From the forest to finished products, Tasmania's forest and timber industries came together on Friday night to celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations at the 2025 Tasmanian Timber Awards. Source: Timberbiz
Hosted by the Tasmanian Forests and Forest Products Network (TFFPN), the biennial event drew 250 guests to the Tailrace Centre in Launceston to recognise excellence across the sector, from harvesting and forest management to innovation, sustainability, design, safety and tree farming.
Deputy Premier Guy Barnett set the tone for the evening, championing the industry with his message that "wood is good - sustainable, recyclable, and the ultimate renewable".
TFFPN Board Director Dr Louise Wallis said the Awards were a proud moment for the industry.
"It's always a great moment to bring everyone together and recognise the diversity cross the forest and timber products sector," she said.
"These awards highlight the breadth of our industry - from growing and managing forests, through to fire management, harvesting, processing, innovation, design and safety.
"By coincidence, this year's outstanding and emerging leaders both came from the transport side of the industry - one through innovative engineering and manufacturing, the other through logistics. What stood out for me was their quiet leadership and generosity, always supporting their peers and helping to lift the whole industry."
Among the winners was Francis Richardson of Orana Enterprises, named Emerging Leader in the Tasmanian Timber Industry for his drive to improve innovation and efficiency in timber transport.
Trainee of the Year went to Melody Reihana of Sustainable Timber Tasmania, whose passion and commitment to sustainable forestry have quickly marked her as a future industry leader.
The Innovation Award was presented to Sustainable Timber Tasmania and Indicium Dynamics for Fire Foresight, Tasmania's first end-to-end digital bushfire detection and alerting system.
The night's highest honour was awarded to Graeme Elphinstone of Elphinstone Engineering, who received the Outstanding Contribution to the Tasmanian Timber Industry Award in recognition of more than 50 years of innovation, leadership, and service.
A true pioneer, Mr Elphinstone transformed timber transport with designs that set new global benchmarks for safety and efficiency, including Australia's first on-vehicle weighing system, the folding pole jinker, and the EasySteer suspension system.
Equally respected for his commitment to people and place, he kept his operations in Triabunna through industry downturns, safeguarding local jobs and mentoring future generations of timber professionals. Internationally renowned for his engineering achievements, he is admired at home for his integrity, generosity, and lifelong dedication to strengthening both his community and the industry.
It was a big week of recognition for Mr Elphinstone, who was also elected to the Shell Rimula National Road Transport Wall of Fame.
"Receiving the Outstanding Contribution Award was almost overwhelming. You put in the work over many years without expecting recognition, and then to hear such genuine, positive comments from across the sector is incredibly humbling. This acknowledgement means a great deal," Mr Elphinstone said.
"What I love most is seeing young people come into the sector and make their mark. I often say there are only two reasons you leave us - either you're not quite where you need to be, or you're moving on to better yourself.
"Watching the next generation take those opportunities and shape the future is what keeps me inspired."
The Awards highlighted not only individual excellence, but the strength, resilience and collaboration that underpins Tasmania's forest and timber products industries.