Welcome to 2019 and Tassie eNews

Welcome to all NGIT member - established and newly joined. 

We encourage all our members to share with us any news, story ideas, innovations and information concerning the nursery and garden industry.

We welcome input from all members, and we are here to assist you in promoting information through our professional network.

What's on this issue

• 2018 - our year at a glance
• NGIT AGM 2018
• Structure Review Update
• Chandlers Nursery 130th Anniversary
• GCP Information Session 
• Plant Life Balance expansion
• New Members
• Positions Vacant
• Advertise with us! 
• Like us on Facebook
• Check out our Website

2018 - the year at a glance

NGIA National Conference 2018

NGIT had a great start to 2018 with the biannual NGIA National Conference - The Growing Edge - was held in our beautiful capital city of Hobart. And did Hobart  shine for our mainland colleagues - putting on great weather and fabulous venues, with everyone impressed with the state of our nursery industry. 

The information sharing and networking opportunities at our national conferences cannot be undervalued. The Tasmanian nursery industry has proved that it is competitive, viable and vibrant - and our city is not just a quaint convict outpost - but an exciting and interesting city with some quirky new entertainment that sets us well apart from our interstate counterparts.

NGIT hopes that all those attended will agree - and will also continue to support further national conferences in the future.

Check out our gallery of images on our website www.ngitas.com.au 

Biosecurity in 2018

2018 has been a busy year for all Tasmanians where our island's biosecurity has been concerned. The first Biosecurity Alert was issued in January alerting Tasmanian's to the discovery of Queensland Fruit Fly larvae detected at three sites on Flinders Island and also at a site near Spreyton in north west Tasmania. 

Over the past 12 months there have been 28 Biosecurity updates and alerts from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. NGIT has diligently shared all information with all its members, encouraging vigilance and reporting.

Thankfully due to the dedication of Biosecurity Tasmania and a huge effort from all Tasmanian's, the threat of our previous Fruit Fly Free status being revoked, the threat of Fruit Fly residing in Tasmania has passed.  
This proves that all Tasmanian's must remain vigilant and report early detection to protect our state and our industries from imported pests and diseases. 

Visit Biosecurity Tasmania for further updates. 

NGIT - AGM

30th August 2018

The 2018 NGIT AGM was held in Oatlands.  After reviewing and addressing business arising from the previous minutes our President, Mark Vander Staay presented the Presidents Report. 

Mark thanked our Treasurer and now NGIA President Karen Brock for her ongoing tireless work with Biosecurity and NGIA. Mark covered the restructure of NGIA and the success of the National Conference remarking that the feedback from interstate members has been positive. Mark stays in touch with NGIA CEO's regularly via phone hook up.

Although change is on the horizon - NGIT needs to continually move forward.

All present thanked Mark Van Der Staay for his continued support and hard work that he puts in on behalf of all members during his year as President of NGIT. 

NGIA commit to a New Business Model

A new strategic direction, to move from the current federated model to a new model where businesses and associations are directly involved in their national body, has been reached between the Nursery and Garden Industry associations after the NGIA Board, State Presidents and their invited members met in Sydney recently.

To read and download a copy of the media release please follow this link:

www.ngia.com.au

Chandlers Nursery

130 Years Celebration 

Congratulations to our longstanding NGIT member - Chandlers Nursery
- on the celebration of their 130th Anniversary in November 2018.

Chandlers Nursery is one of Australia's oldest nurseries and is still operated by descendants of the original owners at it's Sandy Bay site.

Chandlers Nursery's anniversary celebrations were spread over two weeks,
sharing their wonderful library of historical books, photographs and memorabilia,
all accompanied by a glass of wine, a piece of cake and a three piece ensemble.

Garden City Plastics, Waratah Wholesale & NGIT

Information Session

Garden City Plastics, Waratah Wholesale & NGIT presented an Information Session which focused on alternatives to Neonicotinoids and available strategies.This information Session was presented by speakers from OCP, GCP and IPM Technologies. 

