Colombian-Australian Association of the Northern Territory (COLANT)

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 Hi, I’m Ben, and I’m passionate about youth empowerment, social inclusion, and bringing people, cultures, and communities together. I’m originally from Villavicencio, in the beautiful region of Los Llanos Orientales in Colombia. I moved to Darwin, Australia, in 2015, and despite the many challenges that Latin America faces, I’m incredibly proud to be Colombian. I’m committed to showcasing the amazing things my country has to offer and changing the narrative about Colombia by highlighting our culture, traditions, sport, music, resilience, and the kindness of our people.

I’m privileged to be part of federal and state government committees focused on multiculturalism and foreign relations between Australia and Latin America. As the President of the Colombian-Australian Association of the Northern Territory (COLANT) and the head of the Office of Youth Affairs with the NT Government, I dedicate my work to empowering young Territorians and multicultural communities, particularly international students and those from Latin America. I have experience in project management, policy writing, and stakeholder engagement, and I find joy in initiatives like the Colombian Festival and the Kindness Festival, which bring a piece of my homeland to Australia, celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion.

I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition and several awards, but what truly drives me is making a positive impact on the lives of others. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me playing soccer, pushing myself in CrossFit, or enjoying a delicious Bandeja Paisa—my favourite Colombian dish. I’m committed to creating lasting change for future generations and remain optimistic, continually inspired by the community around me.

Join us in making history!

 Hi! I'm Diana, and I’m very proud to be part of COLANT’s executive committee as the vice president. I’m originally from Cali, Colombia, and a passionate supporter of Deportivo Cali. I moved to Australia in 2012 and made Darwin my home 7 years ago. When I talk about Darwin and Colombia, I can’t help but feel love, passion, pride, and the warmth of the tropic weather! 

Darwin welcomed me with open arms and showed me its beauty, the kindness of its people, unity in its diversity, and inclusiveness in its opportunities. Thanks to this place that I now call home, I completed my master’s degree in accounting, work in a field I’m passionate about (taxation in a leadership role), and I found a community and friends whom I now consider family.

When I think about what drives me, two things stand out: growing together and inspiring others. With the responsibility that comes with it, I always give my best, and that’s what led me to become a member of COLANT. I see an opportunity to help my community progress together, support those starting out, those on their way, and those yet to come. I’m motivated to inspire and show that dreams and goals can be achieved when the path is clear. Darwin is full of opportunities!

One of my favorite places in Darwin is Cullen Bay; it’s a magical spot to watch the sunset.

I’m an “early bird” and love starting my day at the gym, swimming, running, or doing a CrossFit class.

Hello! My name is Lina Sánchez, and I am the treasurer of COLANT. I am from Medellín, Colombia, and I have been living in Australia for six years. I initially arrived in Melbourne, where I lived for a year, and then decided to move to Darwin, where I have been living for the past five years. In Colombia, I worked in administration and logistics, and in Darwin, I had the wonderful opportunity to gain experience in accounting. Currently, I work with the NT government in the administrative area of interpreting and translation services, assisting non-English speakers from various multicultural communities to communicate and access basic services.

In my free time, I enjoy rollerblading, going to the gym, and watching the beautiful sunsets at the beach in Darwin.

I love Darwin because there isn’t much traffic, and there are many opportunities to grow professionally if you know how to take advantage of them. The diversity of cultures allows us to learn from one another. 

I am very happy to be part of COLANT because I miss my country and my culture; COLANT makes me feel closer to home. I truly believe that we can support each other as Colombians to make our migration process easier and change the perception of many people about our country by showcasing all the good things we have to offer. I hope to contribute to our community.

