Exploring digital technologies in Bundaberg

The Bundaberg community will have a chance to get hands-on with some of the latest technology in a series of digital innovation events on 20 and 21 June.

Member for Bundaberg Leanne Donaldson said the Digital Skills for all Queenslanders Roadshow is about engaging people with the technology, which is an increasing part of learning, working and socialising, and discussing community needs around digital literacy.

Ms Donaldson said workshops will be held on both days for students, teachers, librarians, community care providers and seniors to learn about coding and robotics, drones, virtual reality, 3D printing and much more.

“Some of these technologies will also be on display at a public expo in the afternoon, along with a discussion on how to meet the digital skills and literacy needs of the Bundaberg community,” she said.

“People in regional towns can interact with exciting digital technologies and consider the benefits and opportunities the digital age brings and what it could mean in their lives.”

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said similar events have already been held in Rockhampton, Cairns, Longreach and Mount Isa.

“All Queenslanders, regardless of where they live, can tap into digital skills to connect, interact, find employment, access services, research and improve their education and health outcomes, and we want to understand from the community how we can help them do that,” Ms Enoch said.

Speakers in Bundaberg will include Advance Queensland Community Digital Champions Mic Black, Emily de la Pena, Anne Livingstone, Doug Panic, Yash Dutt and Dunija Ariyaratne, who have joined the roadshow to help regional communities improve their digital literacy skills and get excited about technology.

Community Digital Champion Doug Panic will be presenting a number of workshops over two days at the Bundaberg Regional Library to introduce residents to the Tech Savvy Seniors program.

“The use of digital technologies are so embedded in our lives nowadays, so it’s important that older Queenslanders are given the opportunity to learn the basic digital skills they need to connect with their families and friends and safely access online services,” Mr Black said.

“It’s such a rewarding experience to help regional communities improve their digital literacy skills and give seniors confidence to get online”.

Community Digital Champion Anne Livingstone will be delivering an interactive session to demonstrate how smart, enabling, assistive technology is being used to help people lead independent, engaged and socially included lives.

“Now, more than ever, is the time to explore how technology can be used to improve the quality, safety, security and health and wellbeing of individuals and provide practical solutions for everyday life situations,” Ms Livingstone said.

Workshops for students, teachers, librarians, community care providers and seniors include The Robots are Coming, Add Wi-Fi to Everything, Building the Future of Creative Technology: Makers, Coding Kids, She Flies, Robotics and Technology in the Classroom, Digitally Transformed and Inclusive Community Living, Innovative Tech: for Youth by Youth, Introduction to Online Shopping and Banking, Introduction to Cyber Safety, Introduction to Smartphones, and Introduction to Social Media.

The free public expo will be held on Tuesday, 20 June from 3.30pm to 5.30pm at Bundaberg Civic Centre, Auditorium.

The roadshow is run by the Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation. To register or for more information visit http://godigitalqld.dsiti.qld.gov.au/Digital-Skills-Roadshow

Advance Queensland is the Palaszczuk Government's $405 million whole-of-government initiative focusing on harnessing innovation to unlock business potential, grow our regions, foster new industries, and give future generations the necessary skills and knowledge for the jobs of tomorrow.

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