2024 Tasmanian Biosecurity Award winners
Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award: TasPorts
TasPorts were the winners of the Industry Biosecurity Award for the work by their Environment and Sustainability Team to increase awareness and knowledge of biosecurity threats at their ports.
TasPorts has developed educational and reference material tailored to each port, workshopped biosecurity threats and reporting pathways with operational staff, and conducted follow-up inspections and verifications to ensure compliance.
Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award: Bettina Elischer
Bettina is an employee at the Office of the Governor at Government House, Tasmania, and has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to the Tasmanian beekeeping community and Biosecurity Tasmania’s statewide bee pest surveillance program.
Bees were reintroduced at the Government House Tasmania Estate in 2015 and have been managed since then to improve horticultural pollination onsite. One hive is also used as a ‘sentinel’ hive for Biosecurity Tasmania surveillance activities. Bettina has also promoted the importance of biosecurity in beekeeping through educational workshops and bee pest training days onsite at Government House Tasmania.
Highly Commended (Community): Just Cats Inc.
Additional to the winners of the 2024 award categories, a highly commended certificate was presented to Just Cats Inc. in the Community Biosecurity category for their community education about stray and feral cats. They were also recognised for the success of multiple initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of stray cats and promoting responsible cat ownership.
2023 Tasmanian Biosecurity Award winners (inaugural year)
Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award: Robyn Lewis
Robyn has been involved in the management and conservation of the Milford Forest for many years, and has successfully implemented very strong biosecurity measures on the property. The need to protect Milford Forest- home to multiple critically endangered species found no where else in the world- is undeniable . Robyn is also passionate about educating others and regularly presents to community groups and councils on the importance of good biosecurity practices, especially when moving between different properties.
Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award: Nic Hansen
Nic is an avid supporter of the development and improvement of biosecurity in Tasmania and has been heavily involved in our biosecurity system. Nic was involved in the 2018 fruit fly emergency response in Tasmania, and worked extensively with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania both during and after the response to ensure the best possible outcomes for our Tasmanian horticultural industries. He is actively involved in the future development of Tasmania’s biosecurity system, particularly related to our fruit and berries industries.