{"id":412,"date":"2011-01-07T03:47:57","date_gmt":"2011-01-07T03:47:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ala.asn.au\/"},"modified":"2025-01-23T11:10:57","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T00:10:57","slug":"who-we-are","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ala.asn.au\/about-us\/who-we-are\/","title":{"rendered":"Who we are"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our Board<\/h3>\n
<\/span>
<\/div>
Kathleen<\/span> Priestly<\/span><\/div>
President (TAS)<\/div>
Kathleen is the manager of 8 libraries in the NW & West of Tasmania. She has worked with government at all levels to develop policy for learning and to secure funding for opportunities. Her areas of interest are collaborative impact work, building learning communities, technology and helping individuals to see learning as a vehicle to improve their life circumstances. Kathleen has qualifications in General Education, Adult & Vocational Education, Adult Literacy & Library Services. She regularly advocates for learning & presents at conferences. She loves learning herself, being challenged & working collaboratively.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
John<\/span> Sheen<\/span><\/div>
Vice President (VIC)<\/div>
John is Deputy CEO and Director of Education of the Wyndham Community & Education Centre. John served for 10 years as Chairperson of Bridge Darebin, four years as Secretary of the Committee for Wyndham, and was an appointee to the ACFE North-West Regional Council from 2019 until 2024.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Dr Ron<\/span> Wilson<\/span><\/div>
Treasurer (VIC)<\/div>
Ron has over 40 years experience in education and training as a teacher, principal and TAFE general manager. He has held Board roles including deputy chair, Adult Community and Further Education Board and president, Australasian Corrections Education Assoc. He has received an Australia Day Honour and Public Service medal for introducing VET to Victoria\u2019s prison system. He recently released a book 'Joseph Akeroyd: Rediscovering a prison reformer'. He has a PhD in Mgt, MEd (Leadership and Mgt) and (Educational Research); BA (Social Sciences), BEd (PE), PG Dip Spec. Ed and Dip Teaching (Primary).<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Tim<\/span> Catteral<\/span><\/div>
Deputy Treasurer (NSW)<\/div>
Tim is an experienced leader in the Not For Profit sector, with over eight years as a director on boards of independent schools, adult community colleges, and youth services providers. He has served as board Chair and Convenor of Finance and Risk Committees. Tim has held CEO roles at UNE Partnerships and Tamworth Community College, with a strong background in business development and government contracting. In the community colleges sector, he focused on addressing literacy and vocational training challenges, particularly in regional areas. He is now furthering his education in teaching literacy in adult and vocational education at CSU and TAS TAFE.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Isabel<\/span> Osuna-Gatty<\/span><\/div>
Secretary (Co-opted) (SA)<\/div>
Isabel is the recipient of the 2016 Australian Training Awards' Excellence in Language, Literacy, and Numeracy Practice. She has developed and implemented several local, state, and commonwealth-funded projects to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with disabilities, and individuals from multicultural backgrounds. Additionally, she worked as an external assessor and trainer for the SenaiNT English Language Centre in Timor Leste. Isabel has presented as a keynote speaker at various national and international conferences and webinars. Her community work was selected for exhibition at the 2019 Northern Territory Human Rights Awards. With Master's Degrees in Analytical Psychology and Social Work, a Graduate Diploma in Counselling, a Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and the Foundation Skills in Vocational Practice Skill Set, her expertise extends to instructional design, writing specialized training resources, and developing assessment tools. Isabel also focuses on creating accessible and inclusive resources and spaces. Currently, Isabel works as a Mental Health Practitioner in private practice and is involved in various community-based projects aimed at improving lifelong learning, mental health, and wellbeing in multicultural and Aboriginal communities, as well as for people with disabilities. Additionally, she participates in literacy projects with RaPAL (Research and Practice in Adult Literacies), the only UK-wide organization that focuses on the role of literacies in adult life. She also serves as a Board Member of the South Australian Social Workers' Association and the SA Royal Life Saving Society.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
Professor Annette<\/span> Foley<\/span><\/div>
Board Member (VIC)<\/div>
Annette is a 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.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Ros<\/span> Bauer<\/span><\/div>
Board member (NSW)<\/div>
Ros has extensive experience in adult education and leadership as a LLN practitioner and is currently Head of Department Career Pathways, Aboriginal Languages & Employability Skills at TAFE NSW. 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 was part of the NT LLN Network Group and an educational consultant to the Warlpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
