The Rapid Solutions conference has further cemented its reputation, as the event that pest managers cannot afford to miss.

More than 450 people flocked in from all around Australia and South-East Asia to attend the event at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast from 10 to 13 August. More than 310 owners, technicians and support staff representing 200+ pest management and building inspection businesses check in. This was in addition to the many presenters, sponsors and the largest contingent of exhibitors to date. 

Rapid Solutions CEO, Belinda Smith, said that the success of the event was testament to the pest management industry’s ongoing commitment to training and quality service.

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A SYDNEY homeowner who bought a house only to discover more than $100,000 worth of damage has warned property-hunters to pay closer attention to their pre-purchase inspection reports.

The buyer, who asked not to be identified, purchased the two-bedroom, one-bathroom 1920s terrace in St Peters in Sydney’s inner west last year for nearly $1 million.
A building and pest report, provided by the selling agent, did not highlight any significant issues, but noted that the building inspector had been unable to access parts of the property. A second report found significant termite damage, structural damage and borer damage.

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More employers are realising the damage that can be caused to their reputation and business generally by adverse social media posts. Employees are expressing opinions, frustrations, gossip and abuse via social media affecting their employers and their colleagues. What was once perhaps confined to a few mates in a bar after work, can now be literally broadcast endlessly. The wider reach afforded to individuals because of IT developments in recent years has significantly extended the reach of what used to be no more than a blowhard’s venting. 

But questions immediately arise about freedom of speech and privacy – especially the argument “what I do in my own time is not my boss’ business”. Trouble is, that just isn’t so. 

Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram et al might be new, but the ability of an employer to have influence on an employee’s private life is not..

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In May this year, I was lucky enough to attend a tour of the Bayer Manufacturing site in Pinkenba, Brisbane Queensland with long time Bayer customer, Damien Bishop of Cureall Pest Control.  What we saw was amazing to say the least! Seeing just how much innovation and R&D goes into the production of Bayer products. From little touches such as a custom-built temperature-controlled  room to store and protect labels, all the way to the environmentally responsible approach of redirecting collected rainwater at a cleaner level back in to the Brisbane river.   I am proud to work for a company that invests heavily in the future of Australia and in the Pest Control Industry.

There are two formulation sites in Australia, the other being in Kwinana, Western Australia. The head office of Environmental Science is located in Hawthorn East, Victoria.

Damien commented that the passion from the staff was evident from the thoroughness of their work, the cleanliness of their work stations and the commitment to Quality Assurance. The site was one of the cleanest commercial facilities he had ever seen, rivalling that of high end food production plants. 

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On Sunday 30 July, BASF employees hit the streets for the annual Run Melbourne event in support of The Smith Family.

Over 50 BASF runners and walkers were joined by 30 family and friends to take part in the 6km and 10km event, leaving from Federation Square, around the botanical gardens and over to Birrarung Marr.

David Hawkins, Chairman and Managing Director, BASF Australia and New Zealand, who took on the 6km challenge with his 8 year old daughter said "it was great to get out and about with our colleagues and their families to take in the sites of Melbourne, while raising additional funds for The Smith Family".

BASF supports The Smith Family's Learning for Life and Let's Count programs, to help provide educational support to students from a disadvantaged background and encourage an interest in STEM from a young age.

Registrations available to Australian Delegates through AEPMA

A reminder to any Australian delegates interested in attending the FAOPMA Conference and Pest Summit Series, held from 22-24 November 2017 in Chang Mai Thailand. Registrations can only be made via the AEPMA National Office, simply click here to download the registration form and return with you payment via email to the AEPMA National Office (info@aepma.com.au).   Further information about conference program and events, can be found on the FAOPMA 2017 website.  Registrations must be received by 30 September 2017.

AEPMA will be hosting a dinner for Australian delegates and their partners on the 22nd November, which has kindly been sponsored by Ensystex and Sherwood Chemicals Australasia.   Further details to follow shortly.

As part of the FAOPMA Pest Summit 2017 week in Thailand, Sherwood Chemicals would like to invite all Australian Pest Managers to join them on the 21st November for a day tour at their facility in Bangkok before heading to Chiang Mai for the FAOPMA Pest Summit 2017.  They will be having a few drinks on the 20th November in Bangkok and then meet on the morning of the 21st to take Australian PCO’s for a tour of our factory.

Further information can be found by downloading the Factory Tour flyer.  Any interested paes should contact Elton Arderne directly on earderne@sherwoodchemicals.com.au

Stratton Finance was established by Rob Chaloner in 1998, operating out of a small office at the rear of a Melbourne Land Rover dealership.

The one-person operation initially relied on referrals from the dealership, but word of mouth quickly spread and with rapid growth meant the company soon started employing additional staff to help meet the demand.

Strong growth continued over the following years, with Stratton Finance establishing itself as one of Australia's leading car finance brokers as well as greatly expanding the range of services offered to its clients. In 2005 the company expanded its local presence into Queensland with the opening of a new office in Brisbane.

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Dear Colleagues,

Profs Dini Miller, Chow-Yang Lee and myself are the editors on a new academic text on bed bugs, titled 'Advances in Biology and Management of Modern Bed Bugs". This is the first academic text since Robert Usinger's seminal text in 1966. There are more than 60 contributors and 48 chapters.

More details closer to the release date. We are hoping to have a preliminary copy at this years Entomological Society of America in Denver and at FAOPMA in Chiang Mai. Both events are in November.

Yours sincerely
Stephen

Stephen L. Doggett | Director & Senior Hospital Scientist | Department of Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology | ICPMR (Level 3) | Westmead Hospital 

Congratulation goes to Heiko Kaiser from Designed-2-Kill , who won a free conference delegate registration to the AEPMA 2018 Conference in our recent "Business Card" Competition at the Rapid Solutions Conference.

AEPMA welcomes any contributions or suggestions for articles that you feel are relevant to the industry. Simply forward to info@aepma.com.au.

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• Pestech 2017 - July - September 2017
• ​AEPMA VIC Branch AGM - 7th September 2017
• FAOPMA 2017 - Chang Mai, Thailand
• SAVE THE DATE!  AEPMA 2018 National Conference on the Gold Coast - 19-21 September 2018