The Warren Centre Professor Ron Johnston
Hackathon History
Explore the ideas, innovations and teams that have shaped our hackathons over the years. This archive celebrates past winners and recognises the creativity, collaboration and problem solving that continue to drive our community forward.
Browse by Year
Meet Our 2025 Winners
The 2025 Humanitarian Innovation Hackathon challenged participants to develop solutions that support food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture. These winning teams stood out for their creativity, collaboration and potential to create meaningful impact.
First Place
Team 21A – Nie Bang
Farhan Agus Ferdiansyah, Hastria Pramudyati Kusuma, Devo Farel Andrew Siagian and Erlina Anggraeni
University of Sydney
Second Place
Team 37B – Sparkies
Julie Davies, Jessica Li, George Allman and Terina Dawoud
University of Sydney
Third Place
Team 38B – Thread
Queena Wang, Kalyani Jijith, Pratul Singh Raghava and Gia Chopra
University of Sydney
Special Commendation
Team 34C – The Innovationeers
Angus Henderson, Wesley Henderson and Franco Yemma
University of Sydney & University of Technology Sydney
2025 Hackathon Challenges
In 2025, the Hackathon featured four challenges all based around UN SDG 2: Zero Hunger. From improving nutrition to biodiversity, each challenge was designed to put our participants’ engineering skills to the test:
Challenge A
Meeting the nutritional needs of women and girls to reduce anaemia
Challenge B
Climate change resilient agricultural practices
Challenge C
Boosting genetic diversity in our food production systems
Challenge D
Information, communication and technology and food commodity markets
Meet Our 2024 Winners
The 2024 Humanitarian Innovation Hackathon challenged participants to develop practical solutions for real world issues, from food security and water quality to transport and data accessibility. These winning teams impressed judges with their creativity, collaboration and impact.
First Place
Team 25C – Sydgong Solutions
Casey Lockrey, Harry Ledger, Nicholas Chiverini, Liam Harvey
University of Sydney, University of Wollongong and University of New South Wales
Second Place
Team 10B – Kesh
Hannah Poon, Kathy Kim, Sophia Lee, Ellie June
University of Sydney
Third Place
Team 20B – UC
Wiseson Kuang, Jessica Dixon, Kien Ngo, Vaughan Smart
University of Canterbury
2024 Hackathon Challenges
In 2024, the challenges focused on how digital technologies can help accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Participants explored innovative solutions that addressed real-world issues through technology and collaboration.
Challenge A
Addressing the transportation data gaps in order to design solutions in developing nations
Challenge B
To develop innovative digital technologies to increase efficiency of small-scale food producers
Challenge C
Improving drinking water quality reporting to prevent water-borne disease outbreaks
Meet Our 2023 Winners
The 2023 Humanitarian Innovation Hackathon challenged participants to develop practical solutions for real world humanitarian issues. These winning teams stood out for their creativity, collaboration and ability to turn complex challenges into impactful ideas.
First Place
Team 1A Heatbloc
Adam Slimming, Alex Hofmann, Gemma Biezen, Sam Hillcoa
University of Adelaide and Monash University
Second Place
Team 9A Nucleus
Elvera Abdel-Messih, Ji Han Qin
University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney
Third Place
Team 14C The IT Crowd
Angus Henderson, Franco Yemma, Wesley Henderson
University of Technology Sydney and University of Sydney
Special Commendation
Team 13B Pacific Green Machine
Arushanan Prapakaran, Connor Sinclair, Zhiyu Cheng, Ritvik Sharma
University of Sydney and University of New South Wales
2023 Hackathon Challenges
In 2023, the Hackathon focused on building resilient communities across the Pacific by addressing the impacts of climate change and strengthening essential infrastructure. Participants developed innovative engineering and technology solutions to improve housing, water security and transport resilience.
