A legacy of learning

Former ALA President and Vice-President, Chris McCall, retired from the ALA Board at this year’s AGM after completing the maximum nine-year term.

We took the opportunity to talk to Chris about her long sector experience.

Now managing the Yarraville Community Centre as it approaches its 50th anniversary, Chris is the embodiment of a learner who found her niche through the adult and community education sector. When Chris was a teenager, her goals were to leave school and move out of home. Once she had done that, she did office work before having a 12-year break to raise her children.

Re-entering the workforce, Chris was initially employed six hours per week in reception at the Yarraville Community Centre. She then ‘started to develop an interest in learning for the first time’.

‘The wonderful thing about adult and community education is that you can start learning, or return to learning, at any stage of your life or career and there will be options for you. I decided I didn’t want to be an unskilled worker again and wanted to look at a career instead.’

Chris started with non-accredited courses around community development and adult education before, ultimately, going to university to complete a Graduate Diploma in Community and Further Education. Before
undertaking the Graduate Diploma, Chris considered studying to become a counsellor. However, she decided that adult and community education was what interested her more.

‘I was intrigued by all the opportunities available in local communities for adults returning or starting to study. I could see real opportunities for people to steer their own path to learning in non-hreatening, very friendly environments.’

While Chris fully supports options for people studying to build skills and gain employment, it is the broader aspects of adult and community learning’ that she loves.

‘People can come in and out at different stages of their lives — when the time is right for them — and they can learn skills for employment and life, such as computer literacy, or learn knitting, art, or exercise. And once they’ve done short courses, they can then see what else might be on offer.’

Chris says that the sector has ‘come a long way’ since she first became involved, with adult and community education now ‘much more valued by governments and communities’.

‘It is a great space for people who may face barriers to learning or may not be ready or want to go to a TAFE. Adult Community Learning Centres provide a local and safe community environment.’

Chris also loves that community learning centres, like Yarraville, ‘reflect the broader community outside’ and, as a result, provide programs and services that meet their needs.

‘They are a microcosm of their communities and provide holistic programs, not just learning opportunities. At Yarraville, we offer food relief and a book library and a kitchen where people can learn and share food and time together.’

Chris joined the ALA Board in 2015 and would ‘absolutely’ recommend nominating for an ALA Board position to others in the sector.

‘It was terrific when I was voted in as I got to see all the great work being done by our peak body in advocacy and research. I also came to understand a national perspective and to work with some highly skilled people on the Board. I have learned a lot from the others, particularly those with a really deep background and knowledge in research.’