Edition #41
October 2026
THE WOODFLOW REVIEW REDDOGS REDDOGS
EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES
W O R K S H O P WRAPUP WORKSHOP WRAPUP
Holy smokes the year is flying!! I guess when you are busy that’s the way it
OCTOBER
goes, its far better then the alternative. Workshop wise the lads have been extremely busy with a whole range of repairs and updates. The harvesting side has had several engine refits on the go at once which has been a
25 YEARS - JAMIE MARLOW challenge whilst trying to keep up with the regular servicing and breakdowns 10 YEARS - GERARD MERRETT that occur. It’s a credit to Cameron and his staff on the way they are 10 YEARS - ANDREW NOTT communicating and incorporating new methods to keep the information relative and updated. The Mount gambier depot has helped a lot with the 9 YEARS - DAVID CROSS flexibility to shift gear into there when they have the room to take on some of
NOVEMBER 23 YEARS - ANDREW SMITH 16 YEARS - DAVID MCCOMBE 14 YEARS - CAMO MERRETT 13 YEARS - ALEX MOORE 5 YEARS - BRAYDON KELLY
the work that would normally be done in Penola. Crooky, Donny, Darcy and Bryce are growing into an independent crew able to work along with Cameron in negotiating the best fit for each job as it comes up, keep up the good work lads.
R E D D O G S WORKSHOP REDDOGS W O R K S H O P WRAPUP WRAPUP
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With the earlier then anticipated start to the GTFP contract we are now at capacity production wise, we are currently in the middle of getting three more loading machines fitted up to facilitate the extra work. Old “Dorothy” will be resurrected and head to one of the bluegum jobs, the ZX160 will change occupations from a harvester to a loader for the small T1 jobs and the ZX210 has a new engine fitted and will have boom pins and bushes and be the third loader. We took delivery of the second 2510H recently which has headed to Hadd down at Clover Hill and he is really impressed with this unit. The smoothness of the boom and travel is notably improved along with the extra lifting effort and machine capacity. These machines are proving to be a great addition in the clear fall space, cant get the smile off Haddons face! Benny Nuetron is also a lucky wood Charlie jumping on the second 1270H in the GTFP T2 at Tarpeena. I had my first drive of the H harvester last Friday and the improvements and stability of this model is unbelievable. These units are perfect for thinnings with productivity and comfort being the major points of note. I cant wait to get more of these into the fleet, the arent cheap but well worth the investment. The Truck boys are equally performing at a cracking pace being well ahead of the schedule currently. We welcome Matt Michelson to the Mount Gambier crew, Matt has recently been in the USA pit crewing for a sprintcar team and has a sound background in truck and trailer mechanics in his previous roles. Jake has really stepped up along with Alex in a very busy workshop, well done lads keep up the good work ! Harley is really pleased with the work the guys are churning out along with the culture the boys are creating. Both crews are working in well and harmoniously to cover the requirements at present, its good to see the progression in our apprentices of late. Harley recently hosted the boys to a night of bowling in Mount Gambier which was a great initiative to allow the boys some time outside of the work environment to let their hair down. Harley has been doing great work mentoring the guys along the way inside and outside of work.
R E D D O G S WORKSHOP REDDOGS W O R K S H O P WRAPUP WRAPUP
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One new addition on the truck front with Darren Harris the proud new attendant of a T659 which will shortly have a set of A Doubles to pull. Darren is a no fuss operator that takes great pride in his unit, it always has its shine on ! The T659 has been a great log truck over the years and this one conforms to our current permits so we can run on the same one which is handy. Kessah did a lot of work ensuring this would be the case so thank you Kessah. As we move into the warmer months we will no doubt have the normal run on airconditioning jobs and machinery blow outs. The pollen has stopped so the dust will start, be sure to yell out if you need a blow down, with 13 sites currently we will be up against it but we will get there. Snakes are on the move, be sure to watch out for the slithering nope ropes, nothing like seeing them at the last minute to put the wind up you!! Stay safe! Reddog
H O G G Y S HAULAGE HOGGYS H A U L A G E HEADLINES HEADLINES
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Trucks have been flat out here at Merrett Logging the last 3 months! No shortage of work between the pine and blue
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
gum. We have moved around a fair amount with the blue gum operations due to weather. We have 2000t of wood stuck at Kidman plantation due to using the paddocks, not gravel and we were caught out with our wettest winter for a while. The next job, Gum View is incomplete also as the ground got too wet to road so we will venture back to wattle range area to clean up these jobs for the farmers soon enough!
