Innovative North Coast TAFE teacher leads the way

Thursday 8th May 2008

Attendees at this year’s Innovation Northern Rivers festival had the opportunity to pick one of the best brains in innovative business at the North Coast TAFE trade stand.

Peter Smith, head teacher of Manufacturing and Engineering at North Coast TAFE’s Wollongbar Campus, has been the driving force behind numerous inventions including the Observant Pump which appeared on the ABC’s New Inventors series and the Illac Curved Comb (www.illaccurvedcomb.com.au) which has helped revolutionise the hairdressing industry.

“A lot of people have great ideas but the hard part can be getting it to the point of commercialisation,” he said.

“I have helped quite a few people get through the processes of designing their product, creating a prototype, patenting it and taking it to the market, with assistance from government departments and industry development centres.”

When Mr Smith first arrived in Wollongbar from Narrabri, just 12 months ago, his reputation for innovative thought and business practices preceded him and within a few weeks the local Rotary club asked him to address members at a function.

“They were all rapt and after my speech, three people approached me to help them with ideas for inventions.”

“I have been working with them since then and while I can’t reveal the details, I can say they have some great ideas which should be ready to take to market in the near future.”

Mr Smith has also been involved with the Australian Innovation Festivals since 2000 and has sat on the national advisory committee since 2002.

He is also part of the organising committee for Innovation Northern Rivers which was staged in Ballina on 6 May.

“This year is certainly one of the most exciting I have been involved in because there will be more than 500 events being staged across the country.”

“Innovation Northern Rivers is just one of these festivals and in itself this just seems to keep growing and growing.”