Sonia Muir Email & Phone Number

Kingscliff, Nsw, Au

Dili, Timor-Leste

Work with leadership team and staff to build leadership and strengthen management skills and processes; review and strengthen organisational and program systems and support English language proficiency. Support fund raising, communications and building relationships with donors and corporate sponsors

Mongolia

Teaching conversational English online with the college management team at the Dornogobi polytechnic

Kingscliff, New South Wales, Australia

Volunteering locally at a St Vinnies charity shop and working as an educator in local high schools

Bagan, Myanmar

Running the English for hospitality program and mentoring a young Myanmar National to take over my role as English teacher. Writing programs and delivering english lessons.

Currently on leave from DPI to explore volunteer opportunities somewhere in Asia

My role is to provide leadership for the Education & Regional Services Branch which includes Tocal College, Business & Social Resilience Programs and the Agricultural Land Use Planning team.Tocal College delivers a range of educational programs for industry, adults and has online delivery as well as a live-in program training younger people wanting to get into the business of agriculture.The statewide Business & Social Resilience Program includes the Rural Women's Network, the Rural Resilience Farmer-focused program and the Young Farmer Business Program.The Rural Women's Network is a state-wide program that works in innovative ways to share information and promote action on rural women's issues, often in partnership with individuals, groups and non-government and government agencies.The Young Farmer Business Program is a 4 year initiative to:provide young farmers and fishers with access to new business ideas, tools, products and services relevant to their skills, knowledge and experience; promote and create opportunities for young farmers and fishers to connect with other farmers and fishers and business networks. The Program aims to improve their connections, knowledge, skills and experience to better manage risk, execute effective plans and make decisions that enhance business and personal resilience in the long-term.The Agricultural Land Use Planning team focuses on ensuring agricultural land is identified and valued.Tocal College is a leader in full-time and part-time agricultural courses, short courses and distance education. Our courses are renowned Australia-wide for their practical training, development of industry-relevant skills and experience in general agriculture, beef cattle, dairying, rural business management, sheep production, cropping and conservation and land management. Tocal College offers a unique experience in the great outdoors and a caring approach to individual and team learning.

Orange

My role focuses on managing three key NSW statewide rural programs: The Rural Resilience Program team aims to build the personal and business resilience of farming communities so they adapt and move forward in a positive direction, the Rural Women's Network which works to connect and ensure rural women have the recognition, skills and knowledge to embrace opportunities and the Young Farmer Business Program that aims to get more young people into and expanding their agricultural businesses. Resilience is seen as a process rather than an outcome or personality trait. We are all resilience but recognise this can be challenged as a result of adverse events. My other 'pet project' is visit my farm a platform to link farmers and non farmers.

Orange, Nsw

This role encompasses two initiatives: The Rural Women's Network and the Rural Resilience Program which is building the capacity of farmers to enhance their personal and business resilience.

Kingdom Of Tonga

Working at a tertiary hospitality college supporting students and staff

Bathurst

Promoting a new innovative intergated medical program to prepare and educate health professionals and GPs to address the dire health professionals shortage in the Bush

Western Nsw

Member of Western Advisory Council

Orange Dpi Head Office

The Rural Women's Network develops key initiatives across NSW. These include:- publishing The Country Web newsletter- coordinating the high profile RIRDC Rural Women's Award in NSW- facilitating 'Shaping our Futures Together ' (SOFT) 2 day leadership courses- coordinating the annual 'Hidden Treasures Honour Roll' project - acknowledging the volunteer work of rural women - writing two 'Daring to Dream' books (also on RWN website) - stories of rural women achievers- supporting annual rural women's gatherings in NSW organised by women from local communities.

Orange, Nsw

Developing strategic directions for cancer council in western region of NSW.

The RWN program works in innovative ways to share information and promote action on rural women's issues, often in partnership with stakeholders.

my key role was to work within the small RWN team. My main responsibilities involved managing the RWN's communications activities. I developed the RWN's flagship publication The Country Web newsletter and the internet site. I also assisted in developing and coordinating programs and strategies to address priority issues for rural women and provided input into policy development and future directions of the program, including building partnerships with key stakeholders to facilitate action on priority rural women's issues. I also prepared briefings and correspondence for the Department's Executive and the Minister and deputised for the RWN Coordinator where necessary.

1) for non English speaking student.

a community managed adult education provider, supported and funded by government, sponsorship and the community.I became the Principal (acting) in 1992 after spending four years as a Centre Coordinator. As Principal, I was responsible to a College Council and the Board of Adult and Community Education (BACE) and managed a $750,000 budget, the head office and 19 staff across the Region. I was also responsible for program development and strategic planning, refining the business plan, project management, liaising with stakeholders, writing submissions and tenders, promotions and marketing, and financial and human resource management.I also secured external funding of over $75,000 to run a number of diverse programs which catered for groups with special needs such as the disabled, Aboriginal people, long term unemployed and groups living in geographically isolated areas within the North Coast Region.In response to growing demands for literacy services, I employed a Regional Literacy Officer to develop and deliver quality literacy and numeracy programs, develop resources and support specialist tutors across the region.Within 12 months I expanded the College network across the region and developed close links with other service providers and agencies.; Coordinator Tweed Adult Education Program, NRCC: Responsible for the total management of this outreach program including needs analyses, liaising with tutors, coordinating courses, reporting and managing finances.

Awarded NSW Teacher's Certificate in 1991 and taught at schools in NSW, Qld, WA and the UK.1984 Coordinated and taught TAFE course: the Caring Hands program provided long term unemployed people with skills to work within the nursing home industry.1983 Summer Camp Counsellor in USA for emotionally disturbed youth.

2003 Masters, Applied Science; Social Ecology, Distinction

Post Graduate Diploma Education, Adult Literacy

Bachelor, Art Education

Activities and Societies: Now known as College of Fine Arts (was Alexander Mackie College of Advanced Education)

Nsw Higher School Certificate