Parramatta Computer Pals for Seniors 3rd birthday party coming up

Is it really three years since we took that huge leap of faith to start a Computer Pals club in Parramatta? We'd been meeting and talking about it for months,and had no premises, no computers and no money.

But we did have the support of Parramatta City Council's Community Capacity Building Team, as well as the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association. Additionally, we had the promise of assistance from three well-established clubs at Castle Hill, Wentworthville and Epping.

So in January 2007, we held a public meeting and attracted 50 seniors. By the end of January, we'd held three meetings, found a storage room for our second hand computers, and Council paid for a room in the Council Chambers Building for us to hold weekly training sessions and a monthly meeting at the Parramatta Heritage Centre.

And the rest is history. We now have 10 modern computers and plenty of other equipment - projectors, printers, a scanner, laminator, screens as well as office furniture. And two rooms - recently re-carpeted - we call our own, although of course they belong to Council.

Check out our website above to see the variety of courses we run, and the discussion topics at our monthly meetings.

All seniors are welcome to our 3rd birthday party on Friday 15th January at 9.30 till 11.30 in the Gwen Logan Room, Level 2, Council Chambers Building. We would also be delighted to see those of you who haven't seen the club for a while - you would be amazed at how much we've changed. We are still the very friendly group of people you met in 2007 or 2008. That certainly hasn't changed.

Happy New Year

Christmas has come and gone, and we - meaning the management committee, trainers and other volunteers - are now gearing up for the first of our four terms for 2010. Three of us were in the office today, and Judy Joyce has organised a working bee for the next two weeks. We will be busy organising course notes, additional publicity, cleaning the training room and reception area, installing new equipment and software, and doing our best to make sure the training room computers run smoothly!

As you can see from the photos, our Christmas party was great fun. If we don't want to hold the party at our place again, John and I will have to move! As you know, the only reason it was held at our place was because your secretary (moi!) mucked up the booking. But most of the credit for its success must go to our catering co-ordinator Marg Green and her band of willing helpers, as well as our members who whole heartedly supported us. It was good to see Yvonne's mother for the third time - she really must enjoy it - and a number of spouses.

Our classes start again on January 27 (mid week) and run through till April 1 - Easter Thursday. Once again there are a wide variety of courses to choose from. See Courses for the list.