Ballarat libraries assisting community with COVID-19 certificates

As Victoria reaches its vaccination targets and announcements are made of greater freedoms for those who can show their double COVID-19 vaccination certificate, one area that has not gone unnoticed by the City of Ballarat is those that may need help with the required process. 

Ballarat’s three libraries have responded quickly to assisting members of the community needing help accessing and linking their COVID-19 digital certificates to the Service Victoria app. 

City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor, Cr Amy Johnson said that it was important to recognise that not everyone is equal in their ability to meet such process without assistance.  

“Whilst many may assume that such processes are simple, they aren’t for everyone, for different reasons,” Cr Johnson said. 

“It is an intrinsic part of our Council Plan goals that we ensure a healthy, connected and inclusive community, so offering sessions like these is just another wonderful example of why our libraries are a great community asset.”  

The first of the vaccine certificate assistance sessions saw the Ballarat Library opened its doors to a queue of people already waiting. Among those were 21 residents who were first time users of the library, while more than 50 needed assistance with email set up, myGov registration and vaccine certificate linking.  

“On average many of those needed almost 60 minutes of assistance and our staff have been brilliant in delivering,” Cr Johnson said. 

“Our senior citizens are the reason we are here, they have helped make Ballarat what it is, so to give back some care and help through our services is very rewarding.”  

City of Ballarat, Director of Community Wellbeing, Matt Wilson said the service highlighted the importance of Ballarat’s libraries as community hubs. 

“Libraries have always been at the forefront of community,” Mr Wilson said. 

“Not just as a share point of knowledge and learning, but importantly they play an essential role as a communal hub at times like this. For many this has been their first visit to one of our libraries and I am sure it will not be their last as they see just how much they can offer.”  

The success of the Ballarat Library’s assistance sessions has led to the service now being offered through both the Sebastopol and Wendouree Libraries.  

Sessions will run again next week at Ballarat Library on Tuesday, October 26 and Thursday October 28, while assistance is also available by phone bookings at Sebastopol Library (5335 7985) and Wendouree Library (5339 3505).