The West Australian wins Australia’s first Editors Lab Hackathon and will represent Australia digital news industry in global final in Vienna

The West Australian won Australia’s first Editors Lab Hackathon in Sydney on March 3-4, 2016.The two-day event attracted journalists, designers and developers from Seven West Media, News Corp, Fairfax Media, The Guardian, ABC, SBS and leading journalism universities.

The teams competed to create a prototype in the theme of ‘data-driven stories’. Teams were asked to devise practical apps that use advanced computer technology to locate and interpret data to deliver news to consumers.

Organised by the Global Editors Network and Walkley Foundation, The West Australian’s team of Ben Martin, Assistant Editor, Joe Hardy, Head of Digital Development and Sophia Lewis, Web Developer and Designer, created BEAT – an interactive map that draws on the WA Police MatCAD system to display police incidents in real time.

The team won an all-expense paid trip to Vienna to represent the Australian digital news industry at the global final.

Dan Stinton, Head of Digital, said it was a fantastic example of what can be achieved when editorial and development work together.

“It bodes well for our digital plans for the year ahead. Congratulations to Ben, Joe and Sophia, and good luck in the final!”