While Julie and Phill were busy at Weilmoringle and Phill organising tours on the Murray, Sue was in Hillston overseeing the computer classes made possible in Hillston by a Unitingcare Innovations Grant applied for by the Uniting Church Rural Chaplains. It was the first grant Sue has written by herself, albeit with the valuable help of Neil Barber, a Community Development officer from Wagga Wagga. The grant covers 3 areas of community development - Computer classes, English as a Second Language classes and Craft workshops at Merriwagga.
All 3 projects are on the go but the first one to start was the computer classes.
On April 28th Ipad and Computer classes started in Hillston with about 8 -10 students in each class and will continue for another 7 weeks. A smaller class of 2, for students with a disability, starts each day and goes for 1/2 an hour.The classes are
a joint project between the Hillston Uniting Church, Unitingcare and Western
Riverina Community College (WRCC) from Griffith. You can see what a co-operative effort these activities are with so many people and groups involved to make it all happen.
All 3 projects are on the go but the first one to start was the computer classes.
Sue Reynolds, a computer teacher from WRCC, has made a return visit to Hillston, following up on classes held last year but also
introducing some new students to the world of technology. Many participants
already had an ipad or laptop but wanted more training than they could get from
their 7-8 year old grandchildren who had been teaching them so far!
Such activities become a real community event in many ways.
New skills are learned which broaden people's ability to communicate with friends and relatives who live out of town or even overseas. Students who may have limited mobility learn skills and access new activities on the computer which can enrich their lives.
A wide range of people from the town are involved - from the students from different walks of life and ages, to the businesses which also benefit from the grant due to the need for catering or a venue- a welcome financial benefit in a small town.
A beautiful spread of slice, sandwiches and fruit was provided for morning and afternoon tea by local business, Hillston Local Produce and the lovely W.G Parker library staff helped Sue and students to set things up and sort things out on the day.
English as a Second Language classes will start in town soon with several locals, from various churches, volunteering to tutor or be part of a conversation group. This will assist locals born overseas, who are learning English, to improve their speaking and writing ability so they can participate more fully in local life and employment. A group of young Korean backpackers are also keen to attend while they are working in town so they can improve the English they learned in Korea.
Such activities become a real community event in many ways.
New skills are learned which broaden people's ability to communicate with friends and relatives who live out of town or even overseas. Students who may have limited mobility learn skills and access new activities on the computer which can enrich their lives.
A wide range of people from the town are involved - from the students from different walks of life and ages, to the businesses which also benefit from the grant due to the need for catering or a venue- a welcome financial benefit in a small town.
A beautiful spread of slice, sandwiches and fruit was provided for morning and afternoon tea by local business, Hillston Local Produce and the lovely W.G Parker library staff helped Sue and students to set things up and sort things out on the day.
English as a Second Language classes will start in town soon with several locals, from various churches, volunteering to tutor or be part of a conversation group. This will assist locals born overseas, who are learning English, to improve their speaking and writing ability so they can participate more fully in local life and employment. A group of young Korean backpackers are also keen to attend while they are working in town so they can improve the English they learned in Korea.
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