AUSSIE
POOCH
LOCAL
CALL
EDITION 16 2008
Going
NEWS
1300 369 369
Mobi
le Do
g Wa
sh
Green
We all share this planet, humans and animals alike.
And we all must look after it. So Aussie Pooch Mobile
dog wash offers a way for your dog to help decrease his
footprint and do his part for the earth.
Operating for 17 years, with over 150
franchises world wide, environmentally
aware dogs and their owners are
choosing Aussie Pooch Mobile for
their commitment to the environment,
and for their philosophy of ‘We Care’.
INSIDE THIS EDITION
First Aid P2
Tips for Dogs
Camping
let’s go
World’s smallest
police dog
P
P
4
5
Dental
Avoiding
Disease P6
Tricks &
Treats
P
7
As well as taking measures to be
water-wise all products used are
environmentally friendly so they
won’t harm your dog, the operator or
the environment.
“When I founded Aussie Pooch
Mobile in 1991, my key concern was
making things better for dogs and the
environment,” explains Chris Taylor.
“A water savvy way of washing pets
was essential and the hydrobath ticked
all the boxes while ensuring the dogs
were clean. In fact, today hydrobathing
your dog only uses 20 litres of water,
which is a substantial water saving.
With a lot of our customers having
their pooches washed every two weeks
this amounts to less than two litres of
water per day. A lot less than using the
old hose and bucket.
“The solutions used in the hydrobath
were researched extensively to help
ensure there would be no long term
problems for the health of ourselves,
our pets or the environment as I’d
experienced first hand the effects of
www.aussiepm.com.au
chemicals in certain solutions. If my skin
reacted badly, so would the dogs.”
The products Aussie Pooch Mobile use
are PH balanced specially for dogs' skin
and designed specifically for hydrobath
use. Natural ingredients include pine oil,
tea tree oil, rosemary, lavender, vitamin E,
coconut oil and neem oil.
Aussie Pooch Mobile was also the first
company to implement a code of practice
for all hydrobath users.
“One of the requirements in our code of
practice relates to how the water and solution
is released into the environment,” says Chris.
“It is never put down storm water drains and
the water is distributed onto the garden or
grass area so it is not wasted.
“While the water crisis has abated
somewhat, we still have to be extremely
water conscious.”
Aussie Pooch Mobile also educate their
customers on responsible pet ownership,
the best products for their dogs and the
planet, right down to using biodegradable
bags to pick up doggy poop.
“I am very passionate about the
environment as I want my children and
their children’s children and their pets to
have the benefit of this wonderful world
in years to come,” says Chris.
Winter
survival tips
Just like we need to take extra precautions in winter to keep ourselves
warm and healthy, dogs do too. So take these simple steps to help your dog
though the chilly winter months.
Get Moving
Just because the weather may be miserable,
doesn’t mean you, or your dog should hibernate
completely. Continue taking him on his daily
walks as it is good for you and your dog.
Winter Cough
If you notice that your dog is listless, lethargic
or experiences symptoms of illness, such as
coughing, take him to the vet as soon as
possible as like us, he may be suffering from
respiratory problems.
Coat Care
With a dog’s thicker winter coat comes the
increased need for grooming and a coat that is
well cared for is essential. Removal of loose
hair and knots means your dog will be able to
maintain a warm body temperature, whereas a
dirty, matted coat has no insulation properties.
Proper coat maintenance can be achieved by
regular brushing and bathing.
Joint Pain
The symptoms of osteoarthritis, a painful,
degenerative joint disease, also increase
in winter. Early signs to look for may
include lagging behind on walks, limping,
appearing stiff after activity and difficulty
climbing stairs.
Keep it Cosy
During winter it’s important to make sure your
dog’s environment is warm, dry and sheltered
(away from drafty areas). You may like to invest
in a doggy coat. These can be purchased at your
local vet or pet shop.
Instant Lift
While you know the importance of regular
bathing and coat care, a warm water hydrobath
with the addition of a rosemary aromacare
treatment will also give your dog the extra
benefits of stimulating his circulation, relieving
tired, sore muscles, as well as lifting his mood
and feeling of wellbeing.
