ONE of Sydney's closest community groups is sharpening its technological skills in the face of a pressing new problem: limits on the way we socialise.
Sri Lanka Association of NSW Inc has started an online seniors get-together to fill in for its monthly gatherings at Pennant Hills and Blacktown in Sydney.
In normal times, up to 70 seniors attend the meetings each month, so many are feeling quite isolated.
It is also running the NSW Sri Lankan Support Network for people needing a hand during the pandemic.
As well as seniors, this includes others having difficulty connecting with the rest of the community - people such as students and the newly jobless.
Both the online meetings and the support service use Zoom, a conferencing service whereby people connect with others - either by video or audio-only or both, all while conducting live chats. It also lets users record those sessions to watch later.
All it requires is a computer with a camera. You don't even need an account, just a link, which is sent to all participants. Up to 100 people can join in one session.
Association president Nalika Padmasena said the first online gathering was a promising beginning, as people got used to the changed format,
"Everyone was singing and talking and sharing what they have eaten, and how they are going about their lives," she said.
More ambitiously, the group, whose members come from all Sri Lanka's ethnic communities, celebrated Sinhala and Tamil new year together online.
In normal times, this event takes place in open space and includes Buddhist and Hindu rituals, games and feasting.
Nalika said the online event - joined by well-known actor, musician and composer Sahan Rawala from Colombo - was a great success under the circumstances.
Members gave individual presentations, sang folk, classical and English songs, Some people attended, in a manner, from interstate and even Sri Lanka,
Sadly, another of the association's signature events - the annual Winter Ball planned for August - has also had to be postponed.
But don't think the community won't think up something to fill the void.
"We are a creative people!," Nalika said.
The association's online gatherings take place every Wednesday from 11am-1pm. To find out how to join in, or if you wish to contact the COVID-19
& Support service, call Nalika on 0424-960-800 or email president@slansw.org.au
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