THE upcoming South Coast Hackathon in Bega has become a much bigger event than first planned with the announcement it will be part of Tri-Hack, linking Bega with similar events in Canberra and Wollongong.
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The first event of its kind to be held in the Bega region, Hackathon will see software engineers and tech-minded people of all types come together for a weekend of creativity (click here for related story).
The “coding and making” boom is capturing the imagination of young people eager to build the products and technology that will power the Australian economy for decades to come.
This is the spirit behind a spectacular event being held in the three centres on November 29 and 30.
Called TriHack, this ground-breaking celebration of digital creativity brings three individual “hacking” events into one Canberra’s HACT ‘14, Wollongong’s Hackagong, and the South Coast Hack in its inaugural year in Bega.
It is estimated across the three centres over 200 software programmers, 3D printing fabricators, engineers, web designers, graphic artists, entrepreneurs and other uncategorisable, but talented participants, will work in hastily formed teams over the 36-hour blitz to conceive, design, build and demonstrate new and potentially lucrative tech products or systems.
Following current trends in the “coding and making” space, focus areas for those involved are expected to include 3D printing, mobile apps, web systems, virtual reality, gaming, social media and robotics.
Organisers of the mega event are delighted with the response so far.
“This is our second year running the Canberra hacking event and we are completely booked out,” Matt Stimson said.
Mr Stimson, as the coordinator of the hugely successful Entry29 Digital Coworking Space, is well known in coding and technology circles in the nation’s capital.
The numbers subscribing to the Hackagong event in Wollongong are also giving organisers Nathan Waters and Benjamin Darbz cause for delight.
“The response has been really strong, so much so that we have been, for a number of weeks now, organising weekly 3D printing workshops for those people wanting to be sharpen their skills ahead of the big weekend.
“It’s very exciting.”
Inspired by Canberra and Wollongong, a team from IntoIT Sapphire Coast in Bega decided to join the party this year.
Considered to be Australia’s first-ever hacking event in a regional town, the South Coast Hack represents a culmination of many years work in the region to seed start-ups and techenabled businesses towards creation of smart jobs in an area facing difficult socioeconomic challenges.
Organisers Mike Riethmuller and Liam O’Duibhir joined forces with the University of Wollongong to arrange this year’s event.
“Having the university support our hackathon is a real bonus,” Mr Riethmuller said.
“The facilities at their Bega campus are some of the best in the area, and demonstrate the genuine community spirit that is building.
“We are thrilled,” he said.