AWPMA E-Gazette, Special Edition - August 2023

ADMINIS TRATOR

ofthe Year 2023

2023 ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY FMC

The 2023 Administrator of the Year Award, proudly sponsored by FMC, celebrates the unsung heroes of the corporate world - the office managers and administration assistants who form the backbone of every successful business. These remarkable individuals are the driving force behind seamless operations, efficient coordination, and a harmonious work environment, playing a pivotal role in the company’s growth and prosperity.

WHAT THE AWARD STANDS FOR

The Administrator of the Year Award aims to recognize and honor exceptional individuals who have consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, exceptional organizational skills, and an unwavering commitment to their roles. They inspire and uplift their colleagues, driving them to achieve new heights of productivity and excellence. These dedicated professionals are true champions in their fields, and this award seeks to highlight their invaluable contributions.

HOW THEY ARE ELECTED

The nomination process for the Administrator of the Year Award commenced earlier, where colleagues and superiors had the opportunity to put forth names of candidates deserving of this prestigious honor. Each nomination was carefully reviewed and evaluated by a panel of esteemed industry experts who are well-versed in office management and administration. The judges meticulously assessed the nominees based on various criteria, including leadership qualities, problem-solving skills, innovation, and overall impact on their respective organizations.

ADMINIS TRATOR

ofthe Year 2023

2023 ADMINISTRATOR OF

THE

YEAR AWARD WINNER Sally Mifsud

My Name is Sally Mifsud, I’ve been assisting and managing within EPC - Enviro Pest Control since the company was created in 2015.

Coming from a hairdressing background, I had no knowledge of the pest control industry and what was involved. When I fell pregnant, I was unable to stand all day, once our little baby girl was born, I found that EPC had grown to where we needed a part time office admin, so from there I started my journey in the office. As the business was growing, I was spending more time in the office, going from part time to full time, I then felt it would be beneficial if I were to apply for my pest control licence and complete the required schooling. I now have vast experience and a greater understanding and knowledge of the industry. I also from time to time go out and audit sites whenever necessary.

Having my pest control licence not only gave me a better understanding of the industry but also the ability to better assist our customers and our growing team.

Some of the best experiences I’ve had working in the pest control industry have been, being able to have the ability to help grow EPC by being involved in the training of new team members, implementing team building events and ensuring all team members are operating safely and efficiently.

We have a diverse team and currently have an equal ratio of staff, 50/50 female to male team. Moving forward, an aspiration would be growing our team and encouraging more females to become involved within this male dominated industry, providing better knowledge and understanding of the importance of the pest control industry.

ADMINIS TRATOR

ofthe Year 2023

TRA I N EE

ofthe Year 2023

2023 TRAINEE OF THE YEAR AWARD

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY FMC

The 2023 Trainee of the Year Award, proudly sponsored by FMC, celebrates the exceptional trainees who embody the future of the pest control industry. These individuals have gone above and beyond to engage passionately with their training, striving for and achieving success, best practice, and innovation within their chosen field. As we recognize their outstanding efforts, let us take a moment to understand the significance of this award, why trainees matter, and how they were selected as finalists.

WHAT THE AWARD STANDS FOR

The Trainee of the Year Award stands for acknowledging and honoring the exceptional trainees within the pest control industry who have demonstrated unwavering dedication, drive, and a commitment to excellence in their training journey. It celebrates those individuals who have taken their roles as trainees seriously and have proactively contributed to the industry’s growth, setting an example for others to follow. This award is a testament to the potential of the next generation of pest control professionals and recognizes the value they bring to the industry.

WHY TRAINEES MATTER

Trainees are the lifeblood of our industry, representing the next generation of pest control professionals. Their development and growth are pivotal to ensuring a sustainable and thriving industry for the future. By recognizing the dedication and achievements of trainees, we not only encourage their personal growth and learning but also inspire other trainees to invest in their own development and actively contribute to the advancement of pest control practices. Trainees represent fresh perspectives, new ideas, and an eagerness to drive innovation and best practices.

