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Bruce wrote Wed, 26 Sep 2001 09:54:52 +1000<br>
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<blockquote type="cite" cite>There's a history behind me getting him
interested some time back, initial Computerbank (VIC) enthusiasm to
help and then perceived difficulties that stopped it proceeding, but
it looks like it will finally be able to go ahead now?<br>
</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>How far off the money am I in what I
said?</blockquote>
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<div>Bruce also wrote (to me personally) Wed, 26 Sep 2001 09:37:30
+1000</div>
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<blockquote type="cite" cite>... Many people now have experience in
doing what you will be intending to do.<br>
<br>
At the same time as you ask questions everyone will be learning the
exigencies arising in starting from the beginning. For some, it'll be
a trip down memory lane.</blockquote>
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<div>The saga went/goes something like:</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>We formed a community group of about a half dozen willing souls
and enthusiastic with the aim of bringing community people together to
devise and implement a program that would address a raft of community
issies - youth unemployment, low community esteem, development
conflicts, vandalism, on and on the list went.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>We have a primary school, post office, caravan park, local
supermarket, garage, pub, postoffice and a variety of microbusinesses
surviving on local work.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>With a population of about 3000, radius 5 km most of the employed
being commuters to urban Hobart 25 km away.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>At one stage a few of us mooted making an application to the stae
government's Community Access Centre program. This came unstuck and
the project went on hold. That program is now over .. fully
subscribed.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>It was at that stage I came acfoss Computerbank through the
Asutraliawide group and made a few enquiries. It seems that the
Computer bank group jumped the gun assuming that wverything was in
place to make use of the computers apparently set aside in
Melbourne.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>And then the Computerbank group appeared to be going through a
constitutional reaarrangement .. I urged those interested to hold
their breath while this was sorted .. assuming that we would need to
have a branch of CB to participate. Wrong, apparently.</div>
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<div>Then we went looking for a local Linux capable person who had the
interst and time to support the project .. and that's where we are at
the moment.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>I am keen to see the project go ahead but have neither the time
no skill-set to fill that role .. the others are in a similar
position.</div>
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<div>The project is in limbo until we find that resource. When we do
get someone who can ensure that the project is sustainable, I'm
confident that we can kickstart the idea back into action.</div>
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<div>That's the history.</div>
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<div>Now for the solutions. I'm sure that there is someone, somewhere,
right under our noses who could fulfil the tech support role .. he or
she is staying very anonymous for the time being.</div>
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<div>I suspect also that those who are supporting the establishment of
a successful town group are waiting for some signs of successful group
activity .. there are runs on the board -</div>
<ul>
<li>successful NHT project
<li>active beach rehabilitation group
<li>several active economic development related cadres
<li>a variety of service club participants
<li>very successful and popular local museum
<li>on it goes.</ul>
<div><br></div>
<div>Much of the community energy is already spoken for, and the
activists are complaining of pre-withdrawal syndrome. It's a classic
case of finding new people to drive this project and, at the same
time, keep the current activities up to speed.</div>
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<div>I haven't given up on the original quest.</div>
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<div>Rob</div>
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