PWAPM E-Gazette, July 2022 Special Edition

Special Edition, July 2022

SPECIAL EDITION

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PWAPM Board Report

On a brisk Tuesday morning amidst AEPMA’s Pesticon Conference from the 6-8th June 2022, at the Star on the Gold Coast, women from all areas across Australia came together for the first PWAPM networking breakfast generously sponsored

by Ecolab.

Manuela Curzon from Ecolab cheerfully greeted the ladies and men present first up in the morning with information about Ecolab and their passion for breaking the bias and helping women push forward in their careers.

Their E3 program (Empower – Engage – Energize) was designed to accelerate the advancement of women and develop leaders to drive business growth. Manuela shared her passion for helping women achieve equality and discussed their diversity & inclusion training. Ecolab help employees understand their bias to enable them to make the right decisions.

The panel discussion that followed which was on Combating Administration Expectations in the Digital Age was a huge hit with the room. The session, expertly guided by Nicole Tyzack from Syngenta featured Kahlee Aldridge of Suburban Pest Management, Sarah Cutting from Spiderman SE Eco Pest Management and Jodi Urey of Drop Dead Pest Control.

The ladies talked booking programs, marketing tips, strategies and what steps they had taken to expand or streamline their businesses.

Last year’s Excellence Award winner, Kuyan Rider, talked on resilience – what it is, how to build it up for yourself and others through building your tribe, networking and speaking to others about common experiences and what it can be like to be invisible in the pest control industry as a woman, the need to find and hold onto your supporters, both men and women and to work towards your goals. Then awards were then presented for the PWAPM female trainee of the year and the PWAPM administrator of the year.

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The PWAPM Female administrator of the year award kindly sponsored by PCT International recognises the achievement of a women who has provided exemplary support in the administrator role in the pest management industry. Finalists of the PWAPM administrator of the year award were Mandy Mair from Insight Pest & Property Management, Elsa Ballarina of Flick Anticimex, Maj Passant from Ecolab and Eliza Urey from Drop Dead Pest Control. The room was a buzz when Eliza Urey took out the award for this year.

Next was the Female Trainee of the year award kindly sponsored by Bayer, this award seeks to recognise the achievement of a Female trainee who has gone above and beyond to engage in the pest management industry. Finalists of the PWAPM trainee of the year award were Meg Papadopoulos from Eagle Pest Control, Kirrily Henry from Termitrust Pest Control (Dubbo) and Abigail Thomas from Pianto’s Pest Control. Abigail Thomas taking the win for 2022.

Following on from the success of the PWAPM Breakfast and a riveting two days at the AEPMA Pesticon Conference, the room was a buzz at the Gala Dinner for the presentations of Pest Manager of the Year and the PWAPM Excellence Award, proudly sponsored by BASF. We were all delighted to see Asita Devi Deo take out the PWAPM Excellence Award after being nominated for the past 3 years and becoming a finalist each time. Asita is an extremely deserving winner who stole the show with her tears of joy and speech dedicated to her family.

Asita has a visionary leadership style which encourages her staff to work towards the business plan and quality management policy. This quality allowed Fastkil Pest Control to be one of the first Fijian companies to obtain the ISO Certification and HACCP from Australia. She has helped a local Fijian university develop a training plan for all pest control companies to utilise in Fiji. She is also apart of a women empowerment group for girls and youths and regularly trains and encourages her own female technicians within Fastkil Pest Control. Asita has dedicated her pest control career to making notable contributions to the development and growth of the pest control industry. It has been a privilege to witness these contributions, yet something tells me this inspiring woman is just getting started.

The PWAPM is very proud of our three inspiring winners and the amazing women that helped make these events possible.

We look forward to sharing more about these three women with you and supporting them in their pest control journeys.

PWAPM Board

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2022 PWAPM EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER

Fastkill Pest Control Services

www.fastkil.com

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2022 Where do you work & what area?

We run a family owned business in fiji island which 3 branches in Lautoka , labasa, suva

What is something you find challenging about your work?

It is cut-throat competition

What is your role/position?

