Festival Highlights
Innovation touches us everyday. Where would we be without the important ideas and inventions that have shaped our history and our lives such as air flight, computers, television and biotechnology.The 2004 Festival was the largest-ever industry event of its kind in Australia and included great examples of innovation in action, across all industry sectors.
2004 State, Territory and Associated Festivals
This year, increased numbers of events and attendees were recorded in every state and territory. What was particularly pleasing was the extensive non-metropolitan and outback Australia participation, supported by local communities, regional broadcasters and country newspapers.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT program was coordinated by the ICAN festival and presented some of the world’s most creative thinkers and innovators to the Canberra program. Lateral thinking, genetic modification and war-driven innovation were some of the 24 events in this far-reaching festival program.Highlights this year included Edward De Bono’s address at the National Press Club, Ernst & Young’s Women with Ambition Networking breakfast featuring Suzi Dafnis, the founder of Pow Wow Events; and many entrepreneurial functions hosted by groups including the Young Business Network, Canberra Commercialisation Council, ACT Premiers Department and in particular, the Australian Science Festival Limited.
New South Wales
This year, there were over 70 events, which covered all aspects of innovation from interactive television, rural field days, innovative ways to live longer and software showcases. These major innovation events were held from Wollongong through to Wagga Wagga, Narrabri, Mullumbimby, Newcastle and all parts of Sydney. The National Launch of the Australian Innovation Festival was held in conjunction with the 2004 AEEMA Excellence Awards at the Australian Technology Park on 4 May 2004. Speakers included Ian Macfarlane, Federal Minister of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources and Loftus Harris, Director General of NSW Department of State and Regional Development.The Wollongong & Illawarra Region Innovation Week included the Official Opening with David Campbell, NSW Minister for Regional Development on 2 May 2004 and was followed by the Innovation in Action Luncheon hosted by the Illawarra Business Chamber.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory program had an unprecedented number of events covering all aspects of innovation from cattle musters and air-cooling systems, the latest in tropical research to the inaugural Alice Springs Desert Knowledge Innovation Festival. The Northern Territory and the Alice Springs festival was launched by the Federal Minister for Science, Peter McGauran, the Northern Territory Minister for Central Australia, Peter Toyne and the Mayor of Alice Springs, Fran Kilgariff at the Desert Knowledge CRC Lunch on 4 May 2004.
Queensland
There were over 80 events in the Queensland program when all the associated events from the Townsville Innovation and Technology Week are included. The program began with the state launch by the Premier, Peter Beattie at Parliament House in Brisbane on 28 April 2004. A highlight this year was the extensive program of activities that ranged from the NSW border with the Gold Coast Festival Launch in Coolangatta on 3 May 2004, to events in Rockhampton, Townville, and to the far north with the inaugural SKI Cairns festival launch on 4 May 2004 at the Peter Lik Gallery.
South Australia
This year the Australian Innovation Festival was held throughout South Australia, with a program of 49 events that included Australia’s first innovative railway to IT in the pub and many regional events and activities. The Minister for Science and Information Economy, Trish White launched the South Australian program, which was held at the SA Investigator Science and Technology Centre.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian program included an extensive range of events throughout the island state, from Burnie, Devonport and Launceston in the north to Hobart in the South. As well as University of Tasmania’s events, the Department of Economic Development arranged for George, Lewin, the inventor of the Triton workbench and founder of the Triton Foundation, to be their special guest. George presented a series of stimulating lectures to educational groups and innovators throughout Tasmania.
Victoria
The Victorian program featured over 130 events, which covered all aspects of innovation, from aeroplanes at Federation Square to independent fashion design and university research fairs.The Victorian launch was held at BMW Edge, Federation Square on 29 April and the speakers included John Brumby, Victorian Treasurer and Minister for Innovation, Dr. Barry Jones, Chair of the Victorian Schools Innovation Commission and Councillor Irene Goonan, Chair of Marketing and Economic Development with the City of Melbourne. The Gippsland / Latrobe Valley Innovation Festival featured innovation in all areas, from Online Wine Tasting, and East Gippsland Field Days to an extensive Arts Innovation Week.
Western Australia
This year, the WA program included over 115 events held throughout the state and covered allaspects of innovation, from ‘The Big Bang’ and Synchro-swings to Careers Expo’s and WebTV.
A series of events were held extensively in regional centres including Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Margaret River, Albany, Fremantle and inner and outer suburbs of Perth.The WA breakfast launch on 30 May at the Burswood Convention Centre was a spectacular success with the internationally acclaimed circus group Skadada performing acrobatic displays following addresses from Dr. Fiona Ward and the WA Chief Scientist Dr. Bruce Hobbs.