e-News Edition #27

Date: 03-Jul-2024

Hot Topics

1. Important message from the CEO regarding the Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition

2. Irrigation Australia Awards - Recognising Industry Greats!

3. Launching Soon! - Irrigation Careers Website - Share Your Journey!

4. Attention Members - Irrigation Australia Constitution Changes

5. Mental Health Article - What is this thing called Fatigue?

6. 2024 Water Monitoring Skills Technical Event - Australian Hydrographers Association

7. Introducing Irrigation Insights - Induction Course

8. Irrigation Australia Professionals Members Directory - Update your Details!

9. Release of Report of the 25th ICID Congress - November 2023, India

1. Important message from the CEO regarding the Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition

Gidday,

Apologies advance to those in the LinkedIn universe, we are two months out from our major international conference in Sydney and are shifting to shameless promotion mode for the event and particularly our incredible sponsors and exhibitors.

This is the last time Irrigation Australia will be hosting something of this scale as it costs a bomb, so we hope you can help turn it into the celebration of our industry it is designed to be, showing off to our international guests linked to the International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage. Please share the posts with your networks or anyone you think might be interested. A couple of big announcements, one new today and one improvement:

Early bird registrations extended for Irrigation Australia members (including staff of member companies) right up to the event commencement! A number of stakeholders have suggested that things are tight with seasonal challenges and economic conditions including threats of interest rate hikes, so we’ve re-modelled the event budget to try to offer a nice incentive for members.
If you’ve been thinking about membership for a while, it’s only $176 inc GST for an individual or $858 for an company including all staff – email info@irrigation.org.au and saying you’re keen and we’ll get back to you with instructions. There are group discounts available as well.
The exhibition is open to the public with free entry – our conference site has recently been updated to streamline the registration process – please come along to see the excellent kit our exhibitors will have on display. Register here.

So the summary of how you can participate:

As a free Exhibition Visitor – come along to see some of the best contemporary gear available and support our excellent exhibitors who’ve invested significantly to fill our Exhibition Hall including a networking lounge, poster displays, interactive zone and competitions and other activities. Our exhibitors and sponsors are the only reason this event is possible.
As a Conference Delegate – some top national and international papers, panels, keynotes and other knowledge exchange activities, as well as all the networking that comes with the social functions and tours. Big discounts for Irrigation Australia members – email info@irrigation.org.au if you would like to join.
As an Exhibitor – the response to date has been fantastic with over 75% of floor space sold, but we want to hit full capacity! Have a browse through who’s already signed up through the interactive map.
As a Sponsor – with special thanks to our contributors so far, there are still many more opportunities to promote your brand to the sector with options ranging from $2,500 upwards. We are also looking for a few “off the prospectus” contributors for new activities like Awards where we hope to establish a long term naming rights relationship.

Look forward to catching up with everyone in September.

2. Irrigation Australia Awards - Recognising Industry Greats!

The Irrigation Australia Awards are now open for nominations! We're excited to announce that there are 4 brand new award categories this year, so this is your chance to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions within our industry.

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 we’ll be in touch to get 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 Award
Categories for Individuals, Small Businesses and Large Businesses.

Winners will be announced at the Conference Dinner on the 3rd of September.

NOMINATE HERE

For more information about Award Sponsorship Opportunities, click here.

3. Launching Soon! - Irrigation Careers Website - Share your Journey!

Irrigation Australia will be launching our new Irrigation Careers website soon and we need your help!

We are looking for individuals who would like to tell their story, share your journey in the irrigation industry!

Do you want to help the next generation find their way but don’t know how? Help us share the amazing careers they can choose from!

Contact Naomi Carragher naomi.carragher@irrigation.org.au for more details!

4. Attention Members - Irrigation Australia Constitution Changes

In brief Summary

At 6 years, the document is due for review and modernisation to pick up changes in technology, Corporations Law, but more generally make it easier to navigate. A rewrite was chosen in this instance as the existing document is lengthy and includes a number of inconsistencies.
Governology is the company engaged to draft the new document. They are linked to the Associations Forum and are specific experts in governance for Associations.
The amendments are not substantial. The biggest driver for change was to make very clear voting rights to conduct elections with confidence. As a result it is proposed that many of the member categories in the existing Constitution are removed and handled separately by the Board with By-Laws, the new version simply refers to Voting and Non-Voting members with transitional arrangements detailed.
The AGM is currently scheduled for 13 November at 11am AEST. The current Constitution requires 5% of the total number of financial members, or twenty members present (whichever is the lesser). Amendment of the Constitution is a Special Resolution, requiring 75% of the votes cast by members present to pass.
These amendments have required a significant investment for our Association and the Board believes they represent the best interests of members, and we look forward to your support with the changes. It is important that all members clearly understand the process and have an opportunity for input.

Irrigation Australia Members have been sent an email with links to the current and proposed Constitution with an explanatory table. Please email info@irrigation.org.au if you did not receive it.

5. Mental Health Article - What is this thing called Fatigue?

Fatigue is more than just that feeling of being tired and drowsy. According to Safe Work Australia -

‘In a work context, fatigue is a state of mental and/or physical exhaustion which reduces a person’s ability to perform work safely and effectively. It can occur because of prolonged mental or physical activity, sleep loss and/or disruption of the internal body clock. Fatigue can be caused by factors which may be work related, non-work related or a combination of both and can accumulate over time’ https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/guide-managing-risk-fatigue-work.

