A Traveller is the person who will be finding storytellers and guest speakers who are willing to be interviewed. The Traveller records the interview, obtains informed consent for recording and publication from the storytellers and guest speakers, submits the recording for quality checking, and helps the National Team to promote the Speak My Language program and the interviews, particularly (but not only) using social media. Some Travellers may be selected to develop and broadcast content on community radio.
Galia migrated to Australia from Syria in 2012. She is a strong advocate for human rights, and enjoys supporting individuals from all backgrounds. She completed her first Degree in Arts with a double major in Sociology, and Politics and Policy (University of Tasmania) and is now working towards a Bachelor of Law (La Trobe University). She has worked in the community sector for many years, for organisations like the Australian Red Cross, Migrant Resource Center (TAS), interpreting agencies and local government. In 2017, Galia founded the Welcome Dinner, an event that supports and welcomes new arrivals to Tasmania. She is the recipient of the Tasmanian Human Rights Youth Award (2017) and has won the Australian Housing Institute Awards - Tenant Led Initiative Award (2019). She has enjoyed meeting people through the Speak My Language podcast series, using the platform to share their stories. Outside of work, she enjoys sport and learning new skills, which have recently included ice-skating, dancing and swimming. Galia's role with Speak My Language was with the Multicultural Council of TAS.
Joy is a 42 year old Kenyan born woman with 3 children. She came to Australia as a student in 2005. She holds two degrees in Law obtained in India, a French proficiency certification, an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality and Event Management from TAFE, a Cert IV in Human Resources, as well as a Diploma in Community Services. She is currently studying a Diploma in Mental Health.
Joy has a passion for the recognition of Human Rights, equality and inclusion. This passion stems from her 8 years' lived experience of mental health issues, and her experiences within service provision. Joy is driven to employ her skills and knowledge to advocate for her community to address stigma and to educate service providers and the community to challenge attitudes and beliefs around disability.
Joy is a member of The African Women's Group Sydney, the Multicultural Women's Mental Health Panel, the Board of Central Coast ARAFMI, the Central Coast Council Disability Inclusion Access Reference Group, Central Coast Community Council, and a committee member of "Happiness habits" as a CALD and Mental Health representative. She also volunteers with the Red Cross and the Central Coast Environmental Council. She has also recently been appointed as the NSW Mental Health Foundation of Australia Mental Health Ambassador leader 2021/22.
Joy's role as Speak My Language Traveller was with the Ethnic Communities' Council of NSW.
Sudina Ghimire migrated to Australia from Nepal. She has experience working in the aged care and disability sector as a Support Worker. Outside of work, Sudina volunteers with the Migrant Resource Centre and Australian Red Cross Society. She is motivated by her love of learning about other people's cultures, and this has built her connections across different multicultural communities in Tasmania. Sudina's role with Speak My Language was with the Multicultural Council of TAS.