Heather Bonney, daughter of the late AEPMA Life Member, Frank Bonney (1928 – 2012), has recently written a book about her father. Here, she writes about her father’s times in the pest management industry prior to his career as a champion water skier:-
“Dad’s interest in pest control started when he was very young when he went to work for his uncle Alan Smith at his dairy farm in Gippsland, Dandenong. He later branched out with his brothers and ventured towards Berri, South Australia with Uncle Harold and set up F L Bonney (later Adelaide Pest Control) in Walkerville South Australia. He then headed for Mildura where he met and married my mum. There was a double wedding as his brother, Claude married my mum’s sister (my Auntie). At this time, my dad and Uncle Claude set up Bonney Bros Pest Control.
In 1955, dad came to Perth with his two uncles (his mum’s brothers), Lisle and Reg Smith from north west Tasmania, and set up a business called Household Pest Control (HPC). He built a 
house in Applecross on 806 Canning Highway (corner of Alness Street ) where he had two big bold red yellow and white diamond shaped HPC Pest Control signs erected on two main highways to promote the new HPC Pest Control business in Victoria Park. This grew into a mega Pest Control Bonney Empire with over 55 vehicles and even a plane for spraying the crops up north.
A trip to America around this time to attend the Annual Pest Control Convention in Louisville, Kentucky taught him of new and innovative ways to run his business. HPC were one of the first companies to use their own designed stainless steel cylinders which had been used by the Air Force during the war. It was also while in America that he learned of a correspondence course, which would allow them to branch out into all domestic pests, rather than just concentrating on termites.
Dad and his uncle took the course, which led to contracts with most of the huge poultry farms where they desperately needed to eradicate rodents. Dad was able to come up with a very successful method of keeping the rat population down to a minimum.
In 1973, Dad eventually bought out his two uncles to take over the business as sole proprietor along with his two children. His son, Noel Bonney worked as his accountant and I worked as his personal Secretary and Maintenance programmer. Along with ex City Motors Car/Sales Manager Ray Nolan whom he brought along to the company, it grew into a big empire! I can
remember as young kids always washing down the 30 vehicles in winter and summer for pocket money. Dad drove a bit of a hard bargain but we loved it! It was fun on a Friday to see all the consultants and staff who would make a real fuss of us.
Around this time, Dad also started lecturing in pest control at local schools and colleges and was the Head of the Pest Control faculty.
Dad sold out to Rentokil Pest Control UK in 1978 along with the business and property at Victoria Park, Western Australia.
He then proceeded to build an award winning and one of the most unusual architectural structural round circular houses in Australia (with a tall palm tree growing up the centre) along the Swan River in Attadale on Burke Drive where I still reside now.
After selling up in the Pest Control industry, he proceeded to have the vision to build a five man made purpose built waterski park in Baldivis Western Australia.
The waterski park has hosted many national and international events and now has successful Paintball and Jetboat racing facilities leased out on the 250 acre property on St Albans Road Baldivis. Dad was 7 times National Australian Slalom Champion and one time International Senior Champion.”
Heather’s book “Waterskiing Legend. Life and Times of Frank Bonney” is available at www.amazon.com. Part of the proceeds will go to the Make a Wish Foundation for sick children. For more information, please see www.waterskiingbook.com.
Heather would love to hear from anyone who knew her dad heatherbonney@hotmail.com.
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