History of the Bowen Residents Action Group
In the summer of 2005/2006 many examples of antisocial behaviour, illegal activities and intimidation were publicised. A public meeting was held with Police, Department of Housing, Orange City Council, the state member for Orange and other interested parties. From this meeting, the Bowen Residents Action Group (BRAG) was formed. BRAG membership is made up of residents living in public housing, private rental, privately owned homes, and home owners not living in the estate area.
Problems identified by BRAG include:
⦁ Antisocial behaviour, eg, vandalism, theft, arson
⦁ Difficulty accessing technology or services due to little public transport
⦁ No respect for others or area they live in
History of the Bowen Community Technology Centre
In 2007, members of the Bowen Residents Action Group discussed ways of assisting the community to gain access to services such as computers or the internet, as many residents did not have access to these types of technology. Distances from Bowen to the CBD were too great to walk and public transport was not available at times it was needed. The Housing NSW local Community Regeneration team approached Newcrest Mining's Cadia Valley Operations for a donation to set up a community technology centre. Their generous donation allowed the Bowen Community Technology Centre to come into being. Computers, a printer, broadband internet access, furniture and air conditioning were purchased with this money.
Orange City Council allowed the use of a computer room within the Carriage Cottage and have also provided support and assistance in the day to day running of the centre. In addition to Orange City Council's support and assistance, Newcrest Mining's Cadia Valley Operations, Bendigo Bank and Housing NSW supplied funding to support the centre. This funding ensured the continued operation of the Bowen CTC.
In April 2012, the Bowen CTC was granted $49,981.00 to expand and fit out the centre. This extension will more than double the size of the current CTC. The building was completed in early December, with the official opening taking place on the 10th of December 2012.
The Bowen CTC has received funding from various sources since 2014/2015. Without these generous donations, the CTC would not be able to open.
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION STATEMENT
Delivered by Member for Orange, Mr Philip Donato MP Legislative Assembly - Parliament of New South Wales. Wednesday 9* November 2022
"Speaker I wish to acknowledge the wonderful efforts of Orange resident Paula Townsend.
For the last 15 years Ms Townsend has worked tirelessly for the Bowen community to improve outcomes for marginalised residents who do not have access to computer technology.
In 2007 Ms Townsend with the support of Orange City Council, was given a small room and two donated computers. Children of Bowen residents, including Indigenous children began calling into the centre after school, where Ms Townsend would help them with their homework and guide them through the computer technology.
Teaching the children to share in a supported communal learning environment has made a difference in the lives of scores of children.
Over the years Ms Townsend has worked year-round securing second-hand and new computers from businesses and donors so the Bowen Technology Centre could expand to provide services for the whole community.
I congratulate Ms Townsend."
