From the National Executive Officer |
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It is with a lot of sadness that I write this, my last column as National Executive Officer of AORA.
For some time I have been dealing with a serious health issue. I’d hoped to work through it as I love AORA, its people and our industry. Unfortunately, it has become clear over the last few months that I could not do this job as well as it needs to be done whilst also giving my heath the focus it requires. As a result, I will be leaving AORA in June.
To be honest, I have avoided this inevitable decision for longer that I should have simply because I have enjoyed my time at AORA so much. Ours is an industry full of no-nonsense, pragmatic people who get things done and AORA reflects this spirit. I have worked in many industries but few have made me as happy and welcome.
Peter Wadewitz and the AORA Board are a fantastic group of people who every week go above and beyond to improve and grow our industry. It’s been a pleasure to work for and with them. Similarly, our state committees are full of industry volunteers – AORA members and sponsors – without whom AORA could not exist and function. I thank them for their friendship and guidance.
Our AORA staff team – a small, dedicated but growing band – are a delight and bring an amazing diversity of backgrounds to the job. I feel very confident that the place is in good hands with this team of stars.
I am convinced that the next decade will be the greatest ever period for our industry. In 10 years, we will have an industry many times its current size, with more businesses with greater cashflow and profitability built on long term certainty. I have enjoyed playing a small part in getting to this point, and in building AORA to be a reliable partner for our members in this journey.
And finally, to our AORA members and sponsors: thank you for the opportunity to have served as your NEO. It has been one of the highlights of my career and I will continue to watch closely as you build your businesses, and our industry, to ever greater heights.
Peter Olah
National Executive Officer
Australian Organics Recycling Association
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The Australian Organics Recycling Association was incorporated on May 23 2012!
In a bold move, our founders decided the time was right and they set up our industry association to act as a peak industry body for “Organics Processors".
We thank them, our current and past members, our many partners and sponsors and everyone who has worked alongside us to get us to where we are today! We are excited about the future for our industry.
In fact, our 10-year roadmap for the industry is on it's way to the printers as we speak and is set to be launched at the AORA conference in June!
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This workshop is part of a series sponsored by the Queensland Government through the Department of Environment and Science that are taking place across regional Queensland. The workshops help end users understand the benefits and effective use of compost and mulches produced from recycled organic inputs.
This workshop is being held in Clifton, beginning at 9am.
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Tickets are selling fast for the AORA Conference!
Book now.....tickets will sell out!
27 -29 June 2022
Stamford Grand, SA
The AORA Annual Conference is well established as the principal conference in Australia for the recycled organics industry.
The Conference theme in 2022 is Building the Future of our Industry – Turning our organic waste into a national resource.
Through a strong and robust collaboration between Australia’s organics recycling industry, State and Federal governments and businesses, we are strategically positioned to play a vital role in adding significant economic and environmental value to the Australian economy.
The Conference will explore how positive collaborative efforts can lead to consistent national and state policies and directions for organics recycling and a circular economy, in turn creating opportunities for innovation and growth that results in a strong organics recycling industry.
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Sydney Networking Breakfast
August 3 2022
Novotel Darling Square
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Crafting Quality Compost Workshop
August 19 2022
Mount Gambier
This workshop will be open to SA and Vic members and non-members!
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AORA MEMBER WEBINAR
PFAS in the Organics Industry
It was a terrific webinar on May 25th with Dr Matthew Askeland from ADE Consulting Group,with over 60 AORA members joining us online. The recording is now ready for viewing in the AORA Member Portal. To access you will need to login as a member.
If you try this and it doesn't recognise you as a member, we will need to link you to the business inside the portal, please send an email to alex@aora.org.au, please make sure you include the registered business name (as this may be different to your trading name) in the email.
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Join the AORA Organics Zone at AWRE - only 3 spaces remain!
The Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo (AWRE) is Australia’s longest running marketplace for buyers and suppliers in our nation’s waste and recycling sector.
As an exhibitor at AWRE, not only will you be able to generate high value leads and form long-lasting, profitable business relationships, but you’ll also gain access to a targeted platform to extend your marketing reach, as well as launch or promote your products and services to the people who matter.
The AORA Organics Zone is an initiative in partnership with the Australian Organics Recycling Association where AORA members can gain access to an inclusive stand package that is an easy and cost-effective way to join AWRE and to be part of the premier annual business event for the waste, recycling and resource recovery sector.
To find out more about AWRE click here. To enquire about booking your stand at the AORA organics zone, you can contact the team at awre@divcom.net.au and one of our client managers will be in touch.
