Auslan Staff Profiles
Julian Hertan - Centre Co-ordinator
Julian commenced work at Richmond TAFE in 1988, the same year the college started an Interpreting course. A qualified Welfare Worker, he started working with Deaf people as a Residential Worker for the Victorian Deaf Society, later moving into Head Office in East Melbourne as a Community Worker. After four years at the Victorian Deaf Society (Vicdeaf), Julian achieved NAATI para-professional accreditation.
In 1988 Julian left the VDS to train other interpreters at Richmond College of TAFE whilst studying for his Diploma of Teaching at the University of Melbourne. He has shared in the Centre's transition through five institute name changes and the development of the Certificates in Auslan and Diploma of Auslan curricula.
Julian co-ordinates the Auslan & Deaf Studies Centre and teaches various modules including Deaf History, Individual Research Projects, Audiology and Communication modules.
Qualifications:
- Associate Diploma in Welfare Studies - Preston Institute of Technology
- Diploma of Teaching - University of Melbourne
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - Kangan Batman TAFE
- Graduate Certificate in Leadership in Education and Training - Victoria University
Industry Involvement:
- Freelance Interpreter
- Development of online training materials
- Consultation with Government and private sectors on professional development opportunities in Auslan and Deaf culture.
- Member of Deaf Technology Alliance - a group of CEOs & managers from various Deaf organisations who explore the potential of new technology and its use within the Deaf community
- Member of VicCITE - an advisory body which monitors the provision of interpreting services in tertiary educational settings and supports interpreters working in those settings
Melissa Anderson - Teacher
Qualifications:
- Masters of Education, La Trobe University (thesis entitled Daisy Muir - A Remarkable Influence in the Deaf Community)
- Bachelor of Education (LOTE), La Trobe University
Melissa has been working with the Centre since 1992, where she commenced teaching at what was then, Richmond College of TAFE. She teaches many modules such as Auslan, Consolidation of Auslan Language skills, Deaf Culture and various electives.
Melissa loves teaching Auslan and thoroughly enjoys working with students, keenly watching their progress and ultimately achieving success through their course studies. The highlight of Melissa's work at the Auslan and Deaf Studies Centre is to see so many past students working within the Deaf community in many different careers. This always makes her very proud.
Industry Involvement:
Melissa actively participates in various sports within the Deaf Community, travelling the world to play in, coach and manage Deaf teams. She is a past President of Deaf Netball Australia. A dedicated teacher, Melissa also trains interpreters studying the Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan) at RMIT.
Anne Bremner - Teacher
Qualifications:
- Masters of Education, La Trobe
- Bachelor of Education (LOTE), La Trobe University
Anne commenced working full-time with the Centre in 1993 and arrived with a wealth of experience. She now works part-time and teaches Auslan, Linguistics (Basic Structures of Auslan 1 & 2) and Deaf Culture & Community.
The study of language and linguistics are Anne's passions and as such she takes great delight in researching and teaching these subjects. The other half of Anne's working life takes place at La Trobe University where she lectures whilst simultaneously completing her PhD research.
Industry Involvement:
Anne has a long and proud history of service within the Deaf Community and is a highly regarded leader by its members. For several years, Anne worked for Deaf Sports Australia and soon after leaving their employment became President of that body. Her love of sport led Anne to be involved in many Deaf sporting associations as player, coach and board member culminating in her position as Chairperson for the Deaflympics Bidding Committee whose successful bid brought the 2005 Deaflympic Games to Melbourne.
Anne has also been a board member and held the office of Vice President of the Victorian Deaf Society. Her knowledge and experience have made Anne a popular speaker at community events locally, interstate and on occasion, overseas.
Christopher Dunn - Teacher
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Education (LOTE), La Trobe University
Memberships:
- Vicdeaf
- VCOD
Christopher Dunn has been teaching Auslan with the Centre since 1990 however he previously taught for several years at Methodist Ladies College, Victorian Services for Deaf Children (now Deaf Children Australia), La Trobe University, Deakin University, Melbourne University and some community centres. He has also conducted workshops in Sydney, Tasmania, and rural Victoria, e.g. Horsham and Wodonga.
Christopher trained interpreters studying the Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan) at RMIT for 10 years until recently resigning. At Kangan Batman TAFE, he teaches a number of modules including Auslan, Deaf Theatre, International Signs, Narrative Discourse, Fingerspelling & Numbers.
Christopher's speciality is Classifiers and he always encourages students to use more Classifiers in their Auslan presentations when describing concepts in a story. He always enjoys teaching and watching the students as they progress. He feels great delight when considering the many past students who have become successful interpreters, teachers of the Deaf, community workers, and who now work within the Deaf community.
Industry Involvement:
Christopher is heavily involved with the Deafblind group, mostly those Deaf with Usher Syndrome. He is a skilled relay interpreter who has, for a long time, supported Deafblind at a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, including social events, meetings, and visiting interesting places.
Sandra Leane - Teacher/Curriculum Officer
Present position: Teacher, Curriculum Officer
Qualifications:
- Diploma of Teaching Primary
- Graduate Diploma in Special Education (Deaf)
- NAATI Interpreter Level
- MA in Applied Linguistics
Sandra works part time and teaches subjects related to linguistics,(Language and Terminology, and Semantics & Sociolinguistics of Auslan) and interpreting ( Introduction to Interpreting and Orientation to Interpreting). The latter are directly related to Sandra's expertise in the interpreting field. Another passion over the years has been Deaf Theatre, so this subject is also a favourite with 'Sandi' as she is known in the field.
Industry Involvement
Vice President of the Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association of Victoria (ASLIA Vic).
Christine Thomas - Teacher
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Education (LOTE), La Trobe University
Christine teaches a variety of subjects such as vocabulary training, Deaf Culture, Deaf History, Fingerspelling and basic Consolidation of Auslan Language Skills.
Her past involvement as President of the Victorian Deaf Angling Club, and the Kangan Batman TAFE representative on the Deafness Foundation's Victorian Sub-Committee (Education), provides an enriched perspective of the Deaf community's needs.
