February Intro to ABCD - Lunch Box Conversation Session

This will be a participatory 1 hour, bring your lunch and a cuppa conversation session.

In this one our session we will start the conversation on “What is Asset Based Community Development’, in this interactive one-hour session we will chat about shifting the focusing to what’s strong, not what’s wrong in community, the role of organisations and government in community development and the differences between Social Service delivery to community building.

Many of the current challenges faced by individuals and communities require transformational change! How does asset-based community development (ABCD) build communities from the inside out by tapping into the gifts and strengths of everyone?



“Every single person has skills, abilities and gifts”. John McKnight

Who's the workshop for?

Anyone who wants to explore the power of collective creativity and collaboration with each other and within their communities:

• Community development workers and engagement leaders, policy officers and program managers

• Business leaders and social entrepreneurs

• Community and not for profit leaders, community organisers, and their teams

• Next generation leaders and other young activists

The CoBu team are listed below:

Fiona – ABCD Facilitator

Fiona is a creative and innovative facilitator with a passion for bringing people together around what’s local, possible, and already strong. Grounded in Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), she believes conversations matter and that meaningful collaboration sparks change. Fiona works across facilitation, graphic harvesting, community consultation, and co-designing projects alongside communities and their partners. With experience across early years, adult education, and diverse community settings, she especially enjoys supporting 8–12-year-olds to recognise their strengths and voice. Now based in northern Tasmania, Fiona loves family, friends, alpacas, chooks, volunteering—and baking excellent scones.

Harley – Community Builder & ABCD Facilitator

Harley is a passionate Community Builder and ABCD Facilitator with a background as diverse as the communities he works with. His career has spanned dance, high-end hairdressing, and medical management and governance, shaping a creative, strategic, and people-centred approach. At Jeder, Harley focuses on asset mapping, project development, and coaching, grounded in the belief that community building thrives in the “wibbly wobbly,” not straight lines. He values continual learning through working with diverse groups and practices slowing down through Four Fold Practice. Based in Perth, Harley loves beach time, his Cavoodles, and a well-curated shoe collection.

Lee – ABCD Facilitator

Lee brings a lifelong passion for community to their work as an ABCD Facilitator, delivering training, workshops, and strategic planning. With over 14 years’ experience across local government and the not-for-profit sector in Australia and the UK, Lee has focused on creating the conditions for organisations and systems to work alongside community. Their work spans social housing, homelessness, mental health, family and domestic violence, and disability. A long-time volunteer and board member, Lee has helped establish organisations addressing health inequality and supporting LGBTQIA+ communities. At the heart of Lee’s work is a strong commitment to recognising and building on the strengths and assets communities already hold.

Dee – ABCD & Art of Hosting Practitioner | Intentional Nomad

Dee is a highly experienced ABCD and Art of Hosting practitioner with over 30 years’ experience in community development, facilitation, and co-design. Known for her grounded, down-to-earth style, she brings people together to tap into the collective wisdom of communities and strengthen what’s already there. Dee has worked across youth work, community-based research, and community–university partnerships, and has facilitated hundreds of workshops, conferences, and events internationally. An Intentional Nomad, Dee has lived and worked in more than 20 countries and continues to support communities, organisations, and networks to collaborate in meaningful and transformative ways.