| 95 Hannah and Emma jointly recognised Emma Diack and Hannah Lawson won the Women in Forestry award jointly. Richard Loader While Hannah Lawson conspired with Emma Diack’s forest harvesting crew-mates at D&K Contracting putting forward Emma’s nomination in the 2022 Southern Wood Council’s (SWC) inaugural Women in Forestry Excellence Awards, her own colleagues at Rayonier Matariki Forests - Southland were quietly doing exactly the same for her. As Harvest Operations Coordinator at Rayonier - Southland, Hannah’s role involves working closely with contractors to successfully complete harvesting operations, then moving the wood to the domestic or export market. As if always meant to be; on the night of the awards both Hannah and Emma were announced joint winners of the prestigious award, with both young women taking centre stage at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium, proud of each other achievements in different sides of the industry. Both women are extremely proud of each other’s success, both at the awards and within the industry that they are passionate about. “The great thing about the award is that it wasn’t just recognising one role in forestry,” says Hannah. “I came through the commercial avenue, but Emma has come through working in an actual machine and doing that more physical and intensive work. By jointly winning, it shows women that there are so many different avenues available in the industry. The fact that there are now so many women in forestry and getting recognition by way of this award shows that the industry is also more accepting towards women working in these jobs.” Hannah says to be recognised for doing her job was a really nice thing, but believes her nomination was because the little extra things she does on top of her busy days job. “It’s humbling to be nominated for those extra things, which included some project work with my team in Southland, and also at a national level.” Emma has worked at the sharp end of her parent’s business, D&K Contracting for the last two FORESTRY » Rayonier - Southland years, driving some of the big machinery in the bush. Prior to that, Emma spent two years looking after the Health and Safety side of the business. While surprised at her success at the SWC awards, Emma says she felt very proud that her work was being recognised, especially when she has only been doing it for two years. “Most of the time I’m in a loadout digger, loading logs onto trucks, and also fleeting/sorting wood. Lately I’ve also been in the forwarder carrying logs from the bush to the skid site. It’s quite exciting operating these big machines and knowing how to drive them. It is not an everyday job. It’s also exciting to know that you’re being recognised and acknowledged for your job, especially because I’m the only female in my crew, and they all recognised I was doing a decent job.” Hannah adds that Emma has been a forestry apprentice for the last couple of years, specialising in harvesting, progressing very quickly and successfully. “Emma’s shown that she’s very adaptable to different roles, and there doesn’t seem to be a machine that she has touched that she has not been able to operate well. She has also been a great role model in her crew for health and safety. From when she started, to where she is now, her confidence has really grown, and she’s taking on quite a leadership role within her crew.” Hannah’s own journey into forestry started when she was 15, at High School in Christchurch. A careers representative from Canterbury University gave a talk about a range of career options, including the usual jobs women might get into. “Then they talked about forestry. The one thing that stood out was that there was a good mix of indoor/outdoor work and it can take you anywhere in the world that has forests. I was also almost guaranteed to get a job and when you’re paying off a student loan, that’s important.” Armed with a bachelor’s degree in forestry science from Canterbury University, Hannah has been in the industry for eight years and loves her role because of the nice balance of working in and out of the forest. “I’m quite interested in the technical side of forestry, particularly around value recovery. I’ve also been quite interested in export, and have had a wee side role working with our ‘at wharf gate suppliers’. I guess managerial work is where I’m headed.” Seeing herself at the helm of her parent’s crew one day, Emma’s advice to other women wanting to pursue a career in harvesting, is to always think positively, keep pushing yourself, have a ‘can-do’ attitude and let people know you want to give anything a try. PROUD TO SUPPORT RAYONIER - SOUTHLAND ProductionHarvesting Crew Proudlyworkingwith and for Rayonier 027 297 7982 skcontracting@xtra.co.nz . . •Log Cartage • Stock / Bulk • Fertiliser • Gravel • Contracting • Transporting PROUDLY SUPPORTING RAYONIER - SOUTHLAND 0800 22 5899 www.dtking.co.nz 03 225 8356 Otautau 03 225 5899 Pukemaori 03 234 8120 Riverton
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