Winnovation Awards

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (14:37): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Ms Gago has the floor.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation. Can the minister update the chamber as to the outcome of the 2016 Winnovation Awards?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:38): I thank the honourable member for her very sensible question and her interest in this area. I have been a co-speaker with her at previous Winnovation Awards. It is something that she, as a past minister for women and minister for science and information economy, has been a very strong supporter of. I am very proud to continue in the tradition that the honourable member has started.

The Winnovation Awards showcase and celebrate the success of female innovators changing the game in South Australia. These awards also recognise businesses that support our state's innovative women. The awards are held annually by Women in Innovation, a community of volunteer professionals who are passionate about innovation and technology, striving to support South Australian women operating in these fields.

I was pleased to attend this year's awards ceremony with my colleague the member for Reynell, Katrine Hildyard, a passionate advocate for women in her electorate and across the state, at our world-class SAHMRI facility. The calibre of women nominated continues to grow each year. Some 25 outstanding finalists competed over nine categories from science and other areas of innovation, in the corporate world and in government. The nine 2016 Winnovation Awards recipients included:

Allison Cowin for the science award. Alison is a University of South Australia research professor who developed a new antibody-based therapy for the treatment of skin cancers.

Shelley Elder, CEO of Axeze Pty Ltd, took up the award in the technology category for developing a range of technical devices which improve access and security at sites ranging from healthcare settings through to hospitality venues.

The engineering award went to Professor Karen Reynolds from Flinders University for developing the Medical Devices Partnering Program, which I have mentioned in this chamber before. This is an innovative model for collaboration between researchers, end-users and commercial partners, which is now helping catalyse the medical technology industry in South Australia. The South Australian government has proudly supported this program since 2013.

Chloe Gardner, owner and director of Kids Camera Action, was recognised in the arts category for her teaching in schools, delivering film experiences for students.

The Regional, Rural and Remote Winnovation Award went to Bronwyn Gillanders, who led a team to develop tools to better understand the cumulative impact of developments in South Australia's Spencer Gulf.

Congratulations also need to go to Gemma Munro, who founded Inkling Women five years ago. Gemma received the Women's Initiative in Business award and has grown her company to become one of Australia's leading providers of our women's leadership programs.

The open award went to Bianca Peta, the creator of an innovative education program for women experiencing violence and homelessness.

Gail Fairlamb, Director, Strategic Development, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, was successful in the innovation in government category.

Finally, Claudine Bonder received the award for Emerging Innovator. I understand that Claudine is a vascular biologist at the Centre for Cancer Biology who has helped develop a patented process to overcome hurdles to treating heart disease.

I warmly congratulate all the fantastic women who were nominated for an award this year and those who took home an award on the night. You are a truly remarkable group of women doing great things in South Australia. It was particularly pleasing to catch up with the outstanding Women in Innovation leadership group, led by president Kate Irving and past president Lisa Kennewell, on the night.