e-News Edition #39

Date: 05-Mar-2025


Hot Topics

1. Stay ahead with Irrigation Australia’s upcoming Certification Webinar

2. Boost your skills with Irrigation Australia’s upcoming training programs

3. Help shape our 2025/26 financial year training calendar

4. Upcoming Webinar - Revolutionising Irrigation Training: Introducing Ammonite

5. 2025 Waterwise Expo - Limited sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities available!

6. Looking for staff? atWork Australia can help!

7. Irrigators question Minister Plibersek’s water buyback strategy

8. The power of local manufacture: Customised pump solutions from Davey Water Products

9. Join ICID’s International Women’s Day Webinar: “Water, Women, Nexus – Stronger Together, More Inclusive Forever”



1. Stay ahead with Irrigation Australia’s upcoming Certification Webinar

Irrigation Australia invites you to an exclusive free webinar on Wednesday, March 19 at 12:30 PM AEST, designed to keep you informed on the latest developments within our certification programs. Whether you’re a Certified Professional or considering certification, this session is your opportunity to stay updated on crucial changes and future enhancements.

The session will cover:

  • Key updates on certification activities and progress across the board.
  • A walkthrough of our newly launched website, focusing on how to navigate the updated certification directory.
  • Important changes to the certification process, including updates on the annual CPD requirements and renewal cycle and new offerings including the recertification exam for meter installers and validators.
  • A look ahead at the strategic direction and future enhancements planned for our certification programs, including new marketing to support Certified Professionals.

This informative session will equip you with everything you need to know to maintain your certification and take full advantage of Irrigation Australia’s professional development opportunities.

Secure your spot now! Register today to ensure you don’t miss out on these important updates.



2. Boost your skills with Irrigation Australia’s upcoming training programs

With course registrations filling fast for the next three months, now is the perfect time to set your professional growth and skill-building goals in motion. Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, build new expertise, or take your career in irrigation to the next level, Irrigation Australia has the training programs to get you there! View all upcoming training courses here.


Why choose Irrigation Australia for your training?

  • Learn from the best: Our expert trainers bring years of hand-on experience to every course.
  • 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.


Upcoming courses:

March

April

May

June


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.



3. Help shape our 2025/26 financial year training calendar

We’re gearing up to plan our 2025/26 financial year training programs, and we want to ensure we’re delivering the courses you need, when you need them, and where you need them!

To provide the best possible training experience, we’re inviting you to share your insights by completing our quick Expression of Interest (EOI) form. Your feedback will help us:

  • Identify the courses you’d like to see included in our next training calendar.
  • Schedule training at the best times of year to fit your availability.
  • Select convenient locations that make it easier for you to attend.
  • Explore new training needs or additional courses that can enhance your skills and professional development.

This is your opportunity to shape the future of our training programs and ensure they align with your industry requirements.

Have your say today! Complete the EOI form and help us build a training calendar that works for you. Please note, our next webinar on April 2 will include a demonstration of our new training system and another opportunity for feedback - lock it in your diaries now!



4. Upcoming Webinar - Revolutionising Irrigation Training: Introducing Ammonite

Irrigation Australia is excited to introduce Ammonite, an AI powered training platform set to transform the way irrigation professionals learn, assess, and develop their skills. This innovative platform aligns with our new and improved training approach, which prioritises hands-on, practical learning while minimising time spent in the classroom.

We invite you to join our exclusive free webinar on Wednesday, 2nd April 2025, at 12:30pm AEST, where we will explore how Ammonite aims to enhance the training experience through:

  • Reducing classroom hours and shifting focus to real-world learning for a more effective skill-building experience
  • Interactive, automated assessments that streamline learning and improve student engagement
  • Real-time progress tracking for trainers, ensuring efficiency and transparent monitoring
  • Academic integrity safeguards, using AI-driven analytics to detect plagiarism and unauthorised assistance, strengthening the credibility of irrigation qualifications

This webinar will also be an opportunity for you to provide feedback on our training programs. Your insights will help us refine our offerings and shape our 2025/26 training calendar, ensuring that our courses continue to meet the needs of the irrigation industry. Don't miss out - register here!



