e-News Edition #34

Date: 08-Nov-2024

Hot Topics

1. Find out about federal employment incentives for the irrigation industry and strategies to grow your workforce

2. Welcoming our new members for October 2024

3. Advance your skills in 2025 - Training courses now open for enrolment!

4. 2024 Annual General Meeting - Last chance to attend

5. Advertising in the upcoming Irrigation Australia Summer Journal

6. Understanding your learning style: A guide for those wanting to undertake training in the irrigation industry

7. Rogue Leadership Program

8. Restoring our Rivers 2024 - Expressions of interest now open

9. Supporting mental health in Australia’s irrigation and rural sectors: Addressing isolation, burnout, and access challenges

10. Change to local intelligence device vendor list and reporting data

11. City of Melbourne Tender - Applications now open

12. Adelaide Cemeteries seeking full-time Irrigation Technician

13. WaterAid Webinar recording now available

1. Find out about federal employment incentives for the irrigation industry and strategies to grow your workforce

Irrigation Australia invites you to join our upcoming webinar "From Fields to Futures: Growing Your Workforce - Supports, Strategies, and Incentives" on Wednesday the 27th of November 2024 at 1pm AEDT (Sydney). In collaboration with the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, this webinar is tailored to help you strengthen your workforce in the irrigation industry, and cover essential support systems, financial incentives, and practical hiring strategies that can make a real difference in growing your team.

Key topics

Where to get help to recruit/ find staff
Wage subsidies and other financial incentives
How to hire an apprentice/ trainee

Navigating the many, frequently changing government support programs can be challenging. This webinar offers a valuable opportunity to learn about the latest resources and ask questions to experts, helping you stay informed and make the most of available hiring benefits.

Join us for this informative hour and gain the insights needed to build a skilled workforce ready to drive future success in irrigation! Register here.

2. Welcoming our new members for October 2024

Irrigation Australia is excited to announce the addition of several new members for October 2024. These members bring fresh perspectives and a shared passion for advancing irrigation technologies and practices across the country.

Welcoming our new members:

Bronwyn. B (WA)
Justin. C (WA)
Nathan. G (WA)
Darren. M (WA)
Bhargava, R (QLD)

Join Irrigation Australia today!

As the peak national organisation representing Australia’s irrigation industry, we offer unmatched support and resources to help you thrive. Our members include professionals from across the sector, from manufacturers and retailers to water authorities and regulatory bodies, making this a powerful network for anyone in the field.

Did you know, as a member of Irrigation Australia, you’ll gain access to exclusive networking events, discounted training and certification opportunities, and industry insights designed to support your growth and success. Don’t miss out on member-only benefits such as access to advocacy initiatives, discounted advertisement in our publications, and regional updates to keep you informed and ahead in the industry. Learn more about becoming a member and join here.

3. Advance your skills in 2025 - Training courses now open for enrolment!

With the last training intakes of 2024 underway and our first six months of 2025 courses now live, this is the perfect time to get a head start in achieving your professional growth and skill-building skills for the year ahead. Browse through our upcoming courses and start planning your training journey with Irrigation Australia today!

Led by qualified trainers and industry experts, our hands-on training programs will equip you with the knowledge and skills required in order to stay ahead in the field of irrigation. Whether you're a seasoned professional, just starting your journey in irrigation, or simply keen to invest in your skills and expand your knowledge in an essential and ever-growing industry, this is your chance!

Why choose Irrigation Australia?

Expert instructors: Learn from seasoned professionals with years of practical experience in the field.
Flexible learning options: With in-person intakes throughout Australia, virtual, and blended learning formats, you can choose the option that best suits your schedule.
Hands-on training: Our courses emphasise practical, hands-on learning to ensure that you not only understand the theory but can also apply your knowledge in real-world situations.

Ready to take the next step? Register now to secure your spot!

Certified Irrigation Installer | Perth WA | 18 – 21 November 2024
Irrigation Pumps and Systems | Perth WA | 20 – 21 January 2025
Irrigation Systems Efficiency | Perth WA | 4 – 6 February 2025
Meter Installation and Validation | Griffith NSW | 4-6 February 2025
Meter Installation and Validation | Virtual | 25 – 28 February 2025

Interested in training with Irrigation Australia but can't find the exact course, location, or time that suits you?

