December 2007 - Institute of Foresters of Australia

T HE F ORESTER
A publication of The Institute of Foresters of Australia
Registered by Print Post, Publication No. PP299436/00103
Volume 50, Number 4 December 2007 ISSN 1444-8920
Australian Forestry School,
Yarralumla, ACT

Contents
From the President............................................................ 3
From the Executive Director ............................................ 4
2007 IFA AGM held in WA............................................. 11
RPF NEWS
Stephen Midgley .............................................................. 5
Current RPF accredited list .............................................. 12
RPF Application ............................................................... 15-18
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
IFA Scholarship progresses.............................................. 3
NW Jolly Medal acceptance Speech
Dr Glen Kile ..................................................................... 25
SPECIAL FEATURES
IFA National Conference 2009 ........................................ 6
WA Division News........................................................... 8-9
New Fellows of the IFA
Michael Bleby .................................................................. 10
Graham Wilkinson............................................................ 10
SA News ........................................................................... 13
Bob Thistlethwaite - from
Chairman to Convenor ..................................................... 13
NSW News ....................................................................... 14
Catchments - Special Interest Group................................ 14
Q & A with Peter Langdon............................................... 19
IUCN Conference Report................................................. 20
Monitoring the effects of wildfire on water,
Vegetation and biodiversity.............................................. 21
Student participation in the ANZIF Conference
Report ............................................................................... 26
Robbing the (Water) Bank ............................................... 29
OBITUARIES
John Fryer ......................................................................... 22
Moray Guild Douglas....................................................... 22-23
FORESTRY COURSES
The Australian National University ................................. 7
REGULAR FEATURES
Summary of Email Bulletins ............................................ 23
Coming Events ................................................................. 27
Welcome to new members ............................................... 27
Letters to the Editor.......................................................... 28
Membership with the IFA ................................................ 30-31
Merchandise...................................................................... 32
ADVERTS
Forestry Tools................................................................... 28
Front cover:
The Australian Forestry School in
Yarralumla, ACT is the new home to the
IFA National Office.
See page 4 for more details.
National President
Dr Peter Volker
Board of Directors
Cathy Skippington, QLD
Ron Wilson, NSW
Phil Pritchard, ACT
Gary Featherston, VIC
Lew Parsons, SA
David Wettenhall, WA
Andrew Wye, TAS
Gerry Cross, ACFA
Kerrie Catchpoole, QLD
Executive Director
J. Adrian O’Loughlin
Member Services Manager
Cassandra Spencer
National Office
PO Box 7002
YARRALUMLA ACT 2600
Building 6, Wilf Crane Cres
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Phone (02) 6281 3992
Fax (02) 6281 4693
Email: ifa@forestry.org.au
Web Site
www.forestry.org.au
Next date for copy:
10 February 2008
(Vol 51, No. 1)
Editor: J. Adrian O’Loughlin
Design: Cassandra Spencer
Submissions:
The Editor
IFA
PO Box 7002
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Phone (02) 6281 3992
Fax (02) 6281 4693
Email: ifa@forestry.org.au
The Forester is a quarterly
newsletter published by the
Institute of Foresters of
Australia.
Advertising and sales enquiries
should be directed to:
ifa@forestry.org.au
The views expressed in this publication and any inserts are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Institute of Foresters of Australia.
2 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

From the President
Since the conference in Coffs Harbour
we have been working hard to get the
structure in place for an IFA
Scholarship scheme. The aim of the
scholarship program will be to support
tertiary education of forestry students.
This will be done through the National
Forestry Masters Program (NFMP) as
well as support for students in current
undergraduate programs. Tony Price
(now located in Melbourne) has agreed
to assist Adrian O’Loughlin and myself
with the establishment and promotion
of the scholarship program to industry
and government.
Another important activity has been the
finalisation of a number of IFA policy
statements. Tony Bartlett (ACT
Division) has been doing a sterling job
in proof-reading and editing a number
of these. He is demonstrating that long
international flights can be spent in
gainful employment rather than
watching latest release movies! There
is another policy workshop scheduled
for the New Year, following on from the
success of our first workshop held last
year.
No doubt many of you have had a
chance to read Mark Poynter’s book,
“Saving Australia’s Forests and its
Implications.” In my opinion, Mark has
done an excellent job in bringing
together a number of issues, especially
related to the Australian media. The
book is a valuable reference for those
interested in the history of the forestry
and could be a useful textbook for
media studies classes as well.
Last month, I was fortunate to
represent the IFA at an FAO
conference on ‘Outlook for Forests’ in
the Asia Pacific to 2020. One issue
that demerged was the lack of
professional support of organisations
such as IFA in the region. Many people
expressed an interest in what IFA does
and also lamented that they did not
have a similar organisation in their own
country.
I am aware of the busy lives you all
lead. However, I strongly urge you to
take time to get involved in Divisional
and other IFA activities. An
organisation such as ours relies on the
work of volunteers. Nothing is more
discouraging for a volunteer than to go
to the trouble of organising something
and then getting little or no support.
This includes field days, dinner
meetings and calling for assistance with
submissions, policy statements, media
IFA Scholarship progresses
IFA Scholarship progresses
The Board of Directors has agreed to
proceed with an application to register
the IFA Scholarship Gift Fund with the
Australian Taxation Office to obtain tax
free treatment for donations and
scholarship recipients.
A Sub-committee of Dr Peter Volker,
Tony Price and Adrian O’Loughlin has
been appointed to steer the processes
for establishing the Fund.
The Board of Directors has accepted a
recommendation from the ANZIF
Conference Committee and decided to
donate $100,000 to establish the IFA
Scholarship Endowment Fund. The initial
target for the Fund is $1million. To
operate an Endowment Fund to ensure
continuity, an amount of $100,000 is
required for each scholarship of $5,000
per year.
It is hoped the Fund will provide several
scholarships of $5,000 per year for 2
years to encourage students to
undertake forestry courses. The current
level of intake is not sufficient to maintain
forestry degree/masters courses. The
Institute has agreed to try and address
this intolerable situation, in close
collaboration with participating
Universities (ANU/Uni. of Melbourne/
Southern Cross and University of
responses etc.
As this is the last newsletter of the year
I wish you all a happy Christmas and
New Year. Keep safe, and let’s hope
we have a holiday season free of
accidents and no fires.
Peter Volker RPF FIFA
IFA President
Dr Peter Volker RPF FIFA
IFA President, Peter Volker
proudly presented Glen Kile
with the N.W. Jolly Medal
at a dinner held in his
honour in Melbourne on
19th September 2007.
The N.W. Jolly Medal is
awarded in recognition for
outstanding service to the
profession of forestry in
Australia.
Glen’s acceptance speech is
reproduced on page 21
Queensland/University of Tasmania).
The Institute is developing appropriate
promotional material which will be issued
next year. It is proposed that the
promotion takes place in February/
March/April with commitment by July/
August and implementation with the first
scholarship holders commencing study in
2009.
The initial response from NAFI and A3P
to the IFA Scholarship Gift Fund proposal
has been encouraging. State Forestry
Agents have not yet been approached
but they need to also support the
proposal if they expect to be able to
recruit Foresters in the future.
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 3

From the Executive Director
Institute staff back to School
The IFA National Office staff has moved its office
accommodation to the original Australian Forestry School
building facing Banks Street Yarralumla ACT.
The building is mainly occupied by the Australian Academic
Research Network (AARNET) with the IFA National Office
leasing about 50m2 of office space.
“Our previous office accommodation was an asbestos sealed
old building, riddled with borers and without any air
conditioning or kitchen” the Executive Director, Adrian
O’Loughlin, told the Board when seeking approval for the
new accommodation.
“Apart from the unsatisfactory conditions, the landlord
increased the rent by 108%, this made our position untenable
and we had to seek new accommodation” Adrian said.
The Australian Forestry School is a heritage building, opened
in 1927 by the Prime Minister Bruceand Governor General
Lord Stonehaven. It is the first educational building in
Canberra and was used as Australia’s only forestry school
until the School was transferred to the ANU in 1965.
Many of our more senior IFA members attend that Australian
Forestry School in Canberra and would recall many pleasant
memories of their study years at the School. Please feel
welcome to come in see us if you are in the area.
Phil Shedley receives more
Certificates
IFA President, Dr Peter Volker
presents Phil Shedley with his
IFA Fellow Certificate.
Phil Shedley shared centre
stage at the IFA AGM Dinner
when he was presented with
two Certificates.
IFA W.A. Chairman, David
Wettenhall, presented Phil
with a ‘Service Award’
Certificate in
acknowledgement of the
tremendous amount of work
that Phil provided in
Christmas message
organising the recent Borers and
Rots Conference.
Soon after Phil was on his feet
again to receive a fellow
Certificate form IFA President Dr
Peter Volker.
Executive Director
Adrian O’Loughlin AFSAE
In front of his four proud children, Phil recalled many pleasant
and unpleasant memories of his studies and career in
forestry. Of particular interest was that Phil’s father was a
good friend of Max Jacobs. Phil’s father ‘A.C. Shedley’ was a
fellow member and former IFA President in the days of its
origins.
Roger Underwood – WA Forester of the
Year
A surprised Roger Underwood, was awarded the W.A.
Forester of the Year at the AGM Dinner in Perth WA on 7
November 2007.
In making the announcement W.A. Divisional Chairman
David Wettenhall, noted that Roger may have been surprised
but the other members in attendance would not be surprised,
as they are well aware of Roger’s contribution to forestry, the
IFA and to forestry history.
David Wettenhal, Chairman WA Division
congratulates Roger Underwood, recipient of the
2007 WA Forester of the Year award
On behalf of IFA President, Peter Volker and the IFA Board, the National
Office would like to extend warm wishes to you and your family over the
Christmas period. We hope that your Christmas break is enjoyable and safe
and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
The National Office will be closed from 25 December 2006 - 1 January 2007.
4 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

