The Maza Foundation
Today’s young people have good reason to be the most anxious generation on record: they face some of the greatest ever challenges to humanity. They have the greatest stake in decisions which affect their future yet most of them can’t vote and they have little power.
The initials of my four grandchildren are M,A,Z,A. (Max, Amelie, Zara and Aston)
I have named the MAZA Foundation after them because the Foundation is the most meaningful legacy I could leave them. My wish is that the MAZA Foundation will continue its mission and provide funding for projects to leave them a better world long after I have departed.
I have donated a house to the Foundation with the rents going to fund projects designed to leave a better world for Max, Amelie, Zara and Aston, and all the other children of their generation and other generations to follow.
The three projects described below are the best I could think of to leave them a better world.
If you have better ideas please contact me with your suggestion.
Giving Youth A Voice
Young people have no formal voice. This project gives them one. An annual award to be known as the “Voice of Youth Award” (VOYA) will create that voice. Each year one young person will be chosen at a live event where contenders make a presentation addressing the question “What would I say as the Voice of Youth?” The annual winner will receive a prize package including $12,000 cash plus $2,000 for expenses, plus mentoring, professional coaching, travel and other support. He or she will become the “Voice of Youth” for that year, will listen to youth concerns, will speak by invitation and will represent the interests of youth to the media, politicians, organizations and at conferences and forums. The public exposure and the experience gained during that year will help the winner establish a prominent career.
Making Adelaide Famous and "Rich"
The book “How to Rescue Adelaide from the Robot Invasion and make us Rich” explains how Adelaide can become an internationally known World capital, attracting people, money, resources and knowledge from around the planet. In addition to writing the book, I am seeking to build a supporters network and to initiate a wide ranging discussion which will lead to Adelaide adopting the concept and making it happen.
The objective is to complete the statement; “Adelaide World Capital of ……..”
Whichever words are chosen to complete the statement, they must position Adelaide in the coming future where, as has happened in the past, human society re-organizes in response to fundamentally transformative technologies. All this, and my suggested solution is explained in the book.
To date the supporters network includes;
| Stephen Yarwood | Past Lord Mayor of Adelaide |
| Bill Muirhead | South Australian Agent General London |
| Greg Mackie OAM | CEO South Australian History Trust, Adelaide City Councillor |
| Shaun de Bruyn | CEO South Australian Tourism Association |
| Gabe Kelly | CEO Thinkers in Residence, CEO SAHMRI Wellbeing Centre |
| Simon Toovey | Committee for Adelaide |
| Peter Joy | Brand SA |
| Cathy Chong | Chinese Welfare Services |
| Biela McMillan | SA Wellbeing network |
| Sean Inman | Head of Wellbeing St Peters College |
| Ghil’ad Zuckermann | Professor of Linguistics Adelaide University |
I am looking to expand the network, launch the book and commence the public discussion. Any help with enlisting other supporters and with promoting discussion is most welcome.
Building Co-Housing
Co-housing has not only an architect’s plan but also a social plan and an environmental plan. It reduces construction and operating costs and creates communities which are healthier, happier and environmentally more sustainable. Co-housing future proofs its inhabitants by strengthening social bonds, reducing living costs and increasing resilience.
In 1973 I was a partner in Adelaide’s first co-housing project containing 13 houses, known as Elder Mews located on the corner of Angas and Frome streets in the city of Adelaide. My lived experience of co-housing convinced me this was the best way to organize human habitats.
In 2016 I founded the Co-housing Association of South Australia (COHASA) to encourage and promote the co-housing concept. COHASA defines Co-housing as “Two or more people living independently while sharing certain facilities”. This can range from two people sharing one house to 20 or more houses sharing certain facilities. There are many thousands of Co-housing projects around the World, and the concept also has a foothold in Adelaide with Christie Walk in Sturt Street and Aldinga Arts Eco-village being two local examples.
I have built one co-housing community at Windsor Gardens which houses 12 + people and am involved in setting up another project. Enquiries welcome.