ONDRU (Tamil; ஒன்று) n. one, equality; v. become one with. Ondru is a place where people & ideas come together; where diversity unites.

desh@ondru.org

“Ondru means one - the place where people and ideas come together and where diversity unites. It began with humble beginnings in a backyard with the ambition to use art as a language to connect and to amplify our five senses to provoke thought and evoke change. We were driven by the desire to create an equitable and humane society through the art of storytelling. Ondru may have been founded because of my own conflict over identity while being poised between a number of languages, cultural traditions and countries, but it continues to exist and grow ever so lively because it’s shared and shaped by many who come together as one to inspire positive social change; to provide a voice through art to many of our human conditions."

desh is a remnant of war. He was born in Sri Lanka and raised in both the war-torn Northern and Eastern provinces. At the age of thirteen, he fled to New Zealand with his family on humanitarian asylum. Continually suppressing his heart and accepting his head, he completed his Law degree at Victoria University in Wellington and a degree in Management Studies at the University of Waikato. He then sought an alternative path to answer many of his persistent questions by travelling at length on shoestring budgets through number of countries often by hitchhiking and working various jobs. His continuous journeys have further evoked his passion for expressive art and embarked him on the endless quest in search of identity. He endures on various projects and initiatives with his dedication to social justice and persistent quest to make the world a little bit more compassionate, connected and equitable.

desh's experience includes founding, developing, and leading a not-for-profit organisation to drive social change; leading and facilitating local and international community development projects; and conducting reconciliation and community development workshops using cultural and art-based practices. He has lectured at universities in community development and experiential leadership, consulted with startups and SMEs on organisational growth and strategy, and developed and delivered educational, social service, and economic initiatives for disadvantaged and socially excluded communities. His experience spans the non-profit sector, international development organisations, the university sector, corporate sector and government.

laila.sh@ondru.org

“Ondru’s core values and purpose are what initially drew me to the organisation in the first place. I have always been passionate about social justice and human rights. To be involved in such an organisation that shares these issues through art, in order to inspire change, is truly an extraordinary opportunity. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of such an amazing and dedicated team, and to be able to positively contribute in creating change, and help transform the world we live in today, into a more united and equitable society.”

As someone who is dedicated to pursuing social justice, and making a difference in the world, Laila has completed her double bachelor’s degree in Law (Honours) and Criminology, from Victoria University. She is now practising as a criminal defence lawyer. She is passionate about advocating for human rights and creating social change, and to one day, be able to advocate for such rights as a barrister.

Laila’s desire to create change stemmed from growing up with immigrant parents, who experienced their own discrimination while living in Australia due to their different ethnicities, religions, and cultures. Growing up in such an environment allowed Laila to obtain different perspectives of injustices and discrimination that people around the world face every day. This has resulted in Laila becoming committed to working towards achieving a more egalitarian and just society.

angela.shieh@ondru.org

"I joined Ondru because I was inspired by their distinctive approach of using art to give voice to the voiceless. Their artworks truly embody the idea that "there is only one race—our human race."

Angela Shieh has an immense passion for supporting and uplifting community members, constantly seeking new ways to give back. During her student life, she volunteered with organizations such as Red Cross, Guide Dog Victoria, Friends Under One Sun, and Australian Rotary Health. In April 2023, she embraced the opportunity to develop new skills and pursue her true passion—making new friends and fostering social connections. Since then, Angela has served as an Events Coordinator at Ondru and has progressed to the role of Co-Team Leader for the Events Team.

suhaas.kataria@ondru.org

"Art to inspire social change. A simple yet powerful vision that drew me to Ondru immediately. All art is inherently political and I strongly believe in its power to evoke change, resilience and strength. As a poet, avid lover of all art and Melbournian, I joined Ondru to support its beautiful vision and give back to my local community."

Suhaas Kataria's experience is multifaceted, with experience in technology, government, disability and construction. With a strong passion for art and community, he tries to actively participate in local community initiatives. Currently undertaking a Bachelor of Commerce and Engineering, he also holds a strong passion for mathematics and technology. He is dedicated to exploring how these fields can collaborate to create impactful, community-driven outcomes.

flora.ngo@ondru.org

"I appreciate that Ondru uses art as a means to express the human condition and inspire social change to injustice. By raising awareness of stories that are overlooked and giving people a platform to speak, I hope that we can encourage everyone to be understanding, compassionate and respectful of others."

Flora is passionate about art and design that evokes thought, whether it is by critiquing the state of the world or using it as a means to self-express and heal. Having contemplated a career in the legal field and been sent to art school at a young age, her need to stay creative whilst making a positive impact on the people and planet has led her to Ondru. As a designer, she enjoys working holistically and across disciplines, yet thrives with a range of media from print to screen. She is committed to fostering inclusivity and accessibility in design to uplift and support the community. Flora holds an Associate Degree in Interior Decoration and Design and a Bachelor of Design in Digital Media. She is currently freelancing as a digital designer.

praise.morris@ondru.com

"I joined Ondru because I'm driven by the desire to bridge the gap between advocacy and tangible policy reform. Every step towards social justice is a step towards a better”.

