Media Releases

State Government grants totalling more than $50,000 will help connect some of the more technologically isolated people in our region.
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, and MP for Northern Victoria Region, Damian Drum, said today three groups in this region would share in the latest round of Community ICT Skills grants.
They would help people and groups which had previously found it hard to access Internet, email or computer technology.
The grants will go to:-
• Castlemaine and District Continuing Education: $20,700 for the Castlemaine Connected project designed to help people access online resources and job opportunities.
• Future Employment Opportunities: $8500 to upgrade technology equipment to enable free ICT training for seniors and those seeking jobs.
• Golden City Support Services: $25,000 to help targeted groups overcome their fears or other barriers to using the Internet.
Mr Drum said information technology skills were becoming essential for all people to be able to take a constructive part in modern life, and the grants would help many who up until now had been unable to access or use the technology.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said the Community ICT Skills Grants program supported community organisations to increase and develop the use of information and communication technology.

“Through this program, senior citizens, people with a disability, migrant and refugee communities and Victorians living in remote and isolated locations are being encouraged to get online and develop their skills and knowledge using computers and the internet.

“Effective use of technology not only promotes increased independence, it also provides another setting for social interaction and expands opportunities for employment and education.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is proud to support communities across the state through programs such as this,” Mr Ryan said