Love in Action – Stories of hope

Love in Action started as one story. The story of how one ordinary neighbourhood in the corner of the world – Manly, in Sydney, Australia – formed a relationship with the people of Manado, Indonesia, to take action against poverty. From its small beginnings with only a handful of residents, this grassroots movement has captured the imagination of Manly’s wider community. It grew to include the support of local council, local businesses, schools, churches, and over 13,000 residents.
Now, in 2011, the story journey continues for Stu and Jim as they embark upon their next story, HEAL Africa.

Stu Harris

Stu Harris is a commercial photographer and documentary media producer based in Tasmania, Australia.

A passionate communicator and public speaker, Stu has over 15 years of experience in the creative markets including work within the film, television and photographic industries - with particular expertise in the digital environment. His work spans from commercial photography of food, lifestyle, people, and places through to documentary-storytelling photography for not-for-profit organisations. Stu also has a passion for seeing change in the local community. And, together with his wife Jeanette, has run the Alpha Course (a Christian evangelism program) for several years - both in Sydney and Hobart.

During 2006 on a short-term mission trip to Indonesia, Stu saw an opportunity to use his creative skills to tell the unique story of a community 'anti-poverty' partnership between the people of Manly, Australia and people of Manado, Indonesia. Once back in Australia, Stu brought together a team of friends to help tell the story - the result was a photographic-documentary book that explored the communities' mutual transformation through partnership.

Stu has since developed Love in Action - a creative vehicle to communicate hope and change through stories.

Stu lives near Hobart with his wife Jeanette and son Samuel.

Jim Collins

Jim Collins is a pastor, speaker and freelance writer. He is also co-founder of Love in Action,

With a background in corporate and financial advisory work, in 2003 Jim decided to re-train as a Christian communicator. A lively and engaging speaker, he has since worked as a pastor/preacher in several local churches, as well as pursuing his passion for writing. Specialising in not-for-profit communications, to date Jim's writing has been used in a range of publications - from press releases to annual reports, education papers to DVD scripts - including the photo-story book Love in Action - Taking Action Against Poverty. Above all, Jim loves to craft words that help inform, influence and inspire people to make positive change.

Jim lives in Hobart with wife Cathy and their kids Sarah and Benjamin.

Launch

The Love in Action book launch event was a huge success. Over 200 guests came to celebrate the launch event at the Novotel Manly Pacific on Friday 31 July 2009. The event was a celebration of the efforts of the Manly community for the work done to date in support of the people living in poverty in Manado.

Speeches were made by Ken Duncan OBE, Mike Baird MP, Jean Hay AM and the creator of Love in Action, Stuart Harris. Amongst the guests was the Acting Consul-General Mr Pratito Soeharyo and the Manadonese community group of Sydney, KMMK.

Guests had the opportunity to be the first to view Love in Action, and purchase limited edition framed prints by photographer Stuart Harris, creator of Love in Action. All images were photographed on location in Manado, Indonesia. Profits made from the sale of these limited edition photographs will be donated to Manly-Manado. A certificate of authenticity will be provided with every limited edition photograph sold. The exhibition continues to be on view until Wednesday 5 August 2009.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Novotel Manly Pacific, Strategic Minds Communications and Art Smart for making it such a fabulous evening.