The WIA report that Melbourne’s Connected Community Hackerspace held Australia’s first Mini Maker Faire on Saturday, January 14.
The event, held at Swinburne University, attracted an estimated 400 visitors. think of it like a Hamfest but with practical stands replacing equipment sales.
Popular exhibits included 3 dimensional printing, electronic music and Arduino open source microcontrollers. there were also learn to solder workshops, Lego poetry and numerous demonstrations. These included a remote controlled blimp, traditional handicrafts and a self-righting electronic Segway scooter (developed by Malcolm Faed VK2TMF).
Key themes of Maker Faire included pulling apart, recycling, repairing and making. Computing, cheap components and easy to program microcontrollers is encouraging creative people to juxtapose art and electronics.
A number of VK3s attended and enjoyed the event. For those who wished they had gone several comprehensive videos of the event can be viewed on YouTube – just search for ‘Melbourne Mini Maker Faire’
More info: makerfairemelbourne.wordpress.com/ and hackmelbourne.org/
The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio Video uk.amsat.org/3158
Hams asked to help Encourage Home Construction uk.amsat.org/3459
