Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services is an incorporated association governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, which is formed of ordinary members and office bearers. Our local Directors come from an array of ethnicities and lived experiences and bring a wide variety of expertise and skills, in areas including community engagement and development, business management, finance, risk, legal, HR and people management, education, communications, and governance.
The Board is driven to ensure strategy is carried out to align with the organisation’s purpose whilst overseeing a framework for how the organisation works with and empowers the multicultural community in the region.
Together they are deeply committed to improving the lives of migrants and refugees settling in thriving Central Victoria.
Board of Directors
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Merrilyn Gaulke
ChairGraduate Certificate of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)
Merrilyn has more than 35 years of experience in the education sector where she has worked with indigenous, refugee, and migrant students both in Australia and Papua New Guinea where she mentored indigenous staff to build their teacher capacity. She was accepted into the local community and worked alongside the staff advocating for their rights and conditions and supporting them in areas such as domestic violence abuse.
On her return to Australia from teaching overseas, Merrilyn became one of the founding staff at the Mildura English Language Centre (MELC) which supports newly arrived refugee and migrant students through trauma-informed practice.
In 2019, through peer nomination, Merrilyn received a ‘Highly Commended – School Education’ excellence award as part of the Victorian Multicultural Commission excellence award program.
To continue her work with multicultural communities in a broader context, Merrilyn joined the LCMS Board in 2020 as she wanted to support people from refugee and migrant backgrounds to lift their voices, to be seen, heard, and prosper across the Loddon Campaspe region.
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Andriy Kurtsev
Vice-ChairRN, MBA, FCHSM, CHE
Originally from Ukraine, Andriy completed his nursing degree in San Antonio, Texas, USA and then immigrated to Australia in 2010.
Andriy is now in his 13th year of service with St John of God Healthcare, having previously worked at SJG Geelong Hospital in various nursing leadership roles for 6 years and then in the role of Deputy Director of Nursing Medical/Acute Services at SJG Murdoch Hospital for 3 years. Building on his experience as a health care executive, Andriy was appointed Director of Nursing and Patient Experience at SJG Bendigo Hospital in 2020.
In addition to his nursing qualifications, Andriy holds a Master’s Degree in Business Economics and Graduate Certificate in Catholic Leadership.
Andriy is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management and a Certified Health Executive.
He joined the Board of Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services in May 2022.
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Peter Watson
TreasurerBachelor of Business (Accounting)
Peter was appointed to the Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services (LCMS) Advisory Board in mid-2021 year.
He obtained Bachelor of Business (Accounting) credentials from Latrobe University in 1992 and since 1997 he has held Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) status.
Peter has enjoyed a 30-year career as a finance professional in a variety of roles and for approximately three quarters of that period he has been employed in not-for-profit organisations, state government service authorities and tax-exempt bodies. A significant proportion of his roles have also incorporated wider corporate services responsibilities, including human resources, information technology, payroll services, contract and grants management, insurance and risk, commercial leases, procurement, occupational health and safety, facilities management, fleet management and reception services.
He is a committed volunteer with advisory roles not only with LCMS but with the Sandhurst Football Netball Club in the Bendigo FNL, where he fills the role of Treasurer. He is, above all else, a committed family man to wife Denise and their three children and three grandchildren.
Peter brings to the LCMS Board skills in financial management and business acumen plus a passion for team-oriented outcomes, customer service, stakeholder engagement and meaningful support to the operational personnel.
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Annika Kearton
SecretaryMaster's degree in Environment
Annika is the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, where she works with 13 local governments, and community groups, across the Loddon Campaspe, Mallee, and Grampians regions to facilitate collaborative responses to climate change and enhance community resilience.
Annika has over 14 years’ experience working in program design and management, applied research and evaluation, and organisational capacity building with non-profit and rights-based organisations in the community development sector, both within Australia and overseas.
Prior to joining the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, Annika held executive roles at Bendigo-based non-profit ARC Justice, where she led strategic and legal advocacy programs to protect and promote the rights of rural and regional Victorians. She has also worked extensively as a project manager and technical advisor on community-based public health, human rights, and climate change adaptation projects with government and civil society groups across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Annika has contributed to research and policy advocacy projects with a focus on support for refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, and the settlement of migrants and refugees in rural and regional Victoria.
She holds an interdisciplinary Master of Environment degree from the University of Melbourne, where she specialised in sustainable development, policy and management, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Political Science.
Annika is passionate about social and environmental justice, and proud to live and work within the vibrant and diverse communities of regional Victoria.
