Katrin has 24 years experience in the Retail Fashion industry and in the International Trade: Importing/ Exporting industry. She is a former dual World Chess Champion and former Bulgarian and Australian Chess Champion. In 1986 Katrin was awarded the International title of FIDE Master by the World Chess Federation, FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs). Her passion for the game of chess is shown in her commitment as a former Hon President of Chess Victoria (CV) and continues support as an Ambassador to Chess Victoria. Her achievements in chess are also recognised around the world. Where in her home country she was awarded recognition as one of the top 100 most famous sportspeople from Bulgaria in the last century.

WHY I LOVE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES – TESTIMONIAL

Everyone that can speak more than one language should consider themselves extremely lucky. This is a gift, learning a different language it is not as easy as it seems. It truly is a great life benefit. Being a professional chess player and an entrepreneur the love of languages has given me the opportunity to travel and meet with many different people from different cultures. I feel extremely lucky to have been given this opportunity. It has made my life very interesting, challenging and dynamic. I am so glad my parents encouraged me to explore this new world of foreign languages.

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Daniel Ednie-Lockett

Daniel Ednie-Lockett is the founder of Language Connection, a not for profit which runs language exchanges and conferences for native speakers and learners of English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Daniel speaks fluent Japanese and Mandarin and has worked as a TV presenter in Mandarin in China for the last two years.

Helen Kapalos

I began my career as a reporter on ABC Radio in Newcastle in 1994 before moving to SBS after winning a national scholarship. In 2001, I was approached to join the Nine Network as a reporter on National Nine News where I covered breaking news events such as the Waterfall train disaster and the historic Sydney Gang rape trial. I played a key role in the 2004 Athens Olympics coverage, where I reported for several news and current affairs programs from the Greek capital and across Europe. Upon my return I was appointed host of the Late News program Nightline. In addition to that role, I presented a weekly news segment on the Network's flagship current affairs program Sunday, alongside host Jana Wendt.

GARANG DUT

First Sudanese refugee to obtain a Medical degree in Victoria

Dr Linny Phuong

State Finalist Young Australian of the Year 2013

Fablice Manirakiza

Maintaining language culture is very important not just to me but to all the diversity communities as well as the wider community of Australia, English is my second language, I understand the importance of it, not just in our everyday life but also in connecting with the world politicly, economically and other aspects, but to most of us this wouldn't slow us in maintaining our main language, the world of today is about creating and sharing we should all be proud of who we are and share our cultural across the world, but it all start with your own identity of where you come from, I believe maintaining language is important to achieve all the desire of making this world a better place.

Robert DIPIERDOMENICO

"I was born to play in Grand Finals," says Robert DiPierdomenico, somewhat humbly.

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