Can you provide an overview of your current role and responsibilities?
I run my own land clearing business based in Logan, but I work all around Queensland. We clear and mulch land for subdivisions, developments, and road widening. My dad originally got me into the business, and we work together with my brother. I started off in the industry learning how to salvage timber, grade it, and sell it to sawmills. From what I couldn’t sell, I turned to firewood, milling and making timber posts. Eventually, I want to have my own farm and plant trees.
What let you to discover the Master Tree Growers (MTG) Program and what factors influenced your decision to enrol in the course?
Finding information on timber industry training was difficult. Then, I came across Private Forestry Services Queensland (PFSQ) on Facebook. They posted about field days, so I kept checking to see when the next one was. That's when I found out about the MTG program as they also posted it on their Facebook.
What specific aspects of the MTG program appealed to you?
I wanted to get into the product side of the industry — saw logs, fencing products and seed. I didn't realise how sought after seed was until someone from HQPlantations mentioned how difficult it was for them to get seed. The rest naturally followed.
Did you feel as though the MTG program complemented or enhanced your existing skills and knowledge, and did you learn any new skills?
MTG enhanced my skills greatly and made me want to learn more. I learnt about understanding a healthy crown in a tree, how it grows and other industry knowledge. It educated me a lot and benefited me greatly.
As you have now completed the MTG program, what are your next steps in terms of how you are going to apply what you learnt to your own business/career development?
Next, I want to get a cutter accreditation as a competency to add to the skills I have, which is probably something different to what you would expect from others who did the course as they were landowners. Also, looking at harvesting and forest management courses. I am willing to do anything; knowledge is so important and hard to get.
Reflecting on your experience, what aspects of the MTG program did you find most enjoyable or valuable, and how have they impacted your approach to work?
The most valuable aspect was having knowledgeable people in their field like Sean and David who have been in the industry for 20-30+ years. It was great to be able to ask them anything without feeling like it was a silly question. Being in the plantations, hands-on, was also valuable. In the timber industry, you want to be amongst it, not just learning indoors.
From your perspective, who do you think would benefit the most from participating in the MTG program, and why?
Anyone who owns land would benefit. We went to a few places where they had gotten grants for plantations from the government but didn’t know how to manage or maintain them. They could have been sitting on a regenerative fortune. It’s one thing to hand the money and resources out to anyone who has land, but they need to get the education too. It's like handing out cooking ingredients to someone who doesn't know how to cook.
What do you think of Canopy Hub?
It is good because everything is in one place. Up until now, there wasn't much out there, but Canopy is getting the word out more.
