Wednesday, December 25, 2013

The preferred Australian English spelling dictionary now available for Apple's MacBook Air and Mac computers using OS X.

If you're not happy with the spelling suggestions made by Apple's built-in Australian dictionary you're not alone. Most people don't like American spelling suggestions (which are secondary spelling variations in Australia).

Previous dictionary products I've supplied for Mac users have only worked with Microsoft Office products Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, but not Outlook. Outlook use Apple's built-in dictionary and not Microsoft's dictionary. Now Outlook users on the Mac can have the preferred Australian spelling.

You can find the preferred Australian English spelling dictionary for Mac OS X at http://www.australian-dictionary.com.au/mac/

Kelvin Eldridge 
www.Australian-Dictionary.com.au
Ph: 0415 910 703

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Aldi specials more popular than Apple phones

OK. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but since I didn't see the latest queue at Apple, who knows.



I took this picture around five minutes after the Doncaster East Aldi store opened on Saturday morning. I must say I am impressed with the interest Aldi builds with their specials.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
No problem too small.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Watch out when using a Coles petrol voucher at Shell that isn't the standard four cents per litre.

I recently went to Shell in Doncaster East with a 40 cents per litre discount voucher. When the attendant processed the payment I noticed the discount was for $2 and not the expected $20. The voucher wasn't the best looking as it wasn't printed well at the register. But what did surprise me was the discount offer wasn't automatic and needed to be put in by the operator. This is the second time I've received an incorrect discount.

Make sure you know roughly the discount you expect to receive, particularly if it isn't the standard four cents per litre discount. Since I've been affected twice (in both cases I picked up the issue) I thought others may be missing out on the full value of the discount offer.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Driver nabbed almost six times the legal alcohol limit while asleep behind the wheel in his parked car

POLICE have nabbed a driver at almost six times the legal alcohol limit after he was found unconscious behind the wheel of his parked car in Melbourne's east tonight.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Templestowe man buys power tool from Doncaster East Aldi, finds two bricks in box

Neville Hathaway bought what he thought was an electric screwdriver from Aldi in Doncaster East on Monday, but got home and opened it up to find two bricks. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Doncaster East family plans to return a supermarket to Jackson Court

A DONCASTER East family has revealed their multi-million dollar plan to return a supermarket to the Jackson Court shopping centre.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Manningham FEASTival bargains on 23rd of August.

I saw the promotion of the Manningham FEASTival online and thought I'd check out the specials. Some aren't particularly good but some do offer good value. The following are the offers I thought may be worth considering.

Cocoa Moon Cafe Warrandyte – Buy one get one free coffee.
Eastern Court Restaurant – 50% of the total bill when you mention the FEASTival.
Yarra Valley Country Club – specials look interesting but I don't know their regular prices.

Be careful however with the offers. I could not find an end date for the FEASTival and that could catch some people out.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Alert: Postal Vote Application delivered to your mail box may not be from the Australian Electoral Commission. Beware of material from Kevin Andrews MP.

I must admit this one shocked me. A couple of days ago I had a Postal Vote Application Form, which I was going to pass on to friends of the family to use, since they could use them and I had no purpose for them. The forms had arrived in the mail. I was gutted when I read the following.

People who intend to vote this way have been urged by the Australian Electoral Commission to take extra care when filling in forms, as postal voting applications sent to the household may be a vehicle for political parties to collect the most personal details of the voting public.... Read More

These forms reportedly aren’t from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and in fact are from the political parties. In my case I suspect the Liberal Party because it has on the back “With the compliments of Kevin Andrews MP”. When you fill out the forms according to the newspaper article they apparently go to the party where the information is collected and the form then passed on. It is illegal not to pass the form on.

This is all totally legal. I personally see this as a straight out scam. We expect it on the internet but when our own politicians do it what hope is there for this country. I’m both shocked and disappointed.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Doncaster East house at 45 Beverley Street sells for 40% above price guide.

I found this sale to be particularly interesting, not because of the 40% figure, but the other information provided in the article.


Doncaster East house sells for 40% above price guide... Read More

The first is the reserve was set at $900,000, but the published price guide was $800,000 to $880,000. It doesn’t really make sense how the property was advertised for $800,000-$880,000 if the reserve was $900,000. If the reserve is the lowest price the house is expected to sell for then the house sold for around 22% above the reserve. Given if a house sells, and if people get above the reserve, then the premium for this sale isn’t quite as good as the catchy headline catching would have us believe.

The second is the article includes a list of property sales the area which could be handy for buyers and sellers who wish to get an idea of what houses are selling for in the area.

