Forest Products Industry

Five new Hall of Fame Inductees, three Industry Champions and two Icons of forest contracting were celebrated at the Australian Forest Contracting Association Gala Dinner and Industry Excellence Awards on 14 November. Source: Timberbiz One hundred and twenty people gathered at the event in Launceston, Tasmania to recognise the achievements and contributions of the people and businesses who epitomise what this great industry is all about. Australian Forest Contractors Association General Manager Tim Lester said the overriding message from the evening was the importance of community and collaboration. “Contracting businesses are the lifeblood of the forest products sector” Tim Lester said. “They are very often multigenerational family enterprises, with dedicated staff, the highest levels of performance and a real commitment to maintaining healthy environments and communities. “Through our Industry Excellence Awards we are acknowledging and recognising this dedication and service which can be easily overlooked. “We are also proud to recognise the outstanding contribution and resilience of this year’s Hall of Fame Inductees who have been involved in industry for 25 years and elevated two of our Hall of Fame members to Icon status. “We awarded five Service to Industry Award for individuals and organisations who have made a significant contribution in support of forest contracting businesses. “And with a special new category we acknowledge the work of three Industry Champions, individuals who have gone above and beyond in support of our businesses and industry. “Our congratulations to all the nominees and award winners,” Mr Lester said. Winners and Finalists Next Generation Achiever, awarded to a talented and successful emerging industry leader. Sponsored by the Forest Research Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast. Winner: Jacob Hughes, JCH Harvest, (Tas) Finalists: Meeghan Price, TP Bennett and Sons, (Tas), Samuel Blackberry, Sunchip Group (Qld) Mr Hughes commenced in the industry as an operator and has become a significant contractor in Tasmania. He has been a leader in the innovation of winch assist in steep logging. Female Leader Award, for outstanding achievement and contribution to the industry, sponsored by John Deere Winner: Kirsty Parker, M&M Timbers, NSW Finalists: Jennifer Ferguson, Austimber Harvest & Haulage, Vic, Jillian Aylett-Brown, Tasmania Ms Parker is a great advocate for the hardwood timber industry, always creating opportunities to promote the industry and taking the fight to keep it going to both local and federal politicians. Excellence in Safety, awarded for outstanding achievement and contribution to the development and delivery of safe practices, Sponsored by Forico. Winner: Sunchip Group, Queensland
Finalists: South West Haulage, WA, JCH Harvest, Tasmania. Sunchip Group has proudly been involved in the forestry industry for over 25 years. Passionate about the safety of its people and our industry, Sunchip Group has taken the lead when it comes to industry training and safety within the SE Qld region. Excellence in Operations, awarded for outstanding achievement and excellence in operational and organisational performance. Sponsored by Waratah Winner: Francis Richardson, Orana Enterprises, Tasmania. Finalists: William MacPhail, Sunchip Group (Qld), Jana Costello, Sunchip Group, Qld) Mr Richardson is an industry leader in truck tracking, scheduling, reporting, safety, and electronics logbook utilization. Hall of Fame – Sponsored by ForestFit Andrew Westaway, MWM Logging. During the past 20 years Mr Westaway has worked in various Victorian locations in native forestry, salvage operations, bushfire responses, windblown pine, dangerous tree work, and fire salvage. Mr Westaway’s was the first crew to utilise the K tree system which was used in salvage operations for hazardous trees, adopting the process for green forests. Denis Greensill, Greensill Bros. Mr Greensill has been in the timber industry servicing both native hardwood and softwood operations for decades. He is a large employer in the region, and his nominator described him as an
all-round legend of the industry. Angela McGuigan, Sunchip Group. Ms McGuigan has been integral part of Sunchip Group’s success for more than two decades. She is a quite achiever in the background, acting as a support within the business and industry. Gerard Bennett, TP Bennett & Sons. Mr Bennett has dedicated over 30 years to the forest industry, playing a pivotal role in supporting contracting businesses and ensuring the ongoing success of the sector. He has been a mentor and trainer to many young professionals, fostering the next generation of forestry experts. Tammy Price, TP Bennett & Sons. Ms Price is a powerhouse of southern Tasmania, and has actively championed the cause of forest contractors for many years. With passion and commitment, she has advocated for better outcomes for contracting businesses as part of a thriving industry sector. Service to Industry – Sponsored by Forestworks Graeme and Sylvia Elphinstone, Elphinstone Engineering Long-time supporters of the industry in Tasmania in nationally. Over the past year they have committed enormous personal time, effort and funding to bridge the gap of understanding by working with the team at MONA through the Forest Economics Congress. Ken White, Whites ATS For the enormous amount of work to review, analyse and support the negotiation of the forest and fire services agreements in Victoria, supporting the harvesting contractors reaching a good outcome. Midway Limited For continuing support of ForestFit since 2019. The commitment and dedication of multiple staff members has had a significantly positive impact on what is being achieved through the project for the benefit of industry. Peter Rutherford, South East Timber Association (SETA) Mr Rutherford works as a volunteer to advocate for the timber industry in the South Eastern part of NSW. As Secretary of the SETA group he goes over and above in supporting timber industry employees and businesses. Dallas Frost, Frost Batten Accountants. An industry expert in assisting contractors together advocating for industry with a number of state government bodies. He has developed costing models for industry bodies and government organizations and presented at a number of seminars for contractors over the last 20 years. Industry Champions – Sponsored by JASANZ Simon Shackleton, John Deere Mr Shackleton has been the General Manager Sales & Marketing John Deere Forestry (Asia-Pacific & Africa) since early 2000’s and prior to this was in a […]