Professional Women in Australian Pest Management (PWAPM) E-Gazette, February 2021

February 2021 Edition February 2021 Edition

Presidents Report Dear Members Welcome to 2021.

Whilst 2020 was an incredibly difficult year for most of us, it also brought out the best in us. It was a year where we all came together.

Even though the challenges 2020 year brought, we managed to continue to support each other more than ever before. The challenges faced, forced many of us to take a whole new approach to how we do business. The PWAPM continued to work on behalf of the women in this industry, despite being faced with restrictions.

Many of us will be glad to see the backend of 2020 but are also aware of the challenges that will carry over with the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic. As I look ahead in 2021, the experiences of this past year give me hope for better times and new opportunities for the PWAPM. You have probably noticed that our PWAPM Gazette has received a facelift. If you have been wondering why you have not received a newsletter recently, it is because we have been busy redesigning our newsletter to bring you even more great content. We have been working very hard behind the scenes to design our newsletter in a way that makes it easier for you to read on whichever device you choose. We have some great content to share with a brand-new look.

I am excited that the PWAPM will be hosting the very first women in pest leadership conference on the Gold Coast next month.

The PWAPM committee have been working around the clock to be able to bring to you a two-day program with a distinctive learning environment that includes keynote speakers, a mixture of facilitated panels, workshops, open discussions, and networking.

I am overwhelmed in the support we have received from over 25 industry sponsors for this event. Many of these sponsors will be attending the event and will have a display table for you to be able to talk to them over the two days. The conference dinner is set to be a night to remember with the announcement of our very first honorary life member and two other recognition awards. Men

and women are invited to attend the conference dinner. We encourage you to invite your partners and staff members. I can promise you that this is a conference not to be missed!

More information on the conference can be found on our website and in this newsletter.

For those that missed our recent AGM, I am please to advise that we have had very few changes on our board and management committee. Our new board of directors for 2021/22 is as follows: Nicky Turner Cassie Ryan Tara Kiker Sarah Cutting Kerryn Waters Rhiannon Brown Sandra Lafforgue In addition to welcoming the new board members, I would like to take this opportunity to say a special thanks to Kylie Enwright, Jodie Turner and Jessica Butcher who decided to step down from the committee to concentrate on the expansion of their own businesses.

Lastly, I would like to thank all our members and sponsors for their ongoing support of the PWAPM. We look forward to working with you all in 2021 and continuing our objective to support and strengthen women in pest management.

PWAPM National Leadership Conference Book Now 5th + 6th March 2021 Gold Coast Mantra at Sharks Event Centre More info inside the PWAPM Gazette

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PWAPM National Leadership Conference The PWAPM (Professional Women in Australian Pest Management) is excited to announce the very first Women’s Leadership Pest Conference. This two day event will provide a distinctive learning environment and offer interactive, industry-specific programming. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from industry experts and connect with leaders through a number of Keynote Presentations, facilitated panels, guest speakers, open discussions, and networking.

Where: Mantra Southport Sharks Southport Sharks is a premier dining and entertainment district with a multi-purpose events centre, two restaurants, cafe, five bars, fitness centre and now home to superior Southport accommodation brought to you by Mantra Hotels. Fabulous Studios and Suites offer complimentary WiFi, along with the latest in fittings and décor.

When: 5th & 6th March To make the most of the conference we recommend you arrive on the 4th March for the welcome reception. This will allow you to meet with the other delegates. Most of us will be staying on the Saturday night – 6th March so we can sit back and relax with our new found friends at the closing party.

Accommodation We recommend that you book your accommodation at the event centre – Mantra at Sharks. It is going to be a full 2 days and you will need to go back to your room to refresh and change for the conference dinner. Please note we have not held any rooms for this conference so it will be on a first in bases. Rooms start from around $100 per night. The Reservation team has allocated a booking code to this event of CE2021, which will give you 15% off your accommodation at time of booking. You must call the hotel directly on 07 5532 1155 or email the code to receive this discount.

