In a world more connected than ever, many older Australians remain profoundly isolated. But two inspiring innovations are changing that – one printed page and one television screen at a time.
Tackling a Growing Problem
Social isolation among seniors is more than just loneliness – it’s a critical public health issue that affects mental health, physical wellbeing, cognitive function, and even heart health. At Brightwater, we see this reality every day. We provide home care to over 2,000 seniors across Perth, and for many, their Brightwater care team member – whether it’s a cleaner, physio, or support worker – may be the only person they see all week.
Australians over 75 report higher levels of loneliness than any other age group, and the rise of digital communication hasn’t solved the problem. In fact, many older adults remain disconnected due to the ‘digital divide’ – a lack of familiarity, training and confidence using new technologies like social media. As an organisation committed to pursuing the dignity of independence, we believe our clients shouldn’t just survive at home – they should thrive, with genuine connections to the people and experiences that matter most.
That’s why the Tech Innovate Challenge was created.Hacking for Connection
Hosted by Brightwater, the Tech Innovate Challenge brought together more than 100 participants – innovators, students, start-ups, researchers, and aged care professionals – all driven by one purpose: to co-create technology that genuinely reduces social isolation for older people.
Over a four-month journey filled with human-centred design workshops, interviews with aged care residents, rapid prototyping, and a final pitch night, some extraordinary ideas came to life. And among them, two stood out for their simplicity, warmth, and potential for real-world impact.
Pigeon Tales: Social Media, Reimagined for Seniors
Why the Hackathon Mattered
For the team behind Pigeon Tales, the challenge resonated deeply.
"As socially minded entrepreneurs, this hackathon was important to us because we're driven to better our community and tackle some of the world's big problems," said co-founder Steven.
"This particular challenge resonated on a personal level. I’ve volunteered as an intergenerational program coordinator and crisis supporter at Lifeline WA. That experience gave me a deep appreciation for the struggles many older people face, particularly loneliness and isolation."
His co-founder James echoed the sentiment:
"I’ve worked extensively with not-for-profits, so working with an organisation like Brightwater felt like a natural extension of our shared values. Beyond the social impact, we’re also serial entrepreneurs and love the process of building a business from a powerful idea. This challenge aligned perfectly with our work at Zentient, the social enterprise we co-founded."
Pigeon Tales is Born
Pigeon Tales transforms the endless stream of digital family moments that now live on social media – photos, messages, updates – into a beautiful, personalized newspaper delivered straight to an older person’s door. For seniors who don’t use smartphones or social media, it’s a tangible way to stay emotionally connected to their loved ones.
This thoughtful innovation takes the fragmented nature of social media content and reassembles it into a narrative that’s familiar, meaningful, and easy to enjoy. It turns technology into something tactile, warm, and accessible – bringing joy, not overwhelm.
"Pigeon Tales brings the everyday stories back into the lives of older Australians – no Wi-Fi or screens required."
A Standout Experience
The Pigeon Tales team described the Tech Innovate Challenge as one of the best hackathons they’ve ever participated in.
"We loved it. The experience was genuinely incredible, and we felt thoroughly supported from start to finish," Steven said.
"The Brightwater team – Nicola, Andre, Dayna and Wendy – were exceptional. Their support made our research process seamless and helped us deeply understand the needs of Brightwater and its participants."
From workshops to the final pitch, the experience was both smooth and meaningful:
"The challenge was well-conceived, the process and timeline were great, and presenting our idea was a highlight. We've taken part in – and won – many hackathons before, and this was truly a pleasure."
What's Next for Pigeon Tales?
The team is wasting no time turning their idea into reality.
"We’re actively continuing development and have ramped up our efforts," said Steven.
"We’re excited to explore a potential collaboration with Brightwater to run an initial trial.”
Affinity Cube: Face-to-Face, Effortlessly
While video calling has become second nature to most, many seniors still find it daunting. Affinity Cube changes that by using a device that plugs directly into their television – no new screens, no apps to install, and no remotes to fuss with.
The result? Effortless video calls that make it feel like loved ones are right there in the living room. With smart scheduling features and a totally intuitive interface, Affinity Cube was designed with simplicity in mind.
It’s not just about communication – it’s about making meaningful moments more frequent, accessible, and joyful. Lowering the tech barrier and raising the emotional connection – brings families closer with the push of a button.
A Brighter Future for Older Australians
The Tech Innovate Challenge proved that when innovation meets empathy, remarkable things can happen. Pigeon Tales and Affinity Cube are more than clever inventions – they’re compassionate responses to a very real human need.
And perhaps best of all, they remind us that inclusion isn't just about digital access – it’s about designing with heart.
