The launch of Innovation Gippsland and the Victorian state launch of the Australian Innovation Festival was held on Thursday May 1^st at Kiel Industries in Morwell. It is the first time that a state launch has been held in a regional area and recognises Gippsland’s status as the largest regional festival in Australia.Â

Upcoming events

The Innovation Gippsland program is filled with events from a variety of industries - everything from ‘Making $ From Small Farms’ to Speed Networking and one of the region’s first carbon-neutral events, Workwise East Gippsland TAFE Awards 08. The re-awakening of concern about sustainability and global warming is reflected in this year’s program, with the ‘Farming in a Changing Climate’ in Warragul on May 9^th and the ‘Gippsland Sustainability Festival’ in Morwell on May 9^th and 10^th. If you want to find out more about how our region’s climate will change and how to respond to it, make the time to attend these events. More details at www.innovationgippsland.com.Â

New Ideas from Then to Now

http://www.questacon.edu.au/html/100_years_of_innovations.html - 100 years of Australian Innovation from 1900 to 2000 – everything from Speedo swimwear (in 1928!), the Staysharp knife and solar hot water heaters. And for a look into the next 100 years: http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/tech/default.htm - using bacteria to produce hydrogen for fuel, a laundry detergent that saves water by ‘switching off’ its own suds and using the ‘trapped rainbow’ effect to use light to transport and store data. One day your laptop may really be as fast as the speed of light! Next step – speed typing …Â

Mr Glenn Patterson, Chair of Innovation Gippsland and CEO of Baw Baw Shire said: ‘Gippsland’s commitment to innovation has been a big part of our success over the past few years. What we do today will contribute directly to the future development of our region.’ ‘Innovation Gippsland’s great strength continues to be the way it brings together business, community and government to identify and celebrate great ideas.’ said Mr Patterson 

Innovation Gippsland 2008 events incorporate themes including business, agribusiness, environment, arts, education, tourism and community:

   §          The Launch of the Gippsland Youth Commitment

 §          Workways East Gippsland TAFE Awards08

 §          Gippspell

 §          Gippsland Community Leadership Program Workshop

 §          7 Secrets to Business Success - Free Internet Services to Boost Your Business

 §          Farming in a Changing Climate

 §          Make New Connections: Your time starts now!

 §          Gippsland Sustainability Festival

 §  Gippsland Tourism Industry Leadership Program Workshop

 §  Gippsland Public Affairs & Marketing Network (GPAM) Workshop

   §          Making $ From Small Farms 

Mr Patterson continued, ‘The Gippsland Local Government Network would like to thank the Gippsland Local Government Network, Regional Development Victoria and Make it Happen in Regional Victoria, nab, AusIndustry, WinTV, Telstra Country Wide, and ABC Gippsland for their support of Innovation Gippsland.’ 

Innovation Gippsland is part of the Australian Innovation Festival, held in April and May each year across Australia.

Alex Arbuthnot, AM, Chair of Agribusiness Gippsland Inc., and member of the Australian Landcare Council, said, “This conference is for people seeking more information on climate change and for those who are keen to position themselves to manage the impacts of climate change.’  Mr Arbuthnot continued, ‘We’re focussing on practical approaches, with sessions on efficient water use on farms, commercial forestry’s role in mitigating climate change, and how to boost farming dollars from soil carbon. This is a chance for anyone working in agribusiness, as well as people interested in their region’s future, to come along and hear some new ideas.’ 

Speakers at the conference include Dr Graeme Pearman from the Monash Sustainability Institute’s Australian Climate Group, Professor Robert Carter, James Cook University, Townsville, CSIRO’s Dr Kevin Hennessy and Dr Leanne Webb and Gerald Leach, Chair of the NFF Climate Change Working Group. Grants are available for primary producers to claim a portion of the costs associated with the Conference Dinner, Conference, accommodation and travel.   

To register for the conference, contact Natalie Jenkins on 03 5152 6865 or Natalie.Jenkins@dpi.vic.gov.au.  

Innovation Gippsland, Gippsland’s celebration of innovation is held each year across Gippsland and is the largest regional festival in the Australian Innovation Festival program.

Glenn Patterson, Chief Executive Officer of Baw Baw Shire Council and Innovation Gippsland chair, said, ‘Innovation Gippsland’s theme for 2008 is ‘Developing Our Future Today’. In a constantly changing world, it is vital that we promote the people and companies who are contributing to Gippsland’s future’.  

