Past Events 2018

Past Events 2018


Australian National Field Days - October 25-27th 2018

DPI was a feature exhibitor at the 2018 ANFD in Borenore. The Biosecurity Collections displayed examples of our specimen imaging project and had general information about the collection; collection brochures and a children’s activity book on Biosecurity, Fungi, Insect Goodies (ladybugs) and Baddies (aphids), and reporting on suspect exotics.

We also provided materials and activities for the Education Hub, including interactive panels on biosecurity and plant health covering the importance of biosecurity and how fungi, bacteria, viruses and insects can damage plants. We had hands on materials including a microscope, living fungal cultures, live aphids and insect and plant pathology specimens on display.















Orange Agricultural Institute Open Day - September 22nd 2018

Saturday 22 September 2018  saw 300+ Orange and district locals flock to OAI to satisfy their curiosity about what we actually do out here.

The day was a great success with more than 100 people touring the collections. Everyone was very interested in the items on display at the collections stand. Continuing the theme of Biosecurity Goodies and Baddies, we showcased good fungi, bacteria and insects as well as those causing economic and environmental harm. We put together a workbook explaining what Biosecurity is, highlighting some major fungal pathogens, how aphids spread diseases and championing ladybugs as Biosecurity Goodies. There was also an activity table with “build a bug” and “make a mushroom” as well as a colouring in competition.





Botanical Illustration with Angus Fisher - July 1st 2018

The Biosecurity Collections attend the Corridor Project event, Scientific Illustration workshop with Angus Fisher.

Our specimens were very popular and we had people drawing butterflies, beetles and mushrooms.















Plant Health and Biosecurity for Science Week - August - October 2018

August 10th we kicked of science week at the Orange Regional Museum with our display on Plant Health, Biosecurity and the Collections. With the help of museum staff we put together a program for under 5's, primary school and high school students. This included making plant presses, mushrooms and aphids, as well as talks on biosecurity, diagnostics and taxonomy.

The display was up until mid October and did a great job at promoting The Collections, NSW DPI and Biosecurity.





Unearthing the Biosecurity Heritage of New South Wales - April - June 2018

This partnership with Orange Regional Museum showcased the collectors and curators that built  and maintained the collections over the years, and the tools they used to collect, preserve and store specimens of insects and fungi. It was a big hit with locals and visitors and we’ve gotten lots of great feedback and comments. The museum’s visitor tracking estimated over 12,000 visitors for April/May and roughly 80% of those guests indicated they visited the Heritage exhibit.

Central Western Daily article - Biosecurity heritage unearthed in Orange