Our President 2016

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Membership		Payments

For information contact us by email or phone 02 4961 6576 (during business hours Mon-Fri). This will probably go to a voice mail – please leave your name & phone number & the subject you want to talk about – we will get back to you ASAP.

Our 2021 AGM is looming

See Official Notice of Annual General Meeting here.

We have reserved the large meeting room at Cardiff RSL for our meeting and lunch.

At this stage COVID health advice allows the meeting to proceed limited to 40 people in the room.

It is compulsory for everyone who is attending the meeting to:
– Wear a mask
– Follow the one person per four square metre rule
– Sign in with the Services NSW QR Code and provide contact details
– Stay home if unwell
– Do not attend the meeting if you have been in or reside in the Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour regions on or after 21st June for a period of fourteen days since your last visit.

If circumstances change and we cannot have a face-to-face meeting as proposed above, the meeting will be conducted online via ZOOM and a link will be advised in an email to all financial members.

Order of business will be

presentation of Annual Report from the deferred 2020 AGM
presentation of Annual Report for AGM 2021
election of office bearers (all positions are declared vacant) – for a Nomination form CLICK HERE
ratification of changes to our Constitution that were voted on and passed at a Special General Meeting on 12 July 2021
lunch

The Cardiff RSL Club has kindly agreed to allow us to use the large meeting room free of charge.

The buffet at the club was open at the last check today.

Cost of the meal is $17.50 per person and Computerpals are required to pay for lunch in advance to the Cardiff RSL Club (you pay us – we pay them in one amount for all attending).

Financial members are encouraged to attend. To control numbers it is essential that you complete the form obtained from this link.

Please pay Computerpals the appropriate amount. Use the How to pay instructions.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Barry Keen (for the Secretary)

We have a COVIDSAFE Plan in place in the Clubroom.

Make sure you check in using the Service NSW QR code when you attend our rooms

You must book in (phone 4961 6576), and pay (if applicable) in advance.

Our normal schedule is classes in the mornings (10am-11:30am) and afternoons (12:30pm-2:00pm) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

ZOOM CLASSES will be run on Friday mornings (from 10:00am – 11:30am) for those people who are not yet ready to return to the clubroom or find this more convenient. Topics change each week and attendees nominate the topic for the next week.

Click here to get a printable version of the full Term 3 schedule

To check if there is still a vacancy & book in Ph: 4961 6576 or email contact@computerpals.org.au

Members check your email or send an email to us and enquire what is coming up and how to join our sessions. We may be able to assist individuals or groups on other days if a need is made evident. You will need to tell us of your preference.

Are You OK?

We are aware of the challenges of keeping our own energy levels up as COVID goes from a sprint to a marathon, and we’re sure many of you feel likewise. While the media headlines are focused on case numbers and community transmissions, we shouldn’t forget the hidden toll this pandemic is having on the collective mental health in our communities. It is more important than ever to look out for ourselves and each other, and as a club, we will continue to explore ways to make sure we’re playing our part and providing the support that’s needed.

Joining a Zoom Call for the First Time; Fun and Easy Online Connection

Click on the link below for a YouTube video that explains Zoom Meetings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9isp3qPeQ0E

Be Connected – What is it?

Be Connected is an Australia wide Federal Government initiative empowering all Australians to thrive in a digital world. There are online learning resources as well as a Network of community partners – the Be Connected Network – who offer in-person support so you can develop your digital skills and confidence.

ComputerPals for Seniors – Newcastle Inc. is a Be Connected Network Partner and we are here to help you.

Be Connected classes are FREE

If you have a need to develop skills to use a computer/tablet or smart phone – these classes are for you. The training is offered in small groups to allow personalised learning and one-on-one coaching. Phone 4961 6576 (This will probably go to a voice mail – please leave your name & phone number – we will get back to you ASAP) to enrol in the program through us and get our support.

CLICK HERE for the Be Connected website for more information. Then scroll down for an introductory video.

One of the Be Connected courses…

Smart homes

There are many different ways modern technology can help us in our daily lives. From voice-controlled smart speakers to making the family tv display content from your smart phone, our new courses look at what gadgets are available, how they work and how to use them safely.

Some other examples of topics…

Introduction to online banking
Introduction to mobile banking
Introduction to myGov
Introduction to buying and selling online
Social media apps
Online hobbies

and there are many more…

Newsletter

ComputerPals for Seniors – Newcastle Inc

Great fun!

