simon says...

As everyone is now aware we were successful with our bid and it is a very welcome Christmas present for everyone. This is a great outcome and is a result of the significant effort made by everyone in the CRC over the past six years.

Now we have less than six months to prepare the documentation and submit signed agreements to DIISRT. This will ensure we are up and running as the Plant Biosecurity CRC on 1 July 2012. Timelines and the first drafts have recently been forwarded to all Participant representatives.

Myself and Nick will be visiting all participants in the next few months to finalise the documentation. At the same time our Science Committee, led by Bill Roberts, will commence the process of pulling together the research programme. We will communicate the details of the process for developing the research programme in the new year. Through the four research programmes the CRC will continue to undertake world leading plant biosecurity research that is of benefit to Australia.

Being successful in a CRC round has become an increasingly more difficult process as the level of competition has increased and available funds have decreased. We would not have achieved the success this year without the help of many people. Again I thank everyone who contributed to the achievement.

Our PhDs continue to progress and Alex Rea recently submitted his thesis. A very promising statistic is that of the 10 that have currently completed their PhDs, nine are still active in biosecurity.

Our 2012 Science Exchange will be a great event as we celebrate the success of the CRCNPB and look to the future through the PBCRC. It is hoped that we will have a good mix of researchers, regulators and industry at the Science Exchange so I encourage everyone to submit their registrations as early as possible. If you have somehow missed the mail outs please contact Max or Andrew.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone in the CRC family. I look forward to catching up with you in 2012.

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer

in this issue...

From the arm of the chair

Professor John Lovett has Christmas on his mind and believes the CRC has every reason to be jolly this festive season.  

RMN wins the inaugural Innovation Award

The Remote Microscope Network has received another award, winning the inaugural Australian Innovation Challenge Award. Read more here. 

UAVs take centre stage at innovation showcase

The CRCNPB recently displayed a UAV at the Innovation in Australia showcase in Brisbane. Find out about the display here.

Principal Scientist wins Howard Medal

Congratulations to the CRCNPB’s Principal Scientist, Dr James Ridsdill-Smith, for winning the Howard Medal. Read more about the award here. 

CRCNPB staff team building 

CRCNPB staff members took part in two days on team building in November. Find out the whacky things that went on.

Minister change for innovation 

The Hon Kim Carr is no longer the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. He says thanks to all those he has worked with here. 

 other news...

Another CRCNPB baby has entered the world. Find out who the mother is here.

Since joining the CRCNPB, Max Knobel has spent most of her time focussed on rebids. However with the rebid over, she now has more time to focus on her role as Communications Manager. Discover how she spends her time away from the office here.

Enrolments for the 2012 Grain Storage and Biosecurity Training Program are now open. Find out more in the Education and Training update.

CRCNPB team building brought on some interesting photo opportunities, which feature along with the previous winner in this edition of the newsletter.

The Board and staff from the CRCNPB would like to wish everyone a happy and safe festive season.

Want to know more about Cooperative Research Centres in general?  Sign up to the CRC Association newsletter here.

simon says...

Having got past the challenge of completing and submitting the four exemplar projects the office and Core Team focussed our efforts on preparing a presentation for the interview.

Last Monday we received reviews of all four projects and in general they were very positive. The reviewers provided statements such as:

…a lot of novel research

…more than repay the total investment in the CRC

…important and critical for safeguarding trade

…fantastic touch to the CRC

If these are any indication of the quality of our bid then our probability of success is looking good. 

As John has eloquently discussed, last week saw us complete two ‘mock’ interviews. These are a great way to iron out the creases and fine tune the brain to answer unexpected questions. I would also like to thank John Radcliffe, Joanne Daly and Tony Peacock who assisted the CRC through the ‘mock’ process.

Following our interview on Monday (7 November 2011), I posted a blog to provide an update of how the interview went. The news on the outcome of our bid should be known by Christmas.

Submission of PhDs continues with another two submitted in recent months. Bonny Vogelzang and David Savage have both submitted their theses and you can read more about them in this edition of The Leaflet. I congratulate both of them on this achievement and expect to see many more before the end of the year. A very encouraging statistic is the number of graduates who are now employed in the biosecurity field. One of the key objectives of the CRC was to inject the next generation of experts into the system.

