Welcome to 2023!

A new year for the Network – and lots to look forward to!

The Network has been keenly listening to feedback from members and funding partners and have been busy putting together an engaging agenda for 2023 based on identified priority needs.

We will of course continue our regular events, including the Monthly Network Breakfasts in Hobart, Launceston and Wynyard. These have been well supported in 2022, as they are a great opportunity to network and catch up with colleagues. Keep an eye on upcoming breakfasts here.

Dates for our innovation-focused Burgers, Beers + Bright Ideas (BBBI) events are currently being locked in around the regions, with the first one for the year kicking off in Hobart at Fox Friday in early March.

We are very excited about our headliner events this year, including Agfest Field Days which will be held 4-6 May in Quercus Park. The forest industry site is the biggest yet, with a record number of companies booked to participate. Call in for a chat and check out our inspiring site!

The forest industry’s night of nights, The Tasmanian Timber Awards, is scheduled to be held on 15 September. Watch this space for details of award categories and key dates for applications. Nominate someone you know who is doing a brilliant job in our industry and get ready to party at this gala event!

Building the workforce of the future will continue to be a priority area for the Network. Following the launch of the Workforce Development Plan (2021) and the Diversity Action Plan (2022), we have been delivering strategies to build a skilled and diverse workforce, as well as attract new entrants to the industry. Important projects for this year will include mapping career pathways across the industry and developing a web portal as a ‘one stop shop’ for career and training information.

We are committed to developing a Youth Strategy and establishing a youth voice in our local industry to showcase it as a great place to work, which will enable us to attract a new generation of recruits.

We will continue our Women in Forestry initiative and form a Women in Forestry Group to continue to grow leadership and networking opportunities for women across the industry, as well as attract more diversity to our workforce.

The Tasmanian Forestry Hub will be engaging with members, consulting on Vision 2050, the Carbon Farm Tool, and will continue its role in carbon leadership.

The sustainable funding model for the Network has been updated and we look forward to engaging new funding partners this year. Please contact us to get involved. We need your support to support you!

Communication is at the core of all we do. We will continue to share stories, news, innovations and updates with all our members. We will continue to respond to industry issues, getting members together to respond to emerging needs and grow the profile of the industry for the benefit of all.

I look forward to seeing you at our next event.

Therese Taylor – Convenor, TFFPN