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A reference in digital inclusion in Australia, Dean Simes teaches seniors to handle current systems, Android phones, messaging apps, and artificial intelligence tools in a community project that has spanned different phases of technology since the creation of Computer Pals.
Dean Simes, 102 years old, became a reference in digital inclusion for seniors in Turramurra, in the northern region of Sydney, by leading the Computer Pals for Seniors, a volunteer club that teaches everything from Windows 11 to WhatsApp, Excel, and artificial intelligence tools.
The work gained public recognition this year, 2026, when the Ku-ring-gai Council awarded Simes the title of Local Citizen of the Year during the Australia Day ceremony, in honor of his role in the digital literacy of older residents.
Seniors learn Windows 11, Android, and WhatsApp
In the routine of Computer Pals, Simes helps elderly students handle tasks that have become part of everyday life, such as setting up Android phones, understanding messages on WhatsApp, using spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel, and navigating recent Windows interfaces.
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The club’s proposal is to reduce the gap between seniors and technology, especially in a scenario where banks, public services, medical appointments, family communication, and simple activities increasingly depend on computers, smartphones, and internet-connected apps.
During a visit from ABC Radio Sydney, Simes was guiding Vera Last, 94 years old, and Michael Last in setting up WhatsApp on Android phones, with support from a class projected on a big screen and prepared using artificial intelligence.
Vera told the broadcaster that she once considered herself good with computers during her professional life but began to struggle to keep up with changes after years away from digital routines, a common situation among people who learned technology in different contexts.
Computer Pals was born in 2000 and followed Windows changes
The Computer Pals for Seniors Turramurra was created in 2000 to help seniors understand the use and benefits of computers in modern society, according to information from the club itself, which operates at the Turramurra Senior Citizens Centre.
Since then, the digital environment has changed intensely. In an interview with ABC, Simes recalled that when the club started, Windows XP was emerging, while today students need to deal with Windows 11 and frequently updated applications.
The entity reports that it has air-conditioned training rooms, 58-inch screens, computers connected to the internet, printers, copiers, and infrastructure used both in formal courses and in individual assistance for those who bring their own equipment.
The group also claims to have enrolled almost 2,000 members throughout its history, with entirely voluntary work and tutors who, in many cases, previously took the courses and are familiar with the typical doubts of the audience served.
Artificial intelligence requires more precise questions
Simes’ work is not limited to traditional programs.
At 102 years old, he keeps up with search tools based on artificial intelligence and argues that the usefulness of these systems depends directly on how the user formulates the question.
To ABC, the instructor stated that generic questions can lead the user to unhelpful paths, with answers far from the initial need.
Therefore, he recommends objective, specific commands limited to the problem that needs to be solved.
“You need to be careful when doing this to ensure your question is as precise and limited as possible,” Simes told the Australian broadcaster, explaining how he guides seniors in dealing with automated searches and AI-generated responses.
The explanation synthesizes a practical concern of the project: it is not enough to present a new tool to the student, as it is necessary to teach how to use it safely, patiently, and autonomously, without turning each doubt into a permanent dependency on others.
From mining to teaching technology to seniors
Before becoming a community reference in technology, Simes built a career in the mining industry and later worked as a consultant in the 1980s, a period during which he moved to Sydney and began using computers at work.
Even having professional contact with machines, he only bought his own second-hand computer when he was already in his 80s, as he reported to ABC, and needed to ask for help to understand the basic features of the equipment.
The initial difficulty influenced your decision to study more.
After retiring, Simes attended technology courses at TAFE for three years, with the intention of expanding his own knowledge and helping other members of Computer Pals.
Over time, he took on the presidency of the club, began to manage a significant part of the structure used in classes, and became responsible for guiding activities on the internet, email, file storage, and digital tools used in daily life.
Award recognized community impact in Sydney
When announcing the 2026 award, the Ku-ring-gai Council highlighted that Simes has lived in the region for more than 50 years, served during World War II, and maintained constant involvement with community activities after retirement.
Mayor Christine Kay stated that the council was proud to recognize Simes’ work in promoting digital literacy among seniors, in addition to mentioning Computer Pals as a community group that helps residents learn new skills.
At the same ceremony, other categories were also announced, such as Young Citizen of the Year, Environmental Citizen of the Year, and the Mayor’s Award for community contribution, but the highlight given to Simes was linked to the direct impact on digital inclusion.
The official recognition reinforced Simes’ image as a sort of first local reference for technology doubts, glitches, settings, and common insecurities among seniors who need to keep up with constantly changing digital services.
Active routine includes driving, gym, and community life
Outside of classes, Simes maintains a busy routine.
According to ABC, he plays bridge, participates in a Probus club, spends time with his six children, continues driving his own car, and attends the gym to preserve muscle strength.
The city council itself also records his participation in community groups, music activities, bowling, and tennis, as well as his presence in a local gym as part of a commitment to health and social interaction.
Simes acknowledges that, at some point, he will have to leave the leadership of Computer Pals, but he states that the busy schedule keeps him away from a sedentary lifestyle and with little time to remain idle, without activities or commitments.
For many students, the teacher’s age does not appear as an obstacle.
Michael Last told ABC that this was never a criterion, while the secretary-treasurer Bill Soper stated that Simes’ knowledge of computers is widely respected in the club.
The instructor’s trajectory shows how community projects can reduce digital barriers among the elderly, especially when they combine patience, supervised repetition, and practical guidance for real problems, such as messaging, passwords, updates, and online services.
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