Chair's Report — Premila Jina
Ten years in, the Game Changer Awards still gives me chills.
This year, Minister Stephen Dawson joined more than 500 students in singing "Happy 10th Birthday" to GCA. It was loud, joyful, and completely unrehearsed — and it captured everything this program stands for. A community of young people, educators, industry leaders, and volunteers, all backing the same idea: that every child has the potential to be a game changer.
That belief has guided this program since day one. It still does.
Chair
200
Project Submissions
67% increase
766+
Students Participated
74% year on year
95
Industry Judges
40
Volunteers
60% jump from 2024
750+
Awards Event Attendees
25
Schools Engaged
18
Industry Sponsors
This year we launched the Game Changer Academy — a program designed to build lasting capability in schools, not just produce award entries. Through design thinking and innovation-based learning, we're equipping teachers to lead change in their own classrooms. Many schools are now running their own "mini-GCA" events year-round. That's the ripple effect we've always been chasing.
Mini GCA itself grew from a single pilot school and 15 teams in 2024 to five schools and 105 teams in 2025. That kind of growth doesn't happen by accident — it happens when the demand is real and the model works.
We also refreshed the state finals format, inviting each school's top five teams to compete, with six finalist teams advancing to pitch at the Young Entrepreneurs Showcase at West Tech Fest. That's a meaningful bridge — from classroom problem-solving to standing in front of industry and saying: here's my idea, and here's why it matters.
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Western Australia's future depends on young people who can think critically, collaborate across difference, and back themselves in the face of hard problems. GCA develops exactly those qualities — through a play-based, inquiry-driven approach that meets students where they are and asks them to stretch.
Many past GCA winners are still growing their ideas, still partnering with industry, some still in school. That's not a coincidence. That's a program doing its job.
Building lasting capability in schools through design thinking and innovation-based learning, equipping teachers to lead change in their own classrooms.
From 1 pilot school and 15 teams in 2024 to 5 schools and 105 teams in 2025. Growth that happens when the demand is real and the model works.
Top five teams from each school competing, with six finalists advancing to pitch at the Young Entrepreneurs Showcase at West Tech Fest.
Metropolitan
Schools across the Perth metro area
Regional
Reaching schools across regional WA
Special Needs Neurodiverse
GCA was never just for one kind of learner
None of this happens without our extraordinary GCA Committee, our sponsors, our judges, and every teacher who said yes to something new this year. Eighteen industry sponsors backed the program in 2025 — a sign of how seriously WA's technology and innovation community takes the pipeline of talent coming through behind them.
We are changing lives - one game-changing child at a time.
Thank
you.
Thanks to Catalytic IT, a Game Changer Awards Bronze Sponsor, we're nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders in Western Australia. Watch to discover how we're engaging students in STEM with Catalytic IT.
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We're revisiting the 33rd INCITE Awards: Check out our dedicated website to the winners and merit recipients of the 33rd INCITE Awards.
Celebrating 10 years of empowering Western Australian youth in STEM: Learn about our new partnership with Bloom, expanded school reach, and initiatives fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
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Discover the impact of the 2024 Game Changer Awards in our latest Impact Report.
The 34th INCITE Awards are fast approaching, and we want to ensure that your innovative projects get the recognition they deserve. Here’s a comprehensive guide - in both written and video forms - to help you navigate the nomination process and submit a standout entry.
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Thanks to Containers for Change (WARRRL), a Game Changer Awards Platinum Sponsor, we're elevating the next generation of STEM leaders in Western Australia. Watch to find out how our partnership with Kristen and his team provides students with the opportunity to learn how to help our planet sustainably through STEM.
Thinking of nominating in the 34th INCITE Awards? This is a sign to go for it: The deadline to submit project nominations for Western Australia's longest-running technology awards and only pathway to the Australian iAwards has been extended to 15 April 2025, 11:59 PM AWST.
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Thanks to Student Edge, a Game Changer Awards Gold Partner, we're elevating the next generation of STEM leaders in WA. One lucky team presented their project at the West Tech Fest Young Entrepreneurs Showcase, gaining exposure and connecting with industry leaders. We're grateful to Student Edge for empowering young innovators.
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Meet the Western Australian technology leaders championing innovation as Ambassadors for the 2025 INCITE Awards.
Discover how Containers for Change leveraged the INCITE Awards as a launchpad for international success, from local recognition to global acclaim at the iAwards and APICTA.
Join us for a briefing for those nominating in the INCITE Awards, Western Australia's pathway to the Australian iAwards. RSVP is essential.
Join us for the 2025 INCITE Awards on Friday, 18 July, celebrating Western Australian excellence in innovation, technology and talent.
As we look ahead to our 10th Game Changer Awards, we're celebrating our 2024 award-winners who were announced in November.
Nominations are now open for the 34th INCITE Awards, celebrating technology and innovation excellence. Submit your groundbreaking ideas and join a community of innovators working towards enhancing our way of life.
It is with great sadness that WAITTA acknowledges the passing of Bruce Wilson, a long-term stalwart of the information technology industry.
WA had a record-breaking year for celebrating technology, innovation and talent. Here are the highlights.
WAITTA extends its congratulations to all participants in the 2024 APICTA Awards, especially WA's Containers for Change (WARRRL).
The Western Australian Information Technology and Telecommunications Alliance (WAITTA) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Jan Kornweibel on her induction into the prestigious Pearcey Hall of Fame.
WAITTA's 2024 putt4dough charity golf event was a resounding success, bringing together WA’s tech community to raise an incredible $82,000 for the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.
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Technology talent volunteering as judges at the 2024 Game Changer Awards will have a custom-built app from the National Institute of Technology to use.
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Meet Dr Parwinder Kaur, renowned molecular geneticist and biotechnologist, Director of DNA Zoo Australia, and 2024 Achiever of the Year.
Meet Sheena Edwards, founder of Switched On Seniors and winner of the 2024 Digital Inclusion Award.
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WAITTA has announced Cameron Zivkovic and Jess Etheridge as the Co-Chairs of WA's technology and innovation pathway program, The INCITE Awards, for 2025.
Meet Dr Intan Oldakowska, Co-Founder and CEO of EarFlo, and the 2024 WA Startup of the Year.
We sit down with Zyrus Khambatta, CTO of VetChip, to explore how their cutting-edge technology is transforming animal healthcare.
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We are thrilled to announce that Western Australia's innovation leaders will take the global stage this December in Brunei at the prestigious Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards!
Relive the magic of the 33rd INCITE Awards with our photo gallery.
The Western Australian IT and Telecommunications Alliance is delighted to announce the results of the 33rd INCITE Awards, held Friday 19 July 2024 at The Westin Perth.
The Western Australian Information Technology and Telecommunications Alliance has announced the appointment of a new President and Vice President, and the appointment of three new Board Directors.
We're thrilled to reveal the finalists of the 2024 INCITE Awards, celebrating excellence in technology innovation in Western Australia.
Congratulations to those who have nominated for project categories in the 33rd INCITE Awards! Nominations for the Honorary Awards close 24 May.
One subject has dominated our industries and news outlets for the last two years, and last year’s INCITE Awards ceremony was no different. The arrival
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