Community Ambassador Program

What is the Program?

The Community Ambassador Program aims to create formal connections with trusted leaders already established in their respective communities who can support and facilitate safe and inclusive two-way information sharing between CAHS and their community.

We would like to better understand how unique social factors influence how children, young people and families interact and engage with us, the barriers they may face and what they may find helpful in navigating our health service.  

Our Community Ambassadors are responsible for:

  • Advising on resources required based on their community’s unique needs and preferences.
  • Delivering information to their local community on behalf of CAHS.
  • Coordinating community members to attend consultations on CAHS matters and take the lead in facilitating these discussions, in partnership with CAHS staff members.
  • Taking part in the co-design of relevant resources to support community understanding and strengthen access to CAHS services.
  • Sharing and promoting CAHS service resources and information.

Our Community Ambassadors all have:

  • A current Working with Children Card.
  • Strong connections within their community, with identified channels of communication.
  • High motivation to make a difference to health services for children, young people and families in WA.
  • An interest in supporting CAHS to use the perspectives of their communities to guide service improvements.

For more information on the CAHS Community Ambassador Program, please contact the CAHS Consumer Engagement Team via CAHS.Consumers@health.wa.gov.au.

Our Community Ambassadors


   

Padmini Saxena

Country of birth: India
Communities represented: Indian, Australian
Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Punjabi

Padmini Saxena is an Indian-Australian educator with a Master’s in Political Science and Education. Having moved to Perth in 2005, she has spent the last 20 years teaching in public schools.

As a CAHS Community Ambassador, Padmini draws on her personal and professional experience to support migrant families, facilitate cultural awareness, and promote access to health services.

She has led initiatives such as Diwali celebrations, Hindi classes, and protective behaviours sessions, and has supported domestic violence victims through the Indian Society of Western Australia.

A former Cultural Ambassador with the City of Canning, she is passionate about inclusive education and health outcomes for children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and Aboriginal backgrounds.

 
 

Alia Abdi

Country of birth: New Zealand
Communities represented: Somali, People with Disability
Languages spoken: English, Somali

Alia Abdi is a passionate advocate for inclusive healthcare, representing people with disabilities and CALD backgrounds.

Born in New Zealand and living with cerebral palsy, Alia draws on personal experiences to inform her advocacy work.

She has been recognised with awards including South Metropolitan TAFE’s CALD Student of the Year (2021) and the 2024 Real Storytellers Festival award.

As a CAHS Community Ambassador, she champions equitable healthcare and accessible environments for all children and families, especially those facing systemic barriers.
 

 

Obang Girma Othow

Country of birth: Ethiopia
Communities represented: Anywaa/Anuak
Languages spoken: English, Anuak

Obang Girma Othow is the Secretary of the Anywaa Community in WA and a dedicated community leader. With experience as an interpreter, educator, and school chaplain, he has worked closely with newly arrived refugees and children.

As a CAHS Community Ambassador, Obang brings insight from personal experience navigating neonatal services for his preterm twins.

He also serves on the Multicultural Advisory Group at The Kids Research Institute, advocating for cultural safety and improved access for underrepresented families in child health services.

 
 

Elvie Yap

Country of birth: Malaysia
Communities represented: Chinese
Languages spoken: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, Malay

Elvie Yap has with over 20 years of experience supporting CALD communities through ethnic media and public services.

Originally from Malaysia, she is multilingual and holds a degree in Communications. Elvie has worked with local, state and federal governments, not-for-profits.

As founder of Culture Care WA, she has delivered over 80 community programs promoting health and cultural literacy.

As a CAHS Community Ambassador, Elvie is committed to bridging health access gaps for migrant families.

 
   

Phuoc Dai Vo

Country of birth:
Communities represented: Vietnamese
Languages spoken: English, Vietnamese

Phuoc Dai Vo, also known as “Vo,” is a Vietnamese community advocate and language teacher.

He works part-time in External Affairs with the Vietnamese Community in Australia (WA) and volunteers teaching Vietnamese to school-aged children.

