Welcome
 
Welcome to the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association August 2020 edition.  Please read on below for more details below or visit our website for online version.
AEPMA National Office - Update
 
Dear Members,
 
Welcome to the August 2020 edition of the AEPMA Newsletter.

The AEPMA/BASF Pest Manager of the Year judging was held over three days from the 20th – 22nd July and I must say the standard of entries this year was very impressive.

I would like to thank Dr David Elmouttie and Edwina Gadsby from BASF and David Gay from AEPMA for taking time out of their busy schedules to help me on the judging panel this year.

The overall winner of Pest Manager of the Year was Rentokil Australia. Congratulations to all involved! Further results from the other Pest Manager of the Year categories can be found below.
 
Again thank you to our judges and our 25 nominees.  

Obviously the situation regarding Covid-19 in Victoria has deteriorated. AEPMA have sent a letter to the Premier and Minister for Health in Victoria asking that Pest Control be recognised as an essential service. If we hear anything regarding this we will update everyone as soon as possible.
 
I hope that all our Victorian members are keeping safe and well during these challenging times. 

Thank you for your continued support, and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us. 
 
Regards
 
Vasili Tsoutouras
President
Congratulations to the 2020 Pest Manager of the Year winners 
 
The winners of the 2020 AEPMA Pest Manager of the Year awards have just been announced. The awards can’t be presented at the usual ceremony, of course, so they will be delivered this month and we are working through options to celebrate the winners in person.
 
BASF sponsored the awards again in 2020 and Dr David Elmouttie, the Business Manager of their Professional & Specialty Solutions division, says this year has really shown the importance of the industry to society and how important the capacity for change is to everyone in pest management.  
 
“As usual, there was a very strong field in each category and plenty of impressive entries,” he says. “Thanks to the judges for finding the time to give them such careful consideration in such a tough year. 
 
“BASF is always proud to help recognise fellow innovators in our industry, and never more so than now. Covid-19 has forced us all to change the way we do our jobs – not just to succeed, but in many cases to survive. It’s great to be reminded that there are plenty of progressive pest control companies who were already well equipped to meet new challenges. I think this year has also demonstrated how important the pest management industry is to our society and our communities.
 
Pest managers have played a pivotal role for households and businesses, providing not only high quality pest services but also disinfection services, so communities can get back on track safely. Many thanks to everyone who entered the awards, congratulations to the very deserving winners, and good luck to pest controllers all around Australia as you go on dealing with the current disruption.”
 
And the winners are…    
 
Micro Business of the Year with fewer than three employees 
 
Winner: Termitrust Pest Control, Dubbo
Second: Pest-Nett Pest Control, Brisbane
Third: AllPro Pest Control, Brisbane
 
South Pacific Pest Manager of the Year
 
Winner: Rentokil Fiji
Second: Fastkil, Fiji
Third: Hygnix 
 
Business award Class 1 – with fewer than ten employees
 
Winner: Bug R Off! Pest Busters 
Second: Scorpion Pest Management, Hobart
Third: Envirapest, Perth
 
Business award Class 2 – with ten or more employees
 
Winner: Rentokil Australia
Second: Trusted Pest Management
Third: Competitive Pest Services
 
2020 Pest Manager of the Year: Rentokil Australia
FAOPMA – Online Survey 
 
We have created an online survey (in English) on the impact of Covid-19 on the Pest Management Industry in the Asia – Oceanic region.  This survey should take approximately 5 mins to complete online and will help FAOPMA to understand how to support our members during these difficult times.
  
The results of this survey will be shared and presented at the virtual online Conference   FAOPMA –Pest Summit 2020) with the emphasis on Survive Covid-19, Protect Your Future - safeguarding the Pest Management Industry through an uncertain world. (November 2020). 
 
The survey can be found here 
 
We kindly ask that each country member through the National Association, inform their members regarding the survey.  The deadline for this survey is 15th September 2020.

Please find a copy of the survey here that you can translate into your national language for a local response.  However, we ask that the questions and format remain similar.  Please email this survey to Mr Raymond Lee raylee@pc.jaring.asia by the 15th September 2020

PWAPM - Excellence Award 

Nominations are now open for the PWAPM Excellence award 2020. 

The PWAPM Excellence Award winner will be recognised as a woman in the pest control industry that has not only shown outstanding leadership but has dedicated their time and energy in making notable contributions to the development and growth within the industry.

Nominations close on the 31st August 2020

Please click here for more information. 

Dynamic Duo: Peter & Vasili Tsoutouras, Allstate Pest Control in Adelaide

Peter and Vasili Tsoutouras are proud Graussies (Greek-Australians); a father and son duo who run the successful Allstate Pest Control in Adelaide. Vasili is also the president of AEPMA (Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association).

Syngenta interviewed this dynamic duo to discover what makes their team stronger than they would each be on their own; and found this business partnership has a solid foundation in family, fishing, AFL and Philotimo. 

