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TOM in the media

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Making life a little easier

March 2023

Truganina resident and industrial designer Eva Klusacek will be among the ‘makers’ on deck at the upcoming Tikkun Olam Makers Melbourne event.

As part of the event in Geelong on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26, she will be paired with a ‘need-knower’ – people with disability who have a specific need.

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Makeathon seeks solutions for people living with disability

March 2023

Makers will gather in Geelong this weekend to seek solutions to challenges faced by people living with disability. For the first time in Australia, the Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26, Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) event, is running two simultaneous Regional Makeathons in Geelong, and Wide Bay, Queensland.

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Technology to assist with MS

September 2022

A FRANKSTON woman living with MS is taking part in an initiative to find technology solutions to people living with disease and disabilities.

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Makers support Need-Knowers

September 2022

​The lives of people living with a disability are being improved thanks to a ’TOM: Melbourne Makeathon’ event, combining Makers with Need-Knowers to deliver technological solutions to everyday problems.

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Designed to be Inconspicuous - Universal Kitchen Aid 

November 2022

Cooking is a much-loved activity for all people around the world. On average we particularly spend 1-2 hours of our day either cooking or prepping food of some kind if we include breakfast lunch and dinner.

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Link Disability Magazine June 2021

June 2021

Page 81: Makeathon making solutions for people with disability.

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Israeli-inspired makeathon makes a difference

June 2021

AROUND one billion people or 15 per cent of the world live with some form of disability, including millions of individuals and families
who face barriers to life-changing products.

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How volunteers engineered a frame to help Charlie walk hands-free

June 2021

Until recently Charlie Scholten had never been able to walk while holding his mum or dad's hand.

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People who make the DIF: Debbie Dadon AM

April 2021

People who make the DIF features Melbourne philanthropist Debbie Dadon AM who established Tikkun Olam Makers, or TOM: Melbourne, in 2016.

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Triple E Awards

Jan 2020

Finalist of the Innovation Challenge of the Year Award

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The Australian Jewish News

6 Dec 2019

TOM develops assistive technology solutions for people living with disabilities to make life more accessible.

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TOM Makeathon comes to Ballarat to help Jo improve her independence

The Courier - 1 Dec 2019

Jo Smith put on her shoes independently for the first time in more than 20 years last Sunday.

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TOM makeathon makes life better

Ballarat Times - 28 Nov 2019

Need-Knowers, a new addition to the lexicon of innovation and challenge solving, was mentioned often at the TOM: Ballarat 48 Hour Makethon last weekend.

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TOM begins in Ballarat

Ballarat Times - 15 Nov 2019

A recent Makeathon has kick-started innovation in disability technologies.

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TOM Melbourne brings Makeathon weekend to Ballarat

The Courier - 5 Nov 2019

Ballarat resident Jo Smith is hoping a weekend 'makeathon' with a team of innovators will result in improvements to her independence.

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ABC Radio Ballarat

Nov 2019

Imagine having a relatively simple task that everyday you couldn't manage. An absolute frustration for you, not for other people, just you.

Listen now
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Link Magazine

Aug 2019 | Volume 28 Issue 4

Fourteen-year-old Dati can now eat independently thanks to the TOM: Melbourne Makeathon.

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Moonshot in Search of Boldness

eJewish Philanthropy - 23 Jun 2019

The early twenty first century represents a unique time in the history of the Jewish People.

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Why this toothbrush is making Ballarat's Joanne Smith smile

The Courier - 8 Jun 2019

All Joanne Smith wanted was the chance to brush her own teeth but first she needed a little help from others.

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TOM returns for third makeathon

The Australian Jewish News - 31 May 2019

This past weekend, 100 engineers, technology and health professionals came together to help those living with a disability...

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Just ask the question: Barriers to disability employment

Pro Bono Australia - 29 May 2019

When Kelly Schulz, who has been legally blind since birth, was offered her first job at the end of an interview, she was thrilled.

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9 News Australia

26 May 2019

From eating independently, to using gym equipment - there are many everyday tasks most of us take for granted.

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Radio 3AW

26 May 2019

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Listen Now
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Design offering easier life for disabled

24 May 2019

Brushing teeth is a pretty simple task for most people, but for one Victorian woman it's a challenge too great.

