Welcome
 
Welcome to the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association June 2018 edition.  Please read for more details below or visit our website for online version
AEPMA Conference - REGISTER NOW & SAVE!!!

With the AEPMA Conference fast approaching, now’s the time to REGISTER & SAVE

Attractive EARLYBIRD rates are now available.  Full delegate packages starting at $425 for members and $450 for non-members with further savings for 2 or more delegates.  

Don’t delay! Secure your place early - BOOK NOW & SAVE!!  For more information, and to register, simply visit the AEPMA Conference Website (https://aepma.com.au/conference), or download the attached registration form, complete and return with your payment to the AEPMA National Office.   

Vale Doug Howick

Charles Douglas Howick, born April 9, 1935 in Twickenham, London, and sadly passed away in Melbourne on the June 1, 2018 after a short illness. His loved and loving wife Sigrid was by his side. A private cremation, followed by a Wake, was held on the 8th of June. It was a wonderful tribute to Doug, Sigrid and their family. Attendees from WA, SA, NT, QLD, NSW and Victoria spent a few hours reminiscing on Doug-stories. Doug’s passing leaves a deep void in our hearts and indeed our industry and for you to better understand his many achievements. we have included an excerpt of the obituary, written by Jim Bowden and Ion Staunton.

Click here to read full article.

Pest Manager of the Year: Deadline extended

The closing date for submitting your entries for the 2018 Pest Manager of the Year Awards, has now been extended to the 27th of July, 2018.

Once again organised by AEPMA and sponsored by both AEPMA and BASF, the awards will be made to pest management companies in four categories:
 
• Companies that employ more than 10 people, 
• Fewer than 10 people 
• Fewer than 3 people; and
• Companies of any size operating in the South Pacific

The winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner at the AEPMA Conference in September 2018. Entry forms should be forwarded by COB 27th July 2018 to the AEPMA National Office via email to info@aepma.com.au or fax 07 3268 4213. More information is available on the AEPMA website.
AEPMA Victorian Branch gather for informative afternoon meeting

The Victorian AEPMA branch held its last meeting at Pest IT on the 21st of June and, for the seconded consecutive meeting, had a great turn out from members and industry stakeholders including staff members for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Peter McCarthy gave a quick talk on modern rodent control management systems before Kathryn from DHHS gave us some updates on what their department is up to. 
As always there is a broad array of subjects discussed going from declaration of shire councils to inappropriate product use to the new field biologist course and the CoP for Termite management.

The AEPMA branch meetings are a great opportunity to:
  • Meet other members from the industry and share ideas and knowledge in a friendly environment,
  • Keep your finger on the pulse of the industry and be a head of the curb in modern pest control management, and
  • Contribute to our industry and help shape its direction. 
Members and non-members are welcome and encouraged, the next meeting will be at the Globe Melbourne office, Thursday October 11th at 2pm. I hope to see you there.

Rob Boschma
Victorian AEPMA Chair
Bayer Excellence Award

The Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers Associations (FAOPMA) and the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association (AEPMA), together with Bayer are pleased to announce a new award for Excellence for the managed Pest Management Industry. 
 
The President of FAOPMA, Madam Huang Xiao Yun, welcomed the new award.  “Following the initiative to highlight the importance of the pest management industry to the general public on 6th June each year, the new award allows the industry itself to recognize the important contributions made by many individuals to the industry to its development and continued growth.
 
I am pleased that the inaugural FAOPMA award will be made at FAOPMA 2018 on 26-29 September at Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre in Shenzhen, China.”
 
Mr Vasili Tsoutouras, Vice President of FAOPMA and President of AEPMA, likewise welcomed the award.  
 
“This will present an opportunity for industry to thank the many quiet achievers who have to date, not received the full recognition that their services to the industry deserve.”
 
The AEPMA award will be held at the national conference at the Gold Coast, Australia on 19-21 September.
 
Both Madam Huang Xiao Yun and Mr Vasili Tsoutouras thank Bayer for their support of this important initiative and encourage members of the industry to nominate appropriate individuals to receive the award.
 
Nominees will be required to meet the set criteria:
  1. Putting customers first through a commitment to excellence in customer focus, leadership, and service
  2. Fostering innovation in the Pest Management Industry; and 
  3. Individual Excellence.
Nominations open 30th April this year and close on 1st August, with winners being announced at FAOPMA and AEPMA in September.  Winners will receive one night’s accommodation, airfares and two seats at the Leadership Dinner.
 
For Further Information:
Daryle Swarz
(m) 0407 337 809
AEPMA QLD State Council hold AGM

The AGM was held on 4 May 2018 at 5.30 pm at the Gallopers Sports Club, Nudgee Road & Lancaster Road, Hamilton.

The AGM was attended by Shane Osborne (Bob Gunn), John Murray (Flick Anticimex), Stephen Ware (AEPMA), Jay Turner (Laguna Pest Control), Luke Taylor (TPC) and Peter May (Xavca); proxies were received from John Graham (Smartbuilt), Gary Stephenson (Wizard), Phil O’Malley (WR Gay), John Perkins (Agserv) and Angus Grimwade (SPM/Orkin).  Apologies were received from Peter Ambrose-Pearce (Syngenta), Phil Sayer (Garrards) and Chris Mills (Bayer). 

