VicForests is celebrating the announcement of its general manager of strategy and business development, Anne Geary, as the winner of the Institute of Foresters of Australia’s NW Jolly Medal for 2018. Source: Timberbiz
The NW Jolly Medal is one of the forestry profession’s highest and most prestigious award and recognises outstanding service and dedication to the profession of forestry across the nation.
Ms Geary received this award in recognition of her more than 35 years of service working in the native timber and forestry products industries.
The award recognises her extensive career and leadership having worked across a broad range of roles including in operational forestry, forest planning, lecturing, contracting and business development.
Ms Geary was one of the first women to receive a forestry degree in Victoria, graduating with a Bachelor of Forest Science from the University of Melbourne in 1982. She was also one of the first four women to break into the male bastion of the Forests Commission Victoria, opening the doors for more women to pursue a career in forestry in the decades to follow.
VicForests Chief Executive Officer, Nathan Trushell, said Ms Geary was a stalwart of the organisation and the industry, more broadly.
“Anne is an integral part of the VicForests team who brings a wealth of expertise, experience and dedication to everything she does,” Mr Trushell said
“Anne has been with VicForests since its formation in 2004 and has worked in a number of different roles across the business. She has worked as a strategic planner, auctions manager and Executive Director before being appointed general manager of strategy and business development in 2018.
“She is a truly outstanding woman who has achieved so much in what has typically been a male dominated industry. In particular, Anne has been an exceptional leader and mentor to so many across the business and a source of valued counsel whose advice is always thoughtful, considered and accurate.
“I cannot think of a more deserving recipient for this year’s award.”
Ms Geary said she was humbled to receive the NW Jolly Medal and paid tribute to those who mentored and supported her throughout her career.
“Forestry is not just a job for me but an important part of my life,” she said.
“When you work in a field where so many people extend themselves above and beyond the parameters of their job descriptions, you develop a huge attachment to the industry and the work you do.
“My interest and passion for forestry commenced at a very young age where I spent much of my time in the forest with my father who was both a farmer and an apiarist who developed my love of botany.
The NW Jolly Medal is named in recognition of Norman William Jolly in acknowledgement of his contributions to the development of forestry as a profession in the first half of the 20th Century.
Ms Geary received her award at the recent IFA Forests for healthy cities, farms and people Conference in Canberra.