HOW THEY WERE SELECTED

The process of selecting the finalists for the Trainee of the Year Award involved a rigorous evaluation by a panel of industry experts. These esteemed judges reviewed the nominations received from various companies and organizations, assessing each trainee’s dedication, achievements, and contributions to the pest control industry. The finalists were chosen based on their outstanding commitment to excellence, their innovative approaches, and the impact they have made during their training journey.

TRA I N EE

ofthe Year 2023

2023 TRAINEE OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER

Tahlia Bawden

My name is Tahlia Bawden and I’m from EPC-Enviro Pest Control. I have been working with EPC for about 3 years now. I started my journey in the office in 2020 as a young person not really knowing what I was getting into as an office administrator. At the start of my role, I completed my cert III in business management to help further my knowledge and skills within the office, I also completed online courses for the pest control industry and internal training to help me understand the ins and outs of the pest control industry as a whole.

My main tasks within the office now consist of managing the team, perfecting our busy and daily changing schedule, customer service via phone calls and emails, account management for our debt collection, invoicing and quoting and ensuring the team run smoothly on a day-to-day basis.

During my time within the office at EPC I have also gained my pest control license to again help further my knowledge in the industry to help myself understand the tasks completed on site, times between jobs, how the schedule flows best and how to explain treatments and answer important questions from customers when they contact me in the office.

Moving forward with EPC-Enviro Pest Control I would like to continue growing our small team and our team’s knowledge in all areas. I think it is important to understand all roles in a business regardless of your main role to help ensure the flow of all team members and workloads.

TRA I N EE

ofthe Year 2023

EXCELLENCE AWARD

2023 EXCELLENCE AWARD

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY BASF

The 2023 Excellence Award, proudly sponsored by BASF, seeks to recognise, and highlight the outstanding achievements of remarkable women who have significantly advanced in the Australian pest management industry. These finalists have demonstrated exemplary leadership, expertise, and dedication, making substantial contributions to the growth and success of the pest control sector.

WHAT THE AWARD STANDS FOR

The Excellence Award stands as a symbol of recognition and admiration for the exceptional contributions of women within the pest management industry. It honour’s those individuals who have displayed unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and positive change. The award celebrates their invaluable impact on the industry’s development and the inspiration they provide to their peers.

WHY IT MATTERS

Celebrating the achievements of women in the pest management industry is vital in fostering a diverse and inclusive community. By acknowledging these women’s successes, we promote gender equality and empower others to pursue their goals without limitations. Their outstanding work and dedication serve as an encouragement to all professionals, regardless of gender, to reach for excellence and contribute positively to the industry’s growth.

HOW THEY WERE SELECTED

The finalists for the Excellence Award were carefully selected through a rigorous evaluation process. Nominations poured in from various sectors of the pest management industry, highlighting the exceptional contributions of these women. A panel of five distinguished industry experts meticulously reviewed each nomination, considering factors such as leadership, expertise, and positive impact on the pest management sector.

In addition to the nomination review, each finalist also underwent an in-depth interview with the panel of judges. During these interviews, the judges had the opportunity to gain deeper insights into the finalists’ accomplishments, vision, and contributions to the industry. The interviews provided a comprehensive understanding of how these women have demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication to advancing the pest management field.

The combination of the nomination review and the insightful interviews allowed the panel of judges to make well-informed decisions and select the most deserving finalists for the 2023 Excellence Award. Each finalist’s passion, expertise, and commitment to excellence shone through, making the selection process both challenging and rewarding.

THE WINNER

The winner of the 2023 Excellence Award will be announced and celebrated at the gala dinner during the prestigious Pesticon conference. This celebration will serve as an inspiring occasion, bringing together industry professionals to honour the exceptional accomplishments of the award winner.

We extend our gratitude to BASF for proudly sponsoring this award and for their commitment to supporting excellence within the pest management industry. Their support reinforces our shared mission to foster a thriving and innovative pest management community.

Let us join together to celebrate the remarkable achievements of these finalists and the positive impact they have made on the pest management industry.

