Elleni Bereded-Samuel
"I came from Ethiopia as a scholarship student. My first job in Australia was at VU as a teacher and cultural support officer, setting up a program aimed at preparing Horn of African refugees for work or further study.
I had already worked as a journalist and teacher, but needed further qualifications in the work I was doing with migrants and refugees, so I did postgraduate study in counselling at VU.
As a result of my involvement with the project I was employed at VU to work as Community Partnerships Officer and I'm still here as Community Engagement Coordinator. I work with other migrant and refugee groups as well as Africans, and can name more than 30 people who I have helped to get permanent jobs.
Recently I've been appointed as a Victorian Multicultural Commissioner - advising the Victorian Government on multicultural affairs."
