The South Sudanese community of Victoria has a new group to provide it a single, united voice.
Last month, 19 community leaders were elected to represent South Sudanese Australians living in Victoria for the next two years.
The South Sudanese Association In Victoria will be chaired by Kot Monoah, a lawyer based in Sunshine, and a “group of people with diverse experiences” that includes five women.
Mr Monoah said the team would work on issues that affected the South Sudanese diaspora in Victoria.
“You will succeed when you speak as one voice either to government or other departments,” he said. “So you don’t say Kot says this, Moses says that.”
Mr Monoah said it was important for everyone in the community to be represented, including women, young people and the elderly.
South Sudanese Unification Committee project co-ordinator Moses Lado, who has been involved with organising the new association for the past two years, said the team comprised members from all sections of the South Sudanese community.
“It ensures legitimacy of the organisation but also its ownership to all members of the South Sudanese community in Victoria,” he said.
The committee hopes to find a permanent community space where members of the South Sudanese community can come together.
For more information about how to join or to donate, visit www.sscav.org.au.
Sumeyya Ilanbey