EXCELLENCE AWARD

Winner 2023

EXCELLENCE AWARD

Finalists 2023

2023 EXCELLENCE AWARD FINALIST Nathalie Clerk

I would like my story to be about a dedicated professional with nearly two decades of experience in manufacturing and construction – a woman in male-dominated industries who has navigated through diverse roles from corporate platforms into the pest industry.

Throughout this journey, I have maintained my commitment to putting my family’s needs first while always giving my best to meet the challenges within my industry.

My passion for continuous learning in dynamic work environments continues to be a driving force, as it brings stimulation and satisfaction. I like to believe my contribution is a valuable and important asset to my customers and the industry in general.

My dedication to sharing this passion within the industry has opened doors for better and bigger opportunities, fostering a sense of unity in working towards common goals.

My aspirations are geared towards becoming an advocate for businesses, championing positive changes, and ensuring that every individual’s voice is heard in the workplace. I believe my vision to be a voice for change is a testament to my leadership and desire to make the pest industry a professional and profitable market for all our cohorts.

My legacy is to create a lasting impact in the industry and inspire others to strive for excellence while providing a sustainable future for the industry and their families.

EXCELLENCE AWARD

Finalists 2023

2023 EXCELLENCE AWARD FINALIST Meg Papadopoulos

Mum of 4, Evan 16, James 14, Andrew 12 & Zoe 6. I started as a part timer in the office around 7 years ago, which I really didn’t enjoy, coming from a fitness background, it just wasn’t me.

I then became a labourer for my husband little over 5 years ago, I would roll out the hose, stock the Ute, dig the trenches and cart the sand for him.

I honestly never thought it would go further than that until our technician retired.

Instead of employing another technician, I decided to get qualified and become a Pest Technician.

Since then, I have become proficient in pre construction and commercial pest management. John developed and patented an in cavity reticulation system, CAVTECT, which I install and service regularly, on my own.

I regularly use almost all methods used for pre construction (Homeguard PB, Homeguard TMB, Homeguard GT granules, Collars for penetrations, CAVTECT, Termex external reticulation, Cordon, Homeguard Protectacote/Termseal Multi Purpose Active), because it’s never a one size fits all approach.

I also inherited a commercial portfolio, consisting of 14 premises.

Over the last 2 years, I have grown this portfolio to 62 premises and this is still growing.

I pride myself on my work ethic and standard and I take my time and focus on attention to detail (I call it a woman’s touch).

We have recently employed another technician and

eagerly await the return of our female trainee, post baby.

Life is busy and crazy, as we also provide part time care for my husband’s parents along with all the other parental responsibilities. It’s not always easy, it’s a juggle, but we make it work for our family.

I love spending time with my family and am actively involved in our youngest children’s school P&C, I coach my daughters under 7 netball team and regularly arrange get togethers for the mums at school for us to reload (anything from a walking/training group to coffee or dinner dates.) Work life balance is not always easy as a female in the pest industry, but I hope that as the children get older, I can commit more time to AEPMA here in WA as well as the progression & promotion of AWPMA, or only in WA, but also throughout the country.

I feel extremely honoured to have been nominated for the Excellence Award.

Recognition of my dedication to the industry and our small family business is very humbling.

EXCELLENCE AWARD

I started my journey whilst becoming a single mum due to leaving domestic violence.

I didn’t feel safe having strange men in my home whilst trying to rebuild my families lives. At the time I was working as an assistant nurse and noticed that the venerable disability community also often felt safer with a woman in their home over a man.

I soon started my journey in studying and training in pest and termite management.

I was judge for being a woman with big dreams from the beginning and told by fellow students I should apply for a pest management office job. Comments like that only drove me further to succeed.

After alot of practical training along side my now partner I was ready to start my journey and created “iDeBug Pest Control”.

I have now been a sole trader in the industry for 5yrs. I dont get recognition or awards, but I do strive to provide my customers with the up most respect and care whilst I inspect and treat their home without judgement.

I honestly love what I do and love that I can empower and show woman that we can overcome trauma and use it to succeed and make something of ourselves.

I wouldn’t be where I am today with out my partner and children who encourage me every day to push myself further then I ever imagined.

EXCELLENCE AWARD

Winner 2023