Turf Grass TimesIssue No. 43 March 2017 Sports Turf Association (WA) Newsletter32nd Australian Turfgrass Conference 2016 An unforgettable week in MelbourneBest Practice in Home Lawn Maintenance Trial Nick Bell establishes a new trial plots with studentsDept of Water Director General visits Turf Farm DG Mike Rowe is shown the ropesWA Turf Industries Awards Presentation 2016 WA Turf Industry celebrate turf students graduationSTA(WA) Cricket Wicket Seminar 2016 Wrap of the event plus much more inside...\"The success of what grows above ground is determined to a large extent by what lies beneath.\" Call Greg O’Dea, Bactivate Consultant M: 0422 026 627 E: [email protected] W: www.growise.com.au Greater root development The ground-breaking Bactivate range of microbial and nutritional soil ameliorants Thicker root mass provides turf managers with a reliable and proven method for restoring and Deeper penetration of roots maintaining soil health. Less thatch development The cocktail of sythentics, pesticides and herbicides used to try and produce Improved organic matter & CEC \"reasonable\" results is escalating at an unsustainable rate. Suppression of soil pathogen & grubs Golf courses, tennis clubs, racetracks, turf farms, council and school parks are turning to the Bactivate method for good reason. Growise is the proud distributor and consultant for the Bactivate range of products in Western Australia.
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Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 1 SPORTS TURF ASSOCIATION (WA) Incorporated PO Box 8492 | Perth B.C. | WA 6849Contents Dear Colleagues, Welcome to issue 43 of the Turf Grass Times newsletter. At long last this edition is finally completed and thank you for your patience. It has been quite a marathon challenge getting it put together for you. I feel as though have re-titled the date stamp above every page almost every month since August. I hope you enjoy the read, there are4. 32nd Australian Turfgrass Conference a number of interesting wrap up of recent events and industry news from about the country. A favourite of mine you will find further in is by6. 2016 National Turf Graduates Tour MCG journalist Lisa Mayoh who reports on a new facebook page developed by and for home lawn perfectionists that is quickly gathering supporters. The site may have simply started as an outlet for the proud greenkeepers9. Bookshop to show off the object of their devotion but it is actually doing the turf10. Best Practice Lawn Preparation industry a world of good as it is highlighting what a fantastic resource quality turf grass is in the community.& Maintenance Project We have had a number of new members join the association during the past few months. These include Dayne Whalan at Trinity College, Peter18. DoW Director General visitsTurf Farm Oost from Thornlie Christian College, Shane Baker at Mosman Park Golf Club, Scott Steer from LWP Property Group, Jared Speak at Kingsway20. DoW Gnangara Groundwater Christian College, John Simpson in Kalgoorlie, Shaun Hoffman from Allocation Plan Eco Edge Retic Supplies, Andre Pretorius at Hydroplan, David Mort from Dardanup Shire Council and Greg Jackson and Alison Waters at Cockburn City Council.24. Village Green at Mills Park Another new member I recently had the pleasure to meet is Ben Russell who has now joined the ranks at T-Quip as a fresh young face in their26. STA(WA) Cricket Wicket Seminar sales division. He will be visiting many current and future clients in the southern districts around Perth. Ben can be contacted by mobile on 048731. Lawn Porn 880 001.34. TGAWA Grower Profile We have a number of exciting events planned for the WA turf industry this year. Coming up on the 29th March we will be hosting the STA(WA)36. WA Turf Industries Awards 2016 Cricket Wicket & Sportsfield Renovation Workshop. This will be followed by the bienniel WA Turf Seminar anf Trade Expo to be held once again38. Lathlain Park Redevelopment at the Tomkins Park Function Centre in Alfred Cove on Wednesday 31 May that will have a line up of fantastic speakers and a showcase of42. from the Executive Officer Turf WA product / equipment displays available. More information will be posted soon. We also have a few good old social events planned throughout the44. STA(WA) Member Profile year including a revisit to the golf challenge and of course the AGM in August. We have already had a brilliant start to the year with Members Day at Ascot raceway in February and the recent STA(WA) / TAFE BBQ breakfast. Although some dates may change you can see a draft calendar of the whole years events on our website www.sportsturfwa.asn.au. Until we meet, please keep well and safe. TGT Production Regards,Senior Editor /Design & Production: Tony Guy - STA (WA)Mob: 0417 977 734 Email: [email protected] Tony GuyCommunications & Photography: Eva Ricci - TurfWAMob: 0422 120 990 Email: [email protected] President , STA (WA) Disclaimer The “Turf Grass Times” is produced wholly inhouse by volunteer contributors for This newsletter is provided for information members of the Sports Turf Association (WA) Inc. The STA(WA) is a not-for-profitpurposes only. The reader assumes entire risk as organisation representing any person with an interest in turf grass and the Sports Turfto the accuracy and for the use of any information Industry in Western Australia.contained within. Readers are advised that the TurfGrass Times takes no responsibility whatsoever for T A Turf Growers Associationthe accuracy, or otherwise of any advertisements, of Western Australia Inc.descriptions, photographs, appearing in this issueor any time in the future. The “Turf Grass Times” is also distributed amongst members of the Turf Growers Association of WA as the major supporter of the Executive Officer of WA Turf . Front cover image – Opening of the trade show at the 32nd Australian Turfgrass Conference Rear cover image - 2016 National Turf Graduates enjoying a moment out on the MCG turf Turf Grass Times
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Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 3 Issue No. 43 October 2016 Turf Grass Times
Page 4 32nd Australian Turfgrass ConferenceThe 32nd Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Expo was held in the palatial Crown Casino complex in Melbourne, 19-24 June 2016. The day before the conference’s plenary session, manyguests were privileged to sit in on a workshop presentation “WeedControl Past Present and Future” from the visiting research scientistDr Fred Yelverton. Dr Yelverton is a professor at the North CarolinaState University (USA) where he works as part of the NCSU’s centrefor Turfgrass Environmental Research & Education. Fred is commonly introduced as an expert in all things weeds. Professor Yelverton has also been named by Les Burdett presenting in the sports field stream at the Conference. the magazine publishing company Green Media as one of the 20 most influential people in the green industry.Dr Fred Yelverton Throughout the conference, Fred presented on his favourite topic in a softly spoken cowboy’s mid western drawl that quickly had everyone at ease. Pausing regularly to clarify translations in common usage names of weeds in the US and Australia, he explained the process of the way in which certain weed types’ genetic ability to be resistant to chemicals can lead them to become dominant within the environment if management practices are not changed. The example weed used was the all too familiar and very genetically diverse Poa annua (winter grass). The professor explained that within any given sward of winter grass consisting of many thousands of individual grass plants, there will be a number which may be genetically able to withstand the debilitating effects of the chemicals applied. These survivors will then be free to grow healthy and multiply unless alternative chemicals operating in other groups are applied. Quality products developed for WA turf conditions No one knows WA better than Baileys Fully granulated & liquid fertilisers New Ultimate Turf Organics Range Soil amendments and specialty products Grosorb TM granulated & liquid wetting agent Laboratory testing & custom soil nutrient programs [email protected] | (08) 9439 1688 | www.baileysfertiliser.com.au Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 5 The following days of the conference saw Dr Yelverton and his American counterpart, Associate Professor Frank Rossi repeat this theme regarding the need to utilise IPM strategies to keep outcrops of these mutant resistant strains of weeds in check. Fred’s next topic was to look into new strategies in pre-emergent control while Frank disclosed on a popular topic under his research leadership at New York State’s Cornell University over the last several years which is a look at current and future environmental issues of whether using or not using pesticides. A popular session with many team leaders and supervisors was “Influencing with and without authority” by David Bancroft Turner. David’s talk provided a very helpful insight into the various categories of workplace personalities and how some of their characteristics effect the way they react to authority and interact / perform within teams. Having a clearer understanding on how best to find that common ground between yourself and staff members or with your own line managers will always lead to more effective communication and improved personal development. Associate Professor Frank Rossi Les Burdett is currently Pitch Advisor for Cricket Australia. In thisrole Les is responsible for ensuring that all program matches that aresatellite to CA’s Australian International Cricket venues present pitchesthat are good for cricket and safe for players. In other words, Les wouldtravel to selected regional sites and discuss turf management and eventpreparation strategies with the local turf managers. I am sure that anyclub, regardless of whether they were selected to prepare AIC pitcheswould welcome the opportunity to chat with Les and benefit from hismany award winning years as head curator of Adelaide Oval.Greg Askew from Venue Operations Pty Ltd, presented a quiteenlightening story of his time traversing the subcontinent preparingsurfaces for the Indian Super League. During his talk, Greg explainedthat although he was somewhat prepared for language and culturalbarriers he was less ready to be confronted by some severe compromisesin occupational safety standards. He described one instance of wherehe encountered highly toxic insecticides being applied by an operator The Trade Expo within the Crown Complex was a highlight for allwearing only shorts, singlet and thongs, with his only PPE being conference session delegates and attracted a fair number of day visitors.a damp cloth wrapped around his nose and mouth. Also to hishorror, Greg said that it was being applied on the morning of thatafternoons match. Needless to say, he immediately stopped theapplication and proceeded to drench the field in an effort to make itsafe for player entry. Another aspect that he said took some gettingused to was the shear number of workers available to carry out tasksthat would otherwise be performed by individuals in Australia withthe appropriate equipment. An example being that rather thanhaving the lines marked by one man using a conventional markingmachine, he told of seeing a whole team of men hand painting thelines using paint brushes and in some cases ‘enamel’ paint. Howeverthe challenges faced which included the physical demands of such abusy travel/work schedule, Greg said that he was proud of his effortand was yet to decide if he would undertake a similar role in thefuture. The whole conference was such an amazing experience, suchthat it would need several pages to summarise all the speakers,presentations, demonstrations and displays on show. Let alone allthe invaluable conversations that you have while attending theseevents. I urge all to attend future events if possible. by Tony Guy The TORO display in the foyer area was impressive. Turf Grass Times
Page 6 2016 National Turf Graduates Private Tour the MCG.Throughout their amazing 6 days while attending the 32nd Australian Turgrass Conference in Melbourne this year, all the finalists for the National Turf GraduateAwards were the very special guests of TORO Australia. Cappingoff their week TORO’s generous stewardship continued as theywere treated to a private guided morning tour of the grounds andfacilities at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The graduates enjoy a relaxed one-on-one session with Tony Gordon. There they were met by Head Curator Tony Gordon, who quickly put them at ease by giving a friendly discourse on some of the challenges and schedules involved in preparing the ground for sporting use throughout the year.Graduates easily imagining being in the best seats of the stadiumUpon arrival the group were led around the MCG stands,visiting many areas usually off limits to the general public. A very priveleged private tour of the MCG Machinery store. Good to see a number of MowMaster machines in use.Revelling in their moment on the hallowed MCG field. From a walk across the ground we entered the lower levels of the While it was an eye opener to be in areas normally reserved for stadium where the grounds care equipment and machinery werethe players, coaches and MCG staff, the lads were very keen to housed. Following a review of the MCG’s varied complementget down to the hallowed turf itself. of equipment and workshops full of Tractors, mowers, rollers, utility vehicles and sprayers, the graduates worked their way outside the stadium to the outlying turf nursery area where the drop-in pitches were maintained during the off season. Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Page 7Just some of the numerous rolls of event flooring. Tony points out the lifting points of the drop-in-pitch frame. It was then time to board the bus to airport for a return to their respected states. Thanks again to TORO Australia for an undoubtedly awesome morning after such an amazing week of which I am sure that all the finalists will remember for years to come. by Tony GuyTony Gordon shows the graduates the drop-in-pitch nursery Turf Grass Times
