Pines Learning

There’s still time to enrol.

Whether you’re looking to build work skills, improve your English, get creative, or stay active, Term 4 courses begin in October.

👉 View courses and enrol
https://www.pineslearning.com.au/

Congratulations to Malama, who has been named one of just three recipients of a 2026 Adult Learners Week Scholarship, selected from more than 20 nominations across Australia.

Malama’s learning journey at Pines Learning began with Computers for Beginners and has since expanded to Cyber Security, AI, Excel and English classes, with plans to keep learning.

For Malama, the impact goes well beyond the classroom.

She has been able to use her growing computer skills in her work as a support worker, including using Excel for accounting, while her English studies have helped build her confidence communicating with others.

Learning has also given Malama something positive to work towards. She says education has given her new goals, keeps her mind active and gives her something to look forward to each week.

Her EAL Program Lead, Sandie, describes her as someone who approaches learning with “an abundance of curiosity and enthusiasm”.

When Malama heard the news, her response said it all: “I’m so excited I want to dance. I will keep going with education because it makes me feel brand new.”

The $1,000 scholarship will support Malama as she continues building her skills and exploring new possibilities.

Congratulations, Malama. A very well-deserved recognition of your commitment to learning.

To celebrate Adult Learners Week, we invited learners from across Pines Learning to reflect on what brought them here and what learning means to them.

For Anneke, who has been part of Pines Learning for decades, it's curiosity and the opportunity to keep experiencing something new.

For Connie, joining Computers for Beginners has meant growing her digital confidence and meeting new people. She also remembers the difference a warm welcome made when she was deciding whether to join.

Farzana is building her English and Excel skills, opening up opportunities for everyday life, further study and employment.

And Emily is continuing to build her English skills and confidence, taking on new challenges one step at a time.

Their journeys are all different, but they share something important: a willingness to keep learning, growing and trying something new.

Congratulations to our four Adult Learners Week winners and thank you to everyone who shared their learning journey with us.

This week, our EAL students welcomed a local firefighter from to learn about fire safety in the home.

Through practical demonstrations and real-life stories, students explored what to do in an emergency and how everyday choices can help prevent fires. These sessions are especially valuable for students from diverse cultural backgrounds, where fire safety practices may be quite different.

🔥 One key takeaway: used batteries should never go in general rubbish, as they can cause fires. Recycle them at designated battery collection points, including most major supermarkets.

Why do local aged care employers hire Pines Learning graduates?

Alexandra Gardens Donvale has worked with Pines Learning for many years through student placements and graduate recruitment.

“What stands out about Pines graduates is their readiness for the workplace. They are compassionate, respectful, eager to learn and able to work effectively as part of a team.”

Vivian began with Alexandra Gardens as a student on placement. After demonstrating initiative, professionalism and genuine care for residents, she was offered a position and became a trusted member of the team.

This is exactly what our Certificate III in Individual Support is designed to achieve: practical skills, professional confidence and preparation for meaningful work in aged care and disability support.

Thank you to Alexandra Gardens Donvale for supporting our students and graduates.

Learn more about studying Individual Support at Pines Learning:
www.pineslearning.com.au/programs/chc33021-certificate-iii-in-ind-support

Feeling connected to others can support our mental and physical wellbeing, but for many people, taking the first step into a group or community activity can be difficult.

Community spaces can help by offering welcoming, accessible ways to meet others, share interests and build connections over time.

This Loneliness Awareness Week, let’s make room for connection in our community.

From feeling stuck to pursuing a career in nursing

When Molly Rose connected with the Reconnect program in Murrindindi, she was unsure about her future. Completing her final years of school during COVID had affected her motivation, and taking the first step towards a career felt difficult.

With personalised support from Reconnect Case Worker Ange Mansson, Molly Rose explored her strengths, developed a practical plan and built the confidence to return to study.

“The support available from the Reconnect program coordinator and being made accountable was exactly what I needed to kick-start my career.”

Molly Rose went on to complete a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) and is now studying a Diploma of Nursing.

“I have direction, goals and motivation to pursue a nursing career.”

Reconnect provides, personalised support to eligible people in Murrindindi and Manningham who want to reconnect with education, training or employment.

We are introducing a new face-to-face course for people interested in developing practical cleaning skills to apply for work and those wanting to upskill for work.

Commercial Cleaning Essentials covers cleaning methods, equipment and workplace safety, with hands-on training in areas such as:

✔ Hard floors and carpeted surfaces
✔ Wet areas and glass surfaces
✔ Basic stain removal
✔ Waste sorting and recycling
✔ Cleaning equipment and storage

The course may assist learners seeking work in domestic or commercial cleaning, home help, individual support and provides a pathway towards the Certificate II in Cleaning.

To enrol or find out more, contact Pines Learning on 03 9842 6726 or email [email protected].

Our All-Abilities Essential Skills for Work learners have been exploring recycling and how they can help create a more environmentally responsible workplace.

As part of the project, the class invited Preity Bhandary from VicReturns to explain what can and cannot be recycled, where different items can be taken, and how Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme works.

Learners then tested their new knowledge through a hands-on sorting activity. They discussed which bin to use for items they were unsure about.

The class also set up a collection point at Pines Learning for containers accepted under the scheme. Some non-eligible items were added, giving learners another chance to discuss common recycling mistakes.

To finish the project, the group visited a local CDS VIC refund point. They returned the collected containers, saw the process in action, practised handling money and raised funds for a future class activity.

Thank you to Preity for sharing her knowledge and making the session practical and engaging.

Across our EAL programs, students have been learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture as part of our NAIDOC Week activities.

Classes explored more than 65,000 years of Aboriginal history, the work of artists Albert and Vincent Namatjira, and key events following European settlement.

After watching Rabbit-Proof Fence, students said the film opened their eyes to a part of Australian history they had not previously known. They described the forced removal of Aboriginal children as heartbreaking and cruel, while reflecting on the importance of respecting different cultures and learning honestly about the past.

For people building a new life in Australia, understanding its history is an important part of understanding the country today.