Nan Bosler is committed to the growth and development of ASCCA as it seeks to empower Seniors Computer Clubs to help older people use modern technology.
Nan feels strongly that learning is a lifelong experience. She was over 50 when she first went to University, has five tertiary qualifications covering Adult Education, Community Organisation, Local and Applied History and she completed her last qualification, Masters in Local Government Management in 1996. She has community awards including Anzac of the Year, Advance Australia Award and an OAM.
She has been involved with community organisations for more than 55 years, holding positions ranging from member to National President.
In early November 2007, Nan Bosler was the winner of the inaugural Apia Learning Ambassador Award, sponsored by the Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency and Adult Learning Australia. During 2008, she will represent adult learners at conferences and events both in Australia and internationally.
Nan is a published author and has written books on Local History, War History, Craft, Creative Development of Pre-schoolers, Creative activities for disabled children and Community Management. She has also written many articles and made presentations about the value of computer technology for seniors. Nan has served a six year term on the [NSW] Ministerial Advisory Committee on Ageing (1998 - 2003); and a term on the Seniors Portal Editorial Board.
Before retiring she worked in Local Government and was an Adviser and Lecturer in the faculty of Adult Education at the University of Technology, Sydney.
While serving as the President of ASCCA she has successfully sought funding that has enable ASCCA to employ three part time staff; and has organised partnerships between ASCCA and the Department of Ageing Disability and Home Care, IBM, Telstra and Microsoft; and negotiated sponsorship from a number of philanthropic trusts, organisations and businesses. She has been the editor of the ASCCA newsletter and is involved in all aspects of the work of ASCCA.
Nan represents ASCCA on many committees including the Telstra Consumer Consultative Council, Communications Alliance Consumer Council and Consumer Telecommunications Network.
Nan was the foundation president of ASCCA and has held the position continuously since 1998.
Colin Ward has had 30 years of experience in business management including stock management, accounting, pay-roll, design and printing.
He has retired from running his own Computer Consultancy business and has an excellent knowledge of electronics and an ability to construct computers from scratch. He also attended the first Train the Trainers course run by TAFE, receiving the course certificate on completion.
Computer experience over the years has ensured that he has a wide knowledge of software packages and is skilled in all aspects of computer upgrading and testing with knowledge of computer from 386 to the latest Pentiums and AMD systems, giving advice to local members on their computer updates and maintenance since starting with Forest Computer Pals.
Colin joined Computer Pals in 1993 and has been President of The Forest Computer Pals for Seniors Inc. since 1996. He is co-webmaster for ASCCA’s website - www.ascca.org.au and Forest Computer Pals website - www.forestcompals.org.au.
He was a member of the first executive of ASCCA where he served as vice president. He has continued his role as Vice President since ASCCA was formed and has additionally served as Treasurer. Over the years he has also answered many questions for ASCCA club members by phone and e-mail in both hardware and software, with a number being written up and found on the Members Only pages of ASCCA web site. He has also written a number of articles for both the ASCCA and Forest Websites.
Mark Joffe was a foundation member of Computer Pals For Seniors Eastern Suburbs when it commenced in August 1999. At present he is the President, a position he has held for 5 years. Prior to that Mark was club Secretary and Treasurer for a period of three years.
Mark has extensive experience in accountancy particularly in the cost and management section. He held the position of Company Secretary in South Africa for a period of 15 years, and prior to that the Chief accountant for seven years.
Since arriving in Australia Mark ran his own Menswear business in Engadine for 15 years before being forced to retire because of heart problems.
Since retiring, Mark has been involved in many community groups. At present he is Treasurer of Waverley Community Services.
Mark has been a director of ASCCA since 2002.
Betty Rose Benjamin is committed to helping ASCCA grow and support its many seniors computer club members established throughout Australia.
For over thirty years Betty worked for a publishing company in a variety of positions including selling rights and permissions to the company’s publications to overseas publishing houses, handling authors’ contracts and dealing with copyright matters.
After retirement Betty became actively involved with several community organisations in a voluntary capacity and has received many awards.
The Moocooboola Computer Club for Seniors Inc. at Hunters Hill was one of the first clubs to join ASCCA and Betty has been its Secretary and Public Officer from its inception in May, 1992. For her dedication, in 2004 she was made the Club’s first Life Member.
Betty was on the Committee of the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association Inc. and has been a Director of the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (a company limited by guarantee) since it was established in 2001. Her main role is to handle insurance matters; she also acts as ‘Catering Officer’ for ASCCA’s members’ meetings (ably assisted by Peter King) and proof reader/editor for its various publications
David Bennett has been a director of ASCCA since 2005.
David worked in the computer industry from 1958 until his retirement in 1996. He was involved in the design and manufacture of computer systems hardware, later specialising in software systems for manufacturing industries.
His career took a different direction when he began as a consultant and president of the UK "Just in Time" group, who worked to improve the manufacturing processes in large companies, such as Hoover, Sony UK, Nissan UK and Sunrise Medical.
