Education Centre Gippsland

About ECG

ECG is a not for profit community managed organisation that is structured as a Company Limited by Guarantee. The business of ECG is to create opportunities for people to grow and develop within a learning environment.

ECG recognises that opportunities for knowledge development and personal empowerment must be relevant to the needs of individuals, business, industries and community organisations.

ECG provides an extensive range of education, training and employment related services to local communities, business and industry.

The organisation engages with community members to ensure that the offerings are relevant to the needs and wishes of the target groups.

ECG provides programs and services throughout Gippsland and South East Melbourne with permanent offices in the following locations:

·      McMillan Campus, Korumburra Road Warragul – main administration centre and venue for the delivery of programs in the Baw Baw Shire

·      90 Smith Street Warragul

·      McMillan Campus, Nerrena Road, Leongatha

·      Church Street Arcade Traralgon

·      48b Main Street Pakenham

·      57 Smith Street Warragul – Copy Centre shop front.

·      Suite 3, 19-21 Church Street Morwell

·      Gippsland Harness Training Centre - Logan Park

ECG has been delivering programs and services for over thirty-three years. It has grown into an organisation that is recognised for its commitment to the communities in which it operates and has well developed networks throughout those communities.

McMillan - ECG:

ECG manages the McMillan campuses in Leongatha and Warragul.
Check out all our Accredited and non Accredited courses under the Courses A-Z option or click on the tags displayed at the bottom of the page.

It is ECG’s Mission

To build Resourceful Communities through Skills and Knowledge Development

and Vision

To be a recognised leader in skill and knowledge development that delivers for individuals, communities and industries in constantly changing environments.

ECG works in partnership with business, industries, communities, families, individuals and governments to find and realise opportunities to deliver our mission and vision.

Board of Directors & Chief Executive Officer Profiles

ECG is a not for profit community managed organisation that is structured as a Company Limited By Guarantee.

ECG is governed by a Board of Directors, who as individuals and as a Board, are committed to providing opportunities for the growth and development of learning.
The Board meets monthly. Board membership as at June 2009 is:

Cheryl Glowrey - [CHAIR]

B.A., Grad.Dip.Ed., Grad. Dip (Read. & Lang), M.Litt. (Aust. Hist), M.Ed.

Cheryl is Principal of South Gippsland Secondary College. Cheryl is currently undertaking PhD studies in environmental history and has published a book on the history of Snake Island in Corner Inlet, Gippsland.

Cheryl has completed a period as a member of the Board of the Victorian Qualifications Authority (VQA). She is a member of the Gippsland Adult Community and Further Education Regional Council.

Cheryl is a member of the Monash University’s Advisory Committee regarding Rural Health Initiatives in Gippsland. She is also a representative on the Round Table for a joined up government initiative in the Foster/Yarram region of South Gippsland.

Cheryl is a member of the Rotary Club of Foster and the Foster and District Historical Society.

Cheryl joined the Board in 2001 and elected as Chairperson in 2004.

Graham Paynter AM – [DEPUTY CHAIR]

Graham has been involved in dairy farming for over 45 years. Graham has held the positions of Chair, Rural Training Council of Australia, National Industry Steering Committee and Primary Skills Victoria as well as being a panel member for the Kirby Review.

Graham is a member of Gippsland Regional Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE) Council, Farm Innovation Council, Council for Standards in Agri. Industry, National Farmers Federation Agri. Industry Promotion Group and Chair of the Fairview Village Board.
Graham joined the Board in 2003.

Peter Campbell

B.Sc., Dip.Ed. Dip. Ed. Admin.

Peter is currently Head of House at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar. He was formerly a Secondary School Teacher, Deputy Principal and then Principal (Warragul High School) and Assistant Principal (Warragul Regional College). Peter’s key interests are in Finance, Marketing and Adult Education.

Peter joined the Board in 1988 and was Chair from 1988 - 1992 and was granted Life Membership in 1998.

Jenny Carmichael

Jenny is Westpac Bank Business Manager for West Gippsland/Warragul area and has been involved in the Financial Services Industry for over 25 years.

Jenny has been posted at Warragul since 1993 and specialises in Business & Rural lending. Jenny is very well networked into the rural business community.
Jenny joined the Board in 2000.

Mavis Gallienne, AO

Mavis brings to the Board a wealth of experience and knowledge of the aged and disability sector, working with volunteers, staff and management.

Mavis is currently on the Board of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Victoria and has previous experience as a Board member in the not for profit sector at local, state, national and international levels.

Mavis received her AO in recognition for her work with vision impaired people. Mavis is a past Service Director for Vision Australia, Gippsland.
Mavis joined the Board in 2000.

Julie Ettery

B.A. (Psychology & Humanities), B. Social & Community Welfare

Julie is a Primary Teacher but has spent most of her adult life as a dairy farmer. Julie is a past Branch Secretary of United Dairy Victoria (UDV) and of school councils at Seaview, Hallston and Mirboo North.

Julie has served for several years on the State Board of VICCSO and for a year as their representative on the Country Ed Project.
Julie joined the Board in 2006.

Des Williams

Dip. Ag. Sc.

Des is currently the Centre Leader at the Department of Primary Industries Ellinbank facility and has a 30 year background in the agriculture sector which has included two years overseas and has extensive experience in organisational management and development.

In his position Des is involved in career development projects such as mentoring and leadership programs for young scientists.

A long standing resident of Warragul, Des has been a member of various Warragul community organisations.
Des joined the Board in 2007.

Bernadette O’Connor – [Chief Executive Officer]

B. App. Sc. (Mathematics), Grad. Dip. Ed., Dip. App. Sc. (Radiation Therapy), Diploma of Qualification – Australian Institute of Radiography, Ass. Degree App. Sc. (Amenity Horticulture), Diploma in Frontline Management, Certificate in Workplace Leadership.

Bernadette is currently undertaking a Masters Degree in Public Policy & Management. Bernadette has worked in the not for profit education/training and employment sector for 25 years including holding the position of CEO of Colac ACE prior to accepting the position of CEO of ECG in January 2003.

Bernadette has substantial experience in project management, implementation and participation in local communities and regional areas as well as at the State wide level.

Bernadette has completed a period as a Board Director of Job Futures (Chairing the Governance Committee and as a member of the Finance and Audit Committee). Bernadette is a member of the Adult Community and Further Education Board (Victoria); Chair of Community Colleges Victoria; Chair of Southern Gippsland Learning Communities Committee and a member of the Community Colleges Australia Board.

Bernadette has been at the forefront of the development of VET provision by not for profits/ACE in Victoria.

Bernadette has worked with the following industries to provide tailored, responsive education and training opportunities for potential employees, new employees and existing workers including supervisors and leading hands: Horticulture, Food Processing (including Dairy, Meat, Chicken and Baking), Transport, Livestock Carriers, Small Business, Tourism and Hospitality, Timber, Retail, Agriculture and Local Government.

Bernadette has instigated community development initiatives in Education and Training, Disability, Business and Industry including Baw Baw Shire Post Compulsory Education and
Training and Industry Forum; Victorian ACE Coalition; Southern Gippsland Learning Communities; South West Disability Training Network; Colac Business and Industry Safety Group; Otways-Online and has co-authored a publications including ‘So…You’re on a Committee!’ Good governance guide for Not-for-Profit organisations, (2004); ‘Working With competence-A Practical Guide to Training in the Workplace’, (2002; ‘Community Partnerships Quality Programs’, (1996).

Bernadette was Project Manager of the 2008 Learning Towns Report project: How Learning Towns Builds Social Inclusion – (a model of community governance to build strong, cohesive communities).