Our Team
diligently to provide for the Dandenong community!
Merina Ashdown
General Manager
I am originally from the shores of New Zealand(Aotearoa) and I have Samoan and Filipino origins. I migrated to Australia, Melbourne in July 2016. I come from a fairly large New Zealand-Samoan family. My parents raised us up by instilling the importance of education in our lives. I undertook my undergraduate studies in Education and completed my Masters degree majoring in Adult Education in New Zealand. I am the General Manager and I have a great passion for working with disadvantaged communities. My work experience is managing a variety of community care, rural and carer programs across Victoria. I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of the communities we serve.
My hobbies are running, walking, hiking, playing sports and spending quality time with my family. I have a beautiful daughter Samarah who is two years and four months old now and my husband Steve Ashdown who loves swimming in the beach all year round.
Ali Aziz
Senior Coordinator
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Diana Lambros
Education Coordinator
Having grown up in the south east, I’ve always had a soft spot for the City of Greater Dandenong. It’s been wonderful to see all the changes that have taken place over the years. The upgraded community facilities at the Springvale hub, the new and innovative library in Dandenong, and the lovely community space that is Harmony Square.
Whilst some things have changed, some have stayed the same. Dandenong has been, and still is, a place that welcomes new people to Australia. In my role I meet many new community members who are starting a new life. It is a pleasure to connect with them and organise classes that suit their educational and social needs. We welcome all community members to the centre,
and I’m especially keen to hear from community members about how the centre can serve them. So please pop in, say hello and let’s have a chat!
Ian Wilshusen
Community Shed Coordinator
Hi! My name is Ian Wilshusen. I was born and grew up in Perth, Western Australia. I’m a trained metal worker and welder. I also have my Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and I teach Woodworking classes at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre and our partner organisations. I’m a handyman by trade, and have a dog and a one-eyed cat. I like to spend time with my family and go on day trips. I am the Coordinator of the woodwork shop and the Community Garden at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre.
Deepa Rahul Nair
Finance Officer
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Melissa Graham
Administration Officer
My background in education led me to begin working with Dandenong Community & Learning Centre in 2022. My role at the Centre is varied, and I’m the first person you see at the Reception office most days! I love drawing, sewing and crafting in my spare time, when I’m not cuddling with my two cats or out strolling with my dog.
“Aliya” Mossomat Raihana
Teacher
Aliya teaches English as an Additional Language, Textiles, Cafe Skills and Hospitality classes at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre and our partner organisations.
Devi Torpy
Teacher
Devi teaches English as an Additional Language and Aged Care classes at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre and our partner organisations.
Helen Graham
Teacher
Helen teaches Art and Textiles classes at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre and our partner organisations.
Maryam Haidari
Teacher
Maryam teaches Computers in Dari & English classes at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre and our partner organisations.
Michelle Hood
Teacher
Michelle teaches Hospitality classes at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre and ourpartner organisations.
Rod Bryson
Teacher
Rod teaches Computer and Employment Skills classes at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre and our partner organisations.
Sadia Sheraz
Teacher
Sadia teaches English as an Additional Language, Home Safety, Child Care and Aged Care classes at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre and our partner organisations.
Sarah Empeigne
Teacher
Sarah teaches Hospitality classes at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre and our partner organisations.
Sobana Hanif
Teacher
Sobana teaches English as an Additional Language classes at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre and our partner organisations.
“Tim” Heng Chen
Teacher
Tim teaches Woodworking and CNC classes at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre and our partner organisations.