QIC Laptop Donations program: Fostering digital inclusion
QIC’s Laptop Donation program, which commenced in 2021, stemmed from a desire to give our IT equipment a second life while benefiting local communities.
Through the program, laptops are sent to social enterprise Substation 33 to be reconditioned, before being distributed to schools and community organisations. Some recipients of our Laptop Donation program include the Murri School, AAA Radio, Brisbane Indigenous Media Association (BIMA) and Baidam Solutions.
Since the program’s commencement, we have delivered approximately 500 laptops to First Nations organisations and communities across Queensland, fostering greater digital inclusion and supporting educational outcomes for First Nations peoples and communities.
QIC’s Indigenous Affairs Lead, Justin Welfare, said the program gives people in communities access to technology they might not otherwise have, opening new pathways to learning and education opportunities.
“This is a great example of a community initiative that makes use of the resources we already have available to us, and thinking of ways to repurpose them that can provide a meaningful and beneficial outcome for local communities,” Justin said.
Participation in Cherbourg Laptops for Learners initiative
Our Laptop Donation program soon caught the attention of Cherbourg Radio Station Coordinator, Michael Monk. Michael runs the Laptops for Learners initiative in the Aboriginal community town of Cherbourg, located 170km north-west of Brisbane in Wakka Wakka tribal boundaries, near the border of Gubbi Gubbi territory.
The goal of the program is to supply every Cherbourg student studying a Cert 1, 2, 3 or 4 with a laptop, which they can keep on successful completion of their studies.
Michael contacted QIC after hearing about our Laptop Donation program and the support we have previously given to the Murri School and AAA Radio.
To date, QIC have made three drop-offs to the Laptop for Learners program, donating over 140 laptops.
“The program has given students and trainees technology they may not otherwise have had access to, allowing them to stay connected and advance their studies,” Justin said of the program.
Recipients of QIC laptops through Laptops for Learners include Murgon State High School, Cherbourg TAFE, CRAICCHS (the local Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Service), Gundoo Early Learning Centre, the Cherbourg Digital Technology Centre, Cherbourg Radio Station Us Mob 94.1FM, as well as other individuals in the community completing their studies.
QIC has made a commitment to continue supporting Laptops for Learners with an ongoing donation of laptops every six months.