My role as a director of a business is been responsible for the strategic vision of the company and also to oversee all the operations to make sure they are in-line with the strategic vision I see my self as a master of all trades in my business from admin, sales, finance, audit, pest tech, and being boss.

What is the most exciting part of your job?

Bringing my vision for an event to completion with my team is my most exciting job

What led you to pest control?

My journey to this industry was from my husband who was than a pest tech in another company and was doing his pest control courses via correspondence where is used to assist him by reading his books which became more interesting for me since my qualification was from IT. it really changed my life from that stage What do you like about where you work?

I like the most this that I am passionate of what I want to take my business with my team members that I work since everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the mission Who inspired you? Who do you aspire to be like?

My husband inspired me, if I had to inspire any one it would be like no other than myself, since everyone has their own unique individual, if I utilize my time trying to be like someone else than my time is nothing more than wasted. I am happy being me. Be your own unique you Whats the greatest risk you have ever taken?

The greatest risk that I took in my business was agree to a customer to set up 100 bait station free with no cost of trial to get the business , where I was given 2 weeks to assist the company, deal was to sort there problem and the contract is given for which I had given heart and soul to get it done What motivates you to work hard?

My motivation comes from leading a team to success after completing a project, and awards as such is comes in as a additional bonus which gives me more to do which a positive mind that yes I can do it

What is the one skill you think everyone should have in pest control?

I believe anyone who is involved in the industry should have hand on experience (fully trained) in the field before any one can lead the organisation What was your first paying job?

My first paying job was with the ministry which was $150.00 per week as a admin officer What advice would you give your teenage self?

Stand on and build your own image in the society What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?

I love fishing and sky walks which I had done in NZ, Australia, and want to do more What would you prefer: Shark diving, bungee jumping or sky diving?

Sky Diving Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of?

2022 PWAPM EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 AEPMA Pest Manager Of The Year 2015 Pest Manager Of The Year 2013 Entrepreneur Of The Year Woman In Business 2013 Commendation Awards Aepma 2013 2020 Aepma Pest Manager Of The Year Finalist 2019 Businesswoman Of The Year In Fiji 2nd Runner Up 2019 Pwapm Finalist 2019 2019 Aepma Finalist Pest Manager Of The Year 2018 Aepma Pest Manager Of The Year 2018 Best Business Operations In Prime Minster Awards 2017 Aepma Finalist Manager Of The Year This is all i had accomplish and I am really proud of

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2022 PWAPM EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER Whats the weirdest Wikipedia rabbit hole you’ve stumbled down?

Not to say

What is one totally irrational fear that you have?

Losing a family What is one thing you are really bad at?

I hate giving speeches

Friday Night do you?

Stay Home

Have you ever met someone who is famous?

Yes, I met the founder of Fiji water company founder

Do you believe in Ghosts?

No

How would your friends describe you?

Outgoing, friendly, responsible, creative

What’s the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Stand alone and make yourself shine (my dad)

Which historical figure would you most like to meet?

Margaret Thatcher or Kamala Harris

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

Cooking, sky walks

What three items would you take with you to a deserted island?

Knife, torch, first aid kit

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it?

I would like to go to space

If you could pick one age to be permanently, which age would you choose?

20

Who is your least favourite celebrity?

Kardashian family If you could redo one day in your life, what would it be and why?

I would like to spend more time with my father. We often take it granted that tomorrow is a guarantee, but one never knows when a person die they are physically gone forever its not until several years later that it hit you. Me and my father share the same birthday where I miss him always on that day What would be the title of your autobiography?

Stand alone and make yourself shine

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

I wish i had the super power of granting vision to blind people, they face many physically challenged person.

All the friends are playing, going work watching this wonderful world Whats the top destination on your must-visit list?

Dubai What’s your most hated house chore?

Ironing

What one thing you saw recently that made you smile?

Winning the PWAPM Excellence Award made my world into magical land for which I cannot express my feelings even in writing What song would you sing at a karaoke night?

Walking on sunshine If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chicken soup What animal would you consider your animal spirit?

My dog Duke Whats your most prized possession & Why? My children, they are everything for me as my world is with them and they with me

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2022 PWAPM FEMALE ADMINISTRATION OF THE YEAR WINNER

Drop Dead Pest Control www.dropdeadpest.com.au

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Female Administration

OF THE YEAR AWARD 2022 Where do you work & what area?

