FORESTRY IN WAIRARAPA

Golden Loader

2023 draws the Crowds

The ÿ rst Golden Loader Competition for forestry 2023 has been completed at the Rural Games in Palmerston North last weekend.

Fourteen competitors from across the North Island competed in heats driving two machines organised by AB Equipment Hire in

Palmerston North. The challenge involved loading and then unloading a logging truck then popping a helium balloon all within a twenty-minute window.

Five judges scrutinise the driving abilities, care with loading, health and safety and speed of competitors over a one-day competition. It has taken two years of preparation and negotiations by the Southern North Island Wood

Council and John Turkington Forestry to bring this event to the square in the middle of a city. Over three days thousands of people attend the rural games, and it is the ÿ rst-time forestry has had a showcase event that was the crowd favourite on Sunday. Hundreds of families and spectators lined the square to watch log trucks and machines working while free kids’ books, tee shirts and caps were handed out to the crowd.

Loader driving is a critical skill in the forestry workplace and many more drivers are required for these positions as our sector becomes more mechanized. Showcasing the skills needed and the pride our forestry community has in its profession is essential to explain how

Golden Loader Winners 2023

1ST Place, The Best of the Best!

Daniel Purcell our sector works to the public. Most people do not get the opportunity to see these machines work or appreciate how skilled these roles are. Thanks to all involved for organizing this stella event, and we look forward to the Golden Loader for 2024.

Daniel works for CJ Newland Logging in Whanganui, and was one of the ÿ rst competitors to register for the Golden Loader.

He is a very experienced machine driver having worked in crews for 19 years ever since he was shoulder tapped to try out forestry while driving a digger.

He is well known in the forest sector and scored well in the competition for his care with the logs while loading and unloading the

2ND Place

Shaun Allen truck. Daniel’s family had travelled to watch the event and couldn’t be prouder of him.

Daniel took home the Golden Loader Trophy and $800 of Hunting and Fishing vouchers. Congratulations!

3RD Place

Colin Bush

Shaun works for GT Harvesting in Masterton where he lives with his family. Shaun comes from a forestry family with his father in logging in Northland and he grew up “in the bush”. He has been working for 25 years in the forest contracting business and loves teaching and training new people to drive machines. He showed care and skill with the equipment on the day, and takes home a $500 Hunting and Fishing voucher. We salute you, Shaun!

Colin arrived with his family for the full three days of the Rural Games from the Hawkes Bay, where he currently works for ATS Logging. He is most at home in the bush but operating his machine in front of a crowd of hundreds of people did not faze Colin. He has been working in forestry since 2001 when his brother introduced him to the sector, and he has not looked back since then. We loved seeing his family at this event, and hope you enjoy taking home the $300 Hunting and Fishing Voucher Colin!