We're committed to delivering training that best suits your needs, and we'd love to hear your input! To help us determine the most convenient training courses, locations, and times of year for delivery, we've created a quick and easy Expression of Interest form.

Your feedback will ensure that we're offering the right opportunities for you and others in the irrigation industry. Our training team will review your submission based on the information provided and will be in touch with available dates, locations, and any further information. Complete the form here.

Funding options available!

Irrigation Australia has a variety of funding and subsidies available in QLD, NSW, SA, and WA for the Certificate III in Irrigation Technology (AHC32422)! Click here to find out more and to see if you are eligible. If you have any questions, please email training@irrigation.org.au.

4. 2024 Irrigation Australia Annual General Meeting – Last chance to register

We are delighted to extend an invitation to our members for our upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on Wednesday, the 13th of November 2024 at 11 am AEST.

The AGM provides an opportunity for members to hear about the Association's activities and finances for the previous year and also allows time for members to ask questions. Your active involvement and insights are instrumental in propelling the growth and success of our organisation.

We will be announcing the new incoming directors at the meeting, which attracted eight candidates for six vacant positions. Members will also vote on adopting the new Constitution, which was last updated in 2018. We require a 75% majority vote to approve the changes. Importantly, no significant change to intent or entitlements has been proposed – the point of the rewrite is only to modernise the document and clarify existing areas of confusion.

We are again holding the meeting by MS Teams to provide our members, located in various geographical locations throughout Australia, an opportunity to attend. Certified Professionals who attend the AGM will receive 2 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.

To secure your spot in the 2024 Annual General Meeting, register here.

5. Advertising in the upcoming Irrigation Australia Summer Journal

We are thrilled to announce that advertisement and editorial opportunities for the upcoming Irrigation Australia Summer Journal are now available! This is your chance to drive interest from an audience of thousands of irrigation professionals and decision-makers nationwide.

Why advertise in the Irrigation Australia Summer Journal?

Reach a targeted audience of industry experts, researchers, and key stakeholders involved in the irrigation sector. Position your brand in front of professionals actively seeking innovative solutions and advancements in irrigation technology.
Establish your organisation by sharing your expertise, success stories, and industry insights.
Boost your brand's visibility and recognition through strategic advertising placements, maximising your exposure.
Engage with like-minded professionals, potential clients, and partners who are passionate about irrigation. Create meaningful connections and uncover collaborative opportunities that can drive your business forward.
Expand your market reach and tap into new business opportunities. The Irrigation Australia Spring Journal provides a platform to showcase your products, services, and solutions to various industry professionals, opening doors to untapped markets.
Provide valuable insights and educational content to the irrigation community.

Tailor your advertisement package to align with your budget and marketing goals. Choose from various options, including full-page ads, half-page ads, and digital ad placements, ensuring you maximize your return on investment. View our Media Kit for more information.

Act fast, as spots are limited! Contact us today to discuss available options and reserve your advertisement space. Together, let's showcase the best of your brand and contribute to advancing irrigation practices nationwide.

For advertising inquiries, please contact Maddison Coward via email at maddison.coward@irrigation.org.au

For editorial inquiries, please contact Eve White at 0410 147 331 or evewhiteediting@gmail.com

6. Understanding your learning style: A guide for those wanting to undertake training in the irrigation industry

Starting a career in the irrigation industry is both exciting and challenging. You’re not only building practical skills and knowledge but if you are a newcomer to training or the irrigation industry, (or it’s been a while since you last hit the books), you’re also learning how to understand and retain information effectively. Recognising your unique learning style can make this process easier and more engaging. Let’s explore common learning styles and how you can apply them to your irrigation training.

Learning Styles Matter – Why?

Put simply, everyone learns differently. While some people grab hold of new concepts by reading a manual, others need hands-on experience. Identifying your learning style helps you approach training in a way that makes sense for you, leading to better understanding and recall of the information presented to you. The main learning styles include:

Visual Learners

Visual learners understand concepts best through images, diagrams, and videos. Seeing a demonstration of how to set up a sprinkler system or watching a pump repair video can make information clearer than just reading about it.

