Fifty women and men in the industry participated in the workshop aimed at engaging participants on what they would like to see in a new network that would raise the profile of women in forests and timber as well as facilitate networking, engagement and professional development.
Senator Claire Moore from Queensland provided an inspirational keynote address detailing the long history of women in forestry and the importance of the industry and the role of women, noting that although women only make up 13% of the industry’s workforce, they take on almost every role from forester to sawmill worker to CEO.
The workshop formed part a project to gather input from women across Australia, a movement supported by the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry under Australia’s Farming Future initiative.
The project is managed by the Victorian Association of Forest Industries and overseen by a steering committee of women from different parts of Australia and different parts of the industry, including representatives from Forestworks, Timber Communities Australia and the CFMEU’s Forest and Furnishing Products Division.
Cathy McGowan, an expert on developing rural women’s networks, led a discussion on the key elements of networks, as well as their value. Workshop participants provided ideas and input on what they would like to see in a ‘women in forests and timber network’ and how it might work.
These views, along with the views of women from upcoming workshops in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, will form the plan for a network going forward.
Forestworks has committed to hosting a network for women in forests and timber into the future.
Other speakers at the workshop included Lisa Marty who provided an overview of the project and talked about upcoming workshops, Jane Calvert, who spoke about the work of the CFMEU in supporting women in male-dominated industries and Michael Hartman, who spoke about the role of Forestworks in supporting workforce participation, skills development and the role of women in forests and timber.
One of the opportunities available to support women in forests and timber and the industry is the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award.
The award is a fantastic opportunity for women involved in primary industries keen to further their leadership development and make a tangible difference to their industries and become part of a positive network of like-minded women.
The award provides a $10,000 for each state winner to achieve their burning vision for their industry. The award also provides each state winner and runner up with the opportunity to participate in the ACID Company Directors Course. The award also provides all recipients with access to new networks and new leadership and business opportunities.
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Editor’s note: Kersten Gentle, CEO, Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association (FTMA) has been a strong and long-time supporter of the Women in Forests and Timber Network. She is an industry expert with 30-plus years’ experience in the forest and wood products sector and is also a champion of gender equality.
Kersten notes a revival and re-development of the Women in Forests and Timber Network within states such as Queensland, NSW (including the dedicated Hyne Tumbarumba sawmill) and the soon to be chartered Western Australian network assuring continued and growing strength in the WFTN.
Kersten says the frame and truss sector is predominately male dominated with an estimated 88% of all employees being men.
“Given businesses are forever struggling to find the right workers and furthermore retain those workers, it is important they target the whole population,” she said.
“Women make up 50.2% of the population so if our industry creates safer working environments and holds true to their family values, it is our belief they can attract more diversity into their businesses both in design and manufacture.
“To make a workplace attractive to everyone, we need to ensure workers feel supported, whatever is happening in their lives.”
