CESA NEWS
Victoria Coster FCES - Financial Literacy Expert
Learn more about Victoria Coster’s work in financial literacy education and industry engagement through Financial Literacy Education Pty Ltd. Co-founded with Beth Comino, Global CEO of HAS, the initiative supports the delivery of practical financial literacy education to Year 10 students by trained finance and mortgage brokers. The FIT Solutions program highlights the value of industry-informed learning in helping young people build confidence and understanding around real-world financial decision-making.
Read more below.
Our First Malaysian Fellow
From Calvin Cheong FCES:
I am honoured to have entered Malaysia’s history books as the First Malaysian awarded Fellowship of the Commercial Education Society of Australia (CESA) by the Malaysia Book of Records
Heartfelt gratitude goes to all those who have supported in me in this journey of many years, championing accessible education to the masses, at home and abroad. Also not forgetting all those who doubted the effort my teams and I have put in over the years. You continue to be the catalyst for greater work ahead.
Special thanks to Prof. Dr Andy Liew and HELP University for acknowledging the effort and giving me the space to keep fighting the good fight. Greatest appreciation also to Kathleen McKenzie, President of CESA for the honour and privilege(and nomination) to better serve the community.
Xiaobo “Edward” Jin FCES: Going Beyond the Expected
The Commercial Education Society of Australia is pleased to recognise Xiaobo “Edward” Jin FCES, a qualified teacher from China and Master of Education (TESOL) graduate of the University of Sydney, featured in the latest edition of the Journal of Commercial Education.
During his time in Australia, Edward made a strong effort to engage beyond the classroom through travel, community and cultural events, meeting local people, and attending an Anzac service at the Sydney Opera House. His approach reflects a genuine commitment to making the most of both the academic and wider Australian experience.
His article, “When Authenticity Meets EFL Classroom Reality: A Literature Review in and beyond TBLT,” examines authenticity in EFL teaching, including task, material and interactional authenticity, and how authentic learning can be made meaningful and practical for students.
Edward’s Fellowship reflects an important principle of CESA:
FCES is not only for seasoned professionals. It recognises those who go beyond the status quo, do more than is expected of them, and demonstrate initiative, commitment and contribution to education and the wider community.
Edward is a strong example of that principle in practice
CESA Fellow - Emeritus Professor A.G. (Tony) Shannon AM receives honorary degree of Doctor of Laws
8 April 2019, Sydney Town Hall
Professor Shannon AM FCES is a former Deputy Chancellor of Notre Dame and a current Governor. He received this honour in recognition of his service to the university.
Australia's Shorthand Expert, Carmel Taylor FCES
Carmel Taylor FCES is an Australian historian and shorthand expert awarded Fellowship by the Commercial Education Society of Australia. She is the author of With Pencils Poised: A History of Shorthand in Australia.
CESA Fellow 40 Years Service to TasTafe
Mrs Margaret Oliver FCES receives recognition from the Premier of Tasmania for her 40 + years service to TasTafe.
CESA Fellow Sam Rebbechi writes article for The Spectator Australia
CESA Fellow Sam Rebbechi writes article for The Spectator Australia
CESA Fellow Sam Rebbechi writes article for The Spectator Australia
10/12/18 "Shock news: politics and consumer goods are two different things"
2026 Perspectives
Victoria Coster FCES - Financial Literacy Expert
Bridging Industry and Education: A Practice-Based Model for Financial Literacy Delivery
16 April 2026
Financial literacy continues to represent a critical capability gap within Australian secondary education, particularly in relation to applied understanding of credit, lending, and long-term financial decision-making. While theoretical frameworks are increasingly incorporated into curricula, there remains a disconnect between knowledge acquisition and real-world application.
Through my work in the credit reporting and mortgage broking sectors, I have observed the downstream implications of this gap, with individuals often engaging with complex financial products without the requisite practical understanding to do so effectively.
In response, I co-founded Financial Literacy Education Pty Ltd with Beth Comino, Global CEO of HAS (Home Affordability Solutions) and we have developed the FIT Solutions program, a practice-based model designed to integrate industry expertise within educational settings.
The program facilitates the delivery of structured financial literacy education to Year 10 students by trained finance and mortgage brokers, translating industry knowledge into accessible and contextually relevant learning experiences.
A defining feature of this model is the clear delineation between education and advice. This ensures regulatory compliance while maintaining the integrity of the learning environment, enabling students to engage with authentic, experience-informed content without exposure to personal financial direction.
From an industry perspective, this approach supports the repositioning of finance professionals as contributors to community education, extending their role beyond transactional engagement to one of early-stage financial capability development. From an educational standpoint, it introduces an applied learning framework that complements traditional teaching methodologies, supporting the development of financial confidence, critical thinking, and informed decision-making.
Initial program outcomes indicate strong engagement across both student and educator cohorts, alongside growing participation from industry professionals nationally. These early indicators suggest the model has broader applicability within the evolving education–industry interface.
As the complexity of financial systems continues to increase, there is a compelling case for more structured integration between industry practitioners and educational institutions.
Practice-based initiatives such as FIT Solutions demonstrate the potential of this collaboration to deliver meaningful, scalable outcomes that benefit both learners and the professions that serve them.
You can find out more via our website here: https://financialliteracy.com.au/
Victoria Coster | Fellow CESA victoria@creditfixsolutions.com.au
M: 0416 52 52 33
Victoria Coster FCES
CEO | Credit Repair Specialist | Credit Fix Solutions | Credit Fix Lawyers
Australian Credit Licence No: 531433 | AFCA Member # 82962
victoria@creditfixsolutions.com.au
Toll Free: 1300 43 65 69 M: +61416 52 52 33
BRISBANE | SYDNEY | MELBOURNE | ADELAIDE | PERTH
Email: victoria@creditfixsolutions.com.au
HEAD OFFICE: Level 57, MLC Centre, 19-29 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000.
POSTAL: Level 14, 3 Parramatta Square, 153
