A program helping Greater Shepparton students get the most out of their education is continuing to grow thanks to local organisations finding new ways to give.
Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project’s ‘Laptops with Love’ program has donated almost 450 laptops, connecting community members with valuable educational and employment opportunities.
The program was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic when it became apparent students without access to certain technology could have their education significantly impaired.
Recipients of the donations are enrolled in various levels of learning but are predominately from secondary school, TAFE, and university.
Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) has supported the program since its launch, donating its new laptops to Lighthouse Project so they could be passed on to students.
The water corporation recently initiated a new initiative that sees mobile phones donated through the program as well.
GMW Manager Information Technology Peter Holland said these donations had made a significant difference.
“We initially donated 10 of our repurposed mobile phones as a trial to see if they would benefit students,” he said.
“We got some really positive feedback about how these were received, and we have since donated a further 20 mobile phones.
“Laptops with Love is a fantastic program, so we are happy to be part of it and to be able to help it grow.”
Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) has similarly been involved with the program from the beginning and has now also started to donate some of their repurposed mobiles.
GVW Manager – Digital Operations Ryan McGowan said it was fantastic to expand support for the Laptops with Love program.
“So far we’ve been able to donate more than 30 mobile phones in the trial, in addition to the 95 laptops through the program since we joined in 2022,” he said.
“We know that access to technology increases opportunities in many different ways, so for us to be able to help enable more people is something we’re really proud to be able to do to support our community.”
Greater Shepparton Light House Project Executive Officer Amy Robinson said she was pleased with how the program had evolved.
“We are delighted to now be expanding this program by providing smartphones to families and young people who struggle to afford this purchase,” she said
“This impact would not be possible without the valued support of organisations like GMW and GVW repurposing their assets to assist our community”.
Organisations and businesses interested in donating IT resources to the Greater Shepparton community, can contact Lighthouse Project’s Laptops with Love Coordinator Kathy Fuller kfuller@gslp.com.au or visit the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project website