Media release: Helping Aussies Get Online this October

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 23 AUGUST 2022: Good Things Foundation Australia and Telstra announce new partnership for Get Online Week 2022.

Get Online Week is an Australia-wide digital inclusion campaign organised by Good Things Foundation, supporting thousands of people to get online safely and confidently through hundreds of fun, local digital skills events.

This year, Telstra will join Good Things Foundation’s campaign as Principal Supporting Partner. Through this partnership, Telstra will support community organisations hosting events to reach Australians at risk of being left behind.

Jess Wilson, CEO Good Things Foundation Australia, says, “We are excited to have Telstra’s support as Principal Supporting Partner for Get Online Week so we can help more people to access free, local digital skills support in their community.”

Both Telstra and Good Things Foundation play an important role in understanding and closing the digital divide in Australia. This partnership sees both organisations working together to help millions of Aussies who are digitally excluded.

“Digital skills are just as important today as access to food, housing and education and that’s why Get Online Week is such an important time in the calendar. It is a chance to reach people who otherwise may get left behind and help them to feel confident and safe connecting with loved ones, shopping online or finding their new dream job,” says Jess.

Lyndall Stoyles Telstra Group Executive, Sustainability, External Affairs and Legal says, “Telstra is excited to be the Principal Supporting Partner on this leading digital inclusion campaign which every year supports tens of thousands of Australians to get online.

The Australian Digital Inclusion Index* tells us that more than 2.5 million Australians are highly digitally excluded and therefore missing out on the social and economic benefits that come with being online. This initiative is another way we are helping to close the digital divide and support building a connected future where everyone can thrive.”

Get Online Week 2022 will be held from 17 – 23 October 2022. Find out how you can get involved in the campaign: www.getonlineweek.com

*The Australian Digital Inclusion Index is a collaboration between the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making & Society at RMIT, the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne University of Technology, and Telstra.

Media contact

Linda Berrigan
Director of Brand & Storytelling, Good Things Foundation
Email: linda.berrigan@goodthingsfoundation.org
Ph: 0478 119 066

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About Get Online Week 2022

Get Online Week 2022 will be held nationwide from 17 – 23 October. The Get Online Week 2022 theme ‘Try One Thing’ encourages people to explore the possibilities of getting online.

Get Online Week Australia is organised by Good Things Foundation Australia, who mobilise and support local event holders with grant funding and critical learning resources. Learn more about Get Online Week: www.getonlineweek.com

About Good Things Foundation Australia

Good Things Foundation Australia is a social change charity helping people to improve their lives through digital. Good Things Foundation Australia upskills, manages, and provides grant funding and support to a nationwide network of over 3,500 community organisations to run local digital inclusion programs. Good Things Foundation Australia manages the Australian Government’s digital skills program for older Australians, Be Connected, digital inclusion campaign, Get Online Week, and national digital health literacy program, Your Health in Your Hands.