2025 Learning Changes Lives Scholarships
The Learning Changes Lives Foundation – ALA’s charitable organisation – supports people who need it most to gain access to the life-changing capacity of education.
In 2025, six recipients received prizes funded by the Foundation during Adult Learners Week.
Tegan Case – Northern Territory
Tegan has dyslexia and struggled with reading and writing in school. However, she now sees her learning difficulty as something which strengthens her understanding of the difficulties faced by young people learning to read and write.
Tegan started with the Young Mums Strong Mums program run collaboratively by the Batchelor Institute and Palmerston Child and Family Centre earlier this year and is now also studying a Certificate III in Community Services. Tegan has connected with the program by actively engaging in the content and making friends. Accessing the program’s wrap-around support, Tegan left a violent relationship two months ago. Despite all the turmoil and disruption to her family life, she barely missed any education classes.
By engaging with the program, Tegan has started to believe in herself and believe what is capable of. She is getting her life together and being a good example for her one year old daughter. Tegan has now decided to become a Primary School Teacher. When she first thought about becoming a teacher, Tegan couldn’t believe that she could go to university, get a degree and a professional job. Now she knows she can. Adult Learning has impacted her life by showing her what she is capable of.
Ashley Jensen – Queensland
Ashlee joined the SEE Programme at TAFE Queensland’s Logan Campus as an adult learner who wanted to improve her literacy and numeracy standards. Ashlee had to overcome obstacles in her younger life that made it very difficult for her to achieve a productive school education. However, she got to a point in her life where she realised that she had to turn her life around – and she now credits adult education with helping her do that.
Her tutors put it down to her incredible self-determination and hard work, saying it has been a pleasure to see her grow and be able to realise her educational and personal potential. Ashlee has extended herself daily during her course, looking for strategies to absorb the processes and details necessary to succeed. She approaches every new task with fresh energy, arriving early at campus and often leaving later to allow herself the time needed to absorb the lessons.
She is not too proud to ask for repeat lessons or to self-critique and do even better on her next attempts. She has also become a very effective mentor and support to the large percentage of adult migrant students in her cohort.
Ashlee is completing her SEE journey at the end of this year but now wants to continue studying to become a Youth Support Worker. She has seen what education and mentoring have done for her and wishes that she had found such an environment earlier in life.
Gayle Rohweder – Queensland
Gaye first joined the Sunshine Coast Beerwah Read and Write for Life program, where she demonstrated a passion for learning until the program was interrupted by the pandemic. In August 2024, when a spot became available in the Caloundra class, Gaye gratefully accepted an invitation to participate.
Gaye exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding adult learner. Born with significant hearing loss that also influences her speech, she has shown remarkable resilience. Although hearing implants have restored some connectivity, she continues to also rely on lip reading. She has endured discrimination and negative judgment from others due to her hearing loss. These challenges have not inhibited Gaye’s zest for life; she inspires classmates with her positivity and gratitude, forging strong friendships and enriching the classroom community through her experiences.
Gaye’s life story is marked by perseverance and inspiration, and she is a fierce advocate for her local community and wildlife. A lover of animals, gardening, and nature, Gaye has used the Read and Write for Life program to further educate herself and those around her with confidence. The class provides a worthy platform for self-expression and enables her to detail how outdoor activities have enhanced her life. Through reading, writing, and speaking in class, she has found new ways to share her stories and connect with others. The program’s format plays a crucial role in her journey, offering support and empowering her personal growth each week.
Monira Ghulami – Australian Capital Territory
As soon as Monira joined MTC ACT Belconnen’s Digital Literacy and Job Search course earlier this year, she set about learning how to write a cover letter and search for jobs in Australia. Monira was determined to be able to support her two young children as a single mother so she worked hard with her tutors to develop strong applications. And she did well, with her first applications leading to interviews and a job as a full time professional tailor within two weeks.
Not only did Monira commence her full time employment, she also decided to continue her MTC training part time so that she could further improve her workforce skills for better employment. When asked if she feels pressured working full time, studying and looking after her two children, Monira told her tutors that she is the happiest she has ever been. Having arrived through humanitarian assistance three years ago, Monira says that Australia has given her a new life.
Monira wants to go on to study a Diploma of Laser Therapy through the Canberra Institute of Technology.
Tiana Hokins – Tasmania
Adult learning has been a prominent theme throughout Tiana’s life – she has consistently been both a learner herself and someone who is dedicated to assisting other learners to thrive. As a Youth Development Coach in the Northern Territory, Tiana took great care and joy in mentoring young adults through the journey of adult education. This also extended to her roles in the NT and Victorian youth justice settings, where she helped young adults to transition successfully from detention to a successful, meaningful life. While at the Red Cross, Tian’s highlight was training and mentoring adult learners from all walks of life.
After completing a Graduate Certificate in Emergency and Disaster Management and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Tiana is now employed as a Community Storm and Flood Resilience Planner with the Tasmanian State Emergency Services. Part of Tiana’s role is to implement Person Centred Emergency Planning (targeted at people living with a disability and other risk factors) across Tasmania’s northwest. This involves supporting adult learners through the online facilitation course, as well as upskilling volunteers to have inclusive and informed emergency preparedness conversations in their communities.
Tiana has seen the profound impact that adult learning can have on people’s confidence, sense of purpose, and connection to their communities. As a mentor and facilitator, she always creates a learning environment where people feel safe, respected, and valued for who they are.
Diane Hardlitschke – South Australia
Dianne, currently in the recovery phase of her journey from domestic violence, wanted to expand her knowledge and skills in areas such as healthy relationships, informed decision-making, effective communication, and future planning. Her goal was to build a strong pathway of tools and resources to create a brighter future, with a deeper understanding of her rights, boundaries, and values. She connected with Zahra Foundation’s programs, which offer practical education, empowerment, and hope.
Dianne is an outstanding adult learner whose growth has been remarkable. When she first joined Zahra Foundation classes, she was quiet, hesitant to connect with others, and unsure how to use her voice or contribute her input. Over time, she has transformed into a confident and engaged participant who brings immense value to group discussions. She actively applies the education to her daily life and uses her journey to inspire and empower other women, showing them that they, too, can succeed.
Her newfound confidence and courage have led her to take the bold step of enrolling in further study at UniSA, a testament to her resilience, determination, and commitment to building a brighter future.