Stephen Midgley
Approved RPF
Stephen Midgley has been approved as a Registered Professional Forester
in the recognition area of General Practicing Forester with recognised skills
in Plantation Management & Development Assistance.
A summary of Stephens work history and experience is listed below.
Salwood Asia Pacific Pty Ltd – Managing Director,
Canberra, Australia.
2003 - Present
Salwood Asia Pacific Pty Ltd offers a professional commitment
to partnerships between Asian and Australian forest industries
and organisations. It does this through a range of services
relating to the commercial use of Australian trees, forest
industries and rural development. Recently completed and
ongoing projects include:
• Study on the current state of land acquisition strategies and
manning issues for commercial eucalypt plantations in
Zhanjiang, China.
• Study on China’s forest industries and prospects for
commercial investment in eucalypt plantations, especially
related to pulp mill investments.
• Environmental and social impacts assessments of
commercial eucalypt plantations in southern China.
• Ongoing involvement in Acacia breeding programs in
Indonesia: identification of superior sources of seed and
incorporating into breeding programs and commercial
plantation deployment.
• Emergence of plantation-grown tropical acacias as a source
of solid wood for the international furniture trade.
• Identification of superior sources of teak and tropical acacia
seed for commercial plantations in Asia and northern
Australia.
• Advice on species, provenances and seed sources for
commercial plantation forestry schemes in northern
Australia, Vietnam, Laos and China.
• Commercial eucalypt plantation establishment proposals for
wood chips and solid wood in temperate and tropical
Australia.
• Development of regional wood processing hubs in China
and South Asia.
• Technical advisory services for Australia’s international
program of development assistance, particularly in Sri
Lanka.
• Improving the profitability of smallholder teak production in
northern Laos.
• Position Paper on Tree Plantation Sector Development in
Lao PDR.
• Member of Lenders Technical Advisory Team for a major
hydro project in Lao PDR.
• Assessment of Acacia plantations and access to markets
(Peninsular Malaysia)
CSIRO Forestry and
Forest Products –
International Business
Director, Canberra,
Australia. 2002 – October 2003
Member of the Division's senior management team,
contributing to strategic direction, priority setting and budget
allocation with responsibility for fostering and expanding
international partnerships with stakeholders and national
research institutions and commercial corporations across the
Division's business.
Developed project concepts and proposals with multinational
partners in the pulp and paper industries and identified sources
of external funding support especially through Australian and
international agencies.
CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products – Portfolio/ Program
Manager, Canberra, Australia. 1994 – 2002
Member of the Division’s senior management team.
Responsible for the Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources
Program, with a budget in excess of Aus$11 million (half from
external sources) and a portfolio of teams comprising 70
scientists and technicians and laboratory/ glasshouse/field
facilities dedicated to the domestication of Australia’s forest
genetic resources (species primarily of genera Acacia,
Grevillea, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca and Casuarina). Research
teams within the Program included: advanced quantitative and
molecular technologies, breeding programs for commercial tree
species such as Pinus radiata, E. globulus, E. nitens, E.
camaldulensis, Acacia mangium and Melaleuca alternifolia,
forest health and wood and fibre evaluation.
Main sponsors and partners include: ACIAR, AusAID,
FWPRDC, RIRDC, DISR, FAO, IPGRI and with industrial
partners and commercial growers (including via the Southern
Tree Breeding Association and the CRC for Sustainable
Production Forestry). Principal liaison with many projects with
private industry and Government agencies in regional Asia.
Project leadership included:
• Project Director, AusAID-funded South Pacific Regional
Initiative on Forest Genetic Resources (SPRIG), responsible
for reporting to AusAID and to liaison with Consortium
partners (Queensland Forest Research Institute, CSIRO
Forestry and Forest Products and URS).
• Project Leader, ACIAR Domestication of Australian Trees
Project
• Project Leader, ACIAR Development of germplasm and
production systems for cold tolerant eucalypts for use in cool
regions of southern China and Australia. (CSIRO Forestry
and Forest Products, Forestry Tasmania, Centre for Forest
Tree Technology and the China Eucalypt Research Centre).
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 5

IFA National Conference 2009
- Caloundra Qld
The Board of Directors has agreed to the next National
Conference being held at Caloundra Qld from 6 - 11
September 2009.
Theme
The propose title/theme for the conference is IFA 2009 –
Forestry: a climate of change.
It is anticipated that this contemporary theme will provide a
good means of focusing foresters on interacting with other
professionals and disciplines involved in evaluating and acting
on the various opportunities and threats posed by climate
change, as well as facilitating discussion about the rapidly
changing political and policy ‘climate’ faced by foresters
working in private and public forestry agencies across
Australia.
The proposed theme is also thought to be consistent with
future directions being considered by the IFA and with
resolutions arising out of the 2007 ANZIF conference.
Location
A comprehensive evaluation process has been undertaken to
identify a preferred location and venue for this conference.
The options of holding the conference at several Queensland
locations were explored and finally it was decided to select
Caloundra on the grounds of:
• Registration cost – for Cairns would be $250 to $300
higher than that charged at Coffs Harbour, as opposed
to an approximate $100 increase that would need to
apply for a conference held at Caloundra in 2009.
• Accommodation cost – by holding the conference at
Caloundra, outside of the Queensland school holiday
period, it will be possible to ensure a better range of
accommodation than at Cairns, where the only
available conference venue bookings are in the “high
season” for accommodation, which extends from June
through until October.
• Risks – The Caloundra cost structure is based entirely
A Conference Organising Committee (COC) has
been established by the IFA Queensland Division
consisting of:
Stephen Walker Chair & Ceremonies/
Social Events
Catherine Skippington Queensland Division Chair
Adrian O’Loughlin IFA Executive Director/
Company Secretary
Joanne Lewis Secretary/Finance
Robert Thistlethwaite Technical / Editorial
Gary Bacon Student Program / Liaison
Andy McNaught Sponsorship
Ian Last Field Tours
on variable costs whilst
the Cairns cost has a
fixed cost component
which goes up if
numbers of delegates
fall below 350.
• Venue size –
considered to be “just
right” for Caloundra
(able to hold three
Stephen Walker
concurrent sessions),
whilst at Cairns, even with 350 delegates, there is a
concern that the numbers will be too few to generate a
good atmosphere in such a large venue.
• Field tours – much better opportunity to develop a
range of field tours in/around Sunshine/Fraser coasts,
and to get industry participation and IFA involvement in
the development and hosting of the tours.
• Speaker availability – for non forestry speakers e.g. on
topics relating to climate change, it will be easier to get
speakers to travel from Brisbane up to Caloundra for
one day or a half day sessions, than to get them to
travel to Cairns.
• Sponsorship – whilst Cairns would have provided a
“good fit” with the proposed conference theme, it is
considered more likely that S.E. Queensland based
industry sponsors will be able to participate in a
conference at Caloundra, where they can easily take
advantage of sponsorship package elements e.g.
tickets to conference dinner etc.
• Students – reduced transportation time and costs for
students wishing to attend.
• Accommodation – the Events Centre at Caloundra is
within easy walking distance of a wide range of
accommodation venues and types.
• Past Experience – with the successful holding of an
IUFRO conference at the same venue in 1996.
Timing
A booking has been made at the Events Centre, Caloundra
between Sunday 6 th September and Friday 11 th September
2009. This timing will take advantage of the ideal Queensland
weather at the start of spring whilst still being a couple of
weeks prior to both the Queensland school holidays (Saturday
19 th September to Sunday 4 th October) and the football season
finals for the major codes.
Conference Organiser
Five companies with relevant experience were invited to
submit proposals to take on the role of Conference Organiser/
Administrator, with four of these companies submitting
confirming offers. The successful firm is All Occasions Group;
the same firm that organised the IFA 2005 Mt Gambier and
ANZIF 2007 Conferences.
6 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

ANU Forestry
Alumni & Friends News
December 2007
• phone: 02 6125 2579 fax 02 6125 0746 •
•email: forestry@anu.edu.au www: http://fennerschool.anu.edu.au/•
Kate Sherren joins National Forestry Masters
team
Kate Sherren, who has just completed her PhD at ANU, in education for sustainability,
has joined the implementation team for the new National Forestry Masters Program
(September Forester). Kate will play a national coordination role from an ANU base.
Prior to her PhD studies, Kate taught spatial sciences at Charles Sturt University, and
worked as a GIS researcher at the University of New Orleans and as a GIS
practitioner in the Canadian forestry sector. In addition to her coordination role, Kate
brings to the National Masters Program her expertise in tertiary teaching and learning,
with a strong focus on the interdisciplinary, sustainability-oriented issues and
challenges that characterise forestry and the environment.
The National Forestry Masters Program begins in February, with a 2-week course at
Creswick and in Tasmania. More information from the Program website
(www.forestry.org.au/masters), or from Kate at 02 6125 5100 or
Kate.Sherren@anu.edu.au.
ANU bushfire group continues to burn …
The ANU Bushfire Research Group, led by Dr Geoff Cary, continues to expand its portfolio of activities, most
recently with a large grant from the Australian Greenhouse Office. This research, on improving fire and vegetation
dynamics in the LPJ dynamic global vegetation model for Australia, complements existing industry-focused projects
on simulating the effectiveness of bushfire risk management (Bushfire CRC), climate change and bushfire
management (NSW DECC), and fire and carbon dynamics (AGO).
The support of these industry and other partners has been instrumental in enabling the group to grow through
Honours, Masters and PhD scholarships, and postdoctoral and research fellowships. A group of adjunct appointees
– Ross Bradstock, Malcolm Gill, Jim Gould, Steve Roxburgh and Rod Weber – help guide research directions and
supervise students. Research fellows Karen King, Ian Davies and Rob de Light each work on specific research
projects, and the five research students currently with the group - and Carola Kuramotto de Bednarik, Nic Gellie,
Adam Leavesley, Luke Pinner and Lyndsey Vivian – are working on topics ranging from fire behaviour to the
ecological impacts of fire in alpine and in arid Australia. The group’s research
was very highly rated by the 2006 review of the Bushfire CRC, and students from
the group were recently awarded ANU Vice-Chancellor’s Awards to support
presentations at December’s ESA conference in Perth.
The group’s recent publications provide a good sense of its breadth: they include
papers on fire severity (in press Austral Ecology), prescribed burning
(International Journal of Wildland Fire 15: 527-40), control of landscape fire
(Landscape Ecology 21: 121-37), fire disasters (Environmental Hazards 6: 65-
80), and bushfire research priorities (Australian Forestry 68: 104-11).
After a successful trial last year, the group will be conducting the ANU course
Fire in the Australian Environment, which is offered as an intensive short course
(4-15 February 2008). The course will also be available to National Forestry
Masters students in the second year of their program.
For more information about the ANU Bushfire Research Group’s work, visit
http://fennerschool.anu.edu.au/people/academics/caryg.php, or contact
Geoff Cary at 02 6125 0059 or Geoffrey.Cary@anu.edu.au
Kate Sherren
Geoff Cary and ANU bushfire research
colleagues with “The Wedge”, a recent
acquisition to the ANU public art collection
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 7

WA Division News
By David Wettenhall
Stene’s arboretum
Stene’s Arboretum was established in 1979 on land owned
by the Department of Water. The land is located in the
Wellington catchment which was becoming progressively
more saline. Re-forestation has proven to be an effective
tool to reverse this trend. The arboretum is one of five
established at the time to demonstrate various emerging
species in lower rainfall landscapes. The arboreta were
well documented at the time of establishment and have
been measured once or twice. However, over time,
species names change or become less certain. The IFA
contacted the Department of Water offering to measure
plots in Stene’s arboretum and to verify the identification of
the trees.
In spite of distances (250 km from Perth and 300 km from
Albany) and dubious weather a dozen people turned out
and had a very interesting day looking at the 28 year old
trees. There are 123 plots mostly about 0.5 hectares
which provide a good look at the growth of each variety.
We managed to measure basal areas and heights in a
number of the priority plots and reviewed the naming of
dubious plots.
There would be an interesting project measuring the
growth in all of the plots across the five replicates of the
arboretum. This could provide rare insight into the growth
of species in what has become a more important
landscape for forestry.
Thanks to Phil Roberts, Paul Brennan, Peter White and
John Bartle and the others in attendance for supporting the
day.
Wellington Discovery Forest
John Clarke escorted a group of members and guests
around the walking trails in the education section and the
management section. The key messages were that the
Wellington Discovery Forest was a long term project
commenced in 1990. The essential objectives of the
project were to create a place for scientific research and
education with progressive silvicultural treatments in jarrah
forests. This is to be achieved in the management section
by harvesting some 10 hectares of the forest every 10
years. This will create a sequence of forests of
progressive age since harvesting. The Wellington
Discovery Forest is to be a compact illustration of the
effect of harvesting and creating opportunities for the study
on the effects of harvesting.
Since the transfer of the forest to the Department of
Environment and Conservation and the drafting of the
Wellington Forest Management Plan IFA members are
concerned that there has not been due consideration to
the purpose of the Wellington Discovery Forest. The
second harvesting treatment due in 2002 has not been
carried out and the draft Forest Management Plan refers to
it as a recreation site and education facility. The draft
Management Plan says “it is the Department and
Conservation Commission’s preference that
logging, including a demonstration of silvicultural
activities, is not to be permitted in this Reserve.”
The IFA is deeply concerned that the Department
of Environment and Conservation and the
Conservation Commissions’ preference is a
direct contradiction of the parliament’s purpose in
creating the Wellington Discovery Forest
Reserve.
Foresters’ Wood
Jack Bradshaw, Lachie McCaw and Peter Keppel
presented the Foresters’ Wood outlining the
history and the themes of the Wood to a group of
members and Hon. Adele Farina, MLC. The
Wellington Discovery Forest
8 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

discussion revolved around future management options
for the Wood. Three major options were discussed:
1. To continue a lease with DEC and to explore a
sub-lease to a commercial partner such as
RACWA which is seeking sites for caravan parks.
Further developments could include cabins and
Bibbulmun Track walker facilities in separated
zones of the Wood. Ms Farina offered to facilitate
contact with RAC.
2. To surrender the lease to DEC, and negotiate with
DEC to reserve the land for the purpose of
recreation and education and manage it through a
management committee which included strong
representation of the IFA.
3. Transfer the lease to the National Trust of WA
which would undertake development of the Wood
with support from the IFA.
The IFA WA division needs to develop and consider
these options and decide which is the desired option.
The Foresters’ Wood Sub-committee are to prepare a
further report on these options for consideration by the
Division by 30 November 2007. Ms Farina offered to
support the IFA in pursuing the preferred outcomes.
David Wettenhall, John Bartle, Jodie Wildy
Foresters' Wood
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 9
A
O
B

