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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Ellen Gore
Manager, Aged Care Services
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Pauline Hedman
Manager, Disability Services
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.
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.
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
