eVALBEC July 2009
This is the electronic newsletter of VALBEC, the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council, and is sent to about 850 practitioners on the first of each month (other than January). It is also available in the ‘News’ section of our web site http://www.valbec.org.au
Disclaimer: The activities, goods and services mentioned in eVALBEC are not endorsed by VALBEC in any way. People should make their own judgment about the suitability of each item.
How to submit items: http://www.valbec.org.au/05/news.htm
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IN THIS ISSUE OF eVALBEC:
1. Community Wide Study Circle Program Organisational Clinic
2. ‘Reading The Fine Print’ now available
3. Fine Print - Back issues
4. VALBEC Annual General Meeting
5. ACAL Conference ‘From Strength to Strength’
6. Pre-Conference Forum • 1 October 2009
7. Conference fees
8. Security4Women position
9. VET position
10. ACFE Regional Councils – members sought
11. Young people: Finding their way in a new era - Policy Forum
12. Cheap printers
13. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
14. Unsubscribe?
15. Contact VALBEC
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1. Community Wide Study Circle Program Organisational Clinic
The goals of this one day workshop are:
 To begin the process for organising your own community wide study circle program
31 July 2009, Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), Stirling ACT
Facilitated by Dr Mark Brophy and Mary Brennan
Friday 24th July, 2009, Centre for Adult Education, Melbourne
Facilitated by Dr Mark Brophy and Sally Thompson
Details for each at http://www.studycircles.net.au/latest_news
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2. ‘Reading The Fine Print’ now available
'Reading the Fine Print: A history of the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council (VALBEC) 1978 – 2008' by Beverley Campbell is now on sale.
Cost: $30 plus $10 postage and handling (in Australia)
Overseas and bulk purchase - email us for a price
Purchase and payment options http://www.valbec.org.au/RTFP/purchaseoptionsRTFP.htm
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3. Fine Print - Back issues
A limited number of back issues of Fine Print are available - not all issues and limited quantity.
Just $6 for any three
http://www.valbec.org.au/05/fineprint/purchaseformbackissues.htm
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4. VALBEC Annual General Meeting
The AGM was held on Thursday 18 June at Victoria University.
The co-presidents report reflected on the achievements of 2008 as VALBEC celebrated 30 years as a professional organisation. It was noted that the activities of VALBEC continue to reinforce its importance as an organisation and stakeholder in policy development and good practice in the adult literacy and numeracy fields. The committee was active throughout 2008 in a range of consultations, advocacy, professional development and provision of support to members across Victoria. The Professional Development, Fine Print, ACAL and Financial reports were tabled at the meeting. Special thanks were expressed to retiring committee members, Jeannie Turnbull, Gail Pratley and Teresa Cusack. Also acknowledgement was given to the work of the Editorial committee in producing Fine Print and Don MacDowall in providing admin, finances and web support  and services.
The Committee members elected for 2009 – 2010
Co-presidents : Lynne Matheson, Ann Haynes
Secretary:  Dianne Parslow
Treasurer John Radalj
General committee members:
Kerrin Pryor, Pauline O’Maley, Yvonne Russell, Corinna Ridley, Debbie Soccio, Marie Bonne, Sandra Wolfe.
You can view the Annual Report at http://www.valbec.org.au/05/govern.htm
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5. ACAL Conference ‘From Strength to Strength’
Keynote speakers confirmed
Details at http://www.waalc.org.au/09conf/
Dave Baker from the London Institute of Education will speak about models that are more likely to allow a more nuanced understandings of relationships, contrasts and tensions between adults’ everyday numeracy practices and formal educational mathematics.
Dr Rob McCormack, from Victoria University, believes adulthood is an ethical responsibility, not just an age demographic and this calls for a more adult curriculum. Rob will sketch the long history of an almost forgotten form of ‘education for adulthood’ and suggest a number of practical strategies including public speaking, peer mentoring, and using web 2.0.
Dr Peter Waterhouse is from Workplace Learning Initiatives, a specialist RTO and research company he established in the 1990s. He will speak on why literacy and numeracy still matters and stories of strength and inspiration.
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6. Pre-Conference Forum • 1 October 2009
ACAL is developing an Aboriginal Education theme for the forum, focusing on the link between language variation and educational and other life outcomes.   The Forum will showcase the bi-dialectal approach to literacy education used in WA and bring together a range of researchers, policy-makers, practitioners and community members.  More details on the conference website soon  http://www.waalc.org.au/09conf/
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7. Conference fees
Remember there are discounts for ACAL and WAALC members
Early bird closing date is August 19.
See the fees at http://www.waalc.org.au/09conf/fees.htm
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8. Security4Women position
Security4Women (S4W) is a Women’s Alliance. We are looking for an Alliance Co-ordinator on a part-time basis until 31 December 2009, with the possibility of extending this contract. The location for this position is  flexible and can be negotiated with the right candidate.
For more information please refer to http://www.security4women.com/  Applications to kategunn@larkfield.com.au by Friday 3 July 2009.  Job and salary details Kate Gunn on 0411 466080
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9. VET position
The Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia, Victorian Branch seeks an experienced VET education coordinator and English as a second language teacher and curriculum developer to join our high energy, passionate and progressive Education Unit.
Part-time 3 days a week. 9 month contract.
Details from Helena Spyrou on 9639 2955 or 0419 339 259 or hspyrou@tcfvic.org.au
Applications close: Friday 3 July 5.00pm
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10. ACFE Regional Councils – members sought
Interested in serving on an ACF Regional Council?
Eight regional councils are seeking people who represent  the diversity  of interests and users and providers of adult community education.
Details at http://www.acfe.vic.gov.au
Application close July 22, 2009
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11. Young people: Finding their way in a new era - Policy Forum
Melbourne Park Function Centre
10 November 2009
How well do young people make the transition between school to further study or work? This policy forum aims to explore how best to prepare young Australians aged 15 to 24 years for the road ahead.
The keynote presentation will be given by Adam Smith, CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians.
Registrations http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/policy/forum.html
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12. Cheap printers
Greencollect http://www.greencollect.org/ have 4 large volume printers available for sale to the right organisation.
HP Laserjet 9000dn, measuring  (103cm highX 66cm X 79 cm each). All work well. One, the oldest, purchased June 2004, has done approx 1.2 million prints. The other three were purchased April 2005 and two of them have printed around 400,000 and the other 550,000. This model retails on e-bay for $850. We are asking $550 per unit. Happy to negotiate. We can deliver to your location if in Melbourne's CBD at no charge.
Please contact Greencollect nick.ray@greencollect.org
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13. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
Click this link <mailto:info@valbec.org.au?subject=eVALBEC_Subscribe> and we’ll put you on the list to receive this monthly enewsletter.
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14. Unsubscribe?
Just click this link <mailto:info@valbec.org.au?subject=eVALBEC_Unsubscribe> (no typing required!) and hit Send or, send an e-mail with the word Unsubscribe in the subject.
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15. Contact VALBEC
eVALBEC is the monthly electronic newsletter of (VALBEC) the Victorian Adult Literacy  and Basic Education Council.
E-mail: info@valbec.org.au
Web: http://www.valbec.org.au
Postal: Box 861 Springvale South VIC 3172
Ph: 03 9546 6892
Fax: 03 9546 0421