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Changing lives through education
Prace has 30 years’ experience providing innovative and high quality Adult Community Education (ACE) programs. Over this period, Prace has increased significantly in size and scope of activities and currently receives funding from a range of local, state and federal government departments.
Prace is a:
• Learn Local provider – delivering adult education and training programs through ACFE;
• A Registered Training Organisation (RTO) – a provider of accredited education and training programs recognised throughout Australia
• A funded Neighbourhood House
• A Registered Charity
• Independent School
Prace also manages the Merrilands Community Centre on behalf of the City of Darebin, supporting over 20 community groups who access the Centre. The Prace program, both education and community development, operates across 2 Prace managed sites, Merrilands Community Centre and Prace Mernda Campus, as well as in a range of other community venues within the Northern growth corridor of Melbourne.
Prace actively seeks to work in partnership with industry and with members of the local community to ensure that students and community members have the opportunity to improve their quality of life.
Find out about our partners and funding bodies here.
Prace is governed by a board comprised of local community members with strong representation in all key operational areas. Board members generously volunteer their time and expertise to the governance of Prace.
Chair:
Ann Haynes
Elected to the Prace board in 2014, Ann has 40 years’ experience in education. She has previously held positions in primary, secondary and special schools and prior to retirement was head of Melbourne Polytechnic’s Youth Unit and the Industry and Initiatives Unit in the Faculty of Further Education. Ann has long been involved in youth development and alternative education, participating on advisory and steering committees for Yarra Youth, Pavilion and Youthworx Media. She was also co-president of VALBEC (Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council) for a period of six years and a small business owner.
Treasurer:
Aileen Yao
Joining the board in 2024, Aileen is a seasoned finance executive with more than 20 years’ experience in finance, strategic planning and treasury. Aileen has a demonstrated capability as a trusted advisor, and as a leader of high performing teams to assess and drive strategy and growth results. She currently serves as the Group Manager of Treasury and Corporate Finance at Fulton Hogan, a large infrastructure and construction company operating across both Australia and New Zealand. She has also worked across multiple industries including health care, construction, land development, IT, retail and consulting. Aileen is a fully qualified accountant, with specialisation in M&A and corporate finance, as well as having a background in taxation and financial reporting.
Secretary:
Adele McBride
Elected to the Prace board in 2017, Adele brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area of state and federal government. Currently, serving as an electorate officer for the Hon. Ged Kearney, Federal Member for Cooper, Adele has a keen understanding of our local area and its needs. She is also an advocate for Indigenous issues.
Deputy Chair:
David Redfearn
Elected to the board in 2012, David lends Prace his expertise in the area of local government and education. David shows a strong commitment to local issues, serving on a range of boards, committees and networks over the past 40 years. David was twice a Labor mayor and councillor for the City of Northcote for eleven years, he is a longstanding member of the Friends of Merri Creek and has chaired both the Merri Creek Management Committee and the Yarra Riverkeeper Association. His career in education spans from primary school teaching to career development, connecting students with employers. He was formerly a regional industry career advisor for the Australian Industry Group and an early director of Inner Northern Group Apprenticeships Ltd (now IntoWork Australia). He was also a director of the Inner North Community Foundation. David was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2012 for services to the conservation and environment, community and local government.
Ordinary Members:
Liam Walsh
Elected to the board in 2021, Liam brings his skills in youth stakeholder engagement and relationships building to the role. He has 25 years’ experience working with young people and in that time has been involved in a range of health, wellbeing, education and employment initiatives designed to support this cohort and in particular newly arrived young people. He is currently employed as the Youth Health and Wellbeing Coordinator at Merri-bek City Council Youth Services Unit.
Angie Davidson
Elected to the board in 2023, Angie embodies a steadfast commitment to the core values of social justice and inclusivity, complemented by a wealth of experience in community work and a diverse skill set. Her professional journey includes a remarkable 12-year tenure as the executive officer of Reservoir Neighbourhood House. Angie’s dedication lies in empowering individuals, communities, and organisations to actively participate within their communities. Her passion for building capacity and fostering inclusivity remains steadfast, guided by principles of equity and fairness. With a focus on amplifying the voices of diverse and at-risk community groups, Angie embodies seasoned expertise and an unyielding dedication to nurturing an inclusive society.
Jo Lampert
Jo is Professor of Teacher Education for Social Transformation in the Faculty of Education at Monash University and brings over 25 years of experience in teacher education to our board. Her research focuses on preparing teachers to address educational inequality in the hardest-to-staff schools across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia. Jo collaborates closely with First Nations colleagues, community organisations, government and schools to support young people who face the greatest barriers to education. Having previously served on the board of other community organisations, Jo brings a strong understanding of Prace’s work and the community education sector to our governance team.
Angus Norman
Elected to the Board in 2025, Angus is a qualified social worker with a strong commitment to inclusive education and community development. He brings experience supporting young people with complex mental health needs, grounded in trauma-informed, youth-centred practice. Angus has also worked alongside First Nations communities to deliver culturally safe employment training and skills development programs. A socially conscious and purpose-driven professional, Angus is dedicated to contributing to organisations that foster meaningful local impact through inclusive education, values-aligned governance, and strategic leadership.
Prace acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people as the traditional owners and custodians of the unceded lands on which we work, teach and learn. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.