Recipients of NBN innovation awards announced

The recipients of the 2020 Innovate with NBN awards have been announced, with the inaugural awards attracting 129 entries from around Australia, across seven award categories. The awards recognised digitally savvy businesses and individuals in regional Australia that use the NBN to deliver new services and technology, and bring innovation to their communities.

Federal Regional Communications Minister, Mark Coulton, presented the awards via video link from South Australia. Minister Coulton commended the outstanding level of creativity displayed by the winners and finalists in each award category.

The categories include Agriculture, Arts, Education, Indigenous Business, Health, Tourism and Women in Regional Business, with the winners in each category receiving an award of $10,000 and the overall winner receiving $25,000.

“Many of our regional entrepreneurs are leading the way in innovation and showing that you can have the benefits of a rural life and run a successful and connected business,” Minister Coulton said.

WUNA Hold Access, from Palmerston in the Northern Territory, was named the overall winner of the 2020 Innovate with NBN awards for its achievements in digital innovation. Minister Coulton congratulated WUNA Hold Access on the HoldAccess digital wallet it designed for First Nations people.

Adelaide Hills O&G received an award in the Health category for its digitally capable ultrasound machine that enables ultrasounds from patients in regional Australia to be accessed in real time by city-based specialists.

“All the projects recognised through these awards are having an immediate positive impact on their local communities, and in the longer term, regional and remote communities across the country will also benefit from their innovative ideas,” Minister Coulton said.

NBN’s Chief Development Officer (Regional and Remote), Gavin Williams, said the Innovate with NBN awards are about helping digital projects and their creators and founders reach the next milestone, to drive productivity and social and economic outcomes for regional Australians.

Regional Australia Institute (RAI) CEO Liz Ritchie said high-quality broadband services are a critical part of service delivery and business competitiveness in regional Australia. Ritchie added that access to high-speed broadband helps boost the prosperity, creativity and sustainability of regions and the livelihoods of their residents.

“We are delighted to be involved with the Innovate with NBN grants program and congratulate today’s winners. The program showcases not only innovation in regions but provides valuable learnings for the benefit of regional Australia moving forward,” Ritchie said.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Maksim Kabakou