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For information contact us by email or phone 02 4961 6576 (during business hours). 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.
CoronaVirus and Computerpals Newcastle
Hi everyone,
The situation with COVID-19 in Australia is changing daily and in view of the latest restrictions I believe it is prudent for ComputerPals to take steps to protect our seniors – committee, tutors and members. Social distancing is recommended and is extremely important for people of our age group.
Social distancing means separating yourself from other people as much as possible when you’re in public places, and avoiding crowded places. Practically, you should:
- attempt to keep a distance of 1.5 metres between yourself and others
- avoid crowds and mass gatherings where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance away from others
- avoid small gatherings in enclosed spaces,for example family celebrations
- avoid shaking hands, hugging, or kissing other people
- avoid visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, infants, or people with compromised immune systems due to illness or medical treatment.
After talking to some of our committee they agreed that we should suspend ComputerPals classroom activities until it is safe to resume.
I know we will miss the interaction but we need to do the best we can to assist in the containment of spread of this virus.
Let’s keep in touch during this uncertain time.
Stay safe and healthy,
Sandra
President
We are running online learning Sessions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings starting at 10:00 am – check your email or send an email to us and enquire what is coming up. These are also a great opportunity to socialise and banish loneliness and isolation – join us.
Email us at Contact@computerpals.org.au and request the link and instructions.
Regularly check back here for any changes.
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
For all course descriptions (see what you can learn) – click here.
If you see a class you would like to do please contact in person, by phone 4961 6576 – this will probably go to a voice mail – please leave your name & phone number – we will get back to you ASAP.or email: contact@computerpals.org.au and request a class (we will do our best to arrange something for you).
2020 Club Calendar is here (though all activities are presently suspended).
Are you new to ComputerPals?
You may have heard us refer to ASCCA and wondered what we meant.
ASCCA is short for Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association.
They are a ‘peak body’ that helps affiliated computer clubs from around Australia in a variety of ways. They also advocate on behalf of our sector in the halls of government and business.To hear more on the aspect of the NBN and ASCCA click on the picture below and watch the video.
Click on the photo above for the full story
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.
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 and scroll down for an introductory video
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 the community through their collective experience and knowledge.
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ASCCA Digital Photography Competition 2020 – this is still on!
If you are a member of the club you can join in.
Categories for 2020 are shown below. Each entrant is permitted to present one photograph, taken after 1st July 2019, for entry in each category – a maximum of seven entries. Entries will close on 1 September 2020. Winners will be announced at the 2020 Conference or by email to entrants and on the web in November 2020. To encourage new or previously unsuccessful entrants, there will be at least one prize in each category for an entrant who has not won a prize in a previous ASCCA photo competition.
All entries will be submitted by the individual photographer but clubs will gain the following points for photographs entered by a club member. This awarding of points will also be used to decide the Champion Photographer 2020:
40 points for first place 30 points for second place
20 points for third place 10 points for highly commended
1 point for each club member entering the competition
Categories are:
1. Photo-Journalism – This category is for “on the spot” photos which tell a story – such as might be seen in the news media. The judge will weigh the story-telling value as well as the quality of the photos in this category. Cropping and techniques that enhance the presentation of the image, without changing the photo journalism content, are permitted. Major manipulations which alter the “truth” of the documentary record would be against the spirit of this category.
2. Travel-Photo – This category will look for a photograph that captures the real essence and culture of a place and portrays the interest and joy of travel as an experience. It may be taken anywhere in the world, including Australia.
3. People/Portrait – The photographs in this category will be of one or more people and may be a formal or informal portrait or a photo of a person or people in a natural or contrived setting.
4. Landscape/Seascape – These photographs will be of predominantly natural scenery – either land, coastal or water. Although they may include animals, people, boats or buildings these must be incidental to the overall view.
5. Landscape-Structural/Manmade – This category allows photographs that are predominately of manmade objects, including cityscapes and building(s) and parts thereof, although they may include natural features, people or animals.
6. Animals – This category will include one or more Animals, Birds, Fish and other living creatures either wild or domestic.
7. Open – Allows our members to enter subjects not necessarily covered in the other six categories.
Conditions of Entry:
1. All entrants must be financial members of a Seniors Computer Club which is a financial member of ASCCA and must NOT be a professional photographer. ASCCA Directors or Staff members are not eligible.
2. All photographs submitted must be taken by the entrant on a digital camera, tablet, or phone since 1st July, 2019.
3. Entrants can submit only one digital image in each category. Composite photographs e.g. panorama count as one.
4. Each photograph is to be given a unique title. Titles should include Club Name, Entrant Name, and Photo title.
5. Photographs must be submitted in jpeg format with a maximum size of 4 Mb.
6. Each entrant must also submit a single head and shoulders photo of the entrant.
7. Entries must be submitted electronically either by email or the web. Details of exact submission methods will be provided closer to the closing date.
8. The club and entrant name will of course not be submitted to the judges so that bias can be reduced.
9. For any queries, please email: photocomp@pcug.org.au
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
Want To Join Computerpals? – For a Membership form, click HERE, print it, complete it and send or deliver it to us.
Cash payments cannot be made to tutors.
Payments are only made to the Treasurer by mail, through the bank or online banking (or in cash at Enrolment Days or Morning Teas.)
For more information go to the ‘Payments’ tab above and follow the instructions regarding payment.
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 conducting online classes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings at 10:00 am (check your email or send us an email to enquire what’s on and when).
Classes in the club room 
Classes are normally up to a maximum of eight people in computing subjects that chances are you need to improve your knowledge and skills using modern technology. The scope of subjects is fairly broad – covering applications using desktop computers, laptops, tablets and phones. Your specific needs should be discussed with a tutor – ideally at the next enrolment day where we can work together to identify the appropriate class(es) for you and you can enrol in the class at the same time.
Interest Groups until we can safely gather together.
And lets not forget our interest groups: MemoryPals (recording your family memories and memorabilia digitally and by other various methods) 1st Monday Monthly 1:00 pm, WriterPals (creative writing) 2nd Monday Monthly 1:00 pm, DigiPals (digital photography) 3rd Monday Monthly 1:00 pm.
These are group activities and not a class but hopefully it will still be a fun learning experience. Donation $2 on the day.
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We also have Laptops Assistance Sessions on the 2nd Friday Monthly 10:00 to 12:00 and Device Assistance Sessions on the 4th Friday Monthly for iPads/iPhones 10:00 to 11:30 and Android Tablets/phones from 12:30 to 2:00 pm. Cost is $5. We do ask you to book in to these sessions in advance so we can try to get sufficient tutors along to assist you.
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On top of all that, we are a fun group who enjoy the social contact with other seniors with morning teas once a term and occasional social outings once a term – see our Club Calendar. you are invited to join us!