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.

in this issue...

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...

Simon says...

Season’s greetings to all our Leaflet readers!

I recently started thinking about the holiday season and what the implications are for biosecurity. People across the globe fly home to be with their families, or take their annual holidays to exotic, far flung destinations, bringing home unique souvenirs to remind them of their break. In Australia, families pack up the car and take a long, hot road trip, often passing several state borders and maybe even a quarantine inspection point. There is no doubt the increase in passenger travel amplifies the risk of biosecurity incursions.

And without sounding like the Christmas Grinch, for those of you who still believe in Santa; don’t let me get started on him! Travelling across the globe – to every country – in one night without taking any quarantine precautions sounds like risky business to me. One can only ponder at what pathogens, insects and seeds are on his big black boots, the bottom of his sleigh, and those reindeer have no procedure to disinfest their hooves in footbaths. Wrapped presents that aren’t screened, and a reindeer with a big bright red nose – surely that’s a sign of an emerging infectious disease?

Enough of giving Santa and his reindeers a hard time…I will leave the livestock biosecurity issues to the animal experts and start talking plant biosecurity. I have recently set up my own blog as a way to promote two-way communication across the plant biosecurity community. The blog is aptly named www.talkingplantbiosecurity.com and will provide an avenue to discuss relevant issues and also our impending re-bid for another term. I encourage you to visit my blog and leave comments or questions for me, or respond to each other’s comments.

Speaking of the re-bid, on Wednesday, the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science and Research announced the 2010 Selection Round for the CRC Program. The Minister stated he is ‘especially calling for applications in two priority areas – manufacturing innovation and social innovation’. It was interesting to see there were no agriculture CRCs successful in the 2009 Selection Round. So what does this mean for us? In short, we continue our strategy to build a very robust bid for another term of this CRC. This will be facilitated through a taskforce representing all key participant areas (see my blog for more information). It is essential that our bid clearly articulates solutions to end-user needs through high-level science as a critical mechanism to underpin a sound biosecurity system. In particular, we need to state the importance of science to maintain Australia’s trade/market access and reputation as an exporter of quality pest free produce.

As part of the re-bid process, I am confident the panel will look to the successes of our current CRC. With the end of the year approaching, this is the ideal time to thank everyone involved across our research portfolio for their contribution to our achievements this year. This includes all researchers, staff, students and their supervisors, as well as our research collaborators. We could not function without strategic direction from our Science Committee, Grains Advisory Panel, Participants Committee and Board, so I thank them for their continued support and guidance. Everyone who is involved in our CRC is helping to achieve our vision of becoming a world leader in the generation, development and delivery of plant biosecurity science and education.

I would also like to use this opportunity to thank Melanie Hay for all her work in our Education and Training Program. Mel has recently resigned to take up a secondary school science teaching position here in Canberra. Mel has been instrumental in producing and implementing our successful schools program, Plant Pest Investigators. Leaving behind this legacy, I am confident Mel will bring her enthusiasm for science in to the classroom and now has the additional skills to teach her students about plant biosecurity! On behalf of everyone at the CRC, I wish her a successful career back in the education system.

To finish off, I would like to wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year, wherever you are. I look forward to sharing more of our successes with you in 2010 and hope that by this time next year, someone has had a word to Santa about his biosecurity practices…

Until next time…

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

Chairman, Professor John Lovett reminisces on the successes of 2009 READ MORE

decision support tools for prioritising biosecurity risk

Simulating the economic damage of a potential incursion, ERAT holds its final Expert Reference Panel READ MORE

post-harvest pests in the laboratory

New laboratory focused on post-harvest biosecurity opens at Murdoch University READ MORE

biosecurity defends key rural industry

Our scientists are turning to the genetic codes of stored-grain insects to find out why they are becoming resistant to phoshpine and are also developing a test to help grain handlers rapidly confirm insect resistance and adjust their fumigation strategies READ MORE

other news...

