Join us to celebrate ACAL’s 50 years
on International Literacy Day – Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Arch Nelson Address 2026
The Arch Nelson Address (formally the A.J.A Nelson Address) acknowledges the significant role of the inaugural Chair of the Australian Council for Adult Literacy. In the early days, the Address was usually given at an annual conference.
It’s fitting that this year’s address is given in Canberra where the Inaugural A.J.A. Nelson Address was delivered in 1984. by Joan Kirner, later Premier of Victoria, See Previous Arch Nelson Addressess.
‘A Snapshot of 29 years in LND: from Cars to China, Cows and more’
Sue James, TAFE SA lecturer/ SACAL Co-President/ACAL Secretary
What do these three topics have in common?
The need to contextualise LND education based on the study or work our learner cohorts are in and where they want to go. Adult education is like following a recipe: what are we making, ingredients, process – following step by step, outcomes, troubleshooting when things go wrong.
I will give several snapshots from my 29 years as an adult educator in literacy, numeracy and digital skills.
Indeed, Arch Nelson set the path early on and I feel privileged to have found my way to that path when I wanted to return to work.
Sue James
Sue is a literacy, numeracy and digital (LND) specialist with 29 years’ experience. She has coordinated and delivered training for both Commonwealth and State funded programs and delivered training in China, and a Skill Set program to Indian veterinarians to enable them to support their local farmers. Sue’s voluntary role for over 18 years on the South Australian Council for Adult Literacy, including Co President for the past 3 years demonstrates her passion for assisting adult learners to improve their literacy, numeracy, and digital skills.
In addition, Sue has held the role of Honorary Secretary for the Australian Council for Adult Literacy since 2019. She is consistently advocating for adult literacy, numeracy, and digital provision at both state and national levels.
Arch Nelson AM
Adult Educator 1911-1988
Arch Nelson played a major role in placing adult education on the government and public agenda and he was inaugural Chairman of the Australian Council for Adult Literacy (ACAL). A pioneer of adult literacy in Australia, Arch is remembered with affection as a modest man who combined in his work, vision with tenacity and gentleness.
Arch Nelson as a young man, courtesy of the Nelson family