Becoming the seed
of change
Meet the Communities Assist Australia Board Members
John O’Reilly
General / Operations
John is Communities Assist’s founder, managing general operations in Australia and Tanzania. Also a lawyer, John simultaneously runs his own small niche firm specialising in maritime law, international transport and trade. In 2006, he first visited Africa and became committed to the objective of assisting orphaned children and poor communities by undertaking sustainable development projects.
Stephen O’Reilly
Corporate / Fundraising
Steve is a founding member of Communities Assist. He and his Melbourne supporters have contributed greatly to CA fundraising efforts.
A partner of Clayton Utz Lawyers in the Construction & Major Projects & International Arbitration Groups, Steve is the firm’s national Managing Partner for the Property, Environment & Construction and Banking & Finance Services Departments. This legal and management experience brings to CA a level of advice and direction that ensures a measured and stable approach to the projects we pursue.
Steve and his family have been to Tanzania to experience first-hand the wonderful work CA is doing.
Mari Pizzinga
Architect / Building / General Management
Mari is a founding director of Communities Assist and designs all of our building structures at Rainbow Ridge with sustainability and suitability directives. Mari is principal of Beachworth Studio, a niche architectural and design company in Sydney, Australia.
Mari and her husband, Rodney Sen co-owner of Barzura Restaurant, the Livingroom Yoga School & Yoga Travel Company also work passionately with us and their their local community to raise funds and awareness as part of their CSR programs. See our “Kids Feeding Kids” program (hyperlink) as well as the CA yoga program at Rainbow Ridge.
Mike Crowley
Finance / Corporate
Mike is a founding director of Communities Assist and manages the financial operations of the organisation. Since 1991 Mike has been principal accounting partner for Mike Crowley & Associates.
Mike’s accounting and business experience and associations with other charitable and community organisations provides Communities Assist with the financial stability and transparency needed to make the organisations dreams a reality.
Mario Cuenca
Governance / Accountability / Risk
Mario is an international director of Communities Assist and manages governance, accountability and risk issues within the organisation. In 1986 Mario founded Emjay Insurance Brokers of which he is now co-owner. The boutique business provides specialist insurance products across multiple industry sectors.
Mario’s experience in measuring, accounting for and covering risk is invaluable to Communities Assist’s operational requirements.
Mary Lalor
Volunteers / Staff
Mary is a director of Communities Assist and assist in coordinating volunteers.
Mary brings a wealth of experience in coaching, developing and mentoring in human resources to Communities Assist.
Frank Hardiman
Governance / Corporate
Frank brings to the Board experience obtained on a listed company Board and vast financial and corporate governance experience obtained through CFO and Company secretarial roles over 25 years.
Meet the Communities Assist Tanzania Board Members
Roseleen Imran Kombe
Executive Director / Treasurer
Rose unfortunately passed in recent times.
She was passionate about the rights of children and community and had been with CATZ since its inception helping vulnerable children and the development of our program.
We have so many wonderful memories of our journey. She is hugely missed. We love you Rose - R.I.P.
Pastor Godwin Stivinsia Mselle
Executive Director / Chairperson
Pastor Mselle is currently in charge of Sanya Juu parish and formerly Shiri congregation, he has worked very passionately with various organizations which support the welfare of the community through his ability to develop and implement new ideas and dissemination of information to others for decision making as well as ability to work with people of different cultural background.
CATZ work to disseminate the values of sustainability within the community aligns perfectly with Pastor’s vocation.
Priscilla Godwin Shuma
Executive Director / Secretary
Priscilla is a retired teacher who has worked in the education sector for more than 35 years across various regions in Tanzania. Since retiring, Priscilla mixes her time between organizing, documenting, controlling, and keeping records for CATZ and overseeing farming and livestock at her property where she is learning more about the positive impacts of sustainability.
The CA Family
CA directors are all volunteers
CA Mamas
CA builder - Vince Dyke
CA local managers and visiting supporters
CA Green team
CA Children
Communities Assist has DGR status in Australia and Tanzania.
A tax deductible receipt will be issued to you upon receipt of any donation above $2.
Communities Assist Australia ACN 120 484 380
