Timber and Forestry E News Issue341

PH: (07) 3480 5802 24hrs: 0417 749 491 www.timtech.info

Setting the standard for sustainable forest management Globally recognised by PEFC, the world’s largest sustainable forest management certification scheme.

ISSUE 341 | October 27, 2014

www.forestrystandard.org.au

Delivered weekly to timber merchants, sawmillers, wood processors, foresters, members of national, state and trade organisations and associations throughout Australia, New Zealand and various countries.

Engineered wood: is the future here?

Global experts provide valuable insight into new technologies and their impact on market supply

A UNIQUE opportunity for senior management and industry leaders in forestry, timber processing and wood products supply will be offered at the seminar ‘Engineered Wood Products - from Here to the Future’ to be held on November 13 and 14 at the Gold Coast.

Hosted by the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia and Forest and Wood Products Australia at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, the seminar will be held in conjunction with annual general meetings of the EWPAA (Thursday) and FWPA (Friday).

Cont P 2

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OCTOBER 27, 2014 | PAGE 1

INDUSTRY NEWS

Tai Hollingbee

Andrew Nieland

Peter Torreele

Chip Frazier

Fred Kamke

Seminar takes a look at modified wood and new strand technology From P 1

Innovation Skills and practices that work

25 March 2015 Canberra

Save the Date The 7th Annual Industry Development Conference followed by the AFPA and ForestWorks Gala Dinner at Parliament House.

www.forestworks.com.au

This program has been produced with the assistance of funding provided by the Australian Government through the Department of Industry.

ABN: 39 946 785 543

The day-and-half seminar program will provide valuable insight into the future for engineered wood with an update on innovation in new products, new market applications, and dynamics that will impact Australian forestry, production and market supply.

The speakers represent a vast amount of global knowledge presenting on future capacity, new technologies, alternative products, manufacturing excellence, and increasing use of engineered wood in building construction.

Topics include developments in modified wood products and new strand technologies to replace tropical hardwoods, and insight into co-operative research by industry and universities in North America.

Future supply capacity will be assessed Future industry supply capacity with surges in demand and prices will be assessed, along with operational excellence initiatives that achieve bottom line improvements in forest products industries.

Sustainable and low-energy design of buildings and urban developments will be included, along with disruptive technology and development of high performance, pre-fabricated building systems to help solve major city growth issues.

PAGE 2 | OCTOBER 27, 2014

Keynote speakers include Tai Hollingsbee, principal, sustainability and performative design at GHD, one of the world’s leading professional services companies operating in global markets.

His experience includes development of a high performance, pre-fabricated building system to help solve densification issues in Melbourne and other cities with similar population growth issues.

Mr Hollingbee will walk through a forest of ideas, innovations and disruptive technology, illustrating how these have been used in timber projects around the world.

Another inspiring presenter is Owen Griffiths of TimberLab Solutions NZ, who will focus on new capabilities in the manufacture of timber structures now offering more options for creative designers.

Hi-tech CNC processing equipment is proving invaluable in the accurate prefabrication of large complex structures in both glulam and LVL, which demonstrates that manufacturing is already moving into the future.

Another presentation embraces cross laminated timber, which is the most significant form of innovation in construction technology that Australia has seen in many years.

Andrew Nieland, head of timber solutions at Lend Lease, will discuss how engineered

timber like CLT is changing the way large scale construction projects are delivered.

An update on innovation in new products A significant new development, 3RT Strand technology, the green alternative to tropical hardwood, will be presented by Peter Torreele who will explain the origins of the strand woven bamboo products which his company invented in 2006, and in partnership with Flinders University, have now been developed for manufacture in Australia.

This new technology provides a solution to transform softwoods and wood waste materials into sustainable and high-value wood products, with similar properties to mature tropical hardwood for applications in several industries.

Leading world experts from North America presenting at the seminar include Art Schmon and Paul Jannke of Forest Economic Advisors, Professor Fred Kamke of Oregon State University, and Chip Frazier, Professor of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech.

For more information on this important seminar and other activities in the event program, visit the website www.fwpa. com.au/news-and-events/ upcoming-events

EVENTS

Timber gains new ground in architectural landscapes

300 festival delegates exchange new insights

By JIM BOWDEN

“I LIKE an aggressive wood – and Robinia pseudoacacia is aggressive .. like me!”

We were talking to Julie Bargmann from Virginia, USA, internationally recognised as an innovative designer in building regenerative landscapes, at the Forecast Festival of Landscape Architecture in Brisbane.

Eileen Newbury of Forest and Wood Products Australia had just presented the national awards for research and communication, the top national excellence award going to Fifth Creek Studio, a landscape architect at Montacute in South Australia.

“I use wood where I can in dramatic concepts,” Julie Bargmann said.

She is experimenting with black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) as landscape paving. A native of southern US states, among them Virginia and Georgia, it is one of the heaviest and hardest woods in America.

Hardwoods tell a story of durability “It’s hard, but hard to find and, as yet, is not available in any good commercial quantities,” Julie said. “We keep looking.”

Flavonoids in the heartwood make it interesting; the wood can last more than100 years in soil.

In the Netherlands and some other parts of Europe, local black locust is one of the most rotresistant trees, and projects have started to limit the use of tropical wood by promoting the tree and creating plantations As a young man, Abraham Lincoln spent much of his time splitting rails and fence posts from black locust logs.

“But your amazing hardwoods also tell a story about durability,

Taking a break between sessions at the festival of landscape architecture at Brisbane’s State Library are, from left, Tim Horton, registrar, NSW Architects Registration Board, Sydney, Julie Bargmann, founder and principal, D.I.R.T. Studio, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, Eileen Newbury, marketing and communications manager, Forest and Wood Products Australia, Melbourne, Shahana McKenzie, CEO, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, convener of the festival, and Matt Baida, WAX Design, Adelaide.

especially when we see aged recycled examples used in landscape design,” said Julie who was a lead speaker at the landscape festival.

At the University of Virginia, associate professor Bargmann teaches critical site-seeing as a means to reveal multiple site histories. Her D.I.R.T. (Design Investigations Reclaiming Terrain) studio at Charlottesville in Virginia explores past and present industrial operations and urban processes in relationship to ecological systems, cultural constructs and emerging technologies.

From closed quarries to abandoned coal mines, fallow factories and urban railyards, Julie Bargmann joins teams of architects, artists, engineers, historians and scientists to imagine the next evolution of these working landscapes.

Along with a degree in sculpture from Carnegie-Mellon University, Julie earned a masters in landscape architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design followed by a Fellowship at the American Academy in Rome.