‘We know that the great ideas are out there. The ABC’s New Inventors Program has just wrapped up for 2007, with over 100 inventions shown over the year – including Gippsland’s own ‘Phase Changer’ invented by Mark Bridgman and Ian Jackson. We invite innovators to get out of the shed and be involved in Innovation Gippsland next year.’ Mr Patterson continued. 

Mr Patterson continued, ‘It’s not just about inventions. We want to hear from businesses and community groups who are building sustainable businesses, doing better with less and cutting their greenhouse emissions. Innovation Gippsland has been a successful indicator of how well our region is performing and our aspirations for the future. We want to see good representation from event holders from across the region for Innovation Gippsland 2008.’ 

Innovation Gippsland runs in April and May each year, reflecting the best that Gippsland has to offer. It is part of the Australian Innovation Festival, which includes events from around the country.  

Mr Glenn Patterson, Chief Executive Officer of Baw Baw Shire Council and Chair of the Gippsland Innovation Festival, said: ‘The theme of Innovation Gippsland 2008 is ‘Developing Our Future Today’. It’s about recognising the efforts of businesses and community groups who act on their new ideas, and the positive contribution they make to our region.’   ‘Innovation Gippsland is a great opportunity for local organisations and businesses who can demonstrate that they have something new to offer our region’, he added. 

‘We are seeking events or programs which meet the criteria of making good ideas happen in Gippsland.’ Mr Patterson continued: ‘Innovation Gippsland has contributed to increased community confidence in the success of our region and is a timely stock-take of the great things happening in our region. It shows the benefits of business, community and government working together.’ 

He concluded: ‘Participants will be included in the nationwide Australian Innovation Festival program and receive recognition across the Gippsland. We encourage event organisers, businesses and community groups to contact Innovation Gippsland to find out how they can get involved.’

For more information about Innovation Gippsland, contact Mikaela Power on 0417 159 733.

Innovation Gippsland aims to promote innovation throughout the year in Gippsland. It encompasses the Wonthaggi Energy Innovation Festival in March and a series of events in early May each year. Highlights of the 2007 May program included the Innovation Gippsland launch at Monash University Gippsland, guest speaker Terry Hawkins at the Gippsland Tourism Industry Leadership session, the Cave and Karst Conference at Buchan and a manufacturers’ tour in Leongatha and Mirboo North. 

Innovation Gippsland chair, Glenn Patterson said, ‘ We’re seeking expressions of interest from people involved in new and innovative programs and businesses across the region. Our focus is on new ideas, new ways of approaching existing issues and programs which apply ideas in a uniquely Gippsland way.’ 

‘Innovation Gippsland is one of the largest regional celebrations of innovation, as part of the Australian Innovation Festival. Events such as the recent Bendigo Bank Gippsland Business Awards show that we are innovative, successful and recognize our strengths. I encourage people to get in touch with our event organizers to discuss their contribution to innovation in Gippsland in 2008.’ 

For more information on Innovation Gippsland, contact Mikaela Power at Go To… on 0417 159 733 or goto@otog.net. Information on the Bendigo Bank Gippsland Business Awards is available at www.gba.org.au 

Innovation Gippsland, Gippsland’s celebration of our region’s good ideas, has a new slogan. The slogan, developed by competition winner, Wayne Nardino, is Innovation Gippsland - Developing Our Future Today.

Glenn Patterson, Chair of Innovation Gippsland, said, ‘We ran the competition through this site and local newspapers to find our slogan for 2008. We had a range of entries, but Wayne’s stood out because it summed up what’s great about Innovation Gippsland and our region.’

Wayne Nardino, competition winner, said, ‘We’re looking forward to exploring the region after winning the prize and seeing what’s on offer for Innovation Gippsland in 2008.’ Mr Nardino continued,’ I think we need to consider the future growth and sustainability of our region for future generations to enjoy. Gippslanders are putting some great ideas into action, and we need to encourage people to find out more about them.’

Chris Buckingham, Chair of Destination Gippsland, said, ‘ Destination Gippsland is very pleased to provide the prize for the winner of the Innovation Gippsland competition. We would like to thank the tourism operators who have generously provided prizes:

• Parks Victoria - Buchan Caves Reserve
• Captain’s Cove Holiday Accommodation
• Brandy Creek View Cafe and Winery
• Gippsland Heritage Park at Moe

Glenn Patterson said, ‘It’s great to see local businesses supporting our region and its celebration of all that’s innovative about where we live. We congratulate Wayne and all the entrants for their efforts.

