Pines Learning

This Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the incredible impact of volunteers like Angela.

After retiring, Angela wanted something meaningful to stay active. She found that purpose at Pines Learning, supporting English as an Additional Language classes.

Four years on, she still loves it.

“It’s always different. Each new student needs something unique,” she says.

Many students arrive feeling too nervous to speak English. With Angela’s support, they begin to build confidence in a safe and welcoming space.

“I love seeing the development. They come in unsure and leave more confident.”

For her students, it’s made all the difference, showing how a dedicated volunteer can help someone find their voice.

Thank you, Angela, for helping create a welcoming environment and supporting better outcomes for our students.

We also extend our sincere thanks to Brenda Humphreys for her many years of dedication and contribution to the Pines Learning community.

This Neighbourhood House Week, we’re celebrating the connections, support and opportunities that help people feel part of their community.

At Pines Learning, every course is about more than learning. It’s about confidence, friendship, belonging and creating positive pathways for people from all walks of life.

Thank you to our students, staff, volunteers and local community for making Pines Learning a place to connect.

“It was my first time on a bus ever.” – Charlie 🚌💙

Our All-Abilities students took a huge step toward independence, building confidence using public transport with the support of Kinetic.

From learning how buses operate to understanding how to stay safe, the experience gave students the tools to start planning their own journeys 🙌

A big thank you to Brendan and the Kinetic team for making this possible!

Read more about the experience here: https://www.wearekinetic.com/newsroom/kinetic-builds-travel-confidence-for-all-abilities-students

Neighbourhood House Week is coming up, and we’re getting ready to celebrate community, connection, and wellbeing at Pines Learning.

🥁 Rhythmic Drumming Circle
As part of the week, we’re hosting a drumming session where you can relax, have fun, and connect with others through rhythm. Drumming is a great way to boost mood, reduce stress, and feel part of something.

📅 Thu, 14 May 2026 ⏰ 2:30 PM 💵 $5

👉 Learn more here: https://www.socialplanet.com.au/activity/view?id=46572

Term 2 has officially begun at Pines Learning!

It’s not too late to join a class and start something new. We still have places available in:

💪 Health & Fitness
💻 Computer Classes
🌏 English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Whether you’re looking to build skills, improve your wellbeing, or connect with others in the community, we’d love to have you join us.

📩 Get in touch today to enrol or learn more!

Final reminder for our fundraiser supporting children through Emerge – Women and Children’s Support Network.

Thank you to our community for the generous donations so far, and a special thanks to for donating these books she authored📚

Friday is the last day for drop-offs.
🎁 We’re collecting new toys, books, and art supplies (ages 3–12).
📍 Pines Learning | 🕙 10am–4pm

Every donation helps 💛

On behalf of Emerge – Women and Children’s Support Network, we’re inviting our community to support children escaping family violence.

We’re collecting new toys, books, and art supplies for ages 3–12, small gifts that can bring comfort, creativity, and hope during a difficult time.

Donations can be dropped off at Pines Learning from Monday 13 April to Friday 17 April, between 10am–4pm.

Your generosity can make a real difference💛

After recovering from back surgery that limited his employment prospects, Jeff was looking for a new direction.

With a referral from , Jeff joined the Pines Learning Reconnect Program in Murrindindi to explore new career opportunities. Reconnect supports people who are disengaged from work or study, helping them identify options and connect with employment or training.

Through the program, Jeff discovered bus driving as a potential career. While there were challenges along the way, including completing medical appointments and accreditation requirements, Jeff stayed focused with the support of his Reconnect Case Worker.

Today, Jeff has been working for Fallon’s Bus Service for the past 2.5 years, driving school runs as well as V-Line and Australia Post services.

Jeff says the experience has given him happiness and a renewed sense of purpose.

Last week, we marked Harmony Day by celebrating the diversity of our students, staff, trainers and childcare community.

A splash of orange could be seen throughout the centre, along with a world map activity where our community added orange dots showing where they or their families come from. Our childcare, Pines Early Learning , also joined in by creating a poster of traced hands coming together, alongside a list of the countries their families come from.

The map gradually filled, with each dot representing a different story and background, reflecting the diversity that brings our community together.

Our English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners recently celebrated Chinese New Year, using the occasion to explore culture and traditions together.

In our Moving on with English class, learners discussed the significance of Chinese New Year and shared stories about their own cultural traditions.

In our Australian Life and Culture class, students experienced a taste of Australia by trying Vegemite and Tim Tams for the first time. To everyone’s surprise, the Vegemite was well received, while the Tim Tams were an instant favourite.

At Pines Learning, language learning is also about connection, understanding and belonging.

At Pines Learning, we see the important role women play in our community as learners, educators, leaders and supporters of others.

Many of our students are women who come to build confidence, learn English, develop new skills, return to study, or take steps toward employment.

We are also proud to have a team largely made up of passionate and dedicated women, from our educators and childcare staff to our leadership team, supporting others on their learning journeys.

Today we celebrate the strength, resilience and achievements of women in our community and around the world.