Our board

Carol Nolan – Board Chair

Elected Board Director since 2020
Risk Management, Audit, and Governance Committee

Education
Masters in Nursing, Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing), Diploma of Applied Science (Nursing Education), Certificate in Nursing, Certificate in Midwifery, Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors, Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training

I am an accomplished health professional with a broad experience in health care. My most recent role as Chief Operations Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of a Primary Health Care Organisation included managing health programs, clinical services and human resources. It also required me to work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors in providing strategic direction and clinical governance for the organisation. I have worked in a variety of clinical nursing roles in Victoria, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland. I have a strong background in providing both hospital and university based nursing programs. As the manager of a private community health service, I gained a more balanced picture of the Australian Health Care system, its challenges and its workforce issues. This knowledge has been further developed over the last 15 years and has included tackling some of the community workforce issues through our organisation’s establishment and running of a Registered Training Organisation. Core to my roles has been the need to work across sectors and organisations to bring about change. I have undergone partnership training, choice theory and lead management to help support staff through periods of chaos, change, growth and development. Learning and teaching have always been a huge component of my career journey.

What role has education played in your life?
I have always enjoyed learning but not until I started working did I see the real value education played in shaping me as a person and in contributing to my life experiences and career direction. I had always wanted to teach but strangely undertook a career in nursing which I have never regretted. Not only did it prepare me how to care and support others in times of need, it provided me with a solid foundation from which my career and life choices grew. While I continued to work in health my career began to include education, as well as managing a business, human resources, clinical services, quality assurance and risk. This was all supported by formal and informal education. My learning had a direct link to what I was doing and challenged all of those roles to help me provide best practice. Teaching others new skills has always been a focus of mine and this in turn strengthened my own learning and knowledge.

How do you continue learning in your own life?
My career path has involved ongoing learning – both formal as in my nurse training, Diploma, Bachelor and Masters degrees, and informal such as on the job learning through practice, observation, reading, research, short courses and seminars. Taking on new challenges is exciting and does involve new learning, challenges and of course mistakes from which we grow our knowledge. I have been on a number of external committees which requires learning how to effectively work with other organisations and sectors to gain best outcomes for all even though individual goals may be different. Ongoing professional development whilst it was a compulsory component of maintaining my nursing registration, it was not my only driver. I have always tried to better myself and the work I do. I believe if anything is worth doing it is worth doing well – of course learning is core to success.

Why is adult learning and education so important?
Adult education is essential to a vibrant healthy community. Learning is life long – it doesn’t finish with school, a certificate or a degree – these are just the foundations on which new learning and experiences are built. Adults are able to use life experiences to make sense of new knowledge and to apply this learning to the real world, if they see the linkages. It is important as educators we support this process and build on individual life experiences. Life takes on many twists and turns and education helps us to navigate the world. It help shape us as people which in turn shapes our community.

What does The Centre mean to you, and why did you join the Board of Governance?
The Centre provides opportunities for adults to gain confidence as learners and to develop new skills in a supported environment. The new knowledge can lead to employment or to further studies. The Centre has always been an important part of the Wangaratta community for as long as I can remember. I am pleased to be part of the Board to help support and grow such a wonderful community resource.

Deputy Chair since 2020
Board Director since 2019

Risk Management, Audit and Governance Committee

Education
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (Criminology and Psychology), Graduate Diploma in Criminal Intelligence, Graduate Certificate of Management

Education and learning has played an important role in my professional and working life. I enjoy continuously developing my skills and knowledge through engaging in education opportunities and networking with like-minded people.

What role has education played in your life?
Learning has enabled me to grow personally and professionally and opened up numerous opportunities to develop and give back to my community.

How do you continue learning in your own life?
I regularly engage in learning opportunities from anything ranging from activities such as reading to formal courses and networking to enhance my knowledge and skills.

Why is adult and community education so important?
Learning and enhancing skills is key to ensuring that our communities thrive and achieve. I believe access to learning opportunities is particularly important in regional communities.

What does The Centre mean to you, and why did you join the Board of Governance?
The Centre is a unique and important community service which provides access to learning and skill development for all.