In January 1998 he came to Australia, in the firm belief that he had left the world of computers behind! Later that year he joined Northern Beaches Computer Pals as a trainer and soon became involved in the organisation and development of the club.
When Avalon Computer Pals was formed he became a founder member and spent three years as a trainer and member of the committee.
Supporting ASCCA as a presenter, on a wide variety of subjects, has taken him to many member clubs. When Microsoft launched their Unlimited Potential Program in Sydney he was pleased to demonstrate the use of a webcam link to John Howard and Bill Gates.
David wants to continue working on widening communication between member clubs, using webcam links and voice over Internet protocols. This will hopefully encourage more interactive participation between member clubs and will allow them to get maximum benefit from their ASCCA membership.
Joan Craymer is a foundation member of Computer Pals for Seniors - Epping Inc. which began six years ago. She has served for three years as Secretary; followed by two years as President, Vice-President and is now President once again. Joan hosts and enjoys the Creative Writing Group and is also an active member of the Genealogy Special Interest Group. She has been involved in training in Genealogy, Managing Your Computer, Works, Image Enhancement, Introduction to Computing and Newsletter Creation using Microsoft Publisher.
The original motive for joining the computer club was a desire to learn new skills to apply to her many personal interests; including genealogy, history, writing and painting. However, she soon became so inspired by the eagerness and generosity of spirit, of both the volunteers and learners she encountered, she could not resist helping and joined the Committee a s Secretary.
Of course, she acknowledges that she has learned a great deal about computers; but tells anyone who will listen; about the blessings of friendship the computer club has brought to herself and most others involved. As a result of skills learned, she has also made many interesting connections and friendships with previously unknown distant overseas relatives and been involved in co-operative research of great mutual benefit.
As President at Epping, Joan actively promots an interest among the members for the work of ASCCA. She believes ASCCA provides the structure that gives the opportunity for senior people to help their peers gain knowledge that minimises isolation in a rapidly changing technical environment; as well as giving them a strong voice in government and business.
Joan became a director of ASCCA in 2006, and in 2007 became ASCCA's newsletter editor.
John was elected to the position of Secretary for Computer Pals for Seniors – Eastern Suburbs, and continues in this position, in August 2003. He became a club trainer in May 2003 teaching a variety of subjects including Beginners, MS Word, Internet/Email and Digital Photography.
In late 2006 he added the role of Tutor co-ordinator and succeeded in boosting tutor numbers to allow his club more flexibility plus reduce the extensive hours being worked by a dwindling number of volunteer tutors.
From January 2007 he added a further role, that of enrolment officer. This entails fielding telephone calls from Seniors wish to become computer literate, enrolling them in a suitable course. Additionally, existing students need to be enrolled for the following term. All students then need to be allocated timetables and a tutor (approximately 140 students are taught by 14 tutors).
John has experience in sourcing corporate sponsorship and feels that he can make a contribution in this regard to ASCCA and his own club.
Bodo Schwarz brings to ASCCA administrative skills and a commitment to helping the organisation grow, having served on the ASCCA board since 2004.
As part of last year's Senior's Week Bodo helped organise the Bulli Techno-Seniors Computer Expo, which resulted in the forming of the Bulli Senior Citizens Computer Club, which subsequently joined ASCCA.
This year he was actively involved in marketing of ASCCA merchandise during the annual Sydney conference Seminar and helped formulate the latest fundraising efforts.
Bodo has recently written two training manuals covering PowerPoint and Publisher for ASCCA.
At present he holds the position of Secretary of the Illawarra Computer Enthusiasts after four years as the President. Bodo is also a director on the board of the Illawarra TAFE Student Association, a position held for the past six years.Bodo's involvement with computers started in 1988 starting with a Commodore C64, finally acquiring his first PC in 1998.
He recently retired having worked for TAFE the last 14½ years and prior to that 33½ for BHP. His education qualifications are the Diploma in Management, Certificate 4 in Workplace Training and Assessment, Certificate 4 in Occupation Health & Safety and the Trade Certificate in Fitting and Machining. Bodo also served in the Army Reserves for twenty years taking his discharge in 1984, having reached the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2.
Bodo is also a current Justice of the Peace for the State of New South Wales.
Annette started work in 1955 at the MLC Assurance Company in Sydney. In 1959 she went to Papua New Guinea where she spent 18 years working for the Commonwealth Government. It was there she was introduced to computers, commencing with mainframes and moving on to PCs.
While in PNG she was Secretary of the Four Mile Social Club for five years and the Secretary of the Hawks Rugby League Football Club for four years.
Back in Australia she gained her Victorian Certificate of Education through TAFE Outreach Learning in Bairnsdale, Victoria and received an Associate Diploma in Social Science - Community Development. Whilst in Victoria Annette was the Secretary of the Deddick Valley Isolated Women's Group.
She joined the Westlakes Seniors Computer Club, Lake Macquarie in 2000 at its inauguration. She was elected Secretary in May 2000 and still holds that position.
Annette is also a current Justice of the Peace for the State of New South Wales.
