Detect and Protect: Recent Episodes
Australian Biosecurity
Welcome to Detect and Protect - an Australian biosecurity podcast. This exciting podcast gives listeners an opportunity to get engaged and informed on the different aspects of Australia’s biosecurity system. Listeners will hear from leaders in biosecurity, as well as gain an insight into the work of those across the country who underpin our biosecurity system.
Leanne Kendra joined the department and the detector dog program at a very interesting time in 2009, when the program was transitioning from beagles to Labradors. She outlines some of the differences between the breeds discussing both pros and cons. She was also one of the very few handlers who have transitioned a detector dog from their initial training and worked them all the way to retirement.
Sarah Tibbetts first worked as a kennel hand, assisting the biosecurity detector dog program. She has since joined the department, has progressed her career and is now a technical supervisor for the detector dog teams in Sydney. In this episode she outlines the role of a technical supervisor, maintaining both handler and detector dog proficiency and motivation. Sarah also talks us through multi-handling detector dogs, and different techniques for keeping our detector dogs motivated.
Kelvin Wong recently joined the detector dog program in 2022 and has now found his feet with detector dog Udell at his side. In this episode Kevin outlines learning and development techniques, team culture and changing your working style to match your detector dog. Kevin previously worked at Taronga Zoo and covers the similarities of training seals and how we train our biosecurity detector dogs.
Clare O’Shannessy was in the Detector Dog program for 14 years. Clare played an integral role in the program’s expansion into international mail centres. In this episode we follow Clare through the initial steps of detecting mail and sourcing various dog breeds and converting them into detector dogs. Clare also talks about some handler attributes and shares some advice for the aspiring ones.
Dee Apps was one of the first few detector dog handlers with a stunning career starting from 1993, one year after the program established up until 2010. In this interview Dee shares a few stories from her time as a detector handler including training stories, interesting seizures with her detector dog Jessie and even a few celebrity encounters.
Harry Smithard was one of the first detector dog handlers along with Rachel from our previous episode. In this podcast Harry outlines the initial challenges of the detector dog program. Harry also talks us through key attributes of a detector dog handler including observing not only dog behaviour but human behaviour as well.
Rachel Holdforth was one of the very first detector dog handlers. Rachel talks us through the initial pairing of detector dogs with handlers, matching dog and handler personalities to form the best possible combination. She also discusses her initial training and how handlers often had to improvise when the detector dog program was in its infancy.
Bob Stirling, one of the founders of the Australian biosecurity detector dog program, talks us through his journey with the detector dog program. From the program’s humble beginnings involving hiring handlers and trainers and finding the iconic beagles to the expansion into the international mail centres. The work and effort Bob gave to the program earned him a Public Service Medal.
Peter Timson, First Assistant Secretary of the Biosecurity Compliance and Enforcement division, discusses how the department prevents and manages biosecurity risks both offshore and onshore. The division’s core activities include monitoring compliance with biosecurity laws, responding to breaches, and enforcing regulations to protect Australia from risks to our biosecurity and trade systems. Learn more about what happens when the rules aren’t followed.
Dr Adrian Dinsdale, Assistant Director at the Plant Innovation Centre (PIC) at Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ), is leading a team of dedicated scientists working on advancements in technologies and innovations which are helping to secure Australia's border. Learn about how game-changing technological advancements such as the MinION and High Throughput Sequencing are making detection of pests and diseases more efficient, smarter and cost effective. https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/australia/public-awareness/detect-protect
Dr Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn, Scientist at the CSIRO, explains how the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) could destroy over 300 types of plants including our food crops all across Australia. Dr Schmidt-Lebuhn is at the forefront of designing a app using Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can identify the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and tells the fascinating story behind the development. Read more about BMSB at: https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/brown-marmorated-stink-bug Report it at: https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/report
Dr Gabrielle Vivian- Smith and Steve Peios take us through the threat of the Khapra Beetle to Australia’s grain and dry-goods industries. We find out how the beetle could establish itself in Australia and what measures are in place to protect our farmers, and food industries from this serious pest. Read more about the Khapra beetle at: https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle Report it at: https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/report
Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) plays a significant role in ensuring plants and animals are safely imported and comply with Australia’s biosecurity conditions. In this episode, Meaghan Brierly, Senior Biosecurity Officer joins the team to talk through the import process for domestic animals, plants and even bees, why those processes and import conditions are important, as well as some of the interesting experiences the team have had.
This podcast episode is produced in-language, spoken in Cantonese. Tina and Michael discuss their roles at the Sydney Gateway Facility and the importance of ensuring Lunar New Year items sent or brought to Australia do not pose a biosecurity risk. For more information on biosecurity and Lunar New Year, visit awe.gov.au/lunar-new-year. For more episodes, or to the subscribe to the podcast series, visit awe.gov.au/podcast-series.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an issue that poses a serious and long-term threat to human and animal health in Australia and around the world. Antimicrobial Awareness Week (AAW) is celebrated from 18 - 24 November each year and provides an opportunity to recognise the challenges and risks that AMR can pose. In this episode of Detect and Protect the team is joined by Dr Mark Schipp, Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, to discuss AMR, what it means for us, our pets, farms, animals and local wildlife, as well as what we can all do to help combat this serious issue. The overarching slogan for Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021 is Antimicrobials: handle with care and the theme for 2021 is Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance for the food, animal, agriculture and human health sectors. To learn more about AMR visit amr.gov.au. For more information on the podcast series visit awe.gov.au/podcast-series.
In the latest episode of Detect and Protect the team is joined by Andrew Tongue, Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity and Compliance, to learn more about the importance of biosecurity for Australia. We discuss the growing pest and disease risks facing Australia and how they are being addressed, as well as examples of new biosecurity innovations. We also talk about the different aspects of Biosecurity 2030 - our strategic roadmap for protecting Australia's environment, economy and way of life. For more information on the topics discussed in the podcast, visit: Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030: agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/commonwealth-biosecurity-2030 Australian biosecurity: biosecurity.gov.au
For more episodes, or to subscribe to the podcast series, visit awe.gov.au/podcast-series.
Australia’s biosecurity detector dogs and their handlers play a vital role at our airports and mail centres. They help intercept biosecurity risk items, like food, plants and meat, brought in by passengers or through the mail. In this episode of Detect and Protect, we are joined by Jeff and Colleen from the detector dog team. Listeners will learn more about how the dogs are selected and trained, the new and different ways the dogs are being utilised and the interesting experiences they’ve had at the border. From salamis strapped to a passenger’s body, to trials where the dogs are being trained to detect COVID-19 – welcome to the first episode of Detect and Protect, the Australian Biosecurity Podcast. For more episodes, or to subscribe to the podcast series, visit awe.gov.au/podcast-series. For more information on Australian biosecurity, visit www.biosecurity.gov.au. To learn more about the biosecurity detector dogs visit www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/australia/detector-dogs.