HOPE Vale’s media-savvy residents and other Cape York Aboriginal communities want access to the world through state-of-the-art digital technology. Yesterday, Hope Vale residents met a small group of Melbourne and Sydney businessmen to discuss the community’s technological needs and hopes. The interstate group is potential sponsors of the information technology centre that has been in operation in the community for about six years. Hope Vale is one of 17 Cape York communities now wired to the internet through the Cape York Digital Network developed by Cairns owner Philip Dutchak. The Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation hopes the next step will be a multi-media centre that would deliver the latest in remote-area digital technology. Hope Vale councillor Des Bowen sait it would also provide training, jobs, and be a focal point for young people and other users. Cr Bowen said the media centre was already too small and would likely need expanding to cater for the growing demand as more people became interested. Any upgrades could include a traditional knowledge recording and production project, the digital conversion and storage of archival material and high-speed internet access.

The Cairns Weekend Post May 12-13 2007