​A focus of Tech Savvy Community Projects in 2020 was working with Judith Borthwick towards the completion of a project commenced in 2012 with John Avery’s ‘Local History’ program and continued with Meg Dillon’s Stories of Benalla’s Past’ the following year. 

Judith’s project ‘Benalla Hospitals and Nurses of the early 1900’s’ celebrates the contribution of the nurses who ran private hospitals in Benalla during the first three decades of the 1900’s, before the establishment of the Benalla Bush Nursing Hospital in 1935. 

​Judith is looking forward to giving a copy to Meg Dillon to read; to showing the final document to John Avery at Cooinda and to providing copies to Benalla Family Research Centre and the Benalla Historical Society for use in future research.  We are also pleased to be able to offer a downloadable copy of the document for interested U3A members to read:

Judith describes her project as being “like a jigsaw puzzle, with some gaps, hopefully not too many discrepancies and certainly more information to be obtained”, adding that she persevered to complete it because “it would be a shame if it wasn’t recorded to be available to anyone who wishes to continue with this, or similar research.”

What a wonderful project to work on during 2020 Year of the Nurse & Midwife!

Bev Lee

A course involving one-to-one contact which clearly does not meet social distancing requirements, Tech Savvy Community Projects is in hibernation.  I have, however been continuing to work away during the Covid-19 break on my own community projects, largely involving websites and social media for local community groups (including U3A Benalla).  It is a lonelier task than usual, as there are fewer meetings and activities to report on, however it is so important to stay positive.  Phoning people up about items to include, questions which need answering, brings me joy as they are always so ready to talk about the possibilities and help.
 
I have been privileged recently to read and give feedback on U3A member Judith Borthwick’s wonderful community-oriented project on hospitals in Benalla during the first three decades of last century and the nurses in charge of them.  Judith began this project some years ago as part of a U3A course, making a number of presentations based on it then, and is now working to produce a document for use by others who would like to continue to research into this area.

It has been wonderful to observe as a bystander the way in which a group of U3A Benalla convenors and committee members have taken up the challenge to learn how to use Zoom during the Covid-19 break.  From early ‘play’ with lots of rehearsals emerged an advertised session on Zoom for convenors; liaison with U3A Network Victoria and subsequent involvement with a regional mentor; two regular Zoom classes - Demystifying Psychology Discussion Group and Investment - and regular Committee meetings using zoom.  Learning to use Zoom has entailed a learning experience for most if not all members participating.  All in the space of a few months!  Congratulations to all involved. 

Beverley Lee

If you volunteer as a convenor at U3A or with a local community group, already have basic computer skills but need help with a new task or project, come along to Tech Savvy Community Projects on the third Monday from 1 to 4 pm.  Contact Bev on 5762 8171 to arrange a time to discuss your project.
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Beverley Lee

Participants please note that there has been a change in the timetable for Community Projects, with a move from the originally scheduled time of 10 to 12 on the 4th Thursday to the 3rd Monday from 1 to 4 pm.
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Convenor:     Bev Lee

Probably our smallest U3A group this year, Tech Savvy Projects - Community Projects will continue next year, providing one to one support for members keen to develop computer skills to complete projects they have taken on (or would like to take on) as part of their volunteer work. Robyn Desmier from Collectors had a clear objective in mind this year - being able to present the annual power point presentation with background music celebrating the monthly collections for the Collectors group.  Robyn is now adding photos and music from November's Christmas themed session to the power point presentation she presented to the group in November. Robyn has developed many related skills along the way.  Congratulations Robyn!

Bev Lee

Are you having a problem with a project you are working on using computers as a volunteer for U3A or other community group?  Book in to Tech Savvy Projects - Community Projects for help to develop the 'tech savvy' skills you need.  You just need to have a project idea in mind so that there is a clear objective for your learning and an outcome at the end.  The Tech Savvy Community Projects session is on the third Friday  from 1 to 4 - you can book a dedicated time slot with Bev Lee  [email protected] and can stay to work on your project in the company of others for as long as you like.
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Bev Lee

​Would you like to develop new computer skills to help you to work on a community project? 

Our first Community Projects' class member Robyn volunteered to take the photographs at Collectors this year,  Her aim? To compile a presentation of each month's collection for viewing by the Collectors group at the final session for the year. Robyn has learnt lots of skills related to working with photographs and preparing power point presentations and recently presented a mid-project Power Point presentation to the Collectors group. Robyn's success was evident in Collectors' last newsletter report ... "Robyn showed a slide show of our first four months of Collectors.  We were so impressed we asked her to show them again.  Many thanks, Robyn... We are looking forward to seeing the slide show of our whole year, complete with music, in November".   

​If you are working on a 'community project' involving computer skills to complete and would like some support, contact Bev at [email protected] to book in!

Bev Lee

​The pilot sessions of 'Tech Savvy Projects--Community Projects' have now ended, with the course now fully timetabled for the third Friday from 1 to 4pm in Semester 2.  Projects can be wide ranging -  bring along something you would like to work on (or are already working on) as part of volunteering for a community organisation of some sort, including U3A!  

​Bev Lee

Are you  a volunteer using computer skills in community organisations (including U3A)? Would you like support in learning new skills to assist you to contribute to newsletters, presentations, social media and websites for the organisation? 

‘Tech Savvy Projects – Community Projects’ offers a monthly session to assist volunteers using​ information technology and social media.  You will need to be a confident user of  the internet.

Come along with your device and learning needs to our now NBN linked ‘coworking timeslot’ in the U3A meeting room on the third Friday between  12.30 and 4.30pm, work on your project and be guided and encouraged to achieve your goals. 

Bev Lee
​5762 8171