Smaller and smarter homes, rock bands for kids with autism, smart cities and commercial opportunities were among the innovative ideas announced during the launch of the fourth annual 2011 Hunter Central Coast Innovation Festival (HCCIF), an initiative of RDA Hunter.

At the launch, Chair of HCCIF Neville Sawyer AM declared the festival open, and it wasn’t long before attendees were treated to a practical demonstration of the innovation that defines the Hunter region - a performance from students from Rosie’s School of Rock’s specialised program, AU:SUM. Craig Rosevear, of The Screaming Jets fame and principal of the music school, explained AU:SUM aims to improve and advance the social development, communication and self esteem of children aged 7-18 diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through music.

A prototype sustainable living home was on display - the winning design by Merewether High School from the recent Future Homes Competition 2010. Craig Riddle from Living Green Designer Homes explained how his business and the student designers constructed the house on school grounds, incorporating a natural cooling system, solar power and utilised a large amount of natural and recycled materials.

Other speakers included Dr Brent Jenkins, CEO, Newcastle Innovation and Evan Steversen from AusGrid’s Smart Grid Smart City Trial.

Sponsor the Hunter Central Coast Innovation Festival

Potential sponsors need to act quickly to partner with this year’s Festival which launches on May 5th. A variety of sponsorship packages are on offer for all budgets.

Recently the Festival’s Steering Committee were delighted to announce that  one of world’s leading engineering, architecture and environmental consulting companies, GHD agreed to support the Festival as a bronze sponsor for the coming three years (2011 – 2013).

The University of Newcastle will renew its ongoing commitment to the Festival in 2011 as well as Central Coast NSW Business Chamber, Regional Development Australia Central Coast, Gosford Council and Wyong Council.

The Festival also has a formidable line-up of partners and media partners including; Hunter Valley Research Foundation, The Newcastle Herald, 2NUR and NBN.

For sponsorship enquiries please call Kate O’Mara, Projects Co-ordinator on (02) 4908 7354.

New look for Festival website!

The organisers of this year’s Innovation Festival have launched a new website www.hccinnovationfestival.com.au and logo.

With the focus on improving navigation and information, festival participants can select either Hunter or Central Coast events, view new pages dedicated to hosting an event and download a video blog by Festival Chairman, Neville Sawyer AM. Kate O’Mara, Project Coordinator for the Festival, said,” As organisers, we too are searching for ways to be smarter and more innovative, improving the Festival and the overall experience participants have.

The new website reflects the Festival’s growth within the Hunter and Central Coast region plus the high quality events this year. The site was developed by Newcastle company FordComm who will conduct a web design seminar during the Festival.

Sponsor the Innovation Festival

Potential sponsors need to act quickly to partner with this year’s Festival which launches on May 5th.  A variety of sponsorship packages are on offer for all budgets.

Recently the Festival’s Steering Committee were delighted to announce that  one of world’s leading engineering, architecture and environmental consulting companies, GHD agreed to support the Festival as a bronze sponsor for the coming three years (2011 – 2013).

The University of Newcastle will renew its ongoing commitment to the Festival in 2011 as well as Central Coast NSW Business Chamber, Regional Development Australia Central Coast, Gosford Council and Wyong Council.

The Festival also has a formidable line-up of partners and media partners including; Hunter Valley Research Foundation, The Newcastle Herald, 2NUR and NBN.

For sponsorship enquiries please call Kate O’Mara, Projects Co-ordinator on (02) 4908 7354.

Living Green

Four year ten students from Merewether High School will showcase their winning house design for this year’s Festival launch at Merewether High School on Thursday, May 5th.

Merewether High School students won the recent Living Green Designer Home Competition with a design that incorporated a natural cooling system, solar power and utilised a large amount of natural and recycled materials.

The four students will explain their winning strategy and conduct tours of the winning design constructed in the school grounds.

Other guest speakers include Dr Brent Jenkins, CEO, Newcastle Innovation who will give an update of the innovative projects being undertaken by Newcastle Innovation and a representative from AusGrid’s Smart Grid Smart City Trial.