About us
Empowering young people to realise their potential.

Our Pupose
We are a non-profit empowering young people to make informed decisions about their future and helping them realise their potential. We aim to connect schools, industry, jobseekers and community to improve career pathways and employment opportunities that meet the needs of young people and local industries in our region.
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We service the local government areas of Greater Geelong, Surfcoast, Queenscliff, Golden Plains (southern) Shires and beyond.
We are funded by the Department of Education primarily as a School to Work program provider. We also seek further funding to support jobseekers in the region through various initiatives.
We engage with industry, schools, community, and stakeholders to build connections that support access to work-based learning opportunities.
In addition to this we work with education, training, and employers to build the workforce in trending industries to support sustainable employment in our local region.
The core of our business is carried out through the following types of activity:
- Structured Workplace Learning – on the job training that allows students to develop work skills and understand employer expectations.
- Brokering partnerships with school and industry.
- Brokering partnerships with further education training providers in the region.
- Facilitating the Geelong Inclusion Network (G.I.N).
- Facilitating the Passport to Employment Program (P2E) – supporting young people with disabilities.
- Provide regular regional updates on trending industries, workplace data and job vacancies in the region through the Geelong Careers website.
- Collaborating with other regional projects like Skilling the Bay and Grow to develop an early entry workforce model.
- Developing and promoting resources to assist schools to prepare young people for work.
- Facilitating industry immersions.
- Supporting VET in schools and the delivery of education department’s Senior Secondary Pathways Reforms related to work-based learning and industry exposure.
Meet the team
CEO Wayne has lived and contributed to the Geelong region for over 30 years, he brings a depth of experience in the fields of education, business, strategic change management and community engagement. He has experience in management roles in the VET sector, Job Active Network, and business start-ups throughout Australia. His focus continues to be on engaging with the community and developing positive outcomes for them.. Project and Engagement Officer Leesa has many years of experience working in industry engagement and alternative secondary education within the Vocational Education & Training sector. Her experience includes operational and strategic management, leading a team of secondary educators at the Geelong Technical Education Centre. She has exceptional links with schools, local employers, regional industry groups, and external stakeholders within the Geelong region and has a passion to develop authentic connections between education and the world of work for young people. Project Officer/Partnership Broker - SWL Team Jo works with secondary schools within the Geelong Region supporting students in finding quality work placements for students. Jo has established excellent relationships with local employers within the Geelong and South West Region and is striving to give students the best opportunities to achieve their life goals. Jo has been working within the Employment and Training Industry sector for 27 years and is passionate about helping people achieve their employment goals. Geelong Careers Manager Alison is experienced in providing consultancy services in quality management review, stakeholder liaisons, relationship building & engagement activities. More recently Alison has been providing Project Worker support to Cultural and Linguistically Diverse communities in the Geelong region. Focusing on improving work ready skills by delivering employability skills training, sourcing volunteer and work placement opportunities and providing advocacy and support to assist their pathways to employment.Wayne Elliott
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Leesa Hanlon
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Jo Harris
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Alison Duff
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Admin Support Officer Ali has lived in the Geelong Region for most of her life. Having been employed in a myriad of roles ranging from a Dump Truck Driver in Kalgoorlie to a qualified Early Childhood Educator, Ali brings a diverse background of work experience and skills. She is currently our Admin Support Officer. Ali is passionate about ensuring all young people have access to opportunities to inspire and build belief in themselves to pursue their dreams. Project/Resource Officer Amanda has an education and community development background and has worked in many arenas ranging from physical education and health areas to multicultural and environmental sectors. She has developed education programs and curriculum resources. As a community development practitioner she supported and worked with communities to address disadvantage. Project Officer - SWL Team Claire is a Project Officer in our SWL team. Leading the way in managing the Department of Education's portal for Structured Workplace Learning, Claire’s ten plus years of experience in the apprenticeship sector gives her a great insight into employment support in the Geelong region. Working with local employers and secondary schools to give students the best opportunities for Structured Workplace learning, Claire is focused on connecting businesses and students to their future work. Project and Engagement Officer Jan has a background in education and career development. She currently works within school communities to engage students and encourage ‘school to work’ initiatives and programs. Jan also works with schools and industry organising practice interviews, SWL teacher portal training and facilitating the Geelong Inclusion Network (GIN).Ali Haberfield
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Amanda Stirrat
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Claire Wells
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Jan Dillon
