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A new era for Melbourne’s STRI Australia

A new era for Melbourne’s STRI Australia: STRI Australia, a leader in sports surface design, research, and consultancy services in Melbourne is transforming its brand to align with its globally dominant parent Group.

Established in 2013, STRI Australia has been committed to helping clients to enhance sports surfaces for a range of sports from grassroots to elite level.

A new era for Melbourne’s STRI Australia

A new era for Melbourne’s STRI Australia

From golf to rugby, AFL, cricket and every sport in between, the services are underpinned by years of scientific research. As part of STRI Group, STRI Australia works on domestic and global projects and supports clients such as FIFA, UEFA, the R&A and the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.

Sam Myott, General Manager said, “It’s an exciting time for STRI Australia as we continue to grow and the rebrand reflects the developments of the past 12 years. It’s important for us to be recognised as a core part of the Group which offers end-to-end services in sports and environmental engineering.”

So, what’s new?

  • A new logo has been created with a bespoke identity for STRI Australia, and a direct visual connection to the Group
  • An enhanced website with new content – take a look here: https://striaustralia.com.au/

Sam Myott continued, “Our new logo is a fresh, modern take on our brand and the new updated website is consistent with our reputation and credibility.”

STRI Australia will continue to enhance pitches, facilities, courses, tournaments and events, and to lead world class research in Australia and across the world.  For more information about the services and how they can help, reach out on: info@striaustralia.com.au

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Bernhard Academy to deliver new module for GCMA Programme

Bernhard Academy to deliver new module for GCMA Programme: The Bernhard Academy has expanded its educational offering by becoming a training provider for the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA) Advanced Management Programme.

As part of the Golf and Hospitality Operations section, the Academy will deliver the Golf Course Management for Golf Club Managers module, providing club managers with essential insights into the complexities of golf course maintenance.

Bernhard Academy to deliver new module for GCMA Programme

Bernhard Academy to deliver new module for GCMA Programme

Taking place from April 29 – May 1 at the Bernhard Academy venue at Moortown Golf Club, the first of these three-day courses is designed to equip club managers and senior leaders with a comprehensive understanding of the practices, people, and planning that underpin successful golf course maintenance.

Sami Strutt, Education Director at the Bernhard Academy, commented: “The Bernhard Academy team are experts in agronomy, technical, mechanical, and leadership development. This programme will help club managers better understand greenkeeping practices and the strategic importance of supporting their turf teams.

“A strong relationship between the club manager and the course manager is vital – not only for course conditions, but for aligning business goals with playing performance and understanding what makes the on-course side of the business tick,” she added.

The course will explore key themes including principles of turf management, environmental sustainability, golf course strategy and planning, stakeholder communications, capital planning, and budgeting. Aimed at decision-makers such as general managers, operations directors, and heads of golf, the programme provides essential insight into the operational demands and financial realities of managing a golf course – the main asset of any golf facility.

This marks a significant development in the Bernhard Academy’s mission to diversify its educational offering beyond greenkeepers and technicians, now supporting those in leadership roles who shape the strategic direction of golf clubs.

For more details on the GCMA Advanced Management Programme and to secure a spot, visit: www.gcma.org.uk/gcma-amp-certificates

To find out more about the wide range of agronomy, technical, mechanical, and leadership programmes on offer at the Bernhard Academy, visit: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk

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Kubota M4073 praised for delivering power and productivity

Kubota M4073 praised for delivering power and productivity: A Kubota M4073 has been praised by Meldrum House Golf Club, providing high capacity and productivity on turf tyres, ensuring a sensitive footprint.

Delivered alongside an L2452 with loader by HRN Tractors in August 2024, the addition of the higher horsepower model has given the team the ability to tackle larger and more specialist tasks in-house, to the benefit of both the golf course and wider estate.

Kubota M4073 praised for delivering power and productivity

Kubota M4073 praised for delivering power and productivity

Meldrum House was acquired by Apex Hotels in May 2024. As part of ongoing investment in the site, Golf Course and Grounds Manager Kenny Harper, was tasked with the replacement of the clubs tractor fleet – and he knew exactly where to turn, thanks to his longstanding relationship with local dealers HRN. “A major part of any equipment purchase for us is the back-up support we receive, and we know we have that in HRN” Kenny explains. “With that assured, we then needed to know that the machines themselves were up to task when HRN switched franchises to Kubota. They brought in demonstrator models and it wasn’t long before we decided that was spot on too.”

“Increasingly, we were finding implements were putting too much strain on the tractor, or the tractor itself didn’t have enough power or grip for some of the heavier tasks. The solution was to purchase two Kubota models – an L2452 which is a straight replacement for a similar size compact tractor we were using and the M4, which is a pretty sizeable step-up to give us greater scope and capacity.”

The M4 series from Kubota is a proven all-rounder, with an extremely spacious and comfortable cab and a reliable, efficient 4-cylinder Kubota diesel engine at its core. With 74hp, the M4073 model delivers maximum power and particularly strong rear hydraulics to provide full lifting power to suit all greenkeeping and estate management tasks.

“One feature the team and I particularly like on both tractors is the gear selection and constant speed controller which gives us pinpoint control over engine speed which is important for creeper tasks such as trenching or sandbanding.” He continues, “The pair have been pretty much non-stop since they arrived with winter aeration and renovation works and haven’t missed a beat.”

