Toowoomba inventors named finalists in national awards

A PIONEERING twist on a shovel and a green batch of concrete – both with origins in Toowoomba – are finalists in a competition rewarding innovation.

Peter Nicol with his Prong, a finalist in the Australian Innovation Challenge. Picture: Bev Lacey

A PIONEERING twist on a shovel and a green batch of concrete - both with origins in Toowoomba - are finalists in an Australian-wide competition rewarding innovation.

Home gardener-turned-inventor Peter Nicol and Toowoomba family the Wagners will travel to Canberra next Thursday to find out if they are winners in The Australian Innovation Challenge.

The Wagners, represented by company director Joe Wagner, are finalists in the Innovation Challenge for their earth-friendly concrete.

The "green" concrete is made using waste from iron and steel plants and coal-fired power stations.

Mr Nicol is a finalist in the Backyard Innovation category for his groundbreaking tool, the Prong.

It was invented after he struggled to find a tool that could handle the tough terrain and resilient weeds found in his backyard on the Toowoomba Range.

"I started getting angry with garden tools a long time ago," he said.

Over the years, there have been three versions of the Prong - the Long Prong, Lady Prong and Son of Prong.

Mr Nicol said since becoming a finalist in the Innovation Challenge, demand for his invention had soared.

Find out more about Mr Nicol's Prong at www.prong.com.au

Originally published as Toowoomba inventors named finalists in national awards