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Tahnee, 36, is a proud Aboriginal woman who completed her Certificate III and Certificate IV in Community Services through traineeships with her employer, Rural Outreach and Support Service, while studying with CCNI.

During her Certificate III studies, Tahnee experienced homelessness—one of the most difficult periods of her life. Rather than allowing those circumstances to derail her goals, she persevered, continuing into her Certificate IV while maintaining stable employment.

Her studies and employment helped her rebuild stability, confidence and purpose, while strengthening the knowledge and skills she uses every day in her role.

Tahnee says studying alongside full-time work has supported her professional growth, giving her greater confidence in her decision-making, communication and ability to support clients.

She credits her studies with providing the theory and framework for Community Services, while her workplace experience has shown her how that knowledge is applied in real situations.

Today, Tahnee is a valued member of the Rural Outreach and Support Service team, where she uses both her professional training and her own lived experience to support people experiencing significant hardship within the community.

Tahnee’s appointment comes ahead of Adult Learners Week 2026, a national celebration of lifelong learning coordinated by Adult Learning Australia (ALA) with the support of the Australian Government. Running from 1–8 September, this year’s theme, Follow Your Compass, encourages adults to discover new learning opportunities and explore pathways that can lead to greater confidence, stronger communities, new careers and fresh beginnings.

Celebrated each year by adult and community education providers, libraries, neighbourhood houses, local governments, Universities of the Third Age (U3As) and many other organisations across Australia, Adult Learners Week highlights the positive impact learning has on individuals, workplaces and communities. It reminds Australians that learning is about far more than gaining knowledge—it can build confidence, create connections and open doors to further study, employment and new opportunities at every stage of life.

Adult Learning Australia’s Adult Learners Week Ambassador program recognises inspiring learners from across Australia whose stories demonstrate the transformative impact of adult education. Ambassadors are nominated by their learning providers and share their experiences to encourage others to take the first step into learning.

Tahnee’s selection highlights not only her own determination and resilience, but also the important role adult learning continues to play in helping people change direction, achieve their goals and make a positive difference within their communities.