5. 2025 Waterwise Expo - Limited sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities available!

With interest soaring, only a handful of opportunities remain for sponsors and exhibitors to secure premium visibility at the 2025 Waterwise Irrigation Expo! The event promises to bring together the brightest minds, most innovative technologies, and leading experts in irrigation, agriculture, and water management.


Only 2 sponsorship packages left!

Catering Sponsor – Be at the centre of the action during refreshment breaks! Your brand will be prominently displayed throughout one of the most social aspects of the event, keeping your business top of mind for attendees.

Group Leaders Sponsor – Position your organisation as a champion of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Gain high-profile exposure to decision-makers, stakeholder, and professionals across the water efficiency industry.

Download the Sponsorship Prospectus to explore the benefits of these exclusive packages and secure your place!


Only 5 exhibitor booths available!

Looking to showcase your products and services to a highly targeted audience? Exhibitor booths are selling fast, with just 5 remaining! Don’t miss this chance to engage directly with key stakeholders and industry professionals, making a lasting impression on leaders in irrigation and water management. 

Download the Exhibitor Prospectus for full details on booth inclusions, sizing, and pricing, and see which leading businesses have already signed up!


What’s next?

The wait is almost over - delegate registrations will be opening soon, giving you the opportunity to secure your spot at this much-anticipated event. Plus, the event program will be released shortly, featuring insightful speakers, engaging group sessions, and more. If you have any questions or are interested in discussing your options, please reach out to rebecca.new@irrigation.org.au. 



6. Looking for staff? atWork Australia can help!

As part of our careers program, Irrigation Australia is exploring a number of partnerships which aim to improve our members' access to quality employment candidates. One of the first is atWork Australia.

atWork Australia supports Australians to build better lives through sustainable work. By supporting people to thrive through the health benefits of work; they also help Australian employers to prosper and grow. They recognise that the very strengths and skills that help people live with their circumstances, are also skills that are highly valued in the workplace, like determination, dedication, resilience, and compassion. Through Disability Employment Services, and Workforce Australia, they can help you access talented candidates. They can connect you to screened candidates so you can quickly hire the person you need. Their service is at no cost to you.


Mark Davies, Business Development Manager for Aquamonix, shares his experience working with atWork Australia:

*"As an employer in the irrigation industry, I have hired staff for a number of roles using a mixture of Seek ads and recruitment companies. atWork Australia stands out to me because I enjoy the idea that I am helping people who have faced challenges getting ahead, and I have always had great team members join us through the program.

Working closely with Marilia from atWork Australia has enabled her to get a clear understanding of my requirements for staff, and all the candidates provided have been excellent employees with a positive attitude and a desire to grow within our business.

One of our employees, Alex, is a single father who had been struggling to find stable work. We hired him through atWork Australia to assist with basic warehouse cleanup duties. Within the first week, his drive and commitment to personal growth impressed the whole team. By the first month, he was undertaking technical and manufacturing work, and he is now training to become a field technician - one of the critical members of our team.

Another employee, Allan, was hired as a part-time administrative assistant. When our full-time office administrator left, we had no reservations in offering him the role. He has consistently risen to any challenge and proven himself to be a reliable, dedicated team member.

The key traits I look for in new employees are their ability to work within our team and their enthusiasm to learn. The atWork Australia team understands this and does an amazing job vetting candidates to find the right fit for our business.

Beyond finding the right candidates, atWork Australia has been highly engaged in ensuring that staff have all the necessary training for their roles. They regularly check in after employment begins to see how staff are progressing and whether additional training is needed. They have even provided our employees with courses such as forklift training at no cost to us.

Honestly, I could not recommend the program enough and will definitely be using it in the future."*

Learn more about how atWork Australia has supported other businesses here.


