Farm Safety Improves Through 'Incremental Gain', Says Birkett
Improving health and safety is about incremental gain rather than a sudden decision, says Leeston farmer and Federated Farmers health and safety spokesman David Birkett.
He is the first life member of SCANZ which he foundered in 2003 after attending an international conference on science communication in South Africa in late 2002.
Burke says when he attended that conference he was amazed to find that New Zealand was about the only country not to have a formal network for science communicators.
"It was logical to set up one here and with the help of some dedicated colleagues we got it off the ground within six months of my attending the South African conference," he says.
SCANZ had about 150 members who come from all facets of the science world including journalists, writer, scientists, science educators, film makers, public relations staff and policy makers. Burke says he's very honoured by the award. He is also a life member of the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalist.
