Council
18 July, 2023
Innovation rewarded in Moreton Bay
OVER 100 teachers, industry mentors, families, and supporters attended the Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards Final on June 22, eager to hear the innovative ideas from the 12 finalists in their pitch to the judging panel.
Hosted by Grace Lutheran College, Caboolture, finalist teams presented their original ideas, captivating designs, and ingenious prototypes in a concise three-minute live pitch format. The event left a lasting impression on the judges, and four student teams and their schools were chosen to share in $10,000 worth of prizes thanks to Telstra.
Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery chaired the judging panel and praised the remarkable talent in the region.
“These awards empower students, instilling confidence and inspiring them to transform dreams and small-scale projects into ventures that can significantly impact the community,” Cr Flannery said.
“Our Regional Economic Development Strategy places great emphasis on knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and this program aligns perfectly with our vision to establish Moreton Bay as a leading innovation hub.”Delivered in partnership with Telstra, the awards program provides a platform for budding innovators to learn, explore, and develop their entrepreneurial spirit. It equips them with the necessary tools and support to embark on a journey of creativity and achievement.
Telstra Regional General Manager May Boisen said it was exciting to see Moreton Bay schools embrace the awards.
“This is the ninth year of the Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards program and its second in Moreton Bay.” Ms Boisen said.
“The awards encourage young people to view technology as a tool for innovation rather than just a source of entertainment and fun.
“We ask students to put forward ideas that demonstrate an innovative use of technology to solve a community, environmental or business issue, and Moreton Bay’s schools have absolutely risen to that challenge in 2023. The calibre of entries from this region was exceptional and the judges were delighted by the creativity and the enthusiasm of this year’s cohort of students.
“The Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards supports learning in innovation, entrepreneurship and business skills, and also demonstrates that world-class ideas and businesses don’t have to be based in major cities to be successful—an ideology long championed by local council’s economic development strategies.”
This year’s participation from the Moreton Bay region was remarkable, with 31 entries representing eight different schools.
Participating students had the privilege of attending four mentoring workshops led by industry facilitators, enhancing their skills, and immersing themselves in innovative thinking.
The live pitch ceremony celebrated exceptional talent and solidified Moreton Bay’s reputation as a hub for innovation and visionary thinking. The event demonstrated the region’s commitment to nurturing bright minds, propelling them towards a future of innovation and transformative solutions.
The 2023 Moreton Bay Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards’ winners are as follows:
1st Place: Kimberly Chambers Tatters (Genesis Christian College).
Innovation: Telstra Shelter Assist (TSA).
Telstra Shelter Assist is a service, in the form of a website, that can be accessed on devices as well as via newly installed touchscreens at local Telstra phone booths. The website contains sub-pages with accommodation listings (including granny flats and spare rooms), information about services such as job training, employment, food and groceries, medical and laundry.
2nd Place: Chloe Robinson, Helana Kranz and Isabella Ham (Grace Lutheran College, Caboolture).
Innovation: Pet Tracker and Harness.
A customisable pet harness with a built-in tracker that is waterproof, durable and won’t fall off the dog. It comes with a handy app for owners to upload details and a QR code for people to scan and quickly locate the owner’s contact details.
3rd Place: Ainsley Gilbert and Katara Mataroa (Albany Creek State High School)
Innovation: Stall Spotter.
Stall Spotter is a website for local market stall holders. They can list their business on the website including which markets they are attending, as well as contact details for their business should customers wish to get in touch. This is also a great tool for locals wanting to know where all the upcoming local markets are being held.
Emerging Entrepreneur Award: Corbon Boyle (Horizon’s College of Learning and Enrichment).
Innovation: BiomeMaster.
The BiomeMaster is a device that clips onto the interior side of a pot plant and allows the user to control the amount of water the plant receives by measuring the humidity and purity of air inside an enclosed room.
Applications for the 2024 Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards will open in early 2024.
For more information, visit www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/mtia
