A birth certificate dated October 18, 1902, and issued by Queensland’s registrar of births, carries the name of James Richard Lambert Hyne — internationally known as Lambert Hyne, or simply “LJ.”
Born at Maryborough, and a grandson of Richard Matthew Hyne, founder of the sawmilling and timber business of Hyne and Son Pty. Ltd. – based at Kent Street, Maryborough, for nearly a century, Lambert Hyne maintains that the keys to success and progress in the timber industry are “geography and economics”.
It is fitting that Lambert Hyne should be Timberman of the Month, especially as his family approaches its century in the timber business as residents of Maryborough, the ‘timber capital of Queensland’.
Lambert Hyne would have been the ideal Boy Scout commissioner. Throughout his business career, which started in 1921 at Kent Street, Maryborough, he has lived by the three great scouting mottos: “Do a good deed to somebody every day” (Wolf Cubs); “Be Prepared” (Boy Scouts); and “Service” (Rover Scouts).
The founder of the world scouting movement — now active in 111 countries — the late Lord Baden Powell started the movement in 1908, six years after the birth of Lambert Hyne.
Those foregoing mottos have been faithfully observed and executed by Lambert throughout his 58 years of service to the industry and his country.
Lambert Hyne often relates to his friends: “I am half Hart and half Hyne, but not half-hearted.”
His mother was Jessie Hart, a daughter of one of the founders of the 114-year-old Maryborough timber company Wilson-Hart and Co.
Lambert Hyne’s two grandfathers were neighbours, living in Elizabeth Street, Maryborough, a street named after his grandmother. Elizabeth Hyne who died in 1879, the year his grandfather sold his Royal Hotel in Maryborough. Lambert’s father Harry Hyne died in 1936.
Young Lambert Hyne was educated at Maryborough Grammar School and Shore College, Sydney.
Speaking of his father’s character, Lambert told the Timberman: “Underneath his hard, firm and fair features he was a ‘soft touch’ and placed strong emphasis on the moral values and attitudes of business and all working people.”
Mr Hyne recalled that his father often said: “The moral sense is far above the legal value and should be the code and guide for all men.”
Harry Hyne insisted that his son Lambert learn the sawmilling business — from the sawdust up.
“My father’s appreciation and fondness for his fellow man have been the keys to any success the Hyne family may have achieved on the industry front in Australia. He always had an open-door policy for his staff,” Lambert recalled.
“I have followed and encouraged this ‘open door’ feeling with all members of our work force, irrespective of the section. I wanted to know his or her suggestions, without delay, for improvements or grounds for complaint and unhappiness.”
He has often told staff: “Don’t go home from work upset and unhappy; the door is always open for rectification and greater harmony.”
With great pride, Lambert said this policy had helped to solve many problems for staff over the years. They were most grateful for the assistance, and all had given a greater and happier work effort.
“My father taught me the value and the versatility of timber and provided sound and exacting lessons in timber geography and economics,” Lambert said.
“These early lessons have been the guidelines that have been closely followed since I accepted the ‘driving reins’ of the Hyne sawmilling and timber business in 1936, on the death of my father.”
That year, Lambert Hyne became the principal shareholder and managing director of the company.
“Based on earning capacity and an optimistic vision of the future of the timber industry in Queensland, I formulated plans for expansion and the use of modern plant and equipment at Maryborough,” he said.
“In those days Saturday was a working day. As funds became available, we installed the latest electric machines and gear, and staff increased as we tapped fresh forests and markets with our products.”
During the war years 1939-45, Lambert ‘recruited’ the Hyne plant as essential to the war effort, and the staff became “service men of industry” — captained, to a degree, by a national timber controller who through his state officers strictly controlled and directed timber output.
Hyne and Son supplied huge quantities of timber for the construction of wharves and docks shipping big tonnages to the war fronts of the Pacific Islands and New Guinea. Usually, timber was shipped from the port of Gladstone, and shipping dates had to be met with no excuses accepted.
In 1942, following a major flood in the Burnett River, a Mundubbera district sawmill was severely damaged and timber output stopped.
“I went to Mundubbera to assess the damage and finally bought the licence for continued production,” Lambert said. “It was essential due to the demands of federal authorities for timber in the war years that we secure increased forest supplies.
“Eventually we secured a licence for logging with the opening of a state forestry area 32 miles (51 km) from Mundubbera, and we installed a mill at Brovinia.
“I recall buying a second-hand Babcock and Wilcox boiler for 10 pounds, and a steam engine and flywheel for the same amount, for use in this new venture.
“For three years during the war effort we worked two shifts a day to cope with the demand for timber.”
Lambert said the vastness of Queensland, with its large and varying forestry species and supplies, demanded that Hyne and Son closely study and appreciate its geography – processing timber at plants adjacent to and as close as practicable to outlets and transport.
“I have always stressed that sawmilling must be based on geography and economics,” he said.
Along with this expansion – which was to cover a large area of Queensland – Hyne and Son established a branch mills department under the management of Lambert’s son Chris Hyne.
This department concentrates on seeking out suitable timber sites, backed by the state forests, to ensure raw materials were guaranteed on a continuing supply.
The Hyne-in-diamond brand products are available at 18 outlets throughout Queensland. In the preceding two years, about $2 million had been invested by the company in a well-planned expansion program.
These timber outlets are backed up by mills located in 11 selected centres across Queensland.
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In a personal letter thanking those who had contributed to the 2023 publishing of the book Hyne Timber: 140 Years of Growth, fifth generation family member James Hyne says the book is a snapshot of the company’s history based on past and present team members.
“Yes, and I would suggest it is also a large-frame portrait of an amazing dynasty, and a worthy addition to the writer’s bookshelf
alongside Hyne-sight: A History of a Timber Family in Queensland written by industry visionary James Richard Lambert Hyne (grandfather of James) who joined his father in the business in 1921 and served until his death in 1985.
“Indeed, 140 years is a significant milestone and one worth celebrating,” James Hyne said.
“Hyne has joined a league of famous brands – we are officially as old as Bushells tea, Allen’s confectionary, Drizabone and Akubra.”
