From: london@sunSITE.unc.edu (Larry London)
Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture
Subject: CountryLink
Date: 11 Jan 93 05:43:51 GMT
Organization: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Article 4459 of misc.rural:
Newsgroups: misc.rural
From: tomw@ccadfa.cc.adfa.oz.au (Tom Worthington)
Subject: Information on government services via IT
Organization: Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, Australia
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 01:37:17 GMT

The Australian government is reviewing its Countrylink program (copy of
the announcement attached).

As the announcement says: "Countrylink assists people who live outside the
capital cities to find out about the wide range of Commonwealth Government
services and programs available to them and how they can gain access to
such services and programs."

I don't know much about the program, but thought I would suggest they look
at more forms of access using information technology (IT). The
announcement mentions they have a toll free information line and a video
lending library. One possibility would be to add a toll free fax line.

Another possibility would be to add an e-mail/BBS information service.
This might tie into the Telecentres Project (see second announcement
attached).

I would welcome your comments and suggestions on this.

Please contact the Department of Primary Industries and Energy directly
for information on Countrylink and the Telecentres Project, or to make
your own submission.



Tom Worthington
Director of the Community Affairs Board 
Australian Computer Society Incorporated
G.P.O. Box 446
Canberra A.C.T. 2601
Australia

Ph:  +61 6 2856209
Fax: +61 6 2496419 
E-Mail: tomw@adfa.oz.au

11 January 1993

ABOUT THE ACS:

The Australian Computer Society is the professional association in
Australia for those in the computing and information technology fields. It
was established in 1966. The Society has over 14,000 members and on a per
capita basis is one of the largest computer societies in the world.

=========================================================================
COMMONWEALTH DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND ENERGY

COUNTRYLINK EVALUATION

The Department of Primary Industries and Energy is currently evaluating
its Countrylink Program with a view to improving its services to country
people. The Department is inviting comments from interested individuals
and organisations to assist with its evaluation. The Department is seeking
views on the general issue of whether there is enough appropriate
information about Commonwealth Government services and programs available
to country people and, more specifically, on how useful Countrylink is as
a source of such information.

Countrylink assists people who live outside the capital cities to find out
about the wide range of Commonwealth Government services and programs
available to them and how they can gain access to such services and
programs. Countrylink provides information about such services as health,
employment and training, social security, business and farm management.
citizenship, immigration and community development.

Information is provided in five ways:

* a 008 answer line;

* information stands at country shows;

* community information stands in over 180 country towns;

* the Rural Book; and

* a video library that offers a free lending service.

The Terms of Reference for the evaluation are:

1. evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the countrylink Program in
meeting its objectives of improving access to information on Commonwealth
Government services and programs for people in rural and remote areas;

2. make recommendations on future directions for the Countrylink Program,
in line with the Government s social justice, economic and environmental
objectives.

The closing date for submissions is Friday, 5 February 1993. For further
details contact Bronwyn Halbisch on ph: +61 6 272 4576, fax: +61 6 272
4414.

Submissions should be addressed to:

Chairperson
Countrylink Evaluation
Community Development and Services Section
Department of Primary Industries and Energy
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601 

=========================================================================
Department of Primary Industries and Energy
Agriculture and Forests Secretariat

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Telecentres in Rural Communities

Telecentres are local information centres which enhance access to
economic, social, educational and training opportunities through the use
of computers and other information technologies, for people in rural and
remote areas of Australia.

Expressions of interest are called from community groups in these areas
seeking to establish demonstration telecentres in their communities.
Funding for Telecentres is competitive and subject to the production of a
business plan which relates the proposal to the needs of that community.
Funding is expected to commence in early 1993. Further details may be
obtained from Ian Crellin on 008 026222 or by writing to:

Telecentres Project
Agriculture and Forests Secretariat Branch
Department of Primary Industries and Energy
PO Box 858, CANBERRA ACT 2600

Posted with permission by Tom Worthington, Director of the Community
Affairs Board, Australian Computer Society Incorporated, as a service to
the community.
.