She points out that The Rotunda on the lawns of the

original grounds of the University of Virginia were designed

by Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States

and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Cont P 7

www.certisource.com.au

OCTOBER 27, 2014 | PAGE 3

INDUSTRY NEWS

Kimberly-Clark invests $20m in Millicent factory upgrading

Jobs retained in South Australia’s southeast region

PAPER tissue manufacturer Kimberly-Clark Australia will invest $20 million in its Millicent factory in the state’s southeast as a sign of its continuing commitment to the region and its 400 workers.

The investment over 12 months will involve capacity and equipment upgrades to increase production at the site, but no jobs are expected to be lost or created as a result.

The announcement last week comes as global parent Kimberly-Clark Corporation said it was cutting 1300 jobs out of its 58,000-strong worldwide workforce to save about $150 million by 2017.

Commitment to the region and its 400 workers Millicent mill manager Scott Whicker said there would be no impact on South Australian jobs.

The company is currently looking at what the global restructure means for the Australian business, including its other two manufacturing sites at Ingleburn and Albury in New South Wales.

Kimberly-Clark Australia’s Millicent mill manager Scott Whicker in the warehouse with the company’s Kleenex products in the background.

Kimberly-Clark has spent $370 million in Millicent over the past 10 years, including installing a $33 million cogeneration facility on site to cut energy costs last year.

The 20 MW plant – one of five across its global operations – supplies 92% of its energy needs or enough energy to power 36,000 average homes.

The $20 million investment

by Kimberly-Clark Australia has been welcomed by the Australian Forest Products Association.

CEO Ross Hampton said it was a great example of a company with a strong historical connection in the region that continued to innovate and produce world class tissue products for daily

hygiene and consumer needs.

‘Kimberly-Clark’s involvement in the mill dates back to 1963 and now the Millicent mill is the largest single employer in the southeast region, directly supporting 400 employees and contractors as well as up to 1000 direct and indirect jobs.

One of the most awarded companies Kimberly-Clark Australia is one of the most awarded companies in Australia for environmental performance, with an impressive safety record and a 2013 Banksia Sustainability Award and a

2013 Forest Stewardship Council Australia Excellence Award for Supplier of the Year.

Mr Hampton added: “The recent signing of a five-year licensing agreement with the state Environmental Protection Agency is a testament to the company’s commitment to water quality.”

The new EPA license replaces an earlier long-term indenture agreement the company had with the state government for water discharge.

“While recognising the challenges continuing to face manufacturers in this country, this investment bodes well for the people of the southeast region and the industry,” Mr Hampton said.

Engineered Wood Products from here to the future Local & international experts talk about innovation in new products new market applications & how global dynamics will impact Australia 13 - 14 November 2014 Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort Gold Coast, QLD

Find out more & register at www.cvent.com/d/84qdb5 PAGE 4 | OCTOBER 27, 2014

2014 AROUND THE CIRCUIT

OCTOBER

26-29: Australian Forest Growers 2014 Biennial Conference. Trees: The Future Crop for Changing Climates.

Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW. More than 40 presentations from leading forest researchers and practitioners, a day of field trips, featuring local forestry initiatives, along with icebreaker and dinner events complete a full conference program. Speakers include Australian Farm Institute executive director Mick Keogh, former Governor-General Major General Michael Jeffery, Andrew Campbell, Charles Darwin University, Prof. Jerry Vanclay, Southern Cross University, and Rob de Fegely, president.

Institute of Foresters Australia.

Contact Mark Wright, AFG 2014 conference convenor. Email: agconference@afg.asn.au

NOVEMBER

The Department of Agriculture is hosting a series of information sessions on the due diligence requirements throughout November to provide industry with the latest developments on the federal government’s illegal logging laws. These free sessions will be presented by officers from the department’s forestry branch and will outline the new requirements and what they are likely to mean for regulated businesses. Sessions still to be held are in Adelaide, November 3; Perth, November 5; Cairns, November 18; and Darwin, November 20. Additional information about the sessions can be found on the department’s website www.agriculture.gov. au under: Information Sessions 2014. Participants must register

to attend these events. A series of free online webinar information events designed for processors, importers and customs brokers will be presented by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with Forest and Wood Products Australia. Webinar session 2 for custom brokers will be presented on November 10, between 1-2 pm; webinar session 3 for importers on November 10 between 3-4 pm; and session 4 for processors 2 on November 14, between 2-3 pm.

13-14: Engineered Wood Products – From Here to the Future. Australian timber industry seminar.

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast. Co-hosted by the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia and Forest and Wood Products Australia. Australian and international speakers. Contact Eileen Newbury, marketing manager, Forest and Wood Products Australia.Tel +61 (3) 9927 3212. Mob: +61 (0) 41931 3163. Email: eileen.newbury@ fwpa.com.au or visit www.fwpa. com.au for registration and accommodation details.

25-26: ForestTECH 2014: Remote Sensing - Field Inventory - Forest Estate Planning.

Melbourne. Visit www. foresttech2014.com

DECEMBER

2: Bioenergy Australia 2014 conference.

Stamford Grand hotel, Glenelg, Adelaide. Technical tour December 3. Visit www. bioenergyaustralia.org 6: All-industry pre-Christmas

luncheon.

Saturday, December 6, at the historic Grand Central Hotel, 270 Ann Street, Brisbane Central Station. 12 noon until 2.30 pm.

Gathering of members, past presidents and pioneers of Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Club 218 who will welcome guests from all sectors of industry. Special guest speaker: Stuart St Clair, a former president of Club 218 and former president of Hoo-Hoo International JIV. MC Jim Bowden, president and life member of Club 218. Expressions of interest to Jim Bowden at email: cancon@ bigpond.net.au

2015 FEBRUARY

15-20: Gottstein Forest Science Course.

Creswick, Vic. Contact Silvia Pongracic 0418 764 954 or www. gottsteintrust.org

MARCH

25: ForestWorks annual industry conference and dinner Canberra. Flagship event for the forest, wood, paper and timber products industries. Joining with the Australian Forest Products Association to co-host the popular networking industry dinner at Parliament House. Conference will look beyond the innovative technologies in industry and focus on the people, exploring how they can help to bring about innovation.

Further details will be announced in the coming months, including the conference theme, speakers and venue. Contact forestworks@ forestworks.com.au

EVENTS

THE AUSTRALIAN FOREST PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION The lead voice in Canberra on policy affecting forest, wood and paper products industries.

