18 February 2013

Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam today officially opened the Smithton Digital Hub alongside Federal Member for Braddon Sid Sidebottom and Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy via video conference from Kingston Beach.

“The Circular Head Council is proud to host one of 38 Digital Hubs across Australia that will help our community take advantage of the National Broadband Network (NBN),” Mayor Quilliam said.

The funding for the two year project was secured from the Australian Government’s Digital Hubs Program.

“On offer  is a range of programs that will assist individuals to improve their online and digital literacy skills, and help local residents to understand the opportunities created by the fast, affordable and reliable broadband delivered by the NBN.

“Not only will information be available at the Digital Hub  to explain the benefits of participating online, it will also encourage better digital literacy and enhance participants’ cybersecurity and cybersafety skills.

The Smithton Digital Hub is located near the existing ‘Online Access Centre’ on Nelson Street, Smithton.

Mayor Quilliam said local resident Jacki Langton had been appointed as the Digital Hub Project Officer/Trainer with assistance from the recently appointed Digital Hub Trainer, Sally Stanley.

“Many will recognise Jacki from her work with the Circular Head Education and Training Consultative Committee and likewise Sally for her work at the Smithton LINC,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“I am very confident that both Jacki and Sally will deliver a range of programs that will provide local residents with the knowledge they need to take advantage of the NBN.”

 The Smithton Digital Hub offers a range of programs that enable residents to attend group and one-on-one training to increase their digital literacy skills.

Training  include, but is not be limited to:

• Overviews of the relevance and benefits of the NBN and high-speed internet to households;
• Overviews of connectivity options – for example: fibre, ADSL, wireless, 3G;
• Basic to intermediate computer literacy skills – for example: how to operate a computer, word processing, accessing the internet;
• Performing operations online – for example: searching, email, online banking, social networking, shopping, accessing government services; and
• Online safety and security.