A Hackathon - GET-A-WAY - We Did It Our Way!

As the CIO, leading a team of 150+ passionate computer professionals, I was looking for something a bit different and inspirational.  I settled on the idea of a hackathon!!

Never heard of a hackathon? What about a hackfest? No? OK, well a hackathon is generally an event where computer programmers get to spend a pre-specified period of time, typically 24 or 48 hours having loads of fun and "doing their own thing".

So I set about doing some research ... looks like everybody's who's anybody's doing it! Atlassian, Facebook, Google and closer to home, realestate.com.au.

Location! Location! Location!

Did we do the same? Sure ... well no, not quite, we did it our way and so last week, our 1st ever 24-hour hackathon kicked off in Brisbane. Over 100 representatives from several departments came together for GET-A-WAY, an innovation themed event where anybody could create an idea, form a team and make IT happen – in 24 hours! Announced in early June, lunchtimes and personal time were soon sacrificed as teams formed and ideas blossomed! Secrets were whispered, ideas exchanged and non-disclosure agreements signed ... in blood!

Our hero, Captain Robin, convened his merry crew of 13 to support the event and determine the rules. A lot of thought went into the rules, "there are none just avoid using babies and animals for experimentation!"

Intensity!

2pm Thursday madness prevailed and a frenzy of activity overwhelmed as computers and teams arrived, goody bags and t-shirts were distributed, loud conversations and swaggering bravado flowed through the Grand Ballroom! Within 20 minutes, reality hit! This was it, time for serious conversation, concentration, passion and determined planning! Intensity soon followed!

So much to think about!

2pm Friday and the final bell tolled, well it sort of fizzled really but everybody got the message, it was over and each team had just 5 minutes for "the pitch!". The bar was set high, the ideas inspirational and our panel of 3 awesome judges [myself included of course] offered feedback and a range of prizes were awarded.

Time for beer and pizza!

Sweet 16 was the order of the day – 16 teams, 16 presentations and 16 metres of pizza consumed! So many stories to tell, so many pictures, some spent the night, at least one slumbered in a local hotel, others napped in cars! Yes really!

On Saturday, the surrounds of Brisbane reverberated to the gentle sound of snoring as adrenalin abated and normality returned!

Well done to all who took part, everyone a winner!  Congratulations team, you made it a resounding success!  We have new and innovative ideas, our teams are stronger than ever, motivated and passionate, all of us learned so much and we all had fun doing IT!  ... and for me personally? Definitely a highlight of my career! And what a relief!  A success!

Where shall we travel next? Shhhhh ...  GET-A-WAY Sydney is already set for mid October!!! Can't wait!

The Winners!  Lisa and Leila!

The Teams!

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D-Day 6th June 1944

After knocking out 3 photo albums (Provence, Paris, UK & Brunei - viewable on my Travel blog), it occurred to me this morning that it is way past time for a Blog post!  I have been neglectful but then, nothing has inspired me.  Not a lot of worth in pondering, deliberating, chewing over and thinking about nothing, although plenty do!

I wasn't inspired, until today that is!  On the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the focus of the world is on the beaches of Normandy.  As I browsed the news, I surprised even myself, I cried.  I cried for D-Day, I cried for the many who lost their lives, I cried for those who lost their mobility and I cried for those who lost family, mates and neighbours.   I cried for those who lost their faith in mankind because it is their very act which reminds us we must never lose our faith in mankind.  I cried because I felt humbled that so many risked their lives for liberty on that day, 70 years ago.

I wonder if they would think it worth it today?  I hope so.

Veterans, re-enactments, world leaders speeches, fireworks, ceremony and many tears, all marking the 70th anniversary of a pivotal mission, the beginning of the end of 6 years of wretchedness in Europe, and an event that was, in the words of Winston Churchill - "undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult that has ever taken place", a mission involving 3 million troops and costing 250,000 lives.  Many nations coming together with a common goal, we could learn from them today.

Most people of my generation cannot begin to imagine the horror and fear that comes with such a war.  Yes, today, we hear talk of terrorists, likely exaggerated and of course there is the occasional bomb blast and events in the Middle East, none of which is pleasant but imagine, walking out of your front door every day and not knowing if you will return.  For 6 long year's, not knowing if your house will even be there when you return.   Hell!!!  What about going to bed at night not knowing if you or yours will waken and survive tomorrow and if you do, what nightmare will it bring?  The smell of fire, the noise of the air-raid warnings, the bombs, the destruction and the stench of death.  Then the elation of victory, followed by the horror and the discovery of the death camps.  The recovery and rebuilding, reconciliation and forgiveness.