OCTOBER
2ND - CRAIG PLOENGES Crews have since moved back to Myamyn area which is still fairly wet under 6THfoot. - ANTHONY WHITE TH - BEAU Darryl Whitehead has us working for him at Powers Creek. Log deliveries11coming back toSHINNICK WTS and export products to TH MZ commodities. This is a new one for us delivering to their yard set 13 up on -Riordan’s grain depot. Lots of posts of BRODIE FOSTER Darryl’s block to has Will Stevens swapping back and forth with trailers and scooting around from Kdoo to Heywood and 13TH - JAKE KLEMM WTS yards! TH 18 - MITCH IRLAM TH - ROBERT GTFP work has increased in the last 2 weeks. We now have our T320 operation well under PREECE way and we have 2 T2 ST operations commenced and humming. With GTFP there is a fair amount strainers off the T3 and 21 of-preservation, TOM CLAYFIELD smaller diameter posts from the T2 thinning’s. We have all 4 post trailers backTH in commission after sitting for a fair while. 29 - CAMO BARKER With these trailers sitting for some time, Harley had the boys bring the units back through the workshop and give them a We did slip a little private job in for the Gartner family which worked in well after the Gum View job was washed out. The
once over, checking lights, adjusting brakes, reflectors etc. to make sure they were roadworthy and look the part. We had a new truck role in a few weeks ago, a T659 which Darren Harris has saddled up in! this will go on A double set up the same as the T610 units tow around. We have managed to get them on the same VA which makes life a lot easier with permits and road networks etc. The choice of the T659 wasn’t easy but thought we would give it a go on the longer set ups and see what happens. Another T659 has just hit BMF and will need the “works and jurks” before it too, hits the road. Darren Harris with his new Pride and Joy! The new A double trailer is only just around the corner by the sounds, that will have him moving some product then
😊!
H O G G Y S HAULAGE HOGGYS H A U L A G E HEADLINES HEADLINES
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Harley has been a busy little boy in the workshop, fitting Traction Air tyre inflation kits to trucks while getting their annual
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
maintenance done. We have since started fitting some up with the terrain with GTFP and also blue gum blocks being private, OFO has some interesting hills and tricky pinch points here and there so will decided it was a must do moving forward. I must commend the work Harley and his team do keep our units in great condition all year-round, well-done lads!
OCTOBER
2ND - CRAIG PLOENGES don’t be nervous pulling in if they have their lovely lights flashing and directTHyou in, I’m sure if they find something, it will 6 - ANTHONY WHITE be minor. 11TH - BEAU SHINNICK One thing that has been circulated by NHVR is sweeping down your trailers you leave FOSTER the mill sites or the bush. 13THbefore - BRODIE Portland ring roads has a lot of debris on it and they are cracking down on loose on trucks and trailers. 13THobjects - JAKE KLEMM OFO/ Trimble work for haulage has been elevated recently; we had up to 14 TH units in there last week shifting domestic 18 - MITCH IRLAM and export around the south east! 20TH - ROBERT PREECE 2 weeks ago, I had the pleasure of guiding Barnaby Joyce (One Nation) CF site for Timberlands at 21ST around - TOMourCLAYFIELD Cloverhill. This was to showcase what our industry does for not only the local THeconomy but nationally. What effect the 29 - CAMO BARKER export/import has on us and what direction we need for sustainability and our future generations. Water licenses also NHVR have been very active up and down the highway which is great to see. Our compliance, maintenance is great so
hot on the agenda so forestry can grow locally in South Australia. Well, Christmas isn’t far away so let’s make sure it’s a safe couple of months hauling products around the GT and we just keep them wheels turning. LOG ON
K E S S A H S COMPLIANCE KESSAHS COMPLIANCE New Wheels on the Road
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UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
September saw our newest truck hit the road, with Darren Harris behind the wheel.
