e-News Edition #25

Date: 27-May-2024

Hot Topics

1. CEO Update, Federal Budget

2. Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition -96 Days to Go!

3. Top 3 Finalist for the Queensland Training Awards - Congratulations to our Senior Trainer Stuart Alexander

4. First Irrigation Australia Member Event for 2024

5. Discover the benefits of membership with Irrigation Australia

6. Secure your pot today for our upcoming training course!

7. Help CSS understand the tree health in Perth after our driest, warmest summer ever

8. National Renewables in Agriculture Conference + Expo

1. CEO Update, Federal Budget

It’s been very pleasing for me personally to start getting out and about again with a week in Perth recently attending our member event and meeting people. Very noticeably dry compared to the last visit and certainly a contrast from the 6 months of drizzle Brisbane has experienced. I had some great sessions with members in the region including some robust feedback and plenty of passion for our industry.

We’ve started delivering against some of the actions from our Board strategy session including re-constituting a number of regional committees. Queensland has been the winner so far with 14 attending the online session and some great energy towards supporting member engagement opportunities as well as identifying topics to support our push towards a national advocacy plan. The Association can only thrive with our volunteers, and seeing this enthusiasm is fantastic.

I’m incredibly proud of our current group of staff and what they’ve achieved over the last year or so and would like to single everyone out for some level of praise, but they’d probably booby-trap the office if I did. One however has managed to go public (see a bit further down). Congratulations to Stuart Alexander for being recognised as one of three finalists in the Trainer of the Year category. He’s an absolute champion and we wish him the best of luck for the finals, and beyond to the national awards.

What’s keeping us awake at night? Well the Sydney conference is a big one. When all is said and done it’s over $2 million which is a big risk for a small Association and we hope that all who are able can attend as delegates to support the speakers and particularly our excellent exhibitors. We made a lot of changes from Adelaide to respond to feedback, most of which were well-received and a couple we had to tweak. If you’re interested in finding out more, on 12 June we’re holding a short member-only webinar at 11am AEST to explain what’s going to be happening and introduce our Principal Sponsor, Franklin Electric. There will be plenty of other promotions in the lead up.

At the same time we hope to be able to run through the changes proposed to the Irrigation Australia Ltd Constitution for approval at the AGM later in the year. As previously communicated, it’s primarily cosmetic stuff, particularly designed to make our elections and related processes bullet-proof and the document overall modernised.

Cheers, Dave

Federal budget – high level summary of potential items of interest to members

Water, budget paper 2, P52 onwards, 2024/25 larger ticket items:
- Inspector-General of Water Compliance to undertake inquiry, oversight and public engagement functions under the Water Act 2007 and to maintain its independence.
- Murray Darling Basin Plan activities including water recovery.
- National Water Grid Fund – construction, First Nations water infrastructure projects, science etc.
- Deferral of Paradise Dam, Big Rocks Weir, Hughenden etc
- Policy funding (more agency staff) for sustaining water initiatives MDB, GAB, etc

Small business (more information at What does the Budget mean for your business? | business.gov.au)
- Energy Bill Relief Fund
- The $20,000 instant asset write-off for small businesses with annual turnover of less than $10 million has been extended.
- Initiatives for small business employers include $10 million in support for employers administering the Paid Parental Leave scheme, and funding to help the Fair Work Ombudsman assist employers to comply with workplace laws.

The Government will invest a further $265.1 million over 4 years from 2024-25 for the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System, to continue supporting apprentices in priority occupations. Under the revised Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System:

Apprentices undertaking training in priority occupations will be eligible for $5,000 to assist with cost-of-living and incentivise them to finish their training.
Employers taking on apprentices in priority occupations will be eligible for $5,000 to help subsidise costs associated with employing an apprentice.
This list includes both the Cert III Irrigation Technology and Cert IV Irrigation Management.

Awards

As previously advised, we’ve introduced a series of new awards for presentation at this year’s conference, to complement the long-standing MacLean-Iedema Award.

The new award process is meant to be quick and simple, just follow the guideline and submit a one page summary of your worth nominee and click here for more details.

Water Efficiency Management Awards
Categories for Individuals, Small Businesses and Large Businesses.
Innovation in Sustainability Awards
Categories for Individuals, Small Businesses and Large Businesses.
Emerging Leader Award
One individual.
Innovation in Safety Awards
Categories for Individuals, Small Businesses and Large Businesses.

2. Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition - 96 Days to Go!

