Announcing Our Community Engagement Committee Members

We are excited to introduce the inaugural members of the Metropolitan Memorial Parks Community Engagement Committee (CEC). This dynamic group of passionate individuals, representing a diverse range of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our memorial parks.

Our CEC members bring invaluable perspectives and experiences that will guide us in better serving our communities. Their dedication and commitment will help us bridge connections, foster meaningful engagement, and ensure that Metropolitan Memorial Parks continues to meet the evolving needs of those we serve.

Together, we will work towards a future that truly reflects and honours our diverse communities.

Donna Rygate

Chair

Donna Rygate is an experienced leader currently serving in various roles as a board, panel, and committee chair or member. Her previous positions include Chief Executive of Local Government NSW and CEO of the NSW Office of Communities, where she managed a wide range of public services. Donna has also held senior roles in the NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure and the NSW Department of Community Services. She holds degrees in Economics, Planning and Law, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Donna is also a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration, and of the Institute of Community Directors Australia.

Moussa Makki

Committee Member

Moussa is a senior leader with over 13 years of experience in people management within the NSW Transport industry and Government sector. For nine years he also volunteered as the Director of Funeral Services at Al Zahra Funeral Service, where he oversaw the entire funeral process and community support. Active in the Multifaith Liaison Group at Metropolitan Memorial Parks, Moussa has deep insights into the needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and faith communities. His skills in leadership, active listening, and respectful engagement are vital for fostering dialogue and collaboration. Additionally, he is an appointed Stakeholder Engagement Council Member with Catholic Cemeteries & Crematoria.

Very Rev. Fr. Tadros El-Bakhoumi OAM

Committee Member

Very Rev. Fr. Tadros El-Bakhoumi OAM & JP holds a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering and began his career as the Director of the Inspection Department at Egypt's largest aircraft factory. He also earned a Bachelor of Theology from the Theological College in Cairo, where he served as a lecturer, a role he continues in Sydney at a theological college. Since 1986, he has been the official spokesperson for the Coptic Orthodox Church in Australia and has served as the Coptic Orthodox Chaplain for Corrective Services in NSW for over 23 years, earning service medals for his dedication. Fr. Tadros represents the Church in governmental departments, being the highest senior priest in all NSW. He collaborates with diverse religious communities, and is well-versed in Metropolitan Memorial Parks and cemetery services, ensuring respectful service to his community.

Beth Robertson

Committee Member

Beth Robertson is a seasoned historian with over 40 years of experience in historical research, education, and community engagement. She specialises in developing programs for cemeteries and historic sites and is involved with the Local History Committee and Friends of Frenchs Forest Bushland Cemetery. Her work focuses on promoting cemeteries as important historic and natural sites and fostering a positive perspective on death through educational tours and programs, connecting the community to Frenchs Forest Bushland Cemetery’s history and heritage.

Rev. Colvin Strathallan MacPherson

Committee Member

Rev. Colvin Strathallan MacPherson has served as the Senior Pastor of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Homebush since 1985, focusing on supporting older community members. His ministry extends to providing spiritual care in nursing homes and addressing the spiritual and cultural needs of the Latvian community. He has significant experience in cemetery management, having served on the Latvian Cemetery Trust and chaired the former Lutheran Cemetery Trust at Rookwood. With over 1,000 funerals conducted, his experience spans across cemeteries in Sydney, interstate, and in New Zealand. Rev. MacPherson has also held leadership roles, including a 10-year presidency of the Association of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Australia, and serves on the Multi-Faith Liaison Committee at Metropolitan Memorial Parks. His extensive pastoral and leadership experience has given him valuable insights into the community's strong connection to cemetery culture.

