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The New Inventors

Deciding the winner of these three inventions are: agricultural scientist Chris Russell, science broadcaster Bernie Hobbs, and designer and inventor Sally Dominguez.

Inventions featured on the program:

MECHANICAL BOAT STACKER – by inventor Douglas Lumsden from ACT

When rowing boats aren’t gliding down a river they need to be properly stored. The problem is they are usually stored above head height, sometimes up to 6 metres high, and no one wants to have a row boat crash on to their heads from 6 metres!

After watching people attempt to store and retrieve rowing boats and seeing the fear on their faces, Douglas Lumsden thought there had to be a better way. He also wanted to make it easier for smaller and younger people to enjoy rowing without struggling to get their boat out or in after a row. The Mechanical Boat Stacker electronically moves stored row boats up or down so they can be easily stored and retrieved, increasing safety and maximising available space.

McHITCH – by inventor Joe McGuiness from NSW

If you’ve ever towed a caravan and ended up with a headache at the end of the journey chances are it was a result of the constant clanging and banging of the tow coupling. Even hardcore 4WD drivers become stressed out, and the wear and tear that occurs on regular couplings can jeopardise safety.

After numerous trips crossing the continent to Perth and back to his NSW home, car racing enthusiast Joe McGuiness grew tired of the wear and tear on his traditional coupling, so he began searching for something better. When he couldn't find anything he decided to make it himself, and the McHitch was born. The McHitch eliminates noise and enhances flexibility by separating the point of attachment from the point of movement at the coupling.

TOTAL BODY MASTER – by inventor Charlie Boxall from QLD

If you’re in a wheelchair, staying fit is already a challenge, but fitness equipment just isn’t made for people in wheelchairs. The few machines developed specifically to accommodate people with a disability are expensive and are rarely available in an average gym. Charlie Boxall has a long history in physical fitness. He has a degree in Human Movement Body Mechanics, ran a gym for many years, and was Natural Mr Australia four times.