THANK YOU to our amazing leadership conference sponsors

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PWAPM Gazette

February 2021 Edition

PWAPM National Leadership Conference Agenda Thursday 4th March 2021 5.30pm

Welcome Reception

Beer Garden (Sports Bar)

Friday 5th March 2021 Time

Topic

Where

Speaker

7:30am – 8.00am Registration

Event Centre Foyer

8.00am

Welcome Speeches

Ashcroft Room

Nicky Turner

8:30 am

Keynote Speaker Building a Successful Business does not just happen by Magic

Ashcroft Room

Nick Britt

9:30am

TBA

Ashcroft Room

TBA

10.00am

Morning Tea

Event Centre Foyer

10:30am

Workshop

Ashcroft Room

12:30pm

Lunch

Event Centre Foyer

1:30pm

Panel Female Field Technicians

Ashcroft Room

2:30pm

Insurance Claims: Things that can go wrong.

Ashcroft Room

3:30pm

Afternoon Tea

Event Centre Foyer

4.00pm

IPM/Women in Pest

Ashcroft Room

Dr. Don

6.00pm

Conference Dinner (Dress to Impress) 3 Course Dinner Guest Speaker: Michelle Downs Launch of the 2021 PWAPM Excellence Award Recognition Awards Entertainment

Ashcroft Room

Gold Sponsor Rapid

Topic

Where

Speaker

8.00am

Briefing

Ashcroft Room

Nicky Turner

8:30am

Keynote Speaker & Workshop

Ashcroft Room

Amanda Stevens

10.00am

Morning Tea

Event Centre Foyer

10:30am

Finding your ideal employee

Ashcroft Room

Brad Flynn

11:30am

Google and Facebook in 2021

Ashcroft Room

Phil Ridley

12:30pm

Lunch

Event Centre Foyer

1:30pm

Guest Speaker Telstra Qld Business Women’s Award Winner

Ashcroft Room

Angie Mansey

2:30pm

Industry Best Practices.

Managing employee retention. Staff training.

Ashcroft Room

TBA

3:30pm

Afternoon Tea

Event Centre Foyer

4.00pm

Panel Inspiring Women in Pest Management

Ashcroft Room

6.00pm

Closing Party Wind down and socialise.

Cocktail/Gin Bar Rooftop

Girl Director

Belinda Smith

Saturday 6th March 2021 Time

IN THE EVENT CENTRE FOYER: CRM & Booking Systems Sponsor Exhibits

Please note that due to Covid-19 and circumstances out of our control there may be a slight change in the agenda with times, topics, and speakers.

GARRARDS

“SERVICE WITH INTEGRITY” www.garrards.com.au

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PWAPM National Leadership Conference Amanda Stevens Future Proof Your Brand

Entertaining. Inspiring. Humorous. Engaging. Memorable. These are just some of the words used to describe Amanda Stevens, CSP. After wowing audiences in 14 countries for more than a decade on the speaking circuit, Amanda is widely regarded as one of the best female speakers in Australia.

With a double degree in marketing and consumer psychology, Amanda has authored five books and is highly regarded as a marketing consultant, having been engaged to work with brands such as Microsoft, Westpac, Foxtel, Lend Lease, Priceline, and even advising at the highest levels of Australian politics. She’s shared the stage with the likes of Sir Bob Geldof, Sir Richard Branson and Condoleezza Rice and has presented for audiences ranging in size from 30 to 3,000 at all levels of business.

With consumer expectations changing faster than digital disruption, a shifting landscape requires business owners and marketers to think differently when it comes to brand-building. Now is the time to think differently, to show true business bravery and to think in EPIC terms – not necessarily just in scale but in character.

Decoding the science of advocacy, Amanda explores why your existing customer base is possibly the greatest hidden asset in any business and outlines a plan to create a brand that customers willingly and enthusiastically rave about. She presents a customised approach for harnessing brand advocacy in a post-digital age and why the combination of high tech and high touch is the next frontier in brand disruption.

Angie Mansey

Telstra Qld Business Women’s Small Business Award Winner Nominated for Australian of the year 2021 Author of “How I Made Lemonade” Angie Mansey is the proud mother (depending if they are behaving on the day) of 4 rather energetic sons and is married to her best friend Luke who has been listening to her incessant chatter since 1996. A full time medical carer to one son and a laundry slave to all 4 (5 if hubby is included).