Challenge A
Heatwave resilient informal urban housing
Challenge B
Cyclone and severe storm resilient rural drinking water supplies
Challenge C
Rising sea-level and coastal flooding resilient transportation infrastructure
Meet Our 2022 Winners
The 2022 Humanitarian Innovation Hackathon challenged participants to develop solutions addressing food security, access to information, education, clean water and community health following the Tonga volcanic eruption. These winning teams stood out for their innovation, collaboration and commitment to creating meaningful impact.
First Place
Team Ashaway
Henry Howard, Vicky-Rae Reed, Hogun Lim, Nadia Akbar
University of Queensland, Monash University, University of Sydney and Western Sydney University
Second Place
Team Alma Aqua
Alex Hofman, Alex Qin, Nyamjargal Namsraijav, Shute Zhang
University of Sydney, Monash University, Australian National University and University of Adelaide
Special Commendation
Team Alma Aqua
Alex Hofman, Alex Qin, Nyamjargal Namsraijav, Shute Zhang
University of Sydney, Monash University, Australian National University and University of Adelaide
2022 Hackathon Challenges
In 2022, the Hackathon challenged participants to develop innovative solutions that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Teams focused on improving access to essential services, education, health and information to help build stronger and more resilient communities across the Pacific.
Challenge A
End hunger and ensure access by all people
Challenge B
Increase access to information
Challenge C
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education
Challenge D
Availability and sustainable management of water
About Ron Johnston
Professor Ron Johnston, the former Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Innovation (ACIIC), has worked for more than 30 years to pioneer a better understanding of the ways that science and technology contribute to economic and social development, the characteristics of the global knowledge economy, and the processes and culture of innovation.
His special skill is based on the breadth of his knowledge across technologies and his ability to integrate them into a socioeconomic and environmental context.
These annual awards are named in honor of him, to recognise his outstanding contributions as Director of ACIIC for some 20+ years.
Hackathon Past Winners
Hackathon Innovation Winner (Medal and $5,000)
Farhan Agus Ferdiansyah, Hastria Pramudyati Kusuma, Devo Farel Andrew Siagian and Erlina Anggraeni
University of Sydney
Hackathon Innovation Runner Up Prize ($3,000)
Julie Davies, Jessica Li, George Allman and Terina Dawoud
University of Sydney
Hackathon Innovation 3rd Prize ($1,000)
Queena Wang, Kalyani Jijith, Pratul Singh Raghava and Gia Chopra
University of Sydney
Special Commendation
Angus Henderson, Wesley Henderson and Franco Yemma
University of Sydney & University of Technology Sydney
Hackathon Innovation Winner (Medal and $5,000)
- Casey Lockrey (University of Sydney)
- Harrison Ledger (University of New South Wales)
- Nicholas Chiaverini (University of Wollongong)
- Liam Harvey (University of Wollongong)
Hackathon Innovation Runner Up Prize ($3,000)
- Ellie June (University of Sydney)
- Hannah Poon (University of Sydney)
- Sophia Lee (University of Sydney)
- Kathy Kim (University of Sydney)
Hackathon Innovation 3rd Prize ($1,000)
- Wiseson Kuang (University of Canterbury)
- Vaughan Smart (University of Canterbury)
- Kien Ngo (University of Canterbury)
- Jessica Dixon (University of Canterbury)
First prize: RedR Ron Johnston Rapid Response Prize (Medal and $5,000)
- Adam Slimming (University of Adelaide)
- Alex Hofman (Monash University)
- Gemma Biezen (Monash University)
- Sam Hillcoat (Monash University)
Hackathon Innovation Runner Up Prize (Medal and $3,000)