New Fellows of the IFA
The Board of Directors has approved that Mike Bleby RPF (South Australia) and
Graham Wilkinson RPF (Tasmania) be elevated to the level of Fellow membership.
The Fellow Certificates will be presented to Mike and Graham at suitable functions in
their own States. Extracts of the nominations are reproduced below.
Michael Bleby RPF
Mike Bleby has been a member of the Institute of Foresters
of Australia for 38 years and during that time he has provided
outstanding service to both the profession of forestry and the
IFA.
Mike completed his Bachelor of Science (Forestry) degree at
the Australian National University in 1970. He commenced
work as a forester with the SA Woods and Forests
Department the following year and remains employed by the
current SA Government forest authority, ForestrySA.
Mike initially worked at Wirrabara, Penola and Mt Crawford
Forest Reserves, being involved with “hands-on” forest
management. In 1979 he was appointed to the position of
District Forester and filled this role at Mt Crawford, and Mt
Burr Forests until 1996. This period included the massive
Ash Wednesday fires of 1983 during which Mike watched as
a good part of Mt Crawford burnt around him. In the massive
salvage and replanting operation which followed Mike was
primarily responsible for the rebuilding of the Mt Burr Forest,
one of the most historic plantation forests in SA. During
these years Mike demonstrated his hands-on forest
management skills and his ability to create world-class
plantation forest.
In 1996 he moved into an Operational Development role
which involved developing and implementing policies for all
of ForestrySA’s plantations in the areas of nurseries, forest
establishment, silviculture and nutrition. This included
implementation of recommendations coming from the
Research areas into practice. Therefore he was responsible
for implementing best practice at all stages of the
establishment of the plantations.
In 2004 he had a major career shift to Sales, which involved
management of all harvesting and sales operations in the
Green Triangle Region which covered about 1.8 M m 3 of
product per year. This involved logging many plantations
which he had established, which allowed him to appreciate
the effectiveness of his early work.
As with most foresters, over all his time with ForestrySA Mike
has had an active role in fire management and has been
involved at an Incident Management level with many major
fires and many more fire events that avoided major status
due to good management.
As an active long serving member of the IFA Mike has
always been ready to take up a role in the IFA and at various
times he has served in the committee of both the Green
Triangle and Adelaide Branches.
Mike also volunteered to fill the role of Chairman of the
organising committee of the 2005 IFA conference which was
held in Mt Gambier. This role requires good organisational
skills, the ability to co-opt reluctant members and the
capacity to market the IFA in the local community and with
financial supporters. The success of the conference was in
no small part due to Mike’s efforts and his organisational
skills. As Chairman of the Organising Committee Mike was
involved nearly every day in some activity or decision relating
to the Conference. His organisational skills and leadership
contributed greatly to motivate the other committee
members.
Graham Wilkinson RPF
Since graduating with a BSc (Forestry) Hons. (1 st Class) from
ANU in 1976, where he also was awarded the William
Schlich Medal, Graham has based his professional career in
NSW and then Tasmania.
The first eight years of his post-graduate career were spent
as a Forester in District operations at both Casino and Tumut
in NSW. In these roles, Graham demonstrated the flexibility
and diversity of tasks often asked of foresters in their
occupation. His roles included native forest and plantation
management as well as regular interaction with the broader
community as a representative of the Forestry Commission
of NSW, particularly in fire management.
Graham then moved to Tasmania to take up a position as a
10 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

Research Officer in the Tasmanian Forestry Commission’s
Division of Forest Research and Development. Initially he
worked in plantation research. After two years he was
promoted to the position of Principal Research Officer (Native
Forests). In this latter role Graham made a significant
contribution to research, training and development through
the publication of peer-reviewed papers, Technical Bulletins
and providing training to Technical Foresters and the broader
forestry industry. During this time Graham also completed a
MSc at University of Tasmania.
These attributes were recognised when he was appointed to
the position of Chief Forest Practices Officer in the Forest
Practices Authority (formerly Forest Practices Board) in 1996,
a position he still holds. In recent years Graham has been
sought after in international forums to pass on his knowledge
and experience in practical implementation of Codes of
Forest Practice particularly in SE Asia and Oceania regions.
He is regularly invited to give written and oral presentations
or undertake consultancy work for FAO and World Bank in
this area.
Graham has given service to IFA throughout his career as an
active participant. He was Chairman of the Tasmanian
Division and a Director on the National Board from 2000 to
2004. He has been Chairman of the IFA’s RPF Accreditation
Scheme Committee since
its establishment in 2001.
Graham is a strong
advocate for the continuing
role of the IFA in the
Australian forestry scene.
Graham has also shown a
strong commitment to
continuing his professional
development through
achieving recognition as an
RPF. Apart from his postgraduate
degree training he
has also completed an
Australian Institute of
Company Directors diploma
and is an Accredited
Environmental Auditor.
Graham continues to communicate widely in both formal and
informal publications as well direct interaction with the
community at many levels and in many countries. He is
highly regarded by his peers and community leaders at local,
national and international levels. He is an outstanding
ambassador for the profession.
2007 IFA AGM Held in WA
“This is an historic occasion” IFA President Dr Peter Volker
told the forty-five members attending the IFA annual
General Meeting in Perth W.A. on 7 November 2007.
“It is the first time that a Board of Directors meeting and
AGM have been held in Perth” he said.
Dr Volker mentioned that the IFA Board had decided 3
years ago that it would meet o a rotation basis in all
Divisions so that members could meet with and discuss
relevant IFA business face-to-face with the Directors. This
‘bring the IFA to the membership’ approach has been
appreciated by members. Dr Volker said that it is important
that members support Divisional activities and do not rely
on the volunteer committee to do everything for them.
Dr Volker mentioned that the Executive Director, Adrian
O’Loughlin, has also been active in visiting and liaising with
Graham Wilkinson RPF
the Divisions and he had also been in close liaison and cooperation
with other forestry organisations.
Members present at the AGM were informed the Board of
Directors would be starting on a new Strategic Plan for
2008-2011 and that a special workshop would be held in
Melbourne on 28 February to finalise the Plan.
Details of achievements during 2006/07 had been provided
to members in the Company Annual Report. Dr Volker said
“The year just completed had been very challenging and
satisfying but the year ahead will be even more challenging
to the Board and personally demanding on our time.”
In concluding the meeting, the members present moved a
motion (passed by acclamation) of thanks and
congratulations to the Board of Directors and the IFA staff
for their untiring efforts and dedication during 2006/07.
The IFA would like to thank
URS Forestry for their support and
sponsorship of the 2007 IFA AGM
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 11

Registered Professional Forester
®
Scheme (RPF )
Current RPF accredited list
Paul Adams
John Ball
Ian Barnes
Michael Bleby
Ray Borschmann
Alston Bourne
Jack Bradshaw
Paul Brennan
Anthony Cannon
Stephen Clarke
Peter Clinnick
Stephen Collet
Paul Cotterill
Jeffrey Cownie
Gerard Cross
John Davidson
Peter Devonshire
Andrew de Fegely
James Edgar
Tony Fearnside
Gary Featherston
Richard Finlay-Jones
David Geddes
Jack Gittins
Adrian Goodwin
David Gough
Robert Hanssen
Craig Hawkins
Michael Henson
Bernadette Hine
Braden Jenkin
Marcia Lambert
Mary-Anne Larkin
Jerry Leech
Peter Levitzke
Philip Lloyd
Linda Maddern
Geoffrey McArthur
Richard McCarthy
Lachlan McCaw
Graham McKenzie-Smith
David McKittrick
Stephen Midgley
Gerard Moore
Robert Newman
Kenneth Nethercott
Is your name on this list?
Apply now online or
Turn to page15
James O'Hehir
Michael O’Neill
Ross Peacock
Mark Poynter
David Quill
Bryant Richards
Paul Rose
Ruth Ryan
Brian Salter
Phil Shedley
Peter Shepherd
Paul Smale
Don Spriggins
Glenn Taylor
Robert Thistlethwaite
Wayne Tibbits
Alan Tolsher
John Turner
Peter Volker
Brendan Vollemaere
Graham Wilkinson
David Wettenhall
Matthew Wood
12 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

SA News
By Lew Parsons
The Green Triangle Branch has continued work on their
project to support Forestry Education activities in the
region and to develop Forestry Education materials,
particularly to encourage students to undertake a forestry
degree.
Following a meeting with the NAFI group who are
producing a “Careers in the Forest Industry” DVD it was
decided to try to utilize this experience to produce some
electronic material to promote Forestry as a Career.
The Green Triangle Branch is formulating a work
programme to develop costing to produce a range of
options. At this stage these may include a web-video to go
on the IFA web site, a DVD for careers advisors and a set
of still (and video?) pictures of working foresters, maybe to
go on the web site.
The Branch is also continuing to work with the local
Industry Placement Careers Advisor to provide student
information on the role of forestry and the option of
forestry as a career.
Following the success of the 2007 Forestry Scholarship
for students from SA and Victorian Green Triangle who
are studying forestry, the GT Branch have commenced
Bob Thistlethwaite
- from Chairman to
Convenor
work on the award of the 2008 scholarship.
The S.A. Divisional AGM was held in Mt Gambier in
August 2007. 16 attended including on member from
Adelaide. Following the AGM the Green Triangle Branch
held their AGM with the committee continuing unchanged.
The AGM was followed by a guest speaker who spoke
about his experience with Forest Certification in China and
Sarawak.
Lew Parsons
Chair, SA Division.
Dr Bob Thistlethwaite has stood down as Divisional Chair of the IFA
Queensland Division. Bob completed 6 years in the position as is
required to stand down after serving two 3-year terms as Chairman and
IFA Director.
IFA President Dr Peter Volker paid tribute to Bob at the November
Board meeting and the Board passed a resolution thanking Bob for his continuing service to the
Institute, and in particular as a Divisional Chair and Board member.
Bob has accepted an invitation by the Board of Directors to convene the Tropical Forestry Special
Interest Group, which will begin activity early next year.
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 13

