Struggling students get a 'byte' of secondhand stocks
Published on 07 December, 2004
Struggling university students got a helping hand from the Department of Main Roads this week when four computers were delivered to CQU Rockhampton for the University's Student Computer Loan Program.
On behalf of the Minister for Main Roads, Member for Rockhampton Hon Robert Schwarten presented four secondhand computers - two desktop and two laptops - to program organisers on Thursday, December 9.
Mr Schwarten said the department was pleased to be in a position to help.
The computer loan program, which is jointly managed by CQU Student Services and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) members, loans second-hand computers to students on low incomes who are not able to purchase a computer themselves or cannot access computer labs regularly for reasons such as family responsibilities or lack of independent transport.
CQU Student Services have operated the service on campus for five years, however the collaboration with the SIFE students is a first this year. The SIFE students, who regularly take on voluntary jobs within the University and community, maintain the computers for the users.
CQU Student Services' Olive Mallory said the computers on loan are all secondhand, but are all in good condition.
"All of the computers we receive are in good condition, some with Internet connections and others with only word processing capabilities.".
Ms Mallory said she had written to a number of organisations and government departments seeking donations of computers and said she was pleased when the Department of Main Roads was willing to help out. Various faculties and divisions at the University regularly donate computers to the program.
She invited other groups to participate in the program by donating their old computer stocks as well.
Anyone wanting to donate secondhand computers can contact Olive Mallory on 4930 9691.
Photo: Member for Rockhampton Hon Robert Schwarten (representing the Main Roads Minister) is pictured with Brenden Goerg, a third year BIT student who is assisting with the computer maintenance through SIFE, and Main Roads regional manager Terry Hill.