Very Rev. Fr. Miodrag Peric

Committee Member

Very Rev. Fr. Miodrag Peric, a canonically ordained clergy member of the Serbian Orthodox Church, has been serving as a Parish Priest since 1981, including in Australia since 1988. He currently holds the position of Parish Priest and Dean of St Lazarus Serbian Orthodox Parish and Church Community in Alexandria and serves as the Dean of the Sydney Deanery. Over his 40-year career, he has worked with various cultural and religious groups, leading community events and supporting charitable work. With extensive experience in conducting funerals and liaising with families and stakeholders, Fr. Miodrag Peric is well-positioned to offer valuable insights and contributions to the Metropolitan Memorial Parks' Community Engagement Committee.

Ello Meguerditchian

Committee Member

Ello Meguerditchian, founder of EM Funerals, has been serving Sydney’s Armenian community for over ten years. She specialises in simplifying end-of-life planning and provides bilingual support to families, liaising with major cemeteries to address their needs. Ello has worked with diverse communities and led initiatives such as creating affordable burial spaces for refugees and installing monuments to honour Armenian contributions. Her commitment to empathy and respect is evident in Ello’s 24/7 personalised service. Ello aims to bring the Armenian community’s needs to the Community Engagement Committee (CEC) to foster stronger cemetery-community connections.

Sargon Bisseh

Committee Member

Sargon Bisseh, the representative for the Syriac Orthodox Community at Rookwood Cemetery, is the former President of St Malkeh Church in Greenacre and the Babylon Cultural Association. Known for his open and honest communication, Sargon has a long history of community service and involvement with the Multifaith Committee and participates in various social and fundraising committees. He is dedicated to ensuring that all community voices are heard and is eager to continue his contributions to the Community Engagement Committee, enhancing representation and engagement for the Syriac Orthodox community.

Peter Owens

Committee Member

Peter Owens, a lifelong resident of Newcastle, is a Senior Consultant Lawyer with extensive community involvement. He supports families at the local Catholic Church and Sandgate Cemetery and has worked with diverse cultural and faith groups, including Italian, Macedonian, Vietnamese, Filipinos and others. Peter contributed to the creation of a Muslim section at Sandgate Cemetery and to the creation at Sandgate of burial crypts, a Muslim section and establishment of the Garden of the Innocents for bereaved families. With over 35 years of experience in community engagement and cemetery services, both in Newcastle and with the former Northern Metropolitan Cemeteries Land Manager in Sydney, Peter has a deep understanding of cemetery and crematoria regulations and cultural practices.

Khaled Alameddine

Committee Member

Khaled Alameddine has 20 years of experience in the community and non-profit sectors and is currently the Operations Manager at the Lebanese Muslim Association. His expertise includes office management, risk management, strategic planning, and community engagement. Khaled’s role has strengthened his connections with diverse communities in Lakemba and Sydney. He is bilingual in English and Arabic and is committed to upholding regulatory requirements and promoting cultural inclusivity. With an MBA and various diplomas, Khaled excels in fostering community dialogue and implementing outreach strategies. His deep understanding of regulatory and cultural practices aligns with Metropolitan Memorial Parks’s mission to provide compassionate and culturally sensitive memorial services.

Sreenadh Bhramapuram

Committee Member

Sreenadh Bhramapuram, with a background in environmental studies and Manager of Clinical Reporting in Digital Health and Innovation at Sydney Local Health District, is an active community member and Justice of the Peace. He holds multiple leadership roles in Indian and Hindu organisations, including Secretary of the Sydney Telugu Association and Treasurer for the United Indian Association. Sreenadh has received awards for his community service and has been involved in significant initiatives such as organ donation talks and supporting bone marrow transplants. His extensive experience in community engagement and diverse cultural practices positions him well for contributing to the Community Engagement Committee (CEC) at Metropolitan Memorial Parks.

Rev. Dr. Manas Ghosh

Committee Member

Rev. Dr. Manas Ghosh is an experienced leader in interfaith dialogue and community relations, currently serving on the NSW Faith Affairs Council. As Chairperson of several interfaith and ecumenical councils, including the NSW Ecumenical Council Interfaith Commission and the Abraham Conference, he promotes understanding among diverse faiths. His role on the Rookwood Cemetery Community Advisory Committee involved advising on multi-religious practices and sustainability. Dr. Ghosh's extensive experience with diverse groups and his commitment to community projects, including interfaith prayer services and support during crises, reflect his dedication to fostering harmonious communities. His practical and academic knowledge makes him a valuable candidate for the Community Engagement Committee.