As France played host, I dried my tears and smiled at pictures of lunch and "The Top Table"!  Centre stage Francois Hollande, France's President, surrounded by Queen Elizabeth and Presidents Obama and Putin!  Who'd want to work out that seating plan!  Fortunately Queen Margrethe of Denmark, a very gracious and elegant lady helped even up the numbers and made boy-girl-boy-girl-boy look like the plan all along!

Pictures in the Huffington Post were haunting, images from today overlaying those of yesterday!
 
The stories from the veterans, especially those who took the opportunity to sneak out of their care homes to attend makes for another tear followed by a smile ...

Inspirational!

Eversley Street, Liverpool - my Mum is in the midst of the crowd here somewhere!  Just 2 years old.

Note: I hope the creator of the D-Day image doesn't mind my borrowing it, I could find no accreditation.

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An awe inspiring WWII story

So many WWII stories are sad, shocking and appalling beyond words, but alongside the tragedy there are many tales of bravery, heroics and heart warming reports.  Rarely are these stories of "good Germans" perhaps with the exception of one of the most famous Oskar Schindler......

Every now and again however, a tale comes to light that is inspirational.... I recently came across one such tale and hope you are as moved by this story as I was.....

Wartime chivalry

or maybe this version ....

photo credit: Armchair Aviator cc

This is the story of an allied aircraft beaten so badly in an air fight, the crew so devastated by injury or death, that they were unlikely to make it home, the 21 year old American pilot, Lt Charlie Brown, on his first combat mission, alone over Germany in 1943 when a German Messerschmitt fighter plane, piloted by Luftwaffe veteran Franz Stigler, flew alongside them.... at a time when they thought they were sitting ducks, they witnessed an incredible act of chivalry....

photo credit: Jerry Gunner cc

A German fighter pilot, one strike away from winning Germany's highest honour for valour "The Knights Cross" had the allied aircraft in his sights.  A man who risked death for dishonour if the Nazi SS discovered his deed, flew alongside the ailing aircraft and honoured his humanity instead.  His respect for the code of honour and integrity of soldiers and fighting men through the ages... Not only did he not fire on them, he helped them avoid anti aircraft batteries lining the coast as he directed them towards neutral Sweden......

The bond between soldiers, even on opposing sides is a special one, [fortunately] not experienced by many of us.....

So wonderful that these two pilots of WWII were reunited post war in 1989 and went on to travel together, taking their story to others... dying only 8 months apart in 2008, may they rest in peace and may Hollywood make a movie that respects the sentiment, the integrity and the honour!

They made a difference - Nelson Mandela

18 July 1918 – present, age 95

photo credit: Archives de la Ville de Montréal  cc

So sad, if the news media is to be believed, Nelson Mandela is fading and likely to move on to another dimension soon.   Now if you care at all, you have to agree, here is a man who made a difference....

Described by Maggie Thatcher as a terrorist and indeed in technical terms, precisely that, he served many years in prison for leading attempts to overthrow white supremacy in South Africa.

He didn't just make a difference, he is a hero to so many, his forgiveness, his compassion, his humility, his commitment to ending racism, his diplomacy, his bravery, his intelligence..... so much...... never has a man earned the right to global respect and reverence as Nelson Mandela has.

Born of illiterate parents descended from African royalty, intelligent and well educated his rebel tendencies began to develop at university where he was suspended for his part in a boycott against the quality of food and subsequently left without a degree.

Everything about his life set him on the path to becoming this man.  His interest in politics, the timing of his birth, his teaming up with the African National Congress, once condemned as a terrorist organisation and now the governing political party of South Africa, and his own decisions to lead the ANC down a more radical and revolutionary path.  How different is perception when looked at through different eyes and in different times.

The expansion of apartheid by the extremist Government, Herenigde Nasionale Party and their unexpected 1948 (white only) election win, all led to making this man.

His arrest in 1962 and subsequent conviction in 1964, all led to making this man.

His, now famous, time incarcerated on Robben Island in a tiny cell, where his vision became impaired due to sunlight reflecting off lime in the quarry where he was assigned to work, his encouragement of others, his religious, Afrikaans and legal studies, even his prisoner number 46664 all served to make this man.