Internationally renowned plant pathologist shares her research at seminars in Horsham and Brisbane READ MORE

Thai scientists recently came to Australia to increase their diagnostic skills READ MORE

Learn about the rapidly expanding user base for our Remote Microscope Network READ MORE

Dr Pat Collins is kept busy as Program Leader of our Post-Harvest Integrity Research Program, but what does he like to do in his 'spare' time? READ MORE

Would you like to contribute to The Leaflet, or provide suggestions for content?
Email us with your ideas.

Simon says...

I am writing this from a very cold and snowy Denver airport, and hoping that my flight home to Australia will not be delayed due to the extreme weather.

 
The United States Department of Agriculture invited me to attend the North American Plant Protection Organization meeting which was held in Chicago from 19-22 October. During the course of the meeting I had numerous discussions with representatives of both the United States Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on our plant biosecurity research with a particular focus on future diagnostics, surveillance and response, as well as giving a presentation on the new national postgraduate curriculum and school Plant Pest Investigators projects.

Being invited to this meeting provided a unique opportunity to build on the existing collaborations with colleagues from North America, and emphasise the contribution our researchers are making to global plant biosecurity solutions. Having strong international collaborations will be an essential component of our re-bid for another term.

 
In addition, I was able to promote the upcoming Global Biosecurity 2010 conference. Since the last edition of The Leaflet, members from the various organisations that make up the Program Committee for Global Biosecurity 2010 have finalised the accepted papers for each stream. A full list of accepted papers is now available on the conference website and a full structured program will be made available in the next few weeks. The list of topics is very comprehensive and it is shaping up to be a very successful event. We are also pleased to welcome the following sponsors on board; Grains Research and Development Corporation, Australian Centre for Excellence in Risk Analysis and Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

As I reflect on our recent and very successful Science Exchange held on the Sunshine Coast, I would like to personally extend my thanks to everyone who participated and attended. The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive and I believe these gatherings provide an unparalleled platform for everyone involved in our research activities to engage with each other and gain a better understanding of the big picture of our vision and strategic direction. I would again like to thank Kate Scott and the other members of the Canberra office whose time and dedication ensured the event was successful. Consideration of the dates for the next Science Exchange is currently underway and I anticipate a date either late in 2010 or early 2011.

 
As we begin our re-bid for another term, this unified vision, strong support from our Participant organisations, collaborative links with key international researchers and the successes from this iteration of the CRC will place our proposal in a strong and favourable position for a successful rebid outcome.

A Participant taskforce to assist the Board in developing the re-bid has now been formed and the first meeting will be scheduled in early November 2009.

Until next time…

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer
CRC for National Plant Biosecurity

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

CRCNPB Chair, Professor John Lovett has been busy promoting the research of the CRC READ MORE

Science Exchange 2009

Science Exchange 2009

Science Exchange Awards Dinner

Climate change in the Asian Pacific regions

Dr Jo Luck leads an Asia Pacific Network for Global Change project on climate change READ MORE

Gene search into the secrets of a super-bug crop destroyer

Our researchers are analysing the genetic make-up of one of the world’s most devastating crop pests, the Russian wheat aphid READ MORE

Plant Pest Investigators

Our primary science unit, Plant Pest Investigators has been launched and is now available for schools READ MORE

other news...

Learn more about the Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostic Standards (SPHDS) READ MORE

Professor Ian Falk and Dr Marthen Ndoen presented at an international conference in Sulawesi READ MORE

Meet our Communications Manager Kate Scott

 Plant Health Australia (PHA) has recently made a number of announcements including:

- an invitation to comment on the draft National Fruit Fly Strategy Implementation Action Plan

- the launch of an Olive Industry Biosecurity Plan

- the appointment of two new PHA Board Directors, and

- the launch of an Orchard Biosecurity Manual for the Almond Industry.

These events are listed available on the PHA website Keep in touch with PHA’s latest developments by subscribing to Tendrils 

 

Simon says...

Spring is finally in the air; the days are getting warmer and many trees around the Canberra region are starting to flower.

Our research portfolio will also continue its growth to full capacity with final project proposals being developed for Board approval by the end of the year. Most of these new projects fall under our Post-Harvest Integrity Research Program; the result of our successful supplementary bid in 2007.