A multiple award-winning business owner who is a confident public speaker and philanthropist for various causes close to her heart. A charity founder and Director for Driven By KM that provides financial support to the families of terminally and chronically ill children on the Sunshine Coast. A passionate mentor to local youth and a proactive suicide awareness advocate.

An enthusiastic believer that a cup of tea fixes most things and has an outstanding ability of remembering ‘90’s music lyrics but never can recall which way is East. Fluent in sarcasm and positivity. When she isn’t running full speed ahead then she fills her spare time with maintaining her daily blog https://www.facebook.com/angiemansey to share her parenting and business highlights and fails to the world.

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PWAPM Gazette

February 2021 Edition

PWAPM National Leadership Conference Finding your ideal employee Brad Flynn

An unreasonable yet compassionate friend to his clients, who believes in them and will always push them to get the best from them for their team and family. ​A source of quality information and guidance to businesses in his community.

A loving Dad who believes that by living the principles he teaches his client will give his kids a strong foundation for a life of growth and fulfilment. ​Brad has over 20 years management and mentoring experience in a vast range of industries. ​He has worked in both Australia and the USA in Project Management, Service, Sporting and Engineering industries.

He is a passionate advocate for small to medium sized businesses, the real power house of the Australian economy- and is President of the Redcliffe Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

His specific focus is on implementation of systems, marketing, sales, and building qualified and motivated teams to achieve true business transformation.

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PWAPM National Leadership Conference Change the World Girl Director It is time to take learning video into your own hands so you can add more value to your clients, business and sales process.

Grow your business with video. Learn how to turn your story into eye-catching video content.

Let’s face it – you’re tired of seeing all the same kinds of videos coming up in your social media feeds.

• They all have the same look and feel, and they’ve stopped catching your attention.

• You’re not the only one who’s become fatigued with this. Girl Director are sick of this too.

• That’s why they have created a workshop on how to Stand Out and Be Seen, More Creative videos, using all the marketing systems and advertising techniques to make sure your videos get seen and convert into real clients and real business = $$$

Building a Successful Business does not just happen by Magic Nick Britt Nick Britt is a Multi-Award winning entertainer who knows the absolute importance of standing out, he has travelled the world creating, performing and hosting 300+ events each year that is designed to do that exact thing, grab attention. Nick is not only one of the most sought-after entertainers, but he is also a popular keynote speaker at conferences, was recently a breakfast co-host on the fastest growing radio station on the sunshine coast and a headline act on Cruise Ships. Nick’s performed live to over 1 million people, he was trained & inspired by his father who has been touring as a full-time magician for 40 years, Nick says he is the luckiest guy in the world being able to do what he enjoys most for a job, making people laugh, having fun & creating that sense of wonder.

THANK YOU to our amazing leadership conference sponsors

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PWAPM Gazette

February 2021 Edition

PWAPM National Leadership Conference PCT International (PCT) is delighted to support and be a member of the Professional Women in Australian Pest Management (PWAPM) Association and proud to be a sponsor of their upcoming Leadership Conference in 2021. PCT is wholly-owned Australian Company based in Brisbane, Queensland. We manufacture a range of high quality products to service the domestic and international pest control markets. Our products are manufactured locally and we are a Quality Assured Organisation having achieved accreditation in the ISO 9001:2015 standard. We have a proven research and development capability that has resulted in a comprehensive range of liquid, dust, granular and gel-based insecticides, herbicides and rodenticides. Our signature products such as the Nemesis Termite Baiting System and Terminade Termitcide have impacted the domestic pest manager markets for over 15 years now and they have introduced long over-due value for money options when it comes to termite treatment alternatives previously dominated by large multi-national companies. PCT is the only Australian-based manufacturer of extruded wax-block based rodenticides that ensures premium palatability and freshness. Our locally developed and manufactured rodent stations have been developed specifically to suit Australia’s harsh conditions and offer supreme durability. We would like to take the opportunity to thank the PWAPM Association for their faith in us and welcoming PCT as active members of the Association and we look forward to fostering the improved representation of women within the pest control sector and beyond.

Rapid Solutions is honoured to be gold sponsor of the inaugural PWAPM Women’s Leadership Pest Conference. We understand the important role women play in making this industry flourish and are delighted to support PWAPM as it helps female pest managers learn and grow.

