The 2021 Southern Wood Council Forestry Awards

The 2020 forestry awards programme for the lower South Island unfortunately had to be cancelled because of COVID-19.  We weren’t alone though.  Every other annual regional award’s programme across the country was cancelled.  The plan though is to run it again in 2021.  It will be time to get back together after a year’s absence.  It will be the sixth major awards evening that will be run for the industry in the lower South Island.

The turnout each year continues to be by far, the largest annual gathering of forestry and wood products companies, contractors and transport operators from throughout the lower South Island. Every year, well over 350 people from the industry attend.  We’re hoping that 2021 will be our year – the year in which the training and awards celebrations get back on track. 

The 2021 Southern Wood Council (SWC) Forestry Awards evening is shaping up again to be another huge night out for the industry across Southland, Otago and South Canterbury. It’s being run by the Southern Wood Council in conjunction with the industry training organisation, Competenz. It’s also being supported by all major forestry companies and key suppliers to the industry from throughout the region.

When is it running? 

At this stage, two dates, Friday 14 OR Friday 21 May 2021 have been selected for the awards at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.  The actual date will be confirmed later in 2020 as soon as the schedule for home games for the Highlanders have been confirmed.  As you can imagine, the format and schedule for the Super Rugby Championship in 2021 under the current conditions is still very uncertain. 

2021 Forestry Awards Nominations

Last year, the 2020 Apprentice of the Year Award was independently judged and awarded to a local contractor.

Nominations received for each of the other eight major awards in 2020 will be rolled over to the 2021 awards (after we have spoken and verified the information supplied with each of the nominees). 

2021 Awards information and the nominations form will be sent out and distributed to the industry in early 2021.  At this stage, remember to start giving some thought as to who you can nominate in your or someone else’s company or crew.  Who’s made a difference? Who’s really stood out this year?  Who deserves to be recognised for their efforts?

This is a unique opportunity for those involved in training, in growing, processing and transporting wood and for those who support the industry through the provision of products and services.  It’s an opportunity to come together to celebrate success – and to celebrate the contribution that the forestry sector is making to the community and economy – in the lower South Island.

To ensure the success of these awards, we’d encourage you to take the time to nominate an individual or company that has stood out in 2020-21 for any of the nine major awards. The process of nominating has been kept as short and as straightforward as we can make it.

Each of the awards and awards criteria are listed on pages 3-4 of the 2021 SWC Forestry Awards brochure. The one-page Official Nomination Form is contained as a separate page to this four-page brochure. View the full brochure here.