Australian Women’s Pest Management Association E-Gazette, March 2023

Board Report

New AWPMA Member Portal

The AWPMA Board is pleased to announce that our new Member Portal has been released. We are very excited to make this available to our members. In the portal, members can see and book our upcoming events, access our member resources, and see our latest news. We encourage all members to check it out.

AWPMA Events at Pesticon

We are also pleased to announce that AWPMA will attend the Pesticon Conference again this year. We will be running two events at the conference; our inaugural Networking Breakfast , which will be open to everyone, and an Aqua Duck Tour, open to women only. Please check out the details for these events in the Gazette or on our Facebook

AWPMA Awards

AWPMA will again be running the Excellence Award sponsored by BASF, as well as the Administrator of the Year and Trainee of the Year Awards sponsored by FMC. Nominations for these awards will be opening in mid-April. Awards are a way to recognise a member of your team that goes above and beyond in their job, interactions with the industry and supporting fellow colleagues or industry members. So, we encourage you to start thinking about a member of your team to nominate.

Newsletter Contributions

Please submit your content to info@awpma.org.au.

The cut off date to have your content and articles in is the first of the month.

Forthcoming issues:

June

Careers in Pest Management

According to labour market insights, the pest control industry employs 5,200 people, with the average age in our industry being 45 years old. More startling, only 4% of our industry comprises females, whereas the all-jobs-average comprises 48% females. Even the construction industry has 12% female participation! These are figures AWPMA wants to improve. Some of the barriers to entry into our industry for females are that pest control careers aren’t promoted in schools for women and the lack of perceived career development opportunities for females.

AWPMA is working with AEPMA to create a Careers in Pest Management website that will help to address these two issues for females. We would really love some collate some videos, stories and photographs featuring females doing their job, as well as reviews from females about why females should get involved in the pest industry. If you have any content for this, please send it to info@ awpma.org.au

JOIN US!

Membership for AWPMA is open to all females representing companies and businesses involved in any aspect of Pest Management industry, our association has a strong ethic to grow a supportive community for all women in the industry.

JOIN NOW!!!

THE NEW MEMBER PORTAL IS NOW ACTIVE

Many attendees travel from far and wide to attend Pesticon, one thing that the AWPMA board has noticed is many of us who travel don’t get to see much of what the beautiful Gold Coast has to offer. So, we are inviting the women of our industry to book your seat on our very limited Aqua Duck tour. If previous events are anything to go off, this event will sell out quick! Departing from the STAR hotel at 4:45pm on Thursday 17th August.

The Aqua Duck tour, is the best of both worlds, a bus and boat tour. Join us aboard the amphibious Aqua Duck for an afternoon sunset cruise and city tour where you will sip on bubbles and enjoy a snack whilst hearing the stories that have shaped the Gold Coast of today. Behind its glittering exterior of skyscrapers, bright lights and golden beaches, lies a web of secrets, scandals and almost unbelievable stories of how this famous town came to be the Gold Coast as you see it today. Hear all about the businessman who embezzled over $13million, the missing 3m boa constrictor, and Australia’s first bikini plus many more fun and interesting stories on our 1.5hr secrets, scandals and sunset tour of the Gold Coast this is a commentary you won’t find in any guidebook. As they say… ‘all that glitters isn’t necessarily gold’. We look forward to seeing you in August for a quacking good time!

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Thursday 17th August

Time: 4:45pm – 6:15pm (Participants must be at the main entrance of the star by 4:30pm to prepare for departure)

Cost: $50 for AWPMA Members or $75 for Non-Members

Participants: Women Only

More Details: https://www.aquaduck.com.au

Aqua Duck Tour BOOK HERE

AWPMA is very pleased to be working with AEPMA and FMC to host the AWPMA Networking Breakfast, this event is open to everyone. So come join us for a buffet breakfast on Thursday 17th August from 7am-9am, we will be celebrating the winners of the Administrator of the year award and the Trainee of the year award, proudly sponsored by FMC.

We will also have the lovely Von Barnes from Pinnacle Properties presenting a keynote presentation on her journey in the business world. Through hard work and determination Von has built her business Pinnacle Properties up to be a multimillion-dollar business. She and her team are highly focused on caring for their clients, they have a 99% referral base for their business and are always striving to provide a “Great experience, not good, great!” Von has faced many challenges in her business journey and will be offering insight on how to achieve success, how to deal with a male dominated

career and come out on top and empowering yourself and those around you. She describes herself as “Female Entrepreneur – savvy, seasoned and successful”. This will be a Keynote Presentation not to be missed.