Last month I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit China and have discussions with colleagues at the Chinese Academy of Grain, the Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine and the Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University. We look forward to developing strong linkages with these organisations that are developing impressive capabilities in biosecurity sciences.

Also another reminder that the 2012 Science Exchange will open soon and I encourage everyone to register early so we can advance the planning.

Keep your fingers crossed for a positive result from our interview.

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer

in this issue...

From the arm of the chair

Professor John Lovett has had a tough first week back from holidays. Find out which CRCNPB staff have been harrassing him. 

CRCNPB signs MOUs with China

The CRCNPB has developed memoranda of understanding with two leading Chinese science agencies and a university. Read about it here.

RMN takes out Premier’s Award 

The Remote Microscope Network has received its second award for 2011, winning a Premier’s Award. Find out more.

What on earth is the Chairman sitting on?

In the caption competition in this edition of The Leaflet, the Chairman finds himself sitting on something out of the ordinary. Find out what it is and who won the prize from the last newsletter here.

CRC newborns 

A CRCNPB staff member and a CRCNPB PhD candidate recently added to their respective families with the birth of a baby girl and boy. Find out who??

other news...

CRCNPB Communications Officer Andrew Crichton joined the team in January 2011. Discover how he spends his spare time.

Another edition of The Leaflet and another submission, or two, or three… Find out more.

Want to know more about Cooperative Research Centres in general?  Sign up to the CRC Association newsletter here.

simon says...

The office and Science Taskforce are working feverishly this week to complete the four exemplar projects which will be submitted on 15 September. This flurry of activity has occurred following the great news last week that we have made it to the next stage of the CRC selection round.

Following the submission of the four exemplars we will start the preparation of a presentation to be presented at our interview. We need to submit an exemplar for each of our programs and the projects are focussed on severe weather events, bacterial diagnostics, non chemical insect protection and engagement of communities.

The projects will provide a strong representation of our CRC and all have a ‘wow’ factor that should assist us in getting the right answer in December.

The interview will occur between 7 and 9 November and follow the same structure as last year, 30 minutes to present followed by 90 minutes of questions from the panel.

As expected the competition has been great and only 10 of the 26 applicants received have made it to the next stage. In the agriculture sector there were five bids submitted but only two of us made it through. Invasive Animals CRC is the other agriculture sector bid to have made it to interview.

Based on the information we have it is anticipated that up to five CRCs will be successful. Again I thank everyone who has contributed to the bid to date as every bit of this input has been necessary to get us to this point.

The CRC has had a change of Program Leader in the past month with Dr Paul De Barro stepping down from the Program 1 leadership role. Paul has taken on new responsibilities at CSIRO and it was no longer possible for him to commit the required time to the CRC. Paul was with the CRC from the start of the bidding process back in 2004 and he has made significant contributions to the CRC over its life. I thank Paul for his considerable contribution over this time and wish him all the best in the future. He will continue to be involved with the CRC through his new role and we look forward to his continuing contribution to our success.

To replace Paul, I welcome Dr Rieks van Klinken from CSIRO. Rieks has already become involved in the development of the bid and will be a valuable addition to our CRC. Over the next few months Rieks will have the opportunity to meet the project teams in Program 1.

Submission of PhDs continues with another two submitted in recent months. Kylie Ireland and Steve Coventry have both submitted their theses and you can read more about them in this edition of The Leaflet. I congratulate both of them on this achievement and from the news I am given we expect there will be several others between now and the end of the year.

I would also like to remind everyone that registrations for the 2012 Science Exchange will open soon and I encourage everyone to register early so we can advance the planning.

Till October, 

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer

in this issue...

From the arm of the chair

The sound of spring is in Professor John Lovett's mind. Read (and listen) here. 

Research reveals new threat to native forests

PhD candidate Kylie Ireland recently submitted her thesis for examination. Find out what Kylie focused her research on here.

CRCNPB farewells Program Leader 

The Preparedness and Prevention Research program has a new Program Leader. Find out who it is here.

