Telecentre network now accessible worldwide by computer

12/4/98

Western Australia's telecentres are now on the World Wide Web.

Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan announced today that the Telecentre Network - the biggest of its kind in the world - can now be accessed by computer around the world.

"WA's 49 telecentres help people in the regions to access information on education, employment, training and business," Mr Cowan said.

"The State's Telecentre Network aims to provide a hi-tech infrastructure which will stimulate the effective and creative use of telecommunications and computer technology.

"The new web site will help people to find their nearest telecentre and to find out more about the network. The address is www.wa.gov.au/commerce/telecent.

"Telecentres provide opportunities for enhancing and maintaining services essential for a dynamic community. Without them, many of the social benefits and commercial opportunities which modern telecommunications provide could pass by remote communities. All Western Australians would be the poorer as a result."

Telecentres are community owned, managed and incorporated.

The network is the only one that provides a satellite teaching service, and the only one with a central support structure - the Telecentre Support Unit at the Department of Commerce and Trade.

A typical telecentre includes computers, photocopiers, facsimile machines, modems, printers, TV-video machines, decoders and scanners. Most have access to the Internet.

All telecentres have satellite receiver dishes so they can participate in video conferences on a state, national or international basis. One of the network's main purposes is to provide a medium to deliver education services.

"By pushing out the boundaries of modern telecommunications into the remotest parts of Western Australia, the network has ensured that individuals, businesses and community groups in those areas can reap the economic and social benefits offered by modern technologies," Mr Cowan said.

"The Telecentre Support Unit works to promote expansion of the network and to provide support for its operations to ensure that telecentres' services are of the highest possible standard."

Telecentre members are provided ready access to facilities as part of their annual subscriptions. State Government funding for telecentres is supported by financial commitment by the local community.

The Telecentre Support Unit received the 1997 Premier's Award for outstanding achievement by a Government agency in providing benefits to regional WA.

The Telecentre Network has achieved a 21 per cent increase in post-secondary education enrolments from rural areas during the past year. Total enrolments achieved through the network in 1997 were more than 2,400.

The network has been awarded Government grants totalling $1.8 million so that it can expand to 100 communities and to allow the trial of a portable telecentre known as a MITE (Modular Interactive Technology Environment system).

Media inquiries: Peter Jackson 9222 9595