Making the Connection: Some People, Programs and Ideas Highlighted by Adult Learners Week 2001

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AUTHOR Cross, John; Della, Jennie TITLE Making the Connection: Some People, Programs and Ideas Highlighted by Adult Learners Week 2001. INSTITUTION Adult Learning Australia, Inc., Jamison. SPONS AGENCY Australian National Training Authority, Melbourne. ISBN ISBN-0-949145-33-5 PUB DATE 2002-00-00 NOTE 101p.; Additional sponsorship provided by Green Advertising, Collins Booksellers, and Ricoh Australia. PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE EDRS Price MF01/PC05 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Access to Education; Administrator Attitudes; Adult Education; *Adult Educators; *Adult Learning; Adult Literacy; *Adult Programs; Adult Students; Community Development; Community Programs; Conservation Education; Correctional Education; Delivery Systems; Educational Attitudes; Educational Needs; Educational Opportunities; Educational Supply; Family Life Education; Foreign Countries; Home Economics; Internet; *Lifelong Learning; *Linking Agents; Literacy Education; Models; Museums; Music Education; Personal Narratives; Postsecondary Education; Program Descriptions; Radio; Student Attitudes; Teacher Attitudes; Volunteers; Womens Education IDENTIFIERS *Australia; Learning Circles; Learning Communities; Learning Society

ABSTRACT This document profiles selected people, programs, and ideas highlighted by Australia's Adult Learners Week 2001 and begins with these papers: "Adult Learners Week: A National Celebration" (Ned Dennis); "A Message from the Adult Learners Week Patron" (Peter Hollingworth); "A Message of Support from the Prime Minister of Australia" (John Howard); and "A Message from the Chief Executive Officer of ANTA (Australian National Training Authority)" (Moira Scollay). Part 1, which explores the issues facing adult education in Australia, contains the following papers: "Challenges and Opportunities of a New Learning Framework" (Tony Brown); "No Worries for Australian Learners?" (Bill Lucas); and "A Learning Society: What Will It Be Like and How Will We Get There?" (Geraldine Doogue). Part 2, presents the following shortlist entries from the Adult Learners Week 2001 Collins Booksellers Writing Competition: "My Life as a Loser" (Kirstie D'Souza); "And Andrew Said" (Bill Clohesy); "Women's Work" (Megan Chappell); "Rejuvenation" (Megan Rowe); "An Autumn Flower" (Elizabeth Cooke); "Adult Learning, My Experience" (Joan Darnell); "Desire to Ride" (Greg Bogaerts); "Evening Classes" (Rananda Rich); "Self Taught" (Tony Smith); "Zak's Words" (Carmel Williams); "Gathering Momentum" (Andrea Mettenmeyer); "Learning to Read" (Catherine James); and "I'm No Philosopher But..." (Frances Overheu). Part 3 profiles the following outstanding learning facilitators: Cathy Rainey; Jason Learner; Lorna Crane; Jane Brown; Ros Butcher; Joan Johnson; and Robyn Ellis. Part 4 contains the followingpapers on outstanding learning programs: "Bachelor Survival--What Shall I Cook Tonight?"; "Why Learning Circles? The Methodology and Its Benefits"; "From Spice Racks to Homes: The Transportable Homes Project"; "Let's Play Fair: Helping Adults to Create Positive Environments for Children"; "Getting Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Community Volunteer Learning Right: The Skills for Nature Conservation Program"; "Another Chance: Tasmanian Prison Services Education and Training Program"; and "Tiwi Music Program." Part 5 contains the following papers on outstanding learning providers: "Strengthening Communities--Boyup Brook Telecentre"; "Melbourne Museum and Adult Learning"; "The Old and the New: Lifelong Learning through Radio and the Internet"; "A National Training Centre: Booroongen Djugun College"; "Creating a Learning Community: Morrison House Inc"; "Smart Geelong: The Learning City"; and "Addressing Adult Learners' Needs: Kangan Batman TAFE (Technical and Further Education)." Part 6 summarizes the major activities of Adult Learners Week 2001.(MN)

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BEST COPY AVA LALE 2 making the connection

some people. programs and ideas highlighted by adult learners week 2001 Adult Learning Australia PO Box 308, Jamison Centre, ACT 2614 Tel:02 6251 7933 Fax: 02 6251 7935

Web: www.ala.asn.au

Edited by John Cross.

Written by John Cross and Jennie Della with contributions and assistance from Judy Stanton, David Pearce. Adriana Beltrame, Bronwyn Ryan, Sally Dabner, Helen Soane, Tony Ryan, Shanli Wong, Jan Simmons and the State and Territory Co-ordinators listed at the back of the book. Other authors are credited throughout the book.

Adult Learning Australia gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship of Adult Learners Week 2001 provided by ANTA, Green Advertising. Collins Booksellers and Ricoh Australia.

Adult Learning Australia also gratefully acknowledges the Centre for Adult and Community Education (CAE), Victoria, for allowing their photographs to be used on the cover of this publication and on Adult Learners Week banners.

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Adult Learning Australia or any other organisation associated with Adult Learners Week. Articles profiling people, programs or organisation do not represent endorsements or guarantees by Adult Learning Australia or by any other organisation associated with Adult Learners Week.

Design by: Green Advertising (15692)

Printing: New Millennium Print

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4 CONTENTS

Adult Learners Week A National Celebration 2 A Message from the Adult Learners Week Patron 4

A Message from the Prime Minister of Australia 5

A Message from the Australian National Training Authority 6

Part I Issues Facing Adult Learning in Australia

Part II The Learning Experience 21

Part III Outstanding Learning Facilitators 51

Part IV Outstanding Learning Programs 57

Part V . Outstanding Learning Providers 71

Part VI Adult Learners Week 85

5 ADULT LEARNERS WEEK A NATIONAL CELEBRATION

In 2001 Australia celebrated its seventh Adult Learners Week. An opportunity to focus on the of the Commonwealth of Australia achievement and the potential of all forms of adult learning in Australia. Adult Learners Week and the Patron of Adult Learners Week.Otherkeyactivitiesco- 2001 was the most successful ever staged in this country. ordinated by Adult Learning Australia at a nationallevelincluded the Most Adult Learners Week activities management of the two national are presented by learning providers awards and thestagingofthe ACE Centres, neighbourhood houses, national ALW seminar. Focusing on a communitycolleges,telecentres, Learning Society and asking the community groups, museums, TAFEs questions "what will it look like?" and and so onfrom around the country. "how will we make it happen?", a Using promotional resources supplied highlight of the seminar was a lively by Adult Learning Australia, and, open forum moderatedby ABC in some cases, grants administered presenter, Geraldine Doogue. by state or territory governments, The national co-ordination team was localproviders use the Week to also responsible for the tour of two present and highlight a range of Ned Dennis. Chair of the Adult Learners international guest speakers:Bill activitiesthatgivetheirlocal Week 2001 National Coordinating Committee speaking at the National Launch. National Lucas, Executive Director of the community an opportunity to discover Museum of Australia, Canberra. Campaign for Learning (UK), and the learning experiences that are (photo: Eddie Misic) Wesley Payne McClendon.Jr.,a available to everyone. formeradviser totheClinton The Week is co-ordinated at a national Adult Learners Week co-ordinators Government on literacy issues and an level by Adult Learning Australia, the around the country. organisational change consultant. peak body for adult learning providers The national co-ordinationteam is Each state and territory has its own and facilitators and a voice for adult responsible for staging some key Adult Learners Week Coordinator, who, learners. The main role at this level is Adult Learners Week activities as in partnership withstate-based to decide, in consultation with a wide well, such as the National Launch. Organisations. arranges state launches, range of stakeholders, the key themes This year. the National Launch was award ceremonies andgivesthe fortheWeek, tomanagethe held in Canberra and the Week was national campaign a regional focus. communications strategy, and to officiallylaunchedbyDrPeter While we have no way of recording provide information resources for Hollingworth, AC OBE GovernorTGenera I how many people actually participate

Making the Connection in ALW events, there were some good population adult learning has a 'high Adult Learners Week 2002 will take signs of increased participation in appeal',while 39% feel that adult place 2-8 September. Once again the 2001. The number of entries to the learning is'of some interest'. This is Week will provide an opportunity for Collins Booksellers Writing and the heartening news for everyone everyone to celebrate. promote and RicohPhotoCompetitions was working in the adult learning sector. advance all forms of adult learning in outstanding, with entries coming Australia. Nobody needs an invitation The Week has been able to achieve from the Tiwi Islands in Australia's far to become involved, anyone can market penetration far in excess of north, to Bruny Island in Tasmania. present or participate in an Adult Usage of the Website shot up too, what might be expected given the tiny Learners Week activity, and the almost doubling from the previous budgets that are involved at all levels National and State co-ordinators are year, and calls to the 1300 phone of co-ordination. All the people who there to help. number rose steadily towards the have worked so tirelessly to present Week. We have received many reports Adult Learners Week activities over from around the country of the years can be proud of the status Ned Dennis successful,wellattendedAdult that the Week now holds within President, Adult Learning Australia Learners Week activitiesopen days. Australia. and Chair, Adult Learners Week 2001 exhibitions, shopping centre displays, National Coordinating Committee free classes and lots more. This book contains some of the best ideas, people and programs to have By all measures. Adult Learners Week come tothefore during Adult is achieving considerable recognition Learners Week 2001. Here you'll find for itself and, through its activities. some of the best entries in thiC011ins foradultlearning as a concept generally. An AC Nielsen survey, Booksellers Writing Competition and in the Ricoh Photo Competition. You conducted by the Australian National Formoreinformationabout Training Authority (ANTA) as part of a will also find profiles of some of the Adult Learners Week visit formal evaluation of Adult Learners Adult Learners Week award winners www.adultlearnersweek.org.or Week, has revealed that one in four from around the country. The book Australians were aware of the term, has been conceived to serve as a phone 1300 303 212. For contact 'Adult Learners Week', with around 1 resource for inspiration and ideas detailsofanyorganisations infive aware of this year's ALW that has a relevance well beyond featured in this book. call the publicity. The study also revealed that theactualtimeframeofAdult National AdultLearners Week for 55% of the Australian adult Learners Week. Coordinator on 02 6251 9887.

13 7 As Governor-General, and as the National A MESSAGE FROM Patron of Adult Learners 'leek 2000. I am very pleased to send this message of THE ADULT LEARNERS WEEK PATRON supportandgoodwill toallthose His Excellency the Right Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE participating in its various activities. Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Adult Learners Week is a time to computer areallplaceswhere employment opportunities. It can help celebrate and promote adult learning learning is occurring. people in their own personal and education in Australia. It aims to development and enable them to encourage more adult Australians to Australians have a positive attitude to make new friends. continue to develop their knowledge learning associating it with words like and skills, by changing the common 'discovery', 'finding out new things', We need therefore also to ensure that perception that learning ceases with and 'working with others'. The Week learning opportunities are available to the end of school or University. celebrates the achievements of adults allAustralians so that some are who havecontinuedwiththeir not left behind in the information age Adult Learners Week highlights the learning or who have returned to and the knowledge economy. Those diverse places where adults learn. learning, often overcoming obstacles who have had negative learning The classroom, the campfire, the on the way. Their achievements serve experiences in the past in particular club, the sewing group, the farm, the to inspire others to follow their example need encouragement to take that first toolshed, kitchen,library,gallery, and chart their own learning journey. step back. neighbourhoodcentre, zoo, and Lifelong learning is becoming We have many issues confronting us increasingly important in a world as Australians that can only benefit subject to constant change, whether from reasoned and informed in terms of technology, the economy, discussion, from learning together. ADL or society in general. If Australia is to I wish Adult Learners Week well, and LEA] capitalise on such change, then it is to all those involved in the wide range essential that all Australians remain of activities, forums, debates and open to new ways of doing things celebrations I wish you every success. and this entails a recognition that we will be learning throughout our lives.

The value of lifelong learning not only Petu, tI

benefits the individual: it extends to Governor-General of the Adult Learners Week patron, His Excellency the family and the next generation, Commonwealth of Australia the Right Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth AC and enhances involvement in the local OBE launches Adult Learners Week at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra. community and the wider society. (photo: Eddie Misic) Adult learning can help to create

:loo the Careection A MESSAGE OF SUPPORTFROM THE PRIME MINISTER OFAUSTRALIA

Mr John Howard

Itgives me great pleasuretosend ongoing passion for learning. In an greetings to participants in Adult Learners increasingly complex modern society

Week from 2 8 September 2001. a commitment to lifelong learning benefit both individuals and Australia I understand that Adult Learners as a whole. Week is now an international event with Australia one of over 40 countries I send my best wishes to everyone participating in the first International involved in Adult Learners Week 2001 Adult Learners Week in 2000. This and wish you success in your future year participants in Australia will learning endeavours. celebrate a second international week by taking part in a range of diverse J( ni' Finw.io and challenging activities based on the theme of lifelong learning and Prime Minister of Australia Australia as a learning society.

Adult Learners Week is organised by Adult Learning Australia. the peak organisation for adult and community education providers. TheAssociation undertakes arange ofactivities including an annual national conference and facilitating a number of special interest networks focused on people with disabilities and cross-

Adult Learners Week patron and Governor cultural education. The Association's General of Australia, Dr Peter Hollingworth, work is supported by many meets members of an AdultMigrant Australians from all walks of life who English Service (AMES) class at the National Launch of Adult Learners Week 2001, recognise the value of formal and National Museum of Australia, Canberra. informallearningthroughout an (Photo: Eddie Misic) individual's lifetime and who share an

9 A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF ANTA

MOIRA SCOLLAY

One of the Australian National Training

Authority's roles is to help develop a nation in which our people are passionate about and committed to lifelong learning. This is what Adult Learners Week celebrates and

ANTA is pleased to offer its support to this book which recognises AdultLearners

Week 2001.

Lifelong learning is a familiar concept to adult and community education (ACE) but wider recognition ofits importance to the knowledge society isnew. Better engagement of industryinthelifelonglearning agenda should be a priority. Moira Scol lay (centre) speaks with Bill Lucas at the Adult Learners Week 2001 seminar. I see our vision like this: Australia is (photo: John Cross) alearningsociety.The 'nation's enterprises, individuals and communities individuals, institutions and governmentS participate in lifelonglearning within community partnerships must because they understand the benefits deeply value skills, knowledge and include a highly skilled workforce and lifelong learning. a stronger economic performance. a more inclusive society and a stronger democracy, and a more personally Mora Scol'ay rewarding life. Chief Exectitive Officer From the perspective of Australia's Australian National Training Authority prosperity in the 21st century and our social coherence, businesses,

6l Matron the Connection 10 PART I

ISSUES FACING ADULT LEARNINGIN AUSTRALIA

ALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF A NEWLEARNING FRAMEWORK

By Tony Brown, (Former) Executive Director, Adult LearningAustralia

Celebrating individual and group child,the sense ofself-esteem

achievement is a cornerstone of gained from completing a course

Adult Learners Week, Numerous that had seemed daunting, tackling the internet and communicating with inspirational examples attesting to the friends overseas, a group coming fact that learning can change lives are together to chart their own learning recognised during the Week and many are about indigenous and white recorded in this book. Australianhistory in orderto At first sight they may not seem to be make a difference. These and other grand achievements. Yet for the examples become thefocusof individuals concerned they can often attention during the Week. represent a turning point. The new They provideaglimpseofthe connections made from overcoming practical outcomes of adult poor literacy or numeracy such as education and learning. But at the being able to react a story to your same timethe Week offersan

SESTCOFWAVAILABLE opportunity to reflect on whether our giving direction to the future. It also If we are indeed entering, or have learning systems are appropriate for inspires andguides action. This entered, the information age then the 21st century. Do they meet the conversation needs to be more than these figures give cause for serious challenges confronting education, looking to new technologies to solve concern. and Australia more generally? currentproblems because the An OECD review of issues concerning technology becomes the focus rather adult learning and participation can The advent ofthe 21st century than looking at new opportunities to also offer pointers for Australia. The brought a chorus of pronouncements review is focussed on: develop learning. Technology is not a that 'the information society' both fix for the old: it is a powerful means How toimprove access and requires and makes possible new of supporting new forms of learning to encourage new participants forms of education. The sense of serve higher levels of expectation How can government, industry, being on the brink of something all unions and civil society than currently exist. together is captured in phrases like organisations improve the the 'information age', the 'knowledge CHALLENGES OF PARTICIPATION incentives and motivationfor revolution' and so on. adults to learn? The main challenges involvedin How a more integrated approach Translating these declarations into responding to these new demands are to education systems can be reality, however, has proved to be not too different from earlier times. developed? difficult. It would be too easy to put They involve questions of Improving the quality and variety this slow progress down to a lack of participation,access, equity and of teaching and learning money,technology,standards or quality. They may not be that different Improving policy effectiveness and teacher training. Obviously there is but perhaps they are more pressing. coherence need for improvement in all of those During the Week we raised three LEARNING OUR WAY OUT areas,but the main problemis crucial issues of participation. They something different. It is a shortage of were the disturbing numbers of adults. Education is about doing courses, bold, coherent, inspiring visions of withno interest orintentionto gainingqualifications,deepening undertake any form of structured what education could be like 10 and 20 knowledge. andimprovingskills. learning once they had left school, the Learningismore.Learningisa years from now. very high rates of inadequate literacy processofdiscoveryaimedat This doesn't mean that we need a and numeracy among adults, a figure understanding the breadth and depth blueprint because blueprints are of 44% according to the International of our individual and collective world prescribed outcomes. What's needed AdultLiteracySurvey;andthe so that we can participate more fully declining school retention rate where is a view of the 'look and feel' of the as social beings. And so adult learning three out of every ten school students operates in a social and economic future. Visioning equips us to look don't complete Year 12. environment that in turn shapes it. beyond the immediate problems by

61 Maine the Comedian i2 This environment presents a number of specific challenges including:

significant changes in the organisation of work, in patterns of and participation in employment, andformanythedifficulty involved in securing employment the widening gap between rich and poor and rural and urban Australians an ageing population early retirement and conversely later retirement the nature of national identity in the 21st century and improving our understanding of our history and place in the region reconciliation between indigenous and nonindigenous Australians developing a sustainable environmental future increasing use of information and communication technology and the Internet 'From Pillar to Post' - Short listed entry in theALW2001 Ricoh Australia Photo Competition. scientific and medical advances (Photo: Con Eremidis. Vic) that raise new moral and ethical issues Anewecologywillseenew education providers and much What should we be looking for? How institutions,systems.styles and individual and collective learning can education and learning that is delivery mechanisms being recognised isunrecognised evenby the aimed at the general adult population or developed.It should take as a participants. respond? We need to conceive of a starting point the following: Collectiverecognitionofthis new learning ecology that recognises A learning society, is increasingly learning could lead to people more the diversity of sites and motivations real, combining formal and new fully valuing their own learning for learning and because of that forms of informal learning. capacities as well as those of eschews a narroweducational Extensive informal learning is not other groups. agenda in favour of a broad one. registered through formal

Part 13 luau keep Adult learning in Australia 19 Informal learning needs to taken The process of establishing new into account for more responsive learning systemsa lifelong learning further education opportunities. approach must be ongoing. It will The scope of informal learning require patience and commitment. includes the knowledge of many Lifelong learning can' be the policy people who have been excluded glue that connects those responses from continuing education in the but itmust mean extending past, notably working class people, learning opportunities to those adults older people, indigenous people whoarecurrentlydiscouraged, and the disabled. Among these unmotivated or who face obstacles to groups there is a demand for re-commencing. recognition of their prior learning. We need to think beyond educational Recognising household, sectorsifwe aretofoster a community work and informal learning culture. learningcanbridgethe gap Elizabeth Chong between paid work and adult Author,Teacher of Chinese Cooking, education and lead to a Consultant and regular cooking segment presenter on 'Good tflorning Australia', sustainable knowledge society. Channel Ten Accompanying thegrowthof

learning is a substantial learning "I am constantly involved in informal adult

divide where many remain learning and, asIlearn, I give to others un-motivated and disinterested. what I have learnt. One needs goals and Meeting new demands and challenges in order to stay really 'Alive'. redressing learning divide requires Routine is OK. but you can he deadly dull. new cultures and relationships Learningexercises the hrain and with other organisations. imagination brings 'soul' to the person.

New community led initiatives "Learning should he fun!It's surprising Learning Communities and how much easier it is when you don't make LearningCircles need new heavy work of it. Don't pursue activities responses. you really don't enjoy or have areal Adopting this approach will pose a interest in. Follow your heart and your instincts:. numberofchallengesforthe 'educational system' and those who work within it, but also presents much potentialforextendinglearning opportunities.

101Making Me Connection

BEST COPY AVAILABLE NO WORRIES FOR AUSTRALIAN LEARNERS? Centre for Lifelong Learning and Development as part of the City of Marion Learning Festival. In Geelong I

During Adult Learners Week 2001, Dr Bill Lucas. Chief Executive of the UK Campaignfor met with a wide cross-section of the Learning and author of the best-selling book Power Up Your Mind: Learn Faster Work Smarter, learning community who had come together through the 'SmartGeelong' was invited to tour Australia and share his ideas about building learning societies basedupon Learning City initiativethere I talked his experiences in the United Kingdom. Here, Dr Lucas. shares his impressions of Australia's about how we can switch people back learning community and the challenges facing Australia as it seeks to builda stronger. more on to learning. visible. adult learning culture. InSydney I spoke at the Adult Learners Week seminar, giving a As an international guest of Adult visiting a largely urban society. In progress report on developments in

Learners Week I hadaunique Northern Territory I visited wonderful the United Kingdom. Also, while in opportunity to sample the impressive aboriginal art sites and was given a Sydney, I spoke at a lunch organised rangeofactivitiesonofferin privileged insight into a culture that by the NSW Board of Adult and

Australia. I saw at first hand the managed to speak to me from many Community Education (BACE). In different ways in which our two years ago with a freshness and Brisbane I addressed an enthusiastic countries are handling the lifelong dignity thatIhave not experienced group of Literacy Volunteers on the agenda and made many new friends. before. valuable role that I believe volunteers

Here are just some of my impressions. play in a learning society. Finally. I During the course of the Week, in spent a day with staff from the For someone used to an island where addition to countless radio Australian National Training the longest distance is the 600 miles. interviews. I met with a large number Authority (ANTA), sharing with them between John of Groats and Lands people, from a range of learning some of the ideas and experiences we End,itis the size and diversity of communities, across five states. In have had in the United Kingdom as Australia that first hits a visitor from Perth I spoke to policy makers. we seek to build stronger learning Britain. Australia seems enormous, planners and university academics at environments. partnerships and with each state seemingly as big as a breakfast focussing on how to communities. most countries in Europe. revitalise local communities through learning partnerships.In Adelaide I Coming from a land where there has Life in Northern Territory, where I been enormous energy from started my journey, was almost spoke to an audience of business people at an Industry Breakfast. government in the area of lifelong tropically hot and steamy even in Where Italked about the "Business learning, workforce development, the August, while in Perth I needed an knowledge economy and basic skills, I overcoat to protect me from the late Case For Learning". Later that day I felt as if I was entering a world of very winter squalls. Yet even with this presented a talk on the "Irresistible Rise of Lifelong different political priorities. enormous scale, it seemed as ifI was Learning" to members of the South Australian

Part I: Issas facing Adult Learning io Aastralia 111 There is certainly the beginning of that, on many occasions, we were As well as listening to and watching a debate about lifelong learning. As really talking about "education" or my hosts,I was also bringing some the National Centre for Vocational "training" rather than learning." All new ideas in my travel bag. And it was

EducationResearch put it in ofwhich makes AdultLeaning ' for the ideas of family learning and New directions in Australia's skill Australia's call for a strategy for learning to learn, both concepts at the formation published last year: lifelong learning very timely in my heart of the Campaign for Learning's "IfAustraliaisto maximiseits view. Yet when Iquestioned many work, that I found most interest. economic potential, policies to further policy-makers, including two Ihope very much that our idea of promote lifelong learning are the key ministers, about the need for a Family Learning Weekend - an annual direction for the future." In one of the nationalstrategy, I frequently weekend of informal learning many policy papers I encountered the encountered variations on a theme of activities run by libraries, museums, challenge is articulated as follows: "No worries, Bill" and a rapid change local communities and others in the "The real question is how to turn all of subject! UK over the second weekend in this activity into a genuine learning or The theme of Adult Learners Week October - will be taken up by one or training culture where continuous 2001 - "making connections" ,_was an more States next year and included in learning and new skills become the excellent one, for it is exactly what is Adult Learners Week. drivers of our economic future." needed. Schools could connect more During my trip I often spoke about But. while there were people from with colleges: business with "learnacy", the idea that learning is many different sectors at many of the educators; trainers with learners; the learnable. This is something that the events to which I contributed, I was voluntary sector with the commercial Campaign for Learning is developing particularly struck by the absence of world; trade unions with employers. with Professor Guy Claxton here in certain key elements. So, for example, These areeasythingstosay. UK schools. The wordlearnacy I was underwhelmed by the especially when you are only a provoked some mirth (for presumably involvementbybusinessinthe temporary visitor. I am sure that there if you are good at learning to learn debate, despite the existence of some would be huge added value. to the you must be a learnatic"). We have thinking about the Knowledge Nation. whole lifelonglearning project- if not got the language right yet, but at Significant also was the separation of closer collaboration could be least we are beginning to talk about much community-based education established.I saw it in some of the the concept. And I was delighted to from-the mainstream. This is in no learning communities I visited, but discover that there is already a real way to denigrate this sector, indeed, then only in a defined geographical attempt to find out more about how one of the most enjoyable sessions of area. I can't help but think that the we learn and how the brain works in my trip involved some 100 voluntary holy grail that needs to be pursued is someSouthAustralianschools. literacy tutors in Brisbane. a combination of increased social Unless children leave schools with a cohesion alongside better and smarter In short.I found myself increasingly love of learning and a real economic performance. Lifelong wanting to know what the big picture understanding about how they learn learning is surely the key to this. for all this activity was.It seemed best then we are surely going to be

1211131in the Connection 16 stuck with a deficit model of lifelong As I flew back home, I found myself learning. thinking that we are indeed lucky that The final event of the week was a the Blair government is committedto lifelonglearning. seminarhosted byANTA,the Jacques Delors Australian National Training famously said that: "Lifelong learning Authority. in Brisbane. The topics of is the heartbeat of society", And in our discussion were 'The business the UK I for one can feel the lifeblood case for learning' and 'The rise of is beginning to course throughthe lifelong learning in the UK'. It was veins of our body politic even ifit is here that l was most aware of some not yet reaching all its limbs. But in major differences between our two Australia, while the individuals I met countries. As I described the idea of were committed to and passionate individualorcompanyLearning about learning to a person. I often felt Accounts and union learning reps, that I needed a stethoscope to hear one delegate interjected that since the country's beating heart. neither employers or unions had In fact, somewhere over Singapore, I understood the case for learning such began to wonder whether the "No an idea would be doomed to failure. worries" was really trying tosay Whilethe caseforworkforce "Good idea.let's create a national development is by no means well strategy" or "It's a lot more complex enough made, there is a much greater than you think, Bill, go away and leave emerging consensusinthe UK. us in peace!" I found colleagues at ANTA extremely You tell me! receptive to new thinking about learning. Bill Lucas addressing the Industry Breakfast, Hilton Hotel, Adelaide. (photo: Mark Trumble)

17 Part I: Issues facing WI Learning 3 A LEARNING SOCIETY WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE competitive advantage, retaining and recruiting good people, relationships AND HOW WILL WE GET THERE? with employees, better relationships with customers, work-life balance. and dealing with change. Itis very In Australia, there is a great deal of rhetorical support for lifelong learning, from governments. easy to do. It doesn't sound like adult business, educators. There is less progress in Australia towards translating this rhetoric into and community education when I am reality. Policy development continues to concentrate on existing educational and scientific speaking to this audience, but it is. institutions. There is little policy work on integrating the informal and formal learning. There When I am talking to people from the is a widespread feeling that Australia is lagging behind most other comparable societies in worldofAdultand Community

I replace each of the developing policies and programs in the area of lifelong learning. Education, reasonsforlearning orsub The Adult Learners Week 2001 seminar attempted to fill the policy vacuum by presenting definitions of learning given to participants with the questions:What will a learning society be like? and How will we get there? business,withphrases such as 'realising talent'. 'developing What follows is an edited transcript of the open discussion component of the seminar which individual potential', 'social inclusion'. was facilitated by ABC Radio and Television presenter. Geraldine Doogue. neighbourhood renewal', social regeneration'...

