‘Support the Victorian forestry industry, now and into the future’ was the consensus as representatives from the governing Victorian ALP, the Victorian Nationals and the Victorian Shooters and Fishers Party laid bare their plans for the future of the forestry in Victoria at the Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) Awards held at the RACV City Club on Friday, the 19th of October 2018…
The Hon Philip Dalidakis, addressing the crowd
The Hon Peter Walsh, leader of the Nationals
Receiving rare apolitical support, Mr Dalidakis, the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade and former Chief Executive of VAFI, Mr Walsh, who is the Opposition spokesman on agriculture and forestry and Mr Young, spokesman for the Shooters and Fishers Party, all reiterated the importance of sourcing timber and timber-based products from Victorian processors and forests.
According to Jason Ross, who attended the awards on behalf of Responsible Wood, certification plays an important role in supporting the timber and forestry industry in Victoria;
“The Responsible Wood Certification Scheme (RWCS) plays an important role in validating the environmental and social credentials of Victorian sourced timber and timber-based products.
The Responsible Wood and / or Australian Forestry Standard logo is the ultimate validation, the only stamps ensuring timber or paper sold to consumers is sourced from Australian forests, processed through a local saw mill or pulp mill and supports Australian jobs.
When you next purchase timber or paper-based products be sure to look out for the Responsible Wood or Australian Forestry Standard logo.”
Supporting the Responsible Wood message, VAFI CEO Tim Johnson said the 2018 VAFI Awards recognized the outstanding work by businesses in the Victorian timber and forest industry and are examples of how the industry is working to ensure it has a bright future.
“The work that goes on each year by those in the industry is second to none and I am always amazed by the high caliber of entries we get for the awards. It is fighting to see the hard work of VAFI members recognized appropriately,” he said.
Amongst 2018 VAFI Award receipts, Responsible Wood scheme holders featured prominently with HVP Plantations Planning and Stewardship Officer Emma Gall taking out the Special Recognition Award for Individual Excellence in Forestry.
Responsible Wood is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that promotes sustainable forest management through the development of standards for forests and the products that come from them. These standards are accredited by Standards Australia and include 4708 (Forest Management) and 4707 (Chain of Custody). The Responsible Wood logo bears a commitment to both Australian made and environmental sustainability through forest management, product and distribution of Responsible Wood member’s products to the market.
Photos captured courtesy of Capture Point Photography
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VAFI CEO Tim Johnson (left) and Emma Gall (right)
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Quest for answers – largest attendance in 5 years
