Multicultural Communities Council of SA Board 

MCCSA is governed by a Board with representatives elected from our membership for a two year term. The Board is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of the organisation as set out in the Constitution.

The MCCSA Board will elect its Executive at the next Board meeting following the AGM.

PATRON

Hon Hieu Van Le AC
Hon Hieu Van Le, AC was born in Quảng Trị, South Vietnam, on 1 January 1954. He was raised and educated in Đà Nẵng, 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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Executive

Chairperson: Miriam Cocking
Miriam was a school teacher before arriving in SA in 1981.  Miriam has been associated with the MCCSA since 1983 and has been the Chairperson since 2015.

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Deputy Chairperson: Dr Ian Harmstorf OAM
Born and raised in Adelaide, Ian is a third-generation German after his grandfather migrated to Australia in October 1882. He however moved to Germany between 1960 and 1967 as he felt he ‘did not fit in’ by the local community; he did not feel comfortable with his German name as he was a target for abuse as during his school days Australia was at war with Germany.

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Treasurer: Silvio Iadarola
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 we are all migrants.

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Board Members

Malgorzata (Gosia) Skalban OAM
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 the aged care industry.

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Nasir Hussain
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 of the Muslim Australian Connections of SA (MACSA) and has been the Secretary with the Pakistani Australian Association of SA.

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Suren Edgar
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 cultures and introducing them to the multicultural society of Australia to enhance mutual understanding among different generations.

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Patrizia Kadis
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 language appropriate services.

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Lenard Sciancalepore
A lover of travel and exploring new cultures, Lenard Sciancalepore is studying a Bachelor of Languages and a Bachelor of International Development at The University of Adelaide to better appreciate global diversity of the world we live in, and make a tangible difference in the lives of others.

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Manju Khadka
Manju strongly believes community volunteering has been a great experience for her in settling in to a new country and culture. In 2020, Manju was the recipient of an International Women’s Day Community Quiet Achiever Award.

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Eduardo Donoso
Born and raised in Chile, South America, Eduardo Donoso migrated to Australia in the 80’s under the Australian – UN Humanitarian Program as a Political Refugee and spent his early years in Whyalla – Upper Spencer Gulf.

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MCCSA Staff

Helena Kyriazopoulos OAM
CEO

Julie Hoare
Manager, Programs

Kristin Johansson
Manager, Projects

Vicky Arachi
Manager, Multicultural Community Connection Program, culturalQ Facilitator

Annie Barone
Office Coordinator

Florine Fernandes
Project Officer

Geoffrey Brown
Transport Coordinator

George Gouzounis
CHSP Sector Support and Development Coordinator

Hanaa’ Grave
Disability Programs Coordinator, culturalQ Coordinator

Katherine Greer
Disability Programs Coordinator

Lena Gasparyan
Senior Project Officer

Ling Giang
Finance Officer

Luis Cohen
Project Officer

Maggie Asaad
Project Officer

Milan Andelkovic
CVS Coordinator

Omar Ahmad
Inclusive Employment Officer

Perrin Abbas
Project Lead, Disability Inclusion

Savry Ouk JP
Reconnect

Sharyn Mooney
Accountant

Sisaleo Philavong
Project Officer, Casual

Somi Lindsay
Coordinator, Community Development

Stefano Pratola
Project Officer

Ukash Ali Ahmed
Coordinator, Programs, culturalQ Facilitator

Veronica Davila
Communications Officer

Victoria Tairli
Project Officer

Xiaohui Liu (Abby)
Project Officer, Playgroup Coordinator

MCCSA 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 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

MCCSA Volunteers

MCCSA has a strong pool of volunteers who make a huge contribution to the multicultural sector. MCCSA would not be able to deliver the services and programs which it does without the generous assistance of our volunteers. Our volunteers at present include bus drivers, community visitors, human resource volunteers, an events volunteer, project support and general administration.

Volunteers also participate in our active ageing art sessions for older people and assist with our community events such as MCCSA’s Harmony Day Picnic and SALA.

Our volunteers range from teenagers to people in their late seventies and come from a wide range of nationalities as well as Australian born volunteers.

Our active program of volunteer placements also aims to help CALD people develop Australian employment skills and increase their chance of gaining employment and moving out of poverty.

If you are interested in working with MCCSA download our MCCSA Volunteer Form and either email it to [email protected] or post to 113 Gilbert Street, Adelaide SA 5000