iT4Communities in Australia

iT4Communities Programme Director, John Davies, was in Australia for a week last month at the invitation of Monash University, Melbourne. His visit was kindly sponsored by the Centre for Community Networking Research, Caulfield School of Information Technology, at Monash.

Carlo Carli and John Davies

Carlo Carli and John Davies

John delivered the keynote speech at the Monash Community Networks Conference on 17th June to officials from the Australian federal and state government, New Zealand officials, senior Community Networking researchers at Monash, and Australian community-based organisations. The event was opened by Carlo Carli MP (Victoria Parliament) addressing questions including how the community sector is going to engage with volunteer programs, the shape of an IT support service, and the measurement of sector outcomes.

John was also in Ballarat at the invitation of Helen Thompson, Director, Centre for Electronic Commerce & Communications(CeCC), University of Ballarat, and the Technology Park. He addressed an IT Specialist Evening Networking Event and a community / business engagement group, Ballarat Cares.

John also worked in detail with -

  • Professor Kim Marriot and, the IT Faculty Dean, Ron Weber, about mentored student volunteering
  • Dr Larry Stillman and Professor Graeme Johanson of the Centre for Community Networking Research at Monash
  • Victorian Council of Social Service about support for voluntary organisations and professional volunteering
  • National Australia Bank about professional volunteering
  • Helen Thompson of CeCC