AFPA strives to deliver benefits for the complete industry value chain including those involved in: • Forest growing • Harvest and haulage • Sawmilling and other wood processing • Pulp and paper processing • Forest product exporting

Join us today and share the benefits Call (02) 6285 3833

OCTOBER 27, 2014 | PAGE 5

INDUSTRY NEWS

Editor steps down but will keep in touch Industry issues still high on the agenda for Jim Bowden

By DENNIS MACREADY Publisher. Timber&Forestry enews

AFTER editing 341 issues of the weekly industry online magazine Timber&Forestry enews, Jim Bowden is stepping down as managing editor.

Not one to sit on his hands, Jim will continue working on various industry projects as well as making regular contributions to enews.

But he is not retiring, he asserts.

Having started this project seven years ago I have had the privilege of working with one of the most respected journalists in the timber industry and in rural journalism, a craft Jim has followed for more than half a century.

My days in the industry go back to 1980 when I handled Hyne Timber’s advertising and marketing through my advertising agency based in Maryborough, Queensland. Since then I have established many on-line magazines here and the US.

Dennis Macready

Jim Bowden

Jim’s dedication to providing the most up-to-date and

informative news will be a huge void to fill. One to throw himself into any task, Jim has taken his responsibilities in not only the weekly enews but many other timber-related committees head on.

To produce a weekly magazine is a real effort and I applaud him for having brought the enews to the forefront of providing information to our readers covering Australia, New Zealand and many other countries over the world.

Jim has received many calls and emails wishing him well in his new direction. The words from an old friend, Jim Smart, a former Conservator of Forests in Queensland, (below) say it all, I think.

No doubt, the format of the e-news will slightly change and as the editor/publisher I will endeavour to fill the shoes as best as I can with the help of various editorial contributors, bringing to the readers a wide scope of informative articles.

Dear Jim: I have just read with the usual interest another issue of Forest&Timber enews, and could not let your partial retirement go unmarked. To me your publication has always shown your characteristic stamp of excellence and

has played a very important educational and cohesive role in the broader forestry and timber industry in this country.

I have always admired the unfailing energy you have put into your work over all the years I have known you, and

the way your name has now become synonymous with the industry Australia-wide. I am very glad, however, that you will still have a contributing role in the industry in the years ahead.

My best wishes for the future,

Will continue to make regular contributions

Online magazines are making a huge impact and are fast becoming the preferred choice for readers due to ease of access and virtually instant reporting to bring the news almost as it happens.

I welcome press releases and will consider all that I receive. My role now covers editorial as well as the contact for advertising, the life blood of the magazine.

Without the advertising support the magazine would not be possible.

I look forward to the challenge, and with Jim’s support I am sure the e-news will continue as the leading information source within the timber and forestry industries.

Important educational and cohesive role in industry

PAGE 6 | OCTOBER 27, 2014

Jim, and thank you for all the courtesies you have shown me both before and since my own retirement.

– JIM SMART, a former Conservator of Forests in Queensland.

EVENTS

Melbourne architect takes home six awards From P 16

who died in Charlottesville on July 4, 1826, aged 83.

Eileen Newbury, marketing and communications manager at FWPA, said the landscape festival had been a wonderful promotional opportunity for the timber industry.

“Wood is gaining ground in landscape architecture, beyond its use as a structural and sustainable building material,” she said. “There’s an exciting pathway opening for outdoor timbers, not only around residential buildings but throughout public structures.”

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) national festival and awards at the State Library in Brisbane from October 16 to 18 recognised the strength of the country’s burgeoning landscape architecture industry.

Arboretum in Canberra.

The awards jury was made up of well-respected built environment professionals Adrian Pilton, Lorrae Wild, Catherine Keirnan and Shane Thompson.

Awards jury chair Adrian Pilton said the standard of this year’s entries was incredibly high, and TCL’s planning of the National

Enjoying the landscape .. John Stafford, director, Creativemove, Brisbane, Bridget Smith, design director, City of Sydney, and Adrian Pilton, director, Johnson Pilton Walker, Sydney, and chair of the festival awards jury.

More than 300 delegates at speaker forums over three days took part in conversation sessions with a collection of landscape architects and allied professionals to exchange insights. The national awards were a centrepiece of AILA’s festival and were presented at

a sumptuous ‘eat the city’ long table dinner on October 17.

Melbourne landscape architects Taylor Cullity Lethlean (TCL) emerged as the big winner, taking home six awards, including the coveted Australian Medal for Landscape Architecture for the planning of the National

Standard of award entries incredibly high Arboretum was a compelling example of a landscape architecture project making a significant impact both within the industry and on the Australian public.

“The designers succeeded magnificently in creating a legacy for the nation and one which is of genuine international significance,” Mr Pilton said.

Free timber and interior design seminar in Sydney

AMERICAN timber industry expert Criswell Davis will join others to speak at the Wood Solutions Timber and Interior Design Seminar in Sydney on November 13. This free seminar will explore how timber is used in residential and commercial interior applications and carries three formal CPD points for architects.

Mr Davis, an American Wood Protection

®

hardwoods expert and design consultant is a renowned speaker and expert in all aspects of American hardwoods. He has spent more than 25 years in the hardwood business, 16 of those with a premium sawmill.

For the past five years he has made presentations as an American Institute of Architects approved continuing education provider to architects, interior

designers, architecture students and specifiers regarding the use of American hardwoods.

Since 2010, Mr Davis he has spoken multiple times in American, Middle East, India and Asia Pacific regions on behalf of the American Hardwood Export Council.

AHEC is the leading international trade organisation for the American hardwood

industry, which runs a world-wide program to promote American hardwoods in more than 50 export markets, concentrating on architects, specifiers, designers and end users.

For more information or registration contact Jane.l@ tdansw.asn.au or visit www. woodsolutions.com.au/ resources/events/nsw-timberinterior-design-seminar

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OCTOBER 27, 2014 | PAGE 7

TABMA QUEENSLAND DINNER AND AWARDS

Dazzling awards night for TABMA

320 guests celebrate the year in grand style

THE TABMA Queensland dinner in Brisbane on October 17 could be described as nothing less than grand.

More than 320 guests celebrated at an evening of fine food, entertainment and TABMA Queensland’s awards presentations.

The night was a special event for many, especially the young timber merchants recognised at the awards ceremony by TABMA Queensland chairman Michael Gaske.

TABMA Australia CEO Colin Fitzpatrick welcomed guests and praised the efforts of TABMA Queensland staff and their manager Alicia Oelkers who put the dazzling event together.

Commenting on the awards, Ms Oelkers said the prestigious industry event and the awards showcased and recognised the industry’s finest.

