13 Oct 2025
Media releasesSSI celebrates 25 years of lifting every voice
Leading non-profit organisation SSI is proud to mark its 25th anniversary in 2025, celebrating a quarter-century of empowering individuals, strengthening communities and advocating for a more inclusive Australia.
Founded in 2000 by a coalition of 11 migrant resource centres, SSI began with no staff, no revenue and a single program. Today, it stands as one of Australia’s largest and most diverse human services organisations, delivering more than 50 programs across the country with a workforce of 1,100 people from all walks of life.
Reflecting on the milestone, SSI Chair Peter van Vliet said the anniversary is both a celebration of the organisation’s legacy and a recommitment to its founding values.
“SSI was born from a belief that services should be led with empathy, informed by lived experience and rooted in community,” said Mr van Vliet. “That principle has guided us from our earliest days and continues to shape our work today.”
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said over the past 25 years, SSI has supported hundreds of thousands of people, launched pioneering initiatives, and influenced national policy on social cohesion, inclusion and so much more.
“This milestone is not just about how far we’ve come — it’s about where we’re going,” said Ms Roumeliotis. “We’re building a future where everyone can meaningfully contribute to Australia’s social, cultural, civic and economic life.
“This vision is ambitious — but it’s grounded in everything we’ve learned over the past 25 years. It’s shaped by the communities we serve, the challenges we’ve overcome and the values that have guided us from day one.”
SSI will mark the anniversary in a number of ways, including unveiling a digital storytelling campaign across its social media pages in the coming weeks. A dedicated anniversary page on the SSI website also features a timeline of the organisation’s journey, staff reflections and other resources.
