This month you will all have received a letter about Craig Goozee who

Western Australia and they have been invited to include me in their responses.<br><br> A number of good ideas came forward and some of these apply equally to our employees. This program will be extended to all subcontractors and employees and I will always respond to anything that is sent directly to me. Our OHS&E achievement is first class.<br><br> The measure that we report to our customers is Lost Time Injuries per 1,000,000 man hours worked. We are currently on less than 2. This is exceptional for any manual industry let alone for an industry that is rated in the 3 most dangerous in Australia.<br><br> This reflects a company that cares and provides the equipment, PPE and training and most importantly we do what we say. We have a culture of safety which has taken many years to develop and I thank everyone for their contributions. Last month I visited the Country Energy crews on the north coast of NSW.<br><br> They have had months of rain, including three floods this year and were starting to look a bit mouldy. Despite that they have kept going and with the cooperation of our client have generally been able to find work in towns as the ground is saturated. Many of our staff are well progressed in achieving an AQF level 3.<br><br> More than 100 of our employees and some sub contractors are studying to get their qualifications. I suggest this is more than all other companies in our industry added together. Well done everyone and I encourage all other employees and subcontractors to consider following the same path.<br><br> 5 ATS DIVERSIFIES IN HUNTER 6 ATS 4 CAREER NOT JOB 7 A2B4C 4 GET BEHIND CRAIG 8 SWINE FLU PREVENTION 2 BRENDANS BRIEFING 3 ATS BOMB DISPOSAL TEAM 4 TOP TRUCKS GET THUMBS UP JUNE 2009 ISSUE NO. 75 Since the last edition of Active Update, a number of things have happened. In WA we await decisions on our tender submissions with the first two packages to be decided awarded to us.<br><br> Five other packages of work remain undecided. Sth Australia has started new contract operations with a new data collection system and this has a lot of value elsewhere in the business. Congratulations go to the SA team and those who supported an aggressive mobilization.<br><br> Our financial year ends with what most will agree was a testing and difficult period. Our business strength and the quality of our people have meant that even in tough economic conditions we continue to thrive as a business. We are lucky to be somewhat insulated from economic activities and in fact we are seeing more applications for job vacancies than before.<br><br> At Head Office we are concentrating on systems, safety improvements and a new website which will hopefully be available soon. Our business continues to perform strongly and we are without doubt the quiet achievers in our industry. As always, we should never take for granted our continued excellent safety record and keep each other out of harm.<br><br> Similarly, our customers deserve the best effort in quality and productivity and we should always leave the worksite or office having performed as well as we could that day and look forward to the next day. Our culture is to be a focused but friendly business and this is important to preserve. Brendan Brendan 8s Briefing HR Co-ordinator Joy Ramirez recently graduated from UTS with a BA in Organisational Learning with majors in Human Resource Development.<br><br> However, she is not stopping there and is now undertaking a Masters Degree in Education, specializing in Adult Education. Joy is appreciating the opportunity ATS is giving her to further her career, and commented that her role has provided her with. 5invaluable, practical hands on experience which has been nothing but a blessing for someone just graduated from University.<br><br> It 8s rare to even get a job in the field you have studied once you have finished let alone a job that allows you to assist and contribute to the company in so many fantastic ways. 6 We would like to congratulate Joy and as she has only been with us a short while wish her every success in her future career. It is a real pleasure to announce the wedding of Commercial 8s Divisional Manager Julian Cohen to Renae in Bali recently. A number of Julian 8s friends travelled to Bali for the ceremony, including Commercial Manager Luke Hobbs.<br><br> Congratulations and our best wishes for a long and happy marriage goes out to them both. Staff Happenings JUNE 2009 ISSUE NO. 75 In late May ATS staff in West Sydney found themselves involved in a real life drama when, in the course of their work, they discovered a grenade strapped to a tree.<br><br> Their quick and correct action in reporting the find to the police resulted in the area being cordoned off and a bomb disposal team from the Blue Mountains being called to deal with the potentially dangerous armament. The object turned out to be a training instrument, although it still had the ability to injure any person standing within 30m of it if activated. Adding to the mystery was a wire which had been attached to the device and stretched across the road.