TRC announces Multicultural Advisory Committee members

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has endorsed the appointment of 13 community members to the Multicultural Advisory Committee.

Multicultural Advisory Committee chair Cr James O’Shea said the new committee members, who met for the first time this week (Thursday, April 10, 2025), included: Mark Oliver (UniSQ), Roberto Garcia, Hannah Belesky (Mercy Community Services), Gitie House OAM (Toowoomba International Multicultural Society), Anyuon Liai Mager, Katrina Potter (CatholicCare’s TRAMS – Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Service), Nestor Kangudia, Nazreen Yoousuf, David New (Workforce Australia Local Jobs), Sharma Haller, Taisoo Kim Watson (Women in Harmony; Multicultural Partnership), Maud Bagnall and Kelly Hogan-Buckingham (Multicultural Australia).

Cr O’Shea congratulated the successful appointees and thanked other candidates who applied for the positions.

“I’m confident that the new committee, along with fellow elected representative Cr Carol Taylor, will assist Council with the ongoing development and implementation of our Intercultural Strategy,” Cr O’Shea said.

“The committee will play a key role advising Council on matters that directly affect our Region’s increasingly diverse multicultural communities.

“The committee ensures that the voices of diverse residents are heard and factored into Council’s decision-making processes.

“The new members will aid the promotion of inclusivity and strengthen connections between Council, culturally diverse people, and the service sector.

“Our new members are drawn from different backgrounds and will contribute their individual skills and experiences around advising Council on ways to improve policies or services, as well as our ongoing advocacy for our community.

“Everyone is committed to responding to our Region’s specific needs to ensure we achieve more equitable outcomes for individuals and families to contribute and play an active role in community life.

“With Council soon to consider our newly developed Intercultural Strategy 2025-2030 (Weaving a Collective Future) for adoption, the committee members will be well placed to aid any initiatives that are delivered across the community.

“The proposed strategy aims to foster unity and understanding among residents from all backgrounds to create a vibrant and inclusive community where diverse cultures are celebrated and respected.”

Based on the 2021 Census data, 13.9% of people in Toowoomba were born overseas and 9% of our population speaks a language other than English at home.

The committee will meet quarterly, on the second Thursday of the month.

The term of the Multicultural Advisory Committee will end in December 2027.

For additional information or enquiries, please contact Council’s Multicultural Officer on 131 872 or visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/advisorycommittees

Caption: TRC’s new Multicultural Advisory Committee members at the initial meeting for the new term (back from left) Anyuon Liai Mager, Hannah Belesky (Mercy Community Services), Sharma Haller, David New (Workforce Australia Local Jobs), (centre from left) Nayif Rash (proxy for CatholicCare’s TRAMS – Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Service), Nestor Kangudia, Cr Carol Taylor, Kelly Hogan-Buckingham (Multicultural Australia) and (front from left) Roberto Garcia, Multicultural Advisory Committee chair Cr James O’Shea, Gitie House OAM, TRC’s Community Development Officer – Multicultural Fatima-Zahra Blila, Maud Bagnall, Taisoo Kim Watson (Women in Harmony; Multicultural Partnership) and Nazreen Yoousuf.