Mark Hodges – Member for Castle Hill
I am very pleased to announce the Local Woman of the Year for the Castle Hill Electorate.
Melissa Monteiro was born in Mumbai, India and grew up in a working-class suburb. She has a Bachelor and Master’s in social work and in 2000 migrated to Australia with her husband.
For the past 24 years, she has managed the Community Migrant Resources Centre (CMRC), a not-for-profit community organisation, providing settlement services to Refugees and Humanitarian entrants in Western Sydney. Melissa is currently involved in empowering refugee and migrant communities settling in Australia.
She exhibits great passion for the needs of migrant and refugee women, humanitarian resettlement, and social justice issues. Through her role as the CEO of CMRC, she has made a significant and long-lasting positive impact on the lives of thousands of immigrants and refugees.
Melissa is also a published author, having published her book ‘A Migrant Story: The Girl from Mumbai’ in 2021. She values deeply the dignity and worth of every person, compassion, respect, the right of self-determination, empathy, tolerance, and active listening.
I believe Melissa exemplifies these values, and all in all, is an exceptional member of the community, highly worthy of being awarded Local Woman of the Year.