<br><br> The Active team (pictured right) are to be congratulated on their common sense and good community spirit. This type of responsible behaviour can only help improve our image with our community stakeholders. ACTIVE BOMB DISPOSAL TEAM AVERTS POTENTIAL DISASTER L to r are Mick Want, Doug Brown and Kurt Blume.<br><br> CAUSE AND EFFECT CAUSE Top picture shows a broken axle the end of which became logged in the differential EFFECT Damage to the various differential parts in the lower image. COST The cost of the repair was $12,500.The total cost of differential and axle repairs so far this year is approx $140,000 PREVENTION More care required when traversing up and down gutters, driving over undulating terrain and do not continue to spin wheels when bogged. JUNE 2009 ISSUE NO.<br><br> 75 VICTORIA GETS THUMBS UP FROM SUPERMAN On a recent fleet inspection in Victoria Fleet Manager Michael Lundbergh came across what he considers to be one of the best kept trucks in Active 8s Fleet, a 7yr old Hino F/N 3031. Michael told Active Update that this truck is a credit to both its crew and supervisor 3 Trevor Blanden , Chris Rooke and Daniel Marks . He was also full of praise for the overall condition of the entire Victorian fleet which he feels has improved dramatically since his last visit.<br><br> Congratulations Victoria!!! SPOT THE DIFFERENCE How good are your visual skills? At first glance, the pictures above probably appear the same, however when you look a bit closer maybe you can spot some differences.<br><br> Find all 12, list them and send to: Newsletter Competition, Active Tree Services, Box 1332, Post Office, Mona Vale, NSW 2103 Or e-mail to activeupdate@activetreeservices.com.au Entry is open to all ATS staff and Sub-contractors, plus their immediate family. There is a $100 K Mart gift card for the winner who will be drawn from all correct entries received. Important 4 Please include your name and address and a contact number.<br><br> Entries close Friday 28 August 2009. One entry per person please. WINNER OF THE MARCH NEWSLETTERS 9 SPOT THE DIFFERENCE COMPETITION WAS Chloe Hansell, daughter of Port Macquarie Office Co-ordinator Nikki Hansell.<br><br> CONGRATULATIONS Chloe 4 THE K-MART $100 GIFT CARD IS ON ITS WAY. JUNE 2009 ISSUE NO. 75 Active Update is produced quarterly for the information of all members of the Active Tree Services team plus our sub-contractors and other key stakeholders.<br><br> Contributions to the newsletter including stories and pictures are welcome and should be sent to the Editor, Richard Jeffery at activeupdate@activetreeservices.com.au or to; Box 1332, Post Office, Mona Vale, NSW2103 Active Tree Services have been working closely with Energy Australia over the past few months on additional non- contract projects, involving the re- establishment of access tracks in both the Gosford and Hunter Valley regions. These works have led to a variety of mechanical equipment being utilized depending upon the size of the job and the terrain where our crews are working. The photo top right shows some recently completed works in the Terrigal region of our Gosford vegetation contract.<br><br> Regional Manager Murray Harper told Active Update, 5The mechanical clearing jobs presented to us recently by Energy Australia, in both the Hunter and Gosford rural areas, have given us the opportunity to test a variety of mechanical equipment, depending upon the scope of works and the local terrain. In the past three months we have used both our own Active groomer, and three separate contractors machines in jobs at Tomago, Singleton and Ourimbah. This has expanded Energy Australia 8s perception of what Active can offer, with further quotes now coming in for ongoing mechanical clearing and grooming works in these contract areas. 6 Pictured right centre the Mega Mulcher and .below is a Tractor Mulcher with a 7 metre Hydraulic saw, used primarily to obtain a 4m x 4m vegetation window on the rural powerline access tracks.<br><br> ACTIVE DIVERSIFIES IN HUNTER VALLEY JUNE 2009 ISSUE NO. 75 A recruiting campaign in New Zealand last year resulted in a small number of our Kiwi cousins crossing the ditch and joining the Active team. One such person is 22 year old Ben Hughes who met up with the ATS recruiting team in Taupo and then joined the company in Brisbane in early October.<br><br> Now Ben is working as a Chipper Operator on the Energex contract, Ben told Active Update that he was originally attracted to the idea of working for Active Tree Services in Australia because he wanted a change, and it was a good opportunity for him to establish a career in the industry. Ben commented that he was enjoying meeting new people and the warmer weather, but was having difficulty getting use to the traffic jams and the snakes. He added that 5Active is a good company, everyone 8s friendly and welcoming.