In the end, if the seller and buyer are happy, that’s really all that matters.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Doncaster East's Greg Hollyman, with son, Liam, 13, with the scratches on his car.

Doncaster East man says verbal stoush at Donburn shops led to car vandalism... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Jail for man who collected child pornography like swap cards

A MELBOURNE man who collected images of child pornography like they were stamps or swap cards has been jailed for two months.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Doncaster East junior footballer Sam McLarty

Doncaster East junior footballer Sam McLarty picked for School Sport Victoria's Metro under-15 boys team... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Vandals with screw loose targeting cars in Doncaster East (Barton Street)

Police have renewed calls to residents to look out for vandals who are inserting screws into car tyres in Doncaster East. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

East Doncaster tattslotto winner.

Six out of 10 winning division-one entries for Saturday's draw were bought in Victoria. The four other winning entries were sold in East Doncaster, Heidelberg, Glenroy and St Albans.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Seven burglaries this month in Doncaster East and Templestowe

Police say at least seven residential burglaries have taken place in Doncaster East and Templestowe this month... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Doncaster East's Tom and Karen Fraser sign up to raise money for juvenile diabetes research

Tom and Karen Fraser are raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Drunk mechanic blows 0.339 after crash injures two

Nunawading highway patrol Sergeant Paul Egan said the man, 45, was working on a friend's car in a driveway in Greendale Rd, Doncaster East, when the car lurched forward into a car and retaining wall about 3.55pm on Wednesday, July 3.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Doncaster electorate currently held by Mary Wooldridge to be absorbed into other electorates.

I thought this was interesting.

Two seats have been completely scrapped, one in Doncaster and the other on the state's northern border, and replaced by new seats in the growth corridors in Melbourne's west and north-west.... Read More

For the Bulleen district it appears more of the Doncaster district has been included and a small area of Doncaster East around The Pines has been removed. To me it didn’t seem to make sense the area of Doncaster East was included in the Bulleen district, but in the end the aim of the boundaries is to try to keep numbers fairly even across districts.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Telstra outage leaves Doncaster residents without landline for 17 days

Daly Street in Doncaster East was one of the areas affected by the outage, and elderly couple Gloria and Frank Gale said they were forced to use a mobile phone instead of their landline.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Doncaster Hockey Club - Junior hockey is thriving in Doncaster on the back of a strong participation ethos.

Doncaster has committed ­resources to junior development, appointing a professional junior coach and player development officer, Victor Romagosa, and an assistant junior development officer, Samantha Snow.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Cyclist punched, kicked in unprovoked attack in Doncaster East

A CYCLIST has been punched, kicked and almost pushed onto a road by a man in an unprovoked attack in Doncaster East. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Cassowary Street Doncaster East House Fire

THE MFB is investigating a house fire which caused severe damage to a Doncaster East home on Monday afternoon.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Doncaster woman arrested over handbag thefts

A 38-year-old woman has been charged over a series of handbag thefts at Doncaster shopping centres.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Doncaster East Car Insurance, Home Insurance

Welcome to MayLin Finance and Insurance Services who can now be found on the Doncaster East (www.JustLocal.com.au/3109) page of JustLocal. Maylin Finance & Insurance Services offers the following services:

 

Life Insurance

Financial Planning

Home & Contents Cover

Income Protection

Wealth Accumulation Car Insurance

Business Expense Cover

Superannuation Advice

Liability Cover

Mortgage Protection

Retirement Planning Commercial Business

Critical Illness Insurance

Estate Planning

Truck Insurance

Spouse Cover

Pension Entitlements

Transit Cover

Partnership Insurance

Transition To Retirement

Travel Insurance

 

Other Services

Buy Sell Agreements/Insurance

Home Loans

Vehicle Finance

Commercial Lending

Construction Loans

Negative Gearing Advice

Consolidation Of Debt Advice

 

Kelvin Eldridge

www.JustLocal.com.au

 

Friday, May 17, 2013

Michael O'Keeffe, of Doncaster East witnessed Tullamarine Freeway truck crash

Michael O’Keeffe, of Doncaster East, was on his way to work in Hopper's Crossing when he witnessed the accident.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Sharon Crowe is offering a reward for her missing dog.

Doncaster East grandmother puts up $1000 reward for return of Jack Russell... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Jeevaranjan Fernando has had his parking fine quashed after taking Manningham Council to court.

I thought Jeevaranjan’s situation was quite interesting. You have one sign stating you can’t park during a given time which means you can park at other times. Then somewhere else there are signs which state no parking. That simply isn’t right. Well done to Jeevaranhan for taking it to court.