The answer is blowing in the wind

As part of his PhD studies, Steven Coventry discovered that tracking weather patterns is an integral part of research into fungal infections. With his thesis now submitted for examination, learn more about Steven’s research here.

And the winner is....

Congratulations to Giles West, who has won a bottle of wine (from the Swan Valley - venue for the 2012 Science Exchange) for the caption he entered in the competition in the last edition of The Leaflet. To read the winning quote or to enter this edition’s competition, click here.

CRCNPB display on show to Minister

The CRCNPB was recently on show to the Minister at a cocktail party at Parliament House. Read about it here. 

other news...

One thing that Board member Jim Cullen misses from living in England is the pubs. Find out some of his interests.

The CRCNPB recently supported a workshop which focused on grain storage. Find out more in the education and training update.

The CRCNPB recently provided an exhibition booth at the annual Australian Grains Industry Conference. Learn more here.

The final Science Exchange in the life of this CRC will be held in the Swan Valley from 22-25 May 2012. Read more here.  

Want to know more about Cooperative Research Centres in general?  Sign up to the CRC Association newsletter here.

simon says...

Déjà vu, as the Chairman has identified is well and truly alive in the office. If the current level of joviality in the office is any measure then we are either very happy with the progress of the bid or the completion of a second bid in two years has finally got to us all.

The reality is that the 2011 rebid was submitted on Thursday 30 June. The core group believe we have compiled a bid that is much stronger than last year and we have been able to address the feedback received after the disappointment in 2010. The planning has been like clockwork and much of the stress that was generated in 2010 as we compiled information has not occurred. Based on the effort that has been put into completing this rebid, hopefully we can quote baseball legend Babe Ruth (I am sure he would approve of the small edit):

"It's hard to beat a person team who never gives up."

The process of submitting a rebid involves several components. The largest, and most complex to complete, component is the Impact Tool. This develops the business case for the CRC on which the selection criteria are addressed in a maximum of 10 pages. The criteria cover research, results and resources. To cover the criteria a 500 word executive summary is written. This summary must ‘sell’ the bid. The final component is the uploading of all budgetary information to the on-line system.

The rebid has achieved a higher level of commitment (about 10%) than we achieved in 2010. The cash commitment has reached $5.28 million per year with in-kind sitting at close to $10 million per year. We will seek a six year term from the CRC Program with $5.28 million sought from the Commonwealth for each year of operation.

A significant strengthening of the rebid was achieved with the commitment from DAFF to participate. This support, plus the recent endorsement of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity and the National Plant Biosecurity Strategy, highlight the importance of succeeding with this bid.

We have also worked with several of our participants to raise the profile of the CRC. I thank those representatives from various participants who have assisted us in achieving this task.

My analysis is that we have submitted a strong rebid and that, based purely on merit and support, we should have a very high probability of achieving success. Any other factors that may influence the final decision are outside of our control.

The moment the rebid was successfully submitted!

I do not have any PhD submissions to report on but I am aware of at least two who are in the final stages of completing submission. By the time the next Leaflet comes around we will have at least two more to congratulate.

In other CRCNPB business, the Board recently met in Camden, where we participated in a field trip to the new Elizabeth Macarthur Research Institute (see image below for your chance to win a prize).

The final Science Exchange for CRCNPB, and hopefully the first of the PBCRC, has been booked. It will take place in Perth from 21-25 May 2012. I encourage you all to lock this date in your diaries as I am sure it will be a great event that builds on the success of all previous Science Exchanges.
 

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer
 

The Board during a recent field trip to the Elizabeth Macarthur Research Institute. 

For your chance to be in the running to win a CRCNPB prize pack, send a creative caption for this image to Andrew Crichton by 31 July 2011.   

in this issue...

From the arm of the chair

Ever wondered what goes on inside the CEO's brain? Professor John Lovett takes a look at the effects of a second rebid. Read more. 

CRCNPB wins CRCA award

The CRCNPB has been recognised for the groundbreaking research it has been undertaking, winning an Award for Excellence in Innovation. Find out more here.  