This time, Merrett Logging has invested in a Kenworth T659, with a new set of A-Double trailers also set to join the fleet later in the year. Over the past 12 months, we have worked closely with BTT Engineering and Barry Maney to expand our PBS approvals for the 36.5-metre fleet. This has given us the flexibility to add the new T659 while continuing to operate under our existing permits. That was step one. We have then worked with Elphinstone and Teletrac to install and register our Smart OBM hardware, allowing weights and vehicle locations to be continually reported. And, if the word on the street is anything to go by, a second unit could be hitting the road before Christmas! CTI Installs – the workshop are rolling out installs of Central Tyre Inflation (CTI) across our some of our trucks. CTI allows tyre pressures to be adjusted to suit different operating conditions, helping improve tyre life, fuel efficiency,
NOVEMBER
traction and overall vehicle performance. For our logging operations, where trucks regularly travel between sealed roads, gravel roads and forestry tracks, CTI can also help reduce tyre-related downtime and support safer, more
1ST - NED SKEER 10TH - CONNOR CLARK-MURPHY Guardian Units and MiTac Cameras 10TH - GUS ECKERMANN 15TH -monitoring, ADAM FITZPATRICK Our Guardian units continue to be a fantastic tool for fatigue and distraction providing alerts across our TH trucks and fleet vehicles. 16 - TONY MCNALLY TH 26 - MATTHEW TILBY More recently, we haven't always had access to the forward-facing camera footage that should be available when a TH - RICK MCQUADE driver makes a manual record or when additional footage is required to 27 accompany fatigue and distraction events. TH Having this footage can be extremely valuable in helping provide the complete of an event.DUNN 28picture - HARLEY TH 29 - TAYLOR LATCHAM To ensure our drivers have the support they need and that we have the full functionality available from our hardware, efficient operations.
we have been rolling out MiTac cameras across the fleet. The cameras are linked to our Guardian units through an external portal, allowing relevant footage to be pushed through alongside an event. This investment also means we can now remotely retrieve footage from vehicles when required. A big thank you to all our drivers for helping make this rollout happen, and to Troy and Sonya from Evolution Autofit for working with us to get the installations completed in a timely manner. We now have 25 vehicles completed, with only a handful left to go.
K E S S A H S COMPLIANCE KESSAHS COMPLIANCE
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UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
Going forward, these camera installations will also be included on new fleet vehicles, as the new-generation Gen 3 Guardian units do not include a built in forward-facing camera. Inductions Across Forestry and Mills With the quick start to our GTFP work, we have had to fast-track inductions across both forestry and mill sites. GTFP has us completing more deliveries into a growing number of locations, including: OFO – Jubilee Highway Portland Pine Alliance Dartmoor A2C International, Portland Shelton Timber, Colac
We know our truck drivers would much rather be driving than acting as administration assistants! However, the induction and documentation requirements are an important part of ensuring everyone can enter a worksite safely and compliantly. A big thank you to all our drivers for working with Melissa and I to make sure the correct documentation is in place before entering these sites. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
NOVEMBER
1ST - NED SKEER TH 10 - CONNOR CLARK-MURPHY Daylight saving commenced on Sunday, 4 October 2026. 10TH - GUS ECKERMANN Every year, we see an increase in fatigue-related incidents around the start saving. Losing an hour of sleep 15ofTHdaylight - ADAM FITZPATRICK can disrupt normal sleep patterns and increase fatigue risk. 16TH - TONY MCNALLY TH 26 - MATTHEW TILBY Please remember to: Monitor yourself for signs of fatigue. 27TH - RICK MCQUADE TH Keep an eye on your workmates and speak up if you notice they are struggling. 28 - HARLEY DUNN If you feel fatigued, talk to your supervisor. TH Make appropriate adjustments to your work to ensure you can operate29 safely.- TAYLOR LATCHAM Daylight Saving
Take the time to look after yourself and each other as we adjust to the change in daylight hours.
