™

History
of
SeniorNet Association Inc.

History of SeniorNet Association Inc.

An initiative of the Ipswich City Council (ICC), in the city of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia, The SeniorNet Project was Co-sponsored by the Department of Social Security (DSS) under its Community Information Network Program (now terminated).   SeniorNet began in January 1995, when ICC appointed Dr. Hilda des Arts as Coordinator of the SeniorNet Australia Project. Hilda formed a steering committee to establish a local association of SeniorNet in Ipswich as a computer skills learning centre with social interaction for the region's seniors.

The Ipswich SeniorNet association also serves as a model for establishing SeniorNet branches elsewhere. To launch SeniorNet, DSS loaned computers to the project, whilst Ipswich City Council  provided supporting peripheral hardware, continuing financial, technical and administrative assistance, and training for a core group of members. Some of these founding members formed the Steering Committee and then the the SeniorNet Management Committee under the Chairmanship of the late Dr. Hilda des Arts. 

From the beginning, the project was active in two Ipswich regional retirement villages, with activity officers from each village being included in the core group training. This part of the project has been particularly effective, stimulating interest in computer operating skills, and providing equipment and training support for residents of the villages.

The SeniorNet association in Ipswich was Incorporated in August 1996. In February 1997 the management committee with help from Ipswich City Council and Global Info-Links, started work on establishing a SeniorNet Training Centre on the first floor of the W.G. Hayden Humanities Centre, South Street Ipswich.

Training courses in computer operating skills for SeniorNet members commenced in May '97 using four computers on loan from ICC.  These computers used Windows 3.1 operating system programs, and were networked and Internet linked through Global Info-Links (GIL).   Global Info-Links is Ipswich City Council's Internet Service Provider.  

An Ipswich based computer supply company, Silkstone Software,  provided network hardware and software for the training centre computers.

The Management Committee also acquired a funding sponsorship from the Queensland Government Department of Families, Youth and Community Care, and purchased two new Pentium computers using Windows 95 operating systems in July of 1997. Training courses for Windows 95 programs commenced in August '97.

Early in 1998, SeniorNet purchased an additional three new Pentium computers and now offers members computer training in Windows 3.11 and Windows 95 platforms and associated software programs.

Membership
SeniorNet in Ipswich has members resident in all the eastern sea-board Australian states.  Communication between members depends on e-mail and use of a web site based discussion group service (see the 'Discussion Group' link).

Sponsors.
SeniorNet is sponsored by: (See the "Sponsors" link for their web sites)
Ipswich City Council and Global Info-Links
Department of Social security
Department of Families Youth and Community Care

Ipswich City Council through the management and members of the Global Info-Links team continue to provide vital support with administrative, technical and financial help. More importantly, their contribution in the form of friend and mentor to the members of the SeniorNet management committee is valued even more than their formal sponsorship.

The National SeniorNet Project
Dr. Hilda des Arts managed national promotion of SeniorNet since 1995.  Hilda had devoted a great deal of time and energy to the task, presenting the project, its vision and objectives and its plan for national expansion at seminars and conventions in Cairns, Rockhampton, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Geelong and Mornington Peninsular, Hobart and Perth.  She had also featured SeniorNet in extensive media coverage - print, radio and television throughout Australia and twice with BBC London.

The profile of the project is defined and quite well-known as SeniorNet Australia. It was trialled and developed in Ipswich.

Hilda is still remembered and honoured every year at the Hilda des Arts Footprints Awards, but her dream of a National Association is now carried on by Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association.  Ipswich SeniorNet Association is a participating member of this National Association which is centred in Sydney. This year (2006) on September 30th ASCCA will hold its first Queensland celebration with a comprehensive Workshop at the Ferny Grove High School.

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©Copyright SeniorNet Association Inc. 1998