Home / About us
- Our people
- Our vision
- Our approach
- COVID safety
- Values and democratic principles
- Child safety and protection
- Feedback, Complaints and Compliments
- Annual reports
- History
- Policies
- News and events
- RTO information
- Our charity status
- Donate
BOARD MEMBERS
Christine Pilbeam
Chair
Strong background in Finance with extensive experience within the private sector.
Stuart Deagan
Deputy Chair
Is a Manager at Relationships Australia Victoria. He has over 12 years experience in operations management and program delivery in the community services sector in a variety of frontline and senior leadership roles. He also has experience in compliance, risk management, strategic planning, governance, policy development and information technology. Stuart’s qualifications include a MBA and Post Graduate Certificate in Social Sciences.
Don Nardella
Secretary
Was a Member of Parliament for the Seat of Melton from 1999 to 2018. He has an interest in looking after people and providing services and education that will help them for the rest of their lives. Don enjoys reading, listening to heavy metal music, motorcycling and being with his puppy dog Georgie Girl.
Don is a welding and fabrication TAFE teacher.
Jane Trevaskis
Director
Mavi Rasa
Director
With a background in project management and environmental and social impact assessment, Mavi is well-versed in providing solutions that achieve better societal outcomes. Her diverse experience places her well in anticipating challenges early and proactively mitigating risks by adapting to change.
Rayen Molina
Director
Rayen brings over a decade of experience in strategic growth, partnerships, and customer experience, with a professional background spanning education, government, and the not-for-profit sector. Passionate about the intersection of technology and education, Rayen is dedicated to driving community impact through innovation and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.
Aaron Valasinavicius
Director
CEO
Trish Heffernan
CEO
Has led Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services as Chief Executive Officer since 2009. She has qualifications in business, education and science. She started her working life as a teacher and is proud of the way Djerriwarrh’s growth has increased the ability of the organisation and staff to contribute to the development of ‘self-reliant people and strong communities’.
Vision
Self reliant people, strong communities.
Mission
Empowering individuals and local communities to learn, connect and grow.
LEARN CONNECT AND GROW
We are a leading not for profit community organisation, providing high quality learning, engagement and employment opportunities for our local communities.
We do this by:
- Offering lifelong learning, education, training, learning pathways and youth services.
- Supporting individuals and families to engage with local communities and settle into the broader community.
- Connecting, responding and adapting to community needs.
- Continuous improvement and co-designing programs/activities with local communities.
- Partnering with other organisations.
- Staff as a community of learners connected to professional networks and best practice.
We recognise that COVID-19 is still present in our community and we are continuing to take steps to reduce COVID risks.
- We have COVID Safe Plans in place for all of our sites.
- We have increased ventilation in our indoor spaces. Our heating and cooling is set to bring in maximum fresh air and we have air purifiers where required. We also have CO2 monitors available for testing air quality.
- We continue to monitor the health advice from the Victorian and Australian government and comply with all relevant regulations and requirements.
We ask all of our staff, volunteers, students, program participants and community members not to visit if they feel unwell. If you are unwell, please contact us by phone or email, and we can help you remotely with your enquiry.
Caring
We provide a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Respectful
We treat all people fairly and equally.
Inclusive
We are welcoming and put people first.
Adaptable
We respond to individual and community needs in a creative and flexible way.
Accountable
We take responsibility for our decisions and follow through on our commitments.
Democratic Principles
Djerriwarrh supports and promotes:
- the principles and practice of Australian democracy, including a democratically elected government, and the rule of law
- equal rights for all before the law
- freedom of religion
- freedom of speech and association
- the values of openness and tolerance
Statement of commitment to child safety
- Djerriwarrh is committed to child safety. All staff, consultants, contractors, volunteers and Board members have a responsibility to keep children free from harm and abuse and respond immediately and appropriately to allegations.
- Djerriwarrh is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all children and young people from all cultures. Djerriwarrh will make provision for the increased vulnerability of Aboriginal children, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ children and those children unable to live at home.
- Djerriwarrh has zero tolerance of child abuse, including risks presented by physical and online environments. All allegations and safety concerns will be treated seriously and consistently in line with our policies and procedures.
Child Safety Policies
Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy
Feedback
Djerriwarrh invites feedback on our child safety policies. If you have feedback on our policies please email compliance@djerriwarrh.org
We want your feedback. Please tell us about your experience so we can improve!