Page 8 36 Abernethy Road BELMONT 6104 WAExpert sNaoleost,hseerrvciocemapnadnyreipnaWirsesotfelranwAnumstorawliearsh,atsurtfheeqduivipemrseitnyt,osfuorufarcreanggroeoomf innegwmmacohwininegryaannddthuarfncda-rheeledqpuoipwmeerntot.ols. www.tquip.com.au Jean-Paul Groosman 0418 919 230 Freecall 1800 248 676 Dollin Knight 0417 918 653 Bill Kilmurray 0418 488 434 08 9478 7000 EmaFila:[email protected] Issue No. 43 March 2017 Turf Grass Times
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 9Pest Management of Turfgrass Bookshopfor Sport and Recreationby Gary Beehag, Jyri Kaapro and Andrew MannersVital for a game of cricket or golf and enjoyable when About The Authors picnicking in the park, turfgrass provides a wide range Gary Beehag has extensive experience in the turfgrass industry of aesthetic and recreational benefits. However, managed and qualifications in greenkeeping, horticulture, pest control andturfgrass is prone to damaging outbreaks of insects and mites. teaching. He worked as a consultant for the Australian TurfgrassPest Management of Turfgrass for Sport and Recreation is the first Research Institute (ATRI). Gary has written numerous magazinecomprehensive work on the plant-eating insects and mites of the and journal articles and spoken at many conferences nationallygrass and non-grass species currently maintained as ornamental and internationally.lawns and turfgrass playing surfaces throughout Australia, the Jyri Kaapro is Research Manager at Bayer, where he worksSouth Pacific and South-East Asia. in product development for the turfgrass industry. He wasThis book provides an industry reference for the identification previously employed as a Research Manager at the Australianof pests affecting the roots, stems and leaves of turfgrass and Turfgrass Research Institute and he holds a Master of Agriculturecontrol of these species through integrated pest management. It (Turf Management) from the University of Sydney.contains information on the distribution, ecology and biology of Andrew Manners has over 15 years’ experience in integratedpests and how to monitor them. The integrated pest management pest management. He is currently employed in pest and diseaseapproach outlined in the book includes natural environmental management at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’controls, beneficial and predatory species of arthropods, resistant Ecosciences Precinct and manages its Grow Help service. Hecultivars and insecticidal and miticidal pesticides. holds a PhD in Entomology from the University of Queensland.Pest Management of Turfgrass for Sport and Recreation isan essential manual for managers of sportsgrounds, bowling Colour photographs, Photographs, Illustrationsgreens, lawn tennis courts, golf courses, racecourses, ornamental 312 pages, 245 x 170 mmlandscapes, amenity parklands, public reserves and turfgrass Publisher: CSIRO Publishingproduction farms. Paperback - July 2016 ISBN: 9780643095144 - AU $140.00Contents 1: Dynamic world of turfgrass pests 2: Insect and mite morphology and development 3: Monitoring for turfgrass pests 4: Turfgrass integrated pest management 5: Root-feeding insects Colour plates 6: Stem-feeding pests 7: Foliage-feeding insects and mites 8: Modern turfgrass insecticides and miticides The Lawncare Man provides a comprehensive lawn maintenance service (excluding cutting) advising on and managing lawns on any scale in the Perth Metropolitan and Mandurah areas. We specialise in broadacre boomspraying and domestic weed spraying. Services are delivered as one-o , stand alone services or as part of a four-visit annual programme. Freecall: 1300 LAWNCARE The Lawncare Man is rmly committed to providing exceptional lawn care services. This includesPh: (08) 9337 1300 pre and post-emergent Weed control strategies, Disease and Fungus control, Fertiliser and Wetting AgentMob: 0409 245 156 applications and complete lawn renovations. View our extensive list of professional lawn care services [email protected] www.lawncareman.com.au. Turf Grass Times
Page 10 ‘Best Practice Lawn Preparation and Maintenance Project’A Soil Preparation, Seasonal Watering, Fertilising, and Mowing TrialIn my occupation as a lawn and turf consultant, I regularly Objectives inspect home lawns and advise their owners on how to water wisely in accordance with the regulations while managing The objective of the trial is to investigate if the volume of watertheir lawns in an environmentally responsible co-ordinated way. needed to maintain functional sustainable lawns can be reducedBy demonstrating with the combination of controlled watering, and to share the knowledge with home lawn owners.slow feeding with organic nutrients, and recycling grass clippingsconsiderable improvements can be made.In December of last year, I was particularly inspired by concerns Nick Bell introducing Andrew Corrigan from C-Wise, with Paul and Lindaexpressed by Trevor Cochran from the Garden Gurus. Then Mitchener from The Green Life Soil Company.again later upon hearing similar questions and answers at anearly March 2016 meeting of the Garden Industry Reference Sites, treatment and experimental designGroup, chaired by Mr Ashley Vincent (Water Corporation,General Manager Assets & Planning), I initiated a very The trial will be conducted at:interesting conversation between myself, Ashley and Ms Helen Cyril Jackson Senior Campus, at 53, Reid Street, Bassendean.Gigney, (Water Corp Project Officer - Water Efficiency) about The trial plot has been amended to increase its water holdingimplementing a project aimed at reducing the amount of water, capacity. More specifically by extending the time the moisturefertiliser, mowing and maintenance needed to maintain a typical content is available in the upper surface of the root zone. Thishome lawn. was done by incorporating 15mm Green Life ‘Lawn Dress’The Cyril Jackson Senior Campus provided a site adjacent containing yellow and Gingin red sand, granite dust, zeoliteto their Arts House that is representative of a home lawn and and a blend of slow release nutrients in the northern section ofteachers, students, and the community will contribute to the the plot. In the southern section of the plot 10 mm of ‘C-Wise’project. The Water Corporation have acknowledged the project, Humicarb compost blended with Bentonite clay and zeolite wereand in-kind funding and support has been received from The incorporated.Turf Growers WA, Irrigation Australia, Elliott’s Irrigation, SouthMetropolitan TAFE, the Green Life Soil Company, and RoverMowers.IntroductionWith growing concern about continued reduction of inflow intodams there has been discussion about possible changes to thewatering restrictions that currently limit scheme water irrigationto 2 applications of 10mm on rostered watering days each week.One of these changes is to introduce education regardingapplying seasonal irrigation adjustments to efficiently water turf.The volume of water needed to maintain lawns in September andMay is vastly different to what is needed in January and February.Although the average lawn size for new homes is currently around65m2 as compared with 120m2 a decade ago, the homeowner’sdemand for quality lawns persists. Households find it increasinglymore viable to invest in quality soil improvement and efficientirrigation design utilising sophisticated control measures.Combined with judicious feeding and a structured maintenanceprogramme a more resilient and healthy presentation of theirhome lawn is sustained throughout the whole year.Hence the need for a practical and concise message aimed at Raking the amendments evenly over the surfaceeducating and instructing households in achieving the twofoldbenefits of better turf for less water. Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 11 The materials were ploughed into the upper 100mm (primary • September 4mm twice per week root zone) of the in-situ sand of each section. This stage of the • October 6mm twice per week project was completed on Sunday 19 June 2016. • November 8mm twice per week • December 10mm twice per weekPloughing the amendments into the upper 100mm of the root zone. • January 10mm twice per week • February 10mm twice per week • March 8mm twice per week • April 7mm twice per week • May 6mm twice per week Both controllers will be connected to water meters Sprinklers are Hunter Pro-Spray PRS30 fitted with number 12 fixed arc nozzles with a precipitation rate of 50mm per hour. The application rates have been programmed by Irrigation Waterwise Irrigator, Elliott’s Irrigation, with input from John Forrest of South Metropolitan TAFE.The tines of the plough are precisely set to blend the amendments uniformly Turf Surfaceinto the root zone. Prior to the installation of ‘Sapphire’ Soft leaf Buffalo Lawn The area of the lawn is 112 m2 by Westland Turf in mid-August the surface preparation will The turf is Soft Leaf Buffalo CV: Sapphire include the incorporation of Organic 2000 Starter Fertiliser. The The lawn will be watered, fertilised and mowed in accordance new lawn will be irrigated as needed and in accordance with with best practice and accurate records will be kept. the watering exemption guidelines for new lawns. The seasonal watering regime will begin on 1 September. Irrigation The Project will be launched on Thursday 1 September at the Cyril Jackson Art House Garden with CJ staff and students, Two Hunter PRO-C 8-Station Irrigation Controllers one Project contributors, Town of Bassendean officials, and other equipped with a Wireless SOLAR-SYNC Sensor will be installed. Media Representatives in attendance. Two identical plots of 9.4 x 4m will be compared. Both controllers The lawn will be mowed with a sharpened 6 blade Rover shall be set to apply historical monthly percentage requirements: ‘Kensington’ cylinder mower (sans catcher) set at a height of 12mm whenever the vertical height of the grass exceeds 18mm. The clippings returned to recycle nutrients and increase the organic content of the soil. In February 2017 it is anticipated that a verti-mower will be used to remove the accumulation of thatch from the surface. Strong healthy turf without excessive growth will be maintained by slow feeding via a top dressing of a 3mm layer of C-Wise ‘Turf Perfect’ mature compost in October 2016 and also in April 2017. Supplementary applications of liquid compost extract willWESTERN 08 9434 5678 www.westernirrigation.net.auIR R I G A T I O NLEADERS IN WATER MANAGEMENT SINCE 1969Western Irrigation have been servicing the irrigation industry since 1969. Our knowledge and experience will help you choose the right options forevery water situation. Our solutions include: bore water supplies, pumps, storage tanks, aerations ponds, water treatment and ltration systems,centre pivots and includes construction, services and maintenance Contact Andrew Ogden to discuss you requirements. 211 Barrington Street, Bibra Lake, WA 6163 Phone: 08 9434 5678 [email protected] supply advice, design, supply, construction, installation and maintenance. Turf Grass Times