Grains biosecurity research (in particular, stored grains insect resistance to phosphine) is a priority for the grains industry. Australia needs to ensure its grain is insect free to maintain its market access.

In this area of our research portfolio, I would like to congratulate our researchers who recently had manuscripts approved for publication in Pest Management Science. Dr Manoj Nayak’s manuscript is titled ‘Potential of piperonyl butoxide-synergised pyrethrins against psocids (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) for stored grain protection’. Greg Daglish and Hervoika Pavic co-authored a paper titled ‘Changes in phosphine sorption in wheat after storage at two temperatures’. As we reach maturity as a research centre we expect to see more publications arising from our research activities, highlighting the high-level calibre of researchers within the CRC.

I would also like to congratulate Kym Lilford, a CRC honours student, who received a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) medal for her honours and undergraduate work at her recent graduation. Kym’s honours project, CRC60123: Genetic resistance in stored-grain beetles, researched a mathematical framework to enable future management strategies on phosphine fumigation of Lesser grain borer, taking into consideration its increasing genetic resistance to phosphine. Kym’s thesis has been accepted by QUT and we are looking forward to receiving the hard copy for our library.

The program for Global Biosecurity 2010: safeguarding agriculture and the environment is currently being developed by the Program Committee. There were a high number of abstracts submitted, and the committee is evaluating and allocating them to the appropriate stream. All plenary speakers have accepted our invitation to provide keynote presentations throughout the program. More information is available on the conference website. Remember that a very good registration rate is still available prior to full release of the program.

It’s not long now until our Science Exchange which is being held on the Sunshine Coast from 22 September. We’re all looking forward to the opportunity to network and discuss our research activities. At the Science Exchange, awards will be presented to various project teams who have excelled in areas such as collaboration and innovation. It’s shaping up to be a great event and I will share the outcomes in the next edition of The Leaflet.
 

I look forward to catching up with many of you at the Science Exchange.…

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer
CRC for National Plant Biosecurity

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

CRCNPB Chair, Professor John Lovett recently attended the 2009 Grains West Expo. READ MORE

fruit fly experts in Vienna

Three of our researchers were invited to participate in an international consultants meeting held at the United Nations' IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria. READ MORE 

a love affair with numbers

Dr Sama Low Choy recently joined the CRC team to provide strategic statistical support across our portfolio and to build capacity in this unique field. READ MORE

pre-border biosecurity

Remote microscopes have landed in south east Asia. READ MORE

science teachers learn about plant pests

In early July, we showcased outputs from our School Education Strategy at the annual conference for science teachers (CONASTA). READ MORE

go west

Our science committee recently held its face-to-face meeting in Perth. READ MORE

other news...

Meet our statistician  Dr Sama Low Choy

Plant Health Australia has recently launched a new website. The domain name for the site is www.planthealthaustralia.com.au. Be sure to bookmark it!

The Pest and Disease Image Library (PaDIL) is excited to announce the release of an online newsletter. Ensure you are kept up-to-date with the latest news and PaDIL updates by subscribing, via email padil@museum.vic.gov.au  The first edition of the PaDIL newsletter will be issued later this month.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Simon says...

Today marks the end of the financial year. As organisations and individuals scramble to get their finances in order for the tax office, others are rushing off to one of the many ‘End of Financial Year' sales. The CRC, with its partnering organisations, have also jumped on the ‘sale' bandwagon by offering a pre-program registration fee for the international conference Global Biosecurity 2010: safeguarding agriculture and the environment. You can save over $300 on the cost of a full-registration by registering before the final program is published. It's also timely to remind our readers that conference abstract submissions close on 31 July. Details on abstract submission and registration can be found on the conference website www.globalbiosecurity2010.com. The CRC is encouraging people involved in its research activities to apply for a travel scholarship to attend the Global Biosecurity 2010 conference. I recommend anyone interested in this opportunity to submit their application so it can be considered before the end of July.