Blackburn South man has Doncaster Rd parking fine quashed after taking Manningham Council to court... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Aldi Foot Switch Power Point

I noticed on Saturday the 18th of May Aldi are selling a foot switch power point for $9.99. This is similar to the foot switch I previously sold for $19.95. If the quality is good these foot switches are very good at saving money on your electricity bill. By using the Electricity Cost Calculator you can work out the payback of turning off your entertainment system using a foot switch and you’ll find it will only be a matter of months.

These switches are good if the power point is less accessible such as behind a cabinet. With the cost of electricians you may even find using a foot switch to turn devices on and off regularly is cheaper than replacing the wall switch.

Based on my experience I’d suggest the foot switch is a very good buy if the Aldi product is a reasonable quality. I have found some foot switches can last for years whereas some last between 1-2 years. At least at this cost the foot switch should pay for itself if used on a daily basis where standby power is being consumed by entertainment devices.

 

 

Kelvin Eldridge

Online Connections

www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Call 0415 910 703 for computer advice and support.

 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Bill Tsigaras gearing up to run in the Mother's Day Classic

Doncaster East man running in Mother’s Day Classic to raise money for charity... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Search Australia new features including searching using your choice of Google, Bing or Yahoo, quick access to a JustLocal postcode page and check if you're using the preferred Australian English spelling.

Search Australia was added to JustLocal to give those who wish to search a search engine which focuses on Australian sites and removes many of the directories which have now taken over the internet. I’m pretty happy that if I search for ‘fish and chips’ in a local suburb, if the business has a web presence I can now see their page. Of course many small businesses don’t have a web presence which doesn’t help them or their customers. I’ve shown a number of local businesses how a site I’ve put on the internet for them can generate hundreds of leads a month but in the end they don’t seem to care.

The worst example of not providing up-to-date information is when I went into a fish and chip shop in Doncaster Road. After placing the order via telephone the order was some 15% dearer. Every customer was complaining because like me they were ordering from an out-of-date menu and the business decided to increase their prices without letting them know. Had the business put their menu on the internet I would have known before I ordered and so potentially could everyone else. I’ve never used the business again so an out-of-date menu can and does lose businesses customers. A single page site assists hundreds of customers a year and is easily paid for by a single repeat customer. Small business can’t see if they don’t provide the tools people need they’ll go elsewhere and the bigger companies ARE providing online menus.

But I digress. The real purpose of this post is to let users of JustLocal know of three new features I’ve added to Search Australia, the search engine available on every JustLocal page and also available as an Add-in to Internet Explorer. If you add a single letter at the start of the search phrase you can select your preferred search engine, go to a JustLocal postcode page, or find out if you’re using the preferred Australian English spelling for a word.

1. Type in g, b, or y and go directly to Google, Bing or Yahoo. If you add a space and then your search query (such as ‘g fish and chips templestowe’) you’ll get search results for local fish and chips shops without all the directories. That is hopefully if they have a site you’ll get the actual business’ site.

2. Type in j and you’ll go to JustLocal. Type in j followed by a space and a postcode (such as ‘j 3106’) and you’ll go to the JustLocal postcode page. That’s a pretty convenient method to go direct to your local JustLocal postcode page. Keep in mind if your area isn’t covered you’ll get a place holder page with generic ads. As soon as a business or person in your area takes up the mantle to promote JustLocal in your area the generic page will be replaced with local information.

3. Type in w followed by a word and you’ll go direct to the Word Check page to check if you are using the preferred Australian English spelling for a word. You do need a password to see the answer. All clients of mine are provided with the password. In fact if you use Search Australia from JustLocal and type in ‘dictionary’, you’ll have access to Word Check for a while. A thank you for trying out Search Australia.

On top of removing dozens of directories now cluttering search results when using Google (not Bing or Yahoo) and the ability to enter a single word or couple of words to go to the top searched for sites by millions of users, these new features should make Search Australian even more useful. Clients are welcome to request the list of top site search terms. I don’t currently publish the terms on the internet because of the work involved collating the list so please feel free to ask for a copy to assist you in your searches.

Don’t forget, the most convenient way to use Search Australia is to use the link to add Search Australia as your default search engine in Internet Explorer. Then you can perform a search direct from the address bar in Internet Explorer. If everyone in Australia used Search Australia (heaven forbid as my server wouldn’t hold up to it) if could potentially save many hundreds of millions of searches when people are looking for major Australian companies, a TV guide and even the weather. Search engines want you to end up on their page to make money from advertising. I want you to get quickly to the site you want to get to.