Page 12 For the last 20 years C-Wise has been caring for your turf. For every sports field... ...C-Wise Solutions can make a difference.CONTACT Andrew CorriganE [email protected] (08) 9581 9582F (08) 9581 9585M 0431 285 852 cwise.com.au Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Best practice lawn project cont’d Page 13be made for comparison on sections of the lawn at 4-6 weekintervals during the period October to February. In Kind Funding Contributors:The quality and appearance of the turf will be assessed visually,and photographed at set photo points and times of day, and WA Turf Grower’s Association – Eva Riccidata recorded by N. Bell in third week of every month of the Irrigation Australia WA- Tracy Martin and Bryan Wardirrigation season. South Metropolitan TAFE - John ForrestProject timeline Rover Mowers MTD Products –Adrian Votino12 months. Small Motors Mower City – Mike RomeynCommunication Elliott’s Irrigation – Elliot Taylor Green Life Soil Company – Linda and Paul MitchenerThis best practice demonstration/soil amendment trial is C-Wise Soil Carbon Solutions – Andy Gullivercomplementary to the soil amendment turf research project Expressions of interest and support thanks to the Wateralready underway at UWA’s Shenton Park Field Station. Corporation’s Mr. Ashley Vincent, General Manager AssetsThe emphasis of this work is to teach home lawn owners how to Planning Activity and Ms. Helen Gigney, Project Officer Watermaintain their lawns with less water. Efficiency.Cyril Jackson Senior Campus includes a Teaching workshop All products, equipment and machinery used in this project areFacility, and teachers, students, Arts House Garden Core readily available.Committee Members, and the community will contribute to theresearch. Cyril Jackson Community Campus is the hub of the Article by Nick Bell,community and all participants will contribute to workshops Advanced Diploma Horticulture-Turf, Lawn Consultant.that will be held in spring, summer, autumn and winter to teachand demonstrate ‘Best Practice Water-Wise Lawn Care’ to the Photos courtesy Nonie JekabsonsBassendean Community and neighbouring areas.Progress reports will be circulated quarterly in December 2016,and March, June, and September 2017. The Final Report will becompleted in October 2017 and distributed to the HorticulturalMedia Association for circulation to the wide cross section ofhome gardeners.Articles will be written for publication in the ‘West Australian’,‘Sunday Times’ and various gardening magazines, andnewspapers.Author participation in Radio Talk Back Gardening Shows atthe ABC, 6PR and Curtin Radio ‘Let’s Talk Gardening’, includinga possible feature on Channel-9 ‘This Day Tonight’.Cyril Jackson Senior Campus Media Department will contribute Nick Bell and friends carefully applying a measured layer of the baggedto the documentation of the project. Progressive stages of the amendments to ensure even application across the plot.project will be posted regularly through the CJSC ArtsHouseFacebook group and the Cyril Jackson Senior Campus Facebookpage. When completed, the video will be available to all in-kindcontributors and will acknowledge their contributions to theproject. WATTLEUP TRACTORS are now distributors for Trimax Mowing Systems.Trimax have a selection of mowers that are suitable for a rangeof environments, from sports fields and Parks to roadsides.Trimax have all your mowing needs covered.Call us today to find out more about the Trimax range of mowers Wattleup Tractors 7 Burchell Way KEWDALE Nino 0418 931 243 | Craig 0439 963 099 | www.wattleup.com Ph: (08) 9353 4700Kewdale | Carnarvon | Kununarra Turf Grass Times
Page 14 THE FOUNDATION OF ELITE SPORTING SURFACES. Turf Managers trained to work on world-class facilities Our goal is to deliver premium sporting experiences for the people who use the surfaces we build. We employ great people and progressive technologies to achieve outcomes worthy of the organisations and facilities we work with.RENOVATIONS | CONSTRUCTION | FACILITIES | SPRAYING | MOWINGTurf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 15Speak to our dedicated Turf Management team today.08 9302 6795 | [email protected] | PO Box 672, North Perth WA 6906 Turf Grass Times
Page 16 Everybody has a right to a safe workplacewCbeoasrkas░▒▓ufmeaulst░▒▓Gfc1ooo3rtn0cct0aaocsn3tuc0aWe7lronw8rs7koS7rakabEefoeruvs-taesstaarwffeeywttyywb@a.wcotoowmdrokmrsykae?frehcS.ewea.ewa.saAg.oggvaou.vaid.uareuoerosr ponsibility ░▒▓ safely to work Government of Western Australia WORKSAFE commission Department of Commerce Western Australia for occupational safety and healthCasual Workers Poster.indd 1 Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March1/026/012177:48 AM
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 17Impatient golferslove Drive® XL.A new liquid formulation,fast drying in one hour.Drive XL, the herbicide that you know and trustis now a lot easier to use. Available now in aliquid formulation, it is easier to apply and provento deliver faster and more effective control ofsummer grasses, white clover and kikuyu.Drive XL is now rainfast within the hour, soyour clients won’t have to wait to hit the turf. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. Turf Grass Times 11/02/2016 2:12 pm © Copyright BASF 2016 ® Registered trademark of BASF.BAST0043 Drive Press Ad STAP 184x271mm_v2.indd 1
Page 18 Dept of Water DG visits Turf FarmThe Turf Growers Association WA were very pleased to It was an incredibly interesting morning, one that both Mike host the Director General for Water in WA, Mr. Mike and Leon greatly appreciated. Rowe, and the Regional Manager for the Kwinana Peel Joining Adrian and Peter on the morning meet was GraemeRegion (Dept. of Water) Mr. Leon Brouwer, for a farm visit and Ferguson from AG Buffalo, Con Paino from Westland Turf,meet ‘n’ greet with a small group of members on October 20th Leonard Deale and Farm Manager Anel from True Blue Turf and2016 at the Greenacres Turf Farm. It was a fantastic morning that Ray Woonings, Farm Manager at Greenacres Turf Group.began with a presentation on Greenacres Turf Group’s innovative At a roundtable discussion after the tour Mike asked the growerswater management strategies that they have developed at their to provide feedback on their experiences with the Department ofSerpentine property. Water and asked how the industry wishes to continue to engage with DoW. It was noted that given that future water allocations are a major concern for many of the growers as it is for the turf maintenance sector, improved ongoing engagement with the DoW’s Water Allocations team was considered imperative. The manager and others from the Water Allocations team recently presented to both Sports Turf Association (WA) and Turf Growers Association WA members outlining the pending water allocation reductions that are proposed for the northern corridor of the Perth metropolitan area over coming years. Greenacres Turf Farm wetland at the end of Summer Leon Brouwer and Mike RoweGreenacres Turf Group’s Co-Director, Adrian Pitsikas, started Greenacres Turf Farm wetland in the Winter monthsthe day by delivering a power point presentation that showcased The Western Australian Department of Water is to bethe development and management of the local water drain (so congratulated for taking a very proactive step, in openingcalled dirty water) and how once it enters the property they communications with industry stakeholders. Frank, opencreated an artificial wetland that now also supplements the farm’s discussions were held regarding the success and failure of thewater supply. This strategy has significantly eased the property’s current allocation process and the reasoning for proposeddemand on the area’s groundwater reserves. further reductions. As a result, the collective agreement aboutThis a site specific and unique concept that works very well, with the room was that this will surely be a driver for investigatingthe Greenacres team having designed and developed an actualecosystem full of biodiversity that greatly assists the environmentand at the same time servicing the water needs of the farm for upto ten months of the year.Adrian’s twin brother and co-director of the business, PeterPitsikas then escorted the DoW guests on a farm tour with aninsightful and informative commentary on the building andmanagement of this artificial wetland and lake. Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 19 new water innovations to counter the loss of extraction from When Adrian Pitsikas, Co-Director of Greenacres Turf Group, groundwater storage areas such as the Superficial Aquifer, the became aware that Mr Leon Brouwer, Regional Manager Leederville Aquifer and the big one, the Yarragadee Aquifer. Kwinana/Peel office would be attending the farm visit, he gave a The allocation team heard several requests from the room for ready run down on Leon’s history with the Department of Water more information regarding the development of ideas such as and his relationship with the team at Greenacres Turf Group. “Recycled water”, “sewer mining” and “drain water catchment”. Relationships such as these are quite possibly of equal importance The WA Turf Industry looks forward to working with the as those developed with a farm’s accountant or business manager. Department of Water regarding these processes in the months When you are dealing with a department responsible for the one and years to come. resource that can make or break your business, it’s in your best interest to know who you are working with. To be respectful yet Currently the WA Industry Development Officer is in informed, working hand in hand to achieve a positive outcome communications with the water allocations team regarding the for all concerned. Given that the Department of Water is the development of a South of River (metro area) water users group, lead agency responsible for the water supply effecting economic to address such areas as; growth, production and maintenance, it makes it that much - Water availability information more comfortable for all involved, if there are good, constant, - Climate information open, honest and transparent communications. - Planning in the area When the Director General took the time from his busy schedule - Implications for users (Will users of the Jandakot basin to come onsite and witness the day to day workings of a turf be subjected to the same restrictions as Gnangara and what’s farm, and to actively listen and discuss one-on-one with growers different?) their issues and concerns, it was appreciated as a statement of commitment towards future good relationships between the WA is in a unique position, as we have an extensive supply department and our industry. of usable underground water. The vast amount of water used for the state’s economic production whether it be agriculture, article by Eva Ricci and Tony Guy manufacturing and mining comes mainly from such photos courtesy Greenacres Turf Group underground sources. The WA Turf Industry is very conscious that this most valuable resource is not only the lifeblood of our unique industry, it is also the key ingredient to a healthy and prosperous society. Left to Right: Leo Deale, Mike Rowe, Peter Pitsikas, Graeme Ferguson Now that we are threatened by a changing climate which is and Con Paino. greatly reducing the recharge of these aquifers while at the same time as our population centres grow, posing increased demand on extraction, we are presented with an opportunity to work collaboratively with the policy makers responsible for water supply and distribution. As demonstrated by the meetings with the DoW Allocation Team and the recent farm visit by Director General Mike Rowe, if we can keep this line of engagement happening it will only be positive for all involved. It is no surprise that many turf growers know their regional manager and or members of the Department of Water’s regional team, by name. Many having worked quite closely with the department to develop successful and valid water usage plans.WA’S LARGEST TURF FARMQuality Fresh Roll-on Lawn, Guaranteed - Weed Free! Call Now On (08) 9525 8800 Email: [email protected] TradeO&pePnu6bLoDlitac5yC0s3u- MHsteoonnmd-Fererisr8osanmWRoetoalcd5op, mSmeer&pSeantti8naemWtAo621p2m5Ask aboTuhteouCrhSopiecceiaolisfeLdaIwnsnta&llaTtiuornfSPerrovifceessionalsTurf Grass Times
Page 20Department of WaterGnangara Groundwater Allocation PlanThe Gnangara groundwater system is Perth’s largest groundwater abstraction and evapotranspiration over summer. source of good quality, fresh water. It provides over Before 2006 groundwater levels generally declined each year. 40 per cent of Perth’s drinking water each year, as well Since then, levels have stabilised except for step-downs after very dry years (2006 and 2010). This shows that actions toas local water for public open spaces, an extensive area of local reduce abstraction and move it away from environmentallyagriculture and our gardens. It also supports nationally significant sensitive areas has made a difference but that more interventionsgroundwater-dependent ecosystems, such as wetlands and are needed to establish a more sustainable balance in a dryingBanksia woodlands. These groundwater-dependent ecosystems climate.support biodiversity, help create our ‘sense of place’ and makeour city an attractive place to live. The average groundwater level graph below is based on monthly measurements at 43 monitoring bores across the GnangaraStretching more than 2000 square kilometres along the coastal Mound (Superficial aquifer), which are averaged to show relativeplain north of the Swan River to Gingin and east to the Darling changes in groundwater levels compared to the average highestScarp, the Gnangara groundwater system comprises four main recorded groundwater level.aquifers: Bores for the graph were selected from our existing monitoring network on the Gnangara Mound, with a minimum of ten years of data. To achieve the single monthly average figure, monthly water levels are offset against the highest historically recorded groundwater level for each bore. These offset water levels are then averaged across all 43 bores to produce a single number for the month. During winter months, we also have a monthly winter rainfall summary to track rainfall against Gnangara groundwater levels recorded at the end of the previous winter.• The shallow, unconfined Superficial aquifer (the Gnangara groundwater areas allocation planGnangara Mound).