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Elsa (BA) is an emerging researcher of classical philology and history. For several years, she has taught both young students and adults; she approaches her tuition with warmth and enthusiasm. She has received numerous awards for her academic work, including the Douglas Kelly Australian Essay Competition Prize (subsequently published in “Classicum” 49), the Audrey Meaney Prize, and the Ancient History Senior Essay Prize. Presently, she is undertaking an Honours thesis in Latin literature at the University of Sydney. Her ecocriticism- and posthumanism-informed scholarship examines ancient conceptions of the non-human world and their practical ramifications, with a particular focus on environmental ethics in Roman poetry. Her interests extend to modern literature, art history, the French language, Baroque music, and film.

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Graziella Trafeli (GDLIS - Graduate Diploma of Library and Information Studies, Australia) is a native speaker of Italian residing in Australia since the mid-1980s. She has led a vast range of courses in settings such as the WEA, the Dante Alighieri Society, Co.As.It, the Institute of Foreign Languages (University of NSW), Continuing Education at the University of Sydney, several local Sydney Community Colleges, and within the corporate sector. While teaching and working for Waverley Library, Graziella penned short stories as part of a collection of short novelle published by the Italian Consulate, Sydney in 1999, and a number of articles in the bi-weekly publication II Mondo and the Italian publication Melting Pot; from 1992 to 1996 she was a casual broadcaster, producer, and researcher at SBS Radio for the Italian Program. Graziella is an enthusiastic and outgoing teacher whose animated style encourages interaction from her students. She uses a variety of teaching methods and provides support materials to aid and assist student learning. For Graziella, studying a language prepares you to understand a great deal more than words or phrases, but more importantly, the culture and history of a different people.

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Hugh Tranter is an author and historian, with interests in creative writing and the research and examination of Australian history.

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Liem Truong. Tutor of WEA Sydney

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Vivian, BA, Grad Cert in TESOL, is an experienced and innovative educator with over 30 years of teaching English and Arts and Crafts in both Hong Kong and Australia. She has also taught Chinese (Cantonese) at the Wollongong Community Language School. Vivian has tutored at WEA Sydney and MCC since 2022. She believes in facilitating creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning through hands-on, student-centred approaches. Driven by a passion for teaching, Vivian enjoys sharing her knowledge and creative techniques with students in a fun and engaging learning environment.

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Mia Tsikrikas, (Master of Teaching, BA (Honours Class I)), has taught English Literature for the past six years and has been at the WEA since mid-2022. She majored in eighteenth-century literature, with minors in Ancient History and Italian, and received first class honours for her thesis on eighteenth-century ballet and its influences on the literature of its time. Mia is a creative at heart and enjoys writing short stories just as much as she does reading them, as well as picking up her crochet hook or knitting needles in her spare time. She believes there is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning and practices a student-centred pedagogy, differentiating her lessons according to her students’ interests and learning styles. Mia is ultimately an advocate of life-long learning and believes that one’s education never truly stops.

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Silvia is a native Italian speaker. She grew up in a small town close to Milan, then she moved to Madrid and in 2012 she came to Sydney. She received a Bachelor Degree in Marketing and Public Relations, a LOTE certificate from the University of New South Wales and a Teaching Certificate from the University of Sydney. Silvia has been teaching Italian to children, HSC students and adults at all levels for a number of institutions and schools including Co.As.It, Australian Catholic University and several local Sydney Community Colleges.

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After working as an osteopath in the UK for 16 years John realised a life-long dream and went to China to study Tai Chi for three-and-a-half years, receiving his teaching certificate in Tai Chi & Qigong there. He is also qualified as a Gym Instructor & Personal Trainer, which along with his osteopathic training and experience means he is comfortable teaching people of all ages and abilities. Since moving to Sydney he has taught in a variety of situations, from nursing homes to outdoor classes in Redfern Park.

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Wesley Watkins. Tutor of WEA Sydney

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WEA Sydney Ramblers. Tutor of WEA Sydney