Enjoying the TABMA gala dinner and awards night in Brisbane .. Peter Hutchison, state manager NSW, Victoria and WA, MiTek Australia Ltd, and president of TABMA Australia, Michael Gaske, Ozline Timber and TABMA Queensland chairman, and Carol Gaske, and Chris Hay, Northside Trusses and Frames and Timber Queensland chairman and Mandy Hay.

Award winners were: Best Timber Merchant: Tradeware Building Supplies.

Best Building Materials Centre: Porters.

Best Timber Wholesale Operation: Pacific Wood.

Best Frame and Truss Operation: Northside Trusses

& Frames.

Best Timber Manufacturing Operation: Timbeck Architectural.

Best Sawmilling Operation: Hyne Timber.

Most Innovative Operation: Garde Timber.

Best Wholesale Sales

Representative: Jacinta Colley, Simmonds Lumber.

Recognising Women in Forest and Timber Industry: Dee Atkinson, Tilling Timber.

Host Employer of the Year: 5 Star Timbers.

Trainee of the Year: Anita Day, Trussmaster

Do you import or process timber products?

Legislation to promote the trade in legally logged timber is now law.

If you are a business importing timber or timber products into Australia or processing domestically grown raw logs, you need to be aware of your new responsibilities.

From 30 November 2014, you will need to undertake due diligence to minimise the risk that the timber you are importing or processing has been illegally logged.

The department recognises it may take time for some businesses to transition to the new requirements. For this reason, for the 18 months following the regulation’s commencement, the department’s focus will be on helping importers and processors to comply with the regulation requirements.

To find out more visit agriculture.gov.au/illegallogging or call 1800 657 313.

PAGE 8 | OCTOBER 27, 2014

TABMA QUEENSLAND DINNER AND AWARDS

A job well done .. Alecia Oelkers, state manager, TABMA Queensland (in the dazzling red number) is congratulated on the success of the gala dinner and awards night by family members, mum Janice, father Shane, and sister Cassie.

Timber & Forestry e-news is the most authoritative and quickest deliverer of news and special features to the forest and forest products industries in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. Weekly distribution is over 16000 copies, delivered every Monday. Advertising rates are the most competitive of any industry magazine in the region. Timber&Forestry e-news hits your target market – every week, every Monday!

HEAD OFFICE Correspondence to Custom Publishing Group PO Box 569 Ormeau QLD 4208 Phone +61 7 5547 6547 PUBLISHER Dennis Macready Phone +61 7 5547 6547 dennis@industrye-news.com

Sharing a table at the TABMA Queensland dinner .. Kristie Kelly, Group Training Association of Queensland, Ed Given, project team member, Trade Apprentices Queensland, and Andrew Lythall, operations manager, Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE).

EDITOR AT LARGE Editorial correspondence to Jim Bowden PO Box 330 Hamilton Central QLD 4007 Mobile 0401 312 087 cancon@bigpond.net.au ADVERTISING Phone Dennis +61 7 5547 6547 dennis@industrye-news.com

Jacinta Colley of Simmonds (left) is congratulated on her award win as best wholesale sales representative by Colin Fitzpatrick, CEO TABMA Australia, and Clarrisa Brandt, communications mangaer, Timber Queensland.

Opinions expressed on Timber & Forestry e news are not necessarily the opinions of the editor, publisher or staff. We do not accept responsibility for any damage resulting from inaccuracies in editorial or advertising. The Publisher is therefore indemnified against all actions, suits, claims or damages resulting from content on this e news. Content cannot be reproduced without the prior consent of the Publisher - Custom Publishing Group.

OCTOBER 27, 2014 | PAGE 9

OPINION TO THE EDITOR

Advice on illegal logging laws still creating a lot of confusion

A RECENT information session hosted by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) in Melbourne highlighted the difficult position that many business people are finding themselves in, due to the requirements of the incoming Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment Regulation (2013).

Ben Mitchell of DOA hosted the session, giving a presentation of the new laws, and taking questions from the attendees, the vast majority of whom were customs brokers.

Questions that were asked during the session demonstrated that the due diligence requirements that will come into force on November 30 this year are still creating significant confusion. For the customs brokers present, a key concern was the fact that they must answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a community protection question, which asks whether an importer has complied with the due diligence requirements of the Illegal Logging legislation.

Although the question relates

to the actions taken by the importer, it was pointed out that the customs broker is still legally liable for the declaration.

As several attendees pointed out, neither brokers nor importers have a clear idea of how to be sure not to breach the due diligence requirements – an unfortunate side-effect of DOA’s desire to keep the requirements “flexible”. As a result, many conclude that they will struggle to answer ‘yes’ to this question in good conscience.

The response from the Department of Agriculture was to reassure those present that for the first 18 months following November 30, the emphasis would be on education rather than prosecution. However, given that this assurance is not repeated in the Act nor associated regulations, it will provide scant comfort for importers and brokers who still cannot be sure that they are not breaking the law.

– ITS Global, Melbourne.

Hardwood prices jump: new headwind for US housing

The US housing market is facing a new headwind – a jump in the cost of hardwood prices.

The hike also is escalating the price of wood pallets.

Against the backdrop of rising raw materials prices, most of the American hardwood flooring manufacturers have been forced to raise prices on finished

goods. Some announced hikes at the beginning of the summer, while others increased prices in September.

Hardwood prices actually began their long climb in early 2013. Since then, they have reached record highs. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, hardwood prices are now more than 40% higher than they were in 2009. Several factors have fuelled this dramatic surge in prices.

First, overseas demand, particularly from China, has swelled over the past few years.

Second, the US housing recovery has helped boost domestic hardwood demand. Although annual housing starts are well below their demographically driven normal level of 1.5 million

units, they’re still twice as high now compared to 2009.

Finally, on the supply side, the Great Recession upended the lumber industry. Mills closed and workers struggled to find employment in other professions. Although demand is returning, it takes time to reopen mills and attract workers back to the industry.

At the same time, adverse weather conditions have taken a bite out of supply. Also, there was a wetter-than-normal spring this year, and lastly, access to timberland has been limited.

“As a result, hardwood availability is struggling to match the swelling tide of demand,” says Charlie McCarren, economist with pricing and purchasing service HIS.

Australian forestry MIS inquiry

info@forestry.org.au | www.forestry.org.au PAGE 10 | OCTOBER 27, 2014

THE Australian Securities and Investments Commission has released its submission to the 2014 senate inquiry into forestry managed investment schemes.

ASIC Commissioner Greg Tanzer said: ‘We see some merit in considering potential reforms of this sector. However, any such reforms should

be considered within the broader work that has been done in developing potential refinements to the regime as a whole.