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Chair Belinda is currently a senior lecturer within the Graduate Employment division of Deakin University, responsible for uplifting curriculum to improve the graduate outcomes for students. With 15 years of experience working in the education and IT sectors, lecturing into ICT, strategic management and ethics disciplines, Belinda has engaged in leadership and governance centric roles in both public and private education providers. Throughout various engagements, she has led higher education compliance audits, developed and led the implementation of strategic employment plans and developed policy to ensure their ongoing compliance. Belinda’s passion for education has extended beyond the workplace into voluntary roles and her current research focuses on the application of technology and innovative frameworks to enhance the student experience while increasing employability. With a keen interest to give back to the local community she hopes that her experience, research and skill set will contribute positively toward GRLLEN’s mission and core business. Deputy Chair Julie joined the GRLLEN Board in 2020 and brings a history of working the higher education, teaching, aviation and sales industries. Julie is a strong community and social services professional, having led collaborative teams to enhance community engagement in Geelong and surrounds. Julie has a Bachelor of Arts (Education) majoring in Biology, Psychology and Indonesian from Deakin University and a Grad Cert TESOL – Deakin University. A former secondary school teacher, Julie has high level fluency in Bahasa Indonesian. Her experience in stakeholder engagement, corporate social responsibility, connecting research projects and strategic partnership, all provide skills beneficial to Directorship with GRLLEN. Her most recent role included brokerage, activation and management of Deakin University Geelong partnerships and sponsorships with key stakeholders across the region. Julie currently continues to provide business development consultation for SME’s in the Geelong region and has just signed on as the Executive Director of Global Business for 'Business in Heels' working in the sphere of female-focussed mentoring, marketing, education and connections. Treasurer Scott is a self-made entrepreneur, having invented, designed, created and grown his own businesses. He has identified and commercialised opportunities both nationally and globally in a wide range of sectors and scales over the past 35 years. He has also been employed as a CEO or COO in growing other organisations, on the world stage (Global fortune 500). He holds a range of qualifications, in science, architecture, construction, geology, meteorology, horticulture, behavioural psychology, neuro linguistic programming (NLP), integral-semantics, leadership, project management, and training and facilitation. Scott is an internationally qualified and accredited personal development and business coach, mentor and facilitator. (Meta-NLP Master-Practitioner) As a qualified company director (GAICD), Scott sits on several boards and advisory boards (both non-profit and commercial) – where he brings ‘real world’ experience in the form of strategy, commercial acumen, governance, oversight, risk assessment and mitigation, and strategic financial management skills, in addition to highly developed communication, stakeholder, and relationship building skills. Board Member Anne Brackley is a neighbourhood house coordinator with 15 years experience of community engagement and education. She has over 40 years experience as a guide leader and 45 years experience on Governance committees mainly for non profits. Anne currently holds board positons at The Potato Shed, Geelong Cemeteries Trust, Drysdale Bowling and Croquet Club, Bellarine Historical Society, Community Newspapers Association of Victoria and Geelong LLEN.Dr. Belinda Moloney
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Julie Hope
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Scott Brown
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Anne Brackley OAM
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Board Member Georgina is currently the manager of regional engagement across South West Victoria; Higher Education and Skills, in the Department of Education and Training; with responsibly for increasing the participation and attainment in vocational education and training (VET) and adult community education and training (ACFE), with a strong focus on disadvantaged learners. She has extensive work experience in roles working with vulnerable young people and their families in positions that include Manager of Youth Service Programs and Child, Family and Youth Service Coordinator. She has also sat on various Boards for youth housing programs and youth support services. Prior to 1990 she worked in England in various not-for-profit agencies as Training Manager, supporting unemployment young people through the delivery of training and employment programs. Georgina is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in education and training, with specific interest and passion in social justice issues. Strong skills in building and influencing strategic relationships, stakeholder management and project management. Extensive experience in both State and Local Government in management roles. Her studies in Manchester, England gained her a BA (Hons) Degree in Psychology; plus a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. She later gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Monash University. Board Member Alan works as a Senior Education Improvement Leader in the Barwon Area of the Victorian Department of Education and Training. Alan has been in this role since 2014. Prior to this appointment Alan worked as a secondary school principal in Geelong, inner Melbourne and Flemington. Alan worked in Maldives as an Education Consultant for a year during the Tsunami Recovery period, and also spent 2 years working in school improvement in Qatar as an Education Consultant to the Supreme Education Council, and worked as a school reviewer in Istanbul, Cairo, Muscat, Bahrain, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Alan is currently a member of the ACFE Council for South West Victoria, and a member of the management committee of the inaugural P-TECH (pathways to technology) Program at Newcomb SC, and a current member of the Geelong LLEN. Alan has previous experience as a member of the Moonee Valley LLEN, and an extensive knowledge and understanding of VCE, VCAL, School Based Apprenticeships, VET in Schools and secondary reform initiatives in Victoria. Alan is a Member of the Australian Council of Educational Leaders, and an Associate Member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia. Alan was awarded the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal for his work in Maldives in 2005 and the Public Service Medal in 2006 for his contribution to secondary education in Victoria and educational recovery in Maldives after the Tsunami.Georgina Ryder
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Alan Davis PSM
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Our History
Our organisation was formed originally under the name ‘Smart Geelong Regional Local Learning and Employment Network’ in June 2001 with the mandate to grow post- compulsory education and training and enable it to better adapt to industry and community needs.
The initiative was statewide with 31 LLEN’s formed at the same time. Our initial CEO was Annie Ryan who was a passionate advocate for the community and served from 2001 to 2020.
Much of our focus has always been centred around supporting young people, creating connections to education, industry and community. We have run many programs throughout ouir 20 years and have adapted to support the ever-changing needs of the Geelong community.


VicLLENs
We’re a part of the Victorian Local Learning and Employment Networks (VicLLENs) which is the collaboration and collective voice of Victoria’s 31 LLENs, covering every corner of the state.
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