Crossway Baptist
Burwood East
9:00 - 12:30pm
Hosted by COACH Network, Together for Communities brings together churches, community leaders and local changemakers for a time of inspiration, learning and connection.
Hear practical insights and stories of hope as we explore how to create lasting impact in our communities and live out the way of Jesus together.
Keynote Speaker
Rose Vincent is a passionate community builder and leader whose work centres on creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can connect, belong and flourish.
As part of Cornerstone Community, Rose serves as CEO of Neighbourhood Collective Australia (NCA), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building stronger, resident-led communities where everyone belongs. Recognised for its work alongside grassroots communities, NCA places local knowledge, lived experience and community aspirations at the heart of everything it does.
NCA is also the founder and manager of The Old Church on the Hill (TOCH) in Bendigo, a thriving community hub that has grown from a neighbourhood garden into a vibrant place of connection, support and shared life. Rose has been closely involved in TOCH’s development and has helped nurture a wide range of community initiatives, including a community garden, food pantry, library, weekly lunches, music programs and multicultural playgroups.
Rose’s leadership reflects a deep belief in the power of community to reduce isolation, build relationships and support wellbeing. Known for her warmth, vision and commitment to people, she continues to inspire others through her dedication to hospitality, inclusion and grassroots community development.
Contributors Including
Carly is currently the Kids COACH Coordinator at Crossway LifeCare. With 25 years’ experience in music education, primary teaching and kids’ ministry, Carly truly believes that a child’s mental health must be stable and supported, as emotional well-being lays the essential foundation for effective focus, engagement, and academic learning to occur. She loves assisting kids to identify and express their feelings, develop necessary social skills, and to see them grow in confidence and resilience within a classroom and playground setting. Carly and her husband, Andrew, have been married for 24 years and love spending time with their 3 children travelling, playing sport or just enjoying the great outdoors.
Mark Knoll is a Deacon and member of the preaching team at Millgrove Baptist Church, “The Church by the Mill,” in Millgrove, Victoria. He contributes to Sunday worship through Bible-based teaching as part of the church’s pastoral and preaching teams, and is involved in the church’s wider discipleship and community life. Millgrove Baptist Church describes its purpose as loving and worshipping God, growing people into Christian maturity, equipping them for ministry, and seeing people reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Mark also leads the outreach to the Powelltown Union Church.
Beyond his church role, Mark has been active in practical community care through LinC Yarra Valley, where he is the Social Supermarket Coordinator and Treasurer. At LinC he manages the Yarra Junction Social Supermarket Program and helped oversee social supermarket programs in Millgrove, Woori Yallock, Wandin and Mooroolbark, supporting local people experiencing financial pressure or food insecurity.
Mark brings strong organisational and people-management experience to his volunteer work, with LinC noting his 40-year career at Telstra and his experience working with diverse clients, policies and teams. His ministry and community service reflects a practical Christian commitment to hospitality, discipleship, and care for people in the Upper Yarra community
Nikki Jenkins is the Director of Bayview Care and Coordinator of its Bounce Back program, based in Rosebud on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. She leads community-focused initiatives that support individuals, families and young people to build resilience, develop practical skills and create stronger futures.
Nikki is also involved with Gathering Tree Collective, Bayview Care’s social enterprise, which provides training and employment opportunities through its boutique op shop, gardening and cleaning services. The enterprise also helps support Bayview Care’s crisis accommodation, community mentoring and youth programs.
Through her compassionate and collaborative leadership, Nikki is committed to strengthening local communities, reducing barriers to employment and helping people move towards greater stability, confidence and opportunity.