- Published on
BCAL's former migrant English language class continues to thrive in the Wonthaggi Library.
By Daryl Pellizzer
JUST a few days after we had been assured that, despite ongoing financial challenges, Bass Coast Adult Learning (BCAL) classes would continue until the end of the year, all our support structures suddenly vanished, and we were left to fend for ourselves.
Then the locks were changed, and we were called into creditors’ meetings. We weren’t even able to say goodbye to our students, some of whom have spent years in refugee camps.
I am still shocked at the abruptness of this rupture. This situation could undoubtedly have been handled with at least a modicum more foresight, care and respect.
JUST a few days after we had been assured that, despite ongoing financial challenges, Bass Coast Adult Learning (BCAL) classes would continue until the end of the year, all our support structures suddenly vanished, and we were left to fend for ourselves.
Then the locks were changed, and we were called into creditors’ meetings. We weren’t even able to say goodbye to our students, some of whom have spent years in refugee camps.
I am still shocked at the abruptness of this rupture. This situation could undoubtedly have been handled with at least a modicum more foresight, care and respect.
We carry on though – a posthumous BCAL. Harriet, Lisa and I are volunteering our time and skills, continuing to teach our migrant English students at the Wonthaggi library on Mondays and Tuesdays.
“Our migrant English class is currently a very enjoyable and dark-cloud-free place to work.”
We work alongside some of our loyal volunteer tutors in a very welcoming environment where we are all just members of the public, so there is no need for oversight or insurance. It’s not sustainable long-term, but it is currently a very enjoyable and dark-cloud-free place to work.
There is a dearth of opportunities to engage in proper adult education in Bass Coast Shire. This situation is shameful and questions our local government’s support for life-long learning. I hope this changes because we deserve better.
We have slow-going interest from some government agencies who are supposedly obliged to help. Our old friend Josh Baker from Workforce Plus is looking after our so-called “transition”. Meanwhile, we have Kenyans, Indonesians, and other new students showing up for our classes in the library.
We have also been rehearsing our “Rivers” song, co-written with Laura Brearley. It will be presented as a music video performance on the big screen in the Edge Theatre at Federation Square on Saturday, October 17, as part of the Confluence 2026 Community Waterways Forum (part of the Birrarung Riverfest in Melbourne).
Come along and see us become even more famous!
There is a dearth of opportunities to engage in proper adult education in Bass Coast Shire. This situation is shameful and questions our local government’s support for life-long learning. I hope this changes because we deserve better.
We have slow-going interest from some government agencies who are supposedly obliged to help. Our old friend Josh Baker from Workforce Plus is looking after our so-called “transition”. Meanwhile, we have Kenyans, Indonesians, and other new students showing up for our classes in the library.
We have also been rehearsing our “Rivers” song, co-written with Laura Brearley. It will be presented as a music video performance on the big screen in the Edge Theatre at Federation Square on Saturday, October 17, as part of the Confluence 2026 Community Waterways Forum (part of the Birrarung Riverfest in Melbourne).
Come along and see us become even more famous!
The Wonthaggi library has also been very generous in providing a space for the group to continue to meet. I’ve seen how the students are continuing to learn and thrive during this time of uncertainty. They’ve co-written a beautiful song about their love of rivers and waterways called Rivers of Life.
Here’s the link to book a free ticket to Confluence - the Community Warerways Forum where the video of the students singing their song will be shown at the Edge Theatre on 17th October.
https://events.humanitix.com/confluence-2026-community-waterways-forum