Perth-based youth volunteer organisation Big Help Mob has taken first prize at the WApp Awards, for its mobile application designed to help co-ordinate volunteers around the country.
The WAap Awards featured 95 applications from staff, students and alumni of Curtin University, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University and the University of Western Australia.
Big Help Mob’s Tim Kenworthy said the organisation’s app was designed to reach volunteers willing to lend a helping hand to various causes.
“Young people want to know what their friends are doing to help and by having access to those networks through this app, they can choose to join in or make their own suggestions,” Mr Kenworthy said.
“It will also allow people to plan their volunteering activities, as well as receiving instant notification of opportunities as they become available.”
Curtin University’s director of IP commercialisation, Rohan McDougall, said the award judges were extremely impressed with the quality of applicants.
“Many people at the awards also said the Big Help Mob presentation was one of the best they had ever seen,” Mr McDougall said.
“Mr Kenworthy’s app is a fine example of the quality of innovation coming out of Western Australia.
“This app has the potential to mobilise hundreds of thousands of volunteers, not only within Australia but internationally as well.”
Other finalists included, Dane McKnight, for his MyWishList gift register concept, Martin Masek, for a foetal heart monitor tool, Jason Brooks, for his InteriAR interior design tool and David Glance for a diagnostic pathology pathways tool.
Sponsors at this year’s WApp Awards were NEXTDC, Bankwest, Griffith Hack, the WA State Government and Intel.