- Elvera Abdel-Messih (University of Technology Sydney)
- Ji Han Qin (The University of Sydney)
Hackathon Innovation 3rd Prize ($1,000)
- Angus Henderson (The University of Sydney)
- Wesley Henderson (University of Technology Sydney)
- Franco Yemma (The University of Sydney)
Solarobotix Digital Innovation Prize ($1,000)
“Team 13B Pacific Green Machine”
- Arushanan Prapakaran (University of New South Wales)
- Connor Sinclair (The University of Sydney)
- Zhiyu Cheng (The University of Sydney)
- Ritvik Sharma (The University of Sydney)
First Prize: RedR Ron Johnston Rapid Response Prize (Prize: Medal and $5,000)
- Henry Howard (University of Sydney)
- Vicky-Rae Reed (Western Sydney University)
- Hogun Lim (University of Queensland)
- Nadia Akbar (Monash University)
Vonwiller Humanitarian Innovation Runner Up Prize
- Alex Hofman (Monash University)
- Alex Qin (Australian National University)
- Nyamjargal Namsraijav (University of Adelaide)
- Shute Zhang (University of Sydney)
Laing O’Rourke for Best Presentation (Prize: $1,000)
First Prize: RedR Ron Johnston Rapid Response Prize (Prize: Medal and $5,000)
- Edith Lume (University of Wollongong)
- Mansour Adie (University of Sydney)
- Thomas Sau (MacquarieUniversity)
- Ivy He (University of Sydney)
Vonwiller Humanitarian Innovation Runner Up Prize
- Emily Sacks (University of Sydney)
- Gayathri Aranhiyullathil Pradeep (University of New South Wales)
- Rebecca Kung (University of Sydney)
- Akrita Singh (Macquarie University)
- Aishwarya Kathikeuan (Macquarie University)
Engineers Australia People’s Choice Award
- Emily Sacks (University of Sydney)
- Gayathri Aranhiyullathil Pradeep (University of New South Wales)
- Rebecca Kung (University of Sydney)
- Akrita Singh (Macquarie University)
- Aishwarya Kathikeuan (Macquarie University)
First Prize: RedR Ron Johnston Rapid Response Prize (Prize: Medal and $5,000)
- Alex Hofmann (Monash University)
- Allan Soo (University of Technology Sydney)
- Ben Hofmann (Australian National University)
- Emily Unewisse (University of Adelaide)
- James Hurst (Australian National University)
Pacific Telecommunications Council / Beyond Essential Humanitarian Internship Appointent
- Katia Moors (University of Sydney)
- Thomas Sau (Macquarie University
Pacific Telecommunications Council First Prize for Best Humanitarian Digital Innovation
- Alida Fois from (University of Melbourne)
- Celina Dhobbie (Monash University)
- Charvi Mamidi (University of Sydney)
- Portia Sihvola (Queensland University of Technology)
Pacific Telecommunications Council Second Prize for Best Humanitarian Digital Innovation
- Avanish Shrestha (University of Sydney)
- Isabella Notarpietro (University of New South Wales)
- Rafe Skidmore (University of Sydney)
- Meg Phillips (University of Tasmania)
- Syed Emaad Rizwan (Macquarie University)
First Prize: RedR Ron Johnston Rapid Response Prize (Prize: Medal and $5,000)
- Cameron Choi (University of Sydney)
- Fransiska Bekti (University of Sydney)
- Kevin Miao (University of Sydney)
- Mark Cavanna (University of Sydney)
- Terrence Darma (University of Sydney)
- Aisha Warsame (Deakin University)
- Brittany Gardner (University of Sydney)
- Harshita Jyoti (Australian National University)
- Madeline Liddle (Australian National University)
- Seo Woo Bae (University of Sydney)
- Adele van der Winden (Queensland University of Technology)
- Liam McAllister (Queensland University of Technology)
- Riley de Jong (Queensland University of Technology)
- Tasfia Quader (Macquarie University)
- Thomas Larkin (Australian National University)
Laing O’Rourke best presentation: “Rafts & Rails”
- Boran Wang (University of Sydney)
- Jasper Rasmussen (University of Sydney)
- Joseph Malicdem (Macquarie University)
- Qiting Huang (University of Sydney)
- Victor Zhuang (University of Sydney)