NSW News
By Ron Wilson
Activities since the ANZIF conference have been limited to
the NSW Division AGM and Annual Dinner on 14 September
2007. Outcomes of these two events and other ongoing
activities have been reported in respect to the Strategic Plan
2006-2008. I was re-elected as Chairman and the Divisional
Committee gained new members to balance retirements.
• Members working in the NSW Department of Natural
Resources mentioned at the AGM that the IFA
submission of 23 February 2007 to the NSW Minister,
The Hon. Ian Macdonald, MLC, Minister for Natural
Resources, Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister
for Mineral Resources regarding the NSW Woody
Vegetation Change 2004 – 2006 Report, which is
reported on the NSW Government web site, had a
positive impact in influencing the Government to change
the reporting protocol (to separate clearing of native
vegetation from forestry).
• The NSW Government is about to release its revised
policy on Private Native Forestry. Members working in
the NSW Department of Natural Resources indicated that
the NSW Division of IFA, in view of its previous
submission on this policy and stake in its operation, is
encouraged to play a role in monitoring and review of this
policy. Action to be taken by the Divisional Committee.
• NSW Division is also progressing an initiative to introduce
forestry into a Sydney metropolitan university as part of
the national agenda.
• The AGM and Annual Dinner was held on 14 September
2007 at Glebe.
There were two presentations
made during the dinner:
1. Nick Roberts,
recently appointed
CEO of Forests
NSW. Nick gave a presentation, supported by a
slideshow, about the competitiveness of NSW and
Australia in the global forestry sector. This
presentation generated many questions about
strategies to improve our position.
2. Louise Williams, senior journalist with the Sydney
Morning Herald, has spent a period of several
years in South East Asia and is concerned at the
illegal logging there after seeing first hand impacts.
Louise was recently in Sweden as part of an
assignment and has made a number of articles on
new directions for Sweden in making use of their
forestry sector to address climate change issues.
Sweden regards its forests as “green gold” and
there is negligible opposition to forestry there. She
made the point that from her observations of the
forestry debate in Australia, there was an urgent
need to lift the intellectual level of debate from jobsvs-national
parks to a more informed level
embracing solutions to the climate change agenda
and for foresters to attempt to find some common
ground with environmentalists. Her presentation
was well received and generated good discussion.
Ron Wilson
Chairman NSW Division
Interested in Catchment? - contact Frank Batini
The Institute’s Board of Directors has agreed to form a Special Interest Group (SIG) for Catchments
and I have accepted to be its Convenor.
I am now looking for members with similar interests to join this Group.
The purpose of the SIG is to raise awareness and promote Institute Policies, to influence catchment
management and to raise the IFA profile in water debates.
We can do this by providing professional input into policies and management, by media releases,
articles and workshops.
Anyone interested please contact Frank Batini on fbatini@bigpond.net.au or (08) 9457 1952.
14 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 4 - DECEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

Registered
Professional Forester
Scheme (RPF )
Know
your
worth
The RPF scheme promotes high standards in the professional practice of
forestry. Registration in the RPF scheme is a logical step in proving your
commitment to your job.
Information & Application
Institute of Foresters
of Australia
®

Why Register in the Registered
Professional Forester Scheme?
You are proving your commitment to your career.
Becoming a Registered Professional Forester lets
your employer and clients know that you mean
business when dealing with forestry related issues.
The RPF scheme allows you to define and nominate
the area of skill/expertise; you can highlight your
areas of strength in which you seek recognition.
Have your
qualifications and
experience
recognised by
other countries.
The RPF scheme
recognises at this
level that you are
sufficiently
experienced and
matured in forestry
work to be
accepted by your
peers as an
experienced and
professional
forester in Australia
and overseas.
What does the RPF Scheme mean to
Employers and Clients?
For employers and clients of forestry professionals,
the RPF scheme guarantees that the Registered
Professional Forester they are engaging have been
assessed by expert practitioners and deemed to
possess the experience, skills and knowledge
identified by the RPF Registration Committee for
your area/s of skills or expertise.
By becoming a Registered Professional Forester
your employer and clients know at a glance that you
have committed to a Code of Professional Ethics to
annually undertaking at least 30 hours of continuing
professional development, and if engaged in
providing external
consultancy
services, you are
self-insured for
Professional
Indemnity.
Recognition Categories
General Practicing Forester
A General Practing Forester is a forester, who has
completed appropriate tertiary qualifications, obtained at
least 5 years field experience, agrees to comply with the
IFA Code of Ethics, is insured for professional indemnity
when consulting and undertakes Continuing Professional
Development.
The RPF scheme recognizes at this level that the forester is
sufficiently experienced and matured in forestry work to be
accepted by their peers as an experienced and professional
forester.
This level of application is the most common level and will
cover most applicants.
Importantly it certifies the currency of the GPF’s work.
The RPF Scheme primarily recognises professional forestry
work and applicants will not normally be assessed on their
day-to-day management skills which are expected of
persons in the normal workplace employment such as
Project management, Personnel management, Budgetary
Control and the like.
Academic qualifications
Have a BSc. (Forestry) or equivalent, plus a minimum of
5 years forestry work.
Supporting experience and information to be
provided
Evidence of current (within the last 3 years) expertise in
a range of general forestry activities, including
involvement in field application.
General Practicing Forester with recognised
skills
A General Practicing Forester with recognised skills is a
forester, who has met all the assets of the General
Practicing Forester but who has streamed off into a
specialty in one or two specific areas in forestry.
It would typically relate to those who spend their earlier
years in general field forestry and then concentrate in a
more specific area of forestry. In the process of this
specialisation the forester would usually have updated,
researched and gained experience in that particular
specialisation for at least 5 years.
The specific nominated skills should be stated in broad
terms eg: ‘Plantation Management’ or ‘Native Forest
Management’ or ‘Consultancy Services’ or ‘Regulatory
Control’. It is not appropriate to nominate a shopping list of
areas for ‘recognition’ but rather the nomination of one or
two generic areas should be used without its sub elements.
Of course full details, including all relevant supportive
material should be provided in support of the claims for
recognition.
The RPF scheme recognises at this level that the forester is
sufficiently experienced and matured to be accepted by
their peers as having special and current skills in an area of
forestry.

It is acknowledged that within areas of special skills, that
some applicants will have a greater level of expertise than
others. This may need to be examined further in time;
however the current concept is to recognise the special
skills of foresters, rather than the level of those skills.
Academic qualifications
Have a BSc. (Forestry) or equivalent, plus a minimum
of 5 years forestry work.
Supporting experience and information to be
provided
• Evidence of current or previous expertise in a range
of general forestry activities, including involvement
in field activities; and
• Specific nominated ‘recognised skills’ must be
current and supported by:
i. Peer recognition by practitioners of skills,
expertise and experience in applying the
knowledge at a medium to high level of
responsibility (i.e. as operational or project
supervisor); and
ii. Evidence of up to date expertise in the subject
area (Generally a minimum of about 5 years),
as demonstrated by relevant professional
development.
Specialist
This classification recognises those who are not Foresters
but who work in an area of forestry eg: ecology, fire
specialist, water catchment, research, academia, etc.
Applicants are expected to have a high level of respect and
recognition as an expert in a particular field in a forestry
environment with at least 5 years current experience in the
nominated area of specialty.
Academic qualifications
Have a Degree – at least. But not necessarily a BSc. in
Forestry. Plus 5 years working in the field of forestry)
Supporting experience and information to be
provided
evidence of a professional focus and specialisation in
the subject area; and
recognition as a specialist by peers in the subject area
(e.g. through papers, conferences, responsibility for
major projects, positions held at a senior level on
relevant bodies etc.); and
evidence of up to date expertise in the subject area, as
demonstrated by relevant professional development;
and
evidence of a continuing involvement or contribution to
the subject area through major projects, research,
development, innovation, training or education.
INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
Meeting the Continuing Professional Development requirements
The RPF scheme acknowledges the need for registrants to take an
active approach to professional development to meet ever-changing
challenges of modern forestry. It encourages the acquisition of new
skills to address these issues but also stresses the need for integrative
as well as specific skills.
The minimum requirement of CPD hours is 30 hours a year and must
be attained with no more than 15 hours being claimed on any one
category.
Annual Record of activities
A completed Annual Record of Activities form must be submitted to the
Institute’s National Office. The form RPF06 is available for completion
and submission via the IFA website
Verification
Verification must be such that an auditor could confirm that the activity
was carried out as stated. It can include written confirmation of
attendance by an organiser or a peer, receipts, inclusion in list of
delegates, printed material, notes taken at seminars, etc. Note: No
attachments should accompany the Annual CPD report unless
requested to do so by the RPF Co-ordinator.
Recognised Activities
Below is a list of activities that RPF Registration Committee will
recognise. The list below is not complete and members may undertake
other professional development activities in the spirit of the CPD
requirements.
1. Conferences, workshops, seminars, fieldtrips
2. External, employer provided and self-study programs
3. Updating existing knowledge
4. Teaching and research activities outside normal employment
5. Mentoring
6. Community Service
7. Professional Service
8. Other Activities
Consideration will be given on an annual basis to the recognition of
other activities considered by a member to be appropriate and
detailed by a member in his/her annual report.
Level of information and material required in support of an
application?
When deciding on the structure of an application and the extent of
information and evidence to provide to the RPF Registration
Committee, applicants are encouraged to follow a 'job application with
supporting portfolio' model. The quality and the standard of each
application for registration are considered, along with other evidence as
an indication of the applicant’s professionalism.
The applicant must ensure that each skill or expertise claimed is
addressed with assessable clear supporting argument including dates
and a full description of experiences.
Obligations and responsibilities of applicants and the Registration
Committee
Applications for RPF Registration must clearly support the area(s)
nominated for recognition.
By applying for registration, the applicant agrees that the RPF
Registration Committee of the IFA, or its representatives, may make
such enquiries of individuals or employers as it believes necessary to
verify statements and evidence provided by the applicant in support of
the application and that the areas approved may be included on the
IFA website.
The RPF Registration Committee must ensure that the applicant’s
experience, skills and knowledge are appropriate to the current state of
knowledge and the maintenance of high standards of professional
practice.
Administration and application fees
An application fee of $55 (includes GST) for members and $315 (incl.
GST) for non-members is charged for the determination of initial
registration. In the event that an application is not approved, this fee
will not be refunded to the applicant. Appeal against determinations by
the IFA Board may only be pursued if there is evidence of bad faith or
misinterpretation of criteria. An Appeal is to be directed through the
Executive Director, Institute of Foresters of Australia, who is required
under IFA Regulations to forward the appeal to the Appeals
Investigation Committee and for ultimate decision by the IFA Board.
Registration will be for a period of three years, with an annual review.
After 3 years the Registration requires renewing. Renewal of
registration is subject to a moderate fee determined by the IFA Board
and subject to the Registrant continuing to meet the RPF Registration
Committee’s requirements.

