(You've read the headline, you already know - but we want to share the backstory with you. Stay with us.)
Since 1991, WAITTA has proudly backed Western Australia’s technology profession.
From our beginnings as the Western Australian Information Technology & Telecommunications Alliance, and through important connections with the Australian Computer Society and the Australian Information Industry Association among many, many others, we’ve always been here to provide a platform and pathway for Western Australian technology to be celebrated - both at home and beyond.
We've achieved a lot through the INCITE Awards, the Game Changer Awards and putt4dough, as well as being a central alliance that connects our region's broad and diverse technology sectors. It's a stewardship role we are humbled and privileged to hold.
Our success is 100% due to the people of this community. Western Australia is home to some of the brightest, most innovative talent in Australia.
Today, we're announcing a reimagined WAITTA that reaffirms that: People are at the very heart of our organisation, mission and vision. And our role is to make that message heard loud and clear.
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WAITTA's new name also comes with a new logo and brand colours, reflecting our reimagined purpose
Change isn't easy, but it's important. This is about ensuring our 34-year heritage and platform continues for the next generations of Western Australians who choose to work and join our profession.
Our Board of Directors has spent the past 18 months walking a journey of self-reflection, community consultation, and blue sky thinking to understand WAITTA's role - past, present, and what's to come.
Breaking it down, we sought to retain the WAITTA acronym to maintain brand recognition, and respect where we've come from.
We reflected on what the 'ITT' part of 'WAITTA' could stand for with this renewed direction.
In a workshop facilitated by friend of WAITTA Jeremy Chetty at the end of 2024, the question was posed: If we are to remain relevant and contemporary, what words could replace 'Information Technology and Telecommunications' in our current name that best reflect that?
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WAITTA Board Directors at the 2024 workshop with facilitator Jeremy Chetty (second from right) and INCITE Awards Chief Judge Glenn Butcher (centre) who provided an external perspective. |
Please note: AI was used to combine two photos taken as some members were obscured in both photos.
Unfortunately Secretary Gavin Bagley was obscured in both. Sorry Gav <3
We had tough conversations about WAITTA: How do people feel when engaging with our organisation, are we still relevant today, are we living up to the values and expectations the community has of us?
While we're still continuing to evolve (watch this space) we arrived at three words that shape where we've been, and where the profession is going:
Innovation. Technology. Talent.
The last of the three words - Talent - struck like a lightning bolt. It flips the perception that organisations exist to represent tools of the trade.
In reality, tools come and go but what remains are the people. People are the ones using technology innovations to make our ways of life better. And that is the common thread of our Alliance, programs and connections.
Through further strategy workshops, conversations, and a key engagement event held in March this year - attended by government leaders, industry stakeholders, representatives from business and academia - we received the community's glowing endorsement to take on the new name.
After a couple of bumps in the road, this journey culminated with the Western Australian Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety formally approving our name change 3 September 2025.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who took time to be part of the reimagination journey: founder Jim Ellis OAM, Patron Professor Lyn Beazley OA, industry leaders, many past Board Directors, sponsors, volunteers, partners and friends.
This is an exciting new chapter for WAITTA, as we celebrate 10 years of the Game Changer Awards program, 15 years of putt4dough, and in 2026 celebrate 35 years of the INCITE Awards.
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We're putting out an open call for you to join us. The easiest way to connect with WAITTA is subscribing to our newsletter - scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.
Our newsletter is WAITTA's primary communication channel where we will continue sharing updates of this new era for WAITTA, as well as all the things you know and love us for.
We're also investing more time and care into our beautiful new website you're reading this on, publishing articles and event listings to keep you informed and connected. If you've got something to share, get in touch - we'd love to hear from you.
We're investigating new pathways and programs, refreshing our values and ways of working, and like many in the not-for-profit sector, looking into new revenue streams to support what comes next.
Yes, this means we're looking into a membership model but want this to provide real value before launching. Global uncertainty has affected us here in Western Australia, too, but we will be honest, transparent and maintain integrity through whatever that membership program looks like.
The Board of Directors would like to especially thank former Board Directors who have been involved in this movement: Nathan Cole, Wayne Skeggs, Gloria Davis and Colin Janssen.
The name may be new, but our spirit hasn’t changed. We’ll keep building opportunities for students, startups, professionals, researchers and industry leaders.
Together, we’ll make sure WA’s technology community continues to thrive.
We can’t wait to share what’s next.
WAITTA acknowledges all Traditional Custodians across Western Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.