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Bruno Spandonide
Board MemberPhD, MSc Transport, urban and regional development and MSc environmental sciences and geography
Bruno was borne in France in a multicultural family of political refugees from Romania. Bruno grew up in a very multicultural area of Paris and really enjoyed learning about new cultural references and traditions and sharing this with friends and neighbours. Over the years this helped to develop ideals and aspirations of social justice and human rights. Bruno later moved to Tasmania to undertake a doctorate in transport geography and worked for the Federal government and the CRC for Remote Economic Participation coordinating the Transport Futures research program on sustainable transport systems for very remote communities. Bruno is currently involved in a range of world leading sustainable mobility professional networks and works for the Department of Transport in Victoria managing walking and cycling projects and with the Department of Transport’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Steering Committee.
Inspired by his wife Robyn who worked for Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services from 2015 to 2021 Bruno has been volunteering as an Intercultural Ambassador for the City of Greater Bendigo, and the Board of LCMS facilitating regular community forums and providing leadership support for a wide range of programs and events fostering intercultural links, inclusiveness and harmony. Robyn and Bruno and their three wonderful children Héloïse, Emmanuel and Ileana particularly enjoy getting involved in community events in Bendigo, share cultural insights and create and maintain positive connections.
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Ian Patrick
Board MemberPhD
Dr. Ian Patrick is a self-employed consultant working in the areas of evaluation and organisational development. He has wide experience in the evaluation, design and management of programs across a range of sectors including health, education, human services, law and justice, human rights, and migrant and refugee initiatives. He has worked both in Australia, as well as internationally where he has focused on aid and development issues. He has consulted broadly for the Australian and New Zealand governments, and a range of UN and multilateral agencies. Ian’s other professional experience crosses academic roles at Australian universities, arts administration and the media. In his spare time, Ian makes a weekly radio music program called The Latin Hour, and occasionally teaches salsa dancing.
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Anna Dorevitch
Board MemberMaster in Public and International Law
Anna is a senior lawyer at the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre where she advises and advocates for clients on a range of issues including family violence, consumer law, infringements and debt. As the granddaughter of a Czech Jewish Holocaust survivor, she has a long-held interest in refugee law and policy. Prior to moving to Bendigo in 2016, Anna volunteered in Bangkok, Thailand as a refugee lawyer and program advisor, assisting asylum seekers with their applications and appeals to the UNHCR. She has also worked as an associate to a Federal Court Judge, and in various community legal roles at Justice Connect. Anna holds a Masters in Public and International Law from the University of Melbourne, where she also completed her undergraduate degrees in Arts and Law.
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Salwa Dastgeer
Board MemberMaster of Public Policy
Salwa Dastgeer is originally from Kabul Afghanistan. She came to Australia in June 2012 with her husband and children. She completed her Master of Public Policy at the Australian National University in 2014. She moved to Bendigo in 2016 so her husband could complete his education at the La Trobe University. Salwa is currently studying Master of Social Work at the La Trobe University. She works full-time at the City of Greater Bendigo in the Community Partnerships Unit. Salwa is passionate about celebrating and strengthening the diversity and vibrancy of the many multicultural and multi-faith communities that live in this region. Salwa became a member of the LCMS board on 5 May 2022.
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Daniel Jose
Board MemberMasters and Bachelors in Engineering
Daniel Jose, originally from India, migrated to Australia in 2017. His multicultural background greatly influences his perspective on life and work, fostering a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and traditions. This global mindset enables him to collaborate effectively across borders and thrive in diverse international teams.
As a highly skilled professional in Project Management and Engineering, Daniel has made significant contributions to prestigious defence projects such as the Bushmaster and Hawkei programs at Thales Defence & Security, Inc. His expertise in leadership, strategic planning, stakeholder management, and various engineering disciplines has been instrumental in the success of these initiatives. Known for his exceptional analytical skills and effective communication, Daniel's commitment to excellence has solidified his reputation as a valuable leader in the defence industry.
In addition to his professional achievements, Daniel actively promotes financial literacy across all age groups, participates in the church choir, and coaches in the soccer community. His dedication to educating others in financial matters, combined with his passion for music and faith, enriches both his personal growth and community engagement. Through soccer, he fosters fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship, reflecting his well-rounded personality and exemplary time management skills.
In summary, Daniel Jose's multicultural upbringing, professional expertise, and commitment to personal and community development make him an exceptional individual who positively impacts various aspects of his life and the people around him.
Management
Staff
Multicultural Services currently employs 24 staff and has over 30 volunteers. Staff are highly experienced and speak a number of community languages, including Arabic, Bahasa Malaysia, Burmese, Dari, Dinka, Farsi, French, Hakka, Hazaraghi, Hokkien, Italian, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai and Turkish.