Any Voting Member of the Institute of Foresters of
Australia may apply for registration as a Registered
Professional Forester. Registrants are entitled to use the
designation Registered Professional Forester and the
post-nominal ‘RPF’.
The Registered Professional Forester scheme allows
applicants to define and nominate the area/s of skills/
expertise in which they seek recognition. Registrants
each receive a Certificate identifying the approved area/s
of skills/expertise.
Overview of requirements
Applications are invited from those who:
Application Form
Registered Professional Forester ®
1. Applicant’s Details:
Full name:
Full Postal address:
Are eligible for membership of the IFA at Voting Member level
Agree to abide by IFA Code of Ethics
Have 5 years relevant professional experience which includes at least 2 years relevant
experience in Australia
Provide details sufficiently substantiating their recognition at one of the following
recognised categories:
• General Practicing Forester
• General Practicing Forester with recognised skills
• Specialist
Undertake (after approval) to complete at least 30 hours Continuing Professional
Development each year.
Professional Indemnity Insurance or where relevant, a statement of cover or indemnity by
employer. (required only if employed and practicing in external consultancy).
Email: Day Phone No:
2. Declaration:
I have read and understand the Code of Ethics of the IFA and agree to abide by them.
I certify that the information provided herein and separately is true and correct.
3. For registration as a Registered Professional Forester: (All applicants to complete)
My Curriculum Vitae detailing overall professional employment history (Incl. 3 referee contacts) is separately:
Emailed
Mailed
Faxed
Attached
A Statement supporting areas of recognition being claimed is: (Address each area of claim in detail)
Emailed
Mailed
A copy of my academic record is:
Emailed
Mailed
Faxed
Faxed
Attached
Attached
(Note: If you are a current ‘Voting Member’ or ‘Fellow’ of IFA, your basic Forestry degree or ‘Other relevant’ degree is recorded by
the national Office and is ‘Not required’ again. However, other relevant course details or higher level of academic records are
required in support, if specialist area(s) of recognition is applied for under item 4 below.)
Evidence of Professional Indemnity Insurance cover (by myself or my employer):
(Required only for persons engaged in providing external consulting services)
Insurer: Policy/No. Exp. Date:
4. Nominated areas of expertise (Refer to ‘Recognised Categories’)
1.
2.
5. Payment
General Practicing Forester (GPF) only
GPF with recognised skills in (listed below)
Application fee of $55.00 (Incl. GST)
(For IFA Voting Members)
Card No: Expiry date:
OR
1.
Required Not required
Specialist area (eg: Native Forest Management or Forestry Science)
With expertise in (listed below - only if applicable)
1.
2.
Application fee of $315.00 (Incl. GST)
(For non- IFA Members)
Name on
card:
METHOD
Cheque
Credit card
Visa or Mastercard
Notes: Submit your completed form and attachments as stated above to: RPF Coordinator, PO Box 7002, Yarralumla ACT 2600. Applications can
also be lodged via the IFA website: www.forestry.org.au or by emailing to: ifa@forestry.org.au. Please ensure that you keep a copy of your
application for your records.

Q & A with ACT Forester, Peter Langdon
Q. How or when did you first realise that you wanted to
be part of the Forestry profession?
A. Hmmm forestry. I was not aware of forestry until late in
year 12 [1990] when considering options for university.
Then through word of mouth I heard about a relative who
recently completed a forestry degree while employed
under a NSW Forestry Commission traineeship. At the
time I had just missed out on a mechanical engineering
training opportunity with BHP and the University of NSW.
My decision was made at the 11 th hour and I managed to
change my preferences for University admission just in
time. To forestry that is.
Q. Where did you complete your degree?
A. Australian National University, 1991 to 1994.
Q. Any defining moments during the course of your
studies?
A. It is hardly necessary to tell other foresters how wonderful
the experience of tertiary forestry education in Australia
was. But for those less fortunate who came into the
forestry profession either later in the piece or via other
avenues I will indulge. A little. It is no secret society but
the circumstances of forestry do seem to create an
immediate bond among its fraternity. Knowing every face
and every name that belongs to a small forestry
department in a big university made it ‘ours’. While
friends inclined to law, commerce and the arts laughed at
us ‘foresters’ having to start classes at 8am five days a
week, we chuckled right back at them as we hung out the
windows of our ‘forestry vehicle fleet’ on our way out for
yet another days learning in the great outdoors.
Q. What were your first work experiences after
completing your degree?
A. I was pretty chuffed when FORTECH (now URS
Forestry) employed me as a graduate forestry consultant.
Four years work with a great FORTECH crew from 1995
to 1999 had many highlights. A few of them being,
winning my first tender for the company- it was only
meant to be a practice. Managing commercial pine
plantations for the company’s clients- hmm silviculture
really does impact returns. I’d be happy to talk to any
young foresters about what winds can blow roofs off
houses, turn tractors on their sides and twist all the
branches off old paddock gum trees and what it can also
do to freshly thinned pine plantations. Ouch
Working on exchange for a New Zealand consulting firm-
“so this is how pine grows on metres of volcanic ash” and
“what do you mean first thinning, these sticks are ready
for clearfall!” Watching the foreman in a PNG logging
concession demonstrate how to extract a felled tree from
underneath another felled tree and the three other D6
tractors that had already got stuck trying- I gained a new
perspective
on soil
disturbance. I
left
FORTECH in
1999 to take
my hard
earned cash
and spend it
living and
looking at life
on the other side of the world. My girlfriend Justine [now
wife], and I lived in Edinburgh for a few years and
enjoyed two awesome holidays in between working for
the Scots. Coming back to Australia I worked first for
Forest NSW [finally] and later for ACT Forests before my
current position.
Q. What does your work now involve? Any long term
plans?
A. Now I am a Senior Policy Officer for the Forest Industries
Branch of the Australian Government Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. I work on
international forest policy issues that relate to combating
illegal logging, promoting sustainable forest management
and developing market access and trade for Australian
forest products overseas. Fitting my practical experience
into a policy making environment with an eye on the
global outlook for the world’s forests is humbling. I hold
the view that Australian people don’t need much
convincing of the many benefits of sustainable forest
management- they just need someone to tell them about
it.
A year ago I accepted an offer from the IFA to be a Media
Liaison Officer for the ACT Division. The media role is
difficult but I am learning a lot and I hope in the longer
term I can help the Institute build a profile amongst
Australian people and get the message on forests heard.
I do love forests. But people more and none more than
Justine and our three children, Polly, Jemima and Archie.
Peter Langdon in front of his favourite tree
Mexicana Oaxaca El Tule
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 19

IUCN Conference Report
The IFA Board of Directors approved the attendance of Cathy Skippington at the “IUCN Oceania Regional meeting”
in New Zealand on July 2007. Below is her report.
What is the IUCN?
The IUCN is the World Conservation Organisation which is the
world’s largest and most important conservation network. The
Union brings together 83 States, 110 government agencies,
more than 800 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and
some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a
unique worldwide partnership.
Its mission is:
To influence, encourage and assist societies
throughout the world to conserve the integrity and
diversity of nature and ensure that any use of natural
resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.
Why should the IFA be a member of the IUCN?
The IFA’s strategic objectives are:
1. (a) to advance and protect the cause of forestry, and
(b) to publish and make educational, marketing and
other materials available to those engaged in
forestry.
2. (a) to maintain a high standard of qualifications in
persons engaged in the practice of forestry, and
(b) to promote professional standards and ethical
practice among those engaged in forestry.
3. (a) to promote social intercourse between persons
engaged in forestry.
(b) strengthen links with like-minded organisations
To provide the services of the Institute to forestry
organisations inside Australia and in overseas
countries as the Board may deem appropriate.
• One of the reasons IFA attended this IUCN meeting was
to pursue these objectives.
• Given the Australian Government’s initiative to invest
$200M (AUS) in the pacific region forestry programs as
part of its climate change initiatives the Board agreed it
would be beneficial to have the IFA’s views presented at
this meeting.
• Forestry is a major economic activity in the Pacific
Region and is significant in regional development,
indigenous communities and poverty elimination.
However, it is only one element of IUCN interests. The
marine environment of Oceania is a primary priority.
• While IFA will not engage in all aspects of IUCN business
there is certainly avenues for relevant participation. That
the German Aid organisations are the primary source of
tropical forest advice in Fiji is an indictment on Australian
forestry and its participation in regional forest
management.
• Options for IFA support for Oceania Region of IUCN
include:
o Provide access to foresters working in the
Pacific Region to the professional information
and networks. For developing countries this
should be at no or minimal cost.
o Link forestry consultants with evolving areas of
work demand.
Outcomes of IUCN Oceania Regional meeting in New
Zealand July 2007
On 21 - 22 July, more than fifty-five IUCN Members, potential
members and Commission representatives attended the IUCN
Regional Members' Forum in Wellington, New Zealand. IUCN
Headquarters was represented by Bill Jackson (Director, IUCN
Global Programme) and Sue Mainka (Senior Coordinator,
IUCN Global Programme) with IUCN Vice President Puri
Canals presenting on the upcoming World Conservation
Congress (WCC) in Barcelona.
This was the first members' meeting with the new regional
secretariat. IUCN Regional Director, Taholo Kami,
acknowledged the efforts of councillors past and present and
other key people who had worked to bring about the new
regional office. Feedback from participants was generally very
positive, with most people excited at the potential to work
together to build membership and capacity in the Pacific
Islands and to strengthen the work of members in both the
Australia and New Zealand.
Highlights of the meeting included:
• agreement that the Regional Programme for Oceania
would be aligned with the upcoming IUCN Global
Programme, commencing this year;
• commitment to make a significant contribution to next
year’s World Conservation Congress, to highlight the
conservation challenges and opportunities in the region;
• pledges from a number of
participating organisations
to pursue IUCN
membership as a matter of
priority; and
• identification of priority
activities for Members and
Commissions, and the
establishment of regional
issue-based working
groups.
The IFA was represented on the
sustainable–use working group
which focussed on natural
resource use including forestry
being an important component
of Oceania Regional Activities.
Cathy Skippington
Cathy Skippington
20 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

MONITORING THE EFFECTS OF WILDFIRE ON WATER,
VEGETATION AND BIODIVERSITY
By Frank Batini ( Forester) and Keith Barrett ( Hydrologist)
BACKGROUND
In January 2005 a bushfire in the Perth hills area burnt
approximately 27700 hectares. An arsonist lit several fires to
the south of the Mundaring Weir reservoir, in steep country
and under windy conditions. Despite early suppression
efforts by CALM (now DEC) staff, several of these fires
coalesced into a wind-driven inferno that headed west
towards Pickering Brook, Roleystone and near-by suburbs.
Perth residents awoke to a dense smoke haze that lasted for
several days.
Suppression efforts continued for over a week and involved
over 700 fire-fighters (from DEC, FPC, FESA and volunteer
Brigades) as well as aerial suppression using both
helicopters and aircraft. A total area of about 27700 ha of
jarrah and wandoo forest and P radiata plantations on three
water-supply catchments (Mundaring, Canning and Victoria)
was burnt. Fortunately no lives were lost and no houses
were burnt, though damage to sheds and orchards occurred
and a number of firefighters were injured. The 700 hectares
of burnt pine forest managed by the FPC required salvage.
DEC fire manager Rick Sneeuwjagt said later that strategic
prescribed burns carried out by CALM 1-3 years earlier had
allowed his staff to control fires that were critically
endangering suburbs such as Roleystone.
Experience in Sydney and Canberra catchments over the
last few years indicate the potential for this bushfire to impact
on the quality of Perth’s water supplies. Potential impacts
include:
• Short-term increases in surface runoff and yield due to
reduced evapotranspiration
• increased turbidity due to loss of vegetative cover resulting
in erosion of catchment soil and streambeds;
• increased colour of water
• increased organic material and potential decrease in
dissolved oxygen;
• release of nutrients and consequent eutrophication; and
• altered surface soil properties as a result of the fires
causing the soil to repel water.
In the Mundaring Catchment, areas adjacent to the reservoir
and a large area of steep land in the Darkin River subcatchment
were burnt by very high intensity fire. As
Mundaring is the main water source to the Goldfield and
Agricultural Region, the resultant fire impacts were of critical
concern. Well-planned remedial action was required and
needed to be in place before the coming winter rains.
ACTION PLAN
A Post Wildfire Action Plan was developed by the Water
Corporation staff with input from experienced foresters,
hydrologists and engineers. The objective was to mitigate
adverse impacts of the bushfire on water quality.
Major actions stemming from the Action plan included :
• field survey of the fire area to identify and rank potential
problems;
• development and implementation of a water quality
monitoring program;
• implementation of erosion and sediment control
measures;
• a review of reservoir operating strategies and preparation
of a contingency plan in the event of serious water quality
problems; and
• liaising with land managers to direct remediation actions.
IMPACTS ON WATER QUALITY
There were no significant impacts to water quality at the
reservoir wall. Heavy rainfall from late March 2005 resulted
in sediment and ash moving downstream within the
catchment and a plume developed within the upper part of
the reservoir. In this long, narrow reservoir,
Continued page 24
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 21

