At the Opening ceremony of Aquarama in Singapore, 30 May 2013, OFI President Gerald Bassleer honored Rick Datodi from Australia with the OFI Award 2013. Rick has shared his expert knowledge over many years with suppliers and colleagues, to the benefit of the Australian industry and beyond.
Rick Datodi was the founder and Managing Director of Aquarium Industries Pty Ltd, the largest importer/wholesaler of aquarium fish in Australia and has been involved in the business for more than 45 years. Based in Melbourne the company is still operating today distributing fish around Australia. Ric has developed a thorough knowledge about all aspects of fish keeping which has helped his company remain as the dominant player in the Australian market.
What OFI honors in Rick, is that he has always tried to help others in the industry to improve in what they do. He spoke at many international conventions and belonged to (and in some cases helped to form) many numerous professional, trade and hobby organizations, both nationally and internationally. He was a foundation member and Director of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC Australia) for over 20 years, where he represented the industry in consultations with the government over live fish quarantine and permissible import matters. He was a member of the National Taskforce on Imported Fish and Fish Products (Report Dec. 1996) and was also a member of the working party to the National Aquatic Animal Health, helping to formulate changes to Australian quarantine regulation.
Rick has also been very supportive to people from all parts of the industry; from fostering Australian ornamental fish farming to helping farmers, importers and exporters throughout the world to improve quality and health management of fish. Rick’s links to OFI stretch back to 1990 when he first joined, and then became a member of the Executive Board in 2002 until 2005, when he sold Aquarium Industries Pty Ltd and retired from the industry.
Although now retired, Rick is still involved in the industry, maintaining close ties with many of the suppliers and the numerous friends he has known for so many years, including all of us here at AI.
Congratulations Rick, from everyone at Aquarium Industries!