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Colloquium: Centenary of National Forestry Education

The Centenary of National Forestry Education Colloquium, hosted by ANU on 6 October 2026, will celebrate 100 years of forestry education in Australia by reflecting on its history, examining current approaches to forestry education, and exploring future ambitions for the profession.

schedule Date & time
6 Oct 2026 11:00am - 6 Oct 2026 7:00pm
person Speaker
Paul House, Ngambri-Kamberri Walgalu and Wiradyuri custodian
Suzette Searle (President, Wattle Day Association)
Dr Brian Turner (AFS alumnus and former Reader in the ANU Department of Forestry)
Dr Kim Wells (AFS alumnus)
Emeritus Associate Professor Cris Brack (ANU Department of Forestry and Fenner School of Environment & Society)
Professor Rebekah Brown (Interim Vice-Chancellor, ANU)
Professor Delene Weber (Adelaide University)
Professor Peter Kanowski (Professor of Forestry, ANU)
Dr Michelle Freeman (President, Forestry Australia)
Professor Julianne O’Reilly-Wapstra (University of Tasmania)
Professor Saul Cunningham (Director of the Fenner School of Environment & Society)
Ming Hui Choy (ANU)
Associate Professor Austin Himes (University of Washington)
Mick Hansby (TLWC)
Emeritus Professor Rod Keenan (University of Melbourne)
Prof Juergen Bauhus (University of Freiburg - Future Forests and Future Foresters)
Prof Aaron Quigley (Dean, ANU College of Systems & Society)

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Description

National forestry education in Australia began in 1926 at the University of Adelaide, with the establishment of the Australian Forestry School. The School transferred to Canberra in 1927, and was incorporated into the Australian National University as the Department of Forestry in 1965. That former Department’s functions are now part of the ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society. This Centenary Colloquium reflects on the past and looks to the future of education about forests and forestry. 

Program Overview

Welcome and contexts with Paul House (Ngambri Custodian), Professor Rebekah Brown (Interim Vice-Chancellor, ANU); Professor Delene Weber (Adelaide University) and Professor Peter Kanowski (Professor of Forestry, ANU).

What should we learn from the past? Chaired by Dr Suzette Searle (President, Wattle Day Association), the session will feature Dr Brian Turner (AFS alumnus and former Reader in the ANU Department of Forestry); Dr Kim Wells (AFS alumnus) and Emeritus Associate Professor Cris Brack (ANU Department of Forestry and Fenner School of Environment & Society).

How do we best deliver Australian forestry education now?  Chaired by Dr Michelle Freeman (President, Forestry Australia), this session will feature Professor Julianne O’Reilly-Wapstra (University of Tasmania);  academics; industry and professional partners, and students connected with the national Graduate Certificate program.

What should be our ambitions for the future of Australian forestry education? Chaired by Professor Saul Cunningham (Director of the Fenner School of Environment & Society), the session will feature Ming Hui Choy (ANU); Associate Professor Austin Himes (University of Washington); Mick Hansby (TLWC); and Emeritus Professor Rod Keenan (University of Melbourne).

 The Jack Westoby Lecture with Prof Juergen Bauhus (University of Freiburg - Future Forests and Future Foresters).

Closing remarks by Prof Aaron Quigley (Dean, ANU College of Systems & Society).

Registration is required for catering and logistics - details here.

Schedule

event

schedule11:15AM

Welcome to Country

  • Speaker: Paul House, Ngambri-Kamberri Walgalu and Wiradyuri custodian
Paul House, Ngambri-Kamberri Walgalu and Wiradyuri custodian

schedule11:15AM - 12:15PM

Session 1: Welcomes and contexts

  • Speaker: Professor Rebekah Brown, Interim Vice-Chancellor, ANU • Professor Delene Weber, Adelaide University • Professor Peter Kanowski, Professor of Foresty, ANU
Professor Rebekah Brown, Interim Vice-Chancellor, ANU • Professor Delene Weber, Adelaide University • Professor Peter Kanowski, Professor of Foresty, ANU

schedule12:15 - 1:00PM

Lunch

schedule1:00PM - 1:45PM

Session 2: The Past

  • Speaker: Dr Brian Turner (AFS alumnus & former Reader, ANU Department of Forestry) • Kim Wells (AFS alumnus) • Em Assoc Prof Cris Brack (Em Assoc Prof, ANU Department of Forestry & Fenner School of Environment & Society)

Chair: Dr Suzette Searle, President, Wattle Day Association

Focal question: what should we learn from the past?

schedule2:00PM - 3:15PM

Session 3: The Present

  • Speaker: Dr Jamie Grimsdale & Prof Julianne O'Reilly-Wapstra, UTas, on behalf of national Graduate Certificate in Forestry

Chair - Dr Michelle Freeman, President Forestry Australia

Focal question - how do we best deliver Australian forestry education now? 

Prospective Speakers/ Panellists: 

• Dr Jamie Grimsdale & Prof Julianne O'Reilly-Wapstra, UTas, on behalf of national Graduate Certificate in Forestry • Panel & discussion o academics, professional & industry partners, students connected with the national Graduate Certificate program

schedule3:15 - 3:45PM

Afternoon tea

schedule3:45PM - 5:15PM

  • Speaker: Ming Hui Choy (ANU); Assoc Prof Austin Himes (U Washington - pre-recorded video); Mick Hansby, TLWC; Em Prof Rod Keenan, Univ Melbourne

Chair: Prof Saul Cunningham, Director, Fenner School of Environment & Society

Focal question: what should be our ambitions for the future of Australian forestry education?

 

schedule5:30PM - 6:30PM

The Jack Westoby Lecture

  • Speaker: Prof Juergen Bauhus, Univ of Freiburg - Future Forests and Future Foresters

As forests face increasing environmental uncertainty, this seminar examines new approaches to building resilience, supporting adaptation, and preparing the next generation of forestry professionals.

With closing remarks from Prof Aaron Quigley, Dean, ANU College of Systems & Society.

schedule6:30 - 7:30PM

Closing drinks

Location

The Common Room, University House

1 Balmain Cres, The Australian National University, Canberra