Geraldine Doogue Geraldine Doogue Things that are precious are difficult todefine.So we shouldn'tbe Are you saying, then, that the effort to I propose to go first to the issue of defensive about the fact that lifelong put boundaries around learning can definition.I'dlike to hear how you learning is difficult to define, almost be misplaced effort? define what you mean by 'learning' anything that we value falls into because I don't think we can get very Bill Lucas that camp. far without a clear focus. .. - It certainly can. I do believe however that we should Bill Lucas. Chief Executive. Campaign for be practical andrealisticinthe We had a go in the UK and what you Learning (UK) language we use about it, and this produce is a paragraph. Bits of this

IfI may challenge you on that... why means using a whole host of different paragraph have been adopted by should learning be the burden of great languages. Government, the museum world, the library world and it turns up in policy definition? Whentalkingtobusiness,for documents. The paragraph reads: Anything that is worth having is going example, we use the language of to be difficult to define. Give me a one business. We advance a clear-headed "Learningisa process of active liner on work, or love, or school, or business case for why we should be engagement with experience,Itis marriage. or equality. for example. learning,andit'stodowith what people do when they want to

141Makine the Connection 18 make sense of the world.It may what value we put around lifelong danger that you obscure people's involve an increase in knowledge, learningin which to supportit. basic belief that learning plays a part or understanding. A depeening of According to the rest of the world, at in a "good life". Most people who run values or the capacity to reflect. the moment it seems value-less. the argument about learning for life. Effectivelearningwillleadto do it because it is a nice way to live, Jenny Morawska- Ahearn, General manager change, development and a desire to because they like learning. and I don't People & Performance. Westpac learn more." think you should lose that. What happens is that you then get I believe that you have to show Unidentified speaker (1) asked to reduce it to a sound bite, tangible results - bottom line results. such as "learning is a process of It may mean that, in fact, you leave out Education is many things to many discovery'.Or else you can locate some of things you are doing. For people. For many, lifelong learning is a the description within environments. example, you can say, with regards to way to feel better about ourselves and learning, that we see this benefit in to improve our self-image. Wesley Payne McClendon Jar., Manager, shareholder return, we can see this For a lot of people from disadvantaged Deloitte &Touche Consulting Group effect on economic profit or impact" ifyou can do some economic areas of society, however, lifelong Change Leadership Practice (USA) modelling against it - then you will learning is a vehicle that allows them I have to go in the opposite direction start to get some shifts and changes. to participate in living. My idea of here.Itis often said that "less is learning, then, is that it is essentially a We shy away from this. We say "we more" and I thinkthatisvery means by which people can empower can't measure that stuff: this is about applicable here. I think the more themselves to live. feelings and spirituality". My view is definitions we try to put on lifelong that you measure what you can Unidentified speaker (2): learning and education in general, the measure and you blend the rest in. harderitisto sellto potential That way you will get you where you For me lifelong learning is no different learners. The harder it is to come up want to go. to the "Fit For Life" type campaigns. with a product and I think that is the The latter exerc-ises the body while If we try and be too purist we are not problem with education. the former exercises the mind. going to get there. I talkabouta "profit-centred" Inthe end what drives youis approach to education where,in Glen Martin. CCH Publishing House something personal, so Idon't think effect, you can actually peg it to whether it is you have tohave some I think we need to be aware that product. some defined morsel of people areatdifferentlevelsof social or any other obligation. learning, that people can purchase. motivation and as such you need to Veronica Sheen. Deputy National Executive While we may wrestle with this idea of run different agendas for different Director. Council on the Ageing education and what "it is"and while people. I'd like to come at this debate in terms thisisa good debate to have But by focusing too much on the of where lifelong learning isn't at -ultimately we need to figure out social capital argument there is a the moment.

Part I: luau Facing /gait Learning inAustralia115 19 In terms of the work we have done We have to be really careful when we Robert Fitzgerald. Commissioner for with mature-aged unemployed talk about measures that we don't end Community Services. NSW people, what has become apparent is up purely talking in cost analysis If you talk about lifelong learning it that there are glaring weaknesses in terms as this can lead to all sorts of interms of Australia's educational set up and out ludicrous, "Yes Minister"-type has to be pitched achievable outcomes. For example, of that has come a certain awareness outcomes. We've got to be careful to of what we need in terms of lifelong avoid rushing to the easy "quick -fix" what you have to sell to government is that you want a resource that will learning. measurements. increase the skill of our workforce to We have a generation of people who Jenny Morawska-Ahearn be able to achieve a specified goal have come into their late forties and I actually think that the measures are and that resource happens to be a fifties where the labour market and a means to an end and that social lifelong learning regime. economic systems are breaking down justiceimperativesarejustas for them. And what isn't in place are wouldn't necessarily talk about important as economic ones. But the lifelong learning strategies that Australia as an "inclusive society" what we need to acknowledge is that would help them move into the new because too often we have seen we are now in a value domain and as governments play on exclusion, such labour market. such we need to take a value stance. as creating "the common enemy", as I think that we need to understand When you take a value stance your a deliberate political device. But what lifelong learning in terms of where it measures fall out of that naturally. we can agree on is that we need isn't. greaterparticipation,particularly I believe firmly in social justice, but I fromlowincomeandsocially Bill Lucas think we are naive to say that social disadvantagedpeople,insociety justice will win the argument. The only A comment on measures... generally. So you could argue that a way we are going to get change is to lifelong learning strategy is a tool or Of course we have got to have market and sell our ideas in such a resource that will enable such greater measures - measures arereally way that will get a result. We can't important - but how about adopting afford to be naive about political. participation within society. broader measures such as "living agendas. We have to avoid fluffiness Whileitisimportant to have a longer and healthier". that's a pretty and tie things down to something real nationalframeworkforlifelong interesting measure. and tangible. learning - because such a framework There are two sides to the coin: let's If we get our value framework right will stop the duplication and wasting of resources - that's not how you can use them as our headings in any and we can influence people in power, sellitto decision makers. You will strategyworkwe do. Oneis we will get change. If we are too naive, "increased prosperity"and the nothing willchange and we will need to sell it by showing that it is a tool or resource that will achieve a second is "increased social justice". continue to have these debates and definedoutcome insocialand They are not mutually exclusive. discussions for the next twenty years. economic terms.

161Makieg the Connection 0 Elaine Henry, Chief Executive Officer. I agree that we won't win any The Smith Family arguments by going to the people and With regard to strategies for getting saying "lifelong learning policyis things onto the main agenda, what going to turn yourlife around". you have to do is take a bit of the However, we can go to government debate away and focus on facts. The and decision-makers and say "unless more startling the better in a way. we start to integrate more of these areasoflearningand life- You've also got to understand that information brokering, libraries, things don't work in a linear way. community settings, the workplace Anotherpracticalissueisthe etc - we can't have a responsive Elaine Henry (left), Jenny Morawska-Ahearn management of energy and and Robert Fitzgerald at the Adult Learners strategythatwilldeal with the resources. A good example of what Week 2001 Seminar. (photo: John Cross) problems we have identified." l think it happens in Australia was is making those connections that is demonstrated withour suicide problems that were defined in terms really important. prevention work. After we started of Britain's educational, employment talking about the number of suicides Lesley Harrison, Assistant Head, Bachelor and productivity performanceas in our society, what happened was for Adult and Vocational Education. measuredagainstthatofother that - because this is the way we work countries. University of Tasmania inAustralia - we suddenly had I'd like to return to discussing what multiple groups springing up and I think in Australia we are in a similar doing something. The result of this position now. We can now identify we mean by "lifelong learning". was that we dissipatedallour particular problems and say things like We all know about formal education, strength by everybody getting funded "theretentionrateisa serious and we all know about non-formal to do little bits. Then we were faced problem",orthatliteracyand education, the bit that we don't know with the problem of having to pull it all numeracy levels are serious problems. much about is informal learning. back together. Governments in Australia fund Society prizes qualifications and That might be the way we have to do it - "educationsystems",andtheir society prizes a learning society. But I don't know, maybe we do have to have support of learning is very conditional. most people participate in informal all these different things and then at Yet ANTA research has shown that learning, and while this form of some point down the track start to Australians have a really positive learning isveryprofitablefor coalesce and get a proper framework... attitude to "learning". but are less workplace, organisation and positive about the word "education". Tony Brown, Executive Director. Adult business, it is under-recognised and While politicians are focused on Learning Australia under-valued. formal "education" systems, people The genesis for some of the changes are saying they like -learning" and The thing is, the majority of the time in Britain stemmed from identifying there is this enormous gap. people don't recognise that they are

-21 Part I: Issues Facing Adult Learning in Australia I l learning. They are doing what they are I think this premise is true because In my work, I movebetween doing, because itis good fun, or the term 'lifelong learning' focuses on practitioners, government, educators because they can meet other people. the means rather than the end. and policy makers. None of them or because they are getting out really get along with each other. As a sector I think we focus far too there and having a go and giving Business and government seem wary much on our internal language. Our something back. of the community sector because businessislearning so we will they thinkitis all very 1970s. The I think that the lifelong learning obviously promote learning as a community thinks that the agenda in Australia should not only 'good'. But for our clients, for the government is too bureaucratic, too include formal learning (TAFE, higher people who learning with us, learning rigid. Business... well we don't even education, schools etc), non-formal is often a gateway to various social know about them, they seem foreign learning (institutes of adult education goals, such as prosperity and social to the community sector. etc),but also give emphasis to justices. informal learning (special-interest I think there is a desire to make better I think when we say 'lifelong learning', clubs, learning circles, book we failto complete the phrase: connections, but itis not working. discussion groups etc.) and to the lifelong learning...for what? Politicians There are traditional reasons why we peoplewhofacilitate informal everywhere, will ask that question, don't have a lot to do with each other, learning (be they informal teachers "for what?". but another part of the reason stems or peers). from the fact that, during the 1980s, I think it is up to us to clearly define There are communities out there, welivedinaworldinwhich how learning is a gateway to various especiallyinruralandregional competition waskey, andthe learning goals. Australia, and most likely the urban community sector is uncomfortable areas as well, who regularly Geraldine Doogue with this philosophy. participate in an informal interaction As a way moving this discussion I think there are small examples through which skills, knowledge and forwards, to focus on how the sector existing in Australia now which are information are exchanged for the might progress, I want to now to look_ showing what canhappen. The well being of the person and for the at the relationship between business Learning Employment Networks in well being of the community. Here and the third sector. Tony, do you have Victoria are a good example as are human capital, intellectual capital strategies for reaching out toindustry Learning Cities. The Smith Family's and social capital meld. This type of in a way that would be a useful 'Learning for Life' program is another learning must be better recognised. collaboration? good example. Bob Campbell. Executive Officer, ACE Tony Brown I think what is really needed is for Council Do we have strategies? Yes. Are they government to come in and give a Addressing the original proposition very good, well no, I don't think they lead and support. I think it is a matter that we lack focus and that the term are. It is something we have to-fearn. of changing the discourse, changing lifelong learning also lacks meaning... the way in which that facilitation is

18111itakiap tee Comedian 22 done, and authorisingit.At the Liz Keyes, Senior Project Officer. ANTA* Moira Scollay, CEO ANTA moment, the context in which we are There has working is not an environment in been a lot of I suppose a gross generalisation misunderstanding around the training which governments authorise and would be that big businesses like packages; thattheyarejust support the work of the community formahsystems, small businesses like competencies. Competencies are only informal systems - short sharp just- sector. a framework - they are the skills that in-time, little bits of courses. Elizabeth Pringle. Aged and Community are recognised by industry as being One of the policy challenges for us necessary. Services Association. NSW and ACT. now is to find ways of taking what One of the things that strikes me has An the on the job learning that small business loveshort courses or been that there has not been enough happens provides the context the really informal on-the-job learning, inter - linking between the needs of flesh around the bones if you like. It is mentoring and so forth - and making business organisations and the adult what happens on the ground and with sure that when people reach a stage learning sector. We have seen a rise of the people that provides the other in their lives when they want mobility, aspect Vocational Education and Training tothe program. I really they can cash this learning in for a (VET) courses that can be soulless disagree that the deep learning, the qualification. Our challenge is to get and devoidofopportunitiesfor personal learning and development big business to recognise the value of personal learning. can't happen within VET. non-formal and informal learning and

In thereby making all these forms of It seems that business is after a hard terms of linkinglearning and learning truly mobile. core set of skills that people can industry, with the creation of the training packages and the national demonstrate, and that community Patricia Carroll. St George and Sutherland vocational education systemswe education is focused on developing a Community College person and the twain shall never had, from the very beginning, industry meet. There really needs to be a involvement. We have an industry led It was very popular in the 1970s to retainemployees byintroducing realisation from business that it is the board and it was industry training childcare centres. Then we moved to growth of the person, as well as the advisory bodies that created .the the "family friendly workplace". The acquisition of skills, that is actually training packages. So we recognise the value of industry involvement. next big thing, I think, is the company goingtobring about longterm I that can encourage and support its change. thinkitis a great model and a strength for Australia. employees in pursuinglifelong We can't just keep churning people learning for the sake of it. For example (This is an informal comment made outwithcompetencystandards in Germany,in some companies, without also looking after the growth in the context of this discussion. It is people are encouraged to undertake of the whole person. Liz Keyes' personal opinion and should any sort of lifelong learning - even not be considered an official statement purely recreational learning- by ANTA.) because they have the awareness that to have employees who are open to

Part 43 lawn Far* Adult Lumina is Autratia 119 learning,is a great asset to any where people can get just-in-time company. learning in a style and in a place appropriate to their lifestyle. Finally, I believe that everything depends on marketing. I think we need to ask the there was a request for new programs heads of business who have piloted for unemployed young people that these schemestotalktothe work. corporate sector about what the Geraldine Doogue outcomes were. We need to get champions from industry and the I appreciate all your thoughts and I corporate sector who have hope something constructive can participated, to talk about how it has emerge from this. I would love to think benefited them and their work life. Participants in the Adult Learners Week 2001 that we could end up with something Seminar take time out to consider how to like a Minister for Adult Skills.I wish Bill Lucas create an Australian learning society. you luck and I believe that you are on (photo: John Cross) Going back to the question of how can to something. Ishall watch with make all this happen... interest...I shall report on you with government, business, voluntary interest too! Lets us not forget that we are talking sector and education providers - about vote winners here. We know involved. They have got to be brought from studies in the UK that 77% together in the same room and you employees would prefer to work for an have to find some common ground. employer who values their training This is not a nice thing to have, and learning. And everyone wants it is essential. better schools. So these issues are When we did this in the UK. the kinds vote winners. of things that came out the discussion You need a few politicians who are were simple, but necessary, capable of thinking big. You've got to innovations. Things like, a national, have a fewpoliticians who are free, helpline number - a service prepared to live with uncertainties - called'Learndirect'whichtells you've got to live with uncertainly anyonefrom whatever income because that is what leadership is all bracket, where they can go and get about. You've got to have some big learning near them. people with big ideas. Another simple idea that came from You've also gotto haveallkey this coming together of stakeholders stakeholders all levels of was the idea of a low-cost online university aimed at small business

2J I leaking the Coanection

24 is THE LEARNINGEXPERIENCE

Shot dist entries from the AdultLearners Week 2001 Collins Booksellers Writing Competition

MY LIFE AS A LOSER and potential, a man who was being fast-tracked by the bank. -He had

A story by Kirstie O'Souza plans to be rich and successful. How could a loser like me be part of those I like to think,my husband was drunk plans? In my weakened postnatal when he called me a deadbeat loser. state,I was inclined to agree with I like to think that sober he wouldn't him and almost offered to pack his have been so vehement. He'd certainly bag. It had always seemed too good been drinkinga celebration with his to be true that someone like me, who mates, supposedly to mark the birth of our son Sean whowas then one left school at sixteen then failed to week old and who slept peacefully completeanapprenticeshipin through his fatherleaving. As a hairdressing, had ended up with dead -beatloser, my husband someone like him. I felt like a loser - explained; I was not a fit wife.for a -.abandoned in a strange city,-with no man with his education, background husband, no friends, and a tiny baby.

11 Six months later, his family sent me home, I asked Carla if she was okay doughnuts Carla had bought at the an invitation to a cousin's wedding. I and she began to sob in earnest into mall, but the parents loved it. knew they'd only asked me out of a her Singer. She told me that after So,as Sean progressed through desire to see Sean and because they twentyyearsofmarriage,her playgroup and pre-school,Icarried felt guilty about what had happened. husband, a bespoke tailor, had run on with Cake Decoration II It would be the first time I'd seen my away to America with afabric (pre-requisite: Cake Decoration for husband since the 'loser' night. I had salesman. Now the sight of a bolt of Beginners) and Cake Decoration - no money of course and nothing to cloth was more than she could take. Advanced. Gradually I began to get wear so I enrolled in Everyday Fashion So Carla's tears and my lack of them ordersforbirthdays,weddings, -a course for people just starting out. cemented a great friendship. parties and farewells and for the first Thursdays 7-9pm. Bringown My wedding outfit was a disaster but time began to doubt my loser status. materials. Teacher: Carla Watson. I Carla made me a suit of peacock blue entertained a fantasy of making a Once Sean had started school, I and a matching sun-hat for Sean for garment so perfect that my husband expanded my repertoire with the occasion. My husband wasn't at would fall at my feet. The class was a IntroductiontoPastry(Monday the wedding. His mother explained revelation - not because I made 9-11am. $50 for materials) and The that he'dleft Australia to work in anythingremotelywearable.but ArtofConfectionery(Tuesdays London some weeks earlier. I was less because it was the only evening of the 12-2pm. For the experienced cook) heartbroken than I expected. week I didn't spend in tears. Daytime before succumbing,to the demands of was bearable but in the wake of my I started Cake Decoration - produce Commercial Cookery (Certificate III) husband'sdeparture, my normal fabulous creations for every occasion at TAFE. My business grew and I

evening routine was: eat dinner, cry (Mondays 6.30-8.30pm) because I employed a group of women I'd met for ten minutes, bath baby, sob into wanted to make Sean's second through classes. Sean called them towel, put baby to bed, sit in front of birthday extra special. I felt he'd had a the Cake Ladies. telly and cry for two hours. At class. I bad start with a runaway father and a Sean was eight when I decided it was grappled with fabrics and -cross- loser of a mother who cried all the time to run things more efficiently. I time. Carla babysat on Mondays,- grains, chatted about bobbins and took Computers: Getting Started mending every torn garment in the spools and hardly thought about my (Wednesdays 7-9pm).Our class house after Sean had gone to sleep. loser status or about my husband. shared a small kitchen area with After class, we'd drink tea and devour Perhaps it was my familiarity with EnglishforSpeakersofOther my attempts at piping or moulding or tears which made me notice Carla's. Languages. The two classes would chocolate leaves, always keeping one Other people in the class thought she mingle in the break with the ESOL perfect morsel for Sean to eat next had hay-fever because she sniffed so tutor loudly encouraging her students day. The birthday cake was a fabulous often and wiped her eyes. But I knew to grab the opportunity to talk to thing - shaped like a teddy bear and the signs. At the end of week three. native English speakers. I noticed coated with chocolate ganache. Sean when everyone else had headed Luis at once. Although fifteen years and hisfriendspreferred the older than me, his quiet dignity and

.." I Making the Connection 26 handsome face still turns heads. But I hand. I was the light at the end of the It was Carla who came up with the was drawn to him, not by his soulful tunnel, he said, the sunshine after idea for the cafe. Luis's aunt had left eyes and silvered black hair, but by his years of rain. him some money and the cake ladies terrible sadness. and I were ready for new challenges. The following yearItook Yoga For Sean and Carla were playing cards Pregnancy (Thursdays 10.30-12.00. It's a warm welcoming place. Carla when I got home. I told them I thought Bring a towel) and Active Birth: made all the soft furnishings. Luis I was in love but Sean laughed and Breathing and Relaxation Techniques does front of house and is adored by said I was too old. (Monday 6.30-8.30pm) but none of that the older women who fill the place each morning at coffee, time. People It wasn't until week four that I even helped when our daughter was born, are always asking why it's called The noticed Luis's limp, and week seven ten weeks premature. Everything that could go wrong. did go wrong and she Loser's Cafe. before I began to understand his sadness. and I were both sick - she in her body I rang my husband a few weeks ago and I in my heart - for weeks after a friend from Discovering The His mother was Portuguese,his afterwards. Internet (Wed. 7-9 pm) helped to track father Spanish and they had died in a him down. I thought it was time to talk train crash when Luis was ten. He'd Carla and the cake ladies clustered about divorce. I asked him if he was been raised by two rival aunts, one in around Luis and Sean, providing food rich and successful, as he'd planned. Spain and one in Portugal. When he and clean clotnes and Jackie and Sue He said he was getting there. He and was old enough. he escaped to Brazil from Yoga took turns taking Sean to his partner, a banker like him, have no where he herded cattle and eventually soccer training and helping him with children yet because they're busy became a teacher. In his thirties he homework while I was at the hospital. with careers but they have a large married a troubled young woman who But it was from each other that Sean houseina London suburbhe in the throes of terrible depression and Luis drew their greatest comfort. described as stylish, they drive new killed herself and their unborn baby. Luiswouldnot come near our cars and travel extensively. When he Luis took off, running from his grief daughter and Ifeared history was asked what I'd done with the years, I for years. ending up in Africa where repeating itself and I'd be the loser said that I'd gone to classes and that he worked as a volunteer with an aid once more. It was Sean who pointed my life was richer than I'd ever hoped. agency until the lower part of his right out that Luis was probably afraid to leg was blown off by a landmine. love her in case, like everything else he'd loved in his life. she was taken He came to Australia to look after one of the rival aunts who was old and from him. very sick. She wasn't taken and Luis named her

I asked him once what had kept him Grace because she's a gift from god. going through his tragedies. He said He loves her passionately but still thatit was the belief that one day distantly inching a little closer to her as time passes. there would be thisand he took my

27 Pert II: The Learning Experience 17 AND ANDREW SAID Being nervous and little lost as to where to begin, I got down on my hands and knees. A story by Bill Clohesy Right there in front of them! An assorted mixture of all sorts. A bit like the packet of party mix lollies you Prayer wasn't on my mind as I buy at the $2 shop. Some soft and surveyed the legs of all of them under others a bit hardened with age. Some the tables. sweet and some a bit bitter from past I then stood, went to the door and experiences. Some juicy and others checked that it wasn't locked. a bit dry from being left too long Nope not locked. in someone's pocket. Some brightly colouredindress and others a 'Who doesn't want to be here?', came bit drab. out of my mouth.

David Stratton Unfortunately all nine people put their Film critic, lecturer and co-presenter, But all at the party. hands up. 'The Movie Show', SBS Television. Well it wasn't really a party and the

packet didn't contain lollies. But this 'Well I have just checked under the "Teaching film history at the Centre for was what crossed my mind as an table', I said, 'and none of you are Continuing Education (in Sydney and in assortment of people filed into a chained. And I have checked that the Canberra) is the most rewarding thingI training room recently to undertake a do. As someone who came late to teaching door is unlocked. If you don't want to adult classes, Ifind Adult Education the four week 'Getting back to work' be here, you are free to leave.' programme. most stimulating experience of my life. 'Do you mean we can go home?', "Lifelong learningis important as the The youngest was 23, the eldest 47 several replied. 'Yes', said I. excitement of new discoveries provides and I was scared. But they didn't. constant stimulation. I believe thatto This was my first training session as a become a clever country, Australia needs 'Who hated school ?' We all did Sir'. to have a government that doesn't tax leader with adult learners. I had dealt 'Well this ain't school and my name is boobs and that realises the overwhelming with young adult many times before, importance of education." but this was different.

They didn't really want to be there! We got to know each other. Adenka the immigrant from Hungry with a Theirincentivetoturnup had Law Degree not valid here; Danny been 'Do a course or lose your with three little ones and on his own; entitlements'. Sharla who couldn't read or write: 'Great' said Ito myself, 'Where to now?' Sandra with teenage children on drugs; on it went.

24111We:to the Connection 28 Why people open up like this I know working life was secret. He thought Confident in knowing that, whatever not. But they did. that everything he had done for thirty the $2 packet of party mix looks like, As morning tea arrived I noticed that plus years was irrelevant tothe you know they will be fresh when you my confidence had risen but as they private sector and the skills hehad open it up. went to lunchlong 'playtime'it fell. developed could not be transferred. Would they come back? The group tried. I tried. But Andrew Adenka is refreshing her Law Degree They did. would not move away from the idea at that he was now unemployable. University. Danny became an Day one drew us together. Some apprentice mechanic. The othersI laughed. Some cried. At the end of the second day Andrew don't know about. said he wasn't coming back. And they all came back next day. Except for Andrew. But he did. So did Andrew, the new boy. He was He called to say he got a job asa just like the late corner to a party Day after day after day. storeman. when everyone has had a few drinks To What, I said to Andrew here And then Andrew said, 'Thanks'. and you have had none. Everyone To what are you doin' in class knows each other and is having fun.