K E V S SAFETY KEVS S A F E T Y SUMMARY SUMMARY
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
It has been another busy quarter on the WHS front, with plenty happening
across our operations – from training and site visits through to incident learnings and preparing for the warmer months ahead. R U OK? Day – Checking In Out Bush
R U OK? Day gave us a great opportunity to get out in the bush with our operators, catch up and have some genuine conversations about mental health and wellbeing. Forestry can mean long days, isolated work locations and plenty of pressure, so taking the time to check in with each other is important. It doesn’t need to be a complicated conversation either – sometimes simply asking a mate how they’re travelling is enough to get the conversation started. While R U OK? Day provides a good reminder, looking out for each other shouldn’t be limited to one day of the year. Keep checking in with your workmates and don’t be afraid to ask, “Are you OK?” Clover Hill CF – A Busy Quarter for Visitors Our Clover Hill Clear Fall operation has certainly been a busy location for visitors this quarter, giving us the opportunity to showcase our operations to people from a range of different backgrounds. We welcomed Year 7 students from MGHS, giving them the opportunity to experience a working forestry operation firsthand. The visit provided an introduction to how a harvesting site operates, the machinery and technology involved, the different roles within our industry and, importantly, the safety systems used to manage the risks associated with forestry work. We also welcomed representatives from the Working Women’s Centre ahead of our participation in the Gender Equity and Respect Workshop. Their visit provided a firsthand look at our working environment and some practical context for the conversations that followed around workplace culture, gender equity and creating safe and respectful workplaces. Clover Hill also hosted One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce alongside forestry industry leaders, providing an opportunity to showcase a modern harvesting operation firsthand and discuss issues, challenges and opportunities affecting the forestry industry.
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K E V S SAFETY KEVS S A F E T Y SUMMARY SUMMARY
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We also welcomed Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub’s new Executive General Manager, Johan Revalk, to Clover
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
Hill. The visit provided an opportunity to introduce Johan to our operations firsthand, showcase the work our crews are doing on the ground and discuss some of the opportunities and challenges currently facing the forestry sector across the Green Triangle. Having visitors on an active harvesting site is also a good reminder of the importance of visitor management. Site inductions, appropriate PPE, clear communication with operators and maintaining safe separation from operating machinery all play an important role in allowing us to showcase our industry safely.
First Aid Training Across the Business
NOVEMBER
ST 1 - NED SKEER There has been plenty of first aid training happening this quarter, with machine operators, truck drivers, mechanics and TH 10 the-business CONNOR CLARK-MURPHY management all taking part. Having trained people spread throughout is particularly important given the TH remote locations in which many of us work. Keeping these skills current10 means areECKERMANN better prepared to respond - we GUS TH when something does go wrong – whether that is at work, on the road or in the wider community. The training also ties 15 - ADAMarrangements, FITZPATRICK into our broader emergency preparedness. Everyone should know their site emergency communication TH 16 TONY MCNALLY channels, emergency contacts, evacuation points and how emergency services can access the work area. 26TH - MATTHEW TILBY When you work remotely, being prepared matters. 27TH - RICK MCQUADE 28TH - HARLEY DUNN Learning from the Myora T1 Rollover 29TH - TAYLOR LATCHAM Unfortunately, we experienced a machine rollover at Myora T1 during the quarter. Most importantly, no one was injured, and the machine sustained cosmetic damage only. A detailed investigation was undertaken following the event, and some valuable learnings and practical improvements have come from it that will help reduce the likelihood of a similar event occurring again. While we never want incidents like this to happen, when they do, it is important that we take the opportunity to understand not only what happened, but why it happened .
K E V S SAFETY KEVS S A F E T Y SUMMARY SUMMARY
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The purpose of an investigation isn’t simply to find something or someone to blame. It is about looking at the
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
circumstances surrounding the event, identifying where our controls can be strengthened and sharing those lessons across the business.