First Aid
Tips for Dogs
If your dog is badly hurt in your home
or while out and about with you, it’s
important to know how to administer
first aid until you can reach a vet. A first
aid kit, tailored to your dog's needs, can
truly be a lifesaver. If you take your dog
on frequent outings, it’s a good idea
to keep a second first aid kit handy in
your car.
A first aid kit for a dog contains many of
the same items it would for us. A good
idea is to buy a book on first aid for dogs,
as this will cover everything you need to
make up a first aid kit for your pooch.
If your dog is injured, approach him
calmly and carefully. Don't assume that
he won't snap or bite you - injured pets
often react negatively at first to any
attempt to touch them. Talk soothingly
and move slowly so he can see that you
mean him no harm.
If your dog is bleeding heavily, slow
or stop the flow as soon as possible.
Use a clean towel or cloth to apply
pressure directly to the wound. Change
towels/cloths as needed, but keep
pressure on until you reach a vet.
If necessary, you can apply thick gauze
pads and use tape to secure them
while you transport your dog. It is best,
however, to keep pressure on the wound
and have some one else drive.
Five reasons why your dog will love being washed
in the cooler weather
1.Your dog gets a warm bath.
2. Your dog is blow dried.
3. Your dog's coat will be kept in good condition.
4. Minor ailments are picked up at a stage that they can be treated easily.
5. Your dog will be clean, smell great and ready to cuddle!
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Bee stings and ant bites are common in
dogs. If your dog is stung while sniffing
around, restrain him and remove the
stinger either with tweezers or by
scraping it out (moving parallel to the
skin surface). The discomfort of bee
stings and ant bites can be alleviated, in
most cases, by simply cooling the area
with ice and cold water.
Small,
mEdium,
largE,
giant…
Every dog is different:
Royal Canin has a
tailor-made solution
All Royal Canin products are
manufactured from carefully
selected ingredients and
developed to produce a
complete and balanced diet.
SMALL DOG
MeDiuM DOG
Adult weight 1 – 10 kg
Adult weight 11 – 25 kg
s3HORTANDINTENSIVEGROWTH
s-OREPRONETOSENSITIVETEETHANDGUMS
s,IFEEXPECTANCYCANEXCEEDYEARS
LArGe DOG
Adult weight 26 – 44 kg
s,ONGGROWTHPERIODOFMONTHS
s-OREPRONETODIGESTIVESENSITIVITY
s,IFEEXPECTANCYAROUNDYEARS
s2APIDGROWTHWHICHSTABILIZESAROUNDYEAR
s-AJORSENSITIVITYIMMUNESYSTEM
s,IFEEXPECTANCYAROUNDYEARS
GiAnt DOG
Adult weight 45 – 100 kg
s6ERYLONGGROWTHPERIODOFMONTHS
s'REATERJOINTSENSITIVITYDUETOMUSCLEMASS
s,IFEEXPECTANCYFROMYEARS
AVAILABLE FROM ALL LEADING PET STORES
For further information please call 1300 657 021 or visit www.royalcanin.com.au
For specific information on your dog’s breed visit www.breednutrition-rc.com
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let’s go
Camping
Camping with your family, including dogs, can be a lot of fun, but there are
certain rules you should follow to make sure everyone’s a happy camper.
Even if your dog is micro-chipped,
you may like to provide temporary
identification including the campsite/
accommodation address and contactable
number (mobiles may not work in certain
camping areas) in case your dog does
happen to get lost in unfamiliar surrounds.
Have plenty of fresh water on hand.
You may need to take your own supply
as what appears to be fresh water may
in fact contain bacteria or other ‘nasties’
that could harm your dog.
It’s very important that you take measures
to prevent your dog from harming any
wildlife or other domestic animals that
may be in the area.
Ensure you have a good quality lead that
will withstand even an agitated dog.
Always pick up and dispose of any
dog poo using environmentally friendly
doggy do bags, available from pet shops
or your local council.
Make sure your dog doesn't make
unreasonable noise, especially at night
when others are trying to sleep, or
you may find you wake up with very
cranky campers.
Be sure to provide adequate shelter for
your dog, especially in extreme heat or
very cold conditions. Taking a bed with
you is also a great way to make your
dog comfortable and brings a sense of
familiarity to the new surroundings.