“We have identified some potential areas for reform that relate to the specific business model of common enterprise schemes, and forestry schemes in particular.”

INDUSTRY NEWS

New building industry regulations will lead to better safety outcomes Government cuts through counter-productive red tape

REFORMS announced by the government to rebalance and fine-tune safety regulations in the building and construction industry will lead to better safety outcomes.

“The reforms will reinforce the primacy of safety on building sites,” says Wilhelm Harnisch CEO of Master Builders Australia.

“Eliminating counterproductive paper-based compliance and regulatory duplication will allow builders and contractors to focus on what is important, which is improving safety not sitting in site sheds completing unnecessary compliance paper work.”

Mr Harnisch said the changes to the Government’s Building and Construction Work Health

industry safer, the measures will provide further community benefits such as reducing unnecessary increases

Improving compliance on safety laws

Fine-tuning .. reforms will reinforce the primacy of safety on building sites.

and Safety Accreditation Scheme would streamline regulatory requirements for builders with good safety records, freeing them up to implement practical measures to enhance safety.

“The reforms will improve

Trust only tested and certified products. Untested and noncertified structural plywood, wood panels, LVL and formply can cause serious accidents – even deaths – on building sites, resulting in litigation and can be traced to the source of supply.

The risk is too great.

• Damage to your business • Possible loss of life • Legal action • Media exposure

the ability of the federal safety commissioner to work with builders and contractors to improve compliance with safety laws while lightening the regulatory load for those who do the right thing,” he said.

“In addition to making the

in building costs which only exacerbate housing affordability pressures.

“Master Builders fully supports the government’s steps to improve safety by responsibly cutting red tape for building and construction contractors, particularly small firms that comprise 98% of the industry.”

The Housing Industry Cont P 12

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Certified under JAS-ANZ accredited product certifiation, they carry the designated design loads that meet the safety and quality requirements of trade unions and comply with all workplace health and safety standards.

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OCTOBER 27, 2014 | PAGE 11

INDUSTRY NEWS

Ultimate loser is the taxpayer through more expensive public works projects

From P 11

Association (HIA), has welcomed the federal round of red tape removal, particularly reforms to tendering processes for Australian government funded construction projects.

“The removal of the requirement for builders to be accredited under the federal Building and Construction Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme when constructing single dwellings is welcomed,”

HIA chief executive, industry policy and media Graham Wolfe said.

“With the cost of accreditation running into tens of thousands of dollars, the return from being eligible to work on commonwealth projects often won’t stack up for small to medium builders,” he said.

“This places an unfair burden on small business, compared to larger ones who can absorb these costs, which

in turn reduces competition.

The ultimate loser is the

Burden on small business taxpayer through less efficient more expensive public works projects.”

The housing industry has also welcomed the decision to allow builders to work on

larger projects where they are engaged in a joint venture with an accredited company and are operating under the partner’s accreditation.

“Again, this is a practical decision that will allow more businesses the chance to tender for some of the work in these projects – an opportunity that may only come around infrequently, particularly for those based in regional centres,” Mr Wolfe said.

Auditor approves FSC certification for Forest Products Commission

INDEPENDENT forest management auditor the Soil Association has announced the West Australian governmentowned Forest Products Commission has met the requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council’si nternational controlled wood standard.

To comply with the standard the FPC will undertake staged harvesting of select portions of the forest certificate coverage area of 244,612 ha under strict provisions, which includes the protection of old-growth high conservation value areas.

FSC Australia CEO Natalie Reynolds said it was important to

Being a TABMA member gives you: • Group buying discounts • Assistance with the placement of trainees & apprentices • CoC certification advice • Industry specific staff recruitment at competitive rates • National networking opportunities • An exclusive trade credit insurance plan • Technical advice and assistance • Industrial relations advice • WH&S audits • Annual Timber Industry Dinner Call 1800 822 621 for membership enquiries PAGE 12 | OCTOBER 27, 2014

understand that controlled wood was not full FSC certification and was not an endorsement of responsible forest management.

“Controlled wood evaluations allow companies to avoid unacceptable wood being mixed with full FSC certified and/or FSC recycled wood in products carrying the FSC mMix label,” Ms

Reynolds said.

“For many forest managers, it is the first step towards achieving full forest banagement certification and provides assessment against only the FSC’s most fundamental prerequisites, such as ensuring wood is not illegally harvested and harvesting does not threaten high conservation values.”

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INDUSTRY NEWS

North America timber harvests on the rise four years in a row China log imports reach eight-month high at 35.38 million cub m

TIMBER harvests in North America have increased up for four consecutive years, reaching 510 million metric tonnes, according to Wood Resources International.

Softwood harvests in the US were up 3% in 2013, driven primarily by higher log exports to Asia and increased domestic lumber production.

Higher manufacturing of hardwood lumber and of OSB were the main drivers of the increase in hardwood timber harvests last year.

In Canada, timber harvests increased every year since 2009, reaching more than 130 million metric tonnes in 2013 – almost 30% more than in 2009.

A combination of higher log exports to China and increased demand for logs from the

domestic lumber industry have been the major drivers for higher log demand the past few years.

Despite an annual increase of 3% over the past four years, harvest levels in North America are still lower than what they were before 2008. Ten years ago the total timber harvest in North America was about 40% higher than in 2013.

Africa biggest source of China log imports According to the report, demand for logs from the pulp sector, which consumed about 45% of the total timber harvest in 2013, fell as a result of lower pulp production and increased

availability of residuals chips from the sawmilling sector.

End-uses for harvested timber in Canadian were quite different from those of the US with as much as 71% of the logs being consumed by the sawmilling sector and only 15% by the pulp sector, WR said.

Meanwhile, China’s Custom has reported that between January and August this year, log imports rose 22% to 35.38 million cub m.

The top five countries in terms of log supply were New Zealand (8.06 million cub m, up 12%), Russia (7.70 million cub m, 11%), the US (4.41 million cub m, 31%), Papua New Guinea (2.24 million cub m, 23%) and Canada (2.04 million cub m, 18%).

China’s log imports from Myanmar totalled 713,800 cub m up until the log export ban in the country came into force.

Africa was the largest supplier source country for China log imports during January to August this year. Log imports through Guangdong ports rose 41% to 2.28 million cub m.

Imports from ASEAN countries increased three times to 511,000 cub m while log imports from the EU fell 1% to 371,000 cub m.

The main reason cited for the increase in log imports through Guangdong was the higher demand from Chinese furniture makers in the region.