Phosphine still a killer in cooled grain 

From 25-27 July, the CRCNPB will be supporting the grains industry through an exhibition booth at its annual conference in Melbourne. Learn more about one of the CRCNPB’s important grains projects – how phosphine is a killer in cooled grain – here.  

PhD completed by Paul Royce

It was reported in the last edition of The Leaflet that PhD candidate Paul Royce had submitted his thesis. Find out what Paul’s research focused on.  

Biosecure packaging brochure

Do you need to send a sample for diagnosis? Read the recently released packaging brochure to ensure samples are packaged correctly.

other news...

Escaping to the Kimberley is Board member Chris Richardson's favourite holiday destination. Find out what else he enjoys doing in his spare time.

In this edition’s education and training update, Program Leader Dr Kirsty Bayliss congratulates students who have had their research published in international journals. Read who has been published here. 

The CRCNPB recently provided sponsorship at conferences in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Find out more here.

Want to know more about Cooperative Research Centres in general?  Sign up to the CRC Association newsletter here.

simon says...

As you all can expect, the last few months have been busy as we draft the re-bid to be submitted on 1 July. The activities have been very positive and it is clear that we are developing a stronger bid than that submitted in 2010. The support and need for the CRC to be re-funded is stronger with our total commitment now exceeding that included in our 2010 bid.

The Core Team have been meeting weekly and a constant diary of meetings with key individuals has been maintained. If the bid process was determined by support and need alone then we would be across the line already.

In 2010 we were not able to formalise the strong linkage we have had with NZ over the last five years but this has now changed. Both Plant and Food Research and Lincoln University have now committed to participate in the CRC with strong support from B3. This formalising of the cross Tasman partnership will enhance our bid.

Added to the new NZ commitments are the continued strong support from our other international partners Kansas State University and CABI. The US Department of Agriculture has also provided a strong letter of support for the bid through their Center for Plant Health Science and Technology.

Over the past month there has been discussions regarding the establishment of a Biosecurity Flagship by CSIRO. The CRC has had a number of discussions with CSIRO and we believe this provides us with the opportunity to strengthen our bid. The CRC, if funded, will assist in developing this new flagship which will be focussed on key aspects of plant biosecurity research and when the new term of the CRC is completed the flagship will represent a key component of our legacy. Please note my optimism that the re-bid will be successful.

Last week I attended the Australasian Plant Pathology Conference in Darwin. The CRC was a major sponsor of the conference and it was very rewarding to see the number of presentations that represented the research undertaken by our CRC. One of our PhD students Alistair McTaggart was awarded the Allan Kerr prize at the conference. The prize is awarded by the Australasian Plant Pathology Society for the best piece of original research relevant to Australasia by a postgraduate student in the field of plant pathology. I also congratulate Alistair for completing his PhD with his thesis now accepted.

I would also like to congratulate Nicole Hammond whose thesis was also accepted in April and Paul Royce who submitted his thesis last week. Hopefully my space in the leaflet will be nearly filled in future issues with me listing PhD completions. Just a small hint to our other candidates who are busily writing their theses and chasing submission dates. More information is available as part of the Education and Training update.

Over the last weekend I visited Kununurra in Western Australia with Jim Stack from Kansas State University. The Ord region, that encompasses Kununurra, is the only region in the world that has developed a regional biosecurity plan that aims to engage all sectors of the community in protecting their valuable agricultural and environmental resource. This was a good opportunity for Jim to see how the plan is being implemented. Our guide for the two days was Lachlan Dobson who was awarded the inaugural Biosecurity Farmer of the Year award in 2010. Lachlan is a strong advocate for plant biosecurity and has been actively involved in the CRC from our commencement. 
 

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer
 

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

Professor John Lovett takes a humerous look back at how history has repeated itself over the past century. Read more.
 

digital diagnostics expand global surveillance

Gary Kong and Michael Thompson were part of the CRCNPB team who attended the Asian Association of Societies for Plant Pathology (AASPP) and the Australasian Plant Pathology Society (APPS) conference in Darwin from 27-29 April, at which they provided a demonstration of the remote microscope network. Find out more about what the remote microscopes network is achieving in Australia and abroad.
 

research to contain banana wilt infection 

Recent cyclones and floods in Queensland have impacted greatly on Australia’s banana industry; however the industry is not just affected by the threat of these natural disasters. Read more about the Fusarium fungal pathogen, which in recent years has devastated the Northern Territory’s banana industry.
 