What shortages are you experiencing that atWork Australia can support you with? Administration support, factory work, irrigation tech work? atWork Australia can support candidates to have up to date qualifications and licences, support with funding for work related clothing and more. Irrigation Australia can also support with basic level training to a new employee, or other short course training like Irrigation Installer skill set. Together we can support you to gain a valuable candidate through atWork Australia. Partner with atWork Australia and access:

  • Their full talent pool of pre-screened, job-ready candidates, with the right skills and experience, expertly matched to your vacancies
  • Funding for training courses for candidates (such as computer skills, work-related tickets and licences, certificate courses)
  • Funding for tools, equipment, work clothes and uniforms
  • Assistance with specialist equipment or workplace modifications for candidates who need it
  • Post-placement support for you and your new employee to foster lasting employment
  • A cost-free recruitment service, saving your business time and money
  • Work trials to ensure the candidate is a good match for your business

Any formal employment arrangement made is via direct agreement between your business and atWork Australia. Irrigation Australia's is only aiming to help facilitate opportunities for members. We would be very keen to maintain contact and understand the experience/ progress of any placements to try to build on successes.


Join Irrigation Australia’s reference group

To ensure these initiatives meet industry needs, we are forming a reference group to guide us on how we can best coordinate workforce support and employment pathways for the industry. If you are interested in joining the reference group, please register your interest by emailing info@irrigation.org.au.

 



7. Irrigators question Minister Plibersek’s water buyback strategy

Irrigators are raising concerns over Minister Tanya Plibersek’s recent decision to approve the purchase of an additional 100 GL of water in the southern Murray-Darling Basin, citing flawed assessments and a lack of transparency in the procurement process.

Zara Lowien, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, criticized the decision, arguing that the assessment ignored broader economic consequences. "The additional 170 GL from recent buybacks could drive up water allocation prices by 7.2% and significantly impact industries like rice, where water use could drop by 6.48%,” she said.

Lowien also questioned the government’s commitment to mitigating socio-economic impacts, highlighting the slow progress of alternative water recovery programs. “No new efficiency projects have been contracted, no land and water partnerships secured, and only NSW has signed up to the flagship ‘Sustaining Basin Communities’ program,” she noted.

Concerns have also been raised about the government’s handling of water market data and the transparency of its buyback strategy. “The lack of clarity on how and where this additional water will be purchased raises red flags,” said Lowien. “This move appears to be a rushed attempt to show progress before the Federal Election, rather than a well-planned strategy.”

With questions still unanswered about whether the buybacks will genuinely enhance environmental outcomes, irrigators remain unconvinced that the full socio-economic impacts have been properly considered.

Read the full media release from the National Irrigators’ Council here.



8. The power of local manufacture: Customised pump solutions from Davey Water Products

Davey Water Products continues to lead the way in Australian-made, customised pump solutions for commercial, industrial, and agricultural applications. With decades of engineering expertise and local manufacturing capabilities, Davey provides tailored solutions that ensure optimal performance and reliability.

The ISOspec CF and CM Series Pumps, designed to ISO2858 standards, offer durability and efficiency for diverse applications, including municipal water supply, commercial irrigation, and industrial processing. By manufacturing locally, Davey reduces lead times and ensures high-quality, customised solutions built to meet unique flow rate, pressure, and material requirements.

"Our local manufacturing capabilities allow us to be highly responsive to customer needs," says Mark Anning, GM ANZ Sales. With advanced engineering and rapid prototyping, Davey delivers efficiency, reliability, and long-term cost savings.

Learn more about Davey's customised pump solutions by reading the full release here.








9. Join ICID’s International Women’s Day Webinar: “Water, Women, Nexus – Stronger Together, More Inclusive Forever”

On March 8, 2025 at 2:30 PM (IST), the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) is celebrating International Women’s Day by hosting a special webinar highlighting the role of women in water management, particularly within the irrigation and drainage sectors.

Aligned with the United Nations’ 2025 theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”, this webinar will showcase women’s leadership in water-related industries and explore how gender equality drives innovation and progress in global water management.

For more details about the speakers, access the flyer here. To register, click 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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