IFA remembers
John Fryer
It is with great sadness that the
Institute of Foresters of Australia
records the passing of Dr John Fryer,
a prominent Australian forester and
long-time member of the Institute.
John served with distinction in a
range of forestry agencies. A NSW
cadet, John graduated from the
Australian Forestry School in 1962,
and then worked in the Kyogle and
Oberon districts. After completing a
Ph.D. at Yale, he led the research
station at Traralgon. Moving then to
Canberra, he was in charge of the
Horticultural Research Branch of
ACT City Parks. In this position,
John was responsible for a number
of notable introductions. In a
subsequent role as leader of the
forestry program of the Bureau of
Rural Sciences, John contributed
strongly to a range of national forest
science issues.
From 1994 to 2004, John served as
Forestry Research Program Manager
with the Australian Centre for
International Agricultural Research
(ACIAR). In his ACIAR role, John
made a significant contribution to the
development of forestry in the Asia-
Pacific region. In particular, he
oversaw the continued development
of eucalypts and acacias as major
elements of plantation forestry, and
the introduction of approaches to
managing pests and diseases and
improving utilisation of these species.
ACIAR’s contributions to the Asian
eucalypt and acacia plantation
programs, and the industries now
based upon them, have been
independently assessed as among
ACIAR’s most effective international
development activities, and John was
a major catalyst.
Always the complete forester, in his
spare time John was instrumental in
developing a partnership with several
other foresters to establish a model
forest near Captain’s Flat. The
resultant 80 hectares of radiata pine
plantation, incorporating the best
available genetic material and best
silvicultural practices, now stands as
one of the finest private plantings in
the region.
An affable and unassuming man with
an easygoing but effective manner,
John made many friends among
Australian and international forestry
agencies. He had a strong
commitment to development and, at
the time of his death, had almost
completed a two year period as a
volunteer advisor to the Forest
Science Institute of Vietnam. His
achievements in mentoring young
Vietnamese forest scientists were
very evident and much appreciated.
John was a true gentleman,
generous and patient. He will be
greatly missed by his family and by
his many friends in Australian
forestry and internationally.
John Fryer
Moray Guild Douglas - 27 May
1930 - 3 August 2007.
From Mallee Boy to Mountain
Forester
Moray was born at Werrimull in the
Mallee of Victoria, the second son of
original settlers in the area. His early
schooling was at Werrimull South
Primary School while his secondary
schooling was as a boarder, initially
with relatives while attending Upwey
High School and later at Geelong
College.
Moray then spent three years from
1947 to 1949 at the Forests
Commission’s Victorian School of
Forestry at Creswick covering a mix
of academic studies and practical
field work. For the next few years he
followed a typical career in the
Forests Commission of compulsory
postings to various locations
throughout Victoria. Initially in Forest
Assessment at Bendoc, he
measured Alpine Ash on the
Gelantipy Plateau, before, during and
after the 1952 bushfires that
regenerated the area. In recognition
of the time he spent in the area a
small creek flowing from the plateau
towards the Snowy River bears his
name.
A series of postings to Forest
Districts followed. At Orbost he met
and married a school teacher,
Rosemary Edwards and together
they began a life long partnership.
After Orbost, Moray became the first
District Forester for the newly
created Swifts Creek District.
Postings then followed at Heyfield,
Mansfield and Mildura before
becoming Assistant Divisional
Forester for the Eastern Division
based in Bairnsdale. He remained in
this position until the Forests
22 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

Commission was consumed into the
amalgamated Department of
Conservation, Forests and Lands
in1985. He then demonstrated his
versatility by working in the complex
field of Crown Land Management
until he retired in 1989.
Moray was always particularly
interested in Silviculture. He was an
early advocate and practitioner for
the re-establishment of Alpine Ash
forests using the technique based on
the research of the late Dr Ron
Grose of aerial sowing of collected
seed onto well burnt seedbeds.
While at Mildura he also successfully
re-established Murray Pine in the
Hattah-Kulkyne forest by recognising
the need to eliminate rabbit
browsing. Back in Gippsland he
became a mentor to a new
generation of foresters undertaking
regeneration of harvested forest
areas, especially the difficult High
Elevation Mixed Species forests.
While stationed at Bairnsdale he
became a foundation member of the
Bairnsdale Farm Trees Group, which
aimed to re-establish native
woodlands on the Gippsland Red
Gum Plains. This organisation was
a forerunner of the Landcare
movement demonstrating Moray’s
vision of the wider community role
for foresters.
It was also during this period that
Moray gained a reputation as a
highly skilled bushfire strategist. He
was always the first person to
supplement the local district crew on
fire-fighting duties and invariably
worked night shift planning the
tactics for the coming day.
He was a member of the Institute of
Foresters of Australia and a stalwart
of the Gippsland Branch. It was for
this service and his strength and
passion for silviculture that he was
rewarded with elevation to the status
of Fellow of the Institute. He
continued his involvement after
retirement, including participating in
several overseas tours organised by
the Institute.
In retirement Moray’s interest in
trees never waned. He was the
driving force behind the
establishment of the Bairnsdale
Botanic Gardens. As an active
member of the Australian Forest
History Society one of his postretirement
projects has been the
compilation of the forest history of
Gippsland.
He and Rosemary established a
holiday retreat at Merrijig, complete
with a pole frame cottage, expansive
arboretum and commercial radiata
pine plantation. It is only recently
that the first rotation crop of pine
was harvested and with typical
forester foresight, Moray replanted
the area to provide an income for his
grandchildren (and possibly great
grandchildren).
Away from forestry, Moray was a
good football and tennis player in his
younger days and in more recent
years was a keen mature age table
tennis player.
Moray’s funeral was held in his
beloved Bairnsdale Botanic Gardens
with his casket constructed from
regrowth Alpine Ash timber,
probably some that he had played a
significant role in regenerating
during his working life. He is
survived by his two brothers, wife
Rosemary, children Mark, Gerald,
Piers and Penelope and four
grandchildren.
By Ian Sebire & Doug Stevenson
Bairnsdale
Moray Guild Douglas
Summary of Email
Bulletins
distributed
since
previous
issue
Employers Notice Board
16 employment
opportunities circulated to
members
FWPA - Call for Scholarship
Applications
Australia signs forestry
agreement with
Indonesia
International Forestry Students
Tour to Philippines
Australian Youth Ambassadors
For Development
President attends International
Conference
Back to Barakula Centenary
Celebrations - Queensland
Ensis science collaboration
Company annual Report
Forestry Development
Newsletter- September 07
Saving Australia’s Forests
By Mark Poynter
New IFA Director
Appointed
DVD for forestry education
Tasmanian Pulp Mill
If you are not receiving your
weekly email bulletins contact
the National Office
ifa@forestry.org.au to register
your email address.
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 23

From page 21 - Monitoring the effects of wildfire...
for each event the plume was assimilated well before the
take-off point. Erosion control structures within the catchment
were able to trap some sediment load reducing the total load
reaching the reservoir. Response measures were proposed
should water quality reach levels of concern in Mundaring
Reservoir. Fortunately, this did not occur.
COMPARATIVE DATA
Baseline rainfall, water quality and yield data were available
for two adjacent sub-catchments, Little Darkin (severely
affected by the wildfire) and Pickering Brook (prescribed
burning some 12-18 months previously, thus allowing the
wildfire to be controlled). The two v-notch gauging stations
were re-opened by the Water Corporation after the fire and
pumping samplers installed.
Three months after the fire, fifteen plots were established,
nine in the burnt areas (stratified by burn severity as
classified by DEC) and six in unburnt areas as controls. At
each site data were collected on damage and recovery of the
overstorey trees, on understorey density, structure, dominant
species, on litter, slope and soil. These plots were remeasured
14 months later.
Data on invertebrate terrestrial fauna were collected by Ms
Chantelle Jackson from the University of WA at various sites
in both catchments. Data on aquatic biodiversity were
collected from several streams during the 2005 winter by staff
from DEC’s Science Division.
RESULTS
Soils- About 12% of the soil surface in burnt areas was visibly
“baked” and altered by the fire, thus allowing for increased
water-shedding, with 80% of burnt plots showing evidence of
surface soil erosion. There was no evidence of surface soil
movement in unburnt areas.
Water quality- Following rainfall events in March and April
when about 40 mms and then 60 mm fell on the catchments,
very large quantities of soil, silt and ash were deposited within
stream-beds and pools. Subsequently, in the stilling pond at
the Little Darkin v-notch weir, an estimated total of 350 cubic
metres of soil and organic matter were removed on three
separate occasions during winter 2005 to keep the v-notch
operational. Large amounts of fine silt and ash also flowed
over the v-notch and into the Mundaring Weir. By winter
2006, which was very dry, the soils were stabilised by
vegetation and much less silt was deposited in the
streambed.
Water Yield- In the first winter after the fire, the burnt
catchment yielded a flow that was 2.2 times that which would
be expected based on historical comparisons. This catchment
reacted swiftly to rainfall events in the early part of winter
when the ground was bare and the soils were water
shedding. In the dry winter of 2006, flow in the burnt
catchment was only marginally higher. Monitoring is expected
to continue for 5-8 years, since flows in the wildfire-affected
areas are expected to decrease markedly as the tree crowns
recover and the dense regeneration takes hold.
Aquatic biodiversity- during the 2005 winter, sampling by
DEC showed that the aquatic biodiversity in the Little Darkin
stream was significantly impaired.
Terrestrial invertebrates- data collected in winter 2006 show
that invertebrates within the wildfire areas were less diverse
and contained only a sub-set of the species found in the area
that had been previously prescribed burnt.
Birds and mammals- In contrast to areas that had been
prescribed burnt, during the first winter there were no frogcalls
or birdsong and few mammal tracks were observed in
the areas burnt by high intensity fires.
Tree deaths- it is estimated from plot data that between 1.5
and 2.3 million trees greater than 10 cms in size were killed in
the wildfire. In areas that were fully defoliated about one-third
of the trees were killed. Many of these were large, habitat
trees.
Recovery-Some eighteen months after the fire, the
understorey density had recovered to levels observed in
control plots. Density of tree crowns had recovered well in
areas that were scorched. Defoliated areas showed epicormic
growth but tree canopies are still below levels in the controls.
GENERAL COMMENT
The very large wildfire in the hills catchments in January 2005
had potential for severe consequences on water quality in
domestic water supply reservoirs. In subsequent years this
wildfire is expected to also impact negatively on water yield.
Streams and pools were filled with silt thus significantly
impairing aquatic fauna. As these are low-energy streams,
the silt will remain for years. Many habitat trees were killed
and most other trees were damaged. The terrestrial
ecosystem after the wildfire was more simplistic and less
diverse. After 18 months, the forest, understorey and
terrestrial ecosystem were beginning to recover, but full
recovery may take some decades.
REFERENCES
Department of Environment and Conservation (2006) Report
on Key Performance Indicator No 20.
Jackson, Chantelle (2006) The effects of an intense wildfire
on terrestrial invertebrates within the riparian zone of streams
in the Northern Jarrah forest, south-west Western Australia.
(Submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree of Bachelor of
Science (Honours) at the University of Western Australia).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
DEC’s Rick Sneeuwjagt and Dr Li Shiu, Hydrosmart
hydrographers, Water Corporation’s catchment rangers, Dr C
Terry and Ms A Reed.
Mr Batini and Mr Barrett are consultants to the Water
Corporation. Email: fbatini@bigpond.net.au
Members who are 65 years of age or over
and who do not work full time are entitled
to a 50% reduction
on their Voting Member rate!
24 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

