Part of the DIF Inclusive Digital Economy series
See also Celebrating an inclusive digital economy

People who make the DIF features Melbourne philanthropist Debbie Dadon AM who established Tikkun Olam Makers, or TOM: Melbourne, in 2016.

Philanthropist Debbie Dadon AM, has an acute and insightful awareness of the issues and needs of local communities. Her commitment to making a difference through technology is why we are recognising her as someone who makes the DIF.  Like others in Celebrating an inclusive digital economy

Debbie was awarded an AM in 2016 for her significant service to the Not for Profit sector through philanthropic foundations, such as the Besen Family Foundation and the Australian Jewish Funders (AJF), and support for the arts, education, disability and to Australia-Israel cultural relations. Debbie’s leadership has been particularly evident in the areas of intergenerational philanthropy and strengthening community in particular disability.

Testimony to this is Debbie’s passion for Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM), a global humanitarian movement of communities connecting makers, designers, developers and engineers with people with disabilities to develop technological solutions for everyday challenges. This vision became reality when Debbie established TOM:Melbourne in 2016.

Tikkun Olam Makers

TOM brings together engineers, designers and coders ‘Makers’ and people living with disabilities ‘Need-Knowers’, to build real solutions in just 72 hours. The Makers and Need-Knowers will join forces in teams and work intensively together for three days, looking for an outcome that may ultimately change the lives of thousands of people living with disabilities the world over.

Part of the global ‘maker culture’ which according to Wikipedia is a “contemporary subculture representing a technology-based extension of DIY culture that intersects with hacker culture and revels in the creation of new devices as well as tinkering with existing ones. The maker culture, in general, supports open-source hardware.”

A key force in bringing the movement to Melbourne, Debbie Dadon said witnessing a 2015 Makeathon in Tel Aviv prompted her to get involved.

“I saw passionate and creative people coming together; the atmosphere was exciting, powerful, human and incredibly inspiring. We want to further the community for innovation, friendships and the exchange of unique experiences here in Melbourne,” Dadon said.

Since Debbie brought the program to Melbourne in 2016, TOM:Melbourne has developed a range of programs, including holding Makeathon events, building a developer network, establishing TOM @ University and offering STEM workshops in schools. 

TOM: Melbourne has seen some great impact so far. Helping 42 ‘Need-Knowers’ people with a disability, creating a network of over 400 "Makers" and partnered with innovative organisations, such as Swinburne University of Technology, PwC, Solve Disability Solutions, Ballarat Tech School and Fab9 Footscray.

The Victorian Government has supported TOM: Melbourne to host weekend ‘Makeathons' since the start. In 2018 the Victorian Government supported TOM: Melbourne to expand to regional Victoria hosting a TOM: Makeathon Ballarat as part of the Digital Innovation Festival. Rochelle Kirkham from The Courier spoke with Debbie about her vision for bringing TOM to Ballarat.

"The ideas and solutions that are generated are simply phenomenal", Dadon said.

"The beauty of these Makeathons is that the designs can be replicated and go on to help many thousands of other people living with disabilities around the world, whose problems would otherwise go unnoticed and unsolved."

“We’ve seen so many people in our community benefit from when makers and need-knowers connect, it can really change lives,” Dadon said. “To see the makeathon become a reality in Ballarat is simply wonderful.”

TOM: Melbourne Showcase 2021

In 2021 as always, safety and well-being is paramount and, with this in mind, the decision was made to hold the Makeathon with a mixed format of online and face-to-face sessions spread over the course of a month.

The opening session of the Makeathon was held on Thursday 25 March when the Makers and Need-Knowers met online for the first time. This was followed by informal online sessions and a weekend of face to face brainstorming, collaborating and designing  potential solutions for the Need-Knowers specific challenge at the FAB9 Makerspace in Footscray.

Mary Henley-Collopy is back as the 2021 TOM Ambassador for Need-Knowers and has provided Disability Awareness Education sessions that ensure that TOM provides an optimal experience for all involved. 

“I am delighted to announce that the first TOM:Melbourne Makeathon of 2021 is currently underway. We are excited to welcome back and work again with our wonderful family of Makers, Need-Knowers and the broader TOM community,” said Dadon. 

"Join us for what promises to be an exciting, rewarding and heart-warming event."

Tune in to the online TOM:Melbourne Makeathon showcase, where teams present their prototypes from  2pm – 3.30pm Sunday 2 May

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