We have a diverse staff team who can provide friendly and confidential support on issues relating to health and wellbeing, or assist you in working with migrant or refugee clients.
Manager - Alison Coelho
As Manager of Multicultural Health and Support
Services, Alli directs the organisation's approach to HIV, sexually
transmissible infections, blood borne diseases and hepatitis prevention amongst
refugee and migrant communities in Victoria.
For the past four and a half years Alli led the Social
Planning Unit at Moonee Valley City Council. Prior to this she worked at the Centre for Multicultural Youth and has spent more than a decade in the
community sector in policy, advocacy and direct service. Alli is committed
to addressing the specific needs and health inequalities experienced by refugee
and migrant communities.
T: +61 3 9342 9721
Daniel Reeders, Senior Project Worker
Prior to joining MHSS, Daniel was the Campaign Coordinator at People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) Victoria and a Health Educator at the Victorian AIDS Council.
He is the author of the MHSS report Double Trouble, a consultation exploring the health needs of culturally diverse men who have sex with men. Before starting in his current role, he undertook a literature review on campaign responses to HIV stigma for the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, and has delivered training on that topic for educators in Australia and the United States. His interests include community-based health practice and action research, engaging the media, and cultural strategies for health promotion.
T: +61 3 9342 9713
Asvin Phorugngam, Senior Community Worker
Asvin previously worked as a Health Educator at the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men's Health Centre with a focus on Peer Education, Adult Education and training both in Australia and overseas.
Asvin's role at MHSS is to provide day to day supervision and support to MHSS' Community Workers. He is also responsible for developing and delivering Peer Education Facilitator Training to culturally and linguistically diverse workers as well as community members.
T: +61 3 9342 9711
Huong Ngo, Community Worker
Huong has been working with MHSS since February 2002. She works closely with and supports Vietnamese injecting drug users through outreach work. Huong has been involved in a number of projects working with drug users of Vietnamese background, including the production of the Transmission DVD for young Vietnamese-Australians at risk of hepatitis C. She was also involved in setting up a Vietnamese Friendship Group for Vietnamese HIV-positive injecting drug users and has encouraged peer education among injecting drug users. Huong is currently studying Community Welfare.
T: +61 3 9342 9723
Cliff Chen, Community Worker
Cliff Chen joined the MHSS team in mid-2010. His role is to work with the Chinese, Burmese and Laotian communities, as well as international students. Cliff has a diploma in Community Welfare and has worked with children with disabilities and their families at Interchange North West. Before coming to Australia in 2007, Cliff spent five years in the criminal justice sector working closely with offenders for the People's Procuratorate of Shunde in China.
T: +61 3 9342 9725
Huda Aaden
Huda’s employment with MHSS began in May 2011. She holds a
Bachelor Degree in Nursing and worked in an acute setting for 18 months before
turning her attention to the community health sector. Huda’s work with the MHSS
program as a community worker now finds her working closely with African women
from a refugee and migrant background, promoting and supporting positive health
practices.
T: +61 3 9342 9724
Oliver Maboreke
Oliver started work as a community worker for the MHSS
program in June 2011, having previously been employed by the Springvale
Community Aid and Advice Bureau and the Department of Human Services.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Oliver holds a Masters in International Project
Planning and Development, as well as qualifications in media studies, education
and training.
Oliver is actively involved with the local Zimbabwean
community. His areas of interest include community capacity building,
HIV/Gender mainstreaming, human rights, youth empowerment, music and sport.
T: +61 3 9342 9731
Chiedza Malunga
Chiedza returned to MHSS in July 2011 to the position of
Peer Education Worker, bringing experience in community development and health
promotion on the sexual and reproductive health needs of communities from a
migrant or refugee background with her. For MHSS, she undertook the sister2sister project, raising awareness of health issues amongst young women.
Prior to this she worked in the youth, settlement, sport and
health sectors training professionals how to work effectively with young people
from a refugee or migrant background for the Centre for Multicultural Youth,
and is completing postgraduate studies in Public Health and Health
Administration.
T: +61 3 9342 9710