Vo is passionate about supporting young people to thrive and finds fulfilment in empowering the next generation.

As a CAHS Community Ambassador, he is committed to connecting CALD families with health services and encouraging strong community engagement.

 
 

Zahra Rezaei

Country of birth: Afghanistan
Communities represented: Afghan/Hazara
Languages spoken: English, Hazaragi, Dari, Farsi

Zahra Rezaei is a Women’s Representative on the Hazara Community of WA board.

She organises youth and women’s programs focused on health literacy, social cohesion and child-friendly cultural events.

Working in a community pharmacy and as a CAHS Community Ambassador, Zahra advocates for inclusive and accessible healthcare for CALD families.

She is passionate about breaking down barriers and building understanding through culturally tailored health promotion.

 
 

Aline (Ali) Arruda

Country of birth: Brazil
Communities represented: Brazilian
Languages spoken: English, Italian, Portuguese

Aline Arruda is a Brazilian-born sustainability officer and library administrator at the Town of Cambridge.

With a background in law, early childhood education, and environmental education, Aline is deeply connected to her community.

She founded a Brazilian Cultural Centre and has led many multicultural events. As a mother of two, she has firsthand experience with CAHS services for her son who was born prematurely.

Through her role as Community Ambassador, she supports multicultural families to confidently access and navigate the health system.

 
   

Mai Hoang

Country of Birth: Vietnam
Communities represented: Vietnamese
Language spoken: English, Vietnamese

Mai Hoang is a Director Solicitor at Virtuoso Legal. She has a Master of Laws (Majoring in Family Dispute Resolution Practice) and is also a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.

In May 2022, she was one of three co-founders to officially establish the Vietnamese Women’s Association in WA (WAVNWA). The objectives of WAVNWA are to assist the settlement and harmonious integration of migrants, mainly Vietnamese women and their children, irrespective of age, religion, and ethnic background.

As a CAHS Community Ambassador, Mai Hoang would like to support the women and their young children in understanding and accessing the health care system. She is passionate about assisting women and young children experiencing domestic family violence and overcoming the impacts of separation.

 

Our Youth Ambassadors


   

Rachael Burns

Country of birth: Australia
Communities represented: Youth, Disability, Mental Health
Languages spoken: English

Rachael Burns is a 22-year-old Lived and Living Experience youth, disability and mental health advocate, creative, writer and beyond.

Based in Perth, she is interconnected within the mental health and disability communities. She is a member of the WA Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability, a Project Officer at Consumers of Mental Health WA, is the founder of Integrity Initiative and also collaborates with Youth Focus, YACWA, ARACY, Rich Mind WA, MIFWA, major research initiatives, numerous advisory groups and beyond.

As a CAHS Community Ambassador, Rachael aims to elevate youth voices and promote systems that are inclusive and accessible to all. She aims to emphasise the importance and value of Lived Experience and to strengthen the peer workforce in WA and Australia-wide.
 

 

Joshua Patrick

Country of birth: Australia
Communities represented: Youth
Languages spoken: English

Joshua Patrick is a 17-year-old carer and national advocate for young people affected by disability and complex health needs.

Inspired by his role supporting his sister, Joshua has delivered a TEDx talk, founded a sibling support network, and appeared in national media.

He participates in youth health advisory groups and regularly presents to schools and conferences.

As a CAHS Community Ambassador, Joshua is a powerful voice for youth mental health, young carers and youth navigating the healthcare system.

 

 Female head silhouette  

Elif Salis

Country of birth: Australia
Communities represented: Turkish, Muslim, LGBTIQA+, Disability
Languages spoken: English, Turkish

Elif Salis was born in Sydney and grew up in a multicultural community.

She is passionate about the early identification of autism, particularly in young girls, paving the way for timely intervention and ensuring they receive the support they need as soon as possible.

She proudly represents the Turkish and Muslim communities, as well as LGBTIQA+ individuals and people with disability.

 

Last Updated: 22/05/2025