Melon E-News March 2023

In this issue:

Opportunities also range from fully online courses right through to face-to-face intensive courses and everything in between. Contact Joanna Embry who is coordinating this new project to discuss training to suit your interests and needs.

The positions being offered consist of:

1. Moshie Lean Leaders This is the first exciting course we have to offer the industry. This course provides training and insight into how to lead and sustain continuous improvement in your workplace. The program is a 5-month online course that caters to current and aspiring business leaders, covering a range of topics aimed at driving your business improvements including LEAN and modern leadership principles, effective tools, improve process control, quality, reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction, reducing the impacts of labour shortages by improving productivity, improving your organisational supply chain, and the importance of utilising simple performance data to drive better business decision making.

There are training spots open for application immediately, with the next course beginning on 21st April 2023. If you are intersted, please contact Joanna Embry from Melons Australia immediately to discuss or receive further information.

2. Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program This course is available across the 3-year program and allows participants to develop leadership, communication, and planning skills. Through personal involvement and group participation participants will gain an understanding of their strengths and development needs, as well as having the opportunity to network with keynote speakers from a range of rural and community organisations from across Australia.

More information: click HERE.

3. Melbourne Business School Leadership Program (MBSLP) - (online)

The Melbourne Business School offers a number of online leadership training opportunities for emerging leaders through to those who are already established leaders honing your skills.

• The New Leader Development Program is aimed at building your leadership potential by developing the skills to influence and inspire while building a strong sense of self motivation and confidence with a network of like minded peers.
• The Melbourne Business School Leadership Program (MBSLP) provides opportunities for mid-to-senior level managers to develop new leadership skills, behaviours, and mindsets to navigate complex leadership challenges. 

As both of these programs have courses commencing soon please register your interest immediately with Joanne Embry, Melons Australia. We will be offering 6 positions in  Melbourne Business School leadership courses over the coming 3 years.

More information: click HERE. 

4. AICD Foundations of Directorship Courses The foundations of Directorship course offers a three-day program spread across a 4-week period and provides aspiring directors with a comprehensive overview of the main components of directorship (Governance, Finance and Strategy/Risk).

There are multiple course offerings throughout each year, and we are looking for up to 5 participants to undertake this training and development opportunity over the coming years.

More information: click HERE.

5. AICD Company Directors Course The AICD Company Directors Course (either online or residential) provides an in-depth look at the responsibilities and expectations of directors. It explores issues and trends facing today’s boards and businesses. It presents an excellent opportunity to grow a participant’s understanding of what effective governance looks like in practice.

Offerings through this process are limited to 1 participant over the coming 3 years, with many dates and presentation aspects available (in-person or online). Please contact us as soon as possible if you have interest in participating in this opportunity as it is expected to have a high level of interest.

More information: click HERE. 

6. Australian Rural Leadership Foundation – TRAIL Emerging Leaders TRAIL is a cross-sector, challenge-based 7-day leadership program for Australia’s emerging rural leaders. TRAIL helps participants develop a strong platform of skills, attributes, and knowledge, enabling emerging leaders to engage more effectively in their organisations, communities and industries.

The next available intake will be late 2023/early 2024, so please register your interest with us ASAP.

More information: click HERE.

FURTHER INFORMATION - CONTACT US:

For information on how to register or create a nomination, contact Joanna Embry at Melons Australia. 

Funding Available

All opportunities presented above are almost fully funded by the Hort Innovation Melon Fund, however there is a nominal fee of $400 total to be paid by levy paying participants. 

Note: these opportunities are open to all personnel within the Australian melon industry, however there is a co-contribution funding model in place for non-levy paying applicants which we are happy to discuss further.

The course contains 8 e-learning modules covering a broad range of topics relating to international trade for fresh produce. Topics include Export Planning, Export Documentation, Market Access, Market Entry Strategies, Freight & Logistics, Export Finance & Pricing, and more!

This online training program is suitable for melon and vegetable growers not currently involved in export, melon and vegetable growers/exporters who do export but want to improve their export knowledge, and experienced vegetable and melon exporting businesses who want to develop the practical export skills of staff members.

To register for this course or for further information contact Johnathon Davey, Melons Australia Executive Officer via email HERE.

Nominations are open for all 10 Awards and can be made until Friday 28th April.  Nominate HERE.  

Pathway 5: Waste and weeds

Risks

Any plant material can transport harmful pests and diseases whether they are transported by vehicles, equipment or people. Waste in the field produced from harvested crops can also conceal and provide a protected environment for pests and diseases, leading to high infestations.

Some specific risks include:

• Weeds act as hosts for many plant pests and diseases
• Weeds can serve as a reservoir for pests and diseases which can then multiply and move out when new crops emerge.
• Excess leaf material or abandoned unmarketable produce can attract pests and diseases.
• Controlling weeds reduces the ability of pests and diseases to remain in your fields after a crop has been harvested and breaks their life cycle by managing waste. 

Tips

• Clean up, dispose of and store plant waste appropriately. >   Example: spray out, deep burial, burning, composting etc. >  Waste should be kept away from growing areas and water sources where possible.
• Implement a weed management plan >  Establish a weed management plan for your property and maintain weed free buffer zones around growing areas. >  By controlling weed populations, this helps prevent the chances of pests and diseases surviving on weeds and spreading to crops each season.
• Monitor and survey weeds >  Monitor and survey weeds along boundaries and in wildlife corridors for pests and disease symptoms. This should be carried our regularly and during both crop and fallow periods as weeds are able to provide breeding grounds for pests despite there being no preferred host crop available. >  If not managed this can lead to high pest pressure at the start of each season when seedlings are most vulnerable.

Information sourced from: AUSVEG, Pest and disease preparedness: How to protect your farm, November 2021