Forest industry should continue ‘Building Strength Together’
Prof. Julianne O’Reilly-Wapstra | Chair, Tasmanian Forests and Forest Products Network
This month the TFFPN (the Network) held its industry dinner, themed Building Strength Together in Launceston. The night really embodied the TFFPN’s core mission, which is to provide a platform for greater connection, cohesion and collaboration within the forest and forest products industry. It was a brilliant night, well attended by a diverse range of people from in and around our sector.
TFFPN Chair, Julianne O’Reilly-Wapstra welcoming dinner guests
Building Strength Together was a theme especially chosen for the dinner, not only because it’s a theme which underpins the purpose of the TFFPN, but because it felt like the time was right to remember that we are stronger as a sector together, than when we are apart. Nationally and locally the forests and wood products sector is facing considerable change across multiple fronts and angles, and during times of change, there can be a natural tendency to hunker down, isolate oneself and become more siloed. However, it’s at these times that it is most critical to address challenges and to harness opportunities that change brings. We are stronger if we connect, collaborate and build strength together.
The recent situational analysis report by GreenWood Strategy, commissioned by the Tasmania Forestry Hub, outlines some of the opportunities, barriers, and actions for the Tasmanian sector and also comments on the need to work closely and collaboratively. Importantly, it surmises that Tasmania’s forest and wood products sector is primed for growth. When you think about the local, national and global challenges we face of providing resources for our population demands in a sustainable way that addresses climate change, takes significant steps towards a zero carbon economy, and protects and conserves our natural environment for future generations for multiple environmental, economic, social and cultural values, there is one industry that sits at the heart of contributing to that, and that is forestry.
JackJumpers CEO Christine Finnegan, The Hon. Peter Gutwein and MC Rick Fontyn.
The Network is grateful to our wonderful guest speakers on the evening, Tasmanian JackJumpers CEO Christine Finnegan and Strategic Advisor and former Premier of Tasmania, the Hon Peter Gutwein, who provided insight into their perspectives and experiences of building strength together with teams and a wide range of stakeholders in their current and previous respective roles. Uncannily the ingredients for building strength together were similar even though we are talking very different sectors from sport, politics, community organisations, and the forestry and the wood products industry. These ingredients included communication, clarity of purpose, resilience, commitment, and a collective belief in what you are striving for.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our generous event sponsors, Indicium Dynamics, Marsh, Pentarch Forestry, Reliance, and Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
As always we are grateful for the continued financial support of our Network Partners – Forico, SFM, Sustainable Timber Tasmania, and Timberlink, as well as our Network Supporters – Esk Spacial, Neville Smith Forest Products, Midway Tasmania, and Reliance Forest Fibre.
I’d also like to thank all those who attended, and acknowledge the work of Naomi Will from EventSphere for her coordination of our industry dinner and the assistance she has provided the Network over the past seven months while our Communications and Member Services Manager Romany was on leave.
