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Home >
About Us
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CLV Committee Biographies and Qualifications
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A/Prof Maria Gindidis – President
Associate Professor Maria Gindidis is a passionate educator with a distinguished career in academic leadership, teaching, research, and project management across schools, universities, and community organisations.
Her PhD focused on marginalised teachers in community language schools, and her research continues to explore multilingualism, cultural diversity, and teacher education. Before joining Monash University, Maria held leadership roles in the Department of Education, including State Coordinator for the establishment of 15 bilingual schools in Melbourne, Portfolio Holder for Middle Years and Disability in rural Gippsland, and Campus Principal in secondary schools.
At Monash University, Maria serves as Director of Unit Quality and Teaching Enhancement. Beyond her academic role, she contributes widely to the community: as Director of the Board for a large accredited Greek community language school, Research Adviser to Community Languages Australia, and Board Member of Richmond Carringbush Adult Education.
Maria is a committed advocate for educational equity and a strong champion of linguistic and cultural diversity in Victoria’s education landscape.
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Dr Oksana King – Vice President
Dr Oksana King is a linguist, educator, and community leader with more than 20 years’ experience across schools, community language schools, universities, and TAFEs. A natural bilingual in Ukrainian and Russian and fluent in English and German, she has published research on language education and multilingualism.
As Principal of the Ukrainian Community School in Noble Park and Coordinator of the VCE VET Ukrainian Program, Oksana actively promotes language learning and cultural continuity. She also serves as Deputy Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria (Noble Park Branch).
Oksana is deeply committed to advancing community languages. At CLV, her priorities include strengthening organisational stability and driving initiatives that promote Victoria’s diverse and vibrant languages landscape.
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Majida Ali – Treasurer
Majida Ali is the Principal of Assiraj Arabic School Inc. and Founding Principal of the Australian Islamic Centre College in Newport. She is dedicated to delivering high-quality educational programs that equip students for the future and has extensive experience in developing and implementing curriculum aligned with the Victorian Curriculum to enhance student learning engagement and success.
Majida holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Administration, along with qualifications in mathematics, information technology, and language education. She has also undertaken leadership and professional training programs, both in Australia and internationally, and regularly presents professional development for educators in Melbourne and interstate.
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Kevork Krozian – Secretary
Kevork Krozian is a passionate advocate for community language education. He has taught Armenian at VCE level and served as Chief Assessor for more than 30 years. Multilingual himself, Kevork also has a strong interest in Arabic, French, Indonesian, and Greek.
By profession, Kevork is an IT teacher specialising in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. He is a strong proponent of using technology to enhance language learning and is committed to teaching students relevant, contemporary topics such as climate change, medicine, AI, and global issues — all in the target language.
Kevork brings his deep experience as an educator and assessor to his role as CLV Secretary.
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Helen Lambris – Ordinary Member
Helen Lambris has been involved in Greek language education in Melbourne for over 40 years. She leads three campuses of Aetolian College of Hellenic Language and Culture, where students continue to learn and celebrate the Greek language and culture.
Helen is a strong advocate for the role of language in shaping multiculturalism in Australia. She believes that language connects individuals to their identity, heritage, and community. For the past 20 years, she has focused on building strong community ties with families, parishes, and cultural organisations to create a sense of belonging that enriches students’ language learning.
Helen is honoured to serve on the CLV Committee and is committed to supporting its vision of strengthening language schools and ensuring high-quality education for future generations.
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Andrew Moore – Ordinary Member
Andrew Moore has been involved in community languages for the past 10 years and is the President of the Thai Language School of Melbourne. He is passionate about ensuring students have the opportunity to learn their heritage language and culture.
Outside of community language schools, Andrew works in IT Governance for the Victorian
Government.
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Dr Ruilan Yuan – Ordinary Member
Dr Ruilan Yuan is Principal of RLY Chinese Culture and Language Academy Inc., which she established in 2023 after serving as Principal of another Chinese school for 11 years. She has over 30 years’ experience teaching Chinese in Victorian mainstream schools and community language schools, with a particular expertise in VCE Chinese.
Dr Yuan has developed teaching resources, delivered professional workshops, and written Chinese VCE mock exam papers widely used across Victoria for the past 18 years. From 2023 to 2025, she served as Secretary General of the United Nations Model Chinese Assemblies.
She brings her leadership, teaching expertise, and passion for language education to her role as an Ordinary Committee Member of CLV.
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Danica Kustura – Ordinary Member
Danica Kustura is the Committee Secretary and a relief teacher at the Croatian School of Language and Culture Melbourne, where she was also a student in the early 1980s. She is passionate about ensuring that children of the Croatian diaspora have the opportunity to learn their language, culture, and history.
Danica holds a Juris Doctor, Master of Business Administration, Master of Marketing, and Bachelor of Business, and is currently completing a Diploma of Languages in Croatian at Macquarie University. Professionally, she works as a Regulatory Affairs Manager at a major bank.
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Elias Doufas – Ordinary Member
Elias Doufas has dedicated much of his life to community service and Greek language education. Since 2010, he has volunteered as Secretary/Treasurer of the AHEPA Greek School, overseeing accreditation, administration, and staff development. Under his guidance, the school achieved and has maintained accreditation since 2012.
Elias has a long history of leadership within AHEPA (Australian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), serving in numerous roles including National President. He is also Chair of the AHEPA Philanthropy Committee and has led initiatives supporting migrant families and charitable causes.
In addition to his community work, Elias has run various small business ventures across aged care, childcare, hospitality, and media. He continues to champion multiculturalism and education through his work with CLV.
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