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SEMINAR NOTIFICATION: FUTURE IN TURF SEMINARDate: Wednesday, 25th September 2024
Location: Sam Kerr Football Centre, Queens Park
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:45 PM
Book here: https://www.sportsturfwa.asn.au/events/future-in-turf-seminar/
Featured Speakers
Lawn as a Social and Cultural Phenomenon in Perth, Western Australia
Professor Maria Ignatieva
UWA School of Design, Discipline of Landscape Architecture
Professor Maria Ignatieva will present her research on the sociological aspects of urban lawns in Perth. Her study explores public perceptions of urban lawns' appearance, maintenance, and usage, investigating alternatives that support biodiversity while maintaining lawn functionality. Maria will discuss innovative approaches like the "blended model" for urban lawns and the experimental planting of native Western Australian grasses. (25 mins)
Sustainability and Environmental Management in Turf (Enhancing Urban Biodiversity in Green Spaces)
Kate Torgersen and Monina Gilby will present together on case studies in the design, redesign and build of sustainable and biodiverse sports turf surrounds, inclusive or golf courses, playing fields, schools, turf farms. (40 mins)
Kate Torgersen
Golf Course and Conservation Industry Expert
With over 16 years of experience in the golf course and conservation industries, Kate Torgersen is dedicated to highlighting the environmental and community benefits of golf courses. She has led significant conservation projects and is passionate about educating others on sustainability. Kate’s company, EGS, focuses on sharing her extensive knowledge to assist the broader golf industry in achieving environmental goals.
Monina Gilbey
Garden Designer, Educator, and Biodiversity Manager at Glenelg Golf Club
Monina Gilbey, a passionate advocate for Adelaide’s local flora and fauna, has significantly contributed to raising the environmental profile of Glenelg Golf Club. As a relative newcomer to golf, Monina has already won multiple awards, including the 2022 Claude Crockford Environment and Sustainability Award. Her work has also led the club to become finalists in the biodiversity category of the 2023 National Banksia Sustainability Awards. Monina’s presentations have garnered attention at local, national, and international conferences, underscoring her commitment to enhancing urban biodiversity through golf courses.
Ground Water levels in Perth and Peel, after the longest, hottest summer on record.
Daniel Ferguson
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Water Services Manager
Daniel will provide an update on the current state of groundwater levels following the worst summer on record and belated rains, as well as discuss the upcoming 10% water reductions planned for the northern areas of the metropolitan region. Growing turf, and managing community spaces, playing fields, and reserves under these unique circumstances is no easy task, Daniel will share insights and strategies that the WA government are currently working on regarding this concerning issue; Noting that WA sports turf managers, grounds managers, and local government turf managers, turf producers and their teams face significant challenges in growing and maintaining turf to community expectation, due to climate change, declining rainfall, irrigation inefficiencies, allocations reductions, budgetary constraints, and some of the most challenging soil conditions in the world. (25 mins)
Plants, Water, and Ecosystems in Perth and Peel – Is everything we are being told the full truth?
Dr. Sally E. Thompson
UWA Centre for Water and Spatial Science, Ecohydrologist.
Specialist fields Surface hydrology, ecohydrology, nonlinear dynamics, ecophysiology, mathematical modeling, socio-hydrology, global change
As an ecohydrologist, Dr. Sally E. Thompson explores the critical questions of what changes in ecosystems and vegetation mean for water, and vice versa. Her work delves into the consequences of the intricate link between life and water for both human and natural systems. Dr. Thompson’s Ecohydrology Research Group operates globally, with projects spanning the US, Brazil, India, Ethiopia, Australia, and Oceania. Utilizing mathematical modelling, remote sensing, and field observations, her team works to understand and predict the impacts of environmental changes on water cycles and ecosystems. (25 mins)
New Turf Varieties coming to Western - Two long term, respected, industry experts, will present on new turfgrasses coming into the WA market. What you will hear! How and why these turf grasses are selected for production and sports turf management in Australia. Where they originated from, the challenges of bringing in these new types/varieties/species into Australia, transportation methods, then kicking them off, through to breaking into the market and finally getting the turf into WA. As well, we will hear the quality traits of these turf grasses, and what makes them unique and/or more viable than other types of turfgrass.
Nathan Tovey
Turfbreed, Industry Expert
Nathan Tovey is Turfbreed’s driving force behind servicing resellers and landscapers across Australia. With a career deeply rooted in the turf industry, Nathan has worked with turf growers in Victoria, managed school sporting grounds, and headed a key safety program aimed at the turf sector. His passion for turf is evident through his previous roles at Epar, Trinity Grammar School, and Landscape Solutions. Nathan’s extensive knowledge, drive, and connections have been instrumental in TurfBreed’ s success, particularly in penetrating the important specifier market. Nathan sits on the STA Victoria committee.
Nathan will discuss the latest advancements at TurfBreed, including the introduction of IronCutter™—an elite Hybrid Bermudagrass that outperforms other Bermuda turf grasses in key US trials. Brought to Australia through a partnership with Mountain View Seeds, IronCutter™ is currently undergoing testing across various Australian conditions to ensure its suitability. This exciting new variety is expected to be ideal for sports fields and domestic lawns nationwide. (25 mins)
Terry Sellick
Lawn Doctor, WA Turf Industry Veteran
With 30 years of experience in the turf industry, Terry Sellick from our Gold Sponsor, the Lawn Doctor will be presenting on a new turf variety for Western Australia. Terry has been involved with the WA turf Industry across all sectors for a long time. He has years of experience in various aspects of turf management, including WACCA wicket construction, oval constructions, and rebuilds. Terry introduced spraying and fertilizing to the Lawn Doctor, and in 2002, the company expanded into turf farming, and now produces 45 hectares of various PBR turf varieties.
Terry will share insights on TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, a product of nearly 25 years of research by the University of Georgia in the United States. TifTuf was hand-selected by Lawn Solutions Australia from over 30,000 Bermuda varieties, to be introduced to Australia, with great suitability to Australian growing conditions. Terry will also discuss the recent STRI trials, where TifTuf emerged as a standout performer under various shade, irrigation, and wear treatments. (25 mins)
Site Tour - Sam Kerr Football Centre (30 mins)
Join us for an exclusive site tour of the Sam Kerr Football Centre, a state-of-the-art football facility located on a 16-hectare site in Queens Park, Perth. Opened in July 2023, the $46 million facility features a two-storey building with grandstand seating for 700 spectators, two competition pitches, training pitches, on-site parking, and three 5-a-side playing pitches. The main pitch has a total capacity of approximately 2,500, with the potential to expand to 4,000 with additional seating. The facility served as a training site for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, hosting multiple international teams. Initially known as the State Football Centre, the venue was officially renamed the Sam Kerr Football Centre in October 2023.
Craig Harris from Green Options, the Stadium Curator, will guide the tour, providing insights into the centre's features and the challenges of managing such a high-profile venue.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Sam Kerr Football Centre, Perth, Australia