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Thursday 17th August

Time: 7am – 9am

Cost: $25 for AWPMA Members or $45 for Non-Members

Participants: Everyone Welcome

More Details: https://www.pinnacleproperties. com.au/about-pinnacle-properties/our-team/

Networking Breakfast BOOK HERE

If you are keen to attend one of our gatherings, we do have a number of them scheduled over the coming months in different states. We would encourage you to keep an eye out on our Facebook Page for more information on these events.

AWARDS

AWPMA IS VERY PLEASED TO BE FACILITATING THREE AWARDS AT THIS YEAR’S PESTICON CONFERENCE, THEY ARE:

EXCELLENCE AWARD

Winner 2023

2023 EXCELLENCE AWARD, PROUDLY SPONSORED BY BASF

The Excellence Award recognises women in the pest control industry that show outstanding leadership and make notable contributions to the development and growth of other women within the industry. Nominations for the Excellence Award will be opening in April, the award winner will be presented at the Gala Dinner held at the Pesticon Conference.

2023 ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD, PROUDLY SPONSORED

BY FMC

This award looks to recognise an outstanding office manager or administration assistant. We all know the office is the backbone of the business that keeps it all together. We want to honour an outstanding member of your office crew. Nominations for the Administrator of the year award will be opening in April, the award winner will be presented at the AWPMA Networking Breakfast.

TRA I NEE

ofthe Year 2023

ADMINIS TRATOR

ofthe Year 2023

2023 TRAINEE OF THE YEAR AWARD, PROUDLY SPONSORED

BY FMC

Trainees are the future of our industry. We want to recognise a trainee that has gone above and beyond to engage in the pest control industry. We want to recognise a trainee that has strived for and achieved success, best practice, and innovation in training. Nominations for the Trainee of the year award will be opening in April, the award winner will be presented at the AWPMA Networking Breakfast.

For more details on these awards please visit our website https://awpma.org.au/about/awpma-awards/ or contact the AWPMA board at info@awpma.org.au

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S

This month for International Women’s Day (8th March), four of AWPMA’s board members, Tara, Kuy Sophi and Sarah, attended Showcase SA’s “Women in Wine” luncheon held at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide.

The board joined a table of 10 women, sponsored by Allstate Pest Control, to share their challenges and triumphs working as female business owners, technicians, managers, and administrators in the Pest Management industry. Amongst the ladies in attendance, we had representation from six different SA pest control businesses, and three generations in pest control, and the friendships made reiterated that despite living in an age where social media and web meetings provide more opportunities to connect than ever, there really is no comparison for meeting peers and supporting each other in person.

It was inspiring to hear Bec Hardy (Bec Hardy Wines) and Corrina Wright (Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards) speak on gender parity and equity for women in the wine industry.

Corrina Wright is the owner and winemaker of Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards family business in McLaren Vale, the sixth generation to farm the same land. Corinna was awarded the 2019 ASVO Winemaker of the Year and won the 2021 Family Business Australia Leading Women in Family Business award.

Bec is a 6th generation member of and the first female vigneron from one of Australia’s oldest wine families, the Hardys. After establishing Bec Hardy Wines in 2015 and acquiring the Peratinga wine brand from her father’s business in 2020, she’s now making her own way in the Australian wine world with a modern twist on 170 years of winemaking heritage.

Together Bec and Corrina discussed their roles in creating positive change and what brought them to this point in their careers and encouraged other women to be courageous in coming forward in their respective industries. There were so many ah-ha moments taken from Bec and Corrina’s words, ranging from juggling work and home duties, family, and the mental

DAY

load, as well as practical advice for women who are trying to find their place and reach out for support in male-dominated workplaces.

AWPMA thoroughly enjoyed participating in such an inspiring event and is so grateful to

Vasili and the Allstate Pest Control team for encouraging women in our industry to be involved. It certainly has motivated us to push forward with our ideas and help motivate women in pest control to reach for the stars.

Whether new or returning to the Garrards Roadshows there is always something to learn or see for everyone. We would be delighted if you could join the Garrards team in bringing you face-to-face with some of the best manufacturers world-wide. You have the opportunity to listen, view and handle the latest technology and techniques in Pest Control. From rodent sensing technology to the latest chemical break throughs, there is something new for everyone.