PaDIL website receives facelift

The PaDIL website has been relaunched with a number of enhanced features. Find out more about what’s new. 
 

Social networking arrives at the CRCNPB

The CRCNPB has discovered the world of social networking. Read more about how you can get involved.

other news...

Flying planes through the Adelaide Hills is one of Barry Windle's hobbies while stepping away from his Board duties. Find out about his other interests here.

Three students have either submitted their thesis for examination or had it accepted. Find out who in the latest Education and Training update.  

The CRCNPB is providing sponsorship for the ninth Australian Banana Industry Congress at the Hyatt Regency on the Sunshine Coast from 1-4 June 2011. For more information, visit the banana congress website.

simon says...

Welcome to the first edition of The Leaflet for 2011, in what will be a challenging yet exciting year for the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB).

In a busy start to the year we have already hosted the 2011 Science Exchange and commenced the initial stages for the rebid. After gaining strong support from the Participants at their recent meeting and the Board, the CRCNPB is hopeful this year’s rebid will be successful.

Over the coming months our focus for the rebid will be on addressing the areas for improvement identified by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR); developing the research programs - taking into consideration the research priorities of end-users; and securing letters of intent from potential participants.

Moving back to the Science Exchange, the Barossa Valley provided a wonderful back drop and gave attendees the opportunity to experience the viticulture industry, which is constantly facing biosecurity issues.

The high level of interaction between participants from various disciplines was interesting and occurred although the student workshops, Board meetings, poster and presentation sessions and the social outings. The success of the Science Exchange was demonstrated when a delegate stated “this is the best biosecurity conference I have ever attended!”

The Science Exchange Awards Dinner provided us with the opportunity to recognise our peers for the work they have undertaken over the past year. I would like to congratulate each of the individuals who were honoured for their achievements, as each of you have been rewarded for the dedication and commitment you have shown to biosecurity. More information on the Science Exchange and the awards are available in this edition of The Leaflet.

As I reflect on the Science Exchange, I would like to congratulate the staff of the CRC, and in particular Kate Scott, for running another fantastic event. The positive feedback I continue to receive about these events is a credit to Kate and the team for the time and effort put in to ensure they run smoothly.

Unfortunately this will be Kate’s last Science Exchange for the CRCNPB, as she leaves us to spend more time with her family in Brisbane. I would like to wish her well in her future endeavours and thank her for all the effort and energy she has put into the CRCNPB over the past three years.

I’d also like to congratulate Mark Castalanelli, who has submitted his thesis. Mark’s thesis focused on developing a simple and accurate diagnostics to rapidly distinguish Khapra beetle from its close relatives, which plays an important role in protecting Australia’s grains industry. More information on Mark’s project is available in this edition of The Leaflet.

Lastly, I look forward to working with you all in 2011 and appreciate your support in our attempts to ensure the CRC continues well beyond this year.

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer
 

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

Professor John Lovett is ready to take up the challenge of another rebid. READ MORE

Science Exchange 2011

CRCNPB family hits the Barossa for the Science Exchange 2011

Researchers recognised at Science Exchange Awards Dinner

DNA tool breaks this hitchhiker's disguise 

PhD student Mark Castalanelli has recently completed his thesis, which aimed to develop a simple and accurate diagnostics which would distinguish Khapra beetle from its close relatives. READ MORE about the project.

building Australia's immunity to viruses

Mark Whattam was rewarded for an excellent presentation at the Science Exchange by taking out the Board Award for Best Oral Presentation. READ MORE about the role the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) plays.

bringing biosecurity and food security to community developers in five continents

CRCNPB researchers Eka Martininglish and Gung Sri Jayantini have been working on the research project focusing on community management of biosecurity. READ MORE about their international experiences in Indonesia. 

other news...

