ABOUT US
OUR ORGANISATION
Multicultural Families Organisation Inc. (MFO) provides services for newly arrived migrants and their families, including refugees, humanitarian entrants, and new family stream migrants for their new lives in Australia. These services are funded by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. MFO was founded in 1996 and is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation and registered as a Public Benevolent Institution.
MFO was granted funding from the Queensland Government in 2017 to establish a new Domestic and Family Violence Centre on the Gold Coast, in response to the increasing need for support for women and children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds who are experiencing family violence. Specially trained individuals within the MFO team have provided this support on a voluntary basis for years. The SARA DFV Centre has experienced staff with multicultural backgrounds and expertise.
OUR CONVICTION
The MFO team believes that
-
migrating to a new country offers opportunities and challenges to the migrants and the host country
-
migration forced by war or conflict often causes added stress and hardship
The MFO team is dedicated to offer a safe and nurturing place where
-
the Past is valued
-
the Present, with all its challenges, is dealt with realistically
-
the Future is embraced with courage and hope
The MFO team is convinced that
-
multiculturalism makes a rich contribution to the Australian society, and will continue to do so
-
by educating and supporting individuals and families from a CALD background we are assisting them to become self-reliant, integrated and achieve a healthy and fulfilling life
OUR COMMITMENT
MFO is committed to
-
initiate and work for change of abusive behaviour and offensive attitudes
-
promote and encourage appreciation and inclusion of diversity
-
work to influence respectful interactions becoming the norm
-
demonstrate Leadership for Positive Change
Our Management Committee
Lillan Neilson
President
Contact details: lillan@mfo.org.au
Lillan serves as President of the Multicultural Families Organisation (MFO), bringing a global perspective and a strong commitment to cultural inclusion and community wellbeing.
Originally from Sweden, Lillan moved to Australia in 2001 and joined MFO in 2016. Having travelled extensively and lived in many different countries, she has developed a deep appreciation for the richness and diversity of cultures.
Lillan has extensive experience in designing and facilitating development programs for businesses and educational organisations. Her professional background, combined with her global outlook, enables her to foster environments that encourage learning, growth, and cross-cultural understanding.
In 2017, Lillan established and continues to manage MFO’s Leaders of Positive Change movement — a community initiative aiming to reduce all forms of violence and foster greater appreciation of cultural, gender, faith, and racial diversity. Under her leadership, this movement has grown into a powerful platform for positive social change, encouraging collaboration and inclusion across the community.
As President, Lillan remains deeply committed to advancing MFO’s mission and supporting multicultural families through empowerment, respect, and meaningful action.
Language: Swedish (fluent)
Julie O'Brien
Secretary
Julie brings a wealth of experience in human services, education, and community development to her role as Secretary of the Multicultural Families Organisation.
A long-term Gold Coast resident, Julie has worked across the not-for-profit, government, and private sectors, providing support to individuals and communities facing complex life challenges. Her professional background includes working with diverse groups across primary, vocational, and higher education, as well as contributing to a wide range of community wellbeing initiatives.
In addition to her career roles, Julie has generously volunteered her time to school communities, playgroups, parkrun events, and local sporting clubs, reflecting her strong commitment to building connected, resilient communities.
Julie’s broad experience, compassionate leadership, and dedication to empowering individuals align strongly with MFO’s values. She is passionate about fostering positive change and supporting the wellbeing of families across the Gold Coast.
Shane McDonald
Treasurer
Shane brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to MFO as our Treasurer.
Shane is currently a Social Work Adjunct Academic at Griffith University, where he has spent the past eight years working in Social Work Field Education, with a particular focus on supporting international students. He joined Griffith University in 2016 after a distinguished professional career spanning over 30 years in the human services and public welfare sectors.
Throughout his career, Shane has worked across a range of specialist practice areas, including Military Social Work, homelessness support programs, and Aged Care service delivery. His extensive experience includes roles within non-government organisations, as well as local, state, and federal government agencies. Shane has also held an academic position at Monash University in Victoria, further broadening his expertise in teaching and research.
