Empowering Communities through Lifelong
Learning
The Wyndham Learning Festival is an annual series of events, brought to you by the community for the community. It provides opportunities for FREE learning activities across the City of Wyndham. The Festival has activities for all ages and interests, promoting lifelong learning for all and welcoming new events, sponsors and participants to reflect this diverse and dynamic community.
Additionally, as residents of a UNESCO Learning City, the community in Wyndham have ongoing free access to the UNESCO GNLC sustainability collection on the FutureLearn website. Click HERE for more information and your Free access code.
Join us in 2025 for another fun filled and immersive festival!
Resilient Wyndham
Led by Wyndham Community & Education Centre with support from Wyndham City Council, the Wyndham Learning Festival is set to run from September 1 to 7, 2024, at various locations across Wyndham. The 2024 theme focuses on “Empowering Communities through Lifelong Learning.”
Our approach to planning the Wyndham Learning Festival is all about providing a broad range of opportunities that match the needs, interests, and aspirations of the vibrant and varied Wyndham community.
Our belief in a connected and inclusive community comes from understanding that unity builds resilience in facing different challenges. Together, we’re stronger.
Click on the link to learn more about Wyndham’s Resilient Wyndham 2021-2025 Strategy. Here you can explore the ways we’re committed to fostering a resilient community capable of tackling local and global challenges.
Lifelong learning
The Festival’s main goal is to bring people together through the fun of learning. It aims to inspire our community to explore new experiences while advocating for lifelong learning across all age groups: Early Years, School Years, Young Adults, Adults & Seniors.
There is a collective recognition that learning occurs throughout life. It happens through different forms, at different times, and in different environments. In short, learning goes beyond the classroom. Learning is a continuous process for everyone, regardless of the form it takes or where you find yourself.
This year’s Festival aims to boost its influence by gaining more community support, launching new events, involving new sponsors, and welcoming a wide range of participants. In doing so, it will mirror the liveliness and diversity of our ever-growing learning community.
Additionally, the Wyndham Learning Festival is one of the actions in Wyndham City Council’s Learning Community Strategy 2024-2029. Read more about Wyndham’s commitment to lifelong learning as a driver for change here.
‘In order to build a ‘learning community’, a culture that values, celebrates, supports and encourages learning throughout life needs to be fostered and facilitated. Every person, at every stage of their life should have lifelong learning opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to fulfill their aspirations and contribute to their societies.’
A look back at the 2023 Wyndham Learning Festival
With almost 80 community-led learning events, over 1200 registrations, and a mix of in-person and online events, the 2023 Wyndham Learning Festival (WLF) offered something for everyone!
The theme for 2023 was ‘Our Thriving, Creative Community’. The Festival not only celebrated the magic of learning but also showcased the vibrant and diverse community of Wyndham. It offered a wide range of enriching experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Some key highlights from 2023 include:
- 78 events were registered by a range of organisations
- Total audience registrations stood at 1,236
- WLF website views: 7,659
- Click here to read the WLF Final Report – 2023
2024 Event categories
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- The Arts
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- Sports & Recreation
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- The World of Biz. & Tech.
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- Wellbeing & Self-Care
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- History, Culture, & Diversity
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- Food & Cooking
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- Families & Children
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- Environment & Sustainability
Wyndham Learning Festival reusable tote bags 2024
Our WLF tote bags remain immensely popular, proudly displaying the remarkable talent discovered through the Way Out West annual photography competition. In 2024, our bags will showcase captivating photos by Bea Payla and Tia Misquitta.
Click HERE to see images featured in previous years.
Bea Payla – The Colour Thief
Bea’s Learning Journey: From Point Cook to the World Stage
Meet Bea, a 17-year-old student in Year 11 at Suzanne Corey High School. Hailing from Upper Point Cook, Bea’s journey into the world of art and creativity began with a simple trip to Bendigo during Chinese New Year celebrations.
Armed with her camera, Bea immersed herself in the festive atmosphere, capturing the vibrant colours and dynamic energy of the Easter Festival parade. Her photography skills blossomed as she experimented with different angles and techniques, capturing the essence of the event through her lens. Bea entered the 2023 Way out West Photography competition with her unique and vibrant photograph “The Colour Thief” and this image was selected by the Wyndham Learning Festival working group for the 2024 tote bags.
Bea’s passion for media extended beyond photography. Self-studying media and inspired by her teachers, she delved into video editing, exploring new ways to express her creativity.
But Bea’s talents do not stop there. As a member of a band, she channels her creativity into writing and recording her own songs, while also taking on the role of photographer during school events to continually improve her skills.
Outside of the arts, Bea excels in academics and sports. Psychology is her favourite subject, and she thrives in competitive volleyball, even reaching state level competitions. But it is not just sports where Bea shines; she is also a skilled debater, making it to the finals at Monash University as part of her school’s debate team.
As an initiative-taking member of her school community, Bea is involved in various leadership roles, including the Student Representative Council (SRC) and school council. She organises fun fundraisers like lettuce-eating competitions and engages in initiatives to support communities in crisis, such as fundraising for Ukraine.
Bea’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, creativity, and community engagement. From capturing moments on camera to leading initiatives for change, Bea’s artistic talents and leadership skills are making a difference in her school and beyond.
Let’s celebrate Bea’s inspiring journey and cheer her on as she continues to shine bright and make a positive impact in the world!
Congratulations, Bea, on this well-deserved recognition! Your creativity continues to inspire us all.
Tia Misquitta -Love for Books
Tia’s Learning Journey: Capturing Creativity
Meet Tia, a 14-year-old student in Year 9. Tia discovered her passion for photography back in Grade 5, when she felt a spark of creativity ignite within her.
During lockdown, Tia’s art teacher assigned students to explore nature and capture it through photography, challenging them to see the world from different perspectives. Armed with her father’s old phone, Tia embarked on this assignment, taking five photos that would change her perspective on photography forever.
Initially viewing photography as a chore, Tia soon found herself immersed in the art form. She turned to YouTube tutorials to enhance her skills, seeking quality and tips to improve her craft.
Tia’s love for reading also influenced her photography journey. Inspired by her favourite books, particularly the Tom Gates series, Tia began experimenting with light manipulation. Dissatisfied with her initial attempts, she resourcefully used a torch in the dark, with her grandma assisting by holding the light over the pages of her beloved books, creating captivating illusions.
Her curiosity for storytelling, especially in the realms of horror and mystery, reflects in her photography. Tia’s favourite subjects at school include math and English, but it’s her elective subject—media—that truly allows her creativity to flourish. Through photography, she explores different elements, discovering new ways to express herself and her unique perspective on the world.
Despite her artistic pursuits, Tia’s ambitions extend beyond the realm of creativity. With dreams of becoming a GP medical doctor, she embodies the perfect balance of creativity and ambition.
Tia is a shining example of a creative young person with big dreams, proving that with passion and determination, anything is possible!