As the only insurer dedicated to the pest and building industry, we pride ourselves on being able to provide the peace of mind our clients deserve. Our specialised insurance products, training and technical expertise are some of the ways we support the industry.

Rapid Solutions has even developed a feature-rich report writing app called Rapid Inspect, which helps make on-site reporting simple, efficient and compliant.

With well over 25 years’ industry experience, Rapid can tailor cover to meet your needs and offers reliable in-house claims and technical support when you need it.

We proudly endorse industry led initiatives such as PWAPM, as they continue to connect and educate Australian pest management industry professionals.

GARRARDS

“SERVICE WITH INTEGRITY” www.garrards.com.au

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S PO N S O R E D B Y

Thank you to everyone who nominated.

Your nomination recognises the hard work and achievements of your employees so being nominated helps boost staff morale and improves motivation.

The winners will be announced at the PWAPM Leadership Dinner on Friday March 5th at the Sharks Event Centre ,Southport - Gold Coast. This dinner is an open invitation to men and women in the pest industry.

Bring your staff. Join us for a fun night of networking and celebrations.

Click on the link to book your ticket to the conference dinner. https://www.trybooking.com/BOAYE Full delegates do not need to book for the dinner. This is already included on your delegate ticket.

2021 Excellence Award Sponsored by

The 2021 PWAPM Excellence Award seeks to recognise and highlight the achievement of a woman who has advanced in the pest management industry. Nominations will open on March 5th 2021 at the PWAPM National Leadership Conference Dinner for inspiring women within the industry who embody leadership qualities and embrace the principles of corporate social responsibility.

Full details of the leadership conference and to book delegate tickets please click on the link: https://womeninpestmanagement.com.au/pwapm-leadership-conference F R I D AY 5 T H M A R C H 2021 6PM M A N T R A AT S H A R K S , G O L D CO A S T Q L D 8

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February 2021 Edition

New Makita Blower Creates Chaos for Aussie Pesties – Sundew has the solution There has been a lot of discussion about the new Makita blower design and the issues it creates for pest management professionals across Australia. The latest model released by Makita no longer fits the old style duster guns used for dusting roof voids, subfloors etc.

Sundew Solutions, a family owned 100% Australian business, introduced the Duckbill Duster in 2017 with an innovative dual fitting inlet that allows the Duckbill to be attached to either Makita or Hitachi blowers.

However, the recent design change by Makita is not an issue for the clever Sundew Duckbill duster gun. The dual fitting on the Duckbill caters perfectly to the new Makita blower.

The Sundew Duckbill Duster is made in Australia, and is made by a family owned 100% Aussie business. It is made from Australian recycled plastic, so is a fantastic innovation supporting local family businesses and working to be kinder to the environment at the same time.

The video here demonstrates how easy it is to use the Sundew Duckbill Duster attachment with the new Makita blower design. If you would like to have a chat further about it, Rowan Gregson the Technical Solutions Advisor’s contact details are at the end of the video.

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Contrac® Soft Bait is Bell Laboratories’ most recently launched rodenticide in Australia.

Contrac® Soft Bait is Bell Laboratories’ most recently launched rodenticide in Australia. As one of the preferred options for PCOs and Ag producers, the new formulation is particularly effective to use when there are competing food sources in the area, such as at restaurants and food manufacturing facilities. Having undergone comprehensive lab and field testing, it is Bell’s most extensively researched and tested rodenticide ever. The field-testing element was particularly meticulous, with care being taken to test the product in a wide extreme of climatic conditions in urban, rural, commercial, and residential environments.

Unlike other soft baits which go hard and brittle in low temperatures, Contrac® Soft Bait is unaffected by the cold and remains pliable down to -25°C. Having been tested up to 93’C, it’s also equally as dependable in the extreme heat and will not melt in even the hottest parts of the country. Perhaps the most impressive feature however, is Contrac® Soft Bait’s mould resistance, making it the ideal product of choice in damp or humid conditions.

Whilst retaining integrity is important, the product’s performance against rodents is a PCOs’ main concern. And once again, Contrac® Soft Bait excels and outperforms similar products available in the market. Contrac® Soft Bait was specially formulated with an optimal blend of saturated and unsaturated fats. This unique, oil-based formulation coupled with a manufacturing process which ensures maximum contact of the sachet to the soft bait, results in increased bait acceptance. The outstanding acceptance by rodents is unmatched, and the trusted second generation anticoagulant active ingredient bromadiolone delivers a lethal dose in a single feed.

