SMRC Board of Directors

Ananda is active in a range of civic leadership roles, including the Healthy Ageing Advisory Committee of the Federation of Ethnic Community Council of Australia (FECCA); Regional Advisory Council of Victoria Multicultural Commission; the Welcoming Cities Reference Group of the Darebin City Council; and the Tamil Senior Citizens Fellowship Victoria (as past President).

An agricultural economist by training, Ananda brings over four decades of professional experience in strategic planning, priority setting, programme management, monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment  and organizational management. He has worked in national, regional and international research and development organizations, and authored over two hundred publications. He enjoys facilitating diverse groups to achieve productive and progressive outcomes. Ananda’s services and impact have been recognized through a number of accolades from universities, government agencies international organizations and professional bodies.

Dhileepan achieved an Advanced Diploma in accounting at RMIT University and is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce ( Major Accounting) at Deakin University, expected to be completed in 2023. He presently works for Telstra as a business specialist and previously worked as a complaint case manager and subject matter expert for 5 years. Dhileep brings 5 years of professional experience in impact assessment, evaluation, monitoring, people management, and accounting. Dhileep also works voluntarily with Tamil cultural organisations in Victoria. He helps migrants and refugees from different cultures.

Yakindra is deeply embedded in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community, with a fervent commitment to socio-cultural transformation. He holds several civic leadership roles, contributing to the Victorian Multicultural Commission as a Regional Advisory Council member, Community Leadership Nepal Foundation as a Director, managing finances as Treasurer for the Nepalese Association of Victoria, and steering the Nepalese Association of Agriculture, Forestry, and Environment in Australia as President. Additionally, Yakindra is a pivotal member of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee and chairs the Nourish Nation Foundation Incorporated, an Australian for-purpose charity.

His career spans over two decades, marked by significant contributions to research and development organizations, academia, FMCG, NFP, and government organisations with over 30 co-authored research articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. Holding a graduate diploma in environmental health practice, Yakindra is dedicated to enhancing the health, well-being, and social harmony of migrants and refugee communities.

Beyond his professional endeavours, Yakindra is adept at orchestrating festival and cultural events, fundraising activities, sporting events, and educational webinars and seminars, thereby enriching community life and fostering engagement. Yakindra currently works for CSIRO as a food research scientist and brings with him a wealth of expertise in research and development, strategic planning, and organizational management.

From 1983 to 1989, Wicki was employed in the UK and later, in August 1989, he migrated to Australia. He is married and has two children and four granddaughters. He is the founder of the Victorian Tamil Cultural Association, which was started in 1993. He is also the chairperson of Justice and Freedom for Refugees, and the founder of the Tamil Community Volunteer Broadcasting Services for the entire Tamil community in Australia.

Wicki has been serving as an SMRC board director for a long time. He has also served as a school councillor at Dandy West Primary Cleeland, Dandenong High School, and Noble Park English Language School. He is a Commonwealth Marriage Celebrant, Justice of Peace, and a refugee advocate, and was honoured as a living treasure by the City of Greater Dandenong Council.

Sivanthi has experience in Centrelink, the Department of Immigration, schools, community centers, hospitals, medical clinics, police stations (both federal and state), ASIO, and courts within the Australian community. She has also provided her expertise to asylum seekers at numerous detention centers, both domestically and internationally.

Sivanthi’s educational qualifications include an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Thames Oxford, a bachelor’s degree in business information systems, a Diploma in Interpreter, and a Graduate Certificate in Family Violence.

Moreover, Sivanthi actively contributes as an Executive Committee Member in multiple Community organizations. She regularly takes charge of coordinating and organizing cultural and fundraising programs, sporting events, cultural functions, picnics, games, trips, and festivals for both children and adults in the community. In addition, she serves as a dedicated parent council member at Lyndale Secondary College in 2021 and 2022. Furthermore, Sivanthi is an esteemed Parent school Council member and Parents Friends Association member at Nossal High School for the year 2023.

He is a marriage celebrant, Treasurer of the Australian-Albanian Community Assoc. of Dandenong, Secretary and Public Officer of the Albanian Sakie Islamic Society for st 15 years, Assisstant Treasuer for Dandenong Soccer Club for 2 years, and school council for 12 years. He has been a Justice of the Peace for the last 16 years.

Prathap is deeply committed to community service and currently serves as a management committee member of the Victorian Tamil Cultural Association, a member of the ICT sub-committee at SMRC, and an official volleyball referee for Volleyball Australia.

Thinesh also ran a food business for two years, gaining valuable entrepreneurial and management experience. He holds a Certificate 3 in Health Services Assessment and a Certificate IV in Disability, both of which have strengthened his ability to support those in need.

These experiences continue to fuel his dedication to making a positive difference in people’s lives.

Currently, she works at Herbert Smith Freehills, in digital transformation, digital product development and leveraging generative AI to create new operational efficiencies within existing business structures and nurturing a culture of innovation and digital fluency. Committed to supporting underrepresented communities, she is currently on the firm’s Social Mobility Network Committee, which supports the attraction, development of people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Karyan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and Economics) and Juris Doctor of Laws from the University of Melbourne, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from College of Law, and is a member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia. In 2021, she was a Board Observer with the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre.

Ali is passionate about community service; holding multiple board positions including at Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVIC), Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre, and previously at the Omani Students Association.

He has also been a leader of the Yes23 campaign in his local area, along with currently serving on the VMC Regional Advisory Council and the City of Greater Dandenong Multicultural and People Seeking Asylum Advisory Committee (MAPSAAC) member.

Ali is a VMC Youth Awards nominee, reflecting his commitment to youth and multicultural initiatives. Fluent in English and Arabic, he brings a diverse skill set and a commitment to excellence in all his endeavors.

She is passionate about conducting due diligence on financial reports and how it correlates to the organisation’s purpose, strategy, risk and governance frameworks.

Having worked in healthcare for the past 9 years, Neelam is driven by equitable healthcare for all.

She is a Fellow with CPA Australia and is a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors.

She was admitted as a lawyer in October 2022 and continues her practice as an accountant and tax agent since 2012.  She now uses her knowledge and experience to provide relevant information to the community.

Despite her busy schedule, she allocates time to serve the elderly community in Clarinda and is currently part of the executive committee of the Unified Filipino Elderly Association Inc.

With previous board experience as well as a career in local council and state government, she has a deep commitment to promoting equitable opportunities, where diverse voices are heard and celebrated.