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Jeffries add a Hitachi hybrid excavator and wheel loader to help reduce on fuel emission |
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AORA Partner News
From humble beginnings carting horse manure for nurseries, Jeffries has since grown into a specialised leader of organics recycling by developing world-leading organic recycling technologies. Today, specialising in the creation of valuable landscaping, gardening and horticultural products.
Driven by wholesome family values and innovation, Jeffries have used this to develop world-leading organic recycling technologies and collection partnerships. Combining their passion and process, the team at Jeffries delivers premium compost, soil and mulch for farmers, viticulturists, landscapers and home gardeners. The leading organics business rely on a number of Hitachi equipment to drive their processes and constant improvement. Their current Hitachi fleet is made up of a ZX330 excavator, ZW310-5 wheel loader and a ZH210LC-5 hybrid excavator.
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Demonstrating Recycled Organics in Viticulture Workshop |
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Even though the weather was far from ideal, we welcomed 45 people to the lovely Helen’s Hill Estate in Lilydale, Vic for last weeks Demonstrating Recycled Organics
Our presenters were:
- Declan McDonald, Regen Soils, via video
- Tony Martin, Resilience Farming
- Erika Winter, GrapeLink Australia with Karen Thomas, Melbourne Water.
Detailed data was shown, clearly demonstrating the multiple benefits to soils, vines and grapes of the application of composts and mulches in vineyards. – not just under the vines but also between the rows.
The outcomes are favourable towards, among others:
- Soil nutrition
- Moisture penetration and retention
- Reduced water usage for irrigation
- Leaf size
- Vine growth and colour
- Extended leaf life
- Grape colour and size.
Areas for improvement in the soil additives that vineyard operators would like to see are:
- Standardisation of composition, especially nitrogen levels
- Testing results for each batch received rather than quarterly statements. It was recognised that there is a considerable cost implication in this.
- Reduction in physical contaminants – glass, plastics, metal. The ensuing discussion on this point led to an agreement within the room that this is a “front end” issue – avoidance of contamination in processors’ feedstocks must be pursued as the most viable solution.
The mutual benefits of this ongoing interaction between the vineyard industry and the suppliers of recycled organics were very clear. AORA is already planning another winery event in August this year where we intend to dig deeper (pardon the pun) into the issues and solutions.
Following the talks, there was a rather rain-affected demonstration by Total Viticulture Solutions of product spreading technology. Lunch and liquid refreshments were sponsored by EcoDynamics and participants also had the opportunity to view Interaction Tables set up by Yarra Valley Water, CEA Komptech, Van Schaik’s Bio Gro, enrich360 and Finlay Screening.
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Industry feedback sought
The final (second) drafts to review of the organic production and composting qualifications, skill sets, and units of competency are now on the Skill Impact website for ‘’Validation”. Industry feedback is required from those working in the organic production and composting industry sectors to confirm that these latest versions contain the right information and are fit for purpose.
Areas where developers are requesting include feedback include:
- Certificates IV and Diploma of Agriculture qualifications which show the new Organic Production specialisations
- Units of competency related to managing organic soil improvement, compliance with certification schemes, composting recipes, and compost production
- Skill sets related to disposal of farm waste and operation of machinery and equipment for compost processing and organic production
Please go here to review and make comment Organics Composting Skills Review *Please note – scroll down past permaculture section to access organic production and composting components.
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Sustainability Victoria launch "Small acts make a big impact" campaign
Small Acts Make a Big Impact highlights small actions residents can do to reduce their waste and recycle well that collectively will have a big impact on the environment and a sustainable future.
Food waste helps grow orchard that will feed disadvantaged
Veolia has announced it will use the circular economy of food waste to help feed disadvantaged communities in Melbourne by planting an orchard in the Mornington Peninsula. Working with meal charity Food for Change, Veolia has donated and planted the orchard of 140 fruit trees. The trees are being nourished by compost made from Melbourne’s recycled food waste, processed at Veolia’s Natural Recovery Systems Facility.
AORA NSW Response to EPA Resource Recovery Framework
Read the submission prepared by the NSW Committte to the recent EPA review of the Resource Recovery Framework in NSW.
Councils food waste plan hits a snag in Victoria, according to the Age
The Age published an article on May 30 stating that FOGO processing facilities have reach their capacity and not enough people want to buy compost.
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If you have a story, link or news to share with AORA members, please email Alex
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AORA - Australian Organics Recycling Association
0434 625 472| admin@aora.org.au
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