While not undertaking his duties as Board Director, John Sandow enjoys travelling to Europe, fixing things and taking in the scenery around Canberra. READ MORE 

Mark Castalanelli has recently completed his thesis. Find out which other students are nearing completion and READ MORE about the students involvement at the Science Exchange in our Education and Training update

Sharyn Taylor - from Plant Health Australia - was recognised at the Science Exchange for her work as part of the Grains Knowledge Networks project team. READ MORE about the project here

The CRCNPB is sponsoring a conference in Darwin which brings together the Asian Association of Societies for Plant Pathology (AASPP) and the Australasian Plant Pathology Society (APPS). READ MORE about the conference 

simon says...

I write this column following the disappointing news last week that our bid to continue our very successful CRC was not supported by the CRC Program. The reasons for not being supported are not yet fully clear but a meeting will be held with the CRC Program on 23 December, at which time a debrief will be provided.

 

biosecurity in cartoon by Ang

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

Professor John Lovett always looks on the bright side. READ MORE

speedy smut specialist

Alistair McTaggart's PhD project has completely revised the taxonomy of three large genera of smut fungi. READ MORE

training efficiencies gained through mobile technologies 

Dr Ruth Wallace and her project team recently won the Best Project Award from the Australian and New Zealand Mobile Learning Group for their work on mobile learning projects. READ MORE

statistical modelling provides greater confidence

PhD students Mark Stanaway and Nichole Hammond both recently submitted their theses READ MORE about their projects.

findings published in high level scientific journal

Further to our article in the last edition of The Leaflet Dr Dean Paini and his team's paper has been published in Nature Communications. READ MORE

other news...

Board Member, Professor John Irwin enjoys juggling multiple roles while still maintaining his interest in breeding lucerne. READ MORE 

The CRCNPB offer much more than just a stipend to our students. READ MORE in our Education and Training update

The CRCNPB sponsored the 9th Australasian Plant Virology Workshop. READ MORE

The CRC strong commitment to fruit fly research was demonstrated to an international audience at the International Symposiums on Fruit Flies of Economic Importance. READ MORE

A workshop on remote diagnostics is to be held in April 2011 in Darwin, Northern Territory. READ MORE

Capture the beauty of insects and you could win a $100 ABC Shop gift voucher! READ MORE

Sign up for the Cooperative Research Centres Association Newsletter. READ MORE 

simon says...

Like all years, October is a very busy month for us with the deadline to submit our Annual Report. This has now been completed and submitted to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research as well as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. The Annual Report can be viewed by clicking here.

 

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

Professor John Lovett discusses trade, travel and tourism and the risks they pose for biosecurity. READ MORE

are plant pests groupies? 

This is one of the many great articles from our new corporate publication Plant Biosecurity: collaborative research initiatives. READ MORE

improving knowledge in the grains industry

Grains Knowledge Networks continues to raise biosecurity awareness through the Grains Biosecurity Officers. READ MORE

farmers on the frontline of biosecurity

Lachlan Dobson recently won the inaugural Biosecurity Farmer of the Year Award. READ MORE

biosecurity in cartoon by Ang

Who says biosecurity can’t be funny and light-hearted!  This month an unwanted guest makes an appearance. READ MORE

postgraduate courses open for enrolment

Postgraduate courses are now open for 2011 enrolment. READ MORE

other news...

Our Education and Training Program continues to grow with two students submitting their theses. But where do our students want to go when they graduate? READ MORE

Climate Change and Potato Late Blight in India and Bangladesh - why Australia should be taking notice. READ MORE

Meet the woman behind the very clever biosecurity cartoons. This month we profile Angela Hagedorn. READ MORE

How the web catches exotic plant pests, Project Leader Gary Kong was recently interviewed on ABC radio READ MORE

Enrol for the new grain storage and biosecurity course. READ MORE

Simon says...

It only seems like a few weeks ago since my previous Leaflet column where I mentioned how frantic things were in the Canberra office as we made the final preparations for our bid submission. We were extremely pleased to get it submitted before the deadline and even more delighted when we were notified that our bid was successful in progressing to stage two – the interview.

