Resume

David Crawford PhD, Grad.Dip Policy Studies, BA (Hons). A newcomer to WEA teaching, he facilitated Men's Wellbeing workshops and retreats for several years including in California. David is a professional public sector research writer of 30 years, including with the House of Representatives Federal Parliament, UWS Men's Health Research Centre, Department of Premier & Cabinet, and the National Parks & Wildlife Service. A published author with articles in Men's Health Journal (UK), Friends on the Shelf Magazine (London), Sydney's Child, and the Southern Highlands News. Two self-published books of professional writings were produced in Paris. He has recently finished an intriguing book of Oral History interviews with Volunteer guides at the Maritime Museum in Sydney, of their hidden lives and work tales at sea and in the services 1950s-90s. He enjoys facilitative learning with participants. David knows learning is a two-way process, and flavours this with a mix of humour and fascinating content about Simone de Beauvoir, the French existentialist writer.

Resume

Isabella, MEng, MTE, was born in Milan, Italy. She holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s in Management of Technology and Entrepreneurship from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne. After working in several fields for almost a decade, Isabella obtained a LOTE certificate from UNSW in order to teach Italian as a second language. She now teaches Italian for several institutions and schools. Isabella develops interactive, stimulating lessons and creates a relaxed atmosphere which makes the learning process enjoyable. She delivers lessons using extensive technology and a variety of materials. Isabella loves the challenge of finding the best approach to ensure everyone succeeds and reaches their goals.

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After working on corporate identity and design in Paris, Blandine moved to Sydney where she began teaching French in the corporate environment, as well as translating for large companies. Blandine has studied at ISIT (Management & Intercultural Communication School) in Paris and holds a National Accreditation for Translators (NAATI) from Sydney. She has been teaching French as a second language at all levels at the Alliance Française and at the University of Sydney and enjoys sharing her love for French culture and current affairs. Blandine has a passion for the arts and is also working at the Sydney Opera House.

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Liliane Cunliffe has an impressive academic background including a BA in Modern Literature and Languages from Paris XIII University, and a MA in Teaching French as a Foreign Language from the Jussien Sorbonne University in Paris. Her teaching career includes secondary school teaching in Paris, followed by steady employment by the Alliance Francaise in Sydney, after her migration to Australia in 1999.

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Jacqueline has been working as a designer in the textile industry for over 25 years in both Australia and the UK.  She has a love of texture fabric construction, colour and pattern. She uses a number of digital programmes in her workflow including Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop in addition to Procreate. She is also a keen hands-on designer, finding inspiration from a number of creative outlets such as drawing, painting, rug making, embroidering and has a background in dance.  Pattern has been the driving force behind Jacqueline's work throughout her career and she is heavily influenced by movement, colour, and proportion. She loves to share this passion with her students so they can discover their own personal style.

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Carole Cusack. Tutor of WEA Sydney

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Emma Darragh is a writer and academic specialising in short stories and short story cycles. She holds a PhD and Honours (Class I) in Creative Writing, and a BA in Writing and English Literatures (Dean's Scholar) from the University of Wollongong, where she has worked as a tutor and lecturer since 2019.  Her writing has appeared in numerous Australian publications, including Cordite, Westerly, Meniscus, TEXT, and The Big Issue Fiction Edition. Emma's debut novel-in-stories, Thanks for Having Me, is published by Joan Press, Nakkiah Lui's imprint at Allen & Unwin.

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Olivia de Bergerac was born on the French Riviera, lived in Paris and stated teaching French to business people while completing a PhD in French Literature and Psychology. In Australia Olivia was teaching at the University of Sydney and then completed an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management and became a management consultant specialised in stress management. Today, Olivia teaches French, does research on neuroscience, longevity and life and death and writes books (in French and English). For Olivia the key is to transform all fears, fear of learning French, fear of getting old and fear of death into love.

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Graciela de Souza Oliver. Tutor of WEA Sydney

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Alison Dean is a languages consultant with over 20 years' experience in teaching, curriculum design, and educational leadership. She has taught and consulted in leading independent schools both here and abroad and was the languages consultant for the Association of Independent Schools of NSW. She contributed to the development of the 2024 NSW Languages syllabus and regularly presents on language pedagogy, Generative AI and curriculum design at conferences and institutions both here and abroad. She has presented courses on ICT integration and language methodology for the Sydney Institute of Community Languages Education at the University of Sydney and is the NSW representative on the National Association of Teachers of German.