About our Organisation | Computerbank Victoria

Computerbank is an independent not for profit organisation based in Melbourne. We started recycling and refurbishing computers in 1998. Our low cost computers are refurbished by skilled volunteers for Australian Concession Card holders and other eligible customers.

We install Linux on all our computers with useful software that suits most people. Not only is Linux software free, but it is a genuine alternative to the proprietary software Microsoft Windows. We may be able to assist with installing other systems, if our customers require.

What do we do?

Refurbished Desktops and Laptops
Our donated computers are tested and refurbished
We install a customised version of the Linux operating system on our computers
Computerbank is an independent not for profit organisation run by volunteers
Our computers and laptops are offered to disadvantaged individuals and community groups
We have distributed over 10,000 computers to individuals, families, and community groups

Long Term Savings

One of our customers has been with us for 12 years. He has spent $250 total in buying three refurbished computers from Computerbank over that time. He has saved a few thousand dollars by not buying new computers each time.
Using Linux keeps the costs of computing much lower, instead of paying money every few years for the latest, paid applications, not to mention the annual cost of anti virus software.
By using a refurbished computer you are helping the environment by giving a highly manufactured piece of equipment a second life.

Donations and Recycling

Computerbank receives donated computers, laptops and tablets and refurbishes them with quality free software. Computers are donated to us by businesses, education institutions, not for profits and individuals. Our computers are offered to disadvantaged individuals and community groups.

We Recycle Responsibly

Any computer parts that are found to be broken or have reached the end of its useful life, do not end up in landfill. The metals are sent to scrap recyclers here in Melbourne or sometimes sold through our Ebay page. Computerbank will not allow our obsolete equipment to be sent to unsafe dismantling plants in third world countries.

More Information

Organisations we have helped

Some of the community groups to receive computers and networks from Computerbank include:

Asylum Seekers Resource Center (ASRC)
Filipino Community Council of Victoria in Footscray (our first network!)
Virtual Moreland
Autism Victoria (World Autism Conference)
The Bridge Health Centre (Footscray)
Dole Avenue Kindergarten,Goongerah Environment Centre (GECO)
Green Net
Linux Users of Victoria (LUV)
The Victorian Rainforest Network
Altona Green Neighbourhood House
Footscray Library in Maribyrnong City
Jabiluka Action Group (JAG)
Central Hume Support Services in Wodonga
Computers for Aged and Disabled Seniors (CADS)
Langwarrin Basketball Club
Westgate Community Initiatives Group (WCIG)
Engineers Without Borders
‘Connectivity for Refugees’ program
Refugees in Shepparton
Friends of Sian
Berwick Senior Citizens
Victorian Artists Society
Mindaribba Aboriginal Land Council in NSW
Darebin Aged Housing Services (public access networks)
Wombat Housing
Mens Shed
Pet Ambulance Victoria
Red Cross (Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme)
Western Region Health (public access networks)
Chin Community
Geelong Lions Club
Victorian Writers Fellowship
Salvation Army Housing Services (Melrose St)
RMIT Students Accounting Association Victorian Public Tenants Association (VPTA)
Coburg Neighbourhood House
Morwell Neighbourhood House

We have shown more than 500 unemployed open source software, hardware, and recycling via our Work for the Dole Program. In addition to Work for the Dole volunteers another 175 people have helped out at Computerbank.

We have recycled more than 30,000 broken and non-usable items through the introduction of effective e-waste recycling techniques.

