Join us to celebrate ACAL’s 50 years
on International Literacy Day – Tuesday, September 8, 2026
ACAL 50 years Symposium
9:30am-2:30pm at National Portrait Gallery, Canberra
Commemorative treeplanting and afternoon tea
3:15pm Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Bruce Campus (Block H)
Working in education spaces? This symposium will provide the currency you need for 2026 and beyond, with updates on the National Strategy, new research, current data and future trends. There will be plentiful networking opportunities to meet passionate and informed people who can expand your LLN world!
Retired? Join us to reflect on 50 years of ACAL advocacy, celebrate the highs and lows, and add your voice to the collective knowledge as we tackle the next 50 years!
Afternoon tea and treeplanting at CIT Bruce campus Block H
This will be an informal get together to plant a commemorative tree on the campus to acknowledge 50 years of volunteers who have supported adult literacy and numeracy learners and educators under the ACAL banner. There will be memories shared, afternoon tea, and more networking opportunities. A celebration for those with links to the past, the present, and the future!
Thanks to CIT for their generous support in hosting this event.
Program
As ever, subject to change without notice. The latest version will be here!
| 9:30am | Tea and coffee on arrival |
| 10:00am | Welcome to Country and introduction to ACAL Committee |
| 10:15am | 2026 Arch Nelson Address ‘A Snapshot of 29 years in LND: from Cars to China, Cows and more’ Sue James TAFE SA lecturer / SACAL Co-President / ACAL Secretary. |
| 11:00am | ACAL Timeline Jo Medlin, ACAL President and Lorraine Sushames, ACAL Treasurer |
| 11:30am | Looking back: 50 years of ACAL memories and lessons learned Rosie Wickert, Anne Kiley, Ann Kelly, Darryl Dymock, Kath White |
| 12:15pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm | First Nations Literacy Professor Jack Beetson |
| 1:30pm | Looking forward: 50 more years for ACAL. Vanessa Iles, Reading Writing Hotline, Trevor Gauld, Dep Commissioner, Jobs and Skills Australia, Cara Sergeant, DEWR, Assistant Secretary. Panel Host: Jo Medlin |
| 2:20pm | Conclude Move to bus for travel to Canberra Institute of Technology, tree planting and afternoon tea |
| 2.30pm |  Travel to CIT, Bruce Campus, Building H by bus courtesy of Charles Sturt University (AI image) |
| 3:15pm | Commemorative tree planting |
| Video by Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP | |
| Caitlin Tough, Member for Brindabella | |
| Afternoon tea |
|
| 4:30pm | Conclude |
Symposium Sponsor
LWA specialises in adult English language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy training. LWA prides itself on a collaborative and flexible approach with clients. These include industry management, employees, training providers, teachers and trainers, funding bodies and colleagues.
Bus sponsorship between venues