• The shallow, semi-confined Mirrabooka aquifer. The Gnangara groundwater areas allocation plan and Statement• The deep, mostly confined Leederville aquifer. of response were released in October 2009 provides strategies to• The deepest, mostly confined Yarragadee aquifer manage sustainable groundwater abstraction and first steps toWater use from the Gnangara groundwater system is managed returning the over-allocated system to balance, after 40 years ofthrough the Gnangara groundwater areas allocation plan, which declining rainfall and recharge to groundwater. It is a strong firstdefines how much water is available for use and guides water step in adjusting our groundwater management in the context oflicensing from the system within the set allocation limits. drier climate and has resulted in the following: • Significantly reduced abstraction for public waterGnangara Mound groundwater levels supply. • Increased compliance and enforcement activities.Groundwater levels across the Gnangara Mound have generally • Increased protection of groundwater-dependentbeen in decline for the last 40 years. ecosystems, by moving abstraction to lower risk areas, includingGroundwater levels have declined because of declining rainfall, the deeper confined aquifers.continued use of groundwater for a range of important uses,and pine plantations on the mound. In some areas, the rate ofgroundwater level decline has slowed and possibly stabilisedsince 2011. This is a positive response to the department’s actionsto reduce and redistribute groundwater abstraction and reflectsmore consistent rainfall since the very low rainfall in 2010.The seasonal rises in average groundwater level relate to rainfallrecharge to groundwater over winter and the falls relate to Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 21 Status of water resourcesThe Department of Water is continuing to work with licenseesand stakeholders so that the people of Perth have access to good Over the evaluation period groundwater levels in the shallowquality, affordable groundwater supplies, water efficient public Superficial aquifer and, to a lesser extent, in the largely confinedopen spaces and healthy wetlands that support and enhance our Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers have shown evidence ofway of life now and into the future. stabilisation or slowed in their decline. However, 2015 was anotherWe have evaluated our management against the plan’s objectives: very dry year and average levels are now the lowest on record.• Gnangara groundwater areas allocation plan: evaluation Despite these improvements, the long-term projections of astatement 2009–2011 drying climate and reduced recharge remain an issue for managing• Gnangara groundwater areas allocation plan: evaluation groundwater levels and water quality issues such as acidificationstatement 2011–2014. and salt water intrusion.Plan area Status of groundwater useThe Gnangara groundwater areas cover about 2200 km2 in the The volume of groundwater licensed across the Gnangaranorthern part of Perth. groundwater system has decreased over the evaluation periodThe area covers the groundwater resources of the Yanchep, by about 42 GL/year, from 280 GL/year in 2010–11 to 238 GL/Gnangara, Wanneroo, Swan, Mirrabooka, Gwelup and Perth year in 2013–14. This is largely from reducing licence entitlementsgroundwater areas and includes a portion of the Gingin for public water supply by about 38 GL/year (primarily fromgroundwater area. the Superficial aquifer), with some reduction in private licence entitlements (about 4 GL/year). Maintaining abstraction in the Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers has allowed us to focus on reducing abstraction in the Superficial aquifer which is critical for supporting both environmental values and water use. Our response and future planning At the time, we identified that the plan would need review and further refinement to continue to adapt our management approach. We are now preparing for the next allocation plan, with an aim to set levels of abstraction that match a drier climate to 2030. Developing the plan will involve environmental, social and economic impact assessments and continued consultation with key stakeholder groups during the planning process. Our key stakeholders have been working with us for many years to face the challenge of adapting water use to a drier climate and growing population. The Water Corporation, horticultural industry and a number of local and state government agencies will be strong partners in the next Gnangara groundwater allocation plan. We will begin more focused stakeholder engagement towards the second half of 2015–16 and aim to release the plan for public comment in 2017. If you would like to receive updates on the next Gnangara groundwater allocation plan, please register your interest by emailing [email protected]3URYHQSHUIRUPDQFH +LJKHVWTXDOLW\VXUIDFWDQW ([FHOOHQWUHVLGXDOSHUIRUPDQFH8QVXUSDVVHGUHZHWWLQJ IRUPXODWLRQ ,PSURYHVZDWHUXVDJHE\FDSDELOLW\ZKHQFRPSDUHGWR 3URYHQSHUIRUPDQFHEDFNHG LPSURYLQJZDWHUSHQHWUDWLRQDQGRWKHUSHQHWUDQWWHFKQRORJLHV E\1XWXUIDQG%$6) UHWHQWLRQ1RQEXUQIRUPXODWLRQ²HYHQLQ ([FHOOHQWUHVLGXDOSHUIRUPDQFH 5HGXFHVLUULJDWLRQUHTXLUHPHQWVKLJKWHPSHUDWXUHV ,PSURYHVZDWHUXVDJHE\ E\LQFUHDVLQJWKHUDWHDQGGHSWK LPSURYLQJZDWHUSHQHWUDWLRQDQG RIZDWHUSHQHWUDWLRQ UHWHQWLRQ 1RQEXUQIRUPXODWLRQ²HYHQLQ KLJKWHPSHUDWXUHV www.nuturf.com.au or Free Call 1800 631 008 Turf Grass Times
Page 22 Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 23 Turf Grass Times
Page 24 Village Green features in award winning sports complex A multi-million dollar project to completely revamp a Perth district sports complex with Village Green turf has paid big dividends forthe local council, City of Gosnells, which has picked up project design and sports awards for its Mills Park Centre redevelopment. The$47-million, 24 hectare project site included 70,000 square metres of Village Green turf laid on two sporting ovals and surrounds. Thetwo main playing ovals showcase examples of Village Green’s ability to thrive in high wear and tricky environmental situations andhelped transform the sporting hub into an unrivalled community sporting complex in the city.WhenWesternAustralianlocalcouncil,CityofGosnells, To limit the disruption to the football seasons, the playing planned to consolidate an ageing community sports ovals were developed in a staged approach. Mills 2 Oval was grounds into a 24-hectare community sporting transformed with 27,000 square metres of Village Green laidcomplex it couldn’t have foreseen how enthusiastically the new in September 2015 while the larger Mills 1 Oval area washub would be embraced by the community and be recognised redeveloped with 43,000 square metres of Village Green laid infor its design, planning, and recreation capabilities. May 2016. Mills 2 Oval hosted football games during the 2016The Mills Park Centre at Beckenham, about 20 kilometres south- winter season, and Mills 1 will begin hosting summer sports ineast of Perth’s CBD, is a sprawling sporting mecca featuring two, October 2016.full sized Australian Rules ovals turfed in Village Green kikuyuand surrounding the community centre. “The original site has always been a sport grounds however it wasThe redevelopment also included a 6 Star Green Star-awarded very aged, there were 30 to 50 year-old facilities across the site,” City of Gosnells Coordinator Landscape Construction, Peter Madeley, said. “The new layout and design of the complex has maximised the space and attempted to increase the range of facilities offered at the site while still working within the environmental constraints of the site.” These constraints included multiple Water Corporation drains through the site, limited irrigation capacity for natural turf and gardens, and a significant natural wetland area being rehabilitated on the site.Community Centre – the first in Australia -- nature play space,skate plaza, tennis courts, change rooms, cricket nets, barbecues,shade shelters, seating and path network, Western Australia’sfirst synthetic turf soccer pitch, and increased the available activeplaying space on the site by 37 per cent.The project took 18 months to complete and City of Gosnells These limitations Peter said, along with positive experienceshas been rewarded for its vision of a multi-faceted community using the turf to repair other sports fields, were behind choosingcomplex, recently picking up a number of awards. Village Green kikuyu turf for the playing ovals, high use landFor the first time in the history of the bi-annual Sport and bridge and Piazza at Mills Park.Recreation Minister’s Award an infrastructure project won thetop Industry Excellence Award, with Mills Park taking home the “Village Green was selected as the preferred turf due to the specifictop gong and the award for Planning and Design. The project has characteristics it presents when applied to active sports fields, oralso received the Excellence in Civil Construction Award from areas where wear or unfavourable conditions are present, such asthe Civil Contractors Federation. high traffic areas,” Peter said.While hosting a number of sports, the complex’s two naturalturf ovals are its most highly used, hosting senior and junior “It has the characteristic of maintaining a tight sward and exhibitsfootball games in the winter and cricket and tee ball games in the the ability to maintain its health and vigour for an extended periodsummer months. compared to standard Kikuyu resulting in a turf that presents and Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 25 plays well underfoot.” “Selecting the correct sand was important to ensure it handled A restricted ability to water turf areas over summer also the various demands placed on the grounds. The top soil had to influenced the decision. be free draining to a point, resist compaction and still remain “The whole complex is irrigated via a surface water open drainage firm under foot and have the ability to sustain turf when water system which is collected and pumped to a storage holding dam. availability became an issue,” he said. From there the ovals are irrigated through the night. The dam fill Ovals were given as much time as possible to establish before is solely reliant on the water availability in the drainage system,” being subjected to active play, however, due to the staged Peter said. development of the project, turf on Mills 2 Oval had to establish “Each year the drain will dry completely leaving the site with no itself over the dry summer months and endured some restricted available water at the height of summer. water availability. Despite this, Peter said the oval had held up well to its first “By selecting Village Green we are hopeful that it will endure season of football, hosting its first game in March 2016. longer periods of water stress, and respond more favourably once a regular watering regime is reinstated,” he said. “The oval and Village Green kikuyu have performed well The complexity of water availability on the site led to some considering the large amount of continual use the oval received. signification sub-soil preparation prior to turf installation. Generally, the winter sports are quite hard on the turf surfaces Peter said the area had a naturally poor draining, sandy clay soil, and the Village Green has with-stood this continual wear well, which had never previously been renovated, but that had now all considering the use it received,” he said. changed. Now the development aspect of the project has been completed, The subsurface of the site was completely overhauled – the clay a full program of turf maintenance is being undertaken by City of base was contoured to improve drainage and ensure as much Gosnells, including mowing, fertilising and yearly maintenance surface water could be collected within the main drain system work such as verti-mowing and verti-draining. for re-use as turf irrigation water. The turf is cut between 20 to 30mm in height, weekly in summer Immediately beneath the turf is a layer of a blended compost for cricket and fortnightly in winter during the football season. specially designed for sports turf which has been rotary-hoed into the top 100mm of top soil across the site. “The City uses Trimax Pegasus finishing mower for the majority of its active sports fields,” Peter said. “This has proved to be reliable and presented a quality finish to the turf surface”. Ovals are watered overnight, every second night, with a total of 30-40mm of water applied each week, depending on water availability. Peter said fertiliser application on the ovals ranged between 100- 200kg of nitrogen per hectare annually, but this varied between brands and turf requirements. “Generally a blended proprietary brand of fertilizer is used with Nitrogen in the form of Sulphate of Ammonia,” Peter said. The council team also routinely undertakes foliar iron manganese application and will have two- yearly wetting agent applications to assist in the water holding capacity of the top soil. “To ensure that the City is carrying out fertilizer applications at the most efficient rates, once year leaf tissue analysis is also carried out to determine any nutrient requirements,” Peter said. With the major development works now completed, and Mills 1 Oval due to come into playing capacity in October 2016, the investment in Village Green kikuyu by City of Gosnells will be fully realised when both ovals host a full program of sporting fixtures this summer. article & images courtesy of Village GreenPeter said the imported top soil, a free-draining yellow sandwhich naturally occurs in the Perth region, had a higher silt andclay content than traditional sports field sand to improve thewater holding capacity of the soil. Turf Grass Times
