I would like to acknowledge Adult Learning Australia's dedication to adult and community education over the last 65 years. Ensuring people have the skills they need is critical to supporting their engagement in the economy and society.

Hon Andrew Giles
Minister for Skills and Training

Adult Learning Australia has been sharing its message of the power and potential of accessible, inclusive adult learning and community education for 65 years. Always revealing the joys and purpose that comes from learning and being part of a community of learners.

Ms Sam Mostyn
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Congratulations to Adult Learning Australia on 65 years of excellence in adult community education! ALA has empowered individuals, strengthened communities, and renewed futures in every corner of Australia.

Kathleen Priestley
President, Adult Learrning Australia

It is my great pleasure to congratulate Adult Learning Australia on their 65th anniversary. Over the last 65 years, ALA has been committed to lifelong education, offering programs which recognise the diversity and needs of our society in a way that is accessible, reaching those who would otherwise miss out.

Hon Ged Kearney
Assistant Minister for Social Services

ACOSS warmly congratulates ALA for reaching such an incredible organisational milestone. We applaud and recognise ALA's effort to ensure that all people, especially those experiencing poverty, disadvantage and hardship, have equitable access to lifelong learning.

Edwina MacDonald
Chief Strategy Officer, ACOSS

Warmest congratulations on ALA's 65th anniversary and 30 years of Adult Learners' Week. And what a success ALA ha made of the Week, and of its many campaigns for adult learners and adult learning. It has been a real delight to work alongside you. Long may you thrive.

Sir Alan Tuckett OBE
Fmr President, International Council of Adult Education

My heartfelt congratulations to Adult Learning Australia on their 65th year. This milestone is significant and highlights ALA 's contribution to ensuring that all Australians can access and participate in lifelong learning.

Blair Boyer
SA Minister for Education, Training and Skills

Big congrats from the Reading Writing Hotline team to ALA on this wonderful milestone of 65 years. Your professional development activities support literacy and numeracy teachers around the country, and your focus on the value of informal learning helps ensure that the most vulnerable learners have a chance to study in a comfortable situation.

Vanessa Iles
Manager, Reading Writing Hotline

ALA has always kept the focus on equitable access to education, particularly adult education, to support inclusivity and cohesiveness to benefit all people in the Australian community.

Dr Ron Wilson
Treasurer, Adult Learning Australia

Happy 65th anniversary, Adult Learning Australia! Your dedication to providing all Australian adults with access to education is shaping a brighter future for everyone. Congratulations on 65 years of remarkable success!

Kirrily Loveday
Board Member, Adult Learning Australia

I congratulate Adult Learning Australia for 65 years of dedication as the organisation works tirelessly to encourage the community to realise, embrace and acknowledge the value of adult education.

Nan Bosler AM
Emeritus President, ASCCA Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association

Happy 65th birthday to ALA on an amazing milestone in supporting adult learning and community education in different and diverse social and cultural contexts, through people, projects, professional development, and publications advocating and supporting the needs of First Nations people, migrants, refugees, youth, and academics.

Dr Robyn Ober
ALA Board Member

As ALA marks this milestone, we celebrate its unwavering dedication to fostering knowledge, connection, and growth for individuals and communities alike. Here’s to 65 years of impact — and many more to come!

Heidi McLoughlin
Educator

It is with great pleasure that I wish Adult Learning Australia (ALA) and the Australian Journal of Adult Learning (AJAL) a very happy 65th birthday.

Dr Piper Rodd
AJAL Co-Editor

Congratulations to Adult Learning Australia on 65 years of being a dynamic and consistent leader in adult education.

Debra Cerasa
CEO, Amplify Alliance

Congratulations to Adult Learning Australia on 65 years of excellence in adult education! The Wyndham Learning Festival values your ongoing support, and celebrates your incredible impact in empowering learners, fostering inclusivity, and championing lifelong learning across the nation. Your dedication has enriched countless lives, renewed futures and empowered communities, inspiring us all to embrace the power of education. We applaud your leadership and commitment to accessible education for all. Here’s to many more years of innovation, collaboration, and transformative learning opportunities. Happy 65th anniversary!

