Three new Directors have joined the Board of Forestry Australia following last month’s Annual General Meeting.

Forestry Australia’s President, Dr Michelle Freeman welcomed Dr Lyndall Bull (as Vice President), Leon Holt and Anne Chuter to the Board.

“The new Board represents a fresh chapter for the association, combining deep experience with emerging leadership from a more diverse cohort and will build on the momentum achieved in recent years”, Dr Freeman said.

“With strong member engagement and record participation in this year’s Director elections, the Board is well positioned to guide Forestry Australia through the opportunities and challenges ahead.

“The election attracted a very strong field of candidates , reflecting the depth of expertise and commitment within our membership. More members voted in this year’s election than in recent history, demonstrating strong confidence in the association’s strategic direction and leadership.”

Dr Freeman said that the organisation extends its sincere gratitude to retiring Directors Jim Wilson and Blair Freeman for their exceptional service and leadership.

“Blair Freeman, completing his maximum term, and Jim Wilson, retiring, leave a profound legacy that has shaped the strength, stability and professionalism of the association. Their leadership has had a lasting impact, and Forestry Australia would not be where it is today without their dedication, experience and commitment to our members and mission”, Dr Freeman said.

“Directors will continue to champion evidence-based decision-making, professional excellence, and the critical role that forest science plays in solving climate, biodiversity and sustainability challenges.

“Forestry Australia is well placed to support the next generation of scientists, professionals and growers.  The Board is united in its commitment to a strong future for Australia’s forests and those who study, manage and care for them,” Dr Freeman concluded.

Dr Freeman said that the Board also appointed Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck as a Board Observer to support emerging leaders with exposure to governance and strategic decision-making, build our future leadership pipeline, and bring diverse perspectives into Board discussions.

The Forestry Australia Board is Dr Michelle Freeman (President), Dr Lyndall Bull (Vice President), Dr Bill Jackson (Vice President), Anne Chuter, Matt de Jongh, Leon Holt, Prof Rod Keenan and Board Observers Emily Post and Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck.

NEW FORESTRY AUSTRALIA BOARD MEMBERS

Dr Lyndall Bull, Vice President

Dr Lyndall Bull is a forester with expertise in innovation and the bioeconomy. Lyndall has worked in a senior capacity in the government, private education and intergovernmental sectors. Lyndall is Principal of Lynea Advisory, a specialist consulting business serving the global forest sector. She is also the Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Forest-Economy and Co-Lead for the IUFRO Task Force on Scaling-Up Science-based Forest-Sector Innovation. Until recently she was the Forestry Innovation Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. She has a PhD in innovation in the forest sector from the University of Melbourne.

Attributable quote – “The Australian forest sector enhances Australia’s social well-being, drives sustainable economic growth, and delivers nature-positive outcomes. As the nation’s only professional association representing forest scientists, farm foresters, and forestry professionals, no organisation is better positioned than Forestry Australia to lead the vision for healthy, resilient forests grounded in evidence and robust science. Forestry Australia benefits from an exceptionally capable leadership team that has successfully advanced a dynamic and impactful program of work in recent years. It is both an honour and a privilege to be nominated to the Board and to contribute to the organisation’s continued evolution and growth.”

Anne Chuter, Director

Anne Chuter is a forest ecologist with a commitment to sustainable forest management and balancing environmental value with timber industry needs.  She holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Tasmania and has built her career within the Tasmanian government, working across biodiversity management, forestry regulation, and policy development. Through her commitment to practical, science-based solutions, Anne has played a key role in shaping Tasmania’s approach to forest management. She currently serves as the Chief Forest Practices Officer at the Forest Practices Authority in Tasmania.

Attributable quote – “I am honoured to join Forestry Australia as a Director. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on finding practical, science-based approaches to forest management that respect both ecological values and sector needs. I look forward to contributing to the profession and supporting sustainable outcomes for Australia’s forests.”

Leon Holt, Director

Leon Holt is a farm forester and mid-career professional with a background in native forest management and regulation in Victoria. He has a Master of Forest Ecosystems Science and a Bachelor of Arts & Science from the University of Melbourne. Leon has worked in forestry for over 10 years in the public sector, in roles ranging from district forester to manager of the Victorian Government’s timber harvesting regulatory strategy team. He was the 2019 recipient of the Prince of Wales Award for Sustainably Forest Management, and was a Forestry Australia board observer from 2021to 2025. Leon helped establish the Future Foresters Initiative and the Forestry Australia’s long-running webinar program.

Attributable quote – “I am delighted to join the board of Forestry Australia as a Director, after contributing as a board observer over the last few years. I look forward to continue supporting our wonderful association, and I hope to share my perspective as a farm forester and early to mid-career professional.”

Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck – Board Observer

Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck is a forest scientist with expertise in forest health, silviculture, and sustainable biomass utilisation. He holds a PhD in Forestry Studies from the University of the Sunshine Coast and a Master’s in Bioscience Engineering from Ghent University. Sam has led national research programs in Australia focused on herbicide use, pest management, and the use of forestry residues for bioenergy. He currently serves as a Research Fellow at UniSC’s Forest Research Institute and coordinates the Forest Pest Management Research Consortium. Sam is passionate about bridging applied research and industry to support evidence-based forest management.

Attributable quote – “I’m excited to join the Forestry Australia Board as an Observer to represent early-career professionals and contribute to the future of our sector. I’m passionate about fostering connection between research and practice, and I’m committed to supporting strong member engagement and professional development opportunities across our community.”

Media Contact:
Becher Townshend, Font PR 0418 370 661

ABOUT FORESTRY AUSTRALIA
Forestry Australia is an independent, not-for-profit professional association of more than 1,100 forest scientists, managers and growers who work in native forests, plantations and provision of environmental services. Its members are committed to the principles of sustainable forest management and applying these principles to generate environmental, social and economic outcomes in all types of forests and land tenures.