FECCA welcomes Mary Patetsos as new Chairperson

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia’s (FECCA) full Council has elected Ms Mary Patetsos unopposed as Chairperson at its annual general meeting, which was held following the FECCA 2017 National Conference in Darwin.

Outgoing Chairperson, Mr Joe Caputo said: “I would like to congratulate Mary Patetsos on her appointment to this important and prestigious position.”

“Ms Patetsos brings decades of experience across private, government and community sectors at board and chair level.”

Ms Patetsos said that her appointment to the FECCA role comes at an exciting time for Australia’s multicultural community.

“FECCA will contribute towards a positive public discourse around citizenship, acceptance and migration and I will continue to prosecute FECCA’s strong position.”

Ms Patetsos was previously FECCA’s Healthy Ageing Chair. In this role she has been a powerful advocate for older Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

“My Executive and I will work to ensure FECCA continues to give a voice to Australians from CALD backgrounds on ageing and aged care and across a broad range of policy areas including rural and regional, disability, youth, gender and employment.”

Ms Patetsos paid tribute to the previous Chair and Executive.

“I thank Mr Joe Caputo OAM for the work he’s done over the last four years and to our outgoing Executive,” she said.

“I look forward to leading a new Executive team in our work to support a prosperous, cohesive and successful multicultural Australia.”

The new FECCA Executive includes office holders: Mr Peter Doukas, Senior Deputy Chair; Ms Hina Durrani, Senior Deputy Chair; Mr Mohammad Al-Khafaji, Hon Secretary; Mr Siddique Panwala, Hon Treasurer; Ms Sandra Elhelw-Wright, Women’s Chair; Ms Suzanne (Sue) Graham, Disabilities Chair; Mr Waqas Durrani, Youth Chair; Ms Catherine Poutasi, Regional Chair; Mr Parsuram Sharma-Luital, New and Emerging Communities Chair; Ms Marion Lau OAM, Healthy Ageing Chair; Mr Joe Caputo OAM, Hon President.

The FECCA Executive also includes the chairperson of each state and territory member ethnic or multicultural community council.

FECCA is the national peak body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. FECCA’s role is to advocate and promote issues on behalf of its constituency to government, business and the broader community.