The 2021 pest awards season went off with a bang! Find out the winners here.
The restrictions on in-person events didn’t affect awards season this year, with a number of national events taking place virtually.
AEPMA Pest Manager of the Year
At the semi-virtual awards night on September 23 in the Gold Coast,AEPMA President Vasili Tsoutouras and BASF’s Dr David Elmouttie announced the winners of the 2021 Pest Manager of the Year.
The award for best Pest Management Firm with Fewer Than Ten People went to Bug R Off! Pest Busters in Horsham, Victoria while the best Pest Management Firm with More Than Ten People went to Suburban Pest Management on the Sunshine Coast, who also took the top gong – the award for Australian Pest Manager of the Year 2021. South Pacific Pest Manager of the Year was won by Rentokil Fiji while the Micro Business Award went to Pest Doctors in Brisbane.
Tom Aldridge from Suburban Pest Management (pictured above) acknowledged his team, saying, “Kahlee and I want to thank everyone in the SPM team who enabled us to win this award. It would not have been possible without the incredible team we have. We also want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years, both in and outside of the industry.”
PWAPM Excellence Award
On the same date, Professional Women in Australian Pest Management (PWAPM) named Kuyan Rider from Conquer Termites
Northside the winner of the PWAPM Excellence Award 2021. Having previously been shortlisted as a finalist, Ms Rider was delighted to take out the top award at this year’s event.
The award recognises and highlights the achievement of a woman in the pest control industry that has not only shown outstanding leadership but has dedicated her time and energy to making notable contributions to the development and growth of others in the industry. PWAPM President Nicky Turner acknowledged BASF for sponsoring the award for the third consecutive year.
NSW Pest Manager of the Year
Many pest managers will be familiar with the popular Facebook page Australian Pest Managers Group run by pest manager Doug Balsom of Serial Pest Control. This year, followers of the group’s NSW page decided to launch their own award – NSW Pest Manager of the Year. The finalists were decided by popular vote, with the winners announced on October 8.
Pest Manager of the Year (1-5 Employees) was Paul Kennedy from Wise Pest Control, Blaxland, while Pest Manager of the Year (6-15 Employees) was Danny Danil from SafeSpray, Sydney (pictured below).
In recognition of excellence in the wider industry, Contributor of the Year to the NSW Pest Industry was Patrick Legey from Austrapest, Baulkham Hills. Supplier of the Year was a tie between Agserv (Michael Harband) and Globe Pest Solutions (Gary English).
Each winner took home a prize and trophy, courtesy of event sponsors Pest Register, Sundew Solutions and Agserv. Event organiser Mr Balsom said he created the awards to recognise NSW pest managers and the hard work they do in the background for the industry. “In the future I’d love to see an awards program for every state in Australia,” he said.
Congratulations to all of the 2021 winners!