My work with the NSW Department of Primary Industry fighting varroa destructor has come to an end. I am retiring from full time work but I'm sure I will find things to keep me busy.

Supporting surveillance and extension teams under the varroa transition to management. Assisting all Varroa Development Officers and engagement teams across Australia to support establishment and adherence to safe field protocols based on the learnings from the eradication phase of the response. This role acknowledges that beekeeping brings with it inherent risks plus the high interaction with the general public must also be carefully managed to maintain crew safety.

With the Varroa Emergency response transitioning from Eradication to Managment, a number of personell are now returning to their substantive positions within the department or other agencies.This included the Manager of the Wild European Honey Bee Management Program (WEHBMP).As Act. Deputy Operations Officer I have been requested to oversee the remaining activities of staff continuing within the WEHBMP. In addition to demobilisation of the feeder station deployed across NSW our crews are conducting several field based research projects designed to assist the Honey Bee Industry learn more about the mite and become more efficient in it's management.

I'm acting as one of three Deputy Operations Officers for the Wild European Honey Bee Management Program (WEHBMP) within the varroa mite emergency response.My role supports the Team Leaders and Field Crews operating from St Albans down through the Central Coast. I retain oversight of WHS support for the program.

Since retiring from full time work in July 2022 I have assisted the NSW Department of Primary Industry as a Field Officer in the Varroa mite Emergency Response. This has included beehive surveillance (testing for varroa) & euthanasia of hives within the red emergency eradication zone. More recently I have worked as a Field Crew Supervisor in the Wild European Honey Bee Management Program (WEHBMP) supervising a team of Field Officers. My work has involved travel across all Varroa affected areas of NSW, living away from home Monday to Friday, returning home for the weekend. It has been challenging, at times stressful, but overall, extremely rewarding. As a recreational beekeeper, I remain convinced we are doing the right thing in striving to eradicate Varroa from Australia. I have now been provided the opportunity to assist the DPI's WEHBMP in Logistics & Workplace Health & Safety Support. This new role has me returning to full time work under a 12-month contract. What exactly is the WEHBMP? Following the euthanasia of most recreational and commercially managed hives within the red eradication emergency zone, the next phase in the eradication of Varroa mite includes the complete removal of wild European honeybees from the zone.This is undertaken using a commonly available insecticide called fipronil. Fipronil bait stations will be located and operated by NSW DPI within the 10-kilometre zone around each of the premises where Varroa mite was detected (the Varroa mite red eradication emergency zone).To ensure the safety of people, animals, livestock, and the environment this work is strictly controlled in accordance with an Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority permit. The bait stations are designed to exclude other animals and insects, and to prevent contamination of soil and water. While they are in active use the baited areas are supervised by trained staff.So, I have lots to do providing the team Logistics & WHS support. Wish me luck!

Establishing and managing feral honey bee bait stations as part of the varroa mite emergency response program.

Casual Employee, assisting the DPI with the current Varroa Mite emergency response plan.

Provide Workplace Health & Safety leadership and strategic direction (including Chain of Responsibility), through the development and deployment of WHS and COR practices which support legislative requirements, build capability within all levels of Metcash’s leadership, foster effective workforce engagement and deliver continuous improvement.

Director SHE&Q Development, reporting to the APAC Regional Managing Director, leading the development and implementation of the Health, Safety, Environment and Quality strategy, across all business operations of Weir Minerals Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Leading the business to SHEQ solutions rather than compliance. Ensuring the integrated HSEQ management strategy and its associated systems effectively support the business objectives of Weir Minerals Australia, Division and Group, as well as communicating applicable HSEQ regulatory and statutory requirements.

Reporting to the GM Logistics, contribute to the development, and provide leadership in the execution of, Safety, Health and Environmental strategy and programs delivering a sustainable step change improvement for the Woolworths Logistics Division including Transport.

Environment, Health and Safety oversight for the Business Units which make up Chubb Security Holdings Ltd across Australia and New Zealand.

Reporting to the Managing Director Chubb Fire & Security with responsibility for managing and improving the Occupational Health Safety & Environmental systems

Reporting to the General Manager Steel & Tube with responsibility for managing and improving the Occupational Health Safety & Environmental systems for Steel & Tube sites situated across Australia.

Responsible for managing and extending Occupational Health & Safety systems across the Albury site. Employed with the specific focus to ‘raise the bar’ in site safety performance.

The Expatriate Engineer responsible for managing the engineering, maintenance and operational security activities at the Malaysian Metal Coating facility.

Engineering support resource for the Australia's Northern Service Centre’s of Acacia Ridge, CRM & Chullora.

Project to review Cold Rolling Mill’s (CRM) maintenance practices and led the introduction of best practice maintenance systems.

Accepted this role outside of Engineering upon returning to Australia after successful completion of International assignment in Saudi Arabia. Officer responsible for direct supervision of B Crews on the No 1 Paint line and the Decarb lines.

Expat Engineer responsible for managing the engineering, maintenance and operational security activities at the BHP Unicoil Paint Line facility situated in Al-Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Engineer responsible for establishing and managing the engineering maintenance activities at the Chullora Service Centre

Officer responsible to manage the daily production, design engineering, quality Assurance and Operator Training activities at the Myaree Service Centre facilities in Western Australia

Engaged in various full time Engineering, Operational and Maintenance roles within BHP Steel dating back to 1975. Started as an electrical apprentice at the Lysaght Steel works (Victoria) in 1975, progressed to Engineering positions after completion of tertiary qualifications. Details can be provided upon request.