Who is VALBEC?

VALBEC is a not for profit, volunteer managed, professional organisation that has represented the adult literacy, numeracy and basic education fields in Victoria since 1978.

Our core business is to provide information and professional development support for our members and the wider field. Central to the role of the committee is advocacy and advice on curriculum, government policy and matters that impact on practitioners and learners in Victoria and nationally through our links with ACAL.

Our professional development activities include an annual state conference, twilight forums, workshops and half day forums. Our flagship journal, Fine Print, is one of only two dedicated adult literacy, language and numeracy journals in Australia.


Governance

VALBEC is governed by a committee of volunteers elected annually and has the services of a part -time administrative person.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of VALBEC was held on 14 May 2025.

Annual Report 2024

Constitution

The 2013 AGM accepted a motion to change the Constitution. The new constitution was accepted by Consumer Affairs Victoria on June 11, 2013.

Constitution


2025 Committee


Linno Rhodes

President




Deborah Mullan
Vice President


John Radalj
Treasurer

Sue has dedicated over 20 years to teaching Work Education at Chisholm TAFE, focusing on students with mild intellectual disabilities. Sue’s primary goal is to help these students achieve the best possible outcomes in literacy, numeracy, and employability skills, fostering their ability to integrate into the community and develop a lifelong love for learning.

Suzanne Derham
Secretary




Shruti Malavde
Committee Member

Manjit Bhamral
Committee Member

Tanya is an adult educator who empowers diverse learners through inclusive, multimodal approaches. With experience in CALD, disability, and mental health sectors, she creates accessible learning spaces that value lived experience. By utilising digital tools, visual storytelling, and translanguaging, she fosters learner confidence and enhances real-world communication. Her practice is grounded in empathy, cultural responsiveness, and a belief that learning should be meaningful, creative, and transformative.

Tanya Enright
Committee Member



Pam Mahlis
Committee Member

Claire Sherman

Committee Member

Zoe Repse is an experienced educator and resource developer with a focus on adult education and English language learning. She is committed to designing inclusive, practical materials that support learners from diverse backgrounds in developing real-world communication skills. A passionate advocate and presenter of classroom-based phonetics activities, Zoe shares her original resources freely through her website and YouTube channel under the pseudonym “Zoe Lambreas.” Drawing on decades of research, she has also developed a bespoke Australian phonetic chart designed to enhance both pronunciation and spelling instruction.

Zoe Repse

Committee Member

Janet Claringbold is the CEO of Mountain District Learning Centre (MDLC), a Neighbourhood House, Learn Local Organisation and RTO located in Ferntree Gully. MDLC works to engage and support vulnerable leaners by combining community development practice with education. Janet has a background in Community Development and has worked in the Neighbourhood House sector for 30 years. Also, Janet volunteers as editor of a local community newspaper and when time allows enjoys connecting with nature in the garden and bushwalking with friends.

Janet Claringbold
Committee Member




Christine Tully
Committee Member


Find Us

Address
PO Box 29
Clifton Hill Vic 3068

Email
info@valbec.org.au

Details

ABN 56 550 665 438
VALBEC (Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council) was established in 1978 and is managed by an elected volunteer committee of management.

Incorporated Association No. A00 130 71K

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