General News
23 February, 2023
Digital literacy program to support more Avoca residents
Older Pyrenees Shire residents looking to boost their online skills can now do so through a free digital literacy training program at Avoca and Beaufort. The Pyrenees Shire Council recently welcomed $12,635 as part of the State Government’s...
Older Pyrenees Shire residents looking to boost their online skills can now do so through a free digital literacy training program at Avoca and Beaufort.
The Pyrenees Shire Council recently welcomed $12,635 as part of the State Government’s Digital Literacy for Seniors Program, which will be used to strengthen and expand council’s existing programs.
The programs provide hands-on digital training for older members of the community, either individually or in small groups.
Pyrenees Shire Council mayor Ron Eason said staff at council’s library resource centres in Avoca and Beaufort play an important role in providing assistance with a wide range of digital services.
“These funds will help council strengthen and expand the programs and services we already have in place to help older members of our community navigate the digital landscape,” he said.
“Accessing information and services can be daunting these days, and our library staff are very good at providing friendly, one-on-one help with everything from showing customers how to find things on Google to filling out forms.”
Digital literacy can be vital, particularly during natural disasters like the recent floods, or during the COVID-19 pandemic when a large amount of safety information was distributed online.
“Many members of the community sought help in finding information and submitting flood assistance applications though our libraries following the floods last year,” Cr Eason said.
“This is a great example of why council’s ability to provide these services is so important, and why this funding is going to be of great benefit for our resource centres.”
Council currently offers one-on-one assistance with accessing information on the internet and help with tasks like online applications for flood relief, with an expansion in the works.
One hour IT Help sessions are already held at the Beaufort Library on Wednesdays (11 am to 12 pm, and 12 to 1 pm) and courses such as Digital Skills — MS Office are run in Beaufort in conjunction with the Beaufort Community House and Learning Centre.
To access council’s digital literacy services in Avoca, contact the Avoca Information and Community Centre on 5465-1000 or visit the centre at 122 High Street.