QA Forum

About Mary Hannan

I have worked for Adult Learning Australia since 1985. My background in the field of adult learning spans a period of over twenty years and during the last decade I have had a direct management role or a supporting supervisory role in all of Adult Learning Australia’s significant project developments, particularly where the emphasis has been around community engagement.

This includes nine years managing a distinct program to facilitate the growth of learning circles as a method of adult learning in Australia. I have extensive experience in developing learning circles materials and in facilitating training in there delivery.

Also during this time I have managed the development of major community initiatives which include learning circles content around ageing; democracy, health and community safety for older citizens.

I have, over the years, presented at conferences and workshops on behalf of Adult Learning Australia on my work with developing and facilitating delivery of these community initiatives.

Over the last eighteen months I have been coordinating the development of the Learning Communities Catalyst, a website providing the technology to facilitate collaboration, debate and information exchange for those involved in learning communities. As part of the Catalyst project I have conducted a series of participatory workshops in a number of States and Territories. These workshops were designed to introduce participants to the Catalyst and how members of a community can establish a presence in cyberspace.

In continuing my interest in the learning community movement I am now the project manager of a new pilot project to appoint a learning broker in a strategically chosen locality. The learning broker will be tasked with facilitating the development of a learning community as well as providing members of the community, service providers and local business with advice about learning and vocational pathways and strategies.

I am a keen bush walker both within Australia and overseas. I enjoy participating in and watching most sports particularly tennis and hockey. Loves reading and loves attending the movies.