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| Community Groups Reminded To Apply For ICT Funding |
 Marsha Thomson MP |
Media release
From the Minister for Information and Communication Technology
Thursday, 27 January 2005
Grants for the fourth round of My Connected Community were announced in December last year as part of a $9 million commitment to ICT community programs to ensure all Victorians share the benefits of technology.
The Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Marsha Thomson, said the highly successful My Connected Community program provides Victorians with the training and support to get online, stay in touch and build internet skills and experience.
Ms Thomson said people with a disability, senior Victorians, unemployed people and those outside the education system and workforce would benefit from $1 million funding for a program that enabled Victorians with mutual interests to create online communities.
"Community groups are provided with the support and tools to establish a website, publish online, network to members and communicate with similar communities of interest via the Internet," Ms Thomson said.
"More than 2,800 community groups have established an online presence through the program with more than 36,000 registered users since 2001.
"Priority will be given to groups that don't currently have an online presence, are unable to create an online group and lack the financial capacity or skills to establish an online group."
Ms Thomson said the package of initiatives announced under Connecting Communities: the Second Wave would continue the Bracks Government's progress in bringing the benefits of the internet to parts of the community that were missing out.
"Today there are an estimated 10,000 public internet access terminals across the State," Ms Thomson said.
"Fifty-seven per cent of adult Victorians now use the internet and the number of households with internet access has more than doubled to 54 per cent since 1999."
The My Connected Community funding round closes at 4.00pm Thursday 10 February 2005.
For further information, application forms and guidelines, contact the My Connected Community Secretariat at VICNET on 1800 629 835 or 8664 7001 during business hours or visit the My Connected Community website at mc2.vicnet.net.au/funding
For more information about Connecting Communities: the second wave or the Achievements of Connecting Communities go to www.mmv.vic.gov.au/communities
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