For me the real test of whether or not something I’ve developed is worthwhile is whether I use it myself or not. Search Australia is my preferred search tool. It doesn’t stop me from using Google, and in fact if I want to use Google I simply enter the letter ‘g’ and I go direct to Google. I can quickly decide which search engine I’d prefer and not be stuck with just one. With one or two words I access most of the popular sites such as ANZ, eBay, Gumtree, Freeview (TV guide) etc., so it makes sense to use Search Australia rather than end up hunting through Google results that have become so cluttered. I hope you find Search Australia useful too.

 

 

Kelvin Eldridge

Online Connections

www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Call 0415 910 703 for computer advice and support.

 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Mr Spiridakis, a driving instructor, said the man was on the road, about 1m from the gutter.

A MANNINGHAM resident says he struggled to sleep in the days after finding a badly-beaten man on the side of the road. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Alert: Please log off Google services such as Gmail and YouTube when using my sites.

Disturbingly I’m now seeing up to 50 per cent of people reaching my sites who may be logged on to a Google service and so could be tracked at the individual level.

I use Google’s blogger, Analytics and sometimes Google advertising on my sites. If you are logged on to a Google service your activities can be linked to you as an individual. What you are doing on the internet can thus potentially be tracked to you as an individual.

What people don’t know is when you visit a site which has advertising on it, that advertising is often provided by Google. Many sites use Google’s Analytics software to record statistics for their sites. As you move from site to site your activities can potentially be recorded as an individual.

As you read the major daily news sites, as you search for information, when you go to many sites on the internet your activities can be tracked to you as an individual. In addition it is also possible your location is being tracked without your knowledge because often the internet address you use to access the internet is known to be in a certain area.

It is up to each person to decide whether this matters to them or not. If it does matter to you then consider logging out of all Google services (and potentially other services). When you are logged on to services you can be tracked individually and a profile of you and your activities can be created. Some of this information can potentially end up in the wrong hands. The most obvious outcome is you’ll be directly marketed to and could end up paying more for products and services.

We can’t stop the government and companies collecting information, but most people aren’t aware that their activities on the internet can be tracked to them individually. Because more than 90% of Australians use Google for searching, if they are logged on to Google services (my logs are indicating up to 50% of people may be logged onto a Google service when they reach my sites) then your activities across the internet may be being recorded.

Log off online services as soon as you are finished with them. Don’t keep services such as Gmail and YouTube logged on and running in the background. This doesn’t just apply to Google. Any service that you are logged in and has software they’ve created installed on another site could be doing the same. The type of services that come to mind are social networking services. Where a site you visit displays a button from a social networking service you don’t know what that code does and neither do I. The code could be tracking you. By logging off you reduce some of your online activities being tracked.

 

Kelvin Eldridge

Online Connections

www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Call 0415 910 703 for computer advice and support.

 

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Doncaster East basketball legend Darryl McDonald running clinic in Balwyn North this week

BASKETBALL legend Darryl McDonald is a great believer in giving his all in every aspect of the sport. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Traffic appears to be quite high at The Pines Learning Centre according to Google maps.

On Google maps at the rear of The Pines, where the Pines Learning Centre is located, Google appears to have labelled a path a major road. Perhaps Google knows something we don't.




Just in case beware of heavy traffic at The Pines;-)

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
No problem too small.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Easter special - Free advertising on JustLocal for postcodes 3105, 3106, 3107, 3108, 3109, 3093, 3094, 3095, 3113 for home based businesses.

My desire with JustLocal is to build a stronger local community by building a stronger local business base. In particular I'd like to help others running businesses from home in the Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Eltham, Lower Plenty, Montmorency, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Bulleen and Warrandyte areas. As an Easter special I'd like to make a free offer to home based businesses in the above areas.

My offer for the remainder of March 2013 through to the end of April 2013 is the following:

1. Three months free advertising on your JustLocal postcode page. No catches, no cost.
2. An additional three months of advertising on your postcode page if you provide a link from your main page of your site to your JustLocal postcode page (to help promote yourself and others businesses in the area) and during the first three months purchase from three other businesses advertising on your postcode page.

That's a total of six months of free advertising in your local area for free, nada, nix.

The normal terms and conditions of JustLocal still apply, such as a maximum of two of the same type of business and one network marketer from the same network marketing group. Additional conditions of the offer is since the advertising is free you don't have rights over the lot as paid advertisers do, just the ability to use the lot to promote your business. Also the offer is for a single lot on a postcode page.

At the end of the six months you will be under no obligation to continue advertising on JustLocal. My aim is to show local businesses that JustLocal works and the best way to do that is for businesses to participate.

To take up the free offer go to your JustLocal postcode page, click on an empty lot (a white block). Fill out the details and submit your information. At the payment screen since this is a free offer, just close the screen. No need to make a payment. Then send me a graphic image you'd like me to use to promote your business.

