QUEST ISSUE 4 2018

IN THIS ISSUE

‹‹Jailed for pawsession

‹‹Women at the wheel

‹‹Photos give refugees a voice

‹‹Government policy on adult

education

‹‹ACE news

TIPS AND TRENDS

‹‹Facebook groups

Jailed for pawsession

It’s the start of the working day at Mobilong prison Prison inmates have to learn what can be unfamiliar
and inmates are heading off to spend the day in the skills. ‘The handlers have to have the patience and the
understanding to help the dog make the transition and learn
bakery, the laundry, the assembly workshop or the
what behaviour is expected.’
gardens. A lucky few begin and end their day at the
kennels, caring for and training retired greyhounds For the dogs there’s a lot of learning to do. Greyhounds that
before they are adopted into a suitable home. have spent their lives as racing or breeding dogs haven’t
experienced the life of a domestic pet. Their contact with
‘Their first job is to clean the kennels, then do a training humans has been limited and they’re used to an often
session, feed and take the dogs for a walk around the oval unstimulating and regulated environment. The sights,
or to visit other buildings in the prison to get them used to sounds and smells that house dogs are used to can make
meeting different people. They do the same again in the greyhounds anxious and stressed.
afternoons before putting the dogs in for the night. It’s a full
time job 7 days a week,’ says Gill Rogers, Greyhound Racing ‘They have to learn how to live life outside of a kennel.
SA prison program officer. There are so many day-to-day things that they have never
experienced, such as walking in traffic or walking through
Gill has 40 years experience in training dogs and has been glass doors. TVs are alien to them, as are microwaves or food
working at Mobilong for just over a year. But she spends always being around and available. Their lives have been
more time training the inmates than the dogs. ‘Eighty to highly regulated so simple things like being able to lie quietly
ninety per cent of dog training is training of their owners or on a bed while things happen around them, walking loosely
handlers,’ Gill says. on a lead, or coming when they’re called – many have never
learned their own name – are all new and unfamiliar, and
potentially frightening for them.’
‘The dogs learn how to socialise with people
Caring for and training the greyhounds can be a steep
and the handlers learn how to train and
learning curve for their handlers. ‘As a dog trainer I know
socialise an animal.’ Kit Lian Wong, general how to use positive reinforcement methods with animals
manager, Mobilong Prison
(Story continues on p. 3)

ala.asn.au Lifelong and

lifewide learning
Like us on Facebook for all Australians
Message from the CEO
The National Year of Lifelong Learning was initiated by Adult Learning Australia to position
lifelong learning as the centrepiece of all education policies. But we have a far grander
vision that extends beyond education alone.

We want a systematic and integrated approach to lifelong learning that enriches and builds
an inclusive learning society. One that values and respects difference and empowers people
to reach their full potential. This integrated approach would include a strong commitment
to adult and community education (ACE). It has now been 10 long years since the last
Ministerial Declaration on ACE. And even though the finish line remains out of sight we
know that building something worthwhile requires hard work and, yes, doggedness.

To reinvigorate discussion on the role and relevance of lifelong learning in Australia, we

embarked on a range of initiatives. Our National Summit, From Ideal To Real – Towards
A National Lifelong Learning Policy For Australia brought together representatives
from industry, adult education, welfare, government and academia to engage in a
national conversation and identify the best way forward. We published a series of short
commentaries to tackle contemporary issues in adult and lifelong learning from diverse
points of view and from differing social, economic, political and cultural perspectives.
We have also published a special edition of the Australian Journal of Adult Learning, which
The Year of Lifelong provides national and international perspectives on lifelong learning across a range of areas.
Learning allowed We finished the year with a lifelong learning forum at RMIT, which allowed us to reflect on
us to re-focus on #YOLL2018 and commit to continuing this work in 2019.
a policy area that
So, while we are yet to see a lifelong learning revolution take place, it is heartening to
has languished note when there is national recognition.
and highlight the
importance of In her address at the launch of Adult Learners Week Minister For Small And Family
Business, Skills and Vocational Education, Senator The Hon Michaelia Cash, said that, ‘Adult
funding ACE at a
learning changes lives not simply by skilling a labour force, but by connecting people with
national level. communities, boosting confidence, building self-esteem and by making people more
adaptable to changes in the workforce and in our communities’.

