Who We Are

Ian has been on the SMECC Board of Management since 2014. He was elected as Chairperson in 2020 after spending four years in the Deputy Chairperson position.  His background is in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, environmental and social justice and more recently education. He has completed a graduate certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and has been teaching English to adults in multicultural classrooms. In semi-retirement, his working life is now spent between teaching and veterinary medicine surgery.

He believes that the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees has historically been politicised, to the shame and detriment of our nation. He joined SMECC in opposition to such an approach. 

As a local resident who grew up in Mildura and managed a business for many years, he brings to the Board a range of skills more of a general nature. As a veterinary surgeon, he is a problem solver with hundreds of contacts in the region. He is proud to be a member of the Board at SMECC and feels that the organisation has not yet reached its full potential but given the current mix of staff and board members, we are setting our sights high.

Belinda joined the SMECC Board in 2023, following her passion for governance and leadership. She has an extensive background in Health and Human services executive management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as having completed her Executive Masters in Public Administration.

Currently working for state government, Belinda played a crucial role in Melbourne’s pandemic response, focusing on the needs of multicultural communities. With a strong background in community outreach and public policy, Belinda liaised with community leaders and health services facilitating coordination of essential resources and support services across diverse populations. This experience highlighted the remarkable resilience and unique strengths these communities bring.

Now, as a board member Belinda brings a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to leveraging these insights. She is dedicated to advancing our mission and values of fostering inclusivity and enhancing community well-being by ensuring that our strategies and programs are both reflective of and responsive to the rich diversity of the communities we serve.

Having lived, worked and raised a family in Mildura, with its rich, vibrant and diverse history of multiculturalism, Belinda is very proud to call Mildura home.

Born and raised on a Robinvale fruit block, Charles has significant experience working on the family vineyard. He soon took over as manager and partner of his family’s business, Freshbest Vineyards, and completed a Bachelor of Business Agriculture.

While still working on the farm, he established a career with Ambulance Victoria in 2011. This piqued his interest in paramedicine and spurred him on to complete a Bachelor of Paramedic Science through Flinders University Adelaide at the age of 35. He has been based in the region, working as a paramedic since 2016. His role as an Ambulance Victoria community engagement liason brought him to SMECC. He finds it a rewarding challenge to assist people who speak English as a second language.

He is passioante about community engagement and inclusion, and actively seeks out different ways be involved in the local community. He has a wide range of experience working with boards and committees. In the past, he has held senior committee positions with the Robinvale Euston Suicide Prevention Network, Mildura Base Public Hospital Community Consultation Committee, Robinvale Lawn Tennis Club, and Robinvale Ambulance Auxiliary.

Claire moved to Mildura to take up the position of Assistant Principal at Mildura English Language Centre (MELC) in 2019. She grew up in Mallacoota, and worked in Melbourne before coming Mildura. She considers it a privilege to have worked with multicultural families for more than two decades as a teacher in the EAL New Arrivals Program. She says that witnessing refugee and migrant families enter Australia to start their new lives is a blessing.

Over the years, Claire has worked and become friends with Ethiopian, Sudanese, Bosnian, Serbian, Karen, and Tibetan communities. Although her only language is English, she attempts to learn a few words in each of the languages at her school.

As a member of the SMECC Board, she is hoping to offer insight into working with non-English speaking peoples and assist in planning programs and processes which keep SMECC a strong and reliable support to local multicultural communities.

Bruce has worked at Swan Hill Rural City Council for more than 30 years and mostly in his current role as Director of Community and Cultural Services.  This role was expanded to include a leadership role in Robinvale, which is where Bruce’s first interaction with SMECC came about. Bruce is a qualified librarian, but has mainly worked in community services during his working life.

Bruce enjoys volunteering, having played various roles on school councils and health boards before SMECC. Happily married with three children, he grew up and lives in the area and is appreciative of the extra elements brought to the region by the changing multiculturalism.

Bruce is keen to continue working with the SMECC Board to improve the sustainability of the organisation and the range of services provided across the Mallee.

Calvin is originally from Brooklyn New York, but grew up in Orlando Florida in the United States of America. He is a first-generation American. His mother is from Guyana in South America and his father is from Saint Kitts in the Caribbean Islands.

A professional basketball player for many years, Calvin travelled and lived in many places around the world such as Germany, Iceland, Norway, Canada, Luxembourg before settling in Australia. In 2015, he moved to Mildura where he and his wife are currently raising their family. He is passionate about basketball, supporting at-risk youth, and helping the community.

Born in Mildura, Akesa studied in Robinvale before completing a Bachelor of Sports Management & Bachelor of Business (Marketing) in Ballarat at Federation University Australia. Her motivation as CEO at SMECC stems from her lived experience as a second-generation Australian growing up in regional Victoria. Since returning to the region, she has worked in numerous roles that have equipped her with skills and local knowledge that strengthen the organisation’s advocacy and vision towards an empowered and harmonious community.

Akesa’s professional experience includes roles with the Jobs Victoria Employment Network with Swan Hill Rural City Council, the National Rugby League as a Game Development Officer, and Our Place – Colman Education Foundation as a Community Facilitator.

Maree joined SMECC as Corporate Services Manager in early 2023, bringing more than 15 years of experience in finance, administration, and staff management.

With a diverse background across various industries, particularly in the retail sector, Maree has honed her skills in operational efficiency and customer service excellence. She is committed to enhancing operational processes and fostering a collaborative work environment.

David began at SMECC as a men’s group worker in 2022, assisting new arrivals to feel at home and connected with Australian life and services during their settlement journey. He then became our facilities assistant in late 2023.

