Student winners of first Mayor's innovation awards revealed

Published 12:00pm 28 June 2022

Words by Nick Crockford

Two Albany Creek State High School students have won the first Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards, held at a Live Pitch Ceremony last night.

Around 150 teachers, industry mentors, families and supporters were at the awards night in the new auditorium at Grace Lutheran College, Caboolture.

Four schools were awarded more than $15,000 after finalist teams presented in a three-minute live pitch format, unveiling their ideas, designs or prototypes to a judging panel.

Belinda Infanti and Alivia Kenwrick, pictured above, took the top prize for QR Goes Green - an idea to help residents and businesses recycle household products using QR codes.

Emerging Entrepreneur Tegan McKenzie collecting her award.

The team has developed an idea to a prototype and convinced Moreton Bay’s judges they have what it takes to go places and help the community of Moreton Bay and more.

Finley Berry & Lauren Adair from team ‘Schnoompy Designs’ at Bray Park State High School were runners-up.

Schnoompy Designs is a one stop shop for innovative art designed by Neurodiversity students creating job opportunities for others with ASD.

In third was Bella Raynbird, Michelle Mabena & Paola Arquinez from team ‘Your Country’ representing St Benedict’s College in Mango Hill.

All the entrants at the awards night.

Your Country is an app for Australians to share, enjoy and build community with Aboriginal and Torres Strat Islander People.

The Emerging Entrepreneur Award went to Tegan McKenzie, from Dakabin State High School, who showed she was solution-focused and developed her skills during the program.

“From affordable temporary housing to life-saving smart bands, from apps to help the homeless and QR codes designed to simplify recycling, these bright sparks well and truly have their fingers on the pulse,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“These awards are about giving students the confidence to transform what might be a dream or a small scheme into something big that could really make a difference to our community.

Mayor Peter Flannery and Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway with award judges.

“Our young people are the leaders of tomorrow, and if these entries are anything to go by, the future is looking amazing.”

Delivered in partnership with Telstra, the awards program is designed to help budding innovators learn, explore and develop their entrepreneurial spirit.

Moreton Bay Region had 21 teams enter from eight schools with participating students given four mentoring workshops from leading industry facilitators.

Applications for the annual Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards will open in early 2023. For more information, visit www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/mtia