More recently, Tanya Plibersek, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Minister
for Education and Training recognised the crucial role adult education plays in overcoming
disadvantage. ‘Our education system must continue to have a strong, high quality adult
and community education sector if we are to ensure no one gets left behind.’

While state and territory government commitment to lifelong learning and ACE varies
widely across Australia, it is clear that community commitment continues with enrolments
in formal and informal adult and community education courses in cities and towns, rural
and remote areas across the country.

The Year of Lifelong Learning has provided momentum for ALA members and others
working in ACE to focus on and highlight the impact of their work with adult learners,
many of which we share with you in social media and in Quest.

Of course, there is more work to do and ALA must continue to step up with the sector to show
how learning can transform lives and how it is an essential feature of a healthy active democracy.

Our campaign for a Ministerial Declaration on ACE and a National Lifelong Learning Policy
is ongoing and will be taken into 2019 as part of our program leading up to the next
Federal election.

In closing #YOLL2018, I wish you all the best for the festive season. I hope that you have a
chance to enjoy good company, share stories and music, experience the beauty and mystery
of nature and sample some delicious home made food with your family and friends.

Jenny Macaffer
CEO

QUEST ISSUE 4 2018 | ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA | PAGE 2

Photo: Hound In Hand photography
(story continued from p. 1)

but if you are someone who hasn’t experienced that kind of off their problems. They often tell me how they experience
teaching in your own life, it’s something you have to learn. feelings of success and pride and how being able to make
a difference to the dog’s life makes them feel really good
‘A lot of these guys have experienced abusive backgrounds about themselves.'
and a lot of negative reinforcement. With the dogs, they
have to learn to focus on good behaviour rather than bad. The staff notice it too. ‘Prison social workers and education
officers are very supportive of the program because they
‘They have to learn to be patient and to take things slowly, see the differences in demeanour and mental health in the
to put in time with the dog and to reward behaviour they handlers. And that improvement starts the moment the
want to encourage rather than punishing behaviour that’s dog walks into the prison and is handed to its new handler,’
inappropriate. Gill says.
‘They have to develop an empathy with the dog and pay close In its first year of operation, 29 dogs have been successfully
attention to the dog’s body language so they can understand adopted out to new homes and there’s a waiting list of
what the dog is feeling and how to respond in a way that prisoners who want to get involved.
relieves the dog’s stress and anxiety, and make it feel safe.
Because the dog won’t learn anything if it’s not calm. For Kit Lian Wong, general manager of the prison says the
many of the men it’s a completely new way of interacting.’ presence of the dogs affects everyone in the prison. ‘You can
see how successful the program is in everyday interactions, it
The inmates are diligent. ‘The benefit of working with really instils a sense of normality and calm to have the dogs
prisoners is that you have a captive audience who have time around. Ours is an open campus, so prisoners are free to
to be dedicated to training whereas outside prison you are roam with their dogs so having people walking around with
working with people whose everyday life interrupts their their dogs makes it feel like a community. Other prisoners
dog training. So it’s much more intensive,’ Gill says. stop to pat the dog, and so do the staff. So it really increases
social interaction and creates a neighbourhood feel.
Not surprisingly, the men care deeply for the dogs they
look after. ‘It’s important that prisoners don’t over attach ‘We had one dog called Zeppo who was uncontrollable at
to a dog, and all of them have a strong affection for their first. He couldn’t walk past other dogs without becoming
animal so they have to be prepared for the dog to leave. aggressive, he would grab food off the table and wouldn’t
respond to commands. But he’s been a real success story.
‘We prepare them from the beginning for the separation.
Now he works as a therapy dog at an aged care home on the
They all know their time with the dog will be short. And
Eyre Peninsula.
saying goodbye to the first dog is the hardest. They put so
much into it. In a male prison no one shows their feelings ‘Prisoners report that looking after a dog gives them a sense
much but I’ve seen men who are not afraid to yell "I love you" of purpose, something to wake up for each day. The dogs
in tears as the dog is leaving. give them unconditional love and that has a big impact on
prisoners’ self esteem. You can really see the change in them.
'The prisoners involved are always telling me about what a
huge difference the dog training has made to the way they ‘Fostering an animal is a journey that the prisoners and the
feel about themselves; how it helps them take their minds dogs go through together. The men who are selected for the
program have to be professional and respectful, they learn
life skills about how to socialise and associate with others. In
‘Once a dog is gone the men all want feedback
taking on the responsibility to look after a dog each day they
on how the dog is doing in their new life, they establish a routine. For all of them it’s an opportunity to try
really love that. They keep the cards and pictures something completely different and they learn more about
of their dogs after they’ve gone.’ Gill Rogers, themselves as a result.’
Greyhound Racing SA prison program officer
Cover photo: Chris Beck

QUEST ISSUE 4 2018 | ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA | PAGE 3

 Tips and Trends

Women at
the wheel

Graduates from Australia’s first women-

only trucking course are hitting the
highway on their way to new careers in
transport and logistics.

