FOREWORD THINKING WITH MARK UNWIN, CEO
ASTMA focuses on revising member engagement, activities in 2021
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happy New Year to all members from the team at the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA). On behalf of the association, I want start off the year by passing on a note of thanks, to all members of the turf industry, for the incredible support provided to each other throughout 2020, a truly unprecedented year. The commitment, support and flexibility turf managers, associations and partners have provided has enabled continued growth of the industry. It also ensured that anyone who found themselves in a difficult position throughout 2020, with its wide-ranging challenges, always had support and peers to turn to for any advice or assistance needed. After a broadly disrupted 2020 with much of our activities required to change toward industry advocacy work, members support and lobbying, our regular activities of education and development programmes were placed on hold. Following recent easing of restrictions in most parts of the country, our focus has been on revising member engagement and activities throughout 2021, albeit with a slightly different look and feel. Chief among those activities is the annual conference and this year the Australian Sports Turf Management Conference and Trade Exhibition returns to Broadbeach, Queensland for the first time since 2014, with the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) playing host from 21-24 June. Early Bird registration is now open and details of the education sessions and programme, industry awards and networking events are available on the ASTMA website. With a busy February and March schedule of conferences and events at the GCCEC, the ASTMA is working with the convention
centre team to develop an exciting range of interactive and engaging opportunities for delegates and exhibitors during the week. As active COVID cases reduce right across the country, restrictions ease and border closures are lifted, the ASTMA Board and convention centre team are dedicated to delivering the event safely, with an approach to continue the tradition of quality education for the turf industry. As was the case with the 2020 conference, in the event that the 2021 conference is cancelled due to restrictions imposed, all delegates will be entitled to a full refund. The full programme will be available in the coming weeks, with ASTMA events manager Simone Staples working with a range of turf managers to organise a programme that includes local industry experts, turf practitioners and keynote speakers covering topics such as business management and health and wellbeing. The ASTMA is working with State Governments in relation to international travel and international counterparts to investigate virtual sessions so as to still bring delegates the latest overseas research and updates. We continue to work through the early stages of longer-term programmes around
areas such as environmental management and sustainability, water management and the Golf Course 2030 programme and have also started work with various State Governments on addressing emerging issues for the industry, among them education and training, seasonal staffing needs, greenspace access and availability, biosecurity and increasing challenges presented through managing or prevention of damage from wildlife. A steering committee is being formed to develop the sustainability framework for developing Golf Course 2030. Representatives from the ASTMA and each state association are working through issues, concerns and opportunities for each state in the development of a National Golf Course 2030 program for Australia, for presentation to The R&A in the second half of the year. As has been noted previously by members, the important work of ensuring continuous research and development for the industry is progressing well. Our technical division AGCSATech embarked on four separate research programmes in 2020 and initiatives are underway to launch an additional four during 2021. More information and regular updates on this research will be made available to members via Australian Turfgrass Management Journal, the ASTMA website and various presentations at the 2021 conference. Much of the feedback and lessons learnt from the 2020 ASTMA Member Survey will shape our approach to the year ahead and continuing to deliver on our strategic priorities to work for, and maintain our support of, the industry. It doesn’t mean we will get everything right all the time, but we are committed to improving the recognition of our industry, members, state associations and supporting the profession.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: DON’T IGNORE THE WARNING SIGNS Dear Editor, The ASTMA and its wonderful, hard-working staff have done a great job over the years reminding us members about mental health and protection against Australia’s relentless sun, but I thought it timely that members were reminded about heart related concerns as well. I had a scare early January brought about by stress and know that sports turf managers are under a lot of stress due to the very nature of their roles. My story started with my beautiful mum having a health issue that had her in hospital for the last 10 weeks of 2020. During that time 4
my three brothers and I had to take over from mum who looked after our dad’s dementia issues. Just as we were able to organise mum moving from hospital to an aged care facility, dad had a turn and passed away on Christmas Eve. We then, of course, had to organise a New Year’s funeral. I thought that between my brothers, grandchildren and a wonderful funeral director we had everything covered. But on the eve of dad’s funeral I had this uncomfortable feeling in my chest like a pulled muscle and hot/cold flushes. I sat up all night and had convinced myself that I had
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 23.1
somehow contracted COVID-19! Thankfully, my younger brother immediately took me to the local hospital where I underwent a barrage of tests. Twelve hours later I was given the all clear, with my only issue being an inflammation around the heart sack brought on by stress. The main point that I learnt from the experience is to maintain your weight and lead a healthy lifestyle, but if you ever have chest pains please do not ignore them and go seek professional help. Jeff Gambin ASTMA Past President (2004-2007)