Sally Powell – Outstanding Learner, 2005 - student of Auslan, signing for the deaf - Erindale College Community Education Program - Canberra

I am involved in adult learning.  I am continuing with my sign language course to improve on my communication skills with my deaf daughter-in-law.

We would be boring and unhappy people if we didn’t continue to learn throughout our lives. It opens the door for career advancement, pleasure from leisure activities and a stimulated mind in our older years.

Adult Learners’ Week is a great idea.  I was certainly chuffed to win my award last year, never knowing before this that such a week existed.

Victoria Saddler – Outstanding Teacher/Tutor – 2005 (teacher, coordinator and counsellor of Auslan, signing for the deaf) - Erindale College Community Education Program - Canberra

I am involved in adult learning as a teacher in Community Education Programs.  I would like to further investigate the role leisure courses play in adults re-entering vocational education.  I can’t find fulfilment without lifelong learning.  It enables continuing growth, responsiveness and adaptability.

Continuing education is critical to my ongoing fulfilment, both personally and professionally.  I engage in study as well as delivery.  The other option is to stagnate; cease acquiring new skills.  However, some of my most rewarding and important moments in teaching have not been part of a formalised course.  Although I have had some powerful experiences in educational settings, I also believe we have the power to educate in any setting.

Adult education is a part of the fabric of our wider community.  Mentoring a colleague, helping a neighbour write a job application, teaching a friend a skill; these are all forms of adult education.  Each one of us would like to live in a dynamic, supportive and self-determining community, so it is up to each one of us to do what we can to make it happen.

Don’t miss the opportunities to share your skills with others.  It’s not a luxury, it’s a social responsibility.  Experience comes with obligations and it is the duty of those who hold the keys to open the door for others.

I would be delighted to support in any way possible Adult Learners’ Week.  These awards and celebrations are vital for awareness raising.

Sue Hearne - Service Contribution Award - 2005 (Production Manager of Yarralumla Nursery) - Canberra

I am involved in adult learning and it has added to my life by giving me a sense of wellbeing, realising it has become a two way street. 

What I put into training others, I am receiving back from others.  For example, remembering to smile and laugh every five minutes.

I would like to gain a basic understanding of mental health, physical disabilities and first aid.

Lifelong learning is important as we all learn every day, otherwise we will not grow.  We will stay in one spot not realising our full potential.  It is important for all to have the opportunity.

To become a clever country, ‘Australia’ needs to slow down and listen – more tree planting and greater care in looking after our elderly.

Thank you to the organisers of Adult Learners’ Week for recognising the efforts put in by others behind the scenes especially as ‘you’ not only focus on academic achievements.

Tasmania

Lynda Watts Tasmanian Adult Learner of the Year (state awards September 2005)

My pathway until now has been a remarkable journey of volunteering and learning to a chosen way of teaching in the area of adult education.

During this time I have acquired a number of tertiary qualifications and mastered my teaching skills through training and university.  I am currently in my third and final year of my teaching degree, Bachelor of Adult and Vocational Education( 2005-06).  By July 2007, I will finish study for my second degree, Bachelor of Education.

In 2003 I approached the Break O’ Day Volunteer Resource Centre Coordinator Penny Clifford in St Helens, Tasmania for something to do in the way of volunteering in the community.  From this initial meeting came the One-on-One Basic Computer Course, an introductory computer skills course offered by myself to members of the St Helens, St Marys, and Fingal communities.

Basic Computer tuition in the first two years of this program was given to more than 60 members of our communities.  Now in 2006 this program is still running and is available to anyone who wishes to learn the basics of computing.

In 2003, I set up this program with the support of all who were involved and won the Adult Learning Australia Outstanding Program Award.

During 2003, I soon realised that in order to teach others I needed the qualifications to go with teaching and training others, so the study bug hit, completing Certificates in Information Technology, Business services and Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training along with obtaining my Senior First Aid Certificate.

The year 2004 brought about employment with the Department of Education as Coordinator of the Bicheno Online Centre, more qualifications in computing, successfully gaining Certificate IV in Website Design and Website Administration.

In 2005, I took a huge leap with the support of many and entered University to study Bachelor of Adult and Vocational Education.  This I found challenging, trying to fit in full time study, work, family and being a foster parent but managed it all with the help of a great network of friends.

It was in this year I received wonderful recognition of my efforts, being the winner of the Adult Learner of the Year Award 2005, and gaining a Highly Commended in the National Awards 2005.  These awards are a huge boost to one’s confidence knowing that your efforts are recognised.

This year I am in my final year of my degree.  I am employed part time, and so pleased that back in 2003 I sought out the Volunteer Resource Centre for something to pass the time, was given great advice and guided on my pathway to the future for myself and my child.  

If it hadn’t been for the Coordinator, Penny, the Neighbourhood houses, and a good network of friends none of the above would have happened.  I would still be a single mum sitting at home with no education, friends or work.  The key is to set a goal, seek help and go for it, the rewards for achieving personal/educational goals gives hope to others.

Geraldine Wigg Aboriginal Adult Learner of the Year in 2005 for Tasmania's ALW Awards

I am involved in adult learning currently.  I am studying Home and Community Care Certificate III and Aged Care Certificate III.

I would like to learn any new skill which will help me along life’s journey.  Lifelong learning is important because you can never learn too much.  You never know everything there is to know. 