Rev. Fr. Fadi Nemme

Committee Member

Rev. Fr. Fadi Nemme is an Orthodox Priest with 28 years of experience in community service and interfaith dialogue. He has been involved with various organisations addressing issues like racism and family violence. Previously a member of the Rookwood Cemetery Multifaith Advisory Committee, Fr. Fadi now represents the Antiochian Orthodox Church at Rookwood Cemetery. His work includes supporting refugees, coordinating domestic violence initiatives, and participating in interfaith activities. Fr. Nemme has received notable awards for his community work, including the Premier's Multicultural Community Award and the NSW Police Commissioners Emergency Commendation.

Associate Professor Susan Moylan Coombs

Committee Member

Susan Moylan Coombs is the founder of The Gaimaragal Group and an experienced Cultural Curator, working across diverse sectors such as construction, education, housing, health, and community. She was previously engaged as the First Nations Cultural Curator for Northern Cemeteries, where she developed content and resources, including "Story of Country" and "Welcome to Country" videos and wrote the First Nations Community Engagement Strategy. Susan's involvement in community engagement spans decades, including President of the Gawura Local Aboriginal Consultative Group and founder and Co-Chair of the Gai-mariagal Festival. With a strong background in broadcasting, she has held senior roles within ABC and NITV curating stories about First Nations people and communities. Her expertise includes cultural trainings, community consultation, and adult and youth mental health literacy. A founding board member of PTSD Australia New Zealand, previous board member NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and current board member Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia.

Nicque Misa-Richards

Committee Member

Nicque Misa-Richards offers a diverse skill base as an experienced Funeral Director, professional Celebrant, End of Life Doula and Death Café facilitator. She co-owns The Last Time funerals and is active in the Compassionate Community group. With experience across major cemeteries and in facilitating culturally sensitive ceremonies, she excels in communication and adapting to varied needs of individuals, families, and our community with genuine compassion and careful insight. Nicque has introduced and led education and development initiatives within the funeral industry to improve service quality. Her roles have honed her skills in inclusivity and regulatory compliance, making her a strong candidate for the Community Engagement Committee.

Geoff Bovard

Committee Member

Geoff Bovard has been actively involved with Rookwood Cemetery since 2016, serving on multiple committees including the Friends of Rookwood and Metropolitan Memorial Park Cemetery Friends Group. He is an active volunteer tour guide and gardener for the Friends of Rookwood and has contributed to the HIDDEN Sculptures and other cemetery community events. He is an active member of the Society of Australian Genealogists, and the President of the Bankstown Bushwalking Club. His experience includes working with diverse groups in his roles within government, most recently at the State Electoral Commission, in addition to various community leadership positions. Geoff's communication style is empathetic and focused on pragmatic, shared goals. He aims to leverage his experience in cemetery history and heritage to support Metropolitan Memorial Parks’s community engagement efforts.

Mariam Ardati

Committee Member

Mariam Ardati is a dedicated educator and independent funeral consultant with over 18 years in the death care sector. She holds the funerals and cemeteries portfolio for the Australian National Imams Council and is a member of the consumer consultative committee with NSW Cemeteries and Crematoria. Her community engagement approach emphasises open and honest dialogue, ensuring that all concerns are addressed and valued. Mariam seeks to contribute to Metropolitan Memorial Parks’s community engagement by addressing the Muslim community's needs, advocating for additional burial plots, and ensuring sustainable practices for existing cemetery sections.

Alexei Feofiloff

Committee Member

Alexei Feofiloff has a solid background in education and diverse community engagement, with qualifications in Education and Ministry. His work commitments have emphasised clear communication and a welfare focus, which facilitated positive outcomes. As a member of the Parish Council of his local Church he maintains parish records, financial details, and liaises with community organisations. Experience in cemetery, funeral and other church services includes coordinating with clergy, parishioners and funeral directors since 2013. Alexei is well-positioned to contribute to the Community Engagement Committee with his extensive experience in community liaison and administration.

