Returning from Sabbatical
I’m excited to be back after a three-month sabbatical with the Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) program, feeling refreshed and ready for all that 2025 holds. A huge thank you to Gary Taylor for stepping in as Acting CEO and to John Bosco for leading the Peak Body in my absence.
We welcome new leadership—Berlasco’s new Facility Manager, Raza Ehteshaam, joined us earlier this year and already making positive inroads. Meanwhile, our Multicultural Partners team is growing and working hard to support Queensland’s aged care sector to meet the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards in providing care to older people from CALD backgrounds. Keep an eye on the program updates, including the upcoming Aged Care Expo in Toowoomba!
Remembering Dr. Bui
We were deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Cuong Bui OAM, AM, a former ECCQ Board member and a tireless advocate for refugees and migrants. His legacy in the Vietnamese and broader multicultural communities will never be forgotten and will continue to be an in inspiration for us all.
50 Years of Vietnamese Community in Queensland
This year marks 50 years since the arrival of the first Vietnamese refugees in Brisbane. The Queensland State Library has great insights into the Vietnamese community’s incredible contributions, be on the lookout for events which you can participate in this year. We will be sharing some of them through our communications.
International Women’s Day 2025
Although I couldn’t physically attend this year’s International Women’s Day breakfast, I want to thank everyone who joined the Women’s Ethnic Network, including the sponsors who help to make this event possible. Congratulations to the Advancing Women Scholarship recipients: Shweta Goya, awarded the Cleo Xynias Woman of the Year, and Elifnaz Konu, recipient of the Emerging Professional Scholarship.
Ms Goyal shared a little bit about herself stating that “In education, I serve as a researcher, examiner, and mentor, focusing on creating equitable opportunities, particularly for women in STEM. My research on work-life balance for women in regional Australian universities highlights my commitment to addressing systemic barriers and fostering inclusive environments”
[Pictured on the left: Shweta Goyal]
Ms Konu specializes in Industrial Engineering and attributes her professional achievements to her sense of belonging, which fuels her hope and motivation to pursue her aspirations in Australia. Guided by her commitment to equity and inclusivity, Alifnaz seeks a career that not only utilises her technical expertise but also fosters an environment aligned with her core values, making her work both meaningful and fulfilling.
[Pictured in the middle: Alifnaz Konu]
