About Gippsland Multicultural Services (GMS)

Chief Executive Officer

As the CEO, Sally is passionate about GMS offering members of our ethnic communities access to services that meet their needs and expectations, in a culturally respectful manner. Having joined GMS in September 2022, Sally has over 25 years experience working across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, most recently in disability service provision and trauma-informed counselling.

Sally brings a person-centred approach to this role and is passionate about understanding each individual’s experience and empowering them to achieve their goals. Sally enjoys connecting with people and is keen to hear from those using the service and our local community.

Chief Executive Officer

The Board of Directors of Gippsland Multicultural Services Inc. is pleased and excited to announce Carmel Riley as the new Chief Executive Officer for our organisation. Carmel will commence working with us on Wednesday 5th November 2025.
Carmel Riley (BSpPath(Hons) GCertFamTher EMBA GAICD CPSP) is an experienced executive leader, speech pathologist, and social enterprise founder with over 20 years’ experience across clinical, government, and community sectors. A proud Gippslander, Carmel lives in West Gippsland with her three children.
As founder of CRSE Group, she developed inclusive workforce models that addressed recruitment bias, generated over $1 million in revenue, and created meaningful employment pathways for people from multicultural communities, as well as individuals with hidden disabilities, carers, older workers, and those experiencing situational poverty. The success of this demonstration project led to CRSE, a new-generation thought leadership platform exploring complexity leadership through trauma-informed and neuroaffirming practice.
Carmel contributed to Queensland University of Technology’s “Co-creating Meaningful Work for People with Disability Toolkit”, Forbes Online “The Future of Social Enterprise”, and has held senior roles with Gippsland Department of Health, Gippsland Primary Health Network and Social Enterprise Network Victoria. She was twice a Gippsland Business Awards finalist and also runs a ballroom dance program celebrating joy and community connection.
As CEO of Gippsland Multicultural Services, Carmel looks forward to leading with heart and strategy to strengthen connection across communities, and act as a bridge between cultures—creating pathways for participation, equity, and regional inclusion.
Welcome Carmel.

Diversity Advisor

GMS is the auspice agency for the Gippsland region Diversity Advisor. The Diversity Advisor works with Commonwealth Home Support (CHSP) and Home and Community Care Providers, supporting providers to design and deliver services that are inclusive and respectful to users from a range diverse backgrounds.

This work supports the development of more inclusive services, where barriers to appropriate services are identified and addressed. The Diversity Advisor also facilitates training, provides access to resources, data and planning support to service providers.

Community Engagement & Partnerships Coordinator and Governance & Risk Lead

Derya is the Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator and Governance and Risk Lead at Gippsland Multicultural Services (GMS), supporting strong community engagement alongside governance and risk practice.

With over eight years’ experience working in projects supporting migrant communities across Gippsland, she is committed to strengthening inclusion and culturally responsive services.

Derya holds a Master of Health and Human Services from the University of Melbourne and a legal background, including a Bachelor of Law and a Master of Business Law (LL.M) completed in Türkiye, with approximately 15 years’ professional experience as a lawyer. She was recognised in the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll 2024.

Manager Support Services

The Manager Support Services facilitates the services delivered by GMS, funded under Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or the Victorian Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC-PYP), brokered agreements with Home Care Providers, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Settlement, Engagement Transition Supports Program (SETS) and various ancillary grants.

In addition, the role manages the team of Direct Care Workers, staff and volunteers, who deliver flexible respite, personal care, individual and group social support to our clients. The Manager also supports office staff in the day-to-day operation and delivery of all GMS programs and services.

Social Support Co-Ordinator

Amy has been working with our social Support Groups since 2019, firstly as a Program Support Officer and then transitioned into her current Co-ordinator role.

Amy ensures a person-centred Support Plan is developed and regularly reviewed for all clients to meet their needs and goals with a wellness and re-ablement focus. Amy also co-ordinates the staffing, client attendance and activities for our Social Support Groups which are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays here at GMS in our Community Room. We also plan activities at other venues such as a lunch at a local bistro on a regular basis

Services Co-Ordinator

Hello, my name is Julie Ward.
I’m a Service Coordinator here at GMS. I started with GMS as a Direct Care Worker in 2023 before moving into this role and has many years of experience working in the sector.
My role is meeting clients and completing assessments to ascertain what level of support is required.
I then collaborate with the staff rostering team to ensure the best possible support is provided.

Access and Support (CALD) Worker

The Access and Support (CALD) Worker provides support to those from a CALD background who are over 65, or younger with a disability, who need assistance to find the services they need to live independently at home.

The A&S worker helps people who face cultural and linguistic barriers, supporting them to connect to the services they need, and to make informed choices about their care. This position provides great support assisting clients to navigate service systems that may at first seem confusing and complex, to gain the outcomes that best meet their need.

