Graeme Elphinstone and his wife Sylvia were recognised for their service to the industry.
Five new Hall of Fame Inductees, three Industry Champions and two Icons of forest contracting were celebrated at the Australian Forest Contracting Association Gala Dinner and Industry Excellence Awards on 14 November. Source: Timberbiz
One hundred and twenty people gathered at the event in Launceston, Tasmania to recognise the achievements and contributions of the people and businesses who epitomise what this great industry is all about.
Australian Forest Contractors Association General Manager Tim Lester said the overriding message from the evening was the importance of community and collaboration.
“Contracting businesses are the lifeblood of the forest products sector” Tim Lester said.
“They are very often multigenerational family enterprises, with dedicated staff, the highest levels of performance and a real commitment to maintaining healthy environments and communities.
“Through our Industry Excellence Awards we are acknowledging and recognising this dedication and service which can be easily overlooked.
“We are also proud to recognise the outstanding contribution and resilience of this year’s Hall of Fame Inductees who have been involved in industry for 25 years and elevated two of our Hall of Fame members to Icon status.
“We awarded five Service to Industry Award for individuals and organisations who have made a significant contribution in support of forest contracting businesses.
“And with a special new category we acknowledge the work of three Industry Champions, individuals who have gone above and beyond in support of our businesses and industry.
“Our congratulations to all the nominees and award winners,” Mr Lester said.
Winners and Finalists
Next Generation Achiever, awarded to a talented and successful emerging industry leader. Sponsored by the Forest Research Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast.
Winner: Jacob Hughes, JCH Harvest, (Tas)
Finalists: Meeghan Price, TP Bennett and Sons, (Tas), Samuel Blackberry, Sunchip Group (Qld)
Mr Hughes commenced in the industry as an operator and has become a significant contractor in Tasmania. He has been a leader in the innovation of winch assist in steep logging.
Female Leader Award, for outstanding achievement and contribution to the industry, sponsored by John Deere
Winner: Kirsty Parker, M&M Timbers, NSW
Finalists: Jennifer Ferguson, Austimber Harvest & Haulage, Vic, Jillian Aylett-Brown, Tasmania
Ms Parker is a great advocate for the hardwood timber industry, always creating opportunities to promote the industry and taking the fight to keep it going to both local and federal politicians.
Excellence in Safety, awarded for outstanding achievement and contribution to the development and delivery of safe practices, Sponsored by Forico.
Winner: Sunchip Group, Queensland Finalists: South West Haulage, WA, JCH Harvest, Tasmania.
Sunchip Group has proudly been involved in the forestry industry for over 25 years. Passionate about the safety of its people and our industry, Sunchip Group has taken the lead when it comes to industry training and safety within the SE Qld region.
Excellence in Operations, awarded for outstanding achievement and excellence in operational and organisational performance. Sponsored by Waratah
Winner: Francis Richardson, Orana Enterprises, Tasmania. Finalists: William MacPhail, Sunchip Group (Qld), Jana Costello, Sunchip Group, Qld)
Mr Richardson is an industry leader in truck tracking, scheduling, reporting, safety, and electronics logbook utilization.
Hall of Fame – Sponsored by ForestFit
Andrew Westaway, MWM Logging.
During the past 20 years Mr Westaway has worked in various Victorian locations in native forestry, salvage operations, bushfire responses, windblown pine, dangerous tree work, and fire salvage. Mr Westaway’s was the first crew to utilise the K tree system which was used in salvage operations for hazardous trees, adopting the process for green forests.
Denis Greensill, Greensill Bros.
Mr Greensill has been in the timber industry servicing both native hardwood and softwood operations for decades. He is a large employer in the region, and his nominator described him as an all-round legend of the industry.
Angela McGuigan, Sunchip Group.
Ms McGuigan has been integral part of Sunchip Group’s success for more than two decades. She is a quite achiever in the background, acting as a support within the business and industry.
Gerard Bennett, TP Bennett & Sons.
Mr Bennett has dedicated over 30 years to the forest industry, playing a pivotal role in supporting contracting businesses and ensuring the ongoing success of the sector. He has been a mentor and trainer to many young professionals, fostering the next generation of forestry experts.
Tammy Price, TP Bennett & Sons.
Ms Price is a powerhouse of southern Tasmania, and has actively championed the cause of forest contractors for many years. With passion and commitment, she has advocated for better outcomes for contracting businesses as part of a thriving industry sector.
Service to Industry – Sponsored by Forestworks
Graeme and Sylvia Elphinstone, Elphinstone Engineering
Long-time supporters of the industry in Tasmania in nationally. Over the past year they have committed enormous personal time, effort and funding to bridge the gap of understanding by working with the team at MONA through the Forest Economics Congress.
Ken White, Whites ATS
For the enormous amount of work to review, analyse and support the negotiation of the forest and fire services agreements in Victoria, supporting the harvesting contractors reaching a good outcome.
Midway Limited
For continuing support of ForestFit since 2019. The commitment and dedication of multiple staff members has had a significantly positive impact on what is being achieved through the project for the benefit of industry.
Peter Rutherford, South East Timber Association (SETA)
Mr Rutherford works as a volunteer to advocate for the timber industry in the South Eastern part of NSW. As Secretary of the SETA group he goes over and above in supporting timber industry employees and businesses.
Dallas Frost, Frost Batten Accountants.
An industry expert in assisting contractors together advocating for industry with a number of state government bodies. He has developed costing models for industry bodies and government organizations and presented at a number of seminars for contractors over the last 20 years.
Industry Champions – Sponsored by JASANZ
Simon Shackleton, John Deere
Mr Shackleton has been the General Manager Sales & Marketing John Deere Forestry (Asia-Pacific & Africa) since early 2000’s and prior to this was in a similar role with timberjack. He has been involved with contractors all over Australia as the industry has transition to advanced mechanical harvesting and high levels of technology. Mr Shackleton has been a strong supporter of AFCA since the original meetings to form the association in 2002.
Dwayne Kerrison of Orana Enterprise.
Mr Kerrison has been General Manager of Orana Enterprises since 2016. Orana Enterprises is a family-owned local business specialising in timber harvest and haulage for customers and landowners in the Tasmanian forest industry.
He is an industry champion because of his outstanding leadership and communication skills aiding the growth of the business and his strong leadership in representing the Harvest and Haulage sector.
Mike Jones, Komatsu Forest.
Mr Jones was the Managing Director for Komatsu Forest for almost 30 years. He’s been involved in the industry for 40 years and is a worthy recipient of this award.
Industry Icons – sponsored by Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
Les Walkden of Les Walkden Enterprises
For more than 40 years, Mr Walkden has been an innovator and long-term industry contractor in Tasmania. Les has handled freight forwarding, carted coal, hauled vegetables, oil and fuel, and of course – timber. With a timber harvesting and carting operation that spans most of Tasmania and Victoria, Les Walkden Enterprises are an integral part of the economies of both states.
Max Jones of Seamax Group.
Mr Jones is an industry icon for many reasons. He started in the industry at the age of 14 and is still running the daily operations of his log haulage business at the age of 72. One of his many fantastic traits is his ability to adapt to changing requirements. From chain saws to mechanical, ground based to cable harvesting in both native and plantation. Adopting new tech with fleet safety and management systems that he uses every day. Mr Jones also has contributed to the industry in Tasmania by being on the board of the old TLA and Timber community’s when these organizations were running.