Photo: Chris Beck

Katie Annetta is one of eight newly licenced truck ‘I was rapt, really excited.’ Like the rest of her classmates, Katie
drivers to graduate from Australia’s first women- had never driven a truck before she enrolled in the course.
only driver training program. But excitement turned to dismay once it was her turn to go
for her first drive.
Katie and her fellow drivers-in-training completed the
Superior Heavy Licensing Program for Women – an intensive ‘It was really daunting at the start. You’re in a massive truck
four-week course that aims to attract more women into the and it’s overwhelming. The first time I got behind the wheel
driver’s seat and to improve truck safety. The program is an I was like “Let me out, this is just too much.” The fact that it
initiative between Wodonga TAFE’s Driver Education Centre was manual didn’t help either.
of Australia (DECA), Transport Women Australia (TWAL),
LinFox, Australia Post and Volvo, who supplied a prime ‘But then I just said to myself, “I have a mortgage to pay and I
mover for the students to gain experience behind the wheel. have just got to do this”.’

It was a chance conversation with a friend that first got The intensive course covered theory, practical training,
Katie thinking about truck driving. ‘A mate who is a garbo mechanical appreciation and assessment and was run at
said having a heavy truck licence is great because you do Linfox in Melbourne’s Laverton.
deliveries or drive a forklift, you can do heaps of different
things with it and go to a whole bunch of different places.’ ‘The trainers were great, really amazing. They were there to
answer all our questions and give us encouragement. They
After six years as a postie with Australia Post, the job was acknowledged our feelings about driving such a big vehicle.
starting to pall. ‘I wanted a change. I wasn’t getting any job One trainer shared how his brother had died out driving a
satisfaction and I was really unhappy about it. truck. They were like big daddies to us.’

‘I’m the sort of person who’s always looking to better myself. Representatives from Transport Women Australia offered
After I finished high school, I trained and worked as a chef. mentoring in topics as diverse as dealing with sexism in
After a while of working I decided to do the Certificate IV in a male dominated industry, to tips for mapping female
Training and Assessment because I thought that I’d like to friendly facilities on transport routes.
get involved in training.’
‘The training was very practical and we got great experience
After applying for the course and being interviewed, Katie behind the wheel. We’d go out in a truck as a passenger with
was thrilled to be offered a place. a more experienced driver, it could be male or female so you
could watch and learn from what they were doing as well as
having a chance to practise yourself. It was great having the
chance to do that.’
‘I really recommend it, it’s a really good Then came the test – a 90 minute drive in and around
experience to challenge yourself and get out of Shepparton. ‘It was challenging because you have to watch out
your comfort zone and do something different for the way you take corners, make sure you’ve got enough
with your life.’ Katie Annetta room at roundabouts, and enough leeway not to hit the gutter.’

QUEST ISSUE 4 2018 | ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA | PAGE 4

Back at Australia Post, Katie has found her transition to her Simon Macaulay, National Manager Transport at Wodonga
new role has been smooth and as a female truck driver she TAFE’s DECA says, ‘All eight women graduated with their
got a warm welcome. ‘I just can’t fault them, everyone’s licences and word has gotten round about the success of the
been really positive and encouraging. program. We’ve had a huge response from industry with 5 or 6
companies wanting the courses to run in February next year.’
‘The first time you get behind the wheel after you get your
licence is daunting. You hear of a lot of accidents. So you have
to be aware without letting it undermine your confidence.

‘I’ve been driving on my own for 5–6 weeks and it’s good
now. I drive from Sunshine along a route that takes me to
Somerton, Derrimut, Tullamarine and beyond, loading and
unloading and doing deliveries on busy roads and in heavy
traffic in an 8 ton truck. It doesn’t quite feel like second
nature yet but I’m getting there. It was just the change I
needed and I’m really enjoying it.

