Timber Queensland has expanded its team to boost its activities and projects to advocate, educate and innovate for members and the state’s wider industry.
“Timber Queensland (TQ) recognises the contributions and commitment of existing staff who have played a pivotal role in initiating exciting new projects and welcomes newcomers to the team to support ongoing delivery,” said Clarissa Brandt, Strategic Relations and Communications Manager.
“By fostering a collaborative environment that values seasoned expertise and fresh perspectives, TQ has built a workforce ready to support the sector’s needs both now and into the future.”
Local support for industry
Established in 2022, the North Queensland and South and Central Queensland Regional Forestry Hubs are part of a network of 11 hubs funded by the federal government and implement projects to identify barriers and opportunities to lift productivity and growth in each region.Â
The North Queensland Hub is managed by Hulton King, who, before joining Timber Queensland, worked across a range of government-sponsored research projects in the region, such as programs manager at the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre for the National Environmental Science Program’s Tropical Water Quality Hub.
The South and Central Queensland Hub is managed by Kerry Fullarton, who brings over 30 years of experience as a senior manager for various government-sponsored and private-sector projects and a strong background in stakeholder engagement and project management.
Boosting knowledge across the state
Alex Riddington leads the Native Forest Operations Capacity Building Project, which concentrates on training and compliance in state native forestry operations with financial support from the Queensland Government.
Ms Riddington brings extensive technical and operational forestry experience and broad skills in harvesting and haulage, silviculture, and customer and fire management.
Ms Riddington graduated with a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management in 2017 and, combined with her applied forestry experience, works to provide the industry with relevant support and training as well as forest policy and regulatory analysis.
The project commenced in June 2022 and is set to be completed by September 2024.
For more information about the program, visit Timber Queensland’s dedicated webpage.
Growing future generations of forest and timber professionals
Launched in April this year, Canopy is a Queensland sector’s dedicated training and career hub.
The project brings industry, community, employers, training providers and employment agencies together to deliver training and career education programs and work experience opportunities targeted at school leavers, the unemployed and existing staff looking to upskill or retrain.
The Queensland Government Workforce Connect Fund funds the project.Â
Jeff McIlroy, an experienced HR and operations manager, has stepped into the Workforce Business Development Manager role to lead Canopy with the support of communications officer Cassidy Sawford.
Supporting members and stakeholders
Timber Queensland has also welcomed Communications and Events Specialist Stephanie Hulett to the team.
A seasoned marketing and digital communication professional, Ms Hulett has been brought on to support the broad portfolio of strategic relations and communications manager Clarissa Brandt, particularly with the delivery of member communications.
Matt Smith has also joined the team as a part-time technical consultant to support members with technical advice and timber building regulation, providing additional support to the technical services team led by industry stalwart and timber expert Colin MacKenzie.
Matt has extensive experience in the timber sector and is a qualified structural engineer.
Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens and Project Manager and Financial Administrator Telia Pauchet round out the team.
Both are involved in managing the CRCNA agroforestry project in North Queensland.
Mick also continues to lead TQ policy development and advocacy efforts on important issues such as native forest resource security, new models for planted forest investment, manufacturing competitiveness, greater use of timber in the built environment and indigenous forestry.
Please visit the Timber Queensland website for more information about the Timber Queensland team.
