Who we are
ACE is a community college redefining careers, changing outlooks and empowering positive futures.
Our mission is to help you get to where you want to go – it’s your success we care about.
We work on this every day, designing and delivering nationally recognised qualifications and skill set courses in areas of high industry demand which are pathways to employment and career advancement. Along the way ACE has developed strong industry networks and partnerships in our signature specialisations of early childhood education and care, community care, business administration and life skills.
We also invest in building community resilience and social capacity through a truly unique range of leisure and lifestyle workshops, from the artistic and creative to the practical and informative.
Award winning outreach programmes popping up in townships and Indigenous communities across country NSW are an important component of our annual program, and underscore our commitment to regional resilience.
ACE Community Colleges, established in 1972, is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 90032) with services in an ever expanding footprint across Northern NSW and Southeast QLD. Our colleges are located in Lismore and Burleigh Waters.
“At our core we believe in the life changing significance of choice, that everyone can achieve, that we each learn differently; and that there are many powerful alternative pathways to career development. Your success is what we care about.”
Principal / Kerry Johnson
Our Team
Endlessly positive and intensely energetic the ACE team of professional trainers, community board, executive group and customer care crew share a belief in the power of you and your life resolutions. Can't wait to say hello.
Ann comes to ACE with 10+ years experience working as a support worker in community settings and in facilities throughout the Gold Coast. She believes that people are born to transform, achieving the very best through sharing knowledge and skills in training. Passionate about making a positive change in the next generation of support workers, her goal is to assist individuals to become the best they can be in the field.
Ray has worked in the aged care and health industry for over 15 years with the last 7 years gaining invaluable experience in the dementia area. You will find that Ray exudes his passion for helping aged people live their later years as comfortable, safe and as stress free as possible. And Ray wants to help you achieve the same!
Cass assists ACE students learn road rules in a fun, interactive way with activities, class discussions and plenty of online practice to build confidence and capabilities.
She has a brilliant teaching style and says “knowing the rules and why they apply makes our students safer drivers and really helps when we meet at the local Transport for NSW Office (TfNSW) to attempt the TfNSW Driver Knowledge Test”.
Lisa is a super passionate Early Childhood Educator and dynamic Trainer. She has been working in the Northern Rivers for more than 16 years in long day care, preschool, family day care and creche settings. Fully qualified with her Diploma and currently working on a Bachelor Degree. Lisa is a big believer in the power of possibility and the importance of confident, skilled and innovative Educators.
A true go-getter with a vivacious attitude, Deb is devoted to assisting students achieve their goals and dreams in Early Childhood. Her approach to be actively involved in a child’s journey and development has guided her teaching practice, inspiring and motivating students to maintain the same ideology whilst in the field.
Ash has a huge repertoire of skills and knowledge including Community Services, Engineering, Mathematics and physics, Hospitality and Management – wow! He balances work as a part-time chef, leader for the Afghan community and youth mentor along with ACE. “Watching people change their attitudes, their lives, and accomplish big things through training is the most rewarding part of being a teacher”. In his spare time, he plays and follows all kinds of sports including soccer and NRL.
Sharon has an impressive 25 years teaching and coaching experience in several industries including dance, performing arts, personal development and business. She connects with students through passion for human potential, humour, and flexible training methods to suit individual needs. Her aim is for students to leave the course with greater self-belief and motivation than when they arrived.
Sharing her 12+ years of experience in this sector with students is a real inspiration for Karen. Her professional background is dynamic, she has achieved success in providing direct clinical care to high needs patients in the community through to individual Case Management. Karen joins the team in Lismore and is super excited to be able to help others grow their skills to deliver exceptional quality care. Plus Karen sees the big picture – there are always new experiences to make your care career interesting and challenging is her mantra.
Prue’s approach focuses on maximising achievement, from the inside out. Her training is innovative, supporting students to move forward with fresh perspective. “External success is a direct reflection of our internal state of being and skills. Armed with the right internal tools, we can achieve anything”.
Julene comes to ACE as a former ECEC centre manager on the GC, with 30 years experience under her belt. Training with us is an opportunity to share with students her abundant knowledge and skills. “Watching the students in my class gain employment in Early Childhood who I know will have a positive impact on the lives of young children is the greatest reward.”
Mel is committed to providing overall well-being to others out in the field and is passionate about teaching her students to value individual strengths. As a previous employee of 13 years in the leisure and health sector, Mel is highly regarded for her holistic approach.
