September 2024
The third Board meeting, chaired by Bob Gordon, took place on September 18th at the University of Melbourne.
The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) Chair attended as an advisor, and Professor Patrick Baker (University of Melbourne AFWI Research Center Leader) joined members for lunch to network.
The Board conducted the following business:
The reports and charters submitted by AFWI’s operational Board sub-committees, specifically Intellectual Property; Finance, Audit and Risk; Research, and Communications and Engagement, were noted and approved.
The RAC Chair provided an overview of the 25 project proposals received in the first round of the National Open Call (NOC) and highlighted those eight recommended for funding.
The Board approved the RAC’s recommended projects for funding totaling $5M, in line with the Commonwealth Agreement. The Board authorised the immediate release of a press statement announcing the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) member lists, to be distributed to industry.
The AFWI Draft Strategy document will be updated periodically. The RAC will be invited to contribute to the Draft Strategy document before its initial publication.
Invited guest Professor Patrick Baker joined the Board members for lunch and discussed his vision for the University of Melbourne’s Research Center operations once the agreement is finalised.
The importance of establishing a new sub-committee focused on capacity-building initiatives, communications, and partnerships with Indigenous communities was recognised. To this effect, Rachel Cavanagh, the Board’s Indigenous representative, was appointed as sub-committee Chair with Rod Keenan and Craig Cowled from the RAC, as supporting members.
The Chair reported on two key activities that took place included:
- The Chair joined the AFPA Board Meeting on September 4th and provided an update on AFWI’s work and NOC round one progress. AFWI will continue to strengthen its engagement initiatives with industry to identify and understand research priorities and opportunities.
- Minister Julie Collins visited UTas Newnham Campus on September 17th. She met with AFWI representatives to learn about AFWI’s structure and Research Center’s proposed activities. The UTas Centre for Sustainable Architecture in Wood (CSAW) team also presented their research and development projects.
The next Board meeting will be held on Monday, November 25th, in a hybrid format.
Bob Gordon
Chair, Australian Forest and Wood Innovations Board
