Our Team
Our team is made up of passionate professionals with decades of combined experience across employment, education, community engagement, and settlement services. Each member brings a unique set of skills—ranging from program development and policy expertise to frontline service delivery and leadership—united by a shared commitment to empowering migrant and culturally diverse communities. Together, we work to create practical, inclusive, and sustainable pathways that help individuals realise their potential and strengthen the communities we serve.
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Team Lead, Settlement and Inclusion – South East Community Links (SECL)
Ruwanthi holds a bachelor’s degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Social and Environmental Sciences, and a master’s degree in education and Community Development from Monash University.
Ruwanthi brings over two decades of experience in social and economic development, having worked with disadvantaged communities across the Asia-Pacific region through her roles at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Colombo Plan.
For the past 12 years, she has been deeply involved in Australia’s migrant settlement sector. Ruwanthi is a passionate advocate and a practitioner dedicated to driving meaningful, sustainable change in practice and systems through effective collaboration between government and community organisations.
Learn more about South East Community Links (SECL) by visiting:
Home - South East Community Links
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Support Officer - Local Jobs, South Eastern Melbourne and Peninsula
Katie brings over 18 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, program delivery, and strategic service improvement, currently leading employment and training initiatives across the South Eastern Melbourne and Peninsula region as a Support Officer for the Local Jobs Program. Her work ensures programs remain aligned to the evolving needs of government, industry, education providers, and the broader community.
Katie is recognised for her ability to engage effectively across diverse cohorts, from senior government representatives to jobseekers and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, applying a consultative and solutions-focused approach.
Katie’s approach is grounded in a strong people-first ethos and a commitment to achieving measurable community outcomes. Her leadership and insight continue to support the development of inclusive, practical pathways that enable individuals, particularly those facing disadvantage, to access sustainable employment opportunities.
For further details about the Local Jobs program and participating regions visit:
Local Jobs - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government
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Operations Manager - WISE Employment, Workforce Australia, South Eastern Melbourne and Peninsula
Mary Gyurcsik is an accomplished and people-focused leader with more than 3 decades of experience in FMCG and Employment Services. With a strong background in senior national sales management and her current role as Operations Manager at WISE Employment, Mary brings a unique combination of commercial expertise, strategic leadership, and a genuine passion for creating positive community outcomes.
Throughout her career in Employment Services, Mary has played a pivotal role in leading high-performing, client-centred teams dedicated to supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged cohorts across Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and Justice involved cohorts.
Her expertise in change management, mentoring, and tailored case management has enabled countless individuals facing complex barriers to access meaningful pathways toward sustainable employment and independence.
Recognised for her authentic leadership style, Mary is committed to empowering both participants and teams to achieve their full potential. She is passionate about building confidence, fostering resilience, and creating opportunities for people to upskill and re-skill in an evolving workforce. Guided by strong values and a collaborative approach, Mary continues to drive impactful outcomes that strengthen individuals, workplaces, and communities alike.
Discover how WISE Employment supports your region at:
Workforce Australia - WISE Employment
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Community Engagement and Outreach Liaison Officer - Foundation College, Chisholm
Kylie has a proven track record in supporting migrants and CALD communities to access settlement services and build strong foundations for their future. She is a trusted community connector who actively engages across diverse networks to foster inclusive, resilient, and well-supported communities.
Her professional expertise spans advocacy, compliance, and psychological first aid, with a particular passion for helping people recognise their strengths and explore meaningful pathways. Kylie’s work ensures that newcomers have both the support and the confidence to thrive in education, training, and employment opportunities.
Discover more about the Chisholm Foundation College and AMEP program at:
Foundation College | Chisholm TAFE
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Multicultural Service Officer – Services Australia
With a distinguished 40-year career in the Australian Public Service, Vicki has demonstrated enduring leadership across key institutions including the Department of Defence Recruiting, the former Commonwealth Employment Service, and Services Australia. She played a pivotal role during the establishment of Australia’s first Youth & Student Services and supporting large-scale workforce transitions with a strong emphasis on collaboration and service continuity.
As a Multicultural Service Officer, Vicki is recognised for her longstanding commitment to culturally inclusive service delivery and strengthening connections between government services and CALD communities. Her approach is grounded in respect, empathy, and a deep understanding of the settlement journey, enabling her to build trusted relationships and deliver meaningful support outcomes.
Vicki’s expertise has been acknowledged on an international stage, including delivering a keynote presentation at a global conference focused on people with disabilities. She continues to bring insight, integrity, and a strong community focus to her work, contributing to more inclusive, responsive, and connected service systems.
Discover how the Services Australia Multicultural Services Officers support your region at:
Multicultural Service Officers - Services Australia
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Multicultural Service Officer – Services Australia
Lu brings close to a decade of leadership and specialist experience within Services Australia, underpinned by a strong commitment to supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Since joining in 2016, she has held roles including Multicultural Service Officer, Subject Matter Expert and Team Leader, consistently advocating for equitable access to services.
Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and Hakka, and with extensive accredited interpreting experience, Lu brings a nuanced understanding of the critical role communication plays in service accessibility. Her work is driven by a focus on ensuring individuals who speak English as a second language can engage confidently with services and access the information they need to support their independence and wellbeing.
Lu also contributes to organisational capability through her role as a facilitator of Multiculturalism: Our Stories, an award-winning initiative that strengthens cultural awareness across Services Australia. Her approach reflects a genuine commitment to inclusion, fostering understanding and supporting the development of a more culturally responsive public service.
Discover how the Services Australia Multicultural Services Officers support your region at:
Multicultural Service Officers - Services Australia
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Job Coordinator – Local Jobs, South Eastern Melbourne and Peninsula
Sean is an experienced leader in the employment and community services sector, with a career dedicated to supporting disadvantaged jobseekers, including people with disability. His background spans senior management, program design, training, and frontline case management, giving him a unique ability to bridge strategy with on-the-ground impact.
Sean is also the author of Master the Art of Happiness and co-writer of JobMinded, an employment and job search training program. His work empowers jobseekers not only to find work but also to discover their purpose and potential within the community.
Sean has a strong commitment to the CALD community and through his role as Job Coordinator, Sean continues to champion innovative approaches to workforce participation, ensuring that local employment services are accessible, inclusive, and transformative.
For further details about the Local Jobs program and participating regions visit:
Local Jobs - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government