Sports Turf Association - WA

Dear STA WA Members and Sponsors,

The Sports Turf Association of WA invites all financial members, honorary members, and valued sponsors to attend the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

This annual gathering is an excellent opportunity to connect with industry colleagues, learn from leading professionals, gain insight into current industry projects, and contribute to the future direction of our Association.

📅 Wednesday 12 August 2026
📍 The Western Australian Golf Club – Trophy Room
☕ Coffee available from 10:00am
Why Attend?
This year's AGM offers more than just Association business.

A key feature of the day will be a presentation from NewGround , providing attendees with an overview of the current golf course construction and irrigation installation projects being undertaken at The Western Australian Golf Club. This will be a unique opportunity to hear directly from industry specialists, gain insight into project delivery, construction methodologies, irrigation design and implementation, and ask questions about one of the most significant golf course projects currently underway in Western Australia.

Prior to lunch, attendees will participate in a Walk & Talk around areas of the course, where the NewGround team and club representatives will provide firsthand commentary on the works being undertaken. This practical site inspection will offer valuable learning opportunities and informal networking with fellow turf professionals.
As an added bonus, STA WA will be providing a complimentary buffet lunch for all attendees.

Event Agenda
10:00am – Arrival and coffee available
10:20am – AGM
11:30am – NewGround Course Works Presentation
12:45pm – Complimentary Buffet Lunch
1:15pm – Walk & Talk – Golf Course Construction & Irrigation Project Overview
2:00pm – Close

Our Industry Needs Your Support
As we look to the future, STA WA is seeking members who are interested in becoming more involved in the Association.
The ongoing success of STA WA relies on dedicated volunteers and committee members who are passionate about supporting education, networking, advocacy, and professional development within the sports turf industry. If you have ever considered contributing, now is the perfect time to get involved.
Whether you can assist on the Committee, help organise events, support industry initiatives, or simply lend a hand where needed, your involvement would be greatly appreciated. New ideas, fresh perspectives, and shared responsibility are essential to ensuring STA WA remains a strong and valuable part of our industry for years to come.
If you would like to learn more about committee opportunities, we encourage you to attend the AGM or speak with a current committee member on the day.

RSVP
So we can ensure adequate catering, please RSVP by 7 August 2026 to:
[email protected]

We encourage all financial members, honorary members, and sponsors to join us for what promises to be an informative and enjoyable day of learning, networking, and industry engagement.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Dear STAWA Members and Sponsors,

We are pleased to share an early save the date for a special upcoming Walk and Talk event at the Western Australian Golf Club on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.

This site visit will provide an overview of the recent construction and irrigation works delivered by Golf Course Superintendent Idris Evans and the team from our Gold Sponsor, Newground. Attendees will have the opportunity to see the project firsthand, hear insights from those leading the works, and connect with fellow members and sponsors.

Following the Walk and Talk, the STAWA Annual General Meeting will be held on-site, concluding with a catered lunch. This is a free event for all financial members and sponsors.
Further event details, including timings and registration information, will be shared shortly.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards,
Chris Langsford
President - Sports Turf Association Western Australia

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.