Contrac® Soft Bait is available from your preferred distributor in 1.8kg or 7.25kg pails. Contact your local Bell Labs representative for further information.

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PWAPM Gazette

February 2021 Edition

Kerryn Waters

MEET YOUR COMMITTEE

What is your position on the PWAPM Committee?

What’s your hope for the future of Women in Pest Management? (ie. any particular passion for change within the industry)

Board Member

How did you get involved in PWAPM?

I was nominated by a work colleague for the 2020 PWAPM Professional Women in Pest Management Excellence Award. I made the finals and was interviewed by a panel of very inspiring women. During my interview I made mention that I would love to be able to make a bigger contribution to the industry and love everything about what the PWAPM stands for and what Nicky and the team are trying to achieve. Not long after, Nicky reached out and invited me along to one of the regular PWAPM meetings and the rest is history.

Tell us about your background in Pest Control

I have only been in the pest industry for 5 years! In 2016 I was approached by Rentokil to manage their Queensland business At the time I was the Queensland State Manager for BWS and my entire 20 year career had been in retail. When Rentokil approached me, I had zero knowledge of the pest industry and was really nervous about jumping out of an industry I knew so well into something I had no clue about. But what I quickly recognised was that my expertise is not so much about any particular industry, rather, it is people leadership and business management. So I used these transferable skills when I moved to Rentokil. I run 3 businesses in my current role and the Rentokil Pest business makes up about 50% of it. I am so glad I made that decision 5 years ago, I love the people I work with, I love the passion that the technical experts I work with have about pest management, and the way in which my team interacts with their customers and each other. There is a camaraderie in this industry that goes beyond each individual business and makes me want to contribute on a bigger scale. What’s the greatest improvement you’ve seen in Pest Management during your time in the Industry?

It is clearly a male dominated industry, there is no doubt about that, but there are so many talented and passionate women to be found within it! My hope is that women within the industry are compelled to help bring other women in, and support and help once they are in. Working in retail had a similar yet different problem. In retail, there is a balance in gender at the front line, however the further you get up the line the more it is skewed toward men. The different challenge we have in the pest industry is that it is skewed from the start! It is really hard to attract women to the pest industry in the first place and so makes it an even bigger challenge to grow the numbers in the higher levels of our organisations. I would love to see more women consider it as a career option.

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

What a question! I would be honoured if Kristen Wiig was to play me. She does a good job of carrying off awkwardness- I would be a perfect character for her to play.

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

“Spend more of your time getting the average people in your team to be great rather than the poor performers to be average.”

Wise words from a former boss at Woolies.

What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?

I can normally be found on a wakeboard in the summer and a snowboard in the winter and the gym every other available moment in between.

I am amazed by how innovation and technological advances can move our ability to manage pests. When you see the future possibilities for the industry - to think that once upon a time you caught a rodent with a little wooden mouse trap! Apart from the innovation in product and service I am also blown away by how far we have come as an industry in using digital to communicate with customers and manage data.

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Sarah Cutting

MEET YOUR COMMITTEE

What is your position on the PWAPM Committee?

Treasurer

How did you get involved in PWAPM?

I was immediately drawn to PWAPM after Nicky started it in 2017/2018! I’d been an active participant in the Australian Pest Manager’s Network and Business Owner’s groups on Facebook when PWAPM was first advertised. I jumped in immediately as a member of the Facebook group, as well as a paid member.

Over the last year, I’ve attended a number of the PWAPM Social Networking nights on Zoom and have gotten to meet many of the other amazing women in our industry!

This year, with a bit of encouragement, I accepted a nomination for a role on the Committee and was lucky enough to be welcomed as Treasurer!

Tell us about your background in Pest Control

My husband, Michael and have owned and operated Spiderman SE Eco Pest Management, which is based in Mount Gambier, SA since 2014. However, I was thrown into the world of Pest Control nine years ago!

