The Festival of Adult Learning Awards was celebrated on Monday night, at the Tauranga Council Chambers and presided over by Mayor Greg Brownless and hosted by Let’s Learn – Community Education Bay of Plenty.

The night was about celebrating and honouring Adult Learners, Tutors, and Providers of Adult Education in the Community.  The emphasis this year was on the untold value of community adult education and how it is so much more than upskilling or learning; the extraordinary value of connecting, socialising and communicating with likeminded people. As Zoe Wilkinson Chairperson of Let’s Learn Community Education BOP said in her speech

“The lesson might be learning to make bread, but the outcome is connection, relating and community. It enhances mental health, develops social skills, grows our communities and bonds people with like-minded values. It is the essence of Life Long Learning.”

Guest speakers were Dr Judith Honeyfield, Dept Of Nursing, Toi-Ohomai, Fiona Morris, Director, Pacific Coast Technical Institute, Mayor Greg Brownless, and Zoe Wilkinson, Let’s Learn.  Let’s Learn hosted the evening, and Lietta Erni, a past winner of 2 Awards and member of Let’s Learn Committee did a great job as the Master of Ceremonies.

The Winners of the awards are :

Innovative Providers : 1^st equal  the Tauranga Library Learning Centre, and Exult!

Exceptional Adult Educator – In an Organisation :  Kyle Sattler, Toi-Ohomai

Runner Up : Kristian Lomath – The Artery, Historic Village

Exceptional Adult Educator – Independent Community Based – Carla Lowe, Paint Me Vintage

Runner Up: Jane Powell, Teacher in the Paddock.

Outstanding Adult Learner : Rose Tuffery, Plenty Permaculture

Runner Up: Kaye Hubner, Toi-Ohomai

Life Long Learner Award : Dr Peter Maddison – Aongatete Forest Project

Runner Up : Ouida Rice – French Language Lifelong student 

Prizes included Cash, vouchers for Professional Development, Certificates and Flowers.

All other nominees received Commendation Certificates, and enjoyed having their photos taken with the Mayor and Speakers.

Instead of engaging caterers, this year we called on two community based cooks,  Chef Stephen Wilson a former Award Winner, and bread master extraordinaire Barbara Fitzgibbon, nominee, who created a wonderful spread for supper. 

The interlude was a bit different this year: Kim Williamson with an excerpt from “Driving Miss Daisy” the upcoming play by Detour Theatre.

All photographs for the evening were courtesy of  Kim Westerskov Photography. See them here.
Flowers were by Pauline Bowen.

We wish to thank our Sponsors: ACE Aotearoa, Let’s Learn,  Ako Aotearoa, and Tauranga City Council for generously supporting this event.  The comments and feedback for the evening has been heart-warming. Thank you to all nominees, winners, speakers, sponsors and collaborators who helped make this event memorable.  For more adult learning opportunities check out www.letslearn.co.nz

Let’s Learn will be present at the Adult Education Expo at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre this Saturday 8th September 2018.
Come and meet us there!