Entries for Pest Manager of the Year Awards have been extended to now close on 6th May 2016.

BASF is proud to be the national sponsor of the Pest Manager of the Year Awards, which recognises pest control businesses that are demonstrating exceptional professionalism in Australia’s urban and commercial pest management industry. 

National Commercial Manager for BASF’s Agriculture division, Stewart Paterson, said the company is keen to help raise the industry standard: “At BASF, we want to see the highest standards across Australia’s pest control industry, which is why we have been long-standing members of AEPMA and have been sponsoring the Pest Manager of the Year Awards consecutively for more than five years. 

“The Awards provide a great opportunity for businesses to measure their performance against the rest of the industry. Going through the nomination process really encourages business owners and employees to take a step back and look at their business through a different lens,” he said.  

Now is a great opportunity to put your entry in for the Pest Manager of the Year competition.  Open to any pest control business operating in Australia – AEPMA MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS are welcome to enter.

Entry forms and guidelines are attached or can be found on the AEPMA website. Entries close by COB 6th May 2016.  Don't forget to send in your nomination forms via mail, fax (07 3268 4213) or email to info@aepma.com.au. 

With the FAOPMA 2016 conference fast approaching it’s time to turn the spotlight on the beautiful Gold Coast and all it has to offer - Sea World Resort and the Gold Coast provide the perfect backdrop to bring the family!  

Watch the iconic Surf Lifesavers patrolling the beaches, tour a World Heritage listed rainforest, and peruse through outdoor markets and stylish boutiques all in a day full of lively adventure.  

Enjoy the excitement of the biggest and best theme park rides, learn to surf, or dine on the freshest local produce while overlooking the vibrant colours of the Pacific Ocean. And as the sun sets over this city by the sea, cruise through the calm marinas and islands of the Broadwater as the Gold Coast shines through the night.    (Read more)  

From the laboratories at Sydney University - AEPMA Distinguished Associates David Lilly and Stephen Doggett made news this month, with the release of David’s latest research into Bed Bugs.

David’s research helps to explain why bed bugs are so resilient to insecticides.  They have evolved thicker cuticles, which presumably slows down the penetration of insecticides into the insect, rendering them less effective.

Click here to view the recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald and see David’s interview.

The paper can be downloaded from: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0153302

Ensystex have just launched a totally new concept in rodenticide technology, Muskil Dual Active Rodenticide Blocks with Fluo-NP UV Tracking Technology. Muskil’s patented formulation uniquely blends two actives together, difenacoum and bromadiolone, to create a rodenticide that outperforms any other product in the market in terms of speed of kill, bait acceptance, and reduced risk to pets.

Mr Steve Broadbent, Regional Director for Ensystex explains, “The two actives combine together to create a synergistic effect with each dynamically intensifying the effects of the other, to create a more potent solution than either alone; yet at the same time achieving reduced risk to people and pets. Thus, by combining these two actives, we have created a unique product that kills the toughest rodents, including those resistant to anti-coagulant rodenticides.   (Read more)

The AEPMA NSW Branch will be hosting a special event on Friday 6th May 2016 at Agserv, Silverwater.  AEPMA members and non-members are welcome to join.  

The night will kick-off with a BBQ and refreshments at 4pm, followed at 5pm with special presentations by Martin Bowles, from NSW EPA on changes to NSW Licensing and then Keith Farrow from Rapids Training will update attendees on the important changes in the New Training Package.

A MUST ATTEND EVENT for any NSW pest managers, places are limited, so RSVP to the AEPMA National Office (info@aepma.com.au).

For more information, download the event invitation here.

The FWC (Fair Work Commission) has once again found an employee, who obviously engaged in misconduct, unfairly dismissed because of faults in a HR Manager’s approach to the disciplinary process.    

The employer held a disciplinary meeting with an employee to confront him about allegations of unauthorized use of a company fuel card and failure to document and charge for freight consignments. 

The operations manager conducted the meeting under the instructions of the HR manager, who had effectively made the decision to dismiss the employee. When the manager informed the employee that he was to be dismissed, he became abusive and the meeting was abruptly shut down.    (Read more)

A new incursion of fire ants has been detected near the Brisbane airport.