Log imports have been rising partly as domestic logs are becoming more expensive.

risk management | incident response | injury prevention | rehabilitation | return to work

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GYMPIE Date Tuesday 18 November 2014 Time 9.00am – 12.45pm Location Araluen Retreat 28 Fraser Road, Araluen (Old Gympie Conference Centre)

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OCTOBER 27, 2014 | PAGE 13

INDUSTRY NEWS

State plan to export woodchips from Macquarie port in Hobart Under cover storage facility an option before loading

THE focus of debate on the future of the Tasmanian forest industry shifted dramatically week from Triabunna to central Hobart.

The state government is considering Macquarie Wharf as the new woodchip export facility for Southern Tasmania after ruling out other options, including Triabunna.

The idea is for woodchipping to take place away from the waterfront, and for the chips to be held in an under cover storage facility before being shipped out.

The government said the decision was based on both an interim report by the parliamentary committee inquiring into the sale of the Triabunna woodchip mill and Forestry Tasmania/Tasports report on southern Tasmanian port options.

“Keep calm” was the message from Resources Minister Paul Harriss after stakeholders, including Hobart Lord Mayor Damon Thomas, reacted with horror at the prospect of woodchips adjacent to a prime community and tourism development site at Macquarie Point.

Chief executive Luke Martin said the Canadian port of Vancouver operated very well as a popular tourist gateway and the home of a massive woodchip pile.

“We’re not going to blankly voice opposition to the whole concept without engaging with the government about the practicalities,” he said.

One person relatively happy with the result is businessman and tourism investor Graeme Wood.

Mr Wood’s purchase of the former Triabunna mill site with fellow millionaire environmentalist Jan Cameron sparked the current

The former Triabunna woodchip mill when it was still in operation

parliamentary inquiry into the matter.

Since the inquiry began there has been a lingering possibility the government might try to compulsorily acquire the Triabunna land in an effort to restart woodchipping.

In a statement to the Hobart Mercury, Mr Wood said he hoped the interim report signalled the end of “political distractions” in relation to the $50 million Spring Bay Mill tourism project he had planned.

He credited community pressure in part for the state government’s decision to move away from compulsory acquisition.

A number of sites have been investigated Paul Harriss said the government had investigated a number of sites including Port Huon, Selfs Point and Triabunna, before deciding on Macquarie Wharf.

“Other options were not economically viable or would have significant consequential impacts on other industries,” Mr Harriss said.

“There will not be a

PAGE 14 | OCTOBER 27, 2014

woodchip pile on the wharf; the investigation will be on the basis that woodchipping would occur offsite possibly at Brighton and Leslyvale.”

A committee dominated

by Liberal MPs has already recommended the government should not compulsorily acquire private land at Triabunna to access the town’s wharf.

Mr Harriss said the government was committed to identifying a new port in the southern half of the state to ship out timber fibre from the southern forests. “[There are] two substantial hurdles at Triabunna: the need to compulsorily acquire the site, and the need for significant reinvestment in infrastructure,” he said.

Terry Edwards from the Forestry Industries Association has been reported as agreeing that the Macquarie Point was the government’s only viable option.

“Obviously, it wouldn’t be the most highly preferred spot and if you had another alternative reasonably available you would use it,” he said.

“But we’ve got to keep in mind the Tasmanian taxpayers have been paying $6 million a

year to subsidise transport of woodchips from the southern forests to the Bell Bay port.

“Now that is not sustainable and cannot be continued long term.”

Opposition leader Brian Green said he would need more detail on the plan before he could give it his party’s backing.

“The issue of Macquarie Point has always been storage, weight on the wharf and concrete cancer,” he said.

“Whether you load it through containers, whether you have a flinger on the wharf on a temporary basis while the ship is in, these are all the logistical issues that we couldn’t get over in government.”

Mr Harriss said under the plan Macquarie Point would be used for the next five years, but would not say what might happen afterwards.

“It is the government’s strong view that tourism and forestry can co-exist and grow together,” he said.

“The decision will facilitate the development of both industries.

Government commissions detailed report “The government has made no decision about the longerterm future for wood fibre exports from the south, and it is my strong view that it would be premature.”

The state government now plans to commission a more detailed report on the feasibility of an export terminal at Macquarie wharf.

It said it would continue to support the transport of both harvesting and processing residues to the north for export.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Tumbarumba sawmill .. perfect setting to make a film.

Hyne goes Holly-wood

Tumbarumba sawmill workers become film stars

LAST week marked the end of Hyne Timber’s taste of Hollywood when the filming of ‘The Daughter’ wrapped up at the Tumbarumba mill on the western edge of the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales.

Starring Geoffrey Rush and Miranda Otto, the movie makers not only selected the Hyne mill as one of their filming locations, but also employed 25 Hyne staff as ‘extras’.

Exciting opportunity for the mill Hyne Timber manufacturing manager Chris Skeels-Piggins described the experience as a career highlight and an exciting opportunity for the mill and Tumbarumba, “The film makers wanted a sawmill for some of their scenes, ideally set upon a scenic backdrop in country New South Wales.

“While initially we couldn’t think of anything worse than accommodating a film crew in an active mill, the opportunity for Hyne Timber to support a project bringing all these people to the town of Tumbarumba far outweighed any challenges,” Chris said.

“The crew were great to work with and it didn’t disrupt operations at all. We opened the mill especially on a Saturday with our trained Hyne staff employed as extras.

Star quality ..

Hyne Timber manufacturing manager Chris Skeels-Piggins (left) rubs shoulders with international film star Geoffrey Rush at the Tumbarumba mill.

“This meant all health, safety and environmental requirements were met while our employees joined in the film making fun.

“The director decides how much of what they filmed at Hyne Timber will make the final cut but hopefully the beauty of the area at the very least will be well represented and on show to the world.

“Meeting Geoffrey Rush isn’t something you get to do every day. My only regret is that I didn’t get to meet Miranda Otto,” Chris said.

Bruce Wright, site services manager at the Tumbarumba mill, assisted with the recruitment of the extras and coordination of the film crew.

Employees joined in fun of film making “The whole crew including the directors and the stars were great to work with,” Bruce said.

“Nothing was too much trouble from managing security at the gate house to getting all

the shots done.

“All

our

staff

employed

as extras described the experience as ‘a great day out’.

And it helps too when fantastic food is provided from the film’s catering van.”

While little is known about the movie ‘The Daughter’ at this early stage of production, it is a family drama written and directed by Simon Stone inspired by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s ‘The Wild Duck’ (1884).

Rural Research and Development for Profit The Australian Government’s Rural R&D for Profit programme is now open for applications. Applications close at 11.59 pm on 15 December 2014.

