Our Team

Wayne Elliott 

Wayne Elliott is the CEO of Geelong Region Local Learning and Employment Network, having been recently appointed in August, 2020.

Wayne has lived and contributed to the Geelong region for over 30 years, he brings a depth of experience in the fields of education, business, strategic change management and community engagement. He has experience in management roles in the VET sector, Job Active Network, and business start-ups throughout Australia. His focus continues to be on engaging with the community and developing positive outcomes for them.

Phone: 0418 333 896
Email: welliott@grllen.com.au

Jo Harrris

Jo is a Project Officer/Partnership Broker and is currently working on Structured Workplace Learning for the Geelong Region Secondary Schools. Jo has been working within the Employment and Training Industry sector for 27 years and has qualifications in Marketing and Training and Assessment, and is passionate about helping people achieve their employment goals.  Jo has extensive knowledge and experience having worked in Disability Employment, Apprenticeships and traineeships within Group training, and has set up two RTO's locally who are both still in operation. 

Jo has been working with secondary schools within the Geelong Region over the past two and half years supporting students in finding quality work placements for students in years 10, 11 and 12. Jo has established excellent relationships with local employers within the Geelong and South West Region and is striving to give students the best opportunities to achieve their life goals.

Phone: 0418 511 801
Email: jharris@grllen.com.au

Marianne Messer 

Marianne is a Project Manager/Partnership Broker and manages the ‘Dream Real’ project: the creation of Geelong Careers, a multi-channel web site which delivers extensive regional career information via the web and personal devices to young people, retrenched workers and all career seekers in the G21 region.  Geelong Careers went live in 2014 and features industry hero video case studies, regional careers pathways, analysis of locally trending industries, and a live job feed.  

As the GRLLEN’s journalist, Marianne has also worked on communications and promotion strategies for the GRLLEN.

Phone: 0421 112 324
Email: mmesser@grllen.com.au

Kareen Fletcher

Joining the team in March 2020, Kareen is GRLLEN’s Administration and Communications Officer.

Bringing a background in administration, photography, communications and recent graphic design study, her dual role supports both promoting the work of the GRLLEN and general office administration.

Phone: 03 5229 0922

Email: admin@grllen.com.au

Deb Walker

Deb is a Project Officer/Partnership Broker, focusing on Structured Workplace Learning across the Geelong region. 

With an extensive background in supporting and teaching young people in alternative schooling, Deb has also taught and coordinated programs within the disability field, assisted newly arrived refugees, delivered various programs in community centres and mentored at risk youth and adults entering the workforce.

With a genuine passion to empower and create opportunities for growth, Deb is committed to assisting people to overcome barriers and recognise that they indeed have real and valued potential.

Phone:  0420 440 462
Email: dwalker@grllen.com.au

Cheryl Linford

Cheryl is the Project Officer and a key member of  the  Education Industry Team. Living in the Geelong area for over 30 years, Cheryl knows our region well and brings to GRLLEN extensive experience in the education sector; most recently as a secondary school teacher and VCAL co-ordinator. 

Her passion has always been around family and life-long learning and Cheryl will be focused on liaising with schools, businesses and training providers in the Geelong region.

Phone: 0400 447 093
Email: Clinford@grllen.com.au

Claire Wells

Claire is a Project Officer in our Education Industry Team. Leading the way in managing the DET portal for Structured Work Place learning, Claire’s ten plus years of experience in the apprenticeship sector gives her a great insight into employment support in the Geelong region.

Working with local employers and secondary schools to give students the best opportunities for Structured Workplace learning, Claire is focused on connecting businesses and students to their future work.

Phone: 0400 447 093
Email: cwells@grllen.com.au