You are the outsider. I'm learning something bright he said And it's time to get up off me Stay or leave, leave or stay? arse. In the third week of the programme, Andrew stayed and Andrew cried most of day two. Andrew said that he would not be there next day, as he had to go to He was 49 and had been employed by court. We never saw him for three a Government department since the days. age of 16. Six months earlier had been He did return, and over coffee.) asked retrenched through whatever him what happened. reorganisation had occurred and had been out of work since. 'Idid as we talked in training,I dressed well. I looked ttre- Magistrate And as in all Government jobs of his in the eye, and I told it like it day, he had sworn to uphold the was. No lies, no pretence. I was confident.' secrecy laws of the Commonwealth. Confidence! So what?

'So what'was, he would never Is that what this was all about?', I Adult Learners Week 2001 Open Day. Hanson Training Services, Alice Springs, Northern disclose his skills. Andrew believed thought. Territory. that everything he had learned in his

29 Part II: The Learning Experience : woman with a boisterous laugh, she from the city. There was precise WOMEN'S WORK could often be heard scolding 'her division between the duties of the Bert'. The two sat sipping tea and sexes. At times, she felt she was living A story by Megan Chappell enjoying hot pumpkin scones. her mother's lifeman goes to work, woman at home preparing for his They had moved from the city several "You'll never guess what, my Bert did return. Men's work woman's work, years before. A 'quaint' little cottage, last night" and without a pause "blew she had wanted more. Retirement 'a handyman's dream', real-estate- the oven door right off its hinges." speak for 'needs lots of work'. David had conjured ideas of companionship Maureenwasnotexpected bounced around like a kid with a new to and shared experiences for Maureen participate in the conversation other toy at the thought. Maureen argued, but when David retired, he took up the than the obligatory nod or unsuccessfully, that the work mantle of Mr Fix-it leaving her to exclamation but this required was beyond his limited skills. bit of news entertainherself.Gatheringher required questioning. "What on earth Now it seemed she was right. Not so sewing box and materials Maureen much a prediction, more a realistic was he doing Joyce? How do you blow readied herself for the Wednesday an oven door off?" view from her many experiences of his quilting class while Joyce rinsed the tea things. handiwork. "It's crooked" she "Silly man, I arxed him to put the mouthed to him, tapping the window tinned peas in the oven to warm but 'e She had tried to get David to take a with a sudsy finger. She had been didn't put holes in the tin, did 'e?" course with her, something they could watching him struggle with the fence Joyce blustered "Common sense if both enjoy. "Photograph. Internet for while she washed the breakfast you arx me but my Bert don't have BeginnersorPottery"shehad dishes and could control herself no none of that!" suggested. David had given her a longer. David looked confused. "Not "If Dave had done that, I'd be three bemused look. straight!" she yelled through the weeks without an oven. He insists on glass. Misunderstanding, he smiled. *"When am I going to have time for fixing everything himself and it takes Frustrated, she gave up and finished that Mause? Too much to do around him a fortnight to read up on how to here." He exclaimed. the dishes. do it" sighed Maureen. "Bert may not Maureen hated the casual way he had Maureen was a confident woman. Her be the culinary expert, but at least takentoshorteninghername. small frame and determined manner he's good around the house" she Protestations were met with a slap on seemed a contradiction. One could added. count on Maureen to 'tell it like it is' the behind and "Loosen up love!" She "True enough darl, 'e's good at men's except where David was concerned. It enjoyed the sense of community in work, my Bert." said Joyce as she was not that she couldn't see his the small country town and they both stuffed the last of a scone into her shortcomings, more that she chose supportedthe many fundraising mouth. ventures. though, she not to give her opinion, to him anyway. Secretly. Joyce, who lived next door, didn't have Thisdatedethoshadirritated wished she could spend more time the same reserve. A roundlittle Maureen when they had first moved alone with David pursuing mutual interests. Maureen arrive home in the

261 Making the Connection 30 lateafternoontofindthe two unrefreshing that night for David who very straight star pickets. "I'm about labradors from down the back had was fretting about being outfoxed by ready for a break. Why don't you pop push through the new fence and her a couple of canines. Maureen on the inside and put the kettle on". Not so clean washing was strewn across the other hand slept more soundly than much a question as a command, but yard. Rewashing was not as irksome she had for ages and was up just after glad to have an excuse and time to as the knowledge thatitwould the sun. Finally waking to a quiet think this through, he did just that. probably be months before David house.David wondered why he Maureen entered the kitchen to find worked outhowtodog-proof couldn't hear Maureen moving about. David engrossed intheAdult his creation. Wanderingintothekitchen in Education brochure she had left on slippered feet he expected to find her Next morning, as Maureen hung the the table as a not-so-gentle hint. The with a cup of tea and the morning washing and David surveyed the unattended kettle whistled furiously. papers. The kitchen was empty and damaged fence, Bert appeared. His Pleased, Maureen said nothing and she was nowhere to be seen. balding head sporting little red spots. started preparing the tea. Sitting "What on earth happened to you, 'Clunk! Clunk!' came the noise from down she finally spoke. "Bob runs mate?" blurted David. the backyard, 'Clunk! Clunk!' Through other interesting courses: welding the kitchen window he saw his wife. and small motor maintenance. I was "Little accident in the kitchen, Dave" 'Clunk! Clunk!' Tripping over himself thinking we could find out why the said Bert, in a tone that precluded he raced into the yard, one sock on lawnmower is so temperamental". further enquiries. The two stood the other dangling from his fingers, She said with the emphasis on 'we'. staringat the fence asiftheir shoes forgotten in haste. "What are "Mmm" mumbled David putting the combined interest would willitto you doing?" he managed to splutter. straighten. After a long silence Bert brochure aside "Actually, I thought I "Well Dave" she said lovingly as she announced "Gotta go, oven door to fix. might sign up for that course in loweredthestar Little woman will nag 'tilI do". picketdriver 'Country Cooking' as you are going to "thought I'd give you a hand with the be pretty busy around here!" he said Pegging out the last towel, Maureen fence'. with emphasis on the 'you' - together told David she was off to class and they laughed. left him to sort out his latest fiasco. "And what would you know about Dinner that night was a simple affair, fencing?" he said with amusement. jaffles and tinned soup. Maureen was "Enough to know how to stop those tired after her long day at class. David two" she said, gesturing towards the spent the evening with his digest of four legged audience gathered on the home repairs trying to work out how neighbours' lawn."I went to Bob the dogs had managed to bring the Wilson's workshop yesterday on fence down a second time. Maureen Fencing for Beginners". David was went to bed early, neither of them in lost for words and so said nothing as the mood for conversation. Sleep was he eyed the firmly entrenched and

31 Part II: Tee Learning Experience 171 "Very funny, ha ha ha. You know about REJUVENATION computers," Josh glanced warily at his aunt. A story by Megan Rowe "Well, yes,I know about them, hear "Ican't even operate the video about them all the time, see them on recorder your dad got me, how am I the telly, butI - I've never actually supposed to use that?" Aunty Marj used one," she confessed. laughed, taking a sip of tea, and returning to the pages of her latest Josh knew she wasn't joking, "For library book. real?"

"Don't worry, Dad used to be really "Not that I'm interested, really," Aunty hopeless on the computer too!" her Marj declared, "I've gotten by all my playful ten year old nephew turned life without them, why should I start from the desk to grin. "He' s not too now?" bad now." "But Aunty Marj, there's so much you

"Now hurry on! Just because you and could do! You could send email..." that thing are here for the week, "The Post Office is still in operation, I doesn't mean-you get to stay up late!" believe," his aunt retorted.

"But I need you to help me with my "...or do artwork..." homework, I told you!" Josh implored "I have brushes and paint aplenty, with his biggest smile, "Dad says she was unmoved. you're a really quick typist!" "Play games?" "Ah, the delights of Paris inthe 19th century must wait for myreturn," Aunty Marj tilted -her head to the Aunty Marj rolled her eyesand .put trunk in the corner, which Josh knew down her book. from experience contained every board game known to mankind. "Here, you have the big chair," offered Josh, as he moved to make way, "I'll "You could write,"he suggested click the mouse where I want it to go." timidly.

"Click the mouse? When I was your She held up a pen and paper off the age you could catch a mouse, or scare desk with a glare. a mouse. but clicking a mouse?" joked "But you can find out .8-o much about Aunty Marj. anything you like. anything you're 32

781 Making the Connection interested in! And new stuff!" Josh There was a brief silence. She chuckled to herself, then reached was exasperated, "It's such a fun way "Oh! Well! Just like that? I mean, for the TV guide instead. Hold on. she to learn heaps!" that's it?" Aunty Marj seemed genuinely thought, why not?! The TV guide went For a moment it seemed his aunt's surprised, "I had no idea!" back on the table, as she slowly interest had been sparked. Yet ifit approached the new gadget instead. "Type in 'pictures of elephants' had, she thought better of it. and It was just a box of metal, really, she see what we get," Joshwas thought. A bit of glass for the screen, "I'm old enough to 'know heaps' enthusiasticas hedirectedhis myself," she imitated him, "Now come somewhat overwhelmed aunt. and heavens knows how many wires on, what do you need me to help you and fiddly things inside it. Funny how "And because I with? I want to get back to the final have to go to bed,I it's captured everyone's imagination, just click here." Josh demonstrated chapter of my book." she pondered. Well, maybe there is with the mouse, "and the computer something to it after all. "Ok, ok, this is the search engine," he will remember all this when I want to clicked on a picture and a blank box look at it again tomorrow!" "Bit bright." she mumbled as she sat appeared on the screen. "Now I need herself down inthe "big chair". "Bed, yes, absolutely right," his aunt youtotypeinkeywords.My staring at the screen, and adjusting seemed distracted as she hustled assignment is about, um..." Josh her glasses. him off to the spare room, and kissed rustled among his schoolbooks on the him goodnight. Cautiously, she took hold of the floor, "...elephants and where they computer mouse, and movedit come from and what they eat and do She headed for her cosy armchair and around the way she had seen Josh do. they sleep and all that sort of thing. her final chapter amid the flickering, She pfessed her finger down, and Justtype in 'information on unfamiliar light of the computer heard a quiet click. "Oh!" she was elephants' to start with." screen, accidentally catching her foot pleased with herself, "I clicked the on Josh's pile of schoolbooks. "AndIsuppose this willtell you mouse!" absolutely everything you need to "Oh no! she cried, as the book and The empty box appeared before her. know," Aunty Marj was sceptical as her cup of tea were swept together to She frowned, what now? What would her fingers flew over the keys. the floor.The paperbackwas her keywords be?Josh's words drenched, unreadable for the time "Well, pretty much! " grinned Josh, echoed in her ear, "...anything you being. "Now press the 'Enter' button." like...,"she thought,"Anything?" Aftercatchingherbreath Aunty Marj's face lit up with a broad "What does that-" Aunty Marj was cut and smile as her speedy fingers played off before she could ask for an rescuing the carpet with a towel. Aunty Marj glanced boredly around with the keyboard. explanation. the room. So much for finishing her "Paris in the 19th century" she typed. "There you go,Josh was victorious, library book. Enter . "That's a list of all the websites that The computer screen caught hereye. have information for me about elephants!

33 Part U: The Leaning Experience Choices. such choices! History of, "Nah, they had really old people like Literature of. Food, Travel, you there too!" Josh said cheerily, Architecture, Art, all her favourites "They've even got this club going, so much to revisit and enjoy, so many where they get together and send fresh new stories and pictures. And emails, Idunno, to other really old people, people just like her, creating people around the world, don't ask their own pages about their own me!" Josh chomped on his toast. Until interests, welcoming you to write to it registered. "Oh, no way, do you want them, all there at your fingertips. It to?" may have been a long time since Aunty Marj had been to school, but a "No, why on earth should I?" Aunty loveof learning and thejoyof Marj couldn'trestrainher yawn discovery had never been lost on her. any longer.

Dizzy withher new unexpected "Ooh. you do seem a bit tired this passion,it was way past her own morning. Aunty Marj!" Josh teased. bedtime when Aunty Marj pulled back "You spent ages on the computer, from the screen, a tad cross-eyed, didn't you?!" AN AUTUMN FLOWER mind overflowing with new places Aunty Marj waved off a grinning Josh and stories, lists in her head of things at the school gate. As soon as he had A story by Elizabeth Cooke to follow up. new books to read, people disappeared into the colourful crowd to contact, discoveries to be made. The voice on the phone was hesitant, of sports uniforms and backpacks, apologetic.Couldshespeakto Josh and Aunty Marj shared a quiet she made a detour to the Office. in breakfast. So quiet in fact that Josh someone about the Assistant Nursing Course? She didn't want to noticed his aunt didn't even bother "My nephew mentioned you run adult correcting him when he read comics computer courses." she confidently be a 'trouble'. asked the receptionist. at the table. 'Trouble' arrived three weeks later on "So how did your dad change from "Certainlyl," the girl reached for the the first evening of the new course. Really Hopeless to Not Too Bad? On brochure stand. "Justfillout the She was a female of indeterminate the computer, thatis." Aunty Marj enrolment form, and if you could also age with faded sandy hair and a putty asked nonchalantly over her cuppa. fill out our survey, just to let us know complexion. A crumpled $20 note was where you heard about us, and why clutched in her right hand and she Josh shrugged, "Dad did lessons at you want to enrol in the course...' looked strangely like a middle-aged my school on the weekends, grownup kindergarten student on her first day. lessons." Aunty Marj grinned. refreshed, "My From a plastic supermarket bag she nephew said it's a fun way to learn "Oh, for adults just like your father?" pulled an exercise book and sat down heaps!" AuntyMarjasked, a tingeof in the front row next to the door. The disappointment in her voice. $20 was tucked carefully into her cuff 34 30IMak lag the Connection and she looked around the room in next as she moved through the well- class. In a soft but clearly audible wonderment. practiced induction of this motley voice, she addressed the class. group. In a few short months they This was like no other classroom she Five minutes later, she sat down in a would be her latest graduates. had ever been in. Where was the silent room; the only sound to be blackboard? Come to think of it, the 'Now, I'd like each of you to introduce heard was the definite click of the familiar smell of chalk was missing yourselves to the group and give us minute hand as it counted out the day. too. That shiny white board looked some background information about Her name was Audrey. She was fifty- impressive and the strange glass box your life and why you're here' three years old. Having left school at with the light angled above it was a One byone,thesesoon-to-be fifteen she had spent the last thirty- complete mystery. The walls were Assistants in Nursing got to their feet seven years caring for her mother. hung with graphic charts of body and told their story to the group. She had never been in the workforce partsand a friendlyskeleton, Kevin was a welder and had four or married. Her bed-ridden mother, complete with broken fibula. lurched children. His wife had a job and would who had suffered from Alzheimer's drunkenly in the corner. be the breadwinner while he was disease for the last ten years of her The tutor's experienced gaze roamed training. He hoped to work at night life, had died only three months over this latest new group of hopefuls. and help more with the kids during the ago. Now free of responsibilities, She could usually sum them up pretty day. When would he sleep? Audrey was determinedtotrain well on first encounter. There were the as an AssistantinNursing and Agnes was from Greece and her usual clutch of giggling 'just out of gain employment. youngest child was now at school. school' girls sitting together up the Afterleavingschoolatfifteen, want to learn how to care for people back and bound to be trouble. Eager her only work had been in the family properly,' she had told the group. looking women ? the returning to work milk bar and she couldn't wait to 'Mum never complained but I know I brigade ? filled most of the seats and start learning. should have looked after her better.' the balance appeared to be the scatter of males looking for a career With varying degrees Of confidence, During the en-Suing months Audrey change or retraining after yet another theysharedtheirbackdro-unds. was adopted by the other class retrenchment. Finally, only one remained, and the members and she blossomed under tutor, smiling encouragingly, beckoned their interest and care. The noisy girls But the woman in the front row her forward. She saT mute and took her in hand and she soon sported seemed set apart from these groups. motionless in her seat, eyes a new hairstyle and more fashionable She seemed an outsider, both in looks downcast. The class waited as the clothes. The men in the group made and demeanour, as if she belonged to seconds ticked uncomfortably by. sure she was included in the after another generation altogether. class trips to the pub and in a few Just at the point where discomfort The usual introductory preliminaries short weeks Audrey was comfortably became acute embarrassment, she tookplace andthe tutorrolled seated at the bar chatting happily to shifted in her seat, rose and faced the comfortably from one point to the her class mates. The return to work

35 Part 11:The Learn. lag Experiarte 131 group helped with organising some 'And what's your name girlie?' he simple house renovations and asked. redecorating: . 'I'm Audrey, this is my first day here,' A The pressure of work, however took 'You look just like my Maisie,' he its toll on this diverse group of people. mumbled into his blanket. Assignments followed one another thick and fast and many of the I 'She's been dead for years,' said the students were tempted to give it all DON crisply as they moved on to the away and revert to their previous life. next ward. 'He still misses her.' It was Audrey who kept their spirits up Afternoon tea rounds completed and persuaded them to persevere. Adult art students make sketches of the Audrey's busy first day. Her feet Her house became an unofficial study National Launch of Adult Learners week throbbed, her head was bursting with venue and assignments were 2001,National Museum ofAustralia, so much new information, her back completed round the largeplain Canberra. (photo: Eddie Misic) achedwith theunaccustomed dining room table that had been bending and still there were six more deserted for so many years. This sad nevertheless at fifty-three, Audrey's people to attend to. How did they do house became alive with the sound of very junior status seemed at odds this day after day with people that laughter and discussion as questions with her appearance. Was this all a would not get better no matter how and problems were debated waste of time? How could she knuckle good the care given? The thought of a enthusiastically. down and answer to this woman quiet, empty house seemed even The course moved to its conclusion .young enough to be her daughter? more attractive. and the students were placed in work The orientation day. seemed endless She crossed the corridor that led to experiencepositionsinvarious for Audrey. With so many things to the DON's office ready to check in establishments round town. Soon remember, she longed for the clock to after her first day for a debrief. The they would go their separate ways crawl round to going home time and alert old man was moving down the and the link that had bound them the solitude of her empty house. The corridor inch by painful inch in his together for the past few months bundles of humanity hunchedin walking frame. His eyes gleamed as would be severed. Audrey's house chairs or curled in their beds were he saw her. would once again become the silent, someone's mother or father, she tried empty shell it used to be. to remind herself. As she moved 'Hey girlie. Maisie, are you coming back to see me tomorrow? he asked. Itis easy to imagine how daunted through the wards with the DON, Audrey was as she arrived at the their faded eyes followed this new Audrey looked at him as she paused Nursing Home on Day 1 of the Work person in their midst. An alert old outside the office. man with a wasted body smiled at her Experience block. The Director of 'Of course I will,' she replied, touching as they passed by. Nursing was a brisk young woman him gently on the shoulder. 'Yes. I'll be with a welcoming smile but back tomorrow.

32111akIrto the Connection 36 ADULT LEARNING, MY EXPERIENCE withLesleywereasbasicas practisingwritinglettersofthe alphabet in an exercise book. From A story by loan Darnell there, we advanced to writing letters Introduction assessed with what I was able to do, and cards for my friends. This went and also worked out what I wanted to very well, and continued to do so for I arrived in Australia from England achieve, with the help of Alison and the next year. and was having difficulty coping. her team of tutors. I was at lifeline, seeking help, when I My Motivation discovered Solutions. Thisisan Maroochydore Library I have always wanted to be better organisationthatoffersLiteracy classes for adults. After talking to Alison, I chose to work educated. My family consists of a one on one with a tutor. Lesley husband and two children. Now that My schooling was very disrupted and became my tutor after we met at the children are grown up and off my I was not comfortable with reading Nambour. Our firstmeetingat hands. I felt I had time to pursue the and writing. I had problems filling in Maroochydore Library was a little goal of further education. forms and writing letters.I saw the daunting as both of us were shy and My husband literacy classes as an opportunity to hashaddifficulty nervous. We told each other how we fulfil my needs. coming to terms with me wanting to felt with our situation, and were able further my education. He is too proud After consideringit of a couple of to relax and settle down to do what to join classes and seek help. It will days. I decided to contact them. I was we were there for. My first lessons take time for him to accept my new ability.

Classroom Situation

Lesley, my tutor, and her family, are returning to South Australia to live. Because of this, Lesley suggested trying the classroom environment for

a couple of weeks. I have been attending the literacy classes for four

=Xi weeks now, and have not looked back. We have been writing summaries and doing comprehension, expanding my

'Learn With Laughter'Shortlisted entry in vocabularyandskillswiththe the ALW 2001 Ricoh Australia Photo dictionary. Competition. (Photo: Mia Barone, Vic)

Part II: The lumina Experience 133 37 Skills in computers My success at this point in time

We have now branched out into I feel I have accomplished a great deal computer classes. The local library with Lesley's help, and I am sure she has computer and Internet classes realises the gratitude that I have for whereyoucanbookone-hour her.Lesley introduced me to a sessions. My tutor, Lesley, took me for computer. At first I was terrified, but the first lesson on looking for books. with her patience and her ability to

In doing so, she asked me ifI was understand my feelings, I became interested in learning how to use a quite confident.Itis a whole new computer. I jumped at the chance and world for me. Magic! my answer was yes. Where to from here? At first this was very confusing and strained my eyes. With patience and Over the past year Ihave met and

practice, I have accomplished a made many friends, had lots of laughs

good standard. and learnt new skills. I plan to continue attending the classes and We have even 'Surfed the Net' and improving my skills on the computer. used Hotmail. I have been able to My goals include map reading,first communicate with relatives overseas aid, improving my math and which has been tremendous for all continuing to have a good time. concerned.I was even able to take I intend to further my education as another student and introduce her to much as possible. My aim isto the Internet. She was delighted with Internet lessons during Adult Learners Week continue to learn to the best of my 2001 atthe Capricorn Coast Learning her progress and it turned me into a ability. so as to be able to understand Centre, Yeppoon, Queensland. tutor for a short time. The above has the use of language proficiently. lifted my self-esteem and widened my horizons. Lesleyisstillonthe coastin Fun in the classroom Queensland awaiting her departure. I About a month ago, our son Russell have invited her to my home to help As The classes are small groups we bought us a computer. Not only have me further with my computer skills. are able to have one to one tutoring. my skills improved, this has changed At this time I will giver her my small The people are friendly with no my husband's attitude. He has taught gift and have afternoon tea. Later in pressure. We can learn at our own himself some skills and has become the week we willhave a class pace and I feel comfortable with the interestedenough toenrol in gatheringtocatchupandto way I am progressing. Situations arise computer classes at the library. He is say goodbye. where by the whole group are falling now more supportive of my desire over themselves with laughter. to learn.

34111akint the Cementite 38 DESIRETO RIDE And the stock pens were still there, two as a mobile fridge. A plate of close to the back of Jimmy's place. snags and half a pound of butter on Jimmy andI had read some local top of me head would keep as fresh as A story by Greg Bogaerts historiesI'dborrowed from the a virgin until kingdom come. Be of Jimmy Hammersmith lived on the library; simple straightforward facts more use than that brain of mine outskirts of Newcastle in a house about the suburb where Jimmy lived. underneath," he'd tell me buckling made of fibro and iron. The dwelling Difficult enough to challenge Jimmy's over with laughter and dribbling on was jammed next to a boundary of reading skills but interesting enough the book we were trying to read. swampand barbedwirethat to hold Jimmy's attention, especially separatedJimmy'shousefrom After the accident ended Jimmy's the sheep that once belonged to the paragraphs about how families army career, he went back to riding the abattoir beforeit closed and lived in the stock pens during the motor bikes. He'd been a bikie in his left twenty or more Novocastrians GreatDepressionbecausethey youth, so the lure of freedom a jobless. didn't have the money to rent a powerful Harley Davidson offered decent house. was too much to ignore, even though Whenever Ipulled up in my rusty he'd sworn to himself that his days as Datsun 120Y, every Friday, to give "And Ilived just near them pens out a member of a gang were long over. Jimmy his hour of tuition, the sheep the back there." Jimmy told me. "I would crowd into the muck of the reckon there's not much separatin' He'd stop, in the middle of a sentence swamp and rub themselves bloody me from them poor bastards who he was reading to me. and look at a against the barbed wire. They seemed lived in th' pens in th' 30s". space just above my head, as though to have a desire to be owned, to have He had a limp, Jimmy, from where the he was still out on the road on his someone to lay claim to them even if it army truck backed over him one night bike.But then some unsavoury meant a one-way trip to the chopping when Jimmy came back to barracks, memory he'd been pushing away block.Their plaintivecollective pissed to the eyeballs, and didn't see would surface. bleating was only drowned out by the the two-storey high vehicle coming raucous welcome I received from "I didn't always used t' be like this yer Jimmy Hammersmith, ex bikie, ex for him. It left him with half the bones know. All quiet and studious like," he husband and ex soldier. in his body broken, but maybe worse told me once, filling one of those than that, it left him with his brain mysterious silences."I wasn't any "G'day mate! L...II...ong time, n...no bruised beyond immediate repair. He good for me own good. When I was a see!"he'd boom falteringly,the had a metal plate in the top of his gang member. Just as bad when I was hesitantsyllables ofhis speech head and during the cold weather it discharged from the army and started spluttering like the back firing of an played' merry hell with him. ridin' again. Couldn't keep my mouth engine over the paddocks of lantana shut. Always in trouble with the cops. andthefew,butstilloccupied, "Christ it's bloody hard to Belted more than a few, belted more Great Depression shacks scattered concentrateon readin'incold than- a few people I came across in amongst the gums and scrubby weather with that bloody plate in me town ifIdidn't like the look of 'em. bottle brush. head. I reckon I could earn a quid or Losing the licence put a stop to that."

