Melba Marginson (previously Melba de Guzman) has worked in the area of multicultural and women’s affairs since migrating to Australia in 1989. She facilitated the formation of several women’s organizations and mentored immigrants and refugees. She is a persistent voice for women’s rights and migrant and refugee people’s issues in Australia.

Before migrating to Australia, Melba was active in the human rights movement in the Philippines, especially in the education sector.  It was as Secretary General of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers that she met her future husband in one of the international conferences where she advocated about the sad plight of Filipino teachers.

 Melba organised human rights forums and campaigns and advocated for the protection of Filipino women against domestic violence.  She figured prominently in Australian media as a feisty spokesperson of Philippine issues. 

 Ms. Marginson was selected for the First Women's Honour Roll by the Victorian Government in 2001 for her pioneering role in protecting migrant and refugee women.

Her advocacy for immigrants and refugees has also been recognised by the Labor Government in Victoria under Premier Steve Bracks by appointing her as one of the first Commissioners of the Victorian Multicultural Commission in 2000.
 Melba is co-founder and Executive Director of a state-wide advocacy body, the Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition (VIRWC).