Diane Tabbagh
Coordinator, Community Learning, Wyndham City Council

Congratulations ALA for 65 years as the national voice for adult learning and community education.

Catherine Devlin
Former ALA Operations Manager

Happy 65th Anniversary to Adult Learning Australia! The Adult and Community Education sector does such important work. It is vital in helping learners take transformational steps to gain skills, confidence and opportunities for jobs and further education.

The Hon. Gayle Tierney
Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE

Congratulations ALA on supporting professional and community learning. 65 tears contributing to employment opportunities and community participation.

Isabel Osuna-Gatty
Board Member, Adult Learning Australia

Congratulations – and thank you – to all involved in Adult Learning Australia (and forebears) on 65 years nurturing people, opportunity and communities.

David Crosbie
CEO, Community Council for Australia

ALA’s commitment to lifelong and lifewide learning to empower individuals and communities provides a rare counter to the relentless push towards narrowly defined, top-down models of education and learning. The longevity of the organisation and its message is a credit to the Board and staff.

Sally Thompson
Former CEO, Adult Learning Australia

On behalf of Tamworth Community College (TCC), I want to extend our heartfelt congratulations on reaching your 65th year! Thank you for being a champion for adult education for the past 65 years. We are proud to stand alongside you in this journey and excited to see what the next chapter holds!

Jade Vermeer
CEO, Tamworth Community College

Education is a human right. In Adult Learning Australia’s 65th year, let us renew our commitment to adult education every day and continue to uphold and advance human rights, including lifelong learning for all.

Dr Nigel Wilson
Former Board Member, ALA

Happy 65th birthday ALA (Adult Learning Australia)! And a shout out to all of the LLN lecturers/ teachers and trainers who are at the very core of transforming student lives!

Lidia Lipkiewicz
VET Training ambassador

Learning doesn’t end at school – it continues throughout life. As a proud Board Member, I am honoured to celebrate 65 years of ALA championing community empowerment and a fairer future for all.

Fleur Lerwill
Board Member, Adult Learning Australia

Congratulations Adult Learning Australia on 65 years of providing high quality support, PD and resources to Adult Education providers and learners nationally. ALA is all about lifelong learning and giving people the chance to grow. So many of us have improved our skills and knowledge thanks to this amazing organisation.

Chris McCall
Past President

Fantastic work! We appreciate your support to empower us at the forefront of adult education.

Webinar Attendee

Congratulations to Adult Learning Australia on reaching 65 years of inspiring adult learners and strengthening communities! At Community College Northern Inland, we’re proud to celebrate alongside you, recognising the power of education to change lives. Together, let’s keep building brighter futures and stronger communities through lifelong learning.

Melanie Squires
CEO, Commuity College Northern Inland

Thank you, ALA and congratulations, on 65 years of not just advancing adult learning but building communities of educators and advocates for adult learning and education.

Robbie Guevara
President, International Council for Adult Education (ICAE)

With 65 years of influencing adult and lifelong learning policy in Australia, ALA is undoubtedly the leading authority on current trends in the research and scholarship of adult learning, promoting new ways of seeing and doing adult learning.

Trace Ollis
Former AJAL Editor

For any civil society organisation to reach 65 years is a great achievement, and especially when, for most of that time, ALA (and its predecessors) have relied on a voluntary membership and a smal number of dedicated staff.

Tony Brown
Former AJAL Editor

For more than six decades, ALA has opened doors, transformed lives, and strengthened communities by ensuring that learning opportunities are accessible to all Australians, regardless of age or background. Your unwavering commitment to educational equity and social inclusion has made a profound difference. Here's to celebrating your rich legacy and to the continued impact you will continue make in the years ahead.

Hannah Pia Baral
CEO, ACE AOTEAROA

The passion for adults learning continues, still ‘renewing futures, empowering communities’.

Dr Darryl Dymock
Writer and Researcher

Through its dedication to lifelong learning and community-based learning, ALA continues to send a strong message about the vital connection between education, health, wellbeing, and community engagement.

