Salvation Army Dee Why - Pacific Lodge Residential Aged Care Facility

The club formed in January 2004 at The Salvation Army's Elizabeth Jenkins Place Hostel in Collaroy after five residents mentioned an interest in computers at the weekly Current Affairs Group. The womens' ages then ranged from 72-89 years and they were taught by a Recreational Activities Officer using one old, slow computer donated by a family.

In July 2004, six second-hand computers, with the latest operating technology, were donated by a local business following a story in The Manly Daily about the group's achievements.

The RAO became the volunteer computer administrator and tutor and helped three residents produce books about their life and travel stories, as well as two books with stories about other residents at the Hostel.

The group closed ASCCA's 6th annual seminar in Ryde in September 2004 with a presentation about their computer experience, and there wasn't a dry eye in the audience!

We joined ASCCA in March 2005. Broadband was installed in June 2005, the computers were networked and group members surfed the Net and kept in touch with family and friends using email. Four new students began lessons in August 2005 under the tuition of two volunteers from a neighbouring club, Computer Pals for Seniors Northern Beaches at Narrabeen.

With the closure of Elizabeth Jenkins Place at Collaroy in June 2007, four computers were moved to Pacific Lodge at Dee Why. Two women from the inaugural EJP computer group and the computer administrator/tutor all relocated to Pacific Lodge and they continue to have daily access to the computers.

A new computer club started at Pacific Lodge in June 2007 with 4 new students embracing their introduction to computers under the tuition of the RAO. In September 2007 four upgraded computers were purchased and networked with access to broadband. There are now five proficient users with daily access.