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More than 120 friends and colleagues attended an industry memorial service in Brisbane for Colin MacKenzie last week with Timber Queensland making a special announcement recognising Mr MacKenzie’s long-term contribution to timber design, innovation, and application. Source: Jim Bowden, WoodCentral CEO Mick Stephens said Mr MacKenzie was a giant in the industry, and as such, many colleagues and members asked how we might recognise these achievements. “Timber Queensland is pleased to announce the formation of a new award for professional development in the timber and building sector known as the Colin MacKenzie Award for Technical Excellence in Timber Application and Use,” Mr Stephens said. “This award will not only remember Colin’s 48-year legacy but will help support the ongoing work of timber design and education with a particular focus on fit-for-purpose specification and use, innovation and best practice timber engineering, design and research. “The award will enable future practitioners, students and researchers to obtain professional development that supports their own career and the industry more broadly. “Given the reach of Colin’s work, it will have a national focus, and Timber Queensland is working with other key partners and bodies to put in place necessary governance and funding arrangements. “We will be able to make further announcements as the award is fully developed including asking for the industry’s support.” A framed certificate formally recognising the award was presented to Mr MacKenzie’s wife Christine by Timber Queensland deputy chair James Hyne. Mr MacKenzie passed away on 24 March in Brisbane aged 75 following a period of illness and is survived by his wife and daughters Aleisha and Trina. His influence on the timber and building industries will be felt for generations to come. Affectionally known as ‘The Timber Expert’ due to his skills and experience, his enthusiasm and commitment to timber product education will be hard to replicate. Mr MacKenzie’s journey in engineering began in Melbourne where he graduated from the Caulfield Institute of Technology in 1974. With more than 40 years of experience in all facets of timber and wood product design, use, and application, he became a leading authority in the field, particularly where timber was used in building and construction. His expertise was built from his early days as a technical officer with CSIRO’s Divisions of Forest Products and Building Research through to his leadership roles as technical director at Timber Research and Development Advisory Council of Queensland (TRADAC) and later manager of Timber Application and Use with Timber Queensland. Over the course of his career, he became a defining figure in timber engineering. He worked with TRADAC, now embraced by Timber Queensland, before establishing MacKenzie Consulting. His work spanned durability design, domestic engineering, and the advancement of Australian standards and building codes. A leader in pioneering timber grading and in-grade testing programs, his impact reached far beyond Australia. He served on numerous Australian standards committees, including the Timber Structures Committee, the Structural Timbers Committee and the Timber Framing Committee. Internationally, he represented Australia on the ISO TC 165 Timber Structures Committee, ensuring that his expertise helped shape the global timber industry. His commitment to education and industry advancement was evident in his contribution to writing numerous technical publications, including the renowned Timber Queensland Technical Data Sheets, Queensland Timber Framing Manuals, Mult-Residential Timber Frame Construction publications, AS 1684, and the Handy Span Tables book. He played a key role in research projects such as Advanced Flooring Research, Recycled Timber Grading, and Durability Design, all aimed at strengthening the future of timber construction. Beyond his professional achievements, Mr MacKenzie was recognised with the Stanley A. Clarke Medal from the Institute of Wood Science in 1999, an acknowledgment of his outstanding contributions to timber technology.