Morning events include buffet breakfast and morning tea while afternoon events conclude with canapes and drinks.

TERMITES – New mode of action discovered on the impact of baits on termite colonies.

TECHNOLOGY – Rodent control revolution: using sensing technologies.

BUSINESS - Creating the maximum value from every job

TECHNICAL - Controlling German Cockroaches with IGRs.

LICENCING - What’s new in licensing and Government Regulations.

And much much more !

There will be giveaways, prizes and plenty of promotions on the day with a showbag for each attendee and much more!

Check the website for further details!

Date Keepers:

Adelaide: Monday 27th March 2023 (7:00am Breakfast)

Mildura: Tuesday 28th March 2023 (12:30pm Start)

Dandenong: Thursday 30th March 2023 (7:00am Breakfast)

Taylors Lakes: Friday 31st March 2023 (7:00am Breakfast)

Our RSVP system is online and ready to accept registrations! Simply click/follow the links below and fill in your details to secure your spot at the Garrards’ 2023 Roadshows.

Please RSVP for catering purposes, you will receive an attendance certificate and entered into prize draws on the day. The cost of the event is free.

HOW TO RSVP ?

Visit the Garrards website or click the link. Choose ‘Individual’ if you are registering just one person or ‘Group’ to register multiple people at the same time. Fill out the details and you will receive an email with your tickets to enter the venue.

EMBRACE EQUITY

March 8 was International Women’s Day, and the month of March has the enduring flavour of gender equity, encouraging and challenging us to think about the role of women in the world, their barriers to safety, education and employment.

Thinking about the pest management sector, whilst it may be perceived the majority of people employed are male, it’s my perception that, like many industries, it’s fundamentally supported by women.

Women are the backbone of small business in Australia, and the pest management sector is no different. Filling essential roles in administration, finance and operational roles (as well as working in the field), I’ve spoken to many, many women in the industry who share stories of falling in to pest management through family (parents,

spouse) and have made the running of the business their life’s work.

For me, International Women’s Day has always been about celebration. Not to ignore the challenges we still face in Australia in pay equity, domestic violence, discrimination and sexual harassment, International Women’s Day presents a focused opportunity to acknowledge women’s roles in our community, the impact of those roles, and how that impact can be amplified with such stellar role models to stand on the shoulders of.

Role models are critical in our society. Seeing strong, successful women running businesses, sharing their stories and encouraging other women to have a go is a fundamental element to increased gender equity.

When girls see women pushing boundaries, thriving in roles traditionally taken up by men, it fosters a belief that they can safely and successfully pursue their goals. Not many girls have an appetite to go where they’re not wanted, where its lonely, and where men make them feel unwelcome.

So men are equally a part of equality for women. They’re equally important role models. When girls and boys see men in workplaces encouraging and supporting women – whether they’re pest technicians, admin or running the whole show - this becomes their normality, they less likely to form gender biases and they enter the workforce with that lens of equality across genders.

I often get asked how people can support change for a better go for women.

My answer is always the same:

• get involved

• get educated

• start small

• do what you can

At home, consider what roles are being modelled to your children or extended family. Is the domestic work shared equally? Or does the female take care of the majority of cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, bill paying whilst the male goes to work and does the lawns on Saturdays? This may be your dynamic and maybe it works for you. The important thing is to consider it and to have discussions about why that works (or to challenge it if it doesn’t).

In the workplace, does everyone in your organization understand the fundamental roles the female staff play? Is that valued, celebrated and is there a culture of the techs and the office working in partnership rather than opposition?

Does your recruitment process foster diversity, or are you recruiting in your own image? How might you advertise differently to attract women to your business, or indeed the pest management sector itself?

If you’re at a bit of a loss to have these conversations or make small changes, consider looking at some educational resources on gender equity:

• www. internationalwomensday. com

• The Workplace Gender Equality Agency www.wgea. gov.au

• The National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality www.pmc.gov.au

The Australian Women’s Pest Management Association (AWPMA) was formed to empower relationships with women in the pest management industry.

Their events and Facebook group are a great way to get educated and involved and make a difference in this sector.

Perhaps that’s a great place to start – reach out and connect with likeminded women, even if it’s a simple Facebook post – “Hey, I’d really like to learn from other women around here. Can anyone help?”

This month really does present a great opportunity to be the change you want to see in the world, one that embraces women and provides them with equal access to education, employment and safety.