Planning for the CRC's 2009 Science Exchange is also well underway. Being held in September, the program will provide opportunities for project teams to highlight their research through presentations and/or posters. A hands-on exhibition is also being organised to give attendees the chance to try some of the tangible products delivered from our portfolio. The Science Exchange will also provide an opportunity for networking and collaboration among researchers, staff, students, the Board and our Participants Committee.

As the CRC enters the new financial year, there will be a strong focus on our re-bid for another term of funding from government. During the past month, our Participants Committee met to discuss the strategic direction of each organisation and their alignment with the CRC and its possible second-term. Out of our 23 Participant organisations, it was pleasing to see 19 representatives attend the meeting and their enthusiasm to continue the work of the existing CRC. As CRCs endeavour to bring together government, research, industry and academia; it was positive to see Queensland Government represented by research through Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries, and policy through Biosecurity Queensland. The process of undertaking the re-bid will require the input from many individuals and I look forward to discussing it with many of you over the next 12 months.

The CRC also made a big step forward in achieving its PhD goal with the Board approving the final and 40th project in May. We are now well on track to achieving the 32 completed PhDs which will provide the next generation of plant biosecurity expertise. Paul Royce, our PhD candidate undertaking research in community engagement in biosecurity practices is due to submit his thesis at the end of July. We wish him all the best as he finalises his research findings and look forward to reading about his research outcomes. Also a note of congratulations to Kym Lilford who recently completed her Honours project on ‘Genetic resistance in stored grain beetles'. Kym's thesis is the first student project to be completed in the new post-harvest grains area.

Before I close off, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Darryl Hardie, our Surveillance Research Program Leader for his enthusiastic contribution to this program and other CRC activities. Darryl has been involved with the CRC from development of the original bid and today is officially his last day as Program Leader. On behalf of the CRC, I wish him the very best in his future career at DAFWA. Darryl will also remain involved with the CRC through his contribution to several projects.

Until next time...

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer
CRC for National Plant Biosecurity

NEWS FLASH

Receive CRC news straight to your desktop

The CRCNPB has implemented RSS feeds and email subscriptions, sign up to ensure you are up-to-date with the CRC's latest news READ MORE

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

CRCNPB Chair, Professor John Lovett discusses ‘Pre-border' perambulations and progress READ MORE

flying spore traps hit the ground

Mr Les Zeller has designed a spore trap using standard plumbing fittings, an electric fan from a dust buster, a radio controlled servo motor and microcomputer components READ MORE

Enhanced Risk Analysis Tools workshop

There is a great deal of uncertainty about possible invasive species impacts on Australia, and this uncertainty often prevents the use of quantitative tools in biosecurity planning READ MORE

grains industry to reap science benefits

Western Australia's Department of Agriculture and Food recently appointed Dr YongLin Ren as Principal Scientist to provide leadership and management for its stored grain research team READ MORE

The Amazing World of Science

Four days, 12,000 people and 78 school groups. Find out how the CRCNPB showcased its commitment to educating the younger generation on plant biosecurity READ MORE

The CRC goes bananas

The Eighth Annual Banana Congress was recently held on the Gold Coast. This provided a great opportunity to highlight the plant biosecurity research being undertaken by the CRC READ MORE

Other news...

Meet our Delivery and Adoption Officer, Mr Cain Roberts READ MORE

The Farm Biosecurity team is seeking producers in rural and outback Australia to enter The Farm Biosecurity Award as part of the inaugural Australian Rural and Outback Awards NOMINATION TEMPLATE

Agriculture Outlook Asia 2009 is the platform for agribusiness operators and solution providers  to meet and discuss investments in agri-operations and strategies for organising and professionalising sustainable agriculture production in Asia READ MORE

Simon says....

April has been a busy month in the Canberra office with the recruitment of two new full-time staff members.

