Muthu Pannirselvam is the director of Project Space and Meridian Design and Engineering and the curerent president of Werribee Lions Club.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
I grew up in a family of farmers, weavers and silk merchants in India – nearly seven generations in the trade, business and agriculture. Dad was a teacher in accounting and finance; Mum taught economics and commerce. From our kitchen table, I learned about money, business, and hard work. Before engineering, I worked on our family farm, served cafeteria customers, and did admin tasks others might overlook. The farm taught patience. The cafeteria taught understanding people and customers. Every role carries dignity. In 2001, I moved to Tennessee, USA, for graduate studies – and started volunteering 10 hours weekly, a habit I’ve kept ever since. After five years in America, I came to Australia and worked at RMIT from 2005 to 2020 as a TAFE teacher, lecturer, and technical coordinator. I used to hold other roles in the Werribee River Association, Society of Plastic Engineers, American Society of Engineering Education, Tangaroa Blue Foundation, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Volunteering Victoria. Bridging the gap among stakeholders and solving real world problems are my core areas of business and other activities.
What is your connection to Wyndham?
Wyndham is where I live, work, and volunteer. Elders in my family in particular my grandmother taught me that wherever you are, you contribute – a lesson reinforced when I started volunteering in Tennessee in 2001. Through Lions Club and Werribee River Association, I’ve built genuine connections here. My work in real estate and construction means I understand what drives this area –growth, families, and opportunity.
What are some of your favourite places to spend time in Wyndham?
Werribee Zoo, Werribee River, and Werribee South beach. Wyndham is unique: urban, rural, and coastal all in one municipality. The river is perfect for a walk and a think. I enjoy local parks and business hubs where we run Lions events, plus the cafes and community spaces where locals connect. It’s a great place to call home.
What do you love most about Wyndham?
There’s always something happening – expos, business events, community outreach. Council works hard to nurture opportunities for everyone. Dad worked in finance and accounting; mum taught economics – they showed me success, prosperity and uplift in economy comes from contribution, not consumption. Wyndham welcomes people ready to roll up their sleeves. Migration means bringing your skills and adding value to your new home. This community respects that.
Is there anything you would change about Wyndham?
Stronger connections between education and industries and make businesses and graduate workforce future ready. My graduate experience in America showed me how universities and industries can collaborate effectively. I’ve helped place over fifty students into jobs and organised more than two hundred events bridging gaps among stakeholders between 2001 and 2025. I’m working toward a local research centre with a university tackling real building challenges, making graduates industry-ready from day one.
