Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the dads, granddads, father-figures and role models who show up with courage, resilience, and love for their families. At Churchill Education, we’re proud to have walked alongside many dads who have turned their years of service and experience into nationally recognised qualifications through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
This year, we want to shine a light on some of the incredible fathers in our community — the Dads of RPL.
Warren Groves: From Policing to Island Leadership
After 26 years in the Victoria Police, Warren made the leap to a new chapter as General Manager of Flinders Council in Tasmania. It was a move that brought him closer to his family, created better work-life balance, and opened doors to fresh opportunities — all with island life as a bonus!
Through RPL, Warren first achieved a Graduate Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Business, and later returned for another Graduate Diploma and Advanced Diploma!
Professional Credibility & Personal Validation
Mark Maloney: Turning Adversity into Purpose
Mark left school at 16 and built a career in the high-rise construction sector — abseilers, cranes, hoists, and high stress. A serious workplace accident left him with eight surgeries, two steel rods, and a fused ankle. His construction career was over, but his story wasn’t.
From his experience, Mark realised the life-changing importance of proper safety leadership. He pursued a career in Workplace Health and Safety, achieving his BSB60619 Advanced Diploma of Work Health and Safety and BSB60420 Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management through RPL.
His message is simple but powerful: “Believe in yourself, trust what you’re doing and set a goal. If you set that goal and you work hard towards it, anything’s possible.”
Construction to WHS to $200K Job Offers!
Brendan Maccione: Finding His Voice and His Worth
Years of frontline policing left Brendan carrying the heavy weight of trauma and PTSD. It all came to a head one day in a café with his kids. Opening up about his struggles was the first step to healing.
Brendan now shares his story through Sirens of Silence, inspiring other first responders to reach out for support. Through RPL, he achieved five diplomas, a validation that his years of policing held real value.
As he put it: “I went from thinking that I didn’t really have much from nine years of policing to an amazing level of self-worth.”
Taming the Black Dog: The Dream Became a Nightmare
Matthew: From Navy to New Horizons
Transitioning from the Navy to civilian life wasn’t easy for Matthew. As a former aviation technician, he faced the challenge of finding his place in the civilian workforce while also dealing with service-related injuries. He recalls the frustration of working under managers with fewer leadership skills than he had.
Through RPL, Matthew’s experience was formally recognised with four diplomas, three at an advanced level. That recognition gave him the confidence to pursue a career as a business compliance consultant, where his skills are now fully appreciated.
Navy RPL: Validation of Experience with 4 Diplomas
A Father’s Day Reminder
The journeys of Warren, Mark, Brendan, and Matthew remind us that behind every uniform and every career shift are fathers who want to build a better life for their families — and who show resilience in the face of challenge.
This Father’s Day, we celebrate the dads who keep going, who reinvent themselves, and who prove that it’s never too late to recognise your worth.
From all of us at Churchill Education: Happy Father’s Day to you and yours.
