Welcome to our October newsletter 

Welcome to the latest edition of the AFWI Newsletter! This month, we have exciting updates on our engagement initiatives and ongoing support for innovation within the forestry and wood product sectors.

Earlier this month, we announced that eight groundbreaking research projects have been recommended for $5 million in funding as part of AFWI’s inaugural National Open Call for Research.

Selected by our Research Advisory Committee, these projects have secured over $5.8 million in industry contributions, highlighting strong sector support for innovative forestry research. They aim to tackle critical challenges and opportunities in areas such as climate change, optimising wood fibre, and sustainable forest management.

Our team recently had the pleasure of attending the Responsible Wood tour in Northern Tasmania, where we connected with architects, designers, and builders to highlight the importance of certified sustainable forest management and ethical timber supply chains. This field trip showcased certified forestry in action, reinforcing the necessity for design professionals to understand the source of their materials for promoting sustainable, low-carbon construction.

We are also thrilled to announce our sponsorship of a session at the upcoming 2024 Forestry Australia Symposium in Ballarat, where our representatives, Maeve McKenna, Dr Patrick Mitchell, and Dr Dean Williams, will be engaging with leaders in research and industry and sharing updates about AFWI.

Additionally, the UTAS Research Centre has been actively engaging with key stakeholders, providing valuable opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the industry.

Thank you for staying connected with us and for your continued support. 

Enjoy the read!

National Open Call funding announced 

Earlier this month, we announced that eight groundbreaking research projects have been recommended for $5 million in funding as part of AFWI’s inaugural National Open Call for Research.

These projects, selected by AFWI’s Research Advisory Committee, have also secured over $5.8 million in industry contributions—highlighting strong sector support for innovative forestry research.

The projects selected by our Research Advisory Committee aim to address critical challenges and opportunities in areas like climate change, optimising wood fibre, and sustainable forest management.

Professor Rod Keenan, Chair of the Research Advisory Committee, spoke about the importance of collaboration between industry and research organisations, stating:

“These projects are the first step in developing new partnerships between industry and research organisations under the AFWI arrangements.

"The Research Advisory Committee was impressed with the level of interest in this call and the overall quality and breadth of applications."

In addition to driving research outcomes for the sector, the projects will help foster the next generation of forestry professionals by supporting 36 early-career and higher-degree researchers.

Click the link below to find out more about the recommended projects. 

HQ celebrates at TFFPN Dinner

Last week, the AFWI team, including Chair Bob Gordon and Board Members Brian Farmer and Professor Julianne O'Reilly-Wapstra, attended a fantastic industry dinner hosted by the Tasmanian Forests and Forest Products Network (TFFPN).

The evening featured an engaging panel discussion titled Building Strength Together, which included insights from former Premier of Tasmania Peter Gutwein and Christine Finnegan, CEO of the Tasmanian JackJumpers. Their discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration and overcoming barriers for continued success in the forestry sector.

It was inspiring to see so many professionals come together for such a well-organised event, fostering connections and strengthening relationships within the forestry community.

The dinner also provided a valuable opportunity for our team to share information about AFWI's initiatives and goals, allowing us to engage directly with industry leaders and discuss how we can collectively advance the forestry sector. We are excited to continue these important conversations and build lasting partnerships!

UTAS Research Centre Boosts Industry Engagement

The UTAS Research Centre has been actively building connections with industry.

On October 16, 2024, Interim Research Centre Lead Professor Greg Nolan served as the MC at the Australian Timber Design Awards in Sydney.

This event provided a valuable platform to engage with leading architects and designers, promote AFWI’s goals, and gather insights on timber use in major projects.

Earlier in the month, Greg and Dr Nathan Kotlarewski attended the opening of the University of South Australia's Forest Centre of Excellence in Mt Gambier, along with AFWI's Interim Director, Dr Dean Williams. 

During the trip, Greg and Nathan met with potential industry collaborators, including Midway Limited, AKD, and Australian Bluegum Plantations.

These discussions provided opportunities to brief companies on AFWI’s structure, explore research partnerships, and gain a deeper understanding of timber production and export operations across Victoria and South Australia.

Board Meeting Update | September 2024

The AFWI Board, chaired by Bob Gordon, held its third meeting on September 18th at the University of Melbourne.

The Board approved $5 million in funding for eight innovative projects from the National Open Call, following recommendations from the Research Advisory Committee (RAC). 

The Board also approved reports from its sub-committees and established a new sub-committee focused on capacity-building and partnerships with Indigenous communities, led by Rachel Cavanagh.

Key updates included Chair Bob Gordon’s participation in the AFPA Board Meeting and Minister Julie Collins’ visit to AFWI at the Univeristy of Tasmania's Newnham campus.

Read the full communique below.

AFWI at the 2024 Forestry Australia Symposium

AFWI is proud to sponsor a session at the 2024 Forestry Australia Symposium, taking place in Ballarat from October 29-31. Communications and Engagement Manager Maeve McKenna, Deputy Director Dr Patrick Mitchell, and Interim Director Dr Dean Williams will be attending, so be sure to stop by and have a chat.

Don’t miss Dean’s presentation on Wednesday during the Technology, Innovation & Latest Research session, chaired by Professor Julianne O'Reilly Wapstra.

Dean's talk, Supporting Transformational Innovation Across the National Forestry and Forest Product Value Chain, will highlight AFWI’s role in driving innovation in the sector.

We look forward to seeing you there!

AFWI Attends Responsible Wood Tour in Northern Tasmania

This month, the AFWI team had a fantastic time participating in the Responsible Wood tour in Northern Tasmania. This event provided an excellent opportunity to connect with architects, designers, builders, and industry professionals while learning about certified sustainable forest management and ethical timber supply chains.

The tour showcased certified forestry in action, from the forest to the processing facilities, emphasising the importance of understanding the source of materials for promoting sustainable, low-carbon construction. Events like this foster collaboration and help bridge the gap between the forestry sector and the design community.

Engaging with passionate professionals in the field strengthens our relationships and fosters ongoing dialogue about the future of the industry and AFWI's role within it.

A big thank you to Matt de Jongh from Responsible Wood, Gary Fleming from CSAW at the University of Tasmania, and the field trip partners Sustainable Timber Tasmania, Timberlink Australia & New Zealand, Forico Pty Limited, Forest & Wood Products Australia, and the Tasmanian Forest Products Association for organising such a valuable experience!