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Get smart on disability

21 May 2019

Creative problem-solving teams will join forces this week in a brainstorming blitz to tackle challenges faced by people living with disabilities.

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ABC Radio National

8 Apr 2019

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Listen Now
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11 teams, 72 hours, one goal: building tech solutions for people with disabilities

Telstra Exchange - 13 Dec 2017

TOM is a global non-profit movement bringing together people with disabilities and ‘Makers’ to develop open source assistive technology...

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The Project

8 Dec 2017

This is Vince - he wants to invent cool stuff from everyday materials. And this is Beau - he just wants to be able to hold a gold club again.

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Tech's a cab sav-iour

Herald Sun - 8 Dec 2017

Amputee Mandy McCracken pours a welcome glass of wine thanks to the efforts of engineers and technology experts at the second TOM: Melbourne Makeathon.

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Susie O'Brien: Hooray, it's good news week

8 Dec 2017

A quadruple amputee who's cared for by her superstar husband, Rod, Mandy is a motivational speaker and the busy mother of three gorgeous girls.

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Tikkun olam in action

The Australian Jewish News - 8 Dec 2017

Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) has returned to Melbourne for a second year.

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SEN 1116 Radio

6 Dec 2017

Dozens of design experts are working on projects commissioned by people living with disabilities to solve everyday problems.

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ABC Radio Sydney

3 Dec 2017

Dozens of design experts are working on projects commissioned by people living with disabilities to solve everyday problems.

Listen Now
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ABC News

3 Dec 2017

Melbourne design experts are being matched to people with disabilities to invent solutions to their everyday problems.

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ABC Radio Melbourne

30 Nov 2017

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Listen Now
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Technology specialists to help filmmaker Amy Marks manage cerebral palsy while filming as part of TOM: Melbourne Makeathon

Herald Sun - 29 Nov 2017

Filmmaker Amy Marks has found it difficult...

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‘Need Knowers’ and ‘Makers’ Unite to Create Innovative Assistive Technology

Pro Bono Australia - 27 Nov 2017

People with disability are teaming up with technology specialists to develop creative, low cost solutions for everyday problems...

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Inventors may help Vernon return to golf

The Great Southern Star - 14 Nov 2017

He’s coached Leongatha’s footballers to a premiership and was recently appointed coach of Phillip Island Football Club. Now Beau Vernon is ready for his next sporting challenge.

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Amy Marks joins Makeathon challenge

Star Weekly - 28 Nov 2017

Footscray film-maker Amy Marks is joining a team of people helping create solutions to problems for people living with a disability.

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ABC Radio Gippsland

9 Nov 2017

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Listen Now
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Beau sets experts a golf challenge

14 Nov 2017

Leongatha premiership coach and now Phillip Island boss Beau Vernon is taking part in next month's TOM: Melbourne Makeathon.

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‘Makeathon’ encourages creativity

The Examiner - 7 Dec 2016

Shaun Lyall’s job as a seating technician with the St Giles Mobility Clinic seating team requires flexibility and ingenuity. 

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Making a difference in 72 hours

Engineers Australia - 5 Dec 2016

Swinburne University of Technology hosted Australia’s first TOM Makeathon, developing assistive technology prototypes to address the real-world challenges people with disabilities face every day.

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ABC News

2 Dec 2016

Making life easier for people with disabilities

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'Makeathon' finds solutions to improve lives of disabled Victorians

ABC News - 2 Dec 2016

When Mandy McCracken lost her arms and legs three years ago, she never imagined being able to ride again.

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Riverview cerebral palsy sufferer takes part in Tikkun Olam Makers to help others

22 Nov 2016

Jack Leighton loves nothing more than a good wander around a museum or gallery...

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Bid to make ideas a reality

North Short Times - 17 Nov 2016

Jack sets challenge for creators to help find standing solution.

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72 hours to change the world

The Australian Jewish News - 24 Oct 2016

Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM), a global not-for-profit movement originating in Israel aimed at changing the lives of people living with disabilities, is coming to Australia for the first time this November.

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TOM 2016: 'Life Changing' Disability Forum Headed Down Under

The Huffington Post - 22 Oct 2016

The global knowledge-sharing event will hit Melbourne in November.

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