Praise Morris has a strong background in policy analysis and community work, having pursued double majors in anthropology, politics, and policy studies. She has extensive experience in government and political campaigns, developing policies to increase women's participation in politics and working with local political parties as a campaign manager. Her work has expanded to Malaysia where she worked with a social enterprise creating impact reports and sustainability policies.

fatima.munawar@ondru.org

"The reason I joined Ondru was because of the previous humanitarian work that they had done with different communities and the powerful use of art to uplift different underprivileged groups. I was especially interested in exploring the complex legal considerations behind the work that Ondru does."

Fatima Munawar is deeply interested in assisting other people, particularly people from underprivileged communities, through the use of the law. She also has a profound personal interest in the arts and, particularly, how art can help heal people. She has previous legal experience dealing with different clients complex legal matters in a variety of legal practice areas. Fatima hopes to one day open her own law firm where she can provide legal services to the people who need it the most within family law. She currently works as a Paralegal at a law firm that predominantly practices Family and Criminal Law. Fatima holds an LLB Law Hons degree from Middlesex University Dubai and is on the path to completing her PLT at Leo Cussen Centre for Law.

mihir.kakar@ondru.org

"I joined Ondru because it presented an incredible opportunity to align my legal skills with a social cause that resonates deeply with my beliefs. The organization's mission to unite people and ideas, fostering equality and understanding, perfectly aligns with my own commitment to using the law as a force for positive change."

Mihir Kakar’s legal practice is rooted in commercial and corporate law, with a particular focus on data privacy and compliance. His experience includes managing complex legal disputes, drafting and negotiating contracts, and conducting in-depth legal research. He has previously served as a Paralegal at Wiselaw and as a Legal Officer at Ondru, where he not only applied his legal expertise but also contributed to initiatives that championed social justice and community empowerment. Currently pursuing an LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law at Monash University, he is passionate about leveraging his legal knowledge to support diverse communities and promote equality in all facets of society.

justin.jonesli@ondru.org

"We all navigate the world through the stories we're told. And so we change the world by telling our stories. That's why I joined Ondru."

Justin Jones Li is Ondru's Board Liaison and leads the Executive Coordination Team. Previously, the inaugural team leader for the Policy and Compliance Team. Outside of Ondru, he is an Assistant Director at the Commonwealth Treasury. One of his notable artistic achievements was voicing Ricardo in the audio drama Love and Luck. Justin holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Laws from Monash University.

maneesha.wickramaarachchi@ondru.org

"The experiences of my family, friends, and the people around me have inspired me to take more time to listen to stories that too often go unheard. Experiences of discrimination and prejudice are unfortunately seen as necessary trials in life and the stories of those who have persevered these injustices are often overlooked and unacknowledged. I believe in the power of storytelling and its ability to evoke compassion and understanding in those around us. By listening and sharing our stories, we are better equipped to notice and prevent these injustices and work towards a more accepting and empathetic world."

Maneesha has a deep passion for the arts in all its forms. Coming from an immigrant background, she has grappled with her own identity—an experience common to many migrants around the world—and seeks to articulate her emotions through various creative mediums. Maneesha holds a master’s degree in International Relations, with a focus on migrant experiences and their intersections with gender, society, and the environment.

yos.tampi@ondru.org

”A day spent without a new story heard is a day wasted. I was drawn by Ondru’s capability to amplify and discover untold stories throughout the world through art. As a passionate storyteller, I am excited to empower Ondru’s, by highlighting the voices and stories we may never hear, through the cacophony of noise in our society.”

Yos brings 8 years worth of experience in marketing and communications strategy to Ondru, from both the tech and finance sector. Though Indonesian by birth, Yos had a multicultural upbringing, growing-up in several places around the world. Yos hopes to utilize his unique perspective on culture and society, to empower and amplify Ondru’s voice throughout the world. Yos is currently managing product marketing and campaigns at Pronto Software and holds a bachelors degree in economics from Boston University, and two Masters degrees from Monash University for both global business, and strategic communications management.

akshita@ondru.org

"I believe in the transformative power of design to create connections and drive social change. The organisation’s commitment to using creativity as a tool for community engagement truly resonates with me, and I am excited to be part of a team that values making a positive impact through art. As a designer, I focus on creating inclusive and accessible designs that tell meaningful stories. I am passionate about elevating diverse voices and experiences within the community through my work."

At ONDRU, I aim to leverage my skills in social media and visual storytelling to support our mission of uplifting others and fostering resilience. I believe that together, we can create powerful narratives that inspire and empower our communities to thrive.

matisse.montague@ondru.org

nima.farahmand@ondru.org

“I joined ONDRU to be part of an opportunity to amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard. I believe that art plays a crucial role in shaping culture and that society thrives when we learn and draw inspiration from one another. I’m excited to support the incredible team at ONDRU through my own IT experience and make a positive impact.”

