The History of Brisbane Seniors OnLine

The establishment of Brisbane Seniors Online Inc. is a brilliant example of how, with the energy and enthusiasm of dedicated people, a very appropriate solution can be found to an important issue.

The issue of computerisation and the pace of technological change is making life increasingly difficult for many older adults. These changes are so integral to modern life that even our language is changing in response. Those who didn't have the opportunity to learn computers at work before they retired are feeling frustrated, ignorant and left behind. Many older people found that existing computer courses were not suitable for them, particularly when they found themselves in classes filled with younger people. These young people had had a full exposure to technology all their lives. After all, many of them had played with some form of computer in preschool!

In February 2000, a group of older people in Mt Gravatt, some with computers skills, and others who wanted to learn, contacted Centrelink social worker, Mr Dennis Lim, with a great idea. Why not get computer literate older people to share their knowledge with other older people who wanted to learn?

With Dennis's assistance they called a local public meeting at Garden City Library, which attracted 28 people. A Steering Committee was established to set up Brisbane Seniors Online Inc. Meanwhile, Brisbane City Council (BCC) Community Development workers, through various other seniors' projects, had also recognised the demand for people over 50 to learn computer skills. By November 2000, Centrelink and BCC workers had linked to assist the fledgling group. Realising the extent of the demand in Brisbane, the BSOL Steering Committee decided to establish an organisation to service all of Brisbane, not just the Mt Gravatt area.

Over the next year, individuals and government workers worked hard to develop the group into a viable organisation with a legal entity. The steering committee tirelessly contributed to workshops conducted to develop the structure, operational guidelines and policies and procedures. As one can imagine, developing the infrastructure for an organisation capable of offering its services to the 280,000 plus people in Brisbane who are over 50 years of age, is a massive mount of work! The steering committee agreed not to advertise until they were completely happy that they had everything in place.

In May 2001, a small newspaper article in the Courier Mail attracted 50 new mentors and extra assistance for the Committee. BCC provided funds to employ Ms Helen Schwencke to conduct training for BSOL mentors and a facilitator Ms Miriam Martin to assist the preparatory Management Committee in getting organised. Slowly, the news of BSOLs' services spread by word of mouth and the committee began matching mentors with learners. On the 28 July 2001, BSOL held its first AGM and the management committee was formalised. Centrelink kindly donated $4000 to purchase office equipment and BCC agreed to give BSOL office space in the 50 Plus Center, City Hall and organized access to the 50 Plus computer training centre.

BSOL was off and running! We had identified potential computer training sites in libraries and community centers across the city. Over the next 6 months "hubs" were developed in the north, south, east, west and central areas of Brisbane, each with a hub coordinator whose role is to match learners and mentors in their area. BSOL's services were gradually promoted through BCC libraries and slowly but surely membership began to build.

The next thing was development of a website. Brisbane City Council provided outstanding assistance in the development of this website, using BSOL as a prototype for their Community Web Building Toolkit, an online facility enabling community groups an opportunity to develop their own website.

BSOL was officially launched by Councillor David Hinchliffe at a ceremony held on Friday 25th October 2002 in the Sherwood Room at City Hall.