Sugar Research and Development Corporation is calling for nominations for the 2011 Innovation Awards - the sugarcane industry’s premier awards to recognise research innovation.

SRDC Executive Director Annette Sugden said the awards present an ideal opportunity to profile and acknowledge those people with a real commitment to fostering change within the Australian sugarcane industry.

“SRDC has made some adjustments to the 2011 Innovation Awards. Two award categories have been added, the selection criteria changed and prize amounts modified, so nominees should view the award guidelines carefully before applying,” Ms Sugden said.

“Innovation is critical for the long-term sustainability of the industry, so it’s important we all take the time to recognise the men and women who play a leading role in promoting innovative thinking and research,” Ms Sugden said.

The 2011 SRDC Innovation Award categories are:

Research Group Innovation Award ($10,000 plus perpetual trophy)

This award recognises the contribution a team has delivered to provide a significant benefit for the Australian sugarcane industry. Last year, the BSES Smut Buster team won this award for the speed in which they developed smut resistant cane varieties in response to the sugarcane smut incursion in Queensland in 2006. Individual Research Scientist Award ($5,000)

This award recognises an outstanding achievement by an individual in research or development over the past five years. In 2010, QUT Principal Research Fellow Dr Bill Doherty won this award for developing an efficient one-step cleaning process using a Novel Formulation to remove scale from mill evaporators.

Individual Long Service Award ($3,000)

This award acknowledges long-term service by an individual who has advanced innovative research and capacity within the industry. Last year, three people won this award including BSES Principal Scientist Dr Nils Berding, retired Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ms Joan Hird, and BSES Research Officer Keith Chandler for their commitment to research innovation.

Two new awards added this year are:

Grower Group Innovation Award ($10,000)

This award recognises a group of growers who have created or adopted innovative research funded by SRDC. This award prize will provide the winning grower group with an opportunity to continue their research project, promote research adoption, or to invest in a team development activity.

Individual Research Technician Award ($5,000)

This award acknowledges the contribution an individual has made to scientific research either on their own or as part of a team project. The award prize is designed to provide the winner with an opportunity to further their own professional development.

To apply, download the award guidelines and nomination form from www.srdc.gov.au and email your nomination to Kara Billsborough This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by close of business on Monday 21 March 2011.

“There are many individuals and groups of like-minded people who make a significant contribution towards the use of technologies and practices that drive our industry. These are people who embrace innovation and these are the people SRDC wants to recognise and showcase through the SRDC awards”, Ms Sugden said.

Winners of the SRDC Innovation Awards will be announced during the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists conference dinner in Mackay on 5 May 2011. For more information about the ASSCT conference visit www.assct.com.au or contact SRDC on ph: (07) 3210 0495.

ENDS

Awards contact: Kara Billsborough ph (07) 3210 0495 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Media contact: Carolyn Martin ph (07) 3210 0495 or mob 0439 399 886 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The BSES Smut Buster received the overall SRDC Innovation Award in 2010. SRDC Executive Director Annette Sugden presented the award during a ceremony facilitated by the Master of Ceremony Peter Lewis from ABC TV Landline.