President
This has been a watershed year for WAITTA: we've evolved our identity, celebrated record participation across our programs, and deepened our commitment to ensuring technology serves humanity, not the other way around.
In April 2025, we formally became the Western Australian Innovation, Technology & Talent Alliance - a name that honours our 35-year legacy while capturing our expanded mission.
We're no longer just about information technology; we're about cultivating the full innovation ecosystem, from primary school coding clubs to global-scale enterprises, from quantum computing to compassionate community care.
The theme that united us this year was simple but powerful: Impact That Matters. Every award we presented, every student we inspired, every dollar we raised for Perth Children's Hospital Foundation reminded us why we do this work.
Technology is never the end goal, it's the enabler. The true measure of our success is the lives we improve, the opportunities we create, and the future we build together.
330+
Attendees celebrated technology innovation excellence
640+
Young Western Australians showcasing 100+ innovative projects
$850,000
Raised for Perth Children's Hospital Foundation over 17 years
On July 18, 2025 at The Westin Perth, over 330 attendees gathered for the 34th INCITE Awards including Acting Premier Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC. Our community bore witness as 13 outstanding innovations were selected to represent Western Australia at the national iAwards.
Across 35 years, we've received 1,750+ nominations - each one representing someone brave enough to believe their idea could change the world.
In our honorary awards, we celebrated those driving our society toward an equitable future and technology companies playing at the global level in new domains including artificial intelligence.
Tina Ambrose and Kay Hargreaves: For transforming Women in Technology WA into a powerhouse for STEM equity.
Norwood Systems: 14 years of world-class innovation developed entirely by Western Australian engineers.
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The 10th Game Changer Awards finals brought more than 640 students from 40 Western Australian schools to Edith Cowan University Joondalup on November 3, 2025.
Students showcased 100+ projects in front of more than 850 attendees, including 90 industry judges. These young people showcased solutions such as AI mental health support gadgets, $7-cost price tsunami detectors, space debris collectors, and agricultural bee drones for monitoring crops.
Since 2016, we've directly impacted 10,000+ young Western Australians - the inventors, entrepreneurs, and ethical technologists of tomorrow. This year, we took our impact to the next level with our partners.
We launched Game Changer Academy in partnership with Bloom, the centre for youth innovation. This professional development opportunity supports educators to deliver design thinking and innovation skills back into the classroom.
We also sent six Game Changer Award teams to West Tech Fest's Young Entrepreneurs Showcase, and one of our all-girls teams attended the annual Women in Technology WA Tech [+] Conference.
640+
Students
From 40 WA schools
100+
Projects
To global challenges
850+
Attendees
At the finals
10,000+
Impacted
Since 2016
Technology is accelerating at breakneck speed. Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, automation - the pace of change creates both exhilaration and anxiety. As we sprint toward tomorrow, we face a critical question: Are we bringing everyone along?
WAITTA's mandate is clear: bridge the digital divide. Innovation must be human-centred, ethical, and inclusive. We must ensure that every Western Australian - regardless of location, background, or circumstance - can participate in and benefit from technological advancement.
Our programs support Western Australians at transformative times in their lives. From fundraising to support pediatric technology research to early childhood STEM education and engagement, to recognising achievement across all phases of the professional experience. This is how WAITTA is making an impact.
supporting pediatric technology research
Design thinking and innovation skills
nurturing STEM careers
celebrating innovation excellence
Skilled & ethically grounded innovators
None of our achievements would be possible without strategic partners who share our vision.
Kinetic IT has been our platinum sponsor since 2021, demonstrating sustained commitment to WA's innovation future.
Educational institutions like Edith Cowan University provide platforms for young talent. Government
agencies advance digital transformation. Industry sponsors enable program delivery. Volunteers, judges, and
ambassadors contribute countless hours of expertise and passion.
As a non-partisan alliance, WAITTA convenes the ICT and digital ecosystem - industry, academia, government, and community -
facilitating collaboration, knowledge transfer, and collective problem-solving.
Our strength lies not in what any single organisation can do, but in what we achieve together.
To our sponsors and partners: Thank you for believing that investing in innovation is investing in Western Australia's future.
To our volunteers, judges, and ambassadors: You are the heart and hands of WAITTA. Your expertise, time, and passion make everything we do possible.
To our finalists, students, and innovators: Thank you for the courage to challenge convention, to fail forward, to dream audaciously.
To our Board Directors: Your governance, strategic wisdom, and unwavering commitment guide us through complexity toward clarity.
To founder Jim Ellis OAM and Patron Professor Lyn Beazley OA: Your visionary leadership created the foundation on which we stand.
And to the entire WAITTA community: You are the reason Western Australia doesn't just compete - we lead with purpose and with heart.
2025 taught us that transformation isn't about abandoning who we are. It's about becoming more fully ourselves.
Our name change clarified our mission. The INCITE Awards celebrated innovation. The Game Changer Awards inspired the next generation. putt4dough showcased our compassion.