Innovation Gippsland continues in 2007 with the Gippsland Business Awards, Flavorite Open Day and the Water, Water Festival.

Innovation Gippsland is about sharing the success stories - taking stock of innovation in our growing region.

It’s also about business, community and all levels of government working together to promote, lead and stimulate innovation and growth.

The Gippsland Local Government Network (Bass Coast, Baw Baw, East Gippsland, Latrobe, South Gippsland and Wellington) has committed to the following principles to encourage the development of the region:

• Help people become better leaders and encourage entrepreneurship.
• Recognise the importance of innovation in sustainable economic, environmental and community development.
• Foster innovation in our communities, schools and businesses
• Unite as a region to celebrate innovation through Innovation Gippsland.

www.innovationgippsland.com

Innovation Gippsland’s new website is now active at www.innovationgippsland.com . Visit the site for program information and updates on what’s happening during our regional celebration of innovation this month.

Thanks to Anchor Web Design for putting it all together and to Gippsland.com for their services over the past few years.

Come up with a new slogan for 2008 Innovation Gippsland and win a great Gippsland getaway

We need your help to develop a new slogan for Innovation Gippsland 2008. The slogan must capture the essence of Innovation and what it means to you.

The author of the best slogan, as judged by an independent panel, will win a Gippsland tour package valued at $1,000. Thanks to Destination Gippsland for facilitating the prize:

• Buchan Caves Reserve, Buchan One night in the Wilderness Retreat and a pass to tour one of the show caves (Royal or Fairy) at the Buchan Caves Reserve*
• Montfort Manor, Traralgon
• Two night’s accommodation staying in luxury ‘Marble’ Spa Suite with views overlooking heated lap lane & swimming pool.
• Substantial continental breakfast provided both mornings
• Chauffer driven in 1953 fully restored French Citroen to local restaurant
• Complimentary afternoon tea daily
• Bottle local wine on arrival
• Golf 20% off green fees, 30% off buggy hire
• Old Gippstown Moe
• One family pass to Old Gippstown Moe
• Brandy Creek Wines & View Café, Drouin
• $100 food and wine voucher to be used at the Brandy Creek Wines & View Café

To enter click here , look out for forms in your local paper or ask for more information at your local government or visitor information centres.

* Conditions apply.

Program Themes

This year’s program has a strong focus on business events, with extensive participation from community, the arts and tourism.

Business

Latrobe and Baw Baw

• The Young Women’s Leadership & Mentoring Programme will be launched at Traralgon on May 11and continue across Gippsland in 2007
• ‘Under New Management’ sessions on Networking and Marketing; May 3 and May 24 in Traralgon

South Gippsland and Bass Coast

• Creativity + Networks = A New Approach for Women in Business’ in Leongatha on May 11;
• Event planning workshop in Wonthaggi on May 8 and;
• Launch of the ‘Biz to Biz’ Networking Website on May 15.

East Gippsland

• Telstra Country Wide is hosting a ‘Business Everywhere You Need It’ breakfast on May 3 in Bairnsdale
• East Gippsland Shire Council will host an Economic Development Summit on April 26 at Bairnsdale.

Wellington

• The Gippsland Public Affairs & Marketing Network is holding ‘Innovation in Regional Communication - A workshop on best practice in Crisis Communications’ in Sale on May 10.

Community

• Gippsland Community Network Breakfasts will be held on May 22 at Warragul and on May 24 at Morwell.
• The Gippsland Community Leadership Program’s ‘Innovation in Community Leadership’ is on May 4 at Yinnar.
• Other community events include the Let’s Get Connected Program in East Gippsland and Wellington Shires, the Curlip Project in Orbost and Baw Baw Shire Council’s Community Engagement Program.    

Tourism

• Inspiration, Innovation and Leadership’, featuring Terry Hawkins on May 1 in Warragul,
• E-Marketing Forum’ for tourism and small business operators on May 9 in Leongatha,
• Tourism Excellence Workshop for operators in Sale on May 15

Environment

• Parks Victoria will host the Australasian Cave and Karst Management Conference from April 29 to May 5 at Buchan.
• An open afternoon at ASIRC at Monash University Gippsland on May 2
• Walhalla’s Old Town, New Lights LE lightbulb exchange on May 5 & 6.

