MCWA has a constitution that covers all areas of governance.

MCWA is governed by an elected, voluntary Board of Management, which meets monthly.

Meet our Board of Directors

Goran has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in finance, a Master of Economics in Financial Management, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and is a current PhD candidate with Murdoch Business School in management- entrepreneurship. Goran held various senior positions with extensive experience in the corporate, government and education sectors in the fields of economics, finance, accounting, and management. His working career extends to some of the world’s biggest companies such as Microsoft, BP, and Shell as well as the most senior appointments within the government cabinet. He spends the last 7 years in the education industry where he is adding value as a casual academic to some of Australia’s prestigious Universities such as The University of Melbourne, Monash University, and the University of Adelaide. He is currently the President of the MCWA Board of Directors and is a passionate advocate for ethnicity, cultural equality, elderly care, governance, and management.  

 

Miki joined the MCWA board in 2018 as an associate and become a full board member in 2019. He has a Batchelor’s Degree in Business (Marketing and International Business) and Certificate 4 in Financial Lending and Construction. In 2003, straight out of university, he started a Mortgage Broking business, which in 2005 led him to be appointed as one of the first Mortgage Innovators in Victoria, which provided the opportunity for Miki to own and manage a Commonwealth Bank franchise, specialising in lending, insurance, and financial strategies. In 2011 Miki was elected as a Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia representing the Macedonian Diaspora from Australia, New Zealand and Asia. As part of his parliamentary duties, he was the Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Security and Defence and a member of the Parliamentary Committees for Foreign Affairs and Economy. He was also the Chair of the parliamentary friendship group with the Indonesian Parliament. Upon his return to Australia, Miki has been involved in and owned a number of businesses in the Hospitality, Construction and Finance sectors. Miki has also been involved on a volunteer basis in the Macedonian Community for over 20 years in a variety of leadership roles. 

Nikola is a Workplace Relations and Safety Lawyer providing strategic advice and solutions in response to organisation’s workplace relations and safety needs. Nikola was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia in early 2016 and also holds a Certificate IV in Human Resources. Nikola is currently a Senior Associate at HR Legal, working with organisations across a number of industries including community services, allied health and healthcare, aged care, retail, local government and manufacturing. Nikola has also previously worked in commercial law undertaking employment law, intellectual property, franchising, property and corporate law matters. Nikola assists organisations in adapting to constantly evolving and changing laws and practices. Drawing on her experience working within many different industries, Nikola provides strategic advice that is tailored to the organisation’s particular circumstance.  In providing such support Nikola strives to understand each organisation’s objectives, together with the workplace cultures they seek to foster, and advises on a strategy which achieves these objectives while managing legal risk. Nikola also has a passion for supporting organisations into the ‘best practice’ space, including by delivering training around matters such as workplace mental health and wellbeing. 

Ilija is one of the founding fathers of MCWA and a passionate advocate for aged care and senior citizens’ right and equality. He has spent his whole life volunteering in the Macedonian community and is currently the President of the Federation of Senior Citizens in the western area of Melbourne. His life experiences span decades of hard work and dedication to the senior citizens in Victoria, which brands him a Senior Citizens Ambassador. To date, he provides an irreplaceable contribution and value-added insight to MCWA’s client-centric and positive outcome-driven approach. 

Danica Sekulovska has worked in the Australian business sector for over 25 years. This time has been spent on research projects, government assistance programs and preparation of client submissions to government enquiries across industries including advanced manufacturing, aged care, mining, energy, and resources, medtech and pharma, transport and logistics. Danica worked in the Government and Incentives area at Deloitte for 20 years, including five years as Partner. This responsibility includes the delivery of a range of services in regard to their relationship with government. In 2020 Danica formed her own consultancy – McGarry House – assisting organisations with their Government affairs requirements. Previously, Danica had been a secondary school teacher and has worked with various Macedonian organisations both in a voluntary and paid capacity. Danica has a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Education amongst various other qualifications. Most recently Danica became a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, successfully completing the Company Directors Course.

Goran is an audit, risk management and process improvement Executive offering over 30 years’ of expertise in leading and managing auditing projects and overseeing risk and control assessments of significant business processes. He offers a sound understanding of business processes and a strong knowledge of compliance and financial governance, partnering with business leaders to support strategic planning and process improvements that add value and drive growth. With a detailed understanding of risk management policies and frameworks, he brings a track record of success in leading the assessment of risk management processes across large-scale organisations within diverse sectors. As an analytical managing high, client-centric, and trusted advisor, Goran offers expertise in leading and performing teams. He prides himself on being a result as client-oriented leader, as well centred and trusted advisor who builds strong relationships and achieves sustainable outcomes. 

