Our People

Erica Hendrawan was born into the rich heritage of Taoism and Mahayana Buddhism. Her qualification as a CPA has led her to work in an operational and management capacity in professional services.She has applied her skill and dedication, extending her commitment to various social and non-profit organisations. Erica is closely aligned with Rainbodhi and Theravada sanghas. She seeks to harmoniously blend business acumen with a compassionate ethos inspired by Buddhist Theravada teachings.

Sourina Simmalavong, founder of Lao Dhamma School and is especially interested in instilling Buddhist values in children. She has leveraged her legal background to actively contribute to Lao community development in NSW. As a long-serving volunteer director for the Lao Community Advancement (NSW) Co-Operative Ltd and a member of the Lao Buddhist Society of NSW Inc., she champions community development, advocacy, youth, women, and cross-cultural issues.

Sherene Tan, nurtured in a Buddhist family, integrates both Theravada and Mahayana influences. From childhood visits to the Thai Buddhist temple with her paternal grandmother to active involvement at Brickfields Sri Lankan Temple, Sherene’s religious journey spans generations. professionally, she combines financial acumen as a Fellow of CPA Australia and former hotel general manager, contributing her financial and management skills.

Shienny Liauw was brought up in a family who follow the distinct Chinese Indonesian Buddhist tradition which amalgamates Taoist, Mahayana and Theravada teachings. She has practised Buddhism much of her life. As a Buddhist Council Board members she has the opportunity to give back to the very organisation that facilitated the formation of Indonesian Buddhist Society of NSW, her first connection to the Indonesian community in Australia. She is particularly drawn to one of the Council’s aims which is to promote the interests and ideals of Buddhism amongst the community at large. Shienny’s professional background is IT service delivery and office operation in not-for-profit and banking sectors.

Tonto Kaewsatuan, a digital marketing professional, focuses on acquisition and performance at Torrens University. With experience developing digital strategies and planning expertise to drive student enrolments, he supports the Council’s IT and social media needs.Tonto was formerly associated with the Macquarie University Buddhist Society – MacBuddhi.

Gawaine Powell Davies became interested in Buddhism at the age of thirteen, after picking up Christmas Humphrey’s book Buddhism at an airport book stall. After years of delving into Eastern philosophy he became a practising Buddhist in the early 1990s and now attends Kookaburra Sangha, and Insight/secular Buddhist sangha in the Inner West. Working with the Buddhist Council has opened his eyes to the strength and variety of the Buddhist community in NSW. Gawaine’s professional background is in health promotion and primary health care research.

Glenn Sloan has been a devoted Buddhist for over 30 years. He aligns with the teachings of the Tibetan Kagyu lineage which he actively promotes as secretary of Amitabha Foundation Australia He served as general manager of the Buddhist Council in 2016-2017 and has voluntarily resumed the role, contributing to the Council’s strategic vision and ongoing management. He trained as a Special Religious Education teacher and also serves as a volunteer hospital chaplain. Glenn ran his own consultancy firm specialising in organisation management, design, process automation and custom software.

Heather is an ordained interfaith interspiritual minister. She ordained in New York in 2009, and took refuge in Buddhism in 2007. She is also Buddhist chaplain and coordinating chaplain at Canterbury Hospital. Her inspiration is interfaith dialogue to promote peace and harmony. She has been a leader in presenting the annual International Interfaith Prayers for Peace for Canterbury/Bankstown Council. She has served on the Multicultural NSW faith affairs committee, representing the Buddhist Council for some years. Heather completed the Foundational Unit of CPE (400-hours) and is an accredited disaster recovery chaplain. She works as a spiritual counsellor mainly around palliative care, death and dying.