There’s nothing better than sitting by a
campfire with your dog under your arm,
looking at the stars.
There is information on the web about
dog-friendly campsites.
Doggy Fantastic Camping Weekend
(South East Queensland)
Aussie Pooch Mobile and Variety Queensland have organised a Doggy Camping Weekend to help raise
money for special needs children. Money raised from this weekend will be put towards training another
assistance dog.
A fun weekend that you and your dog can be involved in.
Donations required to help raise more money. For more information on this fantastic event, email Tracy
at Aussie Pooch Mobile tracy@aussiepm.com.au or visit the APM website: www.aussiepm.com.au
Neurum Creek Bush Retreat (20 mins from Caboolture)
SE Queensland Ph: 1300 733 901 www.ncbr.com.au
Photo Competition
We are looking for special pictures of your dogs, to use in our customer
newsletters and on our website. Each edition will have an overall winner which
will see your pooch receiving… a super hamper with various pet products in it.
Please send your entry with photo:
Aussie Pooch News Competition,
4/13 Brewers Street, Burpengary Qld 4505
email: support@aussiepm.com.au
File format: High resolution TIF or Jpeg files.
When submitting photos, you are giving Aussie Pooch Mobile permission to use
the pictures for other purposes.
Overall Winner
This is our 10-month-old little girl, Bella.
She is the best dog in the world, but the poor little thing has hip and elbow displacer.
Courtney Moss
www.aussiepm.com.au
How to
choose the
Perfect
puppy
If it’s time for a new addition to your family, it’s easy to fall in love with the first
puppy you see, but there are things to take into consideration before taking your
new little bundle home.
more adaptable to apartment and inner city
living than some of the larger breeds that will
take up and need more space.
It’s a good idea to prepare yourself for your
new puppy by researching which breed is
right for your lifestyle and your personality.
Some questions to consider include:
• How big will the pup get?
• What temperament does the breed of dog
commonly have?
• Is the dog good with children (if appropriate)?
• How active or inactive am I and can my dog
keep up, or can I keep up with the dog?
• How much time can I spend with the dog?
• Is my environment large enough for a dog
to live in? Does this dog need a small or
large yard or does it even want to go outside
at all?
• Can I afford the puppy, its food, annual
vaccinations, vet bills and grooming?
If you are looking for a dog to keep up with
your active life you might want a breed that is
There are also many options when considering
where to get your perfect puppy from including
a pet store, dog breeder, RSPCA or other
animal shelter.
bred specifically for endurance. High energy
breeds need a lot of exercise and attention.
Some can be high maintenance, so you must
be able to make time to socialise, exercise and
train your dog.
Good dogs for energetic people who love
being outdoors include Labrador and Golden
Retrievers. They have an abundance of
energy and do well in an active environment.
These breeds definitely need a fenced-in yard.
They have to be able to run and exercise on a
regular basis.
Other high-energy breeds that are good with
kids and great companions for your family are
Setters, Spaniels, Retrievers, Collies, Weimaraners,
Shepherds and Jack Russell Terriers.
Now if you're a couch potato or a homebody,
more laid-back breeds like a Pekingese, Pug,
Shih Tzu and Maltese could be for you. Most
of these dogs will adapt their energy level
to their environment. The smaller breeds are
Good advice when picking a puppy is to
always observe the living conditions of
the litter wherever you get your pup from.
Adequate space and clean, fresh water and
food is a must as well as a clean environment
which will help ensure this puppy has been
well cared for.
Make sure your look at the health of the
puppies and most importantly choose what
temperament or even sex of the pup will best
suit you and your lifestyle.
There’s loads of information available on
choosing your perfect puppy, including your
vet, breeders, pet shops, books, dvds and
cd roms and of course, your Aussie Pooch
Mobile operator.
Check out the following for informative DVDs and information.
Royal Canin Puppy
Manual DVD
the basics on choosing and
caring for your puppy
www.royalcanin.com.au
The
Pethealth.com.au
CD ROM Mood Mender
Your solution for barking, anxieties,
house soiling and other pet behavioural and health problems
www.pethealth.com.au
Craig A Murray, Specialist Dog Trainer
DVD picking a puppy and relationship nurturing
www.dogschool.com.au
name game
The current top 10 names:
According to research by Bow Wow Meow, Spot, Rover and Fido no longer cut it in the doggy name stakes.
