Computer Pals for Seniors – The Hills, a not-for-profit organization, was formed in March 1998 at a meeting in Baulkham Hills Sporting Club. ‘The Club, first began training, with one–on–one classes, in July 1998 in a spare classroom at Oakhill College, Castle Hill and later in rooms at the old Castle Hill Primary School. Following an approach by foundation member, Connie Vallis to the then Mayor of the Shire, Sonya Phillips, the Club was offered the lease in 2002 of the Old Caretaker’s Cottage in the Castle Hill Showground. The Club now comprises two fully equipped classrooms with about 30 desktop computers, an office, tearoom and a maintenance/printing room.
Initially the Club catered for seniors with “hand-me -down” computers and laptops and those who wanted to upgrade their skills with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and photographic editing programs. Other courses, (most of which are still available), included Internet and Cloud Computing, PC Care and Maintenance, Data Backups and Password Managers. Google apps; Chrome, Gmail, Docs, Calendar also became quite popular. Following the smartphone revolution, they now offer courses on Phones, Tablets (Android and Apple).
Computer Pals – the Hills, has received many awards for its community work: July 2009 Hills Shire Times Business Achiever Awards “Community Contribution of the Year”, and an Australia Day Award in 2018 for the Council and Government – Community Group of the Year.
A prominent member was the late Lionel Smith, OAM. Besides being on Committee for 20 years and President for much of that time, Lionel was a long-time member of the RFS, having joined in 1946. After his retirement in 1990 he worked at the RFS head office as a consulting engineer. Lionel was awarded the ‘National Service Medal’ and ‘The Australian Fire Service Medal’ for his dedicated service.
Our next Open Day is on Tue 14th March 2023 – 10am to 3pm Come along and bring a friend, have a cuppa, then have a guided tour around our club situated in The Old Caretakers Cottage near the Harvey Lowe Pavilion in the Castle Hill Showground.
Meet seniors learning Apple and Microsoft computers. Smart devices, Phones, Tablets and Staying safe, Basic Windows, Files, Folders, MS Word, MS Excel, Apple Computer Basics and applications, Google Chrome, Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Internet and Cloud Computing, PC Care and Maintenance, Data Backups and Password Managers, Smart Devices Community Club, Family History Group.
There is a manual or handout supplied for most courses. Courses are usually run AM and PM on a Tuesday and Thursday. One-on-one with a Trainer, or in a classroom situation. All in a friendly and relaxed environment. Call to make an appointment – Ph 0479 137 131
