The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group ComputerAid SIG — Special Report 500th Computer, 17 June 2003 |
Melbourne PC User Group was honoured this month for the activities of the ComputerAid SIG. The occasion was the presentation of the 500th computer to World Vision; in reality this was computer number 617, and already the numbers are leaping ahead.
The computer was presented by Sue Campbell, Executive Director of RecruitNet, to Maria McCarthy, General Manager Corporate Development at World Vision. Others who were brought together into the
ComputerAid ideal were also present: Visy, Relay, EcoRecycle, and the Department of Workplace Relations. Several representatives of the ANZ Bank who had lobbied for the bank's participation and enthusiastically supported the work, were especially thanked by Ms McCarthy.
Specially singled out for thanks was Melbourne PC User Group, without whose members none of this would have been possible. The club was awarded a certificate of thanks, with Ms McCarthy saying that the computer initiative was being closely watched by World Vision offices around the world and was regarded as one of the most exciting new developments in recent times for the charity.
Promising greater feedback in the future, Ms McCarthy told of the response of field offices in countries like Ghana, Romania and Papua New Guinea when the computers arrived: "They thought it was wonderful - in a country like Romania, these computers are better than gold!"
Already there are plans to send further computers to East Timor, Zambia, Kenya and Lebanon. Just the computers sent so far are conservatively valued at $316,000 - a sizable contribution to the cause.
Responding on behalf of Melb PC, Ray Beatty, Convener of ComputerAid SIG, reminded everyone how eighteen months ago it had been just an idea floated by the group. What made it work was the enthusiastic response by everyone involved - World Vision who would work out the shipping and distribution; RecruitNet was completing the factory in Collingwood which would make an ideal venue; and our Melb PC members who responded enthusiastically to the first call for participants. Special praise was deserved by the 50 or so members who had continuing involvement with the SIG and contributed so much invaluable time and skill to the operation.
At the conclusion of the speeches, RecruitNet said that the operation had been a great success for them, particularly because of the way our members were mentoring their Work for the Dole clients. They now intend to open a fresh workshop at Cranbourne, in the hope that our members in the eastern suburbs, who have difficulty reaching the city, could attend.
27 June
As a special thanks for the work of Melb PC, RecruitNet and World Vision held a reception for our members and gave each of the regular participants a letter of thanks for their contribution to the success of the computer donations. Once again Ms Sue Campbell of RecruitNet and Ms Marie McCarthy of World Vision personally thanked our members.
Other Donations
While much of the attention is on the ANZ computers going to World Vision, Melb PC has been able to source computers too. The arrangement we have is that those computers are available for other uses. Any local charity requesting a PC will be considered and several units have been given out to good causes. Any requests made to ComputerAid are examined and then passed to RecruitNet with our recommendation. We intend that this way the wider community of the disadvantaged can also be helped by the Group.
Special Thanks
We give special thanks to those who have supported us every step of the way, especially Jay Boag, Michael Mullerworth, Julian Burke, John Wilson and Tom Coleman. There are others, so let us thank them too if not by name. They also have a Vision for the World!
Reprinted from the August 2003 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
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