2024 Learn Local Conference

On behalf of the Adult, Community and Further Education Board, I am pleased to welcome you to the 2024 Victorian Learn Local Conference: 'Opening Doors, Shaping the Future.'

The conference provides us with the opportunity to extend our understandings, share our experiences, unpack our learnings and develop deep conversations to support the work being undertaken in the Learn Local sector across Victoria.

Learn Locals stand at the heart of their communities, offering educative experiences in highly inclusive spaces that make a profound difference in the lives of many Victorians. Many individuals in our communities continue to seek support in engaging with pre-accredited education. Our Learn Locals are instrumental in helping them develop essential skills – language, literacy, numeracy, digital proficiency, and employability – that pave the way toward their goals, whether for further study, meaningful employment or enriched daily living.

Learn Locals are not just educational institutions; they are places where dreams begin, and futures are shaped. Through our collective efforts, we create opportunities for individuals to thrive, in every sense of the word. Further, Learn Locals are instrumental to supporting learners to build connections that extend beyond the classroom and into the community. In short, the educational and social value of Learn Locals cannot be underestimated.

As we reflect on our collective journey, we acknowledge the resilience and determination that have characterised the ACFE sector, especially over the past few years which have been quite turbulent. The challenges we've faced have underscored the vital role of education in transforming lives and keeping people connected to community so that they can contribute to community.

As a result, this year’s conference provides a particularly timely and important opportunity to exchange ideas and share best practices, enabling us to learn from one another.

We are excited to hear from our esteemed guest speakers and dedicated presenters from across the Learn Local sector and our partner organisations. Their insights will shed light on innovative strategies for collaboration with industry, expanding our focus on digital skills, exploring our role in supporting self-determination of First Peoples, unpacking interculturalism and how this features in our work, also, understanding the real impact our work has on individuals and local communities.

Our sector is a cornerstone of Victoria's post-compulsory education and training landscape. As stewards of this important mission, the ACFE Board is proud to support a community that significantly enhances the lives and well-being of Victorians facing various challenges. We are committed to ensuring that our sector continues to grow, adapt, and respond to the evolving needs of our learners.

I feel immensely honoured to Chair the ACFE Board, working alongside my Board colleagues who are all dedicated to opening doors to work and life opportunities through pre-accredited education.

Victoria has a unique sector – and it thrives on the commitment and hard work of many. This is why we are all here. Together, we will continue to navigate the path ahead, ensuring that the vital work we do not only endures but flourishes.

As you engage in the sessions and discussions, I encourage you to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the potential that lies ahead. Let us celebrate our accomplishments, share our insights, and strengthen the bonds that connect us. On behalf of the Board, I hope you find inspiration, forge new partnerships, and, most importantly, take advantage of the shared learning opportunity this conference provides.

Welcome to the conference – let's open doors and shape the future together!

Dr Teresa De Fazio OAM
Chairperson
Adult, Community and Further Education Board

Mamuch Chuol is a dedicated social entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of NextGen Unite, a not-for-profit organisation committed to empowering South Sudanese Australian communities. His mission is to unite like-minded individuals in creating a more inclusive and cohesive community through holistic approaches that involve collaboration with government, non-governmental organisations, and corporate partners.

As a passionate public speaker, Mamuch shares his experiences as a refugee to foster understanding of the refugee experience and highlight the significant contributions refugees make to society. He actively advises local, state and federal bodies on how best to support migrant and refugee communities, ensuring their voices are heard in policymaking.

Mamuch is currently pursuing a double degree in Laws and Arts, with an advanced diploma in Legal Practice.

Sobur Dhieu works as Community Engagement Lead at national law firm Lander & Rogers while completing her Juris Doctor at the Melbourne Law School.

Sobur is also Secretary and a founding member of the African Youth Initiative, a youth-led not-for-profit organisation that is committed to helping young Africans overcome barriers and reach their full potential through a range of cultural, sport and educational programs.

Sobur enjoys being active in her local community in Melton, leading a social group called Girl Chat where multicultural young women regularly meet to discuss topical issues and bond over shared experiences.

