Dean Simes: Australia’s 102-Year-Old Tech Mentor
At 102, Dean Simes might surprise a few people. Not only does he help guide his grandchildren and great-grandchildren through mobile phones and computers, but he also teaches fellow retirees in Sydney how to get comfortable with technology. While many might give up on gadgets as they get older, Simes keeps going—motivated by curiosity and determination.
According to ABC Radio Sydney, Simes leads the nonprofit association Computer Pals, devoted to helping older Australians develop digital skills. The group offers support on everything from using smartphones to navigating PCs.
Starting Late, Never Stopping
Simes wasn’t always immersed in the tech world. It wasn’t until the year 2000, when Windows XP was about to launch, that he founded Computer Pals. He was already past 75 at the time. Even more surprising, Simes didn’t personally own a computer until his 80s. But he didn’t let that stop him. Driven by curiosity, he enrolled in a three-year course to study operating systems, hardware, and user interfaces—just so he could share what he learned with others.
Practice Makes Progress
Among Simes’s students are Vera and Michael Last, both 94, who regularly practice installing apps on Android devices in his sessions. Simes says the key is simple: “practice, practice, practice.” His hands-on approach has helped many seniors gain confidence in using modern technology. Sessions often focus on real-world questions—like how to add new apps or troubleshoot devices—and encourage camaraderie among participants.
Simes’s daily life is busy in other ways, too. He stays active with workouts, visits with his six children, games of bridge, and the occasional drive around Sydney. For him, keeping both body and mind engaged is essential.
Plans to Keep Going
Simes recognizes that he’ll eventually need to hand over his leadership role at Computer Pals to a younger person, but says, “not yet.” There is always someone who could use some help, or a new tech question to answer. As he jokes, the routine helps him avoid becoming what he calls a “couch potato.”
Dean Simes proves that age doesn’t have to be a barrier to embracing technology. For him, curiosity and persistence are what keep the mind—and the digital world—open, no matter how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