Applying Visual Learning:

Draw diagrams or take notes with sketches that break down processes.
Use color-coding in your notes to organise information.

Auditory Learners

Auditory learners benefit from listening. Discussions, verbal explanations, and audio instructions help them process information. For an auditory learner, talking through tasks with a trainer or supervisor, or listening to equipment instructions is helpful.

Applying Auditory Learning:

Repeat instructions out loud or discuss tasks with coworkers.
Use any available audio resources to reinforce learning.

Kinaesthetic Learners

Kinaesthetic learners need to engage physically with tasks. They learn best by doing, which is ideal for the hands-on work we undertake in irrigation. For these learners, repetitive practice with equipment and trial and error is essential.

Applying Kinaesthetic Learning:

Practice tasks repeatedly to build confidence.
Break down processes into steps and practice each one.

Reading/Writing Learners

These learners prefer engaging with written information. Reading manuals, taking notes, and journaling helps them retain information.

Applying Reading/Writing Learning:

Take thorough notes and review them regularly.
Use written guides or request printed instructions.

Social and Solitary Learners

Some of us learn best through group discussions, while others prefer working alone. Social learners benefit from collaboration, while solitary learners need quiet time for focused study.

Applying Social Learning:

Collaborate with your supervisor and ask questions during your group training sessions.
Discuss tasks with other trainees to deepen understanding.

Applying Solitary Learning:

Set aside quiet time to study or practice.
Write down your observations and review them regularly.

Making the Most out of Your Training

Understanding your preferred learning style is a powerful start, but flexibility is also essential. Sometimes, training will require you to learn in ways outside your comfort zone. For example, a visual learner might need to get hands-on with equipment. Being adaptable makes you more effective and well-rounded in your role.

Embracing Lifelong Learning

Your training is just the beginning of your learning journey in irrigation. Knowing your learning style will keep you engaged and help you adapt to new skills as the industry evolves. Embrace your unique learning approach to set yourself up for success and build a rewarding career.

By identifying and using your learning style, you’re creating a solid foundation for your career in the Irrigation Industry. Remember, every step in your training adds to your expertise and helps you become a valuable asset to the industry.

Irrigation Australia offer various training solutions specifically for the Irrigation Industry, for a full list of training events, click here.

7. Rogue Leadership Program

The recent ADF Employer Support Awards, held at Brisbane’s Custom House, brought an exciting honour for Rogue Institute. With over eight years of dedicated support to the Australian Defence Force, Rogue Institute was recognised for its unwavering commitment to ADF members, delivering consistent ‘boots on the ground’ support.

Award recipient, Luke Cummins, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, noting, “To receive some unexpected recognition from my peers was humbling to say the least.”

Reflecting on the evening, Luke shared, “It was a memorable night, reconnecting with colleagues, including an old friend and former adversary from the footy field.”

Luke also highlighted Rogue Institute’s mission to empower managers and future leaders, saying, “We focus on unveiling employee potential, training, retaining, and leveraging individual strengths.” This dedication aligns with the core values of both Rogue Institute and the ADF, creating opportunities for professionals to play a crucial role in advancing the ADF’s mission.

Luke extended his gratitude to Emelie Cummins for her invaluable support. To learn more about Rogue Institute’s work, visit www.rogueinstitute.co.

8. Restoring our Rivers 2024 - Expressions of Interest now open

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open for water right owners who wish to sell water rights in the southern connected Basin in 2025. These EOIs will guide how we design and deliver water purchasing programs for 2025.

Two EOIs were released on 30 September. Each EOI has a different focus:

EOI 1: Remaining Southern Connected Basin Catchments
EOI 2: Large Portfolios of Water

The decision to participate is completely voluntary. EOI responses are being accepted now through AusTender. These EOIs will close on 27 November 2024.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) recently published a pre-recorded webinar on their website. The webinar runs for 22 minutes and provides:

A timeline of the Restoring Our Rivers water purchasing activity to date
Information on the EOIs
How to apply and answers frequently asked questions.

The recording, presentation slides and transcript are available on DCCEEW’s Webinars page.

