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Mohamad is a community‑focused support professional with a Certificate III in Community Services and ongoing studies in Alcohol and Other Drugs. He brings a rare blend of empathy, cultural competency, and more than 20 years of high‑level client management experience from his former career in IT consulting. Mohamad has supported diverse communities through digital mentoring and language teaching, and is committed to empowering individuals through person‑centred support, clear communication, and calm, solution‑focused guidance. Driven by a genuine passion for improving wellbeing, Mohamad loves to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives.

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Australian National Maritime Museum. Tutor of WEA Sydney

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Australian Voice Association. Tutor of WEA Sydney

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Australian Young Professionals Toastmasters. Tutor of WEA Sydney

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Kailash Awati has over two decades of experience in helping organisations improve their data and decision-making capabilities. He currently works at an NSW government agency and is also an Adjunct Fellow in Human-Centred AI at UTS.  Apart from his professional work, he has a deep interest in promoting data and AI literacy amongst audiences ranging from curious non-specialists to postgraduate students.  Kailash has written well-regarded books on managing complexity in organisations ( https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/Kailash-Awati/author/B006JSYRCO) and blogs occasionally at Eight to Late (https://eight2late.wordpress.com).

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Sharon has a Diploma in Western Calligraphy, Certificate IV in Illuminated Calligraphy, Commercial Italic and Historical Calligraphy. She continues to study with many international calligraphers as part of her ongoing learning. She has been teaching in adult education for twenty plus years at Community Colleges. She has developed and run school holiday workshops for children introducing them to the art of calligraphy and its many benefits. Sharon has a comprehensive background in design and layout, watercolour painting, Botanical Art and Chinese Brush painting. Her love of Calligraphy and its history makes her passionate about what she teaches to all.

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Malabi believes in the power of collaborative growth and learning. Malabi, is an experienced instructor with over 27 years of teaching expertise, brings a modern and realistic approach to her classes, drawing from her deep understanding of human nature the subject that she is facilitating and her passion for teaching. Her teaching style is characterised by its conversational nature, creating an engaging and relaxed atmosphere for learning. She provides a carefully crafted curriculum for students to explore at their own pace, while emphasising group involvement to nurture individual motivations for participation.

To support student learning, Malabi provides handouts for home practice midway through the term, ensuring students have a clear understanding of the course material. She also fosters open discussions before and after sessions, offering extra support to those in need. Additionally, she organises regular end-of-term events, such as outdoor occasions, to encourage personal interactions within the community and create memorable experiences for students.

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Andrew Banks, MMus Tech BEd has been a high school music teacher for over 38 years as well as being Head Teacher of Creative and Performing Arts. He has been a tutor at WEA for nine years offering courses in ukulele, harmonica and guitar. He has also played in Bands since his teens (Rock, Blues and Country music etc.) and still continues to perform. Andrew has a keen interest in music covering a wide variety of styles and eras and delivers each lesson with great enthusiasm embellished with fascinating facts and humour. Andrew is dedicated to the notion that learning an instrument at any age inspires creativity, curiosity and social interaction.

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Dr Craig Barker is a Mediterranean archaeologist and museum professional. He is the Director of the University of Sydney’s Paphos Theatre Archaeological Project in the World Heritage listed site of Nea Paphos in Cyprus and works the Manager of Education and Experience at the Chau Chak Wing Museum. He has a long career in tertiary and secondary education.

Craig is particularly interested in the archaeology of Cyprus, the ancient wine trade, the architecture of ancient theatre, public archaeology, museum education and archaeology in popular culture.

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Geoffrey Barnard has been involved with developments in contemporary music and sound art since 1969.  Primarily a music historian, he completed a Masters thesis in 2003 on the music of John Cage, Christian Wolff and Cornelius Cardew.  During the early 1970s he was a member of the new music organisation AZ Music and the electroacoustic improvisation group Teletopa and continues to be active in improvised music, mostly as a percussionist.