We are pleased to announce that early bird registrations are now open for the Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition. This event will run concurrently with the 9th Asian Regional Conference for Irrigation and Drainage and the 75th International Executive Council meeting of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage.

Join us at this leading water event to connect with global experts, leaders, and industry professionals. Share knowledge and celebrate our industry's achievements while benefiting from early bird rates. Register now to confirm your attendance!

The preliminary program is available online. Our committee has finalised the review of abstracts and allocated oral presentations, so there will be a significant update to session detail shortly. The conference theme is broken into sub-themes of 1. Governance, 2. Investment and 3. Capability Development, and in general the sessions supporting these sub-themes are divided into (a) Policy and Economics, (b) Operational and Implementation (c) Policy and Case Studies.

This year’s exhibition has been significantly revamped. Review our program to discover the exciting changes we have made!

NEW KEYNOTES ANNOUNCED

Dr Anoulak Kittikhoun – Mekong River Commission for Sustainable Development. Dr Anoulak leads the MRC Secretariat headquartered in Vientiane and its Flood and Drought Management Centre in Phnom Penh, to support the implementation of the Mekong Basin Development Strategy (BDS) 2021–2030 and MRC Strategic Plan (SP) 2021–2025.

Dr Katherine Wynn – CSIRO. At CSIRO Futures, Katherine advises clients on the emerging trends and technologies shaping industries while designing responsive strategies for more informed investment decisions.

Katherine has led the delivery of several reports in agriculture and food, including the:

Growth opportunities for Australian food and agribusiness report
Australia's National Protein Roadmap
Reshaping Australian Food Systems Roadmap
Ag2050 Scenarios Report

Brian Walker, Founder and CEO of the Retail Doctor Group, who will discuss industry trends and strategies to enhance business value in retail.

Jason Banks – TIACS. As Co-CEO, Jason leads “This Is A Conversation Starter” – an organisation offering a free, mental health counselling service for tradies, truckies, rural and blue collar workers. Staff and stakeholders of Irrigation Australia are supporters of this charity and proud wearers of their impressive shirts and safety clothing wherever we can.

The event will feature various plenary sessions and interactive workshops that cover essential topics and provide valuable insights, discussions, and practical knowledge. More details will be provided as they are finalised.

This is a unique opportunity to participate in a world-class event that promotes collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange. Early bird registrations are limited, so register soon to secure your spot at this significant industry event.

For additional information about the program, keynote speakers, and other event details, please visit our official event website. For regular updates and announcements, follow us on LinkedIn.
Check out our live floorplan and see who will be exhibiting at this year's event; click here.

3. Top 3 Finalist for the Queensland Training Awards - Congratulations to our Senior Trainer Stuart Alexander

We are excited to announce that Stuart Alexander, our Senior Trainer and Assessor at Irrigation Australia, has been recognised as a top 3 regional finalist for VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year!

Those that have had the opportunity to work alongside or learn from Stuart, would join us in celebrating his dedication, passion, and exceptional contribution to vocational education and training within the irrigation industry.

It’s great to see someone who has done so much for the industry being recognised for his outstanding efforts over the years. The winner will be announced at the Queensland Training Awards on Friday the 5th of July, so stay tuned!

We wish Stuart all the best!

4. First Irrigation Australia Member Event for 2024!

Irrigation Australia kicked off their first member event for 2024 with a fantastic turnout! Thanks to the support of Western Irrigation Pty Ltd and The Vines Resort we discussed the replacement of the golf course's irrigation system.

Members were eager to hear about this massive collaborative project from the Golf Course Superintendent, Western Irrigation, Rain Bird Corporation, and Living Turf.

A big thank you to all participants and presenters for making this event a success! To learn more about these specific site topics, check out part two of this project in the upcoming Winter issue of The Overflow magazine.

Special thanks to Western Irrigation for capturing amazing drone footage of the event.

To view photo and video of the event, click here.

Do you have a great idea for a member event? Do you want to share your work with our members? Contact Rebecca New, Membership Manager at Rebecca.new@irrigation.org.au or 08 6263 7774.

5. Discover the benefits of membership with Irrigation Australia

Are you ready to elevate your career and stay ahead in the irrigation industry? As a member of Irrigation Australia, you gain access to a wealth of exclusive benefits designed to support your professional growth and connect you with industry leaders. From discounted training and certification programs to valuable networking opportunities and access to premium resources, our membership offers everything you need to succeed. Join us today and take advantage of the numerous perks that come with being part of Australia's leading irrigation organization. Explore the benefits below and see how membership can make a difference for you and your business.

