Five new Hall of Fame Inductees, three Industry Champions and two Icons were celebrated at the Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) Gala Dinner and Industry Excellence Awards last Thursday.
The Wood Central Publisher joined more than 120 people in Launceston – including Laurence O’Toole (otherwise known as Axeman O’Toole), one of the world’s Australia’s most successful axemen and proud owner of more than 100 different axes worldwide – to recognise the contributions of the people and businesses who drive the Australian forest economy.
In delivering his keynote address to the audience, Tim Lester, CEO of the Australian Forest Contractors Association, said the overriding message was the importance of community (first) and collaboration.
“Contracting businesses are the lifeblood of the forest products sector. 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.”
Tim Lester, the CEO of the Australian Forest Contractors Association on the importance of forest contracting businesses in the timber supply chain.
To support the Gala Dinner, AFCA members also participated in a seminar, with Paul Leath from the CSIRO, Tim Woods, CEO of Industry Edge, Professor Mark Brown from the University of Sunshine Coast Forest Research Institute, and Jason Ross, Wood Central publisher, among key speakers, exploring a range of topics including the future of wood supply, innovation in the tree-to-timber supply chain, and social licence.
The 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, (Tasmania)
“Jacob commenced in the industry as an operator and has become a significant contractor in Tasmania. He has led 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, (New South Wales)
“Kirsty 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 developing and delivering safe practices, Sponsored by Forico.
Winner: Sunchip Group, Queensland
“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 operational and organisational performance excellence. Sponsored by Waratah
Winner: Francis Richardson, Orana Enterprises (Tasmania)
“Francis is an Industry leader in truck tracking, scheduling, reporting, safety, and electronics logbook utilisation. No one holds a candle to this young fella and we are proud to have him on our team!“
Hall of Fame – Sponsored by ForestFit™
- Andrew Westaway, MWM Logging.
“During the past 20 years Andrew has worked in various Victorian locations in native forestry, salvage operations, bushfire responses, windblown pine, dangerous tree work, and fire salvage. Andrew’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.
“Denis 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.
“Angela 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.
“Gerard 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 mentored and trained many young professionals, fostering the next generation of forestry experts.”
- Tammy Price, TP Bennett & Sons.
“Tammy is a powerhouse in 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)
“Peter 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 organisations and presented at a number of seminars for contractors over the last 20 years.”
Industry Champions – Sponsored by JASANZ
- Simon Shackleton, John Deere
“Simon has been the General Manager Sales & Marketing John Deere Forestry (Asia-Pacific & Africa) since early 2000’s and prior to this was in a similar role with timberjack. He has been involved with contractors all over Australia as the industry has transition to advanced mechanical harvesting and high levels of technology. Simon has been a strong supporter of AFCA since the original meetings to form the association in 2002.”
- Dwayne Kerrison of Orana Enterprise.
“Dwayne has been General Manager of Orana Enterprises since 2016. Orana Enterprises is a family-owned local business specialising in timber harvest and haulage for customers and landowners in the Tasmanian forest industry.
He is an industry champion because of his outstanding leadership and communication skills aiding the growth of the business and his strong leadership in representing the Harvest and Haulage sector.”
- Mike Jones, Komatsu Forest.
“Mike was the Managing Director for Komatsu Forest for almost 30 years. He’s been involved in the industry for 40 years and is a worthy recipient of this award.”
Industry Icons – sponsored by Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
- Les Walkden of Les Walkden Enterprises
“For more than 40 years, Les has been an innovator and long-term industry contractor in Tasmania. Les has handled freight forwarding, carted coal, hauled vegetables, oil and fuel, and of course – timber. With a timber harvesting and carting operation that spans most of Tasmania and Victoria, Les Walkden Enterprises are an integral part of the economies of both states.“
- Max Jones of Seamax Group.
“Max is an industry icon for many reasons. He started in the industry at the age of 14 and is still running the daily operations of his log haulage business at the age of 72. One of Max’s many fantastic traits is his ability to adapt to changing requirements. From chain saws to mechanical, ground based to cable harvesting in both native and plantation. Adopting new tech with fleet safety and management systems that he uses every day. Max also has contributed to the industry in Tasmania by being on the board of the old TLA and Timber community’s when these organisations were running.”
