Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council Inc. (BRMC) is the peak multicultural agency in the Central Highlands Grampians Region (CHGR).

Members include 24 Cultural Associations/Groups and numerous Individual and Associate members affiliated with BRMC.

Our mission is to work in partnership with other community organisations, cultural associations and members to actively promote multiculturalism, cultural diversity and the well-being of all migrant communities throughout the region.

Our purpose is to actively promote and develop goodwill, understanding and harmony in our culturally diverse community.

BRMC provides opportunities for all people of all cultural backgrounds to come together to celebrate multiculturalism and cultural diversity, and provides advisory services, support and advocacy for the particular needs of both older established migrant groups, plus new arrivals.

Objectives
  • To provide opportunities for people of all cultural backgrounds to come together.
  • To provide advisory services, support and advocacy for the particular needs of people of various cultural backgrounds.
  • To advocate on relevant government policy and practice at the local, state and federal level to ensure appropriate service provision.
  • To provide government and other bodies or agencies in the Ballarat region with an open channel of communication with cultural groups and organisations.
  • To promote a greater awareness of multicultural values, the contributions and the specific needs of community groups within the region.
  • To advise relevant agencies in the region on the social, legal, cultural, educational, health and welfare needs of residents of culturally diverse backgrounds with an emphasis on equitable access to services.

Our Staff

Position Name Email
Executive Officer Ann Foley eo@brmc.org.au
Strategic Engagement Coordinator Annie Dunn a.dunn@brmc.org.au
Welcome Centre Facilities Coordinator Suzanne Ryan-Evers s.ryan-evers@brmc.org.au
Finance and Compliance Annakaren Young a.young@brmc.org.au
Communications Coordinator Janelle Swainston media@brmc.org.au
Social Support Coordinator Teresa Azzopardi teresa@brmc.org.au
Social Support Officer Helen Bennetts h.bennetts@brmc.org.au
Social Support Assistant Natalie Athayde n.athayde@brmc.org.au
Social Support Administration Assistant Dawn Bowes dawnb@brmc.org.au
Migration & Settlement Services Mina Abdolmaleki m.abdolmaleki@brmc.org.au
Migrant English Program Coordinator
Diversity Homework Club
Good Governance		 Sarabjit Kaur s.kaur@brmc.org.au
mep@brmc.org.au
goodgov@brmc.org.au
Stepping Stones Coordinator
Creative Workshops Coordinator		 Deborah Klein d.klein@brmc.org.au
steppingstones@brmc.org.au
Community Engagement Team Leader Heeyoung Lim hy.lim@brmc.org.au
Community Engagement Worker Nyepuot Riek n.riek@brmc.org.au
Community Engagement Worker Abdul Rasuli a.rasuli@brmc.org.au
Community Engagement Worker Lunorphare Folly lk.folly@brmc.org.au
Thrive Garden Project Coordinator Rebecca Marsh thrive@brmc.org.au
Project Assistant – Developing Our Children
Together Program		 Abrar Dham a.dham@brmc.org.au

All staff can be contacted on 03 5383 0613.

Executive Committee Members for 2020/2021

Position Name
Chairperson Joy Sawiche
Deputy Chair Bobby Mehta
Treasurer Andrew Tennant
Assistant Treasurer Phillip Moore
Secretary Magdalena Kazmierczak
Assistant Secretary Vacant
Public Relations Officer Vacant
Interfaith Officer Syed M Sami
Women’s Officer Serena Ogbuokiri
Youth Officer Vacant
Community Representative Navin Thomas
Community Representative Sylvana Mitchell
Community Representative Kiky Amelia
Immediate Past Chair Chez Dichiera

General and Associate Members

View List of General and Associate Members

Our Story

Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, also known as BRMC, is a registered charity and a not-for-profit community service organisation. Established in 1999 BRMC is an incorporated association accountable to members through the BRMC Executive Committee.

BRMC is also accredited under the Aged Care Quality Standards.

BRMC offers a core set of services that support engagement and advocacy for new and emerging migrant communities and multicultural communities in the region, including multicultural sector coordination, settlement, community development, aged support, training and education, as well as arts and events.

BRMC manages the Ballarat Welcome Centre and a team of staff, volunteers and partners with government, community and business to promote our objectives.

Partnerships

Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council respectfully acknowledges the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung people, their elders and community leaders, past, present and emerging
– traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work.

BRMC actively promotes intercultural and interfaith harmony. We help build inclusive and diverse communities and economies.
We work with members and partners to strengthen diversity and social cohesion in regional Victoria.

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