About Us
Since 1979 ECSC has been working with communities to help foster a society where everyone feels valued and supported regardless of their cultural background.
Our organisation continues to provide essential services tailored to meet the needs of families and children, people with disability and seniors from multicultural backgrounds who are newly arrived to Australia and those from more established communities.
Our programs and services have changed over the years but one thing that hasn’t changed is our vision to empower and enhance the lives of people from CALD backgrounds across NSW.
We are a UNESCO awarded organisation for our bilingual/bicultural model of support and
our staff speak over 100 languages.
Our Values
We believe all Australians have the right to participate fully in Australian society and the right to access services to fulfill this need. This includes, but is not limited to, inclusive and culturally appropriate: Early Childhood Services, Services for People with a Disability and Aged Care Services.
Our Vision
To make a difference in the lives of all Australians by listening, educating, advocating and providing services that support diversity and inclusion. Our commitment to CALD communities is guided by international conventions and national legislative and policy frameworks.
Strategic Directions 2023-2025
We are committed to charting a course that ensures sustainable growth, innovation, and social responsibility. Through rigorous analysis and collaboration, we have outlined a clear vision and actionable goals that guide our decision-making processes. Our strategic direction plan is not just a document; it's a roadmap to success, aligning our resources and efforts to maximise impact and achieve our mission.
Our Executive Team
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Dina Petrakis
Chief Executive Officer
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Frances Wade
Chief Finance and Operating Officer
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Sebastian Behrens
Manager, Children's Services
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Ellen Gore
Manager, Aged Care Services
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Pauline Hedman
Manager, Disability Services
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Nick Tjahjadi
Finance and Operations Manager
Dina Petrakis
Chief Executive Officer
Dina Petrakis has managed social justice and international aid programs in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. She has worked in education and training, as a researcher with the University of Western Sydney and supported refugee entrepreneurs through Settlement Services International’s Ignite Program. She is currently the CEO of Ethnic Community Services Cooperative.
Frances Wade
Chief Finance and Operating Officer
With a strong background in governance, risk, strategy, finance, and operations across government, health, and education sectors, Frances has consistently contributed to the strategic direction of organisations by actively participating in Boards, Committees, and Senior Leadership Teams. Her expertise extends to enhancing business performance through comprehensive reviews of contracts and operational processes, enabling her to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively. Frances has a proven track record of shaping business strategies and driving financial success in dynamic environments. Since 2008, she has dedicated her career to making a positive impact, primarily working in the Not For Profit sector, making her a dedicated and results-driven professional.
Sebastian Behrens
Manager, Children’s Services
Since graduating from the School of Oriental and African Studies in 2004, Sebastian has worked in the fields of inclusive education, community development and disability advocacy in Australia, the UK, India and Bhutan. Initiatives he has worked on include a health access program for the New Delhi’s Hijra community, a London nightclub run by and for people with disability and a social enterprise pizza café in the high Himalayas. Sebastian is a qualified primary school teacher with a passion for inclusion as well as context-based learning on environmental sustainability and social issues. Throughout his career Sebastian has been strongly committed to humanitarian values, with a strong focus on equity and social participation for all people of diverse abilities, gender identities, ages and cultures.
Ellen Gore
Manager, Aged Care Services
Ellen has over 20 years of experience in community sector development and managing aged care and disability services programs with working experience in Eastern Europe, Middle Asia and Australia. Before migrating to Australia, she was involved in the development of the international oil commodity transportation and infrastructure in Georgia and worked at the Georgian Embassy to Azerbaijan. Ellen has vast experience in providing input on multicultural policies on a government level, and leading Multicultural Aged Care services at ECSC. As a manager of Multicultural Support Services, she strives to make certain that every person accessing community sector is receiving culturally and linguistically appropriate individualised services. Ellen’s goal is to ensure that each person is heard and provided with support that genuinely enhances people’s life with comfort, self-realisation, and contentment.
Pauline Hedman
Manager, Multicultural Disability Services
Pauline Hedman is committed to making a difference in the disability space. A mum of 4, Pauline’s youngest daughter has a dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. Pauline has 21 years of lived experience and has been deeply involved in volunteering, both in the classrooms, assisting on community outings, fundraisers and holding roles as President (current), Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of the P&C. Pauline is also a founding member of the Trilogy Foundation Canterbury Bankstown, which raises funds and provides the funding to support activities and groups in the local community for those with a disability. Pauline worked in the disability sector as a support coordinator assisting parents and carers in finding suitable support for their children, as well as adults with disabilities who require support and advocacy.
Nick Tjahjadi
Finance and Operations Manager
Nick Tjahjadi is a certified professional accountant specialising in Not-for-Profit Finance Transformation. With a keen emphasis on information systems development and enhancement, Nick brings a wealth of management accounting experience within the not-for-profit sector. His extensive background includes proficiency in financial statements, statutory reporting, and the successful delivery of internal learning and development training, often complemented by his self-authored training materials.
Our Board
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Rosanna Barbero
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Simon Rosenbaum
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Vasili Maroulis
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Sonia Sefat
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Jacqui Gilligan
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Lindy Cassidy
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Yusra Metwally
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Vanessa Gauci
Our History in Pictures
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The opening of the Macedonian Long Day Care Centre 1979
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Our Founder, Vivi Koutsounadis-Germanos shows Bob Hawke around the Addison Road Child Care Centre 1988
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Bob Hawke with Pandelis Germanos
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The Addison Road Child Care Centre 1988
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An early meeting of the Ethnic Child Development Unit
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Our Founder, Vivi Koutsounadis-Germanos with Gough Whitlam and Al Grassby
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Vivi with Gough Whitlam, Al Grassby & Mira Savich (ECCFCSC Chairperson) at a function
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Vivi Koutsounadis-Germanos receives the HEROC medal 1998
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Losena (a Bicultural Support Worker) at the opening of the Addison Road Community Centre 1988