Page 26Although Wednesday 7th September may have been a STA(WA) Cricket Wicket somewhat blustery and at times wet day in Perth, almost Seminar 2016 100 people came from all around the city and countryto the Sports Ground pavilion on Murdoch University’s campus The panel which consisted of Nathan Hayes - Larkhill Sportsto participate in our Cricket Wicket Seminar for 2016. Complex, Pepi Campnovo - Fremantle District Cricket, Ross Domney – WACA Murdoch Grounds, Rob Thompson – Programmed Property Services and Matt Lane – Scotch College discussed a range of cricket wicket and sports field management issues.We were especially pleased to see that many delegates came Prompted by John Forrest from South Metro TAFE who wasfrom throughout the South west and eastern rural districts of acting as our MC for the event, each gentleman responded toWA. Some travelled all the way from Albany more than 4.5 hours questions from John and from the floor with such candid honestyaway on the south coast and as far east as the wheat belt shires and good humour that the day worked as a tutorial and forumof Goomalling, Wyalkatchem and Kellerberrin, which are each quite comfortably and naturally.more than 2.5 hours drive in to Perth. Throughout the day’s conversations, it soon became evidentEven though it is the STA’s practise of utilising local knowledge that the panellists shared the common goal of managing awherever possible, it is without doubt that we were incredibly sustained healthy, resilient turf cover on their wicket blocks andfortunate to have such a group of experienced and innovative continually strove to produce the best playing surface for theircurators step up and volunteer to be our panel for the day. cricketers. When asked about wicket renovation techniques, they said that although they couldn’t advise regarding specific techniques or quantity of renovation as each block and budget was different, they all agreed that hygiene, achieving as clean a wicket as possible was paramount to success. Most especially prior to top-dressing and that only a light topdressing or dusting using carefully milled clay dust and small granular sized clay particles were needed for the annual renovation. One curator suggested the use of high pressure water as a means to remove excess dead plant material from the pitch. It was also advised to programme this renovation schedule so that not all pitches within the table are out-of-play at the same time. Some curators were keen to maintain strict diary records on nutrient management and maintenance scheduling such as weed Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 27 and application) of any pesticide in your arsenal. Wayne then enlightened the room by providing examples of recently added label application restraints that would seriously affect common use of some products. One example was that spray drift guards or shrouded booms must be fitted to spray units before some chemicals could be applied. Similarly, that the monitoring of wind speed was essential because he spoke of products that required considerable ‘No Spray’ distances from neighbouring plants and natural environments, and alternatively that just as many products were also deemed hazardous to be applied in calm or still conditions.and pest management and others kept a more pragmatic attitude With regard to Nutrient management, the general consensustowards minimal pesticide use. was towards the “little and often” mantra. Some curators expressed their compliments towards the ‘Black Urea’ product which is a carbon coated improvement over granular urea used on their wickets. Stephen Jones and Josh Walker from NuturfPesticide management was a favourite topic with the management of weeds and Poa annua (wintergrass)in particular receiving considerable discussion throughout the room. An important note made by all on the panel was the very serious regard they held towards environmentally responsible use of pesticides on and around their wickets. were on hand to explain this product however it was stressed The carefully timed that each pitch and outfield soil profile is different and alternativeapplication of pre-emergent herbicides was critical to the nutrient formulations based upon analysis may be better suited.success of using these types of products as well as alternating As a suggestion towards budget restraints, members of thepesticide chemicals that utilised differing modes of operation curator panel commented on being creative and swap brands or so as to maintain formulations amongst other curators in your area. effective control of recurring weed and Suggestions such as this and others made during the morning’s pest populations. As discussions explained to the delegates that success often began mentioned a couple by being innovative and ingenious and that this was through of senior curators experimentation and collaboration. And that the key was to especially said that keep a diary regardless of success or failure. Recording notes of they preferred to what didn’t work as much as what did work well was of equal NOT use chemical importance. herbicides if at all After lunch, we coaxed everyone outside, where while dodging possible and that by the odd intermittent cold rain shower they could experience an careful monitoring up close presentation on working with clay wickets. It was in this of their wicket arena that many members felt more at ease to ask their questions. tables with selective To start the outdoor session, Brent McPherson then presented mowing off any to those gathered the maintenance and construction services on weed seed head, offer from State Wide Turf Services. He spoke on the many years they preferred to of experience and knowledge held within the team under the let ensuing cultural leadership of principal Jerrod (Kiwi) Hall and Barry Ewen in alland climatic conditions such as the hot dry summer period and aspects of sports turf maintenance and renovation.normal pitch use reduce any remaining weed population in due Following this the delegates moved over to the practice wickettime. area where the curators gave some practical presentations onWayne Miller from South Metropolitan TAFE advised that as certain aspects of pitch preparation and maintenance.always to be very wary of the labelled restrictions and restraints As we were on their home ground, Ross Domney and Daleregarding the storage and handling (which includes mixing Turf Grass Times
Page 28Loxton began by demonstrating some practical tips on working equipment from their Mow Master range, including scarifiers,up a wicket. Ross began by explaining and demonstrating verti-mowers, cylinder mowers and cricket wicket rollers.previous comments on how much irrigation was needed prior to Mow Master had two pitch rollers on show that day. One wasworking up a wicket. He showed how easier the wicket is worked a traditional twin drum roller with hydraulic transmission andif the whole clay profile was sufficiently moist from previous steering which is aided by a split front roller drum. Of particularday’s irrigation and thus only required minimal pre-rolling note was that the canopied operator was seated centrally on the machine on a suspended swivel seat with optimal viewing down sprays to prevent clay sticking both sides of the roller. The other pitch roller also on display to the roller. Shortly after that was however not so traditional and certainly had everyone’s it was fantastic to then see the attention. This was the new Mow Master Pedestrian Roller. It is main group of delegates move a compact single drum roller with the operator standing chariot into separate smaller gatherings style utilising a variable speed hydraulic powered transmission throughout the practice wicket making control of operation very easy and comfortable. A soft area receiving tutorage from feel forward and reverse, helping make this an outstanding some of the other panellist machine to perform cross rolling of the pitch. Both machines curators. can be ballasted for the convenience of desired weight changes. Dave Harrison and his son Luke then presented a selection of by Tony Guy8 big reasons why turf managers are turning to this biological superpower… rapidly build stronger, longer roots significantly reduces fungicide and pesticide use by boosting the plant's natural immune system highly effective in controlling nematodes significantly reduces chemical fertiliser use by increasing phosphorous uptake and makes atmospheric nitrogen available improves soil moisture holding capacity by up to 30% it's non-toxic, completely natural and safe for water catchments it's proven, cost effective and it works!!! free soil health support and advice from your local Growise Bactivate consultant Call Greg O’Dea, Bactivate Consultant M: 0422 026 627 E: [email protected] W: www.growise.com.au Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 29 Can you spot A rip at the beach? A great wave? A skin cancer? Two in three Australians will develop If you have fair skin, blue or skin cancer before the age of 70. green eyes, fair or red hair or The good news is that 95 per cent lots of moles or freckles you are of skin cancers can be successfully at high risk of developing skin treated if detected early. cancer. Do you know what skin cancer Cumulative UV exposure also looks like? contributes to your risk of A simple check could save your developing skin cancer. So if you life. We should all check our skin grew up in Australia, work outdoors regularly. Get to know your skin and or spend lots of time in the sun you take immediate action if you notice should take care to protect and any changes. check your skin.Use the ABCD of Asymmetry Border Colour Diametermelanoma detection to If the spot or lesion A spot with A spot with A spot that ischeck for the following: is divided in half, a spreading a number of growing and the two halves are or irregular different colours changing in not a mirror image. edge. through it. diameter or size.Melanoma Skin cancers Warning signs Check your skin regularly Be SunSmart. There are three main types of skin The following spots are not skin cancer • Most skin cancers are detected by people Protect yourself in five ways from• Accounts for 1–2% cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous but may predispose you to skin cancer skin cancer. of skin cancers. cell carcinoma and melanoma. or be a warning sign that skin damage themselves or by a family member. UV levels are highest during the has occurred. middle of the day. Take care to be• Is the most dangerous Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) • To check your skin, undress completely SunSmart when the UV Index is 3 or and aggressive form • Accounts for about 66% of skin cancers. Dysplastic naevi (‘atypical moles’) and stand in good light. above. You can find the UV Index at of skin cancer. • Grows slowly over months or years. • Are odd-shaped moles that may indicate www.myUV.com.au • Look for small, round or flattened spots • Use a full-length or hand-held mirror to• If left untreated can a greater risk of developing melanoma. check your back, legs and scalp. If there Slip on protective spread to other parts that are red, pale or pearly in colour. • Usually 5-10mm wide with uneven are areas you can’t see properly ask clothing of the body and can be Some are scaly like a patch of eczema. a family member or your GP for a skin • Use clothing to fatal. • May become ulcerated, bleed and fail to colouring. check – don’t ignore them. heal. • If you have lots of odd-shaped moles cover as much• Grows quickly over • Usually found on the upper body, head • Make sure you check your entire body skin as possible. weeks to months. or neck. get your skin checked regularly by your as skin cancers can sometimes occur doctor. on parts of the body not exposed to the Slop on SPF 30• Can appear as a new Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) sun, for example the soles of the feet. or higher or existing spot, freckle • Accounts for about 33% of skin cancers. Solar keratoses (‘sunspots’) Go through the same checking sequence sunscreen or mole that changes in • Grows over months and may spread if • Generally hard, red, scaly spots each time to get into a routine. • Make sure it’s colour, size or shape. not treated. on sun-exposed areas of the skin. Check your: broad spectrum• Can grow anywhere on • Look for scaly red areas that may bleed • Most commonly found on the head, • Head, scalp, neck and ears and water- the body, not just areas resistant. exposed to the sun. easily, ulcers or non-healing sores neck and on the back of the hands. Take an extra close look around the nose, that are often painful, especially when • Is a warning sign that the skin has lips, ears and scalp. Slap on a hat• Occurs most frequently touched. • Wear a hat that on the upper back in • Often found on lips, ears, scalp, backs been damaged by the sun and that skin • Torso males and on the lower of the hands and lower legs. cancers may develop. Check the front, back and sides of the covers your face, leg in females. • If you have solar keratoses, protect torso. head, neck and yourself from further sun damage and ears. have your skin checked regularly by a • Arms, hands, fingers and nails doctor. Remember to look at the spaces Seek shade between the fingers and the beds of your • Make use ofMelanoma Harmless spots fingernails.ofaocfrcao1l0lu%nts Seborrhoeic keratoses (‘senile warts’) trees or builtcancers • Buttocks, legs and feet shade or bring • Common non-cancerous spots sometimes confused with melanomas. Remember to check between toes, under your own. • Raised warty-looking brown or black lesions with well-defined borders. toenails and on the soles of feet. • Mostly found on the trunk but can occur anywhere on the body. Slide on some See a doctor straight away if you notice: sunglasses Eye damage • A skin spot that is different from other • Close-fitting The sun can also damage your eyes. spots around it. wrap-around In the short term, sun exposure can cause styles offer the burns to the eye similar to sunburn of • A mole or freckle that has changed in best protection. the skin. Long-term exposure can lead to size, shape or colour. cataracts (clouding of the lens), pterygium (tissue covering the cornea) and cancer • A new spot that has changed over weeks of the conjunctiva or cornea. It is or months in size, shape or colour. important to protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses and a broad- • An inflamed sore that has not healed brimmed or bucket hat. within three weeks. 1 1. Pterygium (tur-ridg-i-um) 2 3 2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the conjunctiva 3. Cataract For more information call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 or visit www.cancerwa.asn.au Developed with assistance from Dr Jamie Von Nida, Dr Peter Randell and Dr Judy Cole. Proud supporter of the WA Turf Industry.James Wooltorton | Mob: 0400 225 305 | Email: [email protected] Turf Grass Times
