Launch of the Hunter Central Coast Innovation Festival

Launch

The 2009 Hunter Central Coast Innovation Festival was Offically Launched on Monday 11th May 2009 in an evening function held at GHD Tower, Honey Suckle Drive, Newcastle. The evening was attended by more than 200 people. Attendees were met by TAFE Music and Drama Students who guided, entertained and sung their way to the 3rd floor of the GHD building.

NBN TV crew were there to catch all the action and deliver it to a broader audience via their web site through their streaming technology.

Newcastle Lord Mayor and Chair of HEDC, John Tate welcomed guests and introduced the MC for the evening Chris Russell. Chris is a panel member of the ABC's New Inventors program and was impressed by the talent and innovation here in the Hunter.

During the evening we heard from Neville Sawyer, Chair of the Hunter Central Coast Festival and Peter Westfield, Chair Australian Innovation Festival. Andrew Searles, Hunter Valley Reseach Foundation, gave us the latest results of research into innovation in our region. His presentation gave us the statistics to show we are an innovative region within an innovative country.

The audience were inspired by Andrew Bagnall, GHD, and his presentation on the 'green' features of the new GHD tower. Finally Paul Dastoor entertained and amazed us with his New Inventors style interaction with Chris Russell on the amazing solar paint.