Bruna Pasqua

Bruna Pasqua has demonstrated a commitment to helping non-English speaking communities and advocating for the disadvantaged.

Inducted:
2007
Category:
Honour Roll

"My parents set an example that you should help anybody you can." And with her parents as her inspiration, Bruna Pasqua has contributed much to helping others and creating a community that cares for all members of society.

As an Italian migrant, she has naturally been drawn to helping the Italian community and was a foundation member of the Association of Italian-Australian Women. Bruna has been vice president of CO.AS.IT - an Italian assistance agency - for more than a decade and involved for several years with the Assisi Italian Aged Care Centre. But for more than 20 years her volunteer community work has extended to other non-English speaking community groups particularly advocating for those who are disadvantaged - women, migrant and refugee children and senior citizens.

"I'm interested in everybody getting a fair go, irrespective of who they are or where they come from, or what ideology they follow," Bruna said.

Bruna has been secretary of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) for more than 12 years and was the woman deputy chair of the national body, the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA). She also is currently involved with the Victorian School of Languages, where she was president for 13 years. Bruna is a federal public servant and has trained as a social worker and teacher.

She says she's committed to developing relationships between ethnic communities throughout Victoria, as well as linking in with the broader Victorian and Australian communities. "I'm interested in connecting with people and making them feel like they belong and are an important part of the community in which they live," Bruna said. "It has been my experience that individuals working together can make good things happen for their community."

Bruna is particularly proud of her past involvement on the Ministerial Advisory Council for Languages other than English, Kara House Migrant Women's Refuge and FKA Children's Services Incorporated.

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