Page 30 Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 31 What Australian doesn’t love a good lawn. L word naturally evolved into something more … so enter Lawn Porn. Lisa Mayoh - news.com.au January 27 What on earth is #lawnporn you ask? Lawn Porn is a fanMove over Don Burke — there’s a new generation of Aussie green thumbs in town. I page on Facebook, set up by said husband and his equally lawn- should know — for I, like hundreds of obsessed best mate for “proud punters to post thousands of weekend-widows across the country, photos of their lawns.” It’s literally people am married to a man that is in love with his lawn. watching grass grow. It all started when we moved into our new home. Hilarious right? But, it seems, he’s not the The garden was a construction site and being only one loving their lay of the land — and a builder, he loves a project. And besides, the taking it very seriously. challenge of cultivating lawn from scratch meant Lawn Porn took off, and in six days had hours of peace in the garden — an essential mini- more than 6,500 fans. Hundreds of photos break from our three young children every weekend were shared and comments dreaming of — the same kids who under no circumstances are greener pastures, with people tagging their allowed a trampoline because, of course, it would own lawn loving mates to brag about their ruin the lawn. praiseworthy turf. So he researched. Bounced ideas off his new mate and old neighbour Darryl, who for years has boasted the best lawn for Posts have reached more than 180,000 people from all over the streets around. world, who leave comments like “thanks fellas, this is the best He top-dressed. He aerated. He “scalped to remove thatch” — page on Facebook” and “now I don’t need real porn, because I have whatever that means. He irrigated. And he got excited. lawn porn”. He joined chat groups. Yes my friends, he joined online chat groups to connect to the lawn-loving community on a wider It’s gold. He’s found his people. And interestingly, they are scale. young like him, with 90 per cent of fans aged 18-34. His real life friends joined the bandwagon, and soon enough it turned into late night picture messages, mate to mate, comparing Dear Darryl’s protégé’s you might say. So it seems mowing the their little patches of heaven. lawn has gone from dreaded chore to heartfelt hobby. And a Pull up in the driveway and he’s almost guaranteed to say “how healthy one. good’s the lawn?” before going out to give it a quick water. It’s love alright! Connecting with the outdoors, understanding your And like any growing relationship it’s only fitting that the environment, taking pride in your surroundings. Fresh air and sunshine. What a great way to spend your time, and what a great example for kids out there, buried under x-boxes and iPads. So here I am, an aspiring Lawn Porn convert married to a passionate Lawn Porn addict. And Darryl would be too — if he were on Facebook.Ysotoupr oshnoep! backyard to outb• COMMERCIAL • SOD CUTTERS • OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT ZERO TURN MOWERS • AERATORS • BATTERY POWERED EQUIPMENT • VERTIMOWERS• OUT FRONT MOWERS• WIDE AREA MOWERS• UTILITY VEHICLES• RIDE ON MOWERSBdeomokoytooudray! • TRACTOR MOUNTED ANDR0E4V2A4CNA0S1LCL9H6A4L5KWYK DEEP AERATORS backyard to outback BEACON EQUIPMENT CANNING VALE Unit 3 170 Bannister Rd 9456 5811 BEACON EQUIPMENT BENTLEY 1157 Albany Highway 9358 1288 SHOP COCKBURN CENTRAL - JANDAKOT Unit 33/87 Armadale Rd (Opp. Bunnings) 9414 7377 beaconequipment.com.au Turf Grass Times
Page 32 25 SHIELDS CRESCENT | BOORAGOON WA 6154 www.tgawa.com.au AG Buffalo Turf Supplies Betta Turf Bullsbrook Turf Graeme Ferguson Brian, Bev and Kelly Vidovich John and Jenny Maas Tel: 9524 2364 Tel: 9410 1426 Tel: 9306 1065 Graeme: 0418 952 706 Brian: 0418 916 734 John: 0429 905 617Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.bettaturf.com www.greenbull.com.au www.agbuffaloturf.com.au 177 Moylan Road 108 Franklin Road 900 Eighty Road WATTLEUP WA 6166 WANNEROO WA 6065 Supply and Installation BALDIVIS WA 6171 Wintergreen Couch Supply of Turf Supply of Turf Sir Walter Buffalo Wintergreen Couch, Sir Walter Buffalo Velvet Buffalo Palmetto Buffalo Empire Zoysia Discovery Bermuda grass Village Green Kikuyu Down South Turf Farms Greenacres Turf Farm Greenfields Turf Farm John and Vicky Clayton Adrian and Peter Pitsikas John and Jenny Maas Tel: 9751 2228 Ph: 9525 8800 Tel: 9306 1065 John: 0419 933 927 Adrian: 0427 003 540 John: 0429 905 617Email: [email protected] Peter: 0427 003 541 Email: [email protected] www.downsouthturf.com.au Email: [email protected] www.greenbull.com.au www.greenacresturfgroup.com.au PO Box 703 Lot 503 Henderson Rd 108 Franklin Rd BUSSELTON WA 6280 SERPENTINE WA 6125 WANNEROO WA 6065 Supply of Turf Supply of Turf Supply of Turf Sir Walter Buffalo Wintergreen Couch Wintergreen Couch, Village Green Kikuyu Santa Ana Couch Palmetto Buffalo Greenhills Turf Farm Palmetto Buffalo Discovery Bermuda grass Derrin and Cher Greenhill Sir Walter Buffalo Village Green Kikuyu Empire Zoysia Tel: 9192 3756 Village Green Kikuyu Derrin: 0409 689 960 Empire ZoysiaEmail: [email protected] Lawn Doctor Turf Farms 171 Yamashita Rd, 12 Mile Turf WA Dave and Liz Parker BROOME WA 6725 Eva Ricci Tel: 9306 1788 Supply & Installation Tel: (08) 9437 2180 Dave: 0419 761 788 Wintergreen Couch, Fax: (08) 9437 2180 Mob: 0422 120 990 Email: [email protected] Sir Walter Buffalo [email protected] www.lawndoctor.com.au 22 Roussett Road T A Turf Growers Association JANDABUP WA 6065 of Western Australia Inc. Supply of Turf Wintergreen Couch Sir Walter Buffalo Kikuyu Turf Maintenance and Renovation Turf Grass Times
Page 33 The TGA WA was established in 1992 as an association of Western Australian turf growers and allied businessesgoverned by Rules, a Code of Ethics and a Code of Best Practice. The association is active in funding and assisting withresearch into turf growing and maintenance and members are committed to providing quality products and reliableservice. Please support your local turf growers supporting the WA Turf Industry. Ord Valley Turf Permanent Brook Turf Perth Turf Supplies Peter, Con and Sam Paino Grant and Sarah Lodge Tony Demasi Tel: 9169 2887 Tel: 9377 6755 Tel: 9330 2711 Tony: 0417 178 667 Peter: 0407 386 255 Grant: 0417 962 277 Email: [email protected] Con: 0407 386 256 Email: [email protected] 313 Arthur Rd Sam: 0407 386 257 WEST SWAN WA 6055 Email: [email protected] PO Box 2111 Supply & Installation www.perthturfsupplies.com,au KUNUNURRA WA 6743 Wintergreen Couch 25 Shields Crescent Santa Ana Couch BOORAGOON WA 6154 Supply of Turf Greenlees Park Supply and Installation Empire Zoysia Wintergreen Couch Palmetto Buffalo Superior Lawns Australia Jerome Flugge Palmetto Buffalo Queensland Blue Turf Farm Tel: 9409 9211 Sapphire Buffalo Eddy and Gloria Rzemek Or 1800 695 296 Empire Zoysia Tel: 9302 2260 Empress Zoysia Eddy: 0418 922 099 Jerome: 0417 177 030 Discovery Bermuda grass Email: [email protected]: [email protected] Turf Developments (WA) Pty Ltd www.queenslandblueturffarm.com.au www.superiorlawns.com.au Steve Lindsay 324 Landsdale Road 2B 32 Prindiville Dr LANDSDALE WA 6065 WANGARA WA 6065 Steve: 0418 912 257 Supply and Installation Supply and Installation Email: [email protected] Queensland Blue Wintergreen Couch www.turfdevelopments.com.au Velvetene True Blue Turf Sir Walter Buffalo PO Box 1005 Leonard and Jimmy Deale Kikuyu JOONDALUP WA 6919 Supply and Installation of Turf Tel: 9754 8873 West Coast Turf Leonard: 0438 833 994 Darren Kirkwood Kikuyu Email: [email protected] Turf Maintenance and Renovation www.trueblueturf.com.au Tel: 9575 7520 Darren: 0428 928 309 Westland Turf PO Box 271 Email: [email protected] Peter, Con and Sam Paino BUSSELTON WA 6280 www.wcturf.com.au Supply and Installation Tel: 9330 2711 124 Marine Tce Peter: 0407 386 255 Wintergreen Couch SORRENTO WA 6020 Con: 0407 386 256 Cynomax Couch Supply and Installation Sam: 0407 386 257 Kikuyu Email: [email protected] Kenda Kikuyu Wintergreen Couch www.westlandturf.com.au Sapphire Buffalo Plateau Couch 25 Shields Crescent BOORAGOON WA 6154 Santa Ana Couch Supply and Installation Neergabby Buffalo (ST15) Wintergreen Couch Village Green Kikuyu Palmetto Buffalo Jump-Up Fescue Sapphire Buffalo Empire Zoysia Empress Zoysia Discovery Bermudagrass Turf Grass Times
Page 34Jerome Flugge - Superior Lawns Grower ProfileFounded in 1973, Superior Lawns is one of the most respected lawn production and distribution firms in Australiagrowing and supplying turf for residential, trade and commercial clients.As a grower, marketer and distributor, Superior Lawns has experience inwhole of supply chain management including the ability to deliveralmost anywhere in the state of Western Australia within 24 hours of harvest.We also have significant experience in exporting our products tocountries throughout the Middle East and South East Asia.Superior Lawns was a founding member of Lawn Solutions Australia.• What varieties of turf does Superior Lawns supply and why? Where are your farms located?Superior Lawns has an 800 hectare production farm located 150km north of Perth, just south west of Dandaragan.The current property has been established over ten years with a continual development program underway.Superior Lawns are the exclusive grower of Velvetene, as well as DNA certified Sir Walter Buffalo, Nullarbor Couch andEureka Kikuyu all of which are grown to AUSGAP Certification. (Australian Genetic Assured Purity Turf Accreditation Program)• Is your clientele mainly domestic or commercial? Where do you sell from and how do you market?Superior Lawns services any market where there is a requirement for lawn.We advise and supply our products to the retail homeowner either directly or through our network of agents,through to small and large lansdcapers as well as commercial and municipal clients all across Western Australia.• Your history in the turf industry – how did you become involved and why and what exactly you do?This was a family business purchased in 1989 when I was at school and I was involved in itfrom then in varying states of commitment until things got serious in the early 2000’s and I became involved full time.Growing up in the business I have done everything there is to do in it from sweeping floors to strategic planning.I have to say I really enjoy the variety of tasks involved in this industry.Every day is different. Such a variety gives one a great set of skills to deal with many situations.I now have a great mix of responsibilities with the main one being to help all our staff achieve their individual work goals. And I sIt’s a family business so how does this work for you?Yes it was a family business but the succession process has been complete for some time.• What is that you enjoy about working in the turf industry?I love seeing our staff take responsibility and initiative, really put in effort that is very committed and seeingtheir satisfaction from knowing our products and service delivery are in the best condition they can possibly be.I enjoy the challenge of maintaining a consistent high quality standard across the changing and variable seasonsbut I get the most satisfaction from seeing what was once bare earth turn into a perfect patch of lawn.• What do you see as the current and future challenges for the turf industry in WA & Your concerns for the induEvery industry has its challenges and change pressures. I don’t believe in looking backward and trying to take an industry back toThe population is generally expanding in WA and that influences many things including the way we live. I believe lawns will haveOver the years lawns in general have received some criticism but due to the hard work of others, planners have begun to realise thJust like there is no one best lawn for all areas, there is no one best surface for everywhere. It is human nature – the eye likes diverOverall I am very positive about our industry and its place in the next generation of outdoor areas.