2022 Membership is now due…

New members or old members re-joining

click here for a Membership Form

Annual Cost is $25 pa

also, a joining fee of $5 for new members.

Annual Membership is from 1 July to 30 June.

Membership is encouraged but not mandatory for people engaged only in Be Connected sessions.

Our next Social outing will be a nature walk and photographic opportunity at Tilligerry Habitat along with Tanilba Bay Foreshore Reserve, Tanilba Bay on Saturday 14th August next.

With ongoing COVID – 19 concerns, an outdoor experience has been preferred, hoping it will be a sunny Winter’s day. With few options at Tanilba Bay and Lemon Tree Passage, we will meet at McDonalds Williamtown for a coffee ‘fix’ before tackling the main event.

The Tilligerry Habitat is a State Reserve Trust run entirely by volunteers – the paths throughout the area are a credit to them, with well graded gravel paths and timbered bridges and walkways where required to traverse low lying areas and creeks. There are numerous paths to explore, along with the main walk circuit which will begin and end at the Centre’s office, taking you through a myriad of trees, palms, grasses and herbs including Scribbly Gum Eucalyptus, Burrawang palm like plants, Blady Grass, along with Egg & Bacon Herbs. Along the foreshore you will see a number of trees fallen into the water and virtually rooting into the sand below the surface. All the while , there are numerous bird species calling this area home, along with Koalas ( if you are lucky enough to spot them). The main circuit should take approx. 1 hour plus exploration and photographic stops, while there are a number of other tracks to explore. Unfortunately, the Visitor Centre is closed (COVID), however, information (including a map) can be obtained from www.tilligerryhabitat.org.au

When: Saturday 14th August 2021

Meet: McDonalds, Williamtown

Time: 9.15am – Morning Tea

10.00am – Leave for Tilligerry Habitat

Cost: Morning Tea, Lunch wherever ??? (your option), N/C for Habitat entry

The usual outdoor activity ‘necessaries’ are suggested, including comfortable walking shoes, hat/cap etc. and of course, your camera. It is suggested that you print out the walking trail map and bring it with you for obvious reasons. Direction maps are attached.

Please click here to download the attendance form, complete the details and submit. As always, we do need this information to keep track of everyone attending. Please also check your emails regularly before this adventure for any change/cancellation due to COVID.

See you at ‘Maccas’,

Brenton Elsey
Social Secretary

In addition to our classroom lessons……

Want to catch up with us on Facebook? CLICK HERE

STAY SAFE ONLINE…. (a video)

@EmpowerITS (click on the link) has put together this fantastic resource for Staying Safe Online, to help older Australians to take the next step in their online journey. A great initiative from Good Things Foundation Australia

Easy steps to secure your online information

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has developed an Easy Steps Guide to help Australians protect themselves from cyber criminals. Lottery and grant scams, identity theft, investment scams, hacking, phishing, dating and romance scams, online abuse and sextortion are just some of the threats people face.

Their Easy Steps Guide shows how you can better protect yourself from these threats and secure your accounts and devices, by stepping you through a six-day plan.

On completion of the Guide, you will have strengthened the security of your online accounts and your information. Click Here for their website.

Who Provides Our Training?

Tutoring is provided by a band of volunteers, prepared to share their knowledge and give their time, so that we can provide training at minimum cost. Being a member of ASCCA ( Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association ), we have access to ASCCA’s resources and links to other Seniors’ Computing Clubs throughout Australia. If you would like to become involved as a tutor, or if you know someone who has the skills but is not yet a member, please contact our Tutor Co-ordinator.

SO WHAT DOES COMPUTERPALS OFFER?

We are now back to classes in the clubroom (see above) and conducting online sessions on Friday mornings at 10:00 am (check your email or (better still) you send us an email to enquire what’s on and when and how to get onto the session). Our email address: contact@computerpals.org.au

If you need one-on-one help using ZOOM online – send us an email and include your phone number. We will call you back and discuss how we can help.

ComputerPals Mission

Our mission is to educate seniors in the use of computers and other technology (phones & tablets) as a way of enriching their lives and making them more self-reliant. We bridge the generation gap and assist seniors to find ways to benefit themselves and the community through their collective experience and knowledge.