Elected Board Director since 2020, Finance Committee

Education

Bachelor of Science (Zoology & Botany), Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (Civil), Graduate Diploma in Law (Construction)

I’ve been living in the North East of Victoria since 1995, moving to the region after graduating from university and securing my first job with VicRoads. In 1996 I began a business which contracted road maintenance and construction activities to the Victorian government during the period the Kennett government outsourced a lot of public works. The business grew substantially and was sold in 2007 to a multi-national contractor, Transfield Services. I worked for a few years with Transfield Services in business management and business development roles. After which and until 2018 I contracted and consulted to various organisations in engineering management and business development and have been involved in the development and delivery of projects from just a few thousand dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars. More recently I’ve been content working on independent projects. My wife Trish and I live on our farm in Upper Ryan’s Creek south of Wangaratta.

What role has education played in your life?

As I was growing up my family had a high regard for education. At the time I think I just went along for the ride, attending secondary school followed by a tertiary education ‘as expected’. When I reflect on my life’s journey, education has given me so much more than a platform to earn a living which is how I viewed it at the time. Education and its value is a cornerstone of my life; learning to learn and having an inquiring mind has enabled me to take on many challenges in my work and personal life that I would not have had the opportunity to tackle otherwise. My formal education forms a smaller part of what I’ve learned on my journey but my family’s emphasis on formal learning has made me value all of the other learning opportunities along the way.

How do you continue learning in your own life?

As and when I want or need to find something out I seek a place of learning. Those places of learning are as varied as the things I’ve learned. Clearly I’ve spent some time in educational facilities to gain formal training and qualifications (including the Centre), other less formal classrooms have been in machinery, workshops, on the side of the road, out in the paddock, in the park, on the water and of course the internet. My learning is generally focused on what I’m passionate about these days and how I learn is still as varied as what I learn. What I can say about being a learner is that it’s ‘moorish’, the more you learn the more you want to learn.

Why is adult learning and education so important?

Education is like providing the keys to an otherwise fenced area. Without the keys you cannot explore the opportunities within. I’m particularly passionate about providing the keys to those who may have been disadvantaged or need additional help. Education provides people with new skills and confidence.

What does The Centre mean to you, and why did you join the Board of Governance?

My initial association with the Centre was through my wife and her family. There is a strong connection to the Curtis family in the Centre’s history and I hope I can add some value through my experience. In addition, a few years ago I worked with the Board and Management Team around managing some organisational changes. I have some personal pride in how well the Centre is placed now and when the opportunity arose to become a Board member this, combined with my family connection and an understanding of the great work the Centre does, I accepted.

Elected Board Director since 2019, Finance Committee, Performance Remuneration Committee

Education
Bachelor of Science (Geology), Master of Science (Geography), PhD (Marine Science), Diploma of Spatial Information Services, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Linda grew up on a farm in north-east Victoria and went to high school in Wangaratta before moving away for study and work, including 25 years in the USA. She returned to the area in 2006. She has primarily worked as a scientist and educator, teaching at a maritime college as well as various vocational education and training colleges. She currently lives on a small farm near Chiltern and is also an active volunteer with the local CFA.

What role has education played in your life?
Education and learning, especially relating to the natural world, has always been central to my life. From an early age I can remember (as can my family!) picking up rocks or plants and bringing them home whenever we went on picnics or outings. In fact I may still have some of those rocks! I was fortunate to get a scholarship to study at Melbourne University, and from then on have frequently worked in association with tertiary colleges. I was the first person in my family to undertake any tertiary education but learning was always encouraged in our family and many evenings were spent, by all of us, looking things up in our set of encyclopaedias. That curiosity and interest in the world around me still pervades my daily activities.

How do you continue learning in your own life?
Primarily by reading, but also by challenging myself to learn new skills and seeking out people with expertise. After returning to Australia in 2006, whilst working full-time, I pursued my interest in mapping by obtaining a Diploma of Spatial Information and also completed my Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. I regularly attend workshops, listen to podcasts, or read blogs and articles on a wide range of topics.

Why is adult and community education so important?
It is essential that everyone has access to continuing education, not only for employment but also for furthering their understanding of the world. Education does not cease when you leave high school but should be able to be picked up and pursued throughout your life. This requires colleges that can provide a welcoming and safe learning environment for all members of the community, regardless of age, background or prior education.

What does The Centre mean to you, and why did you join the Board of Governance?
The Centre has been an important part of Wangaratta and the surrounding rural areas for many decades. My mother studied there to complete her VCAL, and thus move on to other training, when she was in her late forties. It made a huge difference to her life. This story would be true of countless other people over the years. I am proud to be part of the Board to help support the continued growth and development of The Centre.

