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 Advisory Group

“The Mernda Community House Advisory Group was formed in April 2020 and consists of 7 community members who are willing to contribute in shaping Mernda Community House.

The Group plays an important role in positioning Mernda Community House as an active and prominent Neighbourhood House by undertaking a number of efforts such as developing a broad range of low-cost activities, catering to all life stages, building awareness of our program and facilitating new connections and possibilities.”

Muhamad Abduh (volunteer and Advisory Group member)

So to summarise, the Advisory Group:

  • Are our community representatives or eyes and ears in the community

  • Help guide our strategic plan and direction

  • Help make sure that we’re staying true to the community’s vision of the house

  • Meet roughly every seven weeks

If you would like to explore joining the Advisory Group, contact us over the phone or through email.

 Meet some advisory Group Members

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Soo Hoon Chua

Soo left her career as an Architect in Singapore and moved to Melbourne in 2018 for a change in lifestyle, and she is now pursuing her interest in art. She volunteers in the Garden as well as teaches Art for Kids in Mernda Community House.

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Praveena Rajkobal

I am a volunteer and an advisory group member at Mernda Community House (MCH). Being a volunteer at MCH has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me. I've had the opportunity to plan community events with others, which has taught me a lot about event planning and management. I've also been able to develop my leadership skills and make great connections with the community, other local organisations, and the council, expanding my network. Working with other volunteers and community members has even led to new friendships and a stronger sense of belonging.

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Muhamad Abduh

Muhamad Abduh came from Indonesia and can speak Bahasa and Malay. He was an academic teaching and research staff at an Indonesian government owned university.  He lives in Mernda and has been participating in Mernda Community House activities since 2018.  Muhamad currently works as an employment mentor for Jobs Victoria Employment Services at Brotherhood St Laurence. He is a community and people person who loves to get involved in social organisations. As a member of AG, Muhamad is willing to share  his knowledge and skills and contribute into the growth and development of Mernda Neighbourhood House.

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Krishanthi Liyanage 

Krishanthi Liyanage is from Sri Lanka. She has two children. She is a member of the Community Leaders Group in the Whittlesea Community connection. That group is doing a Family violence project for the community. Apart from that she is a group facilitator for the "Healthy Mind" Sri Lankan Women’s group. Krishanthi is a Client engagement coordinator for the " How are you" Women’s magazine. And she is volunteering with the DPV community connector program.

Krishanthi is an author. She can speak & write in the Sinhala language.

Her hobbies are cooking,creating poems,fabric painting & reading.She has passion to support,educate & engage with the community.

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Krishanthi Liyanage 

I am a mum of a primary school boy, a student of Horticulture, a designer of garden and landscape, a volunteer of Mernda Community House… As an immigrant, settling in Melbourne is a journey of finding a place, a school, a house to call home, finding people to call family, feeling as a host instead of a guest.

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