His correspondence with people such as Desmond Tutu, his influence on the political arena, the respect for this man, locked away from the world and yet still inspiring anti apartheid sanctions and rock concerts in his name, his eventual release on 11 February 1990, leading to a final end to apartheid in South Africa, his winning of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and his election to President in 1994 all served to make this man.

Let's not forget F W de Klerk's role in negotiating an end to apartheid and freeing Nelson Mandela, enabling him to continue with his destiny, he too made a difference.

Would Nelson Mandela have made such a difference if he hadn't been imprisoned in the way he was?  Would he have been inspired to make a difference with a different lifestyle?  With different people?  If you are looking, Nelson Mandela is an example of somebody who was truly put on this earth to make a difference with all roads leading to the inevitable outcome. 

 photo credit: p_c_w cc

A man of many names, Mandela his "English" name given to him by his school teacher Miss Mdingane, Rolihlahla his birth name meaning "troublemaker" given to him by his father, well he certainly lived up to that one... Madiba, his very polite clan name, Dalibhunga his grown up name given to him aged 16 after his traditional rite of passage, meaning 'founder of the council' or 'convenor of the dialogue' and unquestionably a name he took to heart, then there is Khulu, meaning "Great One" and possibly the one he may value most is Tata, meaning 'father' and used as a term of endearment by so many South Africans.

In a perfect world, Mandela's commitment to reconciliation will become his legacy, however, sadly we live in an imperfect world and already there is dissension as his family fight over where he will be buried and that's before he is even dead!  Let's hope they reconcile before the inevitable end.

Long live Nelson Mandela!

Inspirational Quotes

To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world

A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger.  You don't have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial and uninformed

Read more here

Useless Facts

• Sun sign (astrology): Cancer
• Myers Briggs           : INFJ

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They made a difference - Mo Mowlam

18 September 1949 to 19 August 2005, age 55

Those who know me, know it is almost unheard of for me to praise a Labour politician, but here it is.  Marjorie "Mo" Mowlam was an amazing woman, one who should never be forgotten and one who made a difference.

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photo credit: Bolckow cc

Mo was instrumental in bringing about the Good Friday Agreement and peace in Northern Ireland, an event typically attributed to Tony Blair [a man who made the wrong kind of difference] but it was Mo who was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in charge of the peace process at the time.  Mo who made the difference.  Mo who sat for long hours at the negotiating tables.  Mo who disarmed the Unionist politicians by hugging them.  Mo who kept the meaning and importance of life in context as they fought over the balance of power and the details.... and finally Mo who told Gerry Adams, as he hesitated over the signing “Bloody well get on and do it, otherwise I’ll head butt you!”

It was Mo who made this happen while slowly and tragically dying of a malignant brain tumour.

Given just three years to live in 1996, even before Labour swept to power and before Mo was appointed to the top position in the Northern Ireland Office.   Given the Troubles that had raged in Northern Ireland since the 1960's with echoes back down the centuries to the Middle Ages.... it could be argued this was the most demanding and stressful cabinet position ever.  Yet she didn't flinch, she accepted the position not even telling Blair that her brain tumour was malignant, in fact leading him to believe the tumour was benign and could be treated.  Many might argue a woman with a brain tumour should not be in such a senior position of power and yet, she was and she won.  Everybody won thanks to Mo.

She was frank, often blunt and refreshingly honest for a politician, a Cabinet Minister at that.

One can't even begin to imagine the trauma she and her family were enduring.  Throughout the exhausting peace talks, she continued her chemo, taking medication to prevent her being sick so she could stay at the table.  A table that culminated in the signing of the Good Friday Agreement on 10th April 1998.

Sadly Mo died in August 2005, aged just 55, her determination to win ensuring peace for a time in Northern Ireland and more than the 3 years she was allotted in 1996.  In her short time, she made a difference!

Inspirational Quotes

"There was no metaphorical gun at my head, ... Putting my case face-to-face, arguing it through with them, I thought was the best way to do it"

"Many of us would like to make progress much quicker, ... But we have to bear in ind there are people around hat table who have had relatives and friends killed.  You don't forget that overnight." 

