One of Australia’s rising forest leaders, who is now working with South Australian First Nations peoples to provide communities access to native trees to make canoes, coolamons, and shields, has secured the 2024 Richard Stanton Award in Melbourne overnight.
Announced by Simon Dorries, Responsible Wood’s CEO, Monique Blason, ForestrySA’s General Manager for Community Services, was celebrated during the Australian Forest Products Association Member’s Dinner.
Monique has also shown exceptional commitment to cultural heritage by working closely with local First Nations groups,” Mr Dorries told more than 120 guests, adding that “her efforts in this area highlight her deep respect and understanding of the multifaceted role forests play in our society.
The Richard Stanton Award honours Richard Stanton’s legacy by recognising individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to sustainable forest management and the principles of Responsible Wood certification.
“Richard Stanton was a passionate advocate for sustainable forestry, and this award continues his mission by celebrating those who contribute significantly to the health and sustainability of our forest industry, ensuring they remain a vital resource for generations to come.”
Ms Dawson manages a ForestrySA team that manages over 16,000 hectares of Proclaimed Native Forest Reserves and supports conservation and recreational activities across approximately 10,000 hectares of commercial pine plantations in the Adelaide Hills. “Under her guidance, ForestrySA’s forests have a sustainability leader, offering a range of ecosystem services, including biodiversity conservation and recreational opportunities for their local communities,” Mr Dorries said.
“One of Monique’s standout achievements is the development of the Ramseys/Fox Creek, Mt Crawford mountain bike park—a facility that not only meets the highest standards of recreational development but also supports biodiversity through thoughtful amenity planting.”
“Monique’s contributions go beyond just land management. She has embraced the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme, ensuring that all sites under management proudly promote and display the Responsible Wood logo,” Mr Dorries said. “This is evident along trails like the Wilampa Trail in the Second Valley Forest Reserve, where clear, quality signage communicates the importance of sustainable forestry to all visitors.”
This afternoon, Wood Central spoke to Joe Prevedello, the Australian Forest Products Association’s Communication Director, who said David Jochinke, President of the National Farmers Federation, was the dinner’s special guest speaker.
Mr Jochinke will lead the National Farmer Rally next week, a march on Canberra “in a bid to stand up for Australian agriculture.”
“This is a pivotal moment for our farming community, and we need every supporter to join us to make a powerful statement to decision-makers that activists and ideology should not be calling the shots,” Mr Jochinke said in a media release yesterday. \
“People who have never even stepped foot on a farm are dictating how farmers should grow the food and fibre we depend on every single day.”
- To learn more about the Richard Stanton Award, visit the Responsible Wood website.
