Get involved

Who can participate

Living & Learning Nillumbik is committed to providing a positive, inclusive and supportive learning environment for everybody. 

People will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, gender, location, culture or disability in access to our programs and services, and we encourage participation by individuals with a disability.

Living & Learning Nillumbik courses and activities are for people 18 years of age or older, unless otherwise stated.

We also offer courses for children and teens.

You don't have to be a resident of the Shire of Nillumbik to attend.

 

What is adult learning

People choose to participate in adult learning for many different reasons, including to:

  • upgrade job skills
  • start a business
  • learn about a subject or to extend their knowledge
  • meet new people
  • develop self-confidence
  • get involved in the community
  • develop personal skills
  • participate in social networking.

Adult learning is shared learning, based on co-operation, self-direction and personal responsibility.

The adult learning experience can be participatory, peer-to-peer, practical, goal-oriented, diverse and dynamic.

Living & Learning Nillumbik is a friendly supportive environment where the tutor is your guide and partner on your learning journey.

 

Volunteer

Over 1.5 million Victorians volunteer their time, skills and experience in one way or another make a huge contribution to our local communities. Those who volunteer are generally happier, healthier and live longer.

Every week we have over 40 volunteers complete 150 hours of their time across our 3 centres to support our activities. We have a range of tasks and roles that are filled by volunteers, including Makerspace Coordinators, Tutors, Community Gardeners, Admin and General Support.

Many of the activities at our centres are supported by volunteers. 

Please check this page regularly for volunteer opportunities at our centres.

 

Who can be a tutor?

We are always interested in hearing from experienced and talented people who would like to bring their expertise to Living & Learning Nillumbik. Our fantastic teachers are the key to our dynamic community courses and activities - they bring skill, experience, and a passion to teach.

You can be a Living & Learning Nillumbik tutor if you:

  • are interested in people
  • are good at communication
  • have knowledge, expertise or skills in a particular area
  • enjoy sharing and helping others to learn
  • want to contribute to your community. 

Volunteer tutors

The vast majority of our tutors are volunteers. Volunteers have been the cornerstone on which our centres have been built. Voluntary sharing of skills as tutors remains a vital aspect of our community strengthening role. We continue to marvel at the generosity, wisdom and talents of people who volunteer their time to teach.

Volunteer tutors’ rewards and recognition include:

  • credits for the equivalent number of hours of tutoring, which may be used to access other volunteer tutored courses (conditions apply)
  • opportunities for free training provided through Living & Learning Nillumbik
  • opportunities for networking
  • celebrations
  • recognition as Living & Learning Nillumbik volunteers
  • recognition as Nillumbik Shire Council volunteers.

If you wish to propose a course, workshop or activity scroll to the bottom of this page and click on the Community Course Proposal Form.

Paid tutors

If you wish to be engaged as a paid tutor you will be required to provide a higher level of detail in your course plans, greater evidence of your knowledge or expertise in your subject area and experience as a tutor.

Paid tutors are engaged as contractors and are required to invoice Living & Learning Nillumbik. Businesses will need to provide a certificate of currency for Public Liability.

If you wish to propose a course, workshop or activity scroll to the bottom of this page and click on the Community Course Proposal Form. 

What if I have never tutored before?

If you are new to tutoring we are happy to support you to get started. You will be able to work in partnership with the Program Coordinator to develop your course and skills.

Starting your tutoring career at the grass roots level of a Living & Learning Centre is a great way to get experience and to hone your ideas and skills.

What do we expect from tutors?

At Living & Learning Nillumbik we require that tutors:

  • establish a friendly, safe and respectful learning environment
  • treat participants with respect and care
  • value and use an interactive approach which shares the responsibility for learning with participants and encourages enquiry
  • prepare and plan a course or activity
  • provide appropriate feedback to participants about their learning
  • conduct themselves according to Living & Learning Nillumbik values
  • abide by the Living & Learning Nillumbik code of conduct
  • comply with relevant legislation and all centre policies.

How to propose a course

To submit your idea for a course complete the Community Course Proposal Form at the bottom of this page.

Receipt of your proposal will be acknowledged and then considered by the Program Coordinators.

If we wish to pursue your proposal further, we will then need to meet with you to discuss your ideas in more detail.

At this meeting we will need to know such things as:

  • Do participants need to have any special knowledge or skills to do this course?
  • Is the course for complete beginners, for those with prior knowledge (specify a level if you can) or can it be a combination of beginners and those who have some prior knowledge?
  • Do you envisage this course being an ongoing course or a one-off course?
  • What equipment do you require to teach the course e.g. a whiteboard, tables, digital projector, etc
  • What equipment or materials would participants be required to supply? How much would this cost for them to supply?
  • What equipment or materials will you be supplying or purchasing for participants (for which you will be reimbursed)? What would be the cost per participant?
  • Do you have preferred dates, days or times for your course to be scheduled?
  • What is the maximum number of people that could do this course? (The Program Coordinator will set the minimum number of participants.)
  • Is there a particular room or venue that you require or prefer for this course?

Not all ideas or proposals will be taken up. Reasons for this include:

  • program balance
  • the proposal doesn’t fit with our values
  • quality