Sports Turf Association - WA

Good morning and thanks you to all attendees for the STA (WA) Local Gov & Schools networking breakfast at Cottesloe Golf Club. A big thank you to our sponsor Nuturf for helping out and having Jyri Kaapro and Dr Mark Walker as our guest speakers.

Thanks to the support from Nuturf, join us at the STA (WA) Local Government & Schools Networking Breakfast at Cottesloe Golf Course on Wednesday 20 May. Hear from leading turf experts, gain practical advice for your sites, and connect with peers across the industry.

Spots are limited – don’t miss out.

Register now: www.sportsturfwa.asn.au

Dear colleagues,

Please see the information below for the Celebration of Eva’s life next week on April 2nd at the Bowra. O’Dea chapel on Pinjarra Rd in Greenfields. Thanks you very much to the Ricci family for sharing this with us all.

If people are unable to join us, there will be a live stream of the funeral via the website - https://bowraodea.com.au/tribute-page/?nid=b15a6d44-4154-4e70-a3b3-ec931e2746cb

Thank you

Dear friends and colleagues, it is with deep personal sadness that i share with you the news that Eva Ricci passed away this morning.
She battled valiantly against the dreaded cancer for the past twelve months and more. All along the way, she never shied for her fate yet was constantly concerned for those around her and how they were coping.
Eva and her family have been part of our turf growing community for many years in Perth. Her boys were regular workers at the local turf farm during their teen years before she stepped in to help administration of the Turf Growers Association Western Australia.
She became involved with our Sports Turf Association (WA) during the 2007 Turf Seminar and I have worked closely with Eva since 2009 in almost all aspects of running and building events and communication with the STA(WA). In 2011 we were very proud to cosponsor Eva as an Industry Development Officer for the WA Turf Industry and since then we have not looked back as she passionately advocated our green fields as Executive Office for Turf WA to all and sundry throughout not only Western Australia but the whole nation. Our WA state politicians and department heads knew her name well. For a short few years before illness took over, Eva proudly and professionally performed the duties as the Executive Officer for Turf Australia.
Eva has and will be the maternal heart of our WA Turf family and is sorely missed and deeply loved.
God bless you Eva.

Yesterday's post missed Harrison's photo. Please see below photo of Harrison Allardyce from Busselton Golf Course receiving his Lecturers Choice Block Release award with Andrew Thomson of the STA(WA).
Also missed due recognition to Living Turf as one of the many fantastic supporting sponsors for the night.

Some more photos and congratulations of the award winning graduates at last Thursday's WA Turf Industry Awards.
The Envu Award for Best Student in Sports Turf Management Cert 3 in Trade Studies (Day release) presented to Jordan Luyten from Mount Lawley Golf Club with David Hurst of Envu.
The Clements/Hambleton Shield for Best Student in Sports Turf Management Cert 3 in Trade Studies (Block Release) presented to Tarkyn Brogan-Henry from Perth Racing with Jeff Austen of SM South Metropolitan TAFE.
The CH Bailey & Sons Perpetual Shield for Best Student Sports Turf Management Cert 3 Turf Studies was presented to Kevin Stephen from the City of Stirling with Kaine Rogers from SM South Metropolitan TAFE
The Lecturer Choice Award (Day release) was awarded to Ethan Gittos from Seton College with Kaine Rogers from SM South Metropolitan TAFE
The Lecturer Choice Award (Block release) was awarded to Harrison Allardyce from Busselton Golf Course with Andrew Thomson from the STA(WA).
The STA(WA) is especially proud to present this year's STA(WA) Sports Turf Graduate of the Year Award to Kelly Fagents from Trinity College. Kelly will be representing WA Sports Turf at the upcoming Australian Sports Turf Graduate of the Year Awards held at the ASTMA Conference.

Well done to all. It was a fantastic night for the WA Turf Industry.
Thank you again to all sponsors.
Envu, Lawn Doctor, AFGRI Equipment Australia, Toro Australia, T-Quip, Gecko Contracting, Greenway Turf Solutions Pty Ltd, Hunter Industries Australia, Mineral Magic - Commercial, Nuturf and Western Irrigation.

The selected recipient of the 2026 Envu Award for Best Student in STM Certificate 3 in Trade Studies (Day Release) is Jordan Luyten from Mount Lawley Golf Club, being presented with the shield award by David Hurst from Envu.

Congratulations to the graduating Sports Turf Management night students.

The WA Turf Industry came together last night at the Royal Perth Golf Club to celebrate the 2026 Sports Turf Management graduates and awards recepients at the annual WA Turf Industries Awards night.

Congratulations to the SM South Metropolitan TAFE 2026 graduating class of Sports Turf Management block release students