Volunteers

Alison works for the NSW government in the events area. She loves cooking and entertaining, and likes to combine charity work with work for OzHarvest, doing some cooking for the Wayside Chapel and assisting to facilitate at community dinners. She loves being involved in the Joining the Dots program as it is a tangible way to be involved in bringing together new Australians with current residents in a personal and fun way.

Margaret is studying a Master of Development Studies and is passionate about community development. She is from a multicultural background and has experienced how difficult it can be to find friends in a new place. Margaret has taken on the role of bringing awareness of the project to newly arrived members of the community and other local organisations. In addition to community engagement, Margaret previously worked as a project coordinator for The Welcome Dinner Exhibition and now continues to contribute to the project as a facilitator.

Gillian Marshall-Pierce is a Brisbane local and mum of 2 young kiddies. She was in the first trained group of facilitators with the Welcome Dinner Project in 2014 and has both facilitated and hosted a dinner. Gillian is passionate about promoting multiculturalism and the rights of all people to expect respect and welcome when they come to a new country for whatever reason. She was very active in the refugee rights movement in the past, but does not have as much time and energy for that now with a young family.  Being a facilitator is a positive way to affect social change in her community.

Dagmar has over 30 years experience in the field of Computer Science and Information Technology with extensive management experience in both the Public and Private Sectors. Dagmar was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2001 Honours list, for “service to Education, Information Technology, Multicultural Affairs and State Development in South Australia”.  Dagmar has also served the wider community on a number of Boards and Committees and in May 2002 Dagmar was awarded an honorary Doctorate of the University of SA for services in the field of Information Technology and Business Management.  Dagmar’s passion for the Welcome Dinner Project stems from her desire to see Australia as a more inclusive and welcoming society.

Caroline aims to create positive change (in small ways) by swearing less at the TV and doing more. Coming from Germany, she is an immigrant who feels lucky to be living in a country she loves and that she now calls home.  However, she will never forget the uncertainty associated with the relocation process. Caroline supports the Welcome Dinner Project because she wants to make new Australians feel as welcome as she felt, through something that unites us all – yummy food.

Sally Wiencke is one of the two Directors at Momentum-Changing Mindsets, a Melbourne-based group specialising in a wide range of preventative and restorative interventions. Sally has over 25 years of dedicated experience in mediation, facilitation, conflict management, coaching, training, and EAP provision. Her focus is on relationship building, and helping people to have effective conversations. She is passionate about the Welcome Dinner Project, fostering connections between people, embracing diversity and being inclusive of all.

Caroline (“Caz”) is a trilingual human blend between Brazil, Denmark and Indonesia. Caz was born in São Paulo, Brazil to a Danish father and Indonesian mother. Her parents had immigrated from their respective countries to Brazil as kids, and therefore grew up as “Brazilians”. When she was four, Caz’ family immigrated to Sydney, Australia, which his where she calls home today. Yet, Caroline doesn’t consider herself 100% Australian. Nor 50% Danish. Nor Indonesian. Nor Brazilian. She is a little bit of everything and proud of it. Caz loves being part of The Welcome Dinner Project because of the authentic connection it gives her to many people from such diverse backgrounds. This helps Caz see things from different perspective, keeps her open-minded and allows her to explore cultures around the world without spending a cent on a plane ticket!

Zade grew up in a very multicultural school, where there was little thought about the race or religion of the other.  Sadly, Zade feels there has been very big change from the “Fair Go” Aussie culture, to a “Go Back To Where You Came From” culture.  Zade learned about the Welcome Dinner Project when on an internship with Amnesty International, and felt very inspired and humbled by the kindness and wisdom of everyone after attending a Welcome Dinner Facilitator Training session. Zade believes the Welcome Dinner Project is important as it brings people together and restores their humanity toward one another.

Nikhil is a newly arrived international student from New Delhi, India and currently pursuing a Masters degree at The University of Melbourne.  Nikhil has fallen in love with Melbourne because of its rich cultural diversity and breathtaking landscapes. Nikhil is proud to be a part of the great Welcome Dinner Project, which unites people from all walks of life over a shared meal and facilitates cross-cultural communication and celebration. By volunteering for the project, Nikhil aims to make the most of the study-in-Melbourne experience.

Ailsa has retired from a career working in a community agency and has always been passionate about human rights, social justice and equal opportunities for everyone. Ailsa loves meeting people from all walks of life and likes to think we can create a world where people can be good friends and neighbours regardless of their nationality or background. Ailsa loves hearing from people about their stories, experiences and culture, so the Welcome Dinner project joins all the dots for her!

Lucy is passionate about food and people, combining these to facilitate Welcome Dinners is her idea of the perfect meal!  She lives in rural Victoria but can be tempted to a meal anywhere with dessert.  She is currently studying teaching and has a background in project management, volunteer coordination and corporate training.  Lucy believes that when we share a meal we connect with what it means to be human and we recognise what we have in common.  She looks forward to meeting you (and learning your recipes) at a dinner soon!

Stewart has been a financial markets professional in both Sydney and Melbourne over the past thirteen years. Growing up on the north coast of NSW near Byron Bay, he has a keen interest in culture and community. He has always had a keen interest in all aspects of food and is excited to get the opportunity to combine food with volunteer work in the community.

Maria was born in Sicily and migrated to Australia with her family when she was three. She is a retired Teacher Librarian with a passion for Education, public schools, social justice, books and reading. Maria has a big extended supportive family, loves travel, food, good friends and AFL football.

Damian’s passions are about helping personal relationships work. He works for the Christian Brothers Oceania Province in helping people and communities connect. Welcome Dinners provide an opportunity to acknowledge that all people are important and welcome.