Centenary of forest education at Creswick 2010

Peter Greig, (September 24, 2009)

pjgreig@iprimus.com.au, 04 2711 0023, 03 5236 3229

One hundred years of forest education in Australia will be celebrated in 2010 in a series of events throughout Victoria - where it all started.

Coinciding as it does with a current set of relevant crises – not least unprecedented wildfires and water shortages – the centenary presents a wonderful opportunity to contemplate a very different scenario for the coming 100 years of forestry education, building on and celebrating the traditions and learnings from the past.

Events planned include a mix of serious reflection, and fun-filled social gatherings and activities, and a collection of historical data and memorabilia, all designed to attract the widest array of individuals who have any connection with forestry education in Australia.

The events are to encompass a national perspective, and will include centres of forest education other than Creswick.

Regional events: are planned for various centres, including Wombat Forest; Otway Ranges; Green Triangle; Melbourne Water catchment forests; East Gippsland; North East; and Grampians, culminating in a big social weekend at Creswick on October 16 & 17, 2010.

The big weekend will involve outdoor activities including walks, bike rides, car-rally, tree plantings, barbecues, garden party and a dinner and party.

Conference:  A major national conference on the future of forest education will be held in the later half of 2010 (date being determined) at Creswick.  World-renowned speakers, from a range of relevant perspectives, will reflect on the possible future scenarios and directions that forest education will influence and be influenced by.  It is expected that proceedings will be published and become an important historical reference.

Historical Collections: are being assembled and will be published, including alumni lists from all who spent any time at the Creswick and Melbourne University forest education campuses.

A history of the school at Creswick over its first 100 years is being compiled, with reference to predecessor books and collections, supplemented by personal stories and memorabilia of the alumni.

Sponsorship: Though events and publications are planned to be self-financing, opportunities will be offered to potential sponsors who wish to be associated with the centenary.  Their sponsorship may be used to subsidize events and publications, or to fund a trust to further forest education in Victoria.

Getting involved.  A questionnaire has been circulated seeking input from alumni lists assembled so far, and seeking names of those that might not have been included.

Committee
Leon Bren

Brian Fry

Peter Greig (Chair)

Fiona Hamilton

Ron Hately

Rod Keenan

Mike Leonard

Sharon Occhipinti

Michael Ryan

Peter Sheehan

Jeff Topp

Rob Youl

Katherine Whittaker

David Williams

Contact

Please forward requests for information to Sharnie Bilston (sbilston@unimelb.edu.au) or Peter Greig (as above)

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