Feedback, Compliments and Complaints
If you would prefer to download a printable form click here. Paper forms are also available at reception.
If you have a complaint, Djerriwarrh will treat your complaint seriously and confidentially. To read more about our approach, download the Complaints and Feedback Policy.
You may also take your complaint to an appropriate external body.
For complaints about vocational education and training there are two external complaint avenues:
The National Training Complaints Hotline is a national service for consumers to register complaints concerning vocational education and training. The National Training Complaints Hotline uses the services of the Translating and Interpreting Service and National Relay Service.
Online: Visit the National Training and Complaints Hotline page.
Email: NTCH@dewr.gov.au
Phone: 13 38 73
The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) investigates complaints about breaches of standards and guidelines by Victorian Registered Training Organisations.
Online: Visit the VRQA Make a Complaint page
Mail: Manager Complaints Unit, VRQA, GPO Box 2317, Melbourne, VIC, 3001
Phone: 03 9637 2806
For external complaints about any other funded program delivered by Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services, please speak to the Program Manager or email the Compliance Manager at compliance@djerriwarrh.org
Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services is a not for profit organisation which has been delivering a range of services for people of the outer western suburbs since 1989.
Djerriwarrh was born from the ashes of the CYSS (Community Youth Services Scheme) program in 1989 with the support of the Melton City Council and since its inception has provided effective education, employment and support services to many thousands of people.
Djerriwarrh’s first home was 7 McKenzie Street, Melton and in 1991 the organisation moved to the ‘White House’ at 239 Station Rd, Melton where to this day it is still located. In 1995 an office was built next door at 241 Station Rd to accommodate an expanding work force and in 1998 a suite of 4 training rooms was built on the same site.
SkillShare was the starting point program in 1989. This program was designed to provide training to those displaced from the labour force so that with up to date skills their employment opportunities were enhanced.
When the CES was disbanded in 1998 and replaced by the privatised Job Network, Djerriwarrh through membership with Job Futures became a provider of Job Network Services in Melton, Sunbury, St Albans and in later years Craigieburn. In 2009, Djerriwarrh ceased delivering Job Network and since 2012 is no longer a member of Job Futures.
Youth support programs have been a feature of Djerriwarrh since 1991 when it began the Pathways Program for young unemployed people who needed extra assistance to make the transition into employment and education. Youth programs that Djerriwarrh has delivered successfully include Job Placement Employment and Training (JPET), Youth Pathways Program (YPP), Youth Transition Support Initiative (YTSI), School Focussed Youth Services and Youth Connections. Many of these programs have been delivered in both Melton City Council and Brimbank City Council.
Djerriwarrh became a registered Adult Community and Further Education Provider in 1996, now known as a Learn Local Provider, and continues to deliver pre accredited training in Melton.
Djerriwarrh became a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) also in 1996 and now delivers accredited training courses from a range of training packages and curriculum.
Policies
Djerriwarrh has policies in place to explain how we will deal with issues when they arise and to show that we operate in a fair and consistent manner towards all students, clients and staff.
Filter
A Suburban University Study Hub opening in Melton in 2025
December 19, 2024Celebrating our L2P volunteers in Volunteer Week
May 20, 2024Meet our volunteer Deb
May 18, 2022Meet Tizi – our Community House volunteer
May 18, 2022Nino’s pathway to work in multicultural services
January 12, 2022First step into the Education sector
November 15, 2021Power Saving Bonus Outreach Program
November 15, 2021Current events in Afghanistan
November 15, 2021Study leads to a new career
November 15, 2021Melanie’s new direction
November 15, 2021Registration details
As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services, provides students with training that results in qualifications and statements of attainment that are recognised and accepted by industry and other educational institutions throughout Australia.
Type: Community Based Adult Education Provider
Status: Current
TOID: 3771
VRQA RTO Certificate of Registration
Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services (Djerriwarrh) is a not-for-profit charitable organisation which has been operating in the western suburbs of Melbourne since 1989. Djerriwarrh is a registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC).
All donations go to supporting our participants and programs and all donations over $2 will receive a tax deductible receipt. Click here for further information.
Donations can be made via PayPal using your credit card or bank account, without exposing your account numbers.