Media releases

Students from Federation University Australia have developed a fun way to use interactive technology to help evoke positive memories, feelings and sensations for people living with dementia. 

The project led by final year Bachelor of Information Technology (IT) students Seth Leslie and Kurt Horsley is being used to enrich the sensory experience of visitors to Ballarat’s Dementia Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail. 

By scanning QR codes placed near life-like native animals, visitors are linked to a new website www.biggerhearts.com.au featuring information about the animals and the sounds they make. They can also participate in an interactive story about ‘Nanna Kookaburra’ written and narrated by Seth.

‘Nanna Kookaburra’ does not know where she is and needs the help of her animal friends to find her way home. Participants must locate all the animals along the trail to complete the story and receive a virtual congratulations. 

The Chair of Bigger Hearts Dementia Alliance Ballarat Anne Tudor said sensory experiences like this can be incredibly beneficial for people living with dementia by gently evoking positive memories, feelings, and sensations. She said the project created by Seth and Kurt could be enjoyed by people of all ages and she thanked the students for their amazing work.

The trail at Woowookarung Regional Park provides people living with dementia with a gentle and inclusive way to see, smell touch and hear nature. 

Anyone interested in suggesting an IT project for students to work on in 2022 can contact Dr Kathleen Keogh at k.keogh@federation.edu.au

Quotes attributable to Senior Lecturer and Program Coordinator, School of Engineering, IT and Physical Sciences Dr Kathleen Keogh 

“We are proud of the work demonstrated by Kurt and Seth. The project has provided them with an opportunity to apply the skills developed throughout their degree toward solving a real problem. The project is an excellent example of how the work we do at Federation makes a positive impact on the communities we serve.&rdquo

Quotes attributable to Bachelor of Information Technology student Seth Leslie

“It’s been wonderful to work on a project where I can tackle technical challenges as well as write and narrate a fun interactive story that will have real benefits for people living with dementia.”

Quotes attributable to Bachelor of Information Technology (Professional Practice) student Kurt Horsley (who is completing an IBM internship) 

“Working on this project has been an incredible journey. I am extremely proud of what we achieved. The project has helped me enhance my technical and non-technical skills while allowing me the chance to give back to the community in a positive way.” 

Quotes attributable to Bigger Hearts Dementia Alliance Ballarat Chair Anne Tudor 

“Seth and Kurt have spent an enormous amount of time on this project and have produced a high quality technical, professional and valuable human-interest outcome. They have created something special which will be enjoyed by the young and not so young and those impacted or not by dementia.”