City of Moreton Bay’s Telstra Innovation Awards
Council is proud to partner with Telstra in the City of Moreton Bay’s Telstra Innovation Awards.
The awards are looking for high school students with an idea for a new technology or a fresh and creative use of an existing technology such as:
- a new app, new concepts in social media, a design and engineering project, gaming technology or robotics
- a smarter phone, watch or digital camera
- a new idea for transport, health, agriculture, cyber security, conservation, construction, energy or recreation
- the use of existing technology in a new way to solve a community, environmental or business challenge.
The possibilities are endless and that is what makes these awards so exciting!
2024 awards
Applications for the 2024 program closed on 18 March.
Successful applicants will be invited to move through to phase two of the awards program. This involves working with industry mentors to further develop their concept, followed by a live pitch event in late June.
How the awards work
Entry is open to students from years 9 to 12 who are attending school in the City of Moreton Bay council area. Students can enter as individuals or as part of a team of two or three students. Teams must consist of students from the same school.
Schools can have multiple teams enter and must appoint a school coordinator to act as a central point of contact. Each coordinator can look after a maximum of three teams, additional teams must have another coordinator.
The awards take place in phases.
In phase one, students prepare their idea for initial competition entry. Successful entries progress to phase two, where teams workshop their concepts with leading industry mentors.
Students enter their final concepts for judging in early June. Finalists from this phase are invited to present a live pitch at the awards ceremony.
For more information about the program please see the student handbook below or email mtia@moretonbay.qld.gov.au.
Prizes and awards
Winning entries share over $10,000 in prizes.
Prizes are awarded to first, second and third-placing teams and their schools. One entrant will also receive the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
All finalist teams receive certificates.
Become a mentor
We need industry leaders who can help ignite imaginations. Professionals with the skills and expertise to help our student entrepreneurs build and develop an innovative technological concept.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, complete an expression of interest or email mtia@moretonbay.qld.gov.au.
Resources and entry forms
Purpose of the awards
The awards aim to:
- nurture the knowledge of the young people in our region
- encourage students to be innovative and collaborative by encouraging teamwork between students
- highlight the importance of studying in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields building a knowledge-based economy in the region
- foster a culture of entrepreneurship amongst young people in the region by connecting them to opportunities, e.g., access to mentors in the business community and other support channels.
This provides students with valuable experience and knowledge regarding entrepreneurship at a local level. It encourages students to take risks by making their own decisions to explore different opportunities.
This project directly aligns with Council’s Regional Economic Development Strategy 2020 - 2041 and two of the strategy’s four pillars - Industry Advancement and Knowledge, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Past awards
The City of Moreton Bay’s Telstra Innovation Awards showcases Moreton Bay’s brightest young entrepreneurs.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 competition.
Winning teams for 2023
First place
Kimberley Chambers-Tatters from Genesis Christian College.
Innovation: Telstra Shelter Assist (TSA).
Second place
Chloe Robinson, Helana Kranz and Isabella Ham from Grace Lutheran College, Caboolture.
Innovation: Pet Tracker and Harness.
Third place
Ainsley Gilbert and Katara Mataroa from Albany Creek State High School.
Innovation: Stall Spotter.
Emerging Entrepreneur
Corbon Boyle from Horizon’s College of Learning and Enrichment.
Innovation: BiomeMaster.
To read more about the winning teams visit Winners of the 2023 Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards announced!.
Awards 2023 wrap up
View the video transcript.