Dr Drielsma
A respected forester who has contributed enormously to the global acceptance of forest management and certification has been awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australia Day Honors. Source: Timberbiz
Hobart-based Dr Johannes (Hans) Drielsma, chair, Responsible Wood, has played a leading role in the development of the Australian Forest Certification Scheme, and its endorsement by the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
The award is “for significant service to the commercial forestry industry, to sustainable management practices and certification programs, and to professional bodies.”
Dr Drielsma is a former director of the Institute of Foresters of Australia and a recipient, in 2015, of the institute’s highest award, the Norman W Jolly Medal.
He was a director of the PEFC council from 2006 to 2016 and served on the PEFC International governance review panel. He was also instrumental in a more active multi-nation promotion of PEFC in the Asian region.
Responsible Wood CEO Simon Dorries said Dr Drielsma’s Australia Day award was thoroughly deserving.
“The award recognises his support of sustainable forest management and his dedication to standards work over decades,” Mr Dorries said.
“He was instrumental in the establishment of Australian Forestry Standard Ltd [now Responsible Wood] and his international efforts ensured the Australian standard was recognised by PEFC.”
Mr Dorries said Dr Drielsma’s Australia Day honour sent a wider message about the value of sustainable forest management; it also gave the Australian forest products industry the social license and credibility it needed to go forward.
Mr Gary William Morgan AFSM was awarded for his significant service to the community through emergency response organisations, and to forest and fire research and management.
Mr Morgan is the chair of the Forest Fire Committee of the Institute of Foresters of Australia.
Mr Roger John Underwood was awarded for his significant service to the community of Western Australia through forestry and bushfire management, and as an historian and writer.
Mr Underwood is a former member of the Institute of Foresters of Australia and a recipient, in 2008, of the Institute’s highest award, the Norman W Jolly Medal.
“Congratulations to Hans, Gary and Roger who have all made enormous contributions to the body of scientific knowledge about Australia’s forests over many years,” National President of the Institute of Foresters of Australia, Mr Bob Gordon said.
“The Institute is over 80 years old now and has a history of being a trusted source of reliable, scientifically robust information about Australia’s forests and that is a tradition which is well served by current members.”
