Good People Doing Good Things…

Good Projects Australia is led by Phil Smith and Luke Wright. Together, we have more than 40 years of combined experience launching and leading projects with purpose.

We believe the best solutions to social and environmental challenges often arise from within the affected communities themselves. And we recognise that when we sit down and truly listen to people's ideas and aspirations, good things follow.

Our team pride ourselves on our no-nonsense, grassroots approach to taking regional and remote community projects from the idea stage through to planning, funding, development and successful delivery.

You can learn more about our Purpose, Principles, and Ethical Framework here.

Meet the Team

Phil Smith

  • Phil has spent over twenty years in leadership roles at non-profit and for-purpose organisations.

    Phil helped launch a clean energy and carbon management company which has grown from a small start-up in Byron Bay to be one of Australia’s largest and most respected market leaders.

    Phil was also the founding CEO of a highly successful Aboriginal-owned charity in the Northern Territory. Under his transformational 10-year leadership, he established an impressive number of social enterprises, capital works projects, and community development programs. Phil was also the director for one of Australia’s most iconic First Nations cultural events (a role he handed on to Luke after several years).

    In addition, Phil consults for a diverse range of organisations, including his ongoing role with the University of Melbourne’s multi-award-winning Bower Studio.

Luke Wright

  • Luke has enjoyed a career focused on the non-profit sector, social and commercial enterprise, and media and journalism.

    Luke has worked as a communications consultant, international charity communications director, agency owner, business owner, First Nations festival director, magazine editor and award-winning freelance writer. His words have been featured in magazines, papers, books and websites worldwide.

    Among other things, Luke is also the co-founder and former CEO of one of Australia’s most highly regarded and recognisable social enterprises. Launched in 2012, the organisation has since grown to more than 160 employees and boasts a wide range of thriving enterprises and community development programs.

    Luke has an MBA from Griffith University, for which he earned the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence.

Camilo Demarco

  • Camilo Demarco, a Uruguayan man living and working on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, has dedicated his career to community development and social justice projects.

    Taking a trauma-informed and strength-based approach to the Drug & Alcohol and Youth Justice sectors, his notable experiences include establishing the Merrijig Mooroopook (Healthy Spirits) program, a healing initiative for First Nations men, organising and leading men’s ‘Rites of Passage’ programs, serving as of Every Life Matters, establishing the Bendigo Aboriginal Men’s Shed, Uncle Rick’s Community Shed, and many other high impact initiatives in Dja Dja Wurrung Country and surrounds.

    Camilo is deeply committed to community work and social justice, believing that everyone’s story is worth hearing and sharing.

Rob Roy

  • Rob Roy is a Traditional Owner and community leader of the Gurindji people in the Northern Territory.

    Educated in Alice Springs, Rob became the first Aboriginal Paramedic Officer in the NT, enjoying a 20 year distinguished career in the medical field, as well as holding key roles supporting remote community development, with the Central Land Council.

    Rob was a founder of the Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation, and served as its longest-standing employee. Under his leadership, the Corporation has become a model of self-determination and community success.

    Growing up alongside Vincent Lingiari and other legends of the Wave Hill Walk-off, Rob is a passionate advocate for Land Rights and the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Peter Thomas

  • Peter Thomas, a proud Gija man from Warmun in the East Kimberley, is a brilliant artist whose works have been displayed, won awards, and hung in galleries across Australia. With a wide array of health and wellbeing certifications, Peter is deeply committed to safeguarding and passing on Gija culture. He focuses particularly on men's programs that engage both young men and adults, dedicating his efforts to keeping his culture alive and empowering his community through his work and artistic expression.

Matt Farrow

  • Matt Farrow is a seasoned procurement professional with over two decades of strategic experience in category management and procurement. His expertise spans leading projects of varying scales, including significant initiatives valued in the hundreds of millions. Matt's career has seen impactful roles across local and state government and the private sector, where he has consistently applied best-practice standards. Known for his advanced skills in leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement, Matt excels at securing value for money outcomes. He remains dedicated to strengthening community, industry, and partnerships and is passionate about social procurement and securing positive outcomes and impact for communities.

Indi Smith

  • Indi is a proud Palawa woman with strong family ties to Tasmania, who grew up in a remote Northern Territory community. Her upbringing has given her a deep understanding of the unique strengths and challenges faced by remote communities.

    Passionate about community development and family wellbeing, Indi brings a wealth of lived experience along with a Diploma in Business and strong skills in administration, project coordination, and engagement. She is dedicated to supporting culturally safe, community-led solutions that strengthen families and empower future generations.

Bob Stephenson

  • Bob Stephenson is an Architecture and Urban Design Consultant with over 40 years of experience leading major design projects across Australia and internationally, including Dubai, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and India.

    Bob’s architectural education at the University of NSW was followed by a Masters Degree in Urban Design from Harvard University.

    His career spans all forms of commercial, residential, hospitality and master-planning development, underpinned by a deep passion for design excellence and integrated public domain.

    Bob brings a unique global perspective to local projects and a commitment to creating places that are functional, sustainable, beautiful and connected to the communities they serve.

Andrew Walton

  • Andrew has over 30 years of experience in building and construction project management, with expertise in large-scale infrastructure projects and complex multi-stakeholder coordination. As a licensed builder with formal qualifications in project management, he brings a strong technical and strategic skill set to all projects.

Preeti Maharaj

  • Preeti is an experienced educator, leader, and policy advisor who has worked across Victorian government secondary schools for over 20 years. She supports teachers to elevate student voice, strengthen curriculum, and improve practice.

    As a senior policy officer at the Department of Education, she led anti-racism initiatives and a major $112 million state-wide project, collaborating with over 100 stakeholders including AFL Victoria and Museums Victoria.

    Preeti holds postgraduate qualifications in International Development and School Leadership and is currently completing a PhD exploring how teachers navigate identity and anti-racist practice in schools. She also lectures in secondary education.

Shannon Semenikow

  • Shannon is a seasoned entrepreneur and strategic thinker, known for his leadership in international education and migration. As Founder and CEO of EMSA, he has grown the business from a spare room into a global operation with teams across five countries. With a passion for cross-cultural connection, Shannon brings a global mindset and deep expertise in scalable systems, leadership, and strategy. A board member with Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (EO), he champions values-driven leadership. Certified in the HBDI thinking model, he builds high-performing, balanced teams. Shannon continues to mentor and advise with a focus on purposeful entrepreneurship and meaningful impact.