Useless facts:

• Sun sign (astrology): Virgo
• Birthplace: Watford

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They made a difference - Helen Keller

27 June 1880 – 1 June 1968, age 87

Photo courtesy: jimmywayne cc

Born on 27th June 1880, Helen Keller was almost 2 years old before a childhood illness left her blind, deaf and dumb.  With the help of her teacher Anne Sullivan, Helen emerged from her silent world, learning to communicate, earn a degree and become a world famous speaker and author.

photo courtesy: WBUR cc

One cannot talk of Helen without also talking of Anne Sullivan, intelligent, partially blind herself and only 20, she took on the role of governess to 6 year old, blind-deaf Helen Keller, a relationship that later matured to lifelong companionship, lasting until Anne's death at age 70 on October 20, 1936.

The story of Anne teaching Helen to communicate is touchingly, retold in the 1962 movie, The Miracle Worker.

A strong advocate for improving the world for the disabled, Helen also made a number of topical political issues of the day, her own, including women's suffrage and birth control.

Keller tackled social and political issues, including women's suffrage, pacifism and birth control. She testified before Congress, strongly advocating to improve the welfare of blind people. In 1915, along with renowned city planner George Kessler, she co-founded Helen Keller International to combat the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition. In 1920, she helped found the American Civil Liberties Union.

Inspirational Quotes

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.  Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved"

"Life is either a great adventure or nothing" 

Useless facts:

• Sun sign (astrology): Cancer
• Myers Briggs           : INFP

 

They made a difference - Lady Margaret Thatcher

photo courtesy: BBC Radio 4 cc

13 October 1925 – 8 April 2013, age 87

The events of this week surrounding the death of the Lady Margaret Thatcher cannot go by without comment. 

First, the sadness of her death and how very tragic and ironic that her failing health in recent years was accompanied by Alzheimer's, such a terribly cruel disease to afflict a woman lauded for her mind.

I feel no sense of surprise that many expressed satisfaction at her dying but what I am utterly shocked by is the strength of feeling and vitriolic outpouring of bitterness and hostile loathing for a woman who has been out of the political arena for 20 years.  This says more of them than it does of her, but perhaps most appalling of all is the sheer viciousness of those who were not yet born during her tenure as Prime Minister.  I feel sure few of them truly know who she is.

Without doubt, she will be remembered in the history books.  She made a difference and so few politicians, alive or dead, can claim the same.

Despite the insensitivity of the media, I struggle to empathise with her children, Mark and Carol and not only their crocodile tears but the tears of her many enemies, including those within her own party who brought about her down fall.  Many of the views expressed in Parliament earlier this week served only to demonstrate how far Britain has fallen, the utter lack of respect in using such a forum to incite hatred was shameful and sad to see, especially from those who have nothing to be proud of.  The nation is hardly at its peak, thanks largely to those who led the pack.

How sad that a woman so patriotic, who adored and loved her country above all else should be so vilified in death by a nation she fought for and made Great again.  Even in death, her funeral, at her own request, will include the singing of "I Vow to Thee, My Country".

photo courtesy The Prime Minister's Office cc

 In contrast to this, David Cameron's speeches, immediately following her death and in Parliament were impressive and dare I say, heartfelt? 

That Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has agreed to attend the funeral says a great deal.  Makes a mockery of the rumours of discord between the two awe-inspiring leaders.  That she enjoyed a good political fight, there can be no doubt but her respect and admiration for the monarchy and especially the Queen can never be questioned.

photo courtesy: The Prime Minister's Office cc

The respect around the world is heartening, as ever, the esteem for Maggie overseas outweigh's that of her own country.  For myself?  Well.... I would not have chosen a different era in which to live and I could not have been inspired by anybody better, man or woman.  She put the Great back into Britain, demonstrated strong leadership, became a victim of envy, inspired passion, both good and bad and above all, she made a difference that will be remembered long into the future.

May she go down in the history books for the things she got right, not the hatred, disrespect and rioting of the ignorant.

Inspirational Quotes

"What is success? I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing that you are doing; knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose"

"You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it" 

"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples' money"

"I love argument, I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to site there and agree with me, that's not their job" 

Read more at brainyquote.com

Useless Facts:

• Sun sign (astrology): Libra
• Myers Briggs           : ENTJ

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So very sad, Margaret Thatcher

photo credit: roberthuffstutter cc

So very very sad to hear Margaret Thatcher has passed away.

An inspiration for many of us and even today, her strength is unparalleled in modern times.

A woman who made a difference.

May she rest in peace