Who We Are

Board of Directors

Iskender Ozan Toprak

Creative Director

Since Ozan started playing Anatolia’s well-known baglama at age 5, his early interest lead to a life-long dedication to music. He is a master of traditional instruments, including the baglama, yayli tambur, mizrapli tambur and kabak kemane. He has hosted multiple concerts across various locations, including The Melbourne Recital Centre, WOMADelaide Music Festival, and Port Fairy Folk Festival. Noteworthy are his charitable concerts, including The Turkiye Earthquake Appeal in 2023.

    • Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University

    • Ege University State Turkish Music Conservatory

    • TRT - Baglama Player

    • Ege University Faculty Of Medicine Choir - Choirmaster

    • City Town Of Salihli Choir - Choirmaster

    • Theater Mummpitz’ Children's Theatre - Composer, Instrumentalist, Actor

    • Quantensprung - Musician

    • 50th Anniversary of a Protestant family education Center Familienbildungsstätte in Nuremberg - Documentary

    • Royal Academy Orchestra at the Thames Festival - Musician

    • Ocean Project - Project Founder

    • Mercan Dede (Australian Tour) - Accompaniment

    • Melbourne Recital Center - Performance

    • 50th Anniversary of Turkish Immigration to Australia Celebration Euphony, partnered by Ahenk, Turkish Airlines, Commonwealth Bank, supported by Mt Hira College - Performance

    • ‘Endless Requiem Canakkale’ 104th Anniversary of the 18 March Canakkale (in the patronage of the Presidency of Turkiye) - Performance

    • Turkiye-Syria Charity Earthquake - Concert

    • 100th-Anniversary Celebrations Of The Republic of Türkiye - Concert

  • “Iskender Ozan Toprak brings a unique blend of music in what can best be described as East meets West, in a beautiful combination of classical music with traditional Eastern music.” - Melbourne Recital Center

Clive Scott AM

Board Member

A successful and dedicated General Manager with over 45 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Clive Scott is recognized for his significant contributions to the hotel industry and the arts. He has demonstrated proven leadership in various key roles, driving operational excellence and promoting tourism and the arts in Australia. Clive Scott has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II.

    • Hotel Management Diploma

    • Degree in Economics

  • Hilton Chain (21 years)

    • Worked in various locations including Sydney, Cairns, Thailand, Korea, and Japan.

    Accor Hotels Group

    • Served as General Manager of Human Resources for Australia/New Zealand/Japan.

    • Managed Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Novotel and Hotel Ibis, Sydney Olympic Park, Western Sydney Hotels Accor, and Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.

    • Recognized as one of Accor’s most experienced General Managers in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Sofitel Melbourne On Collins

    • Returned to his birthplace, Melbourne, in 2005, and was appointed General Manager of Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

    • Retired in 2023 as the longest-serving hotel general manager in Melbourne.

    • Member of the Order of Australia (AM), 2021

    • Gold Tourism Medal from the French Minister of Tourism for contributions to tourism development between France and Australia.

    • Silver Bernache Award (Respect/Social Responsibility) from Accor, 2013.

    • Honorary Membership of Les Clefs d’Or Australia, 2015.

    • Member of the Bordeaux Wine Society, 2018.

    • Brolga Award from the Australian Dancing Society for services to Dance Sport in Australia, 2018.

    • Chair, Visitor Economy Taskforce, Committee for Melbourne

    • Board Member, Oceania Australia Foundation

    • Chair, Georges Mora Fellowship

    • Chair, Management and Marketing Advisory Board, University of Melbourne

    • Chair of Judges, Melbourne Awards

    • Board Member, Hope Street Youth and Family Services Corporate Advisory Board

    • Chair, Finucane & Smith Advisory Board

    • Member, Melbourne Awards Foundation Board

  • Actively involved with several key players in Melbourne’s art scene including:

    • Chunky Move Dance Company

    • Australian National Academy of Music

    • Craft Victoria

    • Heide Museum of Modern Art

    • The Australian Ballet

    • National Gallery of Victoria

    • Victorian Opera

    • Monash Art Gallery

    • Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

  • Clive Scott actively serves on the board of the Australian-Turkish Melodies of Peace, contributing his extensive experience and leadership skills.

Esin Toprak

Secretary

With over a decade of experience in psychology, Esin is a highly skilled AHPRA-registered psychologist and CBT therapist. Trained in the UK and now based in Australia, Esin has provided effective mental health interventions across a range of settings, including the NHS in London and Monash Health in Melbourne.

Currently, Esin serves as Secretary of the Turkish Australian Melodies of Peace (ATMP) charity, where she combines her passion for music and cultural understanding to foster harmony and world peace. Alongside this, she supports students as a counsellor at the University of Melbourne and runs a private practice.

    • M.CLINPSYCH, 2023, Victoria University, Australia

    • BPSYCHSC(HONS), 2020, Institute for Social Neuroscience (ISN), Australia

    • PGDIP CBT, 2013, Royal Holloway University, UK

    • PGCERT Psychodynamics, 2012, Birkbeck University, UK

    • PGCERT Evidence-based Psycholgical Treatment, 2010, University of Reading, UK

    • M.A. in Educational Studies, Psychology & Sociology, 2006, FAU, Erlangen-Nuremberg

    • University of Melbourne
      Clinical Psychology Registrar, Jun 2024 to present
      Delivering psychological assessments, case management, and crisis intervention; engaging in professional development.