I would like to welcome to the team, Alana van Meurs and John Austen. Alana started with the CRC as our Communications Officer and will help Kate deliver the communication activities. Alana is a graduate from the University of Canberra and is looking forward to a fulfilling career in communication. John Austen started as the CRC's Project Officer and will provide additional support for the administration of the CRC's research program. John recently moved to Canberra from Tasmania and is worried about the cold winter ahead! With an increase in research projects across the portfolio, both Alana and John will provide invaluable assistance to the team. You can find their contact details on our ‘Contact us' page.

After months of planning, it's rewarding to be able to inform readers that the Call for Abstracts for Global Biosecurity 2010: safeguarding agriculture and the environment has been released. This conference is a partnership with Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emerging Infectious Disease and Invasive Animals CRC and will focus on agricultural and environmental biosecurity issues. The conference has four streams that cross the biosecurity continuum as well as policy and regulation; Drivers, Threats and Impacts, Knowledge and Systems. I encourage all our readers go to the conference website http://www.globalbiosecurity2010.com/ for more information on the conference and the Call for Abstracts.

Recognising that biosecurity is a global issue, the CRC recently led the development of a consortium of Australian organisations to take-up a single membership in the CABI Invasive Species Compendium. A workshop hosted by the Crawford Fund was held in Canberra to help raise awareness of the project's importance to Australia's research community.

The CRC has recently reached its target number of 32 PhD students. Our 32nd student, Ms Hoda Abou Gamos will be researching the optimal design of surveillance and quality assurance schemes for stored wheat in Western Australia. Her research is being conducted at the University of Western Australia under the supervision of Ben White. Ern Kostas from Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd is Hoda's industry supervisor, which will ensure her research outcomes meet the needs of the grains industry.

As I mentioned in the last edition of The Leaflet, the CRC is planning a Science Exchange in late 2009 as an opportunity to bring most of our researchers, students, Participants Committee, Board and staff together. The dates and venue have now been confirmed for 23 and 24 September on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Our researchers will be provided with more information about this event soon.

Until next time...

Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer
CRC for National Plant Biosecurity

Are you interested in receiving a PhD scholarship? 

The CRC is currently seeking expressions of interest from people who would like to apply for the last two full PhD scholarships to be offered. Both students will be enrolled at Murdoch University and spend some time in the Kimberly region of WA (Kununurra) conducting their research. One of the PhDs will also spend some time in Indonesia. Both projects have a plant pathology focus. Students must be available for immediate commencement. For further information, please contact Dr Kirsty Bayliss.

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

Professor John Lovett recently attended the 2009 Grains Industry Forum. READ MORE

meeting Parliament  

Dr Jo Luck represented the CRC at the annual Federation of Scientific Technological Societies (FASTS) ‘Science meets Parliament 2009' (SmP) event at Parliament House in Canberra.
READ MORE

increasing diagnostic capacity in Thailand

The CRC's project team for ‘Increasing diagnostic capacity in Thailand' spent a week in Bangkok to train Thai scientists in molecular and traditional diagnostics. 
READ MORE 

Farm Biosecurity Award 

A Farm Biosecurity Award co-sponsored by Plant Health Australia will feature as one of the Australian Rural & Outback Awards, to recognise exemplary biosecurity practices in outback and rural Australia. READ MORE

other news...

Congratulations to Elspeth West from DAFF. Elspeth wins an iPod shuffle for wearing the CRC brand in an exotic location. See Elspeth's picture here.

GRDC are sponsoring a DAFF award for young and innovative scientists. Applications open now. READ MORE

Agriculture Outlook Asia is an inaugural conference on agribusiness being held in Singapore in September.
READ MORE

Simon says...

Welcome to 2009's first edition of The Leaflet.

The year ahead will be exciting and challenging for all those involved in the CRC's research programs. In our fourth year of operations, our activities will focus on delivering research outputs to Australia's plant industries.

To start the ball rolling, the Plant Biosecurity Toolbox and Biosecurity Bank were successfully launched on Thursday 12 February by Australia's Chief Plant Protection Officer, Lois Ransom. For me personally, it was rewarding to see both projects reach this stage; a reflection of the collaborative effort and dedication of the project teams.

