Ms Barrett replaces Frank Williams, who was ruled ineligible to stand again by the returning officer due to his membership status.

Ms Barrett is the University of Ballarat's international student academic advisor, and has 17 years' experience in international education and migrant services.

"This is a new start for BRMC and a great opportunity to review all aspects of the organisation to ensure that it is seen as a current and valued resource for the communities it serves," Ms Barrett said.

"We have a combination of older and well-established migrant communities and a spectrum of younger and new migrants here in Ballarat and the region.

"The needs of some of these newer communities are changing as they become established here, and it is important for BRMC to keep up and embrace those changes."

At a meeting on November 12, a new committee of management was installed with a range of skills including intercultural studies, finance, economics, IT education, fundraising and community

development.

Ms Barrett said a structural review of the BRMC would take place.

She said one positive recent change had been the appointment of chief executive officer, Shigekazu Yamawaki, who had contributed greatly to BRMC's organisational structure.

The new committee includes Ms Barrett, Farhang Afshar, Pam Anderson, Liz Dennehy, Chris Wright, Xiaoli Jiang, Mehrdad Razmjoo, Masako Kennedy, Georgina Vagg, Russ Cartledge, Yin Toe and Khushi

Maharaj.

An interfaith officer is still to be announced.