Recently, Professor Kate Warner, AC, and Christina Roscoe from 26TEN awarded the 26TEN Literacy Volunteer Bursary to MRC Tas volunteer Julie Payne.
The purpose of the bursary is to provide professional development to a literacy volunteer, to support them in their volunteer role. It is called The Kate Warner, AC, Literacy Volunteer Bursary in recognition of the support that Professor Warner offered to 26TEN and Tasmanian adult literacy during her time as Governor of Tasmania.
Julie has been volunteering with MRC Tas since 2017 due to her desire to contribute to a welcoming Tasmania. Julie has taught MRC Tas clients in the Citizenship program and more recently in the Women’s English program,
“The Women’s English program has provided a chance to come together as a culturally diverse group and practice speaking, reading and comprehension through games and short excursions, share a laugh and increasingly delicious morning teas,” Julie said.
When asked what she enjoys most about volunteering, Julie said it’s connecting with the people that she supports,
“Everyone is so interesting and have shown such resilience to often very tough circumstances. I learn so much from my students.”
The Bursary has connected Julie to teaching resources that could be adapted to suit the needs of adult migrant learners with low English skills. “All of my students had been in Tasmania for at least four years but were still struggling in many areas,” Julie said.
“26TEN is such a supportive organisation. They are an important connection to individuals and organisations that can provide much needed teaching resources and advice.”
A big thank you to Julie for her enormous contribution to MRC Tas, and to 26TEN for supporting MRC Tas volunteers and culturally and linguistically diverse adult English learners in Tasmania.
If you are interested in becoming a 26TEN volunteer tutor, visit: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/how-to/Pages/literacy-tutor.aspx
To get help with reading, writing or maths, phone 26TEN on 1300 00 2610
For more information about MRC Tas programs, please contact us on 03 6221 0999.
Posted: 14/06/2022
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