Responsible Wood Annual General Meeting in Bunbury, Western Australia
Responsible Wood proudly hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bunbury, Western Australia, yesterday. This year’s AGM marks another successful year for Responsible Wood, Australia’s largest forest certification scheme. The event brought together members, directors, and special guests, all dedicated to promoting the highest standards in sustainable forest management and chain of custody certification in Australia.
Celebrating a Year of Achievements: Release of the 2023-24 Annual Report
We are excited to announce the release of our 2023-24 Annual Report of Activities. The report details our achievements over the last 12 months and offers insights into our ongoing commitment to sustainable forest management and promoting the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme and PEFC brand. The Annual Report is now available for online reading and download, and we encourage all members, stakeholders, and the broader community to explore the progress made in supporting forest certification across Australia and New Zealand.
Click the image to access our Annual Report of Activities 2023-24.
From our expanded marketing and communications programs to participating in critical discussions on the global stage, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), this past year has been busy. Highlights include strengthening strategic partnerships with PEFC Asia-Pacific, launching impactful marketing campaigns, and continuing our work to ensure the highest standards in sustainable forest management and chain of custody certification are maintained.
We’re especially proud of our Community Grants Program‘s success, which awarded $40,000 to local initiatives promoting this year. Our continued work supporting certified sustainable products in international markets, particularly within our region, and promoting Responsible Wood’s role in PEFC’s 25th Anniversary celebration has reaffirmed our global leadership in forest certification.
A Special Thanks to Our Members, Directors and Guests
At the heart of Responsible Wood’s continued success is the ongoing support and dedication of our members and directors. We extend our sincere gratitude to all those who participated in the AGM and contributed throughout the year. Your commitment to our certification scheme, good governance, and the continued growth of Responsible Wood is invaluable.
We want to make a special mention of Michael Berger, CEO of PEFC International, who travelled to Western Australia to attend the AGM. His insightful presentation on global trends and issues in forest certification and support for Responsible Wood’s ongoing efforts was invaluable. Michael’s leadership in fostering collaboration and innovation within PEFC and across national governing bodies globally remains a critical driving force in the sustainability agenda.
A Special Farewell to Katie Fowden
As we look to the future, we also want to take a moment to express our deep gratitude to Katie Fowden, who has stepped down as a Responsible Wood Director. Katie’s leadership of the marketing committee, her contributions to PEFC International’s Marketing, Communications, and Advocacy (MCA) Working Group, and her governance support have been instrumental to our success. Her dedication, vision, and hard work have left an indelible mark on our organisation, and we wish her all the best.
Looking Ahead
The AGM was an opportunity to reflect on the past year’s successes and chart a path forward. With continued strong governance, leadership, a commitment to innovation, and an ever-growing community of stakeholders and certificate holders, Responsible Wood is well-positioned to lead sustainable forest management practices across the region.
We welcome new Responsible Wood Director Clarissa Brandt and look forward to her contributions and leadership. We also welcome Dr Hans Drielsma AM as a Responsible Wood Life Member in recognition of his leadership, support and longstanding contributions to the development of the Australian Forestry Standard Limited.
We encourage everyone to read our 2023-24 Annual Report online or download it for a comprehensive overview of our activities, initiatives, and governance.
Thank you once again to our members, stakeholders, and directors for your continued support. We look forward to another year of growth, sustainability, and success.