Chairman's Message

Our thoughts are with all members of Irrigation Australia as we continue to deal with the varying impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our daily work and personal life.

In such a difficult time, it is gratifying that membership of Irrigation Australia continues to grow and has reached record levels. We now have nearly 1100 primary and branch members, 765 people are active in our various certification programs and more than 165 businesses and individuals are engaged with our Waterwise programs.

Abraham Zaleznik, a Professor Emeritus at the Harvard Business School where he taught for four decades, once described membership in the following way: “Innovation grows out of membership and a sure sense of responsibility people feel for their work and the organizations that employ them”.

The flip side of this is acknowledging the contributions of members. Irrigation Australia is aware of the responsibility we have as an organisation to recognise those among us that have made an exceptional contribution. One of the most important ways we have of doing this is the biennial MacLeanIedema award. This award is named in recognition of Scott MacLean and Don Iedema who were strong supporters and contributors to the Irrigation Association of Australia during its early years. They were involved in the organisation at a regional and national level, and Scott was a former chairman. Don, Scott and Roger Bell, an employee and talented, wellrespected irrigation designer with a young family, all tragically lost their lives in a light aircraft accident in 1995.

Presented biennially, the MacLeanIedema Award recognises the outstanding contributions of individuals to the industry and includes a cash prize and commemorative plaque. Previous winners of the MacLeanIedema Award are: • 2018, Jeremy Cape • 2016, Robin Weaver • 2014, Ted Gardner • 2012, Bill Yiasoumi • 2010, Ken Sampson • 2008, Geoff Connellan • 2006, Ken Crawford • 2004, John Mapson • 2002, John Blackwell • 2000, Ken Wetherby • 1998, David Morwood • 1996, Christine Forster

Nominations are now being called for the 2020 MacLean-Iedema Award and the criteria for consideration includes: 1. Commitment - an outstanding record of commitment to the development of their industry 2. Contribution - the recipient will be judged to have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the industry (this contribution may be evaluated in quantitative and/or qualitative terms) 3. Performance - the performance of the individual should be deemed exceptional 4. Persistence - the performance will have been sustained over an extended period 5. The extra mile - the performance of the individual will extend well beyond the normal demands of the person's occupation, profession or position within the industry.

Your board welcomes nominations from members or regional committees for the 2020 MacLean-Iedema Award. Details and the nomination form are available on our website or you can contact our office.

Members are also reminded of the recent call for nominations for six positions on the Irrigation Australia Board. I encourage all members to consider standing for a position on the board, to have a role in monitoring current and evolving industry trends, making key decisions on planning and policy and determining the strategic priorities for Irrigation Australia.

Chairman

Download the 2020 Irrigation Directory to help you find a professional Irrigation Australia certified member or organisation.