Ayya Suvira

Committee Member

Ayya Suvira, a Buddhist nun and member of the Australian Sangha Association (ASA), has a strong background in religious studies and Buddhist practice traditions. She has served on various community committees including the Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria Trust Stakeholder Engagement Council, Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW Community and Consumer Consultative Group, and previously on the Metropolitan Memorial Parks Multifaith Group. Ayya Suvira is involved in Buddhist funeral advocacy, working on educational videos and reports about Buddhist practices. Her engagement spans multiple Buddhist communities and includes working proficiency in Mandarin. Her recent experience includes conducting Buddhist funerals in collaboration with various faith groups and contributing to discussions on cremation practices. Ayya Suvira’s extensive involvement in Buddhist community affairs and her role in promoting Buddhist perspectives make her an asset to the Community Engagement Committee.

Pnina Hagege

Committee Member

Pnina is a government relations professional at GRACosway, where she specialises in public policy, regulatory adaptation, and crisis management for a diverse client base, including top ASX-listed companies. Her career includes former roles as an Advisor for a Federal Cabinet Minister and for a Councillor at the City of Sydney, and as a journalist. Actively involved in community initiatives, Pnina contributes to the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies as a Consultant, the Jewish Climate Network as an Advisory Board member and mentors at the Women's & Girls' Emergency Centre. She also participated as a Fellow in the Susan Wakil Fellowship, promoting political engagement among Jewish students.

Zoran Bockaroski

Committee Member

Zoran Bockaroski has served as the Treasurer for the Macedonian Holy Trinity Church at Woronora for 11 years, where he has been actively involved in building the Macedonian Orthodox church at Woronora Cemetery since 2013. His work primarily focuses on collaborating with diverse cultural groups and nationalities, ensuring respectful and positive interactions. Zoran is known for his effective communication style, prioritising listening to community problems and needs to find suitable solutions. His longstanding volunteer role as Treasurer underscores his commitment to the Macedonian community. Zoran is eager to leverage his experience and insights to contribute further to the Community Engagement Committee.

Selina Leung

Committee Member

Selina Leung has been a dedicated Funeral Director serving the Chinese community for over 25 years. She established Galaxy Funerals and has been actively involved with Metropolitan Memorial Parks in multicultural consultations and the NSW Harmony Dinner. Selina’s communication style is collaborative, empathetic, and culturally sensitive, with an emphasise on the importance of active listening to understand diverse perspectives. By joining the Community Engagement Committee, Selina aims to expand support services, enhance cultural sensitivity, strengthen community bonds, and advocate for inclusivity. Her experience and commitment to community well-being position her as a valuable contributor to the committee.

Fr. Adriano Pittarello

Committee Member

Fr. Adriano Pittarello is a Catholic priest at the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles (Scalabrinians) and holds an Honours Degree in Sociology. He is renowned for his extensive experience in migration studies and community engagements. In 1980 he founded the Centre for Migration Studies in Sydney, contributing to discussions on migration. Fr. Pittarello has been a keynote speaker at numerous migration conferences and, when he was Episcopal Vicar for Migrants in Perth, he actively supported East Timorese refugees. His community roles include former member of the Archbishop Council of Priests of Sydney diocese, board member of Co.As.It., member of the School Committee of Co.As.It., and founder of the Italian Historical Society of NSW. He has consulted on cemetery projects like the Eastern Suburbs Mausoleum mosaic and conducts annual Masses at Woronora for the Italian community. In 2020 he was interviewed for the Metropolitan Memorial Parks Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and is an active participant in the Multifaith Leadership Group.

A special thank you to Denise Ora, Sharon Whitford, Victoria Baker and Anita McBride from Metropolitan Memorial Parks as they will be working alongside the committee towards a future that truly reflects and honours our diverse communities.