INNOVATIVE South East contestants were recognised at the GovHack state awards in Adelaide earlier this month, winning thousands of dollars in cash prizes.
Following the GovHack open data competition held at the Mount Gambier Library in September, Charlene and Elly Bachmann represented their teams and were among awardees from across the state at the prestigious event.
In Mount Gambier, 45 participants competed simultaneously with other teams across Australia during the 46 hour GovHack competition.
Competitors developed a concept to make open data more accessible to the public, with ideas including smart phone apps, games, websites and art among the final concepts demonstrated.
Each concept was judged on a three minute video promoting the working model of the team’s idea.
The team Just We Three comprising of Charlene, Mark and Correa Bachmann created a project using open data called Connected – Councils Connecting Community.
The concept involved an interactive, self-serve kiosk hosted in libraries linking residents and new arrivals with community groups, clubs and support services in their local area.
“Our concept demonstrated the potential to improve the mental health and physical wellbeing of citizens and in doing so lowering the cost of health and social services,” Charlene Bachmann said.
“Most importantly, Connected has the ability to help councils connect individuals, families, carers to build a stronger and happier community.”
The concept was announced as the winner of the prize category Your Friendly Council, sponsored by Local Government Information Technology South Australia (LGITSA) with a cash prize of $1000.
The team received a further $1000 cash for first prize in the Lower Costs – Improving the Lives of South Australians category, sponsored by Data SA.
“It was a wonderful night at the awards and we were very excited to be approached by a representative from LGITSA to discuss the possibility of actually creating our project idea which would see our interactive community kiosks situated in council libraries across South Australia,” Ms Bachmann said.
Mount Gambier youth team Bachmanns and Fullwoods created the project Backwards and Forwards, an interactive history board game based on South Australian figures.
The team were announced runners-up in the City of Adelaide – the Place to Live, Work and Play category sponsored by City of Adelaide and received a cash prize of $400.
“It is fantastic to see Mount Gambier represented at the state awards and we are so proud of what our local GovHack teams produced throughout the competition weekend,” Mount Gambier Library youth services coordinator Terasa Nearmy said.
