MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 21 October
Forestry Australia Welcomes New President and Renewed Board Leadership
Forestry Australia is delighted to announce the appointment of Leon Holt as President, with Dr Lyndall Bull and Professor Rod Keenan appointed as Vice Presidents, marking an exciting new chapter in the Association’s leadership.
The appointments follow Forestry Australia’s Annual General Meeting in Canberra last week, where members elected two new Directors, Louise Bourke and Dr Phil Lacy, bringing fresh perspectives and experience to the Board.
Congratulating the new leadership team, Forestry Australia Chief Executive Officer Jacquie Martin said the appointments represented an important milestone in the organisation’s ongoing renewal and succession planning.
“Leon brings a wealth of experience, a strong commitment to forest science and the forestry profession; he also has a genuine passion for Forestry Australia’s future,” Ms Martin said.
“Leon played an instrumental role in establishing Forestry Australia’s Future Foresters Initiative and was among our first Board Observers. His progression to President is a wonderful example of the leadership pathways we are working to create for emerging professionals.”
She added that Mr Holt, a recipient of the 2019 Prince of Wales Award for Sustainable Forestry, brought a valuable perspective on farm forestry to the role. Together with his family, he is developing an agricultural business and growing a hardwood plantation on Djaara Country in central Victoria.
“His experience reflects the increasingly important role farm forestry will play in the future of Australia’s forest sector,” she said.
Looking forward, Mr Holt said his focus as President would be on chairing a high-performing Board that could navigate an ever-changing operating environment and set the organisation up for future success.
“I believe in what Forestry Australia has become over the last few years, I think we have a very bright future. I am deeply honoured that the board and our members have put their trust in me to help guide our organisation.
“I am and always will be a forester at heart, and I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to work in native forestry and regulation in Victoria, and to receive a formal forestry education. I’m passionate about making sure forestry education has a strong future in this country.
“We will continue to grow and engage with our membership, build partnerships with the stakeholders, the community and First Nations peoples, and continue to advocate for evidence-based forest management that ensures future generations will continue to benefit from Australia’s iconic forests.”
The two Vice President appointments would bring both continuity and expertise to the Board, Ms Martin said.
“We are delighted that Dr Lyndall Bull will continue in her role as Vice President, providing valuable experience and leadership, alongside Professor Rod Keenan, who brings considerable expertise and a deep commitment to the forestry profession.”
The changes come as two long-serving leaders retire from the Board, with Dr Michelle Freeman concluding her term as President at the Annual General Meeting and Vice President Dr Bill Jackson retiring.
“Michelle and Bill have provided outstanding leadership and service to Forestry Australia, and we are enormously grateful for their dedication, wisdom and contribution over many years,” Ms Martin said.
“Strong governance relies on effective succession planning, an orderly transition of leadership and the ability to welcome new ideas while retaining experience and institutional knowledge. These appointments demonstrate those qualities, and I am confident Forestry Australia is in very capable hands.”
Turning to the Board’s newest members, Ms Martin welcomed Directors Louise Bourke and Dr Phil Lacy. “Both bring valuable experience, knowledge and perspectives, and I look forward to working with them as we continue to strengthen the Association and deliver for our members.”
Louise Bourke is a forest scientist and values-based leader with more than two decades of operational, commercial and executive leadership experience in public and private organisations across Victoria and New South Wales. Now Head of Fibre Strategy at HVP Plantations, she holds a Bachelor of Forest Science and an Executive MBA from the University of Melbourne. Louise Bourke expressed her excitement about being elected to the Board.
“I’m committed to bringing different perspectives together to help the profession navigate increasingly complex challenges and realise the opportunities forestry can create for Australia.”
Dr Phil Lacy is a forestry consultant and farm forester with more than 30 years’ experience in plantation and native forest management, fire research and management, and carbon forestry. A Registered Forestry Professional (RFP) with a PhD in fire behaviour, he has held roles with Forestry Corporation of NSW and PF Olsen (now Stand Forestry), chairs Forestry Australia’s RFP Special Interest Group and brings extensive leadership, governance and committee experience across the sector.
Speaking about his appointment, Dr Lacy said he was “really pleased” to have been endorsed by his peers. “I’ve been a member for over 25 years, and I look forward to working with the Board, CEO and staff of Forestry Australia to progress its strategic direction,” he said.
More broadly, Ms Martin said Forestry Australia’s Board reflected the breadth of experience and commitment across Australia’s forestry profession. “Our Directors are volunteers who generously contribute their time, knowledge and expertise because they care deeply about Forestry Australia, our members and the future of Australia’s forests.”
Forestry Australia Board 2026-27
The Forestry Australia Board comprises:
- Leon Holt, President
- Dr Lyndall Bull, Vice President
- Professor Rod Keenan, Vice President
- Louise Bourke, Director
- Anne Chuter, Director
- Matt de Jongh, Director
- Dr Phil Lacy, Director
- Board Observers: Emily Post and Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck.
Click below to download separate images of Forestry Australia’s new President, Directors and current CEO:
ENDS
For further information: Jason Ross, Marketing & Communications Manager, M: 0448 190 055
ABOUT FORESTRY AUSTRALIA
Forestry Australia is a not-for-profit professional association representing more than 1,100 forest scientists, managers, professionals and growers. Operating across native forests, plantations, farm forestry and environmental services, our members bring deep scientific knowledge and practical experience in forest, fire, carbon, tree-growing and landscape management. Through their work, they study, manage and care for Australia’s forests and are committed to delivering positive environmental, social, cultural and economic outcomes across all forest types and land tenures.