33 Part 11:1k Learning Esperiesse 135 Jimmy Hammersmith lost his licence "He meeds lots of help. A woman their place was an army a phalanx of when he'd gone to court on yet couldn't possibly go out there to short brunettes with big breasts. another assault charge. He was sent his...er...home...er...house to coach With benign glee, Jimmy watched me to counselling, anger management, him. It would have to be a man," she struggle through the lesson, trying to and the shrink soon cottoned onto declared and pushed Jimmy's file at concentrate onthewords,the Jimmy's brain damage and before me across the desk as thoughit phrases, and the sentences that kept Jimmy knew it, the RTA had taken contained a colony of fleas resident transforming themselves into short away his licence. Told him he could amongst the few pages. naked women of generous have it back and ride his bike again When I first arrived at Jimmy's I saw proportions. just as soon as he passed his test. what her problem was. Every square Fifteen times he'd sat for the exam An every Friday afternoon, when I got inch of the walls, bathroom and toilet and failed miserably every time. back home, I would drag my wife off included, were covered with to the bedroom. . His memory was shot, and his reading pictures of women invarious of and writing skills were primary school stages of undress but mostly women "Just what sort of books are you level at best, which is where I came in, completely undressed. It made reading with that man?" she queried. trying to teach him to read well concentrating on the lesson The effect of adult literacy tutes with enough to pass his exams so he could somewhat difficult. An old black and Jimmy Hammersmith on my love life take flight again on his beloved bike. white photograph of Sophia Loren, is something I stillhaven't quite wearing only a pair of lacy nickers, "Get me away from here ifI could get come to terms with.Infactit's was particularly distracting. on that bike again. Yer know me mates something Ireally don't like to think from the bike ridin' days still come Jimmy soon had me figured whenever too much about. around. Still get me pissed and I don't I drifted off in the middle of a tute. After some months of dogged work know what I'm doin'. Belted one of "It's them short brunettes with th' big and chats over cups of tea. Jimmy 'em only the other day.I was pissed tits isn't it?I" he guffawed so loudly opened up even more about his past. but when I say what I'd done t' poor the sheep outside clustered around little Mikey I tell yer I just cried. All I "Yer know th' main reason I want me the back of the house and started wanted do was get on one of them licence back is so I can go and see bleating. "Yer can't fool me. I can see Harleys I've restored and take flight Helen. Me missus. We're not divorced yer've got a shockin' weakness there," away from the sight of Mikey's nose. but I haven't seen 'erin eighteen he grinned mischievously. Plastered like a lump of putty across months. Lives up north near Grafton his face it was." In fact Jimmy went to the trouble of with our daughter Melanie. I'm just rearranging all of his girlie shots for dyin' to go and see 'em. Try to make I'd been given Jimmy as a student by when I visited everyFriday. The amends to 'ern for the things I done in the local TAFE. The woman in charge blondes and red heads were gone the past." he told me. of the adult literacy section phoned from the wallI faced when trying to me and asked me to comein This spurred me on. We worked teach Jimmy to read and write. In for a chat. harder than ever, and Ilobbied the

3611Iaklep the Coenettion 40 EVENING CLASSES

A story by Rananda Rich

I flick through the TV channels again. its Uncut version. And so it goes day There is an ad break on eachone after day, week after week. except for ABC thatis showing Too lethargic to even move after work, somethinginblack and white. I I try and entertain myself by lying on the wonder whether the TV channels sofa watching the flickering screen. TAFE for extra hours. In response I deliberately coincide them like that. I was told that Jimmy's allocation of had been hoping to catch a few Tonight I feel uneasy and a bit guilty about this.I have a sudden vision of tute hours was coming to an end, that minutes of Home and Away before me in five years time in the same funding had been cut, and that there Big Brother came on again. Sara- place and position, flicking through would be no more hours of tuition Marie is being loud again this episode for Jimmy. the channels tofindsomething and another fiery house discussion is worthwhile to watch until bedtime. Jimmy had one more go at passing his about to be shown inthe next test but failed again. The last time I segment. However, a nasty court case I pick the booklet off the coffee table saw Jimmy Hammersmith was when I appears to be in progress on Home where it has lain, unexamined, since I called around to see how he was and Away and I wonder what has been found it at the library last week. It is going. I arrived just in time to see him going on. prettythickforaninformation booklet. I've just read through the swing his leg over one of his Harleys. The evening is stretching ahead of Monday listings when Big Brother "But you haven't got the licence me. The TV pullout from the Telegraph comes on again and down it goes as back: I said. has been well examined. Monday sees my attentionis me watching Friends and then Ally riveted because "I don't care mate. Enough is enough. Blair stubbed his toe when getting McBeal, though I don't-know why as I'm startin' to feel like one of them ready for bed. she grates on my nerves. Tuesday is sheep out the back. No place to CSI and Money. Wednesday used to Later on in the week I have had time to belong and I don't want to end up like be Boot Camp but I must have been flick through the adult education them people who lived in the stocks. the only regular viewer because class booklet in more detail. There is And I can't go on getting' pissed and halfway throughthe series they something good on every evening.I doin' stupid things when the old bikies switcheditto a later time slot. like the look of Creative Writing on a come around. But most of all I've got Thursday is my favourite because Monday, Permaculture in the City on a to get to Helen, licence or no licence. Dawson's Creek is great this series Tuesday. Pilates on a Wednesday and Anyway, the tutes have helped. I can and that is followed by ER or Xfiles, Computer Web Page Design on a read the road signs now so I won't get whichever looks more interesting, and Thursday.Andlet's notforget lost as much as I used to." He said, of course I never miss Big Brother, or Saturday; sailing courses, canoe trips laughed and rode away.

41 PartII:TheleaminaLamle= I3: and healthy cooking classes all look A hundred and ten bucks to enrol; in appealing. my head I run through the things I could get for that: Slowly, slowly I tell myself and decide to take up Pilates again because it did A blouse and a pair of shoes. wonders for my back last year. When I A week's worth of groceries. call to enrol, the woman on the end of Five decent bottles of wine. the phone sounds busy and harassed A pine bookshelf and tells me the class isfull,but A rental car for two days. they'veputinan extra one on Still, it seems worth it. Not too much,

Thursday at six-f if teen. That's way too but it wouldn't be a great loss ifI early for me. I'd never be able to get stopped going to the classes because Students from the Holdfast College for away from work on time so I dither as I didn't like it. Seniors French Class take a bow after their I try to think what to do. She sighs her presentation of 'The Tragic Tale of Pyramus impatience. and Thisbe'. Glenelg, South Australia. It's the first time for me to be in the "OK, how about the Creative Writing high school that I walk past on my way on Mondays?" I ask. "Well how can I pay? I'm at work all to the shops. It's as drafty inside as it day and I really want to do this. Can I "There's only one place left," she looks from the outside. There seems pay on the night when I come along?" says abruptly. to be a real mixture of people in the I know I'm pushing it as I sense her class. Some look very arty and trendy, "I'll take it," Isay, decision made, if crossness from the silence down the some look like mums, and there are a rather rapidly. I had no idea that these phone line. words would be so popular. couple of guys also.In the first "Ipromise I'llturn up,I'llfax the exercise we all introduce ourselves "How wouldyouliketopay?" enrolment form to you right now, just and explain what we hope to get out of she replies. please hold that place for me" I the classes. "How about credit card?" I knoW that I continue. "I want to write a book," I say. can because the enrolment form says Shefinallyrelentsandit'sall so. "Do you take Diner's Card?" "Well you've come to the wrong organised. I reflect while sitting at my place," says the teacher to all of us "No. We don't. Visa and Mastercard paper-strewn desk at work. Mondays nodding our intention of this ambition. only." should work wellfor me. Client "This is a short story writing class." deadlines rarely occur early in the The more obstacles there appear to week. The homework sideofit I have mixed feelings at the end of the be for this the more taken I am with first class. Everyone seems to be very concerns me though. Will I have the idea and out of sheer enough time? Will I be motivated to do good at coming up with sharp funny stubbornness I am now seton pieces during the mini exercises we following this through. it?If I don't. will I stop going to classes? do. We are given the task of a bit of writing to do before the second class.

381Mating Ike Connection 42 Ten minutes is the time we have been something. There is a warm response. told to get something down on paper. SELF TAUGHT Iwalk home on a high that night. Simple enough, butitisn'tuntil These people are no longer arty and twenty minutes before the next class A story by Tony Smith trendy or mums to me but have names thatI hastily scribble something which I feel rather doubtful about and personalities so different to what It was not quite the University of the I reading out. initially expected. Some work and Third Age but Ted was very proud some don't but I really don't know when he thought about his new class. "Did I askyou towrite a what most of them do apart from, like All his life Ted had been the local masterpiece?" says the teacher as I me, they write. expert on lawn mowers. When a caveat my attempt before I read it By the time week ten rolls around, it mower would not start or a part had to aloud. seems to have drawn to a close all too be replaced, Ted was your man. He "The task was to write for 10 minutes. quickly. We all bring in a story and could sharpen and replace the blades Did you do that?" she continues. some food, and have a picnic in the before most people could work out how to take them off, and he could tell "Yeah...but..." I bluster. candlelight that gives our last class that extra ambience, while we read to by the smell of the fumes if the spark "So don't give yourself a hard time," each other. I've written three stories plug was coking up. she says gently. in total and we're all enthusiastic Ted had a staff of six these days, about how we willcontinueto I miss week three because I have to go including an office manager, and so to the South Coast for some client maintain our momentum. A lot ofus he could spend a little more time after haveideasfordifferent work which has come in. I see the writing hours thinking about other things. Ted knowing glintin the teacher's eye projects and thanks to the teacher I had built his business through hard when I explain this. have had an idea for a book. It came work and his main means of learning from the outcome of one of her writing "Hah, she thinks that'sit.that I've was through trial and errorthat, and exercises and the prospect is a little given up," I smile to myself. talking frightening, but very exciting also. to people, asking careful questions and training his memory so Instead, as I'm getting off the ferry at When I get in after that last 'class.I that he did not forget anything. Ted Circular Ouay the next morning I see a put the kettle on as usual. I also tramp sitting on a bench engrossed in had no formal training, but now, at the remember to take the plates out of my doing a scratchie. As I wonder what age of forty-five, he was about to bag, for the cheese and biscuits I had he would do if he actually won, I sense begin a study of the theory that lay taken along, and put them into the an idea brewing for a story. behindhisgreatinterest. He sink. I pick up the remote for the video promised himself thathe would The weeks pass quickly. In week six I player and hit rewind. As my tea qualify as an engineer and acquire the finally own up to my 'Tramp and the brews in turn the lamp on next to my diplomas and certificates to match Scratchie' story and read it out to the sofa and flick the TV on. Then, with his expertise. class. Tongue-tied and nervous Ifeel tea in hand, I settle onto the sofa to like I make a hash of it, but I am proud enjoy my recordings of Big Brother Being a practical person, Ted knew of myself for having actually created and Friends. that he would have to start at the very

43 Part It:The Learning Experience 139 beginning.But even if he had to across and shook his hand. 'Hello' she 'Oh sorry Vic. I'm Ted. So all the others unlearn some things and re-learn said, 'I'm Jenny' and pointed to a label had pink booties did they?' them, he was determined to succeed. on her dress. Vic chuckled. 'Looks like it. Come and That was why he had enrolled in a When Ted introduced himself, Jenny meet them anyway'. Although he had class at the local technical college in said she thought so and pointed to a only just met them. Vic introduced themostbasicskillhewould desk where there was a label with his Carla, Beth, Kerry and Sue without need. Before all else, he had to learn name waiting. Ted thanked Jenny and missing a beat. When you can't rely to read. picked up the label and put it on. Even on reading, your memory gets trained One of the great things about Ted was though it was the only one left, Ted extra well. that he had a very direct and matter of read his name to be sure that it was Ted found Beth the most interesting. fact approach to life. He knew that he his and that it was correct. He was She wore her label on the right of her could not read. Well, this was not sometimes called 'Edward' or 'Ed' or red blouse, so she was probably left - strictly true because he could read even 'Teddy' and wanted to make sure handed. The blouse looked home- some words but not when they ran thelabelsaid'Ted'.He much made and had a basket of flowers on together into sentences. Like most preferred the sound of that. Ted knew the collar, so he summed her up as people in his situation however, he his name pretty well and could the artistic type. thought of himself as being unable to recognise it in most forms of print and read. He thought that everyone else in style. He was less confident when he Jenny ushered them to the centre of the world could read everything they had to find it in handwriting. the room where they sat in arm-hairs wantedto, and what's more, he arranged in a circle. The classroom The label was on a little plastic card assumed that they did read. Not for a was not like any Ted had seen before. with a pin and a clip so he clipped it to moment did he imagine that anyone Outside the circle of armchairs were his shirt on the left breast pocket. He who was able to read would simply six single desks and at the back of the then went to meet his classmates. The not bother. room another six had been set up in a . only other male wore a label-that bore cluster. Around the walls were stools So here he was tonight opening the the letters 'V - i c'. He also wore and benches with computers. radios, classroom door, humming the thick glasses and looked to be ageiiin tape recorders and earphones. A Beethoven theme known as the 'Song his fifties. 'Am I glad to see you' he television set occupied one corner of Joy'. He was dressed very smartly smiled, extending a hand to Ted. 'I'm and a whiteboard on wheels was in and there was no hint of mower fumes Vic'. another. about him. Ted had no problem 'Oh right', replied Ted. 'I've seen your counting, and as he had been told that Theysatinthe armchairs and name on many a mower'. he would be in a class of six, he knew discussed some details about parking that one of the people sipping coffee 'That's it. "Turning grass into lawn"'. and telephone numbers for and chatting must be the teacher. As Here Vic squinted at Ted's label and emergencies - housekeeping matters, soon as he entered the room, a asked 'and you are?' Jenny called them. Ted looked around woman in a bright yellow dress moved thecircleatthefacesofhis

40 I Making the Connection 44 classmates and thought that he could this evening andsittinginthe very easily get used to this learning armchairs. Everyone volunteeredone ZAK'S WORDS business. fact and then Jenny explained that A story by Carmel Williams Jenny explained that all students she had just heard six examples of independent learning in action. The would have a locker so that they could I wait for a letter even though I know examples included trial and error, leave things there. Unlike a class at a my parcel would barely have landed. I building on past knowledge, asking for school, they would all be working on stand at my gate imagining the brown information, a simple experiment, programs of their own and they could paper package being tossed from counting and an educated guess. She keep these locked away for privacy. It cargo plane to bus to old pickup truck said that these were natural learning was up to each members of the class on its journey to Kisumo. I think of him to bring work to the teacher when he techniques and ones they would use opening it, turning the books over in time and again. or she wanted some assistance. The his hands lifting them to his nose to best education involves people taking 'Anyway', she concluded,'let me sniff the newness of paper glue and control of their learning', she said. worry about identifying what you are ink. 'The teacher can help you decide doing. You just keep on doing in and "Words, Australian Mum. what you are ready to do next and your progress will be assured. Now, So many words" helping you find the right materials. are there any questions?' but you will learn at your own speed'. Zakaya and I met in an unlikely time Six students laughed in unison. Ted and place. Room 23 at 'The local To make sure thateveryone was quick to respond. 'Millions!' he learning centre on the wettest night in understood what she meant, Jenny said 'when do we start?' July. His black neck stuck out from a asked whether anyone had been able Now it was Jenny's turn to laugh. 'Oh too big jumper and his curly hair was to learn anything between arriving Ted. I think you've alreddy started, fuzzy with rain. He glanced up at me don't you?' and smiled shyly. The seats at the front had filled up and I was happy to head to the back and sit next to him.

To a fifty something grandma who'd only ever written shopping lists and A notes for her kids, the back of the room seemed the most comfortable spot.

The class spent the first part of that evening listening to the tutor telling . I I us where our advnture into short story writing might takeus. He explainedwhat assignments we

45 Part II: The Learning Experience 14'

BEST COPY AVAILABLE would do, what authors and books we off from the rest of the chatter village in Kenya where his family had would meet alongthe way and around him. once raised corn and maize. practical information about where the After class I saidgoodnight to "Did he want to write short stories?" I kitchen and loos were located. Most everyone and started the long wet asked. of the class seemed to have the same walk up the hill to home. How stupid "Yes" he answered quietly. 1 want to sense of anticipation that I did, but as not to bring the car I thought but I had write about my family". I took a sideways look at the young done it deliberately, knowing that black face beside me Irealised that waking filled in more time and that Something in his voice stopped my he hadn't understood much of what the moment of opening a dark front asking any more questions but as we had been said. What was he doing door and hearing 'cuppa's on love' turned the corner to my house I here? was delayed for a while. I heard him wondered about his obvious lack of panting before I saw him. understanding in class, yet his ability At coffee break the smokers braved to speak English so well. the damp back veranda while the rest "Australian Mum you wait please". of us huddled around the urn in the I turned as he stood heaving, catching As if he read my mind he said, "In kitchen. The young man seemed his breath. Australia you speak fast. It is hard to uncertainandstraggledbehind understand. Icannot write English "Zakaya" he said, jabbing himself in moving from one leg to the other in words so well. I want to learn this". the chest. the doorway. "Would you like some help?" I asked "Ellen" Ireplied trying to juggle my "Tea of coffee" I asked and smiled. He almost before Irealised. He nodded umbrella in the wind. pointed to a tea bag and took the cup and grinned and pumped the umbrella as I filled it for him. "Mum?" He looked confused andI up and down, soaking both of us. realised he thought my name was "There's an honesty box,"I said as I From then on Zakaya became a Mum from our meeting in the kitchen. put in my own fifty cents. He shoved a regular afternoon visitor. I got Frank's hand into his jeans pocket, brought "No no it's Ellen" I laughed. but from old dictionary out and we would look out some small notes and coins and then on I became Australian mum or up words that had come up in class or held them out in front of me. I took just mum. that he had heard on the radio. He some coins and dropped them in Zakaya took the umbrella from me would write in bright texta in an old for him. that night and swinging it aloft like a exercise book he had labelled 'Zak's band leader's baton he walked and Words'. The boys at the church he "I don't mind playing Mum" Isaid, talked me to my gate. He told me attended had shortened his name and aware of the other students staring about coming to Australia on a six he was chuffed to have an Australian at him. month visa to stay with a mission as well as an African name. He would He drank his tea without saying worker who had sponsored him. He sit at the kitchen table for hours, head anything, his back pressed up against was nineteen and came from a small down over his words. Every so often thekitchenwall,seemingly cut

4211421aq the Connection 46 he would look up and say "What word My Journey when we were young and there had this, Mum?" "Crazy word this". My journey started in Kisumu where been good harvests. While the grown We'd joke about funny pronunciations once my family lived. When I told the ups sat inside our house and ate and and he would try me out with African church workerI was going on this talked, Adiambo and I raced each other words, giggling uncontrollably when I journey he lent me his sandshoes. I to the river and splashed into the cool couldn't get my tongue around them. was very happy because I knew that no water. At sunset we dug in the mud for Often he would stay on for tea and we One else in Siaya would be wearing crabs and water beetles. would take turns in reading aloud shoes. Siaya is a three day walk from I thought about my cousin as / walked from one of our assignment books. my village along the river Yala. I walked alone for three days and I felt very tired Zak had an adolescent's appetite so I very slowly so that the dust would not and sad. cooked up things I hadn't tackled get on my shoes. since the boys left home. The house When I got near to my Aunt's house in / walked slowly too, because / knew seemed warmer than it had in a long Siaya I washed my feet in the river and that when I got to Siaya I would be very time. We sometimes looked through put on my shoes. I knew Adiambo's sad. On the second day of walking I had my photograph album and he would spirit would be watching from a high to hang the shoes around my neck want to know about the family, but tree and seeing the shoes would make because they made my feet sore. her happy. when I asked about his he seemed to close in on himself and I knew not to When the sickness comes in my That was Zak's first story about his pry any further. country people say it is because devils family. He has written many more and jump into your body and chase away Our first written assignment was a is due to start studying journalism in your spirit. Sometimes the priests can Nairobi. We write to each other often short story entitled, My Journey. I kill the devils but not always. As I asked Zak if he needed help with his and his letters always begin with walked Ifelt very sad because the and was surprised when he said no. "Dear Australian Mum". I feel a sense sickness had chased away the spirits of For a week before the assignment was of pride as he gets closer to being a my mother and father and my two older due he didn't come around and I was published writer. I like to think that his brothers. And now Adiambo. worried that he was finding it too hard new journey started here, in a small and didn't want to tell me.I was The workers say that it is not really the town on the wettest night in July. relieved when I arrived at class and he devils who make people sick,it is was in his usual place. A few of the because of drinking dirty water and front row students read out their having no crops to eat when the rains work. A Ski Trip. Trekking Expedition. don't come. A Journey to Sacred Sites. Adiambo had a big smile and could run The tutor asked if there was anyone very fast. She was the daughter of my else who would like to read out loud. mother's sister and a year younger Zak got to his feet. than me. Twice she came to Kisumu

4 Part II: Tat Luta* Enterietze I43 twenties andpost-University, we encourage each other to try stranger GATHERING knew almost nothing about anything. things. Friends became infected by our sudden enthusiasm for MOMENTUM In search of educational enlightenment, experience and joined us in dreaming we began tovisitgalleries and up obscure challenges. For some of A story by Andrea Mettenmeyer exhibitions, to attend evening classes. us,thishad dramatic andlife- public lectures and film screenings, to changing consequences. Leila moved read popular science and philosophy, Who was Leon Trotsky? The question to London, after a series of art history was asked of me over coffee on an to swap great works of literature and lecturescementedherwafting then discussthem at length. unremarkable winter's day. dreams to work and travel in Europe. Gathering momentum, we dabbled in She is the current holder of our Leon Trotsky?It sounds Russian. Life Drawing, heard performances of Distance Award, as London is almost Wasn't he one of the pigs in Animal early music, snuck into astronomy as far away as one can travel from Farm? Or one of the other farm lectures at a University, decided over here without leaving the surface of animals? Which would make him a pizza what Marx meant when he said the earth. In turn this inspired the central figure in European History,I that religionis the opium of the Leaving the Surface of the Earth guess. I don't know, I really don't, why masses, and finally learned to write Award, created for Michelle who took are you asking me? numerals the Roman way. up ballooning and flying with zest, Because people are always talking Our forays into the Adult Learning abandoningherhealthyfear_ of about things I know nothing about. scene stretched beyond the ordinary heights to a dizzying disregard. I know, me too. We're not very worldly, boundaries of organised classes. Our It has not been without twists and are we? But it's probably just a life definition of education broadened to hilarity. I dare not mention the award experience thing. I suppose that we'll include anything we had not tried Mark received for his parading in the catch up in a few years. before; our decision to become more Sydney Mardi Gras. But I can tell you worldly stretched to every corner of By default? By gradual absorption of that the depth of Jane's loathing of imagination. Between us we things? Do you really think so? the semester of Thi Chi classes she team sports, atechicken for had signed up forwas not I know, its not really good enough, is breakfast, campedinthe snow. appreciated until the day she fainted it. We should do some kind of crash listened to The Beatles and ABBA, away in a twisted pose and was course in history and religion and discovered what the famed shower unwillingly revived my a man only too philosophy and languages and culture scene in Hitchcock's Psycho was all happy to practice his first aid course studies, all rolled into one. about, learned to appreciate wine and on so enchanting a victim, For this to know the difference between At that point, to my friend Paul and I. she was awardedtheLossof moselle and chardonnay. Adult Education became a verb. A Consciousness Award and a Medal desperate actionfuelledbythe We swapped stories of our urban for Perserverance in the Face of realisationthatsomehow, mid- adventures with bravado and Desperate Boredom. developed an awards systemto

44 !Making the Connection 48 Beyond wine appreciation, books, LEARNING TO READ Roslyn,anothervolunteertutor evening art classes and inspiring our arrives and together she and Alice friends to become daredevils, Paul talk about how the classes are going. A story by Catherine James and I became ever more serious about Roslynthinksshe made some education. He went back to University Sitting on the floor in pyjamas, arms progress with Martha lastweek. to study for a Masters in Science outstretched, she shuffles the words Martha is 53 and she brings along her Communication, changing direction around. She can make sentences with letters from a sister in America. Her in his career and finally discovering them because they fit together like sister writes to her regularly and what it is he wants to do. I went back jigsaw pieces. She chooses to make draws pictures to accompany the to University also, to become a writer. sentences she has already seen, but words so Martha might understand I learned a language and traveled to thenatthelastmomentshe them. Her letters always consist of marvelous places. exchanges 'ball' for 'red' and 'sock' two sheets of thin aerogramme paper. I asked Paul recently, Do you feet more and that's what Betty catches. She Roslyn and Martha struggle through

worldly? Do you think it's working? ; shuffles the words again and makes a the letters together. Roslyn repeats new sentence. She doesn't yet know the words and points to the pictures / don't know, he sighed. The more the meaning of some of the words, but over and over again until Martha I know, the more there is I know I she uses them anyway. She can hear remembers them. Sometimes they don't know. her mother's voice in the background read the same letter for two or three "Wisest is he who knows he does repeating words over and over again weeksin a row.Marthagets not know." because the lady does not know them. frustrated easily and her expletives often echo throughout the room as It doesn't end. It's not supposed to.I Tuesday night is adult literacy night. she bangs her plump fist hard on the don'tintendto ever retire from Alice parks outside the YMCA hall table and wriggles ungainly in her education. The world is an amazing and collects her books together. The chair. place and there isn't time to stop caretaker has already unlocked the learning. Adult Education is a way of door. Alice can see the light on inside Different people attend the class life,of continuing to expand and and she knows the urn will be boiling. each week, but there are also the extend your circle. With education She takes a quick breath in before regulars. Alice has spent the last your life has enormous potential. Your climbing the concrete steps leading three weeks with Roy. Roy is in his intothehall. lifeis you, and everything you are, She registers the late sixties and always wears Hard familiar smell of dust, sweat and enhanced by the knowledge, wisdom Yakka beige overalls over a white shirt chemical cleaners and her body and experience of six billion others with the first two buttons left undone; prepares itself for the night ahead. and the history of the people who a tangled mass of grey hair protrudes Alice never quite knows what to have lived before us. from just under his chin and out of his expect from her evenings here. She is ears. Roy's cheeks are sculptured a trained English teacher, but she has hollows. A large lump on his right learnt that this doesn't mean she can shoulder, which causes him to hunch teach people to read.