This is fantastic news, and a result of a copious amount of hard work by many people. The past two months have seen a number of people across the CRC preparing an ‘Exemplar project’ for each of the four programs. We submitted these projects to the CRC Program last Thursday and they will be independently peer reviewed. The next job on the bid to-do list is to start preparing for our interview which will be held in Canberra on 10 November.

While the thought of moving in to a second phase CRC is quite exciting, I am also cognisant of the fact that we have a very successful foundation to build from. A recent independent review of our CRC found ‘The CRC is the only organisation providing a coherent, comprehensive national approach to plant biosecurity research in Australia’. In essence, the CRC Program was established to bring together organisations that have parallel goals and a requirement for research and development in a key area. With a national issue such as plant biosecurity, we have been very successful in integrating scientific solutions across agencies and jurisdictions.

As we reach our sixth year of operations, I think everyone involved in our CRC can feel proud of what we have achieved. Our success is not just limited to scientific outputs but also the broader outcomes such as building networks of researchers nationally and establishing Australia as a key player in the international plant biosecurity community.

Speaking of international collaborators, our thoughts go out to our colleagues in Christchurch, New Zealand after the terrible earthquake which hit two weeks ago. I have been in contact with a number of people who are all cleaning up debris and broken glass from around their homes. Christchurch is a beautiful city and it is such as shame to see it so devastated. Although it will take some time to rebuild homes, livelihoods and the city, we are sending positive thoughts to our colleagues and their families during this extraordinary time.

Today is also a significant milestone for the CRC with Mark Stanaway presenting his final PhD seminar at Queensland University of Technology. Mark started his PhD with the CRC in 2006 and has been researching the use of hierarchical Bayesian models for estimating the extent of plant pest invasions. Mark has statistically examined large historical datasets for spiralling whitefly and red banded mango caterpillar and has developed tools that will provide a foundation for biosecurity regulators to understand uncertainty about pest extent, for more focused risk-based surveillance. Mark’s thesis is expected to be sent to the examiners next week and we congratulate Mark on this achievement.

As part of an inaugural Farming Ahead Conference being held next week in Sydney, farmers can be nominated for a number of awards. The CRC has entered a submission nominating Lachlan Dobson for the Biosecurity Farmer of the Year Award (sponsored by Plant Health Australia). Lachlan manages the quality assurance and farming processes from produce grown from 120,000 mango trees and 80,000 red flesh grapefruit trees in the Kimberley’s Ord River Irrigation Area. He is a true ambassador for sound plant biosecurity practices and recognises how critical they are to maintain market access. When Lachlan is not implementing biosecurity practices, teaching them, communicating or writing about biosecurity, or even mentoring to share his experiences (he provides industry supervision for two of our PhD students) you can guarantee he is thinking about it. On behalf of everyone from the CRC, I wish Lachlan the best of luck on Tuesday 21 September and hope his commitment to biosecurity is recognised by the panel.

I am very pleased to introduce a new regular feature in this edition of The Leaflet. After some discussion about using the word ‘flat’ in the context of ‘not being enthusiastic’ we have found we have an artist in the office. My Executive Assistant, Angela applied this in a biosecurity perspective and created this wonderful cartoon. Anyone who is doing work on the Flat grain beetle will enjoy this, and I am sure you will look forward to seeing what she is inspired to draw for the next edition.

Until next time…

Dr Simon McKirdy
Chief Executive Officer

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

Professor Lovett acknowledges the importance of conserving biodiversity to provide genetic resources to meet biosecurity and other needs. READ MORE

biosecurity in cartoon by Ang

Who says biosecurity can’t be funny and light-hearted! Welcome to our inaugural cartoon column by Simon’s Executive Assistant, Angela Hagedorn. READ AND SEE MORE!

improving grain sampling

The Stored Grains Sampling Strategies project team have attended a number of international conferences to present their research. READ MORE

Myrtle rust incursion

CRC researchers aided surveillance in the early stages of the NSW Myrtle rust incursion. READ MORE

recruiting future scientists

Our school education strategy encompasses activities for primary school children right through to high school. READ MORE

worming around Japan

PhD candidate Matthew Tan recently visited Japan to collect potential samples of the pine wood nematode. READ MORE

other news...