These days our dogs are being graced with names you’d more likely find in a school yard, than previously
found in a puppy play pen, which reflects just how much a part of the family dogs really are.
World’s
smallest
Molly
ck
Bella
Charli Ja
Max
e
y
Luc
Oscar R
Roxy
Toby
uby
police dog
Meet Midge, a 3.6kg Chihuahua-terrier cross who is famous for being the Guinness World Record holder as the world’s smallest police
dog, who lives in America. Two-year-old Midge can sniff out marijuana in a high school locker and squeeze into the hard-to-reach
spaces in cars that are favoured by drug dealers. The only non-German Shepherd on the county force, Midge made her first search when
she was just 6 months and has completed hundreds of missions since. She is still learning new tricks (like how to detect cocaine) and
unlearning bad ones. And when left in the police car alone, she likes to set off the siren and turn on the spotlight.
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Dental
Avoid
Disease in Dogs
Dental disease is one of the most common
diseases in dogs and cats, and involves the
buildup of tartar causing gum and tooth
irritation. If left untreated, the gums will
eventually recede leading to infection and
tooth loss.
We all know how sore a toothache can be,
however our pets can’t tell us when they are not
feeling well. Pets may often suffer in silence,
however there are some warning signs you can
look out for.
Early signs indicating that your pet may be
suffering from dental disease include foul
smelling breath, excess salivation, and
reluctance to eat. Other more serious effects
can include tooth loss, abscess formation and
secondary infections of other organs including
the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver. If you
suspect that you pet has dental disease, it is
important to take him/her to your veterinarian
for a check up.
If diagnosed with dental disease, your pet may
require a dental scale under general anesthetic.
This involves scaling and polishing the teeth
and possible tooth extractions. However the
best cure for dental disease is prevention!
Why not try Plaque Off, a daily food additive
which helps remove plaque (available from
NO
Aussie Pooch operators).
The most effective way to remove plaque
from your pet’s teeth is to brush them.
The best way to do so is using a special pet
toothbrush and toothpaste designed for use
on animals. Brushing must be introduced to
your pet slowly, and can begin by rubbing
his/her lips and gums with your finger before
introducing a finger brush or toothbrush.
When the brush is first introduced, start by only
brushing a few teeth at a time, and eventually
work up to include all teeth. Many pets will not
tolerate their teeth being brushed (especially
cats), so other forms of dental prevention can
be adopted.
Rawhide bones, chews, large strips of raw meat
and large biscuits can be given to dogs and cats
daily to help encourage chewing and to prevent
formation of plaque and tartar.
Royal Canin Dental diets use mechanical and
chemical action to maintain dental health. The
size, texture and shape of the kibbles provide a
mild abrasive effect to gently scrub the teeth.
Sodium polyphosphate traps salivary calcium
so that it is unavailable for tartar formation.
The Royal Canin Dental diets each include
additional benefits to prevent other common
problems including urinary, skin, hairball and
joint problems.
bones about it
Some experts say feed your dog bones and some experts say don’t.
Make no bones about it, if you do feed your dog bones, make sure they are raw
bones as cooked bones can easily splinter and cause problems.
For more information regarding Royal Canin
Dental diets please call 1300 657 021.
A completely natural
product, ProDen
PlaqueOffTM is an
effective supplement
in combatting bad
breath, tartar and
plaque in your pet.
With one small jar lasting up to a year, it’s never been
easier to look after your pet’s dental care!
For more information email:
pets@leutenegger.com.au
or call Mick on 0424 190 792
Community
Doing it
for the
There are many local community-minded
businesses and Aussie Pooch Mobile is
no exception.
Each year Aussie Pooch Mobile is involved in
the Variety Children’s Charity Jet Trek and in
2008 helped raise over $100,000.
The Aussie Pooch Mobile philosophy of ‘We
Care’ not only relates to cleaning and caring
for dogs, it is strongly tied to caring and
helping the community, with APM operators
throwing themselves relentlessly into many
events to help raise money for charity.
Other partnerships include the Animal Welfare
League, Lions Hearing Dogs, Assistance Dogs
and Breast Cancer Awareness.
