Adult Learning in Bendoc

Derek and Patsie Manning at the helm in the early years

Shirley Whittock and Astrid Brandenburg learning the magic of computers in the early years

Adult Learning started in Bendoc in 1995. Derek and Patsie Manning with Kath Turner,Astrid Brandenburg & Chris Bayliss  started it with computer course that blew the budget, which was given by the Regional Council of Adult Community & Further Education and borrowed laptops from East Gippsland TAFE. Mr. David Roche of ACFE Gippsland was instrumental in setting up the Adult Learning in Bendoc. Glenda McPherson from ACFE Gippsland helped in the early days, and was always there when help was needed who has now moved on TAFE Frontiers. 

Classes provided the community with an education that was not possible because of the distance to anywhere. Farm Chemical, Explosives, Chainsaw, Creative writing were a few that were provided along with the Internet and computer study.

In 1998 Bendoc ACFE ran Australia's first across-border dual licensed explosives course.  This was Work Place approved and licensed in both New South Wales and Victoria.

Adult Learning was auspiced by the Bendoc Progress Association Inc and was staffed by volunteers. The computers were housed in the Bendoc Memorial Hall and also includes the Bendoc Outreach Centre for the East Gippsland Shire. The Outreach Centre opened on a Tuesday where the community could come along and use the facilities provided by the Council eg 1800 number, customer contact forms (roads maintenance, not enough white posts etc and to thank the council occassionally for their effort) and occasionally a visit from the Councillors for a Community Consulation. The BPA Inc were in a caretaker role for the Hall.

The demands of volunteer organisations has a high burn out period for coordinators and so Derek & Patsie Manning hung up their harddrive for an easier life.

Tony Redmond, and volunteers June Redmond and Chris Bayliss were keen to see that Adult Learning did not falter, as technology was changing, they saw the need to pursue it with both hands as the opportunities for putting Bendoc on the map was there. Opportunites for a better future for BRACE = Bendoc Region Adult Community Education were coming quick and fast with a change in Government (if the Government won't listen to the people, it will at the polls). Learning to the people came via more Neighbourhood Houses. This provided employment to the coordinator and futher advancement for the community which meant going into the 21st century with the technology and not against it.

Further grants were sought and a grant for a Rural Transaction Centre from the Department of Regional Transport Services and an Internet Cafe` from (Networking the Nation) The Department of Communication, Information Technology and the Arts were obtained. A grant from Skills.net to train 120 Victorians how to use the Internet was granted, but the first grant to come was for a new photocopier from Department of Regional Transport and Services.

The Bendoc Progress Association Inc saw the opportunity when a block of land came up for sale in June 2000. This was an opportunity had come at the right time to house the proposed Rural Transaction Centre and it was bought for $1500 from the crown.

Adult Learning is taught to all no matter their beliefs and who they are and where they live, even though it is preferable that they live in Victoria (Australia) as it is an initiative of the Victorian Government. Living on the border (of  NSW) does make this difficult, but there are ways around it, for Lifelong of Learning is for all no matter where you live.

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