Our Supporters

Computerbank thanks the following supporters:

BP Australia for the wonderful support they gave us when we first started out
The Commonwealth Government for funding our Work for the Dole Program
Matchworks for being a great Community Work Coordinator
Linux Australia for hosting our mailing lists and for hosting our web pages in the past
The Victorian Government for sponsoring Software Freedom Day in 2007
Impact Environmental Consulting for donating $1000 in 2007

Computerbank Victoria appreciates the generous donations of IT equipment from the following supporters:

Section	Company / Group (Alphabetical order)
A – D	ABN Group \| AFL Players Assocation \| AGL \| ANZ \| ARUP Ascot Vale West Primary School \| Ashton Mining Limited \| Aspect Computers \| Australian Air Express \| Bea Systems \| Beddison Group \| Become \| Biggin Scott Real Estate \| Black and Veatch Australia \| Boorondarra Primary School \| Boston Sound \| Brella \| Breast Screen \| Buena Vista Home Entertainment \| Burson Security \| Camberwell Primary School \| Capital Radiology Footscray \| Care Connect \| 2Cloudnine\| Carrum Downs P.S. \| Captain Snooze \| Chris EDE Consumer Law Centre (VIC) \| Coriant Dell \| Corporate Express \| Creative Informatics \| Crisis Support Services \| \| Cundall Australia \| DC Labs
E – H	Emoleum \| Equipment Recycling Network Inc \| Euroscafe \| Experian \| Ferrier Hodgson \| General Mills \| G.J Mc Naught Pty Ltd \| GHD \| Gillette \| Glendal Primary School \| Glaxo Smith Kline \| Godfrey Pembroke Associates \| Goldman Sachs \| Greenfleet \| Grocon \| Hallmark Editions \| Hall and Wilcox Lawyers \| Hamilton, James & Bruce \| Hartwell Primary School \| Heritage Victoria \| Hindal Corporation \| Hotkey Internet \| Hudson Technology Services
I – L	IBA Technology \| Information Potential \| Insurance and Finance Managers of Australia \| Interact Employment \| Ithaca Supply Chain Management \| Kapitol Group \| John Wardle Architects \| La Trobe University \| Lee St Primary School \| Leadtec Pty Ltd \| Lyondellbasell Australia
M – O	Marcel Worth Pty Ltd \| Marsh Pty Ltd \| MDG \| mecu \| Media Monitors \| Melbourne Museum \| Melbourne University \| Metro Media Publishing MGS Architects \| Molex \| Monsanto \| National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) \| National Union Of Workers \| Neopurple \| New Era \| NH Architecture \| Nintex \| Northern Metropolitan Institute of TAFE (NMIT) \| North Richmond Community Health Centre \| Overnewton Anglican Community College
P – R	Parkdale Primary School \| Parks Victoria \| Perpetual Trustees \| Peter J Ramsay Associates \| Port of Melbourne Corporation \| Powercor \| PPK Environment & Infrastructure \| Property Council Of Australia \| Quadrant \| Ratio Consultants P/L \| Red Cross Australia \| Red Energy \| RedFig Networks \| Rothschild \| Russell Investments
S – T	\| Salvation Army \| Select Owners Corp Management \| Selectus \| Serias Telecommunication \| Shedden Uhde \| Shine Technologies \| State Library of Victoria \| St Catherine’s School \| St Michaels School – Tallangatt \| St Peter’s College Cranbourne \| Strauman Australia \| Suzanne Cory High School \| Swinburne Secondary School \| Tasmania Travel Centre \| Tassal \| Teletech \| The Cairnmillar Institute \| The Medical Defence Assocation of Vic Ltd \| The Melbourne Museum of Printing \| The Nature Conservancy Australia \| The Shannon Company \| The Victorian Innovation Centre \| Thoughtworks Australia \| Toll Group \| Toy Library \| Trinity College (Melbourne University)
U – Z	\| United Group \| Victoria Police \| Virtual Moreland \| Vision Australia \| Water Services Australia \| Vision Super Williams Family \| Wilson Dilworth Ltd \| Wizards Computers \| World of Music

Thanks also to the many individuals and families supporters who donate equipment to us.

If you are a supporter and think you should be on this page, please email us so we can add your listing.

Computerbank Committee

Computerbank is overseen by a committee of volunteers. You can find out more here: Computerbank Vic Inc | ACNC | Responsible People