With a long-standing affiliation with
the RSPCA, APM operators in all states
participated in this year’s RSPCA Million
Paws Walk, where a major dog bath-a-thon
was held. We washed 449 dogs and raised
over $12,000.
Aussie Pooch Mobile also provides adopted
dogs with an initial discounted Aussie Pooch
Mobile service to help their new owners
establish good canine cleanliness and is
actively involved in helping care for abused
and rescued dogs.
“I know I speak for all Aussie Pooch Mobile
franchisees in saying that we are so fortunate
to be doing something we love that we want
to be able to give back to the community,”
says Chris Taylor.
“Over the next 12 months we plan to raise more
funds through our different events for Variety
including helping another child receive an
assistance dog. We are also working closely
with the Lions Hearing Dogs and will be
fundraising for them.”
So hop on board and let’s all help do what we
can for the community.
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Tricks & Treats
It’s never too late to teach an old (or young) dog new tricks, and with a little practice he will soon be the star of the show.
The things you teach your dog are only limited to your imagination, but we’ve outlined some basics for you.
Initially you will train your dog with a treat, and 10 minutes each training session should be all you need.
Shake Hands
Beg
Basic: Start by having your dog sit. Say, ‘shake
hands’ and gently lift his paw with your hand.
Hold his paw and say, ‘good dog!’ or give him
a ‘love ‘em’ liver treat’. Let go of his paw.
Do this a few times every day.
Basic: Have your dog sit,
facing you. Hold his favourite
treat just above his head and
tell him, ‘say please’. Your
dog will probably lift his
front feet off the ground to
reach the treat. As soon as
the feet are lifted, even a
little bit, give him the treat.
Advanced: After a while, say, ‘shake hands’
but don't take his paw. See if he raises his paw
by himself. If not, keep showing him what to
do by saying, ‘shake hands’ and taking his paw
with your hand. Your dog is not slow; he is
just learning!
Turn Around
Basic: Start by having your dog walk beside
you. Let your dog see a treat in your hand.
As you are walking say, ‘turn around’. Lead the
dog's nose around with the treat so he walks in
a circle. When he comes back beside you again,
praise him and give him the treat.
Advanced: After some practice, hold the treat
so your dog can see it and say, ‘turn around’,
but don't lead his nose. See if he is ready to turn
around by himself and get the treat. Then you
can try the same on the other side.
Advanced: This is a hard trick for most dogs. Wait a
little longer each time before giving the treat, but be
careful not to let your dog fall over on his back. You are
helping your dog develop his balance.
Roll Over
Basic: Start by having your dog lie down on his belly.
You can stand or kneel beside him. Using a treat, hold it
by his nose, and then move it around and behind him, so
that he lies on his side and then rolls over. Give him the
treat and tell him what a great dog he is!
Tip: Only roll your dog on soft surfaces like carpet or
grass so he doesn't hurt his back.
Wash Away
puppy bath time blues with free puppy wash vouchers
Forget the garden hose, wet towels and
a dog shaking all over you. New puppy
owners are now being provided with a
2 for 1 discount voucher to have their
puppy washed by Aussie Pooch Mobile
Dog Wash Franchisees, and best of all it’s
at the convenience of their own home.
Chris Taylor (Aussie Pooch Mobile
Founder) says, "It’s well known that it
is essential to socialise your puppy to as
many things as possible. Washing and
grooming is something that dogs will
experience throughout their lives so by
socialising them to this from an early age
will help ensure they grow up to be happy,
well-balanced family members.”
The socialisation procedure for the puppy
includes a warm fresh water hydrobath,
brushing, nail clipping, ear and eye
cleaning, blow dry, deodorant and a puppy
treat all performed in Aussie Pooch Mobile
Dog Wash trailer by caring experienced
franchisees.
Aussie Pooch is happy to provide you with
a 2 for 1 service for a puppy that you,
or a friend, may have. Simply contact
your local Aussie Pooch Mobile operator
by phoning 1300 369 369 or visit
www.aussiepm.com.au
With Aussie Pooch there will definitely be
no puppy bath time blues.
Conditions: Puppies under 6 months,
participating areas only, second service
free within 1 month of first service.
These vouchers are also available to
breeders and puppy pre-school organizers
to provide in their puppy packs.
