Adult Learner's Expo Triumph

(To view photos of the day go to the Gallery link at the top of this site )

The inaugural Adult Learner's Expo was held during this year's Adult Learner's Week .

Over 150 people attended this exciting, xylophone accompanied event. It was held in the divine surrounds of the Footscray Church Hall. It was an opportunity for over 20 adult community education organisations in the western suburbs of Melbourne to exhibit and show off some of the extraordinary work that they do.

Adult Learners' Week commenced in the United Kingdom in 1992. Australia, along with South Africa and Jamaica, picked up on the success of Adult Learners' Week and the first Australian ALW was organised in 1995 to promote and encourage lifelong learning.

The 2007 Western Region Adult Learner's Expo attracted a broad range of VIPs including Clem Gillings (Community Engagement ManagerNorth and West Metropolitan Local Team Dept for Victorian Communities), Wade Noonan (ALP representative for Williamstowna),Michael Iaccarino (CEO Area West Consultative Committee),Cr Rossiter (Maribyrnong City Council) and Damien Wieland (Electoral Office for Premier Brumby.

Michael Hall (Chairperson Western Regional Council of Adult Community and Further Education) officially welcomed the large, enthusiastic crowd. He thanked the many people behind the scenes who worked tirelessly for months to organize the Adult Learners Expo. He congratulated everyone on the great work they were doing on at the local level but encouraged everyone to be bold and promote their work at a broader level, as their message needed to be heard (especially by our politicians!).

Joan Kirner was the honored guest of the day. She delivered an impassioned and inspiring speech about the vital role Adult Education plays in all walks of community life and how integral it is for a vibrant economy. She launched the THINKWEST CD ROM and encourage community organisations to use this CD to promote their work to a broader audience.

The THINKWEST CD ROM was developed by the THINKWEST cluster of providers to dispel outdated notions of who they are and what they do. The CD clearly shows how the THINKWEST organisations are exciting, contemporary places that sensitively respond and deliver programs and services that metter to their communities.

Whilst it is not certain that another expo will be planned for 2008 it is clear that to everyone who attended that it was an event that surprised and delivered beyond expectations.

The Exhibitors

Angliss Neighbourhood House
Duke St Community House
Laverton Community Centre
Maribyrnong Community Centre
Sth Kingsville Community Centre
Williamstown Education and Community Centre
Wingate Community Centre
Kensington Neighbourhood House
Community West (Deer Park)
Victoria University of Technology
Djerriwarah Community Centre
Footscray Arts Centre
Yooralla - Community Learning and Living Service
Australian Polish Community Services
Vietnamese Women’s Group (Richmond)