NW Jolly Medal Acceptance Speech - Dr Glen Kile
Dr Glen Kile was presented with the N W Jolly Medal by IFA President Dr Peter Volker, at a special
Dinner held in his honour Melbourne on 19 September 2007. Below is Glen’s acceptance speech.
Firstly I would like to thank the Institute of
Foresters of Australia for the award of the
NW Jolly Medal. Not being a forester such
an award is not something I expected so I
greatly appreciate that the IFA considers
my contributions to forestry to have
sufficient merit to compare with those of
previous meritorious winners of this Medal.
I would also like to thank my anonymous
nominators and President Peter Volker for
making the time to present the Medal
tonight. You of course know you are getting
old when a young person you helped
appoint to a job in CSIRO in 1989 is now
the President of the Institute.
Whilst I am an agricultural scientist rather
than a forester, I can claim a long family
association with wood. My great, great,
great grandfather was a carpenter who
emigrated from Germany via Liverpool in
1855. He was a sponsored immigrant and
his task on arrival was helping build the first
(wooden) bridge over the Huon River in
Tasmania. I guess sponsored relocation
would be the equivalent of the 457 Visa
today although at that time it was generally
a one way trip.
I can also claim a lifetime association with
forest industries that goes back to growing
up on an apple orchard in Tasmania the
1950s. In those days all fruit was exported
in wooden cases cut from regrowth
eucalypts, typically in small bush mills.
Thinking about it now, cutting case material
(much of it only 5-8 mm thick) on simple
sawmill technology was quite an art form
yet millions of wooden cases of several
different dimensions were produced every
year until the advent of the corrugated
carton in the early 1960s. This association
introduced me to a number of people who
were missing the odd finger or more.
I have had a career in forest industries
research over the last 35 years as a
researcher, research manager and leader
and more latterly as a research investor.
This has enabled me to meet and work with
many clever and creative people and I
have course seen many changes in the
performance and system for forest
industries research in Australia over that
time – much positive and some negative.
• Today the system maybe seen as -
• Pluralistic (Federal, State, Universities,
private)
• More fragmented -entities of different
size, capabilities and specialisation
• Approximately 2/3 forestry and 1/3
forest products effort ( reflecting the
need for a greater degree of public
support to reduce risk in the forest
sector versus closer to market
products )
• Competition between R and D
providers where skill sets overlap (and
cooperative) but partnership and
cooperation such as cooperative
research centers
It has reached this position as a
consequence because of globalisation,
internationalisation, resource allocation
mechanisms, policies for separation of
roles (purchaser, provider) and the drive for
ever greater efficiencies and return on
investment. The consequences may be
summarized -
• External sources of research,
technology and information are more
accessible.
• There is increased pressure for
international competitiveness.
• Declining core investment in public R
and D organisations – hollowing out of
capacity and capability as the state
withdraws from some traditional
activities.
• Less emphasis on long term patient
investment, more on contestable and
project funding and applied R and D,
less job security.
• More commercial and market oriented
approach, expectations of greater
industry responsibility for its own
future.
• Stronger focuses on protectable
intellectual property that may be sold
licensed or spun off and provide a
source of income to offset declining
investment from other sources.
(although intellectual property
protection and maintenance costs
frequently outweighs the return).
• Improved efficiency and replacement of
labour with capital.
Based on past investment in forest science
and its application Australia has I believe
done exceptionally well – excellent science
based multiple use native forest
management, sustainable plantation
forestry, world leading fire behavior and
management research, high quality tree
breeding, significant science contributions
to international development activities in
less developed countries using Australian
species – these are just a few of many
other highlights. Scientific excellence has
been recognized by IUFRO and CSIRO
medals, two Australians winning the
prestigious Marcus Wallenberg Prize in
consecutive years and during the 1990s
increasing international citation of
Australian research.
However, I fear I have seen the golden
years and the current environment of
disinvestment (27% reduction in real terms
1980/1981-2002/2003 even though harvest
volume and value increased significantly
over the period), a focus of research
organisations as profit centers and
commercial research and evidence of
declining peer reviewed publication in our
leading research organisation are not good
indicators for the future. The recently
announced changes in the Ensis joint
venture and the uncertain future for what
was formerly CSIRO Forestry and Forest
Products are an additional cause for
concern.
Whilst organisational continuity, missions
and standards are important the greatest
challenge for all research organisations is,
however, the ageing of the work force and
recruiting new talent. We perhaps don’t
realize how fragile Australia is in many
areas of forest science capability where
Universities and research organisations are
often dependant on a single person (often
at the older end of the age spectrum) for
expertise in particular areas. This crisis will
no doubt lead to further rationalisation of
the innovation system and potentially the
absorption of small research entities into
larger primary industries research units.
During my career I have have had the
opportunity to be associated with some
important initiatives. The 1990 election was
an important one for Tasmania with the
ALP Island Package. I managed to
negotiate $2.5 million for a new building for
CSIRO Forestry (as it was then) on the
University of Tasmania campus. I then had
to explain to the then Chief Executive of
CSIRO that the money had been promised
and it needed to be matched by CSIRO to
allow the new building to proceed.
Fortunately CSIRO came to the party.
The same election delivered the
Cooperative Research Centre initiative and
it was possible to develop a first round
CRC proposal that was funded as the CRC
for Temperate Hardwood Forestry. I am
pleased to say that this CRC has now been
twice renewed and will have delivered by
the end of this current term 20 years plus of
new support for forest research in this
country.
Continued on page 29
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 25

Northern Rivers Private Forestry Invests in the Future of Australian
Forestry: student participation in the ANZIF conference
The 2007 Australian and New Zealand
Institute of Foresters Conference held in
Coffs Harbour in June presented an
outstanding learning experience for
forestry students attending Southern
Cross University (SCU). The biennial
conference included keynote addresses
and conference presentations by
Australian, New Zealand and
international speakers on a wide range of
topics including; future markets and
products from trees, managing the forest/
community interface, decisions on water
use conflict, forest health management,
biodiversity, legislation and regulation,
tree breeding, fire management, carbon
accounting and climate change. To
encourage student participation the
Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA)
significantly reduced the conference fee.
However, as is traditional of university
students, enthusiasm was high, but
finances were low, and the prospect of
attending the conference was looking
grim. That was until Northern Rivers
Private Forestry (NRPF) came to the
rescue by generously providing enough
funding for ten students to attend the
conference.
With the aim of reflecting on the
conference proceedings and to provide
some useful industry feedback, the
following five questions were addressed:
1. What benefits were gained by
attending the conference?
2. What are the problems of your
chosen profession?
3. What are the opportunities of your
chosen profession?
4. Where do you think the forestry
industry is heading?
5. What national responsibilities does
the forestry industry have?
Below is a summary of the benefits
students felt they gained from attending
the conference:
• The conference provided a rare
opportunity to meet prospective
employers and chief members of the
forest community;
• it gave the chance to convene with
students from ANU, University of
Melbourne and even New Zealand,
which resulted in productive
discussion;
• it provided insight into current
industry trends, directions, issues and
innovations;
• knowledge was gained from spending
a full day in the field listening to the
ideas and issues raised by foresters
and researchers;
• a greater understanding of the forest
practices of other regions;
• the reassurance that four years of
study (and poverty) will be rewarded
with employment in an industry that is
challenging and diverse;
• an insight into specialised areas of
employment
• a better understanding of what to
expect on graduation;
• a greater motivation to graduate.
During the conference a general meeting
was conducted by forestry students. This
provided an excellent opportunity for
upcoming foresters to exchange thoughts
on industry issues,
university experiences
and the future directions
of forestry education.
Apparent problems
faced by the industry
included:
• the complications
and negative effects
brought about by poor
legislation;
• all the undesirable
effects that come with a
poor public image;
• the struggle of
providing the much needed forestbased
products to a population who
largely frown upon foresters, while not
understanding what they really do;
• increased competition for productive
land;
• difference in time frames human time
frame (human life span) and forestry
industry (timber growth time span)
conflict causing social unrest
• a lack of forestry graduates entering
the industry
• a male dominant industry with female
participation still a minority, although
female students were present there
appears a need for a more diverse
work force
A shortage of graduating foresters was a
topic commonly discussed at the
conference. Yet, many students were
surprised and somewhat disappointed by
the lack of contact from delegates. Those
people who did make contact, or showed
interest when approached by students
were greatly appreciated. The highly
diverse views and political nature of some
talks given the first day were also
unexpected.
Students’ perceptions of the opportunities
provided through forestry included:
• a great diversity of employment in the
sector;
• many opportunities to undertake
international work;
• markets for forest values other than
timber are on the rise;
• the wide range of topics covered in
the talks highlighted the fact that a
forester’s role is likely to be
challenging and diverse;
• a good prospect of employment.
Throughout the course of the conference
it became apparent that the industry is
undergoing many economic, social,
political, and technological changes.
There appears to be a demand by the
public for a more holistic forestry industry
and this is apparent in the new and
diverse opportunities that are arising in
forestry. Furthermore, foresters appear to
have work responsibilities that relate to
both the public and private sector. The
prospect of being involved with a
multitude of different fields throughout a
26 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