Genetic testing confirms these ants originated from the Southern United States and are not related to current or previous fire ant populations in Queensland. It’s likely the new fire ants arrived in freight sometime in the last two years, and thanks to a vigilant person who reported them to Biosecurity Queensland in September last year, we don’t think they’ve had time to spread far.

A new emergency response is underway to contain and eradicate the fire ants. All Australian states and territories have unanimously agreed to jointly fund the eradication. More than $910,000 has been allocated to contain and eradicate the new incursion of fire ants over a two-year period.    (Read more)

AEPMA’s Queensland and Victorian branches recently held their AGM’s, with office bearers elected for the ensuing 12 months.

Once again Shane Osbourne was elected branch Chairman for QLD, with Peter May elected as Secretary and John Graham was elected as the QLD representative on the AEPMA National Board.

In Victoria, Tommy Stewart was again elected Chairman and Victorian representative on the AEPMA National Board, with Emma Mendelson elected as Vice Chair and Rob Boschma elected as Secretary.

The NSW/ACT AGM will be held on 6th May, the WA AGM will be held on 18th May, with the SA AGM to follow shortly after this. 

Did you get some amazing or interesting photos whilst on inspections during the busy summer pest season?  Why not enter the AEPMA Photography Prize? There are 3 16GB Apple iPads up for grabs.

The AEPMA Photography Prize is for the best photograph of Australian Pests!

With entries now closing on 30 May 2016 - there's still time to submit your best photo.  Can't decide on a photo?  You can enter as many as you like!

Entries must relate to pest management and could include (but is not limited to):

Urban Pest Species, Pest Management Situations, People involved in pest management, damage caused by pests, etc.

Winners will be published on the AEPMA website, with an Exhibition to be held in September 2016.  For more information and to download the competition entry forms, terms & conditions, visit the AEPMA website.

In March 2016, the Natural Resources Commission (the Commission) released the draft report on pest animal management review.

This draft report has been prepared in response to a Terms of Reference from the Premier, which asked the Commission to review the management of pest animals in NSW across all land tenures for economic, environmental and social benefits.

The Commission now invites public submissions on the draft report, which aim to:

• address new and emerging risks by focusing on risk pathways and surveillance
• provide greater support to local communities through strengthened governance and planning, on-ground coordinators, stronger enforcement and expanding research efforts
• improve management approaches for feral deer, cats and horses.

For further information and to have your say, visit the Natural Resources Commission website for full details.  http://www.nrc.nsw.gov.au/pest-animal-management 

First IR Employment Training Seminar to be held in Dubbo

First IR Consultancy will be conducting a two and half hour seminar in Dubbo on the rights and responsibilities in the employment relationship under the current workplace relations framework.   

The seminar will cover the following employment matters:  

Employment basics:
•    Hiring/Firing  
•    NES/Awards/Enterprise Agreements 
•    Contract of Employment  
•    Dealing with change  
•    Varying rates of pay 
•    Varying hours of work  
•    Enterprise Bargaining   
•    Avoiding common traps  
•    Unfair Dismissal  
•    Employee complaints about treatment  
•    Employee complaints about entitlements   

WHEN: 15 June 2016  TIME: 9:30am—12pm   WHERE: Dubbo Railway Bowling Club (Sporties Dubbo) 101-103 Erskine Street, Dubbo 2830  COST: $55 pp including GST    

Register on the First IR website www.firstir.com.au/seminar

Many thanks to all members that have renewed their AEPMA membership for the 2016-17 membership year.  Most membership kits have now been sent out.

Unfortunately as at 1 May 2016, all members who have not renewed their membership will no longer have their company details visible to consumers via the AEPMA website - hurry for your last chance to renew and not miss out on this valuable benefit of AEPMA membership.
 
If you have not received your renewal notice or a membership kit, please contact the AEPMA national office immediately on 1300 307 114 or via email on info@aepma.com.au.

Not a member of AEPMA and interested in joining?  Click here to join online or contact the AEPMA National Office on 1300 307 114.

Have something to you want to add to the Newsletter?

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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