NBN brings Multicultural Moreland up to speed
Media release from Cr Oscar Yildiz, Mayor of Moreland
Thursday 04 August 2011, Moreland City Council
With the roll-out of modern high-speed broadband in Brunswick, Moreland City Council has taken the opportunity to present a traditional communication tool aimed at bridging the digital divide for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD) to the Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard and the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy.
Mayor Oscar Yildiz said he was delighted to present the Prime Minister and Senator with a special edition of one of Council's award-winning CALDCOM storyboards, which aims to get the message across to Moreland's diverse cultural communities about the benefits of the Digital Age.
“Younger generations have leapfrogged into new telecommunication technology as fast as it rolls off the production lines,” Cr Yildiz said.
“But many of the older generations, and especially those for who English is a second or even third language, need our help to learn to use this new technology. They need our assistance to understand how it can be used in their daily lives.”
Brunswick is among the first areas on the Australian mainland to be linked up to the Federal Government's new National Broadband Network, after the first stage roll-out in Tasmania started last year.
“Australia has relied on an ageing copper telecommunications network to connect homes to the internet to date and, as a result, broadband performance here has fallen behind the rest of the world,” Cr Yildiz said.
“The Federal Government's investment in high-speed broadband is going to improve services at all levels of government, as well as for the private sector, particularly in the sectors of education, health and social support.
“And this telecommunications revolution also offers great potential for substantial productivity improvements and business opportunities, inspiring new enterprises and new jobs, and more connected communities,” the Mayor said.
He said the roll-out of the new national network would ensure a competitive commercial environment that will offer faster, more affordable and more effective telecommunication capacity for homes and businesses alike.
“This is an exciting time, and people are going to find they have more time to spend on what they enjoy, and less time spent on the paperwork of running homes and workplaces,” Cr Yildiz said.
“Council will be working alongside the Federal Government to ensure the NBN roll-out really makes its impact where it counts most – and that is by ensuring no-one gets left behind because they do not understand, or no-one has shown them, how the internet works in everyday life.”
Minister Conroy said the Council should be congratulated on their initiative and is pleased to be part of such a memorable moment for the local community in Moreland.
“This is a significant occasion in Victoria’s history, and the Gillard Government is committed to providing affordable, high speed broadband to every Australian, no matter where they live,” said Senator Conroy..
“Moreland is a great example of how Council’s can actively engage with CALD communities and I am certain that the new services that will thrive from the NBN will help in their role,” Senator Conroy said.
The CALDCOM Storyboards is a Moreland Council initiative that takes essential everyday messages and translates them into a visual story. The Storyboards won State and National Multicultural awards and are recognised by State and Federal organisations as an innovative communications solution.
