Mayor Antonio launches 2019 Telstra Innovation awards

Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio has launched the 2019 Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards.

Mayor Antonio said the Awards, held in Toowoomba for the second year, highlight the importance of science, technology, engineering and maths subjects.

“The Innovation Awards have been renamed this year to broaden the focus from just technology to innovation,” Mayor Antonio said.

“The awards are open to secondary students in years 9 to 12 across the Toowoomba Region with the purpose of encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, helping students to unlock their problem solving potential and take their big technology ideas to the next level.

“Council is grateful to be partnering with Telstra, TAFE Queensland, USQ and TSBE for the awards this year with $10000 in prizes up for grabs including an exclusive guided tour of Telstra’s Customer Insight Centre in Sydney for the winning team.

“The Toowoomba Region has rich traditions in technology and innovation and bold ambitions for our local students.

“Technology and innovation will unquestionably be part of our future.

“The speed of change is incredible and each year, each week, each day we see new and exciting changes to our lives provided through innovation. I’m conscious of it in my own farming business.

“The Mayor's Telstra Innovation Awards builds on our ambitions for the future and encourages students in our region to start thinking today about the possibilities of tomorrow.

“We’re looking for a new and creative use of technology or a new innovative idea - it could be a new app, new concepts in social media, gaming technology or robotics.

“A single idea can change the world. I am confident that our students have the ability and the ingenuity to make a difference and play a major role in ‘the next big thing’, whatever field it is in.

“It could even be a revolutionary new idea for transport, health, agriculture, security, conservation, construction, energy or recreation.

“Last year’s inaugural winner, Toowoomba Christian College, came up with an idea of a smart-watch designed to help young people manage and monitor their anxiety.

“The possibilities are endless and that’s what makes these Awards so exciting.

“It is extremely important that our students, the leaders of tomorrow, are able to build the skills and confidence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics that will be vital in securing the knowledge jobs of the future.

“Council hopes to work with our partners to continue to deliver this excellent initiative into the future.

“I look forward to seeing what creative ideas and innovations our region’s students can create together.”

About the Awards

The Innovation Awards will consist of two (2) separate competition phases in Terms 3 and 4 of the 2019 school year, as well as a Final Pitch and Presentation Night.

The Awards will open for entries on 22 July 2019 and conclude on 30 October 2019 with the Final Pitch and Presentation Night at the University of Southern Queensland.

For more information about the Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards, please visit http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/mayorsinnovationawards