Information

SeniorNet is a community based organisation which emerged in 1986 in the USA from a research project at the University of San Francisco.
The project's aim was to determine if computers and telecommunications could enhance the lives of older adults.

SeniorNet gives older adults an opportunity to get on the Internet, and learn more about new communication and information technology.
Many older people may feel they're being left behind by technology and the computer age.

SeniorNet brings older adults and computers together in a friendly, fun and stress-free way.
It's for people over the age of 55 who'd like to learn more about computers and what they can do,
from word-processing through to surfing the Net.

SeniorNet was brought to New Zealand by Telecom.
As well as being the New Zealand licence holder, Telecom provides limited financial support to new centres.
Local groups are self-sufficient with committees and members securing premises, funding, equipment and sponsorship. SeniorNet was first established in Wellington in 1992 with support from Telecom New Zealand.This was not only the first learning centre in New Zealand but also the first to be set up outside North America. In 1993 a second centre was established in Nelson, with Telecom's support.
The growth of SeniorNet clubs in New Zealand has been very rapid, especially during the past six years. Early in 1998 there were 27 clubs. There are now over 100, with about 26,000 members. Each Learning Centre is established and run by an independent committee, which organises their own premises, classes, and funding.
Hamilton SeniorNet began in in May 1997, in a pre-fab in Tawa Street, using 5 computers.

The Centre moved to its present location, in the Celebrating Age Centre, Victoria St, at the beginning of 2000.

Membership of Hamilton SeniorNet had reached 168 after the first year (mid-1998).
A year later (1999) membership stood at 173. There were 294 members a year later (2000). By the end of July 2001 membership reached its peak, with 438 members.

<>Membership is now about 420

The success of SeniorNet depends on Tutors, who are all volunteers.
Currently there are nearly 20 Tutors, and about a dozen Assistant Tutors. Many Tutors began in SeniorNet, learning through its classes. Those who are interested in becoming Tutors often volunteer as Assistant Tutors,
when they then assist Tutors in taking classes before becoming Tutors themselves. Classes are now being taken for training tutors, especially for using new manuals which are now being written by some members.

Courses currently available at Hamilton SeniorNet:

For more information about courses, click here.

The Hamilton SeniorNet Committee for 2005-6 is:
Arthur Beale (President) Trevor Rawlings (Immediate Past President)
Christina Harris (Vice-President) Laurie Hutton (Secretary) Ken Holmes (Treasurer)
Committee: Paddy Ammundsen, Noel Gillard, Merv Kelman, Paul Rossiter, Neal Utting, Patricia Van Der Maas, Jennifer Vuletich, Jill Warner-Shaw

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