Brian Procopis Email & Phone Number

Brian trained as a Catholic Priest in Turramurra, Sydney with the Columban Fathers (1968 - 1974) and was subsequently posted to Japan. Played guitar with rock band Fubaika in Tokyo through the mid 70's.Returned to Australia in 1979, left the priesthood and began working as an employment officer in the Commonwealth Employment Service in Footscray.Moved to Brisbane and began working on the counselling/community development team of Lifeline - training telephone counsellors in addition to activating developmental programs with people experiencing unemployment, poverty and social isolation.Brian works with asylum seekers and adopted the role of executive producer/songwriter with the internationally acclaimed album 'Scattered People' which achieved world-wide distribution. Brian was project co-ordinator/executive producer of the 'Aim High' EP in 2001. Collaborated with music producer Simon Monsour, Aboriginal songwriter performer Kev Carmody and the students (30% Aboriginal, 20% Pacific islander 12% multi-ethnic) of the Zillmere State School in the production which included a unique version of the Kev Carmody/Paul Kelly classic 'From Little Things Big Things Grow'. The recording achieved regular airplay on 55 radio stations throughout Australia and won for this socially and economically disadvantaged primary school, the State Award for Excellence.A series of albums followed with children displaced by the war in Iraq, young refugees who had experienced trauma in detention centres, Aboriginal children of Urandangi, young people with 'disabilities' using music as a bridge to connect people with one another. Brian is on the team of the Transformers and also the School of Hard Knocks offering a sense of community to people with mental health challenges for whom music is a place of refuge.Brian is a board member of Sweet Freedom Ltd - a non-profit music production house prioritising 'a voice' and social justice for vulnerable members of our communities.(Update 2021) I have retired and now life in Redcliffe Qld with my partner Chris (also retired) and our son Alexander. Alex has 'special needs' and so much of our time is spent navigating our boy's mysterious world - learning from it, implementing plans and making the most of our lives together. Still song-writing and working with the 'Sweet Freedom Singers' an inclusive rock choir. Alex plays harmonica in the band.

Listed skills include Workshop Facilitation, Community Development, Program Management, Nonprofits, and 24 others.