This incident could have had a very different outcome, and it serves as a timely reminder that conditions can change quickly and that we should never become complacent around mobile plant. Keep Reporting the Little Things One of the best opportunities we have to prevent incidents is identifying problems before someone gets hurt. We want everyone to continue reporting hazards, near misses, changing conditions and things that simply don’t look right. A near miss or a hazard might feel insignificant at the time, but it can often highlight the same circumstances that could contribute to a much more serious event next time. If something isn’t right, report it. If there is a better or safer way of doing something, speak up. Spring Has Sprung – Fire Season Is Coming
NOVEMBER
With spring now well underway, our attention is quickly turning towards the upcoming fire season.
The seasonal outlook means we need to take our preparations seriously and be ready for changing conditions. Work
ST and servicing of fire-suppression has already commenced across our operations, including temperature testing
1 - NED SKEER 10 - CONNOR CLARK-MURPHY TH Now is also the time to make sure the basics are covered – machine10and -vehicle extinguishers, fire GUS pre-starts, ECKERMANN TH suppression systems, tyres, brakes, communications equipment, first aid kits and other emergency equipment. 15 season - ADAM FITZPATRICK If something needs attention, get it sorted early rather than waiting until the fire TH is upon us. 16 - TONY MCNALLY TH Everyone has a role to play in fire prevention and preparedness, and 26 as conditions change we will continue to - MATTHEW TILBY communicate requirements around fire danger, shutdowns and operating restrictions. 27TH - RICK MCQUADE 28TH - HARLEY DUNN Warmer Weather Brings Different Hazards 29TH - TAYLOR LATCHAM equipment.
TH
Spring also brings back some familiar bush hazards. Snakes are becoming more active, along with bees, wasps and other insects. Take extra care around vegetation, log stacks, machinery and areas that haven’t been disturbed for some time. Be particularly cautious about putting hands or feet anywhere you can’t clearly see. As temperatures increase, heat, hydration and fatigue also become increasingly important. Drink plenty of water, take appropriate breaks and keep an eye on your workmates. Fatigue and heat can creep up on you, and both can affect concentration and decision-making.
K E V S SAFETY KEVS S A F E T Y SUMMARY SUMMARY More People on the Roads
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UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
The warmer weather also means more tourists, campers, caravans and recreational traffic getting out and about.
Many of these road users may be unfamiliar with forestry roads and may not appreciate the size, stopping distance or space required by a loaded log truck. Whether you are behind the wheel of a log truck, service vehicle or ute, expect the unexpected. Drive to the conditions, allow yourself room and be particularly cautious around blind corners, narrow roads, dusty conditions and soft shoulders. A little patience can go a long way. The person coming around the next corner may have no idea there is a loaded log truck heading their way. Looking Ahead Heading into the next quarter, our WHS focus will continue around fire preparedness, heat and fatigue management, mobile plant interactions, haulage and road safety, emergency preparedness, and maintaining strong hazard and nearmiss reporting.
NOVEMBER
There is plenty happening, but good safety performance ultimately comes back to the everyday decisions we make and how well we look after one another. If you see something that doesn’t look right, say something. If a job doesn’t feel right, stop and reassess. And if a workmate doesn’t seem themselves, check in and ask if they’re OK. Look after yourself, look after your mates, and let’s have a safe spring.
L O U I S ' LOGGING LOUIS' L O G G I N G LOWDOWN LOWDOWN
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UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
We’re well and truly on the home stretch now. Footy season has come to an end (bad luck Dockers), and the big man will be coming down the chimney in no time.
