YOUR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
vegetablesWA
CEO’s Report 3 RECENTLY the team recorded two webinars covering labour issues and food safety.
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BY JOHN SHANNON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA
ommunicating with growers is extremely important, now more than ever due to the pandemic, and finding a way to deliver key messaging is something that vegetablesWA is taking very seriously. Recently the team recorded two webinars covering labour issues and food safety. Industry bodies within horticulture are seriously concerned that labour sources are going to be an issue in the near future. With even stricter regimes being put in place and restricted movements across our borders due to COVID-19, we feel this discussion is critically important to ensure production and business continuity. Our Labour Scheme Facilitator, Melissa Denning, was joined by growers and industry to have a candid conversation about the current situation, discuss the issues and look for workable solutions. We had around 45 people jump on this webinar and
ask some really valuable questions. If you’re a grower concerned about getting workers, there are resources available like the Studium website that are free and available to connect you with the workers you need. The other webinar we delivered looked at melon safety. Any grower that washes and packs fresh produce for market is recommended to take a look at this webinar on the vegetablesWA YouTube channel. We had growers from all over Australia, and as far as New Zealand, contribute to this webinar and the feedback has been extremely positive. I am pleased to report that vegetablesWA was granted funding by the Agricultural Produce Commission and Vegetable Producers Committee to offer its members support with Business Extension, Human Resources and Industrial Relations.
Melon/Food safety webinar www.youtube.com/ watch?v=zf3j2Zyh6Ao
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WA Grower SPRING 2020
The analysis of data collated from the vegetablesWA Benchmarking project identified a gap in accessible specialist knowledge available to growers to help them identify risks and resource gaps to their businesses. This project was developed to fill this gap and provide members with access to resources and advice that was identified from the Benchmarking project.
I am extremely pleased to announce that Stephen Farrell has been appointed to this position. Stephen has extensive experience representing clients in both the Fair Work and Western Australian industrial commissions, before both single commissioners and full benches. Stephen will be able to provide the following services to growers: • HR Consultancy • Mediation of employee conflict • Representation in tribunals and commissions • Workplace Investigations • Review and drafting of employment contracts • Workplace compliance audits • Facilitation of Training Courses • Mentoring managers • General Industrial Relations advice • Occupational Health and Safety. We’re in the process of building an information page on our website where you’ll find a host of great resources put together by Stephen. MORE INFORMATION John Shannon, phone 0488 111 526 or email john.shannon@vegetableswa.com.au