Professor Annette Foley
Board Member, Adult Learning Australia

Happy Birthday to Adult Learning Australia and the fabulous ALA team. Community Education Australia walks the journey with you, improving the life chances of success and personal growth with every student and learner we meet.

Russ Hawkins
CEO, Community Education Australia

ALA has been the cornerstone of the adult education movement in Australia for the past 65 years. ALA has provided leadership in the field of adult education nationally and internationally. Importantly it has provided a platform to advocate on behalf of adult learners and their needs to government.

Dorothy Lucardie
Former President, Adult Learning Australia

The Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA) celebrates this milestone alongside you, recognising that education is a foundational program of many neighbourhood houses and a cornerstone of stronger, more connected communities.

Liz Bonner
President, ANHCA

Congratulations to Adult Learning Australia on 65 Years of Impact. Thank you for championing inclusive learning opportunities and for inspiring generations to believe that it is never too late to learn, grow, and thrive.

Kate Grey
26TEN Community Coordinator

Zahra Foundation is proud to celebrate 65 years of Adult Learning Australia and the incredible impact you’ve made in communities across the country. Thank you for your decades of leadership and advocacy. We are proud members of Adult Learning Australia and excited to keep championing the role adult learning plays in stronger, safer communities.

Amanda Martin
CEO, Zahra Foundation

Congratulations to ALA on 65 years of championing adult and community education across Australia. Your enduring leadership and advocacy have strengthened lifelong learning opportunities and enriched countless communities.

John Sheen
Vice President, Adult Learning Australia

Congratulations Adult Learning Australia on turning 65! It has been great being a part of Adult Learning in Australia with you, and it’s great to see that learning is lifelong.

Alison Crooks
Lecturer, Batchelor Institute

Congratulations ALA for the work undertaken over many years to build resources, deliver training and promote learning within the community, particularly for those vulnerable and needing additional support.

Paul Mulroney
Former President, Adult Learning Australia

65 years is a remarkable achievement for ALA! We also celebrate the enduring contribution of the Australian Journal of Adult Learning (AJAL) in making research on adult learning accessible, contributing to continuous professional development and enhancing provisions of educative experiences.

Christopher Ward
Board Member, Adult Learning Australia

Adult Learning Australia has been inspirational in supporting learning opportunities including English classes, Local History workshops, Government information sessions, technical support, Arts & crafts, Scrabble games, Author talks etc at my local public library. Thank you and congratulations to ALA for ongoing leadership in this sector

Ruth Campbell,
Libraries Manager, Shire of Harvey

Adult and Community Education Victoria (ACEVic) extends our congratulations to Adult Learning Australia on celebrating 65 years of strong Adult and Community Education sector advocacy, leadership and support across Australia. This continued support has led to many years of progressive policy change at both a National and State level to enable vulnerable and at-risk adult learners to have access to local place-based learning fostering inclusivity and encouraging lifelong learning. A most rewarding achievement!

Nina Bekker
Executive Officer, ACEVic

ALA’s 65th anniversary invites us to reimagine lifelong learning’s role in shaping a better future. In a rapidly changing world, lifelong learning is more vital than ever for vibrant democracies, enabling us to build inclusive, sustainable, and innovative communities.

Jenny Macaffer
CEO, Adult Learning Australia

Congratulations on 65 years of advancing and promoting the power of adult education.

Pauline Wilson
Learning Designer

Congratulations on the 65th anniversary of your great work inspiring adult learners across Australia. MTC wishes to have even closer connections with you in years to come towards excellence. Happy Anniversary.

Fariba Soltanzadeh
Trainer and Assessor, MTC ACT

Adult Learning Australia (ALA) is celebrating 65 years of empowering communities and supporting grassroots learning environments. ALA’s enduring vision of lifelong learning with a strong focus on adult literacy - so vital for confident participation, connection, and social justice - speaks volumes about the culture of an organisation that it is a true privilege to be part of.

Ros Bauer
Board Member, Adult Learning Australia

Congratulations to Adult Learning Australia on 65 years of empowering lifelong learning! Your work continues to make a real difference in the lives of adult learners across the country. Wishing you continued success and impact in the years ahead.

