News & Events

ForestLearning was pleased to support Forest Industry Education Champions involved in a range of in forest and wood industry incursions and excursions in Semester 2 2024. Highlights included the ‘Careers in Forestry Expo’ incursion at Ryde Secondary College in New South Wales, St Mary’s Catholic College Cairns D&T and Engineeering student careers tour to Cairns Hardware’s Frame and Truss manufacturing facility and the James Cook University ‘Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre’ (CTEC) mass-timber construction site, and participation in the ‘Girls on Fire’ event by Forestry Corporation NSW. 

These activities gave students the chance to connect directly with forest and wood product industry experts, explore real-life examples of innovation in wood through visiting modern construction projects incorporating engineered timber products, and consider professional pathways they may have never imagined or understood. 

‘Careers in Forestry Expo’ at Ryde Secondary College 

Ryde Secondary College recently hosted two successful Careers in Forestry Expos, organized by geography teacher Mr. Paul McCartan, Careers Advisor Karen Van Es, the G.A Jayden Fontana and the Head Teachers of the Social Science, Maths, TAS and Science Faculties.  These events successfully opened more than 500 students’ eyes to the work and role of forestry and the variety of forestry roles available, from hands-on trade positions such as saw doctors in a sawmill earning over $200,000/year, to forest science research and management. 

• Expo Day 1 (September 13): Students learned about the diverse range of career paths in forestry. Guest speakers Steve Dobbyns from Jamax Forest Solutions and Nick Cameron, NE NSW Forestry Hub Manager, provided insights into industry trends and employment prospects. They emphasised the critical shortage of saw doctors in Australia—an in-demand, well-paid skilled trade—as well as the many environmental and habitat values associated with responsible forest management. 

• Expo Day 2 (September 27): The second day of workshops was presented by Matt de Jongh, Responsible Wood’s Sustainability Manager, and Emily Post from the NSW Department of Primary Industries Local Land Services—Private Native Forestry division. The focus too shifted to STEM in forestry, encouraging more women and girls to consider forestry careers and exploring how technology is shaping the industry. Students who asked the most thought-provoking questions received seed packs, sparking further curiosity and engagement.  

Forestry Award granted to High Achieving Geography Student 

Following the expos, a standout Geography student from Ryde Secondary College was recognised through an award given by Forestry Corporation NSW for her excellent HSC geography results and involvement in both events. Inspired by what she learned, she plans to pursue a double degree in geography and science, aspiring to work in environmental management with Forestry Corporation NSW. 

ForestLearning contributed a range of learning materials, including Carbon Storage Tape Measures and flat-pack VR headsets, to support these expos and enhance students’ understanding of the forest and wood products sector. 

Design and Tech/Engineering Wood Innovation Tour for St Mary’s Catholic College students in Cairns 

On 1 November 2024, 24 senior Design Technologies, Digital Solutions and Engineering students from St Mary’s Catholic College participated in the Design and Tech/Engineering Wood Innovation Tour in Cairns, exploring the intersection of sustainability, technology, and design.

The tour began at the Cairns Hardware, a frame and truss manufacturing facility, where students witnessed the use of locally grown timber from sustainably managed forests alongside advanced technology and innovation in manufacturing. The visit continued to the CTEC site at James Cook University, under construction by BESIX Watpac, where students saw cutting-edge engineered wood products such as glue-laminated timber (glulam) and cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels. Sourced from certified suppliers like XLam and Australian Sustainable Hardwoods, these materials demonstrate how responsibly sourced timber reduces construction carbon footprints while enhancing indoor environments through biophilic design.

ForestLearning, in partnership with lead facilitator Leanne Krausse from Australian Integrated Agriculture, coordinated the excursion, providing curriculum-aligned resources and support to enrich the students’ experience.

This excursion empowered students to connect classroom learning with real-world applications, equipping them with valuable insights into sustainable practices and innovative timber solutions.

‘Girls on Fire’ Careers in Emergency Services Event 

On November 27, the ‘Girls on Fire’ program in Tumut NSW with presenters and volunteers from Forestry Corporation NSW including ForestLearning Industry Champion Elle Khan, delivered a dynamic and hands-on day of career exploration and practical activities in emergency services. Participants gained hands-on experience through firefighting challenges and team-building exercises, learning directly from professionals and mentors. Effective firefighting is essential for safeguarding communities, as well as the forested landscapes that support a range of social, economic, and environmental values. ForestLearning supported the event with materials and merchandise to help students learn more about forests and forestry practices. 

Get Involved with the Industry Education Champions Toolkit 

Teachers interested in partnering with a ForestLearning Industry Education Champion in 2025 for incursions, excursions or other can connect with ForestLearning for assistance. By emailing info@forestlearning.edu.au, educators can access resources and contacts within the forest and wood products industry. 

Industry professionals seeking ways to engage with a local school can benefit from the Industry Education Champion Toolkit, which offers templates, guidance, and support for effective incursions. ForestLearning remains ready to assist, ensuring each encounter is engaging, informative, and meaningful for students.