The importance of digital literacy in the age of COVID and vaccinations

With public disinformation a hot topic, digital literacy is vital for many things moving forward.

To help with this, Horsham Neighbourhood House and the Wimmera Development Association have organised several workshops throughout October to help set up a myGov account.

Horsham Neighbourhood House manager Charlie Helyar said it made sense to offer this help after the vaccination rollout.

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"On the back of the success of the vaccination clinic at the Horsham Neighbourhood House, the Wimmera Development Association and Horsham Neighbourhood House are going to be running myGov sign up sessions on every Monday afternoon in October," he said.

"You can come to the Horsham Neighbourhood House and get help signing up."

Mr Helyar said the two organisations wanted to boost digital literacy in the area.

"We found digital literacy is quite low in the area," he said,

"This is a way we can help people to sign up for myGov and learn some digital skills as well."

Mr Helyar explained it's important to have a myGov account and an account with Medicare linked to it to access the vaccination certificate.

"Once you have signed up for your mgGov account, you can link different account like Medicare," he said.

"Through Medicare you can get your vaccination certificate and print it off as well."

Wimmera Development Associations Jodie Mathews said digital literacy is essential to keep up with official items.

"Anytime we need to do official things like an official vaccination certificate, it creates all sorts of issues for people who may not have the digital skills, the technology or access," she said.

Ms Mathew said they hope to target groups who cannot afford the technology.

"We're also hoping to target the multicultural community," she said.

Wimmera Development Association's Melissa Powell added older people were also a focus.

"We know that some older people are starting to worry about how they are going to access their COVID-19 certificate, so we hope to manage some of those fears," Ms Powell said.

"We're just trying to allay some of those fears by putting the power back into people's hands."

The myGov sessions run from 1.30-4.30pm. There will be four sessions across October on October 4, October 11, October 18 and October 25 held at the Horsham Neighbourhood House at 13 Robin Street.

All sessions are walk-in; there is no need to book.

You will need a health care card/pension card (if applicable), current Medicare card, ID, email address (if you have one), mobile phone and bank details.

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