The peak body for Australia’s foresters has appointed Monique Blason and Ruth Ryan as new board members. Forestry Australia CEO Jacquie Martin said Ms Blason and Ms Ryan would bring exceptional experience filling the casual vacancy positions.
“Monique and Ruth’s experience in softwood plantations, fire management, stakeholder engagement, policy and regulation will make a valuable addition to the board’s skill set,” Ms Martin said.
“Monique has a 30-year career covering policy and regulation development, focused on public land, fire and biodiversity management, community and stakeholder engagement, as well as developing and coordinating whole of government emergency management, crisis resilience, and public safety regulation in South Australia.”
“Ruth is a Forestry Australia Fellow and has more than 40 years’ experience in forestry and fire in Australia, with a focus on commercial softwood plantation management in Victoria and was appointed to the European Union-funded FIRE-RES research project and The Commonwealth’s Wildfire Resilient Landscapes Network.”
Ms Blason said she was honoured to have been asked to join the Forestry Australia Board. “I look forward to contributing to the collective knowledge and leadership of the Board to advocate for sustainable forest management and to support and develop our members,” she said.
Ms Ryan said she was a long-time member of Forestry Australia and was proud to be amongst the early cohort of Registered Forestry Professionals. “I have always believed in the sense and purpose of the organisation to promote professionalism and dialogue to ensure wise management of our forests.”
“I am excited by the recent revitalisation of the organisation and look forward to growing Forestry Australia’s future.”
Forestry Australia has also announced the appointment of Emily Post as an additional Board Observer.
Ms Martin said the Board Observer position provides a broader point of view and diversity at Board meetings, as well as facilitates pathways for younger members interested in gaining executive-level experience and developing their leadership and governance skills.
“We look forward to incorporating and capitalising on Monique, Ruth and Emily’s contribution as we work to increase recognition of the value of sustainable forestry in modern Australian society,” Ms Martin said.
Ms Post said that Forestry Australia and the broader forestry community had shown her unwavering support throughout the formative years of her career. “I am humbled and delighted to have been offered an opportunity to contribute to the continued success of Forestry Australia and the professionals it represents.”
- For more information, visit Forestry Australia’s website.
