Queensland Sports Turf Association
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Membership for STA QLD Now Available
Great Membership Package for all new members
Belong to an Association developed for the Sports Turf Industry of Queensland
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STA QLD Annual General Meeting Update
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The inaugural Annual General Meeting for the Queensland Sports Turf Association was held at the Glen Hotel on 11th May. 20 members came along to have their say on the makeup of the management committee, what would happen during the year and when it would take place. An open and profitable discussion was held on many topics and the members were very optimistic about the future growth and direction of the STA in Queensland.
The Management committee of 2009 would like to extend their thanks to the membership for their support of the field days and the Association on General. Thanks also to the sponsors of the STA without which we would not be able to function. Click here for more info |
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STA QLD has recently become an associate member of the Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulture (ACLH), the umbrella organisation for the lifestyle horticulture industry. The vision for ACLH is to ‘unite all segments of the lifestyle horticulture industry through influential representation to government, consumers and the community to achieve environmental sustainability and to advance common issues that commercially impact members’. For further information please see our website www.lifestylehort.org.
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STA Queensland off to a good start.
The STA Queensland’s first field and educational day was held at John Paul College, Daisy Hill, on the 24 February 2010. About 70 delegates and trades people were in attendance to see what STA QLD had to offer and inspect the magnificent sports turf facilities at John Paul College which are managed by Martin Hedley and his team. The day began with a field day stream generated by nine of the attending sponsors with a vast amount of machinery and products on display. This was followed by lunch and an educational stream in the afternoon which was available to current STA QLD members.
The first of the educational presenters was Lindsay Peel, Senior consultant, Turf Irrigation Services Pty Ltd, who spoke on the “Efficient Use of Available Irrigation”. Peel’s presentation targeted the importance of design to achieve maximum efficiencies, water harvesting, proper scheduling and the utilisation of rain sensors, soil moisture sensors and weather stations to conserve water usage.
The second presenter was Keith McAuliffe, Chief Executive, Sports Turf Institute (Aust.), who spoke on “Essential Turf Maintenance Practices”. McAuliffe outlined the difficulties with the general view of non turf practitioners, that anyone can grow grass and that problems in turf are one problem, rather than a combination of problems. McAuliffe continued on the general perception, that users and non turf practitioners have unrealistic expectations of turf sports surfaces and need to be aware that turf has a finite life to usage. McAuliffe’s final thrust was to focus on utilising basic maintenance strategies, do not kill the surfaces with kindness, practice traffic control, early repairs and a focus on the sports surface playability and consistency requirements.
The third address was a joint presentation dealing with “Applying for all Government (QLD) Grants for Sports Bodies”. The first address was presented by John McKay, Facility Planning Officer, Brisbane City Council who spoke about the “Community Facility Grants Program” (ranging from a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $50,000) and “The Lord Mayor’s Sustainable Grants” (ranging from a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $50,000). McKay outlined the type of grants currently available, their guidelines, information required and how to obtain application forms and information from the Council’s website – www.brisbane.qld.gov.au – go to ‘Community Support’ and click on ‘Grant and Awards’. The second address was presented by Brad Reid, Advisor, Queensland Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation, who spoke on the Queensland State Government grants. Reid provided a basic outline of grants up to $400,000 of which the government will fund 75% of the project and the website, www.sportrec.qld.gov.au, where more guidelines and application requirements can be obtained.
The first STA Queensland ‘Trade and Educational Day’ was considered by all as a great success and the Committee look forward to organising further days for Queensland. STA QLD would like to thank their current sponsors for helping the not-for-profit group get off the ground. They include: Globe Australia, Neutrog Aust., Rainbird, Turf Irrigation Services, Colin Campbell (Chemicals), Turf Culture, Toro Australia, Chesterfield Aus., Turf Force, Jimboomba Turf, Maxwell & Kemp, and Q Turf Machinery.
Peter Semos
STA Queensland Committee Member |
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Lindsay Peel |
Keith McAuliffe |
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John McKay |
Brad Reid |
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John Paul College, Daisy Hill |
QLD Update - 2 February 2010
2010 promises to be a big year for STA QLD. Our membership platform is increasing following word of mouth and publicity within a diverse range of sectors that make up the Queensland and Australian turfgrass industry.
Final stages of preparations for their first formal field day which will be held on 24 February 2010 at John Paul College. The field day will besetup for a trade display and to facilitate an educational program to deliver information on Irrigation,Turfgrass Management and Sporting Grants. Special thanks to Martin Hedley, Sports Turf Manager of John Paul College and the College itself for allowing us to use the facility and provide areas where sponsors can setup and display their latest products and machinery. A bonus is that participating turf managers will get hands on and test drive equipment.
STA Qld’s first Annual General Meeting will be held at Redlands Research Station, Cleveland in April 2010 time to be advised. At this point in time a committee, including a secretary, treasurer and president will be appointed. We hope that all STA Qld members will be able to attend and that a diverse committee is appointed from a wide array of sectors within the turfgrass industry. From the initial feedback provided to the organising committee we anticipate this will be so and we look forward to the exciting times ahead.
With the Australian Turfgrass Conference being held in our own backyard in June, members of the STA QLD committee will be present and taking occupancy of a booth at the trade display. Please feel free to swing by and say hello and see what STA QLD has to offer. See you on the Gold Coast. It is also worth mentioning that current members of STA QLD get reduced rates to attend the conference, so it is an ideal time to join.
Click Here for more information on the Field Day
Click Here for Membership Information.
