Grant program recipients announced for Internet-related community projects in WA

The Western Australian Internet Association (WAIA) today awarded the 2008 round of the Grants to a range of WA organisations to assist in the growth and development of the Internet community in Western Australia.

Through the WAIA Internet Community Development Grants Program, the WAIA has allocated over $20,000 in grant funds this year, the second year of the three year program, to projects that support and educate the WA community through the use of the Internet.  These projects range from an online car pooling register to an online information group for people living with Cystic Fibrosis.

• Cystic Fibrosis WA - development of a Roadmap information portal to provide a one stop shop for children, young adults, carers, employers, teachers and their families on all aspects of living with Cystic Fibrosis.  As children and young adults with Cystic Fibrosis can not meet socially together because of the risk of cross infection, the information portal will give them the opportunity to network safely.
• Eastern Goldfields YMCA Inc. - to create an interactive youth development website that will encourage the youth of the Goldfields region to join a Virtual Youth Centre, providing them with community information, Eastern Goldfields YMCA information, upcoming community events, ability to assist in the online development of youth programs, give them access to YMCA programs and support groups, and much more..
• Diabetes WA - an online project which involves video recording educational courses and information sessions and making them available online.  This means greater accessibility for people in remote areas or who are restricted from attending other courses.
• Car Pooling Register - Shane Hawkins - development and hosting of a new online service for advising and promoting environmentally friendly commuter transport within Perth and WA.  The primary focus is to create a website featuring a "Car Pooling" register.
• CLAN WA - assisting the creation of a shared website promoting the availability of short courses for families across WA.  The website will host details of a wide range of community courses ranging from parenting, mental health, relationship building and communication skills from a wide range of different providers including small community organisations, larger non-profit organisations and government departments.
  

These projects are aimed at increasing the responsible usage of the Internet in WA and encouraging the community to use the Internet to increase their access to valuable services.

Full details are available at www.waia.asn.au

Media Enquiries:  Please contact Andree McIntyre on 0417 187 025 or andree@waia.asn.au.