Following on from our R U OK? Day earlier in the month, everyone is feeling the pinch in some sort of way or another, with wars, interest rates and all sorts of other things throwing spanners in the works. Let's be mindful of each other & just keep an eye out for anyone you bump into on site. Lightbody > Myamyn West The Lightbody job found us in Killara down Watabuga Road (how good is that name) with a smaller plantation but with single-stem trees and only a couple of bears to dodge. Chappy and the crew then headed back down towards the mill at Myamyn West. Not only is this job very heavy with bears, but they also decided to bring the young ones along too, with the total getting up to around 80 of them found within the plantation prior to starting. Trewhella > Jarrad K Trewhella threw a few curveballs at us from the get-go. Between the weather and the haulage track, getting trucks in and out was a bit of juggling act. Credit to the lads, communication & incident reporting were great when a few hiccups occurred throughout the job. The koalas were borderline impossible to spot until the spotters jumped in at the end, but SWF were very happy with our efforts reporting the clusters and will look to bring spotters in earlier on these selfspotting jobs, which should make life a lot easier. Jase and the crew are now at Jarrad K, which has a few tricks to keep things interesting, a creek and a homemade bridge running up the guts to steer clear of, and it’s also quite heavy with bears. Gartner > Butchers Pete has been the specialist in the backyard jobs as of late. We only just got all the wood out at Gartner’s before it got pretty wet down the back, a 600t job down at Maaoupe. He then headed over to Butchers near Kaladbro for a private firewood job for a few weeks that has just wrapped up. We were only harvesting here, with the owner pulling and hotloading the wood. The warmer weather will definitely be welcomed, but it also brings the dreaded fire season - so it’s a double-edged sword. Let’s hope it’s a quiet one on the fire front.
A R O U N D THE AROUND T H E JOBS J O B S WITH W I T H JR JR
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Where has the year gone? We are well and truly into the last quarter of the year. The Brisbane Lions have completed the three-peat, and the winter sports season is done and dusted. We were fortunate to win a new contract with Green Triangle Forestry Products (GTFP) covering T1, T2 and T3. This wasn’t due to start until January 27, but T3 was brought forward to the start of August, and we started two new T2 jobs in the second week of October. There is certainly plenty going on, to say the least. GTFP’s main focus is on sawlog and preservation products. Timberlands (TPPL) and OFO have remained very steady, with the emphasis still firmly on strict quotas. We continue to face challenges with Timberlink (TLA) cutting log quotas mid-week, which affects truck flexibility. Log volumes have remained steady, but export volumes are still on the nose. We currently have 5 jobs with TPPL, 2 with OFO, 3 with GTFP and 1 private pine job. TPPL – T1 Redfurn We knocked over Coppings at the start of September and moved into Redfurn, just over the border. The crew had spent a good three months at Coppings. We continue to cut 3.9m and 5.9m product for export. Redfurn has certainly thrown up its challenges, with the weather creating havoc with the roading. We have had to move into drier areas to keep the crew cutting. In a month’s time, there won’t be much left to do here. TPPL – T2 Ascot Park We have only recently finished Dr Goodes T2 after a lengthy stint and have just travelled up Border Road, with Ascot Park T2 the next stop. The quota has been reduced back to 900 tonnes a week, with one harvester and one forwarder operating. Ascot Park has similar bush to Dr Goodes, cutting 4.8m sawlog and export. This job should nearly take us through to the Christmas break. TPPL – T3 Killara South T3 is back on the menu after a brief hiatus. We spent a couple of months at Kaladbro before moving into the first section at Killara South, which we completed at the end of last month. We are now into the southern area, with plenty of 5.4m sawlog being cut. The bush is reasonable, with good stocks on the break and in the bush. Seals and Scott have been the mainstays, with plenty of export for the trucks to cart.