Belinda Smith Chief Executive Officer Rapid Solutions

WORK FROM HOME DEDUCTIONS HAVE CHANGED!

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) have changed the way that taxpayers claim deductions for costs incurred when working from home.

Taxpayers can choose one of two methods to claim working from home deductions: either the “actual cost” or “fixed rate” method. Only the fixed rate method is changing.

The revised fixed rate method applies from 1 July 2022 and can be used when taxpayers are working out deductions for their 2022–23 income tax returns.

First things first, make sure you are eligible to claim working from home expenses. To claim your working from home expenses, you must be working from home to fulfil your employment duties, not just carrying out minimal tasks, such as occasionally checking emails or taking calls. Also, you must incur additional expenses as a result of working from home.

No matter which method you use, make sure to keep records. This will give you more flexibility to choose the method that gives you the best deduction at tax time depending on your

circumstances.

Please be aware that the revised fixed rate method now includes mobile, internet, electricity and office consumables such as stationery.

Assets and equipment, such as technological items and office furniture, are not included in the revised rate and need to be claimed separately, if these are over $300 they must be depreciated.

One benefit to the changes is that you no longer need a dedicated home office to use the fixed rate method.

Although this change has been backdated to July 1 2022, transitional arrangements are in place for record keeping requirements.

From 1 July 2022 to 28 February 2023, the ATO will accept a record which represents the total number of hours worked from home (for example a 4 week diary). From 1 March 2023 onwards, taxpayers will need to record the total number of hours they work from home.

Please remember, you can’t claim for things like

coffee, tea, milk and other general household items, even if your employer may provide these kinds of things for you at work.

REVISED FIXED RATE METHOD

The revised fixed rate method can be used from the 2022–23 income year onwards. The changes are:

Rate

The cents per work hour has increased from 52 cents to 67 cents.

What’s covered by the rate

The revised fixed rate of 67 cents per work hour covers energy expenses (electricity and gas), phone usage (mobile and home), internet, stationery, and computer consumables. No additional deduction for any expenses covered by the rate can be claimed if you use this method.

What can be claimed separately

The decline in value of assets used while working from home, such as computers and office furniture.

The repairs and maintenance of these assets.

The costs associated with cleaning a dedicated home office.

Home office

The revised fixed rate method doesn’t require taxpayers to have a dedicated home office space to claim working from home expenses.

Record keeping

Taxpayers need to keep a record of all the hours worked from home for the entire income year – the ATO won’t accept estimates, or a 4-week representative diary or similar document under this method from 1 March 2023.

Records of hours worked from home can be in any form provided they are kept as they occur, for example, timesheets, rosters, logs of time spent accessing employer or business systems, or a diary for the full year.

Records must be kept for each expense taxpayers have incurred which is covered by the fixed rate per hour (for example, if taxpayers use their phone and electricity when working from home, they must keep one bill for each of these expenses).

ACTUAL COST METHOD

The actual cost method hasn’t changed. Taxpayers can claim the actual work-related portion of all running expenses.

This includes keeping detailed records for all the working from home expenses being claimed, including:

• all receipts, bills and other similar documents to show taxpayers have incurred the expenses, a record of the number of hours worked from home during the income year (either the actual hours or a diary or similar document kept for a representative 4-week period to show the usual pattern of working at home).

• a record of how taxpayers have calculated the work-related and private portion of their expenses (for example, a diary or similar document kept for a representative 4-week period to show the usual pattern of workrelated use of a depreciating asset such as a laptop).

The ATO is reminding taxpayers that if they are claiming their actual working from home expenses, they can’t claim a deduction for expenses which have already been reimbursed by their employer

More information

No matter which method is used, if taxpayers purchase assets and equipment for work and it costs more than $300, they can’t claim the full amount immediately. For each of these items, the deduction must be claimed over a number of years and the work portion claimed (known as decline in value or depreciation)

For more detailed information about working from home please see our Updated WFH Playlist on TikTok

Belinda Raso MIPA - NTAAF - REGISTERED TAX AGENT

Belinda will be at our Networking Breakfast at the Conference in August

NEW STARRDUSTPRO

GRAB-N-GO

CONVENIENCE PACK

Sundew Solutions is pleased to announce the availability of a new pack size in its StarrdustPRO range – a 2 kg Grab-n-Go Convenience Pack.

