Message from the CEO

The past month has once again provided many opportunities to demonstrate our continued commitment to biosecurity excellence and our dedication to fostering strong connections with our industry and government Members. 

Sarah wins JCU 2024 Chancellor’s Distinguished Award 

We are extremely proud of PHA’s CEO, Sarah Corcoran, who won the 2024 Chancellor’s Distinguished Award from James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville on Friday, 30 August. With a 30-year career in entomology, policy and biosecurity, Sarah is a celebrated leader, and this award honours her excellence.  

New Cotton Biosecurity Plan to strengthen industry 

A new biosecurity plan has been launched to enhance the Australian cotton industry’s ability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to exotic pest and disease threats. This is a crucial step towards protecting an industry that contributes over $2 billion annually to Australia’s economy and employs more than 12,000 people. 

ToBRFV factsheet now available for download

Vigilance is key to curbing the spread of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). Plant Health Australia (PHA) has developed a comprehensive fact sheet with all the essential information you need about the virus.

Grains Biosecurity Advisory Committee (GBAC) launched 

PHA, with support from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), has updated the Grain Industry's Biosecurity Plan. Following its endorsement, we will focus on implementation with the help of the newly formed Grains Biosecurity Advisory Committee (GBAC), comprising of representatives from various grains industry stakeholders.

PHA launches mobile-friendly course to boost pest reporting among growers 

PHA has updated its Growers Guide to Pest Reporting and Responses course to be fully mobile-friendly and accessible on smartphones and tablets. This free, 20-minute eLearning course is specifically designed with growers in mind. 

Highlights from the inaugural National Biosecurity Week

Australia celebrated the first-ever National Biosecurity Week (NBW) from 26 – 30 August this year. Led by PHA in partnership with Animal Health Australia (AHA), NBW is an initiative of the Decade of Biosecurity (DoB) with the support of the DoB partners. 

Endorsed NDP 52 strengthens defence against Maize dwarf mosaic virus 

The National Diagnostic Protocol 52 (NDP 52) for Maize dwarf mosaic virus, MDMV (Potyvirus zeananus) was endorsed by the Sub-committee on Plant Health Diagnostics (SPHD) for use in the event of an incursion, providing an essential tool to protect Australia’s maize and sorghum industries.  

3rd Australian Biosecurity Symposium accelerates biosecurity reform 

At the end of August, more than 430 of the country’s leading innovators and influential players convened for the third Australian Biosecurity Symposium (ABS). This year’s Symposium theme was ‘Innovation. Inclusivity. Immersion’ and delegates had the opportunity to network, brainstorm and unite under a common purpose to accelerate biosecurity reform.

PHA's Sarah Corcoran delivered the welcome address at the Symposium, which was held on the Gold Coast at the end of August.

Costa Georgiadis, TV presenter, eco-visionary and landscape architect, was the MC at the Symposium and visited the PHA stand with Angela Ditton and Sarah Corcoran.

PHA's Adam Hurrell presented AUSPestCheck: Supporting data partnerships and developing integrated digital biosecurity systems at the ABS . 

PHA's Annette Nel, Lorissa McCosh, Angela Ditton, and Kathryn Pagler, caught up with QDAF's Marni Manning, GM: Strategy Investment and Performance, and Rachel Chay, Deputy Director-General & Chief Biosecurity Officer at the ABS.

Dr Beth Cookson, Chief Veterinary Officer of Australia, Kirsten Phillips, Director of Partnerships & Engagement at QDAF, Sarah Corcoran, Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith, Chief Plant Protection Officer of Australia, and Dr John Robertson, retired General Manager: Invasive Plants and Animals Program at QDAF, caught up at the ABS.

PHA’s Sarah Corcoran joined a panel discussion at the ABS on Unleashing the power of women: Shaping the future of Australia’s biosecurity landscape. She was joined by the GRDC’s Callum Fletcher, AUSVEG’s Shakira Johnson, Price Cattle Company's Brigid Price, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith.

Melons Australia CEO, Johnathon Davey, stopped by to view our 3D pests at the PHA stand at the ABS.

PHA’s Amanda Yong, Sarah Corcoran and Dr Lucy Tran-Nguyen celebrated National Biosecurity Week with special cupcakes at the ABS.

PHA presents on adopting a think tank engagement model 

PHA’s Stuart Burgess, Manager, National Fruit Fly Council, delivered a presentation titled: Collaboration: adopting a think tank engagement model is key to a strong and robust national fruit fly management system at the recent 3rd Australian Biosecurity Symposium that was held on the Gold Coast.  

Everything you need to know about barley stripe rust 

Barley stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp hordei) poses a significant threat to wheat and barley production globally. Although not present in Australia, the grains industry is going to great lengths to keep this damaging disease from being introduced. 

How to make your own footbath 

Pests, weeds and diseases can be carried on anything that moves, including humans. Dirty boots can be one way that unwanted weeds and diseases may be carried onto your property. 

Welcome to Annette Nel 

We are excited to welcome Annette Nel as our new Communications Manager, based in Canberra. Annette brings over 20 years of experience in the advertising industry. In her most recent role as Creative Director at Supercurious in Canberra, she led multi-channel advertising and marketing communications for brands like the AFP and the National Museum of Australia.  

Before that, she successfully ran her own business, offering freelance advertising and marketing solutions to agencies and clients alike. Annette’s career began with copywriting roles at Net#work BBDO and Ogilvy, where she honed her craft. Throughout her career, she has created award-winning campaigns for brands like Nando’s, Coca-Cola and Jaguar Land Rover.  

With a passion for creative storytelling and impactful marketing, Annette is eager to make biosecurity everyone’s everyday concern. 

The Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Developments (DPIRD) accompanied the PHA Board to Hyde Park in Perth to witness their efforts to combat Polyphagous shothole borer.

The PHA Board also visited Fremantle’s Cargo and Maritime Port, guided by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Biosecurity Officers to learn more about current pest surveillance operations in place to prevent hitchhiker pests.

PHA’s CEO, Sarah Corcoran, received the 2024 Chancellor’s Distinguished Award from James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville together with five other inspiring alumni.

Kate Glastonbury, New South Wales Grains Biosecurity Officer, attended AgQuip in August to share the latest grains biosecurity information with growers. 

PHA’s training team delivered Industry Liaison Officer (ILO) training in Darwin last month in partnership with the Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT). 

PHA’s Training Coordinator, Lorissa McCosh, virtually delivered a National Biosecurity Training Hub presentation to the Burdekin Dry Tropics Regional Pest Management Group in August.