Both tools will be fundamental, not only to Australia's plant biosecurity capacity, but also globally. I would like to congratulate both project teams (led by Dr Gary Kong and Dr Andrew Geering from Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries) on the passion and commitment they demonstrated throughout the term of the projects. You can read more about the launch in this edition of The Leaflet.

Following the successful Science Exchange in 2007, the CRC is starting to plan a similar event for Participants and researchers in the second half of 2009. The meeting will provide all members with the opportunity to share ideas, discuss research and network with each other and industry.

The CRC's Climate Change Project Leader, Dr Jo Luck has been successful in a submission to attend ‘Science meets Parliament' in March. Jo will be presenting in the category ‘Adapting agriculture to climate change' and will talk about her research into the effects of temperature changes on the biology and distribution of plant pests, diseases and vectors in the grains industry. This is a great opportunity for Jo and the CRC, and we look forward to sharing her experience with you in the next edition of The Leaflet.

As February draws to a close, we hope to see the conclusion of a long and hot summer. Australia has experienced the worst of its summer with flooding in the north, and devastating bushfires that continue to wreak havoc across Victoria.

Sadly, a few members of the CRC have suffered loss in this catastrophic tragedy, bringing the devastation close to home for all of us. On behalf of the CRC, I offer sympathy to everyone whose lives have changed forever as a result of the bushfires.

Regards

Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer
CRC for National Plant Biosecurity

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

Professor John Lovett shares with readers the experiences of the CRC's Third Year Review. READ MORE

the evolution of diagnostics

The CRC's Plant Biosecurity Toolbox and Biosecurity Bank were recently launched in Melbourne. READ MORE

win an iPod shuffle

Where's out brand been? Not too far it seems! We're raising the stakes with an opportunity to win an iPod shuffle...READ MORE

other news...

Pathfinders: The Innovators Conference focuses on science, innovation and collaboration. READ MORE

Recently Dr David Schlipalius presented at a workshop as part of the Plant and Animal Genome Conference. READ MORE

Meet our Impact Management Research Program Leader, Ms Jane Moran. READ MORE

Simon says...

Welcome to the final edition of The Leaflet for 2008.

It's hard to believe another year has crept by so quickly. It only seems like the other day we started planning for our Third Year Review, and now its over! Having a full independent review of our operations to date is a fitting way to end the year; providing us with the opportunity to reflect on the changes and growth the CRC has experienced since its start-up. Cooperative research centres are complex entities and as a result, the Panel interviewed many key people involved in our activities. This included staff, our Chair, Program Leaders, Participants, industry representatives and our PhD students. We look forward to receiving the recommendations from the Panel and implementing strategies to ensure the continued success of the CRC.

As the CRC steps into its fourth year, we are enthusiastic to see more of our research activities reach fruition. In February 2009, we have scheduled the launch of two key web-based diagnostic tools. The Plant Biosecurity Toolbox and the Biosecurity Bank will deliver world class plant pest diagnostic capability to Australia which is a key driver for the Diagnostics Research Program.

I am pleased to use this edition of The Leaflet to launch the dates for the Global Biosecurity 2010 conference. Global Biosecurity 2010: safeguarding agriculture and the environment is a collaborative effort between the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity, Plant Health Australia, Invasive Animals CRC and Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emerging and Infectious Diseases. This international conference is scheduled for 28 February - 3 March 2010 in Brisbane, Australia. Through The Leaflet, and the conference website (under development) we will keep readers up-to-date with the conference program.

Before signing off for what has been a very challenging and rewarding year, I would like to thank everyone who contributes to the success of this CRC  - the Board, our management team, Participant organisations, the Participant's Committee, researchers, students, supervisors and the many other industry related organisations who contribute to our activities. Committees such as the Science Committee and the Grains Advisory Panel provide invaluable guidance and leadership over our project portfolio to ensure our research meets both science excellence and the needs of end-users. Each skill set and breadth of experience from all these people and their organisations is pivotal to successful delivery of our research outcomes and shaping Australia's future plant biosecurity capability.

I wish all of you, and all readers of The Leaflet a very merry Christmas and prosperous new year.