Our Previous Presidents of the Board

George Kostrevski was a strong advocate and pioneer of the Macedonian community, and was elected President of the Macedonian Community Group when it was first formed in 1983. George was appointed as the Honorary Justice of the Peace in Australia and upon his passing in 2002, he was granted a posthumous Victorian State Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs.

George is remembered for his relentless efforts to raise the Macedonian Community profile in Australia. Today the Macedonian Community Welfare Association (MCWA) is a statewide not-for-profit community based organisation and continues to deliver by responding to the growing welfare based needs of Macedonians and providing services to Macedonians by Macedonians, as well as supporting others in their delivery of services to Macedonians.

Malina Stankovska has worked in human services for more than 30 years, working in community services and mental health. Her involvement in the Macedonian community includes serving on committees of the Australian Macedonian Drama Group and as co-founder and president of the Macedonian Welfare Workers’ Network of Victoria (MWWNV).

Malina presided over the Macedonian Community Welfare Association in 2001, moving the organisation from its regional base to that of a state-wide organisation.
In 2005 she was awarded the prestigious “Victoria’s Awards for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs 2005” by the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

Menka is currently Multicultural Services Manager for Centrelink and has extensive experience working within the federal government sector with prior roles within Centrelink and the Department of Social Security as a Multicultural Service Officer, Team Leader and Policy Advisor.  Menka has a Bachelor of Arts, Diploma in Community Justice and holds NAATI Level 2 accreditation as a Macedonian interpreter.  Menka also has over 15 years experience working with the Macedonian community in Geelong and in the Western Region of Melbourne.

Tanas has worked as a labourer at Holden for 23 years. He is very passionate about improving the systems that help the Macedonian Community in Victoria. He is also the current President of the Senior Group in Ardeer.

Kristina is a full-time carer and has over 12 years of experience in community work. She holds a Community Development Certificate and is currently working as a carer facilitator, helping those who care for clients with mental health issues at the North Western Mental Health and Carers Victoria. Kristina facilitates a carers’ respite group and is on the CAG & C/CAG communities at North Western Mental Health.

Goran has a Masters degree in Financial Management and extensive experience in the private and government sectors. His financial management, strategic planning, project management, social inclusion and community development knowledge, experience and professionalism have been a major contribution to the Macedonian Community Welfare Association since 2007 and have been highly valued by his fellow Board members, MCWA staff and the wider Community. His previous work engagements have been being part of the senior team of the Macedonian Government that includes: Advisor to the Prime Minister, Head of various Departments within Macedonian Government Ministries and Agencies, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Macedonian Airport, Chairman of the Shareholding Assembly of Macedonian Telekom and President of both charitable foundations of Macedonian Telekom as well as international corporations in Australia.

Kristina is a full-time carer and has over 12 years of experience in community work. She holds a Community Development Certificate and is currently working as a carer facilitator, helping those who care for clients with mental health issues at the North Western Mental Health and Carers Victoria. Kristina facilitates a carers’ respite group and is on the CAG & C/CAG communities at North Western Mental Health.

Menka is currently Multicultural Services Manager for Centrelink and has extensive experience working within the federal government sector with prior roles within Centrelink and the Department of Social Security as a Multicultural Service Officer, Team Leader and Policy Advisor.  Menka has a Bachelor of Arts, Diploma in Community Justice and holds NAATI Level 2 accreditation as a Macedonian interpreter.  Menka also has over 15 years experience working with the Macedonian community in Geelong and in the Western Region of Melbourne.

Jim has extensive knowledge in the fields of youth, community, recreation and sport.

He has obtained – Bachelor of Arts majoring in youth affairs; Diploma in Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health); Associate Diploma in Recreation Leadership and Certificate IV in Assessment and Work Training.

Jim has over 29 years experience working in the western suburbs of Melbourne. He is currently the Operations Manager Youth Services for the 20th Man Fund. Jim has a strong emphasis on sport ensuring all young people accept there are rules governing conduct and behaviour which helps form a basis that can be applied to life outside the sporting environment and aid individuals in reaching their full potential of being worthwhile productive members of society.

For the past 29 years Jim has coordinated the 20th Man Christmas fun day for over 2 000 children and established the Redskins Basketball Club where there are over 450 participants.

Jim also is a casual Collector with the Australian Sport Anti – Doping Authority and Medvet Sciences Pty Ltd .

Aleksandar is a graduate student of International Studies/International Trade (majoring in Politics) and has a profound interest in community based programs. Involvement with the Macedonian community has always been one of Aleksandar’s highest priorities. Although involved in many community organisations and events, in the last couple of years Aleksandar has focused most of his energy on MCWA.