Arts

• The Premiere of ‘Fire Up’ (part of the Prom Coast Sea Change Festival) will be held in Foster on April 28 and 29.
• Gippsland’s ‘Wild Dogs’ will be exhibiting at Queens Hall, Parliament House during the first week of May.
• The Regional Arts Victoria Symposium (including the inaugural RAVe Awards) will be held at Lakes Entrance on May 4 and 5.
• Latrobe City’s ‘Green Expectations’ program will be launched on May 25.
• Launch of the Location Victoria Gippsland Website at Bairnsdale on May 30

Education

• Educators across Gippsland will be working together to convene GippSpell during May.
• GippsTAFE will host ‘Virtual Worlds in Education’ on May 1 and ‘Virtual Wine Tasting’ on May 2 (both in Morwell).
• Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning and Employment Network’s ‘Inspiring Young People’ series will be launched on May 2 and their ‘Sharing the Knowledge’ session on Koori education and training pathways will be held in Warragul on May 30.

The Gippsland Innovation Festival has been the largest regional innovation festival in Australia for a number of years. This is a direct reflection on our region’s capacity to come up with new ideas and make them happen.

‘Necessity is the mother of Invention’ rings true for many Gippslanders who have lived and worked in many beautiful but isolated parts of the region. In this new age of information and communications technology, we are all a lot closer to each other than we used to be.

Innovation Gippsland showcases the passion and intellectual capacity of a region that is not content to rely on its abundant natural resources.

Innovation Gippsland is about sharing success, letting people know what is happening in our great region, and encouraging business, community and government to make Gippsland an even better place to live, work and do business.

Innovation Gippsland Launch on May 2nd

Innovation Gippsland is one of the biggest events on the regional calendar. AusIndustry is the principal sponsor of the launch. It is a great opportunity to see how local businesses have turned great ideas into reality. If you are an innovative local business with new products or services to showcase, please contact Mikaela Power on 0417 159 733.

Upcoming Innovation Gippsland events

1st April - 15th May

gerald’s artichoke - submissions

An edited publication of the work of writers, publishers and photographers and artists in East Gippsland. Submissions of contemporary writing, cartoons, photographs and illustrations of artworks can be made until May 15th. Contact: Daniel Jenkins or Peter Duggan at ArtsNet East Gippsland Inc 0438 063 026, artsneg@bigpond.net.au

18th April - Roadmap to Successful Commercialisation - A program to help businesses to transform ideas into commercial reality. Contact Jayde Van Gelderen 03 5174 9233 jayde.vangelderen@rdv.vic.gov.au

19th April - Gippsland Community Network Breakfast – Warragul – An opportunity for business and community to come together and hear national leaders in business, sport and government share their ideas on innovation and leadership. Contact: Pat Coles 0428 746207, pacoles@bigpond.com

21st – 22nd & 28th – 29th April Prom Cost Seachange Festival - A new celebration of all that’s wonderful about living in and visiting South Gippsland. Two weekends of fun activities at locations across the Prom Coast, including the premiere of ‘Fire Up’.

www.promcoastseachangefestival.org/program.html

23rd April - Launch of Public Access to Bemm River School Bus (Let’s Get Connected’ Project) Contact: Rhonda James 03 5153 9441, RhondaJ@egipps.vic.gov.au

26th April East Gippsland Economic Development Summit Contact Holly Yates, 03 5153 9521 hollyy@egipps.vic.gov.au

29th April - May 5th Australasian Cave & Karst Management Conference Parks Victoria hosts the 17th Australasian Cave and Karst Management Association (ACKMA) Conference at Buchan Caves Reserve. Contact: Dale Calnin, Parks Victoria 03 5162 1908, conference.convenor@ackma.org

Australian Innovation Festival

The theme is the 4C’s – Creativity, Connections, Collaboration and Commercialisation’. The Festival has been facilitating the ‘Leaders in Innovation’ Series to consider these and other issues. Speakers in the series have included Peter Bartels, Chair of the Australian Sports Commission, Ross Brown, CEO of Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard and Dr Geoff Garratt, CEO of CSIRO.

Recent Events

The Wonthaggi Energy Innovation Festival was held over the weekend of the 24th and 25th of March. Despite rain on Saturday, thousands of people came from across Gippsland to see the Human Powered GP and learn more about the range of energy and water saving products on display.