George Megalogenis is an author and journalist with more than three decades’ experience in the media, including 11 years in the federal parliamentary press gallery.

He is the author of five books, including The Australian Moment which won the 2013 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Non-fiction and the 2012 Walkley Award for Non-fiction, and formed the basis for his three-part ABC documentary series Making Australia Great. He also wrote and presented the documentary tribute to former Australian prime minister Malcolm Fraser, Life Wasn’t Meant To Be Easy which aired on the ABC in the same year, 2015.

George’s other books are Faultlines, The Longest Decade, Australia’s Second Chance, and Balancing Act, which contains his first two Quarterly Essays, No. 40: Trivial Pursuit – Leadership and the End of the Reform Era and No. 61: Balancing Act – Australia Between Recession and Renewal. His most recent book was The Football Solution, and his most recent Quarterly Essay was No 82: Exit Strategy – Politics After The Pandemic. His next Quarterly Essay No 96: Minority Report – The New Shape of Australian Politics will be published on 25 November 2024.

Among the newspapers he has written for are The Australian, The New York Times, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.

Jo Medlin is an adult literacy and numeracy expert and advocate. She is interested in research into good practice for individually-centred tailored teaching and learning. Jo has worked in VET, workplaces, community and universities and is on government advisory committees and the Reading Writing Hotline steering committee.

She is also president of the Australian Council for Adult Literacy (ACAL). In addition to advocacy within the professional field of foundation skills, she has reached out to raise public and community awareness around adult literacy and numeracy issues (and readability) through media activity and local talks after consulting and appearing on both SBS seasons of Lost for Words.

Jo is an avid reader of cosy archaeology murder mysteries and is always keen to talk about lifelong literacy, Jane Austen, Indiana Jones and permaculture.

Ruth Patterson is a numeracy teacher with Melbourne Polytechnic, in the Library and Learning Skills department, assisting electrical apprentice students, and other VET students, with their maths.

She has worked extensively in corrections facilities for Kangan Institute, teaching General Adult Education maths to male inmates in Port Philip Prison and Ravenhall correctional centre, as well as managing staff with their delivery of VET courses. She has taught at Victoria University in both VCAL and general adult education programs. With a chemistry degree, postgraduate diplomas in manufacturing and education, and years working in the chemical industry, she brings relevant experience into her teaching practice.

Ruth loves open-water swimming and hiking, and will travel to find her next adventure.

Nataša Ciabatti is a former secondary school teacher of Languages and EAL/D in metropolitan Victoria who transitioned to teacher education while completing her doctoral studies in intercultural language teaching at Victoria University, Australia. She is currently a Lecturer in TESOL and Literacy at Federation University, Australia.

Nataša’s research focuses on fostering inclusivity, reducing social inequalities and promoting sustainable social change through education. Her work examines teachers’ perceptions and the application of intercultural and translanguaging pedagogies, seeking to bridge theoretical understanding with practical implementation.

Oksana Razoumova has extensive experience as a language instructor, teacher trainer and an education manager in post-secondary, vocational and tertiary education in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors, where she has managed various ESL programs and led numerous curriculum, professional and resource development projects. Oksana was initially trained as an EAL and LOTE secondary teacher and then completed a doctoral degree in Applied Linguistics.

Oksana’s research interests include work-integrated learning; reflective practices in collaborative ELT learning and teaching; epistemological debate around language teacher education policy and pedagogy.

Diminish barriers to workforce and further education for parents and families

Purpose

Diminish barriers for families and parents seeking entry into the workforce or pursuing further education through a collaborative co-design approach.

Goals

Nurture understanding of lifelong learning and instil confidence in accessing opportunities. Empowering families to navigate support services, learning pathways and employment opportunities.

Enhance parents’ capacity by providing daycare and alternative childminding models, fostering an environment conducive to work and study.

Growing healthy habits through garden-to-table cooking

Purpose

The project is designed to address poor nutritional literacy and childhood obesity in Numurkah and the low uptake of educational opportunities for adults.

