2026 VALBEC Conference

August Update

Keep an eye out for the newest Fine Print edition. It will be in your inboxes soon. If you have opted to receive a hard copy, you should have received this already. 

Members: if you haven't received a hard copy or a digital copy, please get in touch. 

Some quick updates as to what is going on at the moment.

Professional Learning Forum - August

We have two professional learning forums via ZOOM this month. The first forum is on Wednesday 12th August (session 1) followed a week later on Wednesday 19th August for session 2.  

The first interactive session explores the relationship between language, literacy and artificial intelligence by first examining the history of Adult Literacy and Adult Basic Education (ABE) from the 1980s to 2015.

In the second session, participants will examine the history of AI, its relationship to human language, and its implications for teaching and learning. The session also introduces the work of Mary Kalantzis and Bill Cope, highlighting how their pedagogy has evolved alongside digital technologies and AI while maintaining a strong commitment to equity, ethics and social justice in education.

Rob McCormack is a retired independent academic with decades of experience researching and developing pedagogies for Second Chance Education, particularly in Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) education. Throughout his career, he has worked across schools, TAFE, the community education sector and higher education, bringing a wealth of knowledge and practical insight to adult learning. Rob is passionate about exploring how language, literacy and emerging technologies shape teaching and learning, and how educators can respond thoughtfully to these changes.

Details for Session 1: Wednesday 12th August at 5:30pm

Details for Session 2: Wednesday 19th August at 5:30pm.

If you are interested, don't forget to register for this event. 

Building Strength with Numeracy (2026)

At the recent 2026 VALBEC Conference we launched the newly revamped Building Strength with Numeracy (2026) resource. 

It is over fifteen years since the publication of the iconic numeracy resource Building Strength with Numbers was released.  It was decided it was timely to take a look at the resource and update some of the concepts and numbers, and to have it reviewed by a literacy teacher to ensure that it can be used for all.  Funding was made available by ACFE for the development of new resources that would build on, and update, these resources.

The updated 'Building Strength with Numeracy’ is a collection of practical, tested resources for teachers to use in a range of settings and made accessible online. Each section of each topic is a PDF allowing immediate downloading, printing and use by teachers and students. 

Don't forget to take a look at this fabulous resource here and let us know what you think!

Post-conference update

Conference papers will be uploaded shortly.

Conference photos from the day are also currently being reviewed...keep your eyes out for those snapshots of yourself.

If you didn't have the opportunity to attend the conference, you can still have a look at the conference program booklet which features an overview of the 15+ concurrent sessions led by LLND practitioners, managers, volunteers and colleagues from across the sector. 

We planned a broad mix of practical, classroom‑ready workshops and presentations, with sessions reflecting the diversity of LLND work—VET support programs, teaching students with disability, corrections, numeracy, Learn Local and pre‑accredited delivery, digital literacy, and more.

We are in the process of collecting all of the papers and presentations and loading them onto the site.

Did you know ACAL is celebrating 50 years!

Join past and present members of ACAL on Tuesday 8 September 2026 to celebrate 50 years of ACAL with a special symposium from 9:30am to 2:30pm at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, followed by a commemorative tree planting and afternoon tea at 3:15pm at Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Bruce Campus, Block H. Designed for everyone working in education spaces, the symposium will provide the currency needed for 2026 and beyond, with updates on the National Strategy, new research, current data and future trends, alongside plentiful networking opportunities to meet passionate and informed people who can expand your LLN world.

Retired members and long-time supporters are warmly invited to join us to reflect on 50 years of ACAL advocacy, celebrate the highs and lows, share memories, honour the volunteers who have supported adult literacy and numeracy learners and educators under the ACAL banner, and add their voice to the collective knowledge as we look to the next 50 years.

Conference Survey

With the conference now complete for 2026, please remember to complete the very quick survey. It's really important to us that we get feedback to help us plan for a bigger and better 2027 conference. 

 If you haven’t had the chance to give your feedback, please do so by clicking this Link.

Say hello to the 2026/2027 VALBEC Committee

The Annual General Meeting was held on the 15th of May 2026, as part of the 2026 VALBEC conference, when the new committee was formally endorsed.

At this stage, Deborah Mullan has stepped in as (acting) president for two months. The committee will re-assess the executive roles in the second half of the year.

More information on the role of the VALBEC committee and nomination forms are available here.