Computer skills now on offer at Forster Community Garden

Great Lakes residents wanting some entry level computer training can now access this at the Forster Community Garden.

Coordinated by the Forster Neighbourhood Centre, the training aims to keep people better connected in the digital world.

Committee Treasurer and Acting Manager for Forster Neighbourhood Centre Julie Brady, said some people don’t know how to do some really basic things like looking up a bus timetable, booking tickets online or online shopping.

“We will be teaching them fundamental computer skills as part of the Australian Government’s ‘Be Connected’ Program, plus also helping them to stay better connected with their families and their community,” Ms Brady said.

“When we’ve been talking to some locals about the computer training, what we discovered was they weren’t very confident with their mobile phones. So we’re also going to provide some basic training in this area. For example, how to send a text message or email via mobile phone.”

A $10,536 grant from the ETC Community Support Fund enabled Forster Neighbourhood Centre to purchase laptops, internet equipment and a printer to run the training from their office located at Forster Community Garden in Little Street.

“We’re most appreciative of the grant from ETC. It has helped us to improve the garden side of things too,” said Isabel Strachan the Community Garden Coordinator.

“Previous to this, the garden was suffering from poor irrigation and the watering system had collapsed. So we were having a lot of trouble getting plants to survive, it was a bit rangy and overgrown in places, it had gone wild. Not well loved and not enough water,” Ms Strachan said.

“We’ve been able to fix the whole watering system – it’s automated now. We’ve been able to put in a heap of new organic soil for our 51 beds and replant them. Plus purchase a shade sail for our volunteers to rest under.”

To find out more information about the computer training contact Forster Neighbourhood Centre on (02) 6555 4351.

ETC provides employment and training services in the Great Lakes region. If you need help finding a job, are looking for staff or are interested in up-skilling, contact ETC on 1800 007 400.