Multicultural Advisory Group

The Multicultural Advisory Group is an important part of Sunshine Coast Council and our community. Members help create a Sunshine Coast that is welcoming, where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to participate.

The group provides expert advice to Council and supports programs that celebrate diversity and strengthen social cohesion. Our work with the group helps deliver the Sunshine Coast Community Strategy and the Welcoming Cities initiative.

Group responsibilities:

• Advise Council on challenges and opportunities for multicultural communities.
• Promote the benefits of cultural diversity and inclusion.
• Provide advice on policies, plans, and services for multicultural communities.
• Support effective engagement with emerging and established multicultural communities.
• Assist with reporting and recommendations to improve inclusion across the region.

Membership

The group includes members who reflect the cultural diversity of the Sunshine Coast and those whose professional roles support multicultural communities. Membership is for two years, with an option to renew for another two years.

Two mentee positions are available for newly arrived migrants. These roles provide lived experience and help the group understand settlement challenges and opportunities.

Meetings

Meetings are held quarterly on Wednesdays from 9.30 am to 11.30 am at Sunshine Coast Council City Hall in Maroochydore.

Advisory group members

Members bring a wide range of skills and experience, including health and wellbeing, education, economic opportunities, settlement, cultural diversity, and anti-racism strategies.

Peppi Bueti

Peppi Bueti is the Director of Sunny Communications and has more than 30 years of experience in communications and marketing. He is also a long term Executive Committee member of the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce. Born in Mt Gambier, South Australia, to Italian migrant parents, Peppi is proud of his heritage and passionate about creating an inclusive community.
Peppi joined the inaugural Multicultural Advisory Group in 2018 to support local multicultural communities and help tackle racism. Inspired by his late father’s work welcoming migrants, Peppi brings a strong business perspective to MAG and has helped connect local businesses with programs like Migrant Work Ready. He believes in the power of education, community involvement, and cultural exchange to make the Sunshine Coast a welcoming place for everyone.

Viktoriia Burns

Viktoriia brings a strong background in case management and community support, with over a decade of experience empowering migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through her work with Multicultural Australia. Before moving to Australia, she worked with the Ukrainian Department of Social Welfare, supporting vulnerable communities.
Now living on the Sunshine Coast with her family, Viktoriia is raising her daughter bilingually and continues to share her skills by supporting older residents and engaging with diverse local groups. As an immigrant from Ukraine, she is passionate about helping newcomers settle and thrive. Her lived experience and professional expertise make her a valuable voice on the Multicultural Advisory Group, where she advocates for inclusion and a welcoming community for all.

Silvia Castillo

Silvia Castillo is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion. She has a background in community development and social work and is a leader in the South American community on the Sunshine Coast. Silvia helps migrants find jobs and supports multicultural events that bring people together. She also assists with community grants and works to break down barriers and build social connections. Originally from Colombia, Silvia moved to Australia as an international student and is passionate about making the Sunshine Coast more welcoming. She is a member of the Women Ethnic Network in Queensland, co-founder of the Sunshine Coast Latino Association, and part of the Diverse Queensland Workforce program. 

Linda Dennis

Linda Dennis is a Settlement Engagement Transition and Support Worker at Nambour Community Centre. She works closely with multicultural clients, community leaders, and local organisations to help people feel connected and supported. Linda has coordinated many successful programs, projects, and events that bring communities together and promote inclusion. Her role focuses on helping new arrivals settle into life on the Sunshine Coast, providing guidance and linking them to essential services. Linda is passionate about creating opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to participate fully in community life and build strong social networks.

Anurag (Bobby) Goswami

Bobby migrated from India and brings valuable experience as an active member and former president of the Sunshine Coast Indian Association. He is passionate about creating a more inclusive and vibrant community on the Sunshine Coast. Bobby cares deeply about issues such as affordable housing, recognising overseas qualifications for migrants, and encouraging greater social and political participation among multicultural communities. His work reflects a strong commitment to building opportunities and ensuring that everyone feels welcome and supported.

David Hollinsworth

David Hollinsworth is an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast and a leading voice in anti-racism and cultural inclusion. He has worked with Aboriginal communities since 1968 as both an activist and academic and has taught Indigenous studies, sociology, and anti-racism at universities across Australia since 1974.
David has published widely on Aboriginal history, politics, health, and representations of Aboriginality. His major works include Race and Racism in Australia and They Took the Children, which won the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Award. He was a founding member of the Stolen Generations Alliance and continues to advocate for justice and reconciliation. Through his research, teaching, and consultancy work with governments and community organisations, David promotes effective strategies to combat racism and build culturally inclusive communities. Recent work has focussed on Justice outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians  and antiracism strategies for the Northern Territory Police, as well research on culturally safe learning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students for professional development of school  teachers nationally.  

Dr Maureen Khan 

Originally from Fiji, Dr Maureen Khan moved to Australia in 2009 and spent eight years working as a doctor in rural and remote Queensland. She is now a Staff Specialist in Emergency Medicine with Queensland Health and brings extensive experience in critical care and medical education. Maureen is passionate about diversity and inclusion and serves as Co-Chair of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Committee for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service. She also represents the service on the Queensland Health Statewide Multicultural Advisory Committee.
Alongside her clinical work, Maureen mentors junior doctors, teaches at Griffith University, and advocates for culturally responsive healthcare. She is an active member of local community groups and has organised events for the Muslim Sisters Sunshine Coast group. Through her role on the Multicultural Advisory Group, Maureen aims to improve access to health services, promote social inclusion, and strengthen connections between multicultural communities and local services.

Camila Mozzini-Alister

Camila Mozzini-Alister is a senior lecturer in Community Services as well as a researcher and social media educator. Her academic background is a double PhD in Communication and Arts, a Research Master in Social and Institutional Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Camila is passionate about understanding migrant perspectives and exploring how identity and connection are shaped in today’s world. She has written several books on social media, identity, and cultural change, including "Does Social Media Have Limits?" and "Transitional Selves". Through her work, Camila aims to create spaces for dialogue and help communities embrace diversity and inclusion.

Walters Nkemfack

Walters Nkemfack is a community leader dedicated to building inclusion and social justice. Originally from West Africa and living on the Coast since 2010, Walters works to unite multicultural communities across the Sunshine Coast. He is the Founder and Organiser of Multicultural Sport and the creator of the well-known MultiCulti Cup, a flagship tournament that brings people together through the universal language of sport.
Walters also serves as Co-Chair of Reconciliation Queensland, is a professional organiser with the Queensland Community Alliance, and is a patron of the Shine a Light on Racism campaign. Across all his work, Walters strives to create meaningful opportunities for diverse communities to connect, participate, and thrive.

Cr Taylor Bunnag Division 8, Sunshine Coast Council

Councillor Taylor Bunnag represents Division 8 and shares responsibility for the Community Portfolio. Taylor is passionate about fostering inclusive communities and supporting programs that strengthen cultural understanding. His role on the Multicultural Advisory Group helps guide Council’s work in diversity and inclusion, ensuring that policies and projects reflect the needs of all residents. Taylor advocates for collaboration between Council, community groups, and businesses to create a welcoming Sunshine Coast

Cr David Law Division 10, Sunshine Coast Council

Councillor David Law represents Division 10 and is part of Sunshine Coast Council’s Community Portfolio. He provides leadership in community development, cultural diversity, and inclusion. David is committed to building strong, connected communities and ensuring that everyone feels welcome and valued. Through his role on the Multicultural Advisory Group, he supports initiatives that promote social cohesion, celebrate cultural diversity, and create opportunities for participation across the region.