Celebrating 30 years of Dieback Awareness

In 2026, the Dieback Working Group proudly marks 30 years since our founding in 1996 by Dr Ian Colquhoun. The DIG Conference 2026 will celebrate this milestone, bringing together practitioners, researchers, land managers, and community partners from across Australia.

For three decades, DWG has worked to increase awareness and improve the management of Phytophthora Dieback and other biosecurity threats to our natural ecosystems. DWG has grown into a nationally recognised not-for-profit and charity organisation with diverse membership and strong outreach across industry, government, science, and community sectors.

The 2026 conference will reflect on our progress, share new knowledge, and continue driving best-practice behaviour and policy change.

DWG Green Card™ Training (Dieback Biosecurity Awareness Training) is recognised by WA government authorities to gain the skills and knowledge you need to manage your risk of spreading Phytophthora Dieback on-ground.

As part of DIG 2026, DWG Green Card™ Training will include additional benefits: 

• DWG Green Card™ Presentation
• Lunch & morning tea
• My Pest Guide demonstration
• Field trip in bushland to discuss Dieback Management
• Vehicle clean down

Gain new skills:

• Tactics to avoid and minimise spreading weeds and Phytophthora during your activities.
• Understand what the coloured symbols mean on standard Phytophthora Dieback signage.
• Apply a safe work method for vehicle clean-down.
• Identify parts of a vehicle to inspect and clean-down.

A 10% discount has been applied to the ticket price for DIG 2026.

Find out more about Green Card Training here

This year’s format includes speaker presentations and panel discussions.

The Conference Day is available both in person and online. Join our audience of national and international Dieback stakeholders to hear from speakers from a range of sectors who will deliver presentations showcasing a diverse range of Phytophthora Dieback science and management, as well as content on other disease threats to natural ecosystems. 

Speakers Include:

• Treena Burgess, Murdoch University – Keynote: 30 years of Dieback Awareness – Past, Present & Future
• DWG, Dieback-Free Basic Raw Materials (BRM) Project update & results
• Bob Du, Murdoch University – Metham Sodium Laboratory Trials
• Sarah Dunstan, Ecopath Solutions – Phytoguard™ Detection

Whether you have been involved since the early days or are new to the dieback community, DIG 2026 is a chance to reconnect, celebrate achievements, and continue strengthening the collective effort to protect our country.

Ticket pricing

*Students: You must register with your student email address to be eligible for the student discount.

Green Card Training: For volunteers, students and community groups, please contact [email protected] for a special rate.