Michael had been working at our local timber mill for over 20 years and while he had a fantastic job there, the shift work was taking its toll on our family. After hearing that the company that we’d used to treat our own place a couple of times was looking for some help, Michael started his Pest Control Training. He studied and worked in pest control during the days and worked at the mill in the evenings. Once he had his license, he subcontracted for a couple of seasons.

All of a sudden, as well as being mum to two boys and holding my own part-time job as Document Control Officer with our local Community Health Service, I was instantly the secretary, bookkeeper, social media and website manager, HR and WHS consultant, scheduler, etc. for my husband! (I hear this is a common “Tradie’s Wive’s” tale!)

In 2016, Michael was able to leave his previous job and move to Pest Control fulltime. I followed suit in 2017.

Fast forward to 2021 and Spiderman SE has grown from just Michael and me to a team of four!

What’s the greatest improvement you’ve seen in Pest Management during your time in the Industry?

of admin time these things have saved is incredible.

2. Pest Control-wise, the continuous improvements being made in the products and treatment methods we use, the introduction of Codes of Practice and the collaborative approach to the improvement of training in our Industry.

3. Personally, the mentorship and support available to me from others in the industry. Facebook, Zoom and in-person Training Days have provided opportunities for me not only to learn but develop some amazing relationships with others in the industry that I treasure. I’ve gone from feeling isolated and on my own in the home/office to being surrounded by a key group of like-minded women (and men) who I can reach out to at any time.

What’s your hope for the future of Women in Pest Management? (ie. any particular passion for change within the industry)

For women’s involvement in the industry to be come the norm.

For us to continue to work together and support each other in improving the industry as a whole.

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

I think it’d have to be “Sarah - The Comedy”, starring Melissa McCarthy or Rebel Wilson.

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

There are two pieces of advice I’ve been given over the years that I love and reiterate to my own kiddos quite often.

The first is a lesson in being humble and keeping the ego in check, which my beautiful mum taught me: “You’re every bit as good as everyone else but you’re no better”.

The second is the advice given to me by our Neonatologist after my youngest son was born at 26 weeks gestation: “Let your hopes reach the clouds but keep your feet planted firmly on the ground”.

What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?

Chilling with my gorgeous family, watching “Kath and Kim” repeats and the myriads of real estate/reno shows on Netflix or catching a class or two at my favourite Yoga studio.

I have three answers, depending on which hat I’m wearing: 1. Administration-wise, the use of cloud-based software for scheduling, reporting and accounting and automated CRMs for client communication. The amount of paper and the hours

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PWAPM Gazette

February 2021 Edition

Cassie Ryan

MEET YOUR COMMITTEE

What is your position on the PWAPM Committee?

What’s the greatest improvement you’ve seen in Pest Management during your time in the Industry?

Vice-President

How did you get involved in PWAPM?

As soon as Nicky launched the PWAPM, I joined the social media groups. The concept of ‘women supporting women’ was already very close to my heart, and now there was an outlet for it!.

A couple of months later I was halfway through a job when Nicky called me. She invited to me join the committee, as they felt a female tech should also be offering perspective and feedback. I remember sitting in the car for 20 minutes after we hung up (I was late to my next job!) trying to process the idea. I couldn’t imagine I had anything of value to offer them, and was horrified at the thought of letting anybody down! This was a group of women I highly respected, and they were so much more capable and successful than I was. I actually declined Nicky’s offer, because I had a bad case of ‘imposter syndrome’ sitting on my shoulder.

A few days later, Nicky’s husband Jay called me, and pointed out nobody had an expectations, being ‘me’ was more than enough.

You know what? He was right! I’ve always felt welcomed and supported by this group of women, and my offerings are valued.

Tell us about your background in Pest Control

I started in admin. But I was always more fascinated by the technicians role than my own. When we started our own business, I traded the skirt and heels for workpants and steelcaps in a heartbeat. I’ve always loved spiders and bugs and critters, and felt like the luckiest person in the world that people were willing to PAY me to look for and identify them. The killing of the critters is just a minor annoyance in an otherwise satisfying career!

I trained under my husband Chris, which presented a whole host of unexpected challenges for the both of us to work through. We discovered we were pregnant with our ‘caboose’ baby number #3 when the business was just four months old. That was not part of our original business plan! I shelved any liquid chemical applications for the duration of my pregnancy, and stuck to basic rodents, possums and birds. Try as I might, by 32 weeks I just couldn’t move through roof cavities the way I needed to, and stuck only to the admin for the next few months.