I look forward to sharing our successes with you in 2009.

Kind regards

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer
CRC for National Plant Biosecurity

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

CRCNPB Chair, Professor John Lovett provides a wrap up of 2008. READ MORE

global biosecurity 2010

Mark your calendars now for the Global Biosecurity 2010 conference. READ MORE 

paving a career in science

PhD student Rachel Meldrum was recently awarded Northern Territory's Young Australian of the Year 2009. Discover how Rachel became interested in pursuing science as a career. READ MORE

other news...

CRCs across Australia will be competing against each other to get their logo photographed in the most unusual location. Help the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity rise to the challenge. READ MORE

Meet our Diagnostics Research Program Leader, Dr Deb Hailstones. READ MORE

Simon says...

Welcome to the November edition of The Leaflet.

The past few months have been busy for the CRC across all research programs, as well as at the Canberra office. Planning and preparation for the CRC's Third Year Review is fully underway with only five weeks left to the actual review. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all CRC members and staff who have helped prepare documentation to assist with the review.

I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to the 2007-08 Annual Report which highlights the CRC's key achievements during the reporting period. The report was submitted to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research at the end of October. A pdf version of the report can be downloaded from the website and hard copies will be sent to participants in the next few weeks.

In late August, I attended the International Congress of Plant Pathology which was held in Torino, Italy. The CRC's research activities were represented well with posters being presented by four PhD students, three researchers, and a poster on our Education and Training Program. This conference provided a fundamental opportunity for CRC researchers to showcase their projects to an international audience, as well as fostering collaboration with other plant pathologists.

Since the previous edition of The Leaflet, the CRC has had an Education and Training Program bonanza! In September the CRC hosted its annual workshop for PhD students at Rottnest Island. The workshops are held to provide students with skills to benefit them in their careers when their studies finish, as well as an opportunity to network with other students and staff from the CRC's Canberra office. The workshop focused on intellectual property management and project management.

Last Thursday, Australia's former Chief Scientist, Dr Jim Peacock AC launched the CRC's big book for children Plant Pest Investigation. Everyone who attended the launch had a fantastic time and there has been considerable interest in the book from schools and the plant biosecurity industry.

The finale of the CRC's Scientists of Tomorrow primary school program was held on Thursday evening where several schools from across the ACT competed for prizes by presenting their ‘plant biosecurity research projects'. The event was hugely successful with enthusiastic ‘young scientists' showcasing their innovative projects, which included fully functional websites, sporetraps and emergency response vehicles. With the high-level of quality shown by these students, it's quite possible they could be Australia's future plant biosecurity scientists.

Both of these events fall under the CRC's school education strategy which aims to encourage science to the younger generation as well as create awareness of plant biosecurity. The success of the Scientists of Tomorrow program and Plant Pest Investigation are reflective of the hard work and dedication shown by CRC staff. In particular I would like to thank Carla and Lauren for their educational experience to develop (and deliver) the schools program, Mel for coming in new and delivering the program in Term 3, Kate and Lauren for authoring Plant Pest Investigation and making the complex message of plant biosecurity understandable to a young audience, and Kate for managing the production of the book.

Until the next edition...

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer
CRC for National Plant Biosecurity

in this issue...

Migrating lettuce aphids

PhD student Craig Feutrill research is looking at factors such as weather and temperature to determine quarantine zones for lettuce aphid. READ MORE

from the arm of the chair

Professor John Lovett gives an update on Board and CRC activities. READ MORE

investigating plant pests just got fun!

Australia's former Chief Scientist, Dr Jim Peacock AC recently launched the CRC's beautifully illustrated big book for children, Plant Pest Investigation. READ MORE

scientists of tomorrow?

The CRC held the finale of its primary school program, Scientists of Tomorrow at a fun event at CSIRO Discovery Centre. READ MORE

other news...

Our PhD students travelled to Rottnest Island for their annual professional development workshop. READ MORE

In our education and training bonanza, it's only fitting to introduce our Education Officer, Ms Melanie Hay. READ MORE

Simon says...

