Who We Are

Bio to come.

Bio to come.

My name is John De Luca

I am 2^nd generation Italian and grew up on a vineyard in Mildura.

I am an accountant by trade and have worked for a large fuel organisation as their Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for 17 years.

I am passionate about community involvement and have served 15 years with the State Emergency Service Mildura, where I assisted the community doing anything from hot dog drives, storm safety, to Road Crash Rescue services.

Coming from a multicultural background, I have seen first hand the need for community and collaboration.

When a community comes together, great things can be accomplished and life long friendships formed.

I was born and raised in Robinvale on a fruit block. I attended the local schools in Robinvale where I completed my VCE. After completing my VCE, I spent some time travelling and working on the family vineyard. I became a manager and partner at Freshbest Vineyards (the family business) where I completed my first degree, a Bachelor of Business Agriculture.

I started my career with Ambulance Victoria in Robinvale as an Ambulance Community Officer (Volunteer/Paid position) in 2011 whilst working on the farm. This piqued my interest in a career change to paramedicine. I completed my Bachelor of Paramedic Science through Flinders University Adelaide at the age of 35. I have been based in the region, working as a paramedic for the last 8 years.

In my time working for Ambulance Victoria, I have performed a number of different roles, one of which brought me in contact with SMECC in the form of a community engagement liaison. Many of the patients that I attend do come from many different cultures and have English as a second language which I find a rewarding challenge.

Outside of my work, I have a passion for community engagement and inclusion. I thrive on and actively seek out different ways be involved in the local community. I have a wide range of experience, working with boards and committees. In the past I have held senior committee positions with The Robinvale/Euston Suicide Prevention Network, Mildura Base Hospital Community Consultation Committee, Robinvale Lawn Tennis Club, and Robinvale Ambulance Auxiliary.

I have worked in the health field for over 40 years, with a specialty in mental health. We come from South Australia and recently moved to the Mallee region. We have 5 towns/centres that we work with in our role as Uniting Church Pastors. One of the centres we work in is Swan Hill and for over 20years the church has been involved with supporting and working with Afghan refugees.

The church works very closely with two SMECC workers who run their programs from our church space, and we have a very good partnership with them, and we want to continue to partner with them in providing space, resources and volunteers to help our refugee people in the area. I have become involved in this area and think that it is an important space to be involved in, especially when you hear people’s stories and their desire to start a new life and become involved in the community. I hope that in being on the board will allow me to continue to develop that partnership and to build on the important work that we are doing in Swan Hill.

I was born in Australia and speak English.

Born and raised in Healesville in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, my early careers included pizza boy, mechanic, and garbo. In my late-twenties I joined Victoria Police, where I served for 16 years at various locations throughout the state. For over a year, I’ve been applying the skills and experience gained at Victoria Police in an Emergency Management capacity with Mildura & Swan Hill Rural City Councils.

As a Victoria Police member, I worked closely with CALD communities and gained some insight into the adversities experienced by this varied and valuable group. My recent experience with MRCC has seen me connect with SMECC in Mildura to support the delivery of COVID relief to this part of the Sunraysia community. During the most recent flood emergency in our riverine area, I’ve been part of the coordinated regional response, linking agencies and working towards positive outcomes for those affected communities along the riverine area. I strongly believe in celebrating and elevating the multicultural sectors of our community and advocating on their behalf.

I relocated to Sunraysia in 2021 but have strong ties with the Mallee community through my partner and her family.

Born in Mildura, I completed my schooling in Robinvale before continuing my tertiary education in Ballarat at Federation University Australia. My motivation for this role stems from my lived experience as a ‘second generation Australian’ growing up in regional Victoria. Since returning to the region, I have been fortunate to have experienced a variety of roles that have equipped me with the skills and local knowledge that will strengthen our advocacy and work towards SMECC’s vision for an Empowered and harmonious community.

Professional Background: Bachelor of Sports Management & Bachelor of Business (Marketing), Jobs Victoria Employment Network (Swan Hill Rural City Council), Game Development Officer (National Rugby League Ltd.) Community Facilitator (Our Place – Colman Education Foundation) and now, a role that is a combination of them all and more.

Cultural Heritage: Kingdom of Tonga

Bio to come.

Bio to come.

My name is Ratna and I started work at SMECC in January 2019 as Executive Assistant. I am an Indonesian. I am able to speak Indonesian and English.

Bio to come.

My name is Dani and I started work at SMECC in November 2016. I am an Australian but my father and grandparents were refugees from Poland and arrived in the 1950s. I have been a Japanese teacher and I try to speak a little Dari and Swahili. I coordinate the English EAL education programs and the Cultural competency and awareness programs at SMECC.

Bio to come.

My name is Kunnika and I started work at SMECC September 2020. I am from Thailand. I also speak Cambodian and Lao too. I am a full time Pastoral Care Worker at SMECC. I love to talk with people and help the community to be strong with a happy life in Australia.

My name is Emmie and I started work at SMECC in September 2020. I am an Australian and I speak French and English. My position at SMECC is Outreach Worker.

My name is Sharon and I started working at SMECC in April 2021 as the 

Volunteer Coordinator, during my first year with SMECC

amidst the pandemic period i also worked within the Food Hub

space, providing much needed food and supplies to communities in need.

Over the past year I have been employed to support our CALD (Culturally & Linguistically Diverse)

community members to prepare themselves in seeking & applying for

suitable employment.

My varied roles & experiences have been rewarding and enjoyable!

My name is Evelyn, I am the ACFE teacher and I returned to SMECC in February 2021 (I previously worked as the ACFE teacher from 2015 to 2017). I am an Australian, but my father and grandmother were migrants from England who arrived during the 1940s. I only speak English! I am a qualified ESL teacher (TESOL qualification and Cert IV TAE) who loves to teach and help students from all over the world to achieve their learning goals! Currently I am teaching SMECC ACFE courses. I love my job!

Bio to come.

I was born in Afghanistan and raised in Pakistan.

I speak several languages: Hazaragi, Dari, Persian, Urdu, Hindi & English.

I have lived in Mildura since 2017

I started working for SMECC on the 1^st of June 2022, initially employed in reception for four months and then in September 2022 becoming the new Partners for Change contact.

I assist people in our community to engage & connect with various services and information, I love helping people!

And I love my Cat! (Coco)

Bio to come.

Bio to come.

Bio to come.