Definitely the push towards IPM as the first point of pest control. I love this, because excessive chemical usage fills me with anxiety!

What’s your hope for the future of Women in Pest Management? (ie. any particular passion for change within the industry)

I think we are already following the right path here. I’m seeing women being welcomed to pest management, not only welcomed, but actively sought out by employers. I want each and every woman to have the opportunity to choose what role she wishes, without fear of reprisal due to gender. If that’s in administration, great! If that’s in a sales role, also great! And of course, as a technician too. The point is, I don’t want there to be any ‘ceiling’ placed on women’s career goals. Choose, however you feel comfortable, and be the best you can be. Pretty simple really!

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Betty White! That woman is #goalz! She is strong, and sassy, and confident while having an enviable ability to not take things too seriously. I’d need somebody able to pull off the prolifically awkward moments of schadenfreude with class!

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

It’s ok to say ‘No’. This has been a consistent theme from many of the strongest and most capable women I know, and the hardest to actually do. I’m getting better as I grow older, but I do have an inconvenient innate need to help where I’m asked. I consider this a ‘work in progress’!

What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?

I’m such a introvert and homebody honestly! If I’m not working, I’m usually at home avoiding social contact as best I can!

Weekends are my ‘recharge’ time, so I have the energy to meet family and work expectations during the week.

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MEET YOUR COMMITTEE

Tara Kiker

What is your position on the PWAPM Committee?

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Secretary

Melissa McCarthy - She has a sense of humour but she is straight to the point.

How did you get involved in PWAPM?

Nicky approached me and explained some of the amazing things she wanted to try and achieve for women in the industry and I was immediately hooked so I jumped on in.

Tell us about your background in Pest Control

I have been around Pest Control since I was 15, my father has worked in the industry throughout my childhood and Shannon (my partner) and I now run our own pest control company.

What’s the greatest improvement you’ve seen in Pest Management during your time in the Industry?

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

“Cash is Key” meaning that it doesn’t matter how much work you have done if there is no cash in the bank its not worthwhile.

What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?

Riding my Horse, Going to the park with the kids, Gardening, Anything but WORK!!!!

The networking opportunities now available and accessible to all technicians, I believe shared knowledge means that overall our industry is destined to improve.

What’s your hope for the future of Women in Pest Management? (ie. any particular passion for change within the industry)

I hope we can encourage more women to our industry in varying roles, and to provide opportunities to grow to the current women in the industry.

Need stock in a hurry?

You can now order from Agserv 24/7 Launching February 1, 2021, Agserv’s new online customer order portal allows you to place orders quickly and efficiently.

Exclusive to Agserv account holders, this is not a retail webstore. It’s is a dedicated portal designed for the exclusive use of our professional pest control customers.

You place your orders directly in to our system where they are immediately cued for processing by your local Agserv branch.

Once your order is placed, you will receive updates all the way to the point of delivery. Check out some of the features below and if you’d like to take advantage of this great service, simply give us a call or send an email and we’ll get you logged in and ordering immediately:

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PWAPM Gazette

February 2021 Edition

Sandra Lafforgue

MEET YOUR COMMITTEE

What is your position on the PWAPM Committee?

What’s your hope for the future of Women in Pest Management? (ie. any particular passion for change within the industry)

Member of Committee

How did you get involved in PWAPM?

I firstly got involved with PWAPM as a member of the judging panel for the PWAPM 2020 Excellence Award. This experience was very enriching as I learnt about the path some women in the pest industry took and what they have achieved, and I found it very inspiring.

Tell us about your background in Pest Control

I started in pest control in January 2020 as I became Professional & Specialty Solutions Portfolio Marketing Manager for BASF. Previously I held a Project Manager position for 2.5years in the same company.

What’s the greatest improvement you’ve seen in Pest Management during your time in the Industry?

This is still early days for me in this industry however I am glad to see that there are a lot of dedicated, respectful, experienced and inspired women out there ready to make a difference & work alongside men so together they can up skill support & mentor each other to improve the industry overall.