The Rural R&D for Profit programme aims to realise productivity and profitability improvements for primary producers through: • generating knowledge, technologies, products or processes that benefit primary producers • strengthening pathways to extend the results of rural R&D, including understanding the barriers to adoption • establishing and fostering industry and research collaborations that form the basis for ongoing innovation and growth of Australian agriculture.

Research projects must address one or more of the research priorities, which fall into four areas: • Increase the profitability and productivity of primary industries • Increase the value of primary products • Strengthen primary producers’ ability to adapt to opportunities and threats • Strengthen adoption and improve information flows The full list of priorities can be found in the programme guidelines at www.fwpa.com.au. The programme guidelines require Research and Development Corporations, including FWPA, to be the contracted party for administration of funds awarded under this programme. Project proposals require a minimum of 50% co-investment (cash and in-kind) by researchers and project collaborators.

FWPA invites potential research providers and project collaborators interested in developing proposals for this funding opportunity to make contact with Chris Lafferty, FWPA RD & E Manager via (03) 9927 3220 or chris.lafferty@fwpa.com.au as soon as possible to discuss potential submissions. Final proposals will need to be received

by FWPA by 21 November to allow for FWPA review and Board endorsement.

OCTOBER 27, 2014 | PAGE 15

EVENTS

On show .. Chilean exports and trade association representatives inspect timber products at Masters, Sydney.

Industry enjoys the ‘taste’ of Chile wood and wine at expo 150 guests gather in Sydney for presentations, site visits

SUPPORT for the Chile Wood Expo held in Sydney was a testimony to the quality, innovation and increasing significance of Chilean timber products in the Australian market.

Australian Timber Importers AdvertFINAL.pdf 1 FederationATIFgeneral manager John Halkett said the expo

attendance was further recognition of the increasing importance the timber industry supply chain now placed on Chile-sourced timber products.

“There is little doubt that Chile is a market leader in the southern hemisphere in the production 3/12/12 11:59 AM of innovative, exceptionally well regarded softwood-based

timber products,” Mr Halkett said.

“They are leading the world in advanced engineered and remanufactured products, in preservative treatment and precoating processes.”

The Chile Wood Expo attracted about 150 visitors to inspect Chilean timber product

exporter and trade association stands. Chilean companies were supported by Australian wholesalers, trade associations, Forest and Wood Products Australia and the federal Department of Agriculture.

ITI (Australia) was notable Cont P 17

Some standards enforced in Australia orginate from international certifying bodies Small Think Global (not just Local) (ie business card, comp slips etc)

C

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Y

Member

Member

Australian Timber Importers Federation Inc www.atif.asn.au

Australian Timber Importers Federation Inc www.atif.asn.au

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K

Always purchase appropriately imported Medium certified (large stationary items etc) timber products Member

Australian Timber Importers Federation Inc www.atif.asn.au

PAGE 16 | OCTOBER 27, 2014

Australian Timber Importers Federation Inc

www.atif.asn.au

Large (packaging etc)

EVENTS

Tough job in the industry, but someone has to do it .. John Halkett gets up close with with Silvana Paul Shadbolt (centre) leading the impressive team from ITI, the only Australian wholesaler and Gattini Chile’s senior trade commissioner and Carmen Gloria Castillo, ProChile, Santiago. distributor at the Chile Wood Expo.

Winner by a nose .. Silvana Gattini and Nicolas Birrell sample the offering of Chilean wine with sommelier Dennis Roman from WeLoveChileanWine.

Strengthening timber ties with Chile

From P 16

among exhibitors; the company was the only wholesaler and distributor at the expo and has substantial manufacturing and exporting presence in Chile.

“We were pleased with the level of interest and participation in the expo by wholesalers, agents, merchants and others in the timber industry,” Mr Halkett said.

“The involvement from principal expo supporter Arauco

was especially appreciated.

Also expo co-host ProChile was a critical ingredient in getting Chilean exporters and trade associations to Sydney.”

The expo also showcased some of Chile’s outstanding wines. A further highlight was a challenging multiple choice quiz won by Arauco Australia’s Robert Busch.

“I am confident the expo will help strengthen timber trade and industry ties between Chile and

Australia,” Mr Halkett said.

Over a three-day program, the visiting Chile timber trade group also held a meeting with Sydneybased trade associations and visited Bunnings and Masters stores to inspect trade and retail functions and the range of and trends in timber products on sale.

Mr Halkett said that with Australian housing starts moving towards 200,000 a year, Chile was likely to play an increasingly

vital role in supplying plywood, panels and a wide range of laminated, finger-jointed, treated, pre-coated timber products into the Australian supply chain.

“Chilean structural and decorative timber product imports to Australia now surpass traditional competitors and have the comfort of firmly established fit-for-purpose credentials,” he said.

“Their price competitiveness is also a strong feature.”

OCTOBER 27, 2014 | PAGE 17

INTERNATIONAL FOCUS

Wood-framed construction may have saved lives in China quake Canada meets demand with 200,000 cub m exported in 2013

AN earthquake that rumbled through China’s Yunnan province this month sent a seismic ripple felt around the Pacific – in Canada, New Zealand and any other trading partners that sells lumber to China.

Authorities braced themselves for heavy casualties under their highest-level alert after the quake struck Yunnan’s Jinggu County with a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter scale. But there were relatively few, which at least one expert attributed to the prevalence of wood-frame construction in the region.

Because the houses are mainly made from wood, as per the region’s traditional construction methods, they have a better chance of withstanding earthquakes, Huang Fugang, director of Yunnan provincial earthquake office, said.

Better chance of withstanding earthquakes The seismic safety of wood construction is a message that has taken time to break through more generally in a country that favours concrete and brick as sturdier building products. It is “I’m not surprised when I hear somebody say wood performed well in a seismic event,” James Gorman, CEO of the Council of Forest Industries in British Columbia, said.

“That’s something we will continue (to promote) and try to get more engineers, architects and other experts into (China) so they can learn about the advantages of building with wood.”

Lumber exports to China from the Canadian province have soared in recent years,

Life-saver .. timber-framed houses survive rumble of China earthquake.

hitting almost 8 million cub m, worth $1.4 billion in 2013, from barely 200,000 cub m worth $45 million a decade ago.

Gorman said the $250 million that the provincial government has spent on its Forest Innovations Investment agency – which is charged with marketing innovations in British Columbia wood products abroad, including in China – over that same period has helped.

However, Gorman added that the industry was still “at the very, very early stages” of its market development.

That is not to say that the Jinggu quake wasn’t devastating.

The region is less densely populated than other regions of Yunnan and is heavily forested, which also lessened casualties.