Drop Dead Pest Control in Menai, South of Sydney NSW What is your role/position?

Office/Administration Manager What led you to pest control?

It is our family business! I have always helped out and then started full time in 2018 What do you like about where you work?

I love the variety of work the industry has to offer, I love that we can make connections with clients because we speak to them at least on an annual basis. Our team here is also great and it is a very fun work environment Who inspired you? Who do you aspire to be like?

My mum! Jodi Urey. She is the owner/director with my dad Colin Urey. They started this business from home with 1 truck and now they have built a very successful business that is still growing at about 30% per year. We now have about 30 people involved in our business with 13 technicians working out of our head office/warehouse and 3 licensees looking after their own areas also Whats the greatest risk you have ever taken?

Stepping up to the office manager position. This was very scary as I had never been in a management role before and I was worried how the team would take someone who was only 19 managing the office, but it has been great! Best risk I have taken What motivates you to work hard?

I am very motivated by success. If we gain another commercial contract or client, it is always every motivating and exciting! I also felt very motivated and inspired after the Pesticon conference What is something you find challenging about your work?

Trying to manage our schedule if we need to fit urgent work in or if we have technicians off sick. We coordinate 13 technicians all over Greater Sydney so making sure the jobs are scheduled correctly geographically, with enough travel time, for the right duration, for the right technicians can be challenging! especially with last minute changes.

What is the most exciting part of your job?

I am really excited about the many opportunities I have to learn and grow. Including getting my pest license, studying further for other types of pest management accreditation and expanding my knowledge of how to run a business successfully What is the one skill you think everyone should have in pest control?

Problem solving - its what we do everyday! Working in our industry you need to be able to assess situations thoroughly, in order to provide an accurate solution that will work. You need to be able to think outside the box!

What was your first paying job?

My first paying job was working at a Kids Day Spa venue that ran parties, it was lots of fun!

What advice would you give your teenage self?

Just give it a go! Don’t let your mind hold you back from achieving something great What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?

I have recently completed an Advanced Diploma in Events Management and Hospitality Management. This was studying on campus part time whilst working What would you prefer: Shark diving, bungee jumping or sky diving?

Shark Diving Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of?

Definitely winning Administrator of the Year! That was very exciting. I have also won the trainee of the year in the Tafe NSW Excellence Awards in Business Administration back in 2019 which was very awesome!

Whats the weirdest Wikipedia rabbit hole you’ve stumbled down?

I am not 100% sure but probably researching the cast of every movie/show after I have watched it Friday Night do you?

Go out

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2022 PWAPM FEMALE ADMINISTRATION OF THE YEAR WINNER Do you believe in Ghosts?

No

Which historical figure would you most like to meet?

Jesus! I have lots of questions

What’s the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

If you’re not happy, change it

What three items would you take with you to a deserted island?

My partner Josh, food and water!

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I enjoy playing League tag and snowboarding

If you could pick one age to be permanently, which age would you choose?

21

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it?

Straight into savings! Definitely would put the money towards a house deposit Who is your least favourite celebrity?

Amber Heard If you could redo one day in your life, what would it be and why?

Redo one good day - visiting Universal Studios in Hollywood

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation - so I could travel anywhere!

Whats the top destination on your must-visit list?

Greek islands!

What’s your most hated house chore?

Cleaning the bathroom

What would be the title of your autobiography?

The Life of Eliza What one thing you saw recently that made you smile?

My Guinea pig eating his salad!

What song would you sing at a karaoke night?

Dancing Queen by ABBA If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Bacon and eggs What animal would you consider your animal spirit?

Dog - but not a crusty white one, a cool one like a staffy Whats your most prized possession & Why? Probably my snowboard!

What is one totally irrational fear that you have?

Weird but I really don’t like being underground or in stacked carparks - I have an irrational fear they will collapse for some reason.

What is one thing you are really bad at?

Juggling!

Have you ever met someone who is famous?

Not really actually!

How would your friends describe you?

I think they would describe me as a nice person!