‘I’ve got big plans. My partner and I are building another

house so we might even need a second mortgage. Not that
I’m earning more than before, I’m earning less. But I’m much
happier. It’s not all about the money.

‘My future plans are to become a trainer and assessor at

Australia Post. I feel my career prospects are good as a driver
and I’ve put my hand up to assist with the next training
course that’s offered.’

Currently 98% of Australian truck drivers are men with the

average age of 47. This ageing workforce, combined with
growing demand is contributing to the shortage of eligible
drivers and putting pressure on companies like Linfox,
Australia Post and Volvo to look at ways to attract more
women into the heavy transport sector.

James Dixon, General Manager Transport & Aviation at

Australia Post says, ‘It’s important to make sure that we remove 'There’s a serious driver shortage so it’s all hands
the roadblocks that prevent talented people from joining the on deck with a whole lot of people in the industry
industry. We value diversity and appreciate the benefits an collaborating to find ways to get more women
inclusive workplace brings to our customers, our business, and onboard.’ Simon Macaulay, DECA, Wodonga TAFE
most importantly, our people.’

QUEST ISSUE 4 2018 | ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA | PAGE 5

Photos give
refugees a
voice

A Western Australian project that

encourages refugee women to take
photos to document and share their
experiences is giving them a say into
policies that affect their lives.

Language barriers, isolation, health problems and and creating a narrative for it increased their self-awareness.
discrimination are just some of the obstacles that One woman shared a photo of herself driving a car and
can make it difficult for refugee women to have a described how the day she got her licence as “the best
day of my life”. It really brought home to her how she had
say into resettlement policies that directly affect learned new skills, was more able to participate, and showed
them. But a Western Australian research project is how she wouldn’t have to be dependent on others.
changing all that.
‘Women don’t want to be dependent, but the whole process
Research leader Jaya Dantas, Professor of International of writing a resume, going for an interview, looking for a job
Health Sciences at Curtin University and her team used is overwhelming. However, many women felt accepted and
Photovoice with refugee women to capture and reflect on welcomed in multicultural Australia too, saying, “Life here
their experiences of settling in Australia. makes me stronger than I was before”,’ Professor Dontas says.

Funded by Healthway, Professor Dantas and her team The diverse group of women identified common barriers
partnered with Mirrabooka-based Ishar Multicultural Women’s – feelings of isolation, physical and mental health issues,
Health Centre to recruit 45 women, aged 25–65, from Iraq, and difficulty finding work – to draw up a set of policy
Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Vietnam, South Sudan, Eritrea, recommendations for supporting successful settlement.
Somalia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Lebanon and El Salvador. Their recommendations included tailored English language
programs, support for finding work, building social cohesion
After training by a professional photographer, the women and assistance from settled migrants.
took a series of photos to represent aspects of their lives
before and after arriving in Australia. Photovoice challenges traditional quantitative research
methods used by experts and policy makers. Engaging
Sharing their photos with the group and composing captions people whose voices are often unheard in recording and
allowed the women to articulate their experiences in ways sharing their expertise to help shape decisions that will
they hadn’t done before. affect their lives can be a powerful learning experience,
Professor Dontas says.
‘The experience of coming together with a range of people
from different countries to talk about the pictures they have ‘It was a transformative experience for the women involved,
taken and what they represent about life back then and life they learned so much in the process, developing new
now is very powerful. Reflecting on what the picture meant confidence in a safe and supported environment where we
provided child care and translators so they could participate.
‘It’s very easy to do household surveys or ‘As well as learning new skills the women made new friends
questionnaires which are anonymous but you and really loved the experience.’
don’t know who said what, it’s so impersonal.
Around half of the women opted to include their photos and
Often in projects participants’ voices are lost, accompanying stories in a travelling exhibition to all libraries
presented in graphs and pie charts that only in WA to raise community awareness of refugee womens’
educated people can understand.’ Jaya Dantas, experiences. The exhibition highlights the challenges they
Professor of International Health Sciences at face living in Australia, the importance of family and social
support, the need for education and employment and the
Curtin University personal strength they need to draw on during resettlement.

QUEST ISSUE 4 2018 | ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA | PAGE 6

 ‘Light makes me
feel safe. War
took all the light
from our lives.
We used this
light to survive
and hold us ‘I love this photo because I got [my] licence. I feel confident
together.’ when I drive, not like before I just I feel I depend on myself.’