Welcome to the August issue of The Leaflet which looks slightly different to usual.

I am thrilled to use this month's edition to launch our new and very functional website that has been developed by our Communications Officer, Kate Scott. The new look and feel is modern and fresh and contains current information on the CRC, our research activities, as well as our researchers. Over the next few months we will be adding more projects and research publications to the website. In the meantime, I am sure you will find the new site a welcome and refreshing change.

We welcome two new staff members to the CRC head office. Appointed as the new Education Officer, Melanie Hay will deliver the schools education program, as well as organising training workshops and other education activities. In a new role to the CRC, Sarah McKay started with us as Project Officer - Business Support. Sarah will look after project contracts and other business support functions. It's great to have them both on board and we will all value their contribution to the team.

 Each year, we conduct a Board meeting in a region where a number of our participants are located. This provides us with the opportunity to collaborate and catch up with staff and researchers from participant organisations. Last week our Board met in Darwin. The warm weather was a pleasurable relief from Canberra's cold and seemingly long winter. During our visit, we had the pleasure of meeting with Ruth Wallace from Charles Darwin University to chat about our community engagement project. This exciting initiative involves engaging with northern Australian Indigenous communities, providing them with a better understanding of plant biosecurity and how they can help manage potential risks and threats to Australia.

At the meeting, the Board approved the CRC's 2008-09 Annual Operating Plan which details the CRC's direction for this financial year. A pdf copy can be downloaded from our website.

The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has approved an independent panel to carry out the Third-Year Review. Nominated by the Board, the panel comprises Dr Kevin Sheridan (Chairman), former Director General, NSW Agriculture and Fisheries; Mr David Crawford, Chairman of Westralia Airports Corporation and former Chairman of the Export Grains Centre Ltd, and Dr Craig Phillips, Senior Scientist with AgResearch New Zealand.  A fourth member will be appointed by DIISR. The panel will carry out its work, including seeking input from all participants, over the next three months and will hold the formal review in Canberra in mid-December. 

Our cohort of PhD scholarships has nearly reached our original target of 32. This has been a significant achievement for our Education and Training Program led by Dr Kirsty Bayliss. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, details can be found on our website. The CRC also provides PhD Top-up scholarships.

Until the next edition...

 Regards

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer
CRC for National Plant Biosecurity

Board Nomination Committee

As required by the Constitution of the CRCNPB Ltd, a Board Nomination Committee (BNC) has been formed. The Committee is required to consult with participants and members of the current Board, and to identify suitable candidates for nomination to the CRCNPB Members for election to the Board.

The election will take place at the Annual General Meeting on 5 November 2008 to fill three vacancies on the Board which will become available at the close of that meeting.

Committee members are John Lovett (Chairman); Mike Cole (DAFF); David Feinberg (CBH); David Hall (NSWDPI); John Kent (CSU); Shashi Sharma (DAFWA) and Andy Sheppard (CSIRO).

in this issue...

a new look CRC website

The new website is finally here and provides readers with much more information on the CRC. READ MORE about the new site and how CRC members can log in to the members' area.

from the arm of the chair

With the 2008 Olympic Games closing yesterday, CRC Chairman Professor John Lovett identifies the differences between Austria and Australia (and the similarities). READ MORE

GRDC releases brochure on rust pathogens

GRDC have distributed a brochure to create awareness among Australian travellers of the potential rust pathogen biosecurity threats. READ MORE

Other news...

Dr Mark Stevens recently travelled to Durban to attend the XXIII International Congress of Entemology. Mark chaired a rice pest management symposium as well as presenting several papers. READ MORE

Learn how marching headless chickens have affected the CRC's Business Manager, Nick Langley. READ MORE

 Tendrils is Plant Health Australia's weekly newsletter. To subscribe, email webmaster@phau.com.au with your contact details.

  PaDIL is an image based website designed to create a 'virtual reference collection of pests and diseases'. PaDIL have just launched a 'Users Guide' to help researchers tailor searches to use PaDIL more efficiently and effectively. READ MORE