About 56,000 people were displaced as nearly 7000 houses collapsed.

It was less devastating than the 6.3 quake that struck Ludian, about 700 km away from Jinggu, in August. The South China Morning Post reported that 600 were killed and another 3000 injured in the more densely populated region.

Why wood-frame buildings, when properly built, perform

PAGE 18 | OCTOBER 27, 2014

better in an earthquake, came down to simple physics, said Carlos Ventura, director of the earthquake engineering facility at the University of British Columbia.

Lighter-weight wood construction generates less force when the earth shakes than heavier concrete and masonry construction, Ventura says. And wood framing, with its nailed connections, has more flexibility that helps dissipate the force generated by a quake.

“So a building that has the ability to dissipate energy provided by the earth shaking is much better than one that cannot,” Ventura said.

James Gorman added that Chinese authorities were becoming keen to adopt woodframe housing construction techniques in earthquakeprone regions such as Yunnan and Sichuan.

Coincidentally, Gorman was in Beijing on October 13 as part of a BC trade mission to Asia.

He was one of the executives alongside Forest Minister Steve Thomson who met officials in China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

“They took the opportunity at the meeting to express

their desire to expand the use of wood construction,” Gorman said, “particularly in smaller centres. They see it as an opportunity, which is something the spoke about in terms of their seismic events.”

However, China’s uptake of wood construction still has a long way to go, according to Vancouver-based industry analyst Russ Taylor, president of newsletter publisher Wood Markets Group.

Taylor said of all the British Columbia lumber China imports, half was still put into low-value use such as concrete forming, and much of the higher-value wood was used in furniture or other secondary manufacturing.

Performance comes down to simple physics And while Canadians are making headway in getting Chinese builders to use wood trusses and framing in the construction of new roofs on buildings, the country only built about 20,000 wood-frame single-family homes of the 10 million new homes constructed there last year.

“I said it would take it would take a generation before you’d see a real pick-up of wood frame construction in China,” Taylor said. “And we’re about half way there.”

– Vancouver Sun.

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CELEBRATION

Richard’s courage and dedication mark 50 years of service at Austral Workmates celebrate special milestone for former ‘billy boy’

COURAGE and determination and dedication to the timber industry and his career have marked the half century of service that Richard Swords, 65, has given to Brisbane-based Austral Plywoods.

Richard started work at the age of 15 on October 26, 1964, as a billy boy, making the tea and coffee for about 50 workers, earning 7 pound 10 shillings a week. He also used to grade the fancy veneer flitches that were sourced from north Queensland.

Richard enjoyed the work with the company, then privately owned and operated by the Bentley family.

Richard first worked under Bob Bentley senior until he died in 1966. Bob Bentley junior assumed the role of managing director, working alongside his brother Bruce, the

operations manager.

In 1967, Richard moved to the lathe area and was responsible for pulling the veneer out of the lathe and onto a deck. A dozen ribbons of veneer was pulled out on the deck before it was sent on a conveyor to be guillotined to size. Richard remembers the difficulty in pulling the 1.5 mm veneer by himself but was helped by another worker when pulling 2.5 mm lengths.

In 1968, the gluer crew was in search of another member and Richard was asked to join to work as a cover turner. Soon after, a senior member of the gluer crew retired and Richard was appointed as a centre layer.

Very quickly the managers were happy with Richard’s skills and he was soon responsible for laying all the marine and interior

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This weekly on-line Timber&Forestry enews has grown to be the most reliable, informative and up-to-date publication in the industry and we are now seeking to expand our network of writers on a variety of topics pertaining to the timber and forestry sectors.

If you have experience with sawmilling, the timber trade or retail or wholesale, truss and frames, sawmilling equipment, design, consultancy, forestry logging or machinery, marketing etc, we would be happy to hear from you.

We are looking for once-a-month column intended to keep our readers informed on the latest trends within Australia, New Zealand and overseas. km Variety

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| PAGE 1

Richard Swords .. overcame serious injury to keep his job.

fancy plywood.

Later in the year of 1968, Richard was involved in terrible accident which happened while he was living in a companyowned house at Tennyson, directly opposite the factory.

On a Saturday morning, Richard was teaching his then girlfriend how to drive a car when her foot slipped off the clutch and the car lurched forward and pinned Richard to the brick wall severing a main artery in his leg.

Hews taken to the PA hospital and in the following weeks had seven operations and suffered a great deal of pain. Six weeks after the accident, the injury failed to heal and Richard’s leg was amputated from the knee down.

While in hospital, Richard was visited by Bob Bentley who made it very clear that Richard could continue working at Austral but only if he could still perform his work as a centre layer on the gluer.

Richard was determined to just that and three months after the accident left the hospital to begin rehabilitation at King’s Home at Taringa.

As part of the rehabilitation, Richard was trained in other work so he would be able to continue in his original employment. Richard enjoyed his training with Telecom but was very determined to return to Austral Plywoods.

Two months after leaving hospital, Richard resumed work at Austral Plywoods as a centre

layer. For the first four weeks he worked half days on the glue spreader to give his injured leg some rest before returning to fulltime work.

Although Richard was not offered any alternative factory work by the Bentley family, he was grateful to be given the chance to get back on the gluer and was paid his full wage through the entire ordeal.

From that time on Richard never missed a beat and even worked through the Christmas break working for the Bentley family building fences and new yards at their properties at Clermont in central Queensland, 110 km north of Emerald.

Richard worked happily as a centre layer for the Bentleys until 1979 when the family sold the business to overseas corporation Foxwoods Brown and Broad. All of the staff were uncertain of their livelihoods for the next few years until it sold back into private ownership in 1986.

Sale back into private hands the best outcome Richard said the sale of the company back into private hands was the best outcome for the security of Austral Plywood’s future. He remembers working with current joint CEO Stuart and Scott Matthews when they were teenagers working in the mill on their school holidays.

Richard continued to lay centres until 2002 when osteoarthritis proved too difficult and how he works feeding the cross-bands into the gluer.

On October 27, Richard and all his workmates will be celebrating his milestone of 50 years of service.

Richard’s length of service will not end there as he intends to continue working into 2015.

OCTOBER 27, 2014 | PAGE 19

297x210mm Vertical 254x93mm Horizontal 125x190mm Vertical 125x93mm Horizontal 73x190mm Horizontal 73x190mm Vertical 140x44.5mm 110 Vertical 34x44.5mm

297x210mm Vertical 254x93mm Horizontal 125x190mm Vertical 125x93mm Horizontal 51x93mm

Mob: 0401 312 087 PAGE 20 | OCTOBER 27, 2014