The creation of a SeniorNet group at the Papanui Club in Christchurch was the brainchild of our Chairman, Terry Pasfield

As a semi-retired primary school teacher, he was extremely interested in continuing the learning cycle for older people and providing the facilities for them to do so.  Terry still does relief teaching at several Christchurch schools.

An interim Committee was formed and several months were spent sorting out all the possibilities for this venture in discussions with the Papanui Club to establish a Computer Section, Telecom SeniorNet Ambassador Grant Sidaway and other New Zealand SeniorNet Organisations that were well established in Christchurch and also Wellington.  SeniorNet North-West Christchurch Inc is the only SeniorNet Organisation in New Zealand that is based within a Chartered Club.

The hard work then began and Terry built the workbenches for the monitors, printers and scanners, sliding drawers for the keyboards, trolleys for the computers, shelving for the storage of manuals, reference books and tutorial notes and a cupboard for the storage of software and accessories.  A room was provided at the Papanui Club and painting was done by SeniorNet Committee Members Ray Thomson, Tony Styler and Bob Mannall.  Tony Mills provided anti-static carpet.  Blinds for the windows were donated by Curtain Magic Ltd and New Style Blinds & Curtains Ltd.  Prolec Ltd did all the wiring and donated an extractor fan.  Several Members donated office chairs.

Many months of fund raising were required to have sufficient funding to purchase the much needed computers and other hardware. An interest free Establishment Loan of $5000 in the form of an advance from the Papanui Club was given to help get SeniorNet North-West Christchurch underway. The Christchurch City Council gave a grant of $1000 through the local Community Board and The Community Trust (Canterbury) gave a grant of $2000.  Fundraising was done through sausage sizzles, raffles, donations and membership subscriptions.  

We are fortunate to have the services of some very highly skilled professional graphics experts and computer technicians who are able to keep things going when there is a breakdown.  Our Members speak very warmly of the skills and patience of our Tutors.  Besides the Basic Courses we provide, we have run a series of very successful and popular Digital Photography and Photo & Image Editing courses.  A Genealogy course was our latest venture.

As a group, we are becoming increasingly eager to learn more about the world around us and the computer gives us the tool to do so.