SYDNEY: The Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia), Greg Soghomonian, is pleased to announce the new make-up of its Board of Directors with additions and changes to its current structure. See statement below:
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As we approach the end of 2015, the year of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, ANC Australia promises to continue its unrelenting advocacy efforts in 2016, with renewed vigour and determination.
The focus will be on justice for the Armenian Genocide; Armenian-Australian community needs and issues; advancing humanitarian issues for Syrian-Armenians; and recognition of the rights to self-determination for the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The new appointments will continue the positive track record that the Board has had, and further strengthen the leadership needed for 2016 and beyond.
We are pleased to announce the following changes to ANC Australia staff:
- After excellent service, as the Executive Director of ANC Australia for nearly four years, Vache Kahramanian has decided to go back to the world of business to pursue the next phase of his career.
Vache has been an impeccable leader of ANC Australia and elevated the bar of professionalism in advocacy, implementing strategies and delivering results in advancing all issues and matters of importance to the Armenian-Australian community, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
During his tenure as the Executive Director of ANC, he was instrumental in achieving many successes in partnership with the NSW, South Australian and Australian Federal parliaments.
Vache will remain as a Director and a member of the ANC Australia National Board, mentoring the new members and providing the benefit of his vast experience and supporting the organisation's ongoing activities and strategies.
We wish both Vache and his wife Meline Kahramanian all the best for a bright and successful future in the world of business.
- Arin Markarian is appointed as the Executive Administrator of ANC Australia. Arin joined the ANC Australia National Board earlier this year and has already provided valuable contribution in the day-to-day activities of ANC Australia. Arin will work closely with Vache to receive the required mentoring and direction.
As well as performing key duties as the Executive Administrator and as a Board Member, Arin will further expand ANC Australia's grassroots activities by establishing a local unit within the City of Ryde to serve the Armenian community locally and towards Sydney’s West.
In terms of new appointments, we are pleased to announce the following:
- We welcome Khajaque Kortian to the National Board of ANC Australia. Khajaque is a long term supporter of ANC and has made a valuable contribution to its ongoing success.
Khajaque is a legal practitioner, specialising in Intellectual Property Law, in particular litigation and conflict resolution.
Khajaque has been involved in public advocacy for human rights issues and Armenian-Australian Community affairs for many years. He previously served on the National Board of ANC Australia for more than 20 years. He was one of the founding committee members of the Macquarie University Centre for Comparative Genocide Studies, now known as the Australian Institute for Holocaust & Genocide Studies, with which he is still involved. Since 2008, he has served on the Board of Galstaun College.
We welcome Khajaque back to the ANC Australia National Board and look forward to his valuable contribution and the benefit of his vast experience.
- We are pleased to welcome Taleen Shamlian as a new member of the ANC Australia National Board.
Taleen has had extensive experience providing high quality advice to senior executives on government policy and public affairs issues.
Most recently, Taleen was Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Australia, NZ and South Pacific at Visa. Prior to that, Taleen was an Executive Adviser in Government, Industry & International Affairs at the Commonwealth Bank and a Public Affairs Campaign Adviser at AMP. Taleen started her career as an Economist at the Federal Treasury and was also a Senior Manager at the Allen Consulting Group.
Taleen has a Bachelor of Economics (First Class Honours) and a Masters of Public Policy (with Merit) - both from University of Sydney.
Taleen is also a past member of the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia (AYF Australia). In 2002, Taleen volunteered in Armenia for a number of organisations including Our Duty to Live, Habitat for Humanity, and general community needs and activities.
We welcome Taleen to the ANC Australia National Board, and look forward to her valuable contribution and assistance in implementing our ongoing strategies and advocacy activities.
- We are pleased to announce Garineh Torossian as a new National Board member. Garineh has served ANC Australia as an intern for a number of years.
After graduating from University with a Bachelor of Communications & Media, majoring in public relations & journalism, Garineh continued working in the field of public relations. Throughout this time, she was offered a Cadetship at one of the largest global luxury cosmetic PR firms.
This role equipped Garineh with the required skills and experience to then progress through to her current career path as a commercial executive at oOh! Media.
She has also continuously been involved within the Armenian community, starting from her education at Tarkmanchats Saturday School, along with Antranig Scouts, Nairi Dance group and AYF Australia, which led to recent volunteer efforts in Armenia through the AYF Youth Corps program.
Garineh's vision is to encourage the Armenian-Australian youth to develop a passion for human rights, justice and culture preservation through education and community engagement.
We welcome Garineh to the ANC Australia National Board, and look forward to her valuable contribution.
- We are pleased to welcome Roupen Manjikian as a new member of the ANC Australia National Board.
Roupen is a Business Manager at the Department of Justice, Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing and has close to 20 years experience working in the NSW Public Sector.
With extensive project management experience across a range of program and service delivery areas, Roupen specialises in contract management and program planning/evaluation. He holds a degree in Economics from Macquarie University.
An active community participant, Roupen is a past member of the Australian Youth Federation of Australia (AYF Australia) and AYF Australia Juniors, and continues his long association with Homenetmen soccer as a coach and administrator.
We welcome Roupen to the ANC Australia National Board, and look forward to his valuable contribution to our ongoing strategies and advocacy activities.
As previously announced, Hovig Melkonian - a current ANC Australia National Board member - is on extended leave of absence from his position to contest the Federal election, as the Australian Labor Party's candidate for the Federal seat of Casey in Victoria, which will take place in 2016.
With this announcement the ANC Australia’s National Board will have the following line up:
Greg Soghomonian (Honorary Chairman)
Arin Markarian (Director and Executive Administrator)
Vache Kahramanian (Director)
Hratch Loussikian (Director)
Khajaque Kortian (Director)
Stephen Abolakian (Director)
Taleen Shamlian (Director)
Roupen Manjikian (Director)
Garineh Torossian (Director, AYF Australia Liaison)
We sincerely thank our ANC Australia Partners, the Armenian-Australian community, and the supporters of the Armenian Cause at large, for the continued encouragement and support for our work of Advocacy for Justice.
Yours Sincerely,
[signed]
Greg Soghomonian
Chairman