Another of the winter tasks the M4073 has taken in its stride is woodland management across the 18 parkland holes and hotel estate. Partnered with a new 8-tonne trailer, Kenny and the team now benefit from twice as much space and power than their previous set-up. “We had to hire-in equipment for large tree works and were dependent on what was available when we needed it. The Kubota and trailer now enable us to conduct the task in-house which, in itself, brings many benefits.” He concludes, “We’re yet to really find anything the M4 can’t do!”

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Peter Donegan announced for Grand Designs Live

Peter Donegan announced for Grand Designs Live: International Garden Designer Peter Donegan MSGLD MAPL is set to head the Grand Designs Live stage May 2025 at The ExCel London, the UK’s leading home design and garden exhibition has announced.

Fresh from hosting The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) Awards for Britains greatest horticulture trade organisation at The Brewery on Chiswell Street, the title of his talk ‘working with a garden designer and how it could save you thousands of pounds’ leads Saturdays talks stage for the Kevin McCloud hosted Channel 4 television show live event and is billed as one of the not to miss highlights of The Home and Garden main stage according to organisers.

Peter Donegan announced for Grand Designs Live

Peter Donegan announced for Grand Designs Live

Named in The Top 100 UK Garden Designers and Top 70 UK TV Presenters, Donegan designed the shows featured garden at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) winning Silver medal, The People’s Choice Award and The AIH International Horticulture Award, where he was also a garden judge at the show.

The year previous he became the first Irish landscape architect invited to design at MIFGS the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and most prestigious flower show where he won Gold medal and The Australian Institute of Horticulture’s International Award of Excellence.

Of other historic builds internationally the Irish landscape architect was one of 14 designers selected globally and designed and realises the WW1 Centenary Peace Garden at Château de Péronne in 2018. Peter returned in 2022 and designed a 2nd inaugurated garden at the 13th Century castle known also as the Historial de la Grande Guerre, home to Europe’s largest war museum.

From 2019 to 2022, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) silver medallist assumed the role of series garden designer for Ireland’s most watched TV show, RTE’s DIY SOS The Big Build.

In 2001, aged 24, horticulturist Donegan began designing under his own name and swiftly won a host of awards for 17th & 18th century gardens designed & show gardens at national competition.

Peter Donegan MSGLD MAPL is a registered member of The Society of Garden Designers (UK) and a Designer Member of The APL (UK) has been a garden judge in London & Melbourne and, international speaker, master of ceremonies and garden design lecturer.

This summer 2025 the award winning garden designer will also speak at Limerick Garden Festival, D and M Garden Centre’s 40th anniversary celebrations, Tipperary Town Library’s Bealtaine Festival and the main stage at The Royal Horticultural Society’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

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BAGMA launches ‘Paperless Solution’ for machinery installations

BAGMA launches ‘Paperless Solution’ for machinery installations: The British Agricultural Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA) have teamed up with the UK paperless experts, Culverdocs to launch a new digital solution for recording machinery installations.

Months of development have culminated in the introduction of a mobile and desktop app with the capability to simplify and streamline the recording and storage of installation paperwork and other administrative tasks.

BAGMA launches ‘Paperless Solution’ for machinery installations

BAGMA launches ‘Paperless Solution’ for machinery installations

Available to all valid BAGMA registered installers, members and non-members, the introduction of the ‘Paperless Solution’ signifies the end of long-winded, handwritten triplicate forms which often end up torn or muddy at the end of a handover & installation session. Launched in September, dealerships and manufacturers around the country are already discovering the vast improvement in efficiency, accuracy and accountability when delivering machines.

For just £5.00 per user, per month, users can enjoy:

  • Information at your fingertips, in one web, tablet and mobile-friendly app
  • Simplified completion of Machine Installation Form
  • Unlimited submissions with e-signatures
  • Work offline, with sync feature when back online
  • Real-time digital copy, emailed to operators, companies, installers, BAGMA
  • Importing data from ODBC reports/spreadsheets and sending reports

Users wanting to further enhance functionality can opt to upgrade to the full BAGMA and Culverdocs ‘Unlimited’ package. For £20 per user, per month, companies can digitise multiple aspects of their business, creating a fully-bespoke digital platform to complete, store and integrate paperwork including machine installation forms, hire on/off, on site risk assessments and lead capture. The ‘Unlimited’ package also includes unrestricted user and administrator access, unlimited form/process conversion, support from the Culverdocs technical team and tailored branding of the app for your business.

“This software is a real gamechanger” says BAGMA General Manager Nick Darking. “We’ve all been there – out in a muddy field, in the rain trying to fill out triplicate forms on an install and ensure that those that need a copy, have one. With so much of modern life now digitised, it made complete sense to develop a solution where paperwork could be completed with just a few clicks.”

“Going paperless not only brings efficiencies with time and simplified workflows, it provides peace of mind that a solid process is in place to obtain full accuracy and accountability with every installation.”

Those wishing to find out more are invited to join BAGMA and Culverdocs for a free informative webinar, taking place at 10:30am on Thursday 15th May. To register your interest, or to find out more, visit www.bagma.com.

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