AWARDS
A TURFGRASS PRODUCER AND CONTRACTOR From 1974 to 2005 Peter owned and developed the 40-hectare Qualturf farm at Richmond, NSW which grew his own turfgrass varieties. He served as honorary secretary for the NSW Turf Growers Association for over 15 years and was primarily responsible from 1998 to 2001 in making submissions to NSW Water on behalf of the association, which ultimately saved the turf farmers’ water extraction rights on the Hawkesbury River. The race course industry has also benefited from his expertise in building and supervising horse racing tracks in Sydney, country NSW and Perth.
A RESEARCHER Peter’s involvement in turfgrass research began way back in the late 1960’s supervising research into plant-feeding nematodes in the Newcastle (NSW) region. In more recent years, Peter has been team leader in the investigation of the occurrence and taxonomy
of turfgrass mites in warm-season turfgrasses funded by Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL). This project was the first of its kind ever conducted on turfgrass in Australia. Peter’s contributions to weed control saw him conduct efficacy trials for the introduction of the then new herbicides endothal (for wintergrass control) and siduron (for the control of couchgrass invasion into bentgrass putting greens). The ground breaking work on nut grass control earned him the NSW Weeds Society Medal of Excellence in 2013. Peter is currently engaged in developing new herbicide and insecticide mixtures to meet current industry needs.
EDITOR’S NOTE Australian Turfgrass Management Journal and the AGCSA join with Gary Beehag and John Odell in congratulating Peter McMaugh on the receipt of his Member of The Order of Australia. Kudos also needs to be given to Messrs Beehag and Odell who were responsible for nominating Peter for this most prestigious honour.
McMaugh has had an unequalled and dedicated career in the Australian amenity horticulture and turfgrass industry spanning over five decades and continues to do so
THE SCIENTIST WHO GOT HIS HANDS DIRTY
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“I am both surprised and deeply grateful for the award of Member of the Order of Australia, granted to me by the Governor General in the Australia Day Honours List 2019. I see this award as recognition of the turfgrass industry and its special role in providing a safe, healthy environment for our survival into the future and of which I have been privileged to be a part. “The citation for this award – ‘For significant service to horticulture through the development of Australian Turf Varieties’ – acknowledges a small, but very important, part of my career achievement. I have been fortunate to be the right person in the right place at the right time as a scientific pioneer in Australia. This has enabled me to have a major influence on the direction and development of the industry over 54 years. “During these years as scientific researcher, consultant, turfgrass breeder, commercial turf producer, educator and specialist machinery developer, I am the scientist who got his hands dirty at the coal face and learned a great deal in the process. “I would like to say thank you to the many collaborators with whom I have worked over the years. Among them are
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“This honour culminates and complements many others that I have received both in Australia and Internationally. It stimulates me to continue all aspects of my work, which gets more productive and better with time. My passion is just as great now at 83 as it was when I started aged 29 in 1964. I hope to deliver yet more goodies for many years to come.
PHOTO: LAWRIE GREENUP
rue to his character, Peter McMaugh was deeply humbled when news broke of his 2019 Australia Day honour. He penned the following letter and poem of thanks to an industry which he has helped to mould and develop over the past 54 years…
As a scientific researcher, consultant, breeder, turf producer, educator and machinery developer, McMaugh has never been afraid to get his hands dirty and learn a great deal in the process the greens keepers, farmers, scientists, secretaries and especially my wife Rae on whom I have relied for help and inspirations. Without them the body of work that was behind this award could not have been achieved.
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 21.1
Appreciation is a great thing to do Expressing gratitude is important too So to my friends (or are they foes) I thank you all who felt disposed To say nice things in songs of praise That have led others to appraise My fitness for a national honour This honour is a chance for me To look long back and see The sweat and tears that brought me here Not just my own but many others Whose help and insight gave us the gears To ride the race as bonded brothers Through many long and twisted years This honour also includes others For all who love the smell of grass We must not let this opportunity pass To recognise and praise this profession In which we share the fortunate obsession Of keeping the environment safe Which makes the health and wealth of others A prime mission for us grass lovers.
PETER E. MCMAUGH AM, B.SC. AGR, FAIAST