Riverina Project Officer wins state Weed Professionals Award

Paula Bosse from the Eastern and Western Riverina Noxious Weeds Advisory Groups won the Industry & Investment NSW (I&I) Stephenson Award for her outstanding contribution to planning and coordinating weed management programs in NSW.

The Stephenson and Buerckner awards were presented at the 15th Biennial NSW Weeds Conference held at Narrabri last month.  The awards honour Parkes Shire Council Weed Officers, Mal Buerckner and Ian Stephenson, who were tragically killed on the job in a helicopter accident in 2006, along with the pilot Shane Thrupp.

Tony Martin from the Illawarra District Weeds Authority won the Buerckner Award for his outstanding contribution to the on-ground control of weeds in NSW.

Paula was congratulated on her strategic thinking and engagement of key players in the region. Her work has led to a greater focus on preventing the incursion and spread of new weeds such as Coolatai grass, Chilean needle grass, serrated tussock and Sagittaria.

Paula was presented with a $500 travel prize by The Weed Society of NSW, while Mr Martin received a $500 travel prize from the NSW Weed Officers Association.

She will be eligible to use her prize to attend the 17th Australasian Weeds Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand.

I&I NSW Team Leader - Extension and Education, Birgitte Verbeek, thanked the NSW Weeds Officers Association and The Weed Society of NSW for their support of the a wards.