Pat Lamb
The man credited with creating the wood chip industry, Pat Lamb, has been honoured at the Green Triangle Timber Industries Awards as an Industry Legend. The awards were presented at a gala event held at The Barn in Mount Gambier last week being held over from October last year because of Covid issues. Source: Timberbiz
Nine awards were presented as opposed to the 15 presented in 2019. The awards categories were reviewed following feedback from previous attendees, judging panel and award winners in 2019
Mr Lamb, who retired in July 1997 from CSR Softwoods and passed away in February, was instrumental in the development of the export chip market and the Port of Portland wood chip export facility, which addressed the residue market issues. The export of wood chips supported the required forest management improvements, whilst also generating substantial revenue for both Softwoods and the co-venturer, Woods and Forests.
OneFortyOne general manager Paul Hartung (left) with Pat Lambs’ family at the awards presentation.
OneFortyOne general manager Paul Hartung, who presented the award, said when he was CSR Softwoods’ forest resource Mr Lamb developed the vision for the chip operation out of Portland.
“He realized there was a lot more value that could be added to the woodchip because a lot of it just went to particleboard the rest of it used to just be burned through boilers and things like that,” Mr Hartung said.
An initial contracted export volume of 150,000 GMT per annum, has now risen to approximately 800,000 GMT of softwood chip per annum being exported from Portland annually, enabling a market for chip residue from all the region’s sawmills. The evolvement of the hardwood chip export business emanated from that of softwood chip.
Strong working relationships with the Japanese were forged by Mr Lamb, with many of the Japanese customers remaining connected to him after his retirement.
This is evident in his relationship with Mr Akira Sebe, General Manager – Nippon Paper, and Mr Masaji Asano, Managing Director – Mitsui Bussan, both of whom paid tribute to Mr Lamb’s deep knowledge, the building of trust across both language and culture barriers and his long- term value of the customer.
“Pat was critical to the development of the first shipments of pine woodchips from Portland to Japan through Mitsui& Co, an export relationship that continues to this day. Pat could make such a strong contribution because he not only brought a deep understanding of the pine industry, but also possessed an ability to build trust across cultures and language barriers,” Mr Sebe wrote.
In addition to the leadership, management and tireless work within the respective timber companies, Mr Lamb’s involvement also extended to associations with the executive of the Radiata Pine Association of Australia, including chairman of the RPAA Marketing Sub-Committee, chairman for the South-East Water Resources Board and a position on the Board of Directors for the Softwoods Credit Union (now the Police Credit Union).
In letters and emails of support for Mr Lamb’s nomination, a very consistent theme of a fine leader with vision and values, who was able to professionally manage and communicate effectively across all levels and cultures, and who possessed an in-depth knowledge of all facets of the timber industry became evident.
He was described as a person that could be trusted, operating with fairness and the highest level of integrity, who had the creativity in thinking, passion and drive to provide a solid foundation for which the timber industry and its people have built upon.
“He changed so many careers just by how he mentored and coached people,” Mr Hartung said.
“He had a real knack of how to lift people up and get the best out of them.”
Mr Lamb’s awarded was accepted by his family.
The winners:
MATT TILBY (Merrett Logging)
Operations: Harvesting and In-Field Chipping Excellence Award – Sponsored by Timberlands Pacific.
Mr Tilby has implemented innovative ideas and technologies to improve on Merrett Logging operations. He has a strong focus on building relationships with colleagues and ensuring a safe working environment for his team.
MADDI BOWDEN (Teagle Contracting)
Trainee Award – Sponsored by Function Chains, PF Olsen
After starting her traineeship, Ms Bowden not only demonstrated her capability for the role very early on but also quickly established herself as an integral part of the team at Teagle Contracting.
The trainee award is focussed on demonstration of eagerness to learn and application of new skills to daily operations.
LEIGH HEIN (OnSite Hydraulic and Mechanical Maintenance)
Operations – Silviculture & Timber Support Services Award – Sponsored by TimberLink Australia & NZ
Mr Hein specialises in the maintenance and repairs of In Field Chip and Harvesting equipment. He is relied upon by multiple companies and is known for his consistency and reliability.
GRAHAM EARL (Moreland Holdings)
Logistics Excellence – Port Operations, Marshalling and Timber Haulage award – Sponsored by Matthews Petroleum
Mr Earl, who has been with Moreland Holdings for more than five years, is recognised by the company as a highly valued team member, an integral part of their internal supply chain and instrumental to logistical operations.
He has an excellent understanding of the competing demands of his role, and consistently endeavours to complete his tasks to a high standard. He always goes above and beyond to make sure all stakeholders needs are met and understands how his role fits into the supply chain.
CLAYTON THOMPSON (OneFortyOne)
Sawmilling and Processing Excellence – Sponsored by AusIndustry, Qube
Mr Thompson is known across his organisation for going the extra mile to achieve success. This was evident during the delivery of the shorter weigh scale project where he worked alongside the engineering Team to ensure that the best outcome for the project was achieved.
BELINDA WILLIAMSON – (OneFortyOne)
Environment & Sustainability Award – Sponsored by HVP Plantations
Ms Williams, a member of the OneFortyOne team, currently supports the sawmill and plantations departments as the sole environmentalist onsite. She also works to provide OneFortyOne with long-term sustainability benefits whileworking to maintain the EPA regulatory expectations, often volunteering to assist in activities outside of her core role, knowing she can further improve the outcome of the task.
NF MCDONNELL & SONS:
Safety Excellence Award (for companies with more than 30 employees) – Sponsored by South West Fibre and Kalari
Starting as a small sawmill over 77 years ago, NF McDonnell & Sons is now the largest supplier of industrial grade softwood timer used in packaging components and for landscaping markets in Australia.
REID LOGGING:
Safety Excellence Award (Less than 30 Staff Members) – Sponsored by OneFortyOne
Over the past 23 years of operation Reid Logging has maintained an impeccable safety record and is focussed on safety improvements and implementing initiatives that increase the wellbeing of its staff.
