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.

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.

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.

Bio to come.

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.

Bio to come.

Bio to come.

Bio to come.