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Nominations are open for the 2020 Australian Biosecurity Awards

Members of the Plant Surveillance Network Australia Pacific are encouraged to consider nominating individuals and groups who support Australia’s biosecurity through surveillance.

The search is on for the next round of biosecurity champions, with nominations now open for round two of the 2020 Australian Biosecurity Awards (ABAs).

Each year, the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) present the ABAs to recognise individuals, groups and organisations who support Australian biosecurity and are committed to safeguarding Australia from pests and diseases.

Round two will include new categories to demonstrate the diversity of biosecurity and the different roles Australians can play.

The new award categories include Environmental Biosecurity, Community, Education and the Dr Kim Ritman Award for Science and Innovation.

The Dr Kim Ritman Award for Science and Innovation was created in honour of Dr Kim Ritman’s career and contributions as Australia’s Chief Plant Protection Officer.

The new categories recognise a wider range of stakeholders and the diverse parts of Australia’s biosecurity system, as well as emphasise the importance of biosecurity education.

For round two of the 2020 ABAs, DAWE are seeking nominees in the four new award categories.

If you know someone that deserves to be recognised for their biosecurity work, nominate them today.

The first round of 2020 ABAs were presented in March, with a range of winners from industry and government. Round two of the ABAs will be presented at the National Biosecurity Forum in November 2020.

Nominations close on Friday, 2 October.

For more information and to put in a nomination, visit awe.gov.au/aba


Acknowledgement: This article was adapted from a media release by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.