2020 Australian Biosecurity Award recipients

Professor Brendan Rodoni

Over his 35-year career, Brendan has been a leading scientist and educator in Australia and overseas. He has made a large contribution to plant virology and bacteriology research.

Read about Brendan’s story in the round 2 winners’ booklet.

Kia Ora Merino

The Finnigan family, through their farming business Kia Ora Merino, are leaders in on-farm biosecurity, sustainable land management and animal welfare practices. They have also influenced farmers in the area to take biosecurity measures.

Read more about Kia Ora Merino in the round 2 winners’ booklet.

KW Orchards

After Weel & Heredics Northern Territory melon farm was impacted by cucumber green mottle mosaic virus in 2014, owner Kees Weel became a strong advocate for proactive biosecurity measures. KW Orchards regularly attends and holds industry events to encourage other producers to adopt farm biosecurity plans.

Read more about KW Orchards in the round 2 winners’ booklet.

DHI Water and Environment Australia & Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Western Australia (DPIRD)

DHI Water and Environment Pty Ltd Australia, and Aquatic Pest Biosecurity DPIRD developed Vessel Check. This reporting tool helps prevent marine pests being introduced in Australian waters through biofouling. It is a world-first and cost-effective tool for marine biosecurity.

Read more about Vessel Check in the round 2 winners’ booklet.

Dr Geoffrey Pegg

Geoff has made a significant contribution to Australia’s environmental biosecurity by leading and managing incursions of pests that can affect the environment.

Read more about Geoff’s story in the round 2 winners’ booklet.

Revitalising School Farms Initiative - Tasmanian Department of Education and Hagley Farm School Visitor Centre

The Tasmanian Department of Education and the Hagley Farm School Visitor Centre are working together to educate primary and secondary school students on biosecurity through the Revitalising School Farms initiative.

Read more about the Revitalising School Farms Initiative in the round 2 winners’ booklet.

Wellesley Islands Rangers

The Wellesley Islands Rangers are part of the Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program. The team plays a crucial role in protecting northern Australia from new pests, weeds and diseases.

Read more about Wellesley Islands Rangers in the round 2 winners’ booklet.

Panama TR4 Program – Biosecurity Queensland

The Panama TR4 Program managed the response to the Panama disease tropical race 4 in Queensland. The team made an outstanding contribution to plant health by managing the impact of this devastating disease to Australia’s banana industry and associated communities.

Read more about Panama TR4 Program in the round 2 winners’ booklet.

Mr Brett Burdett

In August 2020 Brett and his wife Donna noticed unusual insects in their new refrigerator. They reported this to the department and the insects were identified as khapra beetle. Thanks to Brett’s report and cooperation, the risk posed to Australia from this damaging pest was effectively managed.

Read more about the khapra beetle response in the round 2 winners’ booklet.

Biosecurity Commendation Certificates

• Ms Kate Elliot, Farrer Primary School – for teaching the importance of biosecurity to students and developing a card game that raises awareness of national plant priority pests.
• Mrs Kathryn Glanville, Namadgi School – for teaching the importance of biosecurity to students and developing a card game that raises awareness of national plant priority pests.
• Dr Ed Morton, Rapiscan Solutions – for leading development of the algorithms for Rapiscan RTT110 3D x-ray, the world’s first biosecurity risk material auto-detection unit.
• Mr Mervyn Buffett, Norfolk Island apiarist – for his efforts in protecting Norfolk Island's bees from pest and disease incursions.
• Ms Clare McPherson, Norfolk Island apiarist – for her efforts in protecting Norfolk Island's bees from pest and disease incursions.

Dr Ron Glanville

Dr Ron Glanville has dedicated more than 40 years to supporting valuable biosecurity outcomes for industries, government, the environment and communities. Ron has helped shape the national biosecurity system through his contributions to key pest and disease programs.

Read more about Ron’s story in the 2020 Australian Biosecurity Awards booklet.

Seafarms Group Ltd

Seafarms Group has made significant investments in all aspects of biosecurity in its east coast operations. This has seen the company become an industry leader in biosecurity preparedness and prevention. The company has supported improvements in the understanding and management of significant aquatic pests in Australia.

Read more about Seafarms’ story in the 2020 Australian Biosecurity Awards booklet.

Templeton Farming Enterprises

Templeton Ginger is Australia’s largest ginger producer. The company understands the importance of stringent on-farm biosecurity measures and plans. They have an end-to-end biosecurity approach and use innovative practices.

Read more about Templeton Farming Enterprises’ story in the 2020 Australian Biosecurity Awards booklet.

Andrew Crawford

Andrew Crawford is a veteran of the customs broking and international freight forwarding industry. His contributions to Australia’s biosecurity have been instrumental in educating and raising awareness within the industry. He has also played a key role as a conduit between government and industry.

Read more about Andrew’s story in the 2020 Australian Biosecurity Awards booklet.

Manildra Group

In 2018, Manildra Group applied to import wheat. Its stringent approach ensured the biosecurity risks were managed along the entire import supply chain. The approach included adhering to strict import conditions, innovative biosecurity solutions and staff training programs.

Read more about Manildra’s story in the 2020 Australian Biosecurity Awards booklet.

Zoran Kostadinoski

Zoran Kostadinoski has a passion for improving and modernising Australia’s biosecurity system. He has contributed to a range of important biosecurity initiatives. As the current Head of Border and Biosecurity at the Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia (CBFCA), he provides valuable support to the department, CBFCA and its members on biosecurity matters.

Read more about Zoran’s story in the 2020 Australian Biosecurity Awards booklet.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and North Coast Local Land Services

When the yellow crazy ants were detected at Lismore and Terania Creek, NSW DPI and North Coast Local Land Services were quick to act. Their efforts helped control and eradicate this significant pest.

They used innovative approaches, such as using water crystal baits. They also retrained Jet, a koala odour detection dog, to detect yellow crazy ants.

Read more about their story in the 2020 Australian Biosecurity Awards booklet.