Year 12 students, Olive R, George L, James G, Dustin G, Joshua M, David N, and Gabrielle C claimed victory at the Youth Innovation Think Tank Program Grand Final in Perth at the start of September, impressing judges with their innovative “Outback Reach Project.” The winning solution transforms Telstra telephone booths into mental health hotline hubs, offering improved access to mental health services in rural communities.
Reflecting on the intense competition, Joshua said, “The finals were certainly a step up in professionalism and pressure, but the chemistry within our team helped us to perform at our best.” George agreed, adding, “The intensity picked up as we approached the presentation deadline, but that did not stop us from enjoying the process and having fun.”
When the winners were announced, the team felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. “I was partly overjoyed and partly shocked. The anticipation made it all the more thrilling, and I am so glad we made it as a team,” Gabrielle said. “We came up short last year and were determined to redeem ourselves,” added Joshua. Olive reflected on their success saying, “We were confident in our idea and worked hard to refine our pitch, so it felt great to see our efforts pay off with a win.”
Looking ahead, the students are excited to collaborate with the Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS) on the next steps of implementing their project. Gabrielle noted, “We decided to start the implementation in our local towns, including Bunbury, Busselton, and Dunsborough, by redesigning the Telstra phones there. We also aim to start communication with Telstra themselves, though ironically, getting in touch with them has been a challenge so far!”
The team is optimistic about the future impact of their project. “We are thrilled to stay involved and hope to see our solution applied locally and potentially across Western Australia,” said Joshua. Olive added, “We are optimistic about seeing our project implemented in the real world, benefiting rural communities.”
The experience has left a lasting impression on the students. “I really enjoyed working with the team and being challenged by the competition,” Joshua reflected. Olive echoed this sentiment, saying, “The innovation strategies we have learnt will be valuable in the future, and I have had an incredible time being part of this program.”