If you don't own or run a local business in one of the above areas, but know someone that does, please pass on the offer to others you know in the area.
 
Happy Easter everyone.
 
Kelvin Eldridge

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Jamie Dwyer leads training at Doncaster Hockey Club last week

Five-time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer visits Doncaster Hockey Club... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Doncaster East man bashed and left unconscious outside his Dandenong workplace

Senior Constable Julie-Anne Newman said police were looking for witnesses to the aggravated burglary and serious assault about 8.10am on Plunkett Rd, between Box St and Windale St.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Margaret, Matthew and Peter Signorini will volunteer at the MAD Ride

PETER Signorini has been riding bikes for a long time, so he is a bit reluctant to confess that his fractured collarbone is the result of an awkward fall from his bike.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Pram-pusher flashes commuter on Blackburn Road in Doncaster East.

Quick thinking on the part of a woman at a bus stop in Melbourne's east may help police find a flasher who was pushing a child in a pram.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

TWO teenagers have been threatened with a knife while waiting for a bus in Doncaster East.

Doncaster detective Senior Constable Scott Stephens said two 16-year-old boys were at a bus stop outside The Pines Shopping Centre in Reynolds Rd when three people approached about 4.15pm on Wednesday... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Peter Duxbury went from being wheelchair-bound and incapacitated to returning to work this year thanks to his own exercise regime.

Doncaster East man employs unconventional methods to recover from stroke... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Man set papers on fire to smoke out wasps nesting in a tree on his Halcyon Court property

Manningham detective Acting Sergeant Anthony Downes said the man set papers on fire to smoke out wasps nesting in a tree on his Halcyon Court property yesterday.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Should compulsory voting go?

At the last state election I was surprised to hear there is one law which wouldn't be enforced, or more specifically, unlikely to be enforced. It is compulsory to vote in a Victorian state election and it doesn't matter what your age is. However during a briefing for independents it was said the law would unlikely to be enforced for those over 70 and I have to say I was very surprised.

To me having a law which isn't enforced and actively disregarded by the government is a law that doesn't make sense. All it does is add confusion and cause stress to elderly.

The wording on the voting information sent out for the last local government election was equally confusing and led people to think they didn't have to vote. My initial reaction was "what the" when I read the information which implied voting was not compulsory. I then saw another young person who read it the same way as myself so it just wasn't my reading of the material.

To me compulsory voting enables the major parties to easily determine the safe seats and thus they can focus on seats which are marginal.

In the Bulleen electorate 86.47% voted for Labor or Liberal. There were 4.84% informal votes. That leaves less than 10% of the votes for anyone else, making it close to impossible to be elected you aren't a Labor or Liberal party member. If I were to advise anyone wishing to stand as an independent I would have to say, do the sums and determine a seat where the chances of being elected are greater. The implication of that is don't waste your time on safe seats and to me that isn't good for the majority of Australians. As consumers we buy brands and the Labor and Liberal brands are entrenched into us all from a very young age. We appear to be educated to vote one way or the other most of our lives. Nothing much will change if we continue to vote for a party and not a representative that puts our interests first before a party. Members of parties have to put the party first so your interests will always come second.

Compulsory voting makes it very easy for the parties with their large marketing budgets to focus only on a small number of marginal seats. If compulsory voting was removed every seat potentially could be seen as a marginal seat and every representative would need to work harder to ensure they were elected.

We shouldn't have laws which are put into place that the government doesn't actively enforce. Voting if it isn't enforced for over 70s should be optional, otherwise we send the message that the law is silly and one if law is silly, then how many of our laws are silly.

I should state I am in favour of optional voting. To me it means it is much harder for the political parties, and all areas get treated equally rather than a few marginal seats benefiting. The outcome may not differ in terms of party representation, but if it did, my hope is that it would mean people are voted to represent the people first and the party second.

Kelvin Eldridge

Sunday, January 6, 2013

A TEMPLESTOWE man has been charged with theft, deception and drug offences after police raided his house.

Doncaster Senior Sergeant Rohan Barnett said the man allegedly stole a credit card from a car parked at Doncaster East's Cherry Hill Tavern on December 18.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Doncaster East pensioners start the year $1.4 million richer!

A pensioner couple from Doncaster East are reeling this week after discovering they’d won a $1.4 million share of TattsLotto’s $30 million Megadraw on the weekend! ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Donut King now open at The Pines in Doncaster East

I noticed recently the Donut King shop at The Pines was being constructed in the food area near Coles. Next time it was open for business. Didn't take long at all.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
No problem too small.