The Victorian Innovation Hub at the Goods Shed North was the place to be for those who had a sweet tooth on Tuesday night. We hosted our last DIF Mixer of 2019 to celebrate the collective achievements of this year's festival.

Kathy Coultas, Director, Strategic Technology Partnerships with the Victorian Department Jobs, Precincts and Regions shared the highlights from this years Digital Innovation Festival [Photo above]. Over 20 days, 528 events were held in 154 locations including the 9 Victorian Regional Partnerships and 80 schools with 15 countries represented.

In just four short years the DIF has expanded across the state by focusing on its strategic goals of celebration, inclusion and growth, advanced capability and international engagement. The Festival positions Victoria as a leading location for technology investment, supports development of a technology skilled talent pool and fosters vibrancy across the State’s communities of innovators. Thanks to our 2019 DIF Hub partners LaunchVic and Stone and Chalk - we'll be back in the new year - perhaps with more lollies! 

This year we introduced the new DIF Back to School program to enable students, parents and teachers to engage in the Festival. Industry speakers volunteered their time to raise awareness of the wide range of opportunities offered by a career in technology and break down stereotypes of ICT. The program was delivered in partnership with the Department of Education Digital Learning Services team.

A special thanks to Dayne Nash from PageUp People [AboveL] and Gary Riddle [Above R] from Rollins Hills Primary Geelong for sharing their experiences at the November DIF Mixer. Thanks to Helen Paraskevopoulos, Senior Policy Manager, Innovation, Digital and Bio Economy for leading the project. If you're interested in being involved next year please contact Helen and the DIF team. 

See you
next year!