Never ending story begins 
Adult Learners’ Week – He Tangata Matauranga 2006 was launched this week at Tasman District Library. Mayor John Hurley marked the beginning of the celebrations by starting the ‘Never Ending Story’ with a chapter about his life growing up in and around the District.
Adult Learners’ Week celebrates the efforts, achievements, and contributions of adult learners, educators, and providers through regional and national events. Its aim is to strengthen adult and community education and raise public awareness about the variety of learning opportunities available to adults.
Nelson coordinator Jeannie Raffills, who is one of 32 learners’ week regional coordinators around the country, said the aim this week was to celebrate the input and achievements of learners and educators during a week of fun events.
“By raising public awareness of the rich variety of learning opportunities available to adults, we can strengthen adult and community education and encourage more people to seek advice and guidance about returning to learn.”
Mayor Hurley said it was important that people never stopped learning.
“Just when you think you know it all, something comes out of left field to remind you how important it is to keep learning,” he said.
Nelson Mayor Paul Matheson started the City’s Never Ending Story at Nelson Library. Both stories, that invite public contribution to evolve the plots, will travel around the District and City libraries respectively, to celebrate the achievements of adult learners.
A series of events are scheduled for this week including Step into Study at NMIT on 6 September; the Adult Learners’ award ceremony to take place on 7 September at Tasman District Council in Richmond; and Literacy Awareness Day at the Warehouse in Nelson on 8 and 9 September.
The full programme of events in Nelson and nationwide is listed on the website at www.adultlearnersweek.org.nz
District Librarian Brian Paterson continues the Never Ending Story.
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