His professional journey has covered direct service delivery, management, program and policy development, and higher education. Shane’s diverse background, combined with his commitment to social justice and community wellbeing, makes him a valuable contributor to the governance and strategic direction of MFO.
As Treasurer, Shane supports MFO’s vision by providing strong financial stewardship and applying his extensive human services knowledge to strengthen the organisation’s impact in the community.
Alexander Bell
Ordinary Member
Alexander brings a lifetime of leadership, legal expertise, and community service to MFO.
A semi-retired solicitor with a Master of Laws degree, Alexander has dedicated decades to public service and community development. He served the Gold Coast community with distinction as a Councillor for 20 years—six of those years as Mayor—and later as the State Member for Surfers Paradise in the Queensland Parliament for three years.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Alexander was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for Community Service.
Throughout his career, Alexander has held numerous leadership roles, including:
-
Founding Chairman of Somerset College and Saint Stephen's College
-
Founding Chairman of Gold Coast Homes for Children and the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation
-
Chairman of Gold Coast Lifeline and volunteer counsellor for 10 years
-
Chancellor of his Church for 10 years
-
Board Member of the Gold Coast Alzheimer’s Association for five years
-
Longstanding member of the Surfers Paradise Lions Club for 25 years
-
Member of the Gold Coast Waterways Authority
-
Board Member of the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau
-
Board Member of the Casino Community Benefit Fund for five years
-
Board Member of Study Gold Coast for three years
-
Board Member of the Gold Coast Arts Centre for five years
Alexander’s enduring commitment to community wellbeing, education, and social support aligns strongly with the values of MFO. His vast experience across governance, law, and community leadership greatly enriches the Management Committee as MFO continues to grow and strengthen its impact.
Our Team
Letwina Malunga
Ordinary Member
Letwina is a dedicated professional with a strong passion for community welfare. With over 20 years of experience in Human Services, her focus has been on child and family services, as well as community advocacy.
Having migrated to Australia in 2006, Letwina’s personal experience of settling in Australia has deeply shaped her commitment to supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Her career spans various sectors, including early childhood education, health, family support services, and community engagement, where she has worked with both private and not-for-profit organisations. This diverse experience has strengthened her drive to promote social change and make a positive impact on individuals and communities.
Letwina is passionate about fostering wellbeing and empowerment for vulnerable members of society. She believes in the importance of respect, inclusion, and empowerment, values that guide her both professionally and personally, with family and care being at the core of her beliefs.
As a member of the MFO Management Committee, Letwina is fully committed to the vision of the organisation. She works alongside fellow committee members to bring these ideals to life and ensure their impactful implementation within the community.
Sebastian Chadwick
- Director and NDIS/SQW Operations Manager
Contact details: sebastian@mfo.org.au
Sebastian was born in Tasmania, Australia and relocate to the Gold Coast in 1998. Sebastian undertook a Bachelor of Arts at Griffith University majoring in Communications and Marketing and completed a Masters of International Business at Bond University in 2006.
Sebastian has travelled extensively around the world and has spent several years living in France, Bosnia and Spain. Sebastian returned to Australia in 2009 and joined the MFO family in 2011.
Sebastian is a active person who when not working will be found either surfing, doing Ju Jitsu or at the gym.
Languages: Spanish (knowledge)
Renata H Jones
- Director and Manager Settlement Engagement & Transition Support (SETS) program
Contact details: renata@mfo.org.au
Renata was born in Hungary and has extensive experience living and working in the UK. She migrated to Australia in 2007 and holds a Bachelor of Human Services, a Master of Sexology, a Graduate Certificate in TESOL. Renata joined the MFO team in 2016, bringing with her exceptional customer service skills.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, who may occasionally be seen in the office.
Language: Hungarian (fluent), Welsh (knowledge)
Rana Al-Mekarry
- Client Services Manager (SETS) program
Contact details: rana@mfo.org.au
Rana is a passionate advocate for women, managing various projects and initiatives supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Women living on the Gold Coast. Born in Lebanon, Rana grew up in Canberra where she worked for 15 years in various Federal Government Departments. With an educational background in business and counselling and wealth of project management experience, she joined MFO in early 2015. Rana is a compassionate person with a vibrant personality and a passion for social justice and equality.