<br><br> Its pretty much what I thought it would be. 6 Rear left to right: Colt Pitt, Jeremy Moore, Scott Vizard, Matt Jolly, John Mackay, Gary Mackay, Jeremy Brown, Zay Tamou, Daniel Hober. Second row from rear: Bruce Robinson, Bud Quaid, Justin Edwards, Stephen Wallace, Paul Boadle, Scott Breed, James Wilde. Third row from rear: Ashley Jack, Ricky Burchill, Owen Sellwood, Darryl Baldwin, Matty Wray, Front: Mark Dunstan, Dion Williams.<br><br> A KIWI SEEKNG A CAREER WITH ACTIVE MOSMAN CONTRACTORS VALUE TRAINEESHIP OPPORTUNITY The ATS Traineeship programme is reaching far and wide. 1½hrs drive north of Cairns is the home of Mosman/Port Douglas Tree Loppers and over 20 of their staff have signed up. It 8s a big step for a small local contractor, but we hear the response so far has been very positive, as this is the first time such a programme has been offered in Far North Queensland.<br><br> . JUNE 2009 ISSUE NO. 75 First ATS breakfast for Craig and his team was in Port Macquarie where managers and staff plus Country Energy staff and other members of the local community turned out to support A2B4C and enjoy a breakfast courtesy of the Panthers Club.<br><br> ATS Regional Manager Mark Thomas tells us that 5 we had a good morning and raised just over $ 1k at the breakfast alone. We also have donated goods with a value of $3k and will run an ongoing silent auction during Craig 8s trip. So potentially we could have upwards of 8k for the charity . d Well done Mark and all the Northern NSW team. d Further north, Craig and his support team were entertained to a Barbeque by ATS managers and staff at Suttons Beach, Redcliff, Brisbane.<br><br> Queensland General Mgr Greg McLennan told Active Update; 5I am so impressed with Craig and his team and the efforts they are prepared to go to for this most worthwhile cause. I would encourage all Queensland ATS staff to get behind Craig and show him our support by making a donation. 6 Active Tree Services are delighted to be a sponsor of Craig Goozee , who is paddling, running and cycling his way around Australia to raise a million dollars for Children 8s Cancer Research. Craig lost his 9 year old daughter Jessica in 1997, and this is his third and by far the longest of his fund raising marathon 8s.<br><br> We are proud to be associated with this top Australian and his wonderful cause. You can also support Craig and this worthwhile charity by making a donation. ATS have committed to match all your donations dollar for dollar.<br><br> Most staff received a letter and a donation form in the mail, but if you still need one ask your regional office administrator. For further information on Craig 8s progress, go to; http://www.a2b4c.com.au/ JUNE 2009 ISSUE NO. 75 Swine flu 4 Prevention and Cure When pandemic flu is declared, the general advice from the Government will be to encourage everybody to adopt a common sense approach.<br><br> Continue to come to work unless you are ill. If you are ill, stay at home until you feel better. By the time you feel better you are no longer likely to be infectious and can return to work, the symptoms of pandemic flu will be the same as for seasonal flu, although more severe, as it is unlikely that people will have any resistance to it.<br><br> If you do catch flu : " Take medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve the symptoms (following the instructions with the medicines). Children under 16 must not be given aspirin or ready made flu remedies containing aspirin. " Drink plenty of fluids You can reduce, but not eliminate the risk of catching or spreading influenza during a pandemic by : " Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible " Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully 3 bag and bin them " Avoiding non -essential travel and large crowds wherever possible " Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people.<br><br> Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently, using a normal cleaning product Making sure your children follow this advice. These measures are for your own health and to avoid spreading the illness to others.<br><br> HEAD OFFICE STAFF SEE HOW IT 9S DONE Recently appointed Head Office staff were given the opportunity to watch a crew from Commercial 7in action 8 at a worksite in Blacktown. Main purpose was to give the newcomers a better idea on what being a vegetation worker involves. Big thank you to Steve Pettit and Ewan Marshall for organizing it, and also to the lads in the crew who obviously enjoyed explaining the different pieces of equipment they use and the processes they followed.<br><br> Head Office staff were shown two large trees being brought down and removed and were impressed by the efficiency of the entire team. Performance Development Mgr Richard Jeffery told Active Update that. 5In future this type of initiative will be encouraged during the induction process as it builds understanding between operational and non- operational staff and removes barriers. 6<br><br>

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