NEWS
www.centralcoastsun.au
February – March 2023 |
Beris has a hidden treasure DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
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ERRIGAL’S own Beris Meldrum has been volunteering at the local surf club for more than 30 summers now. She is one of those key workers that the community relies on to be at the helm of life saving year in and year out. Now, people like Beris are highly valued and respected for their contribution by their own organisation but often don’t get the recognition they deserve from the wider society. However all that changed recently when Beris was one of 69 new names added to the NSW Hidden Treasures Roll which pays Beris Meldrum.
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public tribute to the girls and women across regional, rural and remote areas who have given their time and energy to helping others in their community. Coordinated by the NSW Rural Women’s Network, the 2021-22 Hidden Treasures Honor Roll recognises vital volunteering contributions made in those years. Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch announced her inclusion in the Hidden Treasures Honor Roll. “Beris joins more than 1000 women from across rural and regional NSW that have been added to the honor roll since 2010, each of them nominated by a member of their local community,” Mr Crouch said. “Women like Beris play an im-
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portant role in community development and making rural NSW a great place to live. It is so important we honor their contributions to ensure that voluntary work is valued and respected. “Beris is a well-known community member in Terrigal. She has been a member and volunteer at Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club for around 30 years. “Day after day, week after week and year after year, Beris is down at the Surf Club volunteering her time as a trainer, official, first aider and almost every other role you can think of along the way. “Beris truly embodies a local hidden treasure.” For more information and a full list of the 2021 and 2022 Hidden Treasures Honor Roll awardees, visit nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/rural-womens-network.
Older people VS tech engagement
LDER adults are becoming increasingly digitally engaged, but many feel overwhelmed by the pace of technological change and struggle to keep up. Dr Jeanie Beh and Professor Sonja Pedell from Swinburne suggest that a key to helping older adults adopt technology is to tap into their interests and hobbies. This provides a positive motivation for them to learn and see the benefits
of technology. For example, an older adult interested in travel can use websites to compare airfare prices and negotiate with their travel agent, boosting their confidence in using technology. The research highlights the need for a curriculum that caters to older adults’ learning requirements, which are different from those of younger users. To help older adults become more
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digitally savvy, the authors recommend: building on their interests and life experiences, mastering basic tablet interactions, applying learning in a real-world context, repeating tasks in practice, and providing a peer-supported environment. It is also important to communicate with older adults about what they want and need from technology, and to provide meaningful and positive experiences during the learning process.