Tours of Wonthaggi’s wind turbines and local energy-efficient homes were also popular with visitors. Last year’s festival also brought rain – another benefit of innovation, perhaps?

Websites and Blogs - Australian Technology Showcase:

If you are developing new technology and considering venturing into exporting goods overseas, this site is worth a visit. www.ats.business.gov.au/useful+resources.

Read about the Innovation Leadership Forum’s view on promoting an innovative Australia at www.mind-sharing.com/innovation/manifesto

Innovation Gippsland 2007 – Main Events in week 1…If you ever needed evidence that Gippsland is a truly innovative region then the first week of May is living proof of a region that is realising its potential…

How many regions in Australia can offer Virtual Wine Tasting? An Art exhibition that features Wild Dogs? A program built to Inspire Young Women?

The first full week of the Gippsland program is packed with innovative things to see and do.

It begins with ‘Inspiration, Innovation & Leadership’ with nationally acclaimed motivational speaker Terry Hawkins, on May 1st at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, and continues through ‘Virtual Worlds in Education’, the Inaugural Gippsland Tourism Industry Leadership Program and an open day at ASIRC- Gippsland’s own commercial centre for innovation.

May 1st

Gippsland Tourism Industry Leadership Program Workshop

The inaugural Gippsland Tourism Industry Leadership Program is developing the leadership skills and networks for the local tourism industry.

Contact: Janiene Ayre 03 56242538 janiene.ayre@bawbaw.vic.gov.au

Virtual Worlds in Education

Discover how Virtual Worlds have been used by different learner groups to assist remote learning. Includes a discussion and overview of the Virtual Worlds Real Learning National Project.

Contact: Ms Helen Reeves 03 5120 4521 helenr@gippstafe.vic.edu.au

Wild Dogs Down Under - Gippsland Exhibition - until Friday 4 May

“Wild Dogs from Down Under” are six professional contemporary artists who have united to create a body of 2D & 3D visual art titled and themed ‘Gippsland’ and are exhibiting at Queens Hall in Parliament House for the first time. Contact: Kerrie Warren 0411 480 384 mail@kerriewarren.com.au

May 2nd

Launch of the Gippsland Innovation Festival 06

Sponsored by AusIndustry & hosted by Monash University Gippsland, Innovation Gippsland will be launched by the Hon Bob Baldwin, MP and feature a showcase of local innovators. Contact: Mrs Pat Coles 0428 746 207 email: pacoles@bigpond.com

Australian Sustainable Industry Research Centre Open Day

The Australian Sustainable Industry Research Centre (ASIRC) will showcase real life examples of how the analytical laboratory at ASIRC works to solve waste problems and develop solutions for industry.

Contact: Ms Jenny Jelbart 03 5122 7167 jenny.jelbart@asirc.org.au

Inspiring Young People Series

Inspiring Young People is a collaboration of events that aim to ‘inspire’ young people from schools and community organisations in Gippsland to identify new career and life pathways. Events are: ‘Inspiring Young Women’ ‘Inspiring Young Koorie Women’ and ‘Straight Talk’.

Contact: Kate Boyer, Nicole Skinner, Arthur Doddrell 03 5633 2868 kate.bblllen@dcsi.net.au; nicole.bblllen@dcsi.net.au; arthur.bblllen@dcsi.net.au

Virtual Wine Tasting - GippsTAFE

Learn and taste wine via a virtual classroom. – Leave your car keys at home! Includes wine buffs from Gippsland and Otago region in New Zealand.

Contact: Helen Reeves 03 5120 4521 helenr@gippstafe.vic.edu.au

Community Engagement Program - Until 13 June

This new Baw Baw Shire Council and Education Centre Gippsland program assists community groups to develop practical approaches to revitalising their communities.

Contact: Lynn Mizen 03 5624 2541 lynn.mizen@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au

3 May

Under New Management Program - Marketing & Networking (also 24 May)

Workshop and seminar for small business owners and operators seeking to develop an innovative approach to their marketing, business and management skills.

Contact: Leo Billington 03 5128 5659, leobi@latrobe.vic.gov.au

Innovation in Community Strengthening

Gippsland Community Leadership Program brings aspiring leaders from across the region to learn about leadership in a regional context. This session will focus on Innovation in Community Strengthening.