Erzsebet Nemeth
U3A Tutor

Happy 65th ALA. It has been a fulfilling and ongoing learning experience working at ALA and being part of adult learning at the national level.

Dr Sharmy Ramachandran
Projects Manager, Adult Learning Australia

Bob Dylan was also a complete unknown in 1960. Like Dylan, ALA has been a rolling stone, helping Australian people and communities reimagine and transform lives and communities.

Professor Barry Golding
Former President, Adult Learning Australia

Congratulations ALA 65 years of inspiration, sharing and caring 65 years of a student centric philosophy We at TAFE Queensland see the effect that your tireless work has on our students Nurturing, aspirational, inspirational Happy Anniversary.... Keep On Going On!

Simon Jackson
Tutor

Since 2016, it has been my privilege to be part of the ALA team, providing lifelong learning and inclusive education opportunities for all ages.

Henrik Steenberg
Project Officer, Adult Learning Australia

Congratulations ALA! “Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.” – Kofi Annan I would like to share my heartfelt congratulations on achieving 65 years of bringing hope, opportunity, and empowerment to adults across Australia. The words of Kofi Annan are a powerful reminder of the importance of the work that ALA does. Thank you for your commitment to adult literacy and lifelong learning. We appreciate you!

Colly Lesker
Tutor, Tauondi Aborginal College

Happy Birthday ALA - you are the same age as me!! What a wonderful contribution you have made to the adult learning community!

Karen Dymke
Educator

ALA spans political activism, community engagement, highlighting humanity and showcasing the educators who dedicate their time to connecting people together through education and learning. Happy Birthday ALA and may you live the life-long learning and prosper.

Professor Rob Townsend
Former Board Member, Adult Learning Australia

ALA’s advocacy for adult literacy and learning development opportunities over 65 years and, more recently, emerging digital demands is foundational to positive economic and social engagement of individuals, particularly those in rural and remote communities. Thank you and congratulations for your sustained efforts over 65 years and determination to continue to have a strong voice into the future.

Tim Catterall
Board Member, Adult Learning Australia

Congratulations to Adult Learning Australia on 65 years of excellence in adult education! As the Industry Innovation Specialist for Foundation Skills at TAFE NSW, I deeply value ALA’s unwavering commitment to lifelong learning, equity, and inclusion. Your advocacy for adult literacy, digital skills, and diverse learning pathways has transformed lives and strengthened communities across Australia.

Debi Richardson
Industry Innovation Specialist, NSW TAFE

Congratulations ALA – it is inspiring to work for an organisation which strives to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to learn and change their lives.

Sophie Arnold
Communications Coordinatoir, Adult Learning Australia

The Adult Literacy Team at the Smithton Library (Tasmania) congratulates Adult Learning Australia on 65 years of inspiring lifelong learning and empowering communities through adult learning. We're proud to be part of this journey, supporting adult learners in our region and celebrating the transformative power of education. Here's to continuing the legacy of inclusion, growth, and opportunity - Happy Anniversary, ALA!

Chelsea Duncan
Libraries Tasmania

Adult Learning Australia has become and remains the key voice for this sector and is the inevitable place of choice for seeking advice, engagement and wise counsel.

Stephen Billett
Former Board Member, Adult Learning Australia

Congratulations to Adult Learning Australia on 65 remarkable years of empowering individuals and communities through lifelong learning! Your unwavering commitment to excellence in adult education has renewed futures and inspired countless journeys of growth and transformation. Here’s to continuing the legacy of inclusive, innovative learning that uplifts and connects us all.

ALA Webinar Attendee

Congratulations: sixty-five years is an impressive innings but it's not time to hang up the shingle!

Francesca Beddie
Former Board Member, Adult Learning Australia

ALA is the same age as me. Happy birthday!

Dr Mark Brophy
Former Board Member, Adult Learning Australia

It’s incredible to have been part of an organisation that has been enriching Adult Community Education for over six decades. Congratulations on turning 65 years old!

Natalie Corrigan
Engagement Officer, Adult Learning Australia

Congratulations to ALA you have run the long race and you are still winning. You are as relevant today as you ever were.

Member, Adult Learning Australia