Responsible Wood is proud to announce Shona Heading as the recipient of the 2025 Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award, recognising her outstanding leadership and contribution to sustainable forest management and the promotion of certified Australian timber.
Established in 2015, the Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award honours the late Richard Stanton, a pioneer in sustainable forestry both in Australia and internationally. The award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to Forest Management or Chain of Custody Certification under the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme.
Presented at the Forestry Australia Conference in Adelaide by Responsible Wood CEO Simon Dorries and Chair Dr Tony Bartlett, the award acknowledges Ms Heading’s leadership, innovation, and dedication to promoting certified Australian timber.
“Shona exemplifies outstanding leadership in sustainable forestry,” said Mr Dorries. “Her dedication to promoting certified Australian timber, her innovative approach with the Australian Araucaria™ campaign, and her ongoing commitment to industry collaboration perfectly reflect the values Richard Stanton championed. We are thrilled to recognise her achievements with this award.”
The nomination highlighted Ms Heading’s work leading the development and rollout of the Australian Araucaria™ campaign, a national initiative designed to raise the profile of Araucaria cunninghamii (Hoop Pine) – a unique plantation species grown exclusively in Queensland under Responsible Wood certification. Through her guidance, the campaign established a strong brand identity, highlighted sustainability and biodiversity, and promoted the responsible use of certified timber.
Beyond her role at HQPlantations, Ms Heading is also co-owner of Hall Homes, a residential building company where she actively champions the use of certified Australian timber. She also contributes her expertise to national industry initiatives as a Steering Committee member for the Timber Market Index and Timber Market Survey, and as an advisor to Responsible Wood’s branding and marketing activities.
The Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award is presented annually, with nominations for the next round opening in early 2026.
