Warburton locals will get the opportunity to develop their digital literacy while enjoying a night of bowls and bingo on Wednesday 22 October.
The Warburton Bowls Club is hosting a bingo night for Get Online Week, an Australia-wide initiative which aims to close the digital divide and help Australians build practical online skills, with an emphasis on older Australians.
Get Online Week goes from 20 to 26 October and Warburton Bowls Club grants officer Aimee Dostie said the night was a “great opportunity” that acts as a way to connect members lacking in digital skills with those who are more tech savvy.
“This provides our members the chance to get out for a fun exciting night where they can get a little bit more information… as well as learn about the bowls club itself and the opportunities that they have directly here in the community,” Ms Dostie said.
The initiative is spearheaded by the Good Things Foundation, an organisation focused on creating a more digitally inclusive world.
Good Things Foundation chief executive officer Jess Wilson said Get Online Week supports older Australians to build digital literacy through events which are local and familiar.
“It’s about supporting older Australians to build their digital literacy and skills at local places close to them, so that they do have the opportunity to be able to learn something new, but also to be doing that in the local community close to where they are,” Ms Wilson said.
Research commissioned by the Good Things Foundation revealed over half of Australians over 65 relied on friends and family for help with tech problems.
These problems are diverse and can include simple navigation, fixing glitches, identifying AI generated content and spotting scams.
The median age of someone living in Warburton is 50, and it’s this demographic that Ms Dostie hopes to attract with the bowls club’s bingo night, though the night is inclusive of all ages.
“Being a bowls club, it really is our demographic. We are happy and open to anyone, but probably the majority of members are over the age of 50 and this enables us to give them extra value,” Ms Dostie said.
The importance of digital literacy cannot be understated as scams become more prevalent, with older Australians being particularly vulnerable.
In 2023, the Upwey-Tecoma Bowls Club were victim to a malicious scam which cost them more than $100,000.
The club was paying for repairs to its front green when an elaborate business email compromise scam saw the money sent to a bank account in Uganda.
Ms Wilson said the threat of scams has been exacerbated by the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), with 43 per cent of Australian grandparents admitting they can’t always tell the difference between AI-generated and real content.
“AI is being used to exacerbate these scams to increase the ability for the scammers to get to people, and it’s also improving the kind of scams that they’re able to do.
“Before, you’d see a text come through, now you may hear your grandchild’s voice coming through on a phone.
In the more regional areas of the Yarra Ranges, some residents are isolated from family which can act as a barrier to them seeking help.
Ms Dostie said the point of the Warburton Bowls Club’s bingo night, was it could put people in touch with others and create connection.
“If they’re concerned about something… that might be an opportunity to ask questions, even if it’s just a family or friend,” Ms Dostie said.
“Nine times out of 10, you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, I got that last week. It’s a total scam.’ “
Ms Wilson also emphasised that a lot of older Australians are keen to stay connected and up to date, especially since a lot of older people today were the ones who invented the internet.
“We need to remember that they are also interested in staying connected and learning new things, and they have people in their lives that can support them to do that.”
