In April 2000 a “Buddy System” was organised to enable members to help other members. Some of the members who were slightly more familiar with computers than others volunteered their services to go to the homes of new computer owners and help with basic computer use. Hilary Turner, who was one of the Association’s more computer literate people, spent many hours helping others and getting many out of the fix in which only new computer users can find themselves. In this month we applied for our “ABN” number and was duly given ABN 73 914 234 689.

Hilary Turner, Web Master and Vice President, started the very popular segment of the monthly meetings “Questions and Answers” in which members were encouraged to email or ask questions from the floor relating to computers and the Internet. Hilary’s vast knowledge helped so many, not only the person who had asked the question, but the majority of the audience as well. It was of great interest to hear other member’s solution to similar problems during this session.

We were delighted to welcome Dr Hilda des Arts once again to Mandurah In November 2000. Those fortunate to attend the two discussion sessions could not help but feel inspired by the enthusiasm Dr Hilda had for the development of our Association, and the opportunity retirement provided us with the ability to accept new challenges and undertake new ventures. As Co-ordinator of SeniorNet Australia (one of the many roles she performed), Dr Hilda pointed out that, after discussion with various Government authorities whilst she was in W.A., Peel SeniorNet had gained further recognition on a State and National level as a model for development of new branches. We had high hopes that this would be reflected in support and funding for our growth in the future.

It was at the beginning of 2001 that our first “Mailing List” was introduced for all financial members with e-mail addresses. This provided a lively interactive means of exchanging news, views, opinions and information as per the definition of a Mailing List – “a one to many, delayed, form of communication between people with a common interest”. It was not a chat-line or news group. This was kindly set up and sponsored for Peel SeniorNet Association Inc. by the Internet Providers, iiNet.

During February and March 2001, member Bill Frazier commenced “Bill’s E-Mail School”. Twenty one members who used Outlook Express for e-mails and Internet Explorer for browsing participated in this e-mail class. Bill sent out explanations by e-mail and looked for response from students in a similar fashion. The classes covered clip art (still pictures and animations), animated names/signatures, MIDI, WAV and MP3 music and e-mail backgrounds. The course included advice on finding, downloading and saving items from the Net, together with the use of the items in e-mails.

In March of 2001 two members, John Schmidt and Nola Tester, agreed to co-ordinate the “Buddy System” for the Association. This enabled new members to get the help they needed from more experienced computer users in their own area.

At the March meeting we had 67 members attend in the Craft Room at the Centre which was very crowded. However, thanks to an initiative by Jan, our Secretary, with the Indoor Bowlers at the Centre who played every Monday afternoon, we were able to have the Main Hall from from 1.00pm through to 4.30pm on the fourth Monday of each month, starting from the fourth Monday in July 2001.

In May of this year our 158th member was enrolled and in the next month the approval of the grants for the new computer room and computers at the Centre was received. David Templeman presented a $66,734 cheque on behalf of the Lotteries Commission to the Centre Co-ordinator, Jan Lauder (also our esteemed Peel SeniorNet Secretary). This funding was to be teamed with another $20,000 grant recently received from the Department of Commerce and Trade. This latter grant was a joint application between the Senior Citizens’ Centre and the Peel SeniorNet. Tenders were called for the construction of the room and everyone was hopeful that the room would be completed by November.

Committee member June Kelly volunteered to look after the Mailing List sponsored by iiNet even though she and her husband spend 3 months of every year in Broome. She very capably supervised it all remotely via her notebook computer and many messages on all types of subjects were enjoyed by members.

Member Jean Maxwell was appointed the PSN “Virus Co-ordinator” – a position that entailed sorting through all the various “virus alerts” that flew from computer to computer at rapidly increasing rate and advising of the “real” ones from the “hoaxes”.

It was on 14th July 2001 that our esteemed president, Maurice Weston, passed away – a sad loss not only for his family and friends but for PSN as well. A motion was passed by the Committee that John Schmidt, the “Buddy Co-ordinator”, be appointed as a full committee member to fill the vacancy. Hilary Turner, as Vice President, took over the role of President.

In August 2001, a grant of $5,850 was received for the purchase of two Notebook Computers from the Mandurah City Senior Citizens’ Centre via the Department of Commerce and Trade. These two Notebook Computers assisted in the training of members as well as demonstrations at meetings.

Peel SeniorNet was well represented at the Seniors Expo in November at the Performing Arts Centre. Information sessions were conducted in the Fish Trap Theatre which included an OnLine WA Gateway presentation,