Contact: Nicola Epps (03) 5135 4304, nicola.epps@igain.vic.edu.au

4 & 5 May

Regional Arts Victoria Symposium

Networking, workshops, AGM & the inaugural RAVe awards for excellence in the arts. Contact: RAV on 03 9644 1800, enquiry@rav.net.au

6 May

“Old Town, New Lights” Walhalla - the Low Energy Globe Town

Walhalla, the last town in Victoria to be supplied with electricity, will be the first in Australia to give up incandescent light globes. Visitors receive free/discount LE globes.

Contact: Michael Leaney, Walhalla’s Star Hotel 03 5165 6262 info@starhotel.com.au

To Find Out More about Innovation Gippsland 2007

Please contact Mikaela Power at Go To… on 0417 159 733 or goto@otog.net. Information on the Australian Innovation Festival is available from www.ausinnovation.org

What’s in a Name?

Innovation Gippsland (formerly the Gippsland Innovation Festival) begins this year with the Wonthaggi Energy Innovation Festival on March 24th & 25th.

The name change reflects a shift of emphasis for Gippsland’s innovation showcase. Innovation Gippsland will help the region celebrate the incredible range of innovative activities occurring in Gippsland 365 days of the year. Events will peak during May, to coincide with the Australian Innovation Festival, but we’re building the profile of events throughout 2007.

Innovation Gippsland will continue to promote innovation occurring in business, community and government.

Innovation Gippsland 2007 Events

Following are some of the early registrations in this year’s program:

•     Young Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program (Gippsland wide)
•     South East Business Mentoring Project,
•     ‘Inspiring Young People’, run by Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN
•     Gippsland Tourism Industry Leadership Program; and
•     Gippsland Business Awards.

Please contact event organisers if you wish to register an event. If your event illustrates a new idea or way of doing things, something new to Gippsland or a new application or approach which contributes to the sustainability of our region, we would love to hear from you. Call Mikaela Power from Go To… on 0417 159 733 or email goto@otog.net before March 5th, 2007 for more information.

Launch at Monash University

Monash University Gippsland will host the launch of Innovation Gippsland 2007 on Wednesday May 2nd. Sponsored by AusIndustry, the launch will showcase some of Gippsland’s most innovative businesses alongside the work of Monash postgraduate research students. It will be followed by an open afternoon at the Australian Sustainable Industry Research Centre (ASIRC), which community members are welcome to attend.

Thanks to our sponsors

Innovation Gippsland would not happen without significant support from the Gippsland Local Government Network, State Government, AusIndustry, nab, Monash University, Telstra and WinTV. We thank them for their support of Innovation Gippsland 2007.

Thanks also to equipsuper for their support of the ‘Inspiring Young People’ series of events run by the Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning & Employment Network. This Innovation Gippsland event series builds on the success of ‘Inspiring Young Women’, with ‘Inspiring Young Indigenous Women’ and ‘Straight Talk’, a program for secondary school kids in years eight and nine.

Next Big Thing Coming Your Way

Get cracking! Entries for INNOVIC’s Next Big Thing Award™ 2007 close on Friday 2 March.

The Award is an annual nation-wide competition to find, showcase and award exciting new Australian innovations with the potential to become the ‘next big thing’.

INNOVIC’s Next Big Thing Award™ 2007 is a prestigious event, with cash and prizes valued at $30,000 on offer for three major awards. The finalists’ innovations will be exhibited for six weeks from 1 May 2007 to 8 June 2007 at Innovation @ 257 Collins in Melbourne. From these, an expert panel will determine the Next Big Thing Award 2007 winner.

The 2006 Next Big Thing Award winner, the Mediseus, is a world-first full procedure epidural simulator. Previously, clinicians practised the procedure on patients (now that’s scary!). Since winning, Mediseus has been featured on The New Inventors and in several industry journals.

Visit www.nextbigthingaward.com for applications and further information or to place your vote for the people’s choice award.

What’s INNOVIC?

INNOVIC is an expert provider of services to innovators. It is an independent, not-for-profit organisation which has assisted over 25,000 innovators since its formation 20 years ago.

INNOVIC services include the seven-part Steps to Commercialisation seminar series, strategic planning consultations, patent searches, product and opportunity assessments, mentoring, grants & finance information, and a range of commercialisation activities.

www.innovic.com.au

Endless Innovation – this month’s best blog

If you have ever wondered how Toyota became the most innovative car company in the world, why being innovative is not a fad (but just talking about it might be), or what George Washington looked like at 19 years old, check out http://endlessinnovation.typepad.com