49 Part II: The Learning Experience l45 over, distorts his back. Roy lives on a Out in the backyard, she sits singing man tells Alice that she has no right farm and owns a tractor. It is the many on a swing. She sings whatever words to let his daughter go through what typed pages of the tractor manual come into her head and then finds he's been through. He asks Alice how that he wants to learn how to read. words to rhyme with them. She sings she would feel if she couldn't even fill about a dog that eats a frog and repeats out her own dole form. He grabs his Jane is another regular. Jane is thin, this chorus over and over again. She daughter's arm and leaves the class. petite and shakes constantly. Her smiles as she sings and then jumps off speech is slurred and difficult to She sits on her mother's lap, sweet the swing and runs inside. She has understand particularly when she is from her bath. A few strands of hair decided to write a book instead. She nervous. During the class when she that have not yet dried, are plastered to pulls out her container of crayons and begins to relax, her shaking subsides her forehead. Her skin glows warm in some paper. She folds it in half and slightly and she can manage to her pyjamas. They sit together in the begins to write. Her text is child-lavish pronounce more of the words. Jane armchair by the fire and she produces and fills the page; the last letters in her bringsalong books from her her school reader. She is agile on her words are less than half the size of the daughters bookshelf with big print mother's lap and wriggles until she is first. She staplesit down the side and lots of pictures to illustrate the comfortable. Her voice is strong and and admires the bright pink frog on words. She would like to be able to confident as she reads first the title on the front. read them to her daughter. the cover, then the title again on the One night, a man and his ten year old inside sleeve. She points as she reads Tonight, the regulars are all there and daughter come along to the class. the words, more out of habit and Alice sits down with Roy. Together Alice sits down with them and begins mimicry than to keep her focus. Her they go over the manual again, with a simple exercise in order to pleasure is in the reading, not the painstakingly slowly, page by page. gauge their level of ability. She asks story. She likes the words and the First, she reads the words to him and the man to read aloud. He's slow. He sound of her voice as she reads them then asks him to repeat them. When sounds out the part of the word he aloud. She waits expectantly for her he knows the word he flicks back to knows and guesses at the rest. There mother's praise. the small diagram of the tractor on are only a few words that he cannot. the front page and shows Alice the Alice returns home exhausted that get. Alice lets him continue, not part. It is then that Ray comes alive. night. It's not the first time that she realising his intense concentration The tiredness in his voice leaves and almost believes it's impossible for and difficulty. When he has finished he is animated. Alice can't help these people to learn to read, now the paragraph, he glares at her. He's smiling despite her frustration that he that they are beyond their first six angry and he yells at Alice telling her is not focussing on the task and she is years oflife: the crucial language that it was too hard. Alice tries to not interested in tractors. Still, she years. She wishes she could turn back calm him down and then focuses on knowsthey'remakingprogress, the clock for these people, to read to the girl. The girl refuses to read. Alice she can see hisinterestinthe them as they fall asleep, to tell them feels lost and thinks about Ray and his tractor is helping him to make sense storiesthatthey can never get tractor manual and asks them what of the words. enough of, to make up for lost time. they would like to be able to read. The

46 !Making the Condon v0 Alicenoticesthelight inher daughter's room is still on and she peers inside. Her daughter lifts her head up from her book and smiles at Alice as she approaches.

"Look what I made Mummy," she says OPEN handing Alice the book. Proudly, her daughter reads it aloLid.

"I like your picture of the frog" Alice says when they have finished.

Her daughter grins and tells Alice the rest of the story that she didn't write inthebook.Alicesoothes her daughter's excitement and gently tucks her in. Adult and Community Education class at the Bendoc Progress Associations' Resource Centre "Can you sing to me Mummy?" during Adult Learners Week 2001, East Gipps land, Victoria.

For a moment all Alice can think about are the nursery rhymes that she still I'M NO PHILOSOPHER BUT.I has in her head sung or read and recorded in her mother's voice. She A story by Frances Overheu realises what she will sing to her daughter now willstay with her Geoff rolled the dice. The clock on the the rain was still lashing against the forever. She sifts through the lyrics in mantelpiece chimed four times. big picture window in the lounge her mind searching for something she Looking back now, it was then that room. We were sitting by the fire would like to be lasting, but all she Destiny struck. Things were never the playing a highly charged game of finds is nonsensical verse and old same again. The dice rolled across the Monopoly when four o'clock came. fashioned images she does not wish board. Double Three. Just Visiting. Sam had three houses on Vine Street. fa pass on. Geoff threw again. Ten. Free Parking. Geoff owned Park Lane and Mayfair but was strapped for cash. He had "Can I tell you a story instead?" Geoff breathed out. Sam's bottom lip just paid Tas with his $200 for passing quivered and Hannah and I looked at Go and was heading for Vine Street. each other. Things were still pretty Landing on Free Parking was only a tense. temporary respite.I was debating It was 1996. A Sunday in June. Winter whether to form a syndicate with had arrived only the day before and Hannah. There was no way we were going to stop the game.

I Pal It TM Lumina Experiente 141 The Never Ending Story Writing All Stars, Victoria Photo by Valentina Vervich (Winner of the ALW 2001 Ricoh Australia Photo Compelitition)

The Never Ending Story Writers all share a love of writing but this group of multi-talented people do not confine themselves to the written word. Upon the occasion of one member's birthday, the other members have been known to perform musical numbers par excellence. 'Knees Up Mother Brown' and 'Alice Blue Gown' have never sounded so good. This group of writers also likes to share its culinary skills. Afternoon teas are filled with many delicacies. Valentina received a Ricoh RDC 6000 digital .camera for this winning entry in the Adult Learners Week 2001 Ricoh Photo Competition.

'Can't we stay and go back tomorrow Now, Iarn no philosopher but I do farm by bus on Fridays and we took morning?' asked Sam. He had the know about Destiny. For starters-, them back to their mum in Perth on most to lose. when it happens it comes out of left Sundays. Life was good. But after 'It'll mean getting up very early,' field. Secondly, even though you may Destiny's visit that Sunday, weekends recognise the moment, you can never with the kids were longer and early warned Geoff. imagine the result. And third, the only Monday morningstartsbecame 'We don't mind!' said Hannah and certainty about Destiny is thatit the norm. Sam in unison. changes things. 'So?' you might ask. 'Big deal!' I formed a syndicate with Hannah and Back then Geoff was a farmer and I Well, that wasn't the half of it. That left her to play for both of us while I was his wife. We ran.cattle. The kids, was lust the beginning! searched out something for.tea. Hannah and Sam. came up to the With the changeinroutine we

48IMakino the Connection 52 dropped the kids off at 7:30am every hour searching for it in anotherwas that Geoff rediscovered his childhood Monday morning. Too early for the more than I could handle. love of Art hat had been suppressed shops to be open, we had time on our After the day's chores we would take by years of running the family farm. hands. Cappuccino and toast for in a movie before heading home late. breakfast at Manzini's over on Oxford By fourthterm. we werewell- It wasn't long before Evening Classes Street became ritual. A pleasant way seasoned evening classers. We knew were mentioned. I went to the library to start the day. Geoff read the paper the corridors of Perth Mod School like and got all the gen. For some reason and I did the crossword. We wondered the back of our hands and at the Japanese One appealed to me and why we hadn't thought of it sooner. We beginning of a new term took delight Geoff rather liked the sound of Blues began to look forward to our Day in in helping newcomers to find their Harmonica. It was daunting at first the City. A whole day. Shopping and respective classrooms. and coming from the country we were errands for the farm only took up a By fifth term we were in trouble. We definitely out of our comfort zone. But small part of the day, and somewhere ran out of classes. My thirst for we bolstered each other up and along the line we landed up going to treated it like a big adventure. learning a language had waned and Claremont Golf Club at 9:00am for there was no Japanese Five anyway. Beginners Golf. Geoff was good but I The second term it was Japanese Two Geoff had done both the Monday fell by the wayside early on. The and Landscape Painting. And night Drawing Classes: Beginners frustration of hitting the ball in one Morning Golf was replaced by Tai Chi and Intermediate. He wanted to go direction and then spending half an in Kings Park. It was during this term furtherbuttheonlyAdvanced Drawing Class was at another School and anyway it was on a Wednesday. I considered Belly Dancing and Geoff toyed with theidea of Cooking Thai. But somehow itseemed a backward step.

As I have said, I am no philosopher but

I havelearntsomethingabout Learning. Geoff and I had Learnt (with a capital L) all these Subjects (with a capital S) in a classroom, in a formal way. We had increased our Knowledge by a finite measurable Amount and we had the Certificates to prove it. But that was just the tip of the Learning iceberg, the stuff we could see and measure. Beneath the A Canberra U3A recorder group in rehearsal. (photo: GreenAdvertising) surface Geoff and I had learnt (small

53 Part II: The Learning Experteaca t I) an enormous amount of intangible, unseen stuff (small s).

Life was still good, but Destiny had changed things. From being just fun and a bit of an adventure at the beginning, learning had become, not exactly an addiction, but more a necessity. Sure, we had learnt Golf, Tai Chi,Japanese, Harmonica, Painting and Drawing. But. we had also learnt more about ourselves, what we wanted, what we liked, what Internet lessons during Adult Learners Week we didn'tlike. A desire for more 2001atthe Capricorn Coast Learning Centre, Yeppoon, Queensland. knowledge and an enjoyment of VHIENDS OF ALIN, the learning process had entered Jennifer Byrne our lives. Presenter 'Foreign Correspondent', ABC Television Itis now 2001. Geoff is no longer a farmer. I am still his wife. He is a third "II always strikes me as a tragic notion yearSculptureStudentatthe that learning ends at school or university.

Western Australian School of Art. I I'm fortunate enough to work in a learning look after the farm and run the cattle job journalism and that always three days a week. I do the books on reminds you how much more there is to MYOB. I write creatively in my spare know. Refuse to vote for any politician time and go to my Writers Group once who doesn't emphasise the importance of a week. I evengot a Highly education, science and new technology. Commended Award ina Short They are our highest priorities.

Fiction Competition recently. Geoff "Iwanttolearnmorelanguages, isconsideringCurtinUniversity astronomy, history and archaeology... The next year so he can get his degree in course books always seem very alluring so Fine Art. even if I didn't start off with a subject in

Hannah and Sam still come up to the mind, I end tip wanting to do all of them, farm at weekends. Hannah drives "I've been studying Spanish. Despite two them up in her old bomb. She is at Uni courses so far, I wouldn't rank it as a 'new now and loving it, not so much the skill', but more a 'skill-in-development'I Learning (the iceberg's tip) but more will be returning to more study this year!" the learning (under the surface stuff).

Sam continues to win at Monopoly.

561Makine the Connection 51

BESTCOPYAVAILABLE OUTSTANDING LEARNINGFACILITATORS

At its heart, learning is about the exchange

of ideas, the transfer of knowledge, the development of skills and empowering

people tolive more satisfyinglives.

To allow the process of learning reach its full potential, itis necessary to have learning facilitator who isskilled in communication, and who is blessed with

patience and understanding. Someone who is able to create a safe and supportive

environment in which to learn. Each year,

outstandinglearningfacilitatorsare honoured through Adult Learners Week

Outstanding Tutor awards offered in each state and territory. Following is a small selection of the recipients of this award for 2001. The full list of Award winners

appears at the back of the book.

ri : - r 6, i P i : Cathy Rainey Australian chorus, resulting inits class. However, it soon became clear ranking of ninth in the world. to Jason that there was a very high Cathy was awarded the Western Australia Women fulfil many roles in today's demand for his services and so he State Adult Learners Week 2001 Award for world and it is important for them to developed his one-hour class into a Outstanding Tutor (Volunteer) have time to pursue interests and full program and 'Computers for the Absolutely Terrified' was born. As director of the Perth Harmony foster personal development. For the Chorus, Cathy Rainey has given last 17 years Cathy's commitment to This program was designed to be hundreds of 'ordinary' women, most her role as Chorus Director and her non-confrontational, enjoyable and of whom have had no formal training love of music has encouraged many most importantly liberating, enabling women to become involved in PHC. orexperience in singing, the the older person to gain skills every She has provided these women with opportunity to develop their voices time they turned the computer on. The wonderful opportunities to experience and experience the joy of musical two two-hour lessons include the joy of singing together in a group. performance. Cathy's is a story of a everything from turning the computer love of music and a commitment to on right through to the internet. After Jason Learner long-term goals. completing Jason's course, many Since joining the Perth Harmony Jason was the winner of the Queensland participants are confident enough to

Chorus (PHC) in 1983 when there Adult Learners Week 2001 State av:ard for pursue further computing lessons if were only 18 members Cathy has they so wish. Outstanding Tutor committed a great deal of her time Jasonhasalsoimplemented a and energy into developing the group Jason Learner is a 24 year old, who troubleshooting service for intoaworld-classchorus.Her after being unemployed on and off for participants where they can phone in leadership skills have seen the chorus more than two years, joined the Work withconcernsorqueriesthey grow to 115 members. Beyond this, forthe Doleinitiativewith the may come up against after she has taken an active mentoring Skylarkers 60 and Better Program at completing the program. role in encouraging other women to Ina la. The program is a healthy ageing establish choruses throughout the program based on the philosophy of WhilstJason has finished his state of Western Australia. community development which includes commitment with the Work for the In her role as Director of PHC, Cathy the principles of social justice. Dole scheme, he continues to run the has takenthechorusto many As part of the Work for the Dole successful 'Computersforthe Absolutely Terrified' program. working competitions at state, national and Scheme. Jason designed and ran a internationallevels. The chorus' voluntarily three days a week. Indeed, computerprogram, including a the program has expanded and at successes have been phenomenal: trainingbooklet, that demystified one of the many highlights has been times, Jason needs the services of computersforolderpeople.He the PHC's gold -medal performance in three extra tutors. Sometimes these assessed each participant's needs Perth in June 2000 when it attained tutors are part of the Work for the and formulated an individual one-hour the highest ever score achieved by an Dole program. Presently. Jason is

521Making the Connection 5 trying to engage mature-age job programs. The underlying concept is Childcare canbe an economic seekers to take on the role of tutor. that there are mutual benefits for stumbling block for young mothers peopleofallabilitieslearning and so Jane negotiated with the Lorna Crane together. Additionally, the stigma childcare students to supervise the surrounding mental illness is reduced. childrenoftheyoungmothers Lornawas awardedthe -ACTAdult Therefore, each of the classes has attendingthecourse. Another Learners Week 2001 State Award for a high ratio of people with mental important issue that Jane Outstanding Tutor illness alongside other people from successfully resolved was the setting fortheprogram. Community art is a powerful means of the community. By adapting Claremont Cottage drawing together people from diverse previously used The benefits of Lorna's classes have by theClaremontCollege for backgrounds.Anartsprogram been presented accommodation conducted by a highly skilled and at two national asboththe community arts conference and two childcare centre and the setting for committed tutor can benefit the lives national mental health conferences. the. course, the women and their of many people, especially those with children have a safe and home-like disabilities. Jane Brown environment. Lorna Crane. has developed inclusive Jane'sappreciationofpeople's community ACE courses for people Jane was 'awarded the Tasmania State different learning styles means that with mental illness. Lorna, a Adult Learners Week 2001 Award for she caters for individual negds and practicingartist, has workedin Outstanding Tutor differences. Indeed, she encourages innovative ways with people with her students to investigate topics of Jane Brown has worked in a variety of mental illness for the past nine years. individual interest and relevance to areas with a range of age groups for In 1998, LornadevelopedThe their lives. As a great deal of her work the past 20 years. Since 1995 she has Belconnen Open Art program (BOA). has been with disadvantaged people been working at Claremont College on BOA is a model for inclusive mental who may have experienced failure and a part-time basis. For the past two health community arts programs rejection, Jane understands the need and is run in collaboration with ACT years, Jane has worked with aspecial to set realistic goals for participants, Mental Health Service and Belconnen group ofpeopletodevelop an to value their work along the way and CommunityService.Thishighly innovative and creative program to importantly to treatpeople with successful program has expanded address their needs: she_ has been respect and to honour theirlife across Canberra and the initial four responsiblefordevelopingand experiences. weekly classeshas now grown running the new, innovative Young to twelve. Mothers' Program. Ros Butcher

Lorna has a strong commitment to Through this program, young mothers Ros Butcher was awarded the Victorian supporting people with mental illness are encouraged to continue their State Adult Learners Week 2001 Award for andtheresults areinnovative. formal education. Outstanding Tutor successful and sustainable

Part III: Outstanatap Lumina Facnitators I Sr 5? Ros Butcher has taughtatthe class(forolderlearners) which strategiesandtechniques. Her Donvale Living and Learning Centre combines social opportunities with groups comprise people of all levels of for 11 years. She teaches a wide range practice in writing; and tutoring of a ability, age, race and ethnicity. of classes demonstrating her Conversation and Community Group To demonstrate her on-going exceptional diversity and her ability to which organises excursions to allow commitment Joan completed the meet the broad range of needs of ESLstudentstopractisenew Train the Trainer course, an Outreach students. vocabulary. Access course and the Certificate IV Ros developed the 'Learn to Learn' in Workplace Training and Joan Johnson program to identify and address the Assessment (at the age of sixty- needs ofstudents withspecific Joan Johnson was awarded the New South eight!). Shecurrentlyconducts learning disabilities (e.g. dyslexia). Wales State Adult Learners Week 2001 classes in two localities as well as Tied in with this, Ros also has worked providingworkshops,addressing Award for Outstanding Tutor (largely as a volunteer)with interested groups and supporting Melbourne University to produce a Joan has shown exceptional community projects. recent textbook, Learning Differently. commitment to teaching a range of This project has been profiled at a writingprogramsinAdultand Robyn Ellis range of regional and state Community Education (ACE) Colleges RobynEllis was awarded the Northern conferences and it has generated a in the Central Coast region and in the Territory Adult Learners Week 2001 Award great deal of interest. As well as adult Adult and Community Education literacy providers, corrections units sector for over 12 years. Joan first for Outstanding Tutor joined a Creative Writing class in 1987 and secondary schools have also Robyn is a carpenter by trade. but when she retired from work to care respondedfavourablytoit.The became frustrated with the for her parents. Her aptitude for the 'Learning Differently' project has led construction industry and moved on subject was evident to her tutors and to tangible results for students, some to Mornington Island to train people. by 1989Joan wastutoringat of whom have beenunableto She dicovered that she was a good Bankstown Community College, progress for years. Naturally, the teacher and got on extremely well havingwonseveralawardsfor students are ecstatic about their with people. After that, she moved to writing, including the 1988 Auburn improvements whichhasledto Cairns determined to become a TAFE Bicentenary Short Story Award. greatly enhanced self-esteem. Ros' teacher and go back to the Island to commitment and energyforthe Since re-locating to the Central Coast teach. Whilst she was in Cairns she project have been exceptional. in 1993 Joan has offered her services was given a job at the Centre for Other innovative projects in which to local ACE providers. One of the Appropriate Technology (CAT), Alice Ros has beeninvolvedInclude: reasons for Joan's expanding success Springs. is her capacity to adapt her methods developing online learning tasks for Robyn was employed by the CAT in and curricula to students' needs and students with disabilities who are 1995 as a lecturer and has since wishes, using a variety of learning unable to attend classes. tutoring of a completed Certificate VI in Workplace

341 Making the Connection Assessor, RPL Assessor and is in her how she helpedthe women of final year of a Bachelor of Teaching Yuendumu address health and (Adult Vocational) at the Northern hygiene issues associated with the Territory University. Robyn won the Women's Centre Toilet. Another is the

Outstanding Tutor of the Year at the Kintore Women's Museum a recent NT VocationalTraining building build up from the ground up Awards. by the women and therefore treasured by the community, which She has worked tirelessly,under exists to store sacred objects. She extremely difficult conditions in the takes both western and Indigenous desert of Central Australia to assist culture intoconsideration Indigenous communities, women in and approaches problem-solving with a Indigenous communities in particular, combination of both, using culturally- tolearnskillsandtobecome Anton Eons appropriate (and therefore sustainable) Presenter,'SBS News', SBS Television independent and self-confident solutions to problems. individuals. One example of this is "I believe that there are two reasons to pursue lifelong learning: 1) acquiring new

skillsunlocksone'screativityand stimulates brain power, and 2) we often don't realise we have a particular skill, until tuition or coaching unlocks it.

"Australia needs to realise that investment in Education at every level, produces returnsinevery sector of society.1 will never forget the joy I saw on the faces of older people in my former homeland of South Africa, as they acquired reading and writing skills.

"I wishI had the time to commit to learning an additional language. Ireally admire people who take on this challenge successfully, especially later in life.

"AsI've discovered from 15 years in broadcasting and an eternity in life, one never stops discovering new elements to The Canberra's U3A recorder group plays at one's craft and skills. Doesn'tit make the National Launch of Adult Learners Week perfect sense to seek profession assistance 2001, National Museum ofAustralia, to speed up and maximise that process?" Canberra. (photo: Eddie Misic)

Part III: Outstanding Learning Facilitators l55

BESTCbPYAVAILABLE II

0 Geoff Clark

''' Chairman. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) I II I 11 "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

are in many ways leading the way towards a

community culture of lifelong learning I. I II

I 1 f f The majority of Indigenous students in post school education and training are f .. I III adult learners Many are catching up on .I ,

education and training opportunities not II ' . 0 -

II .11 0 0 accessibleto them inthe past. and 0 progress through basic enabling courses onto courses at the certificate, diploma and degree level

"Lifelong learning plays a vital role in

sustaining the cultural,social and economic fabric of Indigenous communities and plays a strong role in strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures

"I strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who want to develop their knowledge and skills to participate in the opportunities which may be available to Them through Adult Learning", 401

I OUTSTANDING LEARNING PROGRAMS

BACHELOR SURVIVAL WHAT SHALL I COOK TONIGHT? this Not all adult learning is about computers, management" Many men, in situation, neglect key aspects of workplace skills or recreation. Some of it their health and wellbeing A primary is about the fundamentals of life, as the area of neglect is nutrition because 'Bachelor Survival Course', a shortlisted many single men opt for bland, easy- entrant in the Adult Learners Week 2001 to-prepare, and unhealthy meals Ricoh Australia Competition, illustrates, The 'Cooking Small, Eating Well' While genderstereotypeshave program is a demonstration-based recently begun to crumble, for a long cookingens nutritionprogram time, in Australia, the man's role was developer; ov the Hawthorn outside the homeinvolved in 'work' Community Education Protectin while the woman managed home MelbourneInitially its aim was to affairs So what happens when a encourage older residents living in man finds himself alone and without local Office of Housing units to eat sufficienttraining in domestic well and maintain their independence

II Sinceitsinception, hundreds of now, in retirement, were keen to learn community workers, groups and other the skills to be able to cook from time service providers have taken part in to time. theprogram. Outoftheinitial Interest in food was common ground. 'Cooking Small, Eating Well' program A great friendship and camaraderie grew another program, the 'Bachelor amongstthegroupprovideda Survival'course.The'Bachelor supportive and encouraging milieu - Survival' program was developed to but there was still the challenge of how tackle the needs of older men and was to get started. developed in response to a request by V the Melbourne Probus club. Alan Heggen, an active member of 1 Probus, took the initiative to follow up Melbourne Probus is an all male club interest. He arranged opportunities of retired professional and business for Judy Stanton, from the Hawthorn men, aged predominantly in their 70's. Community EducationProject to John Connard carving a roast as part of the Fostered by Rotary Clubs, there are 'Bachelor Survival' course. (photo: courtesy speak to the entire membership - of Hawthorn Community Education project) around 4,000 Probus Clubs worldwide. allowing for questions and follow The Clubs are designed to provide a up sothemen wereableto social network for retired identify starting points. Twenty-one The sessions are structured around a professional and business people. The participants gathered for the number of themes. First participants Melbourne Probus approached the introductory sessions - focussing on consider how to prepare quick, but 'Cooking Small, Eating Well' program nutritious meal preparation for one or nutrious. meals. Next, the concepts of when they noticed that some of their two. Dishes were demonstrated and imagination and versatilityare members were finding it difficult to tasted. There was plenty of discussion considered through exploring such prepare meals for themselves and and exchange and no prior knowledge things as the adaptability of mince needed to be better equipped "to do of cooking was assumed.The informal and the great potential of stir-frying for themselves". "peer learning" setting benefited all. a8 a technique. Microwaving is also Some had recently lost spouses and it examined as a valuable alternative to Enthusiasm grew and further was all too hard and daunting to other,more traditionalcooking sessions were developed in response think about cooking. Others found methods. Moving into more difficult to interest. This is now an ongoing themselves in the role of carer and territory, participants next tackle the group. The members are active in needed to learn to prepare meals. roast with all its trimmings, learning the planning sessions and evaluating There were also many competent to juggle the many complexities of the program.Theirprofessional cooks among the membership who timing and quantities along the way. backgrounds often provide specific were keen to share their expertise. expertise in the sessions. In 2001, two new themes were added. Others had never had the opportunity One, an introduction to home-style to develop meal preparation skills and Asian cookery, including visits to

Saitilakino the Connection 6 Asiangrocers tounravel the Now that these programs have been many mysteries of the exotic and successfully piloted with the exciting ingredients available there. Melbourne Probus group, they provide Anotherfocuswas on soups a valuable model to be run with and casseroles. a wide range of groups. The focus is particularly on the interests of The interest and enthusiasm generated by these more formal men gaining confidence to prepare sessions led onto several Probus quick, easy and nutritious meals that they enjoy eating. members leading sessions themselves. These have included a conducted tour oftheQueenVictoriaMarket highlighting the breadth of culinary delights and. bargains available, and WHY LEARNING CIRCLES? an examination of the ways of cooking a range of fish - filleting, steaming, THE METHODOLOGY AND ITS BENEFITS frying, cooking in foil, toppings and fillings for added flavour. When wetalkaboutlearningoften indeed, it still has some basic structures Participants have praised the words such as 'enrolment', 'courses', and can be a powerful tool to facilitate the program highly. Participants value in 'classrooms', 'fees' and 'qualifications' exchange of skills, knowledge and ideas. particular the opportunity to learn come to mind. This is only part of what is To facilitatethis form oflearning the about techniques, tools and ingredients which for most of their meant by the word. Coupled with formal 'Learning Circle' was developed as a tool. lives had been remote from them. The learning (long structured courses that Many learning providers and community style of presentations, which is peer- offer qualifications). there is non-formal groups celebrated Adult Learners Week based learning, encourages a relaxed learning (short courses that do not lead to 2001 by presenting a learning circle. and friendly environment in which a a qualification) and informal learning. Most two-way exchange of information and Developedduringthelate19th of us participate in informal learning on a ideas can occur. Most importantly, the century as a tool to facilitate worker course has increased confidence. daily basis, whether it is working out ways education, a learning circleisa One participant expressed delight of communicating better with members of dynamic, flexible,inclusive, and a that it was now "within my capacity to our family, or getting advice from Ihe local highly participatory approach to adult learning. The essence of the learning go home and prepare the meals." nursery about caring for plants, or sharing circle is free discussion and Another was amazed to see "that our views about current events with our cooking a roast was not as daunting explorationof an issue in a colleaguesovermorningtea.While as I first thought" collaborative and democratic informal learning can be very casual atmosphere where all views are

Part IV: Outstanding Learning Programs 159 63 valid. Learning circles allow people to and empower participants who might inclination,liketodiscuss. The explore issues at their own pace, otherwise feel that what they have to learning circle developed around this drawing on each other's knowledge, offer is limited. topic takes an innovative and thought- skills and experience. Groups can provoking approach to the subject by Learningcirclesprovide a cost - examine common resource material encouraging women to identifying effective method of involving to focus on issues of particular their strengths, and to discuss their potentially large numbers of people. concern to them and their community. role as care givers. Through these Common resource material, once The discussions that take place in the conversations they develop a produced, can be used by an infinite learning circle can serve as the commitment to taking responsibility number of groups. Because they are catalyst for community or individual for their own future health needs. not dependent on a particular location action leading to positive change. they can be used by groups of people Learning circle kits have also been A learning circle kit can be used to or individuals in a variety of situations developed on environmental issues facilitate the process and kits have and locations such as community such as blue-green algae. dryland been developed by Learning Circles facilities, clubs, libraries, retirement salinity, weather and El Nino, living Australia to facilitate circles around a villages, homes, or in the open air! with wetlands, coastal management range of topics. The kits typically Over the past eight years Adult and geneticengineering.Adult contain resource materials designed LearningAustralia is presently LearningAustralia,throughits to stimulate debate as well as hints discussing with Reconciliation program Learning Circles Australia, on how to ensure that the Australia to produce a third edition of has worked towards developing a conversations move forwards and the very popular Aboriginal culture of learning circles within the remain constructive. Reconciliation Learning Circle. This Australian community.It may be Kit has already been used by almost A learning circle not only facilitates better described as a culture of public five thousand learning circle groups understanding of a particular subject, or citizenship education using the across Australia. The Discovering but also allow participants to develop learning circle methodology-as a tool. Democracy kit was launched in late many valuablelife-skillsinthe Learning circle programs can be process. A learning circle enables 2001 and this is a powerful tool that developed for different target groups. participants to develop their own allows participants discover how One of the latest programs developed Australiaisgoverned. and how ideas and express them to others. by Adult Learning Australia focuses individuals and communities can use ThroUgh discussion and dialogue, on a sensitive women's health issue participants grow in confidence - government to facilitate community which aims to encourage older age change.Anotherlearningcircle confidence intheir own skills and groups to take charge of their health program uses the learning circles knowledge, confidence in what they needs. and encourage their peers and methodology for increasing have to contribute, and confidence in family to participate. The subject opportunitiesfortheAustralian their capacity to communicate this to matter - cervical cancer - isa community to explore and lend their others. Learning circles encourage confronting issue which older-women ideas and experiences to the task of active participation, and can reach wouldnot,iflefttotheir own

601Making lbe Connection 6' building safer and more prosperous communities. FROM SPICE RACKS TO HOMES There is virtually no limit to the THE TRANSPORTABLE HOMES PROJECT subjects that can be investigated by learning circles.