Dr Robyn<\/span> Ober<\/span><\/div>
Board member (NT)<\/div>
Dr. Robyn Ober is a Mamu\/Djirribal woman from North Queensland and a respected researcher in Indigenous educational leadership and both-ways teaching and learning. Her doctoral work investigated identity and culture expressed in and through Aboriginal English. Dr Ober\u2019s expertise has been called upon in numerous consultancies on education delivery, both-ways education, Indigenous research methodologies in the Northern Territory, national and international indigenous educational contexts.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Fleur <\/span> Lerwill<\/span><\/div>
Board Member (SA)<\/div>
Fleur Lerwill is a Lecturer\/Subject Coordinator at the, Kaplan Business School. Fleur has extensive cross-cultural experience in education, training, and advocacy in multi-national organisations, which have required responsibility, accountability, and leadership across various industries.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Christopher <\/span> Ward<\/span><\/div>
Board Member (Co-opted) (WA)<\/div>
Christopher has spent the past 16 years as a VET practitioner and adult educator across a range of sectors. He is currently undertaking PhD research, at Deakin University, on the value of professional development for VET practitioners.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Dr Piper<\/span> Rodd<\/span><\/div>
Board Member(Vic) and Co-Editor AJAL<\/div>
Dr. Piper Rodd is a Lecturer in the School of Education at Deakin University, Melbourne, specialising in social justice and critical pedagogy. Her research focuses on the sociology and history of education, especially regarding social class and social justice for post-compulsory education. With experience in school, TAFE, and university sectors, she critically examines educational systems and collaborates with community organisations. A committed unionist, she recently completed a three-year term as Branch President of the NTEU, improving conditions for university workers. She also chairs the Board of Future Connect, supporting education and employment in Melbourne's west.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
Cheryl <\/span> Ryan<\/span><\/div>
Non Board Member - Co-Editor, AJAL<\/div>
Cheryl is a Senior Lecturer In Education (Applied Learning), with Deakin University\u2019s School of Education. A Doctor of Philosophy, Cheryl has also completed a Master of Professional Education and Training and a Bachelor of Social Science. Cheryl\u2019s research specialisation in education systems, specialist studies in education, curriculum and pedagogy, education policy, sociology and philosophy.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\n

Our staff<\/h3>\n
<\/span>
<\/div>
Jenny<\/span> Macaffer<\/span><\/div>
Chief Executive Officer<\/div>
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.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
Lisa<\/span> Clausen<\/span><\/div>
Communications Coordinator<\/div>
Lisa is a journalist, storyteller and editor with more than 25 years\u2019 experience in newsrooms and leading magazines across Australia and the region, including a decade as a senior writer for the South Pacific edition of TIME. She has also worked widely as a communications specialist and digital content producer across the not-for-profit, public and corporate sectors, and has been a tutor for both AMES Australia and the University of Melbourne. <\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Henrik<\/span> Steenberg<\/span><\/div>
Project Officer<\/div>
Educator with more than 20 years of experience in teaching, coaching, online media, digital marketing. <\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
Tracey<\/span> Attard<\/span><\/div>
Accountant<\/div>
I am a qualified accountant with a CPA and over 30 years of experience in accounting and management operations. I have worked in the manufacturing sector for 30 years, both for private and public companies. Recently, I moved into the nonprofit sector, working with both ALA and as the Operations Manager of three kindergartens. I am a proud mother of three teenage boys, who keep my husband and me busy and active.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Wendy<\/span> Barnes<\/span><\/div>
Finance Officer<\/div>
Wendy is an experienced bookkeeper who has been employed in diverse fields of work over her working life. She is also a proud mother of her adult children and nanny to her young grandson. She considers herself very fortunate.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
Nicola<\/span> Innes<\/span><\/div>
Learning and Development Project Manager<\/div>
Nicola has over 20 years of experience in community services, specialising in community learning and development with adult and young adult learners. Her experience includes adult literacy volunteering in Scotland; coordinating pre-accredited and accredited programs; mapping VET resources; and teaching Youth Work and Community Services. Nicola has held senior management roles, holds a Master\u2019s in Applied Research, and is currently undertaking a PhD on youth transitions after work-integrated social enterprise. Nicola\u2019s work is grounded in inclusion and empowerment, with a strong commitment to lifelong learning as central to belonging and connectedness.<\/div>ABOUT<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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