Forestry worker's ‘natural ability' a factor

Otago Daily Times

2 days ago

Callum Maze, of Roxburgh Logging (right), with John Taal from the Milton Stihl Shop, receives the apprentice of the year award at the Southern Wood Council's forestry awards. Photo: supplied
"Just be keen as beans."
That's the advice of young South Otago forestry worker Callum Maze, 21, who received the apprentice of the year award at the Southern Wood Council's recent forestry awards, held in conjunction with Competenz.
The acknowledgement recognised a commitment to self-development and skill achievement through the apprenticeship.
Lawson Roxburgh, of Roxburgh Logging, said Mr Maze began work straight out of school as an enthusiastic young man who took in everything that was going on.
"His natural ability and willingness to learn have seen him constantly involving himself with more experienced members of his team, who recognise the potential in him and enjoy passing on their knowledge," Mr Roxburgh said.
It was while Mr Maze was a student at South Otago High School that he did work experience one day a week at Roxburgh Logging, giving him a taste of the industry.
He started branding logs and much of his time was spent watching how it all worked and to decide if he was keen. Being put into a digger was a highlight.
When he asked if there was any possibility of a permanent job, he was told that one was going to be offered to him.
Now a machinery operator, Mr Maze said he liked all aspects of the industry; from the "good bunch of lads" involved to being out in the bush as he was a keen hunter and outdoorsman. There were lots of other qualifications he could achieve and he was always learning, he said.
Both forestry trainee awards, celebrating harvesting and silviculture, attracted some fierce competition. Those awards recognised commitment to self-development and skill achievement.
Josh Harrison, of Mike Hurring Logging, won the forestry trainee title. Phil Williams, who submitted the nomination, said Mr Harrison had taken to forestry training like a "duck to water", and had obtained a significant number of training qualifications during his short time in the industry.
Jamie Sycamore, of Southland Forest Services, won the silviculture trainee award. He has spent almost his entire working life in the forestry industry, starting in silviculture after leaving school, where his employer at the time soon saw his potential and quickly promoted him to team leader. He has since progressed to general manager and bought into the business.
Xshikarna Harvey, of Mike Hurring Logging, won the women in forestry title this year, against some stiff competition from other operators from across the industry.
She played a key role in the commissioning of the Port Blakely distillery in Shag River Forest, for extracting essential oils out of Douglas Fir foliage.
"There was no manual for how this task should be done. It required innovation and on-the-spot decision-making to achieve the necessary outcomes. Xshikarna took to this quickly," Barry Wells, of Port Blakely, said.
The Southern Wood Council comprises forestry and wood processing companies throughout Otago and Southland that has been running for almost 20 years.
Council chairman Grant Dodson, who is chief executive of City Forests, said there were record numbers of nominations for the industry awards and some people of "exceptional" quality put forward for recognition.
Award winners were.—
Apprentice of the year: Callum Maze (Roxburgh Logging).
Forestry trainee of the year (harvesting): Josh Harrison (Mike Hurring Logging)Forestry Trainee of the year (silviculture): Jamie Sycamore (Southland Forest Services).
Forestry excellence award: Lyle Swain (Swain Logging).
Wood processing excellence award: Bryson Baratcart (Niagara Sawmilling Company).
Women in forestry excellence award: Xshikarna Harvey (Mike Hurring Logging).
Training contractor/company of the year: Lyle Swain (Swain Logging).
Forestry/wood products health and safety excellence award: Matt Stewart (Stewart Logging).
Forestry environmental management excellence award: Matt Winmill (Gillion Logging Ltd).
Outstanding forest industry contribution award: Alec Cassie (Wenita Forest Products).