Often carpentry courses allow students to organisation into a carpentry course gain skills by working on small projects offered by the Port Pirie TAFE. The such as tables, small ladders and spice importance of motivating students was recognised as paramount and it racks. While enjoyable for some. many was evident from the early stages of students find such projectslackingin the carpentry course that what the meaning and, as a result, their enthusiasm students really wanted - and what for study diminishes. The flexible nature of they could get enthusiastic about - the adult learning sector often allows were not the small 'meaningless'

courses to adapt and grow to meet student practice projects, but a much larger-

needs and feed off their enthusiasm.This is scale project with immediate real- world importance. The students were no betterillustratedthan through the keen to become more involved with Transportable Homes Project developed construction work and what they through a partnership between the Bungala really wanted was to build a house. Aboriginal Corporation and the Spencer Theseten participantsofthe Institute of TAFE at Port Pine. The project Carpentry Course were given the was awarded the South Australian State opportunity to work on constructing Adult Learners Week 2001 award for cubby houses. Although only Outstanding Program. attending TAFE three days a week. the students were so dedicated to the The Transportable Homes Project project that they were able to finish it was ajointinitiative of Bungala in approximately eight weeks. The Aboriginal Corporation and the Port cubby houses, painted in the Adelaide Pirie Spencer Institute of TAFE with a Crows' colours, were donated to local vision to implement strategies to schools and an Aboriginal Education modifytraditionaltraining and Centre. The installation of the cubbies assessment practices for Indigenous in their new location also allowed the people. 'Adult Learners French Class' - Shorllisted men to developskillsinlaying entry in the ALW2001 Ricoh Australia Photo BungalaAboriginal Corporation concrete bases and constructing Competition. (photo: Barbara Glover, NSW) placed ten employees within their concrete paths.

65 PutIV: OutttittelinG Learning Programs16' Following the success of the cubby and Small Business) in order to 'rolling' intake of indigenous students, houses, the group were approached. placethesemenonfour-year, offeringstudents an opportunity to build a small transportable house. full time Building and Construction either to complete a full This request would take the students Apprenticeships. Bungala Aboriginal apprenticeship, or to complete one or even further from the classroom- Corporation then sought to employ a more components of the course as based work and into an opportunity to Project Coordinator with the ability to appropriate to their skill needs and experience and learn from 'real- provideonthejobsupervision, employment aspirations. world' work. training and mentoring to these In addition to building and Apprentices. Brenton Gambling, the The Bungala Aboriginal Corporation construction, additional training is groups' original TAFE lecturer was had already enjoyed the success of a availablein horticulture, painting, employed as the Project Coordinator Building and Construction Team in house maintenance and computer for the Bungala Port Pirie PortAugusta, a groupof 20 training,literacyandnumeracy Transportable Project as Brenton was Apprentices and 6 Tradesman already known and trusted by the development,coursecounseling, Supervisors so this produced the Apprentices. and counseling sessions to address foundations to expand to Port Pirie both the personal and social needs and create the Port Pirie The Port Pirie Transportable Housing of students are also included within Transportable Housing Project. Project offers an opportunity for the program. In addition,theskillsofthe Aboriginal people to learn skills while A learning, rather than a 'teaching' participants involved in the carpentry working on large-scale projects that environment has been created on the course had developed so rapidly that have real meaning to them. Through project, with non-indigenous trainers the Bungala Aboriginal Corporation the project Aboriginal people are undergoing cultural awareness sought funds from DEWRSB given the opportunity to construct (Department of Workplace Relations housing for Aboriginal people and the training to ensure students are able to mainstream community. learn in an environment that allows themtofeelcomfortableand In terms of a learning program, this ultimately reach their potential. project takes students from having base skills in building and By allowing students to have a say in construction through to skilllevels what they would like to do and, as a that will stand them in good stead for result, centering a learning employment in theindustry. In experience around a real project, with addition, students will develop self - real outcomes.thePort Pirie confidenceandwouldnotonly Transportable Project has been able emerge with valuable skills, but real to achieve a student attendance rate life experiences. of 97%. But more than this. the project has allowed students to reach their To. offer the most relevant learning fullpotential. develop self-esteem Transportable Housing Project, Port Pirie. experiences, the course allows a and come away with real-world skills

621Makirto Me Connection 66 Representing the two national Adult Learners Week award winning organistaions are Greg Fryer from the Koori Program unit, Kangan Batman TAFE (far left) and Adrian Beltrame, Diversity Directions (second from right) with Dr and Mrs Hollingworth at the National Launch of Adult Learners Week, National Museum of Australia, Canberra. (photo: Eddie Misic)

LET'S PLAY FAIR HELPING ADULTSTO CREATE and experiences. "The participants POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR are so enthusiastic to have CHILDREN meaningfulworkwithlong-term As any parent will attest, having children is children learn from everything. They possibilities.Ithas had such a one of life's greatest learning experiences. absorb not only the 'lessons' that the positive effect on their lives and Much of what is learnt through parenting is adults in their lives aim specifically at families", says Brenton Gambling. the them, but also everything else they informallearning simplylearning Project Coordinator. "As we have see around them. Through what they through experience and often through a worked together on this project we see and absorb from dailylife process of 'trial and error'. But pa'r'enting have developed a really good working experiences, children make relationshipand agoodsocial skills are also taught in a more structured assumptions and start to develop an relationship. These Apprentices really way. through programssuch asthe understanding of how the world works. take great pride in their work." 'LetsPlay Fair' program developed by .._ Often, children will notice and absorb The broader community benefits too. DiversityDirections, inSouth Australia. things attitudes and actionsthat The grand vision of the project is that Diversity Directions Inc were awarded the are barely perceptible to adults. From the enterprise will be ongoing and NationalAdultLearnersWeek 2001 an earlyage they observe and continually provide opportunities for acknowledge that there are Community Learning Leader Award for their the Aboriginal community, not only similarities as well as differences in 'Let's Play Fair' program. through providing traininginthe the way that friends and neighbours construction industry, but by Adults that feature significantly in a live. producing housing for the community. young child's life will want the best for While adults who care for children There is no shortage of students the child, and seek to provide the child want to impartattitudes of wanting to take part, and certainly no withas many positive learning acceptance. many adults despair at shortage of orders for their houses. experiences as possible. But young

Parl IV: Outstanding Leming Prolvatal 163 6`7 being able to impart the attitude of booklet, and a videowere developed develop these types ofprojects. tolerance to children, in a world in using plain language at a level that Often, it is not until an organisation which racism, sexism, homophobia assumes no prior knowledge of the tacklessomething new,thatit and many other 'isms' and 'phobias' subject. The booklets accompanying truly understands its own potential. are still all too prominent. the video have been translated into Another major lesson learnt was Arabic, Persian, Kurdish, Vietnamese, about the complexity of an The 'Let's PlayFair'programis Bosnian and Serbian. apparently simple project an innovativecommunity-based education program for parents, early The materials focus on the very community consultation, especially in a multicultural context, is a long, and childhood service workers, educators beginnings of prejudice in children. at times difficult, experience. Out of andcarerstoenablethemto Itisin the very early years that this process, however, the confidently tackle the problem of children may experience a mixture organisation has emerged stronger discrimination in the early years of of discomfort, misconceptions, and more confident and are now childhood. The program provides insecurity and fear. This can develop lookingtoexpandtheproject practical ways for parents, carers and intorealprejudice unless adults nationally. educatorstoworkwithyoung intervene in simple pro-active ways. children to recognise prejudice and When both the adults who care for promote tolerance and fair play. children and the children themselves feel confident to tackle prejudice, this The program was developedby isthebasisfordeveloping a Diversity Directors Inc. A community- harmonious and culturally diverse based organisation. Diversity Directions society. isthepeakchildren'sservices organisation in South Australia that The 'Let's Play Fair' program is an advocates and works with families, example of how adult learning is not children and communities of diverse always about enrolling in classes and cultural and linguistic backgrounds to obtainingcertificates.Itisalso improve access and participation into about community groups helping childcareservices.Itprovides community members tackle serious additional services associated with problems through easy-to understand training and work-force diversity in and flexible delivery systems. But human services. parents and carers were not the only people tohave learntfrom While the subject matter has been the researched widely in Australia and program. Diversity Directions learnt a lot in the process as well. overseas, there was little material availabletothegeneralpublic. ThefirstthingthatDiversity Meet the Woodcraft Guild. An Adult The 'Let'sPlayFair' program Directions learnt was thatitdoes, Learners Week 20W event. (photo: George Harris) components - training sessions, a indeed, have the capacity to

641Making the Connection 63 GETTING COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER LEARNING RIGHT THE SKILLS FOR NATURE CONSERVATION PROGRAM

Many people are keen to make a positive difference to the world in which they live. Fueledby

good intentions, they often join a local community volunteer group. Through thesegroups

individuals often receive specific training in the particular area of the group'sfocus. Another common experience is that the training they receive takes no account of what they might

already know. Furthermore, the dynamics of the group. or themanner in which training is 'Coastal Magic' - Shortlisted entry in the delivered, may mean that progress towards the bigger goal is slow, uncertainor non-existent. ALW 2001 Ricoh Australia Photo Competition. In Western Australia.The Swan Catchment Centre, the Department of-EnvironmentalProtection's (photo: Judy Stampton, Vic) Ecoplan program and Greening Australia's Western Australia Bushcare Support Program

worked together to produce the Skills for Nature Conservationprogram, a program that not only

skills its participants in conservation techniques, but seeks to foster community growthin the process. This program was awarded the Western Australia State Adult Learners Week 20W

Award for Outstanding Ongoing Program.

As environmental degradation training opportunities to help the dedicated community members and continues, and as society's awareness growing andincreasinglyactive landholderi. It is important that these of the importance of environmental volunteer conservation community in volunteer groups are provided with protection, restoration and ongoing Western Australia tackle the threats the necessary skills and knowledge so management grows, more members facing Perth's unique environment. that that the planning and on-ground of the community are wanting to pitch works are Though Local and State government implemented in a in and help save and restore local technicallycorrect andeffective are active, many conservation habitats and ecosystems. To meet outcomes would not be achieved manner and projects are managed these needs, there are an increasing efficiently. without the hard work of volunteers. number of community Landcare, In WA, extensive weeding, seed The Skills for Nature Conservation Bushcare, RiverCare and CoastCare collecting, surveying, mapping, program aims to provide volunteers projects operating across Australia. plant ing, restoration of rivers, with the relevant skills and The Skills For Nature Conservation enhancement of habitats, writing of importantly, to motivate, reaffirm and program in Perth, offers a diverse grantapplications,raisingpublic recognise the contribution of range of no-cost, targeted and timely awareness and much more are all volunteers and the important role that conducted on a volunteer basis by they play in achieving environmental outcomes.

69 Pad IV: Outstanding learning ProgramsI I..) The program is aimed at providing Futhermore, program coordinators supports this approach. "Community support for community volunteers have received specific training in involvementinnaturalresource predominantly, as well as state and adult learning principles, such as the managementwouldnotbeas local government officers, who are Action Learning Cycle, the seven extensive and effective as it is today involvedinriver,bushland - and basic conditions needed for effective without the significant contribution wetland management or restoration. adult learning, modes of learning and to training made by this program," The program gives participants the howtoaccommodatedifferent said Linda. opportunity to learn about restoration learning preferences. There is an increased recognition by ecology, land management practices While seminars and similar training government and the community of the and practical techniques. activities provide specific knowledge, benefit of working in partnership, The Skills for Nature Conservation the programs also actively encourage sharing resources, skills and program is unique in that it combines participantstosharetheir own celebrating shared successes. technical training while recognising experiences and understandings with The Skills for Nature Conservation and supporting community development other members of the group. By Program is a working partnership that and independence. The diverse range allocating time in each session for the aims to lead by example. Rebecca of seminar topics presented sharing of experiences, the traditional Millar from Greening Australia WA illustratestheethosbehind the 'active expert' and 'passive learner' says "Greening Australia WA has program. In 2001 theprogram categories are broken down. been able to support the community included seminars that fostered skills Workshops and field trips reinforce far more and see improved on-ground in fungi and algae identification, in the skills of the active landcare conservation results by being part of riverrestoration,techniquesfor community,facilitatenetworking, this dynamic team. By having a managing weeds, skills in the safe team-building and builds camaraderie. common goal and by utilizing the use of herbicides, chainsaws and "A sound understanding of adult three organisations resources we are brushcuttersfor weed control learning principles and a willingness providing afargreatersupport purposes. Equally prominent in the to listen to and respond to the needs service to the community. We are seminar program were sessions on of your learners is essential to the demonstrating that partnerships work." essential first aid, seeking success of a program of this nature", sponsorship, developing a website, says Bronwyn Ryan from the Swan "By working together in partnerships presenting public activities. and the Catchment Centre. we are able to ensure that we can principles of group dynamics. Thus, maximise the use of our resources for Through the approach taken by the through the seminar series community training. We also avoid Skills for Nature Conservation, the participants were able not only to duplicating training and thus provide needs of established, skilled groups strengthen their knowledge of the the conservation community with a and newly founded groups are met environmentandhow tocare greater diversity of workshops," said through program content. for it, but also to strengthen skills in Bridget Hyder-Griffiths, Ecoplan building and advancing their own Linda Taman, Coordinator ef the Coordinator. community groups. Bennett Brook Catchment Group

66161aklogtheCohnettiOn 70 "The program is an extremely cost- effective and easilytransferable ANOTHER CHANCE TASMANIAN PRISON model for adult education where SERVICES EDUCATION &TRAINING PROGRAM partner organisations are willing to combine resources, expertise and Most of us will never find ourselves 'on the Throughtheprogram, learning knowledge. We strongly encourage inside' and, as a consequence, have little opportunities are made available to other adult learning organisations to idea of what takes place in prison. While those whose life skills, literacy and adapt this model", says Bronwyn Ryan numeracy are very limited. TAFE society might lock people up so as to from the Swan Catchment Centre. Tasmania (recognised as the Training punish them, or else attempt to make Provider of the Year in 2001) funds the communities safer, for many of the inmates literacy program with a part-time prison is an opportunity for a fresh start. teacher. Prisoner students working to For many, prison is an opportunity to catch complete year 11-12 qualifications

up on skills that they have not been able to are enrolledinthe Open Learning Program through the states' senior acquire, or is an opportunity to encounter secondary colleges. Others who have something completely new. The Tasmanian a desire to take on tertiary study can Prison Services Education & Training enrol through various universities Program is one of many such programs in distance learning opportunities. operation around Australia. It won the Adult An integral part of the program is Learners Week 2001 Tasmanian State Vocational Education and Training Award for Outstanding Program. (VET). This includes several short

The TasmanianPrisonServices term courses involving computer Education and Training Program modules, chainsaw, forklift, workplace provides educational opportunities for health and safety and employment sentenced and remand prisonersand skills. There are also longer involves up to 120 individual inmates courses including traineeships and per month. Inmates serving more apprenticeships. Depending on than two months are the target group. security status, many students are abletoattendclassesat TAFE The aim of the program is to empower colleges or participate in workplace offenders to reach their potential as experience schemes outsidethe responsible citizens by promoting a prison as part of the day- culture which encourages learning, release scheme. and by providing appropriate vocational, education and training programs. Inside the prisons, programs are conducted by peer tutors, prison

Put IV: Outstanding teaming Programs 167 71 education staff, teachers and tutors culminates in the introduction of an ClothingProductionTraineeship (employed andvolunteer)from Individual Learning Plan. The plan made over 600 sets of tops and 'outside'. The motivation and details the needs, interests and skills trousers for male inmates. Another commitment ofthese learning ofthe inmate, maps a learning group of 5 students completed their facilitatorsinmeetinglearners' pathway, lists the support available, Certificate II in Accounting needs are exemplified by the variety and outlines the reciprocal which included units on Conflict of prison education programs responsibilities of prisoners and staff. Resolution, Negotiation Skills and available at each site. computer training. The TasmanianPrisonServices In 2001, a small group of teachers Education and Training Program Far from being 'time out', time in registeredwith TAFETasmania offers opportunities for inmates to prisonoffers many inmates an embarked on a project to include participate in learning opportunities opportunity to catch up, move forward painting, sketching, ceramics, art that they may never have tackled and change direction. Indeed this is history and silk-screen printing in a before and the results have been what all forms of adult learning offer program whichresultedinthe impressive. Many of the students have to the outside community as well. production of Artists Books that learnt to read and write while 'inside'. represented a competencies towards One student who could neither read the Diploma in Art, Craft and Design. nor write at the commencement of his This work also formed the basis of the sentencecompleted a 4 year art exhibition entitled "Framed!" held apprenticeship while incarcerated. at the Moonah Arts Centre during Many too train in IT skills for the first Adult Learners Week 2001. time. Other inmates with no prior experience of art, drania or music, The Centenary of Federation Project have embraced the Arts, Craft and involved the creation of a 3.5 metre Design program and willingly work dinghy by8 minimumsecurity with visiting theatre groups and poets. inmates, on site, under the supervision of teachers from the Other students have commenced internationally known Wooden Boat university studies while inside and Building School at Franklin.This have continued these upon their activity too led to an accredited release. One student whose qualification. background was in the technical area is well on his way to gaining a Each inmate who wishes to combined Bachelor of Arts and Law participate in the education program degree.Inaninitiative between participates in an extensive screening prison education, prison industries process whichenablespotential and theWomens' Unit, three students' needs and interests to be prisoners, participating in the defined and addressed. This process

6811121ft the COMIK11011 72 TIWI MUSIC PROGRAM Aboriginal Benefit Account for a granttopurchasesomeband After leaving school many young adults find themselves unemployed and,with little to occupy equipment.Kilupuwuyu saw the or to motivate them, they quickly find themselves bored and depressed. While imparting skills establishment of a band as a vehicle through which to address issues and knowledge, adult learning programs also help foster wellbeingamong their participants faced by young Tiwi people. For and through them, the community by offering goals and opportunities for social interaction. those who left school... had no jobs The Tiwi Music Program is a good example of this. The Program was awarded the Adult andwerehangingaroundthe learners Week 2001 Northern Territory Award for Outstanding Program. community getting bored, I though From its beginnings, the Tiwi Music maybe musicwouldgive them knowledge, CREATE also recognised Programwasconceived as a something to do". the importance of music training asa community outreach initiative. The meaningful activity that could attract Following theinitialpurchase of principal aim of the program was to significant participation byyoung musicalinstruments,Kilipuwuyu focus on issues associated with people and engendering role models. convened a meeting of key boredomandsocialdislocation pride and self-confidence. community members todiscuss experienced by young adults in the possible solutions to problems among Tiwi communities. These included an As Barbara Pitman. Executive Officer the unemployed youth on Bathurst escalatingnumberofbreak-ins, of CREATE has noted, "It is important Island. Out of this and other forums. overuse of drugs and alcohol, and an to recognise that creative programs music was once again proposed as a alarming level of youth suicide. The with a communitydevelopment solution and the TiwiMusic program set out to provide aspect can have a major impact in Committee was formed in alternatives to antisocial and self- terms of addressing social problems partnership with support from local destructive behaviour, to build self- that are very costly in terms of health, community organisations and the esteem, to encourage self-expression lives and dollars." She argues that Northern Territory government. From and to develop individual skills. whilemeasuring thevalueof thisinitiative cameanother,a Vocational Education and Training The Northern Territory Aboriginal decision to establish an Entry Level (VET) programs in terms of skilling music industry has been the focus of Certificate in Music Industry Skills people for employment is important, developmental work for a number of basedatthe Xavier Community equally valuable are the wider social years. CREATE Northern Territory, Education Centre campus in Nguju, in and community benefits that arise the Industry Training Advisory Body conjunction with the Community from such programs. which covers the music industry in Education Centre's VET in Schools the Northern Territory, managed an The Tiwi Music program had its initiative and in partnership with the Aboriginal music industry program genesisinFebruary1999 when Catholic Education Office. which ran between 1993 and 1996. Kilupuwuyu Puruntatameri, Know as the Tiwi Music program, this While using the program to give community elder and principle of program has a part-time coordinator, participants vocational skills and Murrupuritiyanuwu Community a Darwin-based mentor and five part- School, made an application to the

Part IV: Outstanding Learning ProgramsI 6rt 73 tAilLuki success. Participants in the program Tiwi rap have since emerged as have presented New Years' concerts, topics. Through the types of music regular performances at local clubs performed, the program has been and schools and recorded traditional able to provide community entertainment music forthe OlympicTorch as well as maintain cultural heritage ceremony. Among the bands to have through song and dance. participated in the program, The program has been very effective Nabarlek,a young group from the in addressing its principal goal of Oenpelli region, has received helping young adults regain self- international acclaim through a tour esteemtobecomeconstructive of Europe. members of the community. "A lot of Tugger": 4Wheel Drive Training on the Tiwi Beyond skills relating specifically to young people are shy and won't come Islands'Shortlisled entry in the ALW 2001 Ricoh Australia Photo Competition. (Tiwi the music industry, the program also out in the open and mix", notes Islands Training d Employment Board, provides an opportunity for Kilupuwuyu Puruntameri, -Music has Winnellie, NT, Photo: William Knights) participants to improve literacy and made a difference. There's a feeling of numeracy skills through enjoyable peace in the community". time Tiwi trainers delivering course hands-on experiences. Many Kerrie Taylor, Program Coordinator, competencies and undertaking participants in the program were agrees "it's a wonderful feeling to see workplace Assessor training. previously reluctant to pick up a pen. the changes in some of the young With song writing as an incentive. Thevocationalaspectsofthe people as a consequence of the music participants are now keen to learn to program develops the localskills program. From head-down and no talk write,which has been amajor base forindustryparticipation. to enthusiasm, happy smiles and breakthrough.Moreover, asthe The programincludesunitson wanting to do everything to do with equipment used for the program is Workplace communication, group the music program, including owned by the community. performance, musicianship; live cleaning up!" participants in the course pay careful- and studio technology and Even more significantly, many Occupational Health and Safety for attentiontowritteninstructions observersoftheprogramand the music industry. relating to equipment such as the PA system and drum kit and in members of the community have While the music industryisnot faxing orders. Numeracy skills are reported a reduced level of youth yet a vehicle for major full-time honedthroughequipment-related suicide since the commencement of employment opportunities, Aboriginal tasks,such as measuringleads the program and suggest that there musicians from the Northern Territory during set up. may be a link. have achieved a high profile as role models and entertainers within their The musical focus of the program was initially on rock and roll music, own communities, with some achieving national and international but Tiwi gospel, Tiwi traditional and

1011Iaktne the Connection PART V OUTSTANDING LEARNING PROVIDERS

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES BOYUP BROOK TELECENTRE

In a world of dramatic and constant role in keeping the community alive. One

change, having the flexibility to respond such learning provider, the Boyup Brook

quicklytopressingneedsbecomes Telecentre, was awarded the Adult Learners

paramount. With the abilityto respond Week 2001 Western Australia State Award

swiftly to currentlearning needs, for Outstanding Community Provider. neighborhood houses, community colleges Boyup Brook is a small rural town in and similar forms of adult and community the South West of Western Australia. education are on the front line in the fight The town's main industry is

forcommunitysurvival. This is no agriculture, which includes sheep

more evident thanin!owns inrural farming and cropping and, in recent years,treefarming, viticulture Australia. Not only do community learning andotherformsofagricultural centres in rural areas help residents skill diversification. Boyup Brook is a very for change, but the centres serve a vital active community especially with

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73 regards to sports and recreation. . work-force or into other forms of these needs by establishing a series There are also a large number of education. of workshops to assist community community organisations in the town. organisations. Initiating this series Literacy in information technology Like all rural centres, residents of was a session of media training. The has,in recent years, become an Boyup Brook have hadto face Workshop was hostedby Gerry essentialskillfor success in the dramatic changes in farming Gannon, a radio personality with modern world. To help members of the business practices, information years of media experience. With over community become better skilled in technology, employment opportunities 20 participants from Boyup and the this area, the telecentre devised a and community funding structures. surrounding areas, participants learnt number of computer courses, tailored about radio and television interview Boyup BrookTelecentre is a for specific audience needs. Some techniques, how to craft a media community-run organisation that is courses, for example, were focussed release, how to compile a media highly responsive to the learning specifically on accounting software, database and how to manage a needs of its local community the to help local small businesses access positive relationship with the media. programs it provides are guided by taxationconcessionsofferedto The next workshop in the series will the learning that the community organisationswithcomputerised focus on identifying and accessing needs. By listening to local people, systems. funding sources, followed by sessions and developing positive partnerships The desire of older members of the on Conflict Resolution, People Skills and relationships with other community to become literatein and Effective Lobbying. organisations, Boyup Brook Telecentre information technology has also been has been able to develop and deliver The Centre is also active in the addressed by the centre. 'Teleseniors' courses that really suit the people development of a community cultural is an informal learning group, with in their community. As a result, the plan which seeks to upgrade the skills participants planning what they are courses offered range from Tractor of those involved in various aspects of going to learn, which may mean there Driving to Ouilting, from Life Drawing community service. As a result, the is a little desktop publishing one week to Conflict Resolution. Boyup Brook Telecentre is confident and word processing or scanning the that this will not only improve service Farm businesses have,inrecent following week. It's a dedicated group delivery, but encourage the times, experienced a volatile that meets weekly under the guidance implementation of new service and economic climate. The dramatic of a facilitator who assists whenever projects. The Centre believes that this transformations have required many necessary. willadd tothe vibrancy ofthe women to find work off the farm. Consultation with community groups community, increase pride and In response to this, the Boyup Brook identified several 'gaps'in service optimism in the future of the town. Telecentre developed a number of provision and also identified the courses toskill women for new training needs of volunteers who are employmentandtohelp them active in the community. The Boyup manage theirtransitionintothe Brook Telecentre has responded to