Nima Farahmandpour is an experienced IT professional with a strong background in consulting, IT support, cybersecurity and business development. Currently studying at RMIT and pursuing a Bachelor of Computer Science with a major in Cybersecurity, he leverages technology with an emphasis on privacy and security. As a volunteer Operational Firefighter and IT Officer in the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Nima brings exceptional teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills to ONDRU. At ONDRU, he is excited to utilise his technical expertise to streamline operations and enhance the organisation's impact and ability to reach more people in more places.

sayali.prasade@ondru.org

“I joined Ondru because I’m deeply inspired by its noble mission. The use of art to drive social change and bring to light stories that have been overlooked resonates with me. It motivates me to contribute to Ondru’s admirable goal of making its vision of harmony a reality.”

Sayali is a Chartered Accountant from India with over six years of experience in accounting and finance abroad. She relocated to Melbourne in 2023 and has been an active member of Ondru’s finance team since October 2023. In addition to her professional role, Sayali has a strong passion for art, with hobbies that include painting, poetry, Indian classical dance (Kathak), and reading. Her enthusiasm for art drives her not only to manage accounts but also to actively contribute to Ondru’s overall projects.

“Art reminds us of our shared humanity. It has the power to showcase the lens in which others experience the world. With hopes to foster relatability, a sense of compassion and justice for individuals who have been displaced and marginalised by systemic structures, I believe Ondru is doing just that."

Born in the Philippines, lived in Saudi Arabia, and now based in Melbourne, her multicultural journey has shaped her unique perspective. Marian’s experience span multiple industries including health care, tech and performing arts. She has worked in one of Melbourne’s leading emergency departments as a registered nurse, eventually making a career transition into account management where she applies a client centred approach to website development. Beyond her professional achievements, Marian’s early immersion in the performing arts as a competitive dancer has profoundly shaped her creative outlook. The combination of her experiences fuel her appreciation for art as a powerful medium for connection and expression.

faith.kerehona@ondru.org

“I joined Ondru because the practice of art holds a responsibility towards giving voice to others, uplifting others in our communities, and building community resilience and strength. Ondru holds an ethos of the power and function of art to create change in the world."

Faith Kerehona’s practice is centred towards exploring the impact and methods of community development and visual arts practice. She has had previous experience coordinating and leading community-oriented public art projects which engage diverse communities in co-creation projects. She is passionate about art which is owned, situated in, and generated by communities. She is currently employed as an Advocate at Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities where she supports clients from ethnic backgrounds with disability access essential services. Faith has completed a BA of Sociology and a BA of Visual Arts at the Australian National University.

“I joined Ondru because I believe in the power art can have in amplifying the voices of those in marginalised communities and creating conversations about our current society. Art acts as a universal platform that can succeed in delivering powerful messages without the barrier of language.”

Charlotte is a passionate creative that has recently earned a Bachelor of Communication Design from Billy Blue College of Design. She holds a deep appreciation for various art forms and desires to infuse those inspirations into her own illustrations and designs. She constantly aims to inspire social change through her work and create a positive impact in the world through creativity.

"Ondru's commitment to giving voice to the subtleties of the human experience and shedding light on often overlooked issues deeply resonates with me. Few experiences are as moving as witnessing the most vulnerable members of our community find their voice and express their truth through the power of art. Being able to offer a platform for their voices to be heard is a true gift."

Tharushi is deeply passionate about exploring the intricacies of the human experience and how they can be translated into art. She has a keen interest in understanding the world from diverse perspectives. Tharushi aspires to leverage her knowledge and skills to advance Ondru's mission of illuminating the experiences of people from all backgrounds through the power of art.

alex.chambers@ondru.org

"I joined Ondru because I felt like it was an organisation where my efforts and expertise would really make a difference. I feel this way even more since I've started my work as a Policy Writer, and I'm really excited about helping develop Ondru's bold strategy for 2024 and beyond."

Alex Chambers is an experienced editor, who has worked for almost 10 years in educational publishing. He has completed a Master's in Publishing and Communications, a Diploma in Modern Languages (Spanish), a Postgraduate Diploma in Editing and Communications and a Bachelor of Arts. He strongly believes in the power of art to provide a voice for disadvantaged groups. In his spare time he loves reading, creative writing and long-distance running.

chancy.quan@ondru.org

"I became a part of Ondru because I deeply believe in the importance of giving a voice to marginalised groups. I’m passionate about using art to create meaningful connections within local communities and to amplify their stories."

Chancy Quan is pursuing her postgraduate degree in International Journalism at the University of Melbourne, with graduation set for December 2024. She is passionate about social justice and cultural diversity, having volunteered with various arts and cultural organizations, including ACMI and several festivals.