Languages: Arabic (fluent)
Wai Yin Naidoo
- Youth Development Manager
Contact details: homework@mfo.org.au
Wai Yin was born in Hong Kong, and has studied, lived and worked in Hong Kong, UK and Zimbabwe before migrating to Australia in 2003.
In 2008, Wai Yin joined MFO, and has been focused on supporting young people's academic development and well-being through the homework program and youth workshops. Wai Yin also has a passion for communities building. Currently, she is engaging with schools to connect with and support parents through " The Parents Hub".
Language: Cantonese (fluent)
Rick Vargas
- Youth Case Manager
Contact details: rick@mfo.org.au
Rick was born in Porto Alegr, Brazil. Rick studied Sports Science/ Physical Education and previously worked with disadvantage youth in athletics programs, and older adults fitness groups in Brazil. Currently working in youth programs catering for primary and high school ages. He provides NDIS support and engage with communities.
Language: Portuguese (fluent) and Spanish (knowledge)
Monica Revoltar
- NDIS Support Coordinator
Contact details: sc2@mfo.org.au
Monica is passionate about helping others in the community. It brings her so much joy to support people on their journey to build their independence and thrive. She has been working in the disability sector for twenty years. Her background is Filipino.
Language: Tagalog (fluent), Japanese (knowledge) and Spanish (knowledge)
Yi Jie Lee
- Youth Case Manager
Contact details: lee@mfo.org.au
Lee is a dedicated social worker originally from Singapore, bringing a wealth of cross-cultural experience to our team. As a Youth Case Manager with our SETS program, he supports young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to settle, thrive, and feel a sense of belonging in their new community. Lee is passionate about empowering youth to navigate life’s challenges and build confident, independent futures.
Language: Mandarin (fluent)
Cherry Taylor
- Settlement Support Worker
Contact details: cherry@mfo.org.au
Cherry migrated to Australia in 1992 from Philippines.
She joined MFO in 2013.She initially worked as an Accounts Administrator and later on moved to become an Employment Support Coordinator providing support to Multicultural Men and Women who recently migrated to Australia helping them find gainful employment in Queensland.
She obtained Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service major in Political Science in Philippines where she was born.
Languages: Tagalog (fluent), French (knowledge) and Spanish (knowledge)
Nicole Jacob
- Employment and Training Programs Coordinator
Contact details: nicole@mfo.org.au
Nicole was born in Aotearoa/NZ where she worked as an Employment Coach and Personal Trainer. She migrated with her family to Australia and joined MFO in 2022. While health and fitness is still a big part of her life she brings a lot of compassion and experience to her role helping our clients upskill and move into employment.
Languages: Te Reo (knowledge)
Yuliia Kotko
- Employment and Training Support Officer
Contact details: yuliia@mfo.org.au
Yuliia was born in Ukraine. She initially trained as a choreographer and beauty therapist. She was driven by a desire to make positive changes within our community. This passion led her to complete a Diploma in Community Services and later join the MFO team.
Yuliia is dedicated to supporting migrants in overcoming barriers and succeeding in life. She also loves traveling and exploring different cultures, which enriches her understanding and appreciation of the diverse backgrounds of the people we support.
Language: Ukrainian and Russian (fluent)
Catherine Wang
- NDIS Support Coordinator/Psychosocial Recovery Coach
Quenn Gomes
- Employment and training programs support officer
Contact details: sc1@mfo.org.au
Catherine migrated to Australia from China in 2014. She studied a Bachelor of Social Work at Griffith University and has been working in the disability sector for the past six years. Catherine is passionate about supporting people with disabilities and multicultural communities. She brings a social work perspective to her practice, aiming to empower and assist those in need.
Languages: Mandarin (fluent)
Contact details: Quenn@mfo.org.au
Quenn was born in South Africa, has lived in New Zealand, and spent time in several states across Australia before settling in Queensland. Quenn Joined the MFO team in 2024. As an undergraduate social worker, Quenn prides himself on being able to deliver a person-centred approach in assisting disadvantaged Queenslanders undertake life-changing courses and find meaningful employment. Quenn values family, exercise, and making clients feel heard and there efforts acknowledged.