Celebrating Learning Together
“Wherever I go I am reminded of the lifelong possibility of opening our minds to new knowledge and different perspectives. To remain curious, open and capable of learning. And it’s never too late – we are never too old to continue learning”.
Attendees of the launch of Adult Learners Week 2025 on Monday 1 September were inspired by this video message sent by Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC Governor-General. Ms Mostyn congratulated Adult Learning Australia (ALA) on the 30th anniversary of Adult Learners Week in 2025 and the focus on the “power and potential of accessible, inclusive adult learning and community education” and the “joy and purpose that comes from learning and being part of a community of learners”.
More than 140 people took part in the Adult Learners Week (ALW) launch either in person in Devonport, Tasmania, or online via the livestream, which can be viewed here. The power of adult and community education was celebrated throughout the launch, which was a welcome reflection of this year’s special 30th anniversary Adult Learners Week theme – celebrating learning together.
As Skills and Training Minister, Andrew Giles, said in his video message, this theme “highlights what make learning so powerful. It is the way it brings people together, opens new possibilities, and helps us all grow”.
Minister Giles – who attended last year’s launch but was unable to attend this year due to Parliament sitting – said he and the Albanese Government understand “how transformative adult learning is in building skills, boosting confidence and strengthening connection to communities”.
This year’s launch began with a Welcome to Country delivered by proud trawlwoolway man Dave mangenner Gough, who spoke about the importance of education in the survival of his ancestors. Dave says he is a “learner every day and a teacher, you can never know everything. And as the world continues to change, we need to be continually learning”.
Acting as MC, Tasmanian radio host, Giovanna Simpson, welcomed attendees before ALA President, Kathleen Priestly, thanked Dave and acknowledged the “importance of thousands of years of First Nations learning and teaching that precedes all of us”.
Kathleen outlined the origins of Adult Learners Week, including the role of renowned British adult learning advocate, Sir Alan Tuckett, who gave his support to ALA in 1995 when the organisation called on the Australian Government to respond to UNESCO’s “global call for governments to prioritise adult learning”. With an Australian Government grant, ALA ran a successful pilot Adult Learners Week in 1995, and this funding has been maintained ever since.
Each year, adult education providers nominate learners whose stories they believe could inspire others to start, re-start or continue learning to become Adult Learners Week ambassadors. These learners give media interviews and, if locally based, attend the Adult Learners Week launch.
A special guest at this year’s event was 2023 ALW ambassador, Brendan Murray. A 57-year-old Palawa man and Aboriginal Student Engagement Officer at the University of Tasmania’s Cradle Coast Campus, Brendan was raised in foster care and functionally illiterate until age 26. Brendan spoke to attendees about how enrolling in an adult literacy class had changed his life, to the extent that he is now the first in his family to attend university. Brendan is studying a Bachelor of Arts with the goal of becoming a historian. Brendan says he continues to share his story to inspire others, especially Aboriginal learners, to believe in their potential and embrace lifelong learning.
Of the 10 learners from across each State and Territory chosen to be 2025 ambassadors, four Tasmanians were able to attend the launch.
Andrew Bartlett’s journey hasn’t been easy. But with determination, support from Avidity Training and Development and the completion of a Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), Andy has turned his life around. In 2024, Andy won the Vocational Student of the Year at the Tasmanian Training Awards. “When I started, I didn’t even know how to use a laptop, that was a big wall for me. But I got through and kept getting heaps of support to learn, continue to learn and not give up.” Andy told the launch that he is now teaching a cooking course too!
Jenna Eastwood struggled at school and lacked the confidence to consider doing more study after school. With support from a 26Ten Community Coordinator, Jenna began working one-on-one with an Adult Literacy Support Officer and volunteer tutors at Smithton library. This supportive, personalised approach helped Jenna build confidence and learn at her own pace. “I started getting more confidence in myself, more self-respect and it made me feel a lot better about myself as a person. I can now do things that I could not have done back before I started adult learning.”
At 45, Faye Hodgetts was offered a traineeship at Loaves and Fishes, a Tasmanian social enterprise organisation. After completing a Certificate III in Business, Faye transitioned into a paid role and has since progressed to become the State Operations Manager. Faye told the launch that “adult education gave me huge confidence. I am generally a shy person and to take on such a big role I had to get out of my comfort zone. I had a lot of self-doubt, but adult learning gave me the confidence to go out and do the role”.
Rohan Muthamala, 55, arrived in Australia from Sri Lanka with his wife and daughter in 2023. Rohan has been an active member of the Welcome Cultural Services English Conversation Group at the Devonport Library. He has recently taken up the Intro to Computing course at TasTAFE. Rohan talked about the importance of adult learning for health and wellbeing and a “better life. Every day, we want to move to a better life and for that you have to keep on learning”.
New 30th Anniversary STAR Award for an outstanding student mentor
To celebrate ALW’s 30th anniversary, a special STAR (Student Teaching And Relationship) Award was introduced, with a call out to providers to nominate adult learners who demonstrate exceptional commitment to mentoring fellow students.
At the launch, Steffi-Lee Frankland from Community College Northern Inland was announced as the winner. Steffi-Lee is pictured here with CCNI CEO Melanie Squires and Senior Campus Leader Tania Archer.
Steffi-Lee’s trainer said that “some people become quiet leaders in a learning environment, simply by how they show up for others. Steffi-Lee Frankland is one of those people”.
Two other students also stood out and were highly commended: ALW Ambassador, Faye Hodgetts, and Kaine Duggan from Chisholm Institute in Victoria.
Adult Learning Week Scholarships
The winners of Adult Learner Week Scholarships are also announced at each year’s launch. These $1000 scholarships are awarded to outstanding adult learners to enable them to continue learning. In 2025, there were 21 nominations from each State and Territory, with the $1000 scholarships awarded to Ilya Myshkin (Burnie Library, Tasmania), Krystel Batiste (Diamond Valley Learning Centre, Victoria) and Teegan O’Farrell (STEPS Palmerston, Northern Territory).
A further six adult learners received Learning Changes Lives Foundation prizes of $500 to enable them to continue their learning journey.
At the conclusion of the event, attendees were energised by an enthusiastic performance by the Drumettes, part of the Drum Collective, before afternoon tea provided by social enterprise, Loaves and Fishes Tasmania.