Conference, Tradeshow & Expo Discounts:

Enjoy exclusive member discounts on attending and exhibiting at Irrigation Australia’s Conferences and Exhibitions.

Invitations to Regional Events:

Join us at various regional events and site visits across Australia. These gatherings provide excellent opportunities to discuss new challenges, technologies, and expand your professional network.

Training Discounts:

Benefit from significant member discounts on nationally accredited irrigation training and qualifications, available in both city and regional areas, as well as online.

Certification Discounts:

Save on the joining and renewal fees for Irrigation Australia’s Certification Program, a national program that enhances your credibility, job opportunities, and commitment to efficient water management.

Access E-Knowledge:

Gain exclusive access to Irrigation Australia's e-knowledge repository, featuring a wealth of technical papers, conference materials, Irrigation Journals, and FAQs.

Members Only Portal:

Manage your membership, register your staff for training, and access exclusive documents and presentations through the members-only portal on Irrigation Australia’s website.

Advertisement Discounts in Publications:

Receive substantial discounts on advertising in the Irrigation Journal and The Overflow, distributed quarterly to all members and industry contacts.

Discounts on Industry Publications and Merchandise:

Enjoy significant savings on a wide range of books, eBooks, and other merchandise available through Irrigation Australia’s online store.

Free Online Job Listings:

Advertise your job vacancies on Irrigation Australia’s online job board, which receives high traffic and targeted views every month.

Free Business Listing on the Website:

Company members can list their business on the "Find an Irrigation Specialist" directory on Irrigation Australia’s website, featured prominently on the front page.

6. Secure your spot today for our upcoming training courses!

Irrigation Australia is excited to announce the first Certified Irrigation Installer course will be held in Brisbane, Queensland, in July 2024! Register now!

Our training programs are designed to equip participants with in-depth knowledge and skills across a wide range of topics that are crucial for mastering efficient irrigation practices.

We provide a unique blended learning experience, with courses running both virtually and face-to-face across Australia. Our trainers have extensive experience in the irrigation industry and focus on providing a hands-on, practical learning experience in each course that we deliver.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills in this vital and ever-growing industry!

Explore Upcoming Courses Here.

Brisbane QLD – CMI course (4th of June to 6th of June) - Meter Installation & Validation - Face-to-Face - QLD (irrigationaustralia.com.au)
VIC – Cert III in Irrigation Technology (1st of July to 5th of July) - Certificate III in Irrigation Technology AHC32422 - VIC (irrigationaustralia.com.au)
WA – CMI course (2nd of July to 4th of July 2024) - Meter Installation & Validation - Face-to-Face - WA (irrigationaustralia.com.au)
Goondiwindi – CSV Course (Tuesday 23rd July Thursday 25th of July) - Storage Meter Installer & Validator - Face-to-Face - NSW (irrigationaustralia.com.au)
Brisbane QLD – Cert III in Irrigation Technology (19th of August to 23rd of August) - Certificate III in Irrigation Technology AHC32422 QLD (irrigationaustralia.com.au)
NSW – Cert III in Irrigation Technology ( 26th of August to the 30th of Aug) - Certificate III in Irrigation Technology AHC32422 - NSW (irrigationaustralia.com.au)

7. Help CSS understand tree health in Perth after our driest, warmest summer ever

The Centre for Water and Spatial Science is researching tree health in Perth after our driest, warmest summer ever. They will measure the impact of the extreme conditions on our urban canopy using remote sensing tools, but they need help to verify the findings and are asking people gather on-ground data.

To view the letter for more information, click here.

8. National Renewables in Agriculture Conference + Expo

This event brings together farmers, agriculture and energy consultants, peak bodies and Government representatives to share stories of on-farm renewables, their business case and discuss what’s driving the transformation of energy use in agriculture.

Large scale solar and wind developments present opportunities for farmers and regional communities if planned well with meaningful engagement around benefit sharing. These topics plus combining farming and solar, termed agrivoltaics, also forms part of the yearly Conference program.

Sessions will feature a range of topics from electric utes, green hydrogen, battery storage, bioenergy, solar pumping, future grid and sharing the benefits when hosting large scale solar and wind farms.

Hear from innovative farmers, industry experts, Government and from the research sector.

There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions at the Q&A or networking sessions plus mingle with speakers with a solar wine and light canape event at the end of the day.

To find out more, click here for the event flyer or visit the event website here.

Click here if you are interested in becoming an Irrigation Australia Member.

Click here to view upcoming Training Courses.

Click here to view the latest Career Opportunities available within the Irrigation Industry.

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