Matthew Connolly

Founder & CEO WatchTowers Networks @WatchT0wers – building AI bushfire detection and situational awareness with fire agencies · Husband to Shbeena · Dad to Esha

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

1/5
This account started as a place where I wrote about consumer tech. Then life happened: I left big corporate, spun out WatchTowers, and spent years with my head down in fire tech and survival mode.

Now I want this feed to reflect the whole picture.

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

@elonmusk lol - please just give @Jason a little cyber scare and do no harm to stop him acting like a menace and unintentionally promoting this to the masses

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

The timelapses in the bottom half of this collage are from Square Knob, Galore Hill and Mt Flakney WatchTowers scanning across the Riverina district. Along with detecting and monitoring some of the fire activity you're hearing about - capturing some those beautiful heavy orange Riverina sunsets.

Our role is simple right now: be on the ground where the risk is rising, keep the hardware running, and give @NSWRFS crews as much early warning and context as we can.

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

Southern NSW and Victoria are heading into a pretty savage run of heat and #bushfire weather this week.​

Yesterday was all Riverina: Wagga Wagga → Narrandera → up on Square Knob Hill with the local RFS team, making sure our mobile WatchTower trailer and camera network are ready to do their job.

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

@Danodi_j6 @NefflynBe LOL

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

@itsalvinhuang Weekly no-work zone is gold – protects family blocks when the build pulls. Gym's my daily recharge for the same reason. Solid rhythm.

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

5/5
If you’re building something and raising a family at the same time, what would you actually find useful to see here?

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

1/5
This account started as a place where I wrote about consumer tech. Then life happened: I left big corporate, spun out WatchTowers, and spent years with my head down in fire tech and survival mode.

Now I want this feed to reflect the whole picture.

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

4/5
What you’ll see here in 2026:
- Lessons from building fire tech with agencies
- The honest side of trying not to disappear from my family while I do it
- The health systems I lean on to not burn out (again)

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

Three years ago, we envisioned AI as a game-changer for emergency services—not just a tech promise, but a real tool in the field that supported our first-responders - not just adding to the noise.

Partnering with Alchera X to bring FireScout AI into WatchTowers Command has made that vision reality, with over 1,000 detections proving its impact. This is only the beginning—excited for what’s ahead and the evolution of this technology.

Check out the full story in our latest blog below👇🏻

[WatchTowers Networks @WATCHT0WERS]

🔥 1,000+ real fire events detected
🎥 AI-powered alerts from live camera feeds
🤝 Built in partnership with Alchera

FireScout + WatchTowers = faster, smarter response.

Read how it works: https://t.co/ACdkm3rY06

#FireSafety #WatchTowers #WildfireTech #EmergencyResponse

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

🔄 Full Circle Moment 🔄

Years ago, when I was at @Optus, I had the privilege of contributing to the foundation of what would become the @ourANU Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence. Fast forward to now, and it's with immense pride that I see WatchTowers Networks, a vision born from my passion for this mission and our incredible first responders, participating as an industry partner in their amazing work.

[WatchTowers Networks @WATCHT0WERS]

🚀 Honoured to be part of @ourANU @BushfireRCoE 2024 Tech Demo Day! Showcased our mobile Command station with @ACT_ESA & @ACTRFS , highlighting how our tech aids in real-time fire management. A day of #bushfire #innovation & #collaboration!

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

After a three-year journey largely behind the scenes, I'm excited to reconnect with each of you on Twitter.

Yes, I know I fell off the face of the earth, but realistically I just moved to Canberra 😳 Many have wondered where I've vanished to, and today, I'm excited to share the adventure I've been on.

I've been pouring my heart and mind into creating something that could truly make a difference - @WATCHT0WERS . Our mission is simple yet profound: to revolutionise wildfire 🔥 management and public safety, not just here in Australia but globally. We're about giving real-time, actionable intelligence to those on the front lines of fire management and the communities they protect.

Building #WatchTowersNetworks has been like nurturing a vision from a spark to a flame. We’ve developed technology that acts as an early warning system, a community safety net, and a partner to our brave first responders.

I've missed being active here, but the time was ripe to focus silently on our innovation. Now, as we emerge from stealth mode, I'm eager to share our journey with you.

🙋🏻‍♂️ Here's where you come in: If you've ever cared about environmental safety, community protection, or the power of technology to save lives, I invite you to follow the WatchTowers Networks LinkedIn page. We have some exciting announcements on the horizon.

Let's reconnect, share insights, a beer/coffee, and perhaps explore how we can collaborate for the greater good. Because when it comes to safety, we're all in this together.

👉🏻Follow WatchTowers Networks for the latest updates and join us in making a real impact.👈🏻

On a personal note: To my close friends and colleagues who I've missed, apologies for the radio silence – I've been in full-on 'head down, bum up' build 👷🏻‍♂️ mode. But fear not, I've emerged from my hole and I'm back with stories to share.

Let's catch up.

[WatchTowers Networks @WATCHT0WERS]

🚨 WatchTowers Networks: Safeguarding Australia's Horizons 📷🇦🇺
Our network is expanding, and soon, so will our impact. Follow us for the latest on our mission to innovate fire safety.
#WatchTowersNetworks #FireSafety #WildfireTech

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

@elpresi_1 No your pain all too well, except we're at 5mths in so it's @daveandava

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

@riskybusiness @Optus

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

Hats-off to @Woolworths, and to all their staff for putting up with the hysteria of us lunatics.

Experienced this first hand with my baby girl strapped to me Saturday morning watching an elderly couple come into WW to get their essentials #NothingLeft

[Woolworths @woolworths]

We’re launching a dedicated shopping hour in our stores to help support the needs of the elderly & people with disability in the community. From tomorrow until at least friday, we’ll be opening exclusively for them to shop from 7-8am, where permitted.

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

This is a showcase for what competent and decisive leadership looks like in a crisis. @RepKatiePorter 👏🏻 You are a role model for all politicians in these times in your articulate and unwavering approach to do what is right and #GetShitDone

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

@mvaede @jockowillink @NickSpalding @MAureliusQuote @KateRaworth Cheers Mikael, just watched @KateRaworth's TEDTalk on the matter, v. interesting - sample D/L done, will give it a read

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

People will read again - Joined the club & got myself one of these. Set myself a task of no more TV and reading 3 #books simultaneously (weekly 😂 - with a newborn)

First three books down for the year

1)#Inspo 2)#Reflective 3)#Fiction

Always on the hunt for #booksuggestions

[Matthew Connolly @CONNOiSM]

It's finally raining in Sydney, #Australia and up and down the east coast.
Hopefully some reprieve for the RFS and Forces dealing with #AustralianWildFires