QLD Update - 8 December 2009
On 17 November 2009 the Sports Turf Association QLD Inc held a membership drive at the Port of Brisbane, North Shore Park, to engage with members of the turfgrass industry who were unfamiliar with the recent initiation of the Queensland division of the Sports Turf Association (STA).
Persons in attendance on the day turned up to meet and greet some new faces, along with some not so new faces, but most importantly to get the latest news on STA Qld.
Special thanks for the day should be given to Leonnie Thomson, Port of Brisbane Corporation for providing us with a terrific setting to hold an informal afternoon. A notable mention should also be given to Andrew Kolbee of Nuturf for being STAs very own master chief.
Discussions took place on STA QLD’s immediate plans and how the activities were going to provide a network to the wider turfgrass industry, including professional Greenkeepers who are involved in managing sports turf facilities in Queensland.
The Sports Turf Association is a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation, with funds raised to benefit members through the operation of the association. Such activities will provide active members of the association with trade related newsletters, Brisbane & Regional Sport Turf Seminars and Tradeshows, Educational Workshops, and an invitation to the Annual General Meeting.
As the President Malcolm Caddies said back in October 2009, “the setting up of the Queensland association has been a giant first step and we believe there are exciting times ahead. The more members and organisations that support us, the more we can deliver on the outcomes we are all looking for. It is anticipated that such outcomes will benefit the wider turf industry and the turf professionals at all levels.”
Following a meeting held by the organising committee on 8 December 2009, the date for STA QLD’s first formal meet has been set for the 24 February 2010 (10 am to 2 pm). Plans are still in the embryonic stage; however the program will include presentations on (i) efficient use of available water, (ii) essential turf management practices, and (iii) how to successfully apply for sports field/community grants; and trade and machinery demonstrations by sponsors.
For further information, STA QLD contact details, or to obtain a current membership or sponsorship application, please visit http://www.sportsturf.asn.au/qld_home.html.
Matt Roche - Treasurer
Sports Turf Association QLD Inc
October 2009
Sports Turf Association QLD Inc – HAS ARRIVED!!
On the 2nd October 2009, the Office of Fair Trading approved our application to incorporate our association, and we now have official notification of that decision. A bank account has been opened with the National Bank, and we have an ABN. We are now ready to do all of the things that you want your association to do.
To comply with the relevant act to incorporate, and in the interim period until our AGM, the following members were nominated by the steering committee of the unincorporated association, and voted into these positions:-
- Mal Caddies – President
- Matt Roche – Treasurer
- Jim Brown - Secretary
The above positions along with all committee positions will be declared vacant at the AGM and nominations will then be asked for in accordance with the rules of our association. Due to the seasonal nature of the sports turf industry, it was decided that our end of financial year will be the 31st of March each year, and our AGM will follow that in April of each year, the first being in April 2010. Pro-rata membership fees will be in place to take those that wish to be members up until the end of our financial year.
We are now seeking commitments from those individuals and companies that wish to become members and/or sponsor the association, and would welcome you to contact us to discuss. These sponsorships will be used to fund the open days and educational seminars we wish to present, and give the association its working capital. The businesses and organisations that provide the sponsorship will have first option on displaying and presenting their products and services at each of the days we will organise, as well as meeting regularly with our members.
We will be holding an open day on Tuesday 17th November where we will have available the membership application forms to complete, and for those of you who can not make it on that day, Membership forms are available by clickin on the "membership" icon on the left.
This has been a giant first step for the association, and we believe there are exciting times ahead. The more members and organisations that support us, the more we can deliver on the outcomes we are all looking for.
We look forward to seeing you all soon and value your commitment of support.
Regards,
Malcolm Caddies – President
On Behalf of The Management Committee
STA Queensland Update 2nd September 2009
Hi from sunny Queensland,
Things have been moving forward in leaps and bounds since our first informal meeting which was held during May at Redlands Research Station, QLD.
So where is STA Qld at?
An organising committee has been formed consisting of the following 8 people. The organising committee will be in place to assist with the development of the QLD division until our forthcoming annual meeting which will be held early next year (date TBC).
- Jim Brown - Toro
- Malcolm Caddies – Suncorp Stadium
- Bob Cray – Princess Turf
- Peter Cronin – Skilled Park
- Andrew Kolbee - Nuturf
- Jason Pollard – Maxwell & Kemp
- Scott Wallis – Ballymore Oval
- Peter Semos – Pronin Construction Pty Ltd
Two meetings were held between May and August 2009. The organising committee will be meeting again on the week commencing 7 September and 5 October 2009 to discuss a number of issues and put things in place to formerly setup the STA QLD division.
During the groups last meeting it was decided to have our next meeting, open to the public on
Tuesday 17th November 2009 at the Port of Brisbane, QLD at a time TBC. The day scheduled will encompass the following:
- Membership drive. People to bring with them the membership applications we will send out prior to meeting
- Nominations for the positions of the following:
- President (must be a grounds person)
- Vice President (must be a grounds person)
- Secretary (open to any nomination)
- Treasurer (open to any nomination)
- Committee members (numbers TBC) will be made up from the following mix,
- Min 3 grounds people
- 2 from other disciplines
- 1 from training education body
- Day to be educational with three speakers on turf related topics and five companies with trade displays and demos
- Should also have a newsletter of sorts and handouts for each attendee.
- The day to be free, funded by the STA QLD
You will be notified soon with further information on the above day.
Should you have any questions please feel free to get in contact with one of members from the STA Qld organising committee. Click here for contact details.
Until then enjoy the warm weather.
STA QLD Organising Committee