Read more here 

This Dynamic Duo is brought to you by: DEMAND DUO Insecticide. 

Avoid fines with ATO approved Payroll Software for STP compliance.

With the new financial year underway, there is still time to get your Single Touch Payroll (STP) setup sorted so that you will avoid those ATO penalties.

The ATO’s single touch payroll rule became mandatory a year ago on July 1st, 2019, and the ATO has said they will start issuing fines from July for any business that is not compliant.

So now is the time to get organised. I can hear you saying, how do you do this?
As a small business owner, the first thing you need to ask yourself is:

“What is the quickest and easiest way that I can become ATO STP compliant?”

The answer to this question means identifying a way that fits in with how you run your business and how you run your life. There are many different solutions (apps & software’s) out there, and it can be challenging to find the one best suit you.

Get the full story here and a 30-day free trial from Easy Payslip. 

Termi Home & Commercial 
 
Are looking for suitably experienced Pest Controllers to carry out Subcontract works on our behalf in the greater Bendigo area, Victoria. 
 
Experience in Preconstruction installations is essential, as is the ability to a carry out all facets of Domestic and Commercial Pest Control, including Timber Pest Inspections
 
Must be licensed and fully insured.

All enquiries to be directed to enquiry@termihc.com.au in the first instance.
Greenzone supporting preconstruction education 

Greenzone has been working towards bringing the Australian Pest management industry innovative alternatives to the preconstruction sector for over two years now.
Ever since we launched these products customers have been asking for more technical support. “New and experienced Pest managers want to grow their business and have supportive training material for new technicians and staff in general. We know in preconstruction, building challenges are a daily occurrence. 

So education is all important and this is why we have been working on a range of educational videos on install techniques and tips to support our accredited installers” said Stewart Paterson Business Development Manager.

To support the Pest management industry and our installers we have updated our website and youtube channel Greenzonetermitebarrier. We wanted to make it easy for Accredited Applicators and industry to have access to these videos as a refresher or new entrant.

At GREENZONE we are committed to innovation and customer satisfaction We will be continuing our support to industry and deliver business to our valued Accredited Greenzone Applicators,” concluded Mr Paterson.

 
Free Online Environmental Biosecurity Roundtable WebinarsGreenzone

In place of our Environmental Biosecurity Roundtable events for 2020, we are excited to invite you to the new Environmental Biosecurity Webinar series. Many of you would have received the information sent out earlier this month regarding the series which began on Tuesday 28 July.

Each webinar will feature three keynote speakers and explore a particular theme relating to environmental biosecurity.

REGISTER HERE to receive speaker info and your digital invitation and joining details for each webinar as they are confirmed. 

2020 Environmental Biosecurity Webinar Program*

  • 25 August:  It’s all about the people
  • 29 September: Flora, Fauna and Fire – Regenerating a scorched landscape
  • 27 October: Biosecurity risks in focus - Contaminants and commerce
  • 24 November:  Biosecurity in our backyard

*Webinar dates are subject to change pending presenter availability.

 

 

 
Under the Microscope – Fire Ant News

Fire ant program embraces review

The National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program may be seeing positive results in the west, but we are still making improvements to the way we work.
Just months after the release of the Efficiency and Effectiveness Review, the Steering Committee has accepted and implemented a number of the recommendations.

Read more here 

 

Fire ant sniffing dogs are having a ball in retirement

Two longstanding members of the fire ant program have hung up their service harness for the last time.

Flip and Diesel have officially retired from the program after a collective 10 years of stellar service.

National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program General Manager Graeme Dudgeon said Flip and Diesel would be sorely missed.

Read more here 
Huntsman spider rescue and rehabilitation earns Townsville woman PETA 'animal hero' award

When Elina Walsh found an emaciated huntsman spider with only two legs, she did what most people would never consider doing — she saved its life.

The Townsville resident has now been recognised by animal rights group PETA Australia for her efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating the injured spider.

Ms Walsh received the Hero To Animals award after she hand-fed the spider, nicknamed 'Peggy', for a month, while it grew its legs back.

Read more here  

Credit ABC News
Rat-catchers say city's rodents 'going crazy', heading for the 'burbs

Rats have taken advantage of the lockdown of many Melbourne businesses, dining at empty restaurant tables, nesting in a closed pilates studio and some even leaving the city altogether.

The protracted COVID-19 shutdown of many of Melbourne’s restaurants and cafes has deprived the city’s rats and mice of many of their usual sources of food and pest controllers are seeing a surge of vermin in the suburbs.

Read more here

Credit - The Sydney Morning Herald 
Newsletter contributions/comments

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

Or do you have something to say about an article you’ve read in the Newsletter? Why not leave your feedback on our Facebook page.

 

  • SAVE THE DATE!!  AEPMA Conference Pesticon 2021 22nd - 24th September 2021

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