ANNUAL REPORT

It is my privilege as Honorary
Secretary of ECCQ to present my
report for the year ended 30 June
2005.
As governments are increasingly
dependent on a competitive global market and a
performance driven culture, ECCQ and many
organisations like us have seen a paradigm shift in
government spending priorities and funding
allocations for community and welfare programs.
With good leadership from our Chairman, Nick
Xynias, and in implementing our strategic plan, we
have adjusted and responded to changing Government
trends and policies, and to the needs of our
clients.
We have implemented service delivery models and
forged and strengthened partnerships with Government
and non-Government organisations to service
our clients.
Witnessing the fruits of our client-friendly service
delivery has been rewarding, and I am glad to have
been part of the process.
Apart from my usual duties as Honorary Secretary
I have contributed to many consultative meetings
and numerous discussions on varied issues of social
justice and access and equity.
In addition I represented ECCQ at many meetings,
functions and conferences throughout the year
under review.
It has been a pleasure to support our diverse
community with its multi-faceted cultural, linguistic
and religious dimensions.
Some of the activities and functions where I
represented ECCQ were:
• Reception and Felicitation Ceremony by the
Speaker at Parliament House in recognition of
ECCQ’s participation and celebration of
Queensland Day
Honorary Secretary - Chalani Gunasekara
• Queensland Multicultural Festival, Roma Street
Parklands
• Official opening of the new extension to the
Berlasco Court Caring Centre by then Minister
for Health, Gordon Nuttall
• Member of the selection panel to appoint the
co-coordinator for ECCQ’s HIV/AIDS,
Hepatitis C & Sexually Transmissible Infections
program
• Celebrated a year of successful partnership with
DIMIA and met with then Federal Minister for
Citizenship & Multicultural Affairs, Peter
McGauran
• The Annual Presidents Dinner of the Australian
Federation of University Women, Queensland
• The Indooroopilly State High School’s 14 th
United Nations celebrations
• FECCA Regional Conference at the Nan Tien
Temple near Wollongong in NSW
• Citizenship Ceremonies
• 25 th Anniversary Celebrations, Ethnic Radio
4EB: Felicitation Ceremony where I was
recognised for 11 years of broadcasting and
co-producing.
While multiculturalism has had many positive
impacts on our country, the threat of terrorism has
sadly diminished its potential in the eyes of many.
As the mother of two young Australians, who were
brought up to absorb the best of two cultures, I
would dearly love to see all migrants celebrated for
their diversity and accepted as integral to our
nation’s future.
In conclusion I would like to thank the Chair, Nick
Xynias, the entire Executive Committee, our
Executive Manager, Ian Muil and our staff for their
support and assistance during the past year. A
special thank you to Agnes Whiten for deputising
for me whenever necessary.
Above: Chalani accepting certificate from
Ray Hollis, then State Parliamentary
Speaker, at the morning tea to thank all
participants at the Queensland Day
celebrations
Above: Gary Hardgrave, then Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural
Affairs and Irene Cayas, ECCQ’s Senior Vice Chair,
presenting a certificate of Australian citizenship at the ceremony
held at the West End Club during Senior’s Week 2004
10 ECCQ Annual Report 2004-2005