I first met Colin in January 1985 as a junior cadet scientist/laboratory technician working for the Plywood Association of Australia (PAA) in Newstead, Brisbane.
In those days, the PAA and TRADAC (Timber Research and Development Advisory Council) shared adjacent buildings in Dunlop Street. Being the most junior of the team I had the job of running letters, notes, files and standards between the two premises, usually between Colin and my boss at the time Kevin Lyngcoln.
This brought me into almost daily contact with Colin. What impressed me was that even as a young entrant to the industry, he still had time to chat, encourage my development and gave a standing offer to share his knowledge and expertise on wood science. Colin was a regular visitor to the PAA laboratory where I enjoyed the technical discussions between Colin and Kev Lyncoln as such matters as troubleshooting market failures, timber engineering, development of plywood bracing systems, wood treatment, Standards Codes and fitness for purpose. Even 40 years later, I remember these discussions well and the imparted knowledge on timber as a material, knowledge that I still use and value today.
As a member of a Standards Committee, Colin was fearsome and only a very foolish or brave individual would challenge Colin’s opinion on the topic that he knew well. Colin’s contribution to Australian Standards was colossus with the significant majority of timber product standards, design standards and utilisation standards being directly influenced through Colin’s involvement. He always took a position to defend the public good and that fitness for purpose, safety and reliability were paramount. He stood strong when he felt he was right and never left a committee meeting without clearly articulating his opinion, whether you wanted to hear it, or not.
I looked up to Colin as a mentor and a leader to the timber industry. The timber and construction industry owe Colin a great deal of gratitude, he will be sadly missed, and I can’t but feel that the world is just a little empty with his passing.
Simon Dorries is the CEO of Responsible Wood – which manages the Australian Forestry Standard. Simon has been actively involved in standards development for two decades and is currently chairperson of Standards Australia Committee TM-011 Engineered Wood Products, which governs product standards for a range of glued wood products, including plywood, laminated veneer lumber, particleboard, medium-density fibreboard and glue-laminated timber.
