of South Australia

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Meet Cláudia

Cláudia is a dedicated volunteer with MCCSA’s Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS). Inspired by her family’s selfless example, Cláudia has found meaning and fulfillment through volunteering within her community. She also values the many opportunities, educational workshops, and support that MCCSA provides to enhance both her volunteering efforts and professional development. Being a volunteer has helped her to learn how important it is to share love and support others.

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Meet Andriana

Andriana was awarded ‘Volunteer of the Year’ in 2023, due to her dedication, commitment and contribution to the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS). As a valued Greek-speaking volunteer, she enjoys visiting older people who are experiencing isolation, to help them feel connected with their country of origin, their first language and their local community. It is in her nature to be compassionate and supportive to those around her, especially those who may not have any close family or friends to rely on.

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Meet Nadil

Nadil, a 22-year-old IT Masters student from Sri Lanka, struggled to find work in Australia as a wheelchair user. Through our Building Employer Confidence and Inclusion in Disability (BEC) program, Nadil found an internship that led to his first job in his new home. Nadil overcame multiple barriers – including visa restrictions and lack of local experience – to launch his career at Plenti Finance, with the support of MCCSA’s inclusive employment initiatives.

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Meet Fayrouz

Fayrouz, a Lebanese-Australian community leader, has been instrumental in promoting Arabic language and culture in South Australia since her migration in 1994. As Chair and Co-Founder of the Arabic Language Association of SA (ALCASA), she has fostered intercultural communication and diversity. Fayrouz’s collaboration with Multicultural Communities Council of SA (MCCSA) has been crucial in ALCASA’s growth and impact, demonstrating the power of community partnerships in creating a more inclusive society.

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Meet Tuan

Tuan, an Australia Awards Scholar from Sri Lanka, brings a unique perspective to MCCSA’s Building Employer Confidence (BEC) project. After becoming blind early in his career, Tuan redirected his HR expertise towards advocating for disability rights and inclusion. Through MCCSA, he secured an internship at Maxima, where he developed practical tools to enhance workplace inclusivity for people with visual impairments. Tuan’s experience with MCCSA has reinforced his commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities and fostering cultural understanding in diverse workplaces.

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Meet Julie

Since immigrating from France in 2017, Julie has become a champion for cultural exchange in South Australia’s tourism sector. Julie gained valuable insights into cultural intelligence and cultural competency through MCCSA’s culturalQ training. She has since applied these concepts within her Events South Australia workplace, founding the Intercultural Awareness Group. With ongoing support from MCCSA and connections built through our Leadership & Networking Nights, Julie continues to fuel her passion for promoting multiculturalism in both her personal and professional life.

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Meet Ukash

Ukash brings a wealth of lived experience to his role at MCCSA. Born in Somalia, he spent his youth in Kenyan refugee camps before finding a new home in Australia. Now, Ukash effectively uses his unique background to foster understanding by coordinating MCCSA Men’s Council. He also facilitates culturalQ training, promoting individual cultural intelligence and organisational cultural competency. His passion for advocacy work is changing lives in South Australia, blending personal experience with professional expertise.

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Meet Lenard

Lenard, a second-generation Southern Italian-Australian, has channelled his passion for languages and cultural heritage into community advocacy. As CEO of MOSAIC Adelaide, he organises youth-led events celebrating South Australia’s diverse cultures. At MCCSA, Lenard has held positions as a community member, community leader, board member and now as MCCSA Men’s Council Project Officer. Through these experiences, he has gained valuable skills, expanded his network, and found a supportive ‘family’ within the multicultural community.

Building Successful Communities

We support|engage|elevate|empower|connect|promote|nurture the culturally diverse communities of South Australia.


Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia (MCCSA) is the peak organisation serving, empowering and advocating for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in South Australia.

For over 50 years, we’ve supported CALD individuals and communities to become active contributors to South Australian society.

Highlights

Visits For Socially Isolated Older Australians

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) connects bilingual volunteers with socially isolated individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds across Adelaide. Through regular visits and conversations in their native language, volunteers provide crucial companionship to over 190 older Australians annually. This free service helps preserve cultural connections and combat isolation, making a meaningful difference in seniors’ lives.

Disability Internships
Connect Employers With Talent

‘Building Employer Confidence and Inclusion in Disability’ (BEC) bridges the gap between diverse job seekers with disabilities and local employers in Adelaide through innovative 12-week paid internships. The program offers comprehensive support, including workplace mentoring, cultural competency training, and fortnightly coaching. This initiative helps create more inclusive workplaces while providing valuable professional experience for qualified candidates.

Expert Diversity Training Transforms Workplace Culture

MCCSA’s culturalQ program helps organisations harness Australia’s diverse workforce through expert intercultural training and consultancy. Drawing on 50+ years of expertise and Robert Bean’s industry-leading methodology, we deliver tailored training with a 96% satisfaction rate. Our program enhances cultural intelligence at both individual and organisational levels, improving employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and market reach.

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