Computer Pals for Seniors – Concord Inc.

Computer Pals for Seniors - Concord Inc. was set up in June, 2000 . Expressions of interest was sought from residents by the Aged Care Coordinator of Concord Council. Twenty people turned up and a committee was formed. We were incorporated on 27th November, 2000. At the beginning we were very lucky to liase with Milton Krause who already had a computer school in the local Seventh Day Adventist Church. He had been involved in computers for over 40 years.

He closed his school for a term and offered the premises, computers and his expertise to our volunteer tutors. We needed the tutors to learn first. Donations of two computers and a bubble jet printer were made to the club. At the meeting in August it was decided that membership fees be set at $20. Tutors were also to pay this amount. Milton Krause lent us 3 computers to use for training. His school closed down. We were also given an old laser printer. The council gave us a provisional room (subject to Council approval) in the Concord Senior Citizen's Centre. We had to share the room with the group known as Concord Senior Citizens Centre Inc.

We were about to start teaching in February 2001 and the heavens opened up. Water got into the room where the computers were The council wrote them off including the printer. It was covered by their insurance as they had inadequate drainage to cope with heavy rain. We then bought some computers to replace them.

We taught three days a week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and had about 70 members. It was decided that our monthly meetings were to be held on first Friday of the month from 1.30 - 3.30pm with afternoon tea included.

After being in existence for 6 years we have still between 80 - 100 members at any one time, our tutors fluctuate between 10 - 20. Since our inception we have taught 312 students and many of our early members are still active.

We now have 10 computers and one to use for Powerpoint presentations in the auditorium plus a projector. The council gave us funding to set up the internet and network our computers. There is also a small library of books for borrowing.We have held an Open Day in Seniors Week every year since being incorporated and have two members who sit on a committee to plan Seniors Week activities in the Canada Bay Council area with the Aged Care Coordinator.

We have held two very successful full day Computer Seminars and hope to hold one every two years. Our courses at the moment include Excel, Word (Beginners and Advanced), Internet and Email, Digital Photography, Genealogy,Graphics and Photo Editing and Maintenance of a Computer.Our philosophy behind the club is that we are a computer club not a computer school. We are there to help each other learn at their own pace and with what they want to learn.We are Seniors teaching Seniors. We are volunteer teachers and a non profit organisation.