NEWS DESK
Chance for seniors to get online and into net gain KINGSTON seniors are being urged to upgrade their online skills through a new Learn Local digital literacy program unveiled last week by the state government. And Victoria Police has voiced its strong support for the program, which aims to not only enhance senior citizens’ access and connection to community but also to protect them from cyber scams. Minister for Higher Education and Skills Nick Wakeling and Mordialloc MP Lorraine Wreford last week announced a $40,000 grant for computer and online skills training at Chelsea ’s Longbeach Place. The Digital Literacy for Older Victorians program – a joint initiative between the Australian Council of Further Education, Chelsea PC Support Group, Longbeach Place and the state government – aims to deliver training to “older people at risk of being disadvantaged and isolated through a lack of digital literacy skills�, Mr Wakeling said. “As businesses and the wider community continue to embrace digital technology as the way of the future, the government is committed to ensuring older Victorians enhance their skills in this vital area of communication.� Senior Sergeant Chris James from Chelsea police, who joined last Friday’s announcement at Longbeach Place, said it was vital anyone using the internet was aware the burgeoning threat cyber crime posed.
“Knowledge and awareness of online security issues is critical for everyone in this day and age, including older residents,� Senior Sergeant James said. “Online scams usually prey on a lack of awareness so police a very supportive of any efforts that help educate people about online security issues. “It’s good to see programs such as this not only helping older residents use IT to their advantage but also teaching them how to protect themselves against online threats.� Ms Wreford said investing in digital literacy skills was essential to helping older Victorians in her electorate lead productive and connected lives. “Longbeach Place does a fantastic job and this grant will help them assist local seniors to make more of the technology many of us use daily,� she said. “The Digital Literacy for Older Victorians grants will enhance the skills of local residents in a range of important digital activities such as internet banking, using mobile phones, a tablet device and Skype.� This program has been developed to “improve digital literacy outcomes for learners aged 65 and over� through a combination of short workshops, interactive sessions, online activities and informal group get togethers. For further details, contact Longbeach Place on 9776 1386 through the website www.longbeachplace.org.au Chris Brennan
Builders to pitch for sports work BONBEACH Reserve Sports Pavilion will be redeveloped thanks to $3.2 million in funding by Kingston Council as part of the Bonbeach Sports Reserve Masterplan approved by council in 2008. The state government will also contribute $100,000 via the country football and netball program. The Bonbeach Sharks and Bonbeach/Tangy Cricket Club will have new home and away rooms, new toilets and first aid amenities as part of the pavilion upgrade. Kingston businesses are invited to attend a ‘Meet the Builder’ session hosted by Kingston Council on Tuesday 19 August, 7.30-9.30am at 46 Cannes Ave, Bonbeach. Suppliers and contractors will be able to meet the pavilion builder to obtain information about tenders for the $3.2 million project. Call Kingston Council’s economic development team on 9581 4735 or community buildings team on 9581 4344 for further information.
Short story comp deadline extension
IT crowd: Mordialloc MP Lorraine Wreford, IT teacher Chris Ewin, Minister for Higher Education and Skills Nick Wakeling, Longbeach Place vice-president Julie McAdam, Chelsea Police Snr Sgt Chris James and IT teacher Carrie Ewin. Picture: Gary Sissons
Parking permits up for grabs Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au CHELSEA traders will be able to park all day near their stores without worrying about being fined by roving parking inspectors under a new permit scheme to be trialled by Kingston Council. Councillors rubber stamped a 12-month trial of parking permits for shop owners at the latest council meeting. “Traders regularly get booked because they can’t get out to change where their car is [in 2-3 hour parking zones],� Cr Tamsin Bearsley said. “Many traders are happy to see this introduced but several are against a
cost being involved.� The annual fee for a trader parking permit will be $268, in line with similar permit schemes in Mordialloc and Cheltenham. “We’re happy to see whether this is effective,� Cr Bearsley said. She said the car parking spaces, located behind the shopping centre, are particularly busy during the summer months since beachgoers seem to use the spaces for all-day parking. Cr David Eden said the permit fees were not a “revenue raiser�. Funds received from the traders will be reinvested back into the Chelsea shopping centre. Cr Bearsley said some Chelsea
traders had probably become “disheartened� since the parking permits idea had been suggested on several occasions in previous years without any progress being made but the one-year trial would determine whether it was a viable scheme. “Some won’t be happy there’s a fee involved but there is no other way to make it happen,� she said. All businesses will be offered the option of buying up to four permits for staff members to use. Many small business owners have been unhappy that council parking inspectors seemed to regularly target the car park area behind the Nepean Hwy surrounding the Woolworths store between Swansea Rd and The
Strand and book drivers who have overstayed the two or three hour parking limits by mere minutes. The 12-month permits trial comes after council surveyed business owners in and around the Chelsea shopping centre. Council may consider waiving permit fees for up to two permits for volunteers who work for charities located in the area. A letter from Kingston Council will be sent to Chelsea shop owners within the next few weeks giving full details of the trial parking permits scheme. New parking signs will also need to be put in place to allocate parking spaces to permit holders.
KINGSTON Libraries deadline for submissions to its fourth Winter Words Junior Short Story Competition has been extended until 1pm on Saturday 23 August. An entry form is available at all Kingston libraries or online at or online at www.kingstonlibraries.net Entrants must be aged 5-17 years old and live, work or study in Kingston or be a Kingston Library member. Prizes will be presented by Kingston Junior Mayor, Naveen Satish Kumar, at an awards ceremony at 11am on Saturday 6 September at Clarinda Library, 58A Viney Street. Winning entries will be read by children’s author Michael Wagner. Contact Kristina Purcell or Carolyn Milton at Kingston Council on 1300 135 668 for further details.
Clean sweeps CONCERNED about litter on Kingston’s streets clogging up storm drains and out into Port Phillip Bay? A new street sweeping fleet has been deployed by Kingston Council from 1 July at a cost of $1 million annually over five years. Council looks after roads and footpaths. VicRoads has responsibility for cleaning arterial roads. View the street sweeping map and schedule at www. kingston.vic.gov.au/streetsweeping
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 6 August 2014
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