A Flexible Learning Environment for the Murray Mallee

The Murray Mallee Community Education Network Inc (MMCEN) is a not for profit organisation. It is a community based organisation which is managed by a volunteer management committee. The committee is made up of people who have an interest in the provision of lifelong learning in the Murray Mallee region.

MMCEN’s vision is:

‘To establish a flexible learning environment for the Murray Mallee region that allows communities to pursue lifelong learning opportunities.'

MMCEN was formed in 2002 with the coming together of the Southern Mallee Community Education Group Inc and the Education Sub-group of the Murray Mallee Strategic Task Force.

MMCEN is able to facilitate opportunities for members of the Coorong, Southern Mallee, Karoonda/East Murray and Mid Murray Council regions.

FUNDING

MMCEN currently receives funding from the Department Further Education Employment Science Technology (DFEEST) via their Adult Community Education Funding (ACE) Funding - Community Learning Project. MMCEN has received funding from DFEEST for the past 7 Years.

This funding currently allows MMCEN to subsidise community courses in the following areas: (note the types of courses that MMCEN are able to run each year can change due to funding requirements.)

• Computer and technology Literacy Courses including:
- Basic, intermediate and advanced computer courses
- Digital Storytelling/video
- Digital photography
- Digital Scrapbooking
- Introduction to Skype, video teleconferencing etc

• Function Literacy courses including:
- Woodwork
- Art
- Leadlighting
- Welding
- Sewing
- Cooking
- Mosaics
- Gardening
- Music
- Mechanics

• Health and Wellbeing workshops including:
- Nutrition
- Life Management including stress/anxiety management
- General wellbeing

• Cultural Literacy:
- Programs that allow indigenous and non-indigenous people to share stories through the development of artwork, basket weaving, nature walks, music etc to encourage inter race communication and understanding.

Staffing

Due to funding that MMCEN received from the below Councils, MMCEN is able to employ a Regional Learning Coordinator on a part-time basis to coordinate opportunities for the Murray Mallee area:

Coorong District Council
Southern Mallee Council
District Council of Karoonda East Murray

What does and can MMCEN do?

• Manage projects for which they receive funding eg Adult Community Education project.
• Provide assistance to various community members and/or organisations to support any life long learning opportunities.
• Disseminating information to wider community via networks.
• Coordinate community courses that do not fit within current funding guidelines as per identified needs.
• Act as an auspicing body for non incorporated community groups to apply for funding for community projects.
• Assist with getting community projects up and running through general support and guidance, mentoring, connecting people, assistance with grant writing (reading of applications, providing information on what grants are available).
• Work together with other community groups to value add to their projects.