The 2015 Rapid Solutions Risk Management Conference is just round the corner on 14th and 15th of August at Jupiter’s Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast.  Don’t forget to visit the AEPMA stand in the Exhibition Hall at the conference.

Highly anticipated at the event will be announcement, at the Gala Dinner, of Pest Manager of the Year for 2015 - once again thanks to our PMOY sponsor, BASF.

If you haven't already done so, registrations can be made at www.rapidsolutions.com.au/conference.

PelGar International is delighted to announce the acquisition of pesticide manufacturing company Agropharm Ltd.  Based in Penn, Buckinghamshire, Agropharm also has manufacturing and packing facilities in Telford, Shropshire. The launch of this strategic partnership took place on Thursday 7 May 2015.  

“Agropharm offers a wide range of quality products and marketing solutions for the retail, professional pest control, public health and crop protection markets,” explains Gareth Capel-Williams, Managing Director, PelGar International.  “This acquisition provides an excellent synergy with the PelGar product range and customer base. In particular, Agropharm’s natural pyrethrum range will help to boost our market share in the international pest control and agricultural sectors.”  (Read more)

We are very excited to announce that we have a new look website! The design has been made with usability in mind and we believe that the new look and feel will provide a friendlier and easier user experience.

In this digital age it is imperative that we stay current and compliant with Google’s regulations and it is for this reason that the new site has also been made responsive. With the significant increase in searches being done on mobile devices, Google looks favourably upon websites that have made this change as it allows the website to display in a mobile friendly format. If you have any feedback or comments please don’t hesitate to email us on info@aepma.com.au. 

Employers shouldn’t be too quick to celebrate the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) proposed model time off in lieu (TOIL) of overtime clause as this “big win” for employer flexibility may be hindered by the fine print.   

As part of the four yearly review of modern awards, the FWC Full Bench has set out a model TOIL clause. It purports to increase flexibility under the award system by removing barriers to negotiate TOIL between employers and their employees. The bench intends to insert this clause into the majority of modern awards that do not currently provide for TOIL.  (Read more)

Up to 600 homes in southeast Sydney will be checked for red fire ants as the mission to eradicate the brutal pest continues.

The insect, native to South America, was detected for the first time in NSW at Botany Port in November 2014. It is believed they came to Australia on a shipping container.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has since launched an eradication program and is now looking further afield to ensure there areUP to 600 homes in southeast Sydney will be checked for red fire ants as the mission to eradicate the brutal pest continues. no more nests.

DPI director of invasive plants and animals Dr Andrew Sanger said all known colonies had been treated. (Read more)

Residents of Maningrida, in the Northern Territory, found themselves in a scene reminiscent of a horror flick when a hoard of more than 25,000 venomous spiders suddenly descended upon their small town.

According to reports, the spiders belong to a newly discovered species of tarantula, which researchers have unofficially dubbed "diving tarantulas."

While it remains uncertain as to why these tarantulas invaded the town of Maningrida, local arachnologist Dr. Robert Raven believes the eight-legged creatures could have been attracted to the area in search of a possible source of food. (Read more)

An AEPMA NSW ACT State Council meeting was held on 20 July 2015 at the office of Ensystex.  The Chairman Patrick Legey welcomed the attendees including Life member Mr Greg Moon and Oliver Clarke (son of Shane Clarke). Oliver’s keen interest in Pestforce and Pest Management made him a welcome visitor and he contributed well to the Council’s meeting.  After the usual review of apologies and previous minutes, the meeting discussed such issues as Codes of Practice, Australian Standards, review of the Competency training package and much more.  (Read more)

An Australian businessman, who was on vacation in Fiji recently, has called for more media coverage on sick and needy persons.

Gordon Simms, a father of three and owner of a pest control business in Sydney, made the remark after he was inspired to help Jitendra Prasad, a special needs person living in Labasa.

He read Mr Prasad’s story (Telecom Lends Disabled Prasad A Helping Hand) in the Fiji Sun while holidaying with his family at the Warwick Fiji Resort and Spa at Korolevu.

“I was on holiday with my youngest son Cameron and my partner Frances,” Mr Simms said.

“We stayed a week at the Westin Denarau and then for a week at the Warwick. While at the Warwick, I was reading the Fiji Sun and came across the story about Jiten.

“I was touched by his story and just felt the need to help in some way,” he said.   (Read more)

The Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association (AEPMA) is looking for your help to identify the most innovative and exciting speakers for the 27th FAOPMA Conference 2016. The event will be held 14-16 September 2016 at SeaWorld Resort and Conference Centre in the Gold Coast.  

The theme of the conference is ‘Solving the Pest Managers’ Problems’.  Speakers and papers should address core studies and examples of difficult or interesting pest control situations that required a little bit more initiative and know-how than your average job.  The presentation may demonstrate the effectiveness of a particular product, or the innovative ideas of a pest management professional.

Presentations should be approximately 45 minutes in length with an additional 10 – 15 minutes for questions.

Speaker suggestions may include, but are not limited to:

• academics
• business owners
• technical experts
• consultants from within and outside the industry
• subject matter experts in sales, marketing, information technology, and human resources
• other “outside-of-the-box” ideas that no one has seen in the past

AEPMA welcomes both technical and business-related sessions. The information gathered in the application will help identify speakers and make decisions regarding the content of the program. Self-nominations are welcome.

Educational programs cannot be product- or vendor-specific. Educational sessions proposed for the FAOPMA Conference may focus on specific technology, methodology, or theory, but not on a sole manufacturer or product.

For any queries, please contact the AEPMA National Office at info@aepma.com.au

Last month marked the 80th anniversary of the fateful decision to introduce cane toads into Queensland.

To mark the occasion, The Brisbane Times compiled a comprehensive list of 80 historic, scientific and quirky facts about one of our most recognised, and most hated, creatures.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/80-facts-to-mark-80-years-of-cane-toads-20150625-ghxwo9.html#ixzz3h3GZzRO4

We are advised by our sister organization in the UK that “Pest” Magazine is available online.  To view the latest issue, please click here.

 

 

 

 

It’s time to introduce the next of our exceptional Life Members…..

Roland Hovey began his working career in 1964 as a clerk with a firm of Public Accountants in Brisbane, following his then ambition to qualify as an accountant.

After working there for a year or so, he went on to work as a labourer on a bridge construction site, which led to him being recruited to do the book keeping because of his accounting experience.

Through a friend, he heard of a position being advertised for an accountant with a pest control business called Amalgamated Pest Control.  He had never heard of the company but as he was looking for employment, he decided to apply.  It was 1970 and so began his career in Pest Control. (Read More)

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AEPMA welcomes any contributions or suggestions for articles that are relevant to the industry.  Simply forward your article or suggestion to kirsten.winlaw@aepma.com.au.

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