The Joseph William Gottstein Memorial Trust Fund, also known as The Gottstein Trust, is a unique national educational trust fund that honours CSIRO wood scientist Bill Gottstein.
Beginning in 1971, it promoted the development of Australia’s forestry and forest products industry by pursuing excellence in people, processes, and products.
The Trust marked its 50th anniversary at the National Press Club in Canberra on June 22, 2021. The evening was hosted by Gottstein trustees Suzette Weeding (chair), John Simon, Brian Farmer, Nils Gunnersen, James Malone, Carlie Porteous and Cara Pearson.
• Jim Bowden, a former national secretary, reflects on the Trust’s silver anniversary in October 1996.
An important silver anniversary within the Australian forestry and forest products industry has passed unheralded and unnoticed. The Joseph William Gottstein Memorial Trust (colloquially known as the Gottstein Trust) is 25 years old.
It was founded in June 1971 after the tragic death of CSIRO scientist Bill Gottstein at an AusTIS Conference in Papua New Guinea while photographing a tree felling demonstration.
Throughout his life, Bill Gottstein provided an outstanding example of the type of person of whom the founders would like to ‘adopt’. His loss provided the catalyst for the creation of the trust fund, in the hope that it would become the instrument for finding deserving people who might one day follow Bill’s footsteps and emulate his example.
They felt there could be no better way of promoting the welfare of the industry than by providing for it as many people as possible with the skills and dedication so eloquently demonstrated by Bill Gottstein – an outstanding scientist and engineer with a practical, hands-on approach to his work and an effective way of communicating with the people with whom he came into contact.
The Gottstein Trust was set up “to create opportunities for selected persons to acquire knowledge that will promote the interests of Australian industries which use forest resources for the production of sawn timber, plywood, composite wood, pulp and paper, and similar and derived products”.
Since its establishment in 1971, the Trust has directed its resources into three major streams of activity – fellowships, industry seminars and industry study tours. However, it has demonstrated a remarkable ability to respond to industry needs and trends, often before their significance has been recognised by others.
Having been involved in the promotion of the Trust for many years, I believe its successes and benefits for the industry have not always been sufficiently heralded. I’m also of the opinion that the considerable (voluntary and unpaid) contribution of its founders, trustees and regional advisers has been insufficiently recognised.
The first trustees were: Chairman, Walter Kauman, CSIRO (chair). Denis Cullity, Wesfi, Bill Knight, APM), Bob Page, Softwood Holdings, and David Wilkinson, Wilkinson, Day & Grimes).
Over the 25 years, there have necessarily been changes, but the Trust has always had strong industry leaders at the top. Bob Page was chair 1976 -78, Denis Cullity from 1978 -1992 and Warren Hyne from 1992 to the present day.
Long-serving trustees have been Con Lembke (AFIJ) 18 years, Merv Page (CSIRO) 14 years, Warren Hewertson (CSIRO) 12 years and Peter Koren (Softwood Holdings) 11 years. Bill Keating has been secretary/project officer for nearly 10 years and John Vavasseur has been honorary treasurer for even longer.
Supported by other trustees and regional advisers for shorter periods, these are the contributors who have guided the Gottstein Trust for 25 years to become our industry’s primary leader in identifying and supporting its people and supplementing their knowledge for the benefit of its future.
The selection of a Gottstein fellow identifies a potential benefit to the applicant, to the applicant’s company or organisation and to the industry itself. With the benefit of hindsight, there is little doubt that the Trust identified several future leaders.
Significant contributions have subsequently been made to the industry by many former fellows. Such names as Thorry Gunnersen (1977), Syd Shea (1978), Kevin Lyngcoln and Bill Keating (1980), Dennis Hanley (1981), John Wright and Wally Pratt (1983), Yugo Ilic (1984), John Davis and Peter Juniper (1986), Barbara Ozarska and Andrew Rozsa (1988), Andy Warner and Don Spriggins (1989) and Evan Rolley (1990) are readily recognised. However, many other Gottstein fellows have also been able to disseminate the knowledge gained during their fellowships to the great advantage of particular industry sectors.
The first 31 Gottstein fellowship reports were published between 1975 and 1987 are no longer in print but may be viewed on application to the trust secretary. A further 19 published since then are available for a modest charge. The diversity of the subjects covered is impressive.
Also impressive is the way in which the Gottstein Trust has adapted its initiatives in response to perceived needs. In early years, industry study Tours were of benefit to many. Subsequently, the need for wood science courses to provide a material understanding of forest products for senior and potential managers as well consultants within the forest industries was recognised. Several successful courses have been held and continue as registrations demonstrate a continuing need. It is noteworthy that several of the lecturers and speakers at these courses are themselves former Gottstein fellows.
More recently, in partnership with the Forest and Wood Products R & D Corporation [now FWPA], the trust has funded a special resident fellowship at the World Forestry Centre in Portland, Oregon, USA
Prudent financial management has enabled the Gottstein Trust to fund its activities without having to conduct numerous appeals. The original funds plus subsequent donations and the injection of $250,000 over the last three years have provided a sound basis for the Trust’s continuing endeavours.
In summary, 25 years of which I’m sure the late Bill Gottstein would have been proud.
- To find out more about the 2024 Gottstein Trust Capacity Building Grants, click here for Wood Central’s special feature.
