How we started

Founder and Board Secretary 

I am the Founder, very passionate advocate and the Board Secretary of I’m Still Learning. The idea for I’m Still Learning started for me in 2014 when my husband died and it became a need.

There is a lot of determination, self-sacrifice and diligence in making sure that our goals and objectives are met through our courses. I successfully completed high school and then went straight into the work force doing small courses along the way.

My work role has mainly been in a Human Resources / People environment but the expertise that I bring to the table is the primary reason for starting I’m Still Learning. 

It’s my past experiences, it’s being an average everyday run of the mill person who knew what I needed to know after my loss. It’s being a person who generally relates well with people.

 Director

My first job was as a primary and special education teacher in the Western and Northern suburbs. I later became a lecturer in the Master of Education at Deakin university. 

Growing up in Broadmeadows my parents taught me to value education, and I have never lost that love of learning and developing others.

I made a career change to Human Resources where I have held Senior Executive roles in large complex organisations for over 20 years.

In the public sector I have worked at Eastern Health and WorkSafe focusing on people, culture, mental health and wellbeing and change management.

I have also held executive positions in large multi-national manufacturing companies as the head of People and Culture in Asia, Europe and the US. These companies include Autoliv, Air International and Boeing.

What I have learned in these settings enables me to contribute to strategic planning, project and financial management, people strategies and importantly governance and risk management. I have been privileged to work with people from many cultures and backgrounds and learn from them all.

I hold a Masters of Business in Human Resources and Industrial Relations, a Graduate Diploma in Special Education, a Graduate Diploma in Training and Development and a Bachelor of Education.
 

As well as being on the Board of I’m Still Learning I am a Board Director of Bendigo Kangan Institute of TAFE, Stawell Regional Health and Northern Futures in Geelong.

 Chairperson

I joined Mandy in commencing I’m Still Learning in early 2017.  

Mandy and I spent many hours in conference to get I’m Still Learning started. Initially we developed contacts with The Men’s Shed networks to act as volunteers to run our weekly sessions for Basic Home Maintenance courses. We then worked together to get our first grant with Nelson Alexander to enable our first course to be run in the Glenroy Neighbourhood House in August 2017. 

Due to a change of health and unexpected family circumstances I found it necessary to change my participation in I’m Still Learning courses, however I have remained active in the running of I’m Still Learning, with my role as part of the I’m Still Learning Board. 

I have worked as a naturopath for 25 years prior to commencing with I’m Still Learning and I ran my own successful naturopathic practice employing 8-10 staff.

I bring many years of work experience to the Board in the fields of natural medicine, adult education and financial services.  

I am passionate about the future of I’m Still Learning, and the principle of meaningful adult participation classes in enjoyable learning situations.

Board Member

 A proud Board Member of I'm Still Learning since 2018, I am committed to helping others to become empowered and confident through I’m Still Learning practical training programs.

I am a Senior Product Manager within the Financial Technology sector and qualified in the area of User Experience Design. 

Highly experienced in the area of product design, my key strength is understanding customer needs.

I hold a Bachelor of Information Technology and a Postgraduate Degree in Multimedia Design.

Board Member

I joined the I’m Still Learning Board in 2019, and I am enjoying providing assistance and support to this wonderful organisation. 

Originally from Ballarat, I studied a Bachelor of Arts (Public Relations) at Deakin University in Geelong. 

My career saw me move to Melbourne and pursue marketing and communications roles within a range of organisations including retail, tourism and education.

I currently work within the education sector which has given me many experiences and skills that I am able to utilise within my position on the I’m Still Learning Board.

Treasurer 

Malcolm is originally from a small island off the coast of Scotland called Rothesay.  He arrived in Australia in 1964 as part of the “ten pound passage” scheme that delivered so many “new Australians” at the time.

Educated at University High School and then Melbourne University where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce, Malcolm commenced his working life as an accountant with a medium-size accounting practice.

In 1983 Malcolm commenced his own accounting practice from a small office in Moonee Ponds and was joined by his brother Alex in 1986. 

Malcolm is the Principal/Director of Bell Partnership FP, holder of an Australian Financial Services Licencee.  Previously he was a founding member of Apogee Financial Planning and has served on their National Advisory Board and was president of that Board for three years. He is also a member of the Financial Planning Association.