A R O U N D THE AROUND T H E JOBS J O B S WITH W I T H JR JR
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TPPL – Byrnes CF After an extended period at Penola South, the team has now ventured 5 km from the TLA to Byrnes. The trees are a good size, with log the order of the day. We have 40,000 tonnes to cut and deliver, which should keep us there until early December. Penola Park will see us out until the end of the year. TPPL – Clover Hill CF The crew have found their home at Clover Hill after a good period at Nangwarry Central . Clover Hill is as good a bush as you will see, with an average tree size of 1.5 tonnes per stem. Some trees are nudging 2 tonnes. The 5,500-tonne-a-week quota is very achievable in this size bush. Plenty of log is on the menu, with around 80% log and 20% export. The new 2510 H forwarder arrived a few weeks ago, much to Haddon’s delight. The crew will head to Gills next. OFO – Myora South T2 The Wattle Range crew left the flats in mid-August for the slopes at Myora South. The slopes have been a challenge, to say the least. Unfortunately, we had an incident where a harvester tipped onto its side. Thankfully, there were no injuries or damage, but it certainly wasn’t ideal. We are currently working through the last steep section. We are cutting Maccas 3.7m and 5.9m export only. We are moving to Brodies T1 next in the Comaun Forest. OFO – Malones CF We pulled out of Frills early, as OFO has major shareholders coming to the district in November. They want our crew to showcase our operations at Frills while they are here. The crew is presently at Malones, just north of Mount Burr, in reasonable terrain. The bush has dropped off in the last few weeks as we tackle the limestone ridges. The weekly quota has settled around 4,700 tonnes.
A R O U N D THE AROUND T H E JOBS J O B S WITH W I T H JR JR
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GTFP – Kentbruck T3 Our first job for GTFP has taken us into some good T3 with a range of different products. We have been cutting random-length sawlog for OFO Jubilee, Maccas and A2C, along with preservation products for Alliance and Portland Pine Products (PFP). The variety of products certainly keeps the forwarders on their toes. Kentbruck is based down past Nelson, on the way to Portland. The block has some slopes to contend with, but we have been able to negotiate them without any incidents. We have a short stay at Dartmoor next, then on to Caroline. GTFP – Cafpirco T2 Our T2 job is just on the outskirts of Mount Gambier on Cafpirco Road. We have been fortunate to pick up Brad and Crowey, who have come across from Qube. The bush is okay, but a bit hairy in places. We are cutting Jubilee log, Maccas and A2C. It will only be a short stay here before the crew moves on to Tarpeena. GTFP – Tarpeena T2 The secondary T2 crew is at Tarpeena, which has very good bush for cutting posts. Benny is cutting 1.8m, 2.4m and 2.7m posts, with GTFP very keen on preservation products due to the strong market. We haven’t done a lot of preservation work over the last 18 months, so it’s good to get back into it. The quota is around 1,000 tonnes a week, with posts making up approximately 400 tonnes of that. WTS – Powers Creek T2/T3 We picked up a private job for Whiteheads in September to keep things ticking over. The trees aren’t massive, but they are reasonably tall. We are cutting sawlog for Whiteheads, posts for Badnoch’s, and a couple of different export products for MZ. We are cutting plenty of wood, but the forwarding has been a slow grind. The long haulage has been helpful for the trucks. This work could continue through until the end of the year. “The ratio of ‘we’s’ to ‘I’s’ is the best indicator of the development of a team.”
W I L L S WORD WILLS WORD
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The siren sounds as we enter the premiership quarter of 2026 – Far out it feels like this year has been a blur. Was tough on my footy sides and the winners have been hard to find on the race track, so maybe I have a selective memory, or it’s baby brain. But spring is here and the sunshine definitely makes things that little bit easier. More H-Series machines are landing across the fleet – We are working with John Deere to improve some of the functionality of the software. It all takes time and there are some changes from the G-Series, but we’ll get there and continue to become more familiar with the differences with experience. There has been a real uptick in the number of guys utilizing the Timbermatic mapping software platform, eliminating the need to be running around passing out flash-drives etc – One issue that has arisen on a few occasions is an incorrect setting being switched on which doesn’t allow the change over of sites. I’ll drop some screen-shots below, but always ensure that the site-selection within the settings page is set to Timbermatic Maps, not Timbermatic. If it’s not, Click the padlock icon to enable you to make the change. If you ever get stuck or have any questions, give me a call and we can take a look. There are also the help-guides available on Site-Docs for a range of different functions within the machine interface. A shout-out to various crew members as well for helping point guys in the right direction should they need, top darts. Not long to go now and it will be fishing and family time. Stick at it and let’s finish off strong Log on.