Introducing isolated people to the advantages of computer technology is the aim of an Internet Program being introduced in Victoria’s Shire of Campaspe.
Coordinator of Campaspe Communicating, Catherine Franklin, said the Project has recently received $150,000 from the Federal Government’s Regional Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund.
Over the next two years, this will enable Council to establish 10 Internet sites in selected small communities around the Shire.
Catherine said the Project targets the whole community, aiming to ameliorate the fears many people have with new technology.
“Increasingly services, such as banking and other commercial facilities, are going to be technology driven,” she said.
“Becoming familiar with the Internet will allow people to access services and information overcoming the traditional disadvantages associated with living in remote areas.
“It will also enable people to do this without the need for expensive and time consuming travel.”
Having selected an Internet location, public meetings are held to establish a Committee of Management and encourage local people to make use of the service.
It is intended that the sites are run and owned by local communities themselves.
Council will provide support services in the form of setting up the sites and training programs to familiarise people with the technology.
Sites selected are those least likely to have Internet sites provided on a commercial basis because they are too remote or have too small a population.
For further information contact Catherine Franklin, telephone (03) 5481 2200.
