Located on the urban rural fringe
20 kilometres northwest of Melbourne, Hume City Council is assisting its younger residents in their educational development and helping them to stay connected with the global world through an innovative PC Award program.
With a large proportion of young people in the municipality (32.5 per cent of its residents are aged 19 years and under), Council has run the Connecting Hume PC Award annually since 2004.
The program is part of Council’s commitment to encourage lifelong learning. Principals of local schools nominate students who they feel will benefit from having a computer at home, which they can share with their family.
On March 3, Council held a presentation night for the 2010 round of the program. In partnership with the Hume Global Learning Village, 40 primary school children received a PC, a printer, one year free internet access and PC support through a program sponsored by Ford Australia, Infoxchange and Hume City Council.
“It is important that children continue developing and learning throughout their life,” said Hume Mayor Councillor Geoff Porter. “It is great we are able to provide them with an opportunity to do so.”
To date, 326 children and their families have benefited from this program.
Other programs Council is delivering include Seasons of Learning, the Hume Volunteer Gateway Project, Computer Clubs, Net Help, the Inspiring Teachers Scholarship Awards and Inspiring Stories Project.
For more information visit www.hume.vic.gov.au or contact Hume Libraries on (03) 9356 6999.