721Making tee Connection MELBOURNE MUSEUM AND ADULT LEARNING Finally,'InfoZone'isthepublic research facility of the Museum,

Adult learning takes place in a number of venues. When thinking about adultlearning. many which enables members of the public to find out more about exhibits of people picture community colleges. TAFEs and similar institutions, However,there is another particular interest. huge category of adult learnirig venues that, in Australia, are often over-looked.Theyare visitor-

based institutions: museums, galleries, heritage sites, discovery centres. botanicalgardens, Using these exhibits as a starting point, the Museum's adult learning Loos and so forth. in such institutions, adult learning is often delivered through exhibitions, but activities draw upon key many institutions also present dynamic and sophisticated learning programs designed contemporary learning principles to specifically to meet the needs of adult visitors. Melbourne Museum isone such institution with develop both content and a commitment to adult learning. competency-based learning programs. Some of these have been departments volunteerguides, developed in partnership with a range audio tours,public and members of adult learning organisations. programs. While these programs can Drawing on George Hein's Learning in be excellent, they often suffer from Museums (London: 1998), there is an being created without reference to overt recognition that knowledge contemporary educational principles. cannotbeimparted as_ apre- Melbourne Museum is unusual in packaged commodity, Australia in that it places its adult but is constructedinthe mind of the programs firmlyinthe areaof learner. The Museum's programs 'education'. accept that the learning that takes The exhibits at the Museum covera place in a museum setting has many ArtStudents usingthe Melbourne Museum's' exhibits to think about size and diverse range of topics. including entry points and so programs cannot perspective in art Short listed entry in the AboriginalAustralia, Australian pre-determine the path of the learner. ALW 2001 Ricoh Australia Photo social history and Pacific 'Ocean The Museum's programs present a Competition. (photo: Geraldine Zeccola) cultures. On the science side, there wide range of active learning modes, are galleries focusing on the key offer a range of viewpoints, and Whentalkingabout 'education areasofcontemporTy science, presentopportunitiestoenable programs' in a museum setting, the exhibits looking at human biology, a visitors to make personal connections word often only refers to programs for gallery exploring evolution, and a with ideas and objects. Through this childrenengagedincompulsory livingforest.The Museum also approach, learners are invited to schooling. Adult visitors are often featuresan ImmersionCinema conjectureand drawtheir own either neglected, or else served by Experience (ICE Theatre) a big conclusions. a hotchpotch of programs presented screen experience combined with People learn in different ways, and by adiverserange of museum individual interactive video consoles. the Museum's programs acknowledge

77 Part V: Datstatulttro Lernlall Providers 113 the seven intelligences described by Further Education Board, the kit is Senior Citizens Week, Chinese New Howard Gardner (linguistic, logical- organised according to the four pillars Year, anniversary of the introduction mathematical, spatial, musical, of learning, as outlined by UNESCO. of decimal currency, and a host bodily/kinaesthetic, interpersonal, These four pillars provide categories of others. intrapersonal). At Melbourne under which learning activities are The Museum also runs its own short Museum, visitors are encouraged to groupedactivities 'to do', things 'to Adult Education courses. One of learn by interpreting objects, reading know,' activities that help people 'live these is Italian,in which students texts(bothwrittenandvisual), together', and activities that help learn the language in the context of playing games, observing art develop the whole person ('to be'). the galleries. Another is Art and installations, interacting with Another kit helps visitors understand Anatomy (in conjunction with the performingartists, listeningto theoperations andpotentialof Centre for Adult Education), spokenpresentations,andusing 'Info Zone'. The InfoZone Kit introduces introducing art students to human interactive multi-media. participantstothefacility, by anatomy and body parts in the Mind Adults learn most effectively when in choosing a topic and asking them to and Body Gallery. Another course groups that they joinby choice. find information in a variety of modes. teaches BotanicalArt in the Melbourne Museum encourages visits Students use the on-line catalogue to stimulatingenvironmentofthe by groups of adults who attend with a assist them with research using Forest Gallery. common learning agenda, for books, CD ROMs, and videos. They The Museum's dedication to example life skills, language, literacy, are also encouraged to use the producing high quality and carefully research skills, cultural awareness, Internet,the object collectionin thought out learning experiences for science, or a shared interest in a InfoZone. and selected items in the adult visitors has paid dividends, and specific content area like geology. exhibitions. many adult learning groups are now Tours in languages other than English, Adult Education classesoften using the Museum regularly as a including Auslan, are currently being participate in the broader valuableresourcefortheir own offered, with programs for people community by researching and/or programs. Melbourne's University of with visual impairments also being observing particular celebrationsor the Third Age regularly use InfoZone developed. The Museum commemorative days. Various fortheirclasses. The- Music acknowledges the financial reality of medical weeks, international days, Composition class at the Victorian many adult learners and charges and cultural days can provide a College of the Arts has worked on a adult students the same reduced wealth of material for classes to work number of compositions in the Forest entry price as school students. on, and a focal point for a visit to the Gallery. These were assessed as part To support moreformaladult Museum. The Melbourne Museum of the students' courses. and were education courses. the Museum has Adult Education Calendar guides performed in the Gallery as part of the developed the Forest GalleryKit. visitors to aspects of the exhibitions Museums' birthday celebrations. In Developedwithassistance from that can provide interesting support the formulation of an on-line unit of Victoria'sAdult.Community and material for events like Kidney Week, work on Biotechnology for the TAFE

/4I Making the Connection ,73 Virtual Campus Hawthorn Community House workedwith THE OLD AND THE NEW LIFELONGLEARNING Melbourne Museum to develop some THROUGH RADIO AND THE INTERNET of the content, based on the Mind and Body Gallery. One of the messages that Adult Learners Week seeks to deliver isthat adult learning does not

MelbourneMuseum isalso a necessarily mean paying a lot of money to spend severalyears in a classroom behind a desk

Registered Training Organisation, to end up with a piece of paper. Adult learning takesmany forms, has many outcomes and which means that they can accredit allows many different sorts of participation. in-housetrainingforstaffand volunteers. Moreover the institution This is no better illustrated than through the Lifelong Learningprograms developed and

has a very active Evaluation and broadcast by 5UV Radio Adelaide. Established in 1972, Radio Adelaide,a community radio

Research Division, which constantly station owned and operated by Adelaide University, is considered bymany to be the leading evaluates visitorresponses, both community radio station in Australia. quantitatively and qualitatively. Programs are adapted as and when Radio Adelaide strongly promotes the funding. Todateseriesinclude necessary. idea that access to learning through Aspects of Aging, The Law Spot, life is a crucial social, cultural and Pokies Blackjack and All That (a Melbourne Museum is a fine example economic force. There is also a strong series on problem gambling), The of how visitor-based institutions large beliefinthe importance of the Federation Files (the federation story and small can be used by adult emerging state and national links in South Australia) and Wetlands learners and learning providers as between community education and Drylands, a 30-part series on Murray valuable resource for an enormous community radio in meeting this River ecology. range of content-driven as well challenge. as competency-driven learning In addition, the unit produced The programs. Moreover,theexplicit "Along with news, current affairs, Learning Connection, a series of five grounding of the Museum's exhibits music, arts and cultural programs, programs profiling adult learners' and programs within the fundamental Radio Adelaide now produces a range stories, and broadcast across South principles of education, such as of programs structured and produced Australia as part of Adult Learners constructivism, multiple intelligences to assist listeners make sense of their Week 2001. This series presented case and learning preferences, extend the lives," saysTony Ryan, Radio studies of adults who have returned to adult learning experience beyond the Adelaide's Executive Producer learning, as well as addressing issues traditional, but very limited, text- Lifelong Learning. "These initiatives such as the participation of men in panel or 'expert lecturer' approach to aim to develop in listeners the skills adult learning and building learning adult learning. and knowledge needed to survive in a communities. changing and complex society". Tony Ryan says that The Learning The series are varied, responding to Connection highlights another very community needs and availability of important aspect of this initiative. "In

79 Part V: Outstanding Learning Providers 115 r most instances, some of our young broadcast format, allowing them to aspiring radio producers who have serve as valuable tools to stimulate completed our radio training learning in more traditional, programs, are involved in producing classroombased, learning environments these programs. Not only does this or else in forums such as workplace provide them with an opportunity to learning, learning circles or volunteer contribute young and innovative ideas community organisations. to the production process in the SeveraloftherecentLifelong context of their first paid work in the Learning programs have won national sector;italsointroduces them or state awards. For example, Enid's early in their broadcasting career to a. Story in Aspects of Ageing gained planning and producing radio national recognition in Canberra in Elayne Neill, South Abstralian state Adult programs of an educational nature, Learners Week coordinator, and Bill Lucas October 2001 at the Commonwealth beinginterviewedfor ABC Drivetime and in particular introduces Media and Advertising Awards - Real program in a mobile studio at the Adelaide themtotheadultcommunity Images of Older Australians. show during Adult Learners Week 2001. education sector." (photo: John Cross) ThefifteenAspectsof Ageing As wellas broadcast on Radio programs explore variousissues Adelaide (101.5 on the FM band an opportunity to access quality facing us as we age, including finding in metropolitan Adelaide). programs learning opportunities.For many fulfillment in retirement, building a are distributed on CD to over 20 listeners, Tony Ryan believes that it is healthy and active lifestyle, gaining other community radio stations in a process of 'education by stealth'. the benefits of today's technology and South Australia, and select series are. but which can lead to increased enjoying grandchildren. The series made available to a further 200 interest in a topic or issue, and even also looks at learning to managed the community radio stations nationally leadtoparticipationinrelated challenges of older life; the ctallenges through the community radio satellite programs offeredbylocaladult of living alone, coping with social service in Sydney. community education providers. isolation, handing in the drivait" From eachseries,oneortwo license, and learning how to take on A Registered Training Organisation programs are available on the internet the role of carer. This last subject was since the mid1990s, Radio Adelaide as audio on demand - they can be presented through three programs on has also received many awards for its accessed from www.radio.adelaide. the role of the carer as seen through training programs for community edu.au - where furtherdetailed the eyes of Enid, whose husband has radiobroadcasters,including an information about program content Alzheimer's Disease. Outstanding Program award during can also be found. Increasingly as the South Australian Adult Learners Access and equity issues are another funding becomes available, programs Week2001,foritsroleint he consideration. The Lifelong Learning will be transferred to CD format. Statewide Community Broadcasters programs give people who are - unable giving them another life beyond the Training Program. And atAdult or uncomfortable leaving their house,

761htaking the Connection Ur 0 Learning Australia's national conference in Melbourne in1999, Training Coordinator Nicky Page accepted Radio Adelaide's award of theALAOutstandingTraining Provider of the Year.

While the Lifelong Learning strategy is still in its early days, in these times of change and uncertainty, Tony Ryan sees a revitalised role for the medium A NATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE ofradio in communities, and increasingly for community radio. "As BOOROONGEN DJUGUN COLLEGE we approach Radio Adelaide's 30th birthday celebrations (in June 2002) The organisations that provide training opportunities forIndigenous communities represent and in a world where certainties are some of Australia's finest examples of community learning and action in practice. Programsare daily becoming less certain, the developed in close consultation with community members andare built around real community educational role of this and other needs. Booroongen Ojugun College representsan outstanding example of indigenous program community radio stations is development and the college was awarded the New South WalesState Adult Learners Week becoming more evident. Thisis particularly so when radio- now in its 2001 Award for Outstanding Provider of Programs for IndigenousAustralians. 100th year - is linked to the wonders Booroongen Djugun College began its learning. Training at the College is of internet technology to provide new community-based programs in 1994 basedontraditionalaboriginal broadcast and online options for adult to support Aboriginal people gaining cultures, customs and language. learning through the enduring access to industry skills to allow them medium of radio." to become more competitive in the The College has recently opened a jobmarket.The College -.offers branchin Newcastleandhas accredited courses which are experienced substantial growth and industry approved, nationally development both in the range of recognised and developed especially services provided and the geographic for indigenous students. spread of this provision. The College has increased its involvement in the Booroongen Djugun College is part of community througharangeof the multi-faceted organisation of partnerships across the state. Booroongen Djugun Aboriginal Corporation and operates a centre- Booroongen Djugun College aims to based service at Kempsey Campus, develop and consolidate its role as a outreachtraininganddistance national training centre. It will achieve

Part y: Onistoodinp teaming Providers I r/ this by continuing to write its own of the college, makingita true courses, develop national models and community college. The management, adapt models developed elsewhere staff and students have a shared for use by Indigenous people. vision for the College and a positive self-identityispassed ontothe A very important aspect of the students through cultural activities Collegeisthatitprovidesan alongwiththeachievementof environment that reflects the culture industry skills. of the learners. To this end, values, traditionsand customsarean Another important aspect of the integral part of the training College's success isthe ongoing experience. AboriginalEnglishis partnershipsit has developed with recognised and acknowledged as the such groups as the local Aboriginal primary language for some of the community andlocalAboriginal people who undertake training at the organisations as well as 'Many Rivers' College. The 'College Elders' are the Regional Council of ATSIC. catalysts behind the planning of Booroongen Djugun College has also cultural activities. Their involvement forged relationships with NSW state enables students to gain first hand government departments, unions and experience of their Aboriginal history training advisory bodies. through visits to art sites, artefact Of significance is the partnerships scatters, bora grounds and living and the College has developed with the open sites. various schooling systems. By being Booroongen Djugun College takes involved in Vocational Education and highlyinnovativeapproachesto Training,itis hoped that Aboriginal course delivery as well as to the students 'at risk' of not completing a overall running of the College. For basic high school education may' be example, there is an emphasis on the encouraged to continue on with their Aboriginal methodology of learning. education. The result has also been That means that learning that Booroongen Djugun College has encompasses audio, visual, been selected as a finalist for 1999 demonstration, observation, hands- and 2000 inthe VET inSchools on,role-playaswellasother Excellence Award. approaches. There is student 'Slabbing Timber Chainsaw Training, Tiwi Islands' Shortlisted entry in the ALW 2001 ownership oftheCollegeand Ricoh Australia Photo Competition. Aboriginal Elders and community (Tiwi Islands Training 6 Employment Board. members have input into the running Winnellie, NT Photo: William Knights)

lb 'Mateo the Censtection 82 111111, '\\A \ .\\, CREATING A LEARNING COMMUNITY 111111 Intl\ MORRISON HOUSE INC 1111111111

Adult learning centres provide_a valuable role in offering a range of flexible learning

opportunities that suit all members of a community. But learning Centres can do more than

provide courses, they often act as catalysts for community growth and cohesion. Once such

centre, Morrison House, in Mt Evelyn, Victoria, has played a leading role in energising the town.

Morrison House Inc was awarded the Adult Learners Week 2001 Victorian State Award for

Outstanding Provider.

Morrison House,situatedinMt The strategic objectives of this move Landscaping work on the Community Link site in Mt Evelyn. Participants gain credits Evelyn, Victoria, has been in operation were to strengthen the community in the Horticulture 1 Certificate as part of a for 25 years. Innovation is one of the through building partnerships. Morrison house program. cornerstones of Morrison House and developing skills more by more closely (photo: courtesy of Morrison House). one of its most profound innovations identifying learningneeds, and Morrison House to find numbers of wasthedecision,in 1998, to growingbusinessbyexpanding disaffected youth appearing on its make Community Development their networks, stimulating initiatives and doorstep and so the Centre deyeloped main focus. improving skills of employees. many programsthatspecifically Morrison House spearheaded the Morrison House has continued to serve the needs of this group. The developmentoftheMtEvelyn develop projects both within the Food Van project, for example, sees Township Improvement Committee township and at the Morrison House students managing a food van as a through calling a public meeting to base that enable learning to move way to attain their Food Handler's identify local issues. Morrison House beyond classroom parameters. This Certificates. The Garden Development has continued to take a leadership can be seen in projects like the program involved students in role on this committee, as well as development of the (Nitlook landscaping areas around the centre providing experience, resources, staff Community Park, the development of for student use, and again, participants and infrastructure support as required. the Childcare Service Playgrounds, were able to gain accreditation in the

Integral to the Community Development and the development of the-Youth Park process. Other projects in which the focus was the adoption of the Lifelong and Art Studio. The Centre also Morrison Househasplayed a Learning philosophy,thecentre manages Community Link, a service significant role included the arguing that both Lifelong Learning which provides access to information development of the town's Skate Park and Community Development are and learning opportunitiesfor and a community art project that taps intrinsically linked. It was this belief residents and visitors alike. into the talent of potential graffiti artists. that gave birth to the idea of Mt With 44% of the Mt Evelyn population Evelyn becoming a Learning Town. being under 25,it was natural for

Part V: Outstastling Learning Prodders I 79 83 SMART GEELONG THE LEARNING CITY

A Learning Cityisone where industry, education, business and the community

combineina commitment tolifelong As Patrick Boucher, Co-founder of the Shire of Yarra Ranges to develop a learning.A Learning City is a city that Mount Evelyn Youth Action Group Community Toolkit and a Framework integrates economic, social comments, "Morrison House is a for Action thatwill be used by and corner-stone in our community, acting Morrison House to workshop the environmental development. A commitment as the nucleus for a number of concepts with other groups in the to lifelong learning makes for a prosperous Community groups and organisations Shire. Community Houses are well community, both in terms of economics and such as the Mount Evelyn Township placedto work alongsideLocal of lifestyle. Businesses will want to come to Improvement Committee, the Mount government and other community a place where people are skilled, innovative Evelyn Environment Protection and leaders to facilitate Lifelong Learning and able to skill for change. In December Progress Association, and many and cohesive communities. more. Without access to the staff and 2000, the Mayor of Geelong declared the Morrison House also develops resourcesprovided byMorrison CityaLearningCity, and during Adult materials for its learning programs.

House I often wonder if any of the Learners Week 2001 Geelong staged The books produced for one program groups would have made it as far as - material that supports students numerous displays and learning events as what they have." with low literacy levels - have been well as hosting a lunch for Bill Lucas.

Many of these projects have brought purchased for use overseas. Other In Victoria, the learning city concept the centre into close collaboration programs developed by the centre has been recognised by government with the local shire. "Morrison House have focused on issues associated as a vital tool in fostering lively and rolein improving with gambling, have provided support plays a critical productive rural and regional people's access to opportunities and for students with intellectual communities. Victoria's State promoting a sense of belonging and disabilities and have workedto governmentis now pilotingnine include community pridein our town.In peoplewithpsychiatric Learning Towns and Cities. Geelong partnership with the shire, Morrison illness. Adult Training and Education (GATE) House has played a leading role in More than simply providing courses, Inc was successful in bidding for this developing an innovative township Morrison Househasplayedan project and is the lead agency for the development model" says- Deputy integral role in enhancing the life of SmartGeelongNetwork. Together, Mayor, James Merlino. the Mt Evelyn 'community. these agencies plan activities to Drawing from its experiences, promote and extend learning Morrison House has worked with the opportunitiesinpartnership with

80IMaking the Connection A highlight of the Geelong Learning Festival was the visit by Bill Lucas, 1 Chairofthe UK Campaignfor I err I I I Learning, who was the international guest of Adult Learning Australia for I I I Adult Learners Week. This event was Ii Bill's only stopover in Victoria and

II' Geelong was specifically chosen because it is a declared Learning City. The presentationBill delivered provided the Learning City with an opportunity to stage a high-profile the many established educational, broad range of the educational and event that attracted a lunchtime business and community organisations business communities, along with audience of over 80 representatives in our community. local government.At another level, fromthe businesscommunity, each project has a steering local government, community The four mainobjectives of committee, with different members organisations, educational providers SmartGeelong are: to raise from the Advisory Group. Thisway, and the general public. community awareness of the more people are involvedinthe importance of lifelong learning; to The wholehearted support of the Learning City and these people can elevate education as a key attraction Geelong Chamber of Commerce then influence others to become for choosing Geelong as a lifestyle immediately aligned the business involved. destination; to increase participation community with the project and in learning (particularly for the 20-30% In 2001, the Geelong Learning Festival provided many avenuesforthe of the community that is not actively was held during Adult Learners Week. promotion of lifelong learning as a engaged in learning); and to increase A focus of the Festival was to extend strategy in building communities. The funding and business opportunities people's participation in learning by challenge for the project- now is to through collaboration. providinginformationinsettings continue to build on the commitment where people are already, rather than of individual businesses to cascade Geelong's sheer size has posed a restricting the settings to formal everyday learning into the culture of considerable challenge in the pursuit education institutions. Not only does the wider business community of making the city a Learning City. this make learning more accessible especiallysmall business. The With a population of 180 000, it was but it also celebrates learning via framework of the Learning City has important that as many views were engaging and fun activities in an beensuccessfulinovercoming heard as possible. To this end, the informal environment. An example of barriers between traditionally Learning City Advisory Group was this was the mobile computer gym competitive organisations; barriers established. Members for this group provided courtesy of 'TAFE Frontiers' have been replaced by collaboration. were recruited strategically from a which visited community centres.

85 Parl II: Outstanding learning Providers 18'

SESTCOPYAVAILABLE ADDRESSING ADULT LEARNERS' NEEDS KANGAN BATMAN TAFE

The provision of learning opportunities to older adults presents very different challenges to the provision of education to younger students. The provision of education for indigenous students also requires adaptation, sensitivity and flexibility in terms of learning delivery.

Kangan Batman TAFE in Victoria has spent a lot of time addressing these challenges. Kangan

Batman TAFE was the recipient of the Adult Learners Week 2001 National Reconciliation

Learning Program Award for its"Live Theatre Cultural Training" staff development program developed by the Koori Programs Unit. The Adult Learners Week Victorian State Award for

Outstanding Learner was given to Ekaterini Dammo, who commenced studies at Kangan Batman

TAFE as a mature-aged student in ESL and 'New Beginnings for Women' classes, and recently completed her Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) through the TAFE.

Kangan Batman TAFE is a Victorian Victorian automotive training Greg Fryer from the Koori Program unit, multi-discipline TAFE institute. With providers, and Kangan Institute of Kangan Batman TAFE (left) with Dr Peter Hollingworth at the National Launch of Adult five of its six campuses located in the TAFE. a generalistinstitute with Learners Week,National Museum of north-western region of Melbourne, it specialisations in aerospace, polymer Australia, Canberra. (photo: Eddie Misic) primarily services a population of over engineering, and curriculum research five hundred thousand, although many and design. In 1998, Kangan Batman from it. "At Kangan Batman TAFE we of its 33,000 students are drawn from TAFE was further expanded with the pride ourselves in treating adults as all over Victoria. Kangan Batman TAFE acquisition of the Richmond individuals. We work. hard to treat provides vocational courses in a broad AutomotiveCampus of Barton them with respect and ,appropriate range of occupations, and is Victoria's InstituteofTAFE, makingthe understanding. It is a big step for an majortrainingproviderforthe institute's School of Automotive the adult to re-engage with learning and automotive, aerospace and polymer largest provider of automotive we must be mindful of this and industries.Kangan Batman TAFE is industry training in Australia. , provide a welcoming environment that also Victoria'slargest provider of While many of Kangan Batman's recognises their life's experience," trainee/apprenticeship training, VET students are young adults coming to says John Parish, Director of Kangan in Schools and corrections education. the TAFE straight from compulsory Batman TAFE. Kangan Batman TAFE was education, the TAFE also has a In serving the mature-aged audience. in1997 through established the significant population of mature-aged Kangan Batman TAFE, like most amalgamation of the John Batman students, adults who are returning to providers of adult learning, faces two Institute of TAFE, one of the largest study often after having a long break major challenges the first is to

821Makere the Coneectlie 86 attract students, the second is to Anotherchallenge for Kangan culture,literacy,numeracy and keep them enrolled. Batman TAFE has been to provide computer skills). There are also plans learning opportunities To answer the first challenge, the for its toexpandtheunittobecome indigenous students through creating TAFE uses the successes of current Australia's premier indigenous an environment that respects the mature-agedstudentstoinspire community learning centre. student's cultural needs. "The area potential students. "In terms of our Kangan Batman TAFE is pleased to we serviceBroadmeadows and the marketing, we have developed allocate the resources for a new surrounding areas is home to promotional materials specifically facility because we see education as indigenouspeople fromallover targeted at the mature-age student. playing a crucialrole Australia, with different levels of inthe We produce apublication called reconciliation process, by assisting education and literacy and numeracy 'Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary the indigenous community to have the skills. High unemployment is also Things', featuring profiles of some of same opportunities and quality of life a problem and many are our mature-age students as role as all Australians," says Mr Parish. from disadvantaged backgrounds", models for prospective students." explains Koori Programs Unit Ourstrategicplan hasbeen But attracting adults back to study is Manager Terry Kildea. developed in consultation with all not enoughkeeping them is another staff in the Koori Programs Unit and "We have found the challenge is not challenge. "Mature-aged students are Elders from the local Koori only to get people into education, but more demanding in terms of their community. One of its key aims is to to keep them in the routine of study, expectations of customer service, as addresstheobstaclesthatare so they can complete their course and they are usually busy people who currently preventing some students continue on the pathway to don't want to waste time. At Kangan from completing their courses. For employment or further education." Batman it has been a priority to example, we are planning to streamline our customer service, by Kangan Batman's Koori Programs implement a formal mentoring providing a one-stop service for all Unit was established in 1991 and is program for all of our students, and student needs, from initial inquiry to guidedbya KooriConsultative alsoovercomethemorebasic enrolment,to accessing support Committee, which comprises current problems such as lack of transport by services while studying:' students and Elders from -the Koori establishing our own bus service", Mr "And like most providers, we have Community. The Koori Programs Unit Kildea said. providessupportforindigenous placed a highimportance on One of the many initiatives of the unit students who are completing developing our flexible and online has been to provide cross-cultural mainstream TAFE courses. as well as learning capabilities. Because, while training for Kangan Batman TAFE offeringprogramstomeetthe many students still need the personal staff toraise awarenessand specific educational needs of touch of face-to-face delivery, flexible understanding of indigenous issues indigenouspeople(such asthe learningisbecoming particularly and the Koori Programs Unit. One Coorong Tongala Koori Education popular with mature-age students." element of this strategy, the 'Live course, which includes indigenous Theatre Cultural Training' program

87 Part V: Outstanding Learning Providers in Bowled Out!' - Shortlisted entry in the ALW 2001 Ricoh Australia Photo Competition. (Spencer Institute of TAFE, Port Lincoln, SA. Photo: Gyn Hyde)

developed by the Koori Programs Unit experiences as indigenous Australians. ranging from the most basic myth that of Kangan Batman TAFE, offers an all indigenous Australians know how The program's title - "You Gammon or effective model for raising awareness toplaythedidgeridoo,tothe What?" - comes from the expression of indigenous culture and facilitating perception that they know all about 'gammon', which was used around reconciliationthat can be used the culture of Aboriginal people from the time of the First Fleet to mean by educational organisations across other areas of Australia. joking or teasing, and is still used by Australia. Koori people today. The title was The program takes the form of a live chosen because the performance theatre performance, entitled 'You used humour and satire-to address Gammon or What?", designed to raise serious issues, such as the racism awareness of indigenous issues among and discrimination experienced by teachers and facilitators. The use of indigenous Australians. theatre performance is in itself an The performance is followed by an innovative approach to staff open forum,inwhich audience development, as is the use of humour members are encouraged to ask and satire throughout the questions of the performers and other performance. The performanceis members of the Koori community in made up of a series of skits performed attendance. The forum provides an and written by members of the Koori opportunity to dispel misconceptions, Programs Unit based on their personal

8411Iakine the Connect) 's 8 8 WHAT IS ADULTLEARNERS WEEK ALL ABOUT?