Elected Board Director since 2020, Risk Management, Audit & Governance Committee

My working life has been predominantly across a variety of roles in the IT industry since 1968. These roles started with early experience in technical roles writing programs for real-time applications and operating systems. From there I moved through sales support roles in systems engineering and product marketing. The majority of my time in the industry has been in sales roles. These included sales of hardware from mid-range systems to supercomputers, and application software ranging from healthcare administration packages through to sophisticated simulation and scheduling systems. One of my major achievements was to penetrate the North American market for innovative Australian-developed software. Along the way, I joined a multinational software company as its first non-North American employee, and successfully established its Asia/Pacific presence through a reseller network. In January 2000 I moved to operational systems deployment and technology to support customer-focused sales forces. Later in my career, I delivered effectiveness training to sales managers and their staff based on enabling technology.

My governance experience dates back to 1978:

• Director of the Cooperative Research Centre for Southern Hemisphere Meteorology representing my employer – Cray Research Inc.
• Director of a School Board for 14 years and Chair of that Board for 6 years. During my time on this Board I was able to lead a transition to a new governance model that distanced the Board from the operational aspects of the organisation.
• Deputy Chairman and member of the Board’s Executive Committee at Reformed Theological College in Geelong for 10 years during which time we established a new governance model and formulated new strategic directions.
• Councillor at Mansfield Shire Council representing Jamieson Ward, serving as Mayor of the Shire for 15 months.
• Chairman of Church Councils for multiple tenures.

What role has education played in your life?
My formal education is mostly a story of neglected opportunities. I went to small country school where I started as one of the youngest in my year, but where I managed to learn two years of classwork in one year. This meant that I skipped my second year of primary schooling and was therefore generally up to two years younger than my cohort through the rest of my primary and secondary education. I completed my studies through year 12 while I was still 16 years old. As a result, I lacked the maturity to properly appreciate the importance of the educational opportunities offered to me and went into the workforce after Year 12. With maturity, I have come to understand the benefits that I failed to realise in my youth.

How do you continue learning in your own life?
While much of my formal education was not valued at the time, the courses that I have undertaken while in the workforce have helped form much of who I am today, An advantage of spending a lifetime in IT is that it’s a constantly evolving field that can’t afford to stand still. Since my entry into the industry I have constantly taken advantage of the training offered in technical areas, but even more so in human development and management disciplines. I have a need to keep learning about any areas in which I am involved and have, most recently, continued to undertake training also for Local Government.

Why is adult and community education so important?
I believe that adult education is most valuable, in that as adults we can better see the relevance of the skills we are acquiring. While I don’t endorse the adage that “Education is wasted on the young”, my own experience inclines me strongly to favour the relative merits of education for more mature students. Having attended ACE courses myself, I fully understand and endorse the value of such development.

What does The Centre mean to you, and why did you join the Board of Governance?
For me, The Centre is a leader in delivering a critical service to a large number of people in my wider area. Since making my own transition from the city to the North-East region I have sought opportunities where I can serve by utilising my governance experience. I seek to support The Centre by contributing my expertise to the Board.

Qualifications: Diploma in Project management, Graduation Certificate in Education Tertiary Teaching, Fellow member chartered accountants CAANZ FCA, Graduate Diploma Chartered Accounting – Chartered Accounts Aust. NZ. ACA, Justice of the Peace NSW, Bachelor of Business, Accounting B. Bus. Acc.

Board role: Finance committee, non-executive member since November 2021

Overview

Di has worked in a variety of industries and Executive positions throughout her career, including 20 years in public practice as a Chartered Accountant working in partnership with a variety of businesses from small to large organisations.

After gaining many skills in the public practice sector, Di was engaged with Wodonga TAFE as Director of Finance/CFO to support the TAFE through governmental and environmental changes, including the development and implementation of Financial Information Management Systems.

Subsequently Di worked as Executive Director Business & Finance with Mercy Connect in the disability sector, assisting Mercy Connect with challenges that arose as a result of the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Di was instrumental in the design and business reengineering of systems, including a Client Management Information System design and implementation.

Di is currently reengaged with Wodonga TAFE to further implement continuous systems improvement and project manage various system configuration and implementation.

