About Us
Multicultural Services Centre of Western Australia Inc. (MSC) is an established provider of diverse community services and programs. MSC has been supporting culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) Western Australians for over four decades and aims to address the unmet needs of migrants and refugees.
With five centres across Western Australia – three in Perth, one in Mandurah, and one in Bunbury – We support and assist people from CaLD communities to navigate complex systems and obtain the right advice and the right services. We are dedicated to addressing the unmet needs of these communities and providing a range of programs, services, and places for social connection. We meet your needs and provide services and places for social connections.
Apart from providing direct services, we also:
- Promote greater awareness of the needs and concerns of culturally and linguistically diverse Western Australians.
- Advocate for a united Australia which respects this land of ours, values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and our multicultural heritage and provides justice and equity for all.
- Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services focused on specific needs of women, elderly, youth and people with disabilities.
- Support our newest and emerging multicultural groups to address issues of concern to them.
- Support people experiencing racial discrimination and advocate for an inclusive community.
- Responding to natural and other disasters as well as humanitarian causes.
- Highlight adverse impacts of policies on CaLD communities and advise the state and commonwealth government from housing to cost of living and poverty.
Our Vision
An inclusive society that values diversity.
Purpose
To meet the settlement, welfare, education and training, cultural, legal and related needs of culturally and linguistically diverse Western Australians and undertake research, community education activities, advocacy, policy development that are related to their needs, concerns and aspirations, with emphasis on social cohesion, inclusion and human rights.
Values
- Respect for and Acceptance of diversity
- Accountability
- Excellence
- Respect for staff, volunteers and clients
- Participation
- Continuous learning and improvement
Guiding Principles and Priorities
All programs and services at MSC will reflect our purposes and aims. All staff and Board of Management members are guided by our values outlined in this section in all aspects of their work at MSC. Our programs and services incorporate our values in planning, design and delivery.
These principles guide our programs and services.
- Social justice
- Diversity, Multiculturalism and Aboriginal Reconciliation
- Good Governance
- Consumer Choice and Control and Service Philosophy
- Preventing Unfair Practices
- Confidentiality and Privacy
- Professional Conduct
Partners, Supporters & Sponsors…
Our Board
Office Bearers
Chair, Ms. Sheila Rajan, Substantial experience at senior levels of management within the Commonwealth Public Service including head of ATO’s Prosecution Unit. Recently retired as a Mental Health Advocate (previously known as Official Visitor). 45+ years involvement in the multicultural sector including project consultancy in employment, training and community services.
Vice Chair, Dr. Prabha Karan Krishnan, Medical Practitioner, Graylands Hospital, established the Oversees Trained Doctors Association and was instrumental in organising training courses, access to medical books etc to assist them to sit the AMC exam. Served on the boards of Mirrabooka Multicultural Child Care Centre & the Perth Asian Community Centre.
Treasurer, Mr Sam Tassone, Retired Lecturer at North Metropolitan TAFE. Lecturing in the Advanced Diploma of Accounting Taxation Unit. Traineeship & Workplace Training Consultant and International Student Mentor. Extensive experience in tertiary education, Accounting and Finance Portfolios.
Secretary, Ms Kim Luby, past Clinical Nurse Specialist at Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital & current Community Nurse Leader with 40+ years’ experience in various nursing sectors. Extensive experience in the multicultural sector including as the former President of the Ethnic Communities Council of WA (ECCWA) and former Dy. Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA).
Board Members
Ms. Jenny Au Yeong, Professional Social Worker with substantial experience in social work, disability and health services within the government and non-government sectors. Has had substantial input to review and development of disability related policies and programs at the state and national level. Co-Founder and former CEO of the Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre.
Dr. Zarrin Siddique, (MBBS, MD and PhD in Medical Education from UWA), MD Program Director at Vin University, Vietnam, former, Associate Professor, in Health Professions Education, Faculty of Medicine UWA, President of Pakistanis in Australia since 2011, Former President and member of the management committee of ECCWA and former Dy. Chair of FECCA.
Dr. Pendo Mwaiteleke, former Lecturer in Social Work and Social Policy at Curtin University; extensive experience as a professional social work and social policy practitioner, with expertise in community work, policy development, case management, evaluation and consultancy in the multicultural, youth, health and disability sectors.
Ms Syeda Maisara Muzaffar is a Murdoch law student, recipient of OMI’s 2024 Multicultural Youth of the Year Award, 2024 Youth Citizen of the Year from City of Gosnells and 2024 Burt Volunteer of the Year. She founded YouthsOnly, a youth organisation creating a safe space where young people can connect, grow and shine. She was elected as WA’s 28th Youth Parliament’s Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Michael Georgiou, currently a Legal Manager at Fortescue Ltd, having previously held senior legal roles at other major energy and resources companies, and having begun his career at a top tier Australian law firm. Michael holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB, Hons) and a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), and is currently completing his Master of Laws (LLM) at the University of Melbourne.
Ex Officio Ramdas Sankaran OAM (CEO), has held CEO and senior managerial positions at national and state levels, within the multicultural and disability sectors and the state and commonwealth public services, for 40+ years. Served as ECCWA’s President and as FECCA’s Dy. Chairperson for 12 years. Substantial experience in managing a diverse range of programs and services.
Our Management Team
Ramdas Sankaran
CEO
Leonard Alvarez
Executive Manager Corporate Services
Pokua Asomani
Manager Quality and Compliance
Shobhana Chakrabarti
Manager Social Enterprises and Projects
Joyce Chen
Manager People and Culture
Michele Cohen
Manager Community Services
Mala Dharmananda
Manager Aged Care & Social Impact
Elizabeth Jones
Manager Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Program & Jobs & Skills Centre
Dimatak Lam
Manager Disability Services
Sonia Padmanabham
Manager Learning and Organisational Capability
Amy San Pe
Manager Finance
Our Management Profile
| Role | Name | Role |
| CEO | Ramdas Sankaran |  |
| Executive Manager Corporate Services | Leonard Alvarez | |
| Manager Aged Care & Social Impact | Mala Dharmananda | |
| Manager Finance | Amy San Pe | |
| Manager Disability Services | Dimatak Lam | |
| Manager Community Services | Michele Cohen | |
| Manager SETS & JSC | Elizabeth Jones | |
| Manager Quality and Compliance | Pokua Asomani |