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Simon says...

After over two years of planning, it’s hard to believe the Global Biosecurity 2010 conference is over. The conference was extremely successful, bringing over 450 international delegates together to discuss biosecurity issues across the agricultural and environmental sectors.

Through the comprehensive program, I believe all delegates were able to walk away with an awareness of the diversity of biosecurity research, knowledge and systems being carried out or used worldwide. I would like to thank Dr James Ridsdill-Smith and the program committee for the many hours of work they contributed to developing a program that provided ‘something for everyone’.

The social program enabled unique networking opportunities for those with an interest in agricultural and environmental biosecurity including scientists, regulators and industry representatives. You can read more about the success of the conference in other articles in this edition of The Leaflet.

On another note, I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate the postgraduate curriculum in plant biosecurity project team for bringing the project to delivery phase. After several years of dedicated hard work, I am pleased to let our Leaflet readers know that enrolments for the course are now open. This project has been led by Queensland University of Technology in partnership with Murdoch University, Charles Darwin University, La Trobe University and the University of Adelaide with support from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The postgraduate program equips graduates to begin or extend a career in plant biosecurity. More information on the course and the process for enrolling can be found on the curriculum website.

On the topic of universities, I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr Darryl Hardie from the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia on his appointment as an adjunct Associate Professor at Murdoch University. Most readers will remember Darryl as our Surveillance Program Leader. We wish him the best of luck with his appointment.

With every happy news story, there’s also sad news. Since the last edition of The Leaflet, my Executive Assistant, Lauren Searson-Patrick has left the CRC to join a family owned executive recruitment company. Lauren has been a fabulous member of our team and will be missed by everyone at the CRC and other stakeholders. On behalf of everyone, I wish her the best of luck in her new challenges. Fortunate for me, my new EA, Angela Hagedorn started with the CRC this week so I have not had to manage myself for too long! I warmly welcome Angela to the CRC and am sure her years of experience will be of great value to me and the rest of the team.

In addition, our Delivery and Adoption Officer, Cain Roberts has been accepted to undertake a PhD scholarship at the University of Melbourne researching how Australia constructs its foreign policy towards China. We’re privileged to retain Cain’s corporate knowledge as he continues to work part-time for the CRC providing strategic guidance over the delivery frameworks and assisting with the re-bid.

Planning for our re-bid is going well and the taskforce and management are very busy meeting with potential participants and other key stakeholders to discuss our potential new plant biosecurity cooperative research centre. You can keep up-to-date with the re-bid progress through our website and also feel free to access my blog www.talkingplantbiosecurity.com and leave any questions or comments for me.

Now that Global Biosecurity 2010 is over, our focus will be on preparing and submitting a robust re-bid for another term, as well as continuing to deliver the project outputs from our current CRC.

Until next time…

 Simon McKirdy Signature

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer

 

in this issue...

Professor John Lovett
from the arm of the chair

Chairman, Professor John Lovett talks re-bid and managing biosecurity across borders with his recent visit to Manado. READ MORE


welcome onboard CABI

CABI are the newest Supporting Participants of the CRC. READ MORE


global biosecurity wrap up

The success of the Global Biosecurity conference far exceeded our already high expectations. Delegates were able to listen to informative talks, visit the interactive exhibtion and were also witness to the launch of PHA's National Plant Health Status Report. READ MORE


a backyard dinner

Delegates enjoyed dining under the canopy of a Hills Hoist clothesline during Global Biosecurity 2010. READ MORE


karnal bunt diagnostics

Dr Mui-Keng Tan and her project team's protocol is currently with the Sub-Committee of Plant Health Diagnostic Standards (SPHDS) for validation, and hopefully endorsement as an accepted international diagnostic standard. READ MORE


other news...

2009 Science Exchange award winner for collaboration, PhD student Bobbie Hitchcock discusses her research. READ MORE
Potato Late Blight will be used as a case study to research the impact of climate change on pests and diseases of major crops in the Asian Pacific region. READ MORE
Finance and Contracts Coordinator Scott Baxter's ideal holiday destination is the Gold Coast. READ MORE
 

Talking toads reveals tales of mixed feelings

Global Biosecurity Media Relese: February 2010

Wild dog disease to blame for cattle miscarry?

University of Sydney PhD candidate Jessica King explains what farmers can do to minimise the spread of neosporosis when she presents her research findings at the Global Biosecurity Conference

Global Biosecurity Media Relese: February 2010

Summit to put spotlight on biosecurity

Global Biosecurity 2010: safeguarding agriculture and the environment will give biosecurity experts the chance to share their knowledge to ensure we keep up-to-date with the world’s best biosecurity practices.

Global Biosecurity Media Relese: February 2010

Domestic animals: pets or pests?

Global Biosecurity 2010 will provide an opportunity for a broad range of discussion regarding agricultural and environmental biosecurity, including the issue of household pets becoming pests.

Global Biosecurity Media Relese: February 2010

Genome Sequence of the Pea Aphid Acyrthosiphon

Publication Type  Journal Article
Year of Publication  2010
Authors  The_International_Aphid_Genomics_Consortium,
Journal Title  PLoSBiology
Volume  8
Issue  2
Start Page  1
Journal Date  02/2010
DOI  10.1371/journal.pbio.1000313

Improved design method for biosecurity surveillance and early detection of nonindigenous rats.

Publication Type  Journal Article
Year of Publication  In Press
Authors  Jarrad, F.; Barrett, S.; Murray, J.; Parkes, J.; Stoklosa, R.; Mengersen, K.; Whittle, P.
Journal Title  New Zealand Journal of Ecology
Issue  34

Three heads are better than one

Publication Type  Magazine Article
Year of Publication  2008
Authors  Barker, N.
Magazine Name  GRDC Ground Cover Grain Hygiene Supplement
Publisher  Grains Research and Development Corporation

Support for successful storage

Publication Type  Magazine Article
Year of Publication  2008
Authors  Taylor, S.
Magazine Name  GRDC Ground Cover Grain Hygiene Supplement
Issue  76
Publisher  Grains Research and Development Corporation