Goals

Connect with families in the community, particularly those finding it challenging to provide wholesome meals, in an environment of shared learning.

In partnership with Health Numurkah and Numurkah Preschool, for example, create a positive shift towards healthier eating habits and improved nutritional literacy among families. Actively engage parents and carers in the further educational opportunities offered.

Women in the driver’s seat

Purpose

To develop skills, including language, literacy, numeracy, employability and digital skills (LLNED), and address barriers to education and employment due to transport, for young mothers and young women in and around the Wallan township (Mitchell Shire).

Goals

To address the widely recognised socio-economic challenges for young parents and their children. In particular, young mothers who may be the most socio-economically disadvantaged, through improved LLNED skills, preparation to undertake driving instruction and increased confidence and wellbeing.

To break down the barrier created by lack of transport preventing young mums in a regional area accessing training and education options for themselves and their children.

Climate action attitudes: a family approach

Purpose

To create a fun and safe learning space which cultivates a positive community of learning about climate action as we transition to a clean economy and tackle the changing climate.

Goals

Engage families in practical workshops linked to climate mitigation and adaptation. Use a structured approach linking local content experts such as Landcare and Mycelia Renewables to local service providers working with families, such as Bass Coast Health Supported Playgroups and Myli community library.

Develop networking opportunities and also high-quality resources that may be shared through the Learn Local network and more generally, as appropriate.

Families learning together (Robotics, Coding and School App)

Purpose

To engage and introduce parents and families to adult learning programs and other local learning and social opportunities through innovative programs.

Keysborough Learning Centre (KLC) will work with four local primary schools and deliver two innovative programs.

These programs include:

• Introduction to Robotics and Coding for Parents
• Introduction to School App (Compass).

Goals

Increase digital literacy of and empower learners to explore local learning and social opportunities available to them.

Assist to increase participants’ confidence in learning and exploring technology, to help make informed educational and employment decisions.

Help reduce isolation, enhance harmony and integration, build an understanding and confidence in the education system,

Develop and promote cooperation with the local community and the schools to build the capacity of the parents in their communities to build futures for their families.

Olivia Hurrell, Bass Coast Adult Learning (BCAL)

Olivia is a dedicated educator with 20 years experience working in a variety of learning settings including primary schools, VCE, TAFE, AMES Australia and Learn Local centres. Her love for overseas travel and cross-cultural experiences resulted in a passion for working with adults from diverse cultural backgrounds. She completed a Graduate Certificate in TESOL and in 2011, a Master of Education research project titled ‘Learner Identity and Resettlement: Experiences of Adults in the Sudanese Community.’ Olivia has worked as a social worker for newly arrived migrants and coordinated the Adult English Migrant Program in a regional TAFE. She now enjoys working with the dynamic team at Bass Coast Adult Learning where she has been fortunate to work in a number of different roles related to foundation skills training. Her current position as Partnerships Coordinator enables her to meet with colleagues in rural Victoria and Melbourne to share best practice approaches to assisting adult learners to feel well supported during their learning journey and achieve their goals.

Lauren Rizzacasa, Prace Inc.

Lauren Rizzacasa is the Building and Civil Construction Industry Practice Network Coordinator. She works at Prace, a Learn Local in northern metro Melbourne. With over 30 years of experience in the tertiary and community education sectors, Lauren has developed a broad range of skills and knowledge related to education in a not-for-profit environment. She also has a background in literature and LOTE (Languages Other Than English) teaching. In addition to her project work, Lauren manages Prace’s marketing team, contributing to its community-focused initiatives.

Dr Tess Demediuk, AMES Australia

Tess Demediuk commenced employment at AMES Australia in 2013 managing the Education portfolio in Melbourne’s west until 2017. Prior to this, Tess held curriculum and pathways development, VET quality teaching and learning, and industry consultancy and research roles in TAFE and a dual-sector university.

Tess now manages AMES Australia’s Research and Policy unit which prioritises applied research; external research partnerships; sharing of settlement-related information to build organisational capability and awareness of issues impacting on multicultural communities in Australia; documenting evidence to demonstrate impact; and building on AMES Australia’s influencing role through undertaking projects such as the Hard to Reach Learner initiative on behalf of the ACFE Board.

