The ubiquitous use of mobile phones in this community, and the
sense of immediacy of contact associated with communications
technologies became apparent throughout the involvement with
‘My Moola’. For instance, recruitment and mobilisation of
potential participants was primarily conducted using mobile
phones (very few participants use land lines). Out of an
extensive contact list of potential participants, the mode of
recruitment required a string of communications to build a
relationship of trust and set the groundwork leading up to
directly asking individuals to participate. The initial process
leading up to inviting participation involved one of the
Indigenous organisers spending many hours on the mobile
phone each day for several weeks. On the surface, this strategy
is similar to cold-calling techniques of telecentres, however, this
strategy is significantly different since the familiar nature of the
calls was a necessary precursor to the establishment of solid ties
that goes beyond participation in the program. The initial
contact and subsequent follow up calls via mobile phone were
not considered to be intrusive or a form of hassling. In fact, as
one participant said, ‘It’s a good opportunity to have a ‘yarn”1.
Similarly, SMS text messages were responded to by 80% of
individuals within an hour or two, in a positive manner, as they
represent an extension of face to face relations. So, the personal
mobile phone is seen as an extension or tool, akin to face to face
relations. This observation resonates with Taylor and Harper’s
discussion of teenage text messaging as a form of gift-giving;
the reciprocity held within SMS exchange is treated in r