“FORWOOD”

“FORWOOD”

Des Harries has achieved what every forest scientist wishes – from growing to harvesting to utilising in situ plantation forests.

During his TPNG career, Des managed plantation forest activities in Wau and Kerevat followed by a career change into the TPNG division of Utilisation whose role was the oversight of local TPNG wood processing.

After PNG, Des moved into Australian forest policy activities working with the Forestry and Timber Bureau and finally with the Bureau of Rural Resources during which time he studied at ANU to achieve MSc. Forest Management and BSc. Geology. (Geology needed to deal

with hard rockheads in Queensland for when he retired.)

In his article Forestry in Wau, TPNG forester Des Harries described Wau as the birthplace of TPNG Department of Forests (leading to the PNG Department of Forests and today the PNG National Forest Service) over eighty years ago. Wau was the first posting of TPNG’s first Director “JB” James Bannister McAdam3 MM 1910-1959.

Des Harries describes his working life in the article on the Forest Products Research Centre Hohola Port Moresby. It details the work undertaken by John Colwell as the first Chief, Division of Utilization, initially based at Konedobu, Port Moresby. The role of this Division was the oversight of local TPNG wood processing, and in this capacity, Colwell established a good rapport with the timber industry leadership. His contacts with CSIRO Forest Products were of great value, particularly regarding his achievement of getting the Forest Products Research Centre established on a site in the Port Moresby industrial area of Hohola.

Footnote

The PNGAF Magazine project would not have been feasible and possible without the support and ongoing eforts of June and Des Harries in not only the sourcing of valuable background information but their proof reading expertise. That proof reading expertise has put the project into a legible format for all readers. Thank you Editor.

3 PNGAF Mag # 3 of 3 Nov 2020.