As an Aussie Baby Boomer (who is not 100% technologically adept) I would welcome input as to how I can remain in contact (phone and emai) with "home" when I am travelling away from Australia.
Currently I use my mobile phone on 'international roaming" (which costs me big) and internet cafes.
In today's world there must be a better way!!
Help needed, please.

define the term "big"

ttt

Purchase calling cards at corner-store-style establishments at various spots in Europe. The clerk will be able to tell you the best one to buy for Australia. Go to a payphone and phone your family and friends.

You can also encourage your family and friends to phone you in your hotel room (at a convenient time). They can use phone cards or a cheap long distance plan or Skype to contact you.

You could also encourage your family and friends to use your regular voicemail box (if you have one). Then you can pick up the messages by using your phone card.

You can email text messages to cell phones, or people can do the same to your cell phone, if you do decide to keep it on. I would consider just turning your cell phone off, unless you are likely to get urgent calls.

Since you are from Australia, you probably already have a gsm mobile phone with the proper frequencies for Europe. Get it unlocked if it is not unlocked already or you can wait till you get to Europe; with the exception of Germany, finding a place to unlock the phone is a piece of cake as we say in the States.

Go to www.united-mobile.com and buy a united mobile sim card...you will get a Liechtenstein phone number where your friends can reach you 24/7 for free...calling back to Aussie land isn't too bad 0,39€/minute with a 0,25€ set fee for call but there are cheaper alternatives...look up callback world at www.callbackworld.com.

Check the rates to call from Liechtenstein mobiles to Australia...don't know them off hand but they're probably pretty reasonable. Open up an account and voila you've joined the 21st century.

Yes, I do see that there are some alternatives. As an aussie, the ones for the US are not applicable.
I've looked at "pocketmail" and a friend who is currently travellung in Canada and the US is trialling it at this very moment.
Using pay phones and cards is something we have tried and it is, at this stage the most cost effective for us.
The way mobile costs and international roaming is set up here means that I pay the cost of all calls; mine outward; and also the inward ones!

Macca, how are ya mate. We found the best way to communicate is by SMS. It's cheap, still only 20 cents. We use it to let the kids know we're orright. We also use hotmail - we set one up just for travel. Gave up with phone booths and phone cards over there.

Cheers mate.

I use internet cafes and a Hotmail account.