Staff Profiles

Chris Lacey, Executive Director

Currently the Executive Director of Urban Seed, Chris has worked as a youth and community worker for over 15 years. As he has developed and led dynamic youth, education and community development projects Chris has sought to create spaces where people can engage with their neighbours and neighbourhoods. Chris currently creates home with his wife and two sons in Footscray in Melbourne.

 


Samara Pitt, Operations Manager

Samara joined Urban Seed in 2003 after three years teaching in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. She worked with the Youth and Schools Team until late 2010 when she accepted the role of Operations Manager. She is also involved in a number of other vibrant communities including Gembrook Retreat, and the Indigenous Hospitality House in Wurundjeri country (North Carlton) where she lives and hosts Indigenous guests who are in town on hospital business. She finds life and energy in growing the connections between groups of people seeking to live well on this land.

David Millar, Corporate and Philanthropic Engagement

David is an ex-drug and alcohol user and at one point many years ago used to eat at Cafe Credo when he had fallen on hard times. He grew up in Bendigo, went to University in Melbourne first and then did post-graduate studies in Japan. After the acquisition of 3 degrees and a professional qualification, he set off into the world to earn fame and fortune. Over the next 15 years he lived in 3 countries and achieved a fair bit of both. 
However, his desire for a fast paced lifestyle lead into recreational drug and alcohol use that eventually spiralled out of control, ultimately seeing him homeless and penniless in Melbourne. In 2009 he had a life-changing experience and got free of his helpless cycle of addiction. Aside from volunteer work with other at-risk drug/alcohol addicts and rehabs, he works as an volunteer outreach worker for a mens health organisation, volunteers for his local church and prior to joining Urban Seed in 2012 worked for legal aid. 
David sees his life changing experience 4 years ago as his chance to be reborn, and actively seeks out ways to help others to do the same. David is also passionate about cooking, opera and modern art.

Christopher Booth, Church Engagement Co-ordinator 

In 2004 Christop spent some time hanging out with some artists who were painting a mural in Baptist Place. They introduced him to the Credo community. He was an Urban Seed resident from 2006-2009 (and holds the record for the longest stint!) and now lives at the Indigenous Hospitality House in Carlton with his wife Mehrin. He has recently been doing a lot of drawing, photography, mixed media, animation and installation art, particularly for use in church spaces. Christop also shows church groups around his neighbourhood, sharing the story of Urban Seed and inviting them to think about what's going on in their own neighbourhoods. Christop has a blog.


Simon Moyle, Public Engagement Co-ordinator 

Simon loves to tell stories that inspire imagination and action. He has spoken to and run workshops for churches, schools, nonprofits and community groups.  His own embodied imaginings have seen him play frisbee with soldiers on a military base during war games, invite police and anti-globalisation protesters to sit down to a freegan meal together at the G20 meetings, and lead 120 young Christians on a march around the offices of the world’s 3rd largest weapons manufacturer. He is a Baptist minister and leader and founding member of GraceTree, a small community in the inner north of Melbourne trying to find ways to live simply, lovingly and joyfully together. He is Public Engagement Coordinator at Urban Seed.  Simon is husband to Julie and Dad to three amazing kids.

Stephen Said, Residential & Community Engagement Co-ordinator

Stephen is a husband, a dad, and a foundation member of the Melbourne Heart Football Club. He works in the area of activism and social change as an educator, activist, speaker, writer and community development worker.  Stephen is particularly interested in radical spirituality, incarnational community and the dynamics of personal and social transformation and you can read more about this on his blog. He has helped many think about the nexus between the issues of justice, poverty, consumerism and discipleship in the context of popular global culture.


Evan Morgan, Educator

Evan is a born and bred Melburnian who loves spending time in the city. During a Diploma of Ministry at Tabor College, Evan was encouraged to participate in the Mission Exposure week with Urban Seed, and followed up with a two year stint busking on Swanston Street, meeting locals and participating in the rhythms of the street. He developed a love of learning about different subcultures in Melbourne, and has contributed to a few of these through music production, performance and event management. Evan loves that Urban Seed has a healthy cricket culture and, on another note, needs studio space in the north, preferably a room 5x5 metres, and will be very satisfied in life when he finds one.

Dave Fagg, Edge Co-ordinator

Dave is married to Kylie with whom he has lived and worked among marginalised people since their late teens. They travelled to the USA and South Africa to learn about communities doing grassroots community development before moving to a housing commission area in Bendigo in 2005. Since then they have been involved with the local neighbourhood centre and Seeds Bendigo as well as becoming grandparents to Toby & Amity. Dave thinks aloud on his blog


Virginia Moebus-Nelson, Residential Volunteer

Virginia was attracted to Urban Seed as a resident in 2003, and lived in Central House for two years. After completing studies in welfare, she realised how much she didn’t know, and decided that hanging out with people in the Credo community might be a good way of learning! It was also an important way of further exploring the relationship between her discipleship journey and her work. The ‘non-professional’ ethos that Urban Seed generally, and residency in particular, takes on, has been an important foundation for her. Virginia is now back living at Central House with her legendary husband, Jeff.

