Changing Perceptions

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Dushy Thangiah migrated to Australia over 35 years ago from her home country Sri Lanka. Dushy completed her education in Sri Lanka and qualified as a management accountant from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (London). She holds a graduate certificate in Housing Management and policy from Swinburne University (Melbourne) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has held a diverse range of senior corporate accounting roles both in Sri Lanka and in Australia. Dushy has now worked in the community housing and community services sector for over 28 years and is a highly regarded advocate for vulnerable people, particularly First Nations people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

In 1995 Dushy joined Yumba-Meta Ltd, a proudly Indigenous controlled not for profit registered charity which prides itself on the quality of its service delivery to some of the most vulnerable people in our community, with its core purpose of providing dignity to all clients engaged in the services, ensuring their human rights are protected and upheld.  Through the assistance received, many clients have gone on to successfully sustaining tenancies, improve their health, managing addiction issues and gaining employment.

Under Dushy’s leadership YML grew from being a housing provider managing 33 properties to a multi functioning organisation that now manages 203 tenancies and 17 support programs employing over 90 staff. The organisation has experienced substantial growth both in revenue and equity. 

Yumba-Meta’s unique service delivery model has been endorsed by many National awards.

When it comes to advocating for the community’s most disadvantaged groups, Dushy’s vision and guidance has community welfare at heart, and her ongoing contribution to the region speaks for itself. Her active volunteering efforts through a range of organisations in her area are a testament to her commitment to community welfare.

Her suite of achievements and commitments have been recognised through numerous awards:

• 2019 Australian winner of the Telstra Businesswomen’s awards for purpose and social enterprise.
• 2021 Awarded AMA (Australian Medical Association) Queensland Excellence in Health care Medal.
• 2022 Australian Winner of the Australasian Housing Institute Executive Excellence award.
• 2023 Order of Australia Medal in recognition for services to the community through social welfare organisations.

Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve. Martin Luther King

Dushy’s story is an excellent example of how Sri Lankan diaspora make rich contributions to Australia’s vibrant multicultural society.