Our Story
Established in 1990, the Filipino Communities Council of Australia Inc (FILCCA) stands as the oldest existing umbrella organization outside the Philippines.
FILCCA serves as a unifying force for Filipino-Australians and Filipinos residing in Australia, working towards the promotion and advancement of their welfare and interests.
Our Current Officers
Agnes Cabe, President
Queensland
Agnes Cabe, born leader in her own right. She was an educator for 18 years in Manila and now a dedicated community leader in a small town in the Downs Regions specifically in Dalby Queensland. Her family and the Community organizations had been her anchor to live in Australia.
Elsa Collado, VP Internal Affairs
New South Wales
Agnes Cabe, born leader in her own right. She was an educator for 18 years in Manila and now a dedicated community leader in a small town in the Downs Regions specifically in Dalby Queensland. Her family and the Community organizations had been her anchor to live in Australia.
Feli Lacorte, VP External Affairs
Queensland
Feli Lacorte earned her Bachelor’s degree from Ateneo de Davao University in 1992 with a State Scholarship. Later, an AusAID scholarship in 2004-2005 allowed her to pursue a Master’s degree in Social Administration at the University of Queensland Australia.
Jenina Lui, VP Youth Affairs
New South Wales
Jenina is a UNSW graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce Accounting, who has worked as an Audit Associate in Deloitte and KPMG, while running her children’s wear label, Kandycrew.
Heidi Davie, Secretary
Queensland
Heidi Davie is a dedicated registered migration agent with a strong commitment to supporting the Filipino community, particularly in Queensland and beyond. With her expertise in Australian Migration Law and Practice, which she gained through a Graduate Certificate from Griffith University in 2015, she established Best Immigration Australia P/L in March 2016.
Ofilia, Treasurer
Western Australia
Ofilia Leadbeater have been working as a Finance Administrator at Cyrenian House for over 26 years and hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting.
Rachel Bernabe, Public Relations Officer
Australian Capital Territory
Rachel Bernabe is a dedicated advocate for the Philippine community and a professional in destination marketing with extensive experience in communications, marketing, public relations, and social media.
Diwani “Kotch” Velasquez, Public Officer
Australian Capital Territory
A Davaowena by birth, she now lives in Bonner Australian Capital Territory with husband Medwin and their 4 lovely girls. Hardworking, dedicated and methodical in her ways.
Our Current Officers
Roxanne Sarthou, President
Victoria
Roxanne Sarthou’s journey in community leadership began with a simple desire to give back. Today, she is the National President of the Filipino Communities Council of Australia, Inc. (FILCCA), the leading umbrella body connecting Filipino organisations across Australia.
Elsa Collado, Vice President, External
New South Wales
Elsa Collado is a Dentist by profession and have worked as Palace Dentist at the Office of the President Malacanang Clinic Manila Philippines for 15 years before she and her young family of four migrated to Australia in 1993 as Independent Migrants.
Cristina Thomson, Vice President, Internal
Western Australia
Cristina Thomson, FILCCA Vice President (Internal), moved to Australia at 21 and began volunteering soon after. She remains an active member and president of the Samar and Leyte Association and Kababaihang Maka-Rizal, who organised the play Malolos Women to keep the stories of our ancestors alive.
Jenina Lui, Vice President, Youth Affairs
New South Wales
Jenina is a UNSW graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce Accounting, who has worked as an Audit Associate in Deloitte and KPMG, while running her children’s wear label, Kandycrew.
Arjee Renaud, Secretary
Victoria
Arjee Renaud, FILCCA Secretary, is a lawyer who works closely with vulnerable members of the community, giving her a deep understanding of the real challenges people face every day.
Ofilia Leadbeater, Treasurer
Western Australia
Ofilia Leadbeater have been working as a Finance Administrator at Cyrenian House for over 26 years and hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting.
Emcille Wills, Public Relations Officer
Northern Territory
Community service has been part of Emcille’s life since childhood, shaped by the people around her who showed what it means to give back. Since moving to Australia in 1999, she has supported multicultural communities in the Northern Territory through education, community projects, events and the arts.
Rachel Bernabe, Public Relations Officer, Appointed
Australian Capital Territory
Rachel Bernabe is a dedicated advocate for the Philippine community and a professional in destination marketing with extensive experience in communications, marketing, public relations, and social media.
Agnes Cabe, Immediate Past President
Queensland
Agnes Cabe, born leader in her own right. She was an educator for 18 years in Manila and now a dedicated community leader in a small town in the Downs Regions specifically in Dalby Queensland. Her family and the Community organizations had been her anchor to live in Australia.
Diwani “Kotch” Velasquez, Public Officer
Australian Capital Territory
A Davaowena by birth, she now lives in Bonner Australian Capital Territory with husband Medwin and their 4 lovely girls. Hardworking, dedicated and methodical in her ways.
Kea Chiva, Community Liaison, Appointed
Victoria
Kea Chiva is a community worker and holds a Master of Social Work, bringing extensive expertise in grant writing, stakeholder engagement, and community development across Victoria’s multicultural sector.