Maria Brown-Shepherd, President of the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District Inc., Regd. No A6321, delivers the Annual Report for year 2023 on 28 September 2023.
The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District Inc is a peak body whose mission is to promote and represent the social, cultural, economic well-being of ethnic communities in the Goulburn Valley Region through the provision of quality and innovative settlement, refugee support, community development and information and advocacy services.
My heritage is of Ukrainian descendant with my father, Alexsky Czerkaskyj, being one of the founder members of the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District. I never expect to be facing a crisis in my parent’s homeland of Ukraine. War which we don’t need. We do have families back in the Ukraine, some are living in Germany and Poland, and we also have a cousin, Father Juri, who is serving in the War. At this stage he is ok. Where is humanity?
We are saddened by the passing of two of our board members.
Dr Apollo Nsubuga-Kyobe, a highly respected and passionate advocate, academic and leader of Victoria’s African Australian community (November 2022).
Apollo’s outstanding and tireless service to the African community and legacy extends across Victoria and beyond. A long serving member of the faculty at La Trobe University in both Shepparton and Bundoora, Apollo published many academic papers on the African experience and was a regular presenter at various state, federal and international conferences.
Over the past 35 years he founded and led several African community organisations, including the Ugandan Association of Victoria, Africa Day Australia, Goulburn Valley Ethnic Professionals Association and African Think Tank. Apollo served on the Board of ECCV and was an active of ECCV Positive Ageing and Aged Care Policy Advisory Committee and our New and Emerging Communities Policy Advisory. He was Vice-President and a longstanding member of the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District and a well-respected board member and will be greatly missed.
Ian Lennie, A founder and a long-standing Board Member of the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District (September 2023).
He was a well-respected member and will be missed for his knowledge. Between his farm, career and community involvement, being President Australian Filipino Club. Evangelina (Vangie) his wife came from the Philippines arriving in Australia in 1981 to live with her husband Ian on a dairy farm in Kyabram. Vangie craved the companionship of her fellow Filipinos, through this feeling of isolation and despair the Filipino Australian was formed. With this organization being formed in 1982, they began to provide support and resources for the Filipino men, women and families that have migrated to Australia covering areas such as Northern Victoria and Southern Riverina of New South Wales. Ian also lent a supportive hand becoming a Migration agent with Faram Ritchie Davies, offering immigration assistance to the Filipino community and other countries.
Chris Hazelman has retired after serving as Manager for 15 years. Over the years he has learned a great deal about the challenges and opportunities facing multicultural communities, particularly throughout the immediacy of response required throughout COVID and last year’s flood crisis which highlighted the importance of identifying and leveraging the technology and social media used by individual communities. Chris’s departure will be a significant loss, not only for the Ethnic Council of Shepparton but also for our broader multicultural community. Chris, enjoy your retirement with your family.
A new chapter begins with an appointment of Sam Atukorala as the successor. Sam has been with the Ethnic Council for several years as the Regional Strategic Coordinator and has built up a network of people involved in the sector both locally and statewide. The Board has confidence that Sam has the skills and relevant experience to guide our staff and service delivery to ensure we are providing the right responses to our community’s needs. Congratulations Sam and the Board welcome you.
Finally, I would like to thank the Board, staff and members of the Ethnic Council of Shepparton for their invaluable support during the past year.
Maria Brown-Shepherd
President
Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District Inc., Regd. No A6321
28 September 2023
