Our people

Meet our staff

Charmaine Bennett - General Manager

Having made the significant move from South Africa to Gladstone in 2014, Charmaine Bennett brings with her over 28 years of experience spanning the corporate, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Throughout her career, Charmaine had the privilege of collaborating with individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds, enriching her understanding of global perspectives. Personally acquainted with the challenges of transitioning, Charmaine joined Integreat Queensland with a clear purpose: to streamline the integration journey for the multicultural community in Central Queensland. Charmaine’s mission is to assist individuals in settlement, fostering friendships, facilitating skill and cultural exchanges, and nurturing meaningful relationships through the platform of Integreat Queensland. Through these endeavours, she aspires to make a tangible difference in the lives of those she serves.

Esther Arzolay Martinez - Programs Facilitator (Gladstone)

Originally from Venezuela, Esther migrated to Australia in 2011 and has a Bachelor of Systems Engineering. With 15 years’ experience as a Councillor, Esther’s passion for community work as a volunteer began when she moved to Gladstone in 2014 and worked in aged care, early childhood education, and administration support. Esther began working for Integreat Queensland in 2020, where she now coordinates Resilient Relationships programs and playgroups as part of our Healthy Communities initiative.

Joyce Recco Forni- Little Steps Multicultral Playgroup Facilitator (Rockhampton)

Originally from Brazil, Joyce arrived in Australia in May 2023. In her homeland, she holds a diploma in Education, a bachelor’s degree in Education, and a degree in Visual Arts. Additionally, she possesses postgraduate qualifications in Early Childhood Education, Artistic Languages, Educational Practices, and Literacy and Literacy Practices. Currently, she is undertaking studies for a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education here in Australia. With 20 years of experience as an Early Childhood Education Teacher and Primary School Teacher, she has also served in management roles as a Pedagogical Coordinator and in training Basic Education teachers. Within the educational sphere, she employs active methodologies, project-based teaching, hybrid teaching, among other innovative approaches. Passionate about the educational field, arts, literature, and nature, Joyce believes that education is the basis for transformations in society. Joyce commenced her role as a Childcare Facilitator at Integreat Queensland in October 2023.

Kristy Niemand - Programs Coordinator (Gladstone)

Originally from South Africa, Kristy Niemand embarked on a transformative journey in 2019 when she, along with her family, decided to make Gladstone, Australia their new home. Since then, they have embraced their adopted community, inspiring Kristy’s passion to spreading kindness and support. With a versatile background encompassing hospitality, administration, events, and program coordination, she approaches her role as Programs coordinator with enthusiasm. Kristy is eager to leverage her expertise to enhance Integreat Queensland’s programs, firmly believing in the collective power to drive positive change within the community.

Mirjam Kleine - Programs Facilitator (Rockhampton)

Mirjam Kleine is a dynamic Training and Development Specialist hailing from the Netherlands, in 2023, she joined Integreat Queensland as a Programs Facilitator based in Rockhampton. Mirjam brings with her a wealth of experience in designing and implementing training initiatives tailored to students of various cultural backgrounds. Mirjam’s passion lies in enhancing the well-being and opportunities of the multicultural community.

Rania Elgendy - Little Steps Facilitator (Gladstone)

Rania Elgendy, the Gladstone Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup Facilitator, embodies the spirit of resilience and cultural diversity. Hailing from Egypt, Rania immigrated to Australia with her family in 2015, bringing with her a wealth of experience as a quality control engineer in the oil and gas industry for over a decade. Rania’s journey with Integreat Queensland began through volunteering, where she not only contributed her time but also completed her Cert 3 in Individual Support and the Get Work Ready Program for Migrant Women. Passionate about children, crafts, and fostering connections, Rania currently serves as a teacher’s aide at Rosella Park School, specialising in special education. Actively engaged in transformative work with children, she also facilitates the Little Steps playgroup in gladstone. Rania’s commitment to making a positive impact shine through her multifaceted contributions to education, community, and the Little Steps program.