single career ensures job satisfaction will
remain. However, there will be many
challenges and confrontations to address
along the way.
Students’ perceived that the forest
industry is heading more towards:
• an industry that will not focus on
timber production alone, as it is likely
that the future will see more forest
management aimed at other market
outcomes;
• stimulating developments from
superior breeding and increased
technology;
• an increased effort to portray the
positives associated with well
managed forests;
Forestry is only just becoming recognised
as an integral part of reducing global
warming. Importantly, the role forestry
plays in mitigating climate change is
likely to raise the profile of the industry.
National responsibilities perceived by
students include:
• unified forest policies across the
states and territories
Vic.
Welcome to the following new IFA members
Caitlin Cruikshank
Natalie Szabo
Rene Van der Sant
Lachlan Wilson
Voting Member
Student Member
Student Member
Student Member
Coming Events
3-8 February 2008 2008 Gottstein Wood Science Course
“Understanding Wood’
Melbourne, VIC
17 - 21 February 2008 “Old Forests, New Management”
Conservation and use of old-growth forests in the 21st
century
3-8 March 2008 AusTimber 2008
Mount Gambier, SA
Contact:
Web: www.gottsteintrust.org
Phone: (03) 9545 2209
Contact:
mark.neyland@forestrytas.com.au
Contact:
Web: www.austimber2008.com.au
Phone: (08) 8725 8692
If you have a 'Coming Event' you would like included, please email ifa@forestry.org.au with the details of the event.
Alternatively, paid advertising of your event in this newsletter as a full or half page is as easy as contacting the National
Office on ifa@forestry.org.au or phone 02 6281 3992.
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 27
NSW
Tamara Campbell
Bradley Godson
Andrea Leys
Shannon Smith
Mark Wright
Voting Member
Voting Member
Student Member
Student Member
Associate Member
Qld Philip Baxter Associate Member SA Richard Cook Voting Member
TAS
Paul Ellery
Sandra Hetherington
• a responsibility to keep a strong
timber resource in perpetuity;
• to uphold or improve the integrity of
Australia’s forests;
• to demonstrate that we are one of
the best forestry nations in the world;
• to uphold and maintain the integrity
of global forestry;
• to change the poor perception of
forestry by increasing education and
community awareness
• execute forest management so that
outcomes are economically and
ecologically desirable
• continuing research and
development for all sectors of the
industry
• ongoing improvement as foresters
The forestry industry is continuing to step
up to the social, economical and
environmental challenges that it faces.
Nevertheless the challenges of national
responsibility are relatively difficult and
complex, mostly due to the many
differences of state forestry
organisations. Thus making it more
Associate Member
Voting Member
difficult for Australian forestry to meet
their national and international goals and
obligations. Hence, a greater unity
across the states is needed to meet the
challenges at a national level.
In conclusion, it was the consensus
among students that the conference was
an invaluable experience. The complex
issues faced by foresters and the broad
area of knowledge and skills that need to
be attained to become competent in the
trade were revealed. Students agreed
that attaining such expertise would
require participation in industry events
where the wealth of knowledge provided
by senior foresters is also accessible.
The students of Southern Cross
University’s Sustainable Forestry course
are immensely grateful for the financial
support of Northern Rivers Private
Forestry (NRPF), without which, it would
not have been possible to attend the
2007 ANZIF Conference.
(SCU student report provided to the IFA
by John Macgregor-Skinner)
W.A. Rick Mitchell Voting Member
OS Tim Summers Associate Member

Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor
Mr Grant Pearce, in the GT Branch AGM
News, September 2007) reports that
"Sarawak is actively converting native
forests to plantations (Acacia
mangium)." Unfortunately this has
been a long term trend in countries
endowed with an abundance of tropical
forest. His report is disturbing to me on
two counts. Firstly I believe I alerted the
forestry world to the high potential of A.
mangium 1 (though others did the
developmental work resulting in wide
literature coverage) and I don't want to
see it used to replace valuable native
forests in this way and secondly the
relative ease with which the Dipterocarp
forests of S.E. Asia can be managed for
sustainable production 2 without recourse
to plantations.
Tony Bartlett in his Editorial (Australian
Forestry 70:3 p139--140) refers to the
continued alarming rates of
deforestation and gives as one reason
(among many) the world demand for
cheap forest products. Yes, species
such as mangium can supply this
demand but it should not be at the
expense of sustained management of
natural forests. There are already huge
areas of open lands and grassland in
S.E. Asian countries (my experience)
resulting from forest destruction and it is
these areas that should be earmarked
for plantations. Mangium is admirably
suited to these areas, out-performing
most other species there and it was
introduced to Sabah in 1966 for this
reason and not to replace or avoid
proper management of natural forest.
Pearce reports that it is anticipated that
all natural forest harvesting in Sarawak
will cease within two years! I may be of
the old school, but if this is correct it is a
tragedy! Where have all the forest
managers gone? Where are those who
can use the huge amount of detailed
research and practical management
solutions for tropical forests built up over
the last fifty years or so both here and in
S.E. Asian countries? We in Australia
have neatly avoided the problem by
locking up our rainforests as World
Heritage and have passed the
responsibility of proper management to
other less able countries by importing
their timber, when we could have
continued as an effective role model for
them!
1. See - Mangium and
Other Acacias of the
Humid Tropics,
National Academy
Press. Washington
D.C. 1983
2. See for example - The Effects of
Logging and Treatment on the Mixed
Dipterocarp Forests of South East
Asia. F.A.O. FO:MISC/79/8 March
1979
Don Nicholson, Atherton.
28 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

Robbing the (Water) Bank
By Frank Batini
If household expenditure temporarily exceeds income, we
sometimes need to draw on our savings or seek credit.
Similarly, when a forest’s expenditure ─ through evaporation
or transpiration ─ exceeds its rainfall income, it needs to draw
on ’savings’, from either the soil (the unsaturated zone) or the
watertable (the saturated zone) or both.
Rainfall over the forested catchment areas of the northern
jarrah (E marginata) forest has markedly reduced since 1975
– or at least for about the last 30 years. Winters now start
later and there are fewer rain-days with less rain falling on
average each rain-day. This is now being accepted as part of
a “shift” due to Climate Change. Current climate models
suggest that this change will continue and increase in
severity.
Has the jarrah forest started to dip into its ‘savings’?
In the Helena catchment, data on depth to water table have
been collected from several bores since 1975. These bores
were re-measured in June 2004. All bores showed a fall in the
watertable. Accurate data could not be collected in all of the
sites because in some cases the bores are now dry and in
others were blocked by tree roots. The maximum fall
recorded was 9 metres and water levels in several bores had
fallen by 4 to 6 metres.
In the Cobiac research sub-catchment located in the
Wungong catchment, Alcoa World Alumina established a very
comprehensive system of monitoring bores and measured
their water levels between 1992 and 1997. The Water
Corporation then commenced re-measurement in 2006 and
these are continuing. Data on changes in water level since
From page 25 - Glen Kile N.W. Jolly Medal acceptance speech
Dollars are never far from your mind when
you lead a research organisation in this day
and age. Government policy has been to
make research funding more competitive
and contestable. When Chief of CSIRO
Forestry and Forest Products I regarded it
as on one my roles to try and help create
additional pools of funding for forest
research not just for CSIRO but other
agencies as well. I was pleased to say I had,
in association with others the occasional
win – The Wood and Paper Industry
Strategy research funds for sustainability
indicators and $4 million of NHT funds that
went to be managed by Rural Industries
Research and Development Corporation
through the Joint Venture Agro Forestry
Programme were a couple of highlights from
my perspective.
Supporting the formation of the Forest and
Wood Products Research and Development
Corporation (now Forest and Wood
Products Australia) was also important
initiative for both research organisations and
industry.
the mid 1990s have
recently been collated
by the Water
Corporation and show
that in some of the
upland bore levels
have fallen between 3
and 5 metres in the
past decade. As
expected, bores
located nearer the valleys show lesser change, about one
metre.
These forests had been selectively logged under treemarking
about 60 years ago and prescribed burnt, on rotation, since
then.
The best estimates of specific yield from these deeply
weathered soils, derived mainly from granite, have been
calculated by CSIRO scientists as 0.04 to 0.12 percent. If we
accept an average fall in water level of 400 mm/annum and
an average specific yield of 8 percent, this represents an
additional annual draw by the forest equivalent to 32 mm
of water, or 32 litres for each square metre, or 320 000 litres
for each hectare of upland jarrah forest.
This additional water loss from the forest ecosystem has been
going on for at least 10 years and, based on the rainfall
records and Helena data, probably for much longer.
How much more can the forest continue to draw on its ‘waterbank’
before the well runs dry?
Frank Batini - fbatini@bigpond.net.au
Research and development are delicate
flowers with many technological
developments requiring nurturing over long
periods. I have had the privilege of leading
one major research and currently a major
research investment organisation. My
management philosophy has revolved
around the question of how to get the job
done efficiently but build a creative culture
that can sustain the quality of an
organization. That has been the essence of
the management question in science based
organisations for me. Whilst some of my
former staff will no doubt tell you my
management short comings, I have yet to be
convinced that an excessive burdening of
scientists with ever more administrative
tasks is likely to aid scientific productivity.
When you receive an award such as this
you are naturally interested in the life of the
person the award honors. N W Jolly must
have been quite an extraordinary character-
Rhodes Scholar, sportsman, pioneering
forest educator, silviclutural and
mensuration researcher, forest agency
leader in Queensland and New South
Wales, forestry consultant. I hope in that I
have in some small way been able to extend
his contributions to forest science and forest
management in Australia.
In conclusion then Australia has in the past
developed a strong research and
development capability for the forest
industries and some effective models of R
and D- industry partnership. There are now
cracks appearing through disinvestment, an
ageing demographic and concern over the
availability and quality of research and
innovation talent in the future. That said in a
carbon constrained world forestry will be an
industry with new opportunities and the
chance to innovate and adapt albeit it in an
environment of uncertainty and change.
Glen Kile
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 29

We’re
growing
stronger
Institute of
Foresters of Australia
Membership Application
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INSTITUTE OF FORESTERS OF AUSTRALIA
IFA Membership
About IFA
The Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA) is a professional
body engaged in all branches of forest management and
conservation in Australia.
The Institute is strongly committed to the principles of
sustainable forest management and the processes and
practices which translate these principles into outcomes.
Our membership represents all segments of the forestry
profession, including public and private practitioners
engaged in many aspects of forestry, nature conservation,
resource and land management, research, administration
and education.
Membership with us is not restricted to professional
Foresters. Other persons associated with or interested in
the area of forestry are welcome to join IFA!
Membership Benefits
The many benefits of being a Member of the IFA include:
• Employment vacancy notices
• Regular email Bulletins
• Australian Forestry - our own scientific journal
• The Forester quarterly newsletter
• Accreditation as a Registered Professional
Forester
• Professional recognition, including our prestigious
N.W. Jolly Medal award
• Access to scholarships, grants and professional
development awards
• Field days focusing on forestry issues
• Professional conferences
• Locally based meetings and activities
• Student work placement notices
30 VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 THE FORESTER

Membership Application Form
Your full name:
Postal address:
P/code:
State:
Town:
Email:
(H)
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Phone:
Mobile: DOB:
Employer:
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(See Membership Grades inside)
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Membership Grades
The admission membership grades
VOTING MEMBER
of the IFA are:
Voting member
Associate member
Student member
Being
completed at:
You are eligible for Voting membership if you:
1. Hold a tertiary degree qualification in forestry
recognised by the Institute together with at least two
years appropriate forest management or forest
science experience and can demonstrate knowledge
of and/or skills in the core subjects of Australian
forestry
Or
2. Hold any other tertiary qualification or other relevant
experience acceptable to the Institute together with at
least four years appropriate forest management or
forest science experience and can demonstrate
knowledge of and/or skills in the core subjects of
Australian forestry.
Persons holding forestry qualifications of Diploma, Associate
Diploma or Certificate IV will be eligible providing they meet
the following forest management or forest science
experience:
Diploma = 6 years, Associate Diploma = 8 years and
Certificate IV = 10 years.
Course:
THE FORESTER VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 2007 31
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summary of my forestry experience/interests
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bound by the Memorandum & Articles of Association and Regulations
of the Institute. (A copy of these documents is available on
the IFA website at: www.forestry.org.au)
You are eligible for Associate membership if you:
1. Have an interest in forestry
Or
2. Have other relevant experience in forestry
You are eligible for Student membership if you are
attending as a full time student in your first undergraduate
formal course of forestry related study at any University or
Tertiary institution recognised by the IFA.
Membership Fees
For applications received
between Dec 07 and March 08
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Voting $139
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Associate (YP rate) $35
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