C. Forde - Cyber Safety Expert, D. Breakell & T. Cheetham - Slipstream Cyber, P. Blake - Consumer Protection at Dept. Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, E. O'Neil - CyberWest Hub, SJ. Price - Murdoch Law Academic, J. Chiew & M. Kawitzki - ACS

The two-day hackathon, titled “Hacking Back Against Scams: Helping to Protect Australians,” wasn’t just another university event. It was a call to action—a collaborative effort between Murdoch University and the WA Data Science Innovation Hub (WADSIH), aimed at designing ethical, practical, and accessible solutions to protect Australians from digital deception, a crime that siphons billions from the economy each year.

From the outset, the energy in the room was electric. Teams blended legal minds with tech-savvy coders, each bringing a unique perspective to the challenge. Together, they brainstormed, coded, and debated, fuelled by a shared sense of purpose.

 “Watching students from Law and IT collaborate, challenge themselves, step outside their comfort zones, and apply their skills to tackle such a complex issue was incredibly rewarding. This kind of interdisciplinary collaboration is exactly what we strive for in higher education - where theory meets practice, and learning translates into real-world impact." – Beena Kishore, School of Information Technology Academic and Hackathon Mentor.

The climax of the event came during the final pitch session. Each team had just three minutes to present their solution to a panel of judges, including industry experts and academics. The room was tense but supportive, with students cheering each other on and celebrating every bold idea.

In the end, it was Team GPW who stole the show. The team walked away with the grand prize: gift vouchers, 1:1 career planning and resume writing session with an account director from Peoplebank and an exclusive luncheon with a sitting Supreme Court Judge, offering a rare opportunity to discuss their ideas with someone at the forefront of Australia’s legal system.

While the hackathon has officially wrapped, its impact is just beginning. The ideas born in Boola Katitjin may soon evolve into real-world tools, helping Australians navigate the digital world more safely. For the students, it was more than a competition—it was a chance to make a difference.