West Tech Assemblage 2019 gathered an amazing group of people, from federal ministers to local businesses. Everybody came together to address the reality around the digital literacy divide in the Indigenous community in not just WA but in whole of Australia, and to connect cross-industry to support and create opportunities for the community’s inclusion in the tech sector.
From left to right: Les Delaforce, WA State Director of Tank Stream Labs; Prof Peter Klinken, Chief Scientist of WA; Prof Selma Alliex, Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of Fremantle Campus at University of Notre Dame Australia; Nilesh Makwana, Chair of West Tech Assemblage and Shelley Cable, CEO of Generation One, Minderoo Foundation.
Shaun Nannup did the Welcome to Country, and made sure that everyone in the room connected with each other and set the tone for the evening and its’ purpose.
Hon. Ken Wyatt AM, MP Minister for Indigenous Australians traveled from Canberra to attend the event and had to leave for Brisbane the very same evening.
2019 is the United Nations’ International Year of Indigenous Language, and Professor Peter Klinken, Chief Scientist of Western Australia impressed everybody present with keeping close to half his address to the audience in the original language of our region; Noongar.
Professor Selma Alliex is the Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of Fremantle Campus at the University of Notre Dame Australia and officially launched the collaboration between the university’s Broome campus and illuminance Solutions to offer a training program to narrow the digital literacy divide. Read the article by National Indigenous Times (NIT) here.
Les Delaforce, WA State Director – Tank Stream Labs.
Shelley Cable, CEO – Generation One, Minderoo Foundation. The initiative is striving to close the gap in education outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, in one generation.
Nilesh Makwana, Chair of West Tech Assemblage and CEO of illuminance Solutions. Nilesh did a fantastic job as MC for the event, and spoke about the responsibility we all have to secure a future that is fair, respectful and inclusive of all. The tech sector may at times forget that technology are made for people by people, and that people should always be in the centre of technology.
The Principal Sponsor of WTA Modis provided the door prize; a Google Home Mini bundle! Nitin Vashisht was the lucky winner.
One of the most popular booths at the event: Young Engineers!
From left to right: Vincent Lam, Principal Consultant at illuminance Solutions and Mihi Doraliyagoda, Project Manager & Consultant at illuminance Solutions and Product Manager for Aboriginal Trust Management System (ATMS).
Creative Native Perth exhibited authentic Indigenous paintings, really tying together together the event and creating a fantastic ambience. We encourage everybody to visit their gallery in Murray Street mall!
Perth Folk & Roots Club has been playing at WTA for several years, this year being no exception. The first performance of the evening was by Brent Matters and his partner Karma.
Thank you to all our Sponsors, Supporters & Partners!
West Tech Assemblage would not have been possible without your support.
