Nestled in the picturesque New South Wales central coast rural region, the Mangrove Mountain Computer Club provides a relaxed atmosphere in which members of the local community can learn all about computers and how best to use them – at their own pace.
The computer club uses equipment and facilities that were funded jointly by the Australian and New South Wales Governments and is managed by the Community Technology Centre at Mangrove Mountain Incorporated. Located at the Old Fire Shed on Waratah Road, Mangrove Mountain, the facility boasts 13 workstations with broadband internet access.
“We had initially started out as the senior’s computer club, and now that we have moved to a general community club, business is almost going too well,” explained club secretary Nick Mason. “Since we took over the Community Technology Centre about 150 people have gone through our classes, and we have up to 60 people attending weekly.”
In 2007, through the DonorTec scheme, the community centre received software and licensing for 20 copies of Microsoft® Business Vista Upgrade and an XP Pro Windows Business Server 2003 with an additional 20 seats. Centre management has since purchased some Cisco items to upgrade the network switch and Wi-Fi modem/router.
“As far as software is concerned, the DonorTec Microsoft® donation was a major saving for our organisation. The donated Microsoft software saved us valuable funds, which enabled us to go ahead and install Vista and Office 2007.”
Nick said the upgrade project to enable them to dual-boot Vista, using the software obtained from DonorTec, was assisted by local TAFE student,
Michael Howe. “We saw this as a ‘win-win’ situation. He needed a suitable project for the major assignment in the final year of his Diploma in Network Engineering and, being volunteer based, we were pleased to get help.
“Thanks to DonorTec, we were able to help people in our local community and upgrade our existing computers,” said Nick.
“We have found that when new programs come out, we need to fast-track the learning process to be able to assist our members. Our learning programs are designed to be very flexible and to suit what people really want to do,” he said.
“I think that any community organisation seeking to get involved in, or use computer systems to do their administration, could certainly benefit from a system such as DonorTec,” said Nick.
Who are they?
The Mangrove Mountain Computer Club
Where are they?
Central Coast rural region
New South Wales, Australia
What do they do?
The Mangrove Mountain Computer Club provides a relaxed atmosphere in which members of the local community can learn all about computers and how best to use them.
What did they receive?
Microsoft® software packages and licensing.
The outcome?
Thanks to DonorTec, we were able to help people in our local community and upgrade our existing computers,”