Roz Meineke, AMES Australia

Roz Meineke works as a Projects and Policy Officer in the Research and Policy team, specialising in social policy and community engagement. In her current role, Roz contributes to research and projects, such as the Hard to Reach Learner initiative, aimed at building understanding of multicultural communities to ensure that diverse populations are effectively reached and supported.

With a background in consulting and community engagement, Roz has collaborated with government to develop impactful strategies that promote community and social cohesion. Roz is passionate about empowering diverse communities and advocating for inclusive practices, ensuring that every voice is heard and represented.

Robyn Matthews, Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services

Robyn wrote her postgraduate thesis on the psycholinguistical considerations of CALD learners and has been curious about language and language acquisition since teaching her next-door neighbours English in exchange for delicious Vietnamese sweets as a child. She speaks several languages and has taught in more than 5 countries over the last 25 years.

Robyn has worked within the Learn Local sector since 2019, providing education and employment support for multicultural community members, mostly from a refugee background through her work at Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services. She is particularly focused on how pre-accredited training can improve educational outcomes as well as to expand awareness of employment opportunities for all.

Robyn is passionate about education equity and the importance of connection to community, and has designed and delivered several learn local award-winning programs.

Christine Brooks, Wellington East Gippsland Learn Locals

Christine Brooks is currently a Project Worker for the Wellington and East Gippsland Learn Locals working with them for the development of a responsive and sustainable pre-accredited sector in rural and remote communities.

Christine has worked with the Learn Locals as a pre accredited trainer in a number of different industry based courses including: 'Get ready for work: care & support', 'Get ready for work: disability' and 'Financial wellbeing for women'.

Over the last 4 years, Christine has worked with the Learns Locals in Buchan, Orbost, Paynesville, Heyfield and Sale to develop a Learn Local alliance, based on a 'networked delivery' model with a focus on maximising resources, engaging with relevant local agencies/organisations, promoting the brand and becoming a provider of choice for local communities in Wellington and East Gippsland.

Mark Rose is an Aboriginal man traditionally linked to the Gunditjmara Nation of Western Victoria. With a 40-year career in education, Mark has contributed to a broad range of educational settings within the state as well as nationally and internationally. At a state and national level and with community endorsement Mark has served on 5 ministerial advisory committees. In 2003–2005 Mark co-chaired the Victorian Implementation Review of Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. For 6 years, Mark held the Chancellor position at Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Education Darwin where he saw Indigenous education engagement with Timor.

Over the last 15 years, Mark has held senior academic positions and in 2020 he became the inaugural Pro-Vice Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Innovation at Deakin University. Mark’s commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education is seen in his role in community groups such as VAEAI and the raft of statutory bodies and other committees he sits on. Mark is often drawn upon for keynotes and media.

Vanessa Iles is an experienced LLN teacher and manager of the national Reading Writing Hotline. She coordinates a database of LLN providers around the country and manages a team of experienced teachers who field enquiries from individuals, organisations and industry seeking referrals and assistance to access literacy and numeracy classes.

Vanessa also manages several strategic improvement projects, including national research uncovering adult literacy and numeracy needs in Australia, engagement with First Nations communities, and resource development.

Hutch Hussein has over 25 years of experience in public speaking and facilitating events in the community and government sector.

A social worker by training, she has worked with at-risk young people, family violence survivors and people from refugee, migrant and asylum seeker backgrounds and currently works in policy advocacy to government. In between, for nearly 4 years, she has worked as a Ministerial Adviser in the Education and Women’s Affairs portfolios.

She enjoys bringing her knowledge of working across government and the community sector and knowing what makes a productive and fun conference to her MC work.

Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute

Kangan Institute is amongst Australia’s largest and most trusted vocational education and training providers. Kangan Institute delivers training in central and northern Melbourne through campuses in Broadmeadows, Cremorne, Docklands and Essendon, with new campuses to be delivered in Sunbury and Melton.

Visit Kangan Institute for further information.