Albany Public Library helps local gain digital skills to create lasting memories for her family to remember her by

Albany woman Julie Daws is using her new technological skills to create artworks for her loved ones to remember her by. Ms Daws was diagnosed with a terminal disease five years ago and has used Albany Public Library’s Be Connected program as a way to create legacy projects. The Be Connected program is an initiative co-ordinated by Good Things Foundation Australia. It aims to equip Australians at risk of digital exclusion with the skills they need to take part in the digital economy, access essential services, entertainment, stay socially connected and learn new hobbies. Albany Public Library is one of 3000 Be Connected Network Partners that was able to increase its community support during the pandemic. It provided access to devices through the Digital Devices Grant and reached out to isolated seniors through the community development team to connect them with others. The Albany library received five tablets through the grant, increasing the number of devices it was able to loan to 16. Ms Daws has used the program to learn new skills, helping her to become tech savvy. “It’s got me back into using technology and new technology that I haven’t used before. I now FaceTime my son two or three times a week,” she said. “I didn’t have any internet skills. I like to write letters. I share my mobile phone with my husband — I withdrew from everything technological during COVID-19.” As well as staying connected with her family, Ms Daws loaned a tablet to create digital art for her family to keep, as she is dying of terminal illness. “I decided to leave legacy projects for my family, so I’m dabbling in watercolour art and trying to do portraits of family members,” she said. By having access to a tablet, Ms Daws was able to learn how to crochet from watching YouTube videos. She is now creating a blanket for her husband, to leave in her memory. “I thought I’d leave something really ridiculous for my husband that he’s going to be appreciative of me and a bit of a laugh as well,” she said. “I’m doing a mermaid-tail blanket. He thought it was really ridiculous at first but then he realised why I was doing it. “My last scan was the best one I’ve had yet. I reckon the program has helped a bit,” she said. “I’ve being listening to meditations when going to sleep. It’s pretty cool chatting to my son and being able to see him.”