Hi all,

Just wanted to let you all know about GovHack, a 48 hour hackfest focused
on government datasets and creating awesome new apps, mashups and data
visualisations. I'm on the team running it on Jun 1-3 (in 3.5 weeks!) in
both Canberra and Sydney. We're hoping to get around 150 people to each
location, so 300 people competing for glory and prize money :) It seems a
perfect event to get some Open Australia hackers doing what you all do
best, but with additional recognition and the possibility of cash prizes.

We've taken GovHack to a new level with loads of government departments
involved (and getting involved) with new datasets and substantial funding,
but also several of the departments will be looking to actually fund the
implementation of some outcomes of GovHack into their environments. GovHack
isn't just about citizens making stuff off to the side, it is about
government engaging collaboratively and constructively with citizens for
better government outcomes, and ultimately better democracy.

Details are up at http://www.govhack.org/ and we'll be announcing more
developer information in the coming week, so register to be advised of
information as it is available. Further information about the competitions
and prizes will be sent out within the fortnight.

We expect to see hacks around AR, geospatial data, web apps, data
visualisation, data analysis and more. The core themes of GovHack will be
announced Friday the 1st June to kick the event off.

Hope to see you there :)
Pia