Cash splash for wi-fi boost

By CASEY NEILL
SPRINGVALE Learning and Activities Centre (SLAC) has welcomed a $30,000 wi-fi boost, but urged governments to give more support to community groups for IT.
SLAC manager Elena Sheldon said the centre was very grateful for the cash, but said it would have to contribute money from its reserve funds and seek support from its committee members and community groups to make its IT upgrade a reality.
“Community-based organisations have been neglected from the point of view of IT,” she said.
“I encourage government to take it more seriously and offer more resources to make sure community-based organisations are able to engage with the community and provide access to modern technology.”
Ms Sheldon said the upgrade would include wireless internet connectivity across the building and a mobile computer lab, to replace its nine six-year-old computers.
“So we can increase learning opportunities for adults, and groups and people will be able to use wireless internet for their community development activities,” she said.
“We’re really excited.”
Ms Sheldon said the new system would be ready in February and the mobile lab and wi-fi would allow the centre to hold more computer classes.
“We can’t put more than nine people in a class at the moment,” she said.
“And the computers can’t be moved so it limits what technology we can use.
“With the flexibility of wireless and better devices we’ll be able to do more creative things.”
Ms Sheldon said computer classes provided important skills for further education and employment and exposed students to technologies used in business.
She said it would also boost internet socialising.
“This improves their connection to the community,” she said.
“Social isolation is the biggest health risk.”
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich last week announced the funding.
“Springvale Learning and Activities Centre is a significant community resource and it is important that the Victorian Coalition Government assists them to achieve their goals in developing this initiative,” she said.
“The funding has been provided through the Creating Modernised and Inclusive Neighbourhood Houses program.”
Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge said the program supported Neighbourhood Houses to grow and attract people from all backgrounds to follow their interests and develop their skills.