Electronic Networks - Building Community, 2002

Infonorth: Community Building- Using Information Communication Technology as a tool for Sector Networking

Natalie Ryan, Infoxchange

Info north is truly a local solution to the global challenge of linking up community sector health and welfare organisations who are increasingly using the World Wide Web to develop networks and share information.

This abstract describes the collaboration between a number of community services and Infoxchange Australia to develop an innovative means of networking on the World Wide Web (WWW).

Info north is an internet site on the world wide web. Its location is http://www.infoxchange.net.au/infonorth.

The Intranets use Information Communication Technology, which allow many individuals and organisations to exchange information in a cost effective, efficient manner. As well as containing "spaces" in each intranet for mailing lists, library folders, discussion forums and news Infocasts, each site in info north has links to Infoxchange Australia's Service Seeker - a large electronic directory of community services.

Some of the sites linked to Info north include:

• Yarraweb: Youth focused community network for the City of Yarra
• Health Promotion, Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol: DHS funded health related sites for government representatives, service providers, workers & service users.
• SAAP (Supported Accommodation Assistance Program) Northern Region- Housing related information and news
• Acquired Brain Injury: ABI website for information, support, news & events.
• Hume HACC (Health & Community Care) Net: Information Network of HACC Service providers in the Hume and Moreland municipalities.
• Case Management North: Provides support, information & referral services