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.
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.
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.
Board Members
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rajendra Pandey
Arriving in Australia in 2012 as a skilled migrant, Rajendra Pandey instantly got busy volunteering with St John Ambulance and local council.
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.