Access and Support (CALD) Worker

Access and Support Worker’s role is all about ensuring everyone can access the services they need. We help eligible individuals facing barriers to CHSP or HACC-PYP services, offering support from start to finish until they have the assistance they require.

We’re here for everyone in Gippsland, including migrants, refugees, and culturally diverse community members. Our personalized support is tailored to those who may feel unsure about accessing services, guiding them through the My Aged Care screening and assessment processes.

SETS Program Support Officer

The SETS Program Support Officer role supports newly arrived refugees, migrants, and culturally diverse communities in their settlement process. The focus is on facilitating access to essential services, including education, employment, health, and community integration, and assisting clients in overcoming barriers to successful settlement in the Gippsland area.

Koos provides short-term support, needs identification, and care planning, tailored to the expressed goals, wishes, and needs of the client, emphasizing empowerment, capacity building, and community engagement to ensure that clients can independently navigate the services available to them.

Finance & Program Support Officer

Lisa has been with GMS since July 2019 and oversees the Financial aspects of GMS, including Payroll, Superannuation, Invoicing and Debt Collection.

Lisa also provides program support to our Aged Care and disability services, and works alongside Katiya in carrying out the day to day rostering for all our Direct Care Staff, whilst supporting the respite and NDIS services ensuring that service users and clients are well supported.

Reception & Rostering

Katiya’s (Kat) is the friendly voice on the end of the phone, and the welcome smile at our reception.

Kat’s other major responsibility is rostering all of our client appointments which involves matching staff with clients for shifts. A big task requiring Kat to think on her feet and be flexible. She does a great job of meeting the needs of clients whilst balancing availability of staff. Not an easy feat!

Human Resources & Admin Officer

Hina is HR & Admin Officer at GMS. Hina is responsible for supporting the day-to-day activities of the Human Resources department.

She handles task related to your personnel records, data management and recruitment assistance. If she can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact her.

Finance and Marketing

I have been working at GMS since 2023 as a Finance and Marketing Assistant, doing bookkeeping as well as social media and graphic design.

I love playing with colours and photos to create something unique that promotes the great work that we do here at GMS. I also prepare the newsletters and many other publications.

Treasurer

Ron was born and grew up in Gippsland. He has Dutch heritage but through marriage his extended family has given him exposure to Irish and Polish cultures.

Ron is now retired but has worked in the public hospital system for 10years as an Occupational Therapist before he moved into private practice specialising in musculoskeletal therapies for the past 34 years. His work experience has seen him work with people of various ages, ethnic backgrounds and disabilities. He has worked with many funding organisations including the NDIS, Aged Care and other compensatory bodies.

Ron has been a strong member of the community and continues to work in a voluntary capacity with Mick's Kitchen. He remains a keen sportsman and continues to help out in a voluntary capacity with junior development with Aussie Rules.

Vice Chair

Kenna joined the Board in 2022 and was elected as Treasurer in November 2023.
Kenna was born in Australia and has Scottish and English heritage.

Kenna, now retired, is an Occupational Therapist and worked in that field for over 25 years before moving into State Government at DHS. In this role, Kenna was the Program Advisor for GMS for 12 years so has a very good understanding of the organisation and the funding structures it operates within, in particular Aged Care and Home and Community Care Program for Young People.

Kenna is now an active community member, including volunteering at Warragul Regional College Breakfast Club and attends and Active Ageing exercise group twice weekly as well as being an enthusiastic gardener.
Kenna has completed Governance foundations for not-for-profit through the Institute of Company Directors.

Secretary

BSc(Hons) Dundee; DipMgtSt, DipAcc&Fin, MMS, PhD Waikato; GCHE Monash, GCE(TE) FedUni, MAICD

Christine joined the GMS board in 2025 as Secretary. She has lived in Australia, New Zealand, Scotland and Malaysia for many years. She is a retired academic who has published and presented at numerous international and local conferences. She has served on many boards and committees over the years as Chairperson, Deputy-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, non-executive Director and Member. She has received recognition from the Victorian Multicultural Commission (Meritorious Service Award) and Awards Australia (Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards) for her voluntary community service.

Non-Executive Director

Remi migrated to Australia in 2005 from Canada. Originally residing in Sydney where she lived for a few months, before coming to Gippsland. Remi joined the GMS Board in June 2023.
Remi’s ethnic background is Nigerian and is the current President of the Nigerian Society of Victoria and the Chair of the Council of Nigerian presidents in Australia. Remi has collaborated with the Victorian Multicultural Commission on many occasions and is a Regional Advisory Committee member. She is also a member of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria and African Day Australia.
In her professional life, Remi was a secondary and tertiary teacher for 15 years in various countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Canada and Australia. Remi is a psychotherapist and an educator in private practice.
Remi has completed Governance foundations for not-for-profit through the Institute of Company Directors