Darryl and Brendon Collins from Bellthorpe in Queensland were recently awarded the Australian Forest Growers (AFG) Queensland Tree Farmer of the Year award. South-East Queensland Branch Secretary Kaara Shaw and Chief Executive Officer Warwick Ragg presented the award plaque and prize to the Collins’. Source: Timberbiz
The pair is now in the running for the National Tree Farmer of the Year Award to be announced at the AFG Dinner held during the forthcoming AFG National Conference at Gympie between 14 and 17 October.
The Collins’ Arakari Estate is more than 600m above sea level in the Connondale
Ranges and its rich red soils get more than 1800mm of rainfall a year.
Since 1998 the family has planted several types of trees including rainforest cabinet timber plantations, windbreaks and regeneration projects. They pioneered local use of PlantPink tree guards. Arakai also produces Japanese green tea.
Darryl has a long history in timber having owned and operated Advance Timbers on the Sunshine Coast for 30 years. Brendon studied environmental science and travelled as far as Belize to work on an agroforestry research farm.
Together they’ve put their knowledge and skills to good use planting species such as Hoop Pine, White Cedar and Quandong and started milling it onsite with their own portable bandsaw mill producing VJ panelling and kitchen panels.
The AFG conference will kick off with an icebreaker at the well-known Gympie Woodworks Museum where the steam-powered sawmill will be in operation demonstrating the region’s historic links to forestry.
AFG is the peak body representing people concerned with the growing of trees for all purposes in Australia. Members include farm foresters, woodlot owners up to large commercial growers from all over Australia.
Further information about the conference and AFG see www.afg.asn.au or contact Terry Greaves on 02 6162 9000 or [email protected]
