Telecentre

[karen donnybrook]

This where I work (volunteer) one day a week:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1OTv6BqP2CthAeMqMJRwkmbhK9wqBi_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1OTv6BqP2CthAeMqMJRwkmbhK9wqBi)

Karen

[kayser]

Karen- Thanks for positing that- you've talked about it so much I often wondered exactly what it was. Will they be posting your picture on the wall there??

[Wendy]

Hi Karen ...

I have heard so much about it ... now it is nice to actually see it :)

Wendy

[karen donnybrook]

Kay,

The TSB (Telecentre Support Branch) have just launched a new Extranet where each Telecentre can post information, images etc and I am hoping it will be posted there. I have another couple of montages I have done up for the same purpose.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1GzjNM9ZCuhIxUudUKCZaeBmGB2hU_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1GzjNM9ZCuhIxUudUKCZaeBmGB2hU)

and

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1URy2q410OkJv3RPKtWQ7tlujqv6nr0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1URy2q410OkJv3RPKtWQ7tlujqv6nr0)

Karen

[NMarti]

Karen
Very nice job. Thanks for sharing them with us. It's nice to be able to finally visualize things we talk about on here.

[kevq]

Karen,
nice informative montages. Nice to see a place we've heard about but never seen before.
Wish we had a similar centre in our area.
Kev:) :) :)

[Robyn]

Great montages Karen..........and just how 'Australian' is that building. I've noticed recently that some new homes are now being built in that style.

[Ward Grant]

Thanks for sharing the photos.
Now, I am going to show my ignorance of the term "telecentre".
You volunteer there so you offer a service, all your 'puters have names so I'm thinking some kind of PC/Internet cafe, centre so this place is a focus point and tele as in "What are the three fastest way to get the scoop on anything-telegraphs, telephones and tell a woman" (running and ducking).

[GaryK]

Karen

Thanks for posting, I've always wondered what it looked like.
Canon copier/printer huh.:)

[karen donnybrook]

Thanks for all the comments.

Gary, you ducked too quickly for me - I missed you ;)

What is a Telecentre? I am working today so all I have to do is look around and try and describe what we do :D

Telecentres are friendly local community centres equipmed with hi-tech facilities. There are over 100 Community Telecentres situated around Western Australia. Although part of a "network", each Telecentre is run by a local committee and makes its own rules and regulations. Telecentres can not be set up just anywhere - to be eligible, the town must be away from a major city and get approval of the Telecentre Support Branch. The Western Australian Government pays for a part time Coordinator (20 hours a week); the rest of the time is made up by volunteers. So each Telecentre is open at least 20 hours/ week. We are open 5 days a week from 10am to 5pm.

to be continued . . .

[karen donnybrook]

What is a Telecentre (continued).....

Here in Donnybrook we have 12 computers (6 original, 4 years old; 6 brand new); 11 of these computers are available to the general public. We also have a Centrelink Access Point (Centrelink = Govt pensions); we supervise the Computer Theory Test and Hazard Perception Test for driver's licence (the Shire out-sourced the work to the Telecentre); We have a videoconference facilities; a 1metre wide laminator. Another "thing" we do is gather information, compile and print a local newsletter (on the Canon copier/printer). We are also support by the Donnybrook/Balingup Shire Council - they own and maintain the building and pay all electricity and water usage. Money is accessed from LotteryWest in the form of grants, to purchased/upgrade equipment.

Think that is all. By the way, at the minute we have a work experience lass from the local high school working on Thursdays.

Karen

[Mary]

Thanks for sharing that Karen - I often wondered what it all looked like and what you did there.:) Thanks for your volunteer work - even though I don't benefit directly I believe every volunteer makes the world a better place.:)

[karen donnybrook]

Thanks Mary,

Karen

[jazzfisher]

Karen,So nice to see where you "work" & hear about what you do. So different from everything here.

[karen donnybrook]

Sherry,

Pleased you found it interesting.

Karen

PS, Dave (Coordinator) really like the three montages I did.

[jazzfisher]

Karen,Yes the montages are wonderful.So if a tourist were in your town-could they come there to use a computer? In our Libraries, they have computers that the public can use.

[kayser]

Thanks for the background, I love hearing how things work in other places.

[karen donnybrook]

Sherry,

Yes, anyone can use the computers. There is a membership available for 6 or 12 months and this allows you to use a computer for 2 hours a day free!! Non-members pay $A1.50 for 15 minutes (printing anything costs extra). During the fruit picking season, we have the place full of back-packers using the net. We have (for us) very high speed internet, although I must admit it does slow down a bit when all computer users are actually using the net :D

Karen

[karen donnybrook]

Kay,

My pleasure.

Karen