Our Team
Patron
Hon Hieu Van Le AC
Hon Hieu Van Le, AC was born in Quang Trị, South Vietnam, on 1 January 1954. He was raised and educated in Đà Nang, and attended Dalat University. In November 1977, he fled the new communist regime in Vietnam and arrived by boat in Darwin, Northern Territory, as a refugee, with his wife Lan and about 40 other people.
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Executives
Mrs Miriam Cocking
Chairperson
Miriam was a school teacher with a Master’s degree in Education, focused in Public Administration and specialising in Home Economics and History, when she arrived…
Dr Ian Harmstorf OAM
Deputy Chairperson
Born and raised in Adelaide, Ian is a third-generation German after his grandfather migrated to Australia in October 1882. However, he moved to Germany between…
Mr Silvio Iadarola
Treasurer
Silvio, who was just 7 years old when he arrived in Australia from Campania, Italy, says mainstream Australia is now a blend of cultures as…
Board Members
Malgorzata (Gosia) Skalban OAM
Board Member
A Polish migrant who arrived in Australia in 1968, Gosia has spent many years offering her experience and skills in multicultural community work, specifically within…
Nasir Hussain
Board Member
Contributing to society is what Nasir Hussain is committed to doing. Making Australia his new homeland in 2007, he is also volunteering as the President…
Suren Edgar
Board Member
Suren Edgar is one of the co-founders of ARTA Cultural Centre. He has always been interested in different cultures, their effects on each other, maintaining…
Patrizia Kadis
Board Member
Having a nursing, events management and aged care background for over 30 years has given Patrizia insight into what diverse communities need for cultural and…
Manju Khadka
Board Member
Manju arrived in Adelaide in 2014 as a skilled migrant with her husband and son. Since her early days in Adelaide, she has been actively…
Ranielson Santana
Board Member
Ranielson Santana is a remarkable individual whose journey from Recife, Brazil to Australia epitomises resilience and dedication. Arriving in 2018 as an international student, Ranielson…
Zainab Jimie
Board Member
Zainab is a 25-year-old Eritrean Australian Muslim woman, lawyer, and community leader, currently serving as the Youth Representative on the MCCSA Board. She brings a…
Honorary Life Members
For over ten years of significant contribution to the multicultural communities of South Australia.
Dr Antonio Cocchiaro AM
Mr Bruno Krumins AM *
Dr Daniela Costa
Mr Dilip Chirmuley AM
Dr Ian Harmstorf OAM BVK
Mr Joseph Garamy AM *
Mr Jurek Dnistrjanski
Ms Malgorzata (Gosia) Skalban OAM
Mrs Maria Dnistrjanski OAM
Mrs Miriam Cocking
Mr Michael Schulz AM *
Mr Milinko Rakich *
Mr Petar (Zed) Zdrazkovski *
Mr Randolph Alwis AM *
Mr Ron Tan OAM *
Mrs Sofia Kanas OAM *
*denotes deceased
Staff
Helena Kyriazopoulos OAM
CEO
Julie Hoare
Manager
Vicky Arachi
Manager, Multicultural Community Connection Program, culturalQ Facilitator
Ukash Ali Ahmed
Program Coordinator, culturalQ Facilitator
Annie Barone
Office Coordinator
Savry Ouk JP
Reconnect Youth Officer
George Gouzounis
Aged Care Sector Support Coordinator, culturalQ Facilitator
Hanaa’ Grave
culturalQ Coordinator
Lena Gasparyan
Senior Project Officer
Sisaleo Philavong
Disability Program Officer
Katherine Greer
Disability Program Coordinator
Omar Ahmad
Connector (CAB Project)
Sharyn Mooney
Accountant
Ling Giang
Finance Officer
Luis Cohen
Project Officer
Maggie Asaad
Project Officer
Milan Andelkovic
CVS Coordinator
Somi Lindsay
Community Development Coordinator, culturalQ Facilitator
Perrin Abbas
Disability Inclusion Project Lead, culturalQ facilitator
Aveen Muhamad
Project Officer
Alian Mohamad
Communications Officer (Development & Design)
Xiaohui Liu (Abby)
Project Officer, Playgroup Coordinator
Kwol Bol Bol
Reconnect Youth Officer
Samer Madbak
Project Officer
Katie Trinh
Project Officer
Mechell August
Connectors Team Leader
Lenard Sciancalepore
Communications and Project Officer
Stefano Pratola
Project Officer
Chinami Klenovsky
Connector (CAB Project)
Ayma Acosta
Connector (CAB Project)
Santiago Montanez
Project Officer
Ulises Espul
Connector (CAB Project)
Ina Kail
Transport Admin
Volunteers
Our pool of volunteers at MCCSA make a huge contribution to the multicultural sector. Their dedication and diverse skills are just as crucial as our staff and board members in achieving our mission.
Our 100+ volunteers:
- Range from teenagers to seniors
- Come from various cultural backgrounds
- Help with transport, community visits, and administration
- Support key events like Harmony Day Picnic and SALA Festival
- Assist in playgroups and active ageing art sessions
- Gain valuable skills while giving back to the community
Volunteering with MCCSA offers valuable Australian workplace experience, boosting employability for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Without the generous assistance of our volunteers, we simply couldn’t deliver our services and programs.