I'm Brazilian by birth, but my heart also belongs to Colombia! – A country that I have an amazing opportunity to visit and fall in love with. I often say that my nationality is simply 'Latina,' and I'm proud to work for my community here in Australia where I see how important and needed is to bring knowledge to people about Latin American Culture. I arrived in Darwin in January 2019 to pursue my Visa dream. As a Marketing Specialist with experience across many industries, my passion for my profession only continues to grow. I'm also a proud committee member of both COLANT – the Colombian Australian Association NT – and LAAD – the Latin American Association Darwin. Through these roles, I've discovered a new passion: representing and supporting my community. You can find me around town enjoying a good coffee, walking with my dogs, spending time with friends, watching sunsets and also training at the gym. Please come to say “hello” as I enjoy making new friends.

I am Angela Rueda from Bogotá, Colombia. I am happy to be part of a group of people who wish the best for our community, serving as a dance and culture committee member.

I joined COLANT because, with Macondo Dance Group, we have been doing an amazing job sharing a bit of our Colombian traditions and I would love to continue working on that and many other projects.

I am a graphic designer, after working as a designer for a while, I realized that my true passion lay elsewhere. I have always loved the arts and began dancing over 15 years ago, specialising mainly in Latin rhythms, with salsa being one of my favourites , along with a bit of Colombian traditional folklore.

I have been living in Australia for almost 11 years. I initially arrived in Sydney and spent five years there, where I had a great time and grew in many aspects of my life. Later, I moved to Darwin, where I fell in love with the quiet, quality life it offers. This environment allows me to prioritize myself and my passions fully.

Currently, I work as a Store Manager in a local fashion business, where I have learned and improved many other skills for example  customer service is my thing.

In my free time, I enjoy dancing, and those who know me well, will expect me to have the best time while enjoying nice food.

Hi! I’m Valentina Chona Aristizabal, a committee member as an international student!  I’m from Bogotá, Colombia, I’ve been living in Darwin for 8 months, having arrived directly from Colombia. I’m studying English at International House and came to Darwin to start a new chapter in my life, which I’m achieving with the support of the local community. I love dancing and cycling, and my favorite Colombian food is definitely changua! #TeamChangua 

You can count on me🤘🏻

I am from Caucasia, Antioquia, Colombia. Since I was 16, I felt an inclination towards technology and electricity, a passion that led me to study electrical technology in Medellín, Colombia. This passion took me across continents to continue my education in Australia, where I started by studying English and later obtained a Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control.

Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to live in wonderful places such as Melbourne and Darwin, Australia. These experiences have not only allowed me to grow professionally but also enriched my personal perspective, providing broader and more diverse thoughts about my career and life.

Among the values that represent Julian are honesty, respect, and effort. I believe these principles are the fundamental foundation for achieving true success in life. Exercise, especially table tennis and soccer, is an integral part of my life, not only for the pleasure it brings but also for the values of discipline and teamwork it teaches. My family, on the other hand, is my greatest treasure. I owe everything I am to them, and I feel immensely grateful for the values and teachings they have passed on to me since childhood.

One of the most memorable and fun moments of my current life was when I confused the terms "union" and "unity" in English. I thought they meant the same, but I discovered that "union" refers to an association or joining, while "unity" conveys the concept of togetherness. This confusion happened recently when I was looking for a name for our Latin American football team.

 Rafael Galeano nació en Andes, un pintoresco pueblo cerca de Medellín, Colombia. Pasó gran parte de su juventud en el campo, rodeado de la vida rural antes de mudarse a la ciudad de Medellín, donde completó su educación secundaria y universitaria. Es tecnólogo en gestión administrativa y administrador de empresas, además de contar con varios diplomados en trabajo social y derechos humanos.

Rafael trabajó durante una década en la Alcaldía de Medellín, dedicándose a apoyar a poblaciones vulnerables, donde desarrolló una fuerte vocación por el servicio social. Hace casi cinco años, se mudó a Australia, un cambio que le permitió expandir su experiencia en diversos campos. Actualmente, está enfocado en un nuevo proyecto junto a su esposa: la creación de su propio negocio, una aventura que les ha traído grandes motivaciones y ha elevado sus vidas a un nuevo nivel.