Get e-prepared at Ararat Library this January

Ararat Rural City Council is inviting community members to a series of free “Get E-Prepared” sessions at Ararat Library this January, helping people safely store important personal documents electronically before the peak of the summer fire season.

The sessions at Ararat Library will run from 2pm to 4pm on Wednesday 21 January, Wednesday 28 January, and Friday 30 January at Ararat Library. Bookings are preferred as spaces may be limited, and community members are asked to phone 03 5355 0232 to register their attendance

The sessions will also run across the municipality, with the following locations having sessions on: 

• Willaura Memorial Hall: Monday 2 and 9 February, 11am
• Pomonal Community Hall: Wednesday 4 and 19 Feb, 11am
• Lake Bolac Information Centre: Monday 2 and 9 Feb, 2pm
• Elmhurst Bush Nursing Centre: Tuesday 5 and 10 Feb, 11am

Participants will learn which personal, financial, insurance, medical, and identification documents are useful to keep electronic copies of in case they need to leave home quickly or deal with insurers and government agencies after an emergency. A simple checklist will be provided so people can go home and complete their own list.

The sessions will also cover what electronic copies can and cannot be used for, including that a scanned birth certificate will not replace an official ID document, but can make it easier and faster to apply for a replacement from the relevant government agency. Attendees will be guided through the pros and cons of different storage options, including devices, USB sticks, laptops, and cloud-based services.

Mayor Cr Bob Sanders said the sessions were a practical way to help people prepare before the long weekend and forecast heat spike. “When things go wrong, having your paperwork sorted can take one big worry off your mind,” Cr Sanders said. “If you have copies of your key documents ready to go, you can focus on looking after yourself, your family, and your neighbours, instead of searching through drawers and folders when you are already under pressure.”

“These sessions are about making it a bit easier,” Cr Sanders said. “You do not need to be a computer whiz, you just need to be willing to come in, ask a few questions, and walk away with a plan that works for you.”

The “Get E-Prepared” program is supported by Justice Connect. Community members who cannot attend a session can visit the Get E-Prepared website for more information. https://prepare.apps.justiceconnect.org.au/