Fatigue poses significant risks for many workers in the irrigation industry, especially those working alone or in isolated areas. The combination of physical labour, long hours, and potentially harsh environmental conditions can lead to severe fatigue. Some having to travel long distances to get to the job.

When working alone, there is an increased risk of accidents due to reduced alertness and slower reaction times. In isolated areas, the lack of immediate assistance exacerbates these dangers, as help may not be readily available in the event of an emergency or injury.

The physical demands and the need for constant vigilance make fatigue a critical safety concern. Workers may struggle with concentration and decision-making, increasing the likelihood of mistakes that could lead to personal injury. To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to implement strategies such as regular breaks, adequate hydration, and ensuring communication systems are in place for those working in alone and in remote locations.

Fatigue is closely linked to mental health, as chronic tiredness can significantly affect emotional well-being and cognitive function. Persistent fatigue can lead to heightened stress levels, anxiety, and depression, impairing an individual's ability to cope with daily demands and negatively impacting their overall mental health. Addressing fatigue through adequate rest, workload management, and mental health support is crucial for maintaining both physical and psychological health.

Seasonal changes impact on fatigue and mental health. The "winter blues," or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a form of depression that occurs at specific times of the year, usually in winter when daylight hours are shorter. Reduced sunlight can disrupt the body's internal clock and lower serotonin and Vitamin D levels, contributing to feelings of fatigue, lethargy, and depression. In the irrigation industry, working in colder, darker conditions can exacerbate these feelings, making it essential to address both physical and mental health needs during seasonal transitions.

To mitigate the risks of fatigue in the workplace, especially in isolated and seasonal conditions, consider the following control measures:

Regular Breaks: Implement scheduled breaks to prevent prolonged periods of continuous work.
Shift Rotations: Use rotating shifts to avoid long working hours and night shifts.
Environmental Adjustments: Ensure proper lighting and temperature control to reduce physical strain.
Health Monitoring: Regularly assess workers' health and fatigue levels.
Support Systems: Establish communication and support mechanisms for those working alone or in remote areas.
Training: Educate workers on recognising and managing fatigue symptoms, and encourage medical visits when things don’t seem right. Routine blood tests can help identify a range of issues which contribute to fatigue.

Safe Work Australia has a wide range of resources to help with your WHS obligations, check out the fatigue infographic below. A great resource for your next toolbox meeting.

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/fatigue-whs-issue-infographic

TIACS – 0488 846 988, https://www.tiacs.org/

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, https://www.beyondblue.org.au

Lifeline Australia 13 11 14, https://www.lifeline.org.au/

6. 2024 Water Monitoring Skills Technical Event - Australian Hydrographers Association

The Australian Hydrographers Association is pleased to announce our inaugural Water Monitoring Skills Technical Workshop.

When: 16 – 19 September 2024

Where: Darwin, Northern Territory

Join with other water quality professionals around Australia for three days of deep learning in Australia’s majestic Top End.

For more details about this upcoming event, click here.

7. Introducing Irrigation Insights - Induction Course

Unlock your potential in the irrigation industry with the new Irrigation Insights - Induction Course, now available for registration and access through the Irrigation Australia website. This FREE short course is designed as a comprehensive resource for newcomers, providing an overview of the industry. It’s an ideal resource to give work experience kids or potentially new employees a taste of what’s to come and the first larger piece of work to support our new careers site, currently under construction.

Upon completion, you'll receive a certificate of completion, helping to pave your career pathway in irrigation. Join now and start your journey towards becoming an industry expert with Irrigation Australia!

If you want to know more about the course, email info@irrigation.org.au. We are aiming to expand our online offerings during 2024.

8. Irrigation Australia Professionals Members Directory - Update your Details!

As a Certified Irrigation Professional, the Members Directory on the Irrigation Australia Website acts as a resource for others in the industry and the General Public to find and enquire about your services directly.

We are currently reviewing our database to make sure the information provided on this public site is consistent and would like to extend the opportunity for you to update, add, or remove any contact information listed on your profile. This includes a contact number, company, email, business address and 30-40 word brief on your services.

Should you wish to update any of your information, please provide your preferred details via the online form HERE.

If you do not require changes to any of your current details, please acknowledge you are willing to be listed on the members directory by answering the last question on the online form linked above.

The consent to advertise makes this a public record and as such, the data listed on the directory, particularly email addresses, may be shared. Irrigation Australia is not in the business of selling contact information, however Certified Professionals should be aware that one of the reasons for this review is to ensure we can provide basic contact information to regulators for Duly Qualified Persons, particularly NSW and QLD at this time. We are aware that both regulators are seeking to strengthen their protections around fraudulent use of qualifications, and as such this data may be used in future to validate that you are who you say you are, and the currency of your certification.

If you require further assistance, please contact us on info@irrigation.org.au.

9. Release of Report of the 25th ICID Congress - November 2023, India

The Report of the 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage has been uploaded on the ICID website and can be accessed at: https://icid-ciid.org/icid_data_web/25th%20ICID%20Congress%20Report.pdf

The 25th ICID Congress, hosted by the Indian counterpart, the Indian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage in association with the Central Water Commission, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, and Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) on the theme ‘Tackling Water Scarcity in Agriculture', and 74th International Executive Council (IEC) meeting, 1-8 November 2023, Visakhapatnam (Vizag), India. The event brought together irrigation and drainage professionals and a broad range of other stakeholders to share their knowledge and experience in sustainable agriculture water management focusing on irrigation management.

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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