catering.

Speakers

Danae Bosler — Assistant Secretary, Victorian Trades Hall Council; Secretary & Committee of Management member, APHEDA–Union Aid Abroad. Nearly two decades in the union movement across climate action, member recruitment, delegate training, political engagement and government relations.

Rev Sharon Hollis — Uniting Church in Australia. Ordained Minister of the Word (since 1994); former Moderator, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania (2016–19); 16th President of the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly. Fellow and Council member at Queen’s College, University of Melbourne.

Dr Duncan Wallace — Lecturer, Faculty of Law (Monash). Works at the intersection of law, philosophy and economics with a focus on social groups, corporations and co-operatives. Winner of the 2024 Mollie Holman Award for his doctoral thesis The Organic Theory of the Corporation (forthcoming with Cambridge University Press, 2026). Former consultant and practitioner in the co-operatives and mutuals sector.

Who should attend

Practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, unionists, faith-based and community development leaders, co-operative and mutual enterprise builders, students and anyone interested in the future of Australian aid and community-led development.

About the host

888 Co-operative Causeway is a volunteer-run co-working co-operative off Little Collins Street. We host conversations on the social economy and public policy at the Kelvin Club as part of our mission to build community and shared capability in Melbourne. Learn more: https://www.888causeway.coop/

Capacity is limited—registration essential.