Leinster on line for telecentre

25/5/00
The small Goldfields town of Leinster is set for a major technology boost with help from a $50,000 State Government grant to establish a state-of-the art telecentre in the town centre.
Regional Development Minister Hendy Cowan said the telecentre would be a tremendous asset for the 1450 residents of Leinster and also provide significant benefits for tourists and travelling professionals.
Mr Cowan said that a hardworking local committee was aiming to open the telecentre in August and was looking for a paid co-ordinator.
"The telecentre will give residents access to a range of technologies including computers, the Internet, digital photography, scanning, printing, fax, photocopying and laminating equipment," he said.

"Importantly, the community will also have access to TAFE, university and adult community education courses to be run through the telecentre.
"Business people will benefit from desktop publishing, secretarial services, video-conferencing and access to the World Wide Web of information. Visitors will gain valuable services such as email post office and other administrative support."
Mr Cowan said technology was creating many new opportunities for WA businesses and it was essential that regional areas were included.
"The Internet, for example, provides instant information on everything from market activities to meteorological forecasts, while video-conferencing enables virtual participation in a whole host of previously inaccessible training and communications activities," he said.
A committee of six local residents, Kay Durrant, Dinny Wild, David Wild, Meredith Harris, Audrey Sinclair and Cr Peter Durrant will manage the Leinster Telecentre.
"The committee has worked very hard to get this project off the ground, and I commend members for their efforts, which will ultimately benefit the entire community," Mr Cowan said.
"Everyone from seniors to school children will have broad access, often for the first time, to an array of modern technologies to pursue hobbies, school projects, tertiary studies and professional work requirements."
The telecentre will be located in the main shopping area between the supermarket and coffee shop in premises provided rent-free by Western Mining Corporation, which is also providing utilities free of charge.
The telecentre will also take over management of the adjacent caf premises as an income- generating venture and plans are also under way to establish a creche to enable parents with children easier access to the facilities.
Mr Cowan said there were now 75 telecentres established across the State, with Leinster set to become the 76th. The State-wide Telecentre network is administered by the Telecentre Support Unit at the Department of Commerce and Trade.
New telecentres are jointly funded by the State Government's Telecentre Initiatives Fund and the Commonwealth Government's Networking the Nation Program. The $50,000 grant includes $30,000 for start-up equipment and $20,000 towards salary for a telecentre co-ordinator.
Media contact: Peter Jackson (Minister's office) 9222 9595
Leinster Telecentre contact: Kaylene Durrant, 9037 4116 or e-mail durrantfamily@bigpond.com