Nominees for the State Council were:
Shane Osborne, Chris Mills, John Murray, John Graham and Peter May, and Shane Osborne indicated that, subject to confirmation, Phil Sayer and Peter Ambrose-Pearce were expected to be available to serve on the council.  All nominees are now AEPMA QLD State Council members for the next two years. 

The following office bearers were duly elected: 

Mr Shane Osborne was re-elected as Chairman
Mr John Murray was elected as Deputy Chairman
Mr Peter May was elected as Secretary 
Mr Shane Osborne was elected as QLD Delegate to the National Board
Mr John Graham was elected as alternate QLD Delegate to the National Board 


 
AEPMA NSW/ACT State Council Meeting & Chairman's Report

An AEPMA NSW ACT State Council meeting was held on 4 June 2018 at 4.00 pm at the office of Ensystex, 4- 6 Junction Street, Auburn NSW.

The meeting was well attended and we had the pleasure of again welcoming Mr John Murray from Flick – Anticimex, to talk to us about the case for a review of our current Urban Pest Management Training Package, and new State Council members Mr Dio Naaktgeboren (Flick - Anticimex) and Mr Colin Urey (Drop Dead Pest Control).

For the second time in four weeks, Mr John Murray addressed the meeting and tabled documents to explain the process of training package reform that is currently underway at the direction of the COAG Industry & Skills Council and the Australian Industry & Skills Committee (AISC). Artibus Innovation has been engaged by the AISC as the Skill Services Organisation (SSO), to manage this process. Artibus Innovation has established an Industry Reference Committee (IRC) to review and develop training packages in line with the Australian Governments reform process. Artibus Innovation has, as part of their 2018/2019 work schedule, the requirement to review and reform (if required) the Pest Management training package. 

Click here to read full article.


 

 

 

Tiny termite house: How termites destroy from the inside out

Fairfax, VA, USA: The National Pest Management Association revealed a high-definition, behind-the-walls look at the destructive nature of termites through the Tiny Termite House, a first-of-its-kind, groundbreaking research study and video production. With support from the City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board, more than half a million Formosan termites, a voracious species of subterranean termites, were introduced into the soil surrounding a tiny, built-to-scale dream home in late-January. A team of researchers began documenting and observing their behaviors and the incredible damage they leave in their wake. Recently presented at the National Conference on Urban Entomology, the Tiny Termite House is verifiable proof of just how quickly and methodically termites can eat away at a structure if left unchecked, consuming critical support beams while tucked out of sight from the human eye.

Click here to read full article.

‘Operation Sting’ creates parasitic attack agent to fight a war against a devastating new enemy

There is a killer bug buzzing around Australia which scientists are breeding as a biological warfare agent. 

The parasitic wasp is such a sought-after insect, researchers from South Africa even came to Australia to collect some to take back to unleash in their country.

Scientists are breeding armies of the wasp around the world in an effort to contain or eradicate another tiny species destroying native trees.

The gall wasp causes a tumour-like disease on eucalyptus trees — and the parasitic wasp is one of their predators.

Click here to read full article.

What to do when an employee asks for a pay rise

When an employee approaches their manager requesting a pay rise, it can be a tricky situation for both parties. We explore the steps employers should take in considering and responding to such requests.

Ideally, all organisations and businesses would have a clear process in place to manage salary reviews on an annual basis that employees are aware of says Katea Gidley, Managing Director of Sagacity Search, an executive search firm.

“Employees are less likely to seek an ‘ad hoc’ pay rise, when they know there is a scheduled and objective process in place,” she says.

Click here to read full article.

Train your staff now to be qualified for Summer

Rapid Solutions has announced details of its new training services platform.
The organisation, which supports more than 2,000 professionals in the pest management and building inspection sectors, has built a new platform and training support that is efficient, easy to use and customer focussed.

Rapid Solutions Manager of Compliance and Strategy, Nikki Garrard, said that the new system was developed after carefully listening to what the industry was saying and what it would demand now and into the future.

“We began a process of looking for the best possible platforms and support services that would deliver quality training pathways and industry skills that were needed and demanded by professionals in the sector,” she said.

Click here to read full article.

The Six Species of Ants you Need to Know

Did you know that there are 1,300 different ant species in Australia? Despite this number, there are generally only six common species that typically get labelled as “pests”. Not surprisingly, the different species have different behavioural traits and may require different treatment. Syngenta have done the research and identified these six species and their key features for you, so that you can create an effective pest management solution for your customers. Read more here:

https://www.syngentappm.com.au/news/ants/six-species-ants-you-need-know 

Fire Ant Eradication Stakeholder Forum

The National Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) Eradication Program Stakeholder Forum was held in Brisbane) on Wednesday 9 May 2018. 

The purpose of the half-day forum was to: 

a) Outline the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program, introduce the 10-year Eradication Plan and provide an update on Fire Ant ecology. 
b) Seek stakeholder feedback on the current Fire Ant eradication program and identify potential improvements. 
c) Explore options for greater stakeholder engagement and collaboration to help achieve the 10-year Eradication Plan. 

The forum was attended by about 60 participants including members of the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program Steering Committee and representatives from a range of government, community and industry organisations.

Newsletter contributions/comments

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