Dr Fabiano Ximenes, Australia’s leading forest and wood products carbon researcher, Professor Tripti Singh, director of the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life, and Professor Keith Crews, head of Australia’s Advanced Timber Manufacturing Hub, are among the speakers already lined up for this year’s Gottstein Wood Science Course.
Scheduled for September 7 to 12, participants will divide their time between Wangaratta, Victoria, Albury, New South Wales, and Canberra. It will also involve field trips to Alpine Truss, Alpine MDF facilities and Xlam’s state-of-the-art cross-laminated timber plant. This afternoon, Wood Central spoke to Helen Murray, course convener, who promised that “from kick-off to the final whistle, leading subject matter experts and prominent industry people will deliver the sessions.”
“At ANU, a hands-on laboratory session will have participants examine the cellular structure of timber under a microscope, guided by Dr Matthew Brookhouse. (Whilst) Professor Peter Kanowski will canvas the big picture of a timber circular economy.”
Murray said the course fees have been unchanged since the 2023 course, with the Trust absorbing all related cost rises. “The registration fee of $3,995 (inc GST) also has several inclusions: accommodation for two nights at Albury NSW, transport for the site tours, luxury coach transfer from Albury to Canberra, ACT, two casual dinners plus the course celebration dinner.”
What are the key takeaways from the Wood Science Course?
“On top of learning experiences is the relaxed social environment where participants will network with participants from across the value chain,” Murray said. In addition, she said, participants will get:
- An understanding of wood properties
- insight into the processing of different timbers for different end uses
- insight into evolving issues including sustainability, durability, the role of timber in a low-carbon economy, innovation and technology, the rigour of compliance, and supply/demand trends
- and refreshed motivation
Please Note: Wood Central will have more information about the Gottstein Wood Science Course in the coming days.