As we celebrate our 35th anniversary, one thing remains unchanged: WAITTA is a community for changemakers who believe that technological innovation should serve humanity.
Every line of code, every business model, every award we present, and every student we encourage must be guided by purpose and impact that truly matters.
Tools will change. Buzzwords will shift. But our North Star remains fixed: Technology innovation with heart.
That is who we are. That is what Western Australia stands for. And that is what WAITTA will always be: a catalyst for technology that uplifts, empowers, includes, and transforms lives.
Thank you for your support. We are just getting started.
WAITTA celebrates a landmark year with new executive leadership announced for 2026 with Premila Jina being appointed President and Jess Etheridge appointed Vice President.
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Western Australia's Norwood Systems has won gold at the 2025 Asia-Pacific ICT Alliance Awards for its AI-enabled Open Span Call Protect™ solution.
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Meet Michella Hill, developer of NEONATE-in-VR - a Western Australian and Australian award-winning solution helping paramedics save lives beyond the hospital.
Meet the team behind award-winning app Kawu Palya, and how innovation WA technology is empowering health decisions in the Pilbara.
Western Australia’s technology talent has once again proven its strength on the national stage, with several INCITE Awards winners and merit recipients recognised at the 2025 national iAwards.
With WAITTA announcing a new name, President Con Polkinghorne reflects on what the change means for the 34-year-old Alliance.
Not-for-profit WAITTA begins a new era in its 34-year history: Adopting a new name, the Western Australian Innovation, Technology & Talent Alliance.
Western Australia’s technology community is gearing up for the 15th putt4dough charity fundraiser this November, with all player group teams now sold out and the evening's guest speaker revealed.
WAITTA has appointed Adjunct Professor Anita Ghose, a leading voice in digital transformation and health technology, to its Board of Directors.
Thanks to the National Institute of Technology, a Game Changer Awards Platinum Sponsor, we’re backing the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
Read our guide on how high school students can align their Game Changer Awards STEM projects with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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"The Game Changer Awards is a really great opportunity to see the next generation of innovators, STEM professionals and inspiring bright minds here on our campus, showcasing their skills and talents."
Thanks to Kinetic IT, a WAITTA Platinum Sponsor, more of the next generation of Western Australian leaders are embracing STEM to create innovative solutions to global challenges.
Western Australian biotechnologist Associate Professor Dr Parwinder Kaur has been awarded Achiever of the Year at the 33rd INCITE Awards.
The 34th INCITE Awards have recognised achievements across Western Australia's technology sector, with major honours going to gender equity champions Tina Ambrose and Kay Hargreaves, and local technology company Norwood Systems.
Chris Morrissey, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ever Nimble, has been named the 2025 Western Australian Pearcey Entrepreneur of the Year in recognition of his work in the IT and security managed services sector.
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The 34th INCITE Awards, presented by WAITTA, has named telecommunications software company Norwood Systems the Dr Mal Bryce Tech Company of the Year.
The 34th INCITE Awards celebrated Western Australia's top technology innovators on Friday, 18 July 2025, honouring gender equity leaders from Women in Technology WA (WiTWA) and naming Norwood Systems as Tech Company of the Year.
As the Game Changer Awards steps into its milestone 10th program, we are thrilled to announce Gena Rattan as our Chief Judge for 2025.
To recognise the increasing shift in technology towards adopting sustainable approaches, the INCITE Awards has introduced a new category. Learn more about the Sustainability and Environmental Impact Award.
The Game Changer Awards is celebrating a decade of fostering Western Australian students' love for STEM. We're taking our investment in future talent to the next level by launching the Game Changer Academy with Bloom - will you join us as a sponsor?
We’re proud to share the WAITTA FY24 Annual Report - a look back at a year dedicated to celebrating, connecting and championing WA’s thriving technology profession and community.
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Get ready to swing into action: Registrations for 2025 putt4dough are officially open! Now in its 15th year, putt4dough continues to unite Western Australia’s technology community for a day of connection, competition and community impact.
We celebrated our volunteers during National Volunteer Week with storytelling from past INCITE Awards alum about the power of mentoring provided via WAITTA partner Mentor it Forward.
Announcing the finalists of the 34th INCITE Awards, celebrating Western Australia's top technology and innovation achievements in 2025.
As a Bronze Sponsor of the Game Changer Awards, e2 Young Engineers Australia is inspiring the next generation of innovators to think creatively, problem-solve with purpose, and use STEM to tackle global challenges.
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Thanks to Strategic Transformation Advisory, a Game Changer Awards Bronze Sponsor, we're seeing the next generation of Western Australian leaders use STEM to solve world challenges.
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As we shine a spotlight on Western Australia’s visionaries in the technology sector, we invite you to join the celebration by nominating yourself or someone you know in our honorary awards.
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.
WAITTA acknowledges Traditional Custodians of country across the region. We pay respects to Elders past and present.