    • Monash Health
      Psychologist, May 2023 - May 2024
      Provided psychological assessments and interventions; consulted on mental health wards; participated in professional development.

    • Blue Knot Foundation
      Helpline and Redress Counsellor, Oct 2022 - May 2023
      Offered trauma-informed counselling; conducted risk assessments; collaborated on clinical protocols; provided referrals.

    • Safe Steps
      Specialist Counsellor, Oct 2018 - Jun 2022
      Delivered trauma counselling for family violence survivors; maintained professionalism and cultural sensitivity; participated in supervision.

    • Youth Counsellor, City of Casey Council
      Youth Counsellor, Nov 2020 - Jun 2021
      Provided therapeutic counselling and support; developed programs; collaborated with stakeholders; offered training.

    • Safe Steps
      Senior Practitioner, Oct 2017 - Mar 2018
      Supported and mentored a team of counsellors; provided clinical advice; assisted with strategic planning.

    • Primary Care Psychology Services, NHS
      CBT Psychotherapist, Oct 2012 - Oct 2016
      Managed caseload using CBT; provided assessments and treatment; conducted group therapy; supervised junior staff.

    • Primary Care Psychology Service, NHS
      Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Apr 2009 - Oct 2012
      Delivered guided self-help; managed ongoing client caseload; participated in case reviews and training.

Aylin Aras-Yurdakul

Board Member

Aylin Aras-Yurdakul is a communications and engagement professional with over 15 years of experience across media, marketing, and multicultural community initiatives. She holds a degree in Communications (Advertising and Public Relations) and began her career in Türkiye in media marketing before relocating to Melbourne in 2000, where she worked in journalism, newspaper editing, and radio broadcasting.

As a Board Member of Australian-Turkish Melodies of Peace (ATMP), Aylin contributes to the strategic planning and delivery of cultural programs that strengthen community identity and foster cross-cultural dialogue. She has played a significant role in major productions, including the Centenary Special Concert commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye and Melodies Of Gallipoli, From Frontline To Friendship Concert .

Combining professional communications expertise with lifelong musical training, she brings strategic insight and cultural sensitivity to initiatives that connect communities through music and the arts.

    • Certificate IV Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language (TESOL)

    • Advance Diploma: Advertising - Victoria University

    • Bachelor’s Degree: Communication Arts (Advertising and Public Relations) - Anatolia University

    • Euphoria of Sound Pty Ltd Director

    • Australian Turkish Assistance Foundation Inc. (ATAF) Board Member

    • LOTE Marketing Freelance Translator

    • SBS - Special Broadcasting Service Turkish Program Producer and Presenter

    • Dunya Turkish Newspaper Managing Editor

    • International Advertising Association ‍ ‍Diploma in Marketing Communication

    • Certificate of Appreciation International Year of Volunteers

    • Volunteer Tutor for the Turkish students who were studying in AMES in English as a Second Language

Filiz Ceylanbas

Board Member

Filiz Ceylanbas is a skilled entrepreneur with a passion for business and the arts. With over 25 years of experience directing various businesses, from natural stone to property, Filiz excels in import/export, sales, and management. She is renowned for her strategic vision and ability to transform ideas into successful ventures.

    • Melda Music - Artist Manager & Production Coordinator since 2012 ( Directing numerous music video productions and managed relationships with venues and suppliers.

    • Attila's Stone - Leadership (fostering employee engagement and improved project efficiency since 2001).

    • Filiz Property Investments - Property Investor and Developer (significant portfolio growth of the company’s property portfolio since 2011).

  • Filiz channels her love for music into organizing captivating events, such as managing musicals and theatres, overseeing music production and music videos, and coordinating live performances internationally. Her involvement in these artistic endeavours not only showcases her creative vision but also her dedication to enriching the cultural landscape. Filiz’s unique ability to blend business acumen with artistic passion has made her a distinguished figure in both fields.

  • Melodies Of Peace - Artistic Director (active contribution through extensive experience and passion for the arts to the forefront, growing and succeeding the organisation).

Nurettin Celik

Treasurer

Nurettin is a detail-oriented and results-driven professional with 15 years of accounting experience. He possesses a wide range of skills, including painting, participating in volunteer projects, engaging in social activities, traveling, camping, reading, and gardening. He enjoys talking to people, having conversations, and spending time with others. He is compassionate and love animals. His humanistic perspective guides both his work and personal life.

    • Webster College. Advanced Diploma of Accounting

    • Total Business Training, Certificate IV in Bookkeeping

    • South East Accounting - Accountant & Senior Bookkeeper

      • Overseeing accounting operations and ensuring accuracy in financial reporting

      • Managing bookkeeping tasks and maintaining comprehensive financial records

    • Lynbrook Accounting & Bookkeeping - Bookkeeping Manager

      • Managed bookkeeping responsibilities and supervised bookkeeping staff

      • Ensured timely and accurate financial record-keeping

      • Australian Pacific Paper

    • Quality Control

      • Conducted quality control checks to ensure product standards were met

      • A&L Window

    • Glazer & Assembler

      • Assembled and installed window components

    • Orhan Celik Gida Insaat Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi - Company Partner and Retail Food Manager

      • Managed retail food operations and was involved in company managemen