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2022 PWAPM FEMALE TRAINEE OF THE YEAR WINNER

Pianto’s Pest Control

www.piantospestcontrol.com.au

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Female Trainee

OF THE YEAR AWARD 2022 Where do you work & what area?

Piantos Pest Control - Albury/Wodonga and surrounds

What advice would you give your teenage self?

The awkwardness passes, just keep being you

What is your role/position?

Field Tech

What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?

I’m very open to trying new foods, but I am also so fussy

What led you to pest control?

Family member works in the office and asked if I was interested in giving it a go

What would you prefer: Shark diving, bungee jumping, diving or sky diving?

Diving

What do you like about where you work?

We’re a small, tight-knit team and geographically the area is so picturesque Who inspired you? Who do you aspire to be like?

My boss Chris is an inspiration and I can only hope to know anywhere near as much knowledge he does about the pest industry What’s the greatest risk you have ever taken?

Leaving my home town and career I had in early childhood to broaden my horizons and grow as a person.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of?

Graduating in the top percentage of my year level.

Changing my career paths later in life and embracing the change.

What’s the weirdest Wikipedia rabbit hole you’ve stumbled down?

I don’t even know where to start! I am very guilty for YouTube rabbit holes.. if you know, you know Friday Night do you?

Stay Home

What motivates you to work hard?

My interest and passion established now. But also my boss, Chris. As well the gratitude from customers is a great motivation What is something you find challenging about your work?

Adjusting to the equipment, unfortunately everything is scaled to grown males. My tiny hands just don’t quite make it as easy What is the most exciting part of your job?

Every day is different, learning the details about various bugs and insect behaviours, life cycles and how the chemistry behind what we use works What is the one skill you think everyone should have in pest control?

Communication and open to learning What was your first paying job?

Where we all start usually, in a fast food chain, mine was McDonalds

Do you believe in Ghosts?

Maybe What’s the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

I’ve received so much advice that’s become part of who I am. But in a broad sense they could be narrowed down to - be yourself, take risks and chances and only slow down for yourself Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I am a master of uncommitted hobbies If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it?

Boring me, it would go to savings, or to spoil my family while I visit them on holiday next Who is your least favourite celebrity?

I don’t particularly follow mainstream drama and celebrities. If they’re a crap person, they’re a crap person regardless if they’re famous or not.

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2022 PWAPM FEMALE TRAINEE OF THE YEAR WINNER If you could redo one day in your life, what would it be and why?

Not exactly one I would repeat to change. But I would repeat the day I saw my mum and younger siblings for the first time in years, due to distance, Covid and personal circumstances. The feeling of seeing them and feeling like I was home.

What would be the title of your autobiography?

How to laugh off your awkwardness and other tasks What one thing you saw recently that made you smile?

Most common is seeing happy doggos What song would you sing at a karaoke night?

The first and last time I did karaoke, belted a very questionable version of Summer Lovin’ from Grease If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

My mum’s spag bol!

What three items would you take with you to a deserted island?

Shade, water filter and some kind of plant I could grow easily, not requiring a green thumb, maybe I’d grow to like cactus?

If you could pick one age to be permanently, which age would you choose?

No idea If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation would be cool!

Whats the top destination on your must-visit list?

I want to travel all across Europe one day, visit all the old country and castles What’s your most hated house chore?

Laundry up until they need to be folded, I like folding

What animal would you consider your animal spirit?

A sloth, for obvious reasons. But I also tend to find praying mantises on a very regular basis, which I also have tattooed, so that may count for something What’s your most prized possession & Why? I’m more a sentimental possession kind of person. So it’s hard to narrow it down What is one totally irrational fear that you have?

The ocean. Though not exactly irrational.. that place is wild and so much undiscovered What is one thing you are really bad at?

Sticking to hobbies and staying focused during the entirely of a conversation Have you ever met someone who is famous?

Nope How would your friends describe you?

Caring, helpful Which historical figure would you most like to meet?

I haven’t thought much about this kind of thing

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THANK YOU to our partners Special Edition

GARRARDS

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

Contact Us Secretary – Tara Kiker  0499 903 637 |  info@womeninpestmanagement.com.au

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