Victoria Cracks the Code for Success at iAwards

Victoria Cracks the Code for Success at iAwards


Media release - 31 May 2007

From hi-tech ear muffs to “un-crackable” quantum encryption keys, Victoria scooped the awards at the prestigious national iAwards in Sydney last night, highlighting the state’s leadership in the ICT sector, Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Tim Holding said.

Mr Holding also announced that in another coup for Victoria, the iAwards will be held in Melbourne for the first time next year, reinforcing the strength of the Victorian ICT industry.

“The best and brightest in Australia’s ICT industries were again on show this year, with Victorian companies shining, especially in the research and development category where Sensear Pty Ltd took out top prize,” Mr Holding said.

“Sensear has tapped into a market spanning industrial, commercial and social spheres with their world-first device for hearing in noisy environments, which also won a health award.

The NICTA Victorian Research Laboratory won a merit award in the R&D category for its Gigabit Wireless Project which will enable the next generation of portable, ultra-high-speed wireless communication products for hand-held multimedia products.

This technology will allow people to wirelessly stream a DVD-sized video from a PC to an iPod within 30 seconds, display a video in a board room, or download video camera content reliably and securely in just seconds.

“These awards speak volumes for the Victorian ICT industry, both now and in the future. With R&D thriving, Victoria is a competitive player on the world stage and this is further reflected by the iAwards moving to Melbourne next year,” Mr Holding said.

“The Bracks Government is committed to keeping pace with new technology to deliver better services for Victorians, and the results of these awards vindicate the importance of investing in progressive ICT services, with $112 million allocated in this year’s Victorian Budget.

“Since 1999, the Bracks Government has been responsible for attracting and facilitating more than $1.5 billion of investment and more than 10,000 jobs in the ICT sector.”

Mr Holding said that since 2002, the ICT industry in Victoria grew by more than 21,000 jobs.

“We are also carving out a niche in the burgeoning field of eSecurity, with Victorian company Senetas taking out the prize for its world-first hybrid quantum encryptor,” Mr Holding said.

“Victoria remains at the cutting edge of ICT, and this spans right through to secondary school level, where four out of the five finalists in the iAwards student category were animation projects from Caulfield Grammar School.”