Organisations don’t achieve results – people do

Discovery Learning’s reputation speaks for itself in the consistent level of repeat business and referral opportunities. We support organisations to move from a culture of ‘a job well done’ to a culture of achieving excellence and continuous improvement processes.


Our Team has an expertise in the provision of services in cross-cultural environments, consolidating a team approach to achieving agreed goals, building capacity in national workforces, and sensitively addressing cultural differences to enhance efficiency and business practices. We work with organisations that want dynamic high-performance teams and a culture of challenge for excellence. Although a small team, we augment our services through alliance with other providers.

Elizabeth Stroud

Elizabeth Stroud is the Director and founder of Discovery Learning. She has more than 30 years’ experience in facilitation, organisational development and training in businesses worldwide.

In her long career as a learning facilitator and business coach, she has worked with a diverse range of organisations and community groups including executive boards, management teams, and people on the shop floor.

Elizabeth has worked as a Senior Administrator in the Australian Public Service and spent more than 20 years in the resource industry.

Anne Held

Anne Held is co-director of Discovery Learning. She has more than 20 years’ experience in project management, facilitation and training.

Anne has worked as a project and contract manager, learning facilitator and trainer in both the hospitality and mining and resource sectors.

Anne is an experienced and qualified Workplace Trainer and Assessor and has delivered Certificate IV programs across the mining and resource sector.

Anne’s focus is on front line supervision, future leaders, OH&S and safety leadership in cross-cultural environments.

We build long-term partnerships with our clients


Rio Tinto

Engaged to design the Terms of Reference and supported Rio Tino to establish an Australian Advisory Group (AAG) to provide current knowledge and perspectives, critical thinking, and analysis to increase the cultural awareness and competence of decision makers, guiding an operational framework and processes to ensure a culture beyond compliance.

Facilitated the Corporate Affairs Team and Indigenous Affairs Team Strategic intent, consolidating the strategic pillars and priority actions.


University of Newcastle - STEMM Strategic Plan

Facilitated the formation of a 10-year Science and Technology Strategy that involved new city-based footprint and repositioning of the University’s relationship with the city of Newcastle, industry and State and Federal Government. The strategy was supported by the University Council and is being implemented.


Commonwealth Department of Defence - Re-structure and Change Management

Assisted the Department of Defence Innovation and Policy Division to design and implement two of the three cornerstone programs of the Defence Innovation Policy Statement of 2016, the Innovation Hub and Centre for Defence and Industry Collaboration (CDIC). These programs support Defence capability and help build a national defence industry. In addition, assisted with design and implementation of the overarching governance arrangements for the Defence innovation programs.


Newcrest - People and Organisational Development

Gosowong (Indonesia)Telfer (Western Australia)Syama Project (Mali)Red Chris (British Columbia Canada)

Undertook a leadership capability & systems audit with a view to establishing accountability & responsibility at these levels of the organisation. Executed an organisational review and restructured the organisation with clear Departmental span of control; build a Leadership Competency Framework recognising the requirements of a National workforce; established a Technical Competency Framework for the underground operations and developed training and development materials, coaching and mentoring support to sustain the changes.


Teck Resources - Organisational Review and Re-structure

Engaged to review the status of the Technology business within Teck Resources and to make recommendations toward a future state, including the strategy and structure of the technology group.


Barrick Gold- Global Operations- Strategic Plans, People and Organisational Development

Engaged to provide strategic development with the Global Information Technology Group; established leadership development and coaching processes for African mine sites at all levels of leadership ranging from Future Leaders, Superintendent and Supervisor; Cross Cultural Leadership Program, Workplace Training and Assessment Programs, Report Writing, Coaching and Performance Management.

Industry Leaders participated in a Strategic Think Tank - Future Directions in Mineral Exploration Research

Engaged to design and facilitate a 5 days discussion on a range of issues and challenges facing industry and research groups globally. The group comprised of international explorers and researchers from major and junior mining companies, consultants and researchers.

Daily discussions focused on five themes:

  • ore systems analysis
  • exploration under cover
  • numerical modelling in exploration
  • collaboration and funding
  • effective delivery of research outcomes to the exploration community

The outcome was a co-authored discussion paper collecting the thematic analysis into a single document.

Our clients



Rio Tinto, CSIRO, AMEC (The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies Inc), Resolute Tanzania Ltd, TCME (The Tanzania Chamber of Minerals and Energy), Western Metals, Newcrest Mining Ltd, BHP Billiton, Government of Western Australia, Sinclair Knight Merz, Monash University, The University of Dar Es Salaam, Premier Oil, Placer Dome Inc., Rothschild, Albidon Mining, South West Development Commission, University of Newcastle, PanAust, Teck Resources, Barrick Gold, Auryx Gold Namibia, Universal Coal, Perth Zoo, Perseus Mining.