Well, the time has come to say good-bye! My last few weeks are on count down and a busy hand over to my successor Rowan Struthers who will be great to take FICA on to the next stage of its life. I have already been interviewed by the NZ Logger and my last column awaits you all this month in the mail so I won't go over the same ground. Finding something else to reflect on is easy as I am truly not leaving this job dissatisfied, more elated that I have been able to lift it to a good level of credibility and it has been good to have done that standing alongside our loyal and worthy members and sponsorship partners who truly need more acknowledgement than we have been known to give to them.
Someone asked me the other day what value do they get? I had to say they just want to give back to industry, you guys out there support them, buy from them, use their services and entrust them with your businesses so they are returning the favour and want to see forestry thrive. So thanks all of you for especially supporting FICA as we would not be there if it was not for you all!
Each meeting I have had this year has been a farewell but it reminds me how many key relationships we have to keep going strong and keep them abreast of whats happening in the industry, we can be the glue!
And there is no end to how the industry keeps going, new initiatives, abiet an interesting change to government with the coalition, a new forestry minister and the positive collaboration that has transpired through the pan sector group.
There is no end of agencies wanting to engage with forestry, the Stroke Foundation have provided us with some valable insights and then MBIE remind us of our good employer obligations with an increase to the minimum wage next month. ACC are well into their project with forestry - Return to Work.
If you are about Palmerston North on the 9 - 10th March then drop into the Rural Games - FICA are proud to have sponsored the Golden Loader Competition. We have a number of our members competing so go hard!
Finally check out the Silviculture Micro Innovation Challenge - they have had a great response so don't miss out - if you have got a great idea to solve a silviculture problem or to make planting, pruning, and/or thinning better? Visit www.microinnovation.co.nz to register your innovation and be in to win $15,000 to build it to try out. The Challenge is Live until Friday 8 March, 2024.
Thank you everyone once again for your support and friendship on my watch at FICA. It has been an amazing six years of my life and I am looking forward to staying abreast of your industry, wishing every one of you the very best and longevity in the industry or not.
From me keep smiling, keep laughing, keep looking after one another too! Thanks for making me such a part of the forestry community.
