About us

We work with our members, communities and governments to strengthen equitable participation of multicultural communities in Queensland through the provision of advocacy, education and empowerment.

Established in 1976, Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) has been the independent, member-based peak body representing multicultural communities across Queensland. We are the Queensland representative council of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia (FECCA). We aim to support, advocate and amplify the contributions and needs of multicultural communities across our state.

What we do

Ethnic Communities Council Queensland (ECCQ) is the peak for multicultural Queensland. We’re on the ground – we’re connected, listening and feeding back to community, governments and partners about the strengths and challenges for multicultural Queensland.

We share success stories, empower communities to self-advocate and advocate on their behalf when needed.

As the peak for multicultural communities in Queensland:

  • Our strong membership base is made up of individuals and community organisations representing both established and emerging communities.
  • We work closely with all levels of government to influence key decisions impacting multicultural communities.
  • We celebrate success stories and elevate the voices of vulnerable people through our engagement networks for women and youth, as well as our Speak My Language multicultural disability podcast.
  • We provide capacity building opportunities to multicultural community groups – from setting up associations through to grant writing application support.
  • Our health programs support multicultural communities to live well. Our dedicated network of bi-cultural health workers focus on community education to improve their health outcomes.
  • We work with the multicultural sector to strengthen services to reflect the needs of community, as well as collaborate and partner on research and advocacy.

Board of Directors

Elijah Buol OAM, Board of Directors, Chair // ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

Elijah Buol OAM

Chair
Surendra Prasad OAM, Board of Directors, Deputy Chair // ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

Surendra Prasad OAM

Deputy Chair
Michael Yau OAM, Board of Directors, Deputy Chair // ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

Michael Yau OAM

Deputy Chair of the Board
Tracey Silvester, Board of Directors, Board Director // ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

Tracey Silvester

Board Director
Eliza Hess, Board of Directors, Board Director // ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

Eliza Hess

Board Director
Serge Voloschenko OAM, Board of Directors, Honorary President and life member // ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

Serge Voloschenko OAM

Honorary President and life member
Michael Po Saw, Board of Directors, Board Director // ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

Michael Po Saw

Board Member
Ram Mohan, Board of Directors, Board Director // ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

Ram Mohan

Board Director
John Fox APM, Board of Directors, Company Secretary // ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

John Fox APM

Company Secretary

Leadership Team

Lisa Ward, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) // ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

Lisa Ward

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Gary Taylor, Manager People and Culture // ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

Gary Taylor

Manager People and Culture
Wendy Tong // Chief Financial Officer (ECCQ)

Wendy Tong

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Zanny Mitchell // General Manager, Aged Care Services

Zanny Mitchell

General Manager, Aged Care Services

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