Board Director, Ms Christine Campbell has over 30 years’ valuable experience to contribute to the CRC Board, but what does she like to do in her spare time? READ MORE

'Pest risk in a changing world' was the theme for this year’s IVth International Pest Risk Modelling Workshop. READ MORE

East Indonesia holds an inaugural biosecurity forum. READ MORE

CRC modelling project teams get together in WA to discuss their research. READ MORE

Enrol for the new grain storage and biosecurity course. READ MORE

Thank you to all those who contributed to this month's edition of The Leaflet.
If you would you like to contribute to The Leaflet, or provide suggestions for content?
Email us with your ideas.

Simon says...

It’s a frantic week here in our Canberra office as we make the final preparations for our re-bid submission. Although it’s a busy time making all the final edits and ensuring all our t’s are crossed and i’s are dotted, we’re on track to submit earlier than the Friday deadline (providing we’re not faced with any technological issues)!

The proposed Plant Biosecurity CRC will comprise of a mix of new and existing Participants from government departments, universities, grain companies, industry representative organisations, research organisations as well as international organisations which have a strong plant biosecurity focus.

I would like to use this column as an opportunity to announce the program leaders for the new CRC. If the bid is successful, Charles Darwin University’s Ms Ruth Wallace will lead the Driving Biosecurity Innovation program which will enable effective delivery and adoption of PBCRC activities.

Leading the second program, Strengthening Biosecurity Preparedness, will be Dr Paul De Barro from CSIRO. This program will analyse pathway vulnerability and develop strategies to manage the plant biosecurity consequences associated with global change.

Protecting Australia through smarter diagnostics, surveillance and eradication programs will be led by Victorian Department of Primary Industries’ Ms Jane Moran. The fourth program, Securing Market Access will develop and deliver robust biosecurity systems and will be led by Queensland University of Technology’s Associate Professor Tony Clarke.

Education and Training will be embedded across the four programs and will be led by Murdoch University’s Dr Kirsty Bayliss, while the Principal Scientist role will be undertaken by Dr Bill Roberts. Bill is currently the Principal Scientist with the Biosecurity Services Group, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

With a strong team leading the science activities, I am confident that (upon a successful bid) the outputs of the PBCRC’s research will build on the success of our current CRC. In announcing these positions, I would also like to thank all the people who applied and the quality of their experience and applications.

Portugal sounds a little warmer than Canberra at the moment given we are having a particularly unusual cold snap. A number of our grains researchers are in Lisbon presenting their CRC research projects at the 10th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection. This conference provides a great opportunity to highlight, at an international level, the high calibre of research we are undertaking in stored grain.

First semester of university for 2010 is complete and it’s pleasing to hear the first cohort of students enrolled in the National Plant Biosecurity Curriculum have been very impressed with the course content. You can read more about the curriculum in this edition of The Leaflet.

Following on from our last edition when we were awaiting the arrival of Carla Tadich’s (our Project Manager/Project Coordinator) new baby, I would like to offer our congratulations to Carla and her partner Dylan who welcomed the arrival of their little boy, Remi in mid-May. Everyone is doing very well and adapting to their new family life.
 

Until next time…

in this issue...

from the arm of the chair

Chairman, Professor John Lovett tackled the 'real issues' at the Cooperative Research Centre Association's annual conference. READ MORE

attracting the ladies

CRC researchers are testing new lure recipes in Western Australia. READ MORE

enrolments for second semester now open

The Plant Biosecurity Program equips graduates to begin or extend a career in biosecurity. READ MORE

flying spore traps

Spore traps are modified and tested onboard an unmanned aerial vehicle. READ MORE
 

better tomato sandwiches

CRC PhD candidate Sharon van Brunschot is researching new diagnostic methods into tomato yellow leaf curl. READ MORE

other news...

The CRC works closely with SPHDS helping to ensure they can continue improving Australia’s diagnostic capabilities. READ MORE

CRC researchers in Western Australia utilise collaborative networks. READ MORE

Kelly Bailey discusses the 'beetle biosensor' at the 20th World Biosensors Congress. READ MORE

Meet Dr Felipe Gonzalez primary investigator for our Flying Spore Traps project. READ MORE