The 2025 Statewide Learn Local Awards were held on Thursday, October 9 2025 at Zinc, Federation Square, Melbourne, with Orbost Education Centre and Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust taking out the 2025 Victorian Learn Local Partnership Award.
The award recognises a partnership that has resulted in improved pathways from pre accredited training to accredited training and/or work.
ACFE Training Pathways at Lake Tyres was initiated by Orbost Education Centre in response to a specific need for further education within the Lake Tyers Aboriginal
Trust community.
Sparked by outreach in 2023 and built on seven years of trust-building, the partnership includes Orbost Education Centre, the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust, and trainers with cultural links to the community.
ACFE Board funding enabled the delivery of tailored, culturally safe pre-accredited training in construction, barista skills, floristry and digital literacy.
The collaboration prioritised training pathways through shared planning, delivery at the Trust site (a disused men’s shed), and tailoring courses to community need.
Introduction to Construction and Painting was the first program, supported by elders who co-facilitated and enhanced cultural safety.
Courses were designed to embed core foundation skills – e.g., punctuality, tool use, literacy in context – into practical activities.
Trust in Orbost Education Centre enabled follow-up barista and floristry programs in 2023 and 2024, and digital skills training for staff in 2025.
The partnership continues to evolve to meet community-led education needs at the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust.