‘My son is going

to the library. ‘Adjusting in other country or culture is a hard process but
It is important once the process is over those hard moments become shadows
to me because (memories).’
in my country it
was not possible
for children to
go safely to the
library or school.
In Australia, my
children can have
the opportunity
to be educated,
which is
something I did
not have. I enjoy
being part of my
son’s school.’
‘From my first look I saw a very big, strong tree. I drew strength
from this one. I saw the branches as different opportunities and
pathways for me.’

Photovoice and adult education

Photovoice can be a powerful tool for working
with people whose needs are often ignored to
gain some sense of control over their lives and
Join now
to prompt change.
Being a member of ALA is a great way
Photovoice offers: to support lifelong and lifewide learning
in Australia and join a thriving national
• an alternative means of expression network of adult educators. As a member
particularly useful for people with low literacy of ALA, we champion the work you do;
or limited language skills develop policies; conduct research and
• a non threatening way for people to express provide professional development to
ensure a vibrant, valued and visible adult
feelings and experiences and to record and and community education sector.
reflect on what is important to them
To find out more about all the benefits
• a fun and creative means of self expression of an ALA membership, go to: https://ala.
• an effective tool for advocacy – images can asn.au/why-join/
make a more powerful case for change to
policy and decision makers than words alone
• an engaging means of documenting a process
or gathering data for an evaluation.

QUEST ISSUE 4 2018 | ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA | PAGE 7

Government policy on
adult education
With a federal election looming our Board members give their views on what the adult
education priorities of the new government should be.

Chris McCall
Priority: A healthy and flourishing sector
One of the many strengths of ALA’s Board is the diverse perspectives that members bring
to the table, along with their extensive experience and commitment to adult education.
With a fresh federal election ahead, we will be working hard to persuade our politicians
of the importance of prioritising adult education as a way of improving life for individuals,
communities, the economy and society as a whole.

We need to quantify the economic and social benefits of adult learning in ways that make
sense to policy makers because a healthy and flourishing adult education sector is a sign of a
healthy and flourishing society.

Sue Howard
Priority: Building ACE partnerships
Recently, I attended an Australian Library and Information Association Leadership and
Innovation forum in Tasmania. It was really interesting to note how many connections there
are between what both adult and community education (ACE) providers and libraries do. Both
have strong commitments to supporting adults to access information, resources and skills they
need for life and work. Both recognise that providing lifelong learning experiences is valuable,
and both see themselves competing for limited funding. Of course there are differences
too but I see some immediate options for each area to collaborate and improve benefits to
individuals, community and society. Complementing and supplementing what each has to offer
could expand opportunities for adult learners and provide them with real opportunities to
learn skills for the future.

Paul Mulroney
Priority: The right to adult education
Everyone has the right to continue to learn. I believe that all citizens, regardless of age, should
ideally continue to learn both for the love of learning and for necessity. There is a need for
digital literacy and there is still a significant percentage of people who are not able to access,
let alone navigate online information and services. So learning how to do this is pivotal to full
participation in today's world. Simultaneously, however, I also believe that the right to learn for
self-interest is essential to our wellbeing. This could be anything from cooking, music, a craft
or some other physical, intellectual or practical activity. The federal government should be an
enabler for such learning to occur and should demonstrate its support and interest in aiding
the community of all ages, to continue to grow in every aspect of their lives.

QUEST ISSUE 4 2018 | ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA | PAGE 8

Ros Bauer
Priority: A fresh approach to adult literacy
I would like to see a lifelong learning policy in Australia that includes an adult literacy strategy
that prioritises language, literacy and numeracy in various contexts. Current government policy
defines literacy as a defined set of skills that can be acquired through training and used for
employment. Many Australians are ineligible for government funded adult literacy programs,
such as older Australians even though they are increasingly expected to access government
services online. To participate fully, Australians need to keep developing their literacy skills
throughout their lives. An innovative adult literacy strategy would include a fresh approach to
literacy and learning. Imagine harnessing the potential of baby boomers and retirees to upskill
as literacy tutors, volunteering their time to other adults and rolling this model out nationally.