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The Dashing Dachshund
16
A German breed whose origins date back to the Middle Ages, the Dachshund has a
unique morphology which as proved very popular amongst dog enthusiasts since the 1970s.
The Dachshund distinguished itself as one of the most versatile hunting breeds. On the ground it
achieves remarkable results, using its bark effectively to track game.
Curious and tenacious, the Dachshund will keep your family entertained. The Dachshund comes
in a variety of sizes, colours and coats, with smooth the most common, long haired less common
and wire-haired quite rare. Dachshunds can suffer from poor back health so care should be taken
to avoid improper activity and excess weight gain. This loyal, but stubborn, hound never gives up
and needs a gentle but firm owner from an early age. Dachshunds are good with children if raised
with them from an early age and although territorial about their toys and home, Dachshunds are
friendly, fun and animated when well socialised. They also have quite a loud bark, which also
makes them a good watch dog. The wire-haired Dachshund usually needs professional grooming,
but the other varieties are quite easy to look after. Dachshund’s usually live between 14-17 years.
Royal Canin have specially formulate DACHSHUND 28 to take into account characteristics of the
breed. It is formulated food to improve the wellbeing of the dog day by day and enables it to grow
old in optimal conditions.
For more information regarding the Royal Canin Dachshund diet please call 1300 657 021, or visit
www.breednutrition-rc.com.
Franchising Success for
Pooch Pampering
Life is for living, and enjoying every single moment is important.
So when it comes to work it makes sense to do something you
are passionate about, a career that inspires you and has you
bounding out of bed, eager to begin your day.
And if you are a dog-lover that career is with Aussie Pooch Mobile.
Founded in 1991 in Brisbane, Australia by Chris Taylor, this
incredible success story is the thing dreams are made of and
you can be part of it.
What started as a business washing and grooming dogs from
Chris’s backyard, has now turned into an award-winning
international franchise system, with operators throughout
Australia as well as the United States, Malaysia, New Zealand,
New Caledonia and the United Kingdom.
Mobile Dog Washing is one of the fastest growing sectors in the
pet care industry, so if you are after a career change, want to
become your own boss and love dogs, you can now enjoy doing
something you truly love as well as earning fantastic money.
Becoming a franchisee gives you this plus more.
More and more people realise the benefits of this service, one
of which is saving water. Aussie Pooch Mobile is exempt from
water restrictions due to the water efficient way they wash
and care for your dog. Compared to the traditional methods of
washing your dog, the Aussie Pooch Mobile system currently
saves over 2 million litres of water per month.
As an Aussie Pooch Mobile Dog Wash Franchisee you join a team
of dog loving people who make a difference in the lives of dog’s
and their families, as well as earning a fantastic income. Much
more than just dog washing you will interact with the customers
to provide additional services such as grooming and trimming for
the dog, a range of retail products and friendly helpful advice.
The word on the street …..
Why Aussie Pooch Mobile
Dog Wash Operators
love their job
“After researching several other mobile services before
deciding on Aussie Pooch Mobile, I can already say I am so
glad to have chosen the Best one in the industry.
“The support in all areas from training to marketing
to bookwork has been second to none. I feel very
comfortable talking to other operators, my Franchise
Development Manager and communicating with all
the staff at the support office. Most importantly my
customers are thanking me and rewarding me by
re-booking and referring my business. That shows me
we are a step above the rest.”
Lauren Rapley (Franchisee) Photo courtesy of The Times
To find out more about Aussie
Pooch Mobile Dog Wash and
Franchise opportunities,
visit our website:
Mobi
le Do
g Wa
sh
www.aussiepm.com.au
"I have worked in the public service, private
enterprise and now for myself as an Aussie Pooch
Mobile franchisee. The only thing I regret is that
I didn't join Aussie Pooch earlier in my career."
Garry Smith (Sub Franchisee)
For further information about franchising or about having
your own dog washed contact Aussie Pooch Mobile on
1300 369 369 or visit www.aussiepm.com.au
Contact Your Local Operator
LOCAL
CALL
1300 369 369
© This publication is the intellectual property of Aussie Pooch Mobile Pty Ltd. Authorised use is permitted please contact support@aussiepm.com.au.
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