A former refugee orginally from Congo, David arrived in Australia in 2018. In his home country, he worked as a cattle breeder and spent years labouring in the mining industry. He remains a trusted adviser in the local Congolese community, and continues to help his country people to link in with events and opportunities such as employment. He speaks French, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Swahili and English.

Stephanie is a Kiwi of Māori descent (Ngati Rangitihi, Ngati Awa, Tuwharetoa, Ngapuhi). She is a mother of three daughters and four grandchildren who live in NZ.

She has lived in Australia since 2017 and has worked in various roles in Victoria and Queensland in the Domestic and Family Violence (DFV), volunteer, and multicultural support sectors. Stephanie is a trained facilitator in the Circle of Security, 123 Magic, and Love Bites and Seasons of Grief (adult) programs.

A second-generation migrant born in the Mallee, Emmie started work at SMECC in September 2020. During her time at the organisation, she has played a leading role in working with and supporting multicultural groups during the Covid-19 pandemic and 2022/23 Murray River floods. She founded our Sunraysia Multicultural Response Group (SMRG), in-language WhatsApp groups, and stakeholder settlement networks. After living in France for more than a year, she speaks conversational French.

Emmie has a decade of professional experience working in the media industry, including for large organisations such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and News Corp Australia. Emmie’s transition to working in the multicultural space began when she volunteered at World Radio Paris in France and started working as an English language tutor for school-aged French children. Since acquiring a Bachelor of Journalism from La Trobe University in 2013, Emmie has also completed a Diploma of Screen and Media (Interactive Media) at RMIT, and Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) through RMIT English Worldwide and the University of Cambridge. 

Emmie grew up on a family fruit block in Merbein and has nurtured relationships with local communities for decades.

Bio to come.

Michael started at SMECC as a volunteer driver mentor in 2017, and joined our team as an employee in 2022. A former vegetable farmer in Gippsland, he moved to the Mallee for interstate, long-haul truck driving. With 23 years experience in the transport industry, Michael is happy to pass on his road safety and driving knowledge and skills with new arrivals. He enjoys learning words in other languages with the community members he helps.

Jackson joined the SMECC team in 2021, bringing a strong commitment to community service and a desire to support young people. His roles within the organisation have included youth support, outreach, and settlement services through the SETS program. Committed to helping others, Jackson’s passion for community work has driven him to engage deeply with young people, particularly those aged 17 to 25, assisting them in reaching their personal goals and fostering their independence.

Jackson’s professional experience includes working with youth at the Mallee Accommodation & Support Program (MASP) and as a community connector at Sunraysia Community Health Services, where he collaborated with paramedics to assist individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds. He has also provided disability support at Value Care and served as a multicultural education assistant at the Mildura English Language Centre. Jackson holds a Diploma of Community Services and is currently pursuing an honours degree in Social Work at La Trobe University.

Recognised for his dedication to youth advocacy, Jackson was awarded Youth Worker of the Year by Mildura Rural City Council (MRCC) in 2023 and named Young Citizen of the Year in 2024. As a youth councillor at MRCC, he actively represents the youth voice in local governance. Fluent in English, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, and some French, Jackson is passionate about uplifting vulnerable communities and making a meaningful impact through his work in social services.

Abida joined SMECC in 2021 as an Outreach Worker and later transitioned into the role of ACFE Facilitator. With more than 10 years of experience as an English and science teacher in both Pakistan and Australia, she brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the organisation. Prior to her role at SMECC, Abida worked for 11 years as a Settlement Coordinator at Mallee Family Care, where she supported migrants to integrate into Australian life.

Abida is particularly passionate about empowering multicultural women by creating safe spaces for learning, development, and support. She believes in helping women feel visible and connected, ensuring they have the confidence and resources to succeed in both their personal and professional lives.

Mitch started working at SMECC in 2021 after more than a decade of experience working in local food systems. He is passionate about cultivating strong, resilient communities and reducing food waste.

Raised in Mildura, he has witnessed first-hand the transformative power of accessible, fresh, and healthy food on individuals and families and how this can bridge social gaps, boost well-being, and foster a sense of belonging. He is committed to cultivating a food system that is equitable, sustainable, and accessible to all.

Omer, a former refugee from Burundi, arrived in Australia in 2018. He started his journey with SMECC as a student in our English conversation class, where he flourished. In 2021, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at La Trobe University Mildura, and in 2023, he graduated. Shortly after, he began volunteering in the same conversation class that had once supported him. Drawing on his unique life experiences to empathise with his students, he joined our team as a Training and Skills Facilitator in 2024.

Omer has been trained in Individual Support and Spoken and Written English. He also has a Bachelor of Political Economics from the University of Burundi. His professional experience includes roles in Child Protection, Community Development, Aged Care, and Home Care. At La Trobe Mildura, he took on extracurricular activities as a Student Facilitator supporting senior staff to run events and promote higher education. Omer speaks Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, French and English. 

Detelina joined SMECC in 2024. Originally from Bulgaria, she migrated to Australia in 1998. She has a Bachelor of Science from Sofia University and worked as a science teacher and marine biologist in her home country. In Australia, she owned a flower shop and worked as a florist in Brisbance, before moving to her new home in Mildura in 2011.

She returned to study in 2020 to complete a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) through the South Australian College of English (SACE) and University of Cambridge. Her professional experience as a language teacher includes roles at Camberwell College and AMES Australia in Mildura and Robinvale. She speaks Bulgarian, Russian, Serbian and English.