OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM
President: Mr Brian White
Brian has committee experience in a number of Buddhist organisations and is currently the Assistant Buddhist Chaplain at the University of Technology Sydney. He has taught the Buddhist scripture class at North Sydney Girls High and continues to lead Dharma discussions for several university Buddhist societies. Brian assisted in the establishment of the then Mitra Buddhist Youth Network. Since completing the Company Director’s course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors, he has used this expertise on two not-for-profit boards, including another peak body similar to the Buddhist Council.
Vice-President External: Mr Steve Benton
Steve has been actively involved in the practice & study of Vajrayana Buddhism for years. He has been a Special Advisor to, and in 2007/08, a Director of the Dalai Lama in Australia Limited which is charged by the Tibet Information Office (TIO), official Representative of His Holiness - the 14th Dalai Lama and Tibetan Government (in Exile) to facilitate his visits to Australia in 2007, 2008, 2009 and again in 2010. In December 2009, His Holiness personally appointed him a Special Advisor to the TIO as Representative to His Office. Steve is a veteran in the Risk, Corporate Governance & Forensics arenas: he is a Member of the Aust Inst of Company Directors, Aust Compliance Inst, Inst of Public Admin, Risk Management Inst, Inst of Chartered Accountants - Forensic Special Interest Group and NSW Justices.
Vice-President Internal: Ms Molly Lim
Molly has been involved in Buddhist activities for many years starting with the Buddhist Library in its early years. From there she has worked closely with the Association of Engaged Buddhist and is involved in various other charitable works both in
Secretary: Ms Sujata Lim
Sujata, or Su, has combined an extensive career in corporate communications and professional training with active involvement in large-scale charitable fundraising. For many years she volunteered as the editor and public relations coordinator for a humanitarian foundation in Thailand which helps the poor. Throughout the years she has given her skills and time to the editing and publication of many Buddhist magazines and books.
Treasurer: Mr Tissa Mohotti
Tissa is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and also has a Masters of Business Administration. He is presently appointed as an Accounting Manager at Engineers Australia, the national peak body for professional engineers. Tissa was appointed an Independent Auditor for the Australian Buddhist Mission from 1989 to 1992, and consequently was elected its Treasurer 1993 to 1995. He has since held that position since 1997.
Board Director: Dr. Lawrence Ong
Lawrence Ong is a medical practitioner and psychology graduate currently practising in the public hospital system. He was president in 2001 and Dharma Officer in 2002 of Unibodhi, Sydney University. The plight of University Buddhist groups was an important issue which drove him to found Mitra Youth Buddhist Network. Whilst with Mitra, he also convened the second of the Mitra Youth Buddhist Conferences. Lawrence is currently involved in the Metta Portal project, which will bring together the Buddhist community online.
Board Director: Mr Ranmal Samarawickrama
Chaplaincy Coordinator: Mr Gabriel McGowan
Gabriel is a Chartered Engineer who has worked in Rail engineering for the past 8 years in the UK and New Zealand, having recently moved to Sydney from London with his wife to work. He has experience volunteering in the UK for Lyndons Arts Trust, a charity specialising in art projects for London youth centres and has done voluntary teaching for an inner city supplementary school. Gabriel has been a practicing Buddhist for the past 15 years.
Education Coordinator: Ms Roselin Nusantara
Roselin obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), graduating in 2000. She was involved with the establishment of the UTS Buddhist Meditation Society in 1999 in the role of Secretary. Post university Roselin maintained contact with the university Buddhist societies including participating in the annual Maitri Night performance organised by the Buddhist Society at Sydney University. She has been a committee member of the MITRA Youth Buddhist Network and in 2003, its Treasurer. She was the Marketing Manager for the 2005 Annual MITRA Conference and Co-Convenor in 2006.
VACANCIES (please contact us if you are interested!!)
Resources Coordinator
Office Manager
Admin Coordinator
Events Coordinator
Chaplaincy Coordination Assistant
Marketing/Public Relations Coordinator
Member Services Coordinator
Fundraising Coordinator