• Do you feel that the market has changed over the last ten years? If so what are the impacts on your business?Definitely, but I thrive on that change. It drives innovation which ultimately makes the business become more efficient.My family has a long involvement in broadacre agriculture and its an industry I still maintain ties to. I have observed over the yeaand drive efficiency through economies of scale. I believe a similar process is at work in this industry and if one looks around youWe began the consolidation process in our business over a decade ago and that helped to achieve our strategic goals, without whic• Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time and why?Being pumped to get out of bed in the morning to do something I love, with those that I love and having something to look forwardRegrets or celebratory times, do you have any?I see both of those as points in time that can be either negative or positive experiences. Both temper character into the person you• Who has been inspirational in your life and why?It’s been said you’re always the same but for the books you read and the people you meet. I have read a few books but there are m Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 35 still sweep floors occasionally. ustry? some point it occupied in the past. Yes, block sizes have gotten smaller. Yes, water delivery is a challenge for certain entities. e an important role in the changing nature of the outdoorscape. he social, mental and environmental benefits that our products bring into the landscape. rsity. ars the dynamics and change pressures that influence it and have seen how to maintain their business model they had to consolidate can see the same process at work across lots of other industries too. ch would have been a challenge. rd to, in both a business sense and a lifestyle sense. are today, but that will change into tomorrow.many people, too many to name here, that have had a great influence on me and I’m very grateful for that. Turf Grass Times
Page 36 WA TURF INDUSTRY AWARDSOURSE SUPERINTENGOLF C AUSTRALIAIONOFWESTERN WA Turf Industries Awards 2016DENTSA SSO CIATHartfield Country Club’s function room was alive on However, he says it wasn’t long before he was soon looking for the last Tuesday night of November (29th) when the something different. Armed with only some tractor usage from WA Turf community came together to celebrate the his younger years in the UK and noachievements of the 2016 graduating turf students for the annual real experience in the field of groundsWA Turf Industry Awards night. maintenance, he then successfullyThis annual event, now in its 34th year was proudly hosted by applied for and secured a job withthe Sports Turf Association (WA) in conjunction with the Golf the City of Melville as a gang mowerCourse Superintendents and the Turf Growers Associations of on their turf management team. HeWestern Australia. started at the bottom of the ladder and though pure persistence and gumption was able to join the council’s maintenance team at Point Walter Golf Course. Here he quickly developed a passion for turf management and doggedly questioned his peers and colleagues while undertaking turf studies at TAFE. Viny still carries the same passion and desire for quality turf surfaces today as he had when he worked his way up from this humble beginning in turf to become the well-respected turf manager who looks after WA’s premier parkland and public open space.Close to 90 people were in attendance enjoying good food and Viny has been Turf Technician at Kings Park for the past fifteengood company as once again Ms Verity James, acting as MC for years where he is responsible for the management and irrigationthe evening warmed everyone’s hearts with her welcoming charm of approximately 33 hectares of turf areas spread out atop Mtand down to earth humour. Even with Verity’s help it is without Eliza’s landscaped parkland. Set aside for public purposes indoubt the event would not have been such a success without 1831 and originally named Perth Park as it overlooks Perth’sthe steadfast support and generosity of the many sponsoring CBD and the Swan river it is an enviable workplace. Viny leadsbusinesses who donated their time and money to make it such five full time staff, and his team manages the clear majority ofa success. Many of whom are regular sponsors of this event and work in-house, with only about ten per cent being outsourcedmany others throughout the year. to contractors. Notably, 6.5 million people visit Kings ParkThe sponsors for the night included Beacon Equipment, Globe every year! This includes a constant flow of human trafficAustralia, Greenacres Turf Group, MowMaster, Nuturf, Pro Core almost daily, concentrating each weekend and a calendar filledTurf Renovation, State Wide Turf Services, T-Quip, Turfcare WA, of public and private concerts and other entertainment eventsVillage Green Kikuyu and Western Irrigation. The three major hosting thousands of patrons each time. Also, as one of the mostaward sponsors were Baileys Fertilisers, Bayer CropScience and highly promoted sites for tourists visiting the city of Perth thereLawn Doctor. is always some sort of infrastructure redevelopment occurring Joining us again for the evening was retired turf lecturer Mr Jim throughout the park, which seem to continually create ongoingClements with his wife Joan. Jim was the inaugural winner of challenges for Viny and his team. Throughout these challenges,the CH Baileys Perpetual Shield award in 1982, who then went the kikuyu turf surfaces throughout the park are applauded ason to share the burden with the late Lin Hambleton in educating some of highest standard in quality presentation in the wholePerth’s current majority of Turf Managers during the 80’s and state.90’s. Jim proudly brought along his prized engraved pewter mug So, it was no surprise to those who knew Viny that he was askedto toast a drink along with this year’s winners prized trophy cups. to attend this Awards evening and provide an entertaining andSpecial guest speaker this year, was Vinaya (Viny) Kapur, Turf informative chronology of his time in the turf industry and passTechnician and Grounds Manager for the Botanical Gardens on a message to the new generation of graduating turf managers.and Parks Authority (Kings Park). Viny spoke about how he However, it was a surprise to Viny himself when near the endcame to work in the turf industry almost by chance at the age of the awards presentations, he was named the recipient of theof 30. Coming from a hospitality background in the UK, Viny “WA SPORTS TURF INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEARmigrated to Australia as a young man working a range of jobs in 2016” award. Congratulations Viny, you are appreciated for yourhospitality and as a courier driver. Viny comically told the story mentoring of others in the industry and for working so hard tohow when starting out in the courier business as a newcomer, provide WA with an amazing public open space facility, that isnavigating the Perth metropolitan area was quite a challenge at recognised in the top ten best parks in the world.times. Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 37 This year the Turf Growers Association WA is particularly proud Lecturer Sam Franco with the evening class Cert 3 Sports Turf.of the Kirkwood brothers from West Coast Turf. While elder LECTURER’S CHOICE AWARDson Darren Kirkwood is their current association’s Chairperson Sponsored by Lawn Doctorand managing director of the family turf farm at West Coast, hisyounger brother Jason was awarded the “CH BAILEY & SONS Recipient - Ben SucklingPERPETUAL SHIELD” as WA SPORTS TURF GRADUATE of from Capel Golf Club2016. Jason achieved his certification through attending nightclasses after working long hours during the day at the turf farm. Presented by Terry Sellick –Lawn DoctorAt home with a young family, (and a baby on the way) Jason is abusy young man with a bright future in turf.Lecturer Robert Williams with graduated turf apprentices BEST WA SPORTS TURF GRADUATE “CH BAILEY & SONS PERPETUAL SHIELD” Concluding the night on a sombre yet respectful note John Forrest from South Metropolitan TAFE took a few moments to Sponsored by Baileys Fertilisers speak on Lin Hambleton and his legacy towards the establishment Recipient – Jason Kirkwood and development of the turf management program at TAFE from West Coast Turf colleges in Perth during the seventies, eighties and nineties. Lin Presented by Clint Betts – Baileys Fertilisers passed on the 22nd June 2016, just four days short of his 74th birthday. During his career and into retirement Lin was a regular MURRAY JAMES MEMORIAL TROPHY attendee and a passionate advocate of the awards night and its Sponsored by the Sports promotion of future graduates within the WA Turf Industry. Turf Association (WA) The proud student recipients of the 2016 awards were as follows; BEST STUDENT IN CERTIFICATE OF TRADE STUDIES IN Recipient – Matthew Smith from Swan Bowling and Recreation Club TURF MANAGEMENT Presented by Hugh Gardner – STA(WA) “BAYER AWARD” Sponsored by Bayer CropScience. SPORTS TURF INDUSTRY PERSON OF Recipient - Mark Dickinson THE YEAR 2016 from Mosman Park / Cottesloe Golf Club Sponsored by Turf Growers Association WA. Presented by Mr Danny Hambleton – Globe Recipient – Viny Kapur Australia from Botanical Gardens & Parks Authority Presented by Mr Adrian Pitsikas - TGA WA by Eva Ricci & Tony GuyBI-AGRA A breakthroughfor turf managers in water conservation BEFORE AFTERApplication to soils with poor moisture holding Danny Hambleton : 0438 702 200capacity can be transformed with Bi-Agra. Jeff Lane : 0408 238 287Irrigation can be halved in many situations Available from Globe Australia Pty Ltd Turf Grass Times
Page 38 From the Minister: Hon. Mia Davies MLA Minister for Water; Sport & Recreation; Forestry Lathlain Park Redevelopment The redevelopment of Lathlain Park is well underway showing definite signs of how impressive the new • Flexible education spaces including dedicated facilities training ground for the West Coast Eagles football team for the David Wirrpanda Foundation and the club’s own will be with the Oval 1 recently stolon planted in November. community programs • Community hub including café, merchandise store and club museum • Rejuvenation of the entire Lathlain Park precinct, including BBQ areas, community running/walking tracks, playgrounds and landscaping • New and improved club rooms, including function facility for the Perth Football Club Fact File Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said theLathlain Park Oval 1 stolons planted November 2016. (image courtesy SportEng) State Government had invested about $36 million The Lathlain Park redevelopment - which is part of the town’s in developing football in WA since 2008. larger Lathlain Precinct Redevelopment Project - will also include an administration and training facility for the West “This includes more than $21 million to local governments Coast Eagles, who will fund their own dedicated facilities as part and clubs to build and upgrade football facilities, more than $3 of the overall project. million in direct financial support to the West Australian Football Commission to run football programs and nearly $4 millionLathlain Precinct Redevelopment Project through our KidSport program to help children play football,” Ms Davies said. “The State Government also provided $10 million to the City of Cockburn for community elements of the Cockburn Aquatic and Recreation Facility, plus $2.4 million through the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities fund, which will also become the new training facility and headquarters for the Fremantle Dockers. “In addition, we are building the new multi-purpose 60,000-seat Perth Stadium on the Burswood Peninsula.” Premier’s office - 6552 5000 Treasurer’s office - 6552 5700 The WA State Government is proud to support community sport Sport and Recreation Minister’s office - 6552 5500 by allocating $10 million over four years to develop Lathlain Park. “The funding will go towards community aspects of the Lathlain Park redevelopment, including an extra oval and the rebuilding of the existing oval, lighting, scoreboard, two-lane synthetic running track, pathways, tennis courts and a playground,” Premier Colin Barnett said. The development will include: • Two ovals (one MCG size and one the same size as the new Perth Stadium), both with lights • A synthetic running track around the perimeter of one of the ovals • Best-practice gymnasium, aquatic recovery, medical, coaching and player development areas • An indoor lap pool • A large indoor training field/area • Player lounge and study areas • Administration headquarters designed to maximise integration across the business Premier Barnett with Mia Davies meet West Coast FC and Town of Vic Park officials. Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 39Michael Maartensz Cameron SutherlandSTRATEGIC HIRING OF ANEW GM FOR TURFCARE WAAs Turfcare WA continue to lead the sector in elite management of sportsturf surfaces, they welcome Cameron Sutherland from Perth Racing.Recently, Michael Maartensz, Director of Turfcare WA has taken a modestbut committed family business, and evolved it into a clear sector leader.With specialisations in large scale sporting field turf renovation, facility managementand design and construction of turf sporting surfaces, it is the company’s commitmentto technology and process that has seen it grow into a sector leader.With an eye for opportunities outside WA, Mr Maartensz is excited to be adding aGeneral Manager of Mr Sutherland’s pedigree to the business.“Adding Cam Sutherland to the team is a genuine victory for us,” says Mr Maartensz “From Perth Racing to the WACA,he understands quality turf management requirements and our own expansion strategies.” Sometimes, the perfect solution presents itself, and we feel that way about finding Cameron Sutherland. Recruiting him as our GM is a perfect match for our plans for further evolution. - Michael Maartensz, Director, Turfcare WACameron Sutherland joins Turfcare WA from his position as General Manager, Racecourse and Facilities, with Perth Racing.Previously, Mr Sutherland was consultant to the Department of Sports and Recreation on the new Perth Stadium and theproposals for managing the stadium’s playing surface.From 2005 to 2013, Mr Sutherland was Area Manager of the WACA, rounding out a trifecta of key positions that make him anexceptional fit for this General Manager position.“The growth Turfcare WA has achieved is impressive, as is the strategic thinking at the heart of the expansion.” explainsMr Sutherland. “Michael’s vision for the business is exciting, and I am happy to be joining the business at this stage in theirevolution.”With Mr Maartensz’s plans for further development of their premium services, combining with Mr Sutherland’s reputation asa leading national expert in the turf industry, exciting times lie ahead for the company. Turf Grass Times
