A legacy of excellence
W 14 COLUMNS
PETER MCMAUGH – AUSTRALIA’S FOREMOST TURF EXPERT
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GRASS-ROOTS WITH JOHN NEYLAN
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COMPLIANCE CORNER WITH TERRY MUIR
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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WITH KATE TORGERSEN 62 64
62 Contributors to Australian Turfgrass Management Journal Volume 21.1 (January-February 2019) Jeff Adams (Port Pirie Regional Council); Addison Barden (USGA Green Section); Gary Beehag; Andy Blacker (Port Lincoln GC); Nathan Bradbury (NSWGCSA); Fraser Brown (Lake Karrinyup CC); Mark Burton (Yallourn GC); Marc Carson (Wyndham City Council); Vicki Crowe (PGA of Australia); Scott Forbes (Moreton Bay Regional Council); Phil Hill (Barnbougle); Steve Hodson (NZGCSA); Paul Jacobs (USGA Green Section); Jack’s Point, NZ; Paul McLean (GCSAQ); Peter McMaugh (Turfgrass Scientific Services); Terry Muir (epar); John Neylan (Turfgrass Consulting and Research); John Odell; Terry O’Keeffe (Sydney Showgrounds); Gregg Porteous Photography; Albert Sherry (NTEWG); Simone Staples (AGCSA); Kenji Steele (Great Barrier Reef Arena); Kate Torgersen (Environmental Golf Solutions); Mark Unwin (AGCSA); Jim Vaughan (Turf Queensland); Dr Percy Wong (University of Sydney); David Worrard (Living Turf); Jenny Zadro (Turf Australia); FTMI Class of 2019.
PHOTO: JACK’S POINT
HR MANAGEMENT WITH VICKI CROWE
here do you begin to make comment on the contributions to the Australian turf industry by one Peter E. McMaugh? I’m sure many in the industry would have felt extremely proud when it was announced on Australia Day 2019 that Peter had received one of this country’s highest honours – Member (AM) in the General Division of The Order of Australia. One of 282 to be invested on the day, Peter’s AM was given ‘For significant service to horticulture through the development of Australian turf varieties’. In receiving the honour, Peter joined three other turf industry members to be bestowed such a mark of distinction – the late Rod Riley (breeder of Greenlees Park couchgrass), the late Charlie Smith (inventor of the level lawn, among other implements) and former Adelaide Oval curator Les Burdett. These three received the next tier down Medal of The Order of Australia (OAMs). In this edition, two of Peter’s long-time colleagues and friends – Gary Beehag and former AGCSA Board member and Royal Sydney Golf Club superintendent John Odell – pay tribute to his incredible career. It isn’t until it’s put down on paper that you begin to realise the exact breadth and depth of what Peter has achieved across an incredible 54 years and the legacy he has forged in the development of professional sports turf management in this country. What is more, even at the age of 83 you can bet there will still be plenty more to come. The genesis of Peter’s award came in 2016 when Gary and John, after an industry gettogether in Sydney, started discussing how important it was that Peter’s contributions be formally recognised at a national level. So began the exhaustive and meticulous process of gathering together the necessary documentation, all of which of course had to be done without Peter’s knowledge. Even Peter’s wife Rae was in on the act and surreptitiously furnished Gary and John with important dates and details that formed part of the dossier required by the Governor General’s office. As part of that nomination, a ‘principal’ referee was also required. So at three o’clock one morning in mid-2016, Gary put in a phone call to College Station in Texas, home to the late great Dr James B. Beard asking if he would act in such a capacity. Gary explained to Jim the gravity of the honour his great friend was being put up for and his response was immediate – ‘This is a big deal isn’t it Gary, what do I need to do?” “I just want you to say ‘yes’ and send your resume through,” Gary replied. The resume that came through weighed in at five full pages! It was Dr Beard, who in one of his conference keynote visits to Australia in the 1980s – which, incidentally, Peter had orchestrated – said to the audience that in Peter the Australian industry had “the only man I know who knows the turf literature as well as I do.” Coming from arguably the greatest turf mind ever, who sadly departed last May and as such didn’t get the chance to see his mate bestowed his recent honour, such kudos speaks volumes of the respect that Peter carries. To receive the AM is not about celebrating one’s personal achievements. Sure, much of what Peter has achieved has no doubt fulfilled him immensely on a personal level, but the award isn’t about that. It celebrates contribution to community and society and, in our case, an industry. As you will read in this edition, Peter’s contributions are simply unrivalled and are more than deserving of such high recognition. Peter’s AM investiture is set to occur in the coming months and no doubt a few select reds will be consumed in the hours after to commemorate such a meritorious achievement. ATM salutes you Peter and we look forward to many more years of great intellect, insight and industry endeavour. Enjoy the read…
Brett Robinson, Editor
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2019
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