Adult Learners Week (ALV,1)is the national flagship celebration andpromotion of adult learning opportunities in Australia. The purpose of Adult Learners Week is to: Build upon the positive recognitionof'learning'that already exists within the community to increase the profile of adult learning in Australia; Celebrate and promote the value of learning for the community and forindividuals as a means of gaining fulfillmentinalltheir endeavours; The launch of the City of Marion Learning Celebrate and promote the Festival held during ALW 2001 throughout the Westfiled Shopping Centre. Marion. diversity of learning opportunities (photo: Mark Trumble) for adults; Reach outtothose who are displays, competitions - present an The Week is coordinated nationally by marginalised from learning; opportunity for members of the local a National Coordination team at Adult Forge and nurture relationships community to find out what learning Learning Australia (ALA). Using a among learning providers: options are available to them. No grant from the Australian National Encourage further investment in learning provider needs a formal Training (ANTA), learning by all Australians for all Authority the invitation, nor official permission, to National Coordination team consults Australians. stageanAdultLearners Week widely to establish the theme and Adult Learners Week celebrates the activity,andthereisan online direction for the Week each year. The concept ofadult learninginthe calendar,website resources and National Coordination team builds broadest possible sense, encompassing promotional materials available for the framework around which learning thefulldiversityofformal and use by learning providers free-of- providers can build their activities. informal learning options, outcomes charge to assist in the staging-and Materials are produced and and learning pathways available. promotion of Adult Learners Week disseminated by the National In Australia, the Week is coordinated activities. Coordination team to raise awareness on three levels. At its core the Week for the Week and provide support State and Territory governments each consistsofmanyhundredsof learningprovideractivities.The appoint an Adult Learners Week activitiespresented bylearning NationalCoordination team also Coordinator.StateandTerritory providers around the country. These coordinates national competitions, governmentspresentlargerscale activities opendays.sample awards, the official website and the events such as state launches, award classes, performances, shopping mall tour of guest speakers. ceremonies and seminars.

t G I Making the Connection ADULT LEARNERS WEEK 2001 Victoria:"TheEconomicsof Illiteracy" with Adult Learners A SUMMARY OF MAJOR ACTIVITIES Week guest speaker Wesley Payne McClendon Jr. Most Adult Learners Week activities are open days, displays, demonstrations, free classes, Lunch: "The changing learning morning leas and other activities organised and presented by learning centres around the requirements of the 21st Century country.In 2001 there were over 530 Adult Learners Week activities entered on the official workforce" with Adult Learners

Adult Learners Week online calendar. Week guest speaker, Wesley Payne McClendon Jr., Melbourne ACT Adult Learners Week Awards A number of Adult Learners Week Learners Week guest speaker Bill Night and Dinner, CIT Canberra activities are organised at a state or Lucas, Perth Wednesday 5 September national level. A summary of these Breakfast Seminar: "The Economics Adult Learners Week 2001 events are of Illiteracy" with Adult Learners Official celebration and Victorian as follows: Week guest speaker Wesley Payne Awards presentation, Melbourne McClendon Jr., Ballarat Lunch: "Switching People Back Saturday 1 September Lecture: "Build Your Community: onto Learning" with Adult Turn on Learning" with Adult Learners Week guest speaker Bill QueenslandLaunchofAdult Lucas, Geelong LearnersWeek and awards Learners Week guest speaker Bill Lucas, Perth Breakfast: "Organisational Learning" presentation, Bowen with Adult Learners Week guest Seminar:"TheEconomicsof Monday 3 September Illiteracy"with Adult Learners speaker Wesley Payne McClendon Jr., Sydney National Launch of Adult Learners Week guest speaker Wesley Payne McClendon Jr., Melbourne Seminar: "Organisational Change Week, Canberra and Learning: A View from the TasmanianLaunchofAdult Tuesday 4 September USA" with Adult Learners Week LearnersWeekand Awards guest WA Adult Learners Week Awards speaker We-sleyPayne presentation, Clarendon Vale McClendon Jr., Sydney presentations, Perth NSW Adult Learners Week Launch RoleReversal Media Event, Breakfast: "The Business Case for and awards ceremony, Sydney featuring Chris Uhlmann (ABC Learning" with Adult Learners South Australia Adult Learners Radio), Catriona Jackson (The Week guest speaker Bill Lucas, Week launch, Adelaide Canberra Times), Richard Perno Adelaide Audiographic Seminar 'Making (2CC) and Mr Bill Stefaniak MLA Seminar: "The Irresistible Rise of Connections,Past & Present, with Neville O'Neill and a team of Lifelong Learning" with Adult Rural & Urban', Queensland Indigenous Media students, Learners Week guest speaker Bill Breakfast:"Switching People Canberra Lucas, Adelaide Back onto Learning" with Adult South Australia Adult Learners Video Conference to Regional Week Awards ceremony and

91 Part VI: Merl Learners Week 181 Launch of'A Guide to Adult Week-long activities Learning Opportunities in South Australia 2001, Adelaide Online forum and report: 'Making Connections: Past and Present. Thursday 6 September Rural and Urban. The Adult Learners Week National Development of Adult Education in Seminar:'ALearningSociety. Queensland' What will it be like? How can we Book: "Learning Journey Stories" make it happen ?', Sydney. Celebrating Adult Learningin Speakers:. Robert Fitzgerald, Rural and Remote Queensland Elaine Henry, Jenny Morawska- Ahearn, Geraldine Doogue, Bill Lucas, Wesley Payne McCelndon Jr, Kaye Schofield and Phil Candy COLLINS BOOKSELLERS WRITING COMPETITION Friday 7 September

Lunch: "The Irresistible Rise of Winners LifelongLearning"with Adult Learners Week guest speaker Bill Elizabeth Cooke from Port Macquarie Lucas. Sydney NSW, for 'An autumn flower' Sydney Community College Adult Kirstie D'Souza from Harbord NSW, Learners Week Awards Night: Bob for 'My life as a loser'. Frew Memorial Oration given by The winners each received a $500 AdultLearners Week guest Collins Booksellers Voucher courtesy speaker Bill Lucas, Sydney of Collins Booksellers. Lunch: "Organisational Change and Learning: A View from the Short listed USA" with Adult Learners Week Bill Lucas speaking at the Industry Breakfast guestspeaker Wesley Payne Gregory Bogaerts, NSW during Adult Learners Week Hilton Hotel, McClendon Jr., Canberra Adelaide. (photo: Mark Trumble) Megan Chappell, NSW Bill Clohesy, Vic Saturday 8 September Joan Darnell, Qld International Literacy Day Morning Catherine James, Vic Tea: "Celebrating Volunteer Literacy Andrea Mettenmeyer, NSW Tutors" with Adult Learners Week Frances Overheu, WA Megan Rowe, NSW guest speaker Bill Lucas. Brisbane Rananda Rich, NSW NTVocationalTraining and Tony Smith, NSW AdultLearners Week Awards Carmel Williams, Vic presentations, Darwin

CI; 881111k14 the connection Postcards promotingAdult Learners Week 2001 competitions. (design: green advertising)

fmr.sra16%

RICOH AUSTRALIA PHOTO COMPETITION

Winners Barbara Glover. NSW Narelle Grace, NSW Gail Morse from Elwood, Victoria, for Victoria Grant, NSW 'Adults Learning to Sculpt' Charles Hardimon, NSW Valentina Vervich from Bundoora. Gynn Hyde, SA Victoria, for 'The Neverending Story Glenys Hodgson. ViC Writing All Stars' Mike Jones, WA William Knights, NT The Winners each received a RDC 6000 Digital Camera, courtesy of Lynne Matheson, Vic Nadine Murray,-WA Ricoh Australia. Susan Oxenham, NSW Short listed Cath Renwick, ACT Inside the Learning Shop, Marion Westfield Maureen Rutlidge, NSW Shopping Centre, South Australia. (photo: Mark Trumble) Penny Argyle, WA Karina Savage, Vic Mia Barone, Vic Pieter Scott, SA Sam Camilleri, Vic Timothy Schaafsma. NSW Jenny Clark, WA Timothy Smith, Tas Jim Finlayson, SA Judy Stampton, Vic Colin Efremidis, Vic Judy Stanton, Vic Erica Forrest, NSW Geraldine Zeccola. Vic Tess Follett, Vic

93 PartVI: Arlen learners Week 189 ADULT LEARNERS WEEK 2001 AWARD WINNERS

ALW 2001 National Award Winners Outstanding ProviderDarwin ALW 2001 State Award Winners: TRAC Association Queensland Reconciliation Learning Program Outstanding Program -Tiwi Award -The Koori Programs Unit, Music Program, Tiwi Islands Outstanding ProgramAdult Kangan Batman TAFE for their Community & Catholic Education Tertiary Preparation Program, "Live Theatre Cultural Training" Outstanding Program (Highly Open Learning Institute of TAFE staff development program Outstanding Provider - Capricorn Commended) - Mapuru First Community Learning Leader Reader: Developing appropriate Community Radio 4 You Award - Diversity Directions Inc teaching materials, Batchelor Outstanding Tutor - Jason for their 'Let's Play Fair: A Guide Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Learner to Helping Young Children Tackle Education (Nhulunbuy) Outstanding Learner - Craig Sinn Prejudice" program ALW 2001 State Award Winners: ALW 2001 State Award Winners: ALW 2001 State Award Winners: New South Wales South Australia ACT Outstanding Learner - Robyn Outstanding Learner -Wendy Outstanding LearnerRhonda Turner Wassenaar Obad Outstanding Provider - Central Outstanding Learner - Kym Hunt Outstanding Tutor - Lorna Crane. West Community College Outstanding Learner - Kevin Belconnen Open Art Outstanding Provider (Merit Coulthard Outstanding Program - Full Certificate) - Alstonville Adult Outstanding Learner - Alma Esteem Ahead, Work Resources Learning Association Christopherson Centre Outstanding Tutor - Joan Johnson Outstanding Tutor - Stephen OutStarlding Program (Highly Outstanding Program - Shared Hanel, Pooraka Farm Commended) - Diploma of Neighbourhood House Stories, Shares LiveS Community Services (Disability Outstanding Program (Merit Outstanding TutorJacinta Ryan, Work), Centrelink Virtual College Certificate) - Computer and Port Lincoln Campus, Spencer Institute of TAFE ALW 2001 State Award Winners: Internet Training Course for Over Outstanding Tutor - Brenton Northern Territory 65's: Workers Educational Association Illawarra Gambling, Port Pirie Campus, Outstanding LearnerNanette Outstanding Indigenous Learner - Spencer Institute of TAFE Burns, Darwin TRAC Association Carmel Knight Outstanding TutorJoyce Outstanding Tutor - Robyn Ellis, Outstanding Provider of Programs Fitzpatrick, Sandwriters,Goolwa Centre for Appropriate for Indigenous Australians - Outstanding Program - Floristry Technology, Alice Springs Program, Torrens Valley Institute Booroongen Djugun College of TAFE

94 901Making the Connection Outstanding Program - Nunga Training Program Group, Milligan House. Bunbury Wiltja Project, Bungala CDEP, Outstanding Program -Young Outstanding Community Provider Spencer institute of TAFE Mothers Program (Claremont - Boyup Brook Telecentre Bungala Aboriginal Corporation College) Outstanding Registered Training Outstanding ProgramStatewide Outstanding Provider - Huon Organisation - Council on the Accredited Community Radio Open Learning Centre Ageing (COTA) Trainers Network. 5UV Radio Outstanding Provider (Merit Outstanding Tutor (Volunteer) - Adelaide and the South Certificate) -Tasmanian Cathy Rainey Australian Community Communities Online Outstanding Tutor (Volunteer) - Broadcasters Association The State Library of Tasmania Fr Robert Frank Hanson Outstanding Program -Taxi Community Organisation ALW Outstanding Tutor (Paid) - Training Program, Overseas 2001 Award (for contributions to Lillian Mincham Chinese Association literacy) - Clarendon Vale Outstanding Ongoing Program - Outstanding Provider - Neighbourhood House Skills for Nature Conservation Marra Dreaming Outstanding Program (New ALW 2001 State Award Winners: Outstanding Provider -Adult Initiative)- Filling in the Gaps Victoria Community Education Program. Program. Koorda Telecentre and Outstanding Learner - Ekaterini Torrens Valley Campus. Torrens Koorda Learning Centre Dammo Valley Institute of TAFE Outstanding Service Contribution Outstanding Program -The Safer Outstanding Provider - Adult - Kath Napier Communities Program presented Community Education Program, Outstanding Service Contribution by The Wangaratta Centre for Kadina Campus, Spencer - Merle Henning Continuing Education Inc. Institute of TAFE Outstanding Provider - BRACE ALW 2001 State Award Winners: Inc. Tasmania Outstanding Provider - Morrison - House Inc Outstanding Learner - Outstanding Tutor - Ros Butcher Eilidh St John Outstanding Learner (Merit ALW 2001 State Award Winners: Certificate)Jodie Taylor Western Australia Outstanding Learner (Merit Outstanding Learner - Certificate) - Christine Devlyn Lynette Carnes Outstanding Tutor -Jane Brown Outstanding Tutor (Merit Outstanding Older Learner - Janusz Zejdler Certificate)Peter Stevenson Outstanding Program - Outstanding Group of Learners The Craft and Chat Learning Tasmanian Prison and Education

95 Part VI: Om Lemurs Week 191

BEST COPY AVAILABLE ADULT LEARNERS WEEK 2001 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many people contributed to making Adult Website Design: Michael Honey and Adult Learners Week 2001 Learners Week 2001 anoutstanding Daniel Edmonds. Green Advertising success. Website hosting: Duncan Crombie, National Award and Competition Chirp judges Media Liaison ADULT LEARNERS WEEK 2001 Len Barratt NATIONAL COORDINATION Media strategy: Marilyn Chalkley & Jennifer Newman Michael Cavanagh. Chalkley Consulting Agnes Shea Media Support: Penny Philp and Alex Rick Flowers Adult Learners Week Roose. Chalkley Consulting Rosemary Neal National Campaign Sponsors Dorothy Lucardie Adult. Learners Week 2001 Penny Boyer The Australian NationalTraining Michael Thorne National Steering Committee Authority (ANTA) Garry Traynor Green Advertising Ned Dennis, Adult Learning Australia Jane Sampson Collins Booksellers (Chair) Barbara Pamphilon Ricoh Australia Tony Brown, Adult Learning Australia Stephen Matthews Denise McDonald. Department_of Adult Learners Week 2001 Education, Employment and Training The Adult Learners Week 2001 National Coordination Team (Victoria) National Coordination team would Liz Keyes, ANTA Management Merial Clark, Assoc. of Neighbourhood like to thank Project Management: Tony Brown. Adult Houses & Learning Centres The Australian National Training Learning Australia Rex Hewitt, Australian Education Union Authority (ANTA) which offered finding National Coordinator: John Cross. Adult Carmel Kostos, Australian Institute of and other resources to facilitate the Learning Australia Training & Development management of the Week, with a Project Officer: Jennie Della, Adult Anthony Stiff, Business Services ITAB special thank you to Liz Keyes. Senior Learning Australia John Wills. Centre of Adult Education Project Officer: (Victoria) Promotional Campaign Green Advertising, Collin Booksellers. Michael Johnson, Department of and Ricoh Australia for their support: Account Executive: Karina West, Education. Training &YouttrAffairs The four campaign 'Faces' - Zahra. Green Advertising Cathryn McKenzie. Federation of Ethnic Alan, Denise and Paul - who let us Creative Director: Michael Honey. Communities' Councils of Australia plaster their faces and stories Green Advertising Ian Watts. Museums Australia everywhere: Designer: Emma Jackman. Education Group The two international guests -Bill Green Advertising Mary Dickie. Ouay Connections Lucas and Wesley Payne McClendon Jr, Community Service Announcement Sue Ross, Office of Vocatonal who took time out of their busy schedules Production: Les Herstik, Education and Training. Department of to subject themselves to a gruelling tour Green Advertising Education, Training & Employment of Australia during Adult Learners Week Photography: Eddie Misic,_ (South Australia) and share their wisdom about, and their Eddison Photographics Jane Morgan. TAFE Directors Australia passion, for learning-for free: Video: Geoff Ellis Lesley Harrison. Bachelor Adult and The Friends and Patron of Adult Sound: Joe Kobier Vocational Education, University of Learners Week for giving their support: Tasmania Members of Adult Learning Australia (ALA). ALA Branch management

92111akine the Coonettlen T)6 committees and the ALA Executive for NSW Lesley Crommelin. ACFE Regional Chair giving their time and energy to ensuring Trish Curtis. ACFE Regional Provider a successful Week; State Coordinator Support Officer Members of the Adult Learners Week Katherine Lopez Simon Dalton. Karen Jakubec. and Elly National Coordinating Committee who NSW Board of Adult & Community Prodromou. Immigration Museum gave up their professional time to offer Education Joan Druyer, Colac Adult & Community invaluable advice about the direction Education and nature of Adult Learners Week: With thanks to: Anne Dunn and Christine Malahar, The Adult Learners Week Coordinators Dr Roger Morris. ALA (NSW Branch) Preston Reservoir Adult Community in each state and territory and their Ron Anderson, ALA (NSW Branch) Education respective steering committees; Kaye Schofield, Chair. NSW Board of Linda Fleet, Adult Multicultural The entrants to the Collins Writing Adult & Community Education Education Services Competition and the Ricoh Australia Sam Thomas, Director. Adult and Margaret Griffiths, Melbourne Museum Photo competition who shared their Community Education Pam Miller. Monash University learning experiences and insights with Amanda Moore, Adult and Community John Mitchell, U3A Network us; Education Beata Peisker, ACFE Regional Director The many organisations who displayed Tony Burke, Bankstown Community John Shugg, ACE Vic and/or distributed the Adult Learners College Rosalie Staggard. Australian TAFE Week 2001 promotional materials: Gloria Provest, Department of Marketing Association And, finally, a big thank you to Education and Training.- Trevor Tonkin, Continuing Education everybody who took part in Adult Denise Taylor..Board of Adult & Bendigo Learners Week either by presenting or Community Education Kaye Vrieze. Narre Community by attending an Adult Learners Week Mary Lee. Board of Adult & Community Learning Centre event. Education Ian Watts. Museums Australia

VIC TAS ADULT LEARNERS WEEK 2001 State Coordinator State Coordinator STATE COORDINATION Stephen D'Arcy, Department of Education, Maggie Aird, Equity Standards Branch. Employment and Training, Victoria ACT Tasmanian Department of Education With thanks to: With thanks to: State Coordinator Adult, Community & Further Education Annie Archer Ellie Thompson, Work Resources Centre (ACFE) Board Sharon Stewart ACFE Regional Chairs. RegionaT Glynis Flower With thanks to: Directors. and Regional staff Hilary Keeley The ACT Advisory Council on Adult and Rowena Allsop. Melissa Arch. Tamara Noela Foxcroft Community Education (ACE) and the Bickford, Denise Macdonald, Kim Irena Blissenden ALW 2001 SubCommittee: Bruce Duke. Hamilton, Alison Lanigan. and Helen Lyn Webster Bill Palmer, Sharon Carter. Derek Arkle, Masters, DEET Jeff Ridley Margaret Carmody: Christopher Carroll, Rachel Castles. Coralita The Office of Training and Adult Ned Dennis, Majella McGrath, and Mark Thomas Education (OTAE) - Franco Dal Pozzo Bernadette O'Connor, ALA - Victorian Peter Bond and Kim Edwards; Branch Alison O'May Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Merial Clark. Association of Hon Paula Wriedt MHA :and Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Doug Manser Mr Neville O'Neill - Indigenous Arts Centres Clarendon Vale Neighborhood House Officer, ACT and Indigenous Media Sherry Cooper-Smith. Centre for Adult Tasmanian Friends of ALW 2001 Students. Education

Part at Melt Learners Week 193 97 Adult Education Maxima Training Services Wendy Hackett. MALA Tasmanian Association of Community Meg Richens Neil CarverSmith, Adult Learning Houses Nail Technician School of SA Australia ALA Tasmanian Branch National Wine Education and Training Debbie Rice. WA Telecentre Support Centre Network SA Northern Regional Development Board Viv Ducie. Learning Centre Link Overseas Chinese Association Merle Henning State Coordinator Pooraka Farm Neighbourhood House Hans van Leeuwen Elayne Neill, South Australia Department Professional and Community Education Wendy Grimston, Read Write Now! of Education, Training & Employment Onkaparinga Institute of TAFE Tracee Kirk, Read Write Now! Professional and Continuing Education Helen Beresford. West Coast Lifelong Jan Peterson (from July), South Australia Adelaide University Learning Department of Education. Training & Regency Institute of TAFE Ros Bishop. Challenger TAFE Employment Riverton & Districts High School Sue Crock. Adult Learning Australia SA Council for Adult Literacy With thanks to: Wendy Shearwood, Adult Learning SA Training & Development Group Australia Sir Joseph Banks College 5UV Radio Adelaide Karen Reynolds. UWA Extension Adelaide Convention Centre Southern Mallee Community Education Group Adelaide Institute of TAFE NT Adelaide Institute of TAFE Arts Centre Southern Theatre and Arts Supporters Adelaide Institute of TAFEEnglish Spencer Institute of TAFE State Coordinator The Learning Laboratory Language Services The Ouality Training Company Coralie Achterberg, Northern Territory Adult Community Education Council Torrens Valley Institute of TAFE Employment and Training Authority Adult Learning AustraliaSouth Torrens Valley Institute of TAFE ACE Australia Program Aged Care & Housing Group Q LB Valerie Lillington Anthea Beattie Vocational Education, Employment & State Coordinator Anthony Millowick Training Board ASK Employment Services Nicole Oakey. Queensland Department of Workers' Educational Association of SA Australian Institute of Exports (SA) Employment and Training (WEA) Bagster Community House Yorke Peninsula Employment With thanks to: Cathy Clennell Centre for Lifelong Learning and WA Anne GoOley. Chief Executive Learning Development Network Queensland Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE State Coordinator Penny Claringbull, Coordinator Bowen English Language Services Ali Summer. (to June) Community Learning Network Queensland Centre Family and Youth Services Relations Unit. Western Australia Helen Schwencke. President Lifelong Friends of the Botanic Gardens Department of Training Learning Council Queensland Inc. Helping Hand Aged Care formerly Adult Learning Australia Heta Incorporated Eugenie Harris (from June), Community (Queensland Branch) Inc Information Industries Training Relations Unit. Western Australia Ann Kelly. President Queensland Advisory Board Department of Training Council for Adult Literacy Jack Young Centre With thanks to: Jamfactory Contemporary Craft and Design Cath Dunn, Department of Training Jenni Worth Sarah Dye. Department of Training Kadina Institute of TAFE Marie Mat thews. Seniors Recreation Marie Beardsley's College of Beauty Council Specialists

94111ekina the Comedian Adult Learners Week is coordinated Nationally by Adult Learning Australia using a grant from ADULT LEARNERS WEEK the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA). 2001 SUPPORTERS Adult Learning The Australian ." Australia (ALA) National Training KeLava 11. Originally formed in 1960. Adult Learning Authority (ANTA) ACTIonv . Australia (ALA) is the peak body for green Rom The Australian National Training Authority adult learning providers and facilitators ANTA - is a Commonwealth statutory and a voice for adult learners. The ALA mis- authority providing a national focus for sion is to: vocational education and training. Represent the interests of adult learn- Vocational education and training (VET) is .4k\ ers: 'education and training for work'.It exists COlli Work toward a learning society in to develop and recognise the competencies Booksellers which everyone has access to oppor- or skills of learners. tunities for learning throughout life in ANTA manages several national initiatives, formal, non-formal and informal set- which have been agreed by all States, Territories tings: and the Commonwealth, that help to achieve the Collaborate with organisations. insti- goals of the vocational education and training tutions and individuals concerned with system across Australia. adult learning to advocate for lifelong 11 learning; Principle among its roles. ANTA manages Myna*.e .0 Inform all those interested ion the field the National Training Framework (NTF) OM 0 111,004 /0111101.COP of adult learning through writing, which is made up of the Australian Quality exchange, discussion and professional Training Framework arrangements together development; with Training Packages. The NTF is intend- Help build learning communities, with ed to be a nationally consistent system that the understanding that learning is cen- enables registered training organisations tral to the process of community to: "MOWN ANDTWICIM Queensland development; and 171/1MOSIIT Government provide flexible and responsive training Desernnern of Celebrate the joy of learning. aul baba% and assessment services for Apart from the national co-ordination of Australian enterprises to compete in a Adult Learners Week, ALA also co-ordi- global environment; nates The Dial (an online directory of Adult provide individuals with opportunities Learning),managesLearningCircles to optimise their potential; and Australia (a radical tool to facilitate infor- issue qualifications that are nationally mal learning manages a number of online recognised. forums), produces several publications and Tasmania presents conferences annually. ANTA administers funding to facilitate the expansion of the VET in Schools program. For more information about ALA or its supports a number of professional develop- activities, visit www.ala.asn.au ment programs, manages programs to implement equity principles, and undertakes extensive market research which is Training and made available to the learning community. Adult Education Employment in the Community To find out more about ANTA. its programs and priorities visit www.anta.gov.au 99

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