Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council

Ree is an advocate for the Islamic community and for people of the Indian sub-continent on the Gold Coast, and has significant experience working and volunteering in the community development sector. She has worked to advance the representation, access and employment opportunities of CALD communities, helping to identify and amend systemic barriers and to promote inclusive and culturally responsive practices. Currently working in the aged and disability advocacy sector, Ree offers unique insight into CALD communities’ perspectives on ageing and the challenges associated with it. Ree also promotes social and interfaith harmony through interfaith concerts, multicultural events for seniors, Eid Festivals on the Gold Coast, and works with various cultural groups including the Indian community to co-host Diwali, Holi and Kite celebrations. She is the Chairperson of the Multifaith Action and Advisory Group and sits on several community committees.

Nick Attam is a multicultural community leader, media professional, and advocate for regional multicultural engagement in Queensland. He is the Editor of The Indian Sun, a national digital publication that highlights the stories, achievements, and contributions of multicultural communities across Australia. Based in Townsville, Nick has played a significant role in strengthening cultural connections and community participation across North Queensland. Since 2017, he has served as the Secretary of India Fest Townsville, helping deliver one of the region’s largest multicultural festivals celebrating Indian culture while fostering broader community engagement. Nick regularly collaborates with community organisations, local government, and multicultural groups to promote social cohesion and improve representation of culturally and linguistically diverse communities in regional Queensland. Through his work in media, community leadership, and volunteering, Nick continues to support stronger multicultural participation and inclusive communities across Queensland.

Beny is former President of the Queensland African Communities Council (QACC) – an umbrella organisation that represents more than 80,000 people and organisations of African descent in QLD. He’s currently the Chief Executive Officer (Managing Director) of the Village Support Limited. He was also a Senior Manager for Youth Engagement and Community Partnerships with Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT), and is a member of the Queensland Parole Board.  Beny holds two masters’ degrees: Master of International Law from Griffith University, Australia and Master of Governance, Public Policy and Development from the University of Queensland, Australia. He also obtained a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, Politics and Government from Griffith University. He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to youth in 2021, and is a returning MQAC member.

Michael is a highly experienced business owner and operator, with a long track-record of community engagement and cross-cultural leadership. He is Vice President of the Australia China Business Council (Qld), and has worked to facilitate intercultural and interfaith dialogue to diffuse geopolitical tension. Michael has also served in state politics as an Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and is the recipient of a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and the Lord Mayor’s Business Award.

Viv’s (Vivien) lived experience as a Filipino migrant in regional Queensland has equipped her with the skills and insight to advocate for CALD communities facing discrimination and marginalization. As a qualified VET Trainer and Assessor, she advocates education either formal or informal through university, Tafe or private RTO. As well as working in the hospitality industry in Mackay and the Whitsundays, Viv is active in the Mackay Filipino-Australian Community, is a member of the Multicultural Women’s Club, the World Café, the Zonta Club of Mackay and has volunteered with The Neighbourhood Hub for more than 20 years. Viv is considered a leader in Mackay’s multicultural community and the local hospitality community and has a strong track record of community engagement in regional Queensland.

Dean is an educator and cultural leader who has dedicated his personal and professional life to advocating for Queenslanders from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, with a focus on Māori and Pasifika communities. He works as a school teacher, embedding cultural identity as a driver of student engagement and achievement. He was a Gold Coast Teacher of the Year in 2015 and received an Outstanding Community Service Award in 2017. Dean has been involved in community engagement for over 40 years and has organised multicultural events including Polyfest, Waitangi Day, and Te Hononga Moemoea, and is an active member of the Southeast Queensland Kapa Haka leadership network.

Anna is a community leader, educator, and advocate for multicultural inclusion based in Cairns, Far North Queensland. She has a background in public health and education, with experience supporting vulnerable communities in refugee camp settings across Africa and in community services in Australia. Anna is a Vocational Education and Training (VET) tutor delivering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health programs. She serves as President of the Cairns African Association and Director of the Maisha Bora Skills Appreciation Program, a community initiative that supports wellbeing, employment readiness, and social integration for newly arrived migrants and refugees in regional Queensland. Through her work, Anna advocates for stronger community partnerships, inclusive opportunities, and pathways that empower culturally diverse communities to thrive. She is a returning MQAC member.

Gail has been working in the interfaith space with CALD communities for more than 30 years. She is a board member and the Interfaith Chair of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies and is Chair of the Queensland Faith Communities Council where she has worked with state and local governments, Queensland Police, NGOs, hospitals and schools, to help address barriers to inclusion and facilitate cultural and faith-inclusive best practice. Gail is Vice President of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (NCJWA), Queensland Inc and is also a national board member of the NCJWA. Gail has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the Jewish community in Queensland and to Interfaith.

Emil is a Brisbane-based Baptist pastor with more than 20 years’ experience working with multicultural communities and refugees. He specialises in addressing key challenges including cultural integration, equitable service access, community cohesion, and effective representation at all levels of government. A member of the Queensland Police Services’ Multicultural Advisory Group, Emil facilitates interfaith dialogue and cooperation to strengthen social cohesion and community resilience. Originally from Azerbaijan, he was the recipient of the 2025 Minister’s Multicultural Award. Trained and admitted as a solicitor in Australia and a registered migration agent, he is also pursuing a PhD at Griffith University on the wellbeing of skilled migrants’ children. Emil has represented people and communities of diverse backgrounds before local, state, and federal agencies. He has travelled extensively to research policy development in the areas of economic stability and inclusive governance.

Pinky is the founder of the Punjabi Welfare Association of Australia, and volunteers with the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust and the Queensland Police Services Multicultural Community Reference Group, advocating for new migrants and asylum seekers, and CALD communities. For more than 15 years she has been involved in community and diversity initiatives and has strong insights into the challenges facing Australians from diverse backgrounds. Pinky has also been involved in state politics and has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her distinguished service to the community.

Since arriving in Queensland in 1992, Grace has worked in international education, and in community organisations addressing issues of marginalisation and discrimination.  She has taken on leadership roles in the Australian Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Queensland, and the Queensland Federation of Chinese Associations, and is the founding president of the Australian Multicultural & Migration Support Inc. Grace has worked across government, business and community groups to ensure equitable access to resources during disaster response and recovery efforts. She is an active supporter of charitable causes and is currently a Director in the Queensland Taiwan Charity Fund and Ambassador for the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust. Grace has been recognised for her dedication in volunteering and fundraising efforts with a number of community awards.