The SWC Forestry Awards 2016
The evening of Friday 20 May 2016 saw an outstanding turnout by local forestry companies, contractors and transport operators from throughout the lower South Island of New Zealand. The function was the Southern Wood Council Forestry Awards for 2016.
Like 2015, over 350 forest managers, forestry contractors, transport operators and product and service suppliers to the industry from throughout the lower South Island attended the awards evening at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Presenters and speakers at the awards programme included rural broadcaster Jamie MacKay from Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport’s show The Country.
Also speaking was the Hon Jo Goodhew, Associate Minister for Primary Industries, Peter Gallagher, All Blacks Physiotherapist and High-Performance Sports Consultant, Stephanie Rotorangi, Principal Rural Fire Officer, Otago and local forestry companies.
Photo Gallery
Award Winners
Around 120 National Training Certificates that had been achieved in Forestry & Wood Processing were awarded to top local contractors and forestry and wood processing employees. In addition, nine major industry awards were presented to:
| Award | Sponsored By | Award Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Training Excellence Award: | ||
| Apprentice of the Year | Southern Wood Council | Keanu Falconer, Shane Griffin Logging |
| Forestry Trainee of the Year (harvesting) | Rayonier/ Matariki Forests | Wayde Lindsay, Shane Griffin Logging |
| Forestry Trainee of the Year (silviculture) | Dynes Transport | Darren Lundin, McHoull Contracting |
| Skilled Professionals Awards: | ||
| Forestry Excellence Award (establishment, silviculture, fire, harvesting) (Sponsored by ): Award Winner; | South Wood Export | Craig Gamble, Gamble Forest Harvesting |
| Wood Processing Excellence Award | Competenz | Phillip Townshend, Niagara Sawmilling Co |
| Forest Products/Logistics/Transport/Port Award | UDC | Blair Keelty of McNeill Drilling Company Ltd (Logging Division) |
| Industry Excellence Awards: | ||
| Forestry Environmental Management Excellence Award (Sponsored by ): Award Winner; | Otago Regional Council | Greg Kendall & Paul Hart of Ernslaw One |
| Training Company/Contractor of the Year | City Forests | Johnson Forestry Services |
| Forest Products Health & Safety Award | Ernslaw One | Gillion Logging |
| Tree Faller - Otago Southland: | ||
| Four new certificates for Professional Tree Faller Certification, a new scheme that has just been implemented in the Otago/Southland region were also awarded. | ||