Who we are

Sue has worked enthusiastically in adult learning in various locations across Australia for a number of years. Her work includes engaging in all sectors providing learning opportunities – VET, university and community-based initiatives. She has completed a range of national projects and worked in WA, NT, Queensland and now Tasmania. She has formal qualifications in adult learning, leadership and community participation.

Elected to the ALA Board in March 2015, Chris is the Manager of the Yarraville Community Centre, a medium sized not for profit delivering a range of programs and services, located in the City of Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s inner west. Chris came to education as an adult learner, leading to a Graduate Diploma in Community Education and Cert IV in TAA. She has over 20 years experience in the community sector having been involved in boards of community based organisations, neighbourhood house management, setting up an RTO and managing adult education programs including youth and Work for the Dole programs. She was involved in the establishment of her Local Learning and Employment Network, and has experience sourcing large grants for programs and services.

Cath has worked up until recently as the Manager, Policy Planning & Participation, Western Australian Department of Training & Workforce Development

Cath is committed to making education more accessible for adult learners, particularly those experiencing barriers to learning. Cath strongly supports community based learning and its key role in connecting people of all ages to others and their ideas, to their community, to skills and employment.

Ros has extensive experience in adult education as a language literacy numeracy practitioner. She was the winner of the 2013 Australian Training Awards Excellence in Adult LLN Practice and a recipient of an Executive Fellowship through the Australian Endeavour Awards; which included a professional learning experience in Scandinavia. She is part of the NT LLN Network Group and is the educational consultant to the Warlpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation.

Robbie is from NSW, where he is based at Skillslink training (formerly Port Macquarie Community College). He has a background of over 40 years working in all levels of education, including education and training journalism, with a passion for community based experiential learning. His experience includes national and state political circles, communications and marketing, and PM&C. Robbie is also involved with the empowerment of people living with mental health challenges and has experience in lobbying for funding and policy change.

Sally Brennan has spent 22 years as CEO of Upper Yarra Community House. She is an ACFE Board member, and a consultant for ACEVic and the adult community education sector more broadly. She has post graduate qualifications in adult education.

Donna is a Senior Lecturer and active researcher at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). She is widely published and the central focus of her research is adult learning in and beyond educational institutions. Among her more recent publications is interest in; food and learning; simulation; professional learning and workplace. She coordinates and teaches several subjects on the UTS Master of Education (Learning & Leadership) program, as well as on the Master of Teaching. Donna’s passion for adult learning grows from her personal history as well as from her work history. Prior to joining UTS in 2003 she worked in the NSW adult community education sector. E.g. for LCSA (NSW Neighbourhood Centres peak body) as well as for ACE colleges, and on several state government funded adult community education projects.

Allison believes that every day provides opportunities for learning and that lives can be transformed when people learn to read and write, engage in meaningful activity, and have their unique skills, knowledge and experience valued.

She is committed to inclusive learning, knowledge sharing, ethical governance, positive approaches, building the evidence base and value warm, cooperative, productive relationship.

As Strategic Priority Projects Manager with the Whole of Community Engagement Initiative (CDU) she led a collective action initiative to engage broadly around adult LLN in the NT.

Di's philosophy and practice throughout life has been to make a commitment to lifelong learning and personal development for all Australians, people with disabilities and people with Mental Illnesses or people with special needs. She is passionate about education for all Australians, particularly Indigenous Australians. She believes that if children and adults have access to quality education, they will have fantastic opportunities for their future. Helping people to help themselves is a key component to her philosophy and practice.

Annette is an Associate Professor of Adult and Vocational Education at Federation University Australia. She has worked for over 30 years as an adult educator in TAFE, higher education, adult community education, and the private training sector.

Before Annette commenced her academic role at FedUni she had first-hand experience as a TAFE manager and CEO in a VET/ACE and youth services organisation, where she worked in a regional community and liaised with industry, community and local government agencies to develop education and training programs for youth and older learners.

Jenny has an extensive background in community development, social justice and social policy and planning. She has previously worked in local and state government and the not for profit sector. Jenny has been recognised for her commitment to health & wellbeing, human rights, and community place making through national and local awards such as the inaugural LGPRO award for community development. She holds qualifications in community cultural development, social sciences and the arts. Jenny believes that the creative arts and lifelong learning have a key role to play in engaging communities of all persuasions in self-determination and social change, and that a positive connection to nature is critical to our individual and collective wellbeing.

Catherine has a background in educational publishing and online learning. She previously worked in information management and online course development. She has also worked as an editor and client services manager at a tertiary institution.

She has postgraduate qualifications in education and communication; including M.A. (Communication) and an M.Ed. (Literacy/Information Technology).

Gina Perry is an award winning writer who has worked in a range of communications roles in the not for profit and training sectors. Her feature articles, columns, and essays have been published in The Age and The Australian, and her short fiction has been published in a number of literary magazines, including Meanjin, Westerly, and Island.

Her co-production of the ABC Radio National documentary about the obedience experiments, ‘Beyond the Shock Machine’, won the Silver World Medal for a history documentary in the 2009 New York Festivals radio awards.

Leanne joined ALA in August 2015 having come from a background in corporate finance. She is enjoying the change in focus and finds working in the not for profit sector very rewarding.

She has a postgraduate qualification in Applied Finance and Investment.

Georgia comes from a long history of customer service and membership management in the events and film industry. Her interest in further education was sparked by her Psychology and Art History degree. Since settling in to this position, Georgia has found great reward in supporting individual learners, as well as educational organisations.

Dr Trace Ollis is senior lecturer, Adult Vocational & Applied Learning at Deakin University. She is discipline leader of the Applied Learning, Professional Education & Training group in the School of Education.

 

Trace was appointed Editor of AJAL in 2017.