Greg Gow, Street and Hospitality Coordinator

Greg co-ordinates our street and hospitality work. He is a practitioner who integrates community development with Christ-centred spirituality. Over the past 25 years he has worked among the urban poor and marginalised in a range of settings. Meanwhile, he has consistently practiced training, coaching and empowerment with young adults. With extensive experience working in community, government, higher education and church sectors, Greg brings leadership, ideas and strategies to Urban Seed’s street and hospitality practices.



Laurie Foster, Residential Volunteer

Laurie is a second year resident at Urban Seed.  He hangs out with the Credo community on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He is currently completing his second year of a Diploma of Youth Work through Praxis. He is continuing to learn and grow and test things and figure out the world. He is also an avid Carlton fan (Premiers this year definitely!). He may look tough (haha) but feel free to approach him as he is more than happy to hang out and meet with and journey with new people!




Andreana Reale

Andreana has been a part of Urban Seed's work for a number of years: first as a resident, then running Credo Writing Group, and in 2012 as a Grant Writer. Andreana loves to collect stories and write them down - which is good, because it is now part of her job description! Andreana is also a student of theology and is currently exploring Baptist ordination. She is married to David, and is an active member of Collins Street Baptist Church.



Mayra Stark, Youth & Schools Coordinator

Mayra has been hanging around Urban Seed since completing the Praxis Youth Work course in 2007.She has spent time as Youth Worker in the Edge Program since 2008 and is excited to take on the role of Youth and Schools Coordinator in 2012. She is passionate about young people, social justice(raising awareness) and living in community. She also loves traveling and exploring new cultures, being healthy, taking pictures and reading a good book. She lives in Melbourne’s inner west as part of Footscray Salvos Community with her husband Cam, and pet dog Paris and cat Otto.



Stuart Berryman, Resident

This fine young specimen, hailing from Balwyn, is one of our newest residents at Urban Seed. Having insupposable skills in the fine culinary arts (drawing from his many years as a McDonald's crew/manager) and drawing from his George Orwell inspired totalitarian practices as a Warrant Officer in the Australian Air Force Cadets, he comes as a welcome, well qualified member of the team. Stuart will be working with the Street and Hospitality team in Credo Cafe, as well as the Youth & Schools program as a part of his placement for PRAXIS, a Christian youth work course he is undertaking this year. Stu is an avid longboarder, outdoorsman and Gossip Girl fan, and although he walks around looking kinda grumpy, he is more than approachable, feel free to say hi!


Tania Hurren, Credo Co-ordinator

After spending a few years overseas I arrived back in Melbourne with a desire to re-connect with Urban Seed. After having volunteered in Credo cafe previously I felt it was time to take the plunge and become a resident! Thankfully the door opened for that to happen and 2011 became my year of 'living in'. I am now excited to be taking on the role of Credo coordinator while living not too far away in Brunswick. Although living in the city I feel I am still a country girl at heart! I have fond memories of growing up on a dairy farm amongst animals, home grown vegetables and fruit trees. A childhood which I loved then and continue to appreciate now. Strawberry season was my favourite..unfortunately for everyone else not too many strawberries actually made it into the house! One thing I love about working with Urban Seed is the value that's placed on providing good, wholesome food. I believe this also reflects the value that we place on each person who walks through the door of Credo. We serve good food to anyone and everyone who joins us for lunch....that includes YOU!! See you in Credo sometime soon.


Jaki Tidmas

Hey! My name is Jacqueline Grace Tidmas, but to keep it simple I like to call myself Jaki. I currently live on level 8 with Stuart, Laurie and Sam. My family and I are from New Zealand and we moved to Frankston in 1999. I am currently 21 years old and loving it. I have a Mum, a Dad and a younger brother and 1 older brother and a niece. I also have a pet gold fish called Dolphin and she is pretty awesome. Some of my favourite things would include Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill and Friends, I like to read when I can be bothered and I loooove a good coffee. My family would have to be one of the greatest things that I have! So you are probably thinking, why are you doing Urban Seed? Well I am so thrilled that you asked.... Urban Seed is a great expression of equality. So I thought to myself why not practice that in my own back yard and that is why I am here today at Urban Seed as a young 21 year-old, full of life that can teach and also be taught! Urban Seed has quickly become a safe and loveable community. I am VERY grateful to be a part of something this fantastic.


Kaylene Reeves

Kaylene joined Urban Seed as a resident in Norlane at the beginning of 2012 after spending a year living and working in Alice Springs. She is loving getting to know the community through hanging out in Urban Bean cafe, helping out with Long Room community meals, as well as knitting and sewing her way through craft group. She lives in the 'Hope Chapel' with her husband Simon and her 2 gorgeous little boys and looks forward to all the future may bring in her new home town.