Technology Challenge Maryborough

The Technology Challenge Maryborough is an annual event held in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. The event aims to help develop efficient, environmentally friendly, vehicles as forms of transport, as well as using emerging technologies in ways to help further students education. Schools from across Australia and New Zealand enter teams in the challenge.

The blue-ribbon event at the Challenge is the 24 hour Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Endurance race. In 2002, when the challenge was run for the first time, there were only 2 categories of competition - Smilie Pushcarts (billy carts powered not by gravity but by a student pushing) and HPVs. The very first winner of the HPV race was a team from Maryborough State High School. Maryborough dominated until Nanango High began a 3 year reign at the top, although a team from Centenary Heights in Toowoomba did take the title from Maryborough High one year, before Maryborough High regained this. In Recent years, St Mary's College from Maryborough has won.

Since the first staging of this event, the number of entrants has increased dramatically (from 16 HPV teams in 2002 to 96 in 2009) and now includes many categories of HPVs including Hand-Pedalled and Tandem. The Technology Challenge was originally modelled on the RACV Energy Breakthrough held in Maryborough, Victoria.

One of the original organisers from the Victorian event helped instigate and organise the first Queensland event after he moved to that state. Schools from across Queensland enter teams of 6-10 students to take part.

2007 saw the first non-Queensland entry, from Parade College in Victoria. At the time they were considered the National Champions, but they only managed fourth. No other interstate teams have entered as yet.

Other events held at the Challenge include: CO₂ Dragsters, Robotics, Solar Powered boats, Solar powered cars and the Smilie Pushcarts. The top New Zealand CO₂ Dragsters also come and compete against the top Queensland dragsters.

The sponsors of the event, Fraser Coast Regional Council, Queensland Events, RACQ, Ergon Energy, Handy Hire, Widelinx, Station Square Shopping Centre, Rotary Club Of Maryborough, Rotary Club of Maryborough Sunrise and Fraser Coast Chronicle continue to see the event grow in professionalism and enthusiasm, providing a fantastic platform for young people to learn through technology and teamwork in a fun and safe environment.

References

• Technology Challenge Maryborough
• RACV Energy Breakthrough