• In the home: looking at the many ways families use the internet at home, from online transactions to social networking
• On the land: highlighting the increasingly crucial role the internet plays in rural and regional Australia, and
• In the office:  looking at the value of the internet to small businesses who are increasingly operating online.

CTC@Gundagai - Jack of All Trades and Centre of the Community

Things sure have evolved a lot over the past eight years – nearly all homes in Gundagai have internet access with a large portion of them now on broadband.  This meant that our CTC must change if we were to survive.  I suppose we went into an experimental phase trying to find the niche that was going to keep us thriving through thick and thin.

We have tried lots of different things, some of which we continue to offer, such as video production, disco/dj hire, LAN Gaming, All sorts of training, tech support, VC, printing production, even the odd bit of catering for functions held in our rooms.  It seems that after 8 years I think our niche is just being the ‘jack of all trades’.  

Unfortunately being a Jack Of All Trades does not keep us going one our own.  Luckily we were auspiced by the Gundagai Neighbourhood Centre and this has played a major part in our survival especially when everyone pulled together to get our fabulous new Multi Service building that was opened in March 2006.  Co-location is used to the advantage of both bodies with us able to provide them with technical expertise and equipment and they in turn are able to support us with accounting matters and manning for opening hours.   The partnership works extremely well as both parties listen to each other and are willing to give and take for the greater good of the community.

At the moment Cindy Smith is employed by the CTC for just 3-6 hours a week (unless there are programs to be run or an overload of work to be finished) and we operate, as I imagine everyone does, on a shoestring budget……. but who knows were the road is leading and what technologies are just around the corner that we will need to supply, teach, advertise, fit, fix, improve or deliver.  And when they come…we will be ready!

Lyn Agland has been the support person for the family history group that meets every Monday since CTC@Oberon first offered Family History during a Senior's Week 5 years ago.

Her knowledge of family history research and where to look and what to ask for has been invaluable. The group has become very proficient at sharing and storing their data, and not only using different software, but they also use upwards of four or more different data-bases.

This demonstrates that when you are involved in such an interest like Genealogy, just how much over time one's computer skills can develop. Come along any Monday to see Lynne in action! Lyn also runs the Family History workshop during Senior's Week every year.

The CTC @ Old Bar has been operating for over five years. For most of that time it operated from the rear of Namaste Beach House. In October this year, it relocated to shop 5, 45 Old Bar Road when the original accommodation became unavailable.  The new location, though higher rent, is a much more exciting location. 

CTC@Old Bar, like most other CTCs, was set up under a joint federal and state government grant, but original funding ran out in 2006 and our committee has worked hard to keep the centre viable. There are no paid staff – all are volunteers. Community support alone is the answer to the survival of this facility.

The CTC offers internet access, emailing,   photocopying and two way faxing services. Laminating and binding can also be done. Laser colour printing is also available, together with emailing facilities.

Courses from basic computer lessons to digital photography using accredited trainers are available. Help and support for computer users is available as well as computer repairs &  upgrades, including the supply of new computers together with virus and spyware removal.

As with all similar organizations, CTC Old Bar is always looking for more volunteers to help keep the centre open. If you have a few hours a week available why not call in to discuss the various options available. Current opening hours are 10 am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturday. These hours apply during winter however longer opening times are in force during the summer months; when Old Bar experiences a large increase in population as a very popular holiday resort.