All entrants in this year's awards will need to produce an idea that helps with the challenges faced by emergency services personnel in Australia and across the world.

New awards chairman and Australian Turntable Company executive chairman Paul Chapman believes the new direction can help make Bendigo a centre of excellence for innovation and invention.

This direction has the potential to build further on the great reputation the Bendigo Inventor Awards have built since their inception.

The focus on emergency services both in Australia and globally also has the potential to attract international interest to the awards which can only benefit the city's reputation.

Girton Grammar School student Xavier Dole was invited to present his idea from last year's Bendigo Inventor Awards to Toyota Australia chiefs in Melbourne this week.

What a great honour and clear proof the Bendigo Inventor Awards have the potential to open important doors for participants.

Let's hope the Bendigo Inventor Awards prove popular this year and we see plenty of inventions.

Rod Case, editor