HISTORY OF SENIORNET OTAGO

In June 1997, a group of Dunedin and Mosgiel people interested in computing, met to hear an address by Dorothy Lomas,
the Telecom SeniorNet Adviser and then decided to form a club to serve the needs of the Dunedin and Mosgiel
communities. As its membership would be open to residents in a wide area, the name SeniorNet Otago was chosen to reflect this.
Geoff McDermid of Mosgiel was elected Chairman of the interim committee and Neil Borland of Dunedin, Deputy Chairman.
The first Learning Centre was established in a classroom at the George Street Normal School in Dunedin.
Before it became operational, members were able to attend one of the introductory courses held at the Dunedin
College of Education. A SeniorNet Otago Tutoring / Programme Committee was set up with Neil Borland
(Convenor), Michael Thomas and Jill Dunwoodie, who planned and introduced the initial programme.
A policy was adopted under which the content for all courses would be selected by the Tutors, who would also write
the notes to be distributed to students

The Original Tutors Were:
Michael Thomas (Basic Computing)
and (Data Base Level One)
Jill Dunwoodie (Word Processing Entry Level)
Pam Constable (Introduction to Internet)
and (Intro. to Digital Photography)
Clare McQuin (Buying a Computer)
and (The Computer Keyboard)
Ian Neale (Desktop Publishing)


Classes at the SeniorNet Learning Centre were well supported and as the membership of the club increased, it became
necessary to search for a new venue. A vacant shop in Green Island was chosen
and in mid 1999 it became our new Learning Centre. In 2002, with a large membership drawn from the
Greater Dunedin Area, Mosgiel, Milton and as far south as Balclutha , it was again necessary to find
a larger venue. Green Island had proved to be a convenient location, so a move was made a few
doors along the street to our present stand alone modern building, with its easy access and
surrounding car park.
In 2002, SeniorNet Otago Inc became an associate group of Aoraki Polytechnic. The practical support
we have received from the Polytechnic has been of great benefit to our club.




Chairing SeniorNet Otago Inc
1997--1999 Geoff McDermid Mosgiel
1999--2000 Clare McQuin Dunedin
2000--2002 Keith Finnie Mosgiel
2002--2004 Ian Vercoe Mosgiel
2004-- Ian Neale Dunedin

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