eVALBEC December 2005
This is the electronic newsletter of VALBEC, the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council, and is sent to about 900 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.
----------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE OF e-VALBEC:
1. 2006 VALBEC Conference - RItHre RItNow - Call for Presentations and Workshops  
2. Special member offer
3. Special non-member offer
4. Seeking emergency and sessional teachers
5. End of year thanks
6. VALBEC Committee Meeting
7. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
8. Unsubscribe?

----------------------------------------------
1. 2006 VALBEC Conference
RItHre RItNow
Friday, May 5, 2006 at the William Angliss College, Melbourne
Call for Presentations and Workshops  
In step with the rhythm of the times, the 2006 VALBEC conference questions the place of adult literacy and numeracy in 21st century contexts.
·     Do we keep alive the language of human and social capital or have times changed?
·     How do the demands for multi-literacies affect the workplace, the worker and the adult learner?
·     Are new paradigms and methodologies being developed to meet these demands?
·     How do we cater for literacies across personal, community, economic and workplace domains?
·     Are we any closer to achieving greater access and equity for all?
·     Just what does the adult literacy learner need right here, right now?
These key questions will drive the discussions and dialogues at the 2006 conference.

Practitioners and researchers are invited to share their knowledge, wisdom, strategies, observations, research and proven practices with others from across Victoria and Australia by submitting a presentation proposal for the 2006 VALBEC conference RItHre RItNow.
VALBEC wishes to hear from those involved in
·     Innovative projects, collaborations or partnerships
·     Successful curriculum development or proven classroom practices
·     Progress reports or outcomes of relevant and crucial research
·     Policy review and critique
Submit your presentation proposal or encourage others to submit, keeping in mind that the presentation should:
·     stimulate thought and discussion on relevant issues and practice
·     describe and reflect on current practice and examples of successful work
·     be interactive and encourage dialogue
·     display innovation and flexibility in practice/research
·     demonstrate effective practice in a range of settings
·     exemplify adult learning principles
·     critique changes in state and federal government policies and priorities.
 
Visit the VALBEC web site http://www.valbec.org.au to download a form to submit a
Call for Presentations and Workshops or complete it online.
Proposals must be submitted by March 1st 2006.
Presenters will be notified by March 15th 2006 of their inclusion in the Conference program.
Conference updates and further information at http://www.valbec.org.au  or contact Don MacDowall, Conference Organiser conf@valbec.org.au Phone 03 9546 6892

----------------------------------------------
2. Special member offer
Get a free 2007 wall planner (yes 2007, not 2006) calendar. Download an electronic version via the VALBEC web site http://www.valbec.org.au or get a print version from VALBEC (limit of ten members and one per member) via our ‘Member Offer’ on the web site.
----------------------------------------------
3. Special non-member offer
Join now and get fifteen months membership. VALBEC’s pro rata offer for new members means if you join now you don’t renew until March 2007. http://www.valbec.org.au then follow the links.
----------------------------------------------
4. Seeking emergency and sessional teachers
CAE http://www.cae.edu.au is seeking expressions of interest from qualified and experienced adult education teachers interested in being included on our emergency and sessional teacher list for 2006. Teachers may be required for CGEA Literacy (including ESL Literacy), Numeracy, Science, or GCO’s; and CESL Frameworks. Please email: lianeh@cae.edu.au for more information.
----------------------------------------------
5. End of year thanks
December is upon us - that time of deadlines, reporting and celebrations! Hopefully a not too stressful time for everyone.
The VALBEC committee would like to thank members for their support and involvement this year.
We were pleased with the response to our annual conference, Twilight forums, Spring forum and Practical Matters Workshops throughout the year and hope that people found them stimulating and relevant. The Summer edition of Fine Print will be arriving soon and completes another excellent year of high quality publications.  
VALBEC committee members have been involved in several consultations: Language, Literacy and Numeracy Programme Proposed Programme Changes for 2006 – 2008 Tender Consultation; ACFE Curriculum Strategy focus group; Curriculum Maintenance Manager board meetings.
 
VALBEC provides leadership; input to consultations and policy decision making; professional development and a public face for the adult literacy and numeracy and basic education fields in Victoria. The VALBEC Executive committee meets 10 –12 times per year and, with the support of their respective workplaces, members commit their time and energy to VALBEC’s vision and its mission. The VALBEC Executive is committed to not only maintaining VALBEC and ensuring its future, but improving its profile, promoting a fellowship of advocacy and supported discussion and debate on the theory and practice of ALBE and its provision. We acknowledge and appreciate ongoing ACFE funding support.
Thank you to the committee and Don MacDowall for your tireless efforts and commitment.
Best wishes to all our members for the festive season and 2006.
 
Lynne Matheson and Fran O’Neill
VALBEC Co- Presidents
----------------------------------------------
6. VALBEC Committee Meeting
Final meeting for the year : Thursday December 8th, 6.30, CNLC 20 Princes Street, Carlton North.
----------------------------------------------
7. 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.
----------------------------------------------
8. 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.
----------------------------------------------
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