Our Board

Ian Prentice has worked in not for profits for most of his working life as well as serving on a number of boards and committees. Experienced in management and finance as well as pastoral care, he has utilised his skills in all these areas to balance the often competing aspects of caring for staff while ensuring the goals of the organisation are met.  Ian has experience in assisting organisations during difficult times, particularly when facing change.

When moving to Wangaratta, Ian expressed his desire to make a contribution to the community and joined the Board in October 2017 and from August 2018 to October 2020 served in the role of General Manager, Business Operations at The Centre for Continuing Education. Ian was Treasurer from 2017 to 2023 and President from 2022.

​Cape Town, born, Michelle Bester has been serving on the Board since 2022 after previously been employed as Office Manager at North East Multicultural Association.  With her very diverse background and experience, Michelle has had the privilege of working alongside people of all backgrounds, circumstances and linguistic abilities. Michelle’s working experience stretches across various industries like Hospitality, Gaming, Medical, and Education.  Her studies include Child Psychology, Human Resource Management, Clinical pastoral education.  Michelle is passionate about social justice and advocacy for vulnerable people in our communities.  She is currently employed as a Student Wellbeing Officer.

Joanne brings a multifaceted skill set to the table, with a background in accounting, banking, and finance, as well as expertise as a qualified baker and patisserie chef. Her diverse experiences have instilled in her a deep sense of community and a passion for helping others. Joanne's admiration for NEMA's impactful work in supporting migrants and newcomers to the community drew her to seek a role within the organization. She is thrilled to contribute her skills and enthusiasm to NEMA's mission and is proud to be part of such a dedicated team.

Hana Huang, being personal banker for 3 year, with customer services for 15 years. 

My background is finance and focused approach towards customer service. 

Helping the new migrant in the community make me feel happy and I am proud of being part of NEMA.

Pheba’s journey started with NEMA in 2022 as a member. Pheba brings a unique blend of expertise cultivated through diverse organizational experiences. With a background in Human Resources, Immigration Consulting, and Accounts.

Professional member with AHRI and holds a master's degree in management which blends academic thoroughness with practical knowledge. Currently employed with LS Precast as HR Generalist. Highly motivated and disciplined with the ability to be flexible and adaptable in response to organisational and operational change.

She would love to continue contributing to our multicultural community. Hobbies include volunteering, gardening and food vlogging.

Robert Chatfield has spent a career in Agriculture spanning 45 years, culminating as a tertiary trained Farm Business Manager, in charge of large pastoral properties, with livestock sheep and cattle and broadacre, dryland cropping.
Followed by farm advisory work, mentoring young managers and involvement in a large livestock project in China, mandarin speaking in an instructive, educational role handling exported, breeding Angus cattle.
Instilled with a social conscience, in late sixties becoming a community volunteer, a Board Member and Honorary Business Manager at NEMA. Universal business principals applicable here.

Su joined NEMA in 2014 after working for many years with the many different multicultural communities in Sydney, Adelaide, Auckland and Wagga Wagga. She began volunteering as a tutor of English as a second language and soon became an advocate for the Cultural and linguistically diverse people who seek assistance with NEMA. The following year she became a member of the Board of Directors and was privileged to to be the president for  5 years. During that time she also was a member of the Victorian Multicultural Council ( Hume Regional Advisory Council).