Join Dr Lucy Maynard, Kerry Jones and Chris Vanstone to explore community innovation.

This workshop is informed by TACSI's work with communities in Australia, and the global emergence of a new kind of community development practice. 

This workshop will be helpful to community members, government, funders and other organisations engaging in place-based work. 

The workshop shares principles and practices for effective community-led innovation work and explores how you can apply them.

Your facilitators

Dr Lucy Maynard

Our Town Initative Lead, TACSI

Lucy works on the Our Town initiative, helping develop inclusive, community-led approaches to change. Lucy is a PhD-qualified researcher in the area of youth, family and community empowerment and agency, and has co-authored three books that share theory and insights from practice based research, focusing on practitioner research and evaluation with groups and communities. Lucy’s previous experience is focused around working with the social sector to measure their impact and develop social R&D with the goal to to support people and communities facing inequality to become empowered and develop agency. Lucy has a knack for listening to people in a way that supports them to hear themselves think, which she believes helps people better understand themselves amid the complexities of life: the starting place of any social impact. When she’s not at work, you’ll find her off on an adventure in the great outdoors, either riding her bike in the Adelaide Hills or walking with her dogs.

Kerry Jones

Co-CEO, TACSI

Driven by the belief that everyone deserves a life filled with purpose, passion, and deep connection, Kerry's career has been devoted to creating opportunities for people to live their best lives. Kerry brings experience in leading transformative initiatives, including:
  • Empowering regional towns to lead local change for better mental wellbeing outcomes
  • Designing and testing innovative services, supports, and policies to help Australians age well
  • Demonstrating groundbreaking approaches to peer-to-peer support
  • Establishing essential services for people with disabilities in rural communities
  • Developing statewide programs that support young people with disabilities to transition from school to employment and adult life
  • Leading services that enable people with intellectual disabilities to build fulfilling careers in the mainstream workforce

Chris Vanstone

Chief Innovation Officer & co-CEO, TACSI

Chris started his career designing biscuits and razors before transitioning into social innovation over 20 years ago. As TACSI co-CEO and CIO, he’s responsible for keeping TACSI at the cutting edge of social innovation, playing a big role in the development of our practice, major initiatives and strategy. Chris’ goal is to democratise social innovation. He’s always striving to get important concepts into the world in ways that are clear.

What you'll receive

  • Pre-session reading and reflective activity

  • Four hour workshop facilitated by TACSI practitioners

  • Opportunities to connect with people exploring innovation in community settings across Australia

  • Practical frameworks, processes and practices for community innovation

  • Case studies of successful community innovation initiatives

  • Lifelong access to resources and guidance on the TACSI Learning Hub including via the Learning Hub smart phone app

Five skills you’ll learn

  • Reflect on the mindsets and practices for community innovation

  • Identify frameworks for embedding community innovation into your work

  • Practice applying a framework for prototyping

  • Develop a shared understanding and common language to talk about community innovation

  • Learn about strategies for sharing power toward community members

  • Learn about strategies for allyship with First Nations community members

Timing and pricing

Four hours total

Time & Duration:
Thursday 27 November 2025, 12.30pm - 4.30pm AEDT

Technology:
Hosted online via Zoom
Learning materials accessible via web browser 

Price: 
To support learners with limited access to professional development funding, we offer two prices for enrolments.

For organisation-funded learners:

This price is for learners with access to organisational funding such as professional development budgets.

AUD $600 per participant inclusive taxes (AUD $545 ex GST in Australia)

For self-funded learners:

This price is to support learners without access to funding from an organisation. 

AUD $400 per participant inclusive taxes (AUD $363 ex GST in Australia)

Receipt:
On purchase you will receive a receipt by email that will show GST for customers in Australia.

Group booking and paying by invoice:

To make a group booking or pay by invoice, email [email protected] with your details.

This workshop can also be delivered to your organisation, tailored to your needs, at a time that works for your team. Contact [email protected] to find out more.

Scholarships:

Limited free places are available for First Nations people, people with lived experience, young people (18-24) and low-income earners. Visit Scholarships for details including how to apply.

Pricing options

Course curriculum

  1. Welcome

  2. Introducing Community Innovation

  3. Imagination and Creativity

  4. Prototyping

  5. Many Threads of Allyship

About this course

  • $600.00
  • 3 hour workshops
  • Online delivery

What learners said

“The session was engaging, practical, and inspiring. I especially loved the tools we were introduced to, they were not only easy to use but also immediately applicable to real-world community challenges. The facilitators created a friendly environment that encouraged fresh thinking, and I left the session with a stronger mindset and renewed momentum to drive change. This masterclass gave me the practical resources to approach innovation in a more grounded, community-led way. Providing real life examples of projects that have thrived in smaller communities. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to deepen their skills and practice in creating meaningful social impact.”

Project coordinator, Pirie Voices

“Thoroughly insightful, quick hits, relevant, Just do it! ”

Manager of Community Policy and Programs, Blackall-Tambo Regional Council

“Provides an opportunity to think expansively about how communities connect and how to generate meaningful engagement.”

Board member, Kangaroo Island Our Town

“That there are different and more respectful ways of working with community. That achieve results rather than create winners and losers”

Manager, Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre Aboriginal Corporation

“Very well put together presentation - you'll leave with 100 more ideas!”

Manager Community Development, Shire of Waroona

“Great workshop when you think you know everything about your community.”

President, Mount Beauty Music Festival inc

“The phrase ‘stepping in and out of leadership’ and ‘building out diversity of people and perspectives’ resonates. I think I will be ‘shoulder tapping’ people in our community and support them in stepping into an opportunity or role that perhaps they may not have normally. Volunteer burnout is a common thread, building skill sharing opportunities will also be a priority area to develop for our community. ”

Manager of Community Policy and Programs, Blackall-Tambo Regional Council

“[In the future I will] Start using the Twosies concept in all of my volunteer roles, so in the future my knowledge is not lost and I eventually I can step down from leadership roles and that the next generation will continue the group.”

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FAQs

  • Are there any scholarships or subsidies?

    Yes, we offer limited free places for First Nations people, people with lived experience, young people (18-24) and low-income earners. Visit Scholarships for details including how to apply.

  • Will I get a certificate?

    Yes, you will be presented with a certificate on completing the course.

  • Can I register a group?

    Absolutely. Creating the conditions for innovation and change is a collective endeavour. Enrolling as an organisation (or group of organisations) will help you build a shared understanding and shared language, while giving you the opportunity to work through challenges specific to your context. Visit our Team Training for tailored learning options or contact our Learning Coordinator, at [email protected] about group booking options.

  • Can I pay by invoice?

    Yes, you can email us at [email protected] to request an invoice.

  • Can I get a tax invoice?

    When you purchase via our secure online platform a tax invoice will be sent to your email address.

  • How long will I have access?

    You will have lifelong access to the course materials.

  • What if I realise I can’t attend the course after purchasing it?

    Courses are non-refundable. If you are not able to make a course, and let us know more than 14 days before the start date, we will issue you a credit note (valid for 12 months) for use in a later course. At any point before the start date you can transfer your place to a colleague at no additional cost. Contact our Learning Coordinator, via email at [email protected] if you have any questions.

  • Who can I talk to about any other questions?

    You can email our Learning Coordinator at [email protected]