StarrdustPRO Industrial Strength Insecticidal

Dusting Powder features a double strength permethrin 40:60 cis as well as the insect growth regulator, triflumuron. As well as being registered against the common urban pests, it is registered for use against four pests not found on other dust labels in Australia: millipedes, slaters, clothes moths and darkling beetles, making it the most comprehensive product label for dusts.

The new StarrdustPRO Grab-n-Go pack has a rugged laminated plastic exterior comprising three layers of protective material and a resealable zip-lock at the top. Inside the bag is a second tied bag featuring a silver metalised layer. These features keep StarrdustPRO fresh for a long period of time and protect against oxygen and moisture, ensuring the dust is perfectly dry.

For added convenience, the StarrdustPRO Grab-n-Go pack has a tough hand grip for safe and easy carrying.

Sundew Solutions introduced this new pack at the request of reseller partners and pest management professionals from across Australia looking for a convenient ‘intermediate’ no-fuss pack size. It is great for single operators, stock management, or budget conscious buyers.

“With the price of fuel today some technicians are looking for every way to reduce the amount of weight being carried in their vehicles”, explained David Priddy, CEO Sundew Solutions. “The new Grab-n-Go Convenience pack is a great option that is easy on the pocket.”

StarrdustPRO 2 kg Grab-n-Go Convenience Pack is MADE IN AUSTRALIA and is available now from Agserv, Garrards, David Grays and Globe Pest Solutions. Visit sundewsolutions.com.au to find out more.

SUNDEW SOLUTIONS PRODUCTS NOW CERTIFIED BY HACCP

Sundew Solutions are pleased to announce that a number of key products are now certified by HACCP International and endorsed as suitable insecticides for use in food and beverage facilities.

The certification of these products was requested by pest management professionals and reseller partners across Australia.

“Sundew Solutions listens to its valued clients. Obtaining HACCP Certification on key products used in food and beverage facilities is another example of our commitment to the industry,” explained David Priddy, C.E.O. Sundew Solutions.

The following products have received HACCP certification in February 2023:

• AttractANT PRO® Ant Bait Gel

• ANTagonist®PRO 80 SC Polymer Enhanced Bifenthrin Professional Insecticide

• DeltaPRO 25 SC Professional Insecticide

• EnsnarePRO® 50 SC Indoxacarb Professional

Insecticide

• Starrdust®PRO Insecticidal Dusting Powder Industrial Strength

The HACCP International certification of these Sundew products will provide greater versatility of application in food and beverage facilities and will be a welcome upgrade to pest management professionals across Australia.

Visit sundewsolutions.com.au to download a copy of the HACCP certificate or email info@ sundewsolutions.com.au.

ADAM WILTON JOINS THE SUNDEW TEAM

Sundew Solutions is pleased to announce that Adam Wilton has joined the team taking up the role of Sales Executive Pest Management Professional - VIC, SA, WA and TAS.

Adam completed a Bachelor’s Degree after graduating high school and spent two years in the finance industry.

He then moved into the pest industry where he worked as a pest technician for over 10 years. Adam has owned and operated a pest control business for the last 7 years in Victoria.

“Adam brings excellent experience gained in the field and is a kind, positive individual with great communication skills,” said David Priddy, C.E.O. Sundew. “He loves helping others and looks forward to providing a high standard of service to our customers.”

Adam’s extensive wealth of business and infield knowledge puts him in an ideal position to work with our valued customers.

Please make Adam welcome when he connects with you over the coming months.

Adam can be contacted on 0436 119 601 or email adam@sundewsolutions.com.au.

Your key local Sundew contacts in Queensland and New South Wales are:

Jon Broughton

QLD Sales Executive 0422 008 897

jon@sundewsolutions.com.au

Rowan Gregson

NSW Technical Solutions Advisor 0422 403 556 rowan@sundewsolutions.com.au

Please feel free to contact your friendly local Sundew representative for any technical advice, product guides or toolbox training you may need. We’re here to help grow your business!

SUNDEW VESPEX® EUROPEAN WASP SOLUTIONS

- MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

Sundew Solutions, a family owned 100% Australian business is proud to have developed a range of solutions to treat the invasive European wasp. Sundew also researched and developed Australia’s first APVMA approved remote toxicant baiting solution for when nests cannot be located. Sundew VESPEX features in this WINNEWS story making a significant difference to communities in Canberra during 2022-23 European wasp season. To learn more about VESPEX visit sundewsolutions.com.au