Wellsprings for Women in Dandenong has been picked up a collection of awards for its incredible work transforming lives through community education at this year’s Learn Local Awards.

Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, today congratulated Wellsprings for Women, who received the Victorian Learn Local Pre-accredited Pathway Program Award, for its Creative Enterprising Women program. Creative Enterprising Women is a pre-accredited entry point for culturally and linguistically diverse women to explore the option of starting their own micro-enterprise business and to help them build employability skills.

Ms Williams also congratulated, Ms Chithrika Senanayake, who took home the Ro Allen Award at the Learn Local Awards. The award recognises pre-accredited learner excellence and was presented to Ms Senanayake who excelled in the Creative Enterprising Women program. The award acknowledged Ms Senanayake’s exceptional learning journey and outcomes despite facing many personal challenges. Ms Senanayake enthusiastically took charge of her education pathways through the program and now operates her own business as a mobile reflexology practitioner.

 Wellsprings for Women was also recognised in the Acknowledgement category for Learn Local Legends. It was one of eight Learn Local providers from across Victoria acknowledged for its outstanding regional contribution to improving participation in training.

The winners were chosen from a shortlist of 29 finalists up for awards in categories for individuals, practitioners, volunteers, programs and providers. Award winners shared in $72,000 in prizemoney.

The three organisation award category winners will each receive $10,000, while individual category winners will be awarded $5,000, and category finalists will receive $1,000. In addition, the Learn Local Legend Acknowledgement Award was presented to eight Learn Local providers that will each receive $1,000.

Learn Local providers make a huge difference in their communities by delivering adult community education programs to thousands of people each year. They help people who need extra support to turn their lives around with programs for people of all ages and from all walks of life.