Di also has extensive experience in Corporate and Not for Profit governance, strategic planning, legislative compliance, finance/accounting and project management.

What role has education played in your life?

Education has been, and continues to be, an important part of my life as it does everyone. I grew up in an isolated region in rural Victoria and had limited access to education. On eventually moving to regional NSW, I was fortunate to have access to many educational providers, particularly in my later years of learning and have always valued these opportunities. This drives my desire to ensure all learners have the opportunity to engage in life time learning. I was fortunate enough through education to establish a career path which in turn has enabled me to achieve many personal and career goals.

Whilst previously in the position of CFO/Director of Finance with Wodonga TAFE, I was able to develop a greater understanding of education, including the financial funding models and governance as set by various levels of Government and related bodies.

I was also fortunate to be able to complete my Graduate Certificate of Education (Tertiary Teaching) which gave me a deep level of insight into teaching pedagogies and an integral understanding of learner considerations for effective learning.

How do you continue learning in your own life?

Education is an all-encompassing life journey, whether it be in relation to academia or developing general knowledge or skills in many areas of life. Continual learning enables me to achieve further personal and career goals and is very rewarding. We are very fortunate in today’s environment to have access to many diverse and engaging modes of learning. One of my aims is to be a role model for my family, workplace teams and the community, to encourage engagement of educational pathways to a lifetime of learning.

Why is adult and community education (ACE) so important?

Accessibility to education is a fundamental throughout a life long journey of learning. ACE education provides this opportunity and contributes to not only individual learning but also community development in terms of social and economic growth as well as mental, psychological and emotional health and wellbeing. ACE provides support by working together with communities, networking in a cohesive and inclusive environment, working in partnerships without limitations, and with a community focus. ACE is responsive to needs of the communities and flexible to adapt to change when required. It provides support to members of the community in particular who may be disengaged, vulnerable or marginalised. ACE enables connectedness to achieve a brighter future for all.

What does The Centre mean to you, and why do you want to be part of the Board?

I am very privileged to have the opportunity to be part of The Centre and be part of an experienced Board and Management Team striving to support learners to reach their goals by learning new skills, whether it be for the purpose of finding a job or for personal development, health and wellbeing.

I am rewarded by seeing communities develop and thrive socially and economically and ensuring education is accessible and inclusive. The Centre’s mission of creating a brighter future, aligns with my educational aspirations for myself and others and I look forward to being part of that important journey. The Centre’s values and prioritisation to promote and support an inclusive culture is closely aligned with my personal values.

I hope to use my skills and experience gained over my career in the business, education and disability sector to assist in achieving the strategic plan and vision of The Centre. The opportunity to influence the quality and accessibility of education is a privilege.

I grew up in Broadmeadows, in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, in a family that had migrated from the UK. I was the first Australian-born member of my family.  Growing up in a Housing Commission estate I learned early on about the importance of being able to find opportunities in life, and the trouble many people have getting a fair chance to build a better life. I was educated in local state schools and went on to complete Bachelor, Masters and then a doctoral degree, all part-time while working full-time day jobs. I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a varied career in journalism, professional communication, government and academia that has taken me around the world to places as varied as Vietnam, Singapore, the UK, and places around Australia including here now in north-east Victoria. Support for education and building  better opportunities for people has been a consistent theme in my working life.

What role has education played in your life?

Education is central to everything.  It’s often the only way many people and families can give themselves the knowledge, skills and connections to build a better life, free of the limitations of economic background, social class and low expectations held by others. Education has powered my life.

How do you continue learning in your own life?

I try to remain curious and engaged, willing to try new things and keep my mind open – even when I may not feel like it at times of laziness (which come too often!). Learning is not so much about earning bits of paper – though that can open important doors – but most of all it’s about seeing the world in different ways and from a better vantage point. The best learning is fun too!  I always look for ways to keep fun in my learning.

Why is adult and community education so important?

Adult and community education reaches out to people in the lives they are leading and the situations they are in. It’s practical and down-to-earth and can make a real difference in building (or rebuilding) important skills, knowledge, confidence and opportunities.  There’s not many things more important than that.

What does The Centre mean to you, and why do you want to be part of the Board?

I am a relative newcomer to the north-east Victoria, but in that time I have heard much about The Centre and its work, and I have been impressed to learn the scope of what it does in the regional community. It is an honour and a privilege to be able to support the Centre’s mission.