Chase
&
Grace
Duane ‘Cairns’ Chase & Charlotte Grace
have a serious passion for bicycles & social equity
After several years working for various Central Australian organisations, Chase & Grace Projects was founded as a small partnership business in 2021 to provide bicycle-related youth projects & unique, independent and person-centred disability support work, which was previously largeley unavailable in Central Australia, NT.
Cairns & Charlotte have a combined 20+ years of youth & community development work experience in Central Australia and are active and vocal advocates for young people in the NT.
Cairns & Charlotte have worked for, alongside & with 42 local and interstate organisations, NDIS providers, departments & services since 2015.
Duane ‘Cairns’ Chase (he/him) is Founding Coordinator, Project Facilitator and Youth & Disability Worker at Chase & Grace Projects. Cairns has loved bicycles ever since he can remember. As a child, he was obsessed with repairing bicycles for himself, for friends and for fun.
Cairns got into freestyle BMX from a young age and once in his teens, he began dedicating his life to riding BMX around Australia and abroad. Cairns learnt a lot about both bicyles and life on his travels.
In 2015, Cairns moved to Alice Springs/Mparntwe and started working with young people and completed his Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol, other drugs and mental health).
Since then, Cairns has worked for various Central Australian organisations in Alice Springs/Mparntwe and remote communities, doing youth and community development work, amongst other odd jobs.
It was in Central Australia that Cairns found his new passion - MTB riding and bike packing.
Drawing upon Cairns’s lived experiences, he now dedicates himself to engaging with young people and those in the broader community who are facing similar challenges. Through empathetic understanding and genuine connection, Cairns works to empower people and communities, supporting them as they confront obstacles in their own lives and encouraging them to broaden their perspectives about what is possible for their futures. He shares not only his story but also practical strategies for resilience, aiming to inspire self-belief in those he mentors.
Cairns’s love and passion for bicycles has played a pivotal role in his personal journey of overcoming life’s difficulties. For Cairns, bicycles are far more than a hobby—they provide a sense of freedom, achievement, and mental clarity. This passion has become a powerful tool metaphorically and a means to build confidence, skills, and a sense of community. Through this unique approach, he helps others discover their own strengths and pathways to healing, demonstrating the transformative power of pursuing one’s interests and passions.
Cairns supports participants with person-centred, trauma-informed and strengths-based care and adopts relationship based and strong community development principals to his work.
You will often see Cairns out on the trails, especially now that he is an accredited MTB Foundations Instructor. Cairns also loves going camping, music, motor mechanics and driving around in old cars and building bicycles.
Cairns experienced significant adversity during childhood & adolescence, including exposure to domestic & family violence, homelessness, parental substance abuse & incarceration, and the child protection system.
Charlotte then worked as a nanny throughout high school and whilst studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Studies and minoring in Indigenous studies.
Charlotte Grace (she/her) is Founding Manager and Youth & Disability Support Worker at Chase & Grace Projects. Charlotte has been caring for children and young people since she was a child herself. Charlotte helped raise her younger twin sisters and brother from age 7.
As part of the Bachelor degree, Charlotte interned as a youth worker in Hermannsburg/Ntaria community NT, in 2016. Charlotte planned to stay for three months, but fell in love with the community and Central Australia and lived in Hermannsburg/Ntaria, leanring off the incredible all-local team for over three years.
Charlotte has since worked as a youth and community development worker for various organisations in both Alice Springs/Mparntwe and in remote communities of Central Australia.
In 2024 Charlotte commenced her Masters of Social Work & Masters of Mental Health Practice.
In 2025, outside of Chase & Grace Projects, Charlotte commenced working part-time at Legal Aid Northern Territory, as a Client Support Caseworker. In this role Charlotte manages an intensive case load, working with individuals engaged in the NT legal system, identifying and providing support services to people from varying cultures, communities and circumstances. She works collaboratively with lawyers, varying services and stakeholders, advocating for those in need.
Charlotte remains committed to managing Chase & Grace Projects, still working face-to-face with participants and delivering youth projects in the region, part-time. Charlotte is dedicated to constantly improving her professional practice, using person-centred, trauma-informed and strengths-based care and works from a relationship based, strong community development, anti-oppressive and critically reflective social framework.
Charlotte actively seeks learning opportunities, through both formal education and from the knowledgeable community in Central Australia. Her commitment to continual growth means that she regularly attends workshops, collaborates with community members and groups, and reflects on her work to ensure it aligns with best practices. Charlotte values diverse perspectives and integrates feedback from service users and peers to refine her approach. By staying informed of current research and supporting others in their development, she contributes to a more inclusive and empowering environment for everyone involved.
These days you’ll also see Charlotte out on the trails, as she too is an accredited MTB Foundations Instructor. Charlotte also loves to go camping, 4WDriving, to cook, read, play and listen to music.
Cairns & Charlotte are especially passionate
about supporting young people
involved with or at risk of entering the justice system
This can be youth living with or without disabilities and/or mental health challenges
- empowering them to reach their goals and engage in pro-social activities through various Projects & Services.
For more information on Cairns & Charlotte’s
educational & employment backgrounds
click their names above.
Cairns & Charlotte are also engaged committee members of
Rolling All Directions (R.A.D.) Alice Springs/Mparntwe Skatepark Committee
who have been successful in advocating for the new
Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Regional Skatepark and Play Precinct!
Cairns & Charlotte live happily in Alice Springs/Mparntwe with their three dogs -
Alby, Rae & Minki Bear and their gazillion bicycles and cars!
If you are a
Central Australian or Indigenous
young person
interested in youth work or bicycles,
Chase & Grace Projects want to hear from you!
Chase & Grace Projects can also
provide work experience
to those willing to be involved!
Please get in contact!