Agronomist Elliot Akintola, from Garden City Plastics, covered areas of how GCP approach the introduction of new insecticides entering the market using investigation, research trials, laboratories, and training. By encouraging collaboration with chemical companies and suppliers, working together to ensure environmental sustainability, plant protection, and nutrition. Elliot spoke about a new product Versys - which is a targeted insecticide maximising control with reduced environmental impact.

Jason Hingston from OCP (Organic Crop Protectants), a leading manufacturer and distributor of organic based neonicinoid alternatives, discussed organic crop protectors. Aza Max using Neem extract is 100% organic, is the closest organic replacement for Confider, is Bee friendly and safe. 

Entomologist Dr Paul Horne from IPM Technologies explained that his company is an independent advisor - they don't sell products - just advice. IPM encourages the implementation of strategies on farms and production crops across Australia, New Zealand and parts of Indonesia. Paul shared a case study; working with farmers in Indonesia they were able to cut the use of insecticide sprays which killed beneficials as well as pests, by 100%to increase yields and crop health.

Many thanks to Greg Carrick - GCP, Jason Jones - Waratah Wholesale,  Mark Van der Staay - NGIT & TAFE Tasmania for organising and hosting the information session.

Garden City Plastics encourages NGIT members to let them know of any further topics that you may be interested in by contacting greg.carrick@gardencityplastics.com

Plant Life Balance expands

The Plant Life Balance team have been busy four brand new season looks for the Plant Life Balance app and website. 

These fresh looks are an exciting step as they take the campaign beyond the home by promoting the idea of being surrounded by greenery in all aspects of life.

By broadening the campaign beyond the home will increase consumer accessibility to the health and wellbeing of plants while fostering a new audience and a new demand for greened places.

The new themes are; Beachy Green, Hanging Botanica, Paradise Traders and Heaven Scent.

Check out the new looks here @ Plant Life Balance - or download the app.

New Members Welcome

Welcome to new NGIT member - Garden Lane Maintenance

Mark Lane from Garden Lane Maintenance is located in Launceston builds, landscapes and maintains gardens including water features, water systems, decks, paths, edging and fencing. Contact Mark at gardenlanemaintenance@gmail.com or visit his website at www.gardenlanemaintenance.com

Welcome to new NGIT member - Tas Plant Growers

Richard Ramadan & Kurt Yost of Tas Plant Growers are based in the North West coast town of Somerset. Tas Plant Growers are a wholesale plant operation specialising in growing perennials and shrubs, including PGA, PMA and Tesselaar varieties.

For further information contact Tas Plant Growers at admin@tasplantgrowers.com.au

Positions Vacant

Don't forget you are most welcome to advertise any 'Positions Vacant' with us - Tassie eNews is sent out to members and Tafe students all around Tasmania. We will even load the vacancy up onto our website and share it on our Facebook page. It's a great way to help someone find a position within the industry. Just contact admin@ngitas.com.au with the details.

Advertise with NGIT Tassie eNews

Tassie eNews is one of NGIT's key methods of communication that is delivered statewide to all our member's in-boxes regularly.

If you have an event, training course or product you would like to promote, we invite you to take advantage of to advertise with us for FREE.

We extend this offer of FREE advertsing space to all our NGIT members for up to 4 advertising spaces per year*.

For further information please contact Kay Carney @ admin@ngitas.com.au

*Terms and conditions do apply. All advertisements must be content appropriate to the nursery and garden industry and will undergo approval by NGIT Administration.

Non-Members are welcome to apply for advertising space for a nominal fee.

Have you visited NGIT's new website

Our website is for NGIT members

This Newsletter and previous editions along with everything you need
to know about what is happening in your industry is available on our
new NGIT website.

If you haven't already - take a tour - we'd love your feedback.

www.ngitas.com.au

NGIT Facebook Page

Keep up to date with what is happening in your industry.

Facebook is a great way for us to keep in touch with our members - it's casual and informal but can also be very informative

We invite all NGIT members and even non-members to 'Like' our Facebook page.

So please Like Us on Facebook