• • • • • • • • •

I hope that women will carry on the great work they are already doing and fully take their well earned place in an industry that is constantly evolving.

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Such a tough question.... Maybe Hugh Grant so it stays fun & witty...

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

My mother gave me the best advice to “always be independent in all aspects of your life.”

What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?

Nature walks / Gardening / Windsurfing

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PWAPM Gazette

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Nicky Turner

MEET YOUR COMMITTEE

What is your position on the PWAPM Committee?

What’s the greatest improvement you’ve seen in Pest Management during your time in the Industry?

President

On a business level: The use of less pesticides and having a more targeted approach. Advances in CRM’s, better technology.

How did you get involved in PWAPM? Founder of the PWAPM.

I wanted to create a support group and purpose for women in the Australian Pest Management Industry. Two weeks after winning Pest Manager of the Year in 2017 I was faced head on in personal challenges that not only affected me, but my entire family. What should have been the most exciting time in our business, turned out to be our hardest. I had no choice but to take full responsibility for our business on my own as well as be the backbone of my husband and kids. I received no help from family or friends throughout this time. I had no one to talk to within the pest industry. I felt I needed to do something but I just didn’t know what it was at the time.

After attending a women’s networking breakfast in Orlando PestWorld 2018, I realised how much support women were getting from the (PWIPM) Professional Women in Pest Management. The PWIPM hosted development sessions and support networking events, professional empowerment grants, raised money for charity at PestWorld and I wanted to create that here in Australia.

Tell us about your background in Pest Control

Like most people in the industry I fell into pest control by accident.

I originally owned an insect breeding business with my husband.

Breeding and selling insects to the pet trade. As you can imagine, that created pest problems on its own. The business was located on our property where we lived. Due to many escaped live insects, pests started typically invading our home, in particular wolf spiders. I engaged in a pest control company to get control of them. The short version of the story, hubby got talking to the pest controller, approached his boss for an interview and somehow managed to get a job. Over the years I convinced hubby to move to Noosa and go out on his own. Here we are now!

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On a personal level: The PWAPM. Women supporting each other and forming close business friendships. Introducing the PWAPM Excellence Award, being able to profile many inspirational women in the Australian pest industry for others to look up to.

What’s your hope for the future of Women in Pest Management? (ie. any particular passion for change within the industry)

For the PWAPM to provide that support network for women who would like to get into the pest industry so they don’t feel like they are on their own and to motivate more women to get involved in the industry.

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Jennifer Aniston. I think she would be the closest to my personality.

I love her hair. I’m always trying to get that Jennifer hairstyle. Still working on it!

What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

Do what is right, not what is easy. Strength of character leads us to do the right thing, even when there are easier options.

Advice from my beautiful Nan.

What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?

Wining and dining with hubby and friends.

Having a PJ day (no bra, no makeup) while watching movies with hubby and the kids.

Cooking. I love to cook.

Zoom catch up with friends. I do believe Cassie Ryan and myself managed a 7.5 hour zoom session once.

PWAPM Gazette

February 2021 Edition

Dates for the Diary SAVE THE DATE!!

Meet, Greet & Network (MGN) Friday 26th Feb 7pm Vic/NSW Time Meet, Greet & Network (MGN) Friday 26th March 7pm Vic/NSW Time Meet, Greet & Network (MGN) Friday 30th April 7pm Vic/NSW Time AEPMA Conference Pesticon - 2021 22nd – 24th September PWAPM Networking Breakfast - The Star Gold Coast (Pesticon Conference)

Newsletter Contributions PWAPM members and sponsors are welcome to contribute to our gazette. If you have an article or relevant resources that you feel would benefit women in pest management, please forward to info@womeninpestmanagement.com.au.

Cut off dates to have your content and articles in by: May 2021 Edition - 26th April 2021 August 2021 Edition – 26th July 2021 November 2021 Edition – 26th October 2021

Contact Us PWAPM Office Unit 4/1 Selkirk Drive, Noosaville Qld 4566 Po Box 1910, Noosaville DC Qld 4566 President – Nicky Turner  0409 217 328  president@womeninpestmanagement.com.au Secretary – Tara Kiker

 0499 903 637

 info@womeninpestmanagement.com.au

THANK YOU to our partners

PWAPM Gazette

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