Following the success of both adults and high school students over the past five years the Mount Gambier Library will again host the GovHack Open Data Competition, this year in conjunction with eNVIsion Limestone Coast.
The 46 hour event brings people from around Australia and New Zealand together to create new ideas and concepts using open data. Teams work together to come up with an idea on how to make data more accessible and interesting. Concepts generated through the competition include apps, websites, games and art.
The competition will run from Friday 6 September to Sunday 8 September 2019 and will be hosted at eNVIsion Limestone Coast's headquarters, the Collaborative Learning Centre (CLC) at Mount Gambier High School.
"With the success of previous events and the competition growing, so has our need for space," Mount Gambier Library Youth Services Coordinator Terasa Nearmy said.
"By hosting the event at the Collaborative Learning Centre, participants will have exclusive use of the venue with both Library and eNVIsion Limestone Coast staff assisting participants throughout the weekend."
The competition has two categories, youth (under 18) and adults (over 18) with prizes on offer at local, state and national level. Competitors are supplied with unlimited wireless internet access, mentoring and meals throughout the competition.
This is our sixth year hosting the GovHack Data Competition and we have seen standout success at state and national level, with participants receiving thousands of dollars in cash, products and further development opportunities,- Mount Gambier Library Youth Services Coordinator Terasa Nearmy
"We hope to see even more schools, students and adults taking part this year and hopefully more participants from Mount Gambier scooping up prizes."
A GovHack information night will be held at Mount Gambier High School in the eNVIsion Collaborative Learning Centre on Wednesday 14 August at 6:00pm for anyone interested in finding out more about the competition. To register your interest in attending contact the Mount Gambier Library on (08) 8721 2540.
"The local GovHack crew will be at the information night to give you an overview of how the competition runs as well as a chance to meet past winners and watch previous entries so if you want to know more we encourage you to come along," Ms Nearmy said.
"This isn't just a competition for people who are into IT. Successful teams also need people who are great at promotion, storytelling, social media and even art and graphics,"
"With thousands of sets of data to choose from, the idea is to play to your strengths and interests, from environmental issues to tourist spots, from endangered animals through to industry data".