Currently employed in the Early Childhood sector, Dee brings a wealth of understanding and experience to her teaching. Equipped with knowledge and enthusiasm for the industry, she provides dedication to each and every student.
Leeann is one of ACE’s most esteemed trainers in Community Care. While expertly juggling her multi-skilled role, her compassionate nature is evident – providing students with an admirable example. “I believe every human being deserves to be cared for in a kind and respectful way”.
A career in primary school teaching went on-hold to follow a big sporting dream. Kerry represented Australia at two Olympic Games in track and field and loved every second of it. Life after sport saw her reconnect with education, whilst deciding not to return to the classroom every job since has had an education component. Kerry says “education can change your world and I have lived that through each of my jobs and I’ve seen it through my years of travelling”.
Working for ACE is her best ever job – She gets to be part of life changing moments for students who perhaps haven’t had good experiences with education in their early years but overcome their fears to take on studying for a qualification. Kerry has recently developed what is best described as a healthy devotion to mosaics and photography – you’ll see her at ACE short courses.
After working in public practice as a company auditor for 6 years, plus time spent in Western Sydney with a major Construction company in finance and human resource management, Erin came to ACE Community Colleges for a change of pace and enter the Not for Profit sector. She says the job is so rewarding. “Every-day I get to support the development and growth of the ACE business which empowers so many people to reach their full potential through education. I love using my numbers for good”.
When Erin is not crunching the numbers, you can find her at the training studio crunching her abs, trying to keep her physical condition as sharp as her finance mind! When she gets the opportunity, she also loves to explore new countries and the culture, food and experiences they have to offer.
Robyn is a proud advocate of the power of quality education and the life changing opportunities it provides. As our National RTO Manager she is responsible for scheduling and implementation of training programs, business development initiatives, RTO regulatory compliance and funding contract requirements.
Prior to joining ACE Robyn worked in Vocational Education and Training for more than 15 years. She gained a Post Graduate Degree in Business from Melbourne University and holds a Diploma in Vocational Education and Training. When not working you can find Robyn in the shed restoring furniture, sofa so good! You guessed it she also likes a little fun.
Natalie has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the education sector, beginning her career in primary education and finding her passion in adult education. She has worked with ACE Colleges since 2009. Her number one goal is to help others discover their potential, wherever they may be in their learning journey. “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a student have their ‘Aha moment’ when it all starts to come together.”
Natalie and her team regularly visit and work with Indigenous communities to engage with Elders and community members to meet their varying needs. A large focus of Community Programs is its award-winning Driver Education program which services the North Coast of NSW, helping thousands of students achieve a driver’s licence – now that’s something to be proud of.
Steve is a driven and creative innovator with unmistakable humour. He has worn many hats in the VET sector over the years as a Trainer/Assessor, Supervisor and Training Manager. With credentials in Business, TESOL, TAE, Foundation Skills, Training Design & Development and Digital Media, he believes variety is the spice of life – we are forever learning.
Affectionately known as ‘Captain Canvas’ Steve has previously worked with ACE as the E-Learning Coordinator and is currently studying a Post-Graduate Degree in E-Learning. His passion for technology shines through in his work, endlessly curious about the part tech plays in education and how it can enhance and contribute to student success. Outside of the office, you can find Steve HITT training for any Spartan obstacle course, shredding guitar, or nerding out with a tech project (3D Printing, VR and coding).
Being a Director on the College Board is a way I have been able to contribute to the ongoing development and sustainability of adult education provision in this region. ACE Community Colleges, like many other adult education providers, is a Not for Profit organisation and relies on the voluntary input of appropriately skilled community members for high level oversight and strategic direction. With Colleges often relying on income from fee paying vocational education and training programs to help support their general class programs the need for sound management is vital.
A passionate advocate for life-long learning, that’s me. A teacher in fashion for over 35 years at TAFE and involved in the delivering of accredited and non-accredited training over this period across our region and on Norfolk Island. Volunteering is my other love, I’m a keen supporter of Lismore Basketball and have been on the Management Committee there since 1985.
I have a long-term interest in the delivery of adult education, being involved in the delivery of courses in the early days of the Adult Evening College – a precursor to ACE Community Colleges. Thrilled to have now joined the Board.
Training delivered by ACE Community Colleges meets the requirements set by the Australian National Regulator; Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF); the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training.
