Gold Coast Tech Space(* name work in progress)

Steve Daltonsteve@refactor.com.au

@spidie

First..... some existing groups

1. Hackerspaces• community-operated• physical place• multiple disciplines

o electronicso softwareo computer hardwareo wood/metal worko roboticso mechanical

• shared equipment• knowledge sharing• open source friendly• shared project for all to participate in - eg. Brisbane - Reprap• NOTHING to do with Computer HACKING.... (ie. security hacking)

o Some groups looking at different names due to negative meaning of word "hack" to general public

Further Info:http://hackerspaces.org/wikihttp://groups.google.com/group/hackerspace_brisbanehttp://reprap.orghttp://il.youtube.com/watch?v=K1gxGvS64Ts

2. Men's Shed

• Primarily formed to improve men's health through communication

• Engage men ofo all ageso differently-abledo youtho veterans 

• Skillso shareo disseminateo preserve the skills, abilities and interests that are relevant to the community.

• Skills are often manual - woodwork seems to be very popular 

Further Info:http://www.mensshed.org

3. Green Drinks

• Local, Open, Simple, Freeform Self-Organising Group

• Talk abouto Green Issueso Green technologyo Green Businesso In a casual informal atmosphere - the pub!

• Generally just talk - but networking often leads to action/collaboration between drinkers in between meetings

• Fun - great place to make friends 

Further Info:http://www.greendrinks.org/Queensland/Gold%20Coasthttp://meetup.com/greendrinksgc

4. Tech GC

• Diversify Local Economy• Generate new GC Jobs in

o Scienceo Technologyo Engineeringo Maths 

• Current programso Holiday science programso Robotics workshopso Science Fair 

• Linkup Government, Education & Industry• Virtual Trade MissionsFurther Info:http://www.businessgc.com.au/index.php?page=techgc

Ok.... onto the idea

A combination(bear with me....)

1. Hackerspaces (SPACE/CONCEPT)• Common Space• Shared equipment• Multi discipline• Open Source focus• Group project - learning through

practical experience

2. Men's Shed (COMMUNITY)• Build links in community• Link up ages/cultures/demographics

with common tech interests• Pass on experience to younger

generation• Training• NOT men only though!!

3. Green Drinks (SUSTAINABILITY)• Green Technology• Reuse/Recycling• Interesting designs (eg. Solar oven)• Put (often way out) ideas into action• Social interaction• Networking• Broad range• Easy to sustain group in itself

4. GC Tech (INNOVATION & JOBS)• Foster LOCAL innovation and high

tech business• Link up with business community and

schools/unis• Help build more sustainable

industries for the Gold Coast• Future proofing local ecomony

Target Audience

• Geeks• Retirees• Youth• Students• Entrepreneurs• Really - anyone who is interested 

Benefits

• Foster local innovation by collaborative "tinkering"• Bring together different ages/cultures/social backgrounds• Provide way for people to engage in community who may

otherwise not• Provide high quality tools to enable members to work on

things that may not normally be feasible• Collaborative learning in a friendly non-exclusive way• Wider networking beyond usual peer group

How do we pay for this?

Donors

• Governmento eg. DEEDI - they have budget to foster local innovationo Could be cash, or a donation-in-kind, eg. building,

equipment• Individuals• Sponsor Company

o fits in with their businesso spare office space

• Likeminded organisations. eg.o Rotaryo PCYCo Lions

Grants

• Governmento Local (TechGC/GCBusiness?)o QLD

Innovation - (DEEDI first port of call) Gambling Community Benefit Fund Community - Dept of Communities?

o Federal• Private Philanthrophy funds. Eg.

o Westpac Foundationo McDonalds etc

Membership

• Fosters ownership - less likely to misuse/abuse• Can be quite small (Brisbane Hackerspace - $60/month -

quite high)• Can be put into a pool to buy equipment/assets• Membership may not be enough to fund entire space - but

could fund equipment and social BBQs etc.

Other related groups

• Gold Coast Linux User Group• Freecycle• Dumpster Divers• Electric Bikes/Alternative transport• Some Gold Coast software groups (eg. GCJUG, GC .net)• Currumbin Eco Village• Community Gardens• Organic Gardeners Group• Retirement Village Clubs• Gecko• GCIT (Tafe)• Universities• Schools

Next Steps

• Investigate viability of a SPACEo don't want another project bogged down by bureaucracy

• Space needs to be fully fundedo has to be economically sustainable

• What is the simplest legal structure this could operate under? Complicated will probably = death!