Get online with community support

AUSTRALIAN Get Online Week will launch later this month and it’s encouraging people to gain confidence in their digital skills.

From Monday, 18 to Sunday, 24 October, there’ll be sessions run at community facilities that will aim to help people become more familiar with their devices, and how they can best use them.

At the Meredith Community Centre on Wednesday, and at Haddon Community Learning Centre on Friday, Leah Phillips is inviting Shire residents to bring their devices – phones, tablets, laptops – for Lunch & Learn.

“People come in, bring their devices, or use one of ours, get set up, learn to use the Wi-Fi, sit around and have a play,” she said.

“Everybody has an opportunity to ask questions that might come up, which are usually about Wi-Fi, Facebook, or something they’ve accidentally done.

“It’s a really relaxed atmosphere where they can be themselves, they can bring a friend, sit with me, ask questions, learn, and have lunch.”

Online quizzes will also be part of the fun, encouraging participants to research the answers to questions via a digital search engine. Prizes are available.

As Meredith Community Centre manager, Ms Phillips said it’s important residents know they’re not alone in being challenged by their phones or computers, or alone in the town that they live.

“These events help them gain confidence, make some social connections, and learn about other things they can do together at the centre,” she said.

Also in the agenda is a Shire-run Get Online Week event at Smythesdale’s The Well in its new Digital Hub, from 2pm to 8pm on Thursday, 21 October.

Various digital areas will be covered including setting up video web meetings, apps and online services, Zoom and Teams ‘big fails’ and safe online shopping.

Founder and executive director of IT company Lateral Plains George Fong will speak at 6.30pm, presenting about his career in the digital industry since the mid-1990s. Light refreshments will be available beforehand at 6pm.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Helena Kirby encouraged residents to make the most of the free day.

“All are welcome to stop by for a session and visit the Hub, or stay for the whole open house event,” she said. “The open house is… informal and will be a lot of fun.”

Bookings are essential. Call 5286 0700 for Meredith, 5342 7050 for Haddon, or 5220 7274 for Smythesdale.