Committee | Buddhist Council of Victoria

Committee Members

Welcome and congratulations to the new Committee!

Committee 2025-2026

President: Dinesh Weerakkody, Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara
Vice-President: Vacant
Secretary: Prue Lamont, Nalandra (AIVBI)
Treasurer: Kishantha Elleperumaarachchi, Dhamma Sarana Temple

General Committee Members:

Ven. Thich Phuoc Tan, Abbot, Quang Minh Temple
Niroshan Samarasinghe, Ministry of Nirvana
Mary Leet, The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
Vacant position
Vacant position

Michael Wells and Thilani Abeywickrema stepped down from the Committee however Michael continued to serve as interim Chaplaincy Coordinator (following Ven Hōjun Futen’s resignation from this role in late 2024) and Thilani offered to serve as a volunteer at events such as the Victorian Observance of the UN Day of Vesak subject to availability. Anh Nguyen subsequently took on the role of Senior Buddhist Chaplain/Prison Spiritual Care (Chaplaincy) Coordinator with Michael as Assistant Coordinator. See Prison Chaplaincy | Buddhist Council of Victoria and Healthcare Chaplaincy | Buddhist Council of Victoria Ven Hōjun Futen returned as a Senior University Chaplain and resumed a role as the Buddhist Council of Victoria representative at the Council of Chaplaincy in Tertiary Institutions (CCTI).

Dr Diana Cousens OAM continued to serve as the Buddhist Council of Victoria Interfaith Coordinator.

Committee 2024-2025

President: Dinesh Weerakkody , Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara
Vice-President: Vacant
Secretary: Prue Lamont, Nalandra (AIVBI)
Treasurer: Kishantha Elleperumaarachchi, Dhamma Sarana Temple

General Committee Members:

Ven. Thich Phuoc Tan, Abbot, Quang Minh Temple
Sandeep Karki, Buddhist Society of Victoria*
Niroshan Samarasinghe, Ministry of Nirvana
Mary Leet, The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
Thilani Abeywickrema, Samadhi Sathkara

* Sandeep Karki resigned partway through his term due to other commitments and was replaced by Michael Wells, Buddhist Society of Victoria.

Committee 2023-2024

Chair: Dinesh Weerakkody (Shakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara, Berwick)
Vice Chair: Dr Diana Cousens OAM (Siddhartha’s Intent Melbourne)
Secretary: Daniel Byron (Dudjom Tersar Practitioners, Melbourne)
Treasurer: Kris Elleperumaarachchi (Dhamma Sarana Buddhist Vihara Association Melbourne, Keysborough)

General Committee Members:
Ven Thich Phuoc Tan (Quang Minh Temple, Braybrook)
Ven Chi Kwang Sunim (The Seon Centre, Kinglake)
H.E. Zim’og Rinpoche (Nalandra (AIVBI), Healesville)
Praveena Rajkobal, (Nisala Arana International Centre for Inner Peace and Happiness, Dandenong)
Michael Wells (on a temporary basis pending a possible nomination from Jikishoan Zen Buddhist Community).

Committee 2023

President: Dinesh Weerakkody
Vice-President: Dr Diana Cousens
Secretary: Daniel Byron
Treasurer: Kris Elleperumaarachchi

Ordinary Members

Ven. Thich Phuoc Tan
Ven. Chikwang Sunim
H.E. Zimwock Tulku
Kushan Abeyakoon

Committee 2022

President: Dinesh Weerakkody
Vice-President:Dr Diana Cousens OAM
Secretary: Michael Wells
Treasurer: Kris Elleperumaarachchi

Ordinary Members

Ven. Phuoc Tan Thich
Ven. Bhikku Piyasilo
Ven. Chikwang Sunim
Felicity Taylor
John Gair

Committee – 2020-2021

Ven. Thich Phuoc Tan, President, (Quang Minh Temple),
Dinesh Weerakkody, Vice-President (Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara),
Michael Wells, Secretary (Buddhist Society of Victoria),
Kris Elleperumaarachchi, Treasurer (Dhamma Sarana),
Laura Chan (Dharma Drum Mountain)
Dr Diana Cousens (Siddhartha’s Intent Melbourne),
John Gair (Melbourne Thai Buddhist Temple),
Andrew MacMillan (Nalandra – Australian International Vajrayana Institute)

Committee – 2019-2020

Committee 2018-2019

Ven. Thich Phuoc Tan, President, (Quang Minh Temple),
Dinesh Weerakkody, Vice-President (Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara),
Michael Wells, Treasurer (Buddhist Society of Victoria),
Laura Chan (Dharma Drum Mountain)
Dr Diana Cousens, Secretary (Siddhartha’s Intent Melbourne),
Kris Elleperumaarachchi (Dhamma Sarana),
John Gair (Melbourne Thai Buddhist Temple)