People
There are over 2,000 people who participate in GovHack in some way including volunteers, participants, government representatives, mentors, coaches and our fabulous GovHack event organisers. Participants hail from all walks of life and bring a mish mash of diversity and amazingness to the event!
Teams
We expect that you will be part of a team already, or will join a team at the start of the competition. You are allowed to compete as an individual, but we highly recommend you find other awesome people and join a team. There is a maximum size of 10 for a team. The best teams have a mix of skill sets. If you don’t have a team, find a local GovHack crew member who will help you meet others looking for a team.
If you don’t have a team then you can join the GovHack Connections event in your region to connect with other like minded participants to form a team. Check hackerspace.govhack.org/events for upcoming events. Slack also offers an opportunity to meet GovHack participants and form teams.
We use Slack for event communications and team formation. Register for a Slack account at slack.govhack.org. To revisit our Slack workspace go to govhack.org/slack.
Wellbeing at GovHack
Taking care of yourself sounds pretty basic, but it’s surprisingly easy to forget over an intense 46-hour hackathon. Here are a few things to bear in mind.
Try not to get too stressed. It helps to set realistic expectations, and to focus on having something ready to demo – perfectionism and feature creep aren’t your friends at a hackathon. And don’t forget to back-up your work to avoid any last-minute panic.
Stretch!
Make sure you eat and drink regularly, and not just caffeinated drinks. Hydration is important.
Take breaks, go outside in the sunshine, tune out the world with headphones.
Meal breaks are the perfect time to take a real break and also make new friends or get fresh air.
Remember to take any medication that you need.
Get plenty of sleep. We don’t recommend being that person who works all night and doesn’t sleep. This recommendation may be based on real life experience…of uh…a friend.
Photography, video and audio recording
GovHack is subject to extensive recording in video, audio and photographic form. By attending, you acknowledge and accept that you may be the subject of such recording, which may be shared through digital media in relation to GovHack events. We will seek to accommodate any specific wish not to be recorded, but can make no such guarantees.
Questions, comments, mentions, and cat GIFs can be directed to the National GovHack Twitter account (@GovHackAU), or to your local GovHack event account.
Social media
Twitter will be the primary social media platform that will be used and monitored throughout the event.
Handles and Hashtags
GovHack @GovHackAU — see our social media page for more
Please also share your photos of the event through Instagram tagged #GovHack, Flickr tagged #GovHack, or other channels! A list of our handles/hashtags can be found on our social media page and on our newsroom.
Public transport
Check your local event page on hackerspace hackerspace.govhack.org/events for information on getting there via public transport.
Parking
Check your local event page on hackerspace hackerspace.govhack.org/events for information on parking.
Security and building access
Check your local event page on hackerspace hackerspace.govhack.org/events for information on venue opening hours.
Volunteers will be onsite for every hour of the event. After hours, the building will be locked.
Neither the event organisers nor venue operators can accept responsibility for personal belongings left unattended onsite. If you don’t have a trusted person to look after your belongings, we recommend taking them with you if you leave the venue.
Occupational health and safety
OH&S refers to the policies, procedures, legislations and activities, which aim to protect the health and safety of people within a workplace. Specific ways to limit hazards to yourself or another person whilst participating in GovHack are listed below.
It is imperative that your health and safety is never compromised.
- If you have any existing injuries, inform a volunteer
- If you notice any hazards, report them immediately to a volunteer (e.g. water spillages)
- Minimise the risk of tripping by getting a GovHack volunteer to place gaffer tape over cords, securing them to the floor
- Place tables and electrical items close to the power outlets whenever possible
- Bend your knees when you lift
- If you start to shake, put on some warmer clothes and/or slow down on the coffee/Red Bull
Think before you lift!
Manual handling occurs when you are lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving, holding, and restraining any person or thing. It’s unlikely you’ll have to lift anything heavy at this event – do you really need to be moving that? Check with a GovHack volunteer before moving anything larger than a laptop.
First aid
If a person is unconscious or requires an ambulance, immediately dial 000*. Get help to flag down a GovHack volunteer.
*In some venues such as large universities campus, they may instruct you to dial an onsite emergency number instead of 000. The university security will meet the ambulance at the entrance of the campus and direct them the quickest way to you.
Emergency procedures
Details of emergency procedures will be introduced to participants during induction and on display within the venue. Make yourself familiar with these procedures at any time you’re onsite.