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Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 41 Turf Grass Times
Page 42 Turf WA 100 Lorimer Road Beeliar WA 6164 Mrs Eva Ricci | Executive O cer Ph: (08) 9437 2180 | Mob: 0422 120 990 | Email: [email protected] friends, is is a part-time position, 3 days per week. EmMailos vwiilnl bgeochnecked Monday, Wednesday and ursday Transitions may not always go as smoothly as I am excited to get on with a number of initiatives and I remain a planned, but it is certainly hoped that the progression staunch advocate for the promotion and protection of living greenof my position as an Industry Development Officer into an space within our communities. As you can see by the previousExecutive Officer for the WA Turf Industry will flow naturally. page info graphic, the Green Space Alliance is continuingAnd I must say, and those that know of our past challenges to impress the importance ofwill agree, it is a mighty weight lifted that I am now free from healthy quality green spacesthe bureaucratic shackles imposed by the project managed by to our government and theHorticulture Innovation Australia (HIA). community at large.To be honest the last two years of Project TU11015 (WA Turf In recent months weIndustry Development) were particularly tumultuous, especially have been contacted by GREEN SPACE ALLIANCEsecuring continued funding pending approval of each and every Planning and Disabilitymilestone report. When the original Horticulture Australia Minister Donna Farragher whoLimited (HAL – now HIA) matched funded project was is specifically looking for help from us in regard todeveloped, we were “young” and fairly naïve to HAL expectation. apartment living and city centre development, making theseWe matured very quickly though, and the output and outcomes liveable. The Minister also talked about finding ways of bringingfor the project have, I believe, been significant. play spaces into small residential blocks as an option because theThe original project was extended in October 2014, this time current model sees very little useable space remaining after thehowever without matched funding from HIA, but with a small building has been sited on these small blocks. If increase R codespercentage of Turf Australia levy funds to prop it up (although for an area - how to design green space into the site.still controlled by HIA). Four extensions in total have occurred One of the ideas that the Green Space Alliance committee maysince October 2014, each for only six months at a time and use in response to Minister Faragher’s request for high-rise andeach one a bucket load of confusion and anxiety along the central city green space needs is that any developer wishing toway, mainly due to the poorly executed bureaucratic process put up a building industrial or high rise residential must provideof dismantling Horticulture Australia Ltd and its subsequent 100% replacement of the footprint of the site in green space.rebranding into Horticulture Innovation Australia. It was and This means green roofs, green walls, terracing for trees andremains a particularly impacting and tenuous time for the entire greenery and indoor greening as well. The government pays forhorticulture industry in Australia. Our WA associations believe 50% of this greening as an incentive. No wonder Singapore isthat it is now important for the WA turf Industry to stand alone the greenest city in the world by a country mile. Dusseldorf isand conduct industry development, extension and capacity number two and after this a lot of clear space to number three.building without the shackles of HIA limitations.It’s new ground, being trodden by old feet, and I personallybelieve that it is a mature and excellent way forward. I have nodoubt at all, that these changes will be good for the WA TurfIndustry. We are unique here in WA, in that we have a formal,respectful, active joint venture between the production and turfmaintenance sectors, who constantly work towards to bettermentof the WA Turf industry. This healthy and productive relationshipwill, I am sure, ensure that my role will continue to be of value toboth sectors in the state. I feel honoured to continue working insuch a position that I am dedicated to so passionately.Finally, grateful thanks are extended to the TGAWA and STA(WA) executive teams and all our members for always supportingme in this role no matter what. I could not ask for better peopleto work with and for. The Burnely Living Roofs at the University of Melbourne’s Burnley Campus - designed by HASSELL Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 43Last year the Water Corporation Bi-Agra & Aquaforce - 2lt RTU bottles launched the Waterwise Garden Rewards on 1 October as a new Following on from our success with Stratco, the Turf Growersinitiative to encourage the adoption of w a t e r w i s e Association WA is pleased to announce that we now a have abehaviours in the garden. The program aims to help households formal relationship with the Total Eden Group, that sees Totalacross the State get their gardens ready for summer by providing Eden retail outlets stocking and supplying Aquaforce Premiumspecial offers on Waterwise endorsed and Smart Approved Soil Wetter and Bi-Agra™ Soil Moisture retainer for domesticWatermark soil improvers, soil wetting agents and mulch from market and the Landscaping industry. These quality products aretheir nearest Bunnings Warehouse. With more than 40 per endorsed by the TGAWA and association members are pleasedcent of household water use being in the garden, the Waterwise to have been able to develop this relationship with an industryGarden Rewards Program aims to make it more affordable to partner.reduce the chance of over-watering. Already, Water Corporation has had an overwhelmingly positive Social Media - check us out!response to the program with over 7,000 voucher downloads inits first month. WA Turf has a twitter account called WA Turf Industry Offers available through the program are: @EvaRicci6 • Mulch: Buy four bags and Water Corporation will pay for And don’t forget that the TGAWA also has a facebook page https://www.facebook.com/turfgrowersassociationWA/ one more; or buy eight bags and Water Corporation will pay for two more Both are now taking off, and we have our first • Soil improver: Buy eight bags and Water Corporation will international share on twitter, which means that more and pay for two more more people will be interested in following us. Currently • Soil wetting agent: Buy one bottle/bag and Water a number of people from within DSR, DoW and Water Corporation will pay for one more. Corp follow both. It’s important that we keep on top of this as it We all want our lawn to stay green during the summer, and is the way of the future. I encourage members who have twitterit can be tempting to overwater. This is why it is great to see accounts to follow and share our industry posts.the Waterwise soil wetting agents have been the most popularredeemed product so far. Applying a quality soil wetting agent Here’s to a great 2017.increases ‘wettability’, allowing the soil to keep hold of that Warm regards, Evamoisture for longer and improve its nutrient holding capacity. Turf WA Sharing these waterwise tips with your friends/neighbours/customers is a great way of helping them reduce overwatering.The following offers provide a perfect opportunity to get yourlawn and garden prepared this spring. Buy one, get one more on us: • Richgro Ezi Wet Hose-On 2 Litre bottle, or • Richgro Ezi Wet Concentrate 1 litre bottle, or • Richgro Ezi Wet 10 kilo bag , or • Baileys Grosorb Wetting Agent 10 litre bag To take part, simply download your voucher from www.watercorporation.com.au/gardenrewards and head to yourlocal Bunnings Warehouse. Remember, onevoucher per customer and offer is availablewhile stocks last, so make sure you get in soon. Ph: 9405 4558 Perth’s best kept secret. Ellenby Tree Farm is considered to be the forerunners in advanced trees throughout Western Australia. We use the most advanced methods and and technology to produce premium quality trees. With our premium grown trees and our local knowledge we can help you. Ellenby Tree Farm started as a small family business 30 years ago. A husband and wife team with the combination of seventy (70) years experience between them. Sharing a history of working in the horticulture industry, studying botany, horticulture and then becoming landscape contractors before finally investing money into growing trees. Ellenby Tree Farm 439 Sydney Road, Gnangara WA 6077 Phone: (08) 9405 4558 Fax: (08) 94053759 [email protected] www.ellenbytreefarm.com.au Opening Hours: Monday to Friday - 7am to 3:30pm Saturday - 9am to 3pm Cash or cheque onlyTurf Grass Times
Page 44 STA(WA) MEMBER PROFILEYour Job Position: Baileys Area Sales Manager SHANNON WHITEHow long have you been at Baileys? 1 yearHow many staff work with/ for you? Baileys have 5 sales representatives lookingafter WA and SA.Best aspect of your job? Meeting different people from all over the industry.Your worst day at work? Every time I’m stuck in traffic.Best day at work? When customer’s call to tell you that yourrecommendations have helped correct or improvetheir turf surface.Why this career? I always wanted to be involved in this industryand in my role I’m lucky enough to meet peoplewho are enthusiastic about Turf surfaces,Landscaping and Horticulture.Who do you admire in the Turf Industry and why? Anyone trying to grow bent grass in Perthduring Summer.Who inspires you in life? My Wife and Kids.If you won lotto? I would travel Europe with my family.Sporting Hero? Umpires; after umpiring cricket this season.Favourite way to relax? Holidaying on a beach hopefully catching fish!Sports Turf Association (WA) Incorporated PO Box 8492 | Perth BC | WA 6849 Enjoy the benefits of networking amongst colleagues with shared concerns and experiences.Get involved, get inspired, get motivated, get together in goodwill, good times and with good mates. Turf Grass Times Issue No. 43 March 2017
Issue No. 43 March 2017 Page 45 OUR SERVICES• Kikuyu Suppliers • Wicket and oval profiling • Broadacre planting• Sir Walter, Soft Leaf Buffalo • Overplanting • Consulting• Vertimowing • Aerating • Oval reconstruction• Verti - draining • Fertilising granular & liquid • Levelling• Sweeping • Planting • Parramatta removal• Top dressing • Flail mowing • Turf farming and laying• Stolen sprigging • Herbicide spraying • Mat removal• Recycle top dressing • Broadacre mowing • Training• Scarifying • Deep Slicing (Earthquake) • Coring Statewide 9306 1788www.lawndoctor.com.au Turf Grass Times
“ To promote education and research forthose engaged in the turf grass industry...” PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER Tony Guy Clint Betts Hugh Gardner Tel: (08) 9267 9099 Tel: (08) 9313 9378 Tel: (08) 9439 1688 Fax: (08) 9274 4183 Fax: (08) 9310 4726 Fax: (08) 9439 1068 Mob: 0439 950 993 Mob: 0417 977 734 Mob: 0417 942 570 [email protected]@allsaints.wa.edu.au [email protected] WA Turf IDO T A Turf Growers Association Eva Ricci of Western Australia Inc. Tel: (08) 9437 2180 Fax: (08) 9437 2180 Mob: 0422 120 990 [email protected] Sports Turf Association of Australia (WA) Incorporated.PO Box 8492 | Perth BC, WA 6849 | [email protected] | www.sportsturf.asn.au
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