{"id":18712,"date":"2024-09-03T12:49:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-03T04:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/?p=18712"},"modified":"2025-07-17T13:28:05","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T05:28:05","slug":"wa-innovators-get-the-limelight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wa-innovators-get-the-limelight\/","title":{"rendered":"WA innovators get the limelight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Growing up, WA entrepreneur Brad Hill was fascinated with innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\"><strong>Author | Carmelle Wilkinson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether it was working on old cars on his family\u2019s farm in Albany or taking apart computers with his older brothers \u2013 making things better and finding better ways of working fuelled his passion and curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now years later, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/study-areas\/business-management-law\/master-business-administration\/\">Curtin Master of Business Administration<\/a> graduate is harnessing that energy and enthusiasm into helping fellow business owners and entrepreneurs ignite their dreams and discover their full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His latest project, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.innovationnation.tv\/\">Innovation Nation<\/a> on Channel 9, showcases some of WA\u2019s most brilliant inventions and discoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Presented by Brad and TV personality Christina Morrissy, the program offers a platform where aspiring WA entrepreneurs can capture the attention of investors and consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Innovation Nation Sizzle - w\/cost super\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/894388084?h=cd883fd1fe&amp;dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Innovation Nation<\/em> <em>promo video.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the first episode expected to launch on April 7, Brad said he was excited to show the rest of the country what incredible talent we have here in WA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere are some incredible business ideas and start-ups in WA \u2013 and many of these entrepreneurs are coming out of Curtin and our major universities,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>\u201cThey have awesome ideas, and their business models have the potential to really take off and make a difference \u2013 but for some reason there just aren\u2019t enough investors to back these inventions \u2013 and that\u2019s what we hope to change.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWA is a wealthy state and while we have investors, they are very strongly aligned with our mining sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe hope to showcase these amazing innovations and raise the awareness tide in WA.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a kid, Brad remembers watching Beyond 2000 in his living room, and being mesmerised by the new discoveries and technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/04\/Brad-and-family-1080X1080-900x500.jpg\" alt=\"Curtin graduate Brad Hill and family\" class=\"wp-image-17278\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\"><em>Family man: Brad\u2019s children have taken a strong interest in innovation just like their Dad.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFrom very young I\u2019ve been fascinated by innovation and would get really excited in class when we spoke about new technologies and discoveries. I especially loved hearing people\u2019s stories,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it came to figuring out what he wanted to do when he left school, Brad knew this much \u2013 he didn\u2019t want to be an employee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m a terrible employee,\u2019\u2019 he laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t like to be told what to do. I like to take charge and get things done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>\u201cI did a paper delivery round when I was younger and worked at a fish and chip shop in Scarborough \u2013 but that didn\u2019t last long.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI also got a job at Hungry Jacks \u2013 which was a great party environment for a teen, but I never got much work done. Needless to say, I lasted a month before I was fired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brad said it wasn\u2019t until later in his life that he discovered an interest in leadership, which was somewhat strange given he was the youngest of five brothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy experience at Curtin was brilliant,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>&#8220;The MBA expanded my knowledge base significantly; it pushed me to levels I didn\u2019t know I had and looking back it really played a pivotal role in the direction of my life. &#8220;<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Brad said it also gave him confidence to reach for opportunities that he would otherwise consider out of his league and placed him in business circles with other successful WA alumni, who were a tremendous inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following graduation from Curtin, Brad turned his attention to commercialisation of geothermal drilling, battery technology research and innovation in the craft beer industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the founder and director of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lcb.beer\/\">Limestone Coast Brewing<\/a>, Brad established a winning process that is dramatically transforming the craft brewing industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Long Neck Brewery\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GTb6noeWjp8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Brad\u2019s brewery innovation on Destination WA.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBuilding craft breweries at 1\/4 of the capital costs and in an incredibly space effective way, we deliver high volumes of quality craft beer that ferments on site and is served straight from the bright beer tanks,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brad said it was while filming a segment on his brewery invention for Channel 9\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationwa.tv\/index.php\">Destination WA<\/a> program that the idea for Innovation Nation was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHost Trevor Cochrane was really interested to see what we were doing in our small part of the world, and I thought to myself how many other great inventions are out there that people don\u2019t know about?\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>\u201cIt\u2019s not in our Australian culture to think highly of ourselves. So even though we knew what we were doing was exciting, I wasn\u2019t comfortable talking ourselves up.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI then started to think about other businesses and entrepreneurs and how many of those weren\u2019t bragging about their inventions or ideas. So, I figured why not do it for them?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After sharing his idea, Trevor returned two days later with good news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe just said, great news Brad. We have a TV show. I also need someone with stupid enthusiasm to pull this off, and as this is clearly your passion \u2013 we\u2019d like you to host it,\u2019\u2019 Brad said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThen he mentioned Christina Morrissy as co-host, and I was sold. I know her family well, having spent many years playing hockey with her brothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/04\/3.jpg\" alt=\"Curtin graduate Brad Hill and Christine Morrisey standing together\" class=\"wp-image-17279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/04\/3.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/04\/3-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\"><em>Brad and Chrissy (Innovation Nation hosts)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat was about four months ago. And since then, things have moved very fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m still learning how to talk to camera, not sweat profusely in a long-sleeved shirt and not annoy Christina too much when we\u2019re on set.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brad said sharing people\u2019s stories and helping likeminded Australian innovators make their mark on the world stage was his dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>\u201cI have lived the life of an entrepreneur. A terrible employee who is always looking for a better way and an inquisitive mind and a creator of change who loves to help wherever possible,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith a track record of innovation, entrepreneurialism, strategic decision making, capital raising and investing, my greatest gift is story telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m excited to put the spotlight on remarkable WA innovations so they can receive the funding, support and recognition they deserve,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt is my hope that the innovations we share in the show will shape a better tomorrow for all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a pipeline of support for entrepreneurial individuals just like Brad, there is a Curtin program to suit you. For more information please visit  Entrepreneurship at Curtin <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/engage\/entrepreneurs\/\">here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\"><strong>Author | Carmelle Wilkinson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>___<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<mimas-block \n        block-name=\"accordion\"\n        role=\"complementary\"\n        aria-label=\"Accordion content\"\n        data-segment=\"all\">\n\n                \n\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Share-your-thoughts-with-us\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Share-your-thoughts-with-us\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Share-your-thoughts-with-us\">Share your thoughts with us<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Share-your-thoughts-with-us\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"forminator-ui forminator-custom-form forminator-custom-form-8546   forminator_ajax\" data-forminator-render=\"0\" data-form=\"forminator-module-8546\" data-uid=\"69d0662bd794f\"><br\/><\/div><form\r\n\t\t\t\tid=\"forminator-module-8546\"\r\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"forminator-ui forminator-custom-form forminator-custom-form-8546   forminator_ajax\"\r\n\t\t\t\tmethod=\"post\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-forminator-render=\"0\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-form-id=\"8546\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-design=\"none\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-color-option=\"default\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-grid=\"open\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-uid=\"69d0662bd794f\"\r\n\t\t\t><div role=\"alert\" aria-live=\"polite\" class=\"forminator-response-message forminator-error\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div><div class=\"forminator-row\"><div id=\"name-1\" class=\"forminator-field-name forminator-col forminator-col-12 \"><div class=\"forminator-field\"><label for=\"forminator-field-name-1_69d0662bd794f\" id=\"forminator-field-name-1_69d0662bd794f-label\" class=\"forminator-label\">Name <span class=\"forminator-required\">*<\/span><\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"name-1\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"E.g. 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ways of working fuelled his passion and 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