Richard Vinycomb
Priority: Adult education for sustainability
There is a big environmental elephant in the room – global warming. Many of my generation
were worried about the threat of self destruction by nuclear war. We worked hard with
peaceful protest to reduce that threat, even though it has not been totally removed.
Grassroots education in all its forms plays a very important part in helping people understand
complex issues and feel empowered to do something. It supports participative democracy
whereby people can discuss and collectively ask serious questions, care about each other and
our fellow beings, suggest and work on solutions. I believe education and taking action on
climate change are interwoven. Well facilitated and holistic education can harness people’s
frustration and transform people who feel hopeless about the future into passionate and
informed citizens empowered by hope. As educators, we all have to decide whether education
for sustainability matters and work out ways of integrating it into the rest of our work as well
as ensuring that is enshrined in government policy.

Robbie Lloyd
Priority: ACE and mental health
Evidence from the Mid North Coast of NSW shows undoubtedly that people who leave
pathologising, expert-dominated clinical health settings and engage with adult and community
education (ACE) activities get better faster and stay well longer. Joining adult education
classes and activities removes stigma and helps people to recover and build new chapters
in their lives. For example, this has been proven by community colleges all over NSW, where
Learning and Life Development programs have kick started students’ motivation, given them
a new burst of energy and improved their health and wellbeing. Working with GPs and allied
health clinicians, this approach has reduced the number of hospital and GPs visits, improved
people’s exercise and diet regimes, and reduced patterns of substance use. New government
policies should invest in affirmative programs that make Health Departments form proactive
partnerships with ACE providers in their areas, to reduce the drain on the Medicare budget and
to achieve better quality of life outcomes for patients, carers and overworked clinicians.

QUEST ISSUE 4 2018 | ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA | PAGE 9

Catherine Dunn
Priority: Revitalising adult and community education
I remember nostalgically the government-sponsored newspaper lift-outs listing hundreds
upon hundreds of classes for ‘night-school’ that inspired me and lots of people I knew to take
up a language, learn a trade, improve basic maths, you name it. For many of us, these classes
were the first step back to work or a new career, or back into the community or a step to more
formal education, or a transition to retirement.

Sadly, in WA at least, this broad government-led provision of classes for adults dried up about
20 years ago with the strong political imperative to concentrate on young learners heading
into the workforce.

I would urge politicians to talk openly, widely, excitedly and inclusively about ACE and adult
learning, bringing classes and learning opportunities into the conversation as much as football
and cricket; funding and promoting new programs and opportunities and expanding our vision
with TAFEs, universities, ACE, community centres and libraries all playing their part.

The wellbeing of the community and the individuals in it are enhanced by ACE and
opportunities to learn together. ACE has struggled to survive on the smell of an old oily rag …
now is the time for governments at all levels to supply more oil.

Donna Rooney
Priority: Valuing learning
I would like to see learning in all its manifestations recognised as valuable. Among the
examples I often use in my classes is of a group of quilters who meet in a neighbourhood
centre each week. There are no teachers, no curriculum and no qualifications involved in these
groups. Yet during an interview one of the quilters told me how her reading had improved
because the other quilters chatted about the books they were reading. She explained how she
had started to read more so that she could join in the conversations. So how might activities
like quilting be understood by onlookers, by funding organisations and by government
‘authorities’ as education? A quilting group is unlikely to receive literacy funding and is more
likely to be dismissed as a leisure activity. But this example, and there are many more, are
timely reminders that learning is more than acquiring knowledge and skills, it can also be about
becoming better, healthier, happier versions of ourselves.

QUEST ISSUE 4 2018 | ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA | PAGE 10

 Tips and Trends
Tips and Trends
Facebook
groups

Changes to Facebook means

reaching followers of your
Facebook page is harder than
its ever been. Here’s 10 reasons
why not for profits are turning to
Facebook groups.

