ABOUT US
OUR ORGANISATION
MFO, Multicultural Families Organisation Inc., provides services for newly arrived migrants and their families, including refugees, humanitarian entrants, and new family stream migrants, during the first five years from their arrival 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.
In 2017 MFO was granted funding from the Queensland Government to establish a new Domestic and Family Violence Centre on the Gold Coast, to meet the increasing need of support for women and children, from a CALD background, experiencing family violence. Specially trained individuals, within the MFO team, have provided this support on a voluntary basis for years. SARA DFV Centre, has experienced staff with multicultural background 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
.jpg)
Our Team
Lillan Neilson
- Manager " Leaders of Positive Change"
Contact details: lillan@mfo.org.au
Lillan, originally from Sweden, came to Australia in 2001, and joined MFO in 2016. As Lillan has travelled extensively and lived in many different countries, she has come to appreciate the diversity of cultures. She has extensive experience in creating and facilitating development programs to businesses and educational organisations.
Language: Swedish (fluent)
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)
Hannah Starr
- Case Manager & Data Entry Officer
(Settlement Engagement & Transition Support Program);
Youth Worker (Youth at Promise Program)
Contact details: hannah@mfo.org.au
Hannah has been with MFO since 2018, when she joined the Homework Club Program. Since then, she has moved onto the SETS Program and has also recently joined the Youth at Promise Program. Hannah was born in Sydney and raised on the Gold Coast, completing a Bachelor of Government and International Relations at Griffith University in 2020 and currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She works closely with individuals and families from various backgrounds to provide support and foster independence in education, housing, and much more. Hannah is a native English speaker but enjoys learning some phrases in her clients' languages.
Ezzat Javanmard
- Case Manager Settlement Engagement & Transition Support (SETS) program
Contact details: ezzat@mfo.org.au
Ezzat was born in Iran. She migrated to Australia in 1981, and joined MFO in 2000. Ezzat obtained a Bachelor of Family Counselling and Guidance. She also holds a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work. She works closely with refugees and asylum seekers. She involves in CALD Carer Representative of Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service. Ezzat is passionate about human right.
Languages: Farsi (fluent), Dari (knowledge)
Rana Al-Mekarry
- Manager Multicultural Women's office
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
- Manager Youth & Community Development
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 and Community Development Coordinator
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 and Spanish (knowledge)
Kevin Melo
- Youth and Community Development Coordinator
Contact details: kevin.melo@mfo.org.au
Originally from Colombia, Kevin came to Australia in 2017 and joined MFO in 2021. He worked as a journalist in Colombia for 5 years and studied Diploma in Community Services. Kevin is passionate about working with Youth, Men’s Mental Health, Multicultural Community Development and Domestic Violence.
Kevin is a Youth worker in Youth at Promise Program. He runs the Mentoring Program in schools such as Pacific Pines SHS and Coombabah SHS, and he works with the Latin Community offering support and advocacy.
Language: Spanish (fluent)
Kevin Dando
- Community Development/ Events Manager
Contact details: kevin@mfo.org.au
Kevin was born in New Zealand, he has Cook Islands and Australian parental heritage, Pasifika proud. His strong multicultural values of faith, respect, equality and belonging has helped him connect and advocate with a variety of organisations and diverse cultures. Kevin has extensive experience as emcee, facilitator, mentor, event organiser in a wide variety of initiatives involving youth (WAVES FORWARD, LOVE BITES) men (SONSHINE) community (Harmony Week Pop Up, Gold Coast Multicultural Festival) and MFO monthly newsletter editor.
Language: Cook Islands Māori (knowledge)
Cherry Taylor
- Employment Support Coordinator
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)
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)
Sharee Hedges
- NDIS Team Member
Contact details: sc1@mfo.org.au
Nau mai, haere mai. Sharee was born in Aotearoa/NZ and is of Māori/English descent. Sharee migrated with her family to Australia in 1995 and is experienced in working with Children, Youth, Families and Multicultural Communities across both Government and Non-Government organisations. As a Social Worker/Support Coordinator, Sharee is committed to the values of social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora
Language: Māori (fluent)
CONTACT US
ADDRESS: 79B Scarborough St, Southport QLD 4215
PHONE: 07 5571 0381 FAX: 07 5571 0334
EMAIL: reception@mfo.org.au
Get in touch via our email form.