Rasha Alhabbal - Finance Officer (Gladstone)

Upon relocating to Gladstone with her husband and daughter in 2018, Rasha Alhabbal embraced her affinity for numbers. Rasha holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Damascus University and with 13 years’ experience gained in both Syria and Abu Dhabi, Rasha’s expertise in financial matters is extensive. Her journey with Integreat Queensland began in 2019 as a dedicated volunteer, eventually leading her to assume the role of Finance Officer in 2021.

Rikki Razon - Design and Communications Support Officer (Gladstone)

In 2016, Rikki migrated to Australia with his family and has been living in Gladstone ever since. With an avid interest in graphic design, photography, and video filming/editing, Rikki originally came to Integreat Queensland as a volunteer to enhance his computer skills and also meet new people and gain confidence speaking English. In 2018, Rikki started employment at Integreat Queensland and in 2021 he gained a Diploma of Digital Media with CQUniversity.

Roshni Rajan - Administration Assistant (Gladstone)

Originally from India, Roshni made the transition to Australia in 2014 from New Caledonia. Her dedication to community service led her to volunteer at Integreat Queensland, eventually securing a permanent part time position as administration assistant. Armed with a master’s degree in Tourism Administration, Roshni brings a wealth of experience from diverse fields including hospitality, sales, and education.

Samantha Codrington - Administration Coordinator and Little Steps Facilitator (Gladstone)

Sam started working at Integreat QLD in January 2022, after moving to Gladstone from Adelaide, where she studied Bachelor of Clinical Nutrition for 4 years. She provides program support and training for various initiatives at Integreat Queensland, including Learning for the Future, Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup, Micro Food Business, Moving Feast Food van, and IntegreatQLD’s Pop-Up Restaurant.

Samantha finds it rewarding to work in the community sector and contribute to changing people’s lives for the better. She has seen firsthand how these programs can make a huge impact on whether people choose to stay in the region or not. She has lived in Gladstone for over five years, has purchased a home, and feels truly settled in the amazing community.

Meet our Board

President: Vosawale Tamani

Vosawale is an experienced leader with a profound expertise in steering large-scale initiatives across multinational landscapes. Her career, spanning over two decades, has been dedicated to advancing corporate sustainability, financial inclusion, marketing, and communications throughout the Asia Pacific region. As the current Head of Corporate Affairs for the Pacific region at ANZ, Vosawale has notably broadened her scope of influence, encompassing strategic planning, leadership, educational partnerships, corporate communications, and the conception and implementation of ground-breaking programs. Her work, impacting 23 countries, is characterized by her ability to forge collaborative partnerships, influence outcomes by executing innovative strategies, and driving educational collaboration. Her professional journey is marked by her substantial experience, demonstrable leadership that has consistently yielded significant outcomes, and an unwavering commitment to community development.

Her vision is focused on capacity building within the region, supporting the strategic objectives and expansion of Integreat Queensland.

Vice President: Chantale Lane

Chantale Lane is a seasoned professional employed as Stakeholder Relations, Social Investment, and Performance, Community Development, with ConocoPhillips.

With a focus on stakeholder relations across industry, government, and community sectors, Chantale leads social investment and performance initiatives aimed at fostering positive impacts and supporting sustainable communities.

Her unwavering commitment to the betterment of the Gladstone region is palpable through her dedication to supporting community endeavours.

With a passion for creating lasting change and fostering meaningful relationships, Chantale plays a pivotal role in driving positive outcomes for the region.

Treasurer: Zahid Anwer

Zahid is a Commercial Analyst and Management Accountant with extensive experience in commercial feasibility analysis, forecasting, financial modelling, stakeholder management, and the implementation of strategic corporate strategies. In his current role as Management Accountant for QNP Queensland, Zahid is responsible for setting parameters, delivering and managing budgets, forecasting, and strategic planning. Zahid is a CPA Australia member and the founder of Cloud Intellect – a business that develops and distributes cloud-connected integrated hardware to help business owners make sense of their business, increasing profitability and overall business efficiency.