1 Increase visibility stronger relationships with each other around a common

purpose or interest. You can use Facebook groups to
Facebook’s algorithm has changed to prioritise interactions complement the face-to-face activities of your organisation.
between people so group posts are prioritised in user’s
feeds, and the visibility of page posts is on the decline. 6 Privacy controls
2 More engagement Facebook groups have multiple levels of privacy unlike
pages which are public. Groups can be secret, closed or
Groups are a great place to promote discussion. People open. Secret groups don’t show up in search results and
participate and interact more in groups than they do with while closed groups do show up, communication between
a page. Group members can get notifications about new members is only visible to members. Open groups are visible
posts, which tend to keep the discussions going. to everyone.
3 Test ideas 7 Build trust
Groups are a great place to test out ideas and gauge You can screen potential members to those who meet
responses and save time on proposals that your community certain criteria and set ground rules about what you can and
might not want. can’t post to create a safe and positive atmosphere.
4 Improve services 8 More one-on-one interactions
Using research from your group you can better understand This can happen on your page but in a group it’s more
what your community needs or wants from you and how to personal and people are more willing to initiate and
better tailor offerings to meet their needs. participate in discussion. This is particularly true if the group
is closed, and people feel like their conversations are a little
5 Build community more private.
In Facebook groups people interact not just with you but
with others in the group so it’s a great way to develop 9 Save time
On one hand the role of group admin isn’t as demanding as
it can be on a page because group members can converse
From crime fiction to cooking, to business and without you. On the other hand, you have to keep the group
neighbourhood networks there are Facebook active and moderating a group can be demanding especially
groups for almost any interest you can think of. as it grows. It’s a matter of weighing up the investment of
time against the gains you make.
Whatever their size, small or large, successful
groups have a clear purpose, established 10 Enjoyment
boundaries, guidelines that are enforced and A high functioning Facebook group where everyone
a respectful and active community who share enthusiastically shares ideas, tips, advice and posts, useful
engaging content that interests them. They feel and entertaining content can be great fun as well as a great
their group is their tribe. learning opportunity for everyone involved.

QUEST ISSUE 4 2018 | ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA | PAGE 11

ACE News
QUEST
In Victoria the state government has announced funding for 27
neighbourhood houses, including the establishment of 16 new houses
as part of a four year, $28.1m program. Twelve of the 27 houses are in
regional Victoria, including Bendigo, Ballarat, Sale, Nagambie, Charlton and
Warrnambool.

State peak body Neighbourhood Houses Victoria has announced

its 2019 annual conference from 8–10 May in the Yarra Valley. More
details at eventbrite.com.au/e/2018-nhvic-annual-general-meeting-
tickets-50673677333

In the Northern Territory, government plans to cut funding for adult Quest is the national magazine for
education and axe 35 teaching jobs in Darwin have been reversed after adult and community education. It is
a successful community campaign. NT Education Minister Selena Uibo published four times a year by Adult
announced a further three years of funding to support evening classes for Learning Australia.
adults at Casuarina Senior College.

In Western Australia, over 100 delegates attended Linkwest's REFRESH CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
conference, a packed program of talking, connecting and collective recharging
Jenny Macaffer
of batteries. Making the most of digital technology, regional members unable
to attend in person were able to participate in the AGM as was international EDITOR
keynote speaker Cormac Russell from Ireland. Selected highlights are available
Gina Perry g.perry@ala.asn.au
here: linkwest.asn.au/news-events/conference-2017

In Queensland, 73 of the state’s 124 neighbourhood centres across the state 2018 ALA Executive and Board
have been granted more than $600,000 under the Palaszczuk Government’s
Thriving Queensland Communities Grants program to run events, deliver PRESIDENT
projects or purchase equipment. Queensland neighbourhood centres offer Christine McCall (VIC)
a range of services and support from playgroups and parenting programs, to
VICE PRESIDENT
housing and homelessness services, to education and training programs.
Sue Howard (TAS)
SECRETARY
Paul Mulroney (SA)
TREASURER
Cath Dunn (WA)
BOARD
Dianne Borella
Ros Bauer
Richard Vinycomb
Dr Tracey Ollis
Dr Robbie Lloyd
Sally Brennan
Donna Rooney

CONTACT
 Adult Learning Australia
Henderson House
45 Moreland St.
In South Australia, new CEO of peak body CCSA Kylie Fergusen presided over Footscray VIC 3011
a successful Partnerships with Purpose conference. Kylie has an extensive
record in social research, charity operations, training, planning, community 03 9689 8623
work and management in Australia, the Philippines, Cambodia and Fiji. Most
recently, Kylie managed 5 community centres for local government. Kylie has ala.asn.au
a deep commitment to social justice and facilitating meaningful relationships
between people and the places that they live, work, recreate and connect in.

In Tasmania, peak body Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania has launched the

Neighbourhood Houses Strategic Framework ‘Achieving, Belonging, Celebrating,
Doing – Community Development in Action’ to guide the network of 35
Neighbourhood Houses around the state over the next five years. Find a copy at
dhhs.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/354301/180641_Neighbourhood_ Lifelong and
House_Strategic_Framework_wcag2.pdf
lifewide learning
Photo: Silos by Nomadic Pics CC BY 2.0 for all Australians