For more information on the Restoring Our Rivers Year 1 Purchasing Approaches, visit the DCCEEW website or if you have any questions, please contact watertenders@dcceew.gov.au.

9. Supporting mental health in Australia’s irrigation and rural sectors: Addressing isolation, burnout, and access challenges

Over the past 12 months, workplace mental health in Australia’s irrigation and rural sectors has faced unique challenges. There are many contributing issues, some of the key points identified include:

Financial Strain: Rising costs, especially in regional and remote areas, put financial pressure on businesses and staff, adding stress about job security and finances.
Isolation: Working in remote locations can limit access to health services, including those associated with the provision of mental health services. Isolation can increase feelings of loneliness and anxiety, particularly during peak seasons.
Seasonal Burnout: Intense workloads during high-demand periods can lead to physical exhaustion, mental burnout, and increased workplace safety risks due to fatigue.
Psychosocial Hazards: High job demands, unclear roles, and harsh conditions add mental strain, underlining the need for employers to actively manage these risks.
Limited Mental Health Support: Access to services is hindered by distance, and stigma, making timely support difficult. Even when services are available, costs can be a barrier, making it challenging for workers to get timely assistance.

To tackle these issues in our workplace, efforts should focus on providing mental health support, fostering peer support networks, and training staff to identify workplace psychosocial risks. Customising mental health resources for rural work settings can make a significant difference in easing these challenges.

Here are four support networks that provide mental health and general well-being assistance tailored to rural and irrigation sector workers in Australia:

TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter): TIACS offers free and confidential mental health support via phone and text to Australia's blue-collar community, including tradies, truckies, farmers, and those in the irrigation sector. TIACS provides up to eight sessions with the same counsellor, ensuring continuity of care. https://www.tiacs.org/
Rural and Remote Mental Health (RRMH): RRMH delivers mental health education, support, and training for rural communities, including those in agriculture and irrigation. Their programs, such as "Deadly Thinking" and "Rural Minds," offer culturally appropriate and accessible mental health resources to isolated areas. https://rrmh.com.au/
National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH): NCFH focuses on health and safety for farming communities. They provide resources, workshops, and programs on mental health, physical well-being, and stress management, particularly for farmers and their families involved in irrigation and agriculture. https://farmerhealth.org.au/page/research-centre/ripple-effect
Rural Aid: Rural Aid offers mental health and counselling services to rural and regional Australians through initiatives like "Counselling Connect," providing remote access to trained mental health professionals. They also run community-based programs addressing challenges such as drought and floods. https://www.ruralaid.org.au/mental-health-wellbeing/

These organisations offer specialised support designed to address the unique challenges faced by rural and irrigation sector workers, facilitating access to mental health care, safety resources, and community support.

10. Change to local intelligence device vendor list and reporting data

WaterNSW has issued important updates regarding a change to the local intelligence device (LID) vendor list and LID reporting data:

Change to local intelligence device (LID) vendor list

As of 30 October 2024, SigSense will be removed as a LID vendor option from the DQP Portal. Please do not select SigSense as a LID vendor for any new site registrations in the DQP Portal, as this will be rejected. This is a result of the recent operational changes at SigSense.

For any enquiries such as warranty and replacement options for the Captis LID, please direct requests to the original manufacturer, Kallipr by email at Support@kallipr.com.au.

LID reporting data

Please be reminded that all data recorded from a LID will continue to be displayed in Eastern Standard Time (EST), regardless of Daylight-Saving Time (DST) being in effect in New South Wales.

11. City of Melbourne Tender - Applications now open

The City of Melbourne are seeking tenders for the provision of Maintenance and Installation services for Irrinet Irrigation Control System.

The closing date for the tender is 11am on the 29th of November 2024. The tender documents and further information can be accessed here.

12. Adelaide Cemeteries seeking full-time Irrigation Technician

Adelaide Cemeteries is on the hunt for a dedicated Irrigation Technician to join their team full-time! Applicants must have demonstrated irrigation and horticultural skills with the ability to communicate effectively and interact with co-workers, managers and the general public.

Collaboration is required to support and interact positively while motivating work teams and contractors to maintain effective memorial park irrigation systems. Click here to view the full position description and to apply.