To become a clever country, Australia needs to just make sure there is enough help out there for the people that need to be educated.  My message for Adult Learners’ Week is to just keep on doing as good a job as you are doing now.

June Hazzlewood OAM

Why learn?

The LIFE in lifelong learning for me is a message for Adult Learners Week – “Learning Is For Everyone”.  In ten years of retirement into the community, I have added ageing and technology to a long life passion for learning.  I have enjoyed a return to formal study and the Super Highway journey with other older third age cyber-travellers.

Fifty years ago, I arrived in Tasmania from Queensland for a six month working holiday and remember my days then as an evening adult education tutor at a small upstairs café in Launceston and later, while K to 10 teaching, as the first volunteer Adult Education local secretary then Field Officer on the West Tamar.

Many and varied classes were joined to make up the numbers required.  Welding, coastal navigation and upholstery snippets are filed away somewhere in my mind in case they are ever needed!  Scandinavian cooking, wine appreciation, woodcarving and craft classes became adult community education mutual interest circles which ran for many years.

The 2005 ALW award I received on behalf of the Older Persons Electronic Network is a tribute to the volunteers in this member-run group.  The OPEN Seniors Computer Club is co-sponsored by the Launceston National Council of Women Inc. and the Launceston Computer Group Inc.  Look for OPEN on LCG website at www.lcg.org.au.

OPEN has just enrolled its 500th participant since a very small beginning in 2001, is open daily and is outreaching to seniors at home through its VICTOR, Volunteer ICT OutReach program.  Fifty years on, adult community education (ACE) courses are filled within a short time of advertising and by word of mouth, and waiting lists are common.

New South Wales

Outstanding Learner - Paul Bennett

Paul suffers from Erbs Palsy, a very difficult disability as it leaves those afflicted with the use of only one arm, numbness to the leg, speech problems and involuntary limb spasms.
He joined the State Emergency Service, (SES) after a devastating storm wiped out an entire street in Port Stephens, where he lives.  Paul has used study in IT at Tomaree Community College to move through the ranks of the SES to become Team Leader for Stores and Maintenance, Logistics and Operations.

Though he can no longer drive, Paul has worked as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the Recycling Centre.  With no self-pity and a motto that nothing is too hard to conquer if you want to learn, Paul has achieved much due to his own efforts and ability.  He has truly been an inspiration to the able-bodied students in his classes.

Outstanding Tutor - Anna Koorey NSW awards

Anna has been using Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) for over 10 years to teach English to migrants from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.  Her commitment to CALL has been demonstrated by her ongoing up-skilling in terms of additional training and qualifications, and active participation in professional conferences both nationally and internationally.

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Anna Koorey, Paul Bennett, Linda Drake, Rowan Cox and Ben Grushka (ALESCO) at the 2005 NSW ALW awards ceremony.

Innovation in Learning - ALESCO Learning Centre

The ALESCO Learning Centre, under the auspices of WEA Hunter, is a registered and accredited non-government school for young people aged 15 years and over.

To our knowledge, it is the only alternative education option within a community based adult learning environment in Australia.

One of its key features is that it is not a ‘time out’ program and has no focus on reintegration into conventional schooling.

Students are engaged in an environment where they see others of all ages and abilities continuing their education.  Through this, they come to understand finishing school does not have to mean finishing the learning journey.  Every year, 55-65% of students graduate.

South Australia

Good News Story from ACE TAFE SA

TAFE SA Adelaide North’s Adult Community Education Unit is producing a short course booklet for Semester 2, 2006 and distributing it to 199,000 locations throughout the northern suburbs of Adelaide.

The booklet will provide information about short courses for industry, customised, ‘career tasters’ for unemployed people and also non-formal ACE courses. For the first time, mainstream vocational program areas will facilitate ACE courses to provide clients with more pathways, career choices and skill enhancement. The new program will also include leisure courses targeting seniors.

This new approach by TAFE SA is expected to appeal to a diverse range of adults and promote lifelong learning in the community.

Western Australia

Outstanding Individual Learners Award – 2005 - Pamela Neesham

On retiring in 2001, I wanted to add quality to my life and I believed that education was a way of doing this.  I enrolled in a beginner’s computer course at Willagee Community Centre through the Gowrie Training Inc. Since then my whole world has completely opened up and I have a new lease on life.  It was scary at first, but as computers are the way of the future, it was imperative I learnt how to use one.

My adult education has built my confidence and I now teach voluntary computer courses to other adults.  I am also working with the Melville History Society, Neighbourhood Watch, Friends of Attadale Foreshore, Friends of Harry Sandon, Greening Australia’s Frog program and CALM. I squeeze in time to help out with the Aboriginal program Meals to Music, and digitally photograph local community and sporting events for my community newspapers and the Willagee Alive newsletter.

My learning and education have opened up endless opportunities to actively contribute in my community and I have formed a lot of new friendships along the way.  If everyone gave a little back to the community, how much better could we make this world?  I strongly believe this can be achieved through education and age should not be a barrier to learning as you are never too old.

In 2005 I received an Outstanding Individual Learners Award acknowledging the contributions I have made to others in my community as a result of my learning.  Yet, more rewarding than receiving this award is seeing the joy on peoples’ faces when they gain new knowledge and learning.  Something as simple as teaching someone how to send an email, I have seen breathe new life into senior citizens.  I don’t learn for the awards, but to enrich my retirement years and for what I can give others from my learning. It’s very rewarding.