Matters of Interest

Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (15:22): Thousands of people contribute to the forest and timber industries in South Australia. Recently, I was pleased to be able to attend a fantastic showcase of a thriving industry which is innovative in silviculture, harvesting, haulage, logistics, timber processing and more. The inaugural Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards were held in Mount Gambier on 26 October, with more than 450 people gathering to give well-deserved recognition to some of the companies and individuals who have shown particular dedication and skill within the forestry industries. The member for MacKillop was also in in attendance, as well as the federal member for Barker.

The evening was a fantastic showcase of a thriving industry which is innovative. There were many worthy nominees and recipients of awards, with categories including regional and community development; safety excellence; work, health, safety and environment; distribution and logistics; and a trainee award. However there are three who I would like to particularly mention.

We know that women play a vital role in the forestry and timber sector, despite many people assuming that it is almost exclusively a male industry. I was particularly pleased that the awards included a category of outstanding contribution to the timber industry from a female. This award included a requirement that the person be recognised by both peers and employers as making an outstanding contribution to the industry.

Linda Cotterill was the winner of this award. Linda has over 20 years' experience in the timber industry and is currently a harvesting manager at OneFortyOne Plantations, following a long period with Green Triangle Forest Products (GTFP). Her experience includes management, silviculture, contract development, production and supply, and equipment standards. Her outstanding contribution included the mentoring of other foresters, co-creating DVDs for primary schools that showcase the forestry industry and, recently, significant work with SafeWork SA and LITA, together with major industry players, to initiate fatigue management improvement in the region. Linda has a Bachelor of Science in forestry and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is certainly a very worthy winner.

Courtney Pink was runner-up in this award. Courtney has achieved a huge amount within the industry at a very young age. By 22 she had completed a degree as a forester and is now an asset manager at SFM Environmental Solutions. She developed industry system documents, specifications and quality control guidelines while overseeing the establishment of 1,900 hectares of timber plantations.

She successfully completed the regional leadership course supported by FWPA and has worked on a number of environmental projects. Courtney audits and monitors contractor compliance with work health and safety systems and environmental performance. The forest operation safety plan that she developed for silviculture and harvesting operations is now used day to day by the other foresters, and she also works alongside CFS volunteers in bushfire situations. Courtney shows great care for the wildlife that live around forests, taking injured animals to the vet and even hand-rearing several baby kangaroos, and she is considered a great ambassador for the future of the industry.

The Lifetime Contribution Award was won by Leonie Stapleton of Timberlink Australia. Few can boast the kind of career legacy Leonie Stapleton has left, with over 40 years of experience in the local forestry industry. Leonie began work in the industry in 1973 for southern Australian perpetual forests (Sapfor), in what was then definitely a very male-dominated industry. She dealt with the purchase and export of woodchip, accounting for infield chipping and chip transport contractors, overseeing systems for quality and moisture control, export facility safety and market analysis.

Her career continued, with roles managing project cash flow, purchasing, reporting and safety systems for site construction, and she was a key member in the capital project team for the construction of the Portland woodchip terminal, which is now the largest woodchip port in the world. She has been recognised as a great communicator, particularly cross-culturally in her dealings with international importers. Leonie is considered a true role model for men and women in the forestry industry and is very deserving of recognition for her lifetime contribution to the sector.

Recognising the contribution of women in the industry was one important part of the Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards. Congratulations to all the winners and all the nominees in all of the awards. Well done to the GTTIA committee and the entire industry for getting together to support these inaugural awards and recognise all the exceptional individuals and businesses that are part of this industry. I was honoured to be a judge for the awards and, with everyone else in the industry, I am looking forward to next year's event.