10 Questions with Darcy Vickers
What is your role?
Manager/Teacher
Who do you work for?
Forest Education Foundation Inc (FEF)
How long have you been in the industry?
Wow! Let me think. I started with a secondment from the Department of Education to Forestry Tasmania back in 1997 based in the Derwent District Office. In 2000 I joined the FEF as the southern-based teacher … so 20 years with the FEF.
What’s the most exciting part of your role?
I guess for me, along with a lot of people I have met across the industry, it would definitely be a combination of the diversity of the role and the opportunity to work with great people across the breadth of the forest industries. It’s always encouraging to see their genuine desire to make a positive contribution to education. Teachers and students – you just never know what the next question might be! So that’s always been an interesting place to be.
What are you most passionate about in the industry?
As an educator, my greatest passion is in providing opportunities for the broad forest industries to engage with teachers and students across all levels of schooling. This, in turn, provides opportunities for teachers, students and many supporting parents to appreciate and recognise their connections to forests and forest resources. Achieving this through direct involvement of industry personnel engaging with education activities is a very powerful learning tool for all involved.
What is your vision for the forests and forest products industry in Tasmania?
My vision is for the industry to continue to build on the pathway to greater recognition and understanding across the community. This includes the significant role we play in maintaining healthy environments at local and landscape levels, supporting regional areas and encouraging innovation and forward thinking. Through industry engagement in education programs we can all contribute towards students developing the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about forests and the resources they provide, for today and future generations.
What do you think the industry does really well?
I think one of the great strengths of the industry is the communication networks across all sectors and the passion of the people involved to be acknowledged as an industry moving forward.
Where do you think there is room for improvement?
I guess there is always room for improving how the industry develops relationships and informs communities. As we are all aware, this is something the industry continually strives to achieve, so I guess rather than ‘room for improvement’ it’s more about maintaining the positive momentum.
On a weekend, we’d find you where?
The plan is that you don’t find me! So, all things going well I’m likely to be out on one of my bikes, either hitting the dirt, literally, or finding some quiet roads to enjoy. Apart from that, time outside at home and with family – which includes an almost 2-year-old grandson.
What is something that would surprise people about you?
I like dressing up in lycra!! But only when I’m on the bike and you won’t find me.
