Nic Manikis PSM – Chairperson: Nic Manikis served as a Senior Manager in the Commonwealth Government from 1980 to 1984 and as a Senior Executive in social policy and community affairs roles in the ACT Government from 1985 to 2016.
In 1998, Nic received the Public Service Medal in the Australia Day Honors List in recognition of his then years of service and dedication to government and community. In 2000 Nic was awarded the Centenary Medal.
In November 2016, Nic retired from government service after a distinguished career of almost 40 years serving the community. Over the years, Nic worked with many local community groups to develop and provide programs, resources, and services to those most disadvantaged and vulnerable in our community.
Nic is currently and ex-officio executive member of Fair Canberra Inc, and Chair of the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services Australia. He is active in the private sector and continues his work supporting local community groups on a voluntary basis.
Toa Takiari – Deputy Chair: Toa Takiari has had long and successful business and voluntary community development careers in the ACT since the 1960s, with extended periods back in Tonga and New Zealand. Toa was educated as a professional hairdresser and established and managed many businesses in Canberra, training promising young hair stylists along the way.
Over the years, Toa applied her ‘can do’ attitude to advancing the interests of many vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the Pacific Island communities in Canberra opening opportunities for them to learn new skills and to learn more about their culture.
Toa was instruments in forming The United Nesian Movement as a platform for Pacific Islander young people to learn about and showcase their culture. She has assisted these young people to promote their culture through her program on Radio 2XX and, for several years, she also coordinated the Pacific Island Showcase as part of the National Multicultural Festival. Toa also founded the Niu Oceanic Cultural Centre based at the ANU and organized the Pacific Cultural Youth Day in 2017.
Toa, as Vice President of Fair Canberra Inc, is a hardworking, dedicated, and strong community advocate for young Canberrans of Pacific Island background.
Nim Osborne – Treasurer: Nim Osborne has been a hard-working community advocate for many years. She has served on several community organisations that advance the interests of culturally and linguistically diverse members of the Canberra community.
Since 1997, Nim has had a keen interest in ethnic community radio broadcasting and has contributed on a voluntary basis to several local broadcasting stations in Canberra over the years including being a community radio broadcaster on CMS, 2XX and Queanbeyan & Valley FM. Nim is currently the President of Valley FM 89.5 Community Radio.
Nim has also supported members of the local Thai community and has encouraged them to participate in Canberra’s community life. She has been the President of the Thai Media and Cultural of Canberra Association for the past 15 years. Nim has provided Thai cultural performances to the National Multicultural Festival during this time. She has also contributed to the success of the festival through her voluntary work as an organizer, MC, and mentor to new volunteers since 1997. More recently, Nim has been a member of the Festival Assessment Panel which assesses grants for community groups wishing to participate in the festival.
Some examples of Nim’s community representation work over the years include: a member of the ACT Victims Advisory Board; currently the Treasurer of the Migrant & Refugee Settlement Services Australia; and currently the Treasurer of Fair Canberra Inc.
Nim brings a wealth of experience gained in both the local community and private sectors to the work of Fair Canberra Inc and for this reason is a valuable member of the executive committee.
Borhan Ahmed – Public Officer: Since 2014/15-2023, Borhan has served as a sitting Board Member of MARSS Australia Inc, including serving in the Public Officer, Vice Chair, a/g Chair and Chair roles. In these various positions, Borhan diligently facilitated or supported MARSS’s leading role in effectively delivering its core settlement and related services and programs for migrants, refugees, humanitarian entrants, asylum seekers and other disadvantaged groups in the ACT and its surrounding regions. Borhan is currently the Public Officer of MARSS’.
Kofi Osei Bonsu – Member: Kofi Osei Bonsu is a very down to earth, community-oriented person with a deep concern for the wellbeing of Canberra’s multicultural community. He has been in Canberra for the past ten years after migrating from Europe and is a member of many community organisations. Kofi is a leader, good listener, empathetic, proactive, and very passionate about community work.
Kofi believes in driving change and fostering a sense of togetherness and unity and loves volunteering for worthy causes and being a voice for the multicultural community.
Kofi, as Secretary of Fair Canberra Inc, brings a common sense and empathetic approach to the concerns and interests of our members and this makes him a valuable member of the executive committee of Fair Canberra Inc.
Isaac Cotter – Member
Gio Cano – Member
Dr Sunita Dhindsa OAM – Member
Syed A. As-Sayeed – Member